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GUNMAN SHOT DEAD BY THE MAN HE TRIED TO ROB

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net A GUNMAN was shot and killed early yesterday morning by a man he was intending to rob, police told The Tribune yesterday. The assailant, who was armed with a shotgun, approached a man who had SEE PAGE 12

Sarcastic response to her confidence in his ability By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis reacted sarcastically yesterday to Loretta Butler-Turner’s criticism of his unclear positions on the constitutional referendum, saying he hopes her confidence in his ability to persuade voters will prompt her to support him in the general election. During an interview with The Tribune on Wednesday, the Long Island MP suggested Dr Minnis played a part in the failure of the referendum by failing to stand by his original convictions and appearing to shift them mid-stream instead.

“I was very happy to see that my colleague has such great confidence in me to make a statement that the referendum loss was a result of my minimal involvement,” Dr Minnis told reporters at the House of Assembly yesterday. “That confidence I am certain and I’m confident will be displayed or transferred also to the general election because I could not ask for such better confidence, that I could make such a great difference in the referendum, so the FNM looks forward to the difference I would make for the general election, getting the PLP out.” SEE PAGE SEVEN

PLP REACTION STARKLY DIFFERENT FROM 2002

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE reactions of Progressive Liberal Party politicians to the failed gender equality referendum is a stark turnaround from the positions taken following the first attempt to change the Constitution in 2002. For several senior PLP ministers, the concessions appear to be an ironic role reversal of their stance against the process undertaken by the Ingraham administration. On February 27, 2002, voters were asked whether they

approved of the removal of gender discrimination from the Constitution; the creation of a national commission to monitor the standards of teachers; the creation of an independent parliamentary commissioner; the creation of an independent election boundaries commission; and the increase of the retirement ages of judges from 60 to 65, and from 68 to 72 for appellate judges. The questions were overwhelmingly rejected, with Bahamians voting against the question on constitutional change by 66 per cent. SEE PAGE SIX

PASTOR Lyall Bethel speaking yesterday as the Vote No campaign held a press conference to discuss the referendum outcome. See page three for more from the conference. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FINAL RESULTS IN - BUT ANALYSIS RAISES QUESTIONS OVER ACCURACY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

REFERENDUM results from Fort Charlotte, Fox Hill, Marathon and Sea Breeze – the remaining four undisclosed constituencies from Tuesday’s vote – were released to the public yesterday, with all four adhering to result trends already set earlier this week. However, the results is-

sued by the Parliamentary Registration Department came with a myriad of varying figures and apparent incorrect totals identified by The Tribune. The final four constituencies firmly rejected all four referendum questions – with the widest margin on question four, which sought to prevent discrimination of any type based on sex, which was defined as being male or female.

The fourth Constitutional Amendment Bill, the most controversial, was abhorred by many in the religious community who viewed it as a means to open the door to same-sex marriage throughout the Bahamas. In Fort Charlotte, an estimated 5,427 voters were registered, but only 2,705 around 50 per cent - cast ballots on Tuesday, according to The Tribune’s assessment

of the data. The figures prepared by the Parliamentary Registration Department did not include the number of spoiled ballots. Voters in that constituency rejected question one by 1,468 “no” votes compared to 1,237 “yes” votes; question two by 1,723 to 945; question three by 1,590 to 1,077 and question four by 1,933 to 710.

The international agency insisted that human rights should not be determined by a vote, but protected by the state. “The recent referendum in the Bahamas was a missed opportunity to enshrine greater protection for gender equality in citizenship mat-

ters in Bahamian law and to prohibit discrimination based on sex,” a statement from Amnesty said. “The result puts at risk the citizenship rights of families, particularly children born into families with diverse nationalities or children born outside of

the Bahamas to Bahamian parents. “It also leaves women vulnerable to discrimination. Human rights should not be determined by a vote, but should always be protected by the state.” SEE PAGE TWO

SEE PAGE SIX

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP: FAILED VOTE IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

HUMAN rights watchdog Amnesty International yesterday called the failed gender equality referendum a “missed opportunity” for reform.

REFERENDUM COVERAGE ON PAGES 1-10, WITH RESULTS ON PAGES 8-9

PAGE 2A , Friday, June 10, 2016

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HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP: FAILED VOTE IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

from page one

Amnesty’s reaction comes after six major international agencies threw their support behind a “yes” vote last week. In a joint statement, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNICEF, UN Women, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) commended the Bahamas for holding the

June 7 vote. The groups projected that its success will impact reform efforts worldwide. All four Constitutional Amendment Bills were overwhelmingly rejected by voters at the polls on Tuesday, according to the unofficial results released by the Parliamentary Registration Department. The first bill one sought to give Bahamian women married to foreign men the right to pass on their Bahamian citizenship to any child of that union no matter where that child is born. Bill two as written would

have allowed a Bahamian woman married to a foreign man the right to secure for her husband the same access to Bahamian citizenship as a Bahamian male has in relation to his foreign wife. Bill three sought to grant any unmarried Bahamian man the right to pass on his Bahamian citizenship to any child he fathers with a foreign woman with proof of paternity. Bill four, regarded as the most controversial, sought to prevent discrimination of any type based on sex – being defined as being born male or born female.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie and Dr Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security, outside the House of Assembly after the referendum defeat. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, Friday,June June10, 10,2016, 2016,PAGE PAGE3A 3

Pastors: We diverted the global homosexual agenda By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Save Our Bahamas Committee - the group that successfully opposed Tuesday’s gender equality referendum - yesterday likened their efforts to the biblical story of David versus Goliath, contending that God used their small effort to divert the “global homosexual agenda”. Speaking during what the group labelled a “victory” press conference, the committee publicly thanked God for directing its steps the last two months and the steps of the electorate in delivering a resounding “no” vote in the June 7 referendum. Mario Moxey, senior pastor of Bahamas Harvest Church, characterised the success of the organisation’s campaign as an incredible victory for the people of the Bahamas. Pastor Moxey continued: “Just like the biblical story of David and Goliath, God used a slingshot to take down a giant. God used the little that we had to bring down the global homosexual agenda from advancing in our country.” In mid-April, the group launched its vote “no” campaign on the premise that bill four would open the door to same-sex marriage. The pastors implored voters to reject the fourth bill and vote their conscience on the bills one, two and three. However, the group’s stance on the referendum and some of the promotional material used to push for a “no” vote suggested the pastors wanted the electorate to reject all four questions on the ballot. Responding to questions on the apparent change in the group’s overall message, Pastor Moxey maintained that the group’s message re-

mained constant from start to finish. “From the time we started our campaign to the night of the referendum I publicly stated our position. Our position has never changed. Our position has always been to vote your conscience on bills one, two and three; and vote ‘no’ on bill four because we thought it opened the door to samesex marriage,” he said. “That has never changed, and we have remained committed to that particular message.” Bill four, regarded as the most controversial, sought to prevent discrimination of any type based on sex being defined as being male or female. This was to be inserted in Article 26 of the Constitution. Some observers have said with the failure of question four, the door is now open for a challenge to the ban on same-sex marriages because discrimination based on sex is not allowed under Article 15 of the Constitution, but the word has been left undefined. Pastor Moxey rejected this argument. “In Chapter three there are articles, 15 - 31. Article 15 is considered the preamble to that particular Chapter and it speaks of the freedoms and rights of an individual, however, in Article 15 it expresses that if you really want to see how these rights are conveyed, then you need to see Article 15-31.” “So sex is included in Article 15 but it doesn’t have any teeth, this is based on a ruling by the Privy Council that stated that Article 15 was only a preamble to those particular article,” he reasoned. “Hence the reason it was so necessary to insert the word in Article 26 in order to give it teeth. So the argument that inserting sex in

PASTORS at yesterday’s press conference with newspapers showing coverage of the referendum on the table. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff the Constitution and defining it between a male and a female is good law, we insert that it is bad law.” Lyall Bethel, pastor of Grace Community Church, addressing the international ramifications of the “no” vote to bill four said the country has always “called out to God in the midst of great trials and God is delivered.” Pastor Bethel said Bahamians made it clear who they are and what they stand for. “I don’t think we want to send any kind of message that we are going to be kow-towing to international agendas to have absolutely no regard for our social morals to what we believe,” he said. “And we believe in traditional marriage. We believe that there is nothing

READERS GIVE VIEWS ON REFERENDUM OUTCOME AFTER Prime Minister Perry Christie conceded that he was personally “disappointed” with the constitutional referendum outcome, readers gave their views on tribune242.com. Calypso had some praise for the Prime Minister: “Surprisingly well spoken and a thorough response. Shame this country will continue to be held back by those who cannot grasp the notions of change and equality.” Well_mudda_take_sic said: “Perry is not the least bit concerned about the outcome of the recent referendum . . . he still has his “ace in the hole” when it comes to the PLP winning the next general election, namely MINNIS!” Reality_Check predicted a bleak future for the PLP: “And like most tired old political party leaders who stay in public office far too long, Christie has doomed the political futures of those senior PLP party members who have loyally served him for many years and who have been quietly manoeuvring in recent times with the hope of one day succeeding him. The PLP party, if it survives at all, is on the verge of being banished by the voters to the political wilderness for at least the next 40 years or so. The same will happen to the FNM party if its more senior council members do not soon jettison Minnis to the political wilderness forever . . . even the most diehard FNM voters have no stomach for Minnis whatsoever and will not be voting in 2017 for the FNM candidate in their constituency unless Minnis is forced to step down as both opposi-

tion leader and FNM party leader.” Sheeprunner12 called for the PM to resign: “Perry should now do the honourable thing . . . resign and prorogue the Parliament and let the Bahamian citizens elect a government that they can trust . . . Perry and his colonial-style political henchmen (and women) have to go . . . we need a new generation of post-Majority Rule leaders running this country with no direct influence/ties from the former Pindling administrations. We must divorce ourselves from that 1967-92 era.”

DON’t miss your chance to vote on The Tribune’s latest online poll which asks: Why do you think the referendum bills failed? THE RESULTS so far are pictured above. And there was this from Honestman: “Christie said: ‘I will never stop believing that our sons and daughters deserve equal rights in our Constitution and equal treatment under our laws’. Well Prime Minister, if that is what you truly believe (and I seriously doubt it) you had the chance to help deliver equal rights for women in 2002 but you chose otherwise, didn’t you?”

sinister or evil about male headship, yes we acknowledge that there are some men who could be doing better jobs as husbands. “But we are not prepared to say we are going to throw Christianity out to accommodate select groupings of individuals who feel that their rights are being trampled, when truth of the matter is, they have the same rights we all have.” “We are not prepared to give special rights, we all enjoy the same rights.” Failure Bill four was rejected by the largest percentage of voters in Tuesday’s referendum. Bills one, two and three dealt with issues of citizenship. Save Our Bahamas as-

serted that the failure of those bills hinged on the failures of the government, the YES Bahamas campaign and the Constitutional Commission’s Educational Committee. Initially, Save Our Bahamas wrote the government requesting $100,000 in funding considering that the government had financed the YES Bahamas campaign. That request was not approved, with the government sustaining that it wanted to stand on the “right side of history, morality and equality.” Pastor Bethel on Tuesday said the group would demand that the government give a detailed account of how the money given to the ‘yes’ campaign was spent. Moreover, yesterday,

Pastor Moxey implied that the group was open to the idea of being reimbursed in part for the money poured into their vote ‘no’ campaign. He noted that most of the group’s financing came from donations, as he took a jab at the government for not acknowledging receipt of the group’s financial request. “At this point in time the government has yet to formally respond to our request, so as long as there is life there is hope. Maybe the government will decide that they would pitch in, who knows what could happen. If they certainly provide assistance we won’t reject it,” he said. The group will hold its final “Prayer in the Square” Monday, June 13, at 7pm.

PAGE 4A, Friday, June 10, 2016

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More Americans are dying each year by accident WASHINGTON (AP) — Accidents are killing more Americans each year, increasingly from overdoses and falls. A new report from the National Safety Council said that in 2014, more than 136,000 Americans died accidentally. That’s up 4.2 percent from the year before and a jump of 15.5 percent over a decade. And the accident rate has risen despite a 22 percent plunge in car crash deaths since 2005. Overdose and accidental poisonings are up 78 percent over a decade — pushing aside car crashes as the No. 1 accidental killer in the US. They killed 42,032 people, about 6,000 more than vehicle accidents. Opioid overdoses killed 13,486 people in 2014, the non-profit safety council reported. Falls are up 63 percent over a decade, which experts said is a function of an aging society. “It’s all preventable. Every accident is preventable,” said Ken Kolosh, the safety council’s statistical manager said in a Thursday news conference. He said the point is not that people are accident prone, but that society is not doing enough to prevent people from dying by accident. An American dies of accidental injury every four minutes. If you count people who do not die but need medical help, the rate increases to one every second, according to the safety council. Where you live can more than double the rate of accidental deaths. Maryland, California and New York have the lowest accidental death rates — around 30 per 100,000 people. West Virginia — driven by overdoses, Kolosh said — has the highest accidental death rate at 75.2 per 100,000, followed by Oklahoma (64.3) and Montana (61.4). The national average is 41.3 accidental deaths per 100,000 people. “Unintentional injuries are clearly a real public health issue,” said George Gray, a George Washington University public health professor and expert on risk, who wasn’t part of the report but praised it. Car crashes have become less lethal, but the opioid and prescription drug abuse epidemic is growing more deadly, Gray said.

In 1999, overdoses, poisonings and falls accounted for one in four accidental deaths. Now, they are more half of them. The 218-page annual Injury Facts report is based on federal death and injury statistics and other science studies, and gives a big picture look at what’s really killing Americans and sending them to the hospitals. The three biggest killers remain diseases: heart disease, cancer, and lower respiratory diseases. But unintentional injury — the accidents at work, home and in vehicles that the report concentrates on — is the fourth leading killer, beating out stroke, Alzheimer’s diabetes, flu and suicide. People think murder is a big risk in America, but there are eight accidental deaths for every homicide. And there are more than two times as many suicides as murders, with suicides by gun steadily increasing. In the past, accidents ranked as low as seventh leading killer of Americans, but the country has done a better job of reducing and preventing illness deaths than accidental ones. The report notes the drop in motor vehicle deaths in 2014, down to 35,398 from a high of more than 53,000 in 1980. “Far fewer teenagers and young adults are dying on the roads than they were in 1981,” Kolosh said. But even that good news isn’t exactly good. It’s partly a function of the economy and with a growing economy, preliminary 2015 data show that car crash fatalities are up 8 percent, Kolosh said. The United States has higher car fatality rate than other developed countries, partly because drunk driving regulations and other safety rules are looser in America, Kolosh said. The safety council report veers from the deadly to the strange: Toilet accidents sent 112,412 people to the emergency room in 2014, more than saws, hammers, or even trampolines and swimming pools but not nearly as much as carpets and floors. Slippery floors and rugs send nearly 1.6 million people to the emergency room a year. “Bathrooms are a relatively dangerous place,” Kolosh said, adding that it’s mostly an issue of elderly people falling. By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

This is censorship EDITOR, The Tribune. WE have a democratic right to vote. Just as importantly, we have a democratic right to the results. The actual results. I, as many others are, am appalled that on Tuesday evening the results of only three Nassau constituencies were received and publicised through official channels. Only three, and these three were still incomplete. Five hours after the polls closed, results were read from only six of the 38 constituencies. As of Wednesday evening, three New Providence constituencies were still outstanding. The referendum may have won by the no vote. But by how many? What was the voter turnout? How many

ballots were spoiled? We have a right to this information. And by not sharing it with the public, so many questions are being raised. Did the PLP ask for more time before polling results were publicised? If so, what right do they have to stop the information going to the public? Make no mistake about it, someone or several people prevented the information being shared. They have denied the Bahamian people knowledge. A power cut is one thing. But in this day and age, a malfunctioning fax machine is not a sufficient excuse. And absolutely not for two days of delays. There are landlines. There are cell phones. There are radios. And in worst case scenarios, there are cars or people

can walk! The PLP had sufficient time to write a statement and confirm on Tuesday evening that the referendum was conceded. There is no way that this could have been done without prior knowledge to more constituency poll results than we, the people, had access to. Especially when the people at the time had access to results from only six constituencies. Six out of the 38. This is disgraceful. I may not like the results, but we each have a right to know what they are. Polling station by polling station, constituency by constituency. This is our country too. FP Nassau, June 9, 2016.

Gender equality EDITOR, The Tribune. AFTER all is said and done, there are three points I wish to share: 1) Voting to defeat the Constitutional Amendments because you don’t like or trust the government is like filling your gas tank

with water because you have a beef with the service station. 2) A vote to treat everyone the same under the law is not a vote of conscience. 3) There is no law anywhere that will never be abused. That is why the court system exists.

It is most unfortunate that almost 50 years into Independence we should even be having this conversation. We have so much other work to do. PAT RAHMING Nassau, June 5, 2016.

Tennyson Wells in his own defence EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Graduate and his groupies were once and are journalists who are lazy, indisciplined and always lived off others by receiving handouts and payments from the public purse and have been sucking up to power and/or perceived power all their lives. The Graduate, his groupies and Zhivargo Laing (Focus) have attacked Tennyson Wells but their attacks have no basis in fact or truth as I will prove below. You have never seen in the press/media at any time where Tennyson Wells made donations to charities and others, but he has been making multiple donations of thousands of dollars annually and does not relish writing this response, however, your readers and the country ought to have the facts and the truth in order to make a comparative or reasonable judgment as to who has contributed and is contributing more to the development of our society and our country. Let The Graduate and Front Porch Simon reveal him/themselves and let the public measure each of us. Let the public make their decision based on the facts as to who have ulterior motives – Tennyson Wells who signs his name or The Graduate who hides under the cover of darkness and false names. Tennyson Wells is the son of two successful farmers who encouraged him to get an education and inculcated in him the principles of hard work, fairness, honesty and integrity. Tennyson is proud to have raised all his children without having to resort, as some have done, to making them wards of the state or abandoning them to relatives and friends in abject neglect of parental responsibility and obligations. Further, Tennyson has

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net never been an unapologetic sucker on the teat of friends and organisations milking them shamelessly without making any real contributions over scores of years. Over the last forty years, Tennyson Wells as the head of his family along with his dear wife and children has built up or with others assisted in building up enterprises which ensures that hundreds, yes hundreds of Bahamians take home a paycheck - and not a minimum wage paycheck either - every week or every two weeks – What say The Graduate and Front Porch Simon? Tennyson Wells contributes regularly food, water and money in the thousands of dollars to many charities and the poor weekly, monthly and annually. Over the years, Tennyson Wells has conceived, commissioned and has been involved in the development of many subdivisions in New Providence, has developed and built hundreds of dwelling homes and assisted many families in getting roofs over their heads – Can The Graduate or Front Porch Simon or Focus compare? Tennyson Wells has and have business associates and friends black and white - Yes Zhivargo Laing (Focus) – some from the Eastern Road and elsewhere who I have been and still is in business with him for decades – and you know what they are all wonderful black and white people who pull themselves up by their hard work and integrity. Yes, we all like to earn money and we put it to good use in building up our society, country and humanity at large. We are not only takers we give back – What

have The Graduate, Front Porch Simon given back other than their poison and putrid pen? When the FNM had to leave its headquarters on Mackey Street and Chesapeake Road in 1986/87, Tennyson Wells provided and financed the national headquarters and offices for the FNM and paid its utilities bills from 1986 to 1991 - five years. The Graduate, in spite of some of the positions you have held many, I say many people believe that our society and country was not well served by you, you were not and is not a good example for your and their children. Just a word of advice to Zhivargo Laing (Focus) who I still believe has some promise if he can only be consistent in his philosophy/opinions/actions and control his ever changing vocations/ calling and ambitions. The same way you did not listen to those street people who told you what was going to happen in 2002 and 2012 and you were proven wrong will happen again to you in 2016/2017. God’s willing Dr Minnis’ success internally within the FNM and the country over the coming years will prove you wrong again. For once in your life stop kow-towing to the whims and fancies of others and try to write commentaries based on facts and truth, and not on fiction and what you want the facts to be – you are entitled to your own opinion but you are not entitled to your own facts - facts are facts - 49 per cent can never be the same as 51 per cent no matter how many times you say it. You will do well to try and develop better judgments based on facts. TENNYSON WELLS Nassau, June, 2016.

Deceptively sinful

EDITOR, The Tribune. Re:Mitchell: Deception By Vote “No” Side Is A Sin. The Tribune, June 2, 2016. THE referendum’s overwhelming “No” outcome shows there are frighteningly more deceptive sinners amongst us than we

ever thought possible. However, we can now feel much less threatened since we know virtually none of these sinners is involved in that sneaky LGBT agenda. KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, June 8, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 10, 2016, PAGE 5A

‘REFERENDUM RESULT WON’T AFFECT CHANCES OF PLP WINNING RE-ELECTION’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller asserted yesterday that he was not surprised by the overwhelming rejection of the equality referendum, attributing its failure to the electorate’s inability to see the constitutional changes as beneficial to their lives. Despite this, Mr Miller said he doubted the referendum’s outcome would affect the Progressive Liberal Party’s chances of winning the May 2017 general election. He further contended that the failure of Tues-

day’s vote was hinged on “too many negative things coming into play” at the wrong time, as he pointed to the public calls for equality from “those funny bunnies”. He was referring to Bahamas Transgender Intersex United’s (BTIU) launch of its multi-level equality campaign, “Bahamian Trans Lives Matter”, in late April. The group said it sought to secure equal rights for transgender Bahamians at the height of debate about the gender equality referendum. He said this “infuriated” many Bahamians

and caused them to second guess the government’s motive behind the push of question four. This question asked voters to eliminate discrimination based on sex in the Constitution by inserting the word “sex” into Article 26. “It didn’t surprise me at all (that it failed), nope,” Mr Miller told The Tribune yesterday. “I told my colleagues that I was deeply concerned about the sentiments expressed by my constituents. People are hurting and they were mad as hell that the government was talking about a referendum.

“A lot of the voters felt that there was nothing in this referendum for them. They saw this referendum as being for the upper crust and as being for the educated. “There was nothing in it for them, is what they felt. Yes they might have very well married a foreigner or they might have had a baby for a Jamaican or whatever foreigner (but) that didn’t sway them in the least. They just were not concerned about it and those who voted, voted their conscience and their conscience told them vote ‘no’ to change the Constitution.”

He continued: “At this time when Bahamians are really in a stressful financial state and otherwise they just didn’t have the patience or the will to even consider making any changes.” On Wednesday, Prime Minister Perry Christie said he was personally “disappointed” with the referendum’s outcome, saying he had hoped that the country would have voted ‘yes’, therefore lifting The Bahamas to an historic level. Admitting that his administration has a “history” after going against the overwhelming ‘no’ votes of the 2013 gaming referendum, Mr Christie said the gov-

ernment now had to look at the implications of this decision and also examine other factors that may have contributed to the failure of Tuesday’s referendum. However he insisted that the results of the referendum in his view were not an expression of a lack of confidence in the government. Mr Christie told reporters that the government made every effort to ensure that the process was bi-partisan and transparent. Earlier, the prime minister told parliamentarians that the voice of the people had sounded in the land. He said this needed to be respected and would be.

‘People are cynical towards politicians’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said Bahamians sent a message to politicians of all parties with their overwhelming rejection of the constitutional referendum on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters at the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Davis said: “I think there are a myriad of reasons why people voted ‘no’. I think there is just a cynicism that’s existing in our country now about politicians, period, because I still premise this referendum on the fact that this was a bipartisan effort. “What (Bahamians) saw was that the establishment was behind this bipartisan effort and there was cynicism to all politicians. I think it’s a message to both parties, not just to the current administration because as I said this was a joint effort between the opposition and the government.” In reaction to news of the referendum’s failure, members of the governing party have sought to link themselves to Official Opposition and to various church leaders as a way of dismissing assertions that the referendum’s failure was a reflection of the Bahamian people’s dissatisfaction with the governing party in particular. Free National Movement

‘

I think there is just a cynicism that’s existing in our country now about politicians, period, because I still premise this referendum on the fact that this was a bipartisan effort. What (Bahamians) saw was that the establishment was behind this bipartisan effort and there was cynicism to all politicians.’ (FNM) members have rejected this notion, however, pointing out that power to govern in the country is largely concentrated in the Christie administration. On Wednesday, one of Prime Minister Perry Christie’s chief advisors, Sean McWeeney, went further than Mr Christie was willing to go when he told reporters the “no” vote was a message from the Bahamian people to the government. “No question about it,” Mr McWeeney said when asked by The Tribune if he believed distrust in government contributed to the results. “There’s no question that the experience of the gaming referendum and the fallout from that and the feeling that the government was perhaps not serious about honouring the expressed issues of the people, that clearly was a major factor,” he said. “I think there was also some payback for 2002 involved. There was a sense that the government when it was in opposition had reneged on its promise and commitment in 2002 and I

think a lot of FNMs made no secret that this was the time to repay the favours so to speak, but I think clearly the gaming referendum was a much more powerful force at work in this referendum.” Nonetheless, Mr Davis said he voted “yes for all four and would’ve hoped the outcome would’ve been ‘yes’ for all four.” “That hasn’t happened but I will abide by the will of the people.” As for concern about the Parliamentary Registration Department’s confusing and delayed delivery of vote results, Mr Davis said he understands the anxiety around the matter. “I would’ve hoped it would be more expeditious or efficient but we must remember we are an archipelago and that makes information tougher to get to the centre,” he said.

Death Notice For Jean-Noel Mesidor, 62

a resident of Lightbourne Street, Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas formerly of Limbe, Haiti, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Friday, June 3rd, 2016. He is survived by his loving Companion: Marie-RoseValmyr; Daughters: Ms. Dina Mesidor, Ms. Monique Mesidor; Sons: Mr. James Mesidor, Mr. Jules Mesidor, Mr. Jamaal Mesidor; Mother: Mrs. Antonise Jean; Father: Dortilus Mesidor; Step Mother: Ilta Thoby; Brothers: Mr. Dorlean Mesidor, Mr. Theodor Mesidor, Mr Jcquelin Mesidor, Mr Mondestin Mesidor, Perrecius Mesidor, Mr. Castil Mesidor, Mr. Gerard Thoby, Mr. Dortilien Pierre; Sisters: Mrs. Magalie PierreSeraphin, Ms Lucina Pierre; Grandchildren; Daughter-In-Law; Nieces; Nephews; Aunts; Uncles; Numerous Other Relatives and Friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

PHILIP BRAVE DAVIS, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, in the House of Assembly this week. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 6A , Friday, June 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

PLP reaction starkly different from 2002 from page one Speaking to an exhilarated crowd at the party’s headquarters that night, Prime Minister Perry Christie, then opposition leader, called the results “enormously gratifying.” He said: “Today truth has emerged victorious. It is a bright and joyous day for The Bahamas. This is not an occasion for gloating. For those of us that campaigned so vigorously for the results that have been achieved have won a victory for the Bahamian people.” Then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham conceded defeat in a short statement that night, accepting “full and complete responsibility” for the overwhelming “no” vote. He described the outcome as a “rejection of the last but one of my assignments.” At a press conference the following day, Mr Ingraham said he was ashamed that voters decided not to bring the country in line with international conventions on equal rights for women, but ultimately accepted the will of the people.

Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson – then the PLP’s candidate for Pinewood – told The Tribune that Bahamians were on the “right side of history” having been led by religious leaders. She said it was obvious that Bahamians felt the process was too rushed, adding that Mr Christie’s turnaround on the issue had “positive and instructive” effects that should not be underestimated. “Bahamian voters are not stupid and they will not be duped or manipulated,” she said in 2002. “Further, they will not be swayed to make decisions about their children’s future based on someone’s personal experience relayed to the public through what could only be jaundiced eyes.” “With circumstances in mind it is not surprising that the referendum was so soundly defeated. “Gone are the days when the majority voted on sheer emotionalism,” she added. Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage, then leader of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR), said the results

showed that Bahamians “spoke as they ought to.” “I think they have said firstly that the constitutional proposals submitted by the government will not gain their support,” Dr Nottage said. “I think they are saying secondly that they did not like the process of reviews and I think they are protesting against the process. Thirdly, I think that the expenditure of money, the hogging of the airwaves, the monopolising of the newspapers, and the necessary expenditure of vast amounts of money spent by the government has been rejected by the people of The Bahamas.” Dr Nottage said he always had confidence that the Bahamian people would do “what is in their best interest”. Two days before the 2002 vote, the CDR leader took to Rawson Square to protest against the changes alongside Coalition-Labour candidate Halston Moultrie. Dr Nottage spoke in front of a coffin, which reportedly signified the death of democracy in the Bahamas. MICAL MP V Alfred Gray was also present to lend

support for the common goal. Dr Nottage then led a march to ZNS claiming his group was treated unfairly by the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. He said the government “used public funds, resources and employees to hold public forums and spread partisan propaganda.” Dr Nottage’s rebuke of ZNS, and the government for its treatment of opposition campaigns, draws a direct parallel to claims by Save Our Bahamas that it was unfairly victimised in the lead-up to the 2016 vote. In the months leading up to the referendum, Save Our Bahamas and other groups repeatedly hit out at the government for ignoring their requests for equal funding for their “no” campaign. Flash forward to June 7, it was Save Our Bahamas member Pastor Lyall Bethel who urged supporters not to gloat over the victory as it became clear that the referendum had failed. Mr Christie did not issue a statement on referendum night, instead PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts acknowledged the loss.

The following day, Mr Christie conceded that he was personally “disappointed” with the event’s outcome. He told the media he had hoped that the country would have voted “yes’”, therefore lifting The Bahamas to an historic level. He insisted on Wednesday that the results of the referendum in his view were not an expression of a lack of confidence in the government, underscoring that every effort was made to ensure that the process was bi-partisan and transparent. However, in 2002, his party was insistent that the failed vote necessitated an immediate resignation from Mr Ingraham. Leading the charge, perhaps most vehemently, was Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, at the time a PLP senator, who said the outcome had vindicated his decision to vote “no”. He congratulated Mr Christie and his team for the “skilful manner” in which it was handled. “The Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and his party, the Free National Movement, went down to resounding defeat on

Wednesday, 27 February, 2002,” Mr Mitchell said. “Their spin doctors and apologists are trying to make-up all sorts of stories about the whys and the wherefores. The simple fact is they were beaten and beaten convincingly.” Mr Mitchell also said: “The lesson for the PLP is that the role of a political party is to shape public opinion, not the other way around. We must be informed by public opinion but the duty to lead is the role of a political party. “On the other hand we have nothing but scorn for this jackass that we call our prime minister. He had to concede defeat just after 9.30pm on the night of the referendum. But the next day, he was back true to form,” he said. “He refused to resign making some spurious distinction by saying that this was a vote, not against the FNM and himself, but against the issues raised in the referendum. “That is utter foolishness and is at variance with every known convention of the Constitution,” Mr Mitchell had said in 2002.

POSSIBLE INACCURACIES NOTED BY THE TRIBUNE ANALYSIS • Central and South Abaco division five results for question two showing 490 ‘No’ voters despite only 363 registered voters in the division. • MICAL division two showing 79 ‘No’ voters despite only 61 registered voters in the division. • MICAL also showed voters in excess of the registered number in division one on Wednesday, however that has been amended in the results issued yesterday. • Centreville divisions nine and 11 on question three showing a change of 100 voters each on question three, with the ‘No’ vote now losing in those divisions despite trends in the area and the sums of voters not adding up for that question to sums similar to questions one, two and four. • The Tribune has noted numerous other changes and inconsistencies.

FINAL RESULTS IN BUT ANALYSIS RAISES QUESTIONS OVER ACCURACY

from page one

In Fox Hill, there were a total of 5,065 voters. It is estimated that only 47 per cent – 2,642 voters – turned up to the polls based on The Tribune’s calculations. On question one, 1,051 voted in favour of the amendment while 1,591 rejected it. On question two, 711 supported while 1,925 rejected. The third question was rejected by a vote of 896 to 1,744 and so was the fourth question by a vote of 492 to 2,052. In Marathon, 49 per cent - 2,526 of the registered 5,015 voters - came out to vote on Tuesday. Question one failed by 1,084 to 1,435. Question two failed by 836 to 1,681 votes. The third question failed

973 to 1,548 votes and the fourth question failed by 610 to 1,916. Lastly in Sea Breeze, an estimated 5,252 voters were registered, but only 2,811 cast ballots – around 46 per cent – according to The Tribune’s assessment. Voters rejected question one by 1,732 to 1,068 votes. On question two, 775 voters were in favour while 2,036 were against it. Question three failed by 924 to 1,884 votes and question four failed by 523 to 2,285 votes. Moreover, Killarney, with all 13 polling stations now reported, has become the fourth constituency to approve question one – with 1,813 ”yes” votes to 1,358 ”no”, according to the figures released yesterday. According to the data,

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the constituencies of Montagu, St Anne’s as well as Central and South Abaco also had majority votes for question one. Voters in Killarney were tied on question three, according to the data released yesterday, with each question getting 1,581 votes. Other completed constituencies include Elizabeth and MICAL. As of Wednesday evening, Elizabeth was presented without polling division 12 where 353 voters were registered. Voters in polling division 12 approved the passage of all four bills. On question one, 163 voted yes, 63 voted no. On question two, 137 voted yes, 85 voted no. On question three, 144 voted yes, 81 voted no. On question four, 113 voted yes, 105 voted no. However, these results were not enough to offset totals in the constituency all four bills were rejected. MICAL had six of its 12 polling divisions outstanding before the final results were issued on Thursday. Once those remaining divisions were added, questions one was rejected by 108 votes (204 yes, 312 no) question two was rejected by 183 votes (171 yes, 353 no), question three was rejected by 146 votes (186 yes, 332 no) and question four was rejected by 318 votes (123 yes, 441 no).

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 10, 2016, PAGE 7A

Call for both Christie and Minnis to step down By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Paul Moss and Pastor Glen Rolle took calls for Prime Minister Perry Christie to resign following the failed referendum a step further yesterday, demanding the resignation of Leader of the Official Opposition Dr Hubert Minnis as well. The pair insisted the party leaders had lost credibility and were unfit to lead given their collaboration in Parliament and support of the “yes” campaign. “What we have is a collaborative effort by Dr Minnis and the prime minister to fashion a ‘yes’ vote,” Mr Moss said. “The Bahamian people voted in overwhelming numbers and rejected the vote. In every step of the way these two acted in concert, so now no one is left to hold government’s feet to the fire. No one could give an account; no one knew they were collaborating together. They gave people the impression that the PLP was acting alone.” “When you look at the prime minister in his commentary, he went to great lengths to point out that Dr Minnis was in step with him. Dr Minnis has conspired, aided and abetted.” Mr Moss pointed out that the Official Opposition should have demanded the government report the amount of public funds used to finance the YES Bahamas campaign, but ultimately did not because it was “in bed with it.” He noted that Tuesday’s vote was not just an outright rejection but “something cataclysmic.” Meanwhile, Pastor Rolle

hit out at major religious leaders who supported the referendum, accusing those clergymen of abandoning the Bahamian people in a time of spiritual need. “Given the fact that thousands of Bahamians have rejected all of the bills advanced by the Bahamas government,” Pastor Rolle said, “the extent to which the major religious leaders abandoned what ought to have been a clear sign that they ought to be keepers of the gate. “They seemed to have aligned themselves with policy and a constitutional referendum that clearly was an abandonment of the very foundation as to which this nation was built. At this defining moment the Bahamian people expected not only the government but those we rely on for spirit guidance to give the kind of leadership that would secure and preserve who we are as a people.” Pastor Rolle said: “In the absence of leaders from government and traditional leadership, Bahamian people were left to fend for themselves. Except those who fought, they were an expression of the champions for the Bahamian people, they stood at the gate when those turned their backs on the Bahamian people.” He maintained that the outcome reaffirms for the next generation the values that were passed down from the nation’s founding fathers. Mr Moss and Pastor Rolle spoke out as members of an economic group Securing Economic Freedom for All (SEFA), which is headed by trade unionist John Pinder. Although Mr Moss denied that SEFA was a political group, both men issued an appeal to political-hope-

PRIME Minister Perry Christie, FNM leader Hubert Minnis and Loretta Butler-Turner MP sharing a light-hearted moment in the House of Assembly last year. fuls to band together in hopes of forging a coalition government of independents. “I want to make a call to all Bahamians who are independent,” Mr Moss said, “who believe that they can do the job of a parliamentarian as leaders of their country to come forward now. The people have said they have rejected both FNM and PLP and now is the time for independent people to come up, band together and make place in the country so we can change direction of the

country. “We see ourselves and the Bahamian people see themselves as keepers of the gate, and they want others to keep the gate with them. The current leadership failed and was influenced by outside factions.” Mr Moss said the failed referendum has inspired persons to get involved in public service. “People are seeing this as their opportunity to give back to their country and be a part of a new government,” he said.

ROBERTS: FLIP-FLOPPING WILL BE MINNIS’ UNDOING

PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday that the “flip-flopping ways” of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis will “prove to be his political undoing” as he criticised the Killarney MP for his stance on the constitutional referendum. In a statement released yesterday, Mr Roberts said since Dr Minnis voted for the Constitutional Amendment Bills in Parliament he could not, with any credibility, now say that the failure of the referendum is a rejection of the Christie administration. “He was a part of the government that voted for the bills and presented the same before the Bahamian people for their ratification,” Mr Roberts said. “Minnis’ flip-flopping ways will prove to be his political undoing. By his unseemly actions, nobody knows where Dr Minnis stands on any national issue of import and when he takes a position, his words cannot be trusted because he will change his mind as easily as the wind changes direction; this is not leadership and the Bahamian

‘

Nobody knows where Dr Minnis stands on any national issue of import and when he takes a position, his words cannot be trusted because he will change his mind as easily as the wind changes direction.’ people are beginning to see this more and more each day. “Telling the media on referendum day that his vote was secret left many Bahamians to suspect and believe that having voted for the four bills in Parliament, Dr Minnis changed his mind mid-stream and voted against the bills on referendum day. This is not leadership and Bahamians do not trust a so-called leader who sends mixed messages and acts with such great ambiguity.” Mr Roberts said that senior members of the FNM have strongly criticised Dr Minnis publicly for failing to lead effectively. He added: “While more junior members of his party

demonstrated leadership by cautioning Bahamians against peddling and being deceived by misinformation, Dr Minnis was missing in action on this. He was publicly chided by members of his party for failing to show leadership on this important vote. Minnis apparently sat on the proverbial fence and waited until the results were announced to decide on what side of the fence he would land. Clearly, this is not leadership. “Minnis lacks conviction and he lacks courage. It is interesting that voters in several FNM leaning constituencies voted ‘yes’, in support of the government’s efforts to bring some form of resolution to this longstanding and vexing issue

of equality in citizenship. Minnis unwittingly betted against staunch supporters of his own party while many of his supporters stood with the government in trying to address these long standing issues.” He added: “Also of note was the conspicuous absence of the majority of his caucus during his press conference in the Minority Room of the House (on Wednesday) even though they were in the precincts of the House during the briefing. “In the end the all-important issues of citizenship and equality remain largely unresolved and will have to be revisited by future generations because disfranchised Bahamians will not allow these issues to just go away. “As for the PLP, this organisation believes that all Bahamians and their children should be treated equally under our supreme law; history will record where the PLP stood on this historic day and we thank the government for deepening our democracy with this referendum vote.”

MINNIS MOCKS LORETTA CRITICISM

from page one

Dr Minnis’ comments comes as he faces threats to his leadership, with six parliamentarians recently threatening to seek his removal as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament if he failed to call an early convention. His comments about Mrs Butler-Turner yesterday represented a shift in the way he responds to criticism from fellow FNM members as he usually avoids giving a direct response. His comments come as

Mrs Butler-Turner weighs whether to challenge him for leadership of the party at a convention to be held in late July. Nonetheless, Dr Minnis continued to avoid expressing a definite position on the referendum or to say how he voted. “What happen, you got wax in your ears or something?” he quipped when pressed on the matter. “I’ve always thought that a vote should remain private,” he said before adding that he will vote for himself in the Killarney constituency during the next general

election. “I’ve always believed in women’s equality. I expressed my views in Parliament and if you read what I said, I said the vote here today is for the referendum to be taken out to the people so they can have their say and I advised them that they should be properly knowledgeable on the issues, attend any meeting or gathering possible so they would be well versed on the issue, then vote their conscience because the decisions they make will be the decisions for tomorrow.” Dr Minnis expressed

confusion at the anger some Bahamians felt over the “no” result. “They voted their conscience so I must respect the vote of the people,” he said. “I don’t understand why people are upset because the people voted one way or another. We must accept what the people voted for. Not all of us get what we want. When they voted for the PLP in 2012, I was not happy, but I accepted it. What’s the big deal with not accepting what the people say? Whether I like it or not I must accept what they say.”

PAGE 8, Friday, June 10, 2016

All results listed based on information provided by the Parliamentary Registration Department Bain & Grants Town

Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Yes No 48 75 69 37 38 43 29 55 51 59 39 33 18 51

Total

96 127 129 114 95 98 116 111 97 165 101 81 67 136

Yes 34 52 59 25 29 31 24 45 42 41 29 30 14 38

No 111 150 138 124 101 110 122 120 108 178 111 84 70 147

645 1533 493 1674

Yes

43 67 63 28 38 33 26 51 47 54 34 37 19 51

No 101 135 135 121 91 109 120 115 103 163 106 78 68 135

591 1580

Yes

24 38 44 14 24 22 17 40 28 36 26 25 5 32

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Yes No 49 62 65 59 39 59 44 49 38 58 57 116 30 65

Total

177 142 158 129 109 114 110 103 133 151 76 254 102 98

Yes 35 38 34 40 28 41 28 32 29 39 44 73 29 47

No 186 169 188 148 121 132 127 120 143 170 92 293 103 117

790 1856 537 2109

Yes

41 51 54 51 39 55 34 47 39 43 54 106 32 51

No 179 155 169 131 110 121 119 106 132 166 82 263 98 112

697 1943

Yes

18 26 21 33 15 23 19 25 19 17 32 56 21 36

No 204 179 200 155 134 150 134 127 153 192 103 313 107 121

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Yes No 78 42 116 41 82 80 72 63 88 66 65 33 67 54

Total

174 123 250 93 149 164 159 165 137 142 148 114 129 92

Yes

51 26 85 30 61 61 47 42 56 45 41 23 51 31

No 201 139 284 104 170 183 185 188 171 162 170 124 145 114

947 2039 650 2340

Yes

57 37 103 35 74 69 61 54 71 54 58 28 58 41

No 181 128 265 100 157 174 171 175 155 152 155 143 139 103

800 2198

Yes

23 20 54 21 45 42 33 33 38 35 20 17 33 20

218 145 314 111 186 205 199 196 186 171 192 130 163 125

434 2541

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Yes No 63 48 35 53 43 60 47 59 43 85 49 48 37 87

Total

107 111 103 82 85 125 93 113 124 100 123 56 63 151

Yes 55 62 30 34 71 44 33 49 29 63 29 35 26 62

No 114 120 107 100 107 143 109 113 137 118 143 69 75 174

757 1436 622 1629

Yes

60 68 36 53 79 52 43 60 37 78 47 43 39 76

No 104 113 101 84 97 132 98 112 28 105 25 52 61 158

771 1270

Yes

50 27 18 30 52 26 20 41 19 46 19 30 19 48

No 121 136 118 108 125 161 121 128 146 136 153 75 81 190

445 1799

Elizabeth Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

Yes No 55 59 80 82 90 78 57 82 90 80 90 163 130 1136

Yes

135 37 152 105 46 118 96 60 113 114 52 144 149 59 176 144 58 166 108 40 124 143 57 171 128 70 151 27 72 35 134 73 158 63 137 85 165 85 211 1511 846 1804

Yes

38 56 70 58 78 72 50 66 81 75 79 144 109 976

No 152 108 104 128 161 151 114 161 138 33 151 81 190 1672

Yes

25 31 45 38 39 40 28 45 56 63 40 113 78 641

164 133 128 157 196 184 135 179 166 42 191 105 218 1998

Englerston Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Total

Yes No 71 66 64 43 57 41 54 45 55 44 38 56 36 40

150 115 118 95 96 93 107 91 136 97 95 122 132 81

Yes 48 47 47 38 38 34 43 39 40 37 30 39 31 32

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

No 171 128 135 107 117 99 117 93 146 103 101 139 137 88

710 1528 543 1681

Yes

68 53 54 46 50 39 47 43 48 37 34 51 40 35

No 152 123 127 100 105 94 113 89 142 103 97 127 129 86

645 1587

Yes

35 28 22 28 28 27 28 27 36 33 24 26 22 24

119 106 69 64 62 48 39 102 113 109 61 196 49 1237

103 81 53 45 40 31 31 71 94 87 51 152 106 945

73 138 135 90 113 101 113 145 147 162 84 91 76 1468

Yes

86 154 153 107 136 119 123 175 167 152 96 135 120 1723

106 92 70 60 51 39 42 84 107 73 58 172 123 1077

No 85 154 135 91 125 111 111 160 156 155 89 115 103 1590

Yes

83 56 40 34 29 15 20 56 72 50 47 118 90 710

Bill No

108 181 164 117 145 135 133 190 159 198 98 169 136 1933

1 Yes No 48 83 82 76 82 102 105 126 125 112 110 1051

Yes

97 28 129 50 179 58 137 48 123 65 174 70 130 75 135 83 190 81 120 73 177 80 1591 711

118 161 203 163 141 204 161 177 233 161 203 1925

Yes

41 68 66 68 67 95 88 107 112 87 97 896

No 105 144 195 147 133 180 149 154 201 146 190 1744

1 Yes No 17 73 78 80 70 106 94 61 64 37 72 121 77 950

Yes

109 50 136 71 122 54 72 8 115 57 259 70 150 67 106 42 86 39 115 23 153 49 107 50 108 48 1638 628

129 170 156 81 133 306 175 123 111 130 178 136 138 1966

Yes

60 95 63 9 68 103 81 53 47 30 67 66 65 807

No 143 143 146 80 122 275 160 112 105 121 157 120 199 1883

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Yes No 79 123 64 68 53 69 73 47 70 39 71 79 68 58

Total

Yes

141 196 150 137 21 135 119 80 129 99 101 152 104 80

55 80 40 56 39 49 47 33 50 34 52 52 48 35

No 165 239 174 146 134 159 147 93 150 106 180 180 125 105

961 1644 670 2103

Yes

63 102 53 165 49 56 62 42 63 38 62 67 62 47

No 156 217 161 138 123 137 127 86 137 99 171 105 109 92

931 1858

Yes

17 31 36 33 47 61 40 70 53 55 49 492

128 181 225 181 158 215 194 191 160 179 240 2052

Yes

34 50 39 3 46 141 51 26 28 9 31 35 40 533

145 190 170 85 149 332 193 143 122 144 198 152 148 2171

Yes

36 51 25 42 20 33 29 23 39 23 34 38 38 22

184 267 189 161 149 162 163 105 160 113 197 136 132 117

453 2235

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

75 102 93 133 132 116 70 64 76 102 54 89 61 1167

Yes

62 65 149 70 162 58 266 83 165 94 198 67 97 46 125 42 154 59 123 75 122 32 127 62 112 40 1862 793

71 180 198 313 201 246 122 147 175 150 145 155 133 2236

Yes

67 86 78 112 106 89 60 58 67 89 40 78 49 979

No 70 164 175 281 189 222 108 131 164 138 135 139 122 2038

Yes

46 44 40 48 67 47 28 28 38 58 21 50 28 543

91 207 215 344 228 266 140 161 194 168 157 167 145 2483

Killarney Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

1 Yes No 166 146 99 142 160 175 152 214 150 136 65 133 75 1813

172 81 103 98 77 71 103 138 99 74 58 137 147 1358

Yes 126 120 71 125 119 150 124 172 108 116 45 101 51 1428

Yes

211 107 130 115 118 100 129 181 140 94 78 168 171 1742

151 130 80 129 136 156 135 180 123 119 63 117 62 1581

No 188 93 121 112 100 91 114 174 123 91 60 154 160

Yes

99 100 47 105 98 120 103 130 97 94 35 79 35

No 240 127 153 135 136 128 151 220 153 115 86 190 187

1581 1142 2021

Marathon No

Bill

182 145 159 119 127 105 132 104 154 103 101 152 149 98

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

388 830

Yes No 64 78 49 94 92 82 58 86 55 94 79 135 118 1084

Yes

83 47 100 132 60 150 113 38 123 176 71 200 122 74 142 122 56 147 82 40 100 128 68 145 67 43 79 121 73 137 79 68 90 103 108 132 107 90 136 1435 836 1681

Yes

57 74 44 90 82 59 47 85 51 89 79 115 101 973

No 88 141 115 183 135 144 92 129 67 126 79 124 125 1548

Yes

36 45 20 51 56 36 28 50 30 52 57 79 70 610

1 Yes No

Yes

111 121 55 103 50 86 114 49 29 68 53 147 171 165

85 105 44 93 39 74 92 36 22 50 37 128 160 148

114 104 59 67 115 43 107 95 69 95 119 80 36 44

No 138 119 68 75 128 55 128 105 75 112 136 100 47 61

1322 1147 1113 1347

THE TRIBUNE

Yes

98 113 56 85 50 75 99 49 24 62 46 135 155 144

121 111 57 84 120 54 122 95 74 101 127 93 52 65

1191 1276

Yes

64 88 34 68 27 58 70 23 7 28 26 104 133 131

No 156 136 79 102 143 72 150 121 90 133 148 121 79 78

861 1608

Mount Moriah

Golden Isles 1 Yes No

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Total

Golden Gates

Bill 2

Yes

Garden Hills

Bill

Centreville Bill

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total

361 2272

Carmichael Bill

Bill

Bill 3

1 Yes No

Fox Hill

375 1796

Bamboo Town Bill

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

No 121 165 155 136 104 119 129 125 121 182 115 89 82 153

Montagu

Fort Charlotte Bill

Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Yes No 78 112 124 130 72 42 84 93 69 48 96 78 106 51

Total

Yes

67 120 120 143 71 85 132 163 123 127 87 164 222 60

62 77 92 95 54 30 67 63 42 33 69 48 63 43

No 82 157 151 177 92 95 148 194 147 142 112 195 261 70

1183 1684 838 2023

Yes

72 94 108 108 67 35 73 79 56 35 87 64 85 47

72 139 136 162 78 93 142 170 135 142 95 178 239 65

1010 1846

Yes

52 55 71 72 35 17 47 50 30 23 50 39 45 29

No 92 175 172 199 109 108 169 206 160 153 130 204 278 82

615 2220

Nassau Village Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Total

1 Yes No 118 37 36 50 36 47 43 70 48 110 61 70 53 43

Yes

132 112 110 123 123 111 111 136 132 128 117 125 108 87

83 24 30 31 22 38 25 41 30 95 43 51 33 36

No 168 126 116 146 139 119 126 160 152 142 131 145 127 94

822 1655 582 1891

Yes

104 32 34 45 32 46 34 60 40 98 54 59 44 42

No 145 116 111 131 126 111 119 145 140 137 117 137 118 89

724 1742

Yes

62 18 18 24 10 20 15 29 22 57 27 36 26 21

No 185 131 128 152 150 138 137 179 157 180 145 159 136 110

385 2087

Pinewood Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

1 Yes No 66 53 38 45 69 51 54 97 48 58 51 51 36 717

Yes

139 39 121 41 152 22 110 32 128 49 148 34 127 42 235 63 137 39 132 37 126 28 97 34 79 25 1731 485

166 133 168 123 149 165 139 265 145 153 151 116 89 1962

Yes

53 47 28 42 60 43 50 89 41 55 43 38 30 619

No 152 128 163 114 139 156 131 242 141 136 133 112 86 1833

Yes

23 34 14 20 42 20 26 50 21 31 19 21 19

No 182 141 176 133 158 178 155 281 163 160 160 129 97

340 2113

St Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

1 Yes No 132 171 151 128 93 91 36 59 98 158 123 113 135 1538

73 67 65 119 69 113 99 137 61 106 80 102 121 1212

Yes

114 153 139 99 78 62 26 38 86 126 102 88 186 1297

Yes

89 82 82 148 85 143 109 158 73 139 101 133 146 1488

122 157 138 105 79 77 32 58 89 144 108 93 127 1329

No 88 81 76 142 84 125 103 139 70 121 92 129 127 1377

Yes

105 124 102 75 55 39 17 22 67 95 87 68 83 939

No 107 113 113 171 107 166 118 174 92 167 116 155 173

1772

Sea Breeze Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

1 Yes No 143 70 62 99 73 91 80 123 89 81 77 80 1068

Yes

196 103 240 151 54 168 169 47 184 113 79 139 137 51 162 156 65 180 148 54 174 104 97 129 130 57 162 160 59 181 141 50 170 127 59 147 1732 775 2036

Yes

122 65 56 86 66 74 68 109 72 76 67 63 924

No 219 157 175 129 146 169 160 117 149 166 153 144 1884

Yes

65 40 35 54 31 37 45 70 35 44 26 41 523

275 182 197 160 181 209 182 157 184 198 194 166 2285

South Beach No

Bill

111 168 141 222 160 167 112 165 90 163 101 160 156 1916

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

1 Yes No 70 68 77 61 72 78 47 51 81 89 75 76 845

Yes

163 54 151 42 111 61 111 39 92 51 146 53 111 25 135 40 193 62 177 64 172 48 208 49 1770 588

178 173 126 143 111 169 130 148 212 202 198 230 2020

Yes

55 55 67 54 62 71 43 44 79 68 69 59 726

No 178 161 120 132 101 147 115 143 193 199 177 222 1888

Yes

29 39 38 312 39 38 20 28 36 41 27 31 678

205 177 150 151 122 186 137 159 237 222 219 253 2218

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 10, 2016, PAGE 13

West Grand Bahama & Bimini

Southern Shores Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

Yes No 70 68 77 61 72 78 47 51 81 89 75 76 845

Yes

163 54 151 42 111 61 121 39 92 51 146 53 111 25 135 40 193 62 177 64 172 48 208 49 1780 588

178 173 126 143 111 169 130 148 212 202 198 230 2020

Yes

54 42 61 39 51 53 25 40 62 64 48 49 588

No 178 161 120 132 101 147 115 143 193 199 177 222 1888

Yes

29 39 38 31 39 38 20 28 36 41 27 31 397

205 177 150 151 122 186 137 159 237 222 219 253 2218

Tall Pines Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Yes No 139 37 69 67 38 64 77 65 60 53 50 62 57 50

Total

189 121 126 90 126 123 141 108 120 130 122 99 102 121

Yes

84 23 50 42 25 39 56 48 41 33 34 42 43 32

No 244 132 146 114 139 149 161 125 137 145 138 120 115 139

888 1718 592 2004

Yes

115 34 59 55 32 50 66 56 53 43 44 53 61 40

Yes

215 124 137 101 132 139 151 117 128 134 129 107 121 131

761 1866

61 13 34 22 17 21 31 31 37 20 27 31 31 17

No 268 146 162 134 147 165 186 143 142 159 147 127 127 154

393 2207

Yamacraw Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

1 Yes No 109 216 73 98 80 139 65 4 87 99 118 125 86 1299

Yes

132 77 165 181 170 224 110 52 131 122 78 147 120 51 147 143 109 176 108 53 121 67 29 78 106 62 131 108 70 137 118 87 149 119 97 150 118 68 136 1552 1003 1892

Yes

101 188 61 98 67 117 57 38 74 87 104 115 75 1182

No 142 208 122 123 122 167 115 69 121 121 132 130 129 1701

Yes

63 135 38 60 75 75 37 22 42 55 63 78 50 793

178 262 145 160 209 209 137 86 153 153 171 166 154 2183

Central Grand Bahama Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Yes No 49 54 110 52 28 37 76 118 92 34 42 93 75 65

Total

Yes

107 34 121 134 38 147 148 178 61 107 35 123 90 24 94 114 24 128 176 52 199 183 86 211 161 63 190 113 23 122 111 29 122 133 64 162 183 47 212 161 47 179

925 1921 744 2071

Yes

46 45 98 46 21 34 69 106 81 27 33 82 60 60

Yes

107 143 158 113 98 117 183 195 172 120 118 114 199 166

808 2003

18 28 46 22 22 17 41 69 45 14 15 48 29 28

No 136 160 211 134 97 135 212 232 208 132 135 178 229 198

442 2397

East Grand Bahama Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Total

1 Yes No 9 33 91 96 28 15 54 104 113 86 76 82 86 112 96 1081

Yes

38 8 144 27 143 62 216 64 52 15 76 14 66 33 216 66 81 88 148 63 98 61 157 97 110 65 155 82 118 75 1818 820

38 153 173 247 66 75 87 253 105 171 113 142 136 192 139 2090

Yes

10 35 75 78 26 17 30 85 94 76 64 89 76 90 86 931

No 37 149 160 234 53 72 74 233 100 158 105 146 121 184 128 1954

Yes

10 18 43 50 13 11 44 40 81 38 39 62 53 68 55 625

36 161 191 260 67 79 90 277 114 195 132 176 144 204 128 2254

Marco City Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Total

1 Yes No 105 55 69 37 104 57 47 47 79 47 52 64 63 43 49 918

Yes

203 74 167 36 126 48 110 27 143 75 127 45 122 36 96 32 100 52 141 33 135 38 141 40 82 45 80 28 122 31 1895 640

237 186 147 119 171 137 132 111 127 154 148 164 100 96 140 2169

Yes

89 51 63 39 88 53 43 40 67 45 49 49 48 40 40 804

No 219 171 131 107 157 133 128 102 112 142 138 156 97 84 129 2006

Yes

49 24 35 17 62 37 23 21 42 24 26 30 33 20 23 466

258 198 158 130 182 146 146 121 137 164 161 175 112 104 146 2338

Pineridge Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

Yes No 52 60 49 60 25 56 36 56 71 54 71 47 76 713

Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Total

1 Yes No 61 27 80 70 66 49 53 45 32 41 31 41 39 53 57 745

Yes

58 47 31 21 104 57 157 52 135 48 99 46 91 32 24 34 36 28 57 31 56 29 92 31 80 24 94 37 94 38 1208 555

72 37 124 175 152 104 113 35 41 67 58 105 95 113 112 1403

Yes

53 25 71 62 57 50 33 43 34 34 28 31 28 42 45 639

No 64 33 111 168 142 100 92 25 34 64 61 101 91 108 104 1298

Yes

41 13 45 40 33 33 24 33 19 23 17 20 112 26 24 503

Yes

98 45 166 39 173 39 122 38 74 18 86 42 69 26 70 41 138 53 134 38 144 51 108 34 159 29 1541 493

105 186 183 144 81 91 28 84 155 151 164 121 181 1674

Yes

50 51 53 56 24 54 34 47 67 53 60 38 65 652

No 100 173 168 125 75 78 71 81 147 135 155 115 168 1591

Yes

32 20 25 32 15 32 17 21 39 22 37 28 29

No 119 203 196 149 84 100 88 101 170 167 177 126 200

349 1880

Question One

78 45 132 189 157 113 118 35 49 75 71 113 109 123 124 1531

Yes 32,249 votes No 51,022 votes Question Two

Central & South Abaco Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

1 Yes No

Yes

27 12 22 81 45 68 99 19 95 153 24 137 91 34 77 103 68 90 29 81 17 42 11 38 44 21 41 26 48 25 37 95 28 5 133 2 737 591 640

17 58 23 490 47 80 92 15 24 49 104 135 1134

Yes

23 16 54 69 96 22 136 42 80 45 93 76 17 93 35 18 34 31 27 47 30 104 3 134 628 697

Yes

Yes 24,148 votes No 59,714 votes

16 40 85 105 61 58 9 22 28 17 18 1 460

23 84 33 70 63 107 101 30 37 57 115 136 856

Question Three Yes 28,246 votes No 54,890 votes

North Abaco Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

1 Yes No 9 44 18 34 22 75 121 62 45 48 56 56 590

Yes

91 8 101 30 28 13 158 21 96 12 154 49 53 93 174 46 150 30 121 28 129 46 102 36 1357 412

93 114 30 171 105 176 81 192 163 137 142 122 1526

Yes

11 29 18 27 15 62 85 61 36 33 46 47 470

No 89 106 28 166 100 165 91 175 157 135 138 110 1460

Yes

3 21 12 10 7 32 50 31 26 13 20 19 244

Mangrove Cay & South Andros Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

1 Yes No

Yes

6 5 5 6 19 13 17 15 21 38 17 38 25 43 23 45 23 37 16 39 13 16 8 19 30 40 22 46 33 52 31 54 21 61 18 62 17 28 13 26 38 43 29 45 22 58 15 64 268 434 214 459

Yes

5 6 17 15 20 38 23 45 18 39 10 19 27 46 32 54 22 62 14 26 35 45 15 64 238 459

Yes

5 6 13 19 12 44 15 52 12 46 8 2 17 57 21 65 17 66 7 33 18 63 9 69 154 522

North Andros & Berry Island Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

Yes No

Yes

17 27 15 30 32 56 28 60 22 34 22 34 39 72 31 75 14 27 12 29 9 25 8 26 7 8 8 7 64 100 46 116 22 31 19 33 14 31 13 32 7 10 6 11 9 28 6 31 9 20 8 21 265 469 222 505

Yes

15 30 29 59 21 35 37 72 15 26 7 27 8 7 50 113 19 32 15 30 8 9 7 29 9 21 240 490

Yes

10 33 24 63 19 37 26 83 9 32 6 27 8 7 42 119 15 36 12 33 4 13 4 31 5 25 184 539

Cat Island, Rum Cay & San Salvador Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total

1 Yes No

Yes

34 24 28 30 27 16 25 18 11 33 11 33 16 8 13 11 24 30 17 31 9 37 11 36 19 22 18 23 4 11 3 12 23 13 19 16 39 83 77 94 33 18 30 21 239 295 252 325

Yes

33 25 26 17 12 33 15 9 20 34 9 37 18 22 2 13 23 12 81 90 31 18 270 310

Yes

Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

Yes No

Yes

76 119 61 88 97 79 22 18 21 45 45 36 42 68 34 24 39 19 18 27 13 3 3 2 45 133 41 22 30 16 39 83 32 30 44 25 22 34 14 476 740 393

No 133 105 19 52 78 45 31 4 138 35 93 49 41 823

Yes

59 82 21 38 38 19 14 2 44 19 37 30 16 419

22 36 21 23 6 36 12 12 13 40 7 39 12 28 2 13 16 19 57 111 25 25 193 382

137 102 19 50 73 44 30 4 133 33 89 44 39 797

Yes

Question Four

98 121 30 183 109 195 121 204 166 152 166 139 1684

Central & South Eleuthera 2

The final tallies

Yes 17,919 votes No 65,696 votes North Eleuthera Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Yes No 72 27 56 47 64 61 24 4 23 56 6 54 33 31

Total

72 21 48 76 75 66 18 13 54 75 13 61 68 58

Yes 60 21 45 38 36 37 15 2 17 38 5 43 25 24

No 80 28 60 85 81 81 27 15 59 94 14 71 74 64

558 718 406 833

Yes

60 27 63 33 35 35 18 2 17 44 6 49 70 29

Yes

82 22 63 90 83 83 24 15 60 86 14 66 70 60

45 97 18 31 36 67 20 102 26 92 26 92 3 39 1 15 12 60 29 98 5 14 35 77 19 78 23 65

488 818

298 927

The Exumas & Ragged Island Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Total

1 Yes No

Yes

8 29 7 30 8 63 8 60 14 5 12 8 19 8 16 11 39 39 33 44 35 51 28 58 36 46 27 52 30 40 23 47 30 29 26 33 56 42 48 51 29 33 28 37 72 59 59 72 70 76 49 96 29 46 20 55 42 36 38 39 10 5 9 6 527 607 431 699

Yes

7 30 8 54 15 3 16 11 34 43 38 49 34 45 28 42 30 29 48 49 29 34 66 65 58 86 28 47 39 38 10 5 488 630

Yes

6 29 8 60 10 9 16 12 24 54 24 64 15 60 16 63 18 41 42 59 25 38 51 81 40 105 20 55 31 45 4 6 350 781

Long Island Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total

1 Yes No

Yes

6 21 6 21 14 8 12 9 43 30 40 32 31 32 21 42 27 32 25 34 44 19 34 29 7 14 5 16 32 27 30 27 24 53 19 56 228 236 192 266

Yes

9 18 11 11 42 30 26 37 25 34 38 25 9 12 30 28 20 57 210 252

Yes

4 23 10 12 33 40 14 49 19 39 20 42 5 15 17 40 16 62 138 322

Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Isl, Acklins & Long Cay No

53 139 72 114 20 20 29 55 29 82 17 47 9 34 1 5 30 145 18 34 28 96 21 53 12 42 339 866

Bill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total

1 Yes No

Yes

9 27 7 29 7 15 5 17 7 8 7 8 16 31 13 33 13 14 11 17 7 12 6 13 15 43 12 47 7 2 7 2 15 19 11 21 11 30 9 33 54 68 48 83 43 43 35 51 204 312 171 354

Yes

8 28 5 17 8 8 15 32 12 16 5 14 13 46 6 3 17 15 10 32 51 72 36 49 186 332

Yes

2 33 3 79 4 11 12 35 7 20 4 16 9 49 5 4 9 24 7 24 32 88 29 58 123 441

PAGE 10A, Friday, June 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Let’s kiss and make up after the referendum

KAY ... time out everybody! Yes, I know there are still some hurt feelings postreferendum, and as a comedian I can’t deny enjoying the verbal jousts breaking out all over social media between Vote Yes and Vote No supporters. The commentary on Facebook has been highly entertaining, with certain factions of Vote Yes women rumoured to be banishing their male partners to the sofa, fingers waving and signalling no, no, no like Dikimbe Motumbo postblocked shot. A love lockout so to speak. Men being cut off, no “hanky panky”. Shocking! But wait: it gets better. Apparently bitter Vote Yes members are so incensed by the results of the referendum they have turned to “cursing” unborn future generations of Vote No supporters. Really? Seriously? Time to get over the referendum, Bahamas. I’m not trying to be unsympathetic to the Vote Yes group, nor am I trying to “suck up” to the winning Vote No group. Instead of hurling insults and unpleasantries at each other, maybe both sides should take a step back and exhale for a minute and see the positives achieved as a nation during the process. The referendum proved democracy is still alive in The Bahamas and when we Bahamians have a mandate and a unified front, we can all unite as one regardless of political affiliation, religious denomination, sexual preference, etc, and come together and effect change in this nation on many levels. One way or another.

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA To help the healing process begin post-referendum, here are a few questions you should ask yourself. Hopefully it will take people’s minds off things ... especially the ladies, which will allow men free access to their bedrooms in short order. Let’s play 20 Questions: 1 Why did those smart

‘Yes’ campaigners call the ‘No’ campaigners stupid? (In hindsight, wasn’t that really dumb?) 2. Why did the classroom where I voted feel like a ghost town? 3. Why was there only one booth available when two booths were set up? 4. Why was the “observ-

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er” playing a video game on his laptop the whole time? 5. Why did I have to dip my fingers in ink but mark my X with a pencil? 6. Why didn’t we have the referendum totals on Tuesday night? 7. How come it takes less time to go to the moon than it does to tally couple votes from Seabreeze and Fox Hill? 8. How come none of the constituency totals balance? 9. Were votes tossed because the X touched a line? 10. Why did PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts send out a concession speech? Was he running for something? 11. Why did the Vote Yes campaign receive public funding from the treasury and the Vote No campaign did not?

‘

12. Why did Tori Culmer, the wanna be “Bahamian RuPaul”, lead the transgender hijack of a referendum for women? 13. I wonder if Mr Culmer objects to convicted sexual predators having to register as a sex offenders and post signs indicating the same at their place of residence? 14. Does the PM and present administration see the handwriting on the wall after the results of the referendum? 15. Are the FNM truly prepared and ready for the next election? 16. Why hasn’t Rodney Moncur been thanked publicly for ‘Saving da women dem’? 17. Why did local media outlets start post-referendum coverage at 6pm sharp, expecting results knowing the polls closed at 6pm?

To help the healing process begin postreferendum, here are a few questions you should ask yourself. Hopefully it will take people’s minds off things ... especially the ladies, which will allow men free access to their bedrooms in short order.’

18. Why haven’t we heard from PM Perry Christie? 19. Is Mr Christie hoping all of this referendum fallout will just fade away if he doesn’t mention it as if the referendum never happened? 20. Will there ever be another constitutional referendum ever again? That should hold you over until next week! In closing always remember, making mistakes is something that we all do. Learning from them is not. Until next week - “Fill your mind with truth, your heart with love and your life with service.” • 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

Friday, June 10, 2016, PAGE 11A

UPDATE ON NHI TIMELINE EXPECTED IN TWO WEEKS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net AN update on the implementation timeline for National Health Insurance should be provided in the next two weeks, NHI Secretariat Permanent Secretary Peter Deveaux-Isaacs said yesterday. He could not say whether NHI would come on stream this year; however, he said NHI officials are “working feverishly to try to bring this thing about.” Mr Deveaux-Isaacs’s comments came during the inaugural meeting of the Universal Health Care Stakeholders Advisory Council and the NHI Secretariat at the latter’s headquarters on East Street south. In March, Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez said the primary healthcare phase of NHI, which was expected to start in April, would be delayed by “around six months or so.” At the time, officials said a final decision had not yet

ATTENDEES at yesterday’s advisory council meeting. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff we’re working feverishly to been made on what legisla- be offered through NHI. When questioned for try to bring this thing about. tive framework must exist to facilitate NHI’s pub- an update yesterday, Mr We know Bahamians want lic healthcare insurer, but Deveaux-Isaacs said: “In it; 89 per cent of the persons Cabinet planned to go out the next two weeks, we will we’ve polled have indicated to tender seeking a private meet again…and we should a positive reaction to the company to manage this be in a better position, with implementation of NHI, so a Gantt Chart and every- we want to make this thing area. That process would likely thing else to tell you exactly happen.” Meanwhile, various NHI take months, KPMG execu- where we are with the imstakeholders yesterday tive Mark Britnell said in plementation of NHI.” When asked if he felt NHI praised the formation of the March, adding that it must be completed and the pub- would come on stream this advisory council. Dr Sy Coolidge Pierre, lic health insurer must be year, Mr Deveaux-Isaacs established before primary said: “…I can’t tell you ex- president of the Medical healthcare services could actly when that will be, but Association of the Baha-

mas (MAB) and head of the United Healthcare Reform Alliance (UHRA), said the formation of the advisory council and subsequent first meeting is a “welcomed development where obviously the government is serious in engaging stakeholders so that we can get a programme that is sustainable for all Bahamians and legal residents.” “And what it seems like now, and I am very, very glad, is it seems like the NHI Secretariat, specifically Mr Peter DeveauxIsaacs, is on the right track, meeting with us and discussing with us as opposed to speaking at us to get a properly NHI initiative going,” he added. Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) Chairman Emmanuel Komolafe said the formation of the advisory council is “a step in the right direction.” “One thing was certain within the meeting (yesterday), and that is the fact that we all are committed to the achievement of Uni-

versal Health care in the Bahamas--or better still, the expansion of what we currently have,” he said. “Within the room you could sense there is genuine commitment and we all committed to working diligently to making sure it (NHI) becomes a reality in the Bahamas.” Mr Britnell, also present at yesterday’s meeting, said he is “overjoyed” at the progress both parties made in yesterday’s meeting. “I think the era where there is a fairly dormant form of negotiations and consultations where papers are shuffled around between different parties, some are acted upon and some are not acted upon, I hope those days are well and truly behind us,” he said. “I look forward to a much more active and full levels of participation, and I hope and believe that this will be the hallmark of Bahama-care, universal healthcare, affordable care, for the people of The Bahamas.”

DIRECT FLIGHT FROM ITALY TOUCHES DOWN IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE return of a transatlantic flight from Europe touched down to a red carpet welcome at the Grand Bahama International Airport Thursday after an absence of four years. Alpitour Airlines landed at 2pm after an eight-hour direct flight from Italy, with nearly 100 passengers. The service will continue for 11 weeks out of Milan, and is expected to be a “tremendous boost to tourism” here on Grand Bahama. Tourism Director Betty Bethel; Russell Miller, president of the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board; Grand Bahama Christian Council President Rev Peter Pinder, and officials from the Department of Customs greeted passengers as they stepped onto the red carpet. The passengers will stay for a week at three allinclusive resorts on the island, including the Viva Resort at Fortune Beach, the Memories Resort, and Lighthouse Point. “We are really excited because we are finally back into the European market,” said Ms Bethel. “Alpitour came here about four years

ago and this is the first time we had an opportunity to lure them back.” Ms Bethel attributed the return of the European service to the hard work of the Bahamas Tourist Office in the United Kingdom. She said the programme would continue from June 9 to August 18. “We are expecting at least 100 passengers every week. Today, we got 70 which was an excellent start,” she said. Ms Bethel is very excited about the mix of markets that are now coming into Grand Bahama, including the European market. According to the tourism executive, this summer officials have heightened their US services, which started with two new cities last week out of Houston and Dallas, Texas. “So we are looking for a very healthy summer season and this (European) programme will obviously lend to that, Ms Bethel said. Mr Miller believes that the return of the service from Europe after four years is significant and will be a boost to tourism. “Anytime we get additional or new airlift to the destination it is a tremendous thing. This is the service that we were involved in four or five years ago and

it is back again with direct service out of Europe. It is just tremendous; we had a full flight today. “It is a seven-day programme and they are here for a week. We are pleased and excited about the opportunity,” he said. When asked about the state of tourism in Grand Bahama, Mr Miller said “we are seeing a decline this year over last year, and primarily the decline is because of the devaluation of the Canadian dollar.” He noted that while Grand Bahama has had strong support last year with Sunwing’s Canadian flights, they are not seeing the numbers as compared with last year. “So we continue to be optimistic, but realistically the numbers are not trending currently in the right direction.” Mr Miller said that Sunwing started its programme out of the US last month, with tremendous support out of Dallas and Houston with sold out flights, and will soon start services from Newark and Chicago. “We are optimistic that the summer flights will offset some lost airlift we had from the first quarter of the year,” he said. When asked his feelings

VISITORS from Italy shake hands with officials in Grand Bahama after disembarking.

FINAL RITES FOR FATHER ORMAND WRIGHT

THE Anglican Diocese this week announced the death of Father Ormand Leslie Wright on Saturday, June 4, at the Princess Margaret Hospital. He was 73 years old. “We thank God for his life and ministry, and we offer condolences to his wife, Teresita, his daughter, Argua, his siblings and all other relatives,” the Diocese said. Father Wright was born and raised in New Providence, as a “Fox Hill boy”. He attended the Sandilands All-Age School, St Anne’s School in Nassau, before attending St Augustine’s College, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Codrington College in Barbados. He grew up in St Anne’s Church. Father Wright started his working life as a civil

FATHER ORMAND WRIGHT servant and worked as a full-time teacher with the Ministry of Education until his retirement. He was ordained a deacon in,1979 and a priest the following year. He served in various parishes throughout the Diocese – St Margaret’s in New Providence; St Saviour’s in Cat Island; All Saints in Mangrove Cay; St Michael and Nicholas in

East End, Grand Bahama; St. Luke’s, Rock Sound, and Church of the Epiphany in Nassau. Tomorrow, Father Wright’s body will be received at St Anne’s Church, Fox Hill, for public viewing from 11.15am to 6pm. There will also be public viewing at the Church of the Epiphany, Prince Charles Drive, on Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and at St Anne’s Church on Sunday from 4.30pm to 7pm, when hourly celebrations of the Eucharist will begin and will continue throughout the night. The funeral service will then be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday, June 13, at 11am, following the final public viewing of the body. Interment will take place in St Anne’s Cemetery, Fox Hill.

about the sale of the Grand Lucayan Resort, the hotelier felt pretty optimistic about it. “I hope we get a reasonable bid and something that the owners can accept. The deadline is next week so we are anxious to see what happens with that,” he said. “I think we need to give

them a couple weeks to go through it, evaluate the bids and then come back, and hopefully if something is agreeable and acceptable to them, that they can make that known and we have someone who is a true developer that will bring the needed capital to get the product up to standard,

but in addition to that will partner with and bring in a reputable brand to the destination.” “It is one thing we lack (in Grand Bahama), we have no brand and product here, and so we are optimistic and hopeful that we will get a good brand for that area,” he said.

PAGE 12A, Friday, June 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

GUNMAN SHOT DEAD BY THE MAN HE TRIED TO ROB

from page one just parked his Honda vehicle at his residence at Lexington Avenue near Wulff Road, Central Detective Unit Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said. Upon seeing the assailant’s firearm drawn, the man then got his weapon and shot his attacker in his upper body, Mr Rolle said. The gunman, who was recently released from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, then fled the scene but collapsed nearby a short time later. Police have not released the victim’s identity, as his family has not been notified. However, police said he was in his early 20’s. Police were called to the scene around 1am. This incident marks the 53rd homicide in the country this year, according to The Tribune’s records and came four days after a

young man was shot multiple times and killed while sitting in his car waiting for his girlfriend. He was parked outside of Jimmy’s Take Away off Carmichael Road around 1.30am last Sunday when the shooting occurred. According to police, that victim was sitting in his car outside the takeaway restaurant waiting for his female friend, who was closing the establishment, when a man with a handgun approached him and shot him multiple times before fleeing the area on foot. The woman drove the victim to the parking lot of the Carmichael Road Police Station where he died shortly after his arrival. The Tribune understands he is Huey James, also known as “Slug”. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

DE’YANZA HANNA, left, and Michael Hart.

SCHOLARS AIM TO IMPROVE THE BAHAMAS

THIS YEAR, 30 ambitious Lyford Cay Foundation scholars will graduate with their college degrees. For most scholars the road to achieving post-secondary education is full of hard work, sacrifice and financial planning. De’yanza Hanna and Mychael Hart are two scholars who are looking forward to returning to the Bahamas and making an impact. Mr Hanna, of Abaco, was the head boy of Abaco Central High School before going to study biology and chemistry at the College of The Bahamas. After gaining experience in the field as a veterinary assistant at Palmdale Vet Clinic, and as a volunteer with the Bahamas Humane Society, he applied for a Lyford Cay Foundation scholarship to assist with paying for his education at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. While in college, he expanded his veterinary knowledge by participating in a community-based spaying and neutering programme. Mr Hanna will graduate this month and looks forward to returning to the Bahamas and working in his field, educating pet owners on proper pet care. Ultimately, he would like to open his own veterinary clinic in Abaco. “Veterinary school was no walk in the park,” he said. “The work can be very challenging at times and the exams were brutal. Financially, I was unable to do it alone, but with the help of my family, the Lyford Cay Foundation and the Abaco Pathfinders, it was possible.” Mr Hart, from New Prov-

YOUR

idence, was graduated from Aquinas College. He then enrolled in the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. His keen interest in the automotive industry led him to enrol in the New England Institute of Technology to pursue a bachelor’s degree in automotive service management. “I can say that it wasn’t easy with all of the studying and the work, but having the chance to study abroad is a great opportunity,” he said. “There is much to learn and to absorb. What I’ve learnt from this experience is that studying takes a lot of hard work, dedication and determination in order to achieve success. I believe the knowledge, training and experience I’ve gained will give me an advantage that will help me to improve the outlook of the automotive industry in the Bahamas.” Mr Hart was graduated in March, and is currently gaining more hands on experience in his field. His future goals include obtaining a certification in heavy duty diesel engines and equipment that will allow him to advance in the transportation industry. “Our scholarships programme helps to create opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing both academic studies and technical trades. We are eager to assist students who want to study in fields that are greatly needed in the country,” said Maureen French, managing director of the Lyford Cay Foundation. “The Foundation looks forward to seeing the wide impact that these 30 scholars will have on industries throughout the country.”

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 10, 2016, PAGE 13A

BAHAMAS WASTE FLEET GETS INTO GEAR FOR ANIMAL ORGANISATIONS BAHAMAS WASTE revealed their newest uniquely designed garbage truck before an excited group of local animal organisations recently. The beautifully designed truck has given Bahamas Waste an opportunity to show its continued support of these non-profit organisations by helping to bring awareness to the tireless work of The Bahamas Humane Society (BHS), Baark! and Operation Potcake. “The private sector has always stepped forward to support an organisation like the Bahamas Humane Society, Bahamas Waste has always been very supportive of us but this is just that one step more,” said Kim Aranha, President of The Bahamas Humane Society. “As this goes through the streets it’s going to build awareness that animals need to be nurtured, they need to be taken care of and that is the most essential thing.” The truck highlights the Humane Society on one side and Baark! on the other. Baark!’s mission is to carry out spay/neuter projects in order to reduce the homeless animal population in the country. They also promote education programmes that they hope will end the suffering of dogs and cats in The Bahamas. “We are thrilled that Bahamas Waste took the initiative to create a truck that included the Bahamas Humane Society, Baark! and Operation Potcake,” said Laura Kimble, President of Baark!. “Bahamas Waste has shown us so much support over the years and we are incredibly grateful to them. “Baark!’s focus is on spay

THE Bahamas Humane Society was thrilled by its corporate sponsor, Bahamas Waste, last week, when they launched their newest garbage truck asking Bahamians to spread compassion to all animals. Pictured are representatives of Baark!, Operation Potcake, the Bahamas Humane Society and Bahamas Waste. (Photos courtesy of BVS for Barefoot Marketing)

and neuter programmes, so that less unwanted dogs and cats will end up at the Bahamas Humane Society. Baark! has assisted in having over 600 spay or neuters performed so far this year and, thanks to Bahamas Waste, the truck will help spread our message and create even more awareness.” Bahamas Waste has recently supported other organisations with their truck designs, but this one touched closest to the heart of their managing director. “I just had a little puppy that died a few weeks ago and it was devastating but the process had started before that,” said Francisco de Cardenas. “What these guys do, the executive board and board of the Bahamas Humane Society for animal welfare is just amazing, so it’s something we felt we had to support.” Percy Grant, shelter manager at Bahamas Humane Society said: “Here

again, hats off to another corporate citizen who has decided to bring about even more awareness of all the organisations on the island that are operating to relieve suffering and operating to relieve overall animal welfare in the Bahamas.” Operation Potcake also has its logo highlighted on the truck. Though based at the Bahamas Humane Society, Operation Potcake was born from the overwhelming need to reduce the amount of unwanted stray dogs in The Bahamas. The organisation brings all the volunteers together with one objective in mind: spray and neuter as many dogs as possible in a short period of time. The headquarters for Operation Potcake services are located at the BHS shelter. All clinics are coordinated by the BHS with a special committee formed by the animal organisations in Nassau.

KIM ARANHA, president of the Bahamas Humane Society, talks to the media during the launch of the latest Bahamas Waste fleet to support non-profit organisations.

PAGE 14A, Friday, June 10, 2016

YOUNGSTERS at Palmdale Primary School at their graduation ceremony yesterday.

GRADUATES CELEBRATE AT PALMDALE PRIMARY

THE PALMDALE Primary School graduating class of 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

PRIME Minister Perry Christie speaks at the Palmdale Primary School graduation, held at Annex Baptist Church.