Will your light bill go down for the period June first 2015 to June thirtieth, 2016? According to a release late this afternoon, the Public Utilities Commission says that the government controlled Belize Electricity Limited has applied for a reduction of ten point four percent in the Mean Electricity Rate from forty one point twenty […]
Overwhelming demand from Belizeans living abroad has led to the Belize City Council automating its property tax services. This morning, CitCo and Atlantic Bank jointly introduced the online feature which is being touted as a breakthrough in the administration’s efforts to computerize its amenities. The idea was borne of a conversation with former Deputy Mayor […]
Despite its user-friendliness, there are concerns over the safety of online transactions using the new system. Pedro Lozano, a representative of Atlantic Bank, allayed those fears by explaining the security protocols that are in place to prevent identity theft and other forms of related cyber crimes. Pedro Lozano, Atlantic Bank Representative “All this transaction […]
Belize’s population of manatees is one of the healthiest in the region, but they are still endangered species. Countless times we have reported on the deaths of manatees to boating accidents. Just last year, there were over thirty manatee deaths recorded and for this year so far, we are already at half of that number. […]
“Safety is like a lock, but you are the key,” says the Belize City Police Department as it prepares residents to protect their homes and businesses over the holidays. It’s a practice that home and business owners must consider to safeguard their assets. Other safety tips include securing windows and doors, installing electronic sensors and […]
But while there are several things that residents can do to ensure that their properties are safe while they are away, the police will also increase its patrols across the city to ensure that the city remains safe. Today, checkpoints were visibly placed across the north side portion of the city to deter crime. This, […]
The annual cross country cycling classic is set for Holy Saturday. Normally, the event attracts thousands of Belizeans, who either line the highway or come to the city for the finale. The race ends at the B.T.L. Park on Princess Margaret Drive where Belizeans will be converging. Superintendent Anderson says that in her jurisdiction, additional […]
The mass migration to coastal and inland communities across the country has begun. Belizeans and visitors alike have all joined the exodus to Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Placencia where the weekend promises fun-filled activities for friends and family. But while the extended weekend is much anticipated for secular reasons, Easter is a sacred time […]
There is interesting news coming out of the United Kingdom tonight and it is that Lord Michael Ashcroft has resigned from the House of Lords but he will keep his title. Earlier today in London, Lord Ashcroft wrote to the Clerk of Parliament informing of his decision which takes immediate effect and which caught many […]
On Monday, Senator Ray Davis surprisingly abstained from voting when the controversial Petrocaribe Bill, went before the Senate. That abstention has surprised many and stirred up the ire of many others because now that it is passed, the law allows government to borrow and spend without house approval. The contentious piece of legislation was rushed […]
According to the CWU President, Matura-Shepherd, what has transpired in the House and Senate was deliberately accomplished to circumvent existing legislation. That body of law, the Finance and Audit Act of 2005, was established specifically to avoid such instances where large sums of money, exceeding the ten million dollar benchmark, go unaccounted. Audrey Matura-Shepherd, […]
Furthermore, Matura-Shepherd said that government should do the right thing as it relates to public funds and she openly questions government’s borrowing as it concerns Petrocaribe funds, asking whether or not the monies can be saved in a trust before a motion is tabled in the house. Audrey Matura-Shepherd, President, Christian Workers Union “Let’s […]
Easter is one of the most important holidays on the Christian calendar as it symbolizes hope for the two billion plus Christians around the world. In Belize, the Lions Club is introducing the Easter Gift Project as part of its International Lions Services for Children Program. Today, at the Resource Center on Princess Margaret Drive, […]
As you know by now, a World Cup qualifier game between the Belize Jaguars and the Cayman National Team ended one to one on Sunday in the Caymans. It means that Belize narrowly secured a spot to move up to play the Dominican Republic in June. The team has two months to prepare and so […]
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley, riding the wake of victory in municipal elections on March fourth, today announced he will be contesting the Caribbean Shores seat in a convention to be held on June seventh. Today, at the entrance to the almost completed Blue Marlin Boulevard, Bradley made the declaration. While it’s no surprise to […]
According to Bradley, residents of Caribbean Shores have been asking for new representation, better service and better leadership, and he says that in those areas his record speaks for itself. Santiago ‘Santino’ Castillo, the current area representative is considered a serious player since his family has been a loyal financier of the U.D.P. – but […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has stated openly that he will support his Cabinet colleague in any convention in Caribbean Shores. That doesn’t bode well for Bradley, as we’ve seen the fate of others like his predecessor Zenaida Moya who dared to buck the leadership. But Bradley is unfazed. He says that like the prime minister […]
Looking ahead, however…if the mayor is to step down, who will replace him as municipal leader for Belize City? Today, premature or not, the media asked Bradley about a possible successor to his seat. Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor “I’ve had the pleasure of working with the ten councilors, both in the first term […]
Notwithstanding the mayor seeking higher office, Bradley says that as a council, they have been aggressively looking at new plans for the city which will be rolled out in the short-term. Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor “Going into the next term, we are working very closely…for the last month, we have been meeting with […]
There were two debates held in the House of Representatives last week – one on the 2015-2016 Budget and one on a proposed Petrocaribe Bill. The Bill is a controversial one which will allow government to draw down Petrocaribe monies without taking it to the House, and also to use those monies for any purpose […]
With that, Fonseca emphasized that they cannot approve a Bill which seeks to bypass and do away with National Assembly authorization. And to show that he’s dead serious, Fonseca made the emphatic gesture of refusing any future Petrocaribe handouts because, he says, neither he nor the P.U.P. will be a party to something that is […]
That’s a grand gesture by the Leader of the Opposition, but almost immediately there was some confusion in the House. According to P.U.P. Deputy Leader Julius Espat, any Petrocaribe monies spent in Cayo South will be more than welcome. Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South “The Prime Minister is going down the worst road […]
And Prime Minister Dean Barrow wasn’t finished there. He has always reserved special attention for Cayo South Area Representative, Julius Espat, and Friday was certainly no exception. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “Before you became formally involved in public life…I don’t know how you suddenly donned this garb of self-righteousness…try to pass yourself off as […]
And today, the Senate met in regular session to debate the Petrocaribe Bill which passed through the House on Friday. The government has the majority in the Senate, so the fate of the discussion was foretold, but that didn’t stop the Opposition Senator Lisa Shoman who says that she cannot and will not support the […]
Business sector Senator Mark Lizarraga had a lot to say about the Prime Minister’s budget today, particularly where borrowing is concerned. The Opposition coined the phrase ‘Borrow and Spend Budget,’ and today Lizarraga cautioned that when the government comes down off this borrowing and spending high, the hangover will be unbearable. Mark Lizarraga, Senator, […]
