Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
Mahler Says This Might Be His Last Term, “Politics is Difficult”
Anthony Mahler, he was first elected to be the Pickstock Area Rep in 2020 – and actually won by default in 2025 – but the Minister of Tourism says he’s just about had it with the current state of politics.
Mahler today suggested that this may just be his last term in politics.
Today, in a raw assessment of the state of things, Mahler explained that politics is difficult and it is getting much harder – leading him to a terminal conclusion:
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“This takes a toll on you, you know. This takes a toll on you. Before I came here, I saw about seventy-five people at my office, and the needs are getting great. Social media has created a different expectation on people, and so it takes a toll on you to try to find the resources to help everybody or as many people as possible.”
Reporter
“You’re saying politics has become more difficult.”
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“It has. In fact, I spoke to somebody close to right honorable Said Musa, and he said when the prime minister was the prime minister then, that right now, if you look at it, one year is equivalent to three years for them.”
“So by the end of this term, I would have done 30. So that’s a long time.”
Reporter
“Are you giving that serious thought to retire? Like, could this be your last term?”
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“Yeah, it could be. And I’m saying it to the nation.”
Mahler For Leader? He Supports Briceno
And one former colleague who’ll be sad to see him go is Shyne Barrow who recently gave Mahler his flowers when he spoke on a New York radio show.
Barrow said that Mahler was one of the best tourism ministers Belize has ever had.
So, even though he says he’s walking away, with all the goodwill that he’s developed, would Mahler consider a run for Party Leader?
He explained that he would still support the PM:
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“We’ve had many discussions about where we see Belize in the future and where we see our people will be in the future. And so it’s just mutual respect from both of us. I am proud of what he’s doing right now.”
“Nothing keeps him down, whether it’s jail or losing the election in Messop, he still rises. And that’s a good story to tell for anybody.”
Reporter
“Minister, in relation…”
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“To answer your question. No, sir. John Briceno is a leader of the People’s United Party. And whenever that decision is made, when he decides to retire, maybe I retire with him. And who knows?”
Are Rep Usher Holds The New Line on Speednet Acquisition: The People, Not The Board Will Decide
And we also spoke to another ranking PUP today, and that’s Minister of State Gilroy Usher Sr. You don’t see him on the news too often – but today he invited the media to an event for first-time landowners.
You’ll see that later in the news – but we asked him how he feels about the Speednet acquisition. He held the new party line:let the people – not the BTL board of directors decide:
Gilroy Usher, Minister of state Public Utilities
“My position is that the people BTL should consult with the people, the government should consult with the people and that the voices of the people should have the sway at the end of the day whatever the people decide. I am fully supportive of that and I believe in letting the people have their say on that matter.”
Reporter-
“So if it’s No it’s No?”
Gilroy Usher, Minister of state Public Utilities
“If it is no it is no and if they say yes it is Yes.”
Reporter-
“And then how should consultation look though?”
Gilroy Usher, Minister of state Public Utilities
“Well for consultation they need to engage with the NGO’s they need to engage with interest groups and go there and really answer the questions that the people ask, whatever questions they ask, try their best to answer the questions and then the people will decide but don’t go to, don’t say you will have a consultation but only spoon feed information that you think will persuade people to think a particular way. Give them all the facts and let the people decide.”
Reporter-
“Did BTL convince you when it made its presentation to cabinet?”
Gilroy Usher, Minister of state Public Utilities
“Well my, as a cabinet we agreed that the cabinet would delay its decision until all the consultations have been completed alright, there is much room for more robust consultation and so I will leave it at that. I will support whatever the people decide on this issue.”
Like we said, we’ll have more from Usher later on in the news.
PSU Not Happy With GOB Signals on SARA, Try To Hold Meeting with MOF
And in other news…
The PSU and the NTUCB continue to wrestle with the Ministry of Finance over the future shape of the Semi Autonomous Revenue Authority.
Today, the unions sent a letter to the Financial. Secretary saying that the current proposal for the Transition of the Belize Tax Service Department to a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority is inconsistent with the agreement reached with the unions.
And that’s why members of The Public Service Union of Belize and the National Trade Union Congress showed up at the Eleanor Hall building this afternoon to meet with the Fin Sec and CEO of the Ministry of Public Service to discuss the Transition.
The PSU is representing public officers who currently work in the Belize Tax Service Department as their bargaining agents. But there was nothing they could bargain for today because the Fin Sec and the CEO were at the Eleanor Hall meeting – but not to meet with the unions. PSU President Dean Flowers explained to us outside:
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“The purpose of our presence here today is that the Financial secretary would have summoned a meeting to address, the continued discussion and dialogue, on the BTSD transitioning into a semi-autonomous revenue authority.So, we came here today, with the hope of continuing that dialogue to ensure that the Belizean people get value for money, where $28 million in taxpayers dollars have been expended without any, justification as to how it was spent and what was achieved as a result of that. And also moving past that, we would have discussed the government’s proposal to transition BTSD into a semi-autonomous revenue authority. Unfortunately, we got here and, without any real communication to the union. We were informed that the meeting had been canceled. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t get the opportunity to ask the financial secretary and the undersecretary or the CEO in the Ministry of Public Service their reason for not showing up to the meeting, they were here. But I guess, the presence of the employees who stood in solidarity with welcoming us today. And I must recognize that strong show of trade unionism. That is what you do. You stand beside each other to assert your position. We have a mandate from the membership. We have a mandate from the employees that are directly affected. And we have delivered that mandate to the Financial Secretary and the government of Belize, and we expect that as servants to the people that they will listen, that they will invite us back again around the negotiating table and that we will negotiate a smooth transition from a government department, if it is that it is justifiable and that we will ensure that we get it right this time, because we sure as hell did not get it right under the amalgamated Department.”
PSU Protecting Members In Belize Tax Services
As a union, Flowers says that the PSU has a mandate to ensure that the constitutionally enshrined protections are maintained, especially where it affects their members. He says that either way the members will be impacted by the outcome of the SARA transition:
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“I think the biggest one for them would be how can the Public Service Commission employ me under section 105 of the police Constitution? 105 and 106, which establishes the public service and the commission, and then you have a contracted officer telling them what will be, what will become of their career. A contracted officer in both the Financial secretary and the director general, saying to them, for you to remain in public service or for you to remain in anything that has to do with this department, you either transfer via an interview into SARA you either resign, you either transfer into the wider public service or if you over 50 you retire. These people have no power vested in them. They have a contract, a contract of 110,000 plus gratuity of 50 or 50,000. They have no power to dictate the livelihood and career development of these public officers. And this is where we have a problem, where saying to them that know your place and ensure that you’re following not only the Constitution, but the regulation and the trade union and employers and, and trade unions and employers registration act where any policy decision that could interfere or change the terms and conditions of these services, of these officers are concerned that you come and you speak with their bargaining agent through consultation and negotiation.”
Union Seeking Clarity on Membership
And aside from the impacts, Flowers says that there are several other areas of concern that are unclear to them – and one of them is what motivated this transition in the first place:
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“And we want to know what drew this policy decision. We want to know and ensure that this is not this is not another, what is the document that the Prime minister tore up in the house?”
Jo-
“The Portico agreement?”
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“The Portico Agreement. We want know that it is not another Portico agreement this that they want to transition. We want to know that this is not just another way, another unjustified SMART to BTL acquisition. We want to know that when SARA comes about, if it comes about, there was full disclosure to the Belizean people how it will be ran, how it will be accounted for. And we don’t want to hear that through an advertisement that is currently running, which effectively is saying that the department has been, is being run inefficiently, that the department cannot even get tax refunds right. Because if you listen carefully to the advertisement, it’s an indictment on the management, it’s an indictment on the management. And I don’t know how the hell they had the audacity to run something like that in public.”
Tax Department Employees Left The Office, But Not A Walkout?
And while we met Tax Service Department employees outside the office – which made it look a whole lot like a walkout…the union says it was not a walkout per se, but instead they stood by in support, while they waited for GOB to bounce the ball into their court.
Jo –
“So that’s why they walked out today and that was something that they did on their own. Correct?”
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“Yes. The officers were fully aware that there would be a meeting today and they wanted to go greet us. I mean, we’re, we’re their bargaining agents. So it wasn’t a walkout. All the public officers are entitled to a 15 minute break. And so it’s not. I wouldn’t consider it a walkout if it was a, what I call it, trust me, they won’t have walked back in. So it was not a walkout. It was a meet and greet with the leadership team.”
JO-
“So by when do you hope to come back to the negotiating table?”
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“Unfortunately, I cannot speak on behalf of the Under-Secretary. The financial Secretary, nor the Ministry of Public Service, so I wouldn’t know.”
It’s Official, PUC Approves Water Rate Hike
Your monthly water bill is officially going up. The Public Utilities Commission has issued its final decision on Belize Water Services Limited’s rate review, and the results will affect your pocketbook starting this April.
While BWS originally asked for a 20 percent rate hike, the PUC has capped that increase at 13.5 percent. For the average customer, that translates to about a 5.5 percent increase on your monthly bill.
The decision follows a review period that began late last year. While the overall rate increase was settled in November, a new “minimum charge” has been added to the final ruling.
BWS requested, and the PUC approved, a minimum bill for anyone using between 0 and 600 gallons of water. The commission says this ensures that even low-usage customers contribute their “reasonable share” of the costs required to maintain service in their area.
These new rates are locked in for the next five years, running through March of 2031.
The full 20-page decision is now available for public viewing on the PUC website at puc.bz.
BCWJ Says BCWU Abandoned Them, Here’s The Response
Last night’s headline was about the Belize Communication Workers for Justice – after BTL agreed to pay them their severance. Their leaders were thankful but noted that the union which they helped found, which is for current employees, showed them no solidarity.
Well, the Belize Communication Workers Union has fired back with a lengthy release saying those statements were misleading. They say, quote, “the BCWU has remained actively and consistently engaged with BTL and all relevant parties to ensure compliance with the Caribbean Court of Justice’s judgment, safeguarding current BTL workers’ rights, and supporting former employees affected by the matter.” End quote.
After providing a detailed timeline, they say, quote, “BCWU regrets the public attacks directed at its Executive and our membership throughout the resolution process and reiterates that every action taken was guided by the best interests, safety, and expressed mandate of its membership.”
AG Wears Dreadlocks, Secured Right For Lady Officers To Do Same, Butr Sees Things Differently For Cpl. Bol
Corporal Kenrick Bol is the Rastafarian police officer who says he should be allowed to wear well groomed dreadlocks while serving as a police officer. As we told you last night, he was warned to remove the locks and now he’s been placed on suspension for unspecified infractions.
Bol has already lawyered up – and he chose Leslie Mendez. She’s the same attorney who secured the landmark 2021 judgement where the Supreme Court affirmed that two female police officers were free to wear their dreadlocks.
Accompanying her in that landmark case was another crusading human rights attorney – Anthony Sylvester – who is now the Attorney General – basically, the government’s attorney. So, since he helped set the precedent, will he advise the police department to stand down in its action against Corporal Bol?
Well, Sylvestre sees things slightly differently now. He and News Director Jules Vasquez had a lively exchange about it:
Jules Vasquez
“Are you observing this case and are you advising on this case?”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“So so we are observing this case, and in fact, actually there’s a meeting we have tomorrow with, the police department, to specifically address the issue.”
“So, I saw, I think, in your newscast, Miss Mendez, who, my friend, by the way, we worked on that case to get an actually. And so she’s a very formidable attorney. And so I know that she is coming. She is coming good! So, so, so I won’t say too much because we haven’t formally responded to her, and, and I think it would be more prudent to, to, to, to have our response be be formalized in a letter to her, but suffice it to say, so now in this seat, I have a appreciation, a better appreciation, for the need for certain policies and rules and laws to be in place, particularly as it relates to a, a body like the police department, which must be disciplined and which must be organized. And so, as you rightly pointed out: my job is to, to, to ensure that the, is to advise.”
“So, a particular department or ministry, they may have a policy and they may have a reason, a rationale for that policy, which is, which is one of the things, courts look to.”
“Because it’s very important, as I said, the police department is, is an organized, disciplined body. And it works for all of us. And so it’s important, therefore, that we have a system in place and as well we have rules and in place that allow for them to be effective and efficient in the discharge of their, their duty as a, as a department.”
Jules Vasquez
“Are you being an acrobat here insofar as flipping positions on your own precedent, which you set in the, in the regional landmark of the Rastafari, of the woman police officers with dreadlocks. You’re going against your own judgment.”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“I like that, no, I’m not being an acrobat. I wish I were or that prolific, you know, physically, I the physical prowess.”
“No, but but but but really, cases really are fact-specific. So you have to look at the specific facts and, and so we’re still in that process. And we will properly advise the police department accordingly.”
Jules Vasquez
“But, you know, you would be accused of being at the heights of hypocrisy, AG. Because you yourself wear locks.”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“Exactly, but. I’m not an attorney general for Rastas or only persons who wear dreadlocks, but for all Belizeans and, and so I have to make a decision based on what’s in the best interests of the entire country.”
Jules Vasquez
“But, it still pertains that women with braids or with locks are able to wear those that still?”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Jules Vasquez
“So then, male officers have a different set of rights than women officers than female officers?”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“Well, again, so we would we would…There are restrictions. Obviously they’re restrictions. So, for instance, a male officer can’t wear a female police uniform. Why? So you may question me as to why? Why can’t he? So so so so they’re and they’re, they’re, they’re there’s a policy and certain rules that that are required and necessary.”
“But but certainly I, I accept that, I, I, I, I’m in the crossfire because the position that I held before and, in this, this position, I, I have different set of instructions.”
Jules Vasquez
“As a wearer of locks yourself, suppose they said in, in the cabinet and in John Briceno’s cabinet: No more dreadlocks.”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“They wouldn’t say that. (Laughs)”
Giant Steps Forward For Legal Aid Office In New Fiscal
But what Cabinet is doing – or has agreed to do – is to bring the the Legal Aid Act of 2023, into force and to establish the Legal Aid Commission in the new fiscal year.
It’s a great leap forward for the office which has never really had any formal direction. Under the new law, it will be managed by a commission which will have representation from the judiciary, DPP’s office, the bar association, the solicitor general and the human development department.
Sylvestre, who started his career in the legal aid office said it’s an important means of delivering justice to everyday people and it will provide services in specific areas:
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“And so the purpose is to allow individuals who otherwise would not have the means to be able to have legal advice and to have legal service to, to – because the services are not, and are not limited to only representation in criminal matters, but as well in civil matters – so the intention is to have representation and legal services in family matters and administration of estate matters and in a limited number of other civil matters.”
“Amongst the the services that this legal aid act seeks to provide is to extend the services to cases for emergency domestic, so, emergency services for domestic violence application.”
“Where persons who may need to seek legal, seek domestic violence, domestic violence restraining order that, outside of the the normal court hours that that service is provided.”
The full rollout will cost five million dollars – which the government will roll out over five years with one million earmarked each year.
Helping the Poor Get Grants of Administration for the Estates of Deceased Loved Ones
And, as you heard, one of the areas that the reconstituted Legal Aid office will help with is securing Grants of Administration to put the estate of deceased persons into probate. It’s a daunting and costly process for those who can’t afford an attorney. And, estates that do not go through the probate process are often subject to land theft.
We asked Sylvestre about it:
Jules Vasquez
“The administration of the estates of deceased persons is one of the greatest lacunae in the administration of public law, insofar as poor people can’t afford to get to to get that grant of administration, and it leaves the estates in abeyance, and then vultures come create false grants of administration through nefarious means, and in so doing take poor people land that has never been executed as a part of a deceased person’s estate. It is one of the greatest areas of theft from deceased persons whose estates have not been executed. Is this something that legal aid could help to address? Because the threshold of hiring a lawyer to add to to to get a grant of administration. It’s 10 to $12,000.”
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“Yes. No, no, no certainly. And so that if you were to look at the, representation in admissions of estates is specifically listed as one of the services that will be provided for those who access the legal service. And in tandem with that, I would like to share that the currently the senior courts, they are reviewing the, the, the administration of estates rules, to try to reform and try to simplify them because those as well, are, are things that are a big drawback.”
“So if a layperson wanted to, to do it, you may herself, you know, they may find it a little bit torturous. So, so that is being done in tandem with, that specific service that was with will now be available.”
The Future is Clear for SPECS 2030 Initiative
And turning now to health….Launched in 2024 The WHO SPECS 2030 initiative, is aimed at helping countries to increase the number of persons who can access eyecare by 40%.
The initiative has now made its way to Belize, solidifying partnerships with other NGO’s like BCVI, One Sight and the Essilor Luxottica Foundation. These partners met to discuss a way forward in achieving SPECS 2030’s goals in Belize. Here’s how it went. Jomarie Lanza reports.
Belize has joined alongside WHO and the 20 other countries currently engaged in the SPECS 2030 initiative, which seeks to assist 1 billion people globally with uncorrected vision impairment.
The Director of Public Health & Wellness told us how they plan to address those gaps they have identified here in Belize when it comes to improving the public access to eyecare.
Dr Melissa Diaz Musa, Director of Public Health & Wellness
“So we are here today to talk to do a launch of the WHO SPECS 2030 initiative working in collaboration with BCVI the Belize council for the visually impaired the ministry of health and wellness and one sight. WHO SPECS 2030 is a global initiative that has bene launched where they are trying to ensure that persons who have vision impairment or vision issues have readily accessible screening, cost effective services in order for them to improve their sight. As I had mentioned in the opening remarks thereabout 2.2 billion persons who suffer worldwide with visual issues and 1 billion of those persons have not had access to get tested and to get glasses to improve their vision. So this launch is just the beginning of the launch we will be working closer with BCVI because BCVI has offices in all of our facilities and BCVI and the ministry of health and wellness will work together to improve screening. So places we would like to ensure that persons are screened, schools for example we do have many students who might not have been picked up or never visited an ophthalmologist or an optometrist to determine whether or not they do need glasses for reading or for seeing the board so the initiative is to help to correct refractive errors by utilizing glasses and to help to ensure that people have easy access to these services.”
So what are the changes that we should expect to see now that Belize has joined in on the initiative? The Executive Director for BCVI explained that the project requires rigorous on the ground work.
Carla Ayres Musa, Executive Director, BCVI
“Some are looking at human resource development as a key component of SPEC’s focus as well as our focus. It is something that if you look throughout the country and you think about where can I go see an eye doctor? I can’t see properly so what are my options? At BCVI we have 5 clinics throughout the country and those are equipped or staffed by and ophthalmic assistant and an optometrist. We want to be abl to increase the reach that we have so not just waiting for people to come to us we want to be able to go go out and do more that involves, working with schools doing school screenings and it involves training community health workers and teachers and other health officers as well to be able to do basic visual acuities or assessments and refer people in for a proper eye exam but also us going out and seeing people and doing full clinics in the communities as well.”
Tow TB Cases Confirmed
Last night we broke the news on a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) in a 16-year-old female student at a Belize City High School. Well, now it’s two. A press release from the Ministry of Health and wellness today says, quote, “the diagnosis was confirmed clinically and through laboratory testing on February 12, 2026. The student attends Edward P. Yorke High School in Belize City.
The patient has been promptly initiated on appropriate anti-tuberculosis treatment and is responding well to therapy.
In addition, a household family member, a 10-year-old student at Ephesus Primary School, presented with non-specific symptoms and was evaluated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA). Based on the clinical assessment, the child was diagnosed with tuberculosis and has also been started on treatment.
Since confirmation of these cases, the MoHW has notified the respective schools and has initiated standard public health protocols. Contact tracing is currently underway to identify and assess individuals who may have been in close contact with the cases. Appropriate screening and follow-up measures are being conducted in accordance with national TB guidelines.”
The Ministries continue to monitor the situation closely and remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of all students and the wider communities.
The Superflu Came to Belize in Early January
In other health news….At the beginning of the year the flu bug was making its rounds in homes, schools and in offices. And when we spoke with the director of Public Health & Wellness today she revealed that they did see an increase in an influenza strain in Belize that was also spreading in the US and Canada. Dr Diaz Musa says that the ministry does still provide extensive testing for these viruses and with that they also have vaccines available. She gave us more details on that today.
Dr Melissa Diaz Musa, Director of Public Health & Wellness
“In January we saw an increase in H2N3 which is an influenza virus and that is the subtype of the virus that was the one that was spreading in the United States in Canada in different areas and we are able to test at the central medical lab again we test for Influenza A, Influenza B, Covid and many of the other viral infections the recent report shows that it has become now stagnant and hopefully we will see a fall in this I also want to take this opportunity to say that we also have the flu vaccine available at every health facility, private and public and the pneumococcal vaccine that helps to prevent pneumonias and other diseases in children and adults so I encourage you all to go out and get this as soon as possible.”
Meds for the Mentally Ill Scarce?
In addition to Vaccines in stock, we also asked about a shortage in medication for mental health patients that reportedly ran out some time ago. Musa gave us an update on that stock as well.
Dr Melissa Diaz Musa, Director of Public Health & Wellness
“I know that in 2025, we had addressed that in numerous interviews before we did have stock outs of certain medications and as I have said we are improving our supply chain management and we don’t envision that it will be a problem for the upcoming months.”
“At this point we do not have an issue with shortage of mental health medication because our stocks have been coming in up to date now and we are trying to ensure that each facility has the stock that is needed. We do know and at this point we are trying to strengthen our supply chain management and in the supply chain management there are many aspects, communication amongst staff, forecasting there are many things that we are looking at in order to improve the system and ensure we do not have stock outs.”
Keeping Health Inspectors in Line
And, in other health related news, over the years, there have been steady reports that health inspectors are being induced not to conduct their inspections or submit accurate reports to the ministry. We took up those allegations with Dr Diaz today and Here’s how she responded.
Dr Melissa Diaz Musa, Director of Public Health & Wellness
“Well I really don’t know where you are getting your reports but that is absolutely not true we have not heard anything like that and anytime we hear or anytime something like that comes out we do our full investigation. Our environmental health staff which includes the public health inspectors and the vector control officers work very diligently, they have significant responsibilities when it comes to public health and preventative care in our society and community and they are easily accessible and very transparent you will always see them walking around inspecting grocery stores looking at restaurants dealing with complaints, water testing so there is a wide array of services that they provide.”
“So the environmental health program. Many years ago these programs were managed under the ministry of health. We have moved away from that and these programs now come under the regions. So each region would have the staff that they monitor day to day the staff activities. There are monthly reports that are presented to us and to their technical advisors, so in headquarters we do have technical advisors or technical experts in the area who would go out and assist if there are any major concerns if these officers are not able to deal with. The public health inspectors and vector control officers also have supervisors working with them in the regions and those supervisors also report to the primary care coordinators and the deputy and regional health managers for each region.”
A Coffee Cart on The Roadside in St Matthews Celebrates Entreprenurial Vision
Coffee shop culture has caught on in Belize – and whether you travel to San Ignacio, Orange Walk, Corozal, Placencia, San Pedro or Belmopan – each has its own coffee house scene.
But, one entrepreneur took his vision for a coffee shop in a different direction. 30 year old Gerzon Tobar created a coffee cart offering hand pressed espresso and caffeinated drinks.
Jaleeza Roberts stopped by the side of the road for a sip and some coffee science:
You can find Gerzon on Instagram or at mile 39 on the George Price Highway.
Canoe Association Says Proposed Ruta Maya Ending Shows Race Has Lost Its Roots
The Belikin La Ruta Maya is scheduled to run from March 6th – 9th, but there’s dissatisfaction brewing amongst the paddlers. Discussions have been held about possibly moving the finish line from the historic Belcan bridge to the Haulover Bridge.
The Canoe Association is raising safety concerns as the Haulover Creek and portion of river under the bridge often carry a dangerous current.
We spoke via phone with Vice President of the Association, Elvin Penner who shared his feeling that commercialism is slowly killing the race as it is more about money than history or culture:
Voice of: Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoes Association
“I think the focus of the race has shift has shifted from it being about the river itself, the well-being of the river, keeping the river clean, educating paddlers and other persons about the river.”
“I hardly see that or hear that mentioned at all. I don’t see them cleaning up the river edge the way they used to. Then you have the Mayan culture. The very name says it La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge.”
“That was one main focus. Then we had the culture, the diverse culture along the river valley, all the way from San Ignacio to Belize City the culture changes, so we’re highlighting the culture. And of course, trying to make the race better for the paddlers, particularly, because they are, at the end of the day, the most important entity of the race.”
“The sponsors, make sure that the sponsors are comfortable and they want to continue sponsoring the teams. And of course, the fans and the families themselves. So that focus to me has been lost to a large extent.”
“And the race has been very much commercialized. So the commercial aspect, the business aspect of the race is, to me, what it’s focused on most nowadays, which will slowly kill the race because to us, it’s not about money. It’s about having representation out there for your company.”
Penner implores the committee to re-think its decision as it is a major investment for each team.
Cops Broke Into Her Home When She Was in Melchor
A business woman is left distraught after police officers broke into her house using a knife while she was away in Melchor.
The La Croix Boulevard resident says she has never been bothered by the police before but by the looks of the footage, it appears they were really intent at getting at something – so much so that they tried to break into her house. We spoke with homeowner Natalie Zalaya and this is what she said off camera:
Voice of: Natalie Zelaya, Home Owner
“I went to Melchor on Sunday. I left my home about nine thirty in the morning, ’cause I’m a business person. I went to pick up my purchase that I usually do, you know, on a probably ,um, daily basis. Okay, while at Melchor, about two thirty in the afternoon, my daughter called me. She said, “Uh, Mom, someone entered home.” And I was like: “Why would someone enter the home?” And then, like, she said, “Mom, I’m going to review the camera.” So she went, and she reviewed the camera. When she reviewed the camera, she saw two police with guns at my door. They were knocking, but she was not at home. So, um, they knocked, they knocked with the video that she sent me, and look like because nobody was at home, they took it on their own hands to use a knife and got into my home.”
Reporter
“Did they mention to anyone in the area why they were searching your home?”
Voice of: Natalie Zelaya, Home Owner
“No, they didn’t mention to anyone. My neighbor said that they went to search their house, but because they were at home, they didn’t get the chance to search their home. And then they just went over my yard to, um, to search my house. But what, what, what are they looking for?”
Reporter
“Have you filed a report as yet?”
Voice of: Natalie Zelaya, Home Owner
“No, I haven’t filed a report as yet because I’m trying to seek some legal advices at the moment.”
“I really feel bad because the thing is, if I never have a camera in my home I would have never known who entered my house.”
Zelaya has still not lodged an official report and is currently seeking legal advice.
Land for “Loyolans”
300 Port Loyola Constituents received land titles for the first time today. Half of them got their land in the city and half received titles for properties in the surrounding villages. Area representative, Gilroy Usher spoke with us on how significant today’s distribution was.
Gilroy Usher, Area Representative, Port Loyola
“Today we are going to enable at least 300 residents of the Port Loyola division to become first time land owners. And that is a tremendous achievement because for many years people have longed for the opportunity to own a piece of the jewel in order to build their homes build their farms and use the land as collateral to improve their families in terms of housing, education, healthcare and so on.”
“Some of the land is located in the Port Loyola area, Arlington drive, Fabers Road extension, Penn Road extension some of the land is also located in Sand Hill, 8 mile, John Smith road and Ladyville.”
“What happened is that years ago a large portion of the land on Pen Road belonged to the estate of one Mr Woods. And so government had acquired the property in 1998. So I followed it up and then I was able to identify the area for John Woods that was surveyed and I got the surveyor to survey it and then I gave it out to the people. One of the things that is good about that is that most of the residents who, most of the persons who have received land in Faber’s road, Penn Road extension are persons who have been settling on those land, living on the land, some of them for decades when it was high bush but in getting it surveyed I gave the persons who have structure there who are living there the opportunity to apply for those places first.”
Area Rep Calls For Access Roads for Village Lands
But what good is land if you cant even get to it? Some of the properties do not currently have access. Usher expressed that he hopes government will begin to allocate funds to create access roads in rural areas so more persons can get to their properties easily:
Gilroy Usher, Area Representative, Port Loyola
“When I began running in Port there was an area on Arlington Drive extension, people were living in swamp and previous area representatives said well they went to live there so leave them there. I took a different approach and so I took the necessary steps to get the place surveyed and give it out to the residents there so if you go there now you see the lots of, as a matter of fact, Hands in Hands is building a house for a family right there now, right? Yes.”
“As the area representative for Port Loyola one of the things I am pressing for is for government to allocate at least 2 million in the budget yearly for access roads because that is a problem. This government has given out more lots to Belizeans that the previous government did in 13 years but we must go a step further now and that is that providing the access roads for people to get the opportunity to develop their land because yes you have a land on John Smith road or yes you have a land in Sand hill but when you go there if there is no road for you to reach your location then it is difficult, but if they have a main road there people can manage to build a little picador or whatever to reach their land nearby but if it is just raw bush then the access road is needed so I am asking the government. To allocate 2 million in the present budget for access roads and to make a commitment to reserve at least 2 million in future budget for access roads.”
UDP San Pedro Strikes Up For Municipals
And finally tonight, The UDP Belize Rural South team held a press conference today in San Pedro Town. The goal was to discuss issues regarding municipal matters and the path towards 2027 local elections. One of the more pressing issues discussed was the dredging on the island. Senator Gabriel Zetina explained that they must protect the island more effectively:
