The Eleutheran Newspaper Nov/Dec2017

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells

Volume 10, Issue 11, December 2017

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Harbour Island Spanish Wells Eleuthera

REAL ESTATE DEALS

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

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13th Annual alvin adderley Road Race: Determined To Win - Competition Was Fierce On The Bayfront

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What’s Happening: Pg 13 for listing of events.

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soil studies: Pineapple Fields

& Island School collaborate on Studies into Sustainability in Agriculture A partnership between researchers at The Island School and Pineapple Fields is seeking to find sustainable, bio-friendly ways of enriching nutrient poor soil found in many parts of the island, while reducing the ecological footprint of synthetic fertilizers.

The study examines how poor soil, which hampers agricultural efforts, could be rejuvenated with carbon rich biological charcoal and boosted with nutrients from biological fertilizers to better support cash crops, like tomatoes, pineapples, papayas, sweet potato and the like, - directly impacting food security.

The initial research, said Mark Young, Permaculture & Sustainability Research Teacher with the Center for Sustainable Development at the Island School, was part of the Fall semester program, with participating students from the Island School presenting their findings during the weekend of November 18th, 2017. Summarizing the goals of the project, Mark shared that, the current reliance on synthetic fertilizers in modern agriculture to provide crops with the necessary compounds (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus) to sustain plant growth had negative impacts to surrounding soil, waterways and ecosystems. The student researchers com-

bined the organic solutions of coconut husk biological charcoal (biochar) and liquid seaweed extract biofertilizer (both of which can be made from readily available materials on island, or sourced commercially) - with the aim of reducing the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizers, while contributing to healthy soil and plant growth.

The ethos of the Island School project - promoting sustainability in soil yield, is well suited to collaboration with Pineapple Fields Resort with its current ongoing expansion activity at the property, including the development of farming and agricultural areas.

Owner and Operator at Pineapple Fields Resort, David Barlyn, says he sees the property playing an important role within the community, not just economically through providing jobs to their all-Bahamian complement of staff, but also in a wider vision of a sustainable resort, including a view of decreasing imports as well as incorporating a community garden.

Research students implemented field plot trials at the Resort using the coconut husk biochar and different concentrations of seaweed liquid extract Continued On Page 18

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Local “Plus” Concerns of Spanish Wells Fishermen heard as part of Island Tour by BAIC inclusive of Minister Renward Wells 6

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Above: Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Hon. Renward Wells, engaging with local commercial fishermen from the community of Spanish Wells, during a visit to the island on October 26th, 2017.

The Hon. Renward Wells, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources and Mrs. Miriam Emmanuel, Executive Chairman of The Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation (BAIC) led a delegation to Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera from October 26th to 27th October 2017, to conduct site inspections on BAIC’s land inventory and proposed investment projects in the pipeline for the island. The touristic and agricultural projects under review range from boutique resort hotels, fast ferry high-speed operations, ship yard and marina development to large scale organic farms and housing projects. It is anticipated that the final review of the processing of all projects will be carried out in the ensuing weeks, said BAIC officials.

Accompanying the Minister and Chairman were Ms. Phedra Rahming Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Mr. Troy Sampson General Manager of BAIC, BAIC Board of Directors Keith Carroll and Jameel Lightbourne, Senior Fisheries Official Mr. Gregory Bethel along with Senior Officials from both agencies.

Both Members of Parliament Mr. Hank Johnson and Mr. Ricky Mackey, along with Administrator Gilbert Kemp, Chief Councillors and Local Government officials joined the Ministry of Agriculture, BAIC and potential investors to participate in the orientation tours. In keeping with the proposed BAIC work programme for the 2017-2018, Deputy General Manager Mrs. Judith Thompson, who has the responsibility for Family Island Development projects, noted the importance of the incoming Administration conducting the inspections ‘on the ground’ as it would give the officials an opportunity to see firsthand the layout of the proposed projects.

As a part of its mandate, BAIC oversees one of the largest portfolios of land un-

der management in The Bahamas. These properties are located in New Providence; Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera; Spring City, Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Norman’s Castle in Treasure Cay, Abaco; Grand Bahama and North Andros. Under the direction of Minister Wells and Chairman Emmanuel geared toward fulfilling the mandate of the present government; the two agencies are to ensure joint collaborative efforts in the creation of sustainable economic development on the Family Islands and to assist in the development of commerce and industry within The Bahamas.

The group of officials with BAIC and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, along with Minister Wells also took the time to meet with the fishing community of Spanish Wells, at the All Age School premises, during the afternoon of October 26th, where they listened to pressing con-

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Featured were a variety of presenters and various information booths. The seminar presenters included Dr. Shirley Curtis who addressed “Maternal and Infant Nutrition: Healthy Behaviors in Women of Childbearing Age”. Andrea Linden, Chronic Non-communicable Diseases Coordinator, spoke on “Self-Management and Preventing Complications.” Lathera Lotimore addressed “Nutrition and Controlling Blood Glucose” and Marilyn Lafleur of BAMSI presented a very engaging session on Backyard Farming.

The seminar ended with Remorn and Totcina Allen of The Temple who, together inspired the participants with an engaging Spirituality and Fitness session. Art students of Preston Albury High School along with Art teacher, Will Simmons also took part by displaying art

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South Eleuthera Medical staff tackle diabetes - “one of

the highest rates of Diabetics per Capita in the world” Having experienced their fair share of diabetic patients, the South Eleuthera Medical staff, led by RN/RM Bianca Edwards, staged a World Diabetes Day Seminar, which was hosted at Ingraham’s Beach Inn on Saturday, November 11th, 2017, In recognition of World Diabetes Day, which is observed on November 14th each year. This year’s theme for World Diabetes Day was, “Women and Diabetes - Our Right to a Healthy Future.”

More than 415 million people are said to be affected by the disease worldwide, and it’s recorded as the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year.

A not widely known, but critical statistic, is that the Bahamas is noted as having one of the highest rates of diabetics per capita in the world.

The event, which was largely funded by a grant from the Cotton Bay Fund, also

received favorable financial and logistical support from local businesses and individuals.

Over 100 persons of all ages from within the South and Central Eleuthera region came together to participate in the seminar. Countless diabetic patients were also present with the youngest being 7 years old Rahnae Burrows who was there along with her mother, Jessica Burrows.

Onsite screenings were accommodated by the nursing team for all interested participants.

Present at the event was the Administrator for Family Island Services, Ms. Charlene Bain who brought greetings to the crowd. She made mention of the unacceptable high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, especially diabetes and breast cancer in the Bahamas and Eleuthera specifically, and encouraged the audience to take care of their health.

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pieces for a competition. Seminar participants assisted with the judging. A variety of booths were available on site and displayed valuable health related literature ranging from diabetes literature, breast cancer information and basic healthy lifestyle handouts. Also present were a handful of drug companies with samplings of health and other products for giveaways.

The South Eleuthera Medical team attended the event in full numbers assisting wherever they were needed. Also present were a few of the nursing cadets who have been working in the clinics shadowing the nurses. Main coordinator of the event, RN/ RM Bianca Edwards, shared, “I was very pleased with the turnout to the seminar. Our main goal was to sensitize Continued On Page 15

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An Eleutheran Profile:

Mr. Alvin Alfred Smith (66)

By elizabeth bryan Introduction: Alvin Alfred Smith, a native of Hatchet Bay, was recently appointed as The Bahamas’ High Commissioner to Canada, and will take up the auspicious new post on November 29th, 2017.

It was while busily making preparations to leave that this distinguished Eleutheran, took the time to speak with The Eleutheran and share moments of his Life and Times leading up his current appointment.

Mr. Smith was born in Hatchet Bay, to Alfred and Caroline Bernice Smith (nee Johnson) on September 23rd, in 1951.

From his humble yet very proud beginnings in Eleuthera, he would go on to become a trained educator, serving for 24 years before throwing his hat into the political realm.

He would serve another 20 years in political leadership, first as a senator, and then as a Member of Parliament, representing North Eleuthera for three consecutive terms, before moving into the business world in 2012. With his background in education and commitment to continuously learning, at 61 he switched gears entering into real estate and insurance before his recent posting. .

Early Memories: Young Alvin’s great grandmother was a midwife and he had the privilege of being

brought into the world by her devoted hands at his parent’s home in Hatchet Bay. He did not have the opportunity to get to know her, but was told that he was the very last delivery of her midwifery career before she later passed on. When asked about his earliest memories of the town he grew up in, his grandparents (maternal), whose home was in the same yard complex as his parent’s home came into sharp focus. “My grandfather had a little boat, called a skiff,” recalled Mr. Smith, “Most of the men of the day who did fishing had that type of boat. None had engines, they were skulled or rowed. I started there because holding on to that boat was how I learned how to swim as I held on to the rope trailing the side of the boat.”

“Daniel Ferguson (a cousin), whose

mother was raised by my grandparents, and I went fishing in that boat as teenagers,” he continued. “Growing up we had hogs and sheep, and goats, and we had to feed them in the mornings and in the afternoon. We had to go and get jumbey for the animals in the afternoon, which lasted for about day. My grandfather also had horses, more than anyone in Eleuthera, at one time up to seven. He liked to ride horses, and they would be used for transportation. He would sometimes ride to James’ Cistern.

“At just over the age of one, I became very ill and my grandfather took my mom and I all the way to Bottom Harbour on his horse to go see the doctor in Harbour Island, I was told, as there was no doctor in Hatchet Bay at that time… Growing up we were very active - we would fish, Daniel and I and my brother Fred, and every Thursday I would have to go and get wood for my grandmother who baked every weekend. She had a store where she sold bread every weekend and also sold groceries. In addition to the livestock, baking, and grandmom’s store, they also farmed.

Families were traditionally quite large at that time, and Mr. Smith enjoyed the same experience, growing up with 11 siblings, two of whom were half siblings, “My grandmother, made sure we all had chores. When we got home boys cleaned the pots and the girls washed the dishes. Mother and dad’s house was just behind my grandmother’s house, and it was a two bedroom home - and ten of us

Mom raised there. As uncles and aunts got married, different siblings would move into my grandmother’s house next door, which was bigger.”

Remembering a bustling town as he grew up, Mr. Smith reminisced, “My dad worked for the dairy - The Austin Levy plantation (out of Massachusetts). The economy in Hatchet bay at that time was very diverse. There was the Marina with yacht boats, and cargo ships from Jacksonville, Florida, came every week on a Wednesday - with supplies for the Levy store, the dairy, and the chicken farm. There was also a little 12-14 room resort, called the ‘Good Intent’. With the marina, resort, shopping plaza - In addition to grocery, notions, toys - people in Hatchet Bay never had to send to Nassau for anything. The ladies who ran

the store would take orders from people in Hatchet Bay, Gregory Town and James’ Cistern - and would order whatever parents wanted for Christmas and otherwise. They would use the Sears, and Montgomery catalogues and the like. Townsfolk also had items that came through the post.

“I’ve spoken to people in the south, who remembered that they would dress up to go up to Hatchet Bay to the store there. The shopping plaza also delivered goods to the people in the community.

Clarence Pinder was the driver of the truck, and I worked on the truck with him delivering groceries, at about 12 or 13 years old (as a stevedore). All the boys at the time did it, like - Lambert Farrington, David McQueen, Pat Paul, Fred Paul, Alexander Farrington, Edward Culmer, George Pinder (Winkie), Bernice Pinder, Admiral McQueen, Daniel Ferguson, Mack Hanna, and Phil Stubbs.

School Days: Young Alvin’s foundation in education was forged at the Hatchet Bay All Age School, but the basics began even earlier, at home. “I was able to read before I got to grade school. My aunt Rowena and my grandmother taught me… I attended the Hatchet Bay All Age School. At that time we had these long benches, like the size of pews, and we had to sit and write on the top of the benches; they were similar to today’s picnic tables just narrower, and they were used then inside the classroom. My favorite teacher was Joan Allen, she was the late “Sugar boy’ Campbell Dean’s wife. She was an excellent teacher, as good as they came. Mrs. Allen was a trained teacher. I also distinctly remember Allydice Strachan, at that time I would have been in grade 7 or 8, and she was so knowledgeable, and showed so much concern for our education and our success in school. I remember Freda Johnson, daughter of P.A. Gibson, who taught my class. I also remember Carmel Johnson in grade 5, she was an outstanding teacher, and had a sweet personality.

Her dad was from Gregory Town, Enoch Johnson.

I remember my dad organized with Ms. Carmel to tutor me after classes, when I was around 10 years old.”

Mr. Smith smiled and chuckled fondly as he remembered his grandmother’s take on his young

aspirations, “I wanted to do something outstanding.

I can hear my grandmother’s voice now. In the summer we had to go in the farm where they grew a lot of watermelons, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and the like. People also grew beets and peanuts, like my uncle Melvin. Uncle Sam had a pineapple field just across from where the Rainbow Inn is now.

I didn’t like getting up, and we had to get up at 6am…she (my grandmother) would say, ‘you like eating the things that grow, but not working in the farm.. You must be preparing to have an easy job, not liking farm work’. I always had aspirations.

My first choices were an auto-mechanic, journalist or police officer - that was my thinking around 12-13 years old. However, Reverend P.A. Gibson, principal at the time, encouraged myself and my cousin Glendamae to apply to go to Teacher’s College. I started teaching as a monitor, just shortly after my 17th birthday, after I graduated. Mr. Gibson thought I was bright enough with more than enough national exams, so I taught as a monitor for one year, then went to the Teacher’s College, which had started the previous year, in 1968. I joined the college in 1969.”

Training: “When I left to go off to Teacher’s College in San Salvador at the end of August in1969, I was one month shy of 18,” shared Mr. Smith as he recalled a significant goal he was able to accomplish while studying. “It started after my first term of college, when I decided to expand the house for my parents and siblings. So I got a four bedroom house built around our original home. Once I got it started, my dad assisted with the cost of building and Bernis Sands, my Aunt Rowena’s husband did the building.” During his first year as a monitor, Mr. Smith shared that he received a stipend/salary of $218 dollars per month, which continued during his studies at the Teacher’s College, allowing him to assist his family in the way he was able to.

Before he left for college, Mr. Smith admitted that three years away studying seemed like a lifetime, but perspectives change, “I spent three years

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in Teacher’s College. I had never been assigned to do anything as measured as that, it but they were some of the best years of my life. I was among some of the most outstanding people in the country, and we were all teenagers who became men and women of note at that institution, in San Salvador. We were the second group of students to go there.

It was a boarding school then and there were dormitories. The location was a former Pan American base, and we used their buildings.”

Looking back fondly, Mr. Smith remembered the time at college being very ordered, “All of us had to wash our own clothes, and work in the garden with contests on Saturday mornings. Alll the students also did community work. Our lives were structured, getting out of classes after 4pm… and 6pm was study hour, with no-one on the streets at that time; it was very quiet. Our lecturers were from mainly England or Ireland. The principal was Irish, and was about 4ft 10in tall, a very short fellow, but brilliant - all of us respected him.

Breakfast was at a particular time between 7:00am and 8:30am, with meals prepared for us - and dinner was at 7:30pm sharp… and at 11pm all lights had to be off. We had supervisors, who were senior students and they had to make sure that the rules were followed. I was a senior student supervisor during my last year at the college. You had to perform; there was no easy path. Many students started the college and for whatever reason did not finish.

A number of people who passed through went on to become professionals in every facet of society.”

Mr. Smith graduated from the Teacher’s College in June of 1972.

Career and Family: His first year after College was spent at home, where he was posted right after graduation. Trained as an All Age/Primary teacher, Mr. Smith began his formal teaching career in Hatchet Bay with grade 5. While back home he was part of the Hatchet Bay Bombers softball team, and was also a founding member of the Hatchet Bay Development Association. Mr. Smith grew up knowing his spouse to be, Mrs. Arnette Smith (nee Pinder), also from Hatchet Bay. They reconnected during his time at home and were married in 1974.

They were blessed with two children, one boy - Mario, and one girl - Meiko. Smiling very proudly, Mr. Smith shared, “I have an amazing granddaughter as well - just turned 6, Mariah Smith (Mario’s daughter).”

After completing his first year at the Hatchet Bay All Age School, Mr. Smith, at the age of 21 was posted as a Principal at the All Age School in Staniel Cay, Exuma, where he was the only trained teacher. “It was a memorable experience. There was one other young man there, untrained, so what I did was take grades 1, 2, and 3 as well as grades 7, 8 and 9, teaching six classes, while he taught grades 4, 5 and 6. Not one of my students left school without being able to read, and most of them did very well in their BJC exams, and every one became productive citizens. I will always have them in my heart,” smiled Mr. Smith.

In fact, Staniel Cay, he said, was referred to by those who visited there as the place of “The Happy People”. “It was also the clean-

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An Eleutheran Profile Continued from pg. 9 est community I had ever been to at that time.

Staniel Cay then was a touristic community - it had two marinas at the time, with a population of about 100 people, two resorts, along with winter residents. During the winter months tourists came by the hundreds, flown in, sailed in - it also had a little airstrip. While there, Terry Higgs out of Spanish Wells rebuilt the airstrip and Bishop Petty from Governor’s Harbour worked with him. I also met Senator Ted Kennedy (brother of JFK), while at Staniel Cay. He came in on his boat as a tourist. His boat’s captain was actually also from Staniel Cay, a Mr. Miller.”

After three years in Staniel Cay, Mr. Smith was posted to the capital city. In Nassau, he joined S.C. Macpherson, where he returned to the classroom. He would spend 11 years there, and carries very good memories of his time, “During those years it was the best run junior high school at that time. It functioned like a private school. Teachers knew what they had to do and students were very orderly. Naomi Claridge was Principal at the time and she left a strong legacy.” As soon as Mr. Smith hit New Providence he took advantage of where he was and enrolled in courses being offered at the time by the University of Miami to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, with Social Studies as his major. At S.C. Macpherson, Mr. Smith started as a Social Studies teacher and then taught Physical Education, which he said allowed him more time for sitting his degree. The professors from the University came to Nassau for full-time courses during the summers, and weekend classes during the rest of the year for the part-time program. Mr. Smith successfully completed his Bachelor’s Degree in 1980.

1981 marked an interesting year for Mr. Smith when he became a part of the leadership of the Teacher’s Union. He began as a shop steward for S.C. Macpherson - and then became an executive member in 1982-83, and remained as a trustee for the length of his career in teaching. In 1987, Mr. Smith was re-posted to C.H. Reeves, where he spent 5 years heading up the Physical Education department. He shared that the high school was at that time amalgamated with both senior and junior students together in one complex. He opined that this change may have played a role in the proliferation of gang activity in the schools, with examples of juniors grouping together to protect themselves from being preyed on by older students. He noted that in 1992 when government changed, schools in New Providence were reverted back to separate Junior and Senior schools after much agitation from educators.

It was in 1992, when he announced his resignation from teaching and his intention to run in the general election, on Bayfront Park in Governor’s Harbour during the month of May. His career as an educator had spanned 24 years - from 1969 to 1992.

Politics: Mr. Smith had a bit of a rocky start in Politics.

In February of 1992, an FNM nominated Senator ‘crossed the floor’, changing his support to the PLP party, thus opening up a senatorial seat for the FNM. Hubert Ingraham, leader of the Opposition, nominated Mr. Smith to fill the seat. However, Mr. Smith said that Prime Minister Pindling objected to his nomination and the matter went unresolved right on up until the general election, held in late August of 1992.

Mr. Smith ran as a candidate in Eleuthera, but

lost his bid against the incumbent, Mr. Philip Bethel. He was appointed to the Senate from 1992 to 1997, serving as Vice President from September of 1992 until January of 1995. He was then appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education in January of 1995 until 1997 - assigned to technical education. During his time in that role, the former Industrial Training Center (ITC) was reborn as the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

In 1997, Mr. Smith again contested in Eleuthera, this time in the North Eleuthera district, which had added it to the townships of Gregory Town, Hatchet Bay and James’ Cistern, while the Central and South Eleuthera districts were also amalgamated into one, starting from Governor’s Harbour heading south. Mr. Smith would go on to serve three (3) consecutive terms as the Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera. After being elected in 1997, he served as the Executive Chairman of BAIC, as well as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly. In 2001 he was reassigned to the Ministry of Education as Parliamentary Secretary there until the 2002. He again bid and won his seat in 2002, but the FNM government was not as successful under then leader, Tommy Turnquest. So Mr. Smith became the leader of the Official Opposition until November of 2005, when Hubert Ingraham returned and took on the leadership position once again. After his third successful bid for the North Eleuthera seat in 2007, along with his party, he was made Speaker of the House of Assembly until the end of his third term in 2012.

Post Politics: Mr. Smith’s political career lasted 20 years, having spent 5 of those in the Senate and another 15 as a Member of Parliament within the House of Assembly. In 2012, he took the decision to not run that year’s general election.

Now at age 60, Mr. Smith, always ready to achieve the next goal, switched gears entirely and went into the world of business. “I took the Real Estate examination in 2013 and got licensed in January of 2014 as a realtor. During my understudy I was with Peter Galanis Realty and shortly after I joined Professional Associated Realty,” he shared. His time there was very long, less than a year, said Mr. Smith, as he found the real estate market in a slowing trend.

So not daunted, he re-educated himself once again and took the underwriters examination, becoming licensed and certified as an insurance agent. He joined Colina Insurance shortly after, working with Edison Brice for nearly three years, up until he was asked to serve his country yet again in his most recent appointment as the Bahamas’ High Commissioner to Canada.

When asked what the new posting means to him, Mr. Smith remarked, “I feel really quite blessed and most appreciative that the government and the Prime Minister considered me to go overseas and represent our beloved country. It is quite an honour, and one I cherish very dearly. When you consider the number of persons who could have been chosen and I’m one. I look forward to promoting the Bahamas, in terms of trade and investment, to find ways to create opportunities for Bahamians and find genuine investors, strengthen linkages and deepen relationship with Canada, as well as strengthen relations with the diplomatic core from other countries in Canada. For many decades Canada has been the choice of students for tertiary education. I will also be doing the

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best I can to expand on the number of scholarships that have been offered, and trying to find even more school options. Also, opportunities for Bahamians to export and have access to that market. The Bahamas has always had a strong relationship with Canada. Wherever I go I take Eleuthera with me - so I’ll be looking for Eleuthera opportunities as well.”

For young people, just starting out on their path, Mr. Smith offered this advice, “Goals are important in life, but they don’t just happen, you have to prepare yourself. Not al-

ways for a specific goal but to embrace whatever opportunity comes by. So equip yourself and learn as much as you can. In the Bahamas there are opportunities for everybody - Ingraham was a barefoot boy in Abaco, Minnis sold newspapers, and I took care of livestock in Hatchet Bay. Have something to reach for at all times, and once you’ve achieved, strive for another goal. You’ve got to aspire to be the best that you can and to make a difference and realize your potential.”

Minister Wells & BAIC on Island Tour Continued from pg. 6

cerns from the room filled to capacity with Spanish Wells commercial fishermen.

Some of the issues brought up by the fishermen, in addition to the repercussions of hurricanes, included the prevalent theft and poaching problems from their traps and condos - and they asked about the possibility of setting up a registry system for those assets, so they could better protect their catch, through the pending Fisheries Act. They also asked about the Bahamas Government joining the CCRIF (Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility), which has expanded its remit and developed new parametric insurance products for the fisheries sector in the region. Many fishermen in the room shared their current financial difficulties with mortgages and the like, as a result of the current struggle in the industry. Comments were also made about the growing prevalence of foreign fishing entities, namely Dominican fishermen. Some attendees also commented on what they saw as the incredible power of the non-governmental organizations in the country who over the years they said have managed to push through legislation curtailing the fishing of numerous species traditionally fished by Bahamians or getting outright bans. Accounts of Defence Force vessels filling their quota of boat searches by targeting Spanish Wells fishermen and not pursuing the foreign vessels aggressively enough, was also a complaint registered. The main theme of the afternoon was that the fishermen needed help, and they needed it right away.

MP for North Eleuthera, Rickey Mackey, commented on the meeting, saying, “We realized that the fishermen have been hurt badly by successive hurricanes and the issues have to be addressed. A lot

of these fishermen have been hit very hard, and the only way forward is if they can get assistance. We know that a lot of the materials they use for the fishing industry are already duty free. We’ve added the component of having them VAT free as well, however, if you can’t access capital to buy what you need, the duty free and VAT free initiatives become irrelevant. So part of the purpose of coming here was to have a conversation, and see how best they could be assisted. So we are looking at some soft loans that may be able to assist these fishermen. The people of Spanish Wells, as well as Long Island, Abaco, Andros and other islands are hard-working people and they contribute a major investment in The Bahamas. So what we are trying to do is get the industry to a place where it can get up and running, because right now, it’s off its legs as a result of what took place during the hurricanes.”

Minister Wells in response to the issues raised by the fishermen gathered, said that he was going to revisit the shark legislation, commenting that he was not afraid of a fight, “I believe that everything in the ocean that can be eaten, we should have an opportunity to eat, within limits… The turtle issue, we are going to look at that as well.” He expressed that he grew up eating turtle, and was surprised to find out when he could no longer get it. “At the end of the day, I want this fishing community and fishing communities throughout the Bahamas to be able to grow, survive and thrive.

We are going to make sure that you all are back up and running, and that we are able to do what we need to do… This Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources will get you results, with no if, ands, or buts.”

Local “Plus” BPL Consumer Protection Plan the focus of URCA onisland Public Meetings Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

(L-R) Jacquie Gibson, Eleuthera Cancer Society President; Shevonn Cambridge, URCA Director of Utilities and Energy; Sherrin Cooper, Rotary Club of Eleuthera President; and Latifa Wood – Corporate & Consumer Relations Officer.

The Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA) was in Eleuthera on Wednesday, November 1st, through Friday, November 3rd, hosting community meetings on each of those days to facilitate public discussion and gather feedback on the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) proposed Consumer Protection Plan. The draft Consumer Protection Plan addresses areas which include, standards of service quality and safety, rates and billings, power quality, and consumer complaints.

On Thursday evening, November 2nd, 2017, URCA’s meeting was hosted at the Cancer Society Wellness Center in Palmetto Point. URCA Director of Utilities and Energy, Mr. Shevonn Cambridge, gave a presentation on the new BPL Plan being proposed for the protection of consumer rights within the energy sector and was joined by his colleague Latifa Wood – Corporate & Consumer Relations Officer.

Commenting on their consultation activity in Eleuthera, Mr. Cambridge said, “We tried to get to all of the districts to make it as convenient as possible to reach out to all the consumers.

BPL’s Consumer Protection Plan is a section 40 obligation which all licensees have under the Electricity Act. So any public electricity supplier licensee has to produce a consumer protection plan, which outlines the way the entity will interact with its consumers, and puts all of the various aspects of this engagement in writing. These meetings are the opportunity for the consumer base to provide their feedback on the document, with regards to the utilities’ initial submission, and URCA will review that and compare it with other consumer protection plans from other utilities, of similar size and characteristics throughout the region, as well as with even larger utili-

ties outside of the region, as we try to shape and to mold the sector into something world class, in terms of keeping with the objectives of the Electricity Act, and the national energy policy.”

Mr. Cambridge further explained the BPL draft proposal would be finalized once the end of the consultation period came to a close at the end of November. He added, “We will then compile all of the feedback and do a review of it. During the first quarter of 2018, in January, we intend to go back throughout the territories with the final product, and conduct consumer education.”

BPL’s Consumer Protection Plan will not be a static Plan,” he continued, “but one that will be updated to keep it current with emerging technologies and changes in policy. In our regulation of the sector, anything that would have a significant impact on the consumer, whether it be administratively, technically, whatever, URCA has to be consulted. URCA would review it and we either provide an approval or nonobjection to what is being proposed.”

One of the hot topics during the evening’s question and answer session following Mr. Cambridge’s presentation, was the issue of consumer complaints in relation to damage of electronic apparatus and spoilage, and poor customer service in that regard, For consumers that would like to get a copy of the BPL Plan, the document is available on URCA’s website under the consultation section at - www. urcabahamas.bs/consultations_types/esconsumer-protection/. Copies are also available at URCA’s offices on Frederick St. in New Providence. Also, consumers can call the hotline numbers at 393-0263 or 242-300-URCA, to arrange receipt of an emailed copy.

The Eleutheran | Nov/Dec 2017

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11/12 2017

www. EleutheraNews . com

Tuberculosis Screening Across Eleuthera,

Latent and active cases being administered treatments for this curable and preventable disease.

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM

Members of the TB Surveillance team pictured, from New Providence along with local medical personnel: (L-R) Dr. Julien Smith, Dr. Deborah Fox, Suzanne Hepburn, Nurse Bernadette Colebrook, Nurse Alice Neymour, Theodore Nottage, Nurse Natasha Collie, and Nurse Bianca Rolle.

As Ministers of Health and other global leaders, including those from the top 40 highest tuberculosis (TB) and Multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) burden countries throughout the world, met at the (World Health Organization) WHO Global Ministerial Conference to commit to end the global TB epidemic in line with the targets set by the WHO End TB Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, on November 16th and 17th, 2017 held in Moscow in the Russian Federation, a team from the tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance Unit with the Bahamas Ministry of Health was in Eleuthera conducting an island wide screening exercise.

Minister of Health, Dr. Duane Sands, addressing his colleagues in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, November 15th, announced that screening for TB would be conducted in Eleuthera, because the Ministry of Health’s TB Surveillance Unit had documented a gradual increase in positive Mantaux skin tests for exposure to TB on the island, with recorded numbers standing at about 100 before the most recent screening exercise began.

The team arrived on island on Sunday, November 12th, and began their work on Tuesday, November 14th, 2017, beginning in South Eleuthera, with the plan to carry out screening in all townships across Eleuthera during the two week period from November 13th to November 25th, 2017.

Minister Sands, joined the TB Surveillance Unit team, along with members of the resident Medical team on island at a town meeting, held in Rock Sound on Monday evening, November 13th at the Rock Sound Primary School. At the town meeting in Rock Sound, Minister Sands, addressed numerous health concerns, with the issue of the possibility of TB exposure among Eleutherans dominating the discussions.

An Eleutheran resident in attendance, said that the Surveillance team was very informative regarding the topic of TB, adding that they were also pleased to hear Minister Sands confirm his Government’s commitment to completing renovations to house a mammogram ma-

chine on Eleuthera as well as plans to make bread basket items more affordable for Bahamians.

Dr. Sands, in his presentation at the town meeting shared, “There are 2.3 billion people in the world infected with tuberculosis, with 200 countries ranked by the World Health Organization, and the Bahamas ranks at 139, which means we are doing well, so relative to the rest of the world, everywhere in the Bahamas, including in Eleuthera, there is a low incidence of tuberculosis, and we want to keep it that way… We are trying to guard fiercely, our standing in the Bahamas.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2017, “TB is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS. In 2016, there were an estimated 1.3 million TB deaths among HIV-negative people (down from 1.7 million in 2000) and an additional 374,000 deaths among HIV-positive people. An estimated 10.4 million people fell ill with TB in 2016.”

Despite the alarming sound of these statistics the WHO says, “Most deaths from TB could be prevented with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Millions of people are diagnosed and successfully treated for TB each year, averting millions of deaths (53 million 2000–2016), but there are still large gaps in detection and treatment… The WHO Global Ministerial Conference on ending TB in the SDG era in November 2017 and the first UN General Assembly high-level meeting on TB in 2018 provide a historic opportunity to galvanize the political commitment needed to step up the battle against TB and put the world and individual countries on the path to ending the TB epidemic.”

A second town meeting, was held by the TB Surveillance Unit team on island on Tuesday evening, November 20th, 2017, held at the Catholic Hall in Hatchet Bay, with the purpose of continuing the public education on island about TB, and their screening activities. At that time, approximately 2,000 people had

been screened across Eleuthera with the Mantaux skin test (which indicates whether or not a person has been exposed to TB). Of those 2,000 people screened, about 260 had tested positive for TB exposure.

Once those persons tested positive for exposure to TB, a chest x-ray was done to determine whether the TB was latent (inactive, not currently ill or infectious), or active (ill with the TB disease and infectious). The TB Surveillance Unit team while in Eleuthera had x-ray equipment available at the Tarpum Bay clinic in South Eleuthera, which was then moved to the clinic in Lower Bogue on Friday, November 24th to continue x-ray screenings of exposed patients in the north Eleuthera area.

Minister Sands, commenting to the press on Monday, November 20th, said that about 25 of the 260 people who had tested positive for exposure in Eleuthera had suspicious chest x-rays. He added that a suspicious x-ray does not necessarily mean TB, but it is more likely to be an active case.

Minister Sands went on to say that the way to prevent the continued spread of TB is with appropriate public health measures, and screening, as well as, “a level of etiquette as to how people behave when they cough and sneeze and how they discard tissue paper,” adding that when people sneeze or cough in a crowded place they should block it with their arm.

All persons who tested positive for exposure in Eleuthera were placed on the standard 6 month course of treatment, said health officials at the town meeting in Hatchet Bay, and new protocols at local clinics put in place to ensure completion of those treatments. Within about four Continued On Page 13

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The Eleutheran | Nov/Dec 2017

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TB Screening Continued from pg. 12 The current exercise, which included education driven town meetings, indicate a move in the other direction.

Eleuthera residents out for a town meeting at the Rock Sound Primary School, with the TB Screening team.

weeks after beginning treatment in both latent and active cases, officials said that patients were usually no longer infectious.

Health officials during the meeting in Hatchet Bay emphasized that TB disease was both curable and preventable, and highlighted that treatment for the disease was available completely free of charge through the local clinic system on the island.

The TB Surveillance Unit was also on Eleuthera in 2015 doing screenings after several suspected cases were recorded. However, at that time no information was disseminated about the activity for the benefit of the public.

The TB Surveillance Unit team on island during November 13th to November 26th included: Nurse Alice Neymour, Supervisor TB Surveillance Unit; Dr. Julien Smith, Medical Officer Disease Surveillance; Natasha Collie, Registered Nurse TB Surveillance Unit; Dr. Deborah Fox, Supervisor Family Island Nursing; Suzanne Hepburn, Senior Radiographer; and Theodore Nottage, Biomedical Engineer.

What you should know about TB

(Source: WHO) “Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs (but can also affect other parts of the body). Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.

TB is spread from person to person through the air.

When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.

About one-third of the world’s population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with disease and cannot transmit the disease.

People infected with TB bacteria have a lifetime risk of falling ill with TB of 10%. However persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.

When a person develops active TB (disease), the symptoms (cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss etc.) may be mild for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care, and results in transmission of the bacteria to others.

People ill with TB can infect up to 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of a year.

Without proper treatment up to two thirds of people ill with TB will die.

Since 2000 more than 49 million lives have been saved through effective diagnosis and treatment. Active, drugsensitive TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. The vast majority of TB cases can be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly.”

Holidays and Observance Days: Monday December 25th, 2017 Christmas Day holiday Tuesday, December 26th, 2017 Boxing Day holiday Monday, January 1st, 2018 New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 Commemorated as Majority Rule Day

highlights in dec. 2017/jan 2018 Cancer Society Eleuthera Annual Music in the Garden & Tree Lighting Saturday, December 2nd, 2017 Cancer Society Eleuthera will be holding its Annual Music in the Garden & Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 2nd, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. This spectacular event will take place at the Health & Wellness Center located on Queen’s Highway, Palmetto Point. The event is FREE and is suitable for all ages.

Annual All Eleuthera Junkanoo Parade: Christmas Night - Monday, December 25th, 2017 Venue: GREGORY TOWN, Eleuthera (New Venue!)

Beginning at 7pm Junkanoo Groups participating: Tarpum Bay United, North Eleuthera Cowboys, and the Hatchet Bay Village Boys

Hailsham’s Fun Day Outreach Friday, December 15th, 2017 - (4th Year) - On Office Grounds, 11:30 am to 3 pm.

2017 BIFF DATES 14th Annual Bahamas International Film Festival Harbour Island December 10 - 13 Nassau December 14 - 17

Santa’s Enchanted Forest at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve Saturday, December 23rd, 2017 Time: 3pm - 6pm Join us for an afternoon of good holiday fun as we celebrate Christmas at the Leon Levy Plant Preserve, with Caroling, Crafts, Games, Face Painting, Gifts, Santa Claus, Treats and Guided Walks through the Enchanted Forest.

For further details visit: www. levypreserve.org Telephone Contact: 332-3831 Email: hjohnson@bnt.bs or cadair@bnt.bs

December DEALS!: Annual BIG CHRISTMAS SALE !! - North Eleuthera Shopping Center Saturday, December 16th, 2017 (Doors Open at 5am and Close at 9pm)

Public Service Month Events Public Service Talent Show - (NEW DATE) Friday, December 9th, featuring “A Night of Fun & Laughter” - Workers House @ 8 pm - Tickets $5.00

Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival (Majority Rule holiday weekend): Friday, January 5th to Sunday, January 7th, 2018 Venue: Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera Featured Junkanoo Groups: Savannah Sound Lucayans, Harbour Island Barracks Hill Warriors, Rock Sound New Vision, Unity Builders, and The Harbour Boys.

Junkanoo Festival to include a Bahamian Concert with Bahamian entertainers on the Friday, Junk anoo Parade on Saturday, and Gospel Explosion on Sunday - along with a Youth Rally and March.

School Events:

Closures and Openings: Schools close for Students December 15th, 2017 Schools close for Teachers December 22nd, 2017 School reopens January 2nd, 2018

National Report Card Day: Date: December 21st, 2017

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11/12 2017

Picture This: Eleuthera’s Signatory shares Accounts of Momentous

‘Road to Independence’ with Students from across Eleuthera

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM

At the end of October 2017, students from high schools across The Eleutheras got the rare opportunity to hear the story of The Bahamas’ Independence from one of the last five remaining signatories on the Bahamas Declaration of Independence, in the person of Reverend Philip M. Bethel, former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, and now a Businessman and Pastor.

The event, which was held at the Ministry of Education’s Resource Center in Savannah Sound, began at 10:30 am on the morning of Tuesday, October 24th, 2017. High Schools attending the special event included Central Eleuthera High School, Preston H. Albury High School, and Windermere High School.

It was a tremendous opportunity for the students participating to get a first-hand eyewitness account and perspective of that period in time, especially with the upcoming 2018 sitting of the History BGCSE examination having as its theme for the required coursework, “The Road to the Independence of The Bahamas.”

Mrs. Hope Walker, History teacher at Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS) was responsible for making the event happen. She shared that initially, she was only inviting Rev. Bethel

to talk with her students at CEHS, but understanding the incredible opportunity the talk represented for History students on the island, she decided to ask if Rev. Bethel would

be willing to talk to all students in grades 10 through 12 studying History, to which he happily agreed.

Reverend Philip M. Bethel, former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, now a Businessman and Pastor, surrounded by students of Central Eleuthera High School. Reverend Bethel took time out to share his first hand experiences surrounding the Bahamas’ Independence with high schoolers from across the island. He is one of only five remaining signatories on the Bahamas’ Declaration of Independence.

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Rainbow Inn Open and Raring to Go for new season with Brand New Pizza Oven The Rainbow Inn Restaurant in Rainbow Bay, Central Eleuthera, opened its doors in midNovember, and held the first of many of their famous Pizza nights on Monday, November 20th - beginning the season with a bang. The restaurant has built a completely new pizza oven, and expanded their renown Pizza Night to include two nights of the week - on Mondays and now Thursdays as well. Reservations are required. There is

great entertainment, with live music on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and Rainbow Inn is also well known for its delicious steaks and fresh fish. Take out menus are now available, and liquor prices are excellent as well. In 2017, they received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, and owners, Rhonda and Richard are very excited about the new season!

Diabetes

Continued from pg. 7

Above left: The Temple, Interactive session Above: Presenters along with event coordinator, Nurse Bianca Edwards Left: Oldest Diabetic in attendance, Florence Morley

Above: South Eleuthera Medical Team

the diabetic community and the wider community on diabetes, its effects and management. I feel we met those objectives.”

“Hats off to the hardworking nurses and staff who planned and executed this event. We all enjoyed the presentations and prizes,” said event participant, Loretta Butler, an educator at the Preston H. Albury High School.

Right: Youngest Diabetic in attendance, Rahnae Burrows along with her mom Jessica Burrows.

| 11/12 2017

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Immigration Sweep On Heels of Illegal Landing in New Providence BY the eleutheran news team

Immigration teams in Eleuthera in cooperation with the Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), conducted an island-wide operation on Wednesday, November 15th, 2017, dubbed ‘Operation Rush’, as a precautionary measure, following the illegal sloop landing in the southwest area of New Providence, which occurred sometime between Saturday night, November 11th, and Sunday morning, November 12th, 2017, near the Defence Force base located in Coral Harbour.

As a result of the operation, which Chief Immigration Officer in the Eleuthera District, Mrs. Shema Darling, said used every method in their arsenal - including roadblocks and going house to house - ten (10) people were taken into custody and subsequently

transported to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre in New Providence on Thursday afternoon, November 16th, where they will be held pending

further investigations.

‘Operation Rush’, which began at about 5am, saw Immigration and Police cover areas from Blackwood Village in North Eleuthera

to Tarpum Bay in South Eleuthera. Five men, four women, and one female child were among Continued On Page 17

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| 11/12 2017

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Commercial quantities of Marijuana seized by DEA & DEU An Eleuthera man has been arraigned in New Providence on charges in reference to a large quantity of marijuana found on the island.

According to reports, sometime around 2:30 pm on Thursday, November 9th, 2017, a joint drug operation conducted by Officers from the Eleuthera Division and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), acting on intelligence, and assisted by US Drug Enforcement (DEA) Agents, resulted in the seizure.

The Officer in Charge of the Eleuthera District led a team to an unoccupied residence located in Governor’s Harbour. He was later joined by a team of DEU and DEA Officers. The search of the residence led to the discovery of (77) bales of suspected marijuana, valued at approximately three million dollars ($3,000,000). A portion of the drugs were trucked to the air-

port and flown into New Providence later on Thursday night, with the remainder flown out the following Friday morning. They were airlifted by US Coast Guard helicopter.

Three local men from Governor’s Harbour were taken into custody on Friday, No-

Immigration Continued from pg. 16

the individuals taken into custody for a variety of immigration offences, including illegal entry, overstaying, working without a work permit, possession of fraudulent documents, an outstanding police warrant, as well as harbouring illegal immigrants. Nine of the immigrants were of Haitian nationality, including a US born minor child, and one of the men was a Jamaican national.

Eleuthera Immigration Chief, Mrs. Darling, commented that her team would continue to be on high alert, saying, “They are going to see us, and we are going to be even more visible, to keep the pressure on - especially mailboat and port surveillance.”

During the operation on Wednesday, RBPF Officers, led by Assistant Superintendent Frank Neely, also arrested a man from Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera in reference to possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply, after he was found with two packets of suspected marijuana on his person. He was charged with the offence and later released on bail, pending arraignment.

vember 10th, 2017 in connection to the discovery. The three men, were transferred to New Providence by DEU Officers and held for questioning.

Authorities confirmed that two of the men taken into custody on Friday, November

10th, 2017, were released on Tuesday, November 14th, 2017, while the third suspect was arraigned before the magistrate’s court in New Providence on Thursday, November 16th, 2017.

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Enriching local soil Continued from pg. 4

www. EleutheraNews . com

PUBLIC NOTICE

Closure of the Capture of Nassau Grouper Throughout The Bahamas The Department of Marine Resources wishes to advise the general public of the fixed dates of closure of fishing of the Nassau Grouper from December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018. The Department of Marine Resources wishes to further advise that to take, land, process, sell and to offer for sale the Nassau Grouper is strictly prohibited.

The general public is to note that the ban is only for the Nassau Grouper species, and one is able to capture and purchase any of the remaining species of groupers in The Bahamas.

All groupers are to be landed head

and providing a home for essential soil bacteria and microbes.

(SLE) biofertilizer in the area’s sandy soils. The germination, growth and yield of the cover crop species, Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), chosen for the trials, because of its own natural soil regenerative qualities, was evaluated within each plot to determine the concentration of SLE that promoted optimal plant growth.

Mark explained that the collaboration aimed to find alternative sustainable agriculture practices in the farm to table approach to living better in a place.

About Biochar: Biochar is a stable, carbon rich product of pyrolysis, where organic matter is heated to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Many organic substances can be used to make biochar including dried coconut husks, wood scraps and bones from food waste. Biochar is made at The Center for Sustainable Development using a 48 gallon repurposed water pressure cylinder kiln. The kiln is heated to 800- 900°C in a concrete oven for 4-6 ours and allowed to cool overnight.

Biochar has been proposed as a promising soil amendment acting as an organic sponge, retaining water, soil nutrients

About Seaweed Biofertilizer: Seaweed liquid extracts have been shown to increase plant growth and yield, by contributing vital plant growth nutrients to soil. Seaweed is readily available along beaches throughout the Caribbean, providing a locally available renewable waste product. Seaweed liquid extract biofertilizer is made through the process of anaerobic fermentation, using freshly rinsed seaweed and water in an airtight sealed container. Over 4-6 weeks the seaweed decomposes leaving a concentrated liquid that contains living microbes, growth regulators and micro- and macro-nutrients essential for promoting healthy plant growth and sustaining healthy soils.

and tail intact to assist in the identification of the species of grouper.

The identification of the Nassau Grouper species is exhibited in this characteristic: the Nassau Grouper is the only grouper species with a black band or saddle near its tail.

The Department of Marine Resources requests the cooperation of the general public in adhering to the fisheries laws of The Bahamas. Persons found violating the fisheries laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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| 11/12 2017

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Eleuthera’s Best

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From the Management and Staff of North Eleuthera Shopping Center.

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Successful HACE Blood Drive aided By Eager Students

BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM

The Health Association of Central Eleuthera (HACE), chaired by Chris Gosling, held the second installation of their annual blood drive events during a three-day effort beginning on Wednesday, November 8th at the Island School and in Governor’s Harbour at the Levy Medical Clinic on Thursday, November 9th and Friday, November 10th, 2017, with the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) blood bank as the beneficiary. 85 pints of blood were collected on the island over the course of the three days, with 25 pints collected on Wednesday at the Island School, and 65 pints collected on Thursday and Friday in Governor’s Harbour, which Mr. Gosling described as ‘highly successful’.

During the two days in Central Eleuthera, the students from the Central Eleuthera High School displayed great enthusiasm and participation, as usual, especially with the coordination and encouragement by school liaison and regular donor, Math teacher, Mrs. McCardy, said Mr. Gosling. A nurse at the Levy Medical Clinic, assisting the blood bank staff by doing the initial tests for blood iron levels and blood pressure was astounded by the cheerful and positive attitude of the High School students, he shared, many of Pictured Above and Right: Generous young whom were first time donors and a blood donors at Central Eleuthera High little apprehensive of the procedure. School all smiles as they stand with HACE Some were unable to give, he said, Chairman, Mr. Chris Gosling. due to low iron levels and were vis- ling emphasized, however, that they would ibly upset at not donating. Mr. Gos- love to see more boys take part, as they represented only three of the eighteen student donors.

He also thanked ALIV for their contribution of a cell phone prize, which went to one lucky student donor. Mr. Gosling explained that he didn’t believe in students expecting a reward for donating, but wanted to surprise them. So in addition to a second cell phone donated by HACE, all student donor’s names were placed in a bag and two lucky names drawn at morning assembly on the Monday following the blood drive.

BTC also contributed a $5 phone card to all student donors.

Participation by the general public, winter residents and a few tourists was also great, said Mr. Gosling. One of the attractions for adult participants, he explained, was the reward of one or more Guinness after donating, which had to be solicited from local residents this year, after a business donor to the blood bank stopped contributing. So a special thanks was sent out from HACE, in this regard, to Mr. Stanton Cooper, Mr. Gary Collick and Mrs. Kathy Coleman for their assistance.

Mr. David Barlyn, who generously donated two rooms at Pineapple Fields for three nights to accommodate the blood bank staff from PMH, was also thanked by HACE for contributing to the success of the blood drive.

HACE sponsors a blood drive event twice annually, and the Chairman stated that he could not minimize the value of all the blood donors contributions. “Eleuthera excels and leads amongst all the Family Islands in terms of the quantity of blood donated. It is my hope that those sitting on the fence and those that failed in their promise to donate at this event will make a valiant effort to be part of the Eleuthera blood donors team. I must thank our noisy, but always loyal Friday night donors who never fail to attend and add a fitting touch to the end of the drive,” stated Mr. Gosling.

HACE will host its next blood drive in late February or early March 2018.

Chairman, Mr. Gosling appealed for contin-

ued support of the PMH blood bank, saying, “We ask for every person’s support. Remember for a brief moment of discomfort you will be saving someone less fortunate than you languishing in a hospital bed. Not one of us young or old can foresee how our life will unfold and when we might need blood donated from a complete stranger. To the persons who promise, turn away or make excuses when asked if they would donate blood - just remember it may be your turn one day and you could be dependent on a total stranger who did give blood to help save your life.”

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| 11/12 2017

Eleuthera 2017/18 High School District Debate Championships Final - A Win For CEHS Finalists in the 2017 Eleuthera District Series of Debate Competitions came together in the Championship Round matchup on the morning of Thursday, November 9th, 2017, at the Ministry of Education’s Resource Center in Savannah Sound, to debate the moot, “The concentration by students on Sports in high school contributes mightily to poor academic performance by many students in grades 10-12.”

The Central Eleuthera High School team were proponents of the controversial moot, and North Eleuthera High School’s team were opponents. Both schools presented arguments to support their point of view, with

Pictured Above: Making the final decision on which team presented the strongest case for winning were (L-R); Terrie Butler, Principal of Emma Cooper Primary; Head Judge, Vaulda Ceased, Language teacher at Windermere High; and Carlita Turnquest with Social Services.

Pictured Above: The Eleuthera District Debate Championships included teams from CEHS and NEHS who came together at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound to take part in the final showdown for the island title.

Pictured Above: Elated Debate winners from CEHS (L-R); Equoia Gibson, Jerrimia Seymour and Deshae Clarke, will now go on to compete in the National Debate competition which begins early in 2018.

well-prepared speeches.

Representing Preston H. Albury High School were senior students; Christianna Wallace, Sierra Farrington, and Jeffery Aristide, along with team coach, Andrea Coleby. On the team for Central Eleuthera High School were; Jerrimia Seymour, Dashae Clarke and Equoia Gibson, with team coach, Doria Scavella.

Rebutting for the opponent team was second speaker, Sierra Farrington, and first speaker, Jerrimia Seymour gave the rebuttal for the proponent team. Although performing well in the rebuttal phase with Farrington tallying a score of 298 compared to Seymour’s 282, North Eleuthera fell down a bit in their overall presentation scores according to the judges.

Judging this final round of debates were; head judge, Vaulda Ceased, Language teacher at Windermere High School; Terrie Butler, Principal of the Emma E. Cooper Primary School; and Carlita Turnquest with Social Services.

After deliberations, judges came back, giving Central Eleuthera High School the win, with 1,124 overall points awarded to North Eleuthera High School, and a score of 1,146 to Central - earning them the title of Eleuthera Debate Champions for

2017. Sierra Farrington from North Eleuthera High School, racked up the highest presentation score of 294 points, making her the best speaker on her team. Equoia Gibson from Central Eleuthera High School, was awarded as the best overall speaker for the speech segment of the debate, having earned 296 points for her presentation.

Central Eleuthera High School will now go on to represent the island in New Providence, early in the New Year, when the National Rounds of Debate Competitions begin for the 2017/2018 school year.

Following the morning’s competition, winning coach, Doria Scavella, commented that she was very pleased with the win, saying it had been a stiff competition, and that she had been very impressed by the opposing team’s rebuttal. She added that the Central Eleuthera High School team would now continue to work on their weaknesses, and get in practice time - with the aim of being successful at the national level.

23

24

Local

Nov/Dec 2017

Student Athletes gather in the Harbour for the 13th Annual Alvin Adderley Road Race Young athletes from across The Eleutheras came together on Friday, November 17th, 2017 for the 13th annual Alvin Adderley road race event.

The road race, is held each year in remembrance of former Eleuthera educator, Mr. Alvin Adderley, who died as a result of cancer. It was staged at the Bayfront Park in Governor’s Harbour, starting shortly after 10am.

Just prior to race time, the family of Mr. Adderley were honoured in a short ceremony, with a recollection of his contribution to education in Eleuthera and specially made t-shirts presented to his wife, Mrs. Lula Adderley, who attended with her children, Carla and Terrell, and grandchildren in support of the event.

Three (3) of Eleuthera’s High Schools/All Age Schools, and eleven (8) Primary Schools

participated in the hotly contested relay event. In the Primary School Division, eight member teams competed in half mile legs passing on the baton to teammates at the designated spot next to Bay Front Park.

The High Schools competed in five divisions; under 20 boys, under 20 girls, under 16 boys, under 14 girls, and under 14 boys - also with ten member relay teams, but a longer leg distance of 1 mile, which took each competitor from Bay Front Park, south to the forked junction at Governor’s Harbour’s southern approach, then back, running north along the Queen’s Highway into Bay Front Park.

Central Eleuthera High School dominated the final results on the day with number one finishes in 3 of the 5 divisions.

Preston Albury High School also had a strong showing with gold medal finishes in the boys under 14 di-

www. EleutheraNews . com

Pictured Above and Below: Students taking part in the Annual Alvin Adderley Road Race assembled for the opening ceremony ahead of the day’s competition.

vision and the boys under 16 division as well as a silver medal finish in the girls under 20 division. Samuel Guy Pinder All Age took the silver in the under 14 boys division.

Notably, two high schools, North Eleuthera High School and Harbour Island All Age were not in attendance.

Also, Samuel Guy Pinder All Age competed in just one of the five age divisions, resulting in the girls under 14 having just one team participating (so a ten member team ran from Central Eleuthera High School uncontested).

RESULTS: Primary School Division 1st - Emma E. Cooper Primary 2nd - North Eleuthera Primary 3rd - Governor’s Harbour Primary

1st - Central Eleuthera High 2nd - Preston Albury High (Disqualified)

Under 20 Girls

1st - Central Eleuthera High 2nd - Preston Albury High

Under 16 Boys

1st - Preston Albury High 2nd - Central Eleuthera High

Under 14 Girls

1st - Central Eleuthera High ( One team only)

Under 14 Boys

1st - Preston Albury High 2nd - Samuel Guy Pinder All Age 3rd - Central Eleuthera High

High School Division Under 20 Boys

Pictured Above: Members of the winning CEHS road race team, who put in the top performance on the day in the High School Division.

Wadainya Weinburger of CEHS serenading her fellow student athletes at the opening ceremony of the Alvin Adderley Road Race.

Local

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

| 11/12 2017

25

Pictured Above: CEHS student and cancer survivor, Rashaad Burrows, was highlighted for his strength in making it through his most recent battle with cancer.

Pictured Above: The Adderley family stands with Mr. Tony Crean (center), who began the road race in memory of their late father, husband and grandfather.

Pictured Above: Emma Cooper Primary carried the gold in the Primary Division.

Pictured on page: Students out to the event. They have fun but the races can be tough on them. They tend to give their all, making sure the baton gets around to their team.

26

Local “Plus”

Nov/Dec 2017

www. EleutheraNews . com

The Legendary Sir Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Butler Dies at Age 80

Both photos show “Ronnie” Butler on stage in Eleuthera. The left was in Deep Creek in 2009 and the photo on the right shows his smile, with mic still in hand, at the Hatchet Bay Fest during summer 2017.

Legendary Bahamian Entertainer, Sir Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Butler, M.B.E, passed away in November at the age of 80. He was born on August 17th, 1937, and died on Sunday morning, November 19th, 2017.

His career as an entertainer and singer traversed more than 50 years, with one of his latest performances taking place in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, at the 2017 Bay Festival during the August Monday holiday weekend, where he continued to enthrall his fans. Another memorable performance in Eleuthera was on Valentines Day 2009, when Ronnie lit up the stage at the new ‘Junkanoo Park’ in Deep Creek much to the pleasure of a large crowd of Eleuthera natives and visitors. His performance was the climax of a Street Fair as part of the 10th Anniversary weekend activities being celebrated by the Island School at Cape Eleuthera. The crowd soaked in Ronnie’s soulful Bahamian ballads while dancing under the stars.

“Roots, ties, trees and everything else - I’ve got it here... and I’m proud to be able to say that,” the Bahamian Legend said in an interview with The Eleutheran back then. He re-

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Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera

called spending some of his early boyhood years living and playing in Bannerman Town, and reminisced about looking for ‘shad’ [a kind of fish] in Mackey Pond as cherished memories. He was semi-retired at that time with performances becoming more rare, however, he was known to have performed all over the island of Eleuthera including Harbour Island in the north, Governor’s Harbour in central Eleuthera, and Green Castle, his paternal home town in the south The following statements were issued shortly after Ronnie Butler’s Passing: Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Philip Davis: “Our nation’s national musical treasure Ronnie Butler has passed into eternity. Now he belongs to the ages. He can sing his sweet music in heaven as he travels Burma Road on the way to the Pearly Gates.

Ronnie Butler helped us to build our sense of national identity. Almost fifty years ago, just as we ushered in majority rule he reminded us from whence we came.

He told us that he remembered when we used to go to high mass on Sunday with high top tennis with no socks on. That was Ronnie Butler.

It seems that his voice has always been with us. He leaves a great legacy. I am sure all of the nation feels this loss.

On behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, my wife Ann-Marie and on my own behalf, I extend condolences to his family on the loss of this national icon.”

FNM Chairman Carl Culmer: Our country mourns the passing of legendary musical genius and entertainer, Ronnie Butler, who died this morning.

Ronnie was lauded for his many musical contributions to The Bahamas which catapulted him to superstar status globally. An extraordinary human being, mentor and friend to many young musicians locally and throughout the Caribbean. His most famous folkstyle and rake n scrape music, “Burma Road”, ”Pretty Brown

Eyes”, and “Married Man” became the standard for writing and producing music that told a story about our heritage, our culture and our lifestyle.

We honoured him during his life and we will honour him even at his death, for making such remarkable contributions to the Bahamas through his music, which often addressed his political ideology and values on the struggle of our people as we fought for inclusion in matters affecting our country before independence.

In the words of George Elliot, “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them”.

Ronnie Butler will never be forgotten, as he will live on through his music for generations to come.

National

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Announces the Appointments of The Bahamas’ High Commissioner to Canada, and The Bahamas’ Ambassadors to The People’s Republic of China, and Haiti The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce the following appointments:

Mr. Alvin Smith, former Educator, Member of Parliament and Speaker of The House of Assembly, has been appointed The Bahamas’ High Commissioner to Canada.

Mr. Sterling Quant, Attorney at Law, former Registrar General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, past Managing Director of the Bahamas Development Bank and a basketball pioneer for Bahamians internationally, has been appointed The Bahamas’ Ambassador to The People’s Republic of China.

Mr. Jeffrey Williams, international expert in Foreign Exchange Debt, former Vice-President of Deltec Bank & Trust and past Commissioner of the Baseball and Football Association of The Bahamas, has been appointed The Bahamas’ Ambassador to The Republic of Haiti.

The Eleutheran | Nov/Dec 2017

27

GOVernment Pursues Fiscal Prudence and Ease of Process to Fuel Economy

By Betty Vedrine BIS NASSAU, The Bahamas – In a bid to counteract the effects of the current economic crisis and to stimulate economic recovery in The Bahamas, the government is ‘aggressively’ pursuing ways to boost the economy.

This, according to the Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Brent Symonette is an objective that is of top priority to the government. Minister was speaking to stakeholders during the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) ‘Accountants Week’ Opening Ceremony. The event was held at Melia Nassau Beach, November 14, 2017.

“Our plan is to reinforce the principles of strong leadership, based on ethical governance, that is transparent and accountable, and which applies firm and prudent fiscal responsibility and management,” said Minister Symonette. “These elements are vital to the financial stability and future growth of the Bahamian economy.”

He said that the country’s fiscal deficit is estimated to be 5.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fiscal year ending June 2017, up from 3.5 percent of GDP in FY2016, due to sharp increases in the wage bill, post-hurricane cleanup and reconstruction spending, temporary tax reliefs, and disruptions in revenue collection.

The central government debt-to-GDP ratio, he explained, is estimated to have increased to 73 percent of GDP in FY2017.

“This was incurred in the previous five years under the former administration,” he said.

“What this means is that we are in pretty bad shape! And it will take tough decisions to steadily reduce the annual deficit and decrease government debt.”

He said that these dramatic actions would have long lasting implications for all investors and citizens.

“In order for The Bahamas economy to compete and prosper in [the] global environment, we must create conditions that facilitate the “ease of doing business” in an open, innovative, produc-

Pictured: Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Brent Symonette

tive and competitive environment.

“The Bahamas ranks 121st place among 190 countries on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index,” said Minister Symonette. “The government has embraced this idea, with the understanding that we must be forward thinking if we are to advance ourselves as a nation, and continue to compete in the global economy.

The IMF October 2017

reported that The Bahamas has had a prolonged period of stagnation, resulting in declining income relative to neighboring countries; concerns about fiscal sustainability; and a severe household debt overhang problem.”

He pointed out that they also cited elevated public debt, limited external buffers, and a pegged exchange rate regime, as constraints to the policy space to allow response to shocks.

“For its part, the government is committed to creating favorable conditions by building an efficient public sector and investing in public infrastructure to sustain, support and spur economic growth,” he said. “Currently in progress is the drafting and tabling of legislation to streamline procedures and improve the ease of doing business.”

As well as, the enhancement and reconfiguration of government agencies to facilitate ease of process and sharing of information between agencies (companies registrar, business license unit, NIB, BIA, regulatory agencies), the Minister said that the government has already begun to implement changes to immigration processes for tax residency, work permit relaxation for certain classes of persons, economic permanent residency and threshold for purchase of a residence to $750,000.

28

Perspective

11/12 2017

OP-ED

By Sir Ronald Sanders www.sirronaldsanders.com

c

by Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own) When independence was finally wrenched from Britain in April 1980, Zimbabwe was described as the “jewel of Africa” by Tanzania’s President Julius Nyerere.

Thirty-seven years later, the country is in economic ruin. Its 93-year old leader, Robert Mugabe, has been ousted by the military and is under house arrest after almost four decades of mostly despotic rule, supported, incidentally, by the very military that removed him from office.

Caribbean leaders fought for Zimbabwe’s independence, for one-man, onevote and for an end to white minority rule in what was then Southern Rhodesia. The pantheon of Caribbean leaders included Guyana’s Forbes Burnham, Jamaica’s Michael Manley, Trinidad and Tobago’s Eric Williams, Bahamas’ Lynden Pindling, Barbados’ Errol Barrow and JMG ‘Tom’ Adams. At the centre of the wider Commonwealth struggle was another Caribbean crusader, the Guyana-born Secretary-General, Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal, who, as British writer Richard Bourne observed, “was emphatic that he wanted an end to racism in southern Africa under his watch”.

Policy Statement: The Perspective, Out There, Op-ED and Letters section of The Eleutheran newspaper is a medium we provide for the members of the Eleuthera community 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.

Mugabe: a Graceful Coup Caribbean leaders were midwives at the birth of Zimbabwe and god parents to the democratic election of Robert Mugabe as President.

Over the years, Caribbean leaders grew disappointed in Mugabe, even though they were sympathetic to his central plight which was the legacy of an untenable situation in which, through years of imposed white rule by Britain’s ‘kith and kin’, 90 percent of the valuable land was owned by the minority white population.

Both Britain and the US reneged on a promise to fund compulsory land purchases from the minority white population so that the majority black population could be empowered in their ancestral homeland. Unable to fund the compulsory acquisition of millions of acres of white-owned farms, Mugabe resorted to seizing them and to allowing lawlessness by his own supporters in land-grabs. The economy, thereafter, went into steep decline, and with it went democracy and good governance.

Mugabe could only hold on to power for his ZANU-PF party and for himself by rigged elections and brutal repression of his opponents.

By the time that Caribbean nations joined other Commonwealth countries in a decision to suspend Zimbabwe from its councils in 2002 because of violations of Commonwealth democratic principles, they were highly frustrated with Mugabe’s unyielding intolerance of any form of dissent. Jamaica’s Prime Minister, PJ Patterson, was one of three Commonwealth Heads of Government, in December 2003, who tried to persuade Mugabe to accept Commonwealth help to address the political situation in Zimbabwe while the country remained suspended. Mugabe refused, choosing instead to withdraw from the Commonwealth.

In the ensuing years, Caribbean countries could do nothing more than watch from the side-lines as Zimbabwe deteriorated.

By the end of the last decade, only the support of the military kept Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party in office. That support dissipated on November 15 when General Constantino Chiwenga led what he insisted is not a coup d’état, but a ‘state of correction’. Called by any name, Mugabe is being detained, many persons around him are arrested as ‘criminals’ without due process, and the military commands the country.

The reason for the army’s separation from Mugabe came just days before Chiwenga took control of the country.

Mugabe had fired his Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa for declaring his intention to run against Mugabe’s 52-year old, ambitious and combative wife, Grace, for the leadership of the party and eventually the Presidency. In his dotage, the once politically astute Mugabe failed to take account of the fact that Mnangagwa was close to Chiwenga personally and the military generally.

Grace became the catalyst for Mugabe’s downfall. Labelled “DisGrace” or “Gucci Grace” on account of

www. EleutheraNews . com the leadership of the ZANU-PF party to accept that it is not entitled to rule Zimbabwe forever.

However, nothing in General Chiwenga’s past, or in the record of Emmerson Mnangagwa, suggests that they are willing to allow party political contention and free and fair general elections. Mnangagwa has returned to Zimbabwe from which he fled after Mugabe fired him.

So too has Morgan Tsvangirai, who arguably, won the 2008 Presidential election against Mugabe when Chiwenga intervened, insisting on a second round from which Mugabe was declared winner amid violence and brutality against Tsvangirai himself and thousands of his supporters.

But, Tsvangirai – even though he used to be supported by Western nations – now lacks the capacity to galvanise a united opposition. Those with a vested interest in Zimbabwe won’t back a horse likely to fail.

The more likely scenario is that Mnangagwa, whose own record of brutality and violence is well known, will be named to take charge of the government until the ZANU-PF convention next month when he will become the party’s undisputed leader, and its candidate for the 2019 elections. Of course, he will retain the support of Chiwenga, and the military and the ZANU-PF will remain in control.

Mugabe’s autocratic rule may be over in Zimbabwe, but the country’s politics and economy remain deeply troubled.

Caribbean peoples need look no further for good reason to ensure that democracy and the rule of law are respected and valued in their own societies.

her widely-reported love of shopping and extravagant living, Grace Mugabe enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks the ZANU-PF in the last two years, promoted by a besotted Mugabe who is 41 years her senior. The old adage, ‘there’s no fool like an old fool’ came to pass. The prospect of her becoming President over Mnangagwa was too far a stretch for the Chiwenga and the military.

Governments around the world have not condemned what is effectively a military coup. That is a measure of the relief felt by many at the toppling of Mugabe, who at the beginning, was a hero to Africa, although he was always disliked by Western governments.

Normally, condemnation would have been ringing around the world with demands for corrective action against “the state of correction”. The coup would have been called by its name and its perpetrators denounced.

Not so with the Mugabe coup. The US government said it “does not take sides in matters of internal Zimbabwean politics and calls for an expedient transition to democratic, civilian order”. The British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, was equally not condemnatory, saying: “I hope that Zimbabwean politicians will take this opportunity, remembering that their country has so many strengths that even Mugabe has failed to tarnish it irreparably”.

In reality, Zimbabwe’s political and economic problems are most unlikely to improve with the ignominious end of Mugabe’s rule and the termination of Grace’s ambitions to replace him.

The hope that the ‘path to legitimate government is now open’ or that there will Responses and previous commentaries: be an ‘expedient transition to democratic, www.sirronaldsanders.com civilian order’ depends on a willingness by

Perspective

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

Grace Mugabe:

An Alternative View

By Joy-Dee Davis Lake (Joy-Dee Davis Lake is the Deputy Head of Mission of the Antigua and Barbuda Embassy in the US. She is a graduate of UWI and the Fletcher School of Law and diplomacy. Her article appears at the request of regular columnist Sir Ronald Sanders. The views expressed are her own) Contrary to popular assertions, Grace Mugabe was not the undoing of her husband, Robert. He was his own undoing.

From time immemorial, the tendency has been to blame women for the fall of great men. For instance, it is widely highlighted by the Christian faithful that Eve tempted Adam to eat of the fruit of life. Less emphasized is the fact that Adam could have said ‘no thank you’. A further instance is the vilification of Delilah for bringing about the capture of Sampson. Little mention is made of the fact that Sampson kept going back to her after she twice tied him up and called the Philistines.

In the case of the Mugabes, there has been no end to popular indignation that Grace married a man that was forty-one years her senior. The implication of course, was that she was exploiting his old age and maximizing her younger attributes. But what woman can honestly claim that at twenty-seven, she would have been able to resist the advances of an older, eloquent, Gucci-bag -offering, very much vaunted freedom-fightingliberator who, every day, stopped by her typewriter to say hello?

Of more damning significance is that Robert Mugabe lured into a relationship, a woman young enough to be his granddaughter. The adage ‘you make your bed, you lie in it’ came to pass.

From many accounts, Grace has been held as the person responsible for the ruin of the lives of many Zimbabweans. But when Grace and Bob married, he had already

The Eleutheran | Nov/Dec 2017

29

of her husband. It was his duty as the elected begun his descent into despotism and eco- ladies of color of immense capability were official – the President- to ensure that he and encouraged not to appear in the political limenomic mismanagement. He was described light or to seek an influential role.

One such the members of his family were unimpeachby South African icon, Bishop Desmond able. And it was his neglect of that duty that example is Michelle Obama who, in her own Tutu, as ‘a cartoon of the archetypal Afriright, is a brilliant, Princeton and Harvardspawned a corrupt and uncouth first lady. can dictator’. educated lawyer and was Barack Obama’s We should avoid continuing the mind-set Who is responsible to the electorate? that has ensnared mankind for time immemosupervisor at a leading law-firm.

However, The elected! That was Robert, not Grace when white wives of other presidents pursue rial and that has made women the villains, and Mugabe. Who should ensure that members of the presidential family do not make prof- office, it is cheered, and presented as irrevoca- men their unsuspecting dupes. its from the country’s diamond mines? The bly shattering the glass ceiling that limits the Blame, for sure, rests at Grace’s President, Robert Mugabe! He should have political life of women.

Ferragamo’d heels, but it more rightly and There is no question that Grace Mugabe ensured that Grace did not use her position ran amok in Zimbabwe and abroad.

But she squarely resides in Robert Mugabe’s aging as his wife to unfairly seize, and convert could have only done so with the tacit consent lap. to her own use, the property of others in violation of the rule of law. He should windows. have stopped her conspicuous consumption, It only takes a hole the size particularly in the face of ‘the catastrophic Some holes are there for a of an American dime for a reason. These include the air mouse to gain entry. poverty that was blighting the people of vents in the kitchen or under Zimbabwe’. But Mugabe could not hold her the cupboards and plumbing Mice and roaches are to a standard that he himself did not uphold. pipes. probably the biggest problem Grace Mugabe did not introduce extravabecause they can squeeze gance to the Zimbabwean political elite, They shouldn’t be blocked, through the tiniest space. she simply got on a train that was already in but you can cap them with screen.

They can get into homes motion. through cracks or holes creIt makes little sense that a typist, who Rats and racoons get into the ated during repairs or instalspent four years studying the Chinese attic through the vents on the lations. The caulking around language and at the end of the four years underside of the roof boxing. an air conditioning system was still not proficient, could have naturally may rot and crumble, allowing aspired to be the president of any country.

Homes bordering wooded crawl space. lots are more likely to attract That ambition would have had to be continuracoons. Their natural habitat Millipedes, centipedes and ously stoked by something. Or someone. in New Providence has shrunk, roaches can climb up drain That someone was Robert, acting in his own SAY GOODBYE pipes as well, into sinks and and they’re forced to forage self-interest. For him, it made perfect sense, for avocado pear, mango and bathtubs. that if Grace Mugabe became President of TO guava or any other fruit in

By Mike Lightbourn Zimbabwe, he would not be prosecuted for There are steps you can take season.

While they look cuddly, to prevent these pests from his many violations of the law, including racoons, like any wild animal, breaking into your home.

Pests are a big turn off to the use of violence and murder to quell and can become aggressive when home buyers. stifle opposition.

PESTS

To make sure that she was an academically qualified presidential candidate, he, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, awarded her a doctoral degree in Sociology two months after she entered the program. Whose action was that? The silly young woman may have wanted it, but the powerful, though desperate, man delivered it.

Profligacy and thievery aside, Grace’s foray into politics was curiously met by Western onlookers with scornful assertions that she was “very ambitious”. Maybe. But, while she is pilloried for ambition beyond her experience and knowledge, other first

I’m talking about roaches, frogs and even centipedes.

And millipedes Every so often, a home owner may come across one of these unwanted pests, regardless of how clean or well maintained their home is.

Heavy rain tends to drive roaches, millipedes and centipedes into homes.

Mice, rats and even racoons can get into homes year round through cracks, holes and torn screens.

If you’re having work done at your home, make sure everything is sealed afterwards. This applies to all types of work - electrical, plumbing, roof or window repairs or appliance installations.

A door sweep will prevent mice, roaches or ants from coming in under the door.

Weather stripping can be used to seal the sides.

Keep sinks plugged, especially in the rainy season.

SCREEN FOR TEARS Check your screens for tears and seal any cracks around the

handled. Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone.

Cover attic vents with heavy mesh screen to maintain the air flow, but keep creatures out.

If holes in your home serve a purpose, it should be pretty obvious. They’ll be spaced at intervals. If in doubt, consult a professional.

Questions? Email me at info@cbbahamas.com (Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty)

A SPICE MEDIA GROUP (SMG) PUBLICATION Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, The Bahamas.

MAN. DIR. / CO-Pub

Dr. V. J. Bryan, PhD, (Research/Write)

CONSULTING EDITOR

Theresa Burrows

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1 (242) 422-9350 email / website services@TheEleutheran.com editor@TheEleutheran.com www.EleutheraNews.com

fax/landline

1 (242) 332-2993 The Eleutheran, P. O. Box EL-25166, Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera, The Bahamas.

Elizabeth Bryan, BBA (Photo/Writer) editor@TheEleutheran.com asst copy editor

Andrew Burrows, Ronald Sanders contributing writers

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Safyha Bryan Stamped: November 24, 2017 8:33 AM

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

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

Current Issue Nov/Dec. 2017 Size: 40 Pages; ==

We appreciate members of the community reaching out to us daily and invite you to contact us at 422-9350. A Proud Supporter of: Community, Business, Young Entrepreneurs, Builders, Bahamas Public Schools, Community Organizations..Eleuthera

30

National

www. EleutheraNews . com

11/12 2017

PM Minnis to Appoint Deliverables Unit

Begins Fulfilling Promise of Quarterly Meetings with Cabinet Ministers

By Matt Maura (BIS)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Minnis Administration will establish a Deliverables Unit that will be responsible for tracking projects and initiatives set out and agreed to by the Prime Minister, Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Anthony Newbold said Tuesday (November 14).

Office of DPP to Serve as a ‘Deterrent’ to Official Corruption

By Matt Maura (BIS) NASSAU, The Bahamas – The creation of an Independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will be one of the most important advances in the modern Bahamas in combating official corruption as it puts public officials, both elected and non-elected, on “notice” that if they engage in corrupt practices, they will face legal consequences, Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis told Parliament Thursday.

The Independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is to be staffed by independent professionals.

“This is a new day for The Bahamas,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “The creation of this Office is one of the most important advances in the modern Bahamas in combating official corruption which became rampant in our country.

“For too long, we have turned a blind eye to official corruption which has drained our country of many hundreds of millions, if not more, of public funds. Official corruption retards and hin-

The Unit will also be responsible for establishing timelines for the completion of those projects and initiatives set out by the Prime Minister and will have the further responsibility for “various ministers and ministries.”

The establishment of the Deliverables Unit is part of the Minnis Administration’s overarching plan to ensure that good governance and accountability remain key priorities of its administration.

ders national development and our progress as a country.

“The massive corruption of the last five years was a shameful, national disgrace which should never be allowed to happen again in our country. This critical legislation is designed to serve as a deterrent. It is designed to limit and to prosecute such corruption,” Prime Minister Minnis added.

Prime Minister Minnis said that, in his welcome remarks at a recent Commonwealth Law Ministers and Senior Officials Meeting held in New Providence, he told delegates that corruption is a crime and a violation of public trust.

“Moreover, the net effect of corruption is to siphon off valuable state resources that could be used to assist in development and improve the lives of citizens. I stated that we are amending our Constitution to enshrine the Office of an Independent Director of Public Prosecutions – which was one of the recommendations of our Constitutional Commission and one of the commitments made by this Government.

“I also stated that I was proud to announce that one of the pillars of my Administration’s governing mandate was ‘no tolerance’ for official corruption. We are demonstrating that such activities will be vigorously investigated, prosecuted and punished,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

“Good governance and accountability are hallmarks of this government of Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis,” Press Secretary Newbold said Tuesday during his regular weekly press briefing.

“This Unit will be handpicked and will be a combination of the best and brightest minds from the public and private sectors.”

The Unit is expected to begin its work as early as January 2018.

Press Secretary Newbold further reported that the Prime Minister has begun to fulfill his promise of quarterly meetings with individual Cabinet Ministers with a view to assessing the work of individual ministries while helping to improve the effectiveness of each ministry in carrying out the Government’s policies.

The decision is part of the Minnis Administration’s programme of reform and transformation in governance as foreshadowed in the Speech From the Throne during the Opening of Parliament (May 2017).

As part of the programme of transformation and reform, each government ministry will be asked to develop a multi-year plan with clear, annual, metrics for that ministry, and in keeping with available finances and resources.

“These plans will be developed by senior staff and technical officers in each ministry in accordance with my Government’s Manifesto commitments and related objectives. These plans will be developed with reference to the National Development Plan. My Ministers will be held accountable for these plans,” Prime Minister Minnis said at the time of the announcement.

Prime Minister Minnis has already met with Cabinet Ministers the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd (Minister of Education); the Hon. Romauld Ferrreira (Minister of the Environment and Housing) and the Hon. Lanisha Rolle (Minister of Social Services and Urban Development).

RIGHTS BAHAMAS: A great

leap forward for human rights press release Rights Bahamas commends automatic citizenship pledge but calls on gov’t to revoke ultimatum for undocumented migrants The Minnis Administration is to be commended for its timely, just and progressive decision to grant children of Bahamian women born outside the country automatic citizenship.

To say that this move is long overdue would be an understatement. The Bahamas continues to lag far behind international standards when it comes to the recognition of equal rights for all citizens, regardless of gender, class, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

However, this pledge represents a huge step in the right direction.

Rights Bahamas has long said that the fundamental lack of gender equality under the law could be remedied through the functions of Parliament and that constitutional amendments were not necessary. Previous administrations lacked the courage to tackle this issue head on, instead opting to hold national referenda which, under the political circumstances, were bound to be hijacked by peddlers of fear and misinformation.

We applaud and thank Prime Minister Minnis for his bold and decisive leadership on this issue, and fervently hope it is a sign of further milestones for human rights under his administration.

Unfortunately, this achievement has been marred by the government’s bizarre and stubborn persistence on an illegal, immoral and counterproductive course when it comes to the question of undocumented migration.

The December 31 ultimatum that all individuals without status leave the country or face a harsh crackdown by the authorities threatens to contravene the constitutional rights of thousands of individuals, break up families to

the detriment of innocent children, and wreak havoc on the rule of law.

Every individual in The Bahamas has a fundamental right to liberty and freedom of movement; to be considered innocent of any crime until proven guilty by a court of law; and to appropriate legal representation when accused of a crime. Violations of the Immigration Act are not immune from these protections.

People cannot be rounded up like cattle and forced to prove their right to be in the country or face summary deportation. Immigration officers have no right to demand proof on anything from anyone and they are certainly acting in gross violation of the law when they detain any individual for failure to produce ‘papers’. There is a proper and legal way to enforce the Immigration Act. This government’s policy is not it.

It is unfathomable that the Minnis administration would on the one hand, act as the agent of unprecedented progressive change and on the other, replicate the highhanded and repressive behavior of the worst authoritarian regimes around the world.

Even as we praise the government for one decision, we feel the need to warn them, once again, that the world is watching. The international community will not take well to this dictatorial immigration ultimatum and the reputation of The Bahamas will suffer as a result.

The country suffered numerous black eyes of this kind under the previous PLP administration. It would be a terrible shame if this trend were to continue under a government that clearly has the potential to be a historic agent for change.

Rights Bahamas calls on the Minnis Administration to clearly and unequivocally back off from this ill-conceived brinksmanship, before it is too late.

Perspective

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

robots Harbour, I am accustomed to the idea that we all know each other, which makes living uncomplicated, and the need for a constant display of multiple forms of IDENTIFICATION is not needed. However, we want to be ‘First World’ and fully integrated into the rest of the world.

But at what cost?

Technology has certainly propelled us into the fast lane of life, and to think that it will not affect how we live and relate to each other is wishful thinking. But we need to take a step back and see where we have come from, so that we may have a better understanding of where we are going. When I was a teenager, home telephone and fuzzy television was the ‘novelty’ of the day, and it was a privilege to use or By: Andrew L. Burrows sit and watch. Today, all of the electronics that were in development andrewburrows1@gmail.com in the 1960’s are now available in miniature form along with multiple new ones in a single instrument we Having grown up in this small all know as a Cell Phone. Today evisland community of Governor’s

ery child entering public school is familiar with the latest gadgets and think that they always existed. Have you ever asked yourself why over the last two thousand years everything has remained unchanged until the most recent 150 years?

In the Bible we are given a number of clues that point out to us that we are reaching the climaxing point in the period in which us humans have been allowed to govern our affairs on this earth. God destroyed the generation before the ‘FLOOD’ as He described it as being corrupted by demonic forces.

In the final chapter of the book of Daniel it says that in the latter days men shall run here and there and ‘knowledge’ shall be increased. We are living in that time! The rapid development of technology in our time has outpaced all history. But you have to ask the question, ‘are we better off’?

What must be noted and seriously considered is how this in-

BAHAMAS AVIATION COUNCIL assemble to proactively plan INDUSTRY’S FUTURE press release

NASSAU, Bahamas – November 20, 2017 – Earlier this month The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) in conjunction with several aviation industry partners that makes up the Bahamas Aviation Council, convened at the Nassau Airport Development Company’s office (NAD) to collectively unify its body, strengthen cohesiveness and proactively strategize for the future.

The Council, led by Charles Albury, Permanent Secretary, MOTA included representatives of the MOTA’s (Nassau and USA offices), NAD, Bahamas Departments of Customs, Immigration and Civil Aviation, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Out Island Promotion Board, Bahamas Flying Ambassadors, AOPA, Fernandez Bay Village, Grand Bahama Airport Company, Aviation Professionals Agency, ATM Operations, Caribbean Sky Tours, Cherokee Air, Jet Aviation, Odyssey Aviation, Tropic Ocean Airways, BTC, Bahamas Air Navigational Services, and BAATO. Rick Asper, President of Aviation Professionals Agency was appointed Council Chairman and was charged by Permanent Secretary Albury, to write a white paper that addresses the number one challenge pilots coming to The Bahamas face; the constitution of commercial flying verses private fly-

ing into The Bahamas as interpreted by the Bahamas Customs and that of the Department of Civil Aviation.

According to Captain Greg Rolle, pilot and Sr. Director of Sports and Vertical Markets, MOTA, “aviation plays a pivotal role in our overall success in tourism. With The Bahamas’ 700 islands scattered over 100,000 square miles, it is important for us to ensure that we have the adequate systems, protocols and resources in place to not only grow our number one industry, particularly in our family Out Islands that are unable to accommodate larger commercial aircrafts, but also for us to maintain our competitive edge as a multiple islands vacation destination and simultaneously, protect the sustainability and longevity of this vital industry.”

“In order for us to do that, we have to be unified in our approach of not only addressing pressing concerns, but ensuring that proper plans are in place to mitigate against or stop entirely, any fallouts arising from same,” he said.

In 2016 The Bahamas received 81,607 private pilots. Of them, 3,669 went to Grand Bahama, while the Out Islands received some 50,523 pilots.

The revenue per person generated from guests arriving to the islands by private planes doubles that of those visiting as guests on commercial aircraft.

Among some of the matters being

The Eleutheran | Nov/Dec 2017

creased technical advancement is impacting us as humans. When you enter a public place of business it was assumed by my generation that it was to your advantage to know everyone and to be familiar with those who you met, so being friendly and respectful was considered an asset.

Today, no one needs to know you, just have your Birth and Marriage certificates, your Driver’s License, National Insurance Card, your Passport and Police Record and who cares who you are!

When you fail to honour and respect each other as fellow humans, made in the Image and Likeness of God our Creator, you demean your status to that of a Robot, you are now a ‘THING’. A mechanical Robot has higher value than you because it has a purchase price, you have none. When the Bahamas was a Colony of Great Britain the taking of another human life was classified as ‘Murder’ and was punished by the ‘Death Penalty’. Today, we as an ‘independent’ country still have the ‘Death Penalty’ in our law, but it is not enforced, because the same supposedly superior overlords who hanged hundreds of murderers when they ruled will no longer allow that law to be upheld.

worked on by the Aviation Council are the improvement in revenue collection for The Bahamas, cross training for The Bahamas government agencies (Customs, Immigration and Civil Aviation), computerization of AOE forms for pilots, creation of annual aircraft decal fees versus per visit entry fees, Enhanced Online Customs Procedures (EOCP), general aviation traffic and the tracking of U.S. aircrafts coming into The

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Modern Technology has replaced the human character and that is why in the last book of the Bible we are told that people will worship ‘The Beast’ and ‘His Image’.

How do you worship an image?

Most people would agree that to bow down to an image that is proclaimed to represent a ‘god’ is the way to worship what it represents.

An image can be anything! Paying reverence to any object that is devised by man is idolatry! Why? Because the God who created all heaven and Earth declared that He, and Him alone is to be worshiped by us Humans that are made in His likeness. We are to show respect to each of our fellow humans without prejudice.

Today’s robotics is reducing the value of human life, and we are paying for it! You are being reduced to a ‘Number’. As we depend more and more on the speed and ability of this ever changing technology, we are being conditioned for destruction. During the last World War in the death camps of Germany all the prisoners were issued numbers, as all personal property was stolen, even their names. That was then.

Where are we heading now?

Bahamas, enhancement of border protection and security operations, database development for future budgeting and marketing, scholarship opportunities for Young Eagles and aviation students and the formulation of a standardized ‘Pilots Bills of Rights’ between all Bahamian airports.

The Council will reconvene on February 8, 2018 at a venue to be determined.

IDB Mission Team Paid Courtesy Call on Minister of Financial Service

NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Mission Team paid a courtesy call on Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration the Hon. Brent Symonette, November 20, 2017 at the Ministry’s Offices. Pictured are Minister Symonette and IDB Country Representative Mrs. Florencia Attademo-Hirt. In group photo, Minister Symonette and Mrs. Attademo-Hirt are accompanied by Ministry officials including Permanent Secretary Sherylee Smith (fourth left), and Financial Services Unit Project Manager Tanya Murray (second left). From the IDB are, l-r: Florencia Cabral (first left), Miguel Porrua (third left), Mrs. Attademo-Hirt (centre right), Juan Vieyra, Alexandre Veyrat-Pontet (Bahamas Office), Mario Castaneda (Bahamas Office), and Alejandro Pareja. (BIS Photos/Derek Smith)

32

Crime News

11/12 2017

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.

POLICING ACTIVITIES HARBOUR ISLAND, ELEUTHERA Reported Traffic Accident At about 9:20 pm on Tuesday 24th of October, 2017 the Police at Governor’s Harbour reported investigating a Traffic Accident that occurred along Queen’s Highway in the area of James Cistern, South of Rainbow Bay involving a Silver Honda Accord that was driven by an Adult male, of Eleuthera Island Shores, It is believed that the driver was proceeding south along Queen’s Highway in the area of James Cistern when he apparently lost control of the vehicle and crash into the bushes on the western side of the road. The driver sustained serious injuries to his right leg, and upper body. He was transported to the Hatchet Bay Clinic where he received medical attention and later transported to New Providence for further medical evaluation due to the severity of injuries sustained. The vehicle was extensively damaged.

Suspect Charge - Tuesday 24th October 2017 at 11:30am Sgt 2495 Sands while at the GHPS charge an Adult male of Tarpum Bay with one count of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He was transported to New Providence where he appeared before the Magistrate’s Court, pleaded guilty and was fined.

Arrest reference to Warrant Of Arrest - At about 12:30am on the 25/10/17 Officer of the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in at the Governor’s Harbour police station with an Adult male of Hatchet bay under arrest and reported where he was arrested while at his residence at about 12:00am on the 25/10/17 reference to Warrant of Arrest . Suspected was later transported to the Magistrate’s Court, New Providence for Disposition reference to a Domestic Matter.

Police Information Report At about 2:11 pm on Wednesday 25th October 2017 an Adult Female of Ocean View Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera came into the GHPS and reported that her windows had gotten stolen from the Public Dock Cupid’s Cay Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera they were there from March 2017 They were placed in front of Paul Simmons Building located on the Dock The contractor was not ready for them so he went back in September 2017 and one of the two crates was missing. The windows measure 37 inches by 58 inches were a tinted green and brand name was A.W.P. Arrest Reference to Immigration Purposes - At about 6:12 pm on Wednesday 25th October 2017, the crew of Eskimo #3 Officer from the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an Adult male of Governor’s Harbour & Port-Aux-Paix Haiti, under arrest for Immigration Purposes.

He was arrested at about 5:40 pm while in the area of Queen’s Highway, Sky Beach after he was unable to produce any docu-

mentation to verify his status. He appeared to be in good health.

Arrest Reference to Dangerous Drugs - At about 8:45 pm on Wednesday 25th October 2017, the crew of Officers from the Governor’s Harbour Police station in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an Adult male of Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera under arrest for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He was arrested at 8:25 pm whilst in the area of Queen’s Highway Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. He appeared to be in good health. The suspect was processed and released on bail pending arraignment in the Magistrate’s Court.

Arrest reference to Stealing, Receiving and unlawfully Carrying Arms - Particulars: At about 6:30pm on the 26/10/17, Officers from the Governor’s Harbour Police Station came in at the Governor’s Harbour police station with a suspect, an Adult male of Gregory Town, under arrest and reported where he was arrested by Sgt Sands at about 5:59pm on the 26/10/17 while in Gregory Town in the area of Seven Eleven food store in reference to stealing& receiving.

A search was conducted of his person which resulted in the finding of a black handle, black blade folding knife in the waist of his pants.

He was subsequently cautioned reference to unlawfully carrying arms as well.

Results/Action Taken: The suspect was later processed and charged with the Offences. He subsequently appeared before the Magistrate’s Court, New Providence where he was formally charged, he plead guilty and was sentenced to Sixteen Months at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Police Warning Request & Executed - Particulars: At 3:55am on Saturday October 28th 2017, an adult Female of Gregory Town Eleuthera reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that her ex-boyfriend is stalking and harassing her, she requested Police assistance in having him warned to leave her alone.

Action Take/Results: At 4:00am 28/10/2017 the Police at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station saw and spoke to an Adult male of Gregory Town Eleuthera, he was informed of the complaint made and warned to avoid contact with the complainant.

Police Warning Request & Executed - Particulars: At 4:22am on Saturday October 28th 2017, an adult female of Palmetto Point Eleuthera reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that while parked at Anchor Bay in Governor’s Harbour, her ex-boyfriend of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, approached her while she was sitting in her vehicle and attempted to shatter her vehicle’s glass window with a bottle and in addition made threats towards her. She requested that he be warned to leave her alone.

Action Take/Results: At 5:01am on the 28/10.2017 while at Palmetto Point Cpl. 1930 Grant saw and spoke to the adult male of Palmetto Point, he was informed of the complaint made against him and warned accordingly.

Road Traffic Accident - On Saturday 28th October 2017 at1:40pm an adult male of Lower Bogue contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station via Phone and reported that his rental car that he rented to a male was involved in a traffic accident in Gregory Town near The Cove in the area of the Salt Pond. The vehicle involved is a Dodge Caravan white in color, Police Assistance

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

requested.

At 1:50pm an adult male of Harbour Island contacted the station via phone and reported that he was the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident, he stated that he loss control on the curve and collided with a tree.

At about 510.pm on 28/10/2017 Officers investigated the traffic accident that occurred along queen’s high way in the area of Gregory Town near the cove resort involving a White 2005 Grand Caravan, the driver stated he was proceeding South along queen’s in area of Gregory Town near the Cove Resort when on reaching a curve he lost control of vehicle and crashed into a coconut tree extensively damaging vehicle. Investigations are ongoing.

Prowler on Premises - On Sunday 29th October 2017, at 9:15 am, an adult male of Sleep Shores Drive, Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera, contacted the GHPS and reported that sometime around 3:30 am on the above mentioned date while fast asleep at his residence he along with his wife was awoken by voices coming from the outside, when he went to investigate, he observed two (2) Males clad in dark hoodie shirts had already climb up onto the porch and was attempting to break into his home, however he shouted at them which caused them to flee on foot into the night. He is reporting same for Police Information.

Traffic Accident Report - At about 1:10 pm on Sunday 29-10-2017, Officers of the Governor’s Harbour Police Station visited the scene of a traffic accident where they observed a silver Honda Accord L/P overturned on the roof facing South in bushes about 20ft off the Main Highway, Governor’s Harbour, just North of Wykee’s World with extensive damages to the front and rear end. No other information could have been obtained at the time however an adult female of Gregory Town, was on the scene and stated that her nephew an adult male is the owner and driver of the said vehicle and had left to go to Nassau for medical attention due to injuries sustained.

Investigations are ongoing into this matter. police assistance requested On Monday 30th October 2017, at 10:30 am, an adult male of James Cistern, Eleuthera, came into the GHPS and reported that sometime around May 2017 he gave his Gold 2005 Teanna Vehicle to an adult male of Gregory Town Eleuthera to repair and the following morning he went back to find out how the repairs were going on the vehicle, he noticed that the battery was missing valued at $210.00 which he had purchased from Tacy’s Auto in Palmetto Point. He asked the mechanic about the battery and was told by him he had secured it. He saw him several times again and always had an excuse so two weeks ago he told him to bring the vehicle back to him but the battery was still missing Police assistance requested in this matter.

Police Assistance/Prowler On Premises: - At about 9:40 am an adult male of Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera

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

reported to the GHPS that he and his father had just arrived at a residence called “Coconut Cove” situated at Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera where his father is the Caretaker and met a dark male hiding in nearby bushes just west of the residence clad in short blue pants with a large yellow towel and barefoot. Police assistance requested.

As a result of the complaint the Police visited the scene where they saw and spoke to the complainant who gave additional information and pointed out a South Western door to a porch that had a slight tear. Checks were made of nearby bushes by officers mentioned with negative results also on checking the residence further it was discovered that a door was open so nothing appeared to be stolen at this time other than the yellow bath towel that the culprit was seen with that may be came from the closet inside. He reported this for Police information at this time.

Assault Report - Particulars: Sometime around 12:28am on the 1/11/17 an adult male of Palmetto Point came in at the Governor’s Harbour police station and reported where sometime around 11:30pm on the 31/10/17 while at his residence his wife attacked him hitting him about the body. He request immediate police action in this matter.

Investigations in this matter are ongoing.

Police assistance requested: At about 12:30am on the 1/11/17 an adult female of Gregory Town contacted the Governor’s Harbour police station via telephone and reported where her ex-boyfriend was at her residence causing a disturbance. She further reported where he stood at her bedroom window and reached through the window screen trying to get to her. She requested police assistance in having him warned to stay away from her residence.

At about 1:14am on the 1/11/17 the Police saw and spoke with the adult male of Gregory Town while at his residence informing him of a complaint made against him. He was warned accordingly and he complied saying he would avoid the location.

Police Warning - At about 8:45 am on Wednesday 1st November 2017, an Adult Female of Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera came to the Governor’s Harbour Police station and reported that an Ex- employee of a Local Resort situated on Banks road Palmetto Point have been saying to persons at work that he will mess her up . She requested Police assistance in having the male warned to cease such actions.

As a result of this complaint at about 10:00 am on the same date, the Police visited the Resort where they met with Managers of the resort. All were allowed to speak and the Managers complained about the male’s behaviour towards the complainants and other workers since his termination. When he spoke he admitted to this and stated that he was upset after being terminated and the amount of monies owed to him for about six (6) weeks work

Crime News

Online at www.EleutheraNews.com or pay to which was cut to (4) Four weeks and agreed upon by all parties concerned.

He was paid via transfer to his Bank Account in the presence of the Police. He apologized for his behaviour and was also warned accordingly. The area was left quiet.

Road Traffic Accident with Injury - An adult female of Hatchet Bay contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that her husband contacted her by phone and reported that a female crashed her vehicle into a tree in the area of Rainbow Bay Police and EMS assistance requested.

Action Taken: Sometime around 6:20am an adult male of Hatchet Bay, reported that he was travelling south on Queen’s Highway in the area of Rainbow Bay in the back of a white Honda vehicle. At the time it was raining and had been for some time.

Water had settled on the eastern side of the road. While in the back of the mentioned vehicle he noticed when the vehicle hit the water that had settled on the side of the road and as a result the vehicle lost control and collided into a tree on the western side of the road. He stated that he stopped and went to check on the driver who was conscious, had cuts about her body but mostly complained of severe neck pain. He told her not to move until help arrives.

At about 2:00pm the victim was airlifted to New Providence for further medical assistance. Investigations continue.

Attempted House Breaking Report - At 2:35pm an adult female of Governor’s Harbour reported to the Police that there is an alarm activation at a pink building complex located Queen’s Highway James Cistern North Police assistance requested.

At 2:43pm on 02/11/17 Officers made a check of the mentioned building and observed that the front western shutter to the middle complex was ripped open. It did not appear as if entry was gained. At about 3:35pm on 02/11/17 the Officers revisited the with the caretaker, he stated that when he last made a check of the building about two weeks ago the same was intact. Police action requested.

House Breaking and Stealing Report - Particulars: At 9:30am on Friday 3rd November 2017, an adult male of Ten Bay Eleuthera reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that between the hours of 9:00am and 9:25am on Friday November 3rd 2017 some unknown person/s broke and entered his residence through a north eastern bedroom window, entered the south eastern bedroom closet and stole some Cash in various denominations Police action requested.

The scene was later processed, investigations ongoing.

Assault & Threats of Death Warning & Assistance Request Particulars: At 11:53am on Friday 3rd November 2017, an adult female of Queen’s Highway Palmetto Point reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that sometime around 7:00am while at her place of residence she was approached by her ex-boyfriend an adult male of Palmetto point while she was exiting her vehicle he asked her for her vehicle and when she told him no, he slapped her and pulled her out of her vehicle and told her to call the Police and he will return her vehicle but she will only have seven days to live, She requested Police assistance in having her ex-boyfriend return her vehicle.

Action Taken: At 4:39pm Friday 3rd November 2017, the Police while at the

Governor’s Harbour Police Station saw and spoke to the adult male of Palmetto Point.

He was informed of the complaint made and warned accordingly, he was also made to give the complainant her vehicle.

Road Accident Report - Particulars: At 3:04pm on Saturday 4th November 2017, an anonymous caller contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station via telephone and reported that a Honda type vehicle had just ran off the road into nearby bushes on Queen’s Highway Hatchet Bay, Police assistance requested.

The Police at Hatchet Bay conducted investigations into this matter.

Road Accident Report with Injuries - Particulars: At 3:27pm on Saturday 4th November 2017, an anonymous contacted Governor’s Harbor Police Station and reported that a traffic accident had occurred on Queen’s Highway in the area Sky Beach Resort involving a single vehicle and four persons - it appeared that children are injured. Police assistance requested.

Action Taken/Results: 3:55pm, Officers reported arriving on scene and observed a light green vehicle facing in a south west direction with extensive right rear end damages stationary partially in bushes off the eastern road edge of Queen’s Highway. In addition a number of bystanders were observed standing in a clearing off the western road edge of Queen’s Highway attending to two children that were lying on the ground suffering from what appeared to be head injuries.

At 4:00pm, HACE Ambulance arrived on scene with medical staff from the Levy Medical Centre. Both victims were transported to the Levy Medical Centre in Governor’s Harbour.

The local Doctor attended to both victims and stated that both two adults both of Lower Bogue conditions are critical and will be referring them to New Providence for urgent medical attention.

The driver who identified himself as an adult male of Lower Bogue reported that sometime around 3:25pm while driving his vehicle north along Queen’s Highway between 45 and 50mph, with he reported taking his attention off the road for a minute to deal with his niece and nephew from fighting. And as a result he ran off the road along his left side and while attempting to get back onto Queen’s Highway he lost control of his vehicle and slid across the road and collided into a coconut tree off the eastern road edge, resulting in extensive rear right end damages.

At 7:47pm both victims were airlifted to New Providence c/o Air Ambulance Aircraft.

Investigations ongoing.

Threats of Harm At 11:20pm on Saturday 4th November 2017, an adult female of Queen’s Highway Palmetto Point reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that sometime around 10:15pm on 04/11/2017 while at the Governor’s Harbour Home Coming Site, Anchor Bay, her husband approached her and threaten to punch her head off and threaten to spit in her face. She is requesting Police Action.

Arrest Reference to Threats of Harm At 3:45am 05/11/17 Cpl.1930 Grant c/o Eskimo 2-9 in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an adult male of Palmetto Point under arrest in reference to Threats of Harm. He was processed and released on bail pending further investigations.

Suspect Arrested Ref: To Wounding - Sgt 79 Dean, while at Governor’s Harbour Police station at about

The Eleutheran | Nov/Dec 2017

11:35 am on today’s 6th November 2107, arrested an adult male of James Cistern Eleuthera in reference to a complaint made by an adult male of Eleuthera Island Shores on October 26th, 2107. He was reported arrested while at Governor’s Harbour Police Station. He appeared in good health Police assistance requested At about 1:50 pm on 6th November 2017 an Adult male contacted the GHPS and reported that a short time ago while in the area of a residence in James Cistern he heard a beating noise coming for a few minutes and heard a woman crying out for help on investigation. He noticed an adult male using an object was beating the unknown woman about the body, he tried to assist and the male wanted to attack him. He requested Police assistance as the lady seemed to have injuries.

As a result of this complaint at about 2:25 pm on the same date the Police visited the residence of the complainant situated on Queen’s Highway James Cistern both admitted to a domestic problem but the matter was resolved prior to the Police arrival both was spoken too accordingly and area left quiet THREATS OF DEATH At about 12:25pm on Tuesday November 7th 2017 an adult male reported to the GHPS via telephone that sometime around 11:00am he had a verbal altercation with his co-worker at the office and during that time the male threatened to kill him saying if I said anything about his mother he would Kill me.

“While I was not afraid I do not take threats lightly I am therefore requesting Police action in this matter.” Police action requested.

On Wednesday November 8th 2017 an Adult male of Tarpum Bay arrived at the Governor’s Harbour Police station where he was arrested in reference to a complaint made against him. Th suspect was processed and released this accused from custody pending further investigations.

Police Warning Requested: On Wednesday 8th November 2017, at about 5:20 pm, an adult female of White Town, Hatchet Bay, reported to the Hatchet Bay Police Station that her daughter, was being bullied by a young girl on the Central Eleuthera High School Bus. Police Warning requested.

On Wednesday 8th November 2017, at about 5:35 pm, the Police saw and spoke to the mother of the children with reference to the complaint at the Hatchet Bay Police Station. They were sternly warned to discontinue this behavior.

Harboring A Wanted Fugitive - Particulars are at about 11:30 am on Thursday November 9th 2017 The Police in at the G.H.P.S. with an adult male of Palmetto Point Eleuthera Bahamas and reported that he was cautioned and arrested at the Police headquarters Queen’s Highway Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera reference to “Harboring a fugitive.

Possession of Dangerous Drugs With Intent to Supply At about 11:00am on Thursday9th November 2017 the Police at Governor’s Harbour in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Unit in New Providence acting on information proceeded to an unoccupied residence in Governor’s Harbour where they discovered (77) bales of Suspected Marijuana.

On Thursday November 9th 2017 The Police in at Police Head Quarters with suspect two adult males of Governor’s Harbour under arrest in reference to Dangerous Drugs.

At 9:15am on Friday November 10th

33

2017 the Police in at Police Head Quarters with a suspect, an adult male of Governor’s Harbour under arrest in reference to Dangerous Drugs. The three suspects were transported to New Providence along with the mentioned Marijuana onboard a US Coast Guard Helicopter for processing. Two of the males were released, one male was formally arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court New Providence and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correction.

Road Accident Report - Particulars: At about 7:30pm on Sunday 12th November 2017 an adult female of Rock Sound came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that she was travelling North on Queen’s Highway almost in Hatchet Bay in a silver vehicle. She came upon a hill that also has a curve sometime around 6:20pm at about 35mph and when she broke the hill there was a huge cow in the road. As a result she didn’t have enough time to stop the vehicle and hit the cow which landed on the hood of the car damaging the same. The cow did not appear to be injured it got up and walked normally into nearby bushes.

Road Accident Report - At 7:35am an anonymous Female Caller contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported a Road Traffic Accident where a male was struck by a car in North Palmetto Point.

At 9:01pm the Police conducted enquires at the Levy Medical clinic where he saw and spoke to the victim an Adult male of Palmetto Point who reported that while walking with two friends in he was hit from a vehicle what came up behind him. He was then issued with a Police Hospital Form.

House Breaking Reported - At about 12:25 pm on Tuesday November 14th 2017 an adult male of James Cistern Eleuthera reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that he arrived on the Island a short time ago and when he arrived at this residence he discovered that the garage to his residence had been broken into he did not say if anything was stolen at this time. He did say he will be on the island until December 2017. Police assistance requested At about 4:00pm on 14/11/17 the Police visited the scene where he saw and spoke with the complainant who pointed out to the officer a southern garage door which was pried open and the culprits stole a variety of tools and a white Whirlpool Refrigerator valued at $579.00. He gave a written statement and requested police action in this matter.

Arrested reference to Breaching the Immigration Act, Harboring an Illegal Immigrant: Particulars: The Police and Immigration Officers in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with ten suspected Haitian nationals ref to breaching the Immigration Act). They were arrested in the communities of Palmetto Point and Governor’s Harbour.

On 16th November 2017 the immigrants were transported to New Providence and detained at the Detention Centre for further processing.

Arrest Reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs w/ Intent to Supply Particulars: At 3:39 pm on Wednesday November 15th 2017 Officers in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with a suspect, an adult male of Lower Bogue Eleuthera, under arrest in reference to posses-

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Crime News

11/12 2017

Police Reports Continued from pg. 33

sion of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

He was arrested at 1:00pm after finding a two packages of suspected marijuana on his person.

The suspect was subsequently processed and charge with the Offence. He was later released on Bail Pending Arraignment.

HARBOUR ISLAND REPORTS Threats of Harm Report - An adult female Coconut Grove Harbour Island came in at the Harbour Island Police Station sometime around 5:25Pm and reported that on Sunday the 5th of November 2017 while at work sometime around 12:31pm she received a call from a female who disguise her voice and contacted her cell phone from a privatize number and stated that “when she sees her she is going to throw acid on her and she needs to leave people man alone.” She is suspecting that a female whom she knows may be the one responsible for calling and threatening her or having persons to do it for her, because she is accusing her of being involved with her exboyfriend/baby daddy. Police action requested.

Assault report / Warning Requested - An adult female of Alice Street Harbour Island came to the H.I.P.S and reported that sometime on Saturday 4th November 2017 around 4:00am, while leaving “the house of pain” located on Bay Street next to the BPL Power Plan, her boyfriend, an adult male, of the same address came there and assaulted her by slapping her in the face a few times causing injuries and pain. She requested that he be warned to keep his hands off of her.

No further action requested.

Stealing Report / Police action requested - An adult male of Alice Street off Colebrooke Street Harbour Island came in to the H.I.P.S and reported that sometime on Friday 3rd November 2017 between 4pm to Saturday 4th November 2017 at about 7:30AM some unknown person(s) stole two marine batteries out of two of his golf carts total estimated at $350 which was parked in the front of his residence. Police action requested.

Assault / Police Warning Requested - An adult male of Colebrooke St Harbour Island, came in at the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that, On Friday 3/11/2017 sometime around 9:00pm, an adult male took the battery out of a Golf Cart he is in c/o for the Day Break Shipping Company without his consent and switch it with another battery also damaging wires in the process.

However he further stated that on 4/11/17, sometime around 4:45pm while driving along Colebrooke Street in the area of the Public Library he observed the accused traveling in the opposite direction where he beckoned to him to stop and later asked him “why he took the battery out of the golf cart he is in c/o and switch it with another battery what resulted in the accused becoming very hostile and violent towards him choking and attempting to hit him with a stone. The complainant requested that the suspect be warned to stay off his premises and away from him - also to keep the peace where ever he sees him.

Action Taken - Crew of Eskimo 1-6 D/ Cpl 3216 Patton D/Cpl 3652 Curry PC 3616 Austin left the Harbour Island Police Station and went in the area of Duncombe Street, reporting that the unit saw and spoke with the

complainant who pointed out the suspect in question who were in the streets with a piece of wood in his hand creating a disturbance.

The suspect was brought to the Harbour Island Police Station. While at the Police Station both persons were spoken to by D/Cpl 3652 Curry where the complainant stated that the suspect attacked him again striking him to the face with a piece of wood before the Police arrived on the scene. He further requested that the suspect be warned, he was later warned to keep the piece and to stay away from the complainant premises.

Police Warning Requested An adult female of Queen’s Highway Eleuthera came in at S3 and reported that her ex-boyfriend and baby daddy is constantly harassing her after she concluded their relationship some seven month ago, further reported that he also calls her phone making threatening remarks.

Police warning requested.

Action Taken - CPL 2448 Johnson reported that while at S3 saw and spoke with an adult male of Trianna Shores Harbour Island in the presence of the female complainant. He was warned to be of good behavior towards the complainant as requested and advised civil action as it relates to visiting his child with the complainant.

Disturbance Report: - An adult female of Trianna Shores contacted the Harbour Island Police Station via telephone and reported for her juvenile child of the same address, while leaving school, was approached by two (2) female students she knows, who made attempted to attack her and beat her about the body. She further stated that they were stopped by the victim’s sisters before any form of physical contact occurred.

Action Taken: - Sgt 234 Taylor c/o Eskimo 1-2 reported that sometime around 4:20Pm whiles in the area of Murray Street she saw and spoke with the father of the accused girls. He was informed of the complaint and to bring both of his daughters to Harbour Island Police Station.

Disturbance Report: - An adult female of Bay St. contacted the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that Friday 3/11/17 sometime around 4:00pm her cousin of Three Island dock Rd North Eleuthera were at her business establishment in Harbour Island creating a disturbance and making threats towards his brother. Police assistance/action requested.

Police Assistance/Warning An adult female of Alice St Harbour Island contacted the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on Friday 3/11/2017 sometime around 9:30pm while at her residence a male whom she knows attempted to chap her son over an altercation her kids and his kids had during school. Police assistance/warning requested.

Annoying Telephone Calls Arrest - At around 9:38am on Wednesday 1st November, 2017 an adult female of John Street, NP and Trianna Shores, Harbour Island came in at the Harbour Island Police Station where she was arrested and cautioned

by Sgt.234 Taylor in reference to an annoying phone call report made by a female. The suspect was interviewed under caution and charged with the offence.

Disorderly Behavior/ Obscene Language - Particulars: An adult female of Duke and Bay St. Harbour Island contacted the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while in the area of Bay Street his cousin was creating a disturbance acting disorderly, cursing in the streets and using abusive language towards him. Police action requested.

Crew of Alpha Eskimo 1 A.S.P N. Rolle and Inspector K. Farquharson arrested the in

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reference to Disorderly Behavior and Obscene Language.

Causing Harm Arrest - Particulars: On Tuesday 31st October, 2017 at 9:15 am an adult female of Barrack Street, Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station where she was arrested and cautioned by Cpl.3471 Mckenzie in reference to a Causing Harm. The suspect was interviewed under cautioned where she admitted to the offence. She was subsequently charged with Causing Harm C/S 135(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 84. She was released on bail in the sum of $1,500.00 to appear in Magistrate Court on 19.11.17 at 9:30 am.

Annoying Telephone Calls Report - Particulars: On Tuesday at about 9:59 am an adult female of Colebrooke Street, Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on Monday 30th October, 2017 she started receiving calls from an un known number. She further reported that the caller is not saying anything but she can hear her boyfriend in the background. She further reported that she suspects that a female known who had a past relationship with her boyfriend is responsible. Police warning requested.

Property Dispute Particulars: On Tuesday at about 10:05am a female contacted the Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that her brother has blocked the entrance to her other brother’s apartment building preventing access. Police assistance requested.

Action Taken - Crew of Alpha Eskimo #2 ASP.N Rolle and Insp. Farquaharson saw and spoke to an adult male in reference to the complaint made which is an ongoing property dispute amongst siblings. ASP Rolle advised him to speak with his attorney regarding resolution in court. He declined to take heed and stated that he would continue constructing the wall.

Threat of harm report Police warning requested Particulars: On Tuesday 31/10/17 at about 9:38pm an adult male of Coconut Grove Avenue came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while at his residence his brother made threatening remarks towards him while holding a cutlass and two rocks in his hand after an exchange of words causing him to run away. Police warning requested.

Action/Taken - On same date at about 10:00pm D/Cpl 3216 Patton saw and spoke with the accused and warned him of the complaint made, and told him to be of good behavior towards his brother - all left in order.

Assault report / Police warning requested Particulars: On Monday 30/10/17 at about 6:45pm an adult male of Dunmore Street Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while through Colebrooke Alley Harbour Island a man whom he knows of Harbour Island came up to him and struck him with a piece of wood to his left forearm after an exchange of words between them both. Police warning requested Action taken - On same date Cpl 2448 Johnson reported that saw and spoke with the accused of Dunmore Street Harbour Island while at his residence he was warned to be of good behavior towards the complainant as requested.

Suspect interviewed / Reference to Burglary Particulars: On Monday 30/10/17 Cpl 2448 Johnson conducted an interview under caution of the suspect, an adult male, of Duncan Lane Harbour Island in reference to Burglary while at the Harbour Island police station where he denied all knowledge of the offense.

The suspect was taken into police custody.

Burglary Report Particulars: On Sunday 29th October 2017 at about 8:55 am an adult male c/o a ‘named’ property, Harbour Island came in to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between 9:30 pm on Saturday 28.10.17 and 7:00 am on Sunday 29.10.17 some unknown person/s entered his rental home and stole seven U.S hundred dollar bills from his black laptop bag, six U.S hundred dollar bills and $100.00 in assorted Bahamian bills from his black wallet. He further reported that both his wallet and laptop bag were on a chair next to the dining room table. Police action requested.

Arrest reference to Burglary Particulars: On Sunday 29/10/17 Crew of Eskimo 16 consisting of Cpl 2448 Johnson and P/C 3541 Duncombe came in at Harbour Island Police Station with the suspect, an adult male of Duncan Lane Harbour Island, and reported that P/C 3541 Duncombe arrested and cautioned the suspect while on Duncan Lane in reference to Burglary. The suspect appeared to be well with no complaints and was taken in to Police custody.

Police Assistance Requested Particulars: On Friday 27.10.17 at about 3:30pm an adult female of Duke Street, Harbour Island contacted the Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that a female of New Providence posted a photograph on Facebook of her 18 year old son and made derogatory comments about him. Police warning requested.

Action Taken - Sgt.234 Taylor spoke with the accused via Facebook messenger where she was sternly warned of her behavior and advised to remove the photograph along with any derogatory comments. Same was done. All left in order.

Arrest reference to Stealing Particulars: On Friday 27/10/17 at about 5:27pm Crew of Eskimo 16 consisting of Cpl 2448 Johnson and R/C 118 Davis came in at Harbour Island Police Station with the suspect, a male of Barrack Street Harbour Island and reported that the suspect was arrested and cautioned while at his residence reference to stealing. The suspect appeared to be well with no complaints and remains in Police custody.

Investigations continue.

Suspect arrested reference to Stealing - On Friday 27/10/17 at about 6:00pm Cpl 2448 Johnson reported that while at Harbour Island Police Station he arrested and cautioned the suspect, a juvenile, of Barrack Street Harbour Island at the time the suspect’s Mother was present and she was informed of the reason for his arrest. The suspect was taken in to Police custody. Investigations continue.

Police Information Particulars: Information received from Sgt 2495 Sands c/o Governors Harbour Police Station that a caller contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station sometime around 8:45pm and reported that her aunt who is visiting Eleuthera has sent her photos of a broken wine glass and pills stating that she is going to kill herself.

Inspector K. Farquharson Informed and enquires and investigations in the matter started throughout the Island of Eleuthera.

Found Property An adult female of Harbour Shores came in at Harbour Island Police Station sometime around 2:00pm and reported that he found a silver I-phone with a black battery pack attached value unknown. Same was reported as Police Information.

E d u c a t i o n B ea t New Junior Local Government Council Voted In At CEHS Online at www.EleutheraNews.com

| 11/12 2017

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Pictured: MP Mr. Hank Johnson congratulating young Hadassah Lockhart after being sworn in.

Nine enthusiastic student leaders at the Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS) were installed in their positions as Junior Councilors, on Monday morning, November 6th, 2017 as the new local government junior council at the school, during a ceremony held at the school premises.

The new junior council included; Chief Councilor - V’anntae Johnson, Deputy Chief Councilor - Donovan Seymour, Secretary - Malika Williams, Wallecia Allen, Dashae Clarke, Hadassah Lockhart, Wadainya Weinburger, Elshauna Gibson, and Tyler Sealy. Some of the ideas the young group had to make an impact within their school community going forward were the addition of a ‘birdhouse’ library on campus, and conducting a series of cleanup campaigns within surrounding communities.

Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, Mr. Hank Johnson, as well as proud father of Jr. Chief Councilor, V’anntae Johnson, took time out to congratulate the new council members, saying, “To create a better Eleuthera, and a better community, it’s going to take young people like you to make the difference.

Know that it’s not always going to be an

easy road, it’s going to get tough sometimes and you are going to be criticized, but you must persevere and continue to believe in yourself.” He threw out the challenge to the young people elected to continue to work closely with the District Council and to accomplish the goals they set out to achieve.

Guest speaker during the swearing in ceremony was Administrator Gilbert Kemp, who also encouraged the new council members to be upright, up front and honest in all that they did, before calling them up to conduct the formal honours of installing the new Junior councilors within their new roles. Mrs. Mechelle Walker, History teacher at the school serves as the local government junior council coordinator, and Mrs. Caroline Rolle, Family Life teacher with CEHS serves as the assistant coordinator.

The local government junior council program was piloted in 2009 in Abaco, and coordinators have been implementing it in schools throughout the islands since then.

Members of the Central Eleuthera local

Pictured: Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Mr. Gilbert Kemp addressing the audience during the swearing in ceremony.

Pictured: New CEHS Local Government Junior Council members, stand with program coordinators, Mrs. Mechelle Walker, and Ms. Caroline Rolle (right), as well as Local Councilors from the Central Eleuthera District Council, including Chairman, Mr. Roderick Pinder (center right). MP for Central and South Eleuthera, Mr. Hank Johnson also stands with the students (on left), along with Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Mr. Gilbert Kemp (center).

government district council, including Chief Councilor, Mr. Roderick Pinder, and Deputy Chief Counselor, Mrs. Dina Johnson, were also in attendance at the

installation ceremony in full support of the new junior officers, and shared their desire to work with the young group.

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Island “Buzz”

Nov/Dec 2017

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Youth awards gala banquet Makes A Splash in Central Eleuthera

Honoures, along with their family members, friends and well-wishers were all out in full banquet regalia, enjoying the fabulous atmosphere, music and prestige of being singled out for recognition of their service to youth and community.

More than 30 young people and youth leaders were honoured at a fabulous gala banquet held at the Worker’s House ballroom on the evening of Saturday, November 18th, 2017. The dressy affair was planned and hosted by the Central Eleuthera Youth Council to honour them for standing out amongst their peers on the island. They were recognized in the areas of Academics, Sport, Culture, Religion, and Community Involvement.

Melissa Dean of Hatchet Bay was mistress of ceremonies for the evening, and guests were serenaded by the sounds of the famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band. Members of Parliament for both North, Mr. Rickey Mackey, as well as Central and South Eleuthera , Mr. Hank Johnson, were present for the evening celebrations. They were both invited to give brief remarks, and congratulated the honourees for all that they had done and continued to do, encouraging them to continue to contribute in a positive way to their communities.

Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Gilbert Kemp, one of the main organizers of the beautiful event, offered the following remarks as he gave the charge, before presenting the honou-

The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop band could not be resisted once the formalities were done at the lavish recognition gala event.

rees with their certificates and gifts, “You young people give our nation hope, as too often we hear so many negative things about our young people. All of those honoured tonight live in an age filled with promise and innovation. The years ahead will offer all kinds of opportunity to help transform our nation generally and in particular, Eleuthera. Our island called Freedom, presents both promise and challenge for all who live here. One such promise is

to be more than just mediocre in the service, work and commitment we provide to each other. You are encouraged to lead us into the future.”

The following honourees were recognized: Demetrius Johnson - Governor’s Harbour (Youth Leader - Community Involvement and Culture), Laquan Cooper Palmetto Point (Youth Leader - Religion), Derece Thompson - Deep Creek (Youth

Leader - Community Involvement), Mavis Knowles - Tarpum Bay (Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Cornell Miller - Bannerman Town (Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Eldiqua Thompson - Green Castle (Community Involvement), Kade Roberts - Spanish Wells (Sports), Joseph Cartwright - North Eleuthera (Academics), Tiffany Douglas - Green Castle (Youth Leader), Mitzy Sweeting - Waterford (Youth Leader),

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| 11/12 2017

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Pictured: Anishka George, Youth Council Member, giving the Vote of Thanks.

At the Banquet: (L-R) Dancing the evening away; Serenading the crowd; Youth Council member, Dina Johnson announcing the honourees; and Administrator Gilbert Kemp receiving a token of thanks for his vision of the event.

Pictured: Honouree Mitzy Sweeting

Pictured: Honouree Tiffany Douglas

Pictured: Honouree Cornell Miller

Pictured: Honouree Kennedy Bethel

Eula Carlene Thompson - Savannah Sound (Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Sharvonne Albury - Gregory Town (Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Kennedy Marco Bethel - Wemyss Bight ((Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Nigel Sands - Governor’s Harbour (Youth Leader), Grace Rolle - Wemyss Bight (Youth Leader - Religion), Sheretha Sands - Hatchet Bay ((Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Joel Charlow - Hatchet Bay (Academic), Andrea Culmer - Savannah Sound (Academics), Stacia Pinder - James Cistern ((Youth Leader - Community Involvement), Joseph Cartwright (Youth Leader - Community Involvement), and Aldred Albury - The Current (Community Involvement). Also recognized from North Eleuthera for Youth Leadership and Community Involvement were: Vaughn Johnson, Brandon Newbold, Clarence Sturrup, Brenda Johnson, Joey Young, Leon Clarke, Ian Roberts, and Candice McDonald.

Pictured: Honouree Ian Roberts

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Island “Buzz�

Nov/Dec 2017

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Outstanding youth and youth leaders honoured at Gala Banquet.

Pictured: Honouree Aldred Albury

Pictured: Honouree Brenda Johnson

Pictured: Honouree Joey Young

Both Members of Parliament for Eleuthera were on hand to assist with presenting the honours. On the left of Aldred Albury is MP for Central and South Eleuthera, Mr. Hank Johnson and on the right is MP for North Eleuthera, Mr. Ricky Mackey.

Pictured: Honouree Leon Clarke

Pictured: Honouree Candice McDonald

Pictured: Honouree Sharvonne Albury

Pictured: Honouree Eula Thompson

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Pictured: Honouree Nigel Sands

Pictured: Honouree Derece Thompson

| 11/12 2017

Pictured: Honouree Demetrius Johnson

Administrator for North Eleuthera, Mr. Ivan Ferguson (left) and Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Gilbert Kemp (right) are pictured above assisting with the presentations to the Honourees. The OIC Eleuthera, C/Supt. Stephen Adderley is also pictured below helping to present certificates and gift baskets to those honoured.

Pictured: Honouree Joel Charlow

Pictured: Honouree Vaughn Johnson’s mother collecting on his behalf.

Pictured: Honouree Sheretha Sands

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