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Ingraham rules out nomination Former leader ‘will not return to leader post’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net AMID intense speculation about his future, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham seemed to permanently close the door to any possible return to frontline politics yesterday, writing in a letter that he will not accept a nomination for a position at the FNM convention later this week even if he is nominated. His statement, sent to Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie yesterday, was a move to definitively dismiss rumours of his return and to discourage attempts underway from some in the party to nominate him for leader at the convention this week. His statement brings clarity to the leadership race, especially for party Leader
MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson distanced himself from comments he made about Prime Minister Perry Christie, releasing a statement yesterday that denied a report that he wants the nation’s leader gone. His statement was in response to a Nassau Guardian article published on SEE PAGE SIX
DOCTOR UNANIMOUSLY CLEARED AFTER ACCUSATION OF RAPE
Dr Hubert Minnis and his challenger Loretta ButlerTurner, as the camps for both had kept a keen and sometimes wary eye for signs of Mr Ingraham’s possible return. Mr Collie read Mr Ingraham’s letter during an appearance on the talk show “Hard Copy” with host Steve McKinney. In the letter, Mr Ingraham said: “Today I advise you as chairman of the Free National Movement, that I will not accept a nomination for any office of the party at the national convention this week. I remain retired. To be clear, should my name be proposed as a nominee to any position at the convention, you should accept this letter as the authority to declare that I have declined the nomination. SEE PAGE THREE
CONCERNS PARTY BUTLER-TURNER: WILL NOT UNITE I’M STRONGER By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net WHILE many Free National Movement supporters hope this week’s convention will unite a severely fractured organisation, concerns have surfaced that the party will remain disjointed regardless of who is elected to lead the FNM following the highly anticipated event. SEE PAGE FIVE
JOHNSON STEPS BACK FROM COMMENTS ON PM’S FUTURE
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
AS the start date for the Free National Movement’s convention nears, Long Island MP and party leader hopeful Loretta ButlerTurner proclaimed in her latest campaign ad that she has “stronger leadership abilities” compared to incumbent Leader Dr Hubert Minnis. SEE PAGE FIVE
DR Gerald Forbes celebrates outside Supreme Court in Freeport on Monday after being acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS By DENISE MAYCOCK A 20-year-old woman, gave her closing summation the criminal justice system, Tribune Freeport Reporter who was employed at in the case. The jury retired which is a well functioning dmaycock@tribunemedia.net Forbes’ Carico Medical around 1.40pm to deliber- legal system,” he said. Clinic, alleged that she was ate. Mr Johnson was retained DR GERALD Forbes, indecently assaulted by After the verdicts were in the middle of the trial to 45, has been acquitted of the doctor during a physi- delivered, Justice Evans represent Forbes, who had rape and indecent assault cal exam in February, and told Forbes that the charges fired his first attorney Wenin the Supreme Court in that he raped her while per- were dismissed against him dell Smith. By that time, Grand Bahama. forming an abortion proce- and he was free to go. She the prosecution had already A jury of four women dure in March 2015. He has thanked the jurors for their closed its case. and five men deliberated denied the charges. service to the court. Forbes, who has operated for about an hour and 20 Prosecutor Erica Kemp Mr Johnson then stood a private medical practice minutes before returning and Forbes’ attorney Os- and addressed the court. in Freeport for some 20 around 3pm on Monday man Johnson completed “We are pleased with years, took the stand and with their unanimous ver- their closing arguments the trial proceedings. We testified under oath. dicts, finding the doctor not on Friday, and on Monday are also pleased with the SEE PAGE SEVEN guilty by 9-0 on both counts. Justice Estelle Gray Evans result and the operation of
ATTACK BY BULL SHARK ‘WAS LIKE BEING CRASHED INTO BY A FOOTBALL LINEBACKER’ By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net A 62-YEAR-OLD dentist from Texas was attacked by a 6-foot bull shark while free diving in waters near Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, early Saturday morning. Dr Steve Cutbirth, of Waco, was spear fishing with his son-in-law and two guides when the attack hap-
pened. In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Cutbirth said he had just speared a hogfish and was returning to the surface when “it was if a football linebacker crashed into” his head. “Once a fish is speared, it is immediately taken to the surface and deposited in the boat. We never dangle speared fish behind us. I was unaware that our guide’s nephew had speared
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a fish or that the 6 foot shark had come in close. My fish was large and since there are no lines attached to the spear on a Hawaiian sling, the fish was moving about on the coral head. I finally got hold of the spear and began moving the fish toward the surface. I held the fish just above my head on the spear.” SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
A PHOTOGRAPH of Dr Steve Cutbirth’s injuries posted to Facebook.
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CHAVANO ‘Buddy’ Hield receiving a warm welcome at the Sports Legends event at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Thursday from, clockwise from above, Prime Minister Perry Christie, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe and Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu and her daughter. Photos: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS
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THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, July 26, 2016, PAGE 3
Cash formally complains after being removed as delegate By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net LAST minute appointments to the Free National Movement’s Executive Committee should not be allowed to vote as delegates, according to former FNM Chairman Darron Cash. Mr Cash issued a formal protest yesterday of his removal from the party’s Executive Committee, which prevents him from voting as a delegate at the national convention in a letter to party Chairman Sidney Collie.
In making his case, Mr Cash underscored that changes to any of the party’s organs should have been done before the deadline for submission of delegates. Noting that he has still not received formal notification of his removal, Mr Cash argued that persons named to the committee after the deadline should not be empowered as delegates. “The deadline for submission of delegates was July 1,” the letter read. “That means that persons who were members of the Executive Committee and other organs of the party
should have remained in their positions through convention, if their positions had not changed or had not been changed before July 1. “Based on my reading of the FNM constitution, there is nothing in it that empowers the leader to make such changes after the deadline for submission of delegates.” The letter continued: “There is of course the argument that the leader has the ultimate discretion and is free to do whatever he wishes irrespective of whatever guidance applies to others regarding delegate
submissions. “The corollary argument is that persons not named to the Executive Committee after July 1, or even after July 6 —as their names did not appear on the council list—should not be empowered to be delegates in the forthcoming party’s constitution.” The letter was copied to Senator Carl Bethel, chairman of the Rules and Credentials Committee, and other committee members. Mr Cash issued a blistering attack on Dr Minnis earlier this month, accusing the embattled party leader
of removing two persons from the Executive Committee. At the time, he branded the move a thinly veiled attempt to stack the deck ahead of the party’s convention. In a statement exclusively sent to The Tribune, he said he had heard rumours that he would also be dropped from the committee and while unconfirmed, the move would not be surprising. He said earlier this month: “For a leader who won by a substantial margin in the last (convention), this latest ... act is the act of a desperate person who
is determined to cling to power by any means necessary. It is a mark of a small minded and petty person, never mind that last week Wednesday he was preaching about party unity. “I am glad he is taking this kind of action and that he has publicly announced his intention to do so to his campaign team. His small mindedness and vindictiveness are now being revealed to the wider FNM membership. “It is the main reason why the FNM is so fractured today. He wants no one around him who opposes his views.”
INGRAHAM RULES OUT NOMINATION
FORRMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, above, and his letter ruling out accepting any nomination to return as leader of the FNM. from page one “Please, therefore, make this letter available to the convention chairman, the rules committee chairman, the convention session chairman at the time of nominations and to all and any other persons who would wish a copy of same. “Further, I will make no exception if you choose to make this letter available to the public as soon as possible.” Mr Ingraham added that the party he led for 19 years has been a bastion of democracy in The Bahamas. “Various personalities have often clashed during our 45 year history but when the dust settles we remained a party whose leaders aspire the best vision for a free and democratic Bahamas committed to the economic and social empowerment of all Bahamians. The Free National Movement is a noble organisation, a huge tent with many talented and dedicated individuals who are capable, committed and ready to lead the FNM and once again make us the majority party of the Bahamas. I pledge my full support for my party and for the leadership team which will emerge from our convention this week.” In the lead-up to the
convention, Mr Ingraham often failed to definitively say whether or not he would enter the leadership race, raising speculation that he might make a surprise move on the convention floor like he did in 2005 after a short period of retirement. At the same time, he displayed no obvious sign of mounting a comeback, and the fact that such speculation became a huge narrative in the lead-up to the race highlights how large his presence continues to loom over his party’s politics. In earlier interviews with The Tribune, some FNM delegates expressed a desire to see him return while others had an opposing view, often blaming him for the fractured state in which the party currently finds itself. Some insiders in the campaigns of Dr Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner said they thought Mr Ingraham would wait to see if he could mount a successful comeback before officially ruling one out. Nonetheless, there was concern that his potential comeback would derail the efforts of their preferred candidate to win the race. Questions will likely re-
main about Mr Ingraham’s decision thus far not to endorse either candidate in the leadership race. His letter to Mr Collie highlights the way his public life continues to diverge from that of his former law firm partner, Sir Lynden Pindling’s protégé and colleague, Prime Minister Perry Christie. As Mr Ingraham, 68, chooses to remain retired, Mr Christie, 72, has stirred controversy after saying recently that he will continue to lead the PLP in the foreseeable future, citing the support of young members of his government and a desire to ensure party stability.
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After turmoil, Sanders, Mrs Obama, Warren thrill Democrat convention PHILADELPHIA (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama stepped into the presidential election Monday with a forceful, impassioned defence of Hillary Clinton, casting her as the only candidate who can be trusted as a role model for the nation’s children. She took numerous swipes at Republican Donald Trump, all without mentioning his name. “I want someone with the proven strength to persevere, someone who knows this job and takes it seriously, someone who understands the issues a president faces are not black and white,” Mrs. Obama said on the opening night of the Democratic convention. Referring to Trump’s penchant for tweeting, she said of the presidency: “It cannot be boiled down to 140 characters.” The first lady was among a high-wattage line-up of speakers taking the stage, all but wiping away earlier tumult that had exposed deep tensions between Clinton supporters and those loyal to her primary opponent Bernie Sanders. Sanders was closing the night, speaking just after Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Sanders, comparing Trump’s stances and statements to Clinton’s record, said in remarks released before his speech, “By these measures, any objective observer will conclude that - based on her ideas and her leadership - Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States. The choice is not even close.” Warren, a favourite of liberals, has emerged as one of the Democrats’ toughest critics of Trump, and she kept up her attacks on his character and business record as she delivered the night’s keynote address. “Donald Trump has no real plans for jobs, for college kids, for seniors,” she said. “No plans to make anything great for anyone except rich guys like Donald Trump.” The cheers from the audience masked real tensions that had spilled into the convention hall and onto the streets of sweltering Philadelphia earlier in the day. Sanders’ supporters arrived at the convention infuriated over leaked emails showing the Democratic National Committee had favoured Clinton in the primaries, despite vows of neutrality. They scored the resignation of party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, but still erupted in chants of “Bernie” and booed Clinton the first several times her name was mentioned during the convention programme. Outside the convention hall, several hundred Sanders backers marched down Philadelphia’s sweltering streets with signs carrying messages such as “Never Hillary.” Sanders and his team spent much of Monday trying to keep backers from protesting on the convention floor. He sent urgent emails and text messages urging them to avoid protests on the convention floor. The Clinton campaign opened up speaking spots for his supporters. An array of office holders and celebrities hammered home the call for unity, with singer Paul Simon singing his “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as delegates linked arms and swayed to the music. Former President Bill Clinton smiled and clapped from the audience. Mrs. Obama was one of the night’s standouts. While she has often avoided overt politics during her nearly eight years in the White House, her frustration with Trump’s rise was evident. She warned that the White House couldn’t be in the hands of someone with “a thin
skin or a tendency to lash out” or someone who tells voters the country can be great again. “This right now, is the greatest country on earth,” she said. Clinton’s campaign hoped the nighttime line-up would overshadow a tumultuous start to the four-day convention. The hacked DNC emails fed the suspicion of Sanders’ supporters and sapped Clinton’s campaign of some of its energy following a well-received rollout Sunday of her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. Campaigning in North Carolina, Trump seemed to revel in the Democrats’ commotion, telling supporters that Clinton made a mistake by not choosing a more liberal running mate to appease Sanders’ base. “Crazy Bernie’s going crazy right now,” he said. But in Philadelphia, Delegates waved “Love Trumps Hate” signs and leapt to their feet as immigration supporters, gay rights advocates, and labour leaders took the stage. Comedian-turned-Sen. Al Franken, a Clinton supporter, and actress Sarah Silverman, a Sanders supporter, made a joint appearance to promote party unity. “I am proud to be part of Bernie’s movement,” Silverman said as the crowd roared. “And a vital part of that movement is making absolutely sure Hillary Clinton is our next president of the United States.” Trump was a frequent target throughout the night, though the jabs were often more mocking than mean. The tone was a sharp contrast to the Republican convention, where the attacks against Clinton was bitingly personal, including chants of “Lock her up.” Wasserman Schultz had planned to be among those taking the stage, despite the email hacking controversy. But she stepped aside, bowing to pressure from Democrats who feared the mere sight of her on stage would prompt strong opposition from Sanders’ backers. The outgoing chairwoman did watch the gathering from a private suite at the arena. Clinton’s team hoped Wasserman Schultz’s resignation — along with an apology from the DNC to Sanders and his supporters — would keep the convention floor calm. Discussions between the two camps prompted Sanders to send emails and text messages to supporters asking them not to protest. “Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays,” Sanders wrote. The party infighting had echoes of last week’s Republican convention, where some major GOP leaders voiced their displeasure with Trump and others didn’t even show up. Clinton promised a stark contrast to the GOP gathering, saying she planned to highlight “success stories” and flesh out details of her proposed policies. Sanders was a relatively unknown Vermont senator when he decided to challenge for the Democratic nomination. He stunned the Clinton campaign with his broad support among young people and liberals, as well as his online fundraising prowess. But he struggled to appeal to black voters and couldn’t match the former secretary of state’s ties to the Democratic establishment. The controversy over some 19,000 leaked DNC emails, however, threatened to complicate those plans. The correspondence, posted by WikiLeaks over
Profits and philanthropy EDITOR, The Tribune. CORPORATE philanthropy is a great practice and locally we have many corporates who give generously. Listening to a Talk Show to-day, basically a start-up company formed pre-2012 confirmed that they had donated resurfacing of Basketball Courts, 40 in total at a cost of $20,000.00 each
which means this company over four plus years had been able to donate over $800,000. I do not wish to be critical but something sure as hell is wrong here. If this is so, Ministry of Works might need to have an independent auditor check the first cost and mark-up of the services the ministry uses extensively. Never realised there was so much profit in striping a
line? West Bay, Sandy Port east to Super Value - what’s this sidewalk about? Over a mile - is it necessary - waiting for the first good rain and boy the road will be flooded. ln this MP Minnis using his Constituency money, $100k a year? W THOMPSON Nassau, July 18, 2016.
Boat thefts in Abaco EDITOR, The Tribune.
I AM a business owner in Hope Town, Abaco. My family and I have been a part of this community for the past 60 years. For most people, visitors or those who live here in Hope Town and Elbow Cay, this place is unique and special. School children from Family Islands to the megawealthy from all corners of the world come here and fall in love with this special place and its people, many of them descendants of the original settlers. Hope Town is a community of predominantly hard working local people, and regular visitors, many of whom own second homes here. Most everyone knows one another. Life here has been very peaceful with a deep sense of communal trust and respect. Typically people are accustomed to leaving boats, golf carts un-
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net locked, keys in the ignition. Tragically, in recent times the people and businesses of Elbow Cay have become victims to local criminals who are now preying upon the innocence that makes this community so special. If ignored or left unchecked this idyllic gem of the Bahamas will fall to ruin. As a devoted Bahamian and passionate stakeholder in the Abacos, I write this letter as a plea to the Commissioner of Police to aggressively clean up and bring to justice the thugs who steal our boats, burglarize homes, deal drugs on the streets, among other crimes. We understand that financial and human resources are limited. Given an opportunity to partner with competent law
enforcement, and moving toward classic community policing, this community can hopefully move forward free of the concern of it becoming more of a lawless place. This is a letter of outrage. While our country has many other very serious problems, we are not asking for any special attention. We are simply urging you to lead the police force in an effort to work with the Out Island settlements of the Abacos to clean up this crime and maintain law and order. Commissioner Greenslade, the ball is in your court. Five boats were stolen in one night last week, and as I write this an additional two boats have been stolen last night. OUTRAGED ABACO BUSINESSMAN Abaco, July 25, 2016.
Remove the emperors EDITOR, The Tribune. EMPEROR Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “I can no longer obey; I have tasted command, and I cannot give it up”. I was reading an article recently in The Nassau Guardian where the author referred to Prime Minister Perry Christie as the Emperor. The more I thought about this declaration, the more I was convinced that the author is right. Mr Christie has lost two referendums in one term in office. Crime, specifically murder under his watch has reached unprecedented record levels. The economy is almost stagnant as thousands of Bahamians continue to be jobless. Corruption is at an all time high and it has blinded the conscience of Mr Christie and his government. Certainly in a democratic society, you would think that there would be much stronger dissenting voices in the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) who would speak up to have this dinosaur leader demit office. We are operating under the guise that we have a
prime minister, when in fact we have an Emperor. Emperor Christie sits on his high throne despite the fact that he is out of ideas and does not presently possess the intellectual capacity to positively move this country forward. He is out of touch and he should be out of time. If you look at the powers that Mr Christie possesses, you would better understand why the Bahamas is led by an Emperor and not a prime minister. Oh and our dear Emperor has all of his clothes on. He knows his colleagues who want to take his throne very well. His latest public utterance on why he was staying on as leader almost begged the PLP leader hopefuls to respond. Mr Davis did utter a response to Mr Christie saying that the PLP would become unstable If he were to leave, but he was very careful in his response. Mr Christie knows that Davis alone cannot remove him as leader of the PLP. Emperors are not going to walk in office one day and relinquish power. Removing an emperor is never an easy task. It can get ugly, but sometimes it takes a
few good men to combine their political forces and act. Mr Christie’s insatiable lust for power is evident. He has to know by now that he has been an abysmal and shameful failure. I am convinced that he is acutely aware of this. If you are in a room full of smoke, no matter how you try to blind yourself to it, you will eventually have to leave that room or die from smoke inhalation. You might not cause the smoke to cease but you know it’s there. The Emperor knows there is smoke in the room but he has no clue what steps to take to effectively deal with it and right now this is why the Bahamas is essentially experiencing a blazing fire. I am again calling on those cabinet ministers who must know that Mr Christie’s time has come and gone to stop playing politics and rid the country of his leadership. Muster up some balls for once in your political lives. Emperor Christie will not leave. He has to be removed. DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, July 25, 2016.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, July 26, 2016, PAGE 5
Butler-Turner: I’m a stronger leader than Hubert Minnis from page one
In the nearly three-minute long video circulated on social media Monday, Mrs Butler-Turner insisted that while both she and Dr Minnis learned at the feet of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, she was by far better suited for the “big chair” of leadership. “We have a country to win and a party to save. We are going to unify our party. It is not about getting rid of anybody, it’s truly about choosing the best person,” she stated. Mrs Butler-Turner, in the video clearly aimed at the 410 delegates expected to vote in the party’s convention later this week, said she is prepared to stand up for all FNMs the way she did for Dr Minnis in the House of Assembly - seemingly taking a shot at the passive nature of her leader in Parliament. “Our country is in a crisis, and FNMs and Bahamians are feeling marginalised, disenfranchised and are feeling that governance is truly not about them. “So what I say to the delegates today, what we truly need is a leader. A leader that will stand up and fight for your rights the same way I stood up and protected our leader in the House of Assembly. “That’s the kind of courage and energy that I am going to bring to the table to make sure that FNMs
across the length and breath of this Bahamas are once again integrated. The level of victimisation that we see hurled at FNMs and the marginalisation that Bahamians are feeling, I am that leader that is going to stand up to turn it around.” Mrs Butler-Turner implored delegates to consider her as the best candidate for the job, insisting that her political fate was in their hands. “We’ve got to be able to have an individual and a team of persons that get it and say, ‘you know what, enough is enough, time for us to turn this country around. Time for us to make opportunities available again to FNMs who have been shut out of this economy.’ It is time for us to make Bahamians, and young people in particular, part of what the Bahamas truly is. “This is the change that I bring, this is the plan that I want to share with you. Because at the end of the day, if we have five more years of this incompetent, nepotism, cronyism and greed displayed by this PLP government there will be no turning back.” The Long Island MP said her bid wasn’t about ostracising anyone. She maintained that she only stepped up to the challenge after being spurred on by supporters. “It is not about getting rid of anybody, it’s truly about choosing the best person. You know that there is an
old adage that says, ‘sometimes the best man for the job is this woman,’” said Mrs Butler-Turner as she pointed at herself. “This woman understands your pain. She has heard your cry. And like I said, she has been a follower just like our current leader. We both followed, followed under our former leader and he imparted some very strong lessons to us.” “But for this big chair we now need someone who displays stronger leadership abilities and that is why I am asking every FNM delegate to think and pray and vote for Loretta Butler-Turner and Duane Sands; not only to unite our party, but to turn it around.” Heading into Wednesday’s convention, Mrs Butler-Turner’s “Forward Together” campaign has relied heavily on social media platforms to extend their plans and views to the country. The Turner-Sands team has held several community forums in recent weeks, which have been streamed live on Facebook. There has been some modest support to the campaign’s tech savvy approach to reaching voters. However, despite this strategy, one party insider told The Tribune that the campaign stands very little chance against the ‘Roc wit Doc’ campaign. The FNM’s convention will be held Wednesday through Friday at the Melià resort, Cable Beach.
LORETTA Butler-Turner at a recent meet and greet event with supporters.
CONCERNS THAT PARTY WILL NOT UNITE AFTER CONVENTION from page one
This “troubling prospect”, one FNM insider told The Tribune yesterday, has fuelled a faction in the party to move forward with plans to enter the name of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham into the leadership race during nominations this week. However, it appears that their efforts have been thwarted after Mr Ingraham delivered a blow to speculation that he was preparing to contest the leadership of the party. In a letter delivered to FNM Chairman Sidney Collie yesterday, Mr Ingraham said should his name be proposed as a nominee, he would not accept a nomination for the leadership race or any other position. Mr Ingraham stressed that he was in retirement and would support whoever emerged as FNM leader. Nonetheless, another insider said this faction fears that neither FNM Leader
Dr Hubert Minnis, if he is re-elected, or challenger Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, should she emerge as the party’s new leader, have what it takes to unify the party. “This faction wants to see stability in the party and they don’t think either candidate can do that,” one FNM who did not want to be named said. “But if Mr Ingraham is not one of the candidates, these same people have more confidence in Loretta doing it than they have in Dr Minnis. “For this group it is nothing personal, but rather all about what is best for the party and the country. “However, there is this real fear that the party will remain divided. I was present when Dr Minnis said he will deal with the MPs who wanted to go to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to have him removed. Those are not the words of someone who wants to unite the party. One of the fundamentals is you go into convention
to resolve the issues. And following the event you address those concerns with factions so that you can have unification.” Another source said: “It is highly unlikely that the party will unify after convention if Dr Minnis wins. He has been the most divisive instrument in the party since taking lead of it.” On Sunday, Mr Ingraham made a strong plea for unity regardless of who clinches the top post of the party. The former FNM leader, who has shied away from speaking publicly about the party’s ongoing internal challenges, said it is essential that the leader and the party quickly move toward complete oneness after the event, especially as it faces an impending general election. If this cannot be achieved, Mr Ingraham said, the party will fracture and go into a general election unstable and disunited. Electorates, Mr Ingraham added, reward party unity and stability and pun-
READERS’ VIEW ON CALL FOR FNM UNITY
AFTER former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham called for unity in the Free National Movement, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. John said: “Ingraham should have made this call at least two years ago. Since he was the one that put Minnis in place as leader, Ingraham should have been the catalyst to bring the party back together.” DillyTree also criticised the former PM: “Let’s not forget Ingraham is the reason the party is in shambles to begin with! Had he not stepped down in a childish fit, things would be very different now going into the 2017 elections.” But Publius gave this response: “FNMs are funny. So who is the reason for the FNMs successes? Let me guess - everyone else with Ingraham simply playing a role, right? When your party is defeated, you are supposed to resign. That is an automatic. If your party
wishes you to stay on they can ask you to do so, but you are supposed to offer your resignation immediately and unreservedly. Tommy Turnquest offered his resignation in 2002 after their party lost. The party asked him to stay on, and he ultimately did.” Lkalikl wanted Mr Ingraham to back Loretta Butler-Turner: “Ingraham must unequivocally speak up against Minnis and for Loretta. Minnis had four years to show his metal. The country saw dull rust. The PLP has been a monumental failure. The election should be obvious, but it is not, that is how bad Minnis has been.” Readers also commented on Dr Duane Sands’ suggestion that the FNM has not done enough during the past four years to recognise the “tremendous successes” of Mr Ingraham. Well_mudda_take_sic said: “Don’t make me laugh! Ingraham’s legacy is the present day shambles that the FNM party finds itself in, not to mention the
dismal financial state of our country that both he and Christie are chiefly responsible for.” Birdiestrachan asked: “Really Doc Sands? Do you care to mention all that your papa has done? Oh yes, open the airways and close them when it is convenient, his doings pale in comparison to what Sir Lynden and Mr Christie have done. Have you seen anything good in BAMSI or Urban Renewal?” In The Tribune’s online poll, we asked readers if they agreed with Loretta Butler-Turner that the FNM is at the weakest point in its history. The majority of those voting - 76.69 per cent - shared the Long Island MP’s view. • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com,.
ish the lack of it in a political organisation. He went on to insist that whoever emerges as FNM leader must demonstrate the maturity and the wisdom to engage in
open dialogue with all sections of the party. He added that unity will not be fostered and the FNM will remain divided if there is a closed mindset
or if there is a programme of retaliation against opponents. The FNM convention will be held from Wednesday to Friday.
PAGE 6 , Tuesday, July 26, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
ATTACK BY BULL SHARK ‘WAS LIKE BEING CRASHED INTO BY A FOOTBALL LINEBACKER’ from page one
“As I neared the surface, all of a sudden it was as if a football linebacker had crashed into the right side of my head,” Dr Cutbirth said. “I was stunned and could not imagine what had hit me. I looked to my right and there was the white bottom side of the shark’s mouth along with a wide, open mouth and plenty of teeth. I released the spear and fish and instinctively struck out with the back of my right arm and hand, still holding the spear handle and striking the shark square in the right side of its head. That knocked it back a bit, only to have it now in full frenzy coming back at me, banging into my side and right leg, searching for the speared fish. I kicked it with my fin and shot to the surface in a daze, not knowing exactly what had taken place...My boat mates quickly helped
me onto the boat. “Lots of blood you can imagine. We assessed my injuries, made sure no body parts were missing, applied ice packs, and headed for the small island medical clinic. Since the water is so clear and I was within 10 feet of the surface, my guide said he watched the shark speed though the water and make the hit on me.” Dr Cutbirth suffered facial and right leg wounds that required stitches. He said there was no physician on the island and he was initially told he would have to be transferred to the mainland for treatment. However, he convinced a local nurse that she could stitch him up. “The nurse gathered herself and proceeded to do a jolly good job of stitching me up. A few gaps here and there, but by and large all the pieces are together,” Dr Cutbirth said. “I was most thankful for
the nurse’s courage and effort. My dive mask and knife, strapped to my right leg, seemed to have prevented significant tissue loss. The bites were above my mask on my forehead and below my mask through my upper right lip and cheek. He got a nice bite on my right knee on both sides of the kneecap and my right outer thigh. All in all, no complaints - a very lucky person. All men should have a few well placed scars on their face.” Dr Cutbirth said unfortunately, he has to stay out of the ocean for “a week or so” but because the nurse did such a great job stitching him up, he has “no plans on returning home early” and will continue his vacation as scheduled. He said he does not blame the shark for “doing what sharks do” and next year he will be back in The Bahamas, doing what he loves, as if the incident never happened.
DR Steve Cutbirth shows some of the wounds he suffered in this picture posted to Facebook.
Dorsett tight-lipped but says Christie is his leader By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net SOUTHERN Shores MP Kenred Dorsett said yesterday that Prime Minister Perry Christie is his leader and will continue to be leader of the Progressive Liberal Party until the party feels otherwise. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Dorsett said if the PLP is interested in changing its leader, the party will do so at convention and not in the press. He was responding to assertions that he was one of the young members of government that asked Prime Minister Perry Christie to stay on as leader for another term. Last week, Mr Christie said he will continue leading the PLP into the next general election, “because young members of his government” have urged him to do so. He also suggested that instability would arise in the party if he were no longer leader, similar to what is occurring in the Official Opposition. While Mr Christie did not name the government members who he said have urged
SOUTHERN Shores MP Kenred Dorsett.
him to continue to lead the party, a well-placed source in the Christie administration said Mr Dorsett was one of these politicians, along with Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald. When contacted for comment, Mr Dorsett would not confirm or deny whether he asked Mr Christie to stay on as leader. “We all asked him to stay on when we voted for him at the last convention,” Mr Dorsett said. “He is the leader, he is my leader, he is our leader, end of discussion. If the PLP is interested in doing anything, we will do what we have to at the convention. Not in the newspaper.” Mr Wilchcombe declined to comment yesterday. When approached on the sidelines of a scholarship ceremony yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald said he did not want to speak on the issue and “overshadow” the event. Since Mr Christie’s declaration, several prominent PLPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Phillip Brave Davis, rejected the idea that the party would become unstable if the
prime minister chooses to step down as leader. Last week, former PLP MP Philip Galanis called Mr Christie “delusional” and said his comments were “the height of nonsense”. He said there are many persons within the party who are capable of bringing a breath of fresh air into the country, ridding it of the “Christie fatigue” it now experiences. Mr Christie, while in opposition, said he would consider stepping down as party leader at midterm and name a successor. However, he later said those comments were misconstrued and he intended to serve a full term if elected prime minister in 2012. Last September, in the face of speculation that Mr Davis was eyeing a leadership run, Mr Christie declared that he would go into the PLP’s convention as leader and emerge as leader. The party’s convention is scheduled for November after several delays. The PLP has not held a convention since 2009, even though the party is mandated by its constitution to hold one each year.
JOHNSON STEPS BACK FROM COMMENTS ON PM’S FUTURE from page one
Monday, which ran under the headline “Johnson wants Christie gone”. The article quotes Dr Johnson as saying he wants to see Mr Christie “transition” within “the next 10 to 12 months.” However, Dr Johnson was quick to issue a statement which was released by PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts – walking back from those
remarks. “I never say Christie should go,” said Dr Johnson in the statement. “I always say we have the best team to govern this country and he (Prime Minister Christie) is our head coach. A great team led by the best coach wins championships and I stand by that position.” The statement also says that on the issue of transition, Dr Johnson “confirmed that he stated to
Death Notice For Captain Elvis Presley Davis, 56 of Coconut Grove died on Monday, July 18th. He is survived by his Wife: Rochelle; 2 Sons: Jonathan & Martin; 3 Daughters: Monique, Keisha & Epiphany; 1 Step-Son: Elmore Archer; 3 Sisters: Ena Rolle, Mary & Vernie Davis; 4 Brothers: Munsine, Godfrey, Hezron & Anthony Davis and a host of other relatives and friends.
the media that the whole country is in transition, the PLP is still the best brand to lead this country (in the midst of this transition), and Prime Minister Christie ‘must be calling the plays and leading the transition.’ “This is in no way a call for Mr Christie to step down as leader but an endorsement of his leadership. To the contrary said Dr Johnson, the PLP’s parliamentary team takes its cue from the leader, Prime Minister Christie. “We are a better party
with a sound politically relevant philosophy and together we must share our vision for the 21st century. Dr Johnson credits this ‘best team’ to the leadership of Prime Minister Christie,” the statement added. However, his remarks appear to be divergent from comments attributed to him in The Nassau Guardian. “What you see coming is a seismic shift in our agenda, philosophy, ideology, and you will see new political leaders emerging in the next 12 months,” he said in
that earlier interview. He is also quoted as saying about Mr Christie: “I believe in what he said, that he was a bridge. I believe he has done such a good job at holding that bridge together, and now I want to see what comes over the bridge.” Dr Johnson is also quoted as saying: “I’m not the one who is going to lead, but I see a platform building for our new leadership. It’s coming. It’s fantastic. It’s coming. You can’t stop it. It’s coming. But it’s not Danny Johnson.”
This comes a week after Mr Christie revealed he has plans to stay on as leader of the PLP for the foreseeable future because young members of his government have asked him to, also suggesting the party would become unstable without him at the helm. Last week, Dr Johnson, who represents the Carmichael constituency, also announced he will not seek re-election to that area. He has recommended Senator Keith Bell to replace him as the party’s standard-bearer for that constituency.
JURY SWORN IN FOR ARMED ROBBERY TRIAL By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A JURY sworn to hear evidence in an armed robbery trial was excused yes-
terday while lawyers for the prosecution and the accused held legal discussions with the presiding judge. Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs ordered the ninemember jury to return
to the Supreme Court on Thursday, July 28, as the discussions concerning the case of 26-year-old Vinson Ariste were expected to last as many as three days. Ariste is charged with
two counts of armed robbery and a single charge of receiving, all of which he denied when the charges were read to him before the jury yesterday. It is alleged that he, on July 20, 2010, robbed Kyle Godet at gunpoint of a $1,200 gold chain, a gold ring with a black opal stone bearing an eagle eye, a $400 Seiko watch, a $500 iPhone and a $700 black Acer laptop. It is further alleged that he held up and robbed Kerry Knowles of a $50 Nokia cellphone and $120 cash. Ariste is also alleged to have dishonestly received the laptop, knowing that it had been obtained or appropriated by the commission of an offence. The accused has retained Dorsey McPhee to defend him. Ambrose Armbrister is prosecuting the case.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, July 26, 2016, PAGE 7
PROSECUTOR CHALLENGES VASYLI LAWYERS OVER APPEAL BASIS By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin yesterday challenged a woman’s belief that a jury may not have convicted her of murdering her millionaire husband if the judge had directed the panel to her lack of antecedents on the day the unanimous guilty verdict was returned. Donna Vasyli, 55, made a return appearance before the Court of Appeal for the continuation of her substantive hearing on her challenge to the jury’s verdict concerning the March 24, 2015 murder of her podiatrist husband Phillip Vasyli. At a previous hearing before Justices Dame Anita Allen, Jon Isaacs and Stella Crane-Scott last month, Vasyli’s lead lawyer Clare Montgomery, QC, argued that the absence of evidence of her client’s good character during trial might have negatively influenced a jury’s unanimous guilty verdict against her. She stressed that her client was denied the benefit of having evidence of her good character presented
DONNA Vasyli outside court at a previous appearance. prior to her conviction, which she said amounted to “breach of duty” on the part of defence counsel. Mrs Montgomery submitted that had counsel ensured that evidence of her client’s good character was led, it would have suggested that Vasyli likely did not have the propensity to murder her husband, and consequently might have resulted in a different verdict from the jury. However, Mr Gaskin yesterday said that not only was ineptitude or negligence a non-issue at Vasyli’s trial, but stressed: “There is
no duty on the trial judge to raise or direct on the issue.” He added that as Vasyli’s lawyers did not supply the jury with evidence of good character during their defence, it was not an issue for the judge to give a direction to the jury. However, Justice Jon Isaacs queried if the issue of good character could be raised from the testimonies of key witnesses Myles Pritchard and Nicolaza Quintana concerning Vasyli’s conduct towards her husband’s drunken stupor on the day of the incident. Mr Gaskin submitted that if the court “is receptive of good character in the nonlegal sense, there were other issues raised in trial that pointed to character flaws.” “Does it really matter why good character direction wasn’t given? At the end of the day, does the absence of it - irrespective of whose fault it is - is this a case where a good character direction should have been given? It had been brought out during sentencing but had it been brought out or raised prior, would it have been a difference,” Justice Crane-Scott asked. “If it was raised and the judge failed to direct, then
there would be an issue,” Mr Gaskin said before citing the Privy Council case of Edmond Gilbert v the Queen (Jamaica) as a reference for the point. The prosecutor stressed that the case noted that the “judge is under no duty to raise the issue himself as duty only arises where evidence is given.” Mr Gaskin said that in the instant case, misbehaviour or ineptitude on the part of the counsel that would deny the appellant a fair trial is a non-issue. Justice Isaacs referred again to the evidence of the aforementioned witnesses. “When you read Ms Nicolaza’s evidence, she doesn’t mention the presence of the Pritchards. However, Pritchards’ evidence speaks to the cleaning up of wounds at her direction? If he was not present, how would he have seen or heard all of this?” Justice Isaacs asked. Mr Gaskin said notwithstanding this, there was evidence in Vasyli’s record of interview where she called her husband’s actions disgusting. “Given the description of the abuse she suffered at the hands of the deceased,
would that not speak to character?” the judge then asked. Mr Gaskin responded that the prosecution had lodged an unsuccessful application during the trial to have emails allegedly sent by the appellant to Lisa Lugo admitted into evidence. The contents of these, he argued, would contradict the good character of the appellant. “Is it relevant to the proceedings if it was done in the absence of the jury?” Justice Crane-Scott asked. Mr Gaskin said it was relevant for the present argument of good character that he, maintained, was not an issue or evidence raised at trial. The emails, he said, had been brought to the court’s attention. “The judge ruled them out,” Justice Crane-Scott reminded the prosecutor. “However, the court, we say, is able to look at material he has access to,” Mr Gaskin said. “But it would have to be evidence heard by the jury,” Justice Crane-Scott maintained. “If in the non-legal sense the court accepts there can be reliance on that point, then the court would also
equally be obliged to look at negative conduct to determine whether claim of good character could be disputed,” Mr Gaskin argued. Vasyli was convicted in October 2015 of the stabbing death of her husband at their home in Old Fort Bay. At trial, the jury saw Vasyli’s videotaped interview while she was in police custody. During that interrogation, a police officer suggested to the widow that she stabbed her husband for embarrassing her in front of houseguests while he was drunk. She strongly denied the accusation in the presence of her lawyers at the time, Elliot Lockhart, QC, and Judith Whitehead. During that interview, Vasyli told police that her husband had been drinking and fell down the stairs – shattering glass from picture frames along the way – hours before his dead body was found. She added that he was walking around the house looking “disgusting” with his pants hanging down even though she told him guests were coming. However, she said, she did not argue with her husband. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
DOCTOR UNANIMOUSLY CLEARED AFTER ACCUSATION OF RAPE from page one
During his testimony, he told the court that in February business was slow and that he and the complainant left work and went to a bar. Afterwards they went to his home where they allegedly drank some more, smoked marijuana, and had consensual sex. His evidence was that he did not rape the complainant on March 2 because he was not at the clinic on the day in question, and provided alibi witness, Jumela Mathieu, a tenant and former employee who testified that she was with the doctor the entire time on that day. He also insisted that he does not perform abortions
DR GERALD FORBES, left, thanks his lawyer Osman Johnson outside Supreme Court in Freeport on Monday after being acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS because they are against his Mr Johnson told The Tribreligious beliefs as a Catho- une that his client felt vinlic. dicated after the ordeal of Outside the courtroom, being arrested and charged
RAPE CONVICT TOLD TO TAKE APPEAL ON LIFE SENTENCE TO PRIVY COUNCIL By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN who believes his life sentence for a rape conviction is unlawful was told by a Supreme Court judge yesterday to take his plea for redress to the country’s highest court. Barry Parcoi, 54, appeared before Justice Gregory Hilton for a decision on his constitutional motion argued a month ago by his lawyer Sonia Timothy seeking redress for an “unlawful, excessively severe and therefore unconstitutional” life sentence that was imposed 22 years ago. Parcoi was convicted of rape in 1994 and sentenced to life imprisonment. His sentence and conviction were upheld by the Court of Appeal a year later. “This application by the applicant Barry Parcoi is seeking to challenge the constitutionality of the life
sentence which has already been declared valid by the Court of Appeal. “This is, without more, a clear abuse of the process of the court and the application must be dismissed,” the judge said. “The applicant’s claim is that the imposition of the sentence of life by the Supreme Court, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, infringed on his constitutional rights under Article 17 and 19. If he is correct, then in accordance with the proviso to Article 28 (2) of the Constitution, he has a ground which to seek special leave from the Privy Council to appeal the life sentence on those grounds. “The applicant, to his own detriment, has chosen not to do so. The result is that this application is dismissed as an abuse of the process of the court.” His lawyer had argued that he should have been sentenced to seven years’
imprisonment in accordance with the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, which notes that a first time offender for the offence would receive that sentence. Anishka Hanchell, Crown prosecutor, replied that the Court of Appeal had affirmed Parcoi’s conviction, so the appropriate court to hear the matter was the Privy Council. Ms Timothy said that the issue of the sentence’s legality was not raised on appeal and, it being a constitutional issue, raised the issue in the Supreme Court. His lawyer had further argued that this option was not available to Parcoi, as a 54-day deadline to file an appeal to the country’s final appellate court had long passed. Parcoi’s lawyer said she would seek instructions from her client but expects that he will take the matter further.
BAIL DENIED FOR PAIR ACCUSED OF ARMED ROBBERY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TWO men were charged with armed robbery in the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Steven Cordero Hinzie, 29, of Clarke Avenue, and Meshack Newton, 32, of West End, appeared before Magistrate Gwendolyn Claude. The men were not required to enter to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to
November 3 when a preliminary inquiry will be held. Newton and Hinzie were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Service Services until then. In other court matters, a 24-year-old man of North Bahamia was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. Gregory Darling appeared before Magistrate Rengin Johnson in court three, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matter was adjourned to
November 25 for trial and he was remanded to prison. Six persons, including Meshack Newton, 32, were also brought before the court in Freeport on firearm and ammunition possession charges. Newton pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two years on the firearm possession charge, and one year on the ammunition charge. The sentences are to run consecutively. The charges were withdrawn against the other five persons.
12 CUBAN MIGRANTS DETAINED BY COAST GUARD By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
TWELVE Cuban migrants were taken to Grand Bahama by US Coast Guard officials late Friday evening and handed over to Bahamian authorities at Freeport Harbour.
According to a senior immigration official, the group of ten men and two women were intercepted by the USGC near Anguilla Cay in the Cay Sal Bank on Thursday. The migrants left Cuba on a homemade vessel on March 30 and were heading to Florida. The group
was brought to Freeport around 10pm on Friday and turned over to immigration officials. They were taken to Immigration Headquarters for processing, and flown to New Providence on Saturday for transport to the Detention Centre to await repatriation.
with the offences. “The doctor and I feel absolutely vindicated by the unanimous verdicts that were handed down by this jury,” he said. “The doctor has lost a year-and-a half of his life and his career is left in ruins. Indeed, he has lost many of his friends and his social standing has been damaged, some may say irreparably.” Mr Johnson criticised the Attorney General’s Office for its haste in moving matters to the Supreme Court by voluntary bills of indictment (VBI). “The AG’s Office is oftentimes too keen to prosecute our citizens by VBI without first establishing if there is sufficient evidence
on which to have the matter moved to the Supreme Court,” he said. “The message that needs to be sent is that there has to be a more detailed approach that is adopted in respect to which matters are proceeded by way of VBI. They are sending too many of our innocent citizens before the Supreme Court where there is scant or no evidence at all,” he said. Mr Johnson stated that the law provides for a preliminary inquiry process. “It is cases like these which demonstrate the need that we have this in our jurisdiction to allow our citizens the full range of options that are available to them under the law.”
The attorney said that his client has been condemned by the public, and in the news media all around the world “This case has received coverage in websites all over the world. And now, finally, he has had his day in court; his name has been cleared and his innocence has been confirmed.” Mr Johnson said he hopes that the powers that be learn a very important lesson from the trial. “We must refrain from first being so quick to prosecute cases through the Supreme Court on which there is no evidence; we need to provide our citizens with more safeguard and guarantees of a fair trial process,” he said.
PAGE 8 , Tuesday, July 26, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Ingraham’s return would be for the FNM, not the people I
THOUGHT Loretta Butler-Turner stood a chance. Scratch that, with my apologies. Not if You Know Who is back on the scene. By NICOLE BURROWS Do you think it’s just coincidence that he keeps rearing his head/showing Should Ingraham return his face lately, at seemingly as party leader, it would be meaningless events? Du- an opportunity for Minnis ane Sands’ swearing in at to take a more graceful bow the Senate; the naming of a and say ‘I have held the fort cheesy building that houses as long as I could, as best I the main offices of the Wa- could, and now it’s time for ter and Sewerage Corpo- the other Hubert to take ration (isn’t that already a back the reins’. name?); and now a stateAnd then it would be left ment released on Sunday to the voting public. Dienight ... ie, very early in the hard FNMs may want Inweek of a rushed Free Na- graham back - but does the tional Movement conven- general voting public? tion. Do young Well, what if ‘Maybe Ingraham people want it’s all a prel- and Christie have to move backude? Get ready wards in time, for it. This both lost their some 19 years statement by marbles. I’m not to be exact, former Prime sure how much per IngraMinister Huham’s latest bert Ingraham more lowness speech … I is not a state- Bahamians could mean statement, it’s a ment? throw in their speech posing I will hazard as a statement. direction to a guess that With In- drive home the no young Bagraham’s rehamian who point that they turn, there will vote in will be no Hu- both need to the 2017 genbert Minnis, be - and stay - in eral election not as leader, would want retirement.’ maybe deputy. to see ChrisThere’ll be no tie, Ingraham, Loretta Butler-Turner as Davis or Minnis on the balleader, though it does seem lot in position of leader and, as though Sands is Ingra- therefore, ultimately Prime ham’s favourite boy; maybe Minister. we could see him as deputy Ingraham is already camleader, aiming to satisfy paigning. He plays coy with those urging the organisa- the reporters, but he knows tion to embrace young lead- how to work them … he ership. K Peter Turnquest gives them only as much as may be chairman (because he wants to and then inserts Sidney Collie is practically a few parables to ponder. an animation) or deputy, but “You’re a very bright for certain no FNM wants to girl”, he said, rather disresee Minnis fall so far from spectfully to a young rethe top that his current dep- porter covering the namuty becomes his leader. ing ceremony (again, who
is ever going to call it the E George Moss building?). “One of these days,” Ingraham said to a second young, female reporter, “I’m gonna give you an interview.” And as you watch this exchange between Ingraham and the fledgling journalists, you can’t help but wonder why all these old heads are standing around together trying to look like they’re about the business … Miller, who keeps tapping Ingraham on the shoulder for his attention, like a rejected kid none of the other boys want to play with, and Davis, Ingraham and Christie. Apparently, the group of young reporters asked Ingraham what he thought would help the official opposition win the general election. His response in part was “the votes of people like you”, pointing to the first young reporter, who looked completely baffled as to what that meant. It means one of three things: young people, women, and/or the media. And with that said, Ingraham knows who to court if he returns. In truth, what it will take for the opposition to win the 2017 general election is the same thing it would take for any organisation to win the 2017 general election – they are all scraping the barrel bottom and they all have a long way to climb. And then there’s Perry Christie’s little cryptic dialogue at the same pointless, except-for-it-being-a-photo-opp Water and Sewer-
age Corporation ceremony ... a ‘welcome back, buddy!’ message for Ingraham. Back together again … to face the world, as the song goes. You could almost see them pointing index and middle fingers at eyes and at one another. You know the motion … “We gat dis”. Maybe they have both lost their marbles. I’m not sure how much more lowness Bahamians could throw in their direction to drive home the point that they both need to be - and stay - in retirement. If they think enlightened, progressive Bahamians want to watch them do this dance again together they are dangerously out of sync with the thinking of the only people who want and could probably help their country to move forward with a hope in hell. In Ingraham’s speech, he outlines how he sought to unify the FNM while he
was party leader, to suggest to ‘FNM supporters ... and non-aligned voters’ that he can do it again … that he, in fact, is the one true uniting force for the FNM. He’s the glue, like Christie is to the Progressive Liberal Party. The fun thing about being a writer is you always know the different ways another writer will end her or his story. My friends absolutely abhor watching movies with me. Very rarely can a plot or its outcome surprise me. And the plot of Ingraham’s return to the forefront of the FNM and mainstream politics would only be another one of those unsurprising endings. Returning to frontline FNM leadership and returning to politics is the worst thing Hubert Ingraham could do for his country. It would be for the FNM party if he did it, not for the people.
When the same enlightened, visionaries among Bahamians sound the alarm, on news of ancient mammals returning to modern landscapes and such, it’s not because they want to see their country fail … it’s actually the battle cry, to which, if Bahamians had ears and eyes to listen and see, they would respond with urgency. Hubert Ingraham has done his time for the Bahamas. Perry Christie has done his time for the Bahamas. They both need to make way for new leadership, or both he and Christie will obliterate any measure of goodness they ever fostered during their respective tenures as Prime Minister. But, maybe, they don’t care about this. You’ll know for sure soon enough. Send email to nburrows @tribunemedia.net
US dollars? Bahamians demand foreign currencies to buy foreign goods supplied either direct from abroad or by local businesses, again, namely US goods and US currency. The Bank ultimately can’t limit the desire for US dollars; it can only limit access to US dollars, so that Bahamians then circumvent the Central Bank to get the US currency they desire. Is that another subliminal message by Rolle, that soon there will be firmer restrictions on Bahamians’ access to US dollars? The word on the street, even in the poorest parts of Nassau and where you
think the people are not well-educated, is that people are advising each other to hold tightly to US currency. The whole point Myers was making was that the people’s demand would shift, increase, either pulling on existing US dollars in local banks or resulting in them seeking to transact offshore in US dollars. As it stands, no one but Bahamians have any reason to want to hold Bahamian dollars. If they can see, within their smaller circles, that limited business opportunity and productivity which gives value to the
local currency is greatly diminished, they’re not interested in holding local currency. If US-based businesses in the Bahamas doing business mainly in the United States, repatriating US funds to their US-based headquarters or principals, that draws down the US currency reserves at the Central Bank. Under current economic conditions, I believe Myers’ suggestion is that it is not unlikely for such businesses to pull out of the Bahamas, initiating a draw down on US dollars from their local banks and ultimately the
Central Bank which supplies them. Rolle himself says “a predicate to any pressure on the currency is for the foreign reserves to be threatened with depletion”. When Kerzner International pulled out of the Bahamas, and cashed out in US dollars, I do recall a significant draw down on US reserves held in the Central Bank of The Bahamas. Imagine that times four, five, or more times, by multiple businesses. Or, can we still not see that as a possibility? Send email to nburrows @tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
Devaluation looks a real concern C
ENTRAL Bank governor John Rolle has made a few dubious statements recently in response to former Chamber of Commerce chairman Robert Myers’ comments about the imminent likelihood of devaluation of the Bahamian dollar. There is some dialogue ongoing about the global benchmark of more than one billion dollars of foreign currency reserves being the acceptable norm, with Rolle stating that foreign currency reserves at the Central Bank of The Bahamas are well above
benchmark. But how much of the reserves are held in which currencies? Further doubt is cast on the definition of a ‘medium term’ threat of devaluation, as in most businesses short term equates to anything within one year and medium term is just a few years more. But Rolle also raises a point about the Central Bank’s ability to regulate demand for foreign currencies, that being “another layer of protection” against devaluation. But how can the Central Bank truly limit demand for foreign currencies, and let’s be frank, those are mainly
PAGE 10, Tuesday, July 26, 2016
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FORMER SPEAKER RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT MAJOR COMMENTS By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FORMER House Speaker Alvin Smith said the recent public comments by House Speaker Dr Kendal Major that he was not one of the young parliamentarians who asked the prime minister to remain leader of the Progressive Liberal Party should not have been made public, despite the assertion the remarks were his personal views. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Smith who served as Speaker of the House during the last Ingraham administration, said the House speaker should have never commented on anything said by the leader of the governing party.
“He went there by way of a party,” Mr Smith said yesterday when he was contacted, “but in Parliament he is not in the party. So when persons ask about the leader he should not comment no matter what it is.” Asked if he was of the view that this could compromise the speaker’s position of authority, Mr Smith said “somewhat,” adding that it is best to always try to avoid comments that may be construed as controversial. He said every political organisation has a caucus, which presents a time and place for government officials to air personal opinions of their leader and to voice concerns about the way the party is moving if there are concerns. Last week, Dr Major told The Nassau Guardian that
he did not ask Prime Minister Perry Christie to stay on as PLP leader, adding that he had very strong views about Mr Christie’s recent comments. During that interview, Dr Major said: “I am absolutely not one of those who he spoke to. Absolutely not.” When Dr Major was asked if he believed Mr Christie’s leadership provided stability to the party, he skirted the question ultimately saying he had “strong views” on the prime minister’s comments but those would be reserved because of his position as House speaker. He was referring to the prime minister’s comments while as a guest on Kiss FM’s “Ed Fields Live” show last Monday. At the time, Mr Christie
said he seeks to continue leading the PLP, including into the next general election, because young members of his government have urged him to do so. He also suggested that instability would plague the party if he were no longer its leader, similar to what is occurring within the Free National Movement. He did not name the government members who he said have urged him to continue to lead the party. The remarks have drawn harsh criticisms from PLPs and sparked national debate. Former PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby on Sunday told The Tribune it is “absolute nonsense” for Mr Christie to profess that he is the glue holding the organisation together.
He suggested that this current administration lacked ideas and vision, which has stagnated the country’s growth and fed frustration among young Bahamians that there are limited opportunities available of which to take advantage. Mr Rigby was critical of the PLP-led government, insisting that it failed to push progressive policies. The former party executive added that if Bahamians want to change the course of the country, the electorate must move away from correlating personalities with the ability to govern as this has not served the needs of the country over the last several decades. His dismissal of the prime minister followed a
rebuke by former MP Philip Galanis who last week also chastised Mr Christie saying his declaration was the “height of nonsense” and the bordered on “delusional”. Mr Galanis said there are many persons within the party who are capable of bringing a breath of fresh air into the country, ridding it of the “Christie fatigue” it now experiences. Mr Galanis insisted that if it was Mr Christie’s desire to remain on as prime minister, he should just be intellectually honest and say so. Asked if he believed the party should have an earlier convention, Mr Galanis said the PLP should because the planned November timeline was too late to change leaders and draft a plan to direct the country.
BUT blames Johnson for mix-up that meant track team missed day of event By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net AN alleged “last minute” issue with travel costs by a Cabinet minister cost a junior national track and field team one day of competition and jeopardised its chances at emerging victorious at a highly anticipated regional track meet two weeks ago, Bahamas Union of Teachers Secretary General John Musgrove said yesterday. Mr Musgrove, in an official BUT statement, said less than ten days before the 40-member team was scheduled to travel to the 16th Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Track and Field Championships, Director of Youth, Sports
and Culture Tim Munnings told BUT executives that the team no longer had confirmed transport to the event because Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Dr Daniel Johnson reportedly “felt that the cost should be (covered) by the Ministry of Education”. Mr Musgrove said notwithstanding the BUT’s “disappointment of the last minute development,” discussions then led to a “possible agreement” to have the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture bear half the cost and for the Ministry of Education “to be approached about securing the other half”. He said the BUT was “assured” that the national team would not be stranded. Nonetheless, Mr Mus-
grove said that the “last minute development,” coupled with a subsequent “miscommunication” led to members and coaches of Team Bahamas “being sent to the airport before the new flight plans were confirmed.” The BUT said it ultimately agreed to pay half the cost of the flight so that the team could get to Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI), where the championships were taking place. The BUT said Team Bahamas arrived in the BVI on the evening of Friday, July 15, and were only able to compete the following Saturday, the final day of competition. The team ultimately placed seventh out of 14 countries, finishing with a
total score of 157 points and winning 11 medals. Mr Musgrove said the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, by an agreement with the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), was responsible for the travel arrangements. That much was agreed between the ministry and the BAAA “with calls and emails subsequently made between the two parties,” Mr Musgrove said. Mr Musgrove said a meeting was held on May 5 at the ministry with Mr Munnings, who agreed to facilitate the transport of the team. Mr Musgrove said the only issue at the time was the size of the aircraft - whether it should be a 70-seater or a 120-seater.
“At no time before this, was the Bahamas Union of Teachers made aware that we would have to pay for the flight,” Mr Musgrove said. “The (Ministry of Youth) was made aware of the CUT games months in advance.” Attempts to reach Dr Johnson for comment were unsuccessful yesterday. The statement by the BUT comes nearly two weeks after a disgruntled parent told The Tribune that it was a “tragedy” that his son and 39 other young athletes had been “left in limbo” for almost two days not knowing if they would make it to the championships. Expecting to leave Nassau a day ahead of the meet, the parent said Team Ba-
hamas was left stranded at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) when they discovered that they were not booked on their respective flights as they prepared for departure. The parent said his family and some eight team members who travelled from Freeport, Grand Bahama, were stuck at LPIA from 7am until 4pm on July 13 with no idea if they would make it to the BVI in time for the championships. The CUT games are a series of events that bring together approximately 700 of the best athletes between the ages of 8-15, along with coaches, from 23 countries in the region, in the spirit of Caribbean unity and friendly competition.
STUDENTS SHINE IN AWARDS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net NEARLY 60 students from 16 high schools throughout the archipelago were yesterday honoured as winners of the government’s Public School Scholarship Award, something Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald called a “very proud moment” for public education in the country. At the second annual Public School Scholar Awards Ceremony at the Harry C Moore Library on the College of the Bahamas (COB) campus, Mr Fitzger-
ald called it his “absolute pleasure” to award the 57 students their scholarships. According to Mr Fitzgerald, 70 students originally qualified for this year’s award, but only 57 accepted the scholarship offer and were able to follow through to the visa process. Otherwise, he said the government “would have been sending even more public school students to schools abroad” to complete programmes of study. Nonetheless, Mr Fitzgerald said yesterday’s awards ceremony was made possible by the government’s partnership with its 10 uni-
A SPEAKER at the scholarship award event.
versity partners that have collectively donated over $3.6m in scholarships over the next four years. Mr Fitzgerald said those figures, along with a $1.9m, four-year commitment by Munroe College and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology represents a total investment by the government of over $5.5m. “This morning is a clear example of why public-private partnerships are so important to the growth and development of a nation,” Mr Fitzgerald added. “Our partnership with the universities and colleges (represented yesterday) have allowed for an increase in access to tertiary education for those who otherwise would not have been able to afford it.” According to Mr Fitzgerald, the 57 scholarship recipients were all “solid students” who have achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 and higher, allowing them to quality for either the government’s academic or technical and vocational public scholar awards. He said they also met all of the admissions requirements of the varied colleges and uni-
THE AWARD winners at the scholarship award ceremony, above, and some of the attendees, right.
Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff
versities. Upon receipt of their respective scholarships, Mr Fitzgerald said the students will pursue areas of study “that will meet the national career needs of the Bahamas,” which he said includes hospitality and tourism studies, finance, aviation management and other fields of study.
AWARD KEEPS UP THE LEGACY OF REV COOPER MORE than 43 years after he preached at the first ecumenical service in an independent Bahamas, the legacy of Rev Dr R E Cooper Sr, who was then president of the Bahamas Christian Council, continues. The annual R E Cooper National Meritorious Service Award is set for October 29 at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, when 18 outstanding people - Bahamian and international will be recognised for their contribution to service in and outside the Bahamas. Dr Cooper, who died in 1980, was a Bahamian hero, scholar, theologian, social reformer and founding pastor of The Mission Baptist Church in Nassau. Despite his numerous accomplishments, his primary concern was to ensure the elevation of the ordinary man, whose talents were unexplored,
IMAGES of the Rev Dr R E Cooper. and who was often over- others and giving back to looked in professional and/ help their fellow man. or vocational fields. The gala will feature a Dr Cooper believed in sumptuous dinner, entereducation and thousands tainment by local and interof Bahamians benefited, national stars, special guest directly or indirectly, from speakers and the presentahis contribution. Many Ba- tion of awards. hamians were assisted to The names of those behigher learning by receiv- ing honoured in 2016 will ing scholarships directly be- be announced next month cause of his efforts to inter- and many, despite their outnational universities. standing achievement, have The Meritorious Service rarely been recognised. Award honourees are men However, the committee and women who, through for the R E Cooper Meritoconsistency and persis- rious Service Award looked tence, have achieved suc- far and wide to select the cess in their chosen pro- most deserving people that fession or career. They are best exemplify the spirit people viewed not only for of Dr Cooper and a conwhat they have individu- cern for their fellow man. ally achieved, but for the For more information, visit achievement of inspiring www.recooperaward.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Fighting to save the Bahamian economy
Tuesday, July 26, 2016, PAGE 11
Your Say By ROBERT MYERS
T
HERE has been much recent discussion of Bahamian dollar devaluation. At this stage, is seems that it is not a matter of if The Bahamas will suffer devaluation, but when. Numerous local and international organisations have issued warnings to the Bahamian government regarding fiscal control, ease of doing business, education, productivity, government accountability, public management, corruption, equitable enforcement of the rule of law, transparency (Freedom of Information Act) and gross domestic product (GDP) growth and despite these warnings little to nothing has been done. If the existing government and any future government does not take the matter far more seriously and act immediately then it seems inevitable that we will see a chain of events that will lead to certain devaluation of the currency and ultimate further deterioration of the Bahamian economy and standard of living. We see little done by government to curb or curtail the mounting national debt and increased capital expenditure. The implementation of value added tax (VAT) and slight savings in government recurrent expenses has not resulted in the reduction of the national deficit or debt. Continued increases in fees, such as business licences, and taxes only serves to raise the cost of living of every Bahamian. In addition, the contingent liabilities for government pensions, and the like, are growing and are not being reported in accordance to International Accounting Standards. The national debt is growing at an alarming rate and the cost of debt service is getting higher as our credit rating and worthiness declines. These are not the signs of a responsible government or prudent leadership. It is evident that the government believes that the “imminent” opening of the Baha Mar resort and other current foreign direct investment (FDI) projects will hold off devaluation and cure the country’s fiscal crisis, but this is simply not so. The excessive spending that successive governments have undertaken is a disease that will kill the country just as heroin will eventually kill a drug addict. What politicians, political candidates and managers of the public purse seem to require is a crash course in economics. In order to meet current financial obligations and to lower unemployment, The Bahamas’ GDP growth must be in the range of 5.5 per cent to six per cent. Currently, the Bahamas is experiencing negative GDP growth and our economy continues to shrink. FDI alone is incapable of producing anywhere near the level of growth that is required to meet current debt obligations and reduce unemployment. Successive governments have continued to implement and support laws, policies or positions that make businesses more expensive to operate, less competitive and the decrease the ease of doing business and thus stifle growth and opportunity. In the most recent global index of ease of doing business, the Bahamas ranks 106 out of 177 countries. It is one of government’s primary roles to provide the laws, policies, positions and opportunities for a nation to grow and develop. Repeatedly, our politicians have failed to provide such leadership and opportunity to its citizens and in many cases, have chosen to put counterproductive populace policies in place that ultimately hurt economic development and growth. This continuum of poor governance has damaged consumer and business
ROBERT MYERS confidence and as a result, businesses and consumers have slowed spending which has limited growth and opportunity. The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) cautions the citizens, businesses and the government that, unless significant changes are made that provide organisations like Moody’s, S&P, IDB, the IMF and the World Bank, the confidence that our nation is acting in a fiscally responsible manner, there will be dire and irreversible damage to the financial future of the Bahamas. ORG’s recommendations for immediate action are: 1. Enact the Freedom of Information Act and Whistleblower’s Act in accordance with the recommendations submitted by ORG, Citizens for a Better Bahamas and other civil society organisations. The passage of these acts is critical for public scrutiny and evaluation of applicable government contracts and agreements in order to assess efficiency and mitigate the opportunity for various forms of corruption. Without such an act the potential for waste and corruption is very high and the correction of government abuse virtually impossible. 2. Enact a Fiscal Responsibility Act to control government spending, require modern government reporting and accounting standards, demand accountability and provide emergency provisions in the event of national disasters. 3. Enact a Public Management Act to mandate accountability within government ministries, departments and those put in positions of authority in government and civil service. There must be separation between elected officials and those placed in charge of public ministries, corporations and offices in order to stop political meddling and increase efficiency within these operations. 4. Adopt ‘dollarisation’ and then move to eventually remove exchange control and allow free use of Bahamian and/or US dollars. 5. Lower bank prime interest rates. 6. Implement tax incentives and reduce work permit fees for businesses that provide industry recognised career development training and certification programmes to their employees. 7. Eliminate work permit fees for any company or institution that employs dedicated trainers or teachers for the purpose of improving workforce productivity, workforce education or education. 8. Establish public/private charter schools focused on improving lower, middle and high school educational results in the inner city and challenged school districts. 9. Continue to improve tax compliance and collection within the existing taxes. 10. Adopt further reform to recurrent government revenue. This includes considerations of new forms of taxation to replace inefficient taxes or those that are a disincentive to investment, such as the current business licence fee that taxes gross sales as opposed to profitability. 11. Restrict revenue derived from disposal of as-
ROBERT Myers says it is evident that the government believes the “imminent” opening of Baha Mar will stave off devaluation. sets to debt repayment; fa- better education and en- ance and education reform. politicians to commit to the cilitate the development of gagement of the Bahamian The campaign will mobi- sustainability and future of a national land policy to re- people around these criti- lise the Bahamian peo- The Bahamas. strict sales of land and pro- cal issues; and the ways to ple, private industry, civil ORG strongly encourmote long-term leases; and bring about the necessary society and government ages everyone living and better evaluate the best uti- solutions. To achieve this, to push for the passage working in The Bahamas to ORG has launched ‘The of strong, fair and timely join The Campaign for the lisation of national assets. 12. Continue to use dy- Campaign for The Baha- legislation; fight for trans- Bahamas at www.thecamnamic economic modelling mas’ – a rallying cry to fight parency and accountabil- paign242.org and join the to forecast the impact of fis- for a positive and sustain- ity, identify research and fight for change. If we don’t cal choices on the financial able future for our country. best practices to improve act now to demand someThe only way for positive government policy and thing different from the position and performance change to happen is if our practices. The campaign government and the politiof the Government. 13. Determine policy or collective voices are heard. will develop public educa- cians, then our economic laws for improving public The campaign is created tion resources and forums; future is sure to fail. sector productivity and ac- for the people and by the generate solution-oriented countability and the ease of people and will provide a research and create public Robert Myers is chairnon-political platform for pressure for change using man and co-founder of the doing business. 14. Reform immigration reform. Our efforts will tar- candidate report cards and Organization for Responpolicies to balance employ- get economic development, a public pledge requiring sible Governance, a not for ment needs against skills accountability in govern- government officials and profit action group and create seamless interaction between the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Statistics. Improve the automation and management of work permits and renewals so they are completed in a far more efficient and timely fashion. 15. Impose a moratorium on further burdens on public capital or recurrent expenditures, including wage increases, new hiring, and National Health Insurance, until such time as the deficit is brought to zero and debt to GDP is maintained at manageable levels. ORG is committed to working with all stakeholders to implement the above changes toward the improvement of our country’s economy and governance. We urge all Bahamians to put aside their political suasions and to demand action from all political parties, politicians, senators, political candidates, political party councillors and public sector managers, board members and executives. ORG believes the political and economic status quo must change, holding that any political party or candidate should have clear plans for reform written into their manifesto and election campaign. To avoid going over the inevitable economic cliff, we must demand and provide pressure for reform and we must do so now. There is a dire need for
PAGE 12, Tuesday, July 26, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
MARINE GROUPS THANK DISNEY FOR DITCHING EGG ISLAND PLAN TWO leading organisations with strong ties to the marine environment have thanked Disney Cruise Lines for shelving plans to lease Egg Island in North Eleuthera for a private island cruise destination. Disney announced on Thursday night that it was scrapping plans to transform the island near Spanish Wells into a private day-trip destination for passengers after it reviewed an environmental impact assessment and geotechnical studies it had commissioned.
The cruise line had never formally announced it was pursuing a private island destination in Eleuthera, but when an engineering contract with a Spanish Wells link became public, the local community pulled together, drafting a petition circulated widely online, quickly eliciting more than 2,000 signatures. “All the stars aligned on this and everything worked as it should,” said Joseph Darville, Chairman of Save the Bays and Waterkeepers Bahamas. “The corporate entity, Disney Cruise
Lines, demonstrated responsibility and made the right choice. The community got together and spoke in a voice that could not be ignored about an activity that would have changed their way of life and could have destroyed much of the fish population on which they depend for their livelihood because the reefs and the mangroves around Egg Island are important fish, conch and crawfish nurseries and habitats. “And the environmental impact assessment did what it was created for. Based
on science, not emotion, it showed that there would have been damage and destruction of the marine environment.” Speaking on behalf of Waterkeepers Bahamas and Save The Bays, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Disney Cruise Lines and to the citizens of North Eleuthera who, as a corporation and as a community, came to the same conclusion - that to have proceeded with plans to develop this ecologically sensitive area into a heavily trafficked, commercial
venture requiring extensive dredging and destruction of coral reefs would have been an environmental disaster. In fact, it would have violated the very sound ecological principles which Disney has come to represent. In addition to being an entertainment giant, Disney has also been a great friend of the environment.” The Disney Conservation Fund is currently supporting coral reef restoration in the Bahamas through a program called Reverse the Decline.
Mr Darville said he hopes that the Disney example becomes the model on which others proceed in the future. “If only this had happened in Bimini, we might have been able to save some of the world’s most famous and treasured coral reefs that were destroyed in the name of development and for the sake of a cruise dock that is not even being used. On the positive side, maybe it takes a grave loss like that to open eyes and sensitise people to take greater care in the future.”
KENNEL CLUB SHINES IN SAVANNAH CONTEST
TANGLEWOODE’s on the Warpath (Scout) places 1st and 2nd in novice obedience achieving his CD Title. MEMBERS of the Bahamas Kennel Club (BKC) travelled to Savannah, Georgia at the end of June to compete in the annual Savannah Dog Training Club’s Obedience Trials. Competing in the trials were Amanda Meyers and Fox Hill’s Monkeying Around Bahamian potcake “Monkey”, Diane Fletcher and Blue Banner’s Big Bang Shetland sheepdog “Penny” and Lynn Gape and Tanglewoode’s on the Warpath Australian shepherd “Scout”. The group was supported by Michael Albury, BKC director and Tonya Gay, BKC director and group trainer. “We were very pleased with the performance of the participants at the show,” said Ms Gay of Follow the Leader Dog Training. “Eve-
ryone competed at a high level and qualified, as well as placed in several trials.” “We continue to be impressed by our Bahamian participants,” said Carol Mett, show chair. “They do extremely well considering that many do not have the ring experience of many of the competitors. This is the 3rd year that some of the participants have competed and I continue to see improvement in their performance.” The BKC members train as a group and have been supported by Purina (Bahamas Wholesale Agencies) who support the BKC’s Annual Dog Show in March and a special obedience trial and training in January each year. “We are extremely grateful for the continued sup-
port of Purina for our training as well as the support for our January trial. We also appreciate the service provide by Saga Boy Air Charters which allows us to travel with our dogs inside (the) passenger cabin to Ft Lauderdale,” said Lynn Gape, BKC vice-president. Achievements at the show were: Fox Hill’s Monkeying Around (Monkey)two rally novice legs; Blue Banner’s Big Bang (Penny) - two rally novice legs, placed 2nd and 3rd, and one beginner novice Leg; Tanglewoode’s on the Warpath (Scout): - two novice obedience legs placing 1st and 2nd as well as AKC CD and one rally advanced leg. For more information about obedience and agility training contact info@ bahamaskc.org.
FROM left, Carol Mett, show chair Savannah Obedience Trials, Amanda Meyers, Lynn Gape, Diane Fletcher and Tonya Gay.
DIANE Fletcher receiving her 3rd Place ribbon in Rally Novice.
36 BENEFIT FROM DOCTORS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FUND SCHOLARSHIPS THIRTY-SIX young Bahamians have received financial assistance from the Doctors Hospital Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation scholarship fund to help offset their educational expenses. The students are studying to become healthcare professionals, many aspiring to be physicians or surgeons, others working towards their qualifications in nursing and a number studying to become allied healthcare professionals. Several of this year’s scholarship recipients received funding from the Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation for a second or third year, ensuring that they are supported throughout their tertiary education. “The Bahamas needs you,” Foundation Director
Michele Rassin-Moodie told the students at the scholarship presentation ceremony. “You see what’s going on right now with National Health Insurance. You see the obesity rates and non-communicable diseases, cancer … all of the things that are trying this country and making it more difficult and more costly to provide healthcare. I just want to thank you, being one of the Directors, to be able to look through all of your portfolios, read your essays, see your passion, and know that the country is going to be better because of all of you.” The Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation was established in honour of Mrs RassinMoodie’s grandfather. Doctors Hospital CEO
Charles Sealy explained why the country’s premier private healthcare institution offers the scholarship assistance. “We realised a long time ago that to become involved in healthcare is a costly venture,” he told the students and their proud parents. “We realised also that healthcare continues to change and the support that is needed is great and as many ways as we can find to assist in that regard we wanted to do the same. So the foundation was started with the same purpose. “Over the years we have helped hundreds of students and we deem it an honour to be able to participate in this way. We look forward to when you return and are able to contribute to the healthcare industry
here in The Bahamas.” This year’s scholarships range from $500 to $2,000. “I literally jumped up and ran to my mother and told her I got it,” said Donovan Williamson, a first-year medical student at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. “It’s a step to helping me in the right direction and achieving my dreams of coming back home and helping the healthcare profession be all that it can be. Not only will the scholarship help me with my tuition, but it will help me to stay focused and not get sidetracked, knowing that someone has my back and believes in me.” Krystle Curtis, who is studying medical technology and biology at Gannon University, Pennsylvania,
was similarly moved to receive word that she had received a Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation Scholarship. “I started to cry when I got the email at work,” she said. “I had applied to a few scholarships and didn’t get them, so just to get that good news and knowing that my parents won’t have that hardship to pay even more money, I’m just grateful for the opportunity.” Ms Curtis aspires to be a forensic scientist or laboratory technician. Each year, Doctors Hospital Health System donates a portion of its profits to the fund and, this year, Associates at the Hospital and Bahamas Medical Center rallied to host two events to raise additional money for the scholarship fund –
the BMC Dri Tri and the DHHS Fun Run & Walk. “It is important for Doctors Hospital to play a key role in the development of future healthcare professionals,” said Paul Haven, VP of Human Resources. “We are constantly challenged to find Bahamians who have qualified in a number of critical areas and so far too often we are forced to look outside of the Bahamas to find staff that we need in order to continue to provide the very highest level of healthcare to the Bahamian public.” Applications for the Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation scholarships are due by March 31 each year and forms and a list of requirements can be found on www.doctorshosp.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, July 26, 2016, PAGE 13
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