Minister Ferguson also announced that his ministry is committing four thousand dollars monthly to the Belize Elite Basketball League. This is in response to the league’s complaint over the five thousand dollars price tag attached to the use of the Belize City Civic Center for games. It is less than a host team pays to use the Civic, but Minister Ferguson says his ministry is strapped for resources.
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports
“We have semi-pro basketball going on right now and the group complained about using the CIVIC about the amount of funds that they get from the game might not cover their expenses for the game. From the Ministry of Sports we tried to figure how we can support them with the little resources we have. So we committed two thousand dollars from the sports council every month to them and the Department of Youth Services, I am also the Ministry of Youth, because we are dealing with young people likewise, then you can contribute two thousand likewise. So every month the semi-pro should be getting four thousand dollars from the ministry to support their bid and their cause. I noticed they opened a Pandora box because now every discipline will want the same. But we have to figure out what we can do as the minister of sports.”
The leader of the People’s Democratic Movement, Estevan Perera, is defending his name and that of his newly established political organization, after his former city council candidate berated him publicly. Last night, we told you that Phillip “Fawda” Henry, a candidate for the movement, is no longer a member of the PDM. Henry told News Five that he withdrew his candidacy because Perrera has not been forthcoming about funds he purportedly collected from private businesses to run his campaign. Well, Perrera visited our office today to clear his name and set the record straight. He says Henry was excommunicated from the P.D.M. for being defiant.
Estevan Perrera Sr.
Estevan Perrera Sr., Leader, People’s Democratic Movement
“Mr. Henry is a problem child and he has to understand that he must listen and abide by the laws and regulations that is set in our constitution and manifesto. There is no special treatment for anyone and to set the record straight, he did not resign. We had a meeting and we all got together, the executive and fellows running in this election coming up and we decided to move him from the People’s Democratic Movement, not because we dislike him or anything, but because of the bad habits and we have spoken to him several times a for him to change and he will not listen. First of all in our manifesto it says, fifty percent, we will give to all elderly people that are living in a home that belongs to them and we believe that is reasonable, fifty percent discount that is. He keep on saying they will pay nothing, it is free. We keep on telling him nothing is free, we got to collect something. But, he will not listen. So, we left him alone. Then again he came up and said, within my movement and people, telling them that I collected money from business people. Well when he said that I said this guy is questioning my integrity now. He is really out of bounds. So then I called a meeting with my entire executive and council and I told Fawda you said I collected money from business people, could you kindly tell my friends in here who that business man is and how much I collected. He didn’t say nothing. So as a result we excommunicated him, took him out all together. We have nothing to do with Mr. Henry.”
Paul Lopez
“With Mr. Henry’s exit, how much candidate to you now have on your slate?”
Estevan Perrera Sr.
“Present it is ten. I need one more. I will be campaigning tomorrow. I got two candidates today but when I talked to them they said they don’t want to run. So I got to go out tomorrow and no problem I will find a candidate to replace him and we will have eleven candidates to run on this election day.”
A man was shot dead early this morning in Ladyville. He has been identified as twenty-one-year-old Cameron Hemsley, a known street figure of the same community. Hemsley was released from the Belize Central Prison on February second, for a robbery that is still before the Magistrate’s Court. He was shot in the Kwam Street area and ran into a yard where he collapsed and died. His body was discovered this, morning beside a house, where he apparently ran to escape the gunfire; however, he had already been mortally injured. News Five’s Marion Ali was in Ladyville today and put together the following report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
This is the location behind this residence at the corner of Seagull and Kwam streets in Ladyville, where twenty-one-year-old Cameron Hemsley drew his last breath this morning, before one o’clock. He had apparently sought refuge here when eight gunshots rang out. Hemsley ran into the yard and collapsed. The occupant of the house told News Five that he heard the gunshots, and a few seconds later he heard laboured breathing for a short while outside his house near a window. The man said that he thought that it was an opossum because not long ago, stray dogs had mauled one of these animals and it was breathing heavily before it died.
This morning, after the shots were fired, residents said that dogs were barking incessantly. But no one went to investigate what had really happened and it was not until the occupant of the house opened his window and looked outside that he saw Hemsley’s body beside his house. While no one in the immediate area was willing to talk on record, this incident has left them spooked. Two of Hemsley’s acquaintances did share with us off-camera, different perspectives of the same person. One of his friends, a woman who did not wish to share her name, was shocked by the incident.
Voice of: Friend of Cameron Hemsley
Voice of: Friend of Cameron Hemsley
“I surprised when I hear this morning that they kill her, you know, it was very surprising because I never believe they want to kill her, cause he well known a lady villain, everybody hang with her, soh ih very surprising. He did crimes, but not concerning people, nuh like that. He mi cool, da wa cool young man.”
But Hemsley’s other friend who also spoke with us off-camera, said the killing came as no surprise to him.
Voice of: Friend of Cameron Hemsley
“He choose a life deh. That da neva pahn we.”
Marion Ali
”What kind of life yoh di talk bout?”
Voice of: Friend of Cameron Hemsley
“Street, and you know the street is gonna eat you up after a while. There’s a lot of things. A lotta people mi want get the man. One time he was good; we tried to help him, but we can’t help him no more. We told him that when he come from jail last time.”
According to court reports, Cameron Hemsley was in fact, facing a trial for robbery. He was out on bail which he had secured just twelve days ago while awaiting the trial to begin, when he was shot dead. In 2019, he was charged with two counts of robbery with a firearm and one count of aggravated assault for pulling a gun on a police officer. Police are investigating the incident. Marion Ali for News Five.
Former Special Envoy Kim Simplis-Barrow is the new president of the Belize Cancer Society, succeeding Laura Tucker-Longsworth who served in that capacity for many years. The announcement was made earlier today, following an annual general meeting that saw the appointment of a new board of directors. Simplis-Barrow is joined by Vice President Sharon Young and Secretary Doctor Dionne Chamberlain. During the AGM, two resolutions were passed which permits the board of directors to establish a dedicated seat for the immediate past president to serve as an ex-officio member, providing valuable continuity and experience, as well as institutional knowledge. Secondly, dedicated seats will be established on the board of directors for the presidents of district branches.
He’s been campaigning daily for himself and his fellow candidates with the People’s Democratic Movement, under the leadership of Esteven Perera Senior. But now, there’s been a fall-out between them and Henry says he is no longer a part of the P.D.M. team. It has to do with money issues and Henry told us that even though he has been informed by the Elections and Boundaries Department that his name cannot be removed from the ballot, come March sixth, don’t vote for him.
Phillip “Fawda” Henry
Phillip “Fawda” Henry, Withdrew from P.D.M.
“We call several meetings at Mr. Perrera’s house to ask about the fundraising, and I believe that we have a secretary, we have a treasurer.”
Marion Ali
“For the campaign?”
Phillip “Fawda” Henry
“For the campaign.”
He’s not saying what he wants to hear in any, one of our meeting. So we are not going to stand in solidarity if a person doesn’t want to say things that we need to hear about. We need some funds to be campaigning with. And we are not getting there. We are not getting, receiving it. And I have lots of people who wants to vote for the P.D.M. because I am there. So I am saying to the entire city, the people in Belize City, that I will not run with any movement if it’s not about the people.
Phillip “Fawda” Henry
“I stepped out because when we call meetings, he is not fair to the ten of us. So if the others want to stay, I have nothing to say to them, but I will not stay because I don’t feel comfortable. My question is fair enough, is to ask the person we trust to put before us how much he collects and we need our finance money to be campaigning.”
Marion Ali
“And the response has been what?”
Phillip “Fawda” Henry
“The response has been a lot of negative words. So I am not going to be on the same ballot as the P.D.M. I will not be there.”
Marion Ali
”So when Election Day comes and your name appears on the ballot still, you’re telling people to not vote for you on the ballot?”
Phillip “Fawda” Henry
“I am saying that I am not a member, and when I say I’m not a member, when you see my name on that ballot, don’t vote. You don’t want to vote for Philip Henry because this is not my time.”
Jamie Usher has been the principal of Belize High School since it was established over a decade ago. But tonight, she is no longer head of the private secondary school here in Belize City. In a message earlier this evening, Usher confirmed her departure from B.H.S. stating, “I am humbled to have been able to share my talents, gifts, and ideas for just under fourteen years. The service to the future of education in Belize has been my passion, and my energies will continue to serve the students of Belize, especially in leadership and robotics. I look forward to the next chapter. Always Team Belize, always a robotics enthusiast, and always a STEAM educator.”
As the mayor explained earlier, the electric vehicles that the City Council has purchased will be offered to the Belize City taxi associations on a lease to own basis. Today, the Council had two of the vehicles on display, with another two expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks. Mayor Wagner told reporters that City Hall is taking the lead in introducing eco-friendly forms of transportation that should result in bigger profit margins for the taxi drivers who lease them. And for the people who use the service, they will be able to use an app on their phones to access taxi services.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“It’s locally built, Mi Driva app which will be used to really track how these vehicles are running all over the city. The people who want to access these taxis will be able to go on their phone app, get the Mi Driva app, tell the driver pick me up at this spot. It comes, pick you up drop you off to where you go. It will also play a big role and we were talking to the Minister of Tourism who is very excited about this venture because many times we have the overnight tourists who come to believe city and many times they have nowhere to go. They would want to go on the entertainment strip, but the hotel is Biltmore and they’re a bit wary about moving and not knowing how they’ll get back. Having the app on their phones, similar to what is there in the United States- Uber. We’re excited about these E-taxis, which is a compliment to the e buses. We want to see this integrated into the system. We have a target association and we want to work with the downtown Battlefield Park Association and once we are able to get these four off the ground, it’s now your own. We go to another association and we continuously build the system out so that eventually in Belize City, you’ll see gone are the ice make vehicles, but they’re being replaced with E-taxis, E-mobility, electric vehicles which really guarantee the lowering of congestion in the city. It will lower pollution in the city. You’ll have a much more reliable, effective and efficient type of public transportation. This is an opportunity to really have a better return. If you are running on electric man, you will be able to make much more rather than the fuel, the gas – which you are crying about the gas prices. So now, if we are going electric, that means your return on investment more than likely should be a bit more palatable.”
The Belize Tourism Board and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital have struck up an unexpected partnership in order to improve healthcare facilities and support Belize’s tourism industry. Both parties signed a Memoriam of Understanding for urgent repairs of the Accident and Emergency Unit. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the K.H.M.H. and has the following story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is about to undergo some much needed changes with the renovation of its Accident and Emergency Unit. According to KHMH CEO, Chandra Cansino, the department has been in need of these renovations since it was overwhelmed during the COVID pandemic. However, the hospital struggled to find funding to make the repairs. She spoke with us to explain what these changes will look like.
Chandra Cansino
Chandra Cansino, C.E.O., K.H.M.H.
“This partnership with the BTB started actually maybe a little less than a year ago when we were approached about how the Belize Tourism Board, well the Ministry of Tourism could support the Coalition Memorial Hospital and taking into consideration that they have a priority for their visitors as well. And so we came up with the idea to renovate the accident and emergency unit simply because that is the area where all emergencies come and in the event of, a mass casualty or any unfortunate event that may involve visitors to Belize, we wanted to be able to make sure that we have it upgraded and fit for the use by the public.”
Britney Gordon
“What areas will specifically be targeted in this renovation?”
Chandra Cansino
“It’s specifically the Accident and Emergency Unit. What happened is this is the area that became the COVID unit during the pandemic. And so the Accident and Emergency Unit was moved from here to the clinics. And this area was the COVID unit. So it endured a lot of wear and tear, a lot of beating, a lot of use. Everything was new and so since then, nothing has been done to address the physical look as well as equipment that was used and needs to be replaced.”
According to Cansino, the project is still in its preliminary stages and has not secured a contractor as yet.
Chandra Cansino
“We have identified what needs to be done. So we submitted our wish list, as we would call it to the BTB because in these types of partnerships, it’s not really only what you want. You have to submit justification, your budget, your project, your plan. And so we submitted that and they approve a part of what we submitted. So we now need to sit down and prioritize and decide what exactly we will do first. And then we will be able to move to contractors.”
Cansino stated that over ten thousand dollars will be tendered during this process and will be used for repairs to the ceiling, floors and to upgrade equipment.
Chandra Cansino
“We followed a normal tendering process. I think it’s over ten thousand and we have to tender to the public. It is a very public, transparent process. We are audited every year by external auditors, so there is nothing for us to hide, and whatever we need to tender, we will be tendering for.”
Britney Gordon
“What areas of priority do you have for this project?“
Chandra Cansino
“The areas of priority are twofold. They’re physical, because I think you all saw when you came in how beaten and battered it is. So we want the appearance to people when they come into the institution. People come here in emergencies and so they’re already in a vulnerable state and you want them to feel that they’re in a place that they can trust and that they will be treated nicely. And so that goes along with how the place looks. And so you certainly want to upgrade replace the broken tiles and the broken ceiling tiles paint the walls and change whatever we need to change so that we elevate the standard that we provide to OUT 3:25 the public.”
The Belize Tourism Board has undertaken several projects within the last few months in an effort to enhance Belize’s thriving tourism sector. Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler stated that tourism also includes ensuring adequate healthcare.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations
“WE have invested in equipment and other things for different hospitals across the country, especially Karl Heusner. We’ve supported them through the diaspora unit with beds, wheelchairs, and other equipment that they needed. And so this is just an ongoing program that we have to uplift healthcare in the country. We are advocates for the hospital in San Pedro as well, because we know the value of having people have peace of mind when they come to the country. If anything should happen to them, they know that they’re going to be well taken care of.”
A decision will be rendered by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim on March eighth, in a trial against attorney Oscar Selgado that concluded earlier today. Closing arguments were made this morning by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior, who represents Selgado in the criminal matter. Lucas put forward to the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryly-Lynn Vidal compromised a fair trial for Selgado who is accused of abetment to commit murder. Lucas posited that this was done when the DPP attempted to have the Commissioner of Police record a three-way call with her and Giovanni Ramirez who was allegedly hired to kill Marilyn Barnes.
Reporter
“How do you feel about the closing arguments today?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“I don’t think there any surprises from the other side in terms of what I expected them to come to say.”
Reporter
“He also submitted that Marilyn Barnes had no locus standi to complain before the General Legal Counsel. Does that hold any water for you?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“What is stated is not actually the substance of the complaint. She did actually have a complaint before the GLC and she had the right to make the complaint that she did. The actual nature of the complaint is not before the court, that was excluded at the case management conference stage.”
Reporter
“He said that you’ve not explained at all what happened to the DPP’s CDs.”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“Tat was also dealt with at the case management stage. The copy of the CD also went missing from the Office of the DPP.
Reporter
“An argument was made likewise that there should have been expert opinion to validate the testimony of a police officer having heard a tape and that wasn’t done.”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“I don’t recall that submission being made.”
Reporter
“Okay, so in terms of the judge accepting the secondary evidence, as well as basing the judgment on hearsay, do you feel that it’s a strong case that the Crown has?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“We wouldn’t have been prosecuting him if we didn’t think that there was a likelihood that he would be convicted.”
In court this morning, Lucas asked the judge to set aside the evidence presented by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and former Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino. He argued that admitting the secondary evidence would be prejudicial to Selgado and pointed out to the court that their recollection of the audio recording was inconsistent. On the other hand, the DPP asserted that the testimonies provided by the ComPol and the former Inspector are standalone proof of Ramirez’s statement.
Reporter
“What does it mean that he’s also telling the judge and I think the judge also said himself that he must approach Giovanni Ramirez’s statement with a lot of caution? Could that hurt your case?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Those are the words that need to be used. Those are ordinary words used in directions to judges, to juries when considering evidence. Giovanni Ramirez did not actually come to testify, he did not go into the box and give his testimony and he wasn’t cross-examined. So of course the judge is being asked to rely on a written statement, so the judge has to approach it with caution. That does not mean that he cannot rely on it and in this case, as you have seen, there are so many aspects of that statement that have been independently confirmed. So our argument was that of course, the judge can reach the position that he can safely rely on that statement.”
