The Eleutheran Newspaper July/Aug 2020 Issue by The Eleutheran

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Volume 13, Issue 7/12, 2020

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

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2020 Eleuthera High School GRADUATIONS Done Differently

BACK COVER: Damianos Sotheby’s Int’l PAGE 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty PAGE 5: HG Christie

Story On Page 20

Adapting, Persevering, and Overcoming the Challenges to Graduation 2020.

Hurricane Shelter Maps 19

Yacht Destroyed

42 - 43 & 47

The

NATIONAL RECORD

LETTERS to the editor

34/9 Crime Reports Pg 28

RBPF Release Mid-Year Crime Stats, C/Supt Adderley Brings It Home For Eleuthera

07 Virtual Farmers

Brilanders Response to Covid-19

ADVICE:

Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Commissioner Paul Rolle held a Mid-Year Briefing in New Providence on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020, where local media from all over the country were invited to take part, as he presented on the challenges remaining and the successes garnered during the first six months of 2020

14 (Battle of the Bulge ...) ; 13 (SAND Dollars...) |

Opinion :

in their daily efforts to mitigate incidences of crime within the Bahamas. Officer In Charge of the Eleuthera Division of the RBPF, Chief Superintendent Stephen Adderley invited local media to attend the livestreamed preP4

12 & 33 |

See Stories Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffery Lloyd presented in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020, on the plan for schools reopening in September 2020.

Read More On Page 42

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July/Aug, 2020

Paul C. Maillis, National Fisheries Association President.

National Fisheries Association President On New Market Access to China

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Darren Henfield during his contribution to the 2020/2021 budget debate in the

House of Assembly in June of 2020, informed the public that in August of 2019, the Quarantine and Health Requirements Protocol for Edible Aquatic Animals was signed in Beijing by the Embassy of The Bahamas, on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas, and by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. As a result of this he said, “The exports of live lobster from The Bahamas to China are now proceeding.” The Eleutheran Newspaper reached out to the President of the National Fisheries Association of the Bahamas (NFA) - which has members in every major island of the country, Paul C. Maillis, to discuss what this announcement meant for the local fishing industry, and what impact it may have. He first commented that members of the NFA were not involved in the decision-making process of this move by government, and there had been no consultations with the wider fishing community. “This is an initiative led principally by seafood exporters,

and notably members of the Bahamas Marine Exporters Association (BMEA),” he said, adding, “Though some members of the BMEA will not necessarily take advantage of the opening, some will certainly benefit tremendously. This initiative has been strongly facilitated by Ben Frisch of Beaver Street Fisheries, and its Bahamas subsidiary, Tropic Seafood Ltd (TSL). At present, TSL is the only company operating in The Bahamas that exports live lobsters to China, and this deal will greatly increase the profitability of this venture. Several NFA members provide TSL with live lobsters for this export, and thus are poised to benefit from the increased traffic.”

Although not directly involved in the decision-making process, the NFA has monitored the situation, said Maillis. “Understanding the export power dynamic, such a trade deal will principally benefit larger, foreignowned processors with superior capital, but not exclusively. Bahamian owned seafood exporters are also in a position to benefit greatly if they can diversify their infrastructure to take advantage of the live lobster export. As the NFA is comprised principally of fisherfolk, it is with hopes that live lobster will continue to increase in value, and become a more viable option for P10

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RBPF Stats Report

sentation at Police Headquarters in Governor’s Harbour for the Briefing. Commissioner Rolle, early in his presentation stated that the year 2020 thus far had been distinct compared to previous years in every aspect - as a result of the worldwide pandemic that hit Bahamian borders in March. The responsibility placed on the Force to manage the enforcement of measures put in place to sustain the country and save lives, he said, had contributed to significant financial investment by the Force in technical systems and installations to integrate into police work in the fight against crime and managing the current pandemic, including: the Real Time Crime Center; Body-Worn & Dash Cameras; ShotSpotter Technology System (SST); Closed Circuit Television Expansion (CCTV); Drones; Marco’s Alert System; and the Hubbcat Technology Platform. Integration of these new technologies with the Real Time Crime Center, he said, was expected to increase ef-

July/Aug, 2020

Cont’d Chief Superintendent of Police, and Officer-In-Charge for the Eleuthera Division, Stephen Adderley.

ficiency, decrease response time, increase understanding of what’s happening on the ground, and provide the big picture from day-to-day and during major incidents. According to the Commissioner, overall crime for the period January to June 2020 decreased by 4% over the same period in 2019. Crimes against the person decreased by 26% with 317 incidents, compared to 427 in 2019. Homicides decreased by 22% with 36 incidents, compared to 45 in 2019. Victims between the age of 18 and 25 represented 35% of all homicides and conflicts were the most common motive representing 24%. Thirty one of the 36 murder cases, said Rolle, had been solved yielding a detection rate of 83%. This detection rate was partially attributed to public partnerships. A number of the murder incidents surrounded illegal activities of local gangs, said the Commissioner, and involved the selling of illicit drugs

and illegal firearms. Armed robberies were also said to have decreased by 34% with 141 incidents, compared to 215 in 2019. During the period under review, the Sexual Offences Unit, shared Commissioner Rolle, investigated a total of 83 cases. This figure represented a 14% decrease over the same period in 2019 when there were 96 sexual offences reported. These offences included rape, unlawful sexual intercourse and attempted rape. The Unit, he said, was able to charge 16 persons in these cases and put them before the court. Investigators, revealed Commissioner Rolle, have noted a recent trend in sexual offence cases, where young females have been targeted via social media. Overall cases where domestic violence was a factor, decreased by 51% with 1263 incidents, said the Commissioner, compared to 2019 when there were 2576 incidents recorded. Domestic related incidents, he clarified, included a relation to a family member, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, and/or friend in general. A total of 118 Cybercrime matters were reported to CID, according to Rolle. This figure represented an increase of 35%, compared to the same period in 2019 when there were 87 matters reported. In relation to drugs, Police have noted a developing trend in marijuana packaging and consumption, he reported. This new wave included pastries and candies such as brownies, cookies, cupcakes, gummy bears and chocolate bars. The Force also

noted a surge in consumption of highly toxic, addictive and destructive amphetamine tablets, he shared. Armed suspects during the first half of the year continued to challenge and confront police officers in the execution of their duties, said Rolle. There were 9 incidents of police involved shootings, he stated, resulting in eight deaths and four cases classified as non-fatal. Rolle shared that, by midyear 2020, property crimes increased by 1% with 1,973 incidents, compared to 1,950 in 2019. Stolen vehicles decreased by 9% with 114 incidents compared to 125 in 2019 with fortytwo percent of all stolen vehicles recovered for 2020. Stealing from vehicles, however, increased by 7% over the same period in 2019. Housebreakings, he said, decreased by 13% with 278 incidents, compared to 319 in 2019 and New Providence District accounted for 163 or 59% of all housebreakings. Grand Bahama accounted for 30 or 11% of housebreakings and the Family Islands accounted for the remaining 30%, most of which occurred in Eleuthera with 27 incidents. The COVID 19 Pandemic yielded 1,070 breaches to the Emergency Curfew Orders, said Rolle, with 225 of those breaches in Eleuthera according to local reports. Nationally, there were 440 breaches to other sections of the COVID 19 Emergency Orders and the Force dealt with 39 incidents for COVID 19 assistance. In an interview following the Briefing by Commissioner Rolle, Chief SuperintenP22

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Farmers Hopeful following Webinar Hosted By Ministry of Agriculture

In an effort to widely communicate the assistance being offered to farmers throughout the Bahamas by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources and provide a forum for direct questions and concerns - Permanent Secretary, Mr. Joel Lewis, who took up his post at the beginning of 2020, hosted a series of virtual meetings with farmers on a number of the Family Islands, with Eleuthera wrapping up the series on Monday, July 20th, 2020. The Eleuthera Farmers meeting followed a visit to the island made by PS Lewis during Thursday and Friday of the previous week, where he was said to have visited and inspected the Packing House facilities in both Hatchet Bay, Central Eleuthera, and in Green Castle, South Eleuthera, with plans to address the current issues at the locations ahead of decisions on how they would be operated going forward. Mrs. Bekera Taylor of Taylor Made Farm, located in the Hatchet Bay area, who is also the Chairman of the new Innovative Entrepreneurs and Farmers Cooperative (IEFC) in Eleuthera, was one of several dozen Eleuthera farmers who participated in the virtual meeting on Monday afternoon, with PS Lewis, and other members of his team with the Ministry. She shared that a number of new offerings being provided by the Ministry to farmers were presented and discussed during the meeting, saying, “They seemed to realize that in this modern day and time, you need to be more innovative in reference to farming.” Some of the new projects on offer included; hydroponic systems available for purchase, layer chickens for expansion of egg production operations, backyard farming kits for distribution, as well as a new set of free online agriculture classes for new and seasoned farmers to hone their skills. The hydroponic systems on offer by

the Ministry to farmers, said Taylor, were being made available to qualified applicants for purchase at a cost of just over $4,000 per system, with a 24 month (approx. $175 per month) payment plan option, and a no payment for the first 120 days feature. The next offering presented, she said was layer chickens.”What the government is doing, because they realize there is a great demand for eggs - they have obtained layer chickens and plan to partner with farmers who already have a layer production operation, and proper infrastructure to house the chickens to assist with expansion of their flocks - to increase production. This is based on application and meeting their criteria. Each farmer who qualifies would receive about 100 layer chickens as well as assistance with feed for their flocks. Officials in the Ministry emphasized that applicants should have the proper sized and designed housing facilities for the layer chickens to qualify.” Officer Pinder at the Ministry of Agriculture is spearheading this project, said Mrs. Taylor. Free online webinars to assist backyard farmers, new farmers, as well as established farmers covering a wide range of topics in farming practices and animal husbandry were also on offer by the Ministry, and could be accessed by visiting the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources website for presentation dates and topic areas. Backyard farming kits were also mentioned by the presenters, who said that when those kits were sent in to Eleuthera, they would be available through the local BAMSI office on island. Mrs. Taylor added that during the meeting, she also initiated a discussion about the long-term practice by the Ministry of providing assistance to farmers in clearing the road perimeters of their acreages, and the system of land clearing assistance, which some changes had been made to recently, but not fully communicated to farmers, and the con-

tractors providing the land-clearing services. Her concerns were heard, and she was pleased to say, and following the meeting, quick action was taken to provide farmers across the island with land-clearing assistance. A moratorium which had been in place for a number of years on the application for new land leases on BAIC property in the Hatchet Bay area, was also said to have now been lifted. A very positive takeaway from the meeting, said Bekera, was the attitude of open communication experienced, “I was happy to see that the new PS seems to be very passionate about his role. He was easy to talk to and took in the suggestions given, especially those on being more communicative, and he took action... I was inspired by his attitude and his behaviour.” The virtual session, she described, was one that left her hopeful, with both new and older farmers who took part, the openness of the Ministry officials, and the overall attitude of aiming for modern innovation and change. “It’s not a lot of assistance, but it’s an ini-

tial start to wanting to have more of a presence (by the Ministry of Agriculture), and that is a plus. We now have to show them how committed and serious we are, and open their eyes as to how they can be doing even more... The lightbulb has been turned on!” Permanent Secretary Lewis, at the conclusion of the Eleuthera Farmers meeting expressed Minister Michael Pintard’s intention to keep the lines of communication open by continuing the virtual sessions, with farmers from throughout the country, meeting as often as each month. He also encouraged the Eleuthera farmers participating to feel free to call any of the officers at the Ministry with their questions, needs and concerns. Dr. Michele Singh from CARDI (The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute), and Pharez Rolle with the Ministry of Agriculture, accompanied PS Lewis in facilitating Monday’s virtual Farmers meeting.

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fishing/china

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Cont’d

many fisherfolk.” Current obstacles to NFA members are multi-layered explained Maillis, “Members of the NFA are principally fisherfolk, and are heavily invested in the process of raw extraction, local distribution and export supply. Though there are special relationships across the country that defy the norm, there are no members poised to benefit from the bulk of the profits from such a deal. The principal issue being that the process of live lobster export is so prohibitive in cost and effort. The process involves holding capacity, saltwater refrigeration, and a complex, time-sensitive, temperature-sensitive, international aerial operation to get live lobsters from The Bahamas to China in no more than 48 hours. “For Bahamian fishermen and business people, who have long been stifled with the difficulty of extremely high energy (and fuel) costs, inconsistent capital (ie. hurricanes), slow government responses (permits, licences, etc), and a lack of direct access to the Chinese market, this new deal presents only a minor opening to access of this industry. So, there are many obstacles that NFA members will have in fully benefitting from this deal, that larger, international, multi-billion dollar businesses are able to surmount. For the average NFA member - any immediate access is unlikely, other than supplying existing exporters.” To clarify, though, Maillis opined that this new market could still contribute to the growth and expansion of lobster sales activity for NFA members, commenting that this new deal will likely increase the export of live lobsters and thus increase the demand for live lobsters from members. “In reality...,” he said, “More fisherfolk will be encouraged to supply existing exporters (ie TSL) with live lobsters, which on average, represent a 33% increase in value per weight when compared to the supply of unprocessed lobster tails. In time, with Bahamian live lobsters penetrating deeper into the Chinese market, Bahamian fisherfolk will look to see higher prices paid to them by exporters.”

Maillis added that it was also important for the Association to find new ways to make more money from the same resources, and for this reason, he thought that the larger the live-supply industry grew, the better. Using the example of conch, which he said was not a sustainable fishery, nor a sustainable export, he illustrated, “If the Conch is so scarce, why is the price so low? This is because everyone brings in skinned conch. Nearly any fisher can extract conch and supply it. With so much competition, the price has remained catastrophically low, and we are now seeing the results of such a failure to meet natural stock realities. We must learn to create value. We continue to harvest and export skinned conch at a rate that will destroy the industry if we do not find a way to curb the supply and raise prices. Live sale, and possibly live export are an alternative. If we do not begin to value and utilise marine organisms as a whole, we will continue to over-extract, and underprice ourselves.” Bringing that example back to the lobster industry, Maillis concluded, “Lobster tails

are convenient and cost-effective to harvest, whereas live lobsters are much more difficult to hold and transfer. Transitioning to live conch, live grouper, live snapper and live lobster is not easy. Fisherfolk will have to learn animal husbandry and feeding habits in order to provide exporters with a quality product. For example, spiny lobsters are voracious cannibals, and within 48 hours of captivity (at normal temperatures), they will begin to consume each other and degrade the product. Fisherfolk will need to understand aeration and how to ensure live animals are kept in good market condition, to be displayed in shop windows on busy streets. These challenges are not insurmountable, and it is with great optimism the NFA embraces the opportunity to better the fishing industry and ensure Bahamian fisherfolk and their dependent businesses will always have a place and livelihood in our society. If we must adapt, so be it. In time, it is with great hope that the Bahamas will benefit from supplying China with seafood, but on our terms and at rates that we have determined to be sustainable.”

NEMA Receives Emergency Supplies From the United States to Tune of 92K The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received an assortment of relief supplies from the United States Embassy in Nassau to enable a faster response to any disaster, and aid in the COVID-19 fight. The supplies, at an estimated cost of $92,000, were presented during a hand-over ceremony at NEMA on Gladstone Road on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Carl Smith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction under which NEMA falls, was on hand to accept the supplies presented by U.S. Embassy Defense Attaché Commander Kevin Self of the U.S. Northern Command. Mr. Smith thanked the U.S. Government through its Embassy for donating the supplies, which he said bodes well for the “deep relationship” between both countries. P16

Cabinet Changes Announced By PM Minnis; New Health Minister Appointed The Bahamas Cabinet Office released a statement on Sunday evening, July 19th, 2020, following a national address by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis earlier on Sunday afternoon, where he announced several changes being made to his Cabinet of Ministers, including the appointment of Renward Wells as the new Minister of Health, and subsequent appointment of Senator Dion Foulkes as Minister of Labour and Minister of Transport and Local Government. Member of Parliament, Mr. Travis Robinson was also formally reinstated as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. The statement read as follows: “It is announced for general information that His Excellency, the Governor-General, pursuant to Article 77 of the Constitution, makes the following appointment with effect from 20th July, 2020: • The Honourable Renward Ricardo Wells - Ministry of Health • Senator the Honourable Dion Alexander Foulkes - Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Transport and Local Government His Excellency, the Governor-General, pursuant to the provision of Article 81 of the Constitution, makes the following appointment with effect from 20th July, 2020: • Mr. Travis Robinson, MP- Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Parliamentary Secretary.”

Above: Minister Renward Wells and Governor General HE the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith presenting Letter of Appointment July 20, 2020 Top Left: Travis Robinson and Governor General HE the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith - July 20, 2020 Minister Foulkes (left) Receives Letter of Appointment as Minister of Labour, Transport and Local Government - July 20, 2020

July/Aug, 2020

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Another knee on the Caribbean’s neck

By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)

The failure of the world’s richest nations to respond adequately to the abrupt and rapid decline in the economies of developing countries, including the Caribbean, is resulting

in huge increases in unemployment and poverty, and could, ultimately, erode democracy and the rule of law. As a new World Bank report issued on June 8 rightly states: “A major natural disaster on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic would be economically devastating for some countries in the Caribbean region”. Yet, the G20 countries have engaged in public relations exercises that point to their “pledges” to inject up to US$8 trillion into the global economy. But there is no evidence of this money being delivered, or that it is accessible by every country that needs it. The G20 has also failed to be responsive to the issue of suspending debt payments and rescheduling them on realistic terms that would allow countries to use scarce funds to help keep their economies afloat, and prevent a large number of their people from collapsing into abject poverty. Instead, several G20 countries in the creditors’ organisa-

tion, called ‘The Paris Club’ are insisting on debt payments by countries whose revenues have dropped so precipitously that they can barely meet basic domestic obligations. What is worse is that the Paris Club is refusing to authorise the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide funding to these debtor countries under emergency facilities. When the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies around the world became patently obvious, the heads of the World Bank and the IMF called for official creditors to suspend debt repayments by the world’s very poor countries and those eligible for support from the International Development Association. But despite appeals to recognise that some Caribbean countries, regarded as ‘middle and high-income’, also needed urgent attention, the main policy makers of the two institutions did not budge on changing their criteria. Since then, it has become clear that COVID-19 will deliver a debt blow to these countries from which there will be no short or mediumterm recovery. They simply cannot pay the debts now. Against this backdrop, the Washington-based journal, ‘Latin American Dialogue’, published on June 10, asked me to respond to the question of how prepared are Caribbean countries for this year’s hurricane season in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic? I provided this answer. “The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated Caribbean economies many of which lost at least 20% of their GDP in the first quarter of 2020 and are forecast to experience a further 10% decline by the end of August. Unemployment has reached unprecedented high levels and government revenues have drastically declined while expenditures have increased extraordinarily to contain the coronavirus and treat its victims, including through purchase of medical supplies and

construction of facilities for infectious diseases. Debt levels have also risen, and many governments are unable to service repayments which, even before the pandemic, were absorbing as much as 48 cents of every dollar. Consequently, government spending on hurricane preparations has been diverted to mount programmes to feed the poor and to support the unemployed. Payments for insurance of properties against hurricanes have lapsed through unemployment and business closures, rendering communities unable to rebuild easily in the wake of destruction by storms. Many Caribbean countries are denied access to concessional financing from the International Financial Institutions on the sole criterion that they are classified as middle and high-income countries, even though they share many of the structural limitations of less developed countries. The Paris Club is also opposing suspension or rescheduling of debt payments on the same basis. Therefore, there is little more that Caribbean countries can do to prepare for dangerous storms this year. Regrettably, the G20, which could help, have remained wedded to policies that fail to recognise the dire circumstances of Caribbean countries, abandoning them to a fearsome hurricane season that could damage them even more severely”. The picture could not be any clearer. COVID-19 is devastating Caribbean countries, categorised as ‘high-income’ as much as it is hurting low- and middle-income ones, adding to their debt burdens and threatening a far-reaching sovereign debt crisis. COVID-19 has worsened the problem: countries are facing high health-care costs; collapsing revenues; no capacity to service debts, and a struggle to keep their economies afloat. There is an urgent need for a stop to sovereign debt payments to official and private creditors, to give Caribbean countries a chance to cope with yet another shock to which they did not contribute, but that now puts another knee at their necks. If the G20 allocated P13

July/Aug, 2020

SAND DOLLARS IN YOUR WALLET By Mike Lightbourn Fasten your seat belts, Eleuthera! The Central Bank is moving towards rolling out its digital Sand Dollar currency and it’s going to revolutionise the way you pay bills and do banking. Banking is going to be faster, safer and hopefully cheaper as a result of this groundbreaking technology. When the digital currency is distributed nationally after its integration period, all residents of the Bahamas will have access. Confused? Don’t be.

in your bank account. Here’s another way of looking at it. The Central Bank issues legal tender, right? So, in addition to issuing printed legal tender, it is issuing digital legal tender called Sand Dollars.

You will load money into your mobile wallet from your local bank account, using a Sand Dollar enabled digital currency app. Once loaded into your mobile wallet, these funds become Sand Dollars. They may be transferred to other people’s Sand Dollar wallets, including vendors to pay bills. When you receive Sand Dollars in your mobile wallet, you may deposit them into your local bank account, using the same digital platform. They will be received as Bahamian dollars, the same currency that’s currently in your local bank account. There is no monetary difference between the Sand Dollars in your mobile wallet and the Bahamian dollars that are

Commentary-

Sand Dollars are not a cryptocurrency. Unlike cryptocurrency, Sand Dollars are regulated and backed by the Central Bank so they are secure and you can “bank” on them.

Q: What is the logo of the Central Bank of The Bahamas?

All residents will be able to send and receive money from anywhere in the Bahamas, whether you use RBC, Commonwealth, CIBC, Scotiabank, BOB or have no bank account at all.

The sand dollar is an invertebrate (no backbone) marine animal that has a flat disk-shaped body. It’s particularly well adapted for burrowing in sand banks.

People who don’t have a bank account may load their wallets with cash by visiting an authorised financial institution.

Questions or comments? Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com.

It’s hoped most of those people who don’t have a bank account will embrace the Sand Dollar concept. For example, a fisherman on one of the Family Islands without a bank account will accept payments in Sand Dollars. This would be his principal means of loading his wallet. No More Lines: The Sand Dollar platform will afford everyone the same level of convenience and access to financial services available in New Providence. You will be able to open bank accounts remotely as a result of the Sand Dollar platform. Just think, no more standing in line. Yes! The Sand Dollar pilot was launched in Exuma at the end of last year and has expanded to Abaco. COVID-19 pushed the national launch back a bit, but the Central Bank is forging ahead with the project and hopes to launch nationwide over the next few months. Safer Than Money: The Central Bank believes Sand Dol-

Ronald Sanders

a mere 0.5%, or US$40 billion, of its pledged global injection of US$8 trillion to Caribbean countries to pay off Paris Club debt and for new soft loans, the region will have a fighting chance. This problem will not go away by ignoring it, and Caribbean governments and private sectors must ensure it is not ignored by rich governments and the international bodies they control. The Caribbean is not

P12

By Mike Lightbourn

Secure Currency:

Here’s how it works: Your mobile phone will act like an electronic wallet.

lars will reduce the risks tied with carrying cash. It will lessen the cost of insurance and security linked to handling large sums of money by businesses. Ultimately, the Central Bank hopes to bring down the cost of local banking with their cutting-edge technology.

owed a living, but it is owed the right to live. Responses and previous Commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com A Caribbean conversation with the Senators would be welcome. 18 June 2020 Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

Trivia question:

A: The logo is the sand dollar.

(Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty).

Questions or comments? Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.

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July/Aug, 2020 Will you live long or strong?

Teri M. Bethel

The Battle of The Bulge:

Overcoming Weight Gain

Have you ever thought or heard someone say, “I would be very happy if I were such and such size?” Being overweight is a serious matter, but whether or not a change in weight is the determining factor of one’s happiness is an entirely different subject. You may feel or perhaps even look better after shedding pounds, but true happiness does not come from your garment size; ask a thin person. Whether large or small, we must learn to love ourselves. Happiness is an unstable commodity based on current situations and feelings, but joy is something that flourishes from a deeper source that is not affected by changing circumstances. This doesn’t mean that you should not maintain a healthy size. Optimal weight for your body frame can improve the quality of your health. Beauty in western society: Unfortunately, in our western society, many people’s value or beauty is determined by their size. Today, magazine covers show bone-thin girls with sunken cheeks and long slender legs. This tiny frame suggests to readers the myth that beauty is synonymous with looking undernourished even though many of the photographs were photoshopped to look more glamorous than they are in real life. Despite what magazines, movies, and other voices tell us, our value is not tied to our size. You can be big and beautiful, but are you functioning at optimum health? We must take care of ourselves. Not to look good according to the prevailing standards, but to be healthy and happy to live to fulfill your life’s purpose. Why should you take care of yourself? The weight loss industry is perhaps one of the largest in the world. People of all ages struggle for the perfect weight for various reasons. In some parts of the world, you are not thought of as healthy if you’re not fluffy or don’t have at least one pair of love handles. In our society, anything over minimal body fat is considered overweight. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Many overweight people measure themselves by others of similar size and consider themselves to be reasonably healthy. Most have not considered the consequences of being fluffy. If you are in this category, maybe it’s time to ask yourself a few questions: •

Do you love yourself enough to ensure that you live a healthy life?

•

Do you love your family enough to take care of your health?

•

Will your current size and health allow you to complete your life’s assignment?

•

How will your family’s well-being be affected if you were chronically ill?

Among the health challenges that come along with being overweight, the WHO has indicated the following as common health consequences of being overweight: •

cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke);

•

diabetes;

•

musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis – a highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints);

•

some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon).

Practically speaking, one of the best remedies for living long is to be healthy. Doing so may entail altering your eating habits. In the Bahamas, we tend to think a well-balanced meal has an abundance of carbohydrates, followed by a sweet dessert with a sugary drink. Little consideration is given to the quality of the food, the portions, or how it was cooked for maximum benefit. Anyone can go on a crash diet to lose weight. Some people have even opted for various types of surgery to assist them in achieving their goals a lot faster. One of the things you may want to consider as you seek to improve your eating habits is to zero in on the real causes of your weight gain. For some, it may be poor eating and drinking habits, coupled with a lack of exercise. For others, it’s trauma, which has led to indulging in comfort foods. Stress can turn people to overeating: It is helpful to determine in advance what your reason is. Stress is sometimes the cause of people turning to food for comfort. You see, if you can get at the root of the problem, your journey to overcoming it would be that much easier. A fad diet may not be the best answer, but a change in your eating habits could be. Before you do make any significant changes, you should check with a health professional to determine how to address your situation. Janey was a beautiful full-figured girl who was sexually abused by her father from a young age. She thought, as many abuse victims do, that if she could make herself less appealing, the abuse would stop. Tipping the scales close to 400-pounds did not deter her abuser. It just made it more difficult to escape his clutches. When Janey’s mom finally got her some help, she overcame being fearful of her father. She was able to challenge his abuse with the help of others and put a stop to it. Janey stopped overeating and reduced her size significantly. Nadine’s problem was a little different. She just loved food and did not believe that her diet had anything to do with her chronic joint pain or diabetes. When her physician told her that she was obese and had to change her diet, she was offended. Several years later, her arteries hardened from the years of eating her A bout

the

favorite grease-ladened foods. Nadine ignored her doctor’s advice and suffered multiple strokes and passed away. The pain of rejection: Barbie took to comfort food during her marriage. She felt rejected by her husband, who used her to cover his alternate lifestyle. He no longer wanted to be married to her but was going to live with Fred. What she realized almost 300 pounds later was that she was eating as a reflex to cover emotional wounds. For Barbie, her weight decreased with little effort when she realized the problem was not that she was inferior, instead, she had taken her husband’s rejection as a problem with herself, which was not the case. Patrick was always husky, but what triggered his weight gain was also an issue of the heart. His wife decided she did not want to be married; she preferred living as a single woman with multiple male friends. Patrick, like Barbie, took to eating to soothe his bruised emotions. Fortunately, he realized that lamenting over his problems would not change them. His mental, spiritual, and physical health was vital in being able to raise their children. Among other life changes, he altered his eating habits, began exercising, lost over 100 pounds, and started a journey towards living his best life ever. Help is usually a phone call away: If you are unsure about your weight, but you know that your health is declining, consider visiting a responsible health professional for insights on how to adjust your diet. Should your root cause be more than your diet, then consider seeking the help of a qualified counselor or your pastor. So, can you overcome the challenges you face with being overweight? Absolutely! Above are just a few examples of people just like you who not only beat their weight problem, but the successful ones dealt with the cause of the problem to live more productive and fulfilling lives. Your best opportunity for a healthy life is today. Do your part; you’re worth the effort.

A uthor :

Teri M Bethel is a publisher and an author of relationship enrichment books, which include: Before We Say, I Do… and My Marriage Matters. She has also published romance and adventure novels, purse making, and fabric painting DVDs that seek to entertain, empower, and promote healthy lifestyles for adults and children. Her books are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera and New Providence, as well as on Amazon.com. Additionally, Teri provides a free online directory for local authors to showcase their family-friendly books. She and her husband have two adult sons. Visit her website, www.BooksByBethel.com, or e-mail her at tbethel@booksbybethel.com.

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

DaNyla Roberts (Social Media Photo)

Two Suspects Arrested and Remanded after shocking Toddler Shooting in Hatchet Bay

Two men from Harbour Island have been arrested by Police, and charged and remanded to prison, awaiting trial, by authorities, after a shooting incident in Hatchet Bay on Saturday evening, June 27th, 2020 where a two-year-old girl, young DaNyla Roberts, was shot and critically injured. Police reported shortly before 10pm on Saturday evening, they received information that a child had been shot. Officers responding to the call arrived at the Hatchet Bay Clinic, where they observed the two-year-old fighting for her life. She reportedly had suffered a single gunshot wound to the right side of her abdomen. She was being treated by medical personnel, and was later airlifted to New Providence

where she received emergency surgery. Police confirmed that she was listed in serious, but stable condition. The grandmother of the injured girl, gave an account of the incident to Police, saying that she had been sitting on her front porch, holding her granddaughter in her arms, when a gold-coloured SUV vehicle approached from a western direction and stopped at the Baby Johnson Lane t-junction. She recounted that once stopped, men exited the vehicle, then one produced a handgun and began firing the weapon in their direction, before jumping back into the vehicle and speeding off. It was at this time, she shared, that she realized her granddaughter had gotten shot. She said that she called out for help and took her granddaughter to the Hatchet Bay Clinic, nearby. It was later determined by Police that the assailant/s had opened fire at a man from Hatchet Bay, nearby where the grandmother and her granddaughter had been located. “She will have a tough road ahead, but, she is recovering.” commented one resident of the township on Sunday morning, June 28th, 2020. “We were all very concerned this morning about this turn of events... Pray for them, P31

www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

Reopening Readiness training hosted by MOT for local businesses

Above: Readiness Training Session Hosted at Workers House on July 8th, 2020, saw representatives participating from a wide range of tourism-related businesses. Mrs. Deborah Fox, Training Officer with the local Ministry of Tourism Office facilitated the session, which included live-streamed presentations by Ministry of Tourism colleagues in New Providence.

Before the most recent emergency orders, which reinstated a number of restrictive measures, aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19 in the Bahama Islands, the country had reopened its international borders on July 1st, 2020, welcoming back visitors from around the world. The Ministry of Tourism, in preparation for the re-opening had engaged in a number of training excercises with industry stakeholders and related businesses to equip them with information on how to prepare their establishments and put in place protocols throughout their operation to ensure a safe environment for both employees and consumers. Training Officer, Mrs. Deborah Fox, along with her colleagues from the Tourism team in Eleuthera facilitated a number of Readiness Training Sessions throughout the month of June. The final and one of the largest sessions, in terms of participants, was hosted at the Worker’s House Ballroom on the afternoon of July 8th, 2020, with representatives from a wide range of businesses, including hotel properties, tourist attractions, restaurants, taxi operators, salon operators, and many other consumer-facing tourism entities. Businesses completing the training and followup inspections would receive the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Clean & Pristine’ certification. Rising Covid-19 cases and new re-

strictions, as of July 28th, including closure of domestic borders, reinstatement of weekend lockdowns nationwide until further notice, as well as a 14-day quarantine requirement for people arriving into the Bahamas via commercial travel, signal that tourismrelated businesses, as well as others, may have to once again go into a holding pattern. For how long, remains to be seen. ----

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The United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is one of eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense. This branch has been a strategic partner with NEMA in disaster management for many years. Mr. Smith noted that an “extremely active” 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been forecast. Hence, the supplies will enable NEMA to also work in a COVID-19 pandemic environment, especially if shelters are activated during a storm. The U.S. Northern Command, from local businesses, procured the equipment and supplies to support hurricane preparedness and COVID-19 fight, throughout the communities. The supplies include plastic face shields, safety boots and gloves, spare radio batteries, flashlights,

butane canisters, portable stoves, and reflective vests. “It is Important to have supplies on hand because The Bahamas is an archipelagic nation and lifesaving support is critical,” Mr. Smith said. He added that the PPE “is very much needed, particularly if we have to shelter persons” amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The supplies will be stored in Emergency Relief Warehouses located on Grand Bahama, New Providence, and Great Inagua, making it easier for NEMA to access and distribute supplies and equipment when a disaster strikes. Director of NEMA Capt Russell noted that over the past years, three warehouses were built in strategic locations “to quickly get to an impacted area instead of moving supplies from New Providence to an impacted area.” Commander Self spoke of the longstanding cooperation between the United States and The Bahamas on disaster preparedness, assuring Mr. Smith that, “we stand by you.”

2020,

July/Aug

Dear Editor, RESPONSE TO JUNE COMMENTARY COLUMN:

I trust you and your family are well and are coping with the current crisis. I am writing because I was upset by the Andrew L Burrows’ column published in the current edition of The Eleutheran. While I support free speech, I am strongly opposed to dangerous speech and I feel this piece stepped over the line by promoting erroneous information and irresponsible behaviors that could harm your readers. While the science is evolving as to what we can and should do to combat this pandemic, it is well established that wearing masks in public helps prevent the transmission of the virus. So does physical distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home when you experience cold or flu like symptoms.

The Eleutheran

Our government correctly followed the known science as recommended by their professional public health team in order to prevent a surge of cases that might overwhelm our health care system. Mr. Burrows’ assertion that this is merely the flu is incorrect and I feel the record should be set straight. This is a very serious illness with dire consequences for individuals in our society. It is the worst pandemic in a century and should not be dismissed in such a cavalier manner. Accordingly, your readers should be encouraged to follow the guidelines established by the government to limit the spread of this very dangerous virus. This will benefit everyone, including Mr. Burrows. I thoroughly enjoy reading The Eleutheran. And commend you and your team for the top notch job you do in covering news of the Eleuthera community and keeping us all informed. Best regards, Charles Carey

Dear Editor, BRILAND BOOMERANG After yesterday’s (Friday, July 24th, 2020) blow to the economy, all of the major hotels on Briland that opened in July - will close as of August 2nd, some as soon as Monday (July 27th, 2020). The ‘open today, closed tomorrow’ is an unsustainable model for any business! It’s unfortunate that our individual island economies are not recognized by our government as unique - I am of the opinion that each island should be handled based on their Covid status. Central representation is no representation. It appears that the greatest offenders were our fellow countrymen that traveled and came back home without being required to take a covid test. This rushed move to once again close the country feels immature and an effort to save face. We are a nation of islands - this is a strength, now made to be a weakness. Being a business owner, this concerns me alot, because we are not only responsible for ourselves, but for a team of employees - we have vendors, and obligations that don’t go away. Concerned In Briland

Dear Editor, TRASH ON THE BEACH: It’s a difficult time for tourism in the Bahamas. We rely on tourists. They are our bread and butter. Basically nearly everyone living on Eleuthera is in some way involved in this trade. If not directly, they are dependent on it one way or another. How distressing it is therefore to be confronted by trash wherever one looks, be it driving down the Queens Highway, walking on the beach, walking in the settlements, cycling or swimming. We need to protect and keep Eleuthera and the Bahamas safe and clean. Recently a group of overseas visitors were horrified by the trash they came upon on Receivers Beach (Cocodimama Beach). I too was appalled. So, a small group of concerned residents went down there and collected over 1000 kilos of trash from the length and breadth of the Receivers Beach. What is so difficult to understand? Plastics, bottles, nappys, bottle caps and styrofoam lunch boxes etc.. are not bio-degradable. They will linger for years and years. They can and do cause injury and kill wildlife. They are all hazardous pollutants. When tourism does come back post Coronavirus, we need to be ready for it. Competition will be fierce. We want to impress our visitors. We want them to leave with the best impression. We want them to return, again and again. This trash problem is not difficult to fix. It’s easy. If we could get everyone on board to take pride in their environment, their island, their country and to stop hurling bottles out of car windows and take their picnics, beverages and condiments home with them after a visit to the beach, dispose of them properly and safely......then it really would be paradise. Thank you, CVM

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July/Aug, 2020

INDEPENDENCE 2020 - A Low Key Affair Celebrations marking the 47th Anniversary of Independence in the Bahamas were muted in Eleuthera this year. Measures in place to mitigate against the spread of Covid-19 during the national holiday, like physical distancing, and the discouragement of large social gatherings, did not allow for the usual in-person fanfare and festive crowds of the past 46 proud occasions. In South Eleuthera, the committee opted for a 7pm, limited seating ecumenical service at St. Luke’s Anglican Parish in Rock Sound, held on Thursday evening, July 9th. Harbour Island planned a brief Flag Raising ceremony in the area of the renown Fig Tree, early on Friday, Independence Day morning, July 10th. North Eleuthera also opted for a limited seating Sunday afternoon ecumenical service, hosted at New Vision Baptist in The Bluff on July 12th. Spanish Wells, which usually goes all out with daytime community activities at the public dock on July 10th, leading into an Independence Day evening ceremony, complete with fireworks reported a cancellation of commemorative community events.

Volunteers and organizers at the Central Eleuthera Independence ceremony all smiles behind the protective masks.

Central Eleuthera, at first planned for a brief, open air, physically distanced ceremony on the grounds of the Administrative Complex in Governor’s Harbour, however, a short time before the scheduled start at 10am, organizers got word that a gathering on the outside would no longer be allowed, so, the short ceremony was taken on the inside of the Courthouse, with limited seating. During the event, Administrator Whelma Colebrooke and her Local Government Council team, recognized the oldest living man and woman within each township in Central Eleuthera, from Gregory Town to Savannah Sound. Those who could attend were presented with a beautiful plaque, and family members received on behalf of others. Acting Governor General, Mrs. Lonnie Emeline Rolle was also recognized for her service, and Hon. Stephen Hank Johnson was also honoured by the Local Council for his nine years of service as a Chief Councillor in local government in Central Eleuthera. Reverend Philip Bethel, a signatory on the Bahamas Declaration of Independence was also in attendance, and gave brief remarks.

MP Hank Johnson with Mrs. Ella Turnquest-Delancy.

Administrator Whelma Colebrooke and Reverend Philip Bethel.

The Elderly Honourees recognized throughout the townships for their loyal and dedicated service, included: Willamae Albury - Gregory Town Jeremiah Neymour - Gregory Town Edith Hanna - Hatchet Bay Elijah Lewis - Hatchet Bay Blanche Sainford - James’ Cistern Prince Petty Sr. - James’ Cistern Ella Turnquest-Delancy - Governor’s Harbour Arthur Rolle - Governor’s Harbour Geraldine Ingraham - Palmetto Point Eldrige Ingraham - Palmetto Point William Hilton - Savannah Sound Angela Rankine - Savannah Sound

MP Johnson honoured for long service.

Mr. Arthur Rolle honoured.

Mrs. Edith Hanna and Chief Councilor Tyrone Knowles.

Arthur Turnquest collects for Mom.

Prince Petty Sr. honoured.

Leige Burrows collects for sister, Angela Rankine.

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

Moored Yacht in Harbour Island Destroyed by Fire

This yacht moored at the Valentines Marina in Harbour Island was engulfed in flames within moments.

A five-member family, along with the captain of a yacht vessel, moored at the Valentines Residences, Resort and Marina in Harbour Island on Saturday, June 27th, 2020, escaped with their lives, after a fire broke out onboard, which resulted in the entire vessel being engulfed.

Police in Harbour Island reported that a call was received by their office sometime around 12:35pm on Saturday afternoon informing them of the boat fire, which they, along with fire volunteers responded to. On their arrival, they met the yacht fully engulfed in flames, and although efforts were made to extinguish the fire, the boat was

completely destroyed. The fire which destroyed the yacht, described as a 66 foot Sunseeker Manhattan fiberglass boat named â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vanishâ&#x20AC;? - valued at $2.3 million, was also said to have damaged or destroyed about 100 feet of the dock at the Valentines Residences, Resort and Marina. Owner of the yacht, Alejandro Capo, of Miami, U.S.A, arrived at the marina in Harbour Island, shortly after Bahamian borders reopened to boating visitors, on June 18th, 2020, with his wife, son, daughter, sister-in-law, and the captain of the vessel. The entire family, along with the captain, who were reported to have all been on board at the time of the incident, were said to have made it safely off of the vessel, which was also still under warranty. Mr. Capo, in his statement to authorities, described the

first moments, saying that he was onboard with his family and the captain, when he heard his wife scream. He jumped up and saw smoke coming from a room on the port side of the boat. He got his family off of the yacht and recalled running to the dock masters office to retrieve a hose from the fire station... at that point, the boat was fully engulfed. Other people then arrived and began to extinguish the fire. The yacht was pulled out into the harbour to prevent further damage to the Valentines dock, where it eventually burned itself out, and the remains sank to the sea floor. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have started in the front portion or port side of the boat. Authorities continue investigations into this incident.

Portions of the dock at Valentines sustained damage as a result of the fire, according to reports.

20 www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

2020 Eleuthera High School Graduations Done Differently High School Graduation took on an entirely different meaning in 2020, as 12th grade graduates were first hit with the closure of all schools in the country during March, and a few weeks later, the full transition to online instruction and studies, to complete their 2019/2020 year. All happening during a time of pandemic, where access and movement was limited, so, they had to become intimately familiar with the meaning and the spirit of the word ‘adapt’. Not only did the final leg on their path to graduation become a little bumpier, graduation ceremonies - the celebration and culmination of six years of work, where families and well-wishers normally pack a venue to cheer on their burgeoning young adult - all had to change in the face of restrictions and safety measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Virtual ceremonies, drive throughs, drive ups, and smaller limited seating events were the new options for the outgoing Eleuthera Class of 2020. District Superintendent of Education for Eleuthera, Mr. Michael Culmer, said that graduations of any kind had to be reenvisioned during this time. “In Eleuthera,” said Mr. Culmer, “high schools were encouraged to be creative with ways to celebrate their 2020 Class of graduates, with options like drive through diploma ceremonies, virtual ceremonies, smaller events with 30 people or less and the like, to commemorate the achievement, which would all take place during the final week in June and the first week in July.” The Ministry of Education, in celebration of Bahamas High School Diploma scholars across the country, pulled together a well-choreographed virtual ceremony, which celebrated the Bahamas Class of 2020 as a whole on the evening of July 7th. High School Principals from every school in the Bahamas during the ceremony, including from Eleuthera, were able to express messages of congratulations and bon voyage to their successful outgoing 12th graders. DS Culmer during his virtual congratulatory address, lauded and saluted his graduates from the Eleuthera District of First Choice. “You

can attest that great achievement requires greater effort,” he charged, “be inspired to produce excellence through life long learning. Congratulations!” Marie Galanis, Principal of Central Eleuthera High School, congratulated her 2020 Class of Sentinels, saying, “We have groomed you for success, we’ve prepared you well to be outstanding sentinels in the arena of life. You’ve been forged in the fire, you are resilient and strong. You will survive, and you will thrive... We are very proud of you!” Equoia Gibson, Valedictorian of the Central Eleuthera High School also had the opportunity to nationally co-present a representative Valedictorian speech for the Bahamas Class of 2020, as a top academic performer. Kevin Hepburn, Principal of North Eleuthera High School, congratulated his graduates saying that they had done well. To those headed off to college, he encouraged them to continue to excel in their studies, and to become leaders amongst their peers, and to those headed into the job market, to aim for the very top. He also congratulated Valedictorian, Christianna Wallace and Salutatorian, Venisha Petit-Homme on their achievements. Ricardo Ferguson, Principal of Harbour Island All Age School, congratulated his Class of 2020, telling them that as they stepped out there into the real world, to continue to work to achieve, even through hard times. Tracey Mckenzie, Principal of Preston H. Albury High School, told his graduates that their achievements were as a direct result of their hard work and efforts. He reminded them that their journey had just begun and to continue to build on their graduation foundation, living meaningful lives and positively contributing to their communities. Chardel Brown-Gibson, Principal of Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School, also congratulated her Class of 2020, including five of them who had joined the class after relocating to Eleuthera from Abaco, following the destruction of hurricane Dorian. She, shared that the year had brought many surprises, including 70 new students from Abaco joining the school body, but de-

Eleuthera students featured at virtual Bahamas National High School Diploma graduation ceremony.

spite the challenges, they had ended on a high note. “Job well done. You made it!,” she told her graduates. One week earlier, Central Eleuthera High School, and Preston H. Albury High School celebrated their graduates with ceremonies reflecting the sign of the times. On the morning of Wednesday, July 1st, in Rock Sound, parents and students lined up on the outside of the Preston H. Albury High campus in their vehicles, readying for a relatively brief drive through ceremony. Well organized and efficient, graduates alighted from the front vehicle as their names were called, had their hands sanitized, accepted their certificates, awards and diploma from former Principal Fontella Knowles and Principal Tracey Mckenzie, stopped for a photo, and were off. With 22 graduates, it was not a long affair, but they did have the opportunity to come together briefly, donned in masks, for a group photo for the final time. At 11:30am on the same day, in Savannah Sound on the grounds of the public park, overlooking the calm sandbanked waters of the sound, Central Eleuthera High School, rather than a drive through, opted for the drive up - or rather, park up. Parents, well-wishers and graduates, took advantage of the spacious green, to park decorated vehicles in rows, in front of the covered outdoor stage, where students in a short ceremony would walk a short flight of stairs to receive their certificates, awards and diploma from Assistant District Super-

intendent of Education for Eleuthera, Mr. Kirkwood Cleare, and Principal, Mrs. Marie Galanis. All stopping for a photo, before making their way back to their vehicles. At the end of the presentations, however, the ecstatic graduates, made their way to the beach - only foot steps away, posing for a fun and memorable final group photo. Preston H. Albury’s Class of 2020, included: Sarah Carey (Valedictorian), Khiara Knowles (Salutatorian), Tinnicia Bain, Petra Kemp, G’Ann Morley, Nathalia Brown, Nathan McIntosh, Valentino Stubbs, Alicia Albury, Alisha Albury, Carlissa Seymour, Charline Dort, Anthonique Cartwright, Solina Russell, Kayleaser Stubbs, Joshua Claridge, Chanissa Farrington, Yasmine Brown, Antwoine Miller, Rekenley Preneus, Raynold Whlly, and Takeo Leary. Central Eleuthera High’s Class of 2020, included: Equoia Gibson (Valedictorian), Tre’quan Hanna (Salutatorian), Wayne Rolle, Elshauna Gibson, Kristman Moss, Jaheim Hunt, Matthew Thompson, Caleb Bethel, Genesis Thompson, Lonisha Rolle, Roihyan Adderley, Fayth Darling, Printassia Hanna, Shaun Sturrup, Amirr Knowles, Rolissa Maycock, Jermaine Ferguson, Rodney Smith, Judson Francis, Wadainya Weinburger, Demetri Gierszewski, Elsito Gibson, and May-Djana Paul.

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

Above: Graduating Class of 2020 at Preston H. Albury High School with Principal Tracey Mckenzie (far right).

Instructor, Mr. Richards, stands proudly with his group of graduating Maritime Cadets from Preston. H. Albury High.

Mr. and Mrs. Carey celebrate their daughter, Sarah Careyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievement as 2020 Class Valedictorian.

Salutatorian, Khiara Knowles receiving her awards from former Principal, Fontella Knowles (left) and Principal Tracey Mckenzie (right).

22 www. EleutheraNews . com

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RBPF Stats Report

July/Aug, 2020

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dent Stephen Adderley, Eleuthera Division OIC, spoke to some of the current challenges, specific to Eleuthera, and summed up with general advice for the public during this time of pandemic, and going forward into the remainder of 2020. He shared that one of the major challenges that Eleuthera faces at this current time during the pandemic is the risk of exposures - with individuals from other hotspot islands having traveled into Eleuthera for funeral services recently, large tourist boating arrivals and events where locals could have intermingled, domestic tourists from Nassau and elsewhere with existing community spread visiting during the recent holiday weekend in July, as well as local residents returning from recent travel to Florida. Police on the island, said Adderley, were on high alert, looking out for people in breach of emergency order measures put in place to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. “The Prime Minister has indicated that the Royal Bahamas Police Force is responsible for the enforcement of the Covid-19 emergency orders. So, we are looking for breaches of those orders, like social gatherings

- there should be no parties, there should be no funeral repasts or wakes, unless its curbside. We would like to see churches following the regulations of mask wearing, physical distancing, and the like - so as not to spread the virus. “We’ve been admonishing persons to ensure their businesses, like liquor stores - put in the curbside pickup windows, so customers can be served there rather than entering the establishment, which is safer... You have had business owners who’ve taken advantage during these times, after being allowed to operate, abusing the operation, like some restaurant licensees - have had their places crowded, with nobody wearing masks, so, we’ve had to go in and enforce the measures. We used to just warn them, but not anymore - at this point, we will have the business closed, and the owner officially charged. It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure that their clients are compliant. “Signs should be clearly placed, saying ‘no entry without the wearing of a mask’, and if a person comes in without a mask, do not grant them access. Have them leave the premises, and if they refuse - call the police, and we will charge them. The point is, ‘don’t let the police come and meet them on property, because then we can charge the person, and we can charge the owner, because they allowed the risk.” “We are looking at all those things,” said C/Supt. Adderley. “The challenge is that before this recent growth in cases, particularly in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Bimini, we had a lot of non-compliance people not taking the recommendations by the government seriously. Now we find that people are more concerned, and understand that there is a danger. So, many who

were not adhering before are now adhering to the recommended measures.” Commenting on the indiscriminate travel by some residents to hotspot locations, OIC Adderley shared, “Once borders opened, a number of people made a mad dash to get into Florida to do their shopping, failing to understand that they have major issues with Covid-19 there - it’s out of control. So, people have been going into these hotspots, thinking they wouldn’t be exposed. “One thing that I would say is... some times our memory is very short. Other countries came to the point where their medical systems were overwhelmed. We don’t have a facility here in Eleuthera where we can house you and give you critical care. You would have to go into New Providence, and they only have so many beds. So, all of these things, people have to think about.” The Police now administrates the Hubbcat geofencing and monitoring technology, said C/Supt. Adderley, used for managing people in quarantine at their home, through the download of the app on a person’s mobile. “It monitors your movement, so, during quarantine you are confined to your home. If one moves out of that space, they are in violation of the quarantine, and can be charged. If someone else is infected as a result of that quarantine violation, the violator can be charged with another offence, all of which carry significant fines. So, the whole idea is not to do it, because not only are you putting others at risk, you are also putting law enforcement at risk, because we have to come and deal with you. So, in summary, adhere to the rules, and keep others safe.” As of July 22nd, all persons arriving into the country via commercial flights, were required to quarantine for 14-days. OIC Adderley informed that each district within Eleuthera has a Covid-19 task force, which is chaired by the Administrator, with all essential service agencies represented. He shared that he meets periodically with them, and one of the most recent issues discussed were having quarantine and isolation sites in place. “We do have designated quarantine/isolation centers here in Eleuthera, for people who are believed to have been exposed, and health officials would have to determine whether they have Covid-19. Once it is determined that they have it, then they would have to be sent into Nassau to be treated. Nassau is the current hub for treatment of Covid-19.” “In Central Eleuthera,” he shared, “the designated quarantine center is the Administrator’s residence building on Cupid’s Cay in GoverP23

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The Eleutheran

RBPF Stats Report

nor’s Harbour, which can accommodate about eight (8) persons, with the former hotel complex at the Worker’s House building, which has been recently upgraded, now earmarked as an overflow backup, and a three-bedroom residence has been rented in South Eleuthera to service that area… We have also been paying close attention to North Eleuthera,” said Adderley, “as an area that receives the heaviest volume of tourist traffic.” Commenting on the fact that other very serious areas of policing still had to be dealt with and focused on during this time, including the growing trend of violent crimes - highlighted with the shooting of a two-year old in Hatchet Bay during the final week in June, Adderley detailed, “We’ve been watching the trend for quite a while, and have been devising strategies to deal with these. Now that Grand Bahama is offline, and Abaco is offline - because of the population shift, those areas are no longer viable for the criminals there. So, what they are doing is they are branching out, and moving into places like New Providence. However, because there is so much competition in New Providence and violence because of that competition - the next

Cont’d

best place is seen as Eleuthera virgin territory. “So, we’ve been seeing the movement of criminals into our communities. We know them - they are known to us, and we pay attention to them. We visit them, and these particular persons, when they come in, we understand there will be violence. That is why our strategy is to continue a heavy presence on the streets, heavy interdiction to deal with these issues - to ensure that they know that we are here, and are paying attention to them. Some people within the communities also know that they are here, and we try to advise them to pay attention to people coming into the community. They may look innocent and quiet, but these persons - some are violent criminals, so, you need to pay attention to them coming into your community. Where they have been, they have been committing violence, and it will follow them. We take it upon ourselves to visit each one, and speak to them personally, saying, ‘I know that you are here, and that violence that you bring, that you had in New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, or wherever you are from, don’t bring it here. We are watching you.’ So, we reach out the them, and speak to them, letting them know, that we know they are here.” Adderley’s team worked long hours immediately following the Hatchet Bay shooting, he shared, in close partnership with community members, which resulted in the arrest of two suspects the following day, and their formal arraignment one week later. Both suspects are currently remanded, awaiting trial. The OIC, concluded with words of advice, and tips for staying within the law and safe during the second half of 2020. “I’d like to say to the Eleuthera community that Covid-19 is a deadly disease we are dealing with right now. It is not going away. We cannot rest on our laurels and say it is not here in Eleuthera, because Covid-19 is a disease that we only know is here when people start to develop symptoms. We’ve had people coming here from all walks in New Providence and

Grand Bahama - where these hotspots are - into the island. Which is why we are admonishing persons, as we’ve been advised, to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations. No social gatherings, adhering to the physical distancing, the washing of hands, the wearing of masks, adherence to the curfew - all things, to ensure that we remain Covid-19 free. As the Prime Minister warned, this disease can overwhelm the healthcare system, and once that

happens, then all that’s left is for you to fight the disease on your own... So, I would like residents to contemplate these things, and do their best to try and remain safe and healthy in these trying times. Take it seriously, follow the measures put in place, and stay safe.”

Immigration Officer Commended for Unselfish & Dedicated Service during National Emergency

The Department of Immigration applauded Officer Romell Andrews, who was recognized by the South Eleuthera District Independence Committee for exceptional service rendered during the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Officer Andrews unselfishly and with dedication, assisted officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force during a time of National Emergency and was officially commended.

26 www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

Hurricane Shelter Maps with Listings for North & South Eleuthera

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

The Graduating Class of 2020 of Central Eleuthera High School, stand with Principal Mrs. Marie Galanis, and Assistant District Superintendent, Mr. Kirkwood Cleare.

Central Eleuthera High School Principal Mrs. Marie Galanis surrounded by her Valedictorian, Equoia Gibson, and Salutatorian, Treâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;quan Hanna.

Above: Valedictorian Equoia Gibson surrounded by extremely proud and supportive family members. Left: Salutatorian Treâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;quan Hanna stands with his happy Mom, Chinnici McDonald.

28 www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

Article photos feature Brilanders contributing to their community.

BRILANDERS RESPONSE TO COVID19 Community Bands together to Form Charitable Group

Family Islanders have felt the economic pressure of COVID-19 since the borders initially closed in March—the start of the high tourism season. In North Eleuthera, the joining of forces with neighbors and ex-pats, and their collective sheer will has kept them afloat. The cost of living in Harbour Island is high compared to other Bahamian islands. To refill a 5-gallon bottle with water is $7. For an island whose population is 90% reliant on tourism, it was no surprise that three weeks into the national shut down, lines to groceries had dwindled to nothing. Most ‘Brilanders’ had gone through their savings and braced for the eye of an economic storm. For clerical assistant, Mykell Higgs, life was “tough” before all travel was stopped. Now, as the country bans commercial travel to and from the United States, which makes up a large portion of The Bahamas’ tourism economy, Higgs, once again, is the sole breadwinner for a family of 10, including six children. She is the only non-tourism worker in her Harbour Island home. Buying groceries, paying a mortgage, and other bills with less than $2,000 a month quickly became a strain while living on an island that is 90% reliant on tourism. So, when a community-led charitable group offered the Higgs family food, water, and monetary assistance, they were overjoyed. “I was proud. I was impressed. I was like, ‘Wow, everyone’s working together,’” Higgs said. “I don’t think I would’ve made it if it wasn’t for them, to be hon-

est. Every week they’ve been distributing food items, water, toiletries. I’m not just saying this to say it—they’ve been a great help.” Briland Aid was formed by Bahamian residents and second homeowners, who combined their resources to create jobs and assist those feeling the domino effect of the global pandemic. Registered in The Bahamas, Briland Aid is a two-part charitable organization that focuses on relief and providing jobs. The organization is also in the process of becoming a 501 c3 registered entity in the United States. More than 2,000 people living in North Eleuthera receive food, water, medication, cooking fuel, and hygienic supplies from Briland Aid. Directors, Mark Dowley and Arki Busson joined other second homeowners to raise over $1 million to pay salaries for clean-up and restoration efforts, and much needed everyday essentials. Dowley is no stranger to charitable work, having been involved with international campaigns that have raised more than half a billion dollars for HIV/AIDS research and treatments. Busson, a Bahamian permanent resident, is well known in Wall Street circles as the founder of the EIM Group. “All Arki and I did was help set up a structure for people to help themselves,” said Dowley about his involvement in forming Briland Aid. “I am in awe of how people have rallied around each other and pitched in. The infectious energy created by Brilanders for Brilanders is one of the most gratifying things I have ever experienced.

“At the end of the day, it’s about one word and one word only—community, and in a community, people help each other.” Written on the cover of the organization’s portfolio are the words: ‘Bringing Us Together’ and, according to Busson, that is their greatest achievement. “For those who have enjoyed the island for all these years, we wanted to help the Bahamian people, because they have the human resources and so we joined our resources so that they could help one another,” said Busson. Leading the relief efforts is Tina Neely. A restaurant manager, known for her “get the job done” attitude. Neely and her team have delivered over 2,500 whole chickens, 1,700 Christmas hams, and 2,200 gallons of water weekly to households as far as Gregory Town. It was important to the team that residents received quality products that they may no longer be able to afford, including Gillette, Dove, and Secret. This thanks to the purchasing partnership Briland Aid

has with Walmart and Sam’s Club in the United States. “People were like, ‘we weren’t expecting this,’ but we felt that if it is a gift from the heart, then you’d want to give people what you would use and that’s one of the big things for us at the Briland Aid group,” she said. “We wanted people to feel real concern and that this is real care for the people.” That infectious spirit spilled over into sprucing up the island. From tree trimming and beach clean-ups to painting and restoring the fence at an administrative building. The community, along with the local Ministry of Works team, removed 50 derelict vehicles and over 50 tons of garbage and debri. The Job Corps program pays 70 laborers up to $400 a week. Due to the overwhelming number of applicants and for fairness, the Briland Group categorizes each applicant by skillset, then pulls their names in a lottery. If their name is called, then they are hired until the job is completed.

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

MFA informs on Meeting with the Haitian Embassy The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is pleased to inform that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren A. Henfield, MP, met for the first time today, Monday, 20 July 2020, at the Ministry’s Headquarters with the recently appointed Haitian Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., to The Bahamas, Mr. Anthony Brutus. Accompanying the Chargé was Mr. Karl-Henry Chatelier, Head of Consular Affairs of the Embassy of Haiti. Accompanying the Minister were the High Commissioner of The Bahamas to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Hon. Reuben L. Rahming, MP, and the Director-General of the Ministry, HE Mrs Sharon Brennen-Haylock. Matters of timely importance were addressed in a constructive manner. They included the preparations currently underway for the repatriation exercise this week to Haiti, as well as the general terms of reference for the proper conduct of these exercises. The Minister and the Chargé discussed the momentous high-level meeting between the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the President of Haiti in Portau-Prince, Haiti, on Sunday, 25 February 2018, on the margins of the 29th Inter-

Page. 28

sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government. This meeting had put forward important ideas on how the two countries should move together to tackle longstanding issues affecting their wide-ranging relations, including irregular migration and the development of the necessary elements for an infrastructure in Haiti that would assist with the development of that country’s northwest region to put an end to irregular migration to The Bahamas, with the support of The Bahamas. In that light, the Minister recalled the devastating impact of Hurricane Dorian on the Abacos, in particular the damages and loss of life in unregulated communities comprising mostly persons of Haitian extraction. He noted the important role of Haitian labour in building certain aspects of the Bahamian economy, but the Minister affirmed that there would be no return to two countries in Abaco. The Minister explained that required hand in hand with this activity was the immediate and unwavering assistance of the Haitian President and Government, as well as the Haitian people in Haiti and in The Bahamas to stop irregular migration and stop establishing unlawful settlements in The Bahamas. With the assistance of The

BRILANDERS

Cont’d

According to volunteer Supervisor, Michael Johnson, he embraced the idea of making Briland better, not only for its residents but also for future visitors. He credited the ex-pats living on the island, who gave money and in-kind donations, and Eleutherans banding together to break the poor morale that had overtaken the island. “I really believe that some other Family Islands had this opportunity, not to say that Harbour Island so special, but to have these (Bahamian permanent residents) step up and wanting to help and make this contribution, it speaks good of them, too,” he said. A small business owner, Johnson donated his company trucks and building toward the initiatives. His passion to assist other Bahamians, he said, is why he’s involved in Briland Aid. Despite their best efforts, importing food, building material, tools, and other essentials has become challenging. After a series of courtesy calls with New Providence-based Government officials, the Briland Aid group is hopeful that they will be granted waivers on import duties and value-added tax on donated items, and are looking forward to collaborating with the Government on larger renovation projects. Briland Aid wants to transform the main gateway to Harbour Island back to its heyday, when it welcomed thousands of visitors daily, as well as rebuild the road that leads to the public dock. Renovations to the public restrooms nearby, repairs to the guardrails and boat ramp, and installation of lighting and a flagpole are also needed. “Removing the red tape” would not only mean more donations and renovations on the island, but it would mean providing hope for families like the Higgs family, who look forward to the seeing the Briland Aid group every week. To donate or learn more about Briland Aid’s initiatives, visit brilandaid.org.

Meeting of Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Haitian Embassy.

Bahamas Government, the existing three bilateral agreements signed in July 2014 (on Bilateral Relations, Trade in Agriculture and Fisheries, and Investment Promotion and Protection) could be improved and put into real effect. Additional important measures could also be devised to have a Comprehensive Maritime Agreement that would strengthen mechanisms to strengthen Haitian law enforcement capacities at the Haitian border and interdict the problematic flow of Haitian migrants to The Bahamas. Mr Brutus welcomed the support and attention of the Bahamian government, and appreciated the fact that it was no easy task to have so many irregular persons in the country. He also welcomed the reference to the existing agreements that harmonised various components of the relations between Haiti and The Bahamas and offered opportunities to build up both countries. He added that, jointly, tourism, commercial trade, fisheries, infrastructural developments, and visa facilitation could lead to beneficial outcomes for both countries. He added that, in diversifying the elements of our bilateral relations, the area of education could be studied. The Minister assured the Chargé that all the matters discussed would be brought to the attention of all the appropriate authorities, with the intention to work with the Haitian authorities towards an effective change in the bilateral relations. ----Shown from left to right in the first photograph are HE Reuben Rahming, Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM; Mr Anthony Brutus, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Embassy of Haiti; and the Hon. Darren Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bahamas.

Elite

Customs Brokers *DHL Courier *Brokerage *Trucking; Tel: 332-3066

Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera

30 www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

Bahamas Development Bank celebrates its RELAUNCH!

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Staff at the Bahamas Development Bank celebrated the relaunch of the 42-year-old institution in July 2020. The multicolored hummingbird logo of the Bank combines flashes of red, blue, green, yellow and pink into a bright eye-catching image. The new brand for the Bank was developed in consultation with BDB personnel who wanted the look and feel to support the vibrancy, agility and dynamism that they perceive is at the core of The

“New” Bahamas Development Bank. The hummingbird, an industrious native species, is known for its utility as a pollinator. Like The Bank, the bird stimulates growth and productivity. As Troy Sampson, Business Development Manager stated, “The new logo is emblematic of The Bank’s aspirations to be energetic and in perpetual motion to assist Bahamians in growing their ideas and dreams into real wealth for the future.” Over the last 23 months, systems, processes and the culture at BDB have been rebuilt from the ground up. In a very real way, BDB has been transformed. For some staff members, the re-engineering has not come easily as they have been “stretched, pulled and pushed.” As Tadnisha Nixon, Legal Administration Officer commented, “When change comes at you, sometimes the first reaction is fear or

resistance. But once you stop and reflect on the positive impact of what changing will bring, you can better embrace it, take the baton and run with it.” “This change has long been needed to shake up business as usual,” said Simone Duncombe of Banking Operations. Alphege Turnquest, Senior Credit Risk Officer an eight-year veteran at BDB noted that the transformation reflected a resolution to legacy issues that had plagued the Bank for years, and that the old symbols, along with all of the former challenges, required a paradigm shift. He looks forward to the magnitude of the changes at BDB being experienced by customers. Fresh, modern and innovative were sentiments echoed by several employees. Ashley Outten, Financial Controller, was particularly optimistic that the transformation would support The Bank’s ability to fulfil its mandate. Machara Tucker, Unit Head for Risk, Control and compliance noted that the modernity of the new brand would appeal to a wide range of clients. The excitement at the Bank is palatable as renovations are underway at the new headquarters building that BDB has purchased on Key West Street and Robinson Road. The open concept, modern design is reflective of the new Development Bank, that is culturally collaborative, closer to constituents and more responsive. Devona Knowles, Human Resources Officer, found the kaleidoscope of colors in the new brand and the promise of the relocation invigorating. “The entire process has been refreshing. It feels as if BDB is truly evolving to bridge the gap between our history and the possibilities of what we are going to do.” Through the myriad challenges, BDB as the National Development Bank remained focused on delivering on its mandate to be a catalyst for economic development across the entire archipelago. BDB is now better positioned, agile and building its human capital to deliver on the structural changes of the past 23 months.

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Arrests after shooting

Cont’d

Antonio Neely (rear) and Marcus Saunders outside court. (photo credit: tribune242.com)

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The Eleutheran

pray for us, and pray for this community of Hatchet Bay. I don’t know what’s gone wrong here... We buried three people here yesterday (funerals)... and capped the night off with gunshots, injuring a two-yearold baby.” A GoFundMe account, organized by Venetia Walkins, as of July 26th, had raised $45,152 to assist with the medical expenses for little DaNyla Roberts. Walkins commented on the GoFundMe page in July, thanking donors, saying, “It warms my heart to see how many kind hearted and generous people are still out there, all over the world! The family of Nyla and myself cannot thank you enough!! During this most difficult time and period, and I think it’s safe to say in all or at least most of our lives... because even if we were not directly impacted by covid-19, I’m sure we have family or friends that were (my prayers are with them!) ... In spite of, So many came to little Nyla’s urgent call. I need you to know that it is appreciated! You guys are so supportive, so kind! All of the messages and get well soon notes, not one have gone unread. To all the Prayer Warriors, keep em coming!!! We feel you, we come in agreement with you!!!! To my Bahamian People, truly you’ve embodied

Rev. Phillip Rahming’s words ‘One people united in Love and Service’!!!!” We’ve been dealing with crisis after crisis, yet still! And to the rest of you all around the World that made donations, sent prayers, sent messages, and took the time to forward the gofundme page, we appreciate you! We love you!!! We thank you, again and again and again!!” The two men, from Harbour Island, charged one week after the shooting, on Friday, July 3rd, 2020 with the attempted murder of two-year-old Danyla as well as possession of an illegal firearm with the intent to endanger life, were 34-year-old Marcus Saunders, and 26-year-old Antonio Neely. Court proceedings were adjourned to September 4th, 2020 for the service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) which, explained Chief Supt. Stephen Adderley - Officer In Charge of the Eleuthera Police Division - because of the nature of the evidence that Police have gathered, would take this matter directly to the Supreme Court. “I was quite pleased with the efforts,” said C/Supt. Adderley about the actions taken by police in Eleuthera during the 24 hours immediately following the shooting incident. “My team put in very long hours

to ensure that we tracked these persons down to bring them into custody as soon as possible so, this kind of incident does not escalate into something different. My team was on the ground, and spent the first evening until we completed the operation at about 5:30pm the following day. We remained vigilant and energized to bring these people in - so, both suspects were in custody by about 1pm of the following day, as we completed our background checks, statement gathering and the like - making sure we solidified the evidence for our case.” Police efforts, commented Adderley, were bolstered by the community being outraged by the violent incident within their community, with residents offering great assistance in the investigation. “We would like to thank them for that. These are the kinds of actions we expect a community to have, to not allow persons to come into their communities to commit crimes, and to not har-

bour them or encourage them in their behaviour. Because, silence is also encouragement. These kinds of criminals have no regard for life, to just take a firearm and discharge it randomly within a community - eventually, someone would get hit by this type of behaviour. Communities must be outraged and speak out, so, this behaviour does not continue and escalate.” This shooting incident is at least the third recorded in Eleuthera during the past 11 months, and marks a troubling trend. Amal Hunter was shot and seriously injured in Harbour Island, North Eleuthera on November 30th, 2019. The Harbour island shooting was preceded two months earlier with the shooting of Dwayne Rolle Jr. in James’ Cistern, Central Eleuthera on August 24th, 2019 - who was killed on the spot. Local police say that the Rolle killing is still being actively investigated. Dwayne’s killer/s, however, are still at large.

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Critical Personal Protective Equipment Procured for Caribbean Frontline

Medical Workers July 23, 2020, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE) is on its way to medical workers on the front lines of the Caribbean’s COVID-19 pandemic response. Yesterday, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) took delivery of the majority of US$3 million worth of PPE at the Port of Bridgetown. CDB procured and purchased the equipment with concessional resources through the Bank’s Special Development Fund. Speaking at the event, President, Dr Wm Warren Smith reiterated the Bank’s commitment to helping its Borrowing Member Countries to cope with the effects of COVID-19. “The coming months are likely to be particularly challenging, given the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Helping our Borrowing Member Countries to build resilience against shocks like COVID-19 remains high on CDB’s development agenda,” stated Dr Smith. In her welcome remarks, Executive Director (ag.) of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley shared the work the agency has done to establish the regional hub that will be used to distribute the PPE to 13 other Caribbean countries. “To support our Participating States, CDEMA has established an Integrated Regional Logistics Hub in Barbados, which serves as a primary repository and transhipment point for COVID-19 related relief supplies and aids the coordination of humanitarian logistics. This critical and timely support from the Caribbean Development Bank will strengthen the capacity of our Par-

July/Aug, 2020

ticipating States in times of greatest need,” noted Riley. Cooperation between key regional partners was central to being able to source and distribute the equipment in the face of the intense competition for PPE, once the global pandemic started severely affecting many countries. In light of such competition, CDB purchased the equipment on a pooled basis so that each beneficiary country could take advantage of economies of scale. At the agency level, Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) agreed to offer warehousing facilities at the Port of Bridgetown to facilitate the storage, sorting and repacking of the equipment. BPI also agreed to the waiver of associated port charges. In his address, Barbados’ Minister of the Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Honourable Kirk Humphrey, noted that recent improvements in port operations aligned with BPI’s vision of becoming a regional logistics hub. “The Port is becoming a lot more digital… we are working with the Caribbean Development Bank on the [development of a] port community system as well as we transform the way we do business. This is a good time to make the Bridgetown Port your integrated regional logistic hub,” stated Minister Humphrey. Further cooperation came from the Pan American Health Organization and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, which worked closely with national governments to identify their PPE needs and provide guidance on what goods should be supplied. The shipments include 35,000 protective suits, 111,000 isolation gowns, over 67,000 goggles, 250,000 protective gloves and 160,000 masks. CDB also partnered with Crown Agents out of the United Kingdom to secure the equipment which was sourced from providers in Germany and China. The PPE will go to Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas,

Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Hurricane Shelter List 2020 for Eleuthera & Harbour Island With the Hurricane Season for 2020 having started on June 1st, the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development released an updated list of Official Hurricane Shelters for 2020 on Tuesday, July 28th. The list of shelters provided for Eleuthera, however, was incomplete. A note included with the national list informed that shelters were still being actively sought in Spanish Wells. See the official shelters listed for Eleuthera and Harbour Island, detailed below: See Online Link to full ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS 2020 OFFICIAL HURRICANE SHELTERS here: (http://eleutheranews.com/?p=22534)

CENTRAL ELEUTHERA

1. Camp Symonette - James Cistern 2. Church of The Nazarene - Palmetto Point 3. Emily G. Petty Primary School - Governor’s Harbour 4. George E. Johnson - Hatchet Bay 5. The Salvation Army - Palmetto Point 6. Wesley Methodist Church Hall - Palmetto Point

NORTH ELEUTHERA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

New Jerusalem Church - Blackwood, The Haitian Baptist People Church - The Bluff, John Wesley Methodist Church - The Bluff, Charles Wesley Methodist Church - Lower Bogue, The Current Community Centre - The Current, Zion Methodist Church - Current Island Mission Church of God - Upper Bogue

SOUTH ELEUTHERA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Church of God of Prophecy - Tarpum Bay Rock Sound Primary School - Rock Sound Green Castle Primary School - Green Castle Wemyss Bight Primary School - Wemyss Bight Deep Creek Primary School - Deep Creek St. Mary the Virgin Church - Bannerman Town

HARBOUR ISLAND 1. 2. 3. 4.

Lighthouse Church of God Harbour Island Public Library New Alliance Church of God Wesley Methodist Church

SHELTERS ARE ACTIVELY BEING SOUGHT IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: 1. Spanish Wells, Eleuthera As noted by the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, this list is subject to change. Source: Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development Department of Social Services (List updated as of July 28th, 2020)

July/Aug, 2020

By: Andrew L. Burrows

Beast Mark. This is a follow up to an article I published a few years ago. At that time, I noted the now standard computer ‘barcode’ that is printed on all items sold. Because we are moving towards a ‘one world system’ it is a requirement of all countries to have ‘one language’ as it was at the Tower of Babel after the flood (Genesis 11). With the development of the Computer and Internet, the whole world is now speaking one language. So, what is the next move? God has warned all Believers to know and understand the signs of ‘The Last Days’, and we are living in those days! Revelations

13:16-17 says, “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or their forehead, so they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” So how close are we to seeing the implementation of this new system? The phasing out of the use of paper money has already begun, the use of credit and debit cards, which most of us are still getting used to, will soon be replaced. It is coming! If you are a disciple of Jesus, make up your mind now to not conform to this world, and trust in the transforming power of the living God - be prepared to die for the truth and your faith. So, what is the fate of this world? In Revelations 16.- 19. the final judgment of God on the rebellious people of the whole

earth will take place. All that we humans have taken possession of will be destroyed by the coming of our Lord Jesus, who is ‘King of Kings, and Lord of Lords’. Everyday those of us who believe the Bible look forward to and long for the return of our Lord and Savior, but in a world that hates Him that will be a time of great judgment. As the scriptures have already stated, it will be like the judgment of the flood, and like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are now experiencing the final preparations for total world dominance, the lockdown imposed in fear of a Virus is only a test of compliance, the whole world is now ready for full submission! Go into your house and do not come out until ‘We’ say that you can is not freedom, it is control, like sheep being led to the slaughter, all conform

andrewburrows1@gmail.com

without question! Where is individual intelligence? Remember, those who rule you, are being ruled by others! It is called One World Government! under SATAN.

MOH Publishes Recommendations for all Business Types to Help Them Comply with COVID-19 Guidelines As businesses re-open it becomes imperative for them to comply with COVID-19 guidelines, Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, several days before she stepped down from her lead role on the Task Force, explained during a COVID-19 Update Press Conference at the Ministry of Health, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. “The Ministry of Health recognizes that it is challenged to prepare policies, procedures, and regulations for every workplace in The Bahamas,” Dr. Dahl-Regis said. “Therefore, I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health has published a set of recommendations for all business types entitled ‘Workplace Guidelines During COVID-19’.” She stated that this document will assist each business owner to determine if their business is ready to open and to function adequately in the COVID-19 environment. Dr. Dahl-Regis explained that the document

features an assessment tool that permits each owner to determine whether their company is within the low, medium, or high-risk categories. She said it also offers mitigation actions to permit businesses to comply with the recommended guidelines. “Business owners can now go online at the Ministry of Health’s website, click on ‘Workplace Guidelines During COVID-19,’ download the assessment tool, and submit to covidvirtual@bahamas.gov.bs.” The COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator said as the digital solution is finalized and fully automated business owners will be able to: 1. fill in the assessment tools online; 2. submit the information requested; 3. receive an instant score; and 4. obtain a suggested set actions for mitigation.

“Business owners who receive satisfactory scores are issued a certificate that can be placed on the walls of their business to let patrons know that they are COVID-19 ready and compliant. Certificates are valid for at least six months and can be re-certified.” She stated that the Ministry of Health has been working very closely with the Department of Environment Health Services. Dr. Dahl-Regis said DEHS will carry out all the necessary on-site inspections to ensure compliance and enforcement of the recommended guidelines.

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Reports issued by the RBPF locally. Reports are printed to keep the public informed of the incidents of crime that are reported within our communities. All reports are to be treated as allegations only.

Eleuthera Reports

Searched ref. to Dangerous Drugs and Firearms/Warning ref to Loitering: At 3:45pm on Thursday July 23rd 2020, Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that at 2:45pm on Thursday 23/07/2020 while in the area of Burrows Liquor Store Governor’s Harbour they searched three adult males reference to dangerous drugs and firearms. The search ended with negative results, however; they were instructed to immediately desist loitering in the area of Burrows Liquor Store. The area was left quiet. Attempted Housebreaking: At about 10:00am on Wednesday 22nd July 2020, an adult male reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that he is the caretaker for a home , that he checked the home on Wednesday July 15th 2020, at about 4:00pm and saw that two of the window shutters was pried off, as if someone was trying to get inside . He is reporting on behalf of the owner. Investigation are ongoing. Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs: On Thursday 23rd July 2020, sometime around 8:40am, Officers came in at the Rock Sound Police station with an adult male under arrest reference to possession of dangerous drugs, namely Marijuana. The unit reported arresting and cautioning the suspect while in the area of his residence. The suspect was interviewed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs and released him on Police bail thereafter. Ferocious Dog at Large: On Tuesday 21st July, 2020, an adult female reported that while in her yard the neighbor dog came into her yard and attacked her coming inches from biting her while retreating to safety inside the home. she also stated that this is an ongoing problem. Police action requested into this matter. Officers contacted the owner of the animal and instructed her to have the animal confined to her premises. She was also warned of prosecution. Assault Report: On Sunday 19th July, 2020 at about 4:50pm an adult female came into G.H.P.S and reported that while attending a birthday party she was attacked by a male known to her who pushed her against a wall. Police action was requested. POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS WITH THE INTENT TO SUPPLY: Sometime around 3:35am on Saturday 18th July, 2020, Offices

came in at the Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male and an adult female, under arrest for Possession of Dangerous Drugs with the intent to supply. Said officers reported that sometime around 3:15am, same date, acting on information received they executed a search warrant on the premises of the mentioned suspects for possession of dangerous drugs and firearms. While searching a north western bedroom found on a bureau drawer a clear plastic bag which when examined contained a quantity of grassy substance suspected to be Indian hemp. As a results both persons were arrested and cautioned for possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply. The mentioned officer while searching on the outside of the premises to the rear of the house found a small clear plastic jar on top of a wooden dog kennel house with a pit bull dog a small clear plastic container with five foil wraps each with a quantity of suspected Indian Hemp. As a results both persons were further cautioned. Both persons were processed and charged with that offence. Traffic check conducted: At about10:45 am on Thursday 16th July 2020, Officers conducted a traffic check during which four (4) drivers were reported for traffic infractions. SEARCH FOR DRUGS AND FIREARMS: At about 11:00 am on Thursday 16th July 2020,Oficers stopped searched Black Honda Odyssey driven by an adult male of New Providence. As a result they searched he driver along with two adult male passengers. for Possession of Dangerous Drug and Firearms with Negative results Causing Damage: On Thursday, 16 July, 2020, sometime around 11:59am, an adult female reported at Rock Sound Police Station, that sometime between Wednesday, 15th July, 2020, sometime around 11:59pm and Thursday 16th July, 2020, sometime around 8:00am, some person/s unknown caused damage to her beige 2007 Nissan Teana by pouring oil in the gas tank, while it was parked and locked in her yard. She suspects a male known to her to be responsible for the same. Police action requested. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with that offence. Threats of Death: On Wednesday 15th July 2020 sometime around 1:15pm,an adult female came in at Rock Sound Police Station and reported that on Tuesday 14th July, 2020, while in Rock Sound, a male known to her approached her as if he wanted to fight her .He then told her that he is going to kill her and that he will get his gun and put twelve in her now.” She became in fear for her life. She

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later received a voice note from this male where he made threats against several police officers at Rock Sound police station stating that he will come to Rock Sound Police Station and kill up all the police. Police action was requested. ARREST: Threats of Death - On Thursday, 16 July, 2020, sometime around 11:36am, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male and reported that he was arrested sometime around 11:33am same date while at his residence reference to Threats of Death. This is a complaint made on Wednesday 15th July, 2020. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence. Lost JET SKI - At about 7:30am on Tuesday 14th July 2020, an adult male Came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that sometime between12: 00pm and 6:00pm on Monday 13thJuly, 2020 his green, white and black Sea Doo Jet Ski S/N Unknown valued at $13,000 went missing from the water in front of his house. Arrest Ref to Threats of Harm: On Monday 13th July 2020 at 4:27pman adult male came to the Rock Sound Police Station and was informed of the complaint of Threats of Harm made against him on 12th July 2020. As a result he was arrested and cautioned . Suspect was interviewed where he denied the allegations. Suspect was charged with Threats of Harm contrary to section 203 of chapter 84 the penal code. He was released on bail for court on 27th July 2020. Stealing Report: On Friday 10th July 2020 at 11:15am Officers c/o Governors Harbour Police Station Contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station and reported that they received information from an adult female that some unknown person/s entered the Garage of her home sometime between 6:30am and 9:00am and stole a box of various tools and a plastic bag containing $100.00 worth of Jack Fish from a freezer. Police Action Requested. This matter is under active investigation. Possession of Dangerous Drugs : On Wednesday 8th July 2020, at 10:30am, Officers came in at the Governors Harbour Police Station with an adult male and female suspect, reported under arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to Supply. Both persons were processed and charged with that offence. House Breaking Report: On Monday 6th July, 2020 an adult male reported that sometime between the hours of 2:30pm Sunday 05/07/20 and 11:45am Monday 06/07/20 some unknown person/s entered their vacation home and stole $600 cash out of his wallet and $400 cash out of a purse while both were left on a bar table in the family room. Police action requested. Officers visited the residence, there appears to be no visible signs

of forced entry. This matter is under active investigation. Assault Report: On Monday 6th July, 2020, sometime around 5:36pm an adult male came in the Rock Sound Police Station and reported that on today’s date an adult male known to him spanked him with a cutlass across his left leg. Police action was requested in this matter. On Monday 6th July, 2020 sometime around 9:20pm the suspect came into the Rock Sound Police Station, where Officers informed him of the complaint made on to days date reference to assault. As a result he was arrested and cautioned reference to same. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence. Traffic Accident: An adult male contacted the GHPS and reported that he by his self was involved in a traffic accident. He further reported that he was coming from the Bluff at around 10:00am this morning and was approaching Millennium Hill on his way to Governors Harbour when he began to fall asleep and lost control of his vehicle, causing him to slide and eventually flipping over and landing on the side of the road. No other car was damaged and he received no injuries. Police assistance was requested. Officers responded to the scene at what appeared to be a single vehicular car accident involving a silver 2008 Nissan Fuga which was facing a south western direction laying upside down. Under caution the driver stated that he was travelling in a southern direction on Queens Highway in the area of hill below Champions sport lounge when he fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road into some bushes and the vehicle over turned to its position found. Notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver and measurements were recorded at the scene. Investigations are ongoing in this matter. Dangerous and reckless driving: Sometime around 5:00pm on the 4/7/20 Officers stopped a male driving a silver Nissan wing Road in a southern direction on Queens highway in a dangerous and reckless manner to the public. The vehicle overtook the unit in James Cistern at a dangerous rate of speed, the unit maintained visual of the said vehicle watching as the driver overtook multiple cars travelling at high rates of speed around corners without ascertaining the way clear before doing so, putting the lives of motorists at risk. The vehicle was finally made to stop at the junction of Queens Highway and Haynes lane in Governors Harbour where the driver was reported. Drug search: Sometime around 5:15pm on the 4/7/20 Officers conducted a search of an adult male while in the area of Haynes Lane and Queens Highway, Governors Harbour. The search was conducted reference to possession of dangerous drugs and firearms and stolen goods. The search ended with negative results attained. Arrest reference to Possession of

July/Aug, 2020 D/Drugs: On Saturday 4th July, 2020 sometime around 5:20pm Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest, and reported that he was arrested and cautioned on 4/7/2020 at 4:15pm while at Victoria Street Hatchet Bay reference to possession of dangerous drugs. He appeared to be in good health. The suspect was charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2)b of the dangerous drugs act 228. Arrest reference to Possession of D/Drugs: On Saturday 4th July, 2020 sometime around 7:00pm Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest and reported that he was arrested and cautioned on 4/7/2020 at 6:44pm while at Queens Highway Governor’s Harbour in the area of the airport reference to possession of dangerous drugs. He appeared to be in good health. The suspect was charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2)b of the dangerous drugs act 228. He was released on bail in the amount of $500.00 with one surety to appear before court at 9:30am on Friday 31st July, 2020. He appeared to be in good health. Road Check/Drug Search: On Friday 3rd July 2020 Officers conducted road checks in the area of Queen’s Highway Governor’s Harbour, during which time they stopped a blue Nissan Cube after the dark male driver began acting suspicious upon seeing the Police. As a result the officers conducted a vehicle search reference to Dangerous Drugs and Fire Arms which was negative. Drug Search: At 10:15pm on Friday 3rd July, 2020, Officers while on Banks Road in the of the old Cigatoo Hotel conducted a search of a grey 2000 Honda Accord along with the driver an adult male , reference to possession of dangerous drugs and illegal firearms. The searches ended with negative results, nothing illegal was found. Breach of Curfew: At 10:17pm on Friday 3rd July, 2020 Officers reported the adult male driver reference to Breach of Curfew Act. He was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution. Search: At 10:10pm on Thursday 2nd July, 2020, Officers while on Banks Road south of the old Cigatoo Hotel conducted a search of a black 2009 Honda Stream along with the driver an adult male reference to possession of dangerous drugs and illegal firearms. The searches ended with negative results, nothing illegal was found. Breach of Curfew: At 10:12pm on Thursday 2nd July, 2020 Officers reported the driver reference to Breach of Curfew Act. He was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution. Search: At 10:10pm on Thursday 2nd July, 2020, Officers while on mobile patrol in the area of Pinder’s Avenue, Governor’s Harbour, conducted a search of a black 2007 Honda

Fit along with the driver an adult male reference to possession of dangerous drugs and illegal firearms. The searches ended with negative results. Breach of Curfew: At 10:35pm on Thursday 2nd July, 2020, Officers reported the offender reference to Breach of Curfew Act. He was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution. Arrest reference to Possession of D/Drugs: On Wednesday 1st July, 2020 sometime around 5:28pm Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an Adult male under arrest, and reported that he was arrested and cautioned on 1/7/2020 at 5:15pm while at Queen’s Highway, South of Governor’s Harbour Airport reference to possession of dangerous drugs. While at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station the suspect was charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2)b of the dangerous drugs act 228. He was released on bail in the amount of $1,000.00 with one surety to appear before court at 9:30am on Friday 3rd July, 2020. Breach of Curfew Act: At about 11:05pm on the 26th June, 2020 Officers reported an adult male ref Breech of Curfew Act. He was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution. Drug Search Report: On Saturday 27th June, 2020, at about 12:37am, Officers while at Queen’s Highway Governor’s Harbour in the area of Highway Service station conducted a search of two adult males ref Dangerous Drugs and illegal firearms. The search ended with negative results, nothing illegal was found. Breach of Curfew Act: At about 12:30am on Saturday the 27th June, 2020 Officers reported two adult males and an adult female ref Breach of Curfew Act. They were informed of the offence and warned of prosecution. SEARCH REFERENCE TO ILLEGALS DRUGS AND FIREARMS: At about 2:40pm on Thursday 25th June, 2020, Officers while on Queens Highway, Palmetto Point, conducted a search of two adult males reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs and Firearms. Searched ended with negative results. STEALING: At about 8:47am on Wednesday 24th June, 2020, an adult male reported to the G.H.P.S that sometime between Wednesday 17th June, 2020 and Wednesday 24th June, 2020, some unknown person/s stole several potted coconut Palm Trees and dug up sods of grass from a home that he looks after. Police action is requested. Search reference to possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and dangerous drugs: At about 10:29am on the 24/6/20 Officers while on Queens Highway in the area of the glass window bridge conducted a search on the person of two adult males reference to possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and stolen goods, a search was also conducted of a white Honda Fit

reference to possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and stolen goods. The search ended with negative results attained. Search reference to possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and dangerous drugs: Sometime around 12:30pm on the 24/6/20 Officers while on mobile patrol in the Hatchet Bay area, conducted a search on the person of five (5) adult males while on Main Street in Hatchet Bay the individuals were searched in reference to possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and stolen goods with negative results attained. Traffic Checks 6 Sometime between the hours of 10:00am and 12:00pm on Wednesday the 24th June 2020 Officers conducted a traffic stop on Queens Highway in the area of the Glass Window Bridge. Six (6) Persons were reported for various traffic infractions, and all motorists seen were reminded to adhere to the speed limit, and to wear their seat belts. Search reference to Dangerous Drugs and Firearms: Officers while on Mobile Patrol in the area of Burrows food store, Queens Highway, search a gray Honda Civi along with the adult male driver and adult male passenger ref to dangerous Drugs and firearms with negative results. Search reference to Dangerous Drugs and Firearms: Officers while on Mobile Patrol Queens Highway just north of the Governors Harbour Police Station searched a blue 2000 Honda and the adult male ref to dangerous Drugs and firearms with negative results. , Arrest ref Grievous Harm: On Tuesday 23rd June, 2020 at about 10:00am, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male under arrest reference to Grievous Harm. They reported arresting him at about 9:35am while at his residence reference to a complaint made on 6th February, 2020. Stealing Report: At about 10:25am on Monday June 22nd 2020,an adult female came into the G.H.P.S. and reported that between Thursday 28th May, 2020 and Tuesday June 9th 2020 at about 12:22pm, some unknown person or persons removed $200.00 from her RBC account without her permission and is requesting Police action in this matter. This matter is under active investigation. Possession of Dangerous Drugs: Officers came in at the G.H.P.S with suspect, an adult male under arrest and reported that at 2:34pm, on today’s date, they arrested him, while at Cupid’s Cay Ref: to Possession of Dangerous Drugs (suspected Marijuana). He processed and charged. Search conducted: On Saturday 20th June 2020 at about 7:36pm Officers while at the North Palmetto Point conducted a searched of an adult male reference to dangerous Drugs and firearm, with negative results.

NE & Hbr Island Drug Arrest Report: On Wednesday 1st July 2020 a police crew report-

ed that while in the area of Barrack Street Harbour Island they conducted a search of a man of Barrack Street in the vicinity of Higgs Construction where a small quantity of suspected, Marijuana was found on his person. He was arrested and cautioned and later transported to the Harbour Island Police Station for safe keeping and further investigations. The suspect was interviewed under caution where he admitted to the offence and allegations, He was subsequently Charged in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2) B of the Dangerous Drug Act Chapter 228. He was released the suspect on bail in the sum of $500.00 with one suretor to appear before Magistrate Court on 31st July 2020. Police Visit Report: On Thursday 2nd July sometime between the hours of 1:00Am and 2:30Am a police crew conducted mobile patrols throughout the Harbour Island community. During this time the unit made checks of a total of hotels and marinas saw and spoke to Security Officers at 5 different hotel properties who reported a total of 27 rooms occupied. All of the mentioned security officers reported all normal quiet and in order. Checks were further made of the business community and all Government essential buildings, inclusive of residential areas. All areas checked throughout the community were met quiet and left in order. There was no vehicular traffic seen or offenders in Breach of the Emergency Covid 19 order 2020. (Note: Regular patrols were conducted by police throughtout the month) Breach of Covid -19 Order: On Thursday 2nd July 2020, an adult male came to the HIPS and report that at about 10:00am he observed a fishing vessel leaving a Private Dock in contravention of the Covid-19Emergency Order. He stated gave more details about the vessel, took photographs and reported it to the Dock Masters before they left and no action was taken. Police assistance requested. Threats of Arson: On Thursday 2nd July 2020, an adult male of Ripley Street, Harbour Island in at S3 and was informed of the complaint that he was suspected of. He was subsequently arrested and cautioned by a Sgt, for Threats of Arson. Police interviewed the accused under caution and then he was released from custody pending further investigation. Causing Damage and Assault: On Thursday 2nd July 2020, a young adult male of New Providence and c/o Chapel Street, Harbour Island came in at S3 and informed of the complaint that he was suspected of. He was subsequently arrested and cautioned in reference to Causing Damage and Assault. He was subsequently interviewed under cautioned an then later Charged for the mentioned offences. Threats of Harm: On Thursday 2nd July 2020, an adult male of Ripley Street, Harbour Island came in at S3 and was informed of the complaint that he was suspected

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of. He was subseP35 quently arrested and cautioned in reference to Threats of Harm. Police interviewed the accused under caution and then he was released from custody pending further investigation. Harassment Report: On Friday 3rd July, 2020 at about 8:25am, an adult male of Ripley Street, Harbour Island came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that three people he knows, all of Harbour Island, are mishandling his name, claiming that he threatened to harm one of them (a female) which is not true. Police action requested. A Cpl. advised the complainant of civil action. Assault Report: On Friday 3rd July, 2020 at about 11:30am, an adult male of Chapel Street, Harbour Island came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on Saturday 27th June, 2020 sometime during the afternoon, a male he knows bit his finger causing pain while in the yard of a friend, on Barrack Street, Harbour Island. Police action requested. At about 3:00pm, today’s date, police arrested the suspect, an adult male of Dunmore Street, Harbour Island while at Harbour Island Police Station reference to Assault. A PC interviewed the accused under caution and then later Charged him for assault. Disturbance Report: On Friday 3rd July 2020 at 7:35pm police came in at the `Harbour Island Police Station with a dark male who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was reportedly arrested and cautioned by in reference to disorderly behavior and obscene language at 7:20 pm while in the area of Harry O’S Restaurant, Bay Street, Harbour Island. While at S3, police asked the suspect for his name and address however he refused to co-operate with giving same. Instead, he shouted in a loud tone “what the *&(*( I’m arrested for bro you’ ll “(*&&*&(]” oppressors bro I ain’t no threat to you all”. A Sgt then warned him to cease from his behavior and use of obscenities while in the station however he continued to do the same as a result he was further cautioned for Disorderly Behavior In a Police Station. The suspect loudly gave his name when asked. Police conducted a search of the suspect’s pocket and found a camouflage pocket knife. The suspect could not give a reasonable explanation for having same in his possession. As a result he was further cautioned in reference to

Unlawfully Carrying Arms. . Disorderly Behavior Report (update): On Saturday 5th July, 2020, a Cpl. while at Harbour Island Police Station, conducted an interview under caution of an adult male suspect, of Dunmore Street, Harbour Island. The suspect was later charged in reference to Disorderly Behavior, Obscene Language, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Behavior in a Police Station, Deceit of a Police officer and Unlawfully Carrying Arms. He was subsequently released on bail in the amount of $1,000.00 with one surety to appear before the Magistrates Court at Harbour Island. Breach of Covid -19 curfew Order 2020 -Not Wearing a Protective Mask in Public: On Saturday 4th July 2020 sometime around 11: 18pm the a police crew reported that the unit observed an adult male of New Dunmore Subdivision in the area of Barrack Street Harbour Island just across from Thompson Plumbing sitting down. When asked his reason for being out he could not provide a satisfactory answer stating that “he came out to smoke a cigarette”. In addition the offender was not wearing a mask in public. When questioned he pulled a mask out his pocket and stated that “he has one”. He was subsequently WARNED of prosecution in reference to both offences. Breach of Covid-19 Curfew Order: On Sunday 5th July, 2020 at about 12:53 am while in the area of the grave yard along New Dunmore Subdivision a Cpl. observed an adult male of New Dunmore Subdivision pacing up and down the street. As a result, this male was asked his reason for being out of his home during the nationwide curfew. The suspect walked into the graveyard and sat down and stated that he is chilling. A PC conducted a search of the suspect’s person in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms with negative results. Police informed the suspect that he would be reported in reference to breach of curfew and failing to wear a protective mask. He was warned of prosecution and advised to return to his residence. Breach of Covid-19 Curfew Order: On Sunday 5th July, 2020 at about 1:13 am a police crew were on mobile patrol along Colebrooke Street when they observed a vehicle travelling north suddenly turn east onto Alice Street. The Unit followed the vehicle where same was brought to a stop in the area of Eagle One Motel. The driver gave her name and address. When asked her reason for being out of her home, she stated that she went by Ramora Bay Marina to clear her head. The suspect was informed that she is being reported in reference to Breach of Curfew and warned of prosecution. She was advised to return to her residence. Breach of Covid-19 Curfew Order: On Sunday 5th July, 2020 at about

HeadQuarters (GH) Governor’s Harbour OR O/C Governor’s Harbour Gov.Harb. Airport Station Deep Creek Station Tarpum Bay Station Rock Sound Station

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1:35 am a police crew while on mobile patrol in the area of Dunmore Street observed a white two door vehicle travelling south in the area of RBC. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop. Officers proceeded with cautioned and asked the driver to step out of the vehicle. He gave his name and address. A search of the suspect and his vehicle was conducted in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms with negative results. Cpl. 3471 Mckenzie informed the suspect that he is being reported in reference to Breach of Curfew and warned of prosecution. He was advised to return to his residence. House Breaking Report: On Wednesday 8th July 2020 at 11:55Am an adult female of Duke Street, Harbour Island contacted Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that she received information that one of the Cottages at South Bar Club, Harbour Island was broken into and property stolen is unknown at the time. Police Action Requested. Police arrived on the scene at 12:08pm and spoke to the maid/caretaker who confirmed and discovered the same along with the property manager. The entry and exit points were identified, and the maid further stated that the last time she checked this residence was on the 2 4-6-20 and everything was intact. She stated the owners of the resident are in Virginia U.S.A where they reside since March 2020 and the only thing to her knowledge at the time stolen was about eight to ten cans of Kalik Beer out of the refrigerator. The property manager stated there were no home owners on the property and the only people who are there other than him are Construction Workers and they stop daily operations at 4pm. Breach of Curfew : On Wednesday 8th July, 2020 at about 11:53pm, a police crew while conducting mobile patrol duties along Queen’s Highway, Harbour Island, observed a orangered Nissan Note travelling North after curfew. Upon seeing the police vehicle, the mentioned vehicle turned onto a side street. Officers discovered the vehicle parked on Brown Road with a female in the front passenger seat. The young adult passenger gave her name and address. She further gave the male driver’s name. She could not give a satisfactory reason for being out past curfew and was warned of Prosecution. Breach of Curfew: On Thursday 9th July, 2020 at about 12:10am, a police crew, while conducting mobile patrol duties in the area of Sunrise

Rock Sound Sgt. Office Rock Sound Airport Stn L. Bogue Station (Airport) Harbour Island Station O/C Harbour Island Spanish Wells Station Gregory Town Station Hatchet Bay Station

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Cottage, Trianna Shores observed three males on a red Polaris. When asked there reason for being out after curfew, they could not give a satisfactory reason. As a result, they were reported for Breach of Curfew. They were warned of prosecution. Stealing from a Vehicle Report: On Thursday 9th July, 2020 at about 11:20 am an adult female came to the Harbour Island Police station and reported that sometime between 9:30 pm on Wednesday 8th July, 2020 and 10:50am on the 9th, some unknown person/s entered her white vehicle which was parked along Dunmore Street and stole about $230.00 cash from the glove compartment and an assortment of wines and spirits valued at about $100.00 from her back trunk. She further reported that culprits accessed her Samsung J7 and retrieved a number of nude photographs and information which was sent around via whatsapp. She suspects a female known to her. Police action requested. Breach of Curfew: On Friday 10/7/20 a police crew came in at Harbour Island police Station and reported that sometime between 8:45pm to 11:30pm pursuant to Covid 19 Emergency orders officers reported a total of eight (8) persons while on mobile patrol throughout the community for breach of curfew. All of the suspects were informed of the offense and warned of prosecution. Drug arrest: On Saturday 11/7/20 at about 12:15am a police crew came in at the Harbour Island Police Station with the suspect a male suspect of Queens Highway Harbour Island and reported that while on Dunmore Street ASP Rolle arrested and cautioned the suspect reference to possession of Dangerous Drugs namely cocaine suspect appeared to be well with no complaints and remains in Police custody. Stealing Report:On Wednesday 10th June, 2020 a female of Johnson Street came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between 3:00 pm on Saturday 6th June, 2020 and 9:00 am on Monday 8th June, 2020 some unknown person/s stole the battery from her blue Yamaha Golf Cart whilst same was parked on the Government Dock, Bay Street. She reported that the battery is valued at $268.00. Police action requested. Assault Report: On Wednesday 10th June, 2020 at around 7:00 pm a female of Love Lane, HBI came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at around 6:30 pm while at her residence, her brother choked her to the neck area and hit her about her body

July/Aug, 2020

causing bruising. She further reported that the suspect hit her son to his head and slapped him to the right side of his face causing pain. Police action requested. Assault / Damage Report: On Wednesday 10th June, 2020 at about 8:30pm, a male of Colebrooke Alley, Harbour Island came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at about 8:15pm today’s date, while at Lotus Bar, Barrack Street, a male known to him popped his silver box link change valued at $180.00 and hit him to the right side of his face causing his inner lip/jaw area to tear. Police action requested.. Investigations continue into this matter. Threats of Death Report: On Wednesday 10th June, 2020 at about 9:30pm, a male of Chapel Street, Harbour Island came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at about 9:05pm, while at his residence, two males known to him pointed at him and said that whenever they see him they will kill him. Police action requested. Investigations continue into this matter. Suspects Interviewed Update Report (Stealing/Receiving): On Wednesday 10th June, 2020 at about 1:30pm, an Insp. while at Harbour Island Police Station, interviewed and charged a young adult male in reference to Stealing contrary to Section 139 and Receiving contrary to Section 148 both of the Penal Code Chapter 84. Suspect 2: On the same date 10/6/20 at 1:45Pm the Insp. interviewed and charged suspect a male of Barrack Street Harbour Island, D.O.B 4-3-1982 in reference to Receiving contrary to Section 148 of the Penal Code Chapter 84.He were further cautioned and said nothing in reply to the charge. Both suspects were processed and granted bail in the sum of $2,000.00 with one (1) suretor to appear before Magistrate Court. Arrest reference to: Stealing from a vehicle/ Distribution of obscene print On Saturday 11.07.20 1015hrs a female of Johnson View Road, came in at Harbour Island Police Station. She was informed of the complaint made against her. She was arrested and cautioned @ 10:20am on July 11, for Stealing from a vehicle and Distribution of obscene print. Police while at S-3 interviewed the suspect under caution. She denied the Offence and elected to give a statement under caution. Police released the suspect from custody pending further investigations. Drug arrest - Breach of Curfew: On Sunday 12/7/20 at about 12:35am a police crew came in at Harbour Island Police Station with two suspects, both of Hibiscus Hill, Clarence Street, Harbour Island and reported that an ASP arrested and cautioned both suspects in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs and Breach of Curfew both suspects appeared to be well with no complaints. Causing Harm / Threats of Harm Report: On Tuesday 14th July 2020 at about 2:55pm, an adult male of Coconut Grove Avenue came to the HIPS

and reported that at around 2:40pm while in the area of Bay Street south, an unknown Bahamian male approached him and chopped him to the right chin with a cutlass causing injuries. He further reported where this male is employed and that the accused has threatened that where ever he sees (V/C) him in the area of that residence he will chap him. The complainant reported that he works in the area and is therefore in fear for his safety. Police action requested. Action /Taken • At about 5:10 pm an adult male of Trianna Shores came to the Harbour Island Police Station where he was arrested and cautioned by Cpl. in reference to Causing Harm. • Police interviewed the suspect under caution and the suspect was later charged with both offences and released on bail in the sum of $2,000.00 to appear in Magistrate Court on 31st July, 2020. Breach of Covid-19 Order 2020: On Tuesday 14th July 2020 at 8:50pm police reported that while on enquires on Bay Street, Harbour Island at Beyond The Reef Night Club, they saw people in the Night Club and heard music playing at a time that the establishment should have been closed according to the Covid-19 Emergency Order 2020. A Sgt. saw and spoke to the proprietor and informed him of the same. He stated that he was closed but he just had the music on and chilling. Police reported him for Breach of The Covid-19 Emergency Order 2020 and warned him of prosecution. Boat Fire / Damage: On Wednesday July 15, 2020 at about 9.30 am a male of GA, U.S.A. contacted Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at about 9:00 am on Wednesday July 15, 2020 his boat Captain for his boat which docked at slip # 9 at Valentines Resort Marina caught fire at about 11.30 pm on Tuesday July 14, 2020 whilst docked at the said marina and caused damage to the Short Cable Box which is used to connect from the boat to the dock to receive electrical power after there were three reported power outages on Tuesday July 14, 2020. He also stated that the electrical outlets in the Shore cable Box were also damaged and burnt. The value of the damage is unknown at this time. Police assistance is requested. Police visited the scene and viewed a white 58 ft Taylor Made Sports Fisherman named “Coin Operated” where at the rear starboard section of the boat a small cabinet called a Shore Box was pointed out where the same had burnt marks to the same, It was reported that electrical connections were from that area to the dock for receiving power. Photos were taken. Police recorded a complainant statement from the owner and a witness statement from the captain. They also issued the captain a Police Hospital Form after he complained of a minor burn to his right foot. Investi-

gations continue into this matter. Damage (Causing) Report: On Friday 17th July, 2020 at about 10:20pm, a male of Princess Street, Harbour Island came into Harbour Island Police Station and stated that sometime before 10:00pm, he was travelling north along Barrack Street heading to his residence when a male, he later found out the identity of, threw a stop sign through the front bumper of his mother’s vehicle, causing damage to same and the vehicle’s battery. Estimated cost of repairs about $330.00. Police action requested. Police visited the scene and unit received information that the suspect left prior to their arrival. Damages were viewed to vehicle and photos taken. The Unit also observed a broken government stop sign in the area of Higgs Construction. Statements were taken from complainant and witness. Estimates were requested for repairs to bumper and replacement of battery. Investigations continue into this matter. Damage Report - Update: (suspect arrest and charged) • At about 2:20pm, Friday 24th July, 2020, police while at Harbour Island Police Station, arrested and cautioned a male of Johnson View Road, Harbour Island. Police conducted an interview under caution of the suspect at which time he admitted to the offence. He was subsequently charged and cautioned reference to same and released on bail with one suretor to appear before the Magistrates Court at Harbour Island on 31st July, 2020 at 10:00am to answer to the charge. This matter is open pending trial. Breach of Curfew: On Saturday 18th July 2020 at 1:10am, police while on enquires on Dunmore Street, Harbour Island in the vicinity of Mario’s Liquor Store stopped a White Golf Cart with four occupants and searched them and the Golf Cart reference to firearm and dangerous drugs with negative results. Police reported the occupants for Breach of the Curfew Covid-19 2020 Order and warned them of prosecution. Search reference to Dangerous Drugs and Firearm: On Saturday 18th July, 2020, police reported to Harbour Island Police Station that at about 12:45am, a unit conducted a search reference to dangerous drugs and firearms at the residence of an adult male of Barrack Street. The search revealed negative results. Area left quiet and in order. Breach of Curfew: On Saturday 18th July 2020 at 10:45pm police while on mobile patrol on Bay Street, Harbour Island saw a white Golf Cart with some occupants on the same travelling south on Bay Street and upon seeing the Police Jeep turned onto King Street which resulted in the said Officers giving chase where the persons turned onto Princess Street running and leaving the Golf Cart and dropping the keys for the same. One of the occupants was stopped by the Officers who stated he wasn’t with those guys on the Golf cart. He was searched in reference to firearm and dangerous drugs with negative

results. Police reported the suspect for Breach of the Curfew Covid-19 Order 2020 and warned him of prosecution. Community Policing: On Monday 20th July 2020 between 3:30pm and 4:30pm, Police c/o Harbour Island Police Station reported making checks of the following business establishments in Dunmore Town, Harbour Island reference to the Covid-19 Emergency Order 2020 Regulations namely Tropic Hut Restaurant, 700 Wine & Spirits, Valentine’s Resort, Remora Bay Resort, Tinker Personal Touch Beauty Salon and Envy Nail Salon. All the establishments were found to be in order with their staff and customers wearing face masks, social distancing and hand sanitizers provided as members of the public enter the establishment. The said Officers reminded the business operators to continue to adhere to the Covid-19 Emergency Order 2020 Regulations. Threats of Death On Thursday 23rd July, 2020 at about 4:20pm, an adult male of Grant Street, Harbour Island came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that a few minutes earlier, a male he does not know threatened to kill him.. Police action requested. While conducting a search for the suspect, a police crew saw and spoke with the suspect’s mother of Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera who was requested to have her son turn himself into police for questioning reference to this matter. At about 6:05pm, while in the area of Island Real Estate, Dunmore Street, Harbour Island, a Cpl. arrested and cautioned suspect, an adult male of Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera in reference to Threats of Death. Suspect was transported to Harbour Island Police Station for safekeeping and further processing. Update: (suspect charged) - At about 10:37am, Friday 24th July, 2020, police conducted an interview under caution of the suspect during which time he denied the accusations made against him. He was subsequently charged in reference to this matter and released on bail with one suretor to appear before the Magistrates Court at Harbour Island on 31st July, 2020 at 10:00am to answer to the charge. This matter is open pending trial. Assault with a deadly instrument On Friday 24th July, 2020 at about 12:18pm, a male of Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera while at Harbour Island Police Station reported that at about 7:00pm on Thursday 23rd July, 2020, a dark male with plaits and beads in his hair whom he doesn’t know came at him with a cutlass after an exchange of words with three other persons that was in the yard on Grant Street putting him in fear for his safety. Police action requested. Assault/Threat of Harm Report: On Friday 24th July 2020 at 9:00pm a female, Harbour Island came to Harbour Island and reported that sometime around 8:47pm while at Peter Pan restaurant situated Princess Street, harbour Island she was assaulted by a man she knows who grabbed her throat and choked her and P38 also threatened to hit her with a stool putting her in

38 www. EleutheraNews . com fear of bodily harm. Police Action Requested P37 Disorderly Behaviour/Obscene Languag: On Thursday 25th June, 2020 at about 7:45am a male of Barrack St., came to Harbour Island Police Station and reported that a young man he knows cursed him and called him a “@(^(“. He was annoyed. Police action was requested. Police recorded a written statement from the complainant. At 7:50am while in the area of the Commissioner’s Residence police saw and spoke with a male in reference to his use of obscene language and disorderly behavior. He persisted in his use of obscene language, stating “Sarge I’m not on your “(&&(&” run today” and fled on foot. At 9:40am, the male of Ripley Street, Harbour Island came in at S-3. He was informed of the complaints made against him. He was arrested and for Disorderly behavior, insulting and abusive language and obscene language. He refused to give his name, date of birth and address when Asked. He was further cautioned and secured in the cell block. At 10:30am an ASP while making a check of the suspect in the cell saw him acting in a Disorderly Manner by banging on the cell door and observed where the bars to the bottom of the door were bent and the light bulbs and light fixtures broken, as a result he was further cautioned by ASP Rolle for Disorderly Behavior In A Police Station and Causing Damage. Threats of Death Report: On Thursday 25th June, 2020 at about 11:05am while at Harbour Island Police Station, a W/Sgt. c/o said station reported that while on duty, the male suspect in the cell block, shouted, “count your life, I’ll pick you’ll off one by one, you’ll better kill me.” She immediately became in fear for her life. Police action requested. At 12:00pm the suspect was transported to Governor’s Harbour Police Station for safekeeping and further investigations. Un lawful Entry report On Wednesday 17/6/20 a male of Ontario Canada and c/o Seadream House located Paris Lane Harbour Island contacted Harbour Island Police Station and reported that he received information that that there was a large noisy party going on at his home located Paris Lane Harbour island and he was presently in Ontorio Canada. He further stated that he gave nobody permission to be on his premises or enter his home he suspects that some unknown person may have broken his locks and gained access into his home Police action requested. Action taken/results: On Friday 26/6/20 police reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station he arrested and cautioned a male suspect of Paris Lane Harbour Island in reference to Unlawful Entry. He interviewed the suspect under caution and on the same date released the accused from Police custody pending further investigation.

Causing Damage Report; On Saturday 27th June 2020 at 10:00am a male of Princess Street, Harbour Island came to Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between the 26-6-20 at 8:30pm and the 27-6-20 at 9:20am, he left his 2009 Toyota Passo Car parked on the junction of Princess Street & Pitt Street, Harbour Island parking lot to return to discover that some unknown person/persons smashed the front windshield of his vehicle with an unknown object. Estimated value of the windshield is $1,000.00. Police Action Requested Searched Warrant Executed Acting on information received, At about 11:59pm police executed a search warrant on the home of a male of Dunmore Street Harbour Island. While searching near the subject’s front door a plastic wrapping with suspected marijuana was found. He was arrested and caution and taken to the HIPS for safekeeping. Searched Warrant Executed At about 1;15am On Sunday 28th June 2020, police left the HIPS enroute to the residence of a male located Love lane, Harbour Island in reference to a complaint of Att. Murder. A short while officers arrived at the suspect residence where they were met by his mother who was informed of the reason for the search. A searched was conducted of the residence. While searching on the upstairs bedroom occupied by the suspect who was not home at the time, Officers discovered on the floor a foil wrapping containing a quantity of suspected marijuana, further officers while searching discovered a white piece of plastic on the bureau drawer containing a quantity of suspected marijuana. The substances were shown to the mother who was present during the search and the suspected D/Drugs were confiscated pending further investigation Searched Warrant Executed At about 1:45am same date police executed a search warrant on the residence of a male suspect in reference to Att. Murder however he was not at his residence Suspect interviewed reference to:Possession of Dangerous Drugs On Sunday 28/6/20 Cpl 2448 Johnson reported that while at Harbour Island police Station he interviewed a male suspect of Love Lane under caution in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs, namely marijuana,where he admitted to the offense he was subsequently charged and processed reference to the mentioned offense and taken in Police custody. He was subsequently released on bail at the sum of $5000 with one suretor to appear before Magistrate Court Harbour Island on 14th September 2020. Arrest reference to: Attempted Murder: On Sunday 28/6/20 at about 8:20am police reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station a male suspect of Colebrooke Street Harbour Island was arrested and cautioned in reference to Attempted. Arrest reference to Attempted

July/Aug, 2020 Murder: On Sunday 28/6/20 at about 10:40am Insp Farquharson came in at Harbour Island Police Station with a male suspect of Love Lane Harbour Island and reported that he arrested and cautioned the suspect while on Gaol lane Harbour Island in reference to Attempted Murder. Arrest reference to Attempted Murder: On Sunday 28/6/20 at about 12:15pm a Cpl reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station he arrested and cautioned a suspect Marcus Saunders of New Dunmore Subdivision Harbour Island. Arrest reference to Attempted Murder: On Sunday 28/6/20 a police crew came in at Harbour island police Station with a male suspect of Barrack Street Harbour Island and reported that the suspect was arrested and cautioned in reference to Attempted Murder. Arrest reference to Attempted Murder: On Sunday 28/6/20 Crew of O.S.U came in at Harbour Island Police Station with a male suspect of Colebrooke Alley Harbour Island and reported that the suspect was arrested and cautioned in reference to Attempted Murder. Arrest reference to Attempted Murder: On Sunday 28/6/20 at about 3:00PM an Insp. reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station he arrested and cautioned an accused of Colebrooke Alley Harbour Island in reference to Attempted. Damage Report: On Monday 29/6/20 at about 11:35am a male of Clarence Street Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between 2:30pm Thursday 25/6/20 and 11:00am Monday 29/6/20 some unknown person caused damage to the front railing of his 32ft Island Hopper Boat - the damage is estimated at $500 five hundred dollars Police action requested. Libel Report On Monday 29th June, 2020 at about 1:55pm, a male of Three Island Road, Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime around 2:00pm, 28/6/2020, he received information from his Uncle, who called him and told him that there was a post on Facebook under the profile name “Bahamas News Ma Bey” which created a post a photo of him and his brother, claiming that they were in police custody for questioning in reference to a shooting incident which happened in Eleuthera where a (2) two year old was shot. Same is untrue. Police action requested. He was advised of civil action. Damage, Causing Harm & Threats Of Harm Rpt On Saturday 27th June 2020 at 5:10pm a male of Dunmore Street, Harbour Island came to Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime around 4:40pm while at a residence on Barracks Street he was involved in an altercation with a man he knows only by face and his alias who punched him in his right eye and smashed his Silver Samsung J2

Cell phone value at $230.00. He stated that he only wants his phone back and he will give the accused until Monday 29th June 2020 to replace the same or else he will press charges. Police Assistance Requested On the 29-6-20 at 4:35pm a male of Dunmore Street, Harbour Island came into S-3 where police took a written statement from him requesting police action in this matter and also he stated that on 28-6-20 at 8:45pm the suspect alias came back at him and threatened him with bodily harm putting him in fear of the same. On the 29-6-20 at 4:50pm police issued the complainant a hospital form reference to his eye still being swollen. On the 29-6-20 at 5:00pm Cpl 3462 Rolle while at S-3 collected (1) Silver J-2 Samsung Cell phone with the screen smashed from the complainant and secured the same and informed him to bring the receipt from BTC confirming the cost of the same. Stolen Vehicle Report: On Wednesday 1st July, 2020 at around 2:35am a male of Arawak Drive contacted the Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that at about 2:15 am he was awoken to the sounds of dogs barking and multiple golf carts. He further reported that upon making checks, he noticed that his brand new four-seater black leather seated Club Car with wide 23” tires valued at $11,746.00 was missing. Same was parked in front of his gate. Police action requested. Recovery Report _ On Wednesday 1st July, 2020 at around 3:21 am the complainant contacted S3 and reported that while making checks for his golf cart along Nesbitt Street in the area of The Narrows he located same covered in sand. At the time, the visible damage was a broken windshield. Further assistance requested. Police were dispatched to the scene. Upon the unit’s arrival, the complainant was allowed to clear the scene by removing his vehicle. He stated that once its daylight; he will conduct further assessments of the golf cart and update S3 on any additional damages found. Police Information/Assistance Location: Lower Bogue, - On Wednesday 10th July 2020, sometime around 11:13pm, a Cpl. contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that he received information in reference to a disturbance in the area of the Laura Anderson Primary School. Assistance requested. On Wednesday 1st July 2020, sometime around 11:28pm, Sgt. 2806 Hield while conducting enquiries in the Bluff community, saw and spoke with a male of Bluff, who reported that he is unable to locate his daughter, age 17yrs., who spent the night at another females house, and now the female is refusing to tell him where his daughter is. As a result of the information received, police saw and spoke with a female of Bluff, who stated that the daughter slept by her home the night before, however, P39 she left her home, and

July/Aug, 2020

has been communicating with her by text message. The last text message that the young lady sent was at 11:33pm, in which she stated that she was hiding in the bushes by her father’s house, and was scared to come out. She also pointed out a front window of her residence, which she reported was damaged by a family member. She said that she wish not to press any charges; however, she wants her window window to be fixed by the responsible party. The complainant was informed of the same by police, and a search was also conducted of the area for the young female, with negative results. An attempt was also made to contact her by cell phone; however, her phone appeared to have been turned off. BROKEN DOOR AT NORTH ELEUTHERA BUSINESS - STOLEN/RECOVERED CASH REGISTERED On Thursday 9th July, 2020 at about 6:15am, a female of The Bluff, Eleuthera contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that sometime between 8:00pm on Wednesday 8th July 2020 and 5:30am on Thursday 9th July 2020 she discovered that the front glass door of the Business she worked at, was damaged by some unknown person(s). Police Action(s) was requested. Officer’s c/o North Eleuthera Police Station responded to this complaint. Surveillance footage revealed that the assailant smashed the Southern front door of the establishment with a blunt object, after which he entered the establishment and searched the registers and front area of the store. Same made good his escape with a cash register and $177.00 in assorted coins. Investigation continues. SHOP BREAKINGS:CASE On Thursday 9th July, 2020 at about 7:50am, the Manager c/o a business located The Bluff, Eleuthera contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that sometime between 6:00pm on Wednesday 8th July 2020 and 7:30am on Thursday 9th July 2020 he discovered that the front glass door of the aforementioned establishment was damaged by some unknown person(s). Police Action(s) was requested. Investigation continues. SHOP BREAKINGS: On Thursday 9th July, 2020 at about 1:35am, the Proprietor c/o a Bar located Lower Bogue, Eleuthera contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that sometime between 8:00pm on Wednesday 08/07/20 and 1:30pm on the Thursday 9th July 2020 he discovered that the front wooden door of the aforementioned establishment was damaged by some unknown person(s). Police Action(s) was requested. Investigations continue. SUSPECT ARRESTED; At about 12:50pm on Thursday 9th July 2020, police acting on information proceeded to Gregory Town, where they caution and arrested a male of Genes Bay Road, North Eleuthera for questioning

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ref to Shop Breaking & Stealing while at Gregory Town, Eleuthera. The suspect was driving a Grey colored Ford suspected to be used by the assailant in recent shop breaking matters. Causing Harm Report case Location: Lower Bogue, Eleuthera - At about 5:00pm on Monday 29th June 2020, an anonymous caller contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station via telephone and reported that there is a fight in Lower Bogue by the Guinip Tree. Police assistance is requested Police visited the scene and at about 5:10pm on the same date, officers saw one a male of Lower Bogue, Eleuthera. He stated that sometime around 4:30pm on Monday 29th June 2020, while he was sitting under a Guinip Tree, Lower Bogue when he was approached by a male who attacked him and beat him about the body. He received injuries to his right arm and was taken to the Lower Bogue Clinic where he was seen by Dr. Farrington and Nurse Bunch who described his injuries as serious. A hospital form was filled and collected. Investigation continues. At about 5:30pm on the same date, police arrested and cautioned a male of Lower Bogue, for Fighting. He was later interviewed, under caution. Police subsequently charged the suspect with Causing Harm contrary to section 266 of the Penal Code. He was further caution and made no reply. He was granted bail to appear in the Magistrate Court Harbour Island on 14th September 2020, at 10:00am with one surety. Stealing from a vehicle Location: Lower Bogue, Eleuthera: On Monday 29th June 2020, sometime around 10:25am, a male of Current Island, came to the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that sometime between 12:00pm on Thursday 25th June 2020 and 7:45am on Monday 29th June 2020, some unknown person/s used a yellow and black “Stanley” screw driver to pry the hood of his back vehicle, which was parked in the parking lot of Current Dock, and stole his Geneo Battery, valued at $100.00. They also cut his horn wire, and caused damage to the vehicle’s front grill. Police action requested. Arrested & Charged for Possession of Dangerous Drug - Location: N.E.P.S.: On Monday 27th June 2020, sometime around 7:35pm, police arrived in at the North Eleuthera Police Station, along with the suspect, a female of Upper Bogue and a male of Upper Bogue, under arrest reference to an outstanding drug investigation. Sometime around 7:40pm police charged both suspects with possession

of dangerous drugs. They were further cautioned and both did not respond to the charge. Sometime around 8:45pm, police released the suspects on bail in the amount of $1,000.00 with (1) one surety, to appear before Harbor Island Magistrate Court on Monday 14th September 2020, at 10:00am. Police Information (Pineapple Air Crash Landing): Location: North Eleuthera International Airport

On Wednesday 24th June 2020, sometime around 7:50am, police received information that a Pineapple Air aircraft registration # C6-MIC, landed at the North Eleuthera International Airport, and while taxing onto the western tarmac the front left tire came off. All eight passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft with no injuries reported.

On Wednesday 24th June 2020, sometime around 8:05am, while at the North Eleuthera Airport, police saw and spoke with the Captain, who informed that he and his Co-Pilot, landed at the North Eleuthera International Airport around 6:45am on the said date, and while taxing onto the western side of the runway the aircraft felt as if one of the tires was flat. As a result he disembarked the aircraft to conduct an inspection and found that the front left wheel was off. He allowed all passengers to disembark, and all persons appeared to be in good health.

Public Schools to Follow Three Paths To Opening in September, Says MOE On Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020, Minister of Education (MOE), the Hon. Jeffrey L. Lloyd, delivered a presentation in the House of Assembly, updating his colleagues and the general public on the direction he and his team at the Ministry of Education would be taking going into the new school year, amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic. He opened his presentation commenting on the announcement made just one day earlier, that because of the decision taken to place Grand Bahama in a twoweek full island lockdown, national examinations, which had begun on July 13th were suspended as of Tuesday, July 21st, saying, “The Ministry of Education, in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all concerned, and to protect the integrity of the national exams, has suspended the 2020 sitting of the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Bahamas General Certificate of Sec-

ondary Education (BGCSE) examinations, effective immediately. Please note, this is a suspension, NOT A CANCELLATION. “It is imperative, therefore, that ALL Examination Candidates, continue their preparation for the exams. Parents, Students and All Others are advised that this suspension is not a pass to relax efforts toward exam preparation. These crucial examinations, which serve as substantial credentials for students, will be administered as soon as clearance is given by the Competent Authority.” Public schools, revealed Minister Lloyd, were set to reopen three weeks later than earlier planned, on September 21st, 2020. He explained, “As plans are centered around that date, the Ministry will continue to monitor the developments of COVID-19 and will adjust accordingly. In our strategic efforts toward the reP42

40 www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

Green Light, Red Light - for Students Taking National Examinations

Security Officer, Mr. Isaac Rolle on the job at Central Eleuthera High School.

The Ministry of Education took the decision to host the full gamut of Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) national examination subjects for students throughout the country, which began as scheduled on Monday, July 13th, amidst the current challenges posed by the global pandemic. Commenting on the readiness of school locations in Eleuthera to host national examinations, District Superintendent of Education for Eleuthera, Mr. Michael Culmer, ahead of the July 13th start said that the district was well prepared, “The Ministry of Education has been proactive throughout this entire process. We met virtually, and had troubleshooting sessions to work out all the scenarios. Prior to the announcement about the start of national examinations, we looked at the COVID-19 protocols, at desks and chairs being six feet apart. We have already identified for the entire school, how many rooms are going to be necessary if the two largest examinations - BJC and BGCSE are run concurrently. “Also, given that there are two invigilators in each room - how many invigilators were going to be needed. We got that done. The Ministry of Education was also mindful that teachers are on summer vacation, and they agreed to pay the invigilators a stipend. So, persons had to apply to be invigilators. Forms came this way, and we looked at who was eligible, as invigilators, and runners to ensure the integrity and validity of the examinations.” Principal Marie Galanis at the Central Eleuthera High School, where both BGCSE and BJC examinations were scheduled to be hosted during the examinations period, which began on July 13th, commenting on whether the numbers of students at the school taking exams had been significantly affected, by the nation-wide school closure, and subsequent transition to online instruction, said, “So far in the BGCSE with the core subjects of Math and English Language we have about 90%, and it could be 100%, because two students are not here. I know of one student who is in New Providence, and will be taking them at a

center there, and the other we are unsure. So, it could be 100%. We are pleased with that number.” She added that it was gratifying to see the students work past and through the challenges, “With this group especially, I’m happy that they are taking advantage. They’ve gotten past the doldrums of adjusting to the changes in their graduation year, and seeing that, ‘yes, I still have to take my exams’. Some of the smaller BGCSE exams, because they didn’t have all of the faceto-face, some may be discouraged and we may have less students showing up for them. But the core exams - it’s very important that they take them, and the technical subjects, they are excited about, as they were coming in to complete the coursework. Practical exams like BGCSE Art which began last week, we had 100% of registered students attending the exam.” Mrs. Galanis continued, “BJC numbers are much larger than BGCSE numbers, so, we hope that they all come in and take the exams as well. A number of teachers continued with the online revision with the students, and for several weeks there was some face-to-face revision here at the school, as soon as we had permission for them to come on campus. Some students had transportation challenges, but a number of them were able to get to campus and complete their coursework and attend revision for the BJC. “This is encouraging with the numbers of students showing up for the BGCSE subjects,

so we can put forth a little bit more effort to reach parents to have them let their children come in for the BJC exams. We hope they take advantage, as several years of instruction have gone into preparing them for this time. Parents are interested, and we are hoping that the attendance at BJC exams are just as high as with the BGCSE.” Acknowledging the priceless role played from home, Principal Galanis, commented, “We would really like to thank parents, because its truly a collaborative effort. For the parents who saw the need and the benefit for their students to come in and complete their work, and ensured students were here at the school.” Just as the second week of BGCSE examinations got underway, late on Monday, July 20th, a nation-wide suspension of the national examinations was announced. Rising Covid-19 case counts in Grand Bahama resulted in the island being placed under a full lockdown for two weeks, as of Thursday, July 24th. To ensure the integrity of the national exams - a suspension was announced. Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, emphasized that the examinations had not been canceled, but suspended. So students were exhorted to keep up with their preparations, and to be ready for when the government announced the resumption of the national BJC and BGCSE examinations.

Students awaiting the start of their BGCSE examination on Monday, July 20th. National exams were suspended the following day.

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

Barbados Prime Minister Calls for a

“Caribbean Marshall Plan” (Cites need for a “Development Compact” with Britain and Europe) (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana - Tuesday, 14 Jul. 2020) - Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is calling for a Caribbean Marshall Plan and for reparations to address “the economic decline” that the region will face as it confronts a combination of the negative impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and the inherent social and economic inequalities that continue to hinder the region’s development. The Prime Minister was referring to the US-funded economic recovery plan for the Western European nations that were devastated in the Second World War. The initiative was named after George Marshall, who was the US Secretary of State at the time. “I do believe we must make the argument that a combination of the validity of the reparations argument, the evidence that clearly shows there was no bank account left with us at the point of independence, there was no development compact and, yet, there is a legitimate expectation by our people that independent governments would right the wrongs of the past and would do so quickly by giving people opportunity in this part of the world,” she said. Mottley made these remarks while addressing a recent virtual media engagement organized by the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) over which she has oversight as the current Chairperson of CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on Reparations. The CARICOM Reparations Commission was established in July, 2013 by the region’s Heads of Government, to pursue reparations from the former slaveholding and colonizing countries in Europe. Twelve Member States of CARICOM are today represented on the Commission. Mottley said the poverty and underdevelopment that Barbados and other Caribbean countries inherited from the Brit-

ish and other European powers at the time of independence, means that the region does not have the stability to easily move to the next level of growth while carrying large national debts and fighting the pandemic at the same time. The Prime Minister argued that “it cannot be right” to accept that persons and states should, with no remorse, keep the proceeds of illicit gains from a crime against humanity without seeking to create a “development compact” for the people of this region. She added that universities and commercial enterprises that benefited from slavery must also be held to account for their actions. “No one is asking for anything other than fairness at this stage,” she said. “Economic transformation and growth depends on an international compact for the Caribbean. COVID-19 has already led, in many instances, to a doubling of expenditure in health and social care support, a quadrupling in other cases, because all of a sudden you go from tourism sectors that are earning to tourism sectors with zero revenue and therefore lack the capacity to employ anyone.” She said the international community needs to recognize that what the Caribbean region will go through over the course of the pandemic threatens to undermine the medium-term viability of states in the region. “The combination of the appropriateness of the reparations argument, as well as the reality of the economic implosion that has taken place as a result of the global pandemic, requires urgent conversations to begin to understand that a world that was rooted in immorality or a world that was rooted in people profiting from crimes against humanity runs counter to the very things at the democratic level that we have asked both small states and large states to be able to reflect,” she declared. Mottley added that she was happy the rest of the world is beginning to understand now that P46 “reparations is an

Snapshot Covid -19

As it was July 28th, 2020

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World Data

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Note: “Today” refers to July 28th, 2020

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3- Models for schools

July/Aug, 2020

Cont’d

Minister of Education, Jeffery Lloyd presenting in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, July 22nd.

opening of schools for the 2020/2021 school year, it is quite evident that one size does not fit all. Cognizant of this fact, the Department of Education, after following carefully the latest developments on the health front, and after rigorous consultation with international and local education stakeholders and public health officials, have conceived and designed the best strategies for the reopening of schools. “It is important to state here,” he added, “that in all our considerations, we are and will continue to be guided by the advice from public health officials and education stakeholders, and what is in the best interests of our staff and students. The health and safety of everyone associated with education is paramount. In this present environment, The priority is to minimize the risk of direct infection of COVID-19 as teaching and learning continue, regardless of the path we choose.” Detailing plans for how schools in the Bahamas would operate, depending on their unique circumstances, in September, Minister Lloyd outlined, “Three instructional models have emerged from our intensive deliberations, namely: Faceto-Face, Hybrid/Blended Learning, and Online Learning. There will be at all times, even concurrently, a blend of these models. “The Bahamas is an archipelago – with schools in many different environments. Therefore, one size does not fit all. What works best in

one scenario may not be best for another. The ideal arrangement for our children is the FACE-TO-FACE MODEL. Especially those in the preprimary, the primary and even middle years, This Face-to-Face Model guarantees their most effective social, emotional, intellectual, physical, cultural and spiritual development. It is the least disruptive to the established routine of our students, parents and our instructional leaders. It is easier to monitor and evaluate the instructional process and it provides the comfort of normalcy. “It is possible, for instance, that the Euthal Rodgers Primary School in Deep Creek, South Andros, with an enrollment of less than 100 students, would be able to engage in a face to face daily model of learning throughout the day, week and year. In some schools, Face-to-Face will work. In others it will not. For instance, in schools with a larger student population, and with the necessity of observing all health protocols, face-to-face cannot work. We simply do not have the space to accommodate the total student body.” He continued, “If the spread of this virus abates, we will be able to proceed with the entire student body attending the school campus every day, all day. However, no matter what we do: the required health and safety standards will be rigidly observed and enforced. There will be the wearing of masks in public for children, where appropriate, physical distancing, with a classroom

capacity of 20 square feet per student, staggered lunch times, cancelation of general assemblies where crowds gather, temperature checks, the utilization of multiple entry and exit points on campuses and engaging additional busses to transport students to and from campuses. “We recognize that some of our Educators who have preexisting co-morbidities and who may not be available for face-toface instruction in the midst of COVID19 would have to continue to utilize our online platform to assist with delivering instruction. Additionally, we will have to redeploy some of our teachers according to their specialized skills in order to meet needs in certain specialized areas. “That is the most ideal situation, but unless our Heavenly Father grants us a supernatural miracle, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to proceed with this model throughout most of our schools,” said Minister Lloyd, about the face-to-face instructional model. He then went on to describe how the online model would look in September, saying, “Our second option is a fully Online Learning Model. In this model students remain away from the school’s campus and the entire instruction takes place online, in the home or elsewhere under the supervision of their parents or other suitably qualified adults. Parents have the right to choose any of the models we have outlined for their children. If they choose this model, it is essentially homeschooling that they have chosen, and will be required to register their child with the Homeschooling Unit of the Ministry of Education. “They can go online to the Ministry’s webpage, or come or call the Ministry for information as to how they may go online and register. I remind Parents that the law states in Section 23 of the Education Act: (1) It shall be the duty of the parents of every child of compulsory school age to cause him to receive full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude, by regular attendance at school or otherwise. “The advantages to such a model,” he continued, “are that there is minimal risk of exposure to the COVID19 virus along with a flexible learning environment which allows students to review the lesson at their pace. Additionally, the Ministry of Education already operates a virtual platform in place, expanding its capacity to include the entire student populace.

“While, more students can be accommodated in a virtual classroom, we are aware that this is not the most ideal learning option for our pre-primary, lower primary or Special Education students. “We further recognize that between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Monday – Friday, our schools provide safe spaces for many of our children. With online learning, that duty of care shifts to the home or others and must be well managed if learning is to be successfully carried out. We further recognize that some parents and guardians are not equipped to assist students as needed and some students are unable to self-regulate. With this in mind we invite our community stakeholders, to consider providing flexible working hours for our parents and guardians, so they would be in a better position to spend more time at home between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.” The third instructional model on offer by the Ministry of Education was a combination option, explained Minister Lloyd, “The hybrid model combines face-to-face instruction with online learning. A Hybrid Learning Model decreases the number of students on the campus each day by moving some of the instruction online to an alternate day schedule. Those students who are online, may remain at home, or attend a Care Center on that day. The Care Center will be fully equipped, fully manned and supervised. “A schedule has been worked out where on any given day, no more than two thirds of the school population will be on Campus. There will be face-to-face everyday, for some groups of students. All groups will attend three days per week, and there are strategies purposefully outlined for each day. Hybrid learning lends itself to individualized learning, opportunities for learning on demand and a greater partnership between home and school. Ongoing support will be provided for parents to assist their children in a hybrid learning environment. “The three days that students engage face to face are allotted for delivery of content – 1) Here the teacher presents new information or a concept to students. 2) Differentiated instruction – The teacher assigns tasks to students according to their needs. 3) Guided Practice – The teacher gives on hand direction to reinforce concepts taught.

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Page. 42 4) Assessment – Students’ are evaluated in person to ensure they truly master the content.” “Further details of the schedule in this model,” said the Minister, “will be made available to Parents and Students in the coming weeks. The key here is that School starts on September 21st. The Ministry will make every effort to meet the needs of the student. However, everyone must get involved – Parents, Churches, the Society at large.” Delving into some of the challenges, sure to be seen with the proposed models as schools reopened, Minister Lloyd outlined, “We are quite cognizant of the disadvantages of the Hybrid Model. Such as: • There may be limited access to devices and connectivity for students; • There may be less supervision or management while the students are away from the Campus, because Parents and students may be inexperienced with the virtual learning • High cost of making provisions for and maintaining the resources required (personnel, technologies, material). “While these challenges exist, we have sought viable solutions for each. As we continue to reiterate, the Ministry constantly encourages private/public partnerships for technologies and connectivity. “We have begun the engagement of community partners, such as Churches, in securing spaces -appropriate and approved spaces, properly equipped, properly managed, internet and wi-fi capable, to be used as Care Centers for students while away from school. Again, parents of students online may choose to keep them at home or to transport them to a Care Center. Same hours as the school day. A Care Center is in the same vicinity as the school, so there is little disruption in the travel for the Student. There, the student must bring his/her own device. He voiced a plea to churches and civic groups regarding these safe spaces, saying, “We are inviting our community partners, particularly our churches and civic groups, to consider using their meetings rooms to provide alternative safe learning spaces for the students in their community, during their time away from

The Eleutheran the traditional classroom. As an alternative to working from home,” he added, “some students may seek to access one of our public libraries. All of our libraries will be offering free Wi Fi services to our student body. While our public libraries will be available, we recognize that social distancing protocols will severely limit their capacity. We believe that community safe spaces could provide an additional place for our students to settle down in a managed environment, and engage the virtual learning platform.” Highlighting the government’s present and future focus on digital and online instruction, the Minister further commented, “Medical professionals throughout the world have indicated that COVID-19 will most likely be a part of our reality for the foreseeable future. Accepting this reality, the Ministry of Education is strengthening its public / private partnerships to ensure our students have the necessary devices and WiFi connectivity to fully participate in an online mode of learning. Technology is obviously an integral part of 21st century classroom instruction. He continued, “Against this backdrop, The Ministry appeals to parents to become more active and involved partners in their children’s education. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down. Yet we press on. In preparation for the upcoming school year, the Ministry is urging every parent of students within the public and private systems, to ensure that Your child is supplied with a tablet or other device that can be used for virtual learning. I wish to stress emphatically, that acquiring such a device must be the first priority with regard to supplies needed for school. “The Ministry has a census of those students who may need a device and will provide one on a loan basis for them and details will be provided as to where parents may purchase devices for their children.” He again highlighted that on September 21st, 2020, at the usual times, school instructions would commence in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, adding, “Although plans are centered around that date, The Ministry will monitor developments of COVID-19 and will adjust accordingly. I have said in the past and I will continue to reiterate: Nobody has all the answers. The nature of this fight with COVID19 has meant that what we knew a month ago, can change within a few days. It

is for this reason that our academic year will have to adjust as events unfold. “Based on the current outlook, the Ministry has decided that it would be in the best interest of our staff and students to begin the new school year by adapting one hundred percent remote learning. However, as we monitor the status of health conditions over a period of time, if circumstances permit by October 5th, there may be a possible transition from Remote instruction to the Hybrid or Blended Model of learning. Again, one size does not fit all.” With the transition to virtual education in March, Minister Lloyd shared that this had prompted a number of parents to explore the dynamics of homeschooling. “As the MOE is the main provider of education in The Bahamas, it has made provisions for the regulation of homeschooling since 2015. As such, parents who view this mode of education as feasible are encouraged to pursue this option. However, parents must be certain that this option will be effective based on the needs of their child/ren.” The Minister wrapped up his presentation in the House of Assembly by detailing some of the operational details, and general health and safety protocols that would govern the daily activities at school campuses in the new year. In reference to general health and safety, he outlined, “There will be online training sessions for all connected to the school system this year. Parents will be invited to register and take courses in online learning to help their children. The Ministry will provide training sessions in the first two weeks of September for all Educators. All Staff, especially custodial staff will be trained in the methodology and protocols of a safe and healthy campus environment. “Staff, students, and visitors on school campuses will undergo the necessary safety checks including temperature checks, and ensuring that individuals are wearing masks or face shields. “Schools will procure/be provided with alcohol based hand gels or sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol. They will be placed in classrooms, office area and staff rooms, tuck shops and lunch areas, etc. “I wish to assure the public that protocols are in place in the event that students and staff appear to be ill. Meanwhile, the intention is to have at least one nurse stationed at each school. “Administrators will maintain an

updated list of emergency contacts for all students and staff as well as contacts for health care personnel. Staff or students who become sick during the course of the day will be referred to the medical personnel on site, without creating a stigma. Parents/caregivers will be notified and staff will be referred or directed to a health facility. Students and staff should be cleared by a physician before returning to campus. “Guidance Counselors will be available to provide support to staff and students. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will continue to offer its services to staff upon self referral or referral from the principal. Illustrating what the classroom setup would look like, Minister Lloyd, described, “All classrooms will be in compliance with social distancing protocols. Additionally, students will be engaged in daily training, awareness and sensitivity rituals so that they are kept abreast of current information, reminded of health and safety protocols and encouraged to be sensitive to others. Some may question whether it is possible for students to comply with social distancing protocols. In an effort to reinforce these measures, security officers and school administrators will be expected to monitor students in this regard. He added, “A clear plan of action is being devised to be put in place to direct students’ movement while on campus. This includes one way movement on stairwells, entrances, and exits. Additionally, staggered breaks will be implemented to facilitate safe movement on campus. Minister Lloyd concluded saying, “Despite the uncertainty caused by this corona virus the health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. We believe that our plans provide clear guidance, informed by the best medical advice. “We will remain open to continuous monitoring and taking active steps to ensure that all of our students, regardless of their socio-economic standing, have access to the tools which enable them to receive a quality education. “There will be further updates as the situations warrant. I ask all to stay tuned to announcements from the Ministry of Education. Again, Parents, Students and the Society at large will know in full details the complete plans for the opening and operation of school as soon as they are made.”

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Isl a n d “B u z z ”

July/Aug, 2020

Spanish Wells: A LOOK BACK to

FISHERMEN’S FEST 2019

BY The eleutheran news team With COVID-19 casting a blanket on celebrations of 2020 across the island, we take a LOOK BACK at July 2019 when the Fishermen’s Festival, in Spanish Wells was in full swing.

Independence Day fashion on display.

The 9th Annual Fishermen’s Fest held in Spanish Wells on St. George’s Cay in 2019, held on Friday, July 19th, and Saturday, July 20th, was enjoyed by many from across North Eleuthera. The two-day event with Bahamian headliners performing included: Da Rhythm Band, featuring the classic Geno D, and the energetic Funky D during the Saturday night lineup. Homegrown Light Rock talent, the Modern Vintage Reunion Band who performed earlier on Saturday evening, had the crowd rocking out before soaking in Bahamian tunes later into the night. Popular local talents and performers, the High Rock Band, took center stage on the Friday evening, with singer Jeremiah Sweeting - in front of the appreciative crowd gathered on the grounds of the community park to enjoy the festivities.

The entertainment & More...

games and activities were hosted for the young and older through the weekend. On Friday afternoon they kicked off with a kids fishing tournament, and during the Family Fun day on Saturday there were ongoing kids games, local entertainment and activity stalls, as well as a hot dog eating contest, and a ‘float your boat’ competition. A spectacular fireworks show was part of the excitement on Saturday night, in between headliners, along with a junkanoo rush-out. Hoopla on both Friday and Satur-

Geno D (left) and Funky D (right), hanging out with Mr. Underwood (center).

Weather cooperated with the organizers last year, and the Fest Committee saw a fair crowd enjoying the entertainment on Friday evening, with an even larger crowd out on the Saturday evening, and the community again reported full accommodations and transportation occupancy during the Fest weekend. In addition to continuous evening entertainment, which began at about 8pm each evening inside the public park site on the west coast of the island, special

Dancing the night away at the 2019 Fishermen’s Fest.

2020,

July/Aug

Isl a n d “B u z z ”

The Eleutheran

Hoops & Hoopla

Hand crafted, jewelry, art and more.

Hoopla for all ages, transition from family friendly fun on the Saturday afternoon, to items for the maturer crowds later in the evening.

Continued from Page. 44

day night, was a return hit, along with art, souvenir and jewelry vendors, as well as homemade coconut ice-cream and local restaurants offering seafood menus. One missing element was the previously helpful pickup transportation service from the public dock to the Festival site, some festival-goers pointed out. Organizers cited a challenge with too few volunteers. Family friendly fun on the Saturday.

style n’ smiles

Modern Vintage Reunion band on stage at the 2019 Fishermen’s Festival.

46 www. EleutheraNews . com

July/Aug, 2020

Stop Disney - Last Chance for Lighthouse Point Campaign Challenges Disney to Address Climate Change, COVID-19, and Environmental Injustice in its Environmental Impact Assessment on Lighthouse Point The ‘Stop Disney - Last Chance for Lighthouse Point Campaign’ partners have released a recent letter to Disney requesting a supplement to its draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed $250-400 million cruise ship port at Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera. The draft EIA was submitted to the Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology Commission (BEST Commission) in December 2019, but campaign partners are now calling upon Disney to update and expand its review. The EIA must address three critical threats that raise major questions for the proposed project - climate change, COVID-19, and environmental injustice. On July 22nd, the Stop Disney - Last Chance campaign—consisting of leading Bahamian environmental groups, the global non-profit Waterkeeper Alliance, and more than 300,000 supporters—sent a detailed letter to Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The letter states that the world has drastically changed since Disney’s submission of the draft EIA. As The Bahamas approaches another hurricane season following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, the letter states that “climate change, COVID-19, and systemic oppression of marginalized groups are arguably the most pressing challenges of our time, and pose major implications for the cruise ship port at Lighthouse Point.” Disney’s own 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report said that global environmental change “demands fundamental changes in the way society, including businesses, use natural resources, and Disney is no exception.” The Last Chance campaign partners argue in their letter that. Disney must follow the highest possible international standard by supple-

menting their draft Lighthouse Point EIA to thoroughly assess how the project will affect, and be affected by climate change, COVID and environmental injustice. At this point, the Lighthouse EIA has not been made public and the role of the BEST Commission in assessing the draft EIA is not clear. The Ministry of the Environment and Housing’s new draft EIA regulations pursuant to the December 2019 Environment Planning and Protection Act does not specify a role for the BEST Commission. Also Disney has delayed further sailings to The Bahamas due to COVID-19 and has been silent on its plans for Lighthouse Point. Sam Duncombe, Executive Director, reEarth, added: “The Bahamas is still suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and the economic fallout from COVID-19. Now is not the time to rush ahead with business as usual. All future developments must carefully consider these threats to ensure that they are sustainable, safe and equitable.” Casuarina Mckinney-Lambert, Executive Director, Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Fund, added: “Disney - and the Government of The Bahamas - should follow the lead of other countries in the Caribbean region, such as Belize, that now require all EIA’s to assess climate change and its impacts. An EIA that does not include assessments of climate change simply does not adhere to the highest standard.” Marc Yaggi, Executive Director, Waterkeeper Alliance, added: “We expect that Disney, as a leading American multinational corporation and indeed a major global voice on wildlife and nature, would follow the highest environmental standards in its decision-making irrespective if a project is in the U.S. Now more than ever, Disney needs to show real leadership and

be willing to address the hard issues we all must face—a changing climate, COVID and future global pandemics, and long overdue attention to systemic injustice.” Joseph Darville, Executive Director, Save the Bays, added: “The events of the last six months have shone a bright light on the inequality in our societies. Disney needs to be transparent about the economic benefits and the environmental costs of the project to The Bahamas and to the disadvantaged communities in South Eleuthera. Disney should join us in encouraging an open

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and honest discussion of environmental injustice in the EIA on Lighthouse Point.” Rashema Ingraham, Executive Director, Waterkeepers Bahamas added: “We lived through Hurricane Dorian. A changing climate and rising sea levels are the new realities which Disney and The Bahamas must fully consider before moving ahead with a major investment at Lighthouse Point.”

Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.

Caribbean Marshall plan

idea whose time has come” and that the sensitivity to this issue is being appreciated, in particular, by the younger generation who have over the course of the last few months, seen it come together with the public lynching of George Floyd and the subsequent massive protests in the United States and around the world against racism and racial violence. “For us, reparations is not just simply about money,” she argued, “but it is also about justice. I do not know how we can go further unless there is a reckoning first and foremost that places an apology and an acknowledgement that a wrong was done. And that successive centuries saw the extraction of wealth and the destruction of people that must never happen to any society, to any race in any part of this world again. And for that to happen you have to first acknowledge your wrong”.

Cont’d

She stated that the case for reparations for the region at this point will allow it to move to the next level, with respect to education, healthcare, and access to capital, land and housing. The prime minister concluded her remarks by saying that, “I’ve come here this morning to support, on behalf of our region, the legitimate cause that must continue to be the mission of those within both the public and private sector who recognize that we cannot get out of a forty foot hole on our own no matter how many decades have passed since the raising of the flag for independence; we need the assistance of the global community to right the injustices of the past, and to give us the appropriate platform, not just money, but space to ensure that we too can deliver for our people.”

2020,

July/Aug

The Eleutheran

Indefinite National Weekend Lockdowns, Domestic Border Closures, and Other Measures Announced Amidst Rise in confirmed Bahamas COVID-19 Cases

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis.

The Office of Prime Minister Hubert Minnis released an announcement shortly after 2pm on Friday afternoon, July 24th, 2020, advising the general public that a national weekend lockdown, applying to all islands of The Bahamas, would take effect later that evening beginning at 10pm, which would last until Monday, July 27th at 5am. This communication came just hours before a scheduled 6pm national press conference, where Prime Minister Minnis revealed further details of emergency measures being reinstated in light of the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases within the country. “Health officials have made a series of recommendations to control and reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Prime Minister Minnis, as he began his remarks during the Friday evening press conference, and continued, “These include a wide range of measures, including but not limited to the closure of domestic borders, discontinuing indoor and outdoor dining, restricting social gatherings, weekend lockdowns and a full national lockdown. “After much consideration, we have determined a way forward that takes into account the grave health crisis and the need to provide economic survival. Public health officials are closely monitoring indicators to determine whether more or less stringent measures will be

required going forward. The major indicators include the increase in the number of cases, the increase in the number of hospitalizations and the availability of ICU beds.” The Prime Minister then went on to announce details of the national weekend lockdown, saying, “Starting tonight at 10 o’clock a weekend lockdown will be implemented for all islands of The Bahamas… Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will be allowed to operate for the public during this weekend’s lockdown from 7am to 6pm. During a lockdown, unless you are an identified essential worker, you may not leave your place of residence for any purpose other than to seek urgent medical care or to purchase food or medicine. You may exercise within your immediate property only. “Essential workers will be permitted to provide critical services, including the National Food Distribution Task Force and other NGOs for food distribution purposes.” Indicating that the new policy of weekend lockdowns were until further notice, the Prime Minister stated, “We will remove weekend lockdowns and other restrictions on an island by island basis.” Construction activity, as well as transportation of inter-island freight would be allowed to continue through the weekend lockdown, however, people collecting their freight had to first seek approval from the Royal Bahamas Police Force hotline on their respective islands.

Funerals and weddings already planned for the July 24th - 26th weekend were allowed to continue, but were limited to five people only, including the officiant. “We anticipate more weekend lockdowns going forward until the health indicators suggest that it is safe to do otherwise,” stated Minnis. Laying out the measures to take effect after the national weekend lockdown came to an end on Monday morning, PM Minnis outlined, “Effective Monday, July 27th, 2020, commercial activity will continue as normal on all islands of The Bahamas with the exception of Grand Bahama which is currently in a full lockdown, except as follows. A new curfew from 7pm to 5am will be implemented, accordingly all business activity must be completed by 6pm. Indoor and outdoor dining at all restaurants will be prohibited. Take away, curbside and delivery services will continue to be permitted. “All congregate activities will be prohibited, including in-person religious services, sporting events, group exercise and all social gatherings. “Funerals will be permitted at the graveside only, with a maximum number of five people including the officiant. Weddings will also be permitted with a maximum number of five people including the officiant. “Regarding salons, barbershops and spas, one client per service provider will be allowed in the building at a time. Gyms will not be allowed to operate. An updated emergency order, released to the public on Wednesday, July 22nd, stated that commercial travel to the Bahamas was once again reopened to all countries, with the caveat that all arrivals into the country via commercial travel would be required to quarantine for 14 days, and require a negative RT/PCR test at the end of quarantine. In contrast, domestic borders were slated to fully close, also with quarantine provisions for returning travellers before the closure, advised the PM, saying, “Beginning Tuesday the 28th of July at 7pm, inter-island travel will be discontinued. Before that time, all travelers

returning to the Family Islands from New Providence and other islands where COVID-19 is present, will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.” The Prime Minister also stated that early data indicated, of the Bahamians tested positive, a significant number had a travel history. In response to this information he urged the public to be responsible as individuals, and to recognize the social responsibility to others. “We should not allow the easing of various restrictions to lead us to do things we might regret and that might harm others,” he said, adding, “I want to make a very strong plea to Bahamians and residents considering or planning to travel overseas for nonessential travel — to not go overseas at this time. “If you are thinking of travelling for non-essential or non-emergency reasons, please, I beg you, stay at home at this time. Please stay at home! A number of the cities and areas Bahamians and residents like to frequent in neighboring countries and cities are experiencing a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases. Many of these are hotspots where this very contagious virus is widespread. “If you travel to these areas and go to malls, shops, restaurants and other establishments you might catch the virus. You could bring the virus home and community spread could start again. “Let me be as clear as I can: Your actions can damage the health of others and your actions could help worsen our economy if we have to lockdown again.” As of Tuesday evening, July 28th, 2020, health officials had confirmed a total of 342 COVID-19 cases in the Bahamas, since the beginning of the pandemic, with 238 of those cases being confirmed since the reopening of the country’s international borders at the beginning of July 2020. Islands affected to that date included, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Cat Cay, Cat Island, Berry Islands, Moore’s Island (Abaco), Great Guana Cay (Abaco), as well as Exuma.