No. 04 Tuesday January 03. 2012 Price: $1.00 THE MAN OF...

Northern STAR -Tel: 629-1308 or 636-1409 - Email: [email protected] - Tuesday January 03, 2012 Page 1

No. 04 Tuesday January 03. 2012 Price: $1.00

Inside this Issue

Supa G blazing fire on stage and igniting the huge crowd ( See images on page 8)

Prime Minister of Belize

2012 New Year Celebrations in Orange Walk

THE MAN OF THE YEAR!

Attorney General

Hon.Dean Barrow

U.S.AEngland

Spain

Undeniably incorruptible,determine, God-fearing,family oriented, superintelligent and deeplypatriotic are just few of theadjectives that can be usedto describe the PrimeMinister of Belize andLeader of the UnitedDemocratic Party, the Hon.Dean Barrow.

In 2011 Belize, one of theyoungest nations in theworld was confronted withthe same great trials andtribulations which engulfedall nations including thesuper powerful nations of

the world (global economicrecession) with disastrouseffects that led to days ofrioting in England, thecontinuous months of theOccupation of the ZuccottiPark (New York) at the WallStreet Financial District inthe United States of Americaand weeks of protest inSpain. The Rippling effectof the financial fall-outdevastated nations uponnations and caused thecollapsed of regimes insome cases while bringingothers to their very knees.

In Belize after a little lessthan three years our Prime

Hon. Bernard Q.A. Pitts

Prime Minister’s New Year Message

( Continue on page 14 )

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Page 2 - Northern STAR -Tel: 629-1308 or 636-1409 - Email: [email protected] - Tuesday January 03, 2012

The Northern StarNewspaper

Publisher:The Northern StarNewspaper Ltd.

Executive Director:Vernon Cutkelvin

Managing Director/Editor:

Maira Montejo

Printer:The Reporter Press

#80 Otro Benque RoadOrange Walk Town

Belize, Central America

Tel: 629-1308or

636-1409

Email:[email protected]

------------------------

Editorial

On Friday, October 21st,2011, that Historic Day inBelize, the day of the NinthAmendment Bill anotherBill also of historic naturewas passed in the House ofRepresentative.

The House approved thewriting-off of some 9,374Housing Loans which weremade during the period of1986-2008. Ninety percentof these loans were non-performing and all werevalued each at less than$60,000 Bz.

This United DemocraticParty’s Government led bythe Hon. Dean Barrowalong with his Cabinet andall the Elected Members ofParliament on the govern-ment side voted and wrote-off some $64,167,886.00Bz.

Exactly one month prior tothe reality of the write-off,the Prime Minister ofBelize, Hon. Dean Barrowfirst made mention of hisgovernment intention dur-ing his Independence DayAddress on September21st, 2011.

The P.M. is quoted as say-ing the following:

“There are more than 9,200historical loans currentlyon the books at the Minis-try of Housing. The weightof these is taxing the loanrecipients to perdition; butno more. Government hasdecided that it will write off

each and every single oneof those loans at a totalcost of around 62.6 milliondollars.” He continued.

I repeat that we want toconstruct a Belize that isbased on distributive so-cial justice. Those of ourcitizens that are disadvan-taged, whether by poverty,illness or some disability,are entitled to have thatdisadvantage remedied bythe state. And the statemust find the will and theresources to pay for theredress that is required.So fiscal balance can onlybe a work in progress, along-haul process, and ifdeficits in the short run arethe price to pay for socialstability, andGovernment’s pro-poorprogram, then deficitsthere will be.”

In his New Year’s Messageappearing on pages 3/4 ofthis newspaper. The PrimeMinister, Hon. Dean Bar-row announced that gov-ernment will be buyingover some 780 mortgagesfrom Social Security Boardwhich represents all themortgages with a balanceof under $50,000 Bz.

These mortgages will beabsorbed and wiped cleanfrom the book by thisUnited Democratic Party’sGovernment.

Representing a face valueof some 17 million dollarsthe Prime Minister clarifiedthat the real value may besome 6.9 million dollarsbecause some 60% of the780 mortgages are non-per-forming therefore trigger-ing the discounted rate thatgovernment is receivingfor the mortgages.

The Hon. Dean Barrow fur-ther stated that , “The port-folio of 60% is impaired, sowhat government is actu-ally paying to SSB is $6.9

million dollars for themortgages that nominallyvalue $17 million dollarsand government also is notpaying this money by wayof any extraction from gov-ernment cash flow. Therewas an arrangement madeby the PUP under whichgovernment had prepaidsome of securitization mon-ies that were due from SSBto RBTT to whom SSB soldmortgages. And SSB there-fore had this continuingobligation to repay thosepre-payments made by gov-ernment to governmentnow and the amount cur-rently owed by SSB to GOBis around $9 million dollarsand by the end of the fiscalyear it will be up to around$11 - $12 million dollars.”

The Prime Minister contin-ues addressing the issue ofpayment.

“The $6.9 million dollarsthat government now has topay to SSB in order to buythese mortgages so as towrite them off and give thelease to people; that $6.9million will merely then bededucted from the $9 mil-lion soon to be $12 millionthat SSB in turn owes GOB.So while it is without adoubt a loss to the govern-ment and a financial outlay.What happen is that finan-cial outlay is kept out of themonies owed to GOB bySSB.”

“Last month I made it ab-solute clear to all that ev-erybody who fell into thiscategory is to be relieved.No effort was made to gothrough the list of homeowners to try to see who isUDP, who is PUP, Whatcolor is your color, whatage you are, where youlive; it didn’t matter, this isacross the board relief forall 780 odd families thatfall within the category.”

Another sitting of the

House of Representativewill be called next weekand this latest write-off bythe The United DemocraticParty’s Government like theprevious one is expected tobecome a matter of histori-cal record.

A total 10,154 lower andmiddle income familiesthroughout Belize have di-rectly benefitted from thisgovernment continuedcommitment to protect theinterest of the poor andworking class Belizeans.

The Northern Star Newspa-per commends the Govern-ment of Belize for alwaysthinking about the poor inan era when the poor andmiddle class in many na-tions throughout the worldhave to suffer the brunt ofglobal economic recession.

The dominoes effect of ourpeople not having to cough-up some $71,167,886.00will be felt for decades tocome.






THOUGHTS ACROSS THE MILES

Dr. Errol Elrington

The Christmas Message isclear to me, and I said thatwithout arrogance. GODsent his ONLY son into thiswicked world to be even-tually sacrificed for oursins. GOD is LOVE! Wgive THANKS!

As a living human being Itreasure my life and I be-lieve that it is my greatestphysical responsibility totry to keep healthy. No hu-man is perfect, but practicemakes better! It is our re-sponsibility to take goodcare of our body. There aremany things that are out-side our control - but myduty requires me to do thevery best that I can to ef-fect the outcomes that AREunder my control.

In the year 2012 HighBlood Pressure can be con-trolled. Everyone needs toKNOW his/her ‘pressurereading’. If the top num-ber is over 120mmHg thena doctor should be in-volved. If medications areprescribed, the blood pres-sure should come down.Sure diet, weight control,safe exercise, etc., are im-portant BUT the pressureneeds to be brought downand it needs to STAY down,no excuse! If prescribed,medication needs to betaken EVERY DAY.

The vast majority of unnec-essary stroke, heart attacksand deaths occur WHENONE STOPS THE BLOOD

PRESSURE MEDICA-TIONS. Never do that, takethe medications daily. Mynote today is very short be-cause I want you toMEMORIZE the flyers be-low. I also want you to visitthe following website OF-TEN to look up ANY medi-cal issue that concerns you.Technology is on YOURside go towww.patientedu.org andlearn about your health;search ANY topic! Searchoften!

By the way, unlike the

Another name for high blood pressure (HPB) is hyper-tension (hi-per-TEN-shun).

High blood pressure means the pressure in your arter-ies is elevated. Blood pressure is the force of bloodpushing against blood vessel walls. It’s written as twonumbers, such as 112/78mmHg. The top, systolic,numberis the pressure when the heart beats. The bot-tom, diastolic, number is the pressure when the heartrests between beats. Normal blood pressure is below120/80mmHg. If you’re an adult and you systolic pres-sure is 120 to 139, or you diastolic pressure is 80 to 89(or both), then you have “prehypertension”. High bloodpressure is a pressure of 140 systolic of higher and/ or90 diastolic or higher that stays high over time.

No one knows exactly what causes most cases of highblood pressure. It usually can’t be cured, but it can becontrolled. High blood pressure usually has no symp-toms. It is truly a “Silent Killer”.

About 72 million Americans and 1 in 3 adults have it,and many don’t even know they have it. Not treatinghigh blood pressure is dangerous. High blood pressureincreases the risk of heart attack and stroke. You canlive a healthier life if you treat and control it!

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure usually doesn’t have anysigns - that’s why it’s so dangerous. Make sureyou get it checked regularly and treat it the wayyour doctor advises.

Who is at higher risk?• People with close blood relatives who have HBP• African Americans• People over age 35• Overweight people• People who aren’t physically active• People who consume to much salt• People who drink too much alcohol

• People with diabetes, gout or kidney disease• Pregnant women• Women who take birth control pills, who are overweight, had HBP during pregnancy, have a family history of HBP or have mild kidney disease

God’s Sacrifice to Save Mankind, We Need todo our Little Part

worthless, thieving PUPand the even worst; PUPapologists, I do not see aproblem with giving thePeople’s money BACK tothe PEOPLE. It is NOT$20 million that the RalphMusa Gang stole; it is awhopping $3 BILLION.According to their creed,Belizeans should getNOTHING; shame onthem!

I support the Pro Poor Pro-grams! I pray everyday thatBelizeans get the moneyfrom Belizean oil!

I side WITH Belizeansagainst Ashcroft. Belizeover Ashcroft! No disre-spect to anyone, but I wouldlike an accounting of everypenny that Ashcroft gave toany Belizean. It took 60years for the PUP to comeclean on Price, I havepatience........Guess who isfunding the PUP?

Merry Christmas and aHappy New Year!

Continue on Page 11



http://www.patientedu.org



Prime Minister of BelizeHon. Dean Barrow

The Prime Minister’s New Year MessageNo installment in any of the annual increments by whichwe most reckon the passage of time, is ever completelywithout trials and tribulations. That is why as humanbeings, as societies, as nations, we always welcome thenew year with expectation and excitement. It is a chanceto recover from adversity in the preceding twelvemonths, to do better and be better. The ageless ritual ofringing out the old and ringing in the new, is thus em-blematic of the eternal capacity for hope and renewal.And this, in turn, is part of God’s legacy to the Race; toall thinking, sentient creatures that believe in Him.But while last year was, like all others, not without dif-ficulties, they were small ones. Indeed, given the globalsituation; given the continuing fiscal, debt and jobless-ness problems of the US; and given the absolute crisisin which Europe continued to be engulfed, economicallyour country did well. And a look at the numbers willserve to confirm what, in all the circumstances, is a per-formance for which we must give thanks.The Statistical Institute of Belize reports that for thefirst nine months of the year, our economy grew by 2.7%as compared to 1.8% for the same period in 2010. Last

quarter growth is traditionally most robust, so that we are well on track to exceed the overall 3%GDP increase for 2011 that I had predicted on Independence Day. This is a significant jump andwill be almost one full percentage point above the 2.4% growth recorded for the previous year.When we look at the particular sectors that are most responsible for this picture of economicadvance, the panorama is even more encouraging. Up to September it was the Wholesale andRetail Trade Sector that was one of the leaders, showing a 7.7% increase. And the Corozal FreeZone alone was responsible for a business rebound of 23% in improved year-on-year sales. Overthe three quarters Hotels and Restaurants grew by 2.1% as a consequence of a 3.3% increase inovernight tourists; and Transport and Communications went up by 2.5%. Construction was also7.4% better. But it was Fishing that led all comers with a 14.5% hike. And while overall sugarproduction fell, ratios, quality and prices improved so that we are now poised for an outstandingnew season. Finally, Inflation remained low at just over 2%. It is on the basis of all this that I cansay that we were blessed in 2011. We easily outpaced 2010, and the story is even more remarkableif we go back to 2009. Then, we all remember, was when there was actual contraction; when thefallout from the world recession threatened to swamp us completely.The economic success of 2011 meant that increases in export earnings, including in particular fromcrude oil, enabled Government to consummate a great leap forward in cementing its social agenda.Job-creating infrastructure projects were implemented; educational and economic second chanceopportunities were expanded; and the wind was fully in the sails of our signature home improve-ment, food pantry and cash transfer programs.Our democracy was also in fine flower. We maintained our commitment to accessibility, transpar-ency and accountability; and we continued our forward march to true nationalism by way of theConstitutional enshrinement of public ownership of our essential utilities.Perhaps most noteworthy of all, we succeeded-certainly since September when we forged the BelizeCity gang truce in decelerating the incidence of senseless murders in this country. The significantreduction in the homicide rate for the last four months of 2011 as compared to 2010, is great progress.And it comes at just the right point, when too many were beginning to feel that there could be norescue from the abyss.But the real purpose of this Message, is to look ahead; to assure one and all that the inherentpromise and opportunity of the New Year will not be forgone. Efforts will be strengthened, com-mitments will be broadened, successes will be deepened.In 2012, as one example, the infrastructure drive - and the jobs it brings - will scale new heights.The Jalacte Road in the South, the Blue Creek one in the North, the Macal River Crossing in the





Prime Minister of BelizeHon. Dean Barrow

West, the comprehensive Belize City drainage and streetworks, will all be hitting full stride. The new MarionJones stadium will be coming out of the ground, the newCivic Center will be rising from the rubble. The con-tract for the design and build component of the SolidWaste Management Project, has also been signed; andit will see 14 million dollars spent between January andJuly in Caye Caulker, San Pedro, San Ignacio and BelizeCity. And their delayed rehabilitation and beautifica-tion drive for the District Towns will now start by April,the World Bank assures us.A countrywide money contribution for working moth-ers will join the apprenticeship, food subsidy andBOOST programs. And the drop-in centers in distressedBelize City neighbourhoods will help with communitydevelopment, social recovery and violence prevention.Millions of dollars will continue to fund Government’shome improvement and home repairs across the nation;and every single registered surveyor in this country hasnow been contracted to work on the subdivision of the4,709 acres indentified by the Ministry of Lands for theallocation of building lots to first time landowners.

The Prime Minister’s New Year Message

Our outreach to the poor and the middle class continues. They, and indeed all Belizeans, will behelped by the lower electricity rates that I promised in September, and which are now a certainty.BEL, owned at last by Government and people, has already accepted, by way of its submissions tothe Public Utilities Commission, that rates must come down. And the PUC may well reduce evenmore what has been proposed by BEL. The final decision will be on January 31, and the new, lowerrates should under the current law take effect a few months thereafter. But we are a Government ina hurry to do good things. And the ease to the consumer, the ease in the cost of living, the ease tobusiness and industry and agriculture, can’t wait. Thus Government will amend the law to imple-ment from the very next day, February 1, 2012, this historic decrease in what Belizeans pay forelectricity.But there is more that we offer by way of festal cheer. Unlike 2012, our vision of uplift and opportu-nity and egalitarianism is not newborn. But the underlining of fresh beginnings that always takesplace on January 1, provides a proper opportunity for us to reassert our creed: that this Government’sflame of social justice will never dim; that it will burn even brighter in the next twelve months. Andour preoccupation with those at the margins, with those of fixed incomes, low incomes and no in-comes, has caused us to hit on yet another idea for new year relief and assistance. Accordingly, Iannounce today that Government will purchase all mortgages of 50 thousand dollars and under,owned by the Belize Social Security Board. These number 780 and have a total aggregate value of 17million dollars. Government will thereafter write off these mortgages, forgiving the householders allof their loan obligations, and putting that money at their disposal to spend on the economy andgenerate more activity.The notion of helping not just individuals but businesses in this way, brings me to the last point Iwish to make. In all that we do, Government cannot forget the private sector. There is need for anequal partnership, and we made the right start late in 2011. This must be consolidated in the yearahead. Government is therefore, among other things, appointing a Business Development Facilita-tor in the Office of the Prime Minister to help oversee the new relationship.I close by referring once again to the rebirth of optimism that is the special province of New Yearcelebrations. All across the globe, this is an occasion for the rekindling of inspiration. It is theannual re-start of the quest for human progress, of the alchemist mission to turn even brass intogold. In the case of Belize, our resolution is to re-dedicate and re-consecrate the crusade by which webuild a shining, fair and just country. One that will be the envy of, and model for, the region and theworld.Happy New Year everyone, and God bless Belize.





FROM THE PUBLISHERIf it is too good to be true! It is NOT!

Dear Friend,Although you might be apprehensive about my emailas we have never met before. I am Mr. Kabiru Zongo,aBanker, and Head of Operations with (AFRICAN DE-VELOPMENT BANK BURKINA FASO)in West Af-rica, there is the sum of $9.500,000.00 currently in mybranch, there were no beneficiary stated concerningthese funds which means no one would ever come toclaim it.That is why I ask that we work together, I willbe pleased to work with you as trusted person and seethat the fund is transferred out of my Bank into anotherBank Account, Once the funds have been transferred toyour nominated Bank account we shall then share it inthe ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you. If you agree tomy business proposal.Further details of the transfer willbe forwarded to you as soon as I receive your returnmail, sending the below information1. Full name2. Your private telephone and Fax numbers.3. Occupations and Nationality.4. Date of Birth5. Present Location.Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.Regards.Mr.Kabiru Zongo.PLEASE REPLY ME HERE; [email protected] REPLY IMMEDIATELY.

[Meet Mr. Kabiru Zongo]

Good days to you

Please kindly accept my apology for sending you thisemail without your consent. i am Dr.Collins Khan, Thedirector in charge of auditing and accounting section ofBank Of Africa Ouagadougou Burkina-faso in WestAfrica .I am writing to request your assistance to trans-fer the sum of $12.5M ( Twelve million Five Hundredhundred Thousand United State Dollars ) into yournorminated bank account.The above sum belongs to ourdeceased customer who died along with his entire fam-ily in a plane crash, for more information about the AirCrash you can visit the CNN web news http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2003-12/a-2003-12-25-11-At.cfm?moddate=2003-12-25and since then the fund has been dormant here in mybank, more details with the official bank applicationform will be forward to you immediately you show yourwillingness and capability of handling this transaction,feel free to contact me for more clarifications if you arereally interested in my proposal,

Have a nice day.Dr. Collins Khan

[Not to be out done meet Dr. Collins Khan]

Dear Friend,I am the head of Accounts and Audit Department of Bankof Africa, Ouagadougou . I decided to contact you after acareful thought that you may be capable of handling thisbusiness transaction which I explained below;In my department, I discovered an abandoned sum of$13.5m US dollars (Thirteen million, five hundred thou-sand US dollars). In an account that belongs to one of ourforeign customer who died along with his entire family in2005 in a plane crash. (Not to be confused with the 2003plane crash or the light-weight Dr. Collins Khan meager12.5M LOL)

Since i got information about his death, The bank havebeen expecting his next of kin to come over and claim hismoney because The fund cannot be released unless some-body applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceasedas indicated in our banking guidelines but unfortunately Ilearnt that his supposed next of kin (his son and wife) diedalongside with him (Isn’t this just heart denching) at theplane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim .It is there-fore upon this discovery that I now decided to make thisbusiness proposal to you and release the money to you asthe next of kin (I want to present you as his business asso-ciate )to the deceased for safety and subsequent disburse-ment since nobody is coming for it and I don't want thismoney to go into the Bank treasury as unclaimed Bill. (Hellno Doc! I guess you have no friends in Africa so I willforward the email address for my equally kind friendsDr. Collins Khan and Mr. Kabiru Zongo)

The Banking law and guideline here stipulates that if suchmoney remained Unclaimed after seven years,(Guess what Doc. 5 + 7 = 12, meaning 2012 Got to hurryDoc! LOL) the money will be transferred into the Banktreasury as unclaimed fund.. The request of foreigner asnext of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact thatthe customer was a foreigner and a Burkina be cannot standas next of kin to a foreigner.

I agree that 35% of this money will be for you as foreignpartner, (Guess what Doc. Let.s start the sharing right!Since you can’t get this money without me because youhave no other friend in the world. Why don’t we do 55%for me and 35% for you? Ahaaaa Doc?) in respect to theprovision of a foreign account, 10 % will be set aside forexpenses incurred during the business and 55% would befor me . There after I will visit your country (HEY Doc.Seriously people like you are persona non -grata in Belize)for disbursement according to the percentages indicated.Therefore to enable the immediate transfer of this fund toyour account as arranged, you must apply first to the bankas next of kin of the deceased customer.

Upon receipt of your reply, I will send to you by fax oremail the text of the application. I will not fail to bring to

(Sorry I just could not stop myself from com-menting which appears in bracket and is not apart of what was originally sent) [And Now Presenting Dr. Kabo Uago]

( Continue on page 9)




http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2003-12/a-2003



MESSAGE FROM THE CLERGYHappy New Year

Rev. Dr. Rudolph AnthonyPriest of the

Anglican Dioceseof

Belize

New Year’s Day is the

Feast of the Holy Name ofJesus. This was when hewas taken to be circum-cised. His name was givenas Jesus. This name means“Emmanuel”, “God withus”. The canons of thechurch tell us that weshould bow our heads at thename of “Jesus” and everyknee shall bend at the call-ing of this name. The nameof Jesus is the sign of ourSalvation. Jesus is Godwith us. He is the saviorand we belong to him.

My friends, there is some-thing in a name. There ispower in a name, and thatis why we should name ourchildren carefully. At ourBaptism, we were namedand signed. We weredaimed, adopted, forgivenand made member of thePriestly body at Baptism.Therefore, God should beseen in us, since we arecalled to be Christlike.

God chose to express him-self in the incarnation ofJesus, in the Birth of Jesusshowing us that all that hemade is sacred. God is inthe reality and not in the il-lusion. He is in our joysand in our pains. He is inthe frantic activity of thisSeason as well as in thedesperate loneliness that

this season can bring. Godis in the wonderful messi-ness of our lives right herein Belize. He is reality. Heis not in the illusion of theChristmas Cards, gifts andfood. He is in our lives, inour families, friends, neigh-bors, strangers, aliens, andenemies. His gift to us isthe journey to eternal lifeand not the destination.

The journey has a lot oftroubles and struggles, joy

and hilarity. But the jour-ney is very, very good be-cause its from God. He isman and he is God. He putson skin and flesh and camedown to earth to live withus. Jesus was dynamite andstill is. He was and still isthe word of God the Logos.

It is customary for us togive resolutions this sea-son. Some people will giveup eating too much. Oth-ers will give up smoking,substance abuse, drinking,dancing, sleeping toomuch, or give up being lazy.

These things can causepain, suffering, discomfortor even death and that iswhy we try to give them up.Others may decide to drawcloser to God, read theirbible more, fast more, treatpeople better, be more sym-pathetic, be kinder, com-passionate, polite,loving,patient, understanding, for-giving, and caring. Somemay want to give up gos-siping about others.

As we settle down and tryto finish the left overs, letus consult with Jesus, thatprecious name before wemake our resolutions andsee if he is in agreement.Let the name of Jesus meansomething to you and me.

Let him shine in our livesin this beautiful Jewel ofours. And as we ring theNew Year 2012 and ring outthe old 2011, let us be reso-lute in our undertakingsand know that all things arepossible with God. Somewill ring in the year withbells, honking of horns,blowing of whistles, bang-ing, screaming, kissing,hugging, and with fire-crackers.

Whatever you use, remem-ber Jesus in everything.Use his name as a refugeand a cause for hope andnot use his name in curses.Proverbs says, “The nameof the Lord is a strongtower, the righteous run toit and are safe”.

He was called Jesus be-cause his name must be rev-erently used. We must hal-low his precious name. Wemust praise his name for itis good even in times ofdeepest trials and tribula-tions; even in death, wemust still praise his name.(PS54)

On behalf of the entirecountry of Belize and theAnglican Diocese, I prayfor a prosperous New Yearand a Jesus filled one. Theyear 2012 is our year ofprosperity and the year ofour Lord.

These is something in aname.

Amen

See the

In Living Colors atwww.belizenews.com/NorthernStar



http://www.belizenews.com/NorthernStar



2012 New Year Celebrations in Orange Walk

Estereo Amor New Year’s Eve Event

Universal Radio New Year’s Eve Event





your notice that this transaction is hitch free and that youshould not entertain any atom of fear as all required ar-rangements have been made for the transfer..

I expect that you contact me immediately as soon as youreceive this letter, and send me your personal data in-cluding your international passport before i send you(HAhaaaaaaaa! Aha!)the full details for continuation ofthis transaction.Hoping to hear from you immediately.

Yours faithfully,Dr.Kabo UagoAccounts & Audit Department,Bank of Africa .

FROM THE PUBLISHERIf it is too good to be true! It is NOT!

Continued from page 6

We have decided to print for your consumption just afew of the many of these types of e-mails which areoften sent to us that are automatically discarded in ourtrash-box. Don’t ever make the mistake of entertainingany of these types of individuals seeking to steal fromyour personal bank account and/or in most cases yourvery identity. If it is too good to be true! It is not!

Hon. Bernard Q.A. Pitts and Mayor Simeon Lopez will recieve

Queens Honours

It’s a vestige of the colonialera, but The Queen’s NewYear’s Honours announcedevery year at New Year’sstill make modern news.Getting this year’s tophonour, a CBE is AttorneyGeneral, BQ Pitts. He willbe an Ordinary Commanderof the British Empire. Heis being recognized for ser-vices to the Law and Pub-lic Service.

MBE’s, Ordinary Membersof the British Empire are

being awarded to Dr. AnneGillet-Elrington,a Belizean American, forservices to the BelizeanDiaspora and Medicine.

Louise Bridget Lewis isgetting her MBE for ser-vices to Education andCommunity Development.Belmopan Mayor SimeonLopez is getting his awardfor services to Educationand Public Service.

Same for Enelda ReginaRosado, for services toEducation and CommunityDevelopment. And, worldclass prize-fighter of the50’s, Ludwig Lightburn isgetting his OBE for ser-vices to Sports and theCommunity.

Courtesy Channel 7 News









THOUGHTS ACROSS THE MILESGod’s Sacrifice to Save Mankind, We Need to

do our Little Part

Dr. Errol Elrington

What is High Blood Pressure? (continued)

Continued from Page 3

How can I tell I have it?You usually can’t tell! Many people have it and don’t know it. The only way to know if yourblood pressure is high is to get it checked regularly by your doctor.

What can untreated high blood pressure lead to?• Stroke• Heart attack, angina or both• Heart failure

• Kidney failure• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

What can I do about it?• Lose weight if you’r overweight.• Eat healthy meals low in saturated fat, trans fat, choles- terol and salt.• Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks a day for men.

• Be more physically active. Exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week.• Take medicine the way your doctor tells you.• Know what your blood pressure should be and work to keep it at that level.

How can medicine help?Some medicines, such as vasodilators, help relax and open up your blood vessels so blood can flow through better. A diuretic (di-uh-RET-ik) can help keep your body from holding too much water and salt. Other medicines help your heart beat more slowly andwith less force.

How can I learn more?1 Talk to your doctor, nurse or other health-care profession- als. If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, members of your family also may be at higher risk. It’s very important for them to make changes now to lower their risk.2 Call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) or visit americanheart.org to learn more about heart disease.

3 For information on stroke, call 1-888-4-STROKE (1888-478- 7653) or visit StrokeAssociation.org.We have many other fact sheets and educational booklets tohelp you make healthier choices to reduce your risk, managedisease or care for a loved one.Knowledge is power, so Learn and Live!

Do you have questions or comments for your doctor?Take a few minutes to write your own questions for the next time you see you healthcare provider. For example:Will I always have to take medicine?

What should my blood pressure be?

Your contribution of the American Heart Association supports research that helps make publications like this possible.

The statistics in this sheet were up to date at publication. For the latest statistics, see the Heart Disease and StrokeStatistics Update at americanheart.org/statistics,c 2007, American Heart Association 10/07LS1466

Leading Causes of Death in Black MenThe leading causes of death in black men are: heart disease, cancer, homicide, unintentional injury, stroke, diabetes, lung disease,AIDS and liver disease. Heart disease and cancer deaths account for more than half of all deaths of black men.

Source: 2003 Michigan ResidentDeath File, Vital Records &Health Data DevelopmentSection, Michigan Department ofCommunity Health

Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom andto slavery. It is we who control these, and not another. - Richard Bach

AIDSLung Disease

DiabetesStroke

Unintentional Injury

Homicide

Cancer

Heart DiseaseLiver Disease









FOOD AND NUTRITIONFirst Aid and Safety

VomitingVomiting can be caused bymany things. Most of thetime, vomiting in childrenis caused by gastroenteri-tis, usually due to a virusinfecting the gastrointesti-nal tract. Gastroenteritis,often called the “stomachflu”, also can cause nauseaand diarrhea.

These infections usuallydon’t last long and are moredisruptive than dangerous.However, kids (especiallyinfants) who cannot take inenough fluids and alsohave diarrhea could be-come dehydrated.

It’s important to stay calm- vomiting is frightening toyoung children (and par-ents, too) and exhaustingfor kids of all ages. Reas-suring your child and pre-venting dehydration arekey for a quick recovery.

Over-the-counter medica-tions to treat nausea, vom-iting, and diarrhea are notrecommended for infantsand children. Doctorsmight recommend medica-tion for nausea or vomitingin certain situations, butthese are available only byprescription.

Oral rehydration is some-thing parents can do athome to help prevent dehy-dration or treat mild cases.Talk to your doctor, espe-cially if you think yourchild is dehydrated, as youmight be given alternateinstructions on how toorally rehydrate your child.

Oral Rehydration TipsFor Infants YoungerThan 6 Months

Avoid giving plain water toan infant unless your doc-tor directly specifies anamount.

Offer your baby small butfrequent amounts - about 2-3 teaspoons, or up to 1/2ounce - of an oral electro-lyte solution every 15-20minutes witha spoon or anoral syringe. Oral electro-lyte solutions are balancedwith salts to replace what’slost from vomiting or diar-rhea, and they also containsome sugar. Its’s especiallyimportant for infants thatany fluids given have thecorrect salt balance.Gradually increase theamount of solution you’regiving if your infant is ableto keep it down for morethan a couple of hourswithout vomiting.Do not give more solutionat a time than your babywould normally eat - thiswill overfill an already ir-ritated tummy and likelycause more vomiting.After your infant goes formore than about 8 hourswithout vomiting, reintro-duce formula slowly if yourinfant is formula-fed. Startwith small, more frequentfeeds and slowly work upto the normal feeding rou-tine. If your infant alreadyeats baby cereal, it’s OK tostart solid feedings in smallamounts again.If your infant is exclusivelybreastfeeding and vomitsmore than once, thenbreastfeed for a total of 5-10 minutes every 2 hours.If your infant is still vomit-ing, call your doctor. After8 hours without vomiting,you can resumebreastfeeding normally.If your infant is under 2months old and vomitingall feedings, call your doc-tor immediately.

For Infants 6 months to 1Year

Avoid giving plain water toan infant under 1 year un-

less your doctor directlyspecifies an amount.Give your baby small butfrequent amounts of an oralelectrolyte solution every15-20 minutes. It’s impor-tant that any fluids givenhave the correct salt bal-ance.An infant over 6 monthsold may not appreciate thetaste of an unflavored oralelectrolyte solution. Fla-vored solutions are avail-able or you can add 1/2 tea-spoon of juice to each feed-ing of unflavored oral elec-trolyte solutions. Frozenoral electrolyte solutionpops are often appealing toinfants this age and thisapproach also encouragesthe required slow intake offluids.Gradually increase theamount of solution you’regiving if your baby keepsit down for more than acouple of hours withoutvomiting.Do not give more solutionat a time than your infantwould normally eat - thiswill overfill an already ir-ritated tummy and likelycause more vomiting.After your baby goes morethan about 8 hours withoutvomiting, you can reintro-duce formula slowly, morefrequent feedings andslowly work up to the nor-mal feeding routine. Youalso can begin giving smallamounts of soft, blandfoods that your infant is al-ready familiar with such asbananas, cereals, crackers,or other mild baby foods.If your infant doesn’t vomitfor 24 hours, you can re-sume your normal feedingroutine.

For Kids 1 Year andOlder

Give clear liquids (milk andmilk products should be

avoided) in small amountsranging from 2 teaspoons to2 tablespoons depending onhow much your child cantolerate, every 15 minutes.If your child vomits, startover with a smaller amountof fluid and continue asabove.If there’s no vomiting forapproximately 8 hours, in-troduce bland, mild foodsgradually. But do not forceany foods - your child willtell you when he or she ishungry. Saltine crackers,toast, broths or mild soups,mashed potatoes, rice andbreads are all OK.If there’s no vomiting for24 hours, slowly resume theregular diet. Wait 2-3 daysbefore resuming milk prod-ucts.

When to Call the Doctor

The greatest risk of vomit-ing due to gastroenteritis isdehydration. Call yourdoctor if your child refusesfluids or if the vomitingcontinues after using thesuggested rehydrationmethods.

Vomiting due to gastroen-teritis can spread to others,so your child should stayhome from school orchildcare until there’s beenno vomiting for at least 24hours. And remember thathand washing done oftenand well is the best way toprotect your family againstmany infections.

Ready to lose thoseextra pounds that

you gain during theChristmas Holidays.Read our next issueof the Northern StarNewspaper for amaz-

ing low on caloriesrecipes.





Spanish.) This is anotherimmediate benefit alongwith the immediate expan-sion of rural electrificationfrom a committed leaderand government for all of usthat did not hesitate to makethe tough decision to walk-in and take over the BelizeElectricity Ltd.(B.E.L) afterthreat of Power Cuts fromyet another cooperate giant(Black-outs which wouldhave resulted in the shuttingdown of commerce in thecountry) if the Governmentof Belize did not allowedB.E.L to raise the ratecharges for electricity to theconsumers, the People ofBelize.

Amid all this Belizeanshave witness the speedyresponse and assistancegiven to those in distress viathe Minister of Transport,Communications andNEMO (NationalEmergency ManagementOrganization) the Hon.Melvin Hulse wheneverdisaster came literallyknocking at their door.

Yes, all payments were metin 2011 to service the hugeSuper-Bond debt while thisgovernment successfullyretrieved the Venezuelanmonies that were divertedby the past Administrationto the Belize Bank andtransparently disburse itequitably via the Minister ofHousing and UrbanDevelopment Hon. MichaelFinnegan, to all the ElectedRepresentatives of thePeople including thosemembers of the People’sUnited Party Oppositionwho were the first toreceived their portion.

Thousands of qualityhouses were built andrepaired under the Ministryof Housing and Urban

Minister, Hon. Dean Barrowand this United DemocraticParty’s Government hasdelivered the impossible,Stability; amidst theinherited huge debt-burden(Super-Bond), theopen squandering of thepublic purse which brokethe Development FinanceCooperation (DFC) andseverely crippled the SocialSecurity Funds (S.S.BScandal); the so calledprivatizing or rather pirate-izing of our country’s assets(sale of B.T.L, B.E.L,WASA, Port, Airport etc.)and other various acts whichwe consider acts of treasonscommitted by the formerPeoples United Party’sGovernment.

Today in Belize alleconomic indicators pointsquarely towards economicrecovery and growth for theCountry and People ofBelize.

This remarkable home-grown solution becamepossible out of verydesperate measures whichour Prime Minister had totake in order to safeguard,secure and exalt the veryinterest and future of thePeople of Belize.

The difference betweenwhat has happened in ourBelize as opposed to thenegative reactions andpublic opposition whichgovernments around theworld have and areexperiencing is clearlybecause in Belize everyman, woman and child eventhe P.U.P supporters knowthat the mess this countrywas in is because of a badP.U.P Government whichpreceded this Government.

The Hon. Dean Barrow andthis U.D.P Government withthe support of the People ofBelize has fought thecooperate giants and

triumph in the spirit of thosehundreds of thousands ofprotesters around the worldwho are a part of theOCCUPY WALL STREET(OWS) Movement.

The re-nationalization orrather repatriation of ourutilities and theenshrinement in theConstitution of Belize thatits control must remain in thehands of the People ofBelize is indeed the actionsof a government and leaderenvied by the protesters ofthe world. “AGOVERNMENT THATWORKS FOR ALL OF US”

The benefits of thisadministration’s actions wasimmediately felt by thepeople of Belize with theadvent of finally truecompetition in the Telecom-

-munication Industry inBelize, resulting in almostbi-monthly double andtriple-up offers to theclients of both Digicel andSmart while radicallydriving down the cost ofcellular phones, phoneservices, internet access etc.

In addition Belizeans whobought shares in B.T.L wereable to receive dividendswhich were notforthcoming prior togovernment taking controlof B.T.L.

The Hon. Prime Minister ofBelize has also announcedin his New Year Messagethat the cost of electricityshall go down early thisyear. (Prime Minister’sNew Year Message appearson pgs. 10/11 of this issuein both English and ( Continue on page 23 )

( Continued from front page)

THE MAN OF THE YEAR!

January 1st. 2012Occupy Wall Street protesters clashing with police

The poor & the middle class marching





Happy New Year2012From

The Department of TransportTHERE’S A THIN LINE

BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.TRAFFIC SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVERS

1. Check your motor vehicle to ensure that everything is in good workingcondition. Example – brakes, all lights, horn, wipers, tires, spare-tire, tiretools, oil, water, brake fluid & dash board gauges.

2. Ensure that your driver’s license is valid and that your vehicle is licensed andinsured.

3. Wear your seat belts at all times when on the highways. (It is an offence fordrivers and front seat passengers not to wear seat belts on the highways).

4. Don’t carry passengers in the back of open pickup trucks. (Vehicle onlyinsured to carry amount of passengers as stipulated on certificate of registration/title).

5. Don’t drive if you are consuming Alcoholic beverages or taking medication(drugs). Have designated driver (alcohol and drugs affect your vision andjudgement).

6. Avoid making calls on cell phone when driving, it is best to pull off to theright to make calls or to answer your cell phone, don’t text whiles driving.

7. Wear your helmet at all times when operating or being carried as a passengeron a motor cycle.

8. Only overtake if you have a clear view of the road ahead, never overtakearound blind curves or when driving over a hill.

9. Drive within the speed limit at all times.

10.Obey all traffic laws and signs.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVETHINK!





Vernon Cutkelvin & Maira Montejo

Mensaje de Año Nuevo del Primer Ministro

Primer Ministro de BeliceHon. Dean Barrow

Ningún saldo en ninguno de los incrementos anuales por medio elcual medimos el pasar del tiempo, está realmente completo sinsufrimientos y tribulaciones. Es por ello que como seres humanos,sociedades, y naciones, siempre damos la bienvenida al año nuevocon expectativas y alegría. Es una oportunidad para recuperarse dela adversidad de los doce meses anteriores, para obrar mejor y sermejor. El eterno ritual de despedir el viejo y dar la bienvenida alnuevo, es por lo tanto emblemático de la eterna capacidad deesperanza y renovación. Y esto, a cambio, es parte del legado deDios a la raza humana; a todas las criaturas racionales que creen enEl.

Aunque el año pasado, como todos, no estuvo sin dificultades, estasfueron pequeñas. De hecho, en vista de la situación global; dadolos continuos problemas fiscales, de deudas y desempleo de losEstados Unidos; dada la crisis absoluta en la que Europa se vesumida; nuestro país hizo bien económicamente. Y un vistazo a losnúmeros sirve para confirmar que, en todas las circunstancias, hayun logro del cual agradecidos estamos.

El Instituto de Estadísticas de Belice, informa que los primeros nueve meses del año, nuestra economía creció undos punto siete por ciento (2.7%), comparado con el uno punto ocho por ciento (1.8%) para el mismo período enel dos mil diez. El crecimiento en el último trimestre del año es tradicionalmente el más robusto, así que estamosbien encaminados a, tal y como lo predije en el Día de la Independencia, exceder el tres por ciento (3%) delproducto interno nacional en el dos mil once. Esto es un gran logro, y estará casi un punto porcentual por encimadel crecimiento de dos punto cuatro por ciento (2.4%) del año pasado.

Cuando examinamos los sectores particulares que son los más responsables por este panorama de avance económico,el futuro es aún más prometedor. Hasta septiembre fue el Sector Comercial de mayoreo y menudeo que llevaba ladelantera, registrando un aumento del siete punto siete por ciento (7.7%). Tan solo la Zona Libre de Corozal fueresponsable por una recuperación comercial de veinte y tres por ciento (23%), en ventas anuales. A lo largo de lostres trimestres, Hoteles y Restaurantes crecieron un dos punto uno por ciento (2.1%), como resultado del aumentode las llegadas turísticas en un tres punto tres por ciento (3.3%); Transporte y Comunicaciones creció un dos puntocinco por ciento (2.5%). La construcción también tuvo un siete punto cuatro por ciento de mejoría (7.4%). Perofue la industria de la Pesca que realmente estuvo a la cabeza con un aumento del catorce punto cinco porciento(14.5%). Y, mientras la producción de azúcar cayó en general, las proporciones, la calidad y los preciosmejoraron, proveyendo una posición ideal para una exitosa y abundante zafra. Finalmente, la inflación permanecióbaja, solo con dos puntos porcentuales.

Es en base a todo lo antedicho que puedo acertar que fuimos bendecidos en el dos mil once. Fácilmente sobrepasamosal dos mil diez y, si se compara con el dos mil nueve, el logro es aun más notable, ya que, recordemos, en ese añohubo una contracción y fue cuando las olas de la recesión mundial amenazaban con inundarnos por completo.

El éxito económico del dos mil once se debe a que los aumentos en entradas por exportación, incluyendo enparticular las provenientes del petróleo, hicieron posible que el Gobierno diera un gigantesco paso hacia laconsolidación de su agenda social. Fueron implementados proyectos de infra-estructura para crear empleos; fueronexpandidas las oportunidades educativas y económicas para aquellos necesitados de una segunda oportunidad; ycon el viento en popa, a pasos agigantados avanzamos con los préstamos y concesiones para las mejoras deviviendas, las cestas básicas para las personas de bajos ingresos, y los programas de transferencia monetariatambién para los más necesitados.

La flor de nuestra democracia también retoño. Mantuvimos nuestro compromiso de ser un gobierno accesible,transparente y responsable; y continuamos nuestra marcha hacia el verdadero nacionalismo mediante la estipulaciónconstitucional de ser dueños de los servicios esenciales.

Quizá lo más notable de todo, es que desde septiembre, cuando forjamos un cese de hostilidades entre las pandillasde la ciudad de Belice, hemos tenido éxito en reducir la incidencia de asesinatos en este país. La significativareducción en la tasa de homicidios para los últimos cuatro meses del dos mil once, comparados con el dos mil diez,representa un gran logro. Y llega en el punto justo y preciso, cuando muchos comenzaban a sentir que no habríarescate de tal abismo.





Pero el verdadero propósito de este Mensaje, es mirar hacia adelante;asegurar a todos que la promesa inherente y la oportunidad del AñoNuevo es una verdadera realidad. Los esfuerzos se redoblarán, loscompromisos se expandirán, y los logros serán más intensos.

En el dos mil doce, por ejemplo, el empuje en las infra-estructuras-y los empleos que conlleva- alcanzará nuevas metas. En el sur, lacarretera a Jalacté, en el norte, la carretera de Blue Creek, en eloeste, el Cruce del Rio Macal, en la ciudad de Belice, los proyectosde drenaje y de calles; todos estarán en plena acción. El nuevoestadio de Marion Jones ya saldrá de la fase de fundación, y elNuevo Centro Cívico saldrá de las ruinas. Se ha firmado el contratopara el diseño y la construcción del ‘Proyecto de Manejo deDesperdicios Sólidos’; y se invertirán 14 (catorce) millones dedólares entre enero y julio en Caye Caulker, San Pedro, San Ignacioy Ciudad Belice. El Banco Mundial nos asegura que, el ya demoradoproyecto de rehabilitación y embellecimiento para los municipiosen los distritos, comenzará en abril.

Mensaje de Año Nuevo del Primer Ministro

Primer Ministro de BeliceHon. Dean Barrow

Una contribución monetaria para las madres trabajadoras, a nivel nacional, se unirá a los programas de aprendices, la cestabásica, y BOOST. Y los centros de ayuda para los vecindarios necesitados de la ciudad de Belice asistirán con el desarrollocomunitario, recuperación social, y la prevención de violencia.

Millones de dólares continuarán financiando las mejoras y reparaciones de viviendas en todo el país; y cada topógrafo registradoen este país ha sido contratado para trabajar en la sub -división de cuatro mil setecientos nueve acres identificados por elMinisterio de Terrenos para ser asignados como lotes de viviendas para aquellos que no tienen ni han sido dueños.

Nuestra asistencia hacia los pobres y los de clase media continúa. Ellos, de hecho todos los Beliceños, serán asistidos por lareducción en los precios de electricidad que prometí en Septiembre y que ahora se hace realidad. BEL, al fin del pueblo ygobierno, ya ha aceptado, a través de sus gestas a la Comisión de Utilidades Públicas, que los precios de la electricidad tienen quereducirse. Y la Comisión pueda que también reduzca aún más lo que habría propuesto BEL. La decisión final será el 31 de enero,y las nuevas tarifas reducidas deben, bajo la ley actual, tomar efecto unos cuantos meses después. Pero somos un gobierno queestamos apurados en hacer cosas buenas. Y el alivio al consumidor, la reducción en el costo de la vida, el alivio a los comercios,y la industria y la agricultura, no pueden esperar. Por lo tanto, el Gobierno enmendará la ley para implementar desde el mismo díasiguiente, el primero de Febrero, dos mil doce, esta histórica reducción en lo que los Beliceños pagan por electricidad.

Pero todavía hay más que estamos ofreciendo para alegrar esta temporada. Al contrario del dos mil doce, nuestra visiónde adelanto, oportunidad e igualdad no es algo nuevo. Pero los frescos comienzos que siempre toman lugar el primero deenero, proveen una apropiada oportunidad para que enfaticemos nuestro credo: que la llama de justicia social de estegobierno nunca se apagará; que arderá aún más en los próximos doce meses. Y nuestra preocupación por los marginados,por aquellos con sueldos fijos, bajos ingresos o sin ingresos, ha causado que tengamos otra nueva idea para el alivio yasistencia de año nuevo. Por lo tanto, hoy anuncio que el Gobierno comprará todas las hipotecas de cincuenta mil dólaresy menos, del Seguro Social de Belice. Estas llegan a un total de setecientas ochenta y cuentan con un total de valoragregado de diez y siete millones de dólares. Poco después el Gobierno anulará estas hipotecas, cancelando todas lasobligaciones de préstamo de las cabezas de familia y dejando ese dinero a su disposición para invertirlo en la economíay generar más actividad.

La intención de ayudar no solo a individuos sino a los comercios en esta forma, me trae al último punto que deseo hacer. En todolo que hacemos, el Gobierno no se puede olvidar del sector privado. Se necesita una participación equitativa, e hicimos un buencomienzo al final del dos mil once. Esto debe consolidarse en este año venidero. Por lo tanto, el gobierno entre otras cosas, estánombrando un Facilitador de Desarrollo Comercial en la Oficina del Primer Ministro para supervisar dicha nueva relación.

Finalizo haciendo referencia una vez más al renacimiento del optimismo que es la provincia especial de las celebraciones de añonuevo. A través del mundo, esta es una ocasión para re-encender la inspiración. Es el re-inicio anual de la búsqueda del progresohumano, de la misión alquimista de convertir hasta el cobre en oro. En el caso de Belice, nuestra resolución es re-dedicar y re-consagrar la cruzada por el cual construimos una nación brillante, justa y equitativa. Una que será la envidia de y el modelo pararegión y el mundo.

Feliz año Nuevo a todos, y que Dios bendiga a Belice.





Your Weekly Horoscope

Capicorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

December 22 - January 19

January 20 - February 18

February 19 - March 20

March 21 - April 19

April 20 - May 20

May 21 - June 20

July 23 - August 22

August 23 - September 22

September 23 - October 22

October 23 - November 21

June 21 - July 22

Jokes of the Week

SagittariusNovember 22 - December 21

Music really resonates withyou this week, so make surethat you’re listening to thetunes that move you in theright direction. It’s one ofthose days when it’s vital todeal with the right atmo-sphere.

Karma swings by for a visit- have you been good lately(or in a past life, at least)?Whatever happens thisweek is a payment of somekind, but try not to read toomuch into it until you’vehad time to process.

Your social intuition isstrong now, so make surethat you’re at least trying toread people right. You mayfind that your energy is bestspent on new endeavorsand meeting new people.

Your assistance is key thisweek - someone needs you!It might not be a life-or-death matter, but the oddsare good that you can helpthem find a deeply satisfy-ing way to live their lives.

What you share is muchmore important than whatyou keep on a week likethis week, so make sure thatall the right people are inthe loop. You may find thatyou push the group as awhole a lot farther than youthought possible!

Your ability to understandpeople on a deep level istested this week - and, mostlikely, you pass with flyingcolors! Someone you don’tknow well is scramblingfor help, but only you cansee it.

Try to indulge your creativeside this week, as it needs aboost. Your spiritual en-ergy is just right to getthere, even if you can’tquite get anything practicaldone until next week of thefollowing week.

Your thoughtful side is outin force this week, and youmay find that you are fullof great ideas about what todo next. It’s a good time tosit down and write thingsout, but not to draw up afirm plan.

Take care of those aroundyou this week - the odds arethat they are failing whileyou are doing quite well.They are sure to rememberyour kindness should thesituation be reversed oneday.

Your creative side needsextra attention this week -so give it whatever it needs.If you want time to draw orbrainstorm, take it, and ifyou need a walk outside,you’ve got to go for it.

You usually have a goodgrasp of details, but fornow, you may find thatyour energy is better spenton big-picture stuff. Bet-ter still, seek more clarityon the finish line, as it isextremely confusing now.

Other people are makinggood points this week asthey discuss what went be-fore - so listen up! You mayneed to try something alittle different if you wantto get ahead, and that couldmean anything.

A woman goes to her doctor complaining that she is ex-hausted all the time. After the diagnostic tests showednothing, the doctor gets around to asking her how oftenshe has intercourse.“Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,” she says.The doctor advises her to cut out Wednesday.“I can’t,” says the woman. “That’s the only night I’m homewith my husband.”

After she woke up, a woman told her husband, “I justdreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine’sDay. What do you think it means?”“You’ll know tonight,” he said.That evening, the man came home with a small packageand gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it - to finda book entitled: “The Meaning of Dreams.”

Walking up to a department store’s fabric counter, thepretty girl said, “I would like to buy this material for anew dress. How much does it cost?” “Only one kiss peryard,” replied the male clerk with a smirk. “That’s fine,”said the girl. “I’ll take ten yards.” With expectation andanticipation written all over his face, the clerk quicklymeasured out the cloth, wrapped it up, then teasingly heldit out.

The girl snapped up the package, pointed to the old gee-zer standing beside her, and smiled, “Grandpa will paythe bill.”

Wife: “I won the lottery! Five million dollars. Whoo-ee-- start packing!”Husband: “That’s great!!! What should I pack?”Wife: “Whatever you want, just be out of the house bythe time I get there”





The Corozal Free ZoneThe reality today!

Eyes Locked on 2012

There has been anunprecedented increased invisitors in the Corozal FreeZone (CFZ) over theChristmas and New Year’sSeason for example for theperiod 14th. November -24th. December 2011(4wks. and 3 days) somefive hundred and seventy-five buses (575) accountingfor approximately twenty-eight thousands peoplecame to the CFZ along withsome fifty-three thousandvehicles (53,000)accounting forapproximately some threehundred and fifty-thousandpeople (350,000) themajority of which camefrom Chetumal, Cancun,Mexico City and beyond.

This boom in business is aresult of the hard work anddedication of the CorozalFree Zone Managementand Staff.

A close look at the figureswill reflect an increased insales of 33% in the year andan a growth of 44% inimportation for 2011.

Business in the CFZ hasbeen doing well and theprojection for 2012 is evenmore promising.

The transformation of the

CFZ has been a work inprogress that the entirecountry of Belize is reapingthe benefit of.

This New Year the CorozalFree Zone’s Managementplans to further uplift theoverall look of the Zone byconducting majorinfrastructural upgrading ofthe facility.

Along with the unendingsupport of the Governmentof Belize and the Corozal

David AkiermanExecutive Chairman of

Corozal Free Zone

Belize Water Service LimitedPublic Relations Office

7 Central American Blvd. P.O. Box 150Belize City, Belize Tel: (501) 222-4757, Ext. 281

www.bws.com.bzContact: [email protected]

Public NoticeJanuary 5, 2012

BWS submits Annual Review Proceedings (APR) application

On December 23, 2011, Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) submitted its formal notification foran Annual Review Proceeding to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the determination orconfirmation of the regulated values, rates, tariffs, fees and charges for the period April 1, 2012

through to March 31, 2013.

This submission is being made in accordance with Section 27, Part IV of Statutory Instrument 67 of2002. The submission officially commences the company’s Annual Tariff Review Proceeding.

BWS has informed the PUC that the company is not seeking any change in tariffs. BWS’ssubmission is available for viewing at the branch offices of BWS and on its

website at www.bws.bz, and at the PUC office at 41 Gabourel Lane, Belize City,and the PUC website at www.puc.bz.

Members of the public may participate in the ARP by submitting written com-ments on BWS’ submission to the PUC by January 13, 2012, by email at

[email protected] or in writing at the PUC office.

Where any person submits comments or information purported to be factual, such comments orinformation shall be accompanied by a sworn affidavit.

Three copies of all applications, reports, documents, comments or information provided by mem-bers of the public shall be filed at the PUC’s office and a copy shall be provided to BWS at its

principal office of business on the same day.

The PUC is required to issue an Initial Decision on the submission by January 23, 2012.

The licensee or an interested party representing users of at least 10% of the water supplied in thepreceding year may submit written comments on the Initial Decision within 15 days.

Where there is no objection to the Initial Decision the PUC shall adopt it as its Final Decision.

BWS - Delivering Water and More...

Free Zone Chamber ofCommerce, the continuingassistance from theRepublic of China, Taiwanand many other interestedparties; the Corozal FreeZone will attractunprecedented genuineforeign investment creatingthousands of new jobs in2011.

The Northern StarNewspaper will keep youregularly updated andinformed throughout 2012.



http://www.bws.com.bz


http://www.bws.bz

http://www.puc.bz




From The Ministry Of Sports

Ismael ‘Miley’ GarciaNational Sports Coordinator

Ministry of Sports

See the

In Living Colors atwww.belizenews.com/NorthernStar

As the 2011 ended we atthe Ministry of Sports re-flect on the year in sportsand rededicate ourselves tocontinue to provide thehighest level of support toall disciplines within ourlimited resources.

It has been an exciting yearfor us as we saw delega-tions of basketball, softball,track and field, football,cycling, cricket, and otherdisciplines, represent ourcounty Belize on the inter-national scene. We havedone our best, with the as-sistance of Central Govern-ment, to support theseendeavours financially, al-beit not at the level needed.

The commitment of theMinister of Sports, Honor-able John Saldivar, none-theless, has been demon-strably clear in his effortsto support as many Asso-ciations and Federations inmaking possible their par-ticipation in these interna-tional commitments.

Once again we look for-ward to all National Asso-ciations/Federations sub-mitting their calendar ofevents for 2012 so that we

can do some forward plan-ning in acquiring and dis-tributing these resources.Similarly, we remind andencourage all Associations/Federations that, alongwith this activity, in themonth of January, theyneed to submit their appli-cations for registration tothe National Sports Coun-cil as mandated by theSPORTS ACT. Associa-tions/Federations that arenot registered with the Na-tional Sports Council donot qualify for financialassistance or use of the fa-cilities under the auspicesof the Council.

We would like to remindsporting associations, how-ever, that the most impor-tant reason for registeringwith the National SportsCouncil is not so much be-cause of financial supportthat may be provided tothem. It is more importantthat as a nation we begin tocreate a national listing ofour athletes and teams/clubs with a view to devel-oping our outstanding ath-letes.

The Ministry is committedto developing world classathletes, who can in turnconvert their talent intoeducational and economicbenefit, for themselves andtheir families. Registrationhelps us to identify, at anearly stage, these promis-ing athletes so that they canbenefit from the varioustraining programs that areavailable both locally andabroad.

We look forward to twoexciting projects that willcontinue in 2012 that willgreatly assist in this en-deavour. The first is thecompletion of the MarionJones Sporting Complez,which is a work in progress

and which will truly be afacility of which we can beproud. The second is thecommencement of themuch anticipated refurbish-ment of the Belize CityCenter. The Ministry wilalso continue its efforts toupgrade other sporting fa-cilities countrywide with aview to giving greater op-portunity to athletes coun-trywide.

Already, we are seeing re-sults from the employment

Reflection

Krem News Year’s Cycling ClassicKrem annual New Year’s Cycling Classic recordedtwo new champions in 2012. Giovanni Choto ofTeam Western Spirit and Kaya Cattouse of C-RayCycling Team both were first to cross the line in theelite and female races respectively.

Sixty-eight cyclist started the elite race from theNorthern Border in Santa Elena, Corozal headingfor Belize City and by the time the smoke cleared,blazing solo across Haulover Bridge at the entranceof Belize City was Giovanni Choto who easily tookfirst place, Byron Pope of Benny’s Megabytes camein second and Peter Choto placed third. The lastBelizean to win in this elite category was MarlonCastillo in 2009.

Kaya Cattouse who has been out of competitivecycling for two years, dust off her bike and shoe andsimply devoured the four-time champion ShaliniZabeneh creating a new rivalry in Female Cyclingwith Shalini, the now former undisputed championof Belize.

of a Program DevelopmentOfficer for Basketball,Coach Tarr, at the NationalSports Council.

We hope to enlist persons todevelop programs in theother disciplines as well,with a view to the long termdevelopment of our athletes.

All these things excite us atthe Ministry as we forgeahead with our NationalGoal of converting Belize’sraw talent into GOLD!!!



http://www.belizenews.com/NorthernStar



INTERNATIONAL NEWS7.0 Earthquake Hits Eastern

JapanTOKYO - A magnitude 7.0earthquake shook easternJapan on Sunday, the U.S.Geological Survey re-ported.

Despite the magnitude,there was no danger of atsunami, said the PacificTsunami Warning Center.

U.S. Ambassador to JapanJohn V. Roos tweeted thathe was “about to greet Em-peror and Empress for NewYear when Imperial Palacebegan to shake”.

The mid-afternoon quakeswayed buildings in Tokyobut it did not disrupt the fi-nal of the Emperor’s Cupfootball tournament underway at the National Sta-dium, AFP, the French newsagency, reported.

A spokesman for TokyoElectric Power said therewere no reports of any ab-normalities at the tsunami-

crippled FukushimaDaiichi nuclear plan fol-lowing the quake.

Some high-speed train ser-vices in northern Japanwere suspended after theearthquake, but soon re-sumed operations, Kyodonews reported.

The Meterological Agencysays the offshore quakeSunday struck about 370kilometers (230 miles) be-low the sea surface. Theagency said there was nodanger of a tsunami. Therewere no immediate reportsof damage or injuries.

Northeastern Japan wasdevastated by a massiveearthquake and tsunami onMarch 11 that left nearly20,000 people dead ormissing. Japan, which liesalong the Pacific “Ring ofFire,” is on of the world’smost seismically activecountries.

India Girl Killed in RitualSacrifice to Ensure Better

HarvestBy msnbc.com news ser-vices

Two men have been ar-rested in central India forallegedly killing a 7-year-old girl and cutting out herliver in a ritual sacrifice toensure a better harvest, po-lice said Monday.

Lalita Tati disappeared inOctober and her dismem-bered remains were founda week later, RajendraNarayan Das, a senior po-lice officer in the Bijapurdistrict of Chhattisgarhstate, told The AssociatedPress. Police arrested twomen both poor farmers, lastweek and they told policethey killed the girl to ap-pease their gods and get abetter harvest, Das said.

Tati was walking home af-ter watching television at a

neighbor’s house when shewas kidnapped, Das said.The two men confessed tocutting her open and re-moving her liver as an of-fering.

Das said the police hadgathered enough evidence,apart from the confessions,to charge the two with mur-der. They would face lifein prison or even the deathsentence if convicted.

The men were described as“tribals”, a term referring tothe region’s indigenouspeople, most of whom re-main mired in poverty andilliteracy.

Human sacrifices are rare inIndia but get prominent at-tention every few years. adeep belief in traditionalhealers, or witch doctors, iscommon in mostly tribalChhattisgarh

Ex-cop Used Gun and Knife to Rescue KidsChris Willden was drivingalong a winding canyonroad in Utah on Saturdaywhen he spotted somethingin the riverbank: an over-turned car, submerged inthe icy water, and some-thing else.

Wilden, a former police of-ficer, sprung into action.Thanks to him and a hand-ful of other strangers-turned-rescuers, the driverand three children whowere inside the car weresaved from Utah’s frigidLogan River - which hadalready knocked two of thekids unconscious.

Roger Anderson, 46, lostcontrol of his car on a wind-ing Utah canyon road andslid into an icy river. The

A photo provided by Chris Willden shows a car in the Logan River inUtah Saturday, after it was flipped upright by rescuers who savedthree children trapped inside.

car flipped upside-downand quickly became sub-merged.

Roger Anderson, 46, thedriver of the car, had beenable to free himself, but 9-year-old daughter Mia, 4-year-old son Baylor, andtheir 9-year-old friend

Kenya Wildman weretrapped.

The four were on their wayto a ski resort Saturdaywhen the New Year’s Eveaccident happened, accord-ing to the Herald JournalNews, which first reportedthe story.

The road didn’t appear icy,at first, but as they madetheir way up the canyon, itgot slicker so he slowed.Just one tap on the brakeswas all it took.He struggled to free thechildren from theirseatbelts, but couldn’t getthem loose.

Chris Willden, who wasdriving by with his father atthat very moment, pulledover. He rushed into theriver and surveyed thescene inside the vehicle.Anderson had gotten out ofhis car, but the kids were alltrapped. Andersen’s chil-dren were by now floatingunconscious in the river

Continued on page 22





INTERNATIONAL NEWSIran warns US carrier to stay out of Persian Gulf

The USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier is seen as it allegedly went "inside the maneu-ver zone" where Iranian ships were conducting war games in the Gulf, according toIranian officials.

By msnbc.com newsservices

Iran will take action if aU.S. aircraft carrierwhich left the area be-cause of Iranian navalexercises returns to theGulf, the state newsagency quoted armychief Ataollah Salehi assaying on Tuesday.

"Iran will not repeat itswarning ... the enemy'scarrier has been movedto the Sea of Oman be-cause of our drill. I rec-ommend and emphasizeto the American carriernot to return to the Per-sian Gulf," Salehi toldIRNA.

"I advise, recommend andwarn them (the Americans)over the return of this car-rier to the Persian Gulf be-cause we are not in the habitof warning more thanonce," the semi-officialFars news agency quotedSalehi as saying.

Salehi did not name the air-craft carrier or give detailsof the action Iran mighttake if it returned. How-ever, last week a spokes-woman for the U.S. 5thFleet said the USS John C.Stennis had left the Gulf.

Iran completed 10 days ofnaval exercises in the Gulfon Monday, and said dur-

ing the drills that if foreignpowers imposed sanctionson its crude exports it couldshut the Strait of Hormuz,through which 40 percentof the world’s traded oil isshipped.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet, whichis based in Bahrain, said itwould not allow shipping tobe disrupted in the strait.

Iran fires missiles Iran saidon Monday it had success-fully test-fired two long-range missiles during itsnaval drill, flexing its mili-tary muscle in the face ofmounting Western pressureover its controversialnuclear program.

Iran also said it had no in-tention of closing the Strait

of Hormuz but had carriedout “mock” exercises onshutting the strategic water-way.

Tehran denies Western ac-cusations that it is secretlytrying to build atomicbombs, saying it needsnuclear technology to gen-erate electricity.

The United States and Is-rael have not ruled out mili-tary action against Iran ifdiplomacy fails to resolvethe Islamic state’s nuclearrow with the West.

The European Union isconsidering following theUnited States in banningimports of Iranian crude oil.U.S. President BarackObama signed new sanc-

tions against Iran intolaw on Saturday, step-ping up the pressure byadding sanctions on fi-nancial institutions thatdeal with Iran’s centralbank.

Meanwhile, Iran saidthe new record low ofthe national currency tothe U.S. dollar was notlinked to the latest sanc-tions from the UnitedStates targeting thecountry’s central bank.

Foreign Ministryspokesman RaminMehmanparast on Tues-day insisted there “is no

relation” between the two.He said the American sanc-tions “have yet to be putinto practice”.

The Iranian currency’s ex-change rate hovered lateMonday around 18,000riyals to the dollar, mark-ing a roughly 12 percentslide compared to Sunday’srate of 15,900 riyals to thedollar.

President Barack Obamaon Saturday signed into lawa bill targeting Iran’s cen-tral bank as part of theWest’s efforts to pressureTehran over its nuclear pro-gram. It goes into effect insix months.

water that was filling thecar, four-year-old Baylorstill strapped into his childseat. Nine-year-old Kenyahad found an air pocket butcould not free herself fromher seat belt.

That’s when Willden’s po-lice officer training - along

Ex-cop Used Gun and Knife to Rescue Kidswith his handgun and knife- became crucial.

The men tried to pry openthe car doors and windowswith no luck. Chris knewwhat he had to do: Usinghis handgun, he shot thewindow, and then used hisknife to saw through theseatbelts.

One of the girls had foundan air pocket but wastrapped by her seat belt.Wilden cut it with a pocketknife and pulled her fromthe rear passenger window.The two other childrensoon followed.

When he turned around, he

saw about 7 others hadpulled over on the side ofthe road, ready to assistwith the rescue, he said.

The rescuers pulled thechildren one-by-one fromthe car and passed them upthe river bank to others,

Continued from page 21

Continued on page 23





-END-

Development and also theSouth-Side PovertyAlleviation Programheaded by Minister ofWorks Hon. Anthony“Boots” Martinez whichsaw first time houseowners’ receiving qualityhomes for free.

Thousands of land wereissued and acquired by theGovernment of Belize fromprivate individuals whowere compensated asrequired by law, these landswere then re-issued via theMinister of NaturalResources andEnvironment, DeputyPrime Minister Hon.Gaspar Vega to first timeland owners through-outthe country complete withsurvey and title for underone thousand dollars.

( Continued from page 14 )THE MAN OF THE YEAR!

No Government in theHistory of Politics in Belizehas invested so much of itsNational Budget intoEducation but having aleader with visions is selfexplanatory.

Via the Minister ofEducation and Youth andChairman of the UnitedDemocratic Party, the Hon.Patrick Faber, countlessscholarships were issued toBelizean Students at homeand abroad studying invarious High-Schools andUniversities while millionsof dollars were given yearlyin School Assistance toparents, schools and/orstudents attending variousprimary, secondary andtertiary educationalinstitutions throughout thecountry of Belize.

We could go on and onlisting the many reasonswhy the Hon. Dean Barrowis the Man of the Year forour Country Belize but inthe interest of the cost ofprint these days we will

Hon.Dean BarrowPrime Minister of Belize

only mention the Food-Pantry Program, RestoreBelize, the Gang-Truce,Youth for the FutureProgram and most recentlythe write-off of mortgagepayments owed to SocialSecurity by families whoundoubtedly fall in thelower and middle incomeeconomic bracket.

The latest action by theGovernment of Belize hasbrought great relieve forthose who most need to useevery precious penny theyearn to further theiraspirations in life.

This bold move follows the2011 writing-off ofhundreds of homes thatwere on various Hire-Purchase agreement withthe Ministry of Housing.

The United DemocraticParty has formed what isunquestionably agovernment that cares forthe poor and the middleclass. The needy and not thegreedy.

There is no doubt inanyone’s mind that thePeople of Belize will returnthe Man of the Year theHon. Dean Barrow and hisGovernment to serve as thefirst ever back-to-back

United Democratic Party’sGovernment in BelizeanHistory whenever theelections are call in Belize.

Notably in the latter part of2011 the Prime Minister’sWife our beloved FirstLady was diagnose withBreast Cancer. We cannotbegin to imagine thephysical, mental, emotionaland spiritual strain and

entanglement associatedwith the diagnosis andsubsequently the ongoingtreatement.

All our Hearts goes out toour Prime Minister and hisfamily as the entire Nationof Belize prays for thespeedy recovery of Belize’sAmbassador for Childrenand most active First Lady,Kim Simplis Barrow.

No there are no riots ormass protests here in Belizefor Belizeans know whotook the money to stash inforeign accounts outside thecountry. The former Leaderof the Peoples United PartyHon. Johnny Briceno calledfor his party’s associates to“Bring back the money”!

Today, Belizean seestransparency andaccountability and feels theproper weight of theirmonies. We in little Belizehave the type ofgovernment the rest of theworld desperately need.

Ex-cop Used Gun and Knife toRescue Kids

where some performedCPR on two of them -Andersen’s children.

They all loaded up into afriend’s SUV and speddown the mountain forhelp, and were met abouthalfway by paramedics.

His two children wereflown to a hospital in SaltLake City, treated for hy-pothermia and released onMonday. The family friendalso was treated and re-leased.Chris Willden said his ex-perience in the police forcegave him the confidence to

fire a weapon withoutharming the children.

Andersen told his rescuersthat they inspired him tolearn more about how tohelp others.

Kenya’s father, DennisWildman, called it “a greatstory about the human spiritand our desire to help oth-ers”.

Roger Andersen’s wifeMindy, fought to keep fromcrying Monday as shethanked the bystanders forsaving the children’s lives.








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