Outstanding Lion member passes

The Lions Organization in Belize and The Belmopan Lions Club is mourning the loss of one of its long standing members, an outstanding Belizean, Ali Kisling. Kisling died today Monday, shortly around 9:30 AM in Belmopan.Just last year, Kisling was awarded by the San Pedro Lions Club during the 34th anniversary for his outstanding and selfless support to the Lions Club in San Pedro and for his lifetime dedication to the organization in Belize. Kisling was known to the Lions in Belize as the “Belmopan Ambassador to San Pedro”. He was a well-liked, respected and most importantly, loved and appreciated by the San Pedro community.
Kisling was very instrumental in starting the Lions Quest Program in Belize and he hardly missed an official function hosted by the San Pedro Lions Club. Kisling will certainly be missed. The San Pedro Sun joins the Lions Organization and the San Pedro community in extending heart felt condolences to the Kisling family, the Lions Organization in Belize and his friends.

San Pedro Lions Club's fine bank stolen

A very important and symbolical item was stolen from the San Pedro Lions Club on Thursday December 2nd. There are certain items that remain a constant at all Lions Club. For the most part, the items are symbolic and used during all official functions hosted by the club. Amongst these items are the Gong and Gavel; used by the President of the club as a symbol of authority.
Another very significant item to the Lion’s Club is the tail twister’s fine bank. The tail twister is the individual who is tasked with the duty of maintaining harmony within the club during all official Lion’s functions.

The tail twister fine bank is a small bronze lion, used to collect fines imposed by the club’s tail twister if an offence is committed during a meeting or official function when in session. The San Pedro tail twister fine bank is the first and only fine bank ever owned by the club since its foundation some 35 years ago. Needless to say, this item holds symbolic and historic value to the club.
This item was stolen from the San Pedro Lions Club. Reports are that the item went missing on Thursday night December 2nd, just before the Lions Club membership meeting. It unknown what the motives are for this mischievous act and what an individual would possibly gain from stealing the item.

According to the San Pedro Lions Club Den Caretaker, Gonzalo Lara, sometime around 6:00pm on Thursday evening, he had prepared the Den located on Barrier Reef Drive, for a regular membership meeting. The gavel, gong and the tail twister’s fine bank were placed on the head table. Lara stated that the only instance he left the items unattended was when he went to the storeroom (located on the same property). It was not until the meeting had started sometime around 7:20pm, that he noticed that the item was missing.
If anyone knows or has any information that would lead to the recovery of the San Pedro Lions Club’s tail twister fine bank, you are asked to please contact the President of the San Pedro Lions Club Melanie Paz at 620-1281.

US $10,000 Grant awarded to Lions Zone 59 to aid Hurricane Richard victims

-Press Release - Belize Lions Zone 59 - November 2, 2010 - The Belize Lions Zone 59 is pleased to announce the disbursement of a grant of US$10,000 to be used for relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Richard. The money was secured through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) Disaster Relief Fund which is available to any district or zone after a disaster.

Immediately after the passage of Hurricane Richard, The Belize Lions Zone 59 expressed to the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon Dean Barrow, that as a service organization in Belize, we were ready to assist in bringing some immediate relief to the victims of hurricane Richard.
Following the announcement of the initial assessment of the damages, The Zone Chairman, Baldemar Graniel, immediately contacted Lions International and provided them with the necessary documentation to secure the grant. On Monday November 1st, LCIF contacted the Zone Chairman to inform him that the monies have been approved and ready for disbursement.
LCIF has a board-established grant criterion and emergency grant funds must be used only to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and medical supplies for those affected by the disaster. Because monies must be utilized by the Lions, the organization will be working very closely with the Government of Belize, through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), in identifying areas that are more in need. In the immediate days ahead, the Zone Chairman, Lion Graniel will be consulting with the Presidents of the Club to work out a methodology of disbursing relief supplies.
The LCIF grant will complement the efforts of various other Lions Clubs following the aftermath of Hurricane Richard. The Lions Club International Foundation, along with the Belize Lions Zone 59, continues to pledge its full support to all those Belizeans affected by Hurricane Richard and we remain committed in making our community and country a better place to live. On behalf of the Belize Lions Zone 59 and the people of Belize, we also wish to thank LCIF for awarding us with the much needed grant.

San Pedro Lions Celebrate World Service Day

Worldwide, Lions Clubs celebrated World Service Day by conducting a variety of activities. The San Pedro Lions were no exception as they helped spiff up the Lions Mosquito Coast Park. October 8th is the official date of World Service Day, when community work is done by club members in their society.
Using materials kindly donated by (Lion) Vernon Wilson to the Lions, a play area will be put together so that children visiting the park may have even more recreational activities to enjoy. When we caught up with the Lions on Monday, October 11th, they were hard at work piecing together the playground set.

The club will install slides and swings, plant coconut palms and upgrade the facilities at the park. The International Lions Organization was founded on 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. Currently the Lions Organization is 1.3 members strong worldwide and has clubs in 205 countries, four of which are in Belize.

TONIGHT...

Also on the agenda for tonight is the grand opening of Hidden Treasure restaurant at Coral Beach Hotel on Barrier Reef Drive.

Belize Lion Zone 59 attends installation ceremony in Chetumal, Mexico

The Belize Lions Zone 59 was happy to be invited at the installation of the new Board of Directors for the Chetumal Lions Club. Representing the Zone 59 Lions Organization was the Zone Chairman Lion Valdemar Graniel and the Secretary of the San Pedro Lions Club, Lion Jorge Aldana. The New President of the Chetumal Lions Club is Josefina Gonzalez Perera who expressed her gratitude to the Lions of Belize for attending the occasion.For his part and on behalf of the Lions of Belize, Lion Graniel congratulated Lion Josefina for taking up the mantle of leadership for the next year. Lion Aldana also extended greetings on behalf of the San Pedro Lions Club. Also present to officiate the ceremony was Mexico B 8 District Governor David Jimenez López. The San Pedro Lions Club joins the Belize Lions Zone 59 in congratulating Lion President Josefina Perera.

Lions Cancel Annual National Convention

At the bi-weekly San Pedro Lion’s Club meeting held last Thursday, May 27th Belize Lions Zone 59 Chairman Baldemar Graniel announced that there would be no National Lions Convention held this year.

This will be the first time in 32 years that Zone 59, which represents all Lions Clubs country wide will not be holding a convention. Typically the National Lions convention includes Lion members from other clubs country-wide and is usually held over a weekend. With opening ceremonies, hospitality booths hosted by visiting clubs, organizational workshops, regional tours, receptions, dances and cultural presentations the event usually ends with a parade celebrating Lionsim in Belize.

According to Graniel, the Zone 59 Cabinet recently decided against holding the annual convention based on the fact that the Zone does not have the funding to host the event. Months ago Zone 59 had over $10,000 in their bank account but learned in March that the monies had been embezzled by Zone 59 Secretary/Treasurer Kainie Manuel.

The story, first ran in The San Pedro Sun on April 29th, Vol.20 - #17, (http://sanpedrosun.net/old/10-172.html) reported that Ms. Manuel confessed to a Zone investigation team that she had exhausted the Zone’s funds. On April 27th, Manuel appeared in San Pedro Magistrate’s Court where she was charged with 15 counts of theft. Although a court date on May 26th was scheduled, the hearing was adjourned to a later date.

Although the Zone is struggling to replenish their hard earned funding they maintain their commitment to the community. According to Chairman Graniel, there is now talk about organizing an informal retreat sometime later this summer where all regional clubs can participate at a minimal expense.

SPSUN Employee, Kainie Manuel Confesses to Embezzling

PRESS RELEASE

Valdemar Graniel, Chairman,
Lions Zone 59
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C. A.

RE: Belize Lions Zone 59 Clubs: San Pedro Town, San Estevan, Burrell Boom, Belize City and Belmopan City

April 26, 2010

The Belize Lions Zone 59 hereby announces that Ms Kainie Manuel is no longer associated with the Lionism movement in Belize. Her dismissal as a Lions Member follows an unfortunate incident that has brought embarrassment to the efforts of Lionism in Belize.

Ms. Manuel was nominated and elected to serve as the Belize Lion Zone 59 Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer for the year 2009-2010 and as such was given the responsibility to oversee the funds pertinent to the Zone. Sometime in March 2010, the members of Lions Zone 59 Cabinet were informed that monies raised for a past Lions member receiving medical attention in New York, USA were not delivered by the Zone Secretary. In addition, the Cabinet members were also informed that a check from the Belize Lions Zone 59, written to the Belize City Lions Club, was returned because of insufficient funds.

As a result, the Cabinet voted that the Belize Lions Zone 59 carry out a complete audit and investigation into the Zone’s funds. As part of the audit and investigation, Ms. Manuel was questioned and she confessed in embezzling and exhausting the Zone’s funds. After agreeing she had misappropriated the Zone’s funds, Ms. Manuel signed a promissory note in which she outlined how she would repay the Zone of its funds. Ms Manuel refused to comply with the promissory note she signed. Furthermore, Ms. Manuel has continuously refused to hand over financial documents belonging to the Belize Lions Zone 59. As such the Chairman of the Belize Lion Zone 59, on behalf of the Lions Organization in Belize, has proceeded to file criminal charges against Ms. Manuel.

We regret that the Lions Organization in Belize has had to go through such embarrassment by one of its members, but at the same time promise to make every effort to investigate the matter to the fullest and press charges accordingly. We want to reassure the Belizean people that despite the unfortunate incident, we remain committed to serving the nation of Belize with pride and dignity.

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PRESS RELEASE

Ron and Tamara Sniffin
Owners/Editors
PO Box 35
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C.A.

April 26, 2010

In June, 2008 Ms. Kainie Manuel, an employee of The San Pedro Sun confessed to embezzling over $50,000 from the business over a period of three years. In an attempt to give Ms. Manuel the opportunity to redeem her self, as well as repay the amount embezzled, San Pedro Sun owners, Ron and Tamara Sniffin gave Ms. Manuel the option to enter a binding, legal agreement in lieu of pressing criminal charges. Two months later, in August, 2008 the contract, drafted by Barrow and Williams Attorneys-at-Law, was signed by all parties and filed with the Supreme Court.

Manuel remained to be paid her full salary of $452/week until March 2009 when her wages were garnished by $200/week. In July, 2009 based on non-compliance with her contract, and within the binding agreement The San Pedro Sun began to retain her salary in full to expedite the repayment process.

Although a portion of her debt has been paid, there remains a balance of over $45,000. Since then Ms. Manuel has been in violation of the contract on several occasions and has admitted to embezzling at least an additional $7,000 from the company and misrepresenting the company on her behalf.

In light of Ms. Manuel’s indiscretions with the Belize LIONS Zone 59, as well as an on-going investigation of additional criminal acts, The San Pedro Sun has the legal right to terminate the contract and press criminal charges accordingly, which they are in the process of doing so.

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Follow-up story: Channel 7 News

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=16766&frmsrch=1

Weekend Fundraisers...

There were several fundraisers over the course of the weekend, with many centered around the Halloween Theme.

Miriam Barrientos Fundraiser
Friday night saw the fundraiser for Miriam Barrientos. Mrs. Barrientos has been hospitalized in Guatemala City, and her son Carlos Perez (of Carlos & Cuts) along with friends and family, organized a fundraiser at the Lions Den. With music by Rompe Raja, and fun Halloween costumes, $5 drinks, everyone had fun and the fundraiser was a success!
Miss World Belize Fundraiser
Lety Lara was at Central Park hosting a BBQ fundraiser with her brothers and friends, in hopes of raising enough funds to help her on her trip to South Africa. Miss Lara will represent Belize in the upcoming Miss World Pageant 2009. Anyone wishing to help her reach her goal can do so by contacting her at 629-5676. Lety leaves the country to South Africa on November 6th.
ACES Halloween Bizarre
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) held their annual Halloween Bazaar (Bizarre) complete with Spooky House, Fun House, Fish Pond, Tombola and even a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament for the big "kids". A Halloween costume contest was the highlight of the night, and students and parents alike who dressed up were able to take part and win fabulous prizes. Proceeds of the fundraiser will be used to cover classroom expenses and more.
SAGA Halloween for the Homeless
With the intent of raising funds for an anesthesia gas machine*, SAGA held its second annual Halloween Bash at Pedro’s this Sunday, October 25th. From midday, owners were encouraged to dress up their pets and have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. The festivities included many games for the children, raffles and an amazing silent auction. Food and drinks and general fun was had by all.

*The primary purpose of the anesthetic machine and system is to deliver an inhaled (gas) anesthetic to the animal to keep him unconscious through surgery. The machine proves to be safer and it allows animals to wake up faster after surgery and will, therefore allow Saga time for more treatments.

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.