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Volume:114 No.61, February, 17th, 2017
WEEKEND: GRAMMY WINNER MIKE OLDFIELD ON LIFE IN THE BAHAMAS
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Weekend
Tuesday decision on boundaries judicial review By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A GOVERNMENT lawyer argued in the Supreme Court yesterday that the court should reject the request from members of the Official Opposition for leave to begin judicial review proceedings of a parliamentary order on constituency boundaries because the judicial review attempt is doomed to fail even if leave is granted. Justice Ian Winder adjourned the hearing until Tuesday, February 21, which is when he will deliver his ruling. He granted Michael Scott, the attorney representing Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins, permission to file two documents, an affida-
vit indicating the number of people so far registered to vote in the next general election and a letter House Speaker Dr Kendal Major read and tabled in Parliament Wednesday that was written by St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman. Mr Scott indicated he would consider filing an injunction next week against the Governor General, to whom the draft order will be passed for proclamation and gazetting before taking legal effect. Mr Chipman alleged in the letter that the boundaries report he signed as the Official Opposition’s representative on the Constituencies Commission differed from the one Prime Minister Perry Christie tabled in the House last week. SEE PAGE TWO
FORMER Cabinet minister Tennyson Wells yesterday pointed to the recent statements made by Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins as further evidence that the “rebel seven” acted selfishly, and were
MICHAEL Scott speaking to the media yesterday - with Dr Andre Rollins and Richard Lightbourn watching on.
prepared to do whatever it takes to “get back with” the party and make sure it wins the government - with FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis at its helm. He had previously stated that Dr Minnis would be an “absolute failure” as the nation’s leader. “I don’t know about him getting back in the FNM,” Mr Wells said,
when contacted by The Tribune. “I don’t believe he ever left, but it just go to show how thoughtless they are. “They didn’t think through what they were doing and it was just spite and pettiness, no rhyme or reason for what they did.” SEE PAGE SIX
‘DEPLORABLE’ CLINIC AND A FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE ON SPANISH WELLS By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
UNREST in the community of Spanish Wells, Eleuthera is at an all-time high, according to the island’s Chief Councillor Robert Roberts who said conditions there have deteriorated to a degree never before seen by residents. In a lengthy letter to The Tribune, Mr Roberts took
the Christie administration to task over several issues plaguing his community, from budget allocation to a lack of infrastructure development on the island. He said the island’s clinic is in a “deplorable” state with mould and mildew “everywhere” while its morgue is “broken down”. He asserted that matters have got so bad that it was time for the island to “retain and manage” its own taxes
locally, stressing that the 1,600 residents would be better off as a result. “If you’re going to make us pay, give us value for money,” he wrote. Mr Roberts, referring to the island’s budget allocation as laid out by the central government, said: “As most are aware, the government over the past four years has collected more in taxes but given less back.” SEE PAGE SIX
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DAMES: CRIME MEASURES ‘RAISE MORE QUESTIONS’
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FORMER Deputy Police Commissioner Marvin Dames said he is not impressed by National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage’s announcement of the anti-crime measures to be adopted by the government to combat the spike in murders, saying the strategies have raised more questions than answers. In response to a spate of murders – eight since last Friday - Dr Nottage on Wednesday said with immediate effect “lockdowns” in certain areas, mobile police vans and an armed forces partnership among other things would be implemented. SEE PAGE FIVE
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
only motivated by “spite and pettiness”. Mr Wells lamented that Dr Rollins sabotaged his chances for candidacy with the FNM and made tremendous errors as a result of his thoughtless actions. In a dramatic turnaround on Wednesday, Dr Rollins declared in the House of Assembly that he was
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ATTORNEY Wayne Munroe defended Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade’s recent response to the country’s murder rate, saying the top officer understands better than politicians the need to avoid emotional policy responses that prove counterproductive in the long run. “The prime minister might say it’s like the Wild West and people might say one murder is one too many, but the truth is those are simply emotional responses,” Mr Munroe, a member of the PLP, told The Tribune. SEE PAGE FIVE
BUTLER-TURNER REJECTS GIBSON SUGGESTION ON FIREARMS By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net OFFICIAL Opposition Leader Loretta ButlerTurner yesterday “rejected outright” Free National Movement Long Island candidate Adrian Gibson’s suggestion that The Bahamas should consider adopting a Right-To-Carry law, as she questioned whether the FNM shared this position. SEE PAGE TWO
PAGE 2, Friday, February 17, 2017
Legal challenge ‘doomed to fail’ from page one
The letter is relevant because otherwise the applicants must contend with the fact that the Constituencies Commission report was unanimously approved by the commission, despite the claims of bias and gerrymandering that the Official Opposition has since made. The applicants argue that leave for a judicial review should be granted because the draft order on constituency boundaries was tabled too late, represents gross gerrymandering and is wrong to feature an additional seat even though the pace of voter registration is slower than that of 2012. However, Loren Klein, the attorney representing the government, argued that leave for the judicial review should not be granted because the applicants failed to establish an arguable case based on the categories of wrongs that typically determine such a course of action: illegality, irrationality or procedural
impropriety. The applicants’ complaints of gerrymandering “may be political points,” Mr Klein said, but they don’t “rise to the level of showing there has been an illegality, irrationality, procedural impropriety or some other breach of the Constitution.” For his part, Mr Scott argued that the last week’s draft order, which was passed in Parliament on Wednesday night, is illegal. As part of his written skeleton argument submitted to the court, Mr Klein said: “With respect, it is plain that the complaints of ‘gerrymandering’ and voter apathy - as a reason militating against the creation of an additional constituency raise none of the traditional grounds on which a party might invoke the supervisory jurisdiction of the court.” He added: “Further, it is trite that the function of a court in judicial review proceedings … is not to usurp the decision-making authority of the body, or substitute its own decision for that of the body entrusted
with the decision.” Mr Klein argued that “the only semblance of a complaint” that addressed the traditional grounds for invoking the supervisory jurisdiction of the courts through judicial review is the applicants’ claim that the Constituencies Commission report was not tabled in Parliament within a five-year period. Even if the report has been tabled late, he said: “That does not necessary give rise to a sustainable ground for judicial review. It certainly does not follow that the report is void, or that it should be quashed. “The purpose of Article 70(1) of the Constitution is clearly to allow a review of the boundaries prior to any general election. It would frustrate the purpose of that Article and be contrary to purposive and liberal interpretation of the Constitution to adopt a construction of that article the effect of which would be to keep alive a Constituencies Commission report which has not been updated in five years.”
THE TRIBUNE
LOREN KLEIN, the attorney representing the government.
BUTLER-TURNER REJECTS GIBSON SUGGESTION ON FIREARMS from page one
Earlier this week, Mr Gibson said while society is being gripped by “ghoulish” criminal activity that has crippled the nation, the Bahamas should follow the example of some US states where applicants who meet prescribed criteria - including psychological examinations are issued permits to carry concealed handguns. He made the comments in a Facebook post and said they were his personal views. However the current Long Island MP disagreed, insisting that the matter goes beyond the ability to pass a psychiatric evaluation. She further denounced Mr Gibson’s proposal saying statistical and anecdotal evidence suggested that this does not do anything to decrease serious crimes or murder. To the contrary, she said, there are likely to be increased suicides, domestic related murders and intimidation by those perceived to carry firearms. Their differences in opin-
ion came after National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage announced several anti-crime strategies including “lockdowns”, mobile police vans and an armed forces partnership in response to skyrocketing murder numbers. He admitted on Wednesday that the killings are affiliated with people connected to “gangs, drugs and guns”. Eight people have been killed since Friday, taking the country’s murder count to 28 for the year. The latest victim, a woman, died in hospital in Grand Bahama on Tuesday. “As leader of the Official Opposition, I outright reject the suggestion by the FNM candidate that we should become a gun-toting, armed citizenry,” Mrs Butler-Turner said in a message to The Tribune. “I am reminded that very early in this PLP administration the suggestion that there may have been certain Cabinet ministers who were armed for their personal safety sent shock waves throughout our country. “The safety of citizens and visitors is paramount
to good governance. It is the responsibility of us all. The notion that armed citizens will enhance safety and orderliness in our communities must be totally rejected.” She also said: “Having read a statement allegedly penned and attributed to Adrian Gibson, the newly ratified FNM candidate for Long Island, l ask a most pertinent question: Is this a plank of Free National Movement’s plan to eradicate crime in our society? Constitutionally and morally, is this a realistic position being espoused by reasonable and responsible individuals seeking to lead our Bahamas? “Statistical and anecdotal evidence suggests that societies where private citizens have a right to bear arms there is not a decrease in serious crimes or murder. “On the contrary, there are indications of increased suicides, domestic murders and intimidation of others by individuals who are perceived to be armed. “The responsibility of gun ownership goes far beyond the analysis of wheth-
er an adult has the capacity to pass a psychological test. Case in point: just two weeks ago a young Bahamian student was found with a handgun in his possession at school. Who did this gun belong to? “A few weeks prior, a former trained military officer opened fire on innocent unsuspecting passengers in Fort Lauderdale (at the airport) killing and injuring numerous persons.” She said there are far too many instances of persons being held hostage and even being executed en masse by private citizens who simply “flip” or “lose it”. “Is this what Mr Gibson is advocating for on behalf of the people of Long Island and the wider Bahamas? I believe that Bahamians must demand of our government and leaders the fundamental right to law, order and justice in an environment free of the pervasive fear of crime.” On Tuesday, Mr Gibson advocated the need for right-to-carry law on his personal Facebook page. He said with the proliferation of violent crimes and
murders throughout the nation, Bahamians have grown accustomed to operating in survival mode. “Certainly, my son and so many children - who are the up-and-coming generation of Bahamians - should not inherit this new atmosphere of fear and apprehension. These kids should not be forced to live in homemade prisons, walled in and protected by steel bars,” Mr Gibson said. “These children should be just as free and unbothered as I was when I ran around and played as a child growing up in Long Island. “Given the above, it is my personal view that we should consider adopting a Right-To-Carry law, much like the United States where applicants who meet prescribed criteria (including psych exams) are issued permits to carry concealed handguns. My personal view is that restrictive government policies should not be allowed to trample upon people’s right to protect themselves.” He added: “As a licensed shot gun owner myself,
it sends shivers down my spine to know that a shot gun has almost become obsolete as a protective measure for businessmen and homeowners, particularly when one considers that the criminal element has handguns capable of firing numerous rounds, AK-47s and other powerful weapons that have no limitations and does not need to be reloaded as a shotgun must be after five to eight shots (depending on type).” “Indeed, responsible citizens could be assessed on a case by case basis and should be equipped to protect themselves as necessary or appropriate. While we pretend that there’s no real threat, the crime statistics clearly show that we’re walking down the same road as has already been travelled by so many of our Caribbean counterparts, where crime is out of control. We should learn from the experiences of our Caribbean sister countries and try to preempt hijackings and kidnappings for ransom, which could potentially be the next step for the criminal element,” he said.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 17, 2017, PAGE 3
‘Interception Bill will fulfill international obligations’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ONCE the Interceptions of Communications Bill is passed in Parliament, the country will be fulfilling international obligations, attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, told The Tribune. The legislation, tabled in the House of Assembly on the evening of February 8, has ignited a debate over privacy. Opponents argue that it will be used as a political tool to spy on Bahamians while proponents insist it will aid the country in the fight against crime. “If the US determined there was a terrorist target and they wanted to intercept the communication, they would come and we have to have provisions in law to assist them,” Mr Munroe said. “They won’t take kindly to us not being able to assist them in criminal matters.” “All these people jump-
ing up and down complaining about breach of rights all fail to understand where this is coming from. Police can now do same thing to intercept calls and the like under the Listening Devices Act. It could happen now.” Mr Munroe said under the Listening Devices Act, police could also intercept digital material, even though such material is not specifically mentioned in the Act. “The digital element is not new,” he said. “When you define ‘conversation’ as seen in the Listening Devices Act, that’s broad enough to encompass digital data in my view. The only thing people should focus on is whether the protections in this bill are sufficient and they are 100 per cent better than the ones in the Listening Devices Act. Under that Act, the AG could sign off and didn’t have to go to court. Under this bill they have to
go to court. We have seen that the Supreme Court does not do what the government wants.” Nonetheless, Mr Munroe acknowledged that the bar that must be met for Supreme Court justices to sign off on an interception warrant is low. “Warrants are based on reasonable suspicion,” he said. “It’s not about being guilty. The purpose of investigation is to determine whether your suspicion is founded or not founded. Under the old law we never knew how much authorisation the attorney general gave. But under this bill, the attorney general has to report as to how many warrants were sought, how many were granted. There’s parliamentary oversight. I’m disappointed in the discussion I’ve seen on this bill.” The Interception of Communications Bill would repeal the Listening Devices Act if passed.
WAYNE MUNROE
JITNEYS on Bay Street. The government is hopeful of introducing a prototype for a unified bus system project.
OFFICIALS ‘HOPEFUL’ OF PILOT OF UNIFIED BUS SYSTEM By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE Christie administration has identified a new route to be utilised in its unified bus system, with officials “hopeful” that a prototype for the project will be rolled out soon. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation Lorraine Armbrister told The Tribune that the new route, #17, has been “gazetted” by the government, and that the Ministry of Works has begun preparing the necessary road markings and signage for the new bus stops for the new route. However, Mrs Armbrister indicated that the issue of when the pilot project will be implemented depends on how soon the government, in conjunction with industry representatives can “fine tune” the final details of the project, meaning which buses and bus drivers will participate in the pilot project, and then relay that information
back to the ministry. Mrs Armbrister also said the ministry has sent out requests for proposals (RFPs) to five firms for the provision of “oversight” of the unified bus system, and are now in the process of analysing the “responses of the two firms that indicated a desire to participate.” In October 2016, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said the Christie administration was “hoping” to roll out a prototype for a unified bus system by year’s end 2016, adding at the time that her announcement was the closest the government has got in its decade-long search for jitney industry reform. She said at the time that the pilot project would “have all of the features or as many of the features” as the government would like it to have, including schedules, fare boxes, established signage for bus stops, and uniformed, salaried bus drivers. Yesterday, Mrs Armbrister also mentioned the potential use of a “card”
that would be used by bus passengers in basically the same way transit passes are used in the US. “We’re in the process of fine tuning all of the arrangements for the unified systems,” Mrs Ambrister said when contacted. “The new route, #17 has been gazetted. And everything has been moving very smoothly. So we anticipate that we’ll be in a position in due course to roll out the pilot project which will actually be the forerunner to the unified system.” Mrs Armbrister, as well as Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith, told The Tribune that the new route has been “tweaked” since its gazetting, and as such the specifics of said route remains unclear. Nonetheless, when asked when the government plans to roll out the pilot project, which she said will last for six months when implemented, Mrs Armbrister said: “That depends on how soon we can fine tune these last details. (Officials) have to decide on the owners
WOMEN HELD AFTER DRUGS DISCOVERY A WOMAN from Nassau Village is in custody after she was arrested at the Lynden Pindling International Airport for possession of dangerous drugs on Wednesday, police reported. Shortly after 1pm, the woman was travelling to the United States when US Customs and Border Patrol officials detained her at the US Pre-Clearance Departure Lounge, after just over four pounds of cocaine were discovered in her luggage, police said. The woman was handed over to the police and taken into custody and is expected to appear in court today. Police also reported that
four people - two men and tral Division seized a quantwo women - were arrest- tity of dangerous drugs. ed on Thursday during a The officers were carryspecial operation on East ing out an operation in the Street. area when a building was Police said that shortly af- searched and a quantity of 17th February 2017 was found. ter 10am, a teamFriday, of officers marijuana assigned to the South CenInvestigations continue.
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who will be utilised, the bus drivers, which buses will be used and then they come back to us. So this is a process involving both the government and the omnibus organisations. “So it’s not something the government is doing on its own. It’s something in which the owners are participating and allowing us to see how the process will roll out and evolve so that we can work out all the kinks so that we can eventually move into a unified system that will be for the betterment of the whole island of New Providence.” She added: “Certainly
we’re hopeful it will be rolled out as soon as possible. This has been quite a lengthy process and we’re just at the end of the process now, so we’re hoping all will go well.” The proposed unification of the public bus system is part of the New Providence Road Improvement Programme (NPRIP), funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which also involved the upgrading of New Providence’s road network. The project, which is being financed by $500,000 from the IDB, is an attempt to encourage jitney
operators and franchise holders to take the next step towards reform, and overcome what appears to be entrenched stakeholder resistance. However, an IDB paper, obtained by Tribune Business in the early part of last year, revealed that little progress towards practical jitney/bus industry reform has been made despite numerous reports and studies being presented to the government, some of which date back to 1992. According to the IDB, around 280 buses served the Bahamian people on 23 different routes.
PAGE 4, Friday, February 17, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Trump’s contempt for trade deals spurs anxiety WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is moving quickly to dismantle seven decades of American policy built on trade deals and multinational alliances that help fuel the US and global economies. And no one is sure what will replace them. The void risks intensifying uncertainty at home and abroad. Without knowing whether trade will be disrupted, business people in the United States and abroad could be forced to rethink their plans. “The big problem comes when there is uncertainty,” says Marcus Moufarrige of Servcorp, a company in Sydney, Australia, that sells office space and technology services abroad. “Uncertainty stops businesses from making decisions. It stops everything.” For now, stock prices are soaring as investors focus on Trump’s pledge to cut taxes and business regulations. But his break with the past is raising worries among some. Fitch Ratings, for instance, warns that the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policies poses global risks — from disrupted trade relations to confrontations that unnerve investors. The president’s hostility toward existing trade deals and suspicion of long-term allies is also leaving a vacuum in global leadership — one that China seems eager to fill. President Xi Jinping last month became the first Chinese head of state to attend an annual gathering of business elites in Davos, Switzerland. Xi used the occasion to declare China a champion of free trade, usurping the traditional US role as the leading booster of globalisation. China, the world’s leading exporter, wants to expand its global influence. Trump has offered few details of his trade plans, beyond pressuring US companies to keep or create jobs in America, taking a tougher line in forging deals and slapping tariffs on nations that are deemed to exploit the United States. “There’s not a lot of substance to his policies,” says Gordon Hanson, director of the University of California San Diego’s Centre on Global Transformation. “It consists of two things: Jaw-boning corporate America — ‘create more jobs here or else’ — and across-the board trade protectionism.” Companies heavily involved in imports or exports can’t easily develop their business plans without knowing what specific moves Trump will embrace or achieve. Among the uncertainties: • Will Trump insist on taxing imports if he doesn’t get the concessions he wants from America’s trading partners? • If America abandons existing agreements, would allies trust it to adhere to any new trade deals? • Would Trump risk igniting a trade war whereby other countries impose retaliatory taxes and sanctions on US goods? Will America’s old alliances endure? If not, what replaces them? Trump argues that the existing order has short-changed America — especially blue-collar US workers — exposing them to unfair competition with low-wage foreign labourers and to unjust trade practices by China and others. The result, he said in his inaugural speech, is “rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation.” “From this day forward,” Trump declared, “it’s going to be only America first.” His words resonate among communities that blame low-wage foreign competition for the loss of 4.8 million US factory jobs since 2000 and among families whose incomes have stagnated. Trump has pulled the United States out of a 12-nation Asia-Pacific trade accord negotiated by the Obama administration. He’s intent on renegotiating a pact with Mexico and Canada — and dumping it if he can’t improve the version in place since 1994. He’s questioned NATO’s usefulness, considered slashing America’s financial contribution to the United Nations and bickered with allies Mexico and Australia. Critics say Trump is tearing down an international system that nurtured peace after World War II, encouraged global commerce, lifted much of East Asia out
of poverty and empowered the United States to become the world’s leading superpower. “This is the biggest reversal we’ve had since World War II,” says Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a think tank that promotes free trade. “It does have echoes of the ’20s and ’30s, when the US said, to its detriment, that everyone else is ripping us off.” In Roseville, Illinois, a soybean and corn farmer named Ron Moore had expected to benefit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 Asia-Pacific countries. The TPP would have pried open Japan’s market to more US farm exports, thereby benefiting US cattle and hog farmers. Moore provides feed to those livestock producers. “It was going to add value to my soybeans,” says Moore, whose soybeans are shipped down the Mississippi River to New Orleans and often on to China and other foreign markets. “We’re a little disappointed.” The TPP had stalled in Congress. But Trump officially pulled out of the deal, saying he could do better by negotiating with countries one on one. Some critics backed his argument. They argued that the TPP would have killed American jobs by exposing US workers to low-wage competition in Southeast Asia. But the TPP was also a diplomatic effort to counter China’s influence in Asia. Now, writes economist Gareth Leather at Capital Economics, “the demise of the TPP has created an opportunity for China.” “Who will negotiate with us if we renege on our deals?” asks Hanson of the University of California San Diego. Also in Trump’s crosshairs: The North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, which he’s called the worst trade deal the United States has ever negotiated. Trump says he wants to renegotiate NAFTA or scrap it. He’s also threatened to tax US companies that move to Mexico and ship goods back to the US. Since NAFTA took effect 23 years ago, the US trade gap with Mexico has surged as factories moved south of the border to capitalise on cheaper Mexican labour. Some analysts echo Trump’s criticism that existing trade deals have hurt many Americans. “NAFTA is packed with incentives to offshore jobs,” says Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, which opposes many existing pacts. “NAFTA must be replaced — not tweaked — to actually deliver better outcomes for working people.” But US exporters benefited from Mexican purchases, too. And many companies have built complex supply chains that span the U.S.-Mexico border. Pulling out of NAFTA would threaten their operations. Trump says his shift in policy —along with big tax cuts and looser regulation — would restore countless factory and mining jobs. Most economists are sceptical. If the U.S. imposes taxes on Chinese and Mexican imports, they warn, those countries would impose taxes of their own on U.S. exporters. The result could be a jobkilling trade war. Even if Trump does draw some factories back to America, he’d face another problem: They aren’t the huge employers they used to be. American factories produce more than twice as much as they did when manufacturing employment peaked in 1979 — with fewer than twothirds the workers. “The jobs we lost in manufacturing were in 20th century factories that employed lots of people,” UC San Diego’s Hanson says. It would also be hard to undo decades of globalization. In 1960, trade — exports and imports combined — equaled 9 per cent of U.S. economic output. By 2015, it was 28 per cent, according to the World Bank. “It sounds good: America First,” says Ron Moore, a farmer who is president of the American Soybean Association. “But we live in a global economy nowadays.” By Paul Wiseman, AP Economics Writer
Symonette is tone deaf EDITOR, The Tribune.
BRENT Symonette is a stunningly naïve man. That he occupied the office of Foreign Minister for even one day is testimony to the axiom of politics making strange bedfellows. How else can you explain the utterances of a man who is repeatedly out of step with the mainstream in this country? It cannot be that he believes Bruce Raine speaks for any but a small group who thinks like him. Brent wants another turn in public office and may have his sights set on the big chair in the cabinet room. But he continues to put his big foot in his mouth and to reveal an amazing level of ignorance. His latest revelation is that if he could he would have voted for Donald Trump over Hilary Clinton in the last US election. Clearly Brent is tone deaf. The overwhelming majority of the people he still hopes to serve have a visceral dislike of Mr. Trump and are still trying to come to terms with his victory. Trump has a history of bigotry. He hounded the first black president in the US to produce his birth certificate. Trump promoted the fallacy that somehow Barack Obama was a Kenyan interloper. He demanded the death penalty for four black men in New York who were convicted and later exonerated for a horrific crime in Central Park. We know that he is a misogynist. We know that he bragged about assaulting women. We know that his courts had to back-hand slap him over a Muslim ban. And there is so much more to come. But he is Brent’s man of business. There was Brent at a service club luncheon
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net sucking up to President Trump, trying to channel their solidarity by wearing a red necktie (presumably from the Donald Trump line of made-in-China haberdashery). Apparently Hilary Clinton when she was Secretary of State wasn’t enamored with Brent and so he had to even the score. As foreign minister Brent would have been obliged to set aside his personal feelings about Mrs. Clinton and look after the national interests of the Bahamian people, not his own. I now doubt whether Brent has a clear understanding of how the US government actually works. The Ambassador’s chair at the US Embassy here sat vacant for the last five years and Brent says it’s because the US Senate couldn’t confirm the appointee. He must know that the Senate used political brinksmanship to hold up Barack Obama’s appointee. “Couldn’t confirm” sounds like there was some defect in her resumé. “Refused to even consider the nominee” is more like it. He then implied that Mr. Trump has already settled on a person to be Ambassador here and that person is now house-hunting. Breathtaking ignorance. Trump hasn’t even gotten Senate confirmation on all of his Cabinet yet. Ambassadors are down the line. For starters Trump would have to propose a nominee to our government and get what is known in diplomacy as “agrément” – essentially our acquiescence to the choice. Buckingham Palace
would have to be in the mix because diplomatic credentials are exchanged between heads of state. Brent told his audience that the new Ambassador was already house-hunting. But doesn’t the US Ambassador live at Liberty Overlook, their official residence out west? Again trying to impress his audience, Brent says it was unlikely Trump would cancel the agreement for the AUTEC facility on Andros. For God’s sake, Brent, agreements have clauses that spell out the terms for ending them and unilateral action probably has consequences. As to the budget appropriation process in the US, their constitution states that only Congress can appropriate funds. If money is earmarked to build an embassy here Mr. Trump just can’t willy-nilly divert those funds elsewhere without Congressional approval. Brent seems to believe that the US defers to the OECD in its financial policy making. That will come as news to our bankers and to the OECD themselves as they try to make sense of the unilateral and overreaching US FATCA law. Till now most of the world has been keeping its powder dry because they simply don’t know Mr. Trump’s position on heretofore bedrock US foreign policy principles. But perhaps Brent has a private twitter bromance with the US President and knows more than the rest of the world. After all, Mr Trump is vain enough to be impressed by Brent’s sartorial flirtations. THE GRADUATE Nassau, February 16, 2017.
DNA and Minnis EDITOR, The Tribune.
Re: Punch Thursday Bran ready to deal for 9 seats Unfortunately, I imagine that any level of pragmatism that Dr Minnis may have had in the past, is now tainted by his numbing experience of being deposed as Leader of the Opposition. Quite frankly, I don’t know
how on earth he would be able to function as a potential Prime Minister, as he would never really know when the next coup would happen. I think if I were him I would stick with the gynaecology and leave the tough choices of politics to those with the stomach for it. Can anyone say if Hubert Ingraham is thinking of leaving retirement? He is posting ideas and
opinions which would have been more useful in 2012, when he decided to bail on the decimated FNM party without any notice, forethought or planning. Maybe HAI could carry HAM’s doctor bag around for him if he goes back to OGBYN. MONKEEDOO Nassau, February 9, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 17, 2017, PAGE 5
Greenslade comments defended by Munroe from page one “It happens that serious crime is trending down generally and murder is trending up for reasons that probably relate to an internal war in one of our street gangs, based on my understanding. “The commissioner says there’s no crisis. He’s a law enforcement professional. He understands the issue. When the PLP returned security of tenure to the police commissioner, that was the best decision that could’ve been made. No one can tell him what to do, not Perry, not Nottage. Someone on Facebook keeps posting this thing with (Senator) Keith Bell saying the commissioner should go if he doesn’t follow the government’s agenda. “Well, the commissioner doesn’t have to follow the government’s crime agenda. He’s demonstrated by that one comment from the junior minister of national security that yes, indeed he is being independent.”
COMMISSIONER of Police Ellison Greenslade. For Mr Munroe, QC, can’t give you bail - you have some of the tough-on-crime to go to the Supreme Court ideas advocated for by Ba- to get bail and in the meanhamians as a way to reduce time you remanded to prison the murder rate exacerbates for two, three weeks to be at the crime problem instead. the mercies of the fellas in “When you approach the prison who will treat you issue emotionally, you talk very good to try and recruit about remanding people to you. prison,” the attorney said. “That provision of the “People start saying we have Bail Act says for certain ofto be tough on this, tough on fences in the third schedule that. They start to say people of the Criminal Procedure shouldn’t get bail. We now Code, the magistrate canhave an Act passed that the not grant you bail. “Things chief justice said should be like threats of death and litrepealed, one where, for lots tle, petty offences. It’s over of petty things, magistrates reaction. Right now, for in-
stance, people complain that you can get bail for firearm possession, but if one person in your newsroom has a gun, all of you will get charged. “If it’s ten of you in there, all of you will be charged because they don’t know whose gun it is. All of you will be remanded and if you listen to what people say, none of you should get bail until the trial is over. If four people in a car and there’s one gun, everybody gets remanded,” he explained. “What people don’t realise is that’s how you end up going from having 400 shooters to having 800 shooters. Impressionable young men are remanded to a place where hardened criminals are there waiting for them, recruiting them. When you go there, the hardened criminals say they’ll protect you so you don’t get raped. They say they’d get you provisions, food and drinks, and so when you get back on the street you have a degree of loyalty to them because they helped you in prison.
That’s what I’ve watched happen from 1980 to today. Her Majesty’s Prison is a recruiting institution. Silly people say we should send more people to that school in the east but they should stop being emotional - stop being hysterical and address the issues. If you are 15, 16, 17, 18 and you decided your ambition is to kill people, there’s probably little we could do for you. But what we can do is stop other people from joining you and ensure that your company won’t grow.” Mr Munroe acknowledged that his views about bail differ from that of Commissioner Greenslade, who has frequently cited bail granted to people accused of committing serious crimes as key to the murder rate. Earlier this week, Commissioner Greenslade and Mr Christie appeared divided in their views about what the unprecedented spate of murders so early in the year means for the country.
Commissioner Greenslade said we are “not in a crisis,” but Mr Christie said “it’s like the Wild West.” On Wednesday, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage announced steps that law enforcement will immediately begin taking to address the concerns. Among other things, Dr Nottage said there will be an increase in foot patrols in inner cities and crime hot spots. He said there will be aggressive stop and searches of suspicious persons and suspicious vehicles through all policing divisions. He said there will be purposeful lock-downs of communities and crime hot spots where large teams of law enforcement officers execute search warrants, arrest warrants and search for illegal drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles. He also said the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) will launch joint operations.
DAMES: CRIME MEASURES ‘RAISE MORE QUESTIONS’ from page one
He further admitted that people connected to “gangs, drugs and guns” are linked to the frequent killings. However, Mr Dames, who has been ratified as a Free National Movement 2017 election candidate, said the initiatives have come at the last minute when the Progressive Liberal Party led government’s time in office is coming to an end. “At the beginning of this administration, Prime Minister Perry Christie himself said crime will be the determining factor as to whether they are returned to office,” the former deputy commissioner said. “Five years into this administration and at the very end at that, they are just revealing their strategy as to how they intend to deal with crime and to take it a step further, this strategy, which
was articulated leaves more questions than answers. “You say you are going to roll out a Royal Bahamas Defence Force partnership with the police. Well, how will that take place? You are talking about two organisations now working together on the streets. What would be the role of the RBDF? When you have situations like this it requires training to ensure that when they roll out the strategy you don’t have issues on the street. It’s so confusing. How will they work in unity?” He went on: “They talk about the introduction of two vans. I was involved in the acquisition of those vans more than six years ago. These are the two vans they are speaking about and one of the reasons why those vans were purchased was for the exact same thing. To be utilised in areas where you are having
crime at the frequency we are having today. So where have they been and how have they been utilised all this time?” He also questioned why the government’s closed circuit television network was not being manned 24 hours a day, considering the hefty government investment into the initiative. “They talk about this whole thing about the CCTV cameras,” Mr Dames said. “We’ve spent millions on those cameras and now we are learning from the minister in Parliament that they are not being monitored on a 24/7 basis. Then how were they being monitored? Who actually is carrying out the monitoring? Because if you are investing so much of the taxpayers money on a programme, at the end of the day we must see that the programme is actually being utilised. “We talk about the ankle
‘MY HORROR AT BECOMING VICTIM OF ATTEMPTED ROBBERY’ A BAHAMIAN today told a reporter the horror story of how she and three of her friends were held up on Christmas eve by two men on motorbikes, who tried to get into their car and rob them. She also told of how passing motorists took pictures on their cell phones of them being violently attacked, but never stopped to help. Eventually a passing police car saw what was happening and stopped the attack. However, she claimed, the officers made no attempt to get the names or identification of their attackers. She said that she and her friends — two men and two women – were driving on Tonique Williams Darling Highway around 7.20pm on Saturday, December 24, last year when they were stopped in traffic in the westbound lane outside the Shell gas station at the Bahamian Paint roundabout. Their male drive had just picked up his girlfriend and three other friends — herself included— to drop them home from work before going home himself. Their first stop was the Cable Beach area. The three women were sitting on the left passenger side of a right hand drive car. Suddenly, two black men on motorbikes pulled up on the left side of the car and tapped on the back window. They then moved to the car’s front door which was locked. The robbers forced it open, pushed themselves into the car to grab the ladies handbags that were vis-
ible in the centre of the car. There was a struggle, with the car’s occupants managing to push the robbers out of the car and lock the door. As the traffic cleared they drove forward but the car’s front fender came off, getting stuck under the car. They stopped to repair the fender. Suddenly their two motorbike attackers reappeared. They smashed the car’s back window with a metal bat. They abandoned their motorbikes in the road while they forced the driver’s side door open and dragged the driver out of the car. The driver was badly beaten by one of the robbers. He was punched in his lower back, face and around his eyes, suffering internal and external injuries. The second robber, who had the metal bat, crawled into the car, but was pushed out by the three remaining passengers. Their attackers were described as under 25 years of age, “rough looking and poorly dressed - one of them was tall and muscular.” The victims do not think the robbers knew them. They believe they were victims of an attack by men on motorbikes who saw women in the car. The motorists were eventually rescued by police in a passing police car that saw what was happening and stopped the attack. One of the victim’s described the police investigation as “a joke”.
They claimed that the police did not take the names of the robbers. Nor did they ask them for an ID, driver’s licence, vehicle registration, licence plates. However, they told the robbers to drive to the Cable Beach police station. Instead the carjackers got on their motorbikes and rode off as the police got back into their car. The police followed the victims to the Cable Beach police station to file a report and make certain that they were safe. At the station, said one of the victims, the officers taking the report commented that the arresting officers had acted against protocol by not arresting the carjackers on the spot for assault and battery, nor taking their weapons, handcuffing them and getting other pertinent information. The station officers then issued an All Points Bulletin to try to find the culprits. While filing their report at the police station, the victims heard a report over the police radio of another incident at the same place near the Shell Gas Station on Tonique Williams Darling Highway around the same time. However, the report said that these robbers were armed with a bat, and were driving a jeep. It was not know whether the two incidents were related. The victims gave their statements to the police, returned to their homes, but have heard no more from the police. As far as they are aware, their attackers have not been identified.
bracelets. Ankle bracelets are not used and utilised for hardened criminals. You could put a hardened criminal in an ankle bracelet and he can sit on his porch and he can wreak havoc sitting on his porch on his cell phone, calling armed robberies, shootings and anything else. “We are not utilising these equipment and resources that we are purchasing.” On Wednesday Dr Nottage also said intelligence has suggested that there are connections between
many violent incidents on the streets of New Providence and inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and recently released prisoners. He announced nearly a dozen measures to combat crime. Among these were increased foot patrols in inner cities and crime hot spots; the activation and placement of specially designed mobile police vans to serve as manned police stations in communities where crime is a challenge
for police; aggressive stop and search of suspicious persons and suspicious vehicles throughout all policing divisions; periodic road checks at various intersections; purposeful lock downs of communities and crime hot spots where large teams of law enforcement officers execute search warrants, arrest warrants and search for illegal drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles. Several other mediumterm strategies are also being implemented, Dr Nottage said.
PAGE 6, Friday, February 17, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
‘ROLLINS COMMENTS SHOW LACK OF PLAN BY REBEL SEVEN’ from page one
“They never really had a case and Minnis was quite right at the end of the day. It all shows that it was just pettiness on the part of people who were just selfish and wanting to be leader.” Dr Rollins is part of the “rebel seven” that ousted Dr Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly, and appointed Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner in December last year. The FNM has appointed a three-person tribunal to decide the fate of Mrs ButlerTurner and the six other members of Parliament, and that process is continuing. At the time, Dr Rollins insisted that the coup was done in the best interest of the Bahamian people, adding that the Killarney MP was more captivated by the title of prime minister rather than the work it would take to improve the quality
of life in The Bahamas. Mr Wells continued: “They were all squabbling amongst themselves over who it should be and Minnis has now demonstrated he has a steady hand, probably too cautious in some cases, but I think he now has unified the party and they now see that. People like Rollins, really I believe he had the first opportunity to replace Mrs Butler-Turner in Long Island but there are certain protocols, whether politics, business, life, respect those mores. I don’t think they respected that. “I think he made tremendous errors and I think he was following (former Prime Minister Hubert) Ingraham and a couple other people. If they couldn’t have it they destroy it.” He added: “The common man on the street have a lot more sense than they thought. They thought that because they said it and they’re MPs but you’re still only a man. You may be an
MP but you’re still a man or woman. Same thing with the PLP now, soon as they get there, they think they know everything.” Mrs Butler-Turner declined comment when contacted yesterday. When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie said he did not watch the sitting of the House, and was unfamiliar with Dr Rollins’ comments. However, he said: “Dr Rollins is still a (member of the) FNM, I don’t know why he said that. I presume he meant in the good graces of the party but until the constitutional provision of the party is carried out, which has not yet been carried out, Rollins is still an FNM.” Mr Collie revealed that party leadership will be in Abaco this weekend to officially launch the campaigns of Darren Henfield for North Abaco and James Albury for Central and South Abaco.
ANDRE ROLLINS, Fort Charlotte MP, speaking in the House of Assembly. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
‘Deplorable’ clinic and a failing infrastructure on Spanish Wells from page one Our annual budget is prepared, then sent to Nassau where someone decides where the value for money is. They delete line items such as, but not limited to, ‘upkeep and maintenance of public buildings,’ then it is sent back ‘approved’,” he claimed. “However, it doesn’t stop there. In 2013 the government started retaining a percentage of the budget. For the past two years, they have withheld 12 per cent of the approved budget. In our case that is $43,278,” he claimed. Mr Roberts said that for the past three years, Spanish Wells has had the same budget approved despite the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT), which was introduced in 2015. He added that the island has also had a recurrent deficit over the same period. “This unfortunately has led to our contractual work-
ers not getting paid in full. Currently we are only able to pay them 50 per cent of their monthly contract value because of the shortfall. As of the end of this fiscal period, we will once again be in the same situation as we have been for the past two budget cycles and will not be able to satisfy our commitments. “As referenced, our budget for ‘07/08 was $450,000; the last two years it has been roughly $317,000 less the 12 per cent retention. This is available for all to see. It is public record and is a part of the national budget.” ‘Deplorable’ As a result of limited financial resources, Mr Roberts said infrastructure upkeep and advancements have been limited in many cases. “Graveyard? Digging up bones, that’s what we have been doing for the better part of five years. We are having to use an old cemetery plot that has led
to exhumation. Council started agitating for a new graveyard site officially in October of 2012,” he said. “There have been several visits over this period and countless correspondence but as of the writing of this piece nothing has come of it. “Clinic? Our clinic is in a deplorable state. The air condition is broken, the roof leaks during normal rain squalls, including in the emergency room. Most of the windows don’t work, there is mould and mildew everywhere. “The morgue has been broken down for the better part of two years; in fact the last few persons that passed away on-island had to be relocated to (mainland) Eleuthera. Shutters are falling off. Prior to December, there was no resident doctor to service North Eleuthera - including Spanish Wells and Harbour Island - for months. “Patients could not get prescriptions in addition to
other specialised medical care,” he said. “We have a resident nurse that was just recently relocated to Spanish Wells, but now she may get evicted from her apartment because government has let her rent fall behind. “The administration of the clinic has failed miserably. Aforementioned issues - particularly maintenance and upkeep of the facility - were brought to light in September 2011. The District Council did a thorough walk through of the facility and reported the findings to the administrator of Family Island clinics. Despite continuous update and agitation to the hierarchy of the Ministry of Health, to date nothing has been fixed; the clinic continues to deteriorate,” he added. “Roads? Many of the roads are filled with potholes. There are several that are past the point of patching and need to be rebuilt. Most of the roads are starting to show their age as they were redone 25 years ago, the lack of a constant supply of perma-patch contributes to the deterioration. The abutment is continually breaking through.” Mr Roberts said the island recently had a visit from team from the Ministry of Works but the group only completed a drive through and confirmed the same. “We are waiting on a final report.” ‘Dangerous’ “Bridge? The two-lane bridge - Roderick Newton Bridge - connecting Spanish Wells and Russell Island was destroyed in August of 1992 by Hurricane Andrew. A temporary single lane bridge was installed in October of the same year. The bridge is rusting and in a state of disrepair to the point of being dangerous. This bridge plays a vital role in our daily lives. It is in constant use. “The public dump and power company is located on Russell Island along with other businesses and private residents. Russell Island is in a phase of continuous development. At least 60 per cent of all construction being approved by the District Council is for Russell Island and will be that way for the foreseeable future. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012 the bridge was washed out on the south side. Eleuthera Construction was hired to make a temporary fix; to date they have not been paid. The council has been agitating since March of 2012 to effect repairs/ change to the bridge. We have just recently had another team from Ministry of Works visit the site; the council is patiently waiting for a response.” In terms of water, he said the community’s water supply is pumped from a well field in mainland Eleuthera. “We have a 100,000-gallon water tank that is supposed to be kept full but there has never been a
shut off system installed. So, once the tower is full, the overflow goes into the harbour until such time as Water and Sewerage on Eleuthera can be contacted. “The council just recently sent a sample of city water to an independent lab in Nassau. Here is a sampling of the findings. Calcium 624.00, chloride 2,675.77, salinity 4.90ppt and there was also trace of coliform found. I am sure it is illegal to sell this water to the public, in fact, it’s probably illegal to give it away,” he claimed. “The authorities have been aware of the water situation on Spanish Wells for many years. Despite continuous development on Russell Island, the public water supply does not extend to residents and businesses to the far west. “The government built and paved the road, but didn’t put the infrastructure in place to provide water first, so of course the road will have to be ripped up to complete installation. This is the perfect example of poor planning. Businesses in the area affected are now being told by Environmental Health that the Health Code requires them to have access to public water, yet the same government has not made such provisions.” He also said Spanish Wells’ garbage dump has been a “sore spot” for some time. “Like most all the ‘Out Islands’ we push and burn the waste - food, plastics, electronics, household garbage, oil, tyres, batteries, construction waste and just about anything you can think of. This is a concern and directly relates to the health of our community.” He added: “I’m sure you have heard of Environmental Levy fees charged at the border by customs; what are these fees being used for? We need a proper recycling programme. The council has asked Department of Environmental Health Services to send a team to assist with a better management plan. We have yet to receive a reply.” ‘Poachers’ Regarding the fishing industry, Mr Roberts said that for years, fishermen, particularly those from Spanish Wells, have been crying out to the government to protect the banks from illegal poachers. He added that the response from successive governments has been like a “slap in the face” - from being told that fishermen were reporting “ghost ships” to sending Royal Bahamas Defence Force personnel in days after reports of poachers were made. “Thankfully this last crawfish season saw better response from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, but one must ask, is this only because election is on the horizon? We have faith in Commodore Tellis Bethel and pray the gov-
ernment continues to allow him to do his job, whether it be an election or not.” On the issue of education, Mr Roberts insisted that the local school frequently has to raise money for everything it needs. “The District Council entertains requests for funds several times a year despite an already exhausted budget. The school is always short on teachers, especially at the onset of a new academic year. We are very thankful and appreciate the new school classroom block that was completed prior to the 2012 general election,” he added. “The education of our children is a priority, but teachers need to be given the tools they need and students should not lack the materials or facilities required. Why is it that in 2017, our public schools do not have individualised budgets? Every institution should have a budget whose expenditure is ultimately executed by the district superintendent, not one huge budget for a cluster of schools; that results in financial chaos and neglect of facilities.” Mr Roberts added: “What is being done with the $8-10 million tax payer dollars that the community of Spanish Wells pays to the Public Treasury annually? We receive a little more than four per cent in the form of the District Council budget, which in part is used to help maintain our community’s infrastructure. “There are 1,600 residents and 600 homes. The Administrator’s Office which has the burden of collecting these taxes recently went for weeks on end without the ability to photocopy, print or register voters because of lack of office supplies. “The Administrator’s Office has a balcony above the entrance way that is ready to collapse. Water comes through the concrete when it rains and the office stinks because of mildew and the damp carpet. It is not healthy for staff or customers,” he said. “Spanish Wells has a history and reputation of paying its taxes on time and conforming to government regulations. If you want to get paid for a government job these days you must apply for a Tax Compliance Certificate, yet government can go without paying its bills to the very people supporting them financially.” Mr Roberts said central government continues to become more centralised. He added that local government is “hardly functioning” due to the chokehold being applied by officials based in New Providence. He expressed concern that the situation in Spanish Wells might reflect similarly in every district in the archipelago. He urged all Chief Councillors to bring details of their current “state” to light before the general election.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 17, 2017, PAGE 7
DNA meets with civic groups on Freedom of Information By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
A COALITION made up of several of the country’s civic organisations yesterday met and discussed their issues with the revamped Freedom of Information Bill with Senator Branville McCartney yesterday. The coalition was led by Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) Executive Director Matt Aubrey and Citizens for a Better Bahamas Treasurer Joanne Lundy. Over the course of a 45-minute meeting, Mr McCartney who was appointed leader of opposition business in the Senate by Official Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner in December, was made aware of several “critical components” the group said were rejected by the government during its public consultation process of the legislation. The FOI Bill was passed in the House of Assembly this month. It now has to be approved by the Senate. The former Bamboo Town MP, expected to lead opposition debate in the Senate, was informed that major concerns remain outstanding despite the bill’s advancement to the Senate, such as, the appointment of the information commissioner; the definition of
DNA leader Branville McCartney pictured in a meeting over the Freedom of Information Act with Matt Albury, executive director for the Organization for Responsible Government. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff public authority; time lim- the post should be filled Bill legislates the appointits for exempt records; and by someone appointed ment of an information time limits for responding through measures inde- commissioner in similar to requests for information. pendent of the government, means to that of the apThe coalition of more such as the Judicial Services pointment of a judge on than 21 groups informed Committee or a Parliament senior officers on any of the Mr McCartney and Demo- Select Committee with rep- country’s law enforcement cratic National Alliance resentation from the Oppo- branches - hand picked by Deputy Leader Chris Mor- sition. the executive branch of govtimer that they remain Additionally, the group ernment. hopeful that agitation by said civil society should be Mr McCartney was prefigures such as Mr McCart- included in the decision- sented with several cases ney could ultimately gener- making process either of the selection process inate some form of changes to though membership on the ternationally, with the case the legislation. Select Committee or the of Bangladesh provided as As it relates to the ap- publication of a short-list of a comparison and the Caypointment of the informa- candidates and public feed- man Islands as a regional tion commissioner, the coa- back on the candidates. counterpart. lition recommended that As constituted, this FOI Bangladesh’s Right to In-
formation Act specifies that a selection committee shall consist of five members - a judge of the appellate division who is nominated by the chief justice and will act as the chairman of said committee; Cabinet secretary, one member each from the ruling party and opposition, nominated by the speaker; and one Journalism representative nominated by the government - with a view to providing recommendation for the appointment of the chief of information. The Cayman Islands, in its Freedom of Information law calls for the establishment of the position of the information commissioner who is appointed by the governor after consultation with Cabinet and after a process conducted in accordance with public nomination process that is transparent and open. Secondly, as it relates to the definition of public authority, the coalition recommended that the definition include legislative, administrative and non-statutory bodies. The group said FOI, once passed, should also cover private organisations that operate with substantial public funds and performing public functions and services. That would encompass every company, corporation or organisation assisted or funded by the government.
Thirdly, as it relates to the timeframe for exempt records, which the Christie administration has placed at 30 years, the coalition recommended that the timeframe be reduce to 15 years. To aid their recommendation, the group provided examples from Canada, Cayman Islands, India and Trinidad and Tobago - with exemption laws in those countries ranging from 10 to 20 years. The coalition also made recommendations to address the time limit for responding to requests for information. As constituted, the current version of the bill calls for up to 30 days with a possible extension of a further 30 days on the basis of “reasonable cause” which is not defined in the bill. The coalition recommended that these time limits for public authorities to respond to requests for information are very excessive. Additionally it was argued that the extension period should be reduced to ten days and “reasonable cause” for such extension should be limited to force majeure events. Furthermore, the coalition said the transfer period should be no longer than five days. The Senate is expected to begin its debate on the FOI Bill next Thursday.
TOWN HALL MEETING TO BE HELD BY CIVIL SOCIETY BAHAMAS CIVIL Society Bahamas (CSB), an umbrella group for civil society organisations in The Bahamas, is hosting a Town Hall Meeting for the Citizen’s Task Force on Electoral Reform on Saturday from 10am to noon at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Virginia Street, Nassau.
The group says it believes that it is possible to design an electoral system for the country that is less cumbersome, more transparent, more fair and more egalitarian than the current one. Citizens are invited to participate in an extended conversation on what a new
electoral system would be like. CSB says it wants to engage the public on the subject through a series of public meetings throughout The Bahamas to hear their views on several recommendations. These include the establishment of an Independent
BAIL GRANTED TO SUSPECT IN DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribnuemedia.net
A MAN awaiting trial on a drug trafficking charge was granted bail in the Supreme Court yesterday. Gregory Seymour, 40, appeared before Justice Vera Watkins for a decision on a bail application he had made after he was remanded to prison on January 30 on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He is accused of having custody of five pounds of Indian hemp (marijuana) on Friday, January 6, that were found wrapped in a plastic bag in a bucket, in bushes behind a house on
Carmichael Road. The drugs have an estimated street value of $5,000. The Cowpen Road resident was arrested by police on January 27 and denied all knowledge of the drugs when interviewed in police custody. Justice Watkins yesterday granted the accused $9,500 bail on the basis that there were no substantial reasons for concluding the applicant will abscond and not return for trial that is scheduled to start on March 8 before Magistrate Andrew Forbes. “There is no reasonable basis for concluding that the applicant will commit offences if he is released on bail. “There is no basis
for concluding that the applicant will interfere with the witnesses or otherwise interfere with the course of justice (and) based on the limited information before the court, the prosecution may not have sufficient probable grounds for laying the charge against the applicant,” the judge added. Justice Watkins ordered Seymour to surrender all of his travel documents to the Supreme Court and to report to the Carmichael Road Police Station every Monday and Friday on/or before 6pm. Seymour is represented by attorney Krysta MasonSmith while Linda Evans appeared for the Crown in the bail application.
18 MONTHS IN JAIL AND $3,000 FINE FOR GUN POSSESSION By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN was jailed for 18 months and fined $3,000 for possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. Kelvin Davis, 26, pleaded guilty to the two charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt concerning a black Austria Glock .45 pistol and 11 rounds of .45 ammunition for the weapon that were recovered by police on Thursday, February 2, when they attempted to pursue a suspect. According to police reports, shortly before 4pm on the day in question, Selective Enforcement Team officers were on routine patrol on Fowler Street off East Street, when they saw a man walking who aroused their suspicion. The man, on seeing the officers threw a firearm to the ground and fled on foot. The officers gave chase but were unable to catch the man. The firearm was recovered and found to be a .45 Austria Pistol with 11
rounds of ammunition. Davis accepted these facts during a late afternoon arraignment hearing on Wednesday. The Fowler Street resident faced up to seven years imprisonment for the two charges. However, due to his early plea of guilt and youth, he
was sentenced to 18 months at the Department of Correctional Services. However, the chief magistrate also fined him $3,000 with the condition that if the fine is not paid on or before the conclusion of the sentence, he will serve an additional 12 months in prison.
Notice Please be advised that Mrs. Michelle Johnson-Farrington is no longer with the Bahamas Down Syndrome & Friends Center. Mrs. Johnson-Farrington is not allowed to conduct any communications or correspondence on behalf of the Bahamas Down Syndrome & Friends Center Mrs. Johnson-Farrington also has no relations with the Bahamas Down Syndrome association, The Bahamas down Syndrome Foundation or the Bahamas Down Syndrome & Friends Center.
Electoral Boundaries Commission (IBEC); the setting up of a permanent Register of Voters; the implementation of Campaign Finance Reform; the registration of political parties with the IBEC; primary elections to choose constituency candidates; constituencies being
able to recall their member of Parliament; and constituency boundaries to be redrawn with less frequency. CBS is an umbrella organisation representing the interests of all the non-profit and non-governmental organisations in The Bahamas since 2005. It is a non-parti-
san, non-governmental, civil society organisation which focuses on the betterment of individuals through improvement of their general social, economic, spiritual and mental welfare. Refreshments will be served at the town hall meeting.
PAGE 8, Friday, February 17, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
‘I went to bed in Fort Charlotte and woke up in Mount Moriah’ T
HE ‘Green Room’ in any comedy club can be extremely brutal, with comedians trading jabs and barbs. Over my 19-year career as professional stand up comedian I’ve taken my fair share from my American counterparts, who were working at Jokers Wild, after they read the dailies. After recent events globally and locally, it’s definitely a stalemate now, my American friends! We both have less than desirable governments.
‘I can’t believe I’m saying this ... where are Richard Lightbourn and Andre Rollins when you need them?’
SPITTING IMAGE Sadly, neither of our governments are any better than the other. In fact, they almost mirror each other. Both run on “alternative facts”, both are flawed and embattled and both embarrass themselves and the political process over and repeatedly. All while offering no solution to their respective nations’ urgent, pertinent issues. Both are also insanely funny, whether it’s their antics in the House of Assembly or on the local talk radio circuit, or live on CNN or MSNBC. They all seem to have contracted and are suffering from “hoof in mouth” disease. President Trump and Prime Minister Christie alike. Our present administration and Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition are both a comedian’s dream: you can’t write the things our local politicos do or say these days.
TRUMP GETS A REPRIEVE Now if you are expecting
A Comic’s View
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA me to go in on President Trump this week, it’s not going to happen. It w i l l happen i n shor t order; there’s enoug h of h is lu nacy to go a rou nd . I will leave President Trump to continue his war
against immigrants. I wonder if Trump knows two out of three of his wives were immigrants. Mail order brides or not, they are still immigrants! Further proof immigrants are needed, to do the jobs Americans refuse to do. See it’s too easy. Next week’s Comic’s View is for that: this week I’m giving my undivided attention to the “smorgasbord” of local, political moments of “loopyness” and “alternative facts”.
THREE BLIND MICE That old nursery rhyme comes to mind every time I see another press con-
ference with the PM, the right honorable Perry Christie, Minister of National Security Dr B J Nottage and Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade. As they say in the hood, ‘What type psych, y’all runnin’ on wit’ again’? While COP Greenslade claims crime is under control in one breath, the PM and Minister of National Security openly contradict him, claiming it’s “like the Wild West” as if they are both experts on crime and gang culture. Wait now, hold on a minute ... this can’t be the same two PLP ‘Golden Boys’ who while in opposition, prior to the 2012 elections, were supporting the erection of billboards, with the murder count, and crime statistics under the FNM administration, for the world to see. Bahamians were disgusted by it, tourists vis-
iting were shocked and frightened by the statistics on those billboards (so, essentially, the world did see, literally.) Now, here we are in 2017, with a record number of murders under the PLP, (where are your billboards now?) crime is out of control and all the citizenry can get from the “shot callers” is “we have yet another plan to deal with crime”. Mind you, while some of the new initiatives implemented look good on paper (once the RBPF and RBDF stop infighting each other for bragging rights) just please spare us the “verbal diarrhea” and get us some results. I mean, politicians should at least watch a few episodes of “The First 48” before they tell the police how to do their jobs. How about the politicians show us where the VAT money really went, instead of playing ‘cops and
‘Politicians should at least watch a few episodes of ‘The First 48’ before they tell the police how to do their jobs.’
robbers’ with our nations safety.
BOUNDARIES, BOUNDARIES BOUNDARIES If there’s anybody out there that can explain the new boundaries cut, get at me. I’m being generous, that was more like a “boundaries chop”. Nonetheless you must give the PM credit: like him or not, he’s one savvy political animal. He knows how to play the game and stack the deck in his favour. If I’m not mistaken, I went to bed in Fort Charlotte and woke up in Mount Moriah. Or was it the other way around? I can’t believe I’m saying this ... where are Richard Lightbourn and Andre Rollins when you need them? Until next week I will leave you with this from Thomas Jefferson: “Most bad government has grown out of too much government.”
READERS RESPOND TO NOTTAGE CRIME STRATEGIES AFTER National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage announced several anti-crime strategies, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. Reality_Check wasn’t impressed: “Nottage must think we are all as dumb as he is. Someone needs to whisper in his ear that all
of us know his crime fighting words are without any truth whatsoever because our prison system is already choc-a-bloc overloaded with incarcerated criminals and there’s nowhere to put any additional thugs the police may round up and the courts may convict.” ThisIsOurs said: “This is about the zillionth time Nottage has rolled out the zero tolerance strategy. In four weeks he’ll tell us how well it’s working and then we’ll have another spate of murders. And then he’ll blame the police AGAIN.” Jackbnimble thought today’s politicians were too “too old and tired” to come up with fresh ideas”: “True to form our leaders are always reactionary! They always wait until the crisis hits and then pretend to find answers to deal with it. These lame-brained politicians just need to admit that they just don’t have the answers and they are too old and tired to come up with any fresh ideas! And to think Nottage is running for a seat in Parliament AGAIN and God forbid that the PLP wins the election, his lame-brained leader will likely put him
right back into National Security to continue screwing up the country with their socalled ‘fresh ideas’ on dealing with crime.” John had some advice for the minister: “It is good to see that the minister and the armed forces (police, Defence Force, prison, etc) are taking much needed action to quell and, hopefully, stop the vexing and destructive incidence of murder and violence in this country. But let me be the first to tell you, Mr Nottage, Mr Prime Minister, Mr Commissioner of Police: If you go into these communities with more force, and more military power and lock down the communities and lock up people and you do not take with you social workers, and spiritual leaders and drug and substance abuse counsellors, and jobs and economic opportunities, you will fail! You may stifle the murders for a short while, for just a little bit but when it resurfaces, it will be much worse.” Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins said this week he is prepared to swim in his “own vomit” in
order “to get back with” the FNM, prompting Sp1nks to say: “Ah, my . . . I feel bad for you Dr Rollins. If LBT taught us one thing, it’s that blind ambition can destroy the landscape to which one seeks to ascend. Dr Rollins, take some time off . . . maybe run as an independent. At the right time, Prime Minister Minnis will probably forgive you and welcome you back. In the meantime, go res’ ya self l’il while.” And there was this from Honestman: “Minnis made a mistake bringing Rollins into the FNM fold. He would be making a fool of himself if he were to bring him back a second time.” In The Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers, in light of comments from FNM candidate Jeff Lloyd, if they thought boys and girls should be educated separately. The majority of those voting - 59 per cent – DID think they should be taught separately. Forty-one per cent were against the idea. • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 17, 2017, PAGE 9
IDB joins with university to focus on early education AS part of an ongoing collaboration, the InterAmerican Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and the University of The Bahamas (UB) hosted the launch of ‘Development in the Americas’ on Thursday at UB’s Harry C Moore Library Auditorium. The one-day ‘knowledge seminar’, moderated by Dr Chris Curry featured presentations on two of the IDB’s flagship publications being introduced to Caribbean regional audiences: (1) ‘The Early Years: The Child Well-being and the Role of Public Policies’ and (2) ‘Social Pulse in Latin America and the Caribbean’. Regional public ministries and private institutions were invited to provide policy perspectives on recent regional and local industry and regulatory developments in sectors related to education, social services, labour and health. ‘Social Pulse in Latin America and the Caribbean’, drawing from household survey data in four Caribbean countries and eighteen Latin American countries, compares living conditions across the region and is the first institutional study on social conditions to solidly cover the Caribbean. This advance represents tremendous efforts in terms of data collection and sharing by specific countries as well as technical assistance by the IDB. The research shows: 1) Bahamian women play a key role in the labour market. Of the 22 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean studied – women in The Bahamas have the highest female labour force participation
DR RODNEY SMITH, president of the University of The Bahamas, pictured giving remarks in a joint press conference as part of IDB’s knowledge seminar on early childhood development and social pulse of Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff rates. In The Bahamas 80 per cent of all women ages 2564 are active in the labour market compared with 60 per cent of women in the Southern Cone and Andean countries and slightly over 40 per cent of women in Central America. Bahamian women have the second highest contributions to family labour income in the region.
2) Adolescent fertility for women 15-19 is lowest in the Bahamas among the 22 countries studied, nonetheless still higher than in the UK, the US and the region of East Asia and Pacific. 3) Forty-three per cent of the elderly population over 64 in the Bahamas lives alone or with their spouse, reflecting the more advanced stage of the demographic transition in The
Bahamas and representing the trend seen in household composition for the elderly throughout the region. Over the period 2002 to 2014 the percentage of the elderly living alone or with their spouse increased by nine percentage points. 4) The unemployment rates for youth ages 15-24 are the highest in the Caribbean countries in the study, with the top three of
22 countries being Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas. 5) Although the report represents a tremendous advance in the ability to benchmark and compare social conditions in the Caribbean, some key indicators are not available for The Bahamas and other Caribbean countries. This is because the data available – labour force surveys
- do not collect information on living conditions for children younger than 15 or for outcomes such as education and health for adults. 6) The IDB and the University of The Bahamas are exploring ways for students and researchers to use the data available in the report towards evidence-based social policy as well as exploring new avenues for data collection.
TEN YEARS OF THE RIDE FOR HOPE AS CYCLISTS GET READY RIDE for Hope celebrates its tenth anniversary this weekend with the 2017 charity cycling event taking place on Eleuthera. Since its inception the Ride For Hope has raised close to $3m to aid cancer research, care and treatment in The Bahamas. This year the event returns to Eleuthera - where it began in 2006 - on Saturday, February 18, and for the second year Powerade will be served as the official sports drink. “One of the great programmes that has been created as a result of the Ride For Hope is FIMS (Fam-
ily Island Mammogram Screening Program)”, explained Cara Douglas, marketing manager for Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC). “This programme allows women from around the Bahamas to get free mammogram screenings, which is typically only available in New Providence. As you can imagine this service has significantly helped some Family Island women. Programmes like this makes it an easy decision to support the Ride For Hope, and we are happy to participate for the second year as a ‘Yellow Jersey Sponsor’. We look
forward to the foundation’s continued work battling cancer here in The Bahamas.” The support of Caribbean Bottling Company, local distributors of Powerade, was described an “unwaverving” by Karen Eldon, Ride for Hope organiser. “We at Ride for Hope are so appreciative to have Caribbean Bottling Company and Powerade back as a back as a Yellow Jersey Sponsor again this year!,” she said. “The generosity of our corporate sponsors ensures that every single dollar raised by participating riders goes directly to the
cause which is to fight cancer in the Bahamas. We are also excited to have Powerade as the featured sport drink for our riding participants this year, perfect for keeping our riders hydrated and refreshed.” Ride for Hope is a charitable bike-a-thon designed to accommodate people of all ages and cycling abilities. Psrticpants can ride 10 miles or 100 miles, whether they pedal slowly or ride like the wind. The Ride for Hope’s Gran Fondo Eleuthera event places an emphasis on the fundraising efforts of the rider. The event starts at 7am on Saturday.
CARA DOUGLAS, Marketing Manager of Caribbean Bottling Company, right, with Karen Eldon, Ride For Hope organiser.
PAGE 10, Friday, February 17, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
TOURISM TEAM AIMS TO HELP GRAND BAHAMA IN TIME OF NEED
THE NEW executive team of The Bahamas China Friendship Association paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Bahamas Huang Qinguo at the Embassy on Tuesday. They talked about improving the visibility of the Association and working together to strengthen the relationship between the Bahamas and China. Pictured (from left): Kay-Kay Tong, Assistant Treasurer; Llonella Gilbert, Public Relations Director; Gena Gibbs, Vice President; Gershan Major, President; Ambassador Huang Qinguo; Anthony Capron, immediate Past President; Lloyd Wong, Trustee; former President, Philip Simon; and Counsellor for the Embassy, Qingjin Wang. Photo courtesy of Lloyd Wong.
Memorial & Funeral Service Memorial Service for
Rev’d Madeline Olivia Wells, 77 of Treasure Cove, will be held on Thursday, 16th February, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity A.M.E Zion Church, Fire Trail Road, next to Jubilee Gardens. Officiating will be Pastor the Walking Bible, Rev. Dr. Charles Culmer.
Funeral Service for
Rev’d Madeline Olivia Wells, 77 of Treasure Cove, will be held on Saturday, 18th February, 2017, 10:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, Meeting Street. Bishop Dennis V. Proctor and Rev’d Terry Jones will officiate. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive. Memories are held by her Husband: John Glen Wells; Daughters: Rev. Jennifer Carey, Rev. Ordette Wells Simms, Ginger Knowles; Sons: Glen Wells Jr., Rock Wells; Step Children: Glenda Armbrister, Thelma Smith, Marcus and Floyd Wells; Grand Children: Christopher “Sketch” Carey and Fiancé-Samone Davis, Andrew Carey; Lakeithra Knowles and Fiancé Antino Delancy, Shavonia, Keshanna, Kia and Keith Knowles Jr., Percival, Alphonso and Matthew Simms; Glenere and Glen Wells II; Adopted GrandSon: Christopher Woodside; Step Grand Children: Patrick Carey Jr. and Yashicka and family, Cavashna Jones and family, Satchell Robinson, Ronrick, Oprah and Owen Simms; Sons-in-law: Patrick Carey, Ronald Simms, Keith Knowles; Step Sons-In-Law: Deacon Urban Smith and Henderson Armbrister; Sisters: Deaconess Lucille Kelly, Rev. Iris Culmer; Brother: John Rolle; Sister-in-law: Angela Cleare; Brother-in-Law: Rev. Dr. Charles Culmer; Aunt: Eva Hilton; Uncle: Langton Hilton; Nieces and Nephews: Emma Whiterspoon, Elder Mary Louise Barr, Ida Smith, Madeline Cumberbatch, Mary Robertson, Fredericka McKenzie, Bishop Reuben McKenzie and Pastor Shannon McKenzie, Cranston and Lincoln McKenzie; Evangelist Cherisse Rolle, Melony and Marco Evans; Jerome, Jeremy, Jermaine, Jessica and Jeffery Kelly, Shanton and Paula Henfield, Lakeisha and Pedro Ferguson, Shenecca and Cornell Rolle, Anishka Hanchell, Alisha, Charles Jr., Antoine and Abigail Culmer, Philip Culmer; Desmond and Carla, Dino, Dion, Derek and Deseree Barr; Neil Symonette, Kim and Mark Noble, Mishka and Arthur Lee, Tara Cleare, Alison Butler and Kelly Ferguson; Cousins: Rachel (Harry) Dodson, Elizabeth (Kenneth) Dodson, Janet (Eris) Moncur, Edna Newbold, Estelle (Deacon Dennis) Mackey, Diane (Anthony) Bradshaw, Antoinette Whylly, Angela (Wilbur) Dean, Ruth Campbell, Janet (Alvin) Wright, Joan Roberts, Charles Weir, Myrtle Gilcud, Miriam Rolle, Ismae Culmer, Barbara Dorsette, Rona Gibson, Yvonne (Alfred) Styles, Glenwood (Shirlene) Rolle, Mispah Rolle, Esthermae (Godfrey) Swann, Jacqueline Rolle, Anthony, Gerard (Cicely) and Derek (Claudia) Rolle; Beth and Senator The Hon. Greg Burrows, Philip, Deryck, Stephen and Gregory Hilton Janice Johnson, Linda and Dr. Wayne Thompson, Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister, Descendants of the Weir, McDonald, Rolle, Clarke, Cox, Hilton, Wells, Carey, Simms and Knowles Families, including, Latisha Geneva Carey, Godfrey and Miriam Carey, Steven and Julese Carey, Micheal Carey and Family, Christine and Sherry Carey, Roland Knowles Sr. and Family, Donna Singleton, Joseph Adderley, Kenuth Knowles and Family, Esther and Anthony Mitchell and family, Gwendolyn and Kavon Cleare, Lorna Knowles, Penny and Naomi Knowles; Lorraine Simms-Elliot and family, Denison Balfour and family, Adrian and Peggy Styles, Daphne Styles, Inspector Clinton Dean, Lionell Evans, Janice, Jevot and Jennifer Moncur; Dalla, Dareese and Darlene Culmer, Damita Cartwright Dalla, Darrice and James Newbold, Presiding Prelate: His Grace Bishop Dennis V. Proctor and Dianne Proctor Missionary Supervisor; Bishop George Carver Walker, Bishop Mildred Hines, and Missionary Supervisor Lovetta J. Holmes, Presiding Elder: Rev. Dr. Terry L. Jones and Mrs. Jones. Host Church: Rev. Dr. Timothy Stuart and Bethel Baptist Church Family, Holy Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church; Pastor’s Steward: Deaconess Yvonne Rolle; Church Secretary: Natasha Bosfield; Caretaker: Peggy Johnson; Special Bonds of Friendships in Zion, Rev. Dr. Rueben E. Cooper, Dr. Daphne Copper and Reune’ Cooper, the entire Duncombe Family, Joan Dean, Judith Cartwright, Gwaine Bosfield, Clayton Forbes and Family, William Butler and Family, Nora Gibbeons, Una Romer, Deaconess Sherryletta and Deborah Cox, Deaconess Norma Hield, the entire Butterfield Family, Gail Mckenzie, Cassandra Rolle; Other Relatives and Friends: Gail Newbold and family, Mearlese Bethel, Dr. Ann Peterson-Higgins, The Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, The Hon. Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, The Hon. Glenyss Hanna- Martin, Sandra Munnings, Hyacinth Pratt and Malcolm Pratt, Lornel Newbold and family, Raphael and Vonchelle Etienne, Sandra and Edwin Lewis and Family, Rosiland ‘Rosie’ Watkins and family, Montez Williams, Patricia Ingraham, Deborah Bain, Roosevelt Rolle, Patrice Vilvert, Portia and Ivoine Ingraham, Andrea Dawkins, Evelyn and Rinaldo St. Cyr and family, Prophetess Sandra Wright, Dianne Fountain and Family, Mavis Vanderpool, Prophetess Brice, Donna Lowe, Delerese and Jeremy Harding, Yvonne Rahming, Sharmie Austin, Cheryl Charlow, Lillis Zonicle, Barbara Moree, Clayton Forbes and family, Gina Dorsett, Denise Culmer and Dedrie Thompson, Latoya Albury; Eugenia Cartwright and the Staff of the Department of Public Treasury, Mary Mitchell, Donna Delancy, Barbara Zonicle, Daphne Russell, Melony Moultrie, Valencia Bain, Deborah Arlene Barry, The Department of Inland Revenue, The staff of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Clarence A. Russell and staff of the Passport Office, Mr. Dwight Beneby and staff of the Consular Division, Mr. Robert Farquharson and staff of the Labour Department, Ernest Burrows and GHS Class of 79, The Karatbars Bahamas and Synergy Gold Family, Rev. Dr. Ranford Patterson, President of the Bahamas Christian Council and Cousin Mcphee AME Church Family, Rev Dr. Howard, and Rev. Thelma Williamson and Robinson Morris AME Church family, Bishop Ross Davis and Golden Gates Assembly family, Apostle G. Ausbourne Fowler and Prophetess Saveletta Fowler and the Final Hour Ministries, Suffragan Bishop Christopher and Minister Melony Minnis and the Greater Bethel Cathedral Family, Pastor Sharon Rolle and Transformation Ministries Family, Rev. Dr. Perry Newton and Rev. Doris Newton and Word of Faith Ministry; Dr. Vincent H. Smith and Minister Deborah A. Smith and Universal Village Mission Ministries Church Family, Rev. Dr. Charles Culmer and Foresight Baptist Church Family, the entire North Eastern Episcopal District of the USA and The Bahamas Island Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church Families, Rev. Kendal Mackey and Shaw Temple, Rev. Susanna Mackey and Smith’s Chapel, Rev. Marion Sturrup and Varick Memorial, Christ Chapel, Rev, Jacob Hanna, Rev. Betsy and Paul Clarke, Rev. Carlton Greene, Quakoo St., Nassau Village and Jubilee Gardens Communities….And to you who we may have missed on paper, thank you for your love, support and understanding. You are forever in our hearts. Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians #34 Nassau Street, on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Tourist Office senior sales team in the United States attended a three-day familiarisation trip to Grand Bahama last week, at a time when the island is in “urgent need of exposure”. Senior Director of US Sales, Sports and Marketing Greg Rolle, led a team from BTO branches in Plantation, Florida; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Washington, DC, and New York. Grand Bahama’s tourism product was severely affected in October 2016 as a result of the passage of Hurricane Matthew. Hotel properties sustained significant damage, which resulted in a decline in room inventory. Many, but not all hotels, have been restored and are open. According to Ministry of Tourism Senior Communications Officer Brooke Grant, the group participated in extensive site inspections of hotel properties and attractions, which included the Bell Channel Inn, Island Seas Resort, Ocean Reef Resort, Castaways Resort & Suites, Fla-
mingo Bay Hotel, Taino Beach Resort, Grand Lucayan’s Lighthouse Pointe, Pelican Bay Hotel, Old Bahama Bay Resort, Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach and The Bahamian Brewery. She said the team stayed at the newly renovated Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, where they were hosted to a welcome dinner at the Viva Café Restaurant. The trip was organised by the Grand Bahama Tourist Office, in partnership with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board. Among the many concerns over the state of Grand Bahama’s tourism product, Betty Bethel, director for the Ministry of Tourism in Grand Bahama, said the positioning of the destination, which includes heightening sporting and soft adventure initiatives, bodes well for the upcoming summer travel season. “Grand Bahama Island has developed a strong rapport with Sunwing Airlines and Vacation Express, which have for the past several years provided the destination with summer and winter non-stop service from key US and Canadian markets,” she added. She reported that Vaca-
tion Express is offering vacation packages from all US cities on most major airlines, and visitors from any US gateway can travel to Grand Bahama year-round, and take advantage of fournight or five-night departures with non-stop flights from May through October. Carmel Churchill, director of marketing services with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, believes that the familiarisation trip was timely. “It came at a time when the destination of Grand Bahama Island was in urgent need of the additional exposure to enlighten its consumers about the improvements to current hotel and attraction inventory, as well as to its rapidly expanding and diverse product offerings,” she said. Meanwhile Mr Rolle said that it is critical for the US BTO sales team to get to know the product firsthand on Grand Bahama, and convey their support to tourism stakeholders there. He said their mandate is to re-connect and re-engage with the travel trade and media, and to provide opportunities for The Bahamas to re-introduce the brand of The Bahamas into its target markets.
Cycling Club Bahamas
Charming Resort. 100 milers start time is now 7.30am, the remainder of the riders will have staggered start times. Evening dinner and live entertainment at French Leave starting at 6pm (adult $35, child $15). On Sunday, there is breakfast at the Buccaneer Club (featuring a special Ride for Hope menu, adult $20, child $10). Monday. - Bicycle pickup, Odyssey Aviation only, Coral Harbour Road, 3pm to 6.30pm. Weekend rides. - Saturday, 6am from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s), 43 miles headed west. Three hours. Sunday, 6am from Har-
bour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s) 40-50 miles headed east. 3-3.5 hours. Weekday. - Morning, Tuesday & Thursday, 5am from Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, East Prince Charles Drive. 17 miles, 1 hour. West, morning, Wednesdays & Fridays, 4.45am from Fidelity Bank Parking Lot (opposite Cable Beach Police Station), West Bay St. 20 miles, 1 hr. Afternoon, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5.30pm from Old Fort Shopping Centre east of Solomon’s Fresh Market. 18miles, 1-1.5hrs. February 26. - 2017 NPCA Road Race Goodman’s Bay Start/Finish Goodman’s Bay 30 miles.
Cycling Club Bahamas. - The Ride for Hope returns to Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, for the Tenth Anniversary Ride for Hope “GRAN FONDO ELEUTHERA”. Today, Ride for Hope will host a private cocktail reception. Tonight will also feature the high carb dinner at Cocodimama’s Charming Resort (complimentary to registered riders). Dinner will be served from 6.30-8.30pm. Guest tickets are available (adult $35, child $15). Tomorrow, it is Ride for Hope day at Cocodimama
Taking their careers in their own hands THE TRIBUNE
By HADASSAH HALL
SHANANDO Moss always wanted to work with his hands. He is now well on his way to fulfilling that dream as a student of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) dual enrollment programme where he is taking Trade Career Path classes. “I want to be an Electrical Engineer, so I am learning more about what I want to do in life,” the Anatol Rodgers High School student said. “Currently, we are learning about electricity. I am using this as an opportunity and I intend to come back in September for a year before hopefully going off to school. The class atmosphere is easy to learn in. The teacher, Mr Barry, makes a difference.” The 16-year-old is one of 42 students from Anatol Rodgers High School whose parents have agreed for them to be enrolled in the 15-week programme. The 25 girls are studying Introduction to Cosmetology, which includes topics such as hair analysis, beauty culture science and communicable diseases, while in the Trade Career Path classes, the boys are introduced to the fundamentals of several construction trades including Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Masonry, Carpentry, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Welding, and Painting and Decorating. Trade Career Path instructor, David Barry, said the course helps the students identify the trade they are most interested in pursuing in life. He spoke highly of the students, who spend six hours at BTVI each Friday. “This is a good group.
Friday, February 17, 2017, PAGE 11
They are very quiet. There is something about Anatol Rodgers. They are mannerly. They get right into their work and clean up afterwards. When I arrived, they were in here working,” said Mr Barry. In the cosmetology laboratory, Antonique Sullivan admitted that she is still trying to figure out what her passion is. “There is the possibility of me returning to BTVI to study Cosmetology. This is a great opportunity. Not much people get to experience this while in school. It’s interesting. I feel more responsible,” the 16-year-old, who has to balance BTVI and high school, said. Her classmate, Miriam Peet concurs. On Fridays, she misses Math, Bahama Host, French, English and Religious Studies. However, she ensures she gets any information and missed work. “The majority of our teachers understands and gives us the work,” the 17-year-old said. “For Bahama Host, we have extra classes. For others, we get what we will miss that Thursday or on that Monday when we return. I’m able to keep up, balancing the workload. I come, do the work, understand and go to high school and understand. It makes me feel accomplished.” Cosmetology instructor, Monique A Marshall, is pleased with the class’ performance thus far. “The girls are understanding the work. They conduct themselves very well and are interactive. They want to know more,” said Ms Marshall. BTVI’s Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Leroy Sumner, explained that the programme
ANATOL Rodgers students Miriam Peet (left) and Antonique Sullivan (right) with BTVI instructor Monique A Marshall during an Introduction to cosmetology class. Photos: Shantique Longley/BTVI is designed to give high schoolers a jumpstart on post-secondary education. “The nature of the dual enrollment programme eases them into college life, allowing them to immerse themselves and adjust to the work. It gives them a degree of independence,” said Mr Sumner, who made formal presentations to the students and their parents at Anatol Rodgers. “Even their parents are excited. And they won’t have to make application for enrollment again. If we get them early enough, more and more of them may want to come to BTVI to complete their education. Since starting, other schools have started calling - even in Andros and other Family Islands. It’s a wonderful programme designed to develop a pathway to assist students in learning a trade and earning a living,” ANATOL Rodgers student Takeshi Bennie is focused on his work in the trade career path class at BTVI. said Mr Sumner.
‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’
PAGE 12, Friday, February 17, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
MEMBERS of the Blue Ribbon Panel Romeo Farrington, chairwoman Angela Cleare, Cacique chairman Charles Albury, director of events Charity Armbrister, and Philip Simon.
CACIQUE FINALISTS The 17th Cacique Awards finalists are: Transportation Harry Strachan - Nassau; Duke Davis - Harbour Island; Milton Strachan - Exuma; Cecil Rose Sports and Leisure; Chris Brown - Nassau; Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba - Bimini; Lincoln Jones - Abaco. Special Events Island Roots Heritage Festival – Abaco; Abaco Love Rush Junkanoo Parade - Abaco. Local Airlines and Tour Operators Juan Moss for Leisure Travel and Tours - Nassau; Tennielle Bullard for Southern Air Charter - Nassau. Human Resources Development Evelyn Pinder-Dames - Grand Bahama; Della Bridgewater - Grand Bahama. Sustainable Tourism Shaun Ingraham - Eleuthera; Friends of the Environment - Abaco; Keith Cooper - Grand Bahama. Creative Arts Junkanoo Commandos - Nassau; Kevin Tomlinson Grand Bahama; Destination Abaco - Abaco. Handicraft Strawtacular Designs by Rove (Roganna Wilchcombe and Vernetta Frifth) - Grand Bahama; Androsia Batik Andros; Veronica Ferguson - Eleuthera The Minister’s Award Wilfred Solomon - Grand Bahama; Antoinette BrownRolle -Bimini; Ethlyn C Major - Grand Bahama. The Clement T Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award Enrico Garzaroli. Blue Ribbon Panel Cacique Award Phil Stubbs - Grand Bahama. Willie Love Hospitality Award Wilfred Knowles - Grand Bahama The People’s Choice Award is the award given to secular and gospel songs after the public votes. The deadline for nominations is March 3. People’s Choice nominees are: Secular “Muggle” - Bahamian Trae; “Teef” - Bahamian Trae; “TKO” - MDeez; “In Da Air” - D-MAC; “Digg Up” - Fanshawn. Gospel “Don’t wait until the battle is over” - Shaback; “I’ve Won” - Washington Williams; “God is the Boss” - Rocky & Uncle Sam; “I’m Still Here” - Lyrically Blessed; “I’m a Warrior” - Apostle Edison & Prophetess Nattie Nottage. International categories will be revealed during the awards show. They include Tour Operator/Travel Agent of the Year, Travel Writer of the Year, Cruise Line of the Year and Airline of the Year.
GRAYCLIFF OWNER HONOURED AMONG CACIQUE NOMINEES By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net
ONE hundred and ten individuals and organisations have been recognised for their excellent service to the Bahamian tourism sector by being nominated for this year’s Cacique Awards. Announcing the nominees at the British Colonial Hilton yesterday, officials revealed two new categories have been added to the 17th annual award show – the Blue Ribbon Panel and Wilfred “Willie” Love Knowles Tourism awards. The purpose of the Cacique Awards is to recognise the roles played by those individuals and organisations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and the growth of tourism in The Bahamas. The nominees were selected by the Blue Ribbon Panel. “In selecting the winners of these national awards, transparency and objectivity are the guiding principles,” said committee chairwoman Angela Cleare. “Although Cacique is the brainchild of the Ministry of Tourism and organised by them, the Blue Ribbon Panel is an autonomous entity that carries out the selection process indepen-
ENRICO GARZAROLI, owner of Graycliff. dently of the Ministry of Tourism. I can assure you that the selection of finalists was not an easy task. “We can have the most significant hotel properties, world-class tourist attractions, the most exclusive restaurants, but we need the service that exceeds a guest’s expectations. Therefore, the goal of our industry is to distinguish The Bahamas as a tourist destination that is synonymous with excellence in service. The Cacique Awards have recognised, celebrated and rewarded excellence.” Another special award is the Clement T Maynard
Lifetime Achievement award, which this year will go to Enrico Garzaroli, owner of the Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant. Ms Cleare said Mr Garzaroli and his family have set a gold standard for fine dining in The Bahamas since 1973, when he purchased the Graycliff property. He not only turned the property into a first-class restaurant and hotel, but also into a cigar company and a wine cellar that houses more than 250,000 bottles, with 3,000 different wines from over 400 vintners and 15 countries. “In recent years, the Gar-
zarolis have quietly gone about the business of developing a whole new destination within New Providence. Every day out of the week you will see a steady stream of visitors making the trek to the top of the hill overlooking the city of Nassau on their way to the Graycliff Cultural Village - a complex that showcases the art, history and architecture of The Bahamas,” said Ms Cleare. “It is now a must on the itinerary of visitors to Nassau. The Cacique Awards is our opportunity to thank the Garzarolis for their excellent contribution to the development of our tourism industry.” Stating that “everyone kept the news of the award a secret,” an appreciative Mr Garzaroli said that the secret to his success is simply hard work. “Never relax. Never believe that you have reached something, because there is always somebody, somewhere, somehow that comes out with new ideas, so you have to be going to the shows. It’s really a pleasant challenge,” he said. Tickets for the 17th Cacique Awards - on April 8 at the Baha Mar Convention Centre - will go on sale on Monday. They are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Ministry of Tourism.
Fresh Prepared, In-store, Daily.
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BLUE Ribbon panel chairwoman Angela Cleare.
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SKAL CLUB NAMES LUCIANO’S AS RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR AGAIN • 8 PIECES OF CHICKEN • LARGE FAMILY FRIES • 4 BISCUITS
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LUCIANO’S of Chicago has been named Restaurant of the Year by the local chapter of the Skal Club for a second successive year. The award was presented to officials during a luncheon at the East Bay Street establishment on Thursday. Skal Club representatives have said the award is an attempt to enhance the quality of service in hotels with restaurants attached or independent venues.
Luciano’s of Chicago has continued the effort to advance its product, expanding its service experience to a degree that has placed The Bahamas on the map for its culinary efforts. Skal meets every second Thursday of the month at different restaurants, when members are presented with a survey which asks them to grade the various restaurants on aspects such atmosphere, service and
quality of food. The results are tallied and the restaurant with the highest score at the end of the year is the winner. The Skal Club is a professional membership club that has been in The Bahamas since the 1960s, with April marking the club’s 50th anniversary. The club consists of professionals who are “senior level” in the travel and tourism industry.