WEATHER

Water, water everywhere and we are duped into buying it bottled. Consumers spend a collective $100 billion every year on bottled water in the belief--often mistaken, as it happens--that this is better for us than what flows from our taps, according to environmental think tank the Earth Policy Institute (EPI). For a fraction of that sum, everyone on the planet could have safe drinking water and proper sanitation, the Washington, D.C.-based organization said this week. Members of the United Nations have agreed to halve the proportion of people who lack reliable and lasting access to safe drinking water by the year 2015. To meet this goal, they would have to double the $15 billion spent every year on water supply and sanitation. 'While this amount may seem large, it pales in comparison to the estimated $100 billion spent each year on bottled water,' said EPI researcher Emily Arnold. More

On Thursday, January 19th, and Tuesday, January 31st 2006, the Ambergris Caye Safety Committee (ACSC) met with the Community Rehabilitation Department representative Maureen Williams, Mayoress Elsa Paz, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr, Furman Olivera, Director of the CRO, Steve Spiro ofACSC, Peace Corp Volunteer, Brian Lang and members of the Safety Committee to discuss ways to combat and reduce the juvenile crime in San Pedro. Both meetings were held at the Blue Water Grill and at the meetings, many concerns, considerations and programs for the youth were addressed. In their first meeting, the group discussed possible considerations and actions that are in dire need of implementation; first on the agenda was the need for an officer for San Pedro and for that officer to live in San Pedro. Second, the need for a committee in San Pedro such as the District Committee on Community Service which provides guidance to place the youth and/or its family in positive situations like team sports or forming organization such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or a Big Brother/Big Sister Program. Third, the need to offer services through the school system that are pro-active and teach our youths at an early age to become positive contributors in our society. Fourth, the need of more positive social outlets to keep youths from being bored. Next, tests necessary for identifying learning problems such as impaired hearing or vision or attention deficit disorders. And, the need for exploring and implementing successful programs that involve community service which give a sense of being part of the community. This concluded their first meeting and the second was a follow-up to voice other concerns and come up with programs that would help with the progress of our youths. More

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