Court of Appeal decision regarding Telemedia

Press Release - Saturday, June 25, 2011 - Belize Press Office - On Friday June 24, 2011 the Belize Court of Appeal ruled that the acquisition of Belize Te-lemedia Limited by the Government of Belize, is unconstitutional. As a consequence of that decision Mr Dean Boyce, one of the successful appellants, went to Telemedia's headquarters on St Thomas street in Belize City and purported to take back the company. Government then got immediate legal advice as to the full import and consequence of the Court of Appeal decision. On the basis of that advice Government concluded that it was not open, without more, to Mr Boyce to assume control of the company. The Court of Ap-peal judgment is declaratory in nature, and by itself does not deprive Government of its de facto possession of the company. For that to happen the appellant Boyce would have to go back to court for an enforcement order telling Government to give up possession. Gov-ernment thus instructed its appointee, the Executive Chairman and the Telemedia Board, to continue in command of the company unless presented with a court order specifically placing the appellant Boyce in control.

Government stresses that in resisting Mr Boyce government is acting strictly in accor-dance with the law. In fact It was Boyce and his lawyer who tried to circumvent the court processes by moving without the specifically required order. And government actually waited until it could be absolutely sure of its legal ground before it decided to resist Boyce.

Government also makes clear that it will fight any application for an enforcement order, and that it has several bases on which to do so. Government has also taken steps to ap-peal to the CCJ the Friday decision of the Court of Appeal. And regardless of the outcome of Boyce's application for an enforcement order, the appeal will be carried on.

The Government of Belize is naturally extremely disappointed at the ruling of the Court of Appeal. It is at a loss to understand how, in all the circumstances, the Court could have come to its decision, which has the effect of thwarting the will of the Belizean people as exercised by a sovereign Government. Nevertheless our system of democracy and rule of law is such that the decision must be respected, even as Government exercises all op-tions which that very rule of law gives to government.
Government also regrets the uncertainty that the legal developments have caused, espe-cially to the staff of Telemedia but also to the wider public. But Government will now use every recourse to preserve the status quo.

Finally, the Government of Belize thanks the Belizean people for what Government is cer-tain will be the continuing solidarity with, and support for, the entirely just and necessary struggle against Billionaire arrogance and disrespect for national pride and national sovereignty.

The fight will be carried on and one way or another Belize will prevail.

End

Government of Belize Announces Intent to Acquire Control of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL)

The Government of Belize (the “Government”) issued a media release on Friday, June 10, 2011 announcing the Government’s interest, “...in purchasing majority shares in BEL so as to assume control of the company.” No purchase proposal has been received by Fortis Inc. (“Fortis” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:FTS).

Fortis holds an approximate 70% ownership interest in BEL, an integrated electric utility and the principal distributor in Belize, Central America, following investment at the invitation of the Government in 1999. In addition to its investment in BEL, Fortis owns Belize Electric Company Limited (“BECOL”), a non-regulated hydroelectric generation business that operates three hydroelectric generating facilities in Belize.

In June 2008 the Public Utilities Commission of Belize (“PUC”) issued a rate order that has had a significant negative impact on the financial condition and operations of BEL. The order effectively disallowed the recovery of previously incurred fuel and purchased power costs in customer rates and set customer rates at a level that does not allow BEL to earn a fair and reasonable return. BEL appealed the PUC rate order to the Supreme Court of Belize.

On March 15, 2011, the court rendered its judgment dismissing BEL’s application and finding that, among other things, the generally accepted concept of Good Utility Practice is not applicable in Belize. BEL has appealed this judgment to the Court of Appeal of Belize; however, a hearing is not expected until the first quarter of 2012. On May 16, 2011, the Supreme Court of Belize granted BEL’s application to enjoin the PUC from engaging in any rate making proceedings or taking any enforcement or penal actions against BEL pending the appeal of its judgment. BEL has been in default of covenants under its long-term lending agreements since 2008 and has had no access to credit during this period.

As at March 31, 2011, the assets of BEL represented less than 2% of the total assets of Fortis; the combined assets of BEL and BECOL represented approximately 3% of the total assets of Fortis.

Fortis is the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, with total assets of approximately $13 billion and fiscal 2010 revenue totalling approximately $3.7 billion. The Corporation serves approximately 2,100,000 gas and electricity customers. Its regulated holdings include electric distribution utilities in five Canadian provinces and three Caribbean countries and a natural gas utility in British Columbia, Canada. Fortis owns and operates non-regulated generation assets across Canada and in Belize and Upper New York State. It also owns hotels and commercial office and retail space primarily in Atlantic Canada. Fortis shares re listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

Fortis includes forward-looking information in this material within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada (“forward-looking information”). The purpose of the forward-looking information is to provide management’s expectations regarding the Corporation’s future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information is given pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words “anticipates”, “believes”, “budgets”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plans”, “projects”, “schedule”, “should”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words.
The forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on assumptions developed using information currently available to the Corporation’s management. Although Fortis believes that the forward-looking statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. For additional information on risk factors that have the potential to affect the Corporation, reference should be made to the Corporation’s continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and to the heading “Business Risk Management” in the Corporation’s annual and quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis and the “Risk Factors” section of the Annual Information Form. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.

LPG Regulation Introduced

Press Release - Belmopan - February 22, 2011 - The Belize Bureau of Standards hereby informs of the introduction of the National Metrology Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Regulation 2011.
This Regulation requires all suppliers to have weighing instruments at their place of sale/business and all motor vehicles used for delivery of LPG must also be equipped with weighing instruments.
Any person who intends to trade in LPG must complete the application form found in the First Schedule of the Regulation and submit along with the application form a non-refundable fee, the weighing instrument and any other necessary documentation that the Director may require. The application form is to accommodate an initial verification of the weighing instrument, the prescribed mark of verification or the Belize Bureau of Standards Verification Sticker and pattern approval in accordance with the Act.
Any person not in possession of a weighing instrument may submit a request to the Director for the approval of information relating to the weighing instrument in place of the actual weighing instrument before making the purchase. To attain approval, the following information pertaining to the weighing instrument should be submitted:

1. Details of the manufacturer

2. Model Number

3. Serial Number

4. Capacity

5. Scale Interval

6. Evidence of international pattern approval

All weighing instruments must be verified and stamped with the Belize Bureau of Standards verification sticker before used for trade. The weighing instruments will also be sealed at the point of verification. This is to ensure transparency and to assure consumers of the accuracy of the scale.
It also sets out the general requirements for the weighing instruments that will be allowed for trade in the LPG industry. These include the following:

1. A precision balance

2. Platform machine

3. A self-indicating weighing instrument ( including a price computing or printing electronic weighing machine)

4. Non-automatic weighing machine

Additionally, all weighing instruments must carry the following marking:

1. The manufacturer’s name written in full

2. Maximum capacity in the form “Max….”

3. Minimum capacity in the form “Min…”

4. Verification scale interval in the form “e=”

It is prohibited for any person to use a weighing instrument that is not clearly visible to the purchaser.

Any person found in contravention of these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a penalty of $5000.00 and or imprisonment of 6 months or both.
Any person engaged in the sale of LPG prior to the commencement of these Regulations must comply with these regulations within 30 days of the date of commencement.

Justice of Appeal Denys Barrow returns to private practice

Press Release - Belmopan - 25th January, 2011 - The Government of Belize announces that Justice of Appeal Denys Barrow has decided to return to private practice. He has therefore tendered, to the Governor-General, his resignation from the Court of Appeal with effect from 28th February, 2011.

The Government of Belize thanks Justice Barrow for the services he rendered to the Court and the Country during his tenure, and wishes him well in his return to the private Bar.

A statement from Justice Barrow is below:

Statement by Denys Barrow on his return to private practice

By letter dated 24th January 2011 I conveyed to His Excellency the Governor General my decision to return to private practice as an attorney at law. The resignation is to take effect from 28th February.

The decision stems from the refusal of the Government of St Lucia to pay pension benefits due to me upon my retirement, two years ago, as a Court of Appeal judge in the Eastern Caribbean. Matters reached the point where I was forced to file a claim on 14th January 2011 against the Government of St Lucia which has been simply ignoring the claim, latterly refusing to even acknowledge receipt of letters of inquiry.

Having returned at the end of 2008 to Belize and to private practice, I later decided I could afford to leave private practice and become a judge in Belize because I treated the expected pension benefits as part of my financial resources. That expectation having been removed, I must now adjust. Hence, my decision to return to practice.

I express my gratitude to the Government of Belize for the honour conferred on me by the appointment. I am especially grateful for the confidence and support members of the public, on both sides of the political divide, expressed on my appointment and during my tenure. It took courage for the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, to appoint his brother to the judiciary and no less courage for the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. John Briceno, to support that appointment. I salute them.

I am confident that the Court of Appeal under its new President, the Honourable Manuel Sosa, with the support of its new member, the Honourable Sir Brian Alleyne, and its newly re-appointed member, the Honourable Dennis Morrison, will continue to provide satisfaction to the nation in delivering justice.

Denys Barrow SC - 25th January 2011

Belizean Airlines required to collect $5 Ride Fee

Air travel is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get to and from the mainland. In 20 minutes, one can already touch down at the municipal airstrip and head to run errands as necessary. For those international travelers, plane rides are the top choice to head to their destination. Of course, for this convenience, one has to pay a bit more than if they were to travel via water taxi.

Well now we can add on $5 extra to the ticket prices. The $5 is called a “rider fee” and has been sanctioned by the Government of Belize and the Belize Airport Authority. According to a letter issued from Tropic Air, all (Tropic) tickets will now increase by $5 to reflect the required fee starting January 24th, 2011. The San Pedro Sun spoke to Tropic Air about this change, and they have explained that if one buys a one-way ticket to the mainland, and from there decides to buy another ticket to return, the $5 fee will be charged each time a ticket is purchased. To save a bit on the price, it is highly recommended that customers buy round trip tickets with open returns.

The Belize Airport Authority General Manager, Kenworth Tillett explained to The Sun that the fee came about as a result of all the planned improvements for the airports countrywide. The Statutory Instrument #44 to increase the rider fee was Gazetted on May 8th, 2010. He did indicate that airlines had been informed that the fee was imminent. The San Pedro Airstrip (John Greif Airport) is “way ahead of the curve in terms of improvements,” stated Tillett. He was of course, speaking of the proposed improvements reported in Issue #49, Vol. 20 of The San Pedro Sun, wherein a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the much-needed works on the San Pedro Airport.

Improvements are in the plans for airstrips/ports throughout the country, and the fee collected will go towards paying the loans that are financing the projects.

Defending the Freedom of Press

Press Release
CTV-3

December 8, 2010

CTV-3- News views with distress and grave concern the actions taken by the Barrow Administration against Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions, as announced by the Government Press Office on Tuesday, December 7th afternoon.

While we understand that the Prime Minister, as Head of Government, may have the authority to compel or prohibit his employees from conducting media interviews, the attempt to censor or control a private and independent media house in any way is contemptible and cannot be supported nor tolerated.

The media in Belize has made great strides toward freedom with the silent but obvious support of the Government, especially over the last ten years, and the current administration’s recent decision against Channel 5 can only be viewed as dangerous, retrogressive and an attack on our independence and right to inform the Belizean public.

CTV-3 News calls on the Government of Belize to reconsider and reverse its position, and to find, in the spirit of democracy, transparency and good governance, a more amicable way of resolving its issues with Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions.

CTV-3 News
Orange Walk Town

The People’s United Party condemns the decision by the Government of Belize “to suspend normal relations” with one of the only two National Television Stations in Belize.

This action can only be seen as a vicious attempt to stifle freedom of the press. We therefore call on the public to view this move by Government as a poorly masked attempt to suppress any criticism of Government’s action and in so doing monopolize and dictate fact based public opinion.

The PUP maintains that if there was any legitimacy to the accusations by the UDP Administration against Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions that the appropriate action should have been to lodge these complaints with the Belize Broadcasting Authority.

In effect what the Government has done is to displace the functions of the Belize Broadcasting Authority and unilaterally, without processes of the law, installed themselves as judge and jury in this matter.

The Barrow Administration’s personal campaign to try and determine what Belizeans should think is further exposed by its weak attempt to equate the Opposition and an independent private-corporate citizen, simply to advance its reign of hypocrisy and dictatorship.

We reiterate our confidence in the ability of the Belizean people to determine for themselves the competence, integrity and reliability of any news item local or international.

It has been the practice and history in Belizean journalism for reporters and media houses to operate in an atmosphere of openness.Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every Belizean.

In a democratic and free society, even a hint of victimization and censorship must never be tolerated.Even dissenting and unflattering news items must be respected as an indispensible part of the process of openness and transparency by public officials.

We find it irreconcilable that the Government will suspend relations with Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions at a time when this station is being rewarded internationally for excellence in journalism.

The appropriate way for this UDP administration to manage dissent and disapproval is to correct their misdeeds rather than launch petty, unwarranted and extreme attacks on the media.

We stand with the Belizean people in defense of democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

### end ###

Trawling Totally Banned in Belize

PRESS RELEASE

(Embargoed to Wed Dec 8)
Wed December 8, 2010
Belize City, Belize

All forms of trawling in Belize has been banned in the country’s waters including its EEZ when Minister responsible for Fisheries Rene Montero today signed the Statutory Instrument effecting this legislative change.

The ban which is effective January 1, 2011 is a historic decision of Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s administration that has also passed legislation to protect parrot fish, regulate sport fishing and control the issuing of fishing license.

The call to ban bottom trawling had been made some years ago but lacked the political will as the government was faced with the reality of what to do with the existing trawlers owned and operated by the Northern Fishermen Cooperative Association (NFC). Oceana in Belize in collaborating with the government assisted in resolving this concern by negotiating the buy-out of the two shrimp-trawlers.

After discussions with the fishers directly affected by the proposed ban, Oceana was able to secure the full support of the Belize Fishermen Association which has a membership of four cooperative including the NFC. In the letter, signed by the Chairman Allan Bevans Green, Vice Chairman, Carlton Young and Secretary Ovel Leonardo Sr. the BFCA expressed support for the buyout of the trawlers. “By our support of the sale of the two trawlers to Oceana, the BFCA also agrees to support Oceana in its Endeavour to ban all trawling permanently within the waters of Belize,” concluded the letter.
Belize has become one of only three countries in the world to institute a complete and permanent ban on trawling in all its waters. Large areas in the US, Indonesia, Phillipines and other Pacific islands are closed to trawling, though not the entire country. Venezuela and Palau, like Belize banned trawling completely.

Vice President for Oceana in Belize, Audrey Matura-Shepherd says that this is a historic milestone in the life of the Belizean fishers and the environmental community because “it is indicative of the partnership that could be forged for the betterment of the people and country of Belize”. “We thank the government for its bold decision and look forward to being able to work with any administration on marine issues for the development of Belize,” she added.

This move is critical because it comes at a time when UNESCO is asking the Government to report on what corrective measures it has taken to remove the existing threats to the Belize Barrier Reef System.

***

IDB President Commends Belize’s Macro-Economic Stability and Control of Corruption

-Press Release – Belmopan- 5th, November, 2010 - President of the Inter-American Development Bank Luis Alberto Moreno has spoken favorably about Belize’s economic position and its success in controlling corruption.
In his opening remarks at a symposium this morning hosted by the Belize Chamber of Commerce, the IDB President stated, “Belize entered the global recession from a position of relative macro-economic stability and came through it relatively unscathed. Although growth decelerated, the economy did NOT actually contract, and macro-economic stability was maintained. Belize continues to have one of the lowest inflation rates in all of the Western Hemisphere.”
On the issue of corruption, Mr. Moreno stated, “The worldwide governance indicators that were released in the course of last month show that Belize has dramatically improved its ranking in the control of corruption. Its rise from the 47 percentile of countries in 2008 to the 57 percentile in 2009 was the sixth biggest improvement out of 207 countries that were examined.”
The IDB President was in Belize for a two day visit in which he met with Prime Minister Dean Barrow, other government officials and representatives of the private sector to discuss the IDB’s continued financing of development projects in Belize and other areas of funding.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Barrow yesterday, Mr. Moreno made a commitment that the IDB would assist Belize with finances for rehabilitation in the aftermath of Hurricane Richard. He assured Prime Minister Barrow that he would personally oversee the fast-tracking of an initial funding component to put in place mitigation measures in areas that have been particularly hard hit.
The IDB President left Belize this afternoon, but other senior IDB staff that accompanied him on the trip will remain in Belize over the weekend.

Sir Hilary Beckles, eminent West Indian Historian visits Belize

-Press Release – Belmopan - 2nd November, 2010 - Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies ,Cave Hill Campus, Barbados - will visit Belize from 7-9 November 2010.
On Monday, November 8th, 2010, Sir Hilary will deliver a major Public Lecture entitled: “Reparations from Britain for Slavery, Native Genocide and Military Colonization” at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts, Belize City at 7.00 pm.
Sir Hilary is an esteemed author, historian, UNESCO Consultant and Cricketer.
During his visit Sir Hilary will meet with Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade/NICH, Members of the Kriol, Mayan and Garifuna Councils, and will be hosted at a planned Celebrity Cricket Match in Bermudian Landing.
Sir Hilary’s visit is sponsored by The UWI, Open Campus Belize and Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in association with NICH and KREM Television.
For further information please call: 223-0484 or email: belize@open.uwi.edu Ambassador Adalbert Tucker -Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade 822 2110 /-669 0100.

Prime Minister’s Visit to Mexico Achieves Major Progress in Bilateral Cooperation, Assistance and Development

-Press Release - GOB, Belmopan- 21st October, 2010-Major progress has been achieved in vital areas of cooperation, assistance and development as a result of the official visit to Mexico earlier this week by Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow and a ministerial/technical delegation which left Belize on Sunday October 17 and returned home on Tuesday October 19th 2010.
A total of FIVE bilateral agreements and documents were signed by the two countries. Signed by Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education and Youth was an agreement for Technical Cooperation to support Quality and Competitiveness in Technical Education and Training. Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Hon. Wilfred Elrington signed three documents. One is an exchange of letters for the exemption of Mexican visas for holders of Belize Diplomatic Passports to include Official Passports, another is a memorandum of understanding between the foreign ministries of both countries regarding Cooperation to support National Communities abroad, and the third is a Cooperation Agreement between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property Rights and the Belize Intellectual Property Office.
Also during the visit, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alexis Rosado signed the Final Act of the VI Session of the Bi-national Commission held on September 30 and October 1st, 2010, which covers a wide range of areas for cooperation, assistance and development.
During bilateral meetings held on Tuesday between the delegations headed by Prime Minister Dean Barrow and President Felipe Calderon, further cooperation and assistance was discussed in a number of areas such as Regional Security, Energy, Infrastructure, Housing, Education, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Sports and Climate Change.
Another substantive achievement coming out of the Prime Minister’s visit was an agreement with representatives of COMCE for a team of Mexican business people to visit Belize in February of next year to explore possible areas of trade and investment and to help develop the framework for a partial scope agreement between Belize and Mexico. The agreement was reached during a breakfast meeting that the Prime Minister and his delegation held with members of the business community in Mexico City.
The Prime Minister’s delegation to Mexico City included Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber, Senior Advisor and former Prime Minister Dr. Manuel Esquivel, CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister Audrey Wallace, CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexis Rosado, CEO in the Ministry of Works Cadet Henderson, and CEO in the Ministry of Housing Lawrence Sylvester.
The Prime Minister and his delegation were accompanied during the entire visit by Mexico’s Ambassador in Belize H.E. Luis Manuel Lopez Moreno and Belize’s Ambassador in Mexico H.E. Rosendo Antonio Urbina. (ends)

257 students of the Cayo Central Area receive Government Subsidies

Press Release - June 21, 2010 - GOB Press Office, Belmopan - Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Cooperative and Area representative of Cayo Central, Hon. Rene Montero, today delivered subsidies to students to the Cayo Central standard six students who will be attending high school.

The 257 students receiving the subsidies are from the Santa Elena Roman Catholic School, the Seventh Day Adventist, El Progresso, San Antonio Roman Catholic School, San Antonio United Pentecostal School, Cristo Rey Roman Catholic School, Buena Vista Government School, San Marcos School, La Gracia Government School, Saint Peters School and George Ville Anglican School.

While delivering the subsidies, Minister Montero encouraged the students to stay in school and strive for the best, since they are the future of Belize and to remember that education is the tool that will empower them for any future endeavour.

Dump Still Stinks

While talks of a national garbage dumpsite are in motion, the future of San Pedro’s waste management program remains cloudy. In a press release published last week on News 7 Belize, the Solid Waste Management Authority is closing its current dumpsite on Mile 3 and creating a centralized storage unit for the majority of the nation’s trash. San Pedro’s garbage, which currently sits in a smoldering pile in the Mosquito Coast area, will be carried by barge and relocated to the new facility on Mile 24.The plan, while a step forward in environmental accountability, will take at least a year to begin.

“It has been going on for a while. I think from the previous government and they’re still going,” says Nano Guerrero, San Pedro Town Council’s Director of Waste Management and Health. “Apparently, this coming year things should be starting to move.” As nice as the prospects of a transfer depot for barge service may be, the current method of waste management on the island presents a mess that needs to be addressed on a wider scope, especially since there is no town solicited collection service north of Palapa Bar. “When you’re talking about the northern part, well that’s a different story. I think they do their own and burn it. Some of them bring part of it but some of them still burn part of their garbage,” says Mr. Guerrero. Town Council has lobbied to see an effective northern road subsidized by the GOB, but the process has been slow.

“They always give the impression that we have a lot of money and we can do things on our own. Which is not really true,” says Mr. Guerrero. “Maybe the island does generate a lot of money and the government gets a lot of it, we don’t get the fair share. All we are asking if we can get a fair share of the pie. It seems they all take San Pedro that we have money for everything.”

Besides this disconnect between Government and San Pedro Town Council, many environmental concerns exist. Burning trash in uncontained spaces causes irreparable biological harm. Even though little study has been conducted on the dumpsite’s ecological footprint, there is much speculation on the long-term effects of the dump’s synthetic depository.

Miguel Alamilla, Biologist & Manager of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, is conscious of the adverse effects caused by biological amplification surrounding the dump. “What happens is the plants would absorb those chemicals and make it part of their system,” says Alamilla. “The herbivores would come and feed on that which would be bacteria or small fish, and those are preyed upon by larger animals on the food chain. As you go up [the food chain] those persistent chemicals are amplified.”

Additional to the wildlife, the surrounding citizens face risk from the smoke. Efraim Bardalez, a general contractor working on a construction site south of the dump, is aware of the hazards posed by the San Pedro dumpsite. “Where I’m working if there’s smoke blowing [from the dump] we have to quit working,” says Bardalez. Even though the smoke usually blows west, changing winds carry the smell of garbage to residential areas. The wafting smoke towards luxury resorts and residential developments threatens San Pedro’s image as a slice of pristine paradise – the island’s top selling point for foreign clients. “Sometimes you get some complaints about the garbage especially when the wind shifts. When they burn the thing you know all the smoke comes in to the area,” says Guerrero. “It’s very rare when it comes closer to town. [It’s] more on the hotels in the south when the [wind] shifts from the north.”

The exponential population growth on the island in recent years is one of the reasons why the waste management program is difficult to regulate. New developments open the doors for foreign workers and retirees alike. Expansion has strained the Town Council’s waste removal services and the town’s fleet of five trucks circle every day from three in the morning till night. Often, there is not enough time to empty San Pedro’s many trashcans and dumpsters. Without any separation of the organic, inorganic, and recyclable the island’s waste management program must undergo a dramatic facelift in policy. Separating the trash is an expensive endeavor that requires education for all citizens. This will take time to implement and an increased effort and awareness for all. With years of little-to-no separation, creating the habit will suffer from growing pains. “There’s no separation. Everything goes in the dump,” says Mr. Guerrero. “They have no other options I guess.”

Article and photos submitted by Daniel Reed

GOB JURISDICTION OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL ABOLISHED

GOB Press Release – May 11, 2010

The jurisdiction of the Privy Council to hear appeals from Belize has been abolished with effect from 1st June 2010.
This follows from the Orders issued by the Prime Minister, Hon Dean Barrow, to bring into force the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act and the Caribbean Court of Justice Act with effect from the said date. These Orders were published in the Belize Gazette dated 1st May 2010.
The Caribbean Court of Justice will now replace the Privy Council as the highest Court of Appeal for Belize. This will not, however, affect any appeals pending before the Privy Council on the 31st May 2010.

The Caribbean Court of Justice, commonly known as “CCJ”, was established by Caribbean countries on the 14th February 2001. So far, only Barbados and Guyana have joined the CCJ. Belize will be the third country to do so.
The present seat of the Caribbean Court of Justice is in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. However, the Agreement establishing the CCJ provides that the Court may sit in the territory of any other Contracting Party as the circumstances may require.

The removal of the age-old Privy Council as the highest Court for Belize and its replacement by the Caribbean Court of Justice represents a major landmark in the constitutional and legal history of Belize and has been widely welcomed among the Caribbean Community.