The Eleutheran Newspaper - June/July 2018 Issue

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells

Harbour Island Spanish Wells Eleuthera

Volume 11, Issue 6, July 2018

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REAL ESTATE DEALS

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

EDUCATION MINISTER CHALLENGES ELEUTHERA’S CLASS OF 2018 TO “Live Your Best Lives” Ninety Six (96) very proud 12th graders, along with family members and friends celebrated on the morning of Monday, June 11th, 2018 at the Ministry of Education’s 2018 Bahamas National High School Diploma Graduation Ceremony for Eleuthera, at the Wesley Methodist Church in James’ Cistern.

The successful graduates comprised students from all of the six high schools on the island, both public and private, including; Samuel Guy Pinder All Age (SGPAAS – 10 graduates), Harbour Island All Age School (HIAAS – 9 graduates), North Eleuthera High School (NEHS – 9 graduates), Windermere High School (WHS – 10 graduates), Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS – 34 graduates), and Preston H. Albury High School (PHAHS – 24 graduates).

Each high school celebrated their top students, with six Valedictorians, one from each school, and six Salutatorians. 2018 Valedictorians were; Jana McCardy of CEHS, Melisha Higgins of HIAAS, Jose Imbert of NEHS, Tiara Jones of PHAHS, Derek Pinder of SGPAAS, and Antonishe Kemp of WHS. 2017 Salutatorians included; Antoniqua Collins of CEHS, Florence Dean of HIAAS, Candice McDonald of NEHS, Ameiah Pinder of PHAHS, Sybil Bennett of SGPAAS, and Marquis Pinder of WHS. The ceremony was attended by officials

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Second Meeting a success for proposed Philautia Development pg: 13

pg: 16

pg: 8

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On Thursday evening, June 28th, 2018, Philautia Boutique Hotel and Resort developer, Mr. Beat Schlagenhauf, returned to Eleuthera, to host a redo of the unsuccessful town meeting held on May 17th, 2018, and once again engaged Eleuthera residents, garnering their feedback on the proposed Philautia development, as part of the development proposal application process.

The town meeting held in May was heavily criticized, by the cross-section of local residents who attended, for the lack of written information provided about the proposed development, and the shortage of substantive details given in the verbal presentation by the developer. This time around, Mr. Schlagenhauf, was accompanied by his full project management team, who assisted him in communicating his vision for the 40 acre

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Jun/Jul 2018

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‘Bahamas Protected’ partnership reaching out to

communities for input on protecting their marine resources

Spanish Wells residents providing feedback at the community meeting. Image by: Bahamas Protected.

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM Since 2016 the Bahamas Protected team and representatives from key government agencies, have reached out to Family Island communities for input on marine areas proposed for protection, as well as areas community members think should have protection.

The team recently lead community meetings in Spanish Wells, followed by meetings on mainland North Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Barraterre, Exuma.

Residents provided input on proposed areas, verified species that live in or move through these areas and expressed concerns about the need for effective management of existing and proposed areas.

Prior to the North Eleuthera com-

munity meetings, the team visited South Andros and South Abaco to gather input on proposed areas. As the consultation phase of the Bahamas Protected project wrapped up, the final community meeting was planned for June 14 in New Providence. The New Providence community meeting was held from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Harry C. Moore Library Auditorium at the University of The Bahamas. The public was encouraged to come out and share their feedback on areas being proposed for protection throughout The Bahamas and to learn about the Bahamian Marine Protected Area Network expansion.

“Some people, initially when they hear the word (protection) they get cautious, but this meeting has been a good meeting in dispelling a lot of the myths that are associ-

ated with what is allowed in protected areas,” said Ricky Mackey, North Eleuthera Member of Parliament, while attending the Harbour Island meeting.

“A lot of the questions that I asked tonight were questions that are put to me as the Member of Parliament by fishermen and residents of North Eleuthera.

I’m glad and enlightened by a lot of the things that I’ve learned this evening and so that information will be imparted to the constituents of this area.”

Eleuthera resident and former fisherman James Munroe expressed his support for protecting the industry that supported him as a fisher and supports him now as an entrepreneur. “It’s important to protect our marine environment so that we can have a substantial amount of fish in our country and that there can be fish for me and for other generations to come.”

With vibrant fishing communities in North Eleuthera, including Spanish Wells, concerns were expressed that some proposed areas are in the same place as existing fishing grounds. Fishers also explained problems they’ve faced with illegal fishing by foreign poachers and locals, and shared their desire to work with management agencies to properly manage these areas.

To ensure that his community’s concerns are heard, Robert Roberts, Chief Councilor for Spanish Wells expressed his intention to gather further information from his community and pass that information on to the Bahamas Protected team. “We’re going to set up and go around and get everyone’s opinion on the island, as many as we can and we’ll send you that opinion,” said Roberts.

“How these areas will be managed has come up at many of the meetings that we’ve had,” noted Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) Conservation

Planner, Lashanti Jupp. “We want to ensure that existing and proposed marine protected areas that get assigned to BNT are effectively managed and we are getting better at working with communities to do just that.”

“This project is also exploring ways to improve management of protected areas by creating management plans for some existing areas, piloting the concept of communities lending greater support via co-management and determining ways of getting greater levels of funding to support consistent management,” said Marcia Musgrove, Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservancy’s Bahamas Office.

Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, Executive Director of BREEF, also drew attention to the benefits of MPAs, and particularly that higher levels of protection result in more fish that eventually move out of protected areas to replenish fish stocks in surrounding areas and support our commercial fisheries.

Bahamas Protected is a joint effort between The Nature Conservancy, the Bahamas National Trust, and Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) in collaboration with key government agencies and other national stakeholders, with major funding support from Oceans 5.

“With about 13 million acres (10%) of the Bahamas marine environment being declared a protected area, there is still much to do to reach the 20% protection goal by 2020,” says the Bahamas Protected team. They encourage the public to visit the Bahamas Protected Facebook page for more information (@242protected), and sign and share the petition to get involved in protecting The Bahamas for today and the future.

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FOR RENT:

Tropical Dreams Rentals Two spacious apartments now available For Rent (long term, monthly) in North Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

The first is a fully furnished, air-conditioned, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment, with full kitchen (equipped with refrigerator, stove, and microwave). Water, cable, and internet are also included. Electricity is not included. Laundry facilities are available on the premises. Price: $1,300 per month.

The second spacious apartment is a fully furnished, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment, with central air-conditioning, full kitchen (equipped with refrigerator, stove, and microwave). Water, cable, and internet are included. Electricity is not included. Laundry facilities are available on the premises. Price: $1,200 per month. For more information, contact: Tropical Dreams Rentals, located in

North Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, Bahamas at Tel: Email: tropicaldreamsrentals@gmail.com.

Philautia Continued from pg. 1 development proposal at the former US Naval Base.

Information brochures were also provided for the benefit of residents in attendance at the June 28th meeting, hosted at Worker’s House in Governor’s Harbour. Questions following the team’s presentation, focused more on local involvement in further stages of approvals, public beach access, terms of property acquisition - for example, leasehold as opposed to fee simple, environmental impact studies, spin off benefits to the local economy, and the like.

Following the question and answer session of the town meeting, Chief Councilor for the Central Eleuthera Local Government District Council, Mr. Roderick Pinder, asked for a decision by the audience on whether the proposal met with their approval, and the response was a

majority of the audience in favor of the proposal moving forward for further government vetting, towards eventual approval.

Mr. Schlagenhauf expressed his delight at the result of the meeting, following the event, and confirmed his plans of purchasing a home and moving to the island, once final approvals were achieved, saying, “It was a fantastic experience… They were much more receptive, and I’m happy to see that. Of course, you cannot please everybody, that’s not possible, but you have to please the majority… I will also be moving to Eleuthera, to ensure it has my direction in how I want to have it - five star.”

The development proposal comprises a 5-star twenty room boutique hotel, fifteen standalone villas, a 2,000 square ft. medical facility, a spa, wellness facility, restaurant, bistro, swimming pool, tennis/basketball court, movie theatre, walking trails, solar power plant, water purification system, and separate organic farm.

Project developer, Mr. Beat Schlagenhauf, travelled with his full project management team to help communicate his vision for the Philautia Boutique Hotel and Resort.

1-242-332-1632 or

American Airlines goes cashless at Lynden Pindling International Airport NASSAU, Bahamas – American announced today that effective July 16, 2018 the airline will be going cashless at Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Passengers will be required to use a credit or debit card to make any transactions at the airport, including purchasing tickets and paying for checked baggage.

“American has transitioned to a cashless airport environment at many locations around the world, allowing our team members to assist our customers in a faster and more efficient manner,” said Caroline Hollingsworth, American’s country manager for The Bahamas. “Moving away from cash transactions also reduces the complexity of work for our agents who will no longer have to worry about handling cash, finding exact change or closing out a cash drawer at the end of the day.

This is positive news for our customers and for our team members at the airport.”

American currently offers nonstop service to Nassau from its hubs at Miami (MIA), Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Washington (DCA).

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BMOTA Reports 2018 Q1 Tourism Arrivals and Room Revenue are Up in The Bahamas - Strong Summer Season Anticipated

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) reported in a release, that first quarter international visitor results point to an increase in arrivals, signaling that business turnaround from Q4 of 2017 has continued to flow into 2018. The Ministry said it is anticipating a strong summer season for tourism across the destination.

Overall, The Bahamas experienced significant increases in foreign air and sea arrivals, which is up 2.8%. Foreign air arrivals alone reached a substantial 18% increase compared to Q1 of 2017.

“The Ministry of Tourism has put tremendous focus and effort into our marketing, public relation and sales programs and we are very pleased to see these Q1 results,” said Director General, Joy Jibrilu. “Our program has targeted consumers across traditional and digital communications channels, and across regions including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe and Latin America. We believe that the impressive increases in air arrivals particularly are proof of the value of our marketing investment.”

Grand Bahama Island saw an uptick of 5.1% in foreign arrivals. The increase came after the island received a significant rise in cruise arrivals at the beginning of the year, as well as a leap in air arrivals during the month of March.

The Out Islands continued to attract international visitors with a double-digit increase of 10.4% in foreign arrivals. Andros (+13.4%), Exuma (+4.8%), Long Island (+15.2%), Inagua (+81.4%), Bimini (+21.2%) and San Salvador (+16.1%) each saw growth in visitors compared to Q1 of 2017.

Arrivals to Eleuthera significantly jumped with overall foreign arrivals coming in at an outstanding overall increase of 138.4% year over year, due in part to healthy cruise passenger stopovers.

While Nassau and Paradise Island’s over-

all foreign arrivals were down slightly (-1.8%) due to some weather-related cruise cancellations, air arrivals to the island were up by 19.5%.

“We are very pleased with these results and anticipate this upward trend to continue to positively impact the tourism sector and local businesses,” said Bahamas Tourism and Aviation Minister Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar.

“The Bahamas is a magnificent place to visit and we’re excited to see that international travelers are still choosing our home as their Caribbean destination of choice.”

With the combination of new hotel openings, resort renovations and ongoing marketing

efforts, The Bahamas saw room revenue increase by 39% compared to Q1 of 2017. The number of room nights sold increased by 26%.

The release further stated, “This exceptionally positive trend in arrivals, is helping to attract new airlift to The Bahamas, such as Bahamasair’s new direct flights from Miami to Bimini and American Airlines’ recent addition of five new flights to multiple islands (including Eleuthera) beginning December 2018. The BMOTA considers this just the start of a successful year ahead.”

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F EAT U R E

Jun/Jul 2018

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An Eleutheran Profile: Mr. Barry Ward (61)

BY Sherelle Wallace

Art, in its myriad forms, is the most affordable, and for many, the only accessible form of therapy. And Barry Ward was blessed to be introduced to musical instruments when he was a child. An appreciation and connectivity to music would prove to be his balm through severe pain, his praise to God, and lead him to the love of his life.

Born on October 3rd, 1956, Barrymore Erlin Ward’s first name was inspired by his mother’s admiration of Drew Barrymore’s grandfather, John Barrymore, Sr., an actor in black and white films. Barry was raised by his elderly grandparents Ralph and Violet Ward in the Fort Montague neighborhood of New Providence. His earliest memories floated around the fact that his grandfather never drove a car. Barry’s trek to school on Shirley Street was in a red wagon his grandfather bought him, and pulled him the entire distance, his lunch tin perched alongside him. At the end of the day his grandfather would return and retrace their path home.

Until he was five, Barry was the only child in the household and his playmates were the family pets. These included geese, dogs, cats, chickens, and a donkey that would mysteriously get loose and wander away. Routinely, one particular person would come to their home, offering to retrieve the ‘lost’ donkey. One day, six-year-old Barry decided to follow him. After he reported to his grandmother the scam to earn a few coins, the donkey’s ‘wandering’ ended. As he became a bit older, Sundays were almost entirely devoted to religious services; early morning mass followed by midmorning full service. Afterward Barry was obligated to go next door to an elderly woman and share what he had been given in the form of a lesson on paper. Barry’s answers to her questions were a way for him to convey his grasp of the lesson. Finally, he would be rewarded with his Sunday lunch, which he had been anticipating since his return from service. Later that evening, his Sunday was completed with another service.

Another chore of his was to take a plate of food to his great-grandmother.

He was instructed to wait for the plate to return to his grandmother, and while he waited, he doodled on the piano in the home. When he was eleven he won a scholarship to attend Government High School, where he learned to play classical pieces on a recorder.

Around the age of fourteen Barry began experiencing severe back pains during his walk home from school.

At that time, the book-load a student placed on their back was much less, so the pains seemed strange. Barry’s back would be swollen by the time he arrived home. An aunt, Enola Ward (later Burke) who lived in the same household and played a major role in Barry’s upbringing, took him to Miami to be tested. It was discovered that his spine was curved. Barry had surgery to correct this and lived the next nine months in a body cast. During that time, he returned to the Miami hospital three times for routine checkups. During this recuperating period, and not being able to do much at all, Barry really discovered his musical connectivity. His return to school required his wearing a corset under his uniform, and to this day he still has rods in his back to help his posture.

As an adult, Barry became a musician. He found that his lyrics often mentioned Jesus and spirituality.

This didn’t sit well with the groups he played with who were pushing the clubbing scene. But as he was serious about his craft, he invested in studio time ($120.00 per hour) at Elite Studios and recorded a single titled ‘Stop and look’. It was released under his label ‘Web Productions’, which are his initials backward.

Barry came to Eleuthera in 1976 while playing guitar in Sly Roker’s band. And it was through music that he met Margaret Elizabeth Sands. Margaret’s mother ran a restaurant that the band frequented and Margaret helped out serving food. The quote: ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ rings true in this case. When it was pointed out to him that there was always more food on his plate than on the others, Barry took a closer look at the sixteen-year-old plating their meals. Barry began to engage Margaret in conversation and was captivated by her sweet, innocent nature; unlike the girls he knew in Nassau. Barry was even more impressed by how level-headed Margaret was at that age.

When he asked her what she wanted to do with her life she responded that she’d like to own her own shop, selling silk flowers. When he formed his own band, he was asked by Smokey 007 to play back-up for him at Club 9000 in Green Castle. This gave Barry another chance to return to Eleuthera, and to get to know Margaret better.

The friendship between Barry and

Mr. Barry Ward.

Margaret grew, and when Barry embarked on an overseas hitch-hiking adventure, she was the one he touched base with back in The Bahamas. Across Florida, into the Carolinas, Vermont, Boston, then finally into Canada on a greyhound bus, also visiting Niagara Falls, Margaret would get a call that he had arrived at his destination safely and all was well. By this time Margaret was an adult. They were married in 1980 and have been in a loving bond for thirty-eight years (July, 2018), sharing their love with three children and three grandchildren.

Barry settled into married and family life in Rock Sound, playing music at various venues. He spent eight years playing classical and jazz at Cotton Bay Club after the manager of that resort heard him play at Winding Bay Club and offered him the gig. He also played at Club Med for a year and a half.

Fulfilling Margret’s dream of being an entrepreneur, the couple opened Island Girl. The name was lovingly conceived from Barry’s appreciation of the sweet, innocent, real island girl he fell in love with. And the couple has been business partners for nearly thirty years. Island Girl, in its current and second location, was originally the Ward’s home. Many silk flower arrangements have been distributed; giving birth to a wish fulfilled. The shop supplies a variety of items including clothing and underwear, household

decorative items, electronics, and beauty products.

A decade into his marriage, shoulder and eye pains and fatigue, attributed to overwork, led Barry to fly into Continued On Page 10

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An Eleutheran Profile Continued from pg. 8 Alabama to take a few tests. The diagnosis prompted him to temporally relocate his children to New Providence where they could be closer to his family while he fought for his life.

Margaret fought with him and was in constant prayer.

Barry’s brain had swollen; the medical term being Cerebral Edema. This can be caused by brain trauma or nontraumatic causes such as Stroke, Cancer or Brain Inflammation. The fluid that surrounds the brain was leaking, resulting in his brain touching the inner lining of his skull. Surgery was immediate; as one good coughing spell could have been the death of him. Several weeks later, he had to undergo another surgery as fluid was leaking from a crack in his skull as a result of the first surgery. Recovery was very long and painful and he had to learn to walk all over again.

Several years later, on a routine examination in Alabama to continue monitoring his brain, Margaret instigated tests for cancer. She was cautious of the fact that her father-in-law had died a few years prior of prostate cancer. When tests results showed an aggressive form of cancer growing in

Barry, he was overwhelmed with gratitude at his wife’s cautiousness. As he had been living with constant pain since his brain surgery, any symptoms that cancer had been growing in his body had been disguised.

Barry decided to fight cancer through alternative treatment in 2003 and to this day hasn’t undergone the traditional route of chemotherapy or radiation, which he in good humor boasts are the reason he’s not lost his hair.

Through his active membership in the Rock Sound congregation of the Methodist Church, Barry initiated ‘Cycling for Christ’. It’s become an annual bicycle race, held on a Saturday. The premise behind it was to present trophies to the winner and awards to participants during church service the following day with the hope that something said during that service would lead a participant to Christ. Over the years, different age categories competed in a route that started from the AME Church, Coco’s Restaurant, or Charles’s Bay corner, always finishing at the homecoming site in Rock Sound. One year, The Big Money race was held, starting from Cotton Bay Estates and Villas. His contribution to this congregation began in 1997. He’s led praise and worship and played the organ.

Currently, Barry’s days usually be-

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gin in the late afternoon as a result of chronic pain that keeps him awake throughout the night. Despite this, he’s a fighter with an infectious good spirit. Throughout his life he’s been a giver and nurturer, unselfishly consoling and supporting others in need, even while fighting his own battles.

Yet, he’s not concerned with rewards or acknowledgment for things that come naturally to him. Barry Ward is grateful for each day that he’s alive.

He’s grateful that his mother Gloria Ward is still alive. And he looks forward to seeing his grandchildren grow up; while he takes pleasure in sharing laughs and conversations with family and friends.

When it comes to his art and how it shapes who he is as her husband, Margaret says: “I liked that he was handsome, humble, and quiet, and handled his guitar (SLEEPING BEAUTY), with love, care, and affection. And that was how he handled me….and calls me ‘Queen’.” ***Author’s Note: I contacted Mr. Barry Ward to share his story because I felt he’s courageously fighting a battle with a couple of very serious medical problems and maybe his story would inspire others. During our first interview I discovered how much art and religion played a part in shaping the man he has become. However, during our second interview, what stands out

is the rare, triumphant love story that Mr. Ward shares with his wife, Margaret. They are indeed a blessed couple; a love story that most of us can only dream about. Happy Anniversary Margaret and Barry Ward!

Mr. Barry Ward and Mrs. Margaret Ward.

SELECT “Bad Section” Road Patching.

Much needed though short on what’s required, road repair works at various locations in Central Eleuthera, have been ongoing during May and June 2018. The repairs included a strip of road in the vicinity of the 4-way crossroads in Palmetto Point; a portion of highway, just south of Daddy Joes restaurant, near the Glass Window bridge, where wave swells from the Atlantic Ocean, during March 2018, carved a 25-footwide chasm across the main highway and the section of road in front of and just north of the new Pineapple Fest site in Gregory Town which was also resurfaced and work completed ahead of the Pineapple Fest weekend event during the

latter half of May 2018.

These along with select pot-hole fills and other patching were done as part of a contract to repair some of the worst patches of the main ‘highway’ in Central Eleuthera, said Mr. David Cox, Family Island Engineer with the Ministry of Works. Mr. Cox was on the ground in Eleuthera on Wednesday, June 6th, with road building and paving contractors, Symonette’s Enterprises Ltd., out of Rock Sound, looking at some of the worst road spots in Palmetto Point. “We are just trying to choose the worst spots and see what we can do. The budget is very limited,” commented the Family Islands Engineer.

He continued, highlighting the challenge of limited funding, “The problem is that those recent repairs at the bridge were done as part of an original contract to do other repairs on the island, so that’s taken away some of the money, so now we have to do less of the main road. So, what we are trying to do is to patch some of the bad sections. Even the original contract that we had, still wasn’t sufficient to do all the areas that we wanted to do. Then the bridge came along, and that took away some of the funding, so we have less funding to use right now. But, hopefully in the coming budget, we will have more funding to repair more of the bad sections.”

The work in Palmetto Point was being done to complete contract commitments before the end of the current government fiscal year, which ran from July 1st, 2017 to June 30th, 2018.

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Three killed in fiery plane crash

(L-R) Daniel Bryant McKnight, Rodney and Todd Andrew Crawford.

A private plane, registered to Hat Investments LLC, which took off from the Rock Sound Airport in South Eleuthera, shortly before 4pm on Tuesday, June 5th, 2018, on-route to Ft. Pierce Florida, crash landed moments after takeoff, tragically killing all three people on board.

The three male crash victims on board the small, twin-engine plane, a Cessna 421B (registration: N421MM), were visitors from the U.S.A., and were identified as Todd Andrew Crawford of Spartanburg, South Carolina (42); Rodney Scott Dawson of Chesnee, South Carolina (49); and Daniel Bryant McKnight of Boiling Springs, South Carolina (71).

Following the crash, a group of about 30 residents were actively involved in assisting authorities in the search for the crash site, which was located approximately one mile north of the Rock Sound airstrip. Eyewitnesses described the bodies of the victims, recovered by authorities at the scene, as being burnt

beyond recognition.

On Wednesday morning, June 6th, 2018, officials from the Department of Civil Aviation’s Aircraft Accident Investigation section were on the ground in South Eleuthera conducting initial investigations into the plane crash. Delvin Major, Chief Air Accident Investigator, was quoted as saying, “The Scott Dawson, plane burst into flames on impact… We will continue our investigation to try and determine what caused the crash.”

Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board as well as representatives from the manufacturer of the plane were also on island to assist with the investigation of the crash.

Burnt wreckage at the site of the deadly crash.

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National

Jun/Jul 2018

2018/2019 Budget: Announcement, Presentations, Debate, Vote, Firings, Defense

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM

VAT increased to 12 percent as of July 1st, 2018 Announcement :

Minister of Finance, K. Peter Turnquest, during his presentation of the 2018/2019 Budget Communication in the House of As: sembly on Wednesday, May 30th, announced a 60% increase in the country’s value-added tax (VAT) from 7.5 percent to 12 percent - to take effect on July 1st, 2018.

Additional tax increases announced included; an increase in Police certificate fees to $20, higher fees for Immigration, Road Traffic as well as increased taxes on gaming houses.

Minister Turnquest referred to the Budget Communication as transformative, saying, “This is a landmark Budget.

Indeed, it is arguably the most transformative Budget in the history of our nation. It is a Budget about finally putting an end to past practices of fiscal mismanagement and, instead, adopting an approach to the management of the fiscal affairs of the nation in the manner that they should be managed, that is, in a responsible, transparent and accountable way.”

He added that the Budget presented ends underbudgeting, and reflects true costs of current commitments, and in justification of the shocking increase of the VAT rate and other taxes and fees, said, that its intent was also to clear up arrears and unbudgeted commitments totaling some $360 million.

The Budget also proposes fiscal responsibility legislation as a legally binding framework for the same, and includes a fiscal plan for the year ahead and beyond to achieve the government’s economic growth agenda, annual deficit reduction objectives, and moves toward the long term goal of reducing government debt to no more than 50% of GDP, said Minister Turnquest.

Also announced by Minister Turnquest in the Budget were efforts by the government to cushion the effect of increases with token exemptions and reductions in duty on certain items, and removal of VAT on ‘breadbasket’ items. concessions See excerpt below: “Effective August 1, we are eliminating VAT on all breadbasket items, with the exception of sugar, as sugar will – for health reasons – be removed from the list of breadbasket items. This would mean the elimination of VAT on the following items: Butter, Cooking Oil, Mayonnaise, Grits, Cheese, Corned Beef, Evaporated Milk, Margarine, Rice, Flour, Bread, Tomato Paste, Baby Cereal, Baby Formula, Soup, Broths, Baby Food, Powdered Detergents, Condensed Milk, Soaps, Fresh Milk, and Mustard, • We are eliminating VAT on medicines; • We are eliminating VAT on residential property insurance; • We are waiving VAT on residential electricity bills at or under $100 and water bills at or under $50; • We are increasing the Customs personal travel exemption from $300 to $500 per person; • We are providing for the VAT zero-rating of fund-raising activities held by charitable organizations; • We are implementing various concessions in respect of Real Property Tax, Customs duties, Excise duties, Business License fees and Stamp Tax in favour of designated Economic Empowerment Zones, beginning with the “over-the-hill” community; • We are providing for the waiver of duty on clothing and shoe imports upon application by importers and retailers of same. This will be extended to any merchant, large or small, who has a business license for the sale of clothes or shoes.

• We are providing duty-free entry for goods for use in the commercial printing industry, as well as for processing and garment manufacturing equipment without the need to

apply for specific concessions as before…

• We are extending for one year both the City of Nassau Revitalization Act and the Family Island Development Encouragement Act; • We are extending for 5 years the first-time homeowners Stamp tax exemption; • We are extending for 2 years the duty exemption on materials used for the renovation, repair and upgrade of dilapidated buildings; • We are eliminating duties on a number of food products, including: whole salmon; frozen fish fillets; bread spreads; potato products; tofu; and prepared and preserved tomatoes; • We are eliminating duties on solar kits upon application to the Ministry of Finance. Presently solar panels are duty free, and this new allowance will mean that vendors or individuals who are bringing in full solar kits can have all related elements brought in duty free.

• We are reducing duties on floor tiles and fabric softener; • We are extending the 0.75 per cent Business License fee rate, currently applicable to hotels with turnover over $400 million, to all hotels with 10 rooms or more so that smaller Bahamian owned hotels can take advantage of the concession that was offered to the larger foreign owned properties; • We are extending the duty exemption to church buses 8 years old or less from the current limitation that limits the concession to buses that are 3 years old or less; • We are providing an exemption from Business License fees for all schools that are registered with the Ministry of Education; and • We are eliminating the duty on airplanes and helicopters in an effort to build an Airplane Registry Industry within the country…

• We are reducing the excise duty on electric and hybrid vehicles valued at $50,000 and under down to 10 per cent; • We are reducing the excise duty on electric motorcycles down to 10 per cent; • We are reducing the excise duty on new smaller vehicles up to 1500cc in engine size down to 25 per cent; for clarity this applies to new vehicles only.

• We are reducing the excise duty on rechargeable batteries, other than conventional car batteries, down to 10 per cent; and • We are increasing the environmental levy on all vehicles from $200 to $250.

We are also making brand new small vehicles much more affordable with the duty rate on those vehicles being set at 25 percent. “

House of Assembly passes 2018/19 Budget The 2018/19 Budget passed Monday evening, June 18th, 2018, in the House of Assembly with the majority of Members of Parliament voting for a number of fiscal provisions, including increasing VAT to 12 percent.

House of Assembly results for the VAT increase were: 24 MPs voted yes; 7 MPs voted no; and there were 7 MPs absent.

The FNM MPs voting yes were Carlton Bowleg, Frankie Campbell, Shanendon Cartwright, Dionisio D’Aguilar, Marvin Dames, Shonel Ferguson, Romauld Ferreira, Michael Foulkes, Darren Henfield, Mark Humes, Elsworth Johnson, Hank Johnson, Jeffrey Lloyd, Rickey Mackey, Dr. Hubert Minnis, Michael Pintard, Reuben Rahming, Miriam Reck-

www. EleutheraNews . com ley-Emmanuel, Lanisha Rolle, Brensil Rolle, Dr Duane Sands, Brent Symonette, Peter Turnquest, and Renward Wells.

The MPs who voted no were: Reece Chipman, FNM; Frederick McAlpine, FNM; Vaughn Miller, FNM; and Travis Robinson, FNM; and Chester Cooper, PLP; Philip Davis, PLP Leader; and Glenys Hanna-Martin, PLP. The MPs absent were: James Albury, FNM; Desmond Bannister, FNM; Picewell Forbes, PLP; Adrian Gibson, FNM; Iram Lewis, FNM; Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, FNM; and Donald Saunders, FNM. During his Contribution to the Budget Debate on Monday, June 18th, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis told MPs, “If you want to sacrifice the future of this country, vote no to this budget....” He said that the budget “provides hope and opportunity for new home owners, entrepreneurs, young people, Over-the-Hill communities and hope for the future generations.

The inspiration for my Government and for this Budget is to leave behind a better more secure, safer and prosperous country.” Stressing that it is “not about VAT”, The Prime Minister acknowledged that much of the Budget might not be expedient, popular, safe or political. “But conscience tells me that we are doing the right thing for the country and for the people that I love with all my heart and soul. We are doing the right thing for current and future generations.”

FNM MP Firings:

On Tuesday, June 19th, following the Budget vote in the House of Assembly, the Cabinet Office circulated the following release about the firing of three FNM MP’s who voted against the Budget on Monday: “It is announced for general information that in exercise of the powers conferred upon Her Excellency by Article 81 of the Constitution and in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor-General has revoked the existing directions given to Mr. Travis Robinson as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation and Mr. Vaughn Miller as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development.

Under the provisions of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure, Part II, Section III, Item 21, Parliamentary Secretaries, like Cabinet Ministers, are bound as a condition of their continuance in office, to support Governmental decisions in public.

The Governor General, in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister has also revoked the appointment of Mr. Frederick McAlpine as Chairman of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas Board.”

See excerpts of a Special Communication from Member of Parliament for Bains and Grants Town Constituency, Travis Robsion on Page 29.

Excerpts from the Prime Minister’s Budget Debate Presentation: Eleuthera Based Foreign Investment Projects...

“The Eleuthera resort and residential property markets, have been the most active among the Family Islands in recent months, making up a substantial amount of the total investments. The $4 million Harbour Island Resort and Marina, with an estimated capital investment of $55 million, will add to the ultra-luxury resort and marina product offerings on Harbour Island. Nearby Man Island, will experience a newly constructed 15-room hotel. Unicorn Cay Development is in the initial stages of developing a second-home residential community in Central Eleuthera… A new cement plant will be built on Eleuthera to augment the supply of concrete products for the fast growing construction industry on the island.

Free Tuition Coming...

“During last year’s election campaign, the FNM pledged to introduce free tuition for qualifying young people at the Univer-

Continued On Page 27

Local

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

The Eleutheran | 06/07 2018

13

North Eleuthera District Council in Partnership with ‘Freedom to Read’ Opens ’ Library in Lower Bogue

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM The community of Lower Bogue in North Eleuthera joined a slew of invited guests and officials on Friday evening, June 15th, 2018 to a ceremony celebrating the opening of the new Lower Bogue Library and Community Center. Stakeholders emphasized that this initiative was made possible through a partnership of the North Eleuthera District Council, Freedom to Read Inc., and the wider community who contributed through donations of time, money, materials, and volunteering.

Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Hon. Howard Ricky Mackey in remarks presented, thanked Freedom

to Read Inc. for their efforts in Lower Bogue and throughout the island of Eleuthera and their commitment to assisting.

He continued, “Let’s not let their work and labour go in vain. You now have a wonderful building.

This is your time to shine, and you’ve done a lot…

Em-brace it, utilize it, and let everybody know that Lower Bogue now has its own. In the last twenty years this town has come on strong. You’ve helped to build Spanish Wells and Harbour Island, and now you’ve decided to build the mainland for yourselves. Let’s help our young people to fly, and let’s start right here at this location. You have every

reason to be proud of yourselves, and the many people who were involved in making this happen.”

As a welcomed addendum to the ceremony, MP Mackey, also made a special presentation of $25,000 to the ‘North Eleuthera Volunteer & Fire Rescue’ based in the Lower Bogue community, to help fund a new water truck, to be used for fighting fires within the community.

Other officials in attendance included: Pastor David Armbrister of IPAD Ministries; Mr. Colin Moss - Interim Library Board Director; Ms. Susy Siel - Executive Director of Freedom to Read Inc.; Mr. Desmond Johnson - Chief

Curious: Young students peer avidly at the collection of labels lined up in the newly opened library.

Councilor; Ms. Gaye Antoine-Bowe - Administratorin-Training; Bishop Cedric Albury - Church of God and Mr. Henry Pedican - Council Member. Damon Bethel of Lower Bogue emceed the

Continued On Page 14

Holidays and Observance Days:

Friday, July 6th - National Pride Day observed Tuesday, July 10th - INDEPENDENCE DAY public holiday Monday, August 6th - Emancipation Day/August Monday

highlights in JUly/Aug. 2018 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TUESDAY EVENINGS: 6:00pm - 7:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous support group began regular meetings recently in Lower Bogue at IPAD International Praying Ministries, opposite Johnson’s Gas Station.

Meetings are held every Tuesday evening from 6pm to 7pm.. The new group is made up currently of combined members from Lower Bogue, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island.

GREEN CASTLE HOMECOMING Friday, Jul. 6, 2018 to Sunday, Jul. 8, 2018 This event is an annual tradition of hauling Jack fish by net as a team initiative. The onshore activities include live band performances, Bahamian crafts, food and drinks. Location: Homecoming Site, Green Castle, South Eleuthera

VISIT THE LEON LEVY NATIVE PLANT PRESERVE: The Levy Preserve protects 25 acres of coppice and mangrove forest, conserving indigenous species and researching Bahamian bush medicine. Guests can explore Medicinal and Endemic plant beds, tour the Mangrove Wetlands, walk through the Edible History garden and enjoy the Coppice Trails, home to an abundance of birds and other fauna that call the Preserve home. Guided tours by appointment. For information call 332-3831

community Events FISHERMEN’S FEST Friday, July 20th to Saturday, July 21st, 2018 Food and Drinks, Games Stalls, Fire Dancer, Junkanoo Rushout, and Fireworks!

Friday Night - All Eleuthera Jam - High Rock Band and The Brilanders.

Evening Admission: $10 plus free drink ticket Saturday Fun Day: From 11am Saturday Night - KB and DMac with the Spank Band (starting at 7:30 pm) Evening Admission: $15

Savannah Sound Heritage Festival Friday, July 6th to Saturday, July 7th, 2018 | 7:00PM - 12:00AM Activities include cultural/fashion shows, down home cooking, dancing and live band performances. Location: Homecoming Site, Savannah Sound, Central Eleuthera

The Bluff Homecoming Festival Friday, July 6th to Sunday, July 8th, 2018 | 7:00PM - 12:00AM This festival brings descendants of the settlement back home to have fun and frolic with family and friends. Festivities will include live band performances, the Little Ms. Bluff-Eleuthera Beauty Pageant, Bahamian food and drinks. Location: Homecoming Site, The Bluff, North Eleuthera

The Levy Preserve and Haynes Library Present: Camp Safari 2018

Summer is here and once again it is time for Camp Safari Eleuthera. In partnership with the Haynes Library, Camp Safari will take place at the Levy Preserve the week of July 16th-20th 2018 (9am to 3pm Daily) / Ages 7-14 years. Applications can be obtained from the Haynes Library; be mindful that there are a limited amount of spaces available.

Contact Information: Ms. Heidi Johnson (242)3323831

Royal Bahamas Police Summer Camp Program

The Police Summer Camp program begins on Monday, July 2nd, and will run for four weeks, closing out on Friday, July 27th.

10th Annual Independence Bash - Spanish Wells Ball Park Monday, July 9th, 2018 at 7:30pm Celebrating 45 Years As A Blessed Nation Under The Theme: “Celebrate Bahamas: We’ve Come This Far By Faith.” Activities Include: Food and Drink Stalls, Local Talent, Police Defence Force Rangers Drill, Presetations, Junkanoo Rush Out, Fireworks! Wear your national colours and come celebrate with us!

45th Independence Celebrations - Central Eleuthera District:

Wednesday, July 4th - Public Officers Independence Road Fever Thursday, July 5th - Judging: Best Decorated Business; Senior Citizens Luncheon Friday, July 6th - National Pride T-Shirt Day; Flag Display; Opening of Savannah Sound Homecoming Saturday, July 7th - Savannah Sound Homecoming Monday, July 9th - Ecumenical Service; Uniform Branch March Pass; Flag Raising Ceremony; Fireworks, Junkanoo Rushout (Location: Governor’s Harbour Administrative Complex) Tuesday, July 10th - Independence Day Holiday, Community Events

school events:

SUMMER VACATION - School’s OUT: Public Schools Reopen on September 3rd, 2018

CONTACT The Eleutheran Newspaper at 422-9350 or send email to services@theeleutheran.com, to have your community notices and events listed.

14

Local

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Jun/Jul 2018

Library and Community Center Continued from pg. 13

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Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Mr. Ricky Mackey congratulated community members and their partners on the achievement of the opening.

evening event.

Susy Siel, with Freedom to Read Inc. gave the audience her reflections on the storied process of everything coming together to reach to the point of opening the new library. Chief Councilor Johnson added to those reflections with his brief remarks on how the township worked together to make the new building to house the library and community center a reality, and how this kind of coop-eration could be expanded to see many more things done within Lower Bogue, and the wider North Eleuthera area.

Highlights of the ceremony were a classic Bahamian poetry reading of ‘Old Bulla Claudy Funeral’, by Ms. Miller of Lower Bogue, and a beautifully rendered solo of ‘Where your book begins…’ by young North Eleuthera High School student, Miss Sierra

Farrington.

As the ceremony came to an Young Sierra Farrington serend and transitioned to the unveiling enaded the audience durof the commemorative plaque at the ing the opening ceremony front of the new library building, of the new library facility in a power outage blanketed the area Lower Bogue. in darkness. However, organizers improvised, with cell phone lights the North Eleuthera District Council to bring abuzz, as the un-veiling continued, free access to literacy to the people of Lower followed by an improvised tour of Bogue. We faced many challenges. It has the inside of the new library facility, taken several years to get the building renocomplete with a set of computer vated, and then to get all the supplies in here. stations flanking a full wall of the However, with our partnerships with Bahainside of the building. mas Methodist Habitat, Seacor Island Lines, As the library tour ensued, Susy Siel and many others, we were able to bring our offered further comments, stating; “We are dreams to fruition. Currently, we have our very excited about literacy development partners at Follet K-12 Content Solutions, all over Eleuthera, and Lower Bogue is our who have provided online access. So, we’ve latest library project. We are working with put all the books in this new library on a catalog, which is an incredible feat. We have many volunteers who helped to do that. We currently have nearly 4,000 books on the online catalog here in this library.”

In reference to what kinds of books were available in the new facility, Mrs. Siel explained, “Because it’s a public library, we like to serve all ages, from birth to adulthood. We have fiction and non-fiction, so we serve for reading motivation as well as for reference and research. One of my main goals in this particular location was - I wanted to serve the kids at North Eleuthera High School as well as Laura Anderson Primary. So, having two schools in close proximity, we made sure to build a collection that would suit the needs of these many students from North Eleuthera.”

About Bahamian content available at the

New Library in Lower Bogue

location, Mrs. Siel explained, “The Bahamas collection would come from the National Library Information Services. They have a standard collection which they provide to all their public libraries, so we will be making a petition to them to get that Bahamian collection in here. As for the collection we’ve provided, it runs the gamut from fairytales and folktales to learning about the solar system to health and wellness and so on.”

MP Ricky Mackey donated $25,000 towards the purchase of a water truck in Lower Bogue.

Local

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

| 06/07 2018

15

Pictured: Bahamas National Diploma Graduates, Class of 2018. The commencement ceremony was hosted at the Wesley Methodist Church, James’ Cistern.

Graduation Class of 2018 Continued from pg. 1 from the Ministry of Education, including the Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffery Lloyd, who gave a special message of inspiration to the class of 2018, telling them that where there is no struggle, there is no progress. “Let me give you three principals of life that you should live by. Number one: Be humble. You give God worship and praise when you live your best life at all times. Number two: Always be grateful and give thanks in all things. Finally: Always be curious. Keep learning, because life never stops. New information is coming each and every day. What you learned and studied yesterday, the High School Diploma of 2018 isn’t going to mean much in 2027 or 2048. You must always keep learning, and the only way to do that is to be curious and to be excited about gathering more information, more insight, and more awareness.” Minister Lloyd then took the opportunity to announce that in September 2018 full scholarships to BTVI would be available to all students from the Family Islands who were eligible. He also highlighted the numerous scholarships to qualified students at the University of the Bahamas, along with the Public Scholars Awards program where the government was in partnership with 49 universities throughout the U.S. and Canada, offering tuition rebates. “I just need you to know that opportunities abound in the world, and YOU must go out and take advantage of it,” he emphasized as he wrapped up his address.

Giving the Valedictorian’s address, and

NEHS Salutatorian, Candice McDonald.

representing the select group of graduates inducted into the Bahamas Senior High School Honours Society, were Valedictorians for CEHS and PHAHS, Jana McCardy and Tiara Jones, respectively, who delivered the address together. They challenged their fellow graduates to not just get by in life, but to move the world forward - to be nation builders, career shakers and innovative thinkers, adding, “There is nothing that we cannot do or achieve… Go forward with hope and a smile, because we are going into the world with the intention of making it a better place for the generations that follow us.”

Evangelist Carnetta Ferguson, delivered the commencement message, and encouraged the graduates to fly like the eagles they were, and not allow themselves to be kept down by anyone else’s opinion of who they were. “Believe God, trust God, and form a personal relationship with God, and watch Him order your steps. Watch Him do what you feel can’t be done,” were her powerful concluding words.

This island wide class of 2018 were only the second group of Eleuthera high school graduates to attain the Bahamas High School Diploma, which standardized a minimum set of requirements attained by high school graduates nationally.

The essential minimum graduation requirements instituted, which each student aim-

Continued On Page 38

HIAAS Salutatorian, Florence Dean.

PHAHS Salutatorian, Ameiah Pinder.

PHAHS Valedictorian, Tiara Jones.

CEHS Valedictorian, Jana McCardy.

SGPAAS Valedictorian, Derek Pinder..

WHS Valedictorian, Antonishe Kemp.

HIAAS Valedictorian, Melisha Higgins.

NEHS Valedictorian, Jose Imbert.

WHS Salutatorian, Marquis Pinder.

SGPAAS Salutatorian, Sybil Bennett..

CEHS Salutatorian, Antoniqua Collins.

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Local

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Jun/Jul 2018

RBDF Ranger Program in

N. Eleuthera takes significant first stride - Commodore Bethel participates in celebration

Eighty Six (86) students from the North Eleuthera High School (NEHS), and the Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School (SGPAAS), who had participated in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Ranger Recruit program during the past year, came together with their proud family members, friends, and supporters on the morning of Saturday, June 16th, 2018 to take part in their Passing Out Parade Ceremony, becoming full-fledged Ranger Cadets.

Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel, attended the ceremony, held on the grounds of NEHS, in Lower Bogue, to personally congratulate this latest entry of Ranger Recruits. The program which got started in North Eleuthera for the very first time during the Fall semester of 2017, was the brainchild of Ms. Roxanne Williams, Guidance Counselor with NEHS and SGPAAS, who envisioned what the program could do in North Eleuthera, and personally visited the Defence Force headquarters in New Providence, during the summer of 2017 to petition the Commodore to make it happen. She was supported by a Ranger Parents In Action Group, with representatives from both Spanish Wells and the North Eleuthera communities, without whose help and support, the program would have been impossible, it was said, during the ceremony.

“We just jumped behind. We got the

Philip Carusi

Sierra Farrington, Minister of National Security Award recipient.

Kelly-Ann McKenzie

Cilnus Meleze

Mark Bullard

Jerold Kelly

Zephon McAndrew

Kendal Gibson

Lauryn McSweeney

Colby Mullin

Silas Bennett

Shekira Lubin

Joseph Cartwright

Alexandria Culmer

Parents In Action Group, the community, our corporate sponsors, and the schools - we all had to put our monies up and made it happen.

The Parents In Action team with Mrs. Laurel Bullard in North Eleuthera, and Mrs. Gail Mullin in Spanish Wells, Mrs. Anderson, and a number of other parents. The parents in Spanish Wells were outstanding. They provided accommodations for the Defence Force personnel whenever they came, and some other persons worked out transportation, and it was a fully cooperative effort. It’s a demonstration of what can happen when there is a shared vision, you get community buy-in, and no one sits around expecting somebody else to do,” shared NEHS Principal, Mr. Michael Culmer.

With tents and seating all ready to go on the grounds of NEHS, on Saturday morning, no one expected the torrents of rain that would begin to fall about an hour ahead of the event, and continued to persist. So plans were changed, and efforts to ready the nearby Wesley Methodist Church in Lower Bogue got underway. With such a large contingent of graduates, and even more family and friends out to cheer their accomplishments, it was a squeeze to get everyone in. However, the ceremony, originally scheduled to begin at 11am, did get underway 30 minutes later, with all and sundry packed in tight.

Continued On Page 17

Dianthe Anderson

Nash Pinder

Chandler Mullin

Kendal Gibson

Sanchez Albury

Ernie Kelly

Sankeisha Charistal

Local

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com RBDF Rangers Continued from pg. 16 Mrs. Chardel Brown-Gibson, Principal with SGPAAS, moderated, welcoming the 86 new Ranger Cadets as they marched into the church, all smartly dressed in uniform.

Director of the Rangers Program, Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe welcomed the students, and introduced Commodore Bethel, as he arrived to address the audience gathered.

Commodore Bethel encouraged the young cadets to continue on with discipline, dedication and determination, and thanked his team members and leaders in the Rangers program for their time, talent, and effort invested in the lives of the young cadets. He also recognized the Rangers Parents In Action Group, principals, teachers, parents and guardians for the vital support given to the program. He also conveyed congratulations from the Minister of National Security, Hon. Marvin Dames.

“Let’s not underestimate the potential of our young men and women. You have the potential to change the world. You can use your gifts and talents to serve humanity. Learn, grow, develop and pay attention to your teachers, because in the blink of an eye it will all be over, and you will be graduating from school - so, prepare yourself. Develop your skills, and build your character,” encouraged Commodore Bethel.

RBDF Instructors in the Ranger Recruit program during 2017/2018; Leading Seaman Marco King, Able Seaman Durchen Sands, and Able Seaman Cyril Miller, were called out by Commodore Bethel and recognized for their sacrifice and commitment to the Eleuthera students.

Then came the really exciting part of the program for the top performing Ranger Cadets, beginning with the ‘Most Academic Improvement Award’, which went to Sankeisha Charistal of NEHS. ‘Academic Achievement Awards’ were given to those who had achieved a GPA of 3.00 to 3.49 including; Ernie Kelly - 3.45, Jerold Kelly -3.27, Kendal Gibson - 3.27, Joseph Cartwright - 3.27, Cilnus Meteze - 3.20,

| 06/07 2018

Mark Bullard - 3.17, Lauryn McSweeney - 3.17, Sanchez Albury - 3.09, Kelly-Ann McKenzie - 3.09, and Shekira Lubin - 3.00. The ‘Rangers Director Award’, which emphasized exemplary character, was given to Kendal Gibson of NEHS. The highest level of Academic Awards, the ‘Commander Defence Force Award’ was given to Ranger Cadets who had achieved a GPA of 3.50 to 4.00, including; Colby Mullin - 4.00, Chandler Mullin - 3.90, Zephon McAndrew - 3.85, Alexandria Culmer - 3.67, Nash Pinder - 3.54, Silas Bennett - 3.54, Dianthe’ Anderson - 3.50, and Delano Armbrister - 3.50.

The final special award conferred during the ceremony was the ‘Minister of National Security Award’ given to the student who displayed the highest level of leadership potential, which went to Sierra Farrington of NEHS. The runner up for this special leadership award, Phillip Carusi Jr., was also formally recognized by Commodore Tellis Bethel and both students were presented with his book, ‘The Lucayan Story’. Commodore Bethel also gave both young leaders an open invitation to visit with him in New Providence to pick his brain about moving up the ranks of the Defence Force, and possibly attaining his position one day.

The remaining successful Ranger Cadets to pass out of the Recruit program included; Vedlin Pierre-Louis, Hannah Elden, Mary Boute, Shavez Gilbert, Shameika Cadeau, Alyssa Neely, Collen Woods, Darrel Smith Jr. Julisa johnson, Trayante Russell, Jeremy Davis, Raynaud Bethel, Alexander Whylly, Alvin Greene, Jadin Cash, Ashantio Johnson, Farvis Thompson, Taval Bethel, Vernae Nielly, Egianette Pierre, Lofton Saunders, Derrel Smith, Merlanda Denave, Jason Edgecombe, Mona Toussaint, Ronaldo Petit Homme, Edney Higgs Jr., Otia Kemp, Charles Algreen Jr., Fealyne Mettalier, Keitrion Gilbert, Dawson Alcira, Daquan Kelly, Lenka Julmiste, Joshua Cash, Timesh Bain, Chastinty Hasty, Arnold Joseph, Jodly Francique, Latyra Saunders, Sherlinda Ladresse, Geovannie Robinson, Shaquan Ferguson, Padira Cash, Jerica Pierre, Shantavia Joseph, Kevin Hepburn Jr., Leandra Johnson, Geonourdo Phillipe, Alissa Kemp, Walna

Continued On Page 37 RBDF Commodore Tellis Bethel, addressed the large group of new Rangers.

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Local “Plus” EleutheraNews Fourth Cohort of Eleuthera Youth graduate 18

Jun/Jul 2018

www.

. com

Bahamas Marine Cadet Corp Program

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM Eleuthera’s 4th set of student graduates from the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corp Program celebrated their commencement ceremony on Tuesday, June 12th, 2018, which was held at the Ministry of Education’s Resource Center in Savannah Sound, beginning at 10am.

Fifteen 12th grade students from the three participating high schools across Eleuthera, including four students from Preston Albury High School (PHAHS): Wayderick Anderson, Petron Knowles, Joenique Munnings, and Drevon Richards; four students from Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS): Lukeisha Saunders, Jana McCardy, Kiara Nixon and Delinique Swann; and seven students from North Eleuthera High School (NEHS): Rochelle Tador, Sanderlande St. Cyr, Candice McDonald, Michael Wilson, Daquan Kelly, Breon Neely and Lesanna Simon, all received their Deck Rating certifications in: Navigation, Seamanship, Rules of the Road, Ships Husbandry, and Firefighting.

The top student from each of the three cohorts were also presented with the 15th Annual Clyde Bethell Award - which recognizes the student achieving the highest Bridge Watch Rating in their cohort during the program.

From NEHS, Daquan Kelly was recognized as the best in the group. Jana McCardy, garnered the top award from the CEHS cohort, and from PHAHS, Petron Knowles, snagged the top honour.

The after school program which caters to students in grades 10, 11, and 12, runs from 4pm to 5:30pm on Tuesdays, and was facilitated this past year by former Defence Force Officers, Mr. Carmen Knowles at CEHS, Mr. Hillory Richards at PHAHS, and Mr. Francis Plakaris at NEHS. At Tuesday’s graduation ceremony the facilitators offered their congratulations to the students about to commence a new era of their

Fifteen successful new Bahamas Marine Cadet graduates shown with their Instructors, Education Administrators and Officials, as well as special guests, Cardie Cox, Director with the Bahamas Maritime Authority (front row, center), and Retired Chief Petty Officer, Keith Smith (second row, center).

lives, with Mr. Knowles during his remarks, adding, “ “I also want to admonish parents and guardians to encourage the children and guide them along the way. I am confident that the Cadets sitting here today will make you all proud.” Mr. Richards who worked with the students from PHAHS also commented, saying, “The kids were determined, and they really wanted this, and for those who are interested in the Defence Force, this certification gives them a head start.”

Keynote speaker for the special ceremony was Chief Petty Officer (retired), Mr. Keith Smith, who spoke frankly with the newly graduated cadets about what life could be like within a career on the sea, highlighting opportunities in the industry in the Bahamas, like the Defence Force, yachting, and others - encouraging them to get to know their Bahamian waters. He also spoke with them about opportunities of furthering their education in the Maritime industry, and recommended institutions of higher learning and available scholarships, stressing that certification at all levels in the industry was now a must.

Mr. Cardie Cox, Director with the Bahamas Maritime Authority, with responsibility for the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corp program, was a special guest at the ceremony, and also addressed the young audience of graduates. He commented briefly following the ceremony, saying, “The program is currently in five of the Family Islands throughout the Bahamas… However the children in Eleuthera, they seem to be very focused on what they want, and they are headed towards that, which does my heart very well. They are now able to seek to advance their career in the Maritime Industry, which can be either land or sea based. What the government, and in particular the Minister of Transport is now saying to these kids is, in the Maritime industry

there are a vast number of opportunities to explore. For example, The Bahamas is the number one cruise ship register in the world, but when you look at the number of Bahamians employed on those cruise ships, it’s insignificant. A major cruise line has recently agreed to employ 250 Bahamians within the

next year, for the next five years. There are new ships rolling out of manufacture next year and the year after, and they need people to fill positions on those ships, so that’s what it’s all about.”

Local

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

| 06/07 2018

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Island “Buzz”

Jun/Jul 2018

www. EleutheraNews . com

Pineapple Fest 2018 Organisers & Vendors pleased with the successful event. http://eleutheranews.com/?p=16929

Above: Seamstress and local Fashion Designer, Verda Gardiner (center), stands with her young models during the Pineapple Festival 2018.

The 31st Annual Pineapple Festival, hosted this year in Gregory Town during the Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day holiday weekend, from Thursday evening, May 31st, until Saturday, June 3rd, 2018, saw large crowds enjoying the exciting lineup of activities and entertainment. A signature ‘Summer Festivals’ event by the Ministry of Tourism in Eleuthera, the Pineapple Fest has continued to make a strong come back, since its venue change three years ago.

luxurious native salt scrubs, could also be found for an authentic Bahamian shopping experience.

A large, professional stage and lighting set up was the focal point for this year’s music entertainment by the Defence Force Pop band, and a bevy of Bahamian performing artists, like Veronica Bishop on Friday evening, followed up on Saturday by headliners Stileet and D-Mac. Crowds also enjoyed performances by the Eleuthera Freedom Marching band, as well as Junkanoo rush-outs. Local fashion designer, Verda Gardiner, featured recycled fashion creations on Friday evening, to delight of onlookers, and Saturday’s audience was treated to a comeback of the Junior Miss Pineapple pageant, which saw Ms. Neikeeleah Johnson of Hatchet Bay take home the winning title.

The Eleuthera Ministry of Tourism team, led by Jacqueline Gibson, expressed that festival goers have responded in a very positive way to the site set up, now sporting four main quadrants in the comfortably grassed and enclosed site space. The four main areas now encompass a ‘kid’s world’, where children’s games, snacks stands, bouncing castles and the like were placed together for children to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Food and drinks vendors, including those selling fresh pineapples and pineapple inspired dishes could be found in another section, with liquors and other spirits available altogether in another area of the park.

A large tented spot with seating and picnic benches was strategically placed in the center of the Festival site, with a clear view of the entertainment stage, and all other surrounding areas, to comfortably enjoy food and drinks while taking in the Fest’s ongoing evening activities and on-stage entertainment. Near the Festival entrance, a group of local vendors showcasing native crafts and cottage lines, from creative straw-works, shell crafts, jewelry and paintings, to bush teas and

Out and About at the Pineapple Festival in Gregory Town, held during the Labour Day weekend.

Island “Buzz”

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com Perfect fit: Mrs. Elva Nixon showcasing her unique straw work slipper creations.

| 06/07 2018

Above: Tamara Stuart highlighting her luscious bath line Below: Octis Organics sporting luxurious salt scrubs, delicious teas and more.

Above: Kim Albury of Kim Devine Arts, showing off her handiwork.

Left: Holly Burrows of the Blue Sea Horse selling her nature inspired jewelry line.

Young Officer recognised For his Good Work Assistant Superintendent Frank Neilly, highlighted the recognition of one of his colleagues, Constable 1311 Renardo Brown, by the Urban Renewal team, based in South Eleuthera, saying, “I am elated to see one of our very own young, vibrant and energetic officers being honoured by Urban Renewal.

“He has represented the Division well and was awarded for an outstanding job. I wish to publicly thank him for his efforts.

“Constable 1311 Renardo Brown is setting

the pace for others to emulate, and a community is only as good as its people.”

Officer Brown was presented with a special gift by the Urban Renewal team members, who stated, “We give you this gift as a token of our love and appreciation for being the most outstanding father at Urban Renewal - You are the best. You’ve worked with us since the very inception of the Urban Renewal office in South Eleuthera until now, and we look forward to great things from you!”

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Local

Jun/Jul 2018

www. EleutheraNews . com

Junior Miss Pineapple Pageant returned during 31st Annual Pineapple Fest The Junior Miss Pineapple pageant, was one of the special event items held during the Labour Day holiday weekend in Gregory Town, Eleuthera, at the 31st Annual Pineapple Festival. The event, held on the Saturday night, June 2nd, 2018, saw six teens from primary and junior high grades, compete for the coveted title, of Junior Miss Pineapple 2018. The pageant event, has been missing from the Pineapple Festival for a few years, but returned with excite-

ment this year.

The young girls participated in beach wear, casual wear, talent, costume, and evening gown segments, and in addition each had the opportunity to bravely provide answers to questions posed while friends, family members, visitors and locals looked on cheering. Competing were; 14 year old, Julisa Johnson (Miss Exuma) of North Eleuthera High School; 10 year old, Neikeeleah Johnson (Miss Eleuthera) of P.A. Gibson Above: An excited audience shouts support for their favorite contestants. Below Left: Winner, Neikeeleah Johnson sports her new crown.

Second runner up, Shania Heastie, accepting her gifts from special guest La’Mia Nixon, Jr. Miss James’ Cistern.

Primary; 12 year old, Austina Smith (Miss Bimini) of James’ Cistern Primary; Shania Heastie (Miss Inagua) of North Eleuthera High School; 13 year old, Gersiana Pierre (Miss Abaco) of Central Eleuthera High School; and 14 year old, Alyssa Sineus (Miss San Salvador) of Central Eleuthera High School.

Making special appearances on the night and assisting with various segments

and presentations were Int’l Junior Miss Eleuthera, Kay’nia Minnis, who also goes off to Texas to represent the Bahamas at the 2018 International Junior Miss Finale during the first week in July, as well as Junior Miss James’ Cistern, La’Mia Nixon. Master of ceremonies, who introduced the young ladies during the evening was, Mr. Damian Bethel, and perhaps most importantly, judging were: Blandira Gibson, Dashae Percentie, Cordero

Local

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

Above: Int’l Junior Miss Eleuthera, Kay’nia Minnis was a special guest assisting with prize giving.

First runner up, Julisa Johnson showing off her costume.

| 06/07 2018

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Above: Contestants anxiously awaiting the moment of truth.

Johnson, Nickal Fernander, and Sharnette Kemp.

The all Eleuthera judging panel had a number of awards to give out including, Miss Congeniality, Miss Popularity, and Best Float as final results were being tallied, and the contestants stood on stage awaiting the final announcement with bated breaths.

When the moment finally arrived, the coveted Junior Miss Pineapple 2018 title went to the confident, poised and wellspoken young lady representing as Miss Eleuthera, Neikeeleah Johnson of Hatchet Bay, who received her new crown, resplendent in her pineapple yellow gown. First runner up was awarded to Miss Exuma, Julisa Johnson of Harbour Island. Second runner up was Miss Inagua, Shania Heastie of The Bluff, and third runner up went to Miss San Salvador, Alyssa Sineus.

This year’s organizing committee for the Junior Miss Pineapple pageant included; Garrecka Johnson, president; Shaneiker Andrews, vice president; Kenva Neely, treasurer; Patarri DaleyFritz, coordinator/designer; and Claudia Kelly, coordinator choreographer.

Photos online at: http://eleutheranews.com/?p=16846 Photos taken by The Eleutheran are typically of high resolution suitable for high quality reproduction. Contact 422-9350 for more info.

Beautiful outfits abounded in the Costume Competition segment of the pageant.

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Local

Jun/Jul 2018

‘Eleuthera Sickle Cell Warriors’ commemorates annual

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day recognition with balloon release off JC’s coast.

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM On Tuesday, June 19th, 2018, the annual date recognized globally as World Sickle Cell Day, the Eleuthera based support group, ‘Eleuthera Sickle Cell Warriors’, came together in James’ Cistern to honour fellow Eleutherans who had died because of the disease, and to stand with those still struggling to fight with their Sickle Cell disease, with a balloon release event.

Beryl Carey, a Sickle Cell survivor, explained, “It is a struggle to fight this disease and to get treatment so that people can have a better quality of life.” She, along with survivors, friends and family members from Tarpum Bay, Savannah Sound, Palmetto Point, Governor’s Harbour, James’ Cistern and Hatchet Bay came out in support of their loved ones.

Mrs. Alva Culmer, while opening the small ceremony, held along the shoreline of the township, commented, “We wanted to come together today to do something fun, to remember those we have lost to this disease, as well as those who continue to fight like all of us.” Another member, Mrs. Barbara Carey, led the group in prayer, before everyone joined hands, and sang, “Bind us together” in worship.

Beryl Carey, then gave a short presentation on why the day is celebrated, sharing, “World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated around the world to raise public awareness about this fatal disease, to get effective control over the situation, to develop courage amongst the public and to support them through education - removing the stigma and myths about Sickle Cell Anemia… I have some signs for everyone to take with them today, saying ‘ask me about Sickle Cell’ to help get the conversation going about Sickle Cell in our island…

So, let’s all get involved and be advocates, and spread the word.”

Pastor Orlando Thompson, with World Outreach Ministries in James’ Cistern, then led the group in prayer, for those who had passed, and those still dealing with Sickle Cell Anemia.

He spoke about the faith of everyone present, and the important role faith and determination plays in giving people victory over their trials.

The memories of four Eleutherans who had died as a result of Sickle Cell, were honoured as each member of the group present let a single balloon lift away into the air, over the water into the distant blue sky; including, Dudley Johnson, Tiana Thompson, Kenth Symonette, and Brando. Survivors who were encouraged to continue Above: Sickle Cell Warriors each releasing a balloon, in honour of the memory of people who passed away from Sickle Cell. Below: Warriors encourage and support each other through fellowship.

fighting, were; Andre Allen, Giovanni Petty, Melonie Rolle, Beryl Carey, Lashelle Sands, Jack Jolly, Anya Jolly, and Mitzy Sweeting.

Mrs. Sterlene Morley presented young survivors, Melonie Rolle, and Andre (AJ) Allen with beautifully handmade quilts as special gifts, and special thanks were given to Beryl Carey, Alva Culmer, Lashelle Sands, Christine Rolle, and Sophia Petty for pulling together the event.

Since 2008, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day has been held annually, in order to help increase public knowledge and raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and the struggles sufferers and their families go through. The date was chosen to commemorate the

day on which a resolution was officially adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, recognizing SCD as a public health concern.

SCD affects millions of people around the world, including both adults and children. It is a potentially fatal disease and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is one of the main causes of premature death amongst children under the age of five in a number of countries.

National

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Budget Continued from pg. 12 sity of the Bahamas, (UB). I wish to announce at the outset that beginning in September 2019, all full time Bahamian students who meet certain entry requirements for UB will receive free tuition.

The details of these requirements will be announced.

Students will have to maintain a minimum GPA to maintain their grant. This requirement will also be announced. This major investment in education will help scores of young people to realize their dreams as we build a more equitable society. While talent is evenly distributed in any population; opportunity is not. These new Opportunity Grants are a major national investment that will help scores of parents unable to afford the cost of tuition at UB. Because many Family Island students cannot afford housing in New Providence, qualifying students from the Family Islands will be afforded $500 per month for an accommodation allowance. UB will maintain a proper housing register to ensure that homes, in which students reside, meet safety and other requirements.

This new register of homes will increase housing opportunities for students. The allowance will be paid directly to qualifying homeowners.

I also wish to announce that all Bahamian students who qualify to attend BTVI, will be granted free tuition beginning this September, 2018.

To maintain this tuition, they will have to meet certain ongoing requirements, which will be announced. This new initiative will help to build a more skilled and productive workforce...

Again, as part of a real investment in our young people we have also allocated $2.6 million for scholarships at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) so that all qualifying full-time Bahamian students will be able to obtain a scholarship for free tuition for any degree or certification program.

We are examining with the senior team of the Institute the possibility of paying a monthly

stipend as incentive for students in programs for which there is keen demand in the marketplace. Students on these scholarships will have to attend class regularly and will have to meet certain academic performance standards. If they apply themselves Mr. Speaker, and do their part, we will do our part. The opportunity will create greater demand for BTVI training and as such, we have allocated $3.5 million in the Capital Budget for BTVI to help them begin the necessary upgrades and expansion of facilities to meet this increased demand.

Through a loan with the Caribbean Development Bank, we will be expanding the facilities around Information Technology in particular so that our students are even more ready for this 21st Century Digital Economy.

My Government is also pleased that we are now able to fulfil our pledge to remove VAT from medicine, and from breadbasket items.

Small Business License Waiver...

I remind the Bahamian people, Mr. Speaker, that we have also provided a waiver of Business License fees for all small businesses whose turnover is under $100,000.

Statement by the Leader of the Opposition in response to the Prime Minister’s Contribution June 18, 2018 The Prime minister’s attempt today in the House to justify the unconscionable and massive increase in taxes on the backs of ordinary Bahamians, fell abysmally flat. It was most unimpressive and lacked a basic grasp of his own budgetary initiatives and what underlying economic principles informed such programs.

It represented a complete about face from his campaign promises recalling that taxing is the lazy way out.

This is not the People’s budget. This is not the People’s time.

The thrust of his contribution is in stark contrast with that of the budget communication and the contribution by his Minister of Finance. The only common denominator between the two being to blame the PLP, continuing the campaign political rhetoric.

This is not about the PLP, it is about the FNM and Dr. Hubert Minnis’ lack of ability to govern. It is about the obstinance and arrogance of this administration not to yield to the voices of reason that is now a crescendo from all aspects of the community.

There has been no support for what they are doing. This budget oppresses the poor by unconscionably increasing VAT by 60% and provided no credible basis for doing so. This is borne out by all former Ministers of Finance who have all cast doubt on the approach of the FNM. The Minister of Finance has cast aspersions on all former Ministers of Finance by suggesting that they were all fiscally irresponsible and not transparent. Last year the FNM gave millions of dollars of revenues to large companies with turnovers of above 50 million dollars and now they are refunding millions of dollars to multinationals.

Now the Bahamian people must pay for this.

The only fact is that the Bahamian

The Eleutheran | 06/07 2018

people will be taxed more than they can bear. 12 percent VAT. A discriminatory tax against gaming operators. The fixing of the economy for the rich. His tax increases support giveaways for the rich. No news for Grand Bahama to help them up off the ground and there are heavier burdens for the poor.

This budget is a colossal betrayal of the Bahamian people, that will lead to a double dip recession.

STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ON THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEFENCE OF THE VAT HIKE TO 12% I wish to respond to press comments attributed to Prime Minister Minnis in defence of his decision to raise the VAT rate from 7.5% to 12%.

The Prime Minister blamed the threat of devaluation of the Bahamian dollar, a monetary and credit policy issue, for raising taxes to defray the government’s day to day operational

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expenses, a purely fiscal policy issue. Monetary policies are in the purview of the independent regulatory agency, the Central Bank of The Bahamas He said the following: “I do not believe we can tax or borrow our way out of debt. They call me a hypocrite for increasing Vat to 12%. If we did not we would be devalued within a year.”

Beyond my surprise that the Prime Minister was pre-empting the Governor of the Central Bank who never raised that alarm, I am amused that the Prime Minister is contradicting the Finance Minister’s Budget Communication which boasted of 23 weeks worth of foreign reserves.

There is no issue of devaluation in the offing.

To suggest it is irresponsible, stupid and a lie.

Anyone with a modicum of sense knows that devaluation as a policy instrument makes no sense in a country like ours that trades in services with 90 per cent or more of the inputs paid for in US dollars. We would be deliberately shooting ourselves in the foot.

So Prime Minister Minnis, try another line because this one on devaluation is a flop.

How about telling the truth, the FNM does not know what it is doing; they have mismanaged the country’s affairs and now want to blame the PLP. No lie can last forever.

Prime Minister discusses Budget with Exuma residents

By Lindsay Thompson GEORGE TOWN, Exuma – Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis continued his trek across the islands to discuss with residents the 2018/19 National Budget and the Value Added Tax increase to 12 percent.

A Town Hall Meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Community Centre overlooking Elizabeth Harbour, where scores of residents turned up on Wednesday, June 27, to hear of the provisions aimed towards making life better. Exuma is one of the fastest growing economies in The Bahamas.

The Prime Minister spoke passionately about future plans for the country, particularly the poor, vulnerable and young people.

“It is very important to understand and appreciate the Budget as it relates to the future development of The Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said. “It is the function of a government to leave behind a better country.”

According to the Prime Minister, several things are of particular importance to him as it relates to the Budget: He used his own childhood as an example of living in poverty within the larger discussion of how the Budget aims at decreasing the poverty level, and increasing opportunities for the middle class, for a better way of life. Another area he said that is “dear and personal” to him is for Family Island residents to have the same opportunities as residents in New Providence.

Between intermittent applause of approval from those in attendance, the Prime Minister went on to list more provisions within the Budget such as education, health care and home ownership.

He said starting September 2019, qualifying students would receive free education to attend at the University of The Bahamas (UB). Similar arrangements are being made at the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI).

Already the top 4 students who graduated from UB with a degree in Economics will be contracted by the Government to work at the Ministry of Finance, and granted scholarships

to obtain Masters Degrees abroad. They would be subsequently hired by the Government in line with a 10-year vision plan to improve the Public Service.

Regarding the increase in VAT, the Prime Minister said that it was a hard decision to make, but the aim is to grow the economy. “As Prime Minister you must make difficult decisions. I would prefer to lose an election than lose a country,” he said.

The government considered raising VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent but determined that was not enough to deal with fiscal pressures it encountered, the Prime Minister told Exuma. The government considered raising VAT to 15 percent but determined that would have inflicted “too much hardship” on Bahamians, so it settled on 12 percent, which it determined is necessary to save future generations of Bahamians.

A significant portion of the new VAT revenues will be redirected into the economy through the payment of arrears to various creditors, among other things, he explained.

“I don’t ever want to see what is happening in Barbados happen here,” he said. “I never want to pick up the phone and call an international lending agency… you have to be in control of your own country.”

“We should not lose sight of the fact that the government has been mindful, in the development of its plan to provide tax relief to the most vulnerable in our society,” the Prime Minister said. He noted that among those measures are the elimination of VAT on breadbasket items, medicines, residential property insurance, as well as on electricity and water for a large number of households.

The Prime Minister previously visited South, Central and North Andros on Monday, June 25, to discuss the provisions of the Budget.

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Perspective

Jun/Jul 2018

OP-ED

By Sir Ronald Sanders www.sirronaldsanders.com

By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. The views expressed are entirely his own) U.S. President Donald Trump did not sign “The Charlevoix G7 Summit Communique” in Canada in early June. In not doing so, he demonstrated doubts about the Group in which the U.S. participates with Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Presidency of the European Union (EU). The presence of the EU, already represented by Britain, France, Germany and Italy, gives the EU an oversize and unwarranted voice.

From a developing countries’ perspective, President Trump is right to be dubious about the G7’s authority in the world and the actions that they collectively promote.

Part of his scepticism was evident even before the G7 meeting began when he publicly called for the inclusion of Russia. He said: “You know, whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run and the G7, which used to be the G8, they threw Russia out, they can let Russia come back in, because we should have Russia at the negotiating table.”

There is compelling good sense in President Trump’s call for the inclusion of Russia in bargaining on issues that are global in their scope.

While EU countries wish to punish Russia for events in Ukraine over Crimea, excluding it from major discussions does not encourage dialogue and diplomacy to address concerns over Crimea. And, it certainly does nothing to facilitate international cooperation on crucial matters that

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Seeing President Trump in a pleasing light threaten global peace and stability.

For decades, the G7 has dictated global economic, finance and trade rules even as the importance of many of its members has long since dwindled, and other countries such as China, India and Brazil have overtaken them.

Jim O’Neill, who assumes the Chairmanship of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in July, recently observed that: “The G7 still comprises the seven Western democracies with the largest economies, but barely so. At this point, Canada’s economy is not much bigger than Australia’s, and Italy’s is only slightly bigger than Spain’s. The G7 is an artefact of a bygone era”.

O’Neill points out that China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to overtake the entire eurozone this year; India’s GDP is already larger than Italy’s, and Brazil is not far behind. Eighty-five per cent of the increase in world GDP (in U.S. dollars) since 2010 has come from the U.S. and China, and nearly 50% from China alone. Another 6% has come from India, while the dollar value of the Japanese and EU economies has declined.

Despite all this, the G7 has held on to a dominant policy-making role (only because of U.S. membership) without meaningful consultation with developing countries that are affected by them. Certainly, the G7 has invited selected developing countries to meetings, but their participation has been window-dressing at best; no significant change in thinking or policy has resulted from their appearance.

At the Canada meeting, President Trump was deeply concerned about the balance of trade deficit which the U.S. suffers with many countries of the world, including all the other G7 members; he is also concerned with high tariffs placed on U.S. exports by these countries.

Caribbean countries don’t have high tariffs on imported U.S. goods and, with one exception, they are among the few countries in the world with which the U.S. enjoys an annual trade surplus that gives it revenues and employment. Last year the U.S trade surplus with the Caribbean was more than U.S.$6 billion.

On the wider trade scene, Caribbean countries were coerced, individually, in October 2008 by the European Commission to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement with the 28 EU countries collectively. The disadvantage of what is essentially an uneven trade arrangement between Caribbean mice and the EU elephant, was occasioned by a threat by Peter Mandelson, the EU Commissioner at

Policy Statement: The Perspective, Conservation Corner,’ Op-ED and Letters section of The Eleutheran newspaper is a medium we provide for writers to express their views and opinions on issues that directly or indirectly affect any part of our society. These views do not in anyway reflect the views of this newspaper. While we aim to publish all letters sent to us, please note The Letter to the Editor section is not a vehicle for people to air personal gri pes against another person and letters may be refused on the basis of ethics, which includes, but is not limited to, personal vendettas or attacks.

the time, to sign or else face the imposition of unfavourable treatment for Caribbean goods.

With no regard to historical European exploitation and underdevelopment of the region, Mandelson records in his biography that he regarded the Caribbean’s capitulation to his threat as the only bright spot in his “lack of progress” in re-negotiating the trade arrangements between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific group for which the latter had fought hard.

President Trump’s shaking-up of the G7 should be generally welcomed.

His desire to include Russia at the table of global negotiation should now move to include other more relevant and significant countries.

There is another vital area to which the Caribbean should hope he turns attention. And, that is what is happening with financial services globally.

The G7 created the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which set rules and regulations that are imposed on the rest of the world. Those rules and regulations have gone far beyond their original intention to fight money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

They have succeeded in crippling, if not emasculating, the financial services industry in many developing countries, including the Caribbean.

The OECD and EU’s backlisting of countries as “tax havens” bear much

of the blame for the policies of major international banks to ‘de-risk’ and withdraw correspondent banking relationships from banks in the Caribbean that dim the region’s economic prospects.

On May 15th, the EU declared that it would put the U.S. on a blacklist if, by June 2019, it does not agree to provide details of bank accounts held by foreigners. The EU also said that it would investigate whether tax laws, introduced last year by the Trump administration and approved by the U.S. Congress, makes the U.S. “a tax haven”.

President Trump is most unlikely to tolerate any actions by the EU that is injurious to the U.S. Serious retaliation should be expected.

If the U.S. President shakes-up the unfair control of global rule-making and imposition of financial and tax rules as he has done over trade, there may be an inkling of light for Caribbean countries at the end of a long tunnel in which they have been trapped for two decades.

President Trump would be seen by many in the Caribbean in a more benign and pleasing light.

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

Perspective

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

Westminster MP Travis Robinson, dismissed from his official position in government , gives his take on the system in Parliament; The following is an exerpt: My decision to vote against the increase in Value Added Tax in this place on Monday June 18th led to my termination the following day as prescribed by the Westminster system.

Under this system, viewed by many as archaic and unsuitable, a parliamentary secretary is required to publicly support the Government’s policies and actions.

In keeping with the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure, the Prime Minister was left with little choice but to terminate myself as a parliamentary secretary who did not fully support the 2018-2019 Budget in its entirety. (The MP went on to express his support for the Prime Minis-ter and His Party , while accepting his fate was an action mandated by the Westminster System) Many Bahamians learned more about the Westminster system in one week than they have seemingly ever known.

Many questions were raised and assumptions made often shared as facts so, today, I break my silence and offer clarification.

It was not on a whim or on the basis of misinformation, but after much consideration that I voted as I did on the Budget and the Bill to increase Value Added Tax, my reasoning explicitly stated in my contribution to the Budget Communication in the week prior.

When I said to my constituents on the campaign trail, I will fight for you, I will go to bat for you, I will stand up and speak out for you. I meant what I said and I said what I meant. Even if it caused me my livelihood. No system of governance, no position or money enough will cause for me to yield my personal belief or conviction especially when my people need me the most.

For you see Mr. Speaker mines is the story of a young, black educated Bahamian male from Bains and Grant Town whose poverty knew no end. I went to school in burst tennis shoes, an oversized short faded pants and a dingy white shirt that only had three button. My daily lunch meal was from the school welfare program- free lunch line. I got a job as a teenager packing bag at the food store. Then became a car washer and later worked as a pump attendant at a gas station. My ‘No’ vote in this

honorable house was in alignment with low and meek rise from the dust of poverty.

Mr. Speaker, allow me to summarize.

I have recognized, simultaneously, the need to increase government revenue in order to pay down debt and the negative effects, particularly and disproportionately on people living in poverty including many of the people in Bain and Grants Towns; and it is to them that I owe my ultimate trust and allegiance. They are my livelihood. Contrary to what some may say, my one vote in this honorable house of assembly is mortgaged to the people of Bains and Grants Town and to them alone.

My integrity is not for sale! My conviction is not for sale! My one vote is not for sale!

I came to this process with a full understanding of my responsibilities as the Member of Parliament representing Bain and Grants Towns and Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. I understood, from the beginning, Mr. Speaker, the potential for conflict of interest between the two portfolios and the almost inevitable moment that would require departure from one in the interest of the other.

To be clear, I understood the consequences. I am willing to accept them, and I have. I stand proud, Mr. Speaker, as a representative of the people, fulfilling the promise to be their voice, to be their hope, to be their servant whatever the cost.

Difficult decisions are a part of the job, and acting with honesty and in-tegrity frequently appears to result in a personal disadvantage. Fortunately for me, my personal and professional ambitions are aligned — I want to build a future for The Bahamas that we can all be proud of, one where the next generation can live in a country where democracy thrive and honesty and respect, principals and morals are then order of everyday; and I want to do it with clean hands, a clear conscience, and consideration for and collaboration with my community Bain and Grants Towns.

Mr. Speaker, I must express my gratitude to the Bahamian people who have and continue to rally around me and supported me whether by physical presence, prayer, messages of encouragement, or otherwise over the past few days.

Since my termination as Parliamentary Secretary, I have received both locally and internationally, 244 written letters of encouragement, 308 phone calls, 905 WhatsApp messages, 1024 email messages, 3,429 Face-book tags, messages and postings and 113,000 views and hits on my Fa-cebook live feed during my

The Eleutheran | 06/07 2018

community walk about post my termination.

One such letter that stood out to me which was delivered to my constituency office on Wednesday June 20th 2018 was from a little boy from Bain Town.

He writes; Dear,

Mr. Robinson my name is Leroy. I am 8 years old and I attend woodcock primary school. Last week me and my mom stayed up to watch your speech in parliament. When you was talking my mom started crying. I asked her why and she said she was happy to see you talking for the poor people. Thank you for fighting for us. My favorite cartoon is Bat-man. Batman is my super hero because he have super powers and he is save good people and use his power to lock up the bad people. You are my new super hero I wish you had super powers like Batman to lock up the bad guys. My mother told me you was fired from you job. I was sad. Thank you for fighting for poor people. When I grow up I want to be like you.

Mrs. Speaker. I have been overwhelmed by the positive response of Bahamians, especially those residing in Bain and Grants Towns.

It has been a pleasure to receive their feedback, and to be assured that they feel heard, understood, and well represented.

To the people of Bain and Grants Towns, now that these new budgetary measures have been passed and are an inevitability, we know that it will not be easy adjusting to the 12% Value Added Tax, but we are no strangers to challenges.  We endured through the pain and hurt of the fatal shooting of an eight months old baby in our community.  We survived the terror of hurricane Mathew and pooled our re-sources together to buy in bulk after the storm.  We lost a giant of a man and a former community representative in the person of the late honorable Dr. BJ Nottage. Whose shoulders I continue to stand on and successes I continue to build on.

We, are no strangers to challenges.

Let us work together to build strategies to make the best use of resources available to us and continue the practice of interdependent living. In this moment, we are called to be our brothers’ keepers, to see and help those in need, and recognize the practice of generosity and compassion as a gift that keeps on giving.

Mr. Speaker, I call on Bain and Grants Towns and the entire country to refuse to be defeated, do not give up, surrender, or retreat it is at our weakest point that we need our greatest strength in order to triumph. Let us be creative, enterprising, and determined every day, not just to survive, but to help others to survive and

29

move together from mere survival to thriving.

We will develop our own co-op in the Bain and Grants Towns community. Start community gardens. Pool resources to start businesses. Buy in bulk. Look after each others children. Check on the most vulnerable people around us with special focus on women, children, the elderly, and the differently-abled people. These are our responsibilities as community members, but also our lifelines. We have to be able to depend on each other to manage resources, monetary and otherwise, for the good of all.

Mr. Speaker, there’s an elephant in the room and I wish to address it head on. – The Westminster System.

I urge Bahamians at large to research, engage in conversations, and explore alternatives to the Westminster system. Consider its origin, the current function and consequences, and the vulnerability of the government and the governed. Think broadly about democracy, what it means, what we need from it, and what it requires of us.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to evoke the rights, duties and privileges bestowed upon the seat I sit as Member of Parliament in this honorable house; as such, I beg leave to call for a select committee of the house on the Westminster system to evaluate its relevance, its effectiveness and continued adherence in a 21st century Bahamas.

It is my fundamental belief that no member should be placed in a position to choose between their party/government and the people they represent in this honorable house. Such a position is to put a strangle hold around the neck of democracy choking the life out of it.

In a democracy, Mr. Speaker, power flows from the citizens to the government, but the vote is not the be all and end all. We cannot be satisfied with participation that is limited to going to the polls every five years. If we are to have a strong, healthy democracy, we must all participate. Everyone cannot physically sit in these seats or be Cabinet Ministers, but there is no shortage of work to be done. This includes educating our children, tuning to regional and global news, engaging in debate, and offering criticism.

Mr. Speaker, Bahamians today are asking, “Why the Westminster system?”

It is being suggested, Mr. Speaker, that we abandon it.

There are certainly many steps to be taken before we can arrive at such a conclusion, but there must be space to pose such a question.

Why the Westminster system? Is it relevant to a twenty-first century Bahamas? Is it the most effective means of governance? What

Continued On Page 33

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In-house Writers - articles written and edited by The Eleutheran Team.

These may be investigative, informational, Sports, Education, Business etc.

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Crime News

Jun/Jul 2018

www. EleutheraNews . com

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

Reports issued by the RBPF locally.

Eleuthera REPORTS ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT On Friday, June 22nd, 2018, sometime around 3:14pm, a resident contacted the Rock Sound Police Station and reported receiving information about a traffic accident in the area of the water tower in Water Ford. Police assistance requested.

Officers responded to the scene and reported that, sometime around 3:30pm, they arrived at the scene of a traffic accident located on Queen’s Highway, which involved one vehicle, a white 2002 Honda Stream which was seen in bushes off the western side of the street with extensive damages. Same was being driven at the time of the accident by an adult male who was spoken to under caution and stated that while driving in a northern direction on Queen’s Highway at a speed of about 40 mph, his front seat passenger hit his hand causing him to lose control of the vehicle which ran off the eastern side of the road, back onto the main road and then off the western side of the road colliding into a BPL utility pole No. 184 which caused the same to split in two. An NOIP form and a hospital form were issued to the driver measurements were recorded. Further BPL personnel visited the scene and secured the downed power lines and damaged utility pole. Investigations continues.

TRAFFIC OFFENCE REPORT On Friday, June 22nd 2018, sometime around 6:51pm, Officers while on mobile patrol reported an adult male for driving a red Toyota Passo north along Queen’s Highway, in the area of Brown’s Food Store, while same was not licensed or inspected for the current year 2018. He was informed of the offenses and was warned of prosecution.

ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON On Friday June 22nd 2018 sometime around 11:20pm, an adult male, contacted Rock Sound Police Station and reported that a man known to him , came by his place of business riding a bicycle and brandished and discharged a firearm which appeared to be a .38 revolver spin barrel putting him in fear. He left the area on the bicycle. He is requesting police action.

Officers visited the scene and spoke with the complainant . He stated that the suspect brandished a firearm and discharged same.

He further stated that the male attempted to discharge same again but it appeared to have jammed and he then left the area riding on a bicycle.

ARREST (ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON) - On Saturday, June 23rd 2018, sometime around 8:45pm, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male under arrest, and reported that he was arrested and cautioned sometime around 8:00pm while at his residence reference to a complaint of Assault with a Deadly Weapon made on 22.6.18 SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED - On Saturday, June 23rd 2018 sometime around 7:30pm, officers acting on information received, executed a search warrant on the residence and property of an adult male and the surrounding areas reference to dangerous firearms. Nothing illegal was found at the location.

RAR: - On Saturday 23rd June 2018 sometime around 1:15am an adult male came to the Rock Sound police station and reported that sometime around 10:00pm on Friday 22nd June 2018 while driving heading east along Wemyss Bight and cotton Bay road, at a speed of 45mph in his silver Honda civic with three passengers, a vehicle with bright lights came behind his vehicle and while the car attempted to overtake, his car was sideswiped and the right side mirror was broken off. He reported that he honked his horn to try stop the vehicle but the driver sped off. He also reported he observed the vehicle had lights around the license plate and he know it to be the vehicle of a male known to him Police action requested.

Officers viewed the damage to the Honda car and noted damages to the right side both doors panel areas and the right driver’s side view mirror was broken off. N.O.I. P form was served on the driver, a statement was recorded from him under caution and he was instructed to produce his driver’s license and insurance to the nearest Police station within 48 hours. Investigations are ongoing.

STEALING - At about 8:04am on Sunday, 17th June 2018, an adult female contacted Governor’s Harbour via telephone and reported that she received information from guest staying at one of the Units of a local resort that someone stole cash from them overnight. Police assistance requested.

Officers visited the scene where they saw and spoke to the complainants who reported that sometime between 10:00pm on Saturday, 16th June 2018 and 8:00am on Sunday, 17th June 2018 some person/s stole $150.00 that was on a nightstand in a bedroom. Checks were made of the said condominium and there are no signs of forced entry. A written statement was recorded from the complainant and investigations are being continued into this matter.

Traffic Offence Report - On Sunday 16th June 2018 at about 4:58pm Officers while on mobile patrols reported an adult male of Harbour Island for driving a purple Suzuki Tracker south on Queens Highway, Governors Harbour, Eleuthera, while the mentioned vehicle was Unlicensed, Uninspected and Uninsured for the year 2018. He produced his driver’s license at the scene and was warned of prosecution.

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT: On Sunday 17th June, 2018 at about 12:34am an adult male contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station via telephone and reported that there was a Traffic Accident on Queen’s Highway Palmetto Point involving two vehicles. Police Assistance is requested.

Officers responded to the scene where they saw a two vehicle traffic accident on Queens Highway just north of Palmetto Point. Vehicle #1 was a black 2000 Nissan which was registered to and driven at the time by an adult male. He was not injured. Under caution he reported that while travelling West on the mentioned street when he saw the headlights of an oncoming vehicle that was on his side of the road resulting in the collision.

His vehicle received extensive front and right side damages. Vehicle #2 was a white 2007 Lexes IS250 which was driven at the time by an adult female . She complained of minor pains to her chest area. She reported that while travelling south along the mentioned street, she saw the headlights of an oncoming vehicle as she was at the extreme left of the southbound lane and the vehicle collided into the right side of her vehicle damaging the same and causing her to lose control and ended up into bushes on the western side of the road. The vehicle sustained major damages. Measurements were taken from the scene and the same was cleared.

Investigations continue.

Police Contact Numbers

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

332-3500 332-2111 332-2117 332-2723 332-2323 334-8207 334-4033 334-2244

STEALING FROM A VEHICLE & DAMAGE: At about 1:10pm today’s date June 13th 2018 an adult male reported to the G.H.P.S. that sometime between 11:45am and 12:30pm on Wednesday 13/06/2018. Some person/s unknown broke the right rear glass of his rental vehicle while the same was parked at Coco Di-Mama Beach situated Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera. The culprits also stole $400.00 cash and half a pack of Rothman cigarettes. He requested Police Action. This matter is under active investigation.

Damage/Stealing - At 4:45pm Monday 11th June 11, 2018 an adult female came in at R.S.P.S and reported that sometime around 1:30pm today’s date she along with her husband and visiting friends visited the Lighthouse Beach and sometime around 3:45pm she realized that some unknown person/s broke into their rental vehicle and damaged the back left window, deflated the back left tire and stole 1 beer and 2 soda pop.

Police action requested.

Boat Found - At about 5:00pm on Saturday 9th June 2018 an adult male came in at the Governors Harbour Police Station and reported that at about 11:45am on same date while at “Coco Tell House” Governors Harbour he discovered washed up on the beach a blue and orange 17 – 18 foot Dominican fishing skiff with Reg. No EP-J79-159357, same was removed from the beach and transported to the property of his brother for safe keeping. Same reported for police information.

Road Accident Report - At about 6:53pm on Saturday 9th June 2018 an anonymous caller contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station via telephone and reported that there is a traffic accident on Queens Highway Palmetto Point in the area of Unique Hardware. Police assistance requested.

Officers visited the scene of a traffic accident at Queens Highway Palmetto Point in the area of Unique Hardware involving a black 2005 Honda Inspire and driven north along Queens Highway by an adult male which collided into a tree on the Eastern side of the street causing extensive damage to the front end of the vehicle, damage to the right rear door and quarter panel also the rear windshield. The driver was spoken to under caution and he stated that while travelling north he lost control of the vehicle and hit a coconut on the right side which caused him to bounce off the tree and collide head on with a casuarina tree causing extensive front end damage. As a result measurements were recorded and the driver issued with an N.O.I.P form which was explained to him and he signed. Investigations are ongoing.

Road Accident Report - At about 12:45am on Saturday 9th June 2018 Officers visited the scene of a Traffic Accident on Queens Highway Rainbow Bay where a black Mazda Tribute jeep was in the middle of the road facing a northwestern direction. The vehicle had extensive damages to the entire front end, more so on the right side. Unit then saw and spoke to the driver, an adult male and passenger. The driver was issued a Royal Bahamas Police N.O.I.P. form which was explained to him and he signed.

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

334-2212 334-2052 335-1208 333-2111 333-2327 333-4030 335-5322 335-0086

Photographs and measurements of the scene were taken. Both men reported minor injuries and was issued Royal Bahamas Police Forms to attend doctor.

Burglary - At 2:35pm Friday June 8th 2018, an adult female reported to Officers that sometime around 1:40am Friday June 8th 2018 while at her Place of residence with her son, she was awoken by her dogs barking and upon checking, her son saw a tall, dark skinned, slim built male who was bare back and had a shirt tied around his head, standing at their back door, he then picked open their back door and attempted to gain entry. However he was chased away by her son. She is requesting Police action.

Officers visited the residence where they saw and recorded statements from witnesses and the complainant. The scene was later processed by Crime Scene Officers, investigations ongoing.

STEALING - On Wednesday, June 06th, 2018, sometime around 4:20pm, an adult female reported to R.S.P.S that, sometime around 1:30pm, her and her friend, , were snorkeling at Lighthouse Beach and left a fanny pack with valuables on the beach. She further reported that, when they returned to the shore, they checked the fanny pack and discovered that some unknown person/s had stolen (2) two gold rings valued at $1,500, (1) black and silver Samsung Galaxy S6 cell phone valued at $400 and $100 cash in US currency. Police action requested. This matter is under active investigation.

HOUSE BREAKING REPORT - On Tuesday, June 05th, 2018, sometime around 9:48am, an adult male, contacted the Rock Sound Police Station via telephone and reported that some unknown person/s had broken into his residence.

Officers responded to the scene where they saw and spoke with the complainant who pointed out a wood bedroom window where the bottom glass window pane was seen broken and two cement blocks were seen beneath that window on the ground. Also seen on the inside of the bedroom was the window screen which was bent but still secured at the window. Another master bedroom was pointed out where a piece of broken window pane glass was seen on the bed. The complainant reported that, sometime around 6:25am, she left home and upon her return she got her children prepared and left home at about 8:10am to take her children to school in Palmetto Point leaving her home intact and secured. Sometime after 9:40am upon her return home she discovered that the house had been broken into but it does not appear as if anything had been stolen. She suspects that her husband is responsible for the same. Further it was noted that the culprits exited through a western back door. Police action was requested.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon At 12:15am 06/06/18 an adult female came to the Governors Harbour Police Station and reported that on Monday 4th June 2018 at about 10:00pm while walking with her boyfriend they were almost hit by a white Honda vehicle driven by a male known to her. The vehicle collided with rocks and plants in the church yard. Two females in the vehicle whom she has had several altercations with were inside of the vehicle calling her

Crime News

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com @#h. Police Action requested. This matter is under active investigation.

Road Accident Report - At 7:30pm Saturday June 4th 2018, an adult male Contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station via cell phone and reported that there is an accident involving two vehicles on the Banks Road, North Palmetto Point and that there were no apparent injuries. Police assistance requested.

Officers visited the scene where they saw a brown Nissan Serena Van driven by an adult male visitor facing south on the Banks Road, Palmetto Point and a black Toyota Passo driven by an adult male facing north on the mentioned road. Officers saw and spoke to both drivers who stated that the driver of vehicle no 2. came around the curve with too much speed which resulted in him losing control of his vehicle which ended up on the opposite side of the road and colliding into the Brown van. Both vehicles received damage to the front bumper, there were no injuries. While at the Governors Harbour Police Station the driver of vehicle no 2 admitted that he was at fault for the accident and came to an agreement with the owner of the self-drive van to pay for the repairs. Both drivers were issued with an N.O.I.P form, measurements were taken, both drivers told to produce proper documents at the Governors Harbour Police Station within 48hours and both vehicles were driven from the scene Threats of Harm - On Sunday 3rd June 2018 sometime around 11:15am, an adult male came in at Rock Sound Police Station and reported that sometime around 9:30pm on 2/6/18 while at the dock in Tarpum Bay, a male known to him approached him with a knife and told him that he would gut him and have his guts all over the dock putting him in fear. Also that he asked him if he wanted his house burned down. He further reported that on Sunday 3rd June 2018 sometime around 10:45am upon his arrival home, he saw this male in his yard with a red container and a wooden pallet in his hand and upon seeing him he ran away. Police action was requested.

This matter is under active investigation.

Threats of Harm - On Sunday 3rd June 2018 sometime around 11:20am, an adult male, came in at Rock Sound Police Station and reported that sometime around 9:30pm while standing on the dock in Tarpum Bay with several other males, he was he was approached by a male known to him who had a knife in his hand and asked him about $100.00 that he owed him.

As a result, they got into an argument and the male told him that he would gut him and have his guts all over the dock putting him in fear. Police action was requested. This matter is under active investigation.

Disorderly Behavior, Obscene Language, Assaulting Police Officer and Resisting Arrest On Sunday 3rd June 2018 sometime around 2:55pm, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station and reported that sometime around 1:10am same date while conducting special duties they , observed a group of persons who appeared to be involved in a loud disturbance. As a result, Officers approached the area where he saw a dark skinned male clad in a white tee shirt and a dark colored pants acting in a disorderly manner.

As a result, he was spoken to and warned of his behavior and began using obscene language to the annoyance of Officers who then attempted to arrest this male . The male then resisted arrest violently and grabbed one Officer by the throat which drew the attention of a large crowd of persons who then gathered in that area. As a result of same possibly escalating into a riot and for the safety of the officers, the suspect would be arrested at a later date.

Arrest/Disorderly Behaviour, Obscene Language, Resisting Arrest & Assaulting A Police Officer On Monday 4th June 2018 sometime around

11:10am while at Rock Sound Police Station, Officers saw and spoke with an adult male who was informed of a complainant reference to Disorderly Behavior, Obscene Language, Resisting Arrest and Assaulting a police Officer made on 3.6.18 . As a result, he was arrested and cautioned. The suspect was processed and later charged with those offences.

Stealing from a vehicle - On Friday 1st June 2018, at 5:00pm an adult male reported to the R.S.P. Station that sometime between 11:00am same date and 3:45pm same date some person/s unknown broke and entered the rental car a grey Honda registered to Big Daddy’s car rental. The culprit smashed the rear driver’s side glass window and stole an IPod value unknown, a pair of titanium metal frame blue lenses sunglasses valued $279.00, an ultimate ear boom phantom portable speaker value $150.00. Police action was requested. This matter is under active investigation.

Arrest reference to Stealing Particulars: At about 11:08am Thursday 31st May, 2018 while in Gregory Town, Officers arrested an adult male in reference to stealing. He was processed and later released pending further investigation.

Stealing From a Vehicle On Thursday 31 May 2018 at 2:50am, an adult female came into Rock Sound Police Station and reported that sometime between 9:00am and 1:49pm, some person/s unknown stole a beige and black wallet from under the driver’s seat of her grey 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer, which was parked at the Rock Sound Clinic. She has no suspects in the matter. Police action requested.

Shop Breaking Report - On Wednesday 30 May 2018 at 6:20AM an adult female contacted the R.S.P. station and reported that some person/s unknown broke the front glass door to the establishment namely “Scarlets, however nothing appears to have been stolen. Police assistance was requested. Officers visited the scene and commenced investigations into this matter.

Threats of Death/ Assault On Thursday 31st May, 2018 sometime around 1:20am an adult female contacted the Rock Sound Police Station (RSPS) and reported that on today’s date, sometime around 1:00am, while at home, her kids father came to her residence unannounced. The complainant stated that she opened the door for him and immediately he started attacking her; beating her about the body and continuously saying “I ga kill you”, putting her in fear for her life. Complainant further stated that he dragged her onto the road and stripped her clothes off in the front of her two kids. She further stated that she was able to break free and call the Police at a neighbor’s residence. Police action requested.

Arrest Ref to Threats of Death/ Assault: Sometime around 3:20m, same date, officers arrested an adult male after he was informed of the complaint made against him. The suspect was processed and later charged with Assault and Threats of Death.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT: At about 9:55am on Wednesday Mau 30th 2018, an adult male visitor Reported to the G.H.P.S. that about 9:35am today’s date while travelling with his wife in a black Volkswagen van on Queen’s Highway Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera in the area of “Cool Cloud Resort “a white pick-up truck travelling in the opposite direction collided with the right side of their vehicle and did not stop they later discovered that the right side front and rear doors was also damaged Police assistance requested.

UPDATE REPORT: As a result of the complaint at about 10:04am on 30/5/18, Officers visited the scene with the driver and confirmed the accident had occurred by finding the mirror on the western side of the road just North of Cool Cloud Resort Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera .They were not able to offer additional information on

The Eleutheran | 06/07 2018

the truck D/L was checked on scene and they were told to provide insurance within 48 hours .Enquires will continue.

Special Operations: On Tuesday 29/05/18 Officers from the Governor’s Harbour Police Station conducted special operation in the Central Eleuthera area resulting in the following: Arrest reference to Murder/ Harboring a Fugitive: At about 4:10am on Tuesday 29th May, 2018, a team of officers comprised executed a search at the residence of an adult male at James Cistern, Eleuthera. During the search nothing illegal was found, however present was an adult male of Jacaranda Street, Pinewood Gardens and Gibbs Hill, James Cistern, Eleuthera, who was arrested and taken into custody reference to a W.O.A.-Murder. Officers also arrested the owner of the premises reference to Harboring a fugitive. Both males were later handed over to the Central Detective Unit Nassau.

SEARCHES REF. FOR FIREARMS AND D/ DRUG POSSESSION: Sometime at bout 6:15am on Tuesday 29th May 2018, Officers executed a search warrant on the residence of an adult male of Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera near the Governors Harbour Airport reference to Firearms and D/ Drugs negative results. Present during the search was an adult female.

Illegal Immigrant apprehendedSometime at about 6:35am on Tuesday May 2018, while in the area of the Governor’s Harbour Airport Officers stopped and searched A Haitian male alias “SON, SON” was not able to give his Name and was handed over to Immigration department for processing.

TRAFFIC OFFENCE REPORT Sometime at bout 6:50am on Tuesday May 2018, while in the area of the Governor’s Harbour Airport Officers stopped and searched a Land Rover Defender driven by an adult female which was found to be unlicensed for the current year 2018-2019, uninspected and uninsured. She was warned of prosecution by Insp. Newbold and informed to produce driver’s license at the GHPS within 48 hrs.

Arrest reference to Suspected Illegal Landing At about 7:19am on Tuesday 29th May, 2018, Officers reported that while on Queens Highway, Governors Harbour, Eleuthera, they arrested an adult male of Port de Paix, Haiti, in reference to Suspected Illegal Landing. He was then transported to Immigration stationed temporarily, at Workers House, Governor’s Harbour, where he was handed over to Immigration personal.

Arrest ref. Unlawfully Carrying Arms, Obscene Language, and Resisting Arrest - On Sunday 27 May 2018, sometime around 3:50pm, Officers in at Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male and reported that at about 3:32pm while in Deep Creek, he was arrested for unlawfully carrying arms, speaking obscene language and resisting arrest. Officers reported that the suspect was walking around waving a cutlass around. When he asked him where he got the cutlass from he replied, “I get it from ya ma big @#. @@# you and #@ the police. AS A RESULT HE WAS ARRESTED AND CAUTIONED. Assault W/Dangerous Instrument - On Sunday 27th May 2018 sometime around 6:34pm, a resident contacted the Rock Sound Police Station via telephone and reported that sometime around 6:15pm while walking across the street in the area of her mother’s residence located on Queens Highway, her ex-husband tried to knock her down with his car.

Police assistance was requested.

Officers while on enquiries saw and spoke with the complainant who requested police action in this matter. Statement was recorded from the complainant and witnesses .

The suspect was later arrested, processed and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Instru-

31

ment.

Obscene Language Report: On Sunday 27th May 2018 sometime around 7:15pm,Officers while on enquiries along cautioned and warned an adult male of prosecution reference to Obscene Language after a search was conducted of his person along with his white Nissan Skyline reference to possession of dangerous drugs and firearms during which time he began using obscene language to the annoyance of the officers. He also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

SEARCH FOR POSSESSION OF D/ DRUGS: At about 11:00am on Saturday 26th May, 2018, Officers reported that while on mobile patrols on Queens Highway, Gregory Town, Eleuthera, observed a light blue vehicle pull to the side of the road and turned around immediately, speeding off in the next direction upon seeing the police vehicle. As a result, the vehicle was stopped and the driver of the vehicle, was searched reference to Dangerous Drugs. The vehicle a light blue 2002 Honda Accord was then searched reference to Dangerous Drugs. Both searches ended with negative results however, the driver was reported for driving an unlicensed, uninspected and uninsured vehicle. He was then warned of further prosecution.

Traffic Accident Report = An anonymous caller contacted the Governors Harbour Police at about 10:40am on the 26.5.18 and reported that there was a Traffic Accident in the vicinity of Governor’s Harbour. Police assistance was requested.

Officers visited the scene, observed a white and silver EZ GO golf cart registered to French Leave overturned on the left side with damage to the top and hydraulic fluid leaking on the eastern side of the street. The occupant and driver were an adult female visitor and her husband.

The driver reported that sometime around 10:30am same date she was driving down a steep hill when the vehicle started to skip, as a result she lost control causing the vehicle to roll over on its side. She received minor injuries to her hands she along with her passengers declined medical assistance, Investigations into this accident is active.

Attempted shop Breaking Report On Saturday 26th May, 2018, sometime around 7:16am,an adult male , contacted the Rock Sound Police Station Via telephone and reported that sometime around 8:00pm on Friday 25th May, 2018, and 7:15am, on Saturday 26th May, 2018, that some unknown person/s attempted to break into his business establishment named, “3 T’S Laundry Mat” situated Long Lane, Rock Sound, by smashing the glass to a rear western Window. The culprit/s was unable to gain entry into the building because of the iron bars that are installed. Police Action requested.

Officers visited the scene and confirmed the report. Investigations are ongoing.

Road traffic Offence report On Saturday 26th May, 2018 Police Officers reported that sometime around 6:24 pm an adult male was driving a green colored Honda Civic License Plate in a western direction on the main road of Wemyss Bight, Eleuthera while the vehicle was not licensed, not insured and uninspected, with no license plate (front) affixed and no license disc affixed. The mentioned driver was stopped and informed of the offences and warned of prosecution. Upon further investigations it was discovered that the driver does not have a valid driver’s license. He was also warned of prosecution for this offence.

Stealing Report - At about 5:20 p.m. on Thursday 24th, May 2018 an adult male came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that sometime between 5:00 p.m. on 23/5/2018 and 24/5/2018 some unknown person(s) stole a gray Yamaha 30 HP engine along with a red 15 gallon gas tank off a 14ft Boston

32

Crime News

Jun/Jul 2018

Whaler white and blue in colour while it was anchored in the area of Anchor Bay Beach, opposite Haynes Library Governor’s Harbour.

Reported for Police Information.

Stealing Report - At about 5:30pm on Friday25th May 2018 an adult male came to the Governor’s Harbour Police station and reported that sometime around 9th April 2018 and 25th May 2018 100 concrete blocks valued $350.00 were stolen from his property .Police Action Requested. This matter is under active investigation.

Traffic Accident with Injuries Reported - At about 11:10pm om 25th May 2018, Officers in at the G.H.P.S. reported visiting the scene of a two vehicle traffic Collision which occurred on Queens Highway, Palmetto Point North. Vehicle #1 was a grey 2007 Toyota land Cruiser which was being driven south by an adult male along with his Passenger . He reported under Caution that while travelling south he attempted to overtake a vehicle that was driving slow in front of him when he collided into a vehicle travelling north causing extensive front right end damages. They were not injured.

Vehicle #2 was being driven north by an adult female. She reported that while travelling North along the mentioned street, a vehicle travelling south attempted to overtake another vehicle also travelling south and collided into her vehicle causing extensive front and right side damages.

She complained of chest and lower body injuries and was transported to the Levy Medical Centre

by EMS where she was treated for her injuries and discharged. Measurements were taken from the scene and N.O.I.P. served. The vehicles were towed from the scene . Investigations are ongoing ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF D/ DRUGS: Sometime around 11:00am on Thursday 24/05/18 Officers in at the GHPS with an adult male under arrest and reported he was arrested while in the vicinity of Queens Highway James Cistern Eleuthera Bahamas reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He appeared in good health Suspect Processed: The suspect while at the G.H.P.S. was charged with one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs Cont. to Section 29(6) & 29(2) b of the dangerous Drug Act Chapter 228. He said nothing in reply and then further cautioned Further, he was released on five hundred dollars bail with one surety to appear at Magistrate Court Governor’s Harbour on June 19th 2018 at 9:30am.

ARREST Reference to POSSESSION OF D/DRUGS: Sometime around 3:15pm am on Thursday 24/05/18 Officers in at the GHPS, held an adult male under arrest and reported he was arrested at 2:40pm while at Princess Street Hatchet Bay Eleuthera after he was found with a foil wrap containing a quantity of suspected marijuana. The suspect was processed and charged with possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29 (6) and 29(2) b of the Dangerous Drugs Act chapter 228. He was further cautioned but said nothing in reply.

TRAFFIC OFFENCE REPORT/DRUG SEARCH: At about 5:04pm on Thursday May 24th 2018 Officers reported while on routine traffic check on Queens Highway, Governors Harbour, Eleuthera near the Police Headquarters observed a vehicle being driven north with windows which obscured the view of the interior.

As a result the vehicle, a grey Honda Inspire was stopped and the driver was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution. The vehicle was also searched reference to Dangerous Drugs and Firearms with negative results.

TRAFFIC OFFENCE REPORT - At about 5:05pm on Thursday May 24th 2018 Officers while on routine traffic check on Queens Highway, Governors Harbour, Eleuthera near the Police Headquarters observed a vehicle being

driven north while not secured by a seatbelt. As a result the vehicle, a Champaign 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan was stopped and the driver was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution.

ROAD ACCIDENT REPORT: At about 5:05 pm on Thursday 24th, May 2018 an adult male came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that sometime around 4:45 p.m. on the above mentioned date he was traveling south along the Bank’s Road in his Black 2010 Forde Edge with a trailer and Jet Ski attached to same. As he was proceeding he hit a bump in the road resulting in the trailer and Jet Ski sliding of his vehicle and into a parked SD vehicle on the eastern side of the road causing damaged to the same. Police Assistance requested. Officers visited the scene recorded statements and measurements and issued the driver with a N.O.P form. Investigations are ongoing.

Arrest/Causing Harm: On Wednesday 23rd May 2018 sometime around 8:59pm, an adult male came in at Rock Sound Police Station where he was informed of a complainant of causing harm made against him on 15/5/18 . As a result, he was arrested and cautioned . He appeared to be in good health.

Sometime around 9:08pm same date, while at Rock Sound Police Station Officers conducted an interview under caution with the suspect. He admitted to biting the complainant on the face in self-defense, after he was choking him and he could not breathe. He was further cautioned and subsequently charged for the offence of Causing harm and was released on bail in the sum of $2000.00 with one surety to attend Magistrates Court, Rock Sound on Thursday 21.6.18 at 9:30am.

Causing Harm - On Wednesday 23rd May 2018 sometime around 10:00pm, an adult male, came in at Rock Sound Police Station and reported that sometime around 9:45pm while at his residence, his live-in girlfriend hit him in the head with a bottle causing injury. Police action was requested.

While at Rock Sound Police Station Officers viewed the complainant with blood on his shirt who was also bleeding from the right side of the head and complained of a headache. He also appeared to be slightly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As a result he was referred for medical attention.

The complainant had received an injection to the head along with three sutures to the right side of his head and had stated that due to the injection he was not feeling up to giving a statement at this time, however he would visit Rock Sound Police Station on 24.5.18 to have same recorded.

ARREST FOR POSSESSION OF D/ DRUGS - Sometime around 6:15am on 23/05/18 Officers arrested and cautioned an adult male after he was seen throwing a partially smoked marijuana cigarette out of his vehicle.

The cigarette was recovered and the suspect arrested and later transported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station. Where he was charged with one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs Cont. to Section 29(1) & 29(2) of the dangerous Drug Act Chapter 228. He was released on two hundred dollars bail with one surety to appear at Magistrate Court Governor’s Harbour on June 19th 2018 at 9:30am.

Traffic Offence Report: Sometime around 6:50am on 23/05/18 while on Queens Highway, Gregory Town, Officers reported an adult male for driving a red Nissan X Trail License north along the mentioned road while not secured by a seatbelt. He was informed of the offence and was warned of prosecution.

ARREST REFERENCE TO POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS At 7:40am ON 23/05/18 while on Officers

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observed a male who upon seeing the Police began acting in a suspicious manner, as they approached the suspect he attempted to flee while tossing an item into nearby bushes. The item was recovered and found to be a small quantity of suspected marijuana. As a result They the suspect reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Suspect Processed: The suspect was charged with one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs Contrary to Section 29(1) & 29(2)(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act Chapter 228 he said nothing in reply to the charge and then further cautioned. Further he was released on $500.00 bail with one surety to appear at Magistrate court on June 19th 2018 at 9:30am Harbour Island REPORTS Lost/Stolen Property Report On Friday 22nd June, 2018 at about 2:30 pm an adult male visitor from Australia came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on Thursday 21st June, 2018 at around 10:45 am he boarded American Airlines Flight #3726 enroute to North Eleuthera. Prior to boarding, he was asked to leave his bag at the gate. His bag contained $2,700.00 US currency, 100 pounds and $250.00 Australian Dollars.

He came into the North Eleuthera Airport and travelled to Harbour Island. Upon his arrival at his Hotel he noticed that his bag was open and the funds were all missing. He suspects the items were stolen prior to departing Miami International Airport. Police assistance requested.

Found Property Report: On Friday 22nd June, 2018 at about 10:30 pm an officer reported that while in the area of Hibiscus Nursery, Nesbitt Street a resident observed a Caucasian couple engaged in an argument. As he approached the pair they got onto a golf cart and drove away. He found a Wells Fargo Visa Card and a bottle of prescription pills both bearing the name of a female. It is believed that these items are the property of the Caucasian female.

Same reported as police information. Both items were handed over to police for safe keeping.

Assault Report: On Friday 22nd June, 2018 at about 11:10 pm an adult female of Coconut Grove Avenue came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at around 11:00 pm while at her residence she and her boyfriend got into a verbal altercation. She asked him several times to leave and cease creating a disturbance however he became even more hostile and punched her about the left side of her face and head causing injuries and pain.

She requested police action. The complainant complained of severe pain and was issued a police hospital form too seek medical attention.

At about 11:45 pm police arrested and cautioned an adult male of Coconut Grove Avenue in reference to Assault.

Police Warning Report - Police Assistance Requested: On Thursday 21st June 2018 at 2:25pm an adult female of Airport Road North Eleuthera came to the H.I.P.S and reported that sometime around 11:45am while at the Harbour Island All-Age School, she had an exchange of words with the a teacher regarding her daughter’s grade. As a result the teacher threatened to drag her across the school premises. Police warning requested.

Stealing Report: On Thursday 21st June 2018 at 2:07pm an adult female of Dunmore Street, Harbour Island came to the H.I.P.S and reported that she parked her 2006 Yamaha Golf cart on her street in the area of the White Lodge. Sometime between Saturday 4:30pm June 16th, 208 and Monday June 18th, 2018 at 10:30am some unknown person(s) stole her Marine battery valued at $255.31, starter valued at $532.51, a volt regulator valued at $190.81, a start belt valued at $29.72 and a drive belt valued at $70.90. Police action requested.

On Thursday 21st June 2018 at 2:49pm police held an adult male suspect of Alice Street Harbour Island under arrest and cautioned him in reference to Stealing and Receiving. PC 3541 Duncombe reported arresting and cautioning him while in the area of Piggly Wiggly King Street.

Suspect Arrested: On Thursday 21st June 2018 at 3:05pm police held an adult male suspect of Colebrooke Street Harbour Island under arrest for Stealing and Receiving. He was arrested and cautioned while in the area of Clarence Street.

Breech of Ankle Monitor Report - Police Assistance Requested: On Wednesday 20th June 2018 at 9am Operator 345 Gray c/o Migrafill Monitoring Center contacted the H.I.P.S via phone and reported that there was a breech with one of their ankle monitors belonging to a male offender in Harbour Island. Police assistance requested. Police arrested and cautioned the suspect ¬¬at 9:10am in the area of Paradise Games located Dunmore Street in reference to Breech of Ankle Monitor.

Police Assistance Requested: On Tuesday 19 June 2018, sometime around 6:15pm, an adult male of Tarpum Bay contacted Rock Sound Police Station via phone and reported that sometime around 6:10pm same date, while on Dark End Street in the area of Jason Carey’s grocery store, a male known to him took up his cutlass that he uses to work with in the field, and tried to hit him with it. He requested police assistance as it appears that the accused male was not being his normal self. Sometime around 6:30pm police were dispatched them to the scene. They reported taking the accused adult male of Tarpum Bay to the Rock Sound Clinic where he was treated by a R/N.

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MP Travis Robinson responds to his termination.

Continued from pg. 29 are the consequences of this system?

More broadly, Mr. Speaker, we can ask: What are the most troubling aspects of our existing system and structure of governance? Can they be remedied? How can we make space for Bahamian citizens to answer these questions for themselves?

Do we trust ourselves and fellow Bahamians to select or create a better system? One that considers our current state and our vision for the future of this nation; A proposed system of governance; one that selects the best aspects of the Westminster system and parts of a Republic system to form a hybrid system of governance for the Bahamas specifically tailored to shatter the glass ceiling and reach the height of true democracy. A hybrid system of governance where no member in this House of Assembly will ever be fired again for choosing between a fundamental belief and the direction of his party. Let my termination and that of my other colleagues be the last of its kind.

This is not an easy Task. This cannot and will not be achieved in a day, a month or maybe not even a term. It requires critical thought. Discussion. Consultation. The process needs to begin, and there is no better time than when we have the kind of energy that began to surge through The Bahamas last week.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the full range of emotions experienced and expressed as a result of the Budget Communication, the vote, and subsequent terminations. Many Bahamians are angry, for various reasons, and it is not our job to quiet or discount those voices. Whatever we believe to be the best course, the Bahamian people are entitled to their response.

I reiterate: We have the tools we need to survive, and to move from mere survival to thriving.

The key is cooperation and collaboration, and recognizing that we are interdependent. While the increase in Value Added Tax is coming in a matter of days, people have noticed and acknowledged that things are being done differently.

It is not business as usual.

There is no doubt that we are in a period of change. What we must recognize is that change can be a very difficult and painful process. It is accompanied by the fear of the unknown and a departure from the comfortable and familiar. I admonish all Bahamians to embrace this period of change and transition. I encourage all people, even my fellow parliamentarians to embrace these changes and weather the difficulties associated with them.

Yes, the people are angry, and the source of that anger is fear. Let us be determined to transform that anger into burgeoning hope. We are a small country of mighty people with a great history that speaks of the resilient spirit of the Bahamian people; Majority rule day, the Burma Road riot, Black Tuesday, Goal Medal in the Sidney Olympics, the General strike and the utterance of the 4th Prime Minister in an Independence Bahamas. Our youth are passionate. Our communities are closeknit. Our future depends on us. It depends on us to resist the urge to relent, to give up, and to walk away. It depends on us to envision it, draw the map to it, and make the journey towards it together. I make my commitments here today, Mr. Speaker, to foster hope in Bain and Grants Towns. In The Bahamas and to do so through concrete solutions developed in collaboration with the people them-

selves. Where our hope for the future lives on.

Systems don’t create people, people create systems. Let us therefore be resolute in our efforts to build a stronger more robust economy hand in hand with a stronger more fair system of governance one that every Bahamian can be proud of and proud to call our own. So, that one day we can all stand and say, Hi, I am Travis L. Robinson and I’m proud to be Bahamian.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to once again pledge

my continued support for the Free National Movement; as I am sticking with the FNM, the Government of the Bahamas, the Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and more over the people of Bains and Grants Town.

God Bless The Commonwealth of Bahamas.

Farewell To Nurse Douglas

Medical personnel, family and friends of Nurse Belliceia Douglas, from the clinic in Governor’s Harbour, hosted a surprise farewell party for her on Wednesday evening, at the new Fishbones Beach Bar and Restaurant, nestled along the waterfront in Savannah Sound. Nurse Douglas, who has been on the island since July of 2015, shared that she is now headed back to New Providence. She expressed that she hoped to use this time back in the capital to return to school and enhance her current level of training. When she arrived on island in 2015, she was first posted to the clinic in Tarpum Bay for a few months, before joining the staff in Governor’s Harbour, and has continued on at the Governor’s Harbour clinic since then. “I’ve loved my time here, “ she said, “And I wouldn’t trade my experience here for anything in the world. I grew professionally, and physically,” she added with a chuckle. “My daughters, Znae (grade 3), and Lakaicia (grade 6), who were studying at the Governor’s Harbour Primary school, didn’t want to leave, she smiled. “Everyone was so good to me and my kids. I really enjoyed my time here.

I will miss everyone, but definitely, we will be back.”

Above: A sizeable group of colleagues, friends and family members came out to say farewell to Nurse Douglas, based at the Governor’s Harbour clinic, with a surprise party at the new Fishbones Beach Bar and Restaurant.

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Perspective

Jun/Jul 2018

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Train up a Child.

Proverbs 22:6 teaches us that it is the duty of every parent to teach, train and instruct their children in doing what is right. No other man-made institution can take that responsibility away from you. God will not hold the school, social club, or any other instructional unit responsible. You the parents are to be held accountable. It is a common occurrence for a man or woman who was brought up by strict parents to abstain from applying the same strict discipline to their children, yet they expect the child to develop just as they did, not so!

Every child is different, even identical twins have distinct traits and are not exactly the same; and so all must be treated special. We marvel at the frailty of a new born baby, but what we should marvel at is the fact that nothing was done by either of its parents from the time it was conceived until after it was born, nothing! Every child is unique, and must be treated that way. The recently installed Minister of Education has expressed the notion that provision must be made to incorporate toddlers into the Ministry of Education’s claws.

Parents of children in this our beautiful home and country must not allow the Government to completely remove the

care and instruction of the next generation out of their hands.

We all know that the need for money to pay for ever-present and daily needs does compel mothers to work shortly after giving birth, but does the Ministry of Education need to get further involved? Think of what your children are already assigned to comply with; multiple uniforms, home-work assignments and projects, physical education (laugh). My question to you is “who does God hold responsible for the raising of children”? Not the Government, no it is you the parents! Home and family is already under extreme threat from existing schooling pressures and there is need for cutting back, not adding more!

Bussing children to out-of-town schools places great pressures on them already.

The mind of your child is a very precious thing, and is to be treated for what it is. The needs of your child are best determined by you the parent, not a governmental institution that has no mind or spirit. Our children are already at grave risk of becoming disconnected from real life, having been robbed of family and home-life, along with the added distraction of media and sports.

While the government system of education is essential, it is not all inclusive or

Ministry expresses

CONGRATULATIONS TO DEANDRE AYTON

#1 NBA DRAFT PICK

Statement: The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture wishes to congratulate Mr. Deandre Ayton on his recent selection into the NBA as the #1 Draft Pick in the 2018 Draft.

It has been 40 years since another Bahamian Mychal “Sweetbells” Thompson was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers at #1 and the 1st Foreign born athlete to be drafted #1. We are happy to see yet another son of the soil, enter this realm of basketball and anticipate his imme-

diate impact in the league.

Deandre’s selection highlights the increasing presence of Bahamians represented in this organization. Along with others with Bahamian roots, Deandre will join Chavano “Buddy” Hield who was drafted #6 by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016, and now plays with the Sacramento Kings.

The success of former and current Bahamians playing in the NBA continues to serve as an inspiration to young aspiring basketball players throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Deandre, we are proud of you and wish you success as you begin your career in the NBA.

perfect!

Children are not born to institutions; they are born to family. The family is responsible for the care and instructing of the next generation, and parents must never surrender that care to the state. Remember Germany in the 1930’s. History has a way of repeating itself over and over because people forget the important lessons of the past. All parents with children in the public school should be active in the relevant PTA and should know at all times what is being taught to their children. It is most important that the interest of your child is kept in the forefront of any plan that affects them. God will certainly hold each parent accountable for the end result of their child’s upbringing.

What the schools are doing today giving children ‘home’ projects is ridiculous! Children of teachers will receive far more hands on assistance than children of parents who are less connected to teaching. It is all well intended but wrong.

As a former PTA president and active community builder I wish to share with all today’s parents, and parents to be, that there are forces active in this world that are vying for the control of your children’s minds, and so you are

By: Andrew L. Burrows andrewburrows1@gmail.com

advised to be ever vigilant of the most subtle attempts made to control or limit your responsibility for them. God holds you accountable!

The promise of God is always true: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”. Parents, love your children!

God holds you responsible!

Bahamian Barry Rassin, First Ever Rotary International President Elect From Caribbean Region, Visits Eleuthera Ahead of Rotary International Convention 2018 In Canada.

Just one week before he was to formally take up the mantle of Rotary International President 2018/2019 at the Rotary International Convention 2018, held from June 23rd to June 27th in Toronto, Canada - Rotary International President Elect (RIPE), Barry Rassin of Nassau, Bahamas, took time out to visit with the Rotary Clubs in Eleuthera.

He was warmly welcomed on island on Thursday, June 14th, 2018 as he arrived at the Rock Sound airport by an excited contingent of Rotary Club of Eleuthera (RCE) members, before touring several locations, including One Eleuthera’s Center for Training and Innovation. RIPE Barry Rassin and his wife Esther Rassin were special guests at Rotary Club of Eleuthera’s weekly meeting, held later that Thursday evening at 7pm at the residence of Past President Julian Carey, currently RCE Fellowhip Chair.

During the meeting, Rotary International President Elect Barry Rassin addressed the family of Rotary comprising

of Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and Earlyactors in attendance, sharing his vision for the new year as Rotary International President, and his goal of representing the Bahamas well. He encouraged the members, saying that the Rotary International organization was a strong one that was doing many good things. He shared his theme for the 2018/2019 year, ‘Be the Inspiration’, saying, “Rotary makes a difference and an impact in people’s lives.

We want to inspire people to do more than they’ve ever done before. Each of us inspiring others, help more people to help us do what we need to do.”

Highlighting his new logo, with imagery of waves, sails and heart, he explained, “Rotary is a force of nature, with heart, that has direction, because of our clubs. It’s up to each Rotary club to set the right direction for us to go forward and to get better and better. So we need to

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BY CEI

Drones

Provide A New Perspective For Marine Research Drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are rapidly becoming an important tool for marine research at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI). As these devices are capable of recording high-quality footage over increasingly larger areas, they can now be used to gain previous unobtainable insights into the secret lives of marine animals.

Due to continual advancements in drone technology, the possibilities for how these devices can be used are endless. Drones can now relay a live-visual feed to the pilot directly through a smartphone, meaning that they can be piloted as effectively as if you were sitting directly in the cockpit! These drones are also now able to record footage with high enough resolution to compete with any commercially available camera on the market.

In Fall 2017, we conducted our first dronebased research project at CEI. This project assessed the practicality of using drones to monitor large marine species, such as sharks, rays, and turtles, within two local mangrove creeks. Interestingly, it was discovered that drones were perfectly suited for spotting many of these large marine species, especially those that are timid and rarely spotted by snorkelers. However, they are of limited in use for monitoring small animals,

keep focused on why we are part of an organization that is making our world a better place. If we can keep that focus, we can keep doing more and more.”

On behalf of himself and his wife, Mr. Rassin expressed to the Eleuthera Rotary family audience, “We are so proud to represent the Bahamas, and all the Caribbean, as the first President from this region of the world. We want to make sure we carry the message of who we are as a people, and what our culture is, and the amazing work we do in this country, to make

such as juvenile barracudas that are easily camouflaged in the mangrove roots or cannot be seen through the ripples on the surface of the water.

This study allowed us to gain some valuable practice in using these devices and now we have the necessary skills to jump into a new array of drone-based projects. Below is a short insight into two of the projects that are currently underway: One of the main questions that arose during our Island School project was how do marine animals respond to the presence of a nearby drone? It is easy to envision that many marine animals might be interested or even stressed by the nearby presence of a drone. We are therefore in the process of determining suitable distances at which drones can be flown to have minimal impacts on the animals that we are trying to observe.

These data will be essential to providing practical guidelines for the ethical use of these devices for monitoring marine wildlife.

Another question that arose during our time spent practicing drone flights was whether drones could be used to compliment some of our other research projects at CEI. To this extent, we have now begun to use drones as part of our sea turtle monitoring program. Previously, we

not only our own country better, but others countries. So thank you for being a part of our past, and helping us to get to where we are today, and thank you for all the amazing things you do to make this community a better place.”

Pictured: 1: A bird’s-eye view of a green sea turtle; students from the Cape Eleuthera Institute deploying a drone and; a mangrove creek in Southern Eleuthera.

used to assess sea turtle abundance in a particular habitat by conducting surveys by boat.

However, we are now using drones for the very same purpose, saving us plenty of time and effort! Drones have already demonstrated themselves as valuable tools for marine research at CEI and around the globe. However, we are just scratching the surface for the full capabilities and uses of drones in marine research. We are incredibly excited to see where our drone research will take us next!

Above: Barry Rassin at One Eleuthera.

Left below: Barry Rassin arriving in Eleuthera with an RCE contingent.

Right: RIPE Barry Rassin and President Sherrin Cooper presenting Cert of Achievement to Interactor Jana McCardy.

2018 Valedictorian of Central Eleuthera High school.

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Local

Jun/Jul 2018

Rangers in Full Stride !

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Rangers showing off their marching and drill skills during the Passing Out ceremony, where they formally moved from being Ranger recruits to RBDF Rangers.

Commodore Tellis Bethel with his Ranger Command team, inspecting the marching Rangers, as they paraded around the grounds at the North Eleuthera High School.

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Above: Commodore Tellis Bethel accompanied by Mrs. Bethel and his RBDF Rangers Command team, sit with school administrators, parents and program facilitators, along with the 86 new RBDF Rangers from Spanish Wells All Age and North Eleuthera High School.

RBDF Cadets Continued from pg. 17 Saintilus, Halin Brazela, Lovens Jean Francois, Shakim McDonald, Denisha Lightbourne, Charlton Cash Jr., Hodnee Joseph Jr., Antoine Ellis, Verniece Nielly, Reco Belle, Eric Hudson, Nelson Heastie, Ashanti Hudson, Rosie Joseph, and Trey Theoc.

Guidance Counselor, Ms. Roxanne Williams was specially called out and

Visionary, Roxanne Williams, honoured.

recognized for her hard work and visionary leadership role in the RBDF Rangers initiative. Parents In Action leaders, Mrs. Laurel Bullard and Mrs. Gail Mullin, were also specially recognized for their hard work and dedication to the Rangers program.

The RBDF through their Ranger Recruit program, has been involved in youth development since 1995, said Commodore

Bethel, transforming the life of Ranger Cadets through leadership training, military discipline, community service, cultural and sporting activities. The program has evolved since then, he added, into a vibrant youth organization, with students from 43 schools participating across seven islands within the Bahamas, namely, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, North Andros, and the Berry Islands, with the two newest additions on the islands of Long Island and Eleuthera.

Following the ceremony, the new Ranger Cadets showed off their marching and drill skills to a very appreciative crowd of supporters along the grounds of the North Eleuthera High School, as they were inspected by Commodore Tellis Ranger Director, Lt. Delvonne Duncombe.

Bethel.

Parent In Action, Gail Mullin, honoured.

Parent In Action, Laurel Bullard, honoured.

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Local

Jun/Jul 2018

Class of 2018 Continued from pg. 15 ing to graduate had to meet included the acquisition of; 4 Bahamas Junior Certificate subjects (BJC’s) in Mathematics, English Language, a Social or Technical Science (Religious Knowledge, Social Studies, Technical Drawing, or Family and Consumer Science), and a Natural Science (General Science, or Health Science); a 90% record of attendance and punctuality; 30 hours of community service; 20 hours of job readiness training; parental participation in at least 3 PTA meetings per annum; a minimum grade point average of 2.0; as well as a minimum of 27 earned high school course credits – by the end of 12th grade.

The Bahamas National Diploma Class of 2018 included; Honour Society Graduates: Jana McCardy, Antoniqua Collins, Melisha Higgins, Florence Dean, Derek Pinder, Sibyl Bennett, Tiara Jones, Antonishe Kemp, Marquis Pinder, Katelyn Cambridge, Lesanna Simon, Kyliesha Albury, Marinique Leary, and Tillia Leary.

Honour Roll Graduates: Bernard Bethel, Mickeya Fox, V’Anntae Johnson, Derveline Joseph, Brianne Miller, Travas Young, Genell Olince, Lukeisha Saunders, Jerrimia Seymour, Delinique Swann, Jose Imbert, Sierra Colebrook, Ranad Davis, Widelene Oscar, Dominic Pinder, Zeke Pinder, Shaquellia Allen, Wayderick Anderson, Dennis Carey, Ameiah Pinder, Joshua Sweeting, and Genesis Sweeting.

Graduates: Wallecia Allen, Jolina Cadet, Gervante Cartwright, Dashae Clarke, Haile Cambridge, Terelle Gaitor, Andrey Gardiner, Jamika Gibson, Niclaude Jean, Cameil Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Latia Johnson, Shirrell Knowles, Davonya Marshall, Kiara Nixon, Reshae Sands, Tre Sands, Tyler Sealy, Lakia Thompson, Shercal Thompson, Adonis Turnquest, Crystal Wilson, Chianti Allen, Daniella Beauchamp, Braxton Neely, Devaughn Rolle, Torkal Saunders, Joseph Cartwright, Junette Deveaux, Shania Johnson, Daquan Kelly, Candice McDonald, Markindly Pame, Rachelle Tador, Michael Wilson, Shaelyn

Sands, Zack Roberts, Shayla Rios, Kardero Anderson, Howard Carey, Alexis Carlos, Mathio Colebrooke, Alec Culmer, Avery Hall, Montez Horton, Petron Knowles, Talmadge Knowles, Raylonda Miller, Cargill Munroe, Lounis Preneus, Drevon Richards, Kennila Symonette, Spencer Thompson, Nastascia Tynes, Javan Young, Jade Adderley, Jaced Clarke, Chloe Farrington, Noah Miller, and Alexy Petty.

Scenes at the June 11th, 2018 Bahamas National Diploma Graduation ceremony in Eleuthera, where graduates from six of the high schools on the island,commenced their next phase of life.

Derek Pinder

Howard Carey

Lounis Preneus

Daniella Beauchamp

Mathio Colebrooke

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Kiara Nixon

Petron Knowles

Devaughn Rolle

Andrey Gardiner

Niclaude Jean

Chloe Farrington

Javan Young

Drevon Richards

Montez Horton

Michael Wilson

Christopher Johnson

Kardero Anderson

Jade Adderley

Davonya Marshall

Walecia Allen

Markindly Pame

Daquan Kelly

Shania Johnson

Alexy Petty

Alexis Carlos

Rachelle Tador

Braxton Neily

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*To order digital copies of graduate photos, contact The Eleutheran Newspaper at 422-9350.

Chiante Allen

Jamika Gibson

Avery Hall

Joseph Cartwright

Ranad Davis

Marinique Leary

Gervante Cartwright Shercal Thompson

Alec Culmer

Terrelle Gaitor

Talmadge Knowles

Jolina Cadet

Dashae Clarke

Tyler Sealy

Shayla Rios

Tre Sands

Raylonda Miller

Latia Johnson

Kennila Symonette

Cameil Johnson

Haile Cambridge

Nastacia Tynes

Mickeya Fox

Sierra Colebrook

Bernard Bethel

Junette Deveaux

V’Anntae Johnson

Zeke Pinder

Brianne Miller

Lukeisha Saunders

Genell Olince

Kyliesha Albury

Lesanna Simon

Genesis Sweeting

Katelyn Cambridge

Derveline Joseph

Tillia Leary

Lakia Thompson

Crystal Wilson

Shirrell Knowles

Jaced Clarke

Reshae Sands

Zack Roberts

Cargill Munroe

Shaquellia Allen

Torkel Saunders

Dennis Carey

Delinique Swann

Shaelyn Sands

Waydrick Anderson

Widelene Oscar

Jerrimia Seymour

Travas Young

Dominic Pinder