Belize News,SAN PEDRO DAILY,February 14, 2007,Features,Newspapers, Information,Resource,Caribbean,Ambergris Caye

Parachutist's Nasty Accident
in San Pedro

It's called the 'Boogie in Belize,' a U.S. based parachuting excursion that visits San Pedro annually. But rather than boogie, last year it was bad news as a parachutist plummeted to his death. And on Sunday, there was an eerie sense of deja vu, as a parachutist had a nasty accident. No official report has been made but at about 9:30 on Sunday morning, battling heavy winds, a parachutist missed his landing mark, and snagged a power line. He crashed to the ground and broke a rib, punctured a lung and seriously injured his back. Police have not released his name, but we do know that he was flown out of the country last night via air ambulance. Read More

Ralph Fonseca to Police Officers:
'Stay on Top of Our Game'

One thing we do know, as Minister of Home Affairs Ralph Fonseca is keeping up appearances. This morning he opened a two day training seminar for senior officers at the George Price Center in Belmopan. He told the officers that all eyes are on them at all times, so they have to stay focused. Hon. Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Home Affairs
"You make up an institution that is under constant scrutiny by society and believe me I know what that can mean. We cannot disheartened by those who make the most noise but refuse to get up and work to build this nation. Let us get our story out before them. Let us expose evil, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy as they raise their heads. In other words let us stay on top of our game, together we can do it. Together we can break today's atmosphere of hate, cynicism, and negativity." The next, much anticipated appearance for Fonseca is next week Tuesday when he testifies before the DFC Commission of Inquiry. Taking top billing at the hearings tomorrow will be his former political colleague Glen Godfrey - the former DFC Chairman. Also appearing will be former DFC CEO Troy Gabb. The hearings will be aired live on Channel 7 starting at 9:30 in the morning. Read More

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION RAISES CONCERN ABOUT PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN SENT HOME FOR
NOT PAYING FEES

A release from the Ministry of Education states the Ministry is alarmed and concerned at the increasing number of cases of primary school students being sent home or denied access to their education as a result of inability to pay fees levied by primary schools.The Ministry says it wishes to remind General Managers and Principals that under the education rules no Ministry of Education or Government aided Primary School should prohibit attendance at school of a child of compulsory school age because of inability to pay school fees and such child shall not be subject to discrimination by the school. Read More

PUBLIC OFFICERS ATTEND FORUM ON CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS

This week Public Officers are engaged in a forum geared toward improving their customer relations skills.The session falls under a capacity building initiative that the Governance Unit’s improved governance and public sector performance project. We asked Raymond Morris of the Unit about the scope of the training.
Raymond Morris:
“The facilitators are coming from the CARICAD which is the Caribbean Center for Development Administration. Its open to senior and middle managers and then the ministry and the one who nominate we normally have a wide cross section of all Ministry and Department.”
Morris says there are more training planned for the next few months as the financial year comes to a close. Read More

CARICOM has made immense strides, says incoming chairman

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is of the opinion that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has made "immense strides" and feels that 2008 "is a date with destiny." He made the point while delivering the featured address at the opening of the Eighteenth Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government, on Monday in Kingstown. "CARICOM has made immense strides since the signing and ratification of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas in July 2001," Gonsalves said. "The Single Market is a reality and by 2008 the Single Economy phase of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) would be ushered in for further elaboration and completion, since, by its very nature, the CSME is an ongoing work in progress." Gonsalves said this year is now the "vital preparatory year" and the Heads had much work to do. Read More

Taking midday naps may reduce death from heart disease

Taking a midday nap - or siesta - is common in Mediterranean countries and in Central America. But it has never been clear whether this habit has any impact upon health. In a new study, researchers at the University of Athens Medical School, Greece, studied a group of 23,681 mean and women aged 20 to 86 without a history of heart problems. They asked them whether they took midday naps and, if so, how often and for how long. During around six years of follow-up there were 792 deaths, including 133 from heart disease. Those taking naps of any frequency and duration were 34 per cent less likely to die from heart disease. Among systematic nappers, taking a nap of 30 minutes or more at least three times a week, the risk of dying from heart disease was 37 per cent lower. Read More

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.
Tupac Shakur

LINKS OF THE DAY
Discovering What Democracy Means

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