THE COUNT DOWN IS ON IN BELIZE

As the countdown begins for the upcoming town board elections, Hon. Johnny Briceno was in Corozal today canvasing with the PUP hopefuls.

It is anybody's guess what will be the outcome of this year's elections. The voice on the streets of Corozal is saying the PUPs will win but I am not sure. I guess for once I will wait until the last vote is counted becuse while many are crying for change, the UDP Government is pumping money into the streets of Corozal. Some one commented that it was not a very good job but the reality is it is happening and just when things couldn't get worst the streets are in a very bad shape here in Corozal. Then there is the fallen price on the gallon of gasoline at the pumps.

So while some things get worst, some things do get better.

At this time I urge all citizens of Corozal and countrywide who can vote to do so in the upcoming elections. Remember, your vote is the best thing you can give your country.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Brenda

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FATHER OF THE NATION

Today is the 90th Birthday of the Right Honourable George Cadle Price.

The Premier of British Honduras who is best known as the Father of the Green Revolution in Belize and Belize’s first Prime Minister today celebrated his birthday surrounded by children of Belize and many of his near and dearest colleagues.
George Cadle Price is considered alongside Monrad Metzgen as one of the principal architects of that country's independence. Born in Belize City, he entered politics in 1947 with his election to the Belize City Council. Three years later, on September 29, 1950, he cofounded the People's United Party, which he led for four decades and which was devoted to the political and economic independence of the British colony, then known as British Honduras.

Education and Early Political Activities
Price was never educated further than St. John's College High School (SJC did not have a sixth form until the 1960s.) While there, however, he was exposed to the teachings of Catholic social justice, in particular the encyclical Rerum Novarum. Upon graduation Price attached himself to local business man Robert Turton as his private secretary. He also rallied a few SJC graduates, some of them later members of the PUP, to contest elections in 1944 and 1947 for the local Town Board, being successful in 1947. Price also contributed to the Belize Billboard, then run by Phillip Goldson.


Later Political Career
Price, upon the formation of the PC in 1950, was named its Assistant Secretary, and in a famous speech later that year claimed that "National Unity" propelled the PC's actions. With the formation of the PUP Price's stature rose and he ascended through the party ranks until he became leader following a dispute in 1956.
Elected to the colony's Legislative Council in 1954, he also served as mayor of Belize City from 1956 to 1962. In 1956 became also leader of the PUP. As First Minister, a post he held since 1961, he led the team which began negotiations over independence with Great Britain. He maintained that post as premier in 1964.
In 1981 Belize gained its independence, and Price served as the country's first prime minister and foreign minister until 1984. After the PUP's defeat in the elections by the United Democratic Party under Manuel Esquivel, he resumed the post of prime minister in 1989, serving until 1993, when he was again replaced by Esquivel.
In 1982, Price became a member of the United Kingdom's Privy Council. In October 1996 he announced his resignation as party leader, and on November 10, 1996 was formally succeeded by Said Musa.

Honours
In September 2000, Price became the first person to receive Belize's highest honour, the Order of National Hero, for the prominent role he played in leading his country to independence. He has received similar honours in other Caribbean and Central American countries

TOWN BOARD ELECTIONS COMING IN MARCH

At 9am yesterday I was going across the border into Chetumal, Mexico. Last week I noted that the grass on the side of the highway was being cut by a government owned machine. The garbage that was then apparent in the fallen bushes was just terrible. I took a mental note of it and decided that I would have to make a comment on it to someone because visitors by road see that when they enter Belize from the North.

Well, like I was saying at 9am yesterday I was going over into Mexico and was greeted by a little army of red t-shirters working away at cleaning the mess on the road side. The UDP candidates of the Corozal Bay Division were busy cleaning. Hats off to these Corozalenos who are doing a wonderful job so we can see what they will be doing for us IF elected as the new Town Board.

I am not one to criticize politicians but a thought entered my head. I HOPE THIS IS NOT ONLY A PRE-ELECTION MOVE. I will be looking on to see if they do the same IF they win the elections. You see, for some reason we only see and hear politicians at election time and that is getting weary.

At this time let me ask that no politician visit my house on their campaign trail. I can't bear to listen to the promises. I was never one for politics and I never will be. Just do your thing and leave me out of it. I will vote on election day and MAY THE BEST PERSONS WIN!

NOTE I SAID PERSONS. IT IS TIME TO STOP THINKING PARTY WISE. LET US LOOK AT THE BEST SET OF PEOPLE. IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO LEARN TO WORK TOGETHER FOR US.

Have a great day.
Ms. B

NICH President, Diane Haylock, returned to work today and as we reported last week, she found herself in the middle of a war waged with clear battle lines. Haylock’s boss, Minister Marcel Cardona and the NICH Board members want her removed as president and Prime Minister Dean Barrow is standing up in her defense. News Five tried reaching Haylock for comment on how the controversial agreement between herself and developer David Gegg, managed to make it past Cardona and the Board but she was in meetings all day, presumably explaining the contract. And while the P.M. has instructed the NICH Board to revert its decision to fire Haylock, tomorrow, it will be Cardona’s turn to flex muscles when Cabinet meets. News Five is privy to news that Cardona’s intention will be to ask Cabinet Ministers to support the move to fire Haylock over the agreement. Cardona is asking for support from his colleagues on “whether Diane Haylock’s over-handed and unilateral actions without involving me or the Board especially on a major contract with long-term policy implications over the use of our archaeological sites, constitutes an abuse of her power and justifies her immediate termination”. The matter reportedly played out in last week’s Cabinet meeting and we understand that fellow ministers sided with Cardona’s view. The question still remains on how things will fare off between the minister and the president, given the bad blood that exists.

MONEY LAUNDERING BIG BUSINESS IN SMALL BELIZE

James Gerou is back in police custody. The thirty-seven year old American baseball player allegedly got away from the Queen Street station on Friday before police could charge him in connection with the discovery of over a million and a half dollars, mostly in Belize currency in the biggest case of money laundering to be known. His common-law wife and attorney maintained that Gerou did not escape, but rather left voluntarily because he was not detained or informed that he would be charged. Because the police indicated last week that Gerou was a suspect, it was expected that he would appear in court today. However, at the close of court Gerou was once again a no-show. News Five understands that the authorities did not prepare a charge sheet in time for today’s session. He is now expected to go to court on Tuesday. On Friday Gerou’s common-law wife, Melonie Coye along with her parents Marlene and Michael, were charged with Money Laundering. This followed a raid at their home on Johnson Street in Belize City on New Year’s Eve in which police discovered large sums of cash stashed inside a suitcase in one of the bedrooms. The family, which operates the business, MoneyGram, claims that the funds are legal and that during the business Christmas season, they just didn’t have time to deposit it. Police are still on the lookout for Melonie’s brother, Jude Coye, in connection with the crime.

WHEN WE HAVE TO GIVE A HELPING HAND TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE

January 3rd is here. Already three days into the new year. We must have plans as to what we want this year to be like. I know I have much that I want to do and things I want to enjoy. So far Christmas and the New Year were both wonderful. I usually have a great time with Carolyn and Ciarra and while I missed them tremendously this year I was okay. It would have been complete if they were all here but we phoned and that helped.

How time flies when you are busy still amazes me. There is so much we can be doing that would be insignificant and so much we can do that can add meaning to our lives. I trust that each and everyone one in the Yo Puedo Group realizes that we are not here on this earth to sit back and let others do things for us. We have got to take control of our surroundings.

This goes for things we think the government should do for us all that we can do for ourselves. Since the time of Mayor Olga Marin, the people of Corozal have been used to the idea of cleaning the area outside of their fences. Well, guess what? I think it is time for the Mayor, Mr. Hilberto Campos to go one step further. The drains are in a deplorable state and we need to help keep them clean. Especially if you have a glutted drain in front of your house, and it rains, the water will be unable to flow. You then are faced with a health problem for it becomes a breathing place for mosquitoes and mosquitoes bring dengue. Presently, Fifth Avenue in the area south, two blocks up from the Civic Centre has stagnant water. I believe that something needs to be done, and done fast! Let's not wait for things to get bad. Let's work together and make Corozal a better place in which we live.

Now, let's not think that we are responsible for everything in this beautiful jewel we call Belize. The streets need to be fixed. Let's leave that to the government with a notice. The tourist looks at three things when they visit:
the streets, the people and how clean the country is.

Let's work so that Corozal can be beautiful. Remember: we each have a role in this life time and mine is to help others see that Corozal can be a top class country.

Members of the Yo Puedo group, you can help make a difference. It is time to start telling the mayor about the streets and start cleaning the drains in front of your homes.

Todos digan YO PUEDO!!

With Love,
Ms B
President
Yo Puedo Group
Corozal Town, Belize

HAPPY NEW YEAR CAROLYN AND CIARRA

Dearest Carolyn,
This was the first year I was unable to be with you all for Christmas and New Years Day is here and I am filled with so much love and wishes for you. Daughter, you have been and will always be the joy of my life. You have been loved from the moment I found out I was carrying you in my womb. The love your father and I had for each other and the love we had when you arrived was special.

Over the years I became a single parent and that did not stop me from seeing you through high school, Sixth Form and University. Today you are thousands of miles away in Georgia, USA but you remain in my heart as the ray of sunshine that has brightened and guided me over the years.

I wish you all the best, Bibs. If Tia Brenda and Chichi were alive I know they would be so proud of all that you have achieved. I know that I am proud of you and have always been proud of you. Your successes are my successes. Keep on attaining that star that shines in your eyes and heart.

As we move into 2009, I look forward to seeing you and being with you. Keep on smiling and joking and being the best friend a mother could ask for. Baby girl, you are my greatest achievement. You are the best poem I have ever written, the best song I have ever sung and the best speech I have ever given. Reach for the unreachable and remember that you can be all you want to be.

Just say I CAN and you will be surprised at how much you will be able to do.

I love you and always will.
Mama



Ciarra, my little princess,
From the first moment I held you in my arms I knew you were grandma's girl. You are my joy and my peace. You are my blooming lily, my walking happiness. God Bless you my little angel. You are loved and you are cared for. Keep on making us proud of you. Keep on smiling and keep on learning.

Your journey of life has just begun. You have much to achieve and you will!

I love you and I miss you.

Grandma's special little star, know this: I will always be there for you. Reach out and take my hand.

All my love and kisses,
Grandma Brenda

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!

TO ALL MY STUDENTS AT CCC ACE AND CJC ACE, ALL MY FAMILY ALL OVER THE WORLD, TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND TO ALL MY READERS. HERE'S WISHING THAT YOUR NEW YEAR IS EVEN BETTER THAN THE OLD ONE WAS.

TO MY DAUGHTER, CAROLYN; MY GRANDDAUGHTER, CIARRA; MY SON-IN-LAW, MIYA, MY MENTOR, COMPANION AND FRIEND, ABEL, ALEJANDRA, TRICCIA, MARIA LUISA, ROSA ABRIL, OSCAR AND GLENDA- YOU HAVE ALL BLESSED MY LIFE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST BECAUSE YOU ARE A PART OF MY BEST. MY LOVE FOR YOU ALL GOES OUT AT THIS TIME WITH BEST WISHES FOR YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

BEST WISHES FOR A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR,EVERYONE!