His visits and cries to the Labour Department have so far proven to be futile. For them, there is no urgency, for this is just another file, but for him, his world has fallen apart, and he is helplessly entangled in it.

He said he used his meager savings to start a small business, but that has not worked out. He wants to work. He does not want hand outs. He has approached several businesses seeking employment, but all have turned him away. No one is hiring.

The response is the same. It is now the chorus of a song he hears regularly. The economy is the worst it has ever been. He is frustrated as he cannot pay his bills. He has pawned out his last possessions. He has borrowed money. No one seems to care what is happening to him. He is giving up slowly.

Another young man stood in front of me today with anger in his eyes, telling the tale of being marginalized as a black male because he has not the assets of a woman (his words were descriptively graphic so I am substituting to paint the picture) to sit in front of the minister and area representative to get a temporary reprieve to survive. He has skills but no job prospects, and has bills to pay.

He is convinced that he is been discriminated against because of his colour and sex. He was very verbal in his condemnation of a system and circumstances that forces young men to become criminals, and young women to compromise their dignity to survive, and of the selfish exploitation of the poor and vulnerable by those in power, who seem not to care that many of the young women who sat before them were of the age of some of their own daughters. His views were supported by his peers who stood around him. He has lost faith in the future.

A mother of three walked me through her home, which is one of several houses in the neighbourhood that collapsed during Hurricane Richard, because of age and condition. The ceiling had pieces of black plastic garbage bags taped up to catch the water when it rained.

The wooden flooring had caved in many places, and was very uneven and problematic to walk on. The plywood external walls have deteriorated, and one could see the outside through them. The beaver board internal walls are like paper and porous, streaked with water stains from the rains, and an unfinished plywood addition completes the picture.

She has three children and no job. She used her hands to illustrate the size of the rats, ‘wowlas’ and other animals and insects that she has had to battle with for control of her home. Her common law husband is neither employed and has to ‘ketch and kill’. She is proud of a certificate from ITVET that she has earned, and simply wants to live in a decent house and finish the addition to open a ‘little business’ (her own words).

According to them, Housing and Planning personnel has visited them several times since the Hurricane and promised to fix the house and make it more livable. An Area Representative and Minister promised some plywood to finish the addition, so she could open her ‘little business’ and earn a living and provide for her children. Neither has materialized. They joked about it, but you could see that it was a front, for in their eyes was disillusionment, and an acceptance of a life in which nothing was going to change.

These are just some examples of the stories of the campaign trail. Many times I find it difficult to even talk, and to some extent, have resigned myself more and more to simply listen, and draw deeply from a spiritual deposit passed on to me by either my mother, grandmother or great grandmother, that has gained interest over time. I willingly pass it on to them, hoping beyond hope, that it will help.

So I would tell them as they had told me, of reminding themselves from time to time, of the man who had no shoes. So as he walked, he cried out, because the stones were hurting his feet. Then he turned the lane, and met a man without feet. Thereafter, he started to hopscotch to avoid the bruising stones and became very fit. Or the most frequently used one that ‘God never gives you more than you could bear.’

I know it does not change their circumstances today, but it may make them, and the many other Belizeans who have lost hope for a better tomorrow, to pause, just for a moment, and perhaps open their minds to the following lyrics of Bill Clinton’s classic presidential campaign song by Fleetwood Mac.

If you wake up and don’t want to smile

If it takes just a little while

Open your eyes and look at the day

You will see things in a different way.

Don’t stop thinking of tomorrow

It will soon be here

It will be better than before

Yesterday is gone, yesterday is gone.

Perhaps if we all do this, we will appreciate the significance of joining the Next Revolution to create One Belize-Prosperous, United and Free. For it is about them, and the next generation.

For comments email: ctrenchsandiford@yahoo.com

However, that path may or may not have been travelled before, and the terrain or space upon or through which the vehicle must traverse, may be smooth and uncluttered, or bumpy and punctuated with obstacles, and may appear insurmountable and daunting. It may also exist or must be conceptualized and constructed.

Consequently, equally important to the revolution is the driver of that vehicle, as the journey requires plotting a road map, and recalibrations along the way, which may lead to lengthening or collapsing the time, reassessing and reevaluating the achievements and the vehicle, and at times the relevance of the revolution, and learning lessons from the journey itself.

While the party is the vehicle of the revolution, the National Executive is akin to the driver, but it is the Party Leader that holds the wheels as the vehicle travels along the journey. The Party Chairman is obligated to hold the compass that anchors the journey in the philosophical and ideological moorings of the party, so that the vision, policies and direction of the Party Leader are in harmony with the Party’s mandate as enshrined in our constitution.

In 2012, Belize is confronted with unprecedented challenges. This demands that the Party equip and position itself to rescue the Belizean economy and the 43% Belizeans that are in poverty, the 24 % that are unemployed, the 30000 children that are out of school, but perhaps more importantly, to restore our territorial integrity, national sovereignty and to forge our unique Belizean identity.

The Party also a duty to give each Belizean the opportunity to unleash their full potential, to unlock the wealth untold, to harmonize national development goals and aspirations with that of local communities and individuals, to eliminate political corruption and to provide for succession planning and the long term interest of both the country and the party.

I therefore forward a new profile for the driver of the vehicle of the revolution, the National Executive. It is one that is truly inclusive and national in scope, but facilitates decision making at the local level; one  that provides for perpetuating the principles and values upon which our party is founded, but gives the Party Leader the window for visionary and results oriented leadership; and one that incorporates sustainability, regeneration and flexibility to respond to traditional, contemporary and emerging issues and concerns.

[1]  Party Leader

The Party Leader shall be elected by all active members of the party through regional caucus primaries. The delegates of the caucuses shall be the voice of the membership at the National Convention to affirm their decision.

[2]  Party Chairman

Procedure of the Party Leader shall similarly apply to the Party Chairman.

[3]  Regional Deputy Party Leaders

There shall be Four Regional Deputy Party Leaders elected by the members of their respective caucuses and who shall be responsible for leading regional management teams to execute the decisions of the National Executive at the regional level.

[4]  Regional Deputy Party Chairpersons

There shall be Four Regional Deputy Party Chairmen elected by the members of their respective caucuses and who shall be responsible for coordinating the day to day operations of the party at the regional level.

[5]  Posts to be appointed by the Party Leader:

A National Communications and Advocacy Director

A National Policy Director

A National Campaign and Mobilization Director

A National Finance and Fundraising Director

The Party Leader shall appoint persons to these four posts, and such appointments shall be subject only to a negative resolution of the National Convention.

[6]  National Education, Reform and Recruitment Director

The National Education, Reform and Recruitment Director shall be appointed by the Party Chairman after consultation with the Party Leader, and such appointment shall be subject only to a negative resolution at the National Convention.

[7]  Chairman – Honours, Awards and Discipline Committee

A Chairman of the Honours, Awards and Discipline Committee shall be elected by the members of the Committee who are representatives of the regional caucuses. This Committee shall comprise the Order of the Distinguished Services and the Marshalls Community Service Corps and any other Order that may be approved by the National Convention.

[8]  President – Youths for Belize Movement

A President of the Youths for Belize Movement shall be elected by the youth members designated by the youth groups of the regional caucuses.

[9]  President – Women for Belize Movement

A President of the Women for Belize Movement shall be elected by the women members designated by the women’s group of the regional caucuses.

[10]            Legal Advisor

A Legal Advisor shall be nominated by the Party Chairman after consultation with the Party Leader, and such appointment shall be subject only to a negative resolution of  the National Convention.

[11]            Treasurer

A Treasurer shall be nominated by the Party Chairman after consultation with the Honours, Awards and Discipline Committee, and such appointment shall be subject only to a negative resolution of the National Convention.

[12]            Former Party Leaders

It may very well be that this change may be considered as challenging the ideas and concepts expounded by the architects of the first revolution. But I believe they themselves understood that as times and circumstances change, innovativeness, boldness, courage and vision is required, for only so can the revolution continue.

A National Executive of 2012 must be driven by a sense of urgency and a purpose, anchored by a belief and a determination that we exist to serve the people. It must inspire trust and confidence, and perform so that the people can derive hope and pride in our party and Belizean identity.

Along the journey, we want the people of Belize, like Buju Banton in his classic song, to say,  ‘Driva..don’t stop at all’. Only so will the vehicle reach the milestones of the Next Revolution, and only so will we create One Belize-Prosperous, United and Free.

For comments email: ctrenchsandiford@yahoo.com

“Beware the Ides of March”

These words were said to the pompous and arrogant Julius Caesar as he paraded himself in front of the citizens of Rome.

What the words meant was a warning that the middle of March held danger for Caesar.

Days after the middle of the month of March, Caesar passed back and said the ides of March has come. He was told, yes, but it had not yet gone.

Caesar was assassinated.

The month of March 2012 will come, but before it is over there will be a general election in Belize. Whether the Prime Minister makes the announcement this Friday or some other time, the race is on.

MESSING WITH FREEDOM

Recently a piece of paper appeared on one of the doors of the Magistrate’s Court in Belize City. It is undated and unsigned. It stated that to sign bail a person must have a phone number. Must produce a letter from employer. Must show letter from Bank or show Bank book.

No warning to poor people. It took effect immediately.

It wreaked havoc on the poor. Off to the jail they started to go. Some are still there. Including a single mother of five children.

It is cruel and poorly thought out. Time has to be given to the poorer classes, ninety percent of bail involves them. It takes days to get a job letter and days plus thirty dollars for a Bank statement letter.

There has been little or no problems with persons signing bail. Less than one percent have minor problems. Why should all the good suffer for a small amount of bad?

The piece of paper has no authority in law.

The Bail Reform law says that up to Five Thousand dollars is a sign bail – NO LAND PAPER, and like Jamaica – No problem.

The purpose of bail is simply a surety to ensure persons attend court. It is not a punishment. Nor should it carry bureaucratic conditions that frustrate those seeking to help by signing bail. Loan shark types are already circling the Court like Jaws. Ask fat father Christmas who thief them blind every Christmas. Our people are not Bank book people but they can find money when it is really necessary.

Please, is there no one to ease these onerous requirements that are causing poor people to go to jail, unnecessarily?

Can we ask the new Chief Magistrate to review the requirement?

POLICE – NO BONUS, NO BANQUET

One of the traditions Police Officers look forward to is the annual Christmas banquet. It was an occasion to dress and bring along wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend to a well organized Christmas party – the Annual Police banquet.

It was held in the compound of the Queen Street Police Station. It made Police men and women proud to attend with their families and be with the Police Commissioner and other top brass in the Police Department.

No such thing happened this December or the previous Decembers.

Neither did the nation’s Police men and women receive a Christmas token of appreciation – a “slighters” for Christmas in the form of a money bonus. There are some nine hundred police officers. Surely a five hundred dollars gift each would have been a little help for an otherwise dismal Christmas 2011 and a hard year.

We are told that almost one million dollars have been spent on two hundred “gang members” and 60 employees at CYDP from August 2011 to December 2011. But nothing for the nation’s Police and soldiers.

Not a single gang member has been required to turn in his gun or hand grenade before being put on weekly payroll, but they get quarter million a month. Yet nothing for Police Officers.

It is the Police who patrol the streets and neighborhoods and investigate and arrest criminals. They get no vehicles, no equipment, no overtime, no Christmas party, no thank you. But the criminals get hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Weird.

Hardworking nurses, teachers, public officers get no raise or bonus but criminals the collect every week.

2012

The so-called New Year is here.

There is talk of early elections and of gang warfare breaking out. On Saturday night January 7th gun shots were ringing out like crazy on the southside. Theses shots were not part of any celebrations. One gang was out for revenge. At least two residences of rival gangs were raided and shot up. Hit men travelled to Orange Walk Town and took another innocent life in the tit-for-tat, dis for dat which takes place in street violence; where violence begets more violence and revenge killings begets more revenge killings.

The government will claim it’s not gang related.

2012 is also a time for New Year’s resolution. But before we go there, have you seen the result of an Amandala newspaper poll showing that 84% of its readers DO NOT FEEL ANY SAFER under the government sponsored Gang Truce?

This, dear reader is a crisis of confidence in a solution-less situation.

Now, on a more positive note. The beginning of a new year is as good a time as any to make plans and make resolutions.

A good new year’s resolution is always to resolve to eat healthy and to do regular exercise. Your greatest asset is not your house, or vehicle or money in the bank. It is your self – your body and your mind. Take good care of your best asset.

Also, help your community or school or church.

Also, help those who need help. School books or tuition for a student. Food for a poor or neglected poor person. A needed donation to the children’s home or girls home. Or help to some female prisoners whose children must be suffering while their mom is in jail.

Can we give a little bit of our dog food to the many half starving and neglected dogs walking the cruel streets in chronic hunger.

Or get our churches to organize help with clothes and food and shelter for our neglected fellow human beings begging on our streets and sleeping on our sidewalks.

Can we find time to read a book? Reading is so relaxing.

Can we all try to make this year better than last year?

We can you know. It starts with each of us.

$80,000 US EACH

Foreign plane that crashed by Camalote. Two persons in the plane died.

Each of the two persons was found with eighty thousand dollars, US currency in their underwear.

This da gazette.

FINESE – THE BOAT

All the world is a stage, and all the men and women are merely players. They have their entrance and their exits. And one man in his time plays many parts. Words that effect come from Shakespeare.

George Gabb was a man of many parts. Thinker, tailor, soldier. He was poet, painter, sculptor, scribe. He acted in plays and he was quite a story teller in his time.

He was also a keen yachtsman. George Gabb was big in the pitpan revival and river regatta. Oh! How the good old days are gone. Never to return.

He also sailed in the Baron Bliss and other sea events.

He designed his boats. One such, of which he was proud, was called Finese. The once proud and exquisite Finese can be seen not far from Buttonwood Bay, by the sea side, squatting on its discarded side like an old throw away turtle shell.

DAWN – GEORGE GABOUREL STABLE

Mr. George Gabourel lives at the entrance of the airport road. He and his forefathers lived in that vicinity for donkeys’ years.

Mr. Gabourel informs that ‘back then” when there was no Haulover Bridge, there were two ferries. One took the people across the river to go north to Orange Walk and Corozal. The other ferry took people across the river but they headed west to go to Cayo.

I wonder if anyone has photos of the two ferries.

Few ferries are still working the rivers in Belize. Well known is the ferry at Succotz Village which carries mostly tourists across the river to reach the tall Maya temple at Xunantunich.

Mr. Gabourel, 88 years, had cattle and horses, ducks and fowls and several fruit trees, especially a particular type of sweet mangoes. Several acres of his land were “acquired” for the new airport road and he is yet to be paid. Those who own the airport collect everyday but Mr. Gabourel can’t get his money. Just another example of how the poor and the elderly get chanced in this chancey country.

Anyhow, Mr. Gabourel loves animal, in particular horses. Several top horses are from his stable. Horse racing aficionados keep their horses at his stables.

The Christmas Horse Racing at the Burrell Boom race track brought joy. Mr. Gabourel and his friend Kevin Castillo witnessed one of their special champion horses take the six furlong race in classic style. Just as they both predicted.

DAWN, that’s the champion horse.

KIRK ANDERSON ON WAGNER LANE

Kirk Anderson is now a Supreme Court Judge in Jamaica. It is one of his lifelong dreams that he has achieved. Congrats are due. He has also remarried and we wish him and bride all the best.

Kirk came to Belize in the 1990’s. He worked as a Crown Counsel, a Prosecutor and was an outstanding and successful attorney. He worked at the law firm of Barrow & Williams and then with Norman Neal and Dickie Bradley. He became the Director of Public Prosecutions.

While on Wagner Lane with Marina Welcome last week, was reminded that Kirk lived on the once famous lane following his arrival from Kingston, Jamaica.

At the Old Belize marina at Mile 8 Western Road is a sizeable boat named ‘Wagner Lane’. How come? John Woods’ wife is a born and raised Wagner Laner. She is the granddaughter of Gemima Young turned Usher, whose son was Henry Usher Sr. a.k.a. Eagles of HRCU and basketball fame.

Lionel Del Valle, a.k.a. the Lion, is Wagner Lane. So too is Keith Arnold, former Governor of Central Bank. Marina is not sure if Sir Colville Young is from Wagner’s but he was frequently on the Lane and his wife who is of the Trapp family is Wagner Lane.

Timmy and Dikon, who for a fee would visit burying ground (Cemetery) with black candle, mirror and rum to get messages from the dead for living relatives (believe or not) are from Wagner’s Lane.

Roy Stanley Gill, the Pharmacist on Freetown and his brothers Stephen Gill and visiting brother Andrew, are all Wagner’s Lane, born and raised.

Cross Country champion Alfred Parks and basketball star Mervin Rhodas and Cycling Queen Judith Gongora are all Wagner’s Lane.

And the list goes on and on and on.

No street could rival Wagner Lane. So say I.

LOVE YOU PORTIA

Portia is back. Re-elected as Prime Minister and her party taking 42 of the 63 seats in our sister country of Jamaica.

Jamaica has 3 million people. One million six hundred thousand are on the voters list.

Belize has 300,000 people. Half that is on the voter’s list. Yet we have 31 seats.

Jamaica is ten times our population but only twice our number of seats in the National Assembly. How wasteful can we be?

Last week Belize announced that the Queen had honoured a handful of Belizeans for new years.

Last week Portia Simpson Miller announced Jamaica was removing the Queen and her new year’s list and all that colonial junk out of Jamaica.

Portia’s main priority is to start creating jobs and to renegotiate Jamaica’s heavy debt.

Belize’s priority is to pay criminals for phantom jobs and blame the past administration for the debt.

That should solve the problems – eh?

RACIST GOB

In Belize, the biggest of racist can get away with their racist behavior.

Racism is normally thought of as white hating black people.

But there is racism against the Maya and racism against the East Indians. Is it any wonder that the Maya are at the bottom of the economic, social and political ladders? And next to them are East Indians. The Garinagu are worse victims of British white and Creole racism but their awful strength has overcome.

Have you contemplated how the present government went to the Supreme Court and claimed the Mayas are a bogus people? The Mayas are not really who they claim to be, according to the government. They are second hand from elsewhere. It’s the government saying so. Can’t get more racist than that. Degrade and downgrade just to drill for oil on their ancestral lands.

US MEDDLES IN OUR COURTS

Since Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week the United States of America has been training the Magistrates of Belize. Thursday and Friday is for the Supreme Court Judges in this independent nation.

How can this be?

Can the Indian Merchants and Chinese grocers train our Judges and Magistrates in the law of buying and selling and customs matters?

Can the drug traffickers, dope peddlers and crime bosses organize a training course for Magistrate and Judges?

How can the USA be allowed to come into our country and finance, organize and conduct their own training courses for our independent judiciary? This is unthinkable. That all our Magistrates and Judges can be corralled into attending American brain washing.

It is one thing for the US to give boots and gun to the BDF and send a few on overseas courses. It is one thing for them to give boats and guns to the Coastguard to fight drugs heading to the USA.

But when it comes to the Judiciary, this is a totally different game.

This is serious business.

THE TWENTY IRD PSALM

The Lord is my Area Representative, I want nothing from wicked politicians. HE has me in comfort and green pasture. HE always look out for me. HE restoreth my soul. HE keeps me on the righteous path. He got my back.

Yea, though I walk thru the valley of death itself, I fear no big shot or government Minister or evil ones. For Jah is with his rod and staff protect and comfort me.

Mighty Jehovah, you handle my candle in the presence of mine enemies. You provide food, clothing and shelter. You anoint my head with oil, my cup runneth over. I am forever grateful.

I know goodness and mercy shall follow me all the day of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The handing out of citizenship in return for votes is a ridiculous practice and one that should anger each and every born Belizeans. It cheapens our birthright and diminishes the significance of citizenship. To be a Belizean should mean more and should be worth more than just an x on a ballot paper.

Normally, a person is required to have resided in Belize at least five years before becoming eligible for citizenship. They must also meet other criteria such as a clean criminal record from their country of origin as well as specific requirements for health. They must also show that they have something positive to contribute to the country; some special skill or education level.

From all reports, many of those being granted citizenship this past week have not been in Belize even a year and many of the other requirements are simply being ignored. A large percentage of those receiving citizenship are from neighboring Guatemala which in effect, makes the whole exercise totally illegal. Part Three of the Belize Constitution clearly states that: “No person shall be entitled under the provisions of this Part to be a citizen of Belize or be granted citizenship of Belize if such person shows any allegiance to or is a citizen of a country which does not recognize the independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity of Belize”. The last we heard, Guatemala still has not recognized “Belize’s independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity.”

Many of those being granted citizenship are low skilled workers who will be competing with resident Belizeans for work. With an unemployment rate of around 25% Belize can ill afford to be importing more laborers into its already hobbled job market. We are creating a breeding ground for even more crime and more serious gang activity. Belize already has way too many people running around idle with little or nothing to do.

I believe that this is an excellent opportunity for the PUP to openly condemn this practice and pledge to discontinue as soon as they take office. To their credit, the PUP has already gone on record in support of a four year term and a fixed date for General Elections. It shows that they are not afraid of reform and are willing to listen to the cry of the people.

The UDP on the other hand, are busy trying to influence votes with last minute hand-outs and mortgage write-offs. After four years of incompetence, corruption and victimization, the UDP are expecting Belizeans to once again go to the polls and buy their lies and false promises. Something tells me they are in for a big surprise.

Few are surprised by the decision of this government to call early elections and many believe that Dean Barrow really has no choice. He cannot face the people with the type of budget that will show huge deficits, few accomplishments and ridiculous expenditures. The year ahead will no doubt see huge cuts in capital expenditures and even higher taxes levied upon the people. The IMF has already made it clear that the current taxes are not performing and an already high GST will have to be raised even higher. A recent Standard and Poors report paints a gloomy picture of Belize’s economy and suggests some very hard times ahead.

As for the elections themselves, Belizeans will have to be vigilant in insuring that everything is done legally and above board. With the Elections and Boundaries Department stacked high with UDP fanatics, one can be sure that every effort will be made to steal this one. An official request should be made to the OAS and Carter Center for objective and efficient supervision of this whole process.

As Belizeans go to the polls, we must examine carefully the choices that are available to us. For sure, there will be many promises and elaborate schemes proposed that will supposedly solve all our problems. Looking back at 2008, had the UDP achieved half of the things they promised, Belize would not be in the rut that it is today. We need to examine the track record of those coming to us with pie in the sky promises and make sure that we are not fooled again. Vote wisely Belizeans and choose right.

The People’s United Party was established in 1950 as the vehicle to transport the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution on a journey to create a New Belize to bring about a better quality of life and a just share of the national wealth for all Belizeans.

It was the first of four milestones that punctuated the journey, each subsequent one contingent and building upon a preceding one. That is, in order to gain political independence the people had to declare their mandate through the ballot, but to reach that point, a transitional period of self government was a pre-requisite condition, as this was considered a stepping stone.

However, the support of the people was crucial to the pursuit of self government, and the ballot was the medium for the people to express their support, so that they not only had to have the right to vote, but it had to be one man, one vote, and to attain that right, adult suffrage was a necessity.

Thus the establishment of a political organization to mobilize people to undertake the journey, and the adoption of a constitution to define its purpose, to set out its principles, values and beliefs and its aims and objects, and the provisions to regulate its operations was therefore the first and perhaps the most crucial step of the journey, as it is from this that all others were possible.

Notwithstanding, along the journey, the constitution of the party was amended as the milestones were achieved and circumstances and the environment in Belize changed. The most recent amendments were the introduction of a more transparent, accountable, participatory and inclusive process for elections of our leaders and the solidification of the role of women and civil society and social partners.

Specifically, the social justice philosophy morphed into social, economic and environmental justice and included in the aims and objects, the achievement of full economic independence by pursuing a national policy that stimulates higher economic productivity and development and that eradicates poverty through self reliance and full employment.

Two other key objects are quality and universal health care and quality, relevant and practical education from pre-school to university with a special emphasis on universal secondary enrollment and completion.

Unfortunately, these amendments were made within a structure that is not designed to accommodate a modern forward thinking organization that 2012 demands. This is because the structure is characterized by and perpetuates centralized decision making, is top heavy and does not necessarily provide for accountability in the performance of assigned responsibility.

Neither does it encourage innovativeness, easily accommodates the Party Leader’s vision or provide for sustained education of the purpose, aims and objects and achievements of the Party or for mechanisms for its financial health.

Furthermore, and to reiterate, in the wider context, Belize now has a more enlightened and educated electorate, and one that is driven by technology and the media. The independent voting bloc is gaining strength and they are intolerant and impatient with politicians. In addition, their expectations are high.

They will not wait 31 years to see a New Belize, for they are witnesses and victims of the high levels of crime and violence, unemployment and scandalous levels of poverty, inequality, injustices and social exclusion, all of which demand solutions now.

This is complicated by Belize’s bondage to international financial institutions, uncertainty as to the trajectory of its Caribbean and Central American identity and cynicism and disillusionment with government and political parties.

Thus the Party must reconfigure its structure and operations to respond to these realities if it is to be relevant in the growth and development of Belize. This must be the first milestone, for in 2012, the revolution is pressed for both time and results.

This is why it can no longer be peaceful and constructive, but must now be the radical and progressive Belizean revolution with a purpose to create One Belize-Prosperous, United and Free.

The Prime Minister was at it again in his New Year’s Day address with another promise-filled speech that did little more than confirm that General Elections were indeed right around the corner. Many of the promises are in fact, recycled pledges from speeches past and the general response from most people was, “ahem, right!”

The Prime Minister promised once again to lower electricity bills. Haven’t we heard that one before? Fact is that one of the major campaign promises leading into the 2008 elections was that utility bills on a whole were to be lowered. Four years later and staring down the barrel of a sure election loss, Mr. Barrow claims to be finally ready to deliver. Many will remember how low fuel prices fell prior to Municipal Elections three years ago. Shortly after their victory, the UDP raised fuel prices by more than double and now has it hovering near twelve dollars per gallon. For an oil producing nation, that is simply ridiculous.

The cold stone fact is that not one of the famous twenty-one pledges made by this United Democratic Party leading up to the past elections has been kept. Cost of living was to be lowered no matter what, crime was supposed to have magically disappeared and Belizeans would own shares in a national oil company. Four years later, Belizeans are still waiting but instead now, we are being fed with even more lies.

The prospect of lower electricity bills might be just another well thought-out con by the self-professed master of the game. Many people put up lights and burn more energy during the Christmas season making for a higher than usual light bill at the end of January. Usually by February, things have leveled out and bills return to normal. Interestingly enough, Mr. Barrow’s lower light bill is timed to coincide exactly with the time when bills traditionally show a decrease anyway. You’ve got to give it to him; the boy is sharp as a tack.

Mr. Barrow has also promised to write off housing loans to the DFC for people who have not been paying. Judging from the sentiments expressed on the morning call-in shows, people are not buying this one either. What about the many people who labored for years to pay back their loans, or the ones who have fallen in default and lost their homes? And what kind of message is this sending?

A more sensible scheme would be to identify folks who are really struggling to pay and give them the relief. It is not fair for someone who has the means to pay back these loans to just get a free ride while so many others over the years have lost their homes due to foreclosure. There is something not too right happening here. Why does it seem that this government is always rewarding those who do bad and punishing those who do well?

Mr. Barrow revealed before Christmas that his government was spending $50,000 per week to pay the local hoodlums to “hold it down”. He admitted that this was not sustainable but apparently has no alternative plan to deal with this very serious problem. Rumor is that high profile gang leaders have been receiving on average, $6,500 per person monthly to keep their foot soldiers subdued. Word is however, that the funds are getting harder to find and as a result, the streets are getting hotter. Over the Christmas holidays, things came to a head with several shootings and the murder of yet another nine year old. Mr. Barrow, there is need for a better plan.

The unfortunate thing is that there are many young people who walk the straight and narrow and make the necessary sacrifices to do the right thing. They stay in school, keep out of trouble and prepare themselves to be contributing citizens. These are the ones that should be given consideration and all this money would be better spent creating opportunities for them. Many want to stay in school but because of economic hardship must drop out and try to make a living. How about putting this money into making education more affordable?

The year 2011 was no walk in the park and from all indications, 2012 will be even rougher. The oil upon which Mr. Barrow has hinged his bets has not materialized and with our credit ratings scraping bottom, money will be harder and harder to come by.

Belize needs a more efficient and intelligent government and a more able management team. We do not wish to revisit the mistakes of our past but we cannot keep living on promises and dreams. We cannot afford to sell our future down the drain for a “little ham, a little turkey” and a few crates of promises. Elections will be early and there will choices to make. Choose wisely Belize, choose wisely, please!

So writing articles for a newspaper with weekly deadlines and guidelines for maximum amount of words is not necessarily my cup of tea, and to put it bluntly, English and I were always at a crossroad. Ms. Castillo can testify to that.

And then it gets even more complicated, but challenging and interesting, when one throws in the fact that this newspaper is the voice of a political organization. Inevitably, the right mix becomes illusive at times, particularly when the red light rears its head unexpectedly, no pun intended, in bright and bold capitals when I am writing, shouting ‘PROCEED WITH CAUTION’.

Of course I rarely do, proceed with caution that is, which has led to many persons saying to me, I enjoy your writing, but you are too radical sometimes. My response has always been that if we are serious about effecting change in the lives of our people, we must be radical and revolutionary in our thinking. Status quo and evolutionary have failed. In fact, I often remind them that our Party is founded on radicalism and revolutionary thinking.

This leads me to pause here, and note that so far the Editor has not seen it fit to put in italics at the end of my columns, ‘the views expressed by the author are her own and not that of this newspaper.’ So of course, I must thank the Editor for having afforded me the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions as to the path we must travel as a people, to fulfill, and go beyond the dreams of the architects of the first revolution.

I was also compelled today to brief him on the direction of what I have dubbed phase II of the radical and revolutionary writings, so he is aware of the journey that I am about to embark on, and have an idea of the issues and topics that will be presented and elaborated on in the upcoming articles, which will enable our Party and country to transition from the peaceful constructive Belizean Revolution to the radical progressive Belizean Revolution.

Over the past months, I have presented the new political, social, economic and environmental order that forms the skeleton of the next revolution. In the weeks to come, I will be adding the flesh, the arteries and the veins, the muscles and the organs and breathing life into it, as I will be setting the milestones and mapping the coordinates to them, as they did in 1950.

For them, it started with the birth of the People’s United Party, a political organization established for the sole purpose of creating a New Belize to bring about a better quality of life and a just share of the national wealth for all Belizeans.

The Party was the vehicle to transport the revolution along a journey to gain adult suffrage, one man, one vote; to gain self government and the right to take charge of our own affairs; and to gain political independence, that severed our umbilical cord from bondage, rape and exploitation. It took us 31 years to achieve those milestones.

31 years later, Belize is a technologically advanced country with a more enlightened and educated populace, but an impatient and intolerant one. It is in this environment that the next revolution will occur. It will also take place in a Belize that is scarred by unprecedented unemployment [24%], scandalous levels of poverty [43%] social exclusion and economic disparities.

As well, it will occur at a time when our democracy is under threat, our sovereignty is eroded and our borders are described as artificial or reclassified as adjacency zones. It is at a time when crime and violence is a way of life and a paid profession sanctioned by the government, when fear permeates our society, and when children are murdered in their beds while sleeping. It is a time when cynicism and disillusionment in our young people as to what the future holds for them is at its highest, which is disheartening, as it jeopardizes the potential of the future of Belize.

Undoubtedly, our destiny must be recalibrated. Urgency and purpose is now required. We do not have 31 years. And if other countries, for example, Bermuda and Trinidad, which have land masses of 54 and 5,128 square kilometers, and populations of 68,679 and 1,227,505 persons respectively, can have Gross Domestic Product [GDP] of 4.5 and 26.1 billion dollars, per capita incomes of $69,900 and $21,200, and rank 4 and 61 of 227 countries on the Human Development Index, why can’t we?

If their unemployment and poverty rates are contained at 2.1% and 6.4%, and 19% and 17% respectively, and their land masses and wealth are less than ours with higher population densities, why can’t the opportunities for Belize be unlimited, as we are blessed with a land mass of 8,868 square miles or 22,966 square kilometers and endowed with wealth untold?

To paraphrase Morgan Heritage, tell me how come we do not have a higher GDP and per capita income than they? Tell me how come Belize does not have total employment and no poverty? Tell me how come all our people are not enjoying a high standard of living and we do not rank in the top 10 countries of the world on the HDI? We have all the ingredients.

So 2012 will be the year we define the milestones for the next revolution to bring clarity and renew the purpose of our existence. For only so can the revolution continue, and only so can we create One Belize-Prosperous, United and Free.

This aphorism in the real world makes perfectly good sense but then again, good sense never doth reside much in the realm of politics. In politics, it is all about getting elected by any means necessary and possible. Giving away ham and turkey and crates of soda at Christmas time and doling out dole throughout the year makes much better political sense than encouraging people to become self sufficient. The handouts policy keeps people dependent on the one hand and grateful enough to vote for you on the other.

It makes no difference to politicians that this type of “handout gutter politics” does in no way help to move our nation forward. It promotes a beggar mentality and makes work-shy loafers out of otherwise potentially productive citizens. While constructive self-help programs would much better fill the needs of these alms seekers, they would not serve to massage the egos of politicians and keep the people in perpetual subjugation.

It is not clear whether Finnegan called the media to cover his “pile – up like boil -up” or whether Jules stumbled upon it by chance; but our boy was not about to miss the opportunity for some camera time. Finny was in his element as he proudly proclaimed that while he normally only sees a couple of hundred persons per week, on this given day, he had broken all standing records. On that day, almost nine hundred people had received “a little turkey here, a little ham there, probably a crate of Coco Cola or a Crate of Red Fanta.” Talk ‘bout Santa Claus!

Finnegan was then asked where the money came from to make his generosity possible. At least this time he was honest and did not fall on the “Shine money” explanation. The minister explained that the money was given to his ministry by the Ministry of Finance. Which means then, that Dean Barrow as Minister of Finance is the real “Daddy Santa Claus.” Sista Claus, err, I mean Sista B herself was seen making the rounds in the Bottom Dollar parking lot.

The big question is, was this money specifically for handouts or was it money to conduct the business of the Housing Ministry? If it is the former, then where did the money come from? If it is the latter, then is there no accountability applied? There have been rumors floating around that because General Elections are not far away, UDP standard bearers have been lavished with copious funds to throw around and put down as a down payment for votes. As Ernesto Vasquez was heard to say, “if we are foolish enough to let them get away with that, then they deserve to win.” On that, I agree!

For four years the people of Belize have watched cost of living rise, corruption run rampant and criminals rule our streets. Victimization, nepotism and arrogance have been the order of the day and now we are being given “a little turkey or a little ham” to indemnify. Are we really such pathetic suckers? Would not all that money be better used to fix a few streets or maybe purchase a decent vehicle for the Police?

There are those who have suggested that it was the PUP who started this whole handout business and Wednesday Clinic phenomenon. That might be true but the purpose was entirely different from what we see today. Government should have a social conscience and should provide a safety net for the poor and indigent among us. It must be done however, with an end toward helping these people to eventually help themselves.

Wednesday Clinics were initially set up to allow voters’ access to their representatives and force these representatives to interact and to listen to their constituents. Many people have legitimate concerns but those people are now being told to go to Belmopan. The Clinics have taken on a whole new meaning and exist primarily to keep the entitlement junkies happy.

And speaking about junkies, how about Finnegan’s admittance that he has been taking the very dangerous drug Effexor? According to Finnegan, “it’s a pill that mellows you. Keep you in calm and I’ve been on it for the last six months and that’s a pill that mellow me, keep me cool. I am happy every day I am overwhelmed with happiness and joy because of the pill.” Only in Belize folks, only in Belize!

Earlier this year at the Prime Minister’s Forum, Dean Barrow revealed that he was also inclined to the popping of pills. Then there is Boots Martinez. Well, his problem is legendary and many a fortune has been lost trying to keep his type of “monkey” fed. Is our government then being run by a bunch of drug addicts? Does that maybe explain some of the hare-brain schemes and ridiculous moves that have been made by these dodo birds marauding around Belmopan? Will someone please pass on to these guys the phone number for Remar! Comments to gmikereid@hotmail.com

I tell this story to show the basic difference between the two parties. Upon winning the elections after they were finally called in ‘98, the PUP instead of victimizing, decided to offer me a job. I was at the time, doing a part-time work in the media. There are those who suggest that the job offer was simply to keep me quiet but be that as it may, I was gainfully employed and immersed myself in the full challenges of the task at hand. For the next seven years, I was the face and voice of the Belize Police Department.

In 2008, after ten full years in the wilderness, the UDP finally went back into office. One of the first orders of the day was to fire myself and a number of other hard working public servants. Our only sin was that it was felt that we voted PUP. As Minister of Works, Boots Martinez, immediately fired four hundred workers in PG while Patrick Faber proceeded to clean house at Education. Remember Hirian Goode whose husband, decorated army veteran Charles Goode, died trying to get her back her job? These are not the kind of stories that you hear about under the PUP.

At the moment, there is a disturbing scandal being exposed involving the Ministry of Agriculture and the Belize Marketing Board. Despite overflowing silos of locally produced rice, those clowns in that ministry are reportedly importing rice and flooding the local market causing sharp declines in sales and jeopardizing an entire industry. Several small farmers and at least one major rice producer are on the verge of closing shop. Additionally, political cronies in the south are allegedly being subsidized and given preference which allows them to undersell the growers in the north. This kinda thing does not happen under the PUP.

A few months ago, a similar blunder wreaked havoc in the onion industry. Just about the time that the farmers were about to harvest their crop, ministry officials imported several hundred tons of the bulbs from Holland which arrived just about the time of the harvest. The imported stuff was given preference, sold at a lower price and caused acres upon acres of local onions to rot in the fields and in warehouses. Local farmers lost a ton of money and are still trying to recoup. Stuff like this does not happen under the PUP.

Dissenters of the two political parties have been on a campaign of late trying to convince the electorate that both political parties are one and the same. The name PUDP has been coined and is being tossed around quite loosely in an effort to indent the idea on the psyche of the voters. It is obviously the brain child of a few who have been rejected by both sides and are now taken up with the idea of starting their own political party. In name at least, Belize is a democracy and I believe that anyone or group who wants to start a political party should have the right. Any who wishes to do so however, must bring more to the table than just “sour grapes”.

The suggestion that both political parties are the same is ludicrous and baseless. The People’s United Party has a long and proud tradition of providing non partisan service to the people of Belize. The United Democratic Party on the other hand, is notorious for its policies of victimization and selective governance. Oh they talk a good talk but at the end of the day, the bitter taste of this pudding is in the eating.

Leading up to this year’s September Celebration, Love FM hosted an eye-opening Prime Minister’s forum. At the forum, which brought together former prime ministers Manuel Esquivel, Said Musa and present Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Belizeans got a first -hand admittance of the “spoils system”. That revelation, might in fact, sum up succinctly the fundamental difference between Belize’s two major political parties.

The PUP held office for the better part of four decades, from 1950 until 1984. Since Independence, they are still the only party to have won consecutive terms in office. The UDP are in their third stint and each time, they have been kicked to the curb because of the same selfish, vindictive policies. This time, you can add rampant corruption and unbridled greed to their long list of sins.

In his revealing comments at the forum, Dean Barrow remarked that it was normal for a party who was so long in the cold to consider that it was their time at the trough. Apart from rewarding select party favorites, the UDP has continued its practice of punishing any who they believe to be remotely connected to the “Blue”. Scholarships, housing grants and whatever goods and services are available are dispensed on a party first basis. Even with disaster aid, cronies and flag waivers are given priority while all others languish at the tail of the line. This is not the way it is done under the PUP.

I remember many party faithful being upset at Ministers and Heads of Departments during the past administration. Many who were avowed UDP’s were left in place and had equal access to government aid and service. It might in the end have been the undoing of the party as many of those were up front and center in protest and sharing of critical and confidential information.

I certainly hope that the PUP do not change however, and maintain their “big tent” approach. After all, we are all Belizeans and have a right to vote how we wish and support who we wish; there is room under the tent for all Belizeans. Let us not copy the victimizing and callous witch-hunting ways of this heartless crowd now in office. Belize must be for all Belizeans. The two political parties are definitely not the same. “PUP hires, UDP fires”. Send comments to gmikereid@hotmail.com

Belize City is my home. It is where I grew up and still live. Its history, socio-economic, cultural and political energy, people and other inhabitants [including the rats, the crabs, the cato etc.], spatial organization, growth and development continues to intrigue and fascinate me. However, it also concerns me that for the past decade, our policy makers and leaders continue to approach the challenges of the city as if we are still living in the 1970s and 80s and nothing has changed.

Our City is a magnet of hope for many, but it is also a place of considerable despair for others. Yes, there are many successful areas, where families are living in well laid out communities with aesthetically pleasing homes and safe and attractive neighbourhoods, and in most cases, they have good jobs, have their own transport and can afford education and health care. This should be maintained.

Unfortunately, many other areas of the city are either succumbing to urban blight and decay, or emerging as “shanty” or “squatter” communities, where living conditions are deplorable, unemployment is high, health problems are increasing, literacy rates are declining, crime is of epic proportions, educational facilities are bursting at their seams, recreational and other social and basic facilities and services are either non-existent or inadequate, transportation is questionable and overcrowding pervades. This is due to the lack of planning, inefficient and inequitable resource allocation, and unregulated growth.

I have continuously argued that Belize City is growing at an alarming rate without the requisite planning to provide for the needs of population growth and new household formation. That is, properly designed street layout with sidewalks, land designations for housing, schools, parks, sporting and recreational facilities, employment opportunities, libraries, health centers and other basic services and utilities, such as water and electricity to facilitate and sustain successful communities.

Neither has there been any attempt to regulate the redevelopment that is taking place in existing built up areas of the City where old buildings are being torn down, including those of historical significance, to make way for modern multi-storied commercial structures, which is transforming neighborhoods and communities from low traffic to high volume traffic. This has implications to congestion, air and noise pollution, safety and security, gentrification and exclusion of low income families, loss of cultural heritage, and the proliferation of activities that contributes to criminal behavior and poor living conditions.

I also have a fundamental problem with cabinet interference in a municipal matter, because this is why we go to elections to elect our municipal leaders, it is their duty and responsibility to make decisions regarding the good governance of their municipality. The city, as well as the towns, and villages need to engage in development planning, of which land use and zoning plans are but one component, to address historic, contemporary and emerging challenges associated with development, population growth and human needs.

Emphasis should be on preparing a Development Plan for Belize City to enunciate a clear developmental path with defined goals to ensure that the city maintain its prominence as the country’s premier financial, commercial and service center for the country, while facilitating an acceptable quality of life and creating opportunities for all, not some.

A component should be a zoning and land use plan, that demarcates the city into zones with permitted uses, that is residential, commercial [bars, small shops etc.] light industry, mixed uses etc., and the standards to apply, that is, the height of the building, density, building coverage and set back and parking according to uses etc.

Vision is what is needed. Thus, it is up to the People’s United Party to ensure that development planning and land use and zoning regulations feature prominently in our policy position on municipal management. For only if we do so, can the revolution continue….and only so will we be able to create a NEW BELIZE, which will bring to all Belizeans a better life and a just share of the national wealth……