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Trump victory a warning sign for PLP, say veterans

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump gives his acceptance speech during his election night rally early yesterday morning in New York.

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net Â TWO veteran Progressive Liberal Party members yesterday told The Tribune that the unexpected results of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; presidential election could signal a defeat at the polls for the governing party, with one insisting that the party use this as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;wake-up callâ&#x20AC;? as it prepares to campaign for the impending election. Reacting to US President-elect Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory over Democratic Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller said he had hoped Mrs Clinton would win, which he said would have boosted the PLPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confi-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MINNIS A HYPOCRITEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; OVER CHINA DEAL, SAYS GRAY By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AGRICULTURE Minister V Alfred Gray yesterday called Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hypocriteâ&#x20AC;? over the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call for him to resign over a $2.1bn

ACTIVISTS â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;VINDICATEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BY RULING ON HARASSMENT

agri-fisheries proposal with Chinese investors, as he accused Dr Minnis of being party to a â&#x20AC;&#x153;secret dealâ&#x20AC;? between the FNM and Chinese officials for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;agricultural developmentâ&#x20AC;? of thousands of acres of land in Abaco seven years ago. SEE PAGE SIX

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net AFTER years of having their security concerns marginalised, Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) president Fred Smith yesterday said the recent ruling by the human rights arm of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has vindicated activistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cries for antiharassment laws. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (IACHR) resolution, issued on November 4, SEE PAGE 12

GALANIS PRAISES CAMPAIGN OF LEADERSHIP CHALLENGER SEARS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FORMER PLP MP Philip Galanis yesterday praised the leadership platform presented by former Attorney General Alfred Sears as a welcome respite

from the status quo of visionless political leadership, and a return to the core values of the Progressive Liberal Party. Mr Galanis threw his support behind a number of reforms outlined in the SEE PAGE SIX

DR BERNARD NOTTAGE, MP for Bain and Grants Town, dancing as he led the people in the community in song shortly before giving a speech at the Urban Renewal Community Uplifiting Service in the constituency. See page 17 for more. Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

UNION THREAT OF ACTION OVER POST OFFICE

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BAHA MAR COMMITTEE PAYS OUT 200 CHEQUES By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Baha Mar Claims Committee has issued about 200 cheques to Ba-

hamian companies owed by the beleaguered resort, Committee Chairman James Smith said yesterday. The pace at which companies have submitted their claims, however, re-

main slow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The response so far is approaching 50 per cent of what we expected,â&#x20AC;? Mr Smith said. SEE PAGE THREE

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dence heading into the 2017 general election. Meanwhile, former PLP MP Philip Galanis said the party needed to wake up as some of its members have become too â&#x20AC;&#x153;arrogantâ&#x20AC;?. Both admitted that Bahamians were dissatisfied with the Christie administration and wanted change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This should be a wakeup call for the PLP, absolutely,â&#x20AC;? Mr Galanis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unquestionably. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become too arrogant, some of our members have become too arrogant, they are in denial. There are a lot of people on the streets, in offices, in their homes, who are dissatisfied, and they feel disconnected from MPs. SEE PAGE TEN

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BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder threatened industrial action yesterday if the government does not immediately relocate employees from the â&#x20AC;&#x153;unsanitaryâ&#x20AC;? General Post Office on East Hill Street. SEE PAGE 12

PAGE 2, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

PANEL DISCUSSION HELD IN UNIVERSITY COUNTDOWN

FROM left, Professor Dr Warren Buck, Sir George Alleyne, Dr Rodney Smith, Jayne Hodder and Dr Sidney McPhee at the panel of university presidents held to discuss the subject of the university in the community at the College of the Bahamas Performing Arts Centre last night. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE AUDIENCE at last nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event.

THE MEMBERS of the panel at the discussion.

DR SIDNEY MCPHEE, president at Middle Tennessee State University, speaking last night.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 3

‘Where are details PM promised on Baha Mar?’ By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net AS criticism over the level of involvement by the Chinese government in Bahamas investments continues, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday renewed calls for clarification on the sealed deal relating to the sale and remobilisation of the Baha Mar resort. Addressing the length of time that has elapsed since Mr Christie promised the disclosure of pertinent details associated with that deal, Dr Minnis criticised the Centreville MP, insisting that he was “hiding” behind the “secret deal” which allowed Perfect Luck Holdings Limited to acquire the stalled mega resort in late September. Perfect Luck is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), which was the resort’s financier. A Hong Kong conglomerate Chow Tai Fook has since said it is in negotiations with the government to purchase the resort. In a statement to the press Wednesday, the Killarney MP said it had been two and half weeks since Mr Christie said he would “soon unveil more details” about the transaction. “The Bahamian people are still waiting,” Dr Minnis said. “During this period we have had a Chinese company step forward announc-

FNM leader Hubert Minnis. ing that they are in negotiations to buy the resort. Then we learned this PLP government has conducted its clandestine negotiations with the Chinese government that would ultimately give away 20,000 acres of Crown land and our fishing rights to the Chinese against the interest of the Bahamian people.” He was referring to a proposal for investment by the Bahamas Embassy in China, seeking a $2.1 billion partnership with Chinese officials. The government has said the proposal is not being considered, although the Bahamas ambassador to China was given the goahead to have discussions on the matter by Agricul-

ture Minister V Alfred Gray. Dr Minnis said the time was now for the “embattled” prime minister to finally come forward and hold true to his word to “provide details on his secret Baha Mar deal.” “The people are long past tired of his excessive excuses, empty promises and side-show distractions. The answers are out there. Unfortunately they are not being provided by this government,” Dr Minnis said. “We have (said) for months that the prime minister would be willing to make an unholy deal with his Chinese allies, and now we found out that they are bent on giving away our

land and fishing rights – all part of an ongoing web of (misinformation) emanating from their secret Baha Mar deal that they continue to keep under seal and away from the people,” added Dr Minnis. In September, Mr Christie said the court documents related to the remobilisation of the resort were sealed at the request of CEXIM. This had prompted outcry, with the FNM creating an online petition to measure Bahamians’ level of displeasure over the hidden Baha Mar negotiation documents. Subsequently, the petition gathered thousands of signatures.

BAHA MAR COMMITTEE PAYS OUT 200 CHEQUES from page one

“We’ve made provisions where we are calling business people and they are coming in. We’re certifying submissions in terms of accuracy and comparing it to what the Baha Mar books show and we’re paying out. We’re on target for ending this process at the end of December. I can’t say companies are coming forward at the same pace as individual employees of Baha Mar did, however.” Mr Smith previously said about 200 companies will likely receive a collective total of $8m - $10m. The committee previously paid about 2,000 exemployees of Baha Mar the outstanding salary, severance pay and other benefits owed to them.

Companies owed less than $500,000 were expected to recover all owed to them while those owed more than this amount would be able to negotiate to recover at least 50 per cent of what is owed to them. However, if the trend continues whereby fewer companies come forward with claims, that increases the odds that every company could get what they are owed. The Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) made about $100 million available to pay former Baha Mar employees and creditors. Regarding businesses that have yet to come forward with claims, Mr Smith said they may have absorbed the loss, written it off and moved on. Mr Smith also warned

that some businesses owed money may believe they are not required to submit documents to the committee to reclaim what’s owed to them because they submitted such documents to the Supreme Court after Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy last year. However, he emphasised that the Claims Committee process is separate from

that of the courts and the committee still needs to receive documents verifying that they are owed.

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THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt . Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

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Donald Trump beyond his depth BEFORE US Secretary of State John Kerry left for New Zealand yesterday he instructed his staff to be “as helpful as possible” to the incoming administration. “One of the beautiful things of democracy - and we particularly pride ourselves in the United States – is that we have this amazing peaceful transfer of power,” he said. “And we will do everything in our power, as I have instructed our team, to work with the incoming administration as fully and openly as possible, to be as helpful as possible, so that the transfer of power will be as smooth as it possibly can without missing a beat on the important issues before us.” And there are many important issues before US legislators — issues far beyond the ignorant grasp of the new president. His first task will be to leave his crudity at the gates before he enters the White House, a residence for which he is ill-prepared. Despite this, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who won the popular vote, but not the election, although acknowledging that the loss of her hard fought race was “painful”, urged unity for the sake of democracy. She urged her supporters to accept that Mr Trump was now president. “We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead,” she told her shattered supporters, while acknowledging that the country was more divided than even she believed. Even President Obama, who went out on the hustings to fight hard for his legacy and for Mrs Clinton to become the first woman president, rose to the occasion — as he usually does — and told Americans that “we are all rooting for his (Trump’s) success.” But, unfortunately, Donald Trump is his own worst enemy. He has spoken words that can neither be forgotten nor erased. In the past, there have been hard fought elections, but after the dust has settled the vote has been accepted and the transfer has been peaceful as democracy carries on without missing a beat. One only has to take the example of President Obama and Hilary Clinton. When Mrs Clinton ran against Barack Obama for the presidency and lost, the two made their peace and from 2009 to 2013 she became his secretary of state. And in this contest for the presidency, he fought hard for her to succeed him. But there was nothing about this election that was normal. The winning candidate was offensive, conceited, so in love with himself that it seemed he saw only himself in every shadow. His theme song: “I am going to make America great again!” was chanted so often that we are still waiting for him to break the monotony by telling us his plans for making America even greater than she already is. That was the problem with Trump. He was shallow, he had no plans. No wonder the world fears the future. The only one now rejoicing in his triumph is his friend in the Kremlin — Vladimir Putin, another megalomaniac. The only difference between them is that Putin is better educated and a more subtle manipulator. He’ll make mincemeat of Trump - then we’ll see who is great again – unfortunately the world — including the Bahamas — will suffer from his blundering. His great boast is how “really, really rich” he is, proud that he evaded the tax man for 15 years. He considered his income tax evasion an electoral asset, which illustrated how clever he was. He was not ashamed of the fact that he went bankrupt four times. In one debate he could not contain the boastful side of his nature. He was proud that he had made money on each bankruptcy. However, he did not bother to add that the only reason

he made money was because he put many of his small creditors out of business because he refused to pay them. That is the type of man Americans have made their president-elect. During the campaigning — that went on for months almost to the exclusion of all other news as voting time drew near — we were often asked: “What do you think of Donald Trump?” So alarmed that the Republican party could vote for such a man to represent them, we always replied: “It’s not what I think of Trump, it’s what I think of the American people who would vote for such a man.” It shows that there must be much unrest in American society, especially among the working class — factories closed, industries moved overseas for a cheaper work force, racial tensions, among many other home-grown grievances on which Mr Trump has played without giving a reasonable solution to calm the fears. There is worry as to how he is going to deal with his country’s security issues, which are probably the most pressing matters awaiting his untrained attention. How will he handle the resurgency of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Syrian civil war, and the retreating ISIS in Iraq? Is he going to pull the blanket around the nation and close off the borders? Of course, we can’t forget the wall he is going to build to keep the Mexicans out. Yesterday morning CNN showed Mexicans angrily telling the new president-elect that they had no intention of paying for any wall that he might try to build. And, of course, it is reported that several students are due to take him to court next month to recover their life savings that they claim they lost as a result of the training they received from Trump University, which purported to train them to make millions from property investments. It will be interesting to know how the new president will deal with that matter. As we wrote this column last night demonstrators closed midtown Manhattan as they moved to the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, where the Trump family live. Others gathered at a Manhattan Park shouting: “Not my president!” A pleasant looking young woman, interviewed by a reporter, said that no matter what Donald Trump says today, “He can’t erase what he said about women, about Blacks and Asians — he said those words, he can’t take them back! They were his words!” She said when she wakened yesterday morning, and heard the unbelievable news that such an offensive man would be their new president, she had no choice but to take to the streets. An estimated 1,800 protesters gathered in downtown Chicago outside the International Hotel and Tower. Their chants were: “No Trump! No KKK! no racist USA!” A 22-year-old holding a sign – “Enjoy your rights while you can” – said that she was terrified “about what is happening in this country.” There were also demonstrations in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, with rallies being planned for San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, California. In his victory speech Mr Trump pledged that he would be president for all Americans. “It is time for us to come together as one united people,” he said. For these protesters such a plea was too late. As the young Manhattan woman said the xenophobic words were from his mouth and repeated over and over again for months. He can’t now take them back. And the people won’t forget. The ill-equipped Donald Trump is urgently in need of his “handlers” to keep him on script.

University inauguration EDITOR, The Tribune. LIVE from Christ Church Cathedral the leaders of The Bahamas and our higher education system were supposed to gather to give thanks. Pictures do not lie...the attendance of who should have been present was as close to zero as it is possible... PM - Minister of Education - Minister of Youth were the sole and only Ministers... add HE Picewell

Forbes. The Prime Minister should ask on Tuesday give me a reason why you were not present and it better be a good reason? Where was the Leader of the Opposition? In fact, where were the majority of both sides of Parliament and the Senate? Living past Ministers of Education... missing. Before I accuse all of the above one has to ask did COB invite these people for starters?

It has taken far, far too long from 1973 to come to this all-important date in our history - talk is cheap but from what everyone witnessed from the live ZNS TV broadcast everyone was missing with no explanation when there must be one. Shame on all of you. You say you care about our young people? Your actions say totally different. W THOMPSON Nassau, November 6, 2016.

Selling out in fishing proposal EDITOR, The Tribune. I REFER to the recent announcement that the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, V Alfred Gray, has invited discussion with the Chinese Government on a joint venture with the Chinese to teach Bahamians how to farm and fish! It is well-documented that the Chinese frequently employ a combined agriculture/fishery proposals to gain access to the marine resources of developing countries. Under separate cover I will share with Madam Editor a copy of an article in “Time” magazine on this very matter. The idea of investing in agriculture is really nothing more than a Chinese smoke screen. The evidence is clear that they cannot be trusted when it comes to fisheries! Shelf (shallow water) fisheries in The Bahamas are already under severe pressure. Such a venture as is proposed would have to expand into blue water fisheries. This would send the $100M+ sport fishing industry elsewhere (Cuba, Turks and Caicos, e.g.) resulting in severe hardship not only to Bimini, Abaco and the like, but also to some of our

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net most economically needy Southern Family Islands, such as Cat Island and San Salvador. Any further expansion of fisheries would have to be into deep ocean environments, and I understand from the experts it is without question that the deepocean is unable to withstand such fishing pressure. The economics of deep-sea fisheries are more closely related to the economics of mining rather than fishing, I am informed, and there is literally no biological way of fishing them sustainably. Couple all of the above with the fact that new marine species are still being discovered in The Bahamas! We would literally be in the position of losing species before their existence has even been documented, if deep water fisheries were to be established here. Finally, we know that the Defence Force is limited in its ability to enforce fisheries regulations, partially because they are woefully underfunded in their task to patrol our vast marine territory. We also know that

we are rapidly losing our conch populations, not because of non-Bahamians in our waters, but principally because Bahamians themselves are taking small, immature conch (and lobster) from the sea. In some cases this is being done by the very individuals who are supposed to be protecting the resource. So, who is going to police all these “new fishermen” in these new ecosystems when clearly we are unable to police the fishing community we already have? This so-called agricultural and fisheries proposal is a typical short term idea, put forward by people who have no understanding of the fragile quality of our resources and no long term vision for protecting them. A one-time payment for all of the marine resources in The Bahamas is what is being proposed, and then when the resources are all gone - the Chinese will also be – ALL GONE! Wake up Bahamians. We are being invited to sell our souls for a few pieces of silver - AGAIN! THE NIGHT HERON Nassau, November 7, 2016.

A comedy show EDITOR, The Tribune. A LETTER to the Editor on Friday suggested that James Catalyn write a comedy show on current political events in Nassau. No disrespect to James but perhaps the “Yes Minister” team might like to take a stab at it. Just look at events this past week. PAC writes a nasty report on the Urban Renewal organisation. The Co-Chairs of Urban Renewal are now going to write a report on PAC!! Then Minister Gray writes a letter to the Bahamian Ambassador in Beijing giving him permission to discuss with The Chinese Government the possibility of becoming a 50-50 partner in the development of Agricultural and Fisheries

in The Bahamas. The letter is apparently real but Minister Gray now denies he wrote and sent it. A great episode. There is an island wide black out and who is to blame the BPL or BEC, new equipment or old equipment? One of the Government’s accepted gaming houses after months of back and forth as to which groups were to be licensed has decided to back out. The possibility of a long running episode if you start at the Referendum. But of course the piece de resistance, Baha Mar, could take up to a year of episodes. Can you imagine the intrigue, Sarkis and his Directors, the Bahamas Cabinet discussions, the trips to Beijing, the internal Chi-

nese discussions. It could be made very exciting!! There is plenty of material for a long series I am sure. But will we ever get it. I read in a leading UK newspaper’s Leader this week a quote that Members of Parliament “should always behave with probity and integrity” referring to the antics of Keith Vaz, the sacked Chairman of a major UK Parliamentary Committee. Perhaps the political class here should focus on this comment. We can only suffer the comedy for so long. So where is this lovely country heading? - Think about it as you will be asked to vote soon. I say register to vote and cast it wisely. PATRICK H THOMSON Nassau, November 4, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 5

Keod Smith given extra time to pay $263,000 in legal costs By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Keod Smith has been given an extra month to pay $263,000 in legal costs that stemmed from a recusal application where he accused a Supreme Court judge of bias. Justice Rhonda Bain had been asked by environmental group Save The Bays (STB) to give Mr Smith additional time to pay the costs awarded to them in December 2014 when the judge had found the lawyer guilty of contempt for the “scandalising” affidavits he had filed which undermined the integrity of the judge and the judicial system. Mr Smith had been given a 10-week deadline that ended on February 1, 2015. The ruling on costs was

never appealed. On April 20, 2016, the registrar amounted the costs to $263,500 from the day the order was made by Justice Bain and a certificate of taxation verified the same and authorised an extension. However, last month Mr Smith sought an injunction against the effect of the order citing prejudice. He filed an affidavit arguing that he should not be made to pay funds to a nominal plaintiff whose company had no known assets and would not be in a position to refund costs paid to them if the court later ruled he was not a proper party to the proceedings. He also alleged he would suffer damage to his professional reputation. Justice Bain, in a ruling handed down yesterday,

stressed that Mr Smith had not appealed the order for costs and had, in fact, participated in the taxing of the costs, and “is not able at this stage to object to the order for costs.” The court ruled that Mr Smith would pay the costs on/or before December 12, 2016. Justice Bain is presiding over the judicial review filed by the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay which is challenging an application by Peter Nygard to further develop his premises in Lyford Cay and gain a lease for Crown land reclaimed from the sea. Fred Smith, lead counsel for the environmental group, alleges that over the last 30 years, Nygard Cay has nearly doubled in size as a result of construction work undertaken without

the appropriate permits and in a manner that had caused significant damage to the surrounding environment of Clifton Bay. In January 2014, Keod Smith filed a series of affidavits claiming that Justice Bain should recuse herself from a judicial review proceeding as she had allegedly made a series of decisions based on her affiliation with the Free National Movement. Ten months later, Keod Smith withdrew the application for the recusal, notwithstanding a section of an affidavit filed in January entitled “Justice Bain, who is she?” He alleged the judge once worked under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, that she was appointed to a high-ranking position in the Attorney General’s Office

because of her ties to the FNM and that her two sons were fathered by a person he claimed is a close friend and advisor to Mr Ingraham. Keod Smith also claimed that Justice Bain had made several rulings in favour of Fred Smith, who in the past had been affiliated with the FNM, which “can only be explained as coming about as a result of her bias.” Justice Bain, in December 2014, found Keod Smith guilty of contempt for the “scandalising” affidavits he had filed which undermined the integrity of the judge and the judicial system. His then lawyer, Mr Ryan, was also informed that he “cannot escape liability” for the affidavits. At a contempt hearing a month later, Mr Lockhart appeared for Keod Smith, a

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF TWO GRAND BAHAMA KILLINGS

DOYLE AMARCO MACKEY, 45, of Oxford Drive, South Beach, New Providence, is led into court in Freeport on Wednesday to face two murder charges and three of attempted murder in connection with a multiple shooting in East Grand Bahama on November 3. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS A NEW Providence man was arraigned in Freeport’s Magistrate’s Court yesterday on two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Doyle Amaro Mackey, 45, of South Beach, New Providence was arraigned before Magistrate Charlton Smith on the charges. He was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to

February 21 for a preliminary enquiry. The charges stem from a multiple shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 3, in Eastern Grand Bahama.

MURDER APPEAL TO BE HEARD IN JANUARY By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN contesting his sentence for murder in the death of a utility technician will now have his appeal heard in January 2017. Leslie Webster, 57, appeared in the Court of Appeal yesterday for his expected substantive hearing concerning his formal challenge to a 60-year sentence imposed on him by the Supreme Court for the 2001 murder of Garfield Wright. However, Webster’s lawyer, Glendon Rolle, was notably absent from the Claughton House courtroom when the matter was called. Crown respondent Cordell Frazier indicated that she had received a letter from Mr Rolle that he would be unable to argue the matter due to ongoing pain and discomfort he was experiencing from a recent traffic accident. Appellate President Justice Dame Anita Allen also indicated that she had received the same communication from the attorney and asked Webster if he’d spoken with his lawyer. The appellate said he had. Dame Anita asked the respondent if submissions and responses had already been filed in the matter. Ms Frazer confirmed that this was the case. “Good. So it is ready for hearing and the matter is adjourned to January 31, 2017 for substantive hearing,” the appellate president said. Wright, a 40-year-old Cable Bahamas lines technician, was stabbed to death 16 times about the body with a knife as he tried to protect his 10-year-old daughter from an intruder during a break-in at the family home in Fiddler’s Green, Freeport, Grand Bahama. Webster was linked to the crime scene through DNA taken from fingernail

clippings and a confession statement after he was arrested by police. He was unanimously convicted by a jury in March 2005 and was subsequently sentenced to death. However, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 2006 ruled that

the country’s mandatory death penalty upon a murder conviction was unconstitutional. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment afterwards and at a re-sentencing hearing in February 2011 before then Senior Justice Jon Isaacs,

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he received a 60-year sentence. He is now challenging that punishment on the grounds that it is excessively harsh. Cassie Bethell will be assisting Ms Frazier in the Crown’s response to the appeal.

former Progressive Liberal Party MP, and expressed his reservations about the proceedings and argued that the court had already arrived at a decision without first considering any evidence to refute the pair of contempt. The judge ruled, after a hearing in March 2015, that the court would proceed with notice against the attorney to show cause why he should not be committed to prison. However, the judge stayed contempt proceedings pending the outcome of Keod Smith’s application before the Court of Appeal. In January of this year, Mr Lockhart was unable to convince appellate court judges that his client’s appeal was not premature and Mr Smith’s appeal was dismissed.

PAGE 6, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

‘Minnis a hypocrite’ over China deal, says Gray from page one Charging that “he who lives in a glass house should never throw stones,” Mr Gray laid into the Killarney MP, as he accused the previous FNM administration, of which Dr Minnis was a member, of allegedly striking a “private deal” with China Shandong Expressway Investment Holding Company Limited in 2009 for the “rent free” development of 10,000 acres of land in Abaco. Mr Gray claimed that the deal allegedly called for some 1,354 Chinese workers versus just 167 Bahamians. Further seeking to highlight the FNM’s “hypocrisy” on the matter, Mr Gray also accused the party of giving “veto powers” or “total port rights” to Chinese investment holding company Hutchinson Whampoa in Grand Bahama, something he called a “bad deal” for Bahamians that “even the government could not override.” Mr Gray has been under fire ever since it was reported that the government had given the “green light” to its embassy in Beijing, China to further pursue the

MINISTER of Agriculture and Marine Resources V Alfred Gray. proposal for a partnership sign from his Cabinet post, between The Bahamas and charging that the proposal China for development of would bring the country agriculture and fisheries in one step closer to “being Andros. colonised once again.” The proposal reportedly During a press conferprojects a $2.1b injection ence yesterday, however, into the local economy over Mr Gray said “Minnis is ten years through an equal not going to throw me out partnership between Baha- of town,” pointing to the mians and the People’s Re- FNM’s alleged previous public of China. According deals with Chinese investo the report, the proposed tors. partnership will entail the “I want Dr Minnis to incorporation of 100 com- know, what Cabinet conpanies, with the agricultural cludes when he was in ofproducts and seafood to be fice, he has to take some used for local consumption, responsibility for that,” Mr and exported to China and Gray said in response. “He the United States for sale. can’t say ‘Oh, I am leader of The proposal also report- the opposition now, in 2009 edly included the option to I was only in the Cabinet.’ lease 10,000 acres of Crown Well, everybody knows land in Andros. Cabinet is collective reOn Sunday, Dr Minnis sponsibility. And the least called for Mr Gray to re- I expect Dr Minnis to do is

not be a hypocrite. I’m not saying it’s anything wrong with what they did. I’m just trying to point out that what is good for the goose in 2009 is no longer good for the gander. “…But I’m not resigning because I have done nothing wrong. The Cabinet of the Bahamas was told of what I did, and I stand by what I did. There may be those who say I shouldn’t have done it, there may be those who would like for me to drop dead. I know, I am a politician and I understand that. But (Dr Minnis) is not going to throw me out of town. The people of The Bahamas, who elected me to office, and the prime minister who appointed me will have to do that.” Mr Gray also said as a matter of policy, foreigners are not allowed to physically fish in Bahamian waters. The only thing foreigners are allowed to do, Mr Gray said, is engage in “fish farming”. “So I ask the FNM leader to come clean and stop being a hypocrite,” Mr Gray added. “He knows the policy, and if he doesn’t know he ought to have known, because he was part of the government of The Baha-

mas for at least five years. And when you don’t know you get acquainted with the policies, so that when you make a statement, you don’t make a statement out of ignorance, and pretend that you didn’t know.” Mr Gray also responded to the two initial stories on the controversy that were printed in The Nassau Guardian last week. Mr Gray said that when he previously stated that the initial story was “utterly false,” he was in fact referring to that story’s headline, which he said yesterday was “very misleading” because “if you did not read the story, it would be easily concluded that there was a deal or a proposal before the government for its consideration.” Accompanying the second of the two stories was a copy of Mr Gray’s October 3 letter to Bahamas Ambassador to China Paul Gomez about the issue. Mr Gray apologised to the newspaper for previously suggesting that it did not print the whole letter, as he claimed the image of the letter he saw “did not include my signature or the penultimate paragraph dealing with fishing as non

negotiable.” He claimed he was later told that the “other piece of the letter was about four pages into the Guardian.” “I repeat, today, that there was no deal, there was no proposal before the Bahamas government for consideration at all, and still there is none,” he said. “The truth is the Bahamas ambassador advised me that he has not yet begun to talk to any investor about the initiatives which he presented to me. “And so it is very difficult for me to see how some initiatives which the ambassador had could turn into a deal or a proposal when there was no second party even in discussion.” Still, Mr Gray also said that while he fully understands and appreciates the widespread backlash to the issue, he cannot support any form of resistance to foreign investment. “When people have money they spend their money anywhere,” he said. “They don’t have to come here. That’s why we have to be careful how we talk about not only Chinese, how we talk about people who bring business to our country.”

GALANIS PRAISES PLATFORM OF LEADERSHIP CHALLENGER SEARS from page one

26-page manifesto, entitled “A Vision For Our Revolution: Transforming the Bahamas for the 21st Century,” rolled out by Mr Sears last month - namely on immigration and economic empowerment. While he noted that his support for many of the reforms did not signal his endorsement of Mr Sears for PLP leader, Mr Galanis commended the political hopeful on his courage and tenacity in penning a manifesto in his campaign for leadership of the governing party. “I’m impressed that he

has a platform,” Mr Galanis said, “the first noteworthy one in a long time. He’s taken the time to commit his vision for the development of the country to paper, and articulated a number of key areas that’s helpful in explaining what he would wish to do if elected. “This document is so well-written it could serve as a party platform, I would not be surprised if the party adopts a lot of the things in this.” Mr Galanis said: “For far too long too many of our political leaders, many people in politics, don’t seem to have any kind of vision. They can’t articulate one, and there is no planned ap-

proach to governance. They don’t seem to have any wellthought out roadmap, this [platform] does that in a very succinct and meaningful way.” Mr Sears’ leadership platform details the leaderhopeful’s plan to revolutionise the country’s economic, cultural and social status quo through transformative initiatives that draw on core values of stewardship and accountability in governance. Initiatives target reforms for economic expansion and diversification; technology and innovation; public transportation; social; energy and environmental; culture industries and cultural

development; youth development; Grand Bahama and Family Island development; local government and community empowerment; and to restore, rebrand, and rebuild the PLP. The policies and initiatives outlined therein are intended to be adopted within the context of the country’s national development plan – Vision 2040. “I think his entire position shows courage that he will challenge the leader,” said Mr Galanis. “It’s a good thing to challenge, it’s important for us to be compliant with our constitution and for the leader to offer every year because that makes us stronger and that tests the metal of a leader. It’s far bigger than any individual having regards to that fact that he [Prime Minister Perry Christie] has been there for more than 20 years now.” He said: “I think there are a number of valuable points in this, this is something that the PLP could adopt, not necessarily in mass.” Mr Sears’ first proposed initiative, under the subheading Governance, is to appoint a bipartisan commission to conduct public

consultation on the establishment of the Commonwealth Republic of The Bahamas. Such a republic, Mr Sears envisioned, would have a Bahamian executive president and a mixed member system of proportional representation. Other governance reforms include: impose twoterm limits on the Office of the Prime Minister and reduce the size of the Cabinet to a maximum of 16 portfolios; and to include the right to vote and freedom of the press as fundamental rights under the Constitution. Mr Galanis disagreed with Mr Sears’ call for term limits, stating that it was an American idea that was a bastardisation of the Westminster system. However, he agreed that limits should be placed on the Cabinet and the powers of the Office of the Prime Minister. “This is a very good beginning point for the PLP to look at adopting as part of our platform,” he said, “or in consideration of our platform. It addresses many of the issues that need urgent attention. I applaud him for his courage, his vision, his foresight and having the tenacity to commit to paper his plan.”

Mr Sears also zeroed in on the hot-button issue of immigration as part of his multi-faceted plan for social reform. The platform calls for an amnesty period for undocumented migrants that have a “genuine link” to the country, and the regularisation of those living and working in the Bahamas for more than 15 years. Mr Sears’ stance on immigration could prove unpopular with the party’s base, which celebrated the PLP-led administration’s hardline policy implemented in November 2014. The government introduced a stricter immigration policy that, among other things, requires every non-Bahamian to have a passport of their nationality. Admitting that Mr Sears’ immigration policy was a departure from the popular attitudes held by many in the party, and the country, Mr Galanis said: “Sometimes you have to lead the base and do the right things.” “It may not always be popular. I like the humanistic approach to legalization, a path to regularisation. That again is something that the PLP should be speaking out on, we’re not speaking to it, not addressing it. There are a lot of people that are stateless, without a sense of belonging, even though this is the only place they’ve been. Mr Galanis said: “While we may have addressed it in the past, we have perhaps spoken about it, but a lot of people still remain stateless and it’s not being addressed. Even though it’s going to be a politically sensitive issue, I believe it’s the right thing to do.” Mr Galanis pointed out that Mr Sears’ compassionate response to immigration was in line with the party’s primary mandate: to be a voice and vehicle for the downtrodden and oppressed. Speaking generally on public controversy government MPs faced this term, Mr Galanis said: “Too many PLP politicians don’t have appreciation of the core values of the PLP, that’s a real serious problem. If they did they wouldn’t have gotten themselves into the trouble they have over the last few years.” “The ownership of land by a foreign state, outside of residences and embassies, has never been allowed,” he said, “that is a non-negotiable position. The PLP at its highest level have deviated from the position by allowing foreign governments to own land. Mr Galanis said: “To have allowed Baha Mar to fall into the hands of a China state-owned entity is a tremendously deplorable travesty visited upon our people. The Chinese government has a lot to say in our most important industry, tourism, and that’s very dangerous.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

GALANIS PRAISES CAMPAIGN OF LEADERSHIP CHALLENGER SEARS from page one

THE TRIBUNE

Trump’s triumph is further evidence of demand for change

Your Say By ROBERT MYERS

E have perhaps witnessed one of the most controversial US Elections of recent history. Donald Trump’s upset victory defied the odds disaffected voters turned to the polls in droves to make their disapproval of the status quo very clear. Across the western world we are seeing a call to return power to the people in populist movements that span the spectrum from the far-left Pirate Party which caused an uproar in Iceland to the right-leaning ‘Brexit’ voters who shocked the United Kingdom and the European Union. It is increasingly clear that the political status quo is under pressure to change or be changed. The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) believes that in the Bahamas we are also seeing a strong desire for change in the way that our country is governed. Even as citizens prepare for a major march on Parliament, the second major demonstration this year, voter registration is at an all time low, the referendum inspired less than 20 per cent of the population to vote, and there is a grave mistrust of government-led deals and partnerships. Those in office or seeking office should reflect on what is happening around the world and to take note of the Bahamian people’s desire to attain open and accountable governance that provides opportunity to all citizens and not just the politically connected or political elite. Open means that the

people want a Freedom of Information Act that is written and controlled in a way that is fair, brings power to the people, and protects our right to information. It means a collaborative, consensusdriven, transparent, participatory and responsive approach to the establishment of plans, policies, agreements, regulations and laws and not an authoritarian approach that assumes the political elite know best. Accountable means the people want the equitable enforcement of the rule of law and expect politicians to be held accountable to it and not use their political power to manipulate it. It means providing an effective, efficient and accountable public sector that serves instead of burdening the people. It means providing an education to all citizens that prepares them to be productive and responsible members of society. It means being fiscally responsible and keeping government spending in line with what it earns, and more importantly, not over taxing its citizens or businesses into recession. It means providing the policies, laws, regulations and incentives to its people that provides them the greatest opportunity for socioeconomic growth and development. At ORG, we are committed to working in with political leaders, civil society and the citizens to ensure that this dissatisfaction, distrust and genuine concern can be channelled into avenues that positively impact the Bahamas in sustainable and meaningful ways, because as the examples the world over shows, if we continue

to ignore the grievances of the people we will be blindsided with unexpected and perhaps unwanted backlash. We have been stalwart advocates of the passage of a strong, and fair Freedom of Information Act and encourage citizens to join us by signing the petition or writing a letter to their MPs. We invite leaders to join us by pressing for this act to be tabled and ensuring that it encompasses the changes suggested by civil society, private business, and citizens to make it as robust as possible. Also, we encourage the people of the Bahamas to get out and register to vote. Voting is one of the surest ways to make your voice heard, and for better or worse I think there is no greater demonstration of the strength of the vote than the US Election results announced on Wednesday. The repair and development of our country is a collaborative effort; we citizens must do our part as surely as we expect our leaders to do theirs. Change is inevitable. So, the questions to be answered are: Who will be courageous enough to provide this kind of visionary leadership for the Bahamas to succeed and become a leading nation again? And will this change take effect fast enough to prevent the country from going over the fiscal cliff that will undoubtedly significantly impact the socio-economic wellbeing of all citizens of The Bahamas? Robert Myers is Founder and Board Director of the Organisation for Responsible Governance

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 7

REPUBLICAN presidential candidate, Donald Trump supporter Jessie Diconti cheers at a Williamson County Republican watch party on election night at Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tennessee on Tuesday.

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PAGE 8, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Who will play the Trump card in Bahamian elections? A Young Man’s View

By ADRIAN GIBSON

HE world was tician who appreciated the shocked early daily lives of working (and yesterday morn- middle) class, average folk. ing when it was By contrast, Hillary Clinton announced that billionaire gave off an aura that struck developer Donald Trump me as insincere, fake, calwas elected President of culating, manipulative and the United States. The col- downright condescending. lective jaws of many across She came off as pandering, the globe hit the deck, flab- dishonest, untrustworthy bergasted by his thumping and gave many the jitters. I of Democratic challenger tried to will Sanders to vicHillary Clinton, a long-time tory in all of the Democratfigure in American politics ic primaries and caucuses who has clearly worn out but the Democrats - as the her welcome with the elec- world subsequently discovtorate. ered - had stacked the deck We are likely to see a against Sanders. bucking of the traditional On the Republican ticket, and smashing of the status Ohio Governor John Kaquo in the upcoming gener- sich was the best option. He al election here. Bahamians was balanced, judicious and are, like Americans, tired not consumed by the toxicof the same ole same ole. ity and odium that today We are collectively tired of engulfs Republican politics. lying, two-faced politicians He lost. In walked Donald who are consumed by self- Trump, a tax-ducking bilinterest and power. lionaire and reality TV star Unfortunately, such traits who rode a populist wave are evident in politicians into the most powerful in both the Free National elected position on Earth. Movement (FNM) and It appears that Trump apthe Progressive Liberal pealed to the inherent racParty (PLP). ism in some Frankly, Ba- ‘Voter apathy is rife Americans. hamians are in The Bahamas. His campaign tired of dishinged on a Voter registration is calling card ingenuous politicians whose cenat an all-time low, politically tral theme with only six months centred upon urinating on our collective to go before our next fear tactics. heads and general election. We He promoted telling us that message of want more … time aintolerance it’s rain. If there will tell.’ and hatred. ever is a bull Trump has in the political China shop, pledged to destabilise the it is President-elect Donald North Atlantic Treaty OrTrump. He politically evis- ganisation, prompt trade cerated the so-called estab- wars and fuel an arms race lishment, running against among other promises, all and defeating his Repub- under the mantra of maklican colleagues -many of ing America great again. whom did not support him Mr Trump’s polluted mesbut are likely now scurry- sage engendered open dising about in an attempt to plays of white privilege, racfind favour - and then ran ism, shameless expressions against and defeated the of xenophobia and blatant Democrats. Credit must be sexism. given to Trump because as Given America’s impact a political outsider, he - in upon the world, Trump’s effect - defeated both the election has caused a period Democrats and the Repub- of uncertainty, of economic licans. instability and mistrust. As a young Bahamian I have seen many articles looking on, Bernie Sanders’ from reputable publications campaign resonated with referring to Americans me. He struck me as rea- as “stupid” and “dumb.” sonable, sincere and a poli- I vividly recall the UK

BERNIE SANDERS, below, came across as reasonable, sincere and a politician who appreciated the daily lives of working (and middle) class, average folk. By contrast, Hillary Clinton, above, giving her concession speech, gave off an insincere, fake, calculating, manipulative and condescending aura. Daily Mirror’s headline on November 4, 2004, which asked - upon the re-election of George W Bush - “How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?” The excitement and joy I felt in 2008 (and to a slightly lesser extent in 2012) - when I had a viewing party replete with popcorn, t-shirts, bumper stickers of Obama and other keepsakes - was not felt last night. Frankly, it is possible that Trump doesn’t even believe he won the presidency. Yes, Donald Trump appealed to the insecurities of many Americans but he also won because of voter apathy. After all, Mr Trump got fewer votes than both of the immediate past Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney (2012) and John McCain (2008). The early polls showed that Mrs Clinton would have a challenge with President-elect Trump. On the other hand, Sanders beat him in nearly every poll. The fact that the Democrats purportedly rigged their internal processes - which led to the resignation of chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz - fixing primaries to facilitate a Clinton coronation. Clinton’s loss, in part, is karma. Plain old karma! A cloud hung over their heads and

young voters and independents who had been drawn to Bernie Sanders lost interest in the process. Whilst many of Sanders’ voters eventually voted for Mrs Clinton, those who didn’t stay home went with Trump. Senator Sanders created a movement and galvanised young people. His movement was comparable to Obama’s in ‘08. Moreover, due to voter apathy, many of those who would have perhaps dragged others to the polls to vote for a candidate, likely only could muster enough strength to drag themselves to cast a ballot merely to en-

sure that the occasion was behind him. Trump also not squandered. Many peo- never served in the military ple were simply uninspired or government. Is this the by both Trump and Clinton new era of politics? - two mediocre candidates Yesterday, US Senator - and totally shunned the for Vermont Bernie Sandprocess. ers said it best when he said: I hold the view that Sand- “Donald Trump tapped ers would have trumped into the anger of a declinMr Trump. I contend that ing middle class that is sick he had would have hung on and tired of establishment and marshalled economics, the Democratic ‘Donald Trump establishment party’s followpolitics and the ers - whites, tapped into establishment blacks, young the anger of a media. People people, His- declining middle are tired of panics - and working longer that his mes- class that is sick hours for lower sage on trade, and tired of wages, of seeindustries etc establishment ing decent would have respaying jobs go onated without economics, to China and playing to the establishment other low-wage racist, xeno- politics and the countries, of phobic underbillionaires tones. But, that establishment not paying any was not to be. media.’ federal income Trump had Bernie Sanders, taxes and of no overwhelmnot being able ing win. He Vermont Senator to afford a colsimply won key lege education states. The Electoral Col- for their kids - all while lege math was in his favour. the very rich become much One cannot deny that richer. Trump came off more real, To the degree that Mr far from politically correct, Trump is serious about purnot as robotic and, on the suing policies that improve face of it, more sincere. the lives of working families Donald Trump won within this country, I and other out favourable mainstream progressives are prepared media. He won without tra- to work with him. To the ditional Republican leaders degree that he pursues rac-

THE TRIBUNE

ist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him.” In 2017, the apple cart in The Bahamas is likely to be overturned. Whilst the FNM might wish to capitalise on Trump’s victory and view it as a predictor of that party’s fate, I think the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) could be more likened to a grouping that is yet outside of the political establishment. This election is one

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 9

where the outsiders and people who are not traditional politicians are likely to make the greatest impact. I previously said that this election would be between the FNM and the PLP. Today, after taking account of political developments across the world, I amend that to state that the DNA will have an impact. Clearly, the Bahamian electorate is not pleased with the political options being proffered by the FNM and the PLP. It

is probable that the DNA could pick up a seat or more this time around. I would certainly not be surprised. We are living in a changing world. Voter apathy is rife in The Bahamas. Voter registration is at an all-time low, with only six months to go before our next general election. We want more … time will tell. • Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com

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PAGE 10, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Trump election ‘to have little impact on Bahamas’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH many Bahamians expressed shock and anger at the results of the November 8 US presidential election, one expert says they should take heart in one fact: Donald Trump’s election won’t have much impact here. James Smith, former state minister of finance, said it is even possible that the new concentration of power in the hands of one political party - the Republicans could boost the American economy, helping Bahamians. “I don’t think it’s going to have much effect,” he said when contacted about Mr Trump’s victory. “Our greatest engagement with the US is our tourism sector and that’s really a function of how the US economy performs. “I don’t see any major indications that there will be any change in the economy that will affect tourism. Having said that, if his economic policies result in more growth in America then clearly we might be the recipients of more visitor arrivals.

On the other hand, if it affects the economy in a negative way, that could impact us as well. But of course, either way, none of that would happen in the short-term. Over the short-term, which could be less than a year, you won’t see any dramatic change in the relationship or the economy.” Mr Smith said he doesn’t believe a particular American political party is best for the interests of Bahamians. “People used to say the policy of Republicans favour us because with respect to the offshore financial services sector they tended not to want to interfere with that too much,” he explained. “But the reality is the Americans have now joined hands with the OECD and Europeans. Neither party will waver from the commitment to information exchange on financial accounts and that sort of thing. Right now, either party will view the Bahamas as the same.” Mr Trump’s victory was marked by a sweeping dominance of Republicans among all branches of government, giving the

party control of the White House, the Senate and Congress. Mr Trump, experts say, will therefore have significant latitude to change American policy and pass legislation. The jury is out on what this means for Bahamians, Mr Smith said, adding: “That might be more efficient from the US point of view. In the Obama years nothing could get done because of stalemate from both bodies, which might account for some of the anger that manifested itself in the voting. Now there is no excuse assuming Mr Trump would get the cooperation of his party. It’s up to him to make amends. “But operationally, he could be off to an excellent start. All he has to do is make peace with the number of people he may have upset. The mood in the country right now is negative because of what he had been saying but fortunately we didn’t hear anything from him to suggest that he’d put a travel ban on us or anything. He didn’t focus on the neighbourhood around him.”

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump gives his acceptance speech during his election night rally early yesterday morning in New York. (

WAKE-UP CALL from page one

“And this most recent fiasco with (Agriculture and Marine Resources) Minister (V Alfred) Gray and the possibility or even consideration of giving fishing rights or allowing foreigners to be engaged in the fishing industry, that’s a no, no, clearly not a PLP philosophy. The PLP better wake up because if it doesn’t, it’s going to find itself in exactly the same position as the Democrats.” For his part, Mr Miller said while he thinks a Republican US government has historically done well for The Bahamas’ economy, it might not bode well for the PLP’s chances of reelection. He said there is a general feeling throughout the county that Bahamians want change. Mr Miller said: “I think if you go back in history, you will find that in our history anytime the Republicans win, I hate to say it, we (the PLP) normally lose and that’s why I was hoping Hillary would have won, but she didn’t.

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“Most people will tell you that the Republicans do more for us than the Democrats financially. That is because they don’t come after us with our tax havens and stuff. To say that I was surprised that he won is an understatement. I was shell-shocked. “So we could very well find ourselves out of office. From my reading now from going through and through in New Providence, the good MPs will survive and those who are not up to power will not.” And while there may be some in the country who believe that an America led by Mr Trump, who has taken a hardline immigration stance, could be bad for Bahamians travelling to the US, Mr Miller said he doubted there would be any problems there. Mr Trump claimed his place on Wednesday as America’s 45th president. It was an astonishing victory for the celebrity, businessman and political novice who capitalised on voters’ economic anxieties, took advantage of racial tensions and overcame a

string of sexual assault allegations on his way to the White House. His triumph over Mrs Clinton, not declared until well after midnight, will end eight years of Democratic dominance of the White House. He will govern with Congress fully under Republican control and lead a country deeply divided

by his rancorous campaign against Mrs Clinton. He faces fractures within his own party, too, given the numerous Republicans who either tepidly supported his nomination or never backed him at all. As he claimed victory, Mr Trump urged Americans to “come together as one united people”.

BAHAMIAN LEADERS SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWLY-ELECTED PRESIDENT TRUMP THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the people and government of the United States yesterday on “the successful conduct of their general election” and to the winner, President-elect Donald Trump. A diplomatic note is being sent to confirm these public expressions, the ministry said in a statement, adding that

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the Bahamas government “looks forward to continued good relations with the United States of America”. Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis also issued congratulations to Mr Trump. “On behalf of the Free National Movement, I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on being

elected president of the United States of America. The United States is our closest ally and historically our two countries have enjoyed an excellent relationship. We will continue to devote our efforts to sustain this unique and beneficial relationship with the United States under President Trump.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 11

FROM THE APPRENTICE TO THE PRESIDENCY

US President-elect Donald Trump smiles as he arrives to speak at his election night rally in his victory speech. NEW YORK Associated Press PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump vowed yesterday to unify a deeply divided nation, having scored a stunning victory backed by extraordinary support from working-class America. The New York billionaire claimed victories in the nation’s premier battleground states, but his appeal across the industrial Midwest — Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in particular — sealed a victory that defied preelection polls and every expectation of the political establishment. “I say it is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump told supporters gathered in a Manhattan hotel near his Trump Tower campaign headquarters. “For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so we can work together and unify our great country,” he said, the stage crowded with family and his most loyal allies. Trump addressed the nation after sweeping most of the nation’s top battlegrounds — and created some new ones. He won Ohio, Florida and North Carolina. He also took down the Democratic Party’s “blue firewall” by scoring victories in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states that haven’t supported a Republican presidential candidate since 1988 and 1984 respectively. Trump’s win shocked political professionals and global financial markets alike. But it created pure joy inside the hotel ballroom where hundreds of Trump supporters waited for hours for his celebration speech. They hugged each other, chanted “USA!” and bellowed “God bless America” at the top of their lungs. House Speaker Paul Ryan called Trump Tuesday night to congratulate him on his “incredible victory”. “We are eager to work hand-in-hand with the new administration to advance an agenda to improve the lives of the American people,” Ryan, who had a rocky relationship with Trump at times, said in a statement. “This has been a great night for our party, and now we must turn our focus to bringing the country together.” Trump’s outsider status ultimately helped him politically far more than it hurt. His political inexperience allowed him to cast himself as a change agent just as frustrated voters in both parties were hungry for change. The message was particularly effective against Clinton, a fixture in public service over the last three decades. Pre-election polls suggested he was the least popular presidential nominee in the modern era. Yet there were signs that Republicans who previously vowed never to support Trump were willing to give

PROTESTERS in Chicago march to express their disapproval of the election of Donald Trump. him a chance moving forward. “If Trump wins, he does deserve the benefit of the doubt because he was right on his chances and so many of us were wrong,” tweeted conservative leader Erick Erickson. As she gave her concession speech yesterday, Hillary Clinton acknowledged her stunning loss. “This is painful,” Clinton said, her voice crackling with emotion, “and it will be for a long time.” But she told her faithful to accept Trump and the election results, urging them to give him “an open mind and a chance to lead.” Before Clinton took the stage at a New York City hotel, top aides filed in, eyes red and shoulders slumped. Clinton, who twice sought the presidency, told women: “I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling. But someday, someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.” Her remarks brought to mind her 2008 conces-

sion speech after the Democratic primaries in which she spoke of putting “18 million cracks” in the glass ceiling. “To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams,” she said as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, stood wistfully by her side. The raw divisions exposed by the presidential race were on full display across America last night, as protesters flooded city streets to condemn Donald Trump’s election in demonstrations that police said were mostly peaceful. From New England to heartland cities like Kansas City and along the West Coast, many thousands of demonstrators carried flags and anti-Trump signs, disrupting traffic and declaring that they refused to accept Trump’s triumph. In Chicago, where thousands had recently poured

into the streets to celebrate the Chicago Cubs’ first World Series victory in over a century, several thousand people marched through the Loop. They gathered outside Trump Tower, chanting “Not my president!” Chicago resident Michael Burke said he believes the president-elect will “divide the country and stir up hatred.” He added there was a constitutional duty not to accept that outcome. A similar protest in Manhattan drew about 1,000 people. Outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in midtown, police installed barricades to keep the demonstrators at bay. There were other protests around the country, including hundreds of protesters gathered near Philadelphia’s City Hall despite chilly, wet weather. In Boston, thousands of antiTrump protesters streamed through downtown, chanting “Trump’s a racist” and carrying signs that said “Impeach Trump” and “Abolish Electoral College.”

PAGE 12, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Activists ‘vindicated’ by ruling on harassment from page one

on the government to immediately move to protect the lives and personal integrity of five members of Save the Bays (STB) and their nuclear families. It follows the group’s longstanding claims that its members have been subject to threats of harm, harassment and intimidation as a result of its advocacy and adversarial stance against the government and private developers on environmental issues. “The IACHR wishes to highlight the great importance of human rights defenders’ work in the area,” the resolution stated, “particularly pointing out that violent acts and other attacks to human rights defenders do not only harm the rights to which every human being is entitled, but also infringe upon the essential role these defenders fulfill in society, and create defenselessness for the people who are the target of their work.” Mr Smith said his organisation hopes the international scrutiny will positively impact the tenuous relationship between human rights and environmental defenders and the government in the Bahamas. “Domestically, it is easy to target human rights defenders as destabilisers, or seditionists, or people that are undermining the good governance in the Bahamas,” Mr Smith said. “We have been complaining about this harassment campaign for years now with absolutely no results from the government, the police, the Data Commissioner, the leaders of both political parties and other influential members of society.”

FRED SMITH He said: “Back in Feb- necessary measures to proruary, 2015, we wrote to tect their lives and those of every religious leader, every their families, to ensure the senator, every MP, every five men could pursue their Cabinet minister, and every work as human rights deleader of every civic organi- fenders without being subsation and said that a situa- ject to threats, harrassment tion where hate speech and or intimidation, to agree negative violent criticism is with the petitioners on the countenanced, and this is measures to be adopted and really just creating an en- to report on investigative vironment in the Bahamas actions taken within a 20 which breeds hate and vio- day period. lence.” The petition stems from Last month, the GBHRA longstanding allegations made a petition on behalf made by the GBHRA and of Fred Smith, Francisco STB concerning their pubNunez, Joseph Darville, lic advocacy, and ongoing Kirkland Bodie and Ro- legal action in a number of mauld Ferreira that asked environmental matters. the IACHR to request that Mr Smith said: “This the Bahamas government judgement by the OAS Huadopt precautionary meas- man Rights Commission ures to prevent irreparable stands as an international harm to their lives. indictment against the BaThe IACHR found that hamas government and the five members of Save also indicates the rights of The Bays are in “a serious human rights and environand urgent situation since ment defenders not to be their lives and personal in- abused. At the United Nategrity face an imminent tions they stress that prorisk of irreparable harm”. tecting these defenders is The precautionary meas- crucial to protecting the ures require the Bahamas environment and human government to adopt the rights. The Bahamas is a signatory to the OAS declaration of rights and duties of man, and under that treaty the commission has directed that the government of the Bahamas to be accountable for our safety and welfare and wellbeing. He said: “It is truly regrettable that it is only when Bahamians reach out to an international forum that notice is taken domestically of their complaints. What this is, is effectively an international injunction issued by OAS against the As part of its verica�on of benets procedure, Colina Bahamas government man-

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dating that they keep us safe in our own country. If that’s not the most incredible situation I don’t know what is. “We are very pleased that an international focus and spotlight has been put on these issues. They are not unique to the Bahamas; it is happening throughout Latin America and the Caribbean where developers work closely with politicians to avoid legal norms and constructs.” STB called the IACHR decision was unprecedented, adding that the commission also found “that the smear campaigns, death threats, physical aggression and break-ins that STB members have faced constitute retaliation ‘due to their opposition to major urbanistic projects menacing the local environment, as well as relevant law suits challenging high ranking officials’.” According to STB, the report highlighted the alleged plot to “kill” STB members using two individuals “who were allegedly hired by a well-known local developer and ‘campaign backer’ of the PLP.” These claims were outlined in documents filed by members of STB in the Supreme Court earlier this year. “It also referenced attacks against STB on www. bahamasuncensored.com and other attack websites connected to the governing party or the developer in question, such as ‘Deepthroat Bahamas,” the group said. “The report also referenced the failure of local law enforcement to act over the past several years, despite repeated complaints from STB members concerning the acts of aggression and intimidation they have faced. It noted that STB members were of the view that recent approaches by police were only motivated by their application to the IACHR and that there exists a fear that any future police interviews would be used ‘as an opportunity to seek to force STB members to reveal their confidential sources’.” In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration termed the rulling “regrettable”, and underscored that its review

of the allegations revealed that claims “were not properly grounded in facts and were without evidentiary support or legal merit.” “As far as investigations revealed and as far as investigations could be conducted by the Royal Bahamas Police Force in the face of refusal of co-operation by any of the Petitioners, investigations showed that there was no reason that special protection of any kind should be granted to any of the Petitioners.” The Ministry statement furthered that the government was committed to providing a comprehensive response that will establish the “true nature” of STB and the individual petitioners. “Police will continue to conduct investigations also involving post-September 2016 complaints when and if any of the Petitioners are willing and able to assist in the Police investigative process. While the Government is concerned that a mockery should not be made of the judicial system and the relief that it offers, the Government stands ready to protect the rights of all, citizens and others, in The Bahamas when in real fear of death,” the statement read. Last night, the GBHRA called the ministry’s response “ominous and sinister”, and urged Prime Minister Perry Christie to “bring an end to the lunacy of Foreign Affairs under Minister Fred Mitchell. The group insisted that the statement, which they attributed to Mr Mitchell, was insulting and a “slap in the face” to the IACHR. “In their report,” the GBHRA statement read, “IACHR Commissioners pointed out that their reprimand over the plight of Save The Bays (STB) was not the first time they have had to warn this government about the sharp decline in the treatment of activists on its watch. They noted that their 2015 Report on the Criminalisation of the Work of Human Rights Defenders specifically noted that “human rights defenders in The Bahamas face a hostile environment that endangers their safety and work” – specifically calling out Mitchell and denouncing his earlier threat to imprison activists for disagree-

ing with his immigration policy.” “The minister is playing a very dangerous game at the expense of each and every Bahamian citizen and resident. Though the PLP hopes it will gain the party some votes in the short term, in the long-run, this brand of demagogic rhetoric threatens our very way of life – the country’s two main industries being based almost entirely on our good standing in the international community. It added: “No one wants to visit or invest their money in a despotic banana republic and we may be feeling the negative effects of Mitchell’s legacy for decades to come.” STB said the IACHR decision was unprecedented, adding that the commission also found “that the smear campaigns, death threats, physical aggression and break-ins that STB members have faced constitute retaliation ‘due to their opposition to major urbanistic projects menacing the local environment, as well as relevant law suits challenging high ranking officials’.” According to STB, the report highlighted the alleged plot to “kill” STB members using two individuals “who were allegedly hired by a well-known local developer and ‘campaign backer’ of the PLP.” These claims were outlined in documents filed by members of STB in the Supreme Court earlier this year. “It also referenced attacks against STB on www. bahamasuncensored.com and other attack websites connected to the governing party or the developer in question, such as ‘Deepthroat Bahamas,” the group said. “The report also referenced the failure of local law enforcement to act over the past several years, despite repeated complaints from STB members concerning the acts of aggression and intimidation they have faced. It noted that STB members were of the view that recent approaches by police were only motivated by their application to the IACHR and that there exists a fear that any future police interviews would be used ‘as an opportunity to seek to force STB members to reveal their confidential sources’.”

UNION THREAT OF ACTION OVER POST OFFICE from page one

Mr Pinder told The Tribune that the union is “currently working on a strategy” to force the government’s hand and the first step is to participate in a protest on November 25, known as ‘Black Friday’ in the United States. In September, the main post office was closed due to flooding and other hazardous conditions. Mr Pinder also claimed workers are becoming sick because of the “mould and rat infestation”. He said it is a disgrace that the government moved all other agencies out of the “condemned” building, but has yet to relocate the post office staff. “We understand that the government signed a $4 million deal with a construction company that will be doing minor renovation to the floors and walls and stuff so the staff can stay in the building, but that is unacceptable,” Mr Pinder said. “We are not satisfied with that. It’s like putting a Band Aid on a large open wound. So we are putting a strategy in place to force their hand. We are working on something; we will take industrial action if we have to. What they are doing makes no sense. “The original plan was to move the workers into

the post office and that would have been great. It was the perfect site. We are not staying in that building, the working conditions are poor and the people are getting sick.” Mr Pinder said the union is participating in a silent protest, titled “We March” on Friday, November 25. He is encouraging all government workers to attend and “let their voices be heard.” “The march isn’t just about the post office, it is also about the government giving away our land to foreigners as well,” Mr Pinder said. “There is a plan of action being discussed to determine when we are going to make our move and the first part of that strategy is planned for Black Friday. After that march, we will put our plan into full gear. We are encouraging all the members of the union and the workers of the country to come and fight for what is ours. We cannot let the government keep bringing people in here to work when Bahamians are out of work. We need to let our voices be heard. The march will demonstrate to the government our dissatisfaction.” In May, Labour Minister Shane Gibson told this newspaper that the government was in the process of acquiring the Independence Drive Shopping Centre as the new location for the General Post Office.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 13

Business rental assistance to help after hurricane By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Port Authority has announced the introduction of a Business Rental Assistance Programme to help displaced business licensees who suffered significant losses from Hurricane Matthew when various rented buildings were destroyed. Deanne Seymour, financial controller of GBPA Ltd, reported that the GBPA conducted posthurricane surveys and have identified almost 30 licensees who may be eligible for some financial benefit. “We realise that there may be others who qualify, and we invite them to contact our customer relations department at 350-9050 or 350-9051 to find out more about the programme and whether you are eligible to receive assistance as certain conditions apply,” she said. Mrs Seymour made the announcement during the company’s weekly meeting to update residents of restoration efforts in Freeport. She said that the company is offering a one-time $1,000 cheque to assist eligible licensees. In order for persons to qualify for assistance, the GBPA Building and Development Services Department must have deemed the

rented building unsafe to operate and communicated the same to the landlord. The licensee must be in good standing with the GBPA, which also includes making special payment arrangements if their licence

fees are in arrears. Mrs Seymour said that the rental assistance cheque will go toward the first, last and security deposit and will be made payable to the landlord of the relocating premises. She said the offer

expires on January 31. Over the course of the past four weeks since the storm, Mrs Seymour said the GBPA has conducted almost 900 interviews with business licensees throughout Freeport.

“Through post hurricane surveys we were able to gather first hand details from business owners in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. We are pleased to report that aside from utility related matters, the majority of businesses fared well and are already on their way to recover,” she said. She noted that within a week of the storm’s passage, many stores had already opened. “Today we are pleased to note that the industrial bonded area, downtown, various shopping hubs within the city limit, Port Lucaya Marketplace, and Freeport Harbour are all open for business,” she added. However, she stated that some licensees suffered terrible losses when buildings were structurally compromised, and lost equipment, inventory, and supplies, and were forced to relocate to new premises. Mrs Seymour said that the GBPA is pleased to introduce the Business Rental Assistance Programme to financially assist those displaced businesses. She invited those licensees to contact the customer relations department. Nicole Colebrook, customer relations officer, also urged licensees who have received damage and intend to relocate or have relocated to contact the de-

Reef and Holmes Rock have presented more problems than initially evident. The servicing of those damaged poles and transformers is much more than estimated,” she said. Restoration in West End and Old Bahama Bay are still on track to be completed next Tuesday, said Ms St George. Because West End experienced the worst damage to residences and businesses she stressed that it would not be safe to energise many of those without inspection, which, unlike Freeport, does not fall under GBPA, but under the Ministry of Works. She said that GBPA, the regulator for the GBPC, would be willing to assist if requested. “It is important for these inspections to take place as fast as possible to avoid delays to West End homeowners and businesses who could be energised. And I feel that GBPA could and would be helpful on this if asked. Meanwhile, the main line work and pole setting in West End will continue regardless.” Ms St George urged residents to report leaning poles, damaged equipment and fallen lines to the GBPC. She also commended voluntary clean-up efforts by local groups and organisations, including Reach Out Ministry volunteers led by Dudley Seide, the

Pilot Club of Lucaya, Rotary Club of Freeport, and community activist Troy Garvey, along with residents of Hudson Estates, the GBPA’s Keep Grand Bahama Clean members, churches, Social Services, Salvation Army and the Red Cross. “Last week, GBPA offered back-up support for two more DC3 missionary flights from America delivering food and other packages to the Salvation Army - so we are not forgotten by the rest of the world,” she said. She also noted that the Soleviver Shoes Foundation on the cruise ship Infinity, which arrived in Freeport by accident, went to the Lewis Yard Primary School. Troy McIntosh, City Manager of GBPA, said several clean-up crews are working in Bahama Reef, Flamingo Lane, Pelican and Sandpiper Lanes and Seahorse Village, to be followed by Windsor Park. He said Sanitation Services, Waugh Construction, and A&C Trucking Company, and Missako Investments are working on Scott Avenue and will continue to adjacent streets. Mr Seide and his crew working are working along East Mall Drive. And next week, he said crews will work in Gladstone Terrace, and the adjacent streets, Coral Reef Estates 1, 2, and 3 Subdivisions,

Regency Park and Caravel Beach. “All debris must be placed out before service providers arrived in the designated areas. In addition, all residents are reminded to refrain from placing debris over water lines and under-utility

lines,” he advised. Mr McIntosh said all commercial buildings that have had debris placed on the verge must make necessary arrangements to have it moved immediately. He thanked LUSCO Services, Sanitation Services, and third party contractors,

DAMAGE at the Royal Oasis in Freeport following Hurricane Matthew. A number of businesses have suffered significant losses following the impact of the storm.

partment. “If your business license fee is in arrears, license fee invoices were sent out automatically and therefore for the months of October and November we do apologise if it seems insensitive to receive a billing post Hurricane Matthew. We encourage you to visit the office to discuss an affordable payment arrangement in order to receive a confirmation of your business licence status or certificate of good standing,” she said. President Ian Rolle said the GBPA is pleased with positive reports they have received from businesses which have recovered and reopened, particularly in the tourism sector. Mr Rolle said he got reports that vital cruise ship sites such as the Lucayan National Park, Garden of the Groves, Shannon ATV trail, Garden café, and an alternate beach site at Discovery Beach have been restored. He also noted that there are similar positive reports from tour group Bahamas Adventure. “Their first day of operation was a huge success - 250 guests,” he said. “The overall message that came out of this is that Matthew made them better, not bitter. They had a choice of being victim or victor; they chose to be the victor.”

including Dave Genetti Sr of Triple R Construction, Gordon Ritchie of A&C Trucking; Doug Silvera of Freeport Construction Company; Godfrey and Kevin Waugh of Waugh Construction; Louis Missick of Missako Investments, and Mark Adderley.

POWER COMPANY APPLAUDED FOR WORK IN RESTORING ELECTRICITY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SARAH St George, vice-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), has commended the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) for the significant progress it has made in restoring power to the hurricane-ravaged island, reporting that 90 per cent of customers were energised as of Tuesday evening. During an update meeting yesterday, Ms St George praised GBPC CEO Sarah McDonald and her Emera teams for significant progress in the restoration of power 34 days after Hurricane Matthew. Two new crews from the Emera Group - Barbados Power and Light and Dominic, the power utility of Dominica arrived on the island after the last two weeks in Nassau and Andros assisting Bahamas Power and Light with their power restorations. Ms St George said their arrival brings the total to seven Emera affiliates working together to restore power on Grand Bahama. She reported that close to 1,500 trunks and 1,700 poles have been restored, and work crews are now deployed in West Grand Bahama. “Almost all areas have been energised, but parts of Bootle Bay, Deadman’s

PAGE 14, Thursday, November 10, 2016

LLOYD TO RUN FOR FNM IN SOUTH BEACH

TALK show host Jeffery Lloyd will be ratified next week as the Free National Movement’s (FNM) candidate for South Beach in the 2017 general election, The Tribune understands. The attorney said last month that he was under “active consideration” but had yet to receive an official offer, although there was speculation that he would run in the St Anne’s seat which had become available after Hubert Chipman, the sitting MP, had withdrawn his name from candidacy amid differences with the leadership. Last night, according to senior sources in the FNM, the South Beach Constituency Association met party leader Dr Hubert Minnis and were informed of Mr Lloyd’s candidacy. His ratification for South Beach is expected to take place on Tuesday. It leaves the St Anne’s seat, held by the FNM, free and last night there was speculation that Brent Symonette, the former Deputy Prime Minister and previous MP for the constituency, could make a surprise return to frontline politics there.

SMOKE HITS HOMES FROM BUSH FIRE

PARTS of western New Providence were under a pall of smoke last night as firefighters monitored a bush fire which broke out yesterday morning. Residents of Lyford Cay and nearby communities reported the air was thick with drifting smoke from the fire, which appeared to be emanating from somewhere behind the Old Fort Bay shopping centre. Fire Chief Assistant Superintendent Walter Evans said the fire was not a threat to property but was being monitored. He said that one truck had been dispatched earlier to tackle it.

BTC hands out over $20,000 in youth scholarships BTC has given more than $20,000 in scholarships and support for National Youth Month in October, which climaxed with the National Youth Awards. Fifteen young persons were recognised for their stellar achievements in the areas of arts and culture, education, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal triumph, religion, sports, youth in governance and volunteerism. The three top winners were Jasper Ward (Director’s Cup), Lyndee Bowe (Minister’s Cup) and Xa-

vier Knowles (Prime Minister’s Cup). CEO Leon Williams said at the awards: “The success of our future is contingent on the investments we make today. We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Youth to recognise and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of the young people of this nation.” Director of Youth, K Darron Turnquest emphasised the importance of continuing to recognise the contributions young people are making in Bahamian

C C Sweeting Senior High School students Cory Hamilton (left) and Darjanique Green (right) took the top two places in the Bahamas Insurance Month art competition. Zia Joos, of Windsor Preparatory, won the junior school category.

SUCCESS FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

A HIGHLIGHT of Bahamas Insurance Month in October was an art competition open to all primary and secondary school students, in which C C Sweeting Senior High School students Cory Hamilton and Darjanique Green took the top two places. Zia Joos, of Windsor Preparatory, won the junior school category. Members of the Bahamas Insurance Associa-

tion, the Insurance Institute of the Bahamas and the Insurance Commission kicked off a series of activities to mark Bahamas Insurance Month with a special service at St Matthew’s Church. During October they paid a courtesy call on the Governor General, held a town meeting on “insurance in the modern world” and organised a walkathon and health screening.

society. BTC has been a longterm supporter of education and has adopted several schools in New Providence and throughout the country. Additionally, BTC in 2013, announced its $250,000 investment in the College of The Bahamas to fund ten scholarships and invest in the College’s endowment fund. Earlier this year, BTC also announced plans to outfit the technology laboratory as a part of the College’s transition to university status.

THE TRIBUNE

FORMER PM MEETS CHINESE AMBASSADOR

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham met the new Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas Huang Qinguo, who paid a courtesy call on him last month. Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS

FROM left, Latoya Hanna-Moxey, of Meliá Nassau Beach; ASP R Williams; Inspector St Louis; and Bergit McKenzie, of Meliá Nassau Beach.

MELIA RAISES $90,000 FOR HURRICANE RELIEF THE MELIA Nassau Beach hotel raised more than $90,000 for Hurricane Matthew relief through the Melia CARES (Comforting and Repairing Everyone’s Spirits) initiative coupled with the resort’s employee relief donations. On October 21, the hotel opened its doors and hearts to the Bahamian community for a special $99 rate. The response from the community was overwhelming, exceeding the resort’s booking quota by 16 per cent. All

proceeds from the initiative will be donated to The Nazareth Centre. “We are encouraged by the immense support from our community and pleased to partner with The Nazareth Centre to help restore those families who were hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew,” said Pablo Cogolludo, general manager of the hotel. “I am incredibly proud of our team who pulled together to make this initiative such a success, at a

time when they themselves were still reeling from the storm.” The all inclusive hotel invested $75,000 on associate relief packages for their employees. Each employee received vouchers for grocery, gas and water provisions in the days following Hurricane Matthew. Further donations collectively valued at more than $3,000 were made to The Royal Bahamas Police Force and Gambier Primary School.

PAGE 16, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

The Bahamas links up with network to measure rainfall

UNDER the umbrella of partnering with global entities to advance the cause of agriculture, The Bahamas became an official member of CoCoRaHS – the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network – this summer. Spurred by the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) Executive Director Dr Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, the institute now serves as a volunteer agent in Andros. Currently part of a network that spans across the North American continent, BAMSI will measure rainfall in Andros on a daily basis, Dr Roberts-Hanna said. As part of the initiative, a team of meteorologists led by Godfrey Burnside of the Department of Meteorology and Henry Reges of Colorado State University, visited BAMSI in May. The group discussed CoCoRaHS and how the information gathered is used to help communities. They also offered a brief training session for staff and faculty on how measurements should be taken and

recorded. Dr Roberts-Hanna noted that associations with agencies like CoCoRaHS create added value for the institute; increasing its resources, building its knowledge bank and exposing students, staff, partners and stakeholders to a global perspective. While the Bahamas does not typically experience snow or hail, BAMSI will capture the variability of rainfall on Andros. Cited as the single most critical environmental factor for farmers, Director of Academics for BAMSI and a specialist in soil science Dr Joseph Lindsay said the information captured is extremely important for the institute. “It helps us in terms of irrigation management, and in the case of bananas – [is a crucial component in] disease monitoring. Black sigatoka [a disease found in bananas] is distributed by wind and water and the more rainfall you have the worse the situation will likely be. You can predict the outcomes of some diseases, the incidence of dis-

eases, based on the level of rainfall and humidity. It also informs your spray and irrigation programmes.” Dr Lindsay also pointed out that many Bahamian soils are very sandy and as a result drain excessively, “you have to irrigate on a regular basis, but if there is an adequate amount of rainfall you might not have to do so as frequently.” He noted further that as part of the CoCoRaHS network the Bahamas is now able to identify any trends, such as predicting the impact of heavy rains moving across the region, and then take preventative measures and even examine cost implications, such as labour. “In areas that have a great deal of flooding or where there is livestock for example, farmers can be alerted and preventative measures, such as evacuating, can be taken. Conversely, if you see there is a drought you can irrigate more frequently, ie apply more water.” CoCoRaHS provides training to volunteers to ensure accurate and consistent reports are made. As a

DR RAVEENIA ROBERTS-HANNA, centre, of BAMSI, and her team meet officials from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. result of their visit to BAMSI, three rain gauges were installed - at the BARTAD building (which serves as the classroom centre for the associate degree programmes and short courses), the aquaponics facility and the fruit orchard at the commercial farm. “We’ve been measuring the rainfall ever since,” Dr

Lindsay said. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network is a nonprofit, community based, network of volunteers who measure and report rain, hail and snow falling in their backyards. The network evolved as a result of a flood that hit Fort Collins, Colorado in 1997. The

intent is to do a better job of mapping and reporting intense storms. CoCoRaHS became a nationwide volunteer network in 2010 and is now an international community with observers (in Canada, the US and the Bahamas) helping provide critical precipitation observations benefitting their country’s needs.

READERS SAY ANDROS PROPOSAL WILL NOT BENEFIT NATION IN The Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers if they thought the $2.1bn agriculture and fisheries proposal with Chinese investors would be beneficial to The Bahamas. A huge majority - 93 per cent of those voting - said it would NOT be beneficial to The Bahamas. Just seven per cent thought the proposal was a good idea. After Prime Minister Perry Christie criticised the

FNM for “emotionally exploiting” Bahamian’s anxiety over Chinese investment and teased documents that detail the previous administration’s efforts to partner

with the Chinese government, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. Ohdrap4 said: “Yes, the FNMS may have. Perhaps that is why they were voted

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out of office. Since the giveaways continued or picked up pace, people will not stand for it. And that is why there are so many leaks. Let the leaks continue, until FOIA and fiscal responsibility come about.” Avidreader thought both parties were eager for investment: “Bear in mind that both the major parties are anxious for someone or something to bring money into the local economy so that at least a portion of the numerous school leavers who emerge into the real world every June can hope for some type of employment. With the cost of living increasing and wages not moving upward at the same pace no politician wants to see a situation where there is mass unemployment, especially among volatile youth who have great expectations. The delicate balancing act is to attract the type of investment that creates opportunity without an excess of controversy. This

is the real challenge facing politicians on both sides of the aisle in the House of Assembly.” TigerB defended the FNM: “They raising hell bout the FNM bringing in the Chinese, that is true, but every Bahamian knew exactly what was happening with the projects they did. Nothing was sealed, and the PLP had Baha Mar to prove it when they took office. No hidden deals, nothing sealed in court from the Bahamian people. Seems like every day some new deal is being exposed.” BahamaPundit said: “The PM’s school boy reasoning is the worst ever. Imagine telling a judge, ‘I should not be convicted for murder because another person did it too’. This makes no sense whatsoever. We voted for you to be different, to be better. Further, our issue is the fisheries, not so much the land. How insulting for him to say the opposition is to blame for stirring up descent. Have you not eyes? Can you not see that Chinese depleting our fishing reserves is bad for the Bahamas, period, and has nothing to do with the opposition?” Abaconian had this to say: “He is desperately trying to save face . . . classic re-

sponse from Christie when under fire: ‘Well . . . I may have screwed up, and will probably continue to screw up, but the other party has screwed up too so let’s talk about that instead’! Give us a break, Christie. You’re not fooling anyone. No one wants this deal and you have given far more power to the Chinese than the FNM has. Furthermore, you have had the opportunity to learn from mistakes and not make them again.” And commenters also responded to the news of Donald Trump’s victory in the US election. Birdiestrachan said: “What sweetens the mouth will bitter the belly. Persons who voted for Mr Trump will find out soon enough that promises are comforts to fools. He will bring to fruition very little of what he promised. including their famous wall.” There was this from Regardless: “As former owner of Resorts International on Paradise Island, PresidentElect Trump knows all too well how The Bahamas operates politically. It will be an interesting four years ahead!” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

november 12, 2016

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A MEETING FOR COFFEE AND STORYTELLING SEVEN local authors met over coffee at Starbucks at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort, Cable Beach this week, representing a variety of genres. Standing (left to right): Vera Chase - author, historian, Founder and President of The Commonwealth Writers of The Bahamas, and Creator of The Pompey Project; Tanya R Taylor - Amazon bestselling author of paranormal romance, fantasy, thrillers, science-fiction, mystery and suspense; Denardo Hepburn - storyteller, editor, actor, poet, recreational photographer/ Producer, Screenplay Writ-

er, and Principle Actor (Pompey) for The Pompey Project; and Paul Bethel - Regency romance and mystery author (Robert Hale and Regency Press, London). Seated (left to right): Lesley Spencer - freelance writer, short story writer, and former London magazine sub-editor; Sherelle Wallace (Enchantment Gift Shop, Eleuthera) - author of poetry and short story collections, books and novellas; and Fay Knowles - freelance writer, short story writer, and author of a romantic short story collection and romantic suspense novel.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 10, 2016, PAGE 17

Urban Renewal

Community Uplifting Service URBAN Renewal held its Urban Community Uplifting Service in the Bain and Grants Town Constituency, where they also distributed food packages to people in the community. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 18, Thursday, November 10, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

JAMES Claridge with a ‘Hoo near Nassau.

LOCAL guide Shaky with a huge Tarpon in Crooked Island.

LOCAL boys Charles and David on the Wahoo in Abaco.

CRAIG Pinder with a nice Wahoo near Spanish Wells. KEEP checking the Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) expert page for fishing reports through-

out the Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing

methods being used. For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz. BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.