Attention: Students

Environmental Project Competition for Primary Schools

Belmopan, 6th January, 2009

The Department of the Environment, within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is having a competition on environmental projects for primary schools.
Primary schools are invited to submit a proposal on a project they want to implement in their school that is environmentally-based. They will be required to submit a proposal detailing what the project is all about, how the school came up with the idea, what the students are required to do, what are the environmental (and otherwise) benefits of the project, the timeframe of the project, and its budget.
The competition is geared towards providing students the opportunity to learn, about their environment, be actively involved in its conservation and protection, and experience teamwork; it can also stimulate an interest in environmental issues affecting them and facilitate continuity of the benefits derived from the project.
The Department of the Environment is interested in finding out what schools are presently doing to improve their environment, what environmental issues they are interested in, and to work with schools across the country to help educate youths about their environment. Prizes for winning project proposals include partial funding of the project, a desktop computer and an encyclopedia set.
For more information on the guidelines for the primary school environmental project competition, please contact the Department of the Environment at 822-2542 or 2816 or visit the website at http://www.doe.gov.bz/

Deadline for submissions is January 30th, 2009.

Wetlands form an integral part of Belize's environment.

Environmental Poster Competition for High School Students

Belmopan, 6th January, 2009

The Department of the Environment, within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is having a poster competition for high school students. Individual students are invited to participate by being creative in using their knowledge of environmental issues.

The theme for the poster competition is centered on “wetlands” with the objective of increasing awareness on the importance of wetlands, their current status in Belize, why and how they are being impacted. The winning posters will then be used to publish an educational poster that will be used in future public education activities by the Department of the Environment. The collection of submitted posters will also be exhibited.

The intent is to give students the opportunity to learn about their environment and think about current environmental issues while encouraging the development of their artistic abilities. Prizes for winning posters include a laptop computer and a desktop computer.
For more information on the guidelines for the environmental poster competition for high schools, please contact the Department of the Environment at 822-2542 or 2816 or visit the website at http://www.doe.gov.bz/

Deadline for submissions is January 30th , 2009.

Fun corner - What happened to Dianne?

Dianne from Quicksilver Messenger Service got into a little accident over the holidays. Now those who have heard the story of what happened to her know that it was a small incident, one that she is actually ashamed to tell. No glorified details, no fun recount, nothing. So, what do you think happened to Dianne? Give us a little snippet of what you think might have happened? Remember, not too long of a story and something that can be reprinted. Dianne will take a look at the mini-stories and decide which one she likes best. That person will take home a $25 gift certificate for Quicksilver and a $25 bartab at BC's and a Birthday ad on The San Pedro Sun.
Entries are free so just email us your story. Email to spsun@sanpedrosun.net

Some of the comments received already:

*This is my short version of what happen to her one day while she was delievering papers she was on her bike and she heard a dog barking got scared and fell off it therefore causing the not so bad but kind of embarrassing injury to her hand.
Name: Antonio Arceo Work: Mayan Princess

**It was a mail emergency. Dainne was called from sorting to answer a cry for help. Immediate mail delivery was required. Always pertinacious, she jumped on her trusty bike and away she went. Unbeknownst to Dianne, at that very moment a gathering was happening. The Caribbean breeze was joining with a lagoon wind. The result was a swirling mass that was gaining strength as if to become a tornado. Dianne rode straight into it, undeterred for the mail must get through. The flyby anomaly tried to pry the mail from her fingers but she leapt to keep it safe. Unfortunately as she rose up her bike was pulled unceremoniously out from under her. Down she went, the mail clutched firmly in her broken hand.
Kim and Kathy

Official Law Enforcement Officers visit to San Pedro

Admiral Cedric Borland, Major Ganney Dortch and Major Anthony Velasquez

Today the island had the official visit of Admiral Cedric Borland, Commander of the Belize National Coast Guard. He was accompanied by Major Ganney Dortch, Chief of Staff of the Belize Defense Force and Major Anthony Velasquez, Operating Officer ot the Belize Defense Force. The visit included the inspection of the new living quarters for the Coast Guard, Anti-Drugs Unite of the Police Department and the Belize Defense Force in the San Pablo Area.

In a short interview with Admiral Cedric Borland, he explained that he will be meeting with the local authorities on the island to seek support for the law enforcement agencies on the island.

Tourist unhappy over traffic mishap

Bicycles are perhaps one of the fastest modes of transportation on the island and for those tourists economizing; it is perhaps the cheapest way to visit Ambergris Caye. One tourist did not have the best experience after she was involved in a traffic mishap on December 28th on the island. Christine Rodriguez, an American lawyer from the State of California, explained to The San Pedro Sun that sometime between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the night of question, she, along with her boyfriend Angel Topette, was riding her bicycle in the Banyan Bay Area when she was hit by a golf cart. The man behind the wheel was later identified as Harry Longsworth, manager of the town’s Transport Department whom Rodriguez claims was driving his golf cart while on his cellular phone. According to the lawyer, it was not until after Longsworth got off his phone that she was approached by him and questioned, “Why did you hit me?”

Harry Longsworth, who is the former Ambergris Caye Traffic Control Chairman, denied being on the phone while driving. He went on to explain that it was not until after the accident that he got on the phone to call the police for assistance. Longsworth stated that he was driving on Coconut Drive near Mar de Tumbo Area and was about to make a right turn in front of Los Caminates Store on his way home. It was while he was making the turn that he accidentally collided with a cyclist who was attempting to overtake the cart on the right hand side of the road.
According to the Police Department, they responded to the scene of a traffic accident where they observed the right front wheel of a golf cart on top of the front wheel of the bicycle involved in the incident. While no one was seriously hurt, police still proceeded to process the scene and statements were recorded after which the police informed both Longsworth and Rodriguez of a notice of intended prosecution. Officer Commanding the San Pedro Police Formation, Superintendent Dennis Arnold clarified that neither individual wanted court action hence no one was charged. However, according to Rodriguez she was not given the adequate attention by police officers. Superintendent Arnold denied Rodriguez’s accusation stating that what she had wanted was for Longsworth to accept fault and compensate her for damages to the bicycle and medical expenses. Police officers told Rodriguez that the Department could not impose fault on anyone and it was for the court to determine who had caused the accident.

Read more on this story in today's issue of the The San Pedro Sun! In stores now!

"the nightmare is over", Former Miss Belize wins case against Pageants Belize

In a case that has been brewing for a while now against Pageants Belize Director Margaret Johnson, twenty four year old Former Miss Belize World delegate, Felicita “Leesha” Arzu emphatically announced on Tuesday, December 26th that she won the case in the Orange Walk Magistrate Court against her previous coach.
Whilst Arzu broke the news to The Sun via email correspondence, she was relieved to hear the news and claims that she finally got what she deserved – “justice.” The matter dates back since July of 2007 when Arzu’s coach, at the time, Margaret Johnson held a fashion show in Orange Walk which required the rental of chairs for the function. Owner of the chair rental company sought payment which never arrived and he demanded that payment be made. Johnson refused to pay him and, as a result, he sued Arzu for the money since she had been present when the chairs were rented.
In a letter issued by Arzu she comments, “To avoid the frequent trips to fight that loosing battle, I paid the man $480 Johnson owed him. During the time I was paying him, I sued Johnson for that same amount,” she stated. After countless adjournments, the case was heard on Monday, December 22nd by Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart at the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court. At the court hearing, there was no sign or appearance from Johnson or a representative from Pageants Belize. Despite Johnson’s absence, Judge Stewart proceeded with the case and heard Arzu’s side of the story. Arzu reiterated that it was never her responsibility to make the payment as according to the contract she signed to participate in the Miss World Pageant in Sanya, China in December 2008, it clearly stipulated that all expenses incurred would be dealt with by Pageants Belize. Arzu further stated that the fashion show raised over two thousand dollars ($2,000) which could have remedied the payment. Magistrate Stewart wholeheartedly agreed that Margaret Johnson (Pageants Belize) should pay the $480 fine she owes by February 15th, 2009 or will be distressed. Arzu explained to The Sun that the matter was more of ‘principle” than about the money, “Johnson was wrong to take advantage of me. So many young girls aspire to be Miss Belize someday. Imagine how they will feel when the person they are supposed to trust is the person who will put them through misery. Johnson should have taken responsibility for her actions but instead made me fight her own battle,” she ended.
Leesha along with Miss Belize Universe delegate, Maria Jeffery and ex-Miss Belize Universe Tanisha Vernon, whose crown was revoked in July, led an upheaval against Johnson earlier this year for this and similar cases of misallocation of funds. It is uncertain if Jeffery and Vernon will proceed with their cases against Johnson. This is the second court case in two months against Johnson and the first dates back in November 24th of last year when Miss Belize mini Universe, Azizi Hoy won an undisclosed sum of money in another default judgment against Johnson. After the win, a triumphant Arzu exclaimed, “It was a very long journey for me but finally I received justice and it is such a relief, the nightmare has finally ended and I can only move on from here” she ended.