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Volume: 112 No.151
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016
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A portrait of history
Photographer chronicles the past - inside Weekend
Rollins thrown out of House
FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins was suspended from last night’s House of Assembly session after refusing to adhere to warnings from Speaker Dr Kendal Major during the House debate on a bill to establish the University of The Bahamas. The point of contention came shortly after 7pm as Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald was wrapping up debate on the legislation and Dr Rollins stood on a point of order but was
denied the chance to speak. Dr Rollins was told he had no grounds to make a point of order however he did not relent, prompting Dr Major to tell the Free National Movement MP that he was obstructing House proceedings and needed to take his seat. “You are obstructing the rules,” Dr Major said while Dr Rollins shouted in protest. “Member this is the second warning. Take your seat. Take your seat.” Still standing, Dr Rollins then accused Dr Major of being “most unfair”.
tiny over his track record. “No,” he said when asked if he had considered joining the Democratic National Alliance (DNA). “If I am to run under any other banner, it would not be a political party or an established organisation. It would only be as an independent because my time in politics, while very brief thus far, clearly there are persons who have questioned the number of affiliations that I’ve had in this short space of time. SEE PAGE FIVE
NIVERSARY N A
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WHILE still uncertain of his political future, Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins made it clear yesterday that he would not join another political party if he is not offered a nomination by the Free National Movement. Dr Rollins said he would likely run an independent campaign in order to continue his contribution to frontline politics, as he was hyper aware of public scru-
CO
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film fashion Friday, July 15, 2016 music pag eants food LITERARY LIVES Pages 22-24
Preservin g the past
Portraits ca pture Baha mian histor y
Interview, pages 4&5
MILLER: BPL DOESN’T HAVE SAY ON DEBT FORGIVENESS
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday rebuked Bahamas Power and Light CEO Pamela Hill over her comments that the utility provider was not in any talks with the government to forgive any of its numerous delinquent accounts, saying these types of discussions were “above her head”. SEE PAGE SIX
SEE PAGE FIVE
‘IF MINNIS WINS, I’LL LIKELY RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT’ By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
Weekend
Van given to charity in husband’s memory
MP suspended for obstructing proceedings By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
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THE BAHAMAS National Council for Disability received a van donated by Angela Treco and her family. The donation was in honour and memory of her late husband, Carl Treco, who was transported around using the vehicle during his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Sheila Culmer, president of The Bahamas National Council for Disability is pictured giving remarks alongside Mrs Treco. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
MOTHER PLEADS FOR LENIENCY AS FORMER US MARINE IS JAILED By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A FORMER US marine was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday for attempted murder notwithstanding his mother’s letter to the judge pleading for leniency for a son she said had “always shown loving kindness towards others and never judged people no matter their circumstance.” Heath John Henry, 30, reappeared before Justice Bernard Turner nearly a week after it was revealed
that the convict’s mother, Gail Henry, forwarded a letter to the judge by way of his court clerk “humbly and respectfully” asking the court for mercy on sentencing concerning the shooting of Jonathan Rahming on December 30, 2014 at Current Island, Eleuthera. Henry’s lawyer Christina Galanos and prosecutor Eucal Bonaby denied knowledge of the letter, which the judge had deemed “inappropriate”. Henry’s mother was ordered to return to court to resolve the matter. She was absent for the
court’s decision yesterday, which saw Henry receive more than the five to 10 years his lawyer had asked for during submissions heard by the judge on June 22. The prosecution had recommended 15 years to life imprisonment. Justice Turner, after informing the convict of his sentence and right to appeal conviction, said his mother’s action had no bearing on the court’ decision to impose the sentence it did. SEE PAGE SIX
DOCTOR ACCUSED OF RAPING WOMAN DURING ABORTION By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A DOCTOR who is on trial for the rape and indecent assault of a 20-year-old woman refused to answer questions from a police
detective about allegations that he had sex with the complainant against her will during an abortion procedure, a Grand Bahama court heard yesterday. It is also alleged that the doctor masturbated on an earlier occasion while giv-
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder has announced that he will attempt to become a parliamentarian next year by running as a candidate in the Fox Hill constituency. At the moment he plans to run as an Independent candidate, although this could change as he is a part of a project called the “People’s Movement,” SEE PAGE SEVEN
ing the woman an exam. Dr Gerald Mark Forbes is accused of committing the unlawful acts while performing his duties at his Carico Medical Clinic in Freeport.
IMF WARNS DEFICIT TO BE ABOVE FORECAST
SEE PAGE SIX
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A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force recruit embracing her loved one at the Golden Gates Shopping Plaza before entering training. Photos: Able Seaman Huden Johnson/RBDF
Recruits prepare for training to defend the nation THE faces of families, friends and well-wishers beaming with pride at the Golden Gates Shopping Plaza could not be hidden as 77 recruits prepared themselves to be inducted into the Royal Bahamas Defence Force last weekend. Shouts of joy and congratulations could be heard from the large crowd witnessing this latest group of future Marines being ushered in for a life-changing experience. The squad, which comprises New Entry 54 and Woman Entry 23, starts training at the Coral Harbour Base for four months. This basic training is intended for the young men and women to be absorbed into the military culture and to be taught the various professional, academic and physical disciplines of the Defence Force. The training is designed to develop the discipline, teamwork and leadership skills of recruits, equip them better for the fight to protect the sovereignty of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Meanwhile, one eight-
year member of the RBDF has returned to the Bahamas after successfully completing a three and a half year programme at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island. Able Mechanic Antonio Adderley, a 2012 recipient of the Lyford Cay Foundation scholarship, has obtained his Associates of Science Degree in Marine Technology and a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree in Business Management, graduating with honours. Subject areas of the degree curriculum included Marine Electricity, Marine Gas and Diesel engines maintenance and repair, Outboard Engines, Marine Electronics, Human Resources Management, Negotiations, Marina Management, Small Business and Law, Product Management 21st Century Leadership. In Rhode Island, Able Mechanic Adderley was an active member of the Rotoract Club, Peer Leadership Club and Skills USA, all of which assisted him in fulfilling philanthropic work within the community, as well as an opportunity to further enhance his lead-
ership and communication skills. He received the Newman Civic Fellows Award and became president of the Rotaract Club in 2015. The award is one that is earned by students who best demonstrate strong leadership ability and steadfast commitment to finding solutions for challenges within their varying communities. Able Mechanic Adderley was attached to the Engineering Department after the completion of New Entry training in 2008. He has served aboard on several of the Defence Force patrol craft as a Marine Mechanic, and was also granted an opportunity to train within his field at the International Maritime and Education Training (IMET) in Fort Myers, Florida, in 2009. He is currently attached to the Engineering Department, and had the experience to work on one of the newest vessels procured under the Sandy Bottom project, HMBS Lawrence Major. “As a result of the trust, confidence and blessings of the organisation’s study board, I was able to achieve a lifelong goal,” he said.
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WE’RE READY TO SAY “YES”! VISIT OR CALL 242-502-6206 LEADER IN PERSONAL BANKING SERVICES A DEFENCE Force instructor speaking to a recruit at the Golden Gates Shopping Plaza.
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Friday, July 15, 2016, PAGE 3
Visitor vows boycott over conditions at police station By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net AN American woman declared yesterday that she will never return to the Bahamas and is asking her friends to also boycott after facing deplorable conditions in a holding cell at the Central Police Station. Frequent visitor Marjorie McClain, 53, said she was shell-shocked by the state of the holding facility, which she described as surreal, and is still reeling in disbelief that Bahamians subject their own people to such inhumane treatment. She also criticised a slow, inept and disorganised judicial system during an interview with The Tribune. The Indiana native was arrested on Monday at the Lynden Pindling International Airport for failing to declare some $64,000 in ca-
sino winnings from the Atlantis resort as she travelled back home. “I was told from other inmates that tourists usually go to Cable Beach (Police Station),” she said, “but it was not possible because no female guards were on duty because of the holiday (Monday). “It was the most stunning, nasty, inhumane place I’ve ever seen in my life. It looked like a movie, it was unreal.” She added: “I turned that corner and it took my breath away. I always thought I was a relatively strong person. But I was wrong because I cried like a baby all night. “The Bahamian people do this to their own people, the women’s (holding cell) was bad enough but the men – I don’t know how many men were in those cells – people were (urinating) on each other. The guy
in the cell next to me was (defecating) in a bag.” She claimed that the morning after her arrest, police officers told her they normally keep tourists at the Cable Beach police station. “That’s saying to me you’re valuing the tourist more than your own people. That’s wrong. I’m not for making a jail like the Hilton,” she said, “but my goodness. I’m not exaggerating I would not put my animal in that place.” She also claimed that United States customs officials were “awful” and did not try to help her. “I think they enjoyed the fact that I would have to spend the night in jail. They told me that they called the embassy, but I guess I was kind of ignorant I never thought to ask to talk to them. But once I got in the cell there was no one to ask, no one ever came back.”
Mrs McClain said she was taken to the Central Detective Unit around 5pm and remained there until 11.30pm when she was then taken to the Central Police Station. Once there, she was put in a cell with a Canadian woman. “When I walked in there,” she said, “there was in the corner an 18’’ by 18’’ area of (urine). The girl I was with said it was there when she got there, and they never made an attempt to clean it. Several people came by in the morning when the shift changed. No one ever even looked at it like it was unusual. “No one came back, there was no water, no blanket, no pillow,” she said. “They didn’t ask if I needed to go to the restroom, nothing. There are no windows, no clock, no anything, no one ever came back again until 6 in the morning.”
Mrs McClain claimed: “My cell mate had been there since 10am and her friend had brought her water, so she was kind enough to share with me. But she kept telling me don’t drink much because you don’t want to go to the bathroom. “I thought to myself I’m a country girl I can take it. But when we went to the restroom, I don’t know how to describe it. I don’t even know the words to use it was just like it had never been cleaned, ever. I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t go to the restroom, I just stood there. I don’t know what to say about that, just awful.” Despite being told that court started at 10am, Mrs McClain said that she was not taken over to the courthouse until 11.45am and did not see the magistrate until around 1pm. She appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate An-
drew Forbes, who confiscated the winnings and gave her an absolute discharge. While the actual court proceedings were brief, she lamented that the entire process was unclear and confusing. “It was just inept,” she said, “everybody you asked a question, you got a different answer. They couldn’t tell you what’s going on, what the process is. They weren’t mean; they just wouldn’t give you any correct information. “When I saw my sister I just collapsed. As an adult I lost both of my parents and I felt bad that this experience made me cry more than when they died. Since I’ve been home it’s constantly on my mind. I can’t get past thinking about it. “I will never go back, and I will tell anyone who will listen to never go there,” she said.
‘BITTEN BY BUGS MORE THAN 300 TIMES AT RESORT’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A COUPLE from New York has alleged that a bed bug infestation at a resort in Grand Bahama not only ruined their trip to The Bahamas but had left them both physically and emotionally scarred after reportedly being bitten over 300 times in their hotel room. Naa Dedei Addoo is frustrated because one year after the incident she still has yet to receive a report of an investigation by authorities at the Department of Environmental Health in Freeport concerning a complaint she filed. “It was my first trip to The Bahamas, and my last,” Ms Addoo told The Tribune on Tuesday. She said the couple came to The Bahamas to celebrate her boyfriend’s birthday. The couple arrived in Freeport on June 5, 2015, staying four nights at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Hotel. Although check-in time is at 3pm, the couple was allowed to check-in a little earlier around 2.45pm. “When we got to the room, it was not ready and personnel were still inside cleaning and it smelled like insect/bug spray,” she re-
called. Since they were on an island, Ms Addoo said she thought the insect spraying was part of the normal cleaning practice at the hotel. In addition to the unpleasant smell, she said they were given a double bed, instead of a single bed guestroom they had requested. When she asked for another room, she was told that the hotel was full. According to Ms Addoo, after waking up the next morning they noticed some bites on their bodies but thought they were mosquito bites. On the last night of their trip, the couple slept on the second bed. When they woke up they allegedly noticed the bed bugs, and shot a video of the reported infestation and took pictures of the bites on their skin. “I asked to speak with the manager Angel Mercedes who told me they were island roaches, and not bed bugs,” Ms Addoo said. “I took pictures and showed him our injuries and he offered to wash our clothing, but we did not want to miss our flight back home and declined his offer.” Once back home in New York, Ms Addoo said she and her boyfriend did not want to unpack their bags at home and immediately
took their clothes to have them cleaned. She claimed they also sought medical treatment and were reportedly told by a doctor that they had an allergic reaction to bed bug bites. Ms Addoo claimed that the hotel manager did not take an incident report and pleaded with them not to post the incident on social media. “I asked him why would he put people in a room that was infested with bed bugs. I am traumatised by this incident; we have scars on our skin it is something we have to take with us every day,” she claimed. “I can’t wear sleeveless shirts, even though it is hot. I can’t sleep; I have had nightmares.” Ms Addoo said the hotel has referred her to its insurance company in the New York area concerning any claims for damages. Although she has provided the photographs and video of injury and the bed bugs, she said the insurance company said it would need actual documented proof of bed bug infestation, such as a report from environmental health officials that an investigation was conducted and what their findings were. Ms Addoo said she has called Melanie McKenzie, manager of visitor relations
NAA Dedei Addoo and her boyfriend, who say they were bitten more than 300 times in their hotel room. at the Ministry of Tourism in Nassau, who referred her to call officials in Freeport. She said that a tourism representative in Freeport then referred her to Bertha McPhee-Duncanson, chief health inspector at the DEHS. Ms Addoo was able to make contact with Mrs McPhee-Duncanson, with whom she made an official complaint. “She told me that she would not able to get in the room to inspect it if persons were occupying it. It has been a year and I have not been able to get a report from Mrs Duncanson,” she told The Tribune.
Ms Addoo said she received word back from Mrs Duncanson that she, along with a tourism representative, met and spoke with the hotel general manager on June 23, 2015, and that he promised to forward the bed bug report that occurred on their property, but that the department is still awaiting the information. Ms Addoo said she intends to file a lawsuit but is in need of documentation from DEHS. “The insurance company is telling me they are not going to move forward with anything unless I have actual proof that there was
a bed bug infestation. The only way I can get that is if the DEHS gives me documentation from whatever investigations they held,” she said. Mrs McPhee-Duncanson told The Tribune on Wednesday she could not comment on the allegations, as it was a legal matter. The Viva Wyndham referred this newspaper to the hotel’s attorney, who said she was not aware of the incident and would speak to the general manager. No further response was received from the hotel’s attorney up to press time last night, despite messages left for her.
REMOVAL OF PRAYER GROUP FROM RAWSON SQUARE ‘A POLITICAL ACT’ By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
AN outspoken former pastor is calling a decision to have him and members of his prayer group removed from downtown Nassau “a political act directed from the very top,” insinuating that his anti-government stance has landed him in “hot water”. Jeremiah Duncombe, president of the Bahamas Global Impact Prayer and Fasting Network (BGIPAFN), told The Tribune he believes that he has become a political target since calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Perry Christie in the wake of the failed gender equality referendum. According to the retired pastor, actions displayed by police while removing him and his roughly 30 “prayer partners” gave the impression that their removal was “personal and based in bias”. Mr Duncombe claimed
he had written permission to hold a prayer exercise in Rawson Square on Wednesday. He said the permit granted to him by police and signed off by the Cabinet of the Bahamas gave him permission to operate in the square at any point between 10am to 3pm. According to the former pastor, the group opted for a 12 noon start, however, a downpour of rain forced the group to seek shelter near the Churchill Building. Shortly after noon, the group commenced their prayer service toward the northwestern side of the Churchill Building. A short time later, the group was approached by police who told them that they had to vacate the area immediately, he said. Mr Duncombe said he and other members of his prayer network presented officers near the building with a signed permit, which gave them permission to assemble in Rawson Square. The group was informed
that they didn’t have the right to operate that close to the Churchill Building and was again asked to leave immediately. “We understood that aspect,” Mr Duncombe told this newspaper. “Their actions, their intensity and nature; they pulled out our (microphone) plugs and grabbed at us. You would have thought we were certified criminals.” “We attempted to speak with the officers. We indicated to them that we were wrapping up and moved to do so. In the middle of the intercession, the member that was leading the prayer at the time was grabbed and forcefully asked to leave the spot. “Everyone, not just our participants; everyone in and around Rawson Square were shocked over what was happening. The police started to scream at us. His point was that Parliament was concluding and we couldn’t be there because some members didn’t want us there,” he added.
Mr Duncombe told The Tribune he views this move as the government’s way to silence him and those that prescribe to his line of thinking. “This what they think is best,” he stated. On Thursday, the Citizens For Justice (CFJ) organisation released a statement in support of Mr Duncombe and fellow Pastor Oral Ellis. The statement read: “Members of Citizens For Justice are shocked at this most despicable and shameful act against these men of God and call for an investigation into this disgraceful behaviour by whoever it was that gave the command to remove the men who were peacefully praying without causing any disturbance and with written approval from the proper authorities.” The statement continued: “Whenever something like this happens, democracy is threatened and the ugly head of injustice is raised up. It is wrong to shut down
a prayer meeting and some- three-phase plan of action body is opening themselves last month, with phase one up to the judgment of God. calling for the defeat of the We are reminded of the referendum. words of the late Martin Phase two, according Luther Jr that ‘Injustice to Mr Duncombe, estabanywhere is a threat to jus- lished a “pressure group” tice everywhere.’ We must mandated to apply political never allow anything like pressure to Mr Christie by this to happen again in the advocating for boycott of Bahamas.” all national events until he Recently, Mr Duncombe vacates office. formed the GateKeepers initiative, a group established on the premise of forcing Prime Minister Perry Christie to vacate office ahead of the 2017 general election. Friday, 15th The group drafted a July 2016
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Trump delays VP announcement, citing France attacks WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump abruptly postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick following a day of rampant speculation, citing the “horrible attack” in Nice, France, that left scores dead. Trump had planned to hold his first event with his yet-to-be-named running mate Friday morning in New York. He announced the change of plans Thursday evening on Twitter. The stunning announcement raised questions about the status of Trump’s selection process. Indiana Gov Mike Pence had emerged as a late favourite for the job, though Trump said he had not finalized the pick and advisers cautioned he could change his mind. “I haven’t made my final, final decision,” Trump said on Fox News Channel. He said that while his running mate selection would “absolutely not” be changed by the France attack, he did not feel it was appropriate to hold a news conference in its aftermath. Dozens of people were killed late Thursday in the French resort city of Nice when a truck drove onto a sidewalk and plowed through a crowd of Bastille Day revellers who’d gathered to watch fireworks. Trump told Fox News after the attack that if he’s elected president he would ask Congress for a declaration of war on the Islamic State group. Democrat Hillary Clinton, also appearing on Fox, said the US needs to “stand strongly” with France and strengthen alliances, including with NATO, to ferret out terrorism and prevent future attacks. Clinton said she would intensify efforts to put together a more effective coalition against terrorism. In addition to Pence, Trump’s vice presidential shortlist included former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to people familiar with the candidate’s thinking. After spending much of Thursday in Indianapolis, Pence flew to New York late in the day, according to a Republican familiar with the process. Indianapolis television station WTHR posted a video showing Pence arriving at a private airport outside New York early Thursday evening. Trump did not say when he planned to announce his running mate. He’s up against a clock: The Republican convention kicks off in Cleveland Monday. Pence, a staunch conservative who served six terms in Congress, is seen as a running mate who would have the backing of GOP leaders and ease some of their concerns about Trump’s political inexperience and volatile temperament. He has influential allies in Trump’s inner circle. But some of Trump’s children, who have been closely advising their father, are said to favour different candidates. As the day began, it appeared the decision would come quickly. Gingrich, the
fiery Republican who helped define the political battles of the 1990s, told The Associated Press that Trump was supposed to let him know something in the afternoon. But by early evening, Gingrich told the AP he had heard nothing from Trump or others in the campaign. The top contenders have been vetted by a top Washington lawyer and all have spent time with Trump in recent days. But the final decision rests with the candidate, who is known for making decisions more on instinct than other factors — and for sometimes changing his mind. Pence is running for re-election, but Indiana law prevents him from seeking two offices at once. He faces a Friday deadline to withdraw from the governor’s race. The paperwork has been drawn up for him to take that step, according to a Republican, who insisted on anonymity because that person was not authorised to publicly discuss the plans. However, those documents have not been filed. Christie, in New Jersey, said in an interview with MSNBC, “No matter what phone call (Trump) makes to me today, I will take a deep breath and prepare for tomorrow.” That interview came hours before David Samson, whom Christie appointed to chair the powerful Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, pleaded guilty to scheming to get United Airlines to run direct flights between New Jersey and South Carolina, where he has a vacation home. Gingrich was the most visible of the contenders. As speculation about his future swirled, he calmly answered questions about the selection process on Facebook Live, saying he had told Trump the choice was between having “two pirates on the ticket or a pirate and a relatively stable, more normal person.” Beyond their political backgrounds, the finalists bring different strengths to the ticket. Pence, 57, has deep ties to evangelical Christians and other conservatives, particularly after signing a law last year that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons. But the move alienated some moderates in the party. Trump took notice of Pence during the Indiana primary, noting that the governor had high praise for him despite endorsing one of his rivals. Gingrich, 73, is something of a rabblerouser who has spent decades in Washington. He has been a steadfast Trump defender for months and has become a trusted adviser to the businessman. So, too, has Christie. The New Jersey governor, 53, quickly endorsed Trump after ending his own presidential bid, stunning many of his supporters. He has proven himself an effective “attack dog” on the trail and has taken on the important role of heading Trump’s transition planning. By Julie Pace and Jill Colvin of the Associated Press
Grand Bahama’s power play EDITOR, The Tribune IT IS rare that any legal cases have serious public implications. The press reports often make them seem too turgid and technical to attract reader attention. But this one is different. Simply put, Grand Power Company (GBC) is denying that it is subject to our national utility regulator, URCA. GBC argues that it is solely governed by the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which created the Freeport Free Trade Zone some 50 years ago, and is therefore exempt from the Electricity Act 2015 which puts it under URCA. This presents a profound, possibly Constitutional, issue that could well be argued all the way to the Privy Council. It applies not just to GBC but to the much broader question of how Freeport and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) are to be
governed. Are they to continue as semi-autonomous bodies, or fall more under the control of a strong central state? I submit that, smart as lawyers are, this issue should not be left to them. Legal arguments over the scope and intent of Hawksbill versus the authority of a modern legislature will not resolve the issue. What must be decided is matter of politics, in the best sense of the word, and economics. Regardless of what may have been the virtues of Hawksbill as originally conceived, a new arrangement must be created with the objective of offering the maximum growth to the entire island of Grand Bahama, and thus for the benefit of the nation as whole. Before the issue ascends, or descends, to the realm of endless motions, judgments and appeals, the litigation should be ended and the matter referred to a special Commission where
the GBPA, and its many foreign and domestic licensees, sits down with Parliamentarians and spokesmen for civil society, advised by impartial economists, to work out this new arrangement. It will be a negotiated compromise of national authority that will not stifle the best measures of independent self-government with the clear objective of growth for all rather than power closely held either in Nassau or Freeport. Such a Commission is not pie-in-the sky. The groundwork has already been laid by the painstaking research of the study committee led by Dr Marcus Bethel, who could become Commission Chairman. What will be needed is simply the commitment by all parties to execute the Commission’s decisions and not simply pigeon-hole them. RICHARD COULSON Nassau July 14, 2016
Hand in the tiger’s mouth EDITOR, The Tribune. OUR Chinese friends have a very instructive proverb that advises that you should never try to extract a tooth from a tiger’s mouth. In layman’s terms it means don’t take unnecessary risks. Our Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell should have taken note of this wise admonition before he went off half-cocked and issued an asinine travel statement warning presumably only the black citizens of the Bahamas to be weary when travelling to the United States. Huh! This was embarrassing on so many levels. For starters it showed a lack of empathy for a gut wrenching domestic situation in the US that so far has been contained to just US citizens. Instead of voicing solidarity with the “All lives matter” movement and showing sympathy for the young black men and the white police officers who were murdered last week, Freddie boy decided now was the time to escalate a silly diplomatic game of tit-for-tat. The US had issued travel warnings for parts of the Bahamas but this was mostly in reaction to harm that had befallen their citizens on our shores. Freddie saw their travel warning and decided two could play this game. So he, perhaps without the full blessing of the entire Cabinet, did what he has been doing since his first day in office – he made up our foreign policy on the fly and carried on shooting recklessly from the hip. Presumably his good, good friends John (as in John Kerry the current Secretary of State) or Condi (Condoleezza Rice a former one) were not available to take his calls and talk some sense into
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net his head. Surely, the Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchombe, could not have been too pleased when Freddie flew off the handle and cast the Bahamas in an unflattering light in world headline news. Obie gets millions from the Treasury to seduce over one million Americans to come and spend their holidays here. The hundred thousand or so trips that Bahamians make, mostly to South Florida, are to shop, seek medical attention, visit family or take in sporting events. The biggest threat Bahamians face is from muggers and thieves who seek out their rental cars carelessly overloaded with packages. A Broward County, Florida police officer once told me that sadly it was sometimes a marauding band of Bahamian criminals who lay wait in shopping malls to prey on their fellow countrymen. Fred Mitchell never issued a warning about them even though I am sure his consulate in Miami can give him horror stories. Fred is an obstinate egotist who Perry Christie once lamented to the US Embassy is left to do as he pleases in Foreign Affairs. Cabinet meets on Tuesdays. The unfortunate events in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas happened between Tuesday night and Thursday night. Fred issued his travel warning on Friday. Unless he did a telephone whip round with his cabinet colleagues (Perry was in Guyana for a Caricom meeting part of the week), then Fred must have taken it unto himself to do what none of the other 192 coun-
tries in the world did by attempting to embarrass the United States. But the cheap stunt backfired badly. Instead of making a political point or some sort of bizarre diplomatic quid pro quo statement, we ended up looking like a third world joke. If the entire population of the Bahamas all went to visit the Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area at the same time, the brave men and women of their fine police department would hardly notice. Where is Freddie’s travel warning for Haiti where many Bahamians visit and still face a clear and present threat of danger around every unpaved alley? Or is Fred’s grandstanding more about his oversized ego than it is about making prudent public policy. I am certainly more fearful of traversing the Tonique Darling Highway at 1 in the morning than I would ever be if a cop stopped me at the same hour on Airline Highway in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Foreign Minister has gotten too big for his britches. Don’t hold your breath waiting for our delusional Prime Minister to realize that it’s his job to put the unacceptably cocky Mr Mitchell in his place. Trying to win kudos at the expense of your neighbour’s suffering is very undiplomatic, Mr. Harvard Kennedy School of Government educated Foreign Minister. Try and live up to the motto of your alma mater Fred and “ask what you can do” to help our friend and neighbour, instead of poking him in the eye when he’s going through a rough patch. THE GRADUATE Nassau, July 13, 2016.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 15, 2016, PAGE 5
ROLLINS ACCUSES MITCHELL OF ‘DUMB DIPLOMACY’ By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins has accused Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell of engaging in “dumb diplomacy” and seeking to “benefit from global headlines” after his ministry issued a travel advisory warning Bahamians about interacting with police officers in the United States. This, he told reporters outside of the House of Assembly yesterday, undermined the welfare of Bahamians. The Bahamas’ festering crime challenges, the MP insisted, rendered a “far greater case for alarm here at home” than anywhere else. Dr Rollins was highly critical of the government’s July 8 warning that advised
Bahamians to comply and be extremely cautious when interacting with police in the US. The warning attracted international media attention and went viral on social media. It reflected Mr Mitchell’s personal views and was not based on any clear and present danger to Bahamians travelling to the US, Dr Rollins said. “That’s not smart politics, that’s not smart diplomacy,” he said. “That’s dumb diplomacy and I think that it is time for ministers of the government, if they have personal views that suggest a lack of confidence, if those person’s views would adversely impact the welfare of the Bahamian people, common sense ought to tell them keep those views to themselves or communicate them privately so that it is not misconstrued or misunderstood by the intended recipients. “Because the flip side of
what has happened now is that a greater spotlight has been shined on our country and our serious crime problem as a result of our criticism of law enforcement officers, the vast majority of whom are exemplary human beings who do a lot to promote the good name and reputation of the USA and who we continue to want to come and visit our shores.” Asked if he was of the view that the warning was a mistake or unnecessary, Dr Rollins responded: “Put it this way, my personal view on it is that without there being any clear and present danger to the Bahamian people interested in travelling to the US and there being a far greater case for alarm here at home with respect to our failure to protect the Bahamian people right here on our home turf. “I think that if there was ever a need for an advisory forget about the minister
of foreign affairs because clearly they don’t deal with the domestic situation but there is a need for a reality check to be given to our government. “So that instead of trying to paint a false narrative or picture of our country being safe with all of this talk of crime being down, the effort instead should be focused on being honest and transparent with the Bahamian people and acknowledging that they are far more likely to be the victims of crime here at home than they are if they travel abroad. “I believe that without an economy that is doing well, without a country capable of saying that if you look at our performance we have done a lot to reduce crime, I don’t believe we should be creating the perception that our people are somehow safer than places that are doing a far better job
of protecting their citizens from crime or contributing to our success as an economy as weak as it is today.” Dr Rollins said rather than play political games, smarter diplomacy should have been applied. He said the country has an economy that needs rebuilding and a society that needs to be made safer. These things, he said, should be where the emphasis and focus of this government is. The Bahamas’ travel advisory has sparked public debate since it was issued last Friday. It was due to heightened tensions over recent fatal police shootings in America of black men. Four days after this advisory, the US issued its own travel warning, pointing to armed robberies and violent crime remaining a primary criminal threat. It noted that officials re-
ceived reports of a significant increase in armed robberies throughout New Providence over the past six months. While many observers thought the US warning was retaliation for the Bahamas’ July 8 advisory, US Embassy spokesperson David Allen insisted on Tuesday that this was not the case. Mr Allen said that the embassy recently put its staff and their families on alert due to increasing reports of armed robberies, and as such was legally required to issue a similar message to its citizens. However, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage has taken grave exception to the stinging US warning. On Wednesday he said the embassy is “wrong” and the assertions made in their latest crime advisory regarding The Bahamas are “not true”.
Rollins thrown out of House from page one
“You are not even asking me what my point of order is,” he shouted. “You would not even allow me to explain myself.” This forced Dr Major to stand in an effort to gain control of the House of Assembly. Dr Major then moved for the bill to be voted on however Dr Rollins continued to argue while seated and “glared” at the chair, resulting in his suspension for the remainder of the session. Dr Major called for the sergeant-at-arms to escort the outspoken MP out of Parliament, telling Dr Rollins he had been suspended for the rest of the sitting for “disrupting this House”. Four officers later escorted Dr Rollins outside, with Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn following. Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner later asked Dr Major why Dr Rollins was not
allowed to speak, however he said he did not want to go into the matter. FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis was not present, as he had left the session during the morning debate due to illness. After the session, Dr Major told reporters that he thought Dr Rollins “went beyond the pale,” calling the MP “very obstinate and very difficult.” “The member refused to obey the orders of the chair,” said Dr Major outside of the House of Assembly last night. “… I warned the member several times and the member eventually literally glared at the chair and screamed in a very loud and very threatening voice and I thought that it was time that we end this.” Dr Major said he made a decision he thought best in the interest of the dignity of the House. “(I) asked the member to remove himself for the
rest of the session,” he added. “In the wrap up, typically you just allow the member to finish the wrap up and you move on. But (Dr Rollins) was very contentious and felt that he had to rebut. Usually what I have found is (that) this particular member at times, when you allow an inch they take a mile. “And the member was screaming and becoming angered and I thought it appropriate to not allow the member to speak and sully what I thought to be a very good debate,” he added. However, Mrs ButlerTurner spoke out in defense of her colleague, speculating that Dr Major’s decision may have resulted from past run-ins with Dr Rollins. Mrs Butler-Turner told The Tribune there was a “misjudgment” of the exchange from the standpoint of the speaker, suggesting that several other members stood on a point of order
prior to Dr Rollins, including herself, and all were allowed to address the House. “I, just a few moments before stood on a point of order and it was accepted, she said. “… So I don’t think it could have been that you couldn’t stand on a point of order at that time. So I think the discretionary factor brings into to question the veracity of why the member for Fort Charlotte was denied.” The Long Island MP further suggested that disparaging remarks were levelled at Dr Rollins by members of the governing side during the exchange, claiming that those remarks “exacerbated” the situation. According to Mrs ButlerTurner, the remarks were so vile that she couldn’t bring herself to repeat them. She urged Dr Major to revisit his decision to suspend the member for Fort Charlotte. The House will reconvene on August 3.
leaving that option open, absolutely, I’m leaving that option open. I would like to continue to contribute in public life. I haven’t ruled out the possibility that I may not run but I haven’t ruled out the possibility that I may run either. “The question remains under what banner. By that I mean will I, if not given the opportunity to run with an established party, because let’s be frank the reality is that the leader has a lot of influence in determining whether or not one will be offered a nomination, and if I’m not offered a nomination then it may be that if I am to run it will have to be as an Independent. “I have to make a decision on that.” Dr Rollins has openly criticised Dr Minnis and his supporters, stating that the leader had no substance or vision for the country. His outspoken stance on the
FNM’s leadership struggles positioned him at the centre of renewed efforts by the majority of the FNM’s parliamentary team to engender an earlier convention date. Six of the opposition’s 10 MPs - Loretta Butler-Turner, Hubert Chipman, Neko Grant, Richard Lightbourn, Theo Neilly and Dr Rollins - threatened to petition Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to remove Dr Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition unless the initial November date was brought forward. In making their case against their leader, the MPs later highlighted a myriad of Dr Minnis’ deficiencies in a memo to the party’s Central Council, including his failure to take command of the party “at almost every turn” despite their repeated efforts to support him. At the party’s conven-
tion, Dr Minnis and his Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest will go head-to-head against Mrs Butler-Turner, the Long Island MP, and former FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands. Yesterday, Dr Rollins insisted that persons should not assume that he supports the Butler-Turner/Sands ticket, adding that he expected the convention to be full of intrigue and anticipation. When asked whether he felt there was any truth to rumours that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham would return to frontline politics, he said: “I don’t know.” “I have not made any decision as it relates to who I intend to support,” he said. “I believe that we ought to know what all of the options are. I called for an early convention, I stand by that. I said that with all that was transpiring there was an urgent need for an early
Bell are two buffoons alike with absolutely no idea how to go about formulating and implementing policies and measures to protect our society and our foreign visitors from the continuing high levels of crime. And Christie knows this to be true, but is content to sit back and do nothing about it!” TalRussell said: “Comrades, even if the minister is correct that crime has decreased by 29 per cent and he’s not just blowing smoke for political smokescreens to exploit the approaching 2017 General, declining statistics have not brought about a receding in the increasing levels of the fear residents residing Nassauwide are feeling, whether it’s daytime or nighttime outside. Fear of crime may be a different crime animal but it’s as real and not only can it restrict a people’s
freedom to move about their Nassau town - it will destroy one’s mental state.” But John backed the minister: “BJ IS RIGHT!!! There have been significant decreases in most crimes including murder. This year. Last year this time the murder count was 80. Today it stands at 62 or 64 depending on who’s keeping records. If the declining trend continues the murder count for 2016 can be below 116 and it can even go below 110 which will be the level murders were when this government came to office. The focus now should be on armed robberies, car thefts, house breaking, etc. These are the crimes directly related to unemployment and the state of the economy. The cost of living has skyrocketed thru the roof and with unemployment at record levels these crimes will continue to escalate until the government fixes the economy.” To which Banker responded with: “The trou-
ble with the murder count, is that murders didn’t really affect the tourism trade - except for instilling an aura of fear. As you point out, it is the robberies, etc related to the economic conditions ... and that does affect the tourist trade. Nobody is going to murder a tourist, because that will bring down the wrath of everybody, but they will try to rob them if they are economically desperate. The bottom line is that crime correlates to the economy and no one cares about fixing the economy.” The Tribune’s latest online poll asked readers if they thought the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was right to put out its advisory on travel to the US. At the time of going to press, 46 per cent backed the Ministry’s move, while 54 per cent did not.
FNM MP Andre Rollins.
‘IF MINNIS WINS, I’LL LIKELY RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT’ from page one
“I can assure you that I will not be running for any other political organisation. “I’m solidly entrenched with the Free National Movement now and if, depending on the outcome of the convention and some factors I will take into consideration, if not with the FNM, if I run at all it will be as an Independent.” Dr Rollins has previously said that he will not seek a constituency nomination from the FNM if Dr Hubert Minnis is re-elected as leader at this month’s convention. He reasoned that he could not expect to campaign alongside Dr Minnis given his critique of the FNM leader’s capacity for leadership and his role in the push for an early convention. When questioned on his political future, he said: “I’m
READER VIEWS ON ADVISORIES AFTER National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage insisted the assertions in the US Embassy’s latest crime advisory were “not true”, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. Honestman said: “‘It’s not true, it’s not true’ bleats Nottage as he puts his head in the sand. Sure the USA’s advisory was a heavy handed response to Mitchell’s stupid release but few residents of New Providence will find fault with its content. Crime is out of control in New Providence and Grand Bahama, but the PLP cannot bring itself to admit it. Nottage is completely out of his depth as Minister of National Security.” Proudloudandfnm was also unimpressed with the minister: “BJ really is a waste of time. Go back to sleep son. We don’t need you ...” Well_mudda_take_sic asked: “Is Canada wrong too in putting out a similar travel advisory in an effort to warn Canadians about the high level of crime in the Bahamas? Nottage and
• The poll is still open, so don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
convention - I have not wavered from my belief. “There’s a possibility that the status quo will remain as well as there may be another outcome I don’t know, but some have clearly ventured that because I called for early convention it automatically meant that I was supporting Mrs Butler-Turner, that’s a mistake to draw that conclusion. “We ought not to make
assumptions, the most important thing for me is to know who is offering and when I know that I’m not afraid to make a public declaration.”
PAGE 6, Friday, July 15, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
MILLER: BPL DOESN’T HAVE SAY ON DEBT FORGIVENESS from page one
Mr Miller, in his usual frank tone, was dismissive of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) insisting that ultimately it didn’t have the final say on whether it would write off consumer debts because “nobody could dictate what the government can do”. “With the greatest respect, BEC is owned by the people of The Bahamas not the CEO,” said Mr Miller, who once served as executive chairman of the electricity provider under its former name Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC). “Y’all getting mix up
here. They have a contract to manage BEC so they don’t have the final say as to what goes on in BEC. As far as anything the government is the ones who fund BEC not BPL. “With the greatest respect they only managing it so ain’t nobody could dictate and say what the government (can do) or (say) no discussions taking (place). “(Those) discussions (are) above her head as far as what the government intends to do. If the minister says they intend to write off those bills that cannot be collected that is a decision by the government not BPL.” The MP was asked to comment yesterday follow-
ing the morning session of the House of Assembly where he explained that while there were around 3,000 persons who could be classified in the delinquent category, much of the money owed simply could not be collected. “Most of these delinquent accounts that y’all are talking about, count some over 20 (and) 30 years old. Persons who would have died, persons who would have moved from place to place (and) persons whose bills were in dispute. We wanted to write most of those old debts off years ago.” He continued: “But BEC kept them on the books just for the books to look good. But why have stuff on the
books that you never gonna get?” On Wednesday, Ms Hill told reporters at a press conference that BPL officials were “not in any talks” with the government over a forgiveness or write-off programme regarding delinquent accounts. She said there was currently no programme “of that kind” at BPL and she encouraged customers to continue to pay their bills on time in order to remain connected. Her comments came three weeks after Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis announced that the government is working on a series of operational agreements with BPL hoping to
get the corporation to forgive the debts of consumers who have been unable to settle balances for prolonged periods of time. At the time, Mr Davis, who has BPL in his Cabinet portfolio, said he had been informed that some 3,000 persons have fallen into this classification, insisting that officials now have to look at these clients on a case-bycase basis to determine how best to resolve each matter. However, when asked about the programme on Wednesday, Mr Davis shifted from his initial comments made at Parliament and called the initiative a “consideration” and not something that was concrete.
“We have to discuss the context in which it will be done and how it will be laid in the context of their (BPL’s) overall business plan,” he said on Wednesday. “That is a matter we will deal with at an appropriate time, it is just one of many issues we have to address ... it was something that was for consideration. As the minister I am considering it and I am asking them to advise me on how it can done.” During Wednesday’s press conference, Ms Hill said she believes Mr Davis is taking his time to structure the plan, but insisted that the company and the government have not started discussions.
MOTHER PLEADS FOR LENIENCY AS FORMER US MARINE JAILED FOR 15 YEARS from page one “You were not penalised with respect to that just so that is clear,” the judge stressed to Henry. “I note that the person who sent that letter is not present. Upon consideration of the motivation behind such a thing, the court will not take any action with respect to the letter writer but she is to be advised that it is not acceptable and that she should consider herself fortunate that no further action has been taken. She could very well have been joining her son at a certain facility for a few nights,” the judge added. Mr Bonaby took issue with the court’s position on her absence, however, stating that it was an obvious display of disrespect given that she was present in court when ordered to return. “She should be made to appear and apologise,” the prosecutor stressed. The judge acknowledged the points raised on both issues but said his position
HEATH John Henry at an earlier court appearance. would remain the same in consideration of the circumstances. Ms Galanos said she received information that Gail Henry’s absence was due to inability to afford a
return ticket to New Providence for the hearing. John Henry, who has American and Bahamian citizenship, was convicted in March by a majority verdict of 8-1 concerning the shooting incident 18 months ago. A police search team found Henry hiding under a Ghillie blanket - a type of camouflage - on a cliff on Current Island on January 2, 2015. He allegedly told police that Rahming charged at him while wielding a cutlass and he shot him in self-defence. When asked for the location of the gun, Henry said that he had thrown it in a swamp. He elected to remain silent at trial and called no witnesses in his defence. The letter addressed to Justice Turner, a copy of which was obtained by The Tribune, had an apparent signature of Gail Henry affixed to the conclusion of the document. “All of his life my son has always shown loving kindness toward others and never judges people no matter their circumstance,” the
letter said. “He has volunteered with junior youth empowerment groups in The Bahamas since 2009 teaching them to make a positive difference in their communities and also teaching them the value of having God in their lives. He has volunteered in Englerston, Blue Hill South, Yellow Elder Gardens and Joe Farrington Road. “While incarcerated, he has continued to work with inmates sharing with them how to make a positive difference within their communities. He has spent hours everyday while incarcerated teaching the Bible to whoever is interested. I know that once he is released, he will continue to teach youth groups in The Bahamas,” the convict’s mother wrote. “He has never shown any signs of violence in his past toward anyone and what he is accused of doing goes against his moral character. Please I beg of you, Your Honour, to show mercy and leniency when sentencing my son today!”
Justice Turner, in giving his ruling on sentencing yesterday, said he had considered the favourable probation report and character witness testimonies as well as the relative youth of the convict. “But I also have to impose a sentence sufficient to express society’s intolerance and abhorrence for violent and criminal activity, in particular criminal activity involving the use of a firearm,” the judge stressed. “This matter is one in which a firearm was used. It is one in which it was fired twice. Had both shots missed the virtual complainant, it still would have been an offence of attempted murder. It is a given that the difference between attempted murder and murder is nothing other than the outcome. The intent is to kill.” The judge recalled evidence that John Henry tried to evade arrest and was only caught by police when they detected movement in the area in which he had camouflaged himself.
“This matter is a somewhat inexplicable incident as the attempt on the life of Jonathan Rahming, by a person who he considered something of a friend, other than a previous incident according to the evidence, came entirely out of the blue. The only explanation for which he was, according to John Henry, the convict’s reference to Jonathan Rahming having beat him up some eight years earlier.” The incident eight years prior to the shooting at Current Island concerned John Henry’s alleged attempted theft of Rahming’s billy goat where the victim reportedly struck Henry before turning him over to his guardians. Henry was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment from the date of conviction, March 23, 2016. He was told that if he maintains good behaviour at the Department of Correctional Services during his incarceration, authorities at the prison may release him after having served two thirds - 10 years - of his sentence.
DOCTOR ACCUSED OF RAPING WOMAN DURING ABORTION from page one
Last Rites For
Milton Clement Wraing, 80 of St. Vincent Road, formally of San Salvador, United Estates will be held on (TODAY) Friday, 15th July, 2016 at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Third Street, Coconut Grove at 10:00am. Officiating will be Fr. Simeon Roberts, Assisted by Deacon Danny Price. Cremation will follow. He is survived by his children: Zhivargo, Shauna and Coleman Wraing; 2 Sisters: Maria Forbes and Florie Williams his beloved nephews: Vann Gaitor and Hansel Williams; and a host of other relatives and friends. The body will repose at Cecelia’s Catholic Church on Friday (TODAY) from 9:00 AM to until service time.
The incidents allegedly occurred between January to March 2015 at Dr Forbes’ clinic located in the Professional Plaza on Pioneer’s Way. Lead Detective 3451 Lenicka Scott told the Supreme Court that on March 16, 2015 she saw and spoke with the virtual complainant at the Central Police Station. Det Scott took a written statement from the woman and a package of Methotrexate, a prescription that was allegedly prescribed to the complainant. She told the court that she later learned that the prescription is used to induce medical abortions. Det Scott then accompanied the woman to the Rand Memorial Hospital around 1.20pm that same day and was present when a doctor examined the woman. At about 4.58pm, the detective conducted a record of interview with Dr Forbes at the Central Detective Unit in the presence of his
DR Gerald Mark Forbes at court yesterday. attorney Cassietta McIntosh. Attorney Wendell Smith is representing the 46-yearold doctor at trial. During her interview, Det Scott informed Dr Forbes of the allegations against him: that on February 15 at his clinic while he was performing a physical examination on a female employee he rubbed her vagina and masturbated and that on March 2, while he was performing a medical procedure he had sexual intercourse with the female employee against her will. The detective said she cautioned the accused before further proceeding with the record of interview. Prosecutor Erica Kemp requested that the record of interview be exhibited as evidence and asked Det Scott to read it in court. Dr Forbes told the police detective during the interview that his area of practice was family medicine and minor surgery and that he was a licensed doctor that operated in Suites Three and Four of the Professional Plaza on Pioneer’s Way. When questioned if knew the complainant, Dr Forbes responded “yes”, saying that she was “a friend of a friend” to whom he gave an opportunity to work at his office for two months from January to March. When asked the reason why the complainant was no longer employed at his clinic, the doctor said he told her that business was slow. During the interview, the detective asked: “When you
hired her did you inform her that she would have to undergo a physical exam to work at the clinic?” The doctor responded that he had “nothing to say.” The officer also asked: “In February while you were performing a physical exam of the (virtual complainant) did you rub her vagina and masturbate?” The accused again replied that he had “nothing to say.” Detective Scott then asked: “Did the virtual complainant on March 2 while at work ask for a pregnancy test and it was positive?” The accused repeated that he had nothing to say. The officer asked: “Did the virtual complainant ask if you could perform the termination of a pregnancy and you told her you could?” He again said he had nothing to say. The officer asked: “While performing a pregnancy termination, did you rub your penis on her vagina and had sex with her against her will and she told you to stop?” Dr Forbes said he had nothing to say to that question. Detective Scott also asked: “Did you perform a pregnancy termination? Did you give her medication or prescription while at the office?” “No comment,” the doctor replied. “Did you give her medication for terminating a pregnancy?” “No comment,” the accused replied.
He refused to answer similar questions. He also refused comment when asked if he owed the complainant any salary. “I have information that the complainant contacted you on WhatsApp about a $100 balance for her salary, and you told her that you don’t owe her anything because of the medication,” the officer told the accused. “The virtual complainant informed you that she will not return to work because she was uncomfortable that you violated her, and you said you were sorry she felt that way and you told her to still come in for follow-up and medication.” When Detective Scott showed a package of the prescription that was given to the virtual complainant and asked if he had prescribed it to her, the doctor replied, “no comment.” Det Scott said the interview ended at 6pm. She said that she and Det 106 Merinard both signed it. On March 18, Det Scott and other officers went to the Carico Medical Clinic around 2.25pm with Dr Forbes to execute a search warrant. She said around 4.20pm she turned over tablets - Methotrexate - that were prescribed to the virtual complainant to Detective Constable Greene for analysis. Det Scott told the court that based on the directives of the Attorney General’s Office, she charged Dr Forbes with rape and indecent assault on March 21. Under cross-examination, Mr Smith asked Det Scott if she knew the purpose of Methotrexate pills. Ms Scott said she researched the pills on the Internet and learned that they are used to induce abortion. The lawyer asked: “The only evidence as a lead investigator you had with reference to Dr Forbes are these Methotrexate pills?” “Yes,” the detective replied. The trial resumes at 11am on Friday. Justice Estelle Gray Evans is presiding over the matter, which is before a jury of four women and five men.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 15, 2016, PAGE 7
Woman ‘facing eviction’ over delayed payments from NIB By PEANDRA PRATT A SINGLE mother is facing eviction from her home because she claims she is caught up in the delay in payments from the National Insurance Board and owed over $1,000. Patrice Knowles, 35, a resident of Pine Barren Road off Prince Charles Drive, told The Tribune that she is struggling to make ends meet because of various medical disabilities. Ms Knowles said she was injured at work in 2012 and has been depending on her cheques from NIB but, since March, they have stopped paying her. The NIB has encountered problems while trying to implement its new $14 million V3 administration system and thousands of Bahamians have experienced delays in receiving their benefits. Ms Knowles faces losing the home she rents. “They (NIB) have me on short
term disability from 2014. I already got my cheque from March and it takes about four weeks to get another one but so far from March I haven’t received anything,” Ms Knowles told The Tribune. “I also have a sickness claim in from last year and I still haven’t gotten it yet.” She said that NIB officials last week told her the cheque was awaiting signature. Ms Knowles says she is the sole provider in her household, caring for her son and her 90-year-old mother, who is in an old people’s home. The work-related injury four years ago left her with damage to the entire right side of her body, causing torn tissue scarring and back and nerve damage and she has been in and out of work since, making it difficult for her to pay her bills and her rent. Tamara Smith, Ms Knowles’ landlady, claims that she has been working with her since renting to her three years ago, but cannot sustain her own
lifestyle because of Ms Knowles’ delinquent payments. “I have been bearing with Ms Knowles for years, taking $50, $100 from her whenever she had it. I am fully aware of her medical conditions and I understand that it is tough for her to pay me when she has other bills,” Ms Smith said. “But I have a family as well, and I have a mortgage to pay too so I can’t help her any longer.” Mrs Smith suggested Ms Knowles might be “piling on for sympathy”. “At the end of day, whether she’s being truthful or not, I don’t care,” Mrs Smith said. “I need my money and I need her to move out as soon as possible. I don’t want her living here any more.” Ms Knowles has not yet been handed eviction papers by Mrs Smith but “is expecting to in the next couple of weeks”. The government has been criticised for the month-long delays in NIB payments,
with Dr Hubert Minnis, the leader of the Free National Movement, claiming its failure to implement a back-up system has resulted in Bahamians “being cheated out of hundreds of thousands of dollars”. In May NIB officials confirmed that delays in processing claims for both short-term and long-term benefits, as well as challenges in the transition process from the old IT platform to the new V3 systems continue to persist. Last month, then NIB director, Rowena Bethel, said the processing of short-term benefit payments is unlikely to be brought within norms until mid-July, while problems with long-term benefit payments are expected to be resolved by the end of August. “NIB started using a new administrative system over a month ago without any back-up and it is failing to pay Bahamians who need it the most, their money they need,” Dr Minnis said.
“These are our most vulnerable people that are not getting paid by the failure of the PLP government and its leadership. “The government decided to implement a new $14m system at NIB that has constantly failed to pay the Bahamian people for over a month now. Not only was the same system purchased by Milwaukee County in the United States for $2m less, but it took Milwaukee County four years to implement it properly. So why then did they think it would be wise to implement the new system for NIB without having a back up? “Staff at NIB are working seven days a week to try and get the Bahamian people paid but they can only do so much with a flawed system and no-back up system,” he added. NIB has been engaged in the process of transitioning to a new IT platform for several years. Phase one
MITCHELL: ‘BRAIN DRAIN’ NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
DURING parliamentary debate on the University of Bahamas Bill yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said “brain drain” is not a major problem for The Bahamas. He argued that structural issues arising from the country’s small population means that people leaving The Bahamas and making a living overseas is inevitable. “There are structural problems relating to this criticism about people travelling overseas and moving overseas,” he said. “Notwithstanding that fact, I wish to point out these other factors. I always say the fact is plenty people want to live here…a good living is had by many people in this country.
And many people stay and choose to stay here because they make a good living. Some people want to move. Some people want to come back here. Some people go away for a short time and then come back. I don’t want us to have any doom and gloom and wringing our hands over this. This is not a major problem for our country.” Mr Mitchell’s comments came after Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn spoke of brain drain as he criticised the state of education in this country, emphasising that many Bahamians study abroad and never return. In its State of the Nation report published earlier this year, the National Development Plan (NDP) Secretariat highlighted brain drain as a problem that needs to be reversed. “In recent years,” the secre-
tariat concluded, “Bahamians have opted not to return home after earning degrees abroad. When queried, they speak of limited opportunities for employment, very limited opportunities for advancement, comparatively lower wages and a lot of red tape. Looking ahead to 2040, the hope is that the situation will be much different.” Nonetheless, Mr Lightbourn’s contribution drew scorn from members of the governing party, who accused him of selling Bahamians and the College of the Bahamas short. Mr Lightbourn said it is misleading to suggest that a degree from the College of the Bahamas is on par with a degree from some of the top universities around the world. At one point he said the college shouldn’t transition to a university until significant im-
provements have been made in various areas, including quality of education. Governing party members lamented his statement, with some likening it to the kind of rhetoric members of the former United Bahamian Party (UBP) made in the past. Mr Mitchell pointed out that numerous attempts at advancing the country were, at one point, rejected as too soon, even though they later became accepted as a fundamental component of the Bahamian society. Independence, the National Insurance Board (NIB) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) are examples of this, he said, noting that they are all now seen as vital to the development of the country. The House of Assembly passed the University of the Bahamas Bill last night.
COLLEGE’S DEAL WITH BTC TO BOOST INNOVATION AN innovation laboratory which will equip College of the Bahamas (COB) students with the technology needed to “become change agents in he Bahamas and internationally” moved a step closer yesterday. As a gift to the nation in celebration of the country’s 43rd anniversary of Independence, BTC signed a $50,000 Memorandum of Understanding with COB during a ground breaking ceremony at the Harry C Moore Library and Information Centre. The innovation lab is expected to harness the technological talent of the students and provide them with tools and incentives to create software applications to be used in different organisational settings. As a part of the agreement, BTC will install the latest programming software, gaming technology, Promethean Interactive Whiteboard Systems and videoconferencing equipment, provide wireless internet access throughout the Oakes Field Campus and host an annual Hackathon at the College. “We believe that it is of absolute importance that we continue to invest in the future of this country,” BTC CEO Leon Williams said. “This new innovation lab will serve as a centre
LEON WILLIAMS, CEO of BTC, and Rodney Smith, president of COB, sign MOU for a joint technology innovation laboratory designed by three students at the college. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff of excellence. As the College is year scholarship programme to strengthen and enhance the on the cusp of University sta- which provides funding for ten soon to be University of The tus, it is imperative that it has a students to pursue Bachelor de- Bahamas,” COB president Dr state of the art, modern facility grees. The company also con- Rodney Smith said. “The signenabling the new generation of tributes to the College’s En- ing of today’s MOU for the dowment Fund and annually, creation of the Innovation Lab learners to thrive.” BTC has a longstanding re- BTC works in conjunction with is a major step towards providlationship with COB. In 2015, the College for its New Student ing students with access to the it opened a franchise store at Orientation Week. technology needed to become “BTC’s longstanding his- change agents in The Bahamas Chapter One, the College’s bookstore, and also has a four- tory of philanthropy continues and internationally.”
of the transitional process involved the roll out of the new NIB smart card, which was launched in May 2014. The completion of phase two, the “most complex of the phases”, was scheduled for the first week in April this year. In May, NIB officials said “transition issues” emanating from phase two had resulted in “regrettable inconvenience to a number of our valued customers.” At the time, NIB said the greatest impact was being felt by persons seeking disability benefit claims, along with customers seeking short-term benefit claims, such as maternity, sickness, injury and unemployment. The issues encountered by NIB encompass both “technical matters and organisational culture adjustments”. At the time, NIB said some 30 per cent of its customer base was being negatively affected as a result.
UNION CHIEF PINDER TO RUN FOR MP IN FOX HILL from page one
which is an effort to unify opposition forces under one umbrella to take on the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) next year. This would mark Mr Pinder’s first foray into frontline politics after years of arousing speculation that he might do so. A respected unionist, he has waded through the tricky terrain of union politics to win the BPSU and National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) presidencies in five and two consecutive elections, respectively. In choosing to run in the Fox Hill constituency, he aims to challenge MP Fred Mitchell, a senior Cabinet minister who has won the constituency in three consecutive elections. “I’m not afraid at all,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “(Mr Mitchell) had one strong challenger, Jacinta Higgs, but she lost because people were writing foolishness on the ballot. He’s visible but beatable.” Born in Fox Hill, Mr Pinder still lives in the area. “They’re my family,” he said. “The Rahmings, the Davises, the Rolles, they’re my family.” Mr Pinder said he will begin campaigning in the constituency in August. Meanwhile, he is a part of a project that seeks to unify opposition parties in a view to bring “progressive” change to The Bahamas. He said that the PLP has failed to provide effective governance to the country, adding that the state of the Official Opposition is also lamentable. The infighting in the Free National Movement (FNM) is reflective of a larger, permanent split, he said. On the other hand, he said the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), a third party, has failed to nominate quality candidates for constituencies. He said other parties, including Marco City MP Greg Moss’ United Democratic Party (UDB), could benefit from aligning their goals with other opposition groups. Mr Pinder’s group launched at the Bahamas Communications Public Officers Union (BCPOU) Hall last night and those overseeing the project were expected to encourage people to register to be a part of the “movement.” “We will have to consider establishing a political party,” Mr Pinder said, stressing that the group will be guided by Bahamians on whether the establishment of a party is the right decision to make. “We want to start something new. And we want a different type of constitution, one that would allow all paying members to vote for their members, not just delegates.” Mr Pinder says members of the group include former Senator John Bostwick and media personality Steve McKinney.
UNION ACTING PRESIDENT URGES WILSON TO CARRY OUT LAWSUIT THREAT By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Union of Teachers Acting President Zane Lightbourne yesterday welcomed suspended BUT President Belinda Wilson’s threat of legal action, charging that Mrs Wilson should “pull the trigger” instead of “talking all this talk about suing” for media attention. He also accused Mrs Wilson of seeking to play both plaintiff and defendant in the matter, as he questioned her plans to sue the very same union of which she wants to reclaim leadership. His statements came a
day after Wayne Munroe, QC, Mrs Wilson’s attorney, said his client is prepared to sue “people who make allegations of dishonesty” regarding her suspensions from the union. He did not specify who might be sued. “If Mrs Wilson wants to pull the trigger and sue she could go ahead,” Mr Lightbourne said in response. “We have never acquiesced to her threats before, so what makes them think that we’re going to sit back now and just make some other decision contrary to what we believe and know to be the right thing to do, just because Belinda threatened again? “She threatened to sue from the first instance so
she need to go ahead and do it.” He added: “We have our evidence, and if she want to sue she could sue and then that’s where the whole public will see exactly what she has been doing and they could form their opinions. So I’d welcome a suit from her, the organisation what she plans on leading, but she’s trying to be the plaintiff and she is trying to be the defendant. So if you’re suing the union why you trying to lead the union? Because as the president you will have the decision to make in terms of how to proceed with the (lawsuit) that we’re faced with.” Mr Lightbourne also shot
down assertions that he and Acting Treasurer Terez Conliffe are illegitimately serving in their posts, charging that the union’s executive made a decision on their positions based on a legal opinion. “…We were advised that it was either the old persons who were suspended, or it’s us who would have to continue until those positions go up for elections because they are elected positions, and we still have to be appointed in acting positions from the executive committee after they are suspended,” he said. “So in my capacity I have been acting president and not vice president, because from the
time (Mrs Wilson) was out I have had to take up my role as acting president.” In December 2014, Mrs Wilson and union Treasurer Lorraine Knowles were suspended for six and three months respectively due to concerns from the union’s executive committee that more than $1.1m from the union’s pension and savings account had been wrongfully spent. In March 2015, both Mrs Wilson and Ms Knowles were again suspended for “blatant violations” of the union’s constitution. Mrs Wilson was later hit with an indefinite suspension pending the results of a police investigation into alleged vio-
lations of union procedures. However, Mrs Wilson has claimed that the investigation by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) determined that no charges would be brought against anyone. She has also claimed that the two auditing firms hired by the union, HLB Galanis & Co and Baker Tilly Gomez, which conducted three forensic audits covering the period 2008-2015, found that no money was missing, stolen, or spent for personal reasons, but instead were spent “for and on behalf of the BUT and all monies were accessed in accordance with the union’s procedure.”
PAGE 8, Friday, July 15, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Diplomacy lost between right thing to do and bad idea A Comic’s View
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA
I
N life, something can be both the right thing to do and a bad idea at the same
Americans had the gumption to “play round him” with what he called their “aggressive and intrusive time. foreign policy”. For example, liking a Fast forward six months friend’s post on Facebook and Mitchell got a chance of their newborn baby is the to go tit-for-tat with the US right thing to do. State Department. And boy However, if the kid has a did he take it. face that could stop a clock, The aftermath of police mentioning that in your shooting “young, black comment is males” in a bad, bad ‘Mitchell’s move was Louisiana idea. and Minpolitical. I bet even Going nesota folhe was surprised viral lowed by A few his attempt at a little a sniper months ago, comeuppance for attack on I remember cops in thinking to the Americans made Dallas as myself how headlines around well as undiplomatwidespread the world. And I bet ic our top protests diplomat is. the Chargé d’Affaires around the Back then, was surprised to country Minister of prompted Foreign Af- have to field a few the Minfairs Fred uncomfortable phone istry of Mitchell, Foreign calls last Saturday too upset to Affairs bother with morning.’ (MOFA) to an official issue a rare press release, had called travel advisory to Bahamiinto a radio talk show ans travelling to the States. to lambaste US Chargé So rare is such an advid’Affaires Lisa Johnson. sory that, once the warning At the time, Mitchell was hit social media, it instantly upset at Johnson for advis- went viral. From there, ing her staff and American HuffPost and the mainvisitors not to patronise lo- stream media were not far cal Jet Ski operators after a behind. From there, Ameristring of alleged sexual as- can analysts and politicos saults rocked the industry. lost their minds over the Listening to his tone on the gumption of this little counshow that day I could tell try to issue an advisory. he was incensed that the In all fairness to Mitchell,
Death Notice For Walter “Slim” Stuart Braynen, 59
a resident of Eastwood Estates, died at his residence on 6th July, 2016.
He is survived by his father: Stephen Gladstone Braynen; 1 daughter: Walleacher Smith; 5 sons: Walter Jr., Brian, Terrell, Dino & Jino; 5 brothers: Fred, Stephen, Gladstone, Donald & George; 7 sisters: Cheryl Brown, Charlene Collins, Stephanie, Dianne, Gwendolyn, Curlene, Merilee Symonette Braynen & a host of other relatives & friends.
the advisory was not necessarily wrong. Despite the probability of a Bahamian in Miami (you know we love our Miami) experiencing the kind of problem the advisory spoke to being extremely low, there are thousands of Bahamians studying in the United States. Many of our young students are in schools in cities like Atlanta and Philadelphia. Many are in historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). These are places where the deaths of the two young African American men will reverberate through the community. To that group, and in that context, advice to avoid protests and ‘use extreme caution’ around police officers makes sense. What didn’t make sense was Mitchell and MOFA writing a follow-up letter to CNN because a guest on a talk show suggested the advisory was political. Let’s face it: Mitchell’s move was political. I bet even he was surprised his attempt at a little comeuppance for the Americans made headlines around the world. And I bet the Chargé d’Affaires was surprised to have to field a few uncomfortable phone calls last Saturday morning. A few random thoughts
came to mind during this diplomatic duel. The first is that the US truly should have confirmed an ambassador to this country by now (it’s taking longer to name the new US ambassador than getting the Carnival report. I’ll bet they’ll think twice about leaving us hanging in the next administration). The second is that there are a few Middle Eastern countries like Bahrain and United Arab Emirates that have Fred’s back (I’m sure he likes that) it seems. Whatever that’s worth. Four days after this country’s travel advisory embarrassed them, the State Department slapped us with another one which hurts us more than our advisory does them. The timing of which feels very political. Because it’s tit-for-tat, right? Like I said, the right thing to do and bad ideas are not mutually exclusive. Next time, just smile at the baby and get on with life. Thumbs up, thumbs down Thumbs up to Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller for doing what the
Potcake does. First Miller is photographed at Free National Movement leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ campaign launch last week. Then he pushes for an early Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) convention. And then he breaks the 11th commandment and speaks ill of other PLPs in public. No wonder PLP chairman Bradley Roberts is in a tizzy this week. I don’t know how calling out the Prime Minister for Bahamas Power & Light and the recent blackouts will affect Miller’s political future in the party but everyone knows the Potcake that makes the most noise gets the biggest bone. Thumbs down to the PLP for just now bringing a Construction Contractors Bill to
the fore. Seriously? After you let BAMSI burn and Baha Mar bomb without not a word, now you come with legislation? Now you want to do your job? In the words of Bahamians everywhere ‘y’all better stop jokin!’ By the way, for the sake of any chance of opening a certain
billion dollar bust on Cable Beach your bill had better be retroactive. Thumbs down to Indiana governor Mike Pence for hitching his wagon to Republican presidential hopeful and eighth wonder of the hair world Donald Trump. I could be wrong but I’m guessing that Trump will name Pence as his Vice President pick today. If he does, and if Pence accepts, it will be non-stop clean-up duty for Pence for the next three months. And it will be another example of doing the right thing (serving one’s country) being a bad idea in some instances. • Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net
THE TRIBUNE
ENSIGN NAKERA RAHMINGSALDANA, a Bahamian in the US Coast Guard, with Nicanor E Davidson (right), a Bahamian who is a former US Army Aviator, and Bernard Colebrook (left), a Bahamian who is a retired US Marine Corps veteran, at the Bahamas independence celebration picnic at the US Coast Guard Base in Alexandria, Virginia, last Saturday.
INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION IN WASHINGTON AMONG the Bahamians abroad who enjoyed the picnic organised by the Bahamas Embassy Consular Annex and the Bahamian American Association in the Washington, DC, area on Saturday as one of the activities celebrating the 43rd anniversary of Independence was Ensign Nakera Rahming-Saldana, a Bahamian who joined the US Coast Guard in 2010. Mrs Rahming Saldana, who is stationed at the US Coast Guard Base in Alexandria, Virginia, where the picnic was held, was graduated from Freeport Anglican High in 2003 and attended the University of West Florida, from where she was graduated with a Bachelor’s in Software Engineering. “I joined the Coast Guard in 2010 and was previously stationed in San Francisco, California, for the past six years,” Ensign Rahming-Saldana said. “I was commissioned as an officer last year and was then transferred to the US Coast Guard Base TISCOM, here in Alexandria, as a Project Manager to manage internet connectivity on all of the Coast Guard Cutters/ Boats, especially the ones that work alongside the Bahamas Defence Force. “I visit home at least once a year. As the saying goes, ‘Born, bred, gon dead Bahamian’. My entire family still resides in The Bahamas, mostly in Freeport. My father is Herbert Rahming, who hails from Fox Hill and works for the Bahamas Customs, and my mother is Mary Rahming (nee Hield) from High Rock, who is an art teacher at Jack Hayward High in Freeport.” Ensign Rahming Saldana is married to Carlos Saldana, who is from the Virgin Islands, and they have a two-year-old daughter. See today’s Weekend section for more Independence celebrations from the US
Friday, July 15, 2016, PAGE 9
GREEN TURTLE DIES AFTER BEING ATTACKED BY SHARKS A FEMALE green turtle weighing 200lbs rescued at Lyford Cay in western New Providence yesterday after being attacked and injured by sharks has died. The turtle escaped the sharks by hauling herself up onto Lyford Cay beach but lost much of her front left flipper in the attack. Scott Aranha, the son of the president of the Bahamas Humane Society, was helped by Lyford Cay staff
when the turtle was found, wrapping her in towels and carrying her carefully to a truck. The turtle - believed to be quite old - was transported to the Atlantis resort’s marine animals facility on Paradise Island. “Sadly despite best efforts from Atlantis Dolphin Cay staff and everyone involved, she passed away just before her surgery,” Mr Aranha posted on Facebook last night.
SCOTT Aranha (left) with the injured turtle on Lyford Cay Beach yesterday
Anger over failure to provide plane tickets for track team By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A DISGRUNTLED parent said yesterday it is a “tragedy” that his son and 39 other members of a junior national track and field team were “left in limbo” for almost two days not knowing if they would make it to a highly anticipated regional track meet. The parent, whose name has been withheld, told The Tribune yesterday afternoon that the 40-member team set to represent the Bahamas at the 16th Caribbean Union of Teachers
(CUT) Track and Field Championships in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI) all showed up at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) on Wednesday only to find out that they were not booked on their respective flights. And since then, the parent said the group had been stranded in New Providence. His family, along with some eight team members who travelled from Freeport, Grand Bahama, were stuck at LPIA from 7am until 4pm on Wednesday, with no idea if they would make it to the BVI in time for the championships,
which starts today. He said the group was put up at a local hotel overnight on Wednesday. The Tribune understands that the travel accommodations were to be handled jointly between the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association (BAAAs) as well as the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT). The Tribune spoke with BUT Acting President Zane Lightbourne both in the morning and shortly after 5pm yesterday, who said officials were still working on a way to get the team into Tortola ahead of the today’s athletic event.
“We’re just trying to solve the problem, and there’s movement on it, but we’re just trying to get final word and we’ll deal with whose fault it is after all of this is done,” Mr Lightbourne told The Tribune. He also said officials were soliciting the government for assistance up to yesterday evening. Nonetheless, the parent told The Tribune that regardless of the outcome, the entire ordeal is “a hard pill to swallow.” “These children worked hard,” he said. “Some of them are actually young Olympians coming up.
They have outstanding records and the competition with the other Caribbean nations would actually take them to a level of advancement mentally and physically for the future. “And it’s really a disenchantment, a rejection from a national level because they came with such great anticipation.” The CUT games are a series of events that bring together approximately 700 of the best athletes between the ages of 8-15, along with coaches, from 23 countries in the region, in the spirit of Caribbean unity and friendly competition.
FROM left, Arnold Bain NIB Board member, Chairman Renae Mckay, Acting President Mrs Theresa Burrows, former assistant Sectary General Rochelle Rahming and former Shop Steward Laverne Pople. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff
NIB SIGNS DEAL ON VACATION AND PENSION WITH WORKERS THE National Insurance Board (NIB) and the Union of Public Officers (UPO) signed an industrial agreement this week to enshrine vacation and pension plan among other long-term benefits for more than 400
line staff. The previous agreement expired on May 31, 2014 and the signing on Tuesday culminated months of negotiations between both parties. Acting Director of NIB,
V Theresa Burrows, said: “The teams on both sides are to be commended for the co-operative and collegial discussions and proceedings during the negotiations.” She congratulated Sharon Martin,
the UPO president, and Abraham Butler, Deputy Director of Human Resources, who headed the team from NIB for the work they contributed to the process. The new agreement will
have direct effect upon registration by the Registrar of Trade Unions and Industrial Agreements, and shall expire on December 31, 2018. Terms of the new agreement will be retroactive to June 1, 2014.
PRE-ORIENTATION ROLE FOR LEANDRA
ASHLEY THOMPSON
STUDENT IS NAMED TO DEAN’S LIST
ASHLEY Thompson, a first-year biology major at the College of Saint Benedict in St Joseph’s, Minnesota, has earned the distinction of being named to the Dean’s List for the 2016 spring semester. She is the daughter of Colin and Lynette Thompson, of Nassau. To be included on the Dean’s List, students must have a semester grade-point average of at least 3.80 and have completed 12 credits for which honour points (A, B, C, etc.) are awarded. Students included on the Dean’s List cannot have any “unsatisfactory” or “incomplete” grades for that semester.
THE College of The Bahamas has welcomed Leandra Mackey, the 2016 president’s scholar, for the newest arm of the President’s Scholars Programme experience, pre-orientation. The pre-orientation platform was intentionally designed for incoming scholars to become oriented to campus life and to begin relationship-building with key staff and faculty prior to the formal orientation and advisement process. Last month, Ms Mackey, a biochemistry major, who will attend COB this fall, met Dr Eslyn Jones,
vice president, student affairs, Dr Veronica Toppin, chairperson of chemistry and environmental life sciences (CELS) and Joyann Thompson, assistant professor of biology. Ms Mackey was given advice on how to manage the rigours of college life. Along with the financial provision given to the PSP scholar, Ms Mackey also has available to her mentorship from President Dr Rodney Smith, access to a scholar study lounge, leadership coaching, counselling and health support, opportunities to study abroad
and the list goes on. On June 10, she was awarded a $40,000, fouryear scholarship to attend COB. She beat 30 of her fellow classmates from the Government High School for the award. During the orientation Ms Mackey said: “I’m going to do this (programme) proud and do better than (the) 3.5 (GPA).” The college will support her at every level during her college career and anticipates that she, along with fellow 2015 scholar Elise Barnett, will do well in the coming semester.
DR Eslyn Jones with Leandra Mackey.
SENTENCING IN TRIPLE KILLING CASE DELAYED BY AN EXTRA WEEK By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men must wait an additional week before the start of the penalty phase of their trial begins in Supreme Court concerning a fatal shooting that claimed three lives, including a woman due to give birth to a baby boy. Shawn Knowles, 43, and Timothy Saunders, 36, reappeared in the Supreme Court yesterday before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs nearly five months after a jury convicted the
pair of three manslaughter charges related to the July 30, 2011, deaths of Edward Braynen, Chackara Rahming and Erica Ward. However, Knowles lawyer Romona FarquharsonSeymour requested an adjournment of the proceedings to July 22 due to an ongoing trial before the Supreme Court. The request was granted. Knowles and Saunders, in the interim, asked the judge for their own personal copies of transcripts from the trial for use of their likely appeals that
will follow sentencing. The pair stood trial on charges of murder. The Crown alleged that the killings were in retaliation for the July 12, 2011 murders of Kevin Forbes and Alwayne Leslie at a Haitian village off Montgomery Avenue. Ward was pregnant with the child of Serrano Adderley, the 30-year-old man charged with the deaths of Forbes and Leslie. Knowles is the nephew of Forbes. The victims were asleep in a one-bedroom apartment when intruders, who
the prosecution alleged to be Knowles and Saunders, forced their way inside by blasting the locks with a shotgun. Once inside, they shot the women in the head and Braynen in the back using a shotgun. Four young children inside the apartment were found unharmed by police when they came to the scene. Saunders’ lawyer, Lennox Coleby, suggested that associates of Leslie committed the murders. Farquharson-Seymour said there was no evidence - fingerprint, footprint impression or DNA - linking
Knowles to the scene of the killings. Though the jury’s 8-4 guilty verdict for three counts of murder were not acceptable in law, they found Knowles and Saunders guilty of manslaughter by provocation on the same count. The jury also returned a guilty verdict of 8-4 on the remaining charges of possession of ammunition and two counts of possession of unlicensed firearm with which Knowles was separately charged. Cordell Frazier prosecuted the case.
PAGE 10, Friday, July 15, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
At least 77 dead in terror attack as truck plows into crowd in France NICE, France Associated Press
A TRUCK loaded with weapons and hand grenades drove onto a sidewalk for more than a mile, plowing through Bastille Day revelers who’d gathered to watch fireworks in the French resort city of Nice late Thursday. At least 77 people were killed before police killed the driver, authorities said. Nice prosecutor JeanMichel Pretre described a horrific scene, with bodies strewn about along the roadway and Sylvie Toffin, a press officer with the local prefecture, said the truck ran over people on a “long trip” down the sidewalk near Nice’s Palais de la Mediterranee, a building that fronts the beach. Wassim Bouhlel, a Nice native who spoke to the AP nearby, said that he saw a truck drive into the crowd. “There was carnage on the road,” he said. “Bodies everywhere.”
IN this video grab from last night, ambulances and police cars are seen after a truck drove on to the sidewalk and plowed through a crowd of revelers in Nice. The Paris prosecutor’s in shorts and other summer office opened an investiga- clothing. Eric Ciotti said on BFM tion for “murder, attempted murder in an organised TV that police killed the group linked to a terrorist driver “apparently after an exchange of gunfire”. enterprise.” The president of the The ranking politician Alpes Côte of the Alpes-Maritime Provence department that includes d’Azur regional council, Nice said the truck plowed which includes Nice, said into the crowd over a dis- the truck was loaded with tance of 2 kilometers (1.2 arms and grenades. Chrismiles), killing 77 people tian Estrosi told BFM TV and wounding 50. Many of that “the driver fired on the those on the ground were crowd, according to the po-
lice who killed him.” Bouhlel said he witnessed the man emerge with a gun and start shooting. Images being broadcast across French media showed revelers running for their lives down Nice’s palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais, the famous seaside boulevard named for the English aristocrats who proposed its construction in the 19th century. Video footage showed men and women — one or two pushing strollers — racing to get away from the scenes. And, in what appeared to be evidence of a gun battle, photos showed a truck with at least half a dozen bullet holes punched through its windshield. It was not immediately clear who would have been behind an attack, but France has recently seen a spate of dramatic assaults from by jihadist groups, including the Islamic State group which straddles Iraq and Syria.
President Barack Obama condemned what he said “appears to be a horrific terrorist attack”. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved ones of those killed,” he said. European Council president Donald Tusk said it was a “tragic paradox” that the victims of the attack in Nice were celebrating “liberty, equality and fraternity” — France’s motto — on the country’s national day. France’s ambassador to the United States, Gerard Araud, characterised the events as a “terrorist attack”. Writing online, Nice Matin journalist Damien Allemand who was at the waterside said the fireworks display had finished and the crowd had got up to leave when they heard a noise and cries. “A fraction of a second later, an enormous white truck came along at a crazy speed, turning the wheel to mow down the maximum
number of people,” he said. “I saw bodies flying like bowling pins along its route. Heard noises, cries that I will never forget.” Graphic footage showed a scene of horror up and down the Promenade, with broken bodies splayed out on the asphalt, some of them piled near one another, others bleeding out onto the roadway or twisted into unnatural shapes. “Help my mother, please!” one person yells out amid a cacophony of screaming and crying. A pink girl’s bicycle is briefly seen overturned by the side of the road. The origin and authenticity of the footage could not immediately be verified. Kayla Repan, of Boca Raton, Florida, was among the hundreds gathered on the promenade to watch fireworks. “The whole city was running. I got extremely frightened and ran away from the promenade,” she said. “It was chaos.”
BAHAMAS PRESS CLUB ANNOUNCES AWARDS CEREMONY PLANS By PEANDRA PRATT
THE Bahamas Press Club 2014, building on the success of its inaugural Pioneer Awards last year, has promised to be “all inclusive” with several new categories when it holds its annual media awards ceremony in November. At the British Colonial Hilton on November 19, several new awards – including the prestigious and renamed Sir Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award – are to be presented honouring the best talents in the fields of journalism and mass communications. “We’ve expanded the categories because last November, we simply recognised some of the pioneers who laid the framework and set the pace for all of us who followed,” President
of the Bahamas Press Club, Anthony “Ace” Newbold, said. “This year we’ve expanded the categories. We now have 15 categories of awards to be given out. “This is the first time that members of the press on a large scale are being recognised for the work that they do. This has never happened before. Before last November nobody paid any attention to the press. For the job that we do, we record history. Somebody should show appreciation for that. We decided that if nobody will do it then we will do it for ourselves.” Mr Newbold said that the recipient of the lifetime achievement award, now named after the longserving former Editor and publisher of The Tribune, will be someone “who has
crossed many barriers of media”. The other award categories to be presented are the Eric Wilmott Award for Investigative Journalism, the Harcourt “Rusty” Bethel Award for Radio Journalism, the Leon Turnquest Award for Sports Print Journalism, Outstanding Sports Broadcast Journalism Award, the Bursell Bradshaw Press Photographer of The Year Award, the Kenneth Nathaniel Francis Award for Newspaper Design and Composition, the P Anthony White Award for Columnist of The Year, the Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award, the Bahamas Press Club Award for Outstanding Political Journalism, Best Television Documentary, Best Television News Story, Best Editing for
THE 2016/17 Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of East Nassau. Back row from left to right: Amol Pendharkar, Adrian White, Lindsey Cancino, Lee McCoy, Michele Moodie, Kandice Davis, Ash Henderson, Jason Robertson, Fernando de Cardenas, Jonathan Pinder. Front row from left to right: Keith Sands, Corinne Laville, Mayuri Deka, Karen Pinder, Diane de Cardenas, Constance Gibson, Kristy Kemp, Carol Bischof. Not pictured: Hope Sealey, Denzil Sirra
Rotary Club of East Nassau Rotary Club of East Nassau. - The Rotary Club of East Nassau (RCEN) welcomes the new board of directors for the 20162017 year. At the westernthemed Changeover Party, the gavel was passed from immediate past president Jason Robertson to Diane de Cardenas, the third female president of RCEN. While sporting their best denim and enjoying a bbq dinner, the crowd applauded the numerous accomplishments of the previous president and
JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers. To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.
board of directors. The new administration will continue the club’s support of literacy, feeding programs, greater access to youth sports, and health programs in addition to other areas where they can make a positive difference in peoples lives. The executive board of RCEN includes: Diane de Cardenas; president, Jason Robertson; immediate past president, Carol Bischof; secretary, Amol Pendharkar; assistant secretary, Lindsey Cancino; treasurer, Jonathan Pinder; 1st vice president, Hope Sealey; 2nd vice president, Corinne Laville; 3rd vice president, Lee McCoy; New Generations director, Kristy Kemp; membership director; Fernando de Cardenas; attendance director, Adrian White; vocational director, Constance Gibson; community service co-director, Keith Sands; community service co-director, Kandice Davis; fellowship co-director, Denzil Sirra; fellowship co-director, Ash Henderson; public relations director, Mayuri Deka; international service director, Michele Moodie; board advisor. RCEN was chartered in
1953 and enjoys a strong membership of 118 community minded individuals. The club meets at 12:30pm every Friday for lunch at the Nassau Yacht Club. People interested in Rotary are encouraged to visit the website at www. RCEN.org for more information.
Television News Story or Documentary, Website of the Year, and The People’s Choice Award for Best Talk Show. A panel of renowned individuals in the field of journalism and mass communications has been appointed as judges: Sir Arthur Foulkes, former journalist, politician and Governor General; Mike Smith, former Bahamas High Commissioner to Canada and journalist; Jessica Robertson, whose career spans print, radio, television and online both locally and internationally; Eric Ward, radio personality and President of Rum Cay Media Group Ltd; Antoine Ferrier, photographer; Julian AndersonRolle, Senior Producer, ZNS; and Valdez Ferguson, technical manager, Our TV
at Rev Cable Bahamas. At the first Pioneer Awards in November, The Tribune’s Publisher/Editor, Eileen Carron, received the Lifetime Achievement Award while Kenneth Francis (posthumously) was recognised for contributions to The Nassau Guardian; Wendall Jones, CEO of Jones Communications Network for The Bahama Journal, Love 97 and JCN television; Anthony Ferguson for Guardian Radio; the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas for ZNS Radio and Television Network; Henry Saunders, for MORE 95FM; and Silbert Mills for Abaco Radio. Mr Newbold expressed condolences to the family of Leroy “Camera” Pratt, a sports writer for The Nassau Guardian, who died recently. He also congratu-
lated members of the media who were recently honoured for their work: Clint Watson, ZNS reporter for the ‘The Youth Zone received a Bahamian Icon Award while among the Cultural Legends honoured during the country’s 43rd Independence anniversary celebrations were Mary Kelly (Journalist); Calsey Johnson (ZNS); John Jefferson Scavella (Broadcaster); Gordon Lowe (Broadcaster); Ed Bethel (Journalist/Broadcaster); Elva Russell-Rolle (Broadcaster); Carl Bethel (Journalist/Broadcaster); Cindy Williams (Broadcaster) and Nadine Beneby (Broadcaster). For information on the awards contact the Bahamas Press Club 2014 at 4345643 or email to thebahamaspressclub@gmail.com.
OUTGOING President Jason Robertson, left, hands the Presidential regalia to Incoming President Diane de Cardenas as Outgoing Assistant Governor Karen Pinder oversees the ceremony.
Cycling Club Bahamas St George’s Anglican Church. - Tomorrow, the community known as “The Valley” comes alive when the St. George’s Anglican Church holds its annual
“Thrill of the Grill and Parish Fair”. “Our church fair is the major fundraising event which assists with the operating expenses of our church and its ministry to our members and the wider community,” said Adrian Archer, the church’s parish administrator. “Monies raised are used to fund our various minis-
tries including our vital ministries to the sick and shut-in, and our ministry to the Valley community and beyond.” Live coverage of the fair will come via STAR 106.5 FM with Brad Hanna from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. The Grill Out and Parish Fair will end with a Junkanoo RushOut with the Valley Boys.
MEMBERS of St George’s Anglican Church, who will tomorrow host its annual Thrill of the Grill and parish fair.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 15, 2016, PAGE 11