THEY came, they spoke and they listened

( Los Angeles ) It was not until he saw Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Honorable Gasper Vega and his wife Marilyn, who were joined by the Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington and his wife Barbara that the Consul General of Belize, Honorable Roland Yorke was finally convinced that the delegation of elected officials from Belize was finally at Los Angeles International Airport.

"The Belizean community will finally be able to engage representatives of the fourteen months old government in several meaningful conversations over the next two days," stated the Consul General as he joined Belize 's Ambassador to the United States , His Excellency Nestor Mendez. Together, they greeted the remaining members of the delegation consisting of the Honorable Peter Eden Martinez , Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation, Mayor Elsa Paz, Mayor of the Town of San Pedro and her assistant, Jose Felix Ayuso. The Honorable Rene Montero, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries arrived later that night from Washington D.C. , just having attended a conference in the capital.

Delegation members: (Left to Right) Hon. Eden Martinez, Mayor Paz, Hon. Gasper Vega, Hon. Wilfred Elrington and Hon. Rene Montero.

The Consulate of Belize hosted a breakfast at Christ the Good Shepherd Church conference hall on the morning of the 25th. The visiting delegation met with Belizean organizations and individuals in the Los Angeles area. Members of the delegation made brief remarks with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister both touching on the current administration's desire for transparency and public consultation in governing Belize . The relationship between the government and Belizeans living abroad was driven home by Foreign Minister Elrington. "The present government acknowledges the vital role played by Belizeans living abroad to the current and future development of Belize ,” he stated. Honorary Consul Dr. Lenox Pike of Michigan (second from left front row) with Consortium for Belizean Development members, members of the Belize Delegation, Belize Ambassador to the U.S. and Consul General to California.

Later that afternoon, members of the delegation attended constituent divisional receptions where they were able to engage in brief one-on-one conversations.

The 4:00 pm Open Door Reception allowed for the public at large to interact with the delegation without the requirement of a special invitation. It created the environment for Belizeans to introduce their family and friends and to engage in picture taking. Following the introduction of the delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Vega once again touched on the theme of the visit; "we want to be sure that we have a sense of your concerns and therefore we are here, not only to tell you what we are doing, but to listen to what you have to say."

It was more than three hundred Belizeans who gathered in the auditorium of the Holy Name of Jesus School, an institution with a significant Belizean staff and students, to actively participate in the Town Hall Meeting, the last event of the visit. Once again, following opening remarks by delegation members, questions were raised from the floor centering on issues such as the status of the Belize/Guatemala Dispute as it relates to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Land Ownership, Investment Opportunities, Rising Crime Rate, Punishment and the Death Penalty. A few questions dealt with Personal Responsibility and other Social Issues currently facing Belize .

(Left to Right – back row) Hon. Eden Martinez, Hon. Gasper Vega, Hon Wilfred Elrington, Consul General Roland Yorke. (Front row) Mrs. Vega, Mrs. Elrington, Hon. Rene Montero, Ambassador Nestor Mendez and Mayor Paz.

As a follow-up to the delegation visit, Consul General Yorke spoke of the intent of the Consulate to have both Beltrade, the department responsible for investment in Belize , and the Department of Agriculture, whose responsibilities also include the coordination of Cooperatives, visit the Los Angeles community and coordinate workshops on both subjects.
He brought the meeting to an end by thanking all those who volunteered both in cash and in kind to make the visit possible.

Although she did not get to ask her question, a smiling middle age woman in a conversation at the conclusion of the program, while apparently awaiting a ride quietly said," the information they shared with us now makes it possible for us to understand what is taking place in Belize . I just hope they understood what we said," she concluded.

By 10:30 p.m. those members of the delegation returning to Belize appeared somewhat exhausted but appreciative of having visited with the community.

The many photographs of the visit will be posted on the Consulate’s Website as of mid May. http://www.consulateofbelizelosangeles.org/

Alexis Guerrero - San Pedro Lions Queen 2009/10

Eighteen year old San Pedro High School valedictorian Alexis Guerrero has graciously accepted to be the 2009-2010 Miss San Pedro Lions Club queen. A dancer from a young age, Alexis is currently attending St. John’s College Junior College and will graduate in the coming months. An honor roll student, Alexis is majoring in Literature with a General Studies background. In the future, she plans on pursuing a career in law.

As Lions Queen, Alexis will be present for Lion meetings, fundraisers, and events, lending her support and assistance. She will also be participating in the Zone Convention, where Lions from the entire country of Belize and some from the neighboring countries will gather here in San Pedro Town to celebrate Lionism. The convention, slated for May 22nd – 24th, will bring the Lionism spirit to the island in the hopes of brightening the spirit of service.
Always willing to lend a helping hand and always cheerful, Alexis will certainly bring a new spirit and grace to the San Pedro Lions Club. She is the daughter of Lydia and Horacio Guerrero, and sister to Horacio Guerrero Jr. and Belinda Guerrero-Trejo.

Photographs provided by Shamir Guerrero.

President of El Salvador visit to Belize

The President of the Republic of El Salvador was in Belize on Wednesday as part of his farewell visits to all Central American countries. His Excellency President Elias Saca and his wife Ana Ligia Mixco Sol de Saca were greeted by the Chief of Protocol, Diana Locke and the Ambassador of El Salvador to Belize, Jose Sergio Mena. After a salute from the Belize Defense Force Quarter-guard, the President and his delegation was then transferred to the Radisson Forth George Hotel.

Members of the Belize Defense Force Quarter-quard stand ready to salute the President

President Saca and his wife welcomed by Ambassador Mena

Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Barrow and his wife Kim Simplis-Barrow, Minster of Foreign Affairs Honorable Wilfred Elrington, and the Chief Executive Officer in the Prime Minister’s Office Audrey Wallace welcomed the delegation.

President Saca escorted by Chief of Protocol Diana Locke

During a brief exchange at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, both PM Barrow and President Saca shared concerns relating to the region such as the swine flu that has caused alarm in Central America. Saca stated that even though there is no reported case of swine flu in El Salvador, authorities are on high alert. Barrow expressed that Belize is especially concerned because the flu is present in neighboring Mexico.

Prime Minister Barrow and President Saca share concerns on swine flu

While the PM and President Saca meet in a private meeting, Mrs. Barrow and Mrs. Saca then departed for the spouses program to the Museum of Belize and Stella Maris School. Just before noon President Saca and his delegation toured the Old Belize Museum after which PM Barrow hosted the President to lunch.

President Elias Saca and Prime Minister Dean Barrow

As part of the agenda, the PM Barrow conferred the Order of Belize on the President Saca, the highest award that can be given to a non-Belizean. PM Barrow was also honored with the Jose Matias Delgado National Order by the outgoing president of El Salvador. Following his five hour tour, President Saca left Belize, thanking the Government for the continuous international support Belize has showed towards El Salvador.

Alyssa Arceo places third in Spelling Bee District Finals

The 15^th Annual National Spelling B Belize District Finals took place on Wednesday afternoon in Belize City. 18 students from 9 different zones, including two representatives from San Pedro Town, made their presence known at the Belize Elementary Primary School Auditorium.

As early as in the first round, both Alyssa Arceo of the Island Academy and Nalini Che of New Horizon used every available strategy to ensure that they remain in the competition as long as possible. In fact both of the island’s top spellers were determined to bring the district champ to the island and were in the top six spellers that proceed to the final round.

While Che came down in the final round when she missed her first two words, Alyssa Arceo made it to the very last. Arceo spelled her last word “AGUARDIENTE” incorrectly. At the end of the competition Zhanae Sutherland of Hummingbird Elementary, second place went to Aaron King of Hattieville Government School, and third place went to Alyssa Arceo of the Island Academy.

Alyssa is the Belize District alternate speller, which means that in the event that either King or Sutherland cannot make it to the finals schedule for June, then Alyssa will be the other speller. Congrats to both Che and Arceo for making San Pedro proud! Read more in this week’s Thursday issue of The San Pedro Sun!

Statistics influenza A(H1N1) in Mexico

Embassy of Mexico - Press Release

05/04 Statistics influenza A(H1N1) in Mexico