07202023 NEWS AND SPORT

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Volume: 120 No.137, July 20, 2023

‘LAW IS IGNORED OVER CONTRACTS’

Contractor chief says government failing to publish as required

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Contractors Association President Leonard Sands slammed the government’s continued failure to publish contract awards under the Public Procurement Act.

A revised version of the law requires the government to disclose the name

and address of winning bidders, the procuring entity, the procurement selection method and the award amount within 60 days of the contract award.

Mr Sands said the Davis administration is choosing not to comply with the requirement.

“The government and the minister of public works by

SEE PAGE THREE

MAN WALKING IN PINEWOOD GARDENS SHOT AND KILLED

POLICE are investigating after a man was shot dead in the area of Cascarilla and Wild Guava Streets, Pinewood Gardens last night, which marked the country’s 59th murder for the year.

Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson said that shortly after 8pm, police received information that

a man had been shot.

“The male was walking in this area when the occupants of a small silver Japanese vehicle pulled along aside him,” Chief Supt Johnson said. “One male exited that vehicle and opened fire on the victim, shooting him multiple times.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE House of Assembly descended into chaos as Obie Wilchcombe thwarted Michael Pintard’s efforts to discuss the

release of Chinese nationals working with work permit “irregularities” at the British Colonial Hotel in January.

Mr Wilchcombe demanded Mr Pintard stick to the topic of yesterday’s House of Assembly debate:

the Governor General’s Volunteer Society Bill, 2023.

“You do not have the ability to muzzle me,” Mr Pintard told Mr Wilchcombe.

House Speaker Patricia Deveaux sided with Mr

PINTARD STILL WAITING ON LIST ON DISCLOSURES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard said he is still waiting for Victor Cooper, the Public Disclosure Commission chairman, to reveal who failed to disclose their assets, income and liabilities this year.

Bishop Cooper told The

Tribune last week that many senators and senior civil servants failed to follow the law. He said he sent a letter to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Mr Pintard with the names of those who failed to comply.

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.

Mr Pintard said he had received nothing yet.

“We have also formally written to him to get the information just so that we can also encourage and challenge colleagues to submit if only the initial information because the

Wilchcombe, saying: “Honourable member, we are not talking about immigration today.”

It is not uncommon for elected officials to discuss matters unrelated to the bill

‘You can’t muzzle me’ says FNM leader in House row

Goombay Summer Festival returns

By: MIA GARDNER

AFTER a decade-plus hiatus, the Goombay Summer Festival is returning to New Providence.

The event will be held on Friday, July 28, between Rawson Square and Charlotte Street.

The Goombay Summer Festival has been held on Family Islands in the past ten years. It will be returning to Exuma, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, North and Central Andros, South Andros, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Cat Island, Long Island, and San Salvador.

Tourism director general Latia Duncombe said: “Prepare yourself for an unparalleled celebration of our culture. Goombay will showcase the very best

in Rake and Scrape, Bahamian cuisine, refreshing beverages, and cherished traditions over the course of the three weeks.”

“Entertainment over the next few weeks will be spectacular. Goombay dancers will be back on Bay. There will be a section for you to come, see, enjoy and also explore. Something new will happen every week.”

Performers include Sweet Emily, D-Mac, Solo, The Obeah Man (Junkanoo Tingz), Gary McDonald, Shine, Lady E, Blaudy, Nishie LS and Geno D. Attendees can partake in activities such as ring play, Nassau trivia and limbo.

STATE FUNERAL SET FOR GAIL SAUNDERS

A STATE-recognised funeral service will be held for Dr Diane Gail Saunders, CB, OBE, on Friday at 11am at Christ Church Cathedral. The celebrated Bahamian historian, who was last year named as a companion to the Order of The Bahamas, died on June 30 aged 79. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said her

death “was a great loss to our nation”.

A viewing in repose for the general public will be held from 12.30pm-5pm on Thursday at Bethel Brothers Morticians, Nassau Street. The funeral service will

TOURISM Director General Latia Duncombe, along with Senator Randy Rolle, and Nikki Simmons, announced the return of Goombay Summer Festival to Bay Street.

Photos: Mia Gardner

DR. Gail Saunders

‘Law is ignored over contracts’

choice are deciding to break the law,” he said. “The law says what should happen and they do not do what the act and the law says.”

Mr Sands said the law is flawed because it imposes no penalty for non-disclosure.

“That’s why the Public Procurement Act didn’t go far enough,” he said. “They already foresaw that they could abuse it, because if you don’t have a penalty, what’s the purpose of me

adhering to a law? If someone tells you you could only drive 50mph, but if you drive 60mph nothing happens, you gon’ drive 60mph.”

“Many times the government itself is the one that abuses situations in the country. They should ensure the public is aware who is awarded contracts so they could be seen to be fair.”

Davis administration officials did not answer questions about the matter before press time yesterday.

Financial Secretary

Simon Wilson said in April that the government would publish contract awards when the reporting capacity of its procurement system is improved. The government launched the Go Bonfire Platform procurement portal last year. Mr Wilson said officials were back filing information on the new system. The status of those efforts is unclear. Mr Sands, however, said notifying the public of contract awards should not be complicated. “Somebody,” he said, “had to sign a document.

You know exactly who that person was who signed it, okay? All of the things they tell you are garbage responses to their intention to willfully hide information from the public.” Concern about the lack of transparency over procurement processes has persisted for years, a problem the law was designed to cure.

“The law has no effect,” Mr Sands claimed. “The Public Procurement Act and its improvements have no effect. The same things that were going on prior

to the act being in place continues.” He said contractors do not expect much from the government.

“Contractors know that, at the end of the day, the persons who the government and or the minister and or whoever wants to have that contract, will have that contract. There’s nothing to do with whether they follow all the protocols of the Public Procurement Act. That’s the sentiment across the board.”

In its 2022 Investment Climate Statement report

on The Bahamas, the US Bureau of Economic and Affairs highlighted procurement issues.

“The government passed a Public Procurement Act and launched an e-procurement and suppliers registry system in 2021. While the registry system is in place, the Public Procurement Act has yet to be fully implemented. Companies complain that the tender process for public contracts is inconsistent and allege it is difficult to obtain information on the status of bids,” the US agency said.

BCA PRESIDENT S AYS GOVT IGNORING BA H A MI A N L ABOUR WHEN SIGNING DE A LS WITH FOREIGN COMPA NIES

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Contractors Association President Leonard Sands said when the Davis administration released Chinese nationals to work at the British Colonial Hotel in January despite their work permit irregularities, it ignored whether Bahamians could do the jobs.

Immigration officers loaded buses with Chinese nationals on January 17 after finding they lacked work permits, according to Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard.

He said Immigration Minister Keith Bell intervened to release the people, upsetting senior immigration officials.

Mr Bell told reporters on Tuesday that “it was determined” that taking the people to the detention centre for processing was unnecessary.

He said the Heads of Agreement between the government and hotel operators allowed temporary foreign construction workers to work in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said in November that an agreement for the renovation of the Hilton resort was

established. However, the document was never publicly released. Officials did not respond to The Tribune’s request for the agreement yesterday.

Mr Sands said: “The first question has to be, what are the nature of those works that no Bahamian could do, and the Department of Labour and minister of immigration thought that the property owner should be granted a permit to do?”

“Were there persons in The Bahamas that could do the work? The Department of Labour don’t know the skills in the country. When they even review applications without our consideration, they already giving the answer that the person is going to get the permit.

“The Department of Labour was not even in a position to answer the question as to, do you need these persons to be granted permission because there are no persons in country? How do you answer that question without speaking to the stakeholders who can tell you yes or no?”

The revelation about the release of the Chinese nationals comes after the Davis administration has repeatedly taken hardline positions on work permits.

NATION

A L REPA R ATIONS COMMITTEE CONSIDERS A PPROACHING UN INTERN ATION A L COURT OF JUSTICE FOR OPINION ON COMPENS ATION

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas National Reparations Committee supports approaching the United Nation’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an opinion on securing reparations for slavery.

Ralph Gonsalves, head of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), said the body is considering approaching the ICJ for a legal opinion on getting compensation from ten European countries over slavery.

Dr Niambi Hall

Campbell-Dean, head of the Bahamian reparations committee, said yesterday:

“The committee, yeah, that’s definitely an approach that has been discussed in the CARICOM reparations commission. The commission is now in its tenth year, and so they’ve engaged bodies through letters.”

“You know, we’ve seen an apology from the Dutch monarchy, but that was not really backed up with any formal form of reparations. So as the United Nations has designated the transatlantic slave trade and the genocide of the native peoples of this land as crimes against humanity, I agree

that it is the next logical step in the reparation movement.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis recently affirmed the government’s commitment to getting reparations from the United Kingdom, though many believe this is a long shot.

Mr Davis said he conversed with King Charles III about the matter and the monarch responded by highlighting scholarship opportunities.

“I can tell you that we are committed to reparations, not just for the transatlantic slave issue,” he said last week. “In fact, we recommitted ourselves at our last

Heads meeting last week in Trinidad.”

“There was a question of reparations. We had last year written to the UK government, to the Netherlands government, to the Portugal government stating our case in respect to reparations, insofar as the slave trade is concerned.”

“We have now the apologies of the Anglican church, the Anglican Communion in England — they did their study that’s been published, recognised their role in it. Some families, wealthy families in England have now taken up the cause to assist in promoting reparations.”

IMMIGRATION Minister Keith Bell caught flack over the release of Chinese workers for British Colonial Hlton that had undisclosed ‘irregularities’ without explaination.

BAH AMAS Contractors Association President Leonard Sands slammed the government’s continued failure to publish contract awards under the Public Procurement Act.

As illicit fentanyl is rising experts hope to prevent a crisis in The Bahamas

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

AS illicit fentanyl use rises in The Bahamas, experts hope to prevent a crisis.

“Over the past three years, we’ve noticed a trend in positive fentanyl cases in our toxicology section and we’ve been monitoring that,” said Police Chief Superintendent Earl Thompson, director of the police force’s Scientific Support Services, during a press conference yesterday. “We realised that from 2018 we’ve had six deaths that can be attributed to illicit fentanyl. Out of those six persons that would have died, two of them were Bahamians.”

Police Chief Superintendent Roberto Tyrone Goodman, officer-in-charge of the Drug Enforcement Unit, added: “In the last five years, we’ve seen an increase of these pills imported into the country. We’ve also seen these pills used around places like nightclubs and parties and when we execute search warrants on various residents in our country.

“We have young persons who were arrested by my office, the Drug Enforcement Unit. When I would follow up on the facts, they discovered that they executed search warrants on a resident. They met inside the residence, persons making tablets. They have almost like a dispensary, like a clandestine lab inside of their residence. There was a pill press machine along with fillers and what they’re doing is that they are taking these depressants and these painkillers and they are adding them and they are crushing them. They also take in the empty capsules and fill in those empty

capsules. “We found many cases of this, I think about three so far, between last year and this year. And that’s why we have to be so careful of when we take in these capsules, because the capsules inside, when we took them to our forensic lab, they contained cocaine filled inside of these empty capsules. So that’s something we want the public to be aware of.

“During some of our investigations, we found that some of the physicians, I can say are not really too clean, and we know we have corrupt persons in our society who are distributing or dispensing these to persons or prescribing these to persons in our society and that’s something we have to be mindful of. We don’t want our nation to be destroyed because of this drug use and we’ve seen fentanyl. It is here.”

Fentanyl is prescribed to treat severe pain, typically from acute traumatic pain or advanced cancer. Illicit fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. Officials say just two milligrams or a drug tablet can be lethal.

Officials said amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act and the Pharmacy Act are needed so first responders and medical facilities can address the problem. Currently, hospitals and clinics do not have the necessary resources.

“The challenge is that our first responders are not equipped with the resources to deal with opiate overdose,” said Dr Cyprian Collie, a forensic toxicologist in the Scientific Support Services of the police force.

“So let’s not wait until we have a string of ten, 20, 30 deaths.”

Dr Kirk Christie, head of addiction services at

Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, said first responders and doctors could treat illicit Fentanyl use with an intranasal Narcan naloxone nasal spray.

“I’ve spoken with other persons in the community, the head of ambulance services and expressed my concerns so that it is made

available in the community, but we also need self-awareness,” he said.

Mr Christie said signs of illicit fentanyl could be unusual snoring and respiratory issues.

Andrea Johnson-Thompson lost her son in August to illicit fentanyl use.

“My son, Dre, I have

never seen my son take a pill from the day he was born to him leaving home, even when in pain getting his braces,” she said.

“I would say, ‘Come on baby, take a Panadol.’ He hated it. So I don’t understand.

“I continue to pray. I will not stop until justice is

served for my son. It won’t bring him back. But I have four younger sons who are suffering. My pain is exacerbated because not only did I lose Dre, and so suddenly he was snatched from me, but my four other sons are in so much pain and I can’t take their pain away. It’s unbearable.”

GB NUMBERS FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS SEE INCREASE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama is on track to record more sexually transmitted infections this year than in 2022.

Grand Bahama has recorded 28 sexually transmitted cases up to July 15, including six cases of gonorrhoea, six cases of Chlamydia, seven cases of syphilis and nine cases of HIV.

In all of 2022, there were 39 recorded sexually transmitted cases.

The Grand Bahama Health Services’

obstetrics and gynaecology department held a free pap smear campaign and HPV vaccine administration event on Saturday in partnership with Grand Bahama Power Company.

Dr Siada Bowe, a gynaecologist, said this was the second screening event for women this year, a response to the concerning trend of higher STI cases.

“This time, we decided to provide full comprehensive screening for women by also including screenings for STIs and HIV rapid testing,” she said. “In terms of STIs, we

are screening women ages 21 to 45 years because we know that is the age group where we can find an increase in the number of STIs,” she said.

Dr Bowe stressed that screening is important because cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in low to middle-income countries.

“We want to make sure as many women are screened and have access to screening because sometimes funds may be a factor as to why persons are not being screened,” she said.

DR SIADA BOWE, a Gynaecologist, reported there has been an increase in sexually transmitted infections in the public health system in Grand Bahama.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

POLICE Chief Superintendent Earl Thompson, director of the police force’s Scientific Support Services along with a group of experts and officials spoke during a press conference as the use of illicit fentanyl rises in The Bahamas, experts hope to prevent a crisis by spreading awareness.

Photo: Austin Fernander

‘You can’t muzzle me’ says FNM leader in House row

from page one

being debated, and they are usually allowed to do so.

Nonetheless, Speaker Deveaux said: “Members, y’all take full advantage in coming to this place and disgracing the floor by speaking on whatever you want to speak about other than what is presented

before us, and it’s a disrespect to this place and a disrespect to the people of this country.”

Mr Pintard did not relent. He accused the Speaker of employing double standards.

“I’ve addressed the issue of the bill before us,” he said. “There are other matters that I wish to address

on behalf of the Bahamian people and the people of Marco City. I reserve the right to do so. Every member of this House.” Speaker Deveaux tried to regain control of proceedings, but Mr Pintard and Mr Wilchcombe continued shouting across the floor of the lower chamber.

The Speaker shouted

“members” three times before telling the sergeant at arms to get ready to intervene.

“The next one who raises their voice in here, the next one who gets up out of context in here, will be going down the red carpet,” she said.

At that point, three officers gathered inside the

chamber, waiting for permission to intervene.

Ultimately, Mr Pintard was not removed, and the House was suspended until next week.

Mr Pintard later expressed disappointment in the Speaker’s handling of the situation.

“This is my second term in parliament,” he said.

“I’ve heard both sides address a bill and talk about other matters that were relevant to the development of our people. In fact, I’ve heard members not address the bill and address other issues and were given latitude in the past and under this Speaker so what they did to me was wrong and egregious.”

PINTARD STILL WAITING ON LIST ON DISCLOSURES

from page one

way it is structured, you can submit information if there are things that are missing,” he said.

“But again, no, I have not received any information, and so it’s hopeful that the chairman would send it.”

Mr Pintard said FNM members have complied with the law.

“The chair ought to reveal and if there are persons who have not submitted items, they ought to write them specifically so that it could be remedied and so we’re concerned,” he said. “Historically, there have not been enforcement.”

“In all respect, all of us should step up what we do, how we behave, how we govern and if you have made a mistake or misstep, correct it and get on with the business of representing people because this issue is a distraction.”

MAN WALKING IN PINEWOOD GARDENS SHOT AND KILLED

POLICE at the scene of the country’s 59th murder in Pinewood Gardens last night where a “male was walking in this area when the occupants of a small silver Japanese vehicle pulled along aside him,” Chief Supt Johnson said. “One male exited that vehicle and opened fire on the victim, shooting him multiple times.”

from page one

“He succumbed on the scene,” Chief Supt Johnson said.

Chief Supt Johnson appealed to members of the community if they have any information related to the incident to

contact the police. Meanwhile, police also reported a shooting last night around the same time of a man in the area of John Road and Hospital Lane. According to reports, the man was taken to the hospital by emergency medical services.

THE House of Assembly descended into chaos as Obie Wilchcombe thwarted Michael Pintard’s efforts to discuss the release of Chinese nationals working with work permit “irregularities” at the British Colonial Hotel in January.

Photo: Moise Amisial

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard said he is still waiting for Victor Cooper, the Public Disclosure Commission chairman, to reveal who failed to disclose their assets, income and liabilities this year.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Photo: Austin Fernander

The Tribune Limited

Govt avoidance of answer on irregularities telling

IT IS worth noting the defensiveness currently taking place over the Chinese workers who were released from custody after the intervention of Immigration Minister Keith Bell despite irregularities in their status.

First, Mr Bell – while confirming that irregularities were discovered among Hilton workers – declined to answer any questions from reporters on the matter.

His seemingly prepared statement said that it was determined that detaining the workers was unnecessary – while not identifying who made that decision or how it was arrived at.

He said that the irregularities were “expeditiously cured by the employer” although any business that deals with work permit applications will know that the word expeditious seldom describes dealing with the department concerned.

And he said that the completion of works at the hotel “will address and add critically needed hotel rooms on New Providence and create additional employment and opportunities for Bahamians”. Well, so will any resort – does everyone else get a pass over irregularities as long as they’re building new hotel rooms?

The FNM have rightly raised questions on the matter – but when party leader Michael Pintard attempted to raise those questions in Parliament, he was told by Speaker Patricia Deveaux “we are not talking about immigration today”.

Mr Pintard pressed his case – claiming the Speaker was employing double standards.

Debate often wanders from the matter at hand – indeed, during his Budget contribution, Mr Bell managed to find time to blast the new cruise port, saying it was the worst deal in history, rather than the line items in the Budget itself.

The Speaker called on the sergeant at arms to prepare to intervene – but in the end the House was suspended instead. The questions about the release of the Chinese workers went unanswered.

Given the opportunity to answer questions by reporters, and given the chance to answer Opposition concerns in the House, the government has chosen not to do so, it would seem.

That simply raises even further questions about the matter – more broadly as well, with the president

of the contractors association now adding his own concerns about a situation which seems to favour some projects over others. Is everyone to benefit from this new laissez-faire approach to work permit irregularities? If not, then why does one benefit ahead of others?

That government does not seem to want to answer such questions is very telling.

Banks

A frustrated traveller contacted The Tribune yesterday to lament that despite their bank being informed ahead of time of their journey, they found their cards had been blocked when they attempted to use them on arriving at their destination.

In trying to speak to a representative at the particular bank concerned, The Tribune found a telephone number that rang, and rang … and rang.

Many Bahamians will have heard similar tales. Banking problems are a common woe. The Tribune has also recently heard from residents in Andros who have experienced issues with banking there and access to cash.

Across the Family Islands, there have been a number of issues with banking facilities closing, while in New Providence, the number of services available at the bank counter seems to be ever-diminishing.

There are other issues too – The Tribune recently spoke to people in two separate cases with two different banks where efforts to secure a mortgage took more than a year in each case, despite there being no significant irregularities on the part of the client to overcome.

The Tribune finds itself agreeing with PLP chairman Fred Mitchell, no less, who has also called for some form of action to improve services. Back in the House in April, he too was lamenting those telephones that always ring and are never answered.

The most frustrating thing for many is that even when a customer takes every step required to make things as simple as possible for a bank – as with yesterday’s traveller – still they find themselves let down.

Bahamians really do deserve better banking services than they often receive.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

When the new year rolls in, for many persons of goodwill, it is a time of reflection, on the past year, and resolutions for the ensuing year, and positive projections, for guidance and plans for the immediate future, building on the past lessons learnt.

Many Bahamians are still shaking their heads, wondering where are we, after fifty years of independence, and more importantly, what can we expect in the next year. No one in his right mind would expect this government to have any plans or projections beyond 2023. Bahamas Games. That’s it. There was a time when governments had plans for the future. (I was a waiter at the East Hill Club, and, listened to the likes of Roland Symonette expound on what was planned for the future of the Bahamas). The UBP held their informal meetings at East Hill Club.

Maybe, on reflection, both political parties will acknowledge that when the youth of the country is busy with sporting activities crime is down”. Years when Softball and Baseball were King. All crimes were down. Now the parks are empty. Crime is over the roof.

There was a time when New Providence was safe 24/7, for both residents and tourists. Bain Town, over the hill, including Kemp

Road, and Fox Hill. Is this something for our elected government to resolve a return to.

Is there any effort or plans, A resounding No!

But remember the late Basil Dean, Paul Thompson is still with us, does anybody seek his input.

Obviously I, am a child of the forties, and, have travelled all over the Bahamas, and after all these years, I know there are lots of things we should have done differently.

First off, there was a time when, we, through Austin Levy, and the Harrisville Company in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, supplied the entire Bahamas with eggs, milk, poultry and ice cream. In addition they created jobs for all of Eleuthera, even a bumbling teenager from Nassau, my hero Sugar Kid Campbell Dean.

Although the population was only some 79,000 at the time, the blueprint was there all we had to do was expand, (and what I would give for a cup of stiffirine). But what did we do, We destroyed it for political reasons.

The Silos are a reminder of what could have been.

Then, does anybody remember Sawyers tomato paste, and pigeon peas, I

do not know the fate of that operation, all I know was that it existed, and Eleuthera supplied tomatoes, maybe they needed a Government subsidy. Can it be revived? Who knows.

Then there was, my great friend the late Peter Bethell, who saw a future in red snappers, and tried to educate our fishermen, by procuring special boats with electric reels, and other equipment. A wasted effort with the boats dying on Potters Cay dock. A wasted effort lost on the Bahamas; but not on our neighbours to the south.

My good friend Etheric Bowe is heading an effort in backyard farming, this same thing that was offered in the columns of The Tribune, by a Mrs Higgs.

The gardening love affair, turned problematic when ladies of the houses, developed a love for lawns and flowering plants. Out went the love for lime and pepper trees along with pigeon peas, and cassava, and, in came the need to cut grass and trim hedges.

The Number one Sport in the country was softball. Then we demolished the Churchill Sports Stadium. What, became of our number one Sport?

My head is spinning, so let me stop, and, ask any other Old Timer what they think.

JEFFREY AUGUST Nassau, July 19, 2023.

EDITOR, The Tribune. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas recently celebrated our Golden Jubilee anniversary. It made us all proud.

I vividly remember March of this year when we were blacklisted by the European Union (EU). This affected us adversely economically, diplomatically and otherwise. In his first trip after our celebrations our Prime Minister (PM) Phillip “Brave” Davis has also made us all proud. According to local and international media, in a well received and

hard-hitting contribution at the plenary session of the third European UnionCommunity of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) summit in Brussels, Belgium, our PM “bravely” condemned that action. He outwardly accused the EU of being unfair and biased and challenged them to “take your economic feet off our necks…and to fulfill the commitments made to the Bahamas”.

Our PM is often derided about his frequent international trips, but this trip ably demonstrated that,

though small in size and population, the Bahamas is well prepared and able to speak out about injustices levied on smaller, mostly Caribbean, nations.

In conclusion, it’s my hope that after this magnificent contribution, our members of parliament, from both sides, and the general public, adorning both gold and red colours, will applaud his gallant efforts on behalf of our nation and fellow Caribbean brothers and sisters.

F BAIN Nassau, July 19, 2023.

ARNOLD

LAELYS ALAVEZ, of France, competes in the women’s solo free final of artistic swimming at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan yesterday.

Photo: David J. Phillip /AP

Tourism officials target amphibious aircraft sector numbers to double

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM officials forecast the arrival of 40,000 amphibious air passengers this year and are targeting the sector for growth.

Deputy director general of tourism

Dr Kenneth Romer said two operators provide most of the services: Coco Bahama Seaplanes and Tropic Ocean Airways.

“They have eight seats, and they have high demand

into Harbour Island, Kamalame Cay, Staniel Cay like the Exuma cays and Bimini,” he said of Coco Bahama Seaplanes.

“So, reasonably, they move between 10 to 15,000 passengers a year.”

“We do expect that

TEEN ACCUSED OF T WO MURDERS AND T WO ATT EMP T ED MURDERS REMANDED

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old is behind bars after he was accused of several murders and attempted murders in New Providence last month.

The killings included one during a home invasion on Palm Street and the fatal shooting of a man outside a store on Wulff Road.

Samuel Charles, aka “Man Boy”, was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder before Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley.

Charles faced additional charges of armed robbery, receiving, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition.

The accused allegedly approached Jermaine Hepburn outside a business establishment on Wulff Road around 9pm on June 17. After arguing with Hepburn, Charles allegedly shot and killed the 39-year-old victim.

Charles also reportedly shot and injured David Burrows and Lorenzo Payne during the same incident. He allegedly entered the residence of Eric Curtis, Jr, on Palm Street on June 19,

killing the 31-year-old man around 1.30am.

Charles also allegedly robbed Desiree Johnson of her grey coloured $3,500 Nissan Dualis at gunpoint on July 12.

Charles was arrested on July 14 after police reportedly found a gun with a banned black Austria Glock .40 pistol. The defendant was also allegedly found with seven unfired rounds of .40 ammunition.

The teenage defendant’s case will be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment to be served on October 24.

M AN ACCUSED OF ATTACKING WOMAN WI T H AXE AT CLINIC GRAN T ED BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail after he was accused of attacking a woman with an axe near South Beach Clinic on Monday.

Senior Magistrate

Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Alexander Cash, 51, with assault with a dangerous instrument and causing harm. Cash allegedly assaulted and injured Omaltesha Dean with an axe on July 17 on East Street South.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, Cash was granted bail at $5,000 with one or two sureties. He must sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station on the last Sunday of every month.

His trial begins on October 11.

TEEN ON S T EALING CHARGE ORDERED TO 350 HOURS OF COMMUNI T Y SERVICE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER was ordered to serve 350 hours of community service or risk four years in jail after stealing a flamingo charm earlier this week.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Lekende Silerin, 18, with robbery. Serville allegedly stole a $300 pink flamingo coin chain from Ronald Sylvester. After pleading guilty,

Silerin said he thought the coin was his that he had recently lost. Considering the man’s young age and early plea, the judge conditionally discharged him.

The defendant is expected to complete 350 hours of community service at New Providence Baptist Church. He is also mandated to attend counselling sessions at social services.

Another man was granted $6,000 bail yesterday after he was accused of stealing almost $5,000 from his

employers earlier this year.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Roland Decius, 33, with stealing by reason of employment. Decius allegedly stole $4,786 from ICS Security Concepts on Ivanhoe Road on January 11. This cash allegedly belonged to John Chea.

After pleading not guilty, Decius was informed that he must sign in at Carmichael Road Police Station every Sunday by 7pm. His trial begins on October 10.

number to double once demand continues to build, but it’s important because these are the ones coming into The Bahamas, very high-value passengers.”

He said Tropic Ocean Airways is based in

Florida, has eight seats and flies to New Providence, Great Harbour Cay, and Bimini.

In a press statement, Dr Romer said amphibious air services are a “prominent component” of the National Aviation Strategic Plan.

Temperature rise poses additional threat to sensitive coral reefs

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

CLIMATE change is causing heat that threatens the existence of coral reefs in the Bahamas.

Dr Adelle Thomas, a senior fellow at the University of The Bahamas’ Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Research Centre, said the summer temperatures that have frustrated residents have also been abnormally high for the country’s marine ecosystem.

Many Bahamian coral reefs have been affected by the stony coral tissue loss disease in recent years.

Climate change poses an additional threat.

“Coral reefs are very sensitive to changes in temperature,” Dr Thomas said.

“And so, this marine heatwave which is actually the most extreme heatwave that they’ve been tracking, at least in South Florida’s waters, which is very similar to ours, is absolutely having an affect on our coral reefs.”

“When coral reefs are exposed to heat, it causes them to bleach, which means that they lose all of their colour. And if they are in high temperatures for a long period of time, then they can also die off eventually.”

“We will be experiencing more of these marine heat

waves in the future, as climate change increases. So it’s something that increasingly will need to be on the government’s radar to monitor how the coral reefs are faring and then also to put in place measures afterwards if we do have high levels of coral mortality.”

Dr Thomas said the country lacks the tools to provide contemporary assessments of the heat’s impact on reefs. However, people could learn much from what researchers observe among Florida’s reefs.

The New York Times reported earlier this month that water temperatures in Florida have been as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit recently, disturbing experts.

LAYER OF SAHARAN DU S T WILL AFFECT T HE BAHAMA S BY THE WEEKEND

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS are urged to “safeguard their health” as a plume of Sahara dust moves over the south-east Bahamas. The Department of Meteorology said the dust will gradually move across the country this weekend. It warned the dust could be problematic for people

with allergies and respiratory issues.

“Sahara dust is made of sand, dirt, and other dust particles that are lifted into the atmosphere from the vast Sahara Desert in Africa,” the advisory said.

Acting director of meteorology Jeffrey Simmons told The Tribune the dust tends to appear around this time every year.

He said the dust has lingered around southeastern

islands for the past week, prompting some to complain about allergies.

“That’s the reason, you know, why we put out this warning alerting people about it, people who have these allergy issues or any respiratory issues so that they could, you know, be aware of the impact this could have on them for this weekend and possibly going into another week or two,” he said.

GROUP S HO L D PRAYER S E SS ION FOR COUNTRY IN R AW S ON SQUARE

Safety

A PRAYER session was held in Rawson Square last night by the Gang Reduction Intervention Programme and Bahamas Public Prayer Ministries. People were urged to wear Bahamian flag colours and to bring flags.

Photos: Austin Fernander

THE BAHAMAS

CORAL reefs under threat by stony coral tissue loss are now facing the additional threat of temperature rise on it’s ecosystem.

Revitalisation of Downtown Nassau requires consideration and vision

RENEWING the City of Nassau is a journey of selfdefinition and discovery: a recollection of history that informs our national longings and forward thinking.

The redevelopment of the City of Nassau should, in part, be driven by three master principles. First, Nassau’s recasting, while extending east to west, must also achieve greater depth by extending significantly south.

Second, the capital’s renewal requires a balance between its commercial, governmental and cultural impulses. Finally, though many proposed projects may take many years to materialise, especially in light of current economic restraints, they are integral to the planning process and should not be overwhelmed by myopic considerations and shorter-term interests.

A city’s architecture, especially the capital, chronicles a nation’s history and showcases its ambitions, priorities and dreams – and its conceits and failures.

Nassau’s cityscape is dominated by the towering complex of Atlantis which can be seen from numerous viewpoints throughout New Providence. What does this say about us as a nation?

It is not an easy question answerable in knee-jerk bromides against the “evils of tourism”.

Certainly, part of the answer will be discovered in how we re-imagine, renew and recast the City of Nassau, balancing our reliance on tourism with a deeper understanding of our heritage and history.

If our gross domestic ambition is an orgy of materialism fuelled by tourism receipts, the redevelopment of Nassau is a simple matter, mostly requiring the skills of Disneyesque fantasymakers who can help us

morph our capital into a theme park for those visitors in hunt of the illusion of authenticity.

Yet it is not the mass of tourists we should fear. The greater fear is that a critical mass of Bahamians and a small group-think of limited interests will bring both time and hide-bound mindsets to a historic enterprise: past, present and future.

Atlantis, like the ancient city it mimics, is an idea, part lost world, part fantasy. Nassau is also an idea, a world being rediscovered, teeming with possibility and over 300 years old.

Sol Kerzner’s vision to redevelop a once-named Hog Island in the footsteps of dreamers like Huntington Hartford, who envisioned a new brand of paradise there, is the kind of boldness of vision needed to recast Nassau into a more capital city.

Paradise Island must be an adjunct to Nassau’s ongoing transformation, the eventual result of which should be authentically Bahamian and internationally recognisable experiences and iconic features surpassing Atlantis’ triple towers.

Geneva, Switzerland, is a key financial services capital, but its more internationally recognisable features are not buildings showcasing this primary industry. That (inter)national honour is shared by an architecture which expresses values at the heart of the Swiss Imagination: efficiency and international diplomacy.

The Jet d’Eau or water-jet - one of the largest fountains in the world, spouting 132 gallons of water per second 459 feet in the air from Lake Geneva - is visible throughout Geneva and when flying some miles over the less than 200,000 people who call it home.

Originally a water safety valve, this world renowned icon actually deserving of such a designation, dazzles, especially at night, boasting eight 9,000 watt projectors lighting its water columns.

Geneva also serves as the headquarters for over 300 international organizations, including several UN offices, the WTO, the International Red Cross and others. Along with a variety of museums and other cultural features, these institutions lend a certain character to this city beyond its commercial interests even while helping to boost the local economy.

To wit, we should increasingly view Nassau not simply as a tourist destination, but also as a city with ambitions beyond the status quo and beyond our domestic preoccupations. We should set our sights higher regarding the possibilities for the ongoing transformation of Nassau as a more cosmopolitan city.

The finer cities of the world strive for a balance between commercial, cultural and governmental interests and the need for artistic and religious expression, recreation, beauty,

shopping, dining and other civilizing attributes.

Toward this end, Fort Charlotte and its environs should be turned into a central park with walking trails, facilities for cultural events and other features similar to such parks in other international cities.

The central park’s recreational features can extend to the waterfront encompassing an upgraded Arawak Cay and Western Esplanade with its boardwalk. Complementing Fort Charlotte Central Park and Arawak Cay could be a transformed Botanical Gardens.

The iconic buildings housing our main government institutions should remain within or near downtown Nassau, with restored Government House, including its gardens.

Our historic parliamentary complex is woefully inadequate for a modern democracy. The current structures are cramped, lacking meeting rooms and civic space for public hearings.

Planning for the City must take into account the need for a new parliamentary complex, which is badly needed. The chambers of the House and Senate should be preserved with these buildings becoming museums dedicated to our political history and

development into a vibrant democracy, highlighting various freedom struggles.

Again, because Nassau stretches east to west and north to south, encompassing an impressive register of publicly-owned buildings and spaces which are a key element in the city’s renewal, its redevelopment must take this breadth and depth into account.

The government owns all of the properties in a corridor from Prince George Wharf at the northern end of the city and going south toward the old City Market building off Market Street.

The wall panels of the old gaol across from Mortimer’s Candy Kitchen might be turned into mural space, depicting the country’s history. This could be part of a broader public art programme featuring Bahamian artistry.

There could also be a well-designed City of Nassau heritage trail from the Fort Charlotte Central Park in the west to Potter’s Cay in the east and from Prince George’s Wharf in the north to Bain Town and Grants Town in the south.

The opportunities for heritage tourism include: a new National Museum of The Bahamas at Collins House; a variety of heritage tours, which include guided and non-guided walking tours;

a craft market; the development of a Native Food Market; a plethora of restaurants and eateries and venues for entertainment.

A compelling task in revitalising the city is helping to better monetise the greater untapped economic potential of millions of cruise ship passengers who annually visit New Providence and who are desperate for more interesting things to do while in port.

The area stretching from Fish Fry to Long Wharf could also be turned into a major food, entertainment and heritage destination for Bahamians and visitors somewhat akin to portions of a similar development in Curacao.

There are already a number of venues and attractions for Bahamians and visitors on West Hill Street, including restaurants, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, and Educulture at West and Delancey Streets.

This recasting of the heart of downtown Nassau will complement the renewal of the City of Nassau and become memorable for Bahamians and visitors alike. In essence, the heart of the City could be dedicated to showcasing our history and heritage in a smart city that is well-run and maintained.

THE FENDI building in Downtown Nassau showcases the architectural style of old Nassau.

RAWSON Square and the House of Asembly built in 1816

Americans migrating based on political lines

FROM the first days of the American colonies in the 18th century and even before, settlers and then citizens moved fairly regularly from one part of the giant, developing country to another. They were in search of jobs, land, or other economic opportunities.

The occasion might have been the California gold rush. Maybe it was a flight from the 1930s-era Dust Bowl in the Midwest. It may have been a search for jobs in the American industrial revolution in the later 19th century.

One historical reason for large popular migration was the search for jobs and greater social acceptance and economic opportunity as black Americans moved north to large industrial cities seeking relief from post-Civil War oppression in the American South.

The nation’s history is dotted with examples of movement and mobility. The land of even greater opportunity has often beckoned.

Now, a new trend is starting to emerge. People seem to be moving in significant numbers in order to live in areas where others share their political views.

There is a sense that this new and unusual pattern may have been stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting loosening of the requirement for millions of Americans to work in offices. With so much work now possible remotely, this theory goes, people can choose to live almost anywhere they prefer, since they are no longer shackled to an office.

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

neighbours complimented them on the flag display.

Leah Dean shares few of the Kohls’ political beliefs, but she might empathize with how they feel. The AP reported that In Texas, Dean had been frightened to fly an abortion rights banner outside her house. As the Kohls were househunting in Idaho, she and her partner found a place in Denver, where their gay pride flag flies above the banner in front of their house that proclaims “abortion access is a community responsibility.”

“One thing we have really found is a place to feel comfortable being ourselves,” Dean said.

In response to this new trend, businesses assisting conservatives fleeing blue states have begun to appear. One example is the so-called Blue Line Moving Company, which appeals to families moving from liberal-dominated states to Florida.

church and they can shut down my kids’ school?’” McCarter said. “If statelevel government has that much power, you’d better be sure it reflects your values, and not someone else’s values that are forced on you.”

It’s probably way too early to ascribe great significance to this emerging trend. For one thing, COVID seems done and employers are reportedly tightening down on workers’ ability to work remotely.

Analysts have reported that these newly mobile people are mostly whitecollar workers and retirees. These groups are generally regarded as the two most politically engaged parts of the national population.

The Associated Press featured an interesting story last week with interviews with several families that have recently moved in order to live in an area where the predominant political culture matches their own.

Bret Weinstein, owner of a real estate firm in Denver,

said politics has become the top issue for people buying a home.

“It’s brought up in our initial conversations,” Weinstein said. “Three years ago, we didn’t have those conversations, ever.”

“Democrats want to live in places with artistic culture and craft breweries, and Republicans want to move to places where they can have a big yard,” said Ryan Strickler, a political scientist at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

The AP cited several other examples of this new

politics-based migration.

Retired Los Angeles police officer Tim Kohl and his family moved to Boise, Idaho, partly to escape the urban sprawl. But they also found an ideological match with their new neighbours. Kohl did what he never dared to do at their previous house outside Los Angeles. He flew a Thin Blue Line banner supporting law enforcement outside his house.

“We were scared to put it up in California,” Jennifer Kohl said. But the Kohls felt reassured when

And in Texas, a “rainbow underground railroad” run by a Dallas realtor assists LGBTQ+ families escape the state’s intensified restrictions aimed at populations that have become conservative targets.

The AP spoke with Mike McCarter, who spearheaded a campaign to encourage conservative eastern Oregon to secede from that liberal state in order to become part of adjoining, profoundly more conservative Idaho. McCarter said most people didn’t pay much attention to state government until the pandemic hit in 2020.

“Then it was like ‘Oh, they can shut down any

And in many cities across the country, commercial real estate vacancy rates are stalled at uncomfortably high rates, often more than 20 percent. This really squeezes municipal governments who rely heavily on commercial taxes to support their tax base. As time passes, there are more and more reports of private and public sector employers expressing disappointment with remote worker productivity.

Also, it would be incorrect to ascribe to political comfort the surge of population in states like Texas and Florida, where sunny weather (at least until this month’s dramatic, deadly heat waves arrived) and the absence of state income and pension taxes have long been major attractions to newcomers of all political stripes. Still, stories like those of the Kohls and Dean are another discouraging reminder of how America’s toxic political environment is infecting decisions traditionally free of such considerations.

US AMBASSA DOR A PPOINTMENT IN LINE FOR CONFIRM ATION, BU T IS WA ITING FOR SEN ATE TO ACT

nominees come forward.

in Georgia. Both schools have long-standing ties in The Bahamas. Smyre’s nomination for the Nassau embassy was submitted to the US Senate in May 2022, so we and he have been awaiting his confirmation for 14 months. This is not unusual in Washington these days.

IT WOULD no doubt have been preferable for a sitting American ambassador to be present at our 50th birthday celebrations earlier this month. But as has far too often been the case for much longer than the past decade, the American Embassy has been led by a Charge d’Affaires.

However talented these acting ambassadors have been over the years, the

absence of a Senate-confirmed chief of mission is perceived by many Bahamians as a diplomatic slight. And It is not unusual to hear comments suggesting that this failure to send us an ambassador is more than merely a slight. It is seen by some as an outright insult, a disheartening reminder of our relative lack of importance in Washington

thinking.

But that’s often not true, and it isn’t true at present either. US President Biden has nominated Calvin Smyre, a 76-year-old distinguished former Georgia state legislator who built an impressive record in and beyond Georgia during his long career and has strong connections to both Morehouse College and Fort Valley State

American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken chose on Monday to try to prod the Senate into action on Smyre and many others: Presidential nominations often can move through the Senate during the summer. But Blinken complained that “at present, the State Department has more than 60 nominees with the Senate. Now, that number is going to keep going up, as more sitting ambassadors complete their tours and more

“By the end of the summer, we expect Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon will all be without confirmed US ambassadors,” Blinken told reporters. “Eight nominees are awaiting confirmation for posts in African countries. And it’s not just the Middle East and Africa where we’ve got this problem. Ambassadorships are open in Asia, in Europe, in Latin America and the Caribbean, as nominees await confirmation.”

Blinken went on to say that “foreign governments know that ambassadors carry the full weight of the President of the United States and the United States Senate. As a result, ambassadors often have greater access and influence which they can use

to advance the interests of our country”.

Summing up his effort to shame the Senate into action, Blinken said “here’s who loses out when we don’t have a US ambassador in place in a given country: American companies, investors, and entrepreneurs who want to do business there. American citizens who live in that country or experience an emergency while they’re overseas. American students who study there, American tourists who visit. And the citizens of those countries who yearn for – and benefit from – deeper ties with the United States and with our people.”

The Secretary of State’s remarks seem to be quite appropriate to our situation here in The Bahamas.

CALVIN Smyre.

Photo: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

TRENDS note that Americans are migrating to states where political views aligned with their own.

LAMELO SAYS HE SIGNED 5-YEAR EXTENSION WITH HORNETS BECAUSE TEAM ON RIGHT PATH

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball could’ve tried to force his way out of Charlotte in hopes of landing with an established NBA playoff contender in the next few years. Instead, the 2022 AllStar point guard decided to embrace his current situation with the struggling Hornets by signing a fiveyear deal earlier this month that will pay him up to $260 million. In so doing, he became first Hornets player to sign a rookie max contract extension, giving Charlotte a cornerstone piece to build around.

Ball said he chose to remain in Charlotte because he’s comfortable living there and believes in what the Hornets are trying to create. “Where we at, I feel like we are all growing together,” Ball said yesterday in his first news conference since signing the contract. “I think

it’s just a great position and I think we are all going the right way now.”

Ball said the decision to stay wasn’t tough. “All my years here I’ve had a good time,” Ball said. “Life wasn’t bad. The basketball aspect, if that’s not really going well, then you want to just live your life and have fun. You want to be living well, and in Charlotte I’m doing that. It all just felt like a great choice.”

General manager Mitch Kupchak said keeping a player like Ball is a big step for the Hornets. He thinks Charlotte is on the verge of snapping a streak of seven straight seasons without making the playoffs, the longest active streak in the league. “We have not had great success as a team, which is something that will change,” Kupchak said. “To have a player like him back with us, just to come back to us, it’s exciting.”

Kupchak said the team’s goal has been to build through the draft.

Aside from re-signing Ball and Miles Bridges, the Hornets weren’t very active in the free agent market. That’s largely by design, as Kupchak wants to give younger players a chance to develop. He said bigname free agents will want to come to Charlotte once the organisation begins winning more games.

“I’m not thinking we necessarily have to add more talent,” Kupchak said. “I think the talent we need to get where we want to go is already in the system. Now it’s just going to take a little time to get everybody up to speed and get to where we want to get to. I don’t think there’s a

major area that needs to be addressed.”

The big contract certainly adds pressure on Ball, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft. But the laid-back 21-year-old said that is something he’s never worried about on the court — and he isn’t about to start now.

“Growing up, my pops always said pressure was finding your next meal, finding where to sleep, stuff like that,” Ball said of his father, LaVar Ball. “I’m pretty much blessed. I just have to worry about playing good. Really no problems. I’m straight.”

Ball is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he was limited to 36 games. He had a series of ankle injuries, including a fracture in late February that shut him down for good and required surgery.

When he played, he produced at a high level, averaging a career-best 23.3 points and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range.

CFL SUMMER SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL AUGUST 20

FROM PAGE

Superstars FC, Original FC, and Skilsaw FC. Pool B fields Kickers FC, University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes, Seventeen FC, and Flamingo FC.

Seventeen FC and Flamingo FC will battle in a rematch at 7pm this Sunday after none of the teams were able to hoist the championship trophy last year due to controversy

regarding the remaiing teams and the referees.

Ultimately, the cash prize was split between the two teams to quash the matter. With the tourney taking place following the conclusion of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) soccer season, Joseph said the purpose of the event is to give returning college players the opportunity to stay active.

“The purpose is to take the competition and culture of soccer, when the major league has stopped during the summer time, to have a tournament for college kids that come in town and want to remain active.

“It is also a family-friendly event for parents and children,” he explained.

The CFL has continued to make improvements since documenting their

start at the DW Davis field in 2015.

Despite not having a women’s division this year, the organisation plans to rectify that for next year’s summer tournament.

Next up on the CFL summer soccer tourney schedule will be the Skilsaw FC versus Superstars FC in Pool A at 3pm.

Additionally, the Kickers FC and UB Mingoes will face off in the Pool B at

JEFF RODGERS BASKETBALL CAMP OFF TO HOT START

FROM PAGE 20

to play basketball in the NBA while others have played on a professional basketball level in foreign countries. Some of those campers have come back to be instructors for the camp.

He encourages other young people to join the camp, saying: “If you find time to come into the camp, the camp is to give you the type of information to help you to know how to defend out there in the world. You don’t have to do the worst things in the world to be seen or be known. You can still do good things and people will still see you and know you.”

Mylez Moss, a 13-yearold camper, shared his experience about the camp. He has been attending the camp for the past six years. For him, the camp has helped him to enhance his basketball skills and become a complete basketball player.

5pm. Persons are encouraged to support and come out every Sunday leading up to the championships.

“It is not only a soccer tournament, it is a soccer cultural festival.

“There are drinks, DJs and entertainers in this family-friendly enivironment,” Joseph told Tribune Sports.

Tickets are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for children under the age of 12.

Not only has he learned to perfect his basketball skills but to become a better person, learn self-discipline, and to be a good person to everyone around him.

Tory Johnson, a female camper, was also able to describe her time in the camp. With this being her first year being a part of the camp, she has been having an enjoyable experience thus far and has learned a lot. She also feels that the camp can help her to become a better person and help improve her basketball skills.

Hurdler Otto to join Howard University Bison

FROM PAGE 20

once loved and, on top of those hurdles, he had to deal with nagging hamstring injuries coming into early 2023.

However, under the tutelage of Bahamas Speed Dynamics coach Daron Lightbourne, Laing was able to discover his passion once again in only one year and four months. Lightbourne said when he encountered Laing, he told him to stay at home for a year which was not a decision that most people agreed with.

However, they both were able to come up with a plan together with the first goal being college and the next to help Laing

run faster. Ultimately, the plan worked with the hurdler now being able to pick, choose and refuse colleges and run sub 14 for a personal best in his quest to the collegiate level. “It means the world to me because at the beginning of this season I was dealing with a lot of hamstring injuries and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to run at CARIFTA and I found myself starting to stress and overthink. But I kept myself grounded and my coach kept me grounded. It means the world to me now that I was able to sign now, considering that I have been through so much to get here, it still feels surreal to me,” he said.

Laing was unable to emerge victorious at the CARIFTA trials but he surprised everyone with his perseverance by capturing gold in the under 20 110 metre hurdles at the 50th CARIFTA Games.

The CARIFTA gold-medallist not only has the support of his guardians and loved ones but he also has the 100 per cent support of coach Lightbourne.

“For me I am very elated about it, you know we set out a plan and we followed through with the plan, you know my job is to mentor them not only with track and field but their personal life as young men,” said the coach, who always stresses the

importance of his athletes going to schools where they are more than just a number, especially the ones that plan to pursue track professionally.

He and Laing are confident in the abilities of Howard’s director of track and field, David Oliver.

“David Oliver is a really great coach, expect to look out for me at the regionals and to qualify for the nationals next year. I look forward to breaking some collegiate records and look forward to having a great collegiate year,” Laing said.

Next stop for Laing will be Puerto Rico for the Pan American Junior Championships August 2-7.

TOUR DE FRANCE: VINGEGAARD TAKES HUGE LEAD AFTER DROPPING POGACAR IN FINAL BIG TEST IN THE ALPS

COURCHEVEL, France (AP)

— After destroying Tadej Pogacar in the race against the clock, Jonas Vingegaard dealt him the coup de grace in the Tour de France with an impressive display in the mountains yesterday.

Vingegaard is now well on course to bring the yellow jersey to Paris for a second straight year after the Danish rider took a huge lead over his main rival.

The defending champion dropped Pogacar in the last big stage in the Alps to increase his overall lead to seven minutes and 35 seconds. Barring any big crash, he looks set to win his second Tour title.

“Now to have more than seven minutes is just really incredible,” Vingegaard said. “Of course the Tour de France is not over yet, I’m sure Tadej will try something on the last three stages. We’re not in Paris yet.”

Vingegaard finished the 17th stage in fourth place, almost six minutes before an exhausted Pogacar crossed the finish line.

The race ends in the French capital with a

largely ceremonial stage on Sunday.

There is just one tough stage remaining before then — on Saturday in the Alsace region, with the peloton facing a total of 3,600 meters of climbing.

But with such a big gap between the Tour’s main contenders, it’s unlikely to have an impact in the fight for the yellow jersey.

“We are in a good spot now,” Vingegaard said.

Pogacar, a two-time champion who was dethroned by Vingegaard last year, lost contact about 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the finish at the ski resort of Courchevel.

The punishing trek had been dubbed the Queen Stage of this year’s Tour because of its daunting profile. The last of four climbs was a 28.4-kilometre (17.6-mile) slog up Col de la Loze, close to the uphill finish.

A day after Vingegaard destroyed the field in the race’s time trial, Pogacar did not find the strength to attack and got dropped in the monster climb. His teammate Marc Soler stayed with him to try and pace him back, in vain.

The day had started on a sour note for Pogacar, who crashed just a few kilometres into the 166-kilometre (103-mile) ride. The Slovenian leader of the UAE Team Emirates fell off at a moderate speed on an uphill section near the foot of the Col des Saisies after apparently touching the wheel of a rider. Pogacar was quickly back on his bike and continued

racing to rejoin the main contenders before a group of breakaway riders moved away from the pack.

Pogacar said the crash could have affected him but he did not try to find excuses.

“It hurts a little, maybe it affected my body. I just couldn’t go today. It was not a good day,” he said.

On paper, the punishing Col de La Loze culminating

at 2,304 metres above sea level — with some slopes with a gradient more than 24% — looked like the perfect playground for a final showdown in thin air between Pogacar and Vingegaard.

But Pogacar did not have good legs, and the duel never took place.

Once Pogacar cracked, Vingegaard dropped all the riders that still accompanied him, chasing behind the remaining breakaway riders. He first joined his Jumbo-Visma teammate Wilco Kelderman and the pair soldiered on together on brutal slopes.

Vingegaard’s ferocious ride amid huge crowds was briefly put to a halt by a race motorbike that was stopped in the middle of the narrow and winding road up to the summit.

At the front of the stage, Felix Gall resisted the chase to post the biggest win of his career. Simon Yates was second, with Pello Bilbao completing the stage podium.

“This whole year has been incredible. And now to do so well in the Tour de France, to win the Queen Stage, it’s incredible,” said

Gall, a Tour debutant. “One and a half years ago I couldn’t imagine I’d be in this position now.”

Adam Yates kept his third place overall, 10:45 off the pace.

Vingegaard took control of the Tour during Tuesday’s time trial.

He had started Stage 16 only 10 seconds ahead of Pogacar after little could separate the duo in a fascinating duel over the last two weeks.

However, when it came down to a head-to-head battle in the race against the clock, Vingegaard was in a class of his own.

He finished the 22.4-kilometre (14-mile) hilly route from Passy to Combloux 1:38 ahead of Pogacar.

Pogacar had his Tour de France preparations hampered by a left wrist facture he sustained in April during the Liege–Bastogne–Liege classic and required surgery.

But his tremendous performances over the first two weeks of racing had erased initial doubts about his Tour form.

“Today was one of the worst days on the bike but I had to keep fighting,” Pogacar said.

SIGNING ON TO THE NEXT: Otto Laing makes his decision to join the Bison Nation at Howard University in Washington DC.

DENMARK’S JONAS VINGEGAARD, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the 17th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 166 kilometres (103 miles) with start in Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc and finish in Courchevel, France, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

CHARLOTTE Hornets guard LaMelo Ball brings the ball upcourt during the first half against the Detroit Pistons in February. (AP Photo/ Jacob Kupferman)

Jones a rebound shy of double double in 98-88 loss to Wings

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) —

Arike Ogunbowale scored 25 points and the Dallas Wings tied the WNBA record for fewest turnovers in a game to beat the New York Liberty 98-88 yester day in a matinee camp day game.

Teaira McCowan added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Wings, who had only two turnovers, matching the Washington Mystics’ league record set in 2020.

Both of Dallas’ turno vers came in the opening quarter and then the Wings were spotless for the remainder of the game.

“That’s elite, the first game back from All-Star. We had one practice as a full team,” Ogunbowale said.

Liberty centre Jonquel Jones, who ended up one rebound shy of a double double, scored 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out one assist in 29 minutes on the floor.

She also had a block but turned the ball over four times.

Dallas coach Latricia Trammell said protecting the basketball was an important factor in winning the game.

“Valued the basketball — it’s something we talked about that was a key to the game,” she said.

Trailing 60-59 nearly four minutes into the third quarter, Dallas (12-9) took over.

The Wings scored the next 12 points, including two 3-pointers by Ogunbowale, to get their first double-digit lead of the game. When Ogunbowale wasn’t hitting 3-pointers, she and her teammates were finding the 6-foot-7 McCowan in the lane.

FEVER BEAT MYSTICS TO SNAP 8-GAME LOSING

STREAK

WASHINGTON (AP)

featured the first matchup between the Sabally sisters and New York won 102-93. Dallas led 86-72 with 6:02 left before the Liberty (14-5) scored five straight to get to within single digits.

They could get no closer as the Wings extended their winning streak to four games.

“I think we were locked in, slipped away from us last time we were here,” Ogunbowale said.

“It was a big game and they are a top four team. We wanted to prove a point to ourselves, we really did that.”

Breanna Stewart scored 25 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 22 for the Liberty, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped.

“They did a good job keeping their composure.

Two turnovers is pretty incredible,” Stewart said.

“It shows that we weren’t the aggressors on defence, and we need to be better.”

Ionescu hit five 3-pointers, keeping up her hot shooting from the All-Star 3-point contest, where she hit a record 25 of 27 shots.

The Wings became the first team in the league to beat both Las Vegas and New York, the Western and Eastern conference leaders, this season.

“When you have a team that has done that, the only team in the league, shows this team what they’re capable of,” Trammell said.

“It gives them confidence going into the next game and the one after that.”

— Kelsey Mitchell had 18 points, five assists and four steals, Emma Cannon added 13 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Washington Mystics 82-76 yesterday to snap an eightIndiana used a 15-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Amanda Zahui B., to go ahead 63-53 with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Fever also scored seven unanswered points to make it 70-59 with Washington made ers in the final 30 seconds to get within 78-74, but Erica Wheeler sealed it by making two free throws Aliyah Boston had 11 points and eight rebounds and Victoria Vivians also scored 11 points for Indiana (6-15). Wheeler finished with 10 points, going 6 of 6 ing key players. Indiana was without NaLyssa Smith (foot) and Lexie Hull (nose). Washington was without Elena Delle Donne (ankle), Ariel Atkins (ankle), Shakira Austin (hip) and Kristi Toliver Natasha Cloud scored 19 ins had 13 points and nine rebounds for Washington (11-9), which had a fivegame home winning streak snapped. Queen Egbo Washington led 53-48 with 2:33 left in the third but didn’t score again until Hawkins’ basket with 7:20 remaining in the fourth.

LIBERTY centre Jonquel Jones ended up one rebound shy of a double double against the Wings yesterday. She scored 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out one assist.

NEW York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, who won the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest on July 14 in Las Vegas. (AP)

35TH JEFF RODGERS BASKETBALL CAMP JUMPS OFF WITH HOT START

By LEESHAN MORLEY Tribune Intern

MONDAY marked the beginning of the 35th Annual Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp which is being held at The Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium and the camp will continue until Thursday next week. The camp caters to girls and boys aged 5-18.

Director Jeff Rodgers was able to stop and reflect on how the camp first started. “I started this camp as a calling from church to give something back to the community.”

He also went on to say how this camp not only focuses on teaching the children basketball skills, but also good self-character.

Otto Laing going to Howard University

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Carifta gold medallist Otto Laing will be headed to Washington DC to commence his studies and collegiate track career at Howard University.

The hurdler made the announcement at his former primary school Xavier’s yesterday in a room filled with his loved ones, and supporters.

Laing had a tough decision having to choose between 24 college offers, but ultimately he decided to commit to the HBCU Howard University to embark on his next step in life.

Laing reflected on what made him choose one of the five largest HBCUs in the nation as his next place of learning and training.

“I looked at which school would really take care of me, it was really not because of the name or how big the school was but moreso where I felt like I would blossom and excel and [with] Howard, I felt as though the coaches would take care of me seeing that I am from The Bahamas. Being able to go all the way to Washington DC to showcase my talents means the world to me,” Laing said.

The hurdler faced many trials and tribulations leading up to his joyous moment. One of the biggest supporters in his corner was his mom who passed away at a young age. He also lost a father figure in his life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following these obstacles, Laing struggled to find his motivation in a sport

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CARIFTA gold medallist Otto Laing offers Bahamas Speed Dynamics coach Daron Lightbourne a token of his gratitude after committing to Howard University.

CARIFTA bronze medallist Adam Musgrove to join the Bison Nation

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

AFTER leaving the national track and field championships as a double champion, Adam Musgrove will now take his athletic and academic capabilities to Howard University.

At a collegiate signing for fellow teammate Otto Laing, who will also attend the historically black university in Washington DC, coach Daron Lightbourne revealed Musgrove will be apart of the Bison Nation. Musgrove has been poised and committed to his journey throughout his final track season as a junior breaking personal goals and savouring the moment along the way..

The CARIFTA bronze medallist is confident in his decision to enrol at

the HBCU and reflected on why he chose the institution.

“I had genuine interest in the school and after discussing it with my family and coach Lightbourne, it felt as if they saw me as Adam and not just another athlete, also considering it is an HBCU with a decent academic ranking, I do feel as if I would be able to get faster in an academically sound environment with people that look like myself,” Musgrove said.

The double 100 and 200 metre junior champion has his sights set on obtaining a law degree and potentially a master of business administration (MBA) in his bright and near future.

He said that outside of the academics, he wants to be able to run as fast as he possibly can and although he cannot predict what his ceiling or limit is, he does believe that he can do anything possible with God leading him.

Musgrove is taking it one academic and athletic milestone at a time but will definitely try to work towards becoming a pro as he transitions to the collegiate level of the sport.

Lightbourne, head coach of Bahamas Speed Dynamics, had nothing but high praises for the steadily improving sprinter.

He said that he expects both Musgrove and Laing to do well at Howard University, especially in helping each other, due to the dynamic they have built personally along their journey at Bahamas Speed Dynamics.

Despite moving onto the next level into the hands of David Oliver, who is the director of track and field at the home of the Bison, Musgrove said that he is extremely excited and feels that he has a lot of room for improvement and is

looking forward to the coaches at Howard tapping into that.

“At the college level I want to become a national champion. I also want to challenge the Bahamian senior records in the sprints and I want to be an inspiration to anyone struggling in track, to show that just because you are struggling now does not mean that you always will,” he said.

Currently, the junior wants to end this season with a bang at the Pan American Junior Championships next month in Puerto Rico.

Also, the North American, Central American, and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that take place this weekend in Costa Rica. The meets will be the last for Musgrove as he transitions from the junior to senior level.

“I use it as an avenue to be able to touch lives, to help young people know more about themselves, work with them to help them to set goals in life and, at the same time, you are teaching them basketball skills but, as you know, there is more to life than just basketball, so the camp is for building character.”

He further went on to share how the players have improved over the years. He mentioned players such as NBA stars Deandre Ayton and Kai Jones who were a part of the camp in the past. These players were given the opportunity

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CFL SUMMER SOCCER RETURNS EVERY SUNDAY

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Capital Football Label (CFL) Summer Soccer Championships are back at the Roscow A L Davies soccer field every Sunday until August 20.

The soccer competition got underway on July 16 and will continue until a club is crowned as champions to receive a cash prize of $3,500.

Eight teams with a total of 176 players combined are expected to battle it out on the RALD field each Sunday in hopes of being

of the CFL, talked about his expectations of the teams competing at this year’s summer tournament.

“I am expecting the competition to be stiff to be very honest because anybody can win and it is anybody’s trophy at this point,” Joseph said.

The teams are separated into two pools with the players aged 16 and up. Pool A includes the Happiness Football Club (FC),

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ADAM MUSGROVE