Every year, women across the world observe International Woman’s Month. A time meant to highlight the achievements of women and girls and uplift them so that they may make further achievements. In Belize, the Woman and Family Support Department join in on this endeavor by hosting an array of events that not only celebrates the achievement of women and honors their contribution in society, but empowers young girls and inspires them to work towards their goals. Elyne Serano, Human Development Coordinator of the department spoke with us today about these activities.
Elyne Serano
Elyne Serano, Human Development Coordinator, Woman &Family Support Department.
“So far, we have planned activities across the countries, which includes empowerment session, where, we have partnered with women in leadership positions, such as attorneys, magistrates, doctors, pharmacists, who were able to have these intergenerational sessions at the different districts with high school students and young girls to inspire them and motivate them as they grow older to help people make their decisions into their careers. And then we are also having the economic empowerment fairs across the country. These economic empowerment fairs. One in Corozal, San Pedro, and Dangriga. They will be at the Central Park in these locations. And the Belize City Economic Empowerment Fair will be held at the Battlefield Park. They will all be starting at nine a.m. up to three p.m. So, these Economic Empowerment Fairs highlight women in business,So we are creating the space and the opportunity for women to showcase their products at these fairs. We have invited some employers who has job opportunities, so they will be out there as well. And marketing opportunities and the business development support for women.”
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan announced today the resignation of Christopher Glancy. In a brief statement, the Diocese said, “The Vatican Press Office announced today, March 13, 2024, that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Christopher J. Glancy, CSV, from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan.
We give thanks to Almighty God for the years of service Bishop Glancy faithfully provided to the People of God in Belize. We wish him all the best and God’s endless blessings in his life. Let us keep him in our prayers.”
Press Release from Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan
No reason was given for Glancy’s departure from the Diocese.
Glancy was ordained as a priest on April 17, 1993. His initial assignment was as a parochial vicar at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, Illinois. During his tenure, he also took on the role of vocation director and served on the provincial council of the Viatorians. In 1998, he was assigned to Belize, where he served as a parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal. This parish oversaw 23 village missions, 19 primary schools, and Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School. Subsequently, he returned to the United States and served as a parochial vicar at St. Viator Parish in Chicago.
Sixty-nine-year-old Idolly Young is still missing. Young, who suffers from dementia, was reported missing last week in Belize City. Her family says that they have been on the grounds searching for her ever since.
She was last seen on Tuesday, January 5th, in the vicinity of Sanker Street, Belize City. At the time, she was dressed in a white blouse and a floral skirt. Anyone with information that may aid the family in locating her is urged to contact +501 613-3361.
The family of Stephanie Lindo issued a statement late Tuesday evening regarding her passing. The statement reads, “Steph has always pushed boundaries and moved mountains that would give others pause. Her fighting and fearless spirit laid the foundation for the amazing woman she became. Steph was a tenacious manager for the city she loved. She always showed up and stood up. Her creativity, vibrance, and commitment make us proud. These qualities were no match for her tender soul.”
The Lindo family says, “Steph was taken from us far too soon, but we are assured that the love she so willingly shared and the beautiful memories we created will sustain us.”
The Lindo family will focus all its energy on Stephanie’s son.
Lindo was shot dead by her husband, Oswald Garbutt, at their residence on Freetown Road in Belize City on Saturday morning. Garbutt then killed himself.
Several stevedores who are represented by the Christian Workers’ Union have gathered in front of Port of Belize Limited in Belize City. Assistant Commissioners of Police Hilberto Romero and Alford Grinage spoke to the men in the hopes of decreasing tensions. Police officers had to break the lock of a bicycle chain at PBL’s main entrance.
Frustrated stevedores gather in front of Port of Belize Limited
As we have been reporting, last week stevedores expressed dissatisfaction with P.B.L. Although the stevedores have only issued threats of strike action and have continued reporting to work, they have unmistakably conveyed their discontent to their employer. While waterfront workers are present, their productivity has been affected, impacting business operations.
On Tuesday, CWU President Leonora Flowers told the press, ““There is a group of our members—our stevedores—who are very upset and unhappy with what’s happening at the moment. It’s been over a week that we sat with the – we sat in a meeting with the interim board’s chair, and we said what was our final stance: Please do not touch our C.B.A. Please get to the sugar money or get to the C.B.A. We are prepared to dialogue on that right now. We’re not prepared to piecemeal any of our rights. We’re not prepared to give those away, not even for the sugar money.””
PBL CEO Arturo Vasquez told News Five that the actions of the stevedores have impacted business. Cargo ships have been making calls to Belize since last week and have been unable to unload at the Port of Belize as a result of the actions of the stevedores. .
An eleven-year-old child and his mother, both from the Netherlands, are dead, following a late-afternoon shooting incident in Belmopan. News Five has been reliably informed that the woman was with her husband and two of their children purchasing ice cream inside the Belmopan Market when a gunman opened fire on them. Reporters are that the family frantically ran in separate directions to escape armed attack. The gunman allegedly pursued the two children and opened fire in their direction. He then turned to the mother and shot her. As we said, one of the children and the mother unfortunately passed away. The father and the second child were also injured in the shooting. Police are yet to issue an official report with further information on the identities of the victims, but we understand that the shooter is a Haitian-American businessman. He has been detained. As for a motive, sources have indicated that the perpetrator is claiming that the family tried to poison him. News Five understands that the father was also detained by police. We will continue to follow this story.
On Saturday morning, many across the Old Capital were shocked upon learning of the deaths of city administrator Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt and her husband, Oswald “Wally Cat” Garbutt. The couple was well known, as Garbutt’s husband was the proprietor and manager of Blue Steel Sounds, an entertainment group that is popular on the music scene. Garbutt shot his wife, before turning the weapon on himself. It’s a tragedy that comes while International Women’s Month is being celebrated. It has rocked the People’s United Party, as well as the Belize City Council which is set to be sworn into office for a third term later this week. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“Shocked, frozen in time and I’m still shocked actually. This whole weekend has been a weekend where I am on the edge, always anticipating that something tragic would happen and so this continues. I know we will have to heal as a unit, group, and I know I have the support of my council. I am glad to have them along with me.”
The city administrator and her husband are dead and the couple leaves behind a thirteen-year-old son in the wake of a tragic murder/suicide over the weekend. It happened on Saturday morning at this residence on Freetown Road, on the second floor of Oswald Garbutt’s Glass Technology business.
“Investigations revealed that shots were heard inside the house and when police visited, they found the two bodies.”
Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt and her husband, Oswald “Wally Cat” Garbutt were reportedly involved in a domestic dispute prior to the deadly shootings. The incident is believed to have taken place sometime after seven a.m. Garbutt’s younger sibling, who goes by the professional handle Selectah Joe, made the grisly discovery when he realized that blood was dripping through the flooring of the upstairs residence.
Hilberto Romero
“The two bodies were found with gunshot injuries and thereafter the scene was processed and they were taken to the KHMH.”
Isani Cayetano
“From your investigation, your preliminary investigation, I should say, was there anything inside the residence that was of concern or that would have suggested otherwise?”
Hilberto Romero
“Not that I know of, but a thorough investigation is being carried out into the matter.”
The tragic ordeal has come as a shock to everyone at City Hall where a black blow has been placed at the entrance of the building. Eluide Miller worked closely with Stephanie Garbutt in the day-to-day administration prior to running for office.
Eluide Miller
Eluide Miller, Councilor-Elect
“I had the opportunity to work very closely with the city administrator, not at the policy level like the previous council member did, but at an administrative level, given that I was a staff member at the council and over time we also established, similar to the mayor and myself, we established a great working relationship. I would have to have discussions with her on a daily basis in order to get certain things done and she was always helpful.”
According to Mayor Wagner, at no time did Garbutt indicate to anyone at City Hall that she was experiencing marital issues at home.
Bernard Wagner
“To the best of my knowledge, she didn’t demonstrate any sort of signs. I have meetings with the city administrator every Monday morning and sometimes twice per week. I never saw any signs in respect to domestic violence. But we know that domestic violence is prevalent globally. Actually, it has become a sort of epidemic in itself.”
And that epidemic has reared its ugly head at the Belize City Council. Domestic violence can cause severe physical and emotional harm to family members and children who witness domestic violence may experience long-lasting emotional scars, affecting their development and well-being.
Stephanne Hamilton
Stephanne Hamilton, Councilor-Elect
“When I received the news on Saturday, for me it was like a nightmare, I actually could not believe it. I had to make several calls to ensure that indeed we were going through this and for me it’s like a devastation. Actually on Wednesday Stephanie texted me on Monday to wish me all the best and when she received the results, again she was championing me and she said, “Councilor, you deserve it, you worked hard.”
Sadly, the city administrator won’t be around to see the Belize City Council be called to office later this week. Her husband, Wally Cat, was well-known on the entertainment scene as a popular disc jockey who owned and managed Blue Steel Sounds, a staple on local radio. He was also the proprietor of Glass Technologies Ltd.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’m still at a loss. I know Bill Lindo very well and I know he is hurting beyond words, him and his family, and we reached out to both families. I still don’t know what really transpired, but it’s tragic. And Stephanie was so full of life and hard-working, driven person.”
The tragic loss at City Hall now leaves a vacancy that is yet to be filled. It also casts a dark shadow over the incoming council, as Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt was set to administer the oath of office for the new members.
Isani Cayetano
“It’s a significant void to fill, particularly at this juncture. You’re about to start another three-year term in office. What takes place next, in terms of, one, the swearing-in and, two, being able to fill this particular post?”
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“In respect to filling the post, I haven’t had time to really think about filling the post because you are processing so much. Right now I noh even have time fi think who we would recommend for replacement. Currently, the Ministry of Local Government, given that the municipality falls under their jurisdiction, we have had discussions and so, in the interim, so as to continue the operations of the city, we have to have someone there responsible and we, along with the local government, have appointed Sharlene Rudon to fill this transition period for us so as to ensure that the operations of the city continue and that the swearing-in occurs without any hiccups.”
Edmund Kwan
Edmund Kwan, Councilor-Elect
“I just want to express my condolences to the city on a whole because Mrs. Stephanie was really the head of our, basically the head of our city council, you know, and it’s really a tragic loss to the whole city. Words can’t express how I’m feeling right now.”
Alan Pollard
Alan Pollard, Councilor-Elect
“I’m really still trying to process it. It’s very unbelievable, shocking and it just feels like a bad dream. CA was a lot of things. CA was a hard worker, she was almost robotic in carrying out her tasks. Seamless, she worked very hard, long hours and one thing, like the mayor said, she was strong-willed.”
The City of Belmopan officially has a new city council. This afternoon, Mayor Pablo Cawich and his team of councilors were sworn-in to office. Residents of Belmopan went to the polls on March sixth and the majority voted in favor of the People’s United Party’s mayoral candidate, Pablo Cawich and his six councilors. This is the second consecutive term that the P.U.P. will lead in the Capital City. We heard from the Mayor Cawich during the ceremony. Here is what he had to say.
Pablo Cawich, Mayor, City of Belmopan
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our city’s history as we inaugurate a new chapter with the installation of this city council. It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you as mayor and I am filled with a profound sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for the journey that lies ahead. Our city is vibrant, it is full of dreams and aspirations and it is a testament to the strength of our community as we take on the mantle of leadership, let us recognize the unique character of this city. It has diversity that defines us, challenges that shape us and the collective spirit that unifies us. Our vision for the city is not just about improved infrastructure and services; it is about modernizing and enhancing the very essence of community life. Our goals are ambitious, yet it is a shared commitment and determination that will propel us forward as we face the complexities of modern governance let us remember that our decision impact the lives of each resident.”
Since the Christian Workers’ Union called a press briefing last week to state how very upset its members are, those employed by the Port of Belize, there has been little to no feedback from P.B.L. But while the stevedores have only threatened strike action and have reported to work, they have certainly made their discontent known to their employer. The waterfront workers are all on the job, but they have not been working to pace and it has had an effect on business. Today, Leonora Flowers, the President of the C.W.U., categorically told the media that there’s no strike action in place because the union has not informed the employer of such an action. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Leonora Flowers
Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers’ Union
“There is a group of our members – our stevedores – who are very upset and unhappy with what’s happening at the moment. It’s been over a week that we sat with the – we sat in a meeting with the interim board’s chair and we said what was our final stance: Please do not touch our C.B.A. Please get to the sugar money or get to the C.B.A. We are prepared to dialogue on that right now. We’re not prepared to piecemeal any of our rights. We’re not prepared to give those away, not even for the sugar money.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
The tone was set publicly on March fifth and even from before then, when the Christian Workers’ Union wrote privately to the government, seeking a final settlement to the stevedores’ gripes. After not hearing a word on their behalf, stevedores are reportedly on the job, but have begun to show their discontent. While Leonora Flowers, President of the C.W.U., did not share openly what the stevedores have been advised to do, she gave an idea.
Leonora Flowers
“If you’re working and you’re unhappy, I’m sure it’s going to be felt in the effectiveness of what’s happening.”
Marion Ali
So what’s happening? Is it a go slow? What is happening on the ground?”
Leonora Flowers
“I will not seek to put any word to it. Suffice it to say, it’s not a strike. We’ve not issued any strike. We’ve not, told anybody to stay at home. Go to work.”
Marion Ali
“But whether or not they’re carrying on with the job, that’s a different story.”
Leonora Flowers
“(Nods head). You’d have to get what happens there from the Port. As we said, we tell our members, “show up for work.”
News Five did reach out to PBL C.E.O., Arturo Vasquez, who said that there was no protest happening, but that the actions of the stevedores has been having an impact on business. Cargo ships have been making calls to Belize since last week and have been unable to unload at the Port of Belize as a result of the actions of the stevedores. News Five also learned that on Saturday, a ship named Vanquish was sent back to Miami without unloading and that another ship, Aries, which provides a Caribbean feeder service will reportedly travel to the Port of Big Creek to be unloaded. There is another vessel, the Caribbean Mariner, which is also likely to be unloaded. And Flowers said the stevedores are prepared to stay the course until they hear from the government.
Marion Ali
“For how long will this be the case – that they report to work, but work is not happening?”
Leonora Flowers
“We’re anticipating a response from the government as we speak. It’s been more than a week that we’ve heard absolutely nothing from them.”
We left just as the C.W.U was starting a meeting with the foremen of the stevedore gangs. As Flowers explained, they are the ones who determine what steps they will take next.
Leonora Flowers
“These are the people who direct the union what happens. We take our orders from them.”
Marion Ali
“So they will inform what happens tomorrow and for the rest of the week?”
Leonora Flowers
“Yes.”
The stevedores want the government to pay them four point nine million dollars in compensation for the loss of wages when the decision was taken to have bulk sugar exported from the Big Creek Port instead. They also want to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
