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BAHA MAR STAFF FUNDS DEPOSITED

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE MONEY allocated to pay Baha Mar workers and unsecured creditors has been deposited by the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), according to Claims Committee Chairman James Smith, who yesterday maintained that non-staff claims will be processed as “pay as you go until you run out�.

SEE PAGE SIX

Man accused of robbery killed by police in shootout A MAN awaiting trial for the robbery of Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis was shot dead by police in Yellow Elder Gardens after 5pm yesterday.

According to a police source, the dead man is Jeffrey “Bongo� King, one of three men facing trial for a robbery at Mr Davis’ home in 2013.

He was on bail at the time.

Police said last night that officers were on routine patrol when, shortly after 5pm, they received information of a group of men gathered on Majors Road, in Yellow Elder Gardens, armed with firearms.

When police arrived, they discovered a group of

JEFFERY “Bongo� King, pictured during a previous court appearance. men standing near some bushes.

On seeing the police, the SEE PAGE SIX

SEARS CONFIDENT OF WIN IN PLP LEADERSHIP RACE

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net   FORMER Attorney General and Progressive Liberal Party candidate for Fort Charlotte Alfred Sears, QC, said he is “more than confident� he will defeat Prime Minister Perry Christie and emerge leader of the PLP at the party’s November convention.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Sears said after meeting with stalwarts and branch executives his

support has grown exponentially and he has been assured that he will be the next leader of the PLP and the country’s next prime minister.

His comments came after he ended his “listening� tour in Abaco over the weekend. Mr Sears said the people he met there were “excited� about his vision and welcomed him warmly, while embracing his change agenda and assuring him of their support.

SEE PAGE THREE

A TEAR from a student yesterday as students at Sadie Curtis Primary School attended a memorial for Marisha Bowen at C W Saunders school auditorium.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

TEARS IN REMEMBRANCE OF MURDERED TEACHER

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net  FAMILY, friends and colleagues of slain Charles W Saunders Baptist School teacher Marisha Bowen yesterday mourned the “untimely and tragic death� of a woman they all hailed as a “great teacher� and “cheerful, fun loving young lady� who was “full of life�.

During a memorial service in Ms Bowen’s honour at the school’s campus on Jean Street, hundreds of stu-

dents, as well as faculty and numerous acquaintances, paid respects to the 35-year-old Guyana native, who they all said captivated her peers and others alike with her “vibrant� personality and “impeccable� sense of style while alive.

However, most, if not all, of those paying tribute to Ms Bowen at the William Thompson auditorium recalled her “beautiful, charming smile� which one individual said “captivated the hearts of all who came in contact with her�.

Ms Bowen, who was pregnant, was

found dead shortly after 8am on Friday, September 9, in her apartment by other tenants of a complex on Red Sea Road, off Sumner Street, suffering from a single wound to the body, according to initial police reports. “The untimely and tragic death of our colleague and friend was a shock to all of us and indeed our hearts are saddened as we mourn her loss,� CW Saunders Principal Dr Shelton Higgs said yesterday. “We will forever miss her candidness and affectionate smile.�

SEE PAGE TWO

PM ASSURES UN OVER BAHAMIAN EFFORTS TO ASSIST REFUGEES

PAIR CHARGED OVER TRIPLE SHOOTING

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday assured the United Nations that The Bahamas was working to best employ international screening guidelines that seek to identify, protect and assist potential refugees and asylum seekers transiting to or through The Bahamas.

TWO men were charged with murder yesterday in connection with a triple shooting that left two men dead and a child in hospital earlier this month.

During the arraignment, the lawyer for one of the SEE PAGE FIVE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

In a speech to the UN’s High Level Meeting to address the large movement of refugees and migrants on Monday, Mr Christie said the phenomenon of large movements of refugees and migrants has reached an unprecedented level of complexity and challenge.

The Centreville MP added that the global consensus on how to deal with the issue has become a matter of

“the most urgent priority�.

While applauding the “heightened� sense of priority that has inspired the current response to the global issue, Mr Christie noted that The Bahamas stands in support of all efforts geared toward developing a “common understanding� on how best to address the matter.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SIX

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 20, 2016

AN EMBRACE for a family member of Marisha Bowen at the memorial service yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

Tears in remembrance of murdered teacher from page one

“The tragic death of our colleague and friend will be hard for us to come to terms with. We will remember her for the beautiful and lovely person she was.”

Michelena Broomes, Ms Bowen’s sister, said yesterday: “I remember her as loving, always smiling … a generous person, industrious, and I could go on. She was always telling me that I’m rather boring, and that I need to loosen up. But that was my sister.”

Eleanor Welch, Ms Bowen’s former teacher who would years later become her colleague in the teaching profession, provided perhaps the most colourful tribute, describing how the two forged a relationship after reuniting in the Bahamas in 2014.

“She was a cheerful, fun loving young lady, who was full of life,” Mrs Welch said.

“Marisha’s smile could light up a room. I mean it was infectious. She made

everyone around her happy. Whether it was a funny joke, her confident attitude or her big smile, she was a delight to be around.

“She was a firm leader.

This was evident in the control she had over her homeroom as well as the classes she taught. She held one-on-one parent conferences with parents and students in her homeroom, to sensitise parents of their children’s behaviour in the class as well as their performance.”

She added: “Ms Bowen was one bold young lady, and told you exactly how she felt, regardless of your age, your position, or your nationality. She was kind and helpful, always ready to lend a helping hand to her colleagues and friends.”

According to Mrs Welch, Ms Bowen was a “determined young lady” and a “go-getter,” and was actively involved in a number of civic organisations in her homeland, such as the Guyana Youth and Student Movement, and locally, the

STUDENTS attending the memorial service.

Guyana Bahamas Association, in which she served as secretary up until the time of her death.

As such, Vilbert Williams, the Guyana Bahamas Association president, said the group is “profoundly saddened” by the teacher’s death.

“She had the brilliant, radiant smile, that kind of personality that drew you in and kept you there,” he said. “She took on responsibilities; she was the secretary of our association.

But she had brilliant ideas, and I dare say that the association will struggle now to meet these ideas that she had without her guidance and leadership.

“But she was striving, always seeking to improve herself, and that is something that we’ve really, really, come to respect. The Guyana Bahamas Association is and will be better because of Marisha’s involvement.”

Ms Bowen taught at C W Saunders Baptist School from 2014.

TEARS from family members of Marisha Bowen yesterday.

MEMBERS of the C W Saunders Teachers choir singing at the memorial service.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, PAGE 3

Roberts dismisses poll, and says Bahamians back Christie

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS are pleased with the leadership of Prime Minister Perry Christie, insisted PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday, as he dismissed a recent survey that pegged FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as the most favourable political figure over nearly a dozen other politicians in the country, including the nation’s leader.

This new survey also claimed that the results showed PLP leadership challenger attorney Alfred Sears to be more preferred than Mr Christie and marks Mr Christie as one of the least favoured figures, according to a local daily.

Pointing to polling done before the June 7 equality referendum carried out by

Public Domain, the administrator of the poll, Mr Roberts insisted: “They have a long way to go before they can gain my credibility”.

He was referring to a March survey conducted by the company, which specialises in customised market and opinion research services, where 1,003 Bahamians were polled. The results showed strong support for each of the four referendum bills. Ultimately, all of the four questions of the referendum were overwhelmingly rejected.

Mr Roberts said: “We are talking about a poll by the same people who conducted the poll on gender equality. They said the bills would pass, but we know what the results of that referendum were.

“If they could be that far off base, then I conclude that they have some ways to

go to reach some level of respect in my books. They are lacking credibility.”

Asked if he believed Bahamians were pleased with the PLP government, Mr Roberts said it was easy to judge by the turn out of supporters at his party’s events when compared to those of the FNM. “When the PLP has its nominations (of candidates), we have large numbers of people, a lot of whom are young people.

When you look at those attending the FNM events they often have less than we do.

“I do think that people are pleased with the work that Mr Christie has done. In 2012 we were in an economic wheelchair.

The government has been able to use its influence in working to resolve the Baha Mar situation. Unemployment numbers will

drop with that.”

According to the results published in The Nassau Guardian yesterday, respondents were asked to state, on a 10-point scale, whether they believed certain public figures would make a good prime minister.

Although there seemed to be low support for each of the 11 personalities presented in the survey taken by 1,000 people, Dr Minnis edged all others out with highest mean score of 5.1.

Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney were next, both collecting an average of 4.9, the survey results said.

Mr Sears, who is also the PLPs Fort Charlotte candidate, West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell and United

Democratic Party (UDP) Leader Greg Moss all followed closely behind with scores of 4.8, 4.7, 4.6 and 4.4 respectively.

In the lower rung of averages was Mr Christie with 4.3, Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald with 4.2, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis at 4.1 and former FNM Senator John Bostwick with an average of 3.7.

Earlier this year in March, Public Domain conducted a poll of 1,003 Bahamians on the controversial equality referendum.

Of the sample group, 76 per cent said they would support bill one, which sought to allow a child born outside of this country to become a citizen at the time of birth if either their father or mother was a citizen of the Bahamas by birth.

Bill two would have allowed a Bahamian woman

SEARS CONFIDENT OF WIN IN PLP LEADERSHIP RACE from page one

He said the stalwarts expressed a concern about a lack of sustained engagement by the PLP other than at election time and the need to ensure that the constitutional structure of the party is operational.

“I was very, very well received, without a doubt my support is growing. I am more confident that I will win, there is no question,” Mr Sears said.

“I am more encouraged and inspired after speaking with those on the ground.

There is a concern among the stalwarts that the party needs new vision and there needs to be more respect shown to them and the democratic structures of the party. They feel as though there is no formal mechanism to keep the leadership accountable and make any input in the direction of the party. So I assured them that I will engage them regularly and put the structure

in place that is needed.”

Last week, two senior Progressive PLP Cabinet ministers told The Tribune they were certain that Mr Christie will emerge undefeated at the convention.

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister V Alfred Gray insisted that the prime minister was “entrenched” in the party’s top post and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said while it is good for people to see democracy at work during the convention where all posts will be open for challenge, she was “quite sure” and “firm” that Mr Christie will win hands down.

In response to those who doubt his ability to win, Mr Sears said: “It is not what they say, it is what I will do.

I am not concerned about the noise in the market. I will win.

“It is not what people say, it is what the constitution requires. Every position is vacant at the convention and so anyone who wants to vie for leadership, the constitu-

ALFRED Sears and his wife, Marion Bethel, with Patrick Bethel in Abaco. tion gives them that right. challenge Mr Christie.

The upcoming convenIf those people want to put their ideas forward and let tion will be the first the the councillors weigh in then PLP has held since 2009, although the party’s constituthat is also their right.”

So far, only Mr Sears has tion mandates that such an announced his intent to event be held every year.

BETTY Albury hugs Alfred Sears in Abaco.

JEFFREY Cooper and stalwart Sam Carter support Alfred Sears in Abaco.

married to a foreign man the right to secure for her husband the same access to Bahamian citizenship as a Bahamian male has in relation to his foreign wife.

On this proposed constitutional change, 57 per cent of those surveyed said they would support it.

Bill three, which sought to grant any unmarried Bahamian man the right to pass on his Bahamian citizenship to any child he fathers with a foreign woman with proof of paternity, got 78 per cent, according to the poll.

Bill four, which was regarded as the most controversial, sought to prevent discrimination of any type based on sex – being defined as being born male or born female.

The results found that 68 per cent of the likely voters said they would support this.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 20, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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Three ways Trump could abandon Paris Climate Pact THE possibility that a climate science denier could soon become America’s president is serving as an urgent motivator for diplomats gathering in New York this week for United Nations meetings.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has called climate change a “hoax” and said that as president he would “cancel” the UN’s new climate pact, the Paris agreement, which was finalized last December.

If enough countries join the US, China and Brazil in formally committing to join the pact this year, it’s been reported that the pact would become “Trump-proof.”

Legal experts, however, say a Trump administration would have several options for abandoning the agreement during its first term, which would severely jeopardize its potential to succeed.

Global unity to tackle climate change was found between nearly 200 countries in December during the crucial treaty negotiations in Paris, influenced by the leaders of the US and China, which are the world’s biggest greenhouse gas polluters.

Under the Paris agreement, countries volunteer to take steps to reduce their impacts on the climate beginning in 2020.

The US has pledged to reduce its pollution levels in 2025 to 26 per cent below its 2005 levels, largely by switching away from burning coal for electricity.

Future talks are designed to see national pledges improved, with the goal of keeping warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial times. The earth’s surface has already warmed a little more than half that amount since then, and concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse pollution are rising at a steady rate. Every month since the deal was struck has broken a global temperature record. Rising temperatures are worsening floods, fires, heat waves and other disasters.

The vulnerability of the climate pact shows efforts to curb warming’s impacts remain beholden to the whims of elections and personalities. More than a year of campaigning has shown there are few personalities in politics larger and less predictable than Trump’s. As president, Trump couldn’t “cancel” the Paris agreement, but he would have at least three options for walking America away from it.

If elected president, legal precedent and a careful reading of Article 28 in the Paris agreement indicate he would have the power to formally withdraw the US from it as soon as a year after it takes effect by abandoning a 1992 treaty — without any need for lawmaker approval.

A second option, which would be slower but somewhat less confrontational, could see Trump wait until the end of his first term before taking advantage of a provision in the agreement that would let him yank America from the pact.

The third option may be the easiest of all. Even without withdrawing formally, a Trump administration could undermine the agreement by abandoning rules, incentives and programmes designed to reduce pollution, preventing the US from living up to its new commitments to the climate. Trump has said he would eliminate the EPA, which oversees many of those rules and programmes.

While the Paris pact fails to require the types of aggressive actions needed to safely slow global warming, it is nonetheless considered a landmark political achievement.

If the “US or any large country walks away from the agreement,” said Harjeet Singh, an ActionAid official based in India, where he works on international climate issues, it would represent an “epic

failure” to not build on what had been a “huge political feat”.

If the Paris agreement takes effect before the presidential inauguration in January, here’s a look at the three most likely options a Trump administration may pursue for stepping away from it: The Passive Option If the US withdrew from the Paris agreement, the diplomatic blowback could dwarf the global imbroglio that followed President George W. Bush’s 2001 announcement that he wouldn’t implement the Kyoto protocol, which was ultimately a failure.

“The pushback would be greater,” said Dale Jamieson, a New York University environmental studies and philosophy professor who has tracked global climate diplomacy for years. “Since Paris doesn’t commit people to much of anything anyway, it would be stupid beyond belief for him to withdraw — and there wouldn’t be much reason for people to try to save it.”

Instead of withdrawing formally, Trump as president could simply disassemble environmental regulations and undermine national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Harvard professor Robert Stavins said that and other measures could “all but ensure” that America would fail to live up to its commitments under the Paris agreement.

The Slow Option There’s a more deliberate path that Trump could take to extract America from the pact, but it would require waiting until the end of what would be his first term.

The agreement says countries must wait at least three years after formally joining the agreement before they can file paperwork needed to withdraw from it, followed by an additional one-year wait.

Obama filed paperwork with the UN this month indicating the US is ready to join the Paris agreement. Once at least 55 countries, responsible for at least 55 per cent of greenhouse gas pollution, have filed similar paperwork the Paris agreement will take effect and those 55 or more countries will join.

It currently seems likely that the agreement will take effect before the January inauguration of America’s 45th president. By Monday morning 28 countries had submitted their paperwork, and more filings are expected this week as the UN holds annual meetings in New York.

The Aggressive Option By invoking a little-noticed provision of the Paris agreement, legal experts point out the four-year waiting period could be cut to one year by withdrawing the US from a 1992 climate treaty.

When Obama formally signed onto the Paris agreement this month, he didn’t need Senate approval to do so. That’s because it’s consistent with existing laws and agreements — most notably the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international treaty.

The Paris agreement states that any country that withdraws from the 1992 treaty “shall be considered as also having withdrawn” from the agreement.

“If the US withdrew from or undermined the Paris agreement, reprisals from other countries may be sharp — but they would probably be indirect.

“What are the other countries going to do to retaliate? Emit more greenhouse gas emissions? Of course not,” Michael Wara, an environmental expert at Stanford said. “But it would mean that when we need their help to achieve some other diplomatic objective, they would trust our promises much less.”

Bank choices Tribune business - Central bank wants to reduce cash based transactions EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS appreciated that Mr Rolle has been left with a half baked chicken but he was in Finance Ministry when the Government

double-crossed the people on gambling.

Didn’t anyone even think to discuss this with the Clearing Banks Association first? We gotta get over this notion that we are the entire world and answer to no one. Shouldn’t a government be expected to be a little circumspect with its de-

cision-making and choices?

We may destroy Correspondent Banking across the Caribbean because of our poor choices. When Bank of Bahamas is right then everyone else is wrong?

MONKEEDOO Nassau, September 12, 2016.

The political currency of Butler-Turner EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE fall out from the letter that was supposed to have been delivered to the Governor General expressing displeasure and lack of confidence in Hubert Minnis, leader of the FNM by the six FNM members of parliament, has begun in earnest.

Many speculated that the six members who expressed their displeasure would never be nominated again under Hubert Minnis.

There has been wide speculation and many indications that the present list of sitting members of parliament will be gutted.

Well Neko Grant didn’t wait for his waterloo, therefore announcing that he would not be offering himself again.

During and shortly thereafter the last convention, Minnis pretended to be a uniter by announcing that Loretta Butler-Turner didn’t have to worry, because he would make sure she was the standard bearer for Long Island.

Then Theo Neily followed with the same sentiments as Grant and decided to hang up his gloves, preferring to take time with his personal life and family.

At a recent Council meeting, Richard Lightbourne was figuratively brought to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net his knees, humiliated and embarrassed while being stripped of any possibility of a nomination. There was great jubilation with the top brass for emasculation of this senior citizen and thus ignoring his contributions to the party. His only sin was his loyalty to Loretta.

Conversations could be overheard from the top brass bragging how they “mash up” Lightbourne.

Everyone was happy that they achieved their objective. How sad!

It is clear for all to see that the six members who dared to buck the leadership would be ostracised and condemned to the dustbins of political history. But the job is not completed.

Hubert Chipman must wear his helmut, knee pads, chest and back protector, because the long knives are gunning for him next, there is no place to run or hide.

They will create all sorts of propaganda until he buckles.

Minnis did promise Loretta that she would get the nomination, but his most senior advisors are working their fingers to the bone behind the scenes to make sure an independent/FNM

is elected, thus dashing the hopes of Butler-Turner of ever becoming an FNM MP again. Butler-Turner will not have the backing of the party machinery in this upcoming election.

The mission would have then been completed, and that is to get rid of all six.

Butler-Turner would be unwise if she believes that the FNM wanted her anymore, she has already been discarded, it is just a matter of time when they will let her know. But they are holding her at bay so she does not make any other political move. This is not a recipe for winning, the collateral damage would be catastrophic.

Butler-Turner still has invaluable political currency and would be a great asset wherever she went.. Joe Tex had a song that went like this, “If you think no one want her, just kick her out in the street and you will see, someone will have her before you can count one, two, three, yes they will, YES THEY WILL! There is still time for for the chest masters to sit at the table. Now it’s your move.

What a show of unity!

IVOINE W. INGRAHAM Nassau, September 17, 2016.

Govt failures EDITOR, The Tribune.

FINANCIAL Disclosures of elected MPs - Senators... seems to be totally malfunctioning and one must question the why the Chair and the Disclosure Committee is not insisting for compliance with the law?

Rumours say even Cabinet Ministers, after four plus years of this Parliament have not declared their assets since pre-election 2012.

The Chair has a few more months hoping he/she will do what is required to comply with the Law and also publish the declarations.

We have enough “sealing and secrecy”.

The current Auditor General is doing a good job - completing his audit and making his findings public

but there does not seem to be any follow through and an attitude of don’t care is painfully obvious. Monies, millions missing all over the place and nothing done – no Police investigation. All Government seems to do is to go out and purchase a multi-million new system and with a lot of fanfare declare they have resolved the problem!

Sorry the problem still remains and, sorry, Minister, there has to be responsibility.

The totals of missing millions is incredible and an indictment on the Government and especially the Minister. You know start at Public Works, go to Transport, go to Immigration, go to Tourism, go to Agriculture and as they say…

As usual no accountability.

Who gave Ministers the authority to abridge the Law in regards to payment of billed Real Property Taxes - Government Educational Scholarships? No Minister without an amendment of the Law through Parliament has that right, but look what is happening?

Government is brazen, it actually advertises come in and let’s make a deal on your delinquent bills! I wonder how many Ministers and MPs have made a deal? What they should be doing is Listing the delinquent tax payers in a shame and collect process - it worked for that $300,000 property - owner paid up in full in days!

W THOMPSON Nassau, September 18, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, PAGE 5

Bailiffs fail to deliver summons for lawyers in contempt hearing

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A JUDGE yesterday declared that she will not allow two lawyers “to frustrate the process” of a contempt proceeding that had been initiated as a result of their accusations of bias on the part of the judge who is presiding over a judicial review concerning expansion of a property in Lyford Cay. Keod Smith and Derek Ryan were due to appear before Justice Rhonda Bain for a contempt hearing to show cause why they should not be committed to prison concerning a series of affidavits filed by Mr Smith, who was represented by Mr Ryan, in January 2014.

However, they were no shows for both the morning and afternoon sessions of court.

Notices to Show Cause were issued by the Supreme Court last month - August 18 - addressed to both men.

The same had also been sent to Elliot Lockhart, QC, who represents both lawyers in the contempt matter.

It was revealed by Justice Bain in yesterday’s morning session of court that “despite numerous attempts by the bailiff, the court was unable to effect service on Keod Smith or Derek Ryan”.

Justice Bain said that specifically in the case of Mr Smith, bailiffs had been denied at his law firm Commercial Law Advocates.

Bailiff Jack Davis filed an affidavit concerning the failed attempts in this regard.

Mr Lockhart was asked about his client’s whereabouts.

“I’ve not seen Mr Keod Smith in two months and I’ve not been to his chambers for the year,” the senior lawyer said.

Concerning Mr Ryan, Mr Lockhart said he received a letter dated September 12 from Dr Jean-Marie G Eugene of the Grema Medical Services, LLC based in Port St Lucie, Florida, indicating that Mr Ryan “has been under my care for the past three months for (a) chronic medical disease”.

“Mr Ryan has to come for frequent office visits for his treatment. Therefore, I forbid him to travel at this time outside the United States of America not to jeopardise his treatment plan,” the letter stressed.

No information was given by the physician with respect to when his patient would be able to travel to the Bahamas for the proceedings.

Fred Smith, QC, who

appears for Save the Bays as a watching brief to the proceedings, said the attorneys should have been present.

“Mr Keod Smith is an officer of the court,” he said.

“He has counsel. Counsel has confirmed both of his clients for scheduled hearings. I simply say the whole recusal process initiated by Keod Smith was found to be answerable and called on by the court to show cause why they should not be committed.”

“These judicial review proceedings have been held up by Mr Smith. The time has come for the court to take some strong action for him to make himself available to the court.”

As for Mr Ryan, Fred Smith added that the letter should have been made available at an earlier opportunity.

Justice Bain adjourned the proceedings to 2.30pm to consider the next step.

When the matter resumed, both lawyers were still absent and Justice Bain made a decision.

“As this is a matter for Keod Smith and Derek Ryan to show cause why they should not be cited for contempt and committed to prison, it is imperative for Keod Smith and Derek Ryan to be personally served and for them to be present in court to show cause,” the judge said.

“Nevertheless, the court will not allow Keod Smith and Derek Ryan to frustrate the process. The court adjourns this matter to a date to enable the court to make further effort to serve Keod Smith and Derek Ryan. If the court is unsuccessful with effecting service on Keod Smith and Derek Ryan on the return date, the court will then make an order of substituted service,” Justice Bain stressed.

The two lawyers will now have until October 12 to voluntarily make themselves available for service or the documents are indirectly served by other court-approved means.

A ruling concerning a site visit to Nygard Cay has been adjourned to Wednesday, September 21.

Justice Bain is presiding over the judicial review filed by the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay which is challenging an application by Peter Nygard to further develop his premises in Lyford Cay and gain a lease for Crown land reclaimed from the sea.

Fred Smith, lead counsel for the environmental group, alleges that over the last 30 years, Nygard Cay has nearly doubled in size

as a result of construction work undertaken without the appropriate permits and in a manner that had caused significant damage to the surrounding environment of Clifton Bay. In January 2014, Keod Smith filed a series of affidavits claiming that Justice Bain should recuse herself from a judicial review proceeding as she had allegedly made a series of decisions based on her affiliation with the Free National Movement.

Ten months later, Keod Smith attempted to withdraw the applications for the recusal, notwithstanding a section of an affidavit filed in January entitled “Justice Bain, who is she?”

He alleged the judge once worked under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, that she was appointed to a high-ranking position in the Attorney General’s Office because of her ties to the FNM and that her two sons were fathered by a person he claimed is a close friend and advisor to Mr Ingraham.

Keod Smith also claimed that Justice Bain had made several rulings in favour of Fred Smith, who in the past had been affiliated with the FNM, and “can only be explained as coming about as a result of her bias.”

Justice Bain, in December 2014, found Keod Smith guilty of contempt for the “scandalising” affidavits he had filed which undermined the integrity of the judge and the judicial system. His then lawyer, Mr Ryan, was also informed that he “cannot escape liability” for the affidavits.

At a contempt hearing a month later, Mr Lockhart appeared for Keod Smith, a former Progressive Liberal Party MP, and expressed his reservations about the proceedings and argued that the court had already arrived at a determination without first considering any evidence to refute the pair of contempt.

The judge ruled, after a hearing in March 2015, that the court would proceed with notice against the attorney to show cause why he should not be committed to prison.

However, the judge stayed contempt proceedings pending the outcome of Keod Smith’s application before the Court of Appeal.

In January of this year, Mr Lockhart was unable to convince appellate court judges that his client’s appeal was not premature and Mr Smith’s appeal was dismissed.

Mr Smith represented the Mount Moriah area from 2002 to 2007.

PAIR CHARGED OVER TRIPLE SHOOTING from page one

accused complained to a magistrate that his client had allegedly received death threats from prison inmates.

In the arraignment before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes, Quentino Carey, 23, through his lawyer Bernard Ferguson - said he had received death threats from inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Chief Magistrate Forbes made a note of the complaint and said he would speak with the Commissioner of Prisons about Carey’s security while he awaited trial for the deaths of Mackenzie Telusnord and Mark Davis in Peardale.

Carey and co-accused 19-year-old Jakota Johnson faced two counts of murder and a charge of attempted murder after they were escorted into the Nassau and South Streets court complex by armed police officers.

The murder charges fall under Section 291 (1)(B) of the Penal Code, meaning the accused will not face the discretionary death penalty if a conviction is reached at the end of trial in Supreme Court.

It is alleged that the pair,

JAKOTA JOHNSON, left, aged 19, and Cuentino Carey, aged 23, who are charged with the murder of two men and the attempted murder of a young boy in Peardale.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff being concerned together on September 13, caused the deaths of Telusnord and Davis.

It was further alleged that they attempted to cause the death of eight-year-old Avanti Morley.

According to initial reports, shortly after 7pm, a group of men were standing outside a home when three individuals emerged from nearby bushes all with handguns and opened fire into the crowd.

Telusnord and Davis were struck about the body along with young Avanti, who was also shot. Telusnord died at

the scene while Davis died of his injuries in hospital three hours later.

The accused were not required to enter a plea to the charge and were told that their case would be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court on October 24.

Before they were remanded to prison without bail, Mr Ferguson also requested that his client be seen by a physician because of an ongoing medical condition. The court said it would make a note of it.

Johnson was not represented in his arraignment and offered no complaints.

ALISTER WILLIAMS, 30, who is charged with killing Marisha Bowen.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF SLITTING TEACHER’S THROAT FACES COURT

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was arraigned yesterday in connection with the September 9 killing of schoolteacher Marisha Bowen.

Alister Williams, 30, stood before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes for the murder of Ms Bowen, a native of Guyana who had taught at Charles W Saunders Baptist School since 2014.

She was found lifeless with a slit throat shortly after 8am on the day in question in her apartment by other tenants of a complex on Read Sea Road, off

Sumner Street, according to initial reports. She was also pregnant.

Williams was told that he would not be allowed to enter a plea to the charge until he is formally arraigned before a judge in the Supreme Court.

He is also set to return to Magistrate’s Court on October 24 for a presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment, which will facilitate the transfer of the case to the higher court.

Before he was remanded to prison to await trial, his lawyer Nathan Smith made allegations that his client “suffered significant injuries while in police custody”.

“Has he been seen by a physician?” the chief magistrate asked.

Mr Smith said no, notwithstanding his request.

Chief Magistrate Forbes made a note for Williams to be seen by a physician at the prison but could not oblige Smith’s subsequent request that his client be detained at the sick bay in the interim.

Williams will have to apply for bail at the Supreme Court if he desires a bond ahead of trial.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 20, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Baha Mar staff funds deposited from page one Mr Smith remained tightlipped over the total of the deposited sum, insisting that such a revelation could impact the quality of the claims submitted to the committee.

“What happens is you deal with the staff and then the other unsecured creditors. The employees are pretty straight forward and are pretty much covered,” Mr Smith said.

“I think at the end of the day most will be satisfied.”

The cheques are expected to cover unpaid salaries, accrued vacation pay, severance pay and payments in lieu of notice for more than 2,000 Baha Mar workers made redundant in October last year.

Payments will be made

by Perfect Luck Claims Ltd, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) that has been created specifically to purchase claims

held by Baha Mar creditors under the terms of CEX IM’s agreement with the Christie administration.

Mr Smith explained that employee payments were clearly accounted for during the $3.5bn mega resort’s liquidation proceedings; however, he could not confirm how claims from the remaining unsecured creditors will be processed.

He maintained that the committee was on track to begin the payout process on

September 27.

On that day, the Claims Committee will begin to issue cheques to employees through an alphabetically ordered system. Employees with last names beginning with the letters A through F will collect payments on September 27, those with last names beginning with the letters G through O will collect their cheques on September 28, and last names beginning with the letters P through Z will collect

their cheques on September 29 from the Crystal Palace Training Hotel, Casino Entrance.

Earlier this month, Mr Smith explained that creditors who are owed up to half a million dollars will likely be paid in full, whereas the amount of money paid to those owed more than that will depend on how many eligible creditors come forward with claims.

Employees and those owed up to $500,000 ac-

count for 90 to 95 per cent of all people and creditors owed money, Mr Smith said.

The deadline for submissions to the committee of claims and supporting documents regarding debt owed by Baha Mar is September 30. Claims are to be submitted by email at info@ claimspv.net or in hard copy to Charlene Paul at the Baha Mar Office at the Crystal Palace Casino. The form is available at http:// claimsspv.net/.

THE BODY of the man shot dead by police is removed from the scene yesterday.

DEPUTY PM RAID SUSPECT SHOT DEAD from page one

men reportedly opened fire on officers immediately.

A police spokesman said: “The officers, in fear of their lives, returned fire, fatally shooting one of the men.”

The other suspects fled on foot.

The suspect shot by police was pronounced dead

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at the scene.

Police also said they recovered a handgun from the suspect and, after a search of the immediate area, found a magazine with a quantity of ammunition.

Officers also confirmed that he was being electronically monitored while on bail for a number of serious offences.

The coroner, Andrew Forbes, visited the scene

and is now investigating the circumstances that led to the man’s death.

King, Tyrone Knowles, both 25, and 21-year-old Marc McCartney were due to return to court on September 26 for a status hearing concerning the case.

King and the other two accused men had previously denied any involvement in the 2013 robbery.

They were accused of robbing Mr Davis of jewellery worth $93,000, a jewellery box worth $200, Baraka gold jewellery worth $700, an opal top wallet worth $450, a Royal Bank of Canada credit card and a driver’s license worth $15.

The three were also accused of robbing Mr Davis’ wife, Ann Marie Davis, of $2,953, and Wilberforce

Seymour of $10. Mr Davis was acting prime minister at the time of the incident as Prime Minister Perry Christie was out of the country.

On September 10, an armed robbery suspect who was shot by police during an exchange of gunfire shortly after allegedly committing an armed robbery on August 16, 2015, died in hospital, po-

lice said.

Two other suspects were shot and killed during this encounter with police. All three suspects were shot after they led police on a high-speed chase in a vehicle taken during an armed robbery, police said, adding that two illegal handguns were recovered from the suspects during this incident.

PM ASSURES UN OVER BAHAMIAN EFFORTS TO ASSIST REFUGEES from page one

9/9/16 6:27 PM

To that end, Mr Christie said The Bahamas remains in line with regulations put

forth by the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with a view to adequately screen migrants to determine whether they are at risk of persecution in their country of origin.

Mr Christie also indicated that local immigration officials are receiving ongoing training in this regard.

As it relates to the specific protection of and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in The Bahamas, all interdicted migrants seeking asylum, it is claimed that they are interviewed by immigration officers trained by the UNHCR. Moreover, he indicated that the government of The Bahamas and the UNHCR have engaged in regular dialogue, enabling any national asylum assessments to be shared with the UNHCR and, where necessary, advisory opinions are requested.

Similarly, he said, the Bahamas cooperates with the International Organisation of Migrants with whom it has a memorandum of understanding.

Mr Christie encouraged those in attendance to be mindful of positive contributions that can sometimes flow out of aspects of migration.

Mr Christie said the islands of the Bahamas have grown more aware of the good that can derive from migration.

He said: “Indeed regular migration yields considerable benefits to both sending and receiving countries. Such benefits include: economic development, cultural crossfertilisation, and the promotion of state-to-state cooperation in the management of matters of common concern.

“At the same time, however, it is imperative that we move in earnest towards the development of a comprehensive approach to irregular migration, especially focusing on the underlying causes that motivate so many persons to resort to desperate and dangerous measures in search of better opportunities in other countries,” Mr Christie said.

Mr Christie said The Bahamas, as both a transit and receiving country, continues to represent an unusual model for migratory movement and its impact.

“As a porous, archipelagic nation situated in close proximity to both source and destination countries, The Bahamas continues to experience large mixed migration from within, and outside, of the region,” he said.

“While our history clearly demonstrates, as I have already indicated, the value that can accrue from the many and varied contributions of documented migrants, we are still challenged by the disproportionately large and continual influx of undocumented migrants, the majority of whom arrive from regional source countries,” added Mr Christie.

“In this regard, our immigration policies are designed to best protect the national security interests and social welfare of The Bahamas, while respecting the human rights and dignity of migrants and refugees. The Bahamas is fully committed to the implementation and promotion of migrant-related mandates of international and regional agreement, to which it is a state party.”

Mr Christie said successive governments in The Bahamas have enacted legislative and policy measures aimed at providing protection and support to regular and irregular migrants alike, including refugees, entering the country.

He noted that the country has historically provided free public healthcare and education to all persons within the country, irrespective of status; in addition to the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Bahamas’ Constitution that are extended to all “persons”, not just citizens and regularised migrants.

“We also have regulations to facilitate the orderly and expeditious processing of detained migrants and to ensure their protection while in detention. The Bahamas also continues its practice of non-custodial arrangements for eligible irregular migrants, including minors and those persons protected under relevant legislation and regulatory guidelines.

“While The Bahamas does receive a disproportionately high number of undocumented, non-asylum seeking migrants, our interdiction and immigration forces are cognisant that vulnerable persons may sometimes be included in migratory inflows.”

Governments of 193 countries on Monday adopted key commitments to enhance protection for refugees forcibly displaced. The ongoing summit convened earlier this year at the opening session of the UN General Assembly. The summit’s declaration urges countries to work closely together to aid and connect those displaced by unrest and uncertainty.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, PAGE 7

GENERAL MEETING TO DISCUSS SITUATION OVER CLICO PAYMENTS

ALL persons affected by the CLICO (Bahamas) debacle are invited to attend a general meeting at New Covenant Baptist Church on the East West Highway on Sunday.

The meeting will start at 5.30pm.

Last week, Bishop Simeon Hall, pastor emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church, said he would hold a mass meeting with policyholders if the government did not resolve the matter

this month.

This is notwithstanding a previous promise by CLICO (Bahamas) officials that “financial bonds” would be distributed within a “few months” after March, when a collective $16m payout was issued to victims, Bishop Hall said.

In March, Prime Minister Perry Christie promised that a collective $16m cash payout would be issued to victims of the CLICO situation before the end of that month.

In announcing the payout plan during the mid-year budget debate, Mr Christie said the insolvent insurer’s executive flexible premium annuity (EPPA) holders, and surrendered pension policies, would receive a cash payment capped at $10,000.

Anything owed above that sum would be paid off via the issuance to former clients of seven-year promissory notes (government bonds), which will provide them with quarterly insur-

ance payments at the prime rate (4.75 per cent).

“Our call today is to call on CLICO (Bahamas) to give more information,” Bishop Hall said last week.

“In the absence of information people make their own conclusions. The conclusions might be wrong because of a lack of information. We commend the government for bringing it so far, but this so far isn’t good enough. We are calling on CLICO and the gov-

ernment to let’s bring resolution to this debacle called CLICO. “Only in The Bahamas could this have happened.

Were we in the United States, all the policyholders would be financially set right now.

“This ought not to have happened under (anybody’s) watch. And people have been disadvantaged after paying years of monies into CLICO and now they’re without any returns.

“The promise of returns, the promise of this thing being ameliorated has gone too far, almost eight years, and we’re calling on them to bring resolution to this.”

In April, The Tribune reported how the relief originally expressed by many CLICO policyholders at the time of the payouts had subsequently turned to frustration, as some owed in excess of $100,000 had been offered at best $10,000 in compensation.

Call for privilege committee to await court ruling

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net OPPOSITION MPs of the House of Assembly’s Committee on Privilege have been advised to request that the probe into Justice Indra Charles’ ruling on the limits of parliamentary privilege be adjourned until the matter is no longer before the courts.

According to a wellplaced source who did not want to be named, the decision was made after careful review of “Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice,” as local rules were silent on the issue.

“I’ve looked at the law and procedure on that and there’s nothing in the House of Assembly rules but there is a lot in May’s Parliamentary Practice 24,” the source said.

“When local rules are silent on the issue, May’s Parliamentary Practice will be imported and applied not just in the practice of the House so far as it relates to how it is regulated by the speaker, but of conduct of proceedings in any given committee.”

Erskine May’s Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings and Usage of Parliament - first published in 1844 - is considered to be the most authoritative and influential work on parliamentary procedure and British constitutional convention.

The source added: “So far as it relates to the Committee on Privilege, any complaint relating to Save The Bays insofar as a complaint that has been made or lodged by Ministers Fitzgerald and Mitchell against Charles, Smith and Bethell that arises in relation to litigation which is still running its way through the appellate process of our court system, I’ve advised the FNM members that they should apply on basis of sub judice rule to stay that matter until after the appellate process has run its course.”

In May, Justice Indra Charles ruled that Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald infringed on constitutional rights when he tabled the private e-mails of Save The Bays in Parliament, and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege. Justice Charles ordered Mr Fitzgerald to pay $150,000 in damages for the breach, and granted a permanent injunction barring parliamentarians from accessing or making public the personal information of the non-profit organisation, Save The Bays.

In Parliament, Mr Fitzgerald moved a resolution for the House Committee on Privilege to determine whether Justice Charles, STB Director Fred Smith, QC, and lawyer Ferron Bethell should be held in contempt of the House of Assembly.

Last week, Mr Fitzgerald

filed an appeal to have Justice Charles’ ruling overturned, raising speculation of whether there would be a conflict now that the matter was now under judicial consideration.

The parliamentary committee members are Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes, chairman, Sea Breeze MP Hope Strachan, North Abaco MP Renardo Curry - who all represent the governing party - and opposition members Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner.

The committee is expected to meet Tuesday, ahead of its first public hearing on Thursday, to finalise its agenda and refine its scope.

“We have a number of things on the agenda once we’ve done our final run through tomorrow (Tuesday) or sometime before Thursday, we will meet and make some decisions,” Mr Forbes said.

The committee’s probe has evoked mixed reaction from the legal community, with some calling the move an affront to the separation of powers while others contend that the exercise reinforces the division of the three arms of government.

Former Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett, in an article published in The Nassau Guardian yesterday, called the defiant response of Mr Fitzgerald to the landmark ruling alarming and regrettable. He called the suggestion that Justice Charles could be summoned to Parliament to defend her judgment an “affront to the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary”. Speaking at the Eugene Dupuch Law School’s graduation ceremony, Sir Michael appealed for the judiciary to be vigilant in monitoring the committee’s work.

Yesterday, Bahamas Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson called Prime Minister Perry Christie to “settle the House”, expressing distate for the actions of parliamentarians towards Justice Charles’ ruling.

Expressing support for Sir Michael’s comments, Mr Johnson said the committee’s probe was “nonsense”, pointing out that the responsible response to a dissatisfactory ruling is to seek appeal and not to undermine, or make a mockery of, the legal system.

“To go and say that you will call a judge to explain what she did,” Mr Johnson said, “that is crazy, dictators do that. [Dictators] who have no appreciation for the rule of law.”

Mr Johnson spoke to the Tribune from Washington at the annual International Bar Association conference, and said he planned to raise the issue with IBA president David Rivkin.

House Speaker Dr Kendal Major declined comment, stating that he will await the report on the scope of the investigation.

AIMEE and D’Andra Rolle, pictured above and below.

Photos: Shantique Longley

Sisters, heart and Sol

By HADASSAH HALL

D’ANDRA and Aimee Rolle have much in common.

They are sisters. They are both Electrical Installation majors. They both recently landed scholarships. And they are both on their way to becoming linesmen.

They have effervescent personalities, they are articulate, intelligent and focused.

The only thing that makes D’Andra different from Aimee is that she is an amputee who lost her right leg from osteosarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer) at 14. But having one leg has never stopped her from achieving her dreams.

“I want to be a linesman at Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). I want to be on the poles. In one of my classes, we were asked if anyone wanted to be a linesman. Only my sister and my hand went up!” said D’Andra, who recently received a free prosthetic leg from Prosthetic and Orthotic Associates in Orlando, Florida.

The Rolle sisters are enrolled at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). If it were not for Sol Petroleum - local distributors of Esso fuel - and the scholarships they awarded it may not have become a reality.

“I am appreciative,” said D’Andra, 24. “It’s amazing that they believe in me - even in my position. I wouldn’t have this chance without their funding. And we will be trying to make as close to a 4.0 grade point average as possible.”

The Rolle sisters’ interest in the construction trades was sparked when their brother studied Electrical Installation at BTVI. “We read his books and developed a love for it,” said Aimee, the younger sister. “In fact, at our Jehovah’s Witness congregation, we are a part of the Local Design/Construction department, so we have done painting, tiling, jack hammering and more,” she said.

D’Andra chimed in, saying, “Hands on work is exactly for us. In one of my classes, a guy said, ‘Y’all sure this isn’t too much for y’all?’ I asked him, ‘Are you serious?’”

“The worst thing is for someone to tell me I can’t do something. I like a challenge. My one leg has nothing to do with it,” D’Andra, who participated in the Susan G Koman Bahamas

Race for the Cure in January, said.

“Complaining takes so much energy. I am content.

I am at peace with myself.”

Meanwhile, the sisters are in their first semester at BTVI. Each has a $1,500 scholarship from Sol Petroleum that they believe has set them on the pathway to pursuing their dreams.

“I am really grateful,” said Aimee. “The fact that Sol Petroleum gave me a scholarship for a male-dominated field, they clearly see my potential. I would not be able to attend BTVI otherwise. For years, we wanted to come and couldn’t,” said the 23-year-old.

“People think we should be in cosmetology or business. What’s stopping us from being linesmen?” she questioned.

The sisters also spoke of the assistance they are receiving from BTVI’s faculty and staff thus far.

“I feel there is no way you can fail. The instructors are so helpful. And the Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia

Thompson, I am so grateful for her. She has been so supportive,” said D’Andra.

“I stopped the head of construction, Mr Alexander Darville in the parking lot, and he stopped, taking time from what he was doing to help,” Aimee said.

Ms Thompson said it was clear Sol Petroleum has confidence in the institution’s product and that her department continues to play the important function of bridging the gap between those deserving students who want to chase their goals and the donors who have the resources to enable them to do so.

“I see this as only the beginning of many wonderful stories yet to be written in the annals of the history of BTVI. I was merely the conduit through which the donors were able to invest in the lives of these young ladies. I recall the first day they came into my office to apply for scholarship assistance accompanied by their mother and how resolute they were about their decision to enrol. Now when I

see them in their Electrical uniforms with their measuring tapes at their waists, I beam with joy,” she said.

She added that BTVI’s message aligns perfectly with Sol Petroleum’s core values.

“I believe that they see us as a diamond in the rough and are prepared to stick with us through this process of perfection. It says that they believe in the quality of instruction, the calibre of instructors and the exemplary graduates that we produce,” Ms Thompson said.

Additionally, Aimee said they want to use what they learn in the Electrical Installation programme to do volunteer work after hurricanes.

“We want to give back.

People have helped us,” said Aimee.

D’Andra exclaimed: “I got a whole leg free, so who am I to just think about myself!”

Over the past year, 13 BTVI scholars have been awarded $1,500 each by Sol Petroleum, 10 of whom are current students.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Crime and criminal thinking in The Bahamas

THE TRIBUNE

A

T last week’s Free National Movement (FNM) rally, party and Opposition Leader Hubert Minnis suggested that the next general

By NICOLE BURROWS election in The Bahamas, in 2017, will (again) be about recent as June of this year crime, Bahamians, and Ba- was to ‘hang the murderhamians or people living in ous scumbags’ and to hold a The Bahamas who were/are referendum on capital pundirectly affected by crime. ishment should he become Specifically, Minnis said the next Prime Minister of to his pom-pom-wavin’, The Bahamas. For good winin’ followers: “This measure, Minnis threw in election is about Beverly the fact that we probably Wallace-Whitfield, the for- need to put children into mer wife of our founding programmes to teach them father Sir Cecil Wallace- how to solve problems.

Whitfield, who was gagged, Specifically, he said: beaten, and robbed in her “Our aim … is not just to home. This election, FNM, control behaviour, but to is about the school teacher change it by directing their who was brutally murdered (children’s) energies into in her apartment. This elec- positive channels by instition is about the reverend tuting conflict resolution who went to the programmes.”

ATM on a Sunday ‘Crime is a That’s it? That’s morning to get the whole thing. result of a money to put in That is Minnis’ collection and was corrupt way and the FNM’s shot and killed in of thinking, a plan to reduce cold blood.” growing criminal All this dia- corrupt way activity in Nassau/ logue thrown of acting, a The Bahamas. left and right, as corrupt way That is not a it was also flung plan. And if there of doing around by Minis more to the nis in Parliament, business.’ plan, being held but we have yet in secret only for to see Minnis and us to know when we vote his party present their own in 2017, then Minnis is comprehensive, sensible, even more ridiculous than I crime-fighting plan. thought he was.

Minnis, what exactly have What most of our politiwe heard from you about cians - and, for that matter, your plan to reduce crime our people - fail to appreciin The Bahamas, or are you ate is that crime and crimijust politicising the scourge nal thinking is embedded in of crime as your incumbent Bahamian society, and, as government did in 2012? such, it could very easily be Are we meant to trust you, unsolvable. too … to trust that you have Crime is a result of a the answer to the country’s corrupt way of thinking, most vexing, spiralling-be- a corrupt way of acting, a yond-control problem? corrupt way of doing busiThe FNM roasts the ness. There is a corruption Progressive Liberal Party in every crime, such that the (PLP) about not having two are inextricably conthe solutions to a persistent nected. (especially violent) crime Increasing police presproblem, but the FNM ence and further empowerwants to run our country, ing law enforcement is not a with Minnis at the helm, sole answer to the problem a man whose only idea as of crime. Improving the ed-

ucation system is not a sole answer to the problem of crime. Improving economic opportunity is not a sole answer to the problem of crime. These are all helpful things, but unless they’re taken altogether (and, honestly, can they ever be?), they do nothing of consequence to ‘fix’ the crime problem, particularly the issue of proliferating violent crime.

T

o figure out what will diminish crime to an acceptable type or level, you have to consider the two things that cause crime: dysfunctional thinking and desperation, or sometimes both at the same time.

Dysfunctional thinking is quite obviously a result of a poorly educated people, poorly socialised people, or mentally unstable people.

Desperation is a result of lack or poverty, when a person believes that taking something by force is the only resolution to getting what they need or want.

For clarification, poverty may drive a poor person to steal, but not every poor person will steal because there are poor people who are educated and socialised well enough to know that stealing is not the answer to their problem and in fact only creates more problems. And that is where the dysfunction enters the equation ... with those who believe stealing is a legitimate answer to their problem of lack. Further, economic empowerment might reduce lack/poverty, but it does not exempt a person from dysfunctional thinking, i.e, even those who have means or riches still have warped thoughts. In many

DR HUBERT MINNIS, leader of the FNM is pictured giving remarks, at last week’s rally held by the Free National Movement.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff instances, it’s their warped thinking that gave them means.

So, really, if you want to ‘fix’ crime, ie lessen it, you have to address the dysfunction and desperation while enforcing laws on the streets and in the courts.

In Minnis’ rally speech, he gave three examples of crime which included two incidents of theft and one of murder. We’re seeing more of the latter which is telling of the cause of these crimes

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… the real dysfunction of access to opportunity or thoughts afflicting so much reward for nothing, or in of our population. exchange for something.

Somehow, committing But it also includes denymurder is acceptable to a ing opportunity and reward dysfunctional mind, wheth- to someone or a group of er that is the regular condi- people in order to give the tion or a momenadvantage of the tary condition of ‘Disclosure same opportunity that mind. And or reward to anplainly this dysfunction other person or is not aided by identifies the group of people. poor education corrupt or We can stave off that would othcorruption only erwise encour- corruptible, with disclosure, age procedural, by identifying whether it is selfrational analysis conflicts of disclosure or whisof a problem to tle-blowing or anyfind its solution. interest … thing in between.

The dysfunction yet another And now you see is also not helped link to the problem. by poor socialisaDisclosure tion which leads to corruption.’ plainly identifies social marginalithe corrupt or sation and rejection, trans- corruptible, by identifying lating further into a lack of conflicts of interest … yet attention yearned for by of- another link to corruption. fenders who act out in order Political leaders and Bato get that attention. hamians they represent opThen there’s the worst erate under great conflicts case of dysfunctional think- of interest on a daily basis, ing, where a person knows but they don’t see it that exactly what they’re doing way … for them, it’s just and do it anyway for the knowing the right people hell of it. Maybe we can be and knowing who should thankful that we don’t see get the reward. much of the latter (yet) but Your leaders, straight up there is not much resolution to and including one Perry brought to other conditions Gladstone Christie, won’t that lead to crime or crimi- disclose what is required by nal behaviour so that’s not law to be disclosed when it exactly a comfort. is required to be disclosed.

The sad fact is that you That behaviour or response cannot stem crime in this is a fundamental act of corcountry without stemming ruption. You deliberately corruption. deny the system that has If corruption is an abuse been established just to corof entrusted power for pri- rupt it with what you think vate gain, it is easy for us to should be done or what you conclude that this is some- choose to do instead. thing we see and hear of With this being the case, often in Bahamian society. and the inseparable conBut you ask the corrupt if nection of corruption to they think they’re corrupt. crime, do you really expect What answer do you think your Bahamian people to you’ll get? Perhaps you be any better? They will be yourself are corrupt, be- no better until the people cause you accepted some- who lead them are better. thing you shouldn’t have. And from where I sit, that Will you tell on yourself? is a far cry from happening.

Corruption is a way of A synergistic solution is life in The Bahamas. It is required to reduce all crime the replacement for quali- in The Bahamas. It sounds fication and merit. At every extreme, but it is very real: turn someone, somewhere, flush out every bad eleis abusing privilege for ment with one fell swoop, economic benefit for self one drastic action, and start or persons they hold close. again with whatever …

“Cuz you’s my boy I ga look whoever … is left standing. out fa you.” Too often, it Otherwise, you can kiss is the only way things get goodbye the prospect of a done. safer Bahamas.

And this corruption inE-mail: nburrows@ cludes giving someone optribunemedia.net. Facebook portunity, or reward, or and Twitter: @SoPolitiCole.

THE TRIBUNE

Freeport home for NewCo call centre

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NEWCO’s national service call centre will be located in Grand Bahama, creating some 30 new jobs for Bahamians in Freeport, officials of the new mobile service provider announced yesterday.

Additionally, the company now has “full interconnectivity” with the BTC and Cable Bahamas networks for the launch of its mobile service throughout the Bahamas, where it has not yet built its cellular mobile network.

The announcements were made at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, where the Minister, Dr Michael Darville, and Ian Rolle, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, brought brief remarks.

NewCo will initially employ 22 customer care representatives, and another 18 will be brought on board going into 2017. This will bring the staff total to 81 in the Bahamas.

Patricia Thompson, head of human resources, is confident that of the large submission of resumes they find the best Bahamian talent in Grand Bahama.

“We are very excited to be in Grand Bahama over the next two days … engaging in a recruitment exercise to identify and select a customer care team for our national service centre which will be located in Grand Bahama,” she said.

“In addition to providing cutting edge digital communication, customer care is at the core of our business.

Our model is customer-oriented and our commitment is to surpass customer expectations.”

While the announcement of new jobs is good news for Freeport, Damian Blackburn, CEO, revealed the company’s progress to date.

“We are excited to announce that several key milestones occurred last week; two calls were successfully placed using our mobile network - one to BTC and the other to the Cable Bahamas network.

We have full interconnectivity with the other two ex-

NEWCO2015 CEO Damian Blackburn (left) and Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr Michael Darville. isting telecoms network in The Bahamas.”

Mr Blackburn said this is a “critical and necessary achievement” in laying the foundation for the launch of mobile services.

“Our technical teams are hard at work delivering a world class Bahamas-wide system using cutting edge technology,” he added.

In record time, the company has installed 68 cell sites, of which 49 are active and broadcasting the network. These include 46 cell sites in New Providence and 22 completed in Grand Bahama.

With the network built in Freeport and Eight Mile Rock completed, Mr Blackburn indicated that they are moving with the next phase to install more sites in East and West Grand Bahama.

“We are confident we will have the network build to

both sides of the island by end of this year,” he promised.

He said they are expected to meet their roll out coverage at the end of September, and the company is currently mobilising in Abaco.

Mr Blackburn announced that they have also installed backup systems in Freeport that are ready for testing.

“This redundancy system speaks to our core network stability and our unwavering commitment to reliability on our network. With this system in place there will be no system point failure on our core network.

“Our team has also successfully completed testing of voice and SMS platforms with the online charging system. Significant progress was made in terms of installation, integration and testing on several IT platforms,” said the CEO. Mr Blackburn said that

HUNDREDS FLY TO RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Kingdom Partners Global Leadership Conference (KPGLC) 2016 will be held in Freeport, attracting 400 delegates to Grand Bahama from September 29 to October 3.

Delegates from the United States, the Caribbean and Africa are expected to attend the conference at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

The Ministry of Tourism, which promotes religious tourism, supports the event.

Apostle James Sayles, of Texas, will bring the welcome address at the opening in the grand ballroom.

KPGLC is a global leadership training conference that focuses on empowering leaders and positioning them for growth. The theme is “Kingdom Partnering” and participants can expect four days of sessions by led powerful speakers.

There will be several hours of networking with leaders from the United States, the Bahamas, South Africa, Nigeria, India, and more. There will also be nightly services, featuring some of the world’s anointed pastors, praise and worship leaders and bands.

This is expected to provide an economic boost to the Freeport economy, as attendees will take part in activities such as shopping, sightseeing tours and dining at local restaurants.

with Cable Bahamas and NewCo’s combined networks, they intend to make Grand Bahama a better place for investment and enhancing the economy.

“We will bring choice, value, and phenomenal service to the Bahamians people,” he said.

Mr Rolle said the Grand Bahama Port Authority looks forward to all the innovation that will result from this new competition in the mobile market space.

He added that the GBPA plans to introduce a number of initiatives that will lead to Freeport becoming a smart city.

“Telecommunication systems play a very important role in the infrastructure of smart cities. We expect the advent of competition in mobile services will assist and boost economic and social development of (Grand

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, PAGE 9

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS Bahama), and by extension in The Bahamas,” he said.

Dr Darville said the historic liberalisation of the cellular industry is another fulfillment of the Christieled administration.

He said after lengthy negotiations, Cable Bahamas was the successful bidder for the country’s second mobile provider licence.

The minister noted that under the terms of the agreement, Holding Company, a 100 per cent owned Bahamian company, will a have majority interest.

“This is once again a demonstration of government’s commitment and effort to develop and diversify the economy while ensuring the interest of the Bahamian people are protected by putting Bahamians in negotiation capability to do work in the industry,” he said.

CONCERN OVER STATE OF SOUTH BEACH CLINIC

THE Bahamas Doctors’ Union has raised concerns about the state of the South Beach Clinic, claiming that the air-conditioning and ventilation system in the south wing of the facility has been “erratically nonfunctional” for months.

The union claimed public health officials have turned a “blind eye” to the problems.

“The south wing is where ambulatory adult care, chronic non-communicable disease education and dentistry are performed,” the union said in a press release.

“On average, the doctors and the dentists see up to 200 persons per day in the facility, which now places us in a difficult situation and we would like to express our concerns to the powers that be. And one could argue that the last days of summer are upon us, but there is something to be said about basic human comforts.

“This issue is not by any means insignificant either.

This facility is a major thoroughfare for an increasing cross-section of our population that is seeking the care touted in the NHI legislation. This is an issue of healthcare strengthening.”

The union said it has made attempts to follow the proper channels to get the matter resolved, including reaching out to the Ministry of Health, but it is still awaiting resolution on the problem.

“Apart from that there are also the issues of the dentists who have to function without tools - a number of instruments (are) not in place for them to carry out their functions,” the union said. “They too have expressed concerns and have carried their matters to leadership without satisfaction. How long should we tolerate this lack of respect no demonstration of empathy or concerns for the professionals or the Bahamian people? Enough is enough.

“We suggest that the matter is dealt with (and) in the interim patients be directed to the Flamingo Clinic and any other nearby facility.”

117 HAITIAN MIGRANTS DETAINED

BY DEFENCE FORCE NEAR INAGUA ONE HUNDRED and seventeen Haitian migrants were apprehended in the southern Bahamas early yesterday morning by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

While on routine patrol shortly after midnight, RBDF patrol craft HMBS L L Smith, under the command of Acting Lieutenant Commander Stephen Rolle,

boarded and searched a 40-foot white cabin cruiser approximately 61 nautical miles northwest of Mathew Town, Inagua.

A thorough search of the vessel uncovered the 117 migrants - 96 men, 17 women and four children aboard. The migrants were taken aboard the RBDF patrol craft and will be taken

to New Providence, where they will be handed over to immigration officials for further processing.

A total of 190 Haitian migrants have been apprehended in Bahamian waters in less than two weeks by the RBDF. Seventy-three undocumented migrants were apprehended off Abaco on September 8.

READERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING THE NEWS that the Potter’s Cay Dock redevelopment could cost as much as $12m - which prompted complaints from the FNM and DNA - got a lively reaction from readers on tribune242.com.

Observer said: “Do the calculation, Mr. Peter Turnquest. The budget is subject to the work that is necessary to rehabilitate that very important facility. Or perhaps Peter is not aware that more than 90% of shipments made to the family islands from Nassau are sent out through the Potter’s Cay dock; then passengers

and shipments coming into New Providence from the family of islands are landed at the Potter’s Cay Dock.

Also safety and security are paramount elements that must be in place, Peter has to broaden his perspective beyond the boundaries of the FNM.” Sheeprunner12 wasn’t happy with the govern-

ment’s spending: “Public Accounts Committee has been on vacation for the entire 2012-15 term . . . and the PLP is having a fieldday just wasting and teefing our money . . . Do we need the IMF to come in and audit our government’s Treasury before they finally seal our financial coffin???”

Birdiestrachan had this to say: “The place looks great the FNM and DNA do not like this sort of thing. They can easily examine the books and wish the people who will benefit well.”

Jus2cents wanted information on the contracts for

the redevelopment: “Getting as much money possible spent on ‘projects’ before the election! Wink, Wink!

Same old modus operandi . . . yep, we know what this is all about! Ministry of Transport and Aviation and Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources should do a full and open accounting explanation on who got the contracts, how much the contract won the bid for, etc. This should be public info anyway.”

And there was a mixed response to the news that the FNM is planning to ratify businessman Dionisio

D’Aguilar in the Montagu constituency.

Well_mudda_take_sic said: “Geeezz! What did the poor people of Montagu do to deserve such a lousy candidate? The FNM has in recent general elections taken the Montagu constituency for granted . . . a safe seat that any bozo running on the FNM ticket could win; especially one who would not stand a chance of being elected in just about every other constituency.”

But Jus2cents thought Mr D’Aguilar would be a good choice: “Thank you, Mr D’Aguilar. About time we

had a young, bright mind representing! Truly hardworking businessman (not another lawyer) who puts his own home and cell number on the wall of all his 24 hour operation businesses.

A very well educated man with a deep understanding of the nation’s problems, he is in touch with grass root people on a daily basis. He also understands business and politics he will be a great asset for this nation, he knows how to get things done.”

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

PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 20, 2016

CHOPRA TO SPEAK AT WELLNESS EVENT AT ATLANTIS

ATLANTIC Medical will host a free wellness event, “A morning with Deepak Chopra,” on Saturday, October 8, at the Imperial Ballroom in Atlantis, Paradise Island.

The event will start at 10am.

Dr Deepak Chopra is a renowned global personality in addition to being a physician, and bestselling author of over 80 books, he is a public speaker. He is the co-founder and chairman of the Board for the Chopra Foundation that is dedicated to improving health and wellbeing, cultivating spiritual knowledge, expanding consciousness, and promoting world peace to all members of the human family.

“Our overall wellbeing is the most crucial way to influence the future of not only us as individuals, but to us as a society, as a nation and the world,” said Dr Chopra in a press release.

At the event, he will discuss areas of mediation, proper rest and the importance of exercise in your daily life along with other areas of relationships.

“What I have learned now about exercises, you have to keep moving all day and that should not be sedentary for more than one hour at any time during the day,” he said. “If you walk 10,000 steps in addition to doing some light mind body integration process like yoga or breathing then you achieve a lot.”

Dr Chopra said he wants persons in attendance to leave with “a measure of hope and how they can have a healthy energetic body, a loving compassionate heart, reflective and alert mind and a likeness of spirit.”

He recently released a new book titled “Radical Beauty” that discusses how to transform yourself from the inside-out, internal and external nourishment, primal beauty, balancing your biological rhythms, spiritual beauty and nutrition.

For more information visit the Colonial Group website and register online at www.cgigroup.com.

THE TRIBUNE

News website backs annual race weekend FOR the second year in a row, TheBahamasWeekly.com has signed on as a Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend (SIRW) sponsor.

The news and events portal, which claims an average of 1,000,000 page views per month, will help Race Weekend - which includes the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure and Marathon Bahamas to expand its global reach.

Race Weekend, which takes place on January 14-15, 2017 - remains the premier sporting event in the country, attracting elite athletes from all over the world and boosting tourism numbers during the traditional slow period.

Robbin Whachell, editor/ co-founder of TheBahamasWeekly.com, said: “It has been exciting to see the growth of sports tourism in the Bahamas, and Marathon Bahamas has been one of the events leading the way. Not only does Race Weekend attract visitors to the country, but it encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.”

The two-day event coincides with the United States’ Martin Luther King Jr holiday, giving North Americans an opportunity to race in the Bahamian sunshine and escape the winter weather.

Marathon Bahamas, a

HONORARY Chair of the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure Willie Moss (left) with TheBahamasWeekly.com Webmaster/ Administrator David Mackey and Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend Marketing Co-ordinator and PR Chair Rogan Smith.

Tourism Impact Award winner, has been named as one of the top 50 races in the world outside the UK by ‘Runner’s World UK’ magazine.

The Susan G Komen Bahamas event is a community effort that brings awareness to the cancer fight and raises money for the cause. Race Weekend

will donate 100 per cent of the net proceeds from the two-day event to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation and Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group.

Sponsors for the SIRW include Sunshine Insur-

ance, the Ministry of Tourism, Atlantis, FOCOL, BTC, Arawak Homes, NAD, Royal Star Assurance, Bahamas Waste, Pharmachem Technologies, Roman Meal, Royal Bank of Canada, Vitamalt, Global Pacific Food Group/ Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic, Bahamas Power and Light, Signman, Baptist

Health International, BGC Bahamas Ltd., Doctors Hospital, Sawyers Fresh Market, Runners Depot, Gatorade, Classic Formal Wear and TheBahamasWeekly.com.

To register online visit www.marathonbahamas. com or www.komenbahamas.org for more information.

PUTTING THE

FOCUS ON

YOUTH

DEEPAK CHOPRA

HERITAGE ASSOCIATION HANDS OUT DONATIONS THE Ragged Island Cultural Heritage Association (RICHA) presented cheque donations last week to several Family Island associations on Grand Bahama.

Elkenny Lockhart, president of RICHA, said the money was raised from a comedy show fundraiser held in partnership with the group, David Wallace and Friends.

“We are elated to make this donation to five associations of our sister islands in the southeastern Bahamas that are still recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Joaquin last year,” he said.

The Long Islanders’ Association, Rum Cay and San Salvador Association, Crooked Island Association, Cat Island Development Association, and the Acklins Trade and Development Association were the recipients.

AN event was held yesterday to put the focus on youth and research projects giving an insight into factors affecting the younger parts of the community.

The Focus on Youth launch highlighted five projects, including research into HIV/AIDS risk reduction among adolescent girls; the importance of values, peers and parents in risk reduction; tackling risk among mid-adolescents including condom use; intervention at the primary and senior high school levels; and sustained impact of intervention through to young adulthood.

JEROME FITZGERALD, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, speaking at the Focus on Youth Research Programme launch held at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

LYNETTE DEVEAUX, the Focus on Youth project manager.

PERRY GOMEZ, Minister of Health and principal FOY investigator.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, PAGE 11

VOLUNTEERS helping to clean up in the South Beach area near East Street Stouh as part of an international event on Saturday.

Coastal Cleanup VOLUNTEERS stepped up to play their part in an international cleanup on Saturday.

The annual International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest single-day volunteer effort to clean up

beaches, lakes and rivers, and Dolphin Encounters - Project BEACH organised an event on Saturday from 8am to 10am at South Beach near the pools off East Street South.

Every piece of trash volunteers

found will be tracked and included in an annual index of global marine debris to be released next year. Last year, 791,336 people picked up more than 18 million pounds of trash along 25,188.5 miles of coastline.