Brianna Bennett - Greater Belize Media

Eradicating Single-use Plastic on the Campuses of Belize

At the beginning of the year, Wesley Junior College jumped into the Plastic Tide Turners Challenge, a worldwide youth initiative aimed at tackling plastic pollution by spreading awareness and taking action in their communities. Teaming up with the Sea of Life Organization, students got tech-savvy, using technology to clean up their campus and conduct waste audits. Fast forward nearly a year, and the school is making impressive strides toward eliminating single-use plastics on campus. We visited the school today to catch up on their progress. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with story.

Britney Gordon

Wesley Junior College is making great progress in cutting down on single-use plastics on campus. Back in January, students rolled up their sleeves for a campus cleanup and used the Trash Blitz app to track the most common litter. Since then, they’ve installed a refillable water station and stopped selling plastic water bags on campus. Paulita Bennett-Martin, the Director of Programs at Sea of Life, shared that they’ve conducted four Trash Blitz exercises since then, and the results are looking very promising.

Paulita Bennett-Martin, Director of Programs, Sea of Life

“We’ve done four waste audits on the campus and back last time you were here, we were finding hundreds of the shilling water or ideals pouches, right? And now I will say that number has decreased dramatically. I can’t give that number because we’re gonna have a report in February that tracks waste across the nation. But we’re seeing huge improvements to the amount of single use plastic water pollution on campus. And we’re also starting to see more awareness of plastic pollution as a whole because we’re also incorporating murals on the campus. We’re also doing classroom education. So there’s a few different things happening in addition to the refillable campus.”

To further increase awareness about the projects, the school partnered with local artist Keon Griffith, who was commissioned to paint three murals on the outside of the school. He has been working on the murals for about a month.

Keon Griffith, Artist

“It’s more like a give back type of stuff. So I asked her that, yes, I know you want a concept with this, but I think instead of formulating a concept, let’s just go on the school grounds and engage with these students and Let me bring in a photographer to capture these pictures so I can fully showcase my talent and fully be comfortable with the style that I do so we can have the best results partnering for this campaign. So that’s what we’re doing out here. So there is real students, actual students that goes to the school here. It’s on, it’s plastered on the wall, big, lifelike. And they love so far. They love the interaction is nice with the students engaging with the mural passing, identifying their classmates, so it’s nice.”

A key part of the project is getting young people excited about conservation. Fourth-form student Kayla Choc shares that she’s made a big effort to cut down on single-use plastics in her daily life.

Kayla Choc, Student, Wesley Junior College

“I’ve grown to know that single-use plastic is making our environment unhealthy, where it’s an unhealthy space to learn in, and if we have a healthier space to learn in, we can be more open-minded about what’s going on. And not only that, but we’re against this, we’re, our school is right across by the sea. It’s our neighbor. So we want to not only think about us, But think about the sea life. So those are some stuff that I’ve learned.”

Tyrone Harris, the Head of the Science Department, assured us that the campus water is top-notch, thanks to a reverse-osmosis process that filters out all sediments and purifies it. Plus, the school has exciting plans to install a second water fountain in the coming months.

Tyrone Harris, Department of Science, Wesley Junior College

“We definitely want them to be more aware and so it’s the goal of having them being aware of having a clean environment, having participating in conservation and also being an institution that is near the sea, have a care for the marine ecosystems and the flora and the fauna that play a vital role in us surviving, providing food and also jobs as well.”

With more funding, Sea of Life hopes to expand this project to other schools across the country. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Tackling Belize’s Pollution Problem Through Technology

1200 Students Attend GeoEducation Expo in Belize City

Today, over a thousand students from all over the country came together for the ninth annual GeoEducation Expo. This interactive event is all about inspiring the next generation of educators and students to dive into the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and see how it plays a crucial role in education and advancing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Earlier today, News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the Ramada Hotel in Belize City to get the scoop. Here’s her report.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

To most people, the term Geographic Information Systems (GIS) might not sound familiar. But these powerful databases are used in many areas of our lives, like population surveys, weather tracking, and land assessment. Since 2011, Total Business Solutions Limited has been shining a light on the importance of GIS through the GeoEducation Expo. Managing Director Loretta Palacio explains how these systems can be lifesavers in times of crisis.

Loretta Palacio, Managing Director, T.B.S.L.

“We’re all familiar with an Excel file, a database file. GIS makes it geographic. So you can look at the waters. You can look at low-lying areas. We’re experiencing floods right now. We’re talking about a digital terrain model that’s updated for additional evasion data that is accurate. So we can help the government, the organizations villagers, and residents, to understand why the flooding is happening and what we can do to mitigate the risk.”

Presenting at the event were representatives from the Belize Defense Force, the Department of the Environment, and other organizations that utilize G.I.S. in their daily operations.

Loretta Palacio

“We have on display several maps, digital maps, physical maps showing the constituencies, what are the latest numbers. Which constituency have the smallest number of voters for the upcoming general election? You know, which constituency have the highest number? And so we’ve updated that and that’s on display. We also got data from the National Meteorological Service for the rains that came from November 14th to the seventeenth. And NMS, with Shirley Young, for helping us with that data. We have a beautiful map dashboard that shows the areas that received most of the rains.”

The event took place at the Ramada Hotel in Belize City, but participants came from all corners of the country. Students from Toledo Community College were up bright and early, boarding the bus at 5:30 a.m. to get there. Fourth Form student Fabian Solarzano shared that the trip was definitely worth it.

Fabian Solorzano, Student, Toledo Community College

“I’m excited to be here today, even though the sacrifice is big, to get up early and stuff. Yeah but it’s worth the trip, it’s good to learn a lot of things, especially when it comes to G.I.S. The different platforms you can use it in, how it is applied like maybe in fields like geography, or maybe analyzing data, gathering a lot of information and placing it in one thing so you can display it to people and it makes life easier.”

Britney Gordon

“What’s been the most exciting part of today’s experience?”

Fabian Solorzano

“Something that caught my attention today was how they use G.I.S. to interpret 3D models. For example, like the one just previewed, we just passed now, the one with the forecast, so they can predict what can happen over a long period of time. Maybe if there’s severe rainfall, how it gets 3D scale and imagery uses is very interesting.”

Another TCC student, Jeffrey Sho has a passion for technology. He hopes that in the future, more Belizeans are afforded the opportunity to foster a love for the field as he did.

Jeffrey Sho, Student, Toledo Community College

“Well, I absolutely love technology, I love the fact that ArcGIS as the organization has taken their time to teach Belize or educate Belize about these topics, because I do feel that most Belizeans aren’t tech-savvy, and I appreciate them. I do wish that more schools would be available to partake in these events.”

The aspiring technician explains that events such as the GeoEducation fair expose him to different fields where he can apply his skills.

Jeffrey Sho

“I love technology, and my future career is to be a computer technician or IT major. So, I love G.I.S. I find it interesting, and I find it very useful. Find it interesting how they use it in crime, Belize Defense Force, and other organizations.”

With technology advancing at lightning speed, it’s essential for kids to learn how these systems work and how they’re used in the real world.

Loretta Palacio

“We’re in a digital world. When we hear about digital transformation. So, digital transformation in education is here, has been here. But are we really serious about it? Are we using the available technologies to help our students learn better? To help our. educators teach better? And also to expose our students to careers? Because with G.I.S, it’s not only for you to be a tech person, but if you’re a marketing analyst, if you’re an agronomist, you’re a doctor, you need GIS, right? You’re a disaster management expert, whichever profession that you choose, GIS is relevant.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Using Geographic Information Systems to Sort out Life

Brok Maka Chista Dance Project Kicks off this Weekend

This Friday and Saturday nights, the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts is launching an exciting new dance initiative led by the Institute of Creative Arts. Called “Brok Maka Chista,” it’s inspired by a Creole folk dance that kids used to play during break time at elementary school. The Creoles of Gales Point Manatee Village, along with the late Myrna Manzanares, created their own choreography, which was later adopted by the Belize National Dance Company. According to Kim Vasquez, the Director of the Institute of Creative Arts, this initiative aims to celebrate all the diverse cultures of Belize. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Belizean cultures will be featured in a dance project being spearheaded by the Institute of Creative Arts this weekend at the Bliss. ICA Director Kim Vasquez shares the idea of the Brok Maka Chista Dance initiative.

Kim Vasquez, Director, Institute of Creative Arts

“For this year, we are starting it off with a showcase. I can tell you with certainty that it is our plan that it will grow and that come next year we will have an expanded program that will not only have a showcase, but will be open up to regional and international participation and we want to have as well components like a forum, some discussions as well as training and workshop for the dance community.”

Vasquez says that every culture will be reflected in the project.

Kim Vasquez

“When we are looking at developing a new dance festival or a new dance showcase for Belize, we definitely wanted to go in two directions. We wanted to make sure that it was inclusive of all dance styles. In other words, modern, contemporary, as well as the wealth of traditional and folkloric dance that we have in Belize. But we also wanted to make an emphasis on youth engagement and involvement and really make it a dance movement about dance education.”

The initiative gets its name, Brok Maka Chista, from a childhood game that girls used to play decades ago. Althea Sealy, Director of the Belize National Dance Company, believes it’s the perfect name for the project. Jillian Fuller, Director of the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts, gave a short demonstration of the Brok Maka Chista dance.

Althea Sealy, Director, Belize National Dance Company

“Back in the days when I was a little bit younger, Mr. Bob was very artistic and he used as I say, everyday life movements, games, whatever, he does choreography to that. So, he would make us do, okay, brok yoh body, brok it up, brok it up So then we utilize the whole body and that’s what we end up with Brok Makachista.”

Kim Vasquez

“Interestingly enough, Belize National Dance Company actually has Brock Makachista as a dance move within their repertoire as well. So, it is a recognized dance move.”

Sealy appeal to all artists to attend the weekend events for your own benefit.

Kim Vasquez

“If you’re a musician, if you’re a drama, drama person dance, I’m sure you want to continue to show your talent. So, you all need to come out and support so that we could have a stage for the younger generation to enjoy just the same way we did. So please come out, support us. It’s going to be good.”

Vasquez says all the proceeds from the dance will go towards the work and continued renovations and upkeep of the Bliss Theater. Marion Ali for News Five.

Connecting with East Indian Culture Through Dance

“The Honorable Shyne” Documentary Accused of Exploiting Maya Culture

Last night, we shared the excitement surrounding the screening of Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow’s documentary at the Princess Cinema, which received rave reviews from attendees. However, tonight, the documentary is facing some criticism. Maya Cultural Activist Juan Caal, who runs the Maya Culture Belize Facebook page, has accused Barrow of exploiting Maya cultural heritage. Caal is particularly upset about the cover art, which shows Barrow sitting in front of a Maya temple, and the fact that Barrow conducted an interview for the documentary at the same location. Here’s how Caal explained his objections to the image.

Juan Caal, Maya Cultural Activist

“If you look at it, I don’t know him personally. I have only been hearing about the documentary on the media as well. But, one must think like, is it not a logical question, what does the Maya temple have to do with your story? How does it relate? It is only logic, I would have seen him sitting down in front of the National Assembly. It is more relatable to the power that he seeks to become prime minister. That is my question when I share. It results in nothing else, but like some would say, publicity. But, I am not sure publicity for who. Publicity for him, publicity for the Maya people, but we have to look at it from a very in depth perspective. For you to do that, you have to be grounded in culture, you have to look at the respect you must have for your own culture and the culture of others.”

Paul Lopez

“So do you believe that his use of the Maya temple is a form of cultural exploitation?”

Juan Caal

“I think, these scenarios has been going on. His one is not just the first. We have seen so many times when we have seen artist, we have seen where in the name of so many things they use our cultural heritage. And, it continues to happen. I think this is the time we need to start dialogue with the cultural gate keepers on how we go about promoting the cultural heritage of Belize. We have to revisit policies that promotes appreciation of people’s culture.”

The Honorable Shyne Debuts in Belize

Activist Pushes for Greater Respect of Maya Cultural Heritage

Cultural Activist Juan Caal explained that Barrow’s photo in front of the Maya temple doesn’t reflect the values and principles of the Maya people at all. He argues that those in charge of cultural heritage, who grant permission for using these sites, need to reform their policies. Monica Magnusson, sister of Christina Coc, the spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcalde Alliance, also criticized Barrow. In a fiery Facebook post, Magnusson called it a blatant example of the elites disrespecting, exploiting, and appropriating their sacred temple. Interestingly, the MLA/TAA hasn’t taken a stance on this issue. Caal believes Barrow’s photo shows an egotistical mindset.

Juan Caal, Maya Cultural Activist

“If I describe to you the picture I saw, it is someone portraying power, portraying for the lack of a better word, an egoistic way of thinking. That is what I got and that is my interpretation of it.”

Paul Lopez, Reporter

“Does the image and its portrayal on a global platform offend you?”

Juan Caal

“Well, this is where it becomes very interesting because you hear people saying it is being marketed on a global stage. Well, this is not the first. He is doing it. Ms. Universe did it. Our own tourism board do it all the time. But if you ask the question, how do we as a people, as Maya people, beside the fact we want to know how it reflects our values, principles, how we benefit form all of this. Is it for the sake of just giving me a voice to be represented. I can tell you, I do not need anyone to represent my Maya culture. I can do it by myself. And while we appreciate others representing it, it has to be done in such a way that promotes respect.”

Paul Lopez

“How would you respond to questions such as who has ownership over the Maya temples in Belize and to whom must permission be asked to take a picture or do an interview in front of a Maya temple?”

Juan Caal

“As you know the United National Declaration of Indigenous People, shares that these policies must be shaped with consultation or the Maya people involved, to consult. And this has to happen in a way that policies need to be revisited. Whoever the relevant stakeholders that hold the gates to our cultural heritage must have a dialogue and this dialogue must start now where we sit down and promote policies that promotes respect, and appreciation for our culture, not just Maya culture, culture on a whole. I’ll give you an example, how would you feel if your great grand mother’s tomb was behind Shyne’s backdrop. How does it relate to your grandmother. How does that relate to the story you are telling. That is a simple question.”

Screwworm Detected in Mexico; What does it Mean for Belize?

On Sunday, the Mexican government announced that the U.S. has hit the pause button on importing Mexican cattle. This decision came after a case of New World screwworm was found in the lakeside town of Catazaja, located in southern Chiapas. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shared that Mexico’s top vet had alerted them about a screwworm found in a cow at a checkpoint near the Guatemala border. These pesky maggots sneak in through open wounds and feast on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The USDA cautioned that these infestations can be tricky to spot initially but can show up as growing wounds, creamy larvae, and signs of discomfort. So, what does this mean for Belize and its cattle industry? Earlier today, we had a chat with Fermin Blanco, the country rep for OIRSA in Belize, to get the scoop.

On the phone: Fermin Blanco, Country Representative, OIRSA

“The detection of that screwworm fly in Mexico has put everybody on alert because of damages that it causes, but that ban that the US puts on Mexico, that stays between both countries. In our case, we export to Mexico. Belize is still free of screwworm, so our protocols for exportation remains the same until there is a detection in Belize then the whole protocol will change and they will add in more restrictions. Since CENASICA knew of the detection in Guatemala, they have heightened their protocols, they have increased their inspections and sanitation and everything that it’s kind of difficult for export from Guatemala to Mexico, but because Guatemala has reported officially the presence of the screwworm. Belize has not, up to now, we are still free. In the region, the OIRSA region, El Salvador and Belize are still free, so our protocols for export to Mexico remains the same, unless there is a detection which we don’t have at the moment.”

Isani Cayetano

“What changes in respect of the protocols should there be a detection in Belize?”

Fermin Blanco

“CENASICA has indicated that they might heighten sanitary measures which will include each animal being inspected and has to be certified free of any wound, any ticks, any flies that can attract the flies. Plus, they’ll have to spray the animals with insecticides, including an ivermectin injection to guarantee that the fly does not travel with the animals. That protocol is not in place for Belize. That protocol has been placed for animals in Guatemala that’s coming in from that area to Mexico.”

All Hands on Deck to Keep Screwworms at Bay

Belize is staying on high alert with preventative measures in place, but Blanco told News Five that keeping screwworm at bay needs teamwork from everyone in the cattle industry, including the Belize Livestock Producers Association. He pointed out that the spread of this pesky parasitic fly is linked to the illegal movement of cattle across the region.

On the phone: Fermin Blanco, Country Representative, OIRSA

“It is a joint effort that the organization is doing with BAHA. It’s a team effort, it is the Ministry of Agriculture, it’s BAHA, it’s IICA, it’s OIRSA, it’s the Belize Livestock Producers Association. Everybody has to come on board to prevent the entrance of this pest into Belize. So it’s not a one entity thing, it’s a combined effort and our bet here is to prevent as much as possible the entrance of this fly. What happened is that this fly moves along with the illegal movement of cattle in Central America and Belize is not a route for those animals. It travels from Nicaragua, to Honduras, to Guatemala, to Mexico. So that has been the pattern of the fly where it has been detected. So, for us here, we just have to strengthen the securities at the border points and the unofficial border points so as to prevent as much as possible the entrance of this pest into Belize. So we are working hand in hand with BAHA, with IICA, and the Ministry of Agriculture, like I said.”

Preventing Screwworms Require Behavior Change

Even with current protocols in place, stopping the spread of screwworms means cattle farmers need to change their ways. Meanwhile, Belize is staying vigilant and closely monitoring trade relations between the U.S. and Mexico.

On the phone: Fermin Blanco, Country Representative, OIRSA

“It’s a change of practices that the user has to adopt now because, since it was eradicated in the early nineties, the management of cattle has changed. But now with this new pest, everything has changed again and we have to treat all wounds in animals, even when you brand, when you do ear-tagging, when you dehorning, all those practices now, you have to kill those pests that you past to the animals so as to avoid the pests because the pest is attracted by blood. So if it’s around and there is a wound then they will definitely go there. So prevention is the best method and we just have to see what happens with the trade relations between the US and Mexico to see what would be the permanent sanitary measure that would be imposed to Mexico. So we have to be vigilant and we need to update ourselves as to what is happening. That might have repercussions on our trade.”

How to Open a Casino in Belize, Investigating Gaming Operations

Over the past few weeks, News Five has been digging into the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro. So far, we’ve discovered that the casino’s owner has connections to an alleged illegal gaming spot in Lady Lake, Florida. We’ve also found an unauthorized ATM inside Caribi Bleu Casino on the island town that dispenses U.S. currency. But before we dive deeper into our investigation, it’s crucial to understand how casinos are set up in Belize and why there’s a maze of legislation and multiple authorities overseeing the industry. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A recent study reveals that the global casino market was worth a staggering one hundred and sixty-three billion dollars in 2023, with Latin America’s share estimated at eight point seven billion dollars. While the exact value of Belize’s casino market remains undisclosed, the influx of half a million tourists in 2023 suggests that the local casino industry is poised to deliver significant returns for investors.

The first recorded legislation to regulate casinos in Belize dates back to April thirtieth, 1999, during a National Assembly debate led by then Prime Minister Said Musa. During the discussion on the proposed Gaming Control Bill, he remarked, quote, It would provide a system for the licensing and control of this business and allow for the imposition of a very serious tax on gaming. Under the law any operator of such machines must first obtain a license, otherwise the establishment will be closed down.” unquote

Since then, the Gaming Control Act has undergone numerous amendments, evolving into the comprehensive sixty-one-page document it is today. A quick Google search for casinos in Belize now yields eight results. These establishments cater to thrill-seekers and gambling enthusiasts, offering a variety of traditional casino games like slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, and more.

How to Open a Casino in Belize

Entering the Belize casino market involves several key steps. First, anyone looking to open a casino must apply to the Gaming Control Board. Since Belizean casinos mainly target tourists, applicants need to be ready to invest significantly in a four- or five-star hotel or resort. This is one of the primary conditions for getting started. To show just how serious they are about vetting applicants and their proposed operations, the Gaming Control Board requires a detailed business plan. Along with this, potential casino owners must provide proof of clearance from the Belize Tourism Board, a full set of fingerprints, and meet twenty other requirements. Additionally, they need approval from the area representative or mayor and the police.

Paul Lopez

“Do you know an individual by the name of Remington Ray, the owner of Caribi Bleu Casino?”

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“No, I don’t.”

Chairman of the Gaming Control Board, Bob Bounahra, emphasized to News Five, ‘If all the checks are not crossed, you are not getting a license.’ He explained that the clearance from the Belize Tourism Board is crucial to boost tourism investment in Belize, stating, ‘Casinos are not our main goal. The casino is to assist the tourism industry.’ When asked about the importance of getting a no-objection letter from the area representative or municipal authority, Nahra said, ‘If you want to put a casino across from a church or in the middle of the ocean, I sit in an office in Belize City and have no idea what happens in San Pedro. I need their help. They run their town or city. They know what is best for them, so we can make the correct decision.’ The no-objection letter must be submitted to the board as a hardcopy.

The Gaming Control Board

Gaming in Belize is a booming industry, overseen by a nine-member Gaming Control Board, primarily made up of representatives from various government ministries. This board has the authority to regulate casino operations, grant and revoke licenses, and ensure that casinos remain free of criminal activities. When we asked Chairman Bounahra about the frequency of compliance checks in Belizean casinos, he explained, ‘We do it about two or three times a year. This is because licenses are issued annually, so we assess everything at the end of the year and review each individual case.’ Interestingly, the Gaming Control Act doesn’t specify how often these checks should occur. According to Bounahra, the compliance unit within the Ministry of Investment handles these visits. He added, ‘If the board were to decide when the department needs to make visits, we’d be wasting our time. It’s the department that conducts the visits. We ask for checks and compliance.’ He clarified that the Board doesn’t give specific directives on what to check during these visits.

Money Laundering in Casinos

One issue that has kept regulatory bodies on high alert in the casino sector for decades is money laundering. A 2009 study by the Financial Action Task Force identified casinos as the highest risk for money laundering activities. This is why Belize’s Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act explicitly covers casinos. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is designated as the supervisory authority for casinos in Belize, tasked with ensuring they comply with anti-money laundering obligations through on-site examinations and other methods.

In addition to the FIU’s role, the Gaming Control Board also conducts compliance visits to assess casinos’ adherence to anti-money laundering laws. When asked about the board’s involvement in monitoring financial transactions, Bounahra explained, ‘The board only looks at what the department is monitoring. We don’t deal directly with individuals or companies.’ He also mentioned that the board receives monthly financial reports from casino establishments.

Regarding the capacity of compliance officers to detect suspicious financial transactions, Bounahra said, ‘We were at zero before taking over this last board in 2021, and now we’re almost there. It took a lot of work, but we’ve made significant progress. There’s no such thing as 100%, but we’re almost where we want to be. Despite all these compliance measures, one burning question remains: how did Caribi Bleu Casino manage to operate an unauthorized ATM dispensing U.S. currency right inside its premises. Bounahra categorically stated that he cannot speak about this, because the Gaming Control Board does not have authority over these matters. He confined his comments only to gaming. The Central Bank of Belize is the body empowered to issue authorization for the operation of payment systems such as automated teller machines as well as authorization to deal in foreign currency. So, did they give Caribi Bleu Casino permission to do both? We continue to seek answers from the Central Bank of Belize. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Crooked Tree Parent Says Students are Struggling to get to School

Students in Crooked Tree Village are having a tough time getting to school. Last week, during our extensive coverage of the flooding across Belize caused by Tropical Storm Sara, we showed you how residents had to use boats to get in and out of the village. This week, the struggle continues, and it’s the students who are feeling it the most. Today, we spoke with Steve Anthony Perriott, a Crooked Tree resident and parent of a student at Edward P. York High School. He shared his hopes for his child and all the other students in the community.

Steve Anthony Perriott, Resident, Crooked Tree

“It’s just getting around the village around the village. It’s the idea that life stops for us, literally, when we have to get Coast Guard and BDF to come into the village. First of all, we want to say enough respect and thank you to the Coast Guard and to the BDF for coming every time. Respect to the MIDH too, because they raised the road up to five feet in some places. And even with the road raised, the water is like two and a half feet in some places above the road. The reason why that is because we have two small bridges. Sixteen feet of opening to flush out this whole lagoon. That’s not enough. It’s a half a mile lagoon, so we need a better drainage for the lagoon. What happened is that I heard the chairman mention that, is it, what’s the place back there? New River or something? That could be a drainage for crooked tree but that’s blocked. So what he’s proposing is that we dig a channel so that could help drain crooked tree. Because the road is higher, the water come in even more, into the village. Normally, before the road was raised, when the water got to a level, the Audubon building used to be the place for the Coast Guard and the BDF. Now what we find out is that, because the roads, the road has been raised, when the flood come, the water come in all the way to the Baptist Church. So now, that should be designated. for the BDF and Coast Guard in times of emergency. The next thing is with the kids. These kids have to get up at three o’clock every morning. They have to get out there four thirty to try to get a boat. There’s like sixty kids at least. Now, a boat carries twenty. One carry eight and one carry six. And for a few days, you know, the kids have been missing the boat. I believe the chairman along with the Coast Guard and the BDF, they worked out something so that the kids are getting there on time. But the problem is they shouldn’t even have to go to school in any of the rural areas or any place that have flooding like this. The kids should be getting home schooling, you know, because if you get up at three o’clock by the time you get to school, you know, you’re in no way for one to learn.”