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‘Roc Wit Doc’ slogan launched for campaign
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said he has no doubt that when his organisation convenes its highly anticipated three-day national convention next month he will remain the FNM’s chief. If the event goes as Dr Minnis has confidently predicted, it would be the third time that he was voted into the party’s top post. Dr Minnis told reporters yesterday that he had no concerns about a leadership challenge from his party’s former deputy leader, Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner. Mrs Butler-Turner and Senator Duane Sands have joined forces to contest the FNM’s top two leadership positions, with the latter vying for the deputy leader spot. Following the morning session of the House of Assembly, Dr Minnis seemed unbothered by the news, expressing certainty and repeating his newly coined campaign slogan that everyone would “Roc with doc�. Earlier, while making his contribution to the 2016/2017 budget debate, Dr Minnis was resolute as he addressed issues within his party, saying: “We are now preparing for a convention and I will enter as leader and I will emerge as leader of the Free National Movement. SEE PAGE SIX
FAMILY: PILOT WAS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE BAHAMAS
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net WELL-KNOWN veteran pilot Terrence Gibson, one of two men killed in a plane crash in Bimini on Sunday, was described as someone who had a passion for flying and realised his dream of becoming a pilot at a very young age. Mr Gibson, 47, and airplane mechanic Anthony “Scrubby� Smith died when the Piper Aztec plane they were on went down in bushes shortly after takeoff from South Bimini on Sunday afternoon following repairs. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by Civil Aviation authorities. Mr Gibson was an experienced pilot of 29 years, working for several small charter companies before purchasing his own plane.  A number of people gathered at the residence of Mr Gibson’s mother on Scott Avenue to offer their condolences to the family. Mr Gibson was one of 10 siblings and the father of one. SEE PAGE THREE
ENGINE FAILURE LIKELY REASON FOR BIMINI PLANE CRASH FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis unveiling his “Roc Wit Doc� slogan in the House of Assembly yesterday, pictured with deputy leader Peter Turnquest and Loretta Butler-Turner, who is to challenge for the leadership at the upcoming convention. Photo: Yontalay Bowe
MINNIS CALLS FOR HANGING FNM NOT GAINING TRACTION OF ‘MURDEROUS SCUMBAGS’ FOR ELECTION, WARNS SANDS By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  OPPOSITION Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday insisted that the necks of “murderous scumbags� in the country must be “popped� as he castigated the Christie administration for failing “miserably� in its obligation to keep Bahamians safe. Suggesting that he was in full support of capital punishment as a means to arrest violent crimes in the
country, the Free National Movement leader argued that criminality in the country had skyrocketed because the government had a policy of “catch, retain and release�. He said until festering crime levels in The Bahamas could be controlled, the economy would fail to grow. The comments came after three men were shot dead in two separate incidents on June 12. SEE PAGE SEVEN
By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  FREE National Movement Senator Dr Duane Sands said he is running for the party’s deputy leader post because the FNM currently has “serious problems� and despite the dismal performance of the government, it is “not gaining traction�. While appearing as guest on Real Talk Reloaded with host Lincoln Bain, Dr Sands said the Official Op-
position’s problems “are not going to go away on its own� and instead of being a part of the problem he wants to be “a part of the solution.� On Sunday, Dr Sands told The Tribune that he and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner are running as a team to hopefully replace FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest at the party’s convention next month. SEE PAGE SIX
By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  INVESTIGATORS probing the cause of a small plane crash in Bimini that killed two men on Sunday said it was likely to have been caused by engine failure, according to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin. While addressing parliamentarians in the House of Assembly on Monday, Mrs Hanna Martin said preliminary investigations revealed the Piper Aztec plane experienced problems with its right engine moments after take off, forcing the pilot to turn around and head back to the South Bimini Airport. SEE PAGE THREE
MITCHELL BLASTS RELIGIOUS LEADERS OVER REFERENDUM By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
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FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell declared yesterday that the country was not a theocracy as he castigated religious leaders for their role in the failure of the gender equality referendum. Notwithstanding the vote’s “disappointing� outcome, Mr Mitchell expressed concern over the lingering hate sparked by debate over the constitu-
FRED MITCHELL MP tional amendments. Pointing to recent attacks in the United States
and the United Kingdom, he underscored the link between hate speech and destructive behaviour among mentally ill and ignorant people. He reiterated his call for clergymen to publicly separate themselves from violence and hate during his contribution to the 2016/2017 budget debate. “I am very disappointed in the results,� he said, “in the way our people allowed phobias to complicate the issue. The inequalities on
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the transmission of citizenship are astonishing, and as a country, we are not in good company in this regard when compared to other countries around the world. “I fear that we as a country and a people still may not have matured enough to make decisions in isolation for the betterment of the country, to reduce discrimination in The Bahamas.� SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Jazz in bloom A JAZZ in Bloom event was held at the British Colonial Hilton last night with Anuschka Wright performing to celebrate Father’s Day. Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, June 21, 2016, PAGE 3
THE WRECKAGE of the plane that crashed in South Bimini on Sunday.
Family: Pilot was one of the best in The Bahamas from page one
TERRANCE GIBSON
“We are going through a lot of hurt right now,” said Rachel Rolle, Mr Gibson’s mother. “He was my right hand.” Mrs Rolle said she was in total disbelief when she got word of the crash. “They said when (he) went up he come right back down. I was told that the other guy was burned bad and that Terrence was not burned that bad,” she recalled. The bodies were flown yesterday to New Providence, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Mrs Rolle said her son loved flying. “He was a pi-
lot for many years and was flying since he was 18,” she said. She described Mr Gibson as a very loving person who was willing to help anyone. “If I asked him to do anything he would do it right away. He was a good boy, he was my right hand.” Mrs Rolle said that she is looking to the Lord for strength to be able to cope with the loss. Crystal Murray, Mr Gibson’s sister, said the tragedy has not sunk in yet for the family. She said her big brother was the glue that kept the family together. “Terrence was a lovable person. He was the glue for our family; he was never angry and when you called
him, he was there.” Mrs Murray said her brother died doing what he loved best. “Flying was his passion and he died doing what he loved. We will truly miss him. Even though we are sad and mourning he has brought the entire family together.” Pernice Ferguson said her uncle Terrence was one of the best pilots in Grand Bahama. “He could care less about a car, but a plane ... he always had to have it. We find comfort in knowing that he died doing what he loved. Everybody who knows him to be the one of the best pilots in The Bahamas. He is definitely going to be missed, especially in the aviation community.”
THE SCENE of the crash in Bimini.
ENGINE FAILURE LIKELY REASON FOR BIMINI PLANE CRASH from page one
Unfortunately, she said, the pilot “fell short of the runway.” The names of the victims have not yet been released but The Tribune understands they are pilot Terrance “Tango” Gibson and an airplane mechanic, Anthony Smith, nicknamed
“Scrubby”. “At 4.15pm (on) June 19, aviation officials at South Bimini Airport received a report of smoke in bushes near the airport. The aircraft’s registration number is N63ZZ, a PA 27, which departed Bimini minutes earlier. There was no previous radio communication from the aircraft,” Mrs Hanna Martin
MOTHER PRATT IN FACEBOOK FRAUD ALERT FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt yesterday urged the public to be aware of fraudulent social media profiles after she fell victim to a $46,000 identity scheme over the weekend. Mrs Pratt, Co-Chair of the Urban Renewal Commission, yesterday announced that she was recently made aware that a Facebook profile purported to be of her began to contact people close to her requesting names and telephone contacts in exchange for a percentage of a $46,000 payout she was due to receive. Mrs Pratt, noting that she did not operate a profile on the world’s largest social media platform, said she referred all connected in the scam to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. One, Adrana Lockhart, a teacher, said she was recently approached by an “impostor” in the name of Mrs Pratt regarding a citizen cash fund on Facebook. Ms Lockhart
said she was told that Mrs Pratt had submitted her name and was asked to provide a reference number. Additionally, Wilton Russell, Urban Renewal’s Facebook analyst and sports co-ordinator, further advised the public to be cautious of people who are requesting friendship on Facebook. He described the matter as a “sharp” scheme and said that culprits are creating profiles to solicit funds. “They act as if they know you personally. This is a very serious matter and they are asking for large sums of money to be sent to them,” he said. Police have been informed and are investigating.
said. “The crash and fire rescue team and the Civil Aviation Department along with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and other airport personnel immediately responded to the area in question and traversed along a dirt road until the area became impassable. The crash fire and rescue team, along with the equip-
ment, continued through the thick bushes on foot and after an extensive trek, a fatal crash scene was discovered with two bodies. Ultimately, a tractor was used to effect a removal of the bodies. “Investigators were dispatched to Bimini and preliminary reports indicate that around 4pm Sunday, the mentioned aircraft
departed Bimini International Airport for Abaco and upon departing apparently experienced an engine problem with its right engine. “The aircraft attempted to return to Bimini International Airport where it crashed into bushes short of the airport. The aircraft sustained post impact fire with no salvage upon in-
spection. Two souls were on board and neither survived the crash,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. She added that the bodies were brought to the Nassau and investigators are awaiting eyewitness reports from the police. She said an update on the investigation will be provided to the public as soon as it becomes available.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, June 21, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
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Rebuking Trump, Biden warns against backsliding on democracy WASHINGTON (AP) — Warning of a potential surge in anti-Americanism, Vice President Joe Biden tore into Donald Trump’s views on foreign policy on Monday, urging the country not to follow the presumptive Republican nominee down a path of isolationism and bigotry. Though Biden framed his speech to the Centre for New American Security speech as advice for the next president, his remarks amounted to a point-by-point rebuttal of Trump on immigration, terrorism and relations with Russia. Biden cautioned against policies, embraced by Trump, that the vice president said would make the US and its neighbourhood poorer, less democratic and less secure. “Wielding the politics of fear and intolerance, like proposals to ban Muslims from entering the United States or slandering entire religious communities as complicit in terrorism, calls into question America’s status as the greatest democracy in the history of the world,” Biden said. Biden’s speech to the Washington think tank marked his most concerted and lengthy rebuke to date of Trump, and comes as Biden and President Barack Obama are increasingly inserting themselves into the election in an attempt to stop Trump. Earlier this month both Biden and Obama endorsed Hillary Clinton, and both Democrats are expected to start campaigning aggressively for her in the coming days. Although Biden didn’t mention Trump by name, his intended target was clear. On Sunday, Trump went beyond his previous calls for temporarily banning Muslim immigration by suggesting the US should consider profiling Muslims already in the US. The Republican has also called for reinstating waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods to try to prevent terrorist attacks. Biden said that “some of the rhetoric I’m hearing sounds designed to radicalize all 1.4 billion” Muslims around the world. “Adopting the tactics of our enemies — using torture, threatening to kill innocent family members, indiscriminately bombing civilian populations — not only violates our values, it’s deeply, deeply damaging to our security,” Biden said. He echoed Obama’s argument that demonising the world’s Muslims would actually
help the Islamic State group by playing “into the very narrative of extremists.” “Why in God’s name are we giving them what they want?” Biden added. Biden, who considered running for president before bowing out last year, said the country was at an “inflection point” in which hard-fought gains of the past several years risk being squandered. He dismissed those who “seek sound bite solutions in a world defined by complexity,” in another clear swipe at Trump. “If we build walls and disrespect our closest neighbours, we will quickly see all this progress disappear, replaced by a return of anti-Americanism and a corrosive rift throughout our hemisphere,” Biden said. Biden continued the line of attack in an interview on “CBS Evening News,” saying, “If we make religion the enemy, where the hell do you think we’re going to get the cooperation?” The vice president also sought to undercut Trump’s argument that if elected, the US would enjoy a more constructive and friendly relationship with Russia, following a dysfunctional relationship under Obama. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has praised Trump’s intelligence in the past, more recently dodged questions about whether he prefers Trump or Clinton and pledged to work with whoever wins. “Embracing Putin at a time of renewed Russian aggression, I believe, could call into question America’s longstanding commitment to a Europe whole, free and at peace,” Biden said. “But neither is it time to dust off the Cold War playbook.” Though the US cut off formal military ties with Russia in 2014 to protest its actions in Ukraine, the two militaries have sought to maintain lines of communication to avoid an inadvertent confrontation in Syria, where both militaries are fighting the Islamic State group but backing opposing sides in Syria’s civil war. Biden said that as new military technologies raise the risk of a mistake or escalation, the US needs to find “new channels with Moscow to clearly communicate our intentions.” By Josh Lederman of the Associated Press
Christie must go after failed vote EDITOR, The Tribune. FOLLOWING the second rejection in three years of the government’s direct proposals by the people of The Bahamas, Mr Christie MUST resign. And the members of his party who have not made him do so must be dealt with by the Bahamian people at the next elections. What we have today is an absolutely untenable situation. A prime minister in whom the people have
Blame, blame everywhere EDITOR, The Tribune. Re: WICHCOMBE: WE ARE ALL TO BLAME FOR CRIME LEVELS. - The Tribune, June 16, 2016 PERHAPS. But there is one teeny-weeny difference – we never promised anyone we had solutions for the crime levels. KEN W KNOWLES , MD Nassau, June 19, 2016.
clearly lost confidence – The Bahamas. Policies and he refuses to leave. which have taken us back Not only that, but he to bad times in our history wants to remain in office that we hoped never to see for another year (and more again; ), with control of the public • whose weak leadership treasury under his author- has failed to maintain ority. der and decorum among his The potential damage ministers and party spokesthat can be done by some- men; one in his position trying to • whose taxation policies rescue his shattered image, have created severe hardcannot be overestimated. ship for the most vulnerable This situation is precisely among us, while making dowhy we MUST have chang- ing (or staying in) business es to the constitution that more difficult than at any the PEOPLE requested time in our history; and not those that politi• and whose word to cians may decide. the Bahamian people simChanges that give the ply cannot be trusted after people the power of direct he violated the promise action to recall a member to leave after two years in of parliament when he has this term, and to respect failed to respect the wishes the results of the gambling of the people. referendum. We cannot be stuck with In the business world, a leader: when the head of a com• whose national security pany fails on so many policies have failed to make levels and no longer has us safer in our homes or on the confidence of the the streets; owners, he is asked to • whose economic poli- leave IMMEDIATELY. cies have failed to produce So, Mr Christie, we now ask job growth for the people; you – PLEASE LEAVE • whose immigration pol- US. icies have abused investors and permanent residents, SHAYNE DAVIS while ignoring legitimate Nassau, rights of persons born in June 20, 2016.
I cry shame on unfit leaders EDITOR, The Tribune.
ON June 7th, 2016, the Bahamian people spoke loud and clear. They rejected the gender equality referendum initiated by the present Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Government. This is the second time in one political term that Mr Perry Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has presented a referendum that has been soundly rejected, but he has yet to resign or call an election. Last week, distinguished journalist Mr Jeffrey Lloyd sounded the alarm and correctly said that Mr Christie has lost the mandate to govern. He said that he does not trust Mr Christie to negotiate any deals with the Chinese with regards to Baha Mar because the next general election is only months away and Mr Christie would do anything to hold on to power. There have been rumours that the Chinese want unimaginable concessions before they authorise the financing to complete Baha Mar. Reports have been swirling that they want 500 Bahamian citizenship, tax breaks on VAT for thirty years, exemption from custom duties and more work permits for Chinese nationals. Mr Christie has never definitively addressed these reports. In his contribution to the budget debate last week, Dr Andre Rollins dressed down the entire government and said that the Christie government is negotiating from a position of weakness with regards to Baha Mar. He said that the present government is a
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net lame duck government and inferred that there is no way that they can negotiate the completion of Baha Mar in the best interest of the Bahamian people. I think that Dr Rollins and Mr Lloyd are spot on. The Bahamas is swimming in shark infested waters and the Chinese know it. The two failed referendums held by the Christie government has no doubt left them scrambling for ways to stay in power and they have no business being at the negotiating table. The economy, despite all the ramblings during the new budget debate is not growing at a rate that will tackle the ever growing unemployment epidemic in the country. Keep in mind that several thousand students just graduated from high school this month. Everywhere I go in New Providence, I am approached by persons asking for a dollar or two. Economic wise, things are extremely bad for tens of thousands of Bahamians and it is not getting any better. Mr Christie knows that for his party to have any chance of winning the next general election that he must get construction on Baha Mar started. He is in a desperate situation politically and this cannot be overstated. There is no doubt that he will sign off on the completion of Baha Mar at the peril of the Bahamian people, especially given his current fragile political state. I am not sure if the average Bahamian is aware of
what our country is presently faced with. This government by its own repeated actions have displayed bad judgment and their supposed belief in Bahamians is scoffed at during social gatherings. I share Mr Lloyd’s view that it is time for Mr Christie to go. I would go further and state unequivocally that the entire Cabinet needs to be removed from office. The tragedy about this situation is that there are cabinet members who know that collectively they are making bad decisions but their loyalty lies to the governing PLP party and not country. We have had cabinet ministers sit idly by when citizens in the Marathon area were being poisoned, some of whom have reportedly died. We have had cabinet members sit idly by when the auditor general in his audited reports state that millions of dollars are unaccounted for at several government ministries. We have had cabinet members sit idly by when the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) was burnt down and the contractor had no insurance. I ask all Cabinet Ministers the following questions. 1). Are you not Bahamian? 2). Don’t you not have a responsibility to act in the best interest of Bahamians? 3). Look 30 years down the road and ask yourselves if the next Bahamian generation will benefit from the decisions you are making today? I cry shame on the whole lot. DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, June 18, 2016.
Atlantis concessions EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE Prime Minister mentions often that Atlantis has some special concessionary agreement which will not expire. Atlantis is safeguarded against any Bahamas Government ever granting perceived improved concessions - incentives over what then Sol Kerzner was able to negotiate in Agreement 1-2-3. The Prime Minister would be challenged to enforce this as the Heads of Agreement is not statutory law like The Hawksbill Agreement further it is questionable that in all Heads of Agreement a so-
named Secretary to the National Economic Council signed on behalf of The Government. There is no proof that the Secretary had been given the Power of Attorneys of the respective Ministers of the various Ministry’s granting the concessions – so those Heads of Agreement are void and challengeable. Alike The Best Commission there is no legal status of the NEC and any other so-named Authorities-Commissions, etc, which have not been enshrined in law. Certainly the restriction of three casinos on New Providence is a condition
that cannot be supported nor do I accept and many likewise do the limits of potential concessions that could legally be given to a developer who came along with a project larger than Atlantis. What if someone came along and wanted to develop a project, four-five-six times more invested and more jobs to be created than what Atlantis created – you mean government is stuck to the concession given to Kerzner? If so, we made an horrific mistake. W THOMPSON Nassau, June 16, 2016.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, June 21, 2016, PAGE 5
MITCHELL BLASTS RELIGIOUS LEADERS OVER REFERENDUM from page one
“This was a matter of citizenship, nothing else,” he said. The minister of foreign affairs and immigration announced that he will dedicate his 2017 election campaign to the fight for women’s rights. The constitutional referendum’s amendments were overwhelmingly rejected by Bahamians on June 7, with ‘no’ votes getting more than double the number of ‘yes’ votes in most constituencies. “The government was blamed for missteps in the process,” Mr Mitchell said. “I reject that. There can be no remedy for deceit other than truth. The truth was plain to see but instead of the work of God being done, it appears the work of the devil has for the moment succeeded.” He added: “While they crow from the rafters from stopping some shadowy hidden agenda, the people who have suffered are women and children, and the people of the Bahamas. They have set us back a generation.” “The extent of the deceit goes further than the errant clergymen,” he said. “Here was Bran McCartney who claims that he voted because Dame Joan Sawyer said so. With respect, everyone who is in the know, knows that Dame Joan Sawyer has been overturned by the Privy Council more times than the garbage can outside my yard.”
He was referring to Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney who said he voted “no” to all four questions on the ballot after being swayed by comments from the former Court of Appeal president. Yesterday, East Grand Bahama MP K Peter Turn-
quest challenged that it was misleading to paint opponents of the referendum as sexist or hateful. “I think it’s unfair to characterise them as teaching hate,” Mr Turnquest said. “I believe they had some specific concerns and they raised them, I think
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday criticised critics of his “vote your conscience” stance on the constitutional referendum, insisting that he took this position out of respect for the intelligence and ability of the Bahamian electorate to make the proper choice. Dr Minnis further slammed the government over its failure to fund the Save Our Bahamas campaign when it fully financed the YES Bahamas campaign. “Mr Speaker the PLP government did not run a fair, free and transparent referendum campaign,” he said. “Free and fair elections are the foundation of any democracy and ours should be no exception. “It was wrong for this government to use taxpayer money to fund the ‘yes’ campaign while denying funds to the ‘no’ campaign. “To ensure that no future government of The Bahamas does this, the FNM government will enact legislation to remove this discriminatory practice for all future referendums.” He also explained that he would not question the decision of voters to overwhelmingly reject each of the four questions presented during the June 7 equality vote. “It was right, Mr Speaker,” the Killarney MP said during the 2016/2017 budget debate, “for me to advise voters to become educated on the four bills and to vote their conscience. That was very important to me. My advice to vote their conscience demonstrated my utmost respect for the intelligence and ability for our people to best decide for themselves on what they wanted to do. “We don’t question the people’s decision in an election when they vote PLP or FNM. (Then) why should we question people’s decision now?” He added: “Mr Speaker we note with amazement that
government members and others are trying to shift the blame for the failure of the ‘yes’ vote away from themselves. In fact, Mr Speaker, some have even said that had I been more vocal and come out and expressed favour for the ‘yes’ vote the results would have been different. But Mr Speaker I did not know that I had such great influence.” At the height of the national debate on the constitutional changes, Dr Minnis faced fierce criticism because he did not take a particular position on the four proposed bills. Among the critics was former FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner. Earlier this month the Long Island MP said Dr Minnis should accept responsibility for the part he played in the failed gender equality referendum. She said she felt the FNM leader should have “stood by his original convictions” and not “shift mid-stream depending on which way the wind blows.” Former FNM Senator Heather Hunt, who was one of the co-executive directors of the YES Bahamas campaign, also suggested that Dr Minnis did not show effective leadership because he failed to communicate his position on the four constitutional equality bills. Yesterday, Dr Minnis further demanded an explanation from the Christie administration over the Parliamentary Registration Department’s handling of the June 7 referendum, saying he suspected “sinister” motives by the government regarding the equality vote. Dr Minnis pointed to the fact that PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts conceded the overwhelming rejection of the constitutional changes before Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall had released the official and complete results. He said this and other issues gave the appearance that there were “glaring irregularities” during the referendum, which raised great concerns especially because a general election is less
than one year away. Dr Minnis again called on the government to ensure that there were international observers in place to monitor the 2017 election. Among the issues raised by the FNM leader were claims that observers wearing FNM party colours were not allowed to enter polling stations and reports that voters were instructed to write “yes” or “no” to answer the referendum questions rather than marking an “x” next to their choices. In addition he said there were claims that at some polling stations voters were casting ballots in the absence of hard copies of the voter’s register. “In some cases voters were instructed to write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and answer the question rather than mark an ‘x’ next to their choice. “Mr Speaker in a . . . country such as ours with all the modern technology available, including the internet, telephone, fax (and) what’s app, we find it unacceptable that this Progressive Liberal Party government can be so incompetent that it would take almost 48 hours to count the votes and make the final results public. “We suspect a sinister motive and we demand an explanation from this government. “The government also owes the Bahamian people an explanation as to how the chairman of the PLP could issue a statement of the defeat of the ‘yes’ vote before the parliamentary commissioner had received all the results from the various stations. Even before the completion of the vote count. “These glaring irregularities, Mr Speaker are of great concern to us especially in light of the upcoming general elections and we put the government on notice that these irregularities must be fixed. “We will demand that international organisations be invited to observe the Bahamas general election in 2017 or before to ensure the integrity of the voting process.”
FRED MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, who criticised religious leaders for campaigning against the gender equality referendum. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff the Bahamian people made a decision. I think it’s wrong to come to this place (and prescribe) a hate motive to them rather than a philosophical one.” However, Mr Mitchell countered that the referendum’s purpose was indisputable.
“What in my respectful view happened in the Bahamas is that a minority was demonised and dehumanised in this country to frighten people into voting against the rights of women,” he said. “I say again, that is not something to be proud
about because the only ones who will suffer are women and their spouses, their children and men and their spouses.” Mr Mitchell said: “The bills were simply about giving men and women the same rights in the Constitution.”
Minnis rounds on critics of referendum stance
Minnis: I’ll win leadership fight
PAGE 6, Tuesday, June 21, 2016
FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday. from page one “The delegates, Mr Speaker, will ‘roc with doc’. The young people will ‘roc with doc’. The Family Islands and the entire Bahamas will ‘roc with doc’. My deputy will ‘roc with doc’. “As I look at their faces (government MPs) I can see their grimaces. I know, Mr Speaker, they are prepared to ‘roc with doc’. “The 5,000 plus children that I have delivered into this world who are now able to vote will ‘roc with the doc,’” he said, referring to his time as an OB/GYN. “I
say to them, Mr Speaker, I delivered (you) safely into this world and it is now time to deliver me and the FNM.” He added: “Speaker, I thank the almighty God for giving me the fortitude to persist in my duty in the face of a firestorm of criticism from within and without.” Later responding to a question from The Tribune about the leadership race, the embattled party leader said he believed in democracy. He said the party’s delegates would remember him as a leader with concrete plans and elect him as their leader once more.
“It is a democracy,” he told reporters. “Once it’s a convention all positions are open. “I believe in democracy, I have no doubt that I will go in as leader and I will come out as leader. I am not concerned about that. “The Bahamian people know what I am all about. The Bahamian people know that I am more concerned about uplifting them and I want to create tax free zones. I want to ensure that their electricity stays on. We will make sure there are decreases. “I want to make sure they have more disposable cash so that they can
THE TRIBUNE
Photo: Yontalay Bowe spend it within the communities. “They understand, they understand. I want it clear. People say I am against Bay Street. No I am not against Bay Street. I only want to see the wealth and opportunities spread to the inner city and beyond.” “I will go in as leader and I will come out as leader and I know that if you were there you too would ‘roc with doc,’” Dr Minnis added. Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Sands finalised their decision on Saturday and informed Dr Minnis and FNM Deputy Leader Peter
Turnquest of their intentions on Sunday. The pair ran for the same positions in 2014 and lost to the current leadership duo, though they did not run as a team on that occasion. “It is not lost on either of us that we would’ve attempted (to win posts) at the November 2014 convention but all I can say is that in life, defeat is only final if you don’t get up and try again,” Dr Sands said when contacted by The Tribune on Sunday. For her part, Mrs ButlerTurner said she endorsed all Dr Sands had to say about the matter. She de-
clined further comment. The leadership battle comes at a delicate time for the FNM, as Dr Minnis is believed to have only agreed for the early convention to take place after six parliamentarians, including Mrs Butler-Turner, threatened to seek his removal as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly. Dr Minnis’ tenure as leader has been defined by intra-party friction, creating fractures in the party. Nonetheless, when he was challenged in 2014, he defeated Mrs Butler-Turner by more than double her number of votes.
FNM NOT GAINING TRACTION FOR ELECTION, WARNS SANDS
from page one
The pair finalised the decision on Saturday and informed Dr Minnis and Mr Turnquest of their intentions on Sunday. The decision has set the stage for one of the most anticipated political events of the year, to be held from
July 27-29. Dr Sands said on Monday if Dr Minnis remains leader of the FNM after the convention, he will throw his full support behind the Killarney MP. “Since 2012, I have tried to be a measured voice in the Free National Movement and despite the dismal performance of the
PLP, the FNM is not gaining traction, not the way we ought to be. What I believe is that you should be a part of the solution instead of part of the problem. So I would like to make a more substantial contribution to the advancement of the country and that is why I am offering myself for service,” Dr Sands said. “I pledged my support to Dr Minnis when I ran in 2014 and lost and I delivered it to the leadership of the FNM. I think it is very important for the public to understand there is no point in sticking your head in the sand. If you perceive
a problem it is not going away on our own, you have to address it, you have to deal with it and sometimes you have to force other people to deal with the problem. There are serious challenges and problems in the FNM that our supporters believe we need to get resolved.” Dr Sands said calling for a change in leadership does not mean Dr Minnis is ineffective, but he added: “Sometimes even though you are going in the same direction, you have to change the seats on the bus.” “Some people point to a challenge with the leader
and some point to challenges with the followers but at the end of the day the FNM is not as potent as it ought to be and could be and given what is at stake for the Bahamas, we owe our people a duty to get it right,” Dr Sands said. “In convention when we come out for better or for worse our challenges need to be resolved. A number of people are calling for a difference in leadership and I liken it to rearranging the seats on the bus. We are all going in the same direction and believe in the same thing but sometimes you have to reposition who
is riding shotgun and who is at the wheel. Sometimes you have to shuffle things around to get a more effective team and get a better result.” Last month, Dr Minnis agreed to an early convention after six parliamentarians, including Mrs ButlerTurner, threatened to seek his removal as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly. Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Sands lost their bids to become FNM leader and deputy leader, respectively, at the party’s convention in 2014. At that time, they were not running as a team.
READERS REACT TO BUTLER-TURNER & SANDS BID THE news that Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner and Senator Dr Duane Sands will run as an FNM leadership team against Dr Hubert Minnis and Peter Turnquest sparked a lively reaction from readers on tribune242. com. Greentea was optimistic of their chances: “Minnis/ Turnquest, Christie/Davis or Butler/Sands? My fellow Bahamians, it is Butler and Sands all the way! Come on voting members of the FNM – I belong to no party so I have to depend on ya’ll to do the right thing. This is a winning ticket.” As was Proudloudandfnm: “These delegates better get out and speak with the people. Bahamians never want to see a PM Minnis . . . This is a good ticket. Get out there and find out
what the people want.” Emac said: “The last thing Bahamians should be looking for is a smarttalking politician who simply pretends to be down to earth just to get votes. It is time to look for leaders who have managerial skills – leaders who can create jobs, lower taxes and bring down our depth. So far, all the leaders that were lawyers by profession didn’t even come close to doing this. It is time to vote for leaders who are willing to take on the issues and those who can bring results. Checking out the records of LBT, even a blind
man can see that she possesses the qualities to propel this country forward. When you listen to Sands speak, it is obvious that he is a rational thinker and he is a realist. This is exactly what the Bahamas needs at this time!.” There was this from Economist: “Finally, the FNM Council now has the opportunity to elect a REAL TEAM.” Zakary, however, wasn’t convinced: “Loretta Butler-Turner talks a good talk in Parliament but some will have to come to terms that she ultimately makes no sense. She has a habit of twisting facts and history as she pleases — just watch the Parliamentary Channel a few times. If we had fact checkers, she’d be high on the list. Duane ‘No Seat’ Sands has good ideas but he just can’t seem to win .
. . his seat.” Sheeprunner12 had doubts over the party’s election process: “Loretta and Duane will only stand a chance of beating Minnis/Turnquest if ALL registered FNMs were to be allowed to vote across this country in a leadership vote like in the USA . . . a group of 400 handpicked delegates cannot realistically represent over 60,000 FNM voters . . . can it really be a fair convention election?” And Viewersmatters said: “Best option for LBT is to accept the responsibility of being a deputy leader best thing for the FNM is to suck up their pride and joy resign their seats and allow a new generation of leaders to be front line politics.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, June 21, 2016, PAGE 7
Former teaching union chief ‘trying to barge way back in’ By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Union of Teachers Acting President Zane Lightbourne yesterday accused suspended BUT President Belinda Wilson of trying to “barge” her way back into the presidency before receiving confirmation from the union’s annual general meeting. Mr Lightbourne, in an interview with The Tribune, said Mrs Wilson’s recent “stunt” is indicative of her “trying to get back in the chair before she gets to the AGM”. He said the union would be “happy” to have Mrs Wilson back to work, as her reinstatement would allow her to “deal with the matters that are of grave concern to the union that still have to be answered to.” Mr Lightbourne’s comments were in response to claims made by Mrs Wilson over the weekend that the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has closed its investigation into alleged violations of union procedures. Mrs Wilson was suspended indefinitely with half pay last year pending that investigation. Mrs Wilson, along with another individual, were both originally suspended amid allegations that more than $1.1m from
the union’s pension and savings account was wrongfully spent. In a statement released on the weekend, however, Mrs Wilson claimed the RBPF’s investigation into the matter has been “conducted and completed” and has “determined that there will be no charges levied against anyone and the case is now closed.” Mrs Wilson also claimed that the two auditing firms hired by the union, HLB Galanis & Co and Baker Tilly Gomez, which conducted three forensic audits covering the period 2008-2015, found that no money was missing, stolen, or spent for personal reasons, but instead spent “for and on behalf of the BUT and all monies were accessed in accordance with the union’s procedure.” Mrs Wilson ended the statement by saying she looks “forward to returning to work to continue to serve the teachers throughout the Bahamas from Grand Bahama to Inagua.” When contacted yesterday, Mr Lightbourne said he had not yet received anything in print from the RBPF regarding the investigation; however, a source previously told The Tribune that the police had completed the investigation and that the file is now before
AMERICAN TO BE SENTENCED FOR KILLING FATHER-IN-LAW By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
AN American man convicted of murdering his father-in-law will be sentenced on Thursday in the Supreme Court. Michael Bradley’s sentence hearing is set for 9.30am before Justice Estelle Gray-Evans in the Supreme Court. Bradley did not have a trial, but instead pleaded guilty to killing Sundiata Karamo, a 70-year-old retired educator, during an argument at the Karamo family home in Hawksbill in January 2015. He is represented by attorney Mario Grey. The sentencing has already been postponed twice because a psychiatric report, which was requested from the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, had not been completed. Justice Evans postponed sentencing to June 23. Karamo was stabbed at
the family’s home trying to protect his daughter who had been involved in an argument with Bradley, who had just moved with her to Grand Bahama six months before the murder. During the initial court hearing, Bradley’s attorney provided some background of the case in court. Mr Grey told the court that his client had been drinking excessively and went to hospital for intoxication the day before the murder. When he went to the home, Bradley and his wife got into a verbal and physical altercation. Karamo got involved and was stabbed. Mr Grey further noted after the incident Bradley left the home dressed only in a black t-shirt and was nude from the waist down. He went to a security officer at a nearby resort and told them to call the police. Erica Kemp of the Attorney General’s Office is appearing on behalf of the Crown.
NEW TRIAL DATE IN RAPE CASE By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A NEW trial date will be fixed for a man who denied that he attempted to rape a woman in 2013. Otto Moss, 30, appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs yesterday for the expected start of a hearing into an alleged sexual assault that occurred on September 14, 2013. However, the court was informed that the com-
plainant had a medical emergency that would delay testimony. As a result, Moss returns to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 22 to receive a new date for trial. Moss had pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted rape when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court on March 21, 2014. He remains on bail and is represented by attorney Ian Cargill. Anishka Hanchell appeared for the Crown.
the Office of the Attorney General. Mr Lightbourne also said the union has not been given anything in black and white from Baker Tilly Gomez. However, a source had previously told The Tribune that the forensic audit report is also “basically” completed and is likely to be presented at this weekend’s AGM. Mr Lightbourne said it is “curious that Mrs Wilson at this time would try such a stunt when she knows that the AGM is this week.” “If the AGM, which suspended Mrs Wilson, resumes on Saturday, then what is the rush in trying to push yourself back to work claiming that you have something that nobody else is aware of?” he said. “The way Mrs Wilson is doing things is clearly ultra vires to any sensible organisation, and we’re not going to allow her to do that. “...You don’t just barge in or make the claims yourself. You have to have a letter or some communication stating that this is the position of the organisation, or your position as it pertains to whether it’s a suspension or any other act.” Regarding the validity of Mrs Wilson’s claims in reference to the police investigation, Mr Lightbourne
BUT Acting President Zane Lightbourne stands in front of the then-president Belinda Wilson in this photograph from last year. said the only communication he has received pertaining to that matter was a letter by Mrs Wilson’s lawyers addressed to Labour Director Robert Farquharson on the conclusion of the investigation. “It’s just so presumptuous to think that you’ll return to work just by saying ‘I’m returning to work’,” Mr Light-
bourne added. “So the organisation will have to tell her if she will be placed back in her position, and she’ll have an opportunity this weekend to do that if she is so anxious.” In 2014, Mrs Wilson and Ms Knowles were suspended. Mrs Wilson had her suspicion overturned by
a three-member appeals committee in January 2015, which said it found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the president as was alleged. In March of that year, however, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Knowles were again served with another suspension for “blatant violations” of the union’s constitution.
WITNESS ANONYMITY EXTENDED UNTIL START OF MURDER TRIAL, JUDGE RULES By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A JUDGE has allowed the anonymity order for the protection of the identity of a witness to a murder to be extended. However, Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs said the extension will only last until the start of trial for murder accused Axanthio Thompson who awaits prosecution concerning the November 2014 murder of Loren Jermaine Rolle. Senior Justice Isaacs said he had found no material change in circumstances to extend an order made in March 2015 until the conclusion of the trial. Howev-
er, he said the Crown could make an application if there were new developments. The extension was sought because prosecutor Halicia Delancy argued that the Crown’s case is based on the account of an eyewitness who is hesitant to give evidence if their identity and location is not shielded. The prosecution relied on the authority case of Leroy Smith, a decision where the Court of Appeal had allowed the Crown’s application for anonymity after the witness reported receiving death threats. Wayne Munroe, QC, said if there was evidence of fear then allowing the order to remain in place until the start of trial would be justi-
fied. Any other option, he added, placed his client’s right to prepare a defence at risk because he would not know if the witness is truly anonymous or whether the evidence may be motivated by malicious intent. The judge, in his ruling on Friday, said there was no direct evidence made out in an affidavit that the witness in Thompson’s matter had received death threats. “No such evidence was given before the magistrate in the instant case or before this court,” the judge said. “Indeed, the present application is made on the strength of paragraph eight of an affidavit by St 1600 Barry Smith filed June 9, 2016 where he makes the
identical statement to that in paragraph six supporting the original application of March 25, 2015. Obviously the facts relied on for this application have not changed. In all of the circumstances, bearing in mind that Mr Munroe had no objection to the order remaining in place up to trial, I order that the witness anonymity order remain in place up to the trial.” “At that time, if there has been a change in circumstances that indicate a verifiable threat to (the) anonymous (witness), I would be minded to maintain the order throughout the trial on an application by the Crown,” the judge added. Thompson is scheduled to stand trial in 2017.
TWO FACE COURT OVER KILLING AT FUNERAL By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men accused of murdering a man at a funeral repast return to the Supreme Court today for jury empanelling. The trial of Garvin Pratt, 21, and Eduardo Carey, 36, was expected to start yesterday before Justice Bernard Turner in connection with the shooting death of Delano Brice. However, the lead prosecutor in the case, Anthony Delaney, was before the Court of Appeal where matters take precedence over cases before lower courts. The matter was ad-
journed when 12 jurors and three alternates are to be selected from a pool of 48 persons. Brice was shot in the neck during a drive-by shooting at Quakoo Street where a repast was held on August 23, 2014. He died in hospital four days later. Pratt and Carey pleaded not guilty to the murder charge they face when they were formally arraigned in the Supreme Court on January 16, 2015. They have retained Romona Farquharson-Seymour and Tonique Lewis to defend them against the allegation. Timothy Bailey will assist Mr Delaney in prosecuting the case.
GARVIN Pratt at a previous court appearance.
MINNIS CALLS FOR HANGING OF ‘MURDEROUS SCUMBAGS’
from page one
One of the men, a church minister, was shot dead as he used the automated teller machine (ATM) of Scotiabank at Wulff Road and Jerome Avenue. This, Dr Minnis said, was evidence that crime had reached uncontrollable levels, adding that based on the current homicide count, the country was on pace to surpass last year’s tally. “Violent crimes and the fear of crime stops our lives,” Dr Minnis said during the 2016/2017 budget debate in the House of Assembly. “The record breaking murder count of 146 persons last year almost qualified the Bahamas as
an armed war zone and already we have recorded 56 murders and on the way to meeting or surpassing last year’s record. “Our economy, Mr Speaker, will not grow until we solve the issue of crime and as you know crime is a multifaceted issue, which requires multifaceted approaches (involving) the family, the church, civil society and the government. (They) must all join forces to combat this societal mess. “Just the other day, a young man was gunned down at the ATM machine. We must, as hanging is on our books, we must hang these criminals. These murderous scumbags must be hung by the neck until they are dead.”
He continued: “The murderous scumbags must be hung as that is on our laws. Hang, hung, whatever…pop their necks.” The Killarney MP went on to reiterate some of the FNM’s proposed crime fighting strategies should the electorate vote the party into office during the 2017 general election. “We will create a safe Bahamas by collaborating with our social partners, the church, educators, social workers and the citizens at large to implement new crime fighting programmes. “A major problem in our society is that our children are growing up without knowing the difference between right and wrong. They live in a culture that
glorifies violence, disrespects authorities and are concerned only about their rights but not about their responsibility. “Our aim, Mr Speaker, is not just to control behaviour, but to change it by directing their energies into positive channels by instituting conflict resolution programmes.” The murder count for 2016 now stands at 56, according to The Tribune’s records, meaning 514 homicides have occurred under this administration in a little over four years. From May 7, 2012, to December 2012 there were 70 recorded murders. In, 2013, police recorded 119 murders. In 2014 and 2015, police recorded 123 and a
record 146 murders respectively. On the 2012 campaign trail, the PLP erected billboards throughout New Providence that read “Under the FNM government 490-plus murders”. This was for a five-year period. On Friday, Dr Minnis said the government, through many of its senior members, was attempting to shift responsibility for the country’s growing crime epidemic as opposed to addressing it. He was responding to recent statements by Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe who asserted that all Bahamians bear blame for the nation’s crime woes. However, Dr Minnis scoffed at this sentiment,
lamenting that the PLP had failed to execute a major task it promised it would. He also questioned Mr Wilchcombe’s thought process. “Why should everyone else be blamed for the PLP’s failed leadership to fix the record-setting murder rates in the past four years?” Dr Minnis maintained that hard-working Bahamians are being forced into isolation out of the fear of crime. “They are being told by this government that they shouldn’t even do normal tasks such as go to the bank without bringing back-up,” he added. “Yet this government thinks they are not to blame for these problems.”
PAGE 8, Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Politics as usual
THE TRIBUNE
A dream team, an apology and voter apathy
L
ORETTA Butler-Turner and Duane Sands are the Free National Movement’s (FNM) latest treat. Don’t ridicule or underestimate the possibility; these two leaders may actually stand a chance of making waves in political leadership if they really do run as a team in the FNM convention next month and also as a team in the 2017 general election. Goodness knows they would give life and hope to the FNM like its current leader Hubert Minnis cannot. And for the millionth time, for all those who believe there is some secret campaign to slaughter Minnis’ political life, Minnis is simply not a leader … not in politics. He may be able to adopt some of the dirty tricks of politics, but a natural leader will automatically draw people to the cause, and for the last several years we’ve watched FNM supporters and Bahamians sitting on the political fence scratching their heads about Minnis, giving him tentative or no support. The kind of leader the FNM needs now is one the people clamour to follow; nothing else will be viewed confidently enough to confront the political machinations of a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and annihilate them at the polls in 2017. So maybe this duo can get somewhere. And Sands is quoted as saying, “I believe that Butler and Sands is the tonic we need.” Now while that may be true for the
FNM, I beg of him, please, no more cheesy analogies. The last thing we want Bahamians thinking of while the future of the country depends on their vote is liquor. Besides, the PLP already has dibs on that platform. ••• Deputy Prime Minister Davis has suggested that one of the problems in the referendum voting-counting process is the fact that The Bahamas is an archipelago. He hints at waiting on New Providence for information to come to the centre of the islands for distribution. Mr Davis, look out your window. While I know it may seem hard to tell at first because things look pretty much the same as they did in 1967 under your party’s governance, it is in fact 2016. Why is being an archipelago still a problem to blame anything on … least of all communications? The only thing communications relies on is power. Oh, I see. The problem is not communications, it’s power … power generation, transmission and distribution. Well, I wonder what could be the cause of a problem with those things? Let’s ask the Minister of Public Works. Ah, that’s right. The minister is in fact you. And that is where the story ends. So let’s talk about that. It’s 2016. Why is power supply a problem on one small island in a land of sun, wind, garbage, heat, water? We are tired. Don’t you get it? Go away into a corner and come back making sense or
By NICOLE BURROWS
don’t come back at all. ••• Hubert Minnis says “crime is out of control”. The Minister of National Security, Bernard Nottage, says crime is “down”. It’s politics as usual. You have a murderer with a long list of other serious offences tied to his name walking free on the streets, moving from one crime to the next … How?! Why?! And you have the nerve to utter statistics? Tell the family of Mr Cleare and all the families who have lost loved ones to
Funeral Service for
Sylvia Clara Pearce, 88 of San Souci, Nassau, The Bahamas, will be held at the Chapel of Love, Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, Palmdale Avenue and Bradley Street, Nassau, (TODAY), Tuesday, 21st June, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Jay Simms will officiate and interment will follow in Ebenezer Methodist Cemetery, East Shirley Street, Nassau. Sylvia Clara was the youngest of four children born to Cecil and Lillian Roberts of Great Guana Cay, Abaco. She was born on June 3rd, 1928 and came to Nassau at age 13. Sylvia lived with her uncle Harry Roberts and his wife Trever until she met Vesper Russell,an electrician, whom she married just 2 years later. Sylvia and Vesper Russell had seven children (Kathy, Jeannie, Joyce, Mercay, Kenneth, Agatha, and Mona) before she was widowed at 29 years of age. Sylvia married Clyde Russell and they produced a son, Andrew, before she became widowed a second time. Sylvia supported her family working as a sales clerk until she was forced to stop after suffering an aneurysm. Later in life she married widower Charles Kirkwood Pearce and they enjoyed a happy Union until his death in his old age. Sylvia was familiar with death having already lost her two sons, Andy and Ken. But she had to bear the loss of one more child leaving before her: Jeannie who died in 2009. Sylvia’s health continued to decline over the past decade, and she took her last breath holding her eldest daughter Kathy’s hand, on Wednesday morning, June 15, 2016. May she rest in peace. Sylvia Pearce is survived by her daughters, Kathy Pearce, Joyce Green, Mercay Houghton, Agatha Bethel Harding and Mona Russell; granddaughters, Gia Greene, Melanie Bethel, Quinn Childers and Kara Russell; grandsons, Troy Pearce, Colin Green, Christopher Houghton and Gavin Bethel; great granddaughters, Lauren Villi, Alexis Roderick, Jordan Green, Kaitlin Childers and Emma Houghton; great grandsons, Justin and Nicholas Pearce, Joshua Greene, Ethan Green and Hunter Bethel; great great grandson, Jude Roderick; nieces, Sherrie Sawyer and Lisa Roberts; nephew, Cecil Roberts; sons-in-law, Godfrey Pearce, Timothy Houghton and Godfrey Harding. Other relatives and friends who are left to cherish her memory include Lindy Munnings, Ann and Eugene Higgs, and Rhondi Taylor. The family wishes to express a debt of gratitude to Sylvia’s wonderful caregivers, especially Pearlene Pinnock, Pat Patterson, Pat Munnings, Carlene Russell and Dr. Ian Kelly. Arrangements Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
best time for the presentation based on the schedules of all involved and the concern about swaying the outcome of the referendum, the timing that I actually find more curious is that of Wayne Munroe’s presentation of the same concept on the heels of the referendum. Is the good lady preparing the way for Munroe’s undoubtedly imminent court case on same-sex marriage? Or is it just convenient that they are both singing the same song?
crime that crime is down. Try telling them that to their faces. Say, oh, but Mrs Cleare, you know, I know you lost your husband, but crime is down. See what you get in return. You sicken me. You sicken us. Stop. Just stop talking. If the only thing you can say is ••• some senseless, insensi- ‘I’m guessing the Prime tive remark other 60 to 70 per Minister about crime Christie stats, then cent of registered apologised don’t say voters in Centreville to the Bahaanything at were pumping water, mian people all. We. Are. the defecating outside or from Tired. floor of ParTo Mr cooking noodles and liament last Nottage week. weenies, and could and all the He apolonot make themselves men (and gised for women) who available to vote in unleashing think they the June 7 referendum that troublecan say anysome Andre thing and at the time.’ Rollins on do nothing, Bahamians, and stay until they decide by having given him access to leave, have done with it. to Parliament. Of course, Be gone, or we will dismiss Rollins’ immediate and diyou. rect rebuttal was made in his best debate voice and ••• language: “His regret is my regret.” Dame Anita Allen reChristie painted Rollins cently made some interest- as a master opportunist. ing statements about mar- But, if Rollins is such an riage ... and gay marriage. opportunist, then Christie, There’s a long letter to the wise man that he is, would editor justifying her posi- know that the way to affect tion on the subject and the him is to deny him opportutiming of her presentation. nity. And if he is an opporWhile the timing of her tunist and Christie didn’t remarks could simply be know that or didn’t realise as the letter indicated, the it when he met him and af-
Death Notice
Mrs. Angela Roldan of Cable Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas, died peacefully after a short illness, on Friday, 17th June, 2016. She is survived by her loving son, Enrique; daughter-in-law, Lauren; sister, Pepita; Eloy Roldan and many nieces and nephews. Born in Gijon, Spain, Angela loved The Bahamas and lived most of her life in Nassau. Her early years in The Bahamas were spent in retail management and fashion and finally in the early 70’s as a part of The Poop Deck Restaurant, a family business. She will be greatly missed by all her family and many friends. A private family service will be held in her honour. Instead of flowers the family request that donations be sent to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, P.O. Box S.S. 6539, Nassau in memory of Mrs. Angela Roldan. Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
ter months of knowing him, what does that say of Christie’s judgment? Atop Christie’s rebuke of Rollins, House Speaker Kendal Major threw his lighter fluid on the flame, admonishing Rollins of his absence in Parliament without notice. In my view, the Speaker over exerted his authority. Whether or not he was justified, all it sounded like was “Tell me sorry! Tell me sorry! Or I ain ga let you play no more!” ••• While the PLP and FNM bicker amongst themselves and each other, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) should be working overtime to pull together a winning team for the 2017 general election. DNA leaders, you have the youth vote. You have a large portion of the female vote. You have PLP-FNM ship-jumpers. You have the vote of the business people who can get nowhere in the current climate of business/ economics and politics/government. Do something. Make it big. Find and focus on the present Achilles heels of these two parties. With Butler-Turner and Sands, the FNM may have a fighting chance, but, if these two are unsuccessful in their bid to lead the FNM, the challenge will still be to defeat the PLP in the election. Be mindful of the FNM situation, but keep focused on the PLP … you take your eyes off of them, the election will be lost to them. ••• This morning’s news tells us a little more about the voter turnout on June 7. In short, less than half of registered voters voted. Killarney had the highest voter turnout … not surprising considering the demographics of that constituency. And Centreville, beloved of the Prime Minister, had 30 plus per cent voter turnout. I’m guessing the other 60 to 70 per cent of registered voters were pumping water, defecating outside or cooking noodles and weenies, and could not make themselves available to vote at the time. Mr Christie should go in person and ask them why they didn’t vote. ••• In closing, Mr Christie, we believe in you like you believe in us. We believe you, too. We believe you because you say so. We believe you, not because you inspire confidence, not because you’ve demonstrated trustworthiness, but because your mouth said it and therefore it is truth. Ponder that on the way into 2017. Send email to nburrows@ tribunemedia.net
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Tuesday, June 21, 2016, PAGE 9
ARCHDEACON CELEBRATES 40 YEARS SINCE ORDINATION ANGLICAN Archdeacon James Palacious celebrates the 40th anniversary of his ordination this week with a service of thanksgiving at Christ the King on Thursday and on Sunday at St Philip’s Church, Inagua, on Sunday. During his ministry, Archdeacon Palacious has had a distinguished career in the Church and public sector, serving in the Family Islands and as Archdeacon for the Southern Bahamas as well as being on the board of the Central Bank of the Bahamas, the Ethics Committee of Doctors Hospital and a Justice of the Peace. Born in Inagua to Irvin and Margaret Palacious on June 12, 1952, he left the Inagua Public School and followed his older brothers Eugene and Eric to Nassau to attend St John’s College. Thanks to his academic
ARCHDEACON JAMES PALACIOUS, of the Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos. prowess, he was graduated in 1968 with a determination to one day accede to the priesthood. After working briefly in the private and public sectors, he pursued theological studies to test his vocation, entering Kelham Theological College in England and matriculated at Codrington
College/The University of the West Indies in Barbados. In 1975, he became the first to be awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with first class honours. On June 24, 1975, the Feast Day of St John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of the diocese of the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands, Ven. Palacious was ordained deacon at Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau. A year later, in 1976, he returned to his natal church of St Philip in Mathew Town, Inagua, where he was ordained to the priesthood. Archdeacon Palacious went on to further his education at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and later Drew University, New Jersey. During his 40-year ordained ministry in the Diocese, Archdeacon Palacious
has served in several capacities including: Diocesan Youth Officer (1975-1977), Bishop’s Chaplain (19751981), Priest-in-Charge, St Bartholomew’s, Berry Islands (1976–1981), Priestin-Charge and Rector, St Gregory’s (1978-1981), Rector, St Patrick’s, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera and Rector, St Matthew’s (19882004.) From 1992- 2006 he served as Archdeacon for the Southern Bahamas and since February 2004 he has held the position of Archdeacon of Administration in the Diocesan Office. Archdeacon Palacious’ devotion has manifested itself in a life of service not only to the Church but also to his fellow human beings and his beloved Bahamas. He has lectured at the College of The Bahamas (19781979), served as Chaplain of the One Family Junkanoo
and Community Organisation, served as a member of the Hotel Corporation, and is a former arbitrator of industrial disputes in the hotel industry. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of The Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Board of the newly established Public Defenders Unit, the Ethics Committee of Doctors Hospital, and the Junkanoo Think Tank appointed by the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence Ltd. He is the current fundraising Director for the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, an internationally Certified Arbitrator of Disputes, Chaplain of the Junkanoo Development Association and also a Justice of the Peace. Archdeacon Palacious’ gift of oratory, his keen wit and his depth of experience have combined to make him a highly sought after speak-
er. He has been married to the Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious for 34 years and they are the proud parents of a son, Carlos, and daughter-in-law, Anastarsia. Since 2012, beginning with the celebration of his 60th birthday, Archdeacon Palacious has raised $86,000 from the sale of his two CDs and monetary gifts for his beloved St Philip’s. On Sunday he again returns to St Philip’s to celebrate his 40th anniversary of ordination. A service of thanksgiving for Archdeacon’s 40th anniversary of ordination also will be held in Nassau at Christ the King Anglican Church on Thursday at 7.30pm. Instead of gifts, donations are requested in aid of St Philip’s Anglican Church, Inagua, and the St John’s College Scholarship Programme.
Stem cell research hailed as a boon for The Bahamas By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net HEALTH officials are one step closer to making The Bahamas the “premier global destination” for stem cell research, after launching a forum through subsidiaries of the Stem Cell Secretariat and the Public Hospitals Authority yesterday. Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the forum, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Glen Beneby insisted that the growth seen within the stem cell industry since legislation was passed to govern the sector signals that the legal framework was effective. Dr Beneby stressed that the role The Bahamas now plays in the growing industry ensures that as long as the country remains at the forefront of best practices and ethical behaviour, it will, in five to seven years be seen as the “premier global destination” for stem cell research and procedures. “This afternoon we begin a series of lectures related to stem cell industry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and this really is an
idea that comes out of the Stem Cell Secretariat with the Ministry (of Health) which is coordinated by Professor Dr Desiree Cox. “The aim of this lecture series is to engage our various industry stakeholders,” he said. Dr Beneby continued: “Stem cell is a new industry in The Bahamas and it is important for our stakeholders to know not only what is happening in the industry, but it is also important for them to know what potential exist for all of those involved.” “What we have done today is, we have the benefit of some of our international counterparts that are working closely with us here in The Bahamas. We have taken this afternoon to allow these experts to present their findings and information so that the local stakeholders can have the opportunity to interact with them.” Sources within the industry have suggested to The Tribune that dozens of applicants have approached the government looking to gauge the possibility of setting up research medical facilities in The Bahamas. Professor Joshua Hare of
CHIEF Medical Officer Dr Glen Beneby speaking about the stem cell industry. Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff The $10m facility serthe University of Miami’s Integrative Stem Cell Insti- viced some 100 patients tute, one of the presenters within the first six-months at Monday’s lecturer series, of operation in minor stem indicated that The Baha- cell therapy procedures. Monday’s lecturer semas is now on the precipice of becoming the global des- ries included presentations tination of choice as it re- from Dr Eric Duckers, who serves on the Medical Advilates to stem cells. The government im- sory Board at Okyanos and plemented the legislative University of the Netherframework for the industry lands, and Professor Hare. Additionally, those in atback in August of 2013. Since then, the govern- tendance heard lecturers ment has approved four to from Dr James Manganelfive research medical facili- lo, chief executive officer of Provia Labs in the US and ties across the country. To date, the most suc- Dr Luis Martinez of Regencessful among those facili- era Global, Puerto Rico. The lecturer series was ties has been the Okyanos Cell Therapy Centre, which moderated by Professor is stationed in Freeport, Desiree Cox, consultant to PROFESSOR Joshua Hare speaking at the Public Hospital Authority stem cell forum on Monday. the Ministry of Health. Grand Bahama.
DNA CALL FOR POWER COMPANY TO PRESENT PLAN TO IMPROVE SUPPLY By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney is calling on Bahamas Power and Light to produce and publicly present its plan of action to improve power generation and transmission amid rolling blackouts. The former Bamboo Town representative, in a press statement on Monday, castigated BPL’s management company and the Christie administration because the new deal for the utility provider has resulted in no improvement in electrical services despite assurances by the government. Mr McCartney called BPL a “complete and utter disappointment” to date. “We indeed have the potential to be ranked among the superpowers of the
world. Sadly, however, we are plagued by political leaders with a third world mentality which continues to threaten our very development,” stated Mr McCartney. Noting the spate in power outages in recent weeks, Mr McCartney lamented that the problem will continue. “On Friday past, residents here in New Providence experienced an island wide shut down of electricity services,” he said. “Traffic lights malfunctioned and banks temporarily suspended certain customer services, while at the Lynden Pindling International Airport – the country’s premier gateway – the loss of electricity at the control tower grounded outbound flights and kept inbound flights from landing.” He added: “Unfortunately, Friday’s grid failure was
not the first, and until real action is taken to address the issue it will likely not be the last.” Mr McCartney said of Friday’s grid blackout: “… Our third world political leaders have remained silent, a stark difference from the fanfare and propaganda with which they announced plans for energy reform.” He said the Christie administration had a litany of promises ranging from improved reliability to lower electricity prices – all of which failed to see the light of day. “…. And the company which he assured Bahamians would usher in a new age for the energy sector in the Bahamas – PowerSecure International – has been a complete and utter disappointment thus far.” “Under the less than watchful eye of the PM and his inept Cabinet, Power Secure has been allowed
to assume management control of the company without a clear plan on the way forward. Even now in the face of outages which diminish our quality of life and threaten to cripple our already fragile local economy, no one in this government has demanded to see the company’s plan on the way forward.” “Does such a plan even exist? And if it does, what assurances do Bahamians have that the long-standing issues with generation and reliability will actually be addressed? The DNA calls on officials at Bahamas Power and Light to release its detailed plans for improved generation and transmission of electricity for residents here in New Providence and across the wider Bahamas.” “Such a plan should not only include an upgrade and overhaul of the aged and outdated generation
equipment currently being used by BEC/BPL, but it must also include the introduction of alternative energy sources.” Mr McCartney suggested that natural gas options, air, wave and waste to energy processes all remain key alternatives to the model presently employed by BPL. He went on to berate Prime Minister Perry Christie for implementing some of those various alternatives in his home. “While Mr Christie has seen the good sense to implement the use of such resources in his own home, exorbitant import rates for solar panels and other equipment have made it difficult for the everyday average Bahamian family to avail themselves of the benefits. Since taking office this Christie-led administration has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted,” he added.
“They have shunned every opportunity to be open and transparent with the people who elected them, choosing to leave Bahamians in the dark both literally and figuratively speaking.” Last Wednesday BPL announced that it would begin “outage rotations” to help address the corporation’s struggles to meet customer demands. Intermittent power cuts continued on Thursday and Friday. The government signed a five-year agreement with PowerSecure in February to manage the Bahamas Electricity Corporation which was later renamed Bahamas Power & Light (BPL). In recent months, PowerSecure provided the government with a business plan, but details of that plan have not been shared with the public.
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Graduate coming home to make a difference By ALEXANDER HAWKINS A BAHAMIAN student who was orphaned in her teens has returned home after graduating from one of the United States’ top universities to pursue her passion for the environment. Ingeria Miller was graduated from Columbia University’s prestigious School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) last month and has turned down job offers in America in favour of a position in the Forestry Unit of the Ministry of the Environment. Her early life lacked parental guidance through tragic circumstances but in her early teens she was adopted by Pastor H A Roach and his wife, Olga. Pastor Roach told The Tribune with pride that sheer “willpower”, “determination” and the “grace of God” allowed for his daughter’s success. Ms Miller decided to return to The Bahamas despite job offers in the United States and the promise of publication of her work on the effects of colonialism on the natural environment. She said her passion for the environment helped her through her education and she hopes that through her chosen career she will be able to promote “education” and “engender a love of the environment” in the young
people of this country. Following secondary education at Bahamas Academy and a brief period at the College of the Bahamas, Ms Miller studied for her Bachelors Degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She attended Cornell on the Nature Conservancy Merit Scholarship majoring in natural resources with minors in ecology and policy analysis. Ms Miller turned down places at two medical schools to pursue her interest in environmental conservation by studying for a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Columbia University in Manhattan, New York. She was the Bahamian flag carrier at commencement and graduation ceremonies there. In addition to her Masters studies, she had a distinguished extracurricular experience at Columbia. She worked as an intern at the University’s Earth Institute, a global scientific organisation under the leadership of Professor Jeffrey Sachs which seeks to encourage sustainability in global society. Within the Earth Institute she was part of a team which reviewed and critiqued the New York Health and Green Procurement Act, a piece of draft legislation which would give preference to the purchase
INGERIA MILLER, a Columbia University graduate, has returned to The Bahamas to pursue her passion for the environment. of environmentally friendly York State, including staff Kirtland’s Warbler Re- sive species management, commodities, services and provision and first year search and Training Project Geographic Informational technologies by the state budget. She has also taken and been attached to the System, climate change and government. part in tours of Israel and Ministry of the Environ- coastal zone management. Her duties included cre- Russia. ment for eight years. She Her hobbies include travelating the first green proShe has also worked as has a wealth of training in ling, fashion and commucurement office for New research assistant with the project management, inva- nity service.
RESIDENTS DEMAND REMOVAL OF SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AMID HEALTH FEARS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
CHESAPEAKE homeowners are demanding the removal of a nearby sewage treatment plant that they believe is the source of ongoing foul odours and a health concern in that residential area.
Last week Monday, several residents protested outside the Grand Bahama Utility Company’s offices on Cedar Street demanding the relocation of the plant. Resident Shuffel Hepburn claimed that residents have been frequently getting sick with the flu, eye irritations, breathing problems and respiratory illnesses.
Just two weeks ago, resident Michael Wilchcombe was rushed to hospital with breathing problems and later died on June 5. Leon Smith, a resident of Chesapeake, had died previously. While there is no proof that their deaths are linked to the sewage plant, both the men lived closest to the facility, which handles raw sewage from the hotels on the Lucaya strip. “We do not believe them when they say that the pond is causing the odour; natural ponds in the Bahamas are harmless unless they are interfered with. We strongly believe that the plant is the source of our problem,” Mr
Hepburn claimed. The area resident of 17 years has moved out of his house. Mr Hepburn reported that testing and monitoring was conducted in several homes in the area for hydrogen sulphide, which is a colourless gas with characteristic foul odour of rotten eggs. “We went around and did hydrogen sulphide monitoring of the area and we got the highest reading in the Wilchcombe’s home, especially in the master bedroom,” he said. According to Mr Hepburn, Mr Wilchcombe’s wife had also been hospitalised with breathing prob-
lems in the past. Other residents, including Jackie Smith, Sandra Borowski, and Tupence Wilchcombe have also spoken out. Mr Hepburn said that Mrs Wilchcombe, Mrs Smith and her late husband had been hospitalised numerous times in the past with breathing problems. He stressed that both the Wilchcombes’ and the Smiths’ residences are nearest in proximity to the plant. “We want to bring attention to the people who are getting sick in the area,” Mr Hepburn said of the demonstration last week. The Tribune attempted to contact Arthur Jones, vice
president of Building and Development at the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), but he did not return our call. Mr Hepburn claimed Mr Jones and executives of GBPA have done nothing to address the problem. Mr Hepburn felt that Mr Jones’ comments in response to last week’s demonstration were an insult to the residents of Chesapeake, especially to the Wilchcombe family. “We will continue to voice our concerns so that pressure can be brought about on GBPA to remove the sewage plant from the area,” he said.
TROPICAL STORM DANIELLE FORMS OFF MEXICO TROPICAL Storm Danielle formed off eastern Mexico yesterday and began drenching the country’s Gulf coast region with heavy rains.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said Danielle’s maximum sustained winds increased to near 45mph, with some slight strength-
ening expected before the storm was forecast to make landfall later. A tropical storm warning was in effect for a stretch of the Gulf coast state of Ve-
racruz, from Laguna Verde to Rio Panuco. Yesterday afternoon the storm was centred about 30 miles east of the port of Tuxpan and was moving west at 7mph. Danielle was expected to produce six to 10 inches of rainfall over several Mexican states, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches in higher terrain. The Veracruz government cancelled classes in most of the state as a precautionary measure. Schools are sometimes used to shelter storm victims in Mexico. There were no immediate reports of any damage or significant flooding, but the NHC warned that flash floods and landslides were possible. While Danielle - the fourth named storm of the 2016 Atlantic season - will not be any threat to the Bahamas and may die today as it moves inland, Jeffrey Green, of the Bahamas Meteorology Office, told The Tribune that June is the month to start “preparing for the hurricane season”. He advised that it was time for Bahamians to start thinking about putting supplies aside and fixing problems with their houses in readiness. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and got off to an early start this year, with the first named storm of the season occurring in January. Forecasters predict this hurricane season being a near-average one, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The outlook predicts 10 to 16 named storms, with four to eight becoming hurricanes and one to four of those becoming major ones.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2016, PAGE 11
Inspired by Sir - written with love
FRED Mitchell MP pictured with the participants in the Sir Sidney Poitier essay competition - Gabriele Josephs, Amelia Morgan, Kristylyn Burrows, Kathleen Mendoza and Jalen Pinder. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
THE winners of the Sir Sidney Poitier Essay Competition were honoured yesterday in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell was on hand to congratulate the winners of the competition. The contest was named after the legendary actor Sir Sidney Poitier, who grew up in The Bahamas and is one of the most respected stars in Hollywood. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
SOME of those attending the Sir Sidney Poitier Essay Competition Award Ceremony held at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
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