Fresh from nominating their 31 candidates nationwide on Nomination Day, Monday, January 21, the Blue machine rolled into the Bliss this morning full steam ahead.

Up to 150,000 voters—roughly half the national population—are scheduled to go to the polls on Thursday, February 7, in the 13th national (general) elections. By casting their votes, they will exercise their power to choose which combination of 31 men and women will have control over the people’s money in Belmopan for the next five years.

The nation was kept in suspense about the date of the 2008 General Elections for several months, and NOW is the time! In 24 days, up to 150,000 electors will be flocking to the polls in 31 constituencies nationwide to cast their vote, to decide which man or woman they want to represent them in Central Government in Belmopan.

The ink hadn’t dried yet on the Governor General’s guided decision to dissolve the House of Representatives on Monday, January 7, 2008, when the UDP and their Party Leader, Hon. Dean Barrow, the government-in-waiting, climbed the steps five floors up (those who are lazy…or is it not claustrophobic? went by elevator) to the Caracol Room at the Radisson Fort George to formally present their “31 candidates” and their “21 pledges” to the media and the nation on Tuesday, January 8… that will bring Belize “back” to glory.

Pastor Richard Smith announces candidacy in area

How wonderful it is that the president of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the leader of the majority of employed workers, is in the Senate side of the House in Belize. Who would change that, Braa?

Leader of the PPP (Poor People’s Party), Teddy Garbutt, 51, of #79 Amara Avenue and Belmopan, visited Amandala this morning to declare that his 5-year-old party will be contesting all seats in next year’s general elections. An architectural designer by trade, the well-spoken Mr. Garbutt says that his party is “very concerned about the direction our country is going, and the injustices that Belizeans have been going through as a result of government mismanagement

The UDP notes with great disappointment and concern the vandalizing of UDP billboards which occurred during the last twenty-four hours and which were certainly committed by operatives of the PUP.

The VIP hereby announces the launching of the following candidates as Standard Bearers/Constituency Coordinators for the 2008 general elections.

On Tuesday, October 2, Chief Justice Dr. Abdulai Conteh ordered that a new tribunal should be set up within 60 days to look into the dispute between Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and three terminated workers - Andy Sutherland, Nelson Young and Enrique Monima – who have been without a job for almost a year now.

Greetings KREM Radio, TV and Internet listeners at home and abroad, fellow panelists. In my last parting shot of June 12th, 2007, I stated, “Upon acceptance of the VIP Collet standard bearer endorsement, I will be in a campaign mode that may prejudice the Kremandala Show. Consequently, I would just like to go on record stating that it is out of respect for the Kremandala Show that I will be removing myself once my campaign to win the Collet constituency begins.”

The UDP has accused the PUP of embarking on a massive land raid for the purpose of “hustle,” and for the purpose of winning votes. Both the Red and Blue do this whenever they control the House in Belmopan. This system of lands for favor, or favor for lands, is not unique to Belize. But it does seem that we have “perfected” it. In 1993 the UDP promised free land, a farm parcel to everyone who wanted land, if they won the elections. So, who are they to talk when the other party is about seducing votes with land? Still, the suggestion by the present UDP is that the grab the Blue have going right now is particularly odious

There was no call for troops in gaily colored shirts to report to battle stations for the quinquennial showdown for the control of the people’s money and other assets, as some had hoped, though both leaders expressed optimism for the moment when the bugle sounds to settle things. But there was plenty of drama otherwise, primarily in respect to issues pertinent to the future management of the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union (SFXCU), and also about the sale of a chunk of swamp on North San Pedro.

By 2001 the Government of Belize had facilitated 52% of the 55% of the shares the government owned in BTL to Michael Ashcroft and his companies.