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Volume: 112 No.185

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

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Inside Weekend

Marco murder verdict quashed Kofhe Goodman to face new trial after Appeal Court ruling

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net KOFHE Goodman, who was sentenced to death for the murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer, will be retried in the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal yesterday quashed his conviction and sentence.

The court ultimately concluded that these issues adverse pre-trial publicity, misconduct of Goodman’s defence lawyer and the

MARCO ARCHER

jury’s irregularity - created “a lurking doubt about the fairness of the trial”.

Goodman and his appeal lawyer Wayne Munroe, QC, returned to the appellate court nearly a year after a substantive hearing to convince three judges why they should set aside the conviction and punishment concerning the murder of Archer, of Brougham Street, in 2011.

The appellate panel, comprised of Justices Dame Anita Allen, Jon Isaacs and Stella Crane-Scott, were all in agreement that Goodman’s trial lawyer Geoffrey Farquharson’s conduct during the four-month trial was “persistent, deliberate, and gross”.

However, appellate President Dame Anita dissented from the opinion of Justices Isaacs and CraneScott that Goodman’s chances at a fair trial had been hampered by adverse coverage which included National Security Minister SEE PAGE THREE

BAHAMASAIR Holdings Ltd yesterday advised the public that persons travelling on tickets purchased outside of its approved sales

channels would be denied travel after officials discovered and thwarted a scam which offered “deeply discounted” airline tickets to clients purchasing flights through a third-party source.

The national airline released a statement yester-

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LAWYER IS CHARGED FOR ‘DEFAMING’ TOP POLICE OFFICERS

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A LAWYER found herself in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of defaming two of the most senior ranked officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Maria Daxon, a former police constable and vocal defender for the rights of police officers, stood before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing two counts of intentional libel concerning alleged statements written about Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell.

It is alleged that she, between August 26 and August 30, wrote defamatory statements about Commissioner Greenslade and ACP Bethell, which were likely “to injure and expose” the officers to “general hatred, contempt or ridicule”.

Daxon elected to have the matter heard in Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

DISPUTE OVER WHO SHOULD RELEASE REPORT ON CARNIVAL

KOFHE GOODMAN, pictured outside court previously. He is to face a retrial after a ruling yesterday.

ONE ARREST AS BAHAMASAIR WARNS OF TICKETS FRAUD

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

books cult ure film fash ion podcast Friday, septem s food cha ber 2, 2016 rity relation ships

day alerting the public to the “fraudulent scheme”.

The Tribune understands the issue was noticed after a local, illegitimate credit card was flagged after several transactions resulted in travel logs being reserved without payment proce-

dures being completed.

According to the airline’s Managing Director Henry Woods, the issue was discovered last week through a fraud detection mechanism layered into the company’s purchasing system.

Travellers who purchased

tickets through the faulty source, turning up on the date of travel, encountered reserved seating but incomplete transactions, which ultimately ended with cancelled flight plans.

SEE PAGE SIX

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net

NEARLY six weeks after the official Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival economic and revenue report was completed, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and Bahamas National Festival Commission Chairman Paul Major are at odds over who should release the information to the media.

On Sunday, Mr Wilchcombe told The Tribune that the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival (BNFC) has already briefed Prime Minister Perry Christie on the report and said BNFC officials were still putting the SEE PAGE SIX

EMPLOYERS COULD FACE JAIL IF THEY FAIL TO INFORM GOVT OF JOB CUTS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

IN THE wake of Sandals’ decision to make hundreds of its employees redundant, the government wants to bring “emergency legislation” to Parliament that would make it a criminal offence for employers to fail

to consult or notify the relevant minister or bargaining agent about their intention to make ten or more workers redundant.

This would be “punishable by fine or imprisonment or both”, according to a proposal put forth by the government.

The government has also recommended that employ-

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ers consult the minister and bargaining agent at least 60 days prior to the redundancy exercise whenever an employer is proposing to make 10 or more employees redundant.

A document obtained by The Tribune, bearing the heading of the Labour Department, contains the recommendations. It is dated

August 31, 2016.

According to the document, the government plans to not only force employers to give it and unions substantial notification of redundancy plans and to consult them, but to also remove the cap in the Employment Act which SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Friday, September 2, 2016

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THE TRIBUNE

DON’T miss breaking news throughout the weekend and a video review of the week’s top news stories with The Tribune’s Top Five.

And, on Monday, The Tribune returns to newsstands with a round-up of all the weekend news, business and sport.

Celebrating 60 years of helping at Sandilands

THE PRINCE William High School Dance Troupe performs a dance selection during celebrations yesterday for the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre’s 60th anniversary. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

HERBERT BROWN, managing director at the Public Hospitals Authority, is pictured speaking at the event.

SOME of those attending the diamond anniversary celebrations yesterday.

HURRICANE STRENGTHENS AS IT HEADS TOWARDS FLORIDA COAST HURRICANE Hermine gained new strength last night and roared ever closer to Florida’s Gulf Coast, where rough surf began battering docks and boathouses and people braced for the first direct hit on the state from a hurricane in over a decade.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm’s top sustained winds increased to 80mph as the former tropical storm gained new

fury nearing the coast.

Forecasters said the storm was expected to strengthen more before coming ashore.

Hermine was expected to blow ashore late last night or early today along the state’s Big Bend - the mostly rural and lightly populated corner where the Florida peninsula meets the Panhandle - then drop back down to a tropical storm and push into Georgia, the Carolinas and up the East

Coast with the potential for drenching rain and deadly flooding.

Florida Governor Rick Scott warned of the danger of strong storm surge, high winds, downed trees and power outages, and had urged people during the day to move to inland shelters if necessary and make sure they have enough food, water and medicine.

“This is a life-threatening situation,” Gov Scott said.

DEAL

“It’s going to be a lot of risk. Right now, I want everybody to be safe.”

The newly strengthened Hermine also sent heavy squalls with its outer bands over Gulf coast beaches elsewhere. By last night, the normally wide, sugar-sand beach on Treasure Island was covered in water; the city of St Petersburg was littered with downed palm fronds and tree branches, and low-lying streets were flooded. Power outages also were reported in Tallahassee in north Florida.

Gov Scott added that 6,000 National Guardsmen in Florida are ready to mobilise after the storm passes. The governors of Georgia and North Carolina declared states of emergency.

As of 8pm, Hermine was in the Gulf of Mexico, centred about 45 miles south-

southeast of Apalachicola, Florida, and was moving north-northeast at about 14mph. Forecasters said it would still strengthen slightly some more before blowing ashore but would still be only a Category 1 hurricane.

Projected rainfall ranged up to 10 inches in parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia, with four to 10 inches possible along the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas by Sunday.

Lesser amounts were forecast further up the Atlantic Coast, because the storm was expected to veer out to sea.

Residents on some islands and other low-lying, flood-prone areas in Florida were urged to clear out earlier in the day.

Florida’s governor ordered many state government offices to close at

noon, including those in the state capital of Tallahassee, home to tens of thousands of state employees. The city, roughly 35 miles from the coast, has not had a direct hit from a hurricane in 30 years.

The last hurricane to strike Florida was Wilma, a powerful Category 3 storm that arrived on October 24, 2005. It swept across the Everglades and struck heavily populated south Florida, causing five deaths in the state and an estimated $23 billion in damage.

In South Carolina, Friday night high school football games in many areas were moved to last night because Hermine was expected to bring heavy rain today. The storm is expected to flood streets in the Charleston area, which can see flooding at high tide even on sunny days.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 2, 2016, PAGE 3

Marco murder verdict quashed from page one Dr Bernard Nottage’s announcement on “Marco’s Law” two weeks prior to the start of trial in April, 2013, notwithstanding that the case had no evidence or charge concerning kidnappings or sexual assault.

The judges were in agreement on their concern that a physical altercation had taken place between two jurors during the lunch break on the day of the summation.

A retrial was ordered for as soon as possible. Goodman, however, had sought a deferment of a retrial if the court were to allow the appeal against his murder conviction and death sentence.

Goodman, who was up until yesterday the only inmate on death row for murder, insisted to The Tribune as he was exiting the Claughton House courtroom that “Jesus is Lord” be printed as his response to the decision.

PRE-TRIAL PUBLICITY His lawyer, Mr Munroe, also spoke with this newspaper on the ruling.

“The court ruled to set aside the conviction with one of the grounds being the nature of reports about the matter and so I think the public and the press, and everyone should be careful in their utterances so that they don’t prejudice cases,” he said.

When asked of the likelihood of an early retrial date in view of these factors, Mr Munroe said: “We are some distance away from the publications that caused the pre-trial issue.

“We’re more than a year away so long as they are not repeated, there should be no issue for the upcoming trial. In my judgment, this case should be able to be completed in two weeks maximum and it would just be a matter for the chief justice to assign a trial judge to try the matter,” he said.

In the Court of Appeal’s written 72-page judgment where more than two dozen case authorities were referenced, Dame Anita explains her dissent on the issue of pre-trial publicity.

“The jury had the benefit of a sound and thorough warning on the potential impact of the pre-trial publicity, a warning, which we must assume the jury followed in their deliberations,” she said.

“Upon considering the directions given to the jury in this regard, after reviewing the numerous articles submitted by the appellant as evidence of pre-trial publicity and in light of the case law, I can see no reason to conclude that as a result of

the pre-trial publicity the appellant was not afforded a fair trial by an independent and impartial tribunal,” Dame Anita stressed.

Justices Isaacs and Crane-Scott were not convinced on this ground, however, and took Dr Nottage and the media to task.

“One of the difficulties faced by small jurisdictions such as The Bahamas is the widespread publicity afforded utterances by public figures and the impact these utterances have on the whole of the population,” Justice Isaacs noted.

“The minister of national security inserted himself into the proceedings when he announced, two weeks ahead of the trial of the appellant, that he would name a proposed enactment pertaining to sexual offenders, ‘Marco’s Law’. This had the effect of prejudicing the appellant’s chance of a fair hearing by wrongly focusing the public’s attention on speculation that the deceased, Marco Archer, had been sexually assaulted by whoever had abducted him; the very same public from among whom the jury was to be drawn,” Justice Isaacs added.

GRAPHIC DETAILS “There was no allegation of any sexual abuse visited upon young Archer and, in particular, none to suggest the appellant had sexually assaulted him. The pervasive and unrelenting regurgitation of the circumstances surrounding the death of the young boy in daily reporting of the case also did much to taint the fairness of the case as each day the public and jurors were besieged with information and misinformation about the case.

“This was not a case where the utterances were separated from trial by a matter of many months or even years.”

Justice Isaacs went further to say that, notwithstanding the oath jurors take to deliberate solely on the evidence as directed by the judge, “I am reminded that bias is such an insidious thing that even though a person may in good faith believe that he was acting impartially, his mind may unconsciously be affected by bias.”

He said trial judge Justice Bernard Turner could have stayed the trial for a defined period of time, which would have allowed the graphic details of the case to subside from the public’s memory or to have the trial on another island at a future date.

However, Justice Isaacs expressed scepticism that reminding the jury of their oath to ignore press reports would have made a difference.

Justice Crane-Scott for

her part, said she “completely accepts that a balance always has to be struck between freedom of the press and the demands of a fair trial”.

“I further accept the principle that juries should be expected to follow the trial judge’s warnings and directions not to be swayed by things they may hear or read outside the courtroom.

That having been said, it must be recognised that from time to time, situations will arise where that fine line which is kept in the vast majority of cases between the public’s right to be informed and the demands of fairness has been crossed so completely that the likelihood of a fair, impartial trial is placed in peril.

“I accept that the passage of time and jury directions may, in larger societies, be sufficient to redress any likely prejudice to an accused. However, in a relatively small society such as ours, given the relentless media coverage and the prejudicial references to the case and to the appellant which were made so close to the scheduled start of trial, I agree with my learned brother Isaacs that the failure of the judge to order a stay for a defined period or to consider transferring the trial to another island, militated against the fairness of the trial.”

She stressed that the “huge volume” of adverse pre-trial publicity between his arrest and Dr Nottage’s “untimely public announcement” before the start of trial in April 2013, “crossed the line between freedom of the press and the demands of a fair trial”.

OTHER GROUNDS The appellate court’s written judgment addressed the other grounds on which all three judges agreed to allow Goodman’s appeal.

“As shown by the transcript, two members of the jury were involved in an altercation however only one member of that altercation (the forewoman) was asked whether she felt able to render a good verdict in accordance with her obligations,” Dame Anita noted.

“Even though juror number 45 was identified as the second party to the altercation, he or she was not given an opportunity to respond, neither upon asking the forewoman whether the jury was able to render a verdict did the learned trial judge allow the members of the jury time to consider the question and return an answer reflection of, at the very least, the views of juror number 45. At the end of the inquiry, the only true answer the learned trial judge had was whether the forewoman felt that she was able to continue with her

THE TIMELINE OF THE MARCO ARCHER CASE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ONE of the most highprofile incidents of crime this century, the murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer in 2011 united Bahamians in outrage.

Archer, a sixth-grade student of Columbus Primary, was reported missing by his family on September 23, 2011 after failing to return home from a neighbourhood store where he went to purchase candy.

His family begged for help in ensuring that he was returned home safely.

But their worst fears were realised on the morning of September 28 when police discovered his body in bushes behind an apartment complex on Yorkshire Drive.

Archer was buried on October 30 following a threehour ceremony at Mount Calvary Church that was attended by several public officials and many Bahamians.

On November 24 Kofhe Goodman was charged with Archer’s murder. Armed officers stood guard on Bank Lane as he was escorted into the courtroom.

One of Archer’s sisters had to be restrained by police as she tried to get close to Goodman.

Goodman had been previously convicted of unnatural sexual intercourse in 1993 and was freed from prison in 2010 for the attempted murder of a nineyear-old boy.

Goodman hired Geoffrey Farquharson as his lawyer.

The case opened on April 19, 2013 but the trial was repeatedly adjourned.

Garvin Gaskin, now the director of public prosecutions in the Office of the Attorney General, Neil Braithwaite and Darell Taylor represented the Crown in the case.

Goodman’s attorney, Mr Farquharson, gained attention for his provocative antics.

After the trial ended, he was eventually held in contempt of court for his behaviour and he served a 14day prison sentence after failing to pay a $2,000 fine.

Nonetheless, Goodman was found guilty of killing Archer on August 2, 2013.

Angered by the verdict, Goodman allegedly threatened Archer’s family during an expletive-ridden tirade.

He nearly hopped over the prisoner’s dock as he tried to allegedly attack Mr Gaskin before spitting at the jury as police escorted him out of the courtroom.

He was later charged with one count of violence

against a juror and five counts of “threats of death.”

He pleaded not guilty.

For allegedly abducting a child, fracturing his skull with a blow to the head, placing a bag around his head and discarding his naked, lifeless body in bushes, Goodman, according to Justice Bernard Turner, was ruled as having committed the “worst of the worst” and was sentenced to death.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned Goodman’s conviction yesterday, and he faces a retrial.

In late 2013, the government tabled amendments to the Sexual Offences Act and the Child Protection Act, creating a MARCO Alert for missing children.

The amendment to the Sexual Offences Act was meant to create a sexual offender’s registry, however this has not yet happened.

The Child Protection Amendment Act 2014 came into operation on August 26, 2015. Under the Mandatory Action Rescuing Children Operation Alert, when a child is reported missing and authorities are satisfied that there is a risk of harm or death, the commissioner of police is required to use the alert.

The MARCO Alert came into effect in July this year.

GEOFFREY Farquharson pictured at the conclusion of the Kofhe Goodman trial. duties and arrive at a true verdict.”

The appellate president acknowledged that common law prohibits against inquiring into events in the jury room and extends into matters connected with jury deliberations.

“However, there might be some matters to which a judge could and should inquire into by questioning jurors,” Dame Anita said.

“The role of the judge in the circumstances of the present case is to determine, within the limits of the law, the capacity of the jurors in question to fulfil their oath or affirmation.

While it is indeed up to the learned trial judge to take course he or she feels is best suited to the circumstances of the case, I cannot agree that the extent of the inquiry made in the present case was sufficient.”

Concerning the conduct of Mr Farquharson during his defence of Goodman at

KOFHE Goodman escorted from court after being sentenced to death.

trial, the court offered com- and breadth the persistent, mendations to the judge and deliberate and gross behavthe prosecution for their iour of defence counsel. On numerous occasions and handling of the matter.

“I must commend the often within minutes of patience of the judge and chastisement by the learned his attempt, in the public trial judge, counsel openly interest, to salvage an im- and repeatedly defied the portant lengthy trial from instructions of the judge in shipwreck,” the appellate relation to a particular line of questioning and his conpresident said.

“I give further com- duct. Counsel repeatedly mendation to Mr (Garvin) accused the trial judge of Gaskin, director of public ineptitude, bias against his prosecution, for his effort client and collusion with to conduct the trial in as the prosecution, behaviour professional a manner as which eventually led to conpossible in the face of such tempt proceedings.”

Tommel Roker and outlandish behaviour by Ryszard Humes assisted Mr counsel.

“That notwithstanding, Munroe in the appeal.

Mr Gaskin was assisted the transcript of the proceedings which spans more by Neil Braithwaite and than 5,000 pages, demon- David Cash as Crown re2nd September 2016 spondents. strates across Friday, its length

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THE TRIBUNE

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The right to free speech being questioned?

A MOST unusual case came before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday when a lawyer, who was a former police constable, now an outspoken defender of the rights of police officers, appeared before him charged with committing “intentional libel” against two top officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Maria Daxon’s lawyer asked the magistrate if the prosecution had actually done an investigation before laying charges. It was most unusual that a matter, generally treated as a civil matter, was now before a criminal court. This indicated that the alleged offence had already been prejudged as a criminal and not a civil matter. The defence lawyer wanted to know if the police had rushed to judgment without properly investigating the facts in the case being brought against his client.

Chief Magistrate Forbes quite rightly replied that his duty was only to hear and judge matters brought before him. “Beyond that,” he said, “I cannot speak to the mind-set of the investigator.”

We do not know any of the details of this case — even if we did we could not comment on them because this matter is now sub judice. This means that no comment will be tolerated for any matter in the jurisdiction of the courts. To do so would be a trespass of the highest order and we could find ourselves standing before the Bar of the court next to the accused. Our only concern is the manner in which this case is being handled — and what appears to be a rush to judgment before the case has been heard.

The allegations are that lawyer Daxon, between August 26 and 30, wrote defamatory statements about Police Commissioner Elliston Greenslade and Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell. We have no idea where these statements were published, but it is being said that they were seen on Facebook. Neither have we any idea of the content of the publication, except that in court the Chief Magistrate was told that the defamatory statements were likely “to injure and expose” the senior officers to “general hatred, contempt or ridicule.”

Even before hearing, the charges were judged to be criminal libel which under the recent Bail Act amendments means

that Ms Daxon’s statements were considered a non-bailable offence in the Magistrate’s court. This meant that she had to be held in prison until October 5, the date set for the hearing. Of course, she can apply to the Supreme Court to be released on bail before that date.

All of the above is a matter for the courts. However, what is of concern to the general public is the seeming threat to free speech. Here Tn the Bahamas speech has been very free – in some instances it goes too far and when this happens the person defamed has the right to seek justice — again through the courts, but generally the civil courts. Most of these matters are settled out of court between lawyers when an amicable settlement can be reached. If not, it goes to court where both sides can he heard and the court adjudicates. The judge decides the extent of guilt and the damages, if any, to be paid.

It can rest there, but if not satisfied, the complainant can climb the judicial ladder on appeal.

However, no one need entertain the idea that they can say and write anything they please without a solid basis in fact, especially if it injures the reputation of another. There is freedom - but all freedom has its limits.

Freedom of expression includes seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas and the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.

“This is truly a sad day for our democracy and all Bahamians everywhere should be outraged,” said a lawyer in a letter to The Tribune yesterday on learning that the accused lawyer had been sent to prison on remand.

“We deserve to live in a society free to expose corruption and indecency without fear of arbitrary arrest and detention,” the letter writer said, adding that he did “not intend to be silent or silenced on this matter”.

Today’s concern is the fear of authority over reacting to a society grown accustomed over the generations to very free speech. This is one freedom that Bahamians have no intention of giving up without a fight. So we hope that the authorities will not rush to judgment, but will handle these freedoms with care. However, we must also caution the public that every man is entitled to his reputation.

Addressing issue of pay for police EDITOR, The Tribune.

GOOD day. I would be grateful if you would kindly allow me some space in your newspaper to address some matters of concern.

I’ve listened to the Honourable Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security, who stated in the Budget Debate, that there will be an increase for the Reserves who work from 150 to 200 hours per month.

That is all well and good for those Officers who have been working these hours for a long time. Please let me know if consideration was given to the Officers who could only put in 100 hours per month?

According to the Labour Laws, no one is required to work more than eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Anytime after those hours is considered overtime.

By raising the Reserves hours, if each Reservist worked the 200 hours, they would have to work about 10 hours per day.

If you really look into it, the Reserves are work-

ing for less than minimum wage.

The Reserves have been working these hours from March and have yet to be paid, after been told that they could start those 200 hours from March.

Today, the Reserves are the strong back of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

They work in every section of The Police Force, and in some divisions, if the Reservist don’t work those departments, they would have one or two regular police on duty.

When they do go to work in those departments, they are given no respect.

There are some Superintendents who do not have an office at a Station, and they have to sit in the charge room.

I do think that rather than increasing the hours, they should have given an increase of at least .50.

There has not been an increase in over 35 years. I do believe there would have been less with the increase in pay, than the 200 hours.

As for uniform, the Reserves are asked to work just about every major event they can, but many do not have uniforms to accommodate the work load.

There are many officers

who were promoted from Sergeant to Inspector and above do not have any uniform as of yet.

Every time the Regular Police get any extra monies, as per uniform and other incentives, the Reservist gets nothing. Please help those hard working and dedicated Officers and The Reservists.

They have Insurance with Colina, but that Insurance does not work. There were two Reservists who got hurt on the job.

One Officer was attacked by another Police Officer, he went to Doctors Hospital and was unable to be seen by a Doctor.

Another Officer was hurt while working, again the Officer had a problem seeing the Doctor, because the Insurance did not work and something needs to be done about that Insurance.

The powers that be know about this and nothing is being done, the Reservists need someone to look out for them.

I express my heartfelt thanks to you for affording me the opportunity to voice my concerns in your newspaper.

A LAW ENFORCER Nassau, August 4, 2016.

An insult to the people EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHY the Prime Minister’s Press Release on Baha Mar was a complete insult to the Bahamian people.

On Monday evening of this week, Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Perry Christie, gave the nation the “good news” in a nationally televised press conference, his first in some time. The Prime Minister’s news was that an agreement had been reached between the Bahamian government and the Export-Import Bank of China for them to complete the stalled $3.5bn resort.

The Prime Minister said that under the agreement/ deal, former employees and unsecured creditors would be paid “a significant part and possibly all” of the outstanding money owed to them but missing from the announcement were certain key details, such as how much will be borrowed to complete the resort and who the new buyer was.

Later on during the week, then pressed for certain details, the public then found out that the particulars of the “deal” had been sealed by the court for “commercial reasons”, whatever that means in this case.

Members of the public and the Official Opposition, Free National Movement, questioned the sealing of the “deal” made by the government on behalf and best interest of the Bahamian people; questioning the secrecy and lack of transparency of the government.

The Prime Minister quickly retorted, lashing out at critics of his government and this “secret” deal, intimating that anyone that

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net would expect openness and transparency from his government is not fit to serve the people as an elected official. The Prime Minister then went on to explain that if the people could understand the huge amounts of monies being transferred between the parties involved in the deal then they would appreciate the need for the sealing of the particulars of the “deal” and why the people whom he represents will be kept in “the dark” until he and his government sees fit to let them know what the “deal” entailed; I would just like to interject here that we, the people, still await the particulars of the BTC deal to get the “two per cent” back.

One thing that the Prime Minister does not seem to appreciate is the fact it is because of the amounts of money that the people realise that must be involved is why the people are demanding that the details be outlined and why they want to know exactly who are these “parties” who are a part of this “deal”.

Yes, they want to know the details of the “deal” and who these “parties” are that the Prime Minister refers to.

The greatest insult to the Bahamian people, in my opinion, then becomes in the wake of a total lack of details of this “deal”, the Prime Minister and the Progressive Liberal Party now wishes for the Bahamian people to commend them for a job well done, after they have “corrected” a

problem totally of their own making.

I am simply shocked, amazed and appalled by the fact that the government and its supporters actually expect the Bahamian people to give them “kudos” for finally correcting a monumental wrong created and brought about through their sheer incompetence, ineptitude, laziness and greed.

This failure to be proper stewards of the people’s affairs has cost the Bahamian people millions of dollars to correct, lost in investments, lost revenue, and money spent in negotiating this “deal” to correct this wrong, which has also come with a credit ratings downgrade.

In no way, shape or form should this government be congratulated or expect to be praised for bringing about this situation and then “fixing” it; they (the Progressive Liberal Party government) should instead be made to apologise to the Bahamian people for the hardships brought on them (the Bahamian people) through their incompetence in bringing this situation about; unless as theorised, this entire situation was all brought about to force the Developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, out and hand the project over to the Chinese; in which case they should be made to pay in the greatest way possible for endangering the lives and livelihoods of the Bahamian people for their own selfishness.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is their nature.

ADRIAN RAMSEY Nassau, August 28, 2016.

Flight to Cuba EDITOR, The Tribune.

I TRUST that our government has taken note of Jet Blue’s inaugural Flight 387 to Cuba on Wednesday which is the first of ap-

proximately three hundred scheduled flights per week to that country, involving all of the major US carriers flying from multiple cities in the United States.

Is it still Better in the

Bahamas? It would appear that Cuba trumps Carnival!

IAN MABON Nassau, September 1, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 2, 2016, PAGE 5

Minister waiting for officials to end holidays to get Zika update

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Perry Gomez said yesterday that he is waiting for key ministry officials to return from their vacations before giving an update on the Zika virus.

Earlier this week, he told The Tribune that four additional people have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, bringing the total number of cases in New Providence up to eight.

He said yesterday that there have been no additional cases of the virus confirmed since he gave The Tribune that update on Tuesday.

When asked if the most recently confirmed cases involve local transmission of the virus, he said he could not speak to the matter, as he didn’t have the information.

Numerous key figures are on vacation, he said, suggesting that without them the ministry is unaware of

certain facts.

“People are off,” he said.

“The director of health, the CMO (chief medical officer) is off, they’ll be back on Monday.”

Contacted yesterday, Acting Director of Health Marcina Moxey said the ministry will release a press statement on details about Zika, although she could not say when this would happen.

Up to press time yesterday, the Ministry of Health did not release an update on Zika to the press.

Nonetheless, in a statement, the Ministry of Tourism announced that it will hold a “special Zika sensitivity meeting with industry stakeholders” on Monday at the Hilton Hotel.

“The objectives of the meeting are to further educate tourism stakeholders on the Zika virus and to encourage stakeholders to take preventive measures to mitigate the spread of Zika,” the statement said.

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said: “The

primary focus of our meeting on Monday is to discuss precautions that we can take to combat the Zika virus and ensure that our visitors have a safe and healthy experience in our islands. The Bahamas remains a safe destination and we will continue to be.

We have a lot of confidence in the work the Ministry of Health is doing to manage Zika and mitigate further cases.”

The Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. However, the virus is also spread from mother to baby during pregnancy and during sexual intercourse.

On Tuesday, Dr Gomez said that 83 suspected cases are still being assessed.

“I can tell you at this time that we are up to eight cases in New Providence,” Dr Gomez told The Tribune. “I can’t give you any more details on those cases, but you can relay to the public that there are now eight confirmed cases in New Providence.”

DR PERRY GOMEZ, Minister of Health, at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary celebration.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FLOWER BLAMED FOR INHIBITING MOSQUITO CONTROL IN FLORIDA MIAMI Associated Press FLORIDA has found the Zika virus in three groups of mosquitoes trapped in Miami Beach - the first time this has happened in the continental United States and authorities are blaming a particular flower for making mosquito control much more difficult.

One of the traps that tested positive was at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, where bromeliads bloom. The plants trap standing water in their cylindrical centres, providing excellent breeding areas for

mosquitoes amid their colourful flowers and pointy leaves.

“Everyone should know by now that bromeliads are really problematic for us. These are probably the number one breeding area for mosquitoes,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. He said Miami Beach is removing all bromeliads from its landscaping, and urged residents across the county to either pull them out or rinse them after every rain.

And with Hurricane Hermine bringing much more rain to Florida, Governor Rick Scott yesterday

ordered the county to immediately conduct aerial spraying by helicopter as recommended by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).

The Zika-carrying mosquitoes were trapped in a touristy 1.5-square-mile area of South Beach identified as a zone of active transmission of the virus, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a news release.

“This is the first time we have found a Zika virus positive mosquito pool in the continental United States,” confirmed Erin

MINNIS: BAHAMIANS’ FEARS NOT EASED OVER BAHA MAR

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie’s defence of the sealing of Baha Mar’s court documents on Wednesday has done very little to ease the concerns of Bahamians, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis insisted yesterday, as he questioned the reasoning behind the government’s failure to object to the records being concealed.

Since the documents remain hidden from public view, Dr Minnis said he could only conclude that it was always the government’s plan to act in secrecy. He said this also raised concerns of whether the government was being controlled by the People’s Republic of China.

The Killarney MP was responding to the prime minister’s remarks in Parliament on Wednesday when he insisted that the sealing of documents was standard and that global businesses could not be expected to conduct their “sensitive negotiations” in the media.

He told the House of Assembly that the documents were sealed on the request of the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM).

Mr Christie added that advisers have instructed him that so long as the documents are sealed, he should refrain from revealing details about the deal that was struck between the government and the bank.

However, Dr Minnis said he had issues with Mr Christie’s explanation.

“Let me say this,” Dr Minnis said. “First of all the court has a right to its judicial discretion. The problem here is that there is a conflict between the comments by Raymond Winder, one of the court appointed receivers, who stated that both the government and the bank requested the sealing, while the prime minister on the other hand

said that it was the bank not the government that made the application.”

“In that case, even if it was only the bank, the government should have objected to the application and they did not. Since they didn’t, this strongly suggests that this was the government’s plan all along and raises questions as to who is in charge. (Are) the Chinese in charge or is Christie in charge?

“Therefore you must ask the question why didn’t the government object and what is the government seeking to hide? At this particular time why did they not object?”

Asked about Mr Christie’s revelation that he was advised not to speak on the Baha Mar deal, Dr Minnis added: “If that was the case, then nothing should have been known until the process was completed. So did he jump prematurely because he knew that he had other bad news coming, which is the downgrading that would have pointed out their poor management and their bad fiscal policy?

Also did they know that other bad news was coming in terms of the warning by the CDC with respect to the Zika? So why did he breach his advisers’ advice?”

Dr Minnis further questioned whether there was a buyer in place for the $3.5bn hotel and whether the government would meet its time-line of payment to Bahamian creditors, contractors and employees money owed.

Earlier this week, the government said it hoped the former workers would be paid by the end of September, with all other claims to be handled by year-end.

The government has been the target of fierce criticism after it was reported that the documents related to the new deal to finish and open the resort were sealed by the courts. Critics have gone so far as to castigate the government for an-

nouncing the deal without being prepared to fully disclose all details.

The prime minister has several times denied that his administration made the call to seal the documents.

“Much has been made of the fact that the arrangements are currently under seal in the Supreme Court of the Bahamas,” Mr Christie said in the House of Assembly Wednesday.

“The application to have the documents sealed was made by the China ExportImport Bank. This kind of seal is standard, especially in transactions of this complexity, scale and international market-sensitivity.

Remember, the bank already has billions of dollars invested in the project.”

Mr Christie’s comments yesterday were therefore a call for Bahamians to “trust him.”

“Putting the documents under seal enables the bank to finalise these sensitive negotiations with the normal business confidences that one would expect,” he said.

“Despite the wishes of some, it is simply unrealistic to expect global businesses to conduct their negotiations in the media.

“This is not unprecedented as I have said, very normal. The court approved the sealing of the documents to help the parties secure the best outcome for the property, and the court will lift the seal if and when it deems it right.”

Mr Christie also addressed another source of controversy: the concessions given to the foreign parties connected to the Baha Mar deal.

“My advisers instructed me to be cautious about what I say given the court order. I can say that CCA was given Hotel Encouragement Act concessions (for construction) by the FNM and will be given the same concessions to complete the construction by my government,” he said.

Sykes, a CDC spokeswoman.

Finding the virus in mosquitoes has been likened by the CDC to finding a needle in a haystack, but the testing helps mosquito controllers target their efforts, and it confirms that the insects themselves, in addition to infected humans, have begun transmitting the virus inside the mainland United States.

The illness spreads from people to mosquitoes to people again through bites, but the insects do not spread the disease among their own population, and their lifespan is just a few

weeks.

Most of the Zika infections from Florida mosquitoes have been in the Miami area. But Miami is a major tourism draw, with more than 15.5 million people making overnight visits to the city and its nearby beaches last year. Florida in general has a lot to lose as Zika spreads: the state set a new record for tourism with more than 105 million people from out of state and other countries visiting in 2015.

Since July, authorities have linked a couple dozen Zika cases to transmission in small areas of Miami’s

Wynwood district and the popular South Beach neighbourhood of Miami Beach. Other isolated cases not linked to travel outside the US also have been confirmed elsewhere in MiamiDade county, as well as in neighbouring counties and in the Tampa Bay area, totalling 49 for the state with two more comfirmed cases yesterday.

PAGE 6, Friday, September 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Employers could face jail if they fail to inform govt of job cuts from page one

ensures that there is a 12year limit on the redundancy pay an employee is entitled to under the law.

The government has long advocated for such changes, but this is their latest attempt to cause members of the National Tripartite Council to discuss the recommendations and consult on them with a view to bringing legislation before Parliament later.

Robert Farquharson, the Labour Director, confirmed that he circulated the documents to members of the Council yesterday and emphasised in an interview with The Tribune that the document is intended to allow members to consult other stakeholders, but is not the final proposal.

“It is the position of the government that these amendments be prepared and read in the House of Assembly on or before September 30, 2016,” the document said.

However, the next House of Assembly sitting is scheduled for October 5.

Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson could not be reached for comment up to press time yesterday.

Nonetheless, the recommendations are in line with what he has implored the Tripartite Council to consider and agree to.

Noting that about 600 employees of Sandals were dismissed under an “alleged redundancy exercise,” the Labour Department in the document made clear that there is a strong relationship between the recent actions of the resort and the government’s decision to press forward with changes to the Employment Act. “An historic review of the (Sandals) situation confirms that most of the dismissed

SANDALS, which has been at the centre of discussion after recent redundancies. workers were members of the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU), the recognised bargaining agent in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 321 of the Statute Laws of The Bahamas,” the document said.

“The relationship between the management of Sandals and the BHMAWU is well documented and known to members of the National Tripartite Council (NTC). In the days leading up to the dismissal of these workers, senior government officials held detailed discussions with the owners,

management and legal advisors of the resort all in an effort to cause the company to change their position not to dismiss the workers.

Multiple recommendations were submitted for consideration that would have resulted in the company obtaining their objectives in completing the required repairs while at the same time having all the employees retain their jobs. None of these recommendations were accepted and as a result the mass dismissal of hard working and dedicated Bahamian workers.”

The Labour Department said that given the

relationship between the BHMAWU and Sandals, the resort’s refusal to accept the government’s recommendations to ensure Bahamian workers retained their employment means that “the owners of the resort may have other motives in the decision in dismissing the workers”.

“The process of redundancy as articulated by the resort in this matter may be in breach of the meaning of redundancy as set out in the Employment Act 2001,” the department said.

“While the BHMAWU may be taking steps in the judicial system to protect its members, it is the duty of the government of the Bahamas to respond to enacting legislation to ensure that what occurred with these workers will never happen again.”

The document also said: “Failure of the employer to abide by the consultation and notification period for

the minister and bargaining agent will result in the employer having to make payment to the employee in addition to the normal notice and severance payment.”

Of the proposed changes to the Employment Act, the document added: “In redefining the meaning of redundancy, include in the definition as a requirement a sliding scale to ensure that once ten or more persons are made redundant the notification period to the minister and bargaining agent increases based on the amount of persons to be made redundant.”

“Redefine the meaning of redundancy in the Employment Act to clearly make a difference between what was done in the Sandals matter (ie termination of employees).”

Mr Goudie yesterday said he does not yet have a position on the recommendations.

“We just got presented

with it. We’ve got our hands full and have some consultations to do,” he said.

Nonetheless, Mr Goudie and other business leaders have, in the past, expressed strong opposition to removing the cap on severance pay.

“We would be concerned about that because it relates to the ease of doing business and the cost of doing business in The Bahamas,” he said earlier this week.

Meanwhile, one senior business executive told The Tribune about the proposal: “What gives the government the right to tell a private employer who they have to notify prior to taking a business decision? Out of courtesy maybe - but not mandatorily.

“It is essentially an attempt to interfere with how a business is run,” the executive said. “Why in the hell would the government expect anyone to invest in this country ever again?”

DISPUTE OVER WHO SHOULD RELEASE REPORT ON CARNIVAL from page one

finishing touches on their presentation to the media.

Mr Wilchcombe added: “They want to ensure that all the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted. They have briefed the prime minister, myself and the minister responsible for sports. They intend to make a formal presentation to the media, and it’s very detailed and so they want to make sure all questions can be answered because there was so much involved, all the entertainers, logistics.”

Mr Wilchcombe reportedly told The Nassau Guardian on Wednesday that the report would likely be released by the BNFC yesterday.

However, when contacted Thursday for details on when the report would be released, Mr Major said it was the “government’s re-

sponsibility” not his to reveal the findings.

“The report is done but it is the government’s report and they have to release it,” Mr Major told The Tribune.

“They are the principals, it is their carnival and it is their report to speak about.”

Last year, the BNFC released its report on July 28 - just under three months since the Nassau festival closed on May 9, 2015.

Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was held in Nassau from May 5-7, and in Grand Bahama from April 15-16. Many people, including members of the Official Opposition, have questioned why the government has yet to produce figures on the festival’s financial performance and economic impact.

On July 25, Mr Major confirmed to Tribune Business that he was preparing to present the completed re-

port to the government that same day.

The government spent $11.3m-$2.3m over budget - on the inaugural festival, which attracted about 115,000 spectators or participants, employed 7,208 people and benefited 880 small and medium enterprises.

It “gained” $8.3m in combined direct and tax revenues, with the latter providing $6.7m of that sum.

The direct revenue, which totalled $1.6m, largely came from ticket sales and cash sponsorships, organisers said.

The BNFC faced strong criticism last year for going over-budget and a lack of proper planning, and promised a more “focused” marketing approach for this year’s festival.

The BNFC previously said funding for this year’s festival would be roughly $7m.

ONE ARREST AS BAHAMASAIR WARNS OF TICKETS FRAUD from page one

“We discovered this early,” Mr Woods said.

“The timing of the discovery aided us tremendously with this matter. Once we became aware of the matter and the depth of it, we alerted local authorities who were able to act and bring an end to this ordeal quickly.

“We are always on the look out for matters like this. It is the nature of the

industry so we are always aware that things like this could happen. We had a similar matter four years ago and we dealt with it,” he added.

Mr Woods said while he couldn’t give the financial cost incurred as a result of the scheme, he would estimate it to be very low due to its early detection.

Police have taken one person into custody and are actively searching for another in connection with this matter, The Tribune

was told.

Thursday’s statement by the airline company advised that approved sales channels are the company’s ticket offices in Palmdale, Oakes Field, Freeport, all airport counters and authorised travel agencies.

Bahamasair also warned that any tickets purchased via credit cards for anyone other than the credit card holder, would need proper identification and proof of authorisation of usage to be processed for travel.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 2, 2016, PAGE 7

BULGARIAN GUILTY OF MONEY LAUNDERING TO RETURN TO COURT

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A BULGARIAN man who is contesting his conviction of money laundering will return to the Court of Appeal in a month’s time for a status hearing.

Kostadin Karchav, 39, appeared in the appellate court for an extension of time application concerning the appeal he would like to have heard relating to nearly $51,000 in laundered funds found in his Royal Bank of Canada account and the purchase of a Suzuki Swift last year.

As he missed the 21-day deadline for filing an appeal

after sentencing, he must apply for permission to be heard on appeal.

However, the transcripts from the proceedings in the Supreme Court are not yet available. Karchav is set to return to the Court of Appeal on October 3.

The jury in Karchav’s trial heard that he gave an oral confession to the crimes prior to a record of interview that was done in the presence of his then lawyer Roger Gomez II. Sergeant Donovan Martin, of the Central Detective Unit, testified of a conversation with Karchav under caution in the presence of Inspector Deborah Thompson on February 15, 2015.

Karchav allegedly told police he had been in the country since 2014 and was a part of a credit card group in Bulgaria. It was alleged that he told officers he used his time in the Bahamas to obtain information about the models of the ATM machines he observed. His accomplices replied in kind with information on credit and debit cards, which he uploaded to gift cards he had brought with him when he travelled to The Bahamas.

He allegedly told a police officer that all of the funds seized by police during his arrest were proceeds from the machines, some of which were deposited to his RBC account. He also stat-

LAWYER IS CHARGED FOR ‘DEFAMING’ TOP POLICE OFFICERS from page one

Her lawyer, Glendon Rolle, questioned if the prosecution had actually done an investigation before charging his client.

The chief magistrate said that issue did not concern the court.

“I simply adjudicate matters that come in my court.

Beyond that I cannot speak to the mindset of the investigator,” Chief Magistrate Forbes said.

Mr Rolle asked to receive the statements the prosecution intends to rely on for the charges.

On the question of bail, police prosecutor ASP Marlon Fulford noted recent amendments to the Bail Act made the charge of intentional libel a non-bailable offence in Magistrate’s Court.

Daxon was then told by the chief magistrate that she would have to make an application to the Supreme Court if she desired to a bond ahead of her October 5 trial.

She was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

BUSINESSMAN Frank Outten will give away $12,600 in cash and prizes and one lucky winner will walk away with the grand prize - a Jaguar car valued at $18,000 - at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Sunday.

This is the 16th year that Mr Outten, operator and owner of Frank’s Ice Cream, has been hosting his summer job programme. This year, over 1,500 children registered for the initiative under the theme ‘Earn As You Learn’.

“We are excited and 21 children will be receiving cash prizes,” Mr Outten

The jury returned 7-2 guilty verdicts on money laundering with respect to the funds found in the RBC account and the purchase of the Suzuki Swift.

The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on a count concerning an iPhone 6 cell phone, of which Justice Turner said he was discharged.

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said. Seven of the first place finishers will each receive $1,000; second place finishers will each get $500; and third place finishers will each receive $300. Only one of the first place finishers will win the grand prize.

A march will take place on Sunday, starting at 3.30pm at Wendy’s Restaurant in Lucaya to the Grand Lucayan Resort, where awards and prizes will be presented at a closing ceremony at the grand ballroom at 4pm.

Mr Outten said that cash and other prizes were made possible through personal donations and many local sponsors who take part every year in the programme, including Dolly Madison

and H& L School Supplies.

“This is our 16th year of doing it and we are starting registration for 2017 immediately after the ceremony on Sunday,” he said.

Radio talk show personality Darold Miller will attend and bring remarks; Carla Roker Brown, Grand Bahama youth officer, will also attend, and DJ G-YO of Dove 103 will make a special appearance.

Mr Outten thanked Mrs Brown of the Fresh Start programme. “They worked with us and with the assistance of the students there we were able to go through the community and collect more than 4,000 ripe mangoes which we juiced.”

READERS RESPOND ON BAHA MAR LATEST AFTER Prime Minister Perry Christie defended the sealing of Baha Mar documents in the Supreme Court, saying it was at the request of the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), readers gave their reactions on tribune242.com.

Economist said: “This is not a private transaction.

This is one that involves the government of The Bahamas and is a quasi-public transaction. The government made sure that its presents was felt. If it were private the government would not have been in the courts at all. That is why it should not be sealed.”

There was this from Themessenger: “Well, one thing for sure, ain’t no doubt now about who does run tings run’ here. As Hubbigity was fond of saying ‘who is In charge?’ Obviously CEXIM.” SP thought Mr Christie was “grabbing at straws”: “In PM Christie’s desperation to save his own skin, he is now left grabbing at last straws with Baha Mar in a vain attempt to win back some support. This too is another asinine miscalculation that subsequently will be added to his laundry list of failures.

“Contrary to popular belief Bahamians do not

firmed to defence attorney Rolle that he sat in on a record of interview, but it was not on Sunday, February 15, 2015.

Mr Armbrister asked the lawyer if Karchav had made any complaints when he went to see him. Mr Gomez said his then client’s complaint only concerned the cell and food.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

JAGUAR IS TOP PRIZE IN ANNUAL DRAW

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ed that he purchased a 2005 Suzuki Swift with some of the funds were obtained from the bank.

A record of interview was held following this conversation later on that afternoon.

Karchav, who elected to remain silent to allegations, called Mr Gomez II as a witness when the latter con-

quickly forget injustices by politicians. They simply truly believe that ‘time is longer than rope’ and are patient enough to wait peacefully and civilly until the next election to express their displeasure.”

Honestman also thought there was no need for the details to be kept secret: “There is clearly no buyer on the horizon at this point.

What we do have is a secret deal between the PLP government and the Chinese EXIM Bank (read Chinese government) to kick start construction. This deal affects the livelihood of every Bahamian citizen and resident. There is no reason for the details to be kept secret. This is typical PLP. All their shady transactions are done in the dark and you have to prize information out of them like trying to get a bone out of the jaws of a determined dog. And then our beloved Emperor (encouraged and supported by his Baha Mar mouthpieces Fitzgerald and Miller) has the audacity to

be peeved because the people don’t trust him!!!”

Concernedcitizen was not optimistic about the resort’s prospects: “Its not hard to figure out, we the Bahamian people through our treasury have guaranteed the loan on the next billion to be dumped into Baha mar . . . It it ever sells we will get whatever is left after China gets their money or an equity stake . . . After the election Perry will announce how we the Bahamian people own a piece of the tourism pie. If qualified people are not brought in to run it and left alone to do so, it will be another Ambassador Beach hotel – run by political cronies and friends and propped up the treasury. It will lose money hand over foot, tarnish our tourism product and be sold for pennies on the dollar.”

And The Tribune’s online poll, which is asking readers if the government’s recent announcements on Baha Mar have made them more positive about the resort’s future, is still open.

At the time of going to press, 86 per cent of those voting said they were not more positive about Baha Mar’s prospects.

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

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PAGE 8, Friday, September 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Listen to us Mr Christie: enough with the secrecy N

A Comic’s View

OW that we have had a chance to digest a second helping of Prime Minister Christie’s explanation on why the Baha Mar deal has been sealed, I have to say I don’t like it one bit.

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA In fact, I dislike his explanation so much I want to regurgitate it into a plastic Perhaps our good friends table was the last instance grocery bag, tie it up and at Atlantis, with their ‘fa- this Baha Mar debacle was drop kick it into Lake Kil- voured nation’ status and about ‘global businesses’ larney. I want to take his all, could request to have a conducting business.

Right now, all I see are explanation, grind it up little peek at what, exactly, with seeds and feed it to the the government gave to two governments playing birds. Because that’s pre- CCA. After all, they have a an international game of cisely who explanations like right to know. Just as Baha- ‘All For Me, Baby’. mians have a right to know.

Alas, according to Mr that are made for.

When our Prime Minis- But with elections still Christie, the details will ter stood in the House of eight months away, fickle come “if” and “when” the Assembly this week and voters (with their short- Supreme Court sees fit.

Word of advice: don’t spoke to facilitating the term memories) are not documents surrounding a important enough to war- hold your breath waiting to most perplexing national rant forthright answers. So find out if billions of dolissue being sealed at the maybe Baha Mar’s future lars, decades of tax concesbehest of the China Export- biggest competitor can give sions or even fast-tracked citizenships were handed Import Bank (CEXIM), I it a shot.

The craziest part of this over all in pursuit of one wondered aloud who our latest Baha Mar episode man’s ‘legacy’. leaders work for.

To show how serious he Of course, it’s mostly a is that our leader (and his rhetorical question, because apologists) could quickly is, Mr Christie insists that calm the Ba- any future investor or opeveryone knows hamian public erator of Baha Mar must ‘I wish I could the ‘boss’ is the by answering be a “world class” brand person who ben- jump in a time the most perti- who must inject equity (aka efits most from machine, travel nent questions moola, big money, long the fruits of your labour.

And back to the past without all the dollars). Or, as he said in mental gymnas- an interview, have “skin in right now, CEX- and duct tape tics and word the game”. Because that IM and China the mouth of salads. worked out so well for Construction Instead of Izmirilian.

America (CCA) the person who heeding the cry Although I do get the are enjoying de- first invented of thousands logic: it’s harder to skin an licious sugar apof Bahamians investor alive if they show ples, dillies and ‘words’. That’s who have inun- up already skinless. even pineapples how offensive dated the talk To add insult to injury, all thanks to the the Prime show airwaves the PM bragged about a loyal fruit pickand social me- closer relationship he has ers we elected in Minister’s explanation on dia begging Mr with China these days 2012.

Christie for de- even as his approval rating A deal of this Baha Mar was.’ tails of the deal, among the Bahamian eleccomplexity being the PM offered torate plummets. Even as sealed is ‘standard’ said the Prime Min- flatly that it was “unrealistic CCA allegedly makes furister. Which is true, since to expect global businesses ther demands with respect secrecy is the Progressive to conduct their business to The Pointe. Even as the construction Liberal Party’s standard. in the media”. Never mind tarnished The government recognises that he was the one that company avariciously takes that any concessions they brought this latest bowl of concessions many Bahamigrant to CCA will have to obfuscation to the table. ans may not want to give.

That’s why the Prime be offered to Atlantis, said Never mind that his prithe PM. Which, ironically, mary ‘business’ should be Minister’s non-answer anonly adds another reason to about transparency with swer on Baha Mar irritates the growing pile of theories the people who he swore to me. Any leader unwilling to listen to the people is likely as to why the government serve.

And for the record, when unwilling to answer to the may want the documents Sarkis Izmirlian’s company people. And that’s how you sealed.

But there’s a thought. still sat at the negotiating make a farce of democracy.

But we already knew that (didn’t we?) after the gaming referendum.

Did I mention Mr Christie’s evasive response on Baha Mar concessions is really vexing me? I wish I could jump in a time machine, travel back to the past and duct tape the mouth of the person who first invented ‘words’. That’s how offensive it was.

FITZ OF DEPRESSION Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald is ‘surprised’ at the ‘level of unhappiness’ Bahamians have expressed over the Baha Mar deal. After spending six weeks negotiating on the behalf of the government, Mr Fitzgerald obviously expected more gratitude for the long hours and sleepless nights he spent doing the people’s work.

He was ‘surprised’ at the hundreds and hundreds of creditors owed money by the resort. He’s probably also surprised that Bahamian companies and families aren’t on bended knees fanning him with praise because they ‘may’ get ‘some’ of the money owed to them (after an application process, of course).

How such a young(ish) politician became so disconnected from the reality on the ground with Bahamians is mind boggling. He misjudged the public reaction to the Rubis gas leak scandal. He misjudged the public reaction to his reading private Save The Bays emails in parliament. Now he is misjudging the latest public reaction to another ‘episode’’ he is involved in.

By the way, how did he become involved in the Baha Mar negotiations?

Last time I checked, Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson was handling that work full of wonder that’s taking up space on Cable Beach. Although, in his defence, he has been known to step in and help

clean up sticky situations when the AG is unavailable (yes, that was a veiled nolle prosequi reference).

It seems Minister Fitzgerald is gaining favour in Prime Minister Christie’s inner circle. Could he be helping Mr Christie construct another shaky ‘rope bridge to the future’? Only time will tell.

What’s apparent now is that if he wishes to have a chance at winning his seat in Marathon he should really focus on the constituents and students that are waiting for him to show his purported brilliance in helping them overcome ailments and ailing school grades.

Other than that, he should avoid the microphones until he can say for sure that Bahamians who are out in the cold because of what has happened with Baha Mar will be made whole. In the current political climate, all the feigned ‘shock’ to garner headlines, praise and a little camera time comes across nuttier than a squirrel trapped in a Crown Royal bag.

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN Thumbs Up to the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) for organising an actual, physical protest on Bay Street this week.

As parliamentarians entered the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning, they were greeted with placards and chants of ‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’.

Although I continue to view the DNA with a jaundiced eye (do they only exist to play spolier?), I have to give them credit for getting up early in the morning, getting all ‘green up’ and actually putting in the kind of work democracies require to survive.

Thumbs Up to all the

‘Back to School’ drives, expos, shindigs and fetes where school students and parents are able to receive back to school supplies free of cost. It’s truly a service the community needs and appreciates.

Thumbs Down to all the businesses who plaster their logos over every pen, pencil, backpack, nook and cranny of their ‘free’ school supplies.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great service businesses perform in helping to alleviate back to school expenses for already financially burdened Bahamians.

That said, I’m not so sure little Johnny (who can’t buy a 3-ball) should be transformed into a mini walking billboard for the neighbourhood ‘numbers house.’

What’s next? Free Trojan water bottles? Captain Morgan crayons?

I’m not saying certain businesses shouldn’t give.

I’m just saying when you do give perhaps some discretion is in order. Yes, marketing is important. But just as bubble-gum flavoured cigarettes were found to be a predatory, illegal enticement as well as illegally conditioning young users by the US government a few years back, so too this form of marketing can be easily criticised.

Please keep giving, but consider whether or not Mary having Magnums plastered on her exercise book is really a good idea.

• Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net.

Death Notice for JOHN GLASTON McNEILL, 87

a resident of Chinelle Ave., Garden Hills Estates, died at his residence on 28th August, 2016.

He is survived by his 1 daughter: Melvern Gibson; 2 son: Maximillian Maxwell McNeill & Troy McNeill; numerous grand children & a host of other relatives & friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 2, 2016, PAGE 9

Sandals renovations on schedule

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE $4m worth of renovations underway at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort are on schedule to meet the property’s selfimposed October deadline, with the resort’s construction manager saying even a potential cost overrun would not impede its progress towards that goal.

James Wilson, Sandals’ construction project manager, said things are going “reasonably well” in the resort’s attempts to complete renovations within the next six weeks. He said barring any “unforeseen” circumstances, the resort stands poised to re-open its doors to guests in mid-October.

Mr Wilson’s statements came during a media tour of the Cable Beach property yesterday morning. The renovations are, according to Sandals, the main reason why over 600 employees

SANDALS Royal Bahamian construction project manager James Wilson leading a media tour of the property yesterday to show the renovations to the property.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff were made redundant at the ucts of the construction work one pool floor, replacing carresort last month, notwith- would be so disruptive that pets on numerous floors, and standing the resort’s tem- guests could not be expect- renovating at least one pool pestuous relations with the ed to remain in the vicinity deck area. union representing line staff. while repairs take place.

Mr Wilson said some As The Tribune and others workers work “well into the Previously, Mr Wilson had maintained that the noise of toured the property, various night” to complete renovaconstruction work around workers could be seen hard tions in the quickest possithe pool areas and the un- at work performing various ble time, with some taking gainly images and by prod- tasks, such as power hosing night shifts to further expe-

tie’s legacy alive by assisting the children of Union Village with school supplies along with free haircuts, entertainment, tips on how to excel in school, food and drinks. Neil Percentie was a known community activist, and had a bright future prior to his death on September 7, 2011.

This year, Club 1600 partnered with a number of sponsors including Lighthouse Ministries, Island Game, RM Bailey Class of 1992, Quinton

Toastmasters Club 1600 The First Bahamas of Toastmasters Club 1600, was privileged to conduct a fifth successful year of the Neil Percentie Back to School Day. A model citizen, Neil Percentie always assisted under-privileged school children in the area with much-needed school supplies. In this vein, the club continues to keep Percen-

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

FROM left, Toastmasters president Chervez Brown; mother of Neil Percentie; Toastmasters vice-presdient of Dion Knowles; and DTM Pedro Young presenting a schoolbag to the daughter of Neil Percentie.

Percentie (brother of Neil Percentie), Nassau’s Finest Barber Shop, Fidelity Bank, Fidelity Toastmasters Club 3953713, and Toastmasters Club 7178.

“We were grateful for the continued support and look forward to the event being very successful in the years to come” said President of Club 1600 TM Chervez Brown.

• To feature in the Clubs section, email clubs@tribunemedia.net with “Clubs Page” in the subject line.

2014/CLE/gen/FPO/00317

Common Law and Equity Division BETWEEN BANK OF THE BAHAMAS LIMITED

Plaintiff

AND MATTHEW MILLER

Defendant

TO: MATTHEW MILLER TAKE NOTICE that: 1.

2.

3.

By Court order dated the 2nd day of December A.D., 2015, it was ordered that you must within fourteen (14) days from the date of the publication of the advertisement of the Writ of Summons filed on the 3rd day of September A.D. 2014 respond to the Claim by: a.

Entering an Appearance to the Action, b.

Admitting the Claim, or c.

Filing and serving a Defence to the Claim, That you have failed to respond as aforementioned.

The Court further ordered that subsequently the existence of further proceedings be advertised in a like manner and be deemed as good and sufficient service on the Defendant.

Dated the 2nd day of December, A.D., 2015.

ESSEX LAW CHAMBERS #6 South Buckner Square The Olde Towne, Sandy Port West Bay Street Nassau, N.P., Bahamas Attorneys for the Plaintiff COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

2014/CLE/gen/FPO/00331

Common Law and Equity Division BETWEEN BANK OF THE BAHAMAS LIMITED

Plaintiff

AND CRAIG BETHEL TO: CRAIG BETHEL TAKE NOTICE that: 1.

2.

3.

Defendant

By Court order dated the 2nd day of December A.D., 2015, it was ordered that you must within fourteen (14) days from the date of the publication of the advertisement of the Writ of Summons filed on the 3rd day of September A.D. 2014 respond to the Claim by: a.

Entering an Appearance to the Action, b.

Admitting the Claim, or c.

Filing and serving a Defence to the Claim, That you have failed to respond as aforementioned.

The Court further ordered that subsequently the existence of further proceedings be advertised in a like manner and be deemed as good and sufficient service on the Defendant.

Dated the 2nd day of December, A.D., 2015.

ESSEX LAW CHAMBERS #6 South Buckner Square The Olde Towne, Sandy Port West Bay Street Nassau, N.P., Bahamas Attorneys for the Plaintiff

dite the process.

“We have another six weeks to go from today, so things are going reasonably well so far,” Mr Wilson added. “No major problems. We found issues along the way, but we’re dealing with those.

The guys have been very good at overcoming those. “…Unless something unforeseen comes up, yeah we’re okay for opening during mid-October.”

When asked if the repair works were still coinciding with the original budget of $4m, Mr Wilson said: “When you’re renovating something you’ll always find unforeseen situations which usually end up costing you more money. So it’s not unusual for any renovation to be going over budget. So right now everything’s sort of going more or less as planned, costs, schedules, that sort of stuff.

“But I am finding things as we go along. When you come across something that you know needs to be fixed

now it’s your opportunity to fix it, you bite the bullet and get it fixed. It costs a little bit more money but it’s worth it in the long run. So more or less we’re on track, but invariably we’re probably spending more money than we originally budgeted for.”

On August 15, Sandals announced that more than 600 workers had been made redundant as the property closed for repairs. The resort has repeatedly argued that the closure was essential for it to be able to carry out the renovations in time for the winter season.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BMAWU) have blasted the move as union busting, pointing to a job fair last month during which persons - including but not limited to those among the 600 plus employees that were terminated - were invited to apply for jobs with Sandals Royal Bahamian.

CONSTRUCTION TO START ON ZIP-LINE AS PIRATE’S COVE PROJECT NEARS FINISH

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE water theme park at Pirate’s Cove on Taino Beach west is 90 per cent complete and work on the second phase will begin in the next couple of weeks with construction of Grand Bahama’s first zip-line.

David Wallace, one of seven investors, told The Tribune that the first 12 zip-line poles have arrived and an additional 48 poles were acquired locally from the Grand Bahama Power Company to build the six themed towers.

The park is open to the public and visitors, who can expect several new additions shortly including jet packs and fly boards and a banana boat ride.

“We have gotten rave reviews on Trip Advisor and

our Facebook page,” said Mr Wallace.

There is a floating obstacle course on the sea in six feet of water, with a trampoline, monkey bars and climbing wall. It can accommodate about 70 persons and life vests are provided.

“We also have giant bubble knocker balls which are fun and persons go inside them knock their opponents around,” Mr Wallace said.

The centre of the attraction is a massive tree bar built around a 100-year-old fig tree.

Pirate’s Cove is situated on Taino Beach west, which was once the western part of the Smith’s Point settlement where many of the older residents were born.

The land was purchased by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, is being leased

by Pirate’s Cove for the

next 30 years.

In addition to the Water Park and zip-line, another phase of the project will involve installation of a rock wall climb and bungee jump.

There is also a supervised children’s party/park area.

Mr Wallace said a trampoline jump would also be installed there for kids. Showers and changing rooms have been constructed.

Mr Wallace said Pirate’s Cove caters to all occasions, including birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, family reunions, class parties and church events.

He said they would now move into promoting night events at the weekend, starting on Friday with happy hour and Karaoke, Saturday night Bingo and Sundays with fresh conch salad.

He said this month they will be having a crab festival.

PAGE 10, Friday, September 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Questions on proposed government health monopoly

Your Say

By PIERRE DUPUCH

socialism as opposed to capitalism. A pure socialist believes that he/she must feed the population with a HAT is the fish every day. In this way difference the population is beholden between a to him/her: they’re slaves government to the system. They can be monopoly and a private mo- controlled. nopoly?

A capitalist, on the other What is the difference hand, teaches the populabetween a socialist and a tion how to fish with the capitalist? hopes that the day will arEvery time you turn rive when the population around, somebody is com- buys boats, trades with each plaining about the “govern- other and thus creates a viment”. What they should brant, independent and free in fact be economy. complaining Now how about is the ‘In the late 1950s does all this creation of and early 1960s tie into the government current afThe Bahamas was fairs facing monopolies.

We should one of the only this country? be careful not places in the world The national to jump from health systhe frying pan where there was tem is what into the fire no unemployment. I’m referring by becoming Where Then the socialist- to. so anxious have we gone that we are minded politicians and where do prepared to came. They had to we want to change the go? control everything. government Let us turn They had to feed monopoly the clock and substi- the people fish, back to many tute it with a moons ago. private mo- instead of teaching When my them how to fish.’ brother and nopoly.

At least I went into with a govbusiness, we ernment we can (theoreti- had a staff of 15-20 peocally) change it every five ple. We decided that we all years. A private monopoly needed health insurance. In can’t be changed as easily. those days there was no NaAnd now let us look at tional Insurance.

W

We shopped around and finally decided on a plan.

The plan we bought covered each member of the staff, their spouses and children for $1m with $10,000 life insurance rider. It covered both catastrophic and general health issues.

Who paid the premiums?

We did. The staff paid nothing and did not have to have cookouts to pay for any illness. And, the government paid nothing.

This was possible because there was competition in the health insurance industry. We had a number of insurance companies to choose from, with each offering several plans. Because there was a large market of buyers (people) and sellers (insurance companies) the premiums were cheap.

Many companies had similar health insurance plans for their employees and, like us, paid the health insurance premiums.

Pensions were not included in some of these plans; however, had the government approached the private sector and asked them to adjust their plans to include pensions, there would have been no problem.

For businesses that didn’t offer health insurance, the government could have provided the business community with incentives that would encourage those

Funeral Service for HENRIETTA POITIER ROBERTS, 67 a resident of Great Britian Street, Flamingo Gardens, & formerly of Freeport, Grand Bahama, will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, Meeting Street, on Saturday, 3rd September, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Timothy Stewart, assisted by Rev. Dr. Godfrey Williams, Bishop Donald Durant Smith, Rev. Arnold Hutchinson & other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment follows in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Meeting Street.

Cherished memories will always be in our hearts, left to mourn her passing: Daughters: Deaconess Betty Bostwick, Rev. Keva Smith, Roshel Pierre, Delrice and Anastacia (deceased) Carey Rocqual (Kim) Brown. Sons: Lindsey Delano Rigby (Junior), Jermaine and Edgar Carey. Son In law: Bishop Durant Smith, Minister Patrick Pierre and Rashon Brown. Daughter-in-Law: Sherine Carey. Aunt: Marina Tinker Thompson, Ruthmae McDonald. Sisters: Bernice Roker-Collins, (Charles), Jenniemae Huyler (Walter), Barbara, Othelia Major, Vernice Campbell (Cedric) Marge Poitier, and Roslyn Major. Brothers: Deacon Kenneth (Ann), Harry (Pastor Maydon), Robert and Pastor Oswald Poitier (Sabrina); Grand Children: Chivargo, Kanya, De’Ashan, Le’Annio, Ke’Vannio, Shakera, DeVando, Lashard, Deshano, Ediesha, Daisha, Chymonique,Chymonique, La’Quasha, La’Quan, Luciano, Samuel, Lashan, Tashara, Randy, Baldwin, Pierrah, Piajah, Dewey, Teshon, Sean, Shawnte, Thon, Theon Mark, (deceased) Shantol, Jermaine, Jekiah, Brendley, Prince, Madison, Antwan, Nubia, Nicholes, Alexander, Franco, Alexio, Sirbono, Kamora, Christena and Olivia. Great Grand Children: Charona, Chivargo Jr., Theon, Thianna Charaka, Devananne, Zion, Chcovia, Lashad Jr., K’Lyn, Randiqua, Levi, Le’Annio Jr., Deshanique, De’Ashan, Deneisha and De’Ashton.

Adopted Daughters: Nursing Officer I Prescola Rolle, Register Nurse Renee Symonette and Yvette Ferguson. Mother In law: Dorothy Carey. Nieces and Nephews: Fredericka, Donna, Ernestine, Valarie, Stephanie, Lyn, Charlene, Cheryl, Marina, Carl, Gloria, Wendy, Charles, Noel, Oakland, Keeno, Briscano, Kenneth Jr. Shena, Sheniqua, Keisha, Kevin, Ken, Sheniqua, Bianca, Brianna, Beija, Sapphire, Amy Watson, Desire, Carl Jr., Carlton, Marc, Emmanuel, Samuel, Samantha, Oswald, Anishka, Lisa, Monique, Tony, Sammy, Rokeisha, Nyochee, Alex, Andrew, Avery, Arashio, Arthur, Kyle, Andrea, Adrianna, Alfnique, Nika, Sherik, Harry Jr. Leslie, Nicola, Arnette, Lavern, Schantil, Georgette, Latisha, Keshia, Claudia, Kartachia, Shakira, Mayling, Leslie, Edward, Ashley, Steven, Devon, Antione, Cedric, Adolphus, Shawn, Demetrio. Cousins: Anthony Clake, Karen Galloway, Carolyn Swain, Julie Burnett, Ta’Shar Cuccurullo, Clive Burnett, Aggrey Burnett and Kevin Burnett, Fred and Stephen Braynen, Jenniemae Stuart, Anita, Yvonne and Tyrone McKenzie, Sinny Cooper, Francis Stuart, Eleanor Wilson. Host of other Relatives and Friends: Priscilla Rollins, Sandra Clarke, Nicola Lightbourne, Jean Storr and Family, Balwin Darling, Chineme Shepherd, Philip, Davine, Sherry, Patrice, Yvonne, Annmarie, Ruthmae, Monique, Robert, Amos, Quentin, Ernesta, Fredericka Stuart and Family, Ann, Jay, Jeanette, Donna, Yasmine and Family, Gwendolyn, Magnol, Hermane, Velma, Nurse Munroe, Fritz, McBride Family, Netty, Sabrina, Florence, Mavis, Sheena, Paige, Deaconess Natasha Seymour, Sean Adderley and Family, Sandra Cooper, Ruby Neely, Farrington Family, Karen Bowe Family, Michael Brown Family, Janet Style & Family, Peggy & Kenny Strachan and Family, Keith, Nigel, Fran, John and Freeport Crew, Gregory, Evadne, Stephen and Rajya, Shirley Saunders & Family, Jeanine Bailou and Family, The Armbrister Family, Dianna Russell and Family, The Carey Family, Gitten Family, St. John Native Baptist Church, Jubilee Cathedral, Edith Stalbord, The Lamm Family, The Hart Family, Thompson Family, Terrell Dauthil, Linda Poitier, Dorothy Marshall and Family, The Wallace Family, Emmy Ferguson and Family, The Rahming Family, The Stubbs Family, The Dean Family, Rev. Timothy Stewart and Bethel Baptist Family, Church of God Auditorium, Fowler Street Family, Bishop Kermit Saunders & Kingdom Worship Centre. The Bain Town Family, The Usher Board, Deacon and Deaconess Board, The Usher Board, Bamboo Shack Family, Magistrate and Supreme Court Family, Rand Memorial Hospital Family, Princess Margaret Hospital Family.

(If we inadvertently forgot anyone, please know that this is a very difficult time for us and we appreciate any act of kindness shown to us no matter how small).

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

DR DELON BRENNEN, NHI project manager, speaking during one of the press conferences ahead of the introduction of the proposed scheme.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff businesses to provide health insurance for their employees. Trade unions could have used it as an incentive when negotiating pay packages for their members, and all would be happy.

And what about the unemployed? If the government spent its time creating incentives for businesses, there would be no unemployment. Pie in the sky?

Check it out; in the late 1950s and early 1960s The Bahamas was one of the only places in the world where there was no unemployment.

Then the socialist-minded politicians came. They had to control everything.

They had to feed the people fish, instead of teaching them how to fish.

The National Insurance Board (NIB) was formed.

Its package did not cover catastrophic events, but it did cover pensions, etc.

We were told that we could keep our group health insurance but we also had to pay National Insurance. We could not afford both. Since National Insurance was a must we had no choice but to cancel our group health insurance.

What was the effect?

Since the market for private health insurance had drastically shrunk due to the government NIB monopoly, the price of private policies increased drastically and most people dropped them.

But the government had created a monopoly for National Insurance and what has happened to it? Private insurance companies invest their premiums and get returns on their investments so that when they have to pay out claims, there is money to meet the demand.

How has the NIB invested its money? What are their returns? If you read the current report regarding the shenanigans with some of the top brass at NIB maybe your hair would stand on end! But it’s government. What’s more, it’s a government monopoly.

Some of the finest and most capable people work at National Insurance, but a

monopoly, especially a government monopoly, breeds corruption, slackness and bad direction.

More important, in the long run, when private insurance companies are faced with a government monopoly, they will shrink in size and lay off staff.

Yes, the economy shrinks.

Growth in the industry narrows, unemployment increases and the economy suffers.

And now with the government’s proposed National Health plan, a small, tightly knit group of people has gotten together, and say they can run the National Health programme more efficiently. Since this new group is a monopoly, they can hire the doctors and the nurses and dictate the salaries.

Since they will be a private monopoly, they say they will be in a position to negotiate the best price with the insurance companies. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But if the contract is for three years, what happens to the other health insurance companies in the mean time? Obviously, they reduce the size of their operation, layoff staff, and no longer offer health insurance plans.

So now after three years of this health monopoly there will only be one insurance company to negotiate with. And guess who will own that? And guess what the price for the premiums will be!

And now they will also control all the medical records. So when a politician wants to talk about somebody in the House of Assembly, he/she will be able to readily find your medical records “in the garbage tin”!

They say that a certain amount is being put aside for catastrophic events.

What happens when more people need it than there is to go around? Who gets it?

I wouldn’t like to be the one who needed it and some PLP or FNM politician was making the decision as to who got it. I’d be six feet under and pushing lilies!

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

They also say there will be a savings in administrative staff. That may be true.

But have the good doctors ever heard of the law of diminishing returns?

In other words, when the ownership and administrative staff is so centralised, it becomes top-heavy, corrupt, inefficient and a monopoly.

Looking at the structures of these proposed new companies, it seems as though there are a lot of generals and board members to take the first share of the pie!

I don’t know what KPMG has advised government, but I’m sure that anyone with two ounces of sense should know that, with unemployment high, the country’s credit rating downgraded and businesses folding like dominoes, the country cannot afford the programme that the government appears to be proposing.

With all of these problems, can the government tell the public where the money is coming from?

On the surface, it appears that the old ‘Bay Street Boys’, who were supposed to have disappeared a long time ago, were merely spending a lot of time on the beach getting a suntan and have now returned more powerful and more brassy than before!

FOOTNOTE: Just like doctors, there are many good, kind and generous lawyers in the Bahamas.

But there are many, especially young people, who go to jail because they do not have legal representation when they go to court, or when they need good legal advice.

So let’s make a deal. Every time the members of the House of Assembly (mostly lawyers) make a law or decision affecting the medical profession, let them make an identical law affecting the legal profession. If this were to happen, common sense would quickly kick in and sanity would prevail.

Pierre V L Dupuch is a former Free National Movement minister and MP. 2014/CLE/gen/FPO/00327

Common Law and Equity Division BETWEEN BANK OF THE BAHAMAS LIMITED AND BRADLEY CECIL SWEETING TO: BRADLEY CECIL SWEETING TAKE NOTICE that: 1.

2.

3.

Plaintiff Defendant

By Court order dated the 2nd day of December A.D., 2015, it was ordered that you must within fourteen (14) days from the date of the publication of the advertisement of the Writ of Summons filed on the 3rd day of September A.D. 2014 respond to the Claim by: a.

Entering an Appearance to the Action, b.

Admitting the Claim, or c.

Filing and serving a Defence to the Claim, That you have failed to respond as aforementioned.

The Court further ordered that subsequently the existence of further proceedings be advertised in a like manner and be deemed as good and sufficient service on the Defendant.

Dated the 2nd day of December, A.D., 2015.

ESSEX LAW CHAMBERS #6 South Buckner Square The Olde Towne, Sandy Port West Bay Street Nassau, N.P., Bahamas Attorneys for the Plaintiff

THE TRIBUNE

PRAISE FOR ACTION IN SAVING TURTLE OFFICERS and officials in Grand Bahama have been praised by two leading environmental groups for their quick thinking in arresting and charging a man with illegal possession of a protected loggerhead turtle and releasing it back into the ocean.

Waterkeepers Bahamas and Save The Bays said it was the first arrest for a marine animal violation in Grand Bahama in 12 years and the first in the nation since The Bahamas passed legislation banning the capture or sale of sea turtles in 2009.

“This was an example of the system working exactly as it should,” said Save The Bays Chairman Joseph Darville. “According to published reports that we

followed with great appreciation, a police officer on routine patrol saw the truck a quarter of a mile from the beach and spotted the huge turtle in the back. Knowing that turtles were protected under the law that bans capture, sale and slaughter, the officer contacted the Assistant Superintendent of Fisheries with the Ministry of Marine Resources in Grand Bahama, Clement Campbell.

“Mr Campbell immediately responded and questioned the young man who reportedly told him he found the turtle by the side of the road, an explanation which Mr Campbell found questionable. Even if it were true, it would still be a violation of the law which is very clear about possession or sale of

turtles or any part of a turtle, including eggs. If the gentleman found the turtle by the side of the road, the honourable thing to do would have been to report it, document it with his phone as he got help to lift it and get it back to the sea as quickly and safely as he could.

“That gentleman could have been a hero instead of facing charges and another court appearance.”

According to reports in The Freeport News, the incident occurred around 5.30pm on August 20 near Bahama Beach, West End, an area favoured for its rich fishing grounds. Fishermen in Grand Bahama have complained that turtles are eating crawfish and juvenile conch, but Mr Darville, who is also a monitor for Water-

keepers Bahamas, said those fishermen who complain are not crediting turtles for the critical role they play in nurturing conch, crawfish and fish populations.

“Nearly every part of the turtle contributes to the health of the sea,” said Mr Darville. “The shell has been referred to as the garden of the sea. Up to 100 species of animal and plant life have been found on a turtle’s back. And because turtles are bottom feeders, they stir up and aerate the sand providing nutritional benefits. Perhaps most importantly, a turtle is not just garden, but gardener, eating sea grass and keeping it trimmed, creating a nursery for conch, fish and crawfish.”

Grand Bahama Waterkeeper executive director

Friday, September 2, 2016, PAGE 11

THE LOGGERHEAD turtle found in the possession of a Grand Bahamian man was released back into the ocean due to the quick thinking action of local officials.

Photo: Freeport News Rashema Ingraham praised the Bahamas National Trust, saying: “If we gave out awards, my vote would be for Clement Campbell and those on his team who rushed to the scene, carried out their responsibilities with conviction, and performed the rescue, up-

holding Regulation 29 (a) of Chapter 244, dealing with the possession of a marine mammal without proper permission,” she said.

“Thanks to them, today there is a 100-lb loggerhead turtle swimming freely, doing its part in the marine eco-chain.”

- NOTICE Much has been said about the controversy following the recent closure of Sandals Royal Bahamian and the recent termination of contracts of employment of line and supervisory employees. Sandals extends a sincere apology for any inconvenience its necessary actions have caused. The facts in this matter are as follows.

1. In August 2016 Sandals decided that it needed to close the Resort to address the urgent need for repairs and renovations which could not be safely carried out in the presence of guests or its staff.

The works were projected by contractors to last for a duration of some 14 weeks. However, Sandals insisted that it last for only 8 weeks. These repairs and renovations cost some $4 million.

2. Sandals rebooked all guests and as far as possible attempted to send those guests to Sandals’ Emerald Bay so that they could stay in The Bahamas.

3. Sandals considered how to deal with employment contracts and found that the terms of the expired Industrial Agreement which contained layoff provisions no longer applied. In accordance with the provisions of the Employment Act and the employees’ contracts of employment, Sandals terminated the employment of its 592 line staff and supervisors with full payment of notice, termination pay, vacation due and other benefits. No redundancies took place. All line staff and supervisors attended and accepted their packages.

4. Sandals voluntarily invited all employees to reapply and interview for their previous jobs. 379 of the 592 employees attended the job fair. 890 new candidates are being interviewed for jobs. The Company is committed to having 592 Bahamian line and supervisory employees working at the Resort. We currently employ in excess of 40 Bahamian managerial employees.

5. Sandals intends to reopen the Resort for business on 14th October 2016. At that time we also plan to rebrand the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort along with energizing brand Bahamas to the benefit of the country.

6. Repairs and renovations continue and are currently on schedule with plans for a grand relaunch of the Resort with employees trained and committed to providing world-class service.

Sandals has published this Notice as we feel it is our responsibility to present the true facts to the public and to clear up any misinformation.

PAGE 12, Friday, September 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

ST Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk partnered with McDonald’s to host a back-to-school event at the historic church for 200 youngsters from Bain and Grant’s Town who will return to the classroom sporting backpacks filled with school supplies.

St Andrew’s Kirk helps children go back to school TWO HUNDRED students will head back to school next week sporting black McDonald’s designer-worthy backpacks filled with supplies they received when they were treated to wishes and dishes thanks to community partners.

It is the fifth year that St Andrew’s Kirk and McDonald’s franchise holder DanBrad have come together to organise and host the back-to-school event, providing lunch, life lessons and school supplies for students from Bain and Grant’s Town.

This year’s back-to-school party was held last week at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk, Shirley Street.

“We started with a few dozen students who often visited the church or attended summer camp when we held it there,” said Rev Bryn MacPhail, of St Andrew’s Kirk. “The community project has grown since then but it still retains the same warmth, filling the church with young people who themselves are filled with hopes and dreams and we’re hoping that

what we are doing will help make it a bit easier for them to achieve those dreams.”

DanBrad President Earla Bethel said the entire company gets behind this project. “We have McDonald’s team members who usually fill orders or prepare Happy Meals volunteering to fill backpacks and serve lunch at the church,” she said. “These young people are our neighbours and all we were doing on the Thursday before school starts is making sure our neighbours are okay, that they have a good time and get a good start to the new school term. We think of it as feeding body and soul.”

St. Andrew’s Kirk, built in 1810, is one of the country’s oldest churches and like others in the historic district, has long anchored the neighbourhood that once boasted a flourishing small business and entertainment economy and in recent years has attracted the attention of those who believe it is ripe for redevelopment and home to rich history.

STUDENTS from Bain and Grants Town pour into the hall at St Andrew’s Kirk, showing off backpacks filled with books, ruler, pens and pencils, making the return to school smoother. They are pictured with (from left) Rochelle Davis, DanBrad Ltd (McDonald’s); Pastor Bryn MacPhail, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk; and Robin Brownrigg, Church Elder.