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Butler-Turner hits out after Sandals blow By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  LONG Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner has questioned whether the Christie administration was “content� in accepting the termination of more than 600 Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort employees, as she blamed the government’s “incompetence� and “laissez-faire� approach for the country’s unemployment issues. Mrs Butler-Turner also castigated Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller over his comments to The Tribune on Tuesday, when he said that the union representing the redundant workers should
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“carry their ass.� She said this “abusive� language should be condemned by Prime Minister Perry Christie. The shadow minister of labour also accused Mr Christie of showing “utter disregard� for the employees and their families because he has remained silent on the matter. She said this situation coupled with the “belligerent and incompetent� manner in which the unopened Baha Mar resort was handled is proof that the government has little respect or regard for Bahamian workers or the well-being of their families. SEE PAGE SIX
THE government will be closely monitoring innovations at Sandals and its rehiring process in a bid to hold the resort accountable to its “promises� after more than 600 workers were fired this week, according to Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson. Mrs Maynard-Gibson was hesitant to confirm whether any action will come from her office in response to the resort’s
redundancy move - elements of which Minister of Labour Shane Gibson had termed “illegal�. Meanwhile, Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort released a statement yesterday saying more than two-dozen workers were on site Wednesday conducting repairs. A hotel official stressed that while no resort wants to close its doors and inconvenience staff and guests - in this case the property “had no choice�. SEE PAGE SIX
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net  AN elderly man was found by his granddaughter hanging from a tree in the yard of his Palmdale home yesterday morning in what police have said is an apparent suicide. Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, officerin-charge of the Central Detective Unit (CDU), said the deceased was discovered shortly after 10.30am hanging from a rope tied to a tree in the backyard of his Murphyville Road home off Rosetta Street. The man appeared to be in his early 70s, police said Chief Supt Fernander said that according to preliminary inquiries by police, family members went out yesterday morning, leaving the deceased home alone. When his granddaughter returned, she could not find him. SEE PAGE TWO
BELL AIMS TO BECOME SECURITY MINISTER
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net STATE Minister for National Security Keith Bell said he hopes he will be promoted to the senior position and become minister of national security if the Progressive Liberal Party wins the next general election. “If God has it so, yes, absolutely,� he said in response to a question from The Tribune about the matter. “In the next administration I hope (to become it).� His remarks came as he confirmed that he will be ratified tonight as the PLP’s candidate in the Carmichael constituency. SEE PAGE 11
ATTORNEY GENERAL: WE WILL MONITOR SANDALS CLOSELY By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
SUICIDE IS SUSPECTED AS ELDERLY MAN’S BODY FOUND
PEDRYA Seymour competing in the 100m hurdles final in the Olympics last night, where she finished sixth but set a new national record as she finished behind a clean sweep of the medal positions by US runners. See Sports for full coverage of the Olympics.
ANGER AS DOLPHIN CALF ‘SEPARATED’ FROM MOTHER AT BLACKBEARD’S CAY By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net  LOCAL environmental activists are up in arms over the alleged separation of a dolphin mother and her recently born male calf at Blackbeard’s Cay, an “unconscionable� act they claim will adversely affect the health and lives of both
creatures. Sam Duncombe, director of ReEarth, along with Kim Terrell, a retired zoologist who worked in The Bahamas for years, both condemned the alleged premature weaning of a dolphin calf on the Balmoral Island facility, further charging that the “outrageous� separation of the two, just under three months after the
calf’s birth, could result in death for the dolphin calf. They called on the government to intervene on the matter, with Ms Terrell stressing that something must be done soon before “this little male dolphin dies due to the stupidity of taking him from his mom before he can survive.� SEE PAGE 17
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OFFICERS WHO WORKED 12-HOUR SHIFTS TO BE GIVEN TIME OFF By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Christie administration has decided to give time off to hundreds of active police officers who worked 12-hour shifts in 2013 and 2014 and to give financial compensation to officers who worked overtime during that period but have since retired, according to Wayne Munroe, attorney representing the Police Staff Association in the matter. SEE PAGE 11
PAGE 2, Thursday, August 18, 2016
THE BODY of a man is removed from a home in Murphyville, Palmdale, yesterday.
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A subsequent search of the entire house and the yard resulted in him being found hanging from a tree. Chief Supt Fernander said emergency medical services (EMS) personnel were subsequently called to the scene They later confirmed that the body showed no signs of life. Chief Supt Fernander said there was “nothing to suggest foul play at this time.” “There were no visible injuries to the body or nothing like that,” he added. “We are looking at a suicide at this stage. But we will wait for an autopsy and continue to do our inquiries.” Chief Supt Fernander did not provide the man’s identity, but said: “We want to respect the family. We have a name, but we don’t want to release it yet.” In June, a 48-year-old father of three was found hanged from the ceiling of a wooden shed attached to his Hillside Estates home.
FAMILY members arrive on the scene yesterday. According to police, the victim’s wife found him hanging from the rafters with an extension cord tied around his neck. At the time, Chief Supt Fernander said the man’s wife, after praying with her husband, went about “her normal routine getting ready for work” when she realised she had not seen her spouse for some time.
He said the wife went to check on her husband only to discover him hanging from a drop cord thrown over a rafter in the shed. At the time, Chief Supt Fernander said police did not suspect foul play. He said the family of the deceased said he had been depressed for some time and was receiving counselling.
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THREE HELD AFTER BOAT INTERCEPTED By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
brought to Grand Bahama and turned over to Bahamian authorities.
A BAHAMIAN man and two Dominicans were detained by US authorities for alleged human trafficking after a small vessel was intercepted off Fort Pierce, Florida, with several illegal migrants aboard. According to reports, the vessel is believed to have departed from Grand Bahama and was spotted by US Coast Guard officials on Friday, August 12, off Fort Pierce. The eight migrants on board – five Haitians, two Ecuadorians and one Romanian – were brought back to Grand Bahama on the US Coast Guard Cutter Vessel Paul Clark and turned over to Bahamian immigration authorities. They were flown to New Providence on Monday and are being held at the Detention Centre to await repatriation. Additionally, several Cuban migrants were intercepted on Saturday. Immigration officials reported that the US Coast Guard picked up the group, which consisted of six men and one woman, on a rustic vessel heading for the US. They were instead
Stowaway arrested A Brazilian man was arrested in Grand Bahama after reportedly attempting to stow away on board the Balearia, which operates fast ferry services to Fort Lauderdale. According to reports, the 26-year-old man was discovered in the vessel’s cargo hold, hiding among the luggage. While the vessel was docked at Freeport Harbour, the man had boarded without checking in the “normal” way. He was escorted off the vessel and handed over to Bahamian immigration authorities. Immigration officials reported that the man had arrived in the Bahamas a week ago from Brazil on board Copa Airline and had overstayed his visitor’s time. He told officials that he wanted to go to the United States to make a better life for his American-born daughter who now resides in Brazil with her mother. The man was flown to New Providence on Tuesday and is being detained at the Detention Centre to await repatriation.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 3
DION Smith is pictured during his ratification ceremony to run again for his seat in Nassau Village recently.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Smith backs Christie to stay as leader of PLP By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Village MP Dion Smith yesterday endorsed Prime Minister Christie for leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, insisting that him remaining in power would be in the “best interest of the party” going into the 2017 general election. Mr Smith referred to the “keen insight and focus” shown by Mr Christie as he steered the country out of “treacherous waters” as the reason he was backing the “old generational leader” over challenger Alfred Sears. “I have learned a lot from him over the past four years and I have concluded that it is in the best interest of the party at this time for him to lead us into the next general election,” he said at a press conference yesterday. Mr Smith is one of the “new generation” leaders touted by the PLP ahead of the 2012 general election. He said although “Mr Christie may have made some mistakes or may have made some unpopular decisions” he is committed to serving under his leadership. When asked to elaborate, Mr Smith insisted that in some sectors, decisions made by Mr Christie have been met with contempt. He used Mr Christie’s decision to limit the amount of power given to him in his various capacities and also suggested that Mr Christie may have been slow to act on matters. However, the Nassau Village MP defended the prime minister and his wisdom.
SIXTH STORM OF SEASON FORMS OVER ATLANTIC A DEPRESSION over the central Atlantic Ocean strengthened yesterday afternoon into Tropical Storm Fiona to become the sixth named storm of the season. Fiona remains over open waters and is not currently a threat to land. The depression was centred about 920 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands and moving west-northwest at 16mph. It is expected to slow during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds were reported near 40mph. The storm is forecast to strengthen over the next 48 hours. Meanwhile a tropical ‘wave’ is forecast by the National Hurricane Center to move off the west coast of Africa on Saturday. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive to slow development early next week while the system moves generally westward and passes near the Cape Verde Islands over the weekend. The chance of it forming into a system in the next five days however is low at 20 per cent.
“I just wanted to say that we may think differently, so in my young and vibrant way of thinking, he may be a bit more reserved and that may be a mistake in some regards,” Mr Smith said. “Maybe me as a young person, I may do something right away whereas, because of (Mr Christie’s) experience he may have taken a little while longer to come to his decision. But I have realised that sometimes, you know, it is better to be cautious out of an abundance of caution I should say.” He continued: “In saying that, I realise that in the beginning I may have been eager. I was cracking a joke when I said (Mr Christie) maybe made a mistake not giving me more power. But, initially I was quite eager (when I entered politics). I wanted to go full force ahead, but I realise with politics, you have to have a steady hand. You have to be seasoned somewhat. And also, you have to be tried and tested. “I think that in this period that I went through, I demonstrated my ability. Whenever they called on me I think I showed up and I showed up well. So I think you have to be tried and tested,” he added. Addressing Mr Sears’ intent to challenge Mr Christie, Mr Smith reiterated sentiments expressed by Education Minister Je-
rome Fitzgerald who earlier this month said the former MP would find it difficult to rally support among sitting PLP parliamentarians. “I would think that somebody who was a member of Parliament, or perhaps in Parliament would perhaps, have a better chance of leading the body of MPs who are presently in Parliament. So, I don’t have much to say about his chances even though I don’t like to be too pessimistic, that is as much as I would say there,” Mr Smith said. “I think that perhaps if I was running for leadership of the party, maybe I would have gotten more support; especially from the members that I sit with.” However, Mr Smith said he would not object to serving under Mr Sears if he won the party’s top post in November. “If he was to win, that would mean that the de-
mocracy of the party was working well. He would have been properly elected and I would have no difficulty if at the time, the majority of the party decided to go with Mr Sears, then I would have to go with the majority of the party because as a statesman - I call myself - I do what is in the best interest of the party. In other words, service over self.” Mr Smith said he has had the opportunity to go over the platform being put forward by Mr Sears, stating that there are some elements that he agrees with. Despite that fact, Mr Smith maintained that his support for Mr Christie will not waiver.
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THE TRIBUNE
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Court and parliament clash - alarm bells ring THE current controversy about parliamentary privilege and the involvement of the courts should ring alarm bells for the Bahamian public because this dispute goes to the heart of the nation’s constitutional democracy. As a letter published in these columns last week described it, there should be general outrage over the PLP government’s threatening rhetoric in contesting the ruling of the courts on the matter. The issue is two-pronged - the right of parliamentarians to exercise free speech in the House of Assembly and the role of the courts in responding to a request by a private group seeking legal redress. In reaction to the tabling of its emails in parliament by Cabinet minister Jerome Fitzgerald without its consent, the Save The Bays group sought and received an injunction from the courts against further disclosure, and the Minister was given a heavy fine for infringement of the group’s constitutional rights. The Attorney-General has appealed this ruling which may go all the way to the Privy Council as the Bahamas’ final Court of Appeal. The exercise of free speech by Members of Parliament without the fear of criminal and civil liability is an important part of our constitutional arrangements in a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster system. It derives from England’s Bill of Rights of 1689 which sought to prevent interference by the monarch. In modern times, such a privilege is essential for the proper functioning of a legislature, not least the protection it provides against any action for defamation. But, in practice, there have to be limitations since MPs are not above the law of the land. A balance has to be struck between the right of free speech and the constitutional rights of others, notably the right to privacy. In practice, too, MPs cannot be allowed to use threatening or abusive language or to disclose information relating to the nation’s security while they must also respect sub judice rules in relation to matters which are active in the courts. So, this right carries with it an obligation to act responsibly both in the overall public interest and taking into account
the interests of other individuals outside the House of Assembly. It follows that MPs should be careful before exercising this freedom in sensitive cases. Erskine May, the acknowledged authoritative work on parliamentary procedure, states that parliament should regulate its own affairs and that there should be no interference by the courts in its proceedings. However, in a matter when an MP has clearly overstepped the mark on a personal basis, as in this case by breaching the constitutional privacy rights of others, and the Speaker of the House has permitted this to happen, the courts should intervene if asked to do so, since parliamentary supremacy cannot supersede the Constitution. All legislation and actions by the government or private citizens are, if necessary, subject to review by the courts to ensure that they are consistent, or do not conflict, with the Constitution as the highest law of the land. The Speaker has now admitted publicly that he should not have allowed Mr. Fitzgerald to read out and table the emails concerned. If he had taken immediate action, he could have averted a potential constitutional crisis, but the announcement that the House of Assembly’s Committee of Privileges will now consider the matter is a welcome development. However, depending on the outcome of the committee’s deliberations, it might not end there. This issue has become a conflict between the legislative and executive branch of government and the judiciary. Ministers should respect the separation of powers. They should also recognize that to the ‘reasonable man’ – an important test in the English Common Law on which this country’s legal system is based – there has been an abuse of parliamentary privilege in this case. The public has a right to expect that their political leaders should act with integrity, decency and sound judgment and respect our democracy. While elected politicians come and go at the whim of the electorate, the rule of law remains forever sacrosanct for the benefit and protection of citizen, visitor and foreign investor alike.
Sears challenge EDITOR, The Tribune.
WE have a parliamentary Finance Committee, headed by an Opposition MP with Opposition members in the majority. They are supposed to keep Government in check on its spending and reporting and transparency. Clearly they don’t as we have 50 or more issues that Christie & Co, seemingly have no interest in reporting to the people responsibly. 1) BAMSI – is the contractor paying for the burned building? Davis can’t say! 2) PHA $12m unaccounted for supplying of drugs. This is now three years old! 3) Post Office money’s unaccounted for. Where is the report? 4) Passport Office monies unaccounted for. 5) How did Bahamasair buy new planes when it is broke? 6) NIB remember the
scandal with the previous M’D…swept under the mat. 7) Carnival…No accounting, or if there is highly questionable We spend. We dance! Then travel expenses of the Office of the Prime Minister.....since Christie has been in office, 2012 there have been two CHOGM’s, but even the first one remember that large delegation who went and ended up in Rome for an audience with the Pope not a single line explaining how much was spent - two years ago the next CHOGM - large delegation again, then more met PM in Paris for the Environment meeting including a 50- called “senior Police Officer”, never named was supposed to have gone to witness how the French Police clamp down after the Paris ISSIS incident - this delegation left Paris for a few days in London - does anyone know how many ‘00,000’s
was spent? The Baha Mar flights to Beijing....account for Government people and account for in the initial one who paid for representatives of Mr lzmirlian - yes info says government paid for them. Is there no limit as to how much the Minister of Foreign Affairs can spend without bringing home a single new investment? It is my understanding all travel has to be approved by none other than the Minister of Finance aka Prime Minister so it is easier to ask him honour-up and report, sir. Washington Consul General seems to have an inexhaustible expense account - they never stop partying - they are so proud of it they post photos on MFA web site. H HUMES Nassau, August 6, 2016.
Sears challenge EDITOR, The Tribune. I WAS pleased to see that Alfred Sears decided to challenge Perry Christie for the post of PLP leader. Mr Sears is a well-respected attorney who has ideas about the future of the country. He is a nationalist and a progressive. Mr Christie is a man past his prime. Watching him dancing in a church in Fox Hill of Fox Hill Day
reinforced this impression. He is so desperate to cling to power that he tries to entertain rather than govern in our collective benefit. Mr Sears is quite the underdog in this fight, but the challenge is important. He is demonstrating courage. Many of the other PLP leadership contenders are also sick and tired of Mr Christie but they don’t have it in them to step forward
and say so publicly. If we continue with Mr Christie as prime minister the status quo will remain. We will have high crime and no jobs. There is nothing new he can offer our country. Good luck to Alfred Sears. There are many of us on the sidelines pulling for him. MARTHA S GREENE Nassau, August 15, 2016.
It’s time for Christie to move on EDITOR, The Tribune. Re Perry Christie IT’S quite instructive to read the newspapers from other parts of the Caribbean. Recently, a leader column in the Jamaican Gleaner was praising the new government led by Andrew Holness (age 44) and how his new policies are beginning to bear fruit and I quote: “The prospects for the economy are at a record levels, according to the surveys of business and consumer confidence.” Holness, a young smart man full of ideas and vision, and with the energy and youthful enthusiasm to carry them out. If you surveyed businessmen here as to their confidence in the economy we all know the answer would be resoundingly negative. Contrast Holness to Perry Christie. Christie a man long past his prime. Witness any of his recent speeches, long winded shambolic dross from a man clearly suffering from the onset of senility. What ideas and vision for his nation does Christie have? None. Sell Baha Mar at all costs and it looks — if rumours are to be believed – like it
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net might go to one of, if not the biggest gangster on the planet. Does he care, no it’s political expediency, it gets him out of an immediate problem. What ideas and vision does he have in spending our (mine and yours) hard earned VAT money? Does he intend to pay down on the national debt which was the initial reason for VAT? We all know the answer to that is a resounding “No”. Does he have a vision of how he will deal with the credit agencies, does he even understand the power of economic down grades? No, they will be lied to a game of subterfuge, its the shell game” which shell has the pea under it, Mr Moody”? Like these people are stupid? Are the” smart” people in the PLP aware of Christie’s slide into senility with all the obvious repercussions for our nation? You betcha Fred Mitchell and Brave Davis are fully aware of Christie’s catastrophic downward spiral. Will they act on that knowledge? No chance.
If Christie was running a major corporation, let’s say Apple as an example, the owners and shareholders would have put him out to pasture years ago. Thanks, but no thanks. You would think with all his obvious frailities he would lose hands down in a leadership battle to a younger more vibrant man, such as Sears. No, there is not the remotest chance of Sears winning. To understand the logic of something so inherently illogical you have to understand the mentality of third world democracies. Cronyism and sycophants make the leader all powerful. It’s utterly irrelevant as to what’s best for the country. I understand that one of Christie’s political heroes is Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Mugabe is 92 years of age and has been in power for 29 years. In this time, he has dismantled the Zimbabwe economy. Since 2000 the GOP has dropped a full 40 per cent. Another man long into senility, gripping on to power at all costs via fear and tyranny. Please go, Mr Christie, for all our sakes. THE REALIST Nassau, August, 2016.
FNM must inquire of itself EDITOR, The Tribune. TANEKA Thompson’s article .... $315 million lost in Baha Mar tax and the comment of Atty Carl Bethel rather forgets when the Baha Mar - EXlM deal was signed. January 31st., 2011 under the signature of then Cabinet Secretary and in this case as Secretary to The National Economic Council (can anyone prove this entity has any legality) Ms Anita Bernard signed with
a Ms Viana Gardiner as a witness - Sarkis Izmirlian and Donald Robinson the then Director of Baha Mar Development - Baha Mar Joint Venture Holdings and Baha Mar Ltd Editor the election of 2012 was not ’til May 12th the FNM Government was firmly in office. The Baha Mar deal with EXIM was squarely a policy decision of the Rt Hon Hubert A lngraham’s Government - so Mr Bethel brilliantly wishes to set-up a Commission of Inquiry
and investigate how the Project was processed and approved initially and of course from 2011, January through June, 2015 (Chapter 11 timing). Did we achieve anything from the infamous Commission of Inquiry of 199294? We just have to continue to laugh at wee self! This is extremely funny, Editor. W THOMPSON Nassau, August 15, 2016.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 5
Sands says govt promising too much for NHI By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net SENATOR Dr Duane Sands insisted that Bahamians are going to receive “peanuts and beer” from the Christie administration with the introduction of the controversial National Health Insurance plan and not the “champagne and caviar” that has been promised. Speaking to reporters yesterday, the prominent surgeon said with around seven months until the 2017 general election, the government sees implementing the healthcare scheme as “politically necessary”. The Free National Movement senator said that while he would like to endorse National Health Insurance (NHI), he is unable to do so because there are too many unknowns and moving parts, which is proof the initiative is not ready to be rolled out. The Tribune asked Dr Sands whether he agreed with Prime Minister Perry Christie’s revelation on Monday that he was pushing to have the first phase of NHI implemented by the end of the year or in January 2017. “It’s coming. It is not ambitious. It is politically necessary to roll out NHI because this administration needs to point to something that they have done,” Dr Sands said.
“They will say we planted the seed and that seed is going to blossom into a giant bean stalk. We are going to be able to get gold from the top and just imagine how good and wonderful this is going to be notwithstanding the fact that they promised there would be no more cookouts and that people would not die at that level and that this would reduce the need for people going into financial ruin once NHI came in. “And what do we get? We get primary care and $24m to be spent on only God knows what. We don’t know how many patients will benefit from it. We don’t know how much any particular patient will get. We don’t know yet who is going to determine because the regulations are not there.” He continued: “What people are expecting is a champagne and caviar healthcare system and what they are going to get is beer and peanuts. That is the unfortunate reality. “No amount of back pedaling or disclaimers is going to change the fact that in order to convince the Bahamian people that they, meaning the PLP, had the interest of the Bahamian people at heart, they promised them the world. They promised them mortgage relief, they promised jobs, they promised Baha Mar (and) they promised NHI. “What we see in NHI is not a whole lot more than
what we have now. What we have is a blank cheque and promissory note and as you know a promise is a comfort to a fool.” The prime minister earlier this week denied that his government was “misleading” the public by insinuating that “cookouts” will no longer be needed to fund people’s medical expenses once NHI is introduced. While responding to a statement from FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis in the House of Assembly on Monday, Mr Christie said he has “been clear” from the beginning that NHI’s primary healthcare phase will deal with “preventing catastrophic diseases” and eventually the country will move toward total coverage under the plan. Dr Minnis claimed that the government “sold the Bahamian people a bill” leading them to believe they will get free treatment for catastrophic illnesses, however he added the primary care phase of NHI is “nothing different” than what is being offered now in the public health system. The House of Assembly passed the NHI Bill on Monday.
DR Duane Sands said that the govt is promising “champagne and caviar” from NHI but is only going to deliver “peanuts and beer instead”.
PAGE 6, Thursday, August 18, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Govt slammed over job cuts from page one “Now the government has failed miserably to protect the interests of the 600 employees made redundant at Sandals in New Providence,” she said in a press statement yesterday. “How many employees will the resort rehire? How many will be permanently laid off? Will those workers associated with any particular union be penalised by not being rehired? “Because of the incompetence and laissez-faire approach to governance of the PLP, thousands of jobs have been lost on this government’s watch. Instead of 10,000 new jobs in its first year, a record number of jobs have been lost and our economy is in shambles. Our downward spiral continues. “With the Sandals employees and the nation needing to hear from the head of government on
such a large scale redundancy, which may have a significant impact on the economy, Prime Minister Perry Christie remained silent. Why did he have nothing to say? This showed his utter disregard for the employees and their families. “The PLP MP for Tall Pines used abusive language to talk about the employees and to denigrate Bahamians in need of hope. His words should be condemned by the prime minister.” Mrs Butler-Turner said as for Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s part, he seemed confused and caught off guard. She branded his comments regarding the redundancies as “mostly nonsensical babble” and lacking clarity about how the government intends to respond to this situation. On Tuesday, the minister told The Nassau Guardian that he believed Sandals ex-
ecutives did not inform the government over their decision because resort executives did not want to talk to the government about possible ways to prevent more than 600 people losing their jobs. Little notice The day before, Mr Gibson had told parliamentarians that the government got very little notice and that it first learned of the closure on Tuesday, August 1, with the rest of the country when the information was leaked to the press. He said he then requested a meeting with Sandals officials on August 3. He said they met with Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart and members of his executive and legal teams. He said at the time the government asked Sandals to consider laying employees off instead of making them redundant. He said the government
was assured that executives would consider this suggestion and get back to them in 24 hours. “However, after not hearing from them, my ministry wrote Sandals a letter on August 4, requesting the resort’s latest position and further details on the proposed closure. “Sandals has yet to respond to my ministry,” Mr Gibson added. “Instead resort representatives wrote the attorney general and copied the Ministry of Labour on Friday, August 12, informing us of their decision.” However, Mrs ButlerTurner posed questions about this position and said it appeared that there was very little respect for the Christie administration. She said: “I again raise a number of questions to which the government needs to urgently respond in the interest of the employees of Sandals and their families.
“When did the government know of the impending two-month closure of the resort? The government should or would have been aware of plans for a multi-million dollar upgrade. As such, they should have asked or should have known about the possible affect of these renovations on employment at Sandals. “If the renovations are part of a planned upgrade, why the need to issue redundancy letters to the majority of their employees? If the hotel expects to reopen why were the workers not given vacation leave? “How many foreign staff members were made redundant? How many of the retained staff are Bahamian and how many are nonBahamian? Why did the minister of labour not call an immediate meeting with the owners and or managers rather than write a letter and not receive a timely response?” She added: “It appears
that there is little respect for the current government and the minister of labour. It also appears that the relationship between Sandals and the government has broken down. “Why is the government so content to accept the fact that approximately 600 employees have been separated with no assurances given regarding re-engagement of these workers?” She also questioned whether the government has any intent to bring all stakeholders to the table to protect the interest of Bahamians who have been given no satisfactory answers regarding their future employment status. On Monday, Trade Union Congress President and attorney for the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union Obie Ferguson said he would file a lawsuit on behalf of the more than 600 terminated workers for “union busting” and “unfair dismissal”.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: WE WILL MONITOR SANDALS CLOSELY from page one
And Sandals’ Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart said the property will reopen in October as officials look forward to the “best season ever.” “We wanted to accomplish the work in the shortest period of time so as the last guests departed, the heavy equipment moved in,” Mr Stewart said. “We were committed to bringing Sandals Royal Bahamian up to the grandeur and style she deserves and delivering the standard which our guests have come to expect. We will have a grand re-opening in October and look forward to our best season ever.” Weighing in on the matter yesterday, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said: “I don’t think illegality or legality really advances everything, unfortunately it’s a situation that happened. “I do think it’s fair to say that the government - the Ministry of Labour and other government agencies will be holding them firm to what they have published as their intention to expedite the repairs at the resort, to open the resort which is key to our winter season on October 14, and to immediately commence the process of engagement of Bahamians and certain numbers of who will be engaged, including potentially persons who were already employed to be re-employed.” She added: “So the government will be watching very closely and holding Sandals to its promises.”
The resort closed on Monday to begin renovations, offering severance packages to more than 600 workers. Speaking in the House of Assembly on Monday, Mr Gibson said his ministry only found out about Sandals’ planned closure while reading about it in the newspaper earlier this month. On the issue of redundancies, he said Sandals informed his ministry about this by letter last Friday, one business day before firings. Mrs Maynard-Gibson said: “I know that all the relevant ministers including the prime minister have expressed disappointment, given the excellent relations that exists between the government and the union and investors, that the government did not have the opportunity to be made aware of this whole situation. “It’s just a matter of good industrial relations practice apart from anything else that the Ministry of Labour ought to have been consulted.” She reflected on past labour issues, where the government directly or through appointed conciliators assisted with bringing amicable resolutions, adding that it was a grave disappointment that such opportunities were denied. “The government didn’t know what was going to happen so I can’t comment on what could or could not have been avoided,” she said. “What I can comment on is the opportunity for repair of this beautiful resort and the reopening of
WORKERS begin the arduous task of taking out thousands of square feet of two pool decks at Sandals Royal Bahamian as extensive repairs that closed the hotel temporarily get underway. Decks and pathways throughout the 22-acre property are being replaced and two of the seven pools are undergoing major repairs. Excavators are scheduled for August 18. Photo: Donald Knowles the resort on October 14, which is around the corner, and the promise of employment for that same number of Bahamians. That’s very important.” On Monday, Mr Gibson told the House of Assembly that it was illegal to force anyone to sign a deed of release in order to receive benefits to which they are entitled. Yesterday, Mrs MaynardGibson said that issue had not come to her attention. “If it is in fact in the Attorney General’s Office,”
she said, “it wouldn’t really need to be escalated as high as the attorney general. I don’t know what did or did not happen. What I do know is that if it is in the Office of the Attorney General, the officers there are exceedingly competent and on a matter like this they would have already responded. “And I also know that the union leaders are very determined to give good representation to their members so I’m sure that one way or the other if that
happened it would be satisfactorily resolved.” When pressed for further comment on the matter, she said: “Rights that are enshrined in the law are rights. They cannot be taken away from you.” Speaking to the closure, Director Corporate Services at Sandals Resorts International Jeremy Jones said in a statement: “No hotelier ever wants to close a property, displace staff and relocate guests. But we had no choice given the engineer’s findings and report that
there was no way around closing in order to effect such major repairs that extend from the depth of the underground to the pool and spa that guests would not be able to access.” According to Sandals, Bahamian crews were jackhammering up two pool decks yesterday and in the basement, had opened ceilings covering plumbing that needed repair and were pulling down drenched insulation, exposing rusty pipes with leaks in numerous places.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 7
Witness saw teen punch suspect before his killing By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A JURY heard evidence from a high school graduate who alleged that she saw 16-year-old Adonai Wilson punch one of three teenagers accused of his murder shortly before the victim was seen lying in a pool of his own blood on Prince Charles Drive. The 17-year-old witness, whose identity is being withheld because she is a minor, shed light on events that occurred before the fatal stabbing of Wilson, a 12th grade student at Doris Johnson Senior High School. He was killed on December 9, 2015. Three accused teens, ages 18, 15 and 17, who deny murdering Wilson, are on trial before Justice Bernard Turner in connection with the stabbing death. According to initial reports, Wilson, 16, was stabbed multiple times during an argument with several other students shortly after school was dismissed early because of exams. He died in hospital a short time later. The incident took place around 2pm on Prince Charles Drive and a graphic cell phone video of the incident was spread on social media. The teens have retained attorneys Murrio Ducille, Roberto Reckley and Ian Cargill to represent them. Kristan Stubbs and Bradford McKenzie are prosecuting for the Crown. In yesterday’s proceedings, the 17-year-old was asked what she recalled about that day. The witness said she went to school - Doris Johnson Senior High - to take ex-
ams. “What time did you leave school that day?” Ms Stubbs asked. “At 1.30(pm). I stayed back for 30 minutes,” the witness said. When asked by the prosecutor why she stayed behind, the teen witness said there was a meeting with 12th graders that day. She said after the meeting, she started walking home with her girl friends. When asked who was her best friend, she named the 18-year-old accused seated in the prisoner’s dock, noting that she had known him since the 7th grade and saw him everyday at school. “Did you see him at school on December 9, 2015?” the prosecutor asked. The witness said she did, as he too was there for the exams. “Did you see him anywhere else after school?” the prosecutor asked. “At Popeyes,” the court heard. When asked if she spoke to him at the fast food restaurant, she said no. She also could not recall the length of time it took to walk to the eatery. She’d gone there to meet her cousin, the 15-year-old accused, so they could go home. The witness said that moments later, Wilson, whom she knew as a fellow 12th grader, came and allegedly punched her best friend – the 18-year-old accused – in the head. She said she pulled her best friend by his jacket to prevent things from escalating further while Wilson then ran away in the direction of the Souse House on Prince Charles Drive. “Who, if anyone, was present when Adonai punched him?” the prosecutor asked.
THE THREE young men, with faces concealed, who are accused over the killing of Adonai Wilson. Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff “No one,” the witness said. The 17-year-old girl said she didn’t know where her best friend or her cousin went afterwards but she left to catch a bus at the traffic light “by Blanco Bleach” on Prince Charles Drive and Fox Hill Road. “Did you see anything when you were at the light to catch the bus?” the prosecutor asked. “Adonai was laying on the floor by the gate,” the court heard. “Do you know why he was lying there?” the prosecutor asked.
“I saw blood on his back,” the witness said. The girl said she went by her best friend’s house to ask him about the reason for his and Wilson’s earlier scuffle. “Someone had burst (hit) Adonai under the pavilion during break time (recess) and he believed it to be him because he’d been standing behind Adonai,” the witness said. After getting a reason, she left and went home but her cousin was not there, the court heard. She said she did not see him until her aunt and
guardian, with whom she lives, came home. She could not recall what time this was. Roberto Reckley, in cross-examination, sought to clarity a few details in her testimony. “Just to be clear, you didn’t see your cousin involved in any fight?” the lawyer asked. “No, sir,” the girl said. “You didn’t see him with any knife?” the lawyer suggested. The witness agreed. “You in fact told this to police? Correct?” Mr Reckley further suggested. “Yes,” said the witness.
Mr Ducille asked the witness if her best friend struck Wilson back. She said no. Justice Turner asked the jury if they had any questions for the witness. The 12-member panel asked the witness if her best friend was bleeding after the scuffle. She said yes. She also said Adonai was bleeding from it as well. “Are you friends with Mr Wilson?” the jury’s forewoman asked. “Yes, ma’am,” the witness replied. She then denied seeing anyone with a knife. The trial resumes today.
PAGE 8, Thursday, August 18, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Give us a sporting chance for more golden moments T
HE entire Bahamas paused on Monday night to cheer on our nation’s golden superwoman Shaunae Miller as she ran and captured the gold medal in the 400 metres final at the Games of the 31st Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Like many Bahamians, I applauded, shouted, did a jig and posted on social media, beaming with pride after Miller dove across the finish line with sheer determination, knowing that the weight of a nation was on her shoulders. Shaunae’s defeat of arch rival Allyson Felix, of the United States, by so narrow a margin, fulfilled the hopes of hundreds of thousands of Bahamians across the archipelago and abroad. However, her victory did not come without controversy. As I have previously done, I again congratulate her. Given the fact that Miller had run the entire race at full speed, she was no doubt fighting lactic acid and, as she stated in her interview on Good Morning America, could no longer feel her legs as they became numb. Anyone who has ever run track could relate to that. The fact is that she had the sheer determination to hold on to a lead that she had the entire race and will herself across the line. She could have just as easily crumbled and fallen before getting to the line. I respect that. She must be honoured and nothing that naysayers and haters say can change the fact that she has made her country proud. I’m still feeling golden. Prior to the Games, I told a number of persons that Shaunae was our best hope of medalling individually or in a relay. I continue to believe that. The 400 metres appears to be the signature event for the Bahamas at the Olympics, with us attaining golds by Tonique WilliamsDarling and the Golden Knights (Chris Brown, Michael Matthieu, Demetrius Pinder and Ramon Miller) in the 4 x 400m and now Shaunae Miller. What’s more, Chris Brown - still in his prime - narrowly lost the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when American David Neville dived across the line to win that medal by .04 seconds. Admittedly, I was irate and angry but I accepted the outcome as we
SHAUNAE Miller falls over the finish line to win gold ahead of United States’ Allyson Felix, right, in the 400-metre final at the Olympic stadium on Monday night.
A Young Man’s View
By ADRIAN GIBSON
were told by all and sundry that it was totally “legal”. Accordingly, section 2 of rule 164 0f the International Association of Athletics Federations’ competition rules, sub-titled “The Finish” clearly states that “the athletes shall be placed in the order in which any part of their bodies (i.e. torso, as distinguished from the head, neck, arms, legs, hands or feet) reaches the vertical plane of the nearer edge of the finish line”. No matter the criticisms of Miller, the rule is applicable to all. In the Bahamas, Shaunae Miller is perhaps our only top-flight, elite track and field athlete, although Pedrya Seymour will be one to watch after her recordbreaking efforts in the 110 metres hurdles last night.
Miller is our best sprinter, I am told, in the 100, 200 and 400 metres. Whilst that is an amazing feat on her part, it is also indicative of our government’s failure to truly develop our sporting disciplines and provide the support for athletes to train and attain such elite levels. No doubt, Miller’s family and personal support system is in large part responsible for what she has been able to attain, with the government only stepping in once it had been established that she was a bona fide superstar. Far more attention must be to the planning youth and sports development in this country. This year, the government announced that they would spend $7m on the Bahamas Junkanoo Carni-
val. They have yet to give us best. We could build a divan accounting of the full ex- ing pool, a shooting range, penditure. Last year, nearly an equestrian facility and $12m was spent on the Ba- so on! hamas Junkanoo Carnival. Arianna VanderpoolOn the face Wallace of it, that is “Although many of as good a $19m! swimmer our older athletes The monas she is ey wasted have made the has already on the car- country proud, dominated nival could our performance the local be used to scene and build a prop- when compared can only beer sporting to other countries come better complex, by compet(eg, Jamaicans, hire coaches ing with and some of Americans) shows faster, wellthe best ath- that rather than trained letic trainers swimmers. in the world, constantly “recycle” Otherwise, pay our elite athletes who can we will conathletes a no longer compete tinue to fall salary, enshort. gage in against younger, Whatever scouting and better trained happened recruiting to the Baparticipants from throughout hamas the Family other countries, Games? If Islands and we must focus on we really host inter- grooming younger wish to field national the best competitions competitors.” Bahamian so that our athletes best -across the sporting throughout the Family Isdisciplines - could compete lands, common sense dicagainst and train with the tates that the government and corporate Bahamas should invest in re-launching these games, which allowed each island to showcase its best home-grown talent and allowed local and international scouts to see the best of our archipelago performing in order to select them for future na-
tional teams and potential scholarships to various colleges. Indeed, these Games as well as a national sports academy would allow the Bahamas to select better, more diverse national teams going forward. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture remains in an infantilised state. The minister has brought little to the drawing board. Why isn’t more focus being placed on the various sporting disciplines, such as baseball, cricket, rugby, athletics, etc? As a sports enthusiast, I must express my disappointment about the apparent lack of a forward looking approach by the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) in preparation for this year’s games. Instead of following Jamaica’s example and seeking young athletes to develop for future Games, it appears that the BOC, the Ministry of Sports and other local sporting organisations are failing to develop a scouting and training programme, where sports scouts travel to the islands in search of the abundance of talent that lies dormant, just waiting to be discovered. Over the years, I’ve known and been told of first-rate athletes who, upon finishing high school, settle into jobs or family life as probably there were no opportunities to attend col-
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 9
Of mice and men and political gods
W
lege or hone their athletic abilities and/or, they became discouraged due to a lack of support. Although many of our older athletes have made the country proud, our performance when compared to other countries (eg, Jamaicans, Americans) shows that rather than constantly “recycle” athletes who can no longer compete against younger, better trained participants from other countries, we must focus on grooming younger competitors. Because of their developmental programmes, Jamaica can boast of having the fastest man and the fastest woman in the world. At this Olympics, the Bahamas sent a team that included sprinters/field competitors, swimmers and, for the first time, a rower. But, whatever happened to our boxers, tennis players, sailors? Why can’t we develop - with government and private sector sponsorship - our sports programmes and field a team that also competes in archery, softball or baseball (which we once dominated), canoe/ kayak events, cycling, diving, equestrian events, rugby, fencing, judo, sailing (with our many regattas and experienced skippers this should be automatic), shooting, synchronised diving, wrestling, weightlifting, volleyball (indoors or beach), taekwondo, table tennis, handball, trampoline, gymnastics and even basketball? With all the beaches we have in the Bahamas, we cannot field a qualifying beach volleyball team? There are numerous
events that make up the Olympic schedule and I know of quite a number of talented, athletic Bahamians who already compete in these and can qualify if the proper developmental programmes are in place - and if the Bahamas’ sports ministry and the BOC weren’t so short-sighted. We can become a sporting power but we must begin to pay our athletes a decent salary and engage private endorsements for the best among them. Is it too much to expect an athlete to work a 9 to 5 job, train here and there and then travel to international competitions to medal? In 2000, I was one of two Bahamians selected by the then Bahamas Olympic Association to represent the Bahamas at the Olympic Youth Camp in Sydney, Australia. It was the experience of a lifetime and many of those persons I met are my friends today. In fact, I watched and cheered as one of them competed in the current Olympics. I remember being in Australia when the Golden Girls won and the pride I felt. I recall being in the stadium when Australian Cathy Freeman ran her heart out to win the gold medal in front of her home town crowd. I witnessed their admiration of her. In 2012, Kirani James won Grenada’s first Olympic medal, a gold in the 400 metres. On his return home, he was given more than EC$730,000 in cash, real estate, EC$500,000 in treasury bonds and jewellery. What’s more, James received another $100,000 from the Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited and
SHAUNAE Miller celebrates with the Bahamian flag after winning the gold medal in the women’s 400m final. a jewellery suite - watch, bracelet and chain - valued at US$5,000 from Colombian Emeralds International. The country had an islandwide parade, flocking to the stadium and celebrating with songs, dancing, poetry, speeches, firework and a motorcade. Even James’ mother and father received special gift baskets - valued at US$250 - from Duty Free Caribbean, a local business. Today, Grenada now intends to name its national stadium after James. So, what will the Bahamas’ government do for Shaunae? Well, we have already established the precedent of naming roads after winning athletes so here is what I think she should get: 1. A road named after her 2. A cash prize in the amount of $250,000 3. Prime real estate 4. An island-wide motorcade and celebratory welcome at the national stadium 5. Raise her monthly subvention Miller’s victory on Monday will be etched in the minds of Bahamians for years to come. She represents the Bahamian spirit. I am interested in an accounting of the funds spent to take this Olympic team to Rio. What’s more, how many unnecessary persons travelled on our dime? Can we have the names of all persons who travelled to Rio on taxpayers’ money? Congratulations to Shaunae and to all those who have represented us with dignity and left their best on the track/in the swimming pool. • Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com
E are stead- dictatorial. The arrest and ily becoming a confinement of several men country that is for the song was nothing being ruled by persons who short of unconstitutional. appear to have adopted the What’s more, Chief Superinmindset of dictators, of the tendent Clayton Fernander, infamous Tonton Macoute who is in charge of the Cenof Haiti, which was a unit tral Detective Unit, said on of the Haitian police force national TV that they are that was created in 1959 and looking into the offences of used to disastrous effect “LIABLE” (for libel) AND by dictator François “Papa “DEFINITION” (for defaDoc” Duvalier. mation). He appeared totalToday, we ly clueless. hear threats ‘The song and the This is of crimi- arrests that follow is inexcusable nal libel by for such a Minister of a tempest in a teacup senior, highForeign Af- and is seemingly ranking pofairs Fred representative of our lice officer. Mitchell and He deferred now see the politicians having to the Atpolice being risen to the stature torney Genemployed to of megalomaniacs, eral’s office arrest peothroughout ple for exer- so much so that they the intercising their are easily offended view. So, freedom of at comments that whatever speech. happened to Last week, show them in a light reasonable a controver- different from the suspicion, sial song was gods that they imagine whatever released by happened a local rap- themselves to be.’ to informper known ing persons as Mice. I found parts of the arrested of the charge that song to be disrespectful, of- they will face or the offence fensive, condemnable and that is being investigated? repugnant. However, as af- By that interview, could it ter listening several times, I be inferred – from Chief Sucould also hear the frustra- perintendent Fernander’s tion and hopelessness of this own words - that the police seemingly lost young man. arrested several men but One could tell that he is tal- were not certain about the ented, but that talent must reason for the arrest? be properly channelled. The song and the arrests That said, I heard nothing that follow is a tempest in a that amounted to a threat or a teacup and is seemingly repcriminal offence. In my opin- resentative of our politicians ion, there is nothing in that having risen to the stature of song that amounted to crimi- megalomaniacs, so much so nal libel of the Prime Minis- that they are easily offended ter. As I stated on Facebook, at comments that show them if there is a potential action in a light different from for defamation, why are the the gods that they imagine police involved? Would the themselves to be. defamatory lyrics in the song Were the police instructnot fall into the civil realm ed to investigate and, if so, and wouldn’t a law suit have by whom? Were folks arbeen more appropriate? rested and flown to New I am the first to argue that Providence from Grand though we have a funda- Bahama because someone mental constitutional right wrote words that offended to freedom of speech, we one’s sensibilities? must be conscientious, reThe offence of criminal sponsible and not abusive of libel is designed to smother that right. dissent and oppress. The However, the overreach- Bahamas is one of a few ing on the part of the police countries that continue to was intimidatory, frivolous, have such a charge in its law seemingly vindictive and books. This offence is fa-
voured by dictators. And so, given the conduct of the police, are we slipping deeper into dictatorship? Are we seeing a manifestation of the trappings of the eternal politician, a la Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe? Did the police get involved to artificially prop up the powers that be? The entire country was sympathetic towards the Prime Minister and those persons named in that song. However, once the police became involved, it appeared that free speech was being overwhelmed and stamped out by force. The response of the police to the release of this song can only be likened to throwing a grenade at a cockroach or using a fire bomb against a mosquito. There are such dramatic inconsistencies between the so-called crime and the response of the police which, some would argue, is hardly the response of the police when crimes are committed and average Bahamians call upon them. Surely, the response of the police is more tepid in the latter instance. So, all of this was done for a youngster who wrote socially unacceptable lyrics? Honestly though, are his lyrics much different from that of Tupac Shakur and other gangster rappers from the US? When their music is played locally, why aren’t there more objections to those songs? Don’t get me wrong. I am not excusing Mice. The lyrics crossed the line. However, the police have now demonstrated that they have become political pawns, that they are no more than political play things jumping at a whim and most likely with instructions. We lose sight of the rule of law when the starts viewing the police as political ragdolls who are more concerned about serving politicians as opposed to protecting and serving the common man. Perception is reality. They should be so guided. • Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com
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RUBIS REPORT IS COMPLETE - BUT STILL UNDER REVIEW By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE independent review commissioned by the government into the delayed release of a report on the ramifications of a 2012 Rubis gas leak in the Marathon constituency has been completed – but is still under review. Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson confirmed yesterday that the report conducted by retired Justice Joseph Strachan was now under review by her office but did not provide a timeframe for its release to the public. More than a year on since it was ordered, Mrs Maynard-Gibson told The Tribune that once checked by her office, the document would then be sent to Cabinet for further review.
“I can say that the report is in the possession of the Attorney General’s Office at this time, and it is being reviewed by the relevant parties and the process will be for it to be then reviewed by Cabinet and then thereafter (released),” she said. A report on the scope and impact of Rubis’ underground gas leak, which occurred in late 2012, was conducted by Black and Veatch International (BVI) at the request of the government in 2013. BVI’s report, completed on February 20, 2014, found that residents were exposed to potentially harmful chemicals but the report was not made public until a year later in April 2015. In response to public outrage that the report had been withheld, the Office of the Attorney General announced Justice Strachan’s
THE TRIBUNE
RUBIS ROBINSON RD appointment as evidence that it was “taking the necessary measures to ensure that there are no future delays in the lawful release of important reports to Bahamians.”
When asked to respond to critics who branded the review a public relations exercise, Mrs Maynard-Gibson yesterday said: “I think that process is extremely important. I think it’s something
that people understand and respect, and I think it’s something that, especially when it is a transparent and open process that applies equally to everybody, that is exactly what we try to do
especially emanating from government. “We must be seen to be open and transparent and that is what we try to do out of the Office of the Attorney General every day.”
Deputy Speaker not sure if he would have allowed tabling of emails in row By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net HOUSE of Assembly Deputy Speaker Dion Smith said yesterday he does not know if he would have allowed Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald to table the private e-mails of environmental group Save the Bays in Parliament. Mr Smith, during a press conference at his Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) office, said the instinctive nature of
parliamentary procedures could have led him to rule either way on the matter if he had been in the chair when Mr Fitzgerald tabled the e-mails in March. “Sometimes when you are there, things just happen,” he said. Mr Smith said during his four years in the post of deputy speaker, he has always advocated for the respect of House rules. He maintained that House Speaker Dr Kendal Major allowed the matter to go ahead in the moment, therefore as deputy speaker
he has to respect the ruling. “It is a very difficult thing to say what I would have done had I been there. One thing is when you are in the chair, when I am in the chair as deputy speaker, whatever I do is final and the one thing I don’t want to be doing now is making it seem that I don’t support the Speaker and what he did. “I support him. And what I like is he supports me. Whenever I am in the chair, if I make a decision, when he comes back (and)
a member tries to have that decision overruled, he says, ‘No, I support the deputy, he made his decision and I support him.’ “But it is difficult to say if I would have allowed it. Perhaps at the time I may have asked a different question and a different answer may have been given and I may have said no, I wouldn’t have let it in,” he said. Last Thursday during an appearance on the 96.9 FM talk show “Morning Blend,” Dr Major admitted that in hindsight, he should
not have allowed the Marathon MP to read and table the private e-mails of the environmental group in March. However, Dr Major went on to suggest that the judiciary should not have the power to interfere with matters in Parliament and said “respectfully,” the court ought to mind its own business. Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles, earlier this month, declared that Mr Fitzgerald was not legally justified when he tabled the
private e-mails, and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege. Justice Charles ruled that the Marathon MP’s actions were an infringement of the constitutional rights of the applicants and ordered Mr Fitzgerald to pay $150,000 in damages for the breach. The Office of the Attorney General has said that it would appeal the ruling and was granted a stay pending the appeal. Addressing the ruling yesterday, the Nassau Village MP admitted that he hasn’t read the complete ruling put forth by Justice Charles. He said while he does not believe the judiciary should interfere with matters in Parliament, due process and the court’s ruling should be respected. Mr Smith called on his parliamentary colleagues to “deal with the facts” and allow court proceedings to run their course. “I don’t think that our privilege should be interfered with in that way and the only thing that I can add is, different countries, their jurisdictions, the way in which the executive and judiciary operates (is) a little different. I don’t know if perhaps the jurisdiction that Ms Charles comes from, maybe does things a little differently,” he said. “So, I am trying to say, let’s just deal with the facts with what has happened and see what the Court of Appeal has said after the matter has been appealed and then whether or not the other side decides that they want to take it to the Privy Council. So in other words, I am not trying to throw anybody under the bus. Perhaps (in) her jurisdiction she may have seen some things differently, and I can tell you, my pupil-master, Wayne Munroe, QC, who has trained me very well, he has always told me that a judge can never be wrong in their own court.” “In other words, you always show them that respect. You see what is wrong with the judgment and you appeal it. I am not taking a very emotional stance to this - you appeal it. And the court will have their say at the end of the day,” he added. Mr Smith further commented that if he were in the position of Mr Fitzgerald, he would have found another way to present his claims to the House. “As an attorney, I would have found a different way to say what the e-mail said without actually tabling the e-mail. That’s just the way attorneys are. I am not saying that Mr Fitzgerald (was wrong). I am saying for me, based on my training by Wayne Munroe, QC, I perhaps might have tried to a different way, that’s all I can say - if I was the member.” The House of Assembly’s Committee on Privilege has been appointed to investigate the matter and deter-
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 11
GRAND RAFFLE LAUNCHED BY RED CROSS THE Bahamas Red Cross Society Grand Raffle is an annual tradition that provides much needed funds to assist in meeting the demands for humanitarian services as well as the operational needs of the organisation. It also offers ticket buyers an array of prizes and this year will be no exception. The launch of the 2016 Grand Raffle on Friday, in front of Scotiabank, Rawson Square, was graced by Ingrid, Lady Darling, a past President of the Bahamas Red Cross Society, and wife of the former Governor General, the late Sir Clifford Darling. Aopmong the prizes announced were a brand new 2016 Suzuki Swift (Fully Loaded) that comes with one year’s insurance coverage, a Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Gent’s “George Gray” Watch, any inter-island route flown by Bahamasair, a Washer and Dryer and Livingston Series Patio Table and Chairs donated by Western Hardware and Lumber Co. Given the present challenging economic conditions, the Red Cross says there is a greater need to provide cooked meals daily through services like the Meals-on-Wheels that delivers food to the housebound elderly in New Providence and Freeport. Additionally, programmes like the Society’s School Milk
THE RED Cross launching its annual raffle at ScotiaBank in Rawson Square on Friday. Scheme provides fresh milk to vulnerable children in the Family Islands and the After-School Mentoring Programme which helps children in distressed socioeconomic environments. Pauline Allen-Dean, Chairperson and Past President of the Society,
and Beryl Adams, CoChairperson and Deputy Treasurer of the Bahamas Red Cross Society, are spearheading this year’s raffle. “The Bahamas Red Cross Society is grateful for the support of corporate Bahamas and private
citizens and invite you to continue your partnership in bringing much needed help to address the needs of at risk and vulnerable members of our community,” said Caroline Turnquest, Director General of the Society. Scotiabank (Bahamas)
Ltd presented a donation of $25,000 to the Society towards hurricane relief. Raffle tickets are available from volunteers at a number of businesses in Nassau including Super Value food stores, Quality Supermarkets, Solomon’s Fresh Markets, Kelly’s
Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff Home Centre, Solomon’s Super Center, local banks, and from the Raffle Committee Members. Tickets are also available in all of the Family Islands. Raffle prizes will be drawn at Solomon’s Super Centre, East/West Highway on Saturday, October 1.
Officers who worked 12-hour shifts to be given time off from page one Although it is unclear how many police officers have retired since 2014, a source told The Tribune more than 100 people fall into this category, suggesting they are all eligible for a financial payout. This comes after the Court of Appeal earlier this year upheld a landmark Supreme Court ruling ordering the government to compensate police officers for working 12-hour shifts at different periods in 2013 and 2014. Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade has pre-
viously said the issue of compensation for overtime work was “moot”. However, Supreme Court Justice Milton Evans ruled in 2015 that a Force Order issued by former Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson in 2003 was relevant to the case as it mandated that public officers be paid when they work for more than 40 hours in a normal work week. The government had argued that the order wasn’t applicable because of its references to the Employment Act, which it said does not apply to police officers. The PSA calculated that the government would
have had to pay as much as $16.4m to police officers to fulfil the judge’s order if it decided to go that route. However, various options were available to the government, including giving officers time off or offering a combination of this and financial compensation. Contacted yesterday, PSA Chairman Dwight Smith said he was not consulted by Commissioner Greenslade on the decision of how to proceed on the matter. Earlier this year he expressed a preference for having a financial compensation made to all officers.
BELL AIMS TO BECOME SECURITY MINISTER from page one
“I would’ve gone before the Candidate’s Committee and been presented before the branch and the branch indicated about a week ago that they consented to me becoming the candidate in that constituency,” he said on Wednesday. “I’m confident (I will win) for a number of reasons. First of all, the people believe in the PLP, our policies and philosophy. Secondly, (current area MP) Dr Danny Johnson has done some work in the community. The third thing is I’m familiar with a number of persons in the community. They have a very strong team branch and also have very vibrant progressive young liberals in the community and I think my going inside there will continue to build upon the philosophy of the PLP, that is to empower the needy, the poor and to engender confidence, entrepreneurship and everything that is positive.” Mr Bell’s comments about his ambitions raise the question of whether current National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage intends to run in the next election. Asked about this yesterday, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said: “I’m not aware that he is not running.” He said the PLP has not yet officially asked Dr Not-
tage if he will offer himself for re-election. Mr Roberts said one other person has expressed a desire to run for the party in the Bain Town constitu-
ency, but did not reveal that person’s name. In addition to Senator Bell, Sea Breeze MP Hope Strachan is also expected to be ratified tonight.
He said yesterday that among the issues that are unclear is how many days off will be given to police officers. “How are we doing the calculation on a 13-week 12-hour shift?” he asked. “When Junkanoo happens and an officer works a 12-
hour shift, he or she normally gets three days off. And when we work elections, we get five days off because the work is for more than eight hours. Which one of these will determine how we do it? Even if you give the officers one day back for the 12-hour shift they work, our
calculation says each officer would be entitled to 63 days off. That’s a lot of days given that, according to the court order, all those persons must use up that time back within a 12-month span. I still believe it would’ve been cheaper to give money to everybody.”
PAGE 12, Thursday, August 18, 2016
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RBDF boat set for refit THE HMBS Nassau (P-61), a Royal Bahamas Defence Force Corvette, has arrived at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam in the Netherlands for an extensive refit. The 17-year old vessel will receive a comprehensive overhaul that comprises full systems and instrumentation replacement. The P-61 refit is part of the sizeable contract between Damen Shipyards Group and the Defence Force - the Sandy Bottom Project - that the parties signed in 2014. This includes the delivery of nine Damen vessels, disaster relief equipment, a bridge simulator, upgrade of various local ports in conjunction with Van Oord and the refit of two Corvettes. Damen is currently finalising the refit of the first Corvette – the HMBS Bahamas P-60 – at a local yard in the Bahamas. Commander Warren Bain from the RBDF has been based in the Netherlands for the entire Sandy Bottom Project. Referring to the cooperation with Damen, he said: “Damen has been very willing to listen to what we’ve had to say and to share ideas. I also have a small technical team here with me, so we’ve been able to be involved in the entire process - down to the smallest detail.” The P-61 refit is expected to take approximately 9 months. On completion, the vessel will return to The Bahamas on her own keel.
DEFENCE ARGUES AGAINST ATTORNEY GENERAL EVIDENCE IN MISSICK CORRUPTION TRIAL DEFENCE lawyers in the corruption trial in Turks and Caicos Islands said Attorney General Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles should not be allowed to give evidence or produce documents containing any legal advice which she gave to former Cabinet ministers who are currently on trial. According to a report in the Turks & Caicos Sun newspaper yesterday, in ar-
guments spearheaded by Queen’s Counsel Ralph Thorne and his junior Adrian Kayne who are representing former Premier Michael Misick, the defence lawyers said such legal advice must be subject to legal professional privilege and this privilege has not been waived. They accepted, however, that Ms BrathwaiteKnowles may give evidence
of such factual and background matters pertaining to various development agreements as may be necessary so long as in so doing, it does not involve a violation of the privilege. Mr Thorne told Mr Justice Paul Harrison, who is judge and jury in this trial, that communications between a professional legal adviser, acting as such, and his client are subject to legal
professional privilege. He added that the common law right to consult legal advisers without fear of the communication being revealed is a fundamental condition on which the administration of justice rests; and that once established, no exception should be allowed to its absolute nature. He added: “The privilege is that of the client, not the lawyer advising. All confidential communications between a lawyer and his client relating to a transaction in which the lawyer has been instructed for the purpose of obtaining legal advice will be privileged, provided that they are directly related to the performance by the lawyer of his professional duty as legal adviser of his client.” During the period with which the Court is concerned, Ms BrathwaiteKnowles was Crown Counsel (Commercial) and principal Crown Counsel (Commercial) in the Attorney General’s Chambers. As Crown Counsel, Principal Crown Counsel and Deputy Attorney General within the Attorney-General’s Chambers, she was acting throughout as a legal adviser to the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands. “As such, her client was the Government and the
Ministers thereof,” Mr Thorne said. “Communications between her (and indeed, any lawyers within the Attorney General’s Chambers) acting as such and her client, the Government, may be subject to legal professional privilege. Where it arises, it is only the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands that can waive this privilege so as to permit Ms BraithwaiteKnowles to give evidence of advice given and/or any lawyer/client communications which took place and in which legal advice privilege arises.” The Barbadian Queen’s Counsel argued that in her numerous witness statements, Ms BrathwaiteKnowles describes her role as being “required to advise Government departments to ensure that agreements reflect the long-term interests of the Islands and conform to all proper legal standards.” Part of her responsibilities in that role, they said, involved “taking instructions from the Turks and Caicos Investment Agency (TCInvest) and advising them with regard to Development Agreements. According to Mr Thorne, some of the United Kingdom legal authorities go so far as to suggest that the admission of privileged material obtained pursuant to
a statutory derogation to the right may constitute a breach of a defendant’s Article 6 right to a fair trial. He added: “Legal professional privilege applies equally to lawyers employed by their client, as to lawyers in independent practice. Legal advice privilege applies only to communications passing between the client and his lawyer, and to the contents of any documents evidencing such communications. The privilege does not extend to communications which are made for the purpose of obtaining advice on the commission of a future crime, or which are themselves part of a crime. Whether the lawyer was aware of the illicit purpose is immaterial, as such matters are otherwise than in the ordinary course of professional communications. Before this principle can be relied upon, however, there must be some prima facie evidence that it was the client’s intention to obtain advice in furtherance of the criminal purpose. A document or communication is “once privileged, always privileged”. The privilege may be expressly or impliedly waived by the client or, after death, by his personal representatives or heirs.” Judge Harrison is expected to give his ruling today.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 13
Foundation proud as three more Tara Scholars graduate THE Tara Xavier Hepburn Foundation has proudly announced that three more Tara Scholars - Jeffon Stubbs, Demonica Brown and Eleanor Simmons - have successfully completed their high school education, each graduating with distinction. Jeffon and Demonica studied at St Anne’s School and Eleanor at St John’s College. Jeffon served as head boy of St Anne’s School and academic house captain. He was graduated first in his year with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) and was once again named to the school’s honour roll. Jeffon successfully passed eight subjects in the BGCSE examinations with seven As and one B. He also received an award from the Ministry of Education in January 2016 for best performance in his 2015 religious studies BGCSE examination. Jeffon was the recipient of numerous other awards and prizes at St Anne’s School’s 2016 graduation ceremony, including subject prizes in chemistry, English, English literature, mathematics, physics, religious studies and Spanish. He was also the recipient of the William Edward Thompson Memorial Prize and was named the 2016 Honour’s Day Convocation valedictorian by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Jeffon was very active in extra-curricular activities. He was a member of St Anne’s school choir as tenor section leader and choir chaplain. He is a Gentlemen’s Club 2016 graduate, and was third runner up in the club’s speech competition. Among other accolades, he served as president of Achievers Association,
the governing body of Junior Achievement, and was named most distinguished officer for the position of president and fifth runner up for overall most distinguished achiever. Jeffon is the recipient of a full Presidential Scholarship to Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland valued at over $120,000 through Junior Achievement. He is studying actuary science. Demonica served as a prefect at St Anne’s School. She was named to the honour roll and was successful in eight subjects in the BGCSE examinations with two As, five Bs and one C. She received a number of prizes and awards at her high school graduation, including the merit prize, and subject prizes in mathematics, office procedures and religious studies. Demonica was also involved in the Junior Achievement programme at St Anne’s and served as secretary of the Science Club and public relations officer of the Interact Club. She is the recipient of two Junior Achievement scholarships, an $8,750 renewable scholarship for SUNY Oswego in Up-State New York and a $16,000 renewable scholarship for Middle Tennessee State. She has been accepted by University of Prince Edward Island and Acadia University in Canada. However, Demonica plans to pursue a degree in biology at The College Of The Bahamas first. Her long-term goal is to become a veterinarian, which she plans to pursue at a Canadian University once she completes her studies at COB. Eleanor was a student
leader at St John’s College for the academic year 20152016, serving as a prefect. She was successful in nine subjects in the BGCSE examinations with one A, four Bs and four Cs. She was graduated ninth in a class of 71 and received the subject prize in bookkeeping and accounts and the proficiency and distinction awards. Eleanor played high school basketball was a member of the Debutante Foundation, Student Christian Movement, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers Technical Cadets programme. She is the recipient of a bursary scholarship to attend COB where she plans to study financial accounting with a minor in technology. The Tara Xavier Hepburn Foundation was launched on December 29, 2006 to celebrate the life of an exceptional young Bahamian. The foundation is dedicated to the holistic development of young people by empowering them to achieve a positive sense of self and to realise their full potential as productive, responsible and contributing citizens. A key goal of the foundation is to encourage young Bahamians to take maximum responsibility for improving themselves and it is clear from their achievements both in the classroom and outside that the Tara Xavier Hepburn scholars are doing just that. The scholarship fund is made possible by the generosity of many donors, including Lyndhurst Limited, Patricia Vouch, Giovanna Knowles, Richard Campbell Limited, Dr Livingston Marshall and the Anglican Central Education Authority. DEMONICA BROWN, of St Anne’s School.
ELEANOR SIMMONS, of St John’s College.
YOUR
JEFFON STUBBS, of St Anne’s School.
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
PAGE 14, Thursday, August 18, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
‘What are we doing to tackle climate change?’
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that ALBANAIS MARCELLUS of Bacardi Road, P.O.Box N4014, 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 9th day of August, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
SAVE The Bays Chairman Joseph Darville stands on the south shore of Grand Bahama where rising sea levels have already led to major erosion.
NINE months after Save The Bays returned from the climate change conference in Paris that for a moment caught the world’s attention, the environmental advocacy group’s chairman is still seeking answers to critical questions about how the Bahamas is planning to meet a future of rising sea levels that could literally wipe out entire islands and populations. “As an archipelagic nation basically at sea level, we stand to be included among the millions that Jim Young Kim, president of the World Bank Group, speaks of when he says, ‘Climate change hits the poorest the hardest, and our challenge now is to protect tens of millions of people from falling into extreme poverty because of a changing climate.’ “The eyes of the world were on the conference in which the Bahamas participated and the Prime Minister (Perry Christie) has said on more than one occasion he knows the very real and present dangers that lie ahead for a country that is among those at greatest risk,” said Save The Bays Chairman Joseph Darville. “Recognising the risk of potential devastation is the first step, but what are we doing to prepare? Why are we waiting when the clock is ticking and the time is drawing nearer to evacuation and we still
have no plan?” Mr Darville pointed to other low-lying locales already facing reality and finding funding. Miami Beach, he said, is spending up to $300m on sea level rise abatement, and even that may not save the coastal city. “For too long and even unto this moment we are not responding intelligently, sensibly or creatively to the inevitable, dramatic impact of rapidly increasing global warming and sea level rise,” Mr Darville said. “For decades, we have been satisfied with what we have been able to reap from basically parasitic economies: gun running, ship wrecking, rum running, drug running and even recently people running. We rely upon the good fortune or ill fortune of others for survival,” he said. Now, said Mr Darville, the time has come to move further inland and increasingly look to the land for survival. “For a very long time I have been advocating the return to the soil particularly for the benefit of our young citizens,” said Mr Darville, a former educator who still heads summer eco-camps and year-round environmental sessions. “We have neglected to eke out a sustainable and resourceful future for them; thus we are condemning them to a nation devoid of
self-creative endeavours. “When these islands begin to gradually and some very rapidly sink into the ocean due to sea level rise, our beloved present and future children will plunge into the ocean of emptiness. Unlike Shaunae’s dive for the gold, they will either surface empty-handed or not survive at all. How are our youth being trained for green and sustainable jobs? When, and not if, the ocean covers all of our pristine beaches, when there will be no seafront or beach front hotels, and all the tourists are no more, how will this nation’s people survive?” Although climate change was not one of the six tenets on which Save The Bays was founded, it would be covered under a comprehensive Environmental Protection Act, and that, said Mr Darville, is fundamental to the future of a country dependent far more on its resources and the beauty of its environment than it is on industry, manufacturing or technology. “There was a time when melting ice caps and impact of climate change seemed like a distant worry. But change is occurring at a far greater pace with far dire results projected than even the best scientists predicted and we cannot afford to wait,” Mr Darville said. “We are here to assist but we must have a plan for our islands.”
STUDENTS CHOSEN AS INTERNS TO ASSIST THE WORK OF LEON LEVY PRESERVE
INTERNS Rose Charles, Brendan Toote and Antonette Hudson are pictured with Dr Ethan Freid (left), BNT executive director Eric Carey, and Falon Cartwright, Levy Preserve manager. THREE College of The and Joan Mylroie of MissisBahamas (COB) students sippi State University, Scott - Rose Charles, Brendan Johnson of the BNT, and Toote, and Antonette Hud- wildlife biologist Joe Wason - were selected as in- silewski of Natural Selecterns from 15 applicants by tions. the Leon Levy Native Plant Among other things, the Preserve on Eleuthera this interns learned to recognise summer. 100 common Bahamian They studied the natural plant species and helped inhistory of the area over sev- stall a new forest plot along en weeks under the guid- one of the Preserve’s nature ance of Dr Ethan Freid, trails. the Preserve’s botanist. Dr They also conducted Freid is a former lecturer at their own research projects. COB. Antonette focused on dune The internship pro- ecology and invasive spegramme provides students cies at different beaches; with field experience that Brendan assessed bird dican lead to future employ- versity based on available ment. This is the third year habitat; and Rose examined that internships have been forest growth in relation to offered by the Preserve, weather patterns. which is operated by the Their initial findings were Bahamas National Trust presented at a special BNT (BNT). staff meeting at The ReExperts were on hand treat in Nassau. All three to provide the interns with will continue their research instruction in botany and independently with a view plant ecology, island geol- to presenting updated findogy, birds and reptiles. In ings at the Bahamas Natuaddition to Dr Freid, they ral History Conference in included geologists Dr John spring 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 15
Scotiabank helps kids go back to school SCOTIABANK is helping students get ready for the new school term by providing backpacks, supplies and uniforms through a partnership with three community organisations. The HeadKnowles Foundation received $10,000 toward its Builda-Backpack initiative aimed at providing backpacks, uniforms and supplies for students on the southern islands of the Bahamas who are still recovering from Hurricane Joaquin, which devastated those islands last October. The bank’s contribution will also help fund HeadKnowles’ computer labs in Crooked Island and Acklins. “Community is at the heart of all we do at Scotiabank. We are happy to partner with HeadKnowles as they have done a remarkable job responding to the needs of our brothers and
sisters in the southern islands,” said Leah Davis, senior manager of marketing and public relations at Scotiabank. Scotiabank has also partnered with BreAnn’s Care Closet as a bronze sponsor to provide uniforms for students affected by hardship and tragedy. BreAnn’s Care Closet is the vision of a seven year old in response to challenges other children face. Scotiabank will host a fun day for children today attached to the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Unit of the Ministry of Health at Ardastra Gardens. After the tour, animal shows, lunch, a puppet show (featuring Charlie the Yellow Bahamian), and cold treats will be offered. The bank’s volunteers are scheduled to distribute school supplies to almost 100 students to assist with their school needs.
READERS REACT TO LAYOFFS OF SANDALS STAFF AFTER TUC President and attorney for the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union Obie Ferguson said he would file a writ over the hundreds of dismissals at the Sandals resort, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. Themessenger said: “What people like Mr. Ferguson, Omar Bernard & Shane Gibson need to understand is that Sandals isn’t run like a government office where you have a job for life despite non performance. In private industry if you don’t perform you get fired not relocated and neither the unions nor the government has any “rights” in dictating to private employers that they conduct their businesses the way government conducts theirs. “Private enterprise doesn’t have the luxury or safety net of the public purse and if their business doesn’t perform they can’t raise taxes or spend some more of the people’s money, they just go out of business. Omar Bernard’s remarks that Sandals should not be allowed to resume operations with new employees is typical of the union’s warped perspective that they would rather see the entire property remain closed because Sandals refuses to cave in to union extortion.” Alfalfa said the union leaders need to think carefully about their position: “While you formulate this lawsuit, just remember that Sandals does not NEED to be here . . . Bear in mind that they are planning to re-open and will rehire employees, who, based on performance, deserve to be. Foolish posturing and threatening may well make them rethink this decision. The union leaders need to carefully assess their positions on this. No court can force a business to stay open and pay employees, nor will the court pay your
salaries.” Theobserver asked: “Why this insistence on ruining or running a private company from your country that, in spite of the fact that the union may not be in there, provides bread for over 600 Bahamians? Forget that they are “union people”, they are people first. And I agree with an earlier comment, private enterprise is not like the public sector. We seem to forget this in the Caribbean, particularly when it comes to unions. Private sector, particularly “these foreigners”, always reserve the right to close down should business no longer makes sense. Who will employ the 600 then?” DillyTree has this to say: “And sue them for what? Sandals is a private company and has the right to conduct its business as it sees fit. They are tired of the union tactics and stupidity, and one can hardly blame them. Unions behaving like spoiled entitled children with no real regard for their members, just empty posturing and carrying on. Makes us look like complete idiots! “If every foreign company pulled out of the Bahamas, how many jobs would we have left? Baha Mar has already been one big reality check, but we just don’t seem to get it through our stupid little heads that, like it or not, we are in no way independent in our ability to provide enough jobs for everyone. So unions need to stop behaving as if they hold all the cards. We don’t. Simple as that.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
A CHEQUE for $10,000 is handed over to the HeadKnowles Build-a-Backpack scheme.
PAGE 16, Thursday, August 18, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
QUETELLE Fowler with her prize of a fully loaded shopping basket.
Shopping in sixty seconds at Kellly’s KELLY’S House & Home recently made the dream of going on a shopping spree come true for customer Quetelle Fowler. “This year we decided to give back to our valued customers by adding a new twist to our annual back to school prizes,” the
store said in a press release. “Customers purchasing $50 worth of school supplies were eligible to fill out an entry form to participate in our shopping spree, and also have a chance to win two huffy bikes and two fully loaded back to school baskets.”
With bubblegum hues and colourful polka dot backpacks, Ms Fowler’s spree lasted 60 seconds after being given a few minutes beforehand to map out her strategy. The winners of the bicycles will be announced later.
QUETELLE Fowler celebrates her prize at Kelly’s.
SICKLE CELL DISEASE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016 AT 6:00PM / DOCTORS HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOM, DOWDESWELL STREET
SPEAKERS
DR CORRINE SIN QUEE BROWN
DR TEDDY TURNQUEST
DR G. ASHAINI KNOWLES
PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGIST
ADULT HEMATOLOGIST
PEDIATRIC SURGEON
Sickle Cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder affecting the red blood cells. These cells can become sickle shaped (hence the name of the disease) making it difficult for them to pass through small blood vessels. When those blood cells get trapped, they can’t carry oxygen to all parts of the body and this is what causes the pain and complications associated with Sickle Cell Disease. People with Sickle Cell can experience anemia, jaundice and gall stones as well as acute pain in the arms, legs, chest and abdomen. Prolonged blockages can also cause damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver. Join us August 18 as Dr Corrine Sin Quee Brown, Dr Teddy Turnquest and Dr G Ashaini Knowles discuss how this disease impacts both children and adults.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Don’t miss next month’s lecture when Dr Alphaeus Allick discusses the beneets of following a “Plant-Based Diet.” Thursday, September 15, 2016
BONUS!
www.doctorshosp.com I (242) 302-4600
Isn’t Your Health Worth It?
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 17
Anger as dolphin calf ‘separated’ from mother
AN AERIAL view of Blackbeard’s Cay. from page one due to the stupidity of taking him from his mom before he can survive.” On Tuesday, Mrs DunRepeated attempts to combe claimed the calf, contact Samir Andrawos, which The Tribune under- the St Maarten-based stands was born in May, businessman who is Blackwas allegedly separated beard’s Cay principal, for from his mother for breed- comment were unsuccessing purposes. ful up to press time. AddiShe later told The Trib- tional attempts to contact une that the calf had alleg- Minister of Agriculture and edly already begun to eat Marine Resources V Al“solid food,” which she said fred Gray were also unsucis “outrageous” given that cessful. dolphin calves typically Mrs Duncombe, meannurse for up to three years while, said it is “unconafter their birth. scionable that you would Ms Terrell also put out a separate a mother from her statement on the matter, the calf.” details of which mirrored “I just don’t understand the claims made by Mrs what they think they’re doDuncombe. ing,” she said. “If they sup“I have remained quiet posedly know what they’re about the horrible things supposed to do in terms of that happen at the Bal- animal care, they should moral dolphin facility in know that cannot happen. Nassau, Bahamas, but That pair should remain due to recent events I can together for a minimum of no longer keep quiet,” Ms two years. Terrell said. “It’s ridiculous in this She stressed that the day and age with all the sciBahamas Marine Mam- ence that is out there that mal Protection Act must talks about keeping those be upheld and its rules en- animals together in their forced. pods and their families and “Something must be friends and we’re doing this done, and must be done still today in 2016?” soon. Please do it before This is the latest round this little male dolphin dies of controversy to hit the
Balmoral Island facility, particularly with regards to the dolphins kept on the property. On August 31, 2015, Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs issued an order reinforcing his July 27, 2014 judgment in favour of reEarth’s judicial review application to challenge the permits/ approvals received by the Blackbeard’s Cay project. The order required both Prime Minister Perry Christie and the Town Planning Committee to mandate that Blue Illusions cease developing the island and restore the land to its original condition. And Mr Gray, as minister of agriculture and fisheries, was required to remove the eight dolphins at the facility to a new, “appropriate location.” Then, in a December 17, 2015 ruling, Justice Milton Evans found that the eight dolphins belonged to their Honduran supplier, Instituto De Ciencias Marinas (IMS), and not Mr Andrawos. However, the government has yet to act on both Justice Isaacs’ order and the subsequent ruling by Justice Evans.
WARRANT ISSUED AS MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER FAILS TO SHOW UP AT COURT By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN, charged with murder, failed for the second time this week to show up in the Supreme Court. A warrant is still out for his arrest. Cordero Johnson, 25, had pleaded not guilty on his arraignment in May 2014 to causing the death of Vernon Rolle Jr. At that time he was scheduled to go on trial on August 15, 2016. However, an arrest warrant was issued for Johnson - who is on bail - when he failed to appear for a status hearing on July 27 last month. He again failed to appear for his trial on Monday and again yesterday when his
MAN HELD FOR DRUGS POSSESSION A BAHAMIAN male was apprehended for possession of suspected drugs by Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marines on routine patrol aboard a RBDF fast patrol craft on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after 12pm, RBDF patrol craft P-128 intercepted and conducted a routine search of a 15-ft Boston Whaler off the west coast of New Providence. A further search of the vessel uncovered an undetermined quantity of suspected marijuana. The Bahamian male along with his vessel and suspect contraband were escorted to the RBDF’s Coral Harbour Base where the male and suspected marijuana were handed over to officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit for further investigations.
trial was adjourned from Monday. Rolle Jr, 29, was found shot to death on a dirt road behind the Hollywood Subdivision off Cowpen Road on November 16, 2013. The Monastery Park resident was found face down in bushes with a gunshot wound to the head. Johnson faces a charge of
murder under Section 291 (1)(a) of the Penal Code, which does could attract the discretionary death penalty or life imprisonment if a conviction is reached at trial. He has retained attorney Calvin Seymour to represent him. Cephia Pinder-Moss appeared for the Crown.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 18, 2016, PAGE 19
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THE TRIBUNE
JENNY Schmitt with an Abaco ‘hog’.
MICHAEL Sands caught two Exuma groupers.
ANDRE Musgrove found success spearfishing with a hattrick of Yellowfin Rockfish, Crawfish LOUIS Zydon with a nice ‘hog’ and Nassau Grouper and Hogfish in Chub Cay, Berry Islands. WITH the lobster season Network (BSFN) expert gear and fishing methods in full swing, a wide variety page for fishing reports being used. of fish is being caught in the throughout the Bahamas: For a sample of the specBahamas this month. this will be helpful in tacular fishing to be had in Keep checking the tracking the “hot spots” the Bahamas, expert adBahamas Sport Fishing and providing advice on vice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz. BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.