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Sears: I will win leadership race Candidate trusts delegates to pick him over Christie By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FORMER Attorney General Alfred Sears, QC, yesterday said he expected to win the Progressive Liberal Party’s leadership contest but would ultimately bow to the democratic will of the party, adding that he trusted delegates despite entering an imperfect process. While many feel that all bets are off concerning his chances at beating Prime Minister Perry Christie, PLP delegates and supporters yesterday heralded the Fort Charlotte candidate’s platform and challenge. Following his nomination for the leadership post on Wednesday, Mr Sears told reporters that he felt privileged to stand as an official candidate for the leadership position, and reaffirmed his commitment to transformative servant leadership based on the core values of the party. “I trust the delegates of
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IMMIGRATION FORCE ‘TO BE TRIPLED’ IF PLP WIN VOTE By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell last night promised that the PLP would triple the country’s immigration force, expanding it from “300 to 900” in the next term if elected. SEE PAGE SIX
the Progressive Liberal Party to make a decision in the full glare of the Bahamian public that is in the best interest of this organisation, and in the best interest of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Mr Sears said. “Whatever the outcome, I will bow to the democratic will of this organisation and I do expect to win. He said: “I entered this contest knowing that I was entering an imperfect process but I entered it because as leader of this organisation I will ensure that transparency and fairness are consistent with democratic processes the world over.” Mr Sears spoke to the press following the nomination process at the party’s 52nd National Convention. Mr Christie, the incumbent leader, declined requests for an interview at that time. However he did tell reporters, “We’ll have to see what happens.” While delegates canvassed by The Tribune SEE PAGE THREE
A SUPPORTER catches the limelight as Minister of Health Dr Perry Gomez prepares to speak at last night’s PLP convention. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
HALKITIS: VAT IS BEING USED TO PAY DOWN DEBT AS WELL AS EXPENSES By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune News Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER of State for Finance Michael Halkitis last night denied that he has been inconsistent in the accounting of how the money from value added tax is be-
ing spent and insisted that the money is being used to “pay down the national debt” as well as defray other government expenses. In an interview with The Tribune on the sidelines of the Progressive Liberal Party’s national convention, Mr Halkitis also said it is
“laughable” to suggest the PLP spent the portions of VAT money on the threeday convention. On Tuesday, while addressing PLP supporters on the first night of the party’s convention Mr Halkitis defended the government’s implementation
of VAT and suggested that the revenue collected from the tax was spent on various state initiatives under the Christie administration. He has previously stated that this revenue went into the consolidated fund and would count against the na-
tional debt. “We aren’t switching our mouth,” the Golden Isles MP said in response to criticism from opposition members. “I have said over and repeatedly by law and by the Constitution all government revenue is required to go into the
consolidated fund. That is VAT money. That is customs money. That is duties and stamp tax, that is real property tax, anything that the government collected goes into the consolidated fund. SEE PAGE FIVE
‘TELL THE TRUTH ON WHERE BUSINESS OWNER SHOOTS VAT REVENUE HAS GONE’ MAN DEAD AT PREMISES DOUBLE THE BACON DOUBLE THE CHEESE
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie yesterday urged the government to tell the truth regarding the nearly $1bn in value added tax revenue it collected from taxpayers since the tax was imposed on Bahamians. Mr Collie was respond-
ing to State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis’ explanation of how the government has used the VAT collections at the Progressive Liberal Party’s opening night of convention on Tuesday. The Democratic National Alliance and Marco City MP Greg Moss also took issue with Mr Halkitis’ utterances on the matter. SEE PAGE EIGHT
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE rash of deadly shootings to start the year continued in New Providence last evening, with police now investigating two separate incidents that claimed the lives of two men. Police are investigating the country’s 14th homicide for the year, after a man was
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shot dead in the Sunshine Park area on Wednesday night. A subsequent shooting that occurred in the area of Market Street involved a man, believed to be an intruder, who was shot dead by a business owner. That matter has not been classified as a homicide. The first incident occurred just before 8pm on Murray Street in the SEE PAGE SEVEN
PAGE 2, Thursday, January 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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DEAL GLENYS HANNA-MARTIN, Minister of Transport and Aviation and MP for Englerston, with her supporters at the convention last night. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
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DR MICHAEL DARVILLE, Minister for Grand Bahama, at the convention last night.
DION SMITH, MP for Nassau Village, as he prepares to speak at the convention.
JEROME FITZGERALD, Minister of Education, Science and Technology and MP for Marathon, speaking last night.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 26, 2017, PAGE 3
Sears: I will win leadership race from page one yesterday indicated their firm belief that Mr Christie will lead the party into the next general election, they also expressed support for reforms outlined in Mr Sear’s 26-page manifesto and its adoption by the party. Mr Sears’ missive contained his vision and policies for sustainable national development through, among others initiatives, empowering local government and implementing anti-corruption policies. Trustee Valentine Grimes, who has responsibility for internal elections, said: “Believe it or not, by having the contest for leader that has done a tremendous service because it has allowed us to energise a lot of people that would not have hitherto been energised if we had not had a leadership race. “So notwithstanding the fact that it is expensive, notwithstanding the fact that it’s one of the things that we do democratically, believe it or not in my humble opinion it puts us in a better position to win the next general election.” Among delegates expressing their support, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, and Cabinet ministers Obie Wilchcombe and Allyson Maynard-Gibson all made their case for Mr Christie to remain at the helm to continue the progress made this term. “Unquestionably,” Mrs Maynard-Gibson said. “You can see the mood of the convention and note how many young people are here. The prime minister, the leader of our party will be returned as leader, in a very significant way, there is no doubt about that in my mind, none whatsoever. “If you speak to young delegates you will see that they recognise the PLP is the party of change and they also recognise that in a changing world, a world that is filled with turmoil, leadership also requires a safe pair of hands and it is only Perry Christie that is proven leadership. We cannot take the chance in our country of going back to the debacle that we met in place in 2012.” “We’re going great,” said Curtis Brennen, a 69-yearold stalwart councillor from Porgy Bay. “What I see here, I feel excited and I think more people have joined too
ANNE-MARIE DAVIS, right, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, greets a supporter at the convention. from the last one I been to. Perry (Christie), ain’t nobody could beat him. He got to step down for that.” Executive positions of deputy leader, national chairman, and deputy chairman were uncontested and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, Bradley Roberts, and Senator Alex Storr were returned to their respective posts. Paul Bevans was also uncontested for treasurer and installed yesterday. There are three persons contesting two openings for trustees: Joseph Curry, William Albert Gray, and Ruby Ann Cooper Darling. Seven persons are vying for three positions on the National Leadership Council: Darrin Rodgers, Veronica Theresa Burrows, Gwendolyn Patram, Holly Pearce Barrett, Anita Harris, Kevin Collie, and Aarone Sargent. According to the party’s constitution, there are 12 vice chairperson positions with seven candidates to be nominated by the national chairman and five candidates elected at convention. Given that 12 persons offered themselves up for nomination at convention, Mr Grimes explained that those persons were installed after consultation with Mr Roberts. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously, he said. The vice chairpersons installed yesterday are: Obie Roberts, Pia Glover Rolle, Quinton Lightbourne, Ramadan McKenzie, Patricia Deveaux, Shelly Sweeting, Kayla Mortimer, Diane Coakley, Sharine Poitier, Keenan Johnson, Anton Braynen, and Danielle Gibson. The group of “very young and very energetic” vice chairpersons will be assigned various responsibilities by Mr Roberts, ac-
cording to Mr Grimes, who underscored the collective experience of those persons despite their youth. “They are young but they have all worked for the party a long time,” Mr Grimes said, “and that’s very helpful.” “If we come out of this convention unified, and I see no reason why it will not happen, not withstanding the race for leadership because I think at the heart of it, everybody is a PLP.” Mr Sears’ initiatives target reforms for economic expansion and diversification; technology and innovation; public transportation; social; energy and environmental; culture industries and cultural development; youth development; Grand Bahama and Family Island development; local government and community empowerment; and to restore, rebrand, and rebuild the PLP. Many of those themes, particularly Family Island development, were also echoed in the campaigns of persons vying for other executive positions yesterday. Newly-installed Vicechairman Keenan Johnson, former national chairman of the Progressive Young Liberals, campaigned on three main tenets of branch sustainability, youth empowerment and Family Island inclusion. “Whether people decide
to vote for Alfred Sears or not,” Mr Johnson said, “People will admit that the plan isn’t just resonating with the party, it’s resonating with the country. Decentralisation is a key part of it. Being able to empower our local government, especially on the Family Islands so that they can have the ability to create their own economy. Knowing that the model that works in Nassau can’t necessarily work in Eleuthera or Exuma, and that no one would know that and appreciate that better than they (Family Islanders) would.” Mr Johnson said: “I think that no matter what the outcome is, people know that that plan is something that is solid for the country. One thing about us is that we keep our affairs internally but when we have our fights, we’re able to come out unified. I believe that no matter the outcome of the leadership election, even if Alfred Sears is unsuccessful that that will be incorporated into our plan moving into the next election.” Another vice-chairman, 38-year-old Danielle Gibson of Eleuthera, said: “I think that he has a very good platform, and I think that Mr Sears running again for Fort Charlotte and offering himself for public life again is important. He is a great PLP and it just goes to show that the leadership throughout this party is great. We have leaders rising up everyday, Sears and his platform is just another example of great leadership. Ms Gibson added: “I think that no one is going to discredit or discount Mr Sears. He has already contributed greatly to this great Bahamas and I think that in the position as member for Fort Charlotte he will continue to do that. I’m sure that this party will be united in this convention, out of this convention, and that Mr Sears will definitely work with this organisation. There is no other way.”
SUPPORTERS at the PLP convention last night. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
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THE TRIBUNE
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Government bites back at Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — Across the government, an unprecedented digital insurrection is taking shape. President Donald Trump spent much of his campaign bashing the federal government, a system he described as awash in “waste fraud and abuse.” Now, the bureaucracy is biting back. In response to Trump’s hiring freeze for federal agencies and a communications blackout, some official social media accounts have tweeted out messages decidedly at odds with his agenda and leaks are flowing into newsrooms from across the federal government. Some agencies have been notably subversive in their messages, posting quotes and commentary that could be seen as trying to bait their new boss into a confrontation. The Defence Department used Twitter on Wednesday to publicize an article about an Iraqi refugee who became a US Marine. “From refugee to #Marine. @USMC Cpl Ali J Mohammed takes the fight to the doorstep of those who cast his family out,” the department wrote of his fight in Iraq. Perhaps not coincidentally, Trump’s aides said a few hours earlier that the president is working out the details of plans to restrict refugees coming into the country. Former Cabinet officials say the president would be wise not to underestimate the power of the civil service, which not only has the ability to slow the progress of new regulations but also the inside knowledge to sound alarms when needed. Roughly 4,000 of more than 2 million federal government jobs can be filled by presidential appointment, meaning that career employees far outnumber the highprofile advisers, agency directors, special assistants, ambassadors and Cabinet officials selected by Trump and his team. “Trump’s statements have poisoned the well to a degree,” said Christine Todd Whitman, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush. “If the career staff doesn’t believe you, if they don’t trust you, then things can get very cumbersome.” White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Wednesday that certain government agencies are taking action to address an “inappropriate” use of social media. But despite broad orders not to engage with the public or media without permission, it’s going to be tricky for the White House to plug all the possible leaks or to stop public outbursts from angry or concerned government workers. Even before he took office, employees at the Energy Department shared information about a Trump transition team request for the names of department staffers who’d worked on President Barack Obama’s climate-change initiatives. The ensuing backlash prompted transition officials to disavow the questionnaire as a mistake. On Wednesday, The Associated Press obtained a draft of an executive order showing that Trump is considering a major review of America’s methods for inter-
rogating terror suspects and the possible reopening of CIA-run “black site” prisons outside the United States. The same order would reverse the planned closure of the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Trump, who has no government experience and led a family-owned company, may not fully understand what, exactly, he’s facing. His Cabinet, stocked largely with former business executives and members of Congress, has a more limited knowledge of the intricacies of the federal government, said Kathleen Sebelius, a secretary of Health and Human Services in the Obama administration. “A CEO of a private company doesn’t answer to shareholders or a board,” said Sebelius. “If you say jump, somebody jumps. That, thank God, is not the way government operates.” Further limiting Trump’s control of the federal bureaucracy has been the slow pace at which his own people are taking over. Trump has filled just 31 of the 690 key political positions requiring Senate confirmation, according to the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, which is tracking executive branch nominations. Only four of his appointees have been confirmed by Congress. “Right now, I’d say it’s advantage government because you’re up against people who don’t know how the game is played,” said Paul Light, a public service professor at New York University. One of the first bureaucracies to enter a standoff with Trump was the usually straight-laced Office of Government Ethics, which helps executive branch employees resolve conflicts of interest before taking their posts. Director Walter Shaub channeled Trump’s online persona in a series of nine bravado-inflected tweets calling for Trump to sell off his financial holdings, which the president has said he will not do. This week, Shaub was admonished by Democratic and Republican members of Congress for his actions. Most of the resistance is coming from agencies with a focus on environmental protection and scientific research. Several federal Twitter accounts have begun posting social media messages, some of them simply facts about climate change. Trump has notably expressed scepticism about climate science. Tuesday tweets by South Dakota’s Badlands National Park - one read, “Today, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is higher than at any time in the last 650,000 years” - were deleted soon after they were posted; the National Park Service said the Badlands account had been compromised by a former employee. The rebellion of the nation’s parks went viral on Inauguration Day, when the official Twitter account of the National Park Service reposted side-by-side photographs of the massive crowd assembled for Obama’s swearing-in ceremony and the less dense one for Trump’s. The account later deleted the tweet and apologised. By Lisa Lerer and Julie Bykowicz of the Associated Press
Late fee added on top of firearms costs EDITOR, The Tribune. EVERY January, I and many other Bahamian gun owners turn in our firearm licenses for annual renewal. A few years ago, the government, in a moment of myopic greed, raised the gun license fees by a whopping three hundred percent. In my opinion, this has only served to increase the number of illegal firearms in our homes and on our streets as many Bahamians already financially strapped due to other taxes and a ruined economy probably choose to quietly and illegally sell, hide or otherwise
dispose of their firearm rather than pay the new and usurious fees. It is truly a ridiculous state of affairs when it costs me more to annually renew my firearms licenses than it does to renew the licenses of my two motor vehicles and boat combined. This month I was, admittedly, a little tardy in submitting my licenses for renewal but was outraged when, in addition to the already staggering fees, I was penalised with a late fee of two hundred dollars. This policy was either not in place or not enforced last January, so has the govern-
ment again moved the goal posts by implementing a new policy with no notice to gun owners or is this simply extortion on the part of some “enterprising” Firearms Office staff member? In my more than 40 years of owning licensed firearms I have never encountered a more ridiculous policy which penalises citizens who have continually abided by the law, perhaps the Commissioner of Police or the Minister responsible would care to enlighten us. SPENT ROUND Nassau, January 25, 2017.
Flawed political process EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Political process in The Bahamas at the party level is a farce. It’s a travesty! How does one refer to our practices at the party level as democratic, when less than 1 per cent of the eligible voters in our country, or in a respective party, decides who the leadership team will be. In the Bahamian context, the concept of democracy has been greatly misused. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government “of the people, by the people and for the people”. In The Bahamas, we’ve managed to reverse that concept of democracy. In The Bahamas, democracy has become a government “of the politician, by the politician and for the politician”. It is a sad state of affairs. As a consequence of the flawed democratic processes in The Bahamas, which operates more like an autocracy than a democracy, we see the type of lethargy that we now have among voters. Bahamians at large are no longer enthused about the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net democratic process because experience has taught them that it never produces anything positively meaningful to their lives. For a long time now, they’ve endured big, bold promises, which are long on style and presentations, but extremely short on content and delivery. When something is done, too few benefit, while the vast majority are left languishing in a state of poverty. It’s about time that our country espouses real democratic conventions and it must begin at the party level. The process by which we elect leaders at the party level must be reformed. There ought to be a set of rules that we can agree upon by which the process can be more democratic and inclusive. I personally believe that all card carrying members of a political party should have the right and opportunity to choose who their leadership team should be. The only people that would have a problem with this
Government lap dogs over NHI scheme EDITOR, The Tribune. NHI will result in 500 million dollars in additional revenue and lead to better workforce productivity. This is something we would expect to hear from KPMG’s self serving Mark Britnell of course but Simon Townend – Seriously! He should be embarrassed to put his name on such a diabolical load of crap. Does Mr Townend not appreciate the degree of endemic disease that this country is burdened with stemming greatly from hypertension, diabetes and obesity? Does he honestly think
Bahamians are going to stop eating Wendy’s and Bamboo Shack on the advice of their doctor? “Free” access to primary care is going to encourage this workforce to request more sick slips resulting in down time for already struggling businesses. As for the revenue, this will be the stick that breaks the camels back. KPMG is very clearly bending to the will of the government and doing as they are told, quite fitting for the lap dogs they have become. DON HANSEN Nassau, January 24, 2016.
are those whose narrow interests have been served for years by the status quo. There are many formulas as to how this can be achieved. It’s a discussion that we should have with a view to change. It cannot be right that a leader, on the eve of a vote at convention, can appoint hundreds of people and give them eligibility to vote. Let’s call it for what it is; it’s outright cheating! In a democracy, leadership ought to rise or fall on their performance, not their ability to cheat and “stack the deck” in their favour, giving them unfair advantages over challengers. What adds insult to injury is the fact that these practices are cheered on by people who ought to know better. It’s time for transformational leadership to stand up and agitate for change in this regard. Maybe even the next government formed should make sure, by way of legislation, that democracy is resuscitated in The Bahamas. CONCERNED Nassau, January 24, 2017.
Where are all these new jobs? EDITOR, The Tribune. CAN the Rt Hon Prime Minister show precisely where his claim of creating 22,000 new jobs were created? We all remember Minister Davis’s promise that within the first year of May, 2012 they would create 10,000 new jobs..... they missed that target by miles. How many jobs were created in Government Service? Project the public should be told where these 22,000 new jobs were created. We are exceptionally pleased if this is accurate but I am certainly suspect of the number. T BURROWS Nassau, January 23, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 26, 2017, PAGE 5
Delegates hopeful ahead of 2017 election battle By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party delegates kept the energy and hopes high on the second day of the party’s 52nd National Convention. As candidate-hopefuls filed in to be nominated for various positions, onlookers expressed confidence in the party’s ability to effectively communicate their successes and challenges to the Bahamian electorate. “I think it’s exhilarating,” Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis said. “People are passionate, I think you can feel the electricity. If you’ve been around you can feel the electricity, I just hope you are connected by it. “We hope that our message gets out, and we hope that the barrier for our message getting to our people will at least rest and allow it to get over to the people.” Thomas Saunders, a 77-year-old stalwart councillor from Bimini, said: “I feeling fine, I think everything is about over as far as I can see because those other guys are all split up. It’s going to be a carbon copy of the last (election). (Opposition parties) they too breakup and ain’t together so it wouldn’t make sense for them to even try to run, probably just go through the motions.” Mr Saunders continued: “The DNA, I don’t think
THE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party 2017 Convention at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort. they even gone get a seat they far from being ready. They split up between two or three parties so the PLP is the most stable one out of all.” Owner of the Dot Miller Collection, Dorothy Miller, who had a booth in the convention’s lobby area, said: “I’m a PLP supporter, all my life. What I feeling is we going to win again. I see it. I always have a booth to conventions. The craft is selling, mostly the PLP colours are the fastest sellers,
all handmade by me.” Newly installed vicechairman, 38-year-old Danielle Gibson of Eleuthera, said: “I am feeling excited, enthusiastic, this is a great and awesome time to be a Bahamian and to be a PLP. “I think that this time and this convention will definitely speak to unity, that is something that every party needs and we need leaders that will rise up and keep us strong and united because this is the only way we’re
going to change our country and keep our focus on what makes the Bahamas great.” D’Angelo Whymms, Southern Shores branch delegate, said: “I think personally, if you’re looking options-wise you have two other parties out there that are disenfranchised. First off with each other, and they’re disenfranchised internally. You have persons who have no record of anything, the FNM who can’t get themselves together and then you have the PLP who
HALKITIS: VAT IS BEING USED TO PAY DOWN DEBT AS WELL AS EXPENSES from page one
“What we have been saying since we introduced VAT, is we no longer have to, because our revenue has gone up, we are no longer running a huge deficit. We chipped away at the deficit. We are making gradual improvements. Every year we are borrowing less and less. Every year we are borrowing, but it is less and less. “It does go to the debt and eventually we won’t have to borrow money. What I said Tuesday night was I explained that yes VAT is a part of government revenue and it is used to defray the expenses of the government and so in addition what we doing, is because we have more money we are able to provide certain services. “So we are not hiding the money away, we are using it to give scholarships and build roads and bridges and prepare for (National Health Insurance). It is all very consistent. There is no confusion there is no mix up.” Mr Halkitis also addressed unfounded rumours that the governing party used a portion of the VAT money to fund the party’s three-day convention. “Not a dime went into the convention,” Mr Halkitis said. “This convention is funded by the PLP, the branches pay their dues, the delegates pay their dues and we sell ads in the booklet. The
EIGHT MILE ROCK DELEGATE DIES AT CONFERENCE A PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party convention delegate from Grand Bahama collapsed on the bathroom floor of her hotel room on the first night of the party’s convention and later died, a party source told The Tribune. The delegate from Eight Mile Rock, identified by party sources as Joy Russell, reportedly experienced heart problems on Tuesday before her death. The party held a moment of silence for the delegate during one of the convention sessions, The Tribune was told.
VAT money is public funds that goes into the public trust and you don’t just willy-nilly take it out.” On Tuesday night, Mr Halkitis said some of the VAT revenue went in preparation for National Health Insurance (NHI). “We spent tens of millions of dollars on a new Critical Care Block, a new hospital in Exuma, upgrades to health clinics and at PMH in addition to new ambulance fleet. (We) facilitated a new fleet of aircraft for Bahamasair at a cost of $100m. A modern, safe and
efficient fleet reduces state subsidies and improves public safety. This builds a modern Bahamas. That is where the VAT money gone.” Mr Halkitis said tens of millions of dollars were spent on roads, docks and seawalls in Andros, Exuma, Mayaguana, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Cat Island and Cat Island, adding that the government invested in a new fleet for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at a cost of some $232m to protect our borders and marine resources.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff have always been a party for the people, and the people encompasses the young persons as well.” Mr Whymms added:
“Rome was not built in a day, every thing happens with progression and I believe that the PLP is definitely a party for the youth.”
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THE TRIBUNE
IMMIGRATION FORCE ‘TO BE TRIPLED’ IF PLP WIN VOTE from page one
“That is real heavy lifting and empowerment,” he said, during night two of the PLP’s national convention at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort. During one of the best received speeches of the
night, Mr Mitchell also struck a nationalistic tone, railing against Fred Smithled human rights organisations, which he said pose a “clear and present danger” to the PLP. Mr Mitchell played an audio clip of Mr Smith calling The Bahamas “nationally insecure and very hateful”
to foreigners, comments for which he later apologised. “The broader point I make is that the PLP is struggling to control the narrative in the process of this political battle and in shaping public opinion,” he said. “This (convention) then is the time to take stock of how things really
run and why there is overwhelmingly negative tone around everything that we do. We must reverse this and begin to move effectively to mould and shape public opinion.” “I think, therefore, that this party has a compelling case to tell Fred Smith, QC, and his fellow travellers to take his so-called apology and shove it,” the Fox Hill MP said. “ . . . Save The Bays, the phony environmental organisation, has the same people who run the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, who are the same people who have run to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission to complain saying their lives are in danger then refuse to cooperate with the police,” Mr Mitchell told the crowd. “These are the same people who want openness, transparency and freedom of information who have sued newspapers in libel to silence them and then have run to the courts to stop members of Parliament from speaking in the House. “This is a clear and present danger to the PLP. In other words, the question is where does the money come from to pay for all this litigation, which is leading to the inability of your MPs to do their jobs? We must follow the money trail wherever it goes. This is a matter of this PLP’s survival.” Speaking to increasing applause, Mr Mitchell also pledged to protect The Bahamas from all manners of people, those from “Latin America, China and the Far East,” as well as those who come “as legitimate traders and end up working outside the scope of their work permits, robbing Bahamians of legitimate job opportunities”. He also pledged that the Department of Immigration “will revoke the permits of those found by the Department of Labour to
FRED MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Fox Hill MP, speaking at the convention. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff abuse Bahamian workers”. ation that holds everyone At the event last night, within the education system PLP supporters at the Me- accountable while improvlia Resort screamed and ing the chances of our studanced as government min- dents for entry into tertiary sters and parliamentarians institutions nationally and declared the PLP the party internationally.” of stability. Although she lamented After listening for years the country’s reputation as to anti-PLP sentiments a tax haven, Financial Serblaring from radios and vices Minister Hope Strashown across social me- chan said stakeholders have dia, supporters boasted nothing to fear regarding about the crowded and the sector, pointing to the loud nature of the gather- establishment of the Bahaing, describing it as a prime mas Bureau of Standards opportunity to showcase as a significant achievement their pride in a party they of her tenure. Meanwhile, insisted has never stopped Health Minister Dr Perry believing in Bahamians. Gomez touted the benefits Last night, the conven- of one of the Christie adtion saw its candidates ministration’s flagship polspeak of their accomplish- icy endeavours: National ments while firing up its Health Insurance (NHI), base as the night’s pro- emphasising that when the gramme moved along at a programme’s services are crisp pace. introduced, poverty will Education Minister Je- no longer hinder some Barome Fitzgerald said the hamians from receiving PLP has fulfilled its prom- healthcare. ise to double the country’s Throughout the night, investment in education speakers focused more on while introducing the na- highlighting what they saw tional high school diplo- as accomplishments since ma, which “sets a new and their election in 2012, as higher, internationally rec- opposed to laying out plans ognised standard for gradu- and a vision for a next term.
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 26, 2017, PAGE 7
Man jailed for three years for housebreaking By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A BODY is taken away after a shooting in the Sunshine Park area last night.
Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
BUSINESS OWNER SHOOTS MAN DEAD AT PREMISES from page one
Sunshine Park area, when a man was shot dead while riding a bicycle. According to Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, who is in charge of the Central Detective Unit, the victim was travelling south-bound on the street when a dark vehicle pulled up alongside him and opened fire. Chief Supt Fernander added that authorities had no motive for the shooting and were depending on residents of the area to come forward and assist
the investigation. Visibly shaken by the incident, Chief Supt Fernander said he was saddened by the level of gun violence taking place on the nation’s streets. The veteran officer extended an invitation to Bahamian parents to do more to guide and protect their sons, insisting that the country was losing too many of them to gun violence “on both sides of the coin, as victims and also the accused persons.” While he was speaking to reporters at the scene, police were called to the scene of a vehicle fire in the Sir Lynden
OFFICERS put out a fire found after the first shooting last night.
Pindling Estates area where officers discovered a completely charred vehicle believed to be associated with the Sunshine Park homicide. Speaking to reporters at the second crime scene, Chief Supt Fernander said his officers were working with the belief that both incidents were connected. In the second shooting incident that occurred last night, authorities were called to a business on Market Street around 10pm where a man had been shot dead by the owner of that establishment. Chief Supt Fernander said
officers were attempting to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but noted that property owners in The Bahamas have the right to protect and secure their property while armed. He said police would turn the investigation over to Her Majesty’s coroner to make a decision on the shooting. Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328TIPS.
THE SCENE of the second shooting last night on Market Street.
A MAN was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court to a number of housebreaking incidents over a period of three months. Joshua Storr appeared in Court One before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of housebreaking. He was sentenced to three years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in New Providence for the offences. Storr was also arraigned on an additional four counts of housebreaking in Court Three before Magistrate Rengin Johnson. He also pleaded guilty to those offences and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He was also fined $1,000, and in default of payment will serve an additional one year imprisonment. Curtis Evans was also brought before the court for housebreaking and other offences. Evans appeared before Chief Magistrate Ferguson in Court One, where he pleaded guilty to one count of housebreaking, two counts of burglary, and four counts of stealing from a dwelling house. His sentencing was adjourned to sometime later this week.
IDB APPROVES $35M LOAN FOR AIRPORTS THE Inter-American Development Bank has approved a $35m loan designed to improve infrastructure at four airports on the Family Islands. According to a press release from the IDB, the loan will contribute to the archipelago’s regional and international integration through upgrades at the airports of Exuma, North Eleuthera and two in Abaco: Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay. “The project will finance modernisation and maintenance of the airports, including a wide range of aviation and infrastructure improvements such as visual aids, lighting, runway beacons, mobile airport equipment, parking platforms and passenger terminals,” the press release said. “It will also take into account adaptation to and mitigation of climate change in the construction work to be undertaken.” The IDB loan is over 25 years with a 5.5year grace period.
PAGE 8, Thursday, January 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Miller defends PLP over VAT By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday defended the Progressive Liberal Party against criticism over how it had handled receipt and expenditure of value added tax (VAT) revenue, suggesting that public demands for transparency and accountability over the tax are “pointless”. While responding to questions on how his party has handled the revenue generated from VAT since its implementation in 2015, Mr Miller told reporters that the PLP had done a “good and honest” job of managing the affairs of the country with the money collected from the tax. Mr Miller said the accounting provided by Golden Isles MP and State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis Tuesday night did
an excellent job of “putting it in simple details for the average Bahamian,” adding that the PLP had nothing to hide concerning the tax revenue. He said those interested in the “money and numbers” could look at all of the budget statements released by the Christie administration since the tax was implemented and draw their own conclusions on “how much we get from the people to do their work.” Speaking on the sidelines of the PLP’s ongoing convention Wednesday, Mr Miller said: “In every budget, it says what the income is and the income is VAT, the majority of it, and it shows what the expenditures are. “To isolate VAT to itself doesn’t make any sense. We indicate what the government is making and then we say how we are spending it. To create a separate report that say how much is coming from just VAT is pointless.
“What is the big deal when it is all going to defray the expenses of The Bahamas? “We don’t need to waste any time to write up a report to say ‘we got $12 on Friday from Joe, $10 on Saturday from Jenny and $13 on Sunday from you’ all going to the government to run the country. “Damn, we waste all that time and we still need $100 to run the country, so what the hell we gain from arguing over the little $30 we getting from VAT - stop it.” On Tuesday, Mr Halkitis said that the revenue collected from the tax was spent on various state initiatives under the Christie administration. He had previously stated that this revenue went into the consolidated fund and would count against the national debt. Mr Halkitis said tens of millions of dollars were spent on roads, docks and seawalls in Andros, Exuma,
Mayaguana, Abaco, Grand Bahama and Cat Island, adding that the government invested in a new fleet for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at a cost of some $232m to protect our borders and marine resources. Backing his parliamentary colleague yesterday, Mr Miller said the government has kept its financial dealing “clear and in the eyes of the people,” contending that there was no need to create a separate form of accounting for VAT. “VAT is a part of the overall financial mechanism of the country,” he said. “One small part, the government is still working in other areas to ensure that they are getting enough money to run this country.” “These people going crazy on VAT know that the government is still trying to rub pennies together to keep things flowing, but they choose to say (things)
and get everyone worked up. “A lot of those who criticise the government and try to put a spin on VAT are really disingenuous and they know better. We are talking about well-versed businessmen that come with garbage, that they know is garbage, to try and sully the minds of everyday Bahamians as to what VAT is. “As if VAT was this gift that was given to us and it had no reference to what it is being used for. When we only had duty on goods, where was the accountability? “The budget is brought (to the House of Assembly) every June, every June we go through the budget and we approve the budget. The VAT money goes into the consolidated fund, I don’t understand this, where is their confusion coming fund? The government isn’t stealing the money. In fact, we are working with the little we have to keep this country going.
“But these people know better and they choose to spread (expletive).” In November 2016, Mr Halkitis, told the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) conference that the government had collected $852m in gross VAT receipts over the 18 month period from January 2015 to the end of June 2016. His comments last year reignited concerns over how the government was spending this tax windfall. Last November, Tribune Business reported that while its income had increased, the government was continuing to run deficits and grow the national debt, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years. As a result, many observers have questioned whether VAT is being employed to pay down the national debt, Tribune Business reported.
MICHAEL HALKITIS, speaking at the PLP convention. mian people believe any of their empty rhetoric. They told us that by implementing VAT they would be able to reduce the deficit, but once again that has been another broken promise of this PLP government.” Mr Halkitis has previously said collected VAT money goes into the consolidated fund, allowing the government to pay its expenses. However, on Tuesday night, the state minister took a different tone, claim-
ing the substantial collection went to fund various initiatives and defended VAT’s implementation. However, many of the projects Mr Halkitis mentioned were initiatives that the government borrowed money to pay for. He punctuated his speech with the repeated phrase “That’s where the VAT money gone,” prompting the enthusiastic crowd to chant the phrase. At the time he said: “It is a known fact that The Bahamas government relied too heavily on customs duties and stamp tax as its principal revenue source, a tax regime that failed to capture the service component of the economy; about two-thirds of the Bahamian economy is built on service. “Value added tax captured that economic activity that went untaxed for many years. Continued inaction was not an option.” Mr Halkitis also said: “As a result of our reform pro-
gramme and despite a stubbornly difficult global environment, we have been able to get our finances on a good footing while at the same time doubling the investment in scholarships from $7.73m to $16.3m. This empowers young Bahamians. That’s where the VAT money gone. “(We) provided the financial resources to transition from the College of the Bahamas to The University of Bahamas at well over $12m. That’s where the VAT money gone. “We are building new schools and have invested tens of millions of dollars in repairs and upgrades of existing schools, thus empowering our young people. That’s where the VAT money gone. “(We) provided the money in excess of $150m to introduce comprehensive National Health Insurance in short order for all our people, but especially those in most need and who cannot afford private insurance. This empowers our people. That’s where the VAT money gone. “In preparation for NHI, we spent tens of millions of dollars on a new Critical Care Block, a new hospital in Exuma, upgrades to health clinics and at PMH in addition to new ambulance fleet. That’s where the VAT money gone. “(We) facilitated a new fleet of aircraft for Bahamasair at a cost of $100m. A modern, safe and efficient fleet reduces state subsidies and improves public safety. This builds a modern Bahamas. That’s where the VAT money gone.” Mr Halkitis also said tens of millions of dollars were spent on roads, docks and seawalls in Andros, Exuma, Mayaguana, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Cat Island, adding that the government in-
vested in a new fleet for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at a cost of some $232m to protect our borders and marine resources. Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said in a press statement yesterday that Mr Halkitis’ comments were “troubling”. “Nothing is more amazing than the junior minister for finance, Michael Halkitis, sharing with us what he did with our value added tax revenue and the government revenue overall,” the statement said. “Yes, he kept a straight face through it all and was very, very serious in his dissertation. This is why we are troubled by the presentation centred on those remarks. News flash to the PLP: The Democratic National Alliance, and by extension the people of the Bahamas, we know some of the things you spent the VAT money on. We know you messed it up with your pet projects and wasteful spending for things that went 100xs over budget. That much we know. “We also wanted to know where is the Central Revenue Agency and the legislation you were supposed to bring to Parliament to create that agency, in the attempt to move collection of public money’s out of the ineffective system you said VAT was supposed to counteract by putting in place a new oversight body? Under a DNA government you will have greater oversight and a separation of the Ministry of Finance’s Revenue and Expenditure arms, to keep it under the power of two persons: The minister for finance and the financial secretary by extension, is a recipe for waste, corruption, theft and bad practices,” Mr
McCartney added. Meanwhile, Mr Moss accused the government of spending VAT money with their cronies. He said: “I hear this same type of approach when I hear the prime minister saying that he will now take seriously the idea of mortgage relief. The bottom line is we’ve had five years, five years for the people to see performance that would advance the interests of this country. “And during that time, what we’ve had with the VAT money, we’ve had a promise that the VAT money would be used to repay the national debt and it has not been done, I’ve stood in Parliament and showed the people where the VAT money went frankly in the first year, when the government refused to fund the Ministry of Health on the assumption that it would get money through NHI, it went to the people and said ‘oh we’ve had a savings’ when it had no savings, it just didn’t fund the MOH. And it’s projections were increased from money coming in from NHI never happened.” “So the government had in that budget of two years ago, a $500m hole, which they filled with the proceeds from VAT. More than just that though, what we have is a government that’s out of control on spending, what we have is a government that is unresponsive to the call for transparency. What we have is a corrupt government, and I’ve said before in the House and I’ll say it again: If we are to fix this country we must start by dealing with the question of corruption in this country,” Mr Moss said.
‘TELL THE TRUTH ON WHERE VAT REVENUE HAS GONE’ from page one
The government rolled out the tax in January 2015 at a rate of 7.5 per cent on most goods and services. In November, Mr Halkitis said more than $850m in VAT had been collected. “The PLP wants to continue to tout that by implementing VAT they have helped cut our deficit, but now they claim that they spent it on projects,” Mr Collie said in a press statement. “What is the truth? What did they spend the money on? The people still want to know where their money went.” “Economy failing, ease of doing business at record lows, downgrade of our credit rating to junk status, our country’s deficit continuing to increase – yet the PLP wants to tout their work to implement the onerous VAT tax. “They must truly be delusional to think the Baha-
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 26, 2017, PAGE 9
Protestors call for national ‘sit down’ By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net A HANDFUL of protestors, including Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson and We March Bahamas organisers, assembled in Rawson Square yesterday with placards a day after they called on workers across the country to have a national “sit down”. Organisers said that multiple forms of industrial action tactics are expected to take place over the next few days until Prime Minister Perry Christie meets with the umbrella union to iron out long standing issues. The move was expected to force the government’s hand in agreeing to the union’s requests. Speaking to The Tribune in Rawson Square, Mr Ferguson said this decision was made after meeting for several months with the prime minister, but reaching no resolve. However, Labour Minister Shane Gibson scoffed at the group’s attendance in Rawson Square, claiming that the union resorted to a “sit in” after finding no success in organising a march in protest of the government. There were no reports of widespread disruption at
allowance when they do not wear uniform. He is also insisting that we pay them other allowances, which they don’t work shift they work straight days so he wants us to give them that allowance as well. “All of the benefits that we give to uniform officers they are trying to convince us to give those same benefits to the clerical staff. We have already told them emphatically that that is not going to happen.”
SENATOR Rodney Moncur speaks to protestors yesterday. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff government ministries or The Tribune. they would pick in the middepartments yesterday. “Ask customs officers if dle of our convention to try Mr Gibson rejected Mr they haven’t directed (Ba- and organise a demonstraFerguson’s claims saying hamas Customs, Immigra- tion.” the industrial action was tion and Allied Workers He added: “Out of all the no more than an attempt Union President) Sloan industrial agreements we to embarrass the governing Smith to sign the industrial have with the government PLP during its three-day agreement so they can get agencies the only people convention this week. their money. He is doing his now outstanding is the docHe insisted that the gov- own thing because he and tors and the customs and ernment has made steady Obie have a political plan. immigration officers. We progress with all of the ex“We now classify the We have already agreed that isting industrial agreements March as a political organi- we will conclude minor outand at this point now only sation trying to get together standing issues on Friday had minor issues to iron out with all of the opposition coming for the doctors. with two unions. “(With the) Customs and forces, those opposed to “It is interesting that they the government to try and Immigration we have a poonly had 20 whole people destabilise the government. sition now where we could come out to demonstrate,” I do not accept that they are agree except Sloan Smith is Mr Gibson said during a marching against any estab- insisting that we give cleritelephone interview with lishment. I don’t know why cal staff of customs uniform
Issues Despite this, Mr Ferguson said there are just too many outstanding issues with several aspects of public and private sector unionised workers not to take action. He said Prime Minister Perry Christie promised to update them on the government’s decision on their issues shortly after We March Bahamas staged its first demonstration. However, this has not happened he said. “So the workers decided that we would begin a process that would lead to us having a meeting with him and finalising the issues and the items that we have with customs and immigration, with the air traffic controllers, the (Bahamas) Nurses Union, with the Bahamas
Hotel Managers Association, the Cabbage Beach Owners Association, with the General Workers Union in Andros, with the Sandals (Resort) matter with the 600 Bahamians and the 12 managers, Water and Sewerage. “These are some of the issues that we discussed with the government and the prime minister gave us his word that he will meet with us,” Mr Ferguson said. “So what we decided to do is we would sit in from all of the respective unions in their respective places and then some of us would come here at Rawson Square in case members who are not necessarily aligned to the union and meet them and give them general information. “But if you were expecting 10 or 15 thousand people out here this morning that was not the intent. The intent was that there would be a sit-in at the respective places and there would be activities done that would cause the government to meet with us and discuss the matter. That’s essentially what we are trying to do.” Throughout the Christie administration’s current term in office, union issues have persisted, despite the PLP’s pre-election pledge to address labour concerns.
Wilchcombe. “They want to send messages. They want to interrupt our convention. But the truth is we have caused on several occasions opportunities for these people to come in and sit and talk with us. “To that end, they have brushed us off. Now yet again they want to make a spectacle of what is going on and continue to refuse all opportunities for resolutions. You the people now need to ask the important question, what are these guys trying to achieve?” TUC President Obie Ferguson said on Wednesday
that the members of several unions across the country were carrying out a “sit in” at respective government departments in a bid to pressure the government to accede to a lengthy list of demands for workers. A small group of protesters, about two dozen, demonstrated in Rawson Square, some with placards for a few hours on Wednesday. However, Labour Minister Shane Gibson yesterday downplayed the impact of the so-called sit in, saying there were minimal reports of industrial action in the public sector.
SENIOR MPS SAY SIT-IN WAS ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
MEMBERS of the governing Progressive Liberal Party yesterday took issue with the sit in action orchestrated by the Trade Union Congress and We March Bahamas, calling the action by the groups a direct affront to the government. As news of the attempt to “shut the country down” began to spread among those attending the PLP’s 52nd National Convention, the response was quick and consistent - “this is an attack on the governance offered by the PLP.” While Prime Minister Perry Christie brushed off questions related to the action outside the party’s convention hall, many in the PLP made their opposition to the action known. When asked for his take yesterday, Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller called Wednesday’s move a unification of two groups that “love to sit on their a****.” Mr Miller implored the Christie Cabinet not to caution the action taken by the groups in their attempt
to attract national attention, adding that it was “time for the rubber to hit the road” with respect to the constant claims by the movement that their members intend to “shut the country down”. “They want go sit down, let them sit down,” Mr Miller said. “That is their business. But does that affect any business in this country, probably affects some. But what happens when they go to work tomorrow? Then they get cut.” Mr Miller said the government has done all it could do to address these matters, insisting that those involved are only interested in “frustrating the system” with the hope that the action pushes voters against the governing party. “This is what we got, union leaders hijacking their unions because they have an ego. Because they want to show that they are some politician or they on par with someone. Referring to the union representatives, Mr Miller, chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation, said: “They are pure hogs.” He continued: “Let me
give you an example, Water and Sewerage, the government pumps in $30m per year; (the corporation) is broke on its a**, never had no money except what the people put into it. You have people there, one guy took three years off from work, he is a big union man, say he had an industrial accident. Fall down somewhere. Got paid for three years, three solid years I say and then come back to work and ask why he wasn’t promoted like everyone else. “I say, say what? He say we owed him $15,000. I say, my brother, do me a favour and go die somewhere because for you to have the belief that you could get fat off of the people, that is upsetting to me.” Mr Miller also restated comments he made during the initial We March protest last November, asserting that the We March organisation was made up of old factions of the United Bahamian Party and “rich black Bahamians who couldn’t give a damn about the poor potcakes.” “I am talking about the white Bahamians. Most of them have always been
against us. From the time we took over the reigns of government in 1967.” For his part, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe urged the country, specifically the media, to judge the merit of the groups leading the action. Mr Wilchcombe said it had now become blatantly clear that the action taken had very little to do with resolution, but instead was designed to undermine and discredit the government. “Obviously it is all being politically motivated by a group of people who continue to do all they can to cause an issue,” said Mr
PAGE 10, Thursday, January 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Robber who asked for ride stabs driver A WOMAN is in hospital nursing stab wounds after she was injured and robbed by another woman to whom she had given a ride in Eleuthera. The incident occurred shortly after 11am on Tuesday, police said. Police were told that a woman was driving her vehicle in Palmetto Point when she picked up a woman who asked for a ride to Savannah Sound. Upon arrival in Savannah Sound, the passenger allegedly stabbed the driver with a knife and demanded cash. The victim handed over her handbag and was
stabbed again. The suspect then took a small amount of cash from the handbag and fled on foot, police said. The victim was treated by the island’s local doctor and later flown to New Providence for further medical treatment. The victim’s injuries are listed as non-life threatening. A short while later, police arrested the female suspect in connection with this incident. Police also reported that a man on their Most Wanted list was captured in Nassau early yesterday morning after being on the run for two weeks.
Amal Hunter, alias “Bow”, is now assisting police “in connection with a number of recent murders”. Police say he was “arrested without incident” around 1am Tuesday at a home in New Providence by officers from the Selective Enforcement team during a special operation. Also arrested were a woman and three men, occupants of the home in which Hunter was arrested. They were accused of harbouring a fugitive who was being sought for questioning.
ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT DENIED BAIL By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned in connection with a gunpoint robbery that occurred last week. Edward K D Seymour, 30, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing a charge of armed robbery concerning an incident that occurred on Monday, January 16.
The charge was made contrary to section 339(2) of the Penal Code where it is alleged he, while armed with a handgun, robbed a woman of her Nokia cellular phone valued at $190 and $110 cash. Seymour was told that he would not be allowed to enter a plea to the allegation until he is formally arraigned before a judge in the Supreme Court. He will return to the Magistrate’s Court on
March 13 for the case to be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court for trial through the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was told that he would have to apply for bail to the higher court, as the lower court did not have the jurisdiction to consider or grant a bond for the offence with which he was charged. Seymour was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.
$10,000 SEIZED FROM WOMAN BY COURT By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A COURT seized more than $10,000 in US currency from a woman yesterday who failed to get formal permission to carry that amount of money out of the country. Magistrate Andrew Forbes told 27-year-old Ketma Telfort that she was wrong to attempt to travel with US$10,554 on
her person without getting permission from the proper authorities. He said she could have received a custodial sentence for her actions. The Marathon Road resident was arraigned on a single charge of attempted exportation of restricted goods. It was alleged that she failed to obtain Central Bank approval to carry the cash outside the country prior to Tuesday, January
24 when she was arrested at the Domestic/International Departure Security checkpoint at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. Telfort pleaded guilty to the charge, which carries up to 24 months prison time. However, she was later granted an absolute discharge. The court, instead, ordered the funds be confiscated and turned over to the Crown.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 26, 2017, PAGE 11
Abaco man charged in Florida over cocaine CLIFTON Bootle of Abaco with Jason Simons and Brittany Norris have been charged in a Florida court with conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine hydrochloride. The facts, filed in court to support the “probable cause” for their arrest said that the “DEA and HSI are currently conducting an investigation of the illegal drug importation and human trafficking activities engaged in by Simons, Norris and Bootle”. Simons’ story involved persons in The Bahamas who he claimed had several hundred kilograms of cocaine for transportation. Grand Bahama, especially West End, was featured in the statement, which was filed this week in the US District Court of Southern Florida. Matthew L Davis, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that on September 7 last year agents established a confidential source that identified Simons as a smuggler of cocaine and illegal migrants from the Bahamas into the United States. Over the course of several months, he said, “several recorded telephone conversations regarding smuggling activities between the CS (confidential source) and Simons were conducted. On December 1, 2016, the CS met with Simons to discuss the possibility of the CS providing Simons access to a vessel that Simons could use to transport a large quantity of cocaine from the Bahamas into South Florida. On December 14, 2016 the CS introduced, via cellphone, a DEA agent acting in an undercover capacity (UC) to Simons. Over the course of the next several weeks, said the statement, the UC and Simons spoke via voice and text messages regarding working together to
CLIFTON BOOTLE import a large quantity of cocaine from the Bahamas to the United States via a sports fishing vessel under the command of the UC. On January 12, 2016, the UC met with Simons at Bokamper’s Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, to organise the transportation of a load of cocaine from an unspecified island in the Bahamas to the United States. During the meeting, the UC and Simons agreed that the UC would provide Simons access to a sport fishing vessel in the Bahamas piloted by the UC and the UC’s boat crew which Simons would then load a kilograms of cocaine with the intention of smuggling the cocaine into Palm Beach County, Florida, within the Southern District of Florida. The UC and Simons agreed that once the marine forecast cleared up, the UC and Simons would attempt to smuggle the load of cocaine. Simons told the UC the cocaine would be available in the West End area of Grand Bahama, according to the court document. Simons informed the UC that he had contacts with “people” in the Bahamas that had several hundred kilograms of cocaine that had to be transported to the US. The UC negotiated 10 per cent of the cocaine load as payment for the transportation. Simons agreed that the cocaine source of supply was willing to pay 10 per cent of the load for transportation fees. The eight-page statement filed in the court told of the UC meeting Simons at
a marina in West End last week – January 18 – when the UC was asked to bring some coolers in which to take the cocaine. Simons told the UC that the hotel room on the first floor in which the cocaine was locked overlooked the boat dock. Two coolers and five large black backpacks filled with bricks of cocaine was loaded on the boat, according to the court document. At about 2:30pm the same day, at a pre-determined location, CBP Marine units with DEA and HSI agents intercepted the vessel, located the cocaine, and detained Simons for questioning. After confiscating the drugs law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the seized cocaine. They then went to the Towne Place Suites Hotel, in Fort Lauderdale where they contacted the intended recipient of the cocaine. The recipient agreed to take possession of the cocaine, agreeing to meet the cooperating defendant at their vehicle outside the hotel. It was then that Clifton Bootle, of the Bahamas, arrived at the law enforecement vehicle. Bootle was shown the cocaine in the back seat of the pick up truck. He was then arrested. Bootle, who had rented the hotel room, allowed the agents to enter the room where they met another Bahamian, Nathan Saunders. Saunders was not taken into custody. During the post-Miranda interview, the court’s affidavit said that Bootle indicated that the person in the Bahamas sent over 104 pieces and that Jason’s cut was to be 10 “pieces.” Based on the statements in the document, it was submitted to the court that Jason Simons, Brittany Norris, and Clifton Bootle had committed the criminal offence of conspiracy to import a controlled substance - five kilograms of cocaine - into the United States for which they were now to stand trial.
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WORK
NOTICE
Pinewood Boulevard, Buttonwood, Sugar Apple Street, Willow Street, Jacaranda Street,Thatch Palm Street The Water and Sewerage Corporation advises the public and its customers of Pinewood Boulevard, Buttonwood, Sugar Apple Street, Willow Street, Jacaranda Street,Thatch Palm Street and surrounding areas that improvement works will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2017 which may affect water supply to the aforementioned area. Works are scheduled to begin at 10:30 PM and is anticipated to be completed by 4:00 AM. The Corporation apologies for any inconvenience which may be caused and appreciates your support as we work to improve our services.
Tel: (242) 302-5599 or Toll Free (242) 300-0150 Find out more on
or our website www.wsc.com.bs
PAGE 12, Thursday, January 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Four candidates revealed by Moss and another change of party name By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
UNITED Democratic Party Leader Greg Moss yesterday unveiled his party’s first four candidates - himself included - to contest the upcoming general election. The Marco City MP said that the party is committed amidst rumours that a “division” in the party led to its second name change. Mr Moss, leader of the party formerly known as the United People’s Movement (UPM), announced that he would again be contesting the Marco City seat, a seat he won while previously running on the PLP’s ticket, and that Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President John Pinder will be contesting the Fox Hill seat. Mr Moss also announced that Bishop Margo Burrows would be contesting the Yamacraw seat, and that attorney Edmund Russell would be contesting the Central Grand Bahama seat. Yesterday’s announcement, Mr Moss said, represents the start of the “second stage” of the party’s campaign, with more candidates slated to be revealed throughout next month. However, an issue that arose during the press con-
ference at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel yesterday morning was the circumstances surrounding the change of the party’s name from the United People’s Movement (UPM) to the United Democratic Party (UDP). The former name was the result of a late-2016 merger of Mr Moss’ first incarnation of the United Democratic Party, which he launched on his own after resigning from the PLP in 2015, and Mr Pinder’s and former Senator John Bostwick Jr’s The People’s Movement, which was conceived out of an intense opposition to the June 7 gender equality referendum. Mr Moss explained that the reason for the name change was not due to a division in the party, but rather because “two or three persons,” after having left the UPM, “sought to create a level of confusion that we just were not willing to accommodate or be a part of.” Mr Moss said that after they left the party, those persons registered a new political organisation under the name The People’s Movement, the name of Mr Pinder’s former organisation prior to the merger with Mr Moss’ group. Mr Moss said such a move would have only led to unnecessary confusion.
“...Our response is just this: we will maintain our position as the people’s movement, we will go after resolving the issues in this country for the good of the people, but we will not enter into a confused state,” Mr Moss added. “We will not allow the electorate to be confused by what they’ve done. So we have reverted to one of constituent names, which was and is the UDP. So we’re the same people, we’ve just taken another one of our constituent names to avoid the confusion that those other two or three individuals tried to create, and we’re moving on.” Nonetheless, Mr Moss said yesterday’s unveiling of the four candidates demonstrates the party’s commitment to ushering in a style of governance that is contrary to the status quo. “We are committed to seeking out persons of integrity, iconoclastic leaders, dedicated to ridding our country once and for all of the systemic corruption and abject failures that has plagued us on every level,” he said in a statement. “We are simply not about governance as usual.” “…We have chosen people from among you who have pledged to serve you. We have chosen your mothers, fathers, sisters and
THE UNITED Democratic Party held a press conference in the Hilton hotel yesterday to announce candidates for the upcoming election. From left, Edmund Russell, Central Grand Bahama; deputy leader John Pinder, Fox Hill; party leader Greg Moss, Marco City; Margo Burrows, Yamacraw; and C Allen Johnson, the party’s national chairman. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff brothers, persons who rep- the Bahamian people.” said they intend to enact a In December, the party Freedom of Information resent you and understand the unique needs of Baha- launched its official cam- Act (FOIA) in line with the mians as we transition into paign for the 2017 general model FOI Bill produced by a global market and society. election with the release of the Commonwealth SecrePersons who will birth this a 21-page synopsis of the tariat and approved by the party’s vision document. new Bahamas. Commonwealth Law MinThe plan contains ex- isters since 1999. The party “The (UDP) is about serving. It’s our civic, spirit- tensive legislative reform will also look to introduce ual and human responsibil- proposals and several ideas anti-corruption legislation, ity. Our movement is one of aimed at bettering Bahami- strengthen press freedoms inclusion. We are reaching an society. Among some of and freedoms of expression. out to all independent can- its key elements, the UDP’s The party’s document didates and other persons document promises to pro- also noted that it will seek of conviction who we be- tect members of the press to introduce term limits for lieve have been and still are and strengthen freedom of the post of prime minisunswerving in their com- information legislation. ter and make the judiciary At the time, party officials more independent. mitment to the service of
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 26, 2017, PAGE 13
SPORT Fishing Network’s Scotty with a sweet yellow wing.
A GUEST with Gusto Charters and Guide Services catching a slob.
SEAN Bowe with a beautiful Mahi near Rose Island, Nassau.
LOCAL boy Mark Parotti joining the Zebra Club.