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DAVIS INSISTS: I’VE KEPT MY PROMISES

LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis insists his administration is living up to promises it made to nurses and teachers despite the opposition’s claim that the government has failed to adequately address their concerns.

On Wednesday, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard accused the government of not having a proper plan to address the key issues facing the agitated workers.

He said examples of this could be seen in the unions’ rejection of their proposals for salary increases and retention bonuses as

outlined in the 2022/23 budget.

“The budget was released and the Prime Minister promised to address some key areas that are affecting us,” Mr Pintard said.

“One (was) education.

He got a standing ovation talking about what he intends to do for educators and to retain them. Obviously, he did not have a serious conversation with them because they are right on the brink of industrial action because no sensible package has been presented to educators to show that this administration is serious about properly compensating educators for the incredible work they’re doing and retaining them.”

SEE PAGE THREE

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis says the government is considering reducing fuel taxes for gas retailers with a view to bringing relief to struggling Bahamians.

“We are now considering what to do with retail gas stations, seeking to reduce some of their taxes on VAT to be able to pass that on to consumers. That is something in the works,” Mr

Davis said yesterday.

During his office’s press briefing, Mr Davis was asked about his administration’s plans to maintain the country’s economic stability given concerns about the US economy entering a recession by year’s end.

Mr Davis said steps have already been taken to keep the economy afloat as he pointed to the government’s decision to lower duty on certain food imports and introduce other relief measures.

SEE PAGE THREE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Lucayan’s chairman yesterday reassured there is “no deal breaker” after it was agreed that negotiations over the hotel’s sale be extended by 45 days to September 15.

Julian Russell told Tribune Business he was “very, very confident” that the resort’s $100m sale to Electra America Hospitality Group will ultimately close with both sides agreeing that more time is needed to complete “due diligence” and all the required legal documents.

Asserting that the USbased purchaser remains “high on Grand Bahama”, he said its representatives have been present at the Grand Lucayan “just about every day” since the deal was first announced on May 12, while also interviewing resort brands it has selected as potential hotel operators.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

$170M PLAN FOR TORCH CAY RESORT

...AND NOW LOOKING AT HELP ON GAS PRICE LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LUCAYAN DEAL STILL ON TRACK

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

LEAPING FOR GOLD

BAHAMIAN LaQuan Nairn leaped to gold in the men’s long jump final during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, yesterday. See SPORTS for more.

Photo: Alastair Grant/AP

A $170M INVESTMENT targeted at Exuma’s southern tip is pledging to create up to 300 full-time jobs - plus several hundred construction posts - via the build-out of a mixed-use resort and residential project.

The PMR Bahamas development plans to develop an 81-slip marina, 161 residential lots, boutique resort with 40 keys, and an 18-hole golf course on 707-acre Torch Cay, also known as Hog Cay. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

NATIONAL MEMORIAL WEEK FOR DORIAN LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A WEEK-LONG national memorial with various activities in honour of Hurricane Dorian victims, survivors and first responders will be held beginning next month, press secretary Clint Watson announced yesterday.

Mr Watson said activities will be held on Abaco and Grand Bahama – the islands directly affected by

THE DUKE and Duchess of Cambridge laying a wreath at the Marsh Harbour Memorial Gardens in honour of Hurricane Dorian victims earlier this year. the monster storm- as well as New Providence.

The events will take

place as the country marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Dorian making landfall.

“It will be a week of activities which we will be announcing very soon as to how we will go through the week of memorialising those involved in Hurricane Dorian so listen out to that,” Mr Watson said during an Office of the Prime Minister press conference yesterday.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

DIANE PHILLIPS: WHO REALLY NAMED THE BAHAMAS?

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Friday, August 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Surrey industry returns

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE reopening of Nassau’s historic Surrey industry was held yesterday in Rawson Square.

Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth ColebyDavis in her remarks at the event said it was a continuation of efforts to return to “economic normalcy” in the country.

In April 2022, the minister met with the surrey drivers who expressed their struggles from the industry being closed since March 2020 due the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the original Surrey facility was destroyed amid the redevelopment of the Nassau Cruise Port, Surrey drivers will now operate from east of Rawson square.

Mrs Coleby- Davis said she made a commitment to the drivers that the Davis administration was fully

MINISTER of Transport and Housing Jobeth Coleby-Davis & 30-year Surrey driver George Pratt cutting the ribbon at the ceremony for the reopening of the Surrey industry. From left, Senator Darren Pickstock, Senator Barry Griffin, Bishop Helen Mcphee, Mr Pratt, Mrs Coleby-Davis, House Speaker Patricia Deveaux, deputy director general of tourism and aviation Dr Kenneth Romero, and Bishop Walter Hanchell.

Photos: Austin Fernander committed to reopening the business enterprise span- an evidently injured horse ning family generations.” lying on the street and industry.

Although the reopening being attended to by indiShe added : “Many of the Surrey drivers and partici- of the industry is beneficial viduals in the downtown pants in the industry come to the Surrey operators, the area.

The incident prompted from the Over-the-Hill health and condition of the community. Most of the horses has been a major president of the Bahamas Humane Society Kim participants in the Surrey concern.

In 2017, a video surfaced Aranha to renew calls for industry have invested for years, with linkages to this on social media showing the Surrey horse industry

to be shut down on the grounds of its inhumane nature and treatment of horses.

In 2013, a surrey horse “Uncle Tom” was hit by as it crossed the Dowdeswell and Deveaux Streets intersection.

Even in 2012, bystanders watched a gruesome scene as a surrey horse, with tourists collapsed in the corner of Dowdeswell and Christie Streets. One woman on scene called it disturbing, describing the horse as looking hungry and starved.

At the ceremony, one reporter asked what was being done to ensure the health and well-being of the horses.

Mrs Coleby-Davis responded: “We have a veterinarian who has been assisting with the horses during the shutdown because it’s really important for us to care for them even when they’re not working.

And we also were able to agree a small stipend to the

horse owners to get them up to speed and ready for when we were to open. So, that’s why from April to now it took some time for us to get it opened back up.”

She added that Dr Kenneth Romer, deputy director of Tourism and the chairman of the Hackney Carriage Board is working along with the board on a few programmes to make sure there are proper inspection and care for the horses going forward.

The minister reminded Surrey drivers to follow the regulations for the industry, which include ensuring the safety of carriages while also taking good care of the horses. She continued that they ensure the waste from the horses is properly collected and not deposited on the streets.

There are currently 25 registered drivers and 20 horses currently active in the Surrey industry.

RELIEF PACKAGES FOR BUS DRIVERS ‘SORTED THIS WEEK’

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net TRANSPORT and Housing Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis says she is hoping relief packages for bus drivers will be sorted out this week.

In addition to the minister’s meeting with the drivers, she told reporters yesterday there was also a meeting with Prime Minister Philip Davis and the Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis in regard to the relief packages for bus drivers.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said: “The first package is a temporary relief package that we’re working on and we’re hoping that one is sorted this week, which is what Minister Halkitis has promised me. That one I think would be assistance through vouchers for gas.”

Although the value or how often the vouchers may be used has not been decided, Mrs Coleby-Davis said she’s waiting on the minister of economic affairs to confirm those details.

She continued: “Then we’ll still be reconsidering the fare increase but it wouldn’t come until probably the new year.”

The Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union (BUBDU) has been vocal in its stance for the government to approve a passenger fare increase in recent months due to high gasoline costs. In July, numerous jitney drivers protested at RM Bailey park for the government to increase the fares.

Drivers are proposing an increase in adult fares from $1.25 to $2, seniors from 75 cents to $1, junior and senior students from $1 to 1.25 and primary school students to remain at 50 cents.

When asked about the process of the taxi plates she described it as being fairly smooth.

Through the process officials realised a lot of persons who were still leasing had not been included.

A substation was set up in Loyola hall that allowed persons to be able to bring in their documentation and be assisted in the vetting process.

Those persons who went through that process were then issued their plates.

She continued: “We still have quite a number of them who didn’t meet that one. So, we’re just going through a vetting process. And when we get to another point where we can begin, assisting more we’ll get them assisted.”

The minister told reporters over 200 plates have been issued.

Further, price gouging by taxi drivers was also a concern raised, as drivers have commonly overcharged the cab rates for tourists.

She highlighted that in the past taxi cabs had a pricing list placed inside the cabs which allowed customers to see the listed pricing.

“We’re looking at ways to make sure that it’s very clear what the pricing is for our tourists, our guests, and persons utilising the service so that we can avoid some of those concerns.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 3

SIR BRIAN MOREE SWORN IN AS APPEAL COURT JUSTICE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SIR Brian Moree was sworn in yesterday as a justice of the Court of Appeal.

The brief ceremony came the day after Ian Winder was sworn as the country’s new Chief Justice replacing Sir Brian.

While giving remarks yesterday, Sir Brian said he is deeply committed to the view that there is great

honour in public service.

He said: “I think one person put it this way and I quote the roots of happiness grow deepest in the soil of service and that’s always been something, which has been very important to me particularly as I’ve gotten older.

“I’m at that point in my life where I know the truth of that statement and so I’m very humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to continue in my

public service through my appointment to the Court of Appeal.

“I must say that for the vast majority of litigants in this country the Court of Appeal is effectively the final court even though it’s subject to the Privy Council and that is because, so few cases go to the Privy Council. So, it imposes a very onerous duty on the appellant judges to discharge justice and to develop the jurisprudence of our

country.

“And I look forward to being a part of that, Mr president. I look forward to working with you and your team. I fortunately know all of my colleagues very well and it is a new chapter in my life and I look forward to accepting that challenge.”

He went on to leave some words with the attendees at the ceremony on the importance of service.

The former Chief Justice

explained: “So, I would just leave you with the thought that is deep in my soul at this moment and that is this: for those of us who through the grace of God has achieved a measure of success I think it’s important, its incumbent upon us to give something back to the country and that is what has been driving me certainly in my latter years.

“I think that we have a duty to contribute to the development and

advancement of our people and in my particular case it happens to be in the area of the administration of justice. And so, I look forward in some small way to continuing my efforts to make a contribution with regard to the development of our jurisprudence.”

Sir Brian was appointed Chief Justice on June 12, 2019. He is also currently the Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.

Davis insists: I’ve kept my promises from page one Mr Pintard said the same approach was being taken with nurses, adding the nursing shortage has worsened since the Davis administration took office.

However, Mr Davis responded to the charges yesterday, saying he was satisfied his promises to nurses as it relates to backpay, and other issues had been fulfilled.

He also noted that other outstanding matters related to teachers’ industrial agreement were being addressed.

“I gather that the message that was left out there by the press conference is that I did not fulfil the promises that I made to the nurses and the teachers, but far from it,” Mr Davis said.

“If they were able to identify specifically what I promised and didn’t fulfil, I would have been able to answer them more specifically and suffice it to say what I did promise to nurses is whatever they were owed in respect to the promises made and contractual arrangements made, I would be satisfied that has been done. We paid them all their backpay and all sums that were due to the nurses, that was done.”

The Prime Minister also said: “In respect to promises made and in respect to their going forward for increases in salaries, if they would have listened to me, we have budgeted for the eventual increases in salaries for both teachers and nurses. It’s a question of settling the agreement with the union as to what those amounts would be going forward and that is an ongoing process and from my understanding, we’re

LATE NEWS: WOMAN FILES REPORT AS POLICE PROBE BOY’S DROWNING

very close to dealing with those issues.

In June, members of the Bahamas Union of Teachers voted unanimously to take industrial action following an impasse with officials over an expired industrial agreement.

But none was taken because consideration was

given to internal exams, external exams and report cards.

However, last month, BUT president Belinda Wilson told teachers to get ready to take industrial action on August 22, saying the government had ample time to bring closure to several matters of concern for educators.

“You have worked overtime and ensured examinations were held and the report cards were completed,” she said in a recording sent to teachers. “Be advised that I will not be signing any subpar, incomplete or partial industrial agreement.”

“I will sign off on the

financial proposal and the full industrial agreement that you, the members, voted for us to accept and for me to sign off on.

“I am saying to you today that the government has had ample notice. They’ve had sufficient time for us to conclude and sign off on a full agreement”.

A WOMAN has come forward to police to file a missing persons report following the discovery of a child submerged in a pond on Tuesday.

Police said late last night that they were following significant leads in identifying the child found at the pond at Oakes Field Sports Centre.

Officers said the woman presented herself to the Criminal Investigation Department at about 10am yesterday.

Preliminary reports suggested that a group of young boys swimming in waters at the Golf Academy made the discovery.

Police said last night that they would conduct an official investigation to confirm the identity of the child.

• In a separate report, police said that five of the 17 people who died when a boat capsized off Blackbeard’s Cay on July 24 have been identified.

The five are: Mary Saimphorin, Kourtney Volmyr, Annette Mesidor, Bobley Fertilus, and Altanice Ivroy.

Approximately 60 people were on board the gray 30ft Mako Cuddy when it capsized.

25 people were rescued from the overturned vessel at the time.

is that we lower the costs to import duties, which most of the food stores have passed on to customers. You have seen even the food stores speaking to the fact that they are passing those savings onto the customers.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the fluctuating gas prices in country, which has been a

key concern for Bahamians in recent months.

As of today, fuel prices in Nassau are $6.89 at Rubis, $6.66 at Esso, $6.97 at Shell and $6.92 at AutoServ.

He also noted officials have been in discussions with several shipping companies to reduce the costs of transporting goods to The Bahamas.

Mr Davis added: “We

are a consumptive society and consumptive economy, and most of our things are imported so bringing in goods is already expensive...

“So, for example, we were successful in negotiating the reduction of transportation of goods from the Far East by at least 40 per cent. That’s in train now.

“We’re now working on containers coming from Florida and I’m confident that we’ll be able to have some reduction in respect to that. It’s just the logistics that’s going to be worked out in that regard, but we are working assiduously to avoid further burdening of people as a result of these, what I call external shocks, which we

have very little control over.”

John Rolle, the Central Bank’s governor, has warned Bahamians should expect to see higher US inflation rates, which are running at a 40-year record.

He also noted that the cost of living crisis facing many Bahamian families has yet “to peak”.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis addressing the media recently.

...AND NOW LOOKING AT HELP ON GAS PRICE from page one “We’ve been working assiduously,” he said. “So, if you tie the recession to inflationary pressures that has been brought on by all of the other geopolitical issues that’s happening around the world... we have been doing something.

For example, what we did

BAHAMAS TO HOST CARIBBEAN HEADS OF GOVT MEETING LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas will host Caribbean Heads of Government at the Baha Mar resort later this month, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis announced yesterday.

The event is scheduled for August 16 and 17.

Prime Minister Davis said the meeting will focus specifically on climate change and allow for regional leaders to come together to lobby for change against

the issue.

He also said it will be geared towards establishing a unified Caribbean response to better reflect common geographical and geopolitical issues facing regional states.

“This meeting will position the Caribbean region to take control of our fate and present a unified position to the world at COP 27 which will take place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November,” Mr Davis said during a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister

yesterday.

“The government of The Bahamas intends to establish the meeting as an annual event that will seek to have an institute as a regular meeting on the United Nations Framework and Climate Change Convention.”

“I’ve said repeatedly that what happens in this region doesn’t stay in this region. We must take the brains in ending our suffering and replace our position of vulnerability with that power.”

“It is past time to go

on the offensive against the painful blows climate change has landed in the region, but we must be united in the fight and convince the world that for better or worse, we are in this together.”

Mr Davis said he expects all countries in the region to participate, adding that he will also be making personal calls to invite Caribbean leaders to the event.

“We hope for this to be an annual event,” he also said.

“It might not be hosted by our countries always but it is important and I think

that in garnering ourselves up for this fight, we need to have a unified voice in this region.”

Since taking office last year, the Prime Minister has been among the leading voices with regards to climate change, often travelling to various countries to attend special conferences to speak about the issue.

He has repeatedly called for multilateral organisations to forgive those debts of small countries that are related to climate change, noting the consequences of

natural disasters has added some $5bn to the country’s national debt in over the last several years.

Asked yesterday about the government’s progress to advance discussions on the issue, Mr Davis said the country “was gathering momentum in that regard.”

According to Mr Davis, the conference is being sponsored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He said the government will only be responsible for providing security.

PAGE 4, Friday, August 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

A BOAT washed ashore in Abaco during Hurricane Dorian.

National memorial week for Dorian from page one

“There will be events here in New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama.”

He also revealed plans for a national memorial concert to be held at Baha

Mar that will feature local talent as well as famous American gospel singer, Cece Winans, who will be headlining the event.

“The New Providence concert, which is being sponsored by the private sector, will take place on Thursday September 1. A

concert will also take place in Abaco on Saturday, September 3with Grand Bahama’s being held the following day.

The concerts will also be free, OPM added.

Other memorial activities planned include social outreach events and a

weather symposium on Abaco, which will be hosted by media personalities and Bishop Silbert Mills.

More details on the events will be announced next week.

“The celebrations will be the first government

recognised memorial since the passage of Dorian. We highlight the opposition’s support for these national events for what will be a nonpartisan and unifying effort,” OPM also said.

Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco on September 1, 2019, as a Category

5 hurricane before barreling toward Grand Bahama.

Nearly three years later, the islands remain in recovery mode.

While the official death toll of the storm is said to be 74 people, many more are still missing.

EXHIBITION FOCUSES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

IN observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs erected a display at the Mall at Marathon last Friday and Saturday.

The goal of the event was to educate members of the public on trafficking matters and raise public awareness to strengthen national anti-trafficking initiatives.

Indira Bell, chairperson of Trafficking in Persons Task Force said trafficking against persons is an under reported crime, hence the importance of the display.

She said: “Trafficking against persons is a very underreported crime, so the more that we could get out in the community and discuss issues around it, the more the population would be better informed.”

Ms Bell explained that persons often confuse trafficking and smuggling, however it is her hope this awareness would help them to understand the difference.

Since the establishment of the Trafficking in

THE DISPLAY for World Day Against Trafficking In Persons at the Mall at Marathon.

Photo: Moise Amisial Persons Task Force in 2012, the agency has done various initiatives to create awareness relative to trafficking in persons.

“A lot of work has been done already, because we stand on the shoulders of giants, but I think it has to continue because it helps with person identifying and not being victimised,” she said.

Bell said for eight consecutive years, The Bahamas maintained Tier 1 Status for Trafficking in Persons.

According to the US Trafficking in Person Reports released earlier last month, the government of The Bahamas fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

“The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore, The Bahamas remained on Tier 1,” the report said.

“These efforts included convicting a trafficker, providing support for victims repatriated abroad, making efforts to provide compensation to a victim, increasing funding for victim services, and coordinating with governments in the region on a virtual forum to share challenges and best practices on prosecuting trafficking and improving inter-agency collaboration.”

FAMILY GRIEVES AFTER TEEN DROWNS IN GRAND BAHAMA

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FAMILY of the teen found in waters near Paradise Cove in Grand Bahama are distraught about his untimely death.

On Monday, police said initial reports revealed that five males went swimming on Celebrity Beach near Paradise Cove, Deadman’s Reef when one of the males didn’t return to shore.

The victim was 17-year-old Malik Miller, affectionately called “Leeks” by his mother.

Melvin Miller, uncle of Miller, said the teen was like a son to him.

He described “Leeks” as a lover of basketball and video games.

“He loves basketball and his favourite player was Kevin Durant,” Mr Miller told The Tribune yesterday.

“He is a basketball king, so to speak. He just lives, eats,

and breathes it.

“Close to his grandmother’s house there was a basketball court where he is usually there late in the evening on the court shooting hoops with his friends.

That was his thing.”

When asked how the family was handling this tragic situation Mr Miller told said they were trying to keep busy throughout this difficult time.

He said the young man was a “momma’s boy” as he was the only son.

“He was not a troublemaker at all. He was his mother’s child,” the grieving uncle said.

“I am the last out of nine and I got that sort of like superpower over my other siblings, and I believe he had that same power over the rest with his mother.”

On Wednesday, a team of officers along with other individuals assisted with the

search of the water where the lifeless body of a juvenile male was pulled from the waters.

According to the uncle, it was Malik’s father who retrieved him from the water.

“They were in the boat, they passed a reef and when they turned back around and they were on their way back in they saw his body had floated to the surface and it was his dad who pulled him in the boat,” he added.

“His dad was the first one that the doctors might have given him to at birth and at death he was the one bringing him out. I can’t even put myself in his shoes and that’s a lifelong stain.”

This tragic series of events also happened on the victim’s niece’s first birthday, making it a “bittersweet” day for the entire family.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 5

Winder: Society must solve problem of crime

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net CHIEF Justice Ian Winder says solving the crime problem does not lie with the courts or policing, but is rooted in homes and society.

Following former chief justice Sir Brian Moree’s swearing in as a justice of the Court of Appeal, Mr Winder was asked yesterday about stiffer penalties for crime and what role does the courts play in curbing crime.

“Certainly in passing sentences one of the rationale behind sentencing is as a deterrent and the courts often seek to deter future crimes by the nature of the sentences imposed not just as a deterrent for the particular person but you know the community as a whole,” he told reporters yesterday. “I don’t know what the studies are in terms of our society in terms of how that’s effective but to some extent it does have an impact but ultimately I don’t know how really it’s measured.”

Pressed to give further insight on the issue through his personal opinion, he said: “At one point we had mandatory minimums. It didn’t appear that generally gave any results and I think they’ve moved back now to which the Constitution provides to give the courts the discretion to determine what’s the appropriate sentence for a particular crime.

“Ultimately, my personal view is that the crime problem isn’t in the courts.

It isn’t in policing but it’s really in our homes and our society needs to take a step back and try to see

if we can look at ourselves and see how we can resolve this issue because the root of it has to be in our homes, in our society, and in our families.”

He repeated a similar sentiment when asked about stricter gun penalties.

“Those issues are for the executive and the police perhaps but generally crime is not an issue that

can be resolved only by these types of interventions.

The root issue (of) crimes are in our homes and our communities. We need to ask ourselves in order to resolve our disputes better, better dispute resolution rather than resorting to violence and criminal activities. But ultimately that’s a training issue that happens from your homes.”

For his part regarding stiffer penalties, Sir Brian noted the discussion of the relationship between sentencing and the level of crime.

He said: “Well, at the appellant level, there are many cases where both in a criminal context the conviction and the sentence would be appealed and so it is a matter which

the appellant court deals with frequently. There are other times when they just maybe appealing the sentence and that happens fairly often as well. So, it is a matter which the Court of Appeal has to address,” he told reporters.

“You know the relationship between sentencing and the level of crime has been the subject

of discussion for decades in many countries. I think as judges we can’t be in either extreme of that.

“In other words, I don’t think as judges we have the luxury to simply say let’s lock ’em all up for a long time and that’s going to deter crime and so the sentences are very severe without regard to the specific circumstance and justice of a case. I don’t think that’s the right approach. Similarly, I don’t think one can say well mercy is the most important quality of all so we start minimising sentences in a way which may well actually minimise the deterrent of the criminal justice system.

“So, I think the judge has to strike a balance between those two and the law on this is very clear. You have to look at the individual circumstances of each case.

No matter how tempted one is, you simply can’t to any reasonable extent think that the solution is to lock everybody up for a long time. We don’t have enough jails to do that, but there’s clearly a correlation and deterrents are a factor. It’s not the only factor but it is a factor in deciding what the appropriate sentence would be.

“So, I think the thing as judges is it’s all about discretion and at the appellant level we’re not imposing sentences at first instance but we’re looking at what the judge below has done.

And we look at the law, we look at the precedents, look at the circumstances.

We certainly look at and respect the decision of the judge and then we decide whether to intervene or not.”

brought, if the legislation has been passed, it is our role to interpret it, the legislation, as we see the law is.

Of course the better interpretation has to accord with the Constitution, which is supreme. So, if the bill has no issue, there maybe no disputes before us. We only can determine a case of course if the case came before us.”

In June, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said the government wanted to advance legislation on the issue by the end of summer.

The government had stated in the past it intends to bring legislation to allow both Bahamian men and women to pass on citizenship in any circumstance.

Currently, children born outside of the country to a married Bahamian woman and a foreign man are not automatically granted Bahamian citizenship and thus

must apply to receive it.

Bahamian men who have children with foreign women out of wedlock also cannot automatically pass on citizenship to their children.

Chief Justice Winder also said there is great demand on judges now as the system faces backlogs among other challenges.

“As I would’ve indicated yesterday in my remarks the vexing issue that we’ve been plagued with is backlogs, delay in delivery of civil judgements, the fact that criminal trials take far too long and we’re not able to get cases done as we could,” he said. ”Those are some of the issues that plague us and there are a multitude of solutions we can try and find.”

Asked if there were plans to add more justices, he replied: “There are presently vacancies, at least on

the Supreme Court bench, certainly with Sir Brian’s elevation. Currently, that’s a vacancy but there are at least two other vacancies.

There is a great demand on judges now. The cases are coming in far too fast compared to the regular rate in which we dispose of them.”

Meanwhile, Mr Winder

also spoke to the issue of bail.

The matter has been in the public domain in recent weeks as a number of persons out on bail have been killed recently.

“The issues that happen outside after they’ve gotten bail that’s really not a matter we’re involved with,” he

said. “Certainly, persons are entitled to their freedom. If the system provides because you’re presumed innocent until you’re proven guilty.

I don’t know that there’s a better method. The court deals with bail as and when the issue arise and the circumstances of the particular case.”

CHIEF Justice Ian Winder receiving his instruments of appointment.

COURTS WILL FOLLOW CONSTITUTION ON CITIZENSHIP

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

CHIEF Justice Ian Winder said while the judiciary encourages legislation to regularise the country’s citizenship issues, the courts will make interpretations in line with the Constitution.

Yesterday, he was asked his thoughts on how the courts will deal with issues of gender and citizenship.

“Certainly we encourage legislation to regularise the citizenship issues that have plagued our country for the longest,” Mr Winder told reporters yesterday following the swearing in of Sir Brian Moree as a Court of Appeal justice.

Later, in a further interview with The Tribune, he later elaborated: “I think my response was pretty much our role is we’re a neutral arbiter. If a bill is

WARHAWKS AND KANOO TEAM UP TO GUIDE YOUTH

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net KANOO has partnered Genesis Warhawks to better cultivate young leaders within the Junkanoo community.

Genesis Junkanoo Organisation (GJO) launched the TeenHawk Programme in an effort to pass on the traditions of Junkanoo and to honour and protect the cultural heritage.

The programme is designed to cater to the personal development of youth between the ages of 13 and 18.

Prior to the sponsorship, the programme was self-funded.

Denarii Rolle director of the TeenHawk Programme said their mission was to develop community leaders

and nation builders through the art of Junkanoo.

Mr Rolle said GJO is grateful for the opportunity as sponsorship is most essential in the Junkanoo industry.

“It’s an awesome opportunity - sponsorship is the biggest thing when it comes to any programme and especially Junkanoo, funding is most important,” he said, “To go from self-funding and out of pockets with my team to make events happen, to now having a chief title sponsor to allow us to be able to expand and go deeper into the community, we are indeed grateful and happy.”

Chief marketing officer of Kanoo, Khalil Brathwaite said this partnership stands as a major milestone for the company as the goals of both companies align.

“The programme resonates with our brand for three main reasons,” he said. “It builds up community, it builds up character development and it introduces culture to the young people. We just figured we have to support it.”

When asked how the collaboration came about Brathwaite said they had “common friends”.

“Well, we actually had some common friends and in that common friendship we were discussing opportunities and what not. So, what started off as a friendship and common friend became an introduction and once I got an understanding of how involved they are in our community, I figured we have to support them,” he said.

Kanoo’s sponsorship with the TeenHawk Programme will be on an annual basis.

Memorial Service For Captain L. Lester Albury, 74

of Lincolnton, North Carolina, U.S.A. and formerly of Nassau, The Bahamas passed away at his home in Lincolnton on 13th April, 2021.

Captain Albury was for many years a well known Captain with Bahamasair.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Methodist Church, Frederick Street and Trinity Place, Nassau on Saturday, 6th August, 2022 at 11:00a.m.

Rev. Bill Higgs will officiate.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard and Edna Albury and his son, Leonard (Lenny) Lester Albury III. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; two daughters, Patrice Lleida (Stephen) and Amanda Albury; two granddaughters, Ashlyn and Amber Lleida; his sister, Mary Lou Saunders (Cedric, deceased); his sister-in-law, Theodora (Gary, deceased) Albury; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

Those wishing to remember Captain Albury may do so by donating to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, P.O. Box S.S. 6539, Nassau in Memory of Captain L. Lester Albury (https://cancersocietybahamas.org)

PAGE 6, Friday, August 5, 2022

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

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NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

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Too late the hero, Mr Davis FIRST, the good news – gas prices are starting to fall globally and The Bahamas will see the benefit from that.

Now for the extra good news… Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is finally riding to the rescue? Too late the hero, with gas prices already tumbling, but now Mr Davis is saying that the government might reduce fuel taxes to bring relief.

All well and good, sir, but where was that relief when people were feeling the pinch the hardest?

It’s almost as if now that people can start to feel better about things, he wants to show up on the scene with a smile on his face to say look what I did, when in truth he did nothing.

We said in this very column there was little he could do about the spiking prices – it was just a factor of the global increase. The same happened across in the US, with people blaming President Joe Biden for something that was nothing to do with him. Nor did he deserve particular credit when the prices came down.

Not content with seeking to be associated with good news over gas prices, Mr Davis also claims he has lived up to promises made to nurses and teachers.

This comes despite teachers threatening to hold industrial action for the first day of school, and matters remaining unresolved with nurses.

Now an industrial agreement is being signed today with the Bahamas, Educators, Counselors and Allied Workers Union – but the deadline set by the Bahamas Union of Teachers sailed past with no sign of a deal being done.

BUT president Belinda Wilson said last month that “the government has

had ample notice. They’ve had sufficient time for us to conclude and sign off on a full agreement”.

So as much as Mr Davis may be proclaiming victory, it would appear it might be before the battle is over.

If he has lived up to his promises as he has said, we can rest assured there will be no action from either teachers or nurses. Of course, if he hasn’t, we are sure there will be a response from the appropriate unions in short order.

Which do you think will be the case?

Gold medal Congratulations to long jump Commonwealth gold winner LaQuan Nairn.

It was a groundbreaking moment – the first Bahamian man to win the long jump gold.

He said: “It’s just an awesome feeling.

I can’t believe that I am the first Bahamian male to win a Commonwealth Games long jump gold medal. So it’s so unreal. It’s such a special moment for me and for The Bahamas.”

Nairn’s name goes on an impressive list of athletes who have shone for our nation – and he has his sights set on greater success, with the national record his next target.

He said of his gold: “I just knew that this is my night. I predicted it and God gave me the ability to accomplish the feat.”

Each time one of our athletes succeeds it is an encouragement to others.

Nairn will inspire others to follow in his rather large footsteps – and we salute him for his success.

RESIDENTS wait in line during food distribution by the World Food Programme in Jean-Rabel, Haiti, on Wednesday.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

Distress in South China Sea region EDITOR, The Tribune.

NANCY Pelosi, America’s Speaker of the house has visited Taiwan, to Communist China’s chagrin.

Threats of possible Chinese action against the USA have been made. Why the loud kerfuffle? Well, don’t you know that Communist China has claimed Taiwan as its own? It’s land mass and people that is. Seems that the anti-Imperialist Communist China of the past, is on paper an empire unto itself. Having the Speaker of the House visit, is much like having The President visit and proclaim to the world what the world already knows, that Taiwan is a free and independent nation.

China has claimed over 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea, while Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan has set their own claims upon this territory. China seems to throw its claims against the wall of global international intrigue with the hope that something will stick. To further China’s claims, its corporations have begun illegal drilling off the coast

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of The Philippines, building artificial islands that can be fortified by their navy and laying claim to much of South Asia’s Territorial Waters and fishing grounds. China knows their adversaries fear igniting a war with Red China, so off they go on their merry way establishing para military installations, economic docking systems and unapproved international railway systems throughout Asia. Many Chinese military drills have been carried out - it would seem - to bully their neighbours, and threaten other super powers in the region.

President Xi has made his intentions clear for all to see, that a unified China must and will be achieved in time.

To bring fear into the hearts of its neighbours, China has shot ballistic missiles into the Ocean as “practice” volleys, and their navy has often placed their ships within their neighbour’s waterways illegally,

knowing they can get away with it. All this bravado is for the “resource Center” region found under the South China Sea. Trillions of dollars of gas, oil, minerals and migrating fish populations waiting to be exploited.

The tension being experienced globally has set one third of the globe’s shipping industry into a state of inaction, floating on egg shells for fear of the arrival of a Chinese warship. Taiwan has set a standard in Asia, a standard of walking their own walk, and talking their own talk, quietly observing Chinese efforts to destabilise them, while carrying out business as usual. Most nations within this region respect China’s claims of “One Nation-One China”.

Any official recognition of Taiwan by a western nation is diplomatically taboo, and threats of dire consequence are hurled about by China at any nation that gives Taiwan equality and significance globally.

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario, Canada.

August 2, 2022.

Readers have say on issues in news AFTER Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said officials hope to have 70 percent of the population vaccinated against COVID-19 before lifting the remaining mask mandates in the country, readers had their say on the issue.

Socrates said: “Really its a farce.. we see junkanoo rushing at independence and all these cookouts and homecomings with crowds in close proximity and no mask.. its just fear of an outbreak and it gets blamed on no mask, so take safe route and do nothing. we will not achieve 70% until another deadly strain materializes.”

Carltonr61 said: “The World Bank and IMF wrote us warnings that The Bahamas cannot return to restrictions in education availability, covid business restrictions transactions and

that that we lost 9.7 billion dollars in cash-from your hand to in -hand-to-hand money circulation. According to UNESCO the world lost our pre school early learning ABC 123 friendships socialization and away from home basic maturity independence mind formations. With zero medical benefits, that our Governor General has received vaccine 1-2-3-4-5-6 and still got covid why is vaccination failure being enforced like a Blackmagic satanic obeah ritual to get a job or enter school? Money motivated Judas. The Bahamas is ful

of Judas’. Even as medical doctors here and around the world that the vaccines are also killing Bahamians, the poor Hippocratic Souls know their monetary and spiritual graves.”

Sickened added: “I would like to hear how many of the people catching covid now are fully vaccinated.

In my immediate sphere of contacts almost everyone has caught covid recently and ALL of them have received the vaccine - and in a few cases the booster as well. I got the J&J jab and have never gotten covid and I never where a mask - unless the store insists on one.”

Sheeprunner12 said: “No one wears masks now ......

Pointless to try and enforce this stupid rule anymore.”

• Join in the conversation at www.tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 7

CONCERNS AT STRAW MARKET OVER ROTATION OF VENDOR DAYS

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net THERE have been mixed views among some vendors at the Nassau Straw Market regarding the rotation of working days since the facility was reopened last November.

Rebecca Small, acting president of the Straw Business Persons Society told The Tribune that the majority of vendors voted for the rotation work days, which allows vendors to work three days some weeks and four days other weeks.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were protocols put in place for the vendors’ work schedule in the market. However, majority of the vendors voted for the rotative work schedule to remain, she said.

“It was financially beneficial to all of us. That’s why when we did the survey, the majority of the vendors said that they wanted to remain on the flexi days,” Ms Small said.

The vendors are divided in two groups one being group A and the other group B. Allowing the groups to come separately aided in the market being less cumbersome and fiercely competitive, Ms Small said.

She explained a survey was conducted with 231 of the downtown straw market vendors in which 220 vendors voted for the flexible working schedule to remain and 11 vendors voted to work full time for seven days.

The president said a letter from the society was sent to the Minister of Works & Utilities Alfred Sears and a copy was also sent to the Prime Minister expressing the vendors would like the rotation of workdays to remain.

A vendor who wished to remain anonymous echoed similar sentiments saying: “The way it is now everyone can make something.

I’m telling the tourist $1 and someone else is saying 50 cents because they don’t want me to make a sale, it causes confusion. A lot of people including myself prefer it the way it is.

We don’t have a problem paying the rent for the three or four days, work a day, and off a day.”

However, Matthew Gordon, another vendor in the market criticised not being able to work full time in the market and called on the government to change the working days guidelines.

Mr Gordon said: “How is it that the vendors only

VISITORS at the Straw Market in Nassau. working 12 days out of the month and got to pay national insurance for the full month?” Mr Gordon stressed.

“Open the straw market, which is the root of the craft industry in The Bahamas.

We are the root industry.

They have our Rawson Square open with the vendors every day crowded doing their own thing and they the branch and we the root,” he added.

Mr Gordon insisted that it is difficult to make a profit when vendors aren’t allowed to work the full seven days like other workers in the downtown area.

He emphasised that the straw market is a major aspect of the craft industry in The Bahamas, however he said others who have branched off from the market are reaping benefits while others suffer.

WOMAN GIVEN PROBATION FOR POLICE OFFICER ATTACK

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN was placed on three months’ probation yesterday after admitting assaulting a female police officer.

Arial Pinder, 20, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of assaulting the officer.

On July 27 in New Providence, Pinder is said to have assaulted W/SGT Roberts-Conliffe while she was executing her duties. In court Pinder pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor Sergeant Deon Barr said Pinder has no known criminal history.

The defendant then told the court that she is an

employed full-time architecture student at the University of The Bahamas with a minor in business administration.

Pinder went on to say that she is also a young entrepreneur and youth parliamentarian who is very active in her community.

After hearing this, the magistrate remarked that the defendant had quite the resume.

When Magistrate Serville asked if Ms Pinder regrets her actions she said yes, further saying that she isn’t proud of her actions and that she doesn’t intend to repeat her mistakes.

For this, the magistrate gave the defendant credit for her clean record up to

this point and once again commended her resume.

In view of these things, the magistrate granted Pinder a conditional discharge for which she will be placed under probation for three months. During this time, she is expected to continue her community service. Should Pinder successfully comply with these conditions she will be granted an absolute discharge in her next court appearance.

However, failure to comply will result in a $500 fine and Pinder’s conviction being recorded.

The defendant is expected to return to court for mention on November 25.

TEEN IN COURT OVER GUN CHARGE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $7,000 bail yesterday for alleged firearm and ammunition possession.

Jamal Stubbs, 19, represented by Attorney Ryszard Humes, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

On August 2 in New Providence, Stubbs was arrested by police after reportedly being found with a black Taurus G2C 9mm pistol. He was also in possession of eight live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Bail was granted in the sum of $7,000 with two sureties. Under the conditions of his bail Stubbs has to sign in at Wulff Road

Station every Sunday by 7pm. The accused is also expected to be fitted with a monitoring device and have a curfew from 8pm to 7am.

After detailing Stubbs’s bail conditions Magistrate Vogt-Evans informed him and his attorney that an application to amend these conditions can be made at a later date.

Stubbs’s trial in the matter is set to begin on October 20.

MAN ACCUSED OVER INDIAN HEMP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $4,500 bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after allegedly being found with more than three pounds of Indian Hemp.

Franklyn Moss, 37, represented by Attorney Ian

Cargill, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

On August 2 in New Providence Moss was arrested after police found him with three pounds and 8 and three-quarter ounces of Indian Hemp, which has

an estimated street value of $300. In court, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

With there being no objection to bail it was granted to Moss at the sum of $4,500 with one surety.

Moss’s trial was adjourned until September 13.

PASTOR GIVEN BAIL IN KNIFE ATTACK CASE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A PASTOR was granted $3,000 bail yesterday after allegedly attacking a woman with a knife.

Pastor Rajesh Jamaal Coleby, 35, represented by Attorney Lennox Coleby, stood before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on a charge of assault with a dangerous instrument.

At around 1.45am on

July 1 at Farmington Road, Coleby allegedly assaulted Shekera Moncur with a knife. In court the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Coleby’s trial in the matter is set to begin on November 9.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Funeral Service For Evelyn Albertha Ferguson, 98 of #49 South Beach Drive and Cabbage Hill, Crooked Island will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, Montrose Avenue on Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at 10:00a.m.

Interment will follow at Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road.

Officiating will be Archdeacon G. Kingsley Knowles, Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, Fr. John Kabiga and Fr. Ivan Eldon.

Left to mourn with wonderful memories of her are her beloved family - children: Emerald Collie, Bettymae Lookie, David & Barbara Ferguson, Basil & Kendy Ferguson, Pearline Moxey, Deborah Ferguson, Angela & Neville Moss, and Charles & Nikita Ferguson; adopted children: Paula & Troy Cornish, Shandira Sands, Kadesha Capron, Asheia Cash and Angela Ferguson; grandchildren: Shantelle and Valdez Ferguson, Tiffany, Michael and Eduardo Collie, Lourael and Lenroy Lookie, Lazanta & Mardio Bastian, Cindy & Leo Thompson, Donovan O’Brien, Euleasea and Pharrin Moxey, Darius & Phillipa Ferguson, Dameeka & Alexis Roberts, Adrian and Andrew Ferguson, DianaLynn Sands, Gaynell and G. Zoya Moss, Geron & Kenya Moss, Gevon & Tishka Moss; Charlissa Ferguson; great grandchildren: Shaunte Coakley, Antonique Moss, Paul Lamm Jr., Tyesha Farquharson, Tamarco, Tanesha, Mikylah, Mickell, Jumar and Marlijade Collie, Leonardo and Liam Thompson, Daria and Phoenix Ferguson, Alexis and Arjay Roberts, Aleah Sands, Geron Jr., Grayson, Gevon Jr., Kenron, Gianna, Jayron and G’mya Moss, Lenroy Jr, Lakarii, Louren and Logan Lookie, Tattiana McNeil; great great grandchildren: Tevarus Jr. and Tevaria Farquaharson, Lavar and Leanna Moss and Lael Williams; nieces & nephews: Leonie Smith, Cynthia Coakley, Hazel Farquharson, Viva Symonette, Preston, Bradley & Sharnette Cunningham, Benson & Alice Cunningham, Gerald & Daphne Cunningham, Sharon & Clinton Scavella, Elvie Cunningham, Edna Rolle, Lillian Smith, Gertlene Dean, Annie Colebrooke, Patricia Clarke, Timothy & Glenda Thompson, Thomas, John, James and Stephanie Thompson, Kirk Sterling Knowles, Denise Perigod, Joanne Oliver, Marilyn Cunningham, Basil “Eldra” Ferguson, Althea & Winston Bonaby, Peter & Celestina Williams, Delcha Culmer; beloved friends: Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, Fr. John Kabiga and Family, Fr. Scott Brennen and Family, Fr. Donald Kerr, Fr. G. Kingsley Knowles and family, Fr. Ivan Eldon and family, Fr. Franklyn Colebrooke Sr. and family, Mavis and Delores Simms, Shirley Cunningham, Brenda Archer, Mavies Davies, Yvonne Darville, Renee Pargo, Rebecca Henfield and family, Linda Marche, Kenria Russell, Aneka McKinney, Agnes Smith, Rhonda Pratt, Brian and Patrice Evans and Meglyn Outten; beloved communities: The Clergy, Vestries and Congregations of St. George’s Anglican Church, Nassau; and All Saints Church, Crooked Island, Betty Smith and the Guild to Help The Sick and Needy; Charlene Rodgers and Members of the Anglican Church Women, The Crooked Island Community including, Edith Bain, Reatta & 4 Alphage Ferguson, Senator Annafaye Knowles, The Family of the Late Hosea Ferguson, Catechist David and Rosemary Daxon, Pastor Barber Gibson, Pastor Rodney Farquharson, Pastor Dennis Thompson, Jarrad Thompson, The Family of the Late Nola Moss, The Family of the Late Catechist James Bain, Darrel & Shaketress Moss, The Family of the Late Samuel Simms, Marilyn Munroe, Kermit & Janet Farquharson, Kenneth Farquharson, Allsette Deleveaux, Beverly Pinder, Bernard Ferguson, Yvonne Moss, Althea & Aldon Williamson, Joseph Moss, Rosemary Moss, Doreen Darling, Muriel Deleveaux, Celestine Bonaby, Carl & Bloneva Ferguson,The Family of the Late Leroy and Shirley Ferguson, The Family of the Late Nathanial and Victoria Beneby, Enoch, Herbie & Dianne Ferguson, Verlyn Scavella, Marilyn Saunders, Janice Edgecombe, The Family of the late Zephrus Ferguson, Agnes “Alice” Allen, and the Crooked Island Development and Cabbage Hill Development Associations, Medical care team including, Nurses Beulah Carroll, Anika Johnson, Deborah Johnson, Stacey Ferguson, Samarique Riche, Evenique Young, Vernecha Adderley, Regina Patrick and Dr. Agreta EneasCarey and other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held at the Serenity Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

PAGE 8, Friday, August 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

THE KISS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD OF AMERICAN TV

By MATTHEW DELMONT Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History, Dartmouth College ON A 1968 episode of “Star Trek,” Nichelle Nichols, playing Lt Uhura, locked lips with William Shatner’s Capt Kirk in what’s widely thought to be first kiss between a black woman and white man on American television.

The episode’s plot is bizarre: aliens who worship the Greek philosopher Plato use telekinetic powers to force the Enterprise crew to sing, dance and kiss. At one point, the aliens compel Lt Uhura and Capt Kirk to embrace. Each character tries to resist, but eventually Kirk tilts Uhura back and the two kiss as the aliens lasciviously look on.

The smooch is not a romantic one. But in 1968 to show a black woman kissing a white man was a daring move. The episode aired just one year after the US Supreme Court’s Loving v Virginia decision struck down state laws against interracial marriage. At the time, Gallup polls showed fewer than 20 percent of Americans approved of such relationships.

As a historian of civil rights and media, I’ve been fascinated by the woman at the centre of this landmark television moment. Casting Nichols, who died on July

30, 2022, created possibilities for more creative and socially relevant “Star Trek” storylines.

But just as significant is Nichols’ off-screen activism. She leveraged her role on “Star Trek” to become a recruiter for NASA, where she pushed for change in the space programme. Her career arc shows how diverse casting on the screen can have a profound impact in the real world, too.

‘A TRIUMPH OF MODERN-DAY TV’

In 1966, “Star Trek” creator Gene Rodenberry decided to cast Nichols to play Lt Uhura, a translator and communications officer from the United States of Africa. In doing so, he made Nichols the first black woman to have a continuing co-starring role on television.

The black press was quick to heap praise on Nichols’ pioneering role.

The Norfolk Journal and Guide hoped it would “broaden her race’s foothold

on the tube”.

The magazine Ebony featured Nichols on its January 1967 cover and described Uhura as “the first Negro astronaut, a triumph of modern-day TV over modern-day NASA”.

Yet the famous kiss between Uhura and Kirk almost never happened.

After the first season of “Star Trek” concluded in 1967, Nichols considered quitting after being offered a role on Broadway. She had started her career as a singer in New York and always dreamed of returning to the Big Apple.

But at an NAACP fundraiser in Los Angeles, she ran into Martin Luther King Jr. Nichols would later recount their interaction.

“You must not leave,” King told her. “You have opened a door that must not be allowed to close … you changed the face of television forever… For the

first time, the world sees us in as we should be seen, activism and education. In as equals, as intelligent 1975, Nichols established Women in Motion Inc and people.”

King went on to say he won several government and his family were fans of contracts to produce educathe show; she was a “hero” tional programmes related to space and science. to his children.

With King’s encourage- By 1977, she had been ment, Nichols stayed on appointed to the board of “Star Trek” for the original directors of the National Space Institute, a civil space series’ full three-year run.

Nichols’ controversial advocacy organisation.

That year, kiss took she gave a place at the ‘The aim was speech at the end of the to find qualified institute’s third season. people among annual meetNichols ing. In it, she recalled that women and critiqued the NBC execuminorities, then lack of women tives closely and minorities to convince monitored in the astrothe filming them that the naut corps, because they challenging were nervous opportunity was NASA to about how real and that it “come down Southern tele- also was a duty, from your vision stations ivory tower and viewers because this of intellecwas historic. I would react. tual pursuit, After the really had this because the episode aired, next Einstein the network sense of purpose might have a did receive an about it myself.’ black face – outpouring of letters from viewers – and and she’s female”.

Several of NASA’s top the majority were positive.

In 1982, Nichols would administrators were in the tell the Baltimore Afro- audience. They invited her American that she was to lead an astronaut recruitamused by the amount of ment programme for the attention the kiss gener- new space shuttle. Soon, ated, especially because she packed her bags and her own heritage was “a began travelling the counblend of races that includes try, visiting high schools Egyptian, Ethiopian, Moor, and colleges, speaking with Spanish, Welsh, Cherokee professional organisations Indian and a ‘blond blue- and legislators, and appearing on national television eyed ancestor or two’.” programmes such as “Good Morning America”.

“The aim was to find But Nichols’ legacy qualified people among would be defined by far women and minorities, then to convince them that more than a kiss.

After NBC canceled Star the opportunity was real Trek in 1969, Nichols took and that it also was a duty, minor acting roles on two because this was historic,” television series, “Insight” Nichols told the Baltimore and “The DA”. She would Afro-American in 1979. “I also play a madam in the really had this sense of pur1974 blaxploitation film pose about it myself.”

In her 1994 autobiog“Truck Turner”.

She also started to dabble raphy, “Beyond Uhura,”

SPACE CRUSADER

Nichols recalled that in the seven months before the recruitment programme began, “NASA had received only 1,600 applications, including fewer than 100 from women and 35 from minority candidates.” But by the end of June 1977, “just four months after we assumed our task, 8,400 applications were in, including 1,649 from women (a fifteen-fold increase) and an astounding 1,000 from minorities.”

Nichols’ campaign recruited several trailblazing astronauts, including Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, Guion Bluford, the first African American in space, and Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space.

RELENTLESS ADVOCACY FOR INCLUSION

Her advocacy for inclusion and diversity wasn’t limited to the space programme.

As one of the first black women in a major television role, Nichols understood the importance of opening doors for minorities and women in entertainment.

Nichols continued to push for African Americans to have more power in film and television.

“Until we blacks and minorities become not only the producers, writers and directors, but the buyers and distributors, we’re not going to change anything,” she told Ebony in 1985. “Until we become industry, until we control media or at least have enough say, we will always be the chauffeurs and tap dancers.”

• Originally published on www.theconversation.com

ACTOR Nichelle Nichols pictured in 2014. Nichols, who gained fame as Lt Ntoya Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, died on Saturday.

Photo: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 9

THE BAHAMAS as seen from space.

Who really named The Bahamas? Was it Lucayans, not the Spanish and does it really mean what we think?

FOR AS long as any of us can remember, we have believed what we have been tol that the Spanish who first discovered these islands in 1492 gave them their name, Bahama, meaning shallow sea.

Now along comes historian and author Commodore (Ret) Tellis Bethel and says, not so fast, these islands were named long before the Spanish arrived in the late 1400s. They were named by the indigenous Lucayan Indians who inhabited the Lucayan Archipelago from 700 AD or even earlier.

In his latest book, How The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands Got Their Names (Inspire Publishing 2022), Commodore Bethel gives us six solid reasons for the conclusion, any one of which is enough to give credence to his argument. Here are two.

One of the most compelling reasons for the conclusion is that those with the extraordinarily rare opportunity to name a place they have discovered name the landmass, not the waters. To think of the waters instead of the place would be like calling New York City the Hudson River.

In fact, explains Bethel, what Italian navigator Christopher Columbus under Spanish authority called the territory they landed on “Islands and Mainland of the Indies in the Ocean Sea”. Why did they call it that? Because they believed they had landed in the spice islands of the East Indies.

History shows the tragedy of their epic mistake. It was not the Indies off Asia as Columbus thought, nor was it spices or gold the discoverers of the New World found, but cheap labour, plenty of it in the Taino and Lucayan people whom they rounded up and exported to other islands or carried back to Europe where they perished from disease and other causes, including distress.

With meticulous research and patience, Bethel poured through hundreds of documents – and he is not alone in this – finding references only to the Islands of the Ocean Sea off the Asian Mainland in terms of Europeans naming what we know as The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. Ocean Sea was so accepted as the name that

By Diane Phillips

when Isabella, Queen of Spain, wanted to reward Columbus he was given the title Admiral of the Ocean Sea. So if the Spanish did not refer to the country as Bahama, but only as Isles of the Ocean Sea or Yas de los Lucayos, (Yas being short for Isles; also spelled Las Islas) where did the word come from?

Commodore Bethel cites a scholarly work on ancient languages of the Antilles

by Julian Granberry and Gary Vescelius (deceased) published by the University of Alabama Press in 2004. The work traces the first reference to Bahama as meaning “large upper middle land”, with each of the individual islands in the Lucayan Islands having its own name long before contact with Europeans (like Habacoa for Abaco).

Broken down into its smallest parts, the name Bahama is Ba, meaning big, great and large, ha means upper, and ma means middle. The word Grand was added later during European colonisation, but it was the large island in the northwestern Bahamas that first carried the Bahama name and that name was given by the Lucayans hundreds of years before Columbus ever set foot in the New World.

According to Bethel, what we now know as Grand Bahama was in the centre and often the crosshairs of the maritime world around the nation -- the vast marine banks, international shipping channels, major maritime catastrophes, Spanish treasure fleets, and billions of dollars in lost treasure near the island. In that sense, Grand Bahama played a pivotal role in the seafaring history of the archipelagic nation.

The second compelling reason to disavow the idea that the Spanish named The Bahamas for shallow sea is that the letter h in the middle of the word had largely vanished from the Spanish dictionary or vocabulary centuries earlier but was reintroduced by Spanish authorities before Columbus’ time. The letter

j was not used interchangeably with the letter h during this period. The Spanish spelled indigenous words based on how they sounded as noted in Jumeto (a cay in the Ragged Island chain) and Guanahani, the island of Columbus’ first landfall.

Pronunciation of the h and the j were very different in the two languages, soft in Lucayan, harsh in Spanish, whereas the letter h would have been soft in Spanish, making Bahamas a TainoLucayan, not Spanish, derivative.

Baja Mar does mean shallow sea, explains Commodore Bethel, and while it may seem a small distinction that The Bahamas takes its name from the Lucayan naming of one island, the island we now call Grand Bahama, it reinforces the importance of remembering the indigenous people of The Bahamas, the Lucayans.

“Regardless of the Bahama name’s historical roots, it would be safe to say that what exists today is a country whose name is Lucayan origin but carries a Spanish meaning, (shallow sea) in the minds of some,” the author writes.

Bahama and The Bahamas - Lucayan-Taino in origin, interpreted by some in the Spanish as shallow sea with an ‘s’ added later during the English colonial era, it’s little wonder we are confused, the coincidence is a big as a coincidence gets.

All of this may not seem as important as today’s headlines or tomorrow’s worries, but Commodore Bethel has good cause for wanting to get things right and pay homage to the indigenous people of The Bahamas.

His current position is head of the Security Forces Inspectorate and he is, like all of us, deeply disturbed by the violence in the country. He has seen what crime does, how it tears apart families, shakes confidence, destroys a culture that was once proud of being a warm, accepting and peace-loving people. If we remember our roots, he

RETIRED Commodore Tellis Bethel. says, if we make them part of who we are today, if we have constant reminders of where we came from, we may have a better, more peaceful, path going forward.

There’s another interesting twist to the name of the indigenous people themselves. The word Lucayan means Island People.

“Just as the Island People were on a quest for a better life through peaceful means, we have an inherent responsibility to make the world a more peaceful place in light of the Lucayan demise,” he says.

That is also one of the reasons he has spent a decade campaigning for naming the waters the Lucayan Sea. He also reminds us that naming our waters will give us an identity of which we can be proud. A former pilot and diver, Commodore Bethel has probably sailed or flown over every square inch of The Bahamas in his long career with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and it breaks his heart to think that the waters declared the most beautiful on earth from the vantage point of space have no

identity of their own but are just a part of the vast Atlantic Ocean.

His campaign is gaining momentum. Let’s hope this administration recognises the benefits that would instantly accrue from a distinct identity with visitors sailing the Lucayan Sea and locals fishing, swimming, snorkeling and just viewing what we know as our own special ocean, a place like none other, in a country named for an island in its midst by an island people who need to be remembered.

PAGE 10, Friday, August 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

SOUTH KOREA AIMS FOR THE MOON

A SPACEX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, or KPLO, lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, yesterday.

Photo: John Raoux/AP

SOUTH Korea joined the stampede to the moon yesterday with the launch of a lunar orbiter that will scout out future landing spots.

The satellite launched

by SpaceX is taking a long, roundabout path to conserve fuel and will arrive in December.

If successful, it will join spacecraft from the US and India already operating around the moon, and a Chinese rover exploring the moon’s far side.

India, Russia and Japan have new moon missions launching later this year or next, as do a slew of private companies in the US and elsewhere. And NASA is next up with the debut of its mega moon rocket in late August.

South Korea’s $180m mission — the country’s first step in lunar exploration — features a boxy, solarpowered satellite designed to skim just 62 miles above the lunar surface. Scientists expect to collect geologic and other data for at least a year from this low polar orbit.

US declares a public health emergency over monkeypox WASHINGTON Associated Press THE federal government declared a public health emergency yesterday to bolster the response to the monkeypoxoutbreak that has infected more than 7,100 Americans.

The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.

“We are prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,” said Xavier Becerra, head of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The declaration by HHS comes as the Biden administration has faced criticism over monkeypox vaccine availability. Clinics in major cities such as New York and San Francisco say they haven’t received enough of the two-shot vaccine to meet demand, and some have had to stop offering the second dose to ensure supply of first doses.

The White House said it has made more than 1.1 million doses available and has helped to boost domestic diagnostic capacity to 80,000 tests per week.

The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing. The people who have gotten sick so far have been primarily men who have sex with men. But health officials emphasise that the virus can infect anyone.

No one in the United States has died. A few deaths have been reported in other countries.

Earlier this week, the Biden administration named top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as the White House

JONATHAN PARDUCHO, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, in San Francisco last month.

Photo: Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP coordinators to combat monkeypox.

Yesterday’s declaration is an important — and overdue — step, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University.

“It signals the US government’s seriousness and purpose, and sounds a global alarm,” he said.

Under the declaration, HHS can draw from emergency funds, hire or reassign staff to deal with the outbreak and take other steps to control the virus.

For example, the announcement should help the federal government to seek more information from state and local health officials about who is becoming infected and who is being vaccinated. That information can be used to better understand how the outbreak is unfolding and how well the vaccine works.

Gostin said the US government has been too cautious and should have

declared a nationwide emergency earlier. Public health measures to control outbreaks have increasingly faced legal challenges in recent years, but Gostin didn’t expect that to happen with monkeypox.

“It is a textbook case of a public health emergency,” Gostin said. “It’s not a red or a blue state issue. There is no political opposition to fighting monkeypox.”

A public health emergency can be extended, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.

The urgency in the current response stems from the rapid spread of the virus coupled with the limited availability of the two-dose vaccine called Jynneos, which is considered the main medical weapon against the disease.

The doses, given 28 days apart, are currently being given to people soon after they think they were exposed, as a measure to

prevent symptoms.

Becerra announced the emergency declaration during a call with reporters.

During the call, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf said regulators are reviewing an approach that would stretch supplies by allowing health professionals to vaccinate up to five people — instead of one — with each vial of Jynneos.

Under this so-called “dose-sparing” approach, physicians and others would use a shallower injection under the skin, instead of the subcutaneous injection currently recommended in the vaccine’s labeling.

Califf said a decision authorising that approach could come “within days”.

That would require another declaration, to allow the government to alter its guidelines on how to administer the vaccine, officials said.

Health officials pointed to a study published in

2015 that found that Jynneos vaccine administered that way was as effective at stimulating the immune system as when the needle plunger deeper into other tissue.

But experts also have acknowledged they are still gathering information on how well the conventional administration of one or two full doses works against the outbreak.

Others health organisations have made declarations similar to the one issued by HHS. Last week, the World Health Organization called monkeypox a public health emergency, with cases in more than 70 countries. A global emergency is WHO’s highest level of alert, but the designation does not necessarily mean a disease is particularly transmissible or lethal.

California, Illinois and New York have all made declarations in the last week, as have New York

City, San Francisco and San Diego County.

The declaration of a national public health emergency and the naming of a monkeypox czar are “symbolic actions”, said Gregg Gonsalves, a Yale University infectious diseases expert.

What’s important is that the government is taking the necessary steps to control the outbreak and — if it comes to that — to have a plan for how to deal with monkeypox if it becomes endemic, he said.

Monkeypox is endemic in parts of Africa, where people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals. It does not usually spread easily among people.

But in May, a wave of unexpected cases began emerging in Europe and the United States. Now more than 26,000 cases have been reported in countries that traditionally have not seen monkeypox.

ALEX JONES ORDERED TO PAY SANDY HOOK PARENTS MORE THAN $4M AUSTIN, Texas Associated Press

A TEXAS jury yesterday ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay more than $4m — significantly less than the $150m being sought — in compensatory damages to the parents of a six-year-old boy killed in the Sandy Hook massacre, marking the first time the Infowars host has been held financially liable for repeatedly claiming the deadliest school shooting in

US history was a hoax.

The Austin jury must still decide how much the Infowars host should pay in punitive damages to Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose son Jesse Lewis was among the 20 children and six educators who were killed in the 2012 attack in Newtown, Connecticut.

The parents had sought at least $150m in compensation for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Jones’ attorney asked the jury to

limit damages to $8 — one dollar for each of the compensation charges they considered — and Jones himself said any award over $2m “would sink us”.

It likely won’t be the last judgment against Jones — who was not in the courtroom — over his claims that the attack was staged in the interests of increasing gun controls. A Connecticut judge has ruled against him in a similar lawsuit brought by other victims’ families and an FBI agent

who worked on the case.

He also faces another trial in Austin.

Jones’ lead attorney, Andino Reynal, winked at his co-counsel before leaving the courtroom. He declined to comment on the verdict.

Outside the courthouse, the plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Bankston insisted that the $4.11m amount wasn’t a disappointment, noting it was only part of the damages Jones will have to pay.

The jury returns today to hear more evidence about

Jones and his company’s finances.

In a video posted on his website last night, Jones called the reduced award a major victory.

“I admitted I was wrong.

I admitted it was a mistake.

I admitted that I followed disinformation but not on purpose. I apologised to the families. And the jury understood that. What I did to those families was wrong.

But I didn’t do it on purpose,” he said.

The award was “more

money than my company and I personally have, but we are going to work on trying to make restitution on that”, Jones said.

Bankston suggested any victory declarations might be premature.

“We aren’t done folks,” Bankston said. “We knew coming into this case it was necessary to shoot for the moon to get the jury to understand we were serious and passionate. After tomorrow, he’s going to owe a lot more.”

SPORTS PAGE 11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022

Griner, Page 13

U20 WORLDS: KEYSHAWN STRACHAN QUALIFIES FOR FINAL OF JAVELIN

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LONG JUMP GOLD COMMONWEALTH GAMES GLORY FOR LAQUAN NAIRN

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — As predicted, LaQuan Nairn turned his disappointment two weeks ago at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, into Commonwealth Games glory as he emerged as the first Bahamian male long jumper to win the gold medal last night.

In what could be described as one of the most exhilarating finals, Nairn lived up to his prediction as he edged out World Championship seventh-place finisher Sreeshankar Sreeshankar of India after they cleared the same height of 26-feet, 3 ¾-inches or 8.08 metres.

But on the countback, Nairn had the better series of jumps as he celebrated the Bahamas’ first medal at the 2022 games before a jammed-packed Alexander Stadium, moments before the national anthem was played during the medal ceremony.

“It’s just am awesome feeling. I can’t believe that I am the first Bahamian male to win a Commonwealth Games long jump gold medal,” Nairn said.

“So it’s so unreal. It’s such

LAQUAN NAIRN, in action above for The Bahamas, waves from the podium after winning the gold medal in the long jump final during the athletics competition in the Alexander Stadium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

a special moment for me and for the Bahamas.”

After Jovan van Vuuren scratched his final attempt to hold onto the bronze with 25-8 ¾ (8.06m) on his second attempt, Sreeshankar also scratched his final attempt to settle for the silver. That left the door open as Nairn sealed the deal.

The 26-year-old Narin, who completed his collegiate eligibility at the University of Arkansas and is now on the professional circuit, closed it out with 26-6 2/3 (7.99m), but it didn’t matter.

He lived up to his prediction of gold, becoming the first Bahamian male athlete to achieve the feat.

It was the 11th gold for the Bahamas, adding to 15 silver and 12 bronze won since 1958 in Cardiff, Wales when it was the British Empire Games before

it became known as the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s just an amazing feeling. This was the best crowd that I ever competed before and I think was one of the things that helped to push me tonight,” Nairn said. “I got one half of the goal completed and that was the gold.

“I still have some more meets. This is just my first year on the circuit, so I

will go after the Bahamas national record. But it would be even more special if I can go to Grand Bahama for the NACAC Championships (August 18-21) and do it in front of the Bahamian public. That would be special.”

He was referring to breaking Craig Hepburn’s national record of 27-7 ¼ (8.41m) that he established in Nassau at the Bahamas

KEYSHAWN Strachan was the top qualifier in the men’s javelin while both 4x100 metre relay teams failed to advance out of the first round yesterday as Team Bahamas continued competition at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

Strachan threw 78.87m to lead Group A and all qualifiers into the final.

Ukraine’s Artur Felfner had the second best mark at 75.77m, Max Dehning was third at 73.10m and ​​ Hungary’s György Herczeg threw 72.63m to round out the list of automatic qualifiers in the 12-team field.

The final takes place today at 6pm local time.

SEE PAGE 12

MINISTRY RESPONDS TO BODYBUILDING AND FITNESS FEDERATION

Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships in the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on June 17, 1993.

Nairn, the second best qualifier with 25-11 (.90m) on Tuesday, opened the competition with 26-0 ¾ (7.94m) and followed that with 26.3 ¾ (8.08m) on his

THE Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s inability to travel to regional competition has been a much debated topic of discussion recently and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture sought to clarify the issues.

The 17-member team intended to travel to Barbados last weekend for the Central American and Caribbean Games but cited a lack of funding in the appropriate timeframe to successfully book all aspects of travel logistics.

In an official press release the MYSC responded: “The BBFF was the first sports federation to receive its annual grant in the first week of this new budget period. Less than two weeks later, the Federation reached out to the Ministry seeking additional financial assistance of $36,000 for a travelling team,” the organisation said in a press release.

“Though an unexpected and unbudgeted expense, the Ministry made a particular provision of an

SEE PAGE 13

SEE PAGE 14

NFL hopes to reduce head EPL sets high bar injuries with helmet experiment in European soccer, finances and glamour

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

THE mushroom-like contraptions NFL players are wearing on their helmets during training camp may look strange, but they’re a part of an ongoing safety experiment the league hopes will lead to a reduction in head injuries.

They’re called Guardian Caps, and they’re now mandatory for all 32 NFL teams through the second preseason game — the time when the league says head injuries are most prevalent.

“There’s a density of exposure, and a density of injury, at the beginning of training camp and the competition committee

WASHINGTON Commanders running back Jonathan Williams wears a Guardian Cap football helmet during practice.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) has been looking for ways to change that,” said Jeff Miller, executive vice

president for NFL player health and safety.

The league said laboratory research indicates the 12-ounce Guardian Caps result in at least a 10% reduction in severity of impact to a player’s brain. It says that number climbs to at least 20% if both players involved in a collision are wearing them.

Miller said mitigating those forces “will have a cumulative effect for the betterment of health and safety of the player.”

Not everyone, however, is convinced Guardian Caps are the answer.

Chris Nowinski, cofounder and CEO of the

SEE PAGE 13

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — The world’s richest soccer league starts a new season in England today as the rest of Europe looks for ways to catch up.

Off the field, the English Premier League is a commercial juggernaut with broadcasting deals worldwide fuelling player transfers and wages most others cannot match. It helps explain why some clubs created the Super League project.

League riches helped English champion Manchester City make the marquee summer signing.

Erling Haaland’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund cost City more than 100 million pounds ($122 million) in transfer and agent fees.

While Haaland was a boyhood City fan whose father played there, he was also lured to a competitive league that avoids the one-club dominance recently seen in Germany, Italy and France. On the field, five

different teams have won the Premier League in the past 10 seasons, including Leicester’s stunning 2016 title. Though City has four of the past five titles, two were epic duels with Liverpool.

The Champions League is also feeling Premier League power with four different teams in the past four finals, including two all-English games.

Liverpool was in three of the past five finals while winning just one

SEE PAGE 12

PAGE 12, Friday, August 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘THE SWIMMERS CAN BE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH THEIR PERFORMANCES’ KEYSHAWN

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The men’s 4x400m team will also compete in opening round heats at 12:15pm.

Feltner, the silver medallist at last year’s U20 championships in Nairobi, Kenya, has posted a world U20 leading PB (personal best) of 84.32m, this season.

Last year in Nairobi, Strachan finished seventh with his throw of 70.30m on his second attempt.

In 2022, he improved to the second leading mark in the world this year with his national record-setting throw of 79.89m.

“Each season, I have seen my growth,” Strachan told World Athletics.

The women’s 4x100m team of Shatalya Dorsett, Lacarthea Cooper, Paige Archer and Javonya Valcourt ran a season’s best time of 46.51 but finished seventh in heat one.

The men’s 4x100m team also turned in a season’s best time of 40.09 to finish third in heat one but did not qualify.

In the women’s 200m, Archer fell just short of the list of 24 qualifiers and finished 25th overall. Her time of 23.92 was a new personal best and placed her fourth in heat two.

Lacarthea Cooper ran 24.44 to finish seventh in heat four, 40th overall.

BIRMINGHAM, England — In looking at the performances of the nine swimmers as they left the Commonwealth Games and are now heading back home, coach Andy Loveitt said Team Bahamas had a successful showing.

“Training prior to competition went very well and at the team meeting prior to competition we set the goal of swimmers attempting to make the top 16 and hopefully a final,” said Loveitt who, along with Travano McPhee, coached the team.

“We achieved both and the swimmers can be extremely happy with their performances.”

Loveitt said if there’s one swimmer that should be singled out, it was Lamar Taylor, who made the final in the men’s 50 metre freestyle and finished 7th to go along with his other events, including 50m Fly 18th ( PB), 50m Back 20th, 100m

FROM PAGE 11

TENNIS PLAYER MCCARTNEY IN WIN COLUMN BAHAMIAN tennis player William McCartney won the Torneo Summer Sportinca, BLN, ALE, INFC (Real Federacion Espanola De Tennis) tournament in Mallorca.

The tournament was held July 11-16 at the Club Sportinica. McCartney captured the young individual male category.

On the road to victory, William received a bye in the 1st round. In the 2nd round, he won over Nicolai Rydholt 6-1, 6-4. In round 3, William won over Nicholas Capel 6-3, 6-4.

In the semis McCartney would face William Delach winning in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-4. In the finals, McCartney would face Mario Hernando, winning convincingly 6-0, 6-2.

“The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) congratulates William on winning this tournament in Mallorca. William was unseeded and did not drop a set during the entire tournament. He displayed his tennis skills and talent internationally. Continue to shine William!” said a press release.

EPL

FROM PAGE 11 Premier League title.

Those same four teams — City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham — are England’s entry in the Champions League this season. Manchester United and Arsenal qualified only for the second-tier Europa League and are by far the wealthiest clubs in it.

• Here’s a look at English financial dominance and the challenge for other top leagues: ENGLAND’S EARNING Premier League broadcast rights earned 3.64 billion euros ($3.7 billion) last season with Spain’s La Liga next best at around 2 billion euros ($2.04 billion), according to UEFA’s annual survey of European soccer. “This is of course the best example in the world of how to market a sports competition,” Jacco Swart, managing director of the 30-nation European Leagues group, said in praise.

Evenly weighted cash distribution gave the worst

BAHAMAS swim team members departed the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham yesterday and are expected to return home today after spending some time in London.

Back 21st and 100m Free 23rd.

Two swimmers made semi-final appearances with Lilly Higgs in the 50m breaststroke for 15th place and the 100m breaststroke in 16th, while Davante Carey in the 50m backstroke came in 16th in a new Bahamas national record.

Carey also had strong swims in the 200m backstroke in 18th, 100m backstroke in 19th and the 100m butterfly in 25th place. “The 200m races went straight to final from heats and the Bahamas had two top 16 places achieved by Katelyn

Cabral coming in 12th in the 200m backstroke and Zaylie Elizabeth-Thompson was 13th in the 200m breaststroke.

“Zaylie also had a 21st place finish in the 200m freestyle and a 34th place finish in the 100m free.

Katelyn had the following other results - 50m backstroke in 24th, 100m butterfly in 28th, 50m butterfly in 34th and 50m freestyle in 46th.”

The other three members of the team, according to Loveitt, all achieved a top 20 finish. Rhanishka Gibbs, the youngest member of the team at age 16, was 17th in the 50m

breaststroke, Luke Thompson was 19th in the 400m freestyle in a personal best and Izaak Bastian got 20th in the 50m breaststroke.

Gibbs also had the following results in the 50m freestyle for 22nd in a personal best, 23rd in the 100m breaststroke and 43rd in the 100m freestyle, while Bastian also had a 23rd place in the 100m breaststroke, Luke-Kennedy Thompson was 24th in the 50m breaststroke and 26th with a personal best in the 200m freestyle.

“The team competed in two relays and they narrowly missed making the mixed 400m free relay final

with a 9th place finish and they also placed 11th in the mixed 400m medley relay,” Loveitt said.

“I was extremely happy with the overall performance of the team and thank the swimmers for their efforts. I would like to see these results bettered at next year’s Pan American Games in Chile with all relay teams entered and a goal of progressing forward from the results achieved in the last games in Lima, Peru, in 2019.”

The team departed Birmingham yesterday, spending some time in London before they head home today.

Jack Laugher defends diving gold at Commonwealth Games

By COURTNEY WALSH Associated Press BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — English diver Jack Laugher extended his dominance in the one-metre springboard event yesterday to take a third straight gold at the Commonwealth Games.

The 27-year-old Laugher, who was England’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony last week, continued a run that also included gold in Glasgow in 2014 and on Australia’s Gold Coast four years ago.

He had been below his best in the morning’s preliminary rounds but hit peak form from midway through the six rounds to seize control and later credited the threat posed by Australian diver Shixin Li for inspiring him.

Laugher, who won Olympic gold in the 3-metre synchronised event at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, posted a total of 447.05 points to defeat Li by 10 points. England’s Jordan Houlden claimed the bronze.

“I was under loads of pressure, trying to defend that title, which I’ve had for eight years now,” Laugher said. “I think I got it wrong this morning. I was trying to indulge in the crowd a little bit too much. I’m quite introverted in the way that I compete and the way I am usually.

“So, this afternoon I tried not to get too involved with the crowd … until that sixth dive went in. I knew it was good and then I could get excited with the crowd and enjoy it.”

Premier League team, Norwich, 98 million pounds ($119 million) in prize money that beat the entire budget for most European clubs.

English clubs took 10 of the top 18 places in the latest Deloitte list of highest earners. Abu Dhabi-owned Man City led with 644.9 million euros ($657 million).

The total wage bill for 20 Premier League clubs was 2.88 billion euros ($2.93 billion) in 2020, according to UEFA – 1 billion euros ($1.02 billion) above La Liga, and more than Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A combined.

SPAIN’S CHASING La Liga skews prize money toward top clubs with the winner taking about 160 million euros ($163 million), up to three times more than other clubs.

It’s good for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid — who have won all the league titles since Valencia’s in 2004 — though not for competitive balance.

“They do not have a very long tradition of selling

JAMAICAN Elaine Thompson-Herah on the podium yesterday after winning the gold in the 100 metres at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Cyclist Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France winner, crashed early in the individual time trial in Wolverhampton, striking a barrier when making a sweeping turn.

Thomas was able to remount his bike and recovered well to claim the bronze medal behind winner Rohan Dennis, a double time trial world champion.

“I just went into the corner a bit too hot. (I have) only myself to blame. I went at it too hard after that, with all the adrenaline,” Thomas said.

Dennis, who made it a clean sweep for Australia in the

(rights) collectively,” Swart said.

Real Madrid’s response to tough times was winning yet another Champions League by improbably ousting the top three English clubs and Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid and Barcelona have long raised their Champions League earnings by using influence at the European Club Association — which they left to launch the failed Super League — to steer prize money toward storied clubs.

Barcelona has eased its own financial crisis, fuelled by long-term overspending on wages, by trading future TV rights money for cash now from an investment firm. Signing FIFA player of the year Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich was one result, though Barcelona’s reputation is being hit by pressuring Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong to take a pay cut.

A Spanish success has been coach Unai Emery lifting, first, Sevilla and now small-town Villarreal to overachieve and win

individual time trial after Grace Brown claimed the women’s event earlier yesterday, was unaware of his rival’s misfortune.

“It’s best I don’t know that stuff,” he said.

“I was trying not to think about anybody else, but I heard at the finish that he had a mishap in the first three to five (kilometers). It’s a shame. You never like to see anyone come down.”

In athletics, Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah returned to Alexander Stadium just over 12 hours after her triumph in the 100 metres on Wednesday night.

A double Olympic champion in the 200, she qualified second fastest for today’s semifinals in an easy heat win in 22.80 seconds.

The track and field events in Birmingham have been hit by a number of withdrawals.

The proximity of the event to the world championships in Oregon in late July and other major meetings saw Jamaican sprinting star ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce opt against racing.

But injury and illnesses are also causing issues, with Australia’s team hit by the withdrawal of three medal contenders.

Stewart McSweyn, a finalist in the 1500-metres final in Tokyo, did not take his place in qualifying heats in the morning session due to influenza.

Kathryn Mitchell, the gold medallist in javelin on the Gold Coast four years ago, has also been ruled out of competing in Birmingham.

Athletics Australia said Mitchell was suffering from an unknown

a combined four Europa League titles.

GERMANY’S CULTURE The Bundesliga’s “50+1” ownership rule is widely liked for protecting clubs’ identity and preventing takeovers by the oil-rich states, oligarchs and billionaires lured to the Premier League.

Clubs controlling a majority of voting rights is embedded in German culture, which also curbs ticket and pay-TV prices — a principled stand which reduces revenue.

“What people are willing to pay to watch football in England is totally different to what people are prepared to pay in Germany,” Swart said.

The average season ticket price is 1,095 pounds ($1,325) at Arsenal but some Dortmund fans can pay just 240 euros ($244).

Dortmund also excels signing and nurturing English teenagers, then selling them back to the Premier League. Haaland’s former teammate, Jadon Sancho, went to Man United for a four-fold profit and Jude Bellingham is likely next.

virus she picked up when travelling from the United States.

Ash Moloney, who won a bronze medal in the decathlon at the Tokyo Olympics last year, was not able to compete due to injury.

But 2019 javelin world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber has been cleared by Australian officials to compete after recovering from COVID-19.

Earlier, Jamaica caused a major upset in netball when it beat gold medal favourite Australia to reach the semifinals with a 57-55 comeback win.

Jamaica captain Jhaniele Fowler, who plays in Australia’s domestic competition for the Perth-based West Coast Fever, scored 47 goals from 50 attempts.

“It’s a bit surreal to beat Australia in a Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“We’ve not done that before, but this team of ours is incredible and we went out there and proved everyone wrong and it feels so good.

After two Sri Lankan athletes and a coach went missing on Monday, West Midland police said two had been located but that a male wrestler was still missing.

The Sri Lankan team had ordered athletes and officials to surrender their passports after the wrestler, a judoku and judoku coach absconded on Monday.

All three Sri Lankans have valid visas to remain in the United Kingdom for 180 days.

Sri Lanka, which brought a team of 161 including 51 officials to Birmingham, is in the midst of an economic crisis.

ITALY’S DECLINE After hosting the 1990 World Cup, Serie A was the rich, glamour league.

Decline followed the 1992 launches of the Premier League and Champions League, and Italian stars started moving to Chelsea and even unfashionable Middlesbrough.

Serie A clubs fell further back by playing in cityowned stadiums -- some shared, with an athletics track, and dating fast -- they could not exploit commercially.

Juventus opened its own stadium in 2011 and won nine straight titles. Red tape has not helped stadium building plans in Rome, Milan and elsewhere, frustrating a new wave of American club owners.

Chinese ownership at AC Milan and Inter Milan has been complicated, though both ended a decade-long wait to win Serie A. Italy’s favoured bid to host the 2032 European Championship can spark a needed stadium modernisation programme and play has improved on the field.

Attack-minded teams Atalanta and Napoli helped

Serie A shed a reputation for negative play, which dulled global interest in paying for broadcast rights.

FRANCE Ligue 1 has mostly been owned by Paris Saint-Germain since Qatar bought the club in 2011 months after being named the 2022 World Cup host.

Lyon and Marseille have not won titles since 2008 and 2010, respectively, and both are now in American ownership.

Lyon’s new majority owner, John Textor, arrived in June promising to spend to pursue PSG at home with European ambitions next.

Marseille has had turmoil in six years under former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, though is now back in the Champions League.

Another foreign owner driving a renewed challenge at Nice is Monaco-based British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who was often linked to bids for Chelsea.

The overseas ownership model offers some stability after the collapse two years ago of the league’s touted new broadcast deal.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 13

Decathlete Ken Thompson in 7th after day 1

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — Although he’s currently in seventh place in the men’s decathlon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Kendrick Thompson said he still has the confidence that he can perform much better.

In his debut at the global international level, Thompson mustered a total of 3,883 points from the first five events on day one of the men’s decathlon yesterday at the Alexander Stadium. Grenada’s Lindon Victor is out front with 4,327 points.

“For my first major decathlon, I fell short in a couple of events, but I’m happy with the results. I’m really happy with myself,” Thompson said. “I know what I have to do tomorrow (today) to get back in the competition, so I just have to go out there and do it.”

Thompson, making history as the first Bahamian to compete in the multiple events at the games, was even more ecstatic when he watched as LaQuan Nairn became the first Bahamian male jumper to win the Commonwealth title.

“I was really proud of LaQuan. He inspired me to go out there and really do the 400m,” said Thompson, whose final event of the day came just as Nairn was taking his victory lap.

“He told me to go out there and do my thing.

When he won the gold, I

was very proud of him. 242 to the world.”

As he started off the twoday competition, Thompson shook off a false start as he had to settle for seventh in the second run of the 100 metres in 11.18 seconds for 821 points.

He then got fourth in the long jump with a leap of 24-feet, 4 ½-inches or 7.43 metres for 918 points, seventh in the shot put with a heave of 38-2 (11.63m) for 584 points, sixth in the high jump with 6-4 ¼ (1.94m) for 749 points and was seventh in the 400m in 50.07 for 811 points.

“The crowd was so supportive of all of us,” Thompson said. “I never heard so much people cheering for me in my life.

That helped to encourage me to go out there and do it when I struggled in some of my events.”

The 24-year-old Thompson, who attends the University of the Bahamas, will come back today

DECATHLETE Kendrick Thompson is interviewed by the media yesterday. He was in 7th place after day one of the decathlon at the Commonwealth Games.

to close out competition in the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and the 1,500m.

Yesterday, Denisha Cartwright just missed out on a spot in the semi-final of the women’s 200 metres after she placed fifth in the fifth of seven heats in 24.49 for 25th overall. Abi Galpin of Guuernsey got third in the third heat in 24.47 for the 24th and final spot.

The top qualifier was Favour Ofili of Nigeria in 22.71. Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah, coming off her gold medal in the 100m the night before, had the second fastest time of 22.80.

Tynia Gaither, seventh in the 100m, was scheduled to compete in the half-lap race, but she left for Poland to compete in her next meet on the European circuit.

Today, joining Thompson in competition will be Devynne Charlton and Alonzo Russell, while Kaiwan Culmer will have to wait until Sunday to get in his action.

Charlton, the national record holder, will open her quest for her first Commonwealth Games medal to add to the World Indoor silver she got in March when she competes in the second of three heats in the 200m hurdles in lane five at 5:36am EST. Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who established a world record in the semi-finals before she won the gold medal in the final, is a part of the field that will also include Jamaica’s Megan Tapper, who will run in lane three in the same heat with Charlton. Amusan will be in heat three.

The final is set for Sunday at 5:25 am EST. The 30-year-old Russell, who got third in his first round heat in 46.41 for 15th

place overall, will run out of lane nine in the last of the three heats of the men’s 400m semi-finals.

He will have to be one of the top finishers or wait for one of the two slowest times to advance to Sunday’s final at 5.45 am EST. Culmer’s triple jump has gone to a straight final on Sunday at 8:05 am EST. He will be the final competitor to compete for the Bahamas as there are no teams entered in the 4 x 400m relays for women and men to bring the curtain down on these exciting games.

On Saturday, the wrestling competition will begin with two Bahamians participating at the Coventry Stadium.

Thorn Demeritte will be up first when he takes on Charlie Bowling from England in the men’s freestyle 74 kilogram class, while Rashji Mackey will follow when he faces Tayab Raza of Pakistan in the men’s freestyle 87 Kg class.

SILVER medallist Sreeshankar Sreeshankar of India, gold medallist Laquan Nairn of The Bahamas and bronze medallist Jovan van Vuuren of South Africa, from left to right, pose with their medals on the podium of the Men’s long jump final during the athletics competition in the Alexander Stadium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, yesterday.

LAQUAN

LAQUAN NAIRN, at left showing off his gold medal, makes an attempt in the Men’s long jump final during the athletics competition in the Alexander Stadium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, on Thursday, August 4, 2022.

(AP Photos/Alastair Grant)

FROM PAGE 11

second attempt to surge into the lead before he scratched his third attempt.

“I met Sreeshankar for the first time at the World Championships and even though we didn’t perform as we expected, we both came here to improve on our performances,” said Nairn, who was 18th overall with a best of 25-7 ¼ (7.80m). “He’s a really nice guy and he provided a lot of competition out there.

“But I just knew that this is my night. I predicted it and God gave me the ability to accomplish the feat,” Nairn stated.

He opened the final two rounds with what appeared to be a big jump, but it was ruled a scratch. He asked to review the mark and pleaded his case, but to no avail. He responded with 25-8 ¾ (7.84m) on his fifth try.

Nairn thanked his parents Monalisa McKinney, his father Lourawls Nairn Sr, his big brother Lourawls ‘Tum Tum” Nairn for their

NFL

FROM PAGE 11 support as well as coach Peter Pratt, whom he called legendary. He also thanked his close friend Kaiwan Culmer, who provided him with some tips.

Not the type of person to celebrate, Nairn said he will go to the Games Village at the University of Birmingham where he will savour the moment. He intends to come back and support the rest of Team Bahamas in a quest for some more medals before the championships are done on Sunday.

WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER CONVICTED AT DRUG TRIAL IN RUSSIA, SENTENCED TO 9 YEARS IN PRISON

By JIM HEINTZ Associated Press KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — US basketball star Brittney Griner was convicted yesterday in Russia of drug possession and smuggling and was sentenced to nine years in prison in a politically charged case that could lead to a high-stakes prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow.

The 31-year-old Griner, a two-time US Olympic champion and a eight-time all-star with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, listened with a blank expression as an interpreter translated the verdict by Judge Anna Sotnikova, but her lawyers said later she was “very upset.” Griner also was fined 1 million rubles (about $16,700).

US President Joe Biden denounced as “unacceptable” the verdict and sentence, which came amid soaring tensions between the US and Russia over Ukraine.

“I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” Biden

said, adding that he would continue to work to bring home Griner and Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia on an espionage conviction.

Outside court, the US Embassy’s charge d’affaires Elizabeth Rood called the outcome “a miscarriage of justice.”

Griner, recognised as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, has been detained since February 17 after police said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage upon landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.

She was returning to Russia, where she has competed since 2014. As she was led out of court, Griner said: “I love my family.”

The nine-year sentence was close to the maximum of 10 years that Griner had faced under the charges. Most Russians possessing small quantities of drugs get at most five years in prison, lawyers said.

Defence attorney Maria Blagovolina told reporters later that Griner was “very upset, very stressed. She can hardly talk. It’s a difficult time for her.”

Before the unusually swift verdict was reached, an emotional Griner apologised to her family, teammates and the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, where she plays in the WNBA offseason, “for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them.”

With her voice cracking, she added: “I hope in your ruling it does not end my life.”

Under Russian law, Griner has 10 days to appeal, and her lawyers say they expect a hearing in Moscow regional court next week.

Asked if Griner could ask for pardon from President Vladimir Putin, Blagovolina said they would consider every possibility, but the lawyers said they were not part of any discussions about a prisoner swap.

Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas tweeted that the sentence “was severe by Russian legal standards and goes to prove what we have known all along, that Brittney is being used as a political pawn.”

She added that she supported the Biden administration’s efforts “to get a deal done.”

Concussion Legacy Foundation, is “more than a little sceptical” that the extra padding helps prevent head injuries — and wonders if it could be doing more harm than good.

“Adding weight to a helmet can make things worse for the brain when it comes to rotational impacts,” said Nowinski, who previously served as a co-director of the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. “Adding size to the helmet does the same thing. It’s very difficult to recreate this in a lab. We aren’t sure if this will be a net positive or a net negative.”

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh also has concerns.

He questioned whether players are using their heads more now because the Guardian Caps soften the blow — something he believes could be

an issue once the caps come off and actual games begin.

“Anyone who’s played football before knows that the first time you take those (caps) off or you hit with your helmet, or you have a collision, there’s a shock,” Saleh said. “If you’re waiting until the first game for that shock to happen, I think it’s ... I don’t know. Time will tell.

“It’s just interesting with those Guardian Caps, and what exactly are we trying to accomplish?”

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver isn’t seeing the benefits of the caps either and Philadelphia Eagles centre Jason Kelce even openly mocked them.

Oliver said the padded shells “aggravate” him, making him feel like “a bobblehead” on the field.

“It’s just heavy,” Oliver said. “I like the way my helmet feels without it. I have been playing without it for this long, I just don’t like it.”

PAGE 14, Friday, August 5, 2022

Cyclists get in gear for Sunday’s gruelling road race

THE TRIBUNE

LORIN SAWYER, chef de mission Roy Colebrooke, Felix Neely and Kenton Roker are pictured above, left to right.

BAHAMIAN cyclist Felix Neely is interviewed by the host broadcast team yesterday after competing in the time trials of the cycling competition at the Commonwealth Games.

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BIRMINGHAM, England — Having gotten their feet wet in the time trials yesterday as the cycling competition got underway at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, both Lorin Sawyer and Felix Neely indicated that they will now be better prepared for Sunday’s gruelling road race.

The duo, competing in their first global competition, had their share of difficulties on the course in West Park, but survived with a 44th place for Sawyer in one hour, two minutes and 19.72 seconds and 54th for Neely in 1:07.58.03 in the final spot.

“It was a rough course.

It’s a lot different from what we’re used to in the Bahamas,” said Sawyer, a businessman from Spanish Wells. “We’re used to having a flat course in the time trials, but there was a lot of turns and we really didn’t get a chance to test out the course.

“We got here late and only had a chance to ride it in a car. So we were totally blinded going into the race.

It’s totally different when you are actually out there riding the course. There were a lot of turns and you kind of slow down more

than you think. So it was very technical and that was what killed me.”

Sawyer, who was accompanied by his wife Dianne, said he anticipates a much better showing in the road race. “Being in the peloton makes it so much easier,” he pointed out. “I have a lot of confidence going into the race. It’s also good to have a teammate in the race. So I think we should be able to work well together.”

For Neely, the youngest competitor in the field at age 19, it was an experience that he won’t soon forget.

“I felt like I did the best I could in the time trials and that should get me ready for the road race,” Neely said.

“I just want to say thank you to the Bahamas Cycling Federation for allowing me to make it here and also the people from Black Village, who really supported me.”

CHEF de mission Roy Colebrooke checking on Lorin Sawyer, shown above right on his bike, after his race.

At the start of the race, both Neely and Sawyer also slipped and fell on the first turn as they had to slow down and adjust their brakes to avoid colliding into the barriers along the course that separated the spectators.

“That was a very sharp turn and I wasn’t expecting it. As I approached it, I said I was going too fast, so I had to slow down.

“Then my brakes slipped, but I managed to hold it just before I hit the railing,” Neely said.

“I was able to make up the time, but it was cold and windy. I wasn’t used to it. It was a very hard course. I’m happy that I finished, I was

very proud when I passed the finish line.”

As he prepares for the road race, the CR Walker Secondary High School graduate now employed at Cycles Unlimited as a mechanic, said he will use the next two days to do some hydration before he goes “full blast” on Sunday.

Kenton Roker, who serves as the coach of the team, said he felt Neely and Sawyer did the best that they could.

“Felix is the youngest competitor in cycling and he did extremely well for his age and his experience,” Roker said. “Lorin Sawyer also did extremely well, considering that we

don’t have any hills to train on. But the spectators were spectacular. They really cheered them on.”

Chef de mission Roy Colebrooke, who also serves as the president of the Bahamas Cycling Federation, said the appearances of the two cyclists comes on the heels of Jay Major and Anthony Colebrooke, who both represented the Bahamas at the games in the Gold Coast, Australia, in 2018.

At those games, Colebrooke got 52nd in the time trials and he and Major didn’t complete the road race. Colebrooke said Sawyer and Neely successfully completed one half of

the competition here and they eagerly await to see what they will do in the second half on Sunday.

“Felix was the youngest competitor in the field, competing against some top-notch competitors and Lorin’s time succeeded any time we would have done previously, so we’re looking forward to the road race on Sunday,” Colebrooke said.

In preparation for the event, Colebrooke said they will ensure that both competitors get a dry run through the course because it’s so technical when they go out and compete. He said he expects both cyclists will be ready for the challenge ahead of them.

SLIDE OVER, BOBSLEDS. CURLING IS COMING TO TROPICAL JAMAICA

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer SLIDE over, Jamaican bobsledders. A group of expats from the ice-free island are hoping to bring a whole new winter sport to their tropical homeland: curling.

Three decades after Jamaica crashed the Winter Olympics — and then crashed at the Winter Olympics — with the bobsled team made famous in the movie “Cool Runnings,” the country has joined the World Curling Federation. The status allows it to compete in international events, and the new national governing body is hoping that formal recognition will help the sport break through in a place better known for sprinters, reggae and rum.

“The bobsled team broke the ice — pardon the pun,” Curling Jamaica President Ben Kong said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “Now there’s sort of an acceptance that Jamaicans can compete in any sport, even if it is a winter sport.”

Born on Scottish lochs and most popular among Scandinavians, Scots and Canadians, curling is riding a post-Olympic boost from TV viewers who quadrennially fall in love with the quirky sport with the sweeping and shouting and chess-like strategy. Lately,

BBFF

FROM PAGE 11 additional $20,000.00 to defray more than 50 percent of this late request, effectively making a total contribution of $30,000.00 in July 2022.”

In last week’s press conference, BBFF President Joel Stubbs said the organisation needed $36,000 to travel but came up short in their fundraising bid.

He added that his federation BFF received $20,000 from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture but the funds were not cleared until noon on the day of travel.

“It is a requirement for federations to plan their calendar of events so they can budget their expenses

that’s brought the sport to some new — and non-white — nations.

Since the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, the WCF has recognised federations in the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Bolivia, Turkmenistan, India and Kuwait. Jamaica is the first to join since the Beijing Olympics, earning conditional status last month as the third member from the Caribbean.

WCF President Kate Caithness called it “an exciting milestone for the sport as we continue to increase our members in nontraditional curling nations.”

Curling Jamaica technical director Cristiene Hall-Teravainen, who moved to Toronto when she was six, said that after taking up curling in Canada she saw exactly one other person of colour in competitions: a Russian.

“Now with these other countries — with the WCF, I think they’re doing an amazing job of being inclusive, and promoting the sport around the world,” she said. “Africa, India — where there’s minorities playing the sport and loving it — I think it’s going to build and build and build. I see big things in the future.”

Kong, 46, moved to Canada as a baby but didn’t start curling until about a decade ago. “Then came the crazy dream and make arrangements in a timely manner for travel,” the release said.

“Unfortunately, the BBFF found itself in a situation where they could not secure sufficient funding to get its team to the CAC Championships in Barbados. The Ministry wholeheartedly supports these athletes, which is why we provided the largest financial assistance ever given to their organisation.”

BBFF secretary general Stephen Robinson refuted the MYSC’s claims of his organisation not producing its plans in a timely manner for travel.

“Firstly, the BBFF submitted its 2022 annual budget to the Ministry on April 7, specifically outlining a calendar of events

about ‘Why don’t we put a Jamaican curling team together?’” he said.

Crazy, except for one thing: The Caribbean island where ice usually goes in drinks sent a bobsled team to the Olympics in 1988, a fish-out-of-water story chronicled in the 1993 Disney movie “Cool Runnings.”

It was the country’s Winter Games debut, and Jamaicans have competed at every Olympics since except for Turin, in 2006. In Beijing, Benjamin Alexander competed in the giant slalom — another first.

Someday, maybe curling,

too. “They paved the way for Jamaica. It was huge what the bobsled team did,” Hall-Teravainen said.

“I don’t think we’re riding their coattails, but we’re marching right behind them.”

In all, Kong has found nine women and five men, 12 of them living in Canada and two in the United States. Most are dual citizens.

Three of the women have competitive experience; Hall-Teravainen is the most accomplished of them, having once competed in Canada’s senior provincial championships. She figures

to be the anchor of a Jamaican team that is hoping to compete in the World Mixed Championships in Aberdeen, Scotland, in October.

Of the five men, only one has played competitively.

“Our men’s team, while we have enough warm bodies, that team needs some developing,” Kong said.

Curling Jamaica Secretary General Andrew Walker, a recreational curler who once won the Monday night house league at his home club, said finding other Jamaican curlers was “a lightbulb moment” for him.

Now he sees a spark in other Jamaicans’ eyes when they watch him curl.

“A young lady came up to me and said, ‘You know, I wasn’t going to come but then I saw you and I thought, “Hey, I can do that, too,”’” he said. “It gives people the permission to go out and give it a try.

They can see someone like themselves.

“Because it was never there in their old country, they don’t seek it out.

They’ll seek out soccer and cricket and what have you, but curling is not on the radar,” he said. “So this will hopefully put it more on the radar.”

And he hopes WCF recognition will help get the word out.

“There are Jamaicans in every country on the

and costs associated with each event. The document also stated the date and the location of the CAC Championships.

“Within days of the document being submitted, additional correspondence were sent pleading for early release of the annual grant as the first show (Novice Championships) was planned for May 21.

“The ministry acknowledged the request and stated that they would do its best to facilitate.

Unfortunately the Ministry was unable to release funds and, as a result, The Novice Championship was cancelled.

“The Northern Bahamas Championship in Freeport, Grand Bahama that was scheduled for June 28 also

had to be postponed and rescheduled for July 2 due to insufficient funds in the Federation’s account.”

Robinson said: “This response is not meant to embarrass or disrespect the Ministry, but to clear the air and state openly that despite our communication, acts of transparency and adequate planning for our annual events, the lack of funding was the main reason why team Bahamas was unable to travel perform, hear the national anthem played or have our flag hoisted at the 49th edition of the CAC Games.

“We are grateful as a federation for the Ministry’s grant despite it being reduced from $15k to the sum of 10k by the previous administration.

“We still await a quantifiable reason as to why the grant was reduced.”

The BBFF has a rich tradition of successful performances at the CAC Championships.

In 2021, struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bahamas still managed to field an eight-member team to El Salvador, for the CACs. The team won a total of nine medals - two gold, three silver and three bronze.

In this year’s competition, Barbados was declared the overall winner, Antigua and Barbuda was second and Mexico finished third.

“During the live feed, we were able to inspect all competitors in the various categories while performing

IN this photo provided by Curling Jamaica, Jamaica’s Ben Kong looks out at the sheet during a practice game against Hong Kong on Saturday, April 2 at the Unionville Curling Club in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Jamaican curlers are sliding into the footsteps of the bobsledders that brought the tropical island nation to the Winter Olympics and became an international sensation.

(Sandy Ewart/Curling Jamaica photo via AP)

planet. I’m quite sure out there in the Jamaican diaspora are curlers like myself — and better than myself,” Walker said.

“This is the first step to let them know that we’re out here, and we want to hear from you.”

For now, the dozen Canada-based Jamaicans have set up a home base at the Unionville Curling Club outside of Toronto that, at more than 100 years old, is twice as old as the independent nation of Jamaica.

Their debut competition was a friendly coed scrimmage against Hong Kong in April that was limited to three-person teams because of pandemic protocols; Hong Kong was leading 10-4 after four ends when the sides decided that keeping score wasn’t the point.

Hall-Teravainen noted that it’s not uncommon for even well-established curling programmes to train abroad, where coaches and ice sheets and plentiful and the competition is robust.

“Even countries that have ice come here to train,” she said. “Jamaica has a hockey team that plays out of Florida.”

Kong said the goal is to build a programme in which the curling is played “in Jamaica, by Jamaicans.”

And if Disney comes calling with a movie deal?

“I’m still thinking of what actor I want to play me,” he said. and was able to conclude with a fair assessment/judgment,” Stubbs said in a release following the event.

“Based on my expertise as a qualified international judge, I would like to unequivocally state without bias that, had Team Bahamas attended the championship, we would have stood tall and proud on the podium in just about all of the categories we had intended to take competitors in.

“Our athletes would have won resoundingly, walking away with top honours in many of their respective categories.”

Team Bahamas now looks ahead to other regional meets beginning in Miami, Florida, August 26-28.

PAGE 16, Friday, August 5, 2022

BTC NOT AT LIBERTY’S TOP AS REVENUE RISE FLATTENS FROM PAGE A20

COVID-19 pandemic as one quarter does not make a trend although the declining rate of top-line growth will bear watching. The results were released just weeks after it was announced that Andre Foster, BTC’s chief executive, is stepping down from the company with a replacement yet to be named.

BTC’s subscriber numbers, meanwhile, remained relatively flat. However, it did lose 600 post-paid mobile subscribers during the three months to end-June 2022, despite targeting this segment as a more lucrative and consistent source of revenue earnings. While it did gain

300 pre-paid subscribers, this still represents a quarterly net loss of 300 mobile customers.

BTC remains locked in fierce competition with its Aliv rival, and it ended the 2022 first half with some 173,200 mobile subscribers split between 31,500 postpaid customers and 141,700 pre-paid clients. Elsewhere, though, BTC gained a net 400 subscribers or revenue generating units (RGUs) in its fixed-line businesses, bolstered largely by an 800 gain on broadband Internet.

Fixed-line phone subscribers, though, fell by 400.

At end-June 2022, BTC had 73,00 fixed-line revenue generating units split between 31,500 broadband Internet customers and 31,900 fixed-line voice subscribers, with 9,600 video/ TV clients making up the balance. This follows modest fixed line subscriber gains during the 2022 first quarter.

While the carrier added 200 TV, and 700 Internet,

THE TRIBUNE

GAS STATION TAX RELIEF IS ‘THE RIGHT APPROACH’

customers over that period, this was largely negated by the loss of 700 fixedline telephone subscribers.

All in all, BTC lost 1,400 fixed-line “customer relationships”. This continued the trend set late last year, when BTC lost 2,900 “revenue generating units” or customer relationships during the 2021 fourth quarter. Then, Internet and TV subscribers declined by 1,200 and 100, respectively, while fixed-line voice fell by some 1,600.

Mr Foster told Tribune Business in an interview earlier this year that BTC planned “to become a real attacker” in the battle for market share with ambitions to build-out its new network by end-2023. He pledged that all subscribers across The Bahamas will enjoy faster, better quality broadband Internet and TV services when it completes the transition from its legacy copper infrastructure to fibre-tothe-home (FTTH) within the next 17 months.

purchase from Shell, Esso and Rubis.

Mr Davis on the timing of any tax relief, how much taxes will reduce by or for how long. Petroleum dealers had sought up to a 50 percent margin increase, which would have moved this from 54 cents to 81 cents per gallon of gasoline if granted, as their main form of relief.

However, Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, said a margin increase is “off the table” given the impact it would have on hard-pressed consumers already grappling with soaring fuel prices and overall inflation. Mr Bastian, though said of the margin rise: “I don’t think it is necessarily sidelined. It’s right there. Let’s see how this tax reduction suggested by the Government plays out before we do anything else. This is a two-in-one deal, so let’s see how this plays out first.”

FROM PAGE A20 seeking to reduce some of their taxes on VAT, to be able to pass that on to consumers at the pump. That is something in the works that can work.”

The Prime Minister’s comments appeared to suggest relief will be forthcoming on the 10 percent VAT levied on every gallon of gas or diesel being sold.

However, as this tax is ultimately borne by the consumer, it would benefit motorists rather than the gas station operators unless the Government was to make gasoline/diesel zerorated by also removing VAT on the fuel inventories they

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 76° F/24° C

TAMPA

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Breezy; a stray morn‑ ing t‑storm

A shower early; partly cloudy

Winds subsiding; a morning shower

Partly sunny and breezy

Breezy with a thun‑ derstorm in spots

Mostly cloudy with winds subsiding

High: 89°

Low: 80°

High: 88° Low: 79°

High: 89° Low: 80°

High: 90° Low: 79°

High: 89° Low: 78°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

98° F

86° F

97°-84° F

97°-87° F

99°-86° F

97°-85° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

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High: 88° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

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High: 91° F/33° C Low: 80° F/27° C

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FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 81° F/27° C

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| Go to AccuWeather.com

TONIGHT

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C

MIAMI

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

7‑14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022

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The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

1:27 a.m.

2:13 p.m.

2.6 3.0

7:46 a.m.

8:37 p.m.

0.5 0.9

Saturday

2:24 a.m.

3:15 p.m.

2.5 3.1

8:41 a.m.

9:44 p.m.

0.4 0.9

Sunday

3:28 a.m.

4:19 p.m.

2.5 3.3

9:42 a.m. 0.3 10:51 p.m. 0.8

Monday

4:35 a.m.

5:22 p.m.

2.5 3.4

10:46 a.m. 0.2 11:55 p.m. 0.6

Tuesday

5:40 a.m.

6:22 p.m.

2.7 3.6

11:49 a.m. 0.0 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Wednesday 6:41 a.m.

7:19 p.m.

2.8 3.8

12:54 a.m. 0.4 12:50 p.m. ‑0.1

Thursday

3.0 3.8

1:48 a.m. 0.2 1:48 p.m. ‑0.2

7:39 a.m.

8:12 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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6:39 a.m.

7:52 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

1:42 p.m.

12:16 a.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Aug. 5

Aug. 11

Aug. 19

Aug. 27

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

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High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 90° F/32° C Low .................................................... 77° F/25° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 76° F/24° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.04” Year to date ............................................... 37.72” Normal year to date ................................... 20.54”

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C

Gasoline prices in Nassau stand at $6.89 at Rubis; $6.66 at Esso; $6.97 at Shell; and $6.92 at AutoServ. Mr Davis, meanwhile, reiterated that the Government has also been speaking to the shipping companies in a bid to reduce containerrelated costs involved in transporting goods to The Bahamas.

“We were successful in negotiating the reduction of transportation of goods from the Far East by at least 40 per cent. That’s in train now,” the Prime Minister said.

“We’re now working on containers coming from Florida, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to have some reduction in respect to that. It’s just the logistics that’s going to be worked out in that regard, but we are working assiduously to avoid further burdening of people as a result of these, what I call external shocks, which we have very little control over.”

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

10‑20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 87° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 89° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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12‑25 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots

WAVES 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 4‑7 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet

VISIBILITY 7 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 8 Miles 9 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 6 Miles 7 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 5 Miles 9 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 86° F 86° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 86° F 87° F 87° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022

$6.92

$6.97

$6.66

$7.27

‘No deal breaker’: Lucayan sale gets 45-day extension

$170m Exuma project targets up to 300 jobs

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

• Mixed-use resort eyed for island’s southern tip • Plans for 161 residences and 81-slip marina • EIA warns ‘alarming lack of health facilities’

• Hotel chairman ‘very, very confident’ deal will complete • Mid-September move gives due diligence extra time • Sale like to pancake: ‘Once you flip it everybody eats’

THE GRAND Lucayan’s chairman yesterday reassured there is “no deal breaker” after it was agreed that negotiations over the hotel’s sale be extended by 45 days to September 15.

Julian Russell told Tribune Business he was “very, very confident” that the resort’s $100m sale to Electra America Hospitality Group will ultimately close with both sides agreeing that more time is needed to complete “due diligence” and all the required legal documents.

Asserting that the USbased purchaser remains “high on Grand Bahama”, he said its representatives have been present at the Grand Lucayan “just about every day” since the deal was first announced on May 12, while also interviewing resort brands it has selected as potential hotel operators.

And, seeking to manage expectations among Grand Bahama residents, Mr Russell pleaded for “patience” over the sale negotiations given both the transaction’s complexity and a history of prior deals failing to complete despite being announced with great fanfare.

“It does take time. This one may take a little while.

There’s still a few things we need to close,” the Grand Lucayan’s chair told this

newspaper of the need for a 45-day extension. “But I am very, very confident that we’ll progress that forward. Very confident. I’ve got no reason to believe otherwise. I have no doubt we’ll get it done and get this deal closed.”

Asked whether there were any potential obstacles remaining to the sale’s closing, he added: “I don’t see any, no, and I think Electra is still high on Grand Bahama.

I don’t see any deal breaker,

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

JULIAN RUSSELL no. I can tell you that from May 12 they’ve [Electra] been on this site just about every single day, sometimes with as many as ten to 12 people.

“It’s not as if they’re sitting down and doing nothing.

There are lawyers, operators, all the flags that they have for interviewing. I know they have interviewed quite a few operators for the hotel.”

Electra’s continued interest

SEE PAGE A18

Parliament’s IBC error key in Bacardi rum fortune fight

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE NOW-FORMER chief justice has ordered that a Bahamian International Business Company (IBC) be resurrected from its dissolution more than 17 years ago to rescue multi-billion dollar litigation involving the Bacardi rum fortune.

Sir Brian Moree, in likely one of his last rulings before stepping down as chief justice, ruled that the Bahamian courts had the power to revive Baron’s Court Holdings from its grave and thus save multiple legal proceedings involving the estate of Lord Bacardi, greatgrandson of the global spirits group’s founder.

His July 21, 2022, verdict resulted from numerous errors

- including one made by the Bahamian Parliament in 2010 when it changed the IBC Act. Sir Brian said the reforms, whether MPs at the time intended it or not, eliminated the legal or statutory power to restore an IBC’s name to the companies register after it has been dissolved.

SEE PAGE A17

SIR BRIAN MOREE

BTC not at Liberty’s top as revenue rise flattens

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company (BTC) was not among its ultimate parent’s best Caribbean performers during the 2022 second quarter as revenues flat-lined against prior year comparatives.

Chris Noyes, Liberty Latin America’s (LiLAC) chief financial officer, told the group’s half-year conference call with investment analysts that “our strongest revenue performers in the quarter.... were the markets of Jamaica, Barbados and the Cayman Islands”.

The Bahamas, and BTC, did not make the cut as revenue growth slowed to just 1.5 percent year-over-year

for the three months to endJune 2022. BTC’s revenues rose by just $700,000 against 2021 comparatives, hitting $48.4m for the period as opposed to $47.7m in the prior year period.

The weaker second quarter performance also trimmed the 2022 half-year top-line increase to 3.7 percent or $3.4m, as total revenues for the six months to end-June hit $96.1m compared to $92.7m for the same period in 2021. The June quarter was thus far softer than the three months to end-March, when top-line revenues grew by 6 percent year-over-year to hit $47.7m.

It is too early, though, to write-off BTC’s slow but steady recovery from the

SEE PAGE A16

Gas station tax relief is ‘the right approach’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE PRIME Minister’s hint that the Government is mulling lower taxation for gas station operators was yesterday branded the “right approach” even though margin increases may not be considered.

Vasco Bastian, the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association’s (BPDA) vice-president, told Tribune Business: “I think that approach and suggestion put forward by the Prime Minister is the right

approach. It’s definitely a long-term fix and solution.

“It will bring instant relief to the dealers and instant relief to the motoring public.

So that is exactly the economic model that the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance is going to use, it is the right approach to use. It brings the whole operation into the 21st century.”

It is not precisely clear, though, exactly what kind of tax relief the Government is eyeing. Mr Davis, speaking at the weekly Prime Minister’s Office media briefing, said: “We are now considering what we’re going to do with retail gas stations,

SEE PAGE A16

A $170m investment targeted at Exuma’s southern tip is pledging to create up to 300 fulltime jobs - plus several hundred construction posts - via the phased build-out of a mixed-use resort and residential project.

The PMR Bahamas development, for which the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been released ahead of the August 24 public consultation, plans to develop an 81-slip marina, 161 residential lots, boutique resort with 40 keys, and an 18-hole golf course on 707-acre Torch Cay, also known as Hog Cay. The document, which has been reviewed by Tribune Business, does not name the project’s principals but indicates that they will seek to upgrade the privately-owned island’s existing runway to a facility able to win International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) designation. This newspaper was pointed to an international real estate developer headed by a well-known Bahamian business executive, but their involvement could not be confirmed before press time.

The EIA, meanwhile, also warns that there is “an alarming lack of public health facilities” on Exuma, an issue that has been cited as a potential investment deterrent on many Family Islands, but which Doctors Hospital is hoping to address through the opening of its new Georgetown clinic within the next 90 days.

Many of this newspaper’s Exuma contacts were unaware of the proposed Torch Cay development when contacted yesterday, but the EIA affirmed: “Torch Cay is a privately owned 707-acre island situated to the east of Little Exuma at the southernmost point of the Exuma Island chain.

“The $170m proposed development by PMR Bahamas is a mixed-use luxury resort and residential development complete with an 18-hole golf course, 81-slip marina and channel, 161 residential lots, 40 hotel keys resort, marina

SEE PAGE A19

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 19

Start planning now for our 50th independence T hroughout the length and breadth of our archipelago, the level of excitement surrounding the 50th independence celebrations scheduled for July 10, 2023, is building among Bahamians. The cultural performances will be spectacular. The ceremonies and festivities will be grand.

The tributes to our nation from lands near and far will be great, and proud Bahamians will be engulfed in a euphoria of national pride unlike anything we have seen since 1973.

This preparation year gives businesses an opportunity to join in the celebrations. Every Bahamian-owned business, as well as those foreign-owned entities operating in this corporate space, should make a concerted effort to

honour the legacy of The Bahamas.

Here are some ways that can be done:

Team-building exercises to build national pride Adding a dash of adventure to the nation’s anniversary celebrations will help unite your workforce, and instill in them a greater sense of national pride. Perhaps you want to explore your city in an exciting way, viewing historic and cultural landmarks. Maybe you jump on the ferry and head to some remote island. Some team building exercises involve live scavenger hunts. Teambuilding scavenger hunts have been designed to foster collaboration, cooperation and fun. Your team will work together, help each other, and indulge

do it forward, upward, onward and together.

IAN FERGUSON in some friendly competition. Whatever you decide,

Make a charitable donation A company with a meaningful corporate culture takes its social responsibilities seriously. A job is often an extension of a colleague’s values. The more someone’s principles are reflected in the workplace, the more that person is likely to feel comfortable and welcomed.

A charitable donation is a fantastic way to celebrate our national anniversary.

When choosing a charity, make sure you select a cause that links to nationhood and empowerment.

Not only does it send a strong message that your company cares, but it ensures the money goes to a worthy cause.

You might even be able to schedule a workforce visit to the charity and see your funds being put into action.

Create a tribute collage Celebrate 50 years of independence by having the entire team create a collage. The bigger, the better.

Whether it is electronic or a large mural size, you can attach photos, drawings, memos, pictures and other trinkets that represent something Bahamian and special to our beloved country.

It is a beautiful way to get everyone involved, and to celebrate not only your company’s contribution to nation building but also other organisations and individuals who have helped shape the economic, cultural and social climate of The Bahamas.

Just throw a party There is absolutely nothing that says celebration better than an all-Bahamian down home office party.

Bahamian food, music, activities, entertainment and games, right down to the finer details, make it a celebration of our nation in its most authentic form.

Start planning now and make it one to remember.

• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.

$170m Exuma project targets up to 300 jobs FROM PAGE A20 village and runway with an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) designation.

“Amenities include the creation of new beaches and expansion/improvement of existing beaches; overwater bungalows; agricultural and husbandry area (farms); equestrian facilities; golf clubhouse; spa and sports pavilion; and natural areas. Back-of-house (BOH) operations will provide solid waste management, electricity, potable water, and sewerage facilities. Guests and visitors will arrive at designated and secure locations.”

Detailing the project’s likely economic and social impact on Exuma, especially the Williams Town community, the document adds: “The project is anticipated to be developed over two phases.... Full build-out will take between eight and 12 years, creating between 375 to 425 jobs during

construction and 250 to 300 jobs during operation.

“While the population of Exuma and its cays nearly doubled between the 2000 and 2010 census to just below 7,000, Little Exuma does not exhibit this growth and will benefit directly from its proximity to Torch Cay. Employees who live on Exuma will be able to travel to the cay for daily operations via provided busing and transportation along Queens Highway.

“The community of Little Exuma will benefit directly from community outreach programmes, which may include adoption of the Williams Town school; a cultural village at Forbes Hill; and additional educational support and training to the residents of Exuma.”

Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister, and who also has ministerial responsibility for investments, is Exuma’s MP and has taken a keen interest in stimulating his constituency’s

economy. The PMR Bahamas EIA pledges that the development will seek to prioritise the hiring of Exuma residents for available construction and full-time posts when they become available.

“PMR has adopted a policy of hiring local staff and businesses to the greatest extent feasible. It is a priority of PMR to employ and train local Bahamians, and engage Bahamian firms and companies in all areas, including architecture, engineering, surveying, information technology, professional firms, construction companies and/or sub-contractors and logistics companies,” the document added.

“It is acknowledged, however, that there will be instances where certain specialised overseas firms and staff will be needed for construction and operations. PMR intends to assess the local skills available for the operations based

upon local due diligence, including canvassing and job/career fairs in the local communities.

“Most importantly, PMR believes it will have an extremely significant impact on the local Exumian communities of Williams Town, Forbes Hill, Hartswell and Little and Great Exuma.

PMR intends to provide employees a stay-at-home option by utilising the Queens Highway to provide busing and transportation options for travel to the cay for daily operations. Keeping the family unit, local communities and church parishioners together is a priority of PMR.” Besides executive management, department heads and supervisory posts, the EIA said PMR will eventually hire be hiring full-time staff in areas such as farm, marina, restaurant, resort and airport/fixed base operations (FBO), as well as for the golf club and a sports complex.

However, it also acknowledged Exuma’s infrastructure deficiencies. “In Exuma, there is an alarming lack of public health facilities. Some of the services that are not offered in Exuma and the cays are optometry, general x-rays, geriatric care, psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, obstetrics and gynecology, mammography, ultrasounds, and many more,” the document said.

“Fortunately, services such as pediatric care, ambulatory/emergency care, general clinic services and pharmacies are available in six major locations across the archipelagic region.”

The project’s energy supply will come from a mix of solar farm and diesel generators, with the former providing between 41 percent and 62 percent of peak demand.

“It is anticipated that solar will produce up to 30 percent of power needs

with the exception of higher and peak occupancy times,” the EIA said. “Diesel generation will be programmed to meet 100 percent of the full power needs plus a contingency of 20 percent. The gensets will be phased in over time to meet the development build-out.”

As for PMR Bahamas’ water needs, the EIA said: “The total average daily demand during the peak season when the development is at 100 percent occupancy is anticipated to be approximately 122,000 gallons per day (gpd). The maximum daily demand for the golf course will be approximately 600,000 gpd during the grow-in period, and 400,000 gpd during the operational period.”

CALL 502-2394 TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE TODAY!

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 5, 2022, PAGE 17

Parliament’s IBC error key in Bacardi rum fortune fight FROM PAGE A20 The error forced Sir Brian, who was yesterday sworn in as a Court of Appeal judge, to rely on common law - which is derived from custom and prior judicial rulings - for Baron’s Court Holdings’ restoration.

His ruling noted that the absence of restorative powers in the existing IBC Act leaves The Bahamas “out of line” with the regimes in rival international financial centres (IFCs), and he gave a strong nudge to the Government/ Parliament that this needs correcting.

Sir Brian wrote that, in its haste to give the Registrar General and the courts the power to restore the name of an IBC that was struckoff for non-payment of fees, the IBCs (Amendment) Act 2010 had unwittingly created another issue by eliminating the previouslyexisting section 166.

That “specifically conferred on the court the power to restore the name of an IBC to the registry after it has been dissolved”, but - to this day - such authority no longer exists.

Sir Brian, hinting that this could undermine the competitiveness of a key financial services product, said: “The absence of such a provision in the IBC Act (as amended by the IBC Amendment Act) means that, currently in The Bahamas, there is no statutory power to restore the name of an IBC to the register after it is dissolved.

“I observe.. that this position is anomalous and is out of line with the legislative regime for IBCs (or their

functional equivalent) in most jurisdictions which operate as IFCs. In 2000, through section 166(3) of the IBC Act, the court was specifically given the power to restore the name of a dissolved IBC. In my view, it is unlikely in passing the IBC Amendment Act in 2010... was intended to take away that power.”

Suggesting that this legal power was taken away “for unknown reasons” some 12 years ago, Sir Brian added: “It seems to me that this was an oversight, but this is a matter for Parliament.

There is no ambiguity here which can be resolved by the court through the application of established principles of statutory interpretation.

“It is clear that the power for the court to restore the name of a dissolved IBC to the register was contained in section 166(3) of the IBC Act, and it is similarly clear that this power was repealed and not replaced in the new section 166 under the IBC Amendment Act. If, indeed, this was an oversight of the draftsman, it is for Parliament to correct it by the appropriate legislative intervention.”

Having made his clarion call to the Government and Parliament, Sir Brian’s ruling also exposed blunders in the late Lord Bacardi’s estate planning and in how Baron’s Court Holdings came to be dissolved. The latter was incorporated on May 18, 2004, with two nominee subscribers, Welwyn Ltd and Rosencrantz Ltd. Both are were owned by the corporate services arm of the Lennox Paton law

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, YUBERKIS DE LA CRUZ CLARKE also known as YUBERKIS DE LA CRUZ RODRIGUEZ-LOPEZ of Naasau, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to YUBERKIS DE LA CRUZ RODRIGUEZ-CLARKE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that GESNEL NICOLAS of P.O. Box N-3331, East Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that FRENDLEY PHILIPPE of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of July, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE GALLOWAY VENTURES LTD. In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, GALLOWAY VENTURES LTD. is in dissolution as of July 29, 2022.

International Liquidator Services Ltd. situated at 3rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

firm, which acted as Baron’s Court Holdings’ registered agent.

Describing the late Lord Luis Gomez del Campo Bacardi as “a man of substantial means”, Sir Brian’s judgment recorded how the Bacardi heir held his 1,404,222 shares in the spirits and rum producer through two Liechtensteinbased companies, Arateo Anstalt and Rantex Anstalt.

The former held 739,927 of the Bacardi shares, and the latter the 664,295 balance.

Lord Bacardi then sought to enhance his estate planning through the 2003 creation of the Bastille Trust. This was designed to be “a succession instrument” that would pass his fortune to his wife, Lady Monika Gomez del Campo Bacardi, and his only daughter, Maria Luisa Monika Gomez del Campo Bacardi, who was then a minor.

Besides Lord Bacardi, the three trustees for the Bastille Trust included Dr Ernst Walch, a director of Walpart Trust, the entity that formed it, and the Bacardi heir’s then-Swiss attorney, Louis Mudry. The 1.4m Bacardi shares were included among the trust assets, but Lord Bacardi failed to realise that he could be outvoted by the other two Bastille trustees in decisions involving his estate.

“In 2004, Lord Bacardi received advice from his Bahamian attorney, Lennox

Paton, which caused him to reconsider the use of the Bastille Trust as a succession instrument for his wife and daughter,” Sir Brian wrote. “He was advised that two of the three trustees (acting without him) could make decisions affecting the Bastille Trust which might be adverse to his intentions.

“That was unacceptable to Lord Bacardi, and he concluded that the trust did not provide the intended level of security for his wife and daughter. In those circumstances, he wished to revoke the Bastille Trust and transfer the trust assets to a Bahamian company which he intended to incorporate.” That entity was Baron’s Court Holdings, and Lord Bacardi sought to transfer his 1.4m Bacardi shares to become registered in its name.

However, as warned by Mr Paton, the other two Bastille Trust trustees blocked the share transfer by telling Bacardi, the company, not to effect the re-registration. Lord Bacardi ultimately began legal proceedings to remove the due as trustees and retained Claude Brechbuhl, a Swiss attorney, to represent him personally eight months prior to his January 2005 death. The Bacardi shares still had not been transferred to Baron’s Court Holdings when he passed.

This, Sir Brian found, set the stage for another “misstep”. An attorney from the same Swiss law

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CAMILE ANN-MARIE RILEYGABRIEL of P.O. Box N-10462, Fire Trail Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

firm as the lawyer hired by Lord Bacardi to represent him personally wrote to Lennox Paton Corporate Services on February 25, 2005, requesting that Baron Court Holdings be liquidated and dissolved.

Mistakenly assuming that this attorney was acting for Lord Bacardi’s estate, Lennox Paton went ahead and dissolved Baron’s Court Holdings on March 29, 2005. Michael Paton, partner in the Lennox Paton law firm, in evidence before the Supreme Court voiced fears that this mistake “may nullify legal proceedings” in which Baron’s Court Holdings must play a central role. It could be involved in ten separate actions brought by Lady Bacardi

and her daughter over the estate.

Despite the absence of a statutory pathway, Sir Brian said he was satisfied that the Supreme Court has the necessary powers to restore a dissolved IBC’s name to the Companies Registry even though 17 years have now elapsed - something he said would “normally be a formidable and, perhaps, insuperable obstacle” to doing so.

However, in ordering that Baron’s Court Holdings be restored, Sir Brian said Lord Bacardi’s daughter was a minor until 2019, and she and her mother were unaware the company had been dissolved until an investigation that same year.

CALL 502-2394 TO ADVERTISE TODAY! PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that we, Vernissca Marsha Saunders-Gibbs and Mark Anthony Gibbs of #754 Mammy Avenue, Rhyne Park, Montego Bay, Jamaica intend to change my child’s name from JANICE ZENDAYA SAUNDERS to JANICE ZENDAYA GIBBS. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SANDRA SAINVIL-DUVERNY of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of July, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

THURSDAY, 04 AUGUST 2022

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 53.00 2.47 2.61 2.60 6.20 10.05 4.15 10.65 3.65 8.25 17.50 2.65 11.28 11.25 10.85 18.10 4.00 11.00 16.50

52WK LOW 5.30 33.80 1.60 2.20 1.30 5.75 7.50 2.82 5.40 2.27 5.95 9.80 1.99 8.25 10.02 10.00 13.10 3.50 8.20 15.50

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

CLOSE

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2617.03

7.12

0.27

388.79

17.45

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB9 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.10 100.57 100.43 100.43 100.34 100.23 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.10 100.34 99.96 100.43 100.04 100.00 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.52 4.69 2.22 207.86 212.41 1.74 1.84 1.83 1.03 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.69 1.75 1.76 0.97 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FL BGRS76026 BGRS FL BGRS95032 BGRS FL BGRS97033 BGRS FL BGRS75022 BGRS FL BGRS81037 BGRS FL BGRS88028 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGRS760265 BSBGRS950320 BSBGRS970336 BSBGRS750225 BSBGRS810375 BSBGRS880287 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504

LAST CLOSE 6.70 39.95 2.44 2.35 2.51 6.20 9.75 3.91 10.30 3.50 8.06 16.00 3.00 10.26 11.38 10.85 18.10 3.90 11.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.10 100.45 100.09 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 6.70 39.95 2.44 2.46 2.51 6.20 9.75 3.91 10.30 3.54 8.06 16.00 3.04 10.26 11.43 10.85 18.10 3.90 11.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

VOLUME

2,000 2,000 800 45,000

500

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.10 100.45 100.09 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

MARKET TERMS

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.080 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.56% 4.31% 4.31% 4.43% 4.87% 4.33% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69%

NAV 2.52 4.69 2.21 197.44 202.39 1.74 1.84 1.83 0.97 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89

YTD% 12 MTH% 0.99% 4.22% 0.36% 5.78% 0.67% 2.74% -2.97% -2.35% -4.72% 6.04% 1.37% 3.03% 1.19% 5.23% 1.62% 4.13% -5.25% -6.07% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%

P/E 28.0 42.9 N/M 17.6 N/M N/M 26.4 -8.9 73.6 19.2 18.0 22.2 29.8 22.0 17.7 14.9 22.2 19.2 11.7 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

YIELD 2.54% 3.15% 0.82% 3.25% 0.00% 0.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 3.39% 2.73% 4.50% 14.28% 0.58% 2.87% 2.21% 2.98% 3.08% 1.82% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 18-Jan-2026 25-Sep-2032 17-Apr-2033 7-Sep-2022 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2028 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050

NAV Date 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 25-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-May-2022 31-May-2022 31-May-2022 31-May-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 18, Friday, August 5, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘No deal breaker’: Lucayan sale gets 45-day extension FROM PAGE A20 is evidenced by the fact the 45-day due diligence extension was announced via a joint statement between itself and the Grand Lucayan Board.

Russ Urban, Electra America’s chief executive,

was quoted as saying: “We are excited about Grand Bahama island, and as we move forward with closing the deal, we reassure the people of Grand Bahama of our commitment to developing a world-class resort and collaborating on

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MONIQUE JEAN-ST. LOUIS of Church Hill Avenue, Farrington Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

community development initiatives.”

The joint statement added that “no other material changes” to the sale’s closing schedule are presently anticipated, and that construction work and renovations to Grand Bahama’s ‘anchor’ hotel property will begin in January 23 as planned. The Board said the sale was “steadily progressing and on track for completion”.

Mr Russell, meanwhile, said he and all other Grand Lucayan Board members understood how important the resort’s sale is. “I’m just going to use a flippant term a real estate agent said to me a couple of months ago,” he told Tribune Business. “This deal is like a pancake. Once you flip it everybody eats. I think that sums up exactly how important the sale of the Grand Lucayan is to Grand Bahama.”

The resort chairman said the Board was “very confident” that, in Electra America, it had selected the best available buyer with the “vision” to transform the property into a destination sufficient to place Grand Bahama back on the tourism map after multiple years in the wilderness.

Mr Russell also echoed former Grand Lucayan Board member, Carey Leonard, who previously told Tribune Business that he would not be surprised if the deadlines for closing the sale slip due to all the legal and other work required to close such a large transaction.

“I just say to people ‘be patient’,” the current chairman said. “I just want to remind people deals of this nature are very complex and are not completed overnight. That’s the only thing I can say to them.” Electra America had to pay a $5m deposit once a sales

agreement is signed, having agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government prior to the deal’s initial unveiling on May 12, 2022.

That deposit was to become non-refundable after a 60-day due diligence period, which was initially set to close on July 12. The $95m purchase price balance was to be paid within 120 days of the MoU signing, pegging that deadline originally at September 12, but that will now almost certainly be pushed back as a result of yesterday’s announcement.

The initial due diligence period was extended by 15 days, taking it to July 27, and the latest timescale jointly unveiled by the Board and Electra America takes its completion to September 15. Further extensions remain a possibility, and the sales agreement is just one aspect of the negotiations.

Besides the Grand Lucayan Board and Electra America closing the hotel’s sale, the purchaser will also have to negotiate a Heads of Agreement for the project with the Government.

Besides that document, which functions as the master agreement and sets out the broad terms and conditions of their relationship, Electra America also has to obtain the necessary planning/construction approvals and seal a Hotels Encouragement Act deal for its tax breaks/incentives.

Meanwhile Mr Leonard, the Callenders & Co attorney who sat on the Lucayan’s Board under the former Minnis administration, yesterday reiterated his belief that Electra America’s acquisition and $300m redevelopment plans represents “a game changer for Grand Bahama tourism” once the deal is sealed.

“I bumped into someone yesterday who knows Mr Urban,” he told Tribune Business of Electra’s chief executive. “I was told he certainly wants to proceed, he was still excited about doing it, and trying to work out ways to make sure they

can get their guests in one way or another, whether through the airport or an alternative.

“They still plan to proceed. The issue is the timing.

The purchaser is still pushing, and I think if this group comes in it will be a game changer for Grand Bahama.

This deal is absolutely vital.

I’m delighted with what the Board and current government have done.

“It may take longer than September, and I don’t want people to get their expectations up, and it may take longer to break ground, but they seem to be working very carefully to getting it done.

I’m delighted that they’ve announced the extension; that confirms they are working on it. I give them my full support for what they want to achieve, and if they achieve it that will be a game changer for Grand Bahama.”

Mr Leonard added that he would be “ecstatic” if the sale closed by mid-September as now planned, and suggested that May/June 2023 - rather than January - was a more realistic start date for the construction work. “I’m not going to hold my breath that construction will start in January,” he added.

“Over the years I’ve been involved in a lot of big, major deals and they do take time. People feel they drag on, but major transactions do drag on and take a long time. They’re worth it when they do come to fruition.”

Magnus Alnebeck, the Pelican Bay resort’s general manager, told Tribune Business that investor and business confidence will “increase dramatically the day we here the first hammer going” at the Grand Lucayan. Until then, he said Grand Bahama residents will continue to be sceptical over the resort’s purchase given that previous deals - such as the Royal Caribbean/ITM Group purchase bid - have failed to materialise or deliver.

“We are probably at least two years away from the major impact of that place re-opening, and that is something we have to accept,” Mr Alnebeck added. “They have a lot of work in front of them whatever they do. We shouldn’t expect them to put a key in the door and open up when the deal closes.

“When people see things going on, construction work, it’s going to do an enormous amount of confidence for the destination.

At the moment, when the hotel is just standing there, and nothing is really happening, we’ve been here many times. Actions speak louder than words; that’s where Grand Bahama is right now.

“People want to see things starting to happen.

The confidence in the whole destination will increase dramatically the day we have the first hammer going over there. It was March 2020 when we had a big deal signing ceremony [for ITM/Royal Caribbean] and everyone got excited.

I think we have a bit more skin on our nose in Grand Bahama than we did then.

Let’s hope it happens this time.”

Mr Russell, meanwhile, said the Grand Lucayan was set to open 200 rooms at its previously-shuttered Breaker’s Cay property for a week from August 14 to accommodate the 700 athletes, coaches and officials staying on Grand Bahama for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) track and field championships. Lord Coe, international athletics’ world chief, will be among those present at the August 17-19 event.

Electra America’s plans involve three resort properties. A four to five-star branded luxury lifestyle hotel, featuring 198 rooms and 24 villas and targeted at corporate and leisure business; a four-star convention hotel with 535 rooms, featuring an amphitheatre and convention centre; and a 257-room condo-hotel style family resort with suites that are double the size of the Grand Lucayan’s existing rooms.