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MP says rise is to pay off foreign aid after hurricane By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday accused Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd of “increasing customers’ light bills� in order to pay “millions of dollars� to the “foreigners� who came to assist with the restoration process after Hurricane Matthew. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Miller said BPL does not “give a damn� about the Bahamian people. He said the government should be “ashamed� for allowing the company to disconnect Bahamians for non-payment, when persons are still struggling with the aftermath of a major
hurricane. Mr Miller, former executive chairman of Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), said he has received dozens of calls from persons who have had their electricity turned off for a month’s payment. BEC was renamed Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) earlier this year. On Monday, Corporate Communications Manager Arnette Ingraham confirmed that BPL has resumed disconnections of past due accounts. However, Mrs Ingraham said the company is only “disconnecting accounts with outstanding balances prior to Hurricane Matthew�. SEE PAGE SIX
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he is thankful the convention will finally be held because his win will “improve our prospect of regaining or retaining the government of The Bahamas.� “As leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, the current incumbent will be afforded all of the honours, respect and appreciation for over 40 years of public service and I have said to the leader myself in the last meeting, as leader I would want you to stay and even be a part of the Cabinet as a minister,� Mr Sears said. SEE PAGE TEN
THE BAHAMAS Feeding Network and Bank of The Bahamas donated $5,000 in food vouchers to 50 single mothers to help tackle hunger in Nassau yesterday. See page two for the full story. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
ACKLINS MAN BLAMES NEGLECT AFTER HE CATCHES ZIKA VIRUS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net CONTRACTING the deadly Zika virus has capped months of “neglect� and “very little� action by Department of Environmental Health officials in Acklins, according to an island resident who called the government’s anti-Zika campaign there a “disgrace�. Roston Cox, a resident of Chesters, Acklins, and former local government chief councillor for the area, said the government’s efforts to fight the Zika virus on the island have been “very careless�.
ROSTON COX, of Chesters, Acklins. As of November 14, there were 24 confirmed cases of the Zika virus recorded in the Bahamas, according to the Ministry of Health’s
website. All patients have been treated for associated symptoms and are doing well, according to the ministry. The ministry said 22 cases were recorded on New Providence, one on Bimini and one on Eleuthera. However, Mr Cox said he was diagnosed with the virus last week. He also criticised the lack of fogging on Acklins over the last year – other than “once or twice� when he claimed a private truck was rented to conduct fogging exercises. He also claimed that there has not been a doctor stationed on Acklins for the last eight months. SEE PAGE FIVE
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ARCHBISHOP Patrick Pinder, of the Catholic Archdiocese, yesterday called for the government to abolish the death penalty and focus instead on offender rehabilitation. Archbishop Pinder’s remarks came in a joint pastoral statement from the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) in commemoration of the Catholic Church’s Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The bishops - 19 of whom are signatories to the document - are urging governments and citizens in the region to abolish capital punishment. The statement said to take away a person’s “basic right to immunity from fatal harm� is to “compromise his/her sacred dignity�. SEE PAGE SIX
COLLIE: BAIN DID NOT PASS FNM VETTING PROCESS
SEARS PLANS ROLE FOR CHRISTIE IN HIS CABINET By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  FORMER Attorney General and Progressive Liberal Party candidate for Fort Charlotte Alfred Sears, QC, said yesterday when he defeats Prime Minister Perry Christie and becomes leader of the PLP after the party’s January convention, he will invite Mr Christie to “stay� and be part of his Cabinet. As a guest on The Breeze 98.3FM in Exuma, Mr Sears said the best chance for the PLP to be re-elected is under his leadership. He said
ARCHBISHOP CALLS FOR END TO DEATH PENALTY
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By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie has rejected assertions that the party was not forthright regarding who the organisation would select as its Pinewood candidate, insisting yesterday that due diligence was given to all applications. Mr Collie, in an interview with The Tribune, admitted that despite there being strong backing for radio talk show host Lincoln Bain from the constituency, the party made the decision not to continue with him because he simply did not pass the vetting process. SEE PAGE TEN
TURNQUEST CASTS DOUBT ON MORTGAGE RELIEF PLAN By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest yesterday questioned the efficacy of a government programme to provide mortgage relief to Bahamians. Despite the failure of a similar programme early this political term, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced plans in May to revive the scheme using $20m over four years. SEE PAGE 14
PAGE 2, Thursday, November 17, 2016
HELP FOR HUNGRY MOTHERS
BYRON MILLER, senior manager of business development at BOB speaking at yesterday’s event. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
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FIFTY single mothers with three or more dependents received $5,000 in food vouchers yesterday as Bank of The Bahamas Ltd (BOB) and the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) helped to ease the problem of hunger for families in the country. The mothers each received one $100 food voucher as a result of matching $2,500 donations made by BOB and the BFN at the bank’s Carmichael Road branch. Philip Smith, executive director of BFN, said that in response to a poverty level of 12.8 per cent - or one in every eight persons - in the Bahamas, the BFN collects funding and food resources and then distributes them to 125 members including churches, feeding organisations and soup kitchens. Mr Smith said BOB’s matching donation will assist in helping the 50 single mothers to feed their children, particularly after the impact of Hurricane Matthew on the finances of already struggling families. “You will find that hunger often exists in homes of single mothers with multiple children because a lot of times those mothers do not have the help, so this donation will make a way for these mothers to put bread on the table for their children,” he said. “I think adults being hungry is bad enough but when you find children being hungry who cannot help themselves it just touches our hearts.” Byron Miller, BOB’s manager of sales, said the bank was pleased to support this initiative because it believes in giving back to the communities it serves. “BOB is a community bank. We are made up of virtually every Bahamian family and the realities that confront our people today include of lack of funding for food and we want to demonstrate today that we hear our people and we see our people, along with the ability to respond to their physical needs. So we’re not looking as a Bank of Solutions to only generate profits from our people but to give back and in that spirit of giving facilitate the Bahamas Feeding Network to
THE TRIBUNE assist these mothers,” Mr Miller said. Several of the voucher recipients said what it meant to them to receive assistance from BOB and BFN. Ivanka Linden, a grocery packer and single mother with seven children ranging in age from four to 26, called it “a blessing from God”. “Words cannot explain how difficult it has been at times but I thank God for being there with me through it all,” she said. “I am desperately in need of a home. Right now I’m living in Bain Town and before I came here I had to put some buckets down to catch the water leaking in my home. It’s been so rough but I thank God though it all.” Rosemary, a single mother of mother of 11 children aged between two and 23, said she has been homeless before “sleeping on the beach” and she sometimes sells items like water, gatorade, cookies and coconuts to feed her family. “With the hurricane things is rough right now so it helps a lot because right now I don’t have anything in my house to eat and I am up against the wall with my rent,” she said. Carmeta Butler, a single mother of seven, has been unemployed for the past six and a half years and recently lost her home and everything in it to a fire caused by an electrical shortage. Her youngest son has also been seriously injured in a car accident. “Right now I am homeless, clothesless and phoneless. I’m seeking help from anyone that is interested in helping me as soon as possible,” Ms Butler said. Since its inception in December, 2013, the Bahamas National Feeding Network, the brainchild of Ambassador Frank Crothers, with a board of committed directors, has distributed more than $350,000 in food coupons to some 105 soup kitchens and churches dedicated to feeding their communities. For this latest initiative recipients were recommended by BFN member partners with final selections being made by a BFN committee.
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Faith remains strong as the slow process of rebuilding gets underway Denise Maycock visits West End to see how communities in the worst hit areas of Grand Bahama are recovering from Hurricane Matthew six weeks on. WHEN you drive to West ing recalled of the 2012 hurEnd, you see a community ricane. She said they had to left in ruins by Hurricane take refuge on the bed in Matthew. ‘The home of their master bedroom. This time, they decided hospitality’ sign at the settlement’s entrance is no to leave and ride out the storm with her daughter in longer there. But despite the massive Freeport. “We have been destruction and loss suf- through Frances, Jeanne, fered in the huge storm last Wilma, Sandy and Floyd month, the people are still and this one was the worst. warm and friendly, and wel- It was terrible,” said Mr Sweeting. coming to outsiders. His wife said she was This week, driving along the bay road, we saw Ken- very grateful for the help neth Wilson, 88. He was they have received after besitting on the stairwell of ing displaced by the storm. his two-storey restaurant “We are very appreciative and bar business, which had to the government, friends and those persons been severely imwho have been so pacted by storm ‘We have in donating surge. been through kind relief items,” she ‘Da Bight Betsaid. ter Days Restau- Frances, Rebuilding has rant and Bar’ is on Jeanne, not started in the verge of colWilma, West End. Techlapsing. A large nical officers of portion of the Sandy and the Ministry of ground floor had Floyd and Works and Urban been washed away and two planks of this one was Development and Grand Bahama wood were erect- the worst. It Authority ed to brace the was terrible.’ Port were in the area second floor. between NovemMr Wilson has - Albert owned and oper- Sweeting ber 11 and 15 ated the business conducting elecfor 56 years. trical and mechanical as“It is gone now,” he said sessments. of his business. “I thought Further along, Shebo, a about it, but there is no well-known resident and need to worry any more. conch stand vendor in West Things happen, and I have End, has rebuilt his shack to accept it,” he said, with a and is back in business servsmile. ing his delicious conch sal“The water came in and ad. He said the storm also knocked out that whole damaged his home. section there,” he pointed. “The storm came and “I am going to let the gov- took my business, but my ernment or whoever take son-in-law came and built it down and leave it for my me a new shack and I am children to rebuild and op- back in business again. I erate.” was opened four days after Just a few feet away, the the storm,” he said. house of Marie and Albert Shebo said that his house, Sweeting was completely just across the street, is destroyed. The roof had missing a front door and been ripped off by high five windows and has roof winds and cleaned out by damage. powerful storm surge. They “I have lived here 66 lost everything and are now years and this is the worst. staying in an apartment at I stayed with a friend at his Bootle Bay. Despite their house and when the storm loss, they said that they pass there it shook that two have not lost their faith. storey and I thought we “I can’t complain, no life were gone,” he said. was lost and I thank God On the back road, Loney for that,” said Mrs Sweet- and Jennifer Wilkinson ing. “The entire house and said they stayed and rode everything in it is gone, but out the storm at their house I have not lost my faith. in West End. That is the most important “The entire back yard thing.” was flooded and water came The Bight is prone to in the house about an ankle flooding and the Sweetings’ high,” recalled Mr Wilkinhome had flooded before son. “It was as if we were in during Hurricane Sandy. the middle of the ocean,” “We saw the water coming said his wife. over the seawall and then it After the storm had came into us,” Mrs Sweet- passed, Mr Wilkinson said
‘I have lived here 66 years and this is the worst. I stayed with a friend at his house and when the storm pass there it shook that two-storey and I thought we were gone.’ - Shebo
KENNETH Wilson at Da Bight Better Days Restaurant and Bar.
MARIE and Albert Sweeting. he could not believe the and people had not fully reamount of destruction he covered from Frances and saw. “When I walked out- Jeanne in 2004,” he said. However, he said resiside, I saw people’s homes destroyed, furniture, dents are very thankful for clothes everything outside the acts of kindness from the house and debris every- persons who came to help. “A chef, Sean, and his where,” he said. The Wilkinsons allowed wife, Jillian, brought food residents to have access to in twice a week, as well as their water pump. “We were lady who brought chicken glad to give them water and souse. They were very kind told them they could come and considerate to bring as often as they needed, food and they did it three and that is how I met Mr times after the hurricane, Keith Cooper,” he recalled. and there were other people “When I was kid, my father who came and donated ice always had a water pump and water,” he said. in his yard and I thought it would be a good idea to dmaycock@ put one in when I built my tribunemedia.net house in 2000,” he said. The water pump has been a lifesaver to many residents in West End after the storm. Mr Wilkinson said a lot of people are hurting. “A 17th November 2016 lot of homes Thursday, are damaged
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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,
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Voters’ indifference - no more MPs needed WE agree with former National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest that it is a “waste of time” — and we might add money — for the Boundaries Commission at this late date to consider increasing the constituencies for the 2017 general election. Many of us recall the confusion and the last minute scramble in the 2007 election when Prime Minister Christie lost his first five-year term in office. There was much confusion in the lead up to that election as the parliamentary registrar’s office rushed to complete the voters register for the Boundaries Commission to decide on how to redraw the constituencies. Parliament’s five year term for automatic dissolution neared as parliamentarians complained about not knowing the location of their districts. There were 49 seats in the House when the Ingraham government entered parliament in 1992. In 1997 Mr Ingraham had reduced the number to 40, with the Christie government increasing it to 41 after it came to power in 2002. Mr Ingraham had said at the time that it was the FNM’s ambition to reduce the number of House seats to 38, which is the minimum allowed under the constitution. At the time, the PLP’s complaint was that the smaller number of House seats would be too much of a strain on MPs, whereas Mr Ingraham saw no problem in New Providence for them to service their constituencies as they all had cars, and they were covering one island. However, there were transportation problems in the Family Islands with small settlements, many miles apart — in the old days requiring boats, donkeys, or “shank’s pony”, in other words long, hot walks by foot over scrub land to get to each of them. In the early twenties, for example, Mayaguana, the most easterly of the Bahamas’ archipelago, which lies about 60 miles north of Inagua, was geographically in the Bahamas, but was not of it — in other words the small population had never voted. Mayaguana was the most isolated in the 700-island chain, of which only about 30 islands are inhabited. It was the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, who was elected to the House in 1925 for the Inagua constituency who brought Mayaguana officially into The Bahamas. In his second Inagua election, he chartered a boat, went to Mayaguana, loaded all the males onboard and sailed back to Inagua. There the men of Mayaguana cast their votes for the first time. Sir Etienne represented Inagua and Mayaguana from 1925 to 1942. And almost up to the time of his death in 1991, many of the children and grandchildren of those first voters
still looked to him for advice when they came to Nassau. Apparently, today’s Commission is considering splitting the MICAL constituency into two seats with Inagua and Mayaguana as one constituency, and Acklins, Crooked Island, and Long Cay, the other. This is the only constituency change that makes sense — again because of the distance between the islands. In New Providence, where transportation is easy for an MP to service his constituency, further division with more seats does not make sense, unless, of course, gerrymandering is the object — which is usually what’s uppermost in a politician’s mind. But with voting so slow, there is going to be a last minute scramble as there was in 2007 with candidates barely able to get a list of their constituents before it’s voting time. According to the Parliamentary Registrar’s office there were 172,000 voters on the register for the May 2, 2012 election. By this time in 2011 there were already 134,00 voters registered. So far this year only 57,000 persons have registered. Unless there is a tremendous increase in registration, there will be no boundaries for the commission to change or increase— if anything it could be justification for reducing the House seats to reach Mr Ingraham’s goal of 38. It would certainly be less of a drain on the Treasury and make a great deal of sense. As our Business Editor reported in May of this year, “the Christie administration has added $1.6 billion to The Bahamas’ national debt over the past three years, continuing to push it beyond the IMF’s so-called ‘danger threshold.’” It certainly does not need to be sent into further free fall with the extra new seats which House Speaker Dr Kendal Major says the PLP are determined to add. However, with such voter indifference, we agree with Mr Turnquest, who was a member of the Constituency Commission for the 2012 election, that the PLP’s projections are not strong enough to justify boundary changes in the absence of robust voter registration. Justice Stephen Isaacs, vice-chairman of the Commission, is the sole independent voice on the commission. The public has only him to depend upon — being free of politics — to do what is in the best interest of the country. The Treasury is under enough financial strain without adding the salaries of extra MP’s who — according to the indifference of the voters — will not only be unnecessary, but unwanted baggage.
Small business in tough times EDITOR, The Tribune. I WRITE you to provide your readers with a clearer understanding of the problems of running a small business in these Bahama Islands. To this end I outline the essentials of the accounts for the year ended 2015 which was the first year of VAT and the first year when any business with a turnover of more than $100,00.00 is now required to have a certified accountant provide a support letter to the accounts. My company essentially supplies services to private households in the form of supervised labour. This is a very competitive business and prices charged remain around the same in real dollars as they were ten years ago. I opted and was granted the opportunity to forgo
detailing my VAT outlay and to deliver 4.5% of the sales to the Revenue Office essentially allowing me to retain 3% of the sales having collected 7.5% VAT from my clients. This option is available upon request to businesses with a gross under $400,000.00. My gross was $315 thousand with wages and salaries of $259 thousand and National Insurance of $9 thousand. Vehicle maintenance, fuel, and license used up $31 thousand and materials and supplies amounted to $7 thousand. Total outlay was therefore $306 thousand leaving an operating profit of $9 thousand. To this operating profit I was able to add the retained VAT of $9 thousand to increase my profit to $18 thousand. Now here is the real
bottom line. I had to pay an additional tax of $1.5 thousand to the taxman for the business license and the accountant got a hefty $2 thousand for looking over my figures and deciding I had been fair to the taxman in my representation. This left me with a profit of $15.5 thousand or $300 a week for my efforts over and above my weekly salary of $1,500. The taxman received $455 per week on average and I had to do his work collecting his money. I need to retire and get out of this idiocy. I feel sorry for the guys who work for me because they will have to find another boss and I know I am a good one. DISILLUSIONED Nassau, November 9, 2016.
Christian response to Gray? EDITOR, The Tribune. AM I the only one who is waiting for a response from the Christian community or its leaders on the remarks made by the Honourable Alfred Virginias Gray when he expressed our “need” of the Chinese investors in language that surprised many of us. This “outburst” could be expected of many other sitting MP’s, but Mr Gray has a particular qualification as a supposedly card-carrying Christian who hails from a Family Island where people know it means to express their need of God and not man. He added fuel to the fire because the Chinese Government and its leaders have shown an historical disinterest in “the things of God”. They worship “many deities” unlike us who worship just One; and even this fact brings up the issue of why the Bahamas is so closely tied to China if we claim to be who we say we are. Perhaps we should be demanding some answers or at least a response from the current leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party who seem reluctant to question their own involvement with the People’s Republic of China. Why do I say
how he went about doing his duty in the country when it comes into the political arena, but we forget that if letters@tribunemedia.net it were not for the “man of question? When we shout God”, the PLP would have “PLP all the way”, not too never come to prominence. The fact that the party many Bahamians know where the “All the way” slo- turned its back on these gan comes from. It is lifted Church leaders seems to from Deuteronomy 8:2. have been forgotten by The larger part of the verse some of the present Church states that, “All the way the leadership. Maybe the spokesman was right during Lord shall lead us”. Has the Lord led this na- the Carlton Elijah Francis tion or the current leader- saga when he reminded the ship into such an intimate then Prime Minister that relationship with a nation Francis was speaking for that has set up restrictions himself, when Francis stood on its own people serving alone on the Gambling isthe One true God? Maybe sue. The PLP had promised we need a statement from to let the current licenses the Bahamas Christian expire as we went into naCouncil in this regard also. tionhood after 1973. My concern right now It seems like our politicians is how is God going to rehave forgotten who God is. They give Him lip service spond? Is He going to show by going to Churches, con- up or is He just going to let certs, funerals, speaking this all slide? I have had at conventions and giving some strange thoughts of Crown land to Pastors, and, Baha Mar sliding into the many Pastors are not far sea or the new Republican behind with their tendency administration taking exto speak to their Members ception to such a large enof Parliament before they tity owned by the People’s speak to God, but they may Republic of China just off just be exercising their faith their eastern seaboard; but in the object of their belief. regardless of what happens Their political leaders have it is safe to say that we are told them that “they have really in it now. to come through them anyEDWARD HUTCHESON way”. The late Paul AdderNassau, ley once warned the “man November 14, 2016. of God” to be careful about
LETTERS
Nasty, nasty, nasty! EDITOR. The Tribune. THERE is a Public Parks and Beaches Authority, a Department of Environmental Health and a bloated civil service. I understand workers at the garbage depot are sitting idle because garbage collection has been contracted out to private companies. Yet the Montagu Beach is a disgrace with its piles of garbage strewn seaweed and sea lice, broken fencing and wrecked benches. Across the street where
the pink wall straddles the old hotel property, piles of garbage lie uncollected and in full sight of the park. Whenever there’s a strong breeze, Styrofoam plates and cups are blown from the seafood market to the park opposite. This area is used by Bahamians from all walks of life as well as visitors. Taxi drivers and Sky Juice man and many others rely on it for both business and recreation. It hosts the only beach in the area. Surely, keeping this lit-
tle beach and park clean are within the capabilities of the Parks and Public Beaches Authority and the government services. Surely, these agencies are capable of liaising with the people who use this area and devising solutions to better manage this beautiful, but filthy resource. Surely the Bahamian people deserve better. This is just plain nasty! DISGUSTED Nassau, November 15, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 17, 2016, PAGE 5
Banking survey aims to help Bahamian consumers By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE Consumer Protection Commission has launched its commercial banking survey, geared toward determining the level comfort and safety Bahamians feel while interacting with their respective banks, with final results planned as the basis for new policy recommendations to the government. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the unit’s second reconnaissance outing in as many weeks, CPC Research Officer Lavade Darling said the unit through its independent research has identified a wealth of issues experienced by consumers and wanted to avoid arbitrarily reporting issues being experienced. To this end, Mr Darling said his office opted to car-
FROM left, Lavade Darling, research officer, Senator Jerome Gomez, chairman, CPC; Machelle Carroll, marketing officer, CPC; Dr EJ Bowe, chairman, Prices Commission; and Philip Beneby, deputy chairman, CPC. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff ry out a survey exercise in which consumers responded to questions about their level of satisfaction while interacting with their bank of choice. Mr Darling explained that while many Bahamians have “unaired grievances” with services offered by
various banks, many of these issues go “unheard or unaddressed because many clients are unaware of their rights when doing business with commercial banks.” According to Mr Darling, there are dozens of instances where customers leave their banks perplexed by
their recent experience. He noted that persons in these kind of instances ought to know that some level of recourse is available. Handing out copies of the CPC 20-question survey to shoppers going in and out of Solomon’s Fresh Market in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza, Mr Darling said his unit has worked for an extended period to detail issues that exist within the industry and is now taking steps to put those results to use. While asserting that most of the cases in question could only be rectified through legislation, his unit wants to supply commercial facilities with their data in hopes that it encourages changes in operations. Mr Darling said: “One of the greatest concerns that’s been expressed so far is about the fees banks introduced recently as it relates to cheque cashing. This is high on people’s minds and
they feel that it is not fair and they feel like it is exorbitant. For example, it is illegal for banks to charge a fee on the cashing of a government issued cheque in Canada. Many of our banks come from Canada so they know of this process well. “That is the purpose for us being here today to find out how Bahamians really feel about the way they are viewed and treated by their banks. In addition to fees, we want to know how consumers feel about complaints and how they are being handled by these banks.” He continued: “Before we make any recommendation in a vacuum, we wanted to be informed by what Bahamian consumers actually feel. At the end of the day what we intend or hope to be able to do is make some policy recommendations to the government of the Bahamas, through our Minister (Shane Gibson). This
is one of the tasks we are responsible for, we promote awareness of the rights of consumers.” According to officials, the unit hopes to survey at least 1,000 Bahamians throughout the month of November. The unit’s banking survey was developed by the CPC and reviewed by the Central Bank of the Bahamas before being presented publicly. The unit’s four-page survey analyses the types of accounts customers hold; time and occurrences of issues; the length of time before resolution and the subsequent satisfaction level with resolution. The CPC was created through the Consumer Protection Act 2006. The commission is tasked by the government with protecting Bahamian consumers from abuse in the marketplace.
ACKLINS MAN BLAMES NEGLECT AFTER HE CATCHES ZIKA VIRUS from page one
According to Mr Cox, the truck that was previously used for fogging was damaged during Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, and has not been operational since. He claimed the reason a replacement truck had not been sent to Acklins was because officials at the Department of Environmental Health were relucant to do so, believing that the previous truck had been misused. Director of Environmental Health Melanie McKenzie denied the claims about the fogging truck’s misuse when contacted yesterday. However, she acknowledged that a replacement truck for Acklins is currently being sought, as well as replacement trucks for “a number of islands”. “I think the government response has been very uncaring and almost nothing, like no concern at all for those people who live there,” Mr Cox, who was in New Providence yesterday, said. “Because for them to know of the danger and the subtleness of the Zika virus, and to know of how these areas are known for having a lot of mosquitoes, and knowing that these mosquitos can carry this viral infection and possibly infect the entire population in these islands, you would like to think they would have done more in trying to create awareness, whether it be at the school level, even provide proper training to the employees
ROSTON COX, of Chesters, Acklins down there. “It’s a disgrace,” he added. “When there is a problem we try to screen people, we try to stop them from speaking the truth. We’re not pointing fingers at no particular person, we’re just saying if you’re responsible for health, do your job.” Mr Cox said he was flown to New Providence and tested positive for the Zika virus at Doctors Hospital last week, after battling many “unusual” symptoms - headaches, dizziness, nausea, and an increased heart rate - the week before. Mr Cox said he initially suspected he was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, brought on from “exhaust fumes” to which he is sometimes exposed as an employee of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). Each time he visited the nurse, however, Mr Cox said all of his vitals, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, would
be normal and that the nurse “just couldn’t figure out what was going on with me”. After repeated visits that yielded no relief, Mr Cox said the nurse organised for him to be flown out of Acklins by “emergency flight” last Wednesday. Once in New Providence, he said his blood was sampled and tested, which revealed that he had contracted the Zika virus. Mr Cox said he was not convinced, however, stating that he and his wife had not travelled outside of Acklins or the country “for a couple of months,” and, coupled with him not hearing of any confirmed cases on the island, made him sceptical of the test results. “I came to understand that (Zika) can only be transmitted through mosquito bites or through sexual contact,” Mr Cox said. “But I said the latter I knew was almost impossible. And so I told them, ‘No, you need to do (the test) again.’ “So they took a second sample of my blood again, did a test, and they came back and the results were the same, that it was the Zika virus. I was treated, then discharged with instructions to do follow ups with (a doctor), and also given some medication since then.” Mr Cox said he is now feeling much better, and the symptoms he had previously experienced are gradually “dying out.” He said he is scheduled to see the doctor on Friday, one last time before returning to Acklins on Saturday.
| “Leader in Personal Banking Services”
EXTRAORDINARY DIVIDEND NOTICE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS The Board of Directors of Commonwealth Bank Limited has declared an Extraordinary Dividend Payment of 0.06 cents per share, on Common Shares, to all shareholders of record November 23, 2016. The payment will be made on November 30, 2016, through Bahamas Central Securities Depository, the Registrar & Transfer Agent, in the usual manner. Charlene A. Bosfield Corporate Secretary
However, he said his experience with contracting the virus, coupled with the alleged poor anti-Zika efforts by the government on the island, left him concerned about the well being of the island’s other residents. “I’m pretty much what you can call an old man now,” Mr Cox, 46, said. “I’ve had all of my children, and so I don’t look forward to having any more children. But my concern is primarily for those children there who have not lived their lives and for pregnant mothers who may not even be aware of the dangers they are in. Because who would have ever thought that Zika was in Acklins? Because I’ve been getting bitten from mosquitos for as long as I can remember. “I have a 13-year-old, I have a seven-year-old and a two-year-old that is presently in Acklins now. And my concern is for them among the other kids who are there, and the pregnant women. And it seems and appears as if the govern-
ment is trying to sweep it under the rug. “The danger of this and the magnitude of this is so great, that I just can’t sit
down and allow anybody to quiet us or to put our children’s lives at risk just for political reasons or purposes.”
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PAGE 6, Thursday, November 17, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Miller: BPL has increased bills from page one
However, Mr Miller questioned this and claimed that he knows personally of several persons who have been cut off for non-payment after the hurricane. “One of my daughters called me, BPL went to her house on Monday, while people were in the house and turned her off,” he claimed. “They didn’t even knock to see if anyone was in the house and willing to make a payment. It is a disgrace - her balance was $200. I mean people haven’t even recovered yet from the hurricane and they turning people off for $200,” Mr Miller said. “They have turned plenty people off and they don’t give a damn what they do, as long as they get the money. The bill this month is double what it usually is. “They are adding on fees as they please but I guess
that’s what the government brought them in here for, to add to our problems. That place does not belong to them, that belongs to the Bahamian people, it is a damn shame that they are able to do whatever they want. “Either they bleed us dry or they turn us off. Most people have not even gotten supplies to repair their homes and now in addition to that, they will be in the dark.” Mr Miller said he believes electricity bills have increased in order for BPL to pay the foreign workers who assisted in electricity restoration after the storm. “They didn’t need to be here in the first place and now we have to pay them with money we don’t have,” Mr Miller said. “Jesus, give the people a break. At least three months is needed for persons to be able to get on their feet. I mean these people have no
conscience and the government isn’t doing anything. All these people want is money, God help us.” Two teams from PowerSecure and two from the Caribbean Electricity Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) assisted BPL in restoration efforts in New Providence in the wake of the storm. Mr Miller has previously criticised BPL and the government for “bringing in foreigners” to assist in restoring power when, he claimed, “Bahamians could have done the same job.” He also speculated several weeks ago that the government is paying more than $1m to “outsiders” when qualified Bahamians are being overlooked “for no real reason.” PowerSecure, an American company, took over management of BPL earlier this year.
POWERSECURE bucket trucks pictured as they arrived in Nassau.
ARCHBISHOP CALLS FOR END TO DEATH PENALTY from page one
It said while a “climate of lawlessness” is prevalent in The Bahamas and the region, capital punishment does not “assist the criminal to reform,” nor does it “assist the victim to restore his or her violated dignity.” As such, Archbishop Pinder said the Bahamas, as a member of the AEC, along with the AEC’s other regional members, should instead focus on “restorative justice” to bring about true criminal justice reform, which includes addressing the factors that contribute to crime and “strengthening” the capacity of criminal justice systems to address crime and violence. The last person executed in The Bahamas was David Mitchell in January 2000. Given the country’s crime woes, many have called for the death penalty to be enforced, in the hope that it would serve as an effective deterrent to criminal activity, particularly for such serious offences as murder. However, the Londonbased Privy Council has served as an obstacle to the Bahamas carrying out the death penalty, after ruling in 2006 that the mandatory death sentence for murder was unconstitutional. “To reject capital punishment is not to make light of the loss of loved ones and the violation of human
dignity and rights experienced by victims of crime,” the bishops wrote. “Capital punishment does not assist the criminal to reform, or society to deter. Neither does it assist the victim to restore his or her violated dignity. Only genuine reconciliation can achieve personal satisfaction and restore social order. The process of reconciliation involves conversion, reform, restitution and forgiveness. “In civil society, penal laws and institutions are necessary because the conditions of reconciliation are not often fully met. But the goal of reconciliation, the restoration of moral order to society, is the purpose of those institutions, and it is the purpose of the Christian practice of forgiveness.” Archbishop Pinder, along with the other bishops, said the region would be better served addressing the “underlying” causes of criminal activity and to focus on reforming the criminal justice system in their respective countries. “A restorative justice approach focuses on holding the offender accountable in a more meaningful way and helping to achieve a sense of healing for both the victim(s) and the community; it embraces socialisation, rehabilitation and reconciliation rather than retribution and vengeance,” the statement said. “Restorative justice can help us to achieve our goals. It is not a panacea for all social ills, but can be used effectively together with other policies. “To promote integral human development in our region, we recognise the
urgent need for our governments to address the underlying causes of crime and the risk factors that contribute to crime and not only the symptoms of crime. To do so, they must take into consideration the many challenges to human life today, including poverty and social exclusion, human trafficking, the sex trade, including exploitation of women and children, domestic violence, the drug and gun trade.” In June 2011, the Privy Council overturned Maxo Tido’s death sentence in connection with the killing of 16-year-old Donnell Connover, whose body was found off Cowpen Road, battered and bruised and her skull crushed. There was additional evidence that parts of her body were burned after her death. But the Privy Council concluded that the murder was not an example of the “worst of the worst.” In November 2011, Parliament passed legislation to define the types of murder constituting the “worst of the worst” guidelines set out by the London court. Despite this, Sean McWeeney, QC, chairman of the Constitutional Reform Commission, doubted whether the changes would matter to the Privy Council. Speaking on the matter in April 2013 in response to a question raised at the commission’s first town hall meeting, Mr McWeeney said “as long as the Privy Council remains your final court of appeal, it is extremely doubtful that you will ever be able to hang anyone.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 17, 2016, PAGE 7
No new date yet for retrial of Goodman By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Wayne Munroe said yesterday that no new date has yet been set for the retrial of Kofhe Goodman. In fact, it is not even clear how the Office of the Attorney General intends to proceed with the case, although it is expected that a significant effort will be made to keep the matter out of the press amid concern about the impact media coverage had on Goodman’s murder trial. The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial for Goodman in September after concluding that adverse pre-trial publicity, misconduct of Goodman’s defense lawyer and a jury irregularity meant the case should be reheard in the Supreme Court. Asked about the ruling in September, Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson said her office hadn’t yet decided how to proceed in handling the matter. She was asked if her office would appeal the ruling to the country’s highest court, the London-based Privy Council. Mr Munroe, who represented Goodman in the
Court of Appeal, said yesterday: “They can always not prosecute. No one can make them prosecute. The matter first has to be set. Given the reasoning in the ruling, the first issue is to let sufficient time pass from the last set of prejudicial foolishness that was in the news and in social media. The court will also have to appoint a lawyer to represent the accused.” Goodman had been accused of murdering 11-year-old Marco Archer of Brougham Street. The case caused widespread consternation among Bahamians. Among other things, Court of Appeal justices concluded that Goodman’s chances at a fair trial had been hampered by adverse coverage, including National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage’s announcement that Marco’s Law would be created two weeks before the start of Goodman’s trial in 2013 even though no evidence or charge concerning kidnappings or sexual assault were made. Goodman has since been convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment for spitting on one of the jurors who had found him guilty of killing Marco Archer.
KOFHE GOODMAN, pictured outside court previously.
MAN TO FACE SUPREME COURT ON ARMED ROBBERY CHARGES By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused of committing a spree of armed robberies in August will be formally arraigned in the Supreme Court in two weeks. Chino Milord, 19, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday for a voluntary bill of indictment presentation regarding each of his cases concerning ten counts of armed robbery. It is alleged that the Sutton Street resident was behind a gunpoint robbery on August 6 when Emmanuel Jerome was held up for a cell phone, $50 cash and a chain valued at $90. It is then alleged that on August 14, he stole and/or dishonestly received a 2012 Kia Soul valued at $25,000, the property of Ricardo Davis. It is further claimed that on August 13, while
armed with a handgun, he robbed Hugh Johnson of $18,910.39 that belonged to the Sports Centre sporting goods store. It is alleged that five days later, on August 18, he, with a 17-year-old and 22-yearold Leroy Rolle, robbed three individuals at gunpoint of $7,200 cash, iPhone
and Samsung cell phones worth $1,500 and a gold Michael Kors watch valued at $350. It is also alleged that he, on August 28, held up Eltario Morley and Esther Moncur for $30 cash and two cell phones. Three days later, on August 31, an Island Luck em-
ployee was robbed at gunpoint of $1,526 belonging to the web shop. Milord is accused of committing this crime as well as the gunpoint robberies of Renaldo Rolle and David Adderley for $328 cash on
the same day. The Voluntary Bill of Indictment, which contained the Crown’s case against him, facilitated the transfer of the matters from the lower court to the Supreme Court.
Milord is now scheduled to appear before Justice Bernard Turner on December 2. It is at that time that he will be allowed to enter a plea to the various charges.
PAGE 8, Thursday, November 17, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Political parties need to make their mark with new generation of voters
T
A Young Man’s View
HERE is lingering political fatigue that has contributed - in large part - to voter apathy. Voter registration is occurring at a trickle because there are many Bahamians who view both the Progres- By ADRIAN GIBSON sive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National per cent of the popular Movement (FNM) as su- vote in 2012 whilst the PLP premely aloof. pulled 48.7 per cent. The If one listens to any talk Democratic National Allishow, Bahamians are seem- ance (DNA) made up the ingly exasperated and are difference with a handful not attracted to either ma- of independents and alsojor party. rans. When the votes were I am a millennial. Many tallied, the PLP secured of the faces in the PLP and 75,815 votes compared to FNM do not reflect the the 65,633 ballots that were views of my generation. As cast in favour of the FNM. it stands, the FNM is failing The DNA won 13,225 votes. to engage young voters and Although the PLP received neither is the the highest PLP. That ‘Bahamians are tired number of should cause votes for one of lying politicians. an immediparty, it lost ate heart- Bahamians are tired the popular burn for both of politicians whose vote to the parties. combined promises are empty. In 2012, opposition’s more than We are tired of sifting 78,858 votes. 172,000 peo- through useless Interestple regisingly, millentered to vote. rhetoric and not nials (perRecently, being presented with sons aged the Parlia- position papers and 18 to 35) mentary are barely Registration progressive policies. being repDepartment Voter fatigue has resented at reported that taken hold. The level the decisionnearly 57,000 making table people had of optimism is at an this election registered to all-time low.’ cycle. Thus vote, a much far - and lower figure this very well could change compared to the 134,000 - both of the political parregistered voters during ties have not redefined the this same period before the national debate. Bahamians 2012 general election. are sick of politics as usual. The FNM attained 42.1 How much longer do the
FNM and the PLP want us to backseat drive? We must have more meaningful impact. As it stands, more than 16,739 millennials have registered to vote. This week I attended the Parliamentary Registration Department on Farrington Road and registered to vote. It was a monotonous, drawnout process. I spent at least an hour. It was frustrating. What’s more, the officials at that department are using outdated procedures, largescreen obsolete computers and writing information by hand. In 2016, people must still register in this archaic manner. Whilst I waited, I observed several persons entering and leaving the site once they saw the handful of people gathered and the slothful registration process. And so, not only are people fed up with the political atmosphere, but they are discouraged by the waste of time and delays with actually registering. That said, the political parties should not forget that Bahamians aged 18 to 35 make up the largest group of registered voters. We, the millennials, are the new generation of voters whose voices will be heard. Establishment bureaucrats
A VOTER casts her ballot in the gender equality referendum - but what can be done to encourage voting in the general election? in both major political parties have clearly not demonstrated an appreciation for that. The electorate has shifted and, based on some of the recent candidates coming forward, it is clear that the FNM and the PLP are committing political malpractice. Here’s an idea. Whenever I go out with my son or visit family members, he is immediately drawn to towards any grouping where he sees little children like him. He does that aged six and millennials no doubt do the same. How many of us can be seen in either major political party? And what about women? Thus far, the bulk of registrants for the 2017 general election are women. Women comprise some 35,173 voters of the nearly 57,000 registrants. Bahamians are tired of lying politicians. Bahamians are tired of politicians whose promises are empty. We are tired of sifting through useless rhetoric and not being presented with position papers and progressive policies. Voter fatigue has taken hold. The level of optimism is at an
all-time low. Are the Parliamentary Registration Department personnel aware of the documents that prospective voters must produce? Or does one set of officials request passports and another set request past voters cards? I witnessed the confusion and the government should ensure that the populace and officials are of one accord. When will the Boundaries Commission issue its report? Will the boundary lines be re-drawn? If so, on what grounds would they do so when one takes the low voter registration numbers into account? Why must Bahamians produce their passports when we are not travelling? Isn’t the passport a travel document? Why can’t we simply use our driver’s licence? Perhaps we should totally modernise our national identifications and develop and issue biometric drivers licences. What about electronic voting? How much longer before we embrace technology and move into the 21st century?
Why have the registration drives not descended upon highly populated commercial zones such as Downtown, Carmichael Road and Western New Providence in an effort to register persons at their respective offices? Why not arrange this with the various businesses, law firms, public entities, etc? During general elections, high voter registration and turnout usually favours opposing parties. The governing parties usually retain power when voter turnout is low. I encourage Bahamians to vote. Honestly, I haven’t yet decided who I will vote for. However, I encourage all and sundry to register to vote and to vote your conscience. Do not lose the opportunity to cast your ballot. I wish I could cast a ballot for judges, for a mayor, for municipal representatives and for the Commissioner of Police. However, we are not yet at that point and so, as it stands, let’s not ignore our singular opportunity to vote, to have a voice, to change the way things are done. Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 17, 2016, PAGE 9 FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell at the launch of his re-election campaign in August.
Mitchell’s shame over human rights case THE flippant response by Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell to the complaints of members of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) should lead every Bahamian to question how the fears and concerns of Bahamians could be so casually ignored. Sometime ago, members of the GBHRA filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) claiming that they feared imminent threats to their lives due to their political advocacy. Frederick Smith QC, Francisco Nunez, Joseph Darville, Kirkland Bodie and Romauld Ferreira all decried the response of government agencies to their concerns, noting that they had cause to flee the country. What’s more, on more than one occasion, an open letter to the Commissioner of Police was published.
The IACHR - the human rights arm of the Organisation of American States - came down on the side of the GBHRA, recently determining that the government should immediately move to protect the lives and personal integrity of five members of Save the Bays and their nuclear families, and that the complainants had received believable threats of harm, harassment and intimidation as a result of its advocacy on environmental issues and in opposition to questionable governmental decisions. Notably, there have recently been complaints of police officers randomly showing up at the offices of the five complainants and demanding to see these men. Such an approach is nothing short of intimidatory and, given the business environment, the most appropriate approach would be to arrange a meeting at a time convenient to all parties. These are Gestapo tactics which only deepen
the suspicions of persons already frightful of mischief, injury or their sudden demise. I applaud these courageous men for stepping up and inviting international scrutiny, for ensuring that their concerns and human rights are not trampled upon and, by extension, establishing precedent for persons who are downtrodden and voiceless. The GBHRA’s decision to invite the IACHR to request that the Bahamas’ government adopt precautionary measures to prevent irreparable harm to their lives creates another avenue of recourse that Bahamians could have faith in. It is unacceptable that any Bahamian should be subject to having their security concerns ignored and marginalised for years. What’s more, the dismissive response of Mr Mitchell to the IACHR resolution - whilst not surprising - highlights his lack of accountability. Face saving,
political spin seems to be the order of the day in the Bahamas. To term the ruling as “regrettable” and assert that the claims of these men “were not properly grounded in facts and were without evidentiary support or legal merit” is insulting. I cry shame on the minister. Shame! Shame! Shame! Did Mr Mitchell ever cause a proper investigation to be conducted? Or was his promised investigation a merely another insincere stalling tactic? We need to implement human rights legislation. We need to implement laws against harassment. We need to ensure that our fundamental rights and freedoms are protected at all costs. I call upon the current government and, whoever will comprise the incoming government, to put these legislative initiatives at the top of its agenda. Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com
HIDDEN EXTRAS AND POOR SERVICE LAST week, I attended DHL Bahamas’ offices in Oakes Field. As I approached the front desk, I encountered a most unprofessional, bad-mannered and uncouth customer service representative. I found this individual to be loud, abrasive and generally dismissive of my queries and unfriendly. It’s difficult to believe that this individual is not relegated to a backroom to sort packages and perform tasks that don’t require human interaction. Upon realising that this so-called customer service representative had a poor attitude, I demanded to see the manager. I needed to query the invoice that DHL had prepared. She advised me that an accountant would speak to me. Once the accountant appeared, I continued to query my bill. I am unsatisfied with her explanation. What’s more, I drew her attention to the improper, rancorous behaviour of her colleague and noted my absolute displeasure. I also told her - in the presence of the customer service representative - that I had observed that that representative was also crass towards other customers. I then paid for my package and left. Here is the issue. I recently purchased two court collars, two collar studs and two collar bands from a supplier in the United Kingdom. I paid £25.60 for the items plus £20.00 for shipping, which totalled £45.60 or, when converted, $55.66. The items were never delivered to me, although my address was printed on the face of the package. My customs duty amounted to $6.22. However, what I found
THE INVOICE in question. stunning were the other charges. I was charged a processing fee of $10, a brokerage fee of $15 and VAT of $6.70. Now, why am I being charged a processing fee? Processing of what? Let’s not forget that I paid £20 before the item even shipped. And why is the processing and brokerage fee separate? What is done so differently? My total bill in the UK, for the items and shipping, was $55.66. Once it arrived in The Bahamas, I had to pay an additional $37.92. That is ridiculous! This smacks of price gouging! Whatever happened to consumer protection? What are these fees for? Essentially, I paid £25.60 or $31.81 for my items (minus shipping). Then I paid £20.00 or roughly $24.86 for shipping from the UK. When I combine the shipping rate paid to DHL upfront - $24.86 - with the $37.92 in customs and other fees, I paid a total of $62.78. $62.78 is nearly twice as much as I paid for my items. Something is wrong with this picture. And what’s worse is that I have to deal with discourteous behaviour whilst forking over my money. Comments and responses to ajbahama@ hotmail.com
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PAGE 10, Thursday, November 17, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Collie: Bain did not pass FNM vetting process from page one
The FNM on Tuesday night ratified community activist Reuben Rahming as its standard bearer for the area. The decision to run Mr Rahming has angered the FNM’s Pinewood Constituency Association, with several of them at-
tending Tuesday night’s campaign launch with signs in support of Mr Bain and bashing FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis. Members of the association claimed that Dr Minnis repeatedly gave assurances that Mr Bain would receive the nod to represent the constituency. Mr Collie has said this
couldn’t be further from the truth and that they were all made aware that Mr Bain would not be selected. “Lincoln Bain applied for the nomination for Pinewood and he went through a process like all the other applicants,” Mr Collie said. “It was a very thorough vetting process, which included a face-to-face interview with the search committee and followed by an investigation. Lincoln did not pass the test. “And notwithstanding all of what Pinewood is saying, the Search Committee and the Candidates Committee and the Executive Committee did their due diligence and determined after giving Lincoln all the benefit of the doubt that they could not nominate him. It’s as simple as that.” He continued: “The leader, myself and the secretary general had a series of meetings. More than three meetings with the Pinewood executive constituency association, with and without Lincoln. Last meeting we had with Pinewood was last week Thursday. The entire executive along with Lincoln, the leader, myself and the secretary general. That meeting lasted four hours until 11 o’clock. “So there was complete and thorough vetting and everyone involved had ample opportunity to clearly and unabashedly express their opinions and all of their opinions have been expressed and have been taken into consideration. “Notwithstanding the very strong backing and
PROTESTS at the FNM ratification event on Tuesday. there is no doubt that the executives of Pinewood back Lincoln very strongly. But notwithstanding all of that, the party has decided to nominate someone else,” Mr Collie said. Snub When contacted yesterday for comment, Mr Bain maintained that there was no explanation for the obvious snub. He said there were repeated assurances from Dr Minnis and there was “shock” when things did not go as promised. However, he suggested that the incident involving former Senator Lanisha Rolle might have had something to do with the party moving in a different direction. Mrs Rolle resigned from the Senate post earlier this
year after The Tribune published a series of stories focusing on a secret audio recording. In it, Mrs Rolle not only spoke disparagingly of several FNM members, but revealed to Mr Bain that he would not get the nomination for the Pinewood seat. Mr Bain later admitted that he recorded Mrs Rolle saying it was a bid to protect himself from possible sabotage. “If it was true, there is no way that our team would have been upset. That cannot be true,” Mr Bain said. “Even up to the last set of ratifications that took place on the 27th of October. Dr Minnis met days before with the Pinewood Gardens Association and he informed them that I would be the candidate, that there were no issues with me and that I would be the candidate. He said that he would be neutral in the process and he would put me forth to council to be ratified. “We had several meetings where for example Dr Minnis said he wanted Pinewood to consider Reuben Rahming, but there was a series of shifty dealings that took place. I was the candidate. The Candidate’s Committee ratified me unanimously. I was ratified by the Pinewood Association executives unanimously and all of a sudden Lanisha Rolle got interest in Pinewood Gardens and then everything shifted.” He went on: “I was Minnis’ blue eyed boy until up to that time and then that’s when we had the incident with Lanisha, but that is
when we found out that she had interest in Pinewood Gardens. The executives of Pinewood rejected her outright and because of the incident she couldn’t go to Pinewood anymore. “So Dr Minnis moved Lanisha one step over even though people told him she shouldn’t run anymore. He moved her one step over to Sea Breeze and moved the Sea Breeze candidate over to Pinewood Gardens and this was a last minute thing. “The natural flow should have been to go to Pinewood Gardens, to go to the Vetting Committee, to go to the Candidates Committee and then go to Council.” Mr Bain said the problem many supporters had with Dr Minnis was an issue of trust. He said this was why the FNM had not been galvanising its home base. Responding to the controversy, Mr Rahming told this newspaper that he was not worried about the pushback because it is expected in a democratic process. When asked whether he had met with the Pinewood Gardens Constituency Association prior to his ratification, Mr Rahming did not directly answer the question, but said: “We did what we needed to do and the party is satisfied. The association is a part of the party.” Pressed further on whether he needed the help of the association to run a successful campaign, he said: “Elections are about yes or no it is not about someone voting for someone. It is called majority win.”
SEARS PLANS ROLE FOR CHRISTIE IN HIS CABINET from page one
“This shift of paradigm requires a level of maturity. We can use this wealth of knowledge we have together. In this campaign there is no beef, we are providing a programme to strengthen the party and strengthen the country. People may be looking for us to be talking nasty about each other but the way this country is going, we have to rise to the
next level.” The PLP has not held a convention since 2009, even though the party’s constitution mandates that one be held every year. “I believe the best chance for the PLP to be re-elected is under my leadership. We are talking about a democratic process, we aren’t talking about a whimsical act. We are talking about a democratic process that is important not just for
the PLP but how the PLP conducts itself is important for The Bahamas because it is the PLP that is asking the Bahamas to give it the privilege of leading the entire government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Mr Sears said. “This is not a matter of convenience or even expediency, this is a matter that goes to the core of the governance and in the interest of every single citizen. We wrote privately and asked
last year for the convention to be held so this is the last chance I believe that we have to improve our prospect of regaining or retaining the government of The Bahamas.” The PLP will hold its convention from January 24 to 26, 2017. The event had been scheduled for the last week in November but was postponed, after several other delays, because of the damage left behind by Hurricane Matthew.
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THE TRIBUNE
UNION GIVES $100,000 IN RELIEF TO HOTEL WORKERS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Hotel Managerial Union paid out more than $100,000 in financial relief assistance to its members who are among the managerial staff at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Wednesday. Nearly 100 members gathered in the Hoffman’s Room of the hotel where they were presented with a cheque for $1,000 to help them recover from the devastating effects of the storm. Obie Ferguson, leader of the Trade Union Congress, of which BHMU is an affiliate, and Kirk Russell, president of the BHMU, said the union is committed to helping its members even during times of crisis. Mr Ferguson, whose roof to his home in Nassau was severely damaged, said he understands the workers’ difficulties in Grand Bahama. “I know, I feel it just like you. And when I saw it on television, I mean it was mindboggling,” he said, of homes that were damaged in West End, Grand Bahama and in South Beach, New Providence. The veteran trade unionist stressed that many people were affected by the storm in Nassau and Grand Bahama and are in need. “We have to be more responsive to our people,” he said. “People need help now, they don’t want it six weeks from today.” Many hotel workers in Grand Bahama are temporarily unemployed following severe hurricane damage at the two anchor resort properties in Lucaya - the Memories Resort, and The Grand Lucayan Resort, which consists of Breaker’s Cay and Lighthouse Pointe, which are closed for repairs. Mr Russell informed union members that Breaker’s
HOTEL workers at yesterday’s meeting of the BHMU. Cay may not reopen until March. The Grand Lucayan Resort property is up for sale. Mr Ferguson assured the workers that when the hotel is sold the union will renegotiate an agreement that will be in the best interest of workers. He said that unions have an obligation to assist members during tough, difficult times. “We are the only union in the Bahamas that is doing it, and who can do it. You know why, we planned for this. We made plans because we are in the hurricane zone,” he added. “You all paid $7.50 per week. We made provision that when these things happen the union will bring some relief. That is what unions are for, not just to collect dues and enjoy all the goods – you must save some money for when times get rough and bring relief to your members. Not to say I am in a big building and I got thousands of dollars in the bank.” Mr Ferguson thanked the members for their support in the union. The workers applauded loudly when Mr Ferguson also told them that the union has asked the hotel not to deduct union dues for at least two weeks. “I want the other unions to know that we are here providing a service. We are
of the view that when there is a crisis you must make adjustments. So, we will make sure that for two weeks your dues will not be deducted,” said the unionist. “I want to say that we paid out in excess of $100,000, and when we renegotiate the industrial agreement whoever the new owners will be, we will take a different approach with respect to that particular area, knowing now what it cost for a roof because I had to get my roof done. I have an idea now and we will make sure we use our creative skills in negotiating an amount that would be reasonable.” Dennis Forbes, a chef, was very grateful. “It is awesome and unexpected. It was done out of the kindness of their heart for the managers here, and I don’t know anybody that is going to top that. When I looked at what I got, I said ‘wow.’ I thought that we would get maybe $200 or $300 dollars, but $1,000 I did not expect and it was very nice and touching,” he said. Another worker, Franklyn Moxey, was also very appreciative. “To have a good organisation like this do this for its people in times of crisis is great. This is so timely because everybody has been affected and so we really appreciate this so much.”
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL ADVISOR / DIRECTOR POSITION AVAILABLE A prominent car dealership is seeking an Automotive Technical Advisor/Director. The ideal candidate must have a wide range of experience in the automotive field, as well as good written and oral communication skills.
Responsibilities: • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Responsible for the delivery of job-specific training courses to the technicians. Responsible for the development and review of new training materials. Provide technical assistance to employees as needed. Provide on the job training for staff as needed. Measures effectiveness of training content and delivery. Set and monitor realistic and achievable service performance targets. Develops innovative and creative results based on interpretation and analysis that improve business performance and contributes to the goals and strategies of the company. Must have the necessary technical knowledge and the real world experience in the automotive field. Experienced teaching, coaching and/or facilitating in an automotive environment. Provides leadership, guidance and advice in the automotive field. Cultivates, develops, and manages strong and lasting customer relationships. Conduct analysis of market competitors, market conditions and campaign effectiveness. Target market development for periodic maintenance and repair work to target market segments. Conduct weekly analysis of key performance indicators (productivity, efficiency, labor utilization, labor sales, labor gross profit, parts sales/repair order, and expenses.) Liaise with multiple manufacturers for KPI reporting (Key Point Indicators) Liaise with multiple manufacturers on Technical and Quality issues. Liaise with multiple manufacturers for Campaign implementation completion. Oversee all Warranty, train and assist with all claims. Oversee all dealership tooling and Computer related software. Introduce, Implement and monitor manufacturers’ trainings. Oversee Customer Service team operation and training.
Requirements:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
College degree or its equivalent. ASE certification to Master level or equivalent. (Note: Must be current) Qualified as a certified trainer in the automotive technical field. Ten years’ experience in working in a Multi-Franchise dealership environment. Qualification as a certified auditor in the automotive field. City & Guilds Automotive Licentiateship qualification. Knowledgeable and experienced in service operations. Warranty administration to Expert level. Strong leadership and management skills. Excellent customer service skills. Good interpersonal skills. The capacity to work with, develop and lead the team. The ability to work under pressure. Computer literate.
• An attractive compensation package which includes Group Medical and Pension Plan benefits. • Continuous training. • Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Interested persons should send resumes and supporting documents to: P. O. Box N-9240 Nassau, Bahamas All applications must be submitted on or before: November 28, 2016
Thursday, November 17, 2016, PAGE 11
PAGE 12, Thursday, November 17, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Lawyer says firearms charge of pair is close to ‘persecution’ By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A LAWYER yesterday denounced the intended prosecution of a 52-year-old man and a minor on firearm related charges notwithstanding that the admitted offender took responsibility for the crimes during an arraignment in Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Murrio Ducille, lawyer for Geoffrey Wray Sr, expressed his displeasure to Magistrate Constance Delancy at ASP Clifford Daxon’s indication that the prosecution would proceed with the trial against Wray Sr, 20-year-old Toyel Ne-
wry and a 15-year-old girl even though Wray’s son, Geoffrey Wray Jr, pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm and two counts of possession of ammunition. The magistrate had sentenced Wray Jr to three years imprisonment for the offences and asked the police prosecutor his position with regards to the other accused persons. ASP Daxon said based on the file before him, the prosecution will proceed against the remaining individuals. The response did not sit well with Mr Ducille, however, as he said the move bordered on persecution.
Magistrate Delancy said she was “very conscious” of the answer to her question by the police prosecutor before denying bail to the individuals and remanding them to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial on January 18, 2017. However, she informed them of their right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court. It is alleged that the quartet, on Sunday, November 13, were found in possession of a black Glock 9mm pistol, five 9mm bullets for the weapon and a single piece of .38 ammunition. Wray Sr, Newry and the teen girl pleaded not guilty
www.ub.edu.bs
STAFF VACANCIES Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions:-
Clinical Supervisor The University of The Bahamas’ Nursing Department at the Grosvenor Close Campus is seeking to hire individuals committed to serve as role models and mentors for nursing students. The Clinical Supervisor is responsible for liaising with faculty and clinical staff to evaluate students’ performance of clinical skills and procedures; demonstrate proper technique in the performance of clinical skills and procedures; provide ongoing constructive feedback to students; ensure that students document their clinical experiences according to established protocols; monitor students’ attitudes as well as adherence to established nursing policies, protocols and codes of conduct; and assist in preparing students for the Nursing Council Clinical Assessments. Application Information Interested candidates should submit the following items: • A letter of interest (highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position); • An up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume; • Registration License; • Copies of Certificates; • Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts needed for employment); and • At least three confidential, professional references. to the Office of the Provost on or before November 30th, 2016, addressed as follows: Dr. Maria Oriakhi The Office of the Provost University of The Bahamas OR submit electronically to hrapply@cob.edu.bs
Administrative Assistant – Intercollegiate Athletics The role of the professionals in Intercollegiate Athletics, therefore, is to assist with the development of the University of The Bahamas’ athletic platform as it transitions to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Administrative Assistant in Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible for assisting in developing, maintaining and implementing a highly efficient, organized and professional department. As the department’s first contact, a welcoming customer service attitude is paramount as well as good communications with athletics administrator, coaches, students, faculty, alumni, boosters, families, and the wider community.
Human Resources (HR) Assistant I – Training & Development The Human Resources Assistant – Training & Development will assist with all related administrative duties relating to the Training and Development Unit. These functions include administrative duties related to Staff Development Committee Meetings, Staff Conference Leave and Tuition Waiver. In addition, he/ she will be required to Email/circulate all training initiatives and be responsible for handling the scheduling and organizing meetings. The HR Assistant should be able to work independently and will report to the Assistant Director, Training & Development.
Plumber I The position of Plumber I is required to perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to conducting daily checks of campus buildings plumbing facilities; carry out repairs to all plumbing work, drains, guttering, downspouts, pumps and pool areas; assist we matters related to the maintenance of all college buildings; prepare written monthly reports and liaise with Plumbing Supervisor on a daily basis as well as inspect the condition of all equipment. Application Information Interested candidates should submit the following items: • A letter of interest (highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position); • An up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume; • A completed Employment Application Form; • Copies of Certificates/Qualifications; • Copies of Birth Certificate/Information pages of Current passport; • Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts needed for employment); and • At least three written confidential/professional references. to the Human Resources Department on or before November 30th, 2016, addressed as follows: Dr. Mychal Coleman The University of The Bahamas Chief Human Resources Officer Oakes Field Campus OR submit electronically to hrapply@uob.edu.bs
to the three charges while Wray Jr pleaded guilty to the offences. Newry was separately charged with possession of dangerous drugs to which he pleaded guilty and was fined $2,500. However, he pleaded not guilty to the more serious offence of “intent to supply” that was also levied against Wray Sr and Wray Jr. According to a summary of the facts read by the police prosecutor, police had executed a warrant on Wary Sr’s house around 3.15pm concerning suspected drugs and firearms. Wray Jr answered the door and he was shown the warrant. When police inspected the house, they found a loaded pistol in one of the bedrooms and a single .38 bullet on the bathroom floor of the house, resulting in Wray Jr’s arrest. The 24-year-old was asked if he accepted the facts. “I accept it,” Wray Jr said, as he clutched a pair of crutches for support. Mr Ducille, also representing the son, stressed to the magistrate that “there’s crime and there’s punishment.” “One thing that has been demonstrated of young Mr Wray is that he’s owned up to it and not wasted the court’s time,” the lawyer said. “Quite regrettably, he has two cousins who lost their lives recently. Mr Wray and
LAWYER MURRIO DUCILLE, who is representing Geoffrey Wray Sr. his cousins were like brothers and he was constantly threatened that he was next,” the magistrate was told. Two years ago, his cousins, Shaquan Wray and Shavaz Wray were shot to death in separate killings. Both were witnesses in a murder trial. “Quite unadvisedly, he found this firearm and kept it,” Mr Ducille said yesterday. “As a matter of fact, po-
lice did not find him walking about carrying the firearm on his person and this is not to justify his actions. But he kept it and I’m sure if he’d sought proper advice he would not have done so and would not be here today,” the lawyer added. Mr Ducille then took issue with the arraignment of Wray Jr’s father and the girl, questioning why they were before the court. Resuming his plea in mitigation, Mr Ducille said Wray Jr has “sought to throw himself at the feet of your court.” “He’s repentant for his misguided action. He had an unblemished record and we could’ve brought persons to speak on his behalf . . . It is a fact that most young men are going and falling by the wayside because they’ve not been given a chance or opportunity to do well.” Mr Ducille told Magistrate Delancy that Sections 124 to 126 of the Penal Code granted the court the discretion to impose alternative punishments on offenders where an alternative punishment is warranted. The lawyer also said mandatory minimum sentences have been abolished, restoring to the lower court a wider range of discretion on sentencing. “Prison is not the panacea for crime. In fact, it should be the very last resort and notwithstanding the gravamen of the offence, justice demands an offender ought to be given a chance,” Mr Ducille said. After a 15-minute recess, Magistrate Delancy said she had considered the plea in mitigation and the circumstances that resulted in the crimes being committed. However, she said that she was also guided by the 2014 ruling of Galen Forbes where a four-year sentence was upheld to deter persons from following a similar path. She sentenced Wray Jr to three years for the firearm, 18 months for the five 9mm bullets and 12 months for the .38 bullets. The sentences will run concurrently from the date of conviction.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 17, 2016, PAGE 13
REV FOWLER, of Mt Sinai Baptist Church of South Mastic Point, presents one of the care packages in North Andros.
ANDROS STORE COMES TO AID OF ISLAND RESIDENTS
PICTURED in North Andros helping the hurricane relief effort are (front, from left) Terah Lafleur General Manager NAAPS, Pastor Rufus and Norma Jane Knowles, and Mrs Marshall from Salem Baptist Church of Red Bays. At the back (from left) are Keisha Dean, President NAAPS, Laterio Adderley, sales representative NAAPS, Rev Fowler, Mt Sinai Baptist Church of South Mastic Point, Ronald Thompson, NEMA, and Leonard Dames Jr, Assistant Island Administrator. NORTH Andros Automotive Parts Store (NAAPS) has donated over 100 care packages to the island’s less mobile residents, pensioners and families who were badly affected by Hurricane Matthew. With the assistance of the National Emergency Management Agency and the local Island Administrators, the packages - which included items such as rice, sugar, corned beef, tuna, bread, soap, juices and coconut water - were distributed last week throughout the settlements of North and South Mastic Point, Red Bays and Lowe Sound. “We partnered with a number of businesses in New Providence to make this initiative a reality”, said Keisha Dean, President of NAAPS. “Recognising the need in our community and wanting to help with the relief efforts we started making calls seeking support”. The organisations partnering with NAAPS were Net & Unca J’s Wholesale, Bahamas Bakery, IMPAC Waste Disposal and Jamaica Bahamas Import. Mrs Dean said those receiving the packages were extremely grateful as many of them had difficulty getting to hurricane relief distribution points due to
ailments or a lack of transportation. “Through God’s help, NAAPS and our employees are committed to Andros and the restoration efforts to rebuild the Big Yard,” she said.
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PAGE 14, Thursday, November 17, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Turnquest casts doubt on mortgage POLICE SEEK MURDER SUSPECTS relief plan REMOAN SWEETING
SHAWN BROWN
NATHANIEL MILLER
THE police have issued a bulletin asking the public for help in finding men who are wanted for questioning with reference to a number of recent murders. Nathaniel Miller, 28, otherwise called “Nat”, of Lee Street, Nassau Villag, is of a dark brown com-
plexion, medium build and about 5ft 6in to 5ft 9in. Shawn Brown, 27, otherwise called “Fire”, of Rupert Dean Lane, is of a dark brown complexion, slim build and about 5ft 8in to 5ft 11in. Remoan Sweeting, 38, otherwise called “Ra-
zor”, of Barns Road, Coral Harbour, is of a light brown complexion, slim build and about 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in. The original alert also listed four other men being sought by police - but they have handed themselves in to officers. Police said yesterday that they consider these men to be armed and dangerous and advise the public not to approach them. Instead, contact police immediately with any information. Police wish to remind members of the public that it is a criminal offence to harbour these individuals, and persons providing a safe haven for these criminals will be prosecuted. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of these wanted men, no matter how small of inisgnificant (the tip) may seem, is urged to anonymously contact the police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328TIPS (8477) (New Providence) or 1-242-300-8476 (Family Islands).
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, EMMANUEL THEOPHILUS PELECANOS of #157 Poincianna Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas intend to change my name to THEOPHILUS EMMANUEL PELECANOS. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742 Nassau Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
from page one The original scheme had resulted in only a handful of homeowners receiving assistance. The Christie administration has since provided little information about its revamped programme, although the Clearing Banks Association has placed ads in newspapers providing instructions to people concerning it. Michael Halkitis, State Minister for Finance, said yesterday that Hurricane Matthew has not hampered the government’s plans for mortgage relief. He said the matter would be addressed during a House of Assembly session next Monday. Yesterday, a Parliamentary representative said he expects a Contractor’s Bill to be dealt with on Monday, adding that mortgage relief and anything relating to it were not on the agenda. Mr Turnquest said: “The
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, CORA ADELL OLIVER of Mount Pleasant Village, Nassau Bahamas intend to change my name to CORA ADELL CULMER. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742 Nassau Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Friday October 28 - Saturday December 24, 2016
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ANTONIO KAREEM BROWN of New Providence, Bahamas intend to change my name to ANTONIO KAREEM BROWN THOMPSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
K PETER TURNQUEST government has this programme that they say is supposed to help more people this time. We haven’t heard as to whether it’s actually helping anybody. “I suspect that it hasn’t because the fundamental issue still remains, which is that mortgage owners in arrears really have no ability to pay if they don’t have a job. I know the problem would’ve been exasperated by the hurricane situation. “I suspect that the government understands, just like we do, that there isn’t much they can do in terms of intervention. Financial institutions that have signed onto it, if you closely analyse it, aren’t doing much more than what they would ordinarily do for distressed borrowers who come in and make an arrangement. On both parts, the banks and borrower, success rate is
less than stellar and we can see that from the Central Bank figures which continue to show basic issues in creating employment opportunities so people can meet their commitments,” he added. As for what the FNM’s approach to mortgage relief would be, Mr Turnquest said: “There’s no way any government could guarantee the mortgage of any citizen in the Bahamas who finds himself in a difficult situation. We are aware that some institutions have been very inflexible about various aspects about this however. It may be that we need to address that through legislation although I’m in favour of a cooperative solution than punitive action. Ultimately, I continue to believe the way to provide mortgage relief is to ensure people have good paying jobs.” The government said earlier this year that there are more than 1,000 delinquent borrowers in the Bahamas who could qualify for its mortgage relief programme. In advertisements that ran in local newspapers earlier this year, the Clearing Banks Association said people who qualify for the programme must agree to restrictions on accumulating further personal debt and must agree to not add further salary deductions to their paychecks.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that JEFFREY LUBIN of Allen Drive, Carmichael Road, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of November, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that KETIELEAN ST. CHARLES of North Palmetto Point, P.O. Box General Delivery, Eleuthera, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of November, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE
House & Spray
We can computer colour match:
NOTICE is hereby given that JEFFREY LUBIN of Allen Drive, Carmichael Road, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of November, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 17, 2016, PAGE 15
CAPTAIN Travis and wife got on the Wahoo this weekend in Abaco.
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LUKE Maillis with a nice grouper while spearing near Long Island. AN 84.7lb Zebra Wahoo landed by Mark Lopez and his Monster Catch crew was the biggest single catch at the Bimini Wahoo Smackdown at the weekend. Monster Catch finished second with a total catch of 285.6lbs with Murderized taking first place with 292.5lbs. Box N Bull were third with 262.8lbs. Thirty five boats were registered for the event and 25 made it to the leaderboard. One hundred and thirty three Wahoo were brought to the scales. Keep checking the Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) expert page for fishing reports throughout 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
TYSON Newbold with a nice ‘Hoo near Spanish Wells. 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.
MARK Lopez and crew caught a 84.7lb Zebra while fishing in Bimini at the Wahoo Smackdown.
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