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Volume: 112 No.150
Nottage says contents of alert ‘not true’ By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
THE United States Embassy is “wrong� and the assertions made in their latest crime advisory regarding The Bahamas are “not true,� National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage insisted yesterday, a day after the US released a security message urging its citizens and visitors in Nassau and Paradise Island to exercise heightened personal security awareness. As reporters pressed the Bain and Grant’s Town MP on the issue, Dr Nottage remained tight-lipped and did not explain why he took the position that the local mission had not fairly assessed
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the crime situation in the capital. “The US is wrong in their statement,� he told reporters. Asked if the advisory was a fair assessment, he said: “It’s not true�. He was questioned following the morning session of the House of Assembly in light of his announcement last month that overall crime in The Bahamas had dropped by 29 per cent from January 1 to June 14 compared to the same period in 2015. At the time, he also revealed that there was a 21 per cent decrease in armed robbery and an 18 per cent decrease in robbery during the specified period.
By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  BAHAMAS Power and Light (BPL) CEO Pam Miller said yesterday the utility provider is currently “not in any talks� with the government to forgive or write off any of its numerous delinquent accounts. Ms Hill said there is currently no programme “of that kind� at BPL and she encouraged customers to continue to pay their bills on time in order to remain connected. SEE PAGE SIX
SEE PAGE FIVE
sembly that the legislation represented a “vision for the future� and would not have been possible without Prime Minister Perry Christie. The transformation to a university, the minister said, would usher in improvements in academics, service, infrastructure and financial management. The Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI) will also SEE PAGE 11
By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  A LACK of proper maintenance as well as extreme heat has put immense pressure on Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) aging generators, with officials saying the electricity outages that have affected New Providence residents for the past few weeks are nowhere near over. BPL CEO Pam Hill acknowledged yesterday that power cuts this year have been more frequent than last year, but said BPL is looking to bring in additional rental generators later this summer to help with reliability. BPL has been load shedding intermittently for the past two weeks but there had been numerous power cuts before that as the electricity provider continues to “struggle� with a significant generation shortfall. SEE PAGE SIX
NO TALKS WITH GOVT ON FORGIVING ELECTRIC DEBT
DEBATE BEGINS ON BILL TO CREATE UNIVERSITY By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  THE House of Assembly yesterday opened debate on a bill to establish the University of The Bahamas, with Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald praising the government for fulfilling all of its promises concerning the standard of education in the country. During the second reading of the Bill, Mr Fitzgerald told the House of As-
MAINTENANCE FAILURE ONE REASON FOR POWER CUTS
BILL TO BRING IN PENALTIES ON CONTRACTORS FORMER president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers Belinda Wilson at the Supreme Court yesterday. She has vowed to sue over allegations relating to her suspension from the union. See page three for the full story. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
WELLS URGES GREATER VETTING FOR FNM 99 CANDIDATES AS SANDS SUSPENDS CAMPAIGN PLUS VAT
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Cabinet minister Tennyson Wells yesterday said that former Free National Movement (FNM) candidate Leonard Sands should not have accepted his nomination in the Bain and Grant’s Town constituency if he was unhappy with party infighting as he called for more stringent vetting.
Mr Wells opined that Mr Sands’ campaign suspension highlighted a need for greater due diligence from the party’s Candidates Committee, telling The Tribune that many political hopefuls often underestimate the financial commitment required to hold public office. “I don’t know how he [Mr Sands] could suspend his campaign,� he said. “When you suspend that means you
gone, you’re no longer a candidate. “Based on my experience, a lot of people want to get involved in politics thinking there is a lot of glamour and when they get involved they find it’s a cost and they may expect the parties to support them. But particularly when you’re in opposition, opposition parties don’t have that kind of funding.� SEE PAGE SEVEN
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  THE Christie administration plans to clamp down on the construction industry through new legislation that will ensure contractors are properly licenced and can face heavy penalties, including the suspension or revocation of permits by the formation of a disciplinary board. Hailing the Construction Contractors Bill 2016 as “inaugural, cutting edge and comprehensive�, Works Minister Philip “Brave� Davis said as it stands, Bahamian consumers have been exposed to a dangerous under-regulated industry. SEE PAGE 11
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THE TRIBUNE
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YOUNGSTERS splashed with water from a hose during a fire safety event. THE Centreville Urban Renewal Unit Summer Camp enjoyed a fire safety exercise on Friday, July 8 at Our Lady’s Catholic Church on Deveaux Street. Members of the Fire
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 3
Former union chief ready to sue over claims of dishonesty By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net EMBATTLED Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson is prepared to sue “people who make allegations of dishonesty” regarding her suspensions from the union as her attorneys claim there is nothing preventing her from reassuming her post. Wayne Munroe, QC, told reporters yesterday that Mrs Wilson has instructed him to take legal action against people who spread untruths related to her controversial suspensions. Mr Munroe also claimed that acting BUT President Zane Lightbourne and Acting Treasurer Terez Conliffe are “illegitimately” in their current posts. He said that Mrs Wilson’s suspension, as well as the suspensions of the two other BUT officers, are “spent” and that they should be back in their old positions. Mr Munroe’s comments came after a hearing before Justice Ian Winder on the debacle surrounding the suspensions of Mrs Wilson, along with Treasurer Lorraine Knowles and union Trustee Mizpah Munroe. Justice Winder adjourned the matter until July 22. In December 2014, Mrs Wilson and Ms Knowles were suspended for six and three months respectively due to concerns from the union’s executive committee that more than $1.1m
FORMER president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers Belinda Wilson at the Supreme Court yesterday. She has vowed to sue over allegations relating to her suspension from the union. See page three for the full story. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff from the union’s pension and savings account had been wrongfully spent. In March 2015, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Knowles were again suspended for “blatant violations” of the union’s constitution. Mrs Wilson was later hit with an “indefinite” suspension pending the results of a police investigation into alleged violations of union procedures. Yesterday, however, Mr Munroe echoed previous claims by Mrs Wilson that the Royal Bahamas Police Force has closed its investigation into the matter
with “no adverse findings” against his client. Mr Munroe also said that a forensic audit recently completed by Baker Tilly Gomez has proven that the “union’s accounts were not conditioned at all”. Mr Munroe said those claims, along with his claims that no vote was moved to suspend Mrs Wilson any further at the union’s annual general meeting (AGM) last month, shows that their suspensions are effectively at an end. “And so the suspension in our view is spent, which means that once a suspen-
sion is spent then the persons are back where they ought to be,” Mr Munroe said. When asked what his legal team seeks to do at next week’s hearing, Mr Munroe said: “We intend to raise the issue that these reports having been delivered, the suspensions are at an end. And that the persons who are presently acting are illegitimately so acting.” Mr Munroe went on to say that he has been instructed to take legal action against people who spread untruths about his clients and the circumstances sur-
rounding their suspensions. He did not indicate who those might be, however. “Shortly we’ve been instructed to start to sue people who make allegations of dishonesty against our clients, and Bahamian people will come to learn, your mouth can get you into problems, and your mouth can affect your pocket book,” he said. “We are too lax with our tongues, and the Bible cautions you against the use of your tongue, and eventually I suspect that the court with judgments and defamation actions will show the Ba-
hamian public why that is so, why they really need to listen to the biblical admonition.” Meanwhile, Mrs Wilson seemed overjoyed that the matter was making headway towards a conclusion. “It’s been a long journey but it seems as though we’re getting closer to a resolution and we’re very optimistic that the resolution will be in our favour,” she said. “So we hope that next week Friday, along with both counsels being able to communicate and consult with each other, that we will have a resolution to this matter, because we look forward to returning to our rightful positions that the members would have voted for us to occupy.” Two weeks ago the BUT said following the conclusion of the 69th AGM, an elected officer moved to reinstate Mrs Wilson. However, the motion was ruled out of order by the chair and taken to the delegates for a vote. The delegates ruled the motion out of order and therefore she was not reinstated. There was also a vote to expel Mrs Wilson for two years, but that motion was defeated. Nonetheless, the statement said at the first meeting of the newly installed executive committee of the union, a vote was taken and passed for Mr Lightbourne and Ms Conliffe to continue in their positions until the results of yesterday’s hearing.
TUC PRESIDENT BLASTS GOVT OVER SANDALS DISPUTE By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
PRESIDENT of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Obie Ferguson castigated the Christie administration yesterday over its handling of a union dispute at the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort, asserting that “gullible” and “compromised” politicians are failing the electorate. Mr Ferguson’s comments came in defence of several Bahamas Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) officers who have either been arrested or were being sought by police in connection with Tuesday’s protest over conditions at the Sandals resort. “It is so depressing that here we are,” Mr Ferguson said during a press conference at the House of Labour yesterday. He added that it was disappointing that as the country celebrates 43 years of Independence, the government would not force the owner or officials at the resort to meet with the union as mandated by law. Mr Ferguson claimed that despite assurances from Prime Minister Perry Christie, employees at the Cable Beach property are still subjected to the “worst conditions possible”. According to the attorney, both Labour Director Robert Farquharson and Minister of Labour Shane Gibson have said that they did not have the power to force Sandals’ owner Gordon “Butch” Stewart to meet with the union. “(If) your son or my son commit one little minor crime they (will be) locked up,” Mr Ferguson said, as he lamented the fact that Mr Stewart appeared to be getting special treatment from the government. “We have a Minister of Labour responsible for labour and they cannot get this man to come to the Labour Board. So what is happening to the workers of this country? It is a sad commentary,” he said. “Now if we call a strike tomorrow all of them would be making a whole bunch of noise in this community about (us) trying to destroy this (country); destroy what?It is so disturbing (that) it is mind-boggling,” he said.
Section 41(1) of the Bahamas Industrial Relations Act notes that all employers should recognise a trade union of which more than 50 per cent of the employees are members. Moreover, sub-section 41(3) calls for employers who are refusing to recognise a sanctioned union to be prosecuted and, if found guilty of the offence, face a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both. “Now we have eight union officers or thereabout who are in police custody as I speak. (Police) are questioning whether or not they have the right to picket without permit. Well, since when in the Bahamas is a permit required to picket or to demonstrate?” He claimed that those involved should have been immune to arrest and prosecution under sub-section 37(1) of the act. The section indicates that any employee or bargaining agent acting on the rights of employees that does anything in “contemplation or furtherance” of a trade dispute shall not be punishable as a crime by any court. “I am saying this morning that this is a serious matter and we are not going to stop until Sandals does the right thing,” said Mr Ferguson. He compelled Mr Christie to order Mr Stewart to “sit down and start negotiating an industrial agreement”. He added: “Is that unreasonable? Is that an unreasonable request when the law dictates that if he fails to do so the government of the Bahamas can institute criminal prosecution against him for failing to do so?” Mr Ferguson noted that the TUC would now look to garner support for workers at Sandals from various civic groups throughout the country. He also indicated that the TUC has a strike vote pending at the resort and implored all “right thinking” Bahamians to support their cause once they are mobilised. In 2011, the BHMAWU secured a ruling by the Privy Council that it be recognised as the bargaining agent for Sandals Royal Bahamian employees. Despite this however,
Sandals has refused to ne- in Magistrate’s Court and gotiate with BHMAWU, fined in connection to West union officials have said. Bay Street being blocked Following Tuesday’s pro- off and other offences. test, police took several BHMAWU First Vice people into custody at the President Omar Bernard scene. Three truck driv- was taken into custody July 2016 ers were later Thursday, arraigned14thalong with another union
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steward following their appearance on the “Real Talk Reloaded” radio show on More 94FM on Tuesday afternoon. It is unclear if the union officials will face any charges.
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THE TRIBUNE
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Cameron defined by referendum defeat LONDON (AP) — When David Cameron was elected leader of Britain’s Conservative Party, the press called him the “heir to Blair”. Like Labour premier Tony Blair, he was a young leader who dragged his sometimes reluctant party toward the political center. Cameron steps down Wednesday after six years as prime minister — like Blair, defined by a historic blunder. For Blair, it was the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For Cameron, it was the decision to call a referendum on Britain’s European Union membership. He gambled that voters would choose to remain, after a cathartic debate that would resolve Conservative Party divisions on Europe. Instead, Britain voted by 52 percent to 48 percent to leave — and a tearful Cameron announced his resignation the next morning, saying “I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.”He was due to stay on until the party picked a new leader in September, but on Monday Home Secretary Theresa May was chosen as Conservative chief after her last opponent dropped out. British politics can be brutal — the moving vans were pulling up to 10 Downing St. the next day. Cameron’s six-year term as prime minister will be remembered for its sudden, self-inflicted end. But historian Anthony Seldon said there were substantial achievements, too. “Yes, it ended in disaster,” Seldon told BBC radio. But he said Cameron was “a substantial historical figure who also emerged victorious from two general elections, reshaped his party, instituted a whole range of left-of-center, progressive Conservative reforms including gay marriage, pressed for money to go to development and modernized the party.” When he took office in 2010, the 43-yearold Cameron was Britain’s youngest prime minister in almost 200 years. He failed to win an outright majority in Parliament, so formed a coalition with the smaller Liberal Democrats. It was a compromise that suited him. The government was fiscally conservative and socially reforming, much like Cameron himself. The confident, easygoing product of a privileged background — the first prime minister to say he liked to “chillax” — Cameron said he hoped to be remembered as a social reformer. He encouraged a vision of a “Big Society” built on volunteering and community activism and cited legalizing samesex marriage as one of his proudest achieve-
ments — although it cost him the support of some socially conservative Tories. His government had to deal with a stagnating economy after the 2008 global financial crisis, and brought in deep public-spending cuts in a bid to reduce the country’s ballooning deficit. Cameron managed to deflect much of the blame onto the previous Labour government, accusing it of fiscal recklessness. Internationally, Cameron was wary of the interventionism that had led Blair to take Britain into the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. When he sought Parliament’s approval to join a campaign of air strikes against the Assad regime in Syria in 2013, lawmakers defeated him. However, Britain did join a campaign of strikes against Islamic State group targets in Iraq the next year and expanded them to Syria in 2015. But it was Britain’s relationship with European Union neighbors and allies that proved his undoing, just when everything seemed to be going his way. Cameron was re-elected in 2015 with an unexpected Conservative majority after campaigning on his economic record and vision of a “modern, compassionate Conservative Party.” But the final year of his premiership was overshadowed by what he had once called the party’s predilection for “banging on about Europe.” Under pressure from the right-wing UK Independence Party and euroskeptics in his own party, Cameron called a referendum on membership of the 28-nation bloc. He had already won two referendums, easily defeating a bid to introduce voting reforms in 2011 and by a narrower margin keeping Scotland in the United Kingdom in 2014. But the third proved a vote too far. Cameron will be remembered as the prime minister who took Britain out of the EU and — potentially — triggered the breakup of the United Kingdom. Scotland voted strongly to remain in the EU, and the vote has given new momentum to demands for a second independence referendum. Jon Davis of the Policy Institute at King’s College London said that in many ways Cameron was a successful leader. “He was a steady prime minister, he was competent, he was good-hearted,” Davis said. “If it had been 52-48 the other way, we would be talking about a great leader, a great prime minister.” Instead, “what we have is an abject failure that he has to live with for the rest of his life.” By Jill Lawless, Associated Press
Demand for homes? EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE Adastra Gardens extension Housing project of a further 51 homes has to be economically questioned in the market there or is this pure political generation? Almost in the same breath we heard in a Senator’s Budget contribution as to the negative position of the Mortgage Corporation and the many mortgages in arrears. We all know the monthly “depressed property” list is long so I have to ask the sole purpose of this Government project has to be to provide homes to those probably marginal that can afford them but to the potential new owner the assurance that you can be in enormous mortgage arrears but bless government they do nothing. Yes, new construction is an acknowledged method to pull you out of a deep hole but had we not better ensure there are 51 persons who have a good enough credit rating and do not have 80%+ of their salary deducted that may pass a litmus test. The National Development Plan - did we receive the full version or did Cabinet censor the section on the latent problem within the country.... perceived
high level of corruption? Minister Rolle and Cabinet Office might consider rethinking the publishing of the full report as without the eradication of corruption our economic well being is enveloped in a terminal cancer. The National Development Report was a total confirmation that since 1973 successive governments of whatever ilk failed and failed miserably. The AG comments to the reporters question that PM Christie should resign? Boy obviously Madam AG is scared of job security - it has to be asked: so government which is led by PM Christie pushed the agenda for equality as a major platform in their election campaign - they bring it to Parliament and then the People reject it - how can’t the Prime Minister, as Leader of Government not take the fullest responsibility? Baha Mar the same, he totally supported Izmirlian in 2005 and look what we have got? Look around us everything seems to be collapsing - Passport Office, Road Traffic, Post Office, BAMSI, COB financial problems, Real Property Tax collection unrealistic policy for mortgage relief, the banks have to take some financial blame as much as the mortgagees
- almost zero accountability but the list goes on and on. What is frightening if the opposition parties, who collectively from the 2007 election retained the majority vote, do not see sense and agree to a coalition position we will be faced with enduring a further four-years of a PLP led, oh yes, accept it the PLP is not throwing PM Christie under the bus, by one Rt Hon Perry Gladstone Christie whether we like it or not. The sale focus of the past FNM players should be gather the opposition together and stop this madness, power-playing and intent to grab if returned to office. IDB confirms that Tourism is down…. my previous letters forecast that but what is really scary is that ‘stay-overs’ are considerably down.... our bread and butter. It is time for all really national feeling citizens to understand there is a grave critical danger looming in 2017 which would set us back 30 years. Non-PLP’s get together and oust the PLP for the foreseeable future giving a new chance through rational change for our young people. W THOMPSON Nassau, July 1, 2016
Cable Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune. CABLE Bahamas Limited has been awarded the second mobile cellular license in the country amid a litany of flaws as a cable television provider which has left thousands of Bahamians throughout the archipelago without the service since 1995. To date, the company has failed to live up to its contractual obligations with the Government to ensure that cable service was delivered to every island of The Bahamas. For the past twenty-plus years, Cable Bahamas has blatantly refused to deliver its service to many communities of 14 Family Islands because they are deemed to be too far removed from the closest nodes in addition to not being financially rewarding for the company. The service has never been provided in some settlements, towns and subdivisions on islands like Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, Exuma and Inagua. But despite the many glaring shortcomings in their operations, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority has announced that the Government has approved the granting of the second mobile telephone license to Cable Bahamas Limited, under the name of NewCo2015 Limited. Cable Bahamas emerged as the successful applicant for the new cellular mobile net-
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net work with a 48.25% shareholding in NewCo2015. A special purpose holding company set up and wholly owned by the Government of The Bahamas, HoldingCo2015 Limited, will own the remaining 51.75% of the shares of NewCo2015. But the over-riding question remains to be answered by URCA? Where does the awarding of rights, privileges and concessions to the new cellular mobile service provider leave the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited? Who has been prepared to face the inevitability of the oncoming competition in the cellular mobile services, it is unheard of that a longstanding company should be called upon to share its infrastructure with an upstart competitor. Who has no history of capital investment in the people of The Bahamas. Failed meeting its obligation in providing Cable TV service to 90 per cent of The Bahamas. To be more specific, they have only provided services in four major islands over the past 20 years while using BTC’s infrastructure (towers) to provide limited services to 14 small family island communities. They also allegedly have a history of illegally obtaining signals from another broadcasting corporation in The Bahamas.
Are they a real mobile service provider? Where is the infrastructural investment for mobile services in The Bahamas from them? They will benefit from number portability roaming, tower sharing. Practically piggy backing off BTC’s infrastructure without investing nowhere close in capital investment as their host had previously done. To be unfairly treated by URCA, the regulating agency in this manner is unfortunate and disappointing to many. But that is what BTC has been mandated to do as a result of the terms and conditions negotiated between Cable Bahamas and the Utilities and Regulation Authority, for the second cellular mobile service operator to enter the communications industry in The Bahamas. Competition is the pinnacle of what makes us what we are. Is it applicable to say that competition, although good for consumers, also has its negative aspects as well? There are many challenges that businesses face due to competition within business, and this will be another example that will demonstrate not only the resolve but the commitment to excellence by BTC, notwithstanding the precarious predicament they now face as a second mobile cellular license provider enters the industry. DEREK JOHNSON Nassau, July 13, 2016.
Rally attendance EDITOR, The Tribune. WHILST some may think that the crowds at the rallies held in support of the leader of the Opposition and the intended leaders, Dr Duane Sands and Mrs Loretta Butler Turner, only relate to FNM affairs, the hierarchy and Think Tank, if such exists, of the PLP must be deeply concerned. The fact that the candidates for leadership have drawn such large crowds should be worrisome for the ruling government because many of the persons attending those rallies would not be seen in 2013 or 2014 at an FNM rally of any kind. This could be a harbinger for the PLP that the very people who voted for them are now coming forward publicly to return to the FNM in order to defeat the very party that they voted for in 2012. What might be saving face for the PLP is if its leader, the Prime Minister,
resign his position, the electorate could very well restore confidence in the PLP to return it to power in 2017. It is axiomatic that voters were completely dissatisfied with the way the FNM governed the country and they resoundingly voted them out in 2012. It was not Mr Christie that the electorate voted for but merely the PLP. Mr Christie just happened to be the leader of the party at the time whose subsequent style of ruling basically regurgitated and rehearsed the party’s style of governance of mistakes which led to its defeat in 2007. Although the FNM is still very much unpopular and disliked, particularly with the constant bickering in the party, the electorate takes no mercy polling day to revenge the party that has duped them and not lived up to its promises, even partially, and could
easily vote for the FNM. However, there might be an incredible return to power of the PLP if Mr Christie resigns his position as Prime Minister with different men and women assigned ministerial positions. The resignation, by Mr Christie, in some measure, would restore trust in the electorate in the PLP as an institution. By the modus operandi of the FNM, it is clear that it is not a party or institution but simply a “movement” which reacts, reacts and reacts without any substantive plans for governing this country. Should the leadership remain, and no changes made NOW in the PLP before the general elections, the FNM will win landslide on the basis of spite by the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. E V ALBURY Nassau, July 13, 2016.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 5
Bank governor concern over web shop funds By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net CENTRAL Bank Governor John Rolle yesterday said overlooking the need for more stringent regulations in the web shop sector could, in time, increase the possibility of local bank derisking. Addressing members of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), Mr Rolle said he was becoming increasingly concerned over the source of funds entering the gam-
ing industry, asserting that more regulations would be needed to assure regulatory agencies of the sector’s legitimacy. According to Mr Rolle, speculation surrounding the sources of the large financial gains of web shop operators could lead international financial institutions to question all financial institutions in the Bahamas and, as a result, hasten their “de-risking”. According to Mr Rolle, the lack of clarification over where funds are coming from can force foreign banks to consider the pro-
cess of “de-risking” local institutions out of fear that illegal funds are involved at some point in the banking process. Hence, he called for the establishment of regulations to maintain the separation between legitimate and illegitimate sources of funding in the industry. “I am not concerned about whether the capacity exists (to determine how funds from the web shop industry are used); what is more important is now that you have the gambling side legal, some of what you see continues to be a symptom
of (forced) integration into the economy,” he said. Correspondent banks are those foreign entities that allow Bahamian financial institutions to provide services in their own countries, using their physical and electronic banking infrastructures. They give Bahamian banks, and their clients, access to the international capital markets and financial system, enabling transactions to clear and be settled on a timely basis, and foreign currency deposits to be taken. The government, through
the Office of the Attorney General, has initiated a “task force” of regulators to ensure that local institutions that depend on foreign correspondent banks have identified any and all possible flaws that they might have. On Tuesday, Abhilash Bhachech, the Central Bank’s inspector of banks and trust companies, revealed that the regulator’s first correspondent bank ‘de-risk’ survey showed that while the impact was not systemic, relationships enjoyed by Bahamas-based financial institutions were
US ADVISORY ON CRIME ‘WRONG’ from page one
Meanwhile Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis appeared to side with the US government yesterday, saying Prime Minister Perry Christie and his administration have ignored the reality of crime. In a statement, Dr Minnis said it is “frightening” for Bahamians to see the government continuously dismiss the crime warnings. The FNM leader pointed to the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) election campaign promise to solve the nation’s crime problems. However, he said despite this, crime has only gotten worse. On Tuesday, the embassy issued its second advisory for the year, pointing to armed robberies and violent crime remaining a primary criminal threat and noted that officials received reports of a significant increase in armed robberies throughout New Providence over the past six months. Dr Minnis’ statement read: “The warning signs are everywhere, yet this government continues to ignore them. Before it was the Canadian government, today it’s the US government that is issuing a travel warning to their citizens about The Bahamas. This is the second warning this year the US has issued to American travellers. “The root cause of all these problems is crime. Our people don’t need a travel warning from a foreign government to know their communities and neighbourhoods have been gripped by crime. The murder rate has hit historic levels these past four years. Sexual assaults are ripping apart lives. Yet to hear this PLP government tell it, according to them everything
FREEPORT DOCTOR CHARGED WITH RAPE
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE trial of a Freeport doctor for rape and indecent assault opened yesterday in the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama with testimony from the virtual complainant and a medical doctor. Dr Gerald Forbes, a 47-year-old general practitioner, is charged with indecently assaulting a 20-year-old woman in Freeport sometime in February, 2015. He is also charged with rape for allegedly having sex with the woman without her consent on March 2, 2015. Forbes, a resident of Epsom Road and Town Court, Nassau, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is represented by Simeon Brown. The matter is before Justice Estelle Gray-Evans. Prosecutor Erica Kemp is appearing on behalf of the Crown. The trial resumes today.
DR BERNARD NOTTAGE, Minister of National Security. is fine, and there is nothing ‘unusual’ regarding crime in our Commonwealth. “Out of touch doesn’t begin to describe their lack of leadership. It has become all too common for foreign governments to issue travel and crime warnings, while it has become commonplace for the Prime Minister and his PLP government to ignore the reality on our streets. And their failed leadership is hurting families here and also threatening our tourism industry – the lifeblood of our economy. “It is sad when Minister (of Foreign Affairs Fred) Mitchell describes these warnings as ‘nothing partic-
ularly unusual’. It’s frightening to the people when this PLP government dismisses the continued warning signs. And it’s demoralising to the country as other countries see the clear and present danger, yet their own government turns a blind eye even as tourists look to go elsewhere where they consider it to be safer. “It shouldn’t take foreign government warnings for the Prime Minister and the PLP to do their job and present and start executing a concrete plan to wipe out the crime wave infecting our communities. “Four years ago they promised to reinvigorate
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff our tourism industry but our tourism industry is spiralling downward. These are issues of life and death - both to our people suffering through staggering crime and then the impact the crime epidemic has on our economy. “It is time for the Prime Minister and the PLP government to end their empty rhetoric and broken promises and stand up for the Bahamian people. The Bahamian people deserve leadership that will take action and fight every day for them and stop the endless stream of crime. The FNM will provide the leadership that the Bahamian people deserve
and will stand side-by-side with them as we fight to root out crime in our country and make our communities safe for everyone,” the statement continued. The US advisory came four days after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its own travel advisory warning Bahamians, specifically young men, to comply and be extremely cautious when interacting with police in the US. It was due to heightened tensions over recent fatal police shootings in America of black men. While many observers thought the US warning was retaliation for the Bahamas’ July 8 advisory, US
either subject to greater scrutiny or being reduced. The concept of bank “derisking” was first employed to offset money-laundering mechanisms throughout the world. Mr Rolle has recommended that local institutions ensure that their relationships with their correspondent counterparts were strong, even going as far as to suggest that they begin to search out a “backup plan” in the event that correspondent banks opt to carry out “de-risking” here.
Embassy spokesperson David Allen insisted on Tuesday that this was not the case. Mr Allen said that the embassy recently put its staff and their families on alert due to increasing reports of armed robberies, and as such was legally required to issue a similar message to its citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ warning went viral after it was issued and has come under fire from American commentators who argue that the notice was political - a claim Mr Mitchell has denied. Mr Mitchell said on Tuesday that he believed the timing of the US advisory was not politically motivated but coincidental, and declined further comment. In 2015, the US Embassy issued just one security message to its citizens living and travelling to The Bahamas appealing for heightened security awareness during the holiday season. The embassy sent out four security messages in 2014. In four years and two months under the PLP administration the Bahamas has recorded 520 murders according to The Tribune’s records.
PAGE 6, Thursday, July 14, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
MAINTENANCE FAILURE ONE REASON FOR POWER CUTS from page one
“We expect that the power should be in equilibrium, meaning that we have got enough today in order to manage through the demand but even here you hear me talking in a way that lets you know this is not the last of it,” Ms Hill said at a press conference at the company’s head office. “Honestly, I can say that and the reason why is because historically we know over the last several years, the generation of BEC has really had some challenges. “There have been issues in terms of (equipment) maintenance, in terms of their ability to be taken offline in way that allows it to be looked after and cared for and that historically is something we see every year in the summer and yet here we are again. This year, we are see it happening even faster than it did last year. Here we are in the early part of summer but what is different is the heat of the summer ... this time last year, the temperature wasn’t that bad. “It is unexpectedly hot and we are seeing that add stress on the generators and it makes it harder to operate the fleet when you have
these kinds of heat. And naturally people will be more inclined to turn on their air conditioning and keep it on longer.” Ms Hill said in the shortterm BPL has ordered additional rental generators and in the long term, the company is looking at the viability of solar power. “We are also looking to bring online some generators that recently went offline and bring repairs to it and bring it back online next week. If we don’t see any major challenges or temperature surges or things beyond our control we should be okay. I expect this week to look a little better than last week; with that said we are still in a tentative state but it seems as though things should be okay for now,” Ms Hill. “Beyond today, we expect to bring on a plant that has been offline and that should help improve things and then pushing out further than that but still in the short-term we will bring on additional generation. So that means we will have additional capacity and that really should help the reliability.” In terms of alternative sources of energy, Ms Hill said solar will be the first focus but said BPL will be “evaluating all types of fos-
PAMELA HILL, CEO of Bahamas Power and Light, pictured addressing the media about the recent power outages during their press conference. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff sil fuel to determines what makes sense for the country”. When asked how he felt about BPL’s problems yesterday, Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis said: “Be patient, we have a solu-
tion very soon, I am just as angry.” This failure to keep the lights on comes months after American company PowerSecure was contracted to take over management at the government-
owned utility provider. The new management deal was touted by the government as being the answer to subpar electricity service and high electricity bills. BPL’s load shedding also comes after meteorolo-
gists warned residents last week to expect scorching temperatures with the heat index expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Daily temperatures over the past week have been in the high 90s.
NO TALKS WITH GOVT ON FORGIVING ELECTRIC DEBT
from page one
Her comments came three weeks after Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis announced that the government is working on a series of operational agreements with BPL with hopes of getting the corporation to forgive the debts of consumers who have been unable to settle balances for prolonged periods of time. At the time, Mr Davis, who has ministerial responsibility for BPL, said he had been informed that some
3,000 persons have fallen into this classification, insisting that officials now have to look at these clients on a case-by-case basis to determine how best to resolve each matter. However, when asked about the programme yesterday, Mr Davis shifted from his original comments calling the initiative a “consideration” and not something that was concrete. “We have to discuss the context in which it will be done and how it will be laid in the context of their (BPL’s) overall business plan,” Mr Davis told re-
porters outside the House of Assembly. “That is a matter we will deal with at an appropriate time, it is just one of many issues we have to address ... it was something that was for consideration. As the minister I am considering it and I am asking them to advise me on how it can done.” At a press conference yesterday, Ms Hill said she believes Mr Davis is taking his time to structure the plan, but insisted that the company and the government have not begun discussions.
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“We (have) had no talks and I know the Deputy Prime Minister is probably giving a lot of thought into what the structure might look like. We don’t have any such programme in place right now,” she said. “So we certainly expect customers to be making the payments on their bills that will be required.” Last month, Former State Minister for the Environment Phenton Neymour suggested that the plan was an election ploy. He told reporters that he did not think the plan was genu-
ine and questioned why the Christie administration would bring back a plan it rejected when it was in opposition. The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) launched an electricity assistance programme in June, 2013, in an effort to reconnect more than 7,000 delinquent residential customers. BEC, which was renamed BPL earlier this year, ran another programme that month that offered residential customers in arrears who paid their outstanding bill in full a 10 per cent dis-
count. Residential customers who continued to pay their bills on time in June, July and August, 2013 received a two per cent discount on each of those bills. The two-tiered campaign was expected to provide relief to customers and help improve the corporation’s financial state. At the time, then BEC Chairman Leslie Miller revealed that 90 per cent of BEC’s 65,000 residential customers were more than 90 days past due - with approximately $26m in arrears.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 7
DNA unveils Grand Bahama candidates By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has ratified three candidates in Grand Bahama who will run for the party in the next general election. Nevar Smith, Leslie Lightbourne and Elkena Pinder were introduced as the party’s candidates for Marco City, Pineridge and East Grand Bahama respectively. DNA Leader Branville McCartney and Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer made the announcement at the party’s new office in the Les Fountain II complex on East Sunrise Highway in Grand Bahama yesterday. Mr Smith, 29, serves as deputy councillor for the City of Freeport Council. “The DNA has once again proven that it deeply believes in the potential of our nation’s youth and views us as an important part of the national development process,” he said. “I am proud to be a member of the DNA and by extension its standard bearer in the Marco City - ‘Smithy for the City’.” Supported by his father, Lionel Smith, he thanked him for his unconditional
DNA leader Branville McCartney and deputy leader Chris Mortimer with, from left, DNA candidate for Marco City Nevar Smith; DNA candidate for Pineridge Leslie Lightbourne; and DNA candidate for East Grand Bahama Elkena Pinder. Photo: Dave Mackey/Mackeymedia support despite their politi- country with a viable, cred“I am here by myself beHe noted that many cal differences. ible, dynamic alternative cause I am from a PLP fam- businesses and hotels have Mr Smith is confident that has the ability to usher ily, but the time has come closed under PLP and FNM that he can win in Marco in the long awaited trans- … to be an agent for change governments. City. He noted that Grand formation that our country and do what is best for the He said: “Many dreams Bahamians have endured is in need of,” he said. Bahamian people. It grieves went down and many economic and unemployMr Lightbourne is a vet- me not to have my fam- homes were torn apart.” ment challenges for some eran trade unionist and a ily with me but I must do He noted that there are still time under successive ad- 20-year employee of the what I have to do,” said an unpaved roads, the absence ministrations. Grand Bahama Power emotional Mr Lightbourne. of city water and the need “The DNA represents a Company. He has been in- “My mother’s dream was for proper dredging of the brand new era of political volved in labour relations for me to be politician for channel in the East Grand governance and develop- for 14 years and currently the PLP, but she got half of Bahama constituency. ment in the Bahamas,” he serves as president of the her dream.” Mr McCartney said that said. “No longer will Grand Commonwealth Electrical Mr Pinder, who works the party will announce two Bahamians have to settle Workers Union (CEWU) in the insurance industry, more candidates for Grand for lacklustre performance - a position he has held for is a former Free National Bahama. He commended of the FNM and PLP in the the past six years. Movement (FNM) support- the three men for their governance of their affairs. Mr Lightbourne, whose er. He said Grand Bahama courage in going against the “The DNA provides family is PLP, said he decid- and the country needs new grain and choosing to join all Bahamians across the ed to join the DNA against leadership that can bring the DNA and run as candilength and breadth of the their wishes. change. dates for the party.
“The courage that was displayed here today with Mr Smith, a young man of 29, stepping out here, it takes courage to do that; Mr Lightbourne going against some of his family members - he got emotional and I got emotional listening to him, but that’s courage – that’s what a leader does. Mr Pinder and his family who were with the FNM when the FNM started, is stepping out in the frontline with the DNA, that’s courage. “And that’s what makes good leaders and that’s what the country needs, people with courage, to go against the grain; we cannot continue with the status quo in this country which is the PLP and FNM. We need courage to go against that and to beat them for the benefit of moving this country forward,” he said. Mr McCartney said that both the PLP and FNM have played politics with Grand Bahama. “Grand Bahama, you have a voice once again in this election. We are in election mode we have about 10 to 11 more months. You have a decision to make: are you going to keep the same, or going to trying something different. We are asking that you give us your support.”
WELLS URGES GREATER VETTING FOR FNM CANDIDATES AS SANDS SUSPENDS CAMPAIGN
from page one
Mr Wells added: “I don’t personally believe that persons should get nominated, and the committee set up to do the due diligence on candidates presenting themselves, they should ensure the candidates can maintain a constituency office. Pay the rent, pay the light bill, have a secretary there. You have to be able to spend probably $3,000 per month if you want to run, and if you don’t have that, leave that alone. “When the Candidates Committee [is] doing their
due diligence and vetting these persons, unless candidates can do that I don’t think they should be nominated, not in this day and time.” Mr Wells, a FNM supporter, acknowledged that financial status should not be a barrier to frontline politics; however, he reasoned that the party could not sponsor an entire slate of candidates. “I wouldn’t say it’s a rich man’s game but I think the party should be able to fund some candidates because you want to have a broad section of candidates to show the social strata but it can’t be everyone going
there looking for that. You might find the young people who just started, you going to bring them up through the ranks, you can fund them. “But if you been around working 10 to 15 years and you want to run and you can’t fund, at least keep a headquarters open for six months before the election and get nominated before that. You should fund yourself when it’s coming down before the election. “These are all judgment calls that have to be made,” he said. “I don’t think the persons who are dealing with these issues, sit
down and think the things through properly.” Mr Sands told The Tribune on Tuesday that the continued “infighting” within the party, and other “personal considerations” had forced him to suspend his campaign. He said while his reasons for suspending his campaign were not solely because of the drama within the Official Opposition, there are others who “are tired of it” and he predicted more announcements like his. Yesterday, Mr Wells pointed out that infighting has plagued the FNM since the 2014 convention.
“It can’t be infighting,” he said. “If it’s that then he [Mr Sands] should not have accepted the nomination. What’s going on in the press and public view has been going on now from last convention. If he’s that concerned, that should have caused him not to apply for nomination in the first place.” Mr Wells said: “What is going on in the party now, it has its merits and demerits but when it’s all over, and Minnis has won, Minnis will beat the PLP. They goin’ get beat bad because Minnis has a lot of base support.” At the party’s convention
later this month, incumbent leader Dr Hubert Minnis and his deputy Peter Turnquest will go head-to-head against Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and former FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands. Mr Wells conceded that if Dr Minnis was successful in defending his post, then he will be expect to make compromises with dissenting MPs that have been publicly scathing of his leadership. However, he insisted that Mrs Butler-Turner, Dr Sands, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins should not receive nominations.
PAGE 8, Thursday, July 14, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Mitchell’s credibility at stake in war of the travel advisories O
VER the last few days, many Bahamians have pulled up a chair to observe the war of the travel advisories between The Bahamas and the United States. On July 8, the beginning of the Independence holiday weekend, The Bahamas’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory warning Bahamians, particularly young men, to be compliant and exercise extreme caution when interacting with American police due to escalating tensions over recent fatal police shootings in the US. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ warning went viral after it was issued and has come under fire from American commentators who argue that the notice was political - a claim Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell has denied. The warning garnered much conversation on social media - locally and internationally - stirring feelings of pride in some Bahamians whilst off-putting others. It caused a real furore and launched the Bahamas/US cold war of the advisories. I read the travel advisory. I believe that Fred Mitchell was right to send out such an advisory. Interestingly, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates also warned their citizens travelling to the US to be careful in view of the incidents last week, according to international reports. What’s more, New Zealand issued a travel advisory warning its citizens to “avoid all protests and demonstrations as on occasion civil disorder can result”. Given the heightened racial tensions and civil unrest in the US, these countries were all concerned about
A Young Man’s View
By ADRIAN GIBSON
the welfare of their citizens. Of course, the United States - not being one to “take last” - released a security message, via its embassy, around 9.30am
on Tuesday. The travel advisory urged US citizens and visitors in Nassau and Paradise Island to exercise heightened personal security awareness, pointing out
that armed robberies and violent crime remain primary criminal threats. That lengthy advisory must have been prepared beforehand! The security message is the second advisory issued by the local mission this year and notes that the embassy has received reports of a significant increase in armed robberies throughout New Providence over the past six months. On Tuesday, embassy spokesperson David Al-
len insisted that there was such, was legally required no link to the to issue a July 8 advimes‘Outside the obvious similar sory sent out sage to its by the Min- tit-for-tat approach, I citizens. istry of For- think that both The I’m not eign Affairs. inclined to Mr Allen ex- Bahamas and the believe that plained that US issued common explanation. the embassy sense advisories to Like many, recently put I too beits staff and their citizens given lieve that the their families the state of affairs in embassy’s on alert due both countries.’ warning, isto increassued four ing reports days after of armed robberies and, as the Mitchell advisory and
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 9
on the morning of the first business day after the holiday, showed up the Americans as thin-skinned. Their travel advisory was a mealymouthed effort, an example of the US being petty. The timing was simply ridiculous. In the eyes of many Bahamians, it appears that the US can dish but cannot take in return. The US embassy’s travel advisory was exhaustive, over-the-top and clearly responsive. It was an attempt to “kill the joy” of Mitchell and spank its little, dependent neighbour. Frankly, outside the obvious tit-for-tat approach, I think that both The Bahamas and the US issued common sense advisories to their citizens given the state of affairs in both countries. The government of the Bahamas was entitled to issue its travel advisory. And so, the question that has arisen in some quarters is whether the advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was genuinely about the interest and safety of Bahamian travellers?
G
iven that Fred Mitchell’s track record is such that there are those who are cynical, who say he doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt, who say that all he does is driven by political motives, one cannot be surprised at the mixed reactions. Indeed, he does not have the political capital to spend to get the people to believe that even if the advisory was issued out of genuine concern, that that is the only reason why he did it. There are many who say that Mitchell took advantage of an opportunity and took a perfectly timed political jab, playing a game of political one-upmanship with a superpower. Many Bahamians see Fred Mitchell as a jaded, controversial self-absorbed fella with chips falling from his shoulders, head and mouth. While some might see him as competent and capable, he is easily dismissed as being one of the most insincere members of the Christie Cabinet. It is for these reasons why people are question his true
LISA Johnson (fourth from right), the US Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Nassau, alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell earlier this year. motivations. quelled since the 1960s and I was angered and sad- 1970s. dened by the Whilst I see murder of five ‘There are many nothing wrong Dallas police who say that Fred with the warnofficers at the Mitchell took ing that The hands of a saBahamas isdistic killer. advantage of an sued, I also Both incidents opportunity and need the Minare unaccepister of Fortook a perfectly table. eign Affairs to The US is timed political jab, immediately seemingly address the isplaying a game facing racial sues faced at tensions and of political onethe Passport conflict that upmanship with a Office. Why threatens to superpower.’ should Bahatear the very mians have to fabric of that wait months country apart. There is for a passport? What kind of a concern that the very Third World concept is that? strength of their perfect Why do Bahamians have to union is once again being pay an additional $200 for a brought into question. It rushed passport? How do they has been a sad few weeks to rush the passport anyhow and see the social fabric of that where do the $200 go? great nation strained by I have heard the utterunderlying racism, crimi- ances of all the Doomsday nality, fear and a lack of prophesiers who say that, as dialogue that many thought a result of the shots fired by was addressed and had travel advisories, the Unit-
ed States and the Bahamas will no longer have the relationship they has cultivated over the years. I have heard persons claim that the US will pull out of the agreement for the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) base in Andros; that we will see a cessation of the pre-clearance facilities; a restriction on education and travel visas; new taxes on exports to The Bahamas; limitations on transactions using US banks; increased attention, economic aid and other favourable conditions for Cuba; and so on. To use Fred Mitchell’s words, I think such assertions are nothing short of “hogwash.” The relationship between The Bahamas and the United States should be able to withstand a couple travel advisories. After all, the US embassy issues travel advisories on The Bahamas
often. Tuesday’s was their second for the year! Like many Bahamians of all hues - I am also concerned about travelling to the US, driving and being pulled over by an aggressive, unprofessional or racist police officer. However, I am no more concerned than I am about being pulled over by a belligerent, unethical and abusive police officer here in The Bahamas. There is a matter that has been on my mind for months. I take great umbrage to the disrespectful manner with which certain US border patrol/customs agents treat Bahamians who are travelling to the United States from the Lynden Pindling International Airport. In some instances, the behaviour displayed by some of the officers is downright uncouth, boorish and disrespectful. And some of them behave this way while you are in
your home country, before you even board the plane! Are we dependent upon the US? Yes, we are. Do we have a right to exert our sovereignty? We sure do! Do we have a right to be concerned and protective of our citizens? Without question! Did Christie or his Cabinet approve the advisory before it was issued or did Fred Mitchell draft and issue the advisory himself? Whilst I am supportive of the issuance of such an advisory, I share the view that if the warning had come from someone seen as more credible by the public, many more persons would be inclined to see it in a different light. Given our propensity for travelling during holidays, the advisory was the right approach to take! • Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com
PAGE 10, Thursday, July 14, 2016
70 years of working for the same company
By PEANDRA PRATT
COMMITTED, loyal and hard-working are just a few words used to describe Pat Higgs, who, at 84, is still an employee of Rubins, the clothing and shoe retail company for which she has worked for 70 years this month. At 14, Ms Higgs, a native of Hope Town, Abaco, and her family migrated to Nassau. Her initial plan was to go to school but on hearing that Rubin Bott - a Polish Jew who founded the company in 1929 - was looking for a saleslady, she went straight to his shop and was hired immediately. From then, she has been a committed and loyal employee of the Rubins establishment in its various locations and with titles from saleslady to manager, Ms Higgs has been a familiar, friendly face, serving many generations of customers. “We’ve had customers that Ms Higgs has served for four generations,” Sandra Smith, the co-owner of Rubins, said. “So grandkids of our first customers are now grown up with their kids sometimes coming to buy school pants. And they’ll remember how Ms Higgs helped them with their school pants when they were younger.” Ms Higgs puts her loyalty for Rubins down as a product of her disposition.
“I like to be loyal wherever I work, I love to be loyal to my firm,” she explained. But it has not all been plain sailing. Mrs Smith recalled the time the store was robbed over 25 years ago at one of their original locations on George Street. “He tied Pat up and told her to open the safe and she said, ‘There’s no money and I’m not opening the safe!’ Could you believe it?” “So he steals stuff and ran out through the glass showcase. But luckily a jitney driver called the police and they caught him by McDonalds. The case came up a couple of years later and he asked Pat ‘how did you remember me?’ And she said ‘I’ll never forget your face’,” Mrs Smith added. Through it all Ms Higgs has remained faithful to Rubins. Mrs Smith described Ms Higgs as “happy as the day is long” and says “when they made her, they broke the mould because you can’t find anybody like her”. She also remarked that for the first 20 years that she worked at Rubins, Ms Higgs never missed a day of work. “I remember taking her to get a medical procedure done and when filling out the form under medical history I put none, none, none because she’s never sick, never in a hospital,” Mrs Smith recalled. “So I
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PAT HIGGS, who has worked for 70 years at Rubins. turned it in and the doctor looked at me and said there’s nothing on here. I said there’s nothing to tell. The woman has not been sick since I’ve known her for 20 years. The doctor looked at me and said if I had more patients like her I’d be out a job.” She also described Ms Higgs as cheerful and said she has never heard her complain about anything since she has known her. “She just laughs her way out of situations. And that’s the secret to her success and longevity. Laughter and hard work.” Today, Ms Higgs, who is widowed, works two days a week but stills fills in occasionally for employees on vacation and is almost fulltime during the Christmas season. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, volunteering at The Salvation Army and spending time with her family in Abaco. When asked if she intends to stop any time soon, she proudly shakes her head
and says no. “I love working, I love to be around people. I love to serve people. I love my bosses. And as long as I feel this great, with no aches no pains, then, no, I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.” Rubins was established 87 years ago. Selling only shoes at the time, it was located on Frederick Street before moving to George Street, where it burned down in a devastating fire in 1942. In 1953, Mr Rubin bought a vacant lot and built his store again from the ground up. Today, Rubins is owned by Edward Smith and his wife and sells everything from clothing for men and women, shoes, women’s accessories and more. Rubins will be honouring Ms Higgs for her 70 years of excellence and service at their Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza outlet on Saturday and are inviting customers and the public to ‘sip and shop’ with balloons, cake and champagne. Rubins has several long serving members of staff and on Saturday at their other stores, at South West Plaza and Palmdale, they will be recognised for their service over periods ranging from 19 to 25 years.
THE TRIBUNE
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
RIBINS owner Edward Smith.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 11
DEBATE BEGINS ON BILL TO CREATE UNIVERSITY from page one
come under the umbrella administrative structure of the University of The Bahamas, Mr Fitzgerald said. However, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman questioned whether the bill was “window dressing” as the government had been big on promises during the last four years but struggled to follow through with them. He also questioned how all of the upgrades would be funded as the 2016/2017 budget had only increased the institution’s budget by $7m. Regarding this, Mr Fitzgerald said costs have been absorbed incrementally by the college over time much of it paid through the generosity of people within the college and the friends of the institution in the wider community giving freely of their time and expertise in the service of wanting to build a national university. “It is most important to note that the University of The Bahamas Bill is draft-
MINISTER of Education Jerome Fitzgerald. ed with the future in mind. It is also important to note that this drafting incorporates the concept of a national university for the entire country and one that will not be a Nassau-centric
institution,” Mr Fitzgerald said yesterday. “With that being said, I want to note that within the bill, the board of trustees will be authorised to approve the creation and
establishment of colleges under the umbrella of the University of The Bahamas system. In other words, this bill is more than a bill to establish the university, but a bill to allow for the
growth and expansion of the university throughout our islands to, it is hoped, eventually reaching every Bahamian boy and girl, every father and mother throughout our nation. “The campus in San Salvador, a residential research institute, is completely owned by the College of The Bahamas; and, under the university, this campus will expand further, adding to the depth and breadth of anthropological and sustainability research for the benefit of the entire country. This campus can already house 250 students. It will become heavily co-ordinated with the Small Island Sustainability Research Complex at the Oakes Field Campus, which is presently under construction. “At the San Salvador campus, the research faculty will teach and conduct seminars between the Small Island Sustainability Research Complex and on-site field stations in San Salvador. In years to come, this could be the University of The Bahamas’ College of
Anthropology and Sustainability Studies.” He continued: “The campus in Grand Bahama Island, with approximately 500 students, as I mentioned, is currently witnessing the construction of its first residential facility. Like the campus in the south, this campus will become a centre of excellence in the areas of industrial manufacturing, entrepreneurial studies and maritime studies. This campus is moving toward greater autonomy and decision-making authority. In the near future, this campus could be the College of Engineering and Technology.” Mr Fitzgerald was adamant that the bill creates a sound legislative framework for the university. He said it ensures shared governance, autonomy, distribution of authority and accountability. COB was expected to transition into a university by July, 2015; however that target was missed. A new transition date has not been announced.
BILL TO BRING IN PENALTIES ON CONTRACTORS from page one
This has left the door open to consumers being subjected to unscrupulous contractors, cost overruns and poor workmanship, he said. Mr Davis, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said save for civil lawsuits, there is little recourse for those with complaints against contractors. However, with this new legislation, Mr Davis said many of the industry’s chronic problems will be remedied. “Many are the stories of vulnerable consumers, particularly single women, who have fallen prey to ill-guided contractors - losing money and materials - paying deposits and seeing no work done by contractors that disappear,” he told parliamentarians. “The Construction Contractors Bill provides specific and expedient remedies for complaints through a disciplinary board that could suspend or revoke the licence of a contractor and/ or impose fines. “The legislation will also establish a rating system for contracting companies (by) skill-levels from category one, for building a singlefamily structure, to category four, for building a large
resort or casino. “Contractors would have to meet certain criteria before they would be able to join the body and would have to demonstrate that they have successfully completed a project within the category of the licence for which they are applying. They would also have to show that their business licence is valid and that there are no outstanding complaints against them.” He said the legislation will also provide for the alignment of construction contractors with their international counterparts. This is considered most valuable to contractors who seek to enter the international market or bid for jobs funded by international agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mr Davis added. The bill further provides for a consumer code, which will be applied to any type of construction work for a client. It also makes provisions for the establishment of a Builders Defects Compensation Scheme to deal with the defective workmanship of the builder towards a residential homeowner. Dispute resolution is also contained in the legislation and the bill provides for
written client/builder dispute resolution processes - mediation in the first instance and where that fails, then arbitration. Failing all, the bill provides the Supreme Court as recourse by litigation, the minister said. “While the provisions of the Construction Con-
tractors Bill clearly set the requirements for registration and licencing, it allows a period of transition for a person who was practicing as a contractor to continue to do so for a period of two years. It is anticipated that this is adequate time for practitioners to secure all
requisites for registration and licencing. “This government has always advocated forgiveness and the requirement for a second chance. For those who have run afoul of the law, there is always an avenue for reform. The legislation considers this
and provides that the board cannot refuse to register any individual on the sole basis that he has a criminal record. That provision stipulates that the applicant has not re-offended within two years immediately preceding the application,” Mr Davis said.
PAGE 12, Thursday, July 14, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Real change and real results required on crime
Your Say By LORETTA BUTLERTURNER
ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation we have an epidemic. No, I am not writing of mosquitoes and viruses, I am referring to the violent crime that is unravelling our communities, threatening our economy and halting the future of our children. By global standards, Bahamians are murdered
so frequently that our crime moves with the same speed and virulence of an infectious disease. (The year) 2015 was the deadliest year in Bahamian history after 149* people were killed. As with any great matter of public health, we must act collectively and decisively so that we restore order to our communities, taking real action against crime. Imagine a safe and secure Bahamas. What do you ex-
pect to be different from today? You see buildings that are not covered in graffiti, people working hard at their jobs and children in schools instead of on the streets. What you are imagining are the results of a strong society that enforces its laws and cultivates its economy so that crime is not a means of survival. If we are going to make our imagination reality, then we must be willing to fight against crime at every
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level of our society, this means preventing crime, enforcing our laws and strengthening penalties so that risks outweigh rewards. Preventing crime starts with opportunity. We must directly address the causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality, if we want to leave a better Bahamas for future generations. Through improvements in education, opportunity scholarships for hardworking students, and interventions to stop gang recruitment of our children, we will make the social change needed so that our youth do not look to crime as a means to an end. However, we cannot stop with our children. To effectively respond to the economic problems that cause crime, we must consider job creation part of the solution. Our rate of unemployment is 15 per cent** and it is expected to increase. While we cannot excuse the violation of our laws, we must understand that crime is the chosen path for many because they feel there are no options left. Government alone cannot solve the problem. In partnering with the private sector, we can ensure that young Bahamians have the skills needed to be employable and assist in finding them jobs so that they can resist the temptations of criminal life. For those that choose criminality, we must use the full force of our justice system to demonstrate that any act of crime, no matter how big or small, is an act of hostility towards our community. This will require bringing real change to our broken justice system and leaders who are willing to root out incompetence and corruption. But it is our op-
LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER portunity and our responsibility to make our justice system accountable, so that our laws are enforced equally and swiftly. With the improved foundation of an accountable justice system, we will be able to build a safe society. We know that every petty theft is an invitation for more crime, so we must be relentless. Closed circuit television (CCTV) and New Providence-wide saturation police patrols will allow us to address crime as soon as it is spotted. Acknowledging that the problem of crime is not isolated to the Bahamas is imperative so that we can actively partner with America, Cuba, Haiti and Dominica to be effective and efficient in our fight against the drug trade. How many nights have you laid awake wondering about your safety? It’s time to look towards the future
with hope, not anxiety. By creating stronger, safer communities and changing our justice system, the Bahamas can see the transformation that New York City and so many others have seen. You deserve real change and real results, but we can only have them if we move forward, together. *According to Royal Bahamas Police Force statistics, threre were 146 murders in The Bahamas in 2015. **According to the most recent figures released by the Department of Statistics in December, the country’s overall unemployment rate is 14.8 per cent. Loretta Butler-Turner is the Free National Movement’s Member of Parliament for Long Island. She is also the former minister of state for social development.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 13
TWO ARRESTED FOR DANGEROUS DRUG POSSESSION By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
POLICE arrested two people for possession of dangerous drugs in separate incidents in Grand Bahama on Tuesday. According to reports, the first arrest was made around 10am when officers of Operation Turf Sweep stopped and searched a man in the Garden Villas area who was allegedly dis-
covered with a quantity of suspected marijuana. The second incident occurred shortly after 4pm when officers from the Harbour Police Station arrested a female resident of Lincoln Green Subdivision, who was allegedly found with a large quantity of suspected cocaine in her handbag. Both are expected to be arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week on drug possession charges.
YOUR SAY ON TRAVEL ADVISORIES ISSUED BY BAHAMAS AND THE US THE travel advisories released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy continue to prompt lively debate on tribune242.com. In our current online poll, readers were asked if they thought the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was right to put out its advisory on travel to the US. At the time of going to press, 45.6 per cent thought the Ministry was right with 54.4 per cent believing the advisory was not good idea. Commenting on the issue, ThisIsOurs said: “FM (Fred Mitchell) now says he ‘doesn’t see any correlation’ between the US Advisory and the one he issued. What’s even more shocking is, Hubert Chipman said the same thing!! I have really lost respect for him. Maybe they both suffer from that ‘can’t ever admit we were wrong’ man thing.” Reality_Check had this to say: “Most Bahamians foolishly believe our politicians when they claim the US needs the Bahamas as much as the Bahamas needs the US. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are no longer viewed by the US Department of State and US foreign policy ‘think tank’ experts as a friendly ally of the US, but rather as an opportunistic little nation whose corrupt politicians will always put their own interests above those of the Bahamian people and the USA. In fact, we have become over the past 20+ years nothing but an irritating inflamed pimple on the backside of the US. This view of the Bahamas now holds true for the US government no matter whether the Democrats or the Republicans have the upper hand at any point
in time. With the opening up of Cuba to US business interests, Florida (in particular the South Florida economy) will quickly pivot away from the Bahamas towards Cuba where there will be infinitely more lucrative business opportunities.” BahamaPundit said: “What you see with our Government, if you wish to call them that, is a bunch of men who have maximised their abilities and (been) found wanting on the global stage.” Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell’s assertion on Monday that there had been no fallout from the Ministry’s advisory prompted this from Honestman: “It’s just happened! Probably the most lengthy Bahamas travel advisory ever issued by the USA. Sure, no fall-out Fred. Nice work! But Quietone backed the minister: “I think Mr Mitchell was completely correct in what he did. He is simply encouraging us Bahamians to behave and show proper respect for the US police as well as themselves so that they won’t get into any trouble. Considering the amount of antisocial behaviour carried on right here on the tiny island of New Providence almost every day, bad behaviour could well be a way of life among some of us. • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
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PAGE 14, Thursday, July 14, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Bahama Parrot population shows recovery THE endangered Bahama Parrot population continues to recover on the two Family Islands where they still live, thanks to national park protection and predator control co-ordinated by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). According to the latest research by Dr Frank Rivera-Milán, of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the parrot population on Abaco continues to increase, with numbers reaching almost 8,000. When the Abaco National Park was created in 1994 to protect the parrot’s northern breeding ground the population was under 2,000. The Bahama Parrot was once widespread throughout several Bahamian is-
lands, but is now found only on Abaco and Inagua, with a small population recently established on New Providence. The latest surveys on Inagua also show a rising parrot population On Abaco, the parrots nest on the ground in the pine forest, and although much of their breeding habitat was protected by the Abaco National Park, the birds were unlikely to survive due to continued predation by feral cats. Acting on recommendations from leading parrot researcher Dr Caroline Stahala, in 2009 the BNT implemented a predator control programme in the Abaco National Park under the supervision of a warden.
The last Bahama Parrot census was conducted on Abaco in 2012, and indicated a population of about 4,000 birds. The most recent census indicates that the parrot population has doubled in four years, confirming the success of the BNT’s conservation management programme. According to Dr RiveraMilán, the Bahama Parrot can withstand the devastation caused by moderate hurricanes and is responding well to sustained feral cat removal efforts at nesting areas in southern Abaco. The BNT plans to continue the predator control programme on Abaco, and conduct population research every two years.
THE BAHAMA Parrot.
RBDF VETERAN EARNS TROPHY A 26-YEAR veteran of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has completed a four-month self development course in Jamaica, winning the 2016 Commandant’s Trophy in the process. Senior Lieutenant Shawn Adderley returned home last month after successfully completing the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course (CJCSC) at the Jamaica Defence Force Base in Moneague. The self-development course is designed to prepare junior officers to perform junior and intermediate staff functions at the unit and force headquarters level, and impart the ability to perform functions at sub-unit levels within the context of the force or the brigade. “The Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course has given me a better appreciation of regional security issues and the requirements of international law as it relates to armed conflicts,” Lt Adderely said. “It has armed me with new tools and the capacity to put them to good use. By successfully completing the course I am better equipped to execute in a
SENIOR Lieutenant Shawn Adderley (left) with his certificate of completion from the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course, Jamaica, along with his 2016 Commandant’s Challenge Trophy and RBDF Commander (Acting), Captain Tellis Bethel. Photo: Marine Seaman Kyle Smith/RBDF wide gamut of areas including staff work, communication skills, problem solving skills, tactical acumen, command and leadership skills.” Lt Adderley has spent 26 years as a member of the RBDF, joining as a member of Entry 26 (January 8, 1990). He has served in numerous billets and has held a number of appointments in areas including the Squadron Department,
the Military Operations Platoon, the Commando Squadron, and Defence Force Headquarters as Aide to Commander Defence Force and Staff Officer for Legal Affairs. He was also attached to the Office of the Attorney General as a criminal prosecutor. He currently serves in the Administration Department as the Base First Lieutenant and Prosecutions Officer.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 19
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SCOTT Thompson on the ‘Hogs’ in Abaco. SUMMER holidays and Independence weekend brought more joy for fishers around the Bahamas, with the Yellowfin Tuna still running and deep dropping paying dividends. Keep checking the BSFN expert page for fishing reports throughout the Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods
being used. For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz. BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.
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LOCAL girls Tiffany and Chevon with Mutton Snapper in Spanish Wells.
CAPTAIN Ryan Neilly put his guest on Yellowfin Tuna near Eleuthera. *The offer period starts on May 23, 2016 and ends on July 31, 2016. 5,000 bonus RBC Rewards points will be posted to your RBC Rewards account after the first purchase has been processed on your credit card account. Your RBC Rewards account will earn an additional 10,000 RBC Rewards points when at least one RBC Rewards cardholder on the account registers and creates a profile at www.RBCrewardscaribbean.com, provided the cardholder is a new RBC Rewards member or an existing member without a profile at time of registration and when at least one registered RBC Rewards cardholder on the account opts to receive e-marketing offers. Please allow 2-3 business days for bonus RBC Rewards points to be posted to your RBC Rewards account. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer. A maximum of 15,000 bonus RBC Rewards points will be awarded per account. ‡ All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s). ® Registered trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.
LOCAL boy Scott Thompson deep dropped onto the Queen Snapper in Abaco.