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Being Bound To Swear To The Dogmas Of No Master

JANUARY 17, 2017

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1,500 apply for Baha Mar jobs Resort aims to train staff in time for April opening

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net OVER 1,500 people applied for and/or inquired about jobs with the once stalled Baha Mar mega resort yesterday, according to senior company officials, who said the numbers demonstrate that the company is making good on its promise to “generate a significant amount of jobs” in the country.

Robert Sands, senior vice-president of government and external affairs at Baha Mar, told The Tribune yesterday that the company’s website careers. bahamar.com and “social

media and Facebook” saw over 1,000 applications and over 500 inquiries respectively as of 4.30pm, adding at the time that “the day is not over yet”.

With those figures, Baha Mar has made significant strides towards its goal of recruiting some 1,500 Bahamians in its first wave of hiring for the previously beleaguered resort in time for its April partial opening.

Notwithstanding the encouraging numbers, however, Mr Sands said only “selected persons” will be “invited to come in for follow-up interviews”.

SEE PAGE THREE

FORMER Progressive Liberal Party MP Philip Galanis yesterday suggested that Alfred Sears, who is challenging the party’s leadership post, will not receive a fair shot during the party’s convention later this month.

Despite “tremendous” public dissatisfaction with the PLP’s leadership, Mr Galanis said the odds are

in favour of Prime Minister Perry Christie, who he predicted will remain party leader following the highly anticipated political event.

It is planned for January 24 to 26 and has been postponed several times, most recently from November because the staging of a major political event so soon after the passage of Hurricane Matthew was a concern to some members of the party.

SEE PAGE SIX

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MSC executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Prime Minister Perry Christie at the groundbreaking ceremony in Bimini yesterday.

Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS

GROUNDBREAKING AS MSC AIMS TO BRING PASSENGERS TO BIMINI THE expansion of the MSC Bahamas brand continued yesterday as the world-renowned cruise and shipping company broke ground on its multi-million dollar Ocean Cay development, which is expected to bring in 369,000 stop-over cruise passengers to the Bimini chain annually.

During a ceremony to mark

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the occasion, Prime Minister Perry Christie declared that God had again smiled on the island chain of Bimini, touting the economic stabilisation brought to the area under his current administration.

Leading a delegation that encompassed half of his Cabinet, commanders of several of the nation’s law enforcement branches, a host of Permanent Secretaries and other government officials, Mr Christie said the deal signals a new

concept of development he hopes will become the norm as The Bahamas looks to expands its tourism and cruise product.

MSC Ocean Cay development, costing an initial $55m, calls for the construction and operation of wide range of amenities that when completed would transform the once condemned and quarried island into “paradise in paradise”.

SEE PAGE THREE

TALL PINES MP Leslie Miller yesterday blamed “gutless politicians” for the increase in murder and serious crime in the country.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Miller said many of his parliamentary colleagues are “afraid to implement the laws on the books” and urged Bahamians to vote for persons who will “carry out the death penalty” and “send everyone else packing”.

Mr Miller’s comments came on the heels of the country’s ninth homicide of the new year, a figure already surpassing the total of eight persons killed in the entire month of January, 2016.

SEE PAGE SIX

CLAIM OF SEX ATTACK ON NINE-YEAR-OLD

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN will stand trial in two months in Magistrate’s Court concerning the alleged sexual assault of a minor more than 30 years his junior.

Christopher Charles Curry, 43, appeared before Magistrate Constance Delancy facing a charge of indecent assault that allegedly occurred on Tuesday, January 10.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

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FORMER Free National Movement Senator Carl Bethel yesterday took aim at the strategy of the party’s seven rebel MPs, claiming that the absence of a coherent message from the group showed that their actions were guided by personal agenda.

Mr Bethel said that the shock move, which saw FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis ousted as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, emerged from an environment of political inexperience and intense ambition.

Insisting that the FNM was no longer fractured, he forecast that the upcoming elections would be determined by the Bahamian economy and distrust in the government.

SEE PAGE SIX

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net WITH JUST

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MILLER BLAMES ‘GUTLESS’ POLITICIANS FOR CRIME

GALANIS WORRIED SEARS WILL NOT GET A FAIR SHOT

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

REBEL SEVEN ACCUSED OF PERSONAL AGENDA

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PAGE 2, Tuesday, January 17, 2017

WINSDOR dIrector Lisa McCartney at last night’s launch of the school’s new facility in Albany.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Boarding school and sports academy to open

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas’ first boarding school and sports academy is expected to be completed and opened in the fall, it was revealed yesterday evening at a launch event in the exclusive Albany community.

In addition to a state-ofthe-art tennis court and golf course, the Windsor High School campus in southwestern New Providence will also feature a 50-bed residence to accommodate some of its 240 students.

Lisa McCartney, Director of Windsor School which was founded in September, 2014, in Old Fort, addressed scores of parents and students at Aviva Beach in Albany concerning the potential and importance of the school’s expansion and partnership with the gated community.

“Our school is set on 25 acres within the secure, gated community of Al-

bany and we offer both day and boarding schools,” Mrs McCartney said.

“We’re partnering with Mitchell Spearmon, amazing golf coach, and you’ll hear more about him later with the Golf Academy and also Lleyton Hewitt running the tennis academy. We’re very pleased to have them join us in this endeavour.”

Mrs McCartney said the residence hall would accommodate 50 boarders and “these are all furnished dorm-style rooms with beds, desks, wardrobes etc”.

The students will also have access to a music studio to be constructed called The Sanctuary.

Windsor High School at Albany is expected to have a student population of 240 pupils with a 1:20 teacher to student ratio per classroom.

“We’re an institution for learners ages 14-19 who wish to challenge themselves to be the best that they can be and as a registered Cambridge Inter-

national School, we offer IGCSE A level and AS level qualifications,” Mrs McCartney said.

Existing and prospective teaches “are recruiters both locally and internationally from the Bahamas, the United States, the U.K and Canada”. Teacher housing will act as an incentive to recruit and retain top educators “who want to move to the Bahamas and those who want to be near the school”.

“So we have a lovely teacher housing that’s coming on stream and also we’re offering them an amazing lifestyle access to Albany, as well as professional rewarding experiences and - of course - competitive compensation.”

Christopher Anand, managing partner of Albany, said the project was part of the continued generosity of Albany founders Joe Lewis, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els “who have been very blessed to give back through foundations”.

AN ARTIST’s impression of the new Windsor High School and sports facility

“A lot of kids, when they’re 13-14, go to boarding school and it becomes a self-fulfilling problem.

They’re not leaving because they can’t get a quality education. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. They’re leaving because they can’t get a quality social experience,” Mr Anand said.

He said Albany’s partnership with Windsor was taking advantage of talent residing on the ground as well as location.

The annual tuition fees for the 10th to 13th year students range between $17,000 to $19,000 and parents and students interested in the boarding option will pay an additional $30,000 to cover accommodation and amenities attached to their housing.

Windsors existing preschool, elementary and middle schools will be relocated to the Old Fort location once the Windsor High School at Albany become a reality in the fall, Mrs McCartney said.

CHRISTOPHER ANAND, managing partner of Albany.

STUDENTS of Windsor at last night’s annoucement of the new facility opening in Albany.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 17, 2017, PAGE 3

TWO HURT AFTER HIGH-SPEED POLICE CHASE AND SHOOTOUT

MSC Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Prime Minister Perry Christie at the groundbreaking ceremony in Bimini yesterday.

Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS

Groundbreaking as MSC aims to bring passengers to Bimini from page one

The project is expected to employ at minimum 1,000 Bahamians throughout its phased construction.

Once completed, the private island development will expect to employ in excess of 120 fulltime Bahamians, a number MSC Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said he looks to exceed with his personal goal being to outfit the project with a full complement of Bahamian employees.

Proposed for a 18 to 24 month development plan, officials will look to construct a cruise ship berth; a 10 to 15 slip mega yacht marina with future plans, based on demand, for a total 45-slip marina; a heliport; a small harbour; a welcome centre; a Bahamian village; information kiosks; restaurants and bars; beach bungalows; a lighthouse; retail space amphitheatre; straw market; basketball court; water sports activities; tennis and volleyball

courts; and other similar experiences.

Touting the scope of the project, Mr Christie said the project positions the Bahamas to ascend to the top of the cruise industry, a sector he noted has grown by 69 per cent in the last decade.

“MSC is the fastest growing cruise line in the world, the world’s second largest container liner and the world’s largest, privately owned cruise company. It operates around 500 ships with 350 offices and about 65,000 people worldwide, and is positioned for delivery to market of the most ultra-modern, ‘smart’ ships which represent a tangible economic opportunity for cruise destinations in this region,” the Prime Minister said.

“The growth in cruising is being reflected in product demand and corresponding capital investments as Europe’s shipyards currently have on order 48 superliners for delivery to international cruise lines by 2019

and 75 by the year 2026.

“Since the global recession of 2008, cruising as a sector of the tourism industry has also consistently outpaced the growth in general leisure travel. In many ways, therefore, the opportunities in cruising have never been better and the experiences more interesting, more enjoyable, more safe and affordable.

“The sector caters to a global customer base of 24 million with an average daily passenger spend of $135 and global economic impact of over $120 billion.

In 2015, Bahamas cruise expenditures generated $373 million and provided 4,000 direct jobs and $ 81million in direct annual wages.”

Mr Christie added that, under the Heads of Agreement negotiated between the government and MSC, the company will join a distinctive club of cruise liners that own exclusive private islands serving as dedicated cruise destinations.

According to Mr Christie, MSC has made a com-

mitment to Bahamian entrepreneurial development through the offer of financing of construction and equipment in respect of restaurants, retail shops, water sports, entertainment and attractions to be operated by Bahamians.

He added that MSC has also committed to establishing a Seafarers Technical School in Freeport, Grand Bahama, and has been working with a Cabinet sub-committee to facilitate planning, infrastructure development and screening of candidates, with the first 55 recruits to begin training next month in food and beverage, guest services, deck and engineer ratings and entertainment for placement on MSC’s cruise ships.

Mr Christie further noted that an additional 55 recruits per quarter will undergo training, leading to a total of 220 graduates by end of this year.

MSC signed a heads of agreement with the government in December, 2015. It

took over operation of the island a short time later.

To date, MSC said it has invested $10m to redevelop Ocean Cay. With plans in place to begin construction efforts today, officials now say they expect their investment into the project to balloon to between $200m and $250m.

“Expectations are very high,” Mr Vago said. “We can’t let (our clients) down.

They know where the MSC product stands and they are used to a very high quality.

So we want to give that experience to our passengers and that is why we will be importing 8,000 plants, 80 different species. There is a lot of work transforming the space from industrial site to a marine reserve. The potential, the marine life is there. But we have to clean the sea around the area so it will be an interesting, but very high quality result.”

MSC Shipping Ltd, the sister company of MSC Cruises, is the major stakeholder in the Grand Bahama Container Port.

1,500 APPLY FOR BAHA MAR JOBS from page one

On Sunday, Mr Sands announced that Baha Mar would begin the process of recruiting 1,500 Bahamians in its first wave of hiring for the Cable Beach resort. He told The Tribune the entire process will be conducted online through the company’s website. Interested persons were asked to visit the website and/or send their resumes to careers@ bahamar.com.

At the time, Mr Sands said the resort is looking to initially fill positions at the golf course and the casino hotel ahead of its scheduled April 21 partial opening.

However, he encouraged persons who are seeking jobs in other areas to “still apply” as “thousands more persons will be hired in the coming months”.

He also said the resort is looking for persons with a good attitude, who are ready to be trained.

When contacted yesterday for an update on the recruitment process, Mr Sands said: “Our numbers exceeded to the website over 1,000. Social media and Facebook page over 500 inquiries, and the day is not over yet.

“We don’t have any idea of what the amounts will be (at the end of the recruitment process), but

we know they will be extremely large. But the more applications we get, the greater the opportunity we’ll have to make some very good selections.

We believe that the enthusiasm of the applicants certainly demonstrates that Baha Mar is fulfilling its promise to generate a significant amount of jobs.

And we’re hoping to make some very positive selections from the applications we receive.”

When asked what takes place after the recruitment process, which he said will be “ongoing,” Mr Sands said: “We’ll begin to process them, categorise them, and they’ll be reviewed certainly by our recruitment managers, and persons will be invited to come in for follow up interviews. Not everybody but selected persons.”

In an interview with The Tribune last week, Mr Sands said Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE), the resort’s new owner, is dedicated to the success and timely opening of Baha Mar and CTFE was “very optimistic” that the April 21 opening date will be hit.

Last month, Prime Minister Perry Christie said CTFE “is arranging for operation by the Grand Hyatt of the casino and convention hotels and of

other properties by SLS and Rosewood, all internationally renowned brands, beginning with a phased opening in the second quarter of 2017.

“The hirings are to facilitate the phased opening of 1,800 room at the conference and casino hotel, the casino, convention centre

and golf course, and employment of up to 3,300 by August 2017, and 4,300 by December 2017, when all companies have been completed and opening,” the prime minister said.

CTFE will invest $200m in “pre-opening festivities, development of family amenities, entertainment

and offshore island facilities and demolition and redevelopment of the former Crystal Palace Hotel,” Mr Christie said.

“With these additional investments completed, the project will have created 5,700 new direct jobs and an additional 4,160 indirect and inducted jobs.”

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net

TWO men are seriously injured after a Sunday morning shooting led to a high-speed chase and a shootout with police in Bozine Town, New Providence.

The drama unfolded shortly after 10am, when a man standing on Dumping Ground Corner was approached by two men in a silver Nissan vehicle.

According to reports, the occupants of the vehicle shot him before speeding off.

The victim was rushed to hospital, where he is listed in serious condition.

The police were immediately notified and issued an all points bulletin for the suspects. Moments later, officers on patrol spotted the silver vehicle following three men on motorbikes on Blue Hill Road.

The officers attempted to stop the occupants of the vehicle and motorbikes but they sped off. They chased the men into the Yellow Elder Gardens area where the vehicle and motorbikes eluded police.

Then, acting on information, police strategically positioned themselves in a section of Bozine Town off Tonique Darling Highway.

The officers once again attempted to stop the occupants of the silver vehicle and motorcycles but they refused to stop, a statement from police said.

The men began firing at the officers. Police returned fire and shot one of the men on the motorbike and another suspect crashed into a wall. Both men were arrested. However the third motorcyclist escaped.

A short while later, police stopped the silver vehicle a short distance away. The occupants got out of the car and began shooting at police. Police returned fire and shot one of the men, the other man escaped on foot.

Police recovered a 9mm pistol containing eight live rounds of ammunition from the vehicle. The two injured men were taken to hospital where they remain in stable condition.

The two suspects are assisting police with investigations into a number of recent shooting incidents.

Investigations are continuing.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 17, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

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The Lucayan Sea would truly recognise Bahamian waters EVERY once in a while, an idea is proposed that makes so much sense you wonder why no one thought of it before.

Naming the waters of The Bahamas the Lucayan Sea is one of those ideas.

Proposed by Captain Tellis Bethel, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (Acting), the Lucayan Sea concept is one of the most practical, sensible and intelligent ideas proposed in years. It is, in fact, a concept that we can find absolutely no argument against and one we believe has the potential to help unite all people of The Bahamas regardless of race, colour, creed, religion or socio-economic status.

This is not an idea that popped up like an unwanted weed after a heavy rain, but rather one that matured over years and after much research. Capt Bethel arrived at the dual conclusion - one that the waters needed to be named, and two, that the name should pay tribute to the original inhabitants whose lives represented a peaceful occupancy of the land - after spending decades of his adult life on the sea. He first plied the waters in his job aboard a cruise ship, later in service to the Bahamian people. He kept wondering why it was that the majestic, breathtaking waters of The Bahamas - the single feature that most defines the country - had never been named.

After all, the waters to the south were named after the Carib Indians that once inhabited those islands. Yet The Bahamas, though often mistakenly referred to as being in the Caribbean, actually lies to the north of the Caribbean Sea, 100,000 square miles of open water suspended in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean with no name definition of its own. If you include the islands of the Turks and Caicos, as Capt Bethel suggests, the area that would be part of the Lucayan Sea would actually be almost 40 per cent greater. He also points to the fact that antique maps and hand-drawn charts from the 16th and 17th centuries refer to Lucaya and to Lukka kairi (or cairi). The name Lucayan Archipelago is still present on maps that encompass the entire Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos, which are part of The Bahamas geographically, if not politically (Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory). Both territories share a common history, heritage and people.

The name also symbolises the international significance of The Bahamas as the birthplace of the modern Americas.

It was on these shores in 1492 that the

Lucayans welcomed the arrival of Christopher Columbus, an historic coming together of the Old and New Worlds that led to the eventual development of the nations of the modern Americas.

Naming the waters the Lucayan Sea would pay homage to those too-often forgotten people while providing a proud and distinctive identity for current inhabitants as well as for the millions of visitors who marvel at the beauty of the waters annually. The marketing potential is enormous, but more importantly, the sense of identity should fill every Bahamian with a new pride.

Naming the waters the Lucayan Sea would also allow us to distinguish ourselves from the Atlantic Ocean. According to Capt Bethel, some historians maintain that the name Atlantic comes from the Greek mythological god Atlas, making it European in heritage, while others argue that the name Atlantic came from a mountain range in northwest Africa.

Whether European or African, Atlantic is not Bahamian. Nor do the waters of the archipelagic nation lend themselves to references as an ocean, which is generally vast and deep, but rather a sea, which refers to shallower waters. In fact, the name “Bahamas” comes from the Spanish baja mar meaning shallow sea.

Waters around the world have names.

The Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea ... even rivers from the Danube to the Ganges are instantly recognised by their names. It is more than a little ironic that the waters astronaut Scott Kelly tweeted his granddaughter were “the most beautiful place from space” are the last in the world to go unnamed.

It is time to change that. Naming the waters of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos the Lucayan Sea will not impact bodies of water that already have names like the Great Bahama Bank or Exuma Sound. Those names will remain intact.

There are no impediments. Sovereign countries may name their own waters.

Naming the waters the Lucayan Sea takes little more than a signature by the Prime Minister.

Naming the waters of The Bahamas the Lucayan Sea is an idea that transcends politics even in an election year, one which we believe should receive a hearty thumbs up from all who will take pride in finally giving a well-deserved identity to the magnificent and still unnamed waters of The Bahamas.

Loud music is unfair EDITOR, The Tribune.

MONTAGUE Park has become a popular venue for all sorts of functions hosting religious and informal gatherings, many regattas, and most recently the annual Marathon Bahamas event.

As a longtime resident of the area, I have no problem with this in principle but I do however take exception to the obscenely loud music

which seems to be a staple of almost every event, regattas in particular.

It is very unfair that the nearby residents should be subjected to deafening music all weekend, frequently from early morning into the wee hours of the following morning, and it is very inconsiderate of both the various event organizers and the authorities to create and condone a public nuisance in our neighbour-

hood that they would find offensive and unacceptable in their own.

Yes, the park is there for the enjoyment of all Bahamians but please, while enjoying the park environs and beach, have some respect and consideration for the home owners and residents of the nearby community.

IAN MABON Nassau, January 16, 2017.

Sour grapes?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THREE months after category four Hurricane Matthew passed through The Bahamas, Flamingo Gardens Park still has not been fully restored.

The fence by the softball field remains on the ground and both dug outs need to

be rebuilt.

Contracts are being given out left, right and centre by the Ministry of Works.

Can’t Dr Daniel Johnson, who is the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture intervene?

And by the way, sir, even though your party did not see fit to offer you as a

candidate in the upcoming 2017 general elections, you are still the Member of Parliament for the area. I hope this is not a case of sour grapes.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, January 15, 2017.

Dear Mr Prime Minister EDITOR, The Tribune.

DEAR Mr Prime Minister: I am not often one to get into public political commentary or debate but my heart is heavy. As someone who has watched your political career over the past 40 years, and witnessing where we are today I could not resist re-reading George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm”.

In fact as I watch your actions and those of your most ardent supporters the words of Mr Orwell in another forum seems to ring true, “Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.”

Your reaction and those of your goons and cronies to Mr Alfred Sears and his offering for the leadership of the PLP is very off-putting and smacks of a serious abuse of power. To think, sir, that in 1985 you too stood against the PLP having lost its way. You stood up, with Hubert Ingraham and let it be known that it was time for a change in the PLP. You pushed for a change in leadership stating it was time for a new direction and new leadership. Back then you fought for democracy to be real in the PLP! Were you wrong to stand up and challenge the status quo? No, sir- you were not! Was Ingraham wrong when you stood with him as he declared that more than one woman could born a Prime Minister? Were you ungrateful to Prime Minister Pindling for standing up for what you believed? Definitely not, sir!

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net You stood on character and conviction! You were fired from your ministerial post and not nominated as a result and the PLP ran a candidate against you in the 1987 General Election.

Were you anti-PLP when you reached an accommodation with the FNM and ran against the party? I am sure you would argue otherwise.

You were targeted by your own party and some even went as far as to suggest that you should be charged for treason for the stance you took. You were so maligned by the PLP that you vowed that you would swim in your own vomit rather than ever return to the same party that you are privileged to lead today.

History, however, will record that you did what was right and that the PLP and the country are the better for you taking a stand.

It was because of the fact that Sir Lynden beneath the surface respected you for standing up to him and exposing the fact that the PLP of the mid-to-late eighties had gone astray that he later endorsed you as the next leader of the PLP. Sweet irony!

Considering your own history as a maverick and a man of conviction and principle, many of us who supported you wholeheartedly as The Right Man for the Job cannot understand who Perry Christie has become.

Look in the mirror, sir!

You have become all that you once stood against and opposed.

The talks of your pettiness and growing spite-

Too big an ego EDITOR, The Tribune.

RE: PM Eager for another term. He is not alone, as all of the Opposition Leaders are also anxious, and each of these will also have another term, whether it be on the Back Bench, or No Bench, unless they can swallow

their collective pride and UNITE to DEFEAT the CURRENT PM. They all have EGOS that are WAY, WAY, BIGGER than this little Country can afford I’m afraid.

BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, January 16, 2017.

fulness abound, firstly in response to the rumoured leadership interest of your deputy, Philip “Brave” Davis and now in response to the expected challenge by Alfred Sears.

People are talking, sir!

The whispers of padding votes by appointing hundreds of stalwart councillors over the past few months, the brute intimidation of stalwarts and delegates, the victimisation of any and everyone believed to be associated with Alfred Sears and the veiled threats and all out witch hunt towards anyone who is believed to be a financier of Alfred Sears’ leadership campaign are getting louder. Many have heard of and are repeating your threat to deny deserved Cabinet appointments and to engage in blatant gerrymandering to target those offering for leadership. This is predicated on IF the PLP wins which seems like a long shot these days.

Your experience in 2007 and that of Hubert Ingraham in 2012 ought to educate you that boundary cuts fuelled by personal vendettas usually ends in defeat and there are often many unintended casualties as a result.

Having been a victim of PLP nastiness yourself, who would have thought that you would become a perpetrator?

In my opinion, you are a hypocrite. Your history is there for all who wish to be truthful and remember the positions you took in the 80s.

People are watching, Mr Christie! Yes, you are likely to be re-elected as Leader of the PLP, but at what price? You have become the type of leader that you opposed. Although the PLP and those on the Christie gravy train may love you, The Bahamas does not!

I would expect that when you look in the mirror that you see everything that was ugly and nasty and wrong about the PLP that you stood up to and against. It is not a pretty sight!

MEREDITH ROLLE Nassau, January 15, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 17, 2017, PAGE 5

MINISTRY ANNOUNCES NEW PASSPORTS TO BE INTRODUCED THIS MONTH THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration last night announced that the government is to introduce a new series of passports at the end of this month.

The ministry issued the

statement late last night as The Tribune was going to press.

The statement said: “To facilitate the migration of the passport data to the new system, the Passport Office will close for the accept-

ance of passport applications from 18 to 20 January, 2017.

“The ministry wishes to further inform the general public that the current ePassports will remain valid up to the expiration date

shown in the book.

“This means that persons who are already in possession of a valid ePassport do not need to apply for the new ePassport.

“The ministry also wishes to inform the general

public that the fees for the new ePassport will remain the same ie $50 for adult passports and $25 for children passports.

“The cost of emergency travel documents and any other documents issued by

the Passport Office also remain unchanged.

“The ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration will keep the general public informed of developments concerning the new series of ePassports.”

Bethel supports UN move to tackle anti-LGBT violence

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net NOTED Bahamian attorney, author, and United Nations expert Marion Bethel expressed support for the United Nations resolution that upheld the appointment of an independent expert to investigate worldwide cases of discrimination and abuse against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

The resolution was heavily criticised last month by religious leaders, and the fringe United People’s Movement party, who claimed that Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn’s appointment, and stance as a gay rights advocate, was a clear attempt to further the gay rights agenda worldwide.

However, Mrs Bethel countered that the appointment and Professor Muntarbhorn’s subsequent report is a part of “evolving human rights”.

She expressed support for the Thai professor during an interview with The Tribune on Thursday.

“I am pleased to know that my country has supported this report that came forward,” Mrs Bethel said, “what it does is it moved forward with the independent expert getting information on discrimination and violence against the LGBTI community. It

will help us to understand the root causes of this type of violence and how we can improve our communities in understanding and leading perhaps to legislation or other kinds of social benefits for the LGBTI community.

“I don’t know what the report will finally bring about, this is part of evolving human rights.”

An international law professor from Thailand, Mr Muntarbhorn was appointed in September and given a three-year mandate to investigate incidents of discrimination and abuse around the world.

The December 19 resolution represented the second attempt by The African Group, a regional bloc comprised of 54 member countries, to block the appointment. Underscoring that there is no international consensus on sexual orientation and gender identity, the African bloc has argued that the expert’s mandate had no legal basis.

According to reports, the UN human rights committee rejected an African draft resolution opposing the expert’s work on November 21.

Mrs Bethel is among 11 experts elected to serve on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. She was endorsed

by CARICOM and also received widespread support

MARION Bethel (right) with US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson. from many Asian, African and European countries.

Comprising 23 independent experts serving in their personal capacity, the committee monitors the implementation of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women by States parties.

The convention is an international treaty adopted

by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and described as an international bill of rights for women.

The newly elected experts will serve on CEDAW from January 1, 2017, until December 31, 2019.

“I will be sitting on the UN CEDAW committee as we look at violence against women. These experts bring to our at-

tention the information we need to make certain decisions and deepen understanding of vulnerable communities.

“For me it’s about deepening our understanding of the human rights infractions of this community, which is really important.

She said: “We need to know the scope of what is happening independently

of what governments are putting forward, it is important work to be done.

“It moves us forward to the next stage of gathering information to look at human rights instrument and how it can be updated.”

Mrs Bethel is the wife of Progressive Liberal Party leadership candidate and former Attorney General Alfred Sears.

ONE FAMILY LEADER HAILED AS QUEEN OF JUNKANOO

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE first woman to lead a major Junkanoo group was yesterday officially recognised as the “Queen of Junkanoo”, something government officials said effectively “shattered the glass ceiling” for the advancement of women in the traditional cultural expression.

Christina “Muffin” Fernander, Chairman of the One Family Junkanoo group, was officially recognised for her efforts and contributions to Junkanoo

by Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Dr Danny Johnson yesterday, elevating her among the ranks of Junkanoo legends such as Winston “Gus” Cooper and Percy “Vola” Francis.

Ms Fernander’s recognition comes after she was historically named chairman of One Family last Spring, making her the first woman to lead one of the country’s major Junkanoo groups.

It also comes just weeks after One Family, under her leadership, captured its first parade victory since 2014 by winning the 2016 Boxing Day Parade with an overall score of 80.85, beating the Shell Saxon Superstars by .82 points.

“I feel ecstatic,” Ms Fernander said yesterday. “It’s a great feeling. It’s wonderful to have that title bestowed upon me by the honorable minister, following in the footsteps of Junkanoo giants such as Winston Gus Cooper and Percy Viola Francis.

She added: “I am a lover of Junkanoo, I always say I am Junkanoo and Junkanoo is me. Going forward I am going to continue to be of great assistance in my organisation. I would like to see more of the other organisations to recognise that hey, females are not

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MEDICATIONS THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016 AT 6:00PM / DOCTORS HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOM, DOWDESWELL STREET

CHRISTINA FERNANDER just there to choreograph scenario now where womor do free dancing, we have en’s suffrage movement and the skills, we have the ex- all those things has passed, pertise to lead. So in the we’ve just passed majority future I would like to see rule. And I think beyond more women stepping up getting too technical, just to and becoming group lead- look around and be honest ers.” about the contributions that Dr Johnson said recog- some really great young nising Ms Fernander for her women are making, and I efforts represents the ac- just wanted to highlight her knowledgement of a “new as one.” era” of Junkanoo, especialMs Fernander’s recognily after she had spearhead- tion came on the heels of a ed a “tremendous perfor- donation of 7,000 sports jermance” during the Boxing seys to the National EmerDay Parade. gency Management Agency “This is the first time a (NEMA) by Anschultz Enyoung lady has really led tertainment Group (AEG) a group like that to Bay to be used by children reelStreet in the A category ing in the aftermath of Hurand been so dominant and ricane Matthew. has done such a good job,” “These are real jerseys, Dr Johnson said. “No one it’s the real deal from the else had raised it yet, and high end logo brand,” Dr I thought in my role as the Johnson said. “And for minister and Junkanoo be- those kids who follow basing a meritocracy of equal ketball in particular, it’s opportunity, we must lift exciting. It’ll give them up this young lady who has something to look forbroken ground, she shat- ward to. And they’ll have a tered the glass ceiling of piece of memorabilia that leaders in Junkanoo.” is absolutely theirs to wear He added: “We have a throughout their lives.”

DR TAMARA DEAN PHARMACY COORDINATOR

Chances are you’ve had, are taking or will be prescribed medicine by a doctor at one point or another. There are lots of things you should know about pharmaceuticals to inc increase their ability to make you better and also to reduce any chance of negative side effects. Do you understand the difference between generic and name brands? Do you know why you should always nish the medicine that has been prescribed unless otherwise instructed by your doctor? What about why you should never share presecription medications with others? And do you know how to safely dispose of out of d date medications? Join us Thursday, January 19 when Doctors Hospital Pharmacy Coordinator Dr Tamara Dean will tell us all we need to know about medications.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Don’t miss next month’s lecture when Rheumatologist Dr K Neil Parker talks to us about “Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Thursday, February 16, 2017.

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Isn’t Your Health Worth It?

PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 17, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Rebel Seven accused of personal agenda from page one He added that voters will not be looking to take chances at the polls on a “fly by night” campaign.

“This FNM will prevail despite what you see going on,” Mr Bethel said on a local radio talk show. “Those Egyptians, you ain’t gonna see no more because their only basis of action is the fact that they were elected to the House of Assembly.

How were they elected? On an FNM ticket.

“It was in the pursuit of their own personal agenda because I do not see a coherent message from them as to what they sought to achieve.

“Having done what they’ve done, what are they doing now to try and fix the problem that they’ve caused? I heard something about a coalition and then I heard another person say I don’t know anything about a coalition.

“It’s an abuse of an accident of circumstance that they got FNM tickets and ran in safe FNM seats.”

Last month, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner was appointed leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament after she and Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins sent a letter of no confidence in Dr Minnis to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling and House Speaker Dr Kendal Major.

REBEL SEVEN: From left, Hubert Chipman, MP for St Anne’s; Edison Key, MP for Central and South Abaco; Richard Lightbourn, MP for Montagu; Loretta Butler-Turner, MP for Long Island, Neko Grant, MP for Central Grand Bahama; Theo Neilly, MP for North Eleuthera and Andre Rollins, MP for Fort Charlotte. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Those seven MPs face expulsion, suspension or a fine from the FNM. Following the move, Mrs Butler-Turner appointed Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney as leader of opposition business in the Senate.

At the time Mrs ButlerTurner said the move was evidence that her team was willing to put the Bahamian people first to move forward to defeat the governing Progressive Liberal Party.

Mr Bethel reflected on the FNM party’s trajectory post the 2012 general elections as a guest on KISS 96.1 FM talk show Ed

Fields Live. “[2012 elections] left you with three former cabinet ministers,” he said, “all with one term experience in Cabinet, no experience in opposition except Neko Grant, that long road of opposition, and so you had a comparative lack of the full political experience.”

Mr Bethel said: “They say anyone who get elected believe they’re a king or queen I suppose, so you had combination in my view of political inexperience, unfamiliarity with the norm and the conventions and the unwritten rules and a lot of ambition. That’s why we are

where we are.”

Mr Bethel acknowledged that while there may be people in the party that still did not support Dr Minnis, they were not prepared to throw away all of their hardwork “to go on a frolic”.

He argued that without the pressures of public speaking, Dr Minnis was an extremely intelligent and articulate communicator. He added that every leader had to “grow into his leadership”, pointing out that early criticisms of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham disparaged his manner of speech.

“Is the desire of those

who are all about in the press attacking Minnis,” he questioned the show’s hosts, “and doing all sorts of things abusing the constitution is that coherently being addressed?”

“A lot of the criticism of Dr Minnis is unfair and directed,” Mr Bethel said.

“Dr Minnis has shown the same kind of dogged determination and commitment principles that I saw first of all in Cecil Wallace Whitfield … I also see it in Ingraham. I see the same determination.

“What I don’t see is the glibness, the ease of address, and we are a very vo-

cal, very oral, society.

“In terms of the other qualities I rate Minnis very, very high. He is not the easiest person in formal speech giving circumstances.”

Speaking to Dr Minnis’ qualities, he continued: “Hardwork and commitment, and an essential quality, the quality that counts, he’s trusted by your grassroots voter. He’s trusted by voters who desperately need to know that the government, the Prime Minister that they vote for, is going to be batting for them, not the elite, not even the upper middle classes.”

GALANIS WORRIED SEARS WILL NOT GET A FAIR SHOT from page one

Mr Galanis explained that the construction of the party’s election process does not lend to a fair process for the challenger, a former Cabinet minister and Attorney General.

This comes after Mr Christie spoke of his energy and eagerness to serve another term in office on Sunday.

While this maybe the case for the Prime Minister, Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie insisted that Bahamians were not eager for another Christie administration for five more years.

He said with his party’s “change team” the FNM will soon ascend to office.

“I believe that at the end of the day the odds are in favour of Mr Christie winning because of the way that the election process is designed,” Mr Galanis told The Tribune when he was contacted. “That is that the

leader of the party has the ability to appoint a number of stalwart councillors, many of whom may feel ingratiated to the leader and therefore support him.

“I think, however, that there is a tremendous amount of dissatisfaction in the public domain with respect to the body of politics in general that relates to the PLP, the Free National Movement and the dissidents of the FNM and the DNA. I think people generally are really tired of the petty politics that they see ensuing in this country and really want leaders who are more dedicated and prepared to address the real issues in this country of which there are many.

“I am not prepared at this point to say that Mr Christie’s continued leadership of the PLP will hurt it in the elections, (but) what I do think would happen is if the people can see new leadership at various levels of the party - that is chairmanship, the leadership and

also among the candidates who will be offering for the general elections - they will be more inclined to support the PLP. “I think that generally people are really frustrated because the FNM is extremely fractured, well the entire opposition is fractured. So the people generally feel that they are really choosing between the lesser of all evils and not necessarily the best of all options.”

In a press statement yesterday, Mr Collie said this term under the PLP’s leadership has been an “unmitigated disaster” for the Bahamian people.

He said: “The embattled prime minister may be eager for another term, but the Bahamian people are not. He may think that he has done an excellent job for the Bahamian people, but they know that the PLP government has been more concerned about taking care of their foreign allies and political supporters than the Bahamian people.

Their record stands for itself – junk bond status, endemic unemployment, and rising crime, which has led other countries to issue

travel warnings, scandals, secret deals, and continued mismanagement and failures. Their four and a half years have been full of empty rhetoric and broken promises, and the Bahamian people are sick and tired of it.

“The embattled prime minister must have been living in a bubble for these past four and half years, because they have been an unmitigated disaster for the Bahamian people. We continue to encourage them to run on their failed record.

While the Prime Minister is trying to explain away the past four and a half years, maybe the Bahamian people will finally get answers to critical questions that the PLP have been ignoring for years. Like, where has the VAT money gone? What are they hiding in their secret Baha Mar deal with their Chinese allies? Why have they not fixed our failing school system? How do they answer for the continuously high murder and crime rates for the past four consecutive years? The Bahamian people deserve answers to these questions,” Mr Collie said.

Speaking before a crowd of jubilant supporters at a PLP Women’s Branch meeting Sunday, Mr Christie brushed off his critics as he spoke of plans his administration hopes to finalise before voters head to the polls this year.

Highlighting many of his party’s achievements, Mr Christie contended that the PLP has done and continues to do “everything possible to move The Bahamas forward”. He also urged party supporters to show the country how strong and unified the PLP is at its upcoming convention.

He suggested that despite efforts by a section of his party to unseat him as leader, he will not relent in the forward progress of the country, nor his political work.

Touching on details of several initiatives, including airports in North Eleuthera and Exuma, plans to construct a modern care facility for children with special needs and disabilities, and multiple public/private partnership agreements that would see the construction of roadways, government buildings and other

national projects, Mr Christie declared that the “work of country” would not slow due to “those that challenge our progress.”

“We in this democracy do not run away from the fact that we encourage people to know that this party does not stand in your way,” he said.

“We do not force people to be what they do not want to be. This is a party that allows the free rein of your thinking, of your reasoning and of your decision-making.”

Mr Christie, noting several of the recent stops he had made on his campaign trail, stated that he has made a point not to ask for, or request the support of those that he comes in contact with; opting instead to remind persons of the work he and his team have done.

Earlier this month he said that the former Attorney General has been given a fair shot to lead the party, despite concern that the party’s late convention may discourage delegates and party stalwarts from approving a change of leadership so close to the next general election.

MILLER BLAMES ‘GUTLESS’ POLITICIANS FOR CRIME from page one

The last two months of 2016 were the deadliest for the year according to official police statistics, with November and December recording 13 and 15 murders respectively.

Mr Miller said it seems as though, the government as well as opposition members in the House of Assembly, “do not have the guts” to do anything drastic to deal with the crime situation, and “the criminals know it”.

“These young punks aren’t scared to shoot you in the head because they know there is no penalty.

They will spend a few nights in jail and then come back out to kill someone else. Do you see how they smile for

the camera when they are being charged? It’s because they know they will soon be free,” Mr Miller claimed.

“Crime affects all of us.

If you send someone to Parliament who does not agree with your views on crime, vote them out this time. I don’t care which party they belong to. People are afraid to go out at night. People are afraid period, yet we are more concerned about the murderers than the victims.

The criminals are winning and they know it. I am not blaming the government for crime, but it is our responsibility to put the laws in place to reduce these heinous acts. The death penalty is on the books but these people too afraid of pissing other countries off instead of protecting their

own people.”

Mr Miller said the police are doing an excellent job apprehending the criminals after the fact but added that crime is so rampant “that even that is not enough”.

“The Commissioner said crime is down and I believe him. I believe the statistics show that, but the statistics do not measure how the public feels and the truth is most people are still afraid and they do not feel safe,” Mr Miller said.

“These politicians in Parliament are gutless and these criminals don’t give a damn. As long as there is breath in my body I will fight for the death penalty.

Voters have to ask themselves, who do you want to represent you that will have your back when crime and

murder is so rampant? You have to vote for individuals that will make the changes that are necessary to get this crime situation under control. I am not blaming the government for this but we must pay the price. Why are we sparing these people’s lives when they don’t care about us?, How many people have to die? Who is next?”

Last year, Mr Miller predicated that most of his parliamentary colleagues will be “gone” after next year’s general election.

Mr Miller also said this will be an “extremely tough” election for the Progressive Liberal Party and predicted there will be “massive changes” in the House of Assembly after the 2017 vote.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 17, 2017, PAGE 7

Injunction stays in place despite Nygard motion

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A JUDGE has ruled that she will not hear any application to set aside an injunction barring work being done at Nygard Cay until the conclusion of committal proceedings concerning Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard.

Mr Nygard had filed a notice of motion in the Supreme Court last October seeking to have Justice Rhonda Bain lift a threeyear-old injunction barring construction works on the basis that Hurricane Matthew, which made landfall over the capital, had pushed sand into the marina in Lyford Cay, making property unaccessable by boat The motion had been supported by attorney Keod Smith in an affidavit filed on November 8, 2016 in which he explained the difference between dredging and disturbing loose sand resting on the seabed in a prior capacity as Bahamas Environment Science

PETER NYGARD and Technology Commission chairman between 2002-2007.

However, the application, was contested by attorneys for Save The Bays (STB) who argued that Mr Nygard is a “serial contemnor” already facing multi-

ple applications to commit him to prison for contempt of court and that he should not be allowed to make any application before the court until his contempt is purged.

Justice Bain, in a ruling dated January 12 and hand-

ed down yesterday, agreed.

“Leave was granted to commence judicial review proceedings on June 13, 2013 and to date this matter has not been heard because of numerous preliminary applications. As stated in ruling no.11 (Extension of

time for Sixth Respondent to pay costs) there are 19 outstanding preliminary applications filed by the respondents. The hearing of the first committal application is advanced, having taken evidence from Grantley Ifil, Martin Lundy II, and Marcian Bethel for the applicant and Melissa Hall for the fifth respondent,” the judge stressed.

“The court holds that this is not an application where the court should exercise its discretion to hear the contemnor. The court is of the opinion that the hearing of the committal application should be completed before hearing the fifth respondent’s notice of motion to set aside the injunction. The court holds that the notice of motion filed October 27, 2016 shall await the completion of the first committal application against the fifth respondent,” the judge ruled.

Save The Bays’ battle with Mr Nygard over the construction/development activities at his Lyford Cay home stem from allegations that the activities have led

to substantial growth of the size of the property.

The group claims that the Lyford Cay resident has almost doubled the size of his property, from 3.25 acres to 6.1 acres, since he acquired it in 1984, by allegedly reclaiming Crown land from the sea. The advocacy group has alleged that Mr Nygard achieved this without the necessary permits and approvals, claims that have been denied by the fashion designer.

In 2015, Justice Bain was asked to recuse herself from committal proceedings involving Mr Nygard through a notice of motion filed in the Supreme Court by his former lawyer on the grounds of bias. However, in January, Justice Bain said Mr Nygard had not proved there was evidence of bias or apparent bias towards him and found the accusations to be “scandalous”.

The Court of Appeal, in June 2016, affirmed Justice Bain’s rejection of the application in an appeal of the decision by the Lyford Cay resident.

SEX ASSAULT CASE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SUPREME COURT

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A FRENCH-Canadian woman accused of sexually assaulting a minor is expected to have her case transferred to the Supreme Court next month.

Karine Gagne, 23, of Quebec, Canada, returned before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday for a status hearing where her prospective lawyers, Lisa BostwickDean and Tavarie Smith indicated to the court that they’d expected a prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney General to present the Voluntary Bill of Indictment that would facilitate the transfer of Gagne’s case to the Supreme Court.

However, Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said the expectation was “unrealistic” as VBI’s can take between six to eight weeks to prepare and serve.

Gagne has been charged under Section 11(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 99 which reads: “Any person who has unlawful sexual intercourse with any person being of or above 14 years of age and under 16 years of age, whether with or without the consent of the person with whom he had unlawful sexual intercourse is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for life.”

Section four of the Act notes that sexual intercourse includes “(a) sexual connection occasioned by any degree of penetration of the vagina of any person or anus of any person, or by the stimulation of the vulva of any person or anus of any person, by or with - (i) any part of the body of another person; or (ii) any object used by another person, except where the penetration

KARINE GAGNE, 23 of Quebec, Canada charged for unlawful sex. or stimulation is carried out for proper medical purposes; and (b) sexual connection occasioned by the introduction of any part of the penis of any person into the mouth of another person, and any reference in this Act to the act of having sexual intercourse includes a reference to any stage or

continuation of that act.”

The accused was told at her first court appearance last week that she would not be allowed to enter a plea until she is formally arraigned before a judge of the Supreme Court when the matter is forwarded to the higher court.

Bostwick-Dean yesterday

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS MOTHER

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A JURY was empanelled yesterday in the Supreme Court for the trial of a man accused of murdering his mother.

However, the trial of 57-year-old Jerome Butler before Justice Indra Charles will not begin until tomorrow, Wednesday January 18,

as the case was adjourned.

Butler is accused of intentionally and unlawfully causing the death of 81-year-old Princess Butler.

The victim was found dead in her home at Petersfield Road in Highbury Park shortly after 8am on February 4, 2015.

An autopsy revealed that she died of asphyxia, which resulted in police launching an investigation.

Her son, Jerome, was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court 12 days later in connection with the death.

He pleaded not guilty to murder when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court three months later.

Butler has retained attorney Ian Cargill to defend him against the allegation.

Uel Johnson and Halicia Delancy are prosecuting the case for the Crown.

CLAIM OF SEX ATTACK ON NINE-YEAR-OLD from page one

He was charged under section 5(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 99 concerning the alleged assault on the nine-year-old girl.

Curry pleaded not guilty to the charge when asked by Magistrate Delancy.

He was granted $2,000 bail and told that he must report to the Carmichael Road Police Station every Saturday on/or before 6pm.

The accused will stand

trial on March 10, 2017.

He has retained attorney Roberto Reckley to defend him against the allegation which could see him face three years imprisonment if convicted at trial.

ASP Clifford Daxon is prosecuting the case.

told Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt that upon Bostwick & Bostwick’s formal retaining in the matter, they would make an application to Supreme Court for bail.

“This defendant has a very strong defence as it may be negligence on the part of the cruiseline for allowing the virtual com-

plainant to have access to activities reserved for adults,” the lawyer said.

Mrs Bostwick-Dean also wished to inform the court that her client had recently undergone surgery in Quebec for medical condition that required “special dietary needs” that the Department of Correctional

Services could not provide and its denial would be adverse to her recovery.

Gagne’s next Magistrate Court appearance is scheduled for February 3 where it is expected that she will have her matter transferred to the Supreme Court.

Her remand at the prison continues.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 17, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

PRIME Minister Perry Christie made a leap - as usual - between Majority Rule and Bahamians having ‘a life of dignity’. Where is the dignity when it is a legitimate reality for Bahamians to have to choose which utility to keep connected ... between eating (cooking) and bathing?

We want equality, not a celebration of Majority Rule I

HAD to call in maintenance the other day to check my washing machine.

One of the maintenance staff is also a native of the Caribbean region. It’s a pleasure talking to him because he reminds me of home, whenever I start to feel sentimental and separated from it.

But my fellow islander did not come to my call this time around. Instead, a native son of the South came to check my appliance, and, as it happens, I enjoy talking to him just as much as my island comrade. Though he is not from the islands, he has been to The Bahamas, on at least two occasions. He told me that if he could ever live somewhere other than here, it would be in one of three island nations, which included The Bahamas.

I’ve met numerous people on this journey, many of whom have been to The Bahamas and actually know what they’re talking about when they speak about it.

They’ve had rave reviews and they’ve had horrible reviews. Some say they will never return because it’s a land filled with beggars, others say they go as often as they can and would like to retire there.

By NICOLE BURROWS

So my maintenance friend of the South was no different in this regard; however, he did have another comment to add and it raised my curiosity about his experience of my country. “For a former Britishruled country, you’d think The Bahamas would be richer than it is,” he said.

And, of course, writing as I do in this space every week, constantly listening out for people’s words to analyse, I asked him “Why do you say that?” And he replied as I expected he would.

To this moment, I am still amazed that someone who had only been there a handful of times, though very recently, could have such accurate insight about something I’d lived my whole adult life in The Bahamas. I always knew that things were deteriorating quickly in my country, but I never realised how visible it was to visitors.

And I asked this visitor to explain what I already held in my own mind and heart

Death Notice

Mrs. Barbara Mae Malone

of Nassau, The Bahamas and formerly of Cherokee Sound, Abaco, died at her residence in Nassau, on Saturday, 14th January, 2017.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, 21st January, 2017 at Ebenezer Methodist Church, East Shirley Street, Nassau at 11:00 a.m.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Bertram Redith Malone and her two sisters, Annie Pinder and Audrey Bledsoe both of Florida, U.S.A. She is survived by her son, Andrew (Bonnie) Malone; three daughters, Margaret Malone, Sueann (Mustafa) Gogus and Joan (Leslie) Darville; five grandchildren; one great-grand daughter and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army, Nassau Citadel Corps., P.O.Box S.S. 6282, Nassau in memory of Mrs. Barbara Mae Malone.

as a truth ... that my country was once wealthier in every way, and it has degenerated to a point where even visitors can tell the difference after only a few visits. As you may imagine, this irritated me, not because he offended me as he did not, but because I already know the answers to the question posed by my new contact. And they point to the fact that, from that time of wellbeing in the history of the Bahamas, any political or economic success has been short-lived and contained amongst isolated beneficiaries.

I’m sure many will argue about what the British did or didn’t take from The Bahamas, but that’s not my point of contention. I want to discuss why it is, after being operated by one of the world’s wealthiest nations, The Bahamas is now in shambles, a shadow of its former beauty. Why was its wealth not presided over in a way that would make it the envy of all nations today? Instead of building it up in 50 years, why was it destroyed to the extent that its citizens have to escape it if they expect to have any real, honourable, financial wellbeing?

I will never celebrate Majority Rule Day in The Bahamas - or anywhere else for that matter - because Majority Rule is not equality.

And Bahamians still don’t have equality in The Bahamas. I agree - why shouldn’t it be a natural thing for the people who run the country to look most like the people who live in it? But to reach for ‘independence’ at the time the country did was a premature action. Making the majority of people who run the country look like the people in it should not have been the primary reason for seeking to break out from under an organised structure. And because it was, the effort was an ultimate failure.

Majority Rule was intended to divide Bahamians on the basis of race, ethnicity, and class, in the pursuit of power. As was intended, it still does now.

That balance of power intended for the majority of people, the majority of people still don’t have. The majority still don’t have opportunities. The majority still don’t have money. Money and power is held by a small

group of elites who have al- hungry. I can’t help them if ways held it and a smaller I’m worried about my bills, group of newer elites who being paid on time, if at all. have arrested it.

With the help of a few anYou mean to tell me that, gels who have sheltered me after all this time, Bahami- at various times, I am suran leaders haven’t figured viving far more affordably out how to maximise the re- on the little I make where I sources of the nation, their am now than if I were in my management of those re- own country. How is that sources and the opportuni- even possible? It infuriates ties in The Bahamas for the me. And lately it also motiprimary benefit of all Baha- vates me to question whethmians? The er I should small events “I cannot just return of ‘progress’ and suck don’t seem comprehend how up the hard to ever carry Bahamians work times, let the over or sus- so hard to produce people feed tain themme, and fight selves in the so little, and how for them. It’s long term, they spend so much hard to negoand it is rep- time celebrating tiate and it’s resentative always on my of the Baha- achieving nothing. mind. mian peo- For Bahamians, all Those ple who also holidays are is more Bahamians can’t sustain in favour time to do less.” themselves of Majorin the long ity Rule, or term. those who think it had longBecause none of the lead- term success, like to comers have made it work, it is pare it to the Civil Rights fair to say that they have movement in America. But failed in whatever they at- the two are not the same. tempted to make an alter- Civil Rights and Martin nate reality for Bahamian Luther King (who is being people after British rule. celebrated today as I write If those men and few this), fought for the equalwomen who fought to divest ity of people of African themselves of Britain were descent with people of nonall alive today and could sit African descent. Lynden on a panel before the na- Pindling et al may have weltion and fully evaluate their comed or wanted equality, decision back then, would but they had a very wrong they have made the same idea about how to get it, and decision with what we see their possible reasons for today as the outcome? It is making equality the thrust more than evident that the of their campaign for power country was not ready to leave a lot of questions and be independent. Forty-four doubt in many minds. years after independence, it You don’t get equality by still is not independent. making (or keeping) one A preferred alternate re- group of people superior ality for Bahamians would over another. But that reinclude a cast of people who vealed itself as what they genuinely care about their wanted, what they did, and country, doing good and what they bragged about. right by their people, minus There was nothing equal the self-professed excel- about Majority Rule, which lence, being wholly respon- is why many Bahamians sible for the operation of are still unequal and cantheir country as people of not celebrate it. As far as integrity and honesty. The I’m concerned, it’s a holiproblem is people of hones- day they can easily remove ty and integrity don’t want from the calendar. But then to stand in the gap because again, for as unproductive a people of that character nation as The Bahamas is, don’t want to be corrupted evidenced by its minimum or expose themselves to the economic and educational slightest element of cor- attainment, the country ruption, when, in a seat of could stand to benefit from power and influence, the a removal of most holidays, temptations are immense. if the religious can bring I was asked to run with themselves to part with the Democratic National them. I cannot compreAlliance (DNA). If I was hend how Bahamians work in the country right now, I so hard to produce so litwould do it. I would much tle, and how they spend prefer the only viable al- so much time celebrating ternative to present and achieving nothing. For Bapast governance not have hamians, all holidays are is to scrape the barrel bottom more time to do less. for candidates. I want to Yet, this past Majority do good and help my peo- Rule Day holiday, Prime ple, but I can’t do it if I’m Minister Christie made a

leap - as usual - between Majority Rule and Bahamians having ‘a life of dignity’. Where is the dignity when it is a legitimate reality for Bahamians to have to choose which utility to keep connected ... between eating (cooking) and bathing?

When you have to choose between Vienna sausage and salty sausage for dinner? Where’s the dignity in any of that? That’s what y’all fought for?

Imagine an average Bahamian youngster in the 1960s, leaving home with no money, no job, little to no education, no exposure to life beyond Nassau Street, let alone beyond the country. With a dozen brothers and sisters looking up to and depending on him, he either falls by the wayside very quickly, or he has to do things he shouldn’t just to get by, to make a few dollars and hope for an opportunity to make more money ... with no academic qualifications. The odds are obviously stacked against him.

He wasn’t supposed to leave the structure that preserved him, fed him, clothed him, gave him some direction, but he did anyway.

He left because he thought he was grown enough to make it on his own. He was completely wrong. He begins to recognise that his guardians may have had a better idea about life and how to cultivate him until he became socially and financially mature.

He knows he may be wrong about going on his own, but he won’t admit it because being on his own gives him the right to do anything he wants ... and he wants to be in charge of himself. Every teenager has been there.

But he has charted a course for his own demise, without any of the tools he needs to survive on his own. He goes and scrapes out a life for himself until he dies a slow, agonising and unnecessary death from physical illness, overexposure and mental decay.

That’s us. That’s The Bahamas. That’s our economy.

That’s our country. That’s the legacy of Majority Rule.

Every average Bahamian today, youngster or not, can feel it. But we can’t turn back the clock on it. We can only hold the pieces together, loosely, until someone gets it right for us, or we get it right for ourselves.

And hopefully someone will - maybe you? - before the buzzards circle our remains.

Comments and responses to nburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 17, 2017, PAGE 9

WSC Chairman Leslie Miller signed an Engineering Services Consultancy (ESC) contract with ACO JV (Bahamas) Litd for the construction supervision of the CDB Water Supply Improvement projects.

Pictured during the signing are (back, from left), Leslie Hutchinson, WSC Project Co-ordinator; Mr Miller; and Raymond McKenzie, ACO JV (Bahamas) Lead Partner. Front (from left) are Glen Laville, WSC General Manager; Ayla Isaacs, WSC Project Manager Infrastructure; Dennis Nairn, ACO JV (Bahamas) Partner; and Mario Bastian, ACO JV (Bahamas) Partner.

Photo: BVS Bahamas

WATER IMPROVEMENT DEAL FOR FAMILY ISLANDS THE Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) is continuing to undertake a series of water supply improvements on several Family Islands.

The Corporation has signed a $1.69m contract with Bahamas Hot Mix to extend and improve water supply to San Salvador after a tender process that started in August. The scope of works - which will impact communities from Cockburn Town to Sandy

Point - consists of the supply and installation of over nine miles of water main and 160 service connections and works are expected to take eight months to complete.

WSC chairman Leslie Miller indicated that “the project will provide high quality piped water service to some areas of San Salvador for the first time and is a part of the Government’s commitment to provide for the needs of its citizens

throughout the Family Islands”.

The project is part of the recently approved $41m programme, which is partially funded with $28m from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

In addition to San Salvador, the Water Supply Improvement Project will also address needs in Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Long Island, New Providence and South Andros. A contract for

South Andros was signed in November and the New Providence components are expected to be completed next month.

Additionally, WSC signed an Engineering Services Consultancy contract with ACO JV (Bahamas) Ltd for the construction supervision of the CDB Water Supply Improvement projects.

The joint venture consists of three Bahamian firms Caribbean Civil Group Ltd, Operational Management

& Engineering Services Ltd and Applied Consulting and Engineering Ltd - and the contract signing follows a tender process that started in June.

Services under the contract include procurement advisory, review and approval of designs and supervision of construction activities, to ensure construction of the project infrastructure to a high quality. Another critical aspect of the consultancy is to ensure that

environmental impacts are mitigated, and that climate change considerations are taken into account during the design and execution of the works.

The contracts for remaining CDB Water Supply Improvement Projects are anticipated to be signed throughout 2017. These will cover infrastructure works in Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera and Long Island in addition to other associated services.

Turnquest pledges FNM help for Grand Bahama

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said his party is poised to address the economic woes that plague Grand Bahama as he took issue with vague and unsubstantiated outlooks forecast by the Christie administration.

The East Grand Bahama MP told The Tribune that the plight of the nation’s second city has continued to go unaddressed by the government despite the almost daily economic setbacks experienced by residents there.

Mr Turnquest said his party is prepared to, if elected, begin the restoration of the island’s economy, which he said was critical to national development.

“The FNM recognises that, in order to revitalise Grand Bahama, more needs to be done by all stakeholders working in partnership and recognising that together we can achieve more for our people and island,” he said.

He added that the FNM has the keys to “significantly improve” parts of

this development, insisting that while others have been talking, the FNM has been busy “recruiting business to the island and exposing our value proposition to various entities and industries in North and South America”.

Mr Turnquest said: “There is no doubt that the Grand Bahama economy has substantially weakened over the last four years marked by job losses and closures.

“The vulnerability of the island’s economic infrastructure was highlighted by the recent passage of Hurricane Matthew, for which the Government continues to have no response.

“We recognise that the development of special economic zones like Freeport are a tremendous asset to any country if properly utilised and promoted.”

Mr Turnquest, an accountant, said the concept of free trade and less red tape rather than more, if streamlined and focused, would facilitate investment and more central revenue than punitive measures in Grand Bahama.

“We recognise that Grand Bahama has some unique economic, logisti-

cal and geographic features which can be exploited to the benefit of a diversified island and country,” he said.

“We must concentrate our efforts and build out from a centre or hub recognising that all parts must be producing in order to create the synergy necessary to make the whole work.”

K PETER TURNQUEST Senior government offi- Bahama Port Authorcials in Grand Bahama have ity and the Grand Bahama pushed the message that the Chamber of Commerce. government’s new tripartite The push followed reagreement for economic ports that Hutchison growth and development Whampoa had sent letters in Grand Bahama would to the staff of the Memobe the ‘saving grace’ of the ries Resort, informing them island. that the property would The deal includes the not resume operations unGovernment, the Grand til May 17. The resort was

severely damaged by Hurricane Matthew. Repair efforts are said to be underway, but slow.

The FNM has announced plans to release its policy document this week. The economic revitalisation of Grand Bahama is said to be one of the document’s main components.

TORCHBEARERS TO HOLD NATIONAL CONVENTION NEXT MONTH THE Torchbearers Youth Association, the youth branch of the Free National Movement, will host its national convention in February.

The event will be held between February 2nd and 3rd. The evening sessions will begin at 7pm at the Breezes Resort.

The theme for the convention is “A Future Worth Voting For.”

In a statement, the association said: “The convention aims to showcase our vision of a better Bahamas, to highlight young people, to show our commitment to research, technology and innovation, to emphasize our current state of affairs and create viable solutions to improve our state of being.”

The TYA Youth Convention comes as a response to the high level of voter

apathy among our young people, who are seemingly disenfranchised and lack hope for a better tomorrow. The Convention has a mandate to re-engage the voting population, notably the large number of our voting population between the ages of 17 and 35. It is incumbent on political youth organizations such as ours to lead the charge and efforts to ensure that our

young people not only register to vote, but make their voices heard in exercising their right to vote. We know what steps brought us here, and we have given ourselves the mandate to discover and plan the steps that will enable us to experience a brighter future.”

“TYA’s youth convention will feature dynamic speakers who will share with you, the current state

of affairs in our country, and are committed to providing solution based ideas.

As our FNM places more emphasis on the ratification of young candidates, our convention also seeks to introduce viewers to the future faces of governance in the country. These speakers will feature innovative platforms and solutions relevant to young people, to cure some of our country’s

chronic ailments. Guests of the convention will hear first-hand from members of the Free National Movement - real plans and steps to help solve three of the most critical subjects on the minds of our young people today: Business, Education, and Crime. Finally, the convention will also focus on the talents of young Bahamian artists, in a showcase of culture and creativity.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, January 17, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

‘FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RECOMMENDATIONS IGNORED BY GOVERNMENT’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Organisation for Responsible government says numerous recommendations from civil society on how to improve the Freedom of Information Act has been disregarded by the Christie Administration.

The consolidated list of recommendations provided

from civil society and private industry were included in a letter sent to The Tribune, along with information on whether the recommendations were adopted or not.

For instance, ORG recommended that not all records relating to government processes should be exempt from FOIA requests.

“Opinions, advice or rec-

ommendations for Cabinet or a Committee should be fully disclosed,” ORG suggested.

Another significant recommendation related to the process by which an information commissioner is appointed.

“The information commissioner should be appointed through measures independent of the government, such as the Judicial Services

Committee or a Parliament Select Committee with representation from the opposition,” ORG argued. “Additionally, civil society should be included in the decisionmaking process whether through membership on the Select Committee or the publication of a short-list of candidates and public feedback on the candidates.”

Despite the widespread support for this recommen-

dation, ORG noted that it was not included in the recently passed FOIA bill.

ORG had recommended that lawmakers included a section in the FOIA act saying: “The Ministry responsible for Freedom of Information Act shall be responsible for funding the public educational programmes aimed at explaining how to use and apply the FOIA. The development

and promotion of these programmes shall be carried out in conjunctions with the Information Commissioner and independent Civil Society Organisations.”

This section is not included.

ORG also recommended that when it comes to rights of access to certain information, in the “sunset clause,” 30 years should be reduced to 15 years.

Career fair being held

by Resorts World Bimini

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

RESORTS World Bimini (RWB) is holding a two-day career fair in Grand Bahama this week in search of potential candidates to fill over 30 positions at the resort and build a talent bank for future employment opportunities.

The goal is to build a bank of about 200 to 300 people but the turnout yesterday was lower than expected on day one, according to RWB’s Human Resources manager Leslie Carroll.

The team began seeing attendees at 7.30am on the fourth floor of Canal House at the Pelican Bay

Resort. Thirty six positions need to be filled immediately in various areas of the resort, including food and beverage, housekeeping, front office and the casino.

RWB currently employs about 700 at its property in Bimini.

Ms Carroll said that all department heads are in Grand Bahama to interview potential candidates to fill available positions.

“The numbers, surprisingly with the economy in Grand Bahama being the way it is, were lower than expected and anticipated. Hopefully, tomorrow (Tuesday) it would be a bit different.”

In addition to filling vacancies, the resort is look-

ing to create a talent bank of individuals to reduce recruitment time throughout the year.

“With this bank we would be able to kind of decrease our time to fill positions as we are a Family Island, and most team members come from Nassau and Freeport,” she said.

“We are trying to reduce the time to fill positions so that recruiting can be a much quicker process.”

Ms Carroll explained that once an attendee comes in he or she is pre-screened to determine eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, they would identify an area that they feel the person would be best suited.

“The person then goes on to an interview with

the department manager, and once they go through the interview process, if successful, they complete an application,” she explained.

Ms Carroll said once there is an immediate opening they are looking to hire right away.Candidates are sought to fill positions such as cooks, stewards, public space cleaners, A/C technicians, engineers, laundry technicians, servers, baristas, bartenders, bussers, bar backs, spa therapists, room attendants, housemen, laundry attendants and casino table games supervisors.

“Our goal would be to build a bank of 200 to 300 persons, and we are about a quarter of the way so far, so

hopefully tomorrow picks up so we can provide opportunities for Grand Bahamians,” Ms Carroll said.

Among the persons attending the career fair were recent high school graduates.

Ivana Josey, a recent graduate of St George’s High School, said she came out in hopes of finding a job. She said a friend told her about the career fair which was on social media.

“A friend saw it on WhatsApp and Facebook and so I came out here today,” she said. “It has been very hard finding a job in Grand Bahama, and I don’t mind going to Bimini if I have to.”

Nikia Louis, another St George’s High graduate, said she was excited when

she learned that RWB were looking to recruit from Grand Bahama.

“I came hopeful to seek the employment,” she said. “Finding a job here has been very difficult. Everywhere you go they want someone with experience, but how can you gain experience if no one wants to give a chance.”

She said it is very discouraging.

“I am just sitting here thinking about what to do, and how I am going to get by in life because I am getting older. It is hard finding a job in Grand Bahama and so I was excited about coming here because of the possibility of getting a job in another Family Island,” Ms Louis said.

ETHICS WATCHDOG INVESTIGATES CANADIAN PM’S BAHAMAS VACATION CANADA’S ethics commissioner said yesterday she is launching an investigation into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent family holiday at the Aga Khan’s private island in The Bahamas.

Ethics commissioner Mary Dawson said Mr Trudeau may have violated the federal ethics code during his holiday with the Aga Khan, a family friend, philanthropist and hereditary spiritual leader to the world’s approximately 15 million Ismaili Muslims.

It’s the first time the ethics commissioner has opted to investigate the actions of a sitting prime minister.

In a letter to opposition Conservative lawmaker Blaine Calkins, who was

among those who filed formal complaints, Mrs Dawson said she is looking into both Trudeau’s stay at the island and his use of the Aga Khan’s private helicopter to get there.

The vacation included Mr Trudeau, his family, Liberal lawmaker Seamus O’Regan and Liberal party president Anna Gainey, all of whom took part in the flight from Nassau to get to secluded Bell Island, off Exuma.

Both the Conflict of Interest Act and Trudeau’s own ethics guidelines bar the use of sponsored travel in private aircraft, allowing it only for exceptional circumstances.

The guidelines also prohibit a minister or any member of their family from

accepting gifts or “advantages” that could reasonably be seen as influencing government decisions. The only exception is if the person providing the gift is a friend.

Mr Trudeau has repeatedly called the Aga Khan a longtime family friend who was a pallbearer at his father’s funeral. Late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the Aga Khan were friends.

Mr Trudeau has said he is ready to meet with Mrs Dawson about the trip. “As the prime minister said last week, we are happy to engage with the commissioner and answer any questions she may have,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

Associated Press

CANADA’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is being investigated over his recent family holiday at the Aga Khan’s private island in The Bahamas.

READERS RESPOND TO CHRISTIE’S GOAL OF ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE

YOUR

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

AFTER Prime Minister Perry Christie spoke of his eagerness to serve another term, before facing a leadership challenge at the Progressive Liberal Party’s upcoming convention, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com.

Alfalfa said: “The sad thing is, that because of all the bickering and infighting between the Minnisites and the Butlerites in the FNM, we have handed the upcoming election to Christie’s PLP on a silver platter.

Maybe this is what Loretta’s vote of no confidence was meant to do in the first place; splinter the opposition further so that it will be a cakewalk for the political dinosaurs in the PLP. If so, she has succeeded in her mission, and Heaven Help Us All.” Jackbnimble also believed the opposition’s woes could lead to a PLP victory: “It’s scary to think that this

man and his cronies stand a possible chance of winning the next General Election because of all the fractions and discontent with the opposition parties that are trying to displace him. I get knots in my stomach just thinking about it!”

There was this from Aussell: “Well folks if you want Christie and the PLP out you must vote for Minnis and the FNM voting for the DNA is a vote for the PLP ... Now you see why the turnout on registration to vote is so low.”

Honestman offered harsh criticism of the government’s record: “A lot of people were duped into vot-

ing for Christie and the PLP last time round. I doubt they will be so stupid to vote him and his party in again.

Quite frankly, the PLP have almost destroyed The Bahamas during these last five years. What right does any Prime Minister have to seek re-election when his government has overseen FOUR credit rating downgrades under his watch?

The man has no shame.

He and his entire cabinet should have resigned when the last downgrade was confirmed in recognition of their sheer incompetence.”

Greentea had this to say: “What’s wrong with Bahamian leaders that they can’t groom successors? Bahamian politics is a disgrace.

73? And the PLP can’t find anyone else with some heft and ideas?”

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

THE TRIBUNE

BPL DONATES 50-INCH TV TO CENTRE FOR GIRLS THE Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls’ activity and learning room has an additional major feature thanks to the donation of a 50-inch flat screen smart tv by Bahamas Power and Light Company.

The Willie Mae Pratt Visiting Committee handed over the tv and other donated goods recently.

Krysta A Mason-Smith, Chairman of the Visiting Committee, thank all of those who had donated to the Centre.

“They allowed us to accomplish our care package goal for the girls as well as add a major feature to the Centre’s activity room which is utilised by many other civic and church organisations who work

hands on with the girls in the area of their personal development and other necessary skills needed for their positive growth,” she said.

Murrio Ducille Chambers made a financial contribution towards the purchase of toiletries and personal effects for the girls at the Centre; Zonta Club of New Providence through President Claudine Farquharson donated soap, lotion, deodorants, feminine hygiene products, toiletries and hair care products; and Focused Woman International, through President Cyprianna Bethel, made a sizeable donation of hair care products and accessories, toiletries and feminine products.

MICHELLE NOTTAGE, acting superintendent of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls (left), receiving the donated care packages from Krysta A Mason-Smith, chairman of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre Visiting Commitee.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017, PAGE 11

KALESA SIMMONS, assistant superintendent (left) and Michelle Nottage, acting superintendent, receiving a 50 inch flat screen smart tv donated by BPL/BEC from Krysta A Mason-Smith, chairman of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre Visiting Commitee (right).

PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 17, 2017

CLONING Abaco’s wild horses.

THE TRIBUNE

BASIL GOULANDRIS, Lyford Cay Foundation chairman

Handbook gives glimpse into Bahamian society THE iconic past of the country’s first public high school, the first black mayor in Britain who hailed from Inagua, and how the new guardian of the Bahamian economy feels about the country’s economic prospects are some of the stories in the 2017 Bahamas Handbook, which is in bookstores now.

Published by Etienne Dupuch Jr Publications for more than 50 years, the latest edition of the Handbook offers “an exciting lineup of feature articles, beautiful photography and a reliable compendium of facts and figures on everything you ever wanted to know about The Bahamas”, according to the publishers.

Among the articles for 2017, readers will meet

I want a career where I can reach my full potential.

Dr Alan Glaisyer hauling investment Minns, a Bafund legislation hamian who in the country became the and how the first black financial mayor in services Britain in industry is 1904; Sir adapting Charles to new Carter, compliwhose ance accomstandplishards ments in brought broadcastin by FATing and meCA. dia earned Also feahim a knighttured in this hood; and John year’s Handbook Rolle, the new are the fascinatgovernor of the ALLAN GLAISYER ing history of Central Bank of MINNS, above, and Cay Sal, a clusThe Bahamas. visionary entrepreneur ter of small litThey will learn Austin Levy. tle-known Baabout the rich hamian islands history of Govbetween Cuba ernment High and the Florida School, esKeys that was tablished in the site of the 1920s espionage to make and inhigher trigue and education a playa reality ground for the for the black rich and majorfamous; ity, and how produced Milanne some of Rehor, the counproject ditry’s most rector of the prominent Wild Horses government and of Abaco Prescivic leaders; how ervation Society, is American businessman working to bring Abaco’s and humanitarian Austin rare wild horses back from Levy revolutionised agri- extinction through the sciculture in the Bahamas in ence of cloning; how the the 1930s; and how a slave Lyford Cay Foundation is by the name of Pompey led helping Bahamian students a heroic rebellion that start- fulfil their educational ed an anti-slavery move- dreams and give back to ment in the Bahamas. the country; a look back Business people will be at the late legendary boxer interested in how the Secu- Muhammad Ali and his rities Commission is over- connection to the Baha-

mas; the 60-year history of the Lynden Pindling International Airport, the site of industrial unrest in the late 1950s and now the modern gateway to paradise; and how the famous swimming pigs of Exuma have taken social media by storm and become one of the country’s top attractions.

The Handbook’s signature blue Bahamas Information pages section is a treasure trove of useful detail, assembled in an easyto-use alphabetical format, and covers everything you ever wanted to know about The Bahamas, from agriculture, boating and climate, to voting, wildlife and zoos. The most important events of 2016 are listed in the popular Year in Review.

The Government Section is a rundown on how the country’s parliamentary democracy works, including the role of the Governor General, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, and the Leader of the Opposition.

Members of Parliament, senators, top civil servants and diplomats are all listed.

The Handbook has been published continuously since 1960 and is described as “a must read for anyone who lives, works, visits, studies or invests in The Bahamas”. Etienne Dupuch Jr Publications also publishes the semi-annual Bahamas Investor and three twicea-year booklets: What To Do (Nassau and Freeport) and the Dining and Entertainment Guide. Among its nine publications are maps for New Providence and Grand Bahama, and two editions of the Welcome Book, a glossy coffee-table hardback.

Yes No

SIR Charles Carter at Buckingham Palace following his investiture as a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George for his services to Broadcasting and the Media in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in June 2016.

Photo: Caribbean Investment Profiles (UK).

JOHN ROLLE, “guardian of the Bahamian economy”.