The Eleutheran Newspaper January/February 2022 Issue

web: WWW.ELEUTHERANEWS.COM

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Volume 15, 1/12, January/February Issue

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

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` and Information. We Deliver!’’ Monthly In Print & Daily Online.

Since 2008 - ‘‘Eleuthera’s most reliable Source of News

Elected & Sworn In

Harbour Island, Spanish Wells & Eleuthera

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

Speaker of HOA special guest at N.E. ceremony

PROPOSED The Department of Physical Planning hosted a virtual meeting Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, for the proposed $250-400 million Cruise Port Development at Lighthouse Point in South Eleuthera.

Following the Local Government Election that took place on Thursday, January 27th, 2022, the first three Eleuthera district councils were officially sworn-in during a formal ceremony one week later on Friday, February 4th, on the grounds of the former administration complex in Harbour Island including councilors, deputy chief councilors and chief councilors for the Spanish Wells, North Eleuthera

Mainland and Harbour Island local government district councils.

In a brief speech during the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting, shared the vision his ministry had for local government and what they aimed to bring forward P4 during the next

ADVICE - 13

OPINION - 12

Property worth?

ADVICE - 14 Deciding to Love

Proportional representation

- Page 31-

Ask The Doctor - 15 Fasting & Weight Loss?

Our People, Life, Moments, Celebrations, Efforts, Strides...

HIGHLIGHTED:

- Page 17 Central Eleuthera High School tops six schools participating in the 2022 Eleuthera District Spelling Bee.

DSE On State of Schools 46

Page 11

91 Year-old 30-year visitor recognized as an honourary Rock Sound resident.

Stronger Economic OutLook 2022 Page 38

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Elected & Sworn In to Local Government

Formal ceremonies held as Minister shares vision of decentralization Page. 1 few years, saying, “The ‘blueprint for change’ requires the Ministry of Family Island Affairs to further decentralize decision-making by putting power in the hands of the communities through local government. We hope to increase the budget for local council members to ensure that you are empowered.

We hope to empower local government to have revenue raising powers and to share jurisdiction over local affairs and community advancement and development. We also want to support the development of sister city relationships of business, tourism, culture, educational and humanitarian exchanges.”

He continued, “Local government is established to make the processes of daily living

easier in the Family Islands, allowing a council of elected peers to govern over the affairs that almost immediately reduce or completely eliminate the red tape that exist with having to wait on central government to make decisions. This is the simplified goal. In reality, we on the Family Islands have experienced some of the more significant challenges over the years, with many of the previous responsibilities being removed from local government and reverted back to central government where the wheels turn slowly. We have seen drastic reductions in our fiscal budgets, and some councils barely have enough funding to meet payroll or pay for garbage collection - and these are only some of the challenges.

These challenges are what you who profoundly volunteered for these positions have inherited.

We have read the Local Gov-

Harbour Island District Council members. (L-R): Justine Higgs, Joseph Roberts-Percentie, Matthew Morris, Amber Sawyer, Lisa Aranha, Kaaleth Brown, and Terrance Davis.

ernment Act and have observed the practices in your townships. You are spilling over with innovative ideas to bring solutions to these challenges... We are here to partner with you in this journey.

“My team has already embarked on several initiatives to revolutionize local government. Significantly, we

have already engaged local consultants to review the current Local Government Act, to make the necessary adjustments to make it make sense for all of us... By the end of this calendar year, we hope to have made significant adjustments to truly empower the local government boards See Sworn In

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New Recycling Depot being Constructed with aim of Reducing Landfill Volume

Six bins for a new recycling depot constructed in James’ Cistern. amount of refuse in communities and landfills in North and Central EleuThe Rotary Club of Eleuthera thera by increasing access to recy(RCE), in partnership with Meadcling - making it more convenient for ows Construction, the Local Governresidents and visitors. ment Council of James’ Cistern and other community members, came together early on Saturday morning, January 15th, 2022 to begin the establishment of a recycling depot in the the township. The initiative, shared RCE President Mrs. Glenda JohnsonIngraham, is to help in reducing the

The process began on the Saturday with the construction of six wooden bins, and the team has scheduled another weekend to continue with getting the bins painted and signs posted as well as beautification of the local area around the recycling

Rotary members with Meadows construction work on bins together. depot.

The project was made possible by a $3,000 grant from the District 7020 group of Rotary International Clubs, and is being coordinated by RCE Service Chair, Mr. Audley Meadows.

President Johnson-Ingraham explained that while the project is being completed, they are also working on signs and posters with educational information about the new depot,

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COVID-19 - Falling Cases and Hospitalizations Bahamas and Eleuthera Figures: Daily cases of COVID-19 reported in the Bahamas in the latter part of January 2022 began to take a downward turn, following the holiday surge that peaked around January 7th, when 818 daily positive cases were reported. Two weeks later, on January 19th, 144 daily positive cases were reported, and by Friday, February 4th, daily positive cases were at 45.

Active positive COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas stood at 7,388 on January 19th, and by February 4th, this number had begun to decrease, standing then at 6,693 active cases in the country.

Hospitalizations which stood at 157 people on January 19th, also steadily decreased in late January, falling by 77 to 80 people in hospital reported on February 4th, 2022.

The country’s death toll on January 13th, 2022 stood at 717 people since the beginning of the pandemic, and sadly, in the three weeks to February 4th, 2022, reported COVID-19 deaths in the country had risen by another 26 people. On February 4th, the total num-

ber of deaths in country from COVID-19 was 753.

In Eleuthera, according to health officials, as of Wednesday, February 3rd, 2022 the total number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 19 across the entire island - a sharp decline since January 12th, when active cases in The Eleutheras stood at 193. The number of people throughout Eleuthera in quarantine on February 3rd, was 56 - down sharply from 281 on January 12th. Also, no COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths were reported on island during this period.

By district in Eleuthera, as of February 3rd, 2022, there were 0 active cases in Harbour Island, 4 in North Eleuthera, 2 in Spanish Wells, 6 in Central Eleuthera, and 7 in South Eleuthera.

There were 0 people in quarantine in Harbour Island, 8 in North Eleuthera, 2 in Spanish Wells, 35 in Central Eleuthera, and 11 in South Eleuthera.

As of February 5th, 2022, health officials reported that 11,672 doses of vaccine had been administered in The Eleutheras, and 5,664 Eleutherans were considered to be fully vaccinated.

Forty-two (42) nurses from the Republic of Cuba officially joined the cadre of healthcare workers at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on Monday 24th January,2022. The nurses who came onboard to assist in the delivery of hospital services and patient care in the face of the impact of the 4th wave of COVID-19 infections on health professionals in the public health system, were received at the hospital’s historic Legacy Entrance. They were met by the Minister of Health & Wellness, the Honourable Dr. Michael Darville along with other officials including PHA Deputy Managing Director Lyrone Burrows, PMH Hospital Administrator Mary Lightbourne-Walker, Principal Nursing Officer (PNO) Charlene Davis, along with other PMH Executives and Nurse Managers. Dr. Lorenzo Sanchez, the Cuban Health Professions Liaison Officer between Cuba and the Government of The Bahamas was also on hand for the nurses’ arrival at PMH. The nurses who began a tenure of three (3) months in the first instance, are deployed to the PMH Emergency Department, the Surgical Department, and to the hospital’s Medical Wards.

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DSE Culmer weighs in on the status of schools in the changing environment “We also have this need for teachers in the Eleuthera district. There are conversations that will need to be had, and I am not sure how prepared communities are for these conversations. We need to find a way to get more teachers in our schools or to be more efficient with the use of the teachers that we have.” for the Eleuthera District, Mr. Michael Culmer, during an interview, updated on the status of schools on the island with reference to the preparations for the reopening, repairs, teacher levels, missing students, exams, and expectations for parents during the upcoming year.

DSE Mr. Michael Culmer.

As the month of January came to a close, and students had experienced their very first week back in the classrooms, since hybrid instruction ended ahead of the summer break in 2021, District Superintendent of Education (DSE)

Repairs: In the run up to the January 24th reopening date for schools across The Bahamas, readying the physical plant for the return of students was fast-tracked.

Some of the minor school repairs had not been done, said Mr. Culmer. “We’ve had to identify contractors. They’ve had to get their documentation in place. As we speak, contractors have been mobilized and they’ve gone to work. There is going to be very little interference to the delivery of quality education while those repairs are going on. What we have got-

ten our contractors to agree to is working around the academic schedule. So our students will not be disadvantaged by noise, or even running the risk of having others who would not normally be on campus, on campus, because we are still in the middle of the health and safety protocols. All the contractors have agreed to work with the schools.

Repairs, he described, were minor, like window louvers, doors replacements, some plumbing, one school replacing a portion of roof for their porch - with work being done over a weekend, also installing toilets, basin repairs, door frames, painting and othP30

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Proportional Representation in elections – key to democratic representation

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own) The second consecutive general elections in Barbados on January 19, at which Mia Mottley’s Barbados Labour Party (BLP) won all 30 seats in the House of Representatives, were hailed as historic. They certainly were

for Barbados, but not for the Englishspeaking sub-region of the Caribbean.

The New National Party (NNP) of Dr Keith Mitchell achieved this feat three times in Grenada. Under the system of constituency divisions and first-past-the-post, which also exists in Barbados, the NNP won all 15-seats in 1999, 2013 and 2018.

Winning all the seats in both Grenada and Barbados left opposition political parties without representation in the legislature, and, therefore, unable to question the laws being proposed or the policies bring pursued by the governing political party. Thus, an important check on the actions of the ruling party does not exist.

Usually in the liberal democratic system which English-speaking Caribbean countries inherited from the British, there is a separation of the powers of the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary: the legislature makes the laws; the executive puts the laws into operation; and the judiciary interprets the laws. The powers and functions of each are separate and are expected to be carried out by separate personnel - in the case of the legislature, by elected representatives of governing and opposition parties. The theory is that power, so divided, should prevent the exercise of absolute power by a

single group.

In Grenada and Barbados, since the executive and the legislature are both fully controlled by the ruling political party, notwithstanding Senates comprising a majority or persons appointed by the leader of the governing political party, the executive and the legislature are effectively not separated.

However, these conditions have arisen in Grenada and Barbados as a result of democratic elections in which the majority of the electorate decided who should govern their affairs. There was no question that the five elections in both countries were free, fair and transparent. Subsequently, the results reflected the desire of the majority of the electorate not to install a political party in which they had no confidence or trust.

When these circumstances occur, particularly in small countries such as Grenada and Barbados, checks and balances fall primarily on an independent judiciary which is the custodian of the rights set out in national constitutions. In Barbados and Grenada, the independence of their Courts from the political system is not in question. The Barbados Courts and its highest court of Appeal, the Caribbean Court of Justice, are as independent as the Eastern Caribbean Courts and the British Privy Council which serve Grenada.

But the day-to-day vigilance relies more particularly on a free and vigilant media – these days the social media platforms on which information, commentaries and views are widely shared, whether or not they are accurate.

Governing parties, wishing to be re-elected, follow the criticisms on these unbridled social media platforms carefully.

Notwithstanding, the role of the judiciary and the media – both traditional and social – as checks on ruling political parties with no elected oppositions, the question arises as to whether the electoral system of multiple constituencies and first-pastthe-poll should not now be changed constitutionally to always allow for an elected opposition.

It is universally accepted in Caribbean countries that candidates for elections have less appeal than political parties and their leaders. Electors vote for the party and leader they believe could best serve them and the country.

It is only in exceptional circumstances that an outstanding candidate could win a constituency where the majority reject the party and leader concerned.

Further, in small countries, divisions between communities in terms of their needs, aspirations and interests have dissolved with modern road

transportation, instant telecommunications, and shared expectations.

With the disappearance of these divisions, the electorate votes less for individual candidates and much more for parties and their leaders.

If these two realities are recognised, perhaps the time has come to consider a change of the electoral system to one of proportional representation in which the entire country becomes one constituency to elect contending parties to the House of Representatives. This system would be guaranteed to elect both a ruling party and its leader as well as opposition parties in accordance with the proportion of votes they receive. Each of the party leaders would submit, in advance of the elections, names that would serve in the House of Representatives or National Assembly.

Had such a system been in place in Barbados for the 2020 general elections, based on preliminary published results, the BLP would have won 21 seats in the 30-member Assembly (roughly 71% of the vote) with Mia Mottley as Prime Minister as the majority of the electorate clearly intended; and the Democratic Labour Party would have won 9 seats (28%).

The majority of the electorate would still choose the leader and governing party they prefer, but the minority would have a voice in the national legislature and the leader of the opposition would exist with all the rights, duties and obligations which the Constitution of the nation confers upon that office.

In Guyana, the only Englishspeaking Caribbean country in which the British changed the electoral system to proportional representation, elections return representatives of several political parties, giving the governing party a majority in Parliament and ensuring opposition representation.

Electoral reform in the Englishspeaking Caribbean has been discussed for decades without any attempt to reform the Constitution to make it possible. Now that many countries are again considering constitutional reform in the context of changing from Monarchical to Republican status, perhaps it is also time to consult the people of these countries on reforming the electoral system to ensure that all votes result in representation in Parliament as government and opposition.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders. com Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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WHAT IS YOUR PROPERTY WORTH? People need to learn the value of their property for various reasons.

It may be for selling purposes or for insurance for the building(s) and other physical improvements.

How a property is valued for sale may be a mystery to many. It’s not unusual for a property owner to pull a figure out of thin air without any regard for its realistic value when he decides he wants to sell.

He has an emotional attachment to it and sees big pluses that no one else does. This is when it is helpful to contact an Appraiser whose job is to compare the owner’s property with others which have sold and are presently on the market.

The comparable homes should be as similar in as many ways as possible to the property being valued.

You cannot compare a well- built 5-bedroom home on a hill in excellent condition with sea views with a 5-bedroom home in poor condition in a rundown location.

The Appraiser will consider the differences in the sold properties when compared to the property he is valuing.

He will factor in the differences and then arrive at a price that, in his opinion, is the most likely price the property will

sell for.

You want your home priced right, otherwise it will linger on the market for sale and become a “stale” listing.

Potential buyers will think there is something wrong since the property has been for sale for a long period. Properties are “hottest” when they are first put up for sale if they are priced right. Often your first offer may be the best one you will get.

Many people think that since they have a quick first offer that higher offers are around the corner. This is not always the case.

Valuing

for Insurance

When valuing for insurance purposes, the criterion is simple.

If you have a fire or have hurricane damage, you want to be able to restore the building(s) and improvements to their original condition.

Often builders or quantity surveyors are asked to assist in determining the value of the assets to be insured.

Issues arise when there is partial damage and the owner and the assessor are often at odds as to the value of the damage done.

It is imperative that you insure for the

correct amount. If you under insure you will not collect the full amount for which you have the property insured.

For example, and I will keep it simple, let’s assume you have a $200,000 building and you insure it for $100,000.

You have a fire that does $100,000 worth of damage. You will not collect $100,000 from the insurance company. You will collect $50,000.

Why is that? Simple. By insuring the building for half of what it is worth you have taken half the risk yourself.

Income Property

You may want to sell an income property which generally means there are more than one income sources from a particular property, i.e. for example, a duplex or triplex.

The value of these properties is determined by the potential net income, but the condition of the property, location, etc. obviously also is a factor.

Single family homes are also in higher demand where they can be used as airbnb rentals. This can be a very lucrative proposition in many areas.

Therein lies a story for another day.

By Mike Lightbourn Questions or comments?

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

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Deciding to Love Wearing Your Heart On Your Sleeve Teri M. Bethel February is here, and love is in the air! Social media is brimming with tales of love, tributes, photos of smiling faces, coupled with exotic plates of food—many are sincere while others compete for their claim to fame with the pics when they are not even on speaking terms with their spouse.

Love is wonderful, and it can stir up a host of emotions if you let it. After years of marriage, some people do the opposite of what William Shakespeare penned in his play Othello in 1604, about “wearing your heart on your sleeve.” Instead, their love is buried like a national treasure.

Interestingly enough, although no hard facts were found to base the origin of this claim, this phrase was supposedly popular at a time when jousting matches were the order of the day. According to the Mirriam Webster dictionary, “in the Middle Ages, sleeve not only referred to a part of a garment covering the arm but to a piece of armor for covering and protecting the arm. When participating in a joust, knights would often dedicate their performance to a lady of the court and wear something of hers, such as a scarf or ribbon, around their sleeve of armor, which indicated to the tournament’s spectators which lady the knight favored. This chivalrous and affectionate gesture may be the source of the saying wear your heart on your sleeve.” Today, in our social media era, the display is often for the public’s attention rather than their mates. On the flip side of open displays of affection are the lows of abandonment rather than the highs of intimacy. Instead of feeling captivated by love, couples losing their spark feel like they’re being held captive in a loveless, lifeless relationship.

How easy it seems to lose touch with the fire that drove you to each other. Rather than the sparks of excitement when you see your spouse, many times, it’s a spark ready to ignite a full-blown argument. Perhaps it’s a good time of the year to reflect on what you once had and fan those flames of passion and friendship. To do so, it will take more than a Facebook announcement, a box of chocolates, a card, or a dinner on the town,

but that’s not a bad place to start. You see, love runs deeper than gifts, but when you know your spouse’s love language, you are that much closer to winning their hearts all over again if your relationship has gone flat. Loving your mate is not usually the challenge. Love is more of a decision than it is a feeling. When you love someone, you can experience emotions as high as the mountains and as low as the valleys, but your decision to commit and stay the course will help keep you on course. Most people are not challenged with the loving part; it’s the liking. They have lost touch with the things that really matter in their marriage—friendship, communication, laughter, trust, and so on. When this happens, it’s easy to fall prey to a dryness that can suck the very life out of your relationship. For some, it may look like you’re consumed with work, when in fact, you are stuffing everything into the thing you may feel is most rewarding. Of course, this scenario only drives a deeper wedge between the affected couples.

Should you give more or less of yourself?

It may be time to assess your situation if you are the spouse expecting more but giving less. While your concerns may be legitimate and accurate, try to see things from your spouse’s perspective. Sometimes it’s not in the withholding of your love or friendship that gets your mate’s attention to change their course. Quite often, it’s the opposite—it’s giving more, being kind, not retaliating, being a better listener, appreciating the good or the positive in them, and vocalizing it. It’s incredible how many people gripe about their spouses without taking the time to enjoy them or any positive thing about their marriage.

Gentlemen, ladies want to be heard and need to know that you are engaged in the conversation by listening without the dazed look of utter boredom in your eyes. This means giving her your sincere undivided attention, not reading the paper, watching tv, texting, or any of the sort while she’s trying to talk to you. Then at the ap-

propriate time, to speak or add to the conversation in a non-condescending way racks up points for you. You’ll be amazed at how special you make her feel, and just as a bonus, she’ll give you what you need…unfettered. Ladies, allowing your husband to bare his heart shows that you care about his feelings, and though you may disagree, you have allowed him to share his thoughts for a cordial discussion.

When speaking with a man, this simple gesture along with watching your tone and body language, is a mark of respect. If respect is lost, there is a communication breakdown, and a wall erected so high a skillful climber can not pull you over it.

An unkind word spoken to a spouse can send them reeling, but truth spoken in love is like sucking a lollipop after drinking bitters. It just helps to diffuse the awkward taste. Even when dealing with negative issues, don’t forget to highlight the good you see and appreciate in your mate. Many spouses focus on the 10 or maybe 25% of the negativity encountered and forget about stressing the 75 or 90% good.

It’s so much easier to deal with the shortcomings in your relationship when you realize you have no power to change anyone other than yourself and are prepared to do what you need to make the necessary adjustments.

Also helpful is recognizing that your peace, joy, and happiness should never be dependent on someone else.

The if he did this, or she did that, chatter is often an excuse not to take responsibility for your own life. If your spouse is a sad sack, show them by example that you are not by becoming the best version of you. How wise is it to put your existence in the hand of a mere mortal when you can lean on the wisdom of the one who made you?

A bout

the

The What Ifs Though men and women handle rejection differently, they both have feelings and experience pain. While women may be quicker at vocally expressing themselves, they often brood and fester if the situation is not dealt with immediately. Men on the other hand, may swallow the hurt. Though nothing may be said right away, their discomfort can brood like an ulcer eating from the inside out until they give way to the inner turmoil. Too many couples who had salvageable marriages often rehearse the “what if” thoughts in their minds. Could they have done better? What if they had tried harder? What if they had never forced the relationship in the first place?

One of some spouses’ main regrets after losing their loved one by divorce or even death is not appreciating them more or taking their presence and relationship for granted. The things that once irritated them become the thing they miss the most. Like the “Honey, when are you coming home?” or the “Can we spend time together as a family?” calls. Now, walking through the door and not sharing an evening meal with them can, in some cases, never happen again. Another regret is not taking the time to say, “I love you” or “thank you for another delicious meal” and mean it. Others lament the wasted time arguing and staying angry for days when that time could have been used to enjoy each other’s company and creating unforgettable memories together.

So, this Valentine’s, why not starve regrets and put to rest the what if’s by truly celebrating your spouse. Not for a photo or a day, but by loving the one you’re with and making it a genuine relationship filled with love and laughter for life. Now that’s wearing your love on your sleeve!

A uthor :

Teri M. Bethel is a publisher and author of relationship enrichment books, Bahamian-inspired romance, and adventure novels for children that share our island’s history and culture. Her books are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera, New Providence, and Amazon.com. Teri and her husband have two adult sons. Website: www.inspirepublishing.com

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Ask the Doctor!

Is fasting beneficial for weight loss?

Fasting is great medicine for your body and mind.

Your body has its own innate healing system, which is way more powerful than any drug ever made and can reverse almost any disease if we know how to activate it.

Fasting has been around for thousands of years. It is an ancient healing system that helps our bodies recycle and rebuild old, damaged cells, increase healthy hormones and disease fighting antioxidants, and ultimately is most effective at slowing and even reversing aging. It is also very effective for weight loss, cancer prevention and treatment, autoimmune disorders, and many other illnesses.

Adopt a regular weekly or monthly fasting routine including intermittent fasting or even the Daniel fast for a healthier, happier, more youthful YOU.

By Dr. Arlington Lightbourne, Bahamas Wellness Medical Center

Quotable Corner •

“The Bahamas’ standing in the international community was also challenged over the last four years. The former administration initiated a discriminatory travel ban against our sister island Haiti, with no probable cause or justification for doing so.

We abandoned the age-old principle of non-interference by the Bahamas in the Internal Affairs of Sovereign States, rejected the consensus of the CARICOM community and did little to bolster diplomatic relations with our friends and allies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges these issues and now commits itself to restoring the reputation and prominence of the Bahamas in the international community, rebuilding, retooling, and developing our foreign service, attracting new trade and investments to our shores while forging new relationships in the best interest of the Bahamian people.” - January 25th, 2022 - (Senator the Honorable Randy Rolle - Government Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs in the Bahamas Senate)

•

“We have to guard against personalizing our institutions... The Head of any Institution is a person, but the institution is not a person -- people come, people go, but the institution stands firm. There is a certain level of respect that has to be accorded to our national institutions... Good governance cannot be attained until the instruments necessary to ensure good governance are put in place... A Bill for the independence of the Parliament was drafted during the last Session; a Bill for the independence of the Judiciary was Tabled in the last Session. Both the Speaker and the Chief Justice were clamoring for what the Constitution envisioned. The exclusive independence of each of the three branches of government is a logical step.” - January 26th, 2022 - (Bahamas Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Hon. Myles LaRoda)

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“There are also other areas where land and the rights to land have impacted Bahamian citizens and residents. One of those areas is the disturbing issue of beach access, particularly in New Providence. The stance of this administration is clear – we believe that Bahamians should have simple and easily identifiable access to beaches. Public beaches are our birth right. And while we pledge to work with developers for the most favourable outcomes for their projects, Bahamians must not be side-lined and denied access to our most beautiful beaches as we develop our country. We plan to be proactive in our approach as a government... I have already asked local government town planning committees in Exuma to undertake an exercise to identify appropriate beach accesses across the island. I would encourage all local councils to do so, and I encourage all MPs, especially those who represent the Family Islands to do so as well, if they have not already. Insofar as protecting Bahamians’ right to access beaches and the ocean, our administration will do what it has to, inclusive of land acquisitions, to preserve this right.”

- February 2, 2022 - (Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper)

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BREEF and The Island School Now Accepting Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars (BESS)

Promise Russell at BREEF with Coral out-plants.

During a year and a half of schools in online or hybrid learning and a world shaped by the COVID 19 pandemic, Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars have been em-

bracing outdoor learning and scientific research. The BESS programme, a partnership between the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and the Cape

Eleuthera Island School (The Island School), fosters the next generation of environmental leaders in The Bahamas and inspires new ways of learning. This GAP year programme consists of a four-month paid internship with BREEF and a life-changing semester at The Island School with full and partial need-based scholarships. Applicants must be 15-18 years old, Bahamian or eligible for Bahamian citizenship and fully vaccinated against Covid 19. BREEF is now accepting BESS applications for the 2022-2023 school year.

During The Island School Semester, scholars challenge themselves academically, emotionally and physically. They receive their SCUBA certification, work alongside professionals in leading environmental research, and complete a half marathon or a 4-mile open ocean swim. Scholars build lifelong friendships with students from around the world during their Semester and lead by example, sharing histories and cultures of The

Abigail Rolle and Heather Brockbank.

Bahamas.

During the BREEF internship experience, BESS scholars learn about marine conservation and garner experience with a variety of partner organiP33

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CEHS 7th Graders - Sohan Bryan & Tamia Knowles

claim the top two spots in the 2022 Eleuthera District Spelling Bee

Above (L-R): Tamia Knowles - 2nd, Sohan Bryan - 1st, Wes Underwood - 3rd.

Organizers of the 2022 Eleuthera District Inter-School Spelling Bee competition - which

took place on Thursday morning, February 3rd, 2022 - got creative this year with the location of the

event, hosting it at the well appointed Farmer’s Market facility at One Eleuthera’s Center for Training and Innovation (CTI). The building, which was converted in recent years to facilitate local vendors in an open-air space, but still protected from the elements, was perfect for hosting the Bee - allowing for safe physical distancing, in a covered open-air environment.

Six schools participated in the annual spelling competition (which allows students from grades 4 through 8 to take part), with twelve students vying for the opportunity to represent Eleuthera at the National Spelling Bee, scheduled to take place on March 3rd, 2022 in New Providence.

The young competitors, many of whom had already won intra-school spelling competitions for the opportunity to represent their schools on Thursday, included:

• • • • • •

Robin Smith, 13-year old 8th grader from the Harbour Island Green School; Wes Underwood, 12-year old 7th grade student from Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School; Amari Hall, 11-year old 7th grader from the Harbour Island Green School; Violet Russell, 12-year old 8th grader from Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School; Josiah Cartwright, 10-year old 6th grader from Laura L. Anderson Primary School; Sohan Bryan, 11-year old 7th grader from Central Eleuthera High School; P32

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Hartie Johnson (75) BY elizabEth bryan

Jan/Feb, 2022

- An Eleutheran Profile

2021 Bahamas National Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and tennis aficionado extraordinaire, Mr. Hartie ‘Artie’ Johnson, at the age of 75, is still actively passing on his love of the sport to generations of young and ‘young at heart’ Eleutherans. Hospitality is another passion for him, with years spent honing his culinary and management skills, working his way from bus boy to a chef and a manager in the industry - a career that would take him from the capital to the second city, and to a number of family islands, including Eleuthera, where his heart never left. During his birthday month, in November of 2021, a few weeks before his induction, Mr. Johnson sat down with The Eleutheran and recounted some of his life’s journey.

Early years and Community Life: Hartie Johnson was born in Big Hill, James’ Cistern (JC) on November 19th, in 1946 to James Johnson and Cora Johnson (nee Ferguson). He grew up with six siblings - three brothers and three sisters (Four of whom are now deceased said Hartie, remaining are his brother Hilton and his sister Julia). “Growing up in JC, my father did construction, and my mother never worked outside of the home. They also did a lot of farming, and all the kids also went to the farm. Sometimes we would go

Hartie Johnson (right), during his formal induction into the Bahamas National Sports Hall of Fame, stands with Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mario Bowleg (left) and Governor General, Sir Cornelius Smith (center). before school in the morning, then go to school - and after school, we would go back to the farm, before going back home,” said Hartie, sharing some of his early memories.

“During those years, they also had the Naval Base, and a lot of softball was being played. I would have to do my chores before I could go to sports. My grandfather was also the pastor in the Zion Baptist Church, so before I would go to sports on Sunday, I had to go to church and give out the books and clean the church. Some of the guys would ‘jump on me’ because I couldn’t leave. They would leave early, because they didn’t have to go to church, but I had to go to church - come back home, then go to softball. Sports was a big thing in JC,” he said smiling.

As bygone days flowed back, Hartie continued, “We had a lot of fun at the ocean hole in JC - we used to dive into that almost every day. Then we used to go to the pond to rake salt - and you would put it on the rock to dry. When it got to a certain dryness, you would put it in a crocus sack and put it on your head and you would bring it home. And salt takes forever to dry, so by the time we got home we would have salt over our faces and everywhere. It was fun though, because after that everybody would go in the sea and swim.

Those days were good.

“During that time there was no running water. So, before we went to school, we had to go to the well, and bring enough water home for mom to wash and to carry her through the day, with all her cleaning. Then after school we would have to go and get water again. One set would go and get water, and another set would go and get wood. We only used the oil stove when the weather was bad. Most of the cooking was outdoors (Hartie smiled as he recalled and said wistfully that he had only just taken down his mom’s outside oven a year earlier). That was the best bread in the world. She knew how to time it, and how much fire to take out. That bread used to be golden brown. Good memories,” said Hartie.

He went on to describe the special programs put on during Easter and Christmas, saying that as children they would practice for a number of weeks, with songs and recitations. Then there were other celebrations. “When somebody in JC was getting married, we used to have jumping-dance like a month before the wedding - pre-wedding celebrations. We also called it ring play.

Everybody would get a dance in the ring for about two minutes, then you would go to someone else and touch or tag them. Then they would come in the ring dancing and you P19 would go out. That was a lot of fun too. But you know with all of that - you still had to be home before 9pm,” he laughed, add-

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ing, “We had curfew long time.

We also had boy’s brigade, I think it used to be on Wednesday evenings - and you would go to church in your brigade uniform on occasions. I was a squad leader - one of the officers in the boy’s brigade in JC. Irving Johnson was the captain, and after I left home, Mr. Henry White became the captain. He along with Robert Johnson and Calson Johnson took over the leadership,” Mr. Johnson shared.

School: “I went to school in JC, which at the time only went up to grade six.

It was in the same building where they have the JC Primary School now.

There was no high school, so I finished up school later on in Nassau, doing high school classes at night,” Hartie explained, and continued, “My teacher in the All-Age school in JC was a Mr. Fritz Campbell from Cat Island. He was a very strict teacher and a very good teacher. I became one of his favorites, because I was always hungry for education. The school was not big, so sometimes we would go and have classes under the tree and do things like mental arithmetic. We were asked questions, and you would work it out in your head - no pencils, no computers. The more questions you got right; you would go to the head of the class. Then if you got one wrong, someone would overtake you - you had to be thinking. It was fun, and it was on the outside too. Every class used to have one of those sessions outside. After Mr. Campbell left, then Mr. Terrance Albury came. He was from Lower Bogue. When he came, that’s when softball really took off in JC… I was

Young tennis student, Azaria Bethel, with Coach Hartie ‘Artie’ Johnson. about 12/13 then.”

Career: Recounting how and where he got his start after having to leave school, Hartie shared, “You know I didn’t stay in JC very long after I finished school - I left. Many of my friends worked to the Naval Base, but my parents insisted that I get a trade. So, I went to Nassau... My oldest sister didn’t go off, but my other two sisters (Ethel and Vernie) - as soon as they left school, they moved to Miami with one of my aunts to do high school and college. They were the only two who got a college education...

My oldest brother was in Nassau at the time I went down. That was when they were building the Bacardi factory. So, I went straight on the job, and I learned carpentry, and I worked all over Nassau... I was about sixteen when I left home to go to Nassau, and I lived with my aunt and my brother...

“Several years later, the company I worked for then, ‘Ringles Construction’ company, with foreman Walter Thompson - they had the contract for the Colony Room at the Nassau Beach Hotel - which was destroyed by fire, and our company went to renovate it. When we had gotten through repairing it, I had met some friends there working at Nassau Beach. They would bring me pancakes and sausages and bacon and eggs, and I said ‘boy this is a good life’. So, after the job was completed - I was about twenty years-old then, I applied for a bus-boy job at the Nassau Beach Hotel.

I liked the atmosphere of being in the dining room and dealing with the tourists. I learned so fast that within six months I was promoted to a waiter. I was there for several years before returning home to Eleuthera.

“When I came back to Eleuthera - I was about twenty-four - my sister Ethel was working at Barclays Bank, and her colleague’s husband, Mr.

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National Sports Hall of Fame Honourees for 2020 and 2021 during the formal ceremony recognizing the new inductees on November 19th, 2021.

Profile

Timmy Mingo (Fred Mingo’s brother), was the bar manager at French Leave.

So, my sister enquired, and I was given a job there at French Leave, working along with guys like Mike Sands, Lucky and Lebron Bethel, Joe Rolle, Billy Micklewhite, Maitland Bethel - all of us. I worked there for about two years - then in 1972, I headed off to Freeport.

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“My oldest brother, Basil Johnson, who I had lived with in Nassau, had moved to Freeport. When I got there, he was working as the Chief of Security at the King’s Inn (located right opposite the International Bazaar back then).

My first job was raking the sand traps on the golf course there at the King’s Inn. They had two of them, the Ruby and the Emerald golf courses, and that’s when I started to play golf - for free.

“I was still working with the King’s Inn when they changed their name to The Bahama Princess. After I left the golf course, my brother hooked me up as I had been a waiter in Nassau. So, when a position became available, I got a job in the main dining room, called The Palm Pavilion. I was then transferred to the Rib Room, which was a gourmet restaurant - and everything happened after that. I became a captain, then assistant maître d’. Every year that I was there at the Bahama Princess, the management would have professionals from every department of the hotel do training with the employees during the slower summer periods. I went to all the seminars, for both back and front of house - learning the ins and outs of hotel and restaurant operations. And while others just did waiting, I was learning to cook. I spent many years there.”

At the age of 40, Hartie settled down back home and tied the knot - and also spent time working on several other islands. He shared, “I left Freeport in 1986, and returned home to Eleuthera and got married to my wife Eulene. We had two children together - Tavares and Elgin, and her two previous children are also my adopted children - Elliott and Driskell.

“After returning home, I ran Kohinoor Restaurant as the chef. It was owned

by Butch Johnson at the time in Oceanview at German village, opposite Banana Beach. I was there for about three years. At the time it was the only gourmet restaurant on Eleuthera... After Kohinoor closed, I was recruited by the Bahamas Hotel Corporation to be the Food and Beverage manager at the Winding Bay Hotel in Tarpum Bay. I worked there with a former colleague from the Nassau Beach Hotel, Mr. Henry Ferguson. I enjoyed it there. I would take people out on the boat, biking - and was also the lead singer in the band, with Thurston Butler from Waterford. We did a lot of activities up there, and I was there for about five years.”

Hartie continued, “Following that, I worked with Mr. Addison Cooper at Unique Village. I was there for two years, before being offered a Food and Beverage manager position by the Bahamas Hotel Corporation at the Lighthouse Club in Central Andros. I was then in Andros for about two years. I remember the biggest client base at that property were people from the US operation AUTEC. I then went to Abaco at the Great Abaco Beach Inn, again as Food and Beverage manager for a year, before returning to the Lighthouse Beach Club in Andros. This time I was there for another two years before moving back to Eleuthera, where I again did some construction. At that time, I was divorced.”

Hartie was back in Eleuthera for a short time he said, when he got a call from a Mr. Brian Hugh, who he had met as a client in Andros at the Lighthouse Beach Club. Hugh had just bought Kamalame Cay, off Staniard Creek, Andros. “He enticed me,” chuckled Hartie, “saying that he also had a tennis court, and I went over for an interview.” Hartie then worked at Kamalame Cay as both Food and Beverage manager and Chef for another four years, before making his final move back to Eleuthera, and retirement from the hospitality industry.

Tennis Life: Tennis began for Hartie while he was in Grand Bahama, he detailed, saying, “During all of my years working away from Eleuthera, from Kamalame Cay back to the days in Grand Bahama, I would always take my vacations and come home and do tennis clinics. I was introduced to tennis when one of my sisters got married in the early 70’s - someone bought her and her husband a set of tennis racquets. They [the racquets] were P21 sitting for about a year unused. So, one day [Hartie was working at the Bahama Princess in Grand Bahama then] I took one up

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and went on a tennis court [at The Lucaya Country Club] and I was out there hitting some balls, and my friend, Mr. Larry Rolle - the tennis pro there - he said, ‘you look good, but let me show you how’, and he started giving me lessons. After that I began playing several times a week with Larry - just casually. I didn’t take it seriously until I moved back to Eleuthera [in 1986] and started playing with partners, like Glen, Edwin, Doyle, Sammy, and Dan [Davies]. We would play at Windermere, and after I started playing, I began to teach my kids. When I first came back home, there was no such thing as a junior tennis program. Their friends wanted to come, and I started teaching like that.”

One of Hartie’s tennis partners, Dan Davies, after seeing him working with the kids, called him about a course being held - a certification for USPTR (US Professional Tennis Registry) in Freeport - and offered to cover the cost of the trip. “He paid my way to Freeport, and put me up in a hotel for the whole weekend. I really appreciated that,” said Hartie.

“When I came back, I started taking on more kids.

“I then got a call from Mary Shelly, president of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) about two years later, and she said that the ITF (International Tennis Federation) was coming to The Bahamas to certify coaches. So, myself and Kevin Carey from Eleuthera took up the invitation to attend the course.” Hartie said he then began to spend even more time teaching tennis in Eleuthera.

He volunteered to teach tennis in the public schools, and at Windermere high school, and introduced students to competitive tennis by carrying them to tennis tournaments in both Nassau and Freeport. A number of his students, said Hartie, rose to be among the top ten junior players in the Bahamas. Two of them received scholarships to universities in the United States - including Joshua Turnquest who played for the university

Students at the Youth Summer Tennis camp founded by Hartie Johnson. of Albany in Texas, ranking # 1 in Texas, and # 16 in the USA at the time.

In 2002, Hartie started the ‘Artie’ Johnson All Eleuthera Youth Summer Tennis camp, hosting kids from throughout the island of Eleuthera. For the next 20 years, his free summer camp would expose an average 40 children per day for 10 days each year to the sport of tennis. He explained, “While there is no cost for the camp, the children are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the senior citizens in the community, as part of the program called “TENNIS FOR HUNGER”.

So, they not only learn tennis, but they also learn how to be good community citizens by giving back. This charity component to the camp has become the core of the tennis program, bringing together the youth and seniors of the island.”

In 2008, Hartie was asked to be the Bahamas National coach and to escort a team to Antigua to play in the ITF under-12 junior tournament. The team rose to the occasion, he said, and were runners up. Two years later he was asked to take a team to Curacao for another ITF under-12 junior tournament, and again in 2012, for the under-14 boys and girls junior tournament in Trinidad. The under-14 event resulted in gold for the boys, and the girls, said Hartie, also had a good showing. In 2016, he took yet another set of boys and girls to compete, this time to El Salvador.

Hartie was called up by the BLTA again in 2018 to coach another team, but the timing clashed, he said with his summer camp that year, which was happening during the same period.

Mr. Johnson was specially honoured for his years of dedication to the sport of tennis with his induction into the National Sports Hall of Fame - Class of 2021 during the month of November. He along with a number of other outstanding Bahamians in sport were recognized at a formal National Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held at Baha Mar Resort, on Friday, November 19th, 2021 - which also happened to be Hartie’s 75th birthday.

‘Coach’ Johnson, at the age of 75, is still actively involved in tennis on the island of Eleuthera today, where he heads up an ongoing after-school tennis program in Central Eleuthera on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and teaches tennis on Harbour Island on Friday and Saturdays. He is also the resident tennis pro on Windermere Island. Hartie has also hosted an annual Doubles Tournament, called the Tim’s Refrigeration Eleuthera Doubles tournament for the past 14 years.

‘Artie’ Johnson All Eleuthera Youth Summer Tennis camp participants and volunteers.

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Jan/Feb, 2022

BAMSI JOINS FORCES WITH ANDROSIAN ENTREPRENEURS

- EXPLORES THE ORGANIC LIVESTOCK MARKET IN A BID TO

INCREASE COUNTRY’S FOOD SECURITY

security, Mr. Dean said one of the reasons he was interested in working with BAMSI was that he recognized in the Institute’s leadership a strong commitment to food security and a willingness to tap into feed production technology that is right at their fingertips.

Pictured (L-R): Terrico Dean, Co-Owner of Organic Solar, Alaasis Braynen, General Manager, BAMSI; Executive Chairman of BAMSI, Tyrel Young, and Cerone Dean, Co-Owner of Organic Solar.

Nassau, Bahamas, January 26th, 2022: THE Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science institute (BAMSI) during the final week of January 2022 embarked on a new phase of animal feed production. The Institute signed a contract with Organic Solar, an Androsbased livestock feed company that also grows micro greens. With the contract signing, owners and brothers Cerone Dean

Now Open

10am to 5pm Mon. to Fri.

and Terrico Dean, young Bahamian entrepreneurs, look to merge their passion for agriculture with a path for Bahamians to access healthy, organic, locally grown livestock and produce.

Executive Chairman of BAMSI Tyrel Young said the long-term goal of the partnership between BAMSI and Organic Solar is to boost food security for the nation by ultimately expanding access to organically grown foods to communities that have traditionally been left out of the niche market. The collaboration would also allow the two to engage in research and study to help formulate best practices in terms of feed for livestock farmers.

Mr. Young said he was happy to work with the Dean brothers and he was impressed with the fact that the feed is all organic, which would in turn mean organically grown animals and organically produced crops.

“It’s vital to our overall health… what we put into our bodies; it starts from as simple as the feed for the animals. If you feed them organic obviously you will have a betterquality meat at the end of the cycle. One of the things that we are eager to see with this program is the study of it. This is all part of BAMSI’s research and study program for animal feed so we could get the best feed possible and the formulation could be something that we could carry on for generations to come,” he said.

As a farmer with a keen interest in food

Touching on the benefits of producing quality animal feed, Mr. Dean said a significant percentage of the health problems seen in Bahamian society stem from poor agricultural practices and the consumption of those improperly produced crops and poorly fed livestock. This is where Organic Solar comes in and is able to make a difference, he indicated.

“What technology like this (Organic Solar) does is, it allows farmers to produce high-quality, grassfed meat from as small as chickens to as large as cows, thus saturating a niche market just enough so that not only the average farmer but all Bahamians can be able to purchase high-quality grass-fed food.”

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Bahamas and UAE Sign MOU with

Focus on Tourism

Bahamas and UAE sign MOU. Pictured above: Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Frederick Mitchell with Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Emirates, on January 21st, 2022, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Service of The Bahamas to explore joint initiatives to promote tourism to the island nation, said a Bahamas government release.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive and the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, The Bahamas at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Also present at the meeting were Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer; Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior VP Commercial Operations for the Americas; and HE Tony Joudi, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the UAE. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Across the world, Emirates plays a key role in boosting tourism to various destinations by providing travellers with reliable, convenient and comfortable flight options for travel. We are delighted to work with The Bahamas to strengthen transport links and to support the country to welcome tourists from around the world. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

The Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, The Bahamas, said: “We are happy to be working together with Emirates to promote The Bahamas as a destination of choice for travellers from across the world. The Bahamas is truly an unmatched destination offering

a wide variety of leisure experiences that can appeal to every visitor. We are grateful to the support offered by Emirates and we look forward to welcoming tourists from the UAE and other global markets to The Bahamas.”

Spread across 16 major islands and boasting more than 100,000 sq. miles of the world’s clearest ocean, The Bahamas is one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in the Caribbean offering a rich mix of leisure and cultural activities for visitors.

The release further stated, “Through the MoU, Emirates will develop initiatives to promote The Bahamas as a tourism destination to customers across its global network, including developing enhanced connectivity to Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) from American gateways through its codeshare and interline partners.

“Additionally, through its tour operating arm Emirates Holidays, the airline is also making available to customers and its travel retail partners across its markets, a range of travel packages including hotels and flights to The Bahamas.

“Currently Emirates customers can connect to Nassau airport on codeshare flights with JetBlue from four major US airports including Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK) and Orlando (MCO). Customers can also opt to fly through Toronto on interline flights with Air Canada to Nassau and George Town. Emirates operates a modern fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft to a network of more than 120 destinations across six continents.”

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CONS E R VAT I ON CORNER

Jan/Feb, 2022

Nine (9) Ideas for Simple & Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions As we move through this year many of us are looking for easy ecofriendly habits to work into everyday life. These nine simple resolutions can go hand in hand with other goals like saving money, prioritizing health and wellness, and being a responsible community member.

Making a few easy adjustments to our typical routines can have a big impact on our communities, environment and the world around us.

1. Reduce Food Waste - Millions of pounds of food are landfilled every year. When food waste is sent to a landfill, it decomposes and releases methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) which contributes to climate change events such as rising sealevels and intense hurricanes.

By planning in advance, you can estimate how much food you really need and reduce the amount generated as waste.

Only make what you will need and make sure to save leftovers and compost your food scraps!

At The Island School all our food waste is repurposed to feed the pigs or brought to our compost heap which helps enrich soil in the farm 2. Start a Garden and Compost Heap - Any inedible food scraps like banana peels, coffee grounds, and even eggshells are still full of nutrients that can be returned to the soil. Set up a simple compost heap in your yard and use it to start a garden with your family or plant an edible native tree in your neighborhood. Our farm team uses the compost we create on campus

Elite

to help grow food for the dining hall.

3. Eat your Veggies - Many people make resolutions to eat healthier, and vegetables require much less water, land, and energy to produce and transport. Meat production is a large driver of climate change, and eating less meat and incorporating more vegetables into your diet is one of the more impactful personal choices individuals can make to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their physical health.

We are able to grow and source a wide variety of vegetables on the island - from radish, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and so much more!

4. Shop Organic - Shop organic when you can! Organic farming practices have many benefits for human and environmental health such as conserving water, reducing soil erosion, recycling of nutrients back into the soil and increasing soil fertility with composting. Organic food production systems are also better for nearby ecosystems as they use less petrochemical inputs such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers which can pollute our soils, groundwater and surrounding marine environment.

5. Drive Less - Walk/Bike to Work When possible, ride a bike or walk! Those frequent trips to work and the grocery store add up. Save money and emissions by getting some fresh air and exercise. The bikes we have on campus enable our students, faculty, and staff to zip around campus and explore the loop during free time.

The bike shed at The Island School. Students use bikes to explore the surroundings during exploration time, and faculty and staff use their bikes to get around campus.

6. Simple Swaps - Consider swapping one harsh chemical cleaner for a natural based cleaner such as vinegar, peroxide, alcohol or baking soda. Did you know you can make your own cleaning products with ingredients you may have already in your pantry? To make a simple all purpose cleaning product take the top off an empty spray bottle and pour in ½ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons baking soda, and fill the rest of the bottle with water.

7. Think Local - Head to a local farmers market or get to know a local fisher or food producer! Purchasing locally grown foods helps to support the local economy, and produces less greenhouse gases associated with transportation, refrigeration and storage. When possible, opt to buy seasonal produce as they are grown closer to market and usually are fresher with more nutritional value. Winter in The Bahamas is farming season, and we are lucky to have many of the local farmers and food producers supply food for our dining hall.

8. Travel Smart - We all want to see our family and friends, however carpooling or hosting virtual activities are ways to reduce carbon

emissions. These options could also save you time, money, and stress. If you are traveling, you might also consider offsetting your carbon emissions by planting a native tree or supporting projects that will remove or prevent carbon emissions. At The Island School the majority of our staff commute together in shuttles or bike to work to reduce our impact on the environment 9. Consume Consciously - Think before you shop. The more stuff you buy, the more you contribute to carbon emissions from manufacturing and shipping, and inevitably waste sent to landfills in the form of product packaging. Consider alternatives to buying new. Instead opt to borrow from a friend or purchase something gently used from a thrift store, secondhand online marketplace, or someone in your community. To encourage reuse rather than buying new we hosted a free community swap meet this fall for our community in South Eleuthera to exchange clothing, household items, and seeds.

It was a success and we look forward to more events like this in the future!

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

Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera

Microgreens growing in The Island School farm.

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OEF and Local MPs Distribute Over 100K in PPE supplies for COVID-19 preventative measures The One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) recently joined forces with the Hon. Clay Sweeting, M.P. for Central and South Eleuthera, and Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs and the Hon. Sylvanus Petty, M.P. for North Eleuthera to help combat the spread of COVID-19 with the distribution of over 100K in personal protection equipment and supplies.

Hundreds of cases of face shields and face masks, hand sanitizers, Clorox disinfectants, and hospital isolation gowns were deployed to over sixty establishments across the island including local clinics, schools, libraries, police stations, government and civic agencies, charities and NGOs. “Keeping Central and South Eleuthera safe is a big priority as cases surge throughout the country. It is important that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and by ensuring we all protect one another during the pandemic is one way of doing that. I would definitely like to thank all who donated towards this initiative inclusive of the One Eleuthera Foundation who worked along with us to distribute the needed supplies,” explained Minister Sweeting.

The large shipment of vital personal protection supplies was a generous donation made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of international and local organizations including; Crossroad Alliance, Harvest International, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), Horizons International Group and The National Association of The Bahamas (NAB).

Dozens of volunteers from OEF, South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), the Health Association of Central Eleuthera (HACE) and members from the constituency offices of both MPs worked in tandem. The team ensured all the supplies were sorted, packaged and transported to each pre-determined location. Boxes of essential supplies were shared throughout the island’s settlements spanning from Bannerman Town in the south to Spanish Wells and Harbour Island in the North.

“These personal protection supplies came at a critical time, and it was imperative to get them in the hands of those on the front lines of the health care system, to organizations with the greatest need and to institutions where people might be at a higher risk for exposure,” remarked Keyron Smith, Chief

(The large shipment of vital personal protection supplies was a generous donation made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of international and local organizations including; Crossroad Alliance, Harvest International, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), Horizons International Group and The National Association of The Bahamas (NAB).

Project Officer, One Eleuthera Foundation. “We are grateful for this generous donation, and the partnership of our local MPs and community partners in assisting with the necessary ground support and transportation to distribute the supplies. It was a united effort.

“In recent months more infectious variants of COVID-19 including Omicron have emerged.

It is imperative that the entire community continues to be diligent and work together in adhering to the safety protocols established by the Ministry of Health. These include wearing protective masks, frequent sanitization and hand washing, avoiding social gatherings and testing at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms.”

Source:One Eleuthera Foundation - visit: www.oneeleuthera.org

Above (L-R): Yolanda Pawar, Chief Communications Officer, OEF; Mario Smith, Chairman, OEF; The Hon. Clay Sweeting, M.P. for Central and South Eleuthera, and Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affair; Diane Bowe-Pindling, Director OEF Bahamas Board; Keyron Smith, Chief Project Officer, OEF.

Shakera Gardiner, SEEP Administrator (far left) alongside fellow volunteers.

Volunteers take a break between packing incoming delivery trucks with COVID-19 protection supplies.

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Jan/Feb, 2022

HIGS ‘Experiential’ Learning tackles four sustainability issues with Student Expo The Harbour Island Green School (HIGS) hosted its second Sustainability Expo, featuring students’ final projects of their experiential learning course as 2021 came to a close. During the semester, each class focused on four major ‘sustainability’ issues in the Bahamas: climate change, food sustainability, water security and marine life conservation.

“Experiential learning at HIGS”, explained Ms. Rolle - a talented, young teacher at the school, “is an engaged learning process where students ‘learn by doing’ and then by reflecting on this experience. Experiences are carefully chosen based on learning goals for the semester, which can range from meeting science or social studies objectives, improving essay writing and presentation abilities or developing computer literacy skills. Throughout the experiential learning process, the learner is actively engaged in critical thinking, experimenting, and problem-solving.”

She continued, pointing out that at HIGS, experiential learning is integrated into core classes, as well as through a dedicated program: Green Fridays. “Every Friday afternoon, students from K through 9 are

Pictured: Above and below, grades 3 and 4 students present their projects on food sustainability.

immersed in environmental initiatives such as oceanic research, sustainable farming, the implementation of sustainable waste management, and the like. This semester, students focused on sustainability issues in the Bahamas.”

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Climate Change:

The grade 8 and 9 students at The Green School during the term, shared Ms. Rolle, dived into finding out about the multifaceted issue of climate change and what they as students could do about it - after being taught that climate change is the long term change in the average weather patterns in Earth’s local, regional and global climates - and a likely reason for the increase in coral bleaching, forest fires and sea level rise seen today.

“After tireless research, the students started exploring alternative energy and energy conservation - and what that actually looked like here in The Bahamas. The solution seemed to start with being responsible. Turning off lights and air conditioners when they weren’t in use, switching to LED light bulbs (which use up to 40%) less energy than normal ones, making sure rooms were either well ventilated to reduce reliance on air conditioning and making sure that doors and windows in rooms that used air conditioning were properly insulated.

These were all simple yet effective methods that they found they could implement with ease.

“Their access to alternative energy was a

little more complicated. After exploring different forms of energy, solar energy appeared to be the most reasonable for our climate. The drawback was that this came at a high cost. After doing an energy audit and coming up with a long term plan to reduce the school’s carbon footprint, they were able to make small changes that made a big impact,” said Ms. Rolle. During the semester, the grades 8 and 9 classes hosted a movie night to raise funds and were able to replace all the school’s light bulbs to LED bulbs, insulate doors, replace broken windows, as well as purchase a small solar-powered charging station.

Food Sustainability

field tripping:

“It’s no secret that we in The Bahamas import a huge majority (90%) of our food. This semester grades 7, 3 and 4 embarked on a journey to figure out how the food we eat affects our health and the sustainability of our planet. They also researched what foods easily grow in The Bahamas and set out to grow some of these foods themselves,”

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that they showcased. Some of the students developed their own menus to present at the Expo, following the criteria of each meal being balanced, easily prepared, and made of readily available foods that grow easily here in The Bahamas. They also gave away plants that they grew with the intention of encouraging others in their community to get involved in cultivating practices surrounding food sustainability.

Water Conservation, scarce:

Studying the land crabs found throughout Eleuthera in season. described Ms. Rolle.

The students, she said, took their research ‘on the road’ with several field trips - first visiting Food Post Farms in North Eleuthera to learn about the benefits and challenges of sustainable chicken farming and observe the benefits of a waste management system that employs composting as a major aspect of its functioning.

They discovered, she shared, that Food Post Farms was able to divert hundreds of pounds of waste from the local landfill by composting it highlighting that composting was an important facet in tackling the issue of sustainable waste management in The Bahamas.

Students also visited the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, which showcased numerous food plants that grow easily in The Bahamas.

There they were also able to explore the agri-culture of the Lucayans, who cultivated many of the staples we consume here in The Bahamas, recounted Ms. Rolle. After learning about native plants and their history, students were able to explore a variety of new foods and were exposed to different cooking techniques from professional chefs in Harbour Island and members of their community, including tasty recipes of black bean fritters, plant-based protein bites, raw papaya salad, sorbets, pepper pot soup, cauliflower and mooring tacos, roasted okras and many more.

At the Sustainability Expo the three grade levels of students took all that they had learned about food sustainability and shared it with the visiting public in their presentations, which took the form of short, palatable, visual demonstrations

to the presentations. Numerous times the students were sent home early because of the lack of water supply on campus.

The students tackled this issue by raising money to buy and install a 300 gallon rainwater tank to utilize at school. At the expo, they shared water conservation tips and encouraged families to be responsible with their own water usage.”

Immersion running

Grades 5 and 6 at HIGS took on the topic of water conservation as their experiential learning project, with their objective at the Expo, said Ms. Rolle, to sensitize people to the scarcity of fresh water as a precious commodity and to explore what responsible usage looks like in The Bahamas. Students studied the water cycle and visited the water pumping station on Harbour Island which distributes potable water sourced from North Eleuthera. They also visited a private home to view a rainwater catch system.

Highlighting the timeliness of the students’ research, just ahead of the Expo, Ms. Rolle explained, “North Eleuthera and Harbour Island often have issues meeting the demand for fresh water. This problem has become especially prominent in Harbour Island, where the fresh water supply to the island has been inconsistent during the weeks leading up

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Marine Ecosysbeyond: into

Students in grades 1 and 2, shared Ms. Rolle, embarked on a journey to learn about the marine ecosystems in The Bahamas and their importance. “They explored the mangroves, seagrass, rocky shore, sandy shore, coral reef, and pelagic zone, while learning about the important roles of those various ecosystems in the Bahamas, such as protecting our shoreline from hurricanes as well as coastal erosion. The students studied the major threats to these ecosystems, such as coastal development, dredging and pollution. Exploring the various ecosystems allowed students to have hands-on interactions with the environment they live in, and better understand the relationship between animals, humans and the environment. The students were given an opportunity to understand how their individual actions have global ecological impacts.”

The Sustainability Expo, emphasized Ms. Rolle, P43 gave stu-

8th grade HIGS student, Robin Smith, shares her research and understanding of climate change.

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DSE on Education

ers - no major works, he said, like plastering or shingling. In a special case, one school, he informed will be concentrating on installation of ramps and rails, creating wheelchair access on the campus, allowing their students with special needs to attend face-to-face instruction.

Preparation for opening:

In preparation for the re-opening, said DSE Culmer, there has been a lot of ongoing training and communication. “I can say that there has also been a lot of collaboration and our Minister HannaMartin has met with superintendents, principals and administrators. She has met with teachers as well as parents. There has been a lot of collaboration to ensure that all of our stakeholders are on board understanding what the overall goal of education is, in addition to what their responsibility is to facilitate the success of those goals.

He continued, “When Minister Hanna-Martin came into office, she wanted to find out, where we are right now, what are our concerns and how do we go about addressing those concerns? Things like when we look at our policy and the concerns related to the reopening of schools - what are the concerns people have about the virtual program (LMS) - concerns about the physical plant. Those

E d uc at ion Be at than it was to be engaged in protest.

He continued, highlighting some of the major concerns in Eleuthera, saying, “As we talk about Eleuthera, the greatest challenge to our virtual instruction has been the internet service providers and the utility companies. A lot of it has to do with electrical supply, and appropriate bandwidth for the internet. The challenges that institutions or individuals would have faced - when there was no service or disruptions in service - just getting a repair person or technician to the issue. With some of our schools, and many of the parents I have spoken to - the biggest challenge has been inconsistent internet service, insufficient bandwidth and data.

That has been the biggest challenge bar none, with our virtual school. With access to devices, because of corporate sponsors who understand how significant and important it is for our children to have the tools necessary for instruction, we’ve been able to distribute more than 1,000 devices in Eleuthera.”

Staffing challenges:

Mr. Culmer also pointed out a critical challenge the Ministry of Education is now experiencing, with Eleuthera not unaffected, sharing, “One of the things that is beyond anyone’s control is the availability of teaching staff. Across the profession, we have lost so many teachers - not to death necessarily, a few have died, but we have lost a lot of

Students returned to on-campus instruction on January 24th, 2022. are the kinds of discussions that have been held at all levels of education. Even up to the week before school was scheduled to reopen for hybrid instruction, there were meetings with teachers, principals and with the unions, talking about what the return to school was going to be like... That’s the level of collaboration that took place before the first students arrived at school campuses on the 24th of January.”

The result of this comprehensive collaboration, shared DSE Culmer, was a smooth transition to hybrid instruction, explaining, “There was an attempt to disrupt the re-opening of school and because of the commitment of teachers to their students, the collaboration between administration teams, teachers and the Ministry of Education, as well as with other stakeholders and parents - as a result, many of the teachers and other people who might have opted to be a part of that industrial action were given the facts for themselves, permitted to ask the questions and have their concerns heard - and they made the decision that it was more important to be in the classroom with their students

teachers during the pandemic. Some have opted to do other things. When you factor in the unknown stressors of the pandemic, like internet service challenges, access - and a depleted number of teachers, we are also now looking at fewer teachers to teach more students. As I speak districts across the Bahamas are trying to find creative ways to plan using the finite human resources that we have.

“We also have this need for teachers in the Eleuthera district. There are conversations that will need to be had, and I am not sure how prepared communities are for these conversations. We need to find a way to get more teachers in our schools or to be more efficient with the use of the teachers that we have.”

There are three main things that have impacted teacher loss, said DSE Culmer. “First you have to look at the five-year domicility of teachers. At the end of a five year post in the Family Islands, teachers are no longer eligible for rental assistance. So when teachers reach that five year point, they request re-assignment. Most of the teachers in many of our schools on the island are from other islands

Jan/Feb, 2022

- and are receiving that subsidy. Then we had early as well as compulsory retirements across the district that would have amounted to less that ten teachers. But if you factor in that ‘less than ten’, with the twenty plus (‘re-assigned’ teachers), that’s thirty. The other thing is promotions, with teachers that were once in the classroom promoted to an administrator. So, you plug a hole as an administrator, but you’ve created a hole where there was a teacher. We are also seeing an influx of people from New Providence and other places to Eleuthera - further complicating our situation (with higher numbers of students).”

“To put a number on it, we had about 11 to 12 percent loss of our teaching staff in Eleuthera, creating a gap that we are now trying to get filled across the Eleuthera school district,” informed Culmer.

Missing students: As many as 20% of students on the island were severely affected during virtual instruction, according to Mr. Culmer’s average attendance during the program of just above 80%. This number, he said, which

represented mainly high school students, when converted to real numbers, saw up to 400 students not fully engaged in virtual classes. “What has happened now is the Ministry of Education has embarked on a community walkabout project.

Since June of last year, we were in the position to identify missing students because of the Bahamas Learning Management System. With the software, at a click - you know who is in and who is not in once you know who is on your roll. The key here was to ensure that we had an accurate roll of students. To date we have been able to find every student we needed to find in our schools, here in Eleuthera.”

Sadly, said Mr. Culmer, there were cases of students giving up on education and dropping out of the system as well. “What we discovered at the high school level, was that when students confirmed that they were not going to qualify for the high school diploma, they dropped out, went to work. They would have now stayed out for this prolonged period of time... At the end of grades 10, 11 and 12, we have had students leaving school and going to jobs... We still have to get a better understanding of how big that number is. It is not going to be as large as ten percent of the 12th grade populations, but even if we had twelve or nine students doing that - that is nine students too many.” During the pandemic, Mr. Culmer shared that he and his team have also seen cases of parents supporting students doing part-time jobs during virtual live class sessions. They would submit assignments - but not receive the class instruction to master the skills being taught, and have been left at a disadvantage.

DSE Culmer, added that he and his team (education officials, police, pastors, and other community leaders) had a communities’ walkabout in North, Central and South Eleuthera planned for Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, to physically reach out to just under thirty students and their families, to connect with their parents - either because they had not been sufficiently connecting during virtual instruction, or since school opened with hybrid instruction, had not P31 been regularly coming into school.

Since, school opened on January

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DPP hosts meeting to discuss plans for proposed Disney Cruise Port The Department of Physical Planning hosted a virtual meeting Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, for the proposed $250-400 million Cruise Port Development at Lighthouse Point in South Eleuthera.

The Department is presently reviewing a Site Plan Approval for the proposed development on behalf of DCL Island Development C/O BRON Ltd. The objective of the meeting was to allow interested parties to discuss and address planning issues related to the project in preparation for presentation to the Town Planning Committee.

The project is expected to include the following: a 2,500-foot access pier, ship berth, service ramp and marina, dining and beverage

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DSE/Schools

24th, DSE Culmer said that most schools have now reported an almost 100% return of students to the classrooms. Teachers, he said have been going the extra mile with the relationships established with their students and parents, to limit the number of students falling off and into gaps.

After the planned walkabouts, DSE Culmer shared that he hoped that it could be said that all students were in connection and in regular attendance with their schools throughout the island.

Schools re-opened:

After schools re-opened on Monday, January 24th, Mr. Culmer said that he and his team visited schools around the island. “During the first week of the reopening, what we generally found were that schools were prepared in terms of the health and safety protocols. We also found there was great excitement by teachers and students, administrators and parents, that children were back on campuses.

There was adjusting, as we are now working with the new hybrid timetable, so there was some working through the glitches of that adjustment. Generally, people are very excited about having some degree of face-to-face instruction.”

Asked about when the hybrid model currently in place, would be transitioned to full face-to-face, Mr. Culmer said, “Totally from an education point of view, I’m hoping that as other countries relax some of their health protocols, and long before we get to summer, we would have addressed our protocols with regard to spacing in classrooms, and activities that we can have... I’m praying that before we get to summer we can come close to some sense of what

facilities, beach expansion and enhancements, recreational areas, merchandise and retail facilities, spa facilities, dining, housing and recreational facilities, aquatic and water activities area, electrical and sanitation buildings, reverse osmosis units, and wastewater treatment plant.

The meeting provided an overview of the project’s economic opportunities, design and schedule, guiding principles, community impact of DCL, heads of agreement proposed commitments and environmental impact assessment (EIA). The full EIA report is available for viewing at (www.lighthousepointbahamas.com). Guiding principles include: developing the site in an environmentally responsible way, creating sustainable economic opportunities for Bahamians and celebrating Bahamian culture.

Proposed HOA commitments include: providing 120 construction jobs, at least 150 op-

regular instruction in the classrooms look like.”

National exams:

In respect to the national examinations for the Christmas term, which were not held at the usual time during the month of December, DSE Culmer commented, “I am anticipating at some point during this semester that there will be an announcement about that. I would not want to preempt the people from the Ministry who have been tasked with doing the review and the research, but you should soon hear some notice from the Ministry of Education related to how they are going to treat the last term, whether or not there will be exams and if there are exams, how they are going to be conducted.”

erations jobs, training and professional development programmes, space for Bahamian vendors on the property for the sale of Bahamian retail goods, services, souvenirs, crafts and other merchandise, priority to Bahamian owners and operators to provide port adventures for guests while ships are in port, priority to Bahamian entertainers, purchase of some Bahamian agricultural and seafood products, numerous environmental protection measures, full access for citizens and residents of The Bahamas for non-commercial purposes.

Preliminary plans for the proposed development are available for viewing at Department of Physical Planning, Aventura Plaza, John F. Kennedy Drive. Plans are also available at the office of the Island Administrator, South Eleuthera.

Source: Written By Kathryn Campbell (BIS)

He urged parents to stay plugged into their children’s schools, saying, “My message to parents is very simple. Just how we had your commitment or we were trying to garner your commitment in virtual school, we are going to need your commitment even more now. Stay in contact with your schools, and with your administrative teams.

Be involved at the PTA level. Get involved at the School Board level. Volunteer for some of the programs - we have a shortage of volunteers. We will hopefully soon be in a position where we will be having after-school clubs face-to-face, and soon we may have permission to do sports. We need volunteers. We just want to encourage parents to be a part of, and to communicate.”

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Eleuthera District Spelling Bee 2022

De’Anntae Hepburn, 11-year old 7th grader from Preston H. Albury High School; Zachary Ward, 10-year old 6th grader from Rock Sound Primary School; Nevaeh Bedford, 11-year old 6th grader from Laura L. Anderson Primary School; Simmia Lafleur, 11-year old 6th grader from Rock Sound Primary School; Tamia Knowles, 12-year old 7th grader from the Central Eleuthera High School; and Riannah Laramore, 12-year old 7th grader from Preston H. Albury High School.

To get the students relaxed and comfortable before getting the competion underway, moderator, Mrs. Geneal Sweeting, in a warm and fun way, invited each one up to the microphone and asked them interestAbove: District Bee volunteer coordinator, Mrs. Marie Galanis (far left), and District Superintendent of Education, Mr. Michael Culmer (back row center), stand with the 12 student competitors in the Eleuthera District Spelling Bee.

Pictured: District Superintendent of Education, Mr. Michael Culmer, with new Eleuthera District Spelling Bee Champion, Sohan Bryan of CEHS.

ing questions about who they were as young pre-teens and teens, getting them to open up about their likes and hobbies - things they enjoyed doing, also their future aspirations and what inspired them in their dreams and goals. Among the dynamic dozen ready to duke it out in spelling, there were budding scientists, musicians, fashion gurus, ornithologists and many others.

Eleuthera District Superintendent

of Education, Mr. Michael Culmer, thanked all of the volunteers who helped to pull together the event, as well as the schools and coaches for their investment in the young spellers, and the judges - most of whom were veteran volunteers for the district’s spelling bees and other academic competitions.

Round one began with all twelve contestants in and raring to go, and after the likes of ‘noggin’, ‘cowlick’

and ‘munchkin’, ten spellers made it through to move on to round two.

Three students in round two misspelled their words, leaving seven competitors in round three. All seven got through round three, which saw words like ‘metadata’, ‘jitterbug’ and ‘hodgepodge’ fail to unseat the determined juniors. Rounds four and five, took out another three spellers, which set up a face-off in round six between Samuel Guy Pinder All Age and Central Eleuthera High - both schools with two competitors remaining. ‘Whirlybird’ and ‘fructose’ were the undoing of the two Samuel Guy Pinder students, who both bowed out of the running for 1st and 2nd place. Before judges moved on to the final stage of the competition, a spell-off took place between Violet Russell and Wes Underwood for 3rd place, with Wes coming out ahead.

The final competition between Tamia Knowles and Sohan Bryan - both from Central Eleuthera High School, was then underway. After getting through ‘marathon’, ‘stewardship’ and ‘obsolete’, the contest would be decided by the word ‘sedentary’ which Tamia missed in her first attempt. Sohan, given the opportunity, went on to spell it correctly, and was then given his final word, ‘pristine’. Handclaps from the audience and judges could be heard as Sohan completed his final hurdle to take the 2022 Eleuthera District Inter-School Spelling Bee champion title. He is expected to represent

Eleuthera in the nationals during the first week in March.

Mrs. Marie Galanis, Chairperson of the organizing committee, in comments following the well-fought contest, highlighted the contribution of former DSE Helen Simmons-Johnson, who oversaw the expansion of annual spelling competitions hosted in the Eleuthera school district to include grades 1-5, at each level. This program, said Galanis, saw the improvement of not just spelling skills, but also the expansion of vocabulary and improvement of writing skills seen in junior high students who had participated in on-island spelling bees at multiple primary grade levels. The experience of former Eleuthera District winner, Johnathan Randall, who went on to win nationally and to participate in the Scripps Spelling Bee in the US in 2018, was hailed as an example of the success of the multi-level spelling bee program on-island.

The final results of Thursday’s Eleuthera District Inter-School Spelling Bee, was Wes Underwood from Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School in 3rd place, Tamia Knowles from Central Eleuthera High School in 2nd place, and Sohan Bryan from Central Eleuthera High School in 1st place - as Eleuthera’s 2022 Spelling Bee Champion.

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as a result of COVID-19 could be irreversible without timely intervention says Education Minister

Tonia Ferguson, whale watching.

Haley Bethell and Brianna Brown, turtle tagging.

Edward Munroe, Jumping in at The Island School.

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BESS

sations. Scholars can get their Reef Rescue Diver certification and learn how to grow corals and rebuild local reefs at the BREEF Coral Reef Sculpture Garden.

In December 2021, BESS scholar Isabelle Petty from Grand Bahama sailed aboard a Norwegian tall ship in the One Ocean Expedition from Havana, Cuba to Nassau, working hand in hand with over 100 scientists researching fisheries, oceanography and global sustainability. Four BESS scholars including Haley Bethell from Abaco and Brianna Brown from Grand Bahama participated in turtle tagging with the Bahamas Sea Turtle Research organization, monitoring population, health and migration of sea turtles from Eleuthera to Exuma. Tonia Ferguson from New Providence attended the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization Whale Camp researching whales and dolphins in the waters surrounding Abaco, and Edward Munroe from Eleuthera did part of his internship at the One Eleuthera Foundation. The solutions-based, experiential learning in BESS encourages students to leap out of their comfort zones and dive deeper into environmental conservation and sustainability.

Since 2008, 55 young Bahamians have benefitted from this exceptional educational experience, with many scholars currently employed in the environmental field or going on to pursue related tertiary studies. Currently several BESS alumni are attending University in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Germany, Canada, the UK, Japan and other countries. BREEF and The Island School thank all the partners, donors and sponsors whose support makes these opportunities possible.

2022-2023 BESS Applications are being accepted from now until February 15th, 2022 visit www.breef. org or email breef@breef.org for an application or scan QR code. Learn more about The Island School semester and research opportunities at (www.islandschool.org).

The Eleutheran

In a brief communication to Parliament Wednesday, January 26th, 2022, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, addressed the status of education since the resumption of face-to-face instruction in public schools nationwide.

She said the impact of disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt most severely by students and families who lack devices, resources for reliable internet connectivity, round-the-clock supervision of learning, and conducive environments for learning and funding.

“Now that they are back, we have a lot of catching up to do. It is almost certain that this phenomenon has led to acute learning loss in our nation’s children; research shows that unless there are timely interventions, the learning loss could be irreversible,” said Minister Hanna-Martin.

She added that from an educational perspective, without quick action the country risks losing an entire generation, which has implications on lifetime earnings and productivity, educational P44 outcomes at all levels, and future economic

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Picture this Rock Sound Park Makeover

Jan/Feb, 2022

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The Kiwanis Club of South Eleuthera (KCSE) collaborated with the Preston Albury High School Key Club, and young men of the Eleuthera Royal Youth Corps (ERYC) to clean and maintain a park in the township of Rock Sound, which has been adopted by the KCSE and dubbed, Kiwanis Park. On Saturday, February 5th, 2022, the group spent three hours, beginning at 10am, collecting and removing garbage from the park, cutting down overgrown trees and removing debris from the area. They also repainted the park’s benches and posted “no dumping” and “no littering” signs throughout the seaside park. Police Officer Renardo Brown, coordinator with the KCSE commented following the cleanup, saying, “The project was a success, as we worked together to keep our park clean, green and pristine. It also gave the young people an opportunity to engage in a community based project in partnership with others.”

Above: Key Club students and ERYC young men assist in clean up and painting at Kiwanis Park.

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recycle depot/

Rotary

which will be disseminated throughout schools, churches and the wider communities to inform the public on the beneficial use and operation of the new recycling resource. She shared that two of the bins will be used for the collection of aluminum cans - another two for plastic items, and the remaining two bins for glass bottles.

Once opened, Mrs. Johnson-Ingraham said that the site will be monitored at the end of each week to see what the load is like, and once filled, the items will be dealt with. Rotary, she added, has partnered with the South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), which also operates a recyling depot in Tarpum Bay, and has the facilities to crush glass bottles, to have the glass items regularly recycled.

Above (L-R): Glenda Johnson-Ingraham, Delilah Barr, Anna Lewis, Rose Kirby, Maisie Thompson, and Jacquelyn Gibson.

The aluminum cans and plastic items, she said, will be shipped to a facility in New Providence for recycling.

This pilot program, commented president Johnson-Ingraham, is one that they hope other communities on Eleuthera would follow with further partnerships forged, to work together to reduce the volume of garbage in local landfills.

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BBS Learners (including two locals) test their blockchain projects on Ethereum to earn Developer Certificate Four Bahamian participants, including two Eleutherans, from the 2021 Blockchain Business School (BBS), ages 13 to their late 20’s, are earning their developer’s certificates to become blockchain developers. Engagement in an intense 11-week blockchain Bootcamp offered

by ConsenSys Academy, exposed this cohort to powerful industry knowledge and hands-on instruction to test their projects on Ethereum.

Rhonda McDeigan-Eldridge, founder and curator of Harness All Possibilities (HAP) and BBS was proud of these learners, among more than 1,400 global novices. Rashan Smith and Jonnell Emmanuel of New Providence are two women under the age of 30 who were sponsored

by E&Y Bahamas. While teens, Rodgeno Albury, 17 and Phelton Petit, 13, were recommended by mentor Ryan Austin of BYTE Bahamas - focused on STEM programs.

Global cross-generational BBS students included Layla Abdulla, a programmer in Egypt, Kathryn Corkish, a high school student in Cayman Islands, Michael Saunders, a high school student from Turks & Caicos, and Daval Gregory, a software engineer in Cayman Islands.

Live weekly interactive presentations by top blockchain leaders, a Discord (social media) community, and support from champion mentors, helped these learners sharpen their soft and hard skills and expand their knowledge. Over 40 Blockchain firms provided insights on their protocols and opportunities for internships, projects, research, analysts and remote work.

Equal to one semester of a science course, the learn2earn experience was facilitated by HAP in partnership with ConsenSys Academy. A robust business, technology and developer community allowed participants to learn fundamental Ethereum concepts, key tools, security best practices, and smart contract/ dApp development… Including web 3, and building on the Ethereum platform.

(Source www.consensys.net/academy).

Mentor Ryan Austin shared, “Rodgeno utilized JavaScript which he had learned at the summer program to build a time lock wallet. He further incorporated that knowledge into this Bootcamp by building and testing his smart contract in the Truffle development environment before placing it on the Ethereum testnet Blockchain. Neither he nor Phelton under-

stood how to do this just a few months ago. So this means that we have young Bahamians being exposed to, and working in the emerging field of Blockchain development.”

An Ethereum testnet is a collection of nodes that are used to test the Ethereum protocol. (Source: www.ethereum.org).

In early February 2022, Rodgeno Albury received his Ethereum Developer’s Certificate.

“It feels awesome! Despite the rough times, I succeeded and made it on top!” said Albury who graduated from North Eleuthera High School in 2021 and will continue practicing his skills and looking for work in the blockchain space.

Rodgeno Albury, a High School Graduate is shown with his recently earned Ethereum Developer Certificate from ConsenSys through a partnership with the Blockchain Business School and non-profit Harness All Possibilities.

Phelton Petit was the youngest participant at age 13 in the latest cohort of the Blockchain Business School/ConsenSys Academy Blockchain Developer program.

Upon learning that Albury had earned his certificate, Austin proudly commented, “From our very first virtual coding class Rodgeno displayed a hunger to learn and solve problems that made him a joy to work with. On this project, Rodgeno simply figured it out. He really challenged himself, changed courses, got stuck and that led to greater understanding. By the time he submitted his final project he had taken apart and rebuilt and debugged his solution so often that he fully understood every component of building in Web3 for his application. You could not get a better job candidate for this emerging Web3 space.”

Rashan Smith, recently earned her Ethereum Developer’s Certificate as well. She had also mentored learners in coding and worked with developing BBS’s website. She is a cloud-native application developer and was part of the inaugural 2019 Youth Blockchain Hackathon and Conference held in New Providence. “Until that time, I had not had a conceptual understanding of Blockchain,” she said. “I took the ConsenSys program to improve my skillset in emerging technology and coding with Blockchain has definitely strengthened my skills.”

Smith said that she can now create an application that involves crypto transactions and participate in a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization - that has no central leadership and is run by a group of people).

“I am onboarding with a DAO right now and it’s exciting. I get to work with people from all over the world and there are fewer barriers. I’ve completed a smart contract and I have the freedom to control my work schedule.”

Jonnell Emmanuel is an air traffic controller and web developer who became interested in Blockchain so that she can develop secure applications. “This was more than a hobby or interest because previously, I just focused on website development.

With my newly gained knowledge, I look forward to creating more decentralized applications.”

McDeigan-Eldridge acknowledged the curiosity and persistence of Phelton as the youngest in the cohort who she believes is making history in The Bahamas, and that Rodgeno tapped into some of his key soft skills and competencies; skills sought after in the 21st century workforce and Web3. Furthermore, she applauds Rashan Smith and Jonnell Emmanuel, two women in the tech field, as well as the other global learners who participated in this cohort.

Joseph Lubin is a co-founder of Ethereum and creator of ConsenSys. HAP is a U.S. 501(c)3 charitable organization registered in Connecticut with partnership programs in The Bahamas. Learn more about BBS at www.242bbs.com.

Source: Written by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry (Azaleta Enterprises) Photos supplied by HAP

36 www. EleutheraNews . com

Crime News

Select police reports, shared by the RBPF locally Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs: Police on the Island of Eleuthera have taken into custody a number of persons in separate incidents for possession of dangerous drugs, during the month of December, Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs : Police on the Island of Eleuthera have taken into custody a number of persons in separate incidents for possession of dangerous drugs, during the month of January, 2022.

1. Initial reports are that on Friday 14th January 2022, sometime around 9:35am, officers acting on information armed with a search warrant went to the residence of an adult male situated at Commonage Land Tarpum Bay. Whilst there the officers executed a search of the suspect’s residence in regards to Dangerous Drugs and Firearm. During the search of north eastern bedroom the officers discovered 12 clear plastic wrappings each containing a quantity of grassy like substance suspected of being marijuana. As a result, the suspect was shown was arrested and caution reference to Possession of Dangerous with Intent to Supply. The suspect was subsequently further cautioned and charged for the offence of Possession of Dangerous Drugs with Intent to Supply Contrary to section 22(1) and punishable under section 22(2) (B) of The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2011.

2. Initial reports are that on Friday 14th January 2022, sometime around 10:40am, a team of officers acting on information went to the residence of an adult male armed with a search warrant.

As they approached the male appeared to have looked in their direction and ran into his residence. The officer observed when he dropped 3 clear plastic wrappings that contained a quantity of grassy like substance suspected of being marijuana.

The officers pursued him and observed when he ran into a western bedroom and gave an unknown package to a female known. She then placed this unknown item into her blouse.

The officers examined the same and notice that it was two plastic wrapping that contained a grassy like substance suspected of being marijuana. As a result she was cautioned and arrested. A search was conducted of the residence nothing of evidential value was found. The male suspect was also cautioned and arrested for Possession Of

dangerous Drugs with Intent to Supply. Officers Also confiscated a total of $784.00 as proceeds.

Both suspects were subsequently processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs with Intent to Supply Contrary to section 22(1) and punishable under section 22(2) (B) of The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2011.

3. Initial reports are that on Friday 14th January 2022 at about 12:45pm, Officers l conducted a grid search of the Commonage Land Tarpum Bay in an area just 3 blocks north of the residence of a male suspect. The officers searched the bushes where they discovered 4 clear bags that contained grassy like substance suspected of being marijuana.

The items were later collected and examined.

4. Initial reports are that sometime around 10:30am on Friday 28th January 2022, Officers came in to North Eleuthera Police Station with an adult male of North Eleuthera under arrest for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He was caution and arrested at about 10:15am on Friday 28th January 2022, for being in possession of quantity of suspected dangerous drugs namely Marijuana. He was later interviewed, charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

5. Initial reports are that on Sunday 27th January 2022, sometime around 5:20pm. Officers acting on information received, preceded to the residence of an adult male of Commonage, Gregory Town, armed with a Search Warrant reference to dangerous drugs and firearms.

The officers quickly detained the suspect, and conducted a search of the residence. While searching the top of the bed head, the officers found a clear plastic baggie containing (12) twelve brown twisted pieces of paper, each containing a quantity of suspected cocaine.

The suspect was shown the same and arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. The officers also discovered a variety of currency inside of a plastic container at the foot of the bed in the amount of Three Hundred and Sixty Dollars and Twenty Cents ($360.20). The suspect was informed that the same would be seized as suspected proceeds from the sales of dangerous drugs.

The suspect was later processed

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and charged with the offence of Possession of Dangerous Drugs with Intent to Supply Contrary to section 22(1) and punishable under section 22(2) (B) of The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2011.

6. Initial reports are that on Tuesday 1st February, 2022, sometime around 8:20am Officers acting on information received, preceded to the residence of an adult male of Governor’s Harbour armed with a search warrant reference to dangerous drugs, firearm and stolen goods. A search was conducted of the residence in the presence of the suspect which resulted in the discovery of two (2) silver foil wraps of suspected marijuana from a drawer in the northern bedroom. The Suspect was arrested and caution reference to possession of dangerous drugs. The suspect was later processed and charged with the offence of Possession of Dangerous Drugs with Intent to Supply Contrary to section 22(1) and punishable under section 22(2) (B) of The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2011 7. Initial reports are that on Friday 22nd January 2022 sometime around 6:45pm Officers while on mobile patrol in the area of Alice Street, Harbour Island observed a group of males gathered under a tree who appeared to be behaving in a suspicious manner. A search of these males was conducted which resulted in the discovery of a small quantity suspected marijuana. As a result the suspect was cautioned was found in his possession. As a result he was arrested and cautioned and arrested reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

The suspect was processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2) B of the Dangerous Drugs Act Chapter 228.

8. Initial reports are On Saturday 22nd January 2022, sometime around 7:00pm,Officers while conducting patrols in the area of Pinder’s Lane, Governor’s Harbour observed a Black Nissan Note license turn onto the said street at a high rate of speed. As a result the officers stopped the said vehicle and while speaking with the adult male driver they noticed that he was trembling and acting extremely nervous. As a result the officers became suspicious and informed the suspect that he is suspected to be in possession of dangerous drugs and firearms. A search was then conducted of the suspect’s person and while searching his right front pants pocket, they discovered a small silver foil wrap containing suspected cocaine rocks, a search was then conducted of his vehicle, and while searching a compartment, located on the right driver’s side door, they found (2) additional silver foil wraps, each containing a quantity of suspected cocaine rocks. The suspect was arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs. The suspect was processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2) B of the Dangerous Drugs Act Chapter 228 9. Initial reports are that on Saturday 22nd January 2022, between the hours of 8:15pm to 9:30pm, a team of officers acting on information received proceeded to the rear of a building located at Cupids Cay where a short search was conducted of the area, almost immediately, the officers discovered a clear plastic bag containing (7) small silver foil wraps, each containing a quantity of suspected cocaine. The suspect was shown the same and arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. While conducting a further search of the area the suspect stated that he had a small quantity of marijuana in a conch shell near the septic tank. The officers went to the area of the septic tank where the suspect pointed out a Conch shell, which the officers examined and found a clear plastic baggie, which contained a quantity of suspected marijuana.

The suspect was subsequently further cautioned and charged for the offence of Possession of Dangerous Drugs with Intent to Supply Contrary to section 22(1) and punishable under section 22(2) (B) of The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2011.

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Initial reports are that on Sunday 23/01/22 sometime around 6:40pm Officers executed a search

Police Contact Numbers

HeadQuarters (GH) 332-3500

Governor’s Harbour 332-2111 OR 332-2117 O/C Governor’s Harbour 332-2723 Gov.Harb. Airport Station 332-2323 Deep Creek Station 334-8207 Tarpum Bay Station 334-4033 Rock Sound Station 334-2244 Rock Sound Sgt. Office 334-2212 Rock Sound Airport Stn 334-2052 L. Bogue Station (Airport) 335-1208 Harbour Island Station 333-2111 O/C Harbour Island 333-2327 Spanish Wells Station 333-4030 Gregory Town Station 335-5322 Hatchet Bay Station 335-0086 warrant on the residence of an adult male accused. While searching, they discovered a small quantity of marijuana and as a result the suspect was further cautioned. The suspect was subsequently processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Arrest Reference to Attempted Exportation of Restricted Goods Initial reports are that on Friday 28th January, 2022 Officers came in at the Governors Harbour Police station at about 7:30am with and adult male Jamaican national under arrest and reported arresting him at about 7:15am same date while at the Governors Harbour Airport, reference to exportation of restricted goods.

Officers further reported that a search of the suspect’s person and baggage revealed approximately Seventeen Thousand ($17,000) Dollars in Bahamian and U.S. Currency. The suspect was subsequently transported to New Providence for further investigation.

Officers also received reports of two (2) Shop breaking Matters and one (1) House breaking matter.

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Initial reports are that On Tuesday 4th January 2022 at about 8:20am Officers c/o Governor’s Harbour, Police Station received reports of a Shop Breaking at the Emily G Petty School.

Officers visited the

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‘ BAMSI; BAIC ‘ Agriculture Minister Holds National Virtual Meeting with Farmers

Minister Clay Sweeting, in his role as Minister of Agriculture, announced on Friday, February 4th, 2022, during the swearing-in ceremony for new local government district councils in North Eleuthera, that the packing house in Hatchet Bay, which has lain dormant for several years, was expected to be formally re-opened during the month of March 2022.

This most recent announcement follows on the heels of a nationwide virtual meeting which Minister Sweeting hosted on Monday, January 17th, 2022, with approximately 250 farmers from throughout the country in attendance, making their voices heard.

During the virtual meeting’s welcome address, Minister Sweeting, said the event was a part of the government’s commitment to reducing the country’s food bill and to assist farmers in advancing this objective. With the country’s annual import food bill hovering around $1.4 billion, he urged and encouraged both existing and aspiring farmers to partner with the government in bringing this goal into fruition.

“The government is committed to increasing food security as 90% of the food consumed in the country is imported. We believe

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scene where they were led into the Grade 5 classroom by the Principal.

She then pointed out a north eastern window that was missing a few louvers. It is suspected that this was the point of entry. She stated that she last visited the school on Tuesday 28th December, 2021 at about 10:00am and all appeared fine. After conducting a thorough search of the premises it was determined that nothing was stolen. This matter is under active investigation.

Initial reports are that On Tuesday 4th January 2022 at about 8:40am the Janitress at the School for exceptional Learners Governor’s Harbour contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that some unknown person/s broke and entered into that school through a window and stole a 40” LG black flat screen television value unknown.

She further reported that she locked and secured the school on Decem-

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that farmers can assist in reducing this bill. Currently, we are promoting ‘Buying Bahamian’ and have asked hotels, restaurants and food stores to ensure that at least 40% of their produce is sourced from local sources. The government has committed to source 75% from local agricultural products.”

Mr. Sweeting said that there are several components to the government’s objective of meeting its goal. These include: the creation of a website and social media platforms to link with farmers, public relations campaigns to inform Bahamians, enhancing The Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), and incentivizing young people to enter the farming industry.

Additionally, the Ministry, he said, is currently working with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) on a state-of-the-art feed mill for livestock. BAIC is also making efforts to further develop the cascarilla industry.

“We must work together to coordinate our resources so that we can feed ourselves, therefore, over the next five years, we are committed to advancing this cause.”

A cross-section of issues and concerns were raised by the farmers, including, challenges with packing houses, which have limited hours and days of operation and limited capacity for refrigeration; need for training; marketing; real commitment from stakeholders such as restaurants, hotels and food stores; proper and adequate land clearing equipment; fair market pricing; and access to funding and duty free allowances. Other concerns raised included security for farms, which face constant

ber 17th 2021 at 2:00pm and did not give anyone permission to go into the School. Police action requested.

This matter is under active investigation.

Initial reports are that on Sunday 9th January 2022 sometime around 11:00am an adult male contacted the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at around 5:00am same date an unknown male of dark complexion, medium build, low haircut, and clad in a blue shirt entered his residence and fled upon seeing him. It was later discovered that cash was missing from his son and friend’s daughter’s bedroom.

Officers responded to the scene and confirmed this report. This matter is under active investigation.

Initial reports are that on Wednesday 12th January, 2022, at about 9:40am, an adult male property manager contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station by telephone

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burglaries and raccoon and other rodent infestation; and a need for one-stop shops for farmers.

The Minister’s team included: Executive Chairman, BAIC, Leroy Major; Executive Chairman, BAMSI, Senator Hon. Tyrel Young; Parliamentary Secretary, Leonardo Lightbourne and Permanent Security, Phaedra Rahming.

The issues raised by the farmers were listened to and discussed, with a promise to follow up and to meet again.

Police advisory about an I-Tunes Card Scam The Financial Crime Investigation Branch is appealing to members of the public to be cautious of an email scam soliciting the purchase of I-Tune cards. The present trend is that suspects are sending e-mails purporting to be an acquaintance, colleague or a family member of the recipient, asking them to purchase a card on their behalf. After furnishing the request, the victims later discovered that the request came from a fictitious email account that is similar to emails that they normally communicated with. The public is encouraged to closely examine emails that solicits this type of request. They are further advised to confirm the request with the individuals who are named as the originator of the email, to ensure its authenticity. Suspicious email transactions should be reported immediately to the Financial Crimes Investigations Branch at 356-6027 or the nearest police station.

-----Police are appealing to members of the public, who may have information that can assist with our investigations into these incidents and other criminal matters, to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.

Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force Website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www. facebook.com/rbpforce for Latest News, Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.

and reported receiving information from the guests of one of his properties that some unknown person/s had entered the rental residence and stole property. Officers responded to the scene where they saw and spoke with the complainants who stated that sometime between 6:45pm on 11/01/2022 and 8:15am on 12/01/2022, some unknown person/s entered her rental home stealing cash in assorted denominations and a silver money clip with a Skull and Crossbones from a blue drawstring bag left on the kitchen counter. There were no signs of forced this matter is under active investigation.

Road Check Conducted During the Month of January, Officers placed their focus on reducing the number of road traffic accidents and incidents on the streets of Eleuthera. As

a result, in keeping with Priority No.5 of the Commissioner’s Policing Plan 2021 “Traffic Laws Enforcement and Awareness to Reinforce Public Road Safety”.

Officers from the Eleuthera Division conducted regular road checks throughout the Island. The primary purpose of these exercises was to: • Enforce Road Traffic Regulations • Heighten the awareness of motorist to the importance of Road Safety.

• To enforce Covid Regulations During the exercise Officers interacted with motorists to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. Officers also shared Road Safety and Crime Prevention tips. These checks will continue as we seek to keep the streets of Eleuthera safe. .

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Stronger Economic Growth Forecast for The Bahamas in 2022, Says Central Bank Governor In a statement released by the Central Bank of the Bahamas on January 31st, 2022, Governor John Rolle remarked on economic and financial developments data for the country as of December 2021, and the outlook for 2022.

The statement read: “The available data through the fourth quarter of 2021 revealed that the Bahamian economy began a significant turnaround from the adverse impact of the COVID19 pandemic. However, it still reflected the lagging pace at which international tourism is recovering relative to other pandemic stricken activities, and risks that continue to be present from fluctuating COVID19 conditions. Alongside tourism, The Bahamas benefitted from sustained foreign investment inflows, including expansion in high-end real estate activity that have contributed to increased construction sector activity. These trends are helping to support resumed employment for displaced workers and improved financial outcomes for the government, though relative to a fiscal recovery that is still expected to span several years. The indicative information on employment is that it will keep closer pace with the recovery in 2022 than it did in 2021.

“Economic growth in 2022 is expected to exceed five percent—which would be significantly stronger than the recovery onset of just above two percent in 2021. For the first time in two years, the tourism product is positioned to experience uninterrupted business over the entire calendar period.

In contrast, both industry segments only recorded partial year performances in 2021. Again, however, the industry will have to wait until 2023, at the earliest, to be fully recovered. In particular, neither the seasonal capacity for cruise lines nor hotels is being projected to reach pre-pandemic earnings levels during the first half of 2022. This is noteworthy because it is during the first half of each year that the industry records more than half of its revenues.

“That said, conditions in the Bahamian foreign exchange markets have recovered to a significantly more sustainable state. On a net basis, the private sector’s reliance on foreign currency supplies from the Central Bank, shrunk by two-thirds in 2021, even though by the third quarter of the year the Bank had relaxed all of the conservation measures that were put in place early in the pandemic to protect the external reserves. As evidence of the turnaround, in 2021 there was a 40 percent or $1.5 billion recovery in foreign currency sales through the private sector to commercial banks, a dominant majority due to the resumption of tourism activity. Likewise with the economy reopened, domestic demand for foreign exchange that were purchased from commercial banks also recovered sharply by 27 percent, or $1.1 billion.

“In the absence of the IMF special drawing rights (SDRs) allocation, The Bahamas would have experienced a net reduction in the external reserves of $167 million in 2021. With the SDRs boost, the reserves rose instead by approximately $80 million.

The reduction, in the portion of reserves that were not denominated in SDRs was in line with the Central Bank’s accommodating stance for increased

Bahamas Central Bank Governor, John Rolle. domestic spending. Under similar accommodation, the external reserves could also tolerate some reductions in 2022, without cause for concern.

“In respect of domestic credit, in the near-term, the pandemic could result in additional losses for lending institutions—though very moderated from the upfront charges for which Banks made provisions in 2020. A key measure of risk, and the potential for losses, the private sector delinquency or non-performing rate on commercial bank loans had increased to 9.6 percent at the end of 2021 from a pre-pandemic level of approximately 8.0 percent.

Although this rate could rise further in the immediate months ahead, the Central Bank believes that it will stabilise and begin to decline before the end of 2022. As a sign of the improved clarity, at present, virtually all loans that were in deferred payment arrangements at the middle of 2020 have returned to some regular payment status.

“In 2021, however, credit to the private sector contracted again, reflecting net repayments for mortgages, and consumer loans. Nevertheless, there was further increase in lending for business and other purposes.

“Outstanding credit could remain flat to contracted in 2022. In particular, lending institutions are still held back by delinquency rates which have to improve to levels even below the average ratios experienced ahead of the pandemic. Such an outcome remains dependent upon expanding economic activity, and increasing the pool of qualified borrowers for credit as the economy improves. Structural reforms such as the credit bureau and the anticipated collateral registry will also have positive impacts on this environment over the medium-term.

“In summary, the outlook is for stronger growth in 2022 as the calendar year impact of the economy’s reopening takes hold. Elements of rebuilding are also expected to maintain growth above average in 2023, though less accelerated than in 2022.

“In its monetary policy posture, the Central Bank will continue to accommodate strengthening domestic demand for foreign exchange, and therefore concede some reduction in the external reserves in the near term. This includes expanding capital market transactions, through the investment currency market.

“The Central Bank also expects the environment to be less reliant on government financing in foreign currency, as private sector inflows continue to strengthen.

“However, there are downside risks in the economic outlook, which require vigilance. One of these is increased inflation which, although not an outsized concern, could boost the import bill, and consume a greater share of foreign exchange earnings. While pent-up demand for vacations is still a strong component in tourism recovery, the US central bank’s response to raise interest rates to fight off inflation could erode some of this momentum. It could also frustrate the Bahamian fiscal consolidate efforts, by increasing costs on new or refinanced foreign currency debt. That said, the opportunity remains for other reforms to strengthen the Bahamian sovereign risk assessments and tackle existing interest spreads on foreign currency debt. Likewise, COVID19 is still an uncertainty, both in terms of uneven access to vaccines at the international level, and domestic factors that also weigh on the travel sector assessment of the safety of vacationing in The Bahamas. Where necessary, the Central Bank remains well positioned to respond to shore up the adequacy of foreign reserves and support for the Bahamian dollar fixed exchange rate.

--Source: The Central Bank of The Bahamas 31 January, 2022

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Community Outreach By Eleuthera Division Police

The Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) continued their community initiatives and activities during the month of January, and into early February, with officers interacting with local schools, and teams of police conducting walk-abouts in several communities.

On Tuesday, February 1st, 2022 officers from the Harbour Island Police Station visited with the primary school section of the Harbour Island All Age School, where they addressed the students gathered and spoke with them about the importance of the current pandemic health and safety protocols in place to guard against getting infected, like wearing their face masks while in public and properly sanitizing their hands. The team of officers, which included, ASP Rolle, ASP Farquharson, Sgt. Carey and W/ Cpl. McKenzie, said that the children were very attentive during their pre-

sentation. Face masks and shields, along with medical gowns were also given to the principal, Mr. Roberts.

On the same day during the late afternoon, Officer-In-Charge of the Eleuthera Division, Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles led a team of officers on a walk-about in the township of Green Castle in South Eleuthera. The overall goal of the walkabout, shared OIC Knowles, was to ensure that COVID-19 health protocols were being adhered to within the community, to show visible police presence in the area, distribute masks and sanitizers, as well as to hear any concerns from the residents of the community.

One community member, who had made complaints to local police about issues with loud music in his residential area, was paid a special visit by OIC Knowles, who assured him that his matter was being dealt with and was presently before the courts. Many residences and businesses were visited by the officers, and OIC Knowles saw the walkabout as very successful in achieving their goals. The expected outcome, she shared, was that the community would continue to work hand-in-hand with the police, and that the current synergy would continue throughout the district.

Just a day before, on Monday, January 31st, OIC Knowles, led another team of officers on a community walk-about in the area of Betsy Village in Governor’s Harbour, with the aim of continuing her division’s goal of building public trust and confidence. The community of approximately sixty residences, saw officers interacting with

Residents in Green Castle given masks and sanitizers during police walk-about.

Eleuthera Police during their Betsy Village walk-about in Gov. Harbour, present care packages to elderly resident, Mr. Arlington Johnson. members of the neighbourhood, who were also issued with face masks and safety tips. The team also made special visits to three senior citizens of Betsy Village, including Mr. Donald Fernander, a retired civil servant and Mrs. Emily Russell, a retired domestic worker, who were presented with fruit baskets. Mr.

Arlington Johnson, a retired construction worker and musician, who recently lost his wife, leaving him as head of a household of ten grandchildren, was presented with a care package of food items, snacks and drinking water, by the team of RBPF officers.

Administrators and students at the Harbour Island All-Age School gifted with masks and shields during a visit by local police officers.

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Sworn In

around the Family Islands... I will work with you to create solutions, and to exemplify throughout the world that local government can work. It can be effective.

It will take teamwork, creativity and integrity. I celebrate with you today and charge each of you to build on the stones of your predecessors. Let us embrace this opportunity to create the change we want to see in our communities together.”

Special guest speaker during the morning event, Speaker of the House of Assembly the Hon. Patricia Deveaux, in her remarks, before the official swearing-in began, stated, “As Speaker of the House of Assembly, as part of my contribution to your initiatives, I will remind parliamentarians of the need to enhance and increase local government’s fiscal authority in order for decentralization to be more complete. For those of you who have been newly elected, remember this.

A great honour has been bestowed on you. Do your best to prove yourself worthy of that honour. You know what you have to do to make this beautiful island of ours a resounding success, both locally and at a national level. The entire Bahamas is depending on you. When your island

Lo c a l prospers, the country prospers. I implore you to bring new initiatives to meet the growing demands of North Eleuthera. Don’t let us down.”

MP for North Eleuthera, the Hon. Sylvanus Petty expressed his excitement for the future of North Eleuthera, and announced plans for the renovation/reconstruction of the administrative building in Harbour Island. He also congratulated the new councilors and exhorted them to work together. “The hard work now begins. My advice to you is to stay focused, put your best foot forward, and let us work to leave our communities in a better position than where we met them. Let’s not play politics people. It’s over.

No PLP and FNM - we are all Bahamians here.

You have my full support, and together we will do great and magnificent things.”

Chief councilors sworn in on Friday for the three district councils included: Roberts Roberts for Spanish Wells, Terrance Davis for Harbour Island, and David Armbrister for North Eleuthera. The three chief councilors were also installed as Justices of the Peace by House Speaker Deveaux.

Central and South Eleuthera councils were informally sworn-in on Monday, February 7th, in keeping with the two-week deadline to do so following the local government elections, however, a formal installation ceremony was also planned for Friday, February 11th, 2022.

The following are official results of the January 27th local government election:

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MP for North Eleuthera, the Hon. Sylvanus Petty.

Harbour Island District Council: Lisa Viola Aranha Kaaleth Jamaal Brown Terrance Ashderon Davis Justine V. Higgs Matthew Dequann Morris Amber Sawyer Joseph Roberts-Percentie Patricia Deveaux, Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Light moment as Minister Sweeting (right) accepts gift from Spanish Wells Chief Councilor Robert Roberts.

Spanish Wells District Council: Ernest Alexander Albury Herbert ‘Herbie’ Albury Kole Martin Pinder Richard Chuck Pinder Robert Roberts Dahlia May Sturrup Esdale Kemuel Underwood North Eleuthera District Council: The Current Aldred Albury Current Island: Alicia Munroe The Bluff: Emmerson Egbert Hudson

Students from the Harbour Island Green School pose with House Speaker, Patricia Deveaux.

Lower Bogue: David Armbrister James Munroe

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Vernon Neilly Upper Bogue: Rickey Ricardo Bell

Central Eleuthera District Council: Palmetto Point: Gerrard Coakley Jr. Reginald Bodie Tyrone Knowles Stanton Cooper Tavares Knowles Governor’s Harbour: Carol Davis Garnique Thompson Roderick Pinder Andre Butler Roxanne Rolle Shauna Nairn Daniel Gierszewski Savannah Sound: Natasha Wallace-Gibson Alva Culmer Philippa Kelly William Hilton Shonique Kelly

Spanish Wells District Council Members stand with Director of Local Government, Neil Campbell. (L-R): Esdale Underwood, Dahlia Sturrup, Neil Campbell, Robert Roberts, Ernest Albury, Herbert Albury, and Kole Pinder.

James’ Cistern: Aretha Rolle Denario Evans Windsor Bethel Jr. Avis Bethel Lazavia Lanesha Johnson Hatchet Bay: Carol Pinder Cladwell Farrington Kennedy Scavella Robert Birbb Scavella Sheretha Sands Gregory Town: Dina Johnson Donald Fernander Kevin Cambridge Gerald Cartwright Joshua Daniels South Eleuthera District Council: Tarpum Bay: Lawrence Carey Ronald Carey Kenwood Cartwright Shakera Gardiner Shawna McCartney Kevano Bullard (appointee) Barbara Taylor (appointee) Rock Sound: Philip Kemp La Shonda Leary Danielle Maynard Shantina Munnings

North Eleuthera Mainland District Council Members stand with House Speaker, Patricia Deveaux. (L-R): James Munroe, Emmerson Hudson, Vernon Neilly, Patricia Deveaux, David Armbrister, Alicia Munroe, Aldred Albury, and Ricardo Bell.

Edward Saunders Phillippa Strachan Sherwin Johnson (appointee) Green Castle: Kennord Mackey Keishawn Morley Lillian Petty Clemetta Thompson Eldiqua Thompson

Wemyss Bight: Daniel Smith Arthur Ernest Sweeting McGregor James Young Deep Creek: Julius Kemp John Pinder

Waterford: Travis Butler Bannerman Town: Philip McPhee

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CIWiL Bahamas Elects New Executive Board and Leadership Team for 2022-2024 The Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) on January 20th, 2022 announced the election of their new Executive Board and Leadership Team for term 2022-2024, which included, Jewel Edwards - who originally hails from Tarpum Bay, South Eleuthera.

In its statement, The Bahamas Chapter said that it is committed to advancing women’s leadership, good governance, transformational leadership and gender equality throughout the Caribbean. CIWiL Regional Board President, Lady A. Anande TrotmanJoseph welcomed and congratulated CIWiL’s new Executive Board. The President noted in her remarks that everything rises and falls on leadership (Maxwell). She commented, “The Bahamas Chapter has been holding its own, has stepped up to the plate, has shown dedication to sisterhood, and has proven it is well established and ready to serve. We are all leaders and should be proud of who we are and embrace the pillars of transparency, integrity, respectful communication, “sisterliness,” solidarity. The race is not to the swift but to those that endure to the end.”

In expressing her gratitude to be re-elected to a second term as Chair, Mrs. Charlene Paul commented: “We have much work to do.

More than ever, we need all hands on deck, to promote transformational leadership, letting our voices be heard and making significant impact in our nation. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and I look forward to working with all of you. We are stronger together.”

Jewel Edwards, shortly after being elected, commented that she was honoured and humbled to serve on the leadership team, adding, “I am happy to serve and represent Eleuthera, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the world. My life’s motto is - ‘If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain’. I firmly hold that excellence is the only standard.”

The CIWiL Bahamas Chapter Executive Board is comprised of: • Charlene Paul – Chairperson, • Robyn Lynes– Vice Chairperson, • Cherise Cox-Nottage – Secretary/ Coordinator, • Jewel Edwards – Public Relations Officer/Communications • Sheena Culmer - Treasurer CIWiL’s release further read that it has active national chapters in the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We work collectively across the region to: 1. implement projects/ initiatives that advance women’s transformational leadership; 2. promote women’s increased participation, leadership and decision-making in

politics and public life, civil society and the private sector, 3. promote participatory, people-centered development, based on principles of human rights, gender equality and equity, economic and social justice, and environmental sustainability, and 4. build partnerships across political and professional lines toward the common aim of eliminating gender inequality.

Interested members of the public were

encouraged to join the CIWiL Bahamas National Chapter to advance women’s equality in leadership and decision making. For more information on membership with the National Chapter email CiwilBahamas242@gmail.com or info@ciwil.org, contact them on WhatsApp at 1-242-470-8771, or visit their website at www.ciwil.org.

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Government reveals reassessment of properties to broaden tax base works towards increasing revenues to 25% of GDP, lowering the national debt, and investing in critical initiatives. The government is projected to potentially gain an additional $450 million in real property tax revenues over the next 4 years as a result of the new valuation exercise.

“The changes are reflected in tax bills sent out to property owners during the month of January. Further legislative changes and enforcement measures are expected to be rolled out in coming months.”

In response to the announced re-assessment of property liable to tax, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) on January 27th, 2022, highlighted that in some cases, businesses and employers had found the dollar value increase significant and shocking. The BCCEC

The Bahamas Department of Inland Revenue issued a statement on January 26th, 2022, about a property re-assessment exercise done in New Providence, affecting annual real property tax bills normally issued during the month of January each year.

The statement read: “As the government pursues opportunities for improved revenue mobilization, residential and commercial property owners in New Providence may be seeing changes to their real property tax bills due to the recently completed valuation exercise for properties on the island.

“The objective of the valuation exercise was to ensure that the taxes paid reflect the current market value of properties. The end-result of this exercise was a broadening of the tax base and an increase in revenues with 10,000 previously unregistered properties now accurately assessed and registered.

Through this broadening of the base, the government believes that it is moving towards a fairer and more equitable tax system in an area that has been marked by substantial inequality.

“Financial Secretary, Simon Wilson, stated that the goal of this exercise is to ensure that owners of new and higher value properties are paying their share of the tax burden, noting that most Bahamians will not see an increase and

many property owners will see a decrease in their taxes.

“The government has introduced a $312.50 rebate for every owneroccupied property that effectively raises the threshold for payment by $50,000 from $250,000. This means anyone who owns a property valued at $300,000 or below will not pay real property taxes.

Through the introduction of this rebate, 87% of residential property owners will pay $1,000 or less in real property taxes. The revenue gained is through a broadening of the tax base by identifying previously unregistered properties and by ensuring everyone is paying the correct amount.”

“The government previously introduced a 50% waiver for pensioners, a 10% early payment waiver, and through this exercise the government has now ensured that no back taxes will be owed on newly enumerated properties.

“In total, nearly 70% of all Bahamians are projected to see no change or will pay less as a result of these changes. The other 30% may see increases related to the alignment of their recorded property value with the current market value, as assessed by the government, ensuring that owners of higher value properties are not underpaying.

“These changes are necessary as a part of the government’s plan to stabilize its fiscal situation as it

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said in their response that due to the protracted time between previous assessments, which was not the fault of property owners, the re-assessed taxed amounts have amounted to increases between 0 - 500 percent due to the appreciation of property values during the time between assessments - giving the example of some property owners having reported tax increases of between 100% - 435% from the previous year.

The BCCEC commented that such a significant and sudden increase in tax liabilities can devastatingly impact businesses and employers. The organization went on to urge the government to consider a glide path approach to implementing the changes prompted by the property re-assessments to lessen the tax price shock and economic strain on taxpayers.

Green School Expo

Harbour Island Green School students show off their marine ecosystems projects.

dents at the Harbour Island Green School the opportunity to interact with their environment and play a role in uplifting their local community. “At HIGS we believe that learning both inside and outside of the classroom are vital parts of a well-rounded education. Through the Green Friday Program, students are able to utilize the infor-

mation they learn in school and apply it to real life circumstances... The program is a pillar of The Harbour Island Green School’s mission, which is to deliver educational excellence to help create empowered, dynamic, communityminded leaders who are environmentally, culturally, and socially conscious global citizens.”

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44 www. EleutheraNews . com

Picture this

Rose Kirby pinned by Maisie Thompson.

Jan/Feb, 2022

New RCE Members Installed

Delilah Barr pinned by Maxwell Leary.

Sybil Forbes pinned by Glenda Johnson-Ingraham.

On Thursday, January 27th, 2022, the Rotary Club of Eleuthera installed three new members of the club, Sybil Forbes - a Restaurant Owner/Retired Flight Attendant as well as Reserve Police Officer; Delilah Barr - a Banker; and Rose Kirby - Retired Civil Servant and Restaurant Owner. The new additions resulted in an increase to 30 current members of the active club. On the same evening, a number of club members also received Paul Harris Fellow recognition, including: Past President Sherrin Cooper, Past President Susan Culmer, Rotarian Deborah Cartwright, President Elect Maxwell Leary, Past President Juanita Pinder, President Glenda Johnson-Ingraham and Rotarian Eldecia Thompson.

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Learning Loss during Covid

stability.

She told Parliamentarians that the Ministry worked quickly to respond to the emergence of the Omicron variant, ensuring schools could be reopened as safely as possible.

“On Monday, the 24th of January, 2022, due to swift action from the government, our schools nationwide reopened their doors for face to face instruction.

“As it turned out, the 24th of January is International Day of Education as proclaimed by The United Nations General Assembly: a day to celebrate the pivotal role that education plays in creating peace and promoting development. It was quite fitting for the hybrid model to be launched on that day, as we took the first steps towards normalized education after two years of uncertainty and false starts.

“On that day, thousands of children in The Bahamas re-entered the classroom, many of whom were among the ‘lost’ children who had not attended school either in-person or virtually for more than 2 years.

“This was an important step forward for our country because the evidence is clear: face to face instruction is the most effective method of transmitting learning and so getting our children back into the classroom, if only in a hybrid model in the first instance, represents tremendous prog-

ress as we seek to confront the harm caused by this pandemic.

“It is a very critical first step, and it supplements the digital learning with much needed face-to-face time.

Ideally, we’d like to move as soon as possible to 100% face-to-face learning when it is safe to do so.”

Minister Hanna-Martin remarked that the Ministry will conduct diagnostic testing on each child during the course of their face-to face instruction which will be followed by the implementation of strategies for accelerated learning, appropriate for each child.

She indicated that based on the “deep” impact of the past two years other interventions may be necessary.

“We are dealing with an unprecedented scenario of widespread learning loss among a majority of our students – not only those who didn’t show up for two years but also those who were sporadic in their appearances, those who experienced frequent technical issues, and those for whom digital-only learning was not an effective means of conveying knowledge.”

She informed Parliamentarians that reports from teachers since Monday (January 24th) are “worrying” which is amplified by recent data by UNICEF. Citing a quotation from UNICEF

she said, “In March, we will mark two years of COVID-19-related disruptions to global education. Quite simply, we are looking at a nearly insurmountable scale of loss to children’s schooling.

“While the disruptions to learning must end, just reopening schools is not enough. Students need intensive support to recover lost education.

Schools must also go beyond being places of learning to rebuild children’s mental and physical health, social development and nutrition.”

“Children have lost basic numeracy and literacy skills. Globally, disruption to education has meant millions of children have significantly missed out on the academic learning they would have acquired if they had been in the classroom, with younger and more marginalized children facing the greatest loss.”

“In low- and middle-income countries, learning losses to school closures have left up to 70 per cent of 10-year-olds unable to read or understand a simple text, up from 53 per cent pre-pandemic.”

“Follow-on consequences of school closures are on the rise. In addition to learning loss, school closures have impacted children’s mental health, reduced their access to a regular source of nutrition, and increased their risk of abuse.”

“A growing body of evidence shows that COVID-19 has caused high rates of anxiety and depression among children and young people,

with some studies finding that girls, adolescents and those living in rural areas are most likely to experience these problems.”

Furthermore, Minister Martin said challenges which existed in the educational system before the pandemic have been made worse by the constantly evolving situation.

She said returning children to the classroom may only be half the battle but a “very” important half.

On behalf of a grateful nation she thanked the teachers who returned to the classroom for understanding what is at stake.

Minister Hanna-Martin urged parents to emphasize the need for children to follow safety protocols on school campuses to fight community spread.

She also encouraged corporate Bahamas to support local schools by donating N95 masks for children, teachers, administrators and support staff and by providing support for technology and other needs of schools.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness has also implemented free testing to assist us in reopening safely.

So many organizations and people have collaborated across the educational system, the government, and the private sector to make this reopening happen. It is an example of the great things we can accomplish when we unite around a common goal,” she added.

By Kathryn Campbell, BIS

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Bahamas - UAE Technical Assistance MOU Signed in Dubai A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Hon. Fred Mitchell and His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, on Monday, January 17th, 2022 in Dubai, coinciding with Bahamas National Day celebrations at the ongoing World Expo 2020 event being hosted in the UAE. The signing of this MOU begins a fruitful relationship between The Bahamas and the UAE, said the Bahamas government. The UAE government is committed to providing technical assistance through their Technical Assistance Programme. Embedded in the agreement, is a provision that at least fifty percent of the participants in the training programme are women.

Both The Bahamas and UAE expressed commitment to working together on several fronts for the mutual advancement of both countries. The exchange of information will be invaluable, said the government, as The Bahamas continues to push through the setbacks of the pandemic toward national and economic growth.

Pictured are: Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas the Hon. Philip Davis, centre, Minister Mitchell, left, and HE Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan.

(Photo/OPM Communications)

Source: Bahamas Information Services

Picture this

Amended HOA signed between

Government and Western Atlantic University School of Medicine

A Signing of an Amended Heads of Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) took place on January 5th, 2022 at the Office of the Prime Minister. This new Heads of Agreement, says the government, provides a more profitable structure for The Bahamas with removal of the moratorium on medical schools: The Bahamas is opened to more educational investment. Devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in Grand Bahama did not sway WAUSM’s commitment to the island. CEO Peter Goetz said they were “committed to being a part of the renaissance of Grand Bahama.” There are currently 22 students enrolled at the university and 50 more are slated to join in May. For the Fall Semester 250 students have applied for the 100 spots available. Five Bahamians will receive full scholarships to the institution this year. In the group photo above, standing from left: Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey; Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville; Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip Davis; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper; Founder and CEO/WAUSM Peter Goetz; and WAUSM Managing Director Bill Colgan. Not pictured: Joseph Davis, Founding Investor and Government Affairs Liaison; Adrian Hunter, Legal Advisor; and Tanya Pratt, Liaison.

46 www. EleutheraNews . com

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Sanctuary Bell in Rock Sound Dedicated to 30-Year Visiting Couple Ninety-one year-old, Gladys Ratcliffe, an annual visitor from Ontario, Canada to the township of Rock Sound in South Eleuthera for the past 30 years, was honoured, along with her late husband, Bob Ratcliffe, by her longtime friends on the island.

Members of the Methodist Church in Rock Sound, in replacing their church bell decided to have it inscribed and dedicated to the couple, who had made so many friends within the township during their years of visiting Eleuthera. The couple first happened on the island by sailboat,

and after her husband passed away in 2004, Gladys continued to visit by flying in each year.

She was invited forward and presented with a plaque which had been prepared in advance, during the Sunday morning service at the Methodist Church in Rock Sound on December 26th, 2021 during the Christmas weekend, which read: “Our Sanctuary Bell, celebrates the friendship and generosity of Bob & Gladys Ratcliffe, Honourary Rock Sound Residents and Friends of Us All”.

Chris and Monica Cates, who returned to Rock Sound, Eleuthera in 1999, establishing

Handy Tip! DIY Painting &

Fond Memories: Mrs. Gladys Ratcliffe recalls the longtime friendships forged and favourite spots enjoyed while visiting Rock Sound over many years. their business and their forever home, met Gladys and Bob the following year, forging a friendship that saw Gladys continue to come back to Rock Sound, even after losing her husband, to spend time with her island friends for at least ten days each year. “Gladys is part of our family,”

described Mr. Cates, when asked about the relationship that brought Gladys back time and again.

Throughout the thirty years of time spent in Rock Sound, Gladys and her husband created memories and fast friendships with numerous community members. Some of the very special people of the Rock Sound community, whom Gladys fondly remembers as very good friends during her times spent visiting, included: Edwina Burrows - owner of Edwina’s Place Restaurant and Cottages, Nathaniel Hall (aka. Nat) - local farmer, Henrietta Knowles - manager at The Almond Tree gift store, John Farrington - butcher at The Market Place, Janice Gibson - owner of Lunasea Gift Store, Gene Gibson - tailor extraordinaire, and many other priceless friends, who she still brings special gifts for every time she visits.

Purse Making Tips Each month, learn a bit about do-it-yourself painted designs and purse making with valuable tips and expert advice: TIP 4.

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A visibly emotional Gladys Ratcliffe being presented with a plaque by Mr. Chris Cates, declaring she and her late husband, Bob Ratcliffe, as Honourary Rock Sound Residents.

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Tonnes of COVID-19 health care waste highlight urgent need to improve management systems

Medical and PPE waste.

1 February 2022 - Tens of thousands of tonnes of extra medical supplies from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic have put tremendous strain on health care waste management systems around the world, threatening human and environmental health and exposing a need to improve disposal practices, according to a new WHO report.

The WHO Global analysis of health care waste in the context of COVID-19: status, impacts and recommendations bases its estimates on the approximately 87,000 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE) procured between March 2020November 2021 and shipped through a joint United

Nations emergency initiative to support countries’ urgent COVID-19 response . Most of this equipment is expected to have ended up as waste.

Since the start of the pandemic over 140 million test kits, with a potential to generate 2,600 tonnes of non-infectious waste (mainly plastic) and 731,000 litres of chemical waste (equivalent to one-third of an Olympic-size swimming pool) have been shipped, while over 8 billion doses of vaccine have been administered globally, producing 143 tonnes of additional waste in the form of syringes, needles, and safety boxes.

Yet safe waste management services for healthcare waste are often lacking, particularly in least

developed countries.

“It is absolutely vital to provide health workers with the right PPE,” Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme said.

“But it is also vital to ensure that it can be used safely without impacting on the surrounding environment.”

This means having effective management systems in place, including guidance for health workers on what to do with PPE and other disposable items after they have been used.

Today, around a third of healthcare facilities (60% of which are in least developed countries) are not equipped to handle existing waste loads, let alone the additional medical waste generated by COVID-19. This potentially exposes health workers to injuries, burns and pathogenic microorganisms, while also impacting communities living near poorly-managed landfills and disposal sites.

The report lays out a set of recommendations for integrating better, safer, and more environmentally sustainable waste practices into the current COVID-19 response and future pandemic preparedness efforts.

These include using eco-friendly packaging and shipping, recyclable or biodegradable materials; investment in non-burn waste treatment technologies, such as autoclaves; and investments in the recycling sector to ensure materials, like plastics, can have a second life.

The analysis comes at a time when the health sector is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize the amount of waste being sent to landfills — in part because of the great concern about the proliferation of plastic waste and its impacts on water, food systems and human and ecosystem health.

New Justices of the Peace Sworn In -Local

Reverend Ricardo L. Dean of Hatchet Bay was one of several new Justices of the Peace sworn-in during the month of January in Central and South Eleuthera. Reverend Dean received his credentials on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 from Administrator Gilbert Kemp at the Administrative complex in Governor’s Harbour. Other new JP’s sworn-in in January include Pastor Gerrard Allen of Tarpum Bay, Pastor Bradley Ferguson of Rock Sound, and Reverend Elvis Cooper of Palmetto Point.

Reverend Ricardo L. Dean, JP.