09232024 NEWS AND SPORT

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WSC A S K S TO PUT

UP WATER PRICE S

Proposals also call for tax on homes with private wells

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister

last night said “no formal decision” has been taken on Water & Sewerage Corporation proposals to increase consumer prices or impose taxes on homeowners with private wells. Leon Lundy, minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office with

responsibility for the Corporation, in a messaged reply to Tribune Business inquiries said these recommendations - contained in its 2023-2028 Corporate Business Plan - as well as associated proposals from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are “in the early phases” of being considered by the government.

Cannot afford ‘business as usual’ on Climate, says Pm

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip

“Brave” Davis warned that the world can no longer afford “business as usual” on climate action, as global temperatures have now exceeded the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold for an entire year, putting both humanity and vulnerable nations like The Bahamas at risk. Experts say failing to remain below the 1.5 degrees threshold significantly increases the risks of severe climate impacts, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and rising

Specialised nurses are main need as shortage cut in half, says Darville

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE national nurse shortage has been cut in half, with most remaining vacancies in specialised

nursing roles, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said on Friday.

He said the government plans to recruit nurses from abroad while continuing to train nurses at the

University of The Bahamas (UB) to address the shortfall. He said graduating classes from the University of the Bahamas have

CV bethel ‘oV erCrowded and rat-infested’

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TEACHERS at CV Bethel High School are grappling with overcrowded, stiflingly hot classrooms, inoperable bathrooms, and a rodent-infested campus, prompting the government to intervene after a list of complaints, according to Bahamas Union of

Teachers president Belinda Wilson. She told The Tribune yesterday that some windows at the school had no operators, while others could not be opened, worsening the classroom heat.

Purported photos and videos of the school’s bathroom showed clogged, dirty sinks and a toilet filled with

A FIVE-year-old boy and a 35-year-old American woman died in separate drowning incidents over the weekend. Authorities were called to a house on Albacore Drive in eastern Grand Bahama on Saturday after a young boy was found submerged in a pool. The child, whose name has yet to be released to the press, was retrieved from the water, and officers performed CPR, but he later succumbed in the hospital. In a separate incident in Abaco around the same time, a 35-year-old woman from Florida was found

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson.

Over 1,300 tickets sold for annual Hands for Hunger’s fundraiser, Paradise Plates

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HANDS for Hunger’s annual fundraiser, Paradise Plates, blossomed into a memorable evening of culinary excellence and vibrant entertainment on Saturday night, enhanced by a Bridgerton theme that infused the event with lush decor.

Over 1,300 tickets were sold for this year’s event, held at Atlantis, raising essential funds for the organisation’s food assistance programmes throughout New Providence.

Soothing jazz melodies welcomed guests at an entrance promenade, where the lush surroundings set the tone for the evening. Inside, a Hands for Hunger gallery stood near pianist Dion Cunningham,

providing a sophisticated backdrop as attendees learned about the organisation’s efforts to help over 5,000 families through its pantry programmes and support for 15 public schools. A photo opportunity with an extra flair backdrop captured memorable moments for many. Art enthusiasts were delighted by a curated pop-up exhibit organised by John Cox, where pieces were available for sale, with part of the proceeds benefitting Hands for Hunger. Through the Portrait Studio by Tanya Simone and Green Carpet Instagrammable Moments, guests found many opportunities to snap photos amidst a plush setting.

An outdoor Bubble Bar became a lively gathering spot, featuring creative

cocktails crafted by Pour Advice, showcasing 818 & Komos Tequilas.

A Jazz & Cigar Lounge on the outdoor patio offered an inviting space for attendees to enjoy live music from the Essence Band and Soundwaves, along with fine cigars from Johnnie Walker and Graycliff Cigars. The ballroom was the heart of Paradise Plates, featuring over 50 participating restaurants and beverage companies. Guests indulged in an attractive array of culinary creations from local favourites, all presented within the opulent atmosphere. The evening’s entertainment lineup kept spirits high, with DJs Chris, Clean Cut, and IGNITE spinning tunes, while live painting by Stefan Legend provided an artistic

highlight with the piece auctioned off to support Hands for Hunger.

After getting their bellies full, guests ventured to the dance floor, gyrating to classic reggae, soca and hip-hop tunes. Participants included new and familiar companies. Justin Higgs, a senior sales and marketing manager at Bahamas Wholesale Agencies Ltd, expressed enthusiasm for participating for the first time.

“It means a lot because we’re venturing into the liquor space,” he said. “This was a great opportunity for us to showcase our flagship product, White Claw Hard Seltzer, which is the number one hard seltzer in the United States. We want Bahamians to become more familiar with it.” Representing the Cleo

restaurant at SLS Baha

Mar, a chef offered Mediterranean cuisine and remarked: “This is top tier. To advertise in such a large capacity is amazing.”

The silent auction was another event highlight, allowing guests to bid on exclusive items via QR codes in the foyer. All proceeds from the auction contributed directly to Hands for Hunger.

Executive director Keisha Ellis reflected on the tremendous support received.

“We are pleased that so many people and businesses came out to support our event and help us raise much-needed funds to continue our operations for another year,” she said.

This year’s event was particularly significant given the ongoing challenges faced by Hands for Hunger, including rising food and utility costs.

Ms Ellis said as more families seek assistance, the organisation remains committed to expanding its reach to more Family Islands and deepening its impact within New Providence. She added that a goal includes supporting local farmers and tackling

the root causes of food insecurity.

Scotiabank was the presenting sponsor. CG Atlantik was a gastronome sponsor. JS Johnson, Colina and Coca Cola were gourmand sponsors. Participants included Anthony’s Seafood & Ribs, Aquapure, Bahamas Botanical, Ben & Jerry’s, Bristol Wines & Spirits, Cafe Madeline, Cafe Matisse, Carna, Chef Manny, Chop Stix, Cleo Mediterraneo, Coca-Cola, Commonwealth Brewery, Drifters, Filia, Fish by José Andrés, Front of the House, Graycliff, High Rock Lager, Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits, John Watlings Distillery, Katsuya, Le Petit Gourmet, Liquid Courage, Manuelo’s Marcus at Baha Mar, Margaritaville Beach Resort, Pasta & Nibbles, Mexicaba, Mi & Bs Deli & Bistro, Nobu, Oku Sushi Bar, Paranza, Pin Drop Rum, Pink Octopus, Pink Sand Spirits Co, Pirate Republic,

Pour Advice, Rosewood, Stash, Seafire Steakhouse, Shuang Ba, SLS Baha Mar, The New Duff, Tipsy Scoop, Tropical Gyros, West Hill by Best Brew, White Claw Hard Seltzer and Young’s Fine Wine.

PARADISE

Dante Carrer/Tribune

Specialised nurses are main need as shortage cut in half, says Darville

produced about 80 nurses per class, helping to fill critical gaps.

However, he said nurses sometimes face a two-tothree-year lag when being specially trained.

In August, Dr Darville told reporters that the public health system was short about 450 nurses, including more than 170 specialist nurses.

However, he said the shortage has now decreased to 200, with most of the vacancies in specialist roles.

Concerns about the long-standing nurse

shortage have resurfaced as the Davis administration prepares to build a new speciality hospital in the Perpall Tract area of New Providence and a new hospital in Grand Bahama. Addressing concerns over staffing these facilities, Dr Darville said: “The Bahamian people can rest assured that on completion of both hospitals, we will not create white elephants. We are recruiting doctors and nurses from abroad, and we are sending Bahamians abroad for postgraduate training.”

“My only red flag is that sometimes when we send them abroad, they do not

return home. That is a difficult thing to swallow, but trust me, we have excused our short-, medium-, and long-term plan.”

He noted that nursing shortages are not unique to The Bahamas but affect the entire Caribbean. He added: “We are constantly coming together as a unit to speak to the United States government, asking them not to recruit so heavily in our jurisdiction.”

“Taking 40 nurses from The Bahamas can almost destabilise our system, and so we are constantly fighting back and recruiting from abroad.”

CV Bethel ‘overcrowded and rat-infested’

black sludge.

Mrs Wilson claimed the principal failed to promptly respond to teachers’ written complaints, leading staff to exercise their right not to work in unhealthy conditions on Friday. She further alleged that another senior administrator threatened the teachers that day.

She said the teachers would be at school as usual today.

“The Ministry of Education said the work will be done,” she said. “The Bahamas Union of Teachers will be monitoring this situation closely, and if the repairs and conditions are not completed in a timely manner, our members will take the necessary action to protect themselves and ensure they are not working in unsanitary conditions.”

“There is also concern about the teacher shortage at CV Bethel Senior

High School because the classes are overcrowded. Many classrooms lack ventilation, and the heat is unbearable. So, the Ministry of Education must address this matter.”

Regarding the construction of Ragged Island Comprehensive School, Mrs Wilson confirmed that it is nearly complete.

Last week, Member of Parliament Chester Cooper said the school’s construction is “99%

complete.” Students on Ragged Island have been without in-person teachers since Hurricane Irma devastated the island in 2017.

However, Mrs Wilson claimed that while the school nears completion, the teacher’s residence has not yet been furnished, despite a teacher expected to arrive within a week.

“I would like for the Member of Parliament, Mr Chester Cooper, and

BAHAMAS AVIATION, CLIMATE AND S EVERE WEATHER NET W ORK INVITED SOUTH TO T URKS AND CAI COS ISLANDS

the Minister of Education, Mrs Glenys Hanna Martin, to give truthful information to the public,” she said.

“The BUT is very pleased with the new school on Ragged Island because those children have suffered since Hurricane Irma. They’ve not had a teacher face-toface. Yes, a teacher has been identified, though not yet on the island, and we know the children’s education is important

and comes first. But school has not yet started face-to-face. So I urge the Member of Parliament and the Minister of Education and her team to ensure the residence is furnished, and once the teacher arrives, hopefully within a week, school can begin face-to-face.”

Currently, Mrs Wilson said school desks are placed at Holy Innocents Anglican Church, but the building lacks WiFi to facilitate virtual learning.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS MINISTER DR MICHAEL DARVILLE

AT the invitation of the His Majesty’s Government of the Turks and Caicos, Bahamas Avaition, Climate and Severe Weather Network’s (BACSWN) founder travelled to Providentiales over the weekend for an initial meeting to see how the company might leverage its expertise alongside those of its strategic partners — thereby assisting the government to avail itself of its sole, sovereign and exclusive right to potentially tens of millions in “OverFlight Fees” to improve upon its Aviation, crash, search and rescue, EMS and designated health infrastructure and climate mitigation. Pictured (Left to Right) Mrs Yolande Robinson, Mr Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier & Minister of Physical Planning Infrastructure & Disaster Management, with Mr Robert Dupuch-Carron and his wife, Elizabeth.

PM speaks at conclave for bonefish guides

A CONCLAVE was held on Friday for bonefish guides. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was in attendance alongside Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper. The event was held at the Courtyard Marriott.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

Cannot afford ‘business as usual’ on climate, says PM

sea levels.

Speaking at Climate Week NYC 2024 on Sunday, Mr Davis expressed alarm that the global temperature threshold had been exceeded for the first time over a full year. He urged world leaders to take bold action, reframing climate action as an opportunity rather than a sacrifice.

“I understand that tackling climate change presents a unique challenge. It requires us to make decisions today that may not yield immediate benefits,” he said, noting that leaders often face pressure from election cycles and short-term results. “But we, as global leaders, need to reframe the narrative. Climate action is about creating new industries, new jobs, and new pathways to prosperity and security.”

Mr Davis highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on The Bahamas, where hurricanes like Dorian and Matthew have led to an ongoing cycle of borrowing to rebuild. He warned that the country’s vulnerability to climate crises makes sustained development difficult and contributes to escalating debt.

“After Hurricane Matthew, The Bahamas faced

significant recovery costs, compounded by Hurricane Dorian just three years later,” he said. “This recurring pattern of destruction and recovery creates a perpetual state of vulnerability.”

He also emphasised the threat climate change poses to biodiversity, mentioning that the Bahama Warbler has not been seen in Abaco since Hurricane Dorian. Calling for a radical shift in how the world tackles the climate crisis, Prime Minister Davis urged fossil fuel companies to be held accountable for the cost of their actions. He reaffirmed The Bahamas’ commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent and transitioning to 30 percent renewable energy by 2030, with plans to install solar farms in the capital, build hybrid grids on the Family Islands, and harness Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) for clean energy. Additionally, he noted the government’s efforts to protect seagrass meadows, which serve as significant carbon sinks, and to develop a blue carbon methodology to leverage carbon credits. A coral gene bank is also being established to preserve ecosystems for future generations.

GENESIS: NEW SPONSORSHIP WILL ‘elevate competitiveness’ at Junkanoo parade on Bay s treet

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Genesis Junkanoo group, long considered underdogs in the parades, believes it will bring a “cutting-edge” style to Bay Street, thanks to its new title sponsor, Bahamas Technological Services Limited (BTSL).

During a press conference on Friday, the group announced BTSL’s sponsorship of $80,000 for the 2024/2025 Junkanoo season, which covers the Boxing Day and New Year’s parades.

Philip Taylor, chairman of Genesis, said the group had previously done its best with limited resources but believes the sponsorship will elevate its competitiveness. “With this injection, we can go beyond,” Mr Taylor said. “We would say this is a levelling of the playing field because the big boys always had the edge, but we now have the edge as well.”

Genesis entered the Junkanoo scene as a B group in 2014 before becoming an A group contender. In addition to the sponsorship, the group received $30,000 seed

funding from the government this week. Although Genesis members remained tight-lipped about their plans for the upcoming parades, they hinted at an innovative approach. Vice Chairman Nicole Sutherland said the group has often been underestimated, noting that while people tend to support legacy groups, BTSL’s backing of Genesis is greatly appreciated.

“It is natural for people to go with a legacy group because that’s an established brand. It takes a lot of courage to get behind someone who’s up and coming and that is why we are so grateful to BTSL they’ve gotten behind us,”

Ms Sutherland said.

BTSL CEO Dr Johnathan Ford also expressed excitement about the partnership, saying he is confident in Genesis’s ability to shine. “My role as a CEO is to make sure I reach out and foster the right relationships on the business edge,” Mr Ford said. “But at the same time, since we have a presence here and you have a legacy that you are pursuing, we believe that this is somewhat spiritual as well.

two drown in separate incidents over weekend

from page one

unresponsive, floating in the water off Union Jack Public Dock.

A relative retrieved the victim from the water and performed CPR, but the woman did not respond to resuscitation efforts. She was later pronounced dead after she was examined at a medical facility. Police say that they do not suspect foul play in this incident as there was no visible trauma on her body. Authorities are awaiting an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

“But we, as global leaders, need to reframe the narrative. Climate action is about creating new industries, new jobs, and new pathways to prosperity and security.”

BAHAMAS Technological Services Limited (BTSL) presents a cheque for $80,000 the Genesis Junkanoo group on Friday. Photo: Nikkia Charlton

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Local action on climate change should match international talk from Davis

CLIMATE change is again in the spotlight – with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis giving a speech during the Climate Week event held in New York.

Our nation’s leader took the podium to point out the speed of global warming – as the world has seen an increase of 1.5C across an entire year.

He talked of nations recognising the urgency of the crisis, and setting targets to reduce emissions.

In this column, we have noted the repeated occasions when Bahamian leaders have rung the bell and warned of the dangers we face.

In 2009, Hubert Ingraham warned the UN Convention on Climate Change that climate change “is a serious threat to our economic viability, our social development and our territorial integrity”.

In 2015, Perry Christie warned the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change in Paris of an “existential threat to the survival of a number of small island developing states”.

Dr Hubert Minnis asked the United Nations General Assembly in 2019: “When one storm can obliterate an island-state or a number of states in one hurricane season: how will we survive, how can we develop, how will we continue to exist?”

And Mr Davis has previously called for action on climate change, warning it is “the greatest existential threat that the Bahamas has ever faced”.

In this paper, we have previously published maps showing the areas of our islands at risk of flooding as the waters rise.

This time, rather than just warning again about what is coming – that repeated call of doom ahead has done little to stop the pace of warming, after all – Mr Davis has been talking about action that can be taken.

He talks of holding fossil fuel companies accountable – although we do not seem to be doing that ourselves here at home.

He talks of moving towards solar power and mentions the goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 30 percent and transitioning to 30 percent renewable energy by 2030. That is just six years away now, and we have plenty of progress still to make to reach that target, let alone whether the current administration will be elected again to see that through. Continuity is something we have not been terribly good at between governments.

Then there are things Mr Davis raises that we have not been told much about here at home – he trumpets that we are pioneering Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion with pilots across nine islands. Last year, we reported that the government was negotiating for a $9m grant so BPL could develop an ocean thermal initiative, but there has been little word since. A local update would be useful to go with the international acclaim.

Then there is the talk of protecting our seagrass meadows – which Attorney General Ryan Pinder previously said was key to Bahamian plans for carbon credits.

As a side note, Mr Davis also reports on the lack of sightings of certain birds, saying the Bahama nuthatch has not been seen on Grand Bahama since Hurricane Matthew in 2016 – despite The Tribune reporting in 2018 that a team from the University of East Anglia had noted six such sightings during a three-month survey, including of a pair of birds. The situation regarding the species was still described as “dire”, however, so the broader point remains.

What we could still do with is a better connection between the alarm sounded internationally and the action being carried out locally.

Are we on target for the 30 by 30 pledge? What does the 1.5C rise mean directly for us? And so on. These are questions that we raise, but answers seem slower to come.

Mr Davis’ speech was headlined “It’s time to move past business as usual” –let’s hear what that means here at home.

Ecology to be destroyed by govt

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Perpall’s Tract

Wellfield was established by legislation in and around 1937 and during the period 1937 thru 1940/42 the 212 acres of land that was used for the wellfield was secured by the government by eminent domain. It was shut down in the 1970s due to over mining with the view that the water lens would repair itself and the wells would be re-opened. This was the time when New Providence was experiencing a scarcity of potable water and water was barged in from Andros for several years. In the meantime the country found a solution to this problem with the institution of the desalination system.

In 1994 when BASH moved its drug treatment facility to Chippingham, I was exposed to this amazing space and over the years of exploring it, I recognised two things.

1. If they find it they will destroy it. The fact is that the wellfield was tucked in a corner of the island where only the youth in the immediate areas knew about it; there were no roadways around it and drones were the things of the future.

2. (In 2004 a Rapid Vegetation Assessment conducted by Ethan Freid Phd. Found more than 150 species of native plants and more than 50 traditional medicinal plants in the forest) This natural national treasure had to be protected. To this end I, along with a strong team of local businessmen, drafted a visionary eco-tourist business plan (EARTH Village Ecotours). With a small investment of less than $5m, EARTH Village could have been the primary eco-tourist site in the country, with a start off of 12 eco-tours and located just 15 minutes from Prince George cruise port, this venture had (and still has the potential to employ more than 500 workers and attract more than 10 percent of those cruise passengers who stay

on board when their ships are in port). That would provide a strong argument for the conservation of the forest if not for the sake of its eco-sensitivity, then at least for its economic viability. As is common with Bahamian visionary projects, the government ignored us.

Between the years 2006 and 2015 a group of protectionists, including Eric Carey and Carolyn Wardle of the BNT, a team from The Nature Conservancy, BASH and others, lobbied and eventually drafted a white paper for the protection of Perpall’s, which we presented to the government.

To date the protection of Perpall’s is mentioned in at least three pieces of legislation:

Proposal

The questions are:

Impact Assessment done? this assessment available to the general public? completed all of the legal maneuverings necessary to discard and overthrow existing Perpall’s Tract protection mechanisms?

special interest groups who were the drivers behind the protection process? If they did I was not among them and I was the principle force behind the movement.

Sadly, even the news media has missed the critical point in their addiction to sensationalism and short, pointed headlines. This argument is not just about the utilisation of 50 acres of this protected forest for the construction of a hospital; it is about the destruction of the entire 177 acres (left over from the original 212 acres) for the hospital and for a new sub-division. It is perplexing that with all

of the less sensitive pine forests still on the island of New Providence, that the government insists on demolishing such a valuable ecosystem. To the good Minister of State for the Environment I say this, and I’m sure you will agree. There are several ways that we learn about a thing: someone else;

Notwithstanding all of the official jargon, I will ask the minister, did you hear about this forest, did you read about it, or did you experience it, because if you experienced it, and if you have ANY love or appreciation or environmental knowledge, you would know, like those of us who know, that this was a sacred gift and it MUST be protected! I will say this unequivocally, you sir and your administration, are presiding over the destruction of THE most eco-sensitive piece of environmental real estate on the island of New Providence and arguably the most diverse “natural native flora garden” in the country, with more than 1/5 of all the plants native to The Bahamas in a space less than 200 acres.

What frustrates me in these situations is that the people who are in place to oversee the protection of these spaces either they fall asleep during the discussion, they put their heads in the sand and humm lullabies, or they’re out to lunch.

The cold fact is this: the fifty+ thousand trees in this forest that absorb thousands of tons of carbon gases from our atmosphere and turn them into breathable oxygen will be gone forever, and successive generations will pay the price of vanished greenspaces, disappearing indigenous bush medicines, and increasing heat in the city.

TERRY MILLER New Providence September 19, 2024.

Need to take aviation seriously

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRIVATE aviation in an archipelago...essential service so it must be Licenced and operated at the highest level of efficiency and assurance of safety but is the Bahamas Private Aviation sector anyway close to there?

Tribune reports the tragic recent crash the pilot might have issues with being Licenced to fly with paying passengers... Editor

shamefully nothing new been going on for years. Governments have talked at regulating and done nothing - more accidents… more agonies for the innocent who think the private plane even ‘hacker’ are safe so many have perished. Now Minister ColebyDavis… No plane should leave the private charter section of any airport without a physical inspection and check of the licence

of the pilot - the plane, has insurance licenced to carry passengers? No plane leaves a Bahamas airport period til this occurs. Pilots warned any breach their licences will be cancelled who owns the plane faces seizure, yes seized people playing on the innocent passenger. Now lets see if the PLP serious?

J MURPHY Nassau, September 16, 2024.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Sands warns Davis hospital will be ‘historic

blunder’ with environmental consequences

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) chairman

Dr Duane Sands has warned the Davis administration against making a “historic blunder” by building a new hospital on an “environmentally sensitive site”, saying the decision will have serious long-term environmental consequences.

In a statement yesterday, Dr Sands again urged the government to reconsider the plan and instead prioritise rebuilding and improving the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

“The new health care facility proposed by the government on New Providence fails two tests: one related to health care and the other related to environmental protection,” Dr

Sands said.

“Because we have limited green space in New Providence, we should protect such spaces. The government is foolishly intent on building a large facility on an environmentally sensitive site that also has various levels of contamination.”

“We can protect this green space and improve health care. We do not need to make a false choice. Both can be done. Indeed, preserving the green space would be good for public health.”

Dr Sands also noted the prime minister’s frequent international trips, where he often advocates for climate action.

He accused him of hypocrisy, saying the government’s healthcare plans directly contradict his stance on environmental protection.

“Once again, his words

do match his big talk and rhetoric. His hypocrisy is stunning and disturbing,” the FNM chairman added.

He called on the prime minister to uphold his moral responsibility to future generations.

“If he proceeds with this environmentally disastrous policy, he will have shown that his previous statements on the environment and sustainability were mostly public relations, empty promises and rhetoric, and profiling on the world stage,” he said.

“It is not too late to rethink this policy, which is bad in terms of health care and the environment. The government should apply financial resources to rebuilding PMH instead of making what will undoubtedly be one the prime minister’s biggest blunders in office.”

The Davis administration

has championed the new hospital as a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing healthcare services in the country.

Set to be constructed on a 51-acre site at the Perpall Tract Wellfield, the hospital will feature a 200-bed facility offering specialised services such as a neonatal unit, imaging, pathology, and telemedicine.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville has repeatedly defended the project, insisting the hospital site is suitable and will serve the Bahamian people well.

“I assure the Bahamian people that the site that we have chosen is an excellent site for this facility. It’s on high ground and to make it even more important, swamp and flooding mitigation will be a part of this entire development,” Dr Darville said on Friday.

Doctor says Bahamas facing shortage of developmental specialists

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is facing a critical shortage of developmental specialists and is experiencing an increase in children with disorders like autism and ADHD, according to paediatrician Dr Anthia Forbes Carey.

She said children with conditions are being referred to specialists abroad due to the lack of resources locally.

“We also have to understand we do have a shortage

in the subspecialty,” she said while speaking during the Free National Movement’s Women’s Association monthly meeting in Grand Bahama on Thursday evening. “So, we currently do not have an active developmental specialist. We do need one, but unfortunately, we don’t have one.”

Dr Forbes-Carey said while screening for developmental disorders can be done within local clinics, children who require follow-up care must be referred to specialists abroad.

“There has been an uptick in pediatric patients who have disorders ie ADHD, autism, or some developmental delay and they do require follow-up care with a development specialist,” she said. “And currently, because we don’t have one in the country, even though we can do all of the screening in the clinic, they do require that follow-up, and we have to refer them to the Caribbean, US, Canada, and or the UK, depending on the parent’s choice in order for

International Black Men’s Empowerment Summit coming to Margaritaville Beach Resort

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Morehouse College Alumni Association Bahamas Chapter is set to host the International Black Men’s Empowerment Summit at Margaritaville Beach Resort in the heart of New Providence. The organisation’s goal will be breaking down stigmas.

The summit will gather black male leaders, educators, and innovators to discuss leadership, empowerment, and personal growth.

Fabian Fernander, a past president of the association and an organiser, highlighted the summit’s importance in addressing the unique challenges Bahamian men face. He pointed to concerns about singleparent households, where young boys may lack positive male role models.

“We realised that the only way to reduce that stigma is by showing them strong black role models,” he said, emphasising the need for visibility and guidance.

The summit will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including renowned scholar Dr Cornel West, Dr David Thomas, president of Morehouse College, and Dr Rashad

Richey, a multimedia expert. These speakers, along with Bishop Neil Ellis and Carlos Palacious, will address key topics, from breaking stigmas to fostering leadership within black communities. Recognising that financial barriers can hinder access to such opportunities, the organisers have partnered with the Ministry of Education to secure sponsorships for underprivileged young men.

Mr Fernander confirmed about 30 to 50 students from various schools have already been identified to attend the summit, ensuring that those who need it most can benefit. “We want to reach those boys who need this the most,” he asserted, underlining the event’s commitment to inclusivity.

Beyond the summit itself, Mr Fernander emphasised that this initiative marks the beginning of a long-term commitment. “We’re building an endowment fund to provide scholarships for Bahamian young men to attend Morehouse College,” he noted, aiming to offer three to four scholarships annually. This initiative supports education and fosters ongoing mentorship through partnerships with organisations like Toastmasters Club 1600, ensuring that young men receive the guidance they need on their journey

to leadership. With the summit poised to attract a diverse global audience, Mr Fernander expressed optimism about its potential impact on the Bahamian community. “This is a moment for Nassau to shine, for the world to see what we can offer — not just in terms of tourism, but in terms of talent, leadership, and empowerment,” he stated, framing the event as an opportunity for local talent to be showcased on a larger stage.

Dr Cornel West’s involvement is seen as a key addition to the summit’s mission of inspiring change. Mr Fernander shared how Dr West was a natural choice for the event, given his commitment to uplifting young black males. “For Cornel West, it became a no-brainer because he is very big on how we grow and impact our African Americans and young black males,” he said, highlighting Dr West’s dedication to education and advocacy.

Mr Fernander noted that Dr West’s presence is expected to generate significant interest, with attendees eager to hear his insights and experiences. “He knew the draw would be big; people would attend to hear his thoughts and how he could inspire them to do more,” Mr Fernander added.

them to have access to that developmental specialist.”

The paediatrician also expressed concerns about young patients diagnosed with rare diseases or disorders requiring speciality care, which can be expensive for many families.

To address this issue, Dr Forbes Carey announced plans to establish a pediatric fund to help parents and patients access the necessary care.

“What I have been doing is reaching out to groups such as Rotary, the Pilot Club, and what I’ve been asking those organisations is that you don’t necessarily have to give us any money,” she said. “But if you were to create a line budget in your group and make a determination as to how much you are willing to contribute whenever there is a need for a child who may have a

seizure disorder and may need to have some brain imaging and the parents cannot afford to fund it, we would present you, not specific details, but an overall view of what is needed from the patient, and you can decide how much you would like to contribute.”

Dr Forbes Carey hopes to expand this initiative in the future. “We are hoping to build it each year. If your association says, I am willing each year to have a lineitem budget of $200, $2,000, $20,000, or $200,000, once we know that line item is available, whenever something comes up, we know exactly where to go in order to access that resource. And so that is pretty much the approach for now, but we are looking to expand that further.”

She highlighted a recent case involving a young

patient in Grand Bahama diagnosed with a rare blood disorder which requires treatment three times per week in the hospital, costing between $100,000 to $300,000 per year.

“It is the only case in the country,” Dr Forbes Carey said, adding that she, a subspecialist in New Providence and a haematology oncologist, devised a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Through the specialist’s connections with hospitals in the US and Canada, they have been receiving the patient’s medication for free, with shipments sent to New Providence every month.

“Of course, at some point, we know it is not an endless supply. But the treatments are very expensive, and we do have to come up with a long-term plan to address his healthcare needs,” she said.

Te public is hereby advised that Tradewinds Bahamas Holdings Ltd. is proposing to carry out a project on High Cay (of San Salvador). Te public is invited to participate in a public consultation meeting to be held on the 25th of September 2024 by the project proponent to hear and discuss matters relating to the proposed project. Te consultation meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Idell Jones Hall, St. Augustine Church, Cockburn Town, San Salvador.

A general description of the project is as follows:

Te High Cay project involves the construction an eco-friendly resort, consisting of a main house, three (3) villas and associated amenities.

Te project Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is available to view using the link

Te general public and interested parties are invited to submit written comments to the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection at cec@depp.gov.bs and to the Developer’s Environmentalist of Record at info@sevconsulting.com with respect to the proposed project. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/11stf5mmfzeqt928dnkj2/AGDnSrg TTIBFmFYuelZMBmY?rlkey=u394swtym9q8f9d7358uygo38&st=82 4sgja5&dl=0

FNM CHAIRMAN DR DUANE SANDS

THE

Campaign finance reform - a right to transparency

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

IN HIS increasingly determined efforts to wriggle out of a manifesto pledge on campaign finance legislation, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has come up with a new line – that he is wary because public funds could be used to finance political campaigns.

Last week, he said: “If you chack and benchmark where campaign financing is the law in various countries, you’ll find that a part of the access to campaign financing is from the public purse. Should I put that on the payment people at this time? I don’t know.”

Now first thing first, Mr Davis knew the state of campaign finance laws around the world at the time he put the pledge on his party’s manifesto, and he knew about it when criticising then Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis when Mr Davis was in opposition – but we are going to gloss over that this week to look at the actual types of campaign finance legislation around the world. There is a lot of talk here in The Bahamas about campaign finance reform – but frankly, we are not even at the stage of reform yet, we need the laws in the first place. How important is such legislation? Well, Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations warned that “uncontrolled political finance threatens to hollow out democracy and rob it of its unique strengths”.

How does it do that?

Well, you and me each have one vote, which should be of equal weight to a candidate. But if I give the candidate a million bucks as well, whose vote do you think is more attractive to them? If you do not know that I’ve put money in his pocket, you might wonder why they consistently choose to back my cause over yours. If you know, however, well then you can judge the candidate accordingly, and so can

everyone else. Over in the UK this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has run into criticism over donations. There was a donation of corporate hospitality from Arsenal football club, the team he supports. Previously, he would sit in a seat he paid for as a season ticket holder, but took up the offer of a box seat with the argument that actually it was cheaper and less disruptive because of the security he now needed as prime minister. That was the start of the donations row he finds himself now embroiled in, with it also emerging that his clothes were also being funded – a peer in the House of Lords had given him glasses and clothes worth just shy of $25,000. Are these donations that could sway the prime minister one way or another? That is up to people to decide, but the reason we knew about them is that there is a register of interests in Parliament, where members have to note down donations that they

“Uncontrolled political finance threatens to hollow out democracy and rob it of its unique strengths”.

receive – be they in kind or in cash. The former prime minister, Rishi Sunak, got into some awkward discussions over his use of a helicopter he was allowed to use by a donor.

Over in the US, financing happens at the local, state and federal levels, and there are plenty of rules on who can donate and how much.

We are in the middle of election season in the US of course – and it is big money. In 2020, nearly $14 billion was spent on federal election campaigns, and this time around will probably be on that same path if not more.

We hear on the news regularly about legal

- Kofi Annan

challenges to try and find ways around the laws, we hear of Super PACs (Political Action Committees) and talks of “dark money” which is not disclosed to voters. The effort to get around the rules shows the impact of the rules if they are abided by. The fact that a quick search on Google shows up who the biggest donors are to US election campaigns shows that if the information is not quite complete, it is substantial enough that we can judge the level of influence exerted by wealthy individuals.

Similar rules appear around the world in many countries, with the focus on disclosure. But there are

also rules about spending limits – and who can and cannot donate.

Some countries, for example, ban foreign individuals from donating to political campaigns. We have seen here in The Bahamas how that could be a negative influence, from Peter Nygard’s much-seen video about taking back The Bahamas.

Then there are rules in some countries about donations from certain businesses – countries such as Argentina and Honduras have had bans for organisations involved in gambling, Croatia bans corporations and individuals from making donations if they have a tax debt still to pay off, Germany bans donations made in expectation of a political advantage (though proving that is a challenge), Sierra Leone only allows registered voters to make contributions, and so on.

The idea of direct public funding of parties and campaigns is also one that has been explored

elsewhere in the world.

That idea is that public funding replaces donations, so that there is no undue influence from donors on the direction of the government. In Brazil and Mexico, for example, more than half of political parties’ revenues comes from public sources – 63 percent in Brazil, according to the OECD. However, oversight is key. There can also be unexpected sideeffects of such funding – public campaign finance is often seen as a way of levelling the playing field, but there is evidence to suggest it helps extremist parties. Maybe that is levelling things for them – but it is an undesirable consequence. Take a step back from all these measures, and it is clear the goal is to allow government to be conducted without undue influence, or with enough transparency so people can hold the government to account.

Around the world, there are different examples of how to do this – but us? We barely respect the one measure we do have of financial disclosures.

If country after country around the world see value in doing this, and we don’t, what does that say about us? Mr Davis has also talked of how there will always be loopholes – well, if he is writing the legislation, that is no encouragement to have faith in the administration’s competence. If we choose – and it is a choice – not to give the public the right to see who is paying our political parties and the impact that may have on our government’s decisions, that is as clear a sign as any that such legislation is needed. We cannot keep having this cycle of being vocal in opposition calling for such measures then backing away from them in government. That will destroy public faith as sure as anything else.

The death of truth?

IN today’s digital era, truth is under siege, threatening democracy and exposing societies to not only disinformation and misinformation, but also to character assassinations and disruptive personal vendettas.

Social media platforms, once hailed as great democratisers of information, have evolved into powerful tools for spreading political propaganda, deception, and slander. This unchecked proliferation of falsehoods raises urgent questions about the survival of truth in public discourse. Are we witnessing the death of truth? If so, what are the consequences for the integrity of our societies and the very foundations of democracy?

Political propaganda and misinformation in the digital age

Professional political manipulators have mastered the art of leveraging social media to spread propaganda and disinformation quickly and efficiently. This issue is especially acute in the Caribbean, where platforms like WhatsApp are often misused to rapidly circulate unverified information. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, WhatsApp group chats became breeding grounds for false claims about vaccines and health risks, causing widespread

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

confusion long before corrective information could catch up.

The speed at which falsehoods spread on social media—and the difficulty in tracing their origins— poses a serious threat to public trust. These platforms enable not only political actors but also individuals with personal grievances to manipulate the truth, shaping public opinion in ways that are difficult to counteract in real-time. In small, tightly connected Caribbean societies, where misinformation can move quickly through close-knit networks, the impact is especially profound, eroding trust in both government institutions and the media. Personal vendettas and the power of anonymity

The problem extends beyond politics. Social media has also become fertile ground for personal vendettas. Anonymity offers a shield for those who seek to defame or slander others with impunity. In the Caribbean, this issue is compounded by the small

size of communities, where a single false post can destroy a reputation within hours. Platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok allow users to spread rumours and false accusations with alarming ease, further eroding public trust.

The lack of accountability for these actions, especially when users exploit anonymity, calls for urgent intervention. Social media platforms must take responsibility for the content they host, or the problem will continue to spiral out of control. Without accountability, these platforms will not only enable the spread of falsehoods but also deepen public distrust and further erode the social fabric. Stronger measures, such as verifying user identities and enforcing consequences for harmful behaviour, are essential to curbing the spread of misinformation and protecting the integrity of public discourse.

Accountability and regulation of social media platforms

The rise of social media has brought many benefits, but it has also created new challenges, particularly in the area of accountability. Therefore, social media platforms must be held responsible for the content they host. There must be stronger systems in place to ensure that social media posts comply with the laws of slander and libel. Companies like Meta and X need to create mechanisms for identifying users who violate these laws, even if they are posting anonymously. This level of accountability is essential for curbing the malicious use of these platforms worldwide. For example, regulatory efforts in countries like Germany, which introduced the NetzDG law to punish platforms for failing to remove hate speech and illegal content, offer a potential model for the Caribbean. The responsibility of traditional media

In this landscape of rampant misinformation, traditional media—newspapers (including their online versions), radio, and television—must take a more active role in preserving truth. Traditional media outlets still hold a vital position in society as gatekeepers of verified information. Their commitment to factual reporting remains essential to maintaining public trust.

Unfortunately, many media outlets, especially those with political affiliations, have

compromised their role as defenders of truth. In some cases, traditional media has even amplified the false narratives circulating online, further eroding trust in journalism itself. This is not just a Caribbean problem—it’s a global crisis. Editors and journalists must recommit to the core tenets of a free press: objectivity, fairness, balance, and the use of credible, verified sources. Without this recommitment, traditional media risk becoming complicit in the erosion of truth, undermining their own credibility.

The need for national action

Governments across the Caribbean must take a more proactive role in regulating social media and enforcing media standards. Editors of traditional media must lead the charge in upholding objectivity, fairness, and balance—not only to preserve the truth but to safeguard their own credibility in an increasingly sceptical world.

Moreover, governments and traditional media and social media operators must agree to collaborate in the creation of regulations that address the unique challenges of misinformation. Educating journalists alone will not solve this issue. Stronger national action, including clear regulatory frameworks and accountability for digital platforms, is necessary to ensure that truth prevails in the digital age.

Conclusion: Defending truth in the digital age

The death of truth may seem inevitable in an age where social media dominates, and falsehoods spread unchecked. Yet, it is neither unavoidable nor should it be acceptable. Through stronger regulation, greater accountability for social media platforms, and a renewed commitment from traditional media to uphold journalistic integrity, truth can still be preserved. Now more than ever, traditional media outlets must stand resolute in their role as defenders against misinformation. They must challenge false narratives with rigour and balance, safeguarding not only the public’s trust but the very foundation of democracy itself. While social media may continue to evolve, the core principles of objectivity, accuracy, fairness, and accountability must remain constant. Only by upholding these values can we ensure that truth and trust remain alive for the good of our societies.

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He has also served as a founding director of the Caribbean News Agency (now CMC), president of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union and a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO). The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com.

Bahamians leading the way on climate change

FROM data scientists to artificial intelligence designers, the global demand for skilled employees in STEM fields continues to grow.

Lyford Cay Foundations, which has been awarding partial scholarships to deserving Bahamians since the 1980s, has seen a substantial increase in the number of scholarship applicants pursuing degrees in engineering, computer information sciences, mathematics, science, and related fields. In fact, half of the newly award 2024 Lyford Cay scholars are seeking STEM degrees in universities around the world to benefit The Bahamas.

Amber Turner (’22, Contigo Award Scholar) and Charles Hamilton (’08, LCF Undergraduate Award Scholar) are two alumni Lyford Cay Foundations scholars who are using their STEM-based education to make an impact on climate change in The Bahamas. They both believe that higher education has been instrumental in equipping them for the unique challenges of this evolving field.

Amber, who is from Grand Bahama, is an environmental scientist and climate advocate. She founded the social media platform “Miss. Sustainability” to raise awareness about environmental issues and to inspire young Bahamians to take action. Additionally, she cofounded “Artistry in the Archipelago,” a movement that leverages art and culture to educate the community about environmental causes.

GAIN AN EDGE

Amber graduated from The University of The West Indies in Barbados in 2023 with a Master of Science degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management. She noted, “I believe that gaining a solid foundation in the science behind climate change – and understanding how scientific principles shape human interactions, cultures and environments – was essential for effective advocacy and policymaking. Higher education provided me with that foundation and opened numerous opportunities for me to engage meaningfully in my field.”

Like Amber, Charles is committed to ensuring that The Bahamas is equipped to combat the effects of climate change. He received a Lyford Cay Foundations scholarship to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. A summer internship at The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a job at the

Pan American Health Organization opened his eyes to how he could combine science, diplomacy and communications. The job also propelled him into work that addressed climate change, health and water security.

Now as the climate change advisor in The Office of the Prime Minister, Charles works to improve regional and international advocacy for The Bahamas. His role has included providing representation at key climate change meetings and serving as the lead negotiator for the 39 members of the Alliance of Small Island States in Sharm ElSheik, Egypt. Charles describes his experiences as “humbling”. He said: “I’ve spoken to young people to encourage them to pursue a university education. I wanted to let them know that someone like me, who has experience getting water from the community pump and having my power disconnected, can positively impact our nation.”

Amber could not agree more about the impact that higher education makes. “My goal is to make a meaningful, lasting impact that preserves The Bahamas for generations to come,” she says.

“I am passionate about

educating as many Bahamians as possible because I believe we all have a stake in our future, and education is the key to unlocking that potential.”

“Gain An Edge is a collaboration of Lyford Cay

Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

Were warning signs ignored? Things to know about last week’s testimony on the Titan sub disaster

Associated Press

LAST year, five people hoping to view the Titanic wreckage died when their submersible imploded in the Atlantic Ocean. This week, a Coast Guard panel that’s investigating the Titan disaster listened to four days of testimony that has raised serious questions about whether warning signs were ignored. The panel plans to listen to another five days of testimony next week.

Here’s what witnesses have been saying so far:

The lead engineer says he wouldn’t get in the Titan

When testifying about a dive that took place several years before the fatal accident, lead engineer Tony Nissen said he felt pressured to get the Titan ready and he refused to pilot it.

“I’m not getting in it,” Nissen said he told Stockton Rush, the co-founder of OceanGate, the company that owned the Titan. Nissen said Rush was difficult to work for, made demands that often changed day-to-day, and was focused on costs and schedules. Nissen said he tried to keep his clashes with Rush hidden so others in the company wouldn’t be aware of the friction.

The Titan malfunctioned a few days before its fatal dive

Scientific director Steven Ross said that on a dive just a few days before the Titan imploded, the vessel had a problem with its ballast, which keeps vessels stable. The issue caused passengers to “tumble about” and crash into the bulkhead, he said.

“One passenger was hanging upside down. The other two managed to wedge themselves into the bow,” Ross testified.

He said nobody was injured but it took an hour to get the vessel out of the water. He said he didn’t know if a safety assessment or hull inspection was carried out after the incident.

It wasn’t the frst time the Titan had problems

A paid passenger on a 2021 mission to the Titanic said the journey was aborted when the

vessel started experiencing mechanical problems.

“We realized that all it could do was spin around in circles, making right turns,” said Fred Hagen.

“At this juncture, we obviously weren’t going to be able to navigate to the Titanic.”

He said the Titan resurfaced and the mission was scrapped. Hagen said he was aware of the risks involved in the dive.

“Anyone that wanted to go was either delusional if they didn’t think that it was dangerous, or they

were embracing the risk,” he said.

One employee said authorities ignored his concerns

Operations director David Lochridge said the tragedy could possibly have been prevented if a federal agency had investigated the concerns he raised with them on multiple occasions. Lochridge said that eight months after he filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a caseworker told him the agency had not begun investigating and there were still 11

cases ahead of his. By that time, OceanGate was suing Lochridge and he had filed a countersuit. A couple of months later, Lochridge said, he decided to walk away from the complaint. He said the case was closed and both lawsuits were dropped.

“The whole idea behind the company was to make money,” Lochridge testified. “There was very little in the way of science.”

After Lochridge’s testimony this week, the federal agency responded that, at the time, it had “promptly referred” his safety concerns to the Coast Guard.

Some people had a rosier view

Renata Rojas, a member of the Explorers Club which lost two paid passengers in the fatal dive, struck a different tone with her testimony. She said she felt OceanGate was transparent in the run-up to the dive and she never felt the operation was unsafe. A passenger on a previous dive, Rojas was volunteering with the surface crew when the Titan imploded.

“Some of those people are very hardworking individuals that were just trying to make dreams come true,” she said.

AMBER TURNER

CHARLES HAMILTON

THIS June 2023 United States Coast Guard still frame from video provided by Pelagic Research Services, shows remains of the Titan submersible, centre, on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

Photo: US Coast Guard Video courtesy Pelagic Research Services/AP

Mitchell criticises GBPA over announcement they will consult public on power rate increase

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Lib-

eral Party (PLP) chairman Fred Mitchell criticised the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) for announcing it will consult the public on proposed electricity rate increases, calling the process “folly and futility.”

On Friday, he urged the public to avoid participating and pursue legal action to “injunct them” and compel change instead.

His comment came after the GBPA’s Regulatory Committee on Wednesday announced the launch of a 45-day public consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders on Grand Bahama Power Company’s application.

The application, submitted on August 1, proposes a rate plan for 2025 to 2027, which includes a base rate hike of 6.32 percent for all customers, a fuel charge reduction, and an adjustment to the postDorian storm recovery and stabilisation.

The consultation takes place amid ongoing debate

surrounding the GBPA’s regulatory authority.

The government contends that the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is the sole regulator of utilities in the country, while the GBPA continues to assert its jurisdiction over utilities in Grand Bahama.

“The Grand Bahama Port Authority is continuing to defy the law and common sense, it seems, by assuming jurisdiction in the matter of the rate increase for Grand Bahama,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The law clearly says that URCA has the jurisdiction on rate increases for power. Yet the Grand Bahama Port Authority sent out a press release on Wednesday, not only claiming jurisdiction, but saying that it was entering into public consultation period to consider the views of the public with regard to rate increases. This seems to the PLP an exercise in folly and futility, but the port persists.

“Our suggestion is that the public should not participate in this folly and simply seek, by private law, to injunct them – these would be regulators for persisting

in this irregularity.”

In a statement Thursday, URCA pledged to “use all avenues available under the law” in responding to the GBPC’s bid for a rate increase.

“In line with its statutory mandate, URCA remains committed to ensuring that all public electricity suppliers operate in compliance with the established regulatory framework,” URCA said.

“Pursuant to its statutory obligations to all stakeholders, URCA will use all

avenues available under the law to enforce compliance with the Electricity Act and the Natural Gas Act, safeguarding the interests of electricity consumers and all stakeholders across The Bahamas.

“We urge all stakeholders, including public electricity suppliers, to engage with URCA on matters relating to electricity regulation and tariffs, to ensure transparency and adherence to the regulatory processes designed to protect consumers.”

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MAN has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after admitting to fatally stabbing an elderly Haitian woman in 2020. Tamar Forbes was initially charged with the murder of Elisia Theoc Loristol, 79, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter as part of a plea deal.

Police said he stabbed Loristol in the neck during an altercation in the Eight Mile Rock community. He then dragged her into nearby bushes and covered her body with tree branches and plywood.

Concerned family members found her dead a day after they reported her missing to police.

According to Loristol’s daughter, her mother left home on June 19, 2020, and went down the street, not too far away, to another property the family owns to do some yard work — weeding and tending her garden — but never returned home.

Supreme Court Justice Andrew Forbes noted in his ruling that on June 20 2020, an officer received information leading him to Eight Mile Rock Police Station, where he learned of the discovery of an elderly woman’s body. Later, that officer visited Forbes’ home, informed him he was suspected of murder, and took him and his mother to the station for questioning. During the interview, Forbes admitted to stabbing the woman in the neck, dragging her body into bushes, and covering it with branches and plywood.

Forbes, who had been incarcerated since age 16, had no prior employment or gang involvement and admitted to using marijuana. His mother, Tosca Forbes, described him as a loner, expressing shock at his actions but acknowledging justice must be served. His grandmother, Ms Rosena Forbes, also described him as mannerly and expressed hopes for rehabilitation.

During court

proceedings, the victim’s granddaughter recalled being close to her grandmother and expressed a desire for the convict to receive a stiff sentence to prevent future harm.

During sentencing submissions, Mario Gray, Forbes’ lawyer, argued that his relatively young client was still redeemable. He said he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, that the act was not premeditated, and that he lost control in the moment. He proposed a sentence of eight to ten years, considering the four years the convict had already spent on remand.

Representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ashley Carroll highlighted mitigating and aggravating factors, including Forbes’s young age and lack of employment at the time of the crime. She referenced multiple manslaughter cases where sentences ranged between 20 to 25 years. The Crown ultimately recommended a sentence of 25 years for the convict, citing precedents suggesting sentences within the 18 to 35-year range.

In sentencing Forbes for manslaughter, the judge acknowledged his cooperation during the investigation, including his participation in the record of interview, full statement, and guidance to officers. He noted that Forbes also pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating remorse.

Noting that the crime, though not as brutal as others, was still severe, the judge highlighted the emotional toll on the victim’s family and the community. He expressed concern over the inability of young men to regulate their emotions, contributing to societal violence.

He rejected the defence’s proposed sentence, considering it inadequate for the circumstances, and sentenced Forbes to 14 years starting from June 24 2020. The judge recommended Forbes attend electrical, refrigeration, anger management, and substance abuse classes while incarcerated.

M AN CHARGED WITH A RMED ROBBERY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded into custody on Friday after he allegedly robbed someone at gunpoint over the summer.

Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley arraigned Mr Lunn for armed robbery, stealing, and receiving.

Lunn, while armed with a handgun, allegedly robbed someone of their personal belongings in New Providence.

Earlier this month, Lunn was arrested after he was allegedly found with someone’s stolen property. The defendant was informed that their respective matters would be moved to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). The accused will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the service of his VBI on February 20, 2025.

PROBATION GRANTED FOR HAVING HEMP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was placed on probation after admitting to having a small quantity of drugs in his car last week.

Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley arraigned Mascelo Morris, 21, on possession of dangerous drugs.

The defendant reportedly was found with three grams of marijuana in his blue Honda Accord after he was stopped on Gladstone Road around 10.35am on September 12. Police also seized $15, which was believed to be the proceeds of a crime.

Magistrate Reckley cautioned the defendant that marijuana is still illegal with severe repercussions for its use. He also noted the defendant’s early plea. Morris was placed on six months probation, during which time he must attend drug counselling.

Failing to comply with these conditions would incur a $500 fine or a threemonth prison term. The defendant must return to court for a report on March 28, 2025. Inspector Deon Barr served as the prosecutor.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Morris said it was his first offence. He further claimed he was going through something that day and needed something before work.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER FRED MITCHELL

Sporting personalities honoured

BAHAMAS Olympic Committee secretary general Derron Donaldson, Bahamas Anti-Doping commissioner Petra Haven and sportscaster/

SEAHAWKS ROLL

national basketball coach Jay Philippe were among the 40 persons honoured on Saturday. The three former athletes turned sports administrators

were among the 40-under persons honoured for the Bahamas Professional Services Bahamas’ 2024 Awards Gala Banquet.

TO 24-3 WIN OVER DOLPHINS

AS MIAMI DEALS WITH ANOTHER QB INJURY

SEATTLE (AP) — Geno

Smith threw for 289 yards and a 71-yard touchdown to DK Metcalf, Zach Charbonnet rushed for two TDs, and the Seattle Seahawks beat Miami 24-3 yesterday where the attention turned to another injury suffered by a Dolphins quarterback.

A week after losing Tua Tagovailoa to the third concussion in the past two years, the Dolphins (1-2) watched Skylar Thompson suffer a chest injury in the second half, leaving Tim Boyle to try and lead the charge back from a 17-3 deficit.

VIKINGS 34, TEXANS 7

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Sam Darnold matched his career high with four touchdown passes, and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings used another dominant performance on defence to trounce C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans 34-7. Jonathan Greenard had three of the four sacks of Stroud, his former teammate, as the Vikings (3-0) intercepted the 2023 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year twice while rattling the Texans (2-1) with their aggressive and unpredictable scheme — and the crowd noise that cranked up with each stop.

GIANTS 21, BROWNS 15

CLEVELAND (AP)

— Daniel Jones threw two touchdown passes to rookie Malik Nabers, the Giant’s defensive players took turns sacking Deshaun Watson as New York held off Cleveland.

Jones completed 24 of 34 passes for 236 yards as the Giants (1-2) shook off a loss at Washington that prompted a week of criticism toward coach Brian Daboll.

STEELERS 20, CHARGERS 10

PITTSBURGH (AP)

— Justin Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for another and Pittsburgh topped Los Angeles. Pittsburgh improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 behind another efficient performance from Fields, who completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III midway through the fourth quarter that broke it open.

PACKERS 30, TITANS 14

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Malik Willis ran for a touchdown and threw for a score in his best performance in the NFL, leading Green Bay to a rout over Tennessee.

Willis not only won his second straight start subbing for Jordan Love, he got a sweet measure of revenge against the team that traded him to Green Bay (2-1) in August. Willis accounted for 134 of the Packers’ 137 yards in the first quarter. He finished with 202 yards passing and 73 rushing.

BRONCOS 26, BUCCANEERS 7

TAMPA, Florida (AP)

— Rookie Bo Nix ran for an early touchdown and

Wil Lutz kicked four field goals to help Denver avoid starting 0-3 for the second straight season with a victory over Tampa Bay. Nix completed 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards without an interception. The 12th overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, however, still hasn’t thrown for a TD through three games.

EAGLES 15, SAINTS 12

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for fourth-quarter touchdowns of 65 and four yards, and Philadelphia rebounded from a maddening late-game collapse six days earlier to beat New Orleans. Barkley’s shorter scoring run came with 1:01 left, one play after Dallas Goedert got free across the middle on third-and-16 for a 61-yard catch and run that gave him a career-high 170 yards on 10 receptions.

COLTS 21, BEARS 16

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jonathan Taylor had two touchdown runs and Trey Sermon added another as Indianapolis held on for a victory over Chicago. Taylor ran 23 times for 110 yards as the Colts (1-2) avoided their first 0-3 start since 2021. Anthony Richardson completed 10 of 20 passes for 167 yards, but had two more interceptions. Chicago (1-2) lost its second straight despite getting two offensive TDs — one more than its total in the first two weeks.

PANTHERS 36, RAIDERS 22

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Andy Dalton gave the Panthers the quarterback play they’ve been sorely lacking, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns to lead Carolina past Las Vegas. Promoted to the starting job in place of the ineffective Bryce Young, Dalton guided the Panthers (1-2) to their first win and moved to 4-0 lifetime against the Raiders.

LIONS 20, CARDINALS 13 GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes, David Montgomery ran for 106 yards and a score and Detroit held on late to beat Arizona. The Lions continued their recent dominance in the series, improving to 5-0-1 against the Cardinals since 2017. Detroit’s defence kept Kyler Murray and Arizona out of the end zone in the second half, giving up just one field goal.

RAVENS 28, COWBOYS 25

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Derrick Henry ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, Lamar Jackson accounted for two scores and Baltimore held on for a victory over Dallas. The Ravens (1-2) scored touchdowns on their first two drives, running and throwing with ease while emphatically responding to the first 0-2 start since 2015 for a franchise coming off a trip to the AFC championship game.

RAMS 27, 49ERS 24

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Joshua

Karty hit a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds to play, and Los Angeles staged a spectacular late rally for a victory over San Francisco. Kyren Williams rushed four yards for his third touchdown of the day with 1:50 left for the Rams (1-2).

Los Angeles came back from a 14-point deficit in the second half for their second straight win over San Francisco (1-2).

The Rams lost 10 of the NFC West archrivals’ previous 12 meetings.

The ceremony was held on Saturday night in the Convention Center at the Baha Mar resort where Deputy Prime Minister I Chester Cooper was the keynote speaker. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg was among the list of dignitaries in attendance.

CHIEFS’

DEFENCE PRESERVES 22-17

WIN

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of touchdown passes and Kansas City’s defence made a couple of late stands to keep the Chiefs unbeaten with a 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last night.

The two-time reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs have been far from perfect — Mahomes threw another interception — but they won their first

OVER FALCONS

three games by a combined 13 points. Thank the defence for this one. Coming off an upset victory at Philadelphia, the Falcons (1-2) had a couple of shots at the go-ahead touchdown in the closing minutes. Kirk Cousins threw a pair of incompletions in the end zone from the Chiefs’ six to end one chance, and the final drive ended with Bijan Robinson being thrown for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1

at the Kansas City 13 with less than a minute remaining.

Mahomes threw for 217 yards, including scoring throws to Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Harrison Butker booted three field goals for the Chiefs. Cousins was 20 of 29 for 230 yards with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Drake London. And he had a 50-yard completion to Kyle Pitts that set up Robinson’s one-yard scoring run.

Chisholm Jr and Yankees beat Athletics 7-4

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 55th homer of the season, Gleyber Torres and Jasson Domínguez also went deep and the Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics 7-4 yesterday for a three-game sweep that moved New York to the verge of an AL East title.

Already assured of a playoff berth, the Yankees (92-64) can clinch the division with one victory over second-place Baltimore

(86-70) during a three-game series in the Bronx that starts Tuesday night. New York opened a twogame lead over Cleveland for homefield advantage throughout the AL playoffs.

“Hopefully it’s rocking,” manager Aaron Boone said of what he expects the environment at Yankee Stadium to be like on Tuesday. Judge, originally drafted by the A’s in 2010 and from the California Central Valley, homered in each of his final two games at the Coliseum. He received a rousing ovation from the large contingent of Yankees

the second, one in the third, two in the fourth asnf five in the fifth. R&B got two runs in the first, one in the third and four in the fifth.

Kenisha Kelly was 1-for-2 with a triple, a RBI and a run scored; Mia Turner was 2-for-2 with three RBI and Sophia Cartwright was 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI.

Blue Marlins 10, Chances Mighty Mitts 3 Thomas Davis got another win over Alcott Forbes on the mound in one game on Thursday.

Angelo Watson went 3-for-4 with a double, a run batted (RBI) and three runs scored, while Garfield Bethel went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored to pace Cyber Tech’s offensive attack.

The Blue Marlins got off to a slow start, but went on to score five runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and three in the sixth to seal the deal. The Mighty Mitts countered with a run in the third, fifth and sixth, but it wasn’t enough.

Richard Bain went 1-for-3 with a RBI and Philip Johnson was 0-for-3 for Chances.

Wildcats 14, Lady Operators 3: Mainstay Thela Stevens picked up the win for Sunshine Auto on the mound and Diva Burrows was tagged with the loss for R&B in the ladies’ opener on Thursday night.

Stevens helped her own cause by going 1-for-1 with s triple, two RBI and three runs scored; Jasmine Scavaella went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI; Shevette Taylor was 1=-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored and Kenya Forbes was 1-for-2 with a double and a pair of RBI with as many runs scored.

The Wildcats used two innings to score all of their runs to put the game away. They produced five in the first on three hits and nine more runs in the third on six hits. Siurelia Russell was 1-for-2 with two RBI in a losing effort.

Tuesday

7pm - R&B Lady Operators vs Sunshine Auto Wildcats (L).

8:30pm - Chances Mighty Mitts vs Cyber Tech Blue Marlins

Thursday

7pm - Sunshine Auto Wildcats vs R&B Lay Operators (L).’

8:30pm - Cyber Tech Blue Marlins vs Chances Mighty Mitts (M).

Saturday

7pm - R&B Lady Operators vs Sunshine Auto Wildcats (L).

contact Sean Bastian at 826-8535 or email: seanbastian@gmail.com

JUNIOR GOLF AWARDS THE 14th Hole Golf Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Junior Division, will hold its Junior Golf Awards ceremony from noon to 2pm on Sunday, October 6, at Fusion Superplex.

Tickets are priced at $10 for junior golfers and $40 for adults and can be

fans in attendance when he ran out to centre field before the game and again when he rounded the bases after his solo shot to centre in the third.

The A’s, who will play in Sacramento next season ahead of a planned move to Las Vegas in 2028, have one more series left at the Coliseum against the Texas Rangers beginning on Tuesday. They drew 24,663 in the Yankees’ series finale on Sunday. Boone gave the game ball to Judge, who reached base four times and scored two runs. Judge said he was

sad that the A’s are leaving Oakland, reminiscing on memories as both a player and a kid when he made a few trips to the Coliseum.

“There’s a lot of history in this building,” Judge said. “You can go back to the ‘70s, what they were able to do here three years in a row.

“A lot of special players played here, and just getting a chance to be on that same field and do some things — it’s definitely something I won’t forget.”

Judge already holds the AL single-season home run record he set with 62

in 2022 and moved ahead of Babe Ruth (1920, 1928), Mickey Mantle (1961) and Alex Rodriguez (2007) for fifth-most in franchise history.

Judge has given the Yankees a lead with a home run 23 times this season.

Domínguez tied the score at 2-2 with a two-run drive in the second. Judge followed in the third and Torres hit a solo shot to lead off the fifth off Joey Estes (7-9).

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. had a sacrifice fly later in the inning for a 5-2 lead. Tyler Soderstrom and Ryan

Archers on target for an historic 15 medals

teamed up for the compound beginner under 21/senior men doubles. They won gold by knocking off Jamaica’s Jordan Gordon and Leon Dwayne 134 to 129 in the finals.

The BAF president credited coach Alonso for the hard work put in with the archers ahead of competition.

“I am particularly pleased with the shooting performance of the athletes and I commend coach Efrain Alonso of 242 Archery Grand Bahama and the Grand Bahama Archery Association. I also would like to acknowledge and thank the other athletes and coaches who would have come before and paved the way for this success. The programme is strong and only getting stronger,” he said.

Jennifer Almira concluded the event with two silver medals and one bronze medal.

Rudolph Thompson picked up silver in the compound beginner under-15 men’s event. Trinidad & Tobago’s Vivekand was first and his teammate Luca Young was third overall.

Thompson won his second silver medal of competition teamed up with Kasadiyah Baird of the British Virgin Islands in the compound beginner under 15/18 mixed team.

Tanya Thompson formed a duo with Jamaica’s Gabriel Tickle in the recurve beginner senior mixed team. The team finished in second place. She also secured a bronze medal at the event.

purchased by calling whatsapp 828-Golf or 423-8003. Event coordinator Georgette Rolle-Harris revealed that a number of awards will be presented to the top performers in the junior programme for the past year.

CYCLING BCF ELECTION OF OFFICERS

THE Bahamas Cycling Federation’s secretary general Barron “Turbo” Musgrove has announced that their general meeting and election of officers will take place on Saturday, October 26 at the office of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, starting at 5pm.

Stephen Stubbs racked up two medals in the barebow beginner senior men’s doubles and barebow beginner all ages (but under-15) mixed team events respectively.

Nicola Joffer also left the championship with a silver medal.

Rahming said the federation is now looking forward to 2025 when they are expected to host the seventh edition of the World Archery Americas Caribbean Development Championships at home. “The Bahamas is scheduled to host this tournament next July in Nassau, Bahamas. That will be the main focus of the federation over the next few months

Nominations for positions in the federation must be submitted to Musgrove in person or via email at bammus1967@gmail.com by Sunday, October 13. Positions to be filled are president, two vice presidents, general secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer. The current president is Roy Colebrooke.

BBSF

CYCLING

CLASSIC

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation has announced that its cycling classic will be held on Saturday, October 5 starting at 9 am at the park just before

to confirm that we will be hosting it and to make sure that we do as good a job as they did here in Jamaica and the other places where it has been held. This tournament was very well-organised, very well run and it was a lot of fun,” he said. A special thanks was offered to supporters and sponsors, including the Bahamas Olympic Committee, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Robin Hood Flour distributed by Asa H Pritchard, Senator Reuben Rahming, Bahama Clear and everyone else that supported the archers on this journey.

you enter Perpall Tract on West Bay Street. Registration fee is $10 for adults in the open 18-and-over and masters 35-and-over divisions and $5 for juniors in ages 15-17, 12-15 and 9-11.

Interested persons are asked to contact Barron Musgrove at 433-5568 or email musgrovebarron@ hotmail.com

SOFTBALL

EXUMA

HOMECOMING

THE Williams Town Exuma Homecoming Association is scheduled to hold a softball game and road race over the weekend of October 11-14.

16

goal from the start of the season. “My guys were a bit overconfident after the game last night but I told them to stay in the moment and that we still have unfinished business to complete. Until the fat lady sings and we are victorious in game four, that is when I will be ready to celebrate the championship but not before that,” he said. Four Crimestoppers cleared double digits on the offensive end of the floor. Sirmar Rolle led the team with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. He was also efficient, shooting 57 per cent from the field. Kirklyn Farrington pooled in 15 points, five rebounds and two assists. Dion McPhee ended the night with 14 points and Dastyn Baker finished with 10 points, 10 boards and six assists.

Slow starts plagued the Crimestoppers in the first two games of the series but, on Saturday night, they switched it up. The team ran out to a 13-3 advantage in the opening quarter which blossomed into a 20-8 lead going into the second period of play. The Ballers started to build some momentum in the second quarter but continued to trail the Crimestoppers 47-26 at the halftime break.

Lamont McPhee, who had a game-high 33 points, trimmed the deficit down to 13 (52-39) with 5:04 to go until the fourth.

Versatile player Adam Johnson left the contest early in the third period with an ankle injury and the Ballers started to ramp up their intensity.

The Ballers went on to outscore their opponents 21-11 in the third but they still had some ground to make up with the score at 58-47.

Tehrad Rahming drained a jumper for the Ballers to shave the lead down to single digits (69-60) at the 5:29 mark but the Crimestoppers never gave up too much of an edge.

Baker splashed a timely make from deep to extend the lead back to double digits. With less than a minute on the clock in game three, McPhee buried a three of his own to close in on the Crimestoppers’ lead 79-72.

But it was not enough.

D McPhee was fouled and split his pair of free throws to give the Crimestoppers a good enough cushion to seal the game three victory.

The Crimestoppers dominated the boards 66 to 57.

L McPhee paced the Ballers with 33 points, six rebounds and seven threes.

Deonta Tinker dropped 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Game four is slated to be played at 8pm tonight in the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Will the Ballers stave off elimination or will the Crimestoppers take home the crown?

The softball game will be played on October 11-12 between the Corner Boyz from the New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association and the local All-Star team from Exuma.

Then on October 12, a five-mile road race will be staged, starting at 7am from the Culture Centre in Forbes Hill to the public school in Williams Town. Competitors in the under-9, under-11 and under-13 divisions will compete in a 2 1/2 mile run, while those in the under-15, under-17, under20 and open divisions will compete in a five-mile run. ROOTS JUNKANOO FUN RUN/WALK THE Roots Junkanoo Group is scheduled to hold its Fun Run/Walk Race under the theme “Let’s Do This Together,” on Saturday, October 12. The event will start promptly

at 6:30am at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and will be sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Sports Authority. The registration fee is $25 per athlete. Categories include under male and female under-15, under-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 61-and-over. ALL CARIBBEAN WRESTLING FIGHT FOR PARADISE THE All Caribbean Wrestling (ACW) is scheduled to hold its Fight for Paradise Show on Saturday, October 19, at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Doors open at 1pm. Wrestlers from throughout the Caribbean and the United States of America will be participating. For ticket information, persons can contact FightForParadise.eventbrite. com

Noda each had two-run doubles for the A’s. Giancarlo Stanton doubled in a run in the seventh after Oakland closed to 5-4.

TOP Bahamian archers share a special moment togther with their medals.

MAKING HISTORY: Bahamian archers racked up historic 15 medals at the 2024 World Archery Americans Caribbean Development Championships in Ochos Rios, Jamaica last week.

YANKEES’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) celebrates with Aaron Judge (right) after he scored during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics yesterday. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Jones, Liberty earn 83-69 win in postseason opener

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SUNDAY marked

the start of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) postseason and Grand Bahamian Jonquel “JJ” Jones and the New York Liberty began their playoff quest on a high note.

The Libs dominated the eighth-seeded Atlanta Dream 83-69 in game one of the best-of-three firstround matchup yesterday evening at the Barclays Centre.

There were some concerns surrounding the NY Liberty following their losses to the Minnesota Lynx and Dream in two out of their last three regular season games.

However, the league’s top-seeded team steamrolled the Dream behind the efforts of their starting unit, which had four players score in double digits.

“JJ” was the lone starter to finish the game under

CARL HIELD

FROM PAGE 16

they want me to be on the card. “That will give me a chance to fight a pro card on home soil,” said Hield, who, as an amateur, rarely got the chance to fight at home because there were no opponents to match up against him. Since he switched from the amateur to the pro ranks, Hield said he’s made tremendous strides.

“I’m managing my own career until I get signed by a management team or a promoter,” he said. “I’m moving in the right direction and I’m focussed.

“Next year is the World Championships and I will

double digits, but she put up nine points, seven rebounds and three assists while shooting 3-for-5 from the field. Forward Leonie Fiebich was the star of the show for the Libs. She posted a career-high 21 points which included 4-for-4 shooting from behind the arc.

Last year’s league MVP Breanna Stewart closed out the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The game was never really in doubt for the Liberty in their wire-to-wire victory.

The 2023 WNBA championship runners-up were up by just four (13-9) at the 5:33 mark of the first quarter.

After this point, the Liberty climbed out to an unanswered 14-0 run to jump ahead 27-9. They ended the first period in charge 29-16.

Jones picked up an assist off a go-ahead pass to Fiebich who made a layup to give the Liberty a 35-20

still have a chance to represent The Bahamas because amateurs can now fight against the professionals. So everything is just coming out at the right time for me.

“Everything is in God’s plans, so I want to thank him for guiding me and keeping me on the right track.”

With a solid amateur background, Hield said he knew it would be an easy transition to the pro ranks.

“It’s just a slower pace as a pro compared to the amateurs,” he said. “You just don’t have to go out there and throw 20 and 30 punches like the amateurs because it’s only three.

“As a pro, you are fighting eight, 10 and 12 rounds, so you have to be able to

cushion with 6:59 to play before halftime. The Dream were able to cut down the deficit to 11 (36-25) with under five minutes to go but Jones extended the lead for the Libs with a quick layup.

The Liberty remained in control 48-30 at the halftime break.

The first half surge was all the WNBA title favourites needed to put away the (15-25) Atlanta Dream.

The visitors never led at any point during the game and trailed by as much as 22 points in the contest.

The Liberty shot 29-of67 on field goals for 43.3 per cent while holding the Dream to 27-of-68 for 39.7 per cent.

The Brooklynn based team was also lethal from deep. They canned 34.8 per cent of their threes while the Dream struggled at 18.8 per cent.

They also made their trips to the charity stripe count. The Libs cashed in on 17-of-18 attempts for 94.4 per cent shooting at the line. Atlanta Dream guard

pace yourself. My style was a pro style, so it was just adapting. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”

With the inspiration he’s been getting from Williams as his sparring partner, Hield said it’s normal for both of them to train together as they stay ready for the next fight lined up.

To the Bahamian people, Hield thanked everyone who has been supporting him from the time he began his pro career.

He mentioned Roland Tires and Park from Trinidad & Tobago, Ronn Rodgers from Strikers Boxing Club, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation.

Rhyne Howard scored a team-high 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in the loss.

New York will have an opportunity to send Atlanta packing with a victory at home Tuesday night. The game will begin at 7:30pm in the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

DREAM forward Laeticia Amihere (7) is defended by Liberty forward Jonquel Jones, right, during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game yesterday in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

SPORTS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Archers on target for an historic 15 medals

Bahamian arch-

ers showed up and showed out at the World Archery Americas Caribbean Development Championships (CDC) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, September 19-23.

The competitors were on target for an historic 15 medals with four gold, seven silver and four bronze. The medal haul represents the largest number of medals won by The Bahamas since the Caribbean Development Championships were started back in 2017.

David Rahming, president of the Bahamas Archery Federation, was very proud of the archers and their performances in Jamaica.

“I am very pleased with the performances of the athletes again this year. It was a struggle to get here because the tournament was postponed because of Hurricane Beryl damaging Jamaica and some athletes lost money as a result of not being able to get tickets refunded.

“The performances on the field were outstanding given that every single athlete won at least one medal. The performances and the competition were very good this year and it

continues to increase every year,” he said. Bernard Almira nabbed two medals at the competition. He earned a gold medal finish in the barebow developmental senior

men’s division, defeating Guyana’s Lall Teemahall 6-0 in the finals. He then teamed up with Jamaica’s Britney Hughes-Kow in the barebow developmental all ages mixed team

event.

got the victory over the host country’s Page Brown in the

compound amateur senior men’s division. He won narrowly 119 to 112 in the finals for gold. Lincoln Knowles and Troy Laing

NPSA Finals: Blue Marlins and Wildcats take 2-0 lead

THE Cyber Tech Blue Marlins and the Sunshine Auto Wildcats surged out front to 2-0 leads in their New Providence Softball Association men’s and ladies’ best-of-seven championship series.

After winning the opener 10-3 on Thursday night in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the Blue Marlins came back on

Saturday to double up the Chances Mighty Mitts 4-2. The Wildcats, on the other hand, powered to a pair of blowouts with a 15-7 decision in game two to go along with their 14-3 pounding in the opener on Thursday.

Blue Marlins 9, Mighty Mitts 4 In another showdown between the top two male pitchers in the league, Thomas Davis got the better of the showdown against Alcott Forbes in

Saturday’s game two of the series.

Gee Bethel went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored, Ellis Adderlery was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored and Kristen Collie was 1-for-3 with a RBI to lead Cyber Tech to another victory.

The game was scoreless up until the fifth inning when the Blue Marlins got their first two runs before they added another pair in the sixth.

Norman Bastian was 1-for-3 with a home run,

COACH Denykco Bowles is inviting persons interested in participating in the International Basketball Acad-

persons can email ibabahamaspanthers@gmail.com or info. ibabahamas@gmail.com or log onto facebook, instagram or twitter at The International Basketball Academy Bahamas. Bowles can also be contacted at 466-0049 for more details.

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its final team registration for its basketball tournament at 7pm on Tuesday, September 24 at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street. All teams wishing to participate in either the men’s open division or the high school division are asked to submit their team roster and their registration fee of $200 per team. The tournament will be held September 27-28 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. Awards will be presented to winners and runners-up in both divisions. Interested teams are urged to

SEE PAGE 14

an RBI and a run scored and Philip Johnson was 2-for-3 with a run scored in a losing effort.

The Mighty Mitts’ only two runs came in the seventh.

Wildcats 15,

Thela Johnson once again did her damage on the mound for the win, this time over Brendia Ferguson - the losing pitcher.

As usual Stevens, who plays well on both ends of the field, also did it on the offensive end with a 2-for-3

plate appearance with a double and triple with an RBI and two runs scored.

Kenya Forbes led the way with a 3-for-4 night with a pair of doubles, four RBI and two runs scored, Jasmine Scavella was a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored and Larikah Russell was 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Sunshine Auto scored two runs in the first, five in

By

THE Police Crimestoppers are just one game away from hoisting the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) championship, while the Nassau Flight Services Ballers face elimination tonight. The Crimestoppers picked up two pivotal wins in weekend action over at the DW Davis Gymnasium. The second-seeded team knocked off the Ballers 91-82 on Friday night and returned on Saturday to defeat them once again 82-72 for a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

Team head coach Anthony “Cops” Rolle expressed how it felt to witness his team take command of the series over the weekend.

“We did not have a slow start and that was surprising to me. We started off the game with a 10-0 run and then we went up as much as 26 points but my versatile big man Adam Johnson twisted his ankle and they picked up a little momentum from that. They were able to bring it within nine to 10 points but we were able to weather the storm and still pull off the victory. Once we come out with the same start that we had in game three we will be okay,” he said.

He is looking forward to game four tonight but knows not to take anything for granted.

“It feels good to be in the driver’s seat with a commanding 3-0 lead. I do not want to get overconfident with that lead because the job is not finished yet. The series still requires four games to win the championship and that was our initial

THE long and illustrious amateur career for Carl Hield is finally paying off big dividends as a professional boxer. Since turning pro in 2023 with a knockout victory over Elkin Bolano on October 21 at the Gimnasio Saga Boxing in Cartagena, Colombia in the super welterweight division, Hield has pushed his unblemished win-loss record to 7-0. He will now put that record on the line on Friday when he defends his World Boxing Association Fedecaribe title in Cartagena against Alfonso Blanco of Venezuela who, at 38, comes into the fight with an 18-3 win-loss record, including a loss to Milan Prat in his last fight on December 2 in Marseille, France.

Hield, 38, won on June 21 over Christian Bautista of Colombia in Cartagena. He’s been working out with fellow Bahamian pro Rashield Williams, who has been sparring with him at their training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “I’m just going to go out there and defend my training and go on from there,” Hield said. Against Blanco, Hield said he will proceed just as he’s done in his past seven fights. “I will just go in there

and perform the things that I’ve been doing in my training camp,” Hield said. “He’s a tough opponent, but mentally and physically, I’m ready to perform.

“I can’t wait for the referee to raise my hands and say I am still the champion.” In defending his title, Hield said it’s a good opportunity, although he wanted to fight at home in The Bahamas, but things didn’t work out.

“So I’m just trying to get over this fight,” said Hield, who is once again dedicating his fight to his deceased mother, Norma Hield, whom he described as his number one supporter from his amateur days.

“I got a call from Champion Spirit Club in The Bahamas, who have told me that they are hoping to put on a show in December and

The duo fell to Guyana’s Lall and Nataliya Pollard 0-6 for silver. Grand Bahama coach Efrain Alonso

CARL HIELD