sunday, july 20, 2008 - star - tel:- 626-8822 & 626-3788...

Sunday, July 20, 2008 - STAR - Tel:- 626-8822 & 626-3788 - Email:[email protected] -

No. 151 SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008 Price $1.00*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR8*8TAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*STAR*

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No. 159 SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2008 Price $1.00

SAN IGNACIO TOWN, CayoDistrict, Wednesday, July 16,2008: The traffic accident occurred onSaturday, July 5 and today, 11 dayslater, San Ignacio police reports thearrest of a fellow constable onthree related charges. The accused, Police Constable#267 Michel Cob, 34, of a 9thStreet address in San Ignacio Town,appeared in court today whereMagistrate Kathlene Lewispresented him with the three chargesas follows: i) Manslaughter bynegligence, ii) Causing death bycareless conduct and iii) Drovemotor vehicle without due careand attention. Magistrate Lewis informed that dueto the nature of the charges, the casewill be heard on indictment in theSupreme Court and therefore a guiltyor not guilty plea could not be

entertained at the magistrate courtlevel. The case was consequentlyadjourned for Wednesday, August 20.

The accused wasoffered and met bailin the sum of$5,000. The chargesagainst PC Cobarouse out of a roadtraffic accidentwhich occurred ataround 2:15 p.m.,on Saturday, July5, between miles69 and 70 on theWestern Highway. In the incident,the brown Toyota4 Runner, withlicense platesC Y- C - 2 6 3 1 8 ,driven by PC CobThe Accused - P.C. #267 Michel Cob, 34

The Deceased -Carlos Casanova, 22

SANTA ELENA TOWN, CayoDistrict, Monday, July 14, 2008:BY: Cecilia Flowers, Leader,Santa Elena Jaguar Scouts I had the privilege over the past 2weeks to participate in the BDF YouthSummer Camp 2008 and what awonderful experience it was. Activities, held in the Mountain PineRidge, were well organize bythe Belize Defense Force withsupport from the Government ofBelize. The main objective of the campwas to instill self-esteem, respect,moral values and endurance in theparticipants. They were also empowered with

and traveling towards San IgnacioTown, collided into a motorcycle

traveling in the opposite direction.The solo motorcycle rider wasCarlos Casanova, 22, BelizeanResearch Officer employed by theBelize Social Security Board at SSB

skills in expressing themselves in theirown unique ways as well as thecharacteristics of becoming good,productive and constructive citizenwithin their individual communities. The children not only learnabout endurance running andphysical fitness, but they were alsoinstructed in areas such as team workand jungle survival. They learnt howto set up and sleep under a basha. They were also instructed in playingthe game of chess and for the firsttime, according to the organizers, achess tournament was played in thedark cave of Caves Branch. The camp offered many of theparticipants a first time opportunity

to experience exotic naturaladventures such as cave tubing.Many of them also had the first timechance of repelling approximately 275

feet into a sink hole at Caves Branch. The children had an enjoyableexperience and many of them

Twenty of the participants (5 girls & 15 boys) along with5 BDF instructors - The maginficent jungle in the background

Please Turn To Page 15


- STAR - Tel:- 626-8822 & 626-3788 - Email:[email protected] - Sunday, July 20, 2008

On February 7, 2008 voters inBelize went to the polls andoverwhelmingly elected theNation’s first “Black” PrimeMinister. Five months later, on July 14,the Nation listened as the newPrime Minister presented hisfirst budget ,the likes of whichthey have not seen in many, manyyears. The new budget is nothingshort of the Dean BarrowAdministration’s one yearmanifesto of programs for fiscalyear 2008-2009. If the administration fulfills atleast 75% of it promises asoutlined in the budget and doeslikewise for the remaining 4years in office with thepresentation of subsequent likedfashioned budgets, as sure as dayfollows night, none is theopposition party that will unseatit at the polls. The “Peoples’ Budget” forfiscal year 2008-2009 bringslong overdue relief to theBelizean people. It speaks to, among otherthings, the “removing of GST(General Sales Tax) from a broadrange of medicines andEXEMPTING medical servicesfrom GST”. The new government is movingforward in fulfilling its manifestopromise as it pertains toprotecting the peoples’ socialsecurity funds by “assuming theFULL cost of the NationalHealth Insurance to the extentthat is has been rolled out so far–the Social Security Board willno longer be meeting any ofthose costs” AMEN. Much unlike the previousMusa/Fonseca administrationthat used Social Security Fundsas a cash cow with total disregardfor working Belizean who by lawmust contribute to the fund. “In addition to NO NEW

TAXES on the Belizean peoplein this Budget” said PrimeMinister Dean Barrow “Weare, of course, actuallyproviding positive reliefespecially to the poor. Wewill thus be LOWERING orREMOVING tax on a numberof basic items and services. “By the 1st of August,the remaining RevenueReplacement Duty will beremoved from both Regularand Premium Gasoline, and onAviation Spirits and Jet Fuel.This tax will be replaced by aLOWER flat tax per gallonwhich will be added to theexisting customs dutiesapplicable to these products. The removal of the GeneralSales Tax by applying aZERO rate on a wide rangeof Over-the-counter andprescription medicines andmedical supplies includinganalgesics, cough and coldpreparations, diagnostic testingkits for glucose in the blood anurine, insulin and insulinsyringe, oral rehydration saltsand solutions, dialysis fluids,oxygen and anti-retroviraldrugs. The classification of medical,dental, hospital, optical andparamedical services asExempt Items for the purposesof the GST. The effect of this isto ensure that the providers ofsuch services will NO LONGERbe adding the GST to theirinvoices for the services theyprovide. The removal of GST from anumber of food items includingpowdered milk, cooking oil,chicken Vienna sausages,corned beef, coffee, tea. Removal of RevenueReplacement Duty fromFertilizers. The removal ofCustom duties from AnimalFeed Concentrate. The

provision of import dutyexemptions for agriculturalmachinery and implementsparticularly for small farmersseeking to expand productionand the provision later on of asignificant line of credit foragricultural expansion. The provision of import dutyexemptions on capital importsfor small registered hoteliersseeking to expand and/orimprove the quality of theirfacilities. The provision of importduty exemptions on passengervans to allow small touroperators to improve thequality of their touristtransportation services. 3 million dollars to providefor education grants forfirst-year high school studentson a needs basis. An increase of 1.5 milliondollar in scholarship grants totertiary level students. A new allocation of 2 milliondollars to maintain the supplyof textbooks to primary schoolstudents. An increase of 1.5 milliondollars in grants to theUniversity of Belize. 3 million dollars to cover theFULL cost of basic health careunder the NHI. 6 million dollars to upgradethe road leading into PlacenciaVillage. 4 million dollars for thecompletion of the SouthernHighway. 5.3 million dollars for theBelize City Council south sidealleviation project. 4.8 million dollars for therehabilitation of sugar feederroads. 2 million dollars for thetemporary bridge structure atKendal. 8 million dollars in supportof the Banana and Sugarindustries under the EuropeanUnion Programme. Over 11.9 million dollars inaggregate to fund communityprojects under the SocialInvestment Fund, theCommonwealth Debt Initiativeand the Basic Needs TrustFund. 6.5 million dollars to completethe Health Reform Project. 3 million dollars to completeEnhancement of the TechnicalVocational Education andTraining Project. 1 million dollars for a projectto assist low income persons ingetting proper titles to landthrough providing funding to

pay for surveys. 2 million dollars for housingimprovements for low incomepersons. 1.7 million dollars formaintenance of municipalstreets and drains. 1 million dollars of ruralwater systems and 175 thousand dollars for apilot project for skills trainingfor single mothers. 25 million dollars forthe seeding of a new andrevived Development FinanceCooperation. A commitment for thecontinuing broad baseconsultations in future budgetpreparations Given the scale and extent ofthe breaches that have takenplace in the past and thedamage to the entire society thatthose have caused, the newgovernment will be proposingcriminal sanctions againstthose who dare repeat the rap-ing as was rampant in the pastadministration. If you have not yet gotten yourcopy of the budget presentation,we urge you to get a hold of oneso that you may use it as a reportcard the grade the performanceof the new government’s firstyear in office. Again we reiterate that if thegovernment fulfills but 75% ofthese proposals, no oppositionparty will unseat it, as Belizeanwill truly begin to experiencewhat it really feels like to beliving a good country.

“The Newspaper that caresand dares to bring out the truth”

Publisher: Alberto AugustEditor: Nyani Azueta-AugustCirculation: Errol Gonzalez

42A Western Highway, Santa Elena,Cayo, Belize, Central America

Tel: 626-8822 or 626- 3788

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ANTIGUA & BARBUDA,Wednesday, July 16, 2008: STAR Newspaper’s Editor,Nyani Azueta-August, departedBelize on Monday, July 14, enrouteto the Caribbean Island of Antigua &Barbuda where she will berepresenting Belize at a two daysCaricom sponsored “NewspaperEditor’s Workshop on theCaribbean Single Market andEconomy (CSME).” The workshop which began onWednesday, July 16, at the JollyBeach Resort in Antigua, is providingNewspaper Editors from theCaribbean with a broad understand-ing to the workings of the CSME. The workshop is providinginstructions and engaging participantsin discussions on topics such as: a) Making a living in the CSME

b) Free Movement of Skills andOccupation c) The Right of Establishment andProcedures for Establishing aBusiness d) Trade and Commerce in theCaribbean e) How can I move my Goods

across CARICOM? f) A Free Market for Goods g) What is the Market forServices? h) Where are we with Movementof Capital?

STAR Newspaper Editor, Nyani Azueta-August

i) Writing on the CSME – Isanyone reading? j) Is there a role for Columnists inStimulating Public Discussion onthe CSME? k) Competition – Leveling thePlaying Field. Mrs. August returns to Belize onSaturday, July 19.

JOLLY BEACH RESORT,Antigua, Wednesday, July 16,2008: It gives me great pleasure towelcome you to Antigua andBarbuda. I hope that the exchanges duringyour deliberations, will lead to agreater understanding of the aims andobjectives of the Revised Treaty ofChaguaramas, particularly the

CARICOM Single Market andEconomy, which is our Community’sflagship in the process of sustainabledevelopment of our countries andpeoples, and improving the qualityof life for all. I also wish to thank theCARICOM Secretariat for organisingthis Workshop which, I hope, willlead to greater dissemination ofdevelopments in our integrationmovement. Mr. Chairman, it is for me adistinct honor and privilege to havebeen asked to address such adistinguished group of Caribbeansons and daughters in the nobleprofession of journalism, and moreimportantly, Newspaper Editors, whohave great influence over the contentand the approach taken to what isprinted and broadcast about ourCommunity, and the creation of itsSingle Market and Economy. I salute you for embracingjournalism as a profession, which hasbrought you praise on occasion andridicule on others, as purveyors ofgloom, sensationalism and conduits ofpolitical persuasion. Right or wrong, yours is anawesome responsibility. For you mustknow and understand your owncountry or territory, its people, itsculture, and the social, economic andpolitical environment in which youoperate. Unlike myriad other professions,such as doctors, lawyers, architects,masons, carpenters or domesticworkers, your work involves the useof language - words strung togetherinto sentences and paragraphs -reporting news as they occur as wellas determining reality from fiction, inthe dissemination of information. As eyes on events, journalistsrecord history. That is why it iscorrect to surmise that the norms and

AmbassadorDr. Clarence Henry



The other night I went to buy at aChinese store, a lot of these storesnow have a machine that reads thebar code by a laser which will tell theprice of each item. So I went to paythe bill it came up to $110.00. When I got home I thought this tobe a bit much, so I added it up myselfthe total should have been $80.15,now by the time I got back to the storeit was closed, so the next morning Iwas there. I asked about the pricedifference and of course all of a

sudden they cannot speak Englishanymore, so I was now wasting time,so beware, take a calculator with you,I am sure this happens a lot. There should be someone ingovernment to check these machines.If they do this all the time, even if it’sa few cents, how much do they makein a year. I really hope someone looks intothis matter.Bob Jones,Santa Elena, Cayo

Your article on Donna and Mikewas good. I wish young people would readthe paper to see the rippleeffects of these peoples’ actions.

My prayers go out to Donna andMike’s family and all their friendsalso to the boys’ family.Winsom Winsom,Cristo Rey Village, Cayo

It has come to our attention thatsome parents are taking advantageof people/organizations that areoffering scholarships to studentsgraduating from Standard 6. These parents are applying formultiple scholarships and when thestudent is approved by multiplepeople/organization, they cash-in bytaking the money and use it forpurposes not related to their child’sscholarship. Case 1. A family with 2 studentsfinishing Standard 6 with very highgrades was granted scholarships bytwo NGOs, a Lodge, and the PUP atotal of 7 scholarships. The NGO sent the money to theschool for tuition, but the lodge andthe PUP both gave the parent themoney. The lodge gave a full scholarship,tuition, books, uniforms, meals andtransportation to the school. The PUPgave tuition only. The parents approached the HighSchool and convinced them that thesecond scholarship was for booksand uniforms and the school wrotethem a check for the amount of thesecond tuition. These people are taking awaymoney that would have allowed 5more students to attend HighSchool.

I call these greedy andopportunistic This set a poorexample for the students of theirmother and father. Case 2. A man approached a HighSchool and wanted a check writtento him for the second scholarship thathis child had received and bothscholarship money was sent to theschool. Donors were contacted andtold of this and one of them sponsoredanother student. We caution the people ororganization giving the scholarship,send the funds to the school. If it is afull scholarship, including books anduniform, have the parent pay for themand give you the receipts to make surethat it is spent on the student. Also,inquire about the grades of thestudent, if you can help the studentwith tutoring, do so. If the school received multiplescholarships for a student, they needto contact the donors to ask themwhat they want done with the surplusfunds. Most likely, they will awardthe scholarship to another deservingstudent. It is your investment in the future ofBelize. The students you help todaymay become tomorrow’s leaders,movers, and shakers of Belize.Remember, we are talking about thefuture of Belize.

As an American that owns landnear the village of Bullet Tree and anacquaintance of Donna and Mike Hill,I was impressed with yourwell-written article that explainedthe facts and impact of the murders. As a school psychologist, I alsoappreciated your sensitivity towardsthe family and the attempt to reachout to the youth of the San Ignacioarea. I wanted to go to the memorialevents tomorrow to support myfriends during this time of trauma,but I am still an “outsider”, nothaving spent a long period of time inSan Ignacio over the past four years.My house is not built yet. As a single woman, I ampondering the pros and cons ofretiring there. I want to devote some time tohelp children, in particular thosewith emotional problems and the deaf.Yet my personal safety must comefirst, as I have two daughters of my

own. I will wait and continue to thinkpositively about Belize. It is myhope that the government and thecommunities pull together during thistime of economic and personalhardship to restore the country.Ann CouzensED NOTE: Dear Ms. Ann; We could have sent you thisresponse privately by email, butthere are two quick sentences thatwe would like to share with otherreaders as follows: 1) The word “outsider” does notexist in the vocabulary of theBelzean people. Belizeans areknown for their hospitality andthe rapid assimilation of newfriends in to the communityand 2) Notwithstanding theserandom, irresponsible andsenseless acts, Belize remains oneof the safest places on earth tolive, work, retire and play.

One of the more interesting sightsto see these days are what seem tobe BRAND NEW tanker trucksmoving in convoy, carrying CRUDEOIL from Spanish Lookout over theborder. We are not only exporting convoysof corn these times, but continue toconvoy CRUDE OIL in a new andimproved modern fashion. TheseNEW trucks look lovely. Nobody EVER explained who buys

this CRUDE OIL in Guatemala, orhow much we get paid for it, or whythey sell it in Guatemala and not shipby barge. Be interesting reading thatexplanation, that not even the late JimCavanaugh, expert on our oil fields,could tell me. Certainly our media don’t know,or bother to report it. All we hearabout are the barge shipments.Ray Auxillou, Santa Elena, Cayo

#85 Benque Viejo Road, San Ignacio, CayoTel: 824-2959 Cell: 610-4391

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and fittings and a whole lot more.and fittings and a whole lot more.and fittings and a whole lot more.and fittings and a whole lot more.and fittings and a whole lot more. The concerns, as expressed aboveby Ray Auxillou, were shared withBNE. Bright and early onWednesdaymorning Daniel Gutierrez fromBNE was on the telephone with thefollowing information: a) BNE does NOT sell crude toGuatemala. b) The crude oil going across thewestern border is actually destinedfor Exxon Mobil in Acajuala, ElSalvador and is undertaken as ameans of diversifying BNE's clientbase in the region. c) The crude exported acrossBelize's western border is minimal

and is in the low single digit percentper annum. d) BNE does not have any newtanker. e) Tankers transporting the crudeacross the western border are ownedby a Guatemalan company and theyare not the ones used in Belize. f) BNE exports 90% of the crudeby way of ship. g) The company has discontinuedusing barges many months ago. h) The current ship used for thetransportating the crude to the exportmarket is a new one,. It wasconstructed in 2005 and is double hulltanker.

At your service alwaysJose Marin, Manager


16 July, 2008

Hon. Carlos Perdomo,Minister of NationalSecurity,Curl Thompson Building,Belmopan.

Dear Minister,

Just a few days ago Mikeand Donna Hill were brutallymurdered in their home in asmall village outside of SanIgnacio. Their bodies werefound with their hands tiedbehind their backs and abullet shot through their headsin an execution style slaying.

When the communityand police successfullyapprehended the criminalswe were shocked to find outit was a 15 year old boy andhis 17 year old friend whocommitted this horrendouscrime. We were likewiseastounded to learn that the15 year old, who was clearlythe leader, had just beenreleased from custody fromthe youth section of theHattieville prison.

The alleged cold-bloodedkiller was not released becausehe had served his time inprison, but instead he wasreleased a few weeks earlierbecause a judge decided togrant him bail. Some relativeof this alleged killer promisedto stand good for $4,000 andtherefore he was set free. Afew weeks’ later two peoplewere viciously slaughtered bythis same person.

The young man had been incustody awaiting trial for theattempted murder of a youngwoman, who was repeatedlybeaten on the head and bodywith a two by four and whosuffered enormous injuries.Yet when almost any saneobserver would have fullyunderstood that this boy wasextremely dangerous, aSupreme Court Justicedecided to let him go.

Of course one can blamethe judge for an incompetentdecision, and the family’s

lawyer for even asking that thistime bomb be allowed on thestreets, or the family forcooperating in the release ofsomeone they knew to bedangerous. But the ultimatefault lies in a judicial systemthat allows money to be thebasis for letting harmfulpeople loose on the streets.

It happens every day inBelize in a criminal justicesystem bequeathed to us bythe colonial powers and onethat has not really changedsince then. For someonewith a criminal record to bereleased from jail on the basisof how much money he orshe has, rather than howdangerous he or she is, isinherently wrong and unjust.

Anyone sitting in the localcourthouse in San Ignaciohears case after case wherethe magistrate tells pettycriminals that they will receivea sentence of $500 or 6months in prison, or $800dollars or 9 months in prison.The fact that the judge couldnot determine whether theperson needed to be off thestreets and simply based hisdecision on the issue ofmoney is a throwback tocolonial times where thepeople with money live undera different set of laws and theprisons are there for the poor.

It is time that Belize facesits crime issues and the mosteffective way to do that is tothrow away many aspects ofthe bail system. The release ofa person held in remand afterbeing charged with a violentcrime should not be based onwhether he is a good enoughcriminal or from a wealthyenough family to come upwith the bail money.

The reason a person shouldbe allowed to stay in the freeworld until his case comes totrial should be based on anaffirmative finding by the courtthat he is not likely to be adanger to anyone in societyuntil his trial. The idea of achild or an adult getting out ofjail when he is known to be

extremely dangerous is absurdand has caused the death ofnot only Mike and Donna Hillbut has caused the death,robbery and victimization ofmany innocent people acrossthis country.

Judges, especially SupremeCourt judges, have a hugeresponsibility. But theyoperate under a system oflaws and it is the electedpolitical leaders who decidewhat those laws shall be. It istime for our political leadersto ensure that Belizeans arestopped from being victimizedby an old colonial system oflaws that allows treacherousand resourceful people toroam free in this country.

Our criminal laws need to berevamped. We need to amendour laws to say: “Bail canonly be granted in casesinvolving any violent crimeif the judge signs astatement saying that thereis no credible testimony thatthe accused poses anythreat to society until histrial.” Should there still bejudges letting people go freebefore trial on violent offenseswhen there is credible evidencethey could be dangerous, thenthere should be automatichearings to determine thecompetence of these judges.A judge found makingirresponsible decisions shouldbe dismissed.

But the bottom line really isthat a dangerous person whohas been charged with aviolent offense should not bereleased on bail because hehappens to get a lawyer andcome up with a few dollars ora surety. If there is evidenceyou are dangerous and acontinuing threat to thecommunity and you have beenarrested for a violent offenseyou should stay locked upuntil trial. Full Stop. Andjudges that refuse to followthese rules should be heldaccountable.

Beyond bail we must alsorealize that the Criminal Codein Belize needs full renovation.

That is clear. Recently amember of Valley Watchvisited the Hattieville prisonand talked to boy in the youthsection. He was completingan 8 month sentence. He wascaught smoking marijuana withhis friends after their neighborcalled the police. Sleeping onthe bed next to him was a boywho was convicted of aviolent murder. Anotheryoung man had been there twotimes already, the latter beingfor holding a gun tosomeone’s head during arobbery. He got 6 months jailtime while the boy whosmoked pot got 8 months al-though he had no previouscriminal record. Somethingsound wrong with the system.

Clearly the newadministration has its workcut out in addressing crimeand national security. For thepast 10 years the criminaljustice system has been ascolonial as could be. If youhad the money the systemworked in your favor. Todaysadly this still rings true.Prisons are for the poor andwhatever else happenshappens.

Now is the time to start tofix this horribly brokencriminal justice system. Theunnecessary deaths of Mikeand Dona Hill and manyothers show us that ourpresent bail system iscompletely insane. When theBritish gave us this system itwas in a different era with lesscrime and less danger. Usingthe bail system today forviolent crimes makes no senseat all and subjects all of us tolive in danger and in fear.Obviously our criminal lawsneed to be overhauled. So thequestion for the new UDPgovernment is, if not now thenwhen? And if not by youthen by whom?

Yours sincerely,

A Concerned MemberValley Watch Crime PreventionCommunityP.O. Box 53San Ignacio, Cayo District.

-PAID AD-


SANTA ELENA TOWN, CayoDistrict, Thursday, July 17, 2008: His personal 12 gauge shotgun wasstolen, but despite the lost, GonzaloCarrillo, 63, Belizean watchman,employed by Western Gas Company,is happy to be alive to tell the story. In a statement to San IgnacioPolice, Carrillo, who has beenworking as a watchman at WesternGas Company for over 2 years,informed that it was shortly 1:00 a.m.,on Sunday, June 29, whilst patrollingthe compound, when he stopped topour a cup of coffee from histhermos. He said that he momentarilyrested his 12 gauge shotgun againstthe wall of a building on the compoundwhen suddenly two unmasked youngmale persons of dark complexionappeared as if out of thin air.

Position: Land Information Officer

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Specialization: Must be knowledgeable in the operation of Cadatra VLand Registration SystemsMust be knowledgeable in the operation of Geographic InformationSystemsMust have basic knowledge in Air Photo Interpretation/Remote Sensing

Duties/Responsibilities:· Assist in the development and maintenance of an up-to-date Land/Geographic Information System, for the Land and SurveysDepartment;· Assist in establishing quality control and accuracy standards forRegistry Index Maps;· Assist with Environmental and Physical Planning activities to en-sure the most beneficial use of available Land Information Data is reflectedin relevant projects;· Assist with the coordination of various sections in theDepartment with a view to ensure the collection and recording of LandInformation Data for computer compatibility;· Oversee/supervise GIS application, update/improve maps andimprove data quality;· Conduct GIS training for staff· Work along with CCAD/NASA

Salary: Payscale 14 of $23, 220 x $960 - $41, 460

Deadline for applications:Interested persons in possession of the requisite qualifications are to sub-mit their application to the Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of NaturalResources and the Environment, Market Square, City of Belmopan nolater than 25th July, 2008.

VACANCY NOTICELAND INFORMATION OFFICER

LAND AND SURVEYS DEPARTMENTMINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND

THE ENVIRONMENTGOVERNMENT OF BELIZE

Gonzalo Carrillo, 63

One of themtook possessionof the shotgunand struck himwith the buttagainst the leftear. He grabbedthe other boy bythe throat andwrestled him tothe woodenverandah floorof the building.Whilst strug-gling with theaccomplice, theone with thes h o t g u nstabbed him several times in theback with the barrel of the gun.

He told the police that the woundto the left ear, which by this time wasbleeding profusely, and the stabs tohis back, were very painful and so hereleased the hold he had on theunarmed boy. As he stood up to regaincomposure, he watched as the armedyouth pulled back the hammer of theshotgun, pointed to his chest at closerange and pulled the trigger.

The gun snapped – There was nocartridge inside. Carrillo said thathe removed the cartridge beforeresting the shotgun against thebuilding. The boy reportedly cracked thebarrel, looked inside the chamber andrealized that the gun was empty. Henevertheless, took the gun and bothboys jumped over a cement sectionof the fence and ran up the WesternHighway subsequently disappearinginto the darkness. The watchman contacted the policeby telephone and they arrived about20 minutes later, but by then the boyshad already disappeared out of sight. The police request that he betransported to the hospital formedical attention but he chose toremain on duty as he did not want toabandon his work site. His son arrived about 5 hours laterand he handed over duty to his son.Carrillo then boarded his pickup truckand drove to the San IgnacioHospital were he was treated andreleased. As the investigation continues,police have neither recovered thestolen shotgun nor has anyone beenarrested and charged for the crime.

SAN IGNACIO TOWN, CayoDistrict, Tuesday, July 15, 2008: A male Belizean and a femaleGuatemalan laborer were arrestedand charged for burglarizing the homeof an American volunteer. San Ignacio police reportsthat over this past weekend,Barbara Brodman, 64, American,volunteer, residing in SelenaVillage reported that her residencewas broken and stolen therefromwere an assortment of householditems and tools valued at BZ$10,350.being the property of BarbaraBrodman. Prompt action on the part of Cpl.38 Denroy Barrow and his team ledto the discovery of most of themissing items resulting in the arrest of

Guillermo Duarte, 19, Belizeanlaborer of Selena Village andMarbyn Lima Arevalo, 25,Guatemalan laborer from the villageof Unitedville. Both defendants appeared in SanIgnacio’s Magistrate on Monday, July15, where they pleaded not guilty tothe charge. Prosecutor GeorgeGomez objected to bail on thegrounds that more items are beingrecovered and their release couldadversely affect the ongoinginvestigation. Magistrate KathleneLewis concurred with theprosecution’s submission and bothaccused persons were remanded toprison for the next 5 days toreappear in court on Monday, July 21,2008.


SANTA ELENA TOWN, CayoDistrict, Thursday, July 17, 2008: The surveillance camera recordedthe entire incident in less than a minuteas two unmasked young men of darkcomplexion pulled off a robbery at theCP Gas Station located a the cornerof the Western Highway and CarilloPuerto Avenue in Santa Elena Town. Owner of the CP Gas Station,Norberto Rancheran, informed thatthe surveillance equipment clocked theincident at exactly 9:53 p.m., whenthe two individuals rushed in from offthe Carillo Puerto Avenue side of thebuilding. One of the robbers, armed with ashiny handgun rushed towards aperson who was sitting against thebuilding, probably suspecting that hewas the station’s armed watchman.He reportedly demanded thatthe person hand over the gun butwhen he realized that the person wasnot the watchman, he neverthelessproceeded to search him and in theprocess relieving him of his cellulartelephone. The other individual, unarmed,rushed over to the gas pump wherethe attendant was serving a customer.The customer had just paid a $150gas purchase. The unarmed assailantreportedly grabbed the cash from theattendant and demanded that he handover all the money in his possession. A surveillance recording of the

incident shows that the unarmedassailant was able to pull off the act inthe presence of four persons, beingthe attendant, the customer and twoother male persons who werehanging around the station prior to theincident. After jacking the cellular phonefrom the man sitting against thebuilding, the armed attacker rushedover to the area where theaccomplice was relieving the attendantof the cash. They then fled the scene,with an undisclosed amount of cash.They ran down Carillo PuertoAvenue and took the first right turninto Teachers’ Lane and disappearedinto the darkness. The surveillance equipment

additionally shows that the entireincident took place while the armedwatchman was busy chatting on hiscellular telephone as he was strollingnear the back of the station. Hearrived on the scene a few secondsafter the robbery and was still busyon his telephone. Police arrive about five minutesafter the incident and according toinformation reaching us, instead ofmounting an immediate search in thearea; for whatever reason theyremained at the station interviewingthose who witnessed the incident. A copy of the recording washanded over to the police. Five dayslater the police are yet to make anarrest as investigations continue.

CP Gas Station at the corner of the Western Highway andCarillo Puerto Avenue in Santa Elena Town, Cayo

#6 Hudson Street, San Ignacio,

Cayo.Tel: 824-2101


BWS SHAREHOLDER CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORMTITLE:_____________ (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.)

NAME (S): ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

ADDRESS:____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

TEL. NO: ________________ EMAIL :_______________________

SHARE CERTIFICATE NO: _______ NUMBER OF SHARES:____________

SIGNATURE:_______________________________

Juan Garcia walked into Joe’s CoolClub on the Western Highway inSanta Elena. He strolled straight upto the bar and said to the bartender“Let me have a quart of Less,please.” “Sorry buddy,” said the bartenderlooking slightly puzzled, "In all the

After spending several hours inJoe’s Cool Club, Juan Garciastaggered out of the bar just as theambulance was racing past, sirenwailing and lights flashing. Immediately, the obviously drunkJuan Garcia starts chasing theambulance down the Western

year that I have been bartending,I have never come across that oneyet. Tell me, is it a rum, a gin ora whiskey?” "I have no idea," replied Garcia."I went to see my doctor lastweek and he told me that I shoulddrink Less."

Highway, running as fast as he coulduntil he eventually collapsed near theSocial Security Branch Office,gasping for breath. In a last act of desperation heshouts after the ambulance, "If that'sthe way you want it, you can keepyour bloody ice creams!"

All shareholders are asked to inform us of any change of addressespecially those who did not receive their AGM circular last year. Kindlyfill in the form below with your updated address and return thecompleted form to the address below or send via fax to 222-4263.

The Board of Directors of BWS is pleased to announce dividends of 7.8cents ($0.078) per share for the year 2007/2008. Dividend cheques willbe available for pickup commencing on Monday 28th July at our headoffice on Central American Blvd. in Belize City during normal workinghours. Each shareholder is asked to please bring along a valididentification when picking up their cheque. Cheques not picked upby Friday 15th August 2008 will be mailed out to shareholders.

For Shareholder information, contact:

Belize Water Services Limited, P.O. Box 150, Central American Boulevard, Belize City, BelizeTel: 222-4757 ext: 233 or 241Fax: 222-4263Email: [email protected]


VACANCYManager

Institute for Technical Vocational Education & Training (ITVET)

A Vacancy exists for the Manager at Institute for Technical Vocational Education & Training (ITVET) StannCreek.

Educational Requirements & Experience:

- Masters Degree in Educational Leadership/ Business Administration or any related field.- A minimum of 3-5yrs experience in the Management and Administration of an Educational Institution or Business.

Abilities and characteristics:- A strong Technical Vocational Education vision- Experience working with a diverse community of staff and trainees.- Ability to establish and maintain an effective administrative and institutional structure that encourages cooperation and collaboration among all.- Familiar with the Philosophy of Competency Based Education (CBE)- Proven ability to communicate effectively.

Responsibilities / Duties:

- Coordinate with Instructors and Employment Training and Educational Services(ETES) in planning, directing, coordinating all operations of the ITVET.- Prepare annual budgets for ITVET- Manage the institution’s finances.- Establish and maintain strong relationships with business and industry.- Establish and maintain an effective inventory system for all materials, supplies and equipment.- Establish and promote high standards and expectations for all trainees and staff for good performance- Research and collect data regarding the needs of trainees, program offerings and any other information related to the ITVET effectiveness and improvement.- Complete in a timely fashion, all records and reports as requested by ETES and Ministry of Education.- Any other duties assigned.

Salary:- In accordance with government regulations

Deadline:

- The deadline for submission of application along with curriculum vitae and two letters of reference is Thursday, July 24, 2008.

Send to:The Director

Employment Training Education ServicesMahogany Street Extension

Belize City

WASHINGTON, (AP) Friday,July 18, 2:55 AM EDTBy LAURIE KELLMANAssociated Press Writer President Bush has been a“total failure” in everything fromthe economy to the war to energypolicy. House Speaker NancyPelosi said Thursday. In an interview on CNN, theCalifornia Democrat was asked torespond to video of the presidentcriticizing the Democratic ledCongress for heading into the final 26days of the legislative sessionwithout having passed a singlegovernment spending bill. Pelosi shot back in unusuallypersonal terms. “You know, Godbless him, bless his heart,president of the United States,a total failure,losing allcredibility with the Americanpeople on the economy, on thewar, on energy, you name thesubject,” Pelosi replied. She thentsk-tsked Bush for “ChallengingCongress when we are trying tosweep up after his mess over andover and over again.” White House spokeswomanDana Perino defended Bush. “Whatthe president said is a fact - this isthe longest a Congress has gonein 20 years without passing asingle spending bill, so it’s clearthat the speaker is feeling somefrustration at their inability to doso.” Pelosi’s outburst was a departure.Her usual practice in public has beena call to Bush’s policies a failure - nothis presidency or him, personally.Pelosi’s remarks are the latestevidence of the Democrats’thrown-caut ion-to- the-windapproach to Bush in the waningdays of a presidency weighed downby an unpopular war and soaringgasoline prices. Election Day, after all, is just over4 months away; Bush’s successortakes his seat on Jan. 20. Pelosi’s counterpart in the Senate.,Majority Leader Harry Reid, longago took off the rhetorical gloves. Lastmonth, he ridiculed Republicans whosided with Bush on a Medicare bill. “Who would be afraid of him?”Reid, D-Nev., said as many senatorslooked on. “He’s got a 29%approval rating.” The public’s view of Congress iseven worse. It’s approval rating hashit a new low of just 18 percent, downfrom 23 percent last monthaccording to a new AP-Ipsos poll.Bush’s approval is at 28 percentabout even with the 29 percent ratinglast month. Only 16 percent of those surveyedthrough the country was moving in theright direction, a new low as well,although statistically the same as lastmonth’s 17 percent. Last week Reid and otherDemocrats dropped any pretense of

trying to fight the president on battlesthey were likely to lose - even on themost important part of their jobs,which is passing spending bills thatkeep the government running. “Of the 12 annualappropriations bills, Congressis likely to pass one or two andsend Bush a temporary spendingfix for the rest. That wouldhave to suffice until a newpresident takes office,” Reid told

reporters. Privately, Democrats have said thateither candidate for president -Democrat Barack Obama orRepublican John McCain - Would beeasier to make laws with than Bush.But Reid made clear which he’sprefer. “I would hope that before wewould leave here this year that wewould do a continuing resolutionthat would get us (through) untilafter Senator Obama becomespresident,” he said.

President George W. Bush (L)and House Speaker Nancy

Pelosi (R)


values inherited through the processof education and socialisation, oftenimpacts their work. It is a difficultand often financially unrewardingprofession. Ladies and Gentlemen: Iunderstand the intricacies of yourprofession, having trained and workas a journalist in Antigua and Barbudaduring the 1980s and 1990s. Fromthe vineyards of Radio ZDK to theAntigua Broadcasting Service asNews and Sports Reporter, NewsEditor and Stringer for the thenRadio Antilles and the CaribbeanNews Agency (CANA), I learnedthe sense of responsibility, howprecious time and deadlines are andthe burden of unbiased reporting. The training that I received fromthe Caribbean Institute of MassCommunications (CARIMAC), at theUniversity of the West Indies, MonaCampus, Jamaica, to the lectures ofProfessor Rex Nettleford, CarlStone and Trevor Monroe,provided a keen sense of“Caribbean Identity” from the“Struggle and the Conquest”, inan unending Caribbean story, whichprofoundly impacted my sensibility,of the importance of Caribbeanfootprints of development. Those footprints include the legacy

of CARIFTA, which had its genesishere in Antigua, and the progressionthrough the Common Market to theestablishment of the CSME. The progress towards the CSMEwas one of the focuses of discussionduring the recently concludedTwenty-Ninth Meeting of theConference of Heads of Government. Our leaders are very much awareof the challenges we face,individually and collectively, and theimpact of these challenges based onnational resources and levels ofdevelopment. These challengesinclude the Rising Cost of Living (foodand fuel increases), pressures on someMember States’ social services as aresult of the Free Movement of Skills,and the escalation of crime andviolence, and downturns in the globaleconomy. It would be a mistake to believe thatthe task of integration and craftingstrategies and mechanisms to respondto the new challenges are solely theresponsibility of politicians orGovernments of CARICOM. Everyone has a role to play andNewspaper Editors moreso thanothers, given their unique position andinfluence both on the product of theirrespective enterprises and theirimpact on public opinion. It istherefore not only what is written

and broadcast, but HOW it istransmitted. That is why I believe it is of theutmost importance for the media tobe well-informed on issues relating toour Region for that our people receivefair, full and focussed stories on theissues that are so important to theirdevelopment. In this way journalistsand Newspaper Editors cancontribute to the promotion ofregional integration and makeour people fully aware andknowledgeable about the benefits ofthe Single Market. I dare to suggestthat journalists and NewspaperEditors can promote the integrationmovement and the CSME through thefollowing- If not already in existence, thecreation of a dedicated section in yournewspapers promoting the CSMEand its benefits, especially the rightsof citizens; Utilizing more prominently the Artsand Entertainment section ofnewspapers to advance the CSME; Interview key Government andPrivate Sector representatives on theeconomic successes of the CSME,and Make a conscious effort to explorethe functional cooperation andsectoral issues which have improvedthe lives of the people of our Region.

Apart from those, there is need fora re-engagement of the Caribbeanpublic pertaining to the CSME. Anengagement which involves all strataof society in order to tweak thearrangements contained in theRevised Treaty. Furthermore, we are of the viewthat when every there are signalsof difficulties, surrounding theimplementation of the provisions ofthe Revised Treaty, the Organs ofCARICOM must demonstrateflexibility. Accordingly, we wish toexpress our appreciation to theCouncil for Trade and EconomicDevelopment (COTED) and theHeads of Government for grantingAntigua and Barbuda’s requestrelating to the Article 164 derogationon the treatment of flour. Given theunpredictability of the globalenvironment, it is expected that inthe future, countries will seek totrigger derogations in order to copewith the unpredictable changesimpacting their respective economies. In closing, please accept my bestwishes for fruitful deliberations whichwill lead to improved informationflows on the great things that arehappening in our Region. I hope thatnotwithstanding all this hard work, youwill have some time to enjoy thewarmth and hospitality of the peopleof Antigua and Barbuda.Thank you.

From Page 3


For RESERVATIONSPlease Call us at:

804-3052

#6 Hudson Street, San Ignacio, Cayo.Tel: 824-2101


expressed surprise at knowing that allthis excitement and nature washappening in their own beautifulcountry. Many of them also left witha better appreciation of Belize. After two weeks in the lap ofnature they all returned to theirrespective communities as winners. On behalf of the gratefulparticipants, we take this opportunityto thank the Government of Belizeand the dedicated members of theBDF camp staff for dedicating theirtime and expertise in making thecamp a memorable and educationalexperience. We trust that these annual camp willcontinue into the future as ourchildren are certainly in need ofconstructive, stimulating and positiveactivities especially during the longsummer vacation. We must therefore continue

Headquarters in Belmopan. Casanova was flung a considerabledistance from the point of impact andis believed to have died on the spotas he was pronounced dead on arrivalat the San Ignacio Town Hospital. Court records revealed thatalthough this is the first time that PCCob is facing a manslaughter bynegligence charge; he has appeared

From Front Page in San Ignacio’s Magistrate Court, onat least two previous occasions, ontraffic related charges one of whichwas on December 19, 2005 when hewas charged with driving without duecare and attention as well as drivingwith alcohol concentration above theprescribed limit. He has thus farmanaged to overcome all previouscharges. PC Cob, who was slated to report

From Front Page

Notice is hereby given that under theIntoxicating Liquor LicenseOrdinance Chapter 150 of theLaws of Belize, Revised Edition2000, that MARVIN ESCALERAis applying for a NIGHT CLUBLIQUOR LICENSE for theyear 2008 to operate COCOPELElocated on Hudson Street,San Ignacio Town, in the CayoDistrict.

Notice is hereby given that under theIntoxicating Liquor LicenseOrdinance Chapter 150 of the Lawsof Belize, Revised Edition 2000, thatZHAOAN CHEN is applying fora MALT & CIDER LIQUORLICENSE for the year 2008 tooperate WINNIE SUPERMARKET located at the corner fofBenque Road and 18th Street, SanIgnacio Town, in the Cayo District.

for duty today, July 16, on transfer toPatrol Branch at Eastern Division inBelize City, has consequently been

placed on interdiction from activeduty pending the outcome of theselatest charges.

focusing on our children as they arethe future of Belize and on theirshoulders will rest the task ofbuilding and maintaining a betterBelize.

sunday, july 20, 2008 - star - tel:- 626-8822 & 626-3788...

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