The Eleutheran Newspaper December/January 2023 Issue

The Central Bank of The Bahamas Issues Point of Sale Scam Advisory for Merchants

In a release to the media, the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) has warned merchants to be aware of a scam involving perpetrators pretending to be representatives of the CBOB. The release is as follows

“ It has come to the attention of the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) that a person or persons have approached local merchants purporting to be a representative of the CBOB and requesting to “...validate [their] POS (point of sale) systems to ensure that they are Near Field Communication (NFC) compliant”. Near Field Communication is a form of radio-frequency communica-

tion (RFID) that allows for communication between two electronic devices – close proximity wireless data transfer.

We would wish to advise all merchants and the general public that the Central Bank has no association with the issuance, maintenance, administration or management of POS systems, and would not authorize any individual or entity to conduct any business on its behalf. As such, merchants should exercise all due diligence and report any suspicious activities to the Royal Bahamas Police Force and their respective banking institution.

CSE MP Sees 2023 as A Big YEAr for Eleuthera

In an interview, following the ringing in of the new year during the first week in January 2023, the Hon. Clay Sweeting, member of parliament (MP) for Central and South Eleuthera (CSE), and minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, shared some of his goals and priorities during the next twelve months and several updates on initiatives and challenges in 2022. “My message to Eleuthera is that 2023 is a big year for us. The work that has been

CSE MP the Hon. Clay Sweeting stands with the Hon. Zane Lightbourne and Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, as they view the start of construction on homes within the Ministry of Housing and Transport’s new Ocean Hole Subdivision in Rock Sound, South Eleuthera, early in December 2022.

done as a government and as a member of parliament over the past year and a half - the ground work - the fruits of the labour, we hope to be shown during this next year,” he began.

Shedding light on where his priorities will focus, Mr. Sweeting stated, “On Eleuthera, for me it is to ensure that all the necessary services for the people in Eleuthera are streamlined and are sustainable and something that is reliable, especially for utilities - which includes roads, electricity, and potable water. Also, to continue to expand on the work that we have done to complete the housing projects and to continue to build homes in Eleuthera.”

He added, “To expand on the agricultural side of it - the cultivation center [slated for Hatchet Bay], is where we hope to also do greenhouse parks through BAMSI, which includes training and facilitation - to get young farmers involved. The containerized farm [which the Ministry of Agriculture is purchasing] should be placed in Eleuthera as well, which should help to also spark interest with young farmers - with regards to vertical farming. It will help to show farmers what you can do. They will have access to the location - to do some training and facilitation. This is how

we tie in the cultivation center to an agricultural park where you have access to this different technology and innovation, and you have the food kitchen there, along with large greenhouses. So, farmers will have access to these large facilities.”

Commenting briefly on future projects, which he was cautious about preempting, Mr. Sweeting revealed, “We have some projects that are in the pipeline for this year, that have not been announced as yet. I think I may have preempted it a little bit in a video that we did with the Ministry of Agriculture in regards to chicken and poultry... That is going to be an exciting project... My opinion is that every chicken that we eat in this country should come from a Bahamian farmer - and especially eggs, with the price of eggs. So, we’ve got some revolutionary plans in regards to that.”

In summary of the status of several ongoing projects, CSE MP Sweeting shared, “Windermere Island has started their construction, and has put some people to work - Disney as well. Disney should be completed by 2025. They are moving at a rapid pace. They are doing pretty well there. At Cotton Bay they are supposed to be finalizing architectural rendings... We also P35

Education issues stirring? :

Teachers at Local Schools Take Industrial Action Citing ‘Serious Concerns’

Two schools in Eleuthera - the Preston Albury High School (PHAHS) in Rock Sound, and the Harbour Island All Age School (HIAAS) on Harbour Island, saw teachers taking industrial action after the return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, as a result of a variety of serious concerns, from a shortage of teachers and other essential staff to a lack of administrative support with student behavioural issues.

Belinda Wilson, president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), who was in Eleuthera on Thursday, January 5th at the Preston Albury High School, and in Harbour Island on Friday, January 6th in support of the actions taken by teachers at both schools, explained, “...We have taken industrial action because teachers are concerned at two of the schools in Eleuthera. The first one would be Preston Albury High School, where the concern is teacher shortages - in English Language, Mathematics, and the technical subjects.

She continued, “On Thursday we were at Preston Albury High in meetings from morning until afternoon. All day, we were in meetings with the district superintendent and his team and the principal,

along with our union area vice president and district shop steward at Preston Albury High School. We are trying to work out the issues, but there are still issues that are outstanding.

“In addition to the teacher shortages, we have a major concern about the leadership of the school. There are a number of concerns basically about the manner in which the school is being operated, as well as the communication - or the lack thereof. The communication between the principal and the teachers, and even the janitresses, security and support staff. So, we continue to work along with the Ministry of Education to ensure that these matters are addressed in the shortest time.

President Wilson then added, “As for the Harbour Island All Age School - they are in need of a grade five teacher, a religious studies teacher, a guidance counsellor, a social studies teacher, a security officer, as well as furniture needs. Now, we have been advised that some of the needed furniture should be on island, arriving on the boat today (Friday, January 6th). We have other furniture that they will be awaiting. The teachers are very concerned too about ‘burn out’. They are concerned

about their safety. Harbour Island All Age School does not have even one security officer. So, again we have been in meetings just now with the principal and his administrative team, with the local government chief councillor, and also the island administrator. We also communicated with the local police today.

“So, we are here, taking a stand, and what I would like for people to realize is - when teachers take a stand for safety reasons, and for more teachers - that benefits our nation’s children. So, we are taking a stand for the betterment of the education system.” BUT president Wilson was also accompanied by her area vice president, Mr. Anton Duncombe, who had arrived in Eleuthera on Wednesday.

Wilson and her team returned to New Providence on Friday afternoon, January 6th, but she stated before she left, “The industrial action will continue until we get definite action from the Ministry of Education.”

The industrial action by teachers took several forms at the two schools, with teachers at the Harbour Island All Age School stag-

ing a ‘sit in’ on campus - where they were present at school, but not teaching in the classrooms.

At Preston Albury High School, the teachers ‘sat in’ until the Friday, when they ‘sat out’ for the day.

Following the weekend, on Monday morning, January 9th, 2023, teachers at Preston H. Albury High School, returned to campus, where they met with school administrators. They, however, continued a ‘sit in’ on Monday, ahead of the Majority Rule holiday on Tuesday. Industrial action by teachers in Harbour Island also continued.

Teachers in Harbour Island all returned to their classrooms on Wednesday, January 11th, following the Majority Rule holiday, confirmed BUT shop steward representative at the school, Mrs. Ferguson.

She shared, “Things have not been fully resolved, but some of our main issues have been addressed, and some of them are in the process of being addressed. For example, one of our main issues was for teachers to have an adequate amount of time for planning. Some teachers did not have any, so, that was addressed. We did not have a security officer - we are promised that by next week we would be given the name of

someone who should be starting next week as a security officer. For the grade five teacher, we did not have one. One is currently in place - but that person is not yet on the islandbut they have been identified. In the meantime, someone that is on island will actually be holding the grade five class.

She continued, “A railing that was dangerous and hazardous, because there was a large chunk of the railing leading to the second story that was missing - from which a child almost fell over - that has been replaced. We are still awaiting word on a guidance counsellor, and we are still awaiting word on a Social Studies teachernone have been identified. We are still awaiting the religious studies teacher to come, but she has started to teach virtually from wherever she is. So, that is where we are.”

“I can say if you are going to put a percentage to it - 50% of the issues have been resolved. They say they are working on the others - they are to update us. Some should be in place by next week, they say. So, those were the reasons why we returned to class yesterday,” explained shop steward, Mrs. Ferguson.

On Thursday morning, January 12th, teachers at Preston Albury High

School continued their industrial action of ‘sitting in’. A sizeable number of students were in attendance, confirmed the principal, however, parents had kept some students home - rather than having them sitting unattended in classrooms.

Administration at PHAHS on Thursday morning participated in an online zoom meeting with Ministry of Education (MOE) officials and school parents to update them on the situation and the steps being taken by the MOE to bring resolution to the industrial action and issues of concern at the school.

Principal at Preston H. Albury High School, Sharon Scott, expressed that a number of teachers verbally made known their intention to no longer act as substitutes for classes that were without teachers at the school on their return, as the school term ended in December. “I was hoping that last week [on their return], they would have gone back to the classroom.”

Since school opened, said principal Scott, she had been in contact with the district office and MOE headquarters to see how best to rectify the situation. A new English Language teacher, she confirmed was expected to arrive at PHAHS during the

week of January 16th.

“There are some other issues that were added to the mix. As with most other schools, we do have some discipline issues, and you know that discipline is not just an administrative task - it is all inclusive,” said principal Scott. “In total we have 21 teachers, a guidance counsellor and myself along with acting vice principal, Ms. Butler.”

Sharing her desire for the earliest resolution, principal Scott said, “Hopefully, I’m praying that next week everything is back to normal, and our children can get back to learning.”

Four teachers at PHAHS were said to have returned to classes on Thursday. The remaining teachers on staff continued the ‘sit in’ action on Friday, January 13th.

On Monday morning, January 16th, school officials at Preston Albury High, along with members of the school’s PTA (Parent Teachers Association) once again met with teachers. According to school officials, this final meeting was a success, resulting in an end to the two-week stand-off , and teachers at the school returning to their classrooms on Tuesday morning, January 17th, 2023.

The fallacy of “President” Juan Guaidó is over

has now evaporated.

The myth of Guaidó’s presidency and authority was possible only because Donald Trump, as President of the United States, endorsed him on 23 January 2019, for personal political reasons. Trump needed the exile votes in South Florida for his run for a second term as President. Several countries were “persuaded”, in defiance of customary international law to support Trump’s position. But many of the then governments of those supporting states knew that the position they took was not rooted in international law or practice, and it was unsustainable unless the de facto government of Nicolás Maduro crumbled. Four years later, Maduro is still there.

had formed themselves with Canada into the “Lima Group”, departed from the patently obvious uselessness of supporting a charade. The Jamaican government, while not formally a member of the Lima Group, continued its pro- Guaidó position.

The purpose of the “Lima Group” was to try to give international legitimacy to Juan Guaidó, particularly in hemispheric organisations, such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Development Bank, where, along with the U.S. government, they used their slender majority to impose Guaidó’s nominees as the representatives of Venezuela.

Conference in 2019 by 19 votes, which, wrongly, included the nominee voting for himself, the archaic rules of the OAS required a favourable vote of 22 to pass. Abstentions by three CARICOM countries deprived the OAS of correcting the blemish of illegality and immorality of seating a pretender as a legitimate government. How any government could expect to maintain the credibility of the OAS in such circumstances is deeply troubling.

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto)

The pretender, Juan Guaidó, is now finally gone. The myth that he was the President of Venezuela and had the capacity to act and speak for the country,

Further, sanctions applied against the Maduro government, designed to hasten its collapse, did not succeed. The only thing that the sanctions accomplished was hurting the populace of the country, particularly the poor, creating the second largest flow of refugees in the world today.

Many countries, which followed the Trump lead in recognising Guaidó as President of Venezuela, had begun to abandon that farce. In Latin America and the Caribbean, change of governments in Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, St Lucia, and Guyana, which

Several Caribbean governments resisted this imposition, which was also a violation of the rules of the OAS and of customary international law. Among the Caribbean countries, which steadfastly adopted this principled stance from the outset, were Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. These countries, recorded in the resolutions of the OAS, that they did not accept the violation of the OAS rules and would not be bound by any decision, which required the vote of Guaidó’s representative to pass.

On 6 October 2022 – just three months ago – at the General Conference of the OAS in Peru, as Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, I introduced a resolution to overturn the decision to seat Guaidó’s representative at the OAS. The resolution received majority support of 19 of the supposedly 35 member states (neither Cuba nor Venezuela are members despite the unenforceable 1948 rules of the organisation, really making membership 33). Only 4 countries voted against, namely Canada, Guatemala, Paraguay and the U.S.

However, even though Guaidó’s nominee was seated at a General

As matters turned out, it was the Venezuelan opposition parties that put an end to this international conspiracy to accord Guaidó the status of President. The opposition shadow “National Assembly” voted on Friday, 30 December 2022, to remove Juan Guaidó. Guaidó’s own party did not oppose removing him; they wanted to replace him.

But the three major opposition groups recognised that, realistically, a farce was never sustainable in the beginning, and continuing it was selfdestructive. Instead, they have created a five-member commission to manage Venezuela’s foreign assets, especially the U.S. based, CITGO, a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company, PDVSA. However, this scheme is entirely dependent on the support of foreign governments, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Almost $2 billion worth of Venezuela’s gold reserves are held in the Bank of England. A London High Court had ruled last August that Guaidó should control these assets, but the Maduro government appealed the decision. Now that Guaidó has been deposed by the Opposition parties and the farce of his Presidency has evaporated, the Court will be constrained to review its ruling.

Meanwhile, Gustave Tarre, Guaidó’s nominee as representative to the OAS, has announced the termination of his own appoint-

Eleuthera rode the crest of the property wave in 2022, continuing the record-breaking run of the previous year.

The picture of a wave is fitting because the property market crests and dips as it goes through various cycles, only to crest again.

Presently the supply is limited due to the recent surge in sales.

The property boom started in 2021 and roared into ’22 without missing a

Still Booming in ‘22

beat.

It spurred robust economic activity throughout the islands and generated lots of VAT revenue for the cash strapped Public Treasury.

Local businesses, especially construction, short-term vacation rentals, restaurants, stores and car rentals, reaped the benefits.

If you were a skilled tradesperson, you could write your ticket as property owners scrambled to find experienced contractors, carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

What caused the prolonged flood in sales?

Well, a combination of factors fell in place to keep the momentum going during 2022.

Wealthy foreigners, Americans mainly, invested in property to hedge their bets against high inflation and rising interest rates.

And pent-up property demand from the pandemic continued, triggering lifestyle changes such as early retirement. Technology allowed buyers to work from their island homes.

People wanted to live the dream of owning a home on a warm and beautiful island with the healthy outdoors at their fingertips.

As always, the Bahamas’ proximity to the U.S. mainland played a huge role in the country’s fortunes.

Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine made our islands an even more attractive haven in the face of global turmoil.

A stable political environment, anchored by the pillars of parliamentary democracy and an independent judiciary, provided comfort to foreign investors.

And Eleuthera continued to lure locals - a hot spot for Nassau-weary Bahamians looking to relocate or buy a second home.

Many Bahamians have invested in Airbnb rental properties, receiving a steady and significant flow of revenue.

Will the housing market cool in 2023?

At some point, sales will “normalize” and may have already started to, following the US Federal Reserve’s incremental interest rate hikes to cool inflation in the U.S. Only time will tell.

But the surge of the last two years has helped to strengthen, develop and position the islands for the years ahead.

Real estate, bought in the right place at the right time, remains a solid investment.

Thank God We Made It

While the last few years have been the most difficult in the country’s modern history, we made it through 2022 without a major hurricane.

I’m not downplaying the damage caused by Nicole and Ian, but it could have been much worse.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy New Year to all my readers. Wishing your health, peace and prosperity in 2023.

ment in the wake of Guaidó’s removal. Since it was Guaidó who, himself, made this appointment as “President of the National Assembly”, and he has been removed by the same opposition National Assembly, the entire scheme at the OAS now falls away. Unless, of course, 19 governments are brazen enough to try to once again bulldoze and bully the other members of the Organization to accept another mockery of customary international law and practice.

It is most unlikely that 19 member states will support such an initiative. The vote at the OAS General Conference on 6 October, 2022 was self-evident. Only 4 countries voted against the Resolution by Antigua and Barbuda, whose objective was to restore respect for law and rules at the OAS by removing Guaidó’s representative.

Spain has shown the way to all those who initially recognized Guaidó. On 28 De-

cember 2022,

The reality is that on 27 April 2017, the Government of Venezuela denounced the OAS Charter and announced its withdrawal from membership of the Organization with effect two years later on April 27, 2019, as required by the Charter. Since then, a pretender has wrongly occupied the Venezuelan seat, not paying any part of the $10 million, ascribed as dues payable by Venezuela over the last 4 years.

The consequence was false accounting that has contributed to the inability of the Organisation to fulfil its mandate to the peoples of the member states.

This additional fallacy must also now end.

By Mike Lightbourn

Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty

Spain formally appointed an Ambassador to Venezuela, dealing directly with the Maduro administration.

Do We Love Ourselves Enough?

Or Is Foreign Superior?

One of the things I love about the Bahamas and Eleuthera, in particular, is our friendly, welcoming nature. Our people are generally courteous and kind, and I have yet to experience the same warmth we show strangers in other countries I’ve visited. Over the years, however, I have noticed the trend slipping. Our standards are dropping, and we are not as friendly, caring, or mannerly as we used to be. That’s not the case with everyone, but it is a growing trend. In this new year, it would be nice to see kindness and consideration for others pushed to the fore of our lives—kindness to ourselves, our families, those we claim to love, our neighbors, and strangers. Perhaps a good measuring tool on the kindness spectrum is simply treating others as you wish to be treated. For some, this may be something to master late in life, but it is better late than never. Hopefully, we are teaching our children how to be kind, considerate, and courteous to others, as it should start from an early age.

Considerate shoppers

I had reason to reflect on a story about an older man in another country who sat on a street corner selling his wares. He had not made a sale all day when an affluent lady pulled up in an expensive car to buy his products. Instead of allowing him to sell his meager products with dignity, she negotiated well below his asking prices. Moments later, at a plush restaurant, she bragged how she had gotten her products for little to nothing. Before leaving, she left a sizeable tip for her server. The tip was more than what the poor old man asked for his products. I don’t know if the story was real or contrived, but it was not too far from what I witnessed on our island this past summer.

An old gent I bought fruit from occasionally was selling my husband’s favorite fruit, so I pulled over to surprise him with a few. While selecting what I wanted to buy, a rental car with several tourists pulled over, and out came a stern-looking tourist wearing her negotiating hat. She claimed to have spotted the pineapples and said she would be leaving the island the following day. The lady picked a choice pineapple, inquired about the price, and negotiated with the vendor below his wholesale cost. I knew the cost as I had sought to purchase a case from a farmer in the area. The old man’s price was high, but so was the wholesale cost.

Nevertheless, instead of leaving the fruit there for someone willing to support his business, she mercilessly prodded until she managed to trim the price to $7.00, then handed him a $5.00 note telling him to take it or leave it. Sadly he took it. As much as I wanted to intervene, I did not. It seemed to be a pattern where some vendors were mesmerized by foreigners as though their business held more value than the locals. Despite this unfortunate thought pattern, I wondered how the lady would have felt had the shoe been on her foot. Was it worth taking the food from this man of modest means’ table to feel like she won a trophy?

What about the treatment of locals?

Another disturbing trend is how some local salespeople treat their own; I assume they are employees, as employers should know the value of any customer taking the time to enter their establishment. Locals are sometimes greeted with grunts and groans on a good day and other days, complete silence or a blank stare as though your presence is a bother rather than something to secure their wage at the end of the week. On several occasions, I’ve walked in with other locals who looked like visitors and spoke with a non-Bahamian accent. Seeing how they were received with overwhelming smiles and kindness was amusing, while I, on the other hand, was treated as though I was invisible. Again this is not all stores, but it has been the case in far too many. It’s as though the foreigner was a vitamin B shot in the arm. I wonder how our businesses would survive if we had another lockdown and had only locals to rely on for sustenance.

Sadly, those business owners will see a rapid decline in their businesses without knowing why their local customers have stopped patronizing their stores. Unfortunately, the problem is not just in Eleuthera. Several months ago, I was asked by a merchant in Nassau to contact his buyer about selling our books in their stores. When I did, the buyer was abrupt and dismissive when she determined I was local. I knew exactly what the problem was because I had the misfortune of experiencing this same behavior in another store, only to find the buyer preferred foreign and placed my items in a storeroom where they would never see the light of day. The goods were placed on the showroom floor when the owner realized what had happened. Much to the buyers’ surprise, they sold within days. Amusingly, the buyer then called in a friendly tone requesting more of my products. With that experience under my belt, I realized that the buyer I contacted a few months ago also had a problem dealing with locals. I remedied that with another telephone call by putting on my long-buried British accent, only to be received with the most bubbly personality that promised the world.

A new trend to harness the support of locals

Many hotels, restaurants, and activities in the capital shunned locals coming to their properties before the pandemic. However, things are beginning to change as billboards and other advertisements surface, imploring Bahamians to stay, dine or enjoy their traditionally tourist-centered facilities. Our national slogan of being Better in The Bahamas is something we should aspire to as consumers are exercising their options to travel abroad, shop online, and, in some instances, relocate to where they believe are greener pastures. If this trend continues, where will it leave our local economy?

The lack of courtesy, however, is not just in the stores. There was a time we smiled or greeted people when we entered a bank or any other establishment. Today, it seems like we can walk within

a bout the 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

inches of one another, stand in a line of twenty persons and not utter a good morning or good afternoon, yet belch profanity as though it was the preferred language of the day. This unfortunate habit is being passed down to the younger generation who know little to nothing about pleasantries and honoring their elders. Ma’am and sir have been replaced with first names, which in days past could get your ear pulled or worse. Defiant children garner smiles rather than correction from their parents. Kids brush by adults without a simple good morning or opening the door for them or a lady. Please and thank you have almost become an unknown foreign language, and looking someone in the eyes when speaking to them seems to be a thing of the past.

What can we do about this?

We can begin with some introspection. While foreigners or tourists deserve our kindness, appreciation, and respect, we must

• Truly love ourselves and each other • Value all customers

• Seek training for our staff and ourselves to ensure customer service is genuine

• Ensure customers receive value for their time and money

• Train our children to honor their elders and treat them with respect and

• Lead by example and not just by what we say.

In many instances, we have lost our way, but if we trace our steps to the last known position before our decline, we can easily make a u-turn to re-establish habits that will build a stronger community for all. After all, our foundations are solid enough to facilitate our growth and development as a nation as we celebrate this and many happy and prosperous New Years to come.

Teri M. Bethel

Account Holders Left Several Months Without Access to Their Money following Credit Union Closure -

Former Chairman says no one will lose a penny

At year’s end 2022, The Eleutheran Newspaper was contacted by a frustrated customer of the now defunct One Eleuthera Cooperative Credit Union Limited (OECCUL), which until earlier in 2022, had offices located in Governor’s Harbour and Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

The OECCUL, which voluntarily ceased operations in May of 2022 - as of December 30th, 2022 - had yet to allow customers access to the money in their accounts at closure.

Former chairman of the OECCUL board, Mr. Errol McPhee, during the first week in January 2023, communicated that all customers would receive ‘every dime back’, emphasizing, ‘no one will lose one penny in the credit union’.

He explained that the OECCUL did not voluntarily close because of a liquidity issue, and commented that at the time of closure, the local credit union was profitable, saying, “We were doing extremely well. We had 780 members, and had started to make a profit. We had started to move... We did not have any problems. We were very liquid.”

Mr. McPhee further explained that the OECCUL, which had been formally registered in March of 2016, was required by the Central Bank of The Bahamas - the regulator of co-operative credit unions, under the Bahamas Co-operative Credit Unions Act, to have ‘a certain amount’ of statutory reserve capital.

The local credit union had several meetings, he said, with Central Bank officials during 2021 - midst

pandemic - about extending the time period to meet the capital requirements. “They had given us a deadline to come up with a certain amount of capital... We were not able to build up the amount of capital they required after the given time. As a result of that, they told us that we had to voluntarily close.”

According to chairman McPhee, a meeting was called with the membership of the OECCUL, where formal agreement was acquired for the ‘voluntary closure’.

The Bahamas Cooperative League Limited (BCLL), the apex body for all cooperative credit unions in The Bahamas are the liquidators for the OECCUL, since its voluntary closure in May of 2022, said Mr. McPhee. The BCLL, he added, has overseen the process of liquidation, which has taken ‘quite a while’. The process, he described, included bringing in auditors, ‘to go through everything’, as well as sending out written communication to each member to have them confirm the balances on their accounts.

Early in December 2022, the general manager and deputy general manager of the BCLL were said to have visited the remaining office location of the OECCUL in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, and at this time, shared Mr. McPhee, he expressed to the liquidators that customers had been waiting ‘too long’ to have access to their funds, with the credit union.

On Thursday, January 12th, 2023, despite hopes that customers would have more information

on when they would have access to their money with the OECCUL early in the new year, Mr. McPhee updated saying,”No, there hasn’t been any movement. As I mentioned, the Bahamas Co-operative League Limited - it is in their hands now, and they are going through the process of making sure that we have all the monies to payout everyone. That is the last status... I spoke with the general manager on Wednesday, January 11th. I asked her how far they are, and she said that they were going through it.” He added that the BCLL informed they would be meeting on the matter during the latter half of January, “...

then they will get back to me, to see exactly where they go from there.”

Mr. McPhee, commenting on the closure of the OECCUL, shared, “My analysis of the whole situation, and being a part of it, is that although there is sufficient population, people joined [the OECCUL] slowly, and when they have now caught on [to the concept], that’s the time when the Central Bank said to us that we needed to have the capital at this particular time, and we were not able to do it... I was disappointed, and I understand the reason they gave - but they saw our potential to move to the next level and they knew we could grow.”

Picture This - Husband & Wife Team Up at Book Signing Event Hosted by Office General

Husband and wife, Tellis and Teri Bethel teamed up to make their literary works available to the public at a book signing event at Office General in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera from Thursday, December 22nd to Saturday December 24th, 2022 at the invitation of the company’s owners, Roderick and Juanita Pinder.

The three-day event featured 18 of the 35 published books written by the authors. Available genres included Bahamian history, children’s ad-

venture stories and picture books, marriage preparation and enrichment, romance and other fiction and non-fiction works.

Residents came from the northern, central, and southern parts of the island to secure autographed copies for themselves, their families and friends as Christmas gifts. Mrs. Bethel, a local publisher at Inspirepublishing.org, said she and her husband, Tellis, (a former Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force) and author of the Lucayan Sea series which features

the life and legacy of the original inhabitants of the Bahamas, have been writing books for over thirty years.

The writing duo believes in producing quality books that inspire and equip their readers. Five of their books are Ministry of Education approved and are being used in several schools in Eleuthera and around the Bahamas. Teri Bethel’s recently published coloring books for children and adults will be in stores in January 2023 and are available on Amazon.com.

Above: Teri Bethel (left) presenting a signed book to Mrs. Rose Kirby.

Above: Tellis Bethel (right) presenting a signed book to Mr. Ken Culmer.

Colourful Year’s End (‘22) Community Celebration in Gregory Town

Gregory Town was again lit up in celebration of the Christmas holidays during the month of December 2022, with its third annual ‘Light Up Gregory Town’ celebration of community on Saturday evening, December 17th.

Scores of families with children came out to enjoy the event, which began with a service of prayer and recognition of the reason for the Christmas celebrations, hosted in the center of town, near the bay, by local government representatives in partnership with ‘Gregory Town Ray of Hope’ group. Father John Johnson of St. Gregory’s Catholic church brought the message during the service, reminding onlookers of the message of Jesus’ birth and His life of sacrifice, allowing people to commune with God, and enjoy the gift of eternal life with Him.

A life-sized Santa’s sleigh, with it’s Bahamian flair of being pulled by a pair of sea horses was again the decorative focal point of the site, where children from the community gathered following the service to receive gifts from the local ‘Santa Claus’, who - to their delight - arrived shortly after the opening service in his palmfringed vehicle.

June Robbins, one of the organizers with the Gregory Town Ray of Hope, shared, “It’s been a little bit easier this year without Covid looming over us. So, we thank God for that. This year we have also built a nativity scene, and along with that we did the spiral tree with dancing lights and the large star - just to round out the nativity.

“The goal is to add to it every year, making it bigger, better and brighter than previous years, and I think we’ve accomplished that goal. It seems that we have a little smaller crowd this year, but the joy is expo-

nential. So, it is really good to see children happy and just running around - and getting their gifts.”

The Gregory Town Ray of Hope is a group of foreign ‘expats’ from different countries who have made Gregory Town their home, who partner with other local residents, business leaders and local government officials to make the annual event happen. “There has been months of planning into this,” explained June, “ - certainly, building the nativity scene and

Above: The town square in Gregory Town, lit up for the festive season.

Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School Celebrates Two Outstanding Male Students Spotlight On Success!

On Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 Damian Russell, a sixth grader, captured 1st Runner Up in the Eleuthera District’s Annual Religious Knowledege Speech Competition. Damian proudly presented a powerful and motivating speech entitled, “It’s Time For A Comeback!” to an enthusiastic audience at the District Resource Centre in Savannah Sound.

Kye Higgs, Head Boy and Primary Student of the Year Nominee at S.G.P.A.A.S believes in service, good will and giving, said his school. He established a Coins 4 Kids Drive in September 2022, donating all proceeds to the Ranfurly Home For Children in New Providence. In October, 2022, officers of the Eleuthera Cancer Society accepted a donation from a fund raiser, started by Kye, to assist in their worthy cause. He also treated the staff at his school with a tasty dessert one morning. Finally, in December 2022, young Mr. Higgs added a smile to the faces of the elderly and shut-in residents of Spanish Wells when he helped prepare then distributed free meals. Administration and staff at Samuel Guy Pinder All Age applauded the efforts and charitable endeavours of Kye, and expressed how proud they were of Damian and his achievement.

Nonagenarians Honoured During North Eleuthera Christmas Tree Lighting

Two nonagenarians, the oldest male and the oldest female in the North Eleuthera district (both 90 years old) were presented with special awards and accolades during the North Eleuthera District Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, celebrated on Saturday, December 10th, 2022. Honoured as the oldest female was Ms. Mary Neilly, and as the oldest male, Mr. Lyman Cash. Ms. Neilly and Mr. Cash also together hit the switch to formally light up the community square in Lower Bogue where the holiday service was hosted.

Damian Russell (center) with DEO Fontella Knowles and DSE Michael Culmer at the RK speech competition.

Kye Higgs with his homeroom teacher during the Coins for Cancer drive.

Above: Ms. Mary Neilly and Mr. Lyman Cash flip the switch together to turn on the Christmas lights in North Eleuthera.

Island Dance & Gymnastics Celebrate Wins;

Looking to 2023 expansion on Eleuthera

on Friday, December 16th, 2022.

The competition saw gymnasts competing from the Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, United States and the United Kingdom, with eighty two (82) clubs participating and more than 1,100 gymnasts.

During the event, Island Dance and Gymnastics entered gymnasts in level 1, level 2 and Xcel bronze.

The young gymnasts entered in the level 1 competition were victorious, winning the first place team prize and also other first place medals, which included; first place on bars with a score or 9.8, first on floor with a score of 9.2, first on vault with a score or 9.1, and also first on beam with a score of 9.2.

Gymnasts entered in the Xcel bronze level finished in second place overall with a score of 36.6. and won first place on bars with a score of 9.8, second place on vault with a score of 9.2.

In December of 2021, the level 1 gymnasts attained the 1st place team position at the Atlantis Crown Invitational Bahamas and also earned the 1st place team prize in April of 2022 at the Florida Crown Invitational.

Key principal at Island Dance and Gymnastics, Ashley Knowles, shared that the gymnasts will have

a full schedule in 2023, saying, “The team will be competing in four additional competitions this year in Florida and are excited and ready to bring the medals back to Eleuthera!”

She added that Island Dance and Gymnastics, which began in 2014 on Spanish Wells, plans to expand to the mainland of Eleuthera in February 2023.

They can be contacted on facebook at their Island Dance Academy page or at 425-7652/477-3706 for more information.

JC DisCount superstores Christmas Winners

JC Discount Superstores, with store locations in both James’ Cistern and Gregory Town, held a Christmas promotion throughout the month of December 2022, leading up to December 25th. Customers were encouraged to spend $20 or more for an opportunity to ‘enter to win’ special prizes. Three local shoppers were the lucky winners in the Christmas drawing at the James’ Cistern store location, including first prize winnerTracy Williams; Christine Rolle of Mel’s Snacks walked away with the second prize; and Mr. Richard Johnson of Delish Life Style won third prize.

Island Dance and Gymnastics, located in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, competed in their second annual Atlantis Crown Invitational Bahamas

Christine Rolle

Richard Johnson

Tracy Williams

CTi graduates Embrace a New Beginning and Endless Possibilities

With “new beginnings and endless possibilities” on the horizon, eighteen new graduates of the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) welcomed the start of a promising and profitable new year. Equipped with training in Basic Culinary and Massage Therapy, the latest cohort celebrated the completion of their courses in a combined graduation ceremony, attended by supportive family and friends at the CTI Rock Sound campus on December 16th. The event highlighted the hard work and investment made by each student to increase their professional capacity and earning potential for greater success in 2023.

The Massage Therapy course, completed by eleven students, was conducted in partnership with Kenny St. Mark from Studio Massage Institute out of Nassau and taught the participants the fundamentals of massage therapy for improved wellbeing.

Speaking on behalf of her class, Celina McCardy conveyed how the Massage Therapy course would add to her time freedom and growing portfolio of skills, which includes advanced aesthetics and body waxing. “Now I can create my own schedule and spend more time with my kids,” she expressed, “This course has made me a better aesthetician, and now that I am receiving my certificate in massage therapy, I can take that along with my other certifications and grow my own business.”

The Basic Culinary course was a part of CTI’s signature “Learn-and-Earn” Program, which is offered exclusively via the Rock Sound campus and provides students the unique opportunity to earn a weekly stipend during their training. The culinary students gained valuable, real-life experience and put their new skills to the test working at CTI’s farm-to-table training restaurant, Farmer’s Table.

Tervanna Burrows recounted her ex-

With certificates in hand, graduates of CTI’s Basic Culinary and Massage Therapy courses are all smiles with Keyron Smith, COO (left).

periences of being challenged to excel in the kitchen, learning the power of teamwork and adjusting to the fast-paced environment of a real restaurant. “Learning to cook new meals, meeting new people and being in the CTI kitchen was a memorable experience,” she recounted, “I now have six new best friends, and I can’t wait to see how we all succeed.”

Addressing the graduates, Mr. Diallo Ingraham, Pastor of the

First Ministry Church, in Tarpum Bay invited all of the graduates to continue pursuing the path of professional and personal development while analysing their environment and recognizing when they need to move onto bigger and better spaces to continue succeeding. He charged them with taking a hands-on approach to their personal development and to keep learning and growing.

He expressed, “Execution is important, enhancement is important, but the right environment is most important. Some of you may spend a lot of time trying to enhance and execute only to find out that you cannot grow and flourish because you are in the wrong environment.” He challenged the students to move beyond their comfort zone and be willing to pursue new environments and vistas for learning, development, and growth.

Congratulating the students on this first step toward a thriving future, Keyron Smith, Chief Operating Officer of OEF and CTI expressed, “Each new cohort of students solidifies One Eleuthera Foundation and CTI’s commitment to providing greater employment, training, and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people across Eleuthera. It is the goal of both organizations to empower and sustainably develop Eleuthera’s people, local communities, and economy, one student and one progressive initiative at a time.”

CTI is the premier tertiary education and training institution in Eleuthera, offering 10-12 week certified vocational courses and short workshops. Students have access to training in Culinary, Hospitality and Housekeeping Management, Carpentry, Construction, Electrical Installation, Introduction to Hydroponics, Beekeeping, and a wide variety of Farming and Agricultural courses.

Courses offerings are expanded regularly and approved by the National Accreditation Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB). They are structured to include both hands-on training with skilled practitioners and traditional classroom learning. Students find the courses to be transformative, allowing them to work alongside their peers to gain valuable knowledge and experience while exploring opportunities that may have otherwise been unavailable to them. For more information on course offerings email: registrar@oneeleuthera.org or call 815-3800.

GOFUNDME Fund Launched Seeking to Assist Evangelist Shirley Burrows

On January 10th, 2023, The family of Evangelist Shirley Burrows started a GOFUNDME medical relief fund to request donations to assist in defraying her medical expenses (see online link at end of article).

On October 25th, 2022, Evangelist Shirley Burrows was flown into Nassau on an Emergency Air Ambulance from Governor’s Harbour in critical condition. After several medical procedures and tests, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition known as Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis. Upon further examination, it was revealed that this condition was caused by MayThurner Syndrome.

Ms. Burrows, the family revealed, is currently receiving blood thinning medication. “She is in urgent need of financial assistance to improve her mobility, to obtain much needed medical care and to access the required physiotherapy for the next 6 to 12 months. Your financial contributions would be greatly appreciated,” said the GOFUNDME appeal.

For people unfamiliar with Ms. Burrows’ and her life of service within Eleuthera and the wider Bahamas, her family included a short biography, which read: “For thirty-three(33) consecutive years under her Living Word Ministries, Evangelist Shirley Burrows hosted international family conferences in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. These life-changing conferences were attended by Bahamians

and international delegates. They heard from local and internationally renowned speakers who promoted and advanced the kingdom of God. Shirley was also a guest speaker at many national and international churches and conferences.

“Each year she recognized students for their outstanding academic achievements. Awards were given to students from kindergarten to college level in Eleuthera and also in various other islands of the Bahamas.”

The bio continued, “From January 2000, until December 2002, Evangelist Shirley Burrows followed God’s commission to visit every island of the Bahamas. The goals were to keep God in the forefront of the minds of Bahamians, to spread the good news of the gospel and to remind all of his redeeming power and love. She also encouraged fellow Ministers of the Gospel to do likewise. In addition, gifts were given to the elderly.

“Evangelist Shirley Burrows has spent over fifty(50) years counselling and uplifting married couples. She has also counselled numerous newlyweds, those preparing to get married and the broken-hearted. In addition, she continuously prays for the sick, the suffering, the elderly and the youth. She always uses every opportunity to praise, glorify and magnify God and His unfailing goodness.

“Evangelist Shirley Burrows continues to live an exemplary life

of service and commitment to God, her beloved hometown island of Eleuthera and the wider Bahamas.”

The family thanked all who would assist in advance for their support.

Link to GOFUNDME page: (https://www.gofundme.com/f/shirley-burrowsmedical-relief-fund?qid=930fbb6aaae8caa1458b9b3f517205d0)

Above: Ms. Burrows being airlifted to Nassau in October 2022.

Terneille Burrows (TaDa) bursts back on to the music scene

Terneille Burrows - music executive, performing artist, songwriter, producer, humanitarian and the list continuesprofessionally known as ‘TaDa’ in the music/ entertainment industry, burst back onto the stage in December 2022, performing in her first live concert in 12 years, at the Atlantis Theatre on Paradise Island, New Providence.

An Eleutheran descendant, with her paternal roots in Governor’s Harbour, Terneille, following her come-back performance, sat and chatted with The Eleutheran about her return to the world of music, how she got her start, her time in-between, and plans for the future.

Probed about what had sparked her return after more than a decade since her last performance, TaDa shared, “Well I realized at some point that this year marked 25 years since I first recorded in a studio as a recording artist. I’ve been holding out so long - had redirected my focus to advocacy and activism, primarily around child protection for that duration. So, I figured let me step back into

Above: ‘Loyal Fans’, said TaDa, were at the core of her inspiration to return to the stage in 2022.

some comedy. Tebby, who was a winner in the NBC songwriter contest ‘Songland’ a few years back, and also wrote a song for John Legend - at the concert, we were able to show some clips with her being featured on that network, and she gave a little background in terms of having been judged by me at the age of 16 at a talent contest when she really first started getting into the whole acting, singing and performing thing. So, the whole event essentially ended up being a bit of an investment in not just relaunching my artist career, but kind of introducing some newer Bahamian talent - as both those acts are young.

“I had Tarai do a solo of one of his original songs, and Khonica led the song “As”, otherwise known as “Loving You Always” by Stevie Wonder. So, they had a chance to shine a little bit too, which was cool.”

TaDa’s concert offered a mix of timeless international pieces, original song releases, as well as classic Bahamian melodies.

the music scene, recording artist scene and put on a show. Throughout the years I had been asked to perform at various places, and just refused most of them.

“I want to say to my loyal fans that they are a big part of why I love doing music, and it warms my heart every time they sing a song or a jingle or something that I have produced. And yes, every single time I leave my house and go in public, someone would ask - oh, are you still doing music? You should do music... So, they [my fans] had a hand in the ‘come back’. I appreciate their persistence.”

Commenting on her live concert performance at the Atlantis Theatre on December 10th, TaDa described, “It was hosted by Vividly Val, an up and coming entertainer. The opening acts were Shad Fer and Tebby, with back up singers, Tarai Rolle and Khonica Prosa. Shad did some music and

“I actually opened with Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up”, Sade’s “By Your Side”, and Cold Play’s “Fixed To You” - those were the three cover songs that I did... The originals that I did included, “Footprints in the Sand”, - which Glenys Hanna Martin said was her favorite TaDa song. I also did the TaDa song - which is called “Introducing TaDa” - which [when introduced] played on Canadian and Bahamian television, and on MTV/Tempo in the Caribbean. So, those would be the two most notable ones, but I also did quite a few others. I also did a ‘mash up’ like a medley, of Bahamian folk songs, including ‘Brown Girl in the Ring’, to ‘Did You See Uncle Lou’, to ‘R-A-T-T-L-E’ - that kind of thing.”

Asking her to take us back to 25 years ago when she first recorded, TaDa reminisced, “When I was 17 in 1997, that was the first time I would have recorded in a studio and released a song. It was a song called “Bahamian Celebration” that I wrote and recorded with D-Mac (Dil-

Terneille ‘TaDa’ Burrows is also president of ‘Rise Bahamas’

lon Mckenzie). I had entered it into a national song writing contest. And don’t remember clearly, but I was a finalist - or something, but I had to perform at Clifford Park and this was my first ‘to do’.”

TaDa would go on to produce music in a variety of genres and forms from 1997 to 2013, when she released her final album - ‘Element’. “I started as an inspirational artist primarily, but in 2000 at the age of 19, I actually won an international songwriting contest - the John Lennon songwriting contest, in the Hip Hop category. That was a mainstream hip hop song and it was judged by a lot of really popular recording artists of the day, including people like Wyclef Jean. That kind of set the tone for my career moving forward, and around the same time I released the inspirational album called ‘Sanctigroove’.”

Terneille would then go off to study recording arts management in Toronto, Canada, which opened further doors for the budding artist. “After doing the music business studies in Toronto, I actually was awarded about $90,000 to do two music videos over the span of a couple years. That’s when I did the ‘Introducing TaDa’ video, and the ‘Keep Moving’ video, because I had collaborated with Canadian songwriters and performers on those songs. Then I came back home.”

She continued, “For a couple of years, when I had just returned from recording arts management studies in Canada, I did jingle production [starting in 2003], and actually won the Subway Junkanoo Jingle contest - so, that’s how it began. Thereafter, I started - I decided, well if this is a way to actually make money in music, then I guess I’m going to do it. So, I produced about 30 jingles around that time. I also in later years - around 2008 was the voice of the “Better In The Bahamas” ad that ran on television in the USA by the Ministry of Tourism. The most recognizable jingle that I actually wrote was the ‘Shoe Village’ jingle. That’s my most notable.”

Throughout the 2000’s TaDa continued to produce music albums, including her ‘F5’ album in 2006 and the ‘I’m That Girl’ album release in 2009. She was also invited to perform her title song, ‘I’m That Girl’ at the Miss Teen USA competition hosted that year outside of the US at the Atlantis Resort in New Providence. Her last album, called ‘Element’, was released in 2013. All of her music, said TaDa, are on streaming services, like Spotify, ITunes, Apple Music, Amazon and others.

Since then, just in 2022, she did a collaboration with Christopher Duncanson. “We did a song that was actually backed by the Charitable Arts Foundation and Atlantis,” said TaDa. “We were able to produce a song and promote it online, called ‘We Won’t Rest’, and it’s a child protection themed song.”

During the course of Terneille’s career - personal experiences, current events and interests collided to expand the focus of her energies. She relayed that in 2009, while in New York, recording and songwriting, she learned about a death and assault case, involving a very young child at home in The Bahamas. She shared, “I don’t know what came of that particular case, but a few other women had voiced their concerns about it and wonderedwhat could we do - we can’t allow things like this to happen without doing something. So, at that time a few of us, a handful of us formed ‘Bahamas Against Sexual Violence and Child Abuse’, which was pretty much an online cause that sought to raise awareness of these sorts of issues.”

She continued, “Eventually we liaised with the Crisis Center, and tried to promote different things

that they advocated for and tried to support them in whatever ways we could. We posted different news reports through the web page - and just kept active in that sense. But by 2012 or so, I just wanted to elevate the level of activism. A couple years after that, we hosted a 48 hour demonstration calling for good governance, and government accountability on Rawson Square. ‘RISE Bahamas’ was formed - it was 2014. Subsequent to that, the major issues that we tackled as RISE Bahamas were MARCO’s law, which is comprised of a MARCO missing child alert system, and the sex offender registry, and we also were highlighting public disclosure breaches by parliamentarians. Child protection and good governance were our pillars at that time. Over the pandemic we actually got registered as a non-profit.”

In relation to her activism on good governance, Terneille, also had a stint where she threw her cap into the political pool. In 2016 she announced that she would run as an independent candidate in the 2017 general elections, in the ‘Elizabeth’ constituency of New Providence.

With the recent relaunch of her performing career, when asked about her planned focus going into 2023 and beyond, TaDa revealed she would be taking a global approach. “I’m going to focus on international opportunities as much as possiblethat would be as a songwriter, a recording artist, as an executive producer - whatever capacity. I, even this year [2022], directed a short play that featured in ‘Shakespeare in Paradise’. So, really anything entertainment related. I’m also going to start to look into different avenues elsewhere, because I don’t believe that we have a developed music industry in The Bahamas. And it’s going to take someone or people attaining some level of international acclaim for there to be a real motivation to build a local industry here.”

She explained further, “If we look at Jamaica and Trinidad, their model is much different from ours, they actually invested in creative industries. They actually cultivated the arts. They have genres of music that are known as indigenous to them, that are worldwide and world renown. So, The Bahamas has really missed the ball, and its unfortunate - but it’s not too late to get on board with creative industries as a priority in this country.”

Asked about how she could advocate for that and push it forward, she replied, “Some of my early advocacy was around that, around the music industry, because in 2008 - I was in Atlanta at the time, and was told that Lil Wayne was going to be performing in The Bahamas. I was asked by a promoter, ‘what’s your information and how can we book you to perform’? So, I sent the information and when the time rolled around and the show was being planned - a different promoter for the same event, met with about ten different Bahamian artists, and had a meeting. They had all been selected to perform. And at some point, she said, ‘And we really appreciate that you guys had agreed to do this for free.’ I was like ‘what’! So, after the meeting I took her aside and said, ‘that’s not the agreement that I have. I’m not opening for a Lil Wayne concert for free’. And they were like, ‘Oh we can talk about it’. I called them later, and they said, ‘We don’t have a problem paying you TaDa, it’s just that we don’t want the other artists to be asking for any payment, because we have already met our $300,000 budget’. So, I told them, ‘That’s okay, don’t worry about it, I’m not going to perform - I’m going to go to the press.’

True to her word, TaDa shared her experience with the press, and as a result was informed that the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union (BMEU) had received some form of payment from the event organizers. After speaking with the BMEU, she learned that the union’s stance was that they ensured Bahamians were included in the show, however, ensuring that those Bahamians were compensated or even adequately paid, was not the case.

TaDa commented further, “I would say that music industry advocacy was where I really first started. In 2011 IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) an international music federation connected with me and we hosted a symposium, regarding proposed amendments to the copyright law - that would expand our rights as Bahamian performers who actually receive remuneration - for performing or records - similar to how songwriters and composers receive compensation when their original compositions and songs air on radio and television and that sort of thing. That is, radio and television anywhere in the world, but created by or performed by Bahamians... That still hasn’t come to fruition, so that is something I would definitely advocate for as we organize and go forward.”

The vision of seeing the Bahamian creative industry grow deeper and further, said Terneille, would need systemic local policy support and backing as well. Highlighting radio and television content laws, and using Canada as an example, where they require that a certain amount of content on radio and television has to be of Canadian origin or collaborations, she urged, “So, something like that - if it were to be employed by The Bahamas, could assist - you could look at that model - where they have government agencies, private organizations and corporations such as broadcasters offering grants and backing and funding to be able to facilitate building the content - to be aired on the networks.”

Above: TaDa performs during her first live concert in 12 years at the Atlantis Theatre.

Not All Gloom and Doom: Fish Physiology in an Era of Climate Change

The Fall 2022 Semester at The Island School is the first time Fish Physiology was integrated as a part of student research classes through the Gamperl Lab for Fish Physiology, started by Dr. Kurt Gamperl, who arrived just before Semester students in late August. The development of and resources at the Gamperl Lab now position the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) at The Island School as one of the best resourced Fish Physiology labs in the region, if not the only one. In the past 3 months, students at The Island School Semester learned about the internal and external anatomy of fish, fish locomotion, and how the surrounding environment affects their ability to perform day to day functions.

Below is some of the student research, written by Semester Students, which will contribute to long term studies conducted at the Gamberl Lab for Fish Physiology: We assisted our research advisor at CEI, Emma Porter, in studying Schoolmaster Snapper, including surgeries to better understand their physiology. She demonstrated how probes can be put around their aortas to observe cardiac function when changing their environment; meaning when temperature is increased and/or when oxygen is reduced. We also dissected tilapia from the aquaponics system to examine their internal anatomy. Overall, we learned about the importance of fish welfare and husbandry and were taught how to properly clean and maintain fish tanks for best fish health.

Our culminating project was based around the question “Are high temperatures associated with low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) in key Bahamian mangrove forests?”. Ultimately, determining this baseline data is useful to better understand the impacts of climate change on an entire ecosystem, and how it is impacting fish physiology. As a class we hypothesized that increases in temperatures throughout the day would be associated with extreme reductions in water oxygen content within these coastal marine habitats. This in turn could negatively affect the overall physiology of fish and the population dynamics of the whole ecosystem.

Throughout September and October, we went on various field expeditions to visit two different mangroves near The Island School: Page and Kemps Creek. Here, we deployed specific temperature and oxygen loggers in 5 spots, from the mouth of the creek inward. These loggers allowed us to profile changes in water parameters over two 5-day periods in the late summer/ early fall.

Once our data was fully analyzed, we were surprised to find that both temperature and oxygen levels increased and decreased together. This trend was unexpected as most of the past research has associated elevated temperatures with drops in oxygen levels. We discussed possible reasons as to why we had this outcome and came to a viable hy-

pothesis: that the photosynthetic organisms, which likely exist in an abundance in these unique water systems, may provide a surplus of oxygen during peak UV Interestingly, this spike in oxygen happens to coincide with the highest temperatures reached during the day, likely due to the shallow nature of these mangroves.

As climate change continues to become a greater issue and water temperature rises, fish will be either forced to adapt or will unfortunately face severe consequences. This is not only an ecological issue, but also poses a risk for economic sustainability (particularly for the local fishermen who may lose their source of income). Moving forward, greater funding needs to be allocated towards research for wide scale environmental monitoring programs which will help determine the risk of climate change in The Bahamas. Our project, however, shows a possible and positive solution for the important fish species living in the Bahamas: that high oxygen levels (upwards of 150%) during peak temperatures (~ 33℃) may lessen the overall effects of climate change / high ocean temperatures.

By Island School Semester Students - Asia Butler, Bede Levin, Charlotte Warner, Kelsey Ketchum, Lizzy Randall, Myles Change, and Roselym Reyes

Above: Students set up and deploy fish traps as part of their fish physiology research class.

Above: Dissecting tilapia from the aquaponics system to help understand fish physiology studied in the field.

Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival (EJF) to return in 2024

Governor’s Harbour Cultural and Community Organization (GHCCO), beginning in January of 2017 during the Majority Rule holiday - which suffered the same fate of hiatus that all other festivals and homecomings on the island did during the course of the pandemic - did not make a comeback this year as anticipated by many. However, organizers said plans to build on the established success of previous festivals were well in play, and they anticipated a grand return in 2024.

endar in Eleuthera, with the island in 2019/2020 hosting four major parade events over the winter holiday season - beginning at Christmas with the traditional Ministry of Culture’s Senior Parade competition hosted in rotating township locations, followed by Boxing Day and New Year’s Day showcases in Harbour Island, then the EJF in Governor’s Harbour during Majority Rule Day in January, and wrapping up with Junior Junkanoo at the end of January or early February.

beneficiaries of the up tick in visitor bookings, expressed Mrs. George, saying, “We are charting a way forward for the parade returning, and from the touristic standpoint, every business in Central Eleuthera has capitalized on this market tremendously, by way of just this festival alone. People are booking their schedules around coming to the island in January.”

“Junkanoo is a dance to the music of life - a harmonious rhythm to the song of hearts. The fury of an animated flame - that ignites the entire being of all who hear. Which rouses the energy of those who partake - creating a synergy of ONENESS...” [Written by GHCCO]

The Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival (EJF) event, staged annually by the

Anishka George, with the GHCCO, explained that the key challenge to getting it off the ground again this January had been funding. The relatively new festival, had brought together junkanoo groups from all over Eleuthera, in a hugely successful parade event, with off shoot events that covered several days, as opposed to the traditional one-day parade competition.

The Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival tucked nicely in between what had been a growing junkanoo event cal-

By 2020, which was the EJF’s fourth annual event, the multiple day festival had grown to include, in addition to the main parade competition and large vendor area - a mixology competition, Showtime rushout, a band line up, junkanoo ‘jump in da line’, as well as bleachers, banding, drone and live coverage, and many more wellplanned aspects of the event.

It filled in a period of time in the winter holiday season calendar that had been a slow-down coming off of New Year’s day, and gave it new life, with flights, boats, airbnb’s, resorts, taxis, rentals and many others as

Governor’s Harbour, the home location of the EJF, has also proven to be a boon with participants, according to Ms. George, with a rack of advantageous attributes, including acoustics, venue arrangement, road spacing, parade logistics and more.

Key organizers, including Demetrius Johnson (lead), Anishka George (vice lead and public relations), and Don Demeritte (consultant - administration and costume creation), said that they are looking forward to partnering with companies, businesses, community members and other junkanoo leaders, with buy-in to the vision of even further elevating the junkanoo experience in Eleuthera.

Above: Anishka George with Demetrius Johnson.

Rewind: Sights & Skills of a Return to the Eleuthera Junkanoo in Gregory Town & Harbour Island

Tarpum Bay Johnsons Superstars

Junkanoo roared back to life in Eleuthera during the 2022 holiday season, beginning with the annual Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Christmas Day turned-Boxing Day Senior Junkanoo parade competition, hosted along the center of the main thoroughfare in Gregory Town on Monday evening, December 26th. The change from Sunday evening to Monday night was said to be the dictates of inclement weather - which proved to be disruptive during the latter part of the delayed parade event- as well.

The colourful tradition, had an on-time start at 8:00 p.m. on the Boxing Day Monday evening, that allowed all three groups participating - which included - the Hatchet Bay Village Boys, the Gregory Town Cowboys, and the Tarpum Bay Johnsons Superstars junkanoo groups, to get in a full, uninterrupted first lap of performances. However, rain, which began as a light spray, during the Gregory Town Cowboys group’s second lap, turned into a heavier downpour just a short time into the Tarpum Bay Johnsons Superstar’s encore performance, which followed after the Cowboys, and then a complete deluge completely stopped the parade. The crowds made their way to shelter or vehicles, ending the night’s festivities early for most onlookers.

Despite the shortened event, the spectacle of music, dance and colour was enjoyed by all who came out to line the streets of Gregory Town, with fans of each group cheering especially loudly as their favourites passed by.

Experienced local and visiting judges deemed that the group with the best Lead Banner in the Senior Junkanoo parade, was the Gregory Town Cowboys. The Best Lead Costume prize was taken by Hatchet Bay’s Village Boys. Tarpum Bay’s Johnsons Superstars was adjudged as having the Best Music, while Hatchet Bay Village Boys also walked away with both the Best Choreography, as well as

Entertainment in Briland. Bahamian Island Experience. Engagement, as life resumes...

On Page: Tarpum Bay’s dancers performed to the night’s ‘Best Music’ winning ensemble.

Gregory Town Cowboys

Gregory Town’s Cowboys took home the title for the Best Banner

Pure passion as the Cowboys presented ‘All Things Bahamian’

have a number of individuals applying for projects approvals in Eleuthera, which would definitely help to boost the economy... Most would be in the south area.”

When asked about recent concerns expressed by some of the residents in Savannah Sound about environmental impacts of the new Windermere project, Mr. Sweeting replied, “The project there, it was brought to my attention, and the necessary agencies did visit the site to ensure that they were doing what was in line with their approvals... and the environmental clearance and all that. As far as I am aware, they are in line with that and with what was stipulated with their environmental clearance.

“I think it was some silt and [other] stuff moving through the bay. I think that was the challenge. I think most of the concerns were from fishermenand a lot of times fishermen, sometimes their voices are not heard as loud as what they would like, but we share in their concerns - especially in regards to bonefishing grounds - which is a lucrative source. The bay has been untouched for some years, so, the major thing for me is to ensure that it [the project] is done in a proper manner, that is in line with the environment. And by the same token, that the fishermen are still able to access the flats, and that the marine life are protected.

“And with all projects, especially that comes to the government - we look at all of these different things. That is why we ensure that they get the proper approvals through DEPP (Bahamas Department of Environmental Planning and Protection). Even through my ministry - for example, if someone wants to export a new product, such as sea fanwe don’t approve that until they have the proper approval through DEPP that it is sustainable and they’ve done the proper paperwork.

“So, for me, I think we have to look at it as twofold - as providing employment opportunities for Bahamians, and at the same time, protecting our natural resources and protecting the people that have enjoyed these natural areas for so long.”

Focusing again on agriculture, Mr. Sweeting gave an update on the status of the packing house repairs in Hatchet Bay, as well as the cultivation center initiative, saying, “The packing house contract was signed in December 2022 and work should start in January - this month, so, that is up and going. That would be the renovation of the roof, electrical upgrade to 3-Phase, as well as other necessary improvements that is needed for it to function properly. So, with that, the money is already allocated, the contract is already signed, and the work should start shortly - once they get the 10% mobilization.”

He continued, “The cultivation center building is actually in Hatchet Bay. It was delivered a week prior to Christmas. So, it is there on the rack, which is exciting for me. It is right on the bay there. We’ve now got to finalize the building plans, approvals, issuance of the contract to construct the building, and then contruction can start. We have to finalize the plans on where the processing kitchen is going in this facility, but the equipment is there.

“We have one or two pieces of equipment to

complete those food kitchens. For the most part, we are a little behind where I would like to be - being in the private sector I move a little quick, but in saying that - we are getting there and it is exciting.” He expressed that he hoped to see the structure of the cultivation center start to take form in Hatchet Bay within the next three months.

With the targeted focus on revitalizing and stimulating the agricultural industry during the past year, Mr. Sweeting also commented on the change in the industry on the island that he had seen to date, saying, “For the most part, we have seen a lot of interest, especially in Eleuthera. We’ve had a lot of requests. I couldn’t put a number or tally on those in farming, but I can say that I get a lot of phone calls on how they can receive assistance, or how they can get their farming license, and receive the proper necessary duty-free concessions that come along with that.

“I have also seen places like One Eleuthera’s CTI (Center for Training and Innovation) that has really expanded in the agricultural sector with their cooling house, doing some production there. It seems to me that for a while agriculture has taken a back seat because it has been viewed as a poor man’s occupation, and that is something that we are trying to change.

“I wouldn’t want to kid myself and think that overnight the whole country is going to be changed with agriculture. I think it’s a process. As long as we come with the same energy and this continues, I think that people will continue to get involved. I’ve been very active with that and this next year will be a very exciting year for agriculture. We will be touring the country and providing updates and incentives on how people can get involved, and create agri-businesses and not just farmers.”

Commenting on the status of current housing initiatives in Eleuthera, Mr. Sweeting informed, “In Hatchet Bay we have to complete the survey, and once the survey is done then the transfer [of land lots from BAIC to the Ministry of Housing] will be complete. There has been some preliminary work done there. We had a surveyor come and view the area that we were looking at - so, they did that. They viewed which area would be best suited for a housing development - with regards to lowering the cost of doing a foundation, and infrastructure implementation... We are going to finalize the surveying of the lots and then the area will be transferred to the Ministry of Housing - for them to develop it. The timeline - I would hope in a few months that we would be able to do it.”

Mr. Sweeting qualified that he would have to confirm with the minister of Transport and Housing on exactly where they were in regards to the lots survey, but added, “I would hope that in a few months or at least by the next budget we will be able to say - this is a plot plan, and we are starting to develop the roads and infrastructure so people can have access to their property.”

The housing initiative in the Rock Sound township, where prime minister Philip Davis came with Minister of Housing and Transport, Jobeth Coleby to break ground during the month of June 2022, is

now taking shape, said Mr. Sweeting. “They have up to five houses coming out of the ground there. The foundations on four homes are now done. The lots are cleared, so, we hope to have seven homes completed in a few months and to give people their keys.”

The main highway running the length of Eleuthera, since the partial road works done in early 2021 - had seen serious degradation, with areas not paved with asphalt, pock-marked with potholes. Significant patching was finally done during the last quarter of 2022, after the arrival of ten tons of cold patch. Significant pot holes, however, are once again opening and forming, following significant rains in recent months.

Commenting on plans for the island’s roads in 2023, and his take on a promised allocation of another 100 tons of cold patch for Eleuthera by the Minister of Works recently, MP Sweeting said, “The 100 tons that is supposed to be dispatched from the Ministry of Works to repair some more of the roads... I assume that it would come in cycles - so many tons at a time, but for me, I would rather the roads be paved... It depends on what budget they were allocating for the 100 tons.

“An assessment was done of the roads [in Eleuthera] to see what needs to be done... As the member of parliament I am pushing heavily to start proper paving, and not just patch work - which eventually just washes away, especially with the weather that we have been having... I am agitating that the roads in Eleuthera are properly paved in this upcoming budgetary cycle.”

Briefly touching on the state of the water supply in Central Eleuthera, following major outages experienced in November and early December 2022, MP Sweeting said, “I can say that they have demolished an old structure there [at the Naval Base reverse osmosis plant] where they are going to put the new one million imperial gallon tank. They were doing that over the holidays. This new tank will help to facilitate storage... Ideally, if something breaks down, you want to have at least four days of water stored, and we don’t have that currently - until the new tank is built. So, the tank is ordered and they have started to do some work [in preparation] there.”

For residents curious about the status of the renewed promise of public medical facilities on Eleuthera, Mr. Sweeting shared, “I do have an update from the Ministry of Health, however, I wouldn’t want to be the one to preempt it. But, I would say that they are still on target to start in the first part of this year. They are having to still finalize some renderings and drawings, especially for the multi-purpose health facility in Palmetto Point. But, both are still on target to start this year.

“We are hoping to start one [Rock Sound] in the first quarter, and the other one is taking a little bit longer because they are having to do more changes to the renderings, because the facility in Palmetto Point is more intricate. But, we are still on train to make good on our promise to build the facilities in the first part of this year.”

RBPF Reports

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, 2022.

• Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs With Intent to Supply : On Thursday 22nd December, 2022 at about 9:05am, acting on intelligence, Officers from the Harbour island Police Station executed a search warrant of a white 110ft yacht namely which was docked at Valentines Marina on Bay Street, Harbour Island. During which time a quantity of marijuana was found. As a result, two adult males and an adult female were arrested. The Suspects and exhibits were transported to Harbour Island Police Station for safekeeping and further processing. The suspects were all 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 Drug Act Chapter 228.

• Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs : At about 7:48pm on Wednesday the 28th December 2022, Officers came into the Governors Harbour Police Station with an adult male suspect, under arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs and reported that he was arrested and cautioned at about 7:45pm same date while at Cupids Cay after a search of his vehicle revealed a clear plastic containing a green grassy substance suspected of being Marijuana. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

• Possession of Dangerous Drugs: On Wednesday 28th December, 2022, Officers reported to Harbour Island Police Station that at about 12:40pm while in the area of Sugar Rush Take-Away, Pitt Street, they arrested and cautioned an adult male reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs after a home-made marijuana cigarette was found on his left ear. The Suspect and exhibit was transported to Harbour Island Police Station where he was processed and charged. During the Month of December, Officers were successful in removing ammunition and one weapon off of the Streets.

• Found Ammunition : On Tuesday 21st December, 2022, sometime around 2:00pm, Operations Manager c/o Princess Cays Resort, contacted Rock Sound Police Station, and reported that a male passenger on board Carnival Cruise ship “Sunshine” was found in possession of one (1) .223 round of ammo. Same was found in his bag sometime around 1:10pm while conducting a security check via x-ray machine by Security Officers. The ammunition was handed over to police and secured.

Firearm Arrest

On Saturday 17th December, 2022, sometime around 8:40pm Officers were conducting a road check on Queens Highway in the vicinity of, Balara Bay, Governors Harbour, when they observed a dark blue Honda Accord which failed to stop in the road check. Officers brought the vehicle which was being driven by an adult male to a stop. Upon searching the front driver section above the ceiling of the vehicle Officers found a black and rust colored Colt 25mm hand gun. The suspect was shown the weapon, cautioned and arrested. He was subsequently processed and charged with that offence.

During the Month of December, Officers investigated one complaint of House Breaking.

• Housebreaking & Stealing

On Wednesday 28th December, 2022 sometime around 9:44pm an adult female , contacted the Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that sometime between 6:45pm and 9:25pm on 28/12/2022 some unknown person(s) broke into her rental home and stole a black 45”

Vizio Flat screen television value unknown and a silver Bose Bluetooth speaker value at $329.00. Entry was gained via a western facing kitchen door. Police action requested. Officers responded to the scene and commenced investigations into this matter. Investigations are ongoing.

eleuthera reportS via rbpF (New provideNce)

•

**POLICE IN ELEUTHERA CONDUCT ROAD CHECK**

An island-wide operation by officers in the Eleuthera Division resulted in two hundred and fifty (250) vehicles being checked, twenty (20) drivers cited for various traffic offences and six (6) vehicles being searched reference to dangerous drugs and illegal firearms. Additionally, two (2) adult males were arrested for immigration purposes. This operation occurred on Tuesday 13th December 2022 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on the island of Harbour Island.

•

**POLICE IN ELEUTHERA CONDUCT ROAD CHECK**

An island-wide operation by officers in the Eleuthera Division resulted in one hundred and ten (110) vehicles being stopped at the road check and three (3) vehicles being searched reference to dangerous drugs and illegal firearms. This operation occurred on Wednesday 14th December 2022 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the island of Spanish Wells.

In a separate operation in Northern Eleuthera, officers conducted road checks in the area of White Crown Aviation in the Settlement of Lower Bogue, Eleuthera on Wednesday 14th December 2022 between the hours of 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. During this road check, the officers successfully stopped and inspected thirty (30) vehicles and cited five (5) motorists for various traffic offences.

• ELEUTHERA:

MALE ARRESTED WITH HANDGUN

A 26 year old male of Tarpum Bay Eleuthera is in police custody after he was found in possession of a handgun. Initial reports revealed that around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday 17th December 2022 officers of the Flying Squad Unit, Eleuthera Division were conducting routine road checks along Queens Highway, in Governors Harbour, when they conducted a search of a dark colored Honda driven by the male and discovered the weapon. Police investigations continue.

•

**POLICE IN ELEUTHERA CONDUCT ROAD CHECK**

Police on the island of Eleuthera continue to prioritize Road Safety by conducting routine road checks throughout the entire island. During this initiative, officers attached to the Eleuthera Division cited twenty-five (25) drivers for various traffic infractions and nine (9) vehicles were stopped and searched reference to dangerous drugs and illegal firearms.This road check was conducted on Wednesday 21st December 2022 between the hours of 9:20 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

• **SUSPECTS

ARRESTED REFERENCE TO POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS**

Police on the island of Eleuthera have three (3) American males from Florida, U.S.A in custody after they were found in possession of a quantity of dangerous on Thursday 22nd December, 2022 According to initial reports, sometime around 9:15 a.m. officers attached to the Eleuthera Division acting on intelligence, executed a search warrant on a vessel docked at Valentine’s Marina, Harbour Island when they discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana onboard. Three (3) American males are assisting police with their investigation.

• **POLICE APPREHEND IILEGAL IMMIGRANTS**

Police on the island of Eleuthera, have apprehended nine (9) Cuban males after they illegally landed in the area of Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera.

According to initial reports, sometime around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday 21st December 2022 officers attached to Hatchet Bay Police Station acted on information which led them to a

residence situated Sea to Sea Drive where they observed eleven (11) males speaking Spanish. Upon asking them to produce identification, two (2) of the males ran while the other nine (9) were detained. It was later discovered that these males traveled from Santiago, Cuba on a wooden boat and docked in Eleuthera. The nine (9) males were handed over to Immigration personnel while the other two (2) males remain at large. Active police investigations continue.

•

** ELEUTHERA ISLAND - SUDDEN DEATH OF AMERICAN VISITOR**

Police can confirm that an American male visitor in his early 20’s died suddenly on the island of Eleuthera.

Preliminary reports reveal that shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Monday 26th December 2022 the Minnesota resident was found by family members, unresponsive inside the bathroom of their villa situated in the area of Landing, Governors Harbour. According to reports the deceased was experiencing flu like symptoms prior to him being discovered.

The body of the deceased will be flown to New Providence where an official autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

At present, foul play is not suspected in this incident. Investigations continue.

Police c o ntact n u mbers

• 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 (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

Select police reportS, Shared by the rbpF locally

The Bahamas Government borrows US$ 43.3 Million from the CDB for Education Project

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, December 20th, 2022: The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is putting US$ 43.3 million into the construction of a brand-new comprehensive school and the rehabilitation of two others in East Grand Bahama-, to accommodate students whose schools were destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

The Bank’s board of directors approved the loan to the Government of The Bahamas at its December 9th meeting. Under the project, the East End Primary School will be rehabilitated, and a new East Grand Bahama Comprehensive School will be constructed. In addition, 2,000 teachers and principals will be trained in learning recovery and enhancement to support student-centred, differentiated accelerated learning to address the learning loss occasioned by the impact of COVID-19. The total cost of the project is US$ 48.08 million with the Government contributing counterpart funding of US$ 4.76 million. The facilities will fill the critical need that arose in East Grand Bahama- after Hurricane Dorian’s passage destroyed

four schools in the area – the East End Preschool in Freetown, the East End Primary School in High Rock, the East End Junior High School in McClean’s Town and the All-Aged School in Sweeting’s Cay.

As a result, for much of the past three years, students have been forced to rise as early as 4:00 a.m. to make the over 60mile commute by bus and ferry to Freeport to access educational services. The lengthy commute has made it challenging for students to keep up with their schoolwork, challenges that were further exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schooling.

CDB’s Division Chief, Social Sector Division, Dr Martin Baptiste underscored the challenges which the lengthy commute has had on the educational pursuits of the displaced students.

“This new norm is inconvenient, more expensive, and has been thought to affect the dayto-day activity of the students depriving them of a total of two to three hours spent travelling to and from their destinations. Providing a school plant will eliminate the need for students

to commute these inordinate distances each day, thereby allowing more time for extracurricular activities which are central for student life, and balanced personal and academic development,” stated Dr Baptiste.

The new comprehensive school complex will also include a multi-purpose hurricane shelter which will be designed to function as a cafeteria during school hours but can be seamlessly transitioned for use as a hurricane shelter in the event of a natural hazard event.

Dr Baptiste highlighted the potential overall social benefits of the project, noting: “Given the intersectionality between the home, community and the school, the investment in new school infrastructure will also play a significant role in the general improvement of respective communities, enhancing skills training programmes, social protection initiatives and promoting social cohesion.”

About the Caribbean Development Bank

The Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution established in 1970 for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). In addition to the 19 BMCs, CDB’s membership includes four regional, non-borrowing members (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela) and five non-regional, non-borrowing members (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom). CDB’s total assets as at December 31, 2021 stood at US$ 3.71 billion (bn). These include US$ 2.21 bn of Ordinary Capital Resources and US$ 1.50 bn of Special Funds Resources. The Bank is rated Aa1 Stable by Moody’s, AA+ Stable by Standard & Poor’s and AA+ Stable by Fitch Ratings. Read more at caribank.org.

Majority Rule: 10th January 1967

COMMENTARY:

This singular event in Bahamian history played a significant role in shaping the modern Bahamas that we experience today. The events that led to Majority Rule define us as a people and serve as a constant reminder of our vision and values.

Many historians believe that The Burma Road Riots on 1 June, 1942 marked the beginning of the modern political history of The Bahamas. The Riots came as the result of agitation by labourers for equal pay for equal work regardless of colour or nationality when local workers heard that Americans were being paid more for the same work at an American Armed Forces Airfield construction site. Today that is the site of Lynden Pindling Airport.

This unrest became interwoven with the overall movement for freedom and social justice. Although the first stirrings of political activity in Bahamas involved labour, other movements were equally significant. In 1949 a conversation between Mary Ingraham and her husband, following his defeat in the general elections, concluded that the election results would have been very different if women had voted. In 1957 Mary Ingraham was elected

President of the Suffrage Movement and formed alliances from across the political divide, gaining considerable support that culminated in members of the movement visiting London in 1960 to present a petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. In January 1961 a Select Committee of the House of Assembly gave a report in favour of the right to vote for women, but with effect from January 1963. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Independents opposed the report and an appeal to the House of Commons in London resulted in women being able to vote from 30 June, 1962.

The PLP was born out of a movement that embodied the hopes and aspirations of a generation of Bahamians who were demanding equal work, majority rule and the freedom to pursue whatever dreams they may have had. William Cartwright is generally credited with creating the PLP. In August 1953 they held their first meeting and from the outset their path was clear. They would represent all

that was opposed to unfair privilege.

In January of 1958 a 16-day General Strike brought Nassau to a halt. Just about every worker participated in this peaceful strike that led to the Trade Union and Industrial Conciliation Act and the setting up of a Labor Department. Later the same year Allan Lennox Boyd, Secretary of State for the Colonies, ordered that the first constitutional steps be taken towards Majority Rule. The voting franchise was extended to all males (whether they were land-owners or not), the once ubiquitous plural vote was reduced to two and the abolition of the company vote was ordered.

These changes coincided with the new women’s right to vote in the 26 November, 1962 elections. To this day, the effect of women exercising their right to vote has impacted all aspects of national life as women from all sides of the political divide have made their contributions to the Country.

In 1965 the governing Bahamian Party sought the approval for a Boundaries Draft Order, which established the boundaries for constituencies in New Providence and the Family Islands. During a sitting of the House of Assembly the PLP proposed two amendments designed to get a fairer idea of the number of voters and their distribution, but both were rejected. At this point Sir Lynden Pindling walked to the Speaker’s table

and lifted the 165-year-old mace that symbolises the Speaker’s authority and said “This is the symbol of authority, and authority on this island belongs to the people and the people are outside.” With that he hurled the mace through the open window. This act of deviance on Tuesday 27 April 1965, in pursuit of liberty and fairness was destined to go down in Bahamian history as Black Tuesday.

Majority Rule finally came on 10 January, 1967. After years of struggle by many freedom and justice loving people, Majority Rule allowed real democracy to come to the Bahamas, underpinned by equality, tolerance, and economic and social justice. It is a day that belongs to all Bahamians, a defining moment in our evolution as a people. It was the point of transition from minority government to Majority Rule and the birth of a modern democracy.

In the hard fought and competitive 1967 election the PLP delivered 18 members to a 38 member House of Assembly. However, Randol Fawkes (Labour) and Sir Alvin Braynen (Independent) threw their support behind the PLP. These two tipped the proverbial scale in favour of the PLP and the first Majority Rule cabinet was formed.

Source: BIS and Office of the Bahamas Post Master General.

This distinguished group (15c stamp) together with the Governor, Sir Ralph Grey, comprised (from the left) Arthur Hanna, Cecil Wallace Whitfield, Milo Butler, Clement T. Maynard, Clarence Bain, Randol Fawkes, Lynden Pindling, Sir Ralph Grey, Jeffrey Thompson, Curtis Macmillan, Warren Levarity and Carlton Francis.

‘Too Cold For Ya’ Christmas Basketball Tourney Picture This!

JC Primary Student Shines: Angel Gilbert (6th Grade)

Quiet, humble yet bright describes Angel Gilbert a sixth-grade student at James Cistern Primary School who is making her mark in school-life and her community. Angel has maintained Honor Roll status throughout her primary school and currently serves as an outstanding school ambassador. She was recently installed as the school’s Head Girl on November 4th, 2022. Her teachers said that she is always thoughtful, sharing her radiant smile with others. She hosted her Second Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 20th, 2022. This event included the elderly from three neighboring settlements. In her own words, ‘It was to show gratitude to those people who can sometimes be forgotten.’ The always neat and meticulous student organized a clean-up campaign with the aide of her supportive family, and classmates. Sharing her blessings, Angel also gave toys to every student in her school and other students in neighboring communities. Her school described her as a ‘Ray of Hope’.

Teams from Harbour Island and Central Eleuthera duked it out at the ‘Too Cold For Ya’ Basketball tournament, hosted by Junette Deveaux (far right), with coach Laron Taylor (far left) on Saturday, December 17th, 2022 at the Wendall Bullard community park in Lower Bogue, ahead of the Christmas holidays. Harbour Island claimed the winning title on the day.

Above and Left: Angel (standing center), all smiles at luncheon with elderly residents .

Hatchet Bay Village Boys - Flowers Bloom

On Page: Hatchet Bay’s choreographed dancers won in the Best Choreography category.

Above: Winning Lead costume - # 15 for the Hatchet Bay Village Boys.

On Page: Village Boys, with music, colour, dance and the pulse of junkanoo.

Page. 28

year’S eNd JuNkaNoo returNS with colourFul Spectacle

Best Off The Shoulders costume. The Overall results placed The Cowboys, Gregory Town in 3rd place; the Village Boys, Hatchet Bay in 2nd place; and the Johnsons Superstars, Tarpum Bay as the 1st place winners of the Senior Junkanoo parade competition.

Harbour Island also hosted twin Junkanoo Festivals on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, organized by a group of local community members, including former town councilor, Martin Lee Grant, who was master of ceremonies and public relations; Terrance Davis Jr. - chief councilor; and Jammal ‘Chippy’ Brown - a town councilor with Harbour Island’s Local Government District Council.

Along with food, drinks, and novelty vendors under tents encircling the iconic ‘Fig’ tree in the center of downtown

Harbour Island, evening entertainment included performances by the fire dancing group called Fire Goddess - out of New Providence; Bahamian entertainer - Blaudy, the popular local band - New Vision, as well as a cameo performance by local Brilander songstress, Ithalia Johnson.

The junkanoo parade in Harbour island was made up of a combination of two local groups - the Hilltop Rockers, and the Zulu Dancers, which together formed the Harbour Island All Stars Junkanoo group. Overall the event was, said Martin Grant, ‘a great success’, adding that as master of ceremonies, New Year’s performances and activities, which had begun after 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, January 1st, continued right

on up until 2am - early Monday morning.

Tarpum Bay also followed up its Christmas Day/ Boxing Day weekend competition-winning performance in Gregory Town with a New Year’s Day Junkanoo Festival hosted on Sunday evening, January 1st, 2023 within the community of Tarpum Bay - taking the cultural celebration into the new year.

Above: Diehard junkanoo revelers follow the rhythmic parade, despite the rain.

Above: Hatchet Bay choreographed dancers in full bloom, with costumes showcasing the birds, bees, flowers and trees.

Harbour Island All Stars Junkanoo

On Page: Bay Street in Harbour Island, alive with colour, music and pure enjoyment of the vibrant cultural tradition that is, junkanoo.

Above: Harbour Island All Stars junkanoo group’s choreographed dancers arrayed in beautiful smiles. On Page: Crowd fully engaged, and ‘jumping in da line’ as the ‘All Stars’ parade along Bay Street.

A Fire Show in Briland!

On Page: Fire Goddess duo act entertains the crowd of residents and visitors during Harbour Island’s New Year’s Junkanoo Festival.

Prize Winning, Bahamian-Inspired Christmas Tree Stands Out in Savannah Sound

This one-of-a-kind Christmas tree creation, with an authentically Bahamian twist, in the township of Savannah Sound, made up entirely of beautiful queen conch shells - embellished with straw work,

Upcoming Events

• JANUARY 28th - Annual Food & Craft Festival Rock Sound (CTI Hotel) - This event is being hosted by the Eleuthera Tourist Office. The purpose of this event is to continue in the merry celebrations of the holidays and bring together our visitors, locals, and vendors in one area to enjoy entertainment and delicious food and drinks.

in a Central and South Eleuthera ‘Christmas Tree Decorating’ competition. One resident described, “The community came together, and along with the local government team - came up with the idea, and just went for it... It was a tedious task - from the soaking and scrubbing of the conch shells to putting them all together, but in the end it came out beautifully.” Decorated trees in Governor’s Harbour and James’ Cistern, placed second and third.

chriStmaS iN GreGory towN

the Christmas tree, and then just having the people - the volunteers to string all the lights and put up the decorations. And you can see some of these pieces - like the life-sized sleigh, is really heavy. So, we need a team to do this - to pull it off, and we do. We have a good team every year. We would like more volunteers, so, we are always looking for volunteers, and certainly, donations as well... Anybody can join in. We start early

in December, and the lights and decorations stay up until the end of January.”

She added, “This [event tonight] is the highlight of ‘Light Up Gregory Town’, when Santa arrives and the tree lighting happens... It’s about beautifying, and bringing the Christmas spirit.”

(Contact: Ms. Glenda JohnsonIngraham (242) 302-2000 ext: 4456 gjingraham@bahamas. com (242) 302-2000 ext. 4456)

• MARCH 2nd - Annual Second Homeowners/Winter Residents Reception - This is an appreciation event for all visitors who have chosen Eleuthera as their home away from home. (Contact: Ms. Glenda Johnson-Ingraham gjingraham@bahamas.com (242) 302-2000 ext. 4456)

• MARCH 4th - Annual Hope Ball - This red-carpet event will feature exciting live entertainment, all proceeds go toward benefiting the Cancer Society Eleuthera Branch. (Contact: Ms. Susan Culmer (242) 359-7969)

• MARCH 23rd - 27th - Wesley Methodist Church Celebrates 175th Anniversary - The Wesley Methodist Church located in Governor’s Harbour will be celebrating its 175th anniversary. On the 23rd of March, they will be honoring certain members in the church and on the 27th is a celebration. (Contact: Ms. Diane Farrington (242) 4229802 sdfarrington56@gmail. com Governors Harbour)

Pleasing to the eyes, with contrasting and complimenting lights made this tree one to truly appreciate in person at the Longley-Newberry park in Savannah Sound.

Above: Giving out pure smiles - Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Mr. Earl Campbell (on right) with Santa, assists with presenting gifts to community children of all ages, during the ‘Light Up Gregory Town’ event.