2024-07-24 - Channel 5 Belize

Local Government C.E.O.: Town Council Will Resolve Rift

For the better part of two weeks, the Dangriga Town Council has been in the news because of an ongoing rift between the Mayor, Robert Mariano and the Town Administrator, Austin Petillo. Petillo reportedly got wind of a missing file for an F – One Fifty Vehicle from the records clerk. Petillo wrote to the employee who was said to be responsible for the missing file and inquired about it. But then there were instructions from the mayor’s office to the council’s security that they should not allow Petillo back on the compound. Then there’s the other side, which claims that Petillo was having problems with some of the employees. When the mayor intervened to resolve the matter, it is reported that Petillo got upset and walked off the job. And when Mariano instructed that Petillo could only be allowed back on the compound after he called the mayor to discuss the matter, there was a report that he was banned from entering the premises. Today, News Five contacted the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Local Government, which is responsible for municipal governments. He said that the dispute is one that the Dangriga Town Council will have to resolve on its own, but that the administrator, Austin Petillo, is already back at work.

Valentino Shal, C.E.O., Ministry of Local Government

“There are different roles that the mayor plays on the tongue administration administrator plays, and I think they need to be clear about what those specific roles are. Those roles are actually specified in the tongue councils act. The mayor is the chief executive. According to the legislation of the council, and so the administrator is required to answer to the mayor on any decisions taken or any actions taken– a discussion that should happen with the mayor. This issue is a matter to be resolved by the congregate on console itself. The act itself empowers them to, to address it and I’m quite sure that they will. We are in contact with it, but we can’t do their job for them. They have been elected by their residents. They are a council, they are empowered by law to address these matters, and so it is, something that they need to deal with. And we are very reluctant to intervene when, really it is something within their prerogative. These are matters that are constantly before the councils and they’re tabled and discussed at council meetings. And so I think the representations that have been made in the media and on social media are completely unnecessary. These are things that – it’s a day-to-day thing that happens in the lives of councils.”

Marion Ali

“Are they inaccurate?”

Valentino Shal

“Absolutely. I understand from the console that Mr. Pettilo is the town administrator is back in office.”

John Saldivar No Longer U.D.P.’s Regional Leader

Things are getting tense in the United Democratic Party. As we reported earlier this week, a meeting consisting of eighteen ‘anti-Shyne’ U.D.P. standards bearers met in Orange Walk to discuss ‘general reform’. The party leader, Moses Barrow, has described such a meeting as ‘phantom’. But, the threat to his leadership within the party is real. Albert Area Representative, Tracy Panton, is emerging as Barrow’s contender. And, her supporters are not afraid of showing it. Several prominent U.D.P. figures, including Patrick Faber, and Beverly Williams, took to Facebook to pledge their support for Panton, using the phrase “I am with her.” Along with them was John Saldivar, who is no longer the party’s regional leader for the west. Barrow says that Saldivar was ousted. However, sources say that Saldivar smelled the rat from a mile away and resigned before he was replaced for supporting Panton. Omar Figueroa is the new regional leader for the west for the U.D.P.

The Dean Barrow Story By Lawrence Vernon

He served an unprecedented three consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Belize. The Right Honourable Dean Barrow has been immortalized through the Dean Barrow Story, a biography of the nation’s fourth prime minister, written by Lawrence Vernon. This is Vernon’s fifth biography. He describes this one as a labour of love. It was not commissioned by the former prime minister, but according to Vernon, Barrow gave it his blessing and even contributed through interviews with Vernon. The thirty-two-chapter book was officially launched today. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Dean Barrow Story recounts the life and political contributions of the nation’s fourth prime minister. The biography was written by author Lawrence Vernon.

Lawrence Vernon, Author

“The actual book took me about two years to research and write. I wanted to get everything that was written about Dean Barrow from the newspapers, in the archives and from press releases and articles and from my interview with him.”

The thirty-two-chapter biography opens with excerpts from Barrow’s final Independence Day speech in 2020 at the foot of the National Assembly Building. At the time, Barrow had delivered more than two decades of Independence Day speeches, both as leader of the opposition and Belize’s prime minister. The book’s final chapter, titled “A Man of Character,” looks at how Barrow navigated Belize’s economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawrence Vernon

“Apart from a successful law career, Dean Barrow’s venture into politics, covered thirty-seven years, almost thirteen of which was him serving as prime minister of Belize. Let me offer two quotes found in the book. The first one, like his grandfather, Dean got into electoral politics by way of the Belize City Council elections. This was in December of 1983 as one of the U.D.P. candidates when his party was successful. When Dean Barrow made a decision to become a member of the U.D.P., he was well qualified political in terms of being aware of public policy, being visible in the community, good public speaking, up to date on current events and had a thick skin.”

The biography also takes a closer look at Barrow’s upbringing, the fact that his father, Arthur Barrow, was a pharmacist, and his mother, Joyce Barrow, was a housewife. Born on March second, 1950, he was the first in a family of three children. The book explores Barrow’s connection with politics through Ebenezer Barrow who was the leader of the pro-colonialist Nationalist Party established one year after his birth. Lawrence Vernon describes this body of literary work as a labour of love. His son, Dylan Vernon, says his father writes for the love of informing a nation.

Dylan Vernon, Son of Author

“What motivates him to write? I am sure that he writes primarily as he would say himself, for the same reason that he became a librarian, to share accessible information and knowledge and to contribute to the body of written material on his beloved Belize for current and future generation. That is why he does it. It is sad to say that this kind of writing does not really pay. It is not really valued in our current society. But Lawrence Vernon has done for the love of informing people and to motivate others to research, read, and write.”

The Dean Barrow Story was not commissioned by Barrow, though Vernon explained that they sat down for interviews over the two years he spent writing. Barrow was also unable to be present at today’s event. The two hundred and eight-three-page biography was printed by The Angelus Press Limited.

Jermain Sanchez, The Angelus Press LTD.

“I want to tell you that we have printed many books before and this is one of the few books that we did probably one percent edit. So, congratulations to you Mr. Vernon. Your word choice, your selection was perfect, because when we use to go to school ninety-nine percent was good. Nobody topped that, so you got a ninety-nine percent. I wont tell the people what the one percent was about. We will talk about that after.”

Lawrence Vernon

“Although as I said, he didn’t commission it, I volunteer to do it, but he was happy to have his achievements, especially as prime minister revealed. In the newspapers you have little snippets here and there, but you put it in one book now and people can have access to it and read it in one place. My only thing is that it was suppose to be published by Amazon, that was in the time of COVID. When I returned to them, they raised the price for printing so I said why not do it in country. So we have a local printer doing the book and I think they did a good job of with it.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

U.S. Representative says Relationship with Belize is Top Priority

The U.S. is seeking to strengthen relations with Central America and the Caribbean, and according to Eric Jacobstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Belize is a top priority in that endeavor. Jacobstein made the journey to Belize from Washington, D.C., to discuss matters such as international security, democratic governance, and migration with Belizean government officials. At the annual CARSI-E.S.F. award ceremony hosted in Belmopan today, he explained why he believes it is important to have these discussions between nations.

Eric Jacobstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere Affairs

“It’s such an honor to be here in Belize with our fantastic ambassador, Michelle Kwan. And I would just say that Biden-Harris administration, our relationship with Belize is a top priority. We recognize Belize’s leadership on democracy in the region, its leadership on a number of issues, its recognition of Taiwan, its leadership in Haiti, on migration through the Los Angeles declaration process, on migration management. For me, it’s really an opportunity to check in with government leaders, have important conversations, and really demonstrate our strong support for the U.S. Belize partnership.”

F.C.A.B. Unveils New Firearm Regulations at Stakeholder Meeting

The Firearms Control and Ammunition Board met with stakeholders on Tuesday in Belmopan. The gathering aimed to enhance coordination and efficiency in the management of firearms and ammunition in Belize. A central focus of the meeting was an in-depth presentation on the establishment, purpose, and mandate of the Board and its role in regulating the possession, use, and distribution of firearms and ammunition. New procedures were introduced to streamline the application, review, and approval processes, including compliance audits to ensure adherence to these protocols. These revised measures are designed to ensure more rigorous and transparent operations, improving the overall effectiveness of firearm regulation.

Disabilities Bill Guarantees Protection of Persons Living With Disabilities

The Disabilities Bill is being celebrated as novel and forward-thinking. The bill seeks to end discrimination against persons with diverse abilities. The bill provides for the establishment of a Disabilities and Equal Rights Tribunal. Lead Government Senator, Eamon Courtenay explained that the legislation guarantees the protection of the differently abled. He went on to clarify that there is no hidden agenda to include the equal opportunities bill through this legislation.

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator

“This bill represents a recognition by our society that over time and as we mature as a democracy and nation that we are called upon as a collective, community, people, to be more tolerant, to be more inclusive to be more respectful to the differences and diversities within our society and to provide a legal framework which guarantees the protection needed and to ensure there is no discrimination or at least we try to reduce the chances for discrimination and where there is discrimination to provide a legal framework that is clear for redress. I know that there is concern about the name of the tribunal and the disabilities and equal rights tribunal. We say with absolute certainty there is no intention, express or implied, to bring the Equal Opportunities Act into this legislation. Any member of society who believes there is some hidden agenda in bringing the equal opportunities bill into force through this legislation is mistaken. I hope that the day will come soon when we bring the Equal Opportunities Bill for debate.”

Opposition Says Disabilities Bill is an “Ambitious Piece of Legislation”

Lead Opposition Senator, Michael Peyrefitte rose to support the Disabilities Bill. He referred to it as ambitious, noting that it will require significant infrastructure development. And of course, Church Senator Bishop Moses Benguche responded to Senator Courtenay’s comments on a future Equal Opportunities Bill.

Michael Peyrefitte, Lead U.D.P. Senator

“It is very much so an ambitious piece of legislation and maybe the minister of state for finance ran out of the room for purpose, because I hope they have a plan to pay for it. The things they have in place are very ambitious and within the time frame. I think section thirty-four speaks to making sure that all public spaces, public offices will be equipped to deal with people with disabilities within twelve months. You are talking about making sure that students who have a disability are placed in rooms with fewer students. It will require and infrastructure investment.”

Bishop Moses Benguche, Church Senator

“While I hear what the leader for government business has said in so far as the Equal Opportunities Bill, I just want to indicate and I think it is important that I indicate as the senator representing the church that it is important that we be consulted when that bill comes to the senate. I say that with utter seriousness because as I indicated that would not want to feel like the church is being left out in some of these things.”

Opposition Senator Questions U.S. Government Intent Behind $125 Million M.C.C. Grant

The Government of Belize is seeking to establish the Millenium Challenge Account-Belize as the authority over a one hundred and twenty-five million U.S. dollar grant from the Millenium Challenge Corporation. As Prime Minister John Briceño explained during the last sitting of the House of Representatives, the agreement has already been entered into between G.O.B. and the M.C.C. The U.S. government has agreed to provide the funds to improve the nation’s economic situation through investments in energy and education. But the account must first be established before the funds are disbursed. The bill to operationalize the process was debated in the Senate on Tuesday.

Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator

“Not to look a gift horse in the mouth Mister President but I need to know what the deal is. One day the U.S. gets up and just gives Belize a hundred and twenty-five million U.S. What led to that? What is the quid pro quo? This is not a nation that is known to just give things freely. So, it is legitimate for any Belizean to ask well what are we giving up? What is this costing us? And we are not indicating that it may be anything sinister. We just need to know, what do we give in return for this?”

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“In terms of the composition of the board, section eleven, I see that it is chaired by the Financial Secretary and him being a member of the board itself. My only concern would be, from all my interactions with him in the past, he just seems like someone who is extremely consumed by tremendous responsibilities. So I am wondering if he is the best person, only from that perspective. He just seems to have a lot on his plate.”

Senators Debate Role of M.C.C. Oversight Team With $125 Million U.S. Grant

Senators also questioned the fact that four government C.E.O.’s will be appointed as members of the board of directors. There were also concerns over renumeration and the level of oversight from M.C.C. that almost makes it impossible to get anything done without their approval. Here is more from the debate.

Bishop Alvin Benguche, Church Senator

“On the aspect of the board, part two eleven where it speaks to renumeration. I think we need to continue to note that aspect, whereby I would hope and even though there will be oversight, I would hope that as we speak to the issue of renumeration that it would involve those who in an authentic way should receive. I can see there than on the board, especially the voting members, and I think if I am right there about three C.E.O.s who are already receiving a salary and should be restricted in so far as they are already receiving a salary and additional renumeration that they would not have to fit into this category.”

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator

“The long and short of it is that this is U.S. taxpayers’ money primarily, and there are legal requirements in the U.S. that put in place checks and balances that must be imposed on countries that receive the grant. While we may have pushed back and revealed our concerns and continue to express the concerns of the roles and responsibilities of M.C.C. representatives, their hands are tied. Ultimately why one has to accept it, is that you have to pay a price. What the role of the M.C.C. is designed to ensure that there is value for money in terms of the money that is going to be donated and the government counterpart contribution.”

Testing for H.I.V. in the Privacy of Your Home

The fight against H.I.V. and AIDS in Caribbean continues and the team at the National AIDS Commission is doing their part to ensure that Belize is properly equipped. On Monday, Doctor Russell Manzanero, Director of the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health and Wellness told us that the number of recorded H.I.V. cases in Belize has not seen a drastic shift upward in years, but the work to drive it downward is still ongoing. We spoke with Enrique Romero, Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission, who told us about how the public can do their part to ensure that they are H.I.V. free in the privacy of their own homes. Here’s more on that.

Enrique Romero, Executive Director, NAC

“Globally one of the strategies that has been working in reducing the incidents of H.I.V. globally is the introduction of H.I.V. self-testing modality. So that is something that the National Aids Commission has been advocating for and promoting and working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners. And we have introduced last year, H.I.V. self-testing, more of a pilot because H.I.V. self-testing is basically you doing the test on your own so last year during the pilot we asked people to come into our facilities at civil society facilities, Belize Family Life Association and GoBelize in Belmopan. And they went into a room and the person in there would assist them in conducting the test. Now the idea now this year is, I believe the colleagues in the Ministry of Health have started rolling this out in some of their districts is the tests are available at the Ministry of Health facility. You ask for an H.I.V. self-test kit, they would give you a kit. The kit comes with a pamphlet that shows you exactly what to do. The kit also has a barcode that you can, everybody has a phone now, you take your phone, you scan the barcode, it takes you to a YouTube channel that shows you exactly how you go about doing the H.I.V. self-test.”