A book launching ceremony was held in San Pedro at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium for the presentation of a book entitled “Twenty Five Years Ago” by Angel Nuñez. The night also marked Mr. Nuñez birthday which he celebrated along with his book launch amongst a crowd that could not wait to get its hands on the much anticipated book.

A jubilant, Mr. Nuñez, was honored with kind words coming from honored guests such as Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Senator Eiden Salazar and Mayor Elsa Paz who spoke highly of Mr. Nuñez.

“It gives me great pleasure to partake in this historical and momentous occasion for Mr. Nuñez has personally touched my life as a teacher and as a friend as he has touched hundreds of lives for 37 years in education and community service,” stated Emcee Senator Eiden Salazar.

Others like presenter Eni Gonzalez and Mayor Elsa Paz spoke of the wonderful person Mr. Nuñez is. “We celebrate today not only a book but a person of unique qualities,” stated Eni. “The most noticeable qualities of this great teacher is his love of his profession, his kindness, patience, joy of living, his positive attitude, and his inner strength. He is a true builder.”

“We are all here sharing and participating in the happiness of Mr. Nuñez, because he has touched all our lives in a positive manner,” commented Mayor Paz. “In this book he will help to educate both locals and foreigners by allowing them to share in the joy and pride of being a Sanpedrano.”

Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation is also a long time friend of Mr. Angel Nuñez as they grew up together in the village of San Pedro and studied side by side in Belize City. Mr. Heredia enjoyed the night of reminiscing about the golden days of San Pedro, and had this to say about San Pedro’s newest and first author. “My friend Angel (Merengue for me) is a true achiever and his long life of service began when we were teenagers. He and I have participated in so many projects that keep the community at heart. Education is his passion and I trust his new accomplishment will go international. I am proud to officially launch his book and wish it every success and God’s blessings.”

The occasion was enlivened by the participation of San Pedro Dance Company, a skit by SPH students, and a lovely Spanish ballad dedicated to Mr. Nuñez by a second form singer who made her debut. After the vote of thanks by his son Dorian Nuñez, Editor of Ambergris Today Newspaper, the signing of books continued for over one hour. Ambergris Today congratulates Mr. Nuñez on his latest accomplishment.

Twenty Five Years Ago, the book, deals with the historical, socio-economic, and cultural development of San Pedro from a tiny settlement of Mestizo immigrants to a small village of coconut farmers, to a prosperous village of hard working fishermen. This brought San Pedro into the development of tourism ready and poised for the challenges of the 21st century. Twenty Five Years Ago delights the readers with actual events, customs and culture, social life, the successes and problems, all of which shaped San Pedro in the past.

Thousands of Island residents convened at Central Park, lined up along a mile of beachfront and crowded all the piers along the beach to enjoy the spectacle of the third annual Holiday Boat Parade that took place on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

After months of planning by organizers and participants, the town finally got its well deserved and much publicized light show that featured boats of all types and sizes, colorful twinkling lights, the sea, the reef, music and caroling, and boatfuls of cheerful revelers. There were Christmas trees, Santa Claus, Coconut palms, a manger, a blue marlin, Santa in a plane, Santa in a Helicopter and reindeer, all of this only to get San Pedro and Ambergris Caye into the Christmas spirit and to kick off the year’s tourism season. Hundreds of tourists were attracted to the spectacle and recorded the show in digital cameras or video to delight their folks back home.

To the sounds of Ooo, Ahhhh and Wow, the ecstatic crowds cheered and applauded as the boats paraded in front of Central Park and went up to as far as Perla Escondida down south, where hundreds of more spectators applauded. The folks at Central Park enjoyed the Christmas spirit and music, picture taking with Santa, purchased commemorative T-shirts and souvenirs and delicacies to drink and eat.

Then everyone applauded in jubilation to celebrate with the winners as follows:

Power Boat:
18’-15’ Boats:
1st place: #12 Velie, Milo Paz.
2nd place: #11 Denise, Wayne Alfaro Construction & Waterfront Realty

26’-34’ Boats:
1st Place: #7 North A.C. Neighborhood Watch (Search for Santa), Harriette Fisher and President Scott Harnish. 2nd place: #1 Island Waves, Alex Chan of Extreme Adventures,

35’ Boats and up:
1st place: #6 Sueno del Mar (Reindeer), Captains Jesus & Kevin
2nd Place: #10 Ecologic 1, Ecological Divers.

Sailboat:
#3 Rum Punch, George Eiley.

Catamaran:
1st place: #15 Escape, SEArious Adventures
2nd place: #14 Dios da Vida, Reef Radio/Ambergris Divers

Junior Division (Schools): #9 Outreach, Holy Cross Anglican School
Most Artistic: #15 Escape SEArious Adventures.
Best Religious: #9 Outreach, Holy Cross Anglican School
Best Overall: #14 Dios da Vida, Reef Radio/Ambergris Divers
Try Harder Next Year: #8 No Rush, 4C SP High School
Mayor’s Trophy: #9 Outreach, Holy Cross Anglican School

Trophy Sponsors: Dalia’s Store, Lily’s Treasure Chest, Funtasea Jungle Tours, Nasser Grocery Store, Blue Water Grill, Julie Babcock of Caye Casa, Gil Carlson of ReMax Isla Bonita.

Click HERE to see Gallery!

“All is well,” was the message of Mayor Elsa Paz as she addressed a gathering of San Pedro residents interested in the financial and administrative matters of the town council. This follows first of all an audit report by Central Government which points out to many irregularities on the financial accounts of the San Pedro Town Council. It also follows concerns raised by the PUP on behalf of the town, as well as allegations by the Mayor that all of this is politically motivated, but that she can explain everything easily.

The audit report indicates as follows:
1. Lack of accountability because no audit reports have been done throughout the town council’s two terms in office and are due yearly.
2. Lack of transparency because too many receipts are missing and many vouchers where payments are made are also non-existent.
3. Lack of trust because the council reports intentionally destroying receipts and vouchers.

An example of mismanagement is the purchase of a golf cart for $6,000. No golf cart was received and no return of money is evident. Another is the payment of $12,000 for land surveyed and no such survey was carried out according to the auditor. To top it, the report finds that advance loans have been made to councilors as well as non-councilors. The town council has also co-signed for citizens at the bank and been obliged to make payments on that account. These and other irregularities were the purpose of the meeting.

But the council opted to present last year’s reports by some departments in the office and an overall report for three years by the Mayor. In summary, here is the report:

*Revenues 2006 -2007
Projected $2, 765.853.00 Actually collected $4,770.060.00 *Revenues 2007-2008
Projected $ 3,286.353.00 Actually collected $7,122.988.81 *Revenues 2008-2009
Projected $3,301.450.05 Actually collected $2,866.518.47

There is a lengthy written report shared by the Mayor on various expenditures for various programs, services and projects, but not a balance statement in which one can balance incomes and expenses, nor ascertain profits or losses. It is a very intense report with unexpected increases in revenue collection due to Central Government’s special grants and large donations.

In the questions and answers, the Mayor said she cannot give figures at this time but will do so at a later meeting scheduled soon. The general feeling of those who attended is that there are still many questions because they all still find themselves in the dark.

At a press conference called by the People’s United Party on Monday, December 8, the team of seven candidates to contest the 2009 municipal elections was officially presented. The upbeat feeling of those present is that the PUP can win the next election with this team because they are “willing, ready and able”.

Martha Carillo of the United Women’s Group gave the welcome address after which Senator Eiden Salazar Jr. presented the candidates for the PUP team, who are Mr. Baldemar Graniel Sr. for mayoral candidate, Marina Kay, Debbie Spain, Ana Cal Najarro, Viana Perez, Ian Pou and Andre Perez.

The People’s United Party believes that they have a well balanced team, with both young and energetic persons as well as seniority and experience. All candidates are ready for a change, ready to help the poor and ready to serve the people. This PUP Team is confident about winning the 2009 municipal election; they are ready to work hard and not only make promises but to work hard on making them a reality.

The People’s United Party will be having their endorsement convention on Friday, December 19; venue will be announced at a later date. All PUP supporters are invited to attend the convention. For more information on the PUP candidates or the party itself feel free to pass by their office on Angel Coral Street next to Popular tortillas or you can visit their blog at www.pupsanpedro.blogspot.com.

Santa came early for the kids in the Belize Cancer Network as a kind hearted man, who wishes to remain anonymous, took his resources and time out to take some of these kids and their families on a fun-filled boat trip. Ambergris Today got the opportunity to go along on the trip and spend time with these little angels on this day which for some of them was a first boat ride. After leaving the island on the catamaran, “Purrfect”, we arrived Belize City and picked the kids up at around 10:00 am. There were four patients, a few parents, two volunteer nurses and Dr. Peter Allen, Chief Executive Officer at Ministry of Health.

The children got treated to a day of fun in the catamaran, as they got to sail the boat for a while. They were then taken on a ‘dingy’ ride in search for starfish and were taught about the different little sea critters encountered. Only four of the children made it to the trip as the weather didn’t look very promising in the morning, but it cleared up soon thereafter.

This boat trip was the second this year as they had one earlier in June 08. The children got to decorate the boat to get the Christmas spirit going; they flew kites, had many delicious snacks and a wholesome Rice and Beans meal along with fruits and much more. There were games and lots of mingling as the different families shared their experiences in the battle against cancer. Watching these kids and the strength they have just makes everyone even more driven and eager to help them in their fight for survival.

The Belize Cancer Network is made up of a group of volunteers that have come together in association with The Belize Cancer Society to bring Cancer Awareness to Belize. They comprise of over 60 patients (all children) and provide them with the funds to receive treatment amongst other things. Their aim is to get people to see these children as inspiration and strength and therefore aid them in their fight against this malignant disease. Rather than pity, they want to establish hope and raise the funds to help pay for the treatments required by each patient.

“It is a heartbreaking job and not too easy to handle especially when we lose one of the children but we try to make the children live as comfortably as possible and try to bring hope back for them; the children’s strength inspires us to keep fighting”, commented Dr. Allen while on the trip.

Upon speaking to the anonymous sponsor, he told us that his name is not of importance as he does not really want any publicity but rather, he wants to make sure that the children have some kind of enjoyment to look forward to every now and then. It was this same person who gave them a treat in June and made a lot of friends with tiny smiles as some of them had never been out at sea before. It was a truly magical feeling when you give unconditionally and the gratitude in these tiny faces just makes it all worthwhile! If anyone wishes to donate in any way, please feel free to do so through The Belize Cancer Society. Ambergris Today wants to say a hearty hello to Enrique, Alexander, Hakeem, Adrian and their families and all other cancer victims and know that our hearts are with you always.

- By: Debbie Graniel

On Wednesday, December 3, a group of international divers made a gruesome discovery several hundred feet inside the Blue Hole situated in the centre of the Lighthouse Reef System. The remains of what appeared to be a man was found 355 feet down and a camera was strapped around the body, 7NEWS spoke with a technical diver and instructor from San Pedro and who accompanied the team to the dive site. He confirms that there is a body lying on the sandy bottom of the Blue Hole.

The remains which were discovered about 60 – 70ft away from the wall of the Blue Hole lies right underneath the rim of the sink hole at a depth of 355 feet. According to our source, the body which still had on its scuba outfit, had no head and parts of one of the arm and leg was missing, presumably eaten by sharks.

The man is believed to be a doctor from Miami who came to Belize in 2001 and did the dive. 7NEWS understands that the man’s identity was confirmed through a camera that was retrieved from the remains. The doctor who is believed to be in his fifties had reportedly rented the equipment from a local dive shop.

As to why the dive team did not retrieve the body, 7NEWS understands that the group of four was doing a film on the Blue Hole funded by a Polish television and was not properly equipped to remove a body. As explained by our source the team would have had to have a body bag because at such great depths the human remains would have simply disintegrated while being brought back up to the surface. And also, they would have needed an official or family member to approve the recovery of the body.

Additionally the two divers had only nine minutes to safely do the dive and they used two of those precious minutes to retrieve what they could to bring back to authorities to substantiate the sighting. That included a video of the remains. On Thursday, December 4, San Pedro Police told 7NEWS that the owner of a local dive shop offered his services to retrieve the body but due to financial constraints it will be difficult to get the job done.

The police also informed us that the case file was handed over to Senior Superintendent of Police and the Head of Eastern Division David Henderson. When 7NEWS contacted Henderson he told us that the problem with retrieving the human remains is not necessarily due to financial constraints rather there is no one in Belize who can dive at such great depth. However our source who is a technical diver told us that he knows of only two persons in Belize who can do the dive, and he’s one of them. According to our source he did offer his services but has not gotten a response from the local authorities. (News source 7News)