Avery says that he had urged BEL to work out the differences rather than ask for an independent expert to be brought in. After this opinion is entered, the PUC will still have the final decision.

PUC Says BEL Was Averaging Bills

And, we also asked the PUC chairman to discuss the high electricity bills that many Belizeans were complaining about in April and May.

First off, he stresses that with all that Facebook chatter, not a single consumer sent a formal complaint to the PUC for them to investigate.

Second, he said that due to the COVID concerns, utilities may have engaged in a process called averaging bills:…

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We'll have more from the PUC press conference in tomorrow's news.

NEAB Slams Appointment of Pro LGBT Judges

Tonight, the National Evangelical Association of Belize is expressing its dissatisfaction at the recent appointments of judges in the Supreme Court. They are particularly singling out ascension of attorneys Lisa Shoman and Westmin James, who both represented Caleb Orozco and UNIBAM, in the Supreme Court case which resulted in the legalization of consensual, same-sex acts between adults.

A press release from NEAB says, quote, "The... Association... is deeply troubled by events occurring in the Judiciary of Belize, regarding the recent appointments of two Supreme Court Justices, as well as the delay in confirming the position of the Chief Justice. We note with great alarm that two UNIBAM attorney advocates have been appointed to the Supreme Court and that an ambitious billionaire is pulling strings for the appointment of another UNIBAM attorney advocate! This is the day we have been warning about! While Judges may be entitled to their personal views and beliefs, it is imperative that they cannot be advocates of any cause. This violates the all-important principle that Judges must be independent and impartial. " End quote.

The Association's press release ends by calling on the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to re-advertise the two vacancies for judges. They are also calling on the Governor-General to stay his hand in signing the appointments.

The best information to our newsroom is that that ship has sailed. The Attorney General has already indicated that the appointments have since been finalized.

During tomorrow's newscast, we'll show you our interview with Attorney Michael Peyrefitte on the topic.

New Scene For SOC Team

The Scenes of Crime Unit has moved out of the Queen Street police station and into a Building belonging to the Prime Minister's law firm. We asked the Commissioner what prompted the move.

We also asked about the optics on the rental contract but the Commissioner said that Scenes of crime is a separate department from his and one over which he exerts no influence.

A Land Line To Call

The police department has also announced the establishment of a second toll-free hotline for the reporting of domestic violence. And this morning just after the announcement the Commissioner told us that victims can be prevented from speaking out by abusers that keep a tight grip on resources.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Every effort that we get that helps to eradicate the scourge of domestic violence or gender-based violence is important. Oftentimes people find themselves in a position where they are being abused and particularly women and for some reason or the other they are unable to report the abuse because of one lack of resources meaning communication resources or two fear. I believe that the hotline that was given to us today will help us to be able to respond more properly to these concerns when they come to us because one the victims will now have another access that they can get to the police as what was said by Ms. Williams in her presentation said that persons who are smart customers could not utilize the toll-free number. So if it is that you don't have credit in your phone and you know if you have an abuser the abuser is not going to give you money to buy credit so more than likely your phone is not going to have any credit. But if it is that you have a smartphone you'll be able to access the smart toll-free number without having any credit. So it gives the victims another avenue to be able to reach out to the police and complain and then we'll be in a better position to be able to respond."

The Commissioner thanked the women's department and other agents responsible for donating the hotline and he assured them and the public that the hotline will be manned on a 24-hour basis.

UB Is Haemorrhaging

The University of Belize is hemorrhaging. That's according to a press release sent out this evening that finally outlines the measures that President Sankat's has placed before his board of Trustees. Those measures include a salary reduction, effective August 1st, across the board with a tiered reduction beginning at 25% at the top most band and reducing to 5% at the lowest band. Increments across the board for all employees will be frozen for the 2020-21 financial year, with the provision that the forgone implementation will still apply to pensions at retirement or upon departure from the University.

Also among the suggested measures- a Voluntary Separation Program and a reorganization or consolidation of many once core divisions including UB Central Farm, the Offices of HR and Finance, and the Regional Language Center.

On the academic side, full time faculty will be expected to teach 5 courses per semester with adjunct contracts poised to be slashed by 75%. Additionally trained administrators where qualified will be asked to teach at least one course per semester as a matter of providing voluntary service to the University.

Finally, the University is making provisions for Faculty and Staff to continue to work from home this includes an allowance of $500.00 per year will be provided as a technology grant so as to support their access to internet.