Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1

NO. 3439 BELIZE CITY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 (64 PAGES) $1.50 Dr. Manzanero accepts demotion? BELMOPAN. Thu. Feb. 18th, that he is still receives 2021 the same salary. In an On Thursday, February 18 the interview with CTV-3 Ministry of Health and Wellness’ via phone, the CEO Teenager CEO, Deysi Mendez informed local shared that changes media that Dr. Manzanero had been intended by the Ministry informed of the Ministry’s intention required a different killed in to “strengthening” and approach to public “restructuring” prior to his going health. on sick leave. As is known widely, “Dr. Manzanero holds Lords Bank Dr. Marvin Manzanero, was a post as an established infected with the coronavirus after Director of Health nine months of being on the front Services. This thing is, line of the pandemic in Belize. what we are going Reports are that he has accepted a post back with the HIV/AIDS Please„ turn to program inside the newly restructured MOHW. Reports are Page 53 Vicente says COVID-19 update

errors were by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) made LORD’S BANK, Tue. Feb. 16, 2021 In a week of increased gun violence and crime, there is yet Please turn to„Page 55 Violence erupts on Cleghorn Street

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 15, 2021 During the afternoon session of the Commission of Inquiry proceeding on the sale of government assets, Ruperto Vicente, who is the manager of Government’s Assets and Utilities Management Unit, of which the BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 18, 2021 Vehicle Care Unit is a part, answered The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) is concerned that the the initial questions posed by the population may begin to let their guard down, given the lower COVID-19 members of the commission. numbers recorded over the recent month. Over the past two weeks, the MOHW has noticed that more movement has by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) Please turn to„Page 55 been taking place within the population, on the Please turn to„Page 54 BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 15, 2021 On Monday night, devastation A deeper look into the 2020 prison struck a family on Cleghorn Street (See story on page 21) break – Part 2 Please turn to„Page 54 Page 2 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Belize CITCO and partners build a house by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) cannot make ends meet. BELIZE CITY, Thur. Feb. 18, 2021 Mayor Wagner Despite the impending municipal then stepped up and elections slated for March 3, the contacted donors current Belize City Council is still within the moving forward with its community community, namely outreach projects. On Thursday, Nando’s Wholesale, Mayor Bernard Wagner along with Mikado, Belize Water several sponsors held a handing Services Ltd., Belize over ceremony at which Ms. Electricity Ltd., Marlene King of Jones Street Golden City became the recipient of a new home. Program, Atlantic According to Mayor Wagner, he Bank Ltd., the heard of Ms. King’s plight on the Insurance Company evening news during a segment that of Belize (ICB) and aired in November 2020, in which the Embassy of the she expressed her despair over her Republic of China inhumane living conditions. The (Taiwan) to garner segment displayed a distraught the resources needed woman having to sweep water out to construct a home of her home due to the incessant for Ms. King. rains that affected Belize in the Representatives from a number of community member and limited, on the needs of others less latter part of the year. According to these institutions were in councilor-candidate Michael fortunate, and it certainly means Jones, she has had to rely on friends attendance to share remarks, Novelo and First Secretary of the extending a supportive hand when to assist her with food because she including Mr. Duffy Nunez from Embassy of Taiwan, Mrs. Gillian a fellow struggling neighbor cries and her common-law husband ICB, Lake Independence Hu. out for help,” Mayor Wagner stated Through this partnership, Ms. during his remarks. King was relocated to a new After the procedings, Ms. King dwelling where her rent was being also shared her sentiments about paid for by her sponsors until her what this project means for her and new home was erected on Jones her family: Street. The City Council et al. also “I’m happy for what they’ve done saw to it that running water and an for me, because God knows I didn’t electrical connection were installed feel like I would be in such a good in her new and improved abode. place. I’m thankful to everyone who “It is known that the City Council helped me and assisted me because is not mandated to provide housing. my husband can’t see well and I’ve This is something that I believe is been doing everything. I have my not frequently seen in the various friends, my cousins, Cordel Hyde, municipalities. However, this is who helped me once, and a lot of what serving the people means. It my friends who helped me to get means collaborating with partners groceries and money. I’m happy for for a collective good, it means everything you all have done for me focusing resources, however today,” she said. CITCO revamps Armadillo Basketball Court

According to the Mayor, ten youths from the council, the neighborhood were invited to rehabilitation of the participate in a three-point basketball court and shootout. They were given a brief Armadillo Park as a tutorial by NEBL star and City whole has been a Council Programs Manager, Devin long-time investment Daly, then each participant stepped on the Council’s part, up to take individual turns at the with Mayor Wagner shootout. Following the games, being the main they were all presented with sponsor of the certificates of participation, snacks basketball court. The and their own basketballs. Council has also been In his remarks, Mayor Wagner working with the mentioned that this initiative is Commonwealth something that will benefit the Local Government residents of Mesopotamia now and Forum (CLGF) to in the future. He believes that once improve some of the the COVID restrictions are relaxed, city’s underdeveloped the Armadillo Basketball Court will areas and make better foster athleticism and use of parks, sportsmanship for those living in BELIZE CITY, Fri. Feb. 19, 2021 made their way to the Armadillo playgrounds and green spaces. the area. On behalf of that area, one On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Basketball Court for a private Through this project, Armadillo of the community leaders, Shane Mayor Bernard Wagner, ceremony to unveil the newly Park is expected to be furnished “Mud” Harris, expressed his accompanied by councilors Albert rehabilitated Armadillo Basketball with new amenities such as benches, gratitude to Mayor Wagner and the Vaughan, Dr. Candice Pitts and Court in the Mesopotamia trash cans, plants, a snack shop etc. council for investing in his councilor-candidate Kaya Cattouse, Division. Following a few words by the community. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 3 Nominations for the Belize Public Service Awards now open

by Dayne Guy Award, on the other hand, is given to an individual who has worked in BELMOPAN, Mon. Feb. 15, 2021 the public sector for over 15 years The Ministry of the Public with a proven track record, marked Service, Constitutional and with distinction and Political Reform calls for accomplishments. nominations for the 2021 Belize There are also the Award of Public Service Outstanding Innovation, which acknowledges Honours and Awards. This program individuals or a team of officers is geared at identifying individuals who have gone beyond the status or teams within the public service quo, in improving the current who have performed with norms through creativity and excellence and consistency and have innovation, and the Excellence in spent countless hours improving Customer-focused Service Delivery the public sector. Award, which is given to an officer There are eight notable awards or group of officers, who have that will be presented. These excelled in customer service, tribute to the contributions and Martinez, take pride in championing include the Governor-General exceeding the boundaries of accomplishments of these the important role of recognizing (G.G.) Legacy Award, which is one traditional service. exemplary and outstanding public and showing appreciation to public of the most distinguished awards, The other three awards are the officers, and it urges the public to officers for their outstanding service and is presented only once during a Outstanding Rookie Award, which visit the Ministry of Public to the Government and people of public officer’s career. This award recognizes a public sector Service’s web page and review the Belize,” the Ministry states in its is presented to a senior level public newcomer who displays the nominator guidelines and eligibility press release. officer in management, who is qualities of a promising leader; the requirements. considered a pioneer in the service Outstanding Achiever Award, which The deadline for the nominations and has advocated and contributed acknowledges an individual or team is March 31, 2021. All nominations 160 nominations significantly to the public. Another whose achievements inspire others must have a completed nomination of the eight awards is the Prime to be exceptional, and the Heroic form and two letters of in 9 Minister Leadership Award, which Act Award, which recognizes an endorsement. Self-nomination is honors a prominent leader, individual or a team that acts in not permitted, as these awards and municipalities regardless of their organizational times of great risk, defending honors are peer-recognized. role. The recipient of this honor national interest and maintaining “Hon. Henry Charles Usher, must embody vision, strategy, peace in the society. Minister of the Public Service, charisma and inspiration. The The Ministry calls for Constitutional and Political Distinguished Public Service participation in its efforts to pay Reform, and CEO Dr. Osmond Dual elections in Corozal Bay

registered voters for the Corozal receive a ballot paper. Once that Bay electoral division, to take the person has gone through the opportunity to vote in both process in terms of marking and elections, because we’re making it voting for 1 mayor and 6 very easy for those persons,” Ms. councilors, that person would have Tamai said. already been identified. They’re in Two polling areas — polling the same classroom. Those persons areas 39 and 40 — are listed for will just go over to the presiding Corozal Bay, and there will be a officer for the by-election to total of 18 polling stations. receive a ballot paper for the by- BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 17, 2021 “All persons who are registered election. They go through the In just about two weeks, on March electors for Corozal Bay, those process again. They mark their one 3, the 2021 Municipal Elections will persons are eligible to vote in the X for whichever candidate they be held across the country of Belize. municipal elections. Those persons choose to vote for and place it in A by-election will also be held in the will join one line. So, when you the ballot box for the by-election. Corozal Bay electoral division. This reach the polling station, you will So, again, you have 2 separate Wednesday, February 17, the Chief COROZAL DISTRICT, Wed. Feb. have one line. In that line, now, ballot boxes: 1 for the municipal Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, 17, 2021 those persons will first vote for election, and one for the by- gave the media some details about The Elections and Boundaries municipal elections. When you go election.” Ms. Tamai explained. what can be expected on the day of Department is encouraging the in, you will be sanitized, you will The counting area for the elections. This will be our 2nd election 5,712 voters registered in the be identified. The name will be municipal election will be at held during the global pandemic, and Corozal Bay division to participate marked off the voter’s list. The Corozal Community College, Ms. Tamai said that all the prevention in both the Corozal Town Council person will be required to show his while the votes cast for the by- protocols that were in place at the polls elections and the Corozal Bay by- or her right index finger, to ensure elections will be counted at Saint during the last election will be elections. Voters in that constituency that they have not voted before. We Francis Xavier RC School. A maintained and enforced more strictly. will choose an area representative will use 2 different color inks, and polling station has also been “For nomination day we received a and also the new Corozal Town 2 different fingers for the dip, to established at Indiaville, so total of 160 nominations for all 9 Council on March 3, 2021. The know exactly who has voted for the members in that more remote municipalities. We also received Chief Elections Officer, Josephine by-election, and who has voted for community can access voting. nominations for two candidates for the Tamai, told the media that provisions the municipal election,” explained Hilberto Campos, the UDP’s Corozal Bay by-election.” Ms. Tamai are in place for the convenience of Tamai. candidate, will go up against Elvia said. The two major parties, the PUP and the constituents who will have to She further described the Vega Samos, the sister of the late UDP, have secured their slates and make two important decisions on procedure that each voter will elected area representative, David nominations. Also, candidates from the that day. follow by saying, “So, the voter “Dido” Vega. BPP and BPF will contest these “We want to encourage persons will first go to the presiding officer Polls will open countrywide at who will be voting, or who are for the municipal election to 7:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Please turn to„Page 4 Page 4 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Belize Joins International Solar Alliance 160 nominations in 9 BELMOPAN, Mon. Feb.15, 2021 During the November 2015 municipalities United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, the prime Continued from „Page 3 minister of India, Narendra Modi, and former president of France, elections. Twelve independent Francois Hollande, jointly launched candidates have also been nominated, the International Solar Alliance and a person representing the United (ISA). In November 2016, a Upliftment party from Dangriga will framework agreement was put contest the election in that forward for countries in attendance municipality. at that year’s Climate Change Two hundred and seventy-two Conference in Morocco to sign on polling stations will be active across to, if they wished to join the alliance. the country, according to the Chief To date, 90 countries, now inclusive Elections Officer, who also mentioned of Belize, are signatories to the that 18 polling stations will be active agreement. for the Corozal Bay by-elections. On Monday of this week, About 1,500 public officers are scheduled to perform election duties Belize’s Minister responsible for on that day, and police officers will Energy, Rodwell Ferguson, signed also be deployed across the country the framework agreement on behalf to ensure that the special COVID-19 of the Government of Belize, prevention protocols are adhered to officially joining Belize to the ISA. strictly. A release from the government of “We have to ensure the safety of all Belize states, “Belize recognizes the the voters and public officers and safety ISA as a key initiative for promoting for the Belizean citizens as well. And sustainable energy, which will serve To date, India, France, Australia, “The ISA has 122 sun-belt countries so, we had a meeting and we discussed as a strategic partner to Belize in the United Arab Emirates, the that lie between the Tropic of the protocols that were in place for the increasing indigenous solar power United Kingdom, and Japan have Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn General Elections, and we realized production and achieving universal already signed on to the agreement. as its prospective member what we did then worked extremely access.” The GOB release ends by stating, countries.” well in terms of managing the polling station. So, again, that is an area where we agreed it’s best for us to proceed Missing Raphael as we did with the General Election.” Redistricting still Ms. Tamai shared. Garrido found in All persons in the public must still on the table use face masks, as is mandated by the a shallow grave COVID-19 regulations. Voters will be sanitizing their hands when entering the polling stations, before they dip their finger in the ink, and will use a sanitized pencil at all times. Public officers will be provided with PPE’s, according to the Chief Elections Officer. Despite all the regulations in place, persons will still have to remove their face masks for a brief moment for identification purposes. “It’s very critical. Even though people would say, but why are we removing our masks. We have to properly identify voters in order to ensure that the person who is voting is who they say they are. So what we have emphasized, though, for the general public, because persons will be required to momentarily remove it, probably for ten seconds maximum, BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 17, 2021 divisions across Belize are but we are asking that persons do not During a press briefing held by malapportioned. by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) speak while that mask [is] being the Chief Elections Officer, This injunction was ultimately removed,” Ms. Tamai explained. Josephine Tamai, this Wednesday, denied in the Supreme Court BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 18, She also said that the Police she told members of the media that chambers by Acting Chief Justice 2021 Department has indicated that they will redistricting has been on the table Michelle Arana. The disappearance of Raphael ensure that the laws and regulations before the matter made its way to While speaking about the Garrido has been a mystery making in place are strictly adhered to outside the courts. redistricting exercise, Chief its way through the media since last the 100-yard polling station marker. Readers would recall that in late Elections Officer Tamai shared, Monday when the young man was “The police will not be there to arrest persons as such, but basically October 2020, before the “Even before the matter was at reported missing by his family. to guide persons and to encourage scheduled General Elections, the Garrido was last seen on February court, it is something that the persons to follow the law, because we Belize PEACE movement Commission has been discussing 3, 2021, after making a visit to Orange Walk. After the trip, Garrido want people to come out and vote, and attempted to get an injunction to over and over. So I’m positively we want people to come out and vote was said to have been dropped off postpone the elections based on the sure that it is something that is on in a safe manner, but again the police uneven distribution of voters the table, that has been on the table, at Mile 31 on the Philip Goldson can only do so much. Our public across the various electoral and will be considered regardless Highway and was not seen again for officers can only do so much. We need divisions in Belize. They are of the of the outcome from the court, several days. to request the assistance of the public position that the 2020 General because again, we have the Initial reports had indicated that as well,” Ms. Tamai said. Elections were held Constitution, we have the law. We Garrido went to Orange Walk to The Chief Elections Officer shared unconstitutionally since, according need to ensure that we abide by the that the cost of conducting this election to an expert report, 71% of all laws as well.” Please turn to„Page 54 will be almost 1 million dollars. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 5

The priority is food

Since the pandemic began we have been waiting for the food can get from the fact that there is food in-country, is tourists to return in large numbers to our shores, and the that the government could commandeer what individual recent development of vaccines that can give acceptable levels groups have, and distribute some to those who don’t have of immunity to the virus that is causing the pandemic gives any, but that could only happen in a state of emergency. cause for some optimism. However, some experts have Over and over, studies have shown that eating right is the suggested that even if the vaccination programs are successful, best defense against diseases, all diseases. Our people must it won’t be until 2024 that large numbers of people who like have food, abundant wholesome food. At this present time to travel will feel comfortable enough to board a plane or ship the government is buying food for those who are in need, but to go visiting other parts of the world again. the public purse is severely strapped for cash, so as time Our economy is sputtering, and it will continue to stagger goes by, the food basket is getting leaner, and less nutritious. until the tourism industry starts firing on all its cylinders again. Many times we’ve heard our leaders, both in the business If the next tourism season is as bad as the present one is, and political arenas, say that we need to think out of the box, 2022 will be a very bad year, and if it is not until 2024 that the meaning in business that we have to take a different approach industry fully rebounds, things could get so bad that our police to improving our bottom line, and in government that we department might not be able to keep order. The only way we have to try different approaches to delivering the goods and can avert such a catastrophe is if we move now to prepare for services for the people. We have yet to see that our new the worst. leaders are capable of shifting their course. Many of our people were not getting enough quality food At this time we really must apply new thinking, and in that before the pandemic began in March, and daily their situation vein the government might look at the following suggestions. is getting worse. A World Bank report earlier this month stated For the longer run, the government must encourage cattle that even before Covid-19 the cost of food was causing chronic ranchers in the country, big and small, to introduce dairy and acute hunger in many areas of the globe. The report said bulls, to shift some of the emphasis from beef to milk the price of food “rose close to 20% in the last year (January production. 2020-January 2021)” and that food prices will remain volatile For the shorter run, the government should embark on for some time. establishing thousand-acre farms in each district, and the The new government promised in its 2020-25 manifesto majority of crops grown should be those with long shelf life, that it would “appoint a such as yams, coco, and sweet potatoes, and cassava, which Commission to develop a can be preserved as flour. These farms should be established National Food Security Plan to provide food for Belizeans who don’t have any earnings, within the first three months and are not immediately in a position to farm the land. in office” and our observation Any concerns that government-owned farms would cut is that there is a plan in action, into the earnings of private farmers should be put aside, Amandala(estb. 1969) a plan that focuses on our because the food produced would go to families that don’t Business and editorial offices: traditional food producers. have the money to go to the market. Any fears of our leaders 3304 Partridge Street, Belize Unfortunately, the plan does that our country might be labeled as going too far left, too City, Belize, Central America not address the needs of the socialist, should be put aside, because leaders have to do is printed twice weekly by the thousands of us who don’t what is necessary to save their people, and it will be only for Amandala Press. have the money to buy food. a time, only until we get out of this crisis. Telephones: 501-280-4703/ When the pandemic began, Because Belize has been encouraging the razing of large 501-202-4477 our leaders said that Belize acreages to produce grains, and crops for export, native has food security, but if that fauna have been driven from their habitats, and this has Publisher: Evan X Hyde were so, why were so many resulted in increased pest pressure for small farmers across Editor-in-chief: Marco Lopez of our people scrambling for the country. Instead of destroying the wildlife that would Business Manager: Jacinta Hyde food, and why are so many decimate sweet potatoes, coco, cassava, and yam on our Make-up & Design Belizeans eating cheap, thousand-acre farms, we can utilize hands that have been unwholesome food? idled because of the pandemic to fend them off. Artist: Andrea Dennison The Mennonite group has Another source of labor for these farms can come from Executive Secretary: Odessa done well, and has the pool of non-violent persons who have fallen into the Robinson Smith outcompeted all other groups prison system. Utilizing our plentiful, unoccupied labor would Compositor: Tyra Welch to take over the market for dramatically reduce the money expended in producing these Lithography: Clive Smith rice, beans, corn, chickens, crops. Printers: Kent Brooks eggs, milk, the staples for the It will be difficult for the government to find easily accessed Belizean table, while the land that is good for crop production, and we really shouldn’t government has given be razing any more large parcels in our country, so for a Please email Correspondence: project like this the government could rent land, most of it [email protected] incentives to large local farmers and foreign from ranchers who have A-grade land under pasture. Advertisements to: corporations that produce There’s nothing about food production that is rocket [email protected] crops for export. science. Ninety-nine percent of the difference between a There are groups in our one-acre farm and a thousand-acre farm is inputs, and all Mailing Address: country that have an across our country the Ministry of Agriculture has technicians Amandala Press abundant supply of food, but in its employ who have the technical skills to run farms of 3304 Partridge Street for some of us, for too many this size. c/o P.O. Box 15, of us, that’s like “water, water After the crisis is over, the rented lands can be returned Belize City, Belize everywhere, but not a drop to to their owners, hopefully to be used to produce crops for drink.” The only consolation the export market and local consumption, because it’s not Amandala’s website: that those who have very little a best-use practice to put prime agricultural land in pasture. amandala.com.bz Page 6 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 112 GOB vehicles sold for 300K, says Financial Secretary

“unserviceable” — a term Attorney General, Michael described as running. The price that is used to indicate that Peyrefitte, requested to purchase there was $21,165.00.” vehicles and other assets the furniture used at his office. The “When we come to the 4th of have passed their useful life assertion is that the pieces of November, the 4th of November and are beyond repair. It was furniture were customized there was a sale to Minister Hugo revealed in the afternoon specifically for the former AG’s Patt of a 2020 Toyota Tacoma in sessions of the proceeding, use, and as a result were sold to him running condition for $65,000,” he however, that this term was as another “special favor.” He was went on to note. used widely and also sold his laptop, which had a The records show that indiscriminately to classify purchase price of $6000, for one Juvencia Herrera was the vehicles in perfect working $3500. person who purchased the vehicle condition in some Financial Secretary Waight then on the former Minister’s behalf. instances. went on to outline the sales which “Leading up to the election, we Waight further informed were executed from September did retain several, didn’t sell them. the commission that during 2020 until the days just prior to the Requests were coming from the period in question, from general elections. Ministers, requests were coming October 2019 to November According to Waight, a total of from CEO’s, except the ones 2020, about 112 vehicles 20 vehicles were sold from the end mentioned, but we didn’t sell them, BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 15, 2021 were sold. Some of those vehicles of September to the run-up to the and we had in the yard 19 vehicles On Monday, Financial Secretary, were considered unserviceable, general elections. One person was that were running and operating, Joseph Waight appeared before the while others were in need of parts also allowed to buy 8 ATV’s, and and those were turned over to the Commission of Inquiry that was and major repairs. Others, however, others were allowed to purchase new government,” the Financial established to carry out a probe into were sold to top public officers, and motorcycles at very low prices — Secretary informed the the sale of government assets prior these sales were deemed by Prime prices that were reportedly set by commission. to the general elections in Minister, Dean Barrow, and the Financial Secretary and Vehicles “The practice has been in the past, November 2020. Waight holds the Financial Secretary Waight to be Care Unit after a valuation from the that public officials would ask to authority to sign off on the sales of “special favors.” Customs Department, in some take their vehicles, depending on government assets when a Such a special favor was afforded cases. their circumstances, the determination has been made that to the former Deputy Prime “Again, the 7th of October, to government would have those assets are no longer Minister, Hugo Patt, who, Collin Griffith, a 2016 Toyota considered, as a thank you. But functional or have reached the end according to the records, procured Hilux for $5000 dollars,” Waight given the particular times, we tried of their period of usefulness to the a 2020 Toyota Tacoma on further listed. to hold that down.” Waight government. November 4, 2020. Records also In reference to this vehicle sale commented. Recommendations for the sale of show that Carla Barnett was also to Griffith, the Chairman of the Marshalleck then retorted, “But such items are typically made by the sold the government vehicle she had Commission, Andrew Marshalleck, it was still done in several instances, Asset and Utility Care Management been using, on October 14 of the SC, asked if there had been an to consideration to what is largely Unit, of which the Vehicle Care Unit same year. The former President of evaluation by the Customs the benefit of the public officers? is just a part. The head of the unit, the Court of Appeals was also Department. The vehicle, believed Rather than the financial detriment Ruperto Vicente, would make allowed to buy his vehicle, and the to be in working condition, was of the country? It’s a way of giving recommendations, and according to records revealed that both the sold to the now-retired Comptroller him something when he leaves? As him, would then follow directives former Comptroller of Customs, for a fraction of the market value. a benefit to him?” given by the former Prime Minister, Colin Griffith, and the former Subsequently, in response to Waight replied, “Well, you know, Dean Barrow, and Financial Commissioner of Land, Wilbert Waight’s description of the sale of it’s not a giveaway.” Secretary Waight. Vallejos, were allowed to buy “a 2018 Isuzu D-max in running Marshalleck countered, “$5000 During his presentation, Waight vehicles. condition,” to Carla Barnett on for a Hilux?” told the members of the In addition to the sale of the October 14, Marshalleck observed, “I don’t know the condition of commission that there is some vehicles, 9 laptops were sold to “That one is not described as the vehicle,” Waight then leniency in the sale of assets that Cabinet CEOs, for as low as $500. unserviceable?” responded. have been determined to be In another instance, the former Waight then replied, “No, it’s “Well, we’ll find out,” Marshalleck said. Marshalleck then, in concluding the session, asked: BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEES “Leading up to the General Elections, nobody knows what will THE BELIZE BANK LIMITED, a company duly formed and incorporated under the Laws of Belize with happen. Why is there a rush to buy registered Office situate at No. 60 Market Square, Belize City, Belize hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its assets, why is there any motivation, power of sale as Mortgagee under aDeed of Mortgage between Ignacio Villanueva hereinafter called “Borrower” of the first partand The Belize Bank Limited hereinafter called “the bank” which was recorded at the Land Titles Unit in the let’s not say a rush, to buy office Belmopan City on the 15th Day of November 2016 Instrument: LTU - 201601714.The said bank will at the expiration of furniture and computer equipment two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the SCHEDULEShereto. on the part of CEO and Attorney ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to The Belize Bank Limited or to the undersigned Generals and Commissioners of from either of whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained. Lands and Comptrollers of Customs? Why would they even THE SCHEDULE ABOVE contemplate that they would need REFERRED TO AS these things? And need them in their personal names?” ALL THOSE LEASEHOLD premises situate in Placencia Road, Stann Creek District and bounded as follows: On In reply, Financial Secretary the Northeast for 1731.38 feet by a 19.95 Acre Parcel of Land, on the Southeast for 607.12 feet by Now or Formerly National land on the Southwest for 1182.50 Feet by Now or Formerly National land on the Northwest for 818.45 feet by Waight said, “I can’t speak for them, the Southern Highway containing 20.31 acres of land as shown on Entry 7426, Reg. 3 at the office of the Commissioner of but they may have decided that they Lands and Survey TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. have come to the end of their career with the Government.”

Dated the 1st February 2021

The Belize Bank Limited Second Floor Matalon Business Center Visit us at Coney Drive, www.amandala.com.bz Belize City Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 7 The story of Edward and Catherine Despard

by Mike Jay accounts she was the daughter of a Caribbean to London to settle an Despard was instructed by the Jamaican preacher, by others she was administrative dispute, which had Home Secretary, Lord Sydney, to In the late summer of 1790, when an educated Spanish Creole. Recently turned on the question of the equal accommodate the Shoremen in the Colonel Edward Marcus Despard uncovered parish records show that treatment of races. After a series of new enclave “in preference to all arrived in London after nearly twenty her mother was a free black woman heroic military engagements against other persons whatsoever”. He years of British military service in the of the parish of St. Andrews outside the Spanish, he was given charge of offered them parcels of land on which Caribbean, he brought with him his Kingston, Jamaica. Despard may the newly ceded British enclave of the to build house and grow crops for wife, Catherine, and their young son, have met her there, perhaps in 1784 Bay of Honduras, present-day Belize. their subsistence, and he did so James. Catherine was a black woman or 1785 while he was patrolling the As part of the treaty that granted the without distinction of colour, and their mixed race marriage was waters between Jamaica and the new enclave, British settlers up and distributing lots on an equal basis to highly unusual in Britain at the time. Mosquito Shore of Central America down the Mosquito Shore were mulattos, blacks and whites. This They lived together as man and wife in preparation for establishing a new required to resettle in the Bay of policy was fiercely opposed by the in London, and Catherine took on an British settlement. She may have Honduras, and Despard was charged small number of long-term white increasingly public role in defending been responsible for nursing him with accommodating them. Some settlers in the Bay who had become her husband against charges of through one of his many tropical were wealthy planters of Anglo- wealthy through exporting mahogany terrorism and sedition. She lobbied illnesses, as Cuba Cornwallis had Saxon origin, but the majority were a to Britain, where it provided the and campaigned on his behalf, taking done for Despard’s comrade-in-arms, “motley crew” of laborers, brewers, materials for furniture makers such the fight to the highest authorities in Horatio Nelson. But whatever stories smugglers, freed slaves and ex- as Thomas Chippendale. These government and the judiciary, until were attached to her it is clear that, in military volunteers who had been Baymen, as they were known, had Despard’s dramatic execution on London, she confounded the living in straggling and remote previously divided the Bay territory charges of high treason in 1803. expectations and prejudices of all who communities up and down the coast informally among themselves, even There were various rumours about met her. and were known collectively as the though it was technically owned by Catherine’s background: by some Despard had been recalled from the Shoremen. the Spanish crown. The terms of the new treaty superseded these old arrangements, but the Baymen protested vigorously. They insisted to Lord Sydney that the rights of “people of mixed colour and negroes” should be subservient to those of the established Anglo-Saxon colonists. Despard replied to Sydney, that the decision “must be governed by the laws of England, which knows no such distinction”. Technically, he was quite correct: there was no colour bar in English law, and the Baymen were, in his phrase, “a very arbitrary aristocracy” who were attempting to monopolise the new settlement’s wealth. But the Baymen kept up their protests and succeeded in persuading a new Home Secretary, William Wyndham Grenville, that Despard’s actions are threatening the Bay’s profitable mahogany trade. Grenville suspended Despard from his post, pending an enquiry. His response was to stand for re-election as magistrate in the local polls, where he won a landslide majority. The Baymen protested once more that his mandate had only been secured by the inclusion on the register of “ignorant turtlers and people of colour” who had never previously voted in magistracy elections. In 1790, Despard was forced to return to London to argue his case. The exchanges between Despard, the Baymen and the Home Office were detailed and protracted, and the debate was later picked over in public when Despard was interned by the government as a suspected terrorist. Yet the fact of his marriage to Catherine, and of her ethnicity, was never mentioned in connection with it. The Baymen, although they made much of Despard’s partiality to “people of colour”, made no reference to his wife and child. James Bannantine, Despard’s secretary in the Bay, published a vigorous defence of his former employer’s actions, yet he too found no room to mention Catherine. She is absent, too, from Please turn to„Page 20 Page 8 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 La prioridad es la comida

Desde que comenzó la pandemia hemos estado a medida que pasa el tiempo, la canasta de alimentos se esperando que los turistas regresen en gran número a vuelve más magra y menos nutritiva. nuestras costas, y el reciente desarrollo de vacunas que Muchas veces hemos escuchado a nuestros líderes, tanto pueden dar niveles aceptables de inmunidad al virus que en el ámbito empresarial como en el político, decir que está causando la pandemia da motivos para cierto tenemos que tener iniciativa, lo que significa que en los optimismo. Sin embargo, algunos expertos han sugerido negocios tenemos que probar enfoques diferente para que incluso si los programas de vacunación tienen éxito, mejorar nuestros resultados, y en el gobierno que debemos no será hasta 2024 cuando un gran número de personas probar diferentes enfoques para entregar los bienes y a las que les gusta viajar se sentirán lo suficientemente servicios al pueblo. Aún nos falta ver que nuestros nuevos cómodas como para abordar un avión o un barco para líderes son capaces de cambiar de rumbo. visitar otras partes del mundo nuevamente. En este momento, realmente debemos aplicar un nuevo Nuestra economía se está tambaleando y seguirá pensamiento, y en ese sentido, el gobierno podría tambaleándose hasta que la industria del turismo comience considerar las siguientes sugerencias. A más largo plazo, a operar de nuevo con todos sus cilindros. Si la próxima el gobierno debe alentar a los ganaderos del país, grandes temporada turística es tan mala como la actual, el 2022 y pequeños, a introducir toros lecheros, para cambiar será un año muy malo, y si no es hasta el 2024 que la parte del énfasis de la producción de carne a la producción industria se recupere por completo, las cosas podrían de leche. ponerse tan mal que nuestro departamento de policía A corto plazo, el gobierno debería embarcarse en el podría no ser capaz de mantener el orden. La única forma establecimiento de fincas de mil acres en cada distrito, y en que podemos evitar tal catástrofe es si actuamos ahora la mayoría de los cultivos deben ser aquellos con una vida para prepararnos para lo peor. útil prolongada, como el ñame, camote y yuca, que se Mucha de nuestra gente no estaba recibiendo suficiente pueden conservar como harina. Estas fincas deberían comida de calidad antes de que comenzara la pandemia establecerse para proporcionar alimentos a los beliceños en marzo, y cada día su situación empeora. Un informe que no tienen ingresos y no están inmediatamente en del Banco Mundial a principios de este mes indicó que condiciones de cultivar la tierra. incluso antes del Covid-19, el costo de los alimentos estaba Cualquier preocupación de que las fincas estatales causando hambre crónica y aguda en muchas áreas del reduzcan las ganancias de los agricultores privados debe mundo. El informe dijo que el precio de los alimentos dejarse de lado, porque los alimentos producidos irían a “subió cerca del 20% en el último año (enero de 2020- familias que no tienen dinero para ir al mercado. Cualquier enero de 2021)” y que los precios de los alimentos temor de nuestros líderes de que nuestro país pueda ser permanecerán volátiles durante algún tiempo. etiquetado como demasiado de izquierda, demasiado El nuevo gobierno prometió en su manifiesto 2020-25 socialista, debe dejarse de lado, porque los líderes tienen que “nombraría una Comisión para desarrollar un Plan que hacer lo que sea necesario para salvar a su gente, y Nacional de Seguridad Alimentaria dentro de los primeros será solo por un tiempo, solo hasta que nosotros salgamos tres meses en el cargo” y nuestra observación es que hay de esta crisis. un plan en acción, un plan que se enfoca en nuestros Debido a que Belize ha estado alentando la demolición productores de alimentos tradicionales. de grandes superficies para producir granos y cultivos Desafortunadamente, el plan no aborda las necesidades para la exportación, la fauna nativa ha sido expulsada de de las miles de personas que no tenemos el dinero para sus hábitats y esto ha resultado en una mayor presión de comprar alimentos. plagas para los pequeños agricultores en todo el país. En Cuando comenzó la pandemia, nuestros líderes dijeron lugar de destruir la vida silvestre que diezmaría el camote, que Belize tiene seguridad alimentaria, pero si eso fuera la yuca y el ñame en nuestras fincas de mil acres, podemos así, ¿por qué tanta gente luchaba por la comida y por qué utilizar manos que han estado inactivas debido a la tantos beliceños comen comida barata y dañina? pandemia para repelerlos. El grupo menonita ha hecho bien y ha superado a todos Otra fuente de trabajo para estas fincas puede provenir los demás grupos para apoderarse del mercado de arroz, del grupo de personas no violentas que han caído en el frijoles, maíz, pollos, huevos, leche, los alimentos básicos sistema penitenciario. La utilización de nuestra abundante para la mesa beliceña, mientras que el gobierno ha dado mano de obra desocupada reduciría drásticamente el incentivos a los grandes agricultores locales y dinero gastado en producir estos cultivos. corporaciones extranjeras que producen cultivos para la Será difícil para el gobierno encontrar tierras de fácil exportación. acceso que sean buenas para la producción de cultivos, y Hay grupos en nuestro país que tienen un suministro realmente no deberíamos arrasar más parcelas grandes abundante de alimentos, pero para algunos de nosotros, en nuestro país, por lo que para un proyecto como este, para muchos de nosotros, eso es como “agua, agua por el gobierno podría alquilar tierras, la mayoría de ganaderos todas partes, pero ni una gota para beber”. El único que tienen tierras de grado A bajo pastos. consuelo que pueden obtener los que tienen muy poca No hay nada sobre la producción de alimentos que sea comida del hecho de que existe comida en el país, es que ciencia espacial. El noventa y nueve por ciento de la el gobierno podría apoderarse de lo que tienen los grupos diferencia entre una finca de un acre y una finca de mil individuales y distribuir algo a los que no tienen, pero eso acres son insumos, y en todo nuestro país el Ministerio de solo podría suceder en un estado de emergencia. Agricultura tiene técnicos en su empleo que tienen las Una y otra vez, estudios han demostrado que comer habilidades técnicas para operar fincas de este tamaño. bien es la mejor defensa contra las enfermedades, todas Una vez finalizada la crisis, las tierras alquiladas pueden las enfermedades. Nuestra gente debe tener comida, ser devueltas a sus propietarios, con suerte para que se abundante comida sana. En este momento, el gobierno utilicen para producir cultivos para el mercado de está comprando alimentos para quienes lo necesitan, pero exportación y el consumo local, porque no es una buena el erario público está muy escaso de efectivo, por lo que práctica poner tierras agrícolas de primer grado bajo pastos. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 9

Firing is about money, demotion about ego

by Colin Hyde children who are interested are put aging, brings you back to the pack. they thought they were a perfect fit. together under someone who “used In sports, no matter who you will Ah, in the line of firing, do you I’ll preface this piece with the to play” or who has a known interest. grow up to be, as you go along you remember that after Winston statement that there are extremely There is little vetting of coaches to will enter levels that are above you. Churchill’s great victories in World valuable lessons in a proper sports check their character, their leadership Then you will have to adjust to being War II the British dumped him in the culture, and Belize is missing out big skills, and their understanding that just a sideshow, a minor piece or no elections? Hmm, a local hero says time because our sports culture is at that level life lessons are more piece at all, at least for a time. Churchill actually bombed those kind of a disaster. Looking at the important than winning. Belizeans are way too fearful of disgraceful on-the-fence Americans failure of sports for our children, we A couple important life lessons being fired, and fair enough, to get them into the war, but I draw still have sports competitions for the that you should get through a healthy everyone wants to earn money, but the line on the local hero’s musings. primary schools annually, but the sports program should prepare you the fear factor involving status is just Banzai, the Japanese thought out and way that works, you’d think we have for being fired or demoted, which way, way out of proportion. It is no executed that attack all by never looked at how more seasoned happens to every person at some time great shame to be fired, unless you themselves. countries run their show. in their life, either because a new are just a lazy bohga. Really, for many Here’s what Dr. Paul Addison had The way it works for most schools boss doesn’t appreciate your talent people in this world, the only way to say about Churchill’s firing in the is that the principal’s office gets a or simply prefers someone else to they land in their perfect spot is by story, “Politics in Peacetime”, schedule of events for the year, and you, or that great reducer of skills, getting the boot from a spot where published by the mighty BBC. Addison says that during the war Churchill had some crazy popularity, and that in May 1945 the opinion polls showed his popularity was at an incredible 83%. Everyone thought he would lead his party to a massive victory at the polls. Addison says, “…the very qualities that had made him a great leader in war were ill-suited to domestic politics in peacetime. Politicians are often rejected by voters because they have failed in office. But one of the reasons why Churchill lost the general election in 1945 was because he had succeeded in completing the almost superhuman task he had taken on in 1940, and in a way this made him redundant.” I said it isn’t necessarily a shame to get thrown out. The world teems with people who got dumped and landed in the right spot. Understandably, jobs are especially critical at this time, but in ordinary times getting the heave ho shouldn’t be so big on the scale of pain. Welcome to the world when you get the boot. The story about demotion, being asked to take a lesser position, is big about ego. Demotion shouldn’t be such a great demoralizer, but it often is because in that area we have a very bad culture. Sometimes, however, the person who is asked to take a demotion could be responsible for their difficulty, if they were the type of boss who liked to kick people around. There are people like that, and it’s impossible for them to accept a demotion, and very ambitious of management to ask them to accept a lower rung, because poison will contaminate such an environment. A team is most productive when all the personnel are in the right place. I didn’t disagree with Major Jones on his discussion about us needing to have more respect for talent, because it has to be clear that whether it be level of education, determination, loyalty, experience, Please turn toPage 12 Page 10 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Maximiliano “Pincel” Rosado -- esteemed commercial graphic artist, passes

with the blame resting on from north to south, as well as God-given talent -- painting. one of those cancers that adorning the entrances of businesses His eldest daughter, Lesly Francis afflict the human race almost the country over. “Pincel” Caballero-Lin, could be no more (lymphoma) — but if you closed the last chapters of his life as proud of her father. She explained listen to his daughters speak a graphic design artist, commercially that his talent was discovered in his of him now, you’d not detect esteemed, and he would paint primary school days when a sister an ounce of sorrow. anywhere from the walls of the saw his drawings in textbooks. After seven decades of life business next to his Belize City From there he was tasked with thoroughly enjoyed, of studio, that big lobster on the drawing Christmas decorations on opportunities seized and Northern Fishermen Cooperative all the classroom blackboards – dogged determination building, to the remarkable work something he thoroughly enjoyed. In galore, his children, three that adorns the halls in the Old Belize later years, his clientele included girls, and wife, are left to Museum. fishermen who sought him out for celebrate the giant of a man Born in Corozal Town but having tattoos. Thereafter, he turned to sign that “Pincel” became in the moved to the cayes, Rosado became painting for businesses. art world. Pincel, of course, a fisherman and lover of the sea. His In August of 2020 Rosado began being the Spanish subject on whatever he turned into displaying signs of illness, but his by Marisol Amaya translation for paint brush. his canvas, therefore, invariably daughter says that due to the Never mind that his artistic mark became marine subjects. When his COVID-19 pandemic he was not The life of 70-year-old is left in varied, perhaps unusual shrimp boat sank under him as diagnosed until October, when they Maximiliano Rosado has expired – places – gracing the sea on vessels captain in the 80’s, he turned to his could finally get hospital service. He completed his last sign painting in November 2020 and, though visibly frailer, he insisted on getting it done. In fact, another of his daughters, Ruth Rosado, shared that one day, he sneaked out of the house, located in the 8 Miles residential area, to get to work. When she went to pick him up he refused to leave until he had completed the sign. Lesly told us of his sheer dedication to his work, which stemmed from his passion for his craft: “with all his ailing he continued to work daily. He would take a bus and go into the city and he would walk every day where he had his studio…he was so passionate. It gave him so much joy to bring to life and bring out a perspective of what the client wanted. He aimed to please,” she said. And as a father, please he did in the kitchen, to the point that the cooking of his Honduran cosmetologist wife had some serious competition among their daughters. Lesly recounted, “He had such a touch with fish! He would bring home fish and it would taste like the nicest thing you ever ate…It was quite a situation, because Mommy would cook during the day…and when Daddy come he will make something and then you are conflicted: ‘Ok, which one do I eat?’ And we would be like ‘Mommy, we love your cooking; it’s nice, but we want to tell you that Daddy cooks really good too!’” And while it sounds like he lived a life of ease throughout, despite all his successes and countless high points, it was not all a bed of roses for “Pincel.” He had a difficult childhood and youth, but he did not allow that to poison his future; he trod on and chose positivity above all. When he married Blanca Galeano, he bestowed all the love he had on her and their children: Lesly, Ruth and Lastenia. His family will remember him as a cheerful, humble Please turn toPage 11 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 11 Maximiliano “Pincel” Lest we forget!

Rosado -- esteemed... - contributed from the Belizean didn’t occur in Mississippi or Alabama: diaspora - it was in one of the most liberal states in Continued from Page 10 the union - Minnesota!  It has been a little over 7 months ago The term at this time is systematic man and a wonderful since we witnessed the murder of racism, when talking about the inequality father whose parting shot George Floyd, live on the 6 o’clock that is so pervasive everywhere in these was always a joke. And in news, beamed all over the world, for United States. It has always been there, like fashion, his everyone to see. The response to this ever since the founding of this country, daughters and wife abomination was instant, and worldwide. first against the native Americans, taking continue the tradition. Millions of people, of all races, away their land and their birthright. It was Lesly closed by responded to this unjust act with anger, perfected after 1619, with the arrival of recalling, “he turned frustration, and with a very different view the African slaves, deprived of every of how minorities have always been conceivable right that this country was everything into humour treated by police. The blatant racism, founded on, and has now metastasized in life, and he made sure inequality, economic, political, and social into every part of our daily lives, when he left, wherever injustice that pervade throughout all encompassing anyone who is not white he left, he left the people levels of American society, and more and Christian. It shows its face laughing. And that is broadly, universally, were fully on display everywhere, most recently, with regards how we are today. Even with that one unforgivable display of to who gets vaccinated against the plague. though we grieve and we inhumanity, by a cop who showed us all The black and brown and yellow are so are strong, we are what a black life meant to him. Hands in far behind in being protected against this laughing at the his pockets, as his white knee squeezed most virulent of diseases, it’s memories that we shared the life out of a black man, crying for embarrassing! with him.” his mama! I mean, what the heck? This Lest we forget, it’s the minorities that have most contributed to the development of this country, and its greatness. Culturally, economically, spiritually, and physically. This country was built on slave labor, on the backs of those most disenfranchised, even to this day. Blacks and Asians and Latinos have borne the brunt of this assault on the defenseless, victims of “might makes right.” It is a moral and tragic fact, that 60 years after the Civil Rights Act was passed, things are getting worse now than they were then. The speed with which the browning of America is occurring, the fact that by 2035-40 America will be a minority white country, has brought the white nationalists and their cohorts out of their Neanderthal caves in droves, panicked, because of the inevitable, and egged on by megalomaniacs like Trump and the leadership of the Republican Party. Systematic racism does not end at the US borders; it extends its tentacles throughout the world. Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, everywhere, and we have seen a ramping up of the term “nationalism,” which for me means racism. Here in America we got rid of Trump, but the poison he spread will be much harder to be exorcized, it has become so ingrained in the minds of a very vocal minority. That was all it took for the Nazis to rule Germany, a vocal, militant minority. In Belize, it’s not as obvious, not as blatant, but it’s there, it has always been there, we just didn’t notice it, or pretended not to notice. I for one, will always regret that I did not pay closer attention to UBAD, and the message they were spreading, back in the late 60s and early 70s. We laughed at them, and called them crazy and delusional. Maybe if we had listened then, we wouldn’t be experiencing the genocidal rate at which black young men are dying! Just saying. I don’t believe any society can succeed without our young people having a say in the affairs of governance. Right now in Belize, they are too busy killing each other to worry about the direction of the country. Lest we forget, systematic racism is here to stay! We should all be aware of it, and fight it, as if though it were our Thermopylae!

Belizean in diaspora Page 12 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 PARALEGAL Firing is about money, Prestigious Law Firm seeking a qualified Paralegal to join its Legal Team. The Legal Department is responsible for assisting our Attorneys with the development of litigation material beginning from the demotion about ego research and drafting level all the way to filing of approved court documents. Continued from Page 9 want, because we don’t want to yer  no fool from them, because there is The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and personality type, or the time, the age no more room for failure in Belize. experience and be able to carry out the key responsibilities of the in which we live, there are factors We exploded the debt by 4 billion position at the full performance level. that make one person a better fit than dollars between 1998 and 2020, and another person in a specific situation. sure we have some essential Eligibility Criteria Everyone isn’t a perfect fit. If that infrastructure and some glossy • Must possess at least an Associate’s Degree and be a certified were so, we could go to the polls showpieces for people who are into Paralegal with at least 5 years progressively responsible blindfolded. that, but before the Covid-19 working experience in drafting legal documents; This I heard the 7News report on Dr. pandemic hit us, 40% of us were experience must demonstrate competency in independently Manzanero being sidelined, and I unemployed or grossly conducting legal research, writing legal reports, to include heard a caller to the WuB say that underemployed. Our people were not summarizing factual information, legal issues and case law Dr. Pitts had been sidelined in much getting anything from the new relevant to a given case. the same way by the previous progress. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with the ability to learn and acquire expertise with in-house software and applications government. The story is that the You know why we didn’t have a is required; sidelining, the demotion or bloody revolution? I’ve said that one • Fluent reading/writing/speaking of the English language is placement at the same level as reason was the Guatemala Damocles required; Fluency in Spanish or other language would be an persons they once gave orders to, sword hanging over us, waiting to asset, but not mandatory. was accompanied by a heap of fall if we had such internal • Good working knowledge of court documents and filing disrespect. dissension. The other reason was procedures is required; The public service has rules that we have a lee hope, and Dr. Gayle • Must be able to exercise good judgement where confidentiality governing the employ of persons expounded some on that in the book, is paramount; paid from the public purse, and I Like Bush Fire. Hmm, there is the • Must possess tact and demonstrate initiative; can’t write about that, because I Boledo, but the real hope for those • Must pay keen attention detail; don’t have enough information. All of us in crushing poverty is that • Must be able to meet strict deadlines with minimal supervision I can say is that these kinds of someone in our family, with a little to ensure that compliance with the demands of the court are situations can be difficult, and we luck and a lot of hard work, will get met; should reserve judgment. a degree and get a big job in the • Must be able to effectively work with all levels of staff within I will say that, re: the top positions, system, and the rest of us could the Firm; I support a government putting sponge a little, so we don’t starve, whomever they want wherever they and while we don’t starve we could Key Responsibilities want, because up top there isn’t hope that one of our children could The successful candidate will be required to: make a break the same way for her/ • Work closely with other in-house attorneys to draft and file much place for worrying about court documents in a timely manner; people’s feelings. himself. • Conduct first-level document review in order to provide I feel for anyone in a difficult You shouldn’t get a chance to lead appropriate guidance and information to the Attorney; situation, but I tend to save my sweat every day, so when a people call • Organize and file case documents in-house; for the people at the bottom, because upon you to lead, you have to do • Coordinate document production for case submissions; down there it’s excruciating. You your best, not for any individual — • Preparepackages for Client interviews, depositions, and saw how out of touch former PM for the people. The good doctor is a hearings in coordination with in-house attorneys; Dean Barrow is when he appeared very popular man, and maybe the • Reviews and analyzes available precedents for relevancy to before the Commission of Inquiry. gentleman at the Customs is too, but cases currently under consideration; We are a tale of two countries. My, what’s happening right now has to • Conduct extensive and thorough research and document the former PM was peacock proud do with whether the present searches in a variety of legal and non-legal databases and of himself for taking care of people leadership sees them as fits at the top. provide an informed response on a wide range of matters; who have the means. If all a wi fu win, hard decisions have • Communicate relevant findings and conclusions citing Let the PUP choose whom they to be made. applicable legal references and decisions; • Responds to oral and written inquiries from Clients, the local Courts, in-house attorneys, members of the Legal Department, and Attorneys from other Law Firms. • Index and file documents for record keeping purposesto ensure SECOND NOTICE effective case management;

Salary: Dependent on experience and qualifications. Pursuant to Section 10 (3) of the Belize Mines and Minerals Act, Who May Apply:Only those persons who meet the eligibility criteria Chapter 226, Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, as stated above are invited to apply. No substitutions will be made Timmy Banman for Belize Roadway Construction Ltd., Cayo District, for education and/or experience requirements outlined in our Belize C.A, has applied to the Honourable Minister of Natural eligibility criteria.Candidates MUST be able to work legally in country Resources, Petroleum and Mining, through the Inspector of Mines, under the laws of Belize. Mining Unit; for a license to extract limestone and marl from quarries Candidates selected for interview will be required to complete a for the Caracol Road Upgrade Project – Lot1A. The areas to be competency test to ensure an adequate level of performance will be mined are located along the Georgeville to Seven Miles Road (Tripartite achieved. Junction) and the Santa Elena Road, Cayo District. The areas of extraction are located at UTM Co-ordinates: How to Apply: Qualified candidates may submit their application package complete Site Eastings Northings with two(2)sources of reference (One (1) Career and One (1) Character) [email protected] with REF: Paralegal Vacancy 2021in the 1) 291409 1894572 subject line. 2) 290066 1899562 3) 282379 1895561 Closing Date: Friday, February 26, 2021. 4) 293061 1892500 5) 290957 1897552 NOTE: Only shortlisted and/or selected Candidates will be contacted. Communication will be made within one week after the closing date of this vacancy. The area to be mined comprises approximately fourteen (14) acres. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 13

ATLANTIC INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the position of ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE OFFICER

PURPOSE OF THE JOB: • ManageFractional Agreement Facilities. • Monitor/Manager Monthly Production Process for assigned Offices.

Key Responsibilities:  Ensure compliance with regulations and procedures.  Approve Fractional Agreements.  Call customer about their Fractional Agreements.  Prepare customer statements.  Review Production Review Checklist.  Update Refund Tracking System.  Daily Production Review for Assigned areas.  Preparation of various reports for submission to Accountant.  Liaise with Branch Managers and Sales Executive Team to ensure that all Fractional Agreement Facilities are current.

QUALIFICATIONS  Minimum - Associate Degree in Business Administration or Accounting with at least one year working experience in accounting.

SKILLS  Good customer service skills  Strong work ethic  Ability to work independently and as part of a team  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills  Excellent time management skills and self- motivation  Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word Additional Skills that would be an asset but not required  Bilingual in English and Spanish  Valid driver’s license

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ONLINE APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY 19 February 2021

ALL ONLINE APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:

TWO RECENT LETTERS OF REFERENCE FROM PAST EMPLOYERS AND A VALID POLICE RECORD

SEND APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO:

our website at: https://aicbelize.com/ employment-application Page 14 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021

ATLANTIC INSURANCE KREM Television COMPANY LIMITED Program Guide Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to Shoa Wiself, Si Wiself, Bee Wiself!!! fill the position of Freetown BranchCustomer Service Questions or comments may be forwarded via email to Representative Phone: 202-5848 [email protected]

Key Responsibilities: Tuesday February 16, 2021 to Monday February 22, 2021  Attending to walk-in-customers and or prospective TUESDAY customers (prospect) and also attend to customer/ 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) prospects via telephone. 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE)  Prepare all necessary insurance documents as required. 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now  Assist customers and prospects via telephone in order 2:00 p.m. Movie: All God’s Childern to close sale and create referral base for future business. 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE)  Develop prospect listing using the questionnaire form 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now completed by our customers. 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Ma Jemison - First Female African-American Astronaut  Prepare Daily Remission Report as per deadline if the 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) need arises. WEDNESDAY  Attend to queries forwarded Department Managers and 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) ensure it is resolved efficiently 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat)  Provide basic marketing of Atlantic Insurance Products 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now to customers/prospects who visit the office and to 2:00 p.m. Movie: The Rosa Parks Story customers/prospects who are contacted via the 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) telephone/visits. 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Dr. Ivan Van Sertima - African 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: THURSDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) This post requires an individual who hold himself/herself to 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) the highest standards and have a strong desire for personal 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now growth and professional success. The individual should 2:00 p.m. Movie: Harriet Tubman displayinitiative, diligence, self-confidence, and outgoing 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) personalities. 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Diplomats for Sale  Minimum - Associate Degree in Business 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) Administration with at least one year working FRIDAY experience in customer service 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE)  Can demonstrate familiarity with basic principles in 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) the area of Sales 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: The Jackie Robinson Story  Strong work ethic 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat)  Ability to work independently and as part of a team 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now  Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Internet Hackers  Professional demeanor both on the phone and in 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat)

person SATURDAY  Proficiency is required in Microsoft Excel and 9:00 a.m. Documentary: Biography Lewis Latimer Microsoft Word 9:04 a.m. Movie: Riverbend 10:40 a.m. Documentary: Ida B. Wells - Her Great Passion for Justice  Bilingual in English and Spanish 11:34 a.m. Movie: Separados mas iguais - Separate but Equal  Valid drivers license 2:47 p.m. Documentary: Muhammad Ali 5:23 p.m. Movie: Thornwell 6:52 p.m. Documentary: Homicide - Life on the Street 8:20 p.m. Movie: Mahognany DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF 10:00 p.m. Music Videos ONLINE APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY 19 SUNDAY February 2021 10:30 a.m. Sunday Review (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Documentary: Booker T. Washington - The Life and The Legacy 12:31 p.m. Movie: Keep the Faith Baby ALL ONLINE APPLICATIONS MUST 2:17 p.m. Documentary: 1804 - The Hidden History of Haiti 4:08 p.m. Documentary: Black History: Elijah McCoy - Inventor INCLUDE: 4:12 p.m. Documentary: The Zionist Story 5:30 p.m. Sunday Review (repeat) 7:00 p.m. Sunday Jazz TWO RECENT LETTERS OF REFERENCE 8:00 p.m. Music Videos FROM PAST EMPLOYERS AND A VALID MONDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) POLICE RECORD 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: Just an Old Sweet Song SEND APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) DOCUMENTS TO: 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Ronan Farrow: Who Were the Rioters on Jan. 6th? our website at: https://aicbelize.com/ 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) employment-application Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 15

Remote learning continues

The ending of 2019 brought us a a result, since the onset of the person. At that time, I saw a gift for us to learn to be more pandemic, virtual education was teacher performing her duties humane, but unfortunately among implemented, but most teachers with a number of students in an our species there is a class of beings were able to know by experience open space under a large tent, we cannot get rid of because it is that it was not possible to achieve independently from what I their DNA to be greedy mongers the desired objectives due to a personally learnt at a village in access to remote education for who live off their brethren’s blood. variety of factors. I have asked Guerrero, Mexico. The following children and teenagers in the These parasites have taken myself, if I were a teacher with extract is about something recent — Peruvian Amazon. advantage of the situation that twenty students, what would be the on Nov. 2, 2020: Covid-19 has put us in. However, best way to carry out my duties In the Peruvian Amazon, By: Bia Alcázar by now, we have learnt that such a without putting the children and loudspeakers help remote Published By: UNICEF virus does not travel in the air freely myself at risk? We already know the learning continue in indigenous around us, but passes from one basic measures to be taken for our communities. UCAYALI, Peru – One of the person to another. Due to the virus, protection. So, then, let me take you UNICEF installed loudspeakers things Richard Guimaraes Camayo our educational system, at least in to a time many years ago when a to broadcast remote lessons in enjoys most about living in his terms of the accustomed way of highly contagious disease was communities without internet or community in the Peruvian teaching, was brought to a halt. As going around from person to television signals, guaranteeing Amazon is getting together with friends and playing football. Both things used to happen mainly at “We couldn’t talk to our teacher and I felt sad and worried. We couldn’t see each other, we can’t do group projects”, he laments school, but the arrival of the pandemic changed everything in Nuevo San Rafael, a Shipibo community in the Amazonian region of Ucayali, two hours by river from the city of Pucallpa, that this 15-year old calls home. The coronavirus hit this area especially hard: shortly after the first case had been detected, the region became one of the most affected in the country. Richard — whose Shipibo name is Soi Nita, meaning “man who knows” — is the second of five brothers. He recalls when his father became the first in the family to fall ill with COVID-19; followed by him, his mother, and, finally, his younger sister. In Nuevo San Rafael, houses are generally open — lacking fences or even walls to separate them completely from the next home — and the use of common spaces like the football pitch, the farms, or the areas where women come together to embroider and design are commonplace. That’s where families greet each other, where children meet to play, and where Richard chats with his friends. With the arrival of the pandemic, everything fell silent. Something similar happened with the community’s high school, where the doors remain shut. The empty classrooms with scattered chairs used to hold around 40 students like Richard. After months of silence, however, — recently — the school bell rang once again. The challenge of learning at home With a State of Emergency declared and all schools shut by the pandemic, the Ministry of Education launched “I Learn at Please turn toPage 18 Page 16 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 From the Publisher Reproduced from page 9 of the Tuesday, February 16, 2021, #3438 issue of Amandala

When I was a child growing up in strictly by how much money they mixed with some roots. A couple company on the eve of the June 1993 British Honduras in the 1950s, our have. It doesn’t really matter how blocks away, in most of the streets general election, Lord Ashcroft, people did not rate members of our you obtained your money: in 2021 like George and West, there were when we speak of money, has community by how much money you don’t rate if you don’t have probably more roots than middle become the 2021 King of Belize. and possessions they had. Perhaps I money. class. Remember one more time: I The disturbing thing to me is just was too young to appreciate the When it came to the rackets back was a child. how much many basically decent subtleties of the human rating system in the 1950s, there were activities What I want to talk about today is Belizeans publicly embrace his in our Belize City society, but that’s like prostitution, gambling, loan money, and the reason I want to talk kingdom, or have absolutely nothing the way it seemed to me back then. sharking, and so on, but respectable about money is because of Lord to say about the dreadful financial We rated Belize people on their Belize society did not put such people Michael Ashcroft, and how he has crisis in which Lord Michael social/family pride and performance, on a pedestal, no matter how much used money to shackle us Belizeans Ashcroft, who has said repeatedly their excellence in their work, in money they had. Again, it just in a kind of debt slavery which that he loves us Belizeans dearly, education, in sports, and the arts, and seemed that way to me. But suggests that our time in the struggle holds us hostage. their personal vibes, so to speak. remember, I was from a middle class for self-rule in the 1960s and 1970s Most of us Belizeans seek to give Today in Belize, and it appears to family, and from a neighborhood was wasted. Beginning in the early the impression that money is not the me this has been so for three or four (Regent Street West and West Canal 1960s, with the acquisition of the dominant factor in our lives. Yes, decades, we rate Belizeans almost Street) which was middle class then monopoly telecommunications most of us like, treasure even, material things (consumer goods), but I think we are, generally speaking, Ten Commandments people. Well, at least that’s the way it was when I was a child. The coming of American cable television almost forty years ago has polluted the values of our younger generation, but these younger generations will have to speak for themselves. How did Belizeans get into this hole where we owe Lord Ashcroft so much money? It started with the ruling People’s United Party (PUP) in the early 1990s, but there is reason to believe that the United Democratic Party (UDP), as sanctimonious as its rhetoric was, which ruled from 2008 to 2020, really played some games with Ashcroft which benefited him far more than was good for The Jewel. Generally speaking, even today, we Belizeans like to act as if money is not the most powerful factor in our lives. But, let us be honest. Money is very, very important, and there are future considerations as well as present ones. People jump at opportunities to secure their futures, to make sure that as they age they have enough assets to deal with life’s various responsibilities. There are some very talented Belizeans who became Ashcroft assets, and those Belizeans have assisted hugely in frigging us. I will not indict or condemn them, however. What I will say is, the man Ashcroft did a superb job of identifying and recruiting the best of our Belizean talent. Let me tell you a story. Some years ago, when Ashcroft used to visit Belize and hang out at Jeremy Spooner’s restaurant on North Front Street, Ashcroft told the late, great Kareem Clarke, our gifted reporter at the newspaper, that he wanted to talk to me and that I should not worry about the “beefing” that he and Kremandala had had. I ignored the message, not because Please turn toPage 18 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 17 Page 18 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Remote learning continues

Continued from Page15 over the radio. In September, the BELIZE SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND „ loudspeaker reached Nuevo San Home”, a national strategy for Rafael, changing the lives of Richard TENDER NOTICE remote education for children and and the community’s other youths. teenagers. UNICEF advised Teaching from the tallest tree Country: Belize Project: BNTF 9: Caribbean Development Grant – GA61/BZE Nuevo San Rafael chose to Project ID: 1509/9/E6, Contract Number: E/B9-02/2021, National Competitive authorities on the implementation Bidding (NCB) of a strategy so that it would install the loudspeaker atop one of Deadline: March 9, 2021 respond to the needs of students the community’s tallest trees — living in rural and indigenous next to the school cafeteria. All 1. The Government of Belize has received funding through the Caribbean Development communities: Peru is home to 48 around, students gather by turns Bank (CDB) towards the cost of Eligible Sub-projects and intends to apply part of indigenous languages and I Learn and in small groups to listen to the the funds to cover eligible payments under the contract for Santa Marta Government Preschool Building Construction, Santa Marta Village, Orange Walk District, at Home lessons are available in content in each subject area. Belize. Spanish and nine indigenous Broadcasting the recorded lessons 2. The Social Investment Fund, a Statutory Corporation, established under the Social languages. is another challenge in this Investment Fund Act No. 3 of 1996 and located at Constitution Drive, Belmopan, community: the files containing the Cayo District, hereby invites tenders from suitably qualified contractors for the “In the rural areas of Peru, we classes are copied to a USB construction of the following: have approximately 1.2 million memory stick, which a teacher The contract proposes to: students, half a million of which transports from Pucallpa to Nuevo The contract proposes to construct a new preschool building measuring 49'-6" belong to indigenous peoples. San Rafael. Once in the long by 43'-8" wide complete with an open classroom area, preschool students’ Thus, through radio, we’ve community, a small electric bathroom facilities, teachers’ lavatory facilities, storage space, kitchenette, and decided to provide the service of generator purchased collectively an access ramp to accommodate users with diverse abilities. The structure will intercultural bilingual by the parents starts humming, the also be equipped with a verandah, cold formed channel steel truss roof system, education”, explains Nora memory stick is connected, and the ceramic non-slip tiled reinforced concrete floor, reinforced masonry block walls, galvanized aluminum louvered windows, security grilles, and aluminum flush type Delgado Díaz, Director of the voices of teachers fill nearly every doors. Works will also include for the construction of a chain link perimeter fence, Department of Alternative Basic, corner of Nuevo San Rafael. construction of walkways, and for the provision of site drainage. Provisions for Intercultural Bilingual, and Certainly, simply listening to the installation of electrical, plumbing, water supply and waste water systems, in Rural Education Services. classes is sometimes not enough accordance with the regulations of the respective authorities, will be included in and students benefit from being the contract. Lessons from I Learn at Home — able to ask questions and be guided 3. Final (Project Site) Destination as specified in BDS: Santa Marta Village, Orange reaching a majority of students by teachers. But students in Nuevo Walk District, Belize. across the country — are published San Rafael are lucky to have one 4. The Social Investment Fund now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified online and broadcast on television of their teachers — deeply bidders for the construction works in the aforementioned areas. and radio. But in Nuevo San Rafael, committed to their learning and 5. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) as in other remote communities, development — living in the procedures specified in the CDB’s Guidelines for Procurement (January 2006), and are open to all bidders who are legally incorporated or otherwise organized in, and children and teenagers could hardly community and able to join have their principal place of business in an eligible country. Eligible countries are access the material due to a lack of students daily for additional member countries of CDB. internet and television connectivity. support. The installation of the 6. Qualification requirements include (a) The bidder shall furnish unaudited or audited While radio frequencies reach the loudspeaker has brought a certain financial statements of the firm for years 2017, 2018 and 2019 to confirm an average community, “very few families own degree of normality back to annual turnover of at least BZ$ 250,000.00 (b) Bidders should have General radios and radio signals reach a select Richard’s life: he can continue Experience under contracts in the role of contractor, JV member, subcontractor, or management contractor for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 with activity of at least few points in the area”, as Gisella with his studies, connect with his five (5) months in each year starting 1st January, 2017. (c) Bidders should have Specific Godier, Regional Coordinator for classmates, and complete group Experience with a minimum of similar contracts specified that have been satisfactorily UNICEF in Ucayali, explains. assignments. Regaining contact and substantially completed as a prime contractor, as a joint venture member, Further complicating matters, with the educational system is vital management contractor, or subcontractor, between 1st January 2010 and the bid electricity is not available 24 hours both to avoid academic delays and submission deadline and should have less than or equal to four (4) contracts, each of school desertion. Moreover — for a minimum value of BZ$62,500.00, but with a total value of all contracts equal or a day and a majority of families live more that BZ$250,000.00. (d) demonstrate cash flow (including access to credit) of in poverty or extreme poverty, this teenager — it’s a way of BZ $40,000.00 of which not more than BZ$ 10,000.00 can be materials (e) other making radio equipment imagining a brighter future: “When provided in the respective Bid Documents. prohibitively expensive. These I’m done with school, I want to 7. A secured “sample” electronic Bid document can be shared with interested Bidder problems affect many children and keep studying at university and at the address below, starting February 8, 2021, on week days between 8:00 a.m. and adolescents in rural areas, making complete three degree programmes 4:00 p.m. for viewing purpose only (has a time restriction for viewing). A complete to help my family and community”. set of electronic Bidding documents can be purchased by interested bidders upon them especially vulnerable to payment of a non- refundable fee of BZD $150.00. Requests may be made by writing academic delays and school to the address below. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Tender for Santa desertion. In response, UNICEF [email protected] Marta Government Preschool Building Construction, Santa Marta Village, delivered four loudspeakers to local February 12, 2021 Orange Walk District, Belize”. The method of payment will be by cash deposited authorities to expand access to the Finca Solana to, or Bank transfer to the Social Investment Fund’s bank account only. A request for educational programmes broadcast Corozal Town the Social Investment Fund’s banking details can be made at the address below. The Belize Social Investment Fund is not accepting cash payment at this time. 8. Deadline for the submission of bids is at or before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at the address below. Bids will be opened virtually at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the Belize Social Investment Fund, 3rd Floor, #1902 From the Publisher Constitution Drive, Belmopan, Cayo District in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to participate virtually. The link to access the virtual bid (Reproduced from Tuesday) opening is as follows: https://bit.ly/31ACuQU Electronic bidding will not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. All bids must be accompanied by a “Bid Security” Continued from Page16 bad shape. We owe too much money. of BZ$ 3,300.00 or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency or Bank „ Guarantee. The bid validity period is 90 days. What did we do with the money? 9. A Virtual Pre-bid meeting with interested eligible bidders will be held at 10:00 I am more righteous than anyone Where is it? a.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. The link to access the virtual Pre-bid meeting Lord Ashcroft has bought, but On Saturday morning in the heat of is as follows: https://bit.ly/31ACuQU. Bidders can participate in the meeting; whereby, because I had been around long the sun, I saw a black man lying on queries will be addressed. Bidders are urged to attend. enough to know that Ashcroft and I his back in the middle of the Philip 10. The address referred to above is: were opponents, fundamental and Goldson Highway, where the highway Contact: Ms. Ruby Pascascio inveterate opponents, even though his meets the junction with the Vista del Senior Procurement Officer Social Investment Fund personality is so pleasant. Mar cutoff. His legs were curled up. 3rd Floor, #1902 Constitution Drive To those of our Belizeans who Two policemen were coming from Belmopan Cayo District have been seduced, I will say that I the nearby police booth to check him Tel: 822-0239/822-0508 will not condemn you. But I urge you out. I thought to myself, beloved, this E-mail: [email protected] to consider our Belizean situation in is a time for grieving. In the words of cc: [email protected] [email protected] the light of where we came, from the late, great Mister Program, 1838 and the BEC days. We are in “Nobody want to see I rise.” Nobody.

Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 19 Page 20 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 The story of Edward and Catherine Despard Continued from „Page 7 contemporary histories of black people in Britain, which around 1790 record servants, page boys, scholars, war veterans, bare-knuckle boxers, abolitionists, freed slaves and prostitutes, but no black woman married to a British gentleman. The Despards, in ways of which they both seem to have been partly unaware, had formed a union that was unprecedented, and on which nobody wished to be the first to pronounce judgement. There was no explicit legal or moral reason why Despard and Catherine should not have married, nor why they should not have returned to London together. It was well known that British officers and gentlemen in the colonies frequently had mistresses of colour, and in many cases produced children of mixed race. Indeed, the virtue of openly mixed race marriages was, at the moment of the Despards’ arrival in London, being championed by the former slave Olaudah Equiano, who was touring England promoting his powerful and finely-written autobiography The Interesting Narrative. “Why not establish intermarriage at home, and in our colonies?” Equiano asked. “And encourage open, free and generous love, upon Nature’s own wide and extensive plan, subservient only to moral rectitude, without distinction of the colour of a skin?” This was an appeal that was heard with generosity in the literary clubs, Wesleyan churches and abolitionist meetings where Equiano spoke. It may be that the Baymen had made no reference to Catherine in their despatches to the Home Office because they were aware that the ideals of racial equality and the abolition of slavery, a practice on which their trade depended, held a claim to the moral high ground back in Britain. To criticize the Despards on the basis of their mixed race marriage ran the risk of damaging the accuser more than the accused. Yet it was precisely the debate in which the Despards were engaged – the question of who was to count as British in an expanding colonial world – that would generate the scientific racism that entrenched itself in the century to come. In the next generation of Despards, Edward and Catherine’s marriage would be denied: Victorian family memoirs would refer to Catherine as his “black housekeeper”, and “the poor woman who called herself his wife”. James would be ascribed to a previous lover, and both would be written out of the family tree.

The continuation of this piece will be published in the next issue. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 21 A deeper look into the 2020 prison break – Part 2

COVID-19 scare, but I don’t pick off-guard. Because the temperature up on that. My analysis is that at at the time was not indicating that that time the prison had a little over there was anything looming. We had 1,200 inmates, and you will tell me that continuous mutual respect and that only roughly 60 of them understanding among guards and decided to get ballistic about prisoners, and the prison was pretty COVID? I mean, come on, the entire much functioning very well. I know prison was at risk of this COVID- that they missed their visits and 19.” CEO Murillo said. their drop-offs, but they were still On October 28, officials at the getting cash deposited into their Belize Central Prison suddenly accounts.” became aware of an impending In order to obtain an alternate health crisis at the prison after 90 perspective on the circumstances at cases of COVID-19 were recorded the prison at the time of the riot and inside the facility in one day — an escape, Amandala spoke to a (continued from page 27 of or deterioration of relations explosive discovery. CEO Murillo former inmate and trustee this past Amandala, Fri. Feb. 12, 2021) between inmates and guards at the opined that this outbreak could have weekend, who, in his description of time of the prison break, been more of a catalyst for a mass the conditions at the prison prior to BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 17, 2021 notwithstanding the imposed escape or riot inside the prison if both the pandemic and the jail During the interview with lockdown which triggered a halt in the coronavirus was the major break, confirmed some of the Amandala, CEO Murillo shared all in-person visits to inmates: “I am concern of the inmates. observations that Murillo had made that there had been no notable certain that, yes, they may have CEO Murillo explained, “This is — in particular, Murillo’s belief increase of tension inside the prison wanted to attribute it to the why I think we were caught totally that the lack of availability of marijuana in the prison could have been the cause for the jailbreak. He described to us, just as CEO Murillo had done, a system that is in place inside the prison to transport marijuana and other illegal substances around the facility. This system was brought to its knees when the prison entered its total lockdown. The former inmate, who chose to remain anonymous, also pointed to other effects of the lockdown — in addition to the cutoff in the marijuana supply. He explained that the discontinuation of in-person visits meant that inmates would have had to make do with the little food and rations apportioned to them by the Kolbe Foundation, which in normal circumstances, are insufficient for a grown man, he said. He shared that this added frustration could have contributed to an abrupt increase in tensions and a heightened mood of resistance among the inmates, who then planned and executed the prison break just before the scheduled total lockdown of the facility. In early December 2020, after the prison’s initial investigation into the riot and escape was completed, five staff members of the facility, including one prison guard, were fired. At the time, CEO Murillo told 7News that it was discovered that those staff members had been involved in the escape, and in some instances, had directly contributed to the inmates’ efforts. As mentioned earlier, those persons have since been fired, and the prison has implemented security measures among prison guards and inmates to ensure that such collusion never occurs again. But are those measures in place enough? Both CEO Murillo and the former inmate said that inside the prison, the relationship between Please turn toPage 22 Page 22 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 A deeper look into the 2020... Continued from Page 21 staff, prison guards, and inmates is in many ways, a cordial one. The former inmate told us that various staff members and prison guards have played pivotal roles in the relay system used to transport drugs and other illegal substances across the prison. He also mentioned that some prisoners developed special relationships with the prison staff to “get ahead” inside the facility. CEO Murillo said that the good relationship between the prison guards and inmates could have been seen at the time of the riot. As had been reported by the media, one inmate commandeered an assault rifle from a guard and proceeded to climb a tower. Murillo pointed out that, with this deadly weapon and an elevated line of sight, the inmate could have killed several prison guards if the prisoners harbored any personal grievances. “Remember what happened in this thing. This was a hostage- taking-turned-escape situation. Remember they took away the gun from the guard. They could have used that gun and killed off all the prison officers at the back there. That never happened! So, to me, that speaks volumes, because that tells you more or less the relationship. If there was any hostility, if there was any hatred, I know they would have shot off all those guys, kill[ed] them.” CEO Murillo said. And while the staff and inmates at the Belize Central Prison have developed a relationship that serves their mutual interests, the former inmate with whom Amandala spoke, remarked that the conditions inside the facility can either make or break a person. He told us that the treatment of prisoners is, in some instances, to him, inhumane, and must be addressed. The former inmate, who, as mentioned, was also a trustee and food distributor at the facility, said that each morning inmates should get a 4-ounce portion of bread for breakfast. This is served with a cup of tea, sugar, water, and cocoa powder. Of note, he mentioned that instead of the 4-ounce portions of bread, prisoners often receive a smaller 2-ounce roll. He said that this is also the case in the evenings: when they are supposed to receive an 8-ounce piece of bread, they only get a smaller, 4-ounce portion. A typical meal at lunchtime would consist of boiled chicken, or corned beef, with rice and beans, the former inmate said. The former inmate also mentioned that prisoners who have a support system on the outside hardly ever eat the food provided Please turn toPage 24 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 23

BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEES

THE BELIZE BANK LIMITED, a company duly formed and incorporated under the Laws of Belize with registered Office situate at Government of Belize Second Floor, Matalon Business Center, Coney Drive, Belize City Belize Belize Social Investment Fund III Loan (BSIF III) hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under aDeed of Mortgage between Hector Menjivar hereinafter Consultancy Services to Undertake a Review of Existing Facilities, called “Surety” of the first partMercedes Hernandez hereinafter called Provide Design Services for the Proposed Infrastructure Works, the “Borrower” of the Second Part and The Belize Bank Limited and to Provide Supervision Services of the Infrastructure Works hereinafter called “the bank” of the third part which was recorded at the for the Bullet Tree Falls Water Supply System Rehabilitation Sub- Land Titles Unit in the Belmopan City on the 23rdDay of November 2001 project, Cayo District, Belize (BSIFIII) in Deeds Book Volume 45, Folios 645 – 684 of 2001.The said bank will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of Request for Expressions of Interest this notice sell the properties described in the SCHEDULEShereto. ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing The Government of Belize (GOB) has received financing from the Caribbean Development to The Belize Bank Limited or to the undersigned from either of whom Bank (CDB) towards implementing the Belize Social Investment Fund III Loan Project (BSIF full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained. III), which aims to provide increased gender-equitable and inclusive access to climate-resilient infrastructure and quality basic social-services for poor and vulnerable communities. The Project comprises small-scale infrastructure works and capacity building for stakeholders. The GOB THE SCHEDULE ABOVE has appointed the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) as the Implementing Agency (IA) for REFERRED TO AS the Project, and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOB ALL THOSE LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing parcel of land being Lot No. 21 situate in Sarawee Village, Stann Creek account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if District and bounded as follows: on the Northeast for 36.884 Metres by such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Lot No. 20; on the Southeast for 30.350 Metres A Street; on the South for Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No 8.871 Metres by A Street, on the South for 4.309 Metres by a Daylight party other than GOB shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to Cut; and on the west for 37.194 Metres by A Street; containing 1178.93 the proceeds of the Financing. square yards of land as shown on Entry Plan No. 2736, Register 12 at the The BSIF, the IA, now wishes to procure consultancy services to undertake a review of the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all existing facilities, provide design services for proposed infrastructure works, and provide buildings and erections standing and being thereon. supervision services of proposed infrastructure works for the Bullet Tree Falls Water Supply Rehabilitation Sub-project, Cayo District, Belize

The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the IA during the implementation th of the BSIF III Project. Consulting firms will be required to review the design, functionality, and Dated the 16 February 2021 effectiveness of the water supply systems existing facilities; provide detailed designs for solutions to improve the existing system’s efficiency and effectiveness; and to supervise contracted works The Belize Bank Limited relating to the proposed intervention. The duration of the assignment is expected to be for a Second Floor period of approximately twenty (20) months. Matalon Business Center Coney Drive, The BSIF now invites interested eligible consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) indicating qualifications and experience required to provide these Consultancy Services. Belize City

Consultants shall be eligible to participate if: (a) in the case of the body corporate, it is legally incorporated or otherwise organized in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50% beneficially owned by a citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of an eligible country(ies) or by a body(ies) corporate meeting these requirements; (b) in the case of unincorporated firms, the persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an eligible country; and (c) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country.

Eligible countries are member countries of CDB. The Member Countries of the CDB can be found at the following web address: https://www.caribank.org/countries-and-members/ borrowing-members and https://www.caribank.org/countries-and-members/non-borrowing- members. In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to consulting firms’ qualifications and experience in relation to undertaking feasibility studies for water supply projects; providing detailed designs and construction supervision services for water supply projects; local and regional experience; financial capability; and existing commitments. All information must be submitted in English. Further information may be obtained from the first address below between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays.

One (1) original and four (4) hard copies of the Expression of Interest must be received at the first address below no later than 10:00 a.m. (Belize time) on Friday, March 26, 2021 and an electronic copy must be sent simultaneously to CDB at the second address below. The sealed envelope containing each submission shall include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “BSIFIII - Expressions of Interest – Consultancy Services to Undertake a Review of the Existing Facilities, Provide Design Services for Proposed Infrastructure Works, and to Provide Supervision Services of Infrastructure Works for the Bullet Tree Falls Water Supply System Rehabilitation Sub-project, Cayo District, Belize (BSIF III)”.

Following the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three (3) and not more than six (6) applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical and financial proposals to undertake the assignment. Following the submission of proposals, a Consultant shall be selected by utilizing the Quality-Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method. GOB reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not short-listing any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.

Envelopes should be addressed to:

1. Senior Procurement Officer 2. Procurement Officer Belize Social Investment Fund Caribbean Development Bank 3rd Floor P.O. Box 408 #1902 Constitution Drive Wildey Belmopan St. Michael BELIZE BARBADOS, W.I. Tel. (501) 822-0239; Fax. (501) 822-0279 Tel. (246) 431-1600; Fax. (246) 426-7269 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Page 24 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 A deeper look into the 2020...

Continued from Page 22 and the inmates. There is definitely  a level of discipline and control and REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST to them by the prison. The family order within the Belize Central members and friends of these Prison that is greater than what I’ve CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE SUPERVISION OF THE DESIGN AND prisoners often bring groceries and seen in the other prisons I’ve CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEAM LAB SCHOOL water when they visit these inmates. studied,” Dr. Sadulski commented. These visits had to be discontinued According to Dr. Sadulski, the Institution: Inter-American Development Bank at the time of the total lockdown, Belize Central Prison has been Country: Belize Project: Education Quality Improvement Program II (EQIPII) however, and as a result, some of highlighted in the recent Sector: Education these inmates were forced to Organizational Crime Index Report Abstract: Consulting Services for the supervision of the design and construction consume the food provided to them in a very positive manner — of the STEAM lab school within the facility. This was an solidifying his position that the Loan No.: No. 4798/OC-BL Deadline: March 8, 2021, 2:00 PM (Belize Time) additional source of frustration that facility should be used as the model could have triggered the escape and for prisons across Central America. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MOECST) has received riot, said the former inmate. The index was launched after the financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) toward the cost of the At this time, the Belize Central United Nations General Assembly Education Quality Improvement Program II (EQIPII) and intends to apply part of Prison receives $14 BZD daily for the proceeds for consulting services. in September 2019 by the Global each inmate, compared to an Initiative against Transnational The consulting services (“the Services”) include the Supervision of the Design and estimated $99 USD per inmate Organized Crime. Construction of the STEAM Laboratory school, to be built on the Belize City campus received by US prisons, according While the Belize Central Prison of the Institute of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET), and to Dr. Sadulski. continues to operate with a very comprising three buildings (two existing ones, to be refurbished and retrofitted, and a new building) and external areas. “We’ll go back to the money the meager budget, CEO Murillo prison receives: $7 USD per day in vowed that they would press on The selected Consulting Firm shall provide supervision services for the design, Belize. In the United States, that with their mandate, despite the construction, and equipment of the STEAM Laboratory school, for which the number is closer to $99 per day in hardships. He admitted that, given Consulting Firm must provide specialized personnel, laboratory and surveying services, as well as all the additional necessary resources to carry out the job in the federal system, according to the the current economic predicament accordance with the Design and Construction Contract. Bureau of Prisons. So just imagine, of the country, they are not with such a significantly smaller expecting any increase in their The specific objectives of the assignment shall be support and advise the Project budget, what’s occurring in terms budget allocation, although there is Manager in the verification of the scope, quality and terms of works carried out by of recidivism. The recidivism rate always a need for resources. of the Contractor concerning the following: is far lower at the Belize Central “We are lacking in just about • Measurements, trials, and surveys Prison than it is in most other everything. We’re lacking in • architectural and engineering specialties prisons throughout the world. In financial resources. We do have • the correct relationship between progress of the works and payments, addition, if we look at the level of infrastructure that we would want • compliance with Environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) obligations control, when I say control I mean to improve to improve the overall The Key Experts that the Consultant must have available to carry out the activities the level of success in daily security of the facility. As we go in accordance with the provisions of the Contract are the following: operations within the prison. In the along, we are doing whatever we Belize Central Prison, compared to can afford to do, because the prison • Team Leader (Architect or Engineer) other prisons in the region, if we • Architect or Engineer does have some industries that • Structural Engineer look at some of the prisons in, say, generate little funds. But I will tell • Electrical Engineer for example, Honduras. Those in you something, those industries are • Mechanical Engineer Honduras are primarily run by the pretty much offsetting the bills for • Environmental, social, health and safety Expert cartels within the prison; we don’t the rehabilitation of the prisoners • Surveyor • Superintendent or Foreman have that level of conflict between for teaching them a skill,” CEO the staff at the Belize Central Prison Murillo said. The MOECST now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services, including:

• Letter of interest from the firm • Company Profile related to the assignment (Company structure, demonstrated experience, skills and expertise)

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter- American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-15 in accordance with the Least-Cost Selection (LCS) method set out in the Consultant Policies, and the process is open to all eligible bidders, as defined in the policies.

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub- consultancy to enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing the short list, the nationality of a firm is that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of the firm appointed to represent it.

Short lists shall comprise firms with a wide geographic spread not fewer than five (5) and not more than eight (8) eligible firms.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 09:00 hours to 16:00 hours, Belize time. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form (package must include Sunday Review 1 complete electronic copy) to the address below or by e-mail. Please note for email submissions one complete PDF document must be attached. All submission News Review Talk Show must be delivered/submitted by 4:00 p.m. (Belize time) on March 8, 2021 at 2:00p.m. local time. On Krem TV & Krem Radio Live-streaming on Krem Television Face Book Page Project Executing Unit Ministry of Education, Culture, Science & Technology Host: YaYa Marin Coleman Co-Host: (Alba) Ellen Sue Joseph Attn: Ms. Melanie Gladden 1900 Constitution Drive Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon City of Belmopan, Belize Guest: Dr. Ann Gillett-Elrington E-mail: [email protected] Telephone #: (501) 828-5147 Sunday Review will be repeated at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2021 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 25

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING

HAULOVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS

The Government of Belize (GOB) has received a loan from the or email to the address below. The request must clearly state OPEC Fund for International Development (hereinafter referred “Request for Prequalification Documents for Haulover Bridge to as OFID) in an amount equivalent to US$12,000,000 towards Replacement Project”. The hardcopy documents are available the cost of the Haulover Bridge Replacement Project, and for a non-refundable fee of US$100.00. Potential applicants intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this loan to eligible who request that hardcopy documents be forwarded to them payments under this contract. Payments by OFID will be made are required to submit an account number from a local courier only at the request of GOB and upon approval by OFID, and agent, which accepts freight collect charges. MIDH will promptly will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of dispatch the documents but under no circumstances will the the Loan Agreement. Ministry be responsible for late delivery or loss of the documents so transmitted. Alternately, documents may be forwarded This Project is being implemented by the Ministry of electronically, in pdf format, at no cost. Infrastructure Development & Housing (MIDH), Project Execution Unit (PEU). An Engineering Coordinator within the Prequalification submissions must be in English and must be PEU is responsible for the day-to-day management of project submitted by 10:00 hours, local time on Tuesday 6 April 2021. activities. Engineering Consultants will be retained by MIDH to assist with the supervision of the contract. There are two options for submitting prequalification information. These are: The MIDH intends to prequalify contractors for the following works under this project: Haulover Bridge Replacement (a) By electronic submission, in pdf format, to the email Project. address indicated below. The “Subject” field of the email message must read “Application to Prequalify for the It is expected that Invitations to Bid will be issued during the Haulover Bridge Replacement Project”. The First quarter of 2021. submission will be deemed to have been received at the time that it is received by the PEU. The burden of The project consists of the construction of a new bridge structure proving receipt of the email will be on the applicant and comprising of reinforced concrete abutments, two intermediate will not be met solely by a read receipt or sent items piers, AASHTO girders, reinforced concrete deck and reinforced report generated by the bidder’s computer.; or concrete retaining walls. Also included are earthworks, pavement and safety features such as guardrails, road marking (b) By submission of one original and three hard copies, by and lighting. hand or by registered mail, in a sealed envelope to the first address below, with simultaneous electronic All countries are eligible for this opportunity. submission to the address below. The sealed envelope containing the submission must include the name and The requirements for prequalification include: address of the applicant and be clearly marked “Application to Prequalify for the Haulover Bridge (a) an average annual turnover (defined as billing for works in Replacement Project”. progress and completed) over the last five years of United States Dollars (US$) 6.0 million equivalent for civil works; MIDH reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the prequalification process. MIDH will not be bound (b) demonstrate capacity to have a cash flow of at least US$1.5 to assign any reason for not prequalifying any applicant and Million equivalent (including access to credit); will not defray costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of the prequalification documents. (c) experience as prime contractor in the construction of at least one assignment of a similar nature and complexity to Applicants will be advised in due course of the results of their the proposed project activity within the last five years with application. Only firms and joint ventures prequalified under a value of at least US$6.0M (to comply with this requirement, this procedure will be invited to bid. works quoted should be at least 80 percent complete). The similarity shall be based on the physical size, complexity, methods/technology or other characteristics as described Attention: Mr. Evondale Moody in Section VI, Scope of Works. Project Execution Unit Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing Interested eligible applicants may obtain further information Power Lane from, and inspect the Prequalification Documents at, the PEU Belmopan, Cayo at the address below, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 BELIZE, C. A p.m. A complete hardcopy set of the prequalification documents Tel: +501-828-5220 in English may be obtained by interested applicants by writing Email: [email protected] Page 26 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 BREDAA’s controversial public debut

by Nuri Akbar 1981. their own country. A major conference that was to Based on previous Edward A. Laing was one of focus on organizing Belize diaspora experience with the various Belize’s finest minds and intellects as a precursor to the launching of the Belizean town halls and the who rose to the highest levels of Consortium was scheduled for Sept Stalinist tendency of the party international jurisprudence when he 28th, 1985 on the campus of UCLA. hacks at meetings, we were was elected with the highest approval The conference was billed as the prepared to speak come hell to the International Tribunal for the “Conference on Participation in or high water. The land is a Law of the Sea and the International Belizean Development,” and the highly explosive issue in Court of Justice at The Hague. He occasion would be BREDAA’s Belize when it comes to also taught at several universities in public debut. black people’s rights and the U.S. and served as Belize’s The meeting had as speakers access to ownership while ambassador to the United State and international law expert, ambassador, everybody else seemingly the United Nations. and professor, Edward Laing; Ms. gets a free ride. We felt this Laing was the brain behind the Dorinda Henderson, an executive was the right moment to concept and birth of the Belize banker; Belize’s iconic politician, bring this agenda to the Consortium which was an idea to Hon. Philip Goldson, Minister of forefront. A carefully drafted organize a transcontinental Belizean Social Service in the 1984-89 UDP statement by BREDAA outlining the general public to see exactly organization that could leverage the government and advocate of Belizean these concerns was approved by its whether these banks were redlining human capital from Belizean abroad, diaspora participation; Robert new executive. and discriminating against certain become a lobbying force on behalf Bennett; Kenrick Leslie; Clive Gillett; BREDAA was the sole youth Belizean communities in their of Belize interest, and support various Roland Yorke; Lillian Steele; Sonia representation in attendance at the lending, investments, and loan economic causes in the homeland. Goff; Sedrick Arnold; LA City conference despite its being held on practice. Brilliant idea, but in hindsight there Council member Robert Farrell; a college campus. On the day of the By late afternoon when the open were several endemic impediments Elaine Middleton; and Belize’s meeting, after sitting through hours session finally came, instead of such as toxic party politics, the honorary consul, Paul Warren. of several presentations, none of standing in the audience to speak, I perception of elitism, and, in my BREDAA felt this was the perfect which dealt with land rights or land walked up on stage shadowed by judgment, the most damning the lack venue to introduce its presence and a access for Belizeans at home and Edgar X Richardson and Ishmael of youth participation. These were not task force was given the responsibility abroad, BREDAA members present Shabazz to the podium and gave a faults of Laing, but the tragic residual to draft a presentation paper to be were in disbelief. firebrand lecture that left organizers effect of a “settlement mentality” that delivered by the new chairman, Nuri Then there was the atmosphere of stunned and unsettled even some of Belize has not been able to shed Akbar. BREDAA was not involved curtailing the input of young people, BREDAA new members. I began despite its political independence over with setting the agenda for the and particularly BREDAA, by some reading the prepared statement and a quarter-century ago on Sept 21st, conference and we were not tabled individuals associated with the Belize then the ancestors’ warrior spirit to officially speak. We Concerned Association, who were a enveloped me, and I went into understood there was going part of the conference planning. defensive and war mode and drifted to be an open session for Again, Professor Laing, who was not off-script. But while delivered with participants to speak and Los Angeles-based, was totally passion and illuminating our core dialogue. BREDAA was not unaware of the local politics being values, I broke BREDAA’s protocol. attending to ask questions but played out and how it would later I railed against the exclusion of youth to make a statement prove debilitating for the participation, lack of interest in the regarding land redistribution, Consortium’s efforts and longevity. economic situation impacting black land rights, and land The only speaker whose message Belizeans and land redistribution in ownership by Belizeans at reverberated with BREDAA the conference agenda. home and abroad and to draw members present was Ms. Dorinda However, interestingly, a key attention to absentee Henderson, who attacked and organizer present was not unsettled. landlords who were not undressed the banking institutions in Ambassador Edward Laing utilizing these lands while Belize as predatory, not being approached Shabazz and myself after Belizeans were being transparent, and not publishing their the “outburst,” as a few detractors neglected and landless in annual/quarterly financial reports for described my performance, and stated how impressed he was with the spirited energy and points I highlighted in waking up the audience. He also made an apparent reference to UBAD and told Bro Shabazz, “You know how to find them,” and referred to the legendary militant youthful UBAD leader from the ’60s and 70’s, Evan X Hyde, who was just 21 when he took the reins of UBAD. Also in attendance was Miss Alexandra M. Coye, better known as Sandra Coye, a Belizean legendary longtime activist and prominent academician, Resident Tutor at the University of the West Indies Department of Extra-Mural Studies (UWI), and thinker who was visiting LA and known to us sat among BREDAA members at the conference. After my unsanctioned lecture, Sister Sandra Coye rose to speak and in her own eloquence gave some needed “backative” to my earlier statements and BREDAA position. Coye had had a cordial relationship with Bro Shabazz and me that dates Please turn to„Page 27 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 27

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PROJECT EXECUTING UNIT REQUEST FOR BIDS (RFB)- International Competitive Bidding Belize

Education Quality Improvement Program II Loan Number: 4798/OC-BL

RFB: #1/2021- Detail Design and Construction of the STEAM Laboratory School

1. This Request for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in UN Development Business, issue no. IDB-P543623-08/20 of August 12, 2020.

2. The Government of Belize acting through the Project Executing Unit of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science & Technology has received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank toward the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Program II, 4789/OC-BL, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan to cover eligible payments under RFB#1/2021- Detail Design and Construction of the STEAM Laboratory School. 3. The Project Executing Unit of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science & Technology now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for RFB#1/2021: Detail Design and Construction of the STEAM Laboratory School. The Works consist of: The design and construction of the STEAM Laboratory school, to be built on the Belize City campus of the Institute of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET), it is composed of external areas and three buildings, two existing, to be refurbished and retrofitted, and a new building.

4. This procurement process requires bidders to have the following specific experience and/or capabilities among others requested in the bid document: experience in design and construction of works of a similar nature and size, for each of the last five (5) years, and details of work under way or contractually committed; and clients who may be contacted for further information on those contracts; key qualified and experienced personnel in design, construction and operation and maintenance, including a Contractor Representative with: i) a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, counted from obtaining the university degree, and ii) having participated in the construction of at least 3 (three) building totaling more than 3,000m2 , (32,292 sq.F); audited financial statements of the bidder, such as profit and loss statements and auditor’s reports for the past five (5) years; the minimum amount of liquid assets and/or Access to credit free of other contract commitments shall be: 400,000 expressed in BZ dollars. BREDAA’s controversial 5. Bidding will be conducted through the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedures specified in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies public debut for the Procurement of Goods and Works financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2349-15, and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the policies. Continued from Page 26 We respected Sandra Coye for being „ real and black-conscious and for never 6. Bidding Documents may be obtained free of charge by eligible bidders from the first address below. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Request for wavering or apologizing in her Bidding Documents for Detail Design and Construction of the STEAM support of issues that are Laboratory School, along with the name, address and contact information of the important to and affect black bidder for which Bidding Documents are being requested. Requests can be email people in Belize. to address (1) below. Over the years we received 7. Submissions in sealed envelopes clearly marked “RFB#1/2021: Detail Design word that our sister, Sandra and Construction of the STEAM Laboratory School, must be received at the Coye, has had some health second address below not later than 2:00 p.m. Belize local time on Wednesday, challenges relating to her eyes, April 7, 2021. Late bids will be rejected. A virtual bid opening will take place thus affecting her vision. immediately after the deadline for submission. The link will be forwarded to all those who submitted a bid. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of Five Belize is a country that has Thousand Belize Dollars (BZ$5,000.00). few safety nets for its citizens and tragically has a history of 8. GOB/MOECST reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to annul the neglecting its “diamonds” of process and reject all bids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected prospective bidder(s) or any obligation to human capital. The tragic case inform the affected prospective bidder(s) of the grounds for GOB/MOECST action. back to Belize. In 1980 as an art of Belize’s first Governor-General, GOB/MOECST will not defray any costs incurred by any bidder in the preparation student of the great Philip Lewis, I Dame Minita Gordon, reflects the fact of bids. had worked with Sandra Coye, artist/ that Belize is still captive to a “neo- painter Philip Lewis, Louis Belisle slave settlement mentality” 9. The address (es) referred to above are: and Dickie Straughan, among others, perpetuated from one generation to the to campaign for the former Seaview next by its colonialistic education Hospital site to become a cultural system administered via religious center. The group’s lobbying effort institutions with pedagogy from the was ignored by the hirelings on 15th century. Independence Hill, and Instead, the Despite these new physical property was made available to the challenges, Sandra Coye continues to Mexican government for a cultural be a voice of conscience and radical center. thought via the radio waves dispensing In the extended months Coye was her ideas, critique, delineation, and in LA, she attended a few BREDAA solutions emanating from her years of meetings and engaged in some serious experience and her brilliant mind. discussions relating to the challenges facing the black struggle and its future. Please turn to„Page 28 Page 28 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 BREDAA’s controversial public debut

Continued from „Page 27 Whether the Consortium would others. Instead of embracing embrace what we presented was left youth participation, they It was also my first encounter with to be seen. BREDAA’s presence was challengeed it. The attempt Professor Edward Laing, and would felt and it shook things up while at marginalization of the not be the last. Laing gave me his setting the tone for what was to come youthful leadership of business card and we began in the intervening years ahead. BREDAA became exchanging correspondence where I Shabazz was fond of saying the contentious over the years as sent him the material of BREDAA’s struggle is not a sprint, but a the organization grew in work in the community. We had no marathon. strength, popularity, idea that this would lead to some While Ambassador Laing grassroots credibility and intriguing family discovery in the years expressed his appreciation for what prominence in launching the ahead that we were indeed blood was said, it created an image of the Belize Caribbean Pulse in the relatives and first cousins. young members of BREDAA as communities in Southern I endured some admonition from militant and gave credence to the California. senior brothers Shabazz and Edgar X, criticism by some older traditionalist But the unspoken root who did not disapprove of the content folks who were in the leadership of motivation behind their criticism was bold step in breaking that old of what I said but the fact that I went the Concerned Belizean Association “political” and the fact that BREDAA debilitating chain of the party before off-script. Later the organization (CBA) and its president, Roland was a genuine “nonpartisan” group the nation. Putting the Belizean began preparation for the upcoming Yorke, Dellone Pascasio, Bob and we were adamant in maintaining people first over toxic party politics Consortium formation conference Bennett, and Paul Warren, the first that position. The position was an was our blazing sword. The older scheduled for later that same year. Belize consulate rep in LA, among integral part of our strength and a political party affiliates could not grasp this novelty and it sent them insane. The position went against the norm with the Belizean organizations in the diaspora. While they claim to be politically impartial, in truth their leadership was mostly represented by political party hacks aligned with the old National Independence Party (NIP) and its offspring, the United Democratic Party (UDP). Some historians have argued that this is the result of the long political dominance of the People’s United Party (PUP) and its political victimization years. Many of these older Belizeans who fled had worked in the civil service sector of Belize when it was still a crown colony of Britain in the ’60s and ’70s, and Rt. Hon. George Price was the PUP’s Maximum Leader. Whether accurate or not, a vast majority of black Belizeans abroad were decidedly sympathetic to the NIP/UDP. As we moved into the late ’80s and 90’s the political polarization in the largest Belizean diaspora in America began to show a glimmer of political maturity. This was manifested when BREDAA set the example by hosting and accommodating representatives from both the Government and the Opposition and the Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR), former Minister turned activist, Hon. Derek Aikman, and in more recent years members of the Belize Progressive Party. We gave equal time on Belize Caribbean Pulse and provided access to KPFK radio through long established contacts with the station and hosted them in other town halls and community events in Los Angeles. In spite of the fact that old habits die slowly and hard we remain hopeful. Even if it is a small step into the future, we believe that BREDAA’s decade-old popular radio magazine on KPFK 90.7 FM and its content of non-partisanship and a focus upon Belizean nationalism and issues- oriented had a significant impact in shaping the new mature vibrations among Belizeans in Southern California where party politics are concerned. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 29 Of Humanity, Service and Love was finished and after indulging in continued to explain that out of as I locked up the vehicle and the my ritual of scotch and spritzer, I sheer precaution, they decided to woman corporal personally said that retired to bed early, and called it an reach out to me because they were they would wait until I got back into early evening (which was quite concerned that with the brake light my house safely and locked up. As I unlike me). I would typically be up being left on throughout the night, made my way back into the house, late in the night consumed in it would eventually kill the car’s well looked after and taken care of, reading or work that I would bring battery. In that very moment, I was they noted that I left some valuables home, or just passing the time in a awestruck, and at a loss for words. in the yard in front of my house and state of quiet and subtle reflection. That was such a sweet and kind even went as far as to ask if I’d like Nonetheless, I retired early that gesture, I couldn’t even begin to to stow them away before I retreated night and failed to do some of the process it — and a man of many to bed. Mein, was I delighted to basic rituals that one does before words, found himself speechless. know that we live in a beautiful retiring for the night: locking the Nonetheless, the woman corporal world, with loving people and a windows, taking out the trash, proceeded to invite me to get my car community of police who securing the vehicle, and the like. keys and indicated that they would demonstrate service through Dearest Readers, Given that I normally ensure that facilitate me as I ventured outside humanity, kindness and love. It is often said that this is a cold, these things are done every evening, on the street (where my car is parked So today, for my column, I chose cold world that we are living in. But my wife later joined me in bed with in front of the house) to turn off the to set aside my previous topic and to subscribe oneself to only such a the assumption that it was taken care brake lights. As I went out to do just write this tribute as an ode to these premise would be to live with of. We dozed off in sweet slumber that, it turns out that there was a two officers. It was incumbent upon absolute abeyance of the beauty of and made merry in dreamland. This glitch in the brake’s switch and the me to use this platform as a medium life; the grander scheme of things. was until I heard a knocking at my lights couldn’t be easily turned off. to salute them for their service and So, saying that the world we live in bedroom window at approximately This was when the male officer for their subtle display of humanity, is all bad and dark would make us 1 a.m. Tuesday morning along with intervened. With much alacrity and kindness and love. I saw it rather guilty of uttering a most heinous a solemn but stern “good night”. willingness, he offered to disconnect important that I write this piece in statement. It would also be wrong My wife and I awoke frantically. the battery pole in an effort to offer an effort to tell a story to enlighten to say that the people who occupy I was nervous. I called out to the a temporary solution to the problem readers that good people still exist. this space are all egocentric and self- voice and inquired who it was. and mitigate the possibility of killing That despite the trying times we face indulgent. Before a refrain could come, I the battery. and the steep climb ahead of us, Our view would also be cleared my eyes and I immediately I was further taken back and sent somebody will be there to help carry egregiously lopsided if we believed noticed the blue and red lights into a state of sheer disbelief. This you through. Lastly, but most that all our law enforcement flashing through our summer was all foreign to me — and I mean importantly, it was imperative that I officers are stiff-handed individuals curtains. Then the response came. in such a darn good way! I couldn’t share that we have dedicated, loving who apply the letter of the law with It was the police. I frantically process it. That’s because from early and kind police officers in the force little or no spirit. See, late Monday struggled to compose myself and I on we hear that this is a cold world who are eager to go above and night I got a firsthand experience immediately went to the front door, and that every man is all for himself. beyond their call of duty to serve that we live in a beautiful world, where I was met by a woman police We learnt from early on that nobody their community with humanity, surrounded by people whose hearts corporal, who was gracious and will look out for you, except for valor and love! are in the right place, and guided by sweet. She greeted me with warmth, you, yourself. We often hear that law And if you ask me how I know law enforcement officers who act and she immediately quelled my enforcement is usually mean and this, well it is because I witnessed it with love and soul and purpose. fears when I saw the look of crude, stiff-handed and tough. But and experienced it firsthand. So Permit me, dear readers, to tell you concern glowing in her eyes amid that is not true! That is not the case. believe me when I tell you, we live about a personal encounter, a true the backdrop of the flashing lights. I witnessed humanity at its best, on in a beautiful world, good people story that has filled my heart and She proceeded to tell me that the Monday night. I witnessed our still exist, and more so, we have has truly warmed my soul. reason that they had stopped and had police officers going above and awesome police officers who live to On Monday, February 15, I got even bothered to disturb me from beyond the call of duty to serve their serve and serve with love. home from work fairly tired. Be it my slumber was because they were community with humanity and love. So as I conclude this piece, I must the day’s proceedings or the on routine patrol in the area and As if they hadn’t don’t enough for say that the following day, this weekend happenings that preceded they noticed that the brake lights of me already, when we finished from incident rested on my mind heavily, it, I was exhausted. So after supper my vehicle were left on. She the car, the male officer stood watch so I reached out to a friend in law enforcement and shared my story with her. I then asked her to kindly get me the names and particulars of the officers who warmed my heart and left an indelible imprint on my soul. After a little digging, I was delighted when she reached out to me and told me that she had the information. The officers who served with much humanity and love are Woman Corporal 625 Debbie Galvez and PC 1317 Steven Richards. I want to express my sincere gratitude to them for their loving service and for going above and beyond their call of duty to serve with humanity and love. You both are true inspirations and reminders of good heart and soul and that good people still do exist in this beautiful world in which we live in; and more so that we have exceptional law enforcement officers in Belize! Thank you, Woman Corporal 625 Debbie Galvez and PC 1317 Steven Richards! God bless you, and God bless Belize! Unchained Reflections Of a Liberal Pragmatist. Page 30 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021

Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page A1 Page B AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page C3 Page D AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page E5 Page F AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021

Serena Williams has great tennis left. What she doesn’t have: an answer for Naomi Osaka

Dan Wetzel·Columnist If only it was that easy. Unlike most Williams showed she’s the far superior of her matches during her legendary, two- player right now, shaking off early Yahoo!Sports, Thurs. decade-plus career, the Australian Open nerves to win in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Feb. 18, 2021 semifinals wasn’t so much about what Brandishing power, precision and In the middle of the first Serena could do, but what her opponent poise, Osaka simply overwhelmed set, sensing her peril, could do … only better. Serena. With the victory, she advanced Serena Williams bent at the Williams’ latest quest for her 24th to the finals seeking her fourth grand waist and screamed to Grand Slam championship ran into the slam and second consecutive dating herself. buzzsaw known as Naomi Osaka in the back to the U.S. Open. She’ll face either “Make a shot,” she Australian Open semifinals. The 23- Jennifer Brady or Karolina Muchova. yelled. “Make a shot.” year-old who grew up idolizing For Williams, the result was discouraging, no doubt. Her quest to tie, and eventually best, Margaret Court’s career grand slam record, is part of what keeps her from retiring. Each chance that skips by, the likelihood of accomplishing her goal diminishes. After the match, Williams broke down in tears and ended a news conference early after being asked about the match. “The difference today was errors,” she said prior. “I made so many errors today. Honestly there were opportunities … but I made so many errors.” Yet Williams showed that, at 39 years old and the mother of a 3-year- old, there’s still plenty of promise for her 2021 season. Serena dropped just one set to reach the semis. She looked to be in her best shape since giving birth in 2017. She moved well. She served with power. She exhibited some speed. She was focused. And despite her advancing age often looked like her peak self during the tournament. The problem in the semis was the opponent. Williams can still beat plenty of top players. Often the match will be determined by her performance — if it’s good, she wins; not so good, she loses. Osaka is a different-level challenge, though. She’s ranked third in the world, but is likely the best actual player. That’s certainly true when she is on her game. “I was just really nervous and scared at the beginning,” Osaka said on ESPN. “The biggest thing [to settling in] is having fun. … It is always an honor to play her.” Williams won her 23rd career Grand Slam at the 2017 Australian Open and then announced she was pregnant. Since becoming a mother, this was her 11th major appearance. She’s reached four finals, but fell short in all of them, including a 2018 U.S. Open loss to Osaka. Her numerical quest is not relevant in her comparisons to Court, who won a number of Australian Opens at a time when many top players didn’t travel to the event. Serena is almost universally hailed as the superior player. Perhaps the only real contender in the debate for greatest of all time is Steffi Graf, who won 22 majors. Graf Please turn to„Page H Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page G7

What’s next in Belize football? Belize to play first WCQ “home” game in Dominican Republic BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 18, been happening for a while now, as PLB elections, but it seems that the Health’s Covid-19 protocols while 2021 the Covid-19 protocols have put an FFB is satisfied with the current facilitating the return of football to It’s been almost a year since end to all “contact” sports since situation, and plans are going the field of play. Belizean fans watched football around the middle of last year. forward for the start of new The 25-page document titled, action in the various stadiums across Nevertheless, there have been the competitions, in anticipation of a “Basic Protocol of Action for the the country. It hasn’t been a big deal usual controversies and quarrels lifting of play restrictions by the Return to Play Guidelines of the in Belize City, where we no longer inside the football family, especially health authorities. Towards that Football Federation of Belize and had a team in the Premier League of since 2020 was an election year for objective, the FFB has reportedly Premier League of Belize Belize (PLB), but at least those executives in the various district prepared and submitted to the Competitions,” devotes more than interested could have watched some branch associations, the PLB and the Ministry of Health (MOH) and half of its pages to Section 5 - amateur 1st Division or Over-40 Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Ministry of Sports for their “Return to Sports Activity,” which games at the MCC Grounds on itself, for another four-year term. approval, a well drafted plan to covers a range of topics in great weekends. But not even that has There is still a cloud over the hopefully satisfy the Ministry of detail, including Club Licensing, Player Registration, Individual or Basic Training Phase, and Competition. Recently, Covid-19 incidents have reportedly been on the decline, and with the Corozal Free Zone being opened under a set of MOH approved safety protocols, there is a general feeling that some leniency may also soon be allowed for outdoor sports. Meanwhile, with World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ) scheduled to begin in late March, the FFB has embarked on a special individualized training program for its selected national team players. There are also proposals for employment of the “bubble” approach to facilitate some competitive training for the team in the weeks preceding their international matches. According to a source, close to ten foreign based Belizean players are expected to join the national team for the upcoming WCQ games. Nevertheless, these remain serious times with regard to the still present and dangerous Covid-19 virus, and so, as in international matches elsewhere, fans will not be allowed in the stadium to witness our home games. In fact, because of the delay in obtaining approval from MOH in time for the CONCACAF deadline this week, Belize’s first “home” game, scheduled for March 30 against Turks & Caicos Islands, will have to be played abroad, most likely in the Dominican Republic. Belize’s upcoming WCQ schedule this year sees us travelling to Haiti for our match on March 25; Belize hosts Turks & Caicos Islands on March 30 (likely in Dominican Republic); the Belize national team goes to Nicaragua for our match on June 4; and Belize hosts St. Lucia on June 8, hopefully in Belize. Visit us at www.amandala.com.bz Page H AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021

psycho-motivational reserves, and realized that the night was Osaka’s, the Serena Williams great competitor Serena could only smile in appreciation of the message has great tennis... of “Mother Time” and the outstanding talent and resilience of the opponent that her own legacy had helped to Continued from Page F inspire. „ Serena’s brief, smiling embrace of completely dominated the sport when Impeccable Osaka; flashes of Serena Osaka before they exited the court, she won 20 majors across just a nine- could only, under the circumstances be year span. Serena’s longevity continues appreciated as the passing of the torch to weigh in her favor. Graf retired at 30. BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 18, 2021 power and more precision, making from one great champion to another. Pushing 40, Serena remains among the Sports/tennis fans world over were clear her unspoken statement, that With the loss at 39 years of age, it is top players in the world. treated to an epic television spectacle there was a new “queen of the hill.” anybody’s guess how much longer The question of how long she can last night in the semifinals of the The straight sets match was not a Serena will continue, or if she will ever keep up the pursuit has hovered over Australia Open, where rising superstar rout by any measure, despite the 6-3, capture that elusive 24th Grand Slam her for the past couple of years as injuries and current World #3 female player, 6-4, score. Naomi had to work, and victory. and fatigue often derailed her legendary Japan’s Naomi Osaka was absolutely work hard for it, in critical moments The chances for that grow slimmer serving and ground stroke ability. She impeccable in turning back the when the psychological battle could each day, as it is clear to all who can dismissed any suggestions that she was relentless power attacks from her have tipped the scales in favor of the see, that the reign of 23-year-old Naomi signaling to the crowd after the match childhood idol, 39-year-old Serena aging former champion. But in each Osaka is well under way, and a definite that this was her last Australian Open. Williams. Though trailing in the scores, tough situation, the young champion obstacle to any dreams of Serena’s “If I ever say farewell,” she said with on at least two occasions it seemed rose majestically to the occasion, and return to #1. a smile, “I wouldn’t tell anyone.” that Serena had mounted one of her gave tennis fans a performance to The Queen Mother Serena is gone; Either way, she should leave famous rallies to usurp the momentum remember, a performance worthy of long reign the new tennis queen, Naomi Melbourne knowing she played some of of the match; but each time Serena the stature of the opponent she was Osaka! She moves on to the finals on her best tennis since becoming a mother. found flashes of her best tennis, turning back, the legendary Serena. Saturday against 22nd seed Jennifer If she can maintain this physical Osaka seemed to respond with equal When she had drawn on all her Brady. condition, then she’ll be an absolute contender the rest of the year, especially at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open where she tends to thrive of late. At least if she finds a way to avoid Naomi. Osaka has thus far shown herself to be a bit of a streak player in major championships. She’s either upset in the early rounds, or she wins the tournament. In beating Serena, she ran her record in Grand Slam quarters, semis and finals to 14-0. Essentially, once Osaka rallied back from two match points to defeat Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round, Williams’ fate was set. She can’t beat this Naomi Osaka. If anything, Serena should recognize the dominance. Osaka was born in Japan but her family moved to New York when she was 3. Her father, Leonard Francois, decided to teach his two daughters — Naomi has an older sister, Mari — to play tennis on the public courts near their Long Island home the way Serena’s father, Richard Williams, taught Serena and her older sister Venus back in Compton, California. Naomi studied Serena relentlessly. The family even traveled to watch the Williamses compete in tournaments. “I was a little kid watching her play,” Naomi said. For years, Naomi’s mantra on the court and in training was “WWSD”: “What Would Serena Do?” So when Williams broke Osaka in the second set to make it 4-4 and offer a glimmer of hope for an epic comeback, Naomi responded by winning eight consecutive points to mercilessly close out the match. It was Serena-esque. “Just to be out on the court playing against her, for me, is a dream,” Osaka said. “[In the end, though], you’re a competitor and this is another competitor.” For over two decades Serena Williams ran things around here. But right now, this is Naomi Osaka’s sport. Had the bracket broken her way, Serena looked good enough to scratch out another major. She certainly looked good enough to contend in nearly every match. She made it clear that that No. 24, or even 25, isn’t some pipe dream. Except if she finds Naomi Osaka staring back from the other side of the net. There may not be any answer for that. Not now. Not ever. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 31 Belize on list of Top Ten Post-Pandemic Destinations of 2021

industries, post-pandemic, for the reflect on the future of tourism in developing countries that it has Belize, and it noted that Belize highlighted on its list of ethical closed its international airport in destinations. Belize was a back-to- late March and did not reopen to back Ethical Destinations winner in foreigners until October 1. 2017-2018, and once again, Belize In 2019, the travel and tourism makes an appearance on the 2021 sector accounted for more than one list. third of Belize’s GDP. By October The unique circumstances 2020, GDP declined by twenty emerging as a result of COVID-19 percent (20%) and tax revenues led to the inclusion of a new could no longer support the category on the Ethical Traveler list: government’s regular expenditures. “The Top Ten (Post-Pandemic) As a result, over 80,000 Destinations of 2021.” Belizeans, notably more than one The ten countries on that list, in third from the tourism sector, no particular order, are Belize, applied for financial aid due to Benin, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, unemployment. Applications closed Ecuador, Jamaica, Mongolia, within a month, for the government Nepal, The Gambia and Uruguay. was unable to sustain the increasing by Dayne Guy based, Earth Island Institute project. The Ethical Traveler said, “Belize number of applicants. Its purpose is to “empower travelers should be commended for putting The Ethical Traveler encourages BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 16, 2021 to change the world”. Noting the the health of its citizens above foreigners to support Belize’s The staggering, uncontaminated economic contraction caused by the economic factors.” The Ethical economy, by visiting Belize, beauty of Belize, has yet again been COVID-19 pandemic, the Berkeley- Traveler described Belize as an supporting local businesses and recognized by the Ethical Traveler. based project hopes that its industry leader, which took the following the strict safety Ethical Traveler is a Berkeley- endorsement will drive the tourism pandemic as an opportunity to protocols. Two persons shot on Plues Street

BELIZE CITY. Tues. Feb. 16, 2021 Belizean labourer Fortunately, they both survived the gunman, not yet identified, On Tuesday afternoon, a little Eugene Thompson and Jenine the attempt on their life and are approached and fired the shots. after 2:00 p.m., a lone gunman Lamb, a 31-year-old Belizean currently listed in a stable condition The motive behind this shooting approached two persons on Plues domestic worker, were injured and at the KHMH. has not been determined as yet, but Street and fired several shots in their were rushed to the Karl Heusner Reports are that the two persons the Police Department is carrying direction. As a result, 38-year-old Memorial Hospital (KHMH). were standing on Plues Street when out a full investigation at this time.

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. Heritage Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Fitzgerald A. Joseph will sell the following property ON SITE on Saturday the 27th February, 2021 in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, Belize commencing at 1:30 p.m. Please note that Social Distancing Protocol will be in full effect and the wearing of mask will be mandatory.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Pedro Town 7 1616

Being a two storey concrete house with a cement roof having one bedroom, two bathrooms, small office, living, dining, kitchen utility and two rooms as Spa and Beauty Salon on the first floor then on the second floor has two one bedroom apartments together with a fully fenced lot containing 555.40 square yards with canal access in the back situated on Sunflower Street, in the DFC Housing Area, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye the freehold property of Richard Mattis at 1:30 p.m.

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH FITZGERALD A. JOSEPH TELEPHONE: 601-2039 Email:[email protected] Page 32 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Cabinet discusses vaccines, unions, and long-stay program economic recovery and healthcare reviewed the Ministry of Health efficiency. and Wellness’ vaccine rollout plan, Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister which outlines a four-phase of Education, Culture, Science and rollout that begins at the end of Technology, reported on March. The plan seeks to vaccinate consultations with a number of over 200,000 Belizeans in 120 workers’ unions that took place days, with healthcare workers, the from February 10 to 12, 2021. The elderly, citizens diagnosed with Cabinet thoroughly discussed the mental and physical disabilities, recommendations and requests of teachers and other frontline the unions and agreed to provide a persons to be considered high prompt, comprehensive response priority on the vaccine priority list. and to engage in further dialogue. The Cabinet also approved the The Cabinet was also updated on Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports Relations’ long-stay visitor show that there is a marked decline program. This initiative allows for in cases, with a significant decrease targeted visitors and persons of in average positive cases per day specific nationalities to receive — falling from 182 positive cases extended visitor permits. by Dayne Guy chaired by the Prime Minister, Hon. per day to an average of 22. This Additionally, the Ministry has been John Briceño, the Cabinet brings our daily positivity rate given the approval to enhance the BELMOPAN, Tues. Feb. 16, 2021 addressed a number of COVID-19 from 20 percent to 4.5 percent. Qualified Retired Persons In the latest Cabinet meeting related issues — particularly The Cabinet additionally Incentive Program. Home invasion in Ladyville LADYVILLE, Wed. Feb. 17, gunpoint for some time. The women and children who home, and they eventually left. 2021 According to local media reports, were present in the home at the Gladly, no one was hurt during On Wednesday evening around three unknown gunmen stormed time were all held at gunpoint. It the ordeal. At this time, we have 4:00 p.m., a family in the the home, located on Carpenter has been reported that the family’s no report on whether anything Ladyville area was terrorized by Street in the Mitchell Estates area matriarch begged the culprits for was stolen from the home during home invaders who held them at of Ladyville. mercy and for them to leave the this home invasion.

Our email address for business & advertising is [email protected] Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 33 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT ALLOCATION OF COLOURS TO POLITICAL PARTIES CHAPTER 9 CONTESTING THE COROZAL BAY ELECTORAL DIVISION BY- Form No. 22 ELECTION 2021

NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN In accordance with Rule 15 (4) of the Representation of the Election Rules, the Elections and Boundaries Commission has allocated the following colors to The Electoral Division of COROZAL BAY the political parties contesting the Corozal Bay Electoral Division By- Election to be held on Wednesday 3rd March 2021. NOTICE is hereby given to the Voters of the electoral division aforesaid that a Poll will be taken for the by-election now pending for the said electoral division POLITICAL PARTIES COLOUR and that such Poll will be opened on the 3rd day of March 2021 at the hour of seven in the forenoon and kept open till the hour of six in the afternoon in the People’s United Party (PUP) BLUE following Polling Stations established in the various Polling Areas comprised United Democratic Party (UDP) RED in the said electoral division: POLLING STATIONS: JOSEPHINE 1. Polling Area No. 39 TAMAI ST. FRANCIS XAVIER ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CHIEF COROZAL METHODIST SCHOOL, COROZAL TOWN ELECTIONS OFFICER Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of 3rd Street South produced to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence westerly along the north side of 3rd Street to the Corozal Town boundary; thence continuing in a westerly direction then northerly, then easterly then northerly and following the said Elections & Boundaries Commission town boundary to its intersection with the Northern Highway, also known as Belize City the Santa Elena Road; thence southeasterly along the north side of the Santa 17th February 2021 Elena Road to the southern boundary of parcel 874 in the Corozal North Land Registration Area; thence easterly along the southern boundary of parcel 874 and continuing easterly along the southern boundaries of parcels ADDENDUM 873,872,871,1319,1320,1339,1340 and 3351 all in the Corozal North Land MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2021 Registration Area to an unnamed street; thence along the un-named street to the CHANGE IN APPOINTMENT south-west corner of the Stadium; thence southerly and easterly along parcel 2456 to Toucan Street; thence along the north side of Toucan Street to 5th It is notified for the general information that the Chief Elections Officer with Street North; thence along the north side of 5th Street North to its production the approval of the Elections and Boundaries Commission acting pursuant to across Rainbow Beach to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence southerly along the section 18 (2) Part IV of the City Council Act have rescinded the following coast back to the point of commencement. appointment and appointed replacement for the below Election Clerk:

2. POLLING STATIONS: Polling Area No. 40 ELECTION CLERKS ST PAUL’S ANGLICAN SCHOOL, COROZAL TOWN

Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of 3rd Street MUNICIPALITY RESCINDED NEW South produced to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence westerly along the north APPOINTMENT APPOINTMENT side of 3rd Street to the Corozal Town boundary; thence southerly along the said town boundary to its intersection with the Northern Highway; thence southwesterly along the Northern Highway also forming a part of the Corozal BELIZE CITY Town boundary to a tract; thence south along the town boundary and the said Fort George Lliani Arthurs Nelma Jones track to a scale UTM coordinate of 352034 meters east and 2013517 meters Director Principal Education north; and also being the boundary of lands now or formerly leased to Albert Officer Vault; thence east along the boundary of the said lands to a point on the coast Department of Human Education of and having a scaled UTM coordinate of 352364 meters east and 2031509 Department meters north; thence northerly along the coast back to the point of Services commencement. Belize City Orange Walk Town

The candidates in the above electoral divisions are as follows:

CANDIDATES: JOSEPHINE TAMAI The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: Chief Elections Officer

1. CAMPOS, Hilberto, 23 Flogariat Street UDP

2. VEGA SAMOS, Elvia “Elvie”, 16 Apple Street PUP

of which all persons are hereby required to take notice and govern ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT themselves accordingly. The counting of votes will take place at the ST. FRANCIS XAVIER R. C. NOTICES THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN SCHOOL, COROZAL TOWN, on the 3rd day of March 2021 at the hour of 8:00 p.m. 3rd MARCH 2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

GIVEN under my Hand this 17th day of February 2021 BELIZE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION

(Teresita Miranda) In accordance with Regulation 51-(1) of the Belize City Council (Registration Returning Officer for the of Electors and Elections) Regulations, I, Anna Bennett, Returning Officer, Corozal Bay Electoral hereby give notice that more candidates having been nominated than there are Division seats to be filled, the election of one (1) Mayor and ten (10) other members of the Belize City Council will be held in Belize City on, 3rd March, 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following Polling Stations established in the Page 34 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

various Polling Areas in the electoral divisions for Belize City: - POLLING AREA No. 3A

•••••••••••• ALL THAT section of the Caribbean Shores Electoral Division which FREETOWN ELECTORAL DIVISION includes Moho Bay and all that section from a point on the junction of the Northern Highway and Buttonwood Bay Boulevard, along the Boulevard POLLING AREA NO. 1 towards the Caribbean Shores; thence Northward along the sea coast to the Haulover Bridge on the Northern Highway; thence Southward along the Northern ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Freetown Electoral Division Highway to point of commencement. in Belize City and bounded as follows: Commencing at a point, the said point being the junction of Princess Margaret POLLING STATION NO. 3A –BUTTONWOOD BAY NAZARENE Drive and St. Thomas Street; thence south along the west-side of St. Thomas PRIMARY SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY Street to 19th Street; the south-side of 19th Street to ‘K’ Street; the west-side of ‘K’ Street to an un-named street; thence east along the south-side of the un- named street to ‘I’ Street; thence south along the west-side of ‘I’ Street to POLLING AREA NO. 4 11th Street; thence east along the south-side of 11th Street to ‘G’ Street; thence south along the west-side of ‘G’ Street to 6th Street; thence east along 6th ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Caribbean Shores Electoral Street to Hopkins Street; thence south along the west-side of Hopkins Street Division in Belize City bounded as follows: to 3rd Street; thence west along the north-side of 3rd Street to St. Peter Street; thence south along the west-side of St. Peter Street to St Joseph Street; thence Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection Princess Margaret east along the south-side of St Joseph Street to Simon Lamb Street; thence Drive and St. Thomas Street; thence south along St. Thomas Street to 19th south along the west-side of Simon Lamb Street to Freetown Road; thence Street; thence along the south-side of 19th Street to ‘K’ Street; thence along along the south-side of Freetown Road to its junction with Princess Margaret the west-side of ‘K’ Street to an un-named street; thence east along the south- Drive; thence north along Princess Margaret Drive back to the point of side of the un-named street to ‘I’ Street; thence south along the west-side of commencement. ‘I’ Street to 11th Street; thence east along the south-side of 11th Street to ‘G’ Street; thence south along the west-side of ‘G’ Street to 6th Street; thence east POLLING STATION NO. 1—ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL, along 6th Street to Hopkins Street; thence south along the west-side of Hopkins BELIZE CITY Street to 3rd Street; thence west along 3rd Street to St. Peter Street; thence south along the west-side of St. Peter Street to St Joseph Street; thence east along the south-side of St Joseph Street to Baymen Avenue; thence northerly POLLING AREA NO. 2 along the west side of Baymen Avenue and across Princess Margaret Drive to the Caribbean Sea at the coast; thence northerly and westerly along the said ALL THAT section of the Freetown Electoral Division which lies between coast of the Caribbean Sea back to the production of St Matthew Street at the the Northern Highway and Haulover Creek from Haulover Bridge to Belcan coast; thence southerly along the west side of St. Matthew Street and across Bridge, and that section that lies within the following described area. Princess Margaret Drive back to the point of commencement.

Commencing at a point, the said point being the junction of Princess Margaret POLLING STATION NO. 4 – TRINITY METHODIST SCHOOL, Drive produced to the Haulover Creek at Belcan Bridge; thence upstream BELIZE CITY along Haulover Creek to its confluence with the Belize River; thence downstream the Belize River to its junction with the Northern Highway; thence easterly along the north side of the Northern Highway to its junction with Princess POLLING AREA NO. 5 Margaret Drive; thence south along Princess Margaret Drive produced to Haulover Creek and back to the point of commencement. ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Caribbean Shores Electoral Division in Belize City bounded as follows: POLLING STATION NO. 2—YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, BELIZE CITY Commencing at the junction of St. Joseph Street and Baymen Avenue. Thence Northerly along the Eastern Side of Baymen Avenue to the Sea Coast. Along the Sea Coast to Barrack Road, thence Southerly along the Western Side of POLLING AREA NO. 3B Barrack Road to its junction with Victoria Street. Thence Southerly along the Western side of Victoria Street to its junction with Castle Street. Thence ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Freetown Electoral Division Northerly along the Eastern side of Lancaster Street to its junction with Freetown in Belize City and bounded as follows: Road. Thence along the Northern Side of Freetown Road to its junction with Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of Independence Cinderella Plaza. Thence Northerly along the Eastern side of Cinderella Plaza Avenue and the coast of the Caribbean Sea; thence southerly along the east- to Kelly Street. Thence westerly along the Northern side of Kelly Street to its side of Independence Avenue to the Northern Highway; thence west along the junction with Simon Lamb Street to its junction with St. Joseph Street. Thence north side of the Northern Highway to its junction with the Belize River; thence easterly along the southern side of St. Joseph Street to its junction with Baymen downstream along the Belize River to its confluence with the Caribbean Sea; Avenue. thence southerly and easterly along the coast of the Caribbean Sea back to the point of commencement. POLLING STATION NO. 5 – EX-SERVICES LEAGUE’S BUILDING, BELIZE CITY POLLING STATION NO. 3B—YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, BELIZE CITY COUNTING STATION: EDWARD P. YORKE HIGH SCHOOL, PRINCESS MARGARET DRIVE, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING COUNTING STATION: ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL, FIRST AREAS 3, 3A, 4 AND 5. STREET, KINGS PARK, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 1, 2 AND 3B. PICKSTOCK ELECTORAL DIVISION

CARIBBEAN SHORES ELECTORAL DIVISION POLLING AREA NO. 6

POLLING AREA NO. 3 ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Pickstock Electoral Division in Belize City bounded as follows: ALL THAT section of the Caribbean Shores Electoral Division in Belize City, which includes Coral Grove and West Landivar, and lies between the Commencing at the intersection of Mapp Street with Haulover Creek, thence Northern Highway and the sea coast beginning at the junction of the southern along Mapp Street, Cran Street, Douglas Jones Street, Castle Street, Victoria side of Buttonwood Bay Boulevard and the sea; thence Westerly along the Street to Haulover Creek, and along Haulover Creek to Mapp Street. southern side of Buttonwood Bay Boulevard to its intersection with the Northern Highway; thence South-Easterly along the Northern side of the Northern POLLING STATION NO. 6 – CENTRAL CHRISTIAN PRIMARY Highway to its intersection with Princess Margaret Drive to its junction with SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY St. Thomas street, northerly along the western side of St. Matthew Street, to the sea, and northerly along the sea coast to the point of commencement. POLLING AREA NO. 16A POLLING STATION NO. 3—EDWARD P. YORKE HIGH SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Pickstock Electoral Division in Belize City bounded as follows: Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 35 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

Commencing at a point, the said point being the junction of Vernon Street and above the grave of Baron Henry E. E. V. Bliss on the coast; thence northwesterly Sarstoon Street; thence north along the east-side of Sarstoon Street to Haulover along the coast of the Caribbean Sea to its confluence with Northside Canal; Creek; thence upstream along the south-bank of Haulover Creek back to Central thence south along Northside Canal to its confluence with Haulover Creek; American Boulevard; thence south along the west side of Central American thence along the north-bank of Haulover Creek to its confluence with the Boulevard to Vernon Street; thence east along Vernon Street back to the point Caribbean Sea back to the point of commencement. of commencement. POLLING STATION NO. 9 – ST. MARY’S SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY COUNTING STATION: HOLY REDEEMER PARISH HALL, NORTH POLLING STATION NO. 16A – ST. LUKE METHODIST PRIMARY FRONT STREET, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 7, 8 AND SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY 9.

ALBERT ELECTORAL DIVISION POLLING AREA NO. 17A POLLING AREA NO. 10 ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Pickstock Electoral Division in Belize City bounded as follows: ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Albert Electoral Division in Belize City North of South Street and bounded as follows: Commencing at the junction of Haulover Creek and Oleander Street; thence south along the east-side of Oleander Street to Morning Glory Street; north- Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of Thurton Lane side of Morning Glory Street to Partridge Street; thence south along the east- produced and Haulover Creek; thence south along Thurton Lane to Vernon side of Partridge Street to Lark Spur Street; thence east along the south-side Street; thence east along the north-side of Vernon Street to Alexandra Street; of Lark Spur Street to Zericote Street; thence south along the east-side of thence south along the east-side of Alexandra Street to Baghdad Street; thence Zericote Street to Mahogany Street; thence west along the south-side of east along the south-side of Baghdad Street to Water Lane, thence continuing Mahogany Street to Partridge Street; thence south along the east-side of east along Water Lane to East Canal; thence south along the west-bank of East Partridge Street to Vernon Street; thence east along the north-side of Vernon Canal to South Street; thence east along the north side of South Street to its Street to Central American Boulevard; thence north along Central American intersection with the Caribbean Sea at the coast; thence northerly along the Boulevard to Haulover Creek; thence upstream along the south bank of Haulover coast of the Caribbean Sea to its confluence with Haulover Creek; thence Creek back to the point of commencement. westerly along the south bank of Haulover Creek back to the point of commencement. POLLING STATION NO. 17A – ST. LUKE METHODIST PRIMARY SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY POLLING STATION NO. 10 – WESLEY LOWER SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY COUNTING STATION: ST. LUKE METHODIST PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAHOGANY STREET, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 6, 16A AND 17A. POLLING AREA NO. 11

FORT GEORGE ELECTORAL DIVISION ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Albert Electoral Division in Belize City South of South Street, and bounded as follows: POLLING AREA NO. 7 Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of South Street and ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Fort George Electoral the Caribbean Sea at the coast; thence southerly along the coast, and including Division in Belize City bounded as follows: Birds Isle to Collect Canal; thence northerly along the east-bank of Collect Canal to South Street; thence east along the north side of South Street back to Commencing at a point, the said point being the junction of Freetown Road the point of commencement. and Barrack Road; thence along Barrack Road to Hyde’s Lane; Hyde’s Lane to New Road; New Road to Pickstock Street; Pickstock Street produced to Haulover Creek; thence upstream along the north bank of Haulover Creek to Victoria Street produced; Victoria Street to Freetown Road; thence across POLLING STATION NO. 11 – ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL COLLEGE, Freetown Road back to the point of commencement. ALBERT STREET, BELIZE CITY

POLLING STATION NO. 7 – HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL (NEW ROAD), BELIZE CITY POLLING AREA NO. 16

ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Albert Electoral Division in POLLING AREA NO. 8 Belize City bounded as follows:

ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Fort George Electoral Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of Sarstoon Street Division in Belize City bounded as follows: and Haulover Creek; thence south along the east-side of Sarstoon Street to Vernon Street; thence east along the north-side of Vernon Street to Thurton Commencing at a point, the said point being the junctions of Eve Street and Lane; thence north along Thurton Lane to its production to Haulover Creek; Barrack Road and the coast of the Caribbean Sea; thence southeasterly along thence upstream the south bank of Haulover Creek back to the point of Barrack Road to Freetown Road; Freetown Road to Kelly Street; Kelly Street commencement. to Simon Lamb Street; southerly along Simon Lamb Street to Mapp Street; Mapp Street to Cran Street; Cran Street to Douglas Jones Street; Douglas POLLING STATION NO. 16 – CALVARY TEMPLE SCHOOL, Jones Street to Castle Street; Castle Street to Victoria Street; Victoria Street to REGENT STREET WEST, BELIZE CITY Barrack Road; Barrack Road to Hyde’s Lane; Hyde’s Lane to New Road; New Road to Pickstock Street; Pickstock Street produced to Haulover Creek; COUNTING STATION: ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL COLLEGE, 71 thence downstream along The north bank of Haulover Creek to North side REGENT STREET, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 10, 11 Canal; North side Canal to its confluence with the Caribbean Sea at the coast; AND 16. thence northwesterly along the coast back to the point of commencement. QUEEN’S SQUARE ELECTORAL DIVISION POLLING STATION NO. 8 – HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL (NORTH FRONT STREET), BELIZE CITY POLLING AREA NO. 12

ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Queen’s Square Electoral POLLING AREA NO. 9 Division in Belize City, East of Collet Canal, and Bounded as follows:

ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Fort George Electoral Commencing at a point, the said point being the confluence of Collect Canal Division in Belize City South of Northside Canal and between Haulover Creek and East Canal; thence easterly and northerly along the east bank of East Canal and the Sea, bounded as follows: to South Street; thence west along the south-side of South Street to its intersection with George Street at Basra Street; thence continuing west along Commencing at a point, the said point located at the confluence of Haulover Basra Street to Euphrates Avenue; thence north along the west-side of Euphrates Creek and the Caribbean Sea and also being the location of the lighthouse Avenue to Dean Street; thence along the south-side of Dean Street to Collect Page 36 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

Canal; thence south along the east bank of Collect Canal back to the point of of Burdon Canal to its crossing with ‘Toll Bridge’ near mile five on the commencement. Western Highway; thence easterly along the north-side of the said Western Highway back to the point of commencement. POLLING STATION NO. 12 – ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN PRIMARY SCHOOL, AMARA AVENUE, BELIZE CITY POLLING AREA NO. 22A – CUSTOMS & EXCISE DEPARTMENT, CEASAR RIDGE ROAD, BELIZE CITY

POLLING AREA NO. 21 COUNTING STATION: CUSTOMS & EXCISE DEPARTMENT, CEASAR RIDGE ROAD, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Queen’s Square Electoral 20, 22 AND 22A. Division in Belize City bounded as follows: MESOPOTAMIA ELECTORAL DIVISION Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of Central American Boulevard and Faber’s Road; thence south-easterly along the north-side of POLLING AREA NO. 13 Faber’s Road to Queen Charlotte Street; thence east along Queen Charlotte Street to Collect Canal; thence north along the east-bank of Collect Canal to ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Mesopotamia Electoral its confluence with South Creek; thence along the south bank of South Creek Division in Belize City and bounded as follows: to Central American Boulevard; thence south along the east-side of Central Commencing at a point, the said point being the junction of Dean Street and American Boulevard back to the point of commencement. Collet Canal; thence south along the east bank of Collet Canal to South Creek; thence west along the north bank of South Creek to Curassow Street; thence north along the east-side of Curassow Street to Cemetery Road; POLLING STATION NO. 21 – ST JOHN VIANNEY R.C. SCHOOL, thence easterly along the north-side of Cemetery Road across Pound Yard FABERS ROAD, BELIZE CITY Bridge to the east bank of Collet Canal; thence south along Collect Canal back to the point of commencement. COUNTING STATION: ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN PRIMARY SCHOOL, AMARA AVENUE, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING POLLING STATION NO. 13 – QUEEN’S SQUARE ANGLICAN AREAS 12 AND 21. PRIMARY SCHOOL, DOLPHIN STREET BELIZE CITY

PORT LOYOLA ELECTORAL DIVISION POLLING AREA NO. 14 POLLING AREA NO. 20 ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Mesopotamia Electoral ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Port Loyola Electoral Division in Belize City and bounded as follows: Division in Belize City bounded as follows: Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of Collet Canal and Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of Jabiru Street and Orange Street; thence along Orange Street to Euphrates Avenue; thence along Faber’s Road; thence north along the west-side of Jabiru Street to Rio Grande Euphrates Avenue to King Street; thence along King Street to East Canal; Street; thence easterly along the south-side of Rio Grande Street and thence south along the west-bank of East Canal to South Street; thence west continuing east along the northern boundary of Hood’s and Stephen’s Estate along the south side of South Street to Basra Street at their intersection with to Central American Boulevard; thence southerly along the east-side of Central George Street; thence continuing west along the south-side of Basra Street American Boulevard to its junction with Faber’s Road; thence westerly along to Euphrates Avenue; thence north along the east-side of Euphrates Avenue the north side of Faber’s Road back to the point of commencement. to Dean Street; thence west along the south-side of Dean Street to Collect Canal; thence north along the east bank of Collet Canal back to the point of POLLING STATION NO. 20 – YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN commencement. ASSOCIATION, FABERS ROAD, BELIZE CITY POLLING STATION NO. 14 – GRACE PRIMARY SCHOOL, AMARA AVENUE, BELIZE CITY POLLING AREA NO. 22

ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Port Loyola Electoral POLLING AREA NO. 15 Division in Belize City bounded as follows: ALL THAT comprising that section of the Mesopotamia Electoral Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of the Central Division in Belize City and bounded as follows: American Boulevard and Faber’s Road; thence south-easterly along the north-side of Faber’s Road to its intersection with Queen Charlotte Street Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of Water Lane and and Caesar Ridge Road; thence east along the north-side of Queen Charlotte East Canal; thence south along the west-bank of East Canal to King Street; Street to Collect Canal; thence south along the west bank of Collect Canal thence west along the King Street to Euphrates Avenue; thence along Euphrates to its confluence with the Caribbean Sea; thence southerly and westerly Avenue to Orange Street; thence across Orange Street to Mosul Street; thence along the coast of the Caribbean Sea to it intersection with Port Authority north along the west-side of Mosul Street to Vernon Street; thence east along Road; thence north along Port Authority road to its intersection with Ceasar the north-side of Vernon Street to Alexandra Street; thence south along Ridge Road; thence east along Ceasar Ridge Road to its intersection with Alexandra Street to Baghdad Street; thence east along Baghdad Street to Central American Boulevard; thence north along the Central American Water Lane; thence continuing east along Water Lane back to the point of Boulevard back to the point of commencement commencement.

POLLING STATION NO. 22 – MUSLIM COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL, BELIZE CITY POLLING STATION NO. 15 – SALVATION ARMY SCHOOL, ORANGE STREET, BELIZE CITY

POLLING AREA NO. 22A COUNTING STATION: GRACE PRIMARY SCHOOL, 14 AMARA AVENUE, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 13, 14 AND 15. ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Port Loyola Electoral Division in Belize City bounded as follows: LAKE INDEPENDENCE ELECTORAL DIVISION Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of the Western Highway and Faber’s Road; thence south-easterly along the north-side of POLLING AREA NO. 17 Faber’s Road to its intersection with Central American Boulevard; thence southerly along the western side of the Boulevard to its intersection with ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Lake Independence Caesar Ridge Road; thence west along southern side of Ceasar Ridge Road Electoral Division in Belize City bounded as follows: to the junction with the Port Authority; thence south along the Port Authority Road to its intersection with the coast of the Caribbean Sea; thence southerly Commencing at a point the said point being the intersection of the Western and westerly along the coast of the Caribbean Sea to its confluence with Highway and Burdon Canal; thence easterly along the north-side of the said Sibun Canal; then upstream along the north bank of Sibun Canal to its Western Highway to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 371533 confluence with Burdon Canal; thence north-easterly along the south bank meters east and 1935066 meters north; thence north from said point to its Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 37 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

intersection of Administrative Drive; thence north along the east-side ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Collet Electoral Division in Administrative Drive to its intersection with Haulover Creek; thence upstream Belize City bounded as follows: along the south bank of Haulover Creek to its confluence with Burdon Canal; thence south-westerly along the south bank of Burdon Canal back to the Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of the Western Highway point of commencement. and Faber’s Road; thence south-easterly along the north-side of Faber’s Road to Jabiru Street; thence north along the west-side of Jabiru Street to Rio Grande POLLING STATION NO. 17 – ST. MARTIN DE PORRES R.C. Street; thence easterly along the south-side of Rio Grande Street; thence SCHOOL, PATRIDGE STREET, BELIZE CITY northerly to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 371491 meters east and 1934652 meters north; thence north to another point on the Western Highway having a scaled UTM coordinate of 371618 meters east and 1935049 meters POLLING AREA NO. 17B north; thence west along the Western Highway back to the point of commencement. ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Lake Independence Electoral Division in Belize City West of Central American Boulevard and POLLING STATION NO. 20A- GRACE PRIMARY SCHOOL bounded as follows: (FABERS ROAD), BELIZE CITY

Commencing at a point on the Western Highway having a scaled UTM COUNTING STATION: GWEN LIZARRAGA HIGH SCHOOL, coordinate of 371533 meters east and 1935066 meters north; thence easterly ANTELOPE STREET, BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 18, along the north-side of the said Western Highway back to where it intersect 19 AND 20A. with Vernon Street; thence along the north-side of Vernon Street to Partridge Street; thence north along the east side of Partridge Street to Mahogany CANDIDATES Street; thence east along the south-side of Mahogany Street to Zericote Street; thence northerly along the east side of Zericote Street to Lark Spur The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: Street; thence west along the Lark Spur Street to Partridge Street; thence northerly along Partridge Street to Morning Glory Street; thence west along PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY the north-side of Morning Glory Street to Oleander Street; thence north along the east-side of Oleander Street to Haulover Creek; thence west along 1. WAGNER, Bernard (Mayor) the south bank of Haulover Creek to its intersection with Administrative 2. CASTELLANOS, Javier (Councillor) Drive; thence south along the eastern-side of Administrative Drive and 3. CATTOUSE, Kaya (Councillor) extending to the Western Highway back to its point of commencement. 4. GOODIN, Micah Jermaine (Councillor) 5. HAMILTON, Stephanne (Councillor) POLLING STATION NO. 17B – ST. MARTIN DE PORRES R.C. 6. KWAN, Edmund (Councillor) SCHOOL, PATRIDGE STREET, BELIZE CITY 7. NOVELO, Michael “Mike’’ (Councillor) 8. PIPERSBURGH, Natasha (Councillor) COUNTING STATION: ST. MARTIN DE PORRES R.C. SCHOOL, 9. POLLARD JR, Allan (Councillor) PARTRIDGE STREET., BELIZE CITY IS FOR POLLING AREAS 10. REQUENA, Deannie (Councillor) 17 AND 17B. 11. VAUGHAN, Albert Leroy (Councillor)

COLLET ELECTORAL DIVISION UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY

POLLING AREA NO. 18 1. PICART, Orson (Mayor) 2. BOWMAN, Kera (Councillor) ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Collet Electoral Division 3. BRADLEY, Andrew (Councillor) in Belize City bounded as follows: 4. CRAIG, Alisha “Lishy” (Councillor) 5. GONZALEZ, Dr. Alain (Councillor) Commencing at a point, the said point being the junction of Curassow Street 6. GUILD, Leon “Sensei” (Councillor) and Cemetery Road; thence north along the east-side of Curassow Street to 7. KELLY, Allan “Ak” (Councillor) Cemetery Road; thence east along the north-side of Cemetery Road and 8. MORGAN, Kenny (Councillor) across Pound Yard Bridge to Orange Street; thence along the north-side of 9. OLIVERA, Anazette (Councillor) Orange Street to Mosul Street; thence along the west-side of Mosul Street 10. TASHER, Meagan (Councillor) to Vernon Street; thence west along the north-side of Vernon Street to Central 11. WILLIAMS, Shane D. (Councillor) American Boulevard; thence south along the east side of Central American Boulevard to Cemetery Road; thence east along the north-side of Cemetery BELIZE PROGRESIVE PARTY Road back to the point of commencement. 1. MC CAULAY, Richard “Lizaad” (Mayor) POLLING STATION NO. 18 – FRANK LIZAMA TRAINING 2. MATUS, Garry (Councillor) CENTER, MAGAZINE ROAD, BELIZE CITY 3. WILLIAMS, Patrick “Pat” (Councillor)

INDEPENDENT POLLING AREA NO. 19 1. TORRES, Ernesto (Councillor) ALL THAT area comprising that section of the Collet Electoral Division in Belize City and bounded as follows:

Commencing at a point the said point having a scaled UTM coordinate of DATED: this 17th February 2021 371491 meters east and 1934652 meters on Hood’s and Stephen’s Estate; thence continuing east along the northern boundary of Hood’s and Stephen’s Estate to Central American Boulevard; thence southerly along the east-side ANNA BENNETT of Central American Boulevard to its junction with South Creek; thence Returning Officer easterly along the south bank of South Creek to Curassow Street; thence Belize City Council north along the east-side of Curassow Street to Cemetery Road; thence Election west along the north-side of Cemetery Road to Central American Boulevard; thence north along the east side of Central American Boulevard to Vernon Street; thence west along the north-side of Vernon Street to its junction with the Western Highway; thence continuing west along the north-side of the Western Highway to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 371618 meters east and 1935049 meters north; thence south along a straight line BELMOPAN CITY COUNCIL ELECTION, 3RD MARCH 2021 back to the point of commencement. NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN POLLING STATION NO. 19 – GWEN LIZARRAGA HIGH SCHOOL, ANTELOPE STREET, BELIZE CITY In accordance with the Belmopan City Council Act and the applicable Regulations, I, Alma Gomez, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more POLLING AREA NO. 20A candidates having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election Page 38 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021

ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

of one (1) Mayor and six (6) other members of the Belmopan City Council POLLING AREA NO. 39 will be held on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following ALL THAT area comprising the Northern Section of the Corozal Bay Polling Stations established in the various Polling Areas described hereunder: - Electoral Division North of 3rd Street South and bounded as follows:

POLLING AREA NO. 86 Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of 3 rd Street South produced to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence westerly along the north ALL THAT area comprising San Martin, Las Flores, Salvapan, Maya side of 3 rd Street to the Corozal Town boundary; thence continuing in a westerly Mopan, Riviera and the City of Belmopan direction then northerly, then easterly then northerly and following the said town boundary to its intersection with the Northern Highway, also known as the Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of the Western Santa Elena Road; thence southeasterly along the north side of the Santa Elena Highway and Roaring Creek; thence easterly along the south-side of the Western Road to the southern boundary of parcel 874 in the Corozal North Land Highway to the eastern boundary of the City of Belmopan, the said boundary Registration Area; thence easterly along the southern boundary of parcel 874 being west of lands now or formerly know as Highlands Estate; thence south and continuing easterly along the southern boundaries of parcels along the said eastern boundary of Belmopan to its southern boundary; thence 873,872,871,1319,1320,1339,1340 and 3351 all in the Corozal North Land west along the southern boundary of Belmopan to its junction with Roaring Registration Area to an unnamed street; thence along the un-named street to the Creek; thence downstream along east bank of Roaring Creek back to the point south-west corner of the Stadium; thence southerly and easterly along parcel of commencement. 2456 to Toucan Street; thence along the north side of Toucan Street to 5th Street North; thence along the north side of 5th Street North to its production POLLING STATION NO. 86 – UNITED EVERGREEN SCHOOL across Rainbow Beach to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence southerly along the (NORTH) coast back to the point of commencement. GARDEN CITY PRIMARY SCHOOL (CENTRAL) POLLING STATION NO. 39 – ST. FRANCIS XAVIER R.C. ST. MICHAEL ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL, COROZAL TOWN AND COROZAL METHODIST SCHOOL (WEST) SCHOOL BELMOPAN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL (EAST), POLLING AREA NO. 40 BELMOPAN CITY ALL THAT area comprising the Southern Section of the Corozal Bay COUNTING STATION: BELMOPAN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL, Electoral Division South of 3rd Street South and bounded as follows: SOUTH RING ROAD, BELMOPAN CITY IS FOR POLLING AREA 86. Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of 3 rd Street South produced to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence westerly along the north CANDIDATES side of 3 rd Street to the Corozal Town boundary; thence southerly along the said town boundary to its intersection with the Northern Highway; thence The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: southwesterly along the Northern Highway also forming a part of the Corozal Town boundary to a tract; thence south along the town boundary and the said UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY track to a scale UTM coordinate of 352034 meters east and 2013517 meters north; and also being the boundary of lands now or formerly leased to Albert 1. BURNS, Jacklyn “Jackie” (Mayor) Vault; thence east along the boundary of the said lands to a point on the coast 2. CHACON, Cristina “Chrissy” (Councillor) of and having a scaled UTM coordinate of 352364 meters east and 2031509 3. CHUN, Paul Pio (Councillor) meters north; thence northerly along the coast back to the point of 4. MARTINEZ, D’Andre “Dee Dee” (Councillor) commencement. 5. ORELLANA, Victor “Chiqui” (Councillor) 6. WILLIS, Louise Geraldine (Councillor) POLLING STATION NO. 40 – ST. PAUL’S ANGLICAN SCHOOL, 7. ZELAYA, Leslie “Big Les” (Councillor) COROZAL TOWN

PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY POLLING AREA NO. 41

1. PALACIO, Sheran “Sharon” (Mayor) ALL THAT portion of Corozal Town North of the Northern Boundary of 2. AMADI, Hope (Councillor) Corozal Bay Electoral Division including Alta Mira Guadalupe School. 3. AUGUSTINE, Nikki Sade (Councillor) 4. CAL, Sanie (Councillor) Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of the northern 5. CHICAS, Guadalupe (Councillor) Corozal Town Boundary and the coast at Corozal Bay; thence westerly along 6. SOBERANIS TILLETT, Pauline (Councillor) the said boundary to where it intersects the Northern Highway, also known as 7. SWASEY, Daren (Councillor) the Santa Elena Road; thence southeasterly along the north side of the Santa Elena Road to the southern boundary of parcel 874 in the Corozal North Land INDEPENDENT Registration Area; thence easterly along the southern boundary of parcel 874 and continuing easterly along the southern boundaries of parcels 1. FRAZER, Ralston “Fraze” 873,872,871,1319,1320,1339,1340 and 3351 all in the Corozal North Land Registration Area to an unnamed street; thence along the un-named street to the DATED this 17th February 2021 south-west corner of the Stadium; thence southerly and easterly along parcel 2456 to Toucan Street; thence along the north side of Toucan Street to 5 th Street North; thence along the north side of 5 th Street North to its production across Rainbow Beach to the coast at Corozal Bay; thence northerly along the Alma Gomez coast back to the point of commencement. Returning Officer Belmopan City Council Election POLLING STATION NO. 41 – OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE R.C. SCHOOL, COROZAL TOWN

COUNTING STATION: COROZAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SAN COROZAL TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, 3RD MARCH 2021 ANDRES ROAD, COROZAL TOWN IS FOR POLLING AREAS 39, 40 AND 41. NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN CANDIDATES In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, Doyle Flowers, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more candidates The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election of one (1) Mayor and six (6) other members of the Corozal Town Council will be held PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following Polling Stations 1. VELLOS, “Rigo” (Mayor) established in the various Polling Areas described hereunder: - 2. CLARKE, Hilberto “Hill” (Councillor) Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 39 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

3. MONTALVO, Miguel “Mike” (Councillor) Walk Town bounded as follows: 4. NARVAEZ, Rodolfo (Councillor) 5. PECH, Baldemar “Jr” (Councillor) Commencing at a point the said point being the junction Orange Walk Town 6. RIVEROLL, Otoniel “Otto” (Councillor) northern boundary and the New River; thence upstream along the west bank of 7. TAPIA, Marleni (Councillor) New River to its junction with San Francisco Street; thence along the north-side of San Francisco Street to Progress Street; thence along the east side of Progress UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY Street to San Andres Street; thence along the south-side of San Andres Street to Tate Street; thence along the east-side of Tate Street to Lyle Street; thence along 1. ARANA, Roger (Mayor) the north-side of Lyle Street to Clarke Street; thence along the west-side of 2. BABB, Christobal “Chris” (Councillor) Clarke Street to Holy Trinity Street; thence along the west-side of Holy Trinity 3. BARAHONA, Marycelbi “Lupe” (Councillor) Street to its intersection with the northern boundary of Orange Walk Town; 4. BAUTISTA, Jaime “Mohammed” (Councillor) thence east along the said northern boundary of Orange Walk Town back to the 5. CASTRO, Julie “Teacher Julie” (Councillor) point of commencement. 6. GHANWANI, Navin “Di Hindu “ (Councillor) 7. VASQUEZ, Vanesa “Van” (Councillor) POLLING STATION NO. 55 – CHAPEL SCHOOL, ORANGE WALK TOWN DATED this 17th February 2021

POLLING AREA NO. 60 Doyle Flowers Returning Officer ALL THAT area generally comprising the southern part of Orange Walk Town Corozal Town Council Election bounded as follows:

Commencing at a point the said point being the junction of the western boundary of Orange Walk Town and the San Antonio Road; thence southerly thence easterly ORANGE WALK TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, 3RD MARCH 2021 along the said town boundary, a portion of which forms the Palmar Road to the west bank of the New River; thence downstream along the west bank of the NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN New River to a point being Cemetery Road produced; thence westerly along Cemetery Road to Muffles Street; thence along Muffles Street to Santa Maria In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, Street; thence along Santa Maria Street to Main Street; thence along Main Street Carla Alvarez, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more candidates to Mahogany Street; thence along mahogany Street to Queen Victoria Avenue; having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election of one (1) thence along Queen Victoria Avenue to the San Antonio Road; thence westerly Mayor and six (6) other members of the Orange Walk Town Council will be along the San Antonio Road back to the point of commencement. held on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following Polling Stations POLLING STATION NO. 60 – LOUISIANA GOVERNMENT SCHOOL, established in the various Polling Areas described hereunder: - ORANGE WALK TOWN

POLLING AREA NO. 53 COUNTING STATION: LA INMACULADA R. C. SCHOOL, CHURCH STREET, ORANGE WALK TOWN ARE FOR POLLING AREAS FOR ALL THAT area comprising the northwest portion of Orange Walk Town 53, 54, 55 AND 60. bounded as follows: CANDIDATES Commencing at a point the said point being the intersection of Holy Trinity Street and the northern boundary of Orange Walk Town; thence west along the The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: said northern boundary of Orange Walk Town to the western boundary of Orange Walk Town; thence south-easterly along the said western boundary to PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY its intersection with the San Antonio Road; thence easterly along the San Antonio Road to its junction with Fonseca Street; thence along Fonseca Street to San 1. SHEPPARD, Ladrick “Mad Bull” (Mayor) Andres Street; thence along the south-side of San Andres Street to Tate Street; 2. CANTUN, Joesie (Councillor) thence along the east-side of Tate Street to Lyle Street; thence along the north- 3. ESCALANTE , Cadir (Councillor) side of Lyle Street to Clarke Street; thence along the west-side of Clarke Street 4. PASCACIO, Doreth Denise (Councillor) to Holy Trinity Street; thence along the west-side of Holy Trinity Street back to 5. RODRIQUEZ, Joanna (Councillor) the point of commencement. 6. SANCHEZ, Fernando “Big Sanch” (Councillor) 7. YU, Allen (Councillor) POLLING STATION NO. 53 – SAN FRANCISCO R.C. SCHOOL, ORANGE WALK TOWN UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY

POLLING AREA NO. 54 1. CASTILLO, Orlando “Chicle” (Mayor) 2. ADOLPHUS, Melvin “Twin” (Councillor) ALL THAT area generally comprising part of the east portion of Orange 3. BULL, Shamika N. (Councillor) Walk Town bounded as follows: 4. CARLOS, Estelita “Ms. Cashew” (Councillor) 5. ESCALANTE, Rene “Pitbull” (Councillor) Commencing at a point the said point being the intersection of San Antonio 6. GOMEZ, Henry (Councillor) Road and Fonseca Street; thence along Fonseca Street to San Andres Street; 7. YAM, Andi “Teacher” (Councillor) thence along the south-side of San Andres Street to Progress Street; thence along Progress Street to San Francisco Street; thence along San Francisco INDEPENDENT Street to its production to the New River; thence upstream the west bank of the New River to its junction with the production of Cemetery Street; thence west 1. SANCHEZ, Antonia (Mayor) along Cemetery Street to Muffels Street; thence along Muffles Street to Santa Maria Street; thence along Santa Maria Street to Main Street; thence along Main Street to Mahogany Street; thence along Mahogany Street to Queen Victoria DATED this 17th February 2021 Avenue; thence along Queen Victoria Avenue to its junction with the San Antonio Road; thence west along San Antonio Road back to the point of commencement.

POLLING STATION NO. 54 – LA INMACULADA R.C. SCHOOL, Carla Alvarez ORANGE WALK TOWN Returning Officer Orange Walk Town Council Election POLLING AREA NO. 55

ALL THAT area generally comprising part of the northeast portion of Orange Page 40 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

SAN PEDRO (AMBERGRIS CAYE) TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, thence northerly along the western boundary of San Ignacio Town to the Mopan 3RD MARCH 2021 River; thence downstream along the Mopan River to its confluence with the Macal River in an area known as Branch Mouth; thence upstream the Macal NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN River back to the point of commencement.

In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, POLLING STATION NO. 72 – SACRED HEART COLLEGE, SAN Martin Alegria, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more candidates IGNACIO TOWN having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election of one (1) Mayor and six (6) other members of the San Pedro Town Council will be held COUNTING STATION: SACRED HEART COLLEGE, SAN IGNACIO on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six TOWN IS FOR POLLING AREA 72 o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following Polling Stations established in the various Polling Areas described hereunder: - POLLING AREA NO. 73

ALL THAT area comprising the Southern Section of the San Ignacio Town POLLING AREA NO. 37 Bounded as follows:

ALL THAT area comprising San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of Waight Avenue produced across Burns Avenue to the eastern branch of the Belize River, known POLLING STATION NO. 37 – SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL, LAGOON as the Macal River; thence southerly along the west bank of the Macal River to ST., SAN PEDRO (AMBERGRIS CAYE) TOWN AND SAN PEDRO its confluence with a creek west of the Village of Cristo Rey; thence westerly R.C. SCHOOL, SAN PEDRO TOWN along the south bank of the said creek and extending to the Benque Viejo Road, the said road also being a portion of the Western Highway; thence northerly COUNTING STATION: SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL, SPIDERLILLY along the Benque Viejo Road to a major track, the said major track leading to STREET, SAN PEDRO (AMBERGRIS CAYE) TOWN the settlement of Providencien on the bank of the western branch of the Belize River, also known as the Mopan River; thence westerly, northerly then easterly CANDIDATES along the said track an along the western town boundary of San Ignacio to the Bullet Tree Road; thence east along the north-side of the Bullet Tree Road to The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: Waight Avenue; thence continuing east along the north-side of Waight Avenue produced across Burns Avenue back to the point of commencement. UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY POLLING STATION NO. 73 – SACRED HEART R.C. SCHOOL, SAN 1. GONZALEZ, Ruben “Rux” (Mayor) IGNACIO TOWN 2. AZUETA, Jazelie “Jaz” (Councillor) 3. COBB, Lorraine “Reid” (Councillor) COUNTING STATION: SACRED HEART R.C. SCHOOL, CHURCH 4.CORDOVA, Richard “Richy” (Councillor) STREET, SAN IGNACIO TOWN IS FOR POLLING AREA 73 5. GABOUREL, Kent “Bob” (Councillor) POLLING AREA NO. 76 6. GONZALEZ, Raul “Coco” (Councillor) 7. MCCORKLE, Marceli Ann (Councillor) ALL THAT area comprising the town of Santa Elena Bounded as follows:

PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY Commencing at a point, the said point being the confluence of Red Creek to its confluence and the Belize River; thence upstream along the north bank of the 1. NUNEZ , ‘Wally’ (Mayor) Belize River to Branch Mouth; the continuing upstream along the Belize River 2. ARANDA, Dianeli “Danni” (Councillor) on its eastern branch also know as the Macal River to a point having a scaled 3. BARDALEZ, Ernesto (Councillor) UTM coordinate of 280878 meters east and 1896504 meters north; thence to a 4. CASTELLANOS, Jose “Cas” (Councillor) point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 283504 meters east and 1895823 5. GRANIEL KAY, Marina (Councillor) meters north, said point being on the Pilgrimage Valley Road; thence northeasterly 6. GUERRERO AYUSO, Adaly (Councillor) along the Pilgrimage Valley Road to Red Creek; thence northerly and downstream 7. RIVERO DUARTE, Johnnia (Councillor) along Red Creek back to the point of commencement.

POLLING STATION NO. 76 – SANTA ELENA ROMAN CATHOLIC DATED this 17th February 2021 PRIMARY SCHOOL, SANTA ELENA TOWN

COUNTING STATION: SANTA ELENA ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, PEREZ STREET, SANTA ELENA TOWN IS Martin Alegria FOR POLLING AREA 76. Returning Officer San Pedro Town Council Election CANDIDATES

The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows:

SAN IGNACIO/SANTA ELENA TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, 3RD UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY MARCH 2021 1. TRAPP, JR. Earl (Mayor) NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN 2. COWO, Abdel (Councillor) 3. FERNANDEZ, Bernadette “Bernie” (Councillor) In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, 4. FIGUEROA, Amed (Councillor) Elbert Jahmor Lopez, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more 5. MORENO, Iliana (Councillor) candidates having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election 6. O’BRIEN, Mark “O.B.” (Councillor) of one (1) Mayor and six (6) other members of the San Ignacio/Santa Elena 7. VALENTINE, Lin (Councillor) Town Council will be held on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY following Polling Stations established in the Polling Areas described hereunder: - 1. QUIROZ, Ramon “Monchi” (Mayor) 2. FIGUEROA, Zahir (Councillor) POLLING AREA NO. 72 3. MAI, Aaron Albert (Councillor) 4. NEAL, Shirlene (Councillor) ALL THAT area comprising the Northern Section of San Ignacio Town 5. PALMA, Alberto C. (Councillor) Bounded as follows: 6. PRESTON SILVA, Matthew (Councillor) 7. RODRIGUEZ, Omar Lucio (Councillor) Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of Waight Avenue produced across Burns Avenue to the Macal River; thence west along the north- INDEPENDENT side of Waight Avenue to the Bullet Tree Road; thence continuing west along the north-side of the Bullet Tree Road to the western town boundary of San Ignacio; 1. WADE, Roody Lewinskey (Mayor) Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 41 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT 2. ESCOBAR, John (Councillor) 4. GONZALEZ, Miguel “Charcoal” (Councillor) 3. EVANS, Eldon “Dealer” (Councillor) 5. GUERRA, Jose Antonio “Tony” (Councillor) 4. EVANS, Raymond (Councillor) 6. LEON, Abilio “Billy” (Councillor) 5. GONZALEZ, Linda L. (Councillor) 7. PONCE, Charles (Councillor) 6. VANEGAS, J. (Councillor) 7. VANEGAS, Timoteo (Councillor) PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY

1. ROSALES, Jorge Antonio (Mayor) DATED this 17th February 2021 2. ALVARADO, Teresita “Terry” (Councillor) 3. COCOM, Edgar Luis “Eggie” (Councillor) 4. GARCIA, Vania Melissa (Councillor) 5. GONGORA, Oscar (Councillor) Elbert Jahmor Lopez 6. IGLESIAS, Carlos “Calo” (Councillor) Returning Officer 7. MARTINEZ BARILLAS, Avelin (Councillor) San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council Election

DATED: this 17th February 2021

BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, Andre Cho 3RD MARCH 2021 Returning Officer Benque Viejo del Carmen Town NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN Council Election

In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, DANGRIGA TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, 3RD MARCH 2021 Andre Cho, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more candidates having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election of one (1) Mayor NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN and six (6) other members of the Benque Viejo del Carmen Town Council will be held on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following Neulin Villanueva, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that more candidates Polling Stations established in the Polling Areas described hereunder: - having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, the election of one (1) Mayor and six (6) other members of the Dangriga Town Council will be held POLLING AREA NO. 83 on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the same day in the following Polling Stations ALL THAT area comprising the Eastern Section of Benque Viejo del established in the Polling Areas described hereunder: - Carmen Town bounded as follows:

Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of a creek at the POLLING AREA NO. 92 entrance of Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town and the eastern boundary of Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town; thence easterly then southerly along the said town ALL THAT area comprising that section of Dangriga Electoral Division boundary to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 273 380 meters east North of the North Stann Creek River and bounded as follows: and 1888 043 meters north; thence east to the Mopan River; thence downstream the Mopan River to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 271 664 meters Commencing at a point, the said point being at a scaled UTM coordinate of east and 1888 538 meters north, said point being on a survey property boundary; 369378 meters east and 1877918 meters north on the coast; thence southerly thence along the said boundary to Church Street; thence east along Church from said point to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369496 meters east and Street to its junction with a creek at the entrance of Benque Viejo Del Carmen 1877149 meters north; thence north east from said point to a scaled UTM Town; thence downstream the said creek back to the point of commencement. coordinate point of 369585 meters east and 1877180 meters which is a point on the Sawai Street; thence continue south on the western side of said Sawai POLLING STATION NO. 83 – MOUNT CARMEL PRIMARY Street to its junction with Church Street; thence west along the northern side SCHOOL, BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN TOWN of church street to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369486 meters east and 1876659 meters north; thence south to a scaled UTM coordinate point of POLLING AREA NO. 84 369490 meters east and 1876625 meters north; thence north west along a straight line to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369265 meters east and ALL THAT area comprising the Western Section of Benque Viejo del 1876706 meters north; thence west along a straight line to a scaled UTM Carmen Town bounded as follows: coordinate point of 368506 meters east and 1876762 meters north; thence south along a straight line to a scale UTM coordinate point of 368509 meters Commencing at a point, the said point being the intersection of a creek at the east and 1876446 meters north on the northern banks of North Stann Creek; entrance of old Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town and the eastern boundary of thence east along said northern bank of North Stann Creek to its confluence Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town; thence upstream the said creek to Church with the Caribbean Sea on the coast; thence northerly along said coast back Street; thence southwesterly along Church Street to a survey property boundary; to the point of commencement. thence along the said property boundary to a point of the south bank of the Mopan River, said point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 271 664 meters POLLING STATION NO. 92 – SACRED HEART R. C. SCHOOL, east and 1888 538 meters north; thence downstream the Mopan River to its DANGRIGA TOWN confluence with a creek a the entrance of Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town; thence downstream the said creek back to the point of commencement. POLLING AREA NO. 94 POLLING STATION NO. 84 – MOUNT CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL, BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN TOWN ALL THAT area comprising that section of Dangriga in the Dangriga Electoral Division immediately south of North Stann Creek River bounded COUNTING STATION: MOUNT CARMEL PRIMARY SCHOOL, as follows: BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN TOWN IS FOR POLLING AREAS 83 AND 84. Commencing at a point the said point being located at a scaled UTM coordinate of 368509 meters east and 1876446 meters north; thence south from said CANDIDATES point along a straight line to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 368504 meters east and 1875643 meters north; thence east along a straight line to a scaled The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: UTM coordinate point of 369713 meters east and 1875816 meters north; thence south to a scales UTM coordinate point of 369728 meters east and UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY 1875735 meters north which is the southern side of Yemeri Road; thence east along the southern side said Yemeri Road to the coast; thence northerly along 1. GUERRA, Miguel “Mike” (Mayor) said coast up to North Stann Creek; thence westerly along North Stann Creek 2. CONTRERAS, Manuel “Tach” (Councillor) back to the point of commencement at a scaled UTM coordinate point of 3. GONGORA, Alvaro “Bayo” (Councillor) 368504 meters east and 1875643 meters north. Page 42 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

POLLING STATION NO. 94 –ZION ADVENTIST SCHOOL, PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY DANGRIGA TOWN 1. MARIANO, Robert “Mr. Mar” (Mayor) 2. FLORES, Gilroy Howard (Councillor) POLLING AREA NO. 95 3. FLORES, John Edwin (Councillor) 4. FLORES ROBINSON, Martha Marie (Councillor) ALL THAT area comprising the southern portion of Dangriga in the 5. PETILLO JR., Austin “Namule” (Councillor) Dangriga Electoral Division bounded as follows: 6.TEUL, Liberato (Councillor) 7. VALENTINE, Jerris “Nigi” (Councillor) Commencing at a point the said point being located at a scaled UTM coordinate of 368504 meters east and 1875643 meters north; thence east along a straight BELIZE PEOPLE’S FRONT line to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369713 meters east and 1875816 meters north; thence south to a scales UTM coordinate point of 369728 meters 1. NUNEZ, Rodney Calistro “Puppy” (Mayor) east and 1875735 meters north which is the southern side of Yemeri Road; 2. LAURIE, Stephen Gregory (Councillor) thence east along the southern side said Yemeri Road to the coast; thence 3. SAMPSON, Dwayne “Dince” (Councillor) southerly along said coast to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 370147 meters east and 1874734 meters north; thence west along a straight line to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 376372 meters east and 1874736 meters north; thence INDEPENDENT (U-UP) north east along a straight line to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369449 meters east and 1875235 meters north; thence west along a straight line to a 1. LEWIS, Christopher John “Master Chris” (Mayor) scaled UTM coordinate point of 368508 meters east and 1875235 meters north; thence continue north along a straight line back to its point of commencement at a scaled UTM coordinate point of 368504 meters east and 1875643 meters INDEPENDENT north; 1. MARIN, Francis Xavier (Councillor) POLLING STATION NO. 95 – HOLY GHOST PRIMARY SCHOOL, AND DELLILE ACADEMY, DANGRIGA TOWN DATED this 17th February 2021 POLLING AREA NO. 96

ALL THAT area comprising the Northern Section of Dangriga in the Dangriga NEULIN VILLANUEVA Electoral Division comprising the Benguche Area and bounded as follows: Returning Officer Dangriga Town Council Election Commencing at a point, the said point being at a scaled UTM coordinate of 369378 meters east and 1877918 meters north on the coast; thence west along a straight line to a scaled UTM coordinate of 369107 meters east and 1877918 meters north; thence north from said point to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369107 meters east and 1877980 meters north; thence continue west to a PUNTA GORDA TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION, 3RD MARCH 2021 scaled UTM coordinate of 368963 meters east and 1877980 meters north; thence continue north to a scaled UTM coordinate of 368961 meters east and 1878098 NOTICE THAT A POLL WILL BE TAKEN meters north, thence west along a straight line to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 368506 meters east and 1878098 meters north; thence south from said In accordance with the Town Councils Act and the applicable Regulations, I, point to a scaled UTM coordinate of 368506 meters east and 187762 meters Floridalia Requena Quiroz, Returning Officer, hereby give notice that north; thence east to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369265 meters east more candidates having been nominated than there are seats to be filled, and 1876706 meters north; thence south east from said point to a scaled UTM the election of one (1) Mayor and six (6) other members of the Punta coordinate point of 369490 meters east and 1876625 meters north; thence north Gorda Town Council will be held on, 3rd March 2021 between the hours to a scale UTM coordinate point of 369486 meters east and 1876659 meters of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the afternoon of the north; thence east along the northern side of Church Street to its junction with same day in the following Polling Stations established in the Polling Areas Sawai Street; thence north on the western side of said Sawai Street to a scaled described hereunder: - UTM coordinate point of 369585 meters east and 1877180 meters north; thence south west from said point to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369496 meters POLLING AREA NO. 109 east and 1877149 meters north; thence northerly from said point to a scaled UTM coordinate point of 369569 meters east and 1877604 meters north the ALL THAT area comprising the Southern Section of Punta Gorda said point being on the coast of the Caribbean sea; thence northerly along said Town from Prince Street and Environs bounded as follows: coast back to the point of commencement. Commencing point, the said point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 306277 meters east and 1781248 meters north and being on New Road; POLLING STATION NO. 96 – WEBSTER BUILDING (FORMER thence west to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 304442 meters ALEX east and 1781237 meters north; thence south to a point having a scaled SHOP, 41 PEN ROAD) UTM coordinate of 304442 meters east and 1778462 meters north, the said HUMAN DEVELOPMENT point being on the coast of the Caribbean Sea; thence northerly along the DEPARTMENT coast to the southern side of Prince Street; thence north west along the BENGUCHE PRE-SCHOOL southern side of Prince Street to its intersection with the airstrip; thence south and around airstrip to its intersection with the southern side of New COUNTING STATION: STANN CREEK ECUMENICAL HIGH Road; thence north west along the southern side of New Road back to the SCHOOL, ECUMENICAL DRIVE, DANGRIGA TOWN IS FOR point of commencement. POLLING AREAS 92, 94, 95 AND 96. POLLING STATION NO. 109 – ST. PETER CLAVER R. C. CANDIDATES SCHOOL, AND ST. BENEDICT R.C. SCHOOL, PUNTA GORDA TOWN The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: POLLING AREA NO. 111

UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY ALL THAT area comprising the Northern Section of Punta Gorda Town and environs bounded as follows: 1. HUMPHREYS, Howard Francis (Mayor) 2. CASTILLO, Orelle John (Councillor) Commencing from a point the said point having a scaled UTM coordinate 3. FRANCISCO Gary Troy (Councillor) of 307190 meters east and 1782375 meters north and being on the south 4. GONGORA, Aron “Jake” (Councillor) bank of Joe Taylor Creek, thence south west along a straight line to a 5. JOSEPH, Alexander “Lexus” (Councillor) scaled UTM coordinate of 306645 meters east and 1781378 meters north; 6. LOPEZ, Earth (Councillor) thence west to a scaled UTM coordinate of 306497 meters east and 1781379 7. MARSHALL, Albourne “Beeze” (Councillor) meters north; thence south west to a scale UTM coordinate of 306430 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 43 ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

meters east and 1781247 meters north; thence west to the south side of NOTICE New Road having a scaled UTM of 306227 meters east and 1781248 meters north; thence south east along the southern side of the said New ALLOCATION OF COLOURS TO POLITICAL PARTIES Road to its intersection with the airstrip; thence south west and around the AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE airstrip to its intersection with Prince Street; thence south east along the MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, 2021 southern side of Prince Street to the Caribbean Sea Coast; thence northerly along the said coast to its confluence of Joe Taylor Creek; thence north The Chief Elections Officer has allocated the following colours to the political easterly along the southern banks of said Joe Taylor Creek back to the parties and independent candidates contesting the Municipal Elections, 2021: point of commencement. -

POLLING STATION NO. 111 – PUNTA GORDA METHODIST SCHOOL, PUNTA GORDA TOWN POLITCAL PARTIES COLOUR

POLLING AREA NO. 112A United Democratic Party RED

ALL THAT area comprising of Joe Taylor Creek and Hopeville bounded People’s United Party BLUE as follows: Belize People’s Front BABY PINK Commencing at a point, the said point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 307692 meters east and 1782842 meters north; thence west to a point having Belize Progressive Party FOREST GREEN a scaled UTM of 307292 meters east and 1782843 meters north; thence south to a point having a scaled UTM of 307288 meters east and 1782386 INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES meters north, the said point being on Joe Taylor Creek; thence south easterly MUSCHAMP Orlando Alberto “Landies” CHOCOLATE along the southern bank of Joe Taylor Creek to the Caribbean sea Coast; BROWN then north along the sea coast to a point having a scaled UTM coordinate of 307705 meters east and 1782448 meters north; thence continue north WADE L. Roody and 6 councillors WHITE back to the point of commencement. FRAZER Ralston “Fraze” ORANGE POLLING STATION NO. 112A – PUNTA GORDA METHODIST SCHOOL, PUNTA GORDA TOWN MARIN Francis YELLOW

COUNTING STATION: TOLEDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ANTONIA Sanchez LIGHT GREY WEST CAMPUS, PUNTA GORDA TOWN IS FOR POLLING AREAS 109, 111 AND 112A. TORRES Ernesto PURPLE

CANDIDATES CHRISTOPHER John “Master Chris” (U-UP) DARK GREY

The Candidates for the above-mentioned election are as follows: JOSEPHINE TAMAI UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER

1. WARRIOR, Hansel (Mayor) 2. AVILA, Linford “Linchy” (Councillor) 3. BOL, Briceno “James” (Councillor) NOTICE 4. CABRAL, Karl “H6” (Councillor) 5. LOGAN, Glen “Coote” (Councillor) ELECTION OFFENCES 6. ROCHES, Beverly (Councillor) 7. SHO, Darvin (Councillor) The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby draws the attention of the general pubic of the below listed offences in relation with the 3rd March, 2021 PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY Municipal Elections and Corozal Bay By- Election

1. SELGADO, Charles (Mayor) 1) PROHIBITION AGAINST CARRYING OF FIREARMS ON 2. CAL, Moses (Councillor) ELECTION DAY 3. GALVEZ, Malcolm Jamaal (Councillor) 4. GUY, Ulysess “Ulys” (Councillor) 5. PALACIO, Mary (Councillor) Statutory Instrument No. 22 of 2008 provides that no person shall carry, 6. VIREZ, Roberto Luis (Councillor) discharge or use any firearm or ammunition in any public place within one 7. WILLIAMS, Arnold Llewellyn “Junni Wallin” (Councillor) hundred yards of any polling station or counting station between the hours of opening of the poll on the polling day that is, 7:00 a.m. on 2021, until the completion of counting of ballot papers. BELIZE PROGRESIVE PARTY This provision does not apply to members of the Belize Police Department or 1. PALMA, MARCEL “Bap Play” (Mayor) the Belize Defence Force on duty, or to any other public officer on official 2. ARZU, Ray Anthony “Chucuru” (Councillor) duty who has been authorized by the Commissioner of Police in writing to 3. AVILA, Vallen Geoffrey “Grippaz” (Councillor) carry any firearm or ammunition. 4. COC, Eleazar Nathan “Leazar” (Councillor) 5. MCKENZIE, Linston Roy “Blues’ (Councillor) A contravention of this provision is an offence under the Firearms Act. 6. NICHOLAS, Anita Stephanie “Nita” (Councillor) 7. SUPAUL, Zipporah “Ms. Zip” (Councillor) 2) INFRINGEMENT OF SECRECY INDEPENDENT

1. MUSCHAMP, Orlando Alberto “Landies” (Councillor) 157 (1) Every officer, clerk, and agent in attendance at a polling station shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting in that station, and shall not communicate to any person, except for some purpose authorised DATED: this 17th February 2021 by these Regulations before the poll is closed, any information as to the name or number on the register of electors of any voter who has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at the station, and no person whatsoever shall interfere or attempt to obtain in the polling station any information as to the candidate for whom any voter there is about to vote or has voted, or as to the FLORIDALIA REQUENA QUIROZ number on the back of the ballot paper given to any voter there. Returning Officer Punta Gorda Town Council Election (2) Every clerk and agent in attendance at the counting of the votes Page 44 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021

ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not opinions entertained or supposed to be entertained by such candidate, attempt to ascertain at the counting the number on the back of any ballot and no person shall use or wear any flag, ribbon, label, or other favour, as paper or communicate any information obtained at the counting as to the such badge, within any city or town on polling day. candidate for whom any vote is given in any particular ballot paper. Failure to comply with these provisions is an offence under the law. (3) No person shall directly or indirectly induce any voter to display his ballot paper after he has marked it, so as to make known to any person the name of the candidate for or against whom he has so marked his 6) PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF MOBILE vote. TELEPHONES AND TAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE POLLING STATION (4) Any person acting in contravention of the provisions of this regulation shall be liable, on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding The attention of the public to Statutory Instrument No. 44 of 2008 provides one thousand dollars and in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term that no person shall on polling day within a polling station, without the not exceeding one year. express permission of the Presiding Officer, use a mobile telephone, paging machine or any other device for electronic communications; or film or take photographs or make any audio or video recording of any matter or thing on election day, that is, 3rd March 2021. A breach of this section by any person is an offence under the law. 3) EMPLOYERS TO ALLOW EMPLOYEE PRESCRIBED PERIOD FOR VOTING 7) BRIBERY

The attention of all employers and the general public is drawn to the Section 32: provisions of Section 147 of the Cities and Town Councils Regulations, which requires employers to allow employee prescribed period for voters (1) The following persons shall be deemed guilty of bribery within the on Election Day, 3rd March 2021, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and meaning of this Act- 6:00 p.m. (a) every person who, directly or indirectly by himself or by any other person on his behalf, gives, lends or agrees to give or lend, or Section 147 (1) and (2) states as follows: offers, promises, or promises to procure or to endeavour to procure, any money or valuable consideration to or for any voter, “147. (1) Every employer shall, on polling day, allow every voter in or to or for any person on behalf of any voter, or to or for any his employ a reasonable time during the prescribed period for voting, and other person, in order to induce any voter to vote or refrain from no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration voting, or corruptly does any such act as aforesaid on account of of any such voter or impose upon or exact from him any penalty by reason that voter having voted or refrained from voting at any election; of his absence during such period. (b) every person who directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other (2) Any employer who, directly or indirectly refuses to grant, or person on his behalf, gives or procures, or agrees to give or procure by intimidation, undue influence or in any other way, interferes with the or to endeavour to procure, any office, place or employment to or granting of reasonable time to any voter in his employ during the prescribed for any voter, or to or for any person on behalf of that voter, or to period of voting as in this section provided, shall on summary conviction or for any other person, in order to induce that voter to vote or be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment refrain from voting, or corruptly does any such act as aforesaid on for a period not exceeding one year.” account of any voter having voted or refrained from voting at any election; 4) RESTRICTION ON SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR ON (c) every person who directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other ELECTION DAY person on his behalf, makes any such gift, loan, offer, promise, procurement or agreement as aforesaid to or for any person in Section 146 of the Cities and Town Councils Regulations and S.I. No.’s order to induce that person to procure, or to endeavour to procure, 32 and 33 of 2009 which states that every person who is the holder of any the return of any person as an elected member of the House of liquor licence authorising the sale of intoxicating liquor in any premises Representatives or the vote of any voter at any election; maintained solely for that purpose shall take all necessary steps to cause such premises to be closed to the public on election day, between the hour (d) every person who, upon or in consequence of any gift, loan, offer, appointed for the opening of the poll, that is 7:00 a.m. and the completion promise, procurement or agreement, procures, or engages, of counting of ballot papers. promises or endeavours to persuade the return of any person as an elected member of the House of Representatives or the vote of The law further provides that any person who is the holder of any hotel any voter at any election; licence, special hotel licence, restaurant licence or licence to sell liquor in any premises, not solely maintained for that purpose, granted under the (e) every person who advances or pays, or causes to be paid, any provisions of any Act authorizing the sale of intoxicating liquor shall take all money to or for the use of any other person, with the intent that necessary steps to prevent the sale of intoxicating liquor at any time upon that money, or any part thereof, shall be expended in bribery at election day between the hour appointed for the opening of the poll and the any election, or who knowingly pays, or causes to be paid, any completion of counting of ballot papers. money to any person, in discharge or repayment of any money wholly or in part expended in bribery at any election; A breach of this section by any person is an offence and a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars. (f) every voter who, before or during any election, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, receives, agrees, 5) BAN ON LOUD SPEAKERS ETC. ON POLLING DAY or contracts for, any money, gift, loan or valuable consideration, office, place or employment, for himself or for any other person, Section 149 of the Cities and Town Councils Acts, which bans the use of for voting or agreeing to vote, or for refraining or agreeing to refrain loud speakers and meeting on polling day, which is 3rd March 2021. from voting at any election; Section 149 (1) and (2) states as follows: (g) every person who, after any election, directly or indirectly, by 149. (1) No person shall furnish or supply any loudspeaker, bunting, himself or any other person on his behalf, receives any money or ensign, banner, standard, set of colours, or any other flag, to any person valuable consideration on account of any person having voted or with intent that it shall be carried, worn or used, as political propaganda, on refrained from voting or having induced any other person to vote polling day, and no person shall with any such intent, carry, wear or use, or refrain from voting at any election. any such loudspeaker, bunting, ensign, banner, standard or set of colours, or any other flag on polling day. (2) No person shall be guilty of bribery under subsection (1) who gives to any other person any article not exceeding twenty dollars (2) No person shall furnish or supply any flag, ribbons, label or in value. like favour to or for any person with intent that it be worn or used by any person within any division on polling day, as a party badge to distinguish JOSEPHINE TAMAI the wearer as the supporter of any candidate, or of the political or other CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 45 Optimism as Cuba set to test its own Covid vaccine

by Will Grant experience in biotechnology and that Cuba has been investigating the a whopping 11% last year. Cuba correspondent, BBC News immunology. viability of several vaccines since August Long lines form every day outside In the late 1980s, Cuban scientists last year.” food shops and supermarkets as people CUBA. Tues. Feb 16th 2020 produced the first meningitis B vaccine The stakes for Cuba are high. Firstly, queue for basic goods. Some of the equipment at the Finlay and the then-leader, Fidel Castro, opened its own Covid-19 statistics are worsening The government has chosen this Institute of Vaccines in Havana might be the Finlay Institute partly with a view to by the week. moment to implement a number of considered outdated elsewhere in the finding ways around the decades-old US Confirmed cases recently climbed to overdue reforms, from unification of world but the science taking place behind embargo on the island. more than 1,000 a day for the first time Cuba’s tangled dual currency system to its white-washed walls is cutting edge. If patents from US pharmacological since the pandemic began. While those some liberalisation of self-employment Researchers are working long shifts companies would not be available to figures are tiny compared to those in licences. on Cuba’s best shot to solve its Cuba, it would find its own solutions in Mexico, Brazil and the US, they are still While those steps may eventually coronavirus crisis: Soberana 2, the that field, he reasoned. serious enough to place additional strain strengthen Cuba’s troubled economy, island’s domestically-produced Covid- However, it remains beyond the island’s on Cuba’s creaking healthcare system. they spell short-term pain for many 19 vaccine. production capacity to make 100 million By the middle of last year Cuba had families, especially those without relatives Soberana (Spanish for “sovereign”) doses of the vaccine without some form largely contained its outbreak through a sending remittances from abroad. 2 is a conjugate vaccine - meaning an of international assistance. combination of an aggressive public Cubans are very resilient and antigen is fused to a carrier molecule to Still, even if the US government under information campaign and the closure resourceful - they have had to be to face bolster the vaccine’s stability and President Joe Biden reverses the hard line of its airports. In July and August, there the twin challenges of US sanctions and effectiveness. former President Trump took towards were several consecutive weeks of the state’s overbearing control. But many Within weeks, it will be tested on tens Cuba, the US will not play a role in minimal transmission and very few are exhausted at the relentless months of thousands of volunteers. producing Soberana. deaths. of coronavirus restrictions and the The results from the first clinical trials “Our main contacts are with Europe But cases have gradually crept up grinding economic hardship. were “encouraging” and “very and Canada and we have people again, much to Cubans’ frustration. With children still out of school, important”, says the institute’s director, participating from Italy and from Dr Moya of the Pan-American Health businesses going bust and a curfew in Dr Vicente Vérez Bencomo, and the France,” Dr Vérez explains, adding that Organization says the situation is not out place across Havana, people long for Communist-run government hopes to “unfortunately” at this point there is no of control and mirrors that in other some encouraging news about give the vaccine to everyone on the island US participation. “We hope in the future countries. “There came a moment in all vaccination. by the end of the year. it will be possible to move to the next our countries when you had to start to A viable vaccine would allow the “Our plan is to, of course, first step in co-operation,” he says. reopen. And that’s what happened here, island to reopen sooner and with more immunise our population,” explains Dr International bodies like the Pan- as they tried to progressively move certainty than before. Soberana 2 would Vérez at a news conference. “Moving to American Health Organisation (PAHO) towards the so-called ‘new normal’.” also generate some much-needed income commercial production of Soberana 2, hope that Cuba will become the first Latin But Cuba is currently experiencing its if exported around the region. we’re planning to have in the order of American country to produce its own worst economic outlook since the end It all places real urgency on the 100 million doses during 2021 and we vaccine. of the Cold War so there is also an scientists working on it, not only to will dedicate an important part of these “We’re very optimistic,” says important economic incentive to a alleviate the island’s health crisis but its doses to the full immunisation of the PAHO’s representative in Cuba, Dr José successful vaccine. economic one, too. country.” Moya. “We’ve been kept informed since The coronavirus lockdown has been It is an ambitious goal but a realistic the pilot phase of Soberana 2 and during very painful for an island so dependent This article was first published by one as Cuba has more than 30 years of the experimental trials, and we’ve known on tourism with the economy contracting BBC News

PROCUREMENT NOTICE

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BARN FOR THE NATIONAL SHEEP AND GOAT BREEDING CENTER, MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE-LIVESTOCK UNIT, CENTRAL FARM, CAYO DISTRICT

Project Country: Belize Financing Institution: ICDF (Taiwan Technical Mission) Project Name: Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project. Title: Specific Procurement Notice Project NumberÿTT-310-2020-028

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise is hereby requesting an expression of interest for the construction of a Sheep Barn at the Livestock Unit located in Central Farm, Cayo District.

Barn Size: 135ft by 60ft

Submission of Application For further information interested firms and companies can send a letter of expression of interest to the below address before March 2nd, 2021.

[email protected] Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Belmopan City, Belize Page 46 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Should we take the COVID-19 vaccine?

by Khalil Marcus Lambert, Ph.D. this contamination might have caused are not any less effective in Black or years after her death.8 cancer in humans. Hispanic Americans. Both vaccines You might have been reminded NATIONAL – When I started my This was in the early days of U.S. work about the same in preventing recently about the details of the Tuskegee training to become a biomedical scientist, vaccinations, and steps have been taken COVID-19 across age groups, gender, Syphilis Study, where treatment was I promised myself that I would uphold to increase oversight and improve the race, and people with underlying medical withheld from Black men while the the values of my community. My developmental process. However, even conditions associated with high risk of medical community studied the effects community has always been more recently in 2010, it was found that severe COVID-19. of the syphilis. This is merely a moment independent in its thinking. Our teachers Porcine circovirus (PCV) type 1, a virus 4. There is no mercury or in a long history of racist medical encouraged us to become independent found in pigs, was present in the vaccines formaldehyde in the Pfizer or Moderna practices that goes back to the moment thinkers.1 We don’t just accept every licensed to fight a different type of virus vaccines enslaved Africans first arrived in the statement that is given to us as truth. (rotavirus).5 Fortunately, PCV1 is not I know many of you are concerned Americas. It is well-known that doctors I later found out that this was one of known to cause disease in animals or about what’s in the vaccines. There is would conduct experiments on slaves the core tenants of my scientific training humans. no mercury, and vaccine companies and freed slaves without their knowledge as well. As a doctoral student, we were Is there a chance that the Pfizer and stopped using this preservative in or consent. taught not to just accept an author’s Moderna vaccines could be childhood vaccines. There’s also no Medical schools disproportionately interpretation of scientific works. We contaminated with live coronavirus that formaldehyde or any human fetal tissue used Black people in clinical trials and should be critical of the data that is causes COVID-19? It would in the vaccine. You’ll actually find more live surgical demonstrations. Black presented, analyze that data, then come be highly unlikely in the manufacturing harmful additives in processed foods. inmates, mental patients, and up with our own understanding that will process. These vaccines surprisingly only contain “misbehaving” Black boys were forced either confirm or refute the author’s 2. We don’t know the long-term salts (which help to stabilize the pH for to undergo mind-control experiments interpretation. effects of the vaccines: the body), lipids (which help aid the (blind-cut lobotomies). I wish more of us shared this value. I’ve read both of the reports from the mRNA and are harmless), and sucrose These cases and more are well- There has been far too much ongoing clinical trials for the COVID- (sugar). documented and can be further explored misinformation spread about COVID- 19 vaccine that are currently available 5. There is oversight by black in a book, Medical Apartheid: The Dark 19 and the COVID-19 vaccines. For right now (FDA briefing documents of scientists and physicians History of Medical Experimentation on example, it’s been said that mRNA the Pzier and Moderna vaccines)6. You might have heard that a black Black Americans from Colonial Times vaccines alter a person’s individual According to the report, they are female scientist, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, to the Present. These egregious acts also genetic material and therefore “genetically generally safe and work surprisingly well was involved in helping to develop the extended into other vulnerable modify” humans. This is simply not true at protecting against COVID-19 disease vaccine. I know of her through my circle populations. and not scientifically possible for an (95% effective). of colleagues and friends. Like me, she 7. There is no scientific evidence mRNA vaccine. Most people who take the vaccine wants no part in doing any harm to our for a link between vaccinations and What is true is that over 300,000 may experience mild to moderate, short- communities and has been a big advocate autism people have died from COVID-19 term side-effects such as injection site for the vaccines. This rumor is wide spread, but based caused by the coronavirus,2 and we pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, There’s also people that I know who on the data conducted independently by (Black, Native American and Latino joint pain, and chills. This is somewhat are sitting on the committees and boards scientists around the world, there is no Americans) have a COVID-19 death rate normal for vaccinations. It doesn’t mean responsible for the oversight of the scientific evidence for a link between of more than 2.7 times that of White that you have COVID-19. vaccine process. Our community vaccinations and autism. Vaccines do Americans.3 Our focus needs to be on It means that your immune system is pushed for this, and I’m happy to see it. not cause autism. Out of the many how we stop these deaths in our working hard to fight what it thinks is a I feel better knowing people like Dr. vaccines that have been developed, I communities. So, should we take the foreign invader, so that when it actually James E. K. Hildreth, President of have only been able to find two COVID-19 vaccines? comes in contact with the real Meharry Medical College and Dr. Leon scientifically confirmed links of vaccines My goal is not to convince you to get coronavirus, it will easily be able to fight McDougle, President of the National increasing disease risk. vaccinated. Vaccination is 100% a off the infection. Medical Association, are scrutinizing this People who received the 1976 swine personal choice. Yet, as a scientist who The frequency of serious adverse process. flu vaccine had an increased risk for has been trained in microbiology and events was low (less than 1%) in both We have to independently verify the developing Guillain-Barré Syndrome (1 clinical epidemiology, I feel compelled to vaccine trials. In my last visit to the studies and process being rolled out by additional case of the syndrome for every give you the facts and the data so that you barbershop, I overheard one barber pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, 100,000 people who got the swine flu can make an informed decision about telling his client, “Yea, you know six which have a questionable history in our vaccine). what will be best for you and your family people have died from the vaccine.” communities. The other is for the RotaShield (whether that’s getting vaccinated or just This is not exactly true. A total of six For example, Pfizer was sued for trials vaccine which was found to cause staying home, wearing a mask, and people of 43,000 participants (two were of an anti-meningitis drug that killed or intussusception in healthy infants who strengthening your immune system). given the vaccine, four were given disabled Nigerian children, at the hands normally would be at low risk for this I want to help separate fact from placebo) died during the Pfizer vaccine of many Nigerian healthcare workers. condition. fiction. I’m writing this for my community trials, not from the vaccine itself. This is Based on my research, this was due to 8. If you really want to know my and my people, and I’m not speaking on 0.01% of participants and four of them insufficient oversight, raising the opinion… behalf of anyone but myself. While I can’t were never injected with the vaccine.7 importance of oversight by diverse, I’m concerned for my community. address everything surrounding COVID- Some people developed Bell’s palsy, independent review boards. I’m concerned for those 65 and older 19 and vaccines, here are a few truths appendicitis, or other serious conditions. 6. Black people have a and those with underlying medical based on my research that will hopefully All of these cases in the vaccine group complicated medical history with the conditions such as diabetes or help present a balanced point of view. were not more frequent than expected United States. hypertension. We need doctors and 1. None of the vaccines use the live in the general population, and most of I want to take a moment to highlight scientists that we trust to advise us on virus that causes COVID-19: the deaths happened quite some time some of the reasons for mistrust in the how best to care for our community. In The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna after injection. U.S. medical system. Black people my opinion, we have two options: vaccines use a new mRNA technology. This means that it was expected some should not be to blame or shamed for develop our own treatments and These mRNA are very small molecules people would pass away or have adverse vaccine hesitancy. protective measures or we take part in that give instructions to the body for how events during the trial, which is ongoing Right before the start of the the analysis of what is available to us. to fight the actual virus. This is not and will last for at least 25 months. It pandemic, I gave a lecture on Henrietta Avoiding crowds, wearing masks, and the actual virus, and there is even less does not mean (and it’s too early to tell) Lacks, an African American woman who strengthening your immune system can chance for contamination in the that these vaccines will cause those was diagnosed with terminal cervical be very effective to reduce the risk of developmental process. This can be a events. It’s going to take time to cancer (which was actually a contracting COVID-19. However, I’ll be concern for other types of vaccines which understand long-term effects. misdiagnosis). She was treated at Johns getting the vaccine because the known are often produced in cell cultures or 3. Black and Hispanic volunteers Hopkins University, where a white and potential benefits of the vaccine chicken eggs and go through a series of are represented in the vaccine trials doctor removed cells from her cervix outweigh the known and potential risks purification steps. When the Phase 3 clinical trials without her knowledge. (and I travel a lot). The bottom-line is Contamination has happened before in started, I was particularly concerned Medical doctors and other scientists that for those of you who choose to be 1955 when some batches of the polio about the number of Black and Hispanic used these cells in numerous vaccinated, the first two COVID-19 vaccine were contaminated with live polio volunteers, as that data had not been experiments, including understanding the vaccines that have been released are safe virus.4 This was known as the Cutter released at the time. The data is out now, effects of radiation and space on the so far, and we are following closely for Incident, and more than 250 cases of and shows that 10% (about 4000) of the body to testing the live polio vaccine. long-term effects. Continue to build your polio were attributed to this participants were Black. Her cells helped develop and grow immune system and stay tuned to trusted contamination. Millions of polio vaccines (About 2700 Black participants were companies, earning millions of dollars experts. were contaminated with another virus in the Moderna trial, still amounting to in profits. The Lacks family, however, called simian virus 40 (SV40). The 10% of the volunteers.) were not told about (or provided consent This article was first published in the research is inconclusive about whether The good news is that the vaccines for) the cell cultures for more than 20 Muslim Journal. Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 47 Page 48 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 49 Page 50 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 51 Page 52 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 53 COVID-19 Cash Transfer starts Wednesday

Households that will receive the have the option of receiving believe they should have met the BCCAT assistance were selected payments at the National Bank of requirements for approval, can through a screening process that was Belize from Monday to Friday, resubmit their application for aimed at identifying the neediest between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. administrative review. These persons in the community. A certified All successful beneficiaries must applicants can call or visit the poverty assessment tool was used have an active phone number to Ministry office, or call the hotline during the process to determine the receive payments. They are to take number to request a review. After family’s social and living conditions. their phone to the nearest cash-out providing their full name, AppID or This information was then stored in location, where an agent will take a MIS number, Social Security number a database, where it was processed look at the message and dispense and contact number, they should be to identify the poorest families the amount of funds listed in the updated within 5 working days. within which there was at least one text. Persons without an active No fees need to be paid in order Belizean resident. mobile number are advised to call to collect benefits. If an applicant Over the last seven months, 0-800-MHD-HELP (Digi is asked to pay a fee before or after by Dayne Guy 60,000 BCCAT requests have been customers) or 0-800-CALL-MHD collecting their money, or have any completed. Assessments and (SMART customers) to make a grievances or complaints about the BELMOPAN, Tues. Feb. 16, 2021 enrollment into the program is to report. program, they are advised to call The Belize COVID-19 Cash be done in eight phases. Successful Any beneficiary can update their the Ministry hotline numbers: 0- Transfer Program (BCCAT), which applicants will be notified via a mobile number or authorize a person 800-MHD-HELP (for Digi is being spearheaded by the Ministry phone call or by a Ministry to cash-out on their behalf. If a customers) or 0-800-CALL-MHD of Human Development, Families representative and will be alerted of beneficiary intends to do so, they (for SMART customers). Additional and Indigenous People’s Affairs in their payment dates through an SMS must contact the Ministry of Human information can also be found on collaboration with the National from a short code 150. Development or the Ministry’s the BCCAT website at Bank of Belize, Digi and the Belize Successful applicants are to hotline to register a new number or humandevelopment.gov.bz/bccat . Social Investment Fund, is scheduled receive their cash through authorized person to collect on their to begin this Wednesday, February MobilePays, a mobile payment behalf. 17, 2021. solution. This allows beneficiaries Unsuccessful applicants that The program will distribute three to receive payments using their payments of $300 (one payment phones. Cash-out days at Digi every two months over a period of stores are Tuesday to Thursday from six months) to 21,500 vulnerable 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 Dr. Manzanero households who have been excluded p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Fridays from BOOST, the Unemployment from 9:00 a.m. Relief Program and the Food Pantry. to 12:00 p.m. Beneficiaries also accepts Into your hands Lord demotion? We commend the spirit of a Dear mother, sister, aunt, Increased measures to grandmother, great-grandmother Continued from „Page 1 Mrs. Bonifacia Therese Lino improve potato production through now is that we need to place our staff members, and key and distribution staff members in places and positions that will be very effective and efficient for the response at the body agreed that before Ministry of Health. Dr. Manzanero any locally produced upon his return, had a meeting with crops are harvested, the myself, met with the Minister, and issuance of permits was explained on the way forward will be monitored. on which he had agreed that the Sunrise: October 15, 1926 Furthermore, options that were laid out and Sunset: February 22, 2002 producers or groups of where the need was is in the Sadly missed by children: Edita, producers now need to response to HIV/Aid and in our Bernard, Albert and Robert, other provide importers with approach, and our need of a relatives and friends. signed receipts as proof medical internist. Which is a part of purchase; and also of the COVID response. Dr. importers must also Manzanero agreed to taking either show receipts from position, taking the position of the suppliers when they Coordination of the HIV and TB by Dayne Guy apply for the importation of response.” CEO Mendez vegetables, to prove they have explained. BELMOPAN, Wed. Feb. 17, 2021 purchased local produce. President of the Association of NOTICE Minister of Agriculture, Food Import licenses will now only be Public Senior Service Managers Security and Enterprise, Hon. Jose valid for 7 days, as opposed to 11 Sharon Frazier told local media NOTICE: If drinking is a Alberto Mai, and senior staff of the days. Being caught with contraband that even if he is receiving the same problem and the problem is Ministry met with vegetable produce will disqualify importers pay, his removal from the post as drinking. There is a solution. A importers, distributors and potato from further importation. In DHS is still ultimately a demotion group of us who have recovered producers of the Orange Walk addition, farmers and importers and has to be looked at carefully. from drugs and alcohol are here to District at the SIRDI conference now cannot interfere with the The position is that there can only help. Call: 633-2849. room in Buena Vista, Corozal, production of potatoes and local be one DHS and at this time that NOTICE: I, Juan Herrera, of where they agreed to act upon products should not be mixed with position is held by Dr. Manzanero. Isabella Bank am looking for a farm recommendations geared at imported products. They believe that he is being maintenance worker to work on the expanding the local production of In a recent press release, the disrespected by the new farm full time. Call: 610-0433. potatoes and lowering the prices Ministry said, “The Ministry of administration. NOTICE: Notice of loss of of locally grown potatoes. Agriculture, Food Security and Dr. Manzanero has still not vessel registration. Notice is hereby Foremost among the measures Enterprise thanks everyone present made a public statement on the given that vessel owner Juan Perez to be taken are the enforcement of at the meeting and continues to chart matter as yet. We made attempts lost vessel registration documents. stricter wholesale distribution and the way forward for collaboration to get a comment which were If found please contact him at 677- issuance of permit protocols. The between producers and importers.” unsuccessful. 0841. Page 54 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021 Violence erupts on Cleghorn Street Missing Raphael Garrido found in Continued from Page 1 When I looked, I saw a man, I didn’t would escalate to such a violent death. „ see his face or anything. I just saw a He also stated that they are conducting a shallow grave in Belize City when their loved one silver gun he was pushing in his side, interviews in an effort to establish a and he was walking out of the yard. motive: was gunned down in front of them. Continued from Page 4 Twenty-two-year-old Jerome And I ran to that direction, and I said “We spoke to different persons that „ McLaren was shot and killed in his ‘you shot my son! You killed my son! were there and also family members conduct a “transaction” and was own yard after 8:00 p.m. in front of a You killed my son!’ And I ran to my to inquire from them if at any time Mister dropped off at Mile 31 by the same son, and I just started to pray on top of McLaren had been threatened or number of children and his mother. person whom he went to meet. Reports indicate that McLaren had my son. When I reached my son, blood anything that he had gone through with Tragically, however, Garrido’s body just finished a game of basketball on was coming out. He was hunched anybody in the past days or maybe past a court in his yard, and was sitting on across the cycle that was there and a year, but up to now we cannot give was later found in a shallow grave a scooter when an individual rode up blood was just gushing out his mouth you a definite motive as to why he was on Monday, February 15, 2021, on a motorcycle, stepped into the yard and he was gasping for breath, and I shot,” he said. between Miles 51 and 52 on the and fired several shots in his direction. said ‘Jerome, ask God for McLaren will be remembered by his Hummingbird Highway. McLaren would subsequently forgiveness, Jerome, repent Jerome, mother as a son who was helpful and While there is a sense of closure succumb to his injuries, leaving his ask God to forgive you,’” the grieving always took care of her. According to following the discovery of the mother, Sharon Cocom, questioning mother said. her, McLaren was also a skilled boxer missing young man, his family is still why anyone would like to target her At this point, as the end of the week and represented Belize in a tournament left with more questions than son. During an interview, she draws near, there have still been no held in Costa Rica two years ago. answers. Because his body was recounted the tragic sequence of arrests for the murder of McLaren, and While being interviewed, she sent a found in a state of advanced events and described her own reaction the police have yet to establish a message to the culprit: decomposition, there was a delay in as she witnessed the murder of her own motive for the shooting. Supt. “You take my Jerome from me; you the conducting of a postmortem child. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., take my son from me, and because you exam that was to have been done on “I hear gunshots, so I threw myself Eastern Division, explained that take my son from me, I am claiming the site of his death. In fact, police backwards. After that I decided to peek Jerome did have run-ins with the you as my son in the name of Jesus have yet to release the body because out to check and see who get shot. police, but nothing that he believes Christ.” they have not yet made a positive identification of the remains, although they have stated that, based on the clothing and tattoos on the COVID-19 update corpse, the remains do appear to be Garrido’s. Up until Tuesday, Garrido’s family had been appealing Continued from Page 1 Mexico and Guatemala to find out of 322 tests processed on that day, „ whether they would be able to and the MOHW infographic for his body to be released, because heels of the modification of the conduct genotype testing on samples recorded 26 recoveries. they are certain that he is the curfew hours and the lifting of some from Belize. On the previous day, February 16, deceased person whose corpse they of the previous movement At this time, Belize and the 13 new cases were found within a had viewed. restrictions. The Ministry is urging COVAX facility are finalizing the batch of 421 tests. Fortunately, no Both Garrido’s mother and his the public to continue to practice all vaccine procurement agreement. The additional death was recorded on cousin expressed frustration that they the protocols in place to prevent Ministry of Health and Wellness is that day, and 14 new recoveries were were not allowed to fully see the another outbreak and lockdown of awaiting a confirmation letter from recorded. body of the deceased and that his the country. the facility which will outline the At least six new COVID-19 remains have not been released to In an interview with News5 this number of doses that will be allocated variants have been identified across them yet. On Tuesday, week, the acting Director of Health and the date of delivery of the the world at this time. Of concern to Superintendent Alejandro Cowo, Services, Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, vaccines that will be sent to Belize. health officials are the three variants Head of the Police Department’s shared that the increased movement As previously reported, the of the virus that have been spreading Crime Investigation Branch (CIB) in of members of the community will AstraZeneca vaccine will be more rapidly than the original virus. Belize City, gave a briefing outlining inevitably cause a spike in new cases administered in Belize. On Monday These are the UK variant (B.1.1.7), the details of the case thus far: if it is not controlled. These concerns of this week, the World Health the South Africa variant (B.1.351), “Yesterday at about 9:30 police remain at the back of the minds of Organization approved that vaccine and the Brazil variant (P.1). received information from some officials at the Ministry, in addition for emergency use. The first These variants are said to spread persons who were dumping in that to fears of the possible entry into the vaccination rollout is expected to more easily and quickly than the area, and they visited an area on the country of three new coronavirus cover about 126,000 persons in other variants, and this may lead to Hummingbird Highway between variants that have been detected Belize and is expected to be more cases, hospitalizations, and Miles 51 and 52, where on a shallow across the world. administered over three months. potentially, deaths. Data so far grave they found a decomposed Readers would recall that we To achieve herd immunity, suggests that antibodies generated body. The body had the clothing and reported that samples from Belize however, the country would have to from the vaccines recognize the appearance as to the body that was were sent to Baylor College in Texas vaccinate about 70% of the variants, and are thus effective at reported missing on the 3rd of and the Caribbean Public Health population. preventing their transmission, but February by the Garrido family of Agency (CARPHA) so that genotype In regards to current COVID-19 investigations are still being done at Ladyville. So far a positive testing could be done to determine statistics, a total of 12,207 cases this time. identification has not been done yet, whether these new variants could be have been recorded since the start of The UK variant has now been but based on the clothing and some found among the local population. the pandemic in Belize. Of that identified in at least 60 countries tattoos that the person has, it Recent reports are that testing has number, 11,725 persons have across the world. resembles that of Garrido. Well, that become bogged at the US facility, as recovered from COVID-19. The recommendation at this time is something that we are trying to that country continues to face daily The recent reports indicate 1 new is increased compliance with public establish from the very first day that record-breaking numbers and an COVID-19-related fatality, thus health mitigation strategies. This a report was made, the person that overwhelmed system. At CARPHA, taking the total death toll to 314 means continued use of face masks, accompanied him to Orange Walk. genotype testing has also been persons. Of that number 207 are physical distancing, proper hand He was in police custody and he was bunged. According to the Director male and 107 female. Our fatality hygiene and, if necessary, isolation questioned and he was later released of Health Services, the agency found rate thus stands at 2.57%. and quarantine. The rollout of a due to the information that he had some problems in their lab after On February 18, a total of 16 new vaccination campaign is the primary provided for us. But from since then, detecting one of the new variants in cases were found from a batch of mitigation strategy being police have conducted searches Trinidad and Tobago. Belize is 552 tests done. Also, a total of 17 recommended at this time. along with the family on the Philip unable to carry out this type of recoveries were recorded on that day. According to the World Health Goldson Highway,” Cowo stated. testing, so we are forced to wait for No new death was recorded. Organization (WHO), to date a total the results from these two agencies One new fatality was recorded on of 109,594,835 confirmed cases of or seek other options. February 17, 2021: a male person COVID-19 have been detected. Of Visit KREM at Reports are that our government from the Corozal District. A total of that number, 2,424,060 deaths were has reached out to the CDC in 8 new cases were found from a batch reported by WHO. www.krembz.com Friday, February 19, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 55 Vicente says errors were made Secretary would have discussions Continued from Page 1 the other scenario in which sales of generally true for all the files in the „ government assets, such as vehicles, about each sale before giving him the box?” In presenting to the commissioners would take place. He specified that directive for approval.) He shared that “Yes, Sir,” Vicente confirmed. his account of the process through such sales often involved vehicles that the decision was made after many “He signed off on all of which a number of top government were “abandoned” — those left unused discussions between the Prime them?” asked Marshalleck. officials purchased government assets or parked in mechanic shops for long Minister and Financial Secretary, and “Yes, Sir. And I will not, let me at significantly reduced prices prior periods. He shared that the request that they eventually directed him to clarify here, I have been, branded as to the general elections, Vicente, who would come to his department to approve the sale of the vehicle to the a very stiff person,” Vicente said. chose to make an affirmation rather purchase these vehicles, either in an former Deputy Prime Minister. “Strict,” suggested Marshalleck. than swear his oath, said that there intact state, or for parts. “We had a discussion because of To this, Vicente replied, “Very are two scenarios in which a vehicle In both instances, said Vicente, he the state of affairs the country is in…” strict, and I brought it with me from taken out of rotation in the various prepared letters of approval for both said Vicente. football, as a referee. And I had Ministries would be sold by the the former Prime Minister and the “Yes, about not selling the declared to the Prime Minister at one government. Financial Secretary before the sale. vehicles…,” Marshalleck replied. time, ‘I would not send anything to The first scenario he outlined is At this point, Marshalleck “That we would not sell any your desk without giving you the similar to what was described by enquired, “Have there been instances vehicles, and that we would retain the necessary information,’ and I have former Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, where you have approved the sale on vehicles that the past administration’s kept to that. I have had people come and Financial Secretary Joseph your own?” ministers were driving, for the new to my office and request, and I would Waight. He shared that unserviceable Vicente replied, “No, Sir. No, Sir. Government, whichever not, I would not give up a vehicles or those deemed useless by Never. No, Sir. I would never do Government would come in, and so Government asset… to the government ministries would be that.” he struggled, I must say that. He anyone without first sending that sent to the Vehicle Care Unit for He further mentioned that a similar struggled with that a bit. And I believe information or getting the approval disposal. They would then do a procedure is used for the sale of other that after much discussion, he then of the Financial Secretary and the summary valuation of the vehicle and assets. indicated to me that, yeah the sale of [former] Prime Minister.” review bids for the various items. The Chairman of the Commission that vehicle for the Hon. Hugo Patt Vicente continued: “Even now, we Vicente explained, “I then prepared then pointed out that most of the would go though,” Vicente went on have CEOs who have come and they a letter of approval and submitted it items were sold on the basis of them to reveal. have put on my desk request for items, to the Financial Secretary. If it is more being unserviceable. He noted that, “But he didn’t do it in writing? He and I have sent that to the Prime than one bid, then we sent copies of in the letter submitted by the did it orally?” asked Marshalleck. Minister’s office and it’s been there those bids along with the letter and, Financial Secretary, most, if not all, “I believe he sent me an email. I for the past two or three weeks, not at times, picture of the said vehicle.” the sales approval letters coming from would have to look for that,” Vicente signed. I cannot give it up.” Chairman of the commission, Vicente’s office classified the replied. (It is to be noted that the email In response, Chairman Andrew Marshalleck, SC, responded particular vehicles being sold as was not attached to the file for the Marshalleck remarked that with the question, “And the approval unserviceable. sale of that vehicle.) notwithstanding Vicente’s would be to the person who made the “Are you aware that the Finance Marshalleck went on to ask, “These declaration, the documentation higher bid?” and Audit Reform Act authorizes sale files that I mentioned were the ones coming from his department “Yes, that would be the but only through the use of one of identified by the [former] Prime categorizes the sold assets as recommendation,” Vicente replied, the defined tenure procedures?” Minister; all had his personal “unserviceable” when, in fact, most after which Marshalleck asked, Marshalleck asked. involvement in the approvals. Is that were working fine. “Invariably? Always?” Vicente replied, “Yes, listening to “Always,” Vicente said. this morning….Yes.” He shared that he would then “And are those tenure procedures present the letter to the Financial ever followed,” Marshalleck further Teenager killed in Lords Bank Secretary and engage in discussions enquired. to confirm if the bid was acceptable. “No,” said Vicente. Continued from Page 1 actually got his father who was on If the Financial Secretary signed off In reference to the sale of a vehicle „ on the bid, an indication of this was the canal side on that night, but last to former Deputy Prime Minister another murder to report. This most night, Mr. Carter, he was just coming sent back to the Vehicle Care Unit, Hugo Patt (which the former Prime recent homicide occurred on off of his girlfriend’s residence and Vicente said. Minister, during his presentation, Wednesday in Lords Bank. Nineteen- was walking along with one of his “I would then prepare a file, with said he had given oral approval for, year-old Floyd Carter, Jr., was found brothers-in-law when they were all the necessary documents, and but not written consent), Marshalleck dead on an unnamed street after surprised by a male person who came send them to the office of the Prime asked, “I notice in the documentation Minister for his approval,” Vicente that all the documents are addressed multiple shots were heard in the area. out with a firearm and fired shots in further explained. to Mr. Juvencia Herrera, and Mr. Back in November, his father, Floyd his direction. Unfortunately, he lost Marshalleck then asked, “Is it Hugo Patt’s name, in fact, appears Carter, Sr., had also been murdered, his life there and then. I know that invariably the case, always the case, nowhere.” and the police believe that the presently police have detained two that the Prime Minister approves or Vicente responded, “That is assailants could not get a hold of persons, and they are being disapproves or considers personally because, at times, when requests are Carter, Jr., and executed his father interviewed at this moment to see these applications?” instead. what other information we can get made and someone is purchasing a “Yes, Sir,” Vicente replied. vehicle or an air-conditioning, they This marks the third death in the from them,” said Cowo. (In his presentation to the would request that the sale be made Carter family in the past three months. The Police Department received commission, the former Prime in someone else’s name. That is a While Carter’s passing is still under information that Carter had Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, had standing practice.” investigation, the police are certain previously gotten into a dispute with said that he did not see a written file Chairman Marshalleck then that he was the intended target of a his girlfriend whose house he had just concerning the sale of a 2020 Toyota pointed out that the sales approval hit. Reports indicate that the young departed from prior to the shooting, Tacoma to Deputy Prime Minister letter for vehicles purchased by Hugo man had just left his house and was and after that dispute, Carter had been Hugo Patt.) Patt, Colin Griffith, and the former walking with his brother-in-law when detained, but was then released after In further describing the set of steps Justice of the Court of Appeal a gunman approached them and she failed to file a complaint. He was that led to the sale of specific described those vehicles as instructed them to stop. He then began to appear in court in San Ignacio on government assets, Vicente went on “unserviceable.” According to to fire shots in their direction, several the same day on which he was to explain to the commission that Vicente, this was done in error. of which hit Floyd Carter, Jr., and murdered, but evidently he did not after the Financial Secretary had The furniture purchased by the killed him. make it, because he received a call signed off and the Prime Minister had former Attorney General, Michael Superintendent of Police, Alejandro and visited Lords Bank instead. given his approval, a sales letter would Peyrefitte, was also listed as Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division, Superintendent Cowo confirmed that then be sent to the bidder who won unserviceable, according to the spoke with the media on Wednesday the person accompanying Carter the sale bid. He said that they would records. to share the developments in the case (reportedly his brother-in-law) was then pay within a month and would The documents show that the thus far: not injured during the attack on his send the sale receipt to the Vehicle Prime Minister signed off on “The information that we had life. Care Unit, after which the vehicle approvals for all those sales except the received earlier [in reference to the Members of Carter’s family are would be transferred from the Motor sale made on behalf of Hugo Patt. shooting of Carter’s father] is that his confused at this time, as they had no Vehicle Inspector. (Vicente had outlined that the former son would have been the target, and prior knowledge of his relationship Vicente then went on to describe Prime Minister and Financial because they could not get him, they with anyone in the Lords Bank area. Page 56 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 19, 2021