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FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017

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Christie leads PLP at election Thousands cheer PM after landslide win over Sears

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THOUSANDS of Progressive Liberal Party supporters last night erupted into thunderous cheers and danced in celebration of the re-election of incumbent party leader Prime Minister Perry Christie in a landslide victory over former Attorney General Alfred Sears, QC, in a leadership race that seemed to be over before it began.

Stalwart councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of Mr Christie, who received 1,264 votes to a meagre 169 ballots cast in support of challenger Mr Sears.

Supporters stood on

REGISTERED VOTER TOTAL TOO LOW TO RING THE BELL

DESPITE a cumulative murder count in this term that has surpassed the previous Ingraham administration’s, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said under the Christie administration the country was made safer for Bahamians.

While not focusing specifically on homicides since

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PM’S LAWYERS WANT JUSTICE RECUSAL IN NYGARD CASE

ATTORNEYS for Prime Minister Perry Christie have filed a motion in the Supreme Court asking that Justice Rhonda Bain recuse herself from hearing an ongoing judicial review into allegations that Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard illegally increased the size of his property.

According to court documents filed by one of Mr Christie’s attorneys Ryszard Humes, on January 26, the prime minister has argued that Justice Bain has reached the legal age for retirement and should therefore recuse herself from the judicial review or any other cases in which he is a party.

The motion was filed by Mr Christie in his capacity as minister responsible for Crown land.

An affidavit filed by Ms Humes, of the firm Munroe & Associates, said: “Her ladyship has reached the age

MAN GUILTY OF BEATING MOTHER, 81, TO DEATH

chairs and sang to R Kelly’s “Storm is Over” and “Sound of a Victory” as Mr Christie made his way into the convention hall, with a massive entourage, including Baha Mar executive Robert “Sandy” Sands.

His journey from the entrance to the front of the room was laboured, as PLPs, some of whom shouted “One leader” crowded the pathway to greet their newly re-elected leader.

SEE PAGE THREE

May 2012 when the Progressive Liberal Party took office, Dr Nottage touted the decrease in major crimes since 2011.

That year, there were 12,140 major crimes, he said. This decreased in 2016 to 6,245, the Bain and Grants Town MP said during the final night of the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) national convention.

SEE PAGE SIX

Weekend

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE THREE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

‘BAHAMAS SAFER’ DESPITE MURDER TALLY UNDER PLP

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

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PRIME Minister Perry Christie at the closing night of the PLP convention after being re-elected leader of the party. As he arrived at the convention, he was greeted by supporters who chanted “One leader”.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

A MAN was unanimously convicted by a Supreme Court jury of murder yesterday in the beating and choking death of his 81-year-old mother.

For ten days, Jerome Butler, 57, has stood trial before Justice Indra Charles accused of intentionally and unlawfully causing the death of Princess Ruth Butler.

A 12-member panel deliberated a little more than three hours before returning to Justice Charles’ courtroom to return a 12-0 guilty verdict against her son.

Justice Charles asked him if there was any reason why sentence should not be passed against him.

SEE PAGE NINE

DAME ANITA ALLEN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

COURT of Appeal President Justice Dame Anita Allen yesterday boasted a 70 per cent completion of more than 1,700 appeals since her appointment to the post in November 2010.

Speaking to members of the judiciary and other

guests during the annual special sitting of the Court of Appeal, Dame Anita revealed that it would be her last as she confirmed that she is set to retire from the bench in December.

However, the appellate president said that the appellate court had much to be proud of for the work that had been accomplished since her appointment with

the help of her colleagues and staff, which enabled them to hear 1,756 matters since November 2010.

For the period December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016, the appellate court completed 181 substantive appeals, 60 applications, gave 36 reasoned and/or reserved decisions. There were only 42 adjournments according to the annual re-

port produced.

“Our performance for 2016 is summarised at page 48 of our annual report but on this occasion, I wish also to give you an overview of the work that we have done between the date I assumed office in November 2010 and on November 30, 2016,” Dame Anita said.

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Friday, January 27, 2017

PRIME Minister Perry Christie on stage last night.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

PLP chairman Bradley Roberts enjoying the occasion at the PLP convention.

MINISTER Glenys Hanna Martin at last night’s convention.

THE SCENE at the closing night of the PLP convention.

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 27, 2017, PAGE 3

Sears: No regrets despite losing bid for leadership of the PLP

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net DESPITE receiving less than 15 per cent of the vote in the leadership race against Prime Minister Perry Christie, former Attorney General Alfred Sears, QC, said last night that he has “no regrets” and remains committed to the Progressive Liberal Party.

Shortly after the party’s leadership vote results were announced, Mr Sears said at a press conference at the Breezes Resort that because of his leadership challenge, “the PLP is stronger, our leader is stronger and together we are more prepared to win the next general election.”

According to the PLP’s Convention Chairman Shane Gibson, Prime Minister Christie won the party’s leadership vote with 1,264 votes to Mr Sears’ 164. Since announcing his intention to run for leader of the PLP last August, the former attorney

ALFRED Sears is embraced by Picewell Forbes.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff general remained positive operations of the party as that he would emerge as well as the country.” leader of the PLP after He said the PLP is still the party’s 52nd general the best party to lead the convention. country “and affect change Mr Sears has also gone on and progress in the Bahathe record to say he believed mas.” the party’s best chance of “I wish to congratuwinning the upcoming gen- late Prime Minister Perry eral election was with him Christie on his re-election at the helm. However, in his as leader of the PLP. Toconcession speech Mr Sears day the voters have spoken said he would work with Mr and I accept their decision, Christie to “improve the that is the way democracy

works. I made a commitment earlier in my campaign that irrespective of the outcome I will remain a faithful and committed member of the PLP, that position has not changed,” Mr Sears said.

“I remain faithful and committed to the core values of the PLP and believe that it is the best party to lead our country and to affect change and progress in the Bahamas. Despite the outcome today I remain resolute and firm in the quest for change in our party and in our country. This campaign was about more than the leadership of the PLP, it was about setting out a vision to shift the paradigm of our development model, to expand our economy, empower our communities, make government more transparent and accountable, incentivize Bahamian entrepreneurship and improve the operation of our parry. I have no regrets.

“I stand on my conviction and I am proud to have done what I believe is right.

I believe that because of my candidacy that there is a move, no matter how small, in the right direction for the Bahamas and the PLP.” Mr Sears said the race was never about him or Prime Minister Christie but rather a push to secure the country for future generations of Bahamians. On Thursday it was revealed that Mr Sears filed a formal complaint to the party’s trustees over the way he was treated in the run up to the vote. Mr Sears said last night it is “unfortunate” that his private email was leaked to the press, but said he will deal with issues internally.

“No party is perfect and the process was far from perfect,” Mr Sears said.

“It is my intent to deal with my concerns in that regard with my party and not in the public forum. It is unfortunate that private communications between me and the party officials were leaked by others unrelated to me to the press.

“Changes are needed in our party system and I will

work with party officials to make those changes.

Democracy is not always pretty. I remain committed to my beloved Bahamas and the PLP. I truly believe that having gone through this process the PLP is stronger, the leader is stronger and together we are more prepared to win the next general elections.”

Mr Sears said he will now concentrate all his efforts and time on the “good people of Fort Charlotte”.

This is the first time in eight years that the party has held a national convention, although it is mandated to do annually by its constitution.

The last convention held in 2009 showed how deep support for Mr Christie runs in the party. He won 1,158 votes in a landslide victory over Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage, who received 204 votes. Paul Moss, an attorney viewed as an outsider who also vied for the post, won 23 votes and later left the party.

CHRISTIE LEADS PLP AT ELECTION from page one

When he finally made it to the stage, Mr Christie thanked delegates for their vote of confidence in him.

Mr Christie said the country is in need of leadership, urging Bahamians to hold leaders accountable to a plan for a future that they can trust.

And in a move to show that he had shored up support from former members of the Free National Movement (FNM), as Mr Christie wrapped up his victory speech former FNM Cabinet ministers Algernon Allen and Byron Woodside as well as former party members Ivoine Ingraham, Lester Turnquest and Anthony Miller took to the stage to pledge their support for the prime minister, at one point describing him as “the greatest leader” that this country has ever seen.

“I’m a very happy man this evening,” an energetic prime minister said, “there are some things you see in life that you can always count on to lift your heart up - the praises of family gathered around you, the excited faces of youngsters playing outsider and the joyful hopeful faces of a room filled with PLPs. “I need not tell you how my heart is so full as I stand before you this evening. I feel your love and I hope you feel mine too. I feel so humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence that

you have given me.

“I thank you for returning me as your leader. Thank you fellow delegates for believing in me and trusting in a better future for our country. It is for me to promise you that I will not let you down. I promise that each and every day that lies before me as your leader, I should do all in my power to prove myself worthy of the support you have so generously given me today.”

He also said: “I would respectfully submit to you, fellow delegates and the people of our nation wherever they may be, we need leadership; leadership that is clear-sighted, experienced, tried and tested, leadership that will unite rather than divide us.

“And yes, you are right to demand from those who seek to lead you that they always have your interests at heart, that they are forever looking forward for the good of the country, and not over their shoulder to save their own skin; and that they have the ability to lead and the vision to know where they are leading us to.

“Demand of your leaders a Vision that you can believe in, a plan that you can trust, and the Experience to know that they will deliver on their promises.

“And so, my fellow Bahamians, I invite you to join with me and our team as we prepare to march to a new frontier of change for our country. Let us be united

and unafraid.

“Let us march together, hand in hand, united in our vision, in our common purpose, in our collective resolve to make our beloved Commonwealth of the Bahamas a safe and happy home for ourselves and for our children; a land of plenty in which each of us can achieve his or her full potential; a land we are all proud of.”

He called on PLPs to remember the beginnings of the party, pointing to the creation of the National Insurance Board (NIB), Bahamasair, the Central Bank of the Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force among other institutions.

The final night of the PLP’s 52nd convention featured a party atmosphere with performances by the legendary Ronnie Butler, the singing prophet Lawrence Rolle, the Spank Band featuring singers Veronica Bishop and Lady E. Investments As he touted his party’s accomplishments, Mr Christie highlighted the level of investments in the country including the remobilsation of Baha Mar, telling supporters not to be fooled by critics who insist the government is not fulfilling the promises it made to Bahamians.

Mr Christie said another conclusion is undeniable – investor confidence in the Bahamas is riding “very high”.

“But let’s look a little more closely of what we’ve done. Look at Baha Mar! The FNM don’t like us to talk about Baha Mar because we saved it, like a Phoenix from the ashes, we saved it. And now it’s poised to become one of the greatest economic success stories in Bahamian history. You just wait and see.

“We negotiated skilfully and wisely, persuading the lenders to Baha Mar, who were under no legal obligation to do so, to inject $100m million directly into the Bahamian economy; $100m of hard currency to pay the Bahamian contractors and suppliers who had been left holding the bag, unpaid by the former owners. “$100m dollars of private capital is a lot of money to inject all at once into a small economy such as ours.

It goes a long way. It helps a lot of people. It makes a big and positive difference.

That has certainly been the case with the $100m paid to Bahamian contractors and suppliers.”

He also said: “But don’t be fooled. It’s not just Baha Mar that is making our economic future look so bright now.

“Over on Paradise Island, the Atlantis Resort, with 7,763 employees already, is carrying out tens of millions of dollars in upgrades and renovations. This further investment is going to reap handsome dividends for the Bahamian economy

PRIME Minister Perry Christie at the convention last night. and will complement the wonderful things that are happening at Baha Mar. “But it’s not just Nassau and Paradise Island that account for all the good economic news. Over in East Grand Bahama, which has been suffering for so long, Carnival Cruise Lines will soon be constructing a brand new cruise port. This is going to have a major positive impact, boosting employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Grand Bahamians considerably.

“Meanwhile, more than $350m has been committed

by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCA), Disney and Mediterranean Cruise Lines (MSC) for refurbishment and creation of cruise ports in The Bahamas.”

Veering away from his prepared speech, Mr Chris-

tie used the platform to also speak of instances in which his family was targeted.

“Young people call my wife a whore, they call my daughter a whore, they target my son Adam,” Mr Christie said.

“We should not take any delight in talking down the integrity of people.

We should be teaching our young people that we should not do these things.

We have to be sensitive to the feelings of people,” Mr Christie said.

The party convened its convention from January 24 to 26 after several delays and amid rumblings in the party for the event to be held. The last PLP convention was in 2009.

Many criticised the party’s executives for their decision to hold the convention in an election year.

PM: VOTER REGISTRATION STILL TOO SLOW TO SET ELECTION DATE

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie last night suggested that he is not yet ready to set an election date, telling The Tribune shortly after being re-elected party leader that the pace of voter registration was still too slow.

He spoke to The Tribune on the sidelines of the Progressive Liberal Party’s national convention, after he was embraced by a crush of supporters who were all eager to touch and speak with the nation’s leader as he moved through the crowded ballroom of the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel.

“I’ve just been re-elected leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, which is a wonderful experience to have,” Mr Christie said,

when asked when he was going to set an election date.

“In fact, I’m so gratified to see the people have given me such an overwhelming support. I’m going to sit for a day or two, talk to colleagues, see where we are moving forward and determine the extent to which we must put more resources into registration because that is the be all and end all.

Registration defines when elections take place and so we’re going to be governed by that.”

When asked if he would possibly make an announcement on the election date next month, he shied away from specifics.

“We’re going to be governed by the rate at which people are registered,” he said. “There’s always a number that you are look-

ing for. We’re not at that number now.”

Some party observers had speculated that Mr Christie may have made an announcement pertaining to an election date during his victory speech, after he resoundingly trounced leadership challenger Alfred Sears. As he spoke to the raucous crowd, many shouted for him to “ring the bell” and let voters know

when they would be heading to the polls.

While there has been some uptick in the pace of voter registration over the past few weeks, the numbers are much lower when compared to this same period ahead of the 2012 election.

As of January 17, some 80,000 had registered.

The 2012 voter registry consisted of 172,000 vot-

ers, 134,000 of whom had registered by November 2011.

Earlier this month, Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage expressed concern about the

“unprecedented” pace of registration, saying the government has sought to make it more convenient for people to register by increasing registration sites and reducing restrictions.

PAGE 4, Friday, January 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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Published daily Monday to Friday

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Press freedom in a democracy IT IS axiomatic that freedom of expression and an independent press that is free of state interference are essential elements of democracy. The media plays a crucial role in ensuring the flow of information and ideas in order to enable the public to contribute to decision-making by governments and to seek to exercise control of them when they overstep their powers.

Thomas Jefferson recognised that in a democracy the government derives its powers from the consent of the people who thus constitute the source of its authority. But those people need information to enable them to participate in good governance by making decisions about who to elect as their representatives and in relation to the policies they should pursue. So a genuinely free and independent press is vital in protecting the public’s right and capacity to carry out this function, and a democratic society cannot exist without it. This basic requirement is recognised all too well by despots and dictators whose first step in seizing political power is to take control of the media or shut it down.

The other side of press freedom is the need for those concerned to be able to write and convey information without interference by the state or the fear of persecution, victimisation or any other form of punishment, since the role of the fourth estate is also to hold others to account, not least politicians, and to curb their excesses. This means questioning government policy, challenging officials and exposing corruption, scandals and official and personal misconduct. Such action is necessary to protect the interests and liberties of the public, but the process has to be exercised responsibly and in accordance with libel and defamation laws.

In pursuing this, we at The Tribune seek to emulate the outstanding work, as editor, of Sir Etienne Dupuch who set high standards of integrity and journalistic professionalism while unerringly standing by this newspaper’s pledge of ‘Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master’.

It is against this background that we have been interested and surprised to learn that, amidst much controversy, press freedom now appears to be under threat in Britain – one of the oldest democracies with its historic Westminster system of government in the “Mother of Parliaments”.

After 300 years of a free and crusading press, often exposing the worst injustices in society, there is reportedly a danger that the nation’s press freedom can no longer be taken for granted. While the British press has a reputation for high

journalistic standards, its tabloid newspapers can be excessively intrusive and it is this which has sparked the current controversy. There has been growing public dismay about an irresponsible press – in particular, the News of the World (subsequently closed down) which was involved in widespread phone-hacking in the case of the murder of a schoolgirl in 2011. There has also been an increase in irreverent and scurrilous attacks by the tabloids on the rich and famous and on so-called establishment figures. This precipitated an official Inquiry by a senior judge which resulted in the government setting up in 2013 a new state-backed press regulator to replace the ineffective Press Complaints Commission and the industry’s own system of self-regulation.

Most UK newspapers have resisted attempts to force them to sign up to this new body – designed purportedly to safeguard press freedom but also to secure redress, where justified, for victims of press abuse – arguing that it represents government interference in a free press. But more recently they also face the threat of heavy financial penalties arising from legislation under which, if they lost a case for libel or defamation in the civil courts, they could be forced to pay not only exemplary damages but also the costs of the other side.

That is a step too far for the UK press which is fiercely resisting it.

According to reports, a public consultation about this whole issue is in progress and it now appears that wiser heads will prevail to the extent that the government may back down and modify or withdraw its proposals. But, as Britain’s mature democracy grapples with this problem, it must surely be the case that memories of the “spin” practised by the Blair government and its obsession with the media are still fresh. So the UK press is unlikely to weaken its opposition to instances of what George Orwell described in his famous work “Nineteen Eighty-Four” as manipulation of the truth by a “deliberate reversal of the facts”.

Likewise, we in this country need to continue to expose wrongdoing and the abuse of power. In a small society like ours with its close family and other personal connections (within a history of greed and corruption), favouritism, prejudice and cronyism abound. This makes the press’s role all the more important.

While remaining vigilant, this newspaper will, as always, establish the facts and then, after careful consideration, strive to reach judgments in a rational and objective manner. For, above all, we are wedded to responsible and fair journalism as we follow in the footsteps of our distinguished forebear.

Finding a formula for success EDITOR, The Tribune.

SEVERAL years ago, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal which laid out an irrefutable formula for success in life, for everyone. That formula is as follows: 1) Get an education. (Either a high school diploma, a college degree or vocational training).

2) Get a job.

3) Get married.

4) Have children.

That simple and in that order. (Of course, there are people who choose not to marry or have children).

In The Bahamas, 60% of children are born out of wedlock. The Bahamas is

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net 85% black.

In the US, black people make up just 12.2% of the population yet their illegitimacy rate is 73% compared to the white population of 63% and a white illegitimacy rate of 23%.

These statistics are both staggering as well as sobering.

It might be laudable to abstain from having sex until marriage but this is highly improbable.

It is imperative that all parents teach their teenage sons and daughters equally

to use condoms and contraception when and if they become sexually active.

In addition, the black community in The Bahamas and throughout the world must stigmatise outof-wedlock births in their culture and NOT rely on the extended family. If black people continue to fail to figure out ways to bring down illegitimacy rates, the relentless cycle of ignorance, poverty and crime will continue unabated in their communities.

And they have no one else to blame but themselves.

ANONYMOUS Nassau, January 25, 2017.

Bringing in Time to go, Perry the tourists EDITOR,The Tribune.

WHAT is it about old politicians and their thirst for power. I don’t think you have to be Albert Einstein to realise Perry Christie’s best days are long over.

He is showing classic signs of senility and oncoming dementia. Just listen to his long-winded waffling repetitious speeches.

I went to an official function where he turned up two hours late which is apparently the norm and that’s when he bothers to turn up at all!

He certainly at his age has no new ideas as to how to tackle all the immense problems The Bahamas has

but reverts back to old remedies from years ago.

The classic example - the crime wave, his solution is to get more police cars. It never worked before why should it now?

Could you imagine what would happen if a large public company such as Apple/ Ford had a President showing definite signs of senility? Yes he would be retired gracefully and a younger, dynamic leader would step in his shoes. Is not the efficient running of a country equally important? Should not the leader of a country be clear headed and at the top of his game?

No such chance with these geriatric political

leaders. It’s not as if he is effective as the last five miserable years pays testimony to.

We are all watching the disintegration of our economy as proved by continuous downgrading by the credit agencies. Perry your administration has got us down to junk status!

This has happened as the rest of the World has pulled out of the great recession.

Perry it’s time to go, grow orchids or something, but you are damaging your own country and its citizens by staying.

THE REALIST Nassau, January 17, 2017.

Where’s the money?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHEN this present government made the decision to initiate VAT, it was based on their claims that all revenue collection would be used to pay down the national debt.

I am grateful for the insight Michael Halkitis gave regarding how the funds collected from VAT was spent.

He listed a number of items not related to the national debt and then defiantly stated, “...that’s where

the VAT money gone”.

Can someone please explain to those of us who are not brain dead where the “borrowed money gone?”

JB Nassau, January 26, 2017.

EDITOR,The Tribune.

SPORTS events, are they really worth the cost - how many visitors do they actually bring?

We hear the hype IAAF Relays but you check at the time of the event the host hotel is discounting their rooms 50-54%, anyway athletes do not drink and are conservative as to what they eat (special diets).

So where is it profitable?

IAAF Relays at National Stadium you see a lot of blue and red seats so where’s the meat as they

would say? Don’t tell me well we filled beds.

Sunshine Group Marathon... great cause can’t take that from the event but how many runners come in - what is the spend factor, especially as long distance runners do not drink and watch what they eat.

Carnival Festival was the same - $10m for us locals to have Junkanoo yet again.

The Christmas and New Year Parades no different ... they do not pull visitors it is very very much all local.

It’s been said previously that the only event that re-

ally brings in the heavy money is Atlantis’s basketball event ... the college alumni are the secret - they drink hard and eat hard and play in the casino what more does a hotel want and wish.

Are we going to continue throwing scarce money after more money for the same zero return?

MOT needs to make public the real economic impact stats.

MARSHALL FRASER Nassau, January 24, 2017.

Tackling crime EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WAS happy to see the article in The Tribune on Tuesday from Project Youth Justice presenting different ways to help rehabilitate our young people, instead of turning our schools into prisons.

Our MPs and future MPs have to be more creative

than metal detectors and armed guards. Young people need our support!

Also, many people may not take to her but “The Iron Lady” as one newspaper refers to her, the Attorney-General seems to be the only one leading on crime in a tough and rational way.

They mentioned her sup-

port for the programme in that article as well. She laid out her Swift Justice programme too and it seems to be producing results.

As usual, it takes a woman to solve the hard problems!

J ROLLE Nassau, January 24, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 27, 2017, PAGE 5

OBIE Wilchcombe among supporters at the PLP convention. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Gibson plays down Sears move to file complaint

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net LABOUR and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson was dismissive yesterday of Alfred Sears’ reported decision to file a formal complaint with Progressive Liberal Party trustees over the party’s internal elections because of concerns about fairness and transparency.

Mr Gibson, the convention’s chairman, said: “Have you ever seen when a candidate who is losing didn’t file a complaint? “Even in the United States. When you’re ahead you don’t worry about it but when you’re losing you look for reasons to explain why you lose.

You need excuses.”

For weeks Mr Sears, a former attorney general, has raised concerns about the process by which the PLP’s party leader will be chosen.

The Nassau Guardian reported Wednesday that Mr

Sears sent an official letter of complaint to party trustees, questioning an action by which more than 300 stalwart councillors were ratified a week before the leadership vote as well as the party’s decision that any interpretation of the rules by trustees must be considered final and not subject to further reviews and appeals.

In dismissing Mr Sears’ complaints, Mr Gibson emphasised that the party’s convention process has been unchanged from past versions of the event.

“We didn’t create new ways to appoint stalwart councillors or delegates,” he said. “Everybody knows what the rules are. This is the system we’ve always used. It’s a system where everybody has a voice, where elections take place in each branch and every member from each branch or constituency vote on who they want their delegates to be.

“The point is you hear

complaints all the time when someone feels like they’re losing. Every time you have an election, you hear these things. In the unions, even in the church.

That don’t concern me. No matter how you complain, it’s the people who vote, not the system.”

Valentine Grimes, a PLP trustee, said he wasn’t aware that Mr Sears had made an official complaint.

Consequently, he said he could not explain how the party would move to address Mr Sears’ action.

Regarding complaints about the recent appointments of stalwart councillors so close to the convention, he said: “That’s water under the bridge. That’s history.

“Is (Mr Sears) suggesting that we shouldn’t have as much people participate as possible? There is no provision that prohibits us from appointing stalwart councillors and delegates when we did. It is a non-issue for us.”

PRIME Minister Perry Christie on stage last night after being re-elected party leader.

THE LAST day of convention at the Melia hotel yesterday.

A SIGN held by a convention attendee urging people to register to vote.

PAGE 6, Friday, January 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Major: Convention must bring a new direction

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

HOUSE of Assembly Speaker Dr Kendall Major said if the Progressive Liberal Party does not walk away from its 52nd National General Convention “changed and with a new direction” the three-day event would have all “been for nothing.”

In an interview with The Tribune on the sidelines of night two of the convention, Dr Major said while he “feels good” about the PLP’s chances in the upcoming general election, the party has to “regain the trust of the Bahamian people”.

He said the “best of the PLP has not yet been seen”

and the party is headed in a “new direction” with a “new vision”.

“It is critical that PLPs come together and energise and remember what this party stands for,” Dr Major said on Wednesday night.

“I spoke to delegates on the first night of the convention about how to prepare ourselves and regain the trust of the Bahamian people. We have to understand and appreciate what the people are feeling. The murders and social decay and other things that people are feeling, we need to understand that. We have to internalise and recognise that the convention is not just a celebration and we have to leave here with a solution. If we do not do that, then we have failed.

“It cannot be just another party. We have to think introspectively and have a vision and make some changes and I will be a part of that change.

“I feel good about the PLP’s chances, I think there will be some fallout and some challenges because of what has been happening and the political atmosphere but the enthusiasm and the energy from persons at the convention I feel good about what the PLP can do. The best of the PLP has still not yet been seen in my view, I am a part of the change to see a new direction and I believe that new direction will come, we need it to take this country forward and so I am optimistic about our future.”

Last year at a protest or-

from page one

American Development Bank. The Christie administration acquired this loan early last year.

He said the government expects to spend $4.8m on social crime and violence prevention, $4m on youth employability and employment training, $5.6m on strengthening the justice administration and $3.2m to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders.

In response, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie slammed Dr Nottage for “talking up” the government’s crime accomplishments. This, he said, was astounding.

“To see the PLP – after years of inept leadership as violence took hold of our communities – talk up their crime accomplishments is astounding. The PLP has all but ignored sound ideas and plans to strike at the heart of the growing crime epidemic and then turned a blind eye as the murder rate hit record highs year after year,” Mr Collie said in a press statement.

“Not only did they ignore our people’s cries for help they ignored repeated international warnings and dismissed other countries when they issued travel warnings to their citizens.

They have had years to do something, and they have done nothing. And now our people are suffering the tragic consequences of their ineptitude.”

MINISTER of National Security Bernard Nottage last night.

He continued: “So it and more and more people comes as a shock to us all live in fear. The PLP proves when the tone-deaf Minis- that you can’t fix a problem ter Nottage declared that when you choose to ignore this PLP government is the it.

“The PLP’s convenbest to combat crime. How can that be? Under their tion offers up their typical watch sexual assaults are platitudes and their biall too frequent, the mur- zarre view of our country. der rate has hit dubious But they cannot deny the records, and we have seen feelings of the people they crime infiltrate our schools should be serving and pro-

ganised by We March Bahamas, Dr Major, who is also the MP for Garden Hills, told The Nassau Guardian that he believed the PLP’s brand was “damaged” and the PLP is a “hard sell”.

“The PLP’s brand is damaged. There’s no question about it. The PLP is a hard sell; no question about that. I see it. I feel it and the public is reminding me of it every day that I go door to door, and I’m very concerned about it, and so we need to continue to keep the fight,” Dr Major said in November.

“We need to reassure our people, and I trust that people will see that I bring a measure of comfort to them and hope for a brighter future in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

DR Kendall Major at the PLP convention.

‘BAHAMAS SAFER’ DESPITE MURDER TALLY UNDER PLP According to The Tribune’s records, there have been more than 580 homicides in The Bahamas since May 2012. While the PLP was in opposition, the party posted billboards around New Providence which read that there had been more than 490 murders under the last Ingraham administration.

Dr Nottage also used his time on the stage to send a warning to gang members that the government will not rest until either they are all reformed or brought to justice. He said the government believed that most of the major crimes occurring in the country were isolated, while hinting that the government had plans to expand school policing.

In this regard, Dr Nottage took a swipe at the Free National Movement’s Mount Moriah candidate, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames, who suggested that the government place metal detectors in schools after students were stabbed in a brawl at Government High School last week.

Dr Nottage said this had been tried before with little positive effect. Dr Nottage went on to reveal the government’s plans for the $20m loan from the Inter-

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff tecting.”

2012, though it continued to Earlier this month, police conform with the concernreported a 24 per cent drop ing high murder rate trend in murders, falling from a that began within the last record 146 in 2015 to 111 decade. in 2016, according to poThe RBPF’s record of lice statistics. He also said murders in 2016 differs that overall serious crime from The Tribune’s total of dropped 26 per cent com- 114. However Commissionpared to 2015. er Greenslade said some The murder total last matters had been reclassiyear was the lowest since fied.

MINISTER Obie Wilchombe at last night’s closing night of the convention.

APOSTLE Lawrence Rolle enjoys the gospel songs played by the live band.

A HUG for Shane Gibson at last night’s PLP convention.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 27, 2017, PAGE 7

SAVE THE BAYS CALLS FOR PRIME MINISTER TO ‘REIN IN’ MITCHELL

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENTAL advocacy group Save The Bays yesterday called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to “rein in” his “clearly unbalanced” Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, after the minister railed against the group for posing a “clear and present danger” to the governing Progressive Liberal Party.

Save The Bays (STB) Chairman Joseph Darville, in a statement, accused Mr Mitchell of spinning “wild tales” about the group’s modus operandi and its petitioning of international human rights organisations to further its cause, adding

that should Mr Christie not intervene, it won’t be long before Mr Mitchell “ruins our international reputation completely”.

On Wednesday night, while addressing PLP supporters on the second night of the party’s national convention, Mr Mitchell hit out at lawyer Fred Smith’s human rights associations, particularly STB, claiming that the groups use of “litigation” over various issues against the government prevents government members from doing their jobs.

Mr Mitchell also accused Mr Smith and STB, which he called a “phony environment organisation,” of running to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission “to complain saying their lives are in danger”

and then refusing “to cooperate with the police”.

Mr Mitchell also hit out at Mr Smith and STB for suing newspapers “in libel to silence them and then have run to the courts to stop members of Parliament from speaking in the House,” all while lobbying for “openness, transparency and freedom of information”.

“This is a clear and present danger to the PLP,” Mr Mitchell said on Wednesday. “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 where it goes. This is a matter of this PLP’s survival.”

In response, Mr Darville

said while Mr Mitchell is “correct” in stating that STB “is a formidable threat to the PLP,” its opposition to the governing party stems solely from “the Bahamians whose lives and communities have been negatively affected by illconceived and destructive development.” “(Mr Mitchell) can rant, rail and spin wild tales all he wants; the minister and his colleagues know full well that they have brought this on themselves,” Mr Darville said. “The fact is that STB is totally nonpartisan. Any future government of The Bahamas found to be acting against the interests of the Bahamian people should expect to face a strong challenge from STB, just as the PLP has.

“As an organisation we have challenged developments in Bimini, Abaco, New Providence and on Balmoral Island,” he said. “Prior to the formation of STB, our members fought the former FNM government over irresponsible developments in Guana Cay and Wilson City, Abaco, plans to implement LNG and a host of other environmental issues. “...Whether PLP, FNM or DNA, any government that prioritises the interests of foreign entities seeking to destroy our natural resources, thereby disadvantaging generations of Bahamians yet unborn, will become the target of STB’s criticism.”

Mr Darville also took issue with Mr Mitchell’s reference to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission

(IAHRC), which he said “is downright frightening in its implications for The Bahamas.”

“The international community is watching what is happening in The Bahamas with extreme concern,” he said. “They are becoming increasingly convinced that the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens have been severely eroded under this government, and Mitchell seems recklessly intent upon adding fuel to that dangerous fire. As usual, his speech and this response will be duly filed with the IAHRC. “Yet again, we humbly ask the prime minister to rein in his clearly unbalanced minister before he ruins our international reputation completely.”

Minnis ‘getting rid of members of Ingraham’s govt’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FORMER Free National Movement Cabinet minister Phenton Neymour yesterday suggested that he was denied the nomination to run as the party’s candidate for Exuma in the upcoming general election because of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ attempts to purge the party of those individuals who served under the previous Ingraham administration.

Mr Neymour, who served as minister of state for the environment and South Beach MP in the last Ingraham administration, said he was “not surprised” that Navarro Bowe has been chosen to be the party’s candidate for the Exuma constituency, adding that he figured the “writing was on the wall” given the small number of “Ingrahamites” who have been nominated candidates and/or executive committee members under Dr Minnis’ leadership.

However, Mr Neymour said he hasn’t ruled out frontline politics, but is now “going to allow the rest of this to play out” before making the “best choice in my interest” going forward.

Mr Neymour’s comments were in reference to the FNM’s selection of Mr Bowe as its candidate for Exuma, despite Mr Bowe reportedly receiving significantly fewer votes than Mr Neymour during a vote of the executive council in Exuma.

According to party insiders, Dr Minnis received a signed petition by over 300 FNM voters last year stating that they wanted Mr Neymour to be their representative. The Tribune understands that three candidates, Mr Neymour, Mr Bowe and Joshua Sears were presented to the Exu-

ma constituency association for the vote, with the understanding that whoever the association chose, Dr Minnis would ratify as the Exuma candidate.

Sources said that Mr Neymour received 67 per cent of the vote.

Despite engaging in a war of words on Facebook with several FNM executives, Mr Neymour had previously said that he would not comment on the matter further out of respect for Dr Minnis’ request to “allow him to address the nomination for the Exuma constituency” last week.

Yesterday, however, Mr Neymour said Dr Minnis has not re-engaged him on the matter, and that the party was going ahead with its decision to nominate Mr Bowe.

“Dr Minnis hasn’t gotten back to me but a member of the party did get back to me,” Mr Neymour said while at a meeting of the Rotary Club of West Nassau. “And basically they indicated to me verbally that they’re standing by their decision. They did not address the claims that were made privately by me, but those issues still remain. “…The reality is that the FNM has nominated Mr Bowe as their candidate and it is very unlikely I see them ever making a change in that, or it is unlikely that they may even want to review it further. And so I’ve accepted that, and that is their call at this particular time.”

Mr Neymour went on to explain that he is not “surprised” at the party’s decision, given what he suggested is the party’s “trend” of phasing out individuals that served in Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s administration.

Firstly, according to Mr Neymour, out of the current 32-member executive com-

mittee of the FNM, which selects the candidates, just five served under Mr Ingraham.

Only a few politicians who served in an Ingraham administration have been nominated by the FNM for the next election. Former Education Minister Desmond Bannister was ratified last year to run on the FNM’s ticket in Carmichael, while former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Housing Brensil Rolle has been nominated for Garden Hills. Both men represented the respective areas from 2007-2012.

“After serving as an MP and Cabinet minister, with that trend I saw the odds were against me,” Mr Neymour added. “It should not have been a surprise that I was not nominated for the FNM. That is why today, I who stand as the last Mohican, the last MP and Cabinet minister under the Ingraham administration, I can now rightfully and truly declare that the Ingraham era is over.”

When asked if he still supports the FNM, and if he has any plans to step down from frontline politics, Mr Neymour said: “I am not involved in the party. As I spoke earlier, I was removed off the council, so I’m no longer a council member so I hold no office at this particular time. Yes, at this current time I am an FNM, but I’m just like any other voting citizen. That’s the only role that I have, there’s no other role that’s been assigned to me in the party.”

He added: “I am not done with frontline politics, and no I do not plan to run as an independent. There are numerous options that I have available to me. I’m just going to allow the rest of this to play out, and I’ll make the best choice in my interest.”

Earlier this month, Mr

FORMER OLYMPIAN’S HOME ROBBED AND REPAIRMAN SHOT TWICE IN STOMACH GUNSHOTS were heard in the San Souci area around 2pm yesterday when it is reported that a repairman at a home on Pear Street off Mandarin Drive in San Souci was shot twice in his stomach.

According to unconfirmed reports a car was seen parked in the area with two men inside.

They appeared to be watching a house on the hill located behind a fence at the back of the yard.

“The house sits behind trees and is difficult to see from the road,” a neighbour commented.

The parked car then drove to the house — the home of Nicholas Rees, a former Olympic swimmer, and his wife. Neither was at home.

The intruders forced their way into the house, confronted the maid and demanded to know where the

money was. They robbed the maid of her handbag.

It is claimed that they then approached a workman repairing a door. Neighbours were told that words were exchanged, the repairman was dragged onto the lawn and shot twice in the stomach. He is now in hospital.

It is understood that this is the third time that this home has been broken into.

Earlier on Thursday, around 2am, a man was inside a vehicle described as an “exclusive party bus” on West Bay Street near Saunders Beach, when he was approached by a man armed with a handgun, police said.

The victim was forced outside and shot before the gunman sped off in a black vehicle. The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Police are appealing to

the public for any information they might have to help them solve these two crimes.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call police at 911, 919 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE, CONTACT 502-2394

Neymour expressed disappointment on social media when he was not chosen as the FNM’s candidate to run in Exuma.

In a series of posts on Facebook, Mr Neymour engaged in a war of words with several executives of the FNM, after he was told in a post “Phenton Neymour is no more.”

The argument started when one FNM executive suggested that Exuma did not want Mr Neymour and that Mr Bowe had the support of Exuma residents.

In response, Mr Neymour said that he had the “largest family in Exuma” and had threatened to withdraw his support, as well as his family’s, from the FNM.

PHENTON NEYMOUR, the former Minister of State for the Environment in the FNM government.

PAGE 8, Friday, January 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Alternative facts in The Bahamas J

UST when I thought our local political landscape couldn’t get any better, I mean it’s filled with alleged conspiracy, countless episodes of idiocy, unnecessary pomp and circumstance, VAT, crime, ‘numbers’ and ‘looms’ and the list.... (insert your issue here) goes on and on.

Our government (the present administration and the opposition) provides enough drama to keep reality television, the WWE, and a certain Friday column in The Tribune, storylines flowing for years.

Material in abundance, a comedian’s dream, and now add the fact that Donald Trump is president of the United States to the equation!

Comedy manna, flowing from comedy heaven, further proof that God does have a sense of humour.

It would be quite easy to gorge myself on the “whole hog” with the myriad of political stories making headlines, both locally and in the US but why be a glutton with so many ‘comedic delicacies’ to enjoy?

Instead I’m going to enjoy the next four to five years “politically” like a full five course gourmet meal at Graycliff, complete with the perfect wine pairing, and a hand rolled “Cuban” to top it all off, and then in true Bahamian fashion, “tote” whatever’s left home, tin foil in my coat pocket.

(Tinfoil in the coat pocket, the signature move of Hall of Fame “toter” Senator Rodney Moncur).

MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO! One thing for sure, we do love our neighbours to the north, it’s obvious with our constant mimicking and imitating all things American.

My favourite being, the wretched attempt at an American accent my Bahamian brothers and sisters put on after two days of “beating Wal-Mart dead bad” while shopping in Miami.

I figured it would only be a matter of time before our local politicians started

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA borrowing a few plays from President Trump and his cabinet. I never would have dreamed it would be this soon, but thanks to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, birthing “alternative facts’ (Everybody knows black guys have bigger inaugurations).

It only took 48 hours or so.

This has to be a world record for “culture vultures”.

Well since “alternative facts” are trending upwards, I’m announcing in today’s column, (and look for the full media gambit to follow next week) that I’m opening the first, and of course the best, “alternative facts” provider for all of our local politicos, regardless of party affiliation.

Bahamas, the Alternative Facts Institute will be open for business on Monday.

Like any good business, marketing is a major key, and product samples are vital to “hooking” the consumers.

Below are just a small sample of the alternative facts we provide, turning all of your ins into outs, ups into downs and loses in to wins.

ALTERNATIVE FACTS 1

. AFI: Alternative Fact - Alfred Sears won the leadership of the PLP, capturing all of the votes, shutting out the incumbent, Perry Christie, sending him shuffling into retirement. . AFI: Alternative Fact - After winning the FNM leadership by a landslide vote- fair and squareOpposition Leader Mrs Loretta Butler Turner, announced that if successful at the polls, and she became the first woman prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, would in her cabinet appointments,

2

appoint Senator Rodney Moncur as minister of social services. . AFI: Alternative Fact - FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, due to his absolute command of the English language, his silky smooth delivery and (not to mention his quick wit) will be the official speech coach of US President Donald Trump, after being contacted by Trump’s “people”. . AFI: Alternative Fact - The national grade average is actually an A. Once you factor in (or out) the illegal test takers, Bahamian students lead in academic scholarships awarded to prestigious foreign universities in the US, Canada and Europe. . AFI: Alternative Fact - Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, called for unity with We March organisers, and often encourages peaceful Gandhi like protests, with flowers and incense, and with everyone clad in white togas. . AFI: Alternative Fact - Bahamian Crown land is readily available for purchase, at affordable prices to Bahamians only.

No Crown land can or will be sold to foreign entities.

However Crown land may be leased by foreign entities, once they are providing investment opportunities, and sustainable jobs for Bahamians.

This is in addition to adhering to all government regulations and policies, as well as paying all relevant taxes. Because the current government would never, ever sell Bahamians short. . AFI: Alternative Fact - We know where

3

4

5

6

7

ALFRED Sears greeted by Minister Jerome Fitzgerald at the PLP convention - before he won the leadership of the PLP (but only in Alternative Facts Bahamas).

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff all the VAT money is, and exactly what it is being used for. . AFI: Alternative Fact - We have a Freedom of Information Act where all the pertinent information pertaining to government business and its affect on Bahamian society, is easily available for the masses. . AFI: Alternative Fact - At no time were the residents of Marathon ever in danger health wise.

Their member of Parliament took great pains to protect them. In fact, Minister Jerome Fitzgerald personally taste-tested every glass of water before it reached his constituents. . AFI: Alternative Fact - The current PLP government created 32,000 jobs since coming to office in 2012. And right now our unemployment rate is 120 per cent. Period!

The beautiful thing about

8

9

10

alternative facts is that they don’t even have to jibe with other alternative facts.

That’s why statements such as “Prime Minister Christie will not lose the next election,” and “the Free National Movement will win the most constituencies” and “the Democratic National Alliance will win the next election” are all logical alternative facts.

Until next week I’m off to prep for my own alternative facts. . I’ve got to get all the Super Bowl tailgate libations and eats together early. I can’t be caught running around on Super Bowl Sunday. I don’t want to miss one minute of the five-hour pre-game coverage. It’s going to be laden with stories and highlights, of my Dallas Cowboys getting ready for their 9th Super Bowl game against the vile, underhanded New England Patriots and the most underrated QB in NFL his-

1

tory Tom Brady, also prepping for their 9th Super Bowl.

Brady is truly the best ever; I tip my hat to him.

Nonetheless I like Dak and Zeke along with Dez big in this one. . (Monday after the Super Bowl.) The Dallas Cowboys won their 6th Super Bowl title with a blowout win over Patriots!

2

• 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

The distraction of politics IT HAS been quite a while since my last column.

Maybe not many people noticed but I thought it may be good to explain why.

As I have said before, this column tries to deal with economic, social and environmental matters. It avoids partisan political affairs.

However, it has been problematic because almost everything seems to eventually become a matter of partisan political debate or a political football. As a result, I have had difficulty selecting subjects with which to deal. So I have to once again return to the subject of promoting matters that I believe that should transcend partisan

View from afar

By JOHN ISSA

politics. These include Education, Citizen’s equal rights under the law, Protecting the Environment, Reviving Bay Street and Law and Order.

This is not a complete list but it is a start and i think there is enough here to keep well thinking Bahamians busy for quite a while.

The question that arises is

whether there is any national sentiment to try to change the current situation. This column hopes to, at least, start the conversation.

I may be wrong and if any readers think that is the case, please let me know.

Remember as the name of this column says, it is a VIEW FROM AFAR.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 27, 2017, PAGE 9

Praise from Allen for creation of Public Defender’s office

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

ONE of the country’s top judges has commended the executive for creating the reality of the Office of Public Defender, which she had called for as early as four years ago.

The Office of the Public Defender, located on the corner of Bay and Virginia Streets, was officially opened on January 19 and was part of a $20m Citizen Security and Justice Programme loan facilitated by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Speaking to members of the judiciary and other guests during the annual special sitting of the Court of Appeal yesterday, Court of Appeal President Justice Dame Anita Allen congratulated Attorney General Allyson MaynardGibson, QC, for her efforts to improve the administration of justice “and in particular, for making the public defender’s unit a reality”.

“Indeed, in my 2013 address at the special sitting held that year, I suggested that if full meaning was to be given to the constitutional promise of a fair trial, it

was necessary to establish an adequately staffed and funded public criminal defence system which would afford indigent accused persons effective representation from the time of arrest,” Dame Anita said.

“I am aware that the public defender’s unit will not immediately offer legal representation from the time of arrest, but I hope that will come in due course.

Nevertheless, the establishment of the unit is a step in the right direction and one which will not only ensure equality under the law for such persons but will go a long way in eliminating the

delay often occasioned by non-availability of criminal defence counsel,” she added.

The $20m Citizen Security and Justice Programme loan given by the IDB last year was to allow the government to “mobilise” the “public defender’s office” within the next 60 days and to help the government bring technology to bear on the justice system, with a “special focus” on the implementation of an integrated electronic system for case management, digital recording and scheduling.

The funds were also to aid in the design of a restor-

ative justice system. Mrs Maynard-Gibson, in her remarks yesterday, revealed that four public defenders had been engaged and that Cabinet approved the engagement of an additional six.

“Madam president, you were consistent and persistent at the vanguard in urging the establishment of this institution. The Bahamas owes you tremendous debt of gratitude for your insistence that this institution should be established so that the words of the prophet Amos – that justice ‘should roll down like waters’ can be felt in the lives

of our people standing on law and order,” Mrs Maynard-Gibson said.

Two weeks ago at a ceremony marking the opening of the new legal year, Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley said the unit is expected to reduce some of the delays in criminal trials before the judicial system.

“This should augur well for the system notwithstanding the fact that the original group of public defenders is relatively small.

Presumably in time, additional resources will be made available to ensure the steady growth of that office,” the chief justice said.

DAME ANITA ALLEN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL from page one

“Of the 1,756 matters filed between those dates, the full court has disposed of 1,227 substantive appeals, 396 applications of various kinds, including 26 applications for final leave to appeal to the Privy Council.

We have written 250 reasoned judgments and given 1373 extempore decisions. I am extremely proud of our achievement and publicly thank judges for their tireless commitment to hard work, their stellar service to the court and their collegiality, encouragement and support,” she added.

“At my swearing-in on November 26, 2010, I promised that the Court of Appeal would be a court of excellence and efficiency and would dispense justice in accordance with the highest judicial standards,” Dame Anita said.

“I promised that litigants in the Court of Appeal would not be frustrated, harassed or bewildered in their pursuit of justice. I also promised mutual respect between bench and bar, and a judicial temperance which facilitates the pursuit of justice and upholds the dignity of the appeal process. I trust it is evidence that those promises have been kept.”

The appellate president attributed the court’s high level of performance to the work of our registrars, judicial research counsel secretaries and staff at the court.

“In the end, however, the credit for performance of the court must be given to all of the judges who have served during my tenure. They include Justices (George) Newman, (Christopher) Blackman, (Stanley) John, (Abdulai) Conteh, and (Neville) Adderley and Justices (Jon Isaacs),

(Stella) Crane-Scott and (Roy) Jones who day in and day out, deal efficiently, fairly, justly with the grind of very difficult, but important legal issues on appeal, the timely disposition of which, is of utmost importance to those who seek justice,” she said.

“Today marks the beginning of my long goodbye.

Mistress ‘time’ and master ‘constitution’ so mandate; and it is almost time to go. Indeed, this is the last opening of the legal year over which I shall preside,” Dame Anita said.

“My retirement on December 21, 2017, after 21 years in the judiciary will be an occasion of some personal sadness for me but I take great comfort in knowing that I did my very best and took advantage of every opportunity to make a difference in the administration of justice,” the appellate president added.

PETER NYGARD

PM’S LAWYERS WANT JUSTICE RECUSAL IN NYGARD CASE from page one

of retirement for a sitting judge in the Supreme Court of The Bahamas and that the basis of this is information that the chief justice of The Bahamas, at the opening of the legal year, stated that her ladyship has applied for an extension as a Supreme Court judge of The Bahamas.

“The pay and benefits paid by the public purse to a serving and sitting Supreme Court judge is higher than that paid by the public purse to a retired Supreme Court judge. This information is supplied to me by review of the government of The Bahamas’ website on salaries and review of the Judges Remuneration and Pensions Act. “That the first respondent (Mr Christie) asks that her ladyship step down so

as to recuse herself from the further hearing of this action and in any of the other related actions to which the first respondent is a party.”

Justice Bain was appointed as a Supreme Court justice on August 14, 2009.

The mandatory retirement age for judges is 70.

A hearing has been scheduled for 10am on Monday to hear the motion.

The Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay, now called Save the Bays, has waged a long running court battle with Mr Nygard over the construction/development activities at his Lyford Cay home, which stem from allegations that the activities have led to substantial growth of the property.

The group claims that the Lyford Cay resident has almost doubled the size of his property, from 3.25 acres to 6.1 acres, since he

acquired it in 1984, by allegedly reclaiming Crown land from the sea. The advocacy group has alleged that Mr Nygard achieved this without the necessary permits and approvals, claims that have been denied by the fashion designer.

In 2015, Justice Bain was asked to recuse herself from committal proceedings involving Mr Nygard through a notice of motion filed in the Supreme Court by his former lawyer Keod Smith on the grounds of bias. However Justice Bain later ruled that Mr Nygard had not proved there was evidence of bias or apparent bias towards him and found the accusations to be “scandalous”.

The Court of Appeal has affirmed Justice Bain’s rejection of the application in an appeal of the decision by the Lyford Cay resident.

MAN GUILTY OF BEATING MOTHER, 81, TO DEATH from page one However his lawyer, David Cash, requested that a probation report be prepared for the court’s consideration.

The request was granted and it is expected that it will take at least six weeks to compile the document, resulting in an adjournment of his sentencing to March 31.

The victim was found dead in her home at Petersfield Road in Highbury Park shortly after 8am on February 4, 2015.

An autopsy revealed that she died of asphyxia, and as a result of finding facial bruises and internal injuries about her body, police launched an investigation.

Her son was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court 12 days later in connection with the death.

He pleaded not guilty to murder when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court three months later.

During the trial, the jury

heard testimony from Corporal Chris Pickstock who presented photos and videos extracted from a Samsung Galaxy cell phone, allegedly owned by Butler on February 11.

According to Cpl Pickstock, the videos and photos were taken on February 4 at 6.30am and at 6.34am.

During cross-examination by Mr Cash, Cpl Pickstock acknowledged that there were “a lot” of other videos and photos in the phone.

Crime scene investigator Constable 1800 Levar Neely also testified and said he took photographs of the crime scene on February 10.

One of the photographs showed a suspected bloodstain on the bedroom floor, the jury said.

Mr Cash asked Neely if it was the “best practice” in homicide investigations to take photographs while the body was at the scene.

The detective agreed with the defence lawyer’s sug-

gestion.

Constable Neely also agreed that he could not say how many people were in the room between February 4 and 10, 2015.

The jury also heard testimony from Dr Austin Davis who examined the body and said the initial death certificate indicated that the victim had died of natural causes as he had found nothing peculiar about the body save for a blood stain on the sheet.

Sergeant 527 Basil Evans testified that he had questioned the 57-year-old at the Central Detective Unit on February 12, 2015 concerning his alleged involvement in his mother’s murder.

He denied suggestions during his video recorded interview with police that he had physically attacked his mother and choked her to death because of an argument over money he had spent on his girlfriend.

Uel Johnson and Alicia Delancy prosecuted the case.

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PAGE 10, Friday, January 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Lunch vendors ‘not paid for five months’ in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THERE are reports that lunch vendors on the national school lunch programme in Grand Bahama have not been paid for some five months.

The issue was highlighted on a 104.5 FM talk show with radio personality “Purple” during a live broadcast on Tuesday morning.

According to the host the vendors have not been paid and are frustrated.

He expressed concern that

children on the programme may be affected if the vendors are unable to provide adequate lunch because of non-payment by the government.

The Tribune contacted the Ministry of Education about the reports of nonpayment to lunch vendors and was told that cheques for the vendors are prepared in Nassau, not in Freeport.

“Whatever the issue is it is not related to (the Ministry of) Education’s Grand Bahama accounts,” said Royaural Lockhart, an education official. “No pay-

ment to the national lunch programme is made from Grand Bahama.”

Mr Lockhart explained that the last time the Grand Bahama office was responsible for the payments was in April 2016.

“We paid the vendors on a weekly basis in Grand Bahama when the funds came to us directly. We have not been receiving the funds.

The cheques are done (now) by the (Public) Treasury in Nassau and sent to us to be distributed,” he said.

“We are not responsible for payments. All we do

is forward the invoices to our Nassau office and they process it,” Mr Lockhart added.

Meanwhile, the radio host described the situation as unfortunate because many parents and students depend on the lunch programme.

“You also have vendors who are sacrificing to make lunch for students, and are not to be paid for five months. They are not getting paid for a service they provide and the government needs to do something about this,” the radio

personality said.

A woman caller said that she was glad that someone addressed the situation.

She complained that sometimes there is not adequate lunch available for students as her child was turned away because he was not on the list.

“When you send them to school, they are told that there is not enough lunch or they can’t get any lunch because their name is not on the list,” she said.

The woman said that she has been given the “run around” when trying to get

her child on the lunch programme.

“You have to go to Social Services and they want to know everyone who are living with you and you have to be living really hard (dire conditions) in order to be put on the lunch programme,” she complained.

“And those who did not make it to programme, they tell you send your child to school and tell them get lunch, and they are told that there is not enough lunch, or they don’t get lunch because their name is not on the list,” she said.

SEVEN CUBANS INTERCEPTED BY COAST GUARD

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SEVEN Cuban migrants were turned over to Bahamian immigration officials in Grand Bahama on Thursday at Freeport Harbour.

The group was intercepted in Bahamian waters by the US Coast Guard and taken to Grand Bahama around 3pm.

Immigration officer Napthali Cooper said the group of migrants is the first to be intercepted at sea and brought to Freeport since the Obama administration announced the end of the United States’ “wet foot/ dry foot policy”.

At the Progressive Liberal Party’s convention on Wednesday evening, Minister of Immigration and Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell reported that nearly 1,200 Cubans were repatriated to Cuba last year.

On January 12, before leaving office, US President Barack Obama ended the long-standing “wet foot, dry foot” policy that favoured Cubans, allowing those who arrive in the United States without a visa to apply to become permanent residents.

It was one of the final foreign policy decisions of President Obama. Many believed that the policy amounted to preferential treatment for a single group of migrants.

“By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries,” Mr Obama wrote in a statement on January 12.

President Donald Trump was sworn into office on January 20. Some expect his administration to reverse Mr Obama’s decision.

Cubans have been risking their lives at sea for decades to reach the US. Those caught at sea are detained to await repatriation to Cuba or another country.

EYE CLINIC OPEN AT NEW SITE THE Princess Margaret Hospital’s Eye Care Clinic is now open to the public at its new location, 26 Soldier Road. The 7,650 square foot complex formerly occupied by Eye World - adjacent to Lowe’s Pharmacy - was engaged by the Public Hospitals Authority on January 10 through a five-year lease agreement.

In addition to existing staff, the PHA has recruited additional administrative and clinical staff.

The extra staff includes a co-ordinator for eye care services, an administrative assistant, a surgical technician, two staff nurses and efforts are continuing to engage an additional optometrist as well as two part-time optometrists.

The clinic offers general and specialist ophthalmology services including visual field testing, general eye exams, retinal, cataract, glaucoma and cornea care and surgery, refraction, and laser testing and surgery.

Clinic services will be open Monday through Friday, 8am until 8pm, and a new appointment system will be implemented. Contact the clinic on 393-1458 or 393-1445/6/7 for new and rescheduled appointments.

FROM left, Patrice “Puppy” Robinson (founder of Pupstar Entertainment), Tiffany Smith (RCEN vice-president and professional development director), Candace Russell (RCEN president), Jarrel Hall (CEO, Relish), Alexandra Maillis-Lynch (managing director, Events by Alexandra), Charles Johnson (CEO, Crossfit Potcake), Lincoln Deal II (CEO, JetLink Adventures), Jason Kinsale (president, ARISTO Development)

Cycling Club Bahamas Cycling Club Bahamas.Weekend rides: Saturday leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbucks) 43 miles headed West. In order to complete this ride, it is recommended that you have done some recent cycling! Leaving PI 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! PI 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 18 mph + 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. Inter-

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.

mediate 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.

Upcoming: February 18th - Ride For Hope, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera http://www.rideforhopebahamas.com.

Rotaract Club of East Nassau Rotaract Club of East Nassau. - On January 19, the Rotaract Club of East Nassau (RCEN) hosted its Fifth Annual Entrepreneurship Panel Discussion, under the theme “Entrepreneurship: The Leap of Faith!” at The Nassau Yacht Club. The event was moderated by Patrice “Puppy” Treco Robinson, founder of Pupstar Entertainment and a proud past president of RCEN. Patrice “Puppy” Robinson engaged the nearly 200 attendees in a thought provoking discussion with panellists on the topics discussed.

This year’s diverse group of panelists included: Alexandra Maillis-Lynch (Events By Alexandra/ Festival Rum Bahamas), Charles Johnson (Crossfit Potcake), Jarrel Hall (Relish), Jason Kinsale (Aristo Development) Lincoln Deal II (JetLink Adventures) The panelists brought a great deal of experience and gave invaluable insight into their motivation to take the “leap of faith” by starting their own business and, indeed, maneuvering the challenges of operating a successful business in The Bahamas. The panel discussion focused on topics such as the transition from being an employee to being self-employed, the ease of doing business in The Bahamas, classic pitfalls in business and, all importantly, tips for those attendees contemplating taking the “leap of faith” themselves.

The event was brought to a close with a lively Q&A session between attendees and the panelists and was followed by a raffle. Raffle prizes included a handbag kindly donated by Bahama Handprints and a harbor cruise kindly donated by Barefoot Cruises.

This year’s event could not have been made possible without the extremely generous support of its

AMBASSADOR Tony Jodi speaking to the Rotary Club of South East Nassau with an update on the Expo Dubai 2020 project and Pavillion.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff sponsors, as follows. Dia- East Nassau. - Rotary Ambassador to the UAE mond: Aliv, Platinum: member heard that new and State of Qatar, shared Superwash, Mcvities (Ba- possibilities and exposure the vision for the Expo. He hamas Wholesale Agen- for The Bahamas will be said, “Expo 2020 will be a cies), Nassau Tile, Gold: realised with the country’s place where ideas and peoFun Foods Wholesale Ltd., participation in Expo 2020 ple connect. Dubai is one NUA Insurance Agents & Dubai. The Bahamas is of seven Emirates, in the Brokers, Bahamas Waste, to take part in this world Middle East, and they are Bahamas Reality, United fair where 180 countries undertaking what will be Shipping Company Ltd are expected to showcase one of the greatest showThe event was deemed achievements of their na- cases of innovation, imagiby all to be a resounding tions. Rotarians from the nation, and collaboration. success with approximately Rotary Club of South East The theme is connecting 175 attendees, mostly be- Nassau heard about the minds and creating the futween the ages of 18 and six-month Expo that ends ture through opportunity, 25, and was organised un- in April 2021, where ap- mobility, and sustainabilder the leadership of vice proximately 25 million visi- ity.” president and professional tors are expected to attend.

As part of the Expo, development director Tif- The Bahamas is looking each country will have a fany Smith, fundraising for talent and participation pavilion, reflecting their director Brock North, and for their pavilion and Ro- identity, culture, national president Candace Russell. tarians were invited to play priorities, and achieveThe members and board of a part. ments.

RCEN are energised and With a collaborative ef“As a fellow Bahamian,” excited to plan an entrepre- fort between the Bahamas said Joudi, “I see this as an neurship event on an even Ministry of Foreign Af- opportunity to showcase larger scale next year and fairs and the University the incredible skills we have wish to thank the panelists, of The Bahamas (UB), a as a country, to the rest of sponsors and general pub- design challenge for the the world. There is little lic for their continued and Bahamas pavilion for doubt that although we are overwhelming support.

Dubai was kicked off by a small archipelago of isThe club meets twice presentations from four lands, we have the power a month on Monday eve- groups. They comprised to make an enormous imnings at Lifestyles Bar and of students from the de- pact, and shine on a global Lounge/Bacardi Bar (East partments of architecture, scope.” & Bay Streets). Fellowship culinary, as well as arts; Joudi said that the debegins at 6pm and meetings their impressive concepts sign competition aimed to begin at 6:30pm. Should for the pavilions were well help provide the Commonyou have any interest in received. Another pres- wealth of The Bahamas joining the club, email rota- entation will take place at with the tools to generate ract.eastnassau@gmail.com the Harry Moore Library exhibition proposals; they or visit the Facebook page at the University on Feb- will serve as the foundation at https://www.facebook. ruary 6, 2017. In April, the for the pavilion design. Adcom/RotaractEastNassau/. winning team will find out ditionally, it will offer BaCycling Club which design will be cho- hamian youth the opporsen to be built by the host tunity to demonstrate their Bahamas country. talent.

Representing the MinFor more information, log Rotary Club of South istry of Foreign Affairs, onto www.expo2020dubai.

Tony Joudi, The Bahamas ae.

THE TRIBUNE

THE COLOUR and excitement at last night’s closing night of the PLP convention.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Friday, January 27, 2017, PAGE 11