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Volume: 113 No.32 JANUARY 6, 2017
Biggest And Best!
DNA leader denies Butler-Turner talk of ‘bold’ partnership By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney said yesterday he was “unaware” of any coalition between his party and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Tuner or the six other “rebel” Free National Movement members of Parliament. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr McCartney said “there is no plan at this stage” to form a coalition between the two groups. On Wednesday, in an interview on Hot 91.7 FM’s “Morning Madhouse” with host “C-Note”, Mrs ButlerTurner announced that she is forming a “very powerful and bold” coalition with Mr McCartney and the DNA that will “change the direc-
EDUCATION Minister Jerome Fitzgerald defended the Christie administration from backlash after it was revealed that Value-Added Tax (VAT) would not be applied on Baha Mar’s completion,
44 CUBANS DETAINED AT CAY SAL BANK
tion of the country.” The Official Opposition leader also said the details of the “interesting” coalition would be announced “very soon”. When contacted for a response yesterday, Mr McCartney said: “There is no plan to absorb anyone in the DNA. There is no plan at this stage, that I am aware of, for a coalition. “The only conversation we had was about my becoming a senator. Right now the DNA is waiting for this election and how we will form the next government. With regard to the fantastic seven or the rebel seven, they are still with the FNM. They are still members of the Free National Movement.” SEE PAGE SIX
GOVT WOULD HAVE EARNED ONLY ‘MINISCULE’ VAT FROM BAHA MAR By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
S
Bran unaware of coalition plan
telling ZNS News that the amount that would have been earned in this regard was “miniscule”. He also said the government would soon move to put the Baha Mar deal in the public domain, to bring an end to speculation and sensationalism on the issue. SEE PAGE SIX
ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Officers apprehended 44 Cuban migrants in the waters off Elbow Cay, Abaco. Out of that number, there were 38 men and six women. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net OVER 40 Cubans were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in conjunction with the US Coast Guard in the Cay Sal Bank over the last 48 hours, with three persons reported to have attempted to evade capture.
A total of 44 Cubans - six women and 38 men - were apprehended by RBDF personnel on three landmasses located in the Cay Sal Bank as of Tuesday, according to RBDF Senior Lieutenant Clinton Johnson. Of that number, 12 were turned over to RBDF officials aboard HMBS Leon Livingstone Smith after
MILLER: NO POINT TALKING TO WE MARCH ORGANISER TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller has again lashed out at We March Bahamas lead organiser Ranard Henfield, telling a talk show host that with a man like the activist there was no time for discussion, “you only could break one damn bottle upside their head”. Mr Miller’s comments came when he appeared as
a guest on “Hard Copy” with host Steve McKinney on Wednesday. Mr Miller became angered when the talk show’s host suggested that Mr Miller symbolically join hands with the activist. We March Bahamas will protest against the SEE PAGE FIVE
being apprehended by US Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered, which was also on patrol in the Cay Sal Bank area. A subsequent search of the nearby Anguilla Cays by RBDF marines resulted in the discovery of an additional eight Cuban nationals, he said. Sr Lt Johnson said upon arrival to nearby Elbow
Cay, RBDF officials encountered an additional 24 Cuban nationals, who were subsequently apprehended “without incident”. However, Sr Lt Johnson said as RBDF marines conducted a search of the cay, three persons “tried to escape on the same raft they came there on”. SEE PAGE TWO
US WARNING TO STAY AWAY FROM PROTEST MARCH By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
THE United States Embassy in Nassau released a security message yesterday urging its staff, citizens and US visitors in Nassau and Paradise Island to avoid a “planned demonstration” scheduled for Majority
Rule Day. “A planned demonstration is scheduled to take place in Nassau on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, during the Bahamas’ Majority Rule Day holiday, commencing at 10am at Arawak Cay (‘Fish Fry’) and proceeding east on Bay Street to SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Friday, January 6, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
SOME of the 44 Cuban migrants being searched by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force yesterday after being detained near Cay Sal Bank.
44 Cubans detained at Cay Sal Bank from page one “So we had to actually send the sea boat out to bring that (raft) back, but it was only three persons on board,” he said, adding that those three persons did not put up a fight once apprehended. “The person who was identified as the captain was one of the person who was captured on the cay, but obviously we have an interest in the person who took out the small sea boat as well, because obviously he had some idea of where he was going,” he added. “So it’s a possibility you may have had two persons there who may have had some sort of nautical knowledge, or some knowledge of the ocean.” Sr Lt Johnson said, notwithstanding Monday’s successful apprehension exercise, the RBDF continues to face challenges in preventing illegal immigration due to the country’s
DETAINED Cuban migrants aboard an RBDF vessel yesterday. archipelagic nature, and the constant wave of illegal migrants. “The challenges we face is that there’s a lot of real estate that we have to
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
cover, and we have limited resources but we try to utilise it the best,” he said. “We have threats basically on both borders. We have Haitians coming up from
the south, we have Cubans moving in basically from the eastern side, so to cover that amount of real estate with the vessels we have, is a constant challenge. “So basically we’re pulled in a lot of different directions trying to deal with the various different tasks
the defence force has,” he added. “But basically with the resources we have right now, with the new ships we have, it’s actually helped us to cover the ground a lot better than we have before.” In late December 2016, 19 Cubans were brought to Freeport, Grand Bahama after the US Coast Guard intercepted the migrants in the Cay Sal Bank area. In November of last year, 21 Cuban migrants - 16 men, four women and one child, were taken to Grand Bahama after a go-fast vessel was intercepted by the US Coast Guard in Bahamian waters. An American, of Cuban descent, who was operating the speedboat, was taken into custody by US Coast Guard officials and returned to the US to face charges of attempted human smuggling. On Thursday, August 19, 2016 some 43 Cuban nationals were sent to Havana, Cuba, via Bahamasair charter after illegally entering the Bahamas. Senior immigration officials said at the time that “another 40 to 60” would be sent out within a
week of that repatriation exercise. In July, 54 Cuban migrants were taken into custody by Immigration officials in Grand Bahama in three separate incidents over three days in one week. Then in late June of last year, 14 Cuban migrants were turned over to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre after being apprehended by RBDF officials. Immigration Director William Pratt told the press last year that the upswing in illegal Cuban migration may be to Cuban’s seeking to reach the United States before that country does away with its “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy, a unique policy that favours Cuban migrants. According to international reports, Cubans fear that the policy, which essentially allows any Cuban who makes it to US soil to stay and apply for legal permanent resident status and US citizenship, may be eliminated due to the improved relations between the US and Cuba.
FUNERAL DETAILS FOR DORIS BULLARD FUNERAL for Mrs Doris 99, who died at Street home on
services Bullard, her East Wednes-
day afternoon, will be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Boyd Road, on Thursday.
Monsignor Alfred Culmer will officiate. Interment will follow in St Joseph’s cemetery.
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Don’t miss breaking news throughout the weekend and a video review of the week’s most important stories with The Tribune’s Top 5. And, on Monday, start the week as The Tribune returns to newsstands with a round-up of all the weekend news, business and sport. Plus Insight – news, analysis and comment on the big issues of the day. Check out the latest properties for sale and rent in the Home Buyers’ Guide and The Tribune’s Classifieds Trader – the best guide to cars for sale, real estate, help wanted and more.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, January 6, 2017, PAGE 3
Sacked Ocean Club staff to be given help from pension fund By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FINANCIAL assistance for sacked workers at the One&Only Ocean Club is reportedly on the way, with hotel union officials heralding yesterday’s expected approval of the union’s attempt to secure access from the Bahamas Hotel Industry Management Pension Fund. Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) secretary general, told The Tribune that pension fund committee members were expected to finalise the union’s request to access whatever funds are available in the health and welfare fund of the pension fund to provide financial assistance to the employees during a meeting yesterday. “That is being processed now,” Mr Woods said when contacted. “There’s supposed to be a meeting sometime today (Thursday) for the persons who are sit-
ting on that fund, overseeing that process, to actually do the actual approval and the payouts. It should have been (Wednesday) but the parties didn’t come together, so that should happen sometime today.” Mr Woods also said after yesterday’s concluded arrangement, displaced employees will also receive food coupons to assist them in securing grocery items. The approval is expected to quell the constant agitation from the hundreds of employees that have been out of a job since the hotel closed its doors to commence hurricane repairs in October. The assistance is expected to be doled out in two ways: help in meeting mortgage, rent and/or various bill payments and obligations, and assistance for those who suffered flood damage and/or otherwise as a result of Hurricane Matthew. According to Mr Woods, in order to capitalise on the financial assistance,
One&Only employees would need to submit a request for payment, along with an application to the pension fund, and then the fund would send a letter along with a cheque to the various institutions, ScotiaBank, for example, authorising a payment of whichever amount to be made on behalf of the applicant. If a request for assistance with rent payments is made, Mr Woods said the letter and cheque would go to the tenant. It is unclear how soon persons will be able to capitalise on the financial assistance, however. Last month, Bahamas Hotel Employers Association President Robert “Sandy” Sands confirmed that the BHCAWU had submitted a request to the pension fund in order to solicit financial assistance and otherwise for displaced One&Only employees. BHCAWU President Nicole Martin had previously indicated in a voice note to One&Only employ-
ees and obtained by The Tribune, that the union was waiting on a “formal” agreement by the association, presumably the BHEA, to be able to access whatever funds are available in the health and welfare fund to provide financial assistance to the employees. “This meeting would pretty much finalise all the processes,” Mr Woods said when contacted yesterday. “It would have gone through the first stage of vetting, now it has to go through the second. This would be the conclusion because the actual committee who actually will sign off on it, will be the ones to do that today (Thursday). “We know the people are getting kind of antsy, but it’s not something that’s in our purview. We don’t control the movement on how it is handled.” Mr Woods also said the union is still attempting to meet with One&Only officials over last month’s sudden termination of more than 60 employees, inclu-
sive of management and line staff, from the Paradise Island-based luxury hotel. At the time, the hotel cited the reason for conducting the pre-Christmas layoffs as a result of dissatisfaction over unsavory guest reviews about its staff. Mr Woods had subsequently said that despite being blindsided by the terminations, the union would consult its attorneys and meet with One&Only representatives to find out the hotel’s rationale for the terminations before deciding its next move. “We still trying to get the meeting,” he said. “Like I said because of the holidays they weren’t able to really solidify a date before the holidays so definitely we have to get with them, and also get with government because government was the (entity) who they initially spoke to in the absence of the union. “I don’t know if the government had given them some undertaking as to what should happen, but
we’re trying to get that out of the way as quickly as possible, because the resort is supposed to open from February, and actually they’re supposed to go into training as of the second week or third week of this month, based on what they would have told us in the initial meeting when they said nobody would lose their jobs. “So I guess you have to wait and see what’s going to happen at the end of the day.” The One&Only Ocean Club closed its doors temporarily to repair damage by Hurricane Matthew in October. The luxury hotel was initially expected to re-open at the beginning of December, but later confirmed that it had delayed its re-opening date to Valentine’s Day this year. At the time, management did not specify what would happen to the 350 staff members in the meantime, but said they and union officials had been informed of the extended period of closure.
FITZGERALD WON’T CONFIRM IF TABLED FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT WILL BE ENACTED BEFORE ELECTION By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE assurances that the recently tabled bill will be successfully passed into law, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald would not commit to whether the government will enact Freedom of Information legislation before the next general election. Mr Fitzgerald noted that a luncheon meeting has been set for Monday to update and educate parliamentarians on the bill in a bid to ensure a comprehensive and informed debate. The previous Ingraham administration passed a Freedom of Information Act shortly before the 2012 general election; however, there was no date for enactment. On Wednesday, Mr Fitzgerald said there was no comparison between the two administrations, adding that the process for implementation will be more clearly defined during debate on the bill. “I’ve made it quite clear what the process is,” he said, “there was no process with the last piece of legislation, somebody sat in a room and drafted it and brought it before election. This has been a process that has been going on for the past two and a half years, this is a different process completely. “This is a bipartisan process across the board that civil society was deeply involved in,” he said, “you can’t even compare the two.” Mr Fitzgerald said: “With
JEROME FITZGERALD, Minister of Education, Science and Technology. regard to implementation, the (Freedom of Information) committee has laid out a timeframe with education and so forth. I haven’t gotten the details of that yet but I think more of that will come out as we discuss it next week. “There’s a process on that and when we go to debate, we will be more definitive.” He continued: “It definitely will pass through Parliament, without a doubt. I’m hoping to have the debate as soon as possible, I’m having the education for the MPs on Monday and that is just to show you how serious
DRUGS AND FIREARM SEIZED
POLICE on patrol took a men walking on Bimini Avquantity of dangerous drugs enue off Market Street. and a firearm off the streets The men on seeing the of New Providence in sepa- officers dropped a bag and rate incidents. fled. The officers gave chase In the first incident, shortly but were unable to catch the after 11pm on Tuesday, Se- men, police said. The officlective Enforcement Team ers retrieved the bag and officers conducted a search found it to contain 109 small of an abandoned building on packages of marijuana. Marshall Road, where they uncovered a shotgun. No one was arrested. In the second incident, shortly before 10pm on Wednesday, Mobile Division officers were on patrol, Friday,three 6th January 2017 when they observed
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I am, and the government is, about moving ahead to ensure that this is debated and passed through both Houses of Parliament.” Mr Fitzgerald defended the “benchmark” bill on the sidelines of a press conference to announce that the government will host the ninth Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Education (9IAMME) next month. The FOI bill was branded a “missed opportunity” by more than 20 civil society organisations (CSOs) in a joint statement released after its tabling on
December 14. The CSO collective noted that while the government adopted several suggestions collected during public consultation earlier in the year, it abstained from taking on any of the major concerns raised by civil society. Three main areas that the group found the bill was still lacking included: the selection process of the information commissioner, the scope of public authorities subject to the bill, and the long time limits for making information accessible.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff On Wednesday, Mr Fitzgerald disputed the number of recommendations that were not used from civil society. “I don’t know about some of their major recommendations not being used,” he said. “I know about one that wasn’t followed out of about 12 or 15 and everybody knows that a Freedom of Information Act, at the end of the day you have to see what suits best for your government structure. There was a particular recommendation that we did not follow for a particular reason with regard for our
governmental structure set up, with regard to our Westminster system, for no other reason.” Mr Fitzgerald added: “I think this is a good piece of legislation that benchmarks against other legislation within the region, that shows what can happen when we as a country come together in our best efforts, this legislation is reflective of that. Not everyone got everything they wanted, not even the government but at the end of the day I think it would be very hard to say this legislation doesn’t benchmark.”
PAGE 4, Friday, January 6, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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An uncertain world going into 2017 WITH THE onset of a new year, world politics are now dominated by changes set in train during 2016. All eyes are on America and Russia, the Middle East and the future of the European Union. While people yearn for order and certainty in 2017, the success of Donald Trump in last November’s US presidential election, Russia’s expansionism and alleged interference in that election through computer hacking and Britain’s decision in a referendum in June to leave the EU (‘Brexit’) have now produced the opposite effect of inducing real fear about international security during the coming year. In parallel, the continuing grotesque actions of ISIS and the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, which has precipitated the refugee crisis, have already led to serious disorder in Western countries together with public concern and dismay. Mr Trump’s election and ‘Brexit’, both of which confounded the predictions of the claimed experts and the pollsters, amounted to a defeat of the global governing classes and almost to an unravelling of the old world order and a resulting potential rise in nationalism. Furthermore, the likely political upheaval following elections in certain countries in Europe in the coming months may result in a strengthening of the far-right and lead to further worries about the future, not least the likely chaos which would follow a possible collapse of the whole EU project. The President-elect’s victory represents a rejection of what is now being seen as liberal drift in the United States itself and the nation’s disengagement on the international stage. Clearly, the seeds of this were sown during the eight years of the Obama presidency, which are more and more being considered as long on rhetoric and short on wisdom and useful achievement. Mr Obama’s lack of leadership, amounting almost to detachment, in the area of foreign policy in an increasingly dangerous world has been particularly damaging. This included his refusal to refer explicitly to radical Islamic terrorism, ambivalence towards Israel and a failure to counter Russian aggression and advances in Ukraine and Syria as well as its rearmament affecting the Baltic states which has constituted a challenge to EU security. Finally confronting Vladimir Putin by expelling Russian diplomats over hacking and interference in the US presidential election was seen as too little, too late. Mr Trump has already signalled a rad-
ical change of direction in US foreign policy but, in seeking a rapprochement with Russia, he should surely be wary of regarding Putin as a friend since his strategic interests run counter to those of the West. The President-elect will also be faced with other important issues, like the nuclear threat from North Korea and Iran and the risk of conflict arising from China’s military activity in the South China Sea, as well as the problems of international trade and of climate change, which he has dismissed as a hoax. As for Europe, it now looks as though Britain has chosen to be on the right side of history at a time when the emphasis on global solutions, diminishing the role of the nation state, is waning. ‘Brexit’ has been described as the most complex diplomatic, legal, political and economic negotiation of our time. The relatively close result of the UK referendum means that the current fierce domestic debate about its outcome will continue. But all the signs are that, despite the political minefield both at home and within the EU itself, Prime Minister Theresa May’s government will stick to its deadline of the end of March to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty (the mechanism for leaving the EU). So far, Mrs May has been reluctant to disclose information about the government’s negotiating position, but the pledge in her New Year’s message to secure what she described as the right deal for every single person in the UK - not just the so-called ‘Brexiteers’ - was a welcome affirmation of her wish to heal the divisions between the Remainers and Leavers. Given America’s vast influence in the rest of the world, most people will hope that, in office, Mr Trump is not as intolerant and impulsive as he has so far shown himself to be. There can be no doubt that he will always seek to put the interests of the US first, but there is also the hope that he will cease to ‘tweet’ at the drop of a hat on foreign policy matters. Appearing to be making policy on the hoof in relation to serious and complicated issues will only increase public fears about the potentially disastrous consequences of failing to address international problems in a rational and considered manner. Prediction can be foolhardy if not reckless. But it is safe to say that the future of the United States in the hands of a new president is, at the very least, uncertain. In our own neighbouring small-island state, we await the events of 2017 with some trepidation.
Gambling and the Bahamas Constitution EDITOR, The Tribune. RECENTLY, I read a Tribune news story about the Chairman of the DNA, Mr Andrew Wilson, not being allowed to gamble in a local casino. Included in the news story is this incorrect statement: “The main reason he was escorted out of the casino was because the country’s laws allow for visitors to gamble legally in casinos while Bahamians and permanent residents cannot.” The truth of the matter is that Mr Wilson was escorted out of the casino because he is a Bahamian resident, not because he is a Bahamian national. Section 50 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act prohibits from gambling in casinos ALL persons who are work permit holders (non-Bahamians), permanent residents (non-Bahamians), ordinary
Jamaal Rolle is on holiday
residents of The Bahamas (Bahamian nationals), and the spouses of these persons. Accordingly, Bahamian nationals who reside abroad and are not married to a person who is prohibited from gambling in local casinos can come home and legally gamble in any casino in this country. Therefore, the reality is that some Bahamians can legally gamble in local casinos, and some Bahamians can’t. And some foreigners can gamble in local casinos, and some foreigners can’t. Why? Simply because the basis for the prohibition is residency, not nationality. It is ironic that in his quest to gamble in local casinos Mr Wilson is claiming that the constitution gives him a right to the pursuit of happiness. However, the truth is that our constitution grants
no right to the pursuit of happiness; and even if it did, the financially reckless and parasitic practice of gambling is not a viable route because more often than not it leads to misery, not happiness. Former PLP cabinet minister Rev Carlton Francis was right when he said that gambling was no way to develop our new nation. His words were true then, and they remain true now. Therefore, the political leaders who legalized casino gambling in The Bahamas, and subsequently web shop gambling, and the church leaders who supported them, failed our nation. The evidence of their failure is obvious to all who have eyes to see. PASTOR CEDRIC MOSS Nassau, January 5, 2017.
Rawson Square a detraction EDITOR, The Tribune. I ADDRESS the following open letter to Ranard Henfield and other organizers of the upcoming historic second instalment of the ‘We March’ movement. Brother Henfield, First of all, let me say that I salute you, and all the patriotic Bahamians who stand with you, for the courage and strength of spirit that you have all displayed in marching to rescue the future of this country for the benefit of generations of Bahamians yet to come. It has been a long time coming; in my more than 40 years of activism in The Bahamas I have never had so much hope for the future as I do now, thanks to the many young Bahamians like yourself who have taken up the challenge of citizen action and declared they will no longer stand by and watch as the country slips into the abyss of lawlessness, petty politics, greed and corruption. It goes without saying that the Grand Bahama Human Rights Associa-
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net tion (GBHRA) is 100 per cent behind the We March movement, both what it stands for and what it hopes to achieve. Let me also say that I was very critical of the government’s earlier move to deny We March a permit to march to Rawson Square on January 10 and was overjoyed to learn that you have been granted approval for a new route and destination. Following the initial denial of a permit, I applaud your courage in insisting that you will march on regardless. You have refused to succumb when faced with obstacles, recognizing them instead for what they are – a strong affirmation that your movement is truly a force to contend with. In this spirit of fortitude and perseverance, you and your group remind me of the nation’s forefathers and so it is truly appropriate that your second march coincides with Majority Rule Day. I am also very happy
to learn that you have rethought your original response to the permit denial, which was to march to Rawson Square regardless. In my opinion, mingling with the other marchers in the centre of town would have been a mistake, as it would have denied our group of thousands the dynamic legitimacy it deserves and would have detracted from the enlightened and crucial messages we will deliver. Additionally, it would have been a shame to have scared off any of our beloved friends and fellow peaceful marchers for fear of violent encounters with some who may be planted in both groups with the intention of creating havoc. Finally I feel that Pompey Square is an appropriately meaningful and historic assembly spot and will make this march even more outstanding and momentous than it was already destined to be. Thanks my brother, JOSEPH DARVILLE Vice President Grand Bahama Human Rights Association
Pakesia for Marco City EDITOR, The Tribune. FNM should go with Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe in Marco City. While the FNM seems to be putting together a fairly good group of candidates, one of the clear weaknesses is that there are only two women ratified by the party and that is of some concern to many people. There is some talk on the street that another woman might be ratified next week and should that happen, it would be a wonderful thing, as we need more women to be represented amongst the group of people that are being put forth by the FNM, given that the party is likely to win and become the government in a matter of months. There are also rumours that Mrs Pakesia ParkerEdgecombe will run again in West End. While it is
good that she seems to be receiving serious consideration by the party for a nomination - the party should give her a real opportunity to win - that is not in West End. She paid her dues and made the sacrifice for the party already, when she ran there in 2012. And, she should not be given the West End nomination “just to increase” the number of women on the party’s slate - she should be given - a real opportunity to win! By all accounts, she is a very good prospective candidate and she was equally, a very good candidate in 2012. With so few women being ratified, some would say, perhaps in the more difficult seats, it is conceivable that a FNM government might not include any women and that would be a disastrous outcome for the party and the nation.
An elected government (FNM, to boot) with absolutely no representation of women or put another way, women not represented, that is beyond imagination. Moreover, of concern, at a minimum, is that Grand Bahama might very likely have absolutely no women in the House of Assembly, and that would not speak well of us either, not at anytime but especially not in 2017. It is noteworthy also that, there are precious few nominations remaining in the FNM now, hence fewer opportunities for additional women candidates and, in “winnable seats”. It is time for the party to seriously consider Mrs Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe for Marco City. “ALL” TOGETHER Nassau, January 5, 2017.
Young and afraid of the future EDITOR, The Tribune. I AM a thirty-year-old Bahamian female who returned to Nassau five years ago to practice law after qualifying as a Barrister in the United Kingdom. When I returned home in 2011, I was excited, passionate and enthusiastic about my return and all that I could accomplish in this great country I call home. I was guided by our country’s most popular slogan “It’s Better in The Bahamas” and I genuinely believed it. Fast forward to present day and for the past few years I second guess my decision to move back to Nassau every day. Since May 2012, the Progressive Liberal Property has been destroying this country: the Baha Mar debauchery, Renward Wells’ Letter of Intent with Stellar Energy, Chinese immigrants arriving in the
middle of the night to take jobs that should be given to Bahamians, two failed referendums, reckless spending, no accountability for Value Added Tax collected by the Government, BAMSI, consideration of selling our fisheries to the Chinese, downgrade to “junk status” by S&P, the list goes on... How can it not be clear: We need a change? Wake Up Bahamas, the PLP are wrecking our piece of paradise that our parents and grandparents worked so hard to create and we are almost at the point of no return. Regardless of the events that have transpired between and by certain individuals, the Free National Movement and the Democratic National Alliance have a common goal: to restore order and accountability to this country and push The Bahamas to new heights on both domestic and worldwide scales.
However, the two parties cannot co-exist if there is any chance at all of defeating the PLP and this is obvious to the public (as is evident by the results of the 2012 election!) This letter is an outward plea to Hubert Minnis, Loretta Butler-Turner and Branville McCartney: Merge your parties, join forces, set aside your differences and forget your pride. The country needs you to work together towards a common loftier goal. The outcome of the upcoming election depends significantly on the choices you three individuals make in the upcoming weeks and our country’s future depends on it. Let Bahamians and the world think it really is Better in The Bahamas again. We are counting on you. YOUNG & AFRAID Nassau, January, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, January 6, 2017, PAGE 5
Select committee into BTC sale holds first meeting By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE first meeting of the select committee established to probe the sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd resulted in a no show from Official Opposition members yesterday. Labour Minister Shane Gibson, who heads the committee, confirmed to The Tribune that the fiveperson panel has begun its charge to investigate, examine and inquire into the
circumstances and facts relating to the privatisation of the company. Committee members include South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton, and Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, who are both members of the governing Progressive Liberal Party, and Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, who are members of the Free National Movement. Mrs Butler-Turner, leader of the Official Opposition, was formerly named to the committee but replaced
herself with Mr Neilly. Mr Gibson explained that an email notifying all committee members of the upcoming meeting was sent by Maurice Tynes, clerk of Parliament, via email. Mr Neilly advised the committee that he was travelling and could not attend, according to Mr Gibson, but there was no response from Mr Lightbourn. Yesterday, Mr Lightbourn told The Tribune that he did not receive a notice concerning the meeting. Last November, the gov-
ernment moved a resolution in Parliament to establish a select committee to probe the controversial sale to Cable & Wireless Communications. Suggesting the 2011 sale was essentially a “give away”, Mr Gibson called the decision to privatise the telecommunications provider “damaging,” as he pointed to BTC’s revenue generation abilities. The Golden Gates MP was also adamant that some inconsistency might exist between the cost at which
the then FNM government sold BTC and what CWC actually paid for it. BTC was sold to CWC for $210m, but Mr Gibson highlighted that in CWC’s audited financial statement, the company said it purchased the company at a cost of $204m. Mr Gibson previously maintained that he had no expectations regarding what the probe would find, adding that he was very “objective” with the process, and that he was “absolutely” sure the committee’s work would be completed ahead of the election.
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has said the formation of the select committee is nothing more than a “distraction” from the country’s real issues. For her part, Mrs ButlerTurner has said based on the information that was brought before Cabinet under the last FNM administration, she knew of no malfeasance committed by the Ingraham administration. However, she also admitted that one of the reasons the FNM government lost the 2012 election was due to the sale of BTC.
MILLER: NO POINT TALKING TO WE MARCH ORGANISER from page one
government on Tuesday, which is the 50th anniversary of Majority Rule. The governing Progressive Liberal Party has also planned a march to commemorate the historic day, putting the two sides at odds. Mr Henfield first lashed out against the PLP over the conflict and then later invited the political party to march with his group on January 10, a suggestion that was rejected by PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts. “He (Mr Henfield) wants the PLP to march with him and he telling us to put on black,” Mr Miller scoffed. “What is this foolishness man? This damn boy wasn’t even born when people were struggling, he wasn’t even around.” He added: “When I saw the PM writing to this guy - I said ‘PM, what you doing this for? This guy is never going to be on your ticket, he is never going to be on your run. Stop wasting your time.’ “Bradley Roberts came
out and invite the man (to) talk to us, go meet with the PM, let us meet and break bread. Guys like them you only could break one damn bottle upside their head talking foolishness man. The man is never going to be with you,” the former minister of trade and industry added. Shortly before the group’s first protest last November, Prime Minister Perry Christie invited We March Bahamas organisers to meet with him to discuss their concerns. This invitation was rejected by Mr Henfield, who said the prime minister has reached out at the ninth hour. Mr Miller first criticised the community activist in November, days after the group’s massive protest. At the time, Mr Miller issued a challenge to Mr Henfield, daring the community activist to run as a candidate in the next general election, adding that he would pay the activist $1,000 for every vote beyond 200 he receives if he runs in the 2017 general
LESLIE Miller at the Black Friday protest march. Insisting that the activelection. He also urged Mr Hen- ist was attempting to get field “to show up” to the around the election process, House of Assembly to try Mr Miller said Mr Henfield and stop parliamentarians was now lost in a “political from doing their jobs, while whirlwind where he feels lamenting that fame has powerful and thinks all gone to the activist’s head those people next to him and given him a “false sense respects him.” Mr Miller blasted the acof power”.
US WARNING TO STAY AWAY FROM PROTEST MARCH from page one
Rawson Square,” the embassy noted in a short message posted on its website, seemingly referring to the protest planned by We March Bahamas. “Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence. US Embassy personnel have been advised to avoid demonstrations, and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, pro-
tests, or demonstrations. The embassy recommends that private US citizens take the same precaution.” Activist group We March Bahamas and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) both have conflicting marches planned for next Tuesday, which is Majority Rule Day. We March Bahamas plans to march from the Clifford Park/Western Esplanade areas along Bay Street to Pompey Square at 10am. The march is part of a protest against the gov-
ernment and the status quo. Meanwhile, the governing party, which will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic day, will march at 7am from Windsor Park ending at the Southern Recreation Grounds on Market Street, as part of celebrations for the holiday. We March Bahamas staged a massive protest on November 25, 2016, where more than a thousand people marched from Arawak Cay to downtown Nassau. A large group of protesters also occupied Rawson
Square for 12 hours as part of the demonstration. Last week Wednesday, We March leader organiser Ranard Henfield revealed that “after several weeks of back and forth” the Cabinet Office rejected the group’s application to protest in Rawson and Parliament Squares because the “event conflicts with another event” already booked for that date. At first, We March organiser John Bostwick II said the group would continue with its route undeterred, in
SECOND SUSPECT ACCUSED OVER $4M COCAINE HAUL By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A SECOND man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with a $4m cocaine seizure that occurred six weeks ago in eastern Grand Bahama. Gerardo Davis, 34, of McLean’s Town appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing a charge of possession of dangerous
drugs with intent to supply. It is alleged that he and 44-year-old Bradley Gibbs Jr were found in possession of dangerous drugs – cocaine – with intent to supply on November 29, 2016. According to police reports, officers of the Drug Enforcement Unit and US counterparts were on air patrol in the Sweeting’s Cay area around noon when they intercepted a boat
with four men and four large packages of suspected drugs. One of the suspects was arrested but three others escaped. Some 170 kilos of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $4m were allegedly discovered and seized by authorities. Like Gibbs Jr at an earlier arraignment, Davis yesterday denied committing any crime when called on to answer the allegation.
He returns to Magistrate’s Court on May 10 for the start of the trial. As the magistrate did not have the discretion to consider bail on the charge, Davis was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial. However, he was advised of his right to apply for a bail bond in the Supreme Court. The pair could face a fine and/or seven years imprisonment if convicted.
PAIR DENIED BAIL OVER FIREARMS OFFENCES By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men were remanded to prison yesterday after they were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court on firearms-related offences. Dominique Dorsette, 22, and Anton Moss, 19, appeared before Chief Magis-
trate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition concerning an alleged seizure on Tuesday, January 3. It is alleged that the pair, being concerned together, were found with a black and silver Bersa pistol and two live rounds of .380 ammunition for the weapon without
being the holder of a certificate or license to possess the items. Both Dorsette and Moss denied committing any crime when called on to enter a plea to the charges. They return to Magistrate’s Court on March 7 for the start of their case. The accused men were denied bail, however, and
were remanded to the Department of Correctional Services as the court does not have the discretion to consider bail on the charges levied against them. Both were advised of their right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court. They could face up to seven years incarceration if convicted at trial.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff tivist last year, calling him attempted to address the a “lost fool” who was out crowd, but was denied by of his depth and needed to the activist. “wake the hell up.” Mr Henfield then turned Mr Miller took part in his back to the former CabiNovember’s protest, where net minister, demonstrating he and Mr Henfield had that the voice of the people an awkward exchange in no longer valued the “tired Rawson Square when it ap- and useless words of politipeared that the PLP MP cians.”
spite of the rejection. However the route has now been adjusted to end in Pompey Square and not Rawson Square.
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PAGE 6, Friday, January 6, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Miller praises ‘guts’ of govt in Baha Mar deal By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday applauded the government for having the “guts” to see the Baha Mar deal through, condemning the criticism levelled at the Christie administration after a leaked email from the project’s general contractor revealed that all companies and suppliers working on the resort would be exempt from Value-Added Tax. Mr Miller told The Tribune that the move to grant all companies working on Baha Mar’s completion “a full” waiver from payment of the 7.5 per cent levy must not be viewed as a missed opportunity for the country to earn income, but a chance to push the “critical important” project to completion. Mr Miller said the public outcry proliferated by media reports on Thursday came as a result of people “missing the bigger picture” as he asserted that the Christie administration “made the best of a terrible situation”. “Bahamians must not forget, that project was under,” the outspoken MP said. “And I am talking about having no chance of being completed. Just sitting there, mothballed, for years to come. This is what we had to do to get it done; to get it completed and get workers in there. Isn’t that the goal here?
BAHA Mar pictured during a tour last year by Prime Minister Perry Christie. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff “The plan was to get it tax’, split into 7.5 per cent Bahamian people,” the Tall project? We now have a new done and completed by any VAT and 2.5 per cent Stamp Pines MP said. developer who has the fimeans necessary. The gov- Duty, would generate be“Don’t get lost in the nancial acumen to finish the ernment is depending on tween $100-$200 million on immediate gratification; project and should be given that resort, (expletive) the both sales of the resort, if this was all about the long- all that is available to us as entire country is depending applied in full, according to term success of the project. a country to make sure that on that resort.” Tribune Business. There was going to be no this resort is completed.” Mr Miller said the re“The developers made a VAT, no Stamp Duty had He added: “As a country, sort’s original developer, commitment to the govern- the project went to its origi- we were not going to get it Sarkis Izmirlian, would ment that they would repay nal conclusion, correct? any how. We had nothing to have had identical conces- all the debts, pay off the “The project would have offer and yet still, someone sions if he had kept the creditors and reinvest in the hired somewhere around stepped up to the plate. The resort and completed it. project to make sure that it 4,000 Bahamians and government should be apMoreover, Mr Miller said if was up to par to open and pushed billions into our plauded for its ability to get Mr Izmirlian was successful be profitable for years to economy, correct? this done. This took guts. in his original attempt, the come. “The project failed, the “All of us could pretend country would have never “This the best trade-off developer failed. Now why to be the quarterback of the been in a position to collect that we could have gotten should I, as a new devel- team when we aren’t on the a 10 per cent ‘transfer tax’. in today’s market and it is oper, be punished by paying team. We have to wake up The 10 per cent ‘transfer in the best interest of the these fees for rescuing this to reality. I don’t think you
wanted to have that monstrosity sitting on our shore not being used. Let’s appreciate the fact that this is behind us now and this project is on its way to completion.” Both Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner and Free National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest have come out against the arrangement. Mrs Butler-Turner, who heads the Public Accounts Committee, said the VATrelated disclosures in an e-mail from the project’s main contractor, China Construction America (CCA), provided “a great springboard” for her to demand an inquiry when the House of Assembly resumes on Monday. Mrs Butler-Turner described the VAT exemption as “ludicrous” and “unbelievable”, although she conceded that an earlier heads of agreement with major foreign developers never needed to account for the tax, which was introduced on January 1, 2015. For his part, Mr Turnquest questioned whether the government would have to extend Baha Mar’s VAT exemption to Atlantis, given the resort’s ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status, which requires it to receive the same incentives as any other Bahamas-based investor. Baha Mar was purchased by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) last year, with all agreements related to the sale being sealed by local courts.
GOVT WOULD HAVE EARNED ONLY ‘MINISCULE’ VAT FROM BAHA MAR from page one He added that the “trade off” for waiving VAT payments for the resort’s completion was the $100m put forth by the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM) to pay former Baha Mar workers and Bahamian creditors the money owed to them after the development collapsed. Mr Fitzgerald was one of the government’s negotiators for a deal to get the resort remobilised. “What I want to make clear first of all, with regard to the concessions to the Baha Mar project, those concessions were negotiated by the prior administration, we honoured all of those concessions for the new owner and for China Construction,” he told ZNS News following a special Cabinet meeting which the government run news station said was called to discuss the Baha Mar issue. “With regard to value added tax, I think the issue arose because the completion part of the project, which was really a small amount just to complete the project, the request was made with regard to whether or not value added tax
would be charged or connect with regard to that. “Also at the end of the day, when we calculated the amount for that, because you don’t pay VAT on labour, you’re not paying VAT on imports, the only part would be a small part with regards to services. It was really miniscule as far as we were concerned. “At the end of the day, the trade off was $100 million which we got in order to settle on the employees, all the Bahamian contractors and creditors and also to secure leases for the Bahamians who had spent millions of dollars inside the resort,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “So at the end of the day when we looked at it, it was such a miniscule amount it was neither here nor there. So one of the things I’m really looking forward to now is for the agreement to be made public so that we can stop all of this sensationalism that’s going around where I see the government giving away concessions for two or three hundred million dollars in VAT and $400m that (FNM Deputy Leader) Peter Turnquest is talking about, which is so far from the truth, it is not funny. “We want to move now
to try and put that on the table as quickly as possible. It’s been a good deal for the Bahamian people, there was no giveaway, at the end of the day I think once those facts are (out), I think the Bahamian people will be satisfied we made an excellent deal on behalf of the Bahamian people,” the Marathon MP said. Sealed deal Before Mr Fitzgerald made his statement, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation Chairman Gowon Bowe weighed in on the issue, renewing calls for the government to clearly elucidate the status of Baha Mar’s sale to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE), and which elements are still outstanding before a petition can be made to unseal court documents relating to the transaction. On Thursday, The Tribune reported the latest leak of information regarding the development, revealing that general contractor China Construction America (CCA), its subcontractors and suppliers, were exempted from the payment of VAT. While he stated that there was not enough information to exonerate or condemn the purported exemption, Mr Bowe pointed out that VAT was intrinsically a consumer tax. “Specific to VAT, the outrage, it demonstrates a little bit of ignorance of persons speaking to it,” Mr Bowe said.
“Had it gone in the normal sense of things, they would have paid VAT upfront. The beauty is that the VAT system is one ultimately borne by the consumer. A VAT registrant that pays for a capital transaction would always recover the VAT in any event. It’s not a one time tax, like stamp tax.” The Tribune reported on an email from CCA, headlined ‘Exemption of VAT’ and issued Wednesday, which stated that all companies working on Baha Mar’s completion had been granted “a full” waiver from payment of the 7.5 per cent levy. The e-mail, sent by Siyao Shen of CCA (Bahamas) commercial department, said: “It’s agreed with the government that the subcontractors and suppliers of CCA Bahamas (CCA) shall be entitled to have the benefit of a full exemption from the payment of value added tax for works carried out on the Baha Mar project.” Having effectively confirmed that the VAT waiver covers all Baha Mar-related construction activity, and includes all its sub-contractors and suppliers - Bahamian and foreign - the CCA e-mail suggests, according to Tribune Business, that they can also recover the taxes paid on bills submitted by their own service providers and suppliers. Its contents were last night said to be provoking outrage among Bahamians, upset that tax breaks
are being granted to the Chinese when the same are not being made available to local businesses and consumers, after the e-mail was widely circulated on social media. “VAT is a pass through tax paid by the consumer,” Mr Bowe continued. “So the actual owner is never going to pay, it’s going to offset it. No matter what the VAT amount was, there would be future VAT receipts from the same Baha Mar operation that would not be paid to the government because it would have been offset. “As opposed to Baha Mar paying the government upfront and getting it back from VAT charged to its guests, in this scenario you don’t get to offset. “Government is forgoing cash up front that it would not have received later on. I don’t expect Baha Mar to be exempt from charging guests. As a company this is a timing of cash flows,” Mr Bowe added. “There is not sufficient information to exonerate it or condemn it. I’m sure that the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue can confirm that this is just a matter of collecting it now versus later. Not that you don’t pay it, but simply of matter when do you pay it.” State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis declined comment on the matter yesterday. Prime Minister Perry Christie announced the of-
ficial sale of Baha Mar to CTF BM Holdings, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong conglomerate, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd, in Parliament last month. He did not disclose the sale price of Baha Mar, adding that details of the deal are still sealed by the Supreme Court at the request of CEXIM. The heads of agreement between the government and CTF Holdings, however, will be tabled in Parliament once negotiations are complete, he said. Yesterday Mr Bowe said: “When we say the deal has been sealed, has the sale and purchase been finalised between EXIM and CFTE, has the agreement been crystalised? If part of the condition says you have to finish the project before you can have title, then no it’s not. “It’s more a case of saying there needs to be very clear communication from the prime minister, the attorney general, as to what are the elements that are still outstanding. “If there’s nothing between EXIM and CTFE then the basis for keeping it sealed has been removed.” Mr Bowe said: “I do believe that the time is fast elapsing and there should be an aggressive move to have more details of the transaction revealed, contingent on the court agreeing to do so. The question is when are the parties going to petition the court to have it unsealed?”
BRAN UNAWARE OF COALITION PLAN from page one
“The DNA is not with the FNM, we are completely different. So at this point there is no arrangement, there is no plan.” Mr McCartney reiterated previous comments from DNA Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer, saying if anyone wants to become members of the DNA or a candidate there is a procedure that must be followed. “We welcome anyone who is like minded to come to the DNA. Even me, I have to go and apply and go through the Candidates
Committee and it has to be an unanimous decision,” Mr McCartney said. “We are releasing another 11 candidates that have gone through the process and none of them are the rebel seven. Like I said, I am not aware of the coalition. Mrs Butler-Turner appointed me to lead the Senate and the discussion we had were in relation to being an effective opposition force and to get the PLP out of office. I have no difficulties with a coalition but we did not speak about one.” On Wednesday, Mr Mortimer also told reporters the DNA had no plans to ab-
sorb the “rebel” seven, but said if they wished to run on the party’s ticket they had to go through the party’s Candidates Committee. Last month, after ousting FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament and obtaining the position, Mrs Butler-Turner appointed Mr McCartney as leader of opposition business in the Senate. At the time Mrs ButlerTurner said the move was evidence that her team was willing to put the Bahamian people first to move forward to defeat the governing Progressive Liberal Party.
Announcing the decision at the time, she insisted that she and the six FNM MPs who support her have not joined the DNA, but were working together for a “common good.” Mrs Butler-Turner has had her nomination for Long Island revoked from the FNM as a result of her actions. She has indicated she has no plans to abandon the constituency, but has not said if she will run independent or with another party. She along with the six other “rebel” MPs face expulsion, suspension or a fine from the party.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, January 6, 2017, PAGE 7
BACK TO BUSINESS FOR GB CHAMBER
MEMBERS of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce at the first meeting of the new board of directors. From left (front row) are Executive Director Mercynth Ferguson; Treasurer Ralph Hepburn; 1st Vice President Dan Romence; President Mick Holding; 2nd Vice President Lawrence Palmer; and Secretary Karin Sanchez. Back row (from left) are Lesley Davies-Baptista; Rengin Johnson; Erik Russell; Daniel Lowe; Greg Laroda; Dillon Knowles; Patra Albury; and Jeremy Cafferata. Not pictured is board member Edward Marshall. By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce is
not wasting any time getting back to business in the New Year, holding the first meeting of the new board of directors on Wednesday. The new slate of business
leaders reviewed the past year’s work and has started to formulate its plans for 2017. The retreat provided an opportunity for new incoming board members to be
familiar with the organisation’s work this year. The meeting was held at Pelican Bay Resort Convention Centre in Lucaya and was chaired by newly
elected President Mick Holding. The GBCC is made up of local volunteer business leaders, working to promote and support business
development in an effort to encourage growth and expansion in the Grand Bahama economy within a healthy and clean community environment.
PLP senator seeks to run in Central Grand Bahama seat By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Senator Julian Russell has offered himself again as a candidate for Central Grand Bahama in the upcoming general election. Mr Russell, who ran as the candidate for Central Grand Bahama in 2012, was unsuccessful in unseating incumbent Free National Movement MP Neko Grant, who has never lost an election in the past 24 years of his political career. However, Mr Grant announced his retirement from frontline politics last August, expressing concerns about the direction of the FNM under current Leader Dr Hubert Minnis. Senator Russell, 61, said many individuals have approached him about whether he would be offering himself again as a candidate in upcoming 2017 election. In a statement issued recently, Mr Russell confirmed his intention to run. He said that he is aware that others in the party have expressed interest in the constituency, which is their democratic right. Freeport businesswoman Ginger Moxey, who recently announced her intention of entering politics, is also seeking to be the PLP’s candidate for Central Grand Bahama. Mr Russell indicated that the final decision as to who will be the ratified standard bearer for the constituency “is presently going through the normal democratic process in accordance with the party’s constitution.” “A final decision has not yet been made, but I believe it is imminent and it is my intention to respect and abide by that decision,” he said. “What I have learnt and have come to appreciate since my affiliation with the oldest and most powerful political organisation in the country, is that it welcomes anyone who wants to be a part of this party; it has a huge tent, with members and supporters from every socio-economic background in the country. It also has many moving parts with a far-reaching global
SENATOR Julian Russell and Ginger Moxey, who are both hoping to secure the Central Grand Bahama nomination for the PLP. impact,” said Senator Russell. “In 2011, I was named the PLP’s candidate for the now non-existent Eight Mile Rock constituency, and later became the party’s standard bearer for the Central Grand Bahama constituency, which is a combination of areas from the old Lucaya constituency and areas of the former Eight Mile Rock constituency. “There were many headwinds pushing against my 2012 candidacy, given my opponent was a formidable FNM giant on Grand Bahama, Mr Neko Grant. “Many persons, including some of my own family members thought I was crazy to even consider such a challenge, especially against someone who was viewed as the strongest FNM contender on Grand Bahama,” the senator said. “They reminded me that he normally beat his opponents by more than 1,400 votes and when I analysed the 2007 results, I realised that the PLP had lost this constituency by more than 950 votes. Many individuals exerted great energy and efforts to discourage me, but I decided deep within myself that this was a journey I was ready to embark upon. “The 2012 results are history. I was unsuccessful, losing by a little over one hundred votes in the third largest constituency in the Bahamas. ‘Since that time, I have absolutely no regrets and I’ve never looked back and will never look back. “Notwithstanding the challenges the PLP government has faced over the
past four and a half years and continues to face daily, I have been privileged to serve in my capacity as a senator and I hope that where I could help, I helped in a meaningful way.” Senator Russell still believes that the PLP is the best political party to continue in the governance of this country. He also believes that Prime Minister Perry Christie is still the best man to be at the party’s helm, especially at this time. He described Mr Christie as a “visionary.” Stressing that it is a very critical time in the country’s development, Mr Russell said the country needs steady, stable, and focused leadership. “Our country needs leadership that is not only experienced and visionary, but also stable and optimistic, especially in times of crisis. “We need leadership that is caring and compassionate and unafraid to face the daunting challenges which will no doubt continue to come our way. We need leadership that speaks with clarity and is respected globally,” he said. Mr Russell said that his goal and vision for Central Grand Bahama, especially the communities of Hepburn Town, Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Hunters, Mack Town, and the country, is to see an improvement in the standard of living for all, improved environment conditions, sustainable opportunities to earn a livable wage for everyone and equal pay for all regardless of a person’s gender, colour or size.
PAGE 8, Friday, January 6, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Loom and doom and no blessings for mad Bahamian gamblers A Comic’s W
E’RE barely a week into the New Year and already I’m shaking my head at the actions of some Bahamians. But have no fear, fellow countrymen, because according to social media, blessings ‘loom’. More money, more problems By now, anyone who spends at least five minutes on Facebook has heard of the phenomenon overtaking this little nation: looming. For the uninitiated, ‘looming’ or ‘to loom’ is the
latest get rich quick scam that has hundreds of Bahamians sending thousands of dollars into the ether in hopes of ridiculous financial returns. A typical post reads like this: ‘Wanna turn $100 into $800? Join my loom, inbox me now!’ Now, who - you may ask - would be dumb enough to send their hard-earned money to strangers based on a social media post? Who, in their ‘right mind’, can’t see that ‘looming’ is no different than a pyramid scheme or perhaps even a Ponzi scheme? My answer? Plenty peo-
View
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA ple, apparently. It took me a solid three minutes of Google research to learn that the most popular type of this scheme is something called the ‘Blessing Loom’. My first thought on ‘Blessing Loom’ is that there is obviously an ‘s’ missing
from the word ‘Blessing’. DNA chairman Andrew Wilson. Unless, of course, the one blessing is all you get. My gambling laws, I suspect, second thought was that many feel they too should con artists are notoriously be able to yell ‘Hit me!’ at the blackjack tables or roll poor grammarists ... the dice at craps. But I digress. In 2013, Bahamians took I’m not going to bore you with the details of how the to the (literal and opinion) pyramid works because I polls and rejected all forms assume mostly smart peo- of gambling for Bahamiple read this column and I ans. Whether that was the also assume smart people consensus or just the will could never fall for a such of those with a horse in the an obvious scam. Yet, when race is unknown. What is known, however, is that the I scroll down Christie admy Facebook ministration timeline I ‘Where is the went against realise that Gaming Board in the results of close to one all this madness? the referenin five posts is dum and lesomething to Do we have the do with this necessary laws on gitimised web gambling ‘looming’. the books to battle shop anyway. Now, Admittedly, just like ‘numgambling has these looming become a per- blessings? Will we bers houses’, it’s everyvasive part enforce them?’ where, and (as of life in this my Grammy country. Just before the Christmas used to say), the chickens holiday, we witnessed an have come home to roost. historic downgrade to ‘junk Loom and gloom bond’ status but our governOne of the more fascinatment is ‘betting on’ Baha Mar to save the day. Be- ing aspects of the ‘loom’ cause that worked so well in phenomena is how the web shops have been brought the past. A few days ago, a promi- into the mess. A few days nent Democratic National ago there was a press reAlliance politician was lease purportedly from the caught up in a scandal for famous Island Luck franallegedly gambling at the chise that warned its cusAtlantis but showed no tomers that looming was remorse because ‘das his not permitted. Some Island rights’. Rest assured he is Luck account holders, alnot the first, nor last, Baha- legedly, were using those mian to test their luck at the accounts to move money tables only to be escorted around for the scheme. Now, on the face of it, off the property by security. And with the current I can see why a business
promising you ‘luck’ in turning $1 into $700 would have a problem with any scheme offering to ‘bless’ you with $800. According to reports, upwards of 100 Island Luck account holders have seen their accounts frozen pending investigations. Which has not gone over well with their fast-money chasing customers. Who have threatened to ‘riot.’ There is so much dirt flying in this pot versus kettle matchup that I am left scratching my head. What is apparent, however, is that once again the Christie administration needs to step in and clean up a mess it is partly responsible for. Where is the Gaming Board in all this madness? Do we have the necessary laws on the books to battle these looming blessings? Will we enforce them? How come any of this could happen using ‘numbers accounts’ in the first place? What is the Central Bank saying? Do we have a black market banking problem? In essence, ‘where our money gern?’ A lot of Bahamians who voted against gambling likely think now is a good time to say ‘I told ya so!’ when they look at how many Bahamians are enthralled with it. But now is not the time. Right now, with continued low GDP growth and a high GDP-to-debt ratio we seem to be standing on the edge of a fiscal cliff. If there are any real blessings looming, now would be a good time for them to show up. And not on social media. Ponzi schemes might appear lucrative to the first few suckers through the door but no one wants to be around when that pyramid collapses. It’s time for the proper regulatory departments to step in and step up. Just one look at the amount of young people fascinated with gambling in one form or the other and you know just how much of this country’s future is at stake. • Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident stand-up comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net
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Friday, January 6, 2017, PAGE 9
READERS REACT TO DNA CHAIRMAN GAMBLING IN ATLANTIS DNA Chairman Andrew Wilson’s assertion that he “ought not to accede to being discriminated against in his own country”, after he was escorted from Atlantis for attempting to gamble, prompted a lively reaction from readers on tribune242. com. B_I_D___ said: “If you don’t agree with the law, then petition to get the law changed . . . but don’t think it shouldn’t apply to you just because you disagree with it. I hope the gaming board DOES fine him and use him as an example.” Honestman wasn’t impressed: “Is this man the best the DNA has to offer
as party chairman???” There was this from The_ Oracle: “And this is the conundrum the PLP have created, a form of segregation. Bahamians can gamble over there, but not here. Or is it really we can still gamble no where? Asinine people in positions of authority beget asinine laws and rules, and Carnivals celebrating the sorry state of the country.
Let them drink rum. Ain’t no cake left.” TalRussell had this to say: “The DNA Chairman admits to intentionally doing something that he should have known was illegal and could still result in a charge of illegal gambling which carries a fine of up to $5,000. If found guilty, his conviction would be placed on his police record and could impede his obtaining a Visa to travel several countries. The smart thing would be for Andrew to set a good citizen’s example to quickly act by setting an example for the youth of our nation that we all must abide by the laws of the land
- even the ones we disagree with - apologise and move on . . . This is not what Andrew wants to be remembered for as his best Paradise Island Nelson Mandela moment!” Justthefactsplease said: “So many of you ‘commenters’ miss the REAL issue here. The REAL issue is that BAHAMIANS are NOT allowed to carry out an activity in THEIR country that others are permitted to. If that is not discrimination of the worse kind then what is. In case you have not realized . . . we are all second class citizens in our own country . . .SAD!!!”
LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER, leader of opposition in the House of Assembly, pictured with Andrew Wilson, DNA chairman.
PAGE 10, Friday, January 6, 2017
Canadian schools to host annual recruitment fair
YOUR
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
FOURTEEN of Canada’s most prestigious boarding schools will be in Nassau on Tuesday, January 17, for their annual recruitment fair. The event, organised by Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), offers families an opportunity to meet with representatives from a wide variety of schools: all boys, all girls, co-educational, urban, rural, and from across Canada. Some schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, oth-
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LEROY KERMIT SWEETING, 66 of Commonwealth Blvd., Elizabeth Estates and formerly of Deep Creek, South Andros, will be held on Saturday, January 7th, 2017 at 11:30 am at Voice of Deliverance Temple, Deliverance Way, Malcolm Allotment. Officiating will be Chief Apostle Rev. Dr. Leon Wallace, assisted by Vice Bishop Carlfred Curry and Pastor Eldin Scott. Interment will follow in Macedonia Baptist Cemetery, Bernard Road, Fox Hill. Precious memories will forever linger in the hearts of his wife of 27 years, Dorette Nixon-Sweeting; his daughters, LaRhoda Spence (Craig), Desiree Dean (Kidan Sr.), Anastasia Storr; his 15 grandchildren, Darcia, Kindesha (Leshawn), Tiesha, Kermanique, Craig Jr., Tevin, Taran, Ranaldo, Kelsoanique, Dakethera and Kidan, Ashanti, Marvin Jr. Bianna and Zoe; 5 great grandsons: Leshawn Jr., Craig III, C’raj, Craijuan and Zion; 2 brothers, Carlton (Heidi) of Davenport, Fla. and Kirkland Sweeting 1 aunt, Julia Nesbitt; mother in law, Cleopatra Nixon, brother in law, Marcian Nixon (Sandra); Aunt in law, Mizpah Higgins, God-mother, Eliza Miller; God-children, Tenaj Cooper, Evelyn Burrows, Stavana Burrows, Odessa Hinsey, Alex MISSIONnieces STATEMENT: To provide consistent, sympathetic, caringRaquel, and professional, “Service with Excellence” the Commonwealth Moss; and nephews, Kristen, Melissa, Tasha,serving Taquari Chrisof the Bahamas and worldwide, with the highest level of consideration to the personal desires and financial comfort to our client families. topher, Lwell & Sanjae, Ava (story teller), cousins, Cedric (two peas in one pod) & Herbert Nesbitt; Berthamae Higgins, Ezera Forbes, Dorothy Cooper, Kenneth Knowles, George Fernander, Edwin Taylor, Jean Poitier, Pernetta Deveaux, Luceta Fox, Valderine Preal, Richard Poitier, Sylvia Birde of Wincousin, Edley, Charles & Ali Sweeting, Henry Bain, Delphine Duncombe, Amanda Colebrook, Patricia Williams and their Families, Children of his deceased cousins (Ella Poitier, Cedar Smith, Sada Brown, Sybil Nesbitt, Elvira Neely, William Sweeting, Isaac Sweeting, Yvonne Lewis, David Pratt,) other relatives and friends, including Mary Sweeting of New York, Marilyn Wilson, Chief Apostle Rev. Dr. Leon & Lady Elect Leona Wallace and the Voice of Deliverance Family, including Vice Bishop Carlfred & Elder Addebell Curry, Pastor Edlin & Mrs. Roberta Scott, (Morning Glory), Rev. Rueben Duncombe and St. Paul’s Baptist Church, (Deep Creek, Andros), Apostle Quebell Martin, The Miracle Working Church of God family, Dr. Jerline Martin, Merkell Munnings and family, Freda Cooper, Arthur and Dorothy Morris, Cynthia Miller, Rev. Lennard Miller, Lydia Cartwright, Martha Duvlivar, The Women’s Department of Voice of Deliverance, Verdora Hall, Malvern Wallace, Prophetess Sandra Wright, Prophetess Melissa McMinns, Dr. Fr. Roland Hamilton (his physician), Lavania Campbell & family, Rev. Hartman Nixon & Macedonia Baptist Church, Elaine Wilson & family, Joshua & Irene Rolle, Pastor Rufus Johnson, Management & Staff of Tavares & Higgs Insurance Agents & Brokers, Pennie Taylor, Lockley Forbes, Glen Cox, Mizpah Strapp, Yasmin Strachan, Moiré Sweeting-Miller, Valarie Butler-Saunders, Dianna Knowles, Celestia Austin, Charmaine Hanna, Bishop Christopher Burrows, Tanya & Barbara Hepburn, Princess Hepburn-Scavalla, Norma Hepburn-Brown, Lynnette & Judy Adderley, Neville Burrows, Stafford Armbrister, Blossom Neely (The Bluff, South Andros), Nurse Val Rahming (Deep Creek, Andros), Jacqueline Moss, Hardy McKinney (Deep Creek, Andros), Tommy Rolle (Kemps Bay, Andros), Tyrone Burrows (Deep Creek, Andros), Tommy Rolle (Kemps Bay Andros) Hannahmae Anderson,(Deep Creek, Eleuthera),The 1969/1970 RBPF E Squad including Clayton Farrington, David Frazier, Lemel & Rochelle Sears, Gail Pedican & Family,(Freeport) Yvonne Campbell & Family, Bernice Dawkins, The Deep Creek Association, The Management of Restview Memorial Mortuary. Viewing will be held in the Celestial Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 am until service time.
DEATH NOTICE CHARLENE PATRICE ADDERLEY, 50 of Tuvalu Court, Elizabeth Estates, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017. She is survived by her Son: Chazaro; Mother: Ruthmae Adderley; Great Grandmother: Agnes Ferguson; Sisters: Carolyn Ward, Andrea Ferguson and Jewel McKenzie; Brother: Don Hall and other relatives and friends. Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date. MISSION STATEMENT: To provide consistent, sympathetic, caring and professional, “Service with Excellence” serving the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and worldwide, with the highest level of consideration to the personal desires and financial comfort to our client families.
THE TRIBUNE
ers offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and all offer a range of arts, athletics, community service and leadership programmes. The recruitment fair takes place at the British Colonial Hilton, from 5pm to 8 pm. According to Fiona Parke, CAIS Boarding Schools Director of Outreach, Canadian boarding schools are home to students from over 100 countries around the world who are drawn to the safety and security of life in Canada
with its culturally diverse and welcoming population. Generations of promising students from the Bahamas have chosen to attend an accredited boarding school in Canada to prepare them for the demands and expectations of university and 91 per cent of boarders report that their schools are academically challenging, compared with 70 per cent of private day and 50 per cent of public school students. She points out that Canada scores the highest among
English-speaking nations in Math, Science and Reading scores. The latest Programme for International Student Assessment results, released in 2015 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, place Canada far ahead of the United Kingdom and the United States (and all other primarily English-speaking nations) in student performance in all three disciplines. For more information visit boardingschools.ca or contact fparke@cais.ca.
Cycling Club Bahamas
complete this ride, it is recommended that you have done some recent cycling! Leaving P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 17–20+mph, three-hour duration. Sundays leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s) 40-50 miles headed east. This ride is not recommended if you have not cycled recently or first timers! P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 17– 20+mph, 3- 3.5 hour duration (cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route). Weekday rides, east - morning, Tuesday & Thursday leaving 5am sharp from Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, East Prince Charles Drive. This ride is a 17 mile loop to the Northbound Paradise Island Bridge and back again (both bridges are sometimes incorporated depending on available time). Open to riders capable of 18mph+ for 1 hour. Lights are essential. Weekday rides, west -
morning, Wednesdays & Fridays leaving 4:45am sharp from Fidelity Bank Parking Lot (opposite Cable Beach Police Station), West Bay St. This ride is a 20-mile loop. The route is varied. Open to riders capable of 18mph+ for 1 hr. Lights are essential. Contact Shantell to confirm your attendance. Afternoon, Tuesdays & Thursdays leaving 5:30pm sharp from Old Fort Shopping Center east of Solomon’s Fresh Market. Intermediate riders 17-22mph - see Spyda This ride is 18miles (faster group leaves North Side Lyford Cay roundabout). Recommended for strong riders capable of 20mph+ for 1-1.5hrs. (23 miles) Lights are essential. January 17 - Marathon Bahamas, http://www.marathonbahamas.com, looking for volunteers, contact robphillips@batelnet.bs. January 21 - CPR/First Aid Course Doctor’s Hospital. Contact Royann, royanndean@gmail.com. February 18 - Ride For Hope, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, http://www.rideforhopebahamas.com.
Cycling Club Bahamas. - Enjoy! Cycling Club membership fees for 2017 are due. $75 for the full year. Plans for a new “cyclist ID card” are in the works. A member ship form will be sent by email. Weekend rides - Saturday leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s), 43 miles headed west. To
JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers. To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, January 6, 2017, PAGE 11
Valley Boys New Year Junkanoo winners SCENES from the New Year Junkanoo parade as the Valley Boys marched to victory.
Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
PAGE 12, Friday, January 6, 2017
THE TRIBUNE