Belizeans, whether at home or abroad, are taking over this weekend to celebrate Belize pride, even in the face of bad weather. While locals will get to enjoy the annual carnival road march, Belizeans in New York City will see the return of the Belize Park Fest on September 7, 2024, at Industry City in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park.
News 5 spoke with Duane Gutierrez, chairman of the NYC Belize Park Fest, and Dona Andrews, the fest’s secretary, to learn more about this year’s ‘one big Belizean Reunion’ in New York City.
Gutierrez expressed his vision to bring back the festival so Belizeans can reconnect. “It’s more so for the next generation of Belizeans that are here. To pretty much get to know their culture and heritage a lot more closer,” said Gutierrez.
According to Gutierrez and Andrews, the festival offers a slice of home for Belizeans residing in and around NYC—an opportunity for Belizeans to enjoy Belizean food and music.
Andrews highlighted the festival’s dual purpose as both a celebration and a fundraiser. “It is a fundraiser. So once you come and you support us, you’re not supporting us personally, you’re a part of what we are about, our dream, and helping Belizeans. So you are a part of what our dream is about,” she said.
“We’re very excited that we’re going to be helping our Belizeans here and abroad in sports, education, whatever,” she added.
The Belize Park Fest not only serves as a vibrant celebration of Belizean heritage but also as a meaningful way for the community to contribute to the next generation of Belizeans living abroad.
Dr. Glenda Lovell, the sister of the late Jenny “I Love It” Lovell, is accusing physicians at the Western Regional Hospital of negligence. Dr. Lovell makes the accusation in a letter dated July 25 and addressed to Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard, CEO Dr. Julio Sabido, and Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Jorge Polanco.
The beloved Belizean icon was found dead in her Belmopan home on June 28th, 2024. She was 73.
According to the medical certificate of causes of death, Jenny died of a massive acute myocardial infarction.
In her letter, Dr. Lovell details the chain of events beginning when Jenny first arrived at the W.R.H. alive to when her body was taken there.
“Jennifer was brought to the hospital on the evening of June 27, disoriented and in acute respiratory failure, her oxygen saturations were in the 80s. Standard of care for patients in respiratory failure is to diagnose and treat expeditiously. Jennifer was in extremis and should have been admitted to the ICU and treatment and diagnostic procedures should have been initiated. Instead, a few labs were drawn, a chest Xray was done and oxygen was administered. She was never ruled out for a myocardial infarction nor a pulmonary embolus which should have been at the top of any competent physician’s diagnostic concern. A few hours later, after her saturations had improved, she was discharged from the hospital with NO reason found for her profound respiratory failure!!”
Dr. Lovell, who is an internist in the United States, says that Jenny was not asthmatic, on drugs and “never smoked in her life. ” She said, “Jennifer did not have asthma, COPD, was not on drugs and had never smoked in her life. Any competent physician would have questioned WHY she was in respiratory failure and admitted her for further diagnostic procedures and treatment.” Instead, she was discharged into the care of a friend who is also a hospital worker.
According to Dr. Lovell, that friend called back the hospital 15 minutes later after Jenny was discharged to state that “Jennifer was weak and that her oxygen levels were now in the 70s!!!” She was advised to take Jenny back to the hospital, but that did not occur, “a dead body was brought back to the hospital for pronouncement.”
“My sister was a Belizean icon who gave her time and talents to the people of Belize, it is sad and horrifying that she was treated this way and I would like to know that this kind of behavior will not stand without consequences.”
Dr Lovell is demanding answers to these questions:
WHY was Jennifer discharged without a proper diagnosis for her profound respiratory failure?
WHY did the hospital not immediately send an ambulance to get my sister when they were informed her saturations were in the 70s?
WHY was her family not informed that Jennifer was severely ill and likely dying?
Most importantly, the family would like to know WHY Ms C. did not immediately return Jennifer to the hospital. She is supposedly a health care provider and should know that oxygen saturations in the 70s is not compatible with life. WHY DID SHE NOT RETURN MY SISTER TO THE HOSPITAL???
Dr. Lovell is demanding a “full investigation into the egregious negligence that befell my sister and would like the physicians who perpetrated this malpractice to be disciplined.”
News Five reached out to Dr. Jorge Polanco for comment. Dr. Polanco told News Five, ” the Ministry has already formally responded to the letter from Dr Lovel.” When asked how the matter was addressed and if the allegations were confirmed, Dr Polanco said, ” I have to ensure confidentiality of the deceased and her family, but you can ask Dr Lovel. Thanks.”
The article was updated at 5:45 p.m. local time to reflect Dr. Polanco’s responses.
The Government of Belize is looking for a new auditor general. Dorothy Bradley occupied that post for over thirteen years, after stepping down as Chief Elections Officer. In 2021, Bradley retired from the position, but a constitutional revision was made to bring her back on a two-year contract since the government could not source an adequate replacement. During her tenure, under both the Barrow and the Briceno administrations, Bradley received criticism from the unions, including the Public Service Union, for the handling of the audit on the Immigration and Lands departments. Now that Bradley’s contract has expired, the government is seeking a replacement. We spoke with President of the PSU, Dean Flowers, who reiterated his sentiment that the government needs to do better moving forward.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, PSU
“The reality remains that even if we want to recognize the limited work that was done as it relates to some of the special audits, the immigration audit, the sports council audit, the, I believe it’s Julian Cho audit. These were no initiatives of Bradley. These were forced as a result of irregularities that were uncovered and therefore, she was mandated. In essence, for ten years she did nothing on her own in her capacity to address the issue of corruption. At every turn that we had a report to examine and criticize and to create or to establish a Senate select committee. It was as a result of public pressure. It was as a result of corruption that was exposed, not by her office, but rather by either whistleblower on the inside or some disgruntled citizen. And so, we really need to reflect on that. We also need to reflect on the fact that even when these irregularities were highlighted in these specific reports that I mentioned, what became of them? Who were who was held accountable? It demonstrates the lack of training and the lack of expertise in auditing by miss Bradley. To have ensured that we would have gotten people held accountable and convicted of the irregularities, especially where the immigration audit was concerned. That was a waste of time at the end of the day. Why? Because it was thrown out. We spent a lot of money to conduct that audit. We spent a lot of money to conduct a Senate inquiry. And because of failure to follow simple audit procedures before you present a report, it was a waste.”
On Thursday, the Rural Transformation Department inaugurated the new Tower Hill Village Rudimentary Water System. The department also distributed water meters valued at over $30,000 to ensure “efficient monitoring and distribution for the benefit of the community.”
The ceremony highlighted the transition from the Carmelita Village system to an independent setup, a move expected to enhance water access and reliability. The department expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their support and to Orange Walk East Area Representative Kevin Bernard for his contributions to the project.
Through the same initiative, the Ministry provided 4” PVC pipes worth over $17,000 to the San Felipe Village Water Board in the Orange Walk District, furthering their commitment to improving local water infrastructure.
As part of UNICEF’s effort to upgrade the rudimentary water systems in twenty villages in southern Belize, the WASH Improvement Programme was implemented, making notable progress in Machakilha village in southern Belize. A newly installed 200-foot well now pumps 120 gallons per minute, an 800% increase, and solar-powered systems have improved water access. This upgrade aims to address the village’s long-standing water scarcity issues, benefiting families that previously had to travel half a mile daily for water.
News Five has confirmed with Minister Francis Fonseca, Chair of the Belize National Celebrations Commission, that the Carnival Road March in Belize City will proceed. Minister Fonseca told News Five that, “Based on the expert advice of the Chief Met Officer, the Carnival Association, in consultation with the NCC, will proceed with the Carnival as scheduled.”
Fonseca added, “If there is any change in that position by the Carnival Association, the public will be informed.”
As for classes today, Fonseca said “the Ministry of Education has not cancelled any,” adding that “Parents and students are advised to stay tuned to notices from their schools, as some individual schools have cancelled classes due to flooding.”
