New phone directory published
It arrives every year around this time, the gleaming color cover so pretty that you want to mount it on the wall instead of lay it on a table or desk. But usually by the ninth of March the once new phone book is already showing signs of wear, with stray messages scrawled across the cover and certain familiar pages dog eared from constant use. By Christmas the old phone book is a disgrace, so tattered that you hesitate to even touch it. If this scene describes your home or office don’t worry, there’s relief in sight.
On Monday, Belize Telecommunications Limited will be handing over to its thirty thousand subscribers, the 1998 Telephone Directory. While last year’s phone book prominently featured the party atmosphere of September Carnival, this year’s cover displays the calmer but equally colorful scenery of the Barrier Reef. According to B.T.L. Public Relations Officer, Cynthia Genitty there were two main reasons why they chose to go underwater.
Cynthia Genitty, Public Relations Officer, BTL
“First of all, B.T.L. decide to feature the Barrier Reef on the cover of this year’s issue, since this year, 1998 has been featured as the Year of the Reef; and then secondly, it has been declared as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Bureau.”
The book, which is bigger than last year’s, has an additional eight hundred new subscriber listings added to its white pages. The company also says that in order to satisfy its customers, they have added several new features that will make it easier for a person to find a number, especially in the green pages.
Minerva Blake, Directory Officer, BTL
“This came about because people were finding it hard to find Government page, Government listing in the Green Pages. So what we did this year, we decided to take all the listings in the green pages and put it in the white pages, and in bold. So if you are looking for instance, Accountant General, you can go at ‘A’ and find Accountant General and we will tell you what page to go to in the green pages.”
The book also is filled with information on Belize’s marine life, as the company believes it’s a unique opportunity to sensitize Belizeans and visitors on the importance of managing and protecting the country’s natural resources. B.T.L. has also dotted the phone book with a description of the company’s assorted services and special features. Reporting for News Five, I am Jacqueline Woods.
The new directories are available beginning on Monday. To get one you’ll need to bring in a receipt from your last phone bill. And just in case any students out there are relying on this newscast for accurate information, please note that 1997 was designated the year of the reef. 1998 is the year of the ocean.
