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We'll follow up on this tomorrow.



Haylock Bus Matter, All But Over For City Hall

Last night, we told you about the latest developments in the case which the owner of Haylock's Bus Service has brought against the Belize City Council.

Attorney Godwin Haylock and his father, who owns the bus company, say that Mayor Bernard Wagner and his administration usurped the authority of the Transport Board when they granted a "permit" to Philip Jones, the owner of City Shuttle, to conduct Belama runs. Of course, this allows Jones' company to compete directly with Haylock's Bus.

They say that that the CitCo "permit" should be rescinded, and they've gone to the Supreme Court hoping to get judicial review of the decision. Yesterday, the attorney for Philip Jones told us that although the hearing was scheduled to start, the judge adjourned it to give the claimants more time to prepare their claim form.

Today, Godwin Haylock told us that this isn't exactly correct, and he also pointed us to the fact that Philip Jones is now applying to the Transport Board for approval of the same Belama run, which the City Council had already granted him that disputed "permit" for. From Haylock's perspective, this proves that the CitCo permit is invalid, and that Jones is conceding to the central point of their case. Here's how he explained it:

Godwin Haylock- Haylock's Bus Service
"Yesterday's adjournment at the hearing wasn't to help me to fix my application. The judge indicated that she had to adjourn the matter because the legal submission which was submitted from Thursday last week didn't reach her desk until minutes before the hearing yesterday. That is the reason why the judge adjourned the matter. The Transport Board was now attached to the matter and they now have made a formal legal submission on the matter where they stated two things. One, that it does appear that the Belize City Council is acting ultra vires to their act. That means that there statutory power does not allow them to give out a road service permit. Secondly, they went further to say that, 'we [Transport Board] are not delegating our power to the Belize City Council to give out road service permits.' So, the matter is crystal clear by the attorneys from the Transport Board. A Transport Board meeting is scheduled for the 27th of September, later this month. Where city bus, in view, have agreed to my position to apply for a road service permit it is now in the gazette that city bus applied for the road service permit for Belama area."

Daniel Ortiz- Reporter
"What is your dad seeking as redress for this violation of the Transport Board's Authority by the City Council should the court rule in your favor?"

Godwin Haylock
"It is a matter of public interest that we seek this redress, Daniel. One that attempts to stop or prevents the Belize City Council from granting road service permits because, by law, they are not allowed to do so. This will stop not only my father from being placed in his position but all other bus companies from being placed in a similar position. So then it will be clear that the Belize City Council cannot grant a road service permit."

The case goes back to the Supreme Court next month, we'll update you accordingly.

The Book of Bembe's

When you hear the word "Bembe" - it's usually meant as an insult, directed against a woman who's considered a little too "extra"…she da bembe! But, that the meaning a post colonial, male dominated society gave to what is really a powerful, blessed word.

And that's why the thinkers at the Image Factor have taken the word back to re-claim it as a badge of honour for bold, and unapologetic trailblazers who do not conform to men's expectations. They today released a free e-book named "Bembe Vision: Leadership Notes For The Belizean Classroom."

Katie Usher who helped put the book together told us more about the Bembe backstory:

The e-book is free and you can find it at the Image Factory website. https://www.imagefactorybelize.com/ Fourteen women are featured, they are listed as follows: 1. Elfreda Reyes - revolutionary
2. Marisol Amaya - journalist
3. Felicita Cantun - culture warrior
4. Desiree Diego - world music champion
5. Zazil Ha - Maya mother
6. Cricel Castillo - pro-athlete
7. Lisa Shoman - human rights activist
8. YaYa Marin Coleman - community activist
9. Briheda Haylock - artist
10. Cristina Coc - land rights activist
11. Rosita Baltazar - dancer
12. Lupita Quan - sports activist
13. Guadalupe Lampella - marine mother AND
14. Audrey Matura - activist

The Night For Patriots

And while those Bembe's are surely patriots - they probably won't be honoured as such anytime soon.

The tribute to the more conventional Belizean Patriots was held last week Thursday at the Bliss Center. We apologize if we're a little late in featuring the recipients of this year's national awards - but here they are now, all 18 of them,16 for Meritorious Service and two for the Order of Distinction.

The group includes well known names, comprising sportsmen and women such as Pops Hamilton and Shalini Zabaneh, as well as artists and musicians such as Pen Cayetano and Daniel Bennett, and business leaders including Billy Musa and Cisco Woods.

Here are all the awardees:..

The National Honors and Awards Advisory Committee is chaired by Phillipa Griffith-Bailey.

Lindo, The Joker

Dean Lindo got his Order of Belize honour at the tribute to Patriots back in 2009.

For the past two nights we've been reporting on the passing of this political giant, the first leader of the UDP, and a former two term area representative for Fort George. His chief political rival, Said Musa credited him for, quote, "shifting the political paradigm in Belize..at a time when the PUP reigned supreme for decades," close quote.

So, there's no doubt Lindo was a political titan, but he was also a man who loved to clown around, and come up with comedic quips. The Prime Minister - who was his nephew and namesake - told us that up until weeks before his death - he was still cracking jokes:..

Dean Lindo's State Funeral will be held on Monday at the St. John's Anglican Cathedral.

Briceno Rates Lindo

Earlier this week, the PUP sent out a press release recognizing Lindo's work as a politician, statesman and attorney, and expressing the party's gratitude for a life of Service.

Today Party Leader John Briceno spoke about Lindo personally:..

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I consider Dean Lindo a true Belizean patriot. We may not have agreed politically, but I have always had great respect and regard for Mr. Lindo and our sympathies goes to his family and all his loved ones and to all Belizeans, because we have truly lost a giant this week."

Which Horse Will Wilfred Back?

And while Dean Lindo was the first leader of the UDP in 1974 - now the party is looking to find its fifth leader as Dean Barrow gets ready to move on.

It is well known that John Saldivar and Patrick Faber are vying for the post - and there's at least one other fledgling politician, who may be a dark horse in the race.

But Faber and Saldivar are on the frontline right now, engaged in countrywide tours, trying to garner as much support as they can in their candidacy.

So, this afternoon, the press asked their cabinet colleague, Wilfred Elrington, about who he intends to back. He was very cagey when answering that one:

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I thought that it was such a wonderful display of democracy to see how spirited and active they are, how they are going to the people. Because in the final analysis it's the people who are going to determine if they even get elected, much less getting any higher position than that. So I commend them for the energy they are putting into it. The sight they are putting into it gets me tired. I can't even think of that. But I commend both of them for the energy they are putting into the process and I get the sense that John and Patrick have long been friends and that this rivalry for the leadership will not influence their relationship one way of the other."

Reporter
"Is it your understanding that there is anybody else who would want to seek leadership in the UDP?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"There is some suggestion that there is a particularly dark horse in deed - dark horse. I don't want to call names, because I have not gotten any confirmation on that, but your sense is a good as mine. Finally there is a third person there who is causing some measure of consideration, but that again is good. If you want to be the leader, you have to be a cut above the rest and I think having to compete for leadership is good thing rather than a bad thing."

Reporter
"Who would you give your support to if we say Minister Faber or Minister Saldivar?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I have no difficulty with respect to that. I give the one who has paid most attention to Pickstock. It's the Pickstock people who elect me and they know who they are and I have not been hesitant about that. I believe we must love who loves you. So I will support the one who over the years been good to my people, who have in turn been good to me. That's very simple for me."

Reporter
"So who have been good and loving to Pickstock?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Ooh, chat with the Pickstock people."

Briceno Not Buying Mexican Car Insurance

Turning now to that pesky issue of the new Mexican regulations for vehicle insurance while in Chetumal, Quintana Roo and wherever you plan to drive in our neighboring country to the north - there is now some uncertainty about just how mandatory that new insurance is. That's because Belize's honorary counsel in Chetumal says the Mexicans have not yet set up the legal framework for the insurance regulations to actually take effect.

PUP Leader John Briceno told us he heard that too - and that's what he's going with:...

The Gillnet Divergence

Gillnet use by fishers is under sustained attack by conservation groups, and the Gillnet Task Force started meeting in July to "reduce the harmful impacts of gillnets."

But, that doesn't necessarily mean a ban - which some conservation groups and fisheries stakeholders are calling for

Yesterday, the CEO in the Ministry of the Environment told the press that they need the data before any decision is made:..

Percival Cho, CEO
"Whether or not that leads to additional closed off areas because currently there are areas where gillnets are banned within this country, or whether or not it leads to a full scale ban within our waters it will be based on evidence and data. So we will be making an informed decision."

"Certainly, institutions in Belize have their opinions on what should be done with respect to gillnets and several other things, but, again, we don't, we have to be based on evidence in our decision making and people's real concerns, right?"

Reporter
"Cause there are also traditional fishers who use gillnets."

Percival Cho, CEO
"There are people who use gillnets, people who legally use gillnets but the main idea behind the whole thing or reduce the damage or the negative effects that gillenets cause on species that are not targeted, sharks, some of the bonefish, some of the fly-fishing species, the idea is to improve the management of gillnets probably exclude them from certain areas where it's very sensitive."

OCEANA - which is pushing for a ban on gillnets has also written to the Fisheries Administrator requesting all relevant data related to the use of gillnets in Belizean waters, including the list of licensed gillnetters.

The Styrofoam Solution

CEO Cho is also at the head of another task force, this one on the Phasing Out of Single-use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam and Plastic Food Utensils. Now, that's a tough one, because you know those products are everywhere. Cho says they are currently talking to importers and to propose substitutes to all those plastic products:..

Percival Cho, CEO
"Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change."

"The task force that has been set up to execute this phase out are currently scheduling these consultations with importers, with local producers as well, and one-on-one discussions, and that is ongoing at the moment."

"These things that we're targeting are completely avoidable pieces of waste. It's not necessary to use single-use bags to take your groceries from the shop to the home. You can use a more permanent market bag, like we used to call them. When it comes to straws, it's not necessary to use a plastic straw, there are paper alternatives, when it comes to cups, you have paper alternatives, it's not necessary to use plastics. These are all items that can be replaced without much of an inconvenience being caused."

The target date for the phase-out of single-use plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam and plastic food utensils is April 22, 2019.