Caye Caulker Ocean Academy Named A Finalist in Ashoka Geotourism Challenge 2010

Press Release – Caye Caulker Ocean Academy – January 24th – 2011 – The prestigious Ashoka Changemakers Geotourism Challenge 2010 is themed “Places on the Edge: Saving Coastal and Freshwater Destinations”. There were 250 entries from 54 countries; Caye Caulker Ocean Academy’s project was chosen as one of the twelve finalists. Expert judges selected the most innovative solutions for coastal, waterway and island destinations that protect the environment and strengthen the heritage and livelihoods of local residents.

The three finalists who get the most online votes by February 2nd will each earn USD $5000 for their project. Log on with your vote today at www.changemakers.com/coasts.

Ocean Academy was founded in 2008 as the first non-profit community high school on Caye Caulker (www.cayecaulkerschool.com). In addition to the Form I-IV standard curriculum, Ocean Academy offers many specialized and site-based programs. Aquatic Careers in Tourism (ACT P.E.) classes include scuba certification, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and swimming. In the World of Work (WOW) Apprenticeship Program students can shadow a variety of career options, such as assisting marine biologists with a mangrove restoration project, coral reef surveys and beach cleanups. Other popular elective choices include Tour Guide Training, and Graphic Design. Science students research practical solutions to waste management on a small island. Instruction is hands-on, interactive, and relevant to real-life issues.

Ocean Academy’s school motto is “Protecting our Heritage, Creating our Future”. Environmental education and sustainable tourism are important studies to fulfilling that vision. Nationally, a Caye Caulker Ocean Academy student was honoured in 2009 with Youth for the Future’s Environmental Award. Locally, the Caye Caulker Village Council granted funds in 2010 for the school’s composting project and small business venture of culinary herb sales. The international panel of judges for Geotourism 2010 is very impressed with Ocean Academy’s innovative approach to education and commitment to youth engagement in Belize. They also like the school’s inclusion of the skill sets offered by voluntourists (tourists who travel to a destination specifically to volunteer).

Vote for Caye Caulker Ocean Academy at www.changemakers.com/coasts and show your support for innovative education projects in Belize. Be a Changemaker!

Aurelio Chi arrested for Obtaining Property by Deception amongst other charges

With the knowledge that the Police Department is the body charged with the responsibility to keep residents safe from harm, crooks and con artists among other duties; it was the least to say suspicious, when a male individual was approaching residents of Northern Ambergris Caye impersonating a member of the San Pedro Police Department; soliciting finances.

As this information became known to the San Pedro Police Department, officers worked diligently in following up on the situation, leading to the quick apprehension of one Aurelio Chi 35yrs Belizean Laborer of San Pedrito Area. Mr Chi was arrested in the Boca Del Rio area and charged with 4 counts of obtaining Property by Deception. Chi was additionally charged for Mischievous Act as a result of mischievously giving his name as Jose Cowo when his true identity is Aurelio Chi.

HSI Spay Day photo online photo contest to benefit SAGA

Your pet is very cute – but does he or she have what it takes to win Humane Society International’s 2011 Spay Day
Pet Photo Contest, presented by Zazzle?

The Spay Day Pet Photo Contest to benefit SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY
is now OPEN - GIVE US YOUR BEST PHOTO!

To Enter Now, GO TO hsi.org/photocontest

When you enter, please choose Saga Humane Society to benefit from your pet’s photo. After your entry is complete, help save animals’ lives by asking friends and family to vote for your pet. Each vote is just a $1 USD donation, and every vote your pet receives will help us spay or neuter even more pets after Spay Day (February 22nd, 2011) is over -- AND increase your chances of winning!

More than 600 entrants whose photos have received the most votes will win stellar prizes. And even without votes, you'll be in the running to win big -- the panel of judges will award prizes to their favorite 36 entries.

The earlier you enter the more time you’ll have to get votes and raise critical spay/neuter funds for Saga Humane Society. Please upload a photo of your pet now at hsi.org/photocontest to get started!

Saga HS will also be sponsoring a Spay Day 2011 Event in San Pedro Town during the month of February, details to be announced soon.

Thanks for your support!

SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY, SAN PEDRO TOWN, BELIZE

P.S. Don’t want to enter your pet’s photo (or don’t have a pet)? Please vote for one of the pets benefitting our organization! Visit hsi.org/photocontest and then:

*Click on the “Search Pets” tab
*Click on “Filter by: Local Organization”
*Click on SAGA HUMANE SOCIETY. A vote for any of the pet photos shown in this view benefits Saga!

NOTE: Funds designated for organizations that fail to meet the requirements listed at http://www.hsi.org/issues/spayday/factsheets/spayday_eligibility.html will be added to the general fund and divided among spay/neuter programs of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International and all eligible organizations.

Theft at BEL’s Buena Vista Substation Affects Power Supply to Northern Districts

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) reports the theft of approximately 350 feet of copper cable from its Buena Vista Substation in the Corozal District.

On Monday, January 24, BEL employees reporting to work at the Buena Vista Substation discovered that ground wires for equipment at the substation had been disconnected and removed from the compound.

The stolen copper wires provided grounding for transformers, equipment and communication towers.

Works to replace the damaged infrastructure required a 3-hour power outage for the entire Orange Walk and Corozal Districts this afternoon.

BEL advises persons involved in these criminal activities that they are putting themselves at risk of being seriously injured or electrocuted. The damage to these essential equipment can also result in electrical damage to customers’ equipment and puts into jeopardy the safety of employees who have to work at the site.

The perpetrators should also be aware that under the Electricity Act, any person who unlawfully enters an electric substation or maliciously cuts or injures any electric line or work can be liable to a fine of up to three thousand dollars and/or to a term of imprisonment of up to three years.

Anyone with information on these criminal and unsafe activities is asked to contact the Police Department or call BEL at 0-800-235-2273 or 0-800-BEL-CARE or call Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-8477.

-END-

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