07142023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

‘Many’ failed to file disclosures

Senators and public servants among those who have not complied

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC Disclosure Commission Chairman Bishop Victor Cooper said many senators and senior civil servants failed to disclose their assets, income and liabilities this year as the law requires.

“That’s our concern,” he said. “A number of them haven’t to this

point, so I don’t know the reason. You know we sent out all of the documents on time and reminders, so that’s where the delinquencies lie: amongst these senior government officers.”

He could not say for certain whether any elected officials failed to follow the law.

He said he has finally

URCA ‘ConCeRned’ BPL is st RUggL ing to Be ReL i ABL e

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) said recent power outages suggest the Bahamas Power & Light is struggling to provide “power of sufficient reliability and quality”.

URCA said it has been investigating the outages

on various islands in recent months.

“As the regulator for the electricity sector, URCA is concerned about the adverse affects these power outages have on national economic development and residential and commercial consumers in particular,”

URCA said in a statement yesterday.

yet on ChiL dRen Be Aten in Bimini

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

MORE than four months after several Bimini Primary School students were allegedly beaten and bruised by a police officer, Commissioner Clayton Fernander still claims there is an ongoing, incomplete investigation into the

such a lengthy investigation.

“There’s no new update at this time, but that matter is still being looked into between the police and the ministry,” he said yesterday.

The parents of the students have long suspected that the police will take no action in the matter and are not addressing it.

ReCeiP t of money PA id to LoCAL govt investigAted

NORTH Andros Island Administrator Beverley Laramore said she is investigating after a receipt suggested the North Andros District Council was paid to clean up a beach after a party over the weekend. According to the Local Government Act, councils cannot undertake revenuegenerating schemes. They can only receive money from the central government.

Residents complained that garbage was not removed after a party on Cedar Beach over

Unions L ink UP to PRotest At LA ntis shoP stewARd fiRing

By FAy SimmONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

TRADE unions joined forces to send a “strong message” to the government and Atlantis about the firing of the resort’s chief shop steward last week.

Belinda Wilson, president of the Bahamas National Alliance of Trade Union Congress (BNATUC), which comprises of six unions and two associations and president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) said she is standing behind BHCAWU.

He has not said what about the case requires

The projecT to restore the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, pictured here on Independence Day by Julie Westmore, is aiming for a November completion. The project has cost more than $1m - helped immensely by a grant from the US Embassy. See BUSINESS for the full story.

Photo: julie Westmore

Retired civil servants honoured

officials delinquent on Disclosure

from page one

sent a letter to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard with names of people who did not comply with the law.

Only the prime minister or leader of the opposition could table the list in parliament or forward it to the Office of the Attorney General for potential prosecution.

Bishop Cooper said in June that he would notify Prime Minister Davis and Mr Pintard of the delinquencies.

However, yesterday he said he did not do so until recently.

In addition to a $10,000 fine, those guilty of breaking the law could serve two years in prison.

Last year, some firsttime MPs said they were unaware there was a legal requirement to file financial disclosures under the Public Disclosures Act. Asked yesterday about the level of compliance this year compared to 2022, Bishop Cooper said it has been better this year. The Bahamas does not have a robust system surrounding public disclosures. In its annual human rights report, the United States has repeatedly noted that no independent verification of the information public officials submit exists. Bishop Cooper has said the commission wants to modernise the public disclosure filing process.

PassP ort strained by influx of a PPlications since court ruling

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Passport Office has received about 11 to 125 applications a week from New Providence residents affected by the Privy Council’s landmark citizenship ruling, according to Chief Passport Officer Kingsley Smith.

In May, the Privy Council affirmed that children born out of wedlock to Bahamian men are citizens at birth regardless of their mother’s nationality.

On June 26, the Passport Office officially began accepting applications from persons whose Bahamian father was identified on their birth certificate.

The Davis administration has not yet established the regime by which those without their father on their birth certificate can obtain citizenship.

Mr Smith told The Tribune that between 25 to 35 applications are processed per week.

“These are cases that actually do qualify,” he said. “Overall, Freeport would have had 42 persons already enrolled. Abaco had three, while

Parliamentarians take Photo outside house of assembly

Exuma had one.”

As of June 26, the Passport Office has been accepting such applications.

Mr Smith said the office had been strained by the influx of people seeking the critical document.

“We’re basically having to turn people away because we only could see a little over 100 persons per day,” he said. “And we find ourselves going beyond the closing time of four o’clock. Sometimes I found myself one day up to six o’clock still enrolling persons.”

Mr Smith said some people applying for passports don’t qualify for the document yet.

“So they come to the office seeking some assistance, some guidance,” he said. “So again, especially our queries department, they see an uptick in persons as well, having to explain this process throughout the day for persons seeking advice as to where they are and if they qualify.

“A lot of people fall in the category of not being on the child’s birth certificate, the fathers.”

RetiRees of the Public service were honoured yesterday for their exemplary contribution over the years at a recognition ceremony held at the Ministry of National Security Photos: Moise Amisial

PARliAMentARiAns on Wednesday took a group photo in Parliament Square, downtown, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Independence of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The nation celebrated its Independence Golden Jubilee on July 10, 2023 - a culmination of many activities during the year, honouring the beauty and achievements of The Bahamas.

Photos: Anthon thompson/BIS

No update yet on children beaten by police at school in Bimini

from page one

In March, the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training said it requested the Ministry of National Security to investigate the alleged actions of the officer.

In May, one of the parents, Tanishka Sands, said she reached out to officials a week before talking to The Tribune, but got nowhere.

“I haven’t heard anything from the police, social services, nor education,” she said. “I reached out to education about a week ago, and nothing. They didn’t say anything, and nobody contacted me.”

She said she didn’t believe the investigation, if it exists at all, is being handled swiftly or appropriately.

Since the beating, the school’s principal has been reassigned after Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin confirmed the punishment was inconsistent with the ministry’s policies.

Davaria Sherman, the mother of an 11-year-old boy who was beaten, said in May that police officers did not contact her.

“I haven’t heard anything from anyone. No one contacted me. I honestly feel like they’re trying to sweep it under the rug, but I can’t say for sure,” she said.

Munroe expects 90 per cent decrease in outpatient care when prison facility built

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune staff Reporter jrussell@tribnemdia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the Public Hospital Authority does not like prisoners receiving care at Princess Margaret Hospital –– one reason medical facilities will be built at the Department of Corrections.

He said he expects a 90 per cent decrease in outpatient care for inmates when the facility is completed, with only the most severe health issues treated outside that facility.

“Every time we have to transport an inmate from BDOCS to the hospital, in some cases, they have to shut off entire wards depending on who it is,” Mr Munroe said. “The Public Hospitals Authority and the Ministry of Health do not like us transporting inmates to their medical facility. So it’s proposed that there will be a medical facility at the correctional facility for everything other than the most serious cases.”

“The medical facility will be made available to the

Public Hospital Authorities and the Ministry of Health. So instead of us taking them out to the hospital, the hospital will make arrangements when they have treatments to render or what not to come in and provide it.

“Most of what they go to the hospital for, if there were a proper facility, they would not have to be transported to the hospital.”

Mr Munroe also said an inmate who recently died in prison sustained injuries to his head.

He said the victim’s cellmate is a suspect in the matter.

“There is great urgency at this moment as these deaths are attesting to an urgent need for this facility to be up,” he said, adding that the dead inmate had mental challenges.

In May, Mr Munroe said the Davis administration expanded construction plans for the BDOCs to include a correctional institution, administrative, housing and medical facility. The project will cost $90m.

FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie visited Haiti on Tuesday as part of a group trying to resolve the crisis gripping that country.

The visit was a follow-up to a stakeholders meeting held in Jamaica last June.

Former Saint Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony and former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding joined Mr Christie. The group wants to facilitate a Haitian-led solution to the country’s multiple crises.

A statement from CARICOM said: “The group was appointed by CARICOM Heads of Government last May to initiate and oversee the community’s provision of good offices support in designated priority areas, including security, governance, the electoral process, and long-term development planning and advocacy. They will also liaise with key international partners and agencies. “During their three-day mission, the EPG will meet

with groups who attended the Haitian Stakeholders Meeting held in Kingston, Jamaica, last June as well as stakeholders who were not at that meeting.

“In the interest of the people of Haiti, the EPG encourages all stakeholders to continue their efforts to engage in meaningful dialogue, in order that consensus may be achieved, in a constructive, timely and peaceful manner on the path forward.”

MORE than four months after several Bimini Primary School students were allegedly beaten and bruised by a police officer, Commissioner Clayton Fernander still claims there is an ongoing, incomplete investigation into the matter.

Photo: Moise Amisial

for Mer pM christie a Mong region leaders seeking a h aitian-led solution to crisis

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the Public Hospital Authority does not like prisoners receiving care at Princess Margaret Hospital –– one reason medical facilities will be built at the Department of Corrections.

Photo: Moise Amisial

CARICOM group, including former PM Perry Christie, visits Haiti with a view to build a Haitian-led solution to the crisis in that country.

Receipt of money paid to local govt investigated

the weekend. The promoter addressed the complaints by disclosing a receipt that said: “$400 for cleaning Cedar Beach after beach party July 8, 2023.”

Because the name on the receipt was “North Andros District Council”, some North Andros residents concluded the council violated the law.

“No funds that I am aware of were paid to the council,” Ms Laramore said yesterday before The Tribune sent her a picture of the receipt. “The council do not collect funds, so I can’t speak to that because I am not aware of an invoice being collected. Now I am aware that there was someone asking to have an event and that he was supposed to pay for the clean-up and that funds were to be sent to the persons that were responsible for cleaning up but council was not responsible for cleaning up. In his letter that he would have been

given, it would’ve stated that he had to make payment to the vendors who would be responsible

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for cleaning up before permission would be granted. Council oversaw the transaction but

council themselves would not have collected that funds.”

Pressed on why the

receipt referred to the council, she said: “Let me see and I could track down who did that because it

should not have been worded that way at all because no funds are paid to council.”

Ministry of Agriculture signs Mou with BAA rK to cre At the nA ss Au AniMA l sA nctuA ry

By Mia Gardner

A SIGNING ceremony was held yesterday to create the Nassau Animal Sanctuary on over three acres.

Agriculture Minister Clay Sweeting signed the Memorandum of Understanding between Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs and the Bahamas Alliance of Animals in a ceremony at the ministry.

Mr Sweeting said:

“For more than 14 years, BAARK, a non-profit organisation, has focused on carrying out numerous spay and neuter and educational projects throughout The Bahamas with the aim to reduce homeless animal production and end the suffering of cats and dogs throughout our country.

“Even more impressive is that BAARK has successfully spayed and neutered over 23,000 dogs and cats.”

Mr Sweeting said BAARK’s efforts will contribute to the welfare of animals in The Bahamas and raise awareness about the importance of kindness and compassion towards all living beings.

“This sanctuary will serve as a refuge for animals that have been neglected, abused,

abandoned, or have special needs. It will provide them with a loving and caring environment,

along with food, the necessary medical attention and rehabilitation,” he said.

He said he hoped that the public would be encouraged to volunteer and help the sanctuary.

In spite of money collected for beach cleanup an upset resident shared a video of large amounts of garbage littering the beach and surrounding area where the event was held on Cedar Beach in Andros.

AgrIculture Minister Clay Sweeting looks on as vice president of BAARK, Lisa McCombe (left) signs a MOU with the Ministry of Agriulture to create the Nassau Animal Sanctuary.

Photo: Moise Amisial

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URCA ‘concerned’ BPL is struggling to be reliable

“In the past two months alone, significant outages have occurred in Abaco, Acklins, North Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Mayaguana, and New Providence.

“The outages were a combination of generation and transmission failures, third-party damage, and weather. URCA has requested and received outage reports for all these instances. With the exception of North Andros, all supplies have been restored.

“In the case of North Andros, there has been partial restoration; however, some load shedding continues. The matter is still under investigation; in the interim, BPL is in the process of shoring up supplies there. All things considered, URCA is satisfied with BPL’s shortterm actions to address the outages.

“However, the quantity and nature of the outages paint a picture of a struggling utility unable to provide power of

sufficient reliability and quality. This has negative impacts on the economy of The Bahamas and quality of life of its residents.

URCA is working with the relevant stakeholders with the aim of ensuring suitable plans of action are in place to provide a more durable solution to these issues.”

Residents who hoped the era of load-shedding had ended were surprised when Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears said last month that loadshedding was possible this summer as BPL relies on its ageing equipment to provide power.

Mr Sears’ comment drew condemnation from his predecessor, Desmond Bannister, who touted the Minnis administration’s investments in BPL.

Mr Bannister said when BPL terminated the contract that allowed Wartsila to maintain the engines BPL acquired in 2019, it turned to less capable personnel.

In response, BPL CEO Shevonn Cambridge said the same people who maintained the engines

when Wartsila operated the plant were contracted to do so.

URCA revealed in May that it would audit BPL and establish a performance baseline for the company through an independent evaluation.

URCA said this would give it more effective oversight of BPL.

“This will include assessing BPL’s performance using financial, operational, and quality of service indicators and comparing BPL’s performance with similar utilities in the Caribbean and around the world,” URCA said. “Additionally, the consultancy is also required to conduct a two-day workshop for URCA staff on technical knowledge as it relates to the appropriate regulatory mandate based on the organisation’s maturity.”

According to URCA’s website, responses to the Request for Proposal from companies to provide the consultancy service must be submitted by July 22.

LegisL ation to be introduced to manage revita L isation of downtown n assau

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SENATOR Randy

Rolle, a Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation consultant, said the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation got in the way of the ministry’s aggressive approach to ridding Downtown of dilapidated buildings.

His comment came when downtown business owners gathered on Wednesday to discuss efforts to revitalise Bay Street.

He said legislation governing the management of Downtown should be introduced before the end of the summer.

“One of the initiatives that we’ve started is the derelict buildings are a horrible look,” he said.

“Nobody wants to see it. We took an aggressive approach, then we got a call from Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC), saying it’s an historic building, you

can’t necessarily take it down right away, and so it slowed down the process, but it’s something that we’re trying to work on.

“As you can appreciate, there has been a challenge back and forth because I, like others, accept the fact that we have historical buildings. But if you own a building and you have no intention of fixing up your business, you have no intention of doing anything, certainly, it’s unfair to everyone else to just have it sit there forever and ever for the next 50 years.”

The state of Nassau has been criticised for years, with many feeling that efforts to demolish derelict buildings in the city have been slow.

Craig Delancy, the buildings control officer in the Ministry of Works, said careful collaboration among the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Tourism and the AMMC is needed to avoid reckless demolitions.

“We know that there are a number of buildings in the Downtown area

that are in a dilapidated state,” he said. “The law does give us the right to issue notices for persons to have those buildings either repaired or demolished. Depending on whether they are of any imminent danger or a nuisance to the public, such as being able to harbour vagrants and criminal activities, we can issue an order.

“We have issued some notices to a few of the building owners and we’re waiting to hear what action they would like to take. Our notices are normally given out for 60 days and after that time, the minister can make a determination as to what to do.

“We want to make sure we don’t just recklessly go and demolish those structures.”

Gevon Moss, project manager of the Downtown Nassau Partnership, said he looks forward to legislation to manage downtown.

“We’re hoping that in a short amount of time, after the necessary review

Funeral Service For

Sandra Naomi Curtis, 65

a resident of Homestead Avenue, Centerville who died on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, 11:00 am at New Destiny Cathedral, Gladstone Road. Officiating will be Apostle Delton D. Fernander, Ph.D, CMG assisted by Other Ministers of the Religion. Interment will follow in Old Trail Cemetery, Abundant Life Road.

Left to cherish her memories are her three daughters: Theresa Curtis, Kelly Braynen, Shavette Curtis; five sons: Ivan Clarke, Patrick Delancey, Bill Frazier, Tico Brown and Allen Newbold; two sisters: Melissa Whymns and Mavis Bain; brother: Minister Edwin Anderson from Benamon Town, Eleuthera; three aunts: Doramae Anderson, Natalie Curtis, Patsy Morris, and Margaret Thurston; one uncle: Lawrence Thurston; grandchildren: Cindy and Darren Curtis, Giovanni and Gia Clarke, Andy Griffin, Perry Jr. and Kelson Braynen, Ivan Clarke Jr., Nakera and Bill Jr. Frazier, Davonte Curtis, Stephen Joseph, Latajh and Latica Brown, Allen, Kamia, My’aisa, Kamari Newbold; great Grandchildren: Ormanique, Crystal, Jamaine, Michael, Nylah, Farri, Palmer; one son-in-law: Perry Braynen; one brother-in-law: Stephen Sargent; nieces: Crystal Horton, Shavase Fox Shakera Brown, Shantera Ramsey, Sherese Johnson, Shamia Forbes, Dellerese and Denise Ellis, Marrisa Major Mccrea; nephews: Jamal Johnson, Clemente Edgecombe, Paul Ramsey, Daniel Lightbourne Jr., Clifford Dean Jr., Antonio and Andrew Bain, Kino and Wellington Whymns, Jamal Williams; 11 grand nieces; 10 grand nephews; 7 great grand nieces; 6 great grand nephews; cousins; too numerous to mention; other relatives and friends including: Homestead Avenue family, Braynen family, Bonaby Alley family, Atlantis family, Patrell Clarke and family, Pearline Gibson and family, Ivan Clarke Sr and family, Allen Newbold Sr and family, Allynthia Bethel and family, Pastor Rev. Mark Carey, Peter Saunders and family, Wellington Albury and family, Hazel Ellis and family, New Destiny’s Baptist Cathedral family, Bruce and Daphne Richards, Racquel and Achara Whymns, Mrs Florence Mackey and family, The Curtis family, and Vonette Strachan and family.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on Friday, July 14, 2023 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m and again at the church on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m until service time.

Mt. Royal Avenue & Talbot Street • Telephone: 603-0546

and everyone being able to consult on that document, we will then have a tool that we can use to ensure that people do what needs to be done in order to make sure that not only do we have a great downtown and a great destination, but it’s

something that is sustainable, the responsibilities are shared and people recognise what their impact is,” he said.

“We realise that if we don’t put in place the right framework in terms of the long-term sustainability for us to manage our

city like proper cities are managed, we will run into similar problems that you see happening like crime, people not maintaining their buildings, garbage issues, rodent problems and all these things,” he said.

Memorial Service for

Charles Theodore “Teddy” Lightbourn, 96

a resident of Carmichael Road, New Providence, will be held at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, Third and Fourth Street, Coconut Grove Avenue, on Thursday, July 20th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

He is survived by his children: Cecilia Bodie, Laurel Lundy, Lynn, Britta, Tara, Charles & Desmond Lightbourn, Lakisha Forbes, and Frances Maynard; Grandchildren: Vonetta Burrows, Krysten Brown, Ashley, Brittany, Meghan & Waverly Moore, Agnessa, Martin, & Oliver Lundy, Mia & Clifford Bodie, Christian, Brandi & Alysse Maynard, Savannah & India Cartwright, Shannon, Dylan, Stephen, Spencer Lightbourn, Charles Jr. & Carlos Lightbourn and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING HANDLED BY DEMERITTE’S FUNERAL HOME, MARKET STREET

Death Notice for Sheila Vernette Lightbourn née Turnquest, 91

a resident of Winchester Street, Centerville, Nassau, The Bahamas, died at her residence on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.

She is survived by children: Cecilia Bodie, Laurel Lundy, Lynn and Britta Lightbourn, Frances Maynard, Tara, Charles and Shayne Desmond Lightbourn and Lakisha Forbes; Grandchildren: Mia and Clifford Bodie, Agnessa, Martin II and Oliver Lundy; Vonetta Burrows, Krysten Brown, Ashley, Brittany, Meghan and Waverly Moore; Christian, Brandi and Alysse Maynard; Charles, Carlos, Shannon, Dylon, Stephen and Spencer Lightbourn; Savannah and India Cartwright; Siblings: Dame Ivy Dumont, Anna Cooper, Lesa Roberts, Gretchen Jones, Chester, Berkley, Dudley, Froina and Kenneth Turnquest.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date

One of the generators destroyed in the fire at the North Andros Power Station. Residents continue to deal with load shedding as BPL works to completely restore generation capacity.

The Tribune Limited

FNM being racist and misogynist

EDITOR,

I AM most grateful for this opportunity to comment in your publication/media service on comments made by Dr Duane Sands, national chairman of the Free National Movement, the official Opposition on the Award of Excellence given to two internationally distinguished individuals during our 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

BPL blame game needs to stop - solution needed

IT WAS one of the founding fathers of the US, Benjamin Franklin, who famously wrote that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. In The Bahamas, we are tempted to say that you can add BPL outages to that.

Recently, there has been yet another political spat over the electricity provider. One party blames the other, the other blames right back, and so it goes back and forth until the lights go out and we cannot see who is blaming who any more.

Under the last administration, we were told there would be no more load shedding. Under this administration, it’s back to load shedding. Former Minister of Works Desmond Bannister says that BPL terminated a contract for Wartsila to maintain the engines it supplied – and that BPL turned to less capable personnel. Current BPL CEO Shevonn Cambridge says the government has hired the same people to do the maintenance. So why the problem? Do those same people have the same resources that Wartsila had?

Whatever the reason, as our political leaders argue and point fingers, those caught in the middle are the citizens of The Bahamas, left wondering when the lights will go out.

In Andros, after a fire damaged a power station there, generators were brought in – but then contaminated oil caused problems with those. It was said that 90 percent of Andros was being supplied with power again – but calls to The Tribune from frustrated Andros residents suggested otherwise.

Now the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has weighed in, highlighting recent significant outages in Abaco, Acklins, North Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Mayaguana and New Providence.

BPL’s leadership can argue over the Wartsila engines when it comes to New Providence – but that list of islands shows there are widespread problems over power supply.

A failure to adequately provide consistent electricity is of course not a new

problem – BPL and its predecessor BEC have had issues year in, year out.

That failure is a frustration for residents – but it is also holding our nation back. How do we sell investors on the idea of bringing their money here, setting up businesses, hiring Bahamians, backing Bahamian companies and more if we cannot even keep the lights on?

And what about the struggle for Bahamians themselves – especially those whose health may suffer in prolonged heat, the very young and the very old? This latest heatwave we have been experiencing has been taking its toll on all of us – but some are more vulnerable still and a lack of power to help cool off could be very serious indeed.

URCA is investigating the issues at BPL – and that is welcome. But perhaps a bigger inquiry still is what is needed.

The problems at BPL seem to occur time and time again – and political finger-pointing gets us nowhere.

A full inquiry to publicly disclose what the problems are, how they have come about and what it has cost us is the least our long-suffering citizens deserve.

Whatever the incumbent government wants to say in regards to blame, things appear to be worse now than under their predecessor. Quite how that came to be deserves to be fully explored and revealed to everyone.

The seriousness of the blame game that has gone on of late can be judged by how little actual action has been taken to hold anyone to account for supposed previous failings.

The public does not need to hear any more politicians blaming the other side of the House for the situation – rather the public needs a clear investigation of what has gone wrong, when it is going to be put right, and how much money it has cost so far, and what it will cost in the future.

Until all of that is laid out, the rest is just so much political gamesmanship. The time to resolve this problem once and for all was long ago – the next best time to do so is right away.

I strongly disagree with the comments and posture taken by the FNM in this matter. It is highly offensive to the national good and the image of The Bahamas for the Official Opposition to visit such an unprovoked, nasty and disingenuous assault on The Bahamas conferring the Award of Excellence on the history making President of Rwanda and a senior Congresswoman of the United States – who has a solid record as a long-time friend of The Bahamas and whose husband served here as US Ambassador.

The FNM’s comments are viewed by many as (1) racist and (2) misogynist.

On the “racist” point, we paraphrase Dr Sands, “we find it interesting” that two black persons are the target of the FNM’s bile and venom.

“We find it interesting” that the Hon. Michael Pintard, leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition and leader of the FNM who is quite loquacious is hiding behind his national chairman in this exercise. It is very rare in Bahamian politics to find the party leader flanking the national chairman; who is the sole spokesman; at a news conference.

Was Mr Pintard ashamed or just a political coward?

I should also point out to Dr Duane Sands and the FNM the need to get their story right. The Independence Celebrations and the conferring of the award took place on the historic CLIFFORD PARK”. Not “Clifton Park” as Dr Sands incorrectly repeatedly states.

Now this is very interesting again. A Freudian slip? You better believe it.

Let me get Dr. Sands and the FNM over their ‘Clifford’ and ‘Clifton’ hump.

The FNM has always been embarrassed over “CLIFTON PARK”. Clifton Park, situate in the southwest corridor of the island of New Providence is the national heritage park created by a special act of Parliament during the first PLP Perry Christie administration.

The land on which the Clifton National Heritage Park is situated was owned by the Harry Oakes Estate and the Pindling PLP government in the late 1980s had “acquired the land”, but never paid for it, for use as the new cruise ship port.

The FNM Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and his government entered into an agreement in 1999 with the California real estate company, Bechtel, to sell the Clifton land for the creation of a luxury real estate development for foreign owners.

An EPIA study of the property discovered that four distinct periods of the history of the Bahamas was contained on the land at Clifton. (1) The Lucayan or indigenous people and original inhabitants of the Bahamas. (2) The Europeans with the arrival of Columbus. (3) The African Slave trade and hence the African diaspora. (4) The arrival of the Loyalist fleeing Revolutionary United States. (5) Emancipation. Distinguished scholars, universities, archaeologists and historians from around the world hailed the Clifton property for its importance and significance.

Bahamians rose up and vigorously protested the FNM’s bold, offensive and unpatriotic decision, having learned of the facts, to still sell the land to the Bechtel Corporation and thus allow for the avalanche of fossils, history and artifacts to be destroyed and lost forever to the Bahamian people.

The grassroots efforts to save the Clifton Property from the FNM’s barbaric pursuit and decision was led by activists and environmentalists like Keod Smith, Sam Duncombe, Dr CB Moss, the Coalition to Save Clifton, Save the Bays and many others.

The FNM government dug its heels in and defiantly moved with haste to part with the Clifton property.

Perry Christie, as Leader of the Opposition, went to the Clifton property and declared that should he win the 2002 General Election any contract or agreement made by the Hubert Ingraham government to cede with this valuable property would be rescinded and voided.

Mr Christie also promised that his PLP government would make the Clifton property a National Heritage Park. That promise was realised in legislation passed by the House of Assembly in 2005.

Editor, it is not a shocker that the political trauma of “CLIFTON PARK” still haunts the political ecosystems of the Free National Movement to the extent where its leader and national chairman cannot distinguish between Clifton Park and Clifford Park.

There are many smart people in the FNM and I am almost certain they know that Clifford Park is named for Sir Bede Clifford, a former Royal Governor of the Bahama Islands.

Dr Sands thus begins his elergy with a falsehood. It must follow that if one part of the sum is wrong then the final answer has to be wrong.

Mr Pintard is quite aware of the National Honours Act which he and his party supported and voted for in Parliament.

He must be aware that the Order of Excellence under the Act is exclusive to non-Bahamians or foreigners and the Prime Minister or others can make recommendation to the Awards Committee to consider the awards to nominees so recommended.

It is insulting to the intelligence of the Bahamian people and politically dishonest for the FNM to make it appear that something is amiss, improper, illegal or out of sync with the Award of Excellence in this regard. They clearly know the facts. They know the Act. They know the law.

So why are intelligent people acting the fool? A wiser person said when you see this happening, watch out because they are up to something.

Paul Kagame is the democratically elected President of the Republic of Rwanda. Rwanda became the 54th nation to join the Commonwealth at the 2009 CHOGM. It became the second country (after Mozambique) not to have any historical ties with the United Kingdom. Rwanda had been a colony of Germany in the 19th century and later of Belgium for the first half of the 20th century.

Editors, these easily verifiable facts tell us that Rwanda was accepted into the Commonwealth of Nations when the Right Hon Hubert A Ingraham was Prime Minister and leader of

the FNM (2007-2012), and The Bahamas as a Member of the Commonwealth welcomed Rwanda. Not a word of protest on Rwanda from the FNM, but suddenly, and on the occasion of the nation’s 50th celebrations, Dr Sands and Mr Pintard think it is an opportune time for divisiveness. Some will ask if this is to play a racist card.

Mr Kagame is moving resolutely in his efforts for unity on the African continent and is having much success. His arrival in The Bahamas and his friendship demonstrates his nation’s interest in creating linkages and ties all over the globe. The internal politics of Rwanda are to be left to the people of Rwanda. For Dr Sands and segments of the media to zone in on jaundiced information, the source of which must be questionable; is irresponsible and unscholarly.

As to Maxine Waters, it just boggles the mind why the FNM would attack her dignity, strength and character of this great black American woman and leader.

Maxine Waters is the Lioness of the Congress. The former chairwoman of the powerful Finance Oversight Committee and I repeat a great friend of The Bahamas. The energiser of the Black Caucus in American politics. Her husband Sidney, served here with quiet distinction as US Ambassador to The Bahamas. He was a welcome relief to the bombastic, interfering Carol Boyd Hallet, from whom even the Republicans distanced themselves.

The other weak and puerile argument put by Dr Sands was President Kagame and Ms Waters were allowed to address the Clifford Park celebrations. It is trite protocol for persons given an award of this magnitude and in such a setting to be allowed to say thank you. Dr Sands’ argument that this interfered with scheduling is not worthy of comment.

I am astonished that we awoke in a Bahamas on Day One after celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Independence; to encounter an official Opposition Free National Movement, which seems to have regressed and continues to behave and perform like a candidate for irrelevancy and consignment to the trash bin of history.

There are hundreds of Bahamians who would have thought that on Day One after we marked this epochal 50 years, the FNM which was opposed to Independence in 1973 and went on to oppose National Insurance and the creation of the Bahamas Defence Force; would be charting a more dynamic and vibrant course for the road to the centennial anniversary. They should be eager to leave their old baggage behind.

I was anticipating broad, intellectual, engaging political discourse from the FNM as we move as a people to build our nation, end cynicism, excite and energise the fullest political and economic participation in the democracy.

Bahamians must be saying Dr Sands and Mr Pintard have some serious thinking to do. And decisions to make. Relevancy will matter on the road ahead.

Since Dr Sands and Mr Pintard are still sulking over Independence, 50 years later, I want to encourage them to sign on to the national call of “Forward Upward, Onward, Together”. It’s still not too late. Thank you for this space.

GB Humane Society urges pet owners to keep their animals cool and safe from summer heat

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TIP Burrows, executive director of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, is urging pet owners to keep their animals cool and safe during the hot summer months.

She said dogs and cats are more susceptible to suffering heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke when exposed to excessive heat.

“They can’t regulate their body temperature the way humans can; they seat from the pads of their feet and panting,” she explained.

July and August are considered the two hottest months of the year in The Bahamas. In July, the average high temperature is nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius.

However, the heat index or feel like temperature can feel even hotter.

Ms Burrows said that heatstroke in pets is a medical emergency that requires the immediate medical attention of a Veterinarian.

Some of the common

symptoms are excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums and tongue, stumbling, seizures, and glassy eyes. If you suspect your animal or pet is suffering from a heat-related illness, Ms Burrows said pet owners should get the

animal out of the heat and place a damp cool towel on the animal.

“Don’t immerse them in cold freezing water or spray them with water,” she said.

Ms Burrows noted that if the animal’s body temperature goes over 105 degrees, it can lead to organ failure

and even death. She added that short nose dogs such as pit bulls, Shih Tzu, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Persian cats are more vulnerable to the heat than other breeds.

“These animals really should not be housed

Man accused of Independence day cutlass attack granted ba Il

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail after he was accused of a cutlass attack in New Providence on Independence Day.

Shavarous Woodside, 43, was charged with assault with a dangerous instrument before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain.

Woodside is accused of assaulting Andrew Hamilton with a cutlass on July 10.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, Woodside was granted $5,000 bail with one or two sureties. Under his bail conditions, he must sign in at the Quakoo Street Police Station every Monday and Thursday by 6pm. He will also be fitted with a monitoring device.

His trial is set to begin on October 2.

Meanwhile, a teenage boy was accused of stealing a motorcycle last holiday weekend.

Jabez McDonald, 18, faced charges of stealing and receiving before Magistrate Swain.

Ian Jupp represented the teen.

McDonald allegedly stole a 2021 Yamaha XTZ125E

motorcycle at around 4pm on July 9. This vehicle, valued at $1,800, is the property of Andre Martin. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was granted $5,000 bail with one or two sureties. The accused is expected to sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station every Tuesday and Saturday by 7pm.

McDonald’s trial begins on September 29.

outside, especially in the heat,” she said. And locking them up in a small dog house is not the answer; they need plenty of ventilation and shade,” she said.

Ms Burrows also said that animals must always have fresh, cool, clean water available to them at all times. The water container should not be left out in the sun.

p ol Ice Invest Igate dIscovery of huM an re M a Ins and a shoot Ing

POLICE are investigating two separate incidents in New Providence involving the discovery of human remains and the shooting of a man who is now in hospital.

Police reported that a man was left injured after a shooting incident around 3pm at Emmanuel Drive off Carmichael Road.

At the last report, Police Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings said the victim was conscious and in hospital.

Police also revealed that on Wednesday, in a nearby area around 8.05pm, the lifeless body of an unknown man was found on a dirt

track road off Carmichael Road. These latest incidents follow many recent violent incidents in the country.

On Wednesday, police also found a 26-year-old man on bail for murder shot and killed in a vehicle at Blackstone Close and Baillou Hill Road –– the 57th murder victim for the year.

On July 6, CSP Skippings said police were alerted to the shooting on Sunset Drive off Sea Link Drive around 9.20pm.

She said the murdered men were being electronically monitored. One was on bail for murder, the other for attempted murder.

t hree-year sentence for possessIon of loaded gun

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of having a loaded gun in 2021.

Tevin Bain, 23, was charged before Magistrate Shaka Serville with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Police arrested Bain in 2021 after he was found with a black 9mm pistol along with 11 unfired rounds of ammunition. After reviewing the evidence and testimony, the magistrate found Bain guilty. The accused was sentenced to three years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Tip Burrows, executive director of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, is urging pet owners to keep their animals cool and safe during the hot summer months.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

Nylon stockings, parachutes and wreckage found on Acklins of a B-26 Bomber

Women who donated her nylon stockings to the US war effort might not know they often became parachutes, four of which floated to earth and sea over Acklins. After Ralph Stevens rolled out of a doomed bomber, spraining ankle and knee, it was given to a family of six children in Pompey Bay, by the resident commissioner, Chauncy Tynes. The precious nylon was woven into four dresses for three sisters: for christening, church, confirmation, and finally a wedding dress!

After Pearl Harbor, US military switched from Japanese silk to nylon to make “glider tow ropes, aircraft fuel tanks, flak jackets, shoelaces, mosquito netting, hammocks, and, yes, parachutes”. So valuable were these that a B-26 m arauder from 453rd Bomb Squadron out of m yrtle Beach kept three aircraft circling offer the Gulf Stream while they dashed back

By Eric Wiberg

to the base to retrieve a forgotten parachute. The plane’s pilot was James Franklin Hunt, and he was not having a good week. He was hospitalised in Indiana, where the crew were to pick up the new aircraft at a factory and fly it to Africa. e very time the pneumonia would abate, the Army Air Force would yank him out of the hospital bed to fly planes. His back-up pilot, Arnold Stern, grew up in m anhattan and married his Cornell sweetheart

Stella n ewman at age 21.

e very month, he sent her a purple orchid on the day of their wedding. Radio operator Ralph

e Stevens was 33 years old and enlisted in Indiana, with fourth crew member Flight Sergeant Billy R Williams. The plane leaked 35 gallons of gasoline on the flight to Florida. They took off for Puerto Rico at 7.30am next day with four other planes, however after just ten minutes Stevens noticed his parachute was missing. The landed again, he got out and found it, and they took off 15 minutes later.

o ver Acklins, the men were trying to transfer fuel from wing to main tanks and failed. B-26 planes were rushed into service; two days later another B-26 crashed off Lyford Cay with seven killed; another ran out of fuel and ditched off Abaco, and a fourth crashed into Cable Beach Bay, killing two Canadians.

landing in thick bush, Hunt says “I ran into two natives on the beach picking fruit, [cascarilla], who took me to a settlement.” Ask those locals, and they say a woman ran into the village screaming she had seen a ghost covered in white silk emerging bloodied from the bush. Hunt stayed over in Pompey Bay. The others drank coconut juice and “went up to [Commissioner Chauncy Tynes’] house on top of a hill and stayed there that night”.

a destroyer bombed it until it sank. The Kenwood Collie family of Anderson Settlement have a large US n avy 5in shell casing labeled 1942 to this day. The plane remained largely forgotten, though residents managed to hand-carry some metal to a barge, ship it to n assau and sell it. m ost of the important heavy equipment was still extant when I found it in August of 2022: engines, camera, wheels, machine guns, pumps, valves, some

lock mechanism for the B-26 at the crash site in Acklins. Was this used to access the aircraft in Morrison Field Florida while the crew slept, resulting in loss of fuel and misplacement of the parachute?

Hunt was calm, decisive, and selfless. He swung north to Acklins and informed the other pilots that he would ditch, presciently ordering everyone to drink lots of water. He opened the bomb bay doors and told the two junior crew to jump. Billy Williams was supposed to jump out head first, but “rolled out”, made a complete turn, and said “as I landed, the chute spread out in front of me”. Stevens said he “landed in the middle of the island, in about ten inches of dirt and almost got dragged away [when the parachute] picked me up [so I] held it down.” Injuries included multiple abrasions and some sprains. He and Williams met up, then were found by locals.

Hunt and Stern intended to bail out together, but with no one at the controls the plane was erratic. While Hunt stabilised it, Stern hurriedly leapt, ending in the ocean two miles east of Acklins. He wriggled out of the parachute and swam to shore, where fishermen were waiting for him. A weakened Hunt had to fly the 25,000lb, 71ft-long plane over the mainland across large salina lakes and the old Hanna slave plantation.

As the plane leaned towards the e arth, Hunt ran aft and bailed, then pulled the cord 500ft beneath the plane. After

That night a B-25 Liberator circled the school house in Pompey looking for the pilot. This caused the teacher to send pupils scattering, on account not all of them would be killed when the plane crashed into the school.

The following morning the men were rescued by amphibious airplanes and taken to e xuma, then Cuba. The B-26 was written off as “completely demolished by fire” by military planes which flew over it. Stevens blew up the radio set before jumping. When a B-18 bomber crashed in waters near Acklins,

fuselage, bomb racks and bullets...

The teenage bride was not alone, since “as early as 1943 ...dedicated and fierce young women were not letting anything go to waste, including the parachutes their husbands jumped from planes in!”

A silk parachute wedding dress “became ..an act to honour the service of these men”. Stern would have appreciated this, since he died within the year in another air crash. His bride Stella went back to Cornell and volunteered for the Red Cross. Her anniversary purple orchid arrived by mail

several days after Arnold died.

The dress is an artefact, like a small glass vase found at the beachside grave of a n orwegian sailor buried in Abaco, or the silk pajamas given by the Duke of Windsor to a young cadet rescued in Acklins after a U-boat attack. Reports suggested the B-26 may have been broken into at Florida, tampered with, and possibly even had fuel stolen. Thus the plane’s lock, fuel tanks, and fuel transfer pumps were discovered in the bush last year and left intact, those items are significant artefacts which can provide answers. Artefacts tell stories, we need to listen to they and those who care for them. n ylon stockings are the main reason my family moved to The Bahamas from Sweden starting in 1952. o ur grandfather’s company m almö Strumpfabrik (‘hosiery fabricator’) was successful enough that relocation to the more tax-amenable climes was beneficial... Hence our father’s 1960s purchase of what had been a Royal Air Force officer’s quarters, Cable Beach m anor... So, nylon stockings led us to a moving story of survival and tenacity, starring the persons on Acklins who welcomed the fliers.

Our company has been around gaming for over 30 years and pride ourselves on quality service and customer relationships. We are moving forward in the market and such are looking for hardworking, reliable, people friendly customer services representatives.

Jarol Investments Limited is seeking to fill the following position:

Handyman (Nassau)

Cleaning and maintaining property inclusive of cleaning windows, mopping entrance, light weeding & painting, clearing fences, throwing out garbage daily from offices, keeping yard swept and clean & washing all company’s vehicle on Saturdays.

Janitress (Nassau)

Cleaning office daily, mopping, sweeping, wipping doornobs, cleaning bathrooms, dusting desks & keeping kitchen area clean. Performs related duties as assigned by Management.

Interested persons should email their resume to careers@chancesgames.com. Subject: Handyman or Janitress; or visit our Head Office on Prince Charles Drive (across from Restview Funeral Home)) between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Final route of the B-26 which crashed in the Acklins bush near Pompey Bay at 12:15 pm on Wednesday 7 April, 1943. Source: Google Earth for map, Mike Stowe for data, author for plot.

Part of the B-26 wing with fuel tanks visible.

the valve knob on the fuel transfer pump which all the men struggled to fix prior to ditching the aircraft.

Port engine, landing gear, struts and other equipment of the B-26 bomber in Acklins. one of at least three (out of total eight) machine-guns still on the plane wreck.

rev. ruFus Forbes, who showed the author the plane last month.

lieutenant arnold stern, co-pilot of the B-26 who bailed into the ocean and swam hours and miles to Acklins. He perished when his aircraft ran into Bury St. Edmunds, England, a few months later.

There will never be another gingerbread house

THERE will never be another gingerbread house. Not like the ones Graham Bruce created, the magical, whimsical three feet high edible works of art handmade of gingerbread, brown sugar and love, adorned with sparkles, candy, nuts and candy canes, complete with windows that let the light shine through. They were architectural and culinary wonders, those gingerbread houses, days in the making and happy slow hours in the guilty devouring.

I am not sure why the gingerbread houses stood out when Graham, my brotherin-law, died this week. Suddenly they seemed a bigger memory of family holidays past than the turkey and sweet potato casserole, the off-key singing of Silent Night, the hugs of hearty hellos and weary farewells.

Graham was 81, days away from being honoured as the oldest living Kiwanian. For years, he was the hail fellow well met running the Kiwanis toy drive booth at the Red Cross Fair.

Like all of us, Graham Bruce’s life was a journey of highs and lows, new businesses, new dreams always supported by an outsized dose of positive energy, extraordinary hands-on ability and his love of cooking.

From his early days working for HG Christie and living in Exuma and later for Ervin Knowles, he was the gogetter who went farther and if he tripped, he’d get right back up and start all over again.

In the 1965 movie Thunderball, Graham was the strikingly handsome man your eyes would have gone to if Sean Connery had not been right in front of him. While 007 danced with the female star, Graham glided across the dance floor with an extra from the film in his arms. But that extra had no chance of winning Graham’s heart. He had already met the woman who had stolen that heart and never let go, the woman he would spend the next 57 years with, Barbara Anne Phillips. She was stunning. Together they would manage numerous businesses and raise two beautiful, amazing daughters.

When Mom and Dad ran the Parliament Hotel on the

By Diane Phillips

street of the same name, daughters Kirsten and Alex created their own inside playgrounds on the stairwells and halls and secret rooms and closets of the historic structure they called home. The staff were their playmates and they never tired of watching Daddy create masterpieces in the kitchen, even as he trained other young chefs, including Danny and Buddy, who later became the famed Twin Brothers.

The patio of the old Parliament Hotel was a hotbed of politics back then, the place where the leaders of a newly independent Bahamas could raise a glass or an issue and the food would come out steaming hot even as the arguments and discussions grew heated. There were nights of pig roasts and the famous chicken in coconut and the morning after Junkanoo in the days when people rushed until wee hours and poured into the Parliament for the best boiled fish on the island.

Graham was a magician in the kitchen. Even in the last few years, on a walker or confined to a wheelchair, he would spin that chair around in the cramped space, find

Kudos on flags over downtown

this ingredient and that, add just the right touch of spices and herbs and whip up a dish, sauces and veggies worthy of the finest dining establishment. More than a chef, it was as if he had a special connection to food so somehow it did not seem surprising that the one time he splurged on a European vacation, he took his beloved Anne to Switzerland to a dairy farm where he could watch churning and fermenting and donkeys saddled with rounds of cheese on either side going to market. Success is measured in many ways. Graham died holding the hand of the woman who stole his heart more than five decades before, his daughters staying by his side for the last week, 24/7, leaving their own families to be with Mom and Dad.

They tried several times to tell Mom that Dad was gone... And now that there will be no more gingerbread houses, we wonder why we did not learn what he could have taught us to carry on the tradition and why we did not tell him every time we saw him just how special he was.

THERE were 50th Anniversary of Independence decorations everywhere as the country celebrated an occasion that more than half the population was not around to witness but more than happy to embrace as cause to party. Among the flags, ribbons, feather banners and gold 50s, there were a few that truly stood out. Kudos to those who strung flags hung vertically in Rawson Square in downtown Nassau, looking especially great at night under the lights. And the

IDB Building on East Bay dressed up in celebratory couture with great style.

Congrats, too, to those who opened their doors to community events, including my friends at Royal Caribbean who invited all of Great Harbour Cay and Bullock’s Harbour to come to Perfectday at Coco Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination. While locals are always welcome, this time it was all expenses paid party, including transport to the island, and more than 300 turned out to help

celebrate throughout the week.

And congratulations to all those who organised the massive events calendar, including the Secretariat headed by Leslia Miller Brice and the quiet national treasure who answers to the name of Jack Thompson. Congratulations to the Governor General who stood upright and proud through all the heat, to the bands and performers and the hundreds whose endeavours made a vision a reality.

Grahama Bruce when he was younger

Graham BrUCE

Bay Street approaching Rawson Square was decorated with flags hung vertically across the road along with lighting.

Photo: Timothy roberts

GB registrar general’s office waiting on relief from the heat

julia n Rolle announced as new chaiR man of bahamas insuR ance a ssociation

the air conditioning units in some areas of the Garnet Levarity Justice Center are out of order and some employees are having to deal with unbearably hot conditions at work. The western rear door is wedged open by a chair to allow some ventilation.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

The Registrar General has hired contractors to repair the air conditioning units at the Registrar General’s department office in Grand Bahama.

Complaints were filed on Tuesday concerning conditions of the office, including visible signs of apparent water damage on ceiling tiles.

The Registrar General travelled to Freeport and visited the office on Wednesday.

During an inspection, there was no detectable odour and no evidence of any water leaks in the office space, according to a press release.

RotaRy Club of New PRovideNCe

The Rotary Club of New Providence (RCNP) held its annual changeover reception on July 1 at the Balmoral Club and installed it 36th president. Outgoing president Daswell Cox conveyed his thanks to the club for the leadership opportunity and reminded fellow Rotarians to continue to put “Service above Self”.

Taking the role as president of RCNP, Lathera Major challenged each Rotarian and Rotaractor present to be the beacon of hope the world needs to inspire change in the communities and in the next generation to come.

The Registrar General met with the building owner, David Wallace, and his board and was informed that a preliminary assessment was conducted and there was no leak in the roof.

At the request of the Registrar, Dudley Francis, chief building manager of Grand Bahamas‘ Port Authority Building Inspection unit, and Mr Cargill, environmental health representative, also inspected the building.

Following the inspection, it was revealed that after the completion of a major air conditioning repair job at the end of April, one of the units stopped working. It was also discovered that ductwork in the ceiling had

been compromised and had resulted in accrued condensation, which leaked onto some of the ceiling tiles in the affected area.

The Registrar was advised there is currently no occurrence of microbial growth and no imminent threat to the staff.

It was noted, however, that should the issue continue unresolved, the potential damage would be significantly compounded.

Before leaving Grand Bahama, the Registrar engaged two contractors to assess the units and provide estimates for the repairs necessary to properly secure the environment.

The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) has announced that Julian Rolle, managing director of BAF Financial & Insurance (Bahamas) Ltd, has been elected chair of the association. The move took effect from May 17.

Mr Rolle succeeds Anton Sealey, a veteran insurance executive and director at Insurance Management (Bahamas) Limited, who had held the post since January 2020. Mr Rolle’s term will last two years.

The deputy chair (property and casualty) will be Stanford Charlton, managing director of N u A Insurance Agents and

Brokers), while deputy chair (life and health) will be Felicia AntoinetteKnowles, chief operationg officer at Lampkin, Knowles and Co. Ramon Curtis, vice president of finance and investments at Famguard Corporation, will be treasurer, while Charlyne Sealey, legal and compliance officer at Summit Insurance Company, will be secretary.

Mr Rolle said: “I am honoured to have been elected chair of the BIA. The critical role that the insurance industry plays in the resilience of our economy and society has never been more relevant

than it is today as we confront the immense challenges of climate change and the aftermath of COVID-19. I look forward to working with the rest of the executive team to support our member companies in increasing the impact we have for all our stakeholders over the next two years. I thank Anton Sealey for his outstanding and steady leadership of the BIA as chair over, quite possibly, some of the most challenging years in our organisation’s history. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude.”

She challenged the club, over the next 12 months, to inspire hope daily, in action and in deed, through supporting other organisations, networking and in providing service to our fellow man.

join the club

The induction was done by past district governor Felix Stubbs who encouraged the club to continue to put service above self. The keynote speech was delivered by past president emeritus Raymond Winder, in which he encouraged the club to have an impact on the next generation of leaders.

OuR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

The award of Rotarian of the Year went to president elect Charlene Kerney. RCNP closed the weekend with its annual church service at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries on Sunday, July 2. Apostle Raymond Wells preached the message how do you Progress?”

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen hunt on 826-2242.

The club meets every Tuesday at 7pm at the Poop Deck West, Cable Beach, at Sandyport. Follow the club on Facebook and Instagram for updates on community service project initiatives.

Our company has been around gaming for over 30 years and pride ourselves on quality service and customer relationships. We are moving forward in the market and such are looking for qualified, dedicated, people friendly customer services representatives.

Jarol Investments Limited is seeking to fill the following position: Receptionist (Nassau)

Job Duties:

• Filing important and confidential documents.

• Projects such as gathering information by phone, letter, email or in person from clients.

• Recording and updating customer database (KYC).

• Photocopying and scanning documents.

• Sorting and distributing memos, flyers, letters etc, to staff and/or customers.

• Answering the phones, taking messages, transferring and properly screening calls etc.

• Assisting with customer related issues (account recovery, payout calculations, complaints etc.).

• Distributes checks to vendors, recording pick up/drop off dates, signatures etc.

• Communicating with the shops and distributing supplies.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by Management. Interested persons should email their resume to careers@chancesgames.com. Subject: Handyman or Janitress; or visit our Head Office on Prince Charles Drive (across from Restview Funeral Home)) between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OutgOing president Daswell Cox was presented with a gift in recognition of his work at the Rotary Club of New Providence. Laterha Major takes over as president.

Photo by Denise Maycock

Julian Rolle (third from right) announced as Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) chair. Mr Rolle is managing director of BAF Financial & Insurance (Bahamas) Ltd. Mr Rolle succeeds Anton Sealey, a veteran insurance executive and director at Insurance Management (Bahamas) Limited, who had held the post since January 2020. Mr Rolle’s term will last two years.

Buccaneers open strong on day one

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Day one of the Bahamas Games track and field got underway yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson national stadium. All 10 teams representing the islands of The Bahamas came out the gate with strong performances.

With Grand Bahama leading the overall rankings for the sixth Bahamas Games, New Providence turned up the heat on the track and field on day one.

The Buccaneers lead the sporting discipline with 31 medals, including 13 gold.

The Lucayans of Grand Bahama are tied for second with the Andros Chickcharnies for 12 medals in track and field.

TRACK CARIFTA double gold medallist Jamiah Nabbie, along with CARIFTA silver-medallist Shayann Demeritte, pulled out the one-two punch in the under 17 100-metre (m) finals.

Nabbie finished with a time of 12.10 and Demeritte followed behind with 12.49. The two are expected to shut it down until the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) under-18 and under-23 championships in Costa Rica, starting next week Friday.

Both sprinters talked about how it felt to represent the Buccaneers at the sixth Bahamas Games.

“It feels amazing we didn’t want to push too hard because we have competition next week for NACAC so we had fun doing what we love,” Nabbie said.

Demeritte shared the same sentiment that it was

Top athletes burn up the track and field

LERON ROLLE SETS NATIONAL RECORD IN ARCHERY

MULTI-talented LeRon Rolle has returned home from the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, San Salvador, where he set a new national record in the Open Men category.

Rolle has emerged as the top Bahamian archery man in the island nation. And based on his rapid progress, Bahamas Archery president David Rahming said Rolle could be one of the top competitors in the region.

Rolle, a 17-year-old 2022 graduate of St John’s College where he played basketball, soccer and ran the sprints in track and field, got started in archery during the COVID-19 pandemic after he couldn’t get to participate in any other sports.

a fun race to compete in to represent the island. She said she did not expect the event to be this big but was happy to see the turnout.

Both ladies were selected along with 17 other girls for the NACAC U18 team. They are both ready to compete hard in Costa Rica but, most importantly, they look forward to having a fun time.

The duo also claimed a gold medal for the home team in the 4x100m under 17 relays.

The team of K’Leigh Davis, Nabbie, Rache Pantry and Demeritte clocked 47.57, leaving the competition behind in the win.

The Lucayans finished second with 50.50 and the Chickcharnies secured bronze.

Ishmael Rolle, a member of the U18 boys NACAC team, ran a new personal best with 10.59 in the

under 17 100m finals for New Providence.

Aiden Kelly represented the Lucayans for second and Everette Fraser also came away with a bronze medal for the Buccaneers.

Rolle said it felt good to run for his hometown to show them what he could do for New Providence at the Bahamas Games. He added that his goal was to improve and do better and at NACAC

Grand Bahamian sprinter Terrence Jones coming into his own

By BRENT STUBBS Senior sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama sprinter Terrence Jones said he couldn’t be more satisfied with the way he’s performed so far.

The Texas Tech Raiders won the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Indoor 60 metre title in a Bahamian national record time of 6.46 in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 11.

The 20-year-old Jones went outdoors and ran a lifetime best of 9.91 at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida on April 15 to tie Derek Atkins’ Bahamian national record of 9.91 that he established in winning the silver at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

At the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas on June 7, Jones ended up fourth in the final of the 100m in 10.06.

He closed out the meet by getting on the podium with a third place finish in the 200m in a lifetime best of 19.87 on June 9.

“I had a few ups and downs, but God pulled me through it, so I’m pretty satisfied,” said Jones as he came home and captured the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) national title in the men’s 100m last week at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

“The highlight of my season was winning the NCAA indoor title in the 60m. That really set the tone for me for the rest of my season.”

Despite not winning the NCAA outdoor title, Jones

said he will take what he got.

“I was just pleased to do it at the time of the season,” Jones said. “It didn’t quite go as I expected, but I came away with a huge PB (personal best), so I will take that.”

In his return home for the nationals, Jones clocked 10.15 to win the men’s century, but he said he just wanted to give the Bahamian public a taste of what to expect from him this summer.

“It’s always good to be back and to run in front of the home crowd,” Jones said. “It was a good experience.”

Before he goes to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, August 19-27, Jones will be a part of the team representing the Bahamas at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championships August 4-6 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

“I want to take my performances into the 2024 year of the Olympic Games as one of the top

he will look to achieve another personal best and do well for Team Bahamas.

Rolle also ran the anchor leg in the under 17 4x100m relays to add another gold medal to New Providence’s count. The relay team included Everette Fraser, Rolinney Labranche and Christopher Roker.

Camille Rutherford came second in the 100m finals at last week’s national track and field

championships. One week later, she walked away with a gold medal win in the 100m women’s open finals. Rutherford notched 11.65 in the sprint.

She talked about how it felt to compete at the Bahamas Games.

“The competition was easy. I was practicing on my start because I am trying to improve on that for the Under-23 championships that are coming up,” she said.

Her goal is to record a personal best at the championships and run a time in the low-11 range.

Overall, she said she enjoyed the opening ceremony and all the different sporting disciplines involved in the return of the Bahamas Games, this year being the Golden Jubilee and marking 50 years of Independence.

SEE PAGE 12

He is looking forward to competing at the Pan American Games from October 20 to November 5 in Santiago, Chile and ultimately the Olympic Games in Paris, France, in 2024.

Rolle got a chance to represent the Bahamas in competition in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Belize and on each trip, he noted that he was able to improve on his scores.

“My biggest achievement came in Chile where I got my best score,” Rolle said. “The highest score you can get is a 720. In the Dominican Republic, I scored 516, then in Chile I did 670, so that was my biggest achievement so far.” As the no.1 competitor in the country, Rolle is also listed at the top in the English-speaking Caribbean and is pegged at 181 in the world.

SEE PAGE 12

JUNIOR GOLFERS RETURN HOME FROM 35TH CAJGC WITH 5TH PLACE FINISH

By BRENT STUBBS Senior sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ 14-member team returned home from the 35th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships (CAJGC) in the Cayman Islands with a fifth place, but it was an experience that manager Gina Gonzalez-Rolle feels they will never forget. The team, coached by Frederick Taylor, watched as Puerto Rico carted off the Hank James trophy for the overall title. The Dominican Republic came in second and Jamaica was third.

Kerrington Rolle and Haley Hall earned third place finishes individually for the Bahamas in the boys 15-and-under and girls 11-13 divisions respectively.

“We were really pleased with the team. It’s a new team we’re working with and we came back with two third place and a fifth place overall,” GonzalezRolle said.

“We know that next year and the year after, we will be aiming to come back with first place.”

43-over-par and Madisson Carroll-Carlos ended up 44 over-par for third and fourth respectively in the individual standings.

The 11-13 boys finished fifth in their division with a final score of 30 over-par 243 with Patrick Mactaggart shooting a 30 over-par 243 to take a top spot as well, while Denahj Mortimer was 15th with a 72 over-par 285. The 15-and-under girls were sixth with Seannae Norvile-Smith coming in ninth with 67-over-par 280 and Taylor Sands was 10th with a 99-over-par 312.

SEE PAGE 12 SEE PAGE 12

In the girls’ 11-13 division, Team Bahamas emerged as the victors as Haley Hall was

COMING IN HOT:

Athletes from the various islands of the Bahamas brought the action to the track and field yesterday during the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games.

Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

BAHAMAS junior golf team members with their awards.

TERRENCE JONES

CAMILLE RUTHERFORD, winner of the women’s 100 metres open finals and 4 x 100 metre open finals event.

JUNIOR GOLFERS RETURN HOME

FROM PAGE 11

The boys’ 15-and-under team had a better showing, coming in third with a 37 over-par. Kerrington Rolle was third with a 14-over-par 227; Camdyn Forbes was 11th with 31 over-par 244 and and Jackson Mactaggart was 42 over-par 255.

“My experience was good. I met a lot of people. I played exceptionally well under the conditions,” said Rolle, a 14-year-old heading into grade 10 at Windsor High School. “As a team, I felt there was room for improvement, but we did good.”

In the 18-and-under girls division, Team Bahamas was seventh with a 73-overpar. Miljojka Gojkovic finished 12th with a score of 74-over-par 287 and Tynisha Tynes was 13th with a 76-over-par 289. And in the 18-and-under boys’ division, the Bahamas was also seventh with a 71 over-par.

Dupuch was 11th with a 22 over-par 235; Zion Taylor was 20th with a 49 over-par 262 and Christopher Callender was 21th with a 71 over-par 284.

“We had a lot of younger kids on the team and although we have never been to Puerto Rico before, we enjoyed the experience,” said Dupuch, who served as the co-captain with Zion Taylor.

“I placed 11th overall, so I was quite pleased with my performance. A lot of our players are new and so we didn’t expect that much from them, but they all went out there and performed as best as they could.”

The Bahamas Junior Golf Development Programme, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bahamas Golf Federation, will now prepare for next year.

LERON ROLLE SETS NATIONAL RECORD IN ARCHERY

FROM PAGE 11

“I don’t like to pay attention to the ranking that much because it changes so quickly,” he said. “People are shooting every day and so the scores change, so you can maintain a ranking as well as it could drop.

“I know everytime I go out to shoot, my rankings go up. So, I’m very pleased with my progress.”

Rolle said his goal this year is to be able to obtain sufficient sponsorship that will enable him to compete in more tournaments on the international scene.

Rahming said he’s excited sbout Rolle’s progress in such a short space of time because he has put in a lot of work and he’s applied himself, while performing at a high standard whenever he gets to travel.

“We think that he’s going to enter the top echelon of archery in the region sometime this year,” Rahming said. “He’s shown that improvement so far. He started his first competition in March, and he shot 400 points out of 720. Then in September in the Dominican Republic, he shot 500 out of 720 and in November, in his

third tournament, he shot 670 points.

“Bear in mind, he’s shooting against the best archers in the region, who would have had at least 10 years experience. He just needs to shoot about 50 more points, and he would be right up there with them.”

NEW PROVIDENCE OPENS UP STRONG IN TRACK AND FIELD

FROM PAGE 11

Rutherford along with Denisha Cartwright, Koi Adderley, and Printassia Johnson came away with gold in the 4x100m open relays.

The Buccaneers also emerged as winners in the under 17 and open 1500m race. Ross Martin ran a time of 4:26.31 for under 17 and the latter went to

Christopher Santil with 4:14.96. Santil said it felt great and he was proud of himself and the team that he represents. He said the Bahamas Games are awesome now that people from the Family Islands can also watch and support him.

Additionally, the win by Karon Dean in the men’s 100m open helped the Buccaneers to sweep the event with all gold medals.

FIELD

The Buccaneers discovered gold on the field at the Bahamas Games.

Koi Adderley emerged victorious in the women’s open high jump. She leaped to 1.65m.

Meanwhile, Buccaneers’ Zoe Adderley notched 10.33m in the under 17 girls’ triple jump event.

Lynwood Brown claimed victory in the

Terrence Jones coming into his own

FROM PAGE 11

contenders,” Jones said. “So I am hoping that I can just finish the season injury free. It would be nice to come out with a couple of medals as well.”

Jones, however, knows that he will have to run close or even break the national record if he will be a contender, especially at the Worlds where he will be facing the top competitors on the planet.

“The past two years have taught me a lot. I’ve learnt a lot,” Jones said. “It was an eye opener for me to trust God with whatever he has planned for me. I have trusted his timing. Whatever his time is, it’s his time for me.”

Jones will skip participation in the sixth Bahamas Games this weekend as he returned to Texas to get in some fine tuning for his next two trips. He said he had a pretty good season on the track and in the classroom, and he’s eager to see what God has in store for him.

under 17 boys’ discus throw with 30.60m.

Meanwhile, in the boys’ javelin throw for the same age group, New Providence nabbed silver and gold.

Kenny Moxey put up 46.97m for first and Ashton Moxey threw a distance of 35.39m for second.

Day two begins with the field events at 4pm at the TAR national stadium.

“The goal right now is to make all of the major national teams, including the Olympics next year,” said Jones, who is looking forward to making that trip to Paris, France. “I don’t just want to make the team, but I want to be able to get into the final and hopefully contend for a medal.”

While there is a lot of pressure on competing after a long collegiate season where athletes are accustomed to running from indoors to outdoors just about every weekend from December to June, Jones said he’s taking it all in stride.

MULTI-talented LeRon Rolle has returned home from the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, San Salvador, where he set a new national record in the Open Men category.

Andros Chickcharnies in the lead after day 2

BAHAMAS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GAMES GOLF TOURNAMENT AT OCEAN CLUB ON PARADISE ISLAND

THE Andros Chickcharnies are still holding onto the lead after two days of competition in the 6th Bahamas Games golf tournament at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island.

After taking the early lead with a total of 186 on day one on Wednesday, the Chickcharnies dropped off the pace with a 194 yesterday, but they are still out front going into today’s final round with a total of 380.

“The team is kind of strong. We have our big hitter out front in Richard Gibson Jr,” said Kelsey Rolle, one of the open male competitors for the Chickcharnies, who is tied for sixth place with a two-day score of 88 (42-46).

“We also have Kenton Forbes, who is strong as well, our females, led by Amari Pratt, are very strong and so we feel we will pull it together and get the gold. “Grand Bahama is putting in some numbers, so we have to fight them off

along with New Providence, but we can do it.” The New Providence Buccaneers have surged into second place with a total of 368 after they finished yesterday with 186.

They had a 182 on day one. The Grand Bahama Lucayans slipped down to third with their rounds of 183-178 for 361. The MICAL Flamingos are in fourth with 342 (174-168); Long Island

Sheep Runners in fifth with 305 (143-162); Exuma Navigators in sixth with 298 (146-152); Eleuthera Adventurers in seventh with 286 (136-150); Bimini & Berry Island Marlins in

eighth with 201 (118-83) and the Abaco Survivors bringing up the rear with 162 (80-82). Tyesha Tynes, representing the Buccaneers, are still on top of the junior girls’ division with

ONS JABEUR IN HER SECOND STRAIGHT WIMBLEDON FINAL

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — There was a time — a year ago; six months ago, even — that Ons Jabeur might not have recovered from the deficit she found herself in during the Wimbledon semifinals. Down a set. Down a break in the second set. So close to being just a game from defeat.

She credits a sports psychologist with helping her understand how to deal with those on-court situations, with managing to keep her focus, keep her strokes on-target. Thanks in part to that, and a steadiness down the stretch at Centre Court yesterday, Jabeur is on her way to a second consecutive final at the All England Club and her third title match in the past five Grand Slam tournaments.

Now she wants to win a trophy. The sixth-seeded Jabeur earned the right to play for one again by beating big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3.

“I’m very proud of myself, because maybe old me would have lost the match today and went back home already. But I’m glad that I kept digging very deep and finding the strength,” said Jabeur, a 28-year-old from Tunisia who already was the only Arab woman and only North African woman to reach a major final.

“I’m learning to transform the bad energy into a good one,” Jabeur said, explaining that she was able to get over the anger she felt after the first set. “Some things I have no control over: She can ace any time. She can hit the big serve, even if I have a break point. That’s frustrating a bit. But I’m glad that I’m accepting it and I’m digging deep to just go and win this match — and, hopefully, this tournament.”

To do that, Jabeur will need to get past Marketa Vondrousova, a left-hander from the Czech Republic, on Saturday. Vondrousova became the first unseeded women’s finalist at Wimbledon since Billie Jean King in 1963 by eliminating Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-3.

Like Jabeur, Vondrousova has been to a major

Faces Vondrousova for the title

100 (51-49). She is followed by Haley Hall of the Chickcharnies with 91 (46-45) and Maddison Carroll of the Flamingos with 89 (4148). Tynes is also out front in the ladies’ open division with 86 (40-46).

Lucayans’ Michelean Poitier continues to trail with her steady performances of 39-39 for 78. Kyshna Radnetter, one of the Sheep Runners, is next with 61 (32-29).

Adiran Stan-Busuioc of the Lucayans is still controlling the junior boys’ chart with 102 (53-49).

Zion Taylor, representing the Adventurers, is in second with 97 (47-50) and Buccaneers’ Alexander Dupuch rounds out the top three with 96 (46-50).

As for the open men’s division, Richard Gibson of the Chickcharnies is out front with 109 (54-55).

Keathen Stuart of the Survivors is second with 102 (48-54) and Raymond Gibson, a Sheep Runner, is third with 95 (45-50). The golf competition will conclude today, starting at 10am.

LEBRON SAYS HE WILL PLAY FOR LAKERS IN UPCOMING SEASON

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— LeBron James will play another season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 38-year-old superstar announced his intentions on stage at The ESPYS on Wednesday night after accepting the record-breaking performance award for becoming the NBA’s career scoring leader.

At the end of last season, in which he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark, James had said he wasn’t sure if he would be back.

“In that moment I’m asking myself if I can still play without cheating the game. Can I give everything to the game still? The truth is I’ve been asking myself this question at the end of the season for a couple years now. I just never openly talked about it,” James said.

final before. Like Jabeur, she’s never won one, having been the runner-up at the 2019 French Open as a teen.

“We’re both hungry,” Jabeur said.

So far, Jabeur is 0-2 in Slam finals. She lost to Elena Rybakina at the All England Club last July and to Iga Swiatek at the U.S. Open last September.

Jabeur’s win over No. 2 Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion in January, followed victories against three other major title winners: No. 3 Rybakina, No. 9 Petra Kvitova and Bianca

Andreescu.

“I want to make my path worth it,” Jabeur said.

Thursday’s triumph, which came by collecting 10 of the last 13 games, prevented Sabalenka from replacing Swiatek at No. 1 in the rankings.

“I had so many opportunities,” said Sabalenka, a 25-year-old from Belarus who was not allowed to compete at Wimbledon last year because all players from her country and from Russia were banned over

the war in Ukraine. “Overall, I didn’t play my best tennis today. It was just, like, a combo of everything. A little bit of nerves, a little bit of luck for her at some points.”

Jabeur trailed 4-2 in the second set when she began to turn things around. But not before Sabalenka came within a point from leading 5-3 after Jabeur put a forehand into the net and fell onto her back on the grass of Centre Court.

She dusted herself off and broke to take that game and begin the comeback. When she delivered a backhand return winner to force the match to a third set, Jabeur held her right index finger to her ear, then raised it and wagged it as she strutted to the changeover.

Sabalenka’s shots missed the mark repeatedly. She finished with far more unforced errors than Jabeur: The margins were 14-5 in the last set and 45-15 for the match.

“I was little bit emotionally down, then she was up,” said Sabalenka, who

hit 10 aces but also doublefaulted five times.

A break put Jabeur up 4-2 in the third, but there was still some work to be done. Sabalenka, as powerful a ball-striker as there is on tour, erased four match points before Jabeur converted her fifth with a 103 mph ace.

In the first semifinal, the 43rd-ranked Vondrousova reeled off seven consecutive games in one stretch against the 76th-ranked Svitolina, who returned from maternity leave just three months ago.

After surprisingly beating Swiatek in the quarterfinals, she was trying to become the first woman from Ukraine to make it to the title match at a major tennis tournament.

Svitolina received loud support from thousands in the crowd at the main stadium — Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain was in the Royal Box — as applause and yells echoed off the closed roof. Svitolina says she plays more calmly nowadays, something she attributed

to the dual motivations of playing for her baby daughter, who was born in October, and of playing for her home country, where the ongoing war began in February 2022, when Russia invaded with help from Belarus.

“It’s a lot of responsibility, a lot of tension. I try to balance it as much as I can. Sometimes it gets maybe too much,” Svitolina said. “But I don’t want to (make it) an excuse.”

Vondrousova missed about six months last season because of two operations on her left wrist.

She visited England last year with a cast on that arm to enjoy London as a tourist and to watch her best friend and doubles partner, Miriam Kolodziejova, try to qualify for Wimbledon. “It’s not always easy to come back. You don’t know if you can play at this level and if you can be back at the top and back at these tournaments,” Vondrousova said. “I just feel like I’m just grateful to be on a court again, to play without pain.”

“I don’t care how many more points I score or what I can and cannot do on the floor. The real question for me is can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys that day is not today.”

The crowd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood let out a huge cheer. “So yeah, I still got something left,” James said. “A lot left.”

He was presented his trophy by wife Savannah, sons Bronny and Bryce and daughter Zhuri. In her introductory remarks, Savannah said, “I think LeBron James is the baddest ...”

She began to say an expletive but cut herself off as Zhuri exclaimed, “Mom!” James later returned and was joined by Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade to honor Carmelo Anthony, who recently retired after a 19-year career.

ANDROS Sports Council chairman Brian Clear hanging out with the Chickcharnies’ golf team at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island.

TUNISIA’s Ons Jabeur kicks the ball after failing to chase down a volley by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in their women’s singles semifinal match on day 11 of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London yesterday.

(AP Photo/ Alberto Pezzali)

Drama and controversy hits softball competition

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THERE was some drama and a little bit of controversy as the sixth Bahamas Games’ action packed softball competition continued yesterday in the Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

In one of the highlights of the individual performances, Grand Bahama Buccaneers’ third baseman Quintin Rolle cracked a pair of two-run home runs onto the adjacent soccer pitch as they blasted the MICAL Flamingos 14-2.

While they celebrated that feat, the Exuma Navigators ladies lodged an official protest against the Long Island Sheep Runners against an illegal player that helped them to turn what would have been a 4-2 loss into a forfeiture win.

Loran Burrows, who heads the protest committee that included Jeffery ‘Beef’ Henfield and Mary ‘Cruise’ Edgecombe, said there was a breach of the eligibility rule, which indicated that players can only be drafted from New Providence or Grand Bahama for Family Island teams.

“Family Island players cannot be drafted by Family Island teams. “They must play for the Family Island where they are residents for at least six months prior to the start of the Bahamas Games,” Burrows said.

“What has transpired in several incidents, that there were Family Island players playing on different Family Island teams and as those protests were brought forward, and we found out that they in fact were not residing on those Family Islands, they were not allowed to play.”

The incident first arose on day one on Tuesday night when ace pitcher Edney ‘the Heat’ Bethel of Eleuthera attempted to play for the Exuma Navigators, whom he won the title with at the last games in 2001. But after a protest by Long Island, the game was halted and the protest committee made the ruling that he would not be eligible to play.

In the case of the Long Island ladies game yesterday, they were leading 4-2 in the bottom of the third against Exuma when they brought in Alie PinderRoberts, who resides in Spanish Wells, as a substitute player. Exuma made an official protest and the game was

halted as the protest com-

mittee was called in.

After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that she was ineligible and Long Island ended up forfeiting the game to Exuma.

Burrows said the protest committee, which also includes Desmond Dean from Grand Bahama, will continue to monitor the player movements to ensure that they stick by the rules that were agreed upon with the Games Secretariat of the Bahamas Games.

Lucayans 14, Flamingos 2 Quintin Rolle cracked a pair of homers as he went 2-for-2 with four RBI and two runs scored to lead the Grand Bahama men.

Rolle’s first homer came in a seven-run first inning after Desmond Russell hit a two-run shot.

Rolle got a two-run shot over the centre field fence that went onto the soccer pitch. His second shot,

which also went onto the soccer pitch, was on a tworun homer in a three-run second.

“The son was hot and so I just wanted to come out and have some fun with my team-mates, but I was under some pressure,” he said. “In our first game, I had two pop-ups and in the second game, I struck out twice.

“I didn’t have any choice. I saw the ball and I hit the ball.”

Larry Russell was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored and Emond Russell was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored and Terro Rolle was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Sidney Neely was 1-for-1 with a RBI and Rodney Forbes was 1-for-2 with a run scored for MICAL.

Michael Sweeting got the win over Geromme Hanna.

Rolle said if the Lucayans can continue to play the way they did against

the Flamingos, he doesn’t see why they can’t be a contender for the gold in the men’s division.

• Results of other games played are as follows:

Andros 3, Eleuthera 0: Rashanta Hart was 1-for-2 with a RBI; Andrea Evans was 1-for-1 with a RBI and both Cyntese Cooper and Vashawna Bastian were both 1-for-2 with a run scored a piece for Andros women.

Lashanta Carey was 2-for-2 for Eleuthera.

T’Shura Evans was the winning pitcher and Solana Brown got the loss.

Eleuthera 8, Andros 1: Mica Bethel was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored and Windsor Bethel was 1-for-1 with a run scored for Eleuthera men.

Stevenson Barr had the lone hit and Dannell Scott scored the only run for Andros. Sheldon Pinder got the win and Larvick Evans got the loss for Andros.

Flamingoes 12, Arawaks

3: Sisters Alvounne Hall was 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored and Altavia Hall was1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored ti lead MICAL women.

Ruthann Simms was 2-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored and Tyler Miller was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored to help out.

Khathrel Dosette went 1-for-2 with a run scored for Columbus Isles.

Diva Burrows got the win in relief of Alex Gabriel and Ebony Higgs got the loss.

Buccaneers 17, Adventurers 5

The New Providence men went on an offensive tear to make their presence felt as they stayed undefeated in the late game played Wednesday night.

Lamar Watkins had an explosive 2-for-4 day with three RBI and two runs; Steven Russell was 2-for-2 with three RBI and two

runs; Winston Seymour Jr was also 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored and Austin Hanna was 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Sheldon Neymour was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored and Terran Wood was 1-for-2 with two runs scored in a losing effort for Eleuthera.

Cardinal Gilbert was the winning pitcher and Micha Bethel suffered the loss.

Buccaneers 14, Adventurers 1

The New Providence women also displayed their offensive prowess as they took apart Eleuthera in dramatic style Wednesday night as well.

Travia Smith went 2-for-3 with an in-the-park homer with four RBI and two runs scored; Sari Albury was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored and Ramona Hanna was 1-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Tilshon Leary was 1-for-1 with a RBI for Eleuthera.

Hanna was the winning pitcher and Delena Symonette was the losing pitcher.

Navigators 9, Flamingoes 4: Despite losing Edney Bethel to the eligibility clause, the Exuma men still went on a rampage against Columbus Isles.

Sherman Ferguson went 2-for-2 with a home run and drove in four runs and scored twice, while Martin Burrows and Edron Knowles were both 1-for-2 with an RBI; Philip Johnson was 1-for-3 with two RBI and Alcott Forbes was 1-for-1 with two runs.

Chedi Ferguson was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored and Chris McPhee was 1-for-1 with an RBI and a run scored for Columbus Isles.

Forbes got the win in relief of starter Richard Bain, Kayle Carey got tagged with the loss before he was replaced by veteran Alphonso ‘Chicken’ Albury, who made history as the first softball player to participate in all six games.

Lucayans 12, Flamingoes 2: Jasmine Scavella went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Kenya Forbes was 1-for-1 2ith two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Grand Bahama women to victory Wednesday night.

Breanna Forbes was the winning pitcher and Phillesha Major got tagged with the loss.

The softball competition will continue today at 9am as teams battle for position heading into the playoffs and medal rounds with Saturday’s finale.

ION IZAGIRRE WINS LIVELY TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE AS VINGEGAARD KEEPS OVERALL LEAD

BELLEVILLE-ENBEAUJOLAIS, France (AP) — Ion Izagirre emerged victorious from an absorbing mid-mountain Tour de France stage which started with a flurry of attacks that lasted to the end yesterday.

The Cofidis rider posted his second career Tour stage win in the 12th stage.

The 169-kilometre (105mile) stage took riders across the Beaujolais vineyards on a route with two big climbs in the second half of the trek. The first two hours of racing were furious, with several dozen riders dropped over the first 25 kilometres.

Izagirre attacked from a group of strong and experienced breakaway riders in the final climb — the brutal ascent of the 5.3-kilometre Col de la Croix Rosier.

Tucked in an aerodynamic position, the Basque rider took all the risks in the downhill, then used his strong time trial skills to thwart his rivals’ chase after

a tremendous 31-kilometre solo effort.

“It’s incredible. For the whole Tour so far I tried to break away and it didn’t work out but today, yes,” he said.

“I was confident in my strength. I knew that if I earned enough lead, my adversaries wouldn’t have me in sight and it would play in my favour.”

It was also the second stage win for a Basque rider after Pello Bilbao claimed Stage 10.

“It’s a very Basque Tour de France. It started at home for us and we took two stage wins,” said Izagirre, in reference to the Tour start from the Spanish town of Bilbao this year.

Mathieu Burgaudeau was second in the stage, and Matteo Jorgenson completed the podium.

Izagirre’s previous Tour win was in 2016 in the Alpine town of Morzine. He’s also won stages at the Giro d’Italia and Spanish Vuelta.

There were no major changes in the general classification. Jonas Vingegaard kept his 17-second lead over two-time champion Tadej Pogacar after the rivals remained together

throughout the day. Jai Hindley remained in third place, lagging 2 minutes, 40 seconds off the pace. The fight for the yellow jersey is expected to resume today on the ascent of the

Grand Colombier, a mammoth climb in the Jura which concludes the 13th stage.

It took a long time for the break to form on a route with constant ups and downs, after a high-speed crash involving David De La Cruz and Quentin Pacher split the peloton in two. The Spanish rider abandoned, joining his Astana-Qazaqstan teammates Luis Leon Sanchez and Mark Cavendish on the list of withdrawals.

Pogacar and Vingegaard rode at the front and were among the most attacking of the leading group alongside the fiery Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.

Dylan Teuns and Tiesj

Benoot finally managed to go clear after 65 kilometres as the leading pack entered the Beaujolais wine region.

The pace did not slow down and riders were scattered everywhere. The Belgian pair was joined by a dozen rivals as

the attackers finally managed to open a decent gap. The breakaway included one-day classic specialists, giving it a great chance to succeed.

The 15 men collaborated well and quickly brought a two-minute lead over the yellow jersey group, which was happy to let them go after two hours of hard-out bike racing.

The battle for the stage win started in the downhill of the Col de la Casse Froide, where Van der Poel and Andrey Amador went on their own.

Amador then tried to drop Van der Poel but the Dutch rider countered and went solo. Van der Poel crested the Col de la Croix Montmain first and pushed hard in the technical descent in a bid to increase his lead ahead of the Col de la Croix Rosier.

He could not prolong his effort in the climb and was caught with 32 kilometres left, before Izagirre made his decisive move.

GRAND Bahama Lucayans beat MICAL 14-0 in men’s softball play yesterday in Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Photos by Patrick Hanna/BIS

SPAIN’s Ion Izagirre celebrates after winning the twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 169 kilometers (105 miles) with start in Roanne and finish in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, France, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Benoit Tessier/Pool Photo via AP)

WOMEN IN ACTION: MICAL defeated Columbus Isles 12-3 in the 6th Bahamas Games softball competition.

Wall Street’s winning week stays perfect as inflation eases further

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer

WALL Street’s winning streak barreled into a fourth day Thursday following the latest signal that inflation is easing its chokehold on the economy.

The S&P 500 rose 37.88, or 0.8%, to 4,510.04 and its highest close since April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 47.71, or 0.1%, to 34,395.14, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 219.61, or 1.6%, to 14,138.57 as Big Tech stocks led the way.

The S&P 500 is on track for its seventh winning week in the last nine after more data raised hopes that inflation is cooling enough to get the Federal Reserve to soon end its blistering run of hikes to interest rates. Inflation at the wholesale level slowed more than expected in June, and prices paid by producers were just 0.1% higher during the month than a year earlier. That’s down from 11.2% inflation last summer.

High inflation has been the main reason investors have been fearing a possible recession, because of how high the Federal Reserve has cranked interest rates

to get prices under control. High rates undercut inflation by bluntly slowing the entire economy and hurting prices for investments. They can also cause unanticipated parts of the economy to break.

Traders remain nearly convinced the Fed will raise the federal funds rate at its next meeting in two weeks to its highest level since 2001. But this week’s inflation data has also pushed traders to build bets for that to be the final rate increase of this cycle.

A report on Wednesday showed that prices consumers paid in June were 3% higher than a year earlier, down from inflation of more than 9% last summer.

It’s been a “cool summer

breeze,” as Deutsche Bank economists describe it. Treasury yields fell further in the bond market as traders pared bets for Fed rate hikes later this year.

The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 3.76% from 3.86% late Wednesday and from 3.98% late Tuesday. It helps set rates for mortgages and other important loans.

The two-year Treasury yield fell to 4.63% from 4.75% late Wednesday and from 4.89% late Tuesday. It moves more on expectations for action by the Fed.

The drop for yields accelerated after James Bullard said in the afternoon that he’s stepping down as president of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank to join Purdue University’s

business school as its dean next month. He was one of the loudest voices at the Fed pushing for higher rates to control inflation.

Easier interest rates help all kinds of investments. But many investors see big technology and other highgrowth stocks among the biggest beneficiaries.

That had Amazon, Alphabet and Nvidia among the strongest forces pushing up the S&P 500. Amazon gained 2.7% after it said the first day of its annual Prime Day event on Tuesday was the biggest sales day in its history.

Alphabet rose 4.7% after Google said it’s rolling out Bard, its chatbot powered by artificial intelligence, to more countries around the

POSITION AVAILABLE

A Company is seeking to employ full time professional mature persons over the age of 25 years of age, as SECURITY OFFICERS Qualified applicants must be available to work shifts, have the command of “good people’s skills,” and a valid driver’s license.

Interested persons are to send their resume along with a photo ID, current police record and a copy of their NIB card, to email address – mngoccompany@gmail. com; on or before July 31, 2023.

Only serious minded persons need to apply.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LARY TOUSSAINT of Balfour Avenue, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that EDWARD CABRERA PEREZ, of P. O. Box N-9755, Kite Terrace, Monastery Park, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of July 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

world and launching new features for it.

Nvidia, which has been at the center of a frenzy on Wall Street around AI, rose 4.7%.

expectations for the spring. It saw lower demand for drinks and snacks, but higher prices helped its earnings. PepsiCo also raised its forecasts for results for the full year.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY

DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, LYNDEN WELLINGTON MILLER also known as CHARLES W. MILLER of Infant View Road, New Providence, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to CHARLES W. MILLER. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may submit such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P. O. Box N-742, New Providence, The Bahamas no later than Thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DUCKERNO EXALIS of #22 Hillside Street off Mackey Street, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MIKEY ORNIS of Cooper’s Town, Abaco, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that RONALD ANTONIO DOMINGUEZ PERALTA of P. O. Box N-9755, Kite Terrace, Monastery Park, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of July 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that PATRICIA MARINA FOUNTAIN of P. O. Box N-1092, Cayview Lane, West Bay Street, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of July 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

BTC expands fiber to McClean’s Town

BTC has rolled out its fiber network to McClean’s Town, the easternmost settlement of Grand Bahama.

“Our primary goal is to expand our fiber reach throughout the country, so it gives me pleasure to announce that BTC has fully fiberized McClean’s Town and residents will now have access to the fastest speeds at the most competitive rates,” said Dominic Petty, BTC’s senior executive manager and head of operations for the Northern Bahamas.

Mr Petty’s comments came at a press conference on July 7 in Grand Bahama to announce the installation in the McClean’s Town community.

BTC’s CEO, Sameer Bhatti; Director of BTC’s Board, Parkco Deal; Minister of State for Grand

FROM left, Dominic Petty (BTC, Northern Bahamas), Kwasi Thompson MP, Ginger Moxey (Minister for Grand Bahama), Sameer Bhatti (BTC CEO), and Parkco Deal (BTC board director).

Share your news

The Tribune wants to hear from people who are making news in their neighbourhoods. Perhaps you are raising funds for a good cause, campaigning for improvements in the area or have won an award. If so, call us on 322-1986 and share your story.

A Retail Company is seeking to retain a Temporary Accounts Payable Clerk

Requirements are as follows:-

• An Associates Degree in Finance at Minimum

• Minimal 1- 3 years experience

• Assist with maintenance of General Ledger Account Codes

• Prepare and submit proper VAT filings as well as reports for upper management

• Posts Invoice disbursements and journal entry data into the accounts payable system for all services

• Reconcile vendor accounts by generating reports and cross-checking entries of banking transactions and prepayments

• Performs other ad hoc duties as required by the Supervisor and Department Head

Send your resume to: Bahamasjobs8@gmail.com

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CLEMENCIA ARISTOMENE of #22 Hillside Street off Mackey Street, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of July, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

N O T I C E LARCHAN LTD.

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:-

a) LARCHAN LTD. is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on 6th July, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

c) The Liquidator of the said company is Octagon Management Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas.

Dated this 14th day of July, A. D. 2023

Octagon Management Limited Liquidator

Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey; and Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, the Hon. Kwasi Thompson were also present. All broadband connectivity to McClean’s Town was lost after the passage of Hurricane Dorian in 2019. But once homes were rebuilt, BTC made it a point to ensure East End Grand Bahama is connected to fiber, beginning with McClean’s Town.

“Over the next few weeks, this community will be fully fiberized with end-to-end connectivity powered by BTC. This move will allow

residents to have faster internet speeds and more reliable service,” Mr Petty said. In addition to offering fiber to McClean’s Town residents, the settlement’s sub-station and community clinic are also being powered by BTC. Fiber was also installed last week in the Eastern community of Pelican Point.

In the coming months, BTC will introduce fiber to Over the Bridge, North and South Bahamia, Hawksbill and Sunrise communities –a move that is expected to add some 4,000 homes to the Grand Bahama network.

LEGAL NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

RBH OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS INC.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) RBH Overseas Investments Inc. is in voluntary dissolution under the provision of Section 138 (4) (a), (b) and (c) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(b) The Dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 13th day of July, 2023 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered with the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said Company is George Clifford Culmer of BDO, P. O. Box N-10144, Gresham House, Charlotte Street South, Nassau, Bahamas. All persons having claims against the above Company are required on or before the 18th day of August, 2023 to send their names, addresses and particulars of the claims to the undersigned, P.O. Box N-10144, Gresham House, Charlotte Street South, Nassau, Bahamas or via email to info@bdobahamas.com, or in default thereof, they may

be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Dated this 13th day of July, 2023

GEORGE CLIFFORD CULMER Liquidator

NOTICE

FIELD OF LIGHTS LTD.

Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration Number 207226 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 12th day of July, A.D. 2023.

Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Augusto Cesar Carsalade Vieira, whose address is Rua Da Luz Serena, 410, Casa, Vale Dos Cristais Nova Lima / MG, CEP 34008062, Nova Lima - Brazil. Persons having a Claim against the abovenamed Company are required on or before the 11th day of August, A.D. 2023 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.

Dated this 12th day of July, A.D. 2023.

Augusto Cesar Carsalade Vieira Liquidator

HOT SUMMER SEES DEMAND SOARING FOR WATER SUPPLIES

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN bottled water supplier said summer sales are good with “demand high”, despite a fear of a shortage of one gallon bottles. Christian Knowles, Aquapure’s chief of operations, told Tribune Business that the shortage of one gallon bottles on the island is temporary and the supply chain bottlenecks for Aquapure, at least, would be sorted out by next week at the very latest.

Mr Knowles was responding to Tribune Business queries that some bottled water suppliers were registering a shortage of one gallon bottles, which he confirmed to be the matter for most of the industry but refused to speak on behalf of the industry as a whole.

Mr Knowles said: “I understand some of the other companies may be having some issues, which is why I think the public is feeling a big shortage on the market. We all have our issues. So you know, we just fix them and we move forward.

“One of the things that we had a problem with in the last couple of weeks is our raw materials and our one gallon supply chain has been somewhat diminished due to machinery issues, but the supply chain is still there. It’s just not as much as it was.”

As a result of the supply chain challenges, Aquapure has to now “allocate” and ration one gallon bottle supplies to long-standing customers and Family Island customers first.

“We’re certainly in a situation definitely with that size where we see how much we have to go around and

make decisions or where they go,” Mr Knowles said. He added: “In an ideal world our supply chain would be as robust as it usually is and satisfy more people, but we’ve just been in a little bit of a difficult spot now but hopefully within the next week or two we should have that supply chain back to where we’re accustomed to. These things happen and we have gone through these things in the past and we deal with it as it comes.”

This hotter than usual summer has prompted health authorities to issue hydration advisories to

residents and it has sparked a spike in demand for water supplies. “It’s just a matter of having the right schedule and making sure that when we plan to do certain sizes that we do the right amounts before we get on to another size. We can’t fill all the same sizes all the same time we have to switch the lines over,” Mr Knowles said.

Mr Knowles assured that Aquapure is committed to “dealing with these issues in stride”, and ensuring customers are satisfied. Despite the concern over the one gallon bottle shortage in the market generally,

‘Every little bit helps’ as ship resumes sailings

FROM PAGE A20

have on the boat, but a lot of people actually go out on tours and all that sort of stuff so it does make a difference and every little bit helps.”

Chief executive officer of Margaritaville at Sea

Kevin Sheehan Jr said in a Caribbean Journal article that the first cruise is a testament to the strength of Margaritaville, which is a chain of hotels and bars

owned by iconic recording artist Jimmy Buffett.

“It shows the strength of the Margaritaville brand and our loyal customer base, who are excited about our new experiences and the laid-back vibes of Margaritaville at Sea,” said Mr Sheehan.

Comparing the Balearia, Mr Carey said that the Balearia is “not a cruise ship”, and is more of a ferry despite Bahamians using it as much as the

Margaritaville to go to Florida to do their shopping. “I don’t know how the Balearia is price wise, and it is certainly not good for businesses on the island that people do that but it is what it is.”

Meanwhile, the war of words between the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and the government with the latter trying to force the former to “divest” its shares is continuing, and the lingering fight

Unions link up to protest Atlantis shop steward firing

FROM PAGE A20

we leave no stone unturned in having this matter resolved post haste.”

Last week, members of the BHCAWU protested in front of the Department of Labour after Ms Adderley was fired, reportedly for inciting and gross insubordination.

Yesterday, Darrin Woods, president of BHCAWU, insisted Atlantis management had no evidence to support their actions and therefore rallied other trade unions stand in support of Ms Adderley and the BHCAWU.

He said: “We’ve called this press conference today for one particular reason and that is to show the country at large that the labour in this country is united and uniting behind the workers in this country because what has happened to Ms Princess Adderley is a sad day in this country.

“Because these are some of the things that our forefathers fought for persons who would stand up for the rights of others. It’s fine for someone to be disciplined, okay. But also with that discipline, there has to

come some explanation and proof thereof. Once, Miss Adderley would have been suspended and returned from the suspension. There was an obligation on management to produce the evidence to support what they did. Well they did not and then they move for termination.”

Mr Woods said he has liaised with both local and international trade unions and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) will be corresponding with the government and the International Labour Organization (ILO) about the termination. He added the unions will be agitating for legislative changes to protect employees rights and ensure union access to employees.

He said: “And so we have called on our affiliate headed by Miss Belinda Wilson, and also the other labour union, the NCTUB, which has had been headed by Mr Dwayne Woods. Of course it is an affiliation of mine. And also the TUB, Mr Obie Ferguson said that he was in court, he’s going to

be on his way. We have also called on our international affiliates, the IUF, who is going to be sending a communication to the ILO and also the government of The Bahamas, and the Minister of Labour in this regard.

“We believe if we sit down and allow this to happen with the chief shop steward right, trouble is going to come, because in some spheres, we still have officers of the union who are employed. And for us, we believe that the time has come and is long overdue for legislation to protect unions, union officers and the like in this country.”

Mr Woods said the BHCAWU filed a dispute with the Department of Labour last week and requested an appeal from Atlantis on Tuesday.

He said: “A dispute was filed at the Department of Labour on the day of the incident. And we’ve also launched our official request for an appeal, which was done on Tuesday of this week. And we’re waiting on them to get back to us.”

is still unsettling businesses on the island.

Mr Carey said: “Getting the GBPA to divest their shares to somebody else makes no sense. A shareholder is a shareholder; a privately owned company is a privately owned company.

“Right now, we know this crew. But we don’t know who the other prospective buyers are and what they would be able to offer the island.”

Whether the government’s claims are true that the GBPA owing the government millions of dollars being true, is still unclear.

“I asked the president of the GBPA very pointedly on if the government has made claim on the GBPA during the existence of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and nothing has ever been claimed. So 60 years later, it’s a little tough to say that you owe me money,” said Mr Carey.

Aquapure will have its supply chain challenge sorted out within the next two weeks. The disruption of a holiday week with a day of production lost also caused issues.

Meanwhile, the Tampico Juice line is also in high demand and has picked up as renovations to the Tampico plant were completed earlier in the year in anticipation for this summer period. “We have revamped all of our equipment and we are back online now,” Mr Knowles assured.

The structure of the GBPA has changed significantly over the past ten years, particularly with the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Freeport, which by its nature is supposed to be a tax free zone in addition to Freeport paying real property taxes and other taxes that should not apply. “The government imposed them and its being done, in addition to business license fees on top of the GBPA licence fees. The GBPA does not have that exclusive, quasi government operational authority they once had,” Mr Carey added.

NON-STOP

FROM PAGE A20

For Eleuthera business owners such as Chris Cates, owner of the Lumber Shed, the increased airlift into Eleuthera is welcome as the tourism and real estate markets on the island are “on the upswing”.

He said: “There’s a really high demand in Harbour Island in particular for the international traveler and Governor’s Harbour, that whole area is really taken off. And, boy, that’s a big boost.

“This summer lasted longer than it typically has, there are a lot of people going up and down and we see a lot of rental cars. I think Eleuthera in general is very much on the upswing and real estate here. We have realtors who say that they’ve never seen such a high demand. So it’s all good. It’s all positive.”

Mr Cates noted the tourism market in the country is now thriving year-round and not only during winter months. He added that the tourism industry in South Eleuthera has declined over time, however he remains optimistic that with increased development airlift and visitors will return to the area.

FLIGHTS

FROM MIAMI TO ELEUTHERA TO START IN 2024

He said: “I really think that in general tourism in The Bahamas has moved beyond the winter tourist season to sort of a year-round tourist season. Granted during the summer, the number of tourists you see is less, there’s still a lot of movement.”

“Rock Sound used to be the premier destination for international travelers. And unfortunately, over time, we lost that edge. And there’s a lot going on here in South Eleuthera. You know, we have the hope that will turn around and we’ll get into international airlift back in here again.”

As a part of the government’s Family Island Airports Renaissance Programme, the Rock Sound Airport is slated to receive $18m in upgrades.

Mr Cates questioned if development or airlift to an area should come first and noted the biggest challenge in accommodating international flights into Rock Sound is the lack of fuel vendors.

He said: “What’s interesting about airlift is that it’s like the chicken and the egg. Do you get the airlift before you have the resorts or is the resorts the impetus for the airlift?

“Our biggest challenge I think is fuel. We do not have a fuel vendor in in Rock Sound. That’s a challenge for most international airlines. They want a destination where they can refuel if it’s absolutely necessary or by choice. We’re hoping something will change.”

Mr Cates added that South Eleuthera has major developments underway such as Disney Lighthouse Point and the $200m revival of Cotton Bay Club. He added that the new developments and increased international flights are exciting changes for the island.

He said: “We have Disney doing the lighthouse project that doesn’t require much airlift, but there are a lot of professionals who are associated with that organisation and travel back and forth and then of course, Cotton Bay and the redevelopment of that resort.

“I’m glad to hear that something is happening for Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour, it’s all positive. That’s something to look forward to.”

Stay at home or go to work?

Making the call to become a stayat-home parent is a big decision. While there is no right or wrong call in this decision-making process, the mother and father of the child must weigh the answer on what works best for you and your family. If you're on the fence about making the transition from working parent to stay-at-home parent, there are some key considerations to ponder. Weigh the pros and cons to decide which role is right for you. Our article today focuses attention on the benefits to making this decision. Here are the top eight of them:

FERGUSON IAN

There is simply no better caretaker for your child than you. With the world

as demented as it can sometimes be, parents are oftentimes better off taking care of their own children. No amount of nanny-cam can make up for a child’s broken skull at the cruel hands of a mean babysitter. You will suffer less stress knowing that your child is safe and there will e fewer regrets of the key milestones you might have missed. The first five years of a child’s life are referred to as the formative years. In these years, children learn about 75 percent of what they will ever know throughout the course of their lives. It is during these years that you want

to be near to nurture, train, teach and model the values, knowledge and behaviors you want your child to live with for the rest of their lives. Why stress about work when you can always go back. Work will always be there, but the infancy and toddler stages of your child’s development cannot be recaptured. Make it count where it matters the most.

If your spouse can afford to manage the financial responsibilities of the home and are comfortable doing so, this arrangement might work beautifully for your family. Naturally, two salaries are better than one, but

a most simple life with less luxuries might be the wise trade-off in this instance.

Research indicates that more employers are open to allowing parents to take unpaid sabbaticals for the purpose of study or parenting. Talk to your HR teams and determine how long you might get the ‘get out of work’ card?

The recent global pandemic has recently demonstrated that work can be quite effectively done anywhere. If your job allows you a work from home options or even a hybrid one, you should definitely explore the opportunities.

For some families, finances play a big part

in the decision to have one parent stay at home. Childcare is expensive. Depending on how much mom or dad makes, paying for daycare or a full-time sitter can eat up almost every dollar of your paycheck. That doesn’t include, food, gas and your work wardrobe, as well as the time and energy it takes you to transport your child to daycare. In other words, sometimes it's just plain cheaper for you to stay home with the kids rather than to work outside of the home.

Whatever you choose, make the decision about you and your family.

need to not let things fall into disrepair.”

The lighthouse is already open to the public and tourists, with gift shops adding value to ERLS efforts to develop long-term

sustainability. “We’re thinking about how we’re going to pass this on to the next generation and we’re starting to think about creating archives and taking everything we’ve learned and writing it down and having everything organised so

that the next generation would have this history of this whole project,” Ms Forde-Prosa said.

Ms Forde-Prosa added:

“The tourists are visiting throughout the week from the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday and it’s

closed on Sunday because the keepers deserve to have a day of rest. “We have two retail stores that fund what we do. So all of the money that comes in through out retail stores is directed at the project. We have one by the lighthouse and one by the town side.”

The lighthouse has become “quite the attraction”, on the island for locals and tourists alike and

has boosted the spirits of the town after Hurricane Dorian had broken the hearts of the people. “To the people that live here, to

CALL

THE WEATHER REPORT

see it decimated by a hurricane and to see it restored just goes to the hearts of everyone who lives here,” she said.

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Unions link up to protest Atlantis shop steward firing

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

TRADE unions joined forces to send a “strong message” to the government and Atlantis about the firing of the resort’s chief shop steward last week.

Belinda Wilson, president of the Bahamas National Alliance of Trade Union Congress (BNATUC), which comprises of six unions and two associations and president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) said she is standing behind the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) and warned the government will feel the “strength” of the unions if they dismiss their concerns.

She said: “Today, we are here in solidarity with our brother, Darren Woods from the hotel union, and we’re going to send a strong message to the government, that when you touch one, you touch all.

“And it is a sad day in this country, that we have to fight so hard to have rights of our workers. And we’ve fought already. We have laws, we have processes and procedures, we asking them to follow it.

“And it seems as though the government bows to the foreign entities. This is The Bahamas. And we are saying to you, if you can’t hear you will surely feel… the power, the strength of the trade union movement in this Bahamas.”

Dwayne Woods, president of the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union (BUWASU) and President of the National Congress of Trade Union Bahamas (NCTUB), which is comprised of nine unions, described the firing of the union officer as a “sad day” for the labour movement and called for stakeholders to settle the dispute fairly.

He said: “This is a sad day in the labor movement to see that an officer of a union can be terminated. I’ve never seen this in my 35 years of experience in the union business. This is a creature that we will not allow to come in to The Bahamas.

“So I’m calling on the stakeholders of the hotel industry to resolve this problem post haste and even extend the stakeholding as far as the government to see that the honourable thing is done in this matter, because this particular matter transcends beyond all congressional boundaries. And

Non-stop flights from Miami to Eleuthera to start in 2024

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

AMERICAN Airlines announced yesterday they will be offering non-stop flights from Miami to Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, beginning next year. The new service will commence on February 3 and offer flights twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The move will make American Airlines the only US carrier that offers non-stop flights into Governor’s Harbour and expands its Bahamas offerings to 14 daily departures to six destinations.

Juan Carlos Liscano, vice president of MIA hub operations, said the airline is proud to provide services to both domestic and international customers and invest in their Latin American and Caribbean network.

He said: “With a more than 30 year-history at Miami International Airport, American is proud to serve as the hometown airline, providing our

$1m lighthouse restoration aims for November finish

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society (ERLS) plans to finish the restoration of its historic lighthouse by November.

Heather Forde-Prosa, president of the society, told Tribune Business that restoration efforts are costing more than $1m. They have already completed significant restoration efforts from crack repairs to masonry work along with repainting the lighthouse with silicate paint which would allow the tower to “breathe”, and further protects the masonry for years to come.

Ms Forde-Prosa said this work would not have been made possible had it not been for the generosity of the US Embassy and a $472,000 grant. “I would say that the US Embassy has done us a huge service

by helping us to repair our lighthouse. I’d also say that when reflected on Bahamian independence, the country must try to maintain these structures,” Ms Forde-Prosa said. Without the support from the US Embassy, the lighthouse restoration efforts would be a “struggle”, because the fundraising would not have been enough to complete all of the projected $1m worth of restoration required. She added: “There are 11 British Imperial Lighthouses and this is the only one that’s been restored and we know how you know how to do it and we know how to have fun. We can pass off our information to others who might want to their lighthouses restored in The Bahamas. After the British handed over these lighthouses... we SEE PAGE A19

AMERICAN Airlines has announced its plans to introduce non-stop flights from Miami to Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, starting in February next year.

customers with an unparalleled network that includes unique destinations like Governor’s Harbour, Bahamas; Anguilla; and Sacramento, California.

“Next winter, we’re proud to continue to invest in the undisputed gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, a true point of pride for our more than 14,000 locally-based team members.”

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‘Every little bit helps’ as ship resumes sailings

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president said “every little bit helps”, as the Margaritaville at Sea resumed sailing to the island from Florida.

James Carey, told Tribune Business that the resumption of sailing of the Margaritaville at Sea to Grand Bahama means Bahamians would have an additional option of getting to the US as well as bringing their shopping back to Grand Bahama, which is “always a good thing”.

Mr Carey also said: “It brings in people on a day

trip and the tourists that come, they fan out into the community for the most part and get some experience in Grand Bahama.

“Some people stay on the boat and enjoy the food and pool and whatever they

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ELBOW REEF LIGHTHOUSE

JAMES CAREY

FROM L to R: Sheila Burrows, Darrin Woods, Belinda Wilson and Dwayne Woods.

$5.60 $5.63 $5.70 $5.71