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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.86, MARCH 24TH, 2017

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WEEKEND: HOLLYWOOD STAR GLOVER TEACHES BAHAMIAN ACTORS

Pastors’ plea to US on gay rights Call to Trump to revoke any orders promoting same-sex marriage By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net SEVERAL local pastors have petitioned United States President Donald Trump to revoke any US executive orders and policies that enable the promotion of same-sex marriages in the Caribbean region as part of its foreign policy. The clergymen, which include Grace Community Church Pastor Lyall Bethell and Pastor Allen R Lee, president of Teleios Theological Training Institute, in a letter to President Trump claim that in recent years the policies of the US State Department and other government agencies involved in foreign policy have attempted to “coerce” countries in the Caribbean

region into accepting a “mistaken version of marriage.” Pointing to former US President Barack Obama’s threat last year to pull federal funding from American states over entry to bathroom and locker room access based on gender identity, the pastors claimed this same kind of “coercion” was being used against Caribbean countries to fall in line with the same-sex marriage agenda. Pastors Bethel, Lee and other Bahamian clergymen are signatories to the petition dated January 31, 2017, which also bears the names of 289 clergymen from around the region, including those from Trinidad and Tobago. SEE PAGE SIX

twin vision Pages 4&5

Living the dream

Danny Glover coa ches

young local actors

Celebrity, page 13

SYMONETTE: I’M NO THREAT TO MINNIS’ LEADERSHIP By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette last evening indicated that he has no interest in usurping Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis if the party is victorious at the polls in the upcoming election. SEE PAGE SIX

FATHER OF SEVEN SAYS FAMILY LOST EVERYTHING IN SHANTY TOWN BLAZE

PM QUESTIONS FNM LEADER OVER RESORT CRITICISMS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie criticise Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday for his recent comments on Baha Mar, questioning whether the Killarney MP understands the developments underway at the resort. A day after Mr Christie

took part in a brief ceremony to recognise the “hand over” of Baha Mar from China Construction America (CCA) to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd, Dr Minnis released a press statement in which he questioned how the “government (could) turn over a set of keys to a property they claim they don’t own”. SEE PAGE SEVEN

THE AFTERMATH of the shanty town fire that damaged buildings last night off Cowpen Road. By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia A FATHER of seven spent much of yesterday combing through the charred remains of his home at a shantytown off Cowpen Road, searching for anything that may have survived the blaze that tore

through the area Wednesday night. “We lost everything, there is nothing left,” the man, who did not want to be named and is a Haitian national, said. He now fears immigration officers will take him and his family away because, he said, all their documents were destroyed when his house

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

burned down. His family is one of seven that are displaced after Wednesday night’s fire. In total, eight adults and 20 children were left homeless. The massive blaze started shortly after 9pm and quickly spread through the small community, just west of Fire Trail Road. Fire Chief Superinten-

SMOKE AFFECTING NEW PROVIDENCE FROM LANDFILL AND BUSH FIRE, SAYS MINISTER By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE thick white smoke that blanketed communities in western and southern New Providence yesterday morning came from a combination of fires including the New Providence Landfill and a large bush fire on Carmichael Road, according to Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Dorsett said the fire at the landfill, which has been burning for nearly three weeks, is almost completely extinguished. He said the smoke that continues to remain a problem for persons in Jubliee Gardens and the surrounding areas will be “significantly reduced” today. Several residents complained about waking up to their homes being filled

with smoke early Thursday morning. Due to the smoke in the Carmichael Road area, Sybil Strachan Primary School closed early and allowed students to go home. While residents in the nearby Tall Pines constituency bore the brunt of the smoke initially, in recent days those across eastern and central areas of New

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

dent Walter Evans said all fire trucks in New Providence were immediately dispatched to the scene. When officers arrived on the scene they found four homes completely engulfed in flames. The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined. SEE PAGE TWO

MINNIS DEFIANT OVER BAHA MAR By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday rebuked recent claims by Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald that he is “pulling and rooting against the Bahamian people” with his continued scepticism over the future of the $3.5bn Baha Mar resort. SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Friday, March 24, 2017

THE AFTERMATH of the fire in the shanty town off Cowpen Road that destroyed a number of buildings.

FATHER OF SEVEN SAYS FAMILY LOST EVERYTHING IN SHANTY TOWN BLAZE from page one

When The Tribune arrived on the scene on Thursday, the families were attempting to clean the charred wood and salvage personal items that were not destroyed. Their search was in vain. The father said he has nothing left. He said he does not know where his wife and children will sleep tonight. “I woke up and I saw fire. Everything was on fire. I don’t know how it got started, but I just wanted to get everyone out of the house,” the man said. “I was sleeping and next thing I know fire was every-

where. We tried to get water and out the fire, but it was not enough. Everyone was screaming. We just wanted to get the children out. We lost everything – clothes, bed, everything. “All my immigration papers for me and my wife gone. We have seven children and nowhere for them to go. We slept on the floor in one of the houses that burned down but we can’t stay there. All the children school uniforms are gone. They didn’t go to school today, I don’t know when they will go back because we don’t have anything for them to wear. I don’t know what we are going to do. Everything is gone.” Activist Louby Georges

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

was in the community on Thursday attempting to help the residents get assistance. He made a plea to the public to help the families in any way they can. “On behalf of the residents, we are asking for help and assistance in any shape or form,” he said. “No help is too small because these people lost everything. So they need everything, clothing, school items for the kids, clothing for adults, food items, they need absolutely everything. Anything you can think of please bring. You can give me a call at 810-1665 for directions or if you want me to collect items for you.” The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

THE SHANTY town fire destroyed a number of properties, leaving several families without a home.

SMOKE AFFECTING NEW PROVIDENCE FROM LANDFILL AND BUSH FIRE, SAYS MINISTER from page one Providence have also complained of unbearable conditions and acrid smoke caused by the ongoing blaze. “We had a huge fire on Cowpen Road Wednesday, there is still some smoke coming from a ridge at the dump and there is still some smoke coming from the bush fire on Carmichael

road, so all of the smoke is not from the dump fire,” Mr Dorsett said on Thursday. “The wind has shifted that is why you have the smoke travelling from the dump impacting some areas on Fire Trial Road. Essentially from what I was able to glean from my team is that the majority of the fire is out. Firefighters are still working on a ridge that we previously couldn’t get to, that we cannot access.

“So with the additional flights with the company from the United States, we are able to get more access today and get on top of that ridge and be able to out the smoke. The area was challenging for our heavy equipment to access and now we have access. “We are continuing the aerial assault of FireIce and the team has indicated that by the end of the night heading into tomorrow (Friday)

there will be a significant reduction of the smoke. “All things considered, if we continue to have sufficient water and the equipment, by tomorrow there will be significant reduction in the smoke that’s impacting various areas,” he said on Thursday. On March 5, a massive blaze broke out at the Harrold Road landfill site, blanketing nearby communities, and in particular Jubilee

Gardens, in thick, black hazardous smoke and forcing residents in that community to evacuate their homes. On March 12, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett said GelTech Solutions, a company that specialises in fighting fires while protecting the environment, has been contracted by the government to assist in extinguishing the massive blaze. He told The Tribune the

US-based company, along with Fletcher Air, began dropping FireIce - a firefighting gel - on the sites at the landfill on Sunday, that were either too dangerous or unreachable by firefighters. There is no definite date set for when Jubilee Gardens residents will be given the all clear to return to their homes, however on Tuesday Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller said 95 per cent of the persons are back home.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 24, 2017, PAGE 3

CONTRACTS SIGNED TO RENOVATE CLINICS FORMAL contracts for the renovation of community clinics in Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, Eleuthera have been signed. Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville, who heads the government’s clinic renovation initiative, travelled with Managing Director of the Public Hospitals Authority Herbert Brown and Administrator of Community Health Services in the Department of Public Health Charlene Bain for the signing. A team of officials from the PHA and the Department of Public Health also travelled to celebrate the agreements on site at the clinics in brief signing ceremonies on Wednesday. The renovation works at the Spanish Wells Clinic will entail the general refurbishment and expansion of the clinic, inclusive of repairs to lighting fixtures and air conditioning supply

and return grills in the lobby, registration and pharmacy areas. Repairs also will be conducted in the examination, triage and emergency areas of the clinic. Significant works will be carried out to repair and improve the exterior and roof of the clinic. The contract for the Spanish Wells Clinic is valued at just under $293,000, and has been awarded to the St George’s Cay Construction Company. Renovation works at the Harbour Island Community Clinic will entail the full refurbishment of the clinic inclusive of repair or replacement of ceilings, light fixtures and a/c supply and return grills for the lobby, registration and pharmacy areas. Patient and public restrooms will be upgraded to ensure handicap accessibility, and significant works will be undertaken to upgrade the dental area. New

FROM left, administrator Jolton Johnson, administrator community health Charlene Bain, D. Michael Darville, contractor Gregory Higgs, PHA managing director Herbert Brown. modern examination, treat- tient experience throughout cilities in New Providence residents.” ment, laboratory, pharmacy our public health system,” and the Family Islands for On Tuesday, March 21, significant infrastructural contracts valued at approxiand storage areas also will Dr Darville said. He described the process, improvements ahead of the mately $800,000 were exbe created. The estimated value for the Harbour Is- which is occurring at clinics National Health Insurance ecuted for significant renoland Community Clinic across the country as histor- primary care roll out. vations at the South Beach Mr Brown said for the Health Centre and the Flarenovation is approximate- ic and “clear evidence of the ly $325,000, and has been government’s commitment PHA’s part, the agency is mingo Gardens Clinic. awarded to Higgs Con- to upgrade and renovate focused on ensuring that This followed the execuhealth facilities across the the significant works – tion of contracts valued at struction Ltd. “The public should rest as- nation to a standard that al- much of which is being pro- approximately $1.2m for sured that healthcare in The lows us to deliver universal vided by the Capital Devel- the renovation of comopment Team of the PHA, munity clinics in Acklins, Bahamas is very much on the primary care.” The contracts are the lat- “provides for efficiencies in Crooked Island, Inagua move, and the improvements to our clinics will translate est in a series of agreements the delivery of service and and Mayaguana earlier this into improvements in the pa- targeting public health fa- a high standard of care to month.

Brazil officials urge caution over alert on meat imports By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net BRAZILIAN officials in The Bahamas yesterday urged caution as international concern mounts over the quality of meat imports from that country and sought to downplay fears that prompted several bans. In a press statement, The Embassy of Brazil in The Bahamas on Thursday noted that federal authorities in Brazil have unveiled an investigation of the country’s agriculture ministry which uncovered poor practices at 21 of Brazil’s nearly 5,000 meat-producing plants. According to a Reuters report earlier this week, Brazilian authorities accused inspectors there of taking bribes to allow sales of rotten and salmonellatainted meats. Meanwhile, the embassy maintained that over the last 60 days, records show that only one shipment from these now sanctioned facilities headed to the Bahamas. The embassy remarked that the investigations further uncovered that some 99.8 per cent of registered companies and 99.7 per cent of inspectors are not involved in the allegations under investigation. The embassy said that its government is now auditing establishments mentioned in the federal police investigation, noting that three plants have already had their operations suspended and all 21 have been placed under special inspection regime conducted by a specific task force of Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA).

Thursday’s statement read: “On Friday, March 17, the Brazilian Federal Police unveiled an investigation on irregular practices involving certification of meat and meat products by staff members of the Ministry of Agriculture in 21 meat processing facilities that handle beef, poultry and pork products.” It continued: “These initial findings have been taken very seriously by the authorities, and facts are being thoroughly checked and investigated by the Ministry of Agriculture. The police operation itself is proof of the transparency and credibility of the existing controls. The investigation was intimated and entirely carried out by Brazilian authorities. President Michel Temer himself convened a meeting over the weekend of March 18-19 to assess the safety of domestic and international consumers with regard to the quality of the meat produced in the country. “There are presently 21 companies under investigation by the Brazilian Federal Police and only six have exported products within the last 60 days and only one of these exports were made to The Bahamas. “Brazilian sanitary controls are solid and trustworthy. The Ministry of Agriculture is widely recognised for its rigorous and robust inspection serif of products of animal origin, thus guaranteeing food safety and quality.” The Brazilian Embassy added that its country ranks among the biggest animal protein exporters in the world, and the standards of excellence of its products

rate among the best of the world. Moreover, the embassy said high quality Brazilian meat and meat products are exported to more than 150 countries. “For this reason, the Brazilian regulatory system is among the most frequently and strictly audited and monitored worldwide,” the embassy claimed. “It meets the requirements of several high demanding markets and includes additional periodic inspections, monitoring and internal and external auditing based on risk assessments. “Brazil has 4,837 establishments which produce meat products. Of these establishments, which are subject to federal inspection, only 21 (0.2 per cent of the total) are alleged to have been involved in irregularities, and of the over 11,000 employees in the agricultural inspection system, only 33 (0.3 per cent) are being investigated by the Federal Police for possible irregularities. “That means that 99.8 per cent of registered companies and 99.7 per cent of inspectors are not involved in the allegations under investigation.” The embassy concluded its statement by stating that all of its country’s exporting plants remain open to inspection visits by importing countries who wish to visit to clear up any doubts which they may have. The embassy added that Brazil is the most interested party in resolving and clarifying these issues, and in having the current unilateral ban lifted. On Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Alfred Gray said his ministry had issued

ST BARNABAS CANDIDATE SAYS ROBBERY HIGHLIGHTS CRIME ISSUE THE Free National Movement’s candidate for the St Barnabas constituency lamented the recent robbery of three women employees of the Parliamentary Registration Department, saying it highlights the country’s ongoing fight against crime. In a statement released on Thursday, Shanendon Cartwright said: “The recent robbery of several Parliamentary Registration Department personnel at the St Barnabas Church registration station is deeply disturbing and highlights our nation’s ongoing battle with a stubborn criminal element fixated on upending the Bahamian way of life. “During our walks and conversations throughout the St Barnabas constituency, crime continues to be a primary concern for residents and their families. The Free National Movement is committed to ar-

resting our vexing crime problem with the implementation of strategies that have been shared with the Bahamian people over the past months. “We applaud the tireless efforts of the entire staff of the Parliamentary Registration Department and extend our deepest regrets and empathy to their colleagues involved in the unfortunate dramatic ordeal of this week. We join Bahamians everywhere in condemning these cowardly acts and urge the government very intently to ensure the safeguard of the Parliamentary Registration staff, the Bahamian public and the integrity our democratic process,” he also said. According to police, three women were robbed shortly after 8pm on Tuesday as they were preparing to leave the voter’s card distribution centre at the

St Barnabas Church Activity Centre. Police said the women workers were approached by two men, one armed with a handgun, who robbed them of cash and a cell phone before escaping on foot. Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage told reporters on Wednesday that he was “disappointed” that the incident happened and said had Royal Bahamas Police Force officers, who were usually stationed at the registration centre on Baillou Hill Road, been present the criminals would not have entered the property. However, Dr Nottage said the unfortunate incident will in no way compromise the electoral process as no voter’s cards, counterfoils or seals were stolen. Dr Nottage has ministerial responsibility for the Parliamentary Registration Department.

an immediate import ban on Brazilian meat products. The Bahamas is following precedents set by the European Union, China and Jamaica, the latter of which also banned Brazilian meat imports Tuesday. The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is expected to monitor the issue over the next 60 days, and if satisfied, will move to resume imports from Brazil. However, for that clearance, the ministry is requiring that products are harvested and processed at an approved government abattoir and processing facility in Brazil, and obtain a

sanitary certificate. The ministry said that all batch containers will be inspected at a “port of entry” upon arrival to the Bahamas, and an import permit

obtained from the necessary government agencies. A registry of all importers of beef and beef products from Brazil also will be compiled.

FRIDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 83ºF LOW 67ºF

The Tribune

Volume:114 No.86, MARCH 24TH, 2017

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

art books carnival Friday, March 24, film fashion musi 2017 c podcasts gard ening

Weekend

WEEKEND: HOLLYWOOD STAR GLOVER TEACHES BAHAMIAN ACTORS

twin vision Pages 4&5

Living the dream

Danny Glover coa ches

young local actors

Celebrity, page 13

SYMONETTE: I’M NO THREAT TO MINNIS’ LEADERSHIP By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

FATHER OF SEVEN SAYS FAMILY LOST EVERYTHING IN SHANTY TOWN BLAZE

PM QUESTIONS FNM LEADER OVER RESORT CRITICISMS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

MINNIS DEFIANT OVER BAHA MAR By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 24, 2017, PAGE 5

BRIDGE SIMULATOR TO HELP TRAIN RBDF PERSONNEL A SIMULATOR which will allow Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) personnel to train for difficult and dangerous reallife situations will be the latest equipment to be delivered as part of the force’s $232m Sandy Bottom Project. A recent co-operation agreement between Damen and VSTEP has been established for the delivery of a NAUTIS Full Mission Bridge Simulator with Alphatron Marine equipment to the RBDF. The delivery is part of the Sandy Bottom Project, which sees the Defence Force acquire a range of Damen patrol vessels, upgrade its existing fleet and develop its port and base infrastructure. The Netherlands-based VSTEP is renowned throughout the maritime industry for its suite of state-

THE SIMULATOR in action, which will assist with RBDF training.

of-the-art DNV certified simulators, which facilitate training in compliance with all design criteria, class and IMO requirements. VSTEP, working closely with Damen Services Training department, will develop four simulated vessels for use in its custom simulator. Pushing the boundaries of maritime simulation, the results of this collaboration will involve the seamless digital recreation of the whole of the Bahamas, including nine detailed ports. The project will see VSTEP deliver the latest version 3.0 of NAUTIS featuring improved graphics, advanced ship dynamics and increased accuracy and visual fidelity of the sea, allowing for the most realistic training possible. Damen Sales Manager Alan Borde, said: “The incorporation of the simula-

tor package was an instrumental part of the overall Sandy Bottom agreement. It will give the RBDF the ability to recruit and train new cadets annually in a professional manner. The synergy between the simulator training, the familiarisation training we have already completed and the general commonalities between the different classes of vessel and the bridge systems will provide longevity and increase the patrol capabilities of the RBDF.” VSTEP CEO Pjotr van Schothorst, said: “The crews of these new vessels will be trained on the simulator for situations which are difficult or dangerous in real life, which makes them well prepared. They can train for ship handling and manoeuvring, and prepare for various operations relevant in their area.”

8 years in jail for armed robbery By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced by the Supreme Court to eight years in prison for the gunpoint robbery of an elderly man at his workplace three years ago. Jarvis Fernander, 22, stood trial before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs for two days on charges of armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon concerning the March 28, 2014 hold up of Dudley Martinborough for his cellular phone, $180 cash and a Rolex watch valued at $3,000. Fernander denied the charges when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court and when his trial began on February 28. The jury convicted him on March 2. At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Fernander’s lawyer Calvin Seymour withdrew his initial legal argument concerning the assault charge in which, at a hearing a week before, he had referred to the Privy Council decision of Chevanese Hall. The Privy Council’s decision upheld the Court of Appeal’s ruling to quash the conviction in the Bahamas’ first tried human trafficking case. The issue concerned whether Fernander should have been tried in the Supreme Court or Magistrate’s Court concerning the assault charge. Mr Seymour asked the court to consider a sevenyear sentence based on Fernander’s youth and his previously clean record. Crown prosecutor Darell Taylor suggested a sentence in the range of 10 to 15 years. The judge ultimately sentenced Fernander to eight years, but deducted three years for the time spent on remand. Fernander was sentenced to three years on the assault with a deadly

weapon charge, but he has already served his time. At Fernander’s trial, the nine-member jury heard testimony from the 73-yearold coordinator of the Bahamas Maritime Cadets institution that sometime around 10am on the day in question, while at the East Bay Street school, he saw two men approaching the door to the old Gold Circle Complex. The victim said one of the men was 5’8” and the other 5’11”. He described both as slim. However, he said the men never came inside which led him to believe they were up to no good. When he tried to lock the door, the men barged in and were tugging at him aggressively when his eyeglasses fell off. He also noticed that the shorter of the two men was armed with a black handgun. After telling them that the school had no money, the gunman threatened to put a bullet in his head. He was struck in the head and they took the items that they had demanded. He picked out the accused at an identification parade four days after the incident. In cross-examination, the witness admitted that he was near-sighted and had glaucoma but insisted he’d observed the men for some 30 seconds. He also said the same individuals came into the school making inquiries about the establishment two days earlier. Before excusing the jury to deliberate, the judge noted that persons can sometimes make mistakes in identification. The jury, after two hours of deliberation, returned unanimous 9-0 guilty verdicts on both charges. Fernander, at Wednesday’s sentencing, was advised of his right to contest the jury’s verdicts and his sentences to the Court of Appeal if he wished.

PAIR ACCUSED OVER MAJOR DRUGS FIND ON BIMINI By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TWO Bimini men were charged in a New Providence court on Wednesday in connection with a major drug seizure on that island last Sunday. Romeris Stuart, 45, and Richard Smith, 44, both of Bailey Town, Bimini, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes where they pleaded not guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. The charge stems from

a drug seizure that occurred in Bimini on Sunday, March 19. The accused men were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until May 31 for trial. A 42-year-old Abaco man was also arraigned on a drug charge in New Providence in a separate matter. Shelrey Swain, of Murphy Town, pleaded not guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, and was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until June 16 for trial.

DENNIS TAYLOR, pictured outside court yesterday.

Photo: Lamech Johnson/Tribune Staff

MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING TEENAGER IS DENIED BAIL AT COURT HEARING By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred five months ago. Dennis Taylor, 26, was escorted into the Nassau and South Streets Magistrate’s Court complex to stand be-

fore Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to face a charge of murder. It is alleged that he, on Thursday, October 27, 2016, intentionally and by means of unlawful harm, caused the death of 18-year-old Rhoda Russell. According to police reports, officers got a call shortly after 6am that shots were heard in the Fire Trail Road area.

When officers arrived on the scene, they saw a woman’s lifeless body lying in the driveway with gunshot wounds, it was initially reported. Taylor was not required to enter a plea to the charge due to the nature of the offence and was told that his case would be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court through the presentation of a voluntary bill of indict-

ment, scheduled for May 18. Taylor was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in the interim, as the lower court does not have the jurisdiction to consider or grant bail on the charge. However, he can make an application to the Supreme Court for pre-trial release. Taylor was not represented at yesterday’s arraignment.

PAGE 6, Friday, March 24, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Pastors’ plea to US on gay rights from page one In response, local, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activist Alexus D’Marco said it was with “horror” and “disgust” that the LGBTI community learned of the actions of these Christian ministers. The basis of pastors’ arguments for the criminalisation of homosexuality and opposition to gay marriage has been dispelled and put to rest by the courts in the United States, she said. “We signed on with pastors throughout the Caribbean, writing a letter to the president asking that he would look into the ambassadors and other people who are sent to the Caribbean representing the USA, that they don’t engage in trying to force the people like in The Bahamas to adopt certain policies that are contrary to what we believe,” Pastor Lee, who is also retired pastor of Calvary Bible Church, told The Tribune yesterday when he was contacted. “They have had situations throughout the Caribbean where for instance, this is just an illustration, I’m not stating this as any kind of criticism, this is just a statement of fact, there have been other places in

the Caribbean where an ambassador or representative who was in favour of the LGBT agenda and was encouraging the people in the country that he went to, to favour the homosexual laws and try to do away with any laws that would seem to be contrary to the LGBT agenda or the beliefs of homosexuals and so on. That’s only one illustration,” Pastor Lee said. “There have been others as well. “So we are just asking for that especially in the Caribbean because it appears as though the Caribbean has been a special focus for UN officials and so on this past year and this coming year. So we had a meeting with Caribbean pastors first in Barbados (and) then we had one here with our own people. (Then) we came up with a letter that was sent to them and we’re waiting for a response now,” he added. Asked if there was evidence that incidents of “coercion” from US officials had occurred in the Bahamas, Pastor Lee said “no,” but his and other Bahamians’ participation in the drafting of the petition was somewhat of a “precautionary” measure. “No, that’s what we are trying to avoid,” he told The Tribune. “We are trying to say we don’t want that to happen here and

all the countries were saying the same thing. We are just speaking generally. We don’t want a representative to try to force us to go against our morality (or) standards. We are not choosing or singling out anyone in particular, but just based on the problems that we’ve seen in other places we don’t want it to happen anywhere and the other Caribbean pastors are on board. “So hundreds of pastors have actually signed up. We had representatives from here and the names were just added to hundreds of other people who represent churches throughout the Caribbean,” he said. Anger Pastor Lee’s position and that of many others in the region as communicated in the letter to the president have angered Ms D’Marco. In a statement to The Tribune, she said the positions of the pastors carried “vitriolic” tones. “Firstly, the Bahamas is not a theocracy, it is supposed to be a democracy,” Ms D’Marco said. “And, (US presidential candidate) Hillary Clinton is correct, ‘(LGBTI) rights are human rights.’ “Furthermore, the Constitution of our great archipelago nation guarantees

all of its citizens basic human rights, and, contrary to the vitriolic tone of these Christian men of God again, our marginalised minority community (and) our human rights are also protected under the provisions of the Constitution. “Unfortunately, the Bahamas and most of the Caribbean remains extremely homophobic, despite the modern trend of more progressive nations of the world, coupled with a greater understanding of the physiological and psychological nature of LGBT persons, to make their society more inclusive of these individuals.” She continued: “Obviously, President Obama and Hillary Clinton, as his former secretary of state, were succinctly aware of the oppression of LGBT minorities in our region. Thus, the creation of special envoys to monitor the atrocities suffered by LGBT in the region. “It is inconceivable that these Christian reverend gentlemen and women could not find the love of Christ in the hearts, Christ who never rejected any man, but, challenged the men who wanted to stone the woman at the well, that ‘he without sin cast the first stone.’ Moreover, marriage is a legal contract, sanc-

tioned by the state, and not (exclusive) to the Christian community.” Letter The pastors’ letter to President Trump read: “We write to you as concerned Christian ministers and churches from the Caribbean region (including The Bahamas) who hope and pray that the Unites States, under your leadership, will once again cast light from ‘The City upon a Hill’ for which your American forefathers and President Ronald Reagan so frequently spoke. “Sadly, during recent years, the city has too often cast shadows instead of light. We refer specifically to the policies of the US State Department and other government agencies involved in foreign policy that have undertaken to coerce our countries into accepting a mistaken version of marriage,” the pastors’ letter noted. “It is not only the view of our Christian churches, but the testimony of the recorded history of millennia of civilisation, that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. This was certainly the truth embraced by the founders of your country, who pledged their dedication to ‘the laws of nature and of nature’s God.’

Why should we be forced to believe otherwise? “The problem should be self evident. We have our rights by virtue of being human beings and not by anything else – not our ethnicity, not our religion, not our race, not our tribe and certainly not our sexual orientation. The promotion of gay rights must come at the expense of human rights, because the two are immiscible. One is founded on the ‘laws of nature and of nature’s God’ and the other on moral relativism, which eviscerates the very idea of natural rights. If you have one, you cannot have the other. As it turns out, the Obama administration, among others, has shown this to be so, as so-called ‘gay rights’ are pre-empting human rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of conscience,” the letter also noted. The letter came to a close by urging President Trump to urgently review the matter to revoke the relevant executive orders and policies and restore to “The City upon a Hill” the bright moral beam that once shone from it. Ms D’Marco has also sent a letter to the White House on behalf of the local LGBTI community in response to the petition of the pastors.

SYMONETTE: I’M NO THREAT TO MINNIS’ LEADERSHIP from page one

During an address at the FNM’s eastern New Providence regional candidates launch, Mr Symonette, who served during the last Ingraham administration, said his sole reason for returning to frontline politics after a one-term hiatus is to rescue the country from the peril brought on by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Speaking to a crowd of hundreds of party supporters, Mr Symonette responded to speculation about his motives: “I am here tonight to declare that I have no such intention. We have one leader, Dr Hubert Minnis.” To a jubilant reaction, the St Anne’s candidate said the only party that should be concerned about a postelection struggle for power is the PLP. Mr Symonette asserted that win or lose, Prime Minister Perry Christie could expect a strong push by Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis for the reins of leadership. “What they should be afraid about is, well they are not going to win, but if they do win Perry Christie will only last one day because (Philip) ‘Brave’ Davis and his bunch will throw (Mr Christie) out. “To use Perry Christie’s words, we have to save The Bahamas from that,” Mr Symonette said. “So while Perry (Christie) is swinging and shuffling, Brave (Davis) will take it over. But they will not win,” he added. Recently, Mr Davis and Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller

BRENT SYMONETTE, FNM candidate for St Anne’s, and party leader Dr Hubert Minnis, pictured last night. have publicly floated the idea that if the FNM is successful in the next general election, Dr Minnis would be ousted by those within the party eager to hold the seat of power. The premise started with Mr Miller early this month, who in interviews with the press suggested that Dr Minnis will face a push for power within weeks of being elected. Later Mr Davis said that Mr Symonette’s return to frontline politics was due to the latter sensing “a weak leader” in Dr Minnis, and that Mr Symonette consequently “thinks it’s his time to get in.” In response last evening, Mr Symonette said the assertions are all done in an effort to distract the electorate from the failures of the Christie administration over the course of its tenure. “It ain’t long now, and on Election Day you vote them

out,” declared Mr Symonette. Last night’s rally featured remarks from several other candidates and party standouts, including former Cabinet minister Janet Bostwick, Yamacraw candidate Elsworth Johnson, Seabreeze candidate Lanisha Rolle, Fox Hill candidate Shonel Ferguson and Elizabeth candidate Dr Duane Sands. For his part, Mr Johnson, former Bar Association president, castigated the government for its handling of both the country’s justice system and branches of law enforcement. Mr Johnson branded the government as a force unlike anything seen before. He alleged that the abuse endured by the judiciary under the PLP had many in the sector afraid for their social and financial futures. “Nobody has the right to demonise the court. To try and frighten them and

threaten them with imprisonment because you are dissatisfied with a judgment of the court,” Mr Johnson said, appearing to refer to Parliament’s proposed probe of a court ruling by Justice Indra Charles. “An FNM government will ensure that all in the Bahamas are protected. I can tell you that an FNM government, led by Dr Hubert Minnis is committed to investing in the judicial systems that judges no longer have to be troubled by what is and what was labelled by Sir Burton Hall, the former Chief Justice of The Bahamas, as bureaucratic impertinence.” Ms Ferguson used her address to present plans directly to the people of Fox Hill, promising her base that if elected, she would begin efforts on day one to improve the constituency’s fire services and drainage. Dr Sands moved to further end speculation over his relationship with Dr Min-

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

nis, comparing his status in the party to a person underdressed for an event. To close out his address he put on ‘Roc with Doc’ ball-cap and said: “Now I am ready. It is time to ‘roc with Doc.’” Lanisha Rolle used her allotted time to address her opponents in the Seabreeze constituency, insisting that her plans for the community, if embraced, would improve the lives of residents. She said the promises of current Seabreeze MP Hope Strachan have left the people of that constituency in a dire state, asserting that she was there to deliver a better future for that area. In a surprising address, Mrs Bostwick endorsed Mr Johnson in Yamacraw, an area she once represented and called for the entire eastern district of New Providence to “set the pace on Election Day.” Mrs Bostwick said she sees no need for the PLP to be returned to office,

branding the party as the worst government in the history of the country. Dr Minnis was unable to address the crowd due to unexpected rain, but in a prepared statement sent to members of the press last evening prior to the party’s event, he insisted that his “doing much but talking little” approach to governance will benefit The Bahamas, a drastic improvement over the “failing to do anything while wasting the people’s time and money” nature of Mr Christie. The prepared speech noted that the “talkative” Mr Christie will soon conclude that the Bahamian people have grown tired and toned him out. Presenting himself as an eager to work candidate, Dr Minnis’ prepared remarks asserted that at every stage of his life he has been working to improve the lives of Bahamians while Mr Christie has spent his “talking”.

READERS RESPOND TO BAHA MAR TRANSFER AFTER the FNM called the transfer of Baha Mar to Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd a “great public relations exercise” with no “real significance”, readers on tribune242.com gave their reaction. Concernedcitizen had this to say: “Anyone who believes this hotel is opening on the 21st of April, try to book a room online or call a travel agent in Florida and try to book a room . . . there are still buildings to be demolished that can’t be demolished w/a hotel full of guest b/c of the dust . . . this is an election sham.” TalRussell said: “The Red Movement ‘Leader’ needs step back and smell the breath of fresh air slowly resurfacing out at Cable Beach. Hundreds of small and mega resorts the world over have had successful soft openings while putting the finishing touches and systems into

play. However, I’d highly suggest the top brass at Baha Mar start immediately conducting daily site tours for locals to get a better understanding of what is really happening at the properties. I’d suggest an invite to Minnis and his political colleagues to experience a firsthand tour of the facilities. The PM deserves some credit?” Sheeprunner12 called the resort a “hologram”: “Baha Mar is a hologram entity . . . The thing only exists in PLP fiction!!! There is NO real proof that the hotel has been sold, who owns it, what it cost Bahamians, who will buy its services and how it intends to im-

prove/support our tourism product . . . it is an UGLY HOLOGRAM!!!” Seaman offered this: “Time will tell and prove if Mr PM is true. It will prove costly for him if he is misleading the people. The FNM will win 7-10 seats in the Family Islands leaving only 10-12 in Nassau. Done deal, PLP gone. Abaco red, Grand Bahama red. Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage’s statement that the House of Assembly is likely to dissolve in a matter of “weeks, if not days”, prompted Sp1nks to say: “We’re ready!! How ‘bout ‘hours, if not minutes’?” John thought the country was in disarray, but was ultimately optimistic: “So sad that the country has to go to elections in such a disarray. President Obama handed incoming President Donald Trump the United States on a silver platter after bringing it back from one of the

greatest recessions in the country’s history. Here in the Bahamas crime is out of control: murders at the highest levels ever. Unemployment is still double digits, corruption is the order of the day. The national debt is scary and the dump fire has impacted the lives of almost everyone on New Providence. Many residents are still fighting to recover from the last two hurricanes and despite the four financial downgrades most Bahamians remain optimistic. Their spirits have not been broken. They are a resilient people, even with no corn beef for the next several months. And even after this election is over and done with they will go back to work, regardless of who wins. These Bahamians will keep hope in their hearts and pray for a brighter day.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 24, 2017, PAGE 7

BRITISH OFFICIAL IN PRESENTATION TO CENTRES FOR CHILDREN DEPUTY British High Commissioner for Jamaica Nick Astbury made a presentation to the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls and the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys yesterday. Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin is pictured alongside the commissioner. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PM questions FNM leader over resort criticisms from page one Dr Minnis also criticised the Christie administration for “always searching for their next photo op”. The Progressive Liberal Party has persistently portrayed Dr Minnis as lacking an understanding of key issues. Sticking with that theme, Mr Christie said yesterday that he’s unsure if Dr Minnis’ comments are “just political mischief” or “simply an inability to understand what is taking place”. “I wasn’t sure what Dr Minnis meant by that because we were not handing over any keys,” Mr Christie said, speaking at a school re-

naming ceremony in North Andros. “All that was taking place (Tuesday) was the transfer of the property from the construction company to the developer and the Ministry of Works had issued a temporary occupancy certificate, therefore giving the developer the right to operate the property. “I thought Dr Minnis really had dumbed down this whole issue. And whether it’s just political mischief he’s doing or simply an inability to understand what is taking place, how for the life of me he gone talk about we were handing over keys? God only knows what he was talking about and quite frankly I don’t know if even he knew what he was

talking about when he talk about handing over keys.” Mr Christie said what matters is that the government is delivering on its promise to have Baha Mar opened by April 21. This is the date officials have pegged for a “soft opening,” where “invited guests” will come to the resort. It is unclear when reservations will begin for the luxury property. “Hyatt is in occupation,” he said. “The rooms will be occupied. Everything is now going in dress rehearsals for the opening where staff will be staying in the rooms and the housekeepers will be practising what they will do. The kitchen will be employed to cook

MINNIS DEFIANT OVER BAHA MAR from page one

This, Dr Minnis said in a statement, is a “political ploy” by the PLP and demonstrates the governing party’s willingness to spread falsehoods “in an attempt to continue to avoid transparent disclosure of the details that Bahamians want and deserve to know.” To that end, Dr Minnis accused the government of continuing to “purposefully ignore” pertinent questions regarding the Baha Mar deal, and seeking to engage in “anything to distract from the fact that they won’t unseal the details of their secret deal with their Chinese allies.” Dr Minnis also questioned the government’s “election year optimism” over Baha Mar’s expected soft opening in April, particularly when the resort “has yet to engage in any significant marketing to draw people to the new resort”. Dr Minnis also questioned why, with less than a month until the soft opening, have the resort’s new owners failed to acquire a casino licence. On Tuesday, Mr Fitzgerald said when the $3.5bn mega resort has its soft opening next month, Dr Minnis must resign because of his continued negative pronouncements regarding Baha Mar, particularly that the West Bay Street project would not open. Speaking to reporters following the morning session of Cabinet, Mr Fitzgerald said previous comments attributed to Dr Minnis regarding Baha Mar were “unfortunate” and had a negative impact on the progress of the development and its employees. PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts echoed similar sentiments, questioning whether Dr Minnis would issue a statement of congratulations to the government and the new owner of Baha Mar. Mr Roberts said failing to do so would affirm that former developer Sarkis Izmirlian still has Dr Minnis “on the leash.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie has also hinted that Dr Minnis should be “ashamed of himself” for hoping the resort would fail in order to gain political mileage. “Nothing could be further from the truth as we have stated publicly all along,” Dr Minnis’ statement said. “Claiming that the FNM is rooting against the opening of Baha Mar is simply another political ploy (Mr Christie) and (Mr Fitzgerald) will engage in,” he continued. “Anything to distract from the fact that they won’t unseal the details of their secret deal with their Chinese allies.” On Tuesday, in the absence of a casino operator license and no definite answers on when guest reservations will be accepted, China Construction America (CCA) officially “transferred” the mega resort to Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd (CTFE). The transfer was executed by CCA handing over to CTFE its temporary certificate of occupancy, which now allows visitors to occupy rooms and utilise other amenities. At the time, Graeme Davis, CTFE Bahamas president, said the resort would begin taking guest reservations “very soon” with the launch of Baha Mar’s advertising campaign. He went on to suggest that non-paying guests would “fill” the resort on its first day of operation, explaining that guests were “invited” for Baha Mar’s celebration and ribbon cutting to commemorate its opening. Officials plan to launch the stalled resort in phases beginning with a soft opening on April 21. At that time the golf course, the Grand Hyatt, and convention centre and other amenities will be opened. “The PLP calls it a ‘soft’ opening but as the details continue to leak out, the Bahamian people are left with the sinking feeling once again of what amounts

to a ‘fake’ opening as they hear things like the resort is not taking reservations for this opening,” Dr Minnis said in response. “How can the people share the PLP’s election year optimism when the hotel is still not taking reservations on their website? How can Bahamians be happy if Baha Mar has yet to engage in any significant marketing to draw people to the new resort? With less than a month to this opening, why has Christie’s allies failed to secure a casino license?” He added: “The Bahamian people have suffered through fives years of empty rhetoric and broken promises from this inept Christie government. So before they join in the PLP’s latest celebration, they want to make sure it’s not premature, and the only way to know that is to continue demanding truthful answers to all these unanswered questions surrounding their deal.” Last month, Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice president of government and external affairs, told Tribune Business that CTFE had agreed “to take possession and operate portions of the resort” until its deal with the China ExportImport Bank could close. Mr Sands’ comments came after Mr Davis triggered a renewed onslaught from opposition politicians by confirming that Baha Mar will open without its sale being complete. Earlier this month Dr Minnis pledged that his party will “engage and execute a real sale” of the Baha Mar resort “to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in Bahamians,” should the FNM party win the next general election. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dr Minnis also said this buyer would use only Bahamian labour to complete the beleaguered resort, while again promising that his party would make public the details to the Baha Mar deal and any other government dealings with Chinese investors.

food. It’s operational. And what is so fabulous about it is sometime in the next two, three weeks, another 500 Bahamians will be employed.” This, he said, means the government will have a positive message for the international rating agencies, Standard & Poors and Moody’s, as well as for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “We not only have done it, we’ve done it with a fivestar developer, one who has properties throughout the Caribbean and the world and one who understands what they are doing,” he said. “And all the talk about whether they have bookings or not, let them watch what

takes place. The hotel will be opened on the 21st. By the grace of God, I will be there with an even bigger smile on my face for a bigger photo opportunity; yes, because I’m thrilled by the actual fact that 1,500 Bahamians, many of whom were not working are now employed and earning a living; it will positively impact families and you’re going to see a big smile on thousands of Bahamians because it’s happened. “After the elections as we go into the summer, the other hotels will be turned over and we’re talking about three, four thousand persons being employed directly on that property. God is Good. God is able and I

am happy.” Mr Christie said Dr Minnis has found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that Baha Mar is no longer in limbo. “He seems bewildered by this reality that it is open, that young Bahamians are walking in there with smiles on their faces because they are employed. And I cry shame on him, shame on him because he does not understand the moment. The moment demands that leaders of our country applaud what is taking place because Bahamians are able to take jobs and have a dignified existence. I can be no more eloquent than that in saying that is the reality that I witnessed yesterday.”

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PAGE 8, Friday, March 24, 2017

PRIME Minister Perry Christie and Graeme Davis, CTFE president, pictured outside the Baha Mar casino.

THE TRIBUNE

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Baha Mar date sets the mark ahead of general election

A COMIC’S VIEW By Inigo Zenicazelaya TO date, Bahamians still do not know when our next general election will be held. We find ourselves in this predicament because there is no fixed election date, and the person responsible for dissolving Parliament and setting the date we will head to the polls seems unconscionably focused on another date in the near future: April 21. The Curious Case of Baha Mar Like a groom who has been spurned by his runaway bride not once but twice at the altar, Prime Minister Perry Christie now waits for the latest appointed day to see if he can finally close the deal. By any stretch of the imagination, Baha Mar has been the biggest albatross around Mr Christie’s neck and it seems he’s hop-

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA ing (praying?) that it will finally open. This week, flanked by members of his Cabinet, the prime minister made his way to a ceremony at the resort that was supposed to reassure the tens of thousands of Bahamians concerned about our dismal unemployment rate and a ballooning GDP that the behemoth of Cable Beach will “say yes” this time and bring joy and prosperity to all. The latest wedding invitation (sent exclusively to the groom’s side of the family) has set April 21 as the “big day”. But there’s one big flaw in Mr Chris-

tie’s calculation: the Baha Mar he’s dragging down the aisle bears almost no resemblance to the Baha Mar that Bahamians pictured more than half a decade ago. This Baha Mar, strangely, is supposed to be the largest casino in the Caribbean but less than a month to go before its opening the resort still doesn’t have a casino license. This Baha Mar, with its dowry of thousands and thousands of rooms, is apparently not booking guests right now. And this Baha Mar, though alleged to have been “sold” in December, still has no official owner.

To simplify my analogy, champagne and guest “fillthat’s like a notoriously ins” to make it all look good fickle bride promising to enough. finally “commit this time” But in the days that but with less will immedithan a month ‘The ‘word on the ately follow to go until the the grandiceremony, she street’ is that the ose banquet, still has no prime minister is Baha Mar will dress, no invit- hoping to make still not have ed guests and guests; acno one to walk a big splash with cording to the her down the Baha Mar in order resort’s manaisle. agement team, to campaign on Of course, they are worksome may say, fulfilling one of his ing on their all these prob- biggest promises marketing lems can and in the last two now. will be worked The “word out in short or- years. If that is the on the street” der. case, he has put his is that the I have no last few eggs (and prime minisdoubt that this ter is hoping current admin- legacy) into the to make a big istration, ea- wrong basket.’ splash with ger to put on a Baha Mar in good show, will order to camthrow something together. paign on fulfilling one of On the designated day, at his biggest promises in the the designated time, we last two years. If that is will get our “soft opening” the case, he has put his last ceremony with cheers and few eggs (and legacy) into the wrong basket because though he may be able to say, “I told y’all Baha Mar would open,” very few will feel the economic impact by Election Day. And with most of the resort still unopened, it will simply not “feel” like something special. It will “feel” like a shotgun wedding. To add to the intrigue, so desperate is Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald (the “matchmaker” in this analogy) to have the PLP “put a ring on it” that he has called on Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to resign should the resort open as planned. Why would Dr Minnis do that? If Fitzgerald can get it wrong with his judgment on the Rubis Oil spill scandal surely every other politician has leeway “for days”.

Besides, the ceremony slated for next month looks more like a Hollywood style “spiritual” union than it does a love affair. In other words, show us the legally binding paperwork. Or as the young people say, “where ya receipts?” That, in truth, is why no one is overly excited or optimistic about Baha Mar. There was a prenuptial agreement signed, and Bahamians still have no idea what our desperate groom gave away in order to get this far. In a few weeks we will flock to Cable Beach, smile and snap a few selfies; then we will go home. A few short weeks after that we will head to the polls. Baha Mar won’t be the only issue that weighs on voters’ minds but it will be a big one. Unfortunately for the prime minister, it will be difficult for a “soft opening” to change “hard heads” made up months (if not years) ago. Biggest “casino in the Caribbean” notwithstanding, counting on Baha Mar to change the narrative around the current administration’s failings looks like a fool’s bet. Still, here’s hoping the bride’s family picks up the full tab next month (BEC bill included). My only advice for the groom is to hold onto the rented tux (and the rented guests) a few weeks. I hear “divorce” parties are also a big deal these days. I will leave you with a quote from Shakespeare that best sums this whole twisted ‘Baha Mar’ love affair up: “Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake - it’s everything except what it is.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 24, 2017, PAGE 9

Tourism officials wary of airfare costs in GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AIRFARE costs on Grand Bahama remain a concern for tourism officials here on the island, which has the highest turnaround cost in the Caribbean despite its proximity to the United States. Betty Bethel, director of Ministry of Tourism, said that the issue must be addressed jointly through a public and private sector arrangement so that Grand Bahama can compete with its rivals. Air arrivals are down significantly in Grand Bahama. Airlift from 20 gateways in the US and Canada were recently cancelled this year due to the lack of room inventory when two major hotels suffered significant damage following Hurricane Matthew last October. “Grand Bahama’s proximity to the US should make us a destination of choice…” Ms Bethel said. “This is a natural competi-

tive advantage we should dominate.” The turnaround cost at Grand Bahama International Airport has been an issue since 2014 when concerns were raised by Tourism Director General David Johnson and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who had reported that the airport cost was 126 per cent higher than anyone else in the region. While speaking at the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, Ms Bethel said that tourism’s demise or revival in Grand Bahama will depend on the decisions that are made and the actions taken today. “There will be no quick fixes, Band-Aid, or shoddy repair work, we must move toward sustainable fixes,” she said. “Let us work together for a brand new and improved Grand Bahama Island – tourism is everybody’s business.” The tourism executive revealed that the Ministry of Tourism is presently de-

signing a new marketing plan for Grand Bahama that includes greater awareness and push for a multiple destination experience for guests. The new promotion, she explained, is intended to highlight nature-based and cultural products, and place emphasis on sports and religious tourism. He noted that opportunities exist for new tourism products and urged persons to partner with the Ministry of Tourism in dispelling the myth that there is nothing to do in Grand Bahama. “There are at least 40 tours and attractions that our guests come and do every day. We’ve got to be proactive in developing more tours and attractions on the island,” she said. “There are sporting initiatives that we also want to embark on but we need facilities. We are looking for entrepreneurs who want to build that stand alone gymnasium so we can get those basketball events and other events to come here year-

round.” Ms Bethel said that the absence of live entertainment is hurting the destination. “We need to bring back night-time Bahamian entertainment - that is one of our greatest deficiencies, that we do not have a night life.” The tourism officials said the island needs some cleaning up. “Our island is dirty, we’ve got to remove the garbage, paint and repair old buildings, and reinstitute street and directional signage that will add flavour of the destination.” According to Ms Bethel, the ministry has met with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Environmental Health, and Sanitation Services to discuss a partnership to clean up the island. “We are part of an aggressive plan called ‘Litter Free’ to address the untidiness of post Hurricane Matthew,” she said. She talked about the opportunity in the tourism sector about investment in

non-traditional and more boutique products that appeal to families and longer staying guests. “It is time for those who qualify to become true stakeholders of the tourism sector as there is a huge untapped developmental opportunity,” Ms Bethel said. The Ministry of Tourism, she said, supports second home ownership. “It is also a known fact that income and taxes generated from second homeownership can be in the triple digits,” she added. “If we want Grand Bahama to succeed, we must be active participants in the process. We must form alliances and partnerships to engage out of box thinking to plan and execute activities and programmes that will lift the destination and get Grand Bahama back in the marketplace again,” Ms Bethel said. The Ministry of Tourism also supports a number of initiatives and activities in Grand Bahama. Some 600 persons are ex-

pected to attend Faith Fest on March 24 -26. There will also be a book launch by former Miss Bahamas Darlene Davis-Hord, a family planning seminar and the Dog Days Half Marathon this weekend. In April, there are plans for Coastal Awareness Month, the Northern Bahamas Sports Symposium, the annual Pelican Point Festival on April 19, the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament, West End speedboat race, and the kick-off for Junkanoo Carnival. In May, the Ministry of Tourism will host the annual Air Show, which was a huge success at last year’s Junkanoo Carnival. Other activities that month include the West End Junior Sailing Regatta, Rugby Fest and the Fire Hearth Food Heritage Festival in East End. Ms Bethel added that a lacrosse tournament also will be held soon in Grand Bahama and Goombay Summer Festival will begin July 6.

PUTTING THE CONSTITUTION IN LAYMAN’S TERMS BAHAMIAN political scientist, Keisha Lynne Ellis, seeks to help every person in the country understand the Bahamian Constitution with her book, “The People’s Constitution: A Layman’s Interpretation of the Constitution of The Bahamas”. Ms Ellis, a writer and political science lecturer, noted that many of her students possessed no familiarity of the Constitution. “Few citizens understand the Bahamian Constitution,” she said. “It is not taught in schools and even most adults have never actually read it. Because it is written in legal terms, many people find it difficult or tedious to read.” This alarming realisation consumed Ms Ellis and she began her two-year, page-by-page, journey of transcribing the Constitution, the foundation of human rights and government power, into a more simplified, reader friendly version. The pocket-sized book is an easy-to-read, easy-

to-understand translation of the complete original constitution, according to a press release. “We cannot truly call ourselves a democracy if all of our citizens do not understand the foundation of our government,” Ms Ellis said. “Most people believe that only politicians and lawyers have to know the Constitution, but that is absolutely not true. As citizens we are all responsible for making sure that our rights are protected and that power is not

STUDENTS at The University of The Bahamas discuss The People’s Constitution.

abused.” The public discourse that sprang from the both 2002 and 2016 constitutional referenda made it clear that the Constitution is not perfect, however, because so few Bahamians have actually read it, it is difficult for the average person to weigh on amendments that need to be made, a press release from the author said. “This leaves the population in a position of subordination to those who have had the

time and resources necessary to sit down and study the Constitution,” Ms Ellis said. “This is not how a democracy should function.” Hundreds of people have already purchased the book and the boys at Programme SURE are among the first students to have The People’s Constitution introduced in their classroom, the press release said. Programme SURE, which is operated by the Ministry of Education, is an alternative school for troubled children

who have been removed from the mainstream school system. Social studies teacher Ean Maura invited the writer to talk to his students about the importance of knowing the Constitution. “Informing the students of their rights goes a long way in providing alternatives to addressing their concerns and potentially arrest their emotional divorce from the community and the nation,” Mr Maura said. “The language used in

EAN MAURA, social studies teacher at Programme SURE, talks to his students about the People’s Constitution.

The People’s Constitution is much more digestible, which gives the words even more meaning and power and the Constitution, itself, more relevance.” The publication is avail-

able at Logos Bookstore, Book World and Stationers, Chapter One Bookstore and Buy The Book in New Providence. Distribution to Family Islands is scheduled to begin soon.

PAGE 10, Friday, March 24, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas. - The Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas has, for the past 15-16 years, held an art competition for children in three different age groups ranging from age five to 15. The idea behind it is that the children draw or paint one of the cars that are on display during the show. The concept was proposed by club member Jim LaRoda, who manages it every year. It has been growing in popularity and this year we had over 130 entrants (almost double last year). The entries are judged by a team in the week following the show and the winners and their parents invited to a presentation ceremony. That ceremony will be held tomorrow at Arawak Cay by the Story House in the Fish Fry Area starting at noon.

Cycling Club Bahamas Cycling Club Bahamas. - The club is aiming to support the Kindor National Parkinson Foundation during tomorrow’s ride. Cyclists are urged to meet at Harbour Bay at 5:15am and leave at 5:30am to congregate at Montagu Beach Park. The ride will start at Montagu Beach Park (6am) for a regular 43-mile ride and return to Montagu to finish. This is a very worthy cause and your participation is appreciated. The entry fee is $20 (which includes a T-shirt).

Kiwanis Club Key Leader event Kiwanis Club. - The Kiwanis Club is holding a Key Leader event, encouraging people to take a risk and become the leader they are meant to be. The event will be held from April 7-9 at Adventure Learning Camp on Marshall Road, and involve student leaders from grades nine to 12. The cost is $200. For more information, contact site co-ordinator Leza Basden on 425-1960 or email keyleaderbahamas@gmail. com.

Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM Kiwanis Club of Nassau

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers. To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

PICTURED from left to right: Troy E. Clarke – President of The National L.E.A.D. Institute, Ms. Angel Russell, President of the Rotaract Club of the University of The Bahamas & Craig Butler – President of the Rotary Club of West Nassau. AM. - The Kiwanis Club $7,765.00. The club meets twice of Nassau AM is holding a monthly on Mondays book drive until April 25. A statement from the at Lifestylez Bar and Bacardi Bar club said: “Many children Lounge/ do not have books and with- (East Bay Street). Fellowout them to read, literacy ship begins at 6pm and suffers, education and op- meetings begin at 6.30pm. Should you have any inportunities decline.” Donations of new or gen- terest in joining the club, rotaract.eastnastly used age-appropriate email children’s books for the sau@gmail.com or visit students of Sybil Strachan the facebook page at httPrimary School (ages five to ps://www.facebook.com/ RotaractEastNassau/. 12) are welcomed. The books will be made available to students Rotary Club of through the school’s library. West Nassau The official presentation will be made to the school on April 27. Drop-off locations are at Rotary Club of West all Lowe’s Pharmacy locations and Prescription Par- Nassau. - President of The National L.E.A.D. Instilor Pharmacy. For more information, tute, Mr. Troy E. Clarke was the guest speaker at call 468-9499 or 502-1882. The Rotary Club of West on Thursday, Rotaract Club of Nassau March 16th. Mr Clarke East Nassau gave the club an overview of The National L.E.A.D. Institute. Rotary International celRotaract Club of East ebrated World Rotaract Nassau. - The Rotaract week March 13th thru 19th. Club of East Nassau host- Rotaract began as a Rotary ed its third annual One of International youth proA Kind Fundraiser “Cap- gram and has grown into tured by Rotaract” on Sat- a major Rotary-sponsored urday, at Smuggler’s Pub. organisation. Rotaract foIt was a “jail and bail” cuses on the development fundraiser in which influ- of young adults as leaders ential business persons in their communities and such as Brent Symonette, workplaces. It is a service, Diane De Cardinas, Greg leadership, professional and Lampkin and Dionisio community service organiD’Aguilar were tasked zation for young men and with “making $1000 bail” women between the ages of by calling friends or solicit- 18-30. The Rotary Club of ing attendees to post their bail. All proceeds from West Nassau is a member this event went towards the of Rotary Internationcommunity service and in- al. The Rotary Club of ternational service initia- West Nassau meets each Thursday at 12:30pm at tives of the club. This year, Captured by the Poop Deck at SandyBRENT Symonette at the ‘Captured by Rotaract’ fundraiser event. Rotaract raised more than port.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 24, 2017, PAGE 11

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

FROM left, administrative co-ordinator Tammy Lecky (centre) accepts a donation on behalf of Junior Achievement Bahamas from Maya Nottage, marketing manager (left) and Daron Lightbourne, compliance business support officer (right) of CIBC FirstCaribbean.

CIBC GIVES ITS BACKING AGAIN TO JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT GROUP FOR over a decade, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has proudly supported Junior Achievement Bahamas (JA Bahamas) by lending financial support or providing staff volunteers to assist with the organisation’s educational initiatives. This year, CIBC FirstCaribbean awarded the third and fourth place finishers of the JA Bahamas “Most Distinguished Achiever” programme with $5,000 collectively, which will be distributed at the end of the year during the programme’s award ceremony. “At CIBC FirstCaribbean, we place great value on the education and development of our youth because

YOUR

they represent the future of The Bahamas,” said Duquesa Dean, customer experience manager. “Our bank has been committed to being an influential part of youth development in our communities for over many years. We recognise the positive impact that the outstanding programmes organised by JA Bahamas have on our young people,” she added. Program manager at JA Bahamas, Tammy Lecky, said the programme is only possible due to dedicated volunteers and sponsors like CIBC FirstCaribbean and its staff. “We are always elated when companies like CIBC FirstCaribbean lend us a

helping hand and we are so grateful; these donations go a long way because these programmes are expensive but we find a way to get as much help as possible because we know our students deserve the best.” For more than 30 years, Junior Achievement Bahamas has provided entrepreneurial and economic training to thousands of students annually across the country. In previous years, CIBC FirstCaribbean awarded partial scholarships to six of the ten finalists for the “Most Distinguished Achiever” award. The bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to the causes that matter most to its clients, employees and their communities.

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Miss Teen

PAGE 12, Friday, March 24, 2017

ANGEL CLEARE

YVONNE CEUS

AALIYAH JOHNSON

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas

AMANDA CLARKE

CAYSINQUE CLARKE

CI’ASHADAI CASH

ON Sunday, at the newly refurbished SuperClubs Breezes Resort, the Miss Teen Bahamas Pageant Organisation will present the 22 young women vying for the Miss Teen Bahamas 2017 crown. The contestants’ debut kicks off a 12-week programme, which includes make-up application classes, communication and

DEANTE MOULTRIE

DEKEIRA HEPBURN

D’SHELLE DUNCOMBE

E-NAJA HENDERSON

public speaking coaching, self-defence, financial management and investment, health and nutrition counselling and boot camp – culminating with the 2017 Miss Teen Bahamas Competition, on Sunday, May 28, under the theme “Made in the Bahamas”. “We are not a beauty pageant,” said Anthony Smith, president of the Miss Teen Bahamas Organisation. “Our overall aim is to develop a programme that assists young women with life skills in preparation for college and successful careers.” Last year, Ariannah Wells, a 17-year-old student attending Cyber Technology, and majoring in agricultural science, won the crown, as well as a $90,000 scholarship to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ms Wells matriculates this fall. The first runner-up will receive a $30,000 scholarship, the second runner-up will receive a $20,000 schol-

arship and all other contestants receive $18,000 partial scholarships to attend the university. The Miss Teen Bahamas’ partnership with Liberty University was launched in March 2016. Liberty University is the largest Christian college in the world. In keeping with the university’s admission requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 is one of the criteria for entry into the Miss Teen Bahamas Pageant. Tickets can be purchased at the Eye Candy Make-Up Store in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza and Paramount Fitness on East Street South. Tickets cost $25 and can also be purchased at the door. Additional information can be found on the Miss Teen Bahamas International Facebook page and www.missteenbahamas.org. Persons can also email mtbipageant@gmail.com for more details.

EVYLNN FERGUSON

JADEN MINS

JANAE WHITE

JANELLE SHAW

JEFFERNIQUE GIBSON

KAVIESHA McPHEE

KEANNA HINDS

KENVA HUYLER

LAKEIRA WRIGHT

LYNISHA DEAN

WAYNESHA SAUNDERS

WHITNEY ISSACS