Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells
Volume 10, Issue 12, December 2017
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Pictured left to right: Kareem J. Mortimer, “Cargo” Writer and Director and Alexander I. Younis, “Cargo” Producer.
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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“cargo”: Award-Winning Film Premiered in Eleuthera
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The award-winning film “Cargo”, the largest Bahamian film project ever, hosted two Gala Premiere events in Eleuthera. The film premiered for one night only in Governor’s Harbour on Wednesday, November 22nd and in Harbour Island for one night only on Saturday, November 25th, 2017. Written and directed by acclaimed Bahamian filmmaker Kareem J. Mortimer, this action filled human drama tells the story of Kevin, a Bahamian fisherman with a gambling addiction in Nassau, who takes a job smuggling Haitians to Florida in a desperate ploy to support his family. “Cargo”, produced by Bahamian production company Best Ever Film Ltd., won a 2017 Bahamian Icon Award ahead of its release as well as the Amnesty International Human Rights Award at the 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival. Continued On Page 4
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Award Winning Film Premiers Continued from pg. 1
The film stars Warren Brown, Gessica Geneus, Omar J. Dorsey, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Persia White and Sky Nicole Gray. “’Cargo” is the culmination of seven years of raising money, writing, researching and looking within to make a work of art that we are ultimately proud of,” stated Kareem J. Mortimer. He added that Eleuthera held a special place in his heart, and he was especially excited to share Cargo with an Eleuthera audience. The film is a feature length version of Mortimer’s award-winning short film Passage, which was released in 2012 and won ten awards including an African Movie Academy Award and a Bahamian Icon Award. “Cargo” began filming in October 2015. More than 80 Bahamians worked on the film, serving as the heads of major departments including Locations, Production Design, Catering and Hair and Make-Up. Cargo stars talented Bahamian actors as well as established and recognizable British, American, Jamaican and Haitian actors. On the Wednesday evening, November 22nd, at the Gala premiere in Governor’s Harbour, Kareem J.
Mortimer, along with his production partner, Alexander Younis, took the time to speak with The Eleutheran Newspaper about “Cargo”, a little bit about themselves, and what went into making their most recent work of art. Alexander Younis Role: “When I met Kareem, five years ago, here in Eleuthera, he was about to make ‘Cargo’ and that’s when I came into the product. He had finished the script already and he needed funding and the structure around the production. So I set that up to get everything, assessing the infrastructure to get it set up here in the Bahamas for film, and what was necessary. That’s how the idea of Best Ever Film Ltd was born, as we needed a production company - not just to make one film, but to have an entity behind it that was also able then to promote the film afterwards. So I was involved in the setup of the company and in the raising of the funds for the film, and in the production itself. We had several other producers hired from the US and Continued On Page 7
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Full Makeover at the Teakettle Café and Gift shop on Cupid’s Cay -
Now Open!
The Teakettle Gift Shop and Café located on Cupid’s Cay received a full makeover recently, and now features indoor and outdoor relaxed seating, with free wifi, for enjoying a gourmet coffee or tea, refreshing signature daiquiris and smoothies or your choice of a variety of delicious, healthy brunch and lunch sandwich options. Owner, Theresa Burrows, invites all to come and sample, saying, “It’s not a typical restaurant; at the café we
have grilled fish and chicken sandwiches, and conch sandwiches made with hand-tossed patties. We also have a choice of wraps with conch scampi, tuna salad, or grilled chicken. Our signature daiquiris and smoothies made with real fruit, come in strawberry, pina colada, mango, banana, Miami vice, as well as green smoothies which range in price from just $3 to $7.” The gift shop offers a wide selection of unique, ‘Made in the Bahamas’ items, including; Eleuthera themed t-shirts, one-of-a-kind designer ‘a touch of straw’ tie handbags, local teas, jams, jellies and peppers, straw bags and baskets, candles, soaps, jewelry and accessories, shell craft, paintings, and photo art, with more authentically Bahamian items being added all the time. Find the perfect gift and enjoy lunch or a mini-break at The Teakettle Gift Shop and Café today. Gift certificates are also available. For more information call 332-2992 or 359-7333.
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Award Winning Film Premiers Continued from pg. 4
also local Bahamians in key roles for the production. Background: I was travelling around the world for a while, so I did all kinds of different businesses. I started with arts when I was 20, got into finance, got into forest, got into real estate, got back into film - and was travelling shooting short films around, and that’s how I came here (Eleuthera), and met Kareem. It was like two minds alike, the way we described the world, as a writer does and when you express yourself. So we really connected, and a really strong friendship came from that. New Home: For me, Eleuthera was the island I fell really in love with, and I felt home, and it made me come back and actually move here. So that’s how it all then started. I was born and raised in Austria, and I’m Austrian/ Egyptian, so I lived there until I was 26, then I travelled and lived in Romania, Canada and some other places.”
Kareem J. Mortimer Gala Night: “Tonight is a very special night. Eleuthera is one of my ancestral homelands, it’s the place where I shot my first movie that I directed, which was ‘The Eleutheran Adventurer’. I live here three days of the week, so it’s always a place that’s home for me. It’s great to have a venue, and an event where people can dress up and go to and celebrate the work of Bahamian artists. It’s an important film for the Bahamas, because there were 80 Bahamian people that were employed in this film. The Process: It took a long time to write, a lot of research and a lot of workshopping for the script, because it all starts there. Then we went about raising the money. Alexander Younis and I started a company, Best Ever Film Ltd, and raised the money to produce the film. Best Ever Film is named after my great grandfather, Ulrich Mortimer Sr. - before Mortimer’s Candy was Mortimer’s Candy
100th Birthday Wishes to Ms. Ethel Wood from the Governor General
Ms. Ethel Wood, of Gregory Town, Eleuthera, who celebrated her 100th Birthday on December 10, 2017 had a special visit to her home, where she now resides in New Providence, by the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, who brought warm birthday wishes on Friday December 8, 2017. The Eleutheran newspaper celebrated with Ms. Wood in December of 2012 on her 95th birthday, in her little blue house near the beautiful bay in Gregory
Town. She was sitting comfortably in her soft chair near her doors, opened to let in the cool breezes off the bay. She wore her 95 years beautifully with a cheerful sky blue hair tie as her only adornment. At 100 years old, she still looks resplendent. Originally from the island of Long Island, Ms. Wood came to Gregory Town in 1939 a year after she was married to Mr. Reginald Wood of Gregory Town in 1938 when she was just 21 years old. She proudly shared in 2012 that Gregory Town had been her home for almost 74 years. She counted herself as very blessed, with her relatively good health at the time, and she still took care of herself in her home, including her own cooking. She quietly enjoyed her special day, as friends and well-wishers popped in throughout the day to visit with her. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
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it was Best Ever Candy and it was one of his first businesses that was founded in 1928. He was a man with a story, a man that defied odds, a man that was driven by his passion, so the company had to reflect that. The Film: We shot in about 6 weeks in Nassau, at 34 locations, and edited for a year. We had our world premiere in March of 2017 in Miami, Florida about eight months ago. We won a 2017 Bahamian Icon Award as well as the Amnesty International Human Rights Prize for Film, which was very nice. So that’s what we’ve done so far.” “Cargo” received rave reviews after three sold out screenings in New Providence in October 2017. Eleuthera
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was then the first stop on the “Cargo” Bahamas Gala Premiere tour in November. The film was then screened in Marsh Harbour, Abaco on December 6th, and in Freeport, Grand Bahama on December 8th. Kareem Mortimer is an awardwinning Bahamian filmmaker and video artist whose work has been distributed in more than 40 countries. Over his career, he has won more than 30 awards for his projects. His work has been reviewed by the New York Times, Variety, IndieWire and The Hollywood Reporter.
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An Eleutheran Profile:
Mr. Harcourt Lightbourne By Sherelle Wallace
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at that time, had a small farm, which Harcourt, along with his brother and sister; spent countless hours helping to cultivate, plant, and reap. His education in South Eleuthera began in Wemyss Bight, where students from Green Castle walked to and from; traveling through connecting Waterford. This is a distance of some six and a half miles. Mr. Sam Johnson taught school at the time, and he later taught at the first school in Green Castle. A Catholic Church served this purpose. Ruins of the structure are located next to the home of Mr. Zaccheus Smith. Historical Note: Mr. Zaccheus Smith was Justice of the Peace and catechist of the Catholic Church. His home, situated on a very high hill that had been cut through to build Bay Road, looked like a castle and was painted green. This resulted in the settlement adopting its name. The home was destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979, but the steps and foundation of the structure are still in place. As a child, Harcourt loved Sunday School, and would later serve as a Sunday School teacher. As an adult, Exodus 20 resonates with him. A portion of that chapter reads: ‘Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.’
Introduction: Three days before Christmas 2017, Mr. Harcourt Lightbourne will be ninety-five years old. He’s the oldest living descendent of Green Castle, Eleuthera. My interview with him began over the phone in Grand Bahama, where he relocated several years ago. Early Days: “I was born on December 22, 1922, in Barraterre, Exuma. I lived near the sea with my parents Alexander Lightbourne, originally from Grand Turk, Turks and
Caicos, and my mother Clothilda Davis of Exuma. We moved to Green Castle when I was nine,” he begins with a strong, clear voice. Sifting through nine decades of memories, Mr. Harcourt returns to his earliest memories, at age four, using pieces of wood from trees to build himself a small toy boat and making a sail for it. After he relocated to Green Castle he gravitated toward the sea, which reminded him of his home on Exuma. He and his friends would trek down Bay Road to play in the shallow waters, making small boats and racing them. His parents, like many other families
Career: After completing the required school level, Harcourt relocated to Nassau to learn a skill. Naturally, he became a carpenter. An older brother worked for Mr. Roland Symonette and helped Harcourt secure a job with him as well. Over the next several decades he would reside in Nassau, Boynton Beach, Florida, Grand Bahama, and his home in Green Castle. Most families in the community and in neighbouring ones benefited from his carpentry skills. And he took the teaching of his skills to youngsters in the community very seriously. Mr. Harcourt also carved his mark by being among the labour force during the development and operations of Cotton Bay Resort. He also spent time working with Arthur Vining Davis’s company, and was employed at Three Bays, between Rock Sound and Palmetto Point. And yes, fostering his four-year-old dreams, he eventually owned his own boat. #BucketList! (Although, if I mentioned this modern internet term to Mr. Harcourt, he would most likely think I’m referring to a list of tools that he can tote around in a bucket.) Family: In Green Castle he married his first wife, the late Maria Whylly of Green Castle. As Maria was a member of the Anglican Church, Harcourt converted from his Baptist worship to join his wife. Sadly, Maria passed, and it was during his years living in Boynton Beach that Harcourt married his second wife. Some years later he relocated to Grand Bahama. Mr. Harcourt now spends much of his life feeling nostalgic. As often happens to people
with an aging brain, Mr. Harcourt experiences times of the day when he is more lucid than others. During my phone interview he would begin to answer a question directly and with enthusiasm, then repeat something he had said moments before. This is systemic of someone desperately trying to hold onto their memories. Whenever he began to drift off, his daughter Marilyn (Queenie), on an extension, would gently pull him back to the question at hand. For me, after wanting for so many years to ‘pick Mr. Harcourt’s brain’, this was such an intimately moving display of the care of an elderly parent; where obvious signs show that the little moments need to be cherished like a precious gift. They are now numbered less. Mr. Harcourt’s daily routine now is not so different than when he was a child; it’s quite normal for him to wake up in the morning to have breakfast and a bath, returning to bed shortly after. And at his age, he certainly deserves to do so if he pleases! A few weeks after our phone interview I visited with Mr. Harcourt in Green Castle. His daughter, Patricia, had brought him home for a few days. His love for his South Eleuthera home was obvious by his wanting to remain here. He was in great spirits with a like sense of humor and as much a distinguished-looking gentleman as he has always been. I asked the three adult children who were present during the visit to share their favorite Eleuthera moments with their dad. Favorite Eleuthera moments with Dad. Kayla: “Hauling Jacks on the bay.” Green Castle has had a long tradition of having seas where seasonal Jacks run and long summer days upon long summer days are spent on the bay hauling thousands of Jacks each year. Many members of families will gather, with the men in small motor boats and women and children on the shore waiting to lend a hand when the haul was brought in. Kayla remembered her father as a hauler; his love for the sea never leaving him, naturally. Terry: “My favorite times were the nighttime activities. We went night fishing and I would knock on the side of the boat to get the attention of the fish. I would then hold Dad’s fishing bag while he caught fish with the help of a cutlass. It was a bit dangerous, so we had to be careful. I needed to be close enough to him to get the fish in the bag, but not get too close to the thrashing cutlass. And sometimes there were stingrays that you never knew were there until you saw the fluttering movements in the sand that they were buried under. I also liked crabbing at night with him. We could always tell when a vehicle was coming when we lay down and put our ear to the road and listened for the vibrations.” Patricia: “My favorite moments were going out with Daddy on his boat while he took tourists on tours. We went from Jacks Bay, and Cape Eleuthera, showing them different places, collecting seashells, and I enjoyed that.” Terry and Patricia laughed about the fun times they had with their father in his boat, when Ter-
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ry would push them out around the hole in the wall on Green Castle bay. “That’s how I learned to swim,” Patricia said, pointing accusingly at Terry. “He would only circle around and bring the boat back after he saw me really struggling.” As his grown children reminisced about the joyful life they lived, Mr. Harcourt laughed with delight, very cognizant of everything being said, and boyishly proud that his grandchildren would have this story of his to share. There is no doubt that Mr. Harcourt Lightbourne’s footprints will never be washed from these shallow, sandy shores. His DNA is carried through sixteen children, thirty grand-children, twenty-five great-grand-children, and two great-greatgrand-children. Mr. Lightbourne said of his near ninetyfive years: “I been here a little time.” He still knows how to be sarcastic and it brings to light that he has lived longer than his parents, two siblings, his first wife Maria, and eight of his children. It’s quite intriguing to try to put a finger on how one lives to be nearly one hundred years old, as very few people do. In Mr. Harcourt’s case, I suspect it’s a combination of: purely good luck, being intimately involved with the healing seas, naturally grown food as a youngster, passion for what he did for a living, finding joy in the simplest things in life, a great sense of humor and his strong faith in God. From my conversations with his daughter Queenie, whom he lives with, along with my talks with him, I got the impression that Mr. Harcourt wants his many stories to be told. He wants to be remembered through sharing his memories, and immortalized. A visual image keeps popping in my head of him proffering his hands, palm up next to each other, with millions of words floating like a kaleidoscope of butterflies; offering: “Gal, come here, let me tell you a story. Write it down.” Well, here you have it, Mr. Harcourt; your story. I hope it is just one of many written to set your stories in stone; sealing your memories even after you can no longer hold onto them. This Christmas, it’s not about gifts, parties, trips, or making New Years’ resolutions. What means more is acknowledging major milestones, like the rare honor of Mr. Harcourt Lightbourne celebrating ninety-five Christmases! *** Author’s Note: I would like to express sincere thanks to: Queenie, Patricia, Kayla, and Terry Lightbourne for their contribution to their father’s story.
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Local EleutheraNews An Eleuthera Memorial Service is to be held for the late Mr. Leopold “Leo” Kirby of LeoRose Sunset Beach Bar & Grill 10
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Mr. Leopold “Leo” Eugene Kirby, a resident of James’ Cistern and husband of James’ Cistern Councilor, Mrs. Rose Kirby, passed away on Thursday, November 23rd, 2017. Mr. Kirby, with his wife, Rose, was the owner of the LeoRose Sunset Beach Bar and Grill, located at the southern entrance of the township, directly on the beach. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby moved to the island in recent years and developed the business, which they celebrated a grand opening for right next to the water in January of 2016. Mr. Kirby, a retired Defence Force Officer, who served for 28 years, was one of the 15 survivors among the crew of the historic HMBS Flamingo, sunk by Cuban jet fighters in 1980. He was among those honoured at a special assembly held in Eleuthera at the P.A. Gibson All Age School in Hatchet Bay in October of 2014, in commemoration of the historic event its’ heroes that passed and the surviving crew members. The family of Mr. Leopold “Leo” Eugene Kirby, announced the date for Mr. Kirby’s Memorial Service to be held in Eleuthera in the following release: “A Military Funeral Service for Leo Kirby will be held at Believers Gospel Chapel, Prince Charles Drive, Nassau, Bahamas on Friday, December 15th, 2017 at 11am, and a Memorial Service on Eleuthera for Leo Kirby will be held on Wednesday, December 20th, 2017, at 7pm at the Wesley Methodist Church, in James’ Cistern.” The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, where Mr. Kirby served for 28 years, extended their condolences to his family as follows: “The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is deeply saddened by the sudden death of our former comrade, Petty Officer (Retired) Leopold Kirby, who passed away on November 23, 2017. Petty Officer Kirby, affectionately referred to as “Leo”, enlisted in the Defence Force along with 26 other men as members of Entry 5 on November 12, 1979. After completing initial training at the Police College, Thompson Boulevard, he was assigned as a cook onboard the patrol craft HMBS FLAMINGO. His service was one of great historic significance to the Force. He was a crew member aboard HMBS Flamingo on May 10, 1980, when that vessel was sunk by Cuban MiG jet fighters. Kirby was among the 15 survivors, who mourned the passing of four of their shipmates on that fateful day. He continued to serve as a cook on board several other patrol craft and also in the galley at HMBS Coral Harbour. Driven and ambitious, Petty Officer Kirby attended the then Industrial Training College and obtained certificates in Carpentry and Masonry. As a result, he was drafted to the Base Maintenance De-
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Top Left: File Photo of Mrs. Rose Kirby and Mr. Leo Kirby at the Grand Opening for the Leo Rose Sunset Bar and Grill. Top Right: File Photo at the Grand Opening for the Leo Rose Sunset Bar and Grill. Bottom Left and RIght: File photos of Mr. Kirby at P. A Gibson Primary in 2015 during a hero’s day assembly with Mr. Cladwell Farrington. Both were recognised as survivors on the ill fated HMBS Flamingo
partment, where he expanded his skills and also specialized in Tile Laying and Basic Welding. Kirby assisted extensively with the construction and repairs to numerous buildings at the Defence Force Base, and he also affected repairs to several of the
Government’s affordable home project led by Social Services back in the mid-1990’s. Petty Officer Leo Kirby retired from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on November 12, 2007 after giving his country 28 years of faithful services. The Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel extends sincerest condolences to Leo Kirby’s widow, Rose, his
mother and adopted mother Mena Wallace and Nita Lockhart, daughters Nadia Holstein and Divola Kirby, family and loved ones on behalf of his Executive Command Team, Officers, Warrant Officers, NonCommissioned, and Junior Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.”
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New Water and Sewerage Manager Overseeing Major Upgrades to Water Services
Mr. Cade Adrian Darling Sr., new Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Manager on Eleuthera arrived in September to take up the helm, but was no stranger to the island and the many challenges he would be tasked with facing. With more than 35 years of experience at WSC having allowed him to work with all aspects of water supply, storage and distribution, Mr. Darling communicated his confidence that he could make a difference in Eleuthera. “I did assessments in this area four years ago… We knew what was needed since then, but these things take time and money. Now, while I am here, I hope I can get things done even more quickly, because I am on the ground - and not back and forth,” he shared. His optimistic outlook is by the end of 2018, to have all of the major water challenges dealt with on the island in all areas including supply, storage, as well as distribution, with major infrastructure upgrades and rehabilitation continuing into 2018. South Eleuthera, commented Mr. Darling, has gone through major upgrades in recent years and is said to be in good shape, “We did South Eleuthera, starting in Deep Creek - so between Deep Creek and Tarpum Bay now there are no water issues, because we did systems rehabilitation, and the pipework is now basically new, pvc. The main problem that faced areas in South Eleuthera were leaks along the main service line roads that supplied each home, we had to change all of those. There were a few other main leaks, but once we fixed that South has had no major water issues.” North Eleuthera, he shared, has come to the end of its’ well fields useful life, with salty, brackish water being endured by clients currently. GE Water & Process Technologies, announced in June of this year their plans to build, own and operate (BOO) a new seawater reverse osmosis desalination (SWRO) plant in North Eleuthera, on a 15 year contract with the Water and Sewerage Corporation, to help improve water quality and reliability of
potable water in that area. The new plant, which is intended to serve approximately 7,500 residents, will have the capacity to produce 600,000 imperial gallons per day of clean drinking water, said GE. This new facility will be GE’s fourth BOO desalination plant on the island (facilities now exist on Current Island, in Governor’s Harbour and in Deep Creek), and the new plant is expected to begin commercial operation during the first quarter of 2018. Site works said Mr. Darling, began during the first week in December, further stating, “We need to get that done. We are happy that it’s now been awarded. It will service the North Eleuthera communities, including Upper and Lower Bogues, The Bluff, Harbour Island, as well as Spanish Wells.” North Eleuthera which currently is not a part of WSC’s automated supply monitoring system, will also come on line with systems already set up from Gregory Town to Deep Creek, said Mr. Darling. Russell Island is also set to receive upgrades in their water distribution infrastructure during the upcoming year, as part of a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) loan project. Central Eleuthera is where Mr. Darling sees his main challenge during the next year, and the scope of works necessary to stabilize the area. He commented that if everything goes as planned, the goals for stabilizing the water service in Central Eleuthera could be achieved in the next eight to ten months. Production is the first issue he said, “the RO Plant located at the former Naval Base site is a challenge because of frequently going down - age also, so consistency in supply is a challenge… They (GE) build, own, operate and we purchase the water… We are dependent on them - we have no well fields - so that’s the greatest challenge - the RO plant’s consistency. He said that plans are to negotiate terms to upgrade and rehabilitate the RO plant, so that it could provide consistent, sustainable production. Storage is the second major issue, explained Mr. Darling, with only one of the three - storage tanks at the Governor’s Harbour RO plant operational. “We currently have one usable tank with 250,000 gallons storage capacity. We will try to rehabilitate all three, looking at the middle of next year. We are proposing to put ‘bladders’ in them, which would increase storage capacity,” he said. “We have put in new distribution pumps inside our pump house also, which were installed during the last week in November, and BPL has fixed their cells which were coming in at low voltage by putting in new transformers - so the new Continued On Page 13
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Medical Students from UWI Continue TB Education On Island - Most
Come in and Regularize says Immigration as Surveillance Across Eleuthera is Beefed Up
Eleuthera cases are “Latent” minister confirms.
As the December 31st, Immigration deadline announced in the House of Assembly by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis on October 11th, 2017 for all migrants who are in the Bahamas illegally to leave approaches, Chief Immigraotin Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Eleuthera District, Mrs. Shema Darling, on Friday morning, December 8th, urged relevant members of the public to come into their offices to be regularized, and to make sure that everything was in order, like renewals, as well as payment of any outstanding fees.
BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM
Activities to increase awareness of Tuberculosis and prevention of the spread of the disease continued in Eleuthera during the month of December, with 4th year medical students, Rashika Swain, Randina Oliver, and Kazia Rolle, from the University of the West Indies sharing with students at Preston H. Albury High School during the morning assembly on Friday, December 1st, 2017, about what the disease was, how it could be recognized through its symptoms, getting tested, as well as ways to help minimize the spread. The creative medical students, who also spent time in the clinics throughout South Eleuthera during their one week stint on island, used role playing to get a clear message across to the students. After the short skit, members of the student audience who could answer questions about what had been learned were rewarded with special treats. The morning presentation represented the medical students’ community outreach requirement, all part of the public health rotation of their medical program. They arrived in Eleuthera on Sunday, November 26th, spending the first two days in the clinics, followed by time spent with officers at Environmental Health in Governor’s Harbour, before choosing to fulfill their community presentation requirement at a local school on their final day in Eleuthera. Their visit was a follow-up to the island wide screening exercise, reported on in November, done by the TB Surveillance Unit team, who were on island during November 13th to November 26th. According to Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands, by the end of November, approximately 2,500 people were screened across Eleuthera with the Mantaux skin test (which indicates whether or not a person has been exposed to TB), and of those 2,500 people screened, 380 had tested positive for TB exposure. Dr. Sands commented that the majority of the cases on the island of Eleuthera are latent tuberculosis, not active TB, with four (4) patients out of the 380 patients who tested positive for exposure having been confirmed to have active cases of tuberculosis to date. “When we look at the results in Eleuthera and we see that less than
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OIC Mrs. Darling also emphasized that people working outside of the scope of their permits (that is, the work capacity specifically stipulated on their permit document or the employer stipulated on the permit), could face the consequence of their work permit being revoked. She also highlighted that employers found engaged in the same practice of having someone in their employ who did not have them listed as an employer on their work permit, would be liable for fines and prosecution as well.
UWI Medical Students, on a TB information sharing mission in Eleuthera
0.5 per cent have active TB probably along the order of 0.2 per cent,” said Dr. Sands, adding that statistic was not bad, but they still wanted to do better. He continued, “…We are now completing evaluation of all of the different communities so that our comments are statistically relevant and valid. So we are starting to see some patterns that gives us an idea of which communities have a higher incident or prevalence of positive skin tests and so as we attempt to get the complete population screened we would at least know that our activity is being driven by evidence.” 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, drug-sensitive 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. For further information, the public can contact the Ministry of Health’s Surveillance Unit at 376-1103, 3763970 or 502-4705.
Mrs. Darling stated that her team throughout Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells had heightened their surveillance activities. During the first week in December, a woman was taken into custody for breach of the Immigration Act and transferred to New Providence. Three men were also taken into custody in the North Eleuthera area on Thursday, December 7th, and were scheduled to be transferred to New Providence on Friday, December 8th, 2017.
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The Eleutheran | CHR 2017
Picture this
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Police community walkabout Governor’s Harbour, Dec. 2017.
Visit www.Eleutheranews.com To see more from this visit through the community.
On Monday 11th December 2017 Ch/Supt Stephen Adderley Officer in Charge of Eleuthera Division along with Father Stephen Davies - Police Force Chaplain and other Officers led a team of Officers on a walkabout in the Governor’s Harbour Community. Officers distributed holiday crime prevention flyers to businesses and personal safety flyers to other residents. In addition,ty. Police reported that the sentiments were well received..
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pumps are in action. Now we need water to pump to the people,” Mr. Darling quipped. Distribution infrastructure is a third major challenge in Central Eleuthera, with areas that still have water being sent through old galvanized and asbestos pipes. To address this, Mr. Darling shared, “We have a CDB loan to assist with distribution infrastructure upgrades, which is set to cover the change out of pipes along the Banks Road - 11,000 feet of it is set to be changed, as well as pipe from the area heading north of the former Naval Base, where we still have continuous leaks. We’ve already changed all of the air valves, some 55 of them, and installed some additional ones as well, with 60 plus now in the system, that will allow it to perform well. We’ve completed Savannah Sound, so that’s now tight, so we are making in-roads. Distribution system rehabilitation is also now ongoing in Gregory Town.” As a result of recent works still ongoing by WSC, many roads have been impacted. Mr. Darling commented that the contract for road repairs has now been awarded, with the contractor set to begin road repairs early in December.
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 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
New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade: Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 Beginning at 12:00pm Location: Bay Street, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Contact Information: Harbour Island Tourist Office, (242) 333-2621, tourism@bahamas.com
Deep Creek new Year’s Day Junkanoo Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 Beginning at 7pm - Until Location: Deep Creek Homecoming Site Performing Groups: Deep Creek Egyptians, Tarpum Bay United, Space 2 Create, New Vision Organization. Junkanoo Cultural Fashion Show, and Food and Drinks will be on sale.
Eleuthera Junkanoo Festival (Majority Rule holiday weekend): Friday, January 5th to Sunday, January 7th, 2018 Venue: Governor’s Harbour, 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, Junkanoo Parade on Saturday, and Gospel Explosion on Sunday - along with a Youth Rally and March.
Junior Junkanoo Parade Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 Beginning at 4:00pm This event is held mainly for pre-school, primary and secondary schools to learn about this important aspect of their heritage. This will ensure the growth and survival of Junkanoo for years to come.” Come feel the rush Eleuthera style!! Location: Queen’s Highway Governor’s Harbour CE
Valentine’s Fresh Picks Farmers Market Next Date: Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 10:00am - 1:30pm Fresh picked items sold are native fruits and vegetables. In addition, there is straw work, local art, plants, shell work, on the spot massages, conch salad, daiquiris, freshly squeezed fruit juices, homemade ice cream, plus local music performances. Location: Valentine’s Residences Bay Street (behind Cocoa Coffee House) Dunmore Town, Harbour Island Contact Information: Ms. Vanessa Mayne (242) 333-2142, vanessa@valentinesresort.com
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
School Events:
Closures and Openings: Schools close for Students December 15th, 2017 Schools close for Teachers December 22nd, 2017 School reopens January 8th, 2018 (NEW DATE)
National Report Card Day: Date: January 5th, 2018 (NEW DATE)
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One Eleuthera Foundation appoints new
members to its Board of Directors. Press Release
The One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) appointed new members to its Board of Directors, at a Board meeting held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. Mr. Alfred Sears, QC was appointed as Chairman, preceded by outgoing Chairman, Mr. Felix Stubbs. Joining the new board were Mrs. Diane Bowe-Pindling, Mr. Juan Bacardi, Mr. Thomas Whitehead, Ms. Leah Major and Mr. Clifford Johnson. Those continuing on the Board include Mr. Cameron Symonette, Ms. Shelby White, Ms. Marjie Findlay, Mr. Mario Smith, Mr. Ian Carey and Mr. Tom Burns. Retiring from the board were Mr. Edrick Gibson and Mrs. Etoile Pinder. Also retiring, but taking on new responsibilities, in advisory positions, were Mr. Eric Carey, Ms. Jackie Gibson and Mr. Errol McPhee. On accepting his appointment as Chair, Mr. Sears said, “The One Eleuthera Foundation is a model of community empowerment and sustainable development in Eleuthera, under the ownership and control of local residents. I believe that the growth of this non-profit sector can help to reverse the current underdevelopment in our Family Islands of declining populations, double digit unemployment amongst
young people; non-competitive agricultural, financial services and tourism sectors; outward migration to New Providence for jobs and tertiary education; dependence on the diminishing capacity of Central Government to stimulate sustainable development in the Family Islands. I am excited to work with this successful community empowerment model and to ex-
Newly elected Board of Directors along with OEF employees and members
pand it to other Family Island communities in our archipelago.” The Board meeting was preceded by the One Eleuthera Foundation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) on Saturday October 28th. Enthusiastic members attending were updated on the ongoing work of OEF and the plans for the work of the organization ahead. Members were able to engage the new Board in discussion and ask questions. The One Eleuthera Foundation, founded by Mr. Shaun Ingraham, current President and CEO, is a unique non-profit partnership between Bahamians and second homeowners in Eleuthera. The Foundation is dedicated to investing in unique, high– quality projects that strengthen Eleuthera communities through economic, environmental, social, training and entrepreneurial projects. Currently, the One Eleuthera Foundation and partners together employ 45 residents of Eleuthera. OEF projects and partners include the Centre for Training and Innovation (the only nonprofit, postsecondary and business enterprise institution located on a 44-acre property equipped with a training hotel, farm and restaurant), The South Eleuthera Mission (SEM), South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), Island Journeys, Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre (EACC) and the One Eleuthera Cooperative Credit Union.
Outgoing Chairman, Mr. Felix Stubbs, welcomed the new directors and also assured them of his continued support of OEF as he believes it to be a reputable model for development for The Bahamas. Appointed Officers were as follows: Chairman – Mr. Alfred Sears Vice Chair/Secretary – Mr. Mario Smith Asst. Secretary – Ms. Leah Major Finance Chair/Treasurer – Mr. Clifford Johnson Fundraising/Development Co-Chair – Mrs. Diane Bowe-Pindling Asst. Fundraising/Development Co-Chair – Ms. Marjie Findlay Business Development – Mr. Juan Bacardi and Mr. Cameron Symonette Operations Chair – Mr. Thomas Whitehead Strategic Planning – Mr. Tom Burns Director – Ms. Shelby White Director – Mr. Ian Carey Honorary Members: Dr. Graham Cates Mrs. Michelle Neville-Clarke Mr. Felix Stubbs Mr. Craig Symonette Mrs. Michele Johnson Mrs. Casuarina Mckinney- Lambert Ms. Wendy Warren
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Picture This:
CSE Walk-a-thon a load of fun on the Bay Front The Cancer Society of Eleuthera hosted their Annual Walk For The Cure Fundraiser on Saturday, November 4th, 2017, under the theme, “Come Walk and Run With Us.” The Walkathon began at 6:30am with the route starting at the Cancer Society Wellness Center in Palmetto Point, and ending up at the Bay Front Park in Governor’s Harbour, where the morning fun continued. This year the Cancer Society teamed up with the Chickcharney Challenge organizers out of New Providence, said Cancer Society President, Jacqueline Gibson, who constructed an Obstacle Course along the Bay Front promenade, where teams and individuals competed to overcome each obstacle and emerge victorious. The new event, dubbed as a Family Fun Day, ran from about 9:30am until 12 noon. Chester Robards, CEO of the Chickcharney Challenge who was on island for the inaugural event thanked the Society for allowing them to partner, saying, “Thank you Eleuthera Cancer Society for inviting Chickcharney to be a part of your walk-a-thon weekend... We had a great time putting on the obstacle relay! Thanks to Aliv for sponsoring such a great event! And kudos to the team for the grit to push through the course.”
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Another beautiful
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display for an Awesome
Cause - Verda’s Fashion Creations a highlight of 2017
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
The month of October signified Breast Cancer awareness month and One Eleuthera Foundation’s (OEF) Breast Cancer Outreach Program (BCOP) hosted numerous a c tivities to honor the month. Under the theme “Saving Our Sisters, Strengthening Families”, BCOP hoped to increase awareness
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Pictured: A bevy of beauties in fabulous pink fashion creations by local designer, Mrs. Verda Gardiner, featured at the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center during the BCOP’s Fabulously Pink Fashion Event and Art Auction.
ence about how they could continue to support the important work of the BCOP. “I think the night went very well, and we are so happy to have had all those that came out and supported. It was great… We are also still working towards having the mammogram machine available for the women of Eleuthera. There have been some setbacks, but we have not given up on that project,” said Coordinator, Ms. Thompson. The BCOP began in 2013 and has been funded annually by grants from Susan G. Komen and donations from individuals, corporate businesses, Rotary Clubs, and fundraisers. Through the renewal of a grant from the same organization in 2016, One Eleuthera Foundation has been able to continue its efforts of educating women on Eleuthera about breast cancer and recently expanded its reach to provide education and awareness services on Cat Island, Exuma and Long Island as well.
about the disease, encourage screening, stress the importance of early detection in saving lives, raise funds for the program and celebrate survivors. The month was filled with awareness activities including church services, awareness booths, an art exhibit, fashion show and fundraisers. Activities culminated with an auction of the artwork showcased earlier in the month, and a fabulously pink Fashion Show, with a bevy of beauties touting fabulously pink fashion creations by local designer, Mrs. Verda Gardiner on Friday evening, October 27th, 2017. At this final event, where young and older gathered in support of the BCOP in Eleuthera, BCOP Coordinators, Maisie Thompson and Ms. Shapreka Clarke, featured a video shot with members of the Eleuthera Sisterhood of Survivors (SOS) cancer support group, sharing their personal experiences and spoke with the audi-
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Picture This Bahamian Delegation in Malta
Bahamian delegates at the Commonwealth Local Government Forum. From left: C. McMahon Campbell, Glen Davis, Exuma Council; Chervita Campbell, delegate for Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities; Cephas Cooper, Director; Minister Campbell; LaShanta Greenslade, Chief Training Officer, Local Government Junior Council; Brian Strachan, Exuma Council; Phillip McPhee, outgoing Vice-Chairman of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum; and Roderick Pinder, President of the Bahamas Association of Local Government Authority.
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Local
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North Eleuthera Shopping Center The Bluff, Eleuthera, Tel: (242) - 335-1880; ; Email: neshoppingctr@yahoo.com
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 8am to 8pm; Fri & Sat 8am to 9pm; Sundays 8am to 2pm
Holiday Hours Saturday, December 16th -
Flat Screen
Televisions!! -
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SALE
Saturday, December 23rd - 7 am to 10 pm Sunday, December 24th - 7 am to 6 pm (CHRISTMAS EVE) Monday, December 25th - CLOSED (CHRISTMAS DAY) Tuesday, December 26th - 8 am to 6 pm (BOXING DAY) Sunday, December 31st - 7:30 am to 1 pm (NEW YEAR’S EVE) Monday, January 1 - 8 am to 2 pm (NEW YEAR’S DAY)
32in to 65in
Lighting/Wall Fixtures
Colognes & Perfumes
Thank You We would like to thank our loyal customers for shopping with us in 2017, and we would like to wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2018! God Bless you all!
$29.99 SPECIAL
(Doors Open @ 5 am until 9 pm)
For the Manager’s Special, Ask for Us! Sophie and Burchie
From the Management and Staff of North Eleuthera Shopping Center.
big specials!
Deep Fryer - $69
Plastic Patio Chair
Fleece Blanket
Men’s Jeans & Short Cargo Pants -
Blow Dryers /
Curling and Flat Irons
4 Slice Toaster Oven, Rocket Blender, Panini Grill Electric Skillet
A Full Line of Housewares - Curtains, Shower Curtain Sets, Bathroom Rug Sets, Cushions, Comforters, Selected Throw Rugs, Scarves, Runners, Placemats...
Tiki Torches
$9.99 each OFF
Extreme Edge
Gift Sets
30% OFF
Hair Clipper (8 pc) -
$12.99
MORE specials
$1.00 SPECIAL Costume Jewellery (Adults & Children)
$14.99 each
Selected
MORE MEATS
Christmas Decorations
30% OFF
Gentlemen’s Travel Set (9pc) - $14.99
Baby Items - 50% OFF
new arrivals Area Rugs
Was $75 Now $49 Was $175 Now $99 Was $199 Now $125
Amish Whole Turkeys Butterball Whole Turkeys Northern Pride Whole Turkeys Turkey Breast Turkey Breast with Rib Spiral Hams Picnic Hams Whole Smoked Hams
Hens Ducks Whole Chicken Lamb Legs Rib Eye Pot Roast T-Bone Steak Sirloin Steak Rack of Lamb Beef Short Ribs
Souse Lovers: Pig Ears, Tail & Feet Chicken Wings, Gizzards, Necks & Paws (Feet) Sheep Tongue Mutton Turkey Parts
Mattel & Fisherprice TOYS
by popular demand
$1, $2, $3 & $5
BINS!
COME ON IN...
MORE DEALS AND SPECIALS IN STORE
Discounted Bicycles and Power Wheel Toys; Christmas TREES; Chocolates, Candies, Cookies, and Fruit Cakes ; Electronics: PS4, Ipad, Laptops, Fire TV Sticks, Tablets XTRA Liquid Detergent (255 oz.) -
$10.99
Alberto Corn
Alberto Ziti (16 oz)
Alberto Long Grain/ Parboiled Rice (5 lbs) -
$2.99
Flakes(18 oz) -
$0.99
2 For
$5.00
Special: Cooking Oil Cup Noodles
$7.51
(17 lbs) -
$14.99
Ramen Noodles
$7.51
Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs
$1.59 each
Silky Double Roll Toilet Tissue (8 pack)
$4.99
Casa Natura Toilet Tissue (12 rolls) -
$7.99
Lux Soap (4 fragrances)
$0.39 each
Downy Fabric Softener (101.4 oz.) -
Heinz Tomato Ketchup (38 oz.)
$9.99each
$3.99 Riceland Rice (20 lbs) --
Grace Coconut Water (10.5 oz) -
$11.99
$0.99 Hawaiian Punch (1 gal.)
Better Valu Bleach (128 oz)
$2.99 each
$4.99
Flash All Purpose Cleaner (128 oz.)
Clorox (121 oz.) Irish Spring (8 bars) -
$6.99
$5.99 each
or $15.99 per case
produce Green Cabbage - $0.69 cents per lb, Limes - 5 for $1.00, Potatoes (5 lbs) - $3.49
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Basket Ball - First Ever Tony Crean
invitational meet revives competition and bragging rights...
NEHS and CEHS battle for the senior boys championship title
Veteran Physical Education teacher and sports coach, Mr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Crean was patron of this year’s first ever Tony Crean Basketball Tournament, held over two days on the weekend of Friday, November 24th and Saturday, November 25th at the community basketball court facility in Governor’s Harbour. Five schools participated in the inaugural tournament, competing in three divisions of Junior boys, Senior boys, and Open girls. They included, Central Eleuthera High School, Deep Creek Middle School, Windermere High School, North Eleuthera High School and Harbour Island All Age School. On the Saturday evening, the informal awards ceremony was hosted courtside and emceed by the tourney’s patron. Mr. Alvarez, a teacher at the Central Eleuthera High School was thanked for his assistance in acting as the official timekeeper during the two days of the tournament. Mr. Crean also expressed his gratitude to the two referees that came in from New Providence to assist with the weekend event, as well as the volunteer scorers who lent their assistance throughout the games. Twenty eight (28) games were played amongst the competing schools during the tournament, with three dominating at the end within the divisions. Central Eleuthera High School Sentinels walked away with the gold medals in both the Junior and Senior boys divisions, and scooped up silver in the Open girls division. Harbour
Local
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Above: HIAAS Cougars Jr. Boys Below: HIAAS Cougars Girls (Open)
All: Division MVP’s receiving Team Trophies.
Above: CEHS Sentinels Jr. Boys Below: CEHS Sentinels Girls (Open)
Island All Age Cougars also had an excellent showing, taking the gold in the Open girls division, as well as silver in the Junior boys division. North Eleuthera High School Lions clashed with Central Eleuthera High Sentinels in the championship game of the Senior boys division, coming away with the silver, after a final game finish of 34 to 19. Final Results: Junior boys division: 1st - CEHS Sentinels 2nd - HIAAS Cougars Open girls division: 1st - HIAAS Cougars 2nd - CEHS Sentinels Senior boys 1st - CEHS Sentinels 2nd - NEHS Lions Continued on Pg 34:
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art & Craft - Eleuthera’s Artisans display creative works in all shapes, flavours and more... BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM The Ministry of Tourism in Governor’s Harbour hosted their first ever Authentic Christmas Bahamian Craft Show on Saturday, November 25th, 2017 on the grounds by their offices, located opposite the Governor’s Harbour Primary School. Artisans and craftspeople from throughout Central and South Eleuthera took part in the show, presenting a one-of-a-kind opportunity to find unique Eleuthera made gifts and treats. The show, which Tourism Manager, Ms. Jacqueline Gibson said they looked forward to continuing as an annual event was timed to kick off the holiday shopping season, nicely tucked in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A myriad of items were on offer including; professionally handcrafted straw bags, purses and accessories by the renown Emily Mavis Munnings; Totcina and Remorn Allen of Tarpum Bay, displayed their latest line of healthy snacks with a wide variety of dried fruit, seeds and nuts mixtures, as well as delightfully flavored honey sticks; Paulette Jean of Savannah Sound had all of her colorful straw bags on display; and Charlie Strachan of Wemyss Bight added beautifully to the straw options with his lovely large straw mats, along with his straw bags and containers. Ms. Tamara Bain-Stuart, artisan as well as guidance counsellor at Central Eleuthera High School, showcased a gorgeous collection of shell inspired jewelry, with earrings, necklaces and bracelet sets available. Mrs. Elva Nixon of Governor’s Harbour displayed her new line of pink sand inspired jewelry and pretty Christmas novelties. Kristel Kingston Anderson of Deep Creek pulled out all the stops with her colorful rock, coconut and driftwood paintings, including one of a beautiful detailed underwater scene on a five foot casuarina driftwood. Mrs. Genele Williams, aka ‘The Kupcake Lady’ had a tantalizing presentation of deliciously unique creations that not many could pass up. Two young student volunteers kept thirsts quenched on the warm Saturday with choices of bush tea drinks and MP for Central and South Eleuthera, the Hon. Mr. Hank Johnson, who stopped by with Mrs. Johnson to take in the show, made sure to take
a taste. From Gregory Town, Mrs. Patricia Thompson offered a selection of spicy hot sauces, native fruit jams, as well as beautifully honed casuarina wood cheese boards. Mrs. Valerie Fernander of Valerie’s Souvenir’s and Sewing, laid everything on the table with souvenir items, as well as beautiful wraps and beach covers, along with Androsia outfits, cushion covers, bags, purses and more. Next to her, Mrs. Manishka Barr, exhibited choices of uniquely scented handmade soaps and candles. With her display located near the entrance, was
Shown Above (Counter clockwise from top): Artisans Charlie Strachan, Paulette Jean, and Mr. and Mrs. Barr, with Valerie Fernander in the background. Pictured right: Beautiful artwork by Kristel Anderson.
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| CHR 2017
Pictured: Artisans Genele Williams (left), Valerie Fernander (right), Remorn and Totcina Allen (below).
Mrs. Teresita Hunt of Palmetto Point, who showcased a colorful collection of jewelry, shell craft and other souvenirs, greeting all as they came into the site of the show. Later during the early evening, as Christmas lights filled the grounds, talented Eleutheran designer and seamstress, Mrs. Verda Gardiner, who has partnered with the Cancer Society, and One Eleuthera several times in 2017, once again showed off a new set of unique designs. Commenting on the show, Mrs. Glenda Johnson-Ingraham, with the Ministry of Tourism in Governor’s Harbour, shared that one of the disappointments for the first time event was the low numbers of locals who came out to take advantage of the great gift opportunities on offer, however, visitors took full advantage, making up the bulk of the day’s foot traffic.
Pictured: Artisan Emily Munnings
Above: Tamara Bain-Stuart Left: MP Central and South Eleuthera, Mr. Stephen Hank Johnson samples bush tea from a student volunteer at the event.
Pictured: Artisan Kristel Anderson
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Picture these smiles! A few moments out at the Governor’s Harbour Homecoming 2017 Friday night at the Governor’s Harbour Homecoming, held during the weekend of November 3rd and 4th, 2017, at Anchor Bay, saw a crowd of Eleutherans out to enjoy the food and drinks, as well as, the talented sounds of DMac, one of the Bahamas’ hottest performers, whose well known hits kept fans on their feet. The Anchor Bay site has been
the home of the Governor’s Harbour Friday night Fish Fry event since 2010, and organizers moved the Governor’s Harbour Homecoming event to the more intimate, waterfront location in 2016.
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Education Beat
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Eleuthera’s now Split Education Districts HOLD THEIR SEPARATE Primary School RK Speech Competitions BY THE ELEUTHERAN NEWS TEAM A popular item on the primary school calendar in Eleuthera, the Religious Knowledge Speech Competition, took on a slightly different complexion this year with the recent splitting up of the Eleuthera School District into North and Central (from Savannah Sound going north) as one separate school district, and South Eleuthera (Tarpum Bay going south) as another. The North and Central Eleuthera school district is administered by District Superintendent Mrs. Myrtle Y. McPhee (based at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound), while the South Eleuthera school district is now administered by Mrs. Althea Gibson (who is awaiting approval of office locations near the primary school in Green Castle). This change s meant that students saw their competition pool lessen - especially in South Eleuthera where five primary schools reside, with one high school. The Central and North district has a slightly larger number at nine primary schools and four high schools.
In the Central and North school district seven young students competed in the annual Religious Knowledge Speech Competition, battling it out to be named as the top primary orator in the new district. The young speakers spoke on the theme, “I Know Who I Am”, at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound, on the morning of Friday, November 10th, 2017. Competitors included; Dayjzon Bethel of Emma E. Cooper primary school, Lavaal Fernander of Governor’s Harbour primary, Taeshan Brown of Gregory Town primary, Kelis Johnson of Harbour Island All Age primary, Michaella Lockhart of Laura L. Anderson primary, Kourtney Bethel of James’ Cistern primary, and Angelina McKenzie of Samuel Guy Pinder All Age primary. Gregory Town primary school and Current Island All Age primary did not put forward competitors this year. Michaella Lockhart of Laura L. Anderson primary, who came third in the 2016 competition was rewarded for her commitment to competing once again, by garnering the 1st place finish in 2017 as the overall
on the job: 2018 senior, like many of
her peers, welcomed by public and private service offices for training The beautiful smile seen belongs to Ms. Lakia Thompson, 12th grade student at the Central Eleuthera High School, taking part in t h e s c h o o l ’s a n n u a l j o b t r a i n i n g week, where senior students were given the opportunity to gain some experience in the world of work before final graduation from high school. The 2017 coordinator of the program was Guidance Counsell o r, M r s . Ta m a r a B a i n - S t u a r t w h o has been working to assist students with getting that real world experience since 2016. Approximately 50 students from the grade 12 class took advantage of the opportunity to gain invaluable know-how at a wide variety of locations throughout Central Eleuthera. B u s i n e s s e s a n d o ff i c e s t h a t participated this year included the local banks, the Levy medical clinic, area primary schools, beauty salons, the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, and government agencies like: Administration, Ministry of Wo r k s , a n d E n v i r o n m e n t H e a l t h . Other agencies like the Airport Aut h o r i t y, B a h a m a s P o w e r a n d L i g h t ( B P L ) , a n d B a h a m a s Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s C o m p a n y ( B T C ) a l s o p a rticipated.
winner! Dayjzon Bethel of Emma E. Cooper primary kept his school near the top, coming in second, and Kelis Johnson of Harbour Island All Age primary took the third top spot of the morning competition. Held on the same day, the Religious Knowledge Speech Competition hosted in the South Eleuthera school district, at Fountain of Life Ministries in Rock Sound, had a slightly different format, with two students from each of the primary schools taking part, with the exception of Wemyss Bight primary which did not have any competitors. This was to give the widest opportunity for exposure to the children in the competing schools, said District Superintendent (DS) Mrs. Gibson. Competitors included; Terrinique Sands and Javana Rankine of Tarpum Bay primary; Jayda
Burrows and Roberto Thompson of Deep Creek primary, Moneisha Burrows and Navaeh Sweeting of Green Castle primary, and Faith Knowles and Neveah Caley of Rock Sound primary school. Tarpum Bay primary swept the top two positions with Terrinique Sands coming in first as the overall winner, followed by Javana Rankine in second. Deep Creek primary’s Jayda Burrows was awarded with the third top position on the day. DS Mrs. Gibson, commenting on the morning competition, said, “I thought it went very well, and it was very competitive. The children spoke about who they were and where they wanted to be, and the competition was keenly contested. It was also good to see that we had both boys and girls in the competition, so it went well.”
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Perspective
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OP-ED By Sir Ronald Sanders www.sirronaldsanders.com
By Sir Ronald Sanders (This commentary is excerpted from the writer’s presentation to the Caribbean Actuarial Association’s 27th annual conference in Nassau, Bahamas on 30 November 30 on Political and Economic Challenges Confronting the Caribbean)
The effects of Climate Change, particularly sea-level rise, is an overwhelming problem for the Caribbean that needs urgent attention. Delay in putting in place sustainable plans for resilient building, that could secure international financial support, will cost the region dearly. The problem has become multi-faceted and addressing it requires collaboration among structural and mechanical engineers, accountants, economists, environmentalists and designers of tourism plants. The trick is going to be how to merge defences against sea-surges and flooding with the aesthetics necessary to maintain the Caribbean as a sun, sea and sand destination. 2017 has witnessed back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes that cut a swathe through the Caribbean from which the affected islands will not fully recover for many years to come. As an example of this, in 1994 Antigua and Barbuda received the largest number of tourists in its previous history. Then, in 1995, Category-5 Hurricane Luis battered Antigua, leaving its tourism plant in tatters. The country did not achieve
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.
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Climate Change consequences worsening its 1994 figures until 2014, twenty years later. Importantly, the 2017 hurricanes also caused thousands of people from Barbuda and Dominica, whose homes, schools, hospitals and businesses have been decimated, to seek refuge in other islands. These people are, in effect, ‘Climate Refugees’, ripped away from their history, their culture and their identity. Their plight has been created by ferocious storms not caused by their own actions but by profligate carbon emissions (CO2) by rich nations. And despite the 2016 Paris Accord and the follow-up Bonn meeting last month, there is no sign that that these emissions will end. Indeed, even if the present level of CO2 emissions were to stop today, because of the heat that has already built-up in the atmosphere and the oceans, the seas would not stop rising until the Earth cools and that could take centuries. The non-binding Paris agreement only expresses an objective to limit global warming to “well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels”. The goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius, is merely “aspirational”. In fact, the climate change action plans submitted by 188 countries would lead to a temperature rise as high as 2.7 degrees Celsius. At 3 degrees, the size of islands will shrink, productive areas will be under water, people will have to move habitats inland and many will be forced to migrate, legally and illegally. This poses a deadly threat not only to tourism, but also to human habitats. This could cause human dislocation and create refugees who flee their homelands for safe havens. Right now, the possibility of the climate refugees from Barbuda and Dominica returning to their homes in the short to medium term is remote. For both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, the rebuilding prospect is daunting; they simply don’t have the money. Worse for them is that because they are measured by the palpably false criteria of per capita income, they don’t have access to aid, grants and concessional loans. That is why countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, must hope that Bill Gates never migrates there. For they would become the richest countries per capita overnight, but the majority of their people would have not one more cent in their pockets than they had before. There is also no possibility of these countries rapidly rebuilding by borrowing money on commercial terms. Even if they could borrow on the commercial market, their debt would be increased to unsustainable levels with little possibility of generating enough revenues to make repayments. Worryingly, not only has the Caribbean seen the creation of the first set of ‘climate refugees’, but the damage done to property has been so extensive that unemployment and poverty have increased. And if this development is not bad enough properties, including businesses, that were not insured or were
under-insured will not be rebuilt. Insurance companies, already faced with huge pay-outs from 2017, will increase their premiums and they will not insure buildings that do not conform to high standards of resilience. Consequently, many businesses people and home owners will not be able to afford the higher cost of insurance coverage. Yet, if they do not insure their properties substantially, financial institutions will not provide mortgages Complicating the issue still further, the Future Business Council and the Centre for Policy Development have recently warned Directors of Public Companies to factor climate change as a risk in business and investment decisions. Directors that fail to consider and disclose climate change risks could now be found liable for breaking their duty of care and diligence in the future. Therefore, there could be a decline in investment, particularly in the tourism sector which now accounts for an average of 60 per cent of the region’s GDP The problem has to be faced squarely, deferring it to another generation won’t work – the generation confronting the issue is here. With sea-level rise happening continuously but gradually (barring a sudden melting of ice caps in Antarctica and Greenland), there is still time to plan for the worse effects of Climate Change. Caribbean countries have to demonstrate clearly that they are taking action to counter global warming and sea-level rise. Such action has to be at two levels: domestic resilient building, and international advocacy Domestically, each Caribbean country must implement new and tough codes for
future construction and adopt legislation to ensure compliance. Governments also now need to consider the building of walls and other defences to withstand sea surges, and reservoirs to cope with flooding. All of this requires careful thinking and preparation about how to make Caribbean countries safe from sea-level rise and still attractive for tourism. However, governments don’t have the money to fund these now necessary projects. Even if they were to tax their people and businesses, they could not possibly raise the necessary funds. That is why the richer and more profligate CO2 emitter-nations must be made to help alleviate the burden they have created and loaded onto small states. At the international level, Caribbean countries should form alliances with other countries and regions that are similarly affected. It is unfortunate that the United States, the single largest CO2 emitter, is now unwilling to participate in the Climate Change accords. Caribbean countries, therefore, should consider making common cause with individual states of the United States, such as Florida, the Carolinas and New York, where sea-level rise could be as catastrophic as in the Caribbean. Caribbean voices must be heard loudly in the international community, fighting for their survival. There is no time for delay.
Perspective
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Fishing for the Future of Coral Reefs: Parrotfish an emerging fishery in The Bahamas
and cays in The Bahamas the scale of the parrotfish fishery is hard to assess. The Island School, Cape Eleuthera Institute and ISER Caribe have been working towards better understanding the parrotfish fishery in South Eleuthera. . We conducted interviews with fishers in South Eleuthera to learn where the fishery has developed and some of the factors driving the parrotfish fishery. The project is organized With their beak-like mouths, in collaboration with leaders colors that change extravain the Dominican Republic. gantly over their lifetime They observed how the overand the ability to poop sand, fishing of parrotfish in their parrotfish are arguably one of country combined with enviThe Bahamas’ most flamboy- ronmental changes related to DCMS student interviewing a ant reef fish. Perhaps more global warming have lead to Fisherman in South Eleuthera importantly, though, because the collapse of many reefs. to spark conversations about they eat algae off corals that This project analyzed parrotfish conservation in would otherwise smother information shared by 67 their neighborhoods. Many those corals, parrotfish may fishers and consumers from fishers indicated that poachers also be one of the reef’s most South Eleuthera this Spring. from The Dominican Repubimportant residents. Parrotfish We are extremely grateful for lic were coming into Bahaspend up to 90% of their day the assistance and support of mian waters to fish. DCMS nibbling at algae and dead everyone who contributed to students are starting a pen-pal coral. this project. program with students in The Parrotfish have traditionally Interviews with fishers Dominican Republic for culbeen targeted and overfished showed that: tural exchange and to discuss in many Caribbean countries, • 45% of fishers eat par- collaborative ideas on how which is strongly impacting rotfish. to conserve this important the productivity and health of • 19% of fishers said fishery. Fortunately, the projtheir reefs. Fortunately for that they sold parect’s findings reveal that less The Bahamas, parrotfish have rotfish to a selection than half of the interviewees not traditionally been fished of individuals and fish or eat parrotfish in South and we still have a healthy restaurants. Eleuthera. However, the maparrotfish population. The • 55% of fisher responjority of fishers said they now thriving population has helped dents knew the role need to travel further and for keep the ecosystem healthy that parrotfish have in longer to fish, often because for species such as grouper the reef ecosystem. pollution, overfishing, and and crawfish, which live on Interviews with consumers illegal fishing have damaged the reefs. In contrast, parrotshowed that: their fishing areas. fish continue to be a staple in • 19% of consumers eat How can we effectively the Dominican Republic diet parrotfish. communicate the important which has drastically reduced • 22% of consumers role parrotfish have on reefs the fishery numbers. knew the function and and the threats that this Fishers in The Bahamas importance of the par- fishery may pose to reefs? however are starting to rotfish. Managing a fishery is a tough increase targeted fishing job! Fishers are critical stakefor parrotfish. As harvest of The project is involvholders in marine conservaparrotfish in The Bahamas ing students of Deep Creek tion. So much of what they do emerges, parrotfish numbers Middle School (DCMS). After in their daily lives influences will start to rapidly decrease conducting 18 interviews our ocean. It is vital to get the which is a cause for concern. of their own in February on support of the fishing comThis is because they play such parrotfish fishing, DCMS munity and to educate people a vital role in maintaining the students created a music on the importance of a healthy coral reef habitat for imporvideo and a comic book on reef. tant species like grouper and the plight of parrotfish. They For this reason, we hope crawfish. are planning more creative that our research will inform With more than 700 islands projects for this school year decision makers on approach-
es to manage the parrotfish fishery. Like many fisheries, those in The Bahamas would respond well to integrating fishers and other stakeholders in the decision making process. By raising awareness of parrotfish we hope that consumers and fishers will consider the important role they play in the ecosystem and maintaining healthy populations throughout The Bahamian waters. Ultimately, the
The Eleutheran | CHR 2017 more we do to keep our coral reefs healthy and vibrant, the more likely it is that fishers’ livelihoods and their future generations will be supported. Wherever solutions to parrotfish and reef health come from, respondents from this project voiced their concern with the changing ocean. Having to fight for food security and a source of income is a reminder of the urgency for effective fisheries management. If the health of reefs rely on a
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healthy parrotfish population, one needs only to connect overfishing in the Dominican Republic to the vast cemeteries of coral there to glimpse a possible future for The Bahamas. With climate change, pollution, and overfishing now threatening The Bahamas as a whole, projects that prioritize community engagement from start to finish may be some of the strongest tools in the fight to preserve the country’s fishing community.
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In-house Writers - articles written and edited by The Eleutheran Team. These may be investigative, informational, Sports, Education, Business etc.
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National Construction Contractor Legislation Ensures Integrity 30
CHR 2017
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of the Sector Says State Minister Elsworth Johnson By Gena Gibbs (BIS) NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, addressed the Bahamas Contractors Association (BCA) on legislation passed to ensure the integrity of the sector at their monthly luncheon meeting, December 6, 2017 at Poop Deck West, Sandyport. State Minister Johnson thanked the BCA for its effort, continued representations, and lobbying support to the Government, which “allowed the ‘Construction Contractors Act 2016’ (‘the Act’), to be enacted and made a
STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY ON BAHA MAR SALES COMPLETION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8TH DECEMBER 2017 ‘ With the official close of the sale of Baha Mar, the Bahamas tourism product is measurably strengthened with the addition of a world class hotel operator and developer and Bahamians have good reasons for optimism moving forward. The PLP thanks all stakeholders in-
Bahamas Signs Air Service Agreements with Qatar, Australia and Finland at ICAN 2017 8th December, 2017 (BIS) - The Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, attending negotiations in Colombo, Sri Lanka signed three (3) Air Service Agreements (ASAs) on behalf of The Bahamas with Qatar, Australia and Finland. This brings a total of 11 ASAs agreed between The Bahamas and other countries. Agreements were previously signed with the Netherlands (Curaçao), Singapore, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Turkey and New Zealand. The Agreements were signed during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Air Services Negotiation event (ICAN 2017), where Minister D’Aguilar led a delegation comprising Ms. Sharon BrennenHaylock, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Captain Charles Beneby, Director General of the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority, Ms. Juliea Brathwaite-Rolle, Manager of Safety Oversight of the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority and Mr. Shane Miller, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs
reality,” he said, adding: “The Government recognizes that further action is needed to fully implement the Act. This is being addressed. Further, be assured that this Government is committed to the implementation and strict enforcement of this ground breaking legislation,” said State Minister Johnson. Subsequently, Johnson explained the integral powers of the Act, which benefits those employed in the third major economic sector of the Bahamian economy. “The Act, which came into force on the 8th of May, 2017, provides inter alia, for the (1) Registration and licensing of Construction Contractors throughout The Ba-
volved in bringing this project to fruition. Note must be taken of the role played by the former Prime Minister Perry Christie, his Attorney General Allyson Gibson, his senior policy advisor Sir Baltron Bethel and their support team. The PLP congratulates the new owners, CTFE, and thank them for their focus, determination and confidence in the Bahamas economy in the face of unwarranted and unnecessary hostility driven mainly by the FNM in its quest to derail this project. The PLP supports this project and stands ready to work to ensure that Baha Mar realizes its full economic potential for the Bahamian people and the investors.
of the Office of the Attorney General. This was the 10th session of ICAN. ICAN provides States with a central meeting place to conduct multiple bilateral (regional or plurilateral) air services negotiations or consultations. Since its inception, it has served as an efficient platform for conducting air service negotiations. So far more than a total of 141 States have participated in and benefited from ICAN at least once. The 9th Session of ICAN took place in The Bahamas and the 11th Session of ICAN is to be held in Kenya in 2018. The Bahamas also had fruitful negotiations with South Africa, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Austria, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Switzerland, Chile and Jordan, where Memoranda of Understanding were signed. It is expected that full Air Service Agreements will soon be signed with those countries. Discussions also commenced with Civil Aviation representatives from Haiti. The Bahamas Delegation also met with representatives of CASR.Co., a company that specializes in Civil Aviation Software for Regulators, developed to meet the needs of any Aviation Authority. It is a platform that brings benefits for all entities that interact in the aviation ecosystem.
The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State in the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, December 6, 2017 at BCA luncheon meeting, Poop Deck West, Sandyport. (BIS Photo/Gena Gibbs)
hamas; regulation and control of the construction contracting industry; (2) Establishment of the Construction Contractors Board (‘the Board’) which is empowered to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Board under the Act; (3) Appointment of a Registrar who is required to provide the Board with such staff and accommodation, services and other facilities as are necessary for the performance of the Board’s functions; (4) Establishment of a Contractors Register to ensure that all individuals who apply to be registered as a Contractor, are duly qualified and certified to be enrolled on such Register; (5) And establishment of additional requirements to be satisfied by non-Bahamian citizens who apply to be registered as a contractor,” said State Minister Johnson. “This legislation is the result of a partnership between the Government and the Association. One of the main concerns, for both of us was ensuring the integrity of your sector, while at the same time, providing protection for Bahamian consumers against unlicensed persons, poor workmanship and what some have termed as ‘unscrupulous’ contractors.” Johnson added that the Act provides an individual’s entitlement to be registered in the relevant section of the Contractors Register, “if upon his written application to the Constructions Contractors Board (“the Board), he satisfies the Board that, he has obtained certain professional certification, diplomas or degree as set out in the First Schedule.” The Act also provides “specific and expedient remedies for complaints, through a disciplinary board that could suspend or revoke” the license of a contractor, or impose fines. “It is important to note that from a consumer protection standpoint; this Act is almost singularly one of its kind in that it incorporates a consumer code in the Second Schedule to the Act. It seeks to ensure that the clients are treated fairly; know what service levels to expect, be given reliable information and be aware of the Scheme created by the legislation and how their claims may be speedily resolved,” said State Minister Johnson.
“While these provisions are applicable to residential homes, with values up to $500,000 it is significant as this represents the more vulnerable category of consumers who need these safeguards.” Johnson explained to the contractors that the Act includes clauses for the alignment of Construction Contractors with their international counterparts, which is most valuable to contractors who seek to enter the international market or bid for jobs funded by international agencies, such as the Inter-American Development Bank. “This is critical,” he said, “for the local market which has been unable to take advantage of these opportunities, in past times.” “Another major component of the Act is the provision for dispute resolution. Under section 38 of the Act, a client and the builder may enter into a written agreement to be bound by dispute resolution processes; mediation in the first instance. The procedure for mediation in any agreement between the client and the builder or in any other kind of construction contract shall be governed in accordance with regulations under the Act,” said State Minister Johnson. “Should mediation fail, the parties may agree to be bound by a written arbitration agreement. In the written agreement, provisions must be expressly incorporated stating that a dispute resolution process will be utilized in the event a dispute arises about the performance of construction work by the builder. In the case arbitration is used, the process should be determined by the applicable provisions of the Arbitration Act of 2009, number 42.” State Minister Johnson read out a list of advantages contractors can expect by incorporating a mediator for arbitration to resolve disputes. He said an impartial tribunal offers resolution without further delay or expense; the client and the builder are free to work together to resolve their dispute; and parties can both expect the court will not intervene as codified in the Arbitration Act. He concluded that the client and the builder also have the option of filing litigation in Supreme Court.
Perspective
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ACCESS of summer vacation in the water or fishing along the coast. Walking along the beach picking up shells and conchs was always a pleasure, and the beach was not disfigured as it is today. Bay Front Park was a swamp when I was a boy, and to improve the area which was used for softball where the present Administrative building is now located, a dredging barge was used to pump sand out of the harbour which raised the ground level about two feet. This project made the area usable for the purpose intended but also caused heavier wave action to be experienced, and greater flooding and beach loss resulted. Following the loss of most of the coastal By: Andrew L. Burrows roadway due to hurricane Betsy in 1964, the sea wall was rebuilt andrewburrows1@gmail.com and raised, with improvements Growing up in Governor’s also made to the drainage. HowHarbour in the nineteen fifties ever, as with all things, maintewas a wonderful time for me. I nance was minimal and the most have many great experiences recent blow was felt when in the which many who are near my age 1980s the harbor was dredged can also agree to having shared. I and a breakwater placed at the was born a hop, skip and a jump entrance to shield the newly from the sea and spent every day
expanded dock and landfill on Cupid’s Cay. What resulted was an increase in wave action that shifted the sand from the Bayfront Park area to the Haynes Library end of the beach and now there is no beach sand left to act as a buffer for rough wave action. This increase in wave intensity also destroyed what was known as the “Hippy” dock, just in front of the clinic. Each time man attempts to make an improvement to things, without giving due consideration to the possible negative reactions, we end up having to live with the negative results. There are other areas that also reflect this sentiment. For much of my lifetime we in Governor’s Harbour lived with a large percentage of foreign business places and landowners. Some of the foreign owned developments certainly provide much appreciated employment and benefit, but not without the many negative effects. We have lost touch with the freedom for which our Island stands, and our friendly traditions display. Many
PM: Opportunity to Improve Lives of All Bahamians is ‘A Great Privilege By Matt Maura (BIS)
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The opportunity to improve the lives of all Bahamians is the greatest privilege of serving as Head of Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis said recently. “I am motivated every day by a commitment to social justice and the common good,”
Prime Minister Minnis said. “I am motivated by the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our land. “Any privilege that does not issue forth in helping the least amongst us is privilege that is wasted. It is a special privilege to work daily to provide our children and young people with opportunities to dream and to realize their dreams,” Prime Minister Minnis added. The Prime Minister’s comments came ahead of the launch of the Economic Development and Planning Unit’s (Office of the Prime Minister) Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative (OCDPI) that is designed to – among other major impacts – transform and rejuvenate inner-city communities “in ways only dreamt about before.” Launched Thursday, December 8, 2017 in the Bain and Grants Town and Centreville areas with a Town Hall Meeting at the Grants Town Wesley Methodist Church Hall with Phase I, the OCDPI will be funded through an annual grant of $5 million from the Government of The Bahamas and is a partnership between the Government, the University of The Bahamas, the Over-the-Hill Community, Civil Society and Private Partnerships. The Government will play the leading role through the introduction of public policy and legislation, and the provision of resources. Civil Society (non-governmental organizations expressing the interests of citizenry) is
The Eleutheran | CHR 2017
foreigners move into this area without an appreciation for the long held traditions for which we are known! Road blocks now are in place where we were accustomed to indiscriminate access. Much of our coastal land is being sold in ever increasing amounts to foreign persons who have no knowledge or are ill advised of the nature of our presumed rights and traditions. Coastal shorelines subject to High-water reservation are blatantly being ignored and beaches are presumed to be ‘private’; there are no private beaches in the Bahamas. I am no longer young, and the day will soon come when we here in beautiful Eleuthera will be like Nassau, where access to the sea has been allowed to be cut off, and then presumed private, and before you know what is happening, walls, chains, fences and “No Trespassing” signs are everywhere! Strangely though, the same people who erect the walls, gates, chains and “no entry’ signs use other people’s accesses without question! We are bordered on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean, and there are limited points where fishermen and boaters can launch their crafts. This
also expected to play a critical role by providing advocacy and critical services, as will the Private Sector, offering partnership through demonstrated corporate social responsibility. Officials of the Economic Development and Planning Unit say the Bain and Grants Town and Centreville areas were selected to be included in Phase One of the Project because national data indicate the two communities are the two most impoverished communities of New Providence. Phase Two of the Project will involve the communities of St. Barnabas and Englerston, ranked third and fourth. (The statistics were provided by the Department of Statistics and based on the 2010 Census. The Census is conducted every ten years in The Bahamas.) Prime Minister Minnis said since May (when his Administration took office) he has had a “new vantage point” that has allowed him to
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is due to the turbulent wave action and unstable sand caused by the waves created by the coastal reefs. One of these critical launch points is called ‘Nix Point’ located at the eastern end of French Leave beach. This road access was recently claimed and reduced to a “walk way” and attempts have repeatedly been made to block any motorized traffic from accessing that entry. Such lack of respect for community tradition, and blatant arrogance, motivated by selfish intentions is totally against all public interest. The time has come for our Government to clearly establish the locations which are critical to maintaining our public freedom of access to the sea, and update the laws that govern them! If we fail to correct the mistakes of the past, our children will have no future! Access to land is what makes you and I truly ‘Bahamian’; we have nowhere else to call “HOME”. We must all become ‘guardians’ of our freedoms, or they will be taken away, never to be returned. Your silence gives consent to those who wish to bar you out!
see more in-depth, “the challenges and problems as well as the opportunities and possibilities of our country.” The OCDPI reflects the vision of Prime Minister Minnis for the transformation and rejuvenation of Over-the-Hill Communities. “There are many tough days. There are sometimes sleepless nights, but the great reward of helping others outshines the sometime difficult days and nights. God knows I have made some mistakes,” Prime Minister Minnis continued, “God knows that sometimes I get it wrong. Sometimes, I don’t explain or say things as well as I should. “[But] my passion is to give back to our country what this country has given to me. The greatest privilege of serving as Head of Government, is the opportunity to improve the lives of my fellow Bahamians,” Prime Minister Minnis added.
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Crime News
CHR 2017
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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 Suspect Charged w/ Possession of Dangerous Drugs At 6:20pm on Thursday November 16th 2017 Officers interviewed, processed and charged an Adult Male of Lower Bogue Eleuthera with Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He was later released on to appear before the Magistrate Court in Governor’s Harbour on December 1st 2017. Police Warning Requested: On Friday 17th November 2017, at about 9:45 pm, an Adult Female of Cambridge Street, Hatchet Bay reported to the Hatchet Bay Police Station that sometime around 9:35 pm, an Adult Female, also of Hatchet Bay used obscene language to her annoyance Police Warning Requested. On Friday 17th November 2017, at about 10:02 pm the Police spoke to the Adult Female of Hatchet Bay and informed her of the complaint made against her of which she denied. She was subsequently warned to be of good behavior. Area was left quiet. Police Warning Requested: On Friday 17th November 2017, at about 10:20 pm, an Adult Female of Hatchet Bay reported to the Hatchet Bay Police Station that sometime around 8:40 pm, an Adult Female, also of Hatchet Bay held a VSOP 40 ounce bottle in an attempt to hit her while in the area of Victoria Street. Police Warning Requested. On Friday 17th November 2017, at about 10:30 pm the Police spoke to the Adult Female via telephone and informed her of the complaint made against her of which she denied. She was subsequently warned to be of good behavior. Area was left quiet. Police Information At 2:40pm On Friday 17th November 2017an Adult Female of Palmetto Point contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that she ended a relationship with On Friday 17th November 2017of Palmetto Point in October. On today’s date he called her phone numerous times and sent her several text messages. Presently he is at her house creating a disturbance Police assistance requested. The Adult Male came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station he was warned of his behaviour. House Breaking reported: On Friday 17th November 2017of Eleuthera Island Shores contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station at about 9:25pm on the 19.11.17 and reported that he had just arrived home from New Providence and discovered his home was broken into and that the culprit, an adult male was on the inside
still. Police action was requested. The Police visited the scene at about 10:20pm same date saw and spoke with the complainant who state that he knows the suspect, of Harbour Island, that he was a friend of his father and wish the police to speak with him and warn him to stay away from his premises. Same was done area left quiet. Police Assistance At about 7:05pm on Wednesday 22nd November 2017 an Adult Male of Betsy Village came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that there are multiple vehicles double parked through his corner blocking his driveway and his neighbors. Police assistance requested. At about 7:35pm on 22/11/17 The Police visited a business establishment in the area where he observed that most of the vehicles had already left the area, however he saw and spoke with the proprietor and informed her of the complaint and advised her that in the future they need to have their guest park in their parking lot at the rear of the establishment and not block up the public road and the private driveways of the area residents. The area was left with all in order. Police Information/ Stealing from a vehicle On Wednesday 22nd November 2017, at about 7:10 pm, an Adult Male of Hatchet Bay, reported to the Hatchet Bay Police Station that sometime on the 21st November 2017, he lent his jeep to a friend of who drove it to Surfers Beach, Eleuthera Island Shores. While at the beach the jeep was broken into through a rear right window. Culprit/s stole from the vehicle two (2) cameras and one (1) drone. Submitted for police information. Stealing from a vehicle At about 9:45 am on Thursday November 23rd 2017 an Adult Female of Palmetto Point Eleuthera the complainant who is the Island Manager for a Business Establishment reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that sometime between the 16th and 23rd November 2017 some unknown person/s stole a black television valued at about $600.00 from the company’s vehicle that had been in an accident and was awaiting transport for repair. She reported this for Police information at this time Police warning requested At about 1:00 pm on Thursday November 23rd 2017, an Adult Female of Gregory Town Eleuthera came into the GHPS and reported that her baby’s father of Gregory Town Eleuthera has been making harassing telephone calls to her and following her everywhere she goes and they are no longer in a relationship . Police warning requested. The complainant was advised of Civil Action. Causing Harm At about 1:05pm on Thursday 23rd November 2017 an Adult Female of Harbour Island came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that her ex-boyfriend of Harbour Island have been harassing her for several months, further that on Wednesday 22nd November 2017 around 5:00am she went out to buy
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
cigarettes when he approached her and pushed her to the ground and started choking her stopping only when some person came by. He then followed her home and continued to harass her. The complainant reported that this is not the first time he has choked her leaving her in pain. Police action is requested in this matter. The suspect was arrested reference to this matter. He was interviewed and on completion of the Investigation he was charged with Causing Harm. He was subsequently released on bail pending arraignment in the Magistrate’s Court. Threats of Harm and Assault with a Dangerous Instrument At about 10:45pm on Saturday 25th November 2017 an Adult Female of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that sometime at about 10:11pm on Saturday 25th November 2017 while at her residence she got into an argument with her boyfriend of Lower Bogue who made threatening remarks towards her and grabbed a pair of black and silver scissors making threats towards her. Further that while at the station he made threatening remarks towards her via what’s app message. Police action requested in this matter. At about 12:38am on Sunday 26th November 2017 the Police in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an Adult Male of Kemp Road under arrest and reported that he was arrested and cautioned in reference to assault with a dangerous instrument and threats of harm. The suspect was later released from Police Custody pending further investigations. Warning Requested At about 9:26am on Monday 27th November 2017 an adult male of Palmetto Point and C/O a Business Establishment, came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that on Saturday 25th November 2017 sometime around 8:00pm a young man he knows, came to the business establishment and threatened to hit him with bottle after he told him to leave because he had been barred from the facility. Police assistance requested in having him warned to stay away from the premises. Police information An Adult Female who is also the property manager of a Local Resort located Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that sometime between the hours of 11:00pm on Monday the 27th of November and 9:00am on Tuesday the 28th of November, 2017 some unknown person/s entered a at the Resort and stole Cash of mixed USD and BSD from the purse of one of the guest. She suspect that entry was gained through a back door of
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
the room, also the guest didn’t noticed the monies missing until she had left the room. The suspected theft was reported as Police information. Police Assistance/ Disturbance Reported: On Wednesday 29th November 2017, at about 8:20 pm an Adult Female of Hatchet Bay reported to the Hatchet Bay police station that there is a disturbance on Albert Street where an adult female is using profanity toward her husband to the annoyance of residents. Police Assistance Requested. On Wednesday 29th November 2017, at about 8:30 pm; Police made inquiries in reference to matter. They reported speaking to the husband, advising him of civil action. The area was left quiet. Suspect charged At about 3:10pm on Thursday November 30th 2017 Police charged an Adult Male of James Cistern with obscene language and disorderly behavior. He was interviewed and on completion of the Investigation he was charged with the Offences. He was subsequently released on bail pending arraignment in the Magistrate’s Court. Assault Report: On Friday 1st December 2017 at 3:45pm an Adult Female of Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that on the same date and time while sitting under the tree in the yard of 700 Wines and Spirit Whole Sales a male she knows as Of Governor’s Harbour hit her about the body after a verbal argument, Police Action requested. The adult male came into Governor’s Harbour Police Station where he was cautioned and arrested in reference to the complaint of Assault. He was interviewed and on completion of the Investigation he was charged with Assault. He was subsequently released on bail pending arraignment in the Magistrate’s Court. Arrest Report: On Saturday 2nd December 2017 at 2:25am Police in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an Adult Male of Governor’s Harbour under arrest. It was reported that while at a local Night Club in Palmetto Point sometime around 2:10am on the same date, he was arrested in reference to possession of dangerous drugs. On Sunday 3rd December 2017 at 11:14am Police while at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station further cautioned and charged the suspect with (1) count Possession of Dangerous Drugs. The suspect was later released on bail to attend court on January 24th 2018. Arrest ref. Undocumented Illegal Immigrant At about 1:48pm on Monday 4th December 2017 the Police came in at
Crime News
Online at www.EleutheraNews.com the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an Adult of Port Da Paix Haiti c/o Palmetto Point Eleuthera under arrest and reported that he was arrested in reference to being an undocumented illegal immigrant. The male was handed over to the Department of Immigration for processing. Police Warning Requested On Monday 04th December 2017 at about 3:50pm; An Adult Male of White Town, Hatchet Bay, reported to the Hatchet Bay Police Station that sometime around 7:30 pm on Friday 1st December 2017, a man he knows of Hatchet Bay, threatened to harm his and used obscene language towards him. Police Warning Requested. On Monday 04th December 2017 at about 8:40 pm, the Police saw and spoke to the Adult Male of Hatchet Bay, with reference to the complaint made against him of which he acknowledged. He was subsequently warned to be of good behavior toward the complainant. Area was left quiet. Damage Report At about 8:50am on Tuesday 5th December 2017 an Adult Male of Palmetto Point reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station that while making checks of his vehicles he discovered that some unknown person/s caused damage to several of the tires. Police action is requested. At about 12:20pm on 05/12/17 the Police visited the scene where the complainant pointed and showed the officers two locations where vehicles were parked and the damages were observed. Investigations continue. Police Assistance Damage Report At 7:57 pm on Tuesday December 6, 2017, an adult female of Governor’s Harbour came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and requested Police assistance at her residence where relatives were acting violent and creating a disturbance. At 7:59 pm the Police arrived on scene where he met and spoke with an Adult female who stated that her estranged husband came to her residence and shattered the rear windshield of her vehicle and damaged the front bumper and front hood. The Police saw and spoke to all persons involved and they were warned of their behavior. Investigations continue into this matter. Grievous Harm Report At 12:48 am on Wednesday December 6th 2017an Adult male of Governor’s Harbour and an Adult Male of Palmetto Point came to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station both suffering from injuries. The adult male of Governor’s Harbour reported that he was stabbed twice by the other male. On Wednesday 6th December, 2017 at about 1:50am the Police cautioned and arrested an Adult Male of Queen’s Highway Palmetto Point, Eleuthera while at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station reference to Grievous Harm. The Adult Male of Governor’s Harbour was seen by the local Doctor and he was treated and released. The adult male of Palmetto Point was later interviewed and charged with Wounding and Damage. He is expected to be arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court in New Providence in reference to this matter.
Suspected evasion of customs duty At about 2:40 pm on Wednesday 06th December, 2017 the Police while on Queen’s Highway, Gregory Town observed the driver of a white Nissan Sunny, known to the Police, acting suspiciously as the Police Unit approached. He then sped off and tried to elude the Officers who observed a dark male jump from the vehicle with a brown box and the vehicle continued. The male was stopped and the box was searched and found to contain (4) packs of Ganesh Beedies, (3) Cartoons of Palm Menthol cigarettes and (4) packs of Sonix Lighters. The spirits did not have Bahamas Exercise Stamps attached. The items were seized for further investigations and the occupants of the vehicle warned of prosecution. Arrest reference to Possession of D/ Drugs At about 3:37pm on Wednesday 6th December, 2017 the Police held in at the Hatchet Bay Police Station, an Adult Male of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, under arrest in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He was arrested in the area of White Town, Hatchet Bay. On the same date sometime around 7:15pm the suspect was interviewed at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station. He was subsequently charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs and released on bail pending arraignment. Suspected Stolen Property Recovered At about 4:00pm on Wednesday 6th December, 2017 the Police while on Queen’s Highway, James Cistern acting on information proceeded to the waterfront where they saw a male known to them removing some fishes from a small brown wooden boat with a recently sprayed white boat engine attached. He was asked who was the owner of the boat and engine and he said it belong to him. He was informed that the engine was suspected of being stolen and that the same would be seized pending further investigations. He was also told to produce his receipt for the engine to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station.
HARBOUR ISLAND REPORTS Structural Fire Report - At 10:41 am an anonymous caller contacted S- 3 via telephone and reported a house on fire and the fire is threatening nearby homes. Police assistance requested. At 10:47 Briland volunteer fire fighters were contacted and a the crew left S 3 enroute to scene. Assault w/ Deadly instrument - At 2:40 pm an adult female came to the H.I.P.S. and reported that on Tuesday December 5th 2017, her ex boyfriend of Coconut Grove Avenue tried to stab her to the neck with a scissors putting her in fear for her safety. Police action requested. Disturbance Report - Particulars: At 8:00pm an officer at the Harbour Island Police Station reported that while on duty at the H.I.P.S. they heard loud screams coming from the outside. While exiting the Police station, rocks were thrown from the junction of Goal Lane and Colebrook Street. A Young juvenile male informed the officer that he had been beaten about the body by several males known to him and that the males were on the corner. Upon seeing the police, the males fled on foot. Enquires continues. Police later arrested a total of (6) six
The Eleutheran | CHR 2017
juvenile males in reference to this matter. Assault Report Warning requested - An adult female Palm Breeze Drive off Carmichael Rd came in at the Harbour Island Police Station sometime around 2:10Am and reported that sometime around 1:30Am while at a Bar on Bay St Harbour Island a male friend of her mother hailed her and asked her for her mother. She further stated that a Caucasian female who was with the man grabbed her by her throat. She became in fear and left the Bar and went at a Night Club situated on Bay St and while there the same Caucasian female threw a cup of alcohol beverage on her and her cousins. However another lady came and apologized on behalf of the female who assaulted her. She requests that the female be warned to keep the peace while staying in Harbour Island. Traffic Accident Report On Monday 4th December, 2017 at about 10:05am an adult male of Trianna Shores, Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while travelling south along Queens Highway in the area of Ramora Bay in his truck, a vehicle collided into the passenger side of his truck causing damage and injuries to his passenger. Police assistance requested. Police issued the necessary forms. Investigations are ongoing… House Breaking Report On Monday 4th December, 2017 at around 7:30 pm an adult American female c/o a vacation House, Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that at about 7:15 pm while asleep in the eastern bedroom she was awoken by an unknown male in her home shouting “hello, hello”. Upon her responding, this male fled the residence. Checks were made of the home and nothing was stolen. Same was reported as police information. Police visited the scene where checks were made of the home and surrounding areas with negative results. There were also no signs of forced entry. Police Information - On Sunday 3rd December, 2017 at about 4:30 pm an adult male of Colebrooke Street, Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while at his residence he noticed that his son had an Amazon tablet/Kindle Fire with a grey and aqua case. When asked where it came from, his son told him that he bought it from another male. The parent suspected that the tablet may be stolen so he handed the tablet over to officers so that the necessary inquiries can be made. Obscene language report - On Saturday 2/12/17 at about 11:15am an adult female of Coconut Grove Avenue Harbour Island contacted Harbour Island Station via phone and reported that at about 11:00pm Friday 1/12/17 an unknown young man used obscene language to her annoyance she later learnt that he is a Customs Officer not based in Harbour Island. The incident was reported as Police information. She was advised to come to Harbour Island Station to file a formal complaint. Trespassing Report Police Warning - An adult female of Colebrooke Street Harbour Island came in at the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on Saturday 2/12/17 while at his residence sometime around 10:40pm he met a male whom he knows lurking and sneaking around his premises. He further stated that when he confronted him he stated that he suspects his ex-girlfriend to be at his residence. The complainant wishes for the suspect to be warned to stay away from his
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property and around his residence. An officer was given a description on the suspect by the complainant and made checks throughout the community with negative results in locating him. Howver additional checks will be made for the suspect due to him being the suspect in an outstanding Causing Harm matter that was reported at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station. Grievous harm report Police action requested - On Friday December 1st 2017 at about 7:25 am one male came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while at a home on Barrack Street he was stabbed about the body by a male known to him. Police action requested. On same date police issued the complainant with a Police Hospital Form to seek medical attention at Harbour island Community Clinic as a result of the complainant bleeding heavily from his face upper arm and lower legs. On same date an adult male of Barrack Street Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station where police arrested and cautioned the suspect in reference to causing Grievous harm. Officers of the Harbour Island Police Station went out with the accused on enquiries. From his residence police reported collecting one brown handled machete cutlass and one brown handled sheers property of the complainant however they did not locate the Knife that the accused used to stab the complainant with. Officers recorded an interview under caution from the accused. He was charged with Causing Grievous harm contrary to section 270 of the penal code chapter 84 he said nothing in reply to the charge. The suspect was later then fingerprinted and processed and remains in Police custody. Disturbance report - Police warning requested On Friday 1/12/17 an adult female of Queen’s Highway Gregory Town Eleuthera came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that while at her place of work her Uncle came there and created a disturbance. He further informed her boss that she should be fired. He accused her of calling him to come and collect some items he has on lay away which she never did. Police warning requested. Police contacted the adult male of Queens Highway Lower Bogue Eleuthera and informed him of the complaint made against him and he admitted to the allegations but stated that he only did same because his niece brought his business out into the public. He stated that he would apologize to the owner but not his niece. He advised that his niece wishes to communicate with him he stated that same would be done. No further action requested. Police assistance On Friday 1/12/17 an adult female of Barrack Street Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime in July 2017 she paid a male of Harbour Island two Hundred Dollars to frame up two of her upstairs windows. He began the work on one and told her to get some Ice and water Shield. She got it about a week later but he never came back to finish the work. She has spoken to him about it but he refuses to complete the work or refund her the money. Police assistance requested. Civil action advised. Threat of harm report Po-
Continued On Page 34
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Crime News
CHR 2017
Police Reports Continued from pg. 33
lice warning requested On Friday 1/12/17 an adult male of Queen’s Highway Lower Bogue Eleuthera contacted Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that he had an exchange of words with his niece and as a result she said to him “I can have someone hurt you” this put him in fear for his safety Police warning requested. Police contacted his niece via telephone and informed her of the complaint made against her. She stated that she told her Uncle that someone will soon hurt him if he doesn’t stop doing the things he does she stated that she never threatened to harm him. She was advised of the possible charge as it relates to threats towards another person. No further action requested. Police warning - An adult male of a Vacation House Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that his juvenile daughter reported to him that while riding her bicycle home from school a white van collided into her causing a wound on her right toe - she gave the van registration number and reported that the incident happened on
Clarence Street. Police warning requested. Trespassing /stealing report - Police action requested On Friday 1/12/17 at about 8:30pm an adult male of Marina Road Harbour Island came in at Harbour Island Police Station and reported that on Tuesday 28/11/17 sometime between 9:00am and 9:45pm some unknown person/s stole his two sixteen foot six by six wood valued at ninety four dollars per wood off his Father’s fenced in property located New Dunmore Subdivision Harbour Island. Police action requested The complainant was also advised to bring a copy of the receipt for the wood to the station to attach to file. Investigations continue. Arrest ref: Stealing by reason of Employment - D/C 3307 Newbold reported that while at the Harbour Island Police Station he arrested and cautioned an adult male of Alice Street Harbour Island in reference to Stealing by Reason of Employment. He appeared to be well. The suspect was interviewed under caution where he denied the offence and was released pending further investigations. Stealing Report - An adult female of a residential Community contacted the Harbour Island Police Station via phone and reported that the Manager received information from that on Thursday 23.11.17 sometime between 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm about $750.00
Tony Crean BasketBall Tournament from Pages 22/23
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went missing of his kitchen counter. Same reported as Police information only. Stealing Report - On Sunday 26th November, 2017 at about 2:30 pm an adult male of Jupiter, Florida came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between 5:00 pm on Saturday 25.11.17 and 8:30 am on Sunday 26.11.17 some unknown person/s stole a yellow, black and white 2015 Sea Doo jet ski valued at about $14,000.00 from a floating dock at the rear of Abby’s Cove, The Narrows. Police action requested. Dog Attack Report - On Wednesday December 6th 2017 at 8:05am an elderly male reported that while walking his dog along Trianna Shores, both he and his dog were attacked by three pit bulls owned by a male known to him. He reported receiving injuries to both legs and his left hand and his dog was bitten several times in the rear area. He does not wish to proceed criminally at this time. Same reported as police information. Police issued Mr. Fox with a police hospital form to seek medical attention. At 8:20 police also visited the home of to the pit-bull owner however he was not there. Information given is that this male was informed of the incident. Police Assistance Requested On Wednesday December 6th 2017 at 12:30 pm a male contacted the H.I.P.S. and reported that he received information that a young lady of New York is online selling his
a.t.v. boat, tractor, and excavator without his permission. Police assistance requested. Explosion report - On Wednesday December 6th 2017 at 4:00 pm –a female c/o Valentine resort contacted the H.I.P.S. and reported there was an explosion at the Valentine resort marina including a wave runner. Police assistance requested. Police went to Valentine Marina and saw a black wave runner in the middle of the harbour on fire. They then proceeded to the local clinic where they spoke with one male who was able to say little but couldn’t give a statement because he was in too much pain. He was asked to come to the H.I.P.S. when he was released by doctor. Police later recorded a witness statement from a male in the presence of his mother. Arrest reference to Assaulting Police Officer Sometime around 2.15am on Thursday 7th December, 2017. Police came to Harbour Island Police Station with two male suspects of New-Providence and reported that sometime around 2.15am on Thursday 7/12/17 while at Dunmore Street Harbour Island in the area of Tropic Hut restaurant an officer arrested and cautioned suspect one of the males for assaulting police, resisting arrest and threats of death. Another officer arrested and cautioned the second suspect for obstruction. Both suspects were placed in a cell for safe keeping and further enquiries.
Above: The NEHS Lions; Below: The CEHS Sentinels; Below Right - Tournament namesake, veteran teacher and coach, Tony Crean, advising the players.
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Happy holidays - in song, dance & Music
| CHR 2017 IN THE GARDEN! -
Cancer Society’s Music in the Garden and Tree Lighting Fundraiser 2017
Scenes at the Cancer Society’s Music in The Garden annual fundraiser 2017
The Cancer Society, Eleuthera Branch, set the mood to usher in the Christmas Season in Central Eleuthera on Saturday evening, December 2nd, 2017, with their annual Music in the Garden and Tree Lighting fundraiser event, which saw a good community crowd fill the garden seating under the stars. People from all over the island come out to enjoy the spectacle of music, dance, and song and to give back to their brothers and sisters across Eleuthera suffering with cancer. On the program were a variety of selections, with the talented Freedom Marching Band playing yuletide tunes. Young liturgical dance groups from churches in Savannah Sound, Lower Bogue and James’ Cistern presented expressive interpretations of musical worship pieces, along with a talented Mahalia-like solo by Eleuthera’s songstress, Ms. Brendalee Petty. IPAD Warriors for Christ, brought their young message of salvation and the Christian walk through both rap, as well as a powerful mime performance. Young band students, Trequan and Lemar of the Freedom Marching band also pleased the audience with a talented instrumental duo rendition, and youth from Full Gospel Church in Palmetto Point recited a Christmas anagram. The dynamic team at the Eleuthera Branch of the Cancer Society, headed by President, Jacquelyn Gibson; and Cancer Society Wellness Center Administrator, Chinnici Mc-
Donald; as well as volunteer - Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Clinton Josey Sr. - entreated the audience to give generously to the Society’s cause of giving hope and help to those struggling with cancer on the island. The evening which began with the lighting of the evergreen Christmas tree on the grounds of the Cancer Society’s Wellness Center, closed out with Jacquie Gibson delivering the vote of thanks to all the evening’s performers, the organizers behind the scenes that had made things happen, also to the crowd of people who came out and enjoyed the event with their families and gave of their financial resources to help in the fight against cancer on Eleuthera. The annual fundraiser for the Society, reported Mrs. Gibson, brought in a little less than the previous year in cash and pledged donations during the evening - funds which were said to be critical. In light of this, Society members, extended the invitation to everyone on island to open their hearts, and to consider pledging to give a little more to keep the important work at the Center going this year. Fireworks then awed guests as they enjoyed refreshments and mingled following the program, before making the journeys back home.
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Island “Buzz” www. EleutheraNews . com Longstanding Public Service Employees Celebrated during Public Service Month at grand luncheon. 36
CHR 2017
Public Service long-standing employees enjoyed an Awards Luncheon, along with their family members, friends and well-wishers hosted at the Worker’s House Ballroom on Sunday afternoon, November 26th, 2017. Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, Mr. Hank Johnson, and Administrator Gilbert Kemp, presented the honourees with their certificates of recognition.
Nickal Fernander, Social Services
Shema Darling, Immigration. Ricardo Belle, Works.
Osborn Pinder, Works.
Jacqueline Gibson, Tourism.
The members of the Public Service, headed up in Central Eleuthera by Administrator Mr. Gilbert Kemp, celebrated Public Service Month with a cadre of activities throughout the month of November. The fun began on Friday, November 3rd, 2017, with a motorcade which began at noon and made its way from Governor’s Harbour to Palmetto Point, on to Hatchet Bay and back to Bay Front Park in Governor’s Harbour, where participants then fellow-shipped at a meet and greet at the Administrator’s residence. A Public Service talent show, originally scheduled for Friday, November 10th, had to be cancelled, however, the activities continued on Saturday, November 18th, where participating public servants got up bright and early to take part in a Health Walk and Fair that got started at 6am at the Bay Front Park. The month’s celebrations culminated on Sunday, November 26th, beginning with a church service attended by public service employees at the historic St. Patrick’s Anglican church in Governor’s Harbour, where Father Ivan Tim Eldon admonished the celebrants to serve diligently in their respective agencies, to be a positive example to those coming up after them and to truly give of their best to the members of the public that they served. Following the service, a grand luncheon was hosted at the Worker’s House ballroom where public
Kennedy Scavella, Works.
service employees were honoured for years of long service in two groups. The first group were those persons who had served between 25 and 29 years, and the second group of honourees were those persons who had served for 30 years and longer. Honourees serving 25 to 29 years included; Post Office: Stephanie Bethel, Pamela Carey, Marsha Thompson; BTC: Rosemary Curry, Bertina Knowles, Catherine Gierwerski, Tonya Johnson; Accounts: Genesta Far-
Frances Friend, Education.
rington; Works: Ricardo Bell, Oswald Bethel, Osborn Pinder, Marvin Pinder, Van Johnson, Wayne Hilton, Larry Minnis; Tourism: Glenda Ingraham; Port: Laurie Belle; Administration: Madlene Rolle; Immigration: Shema Darling; Social Services: Nickal Fernander; Civil Aviation: Edmund Bethel, Jeffery Pinder; BPL: Cranston Scavella, Danny Decosta,
Continued On Page 38
Sherrol Thompson, Education.
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Oswald Bethel, Works.
Delores Stubbs, Env. Health
Ellis Miller, RBPF.
Anthony Crean, Education.
Charlene Johnson, Road Traffic
Carole Davis, Education
Elva Nixon, Education.
Genesta Farrington, Accounts
Hartman Sawyer, Works
Dolly Petty, Education.
Marsha Thompson, Post Office.
| CHR 2017
Windsor Bethel, Administration
John Gibson, Works.
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Delphine Dean, Env. Health
Andrew Johnson, RBPF.
Norma Rolle, Education.
Cindy Thompson, Education
Stephanie Bethel, Post Office.
Karen Crean, Education.
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CHR 2017
Public Servants Honoured Continued from pg. 36
Carlos Cleare; Police: Inspector Julian Newbold, Sergeant 79 Cyril Dean, Corporal 1930 Pedro Grant, Corporal 1819 Orland Pinder Education: Marie Galanis, Betty Johnson Carey, Marsha McCardy, Hamiroy Ramnauth, Graham Walker, Carmen Knowles, Keva Roberts, Clarissa Pinder, Margaret Albury, and Sherrol Thompson. Honourees serving 30 years and longer in-
cluded; Tourism: Jacqueline Gibson; Port: Lionel Fernander; Administration: Rose Kirby, Winsor Bethel; Environmental Health: Delphine Dean, Delores Stubbs, Merle Seymour, Carla Thompson; Road Traffic: Barbara Jonson, Charlene Johnson; Works: Hartman Sawyer, John Gibson, Kennedy Scavella; Customs: Wanda Scavella, Edith Miller; Health: Priscilla Scavella (retiree),
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Sherrin Cooper (retiree), Freda Cooper, Monique Cambridge, Bernadette Colebrook, Debbie Deal; BPL: Kevin Cambridge, Donald Fernander, Juan Gardiner, Birbb Scavella; Education: Myrtle McPhee, Kirkwood Cleare, Frances Thompson Friend, Geletta Clarke Faustin, Cheryl Minnis, Norma Rolle, Winnifred Thompson, Cindy Thompson, Anthony Crean, Carole Davis, Caroline Rolle, Elva Nixon, Carol Rolle, Naomi Taylor, Faye Pinder, Dollymae Petty, Karen Crean (retiree), Lavada Ingraham (retiree), and James Ingraham (retiree).
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“This is the best edition yet! Congratulations. “ Pamela Carey, Post Office.
Deborah Fox, Tourism
Aluria Thompson, Education.
Celebrate With these young star councillors Preston H. Albury High School installs new Student Council
Students at Preston H. Albury High School recently got the opportunity to choose leaders from amongst themselves to represent them on a new Student Council. With the Student Council theme of, “The Leader in Me”, Administration at the school aimed to encourage the student body to be good role models to each other. The main function of the Student Council explained Principal Fontella Knowles at the installation ceremony held at the school on Friday, December 1st, 2017, was to act as a liaison be-
tween the students, faculty and administration, while fostering a good working relationship between the three. “The Council acts as the official representative body of the opinions and attitudes of the students - providing forum for the free expression of student’s ideas and constructive suggestions”, she added. Students got good practice in the democratic process, as student ‘candidates’ ran for various positions and actively campaigned and advertised for votes from their peers. Some of
the responsibilities and benefits expected from having the Student Council on campus were: the provision of a new learning experience, the council acting as a peer counseling body, student councilors assisting with the enforcement of school regulations, the council acting as a regulatory body for all student oriented clubs and organizations, and the creation of opportunities for students to work together. Teachers, Mrs. Elizabeth Ramnarine and Mrs. Cooper serve as advisors to the Student
Council, and the following students were officially installed in their new positions on the Executive Board during the ceremony; Randino Yee, President; Christina Adderley, Vice President; Traliyah Carey, Secretary; Briana Hall, Treasurer; Mia Brown, Chaplain; Kyrone Morley, Sergeant at Arms; Drevon Richards, Director of Fundraising; Geordante Neely, Director of Activities; and Valentino Stubbs, Director of Community Service. Class Councilors working along with the
magaz
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Community Spirit alight - BAY FRONT
| CHR 2017
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-Governor’s Harbour
Scenes taken on the night of Lighting Ceremony
On the evening of Thursday, December 7th, 2017, after several days of overcast and rainy weather, plans for the Central Eleuthera District Tree Lighting ceremony,
to ring in the holiday season in the island’s capital, came together nicely with rain dissipating just moments before the formal start of the program near 7pm. Administrator for
Central Eleuthera, Mr. Gilbert Kemp, along with his team of Public Service agencies and Youth Council worked tirelessly to pull together the beautiful event. While the rainy weather may have affected the overall turnout, there was still a good showing of townspeople from throughout the district, with many attendees choosing to park up close, and observe the event from the dry safety of their vehicles, rather than the open air seating provided. Retired Educator, Emily Petty, moderated the evening’s celebration, which saw several song selections performed by local area churches, including groups from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and Global Outreach Ministries. The Eleuthera Freedom marching band, also performed a number of holiday tunes, and a group of Public Service employees, dubbed the Public Service Choir, had toes tapping with an energetic rendition of “Jesus the Light of the World”. Associate Pastor, Clarice Thompson, of Global Outreach Ministries, was
the speaker for the evening, and had as her main message, using the amazing elements of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus to illustrate, “For with God, nothing is impossible.” A number of other area Pastors took part in the evening’s program through prayers and short messages, including Rev. Leonard Culmer from Full Gospel House of God Temple in Palmetto Point; Rev. Lee Carl Sands, President of the Central Eleuthera Christian Council; and Rev. Charlotte Bethel from People’s Restoration Church in Palmetto Point. Mrs. Shelly -Johnson, wife of MP for Central and South Eleuthera, Mr. Stephen Hank Johnson stood in for long serving public service employee Mrs. Dolly Petty, who was originally slated to do the honours of officially turning on the lights of the main Christmas tree on site. The beautiful evening wrapped up with a Junkanoo music rush-out, led by the Eleuthera Freedom marching band.
L-R: Christina Adderley, Traliyah Carey, Briana Hall and Mia Brown - all with District Supt.(Edu) for South Eleuthera, Mrs. Althea Gibson.
Randino Yee
Executive Board included: Grade 7 - Shauntae Hall, and Geordia Neely; Grade 8 - Jodi Oldham, and Alex Young; Grade 9 - Azaria Brown, and Sidron Johnson; Grade 10 - Alisha Albury, and Xzavier Rolle; Grade 11 - Sharmaine Deveaux, and Precious Rolle; and Grade 12 - Mathio Colebrooke, and Trenesha Adderley.
L-R: Kyrone Morley, Drevon Richards, Geordante Neely and Valentino Stubbs - all with Dist. Supt.(Edu) for S. Eleu. Mrs. Althea Gibson.
New District Superintendent for South Eleuthera, Mrs. Althea Gibson was also in attendance, and in her remarks, challenged the students who had been selected to lead, to be the best possible examples to their peers, and to represent their fellow students to the best of their
ability. She also exhorted the remainder of the student body to support their new student leaders and to embrace their activities and projects during the year. Guest speaker at the installation was Father Bradley Miller who gave the students a number of tips to being successful in their new
leadership roles; including having humility, leading by example, and being ambitious and persistent. President of the new Student Council, Randino Yee, near the end of the ceremony proffered his remarks to the student and faculty audience,