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Former employees of resort will receive cheques from the Claims Committee

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER employees of Baha Mar will start receiving cheques from the Claims Committee established to administer payouts on September 27, according to a notice published yesterday.

The cheques are expected to cover unpaid salaries, accrued vacation pay, severance pay and payments in lieu of notice.

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By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  ONE person is in hospital and several others received medical attention after an “explosion� at Bahamas Power and Light’s Blue Hills Plant, officials said yesterday.

According to Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul SEE PAGE SIX

POST OFFICE FLOODING PROMPTS UNION THREAT

entrance from September 27-29. Differing dates and location were published in The Tribune yesterday, but Claims Committee Chairman James Smith clarified that they were incorrect as they reflected the committee’s earlier but subsequently altered decision.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Smith said that while the money to pay former employees and Baha Mar creditors has not been deposited as yet, it is “on its way�.

The money will come from the Export-Import bank of China (CEXIM). “Much of the ground work, identifying people SEE PAGE SIX

MINNIS EXPECTED TO ENDORSE BUTLER-TURNER AS LONG ISLAND CANDIDATE NEXT WEEK

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  ACTING on his repeated pledges to support MP Loretta Butler-Turner as the candidate for the Long Island constituency in the 2017 general election, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and party executives are expected to endorse her next week during a town meeting on that island.

Dr Minnis and party officials are LORETTA Butler-Turner scheduled to visit the island next Monday for the event at the Salt Pond Regatta site.

However, there are those within the party who have serious concerns about this. It has been speculated that this SEE PAGE SEVEN

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A WORKER shifting mail bags yesterday amid the flooding in the General Post Office.

PHOTO: Tim Clarke/ Tribune staff

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder threatened yesterday to “shut down every post office� in New Providence if the government does not immediately relocate employees from the “unsanitary�

General Post Office on East Hill Street.

Mr Pinder spoke with The Tribune moments after the main post office was closed due to flooding and other hazardous conditions.

The union president said his members have had enough of peaceful protests and appealing to the government for help, so now they will do whatever is necessary to get the government’s attention. “The government promised to get these SEE PAGE TWO

MURDER VICTIM IN ‘WRONG PLACE AT WRONG TIME’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  THE grief sparked by the murders of the two men who were involved in a triple shooting on Tuesday evening has been far reaching, with one of the victim’s employers telling The Tribune it is hard to understand why he was killed during the prime of his life.

Steve Wallace, owner of Block World where

35-year-old Mark Davis was employed, described his deceased worker’s death as a case of being in the “wrong place at the wrong time.�

Davis, Mr Wallace said, had just got married five weeks ago, and was the father of a four-week-old infant and seven-year-old son.

He said the victim, an employee of the block building business for the last six years, had just got off from work and was

waiting for a ride home.

He told this newspaper that as the family grieved, he closed the doors of Block World yesterday to allow staff to mourn the loss of a “really great guy.�

Davis was injured in a hail of gunfire during the incident on Tuesday, off Peardale Street, near Wulff Road. He was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle, but later died while he was receiving medical attention. Another man SEE PAGE FIVE

TEENS CHARGED OVER SPREE OF ARMED ROBBERIES

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FOUR teens, including a minor, were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with a recent spree of armed robberies that targeted a number of businesses and civilians.

The targets include the Island Luck gaming house, Sports Centre store and a German policeman who was on vacation.

In the first of two arraignments before Magistrate Constance Delancy, 19-yearold Chino Milord stood accused of 10

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counts of armed robbery and a charge each of stealing and receiving.

It is alleged that the Sutton Street resident was behind a gunpoint robbery on August 6 when Emmanuel Jerome was held up for a cell phone, $50 cash and a chain valued at $90.

It is then alleged that on August 14, he stole and/or dishonestly received a 2012 Kia Soul valued at $25,000, the property of Ricardo Davis.

It is further claimed that on August 13, while armed with a handgun, he robbed Hugh Johnson of $18,910.39 that belonged SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Thursday, September 15, 2016 2016

THE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE LEFT: The scene at the General Post Office yesterday after a burst pipe caused flooding.

BELOW: Customers were unable to access the building after staff were sent home.

Photos: Tim Clarke/ Tribune staff

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 15, 2016, PAGE 3

ABOVE: Bahamas Public Services Union President John Pinder voiced his frustration with conditions at the post office yesterday.

Photo: Tim Clarke Tribune staff

POST OFFICE FLOODING PROMPTS UNION THREAT FROM PAGE ONE

people out of this building months ago and we told the government they had six months to fix the problem,” Mr Pinder said. “Well that expires the end of October, so on November 1 if nothing is resolved we will shut every post office down. Apparently that is the only way to get things done.

“The air traffic controllers did something for an hour or two and the minister ran to talk to them, so let’s see what will happen when no one gets any mail in New Providence or the Family Islands,” he added.

“The post office is like the fifth largest revenue generator for the country but these people are not important enough to work in an office that isn’t falling apart? The garbage is piled up eight feet high, there are leaky pipes, a portion of the roof collapsed and no one seems to care. The emergency exit is blocked up with garbage, the rats are still running around, this is no environment for people to be working in.”

The post office was closed on Wednesday after a pipe burst flooding the entire first floor. Mr Pinder said a “significant amount of mail” was either damaged or destroyed.

“From Monday there was a slow

THE BURST pipe flooded the entire first floor. leak coming from the ceiling in the area of the registered mail and now the pipe has burst flooding the post office,” he said.

“As a result there is a lot of mail damage, the water is three inches high in some areas.

“The staff went home and a cleaning company is trying to deal with the mess, but when I left the water was still flowing so, I don’t know if cleaning will help if the water is still leaking.

“A big slab of the ceiling dropped this morning, its 18 inches long and

about four inches thick, imagine if that dropped on someone’s head? This whole place needs to be shut down.”

In May, Labour Minister Shane Gibson told Tribune Business that the government was in the process of acquiring the Independence Drive Shopping Centre as the new location for the General Post Office.

However, Mr Pinder said yesterday no work has begun on the site.

According to a statement released by the government on Wednesday, services at the General Post Office are expected to resume as normal today.

IMMIGRATION DEPT TO CONDUCT ABACO CHECKS THE Department of Immigration has announced that it will conduct checks beginning November 1 on employers in Abaco to ensure their workers have the proper documents to live and work in the Bahamas.

According to a press release from the department, the checks will be carried out in Hope Town, Great Guana Cay, Man-O-War Cay, the Marsh Harbour area and associated towns.

TROPICAL STORM JULIA MEANDERS NEAR SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA MIAMI (AP) — Slowmoving Tropical Storm Julia is expected to meander along the Atlantic coast where Georgia and South Carolina meet, dumping rain, but not posing major threats.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center reported Wednesday evening that the storm to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to the South Carolina coast.

Earlier forecasts estimated twice as much rain. Still, any rain could pose a risk of flooding in an area soaked

by Hermine less than two weeks ago.

Schools and government offices remained open as the storm, which formed late Tuesday afternoon along Florida’s Atlantic coast, skirted across Jacksonville and moved north, bringing rain and tropical winds to much of southern Georgia.

Julia is moving at about 6 mph (9 kph), and forecasters say it will meander near northern Georgia and southern South Carolina coastlines into Friday.

Immigration officers will require the employees to be present with their documentation, the release said.

The Department of Immigration also reminded the public that it is an offence to hire anyone without a work permit.

There is a fine of $10,000 or five years in prison for violating this law.

Both the employer and the employee are subject to these penalties and they will be strictly pros-

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THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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Bahamas is slowly putting itself out of business ON August 22, Moody’s credit rating agency downgraded the Bahamas’ credit worthiness to a notch above “junk status” with the warning that this country’s economic and fiscal fundamentals— especially its economic strength — had “materially decreased.”

However, there was a glimmer of hope for the Bahamas’ immediate prospects, said Moody’s. It expected this nation’s economic growth to “strengthen” between now and 2018, returning to levels close to its 1-1.5 per cent.”

However, two days later, obviously oblivious to the dire straights that our country is in, Obie Ferguson’s Trade Union Congress, joined with John Pinder’s National Congress of Trade Unions to announce that Bahamians can look forward to a repeat of the 1958 general strike, which virtually brought this country to its knees. “We will shut the country down,” they announced.

The union leaders were angered that Sandals had closed its hotel for major repairs making its 600 employees redundant.

We do not know what happened for the hotel to take such drastic action, but we understand that because of a union dispute, which is now before the courts for judicial review, some of the staff, obviously union sympathizers, were not giving the service that guests expected of a Sandals’ resort. We can only presume that the hotel closed for the much needed $4 million repairs with the intention of reemploying its most loyal staff when it reopened. This became apparent when shortly after closure, Sandals announced that it was looking to employ staff for its reopening and invited those made redundant to reapply on a day set aside for job interviews.

The union accused the hotel of “union busting”, while the hotel could possibly have labelled the unions’ actions as highhanded “bullying”. It would seem that the hotel had a case, especially as its dispute with Mr Ferguson’s union was still before the court for judicial review and settlement. However, it appeared that the union intended to force its recognition on Sandals as a bargaining agent for the hotel’s employees.

“We are prepared to do that (repeat the general 1958 strike). We are prepared to call all workers out and shut the country down until Parliament recognises that they work for us,” Mr John Pinder announced.

We have always been under the mistaken belief that unions existed to get their members employed, but, either oblivious to the Moody’s warning, or not understanding what it would mean if there were any disruptions to our present economy, the two union leaders seemed intent on wrecking the country. Not only would 600 Sandals staff be out of work, but many other Bahamians would be affected by such reckless behaviour. We hope today that Bahamians who have jobs are aware of the serious situation this country is in and appreciate that they are the ones who will suffer – not the union leaders — if there is a repeat of what happened in 1958 when the people in their thoughtless anger burned the post office that serviced over the hill and their ambulance.

Unions seem to have the idea that they have a right to inject themselves into a business — in which they have made no investment – and dictate the rules for union staff members, whether those staff members are up to the standard required by the owner or not.

Government wants to bring “emergency legislation” to Parliament to make it a criminal offence —“punishable by fine or

imprisonment or both” — for employers who fail to notify the Labour Minister or the union about their intention to make 10 or more of their employee redundant.

We agree with Mr Robert Meyers of the newly formed Organisation for Responsible Government, who warned government not to “legislate the private sector out of business.” Mr Meyers recommended that they focus on making the economy more competitive instead of “going after business.”

“It’s another nail in the coffin that we know as the private sector in the Bahamas,” commented businessman Rick Lowe. And, of course, with the private sector crippled and Baha Mar, which was to be this country’s salvation, destroyed by shortsighted wrong decision making, Moody’s will soon be around to put the Bahamas out of business.

We recall over 50 years ago when The Tribune, in addition to the newspaper, had a small print shop. One day an employee from this department approached Sir Etienne, Tribune owner, with the idea of making more money. He proposed that he and Sir Etienne should split the profits of the work that he, the employee, produced for a salary. Sir Etienne explained to him that to do that he would have to contribute to half of the cost of the work he was printing. That meant such things as a contribution of the cost of the paper, the various coloured inks, maintenance of the press, the electrical cost to run the press, and the chemicals to clean it. In addition, of course, the employee’s own salary had to be added. When everything was added, subtracted and divided, the employee had changed his mind. He held his job until the day he died, content with his salary, realising that he had had the best of the bargain, having only contributed his labour for which he was justly paid. He didn’t want to take anything out of his own pocket to contribute to the cost of his labour.

However, with the unions, it seems that they want to sit around the board room table, having contributed nothing but disruption, and tell the owners what to do.

We can see many businesses start to wind down should such nonsense be legislated.

As if that wasn’t bad enough on Saturday, September 10, Air traffic controllers shut the airport down for three hours causing disruptions and cancellations of flights for the rest of the day. The controllers had objected to going through the extra security measures ordered by the International Civil Aviation Authority that mandates controllers undergo extensive personal searches at security checkpoints.

Before the policy, controllers were only required to show their work identification card. If they failed to comply to these rules it would make the Lynden Pindling Airport a “vulnerable aerodrome” as it relates to security. Aviation and Transport Minister Glenys Hanna Martin also said government officials were told that it “would seriously and negatively impact the economy and reputation of the Bahamas” if not corrected. It could also close down the Bahamas.

But, never mind, Cuba is just next door ready and anxious to pick up the pieces.

It is now advertising the Hemingway Marina Wahoo shootout in Havana for October 26- 29.

And they are bending over backwards to get you there as easily as possible. All you have to do is register through e-mail and your visa will be awaiting your arrival.

Remember this tournament is what put our own Bimini on the map.

It’s time for Bahamians to wake up and become aware of the world around them.

Business flowing back to sovereign state EDITOR, The Tribune.

I MET with an accountant in Jersey, Channel Islands yesterday who had recently met with an eminent law firm in London to discuss Bermuda.

The law firm mentioned that business was beginning to flow back to the Bahamas as unlike Bermuda, Cayman and other British dependent states and tax havens the Bahamas is a sovereign state and therefore Independent of British influence. I wonder

if the Financial Services Ministry is getting this message.

To make the Bahamas even more attractive it does mean I would think making sure the country’s finances are in order and that Moody’s does not downgrade the debt further and preferably goes the other way at their next inspection.

PATRICK H THOMSON Nassau, September 10, 2016.

A proactive approach to Zika virus EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS MOST of your readers are aware, Zika virus infection can result in abnormal brain and skull development in the developing fetus of women infected early in pregnancy. The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) states that in up to 80% of instances, patients with Zika virus infection may be asymptomatic.

This means that a paltry 20% of persons with Zika virus infection may manifest some symptomatology.

The CDC further states that the potential for Zika to be transmitted sexually through body fluids can exceed three months post infection, but they are uncertain of the exact duration.

In other words a patient who has been confirmed to have Zika virus can continue the sexual transmission of Zika virus to others for an extended period of time after their “symptoms” have disappeared.

This is significant for several reasons: firstly this must mean that the number

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of potential carriers of Zika virus in this country must exceed the confirmed cases reported by the Ministry of Health. Secondly, it also means that if the Departments of Public Health/Environmental Health were to eradicate every mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, we would still have a huge problem on our hands because of the sexually transmissible route of this disease.

The government has committed to spend up to $2.5 million monthly (pre-election) to address the Zika virus problem.

There is no need to comment further on those remarks. It may be more cost effective and prudent to encourage Bahamians to consider taking a more proactive and pragmatic approach to addressing this problem, namely being more sexually responsible.

Studies indicate that the rates of transmission are greatest from men to women. The use of condoms (or other barrier methods) each time is known to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. Additionally, women who are not currently on any form of contraception should seriously consider speaking with their doctors and starting an appropriate method to prevent pregnancy.

For those who are desirous of having a child in the near future, it may be judicious to consider delaying that desire until there are some clear indications that the risk of Zika has diminished significantly.

The stresses associated with addressing a preventable deformed pregnancy are far greater than the inconvenience of contraception or delayed gratification.

I hope the suggestions are of some assistance to your readers.

DR I ARCHER Nassau, September 14, 2016.

That was the week that was EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE UK used to have a popular TV programme ‘That was the week that was’ - David Frost then young graduate from Cambridge who went onto big things in the News media. What was exceptional in this programme was, one, it was ‘live’ and it was very politically topical so all the political junkies loved it.

Very satirical and politically provoking.

Some are suggesting we are heading into the ‘silly season’ (pre-election). I definitively suggest we have long past that beginning.

Have you all noticed that the PLP seem to be wearing glasses which allow them the singular incredible asset of seeing the Bahamas in a totally different light to reality and everyone else?

They also seem to be wearing hearing aids as they are hearing the opposite to reality.

If there was an aid to assist their speaking we all would acknowledge most of what they say is void of the real world of The Bahamas to-day but it could correct telling of untruths.

On the other side of politics the FNM they seem to have an exceptional problem of ‘trumpitis’ - the constant putting of the whole leg in their mouths. So the FNM today have nine MP’s and seemingly the leader, who has done almost nothing in

his Constituency since 2012 and seemingly wants to throw out the six who do not support his leadership and substitute with have-not-runs.....remember what Christie did in trying to show an image of youthfulness right before 2012? (Rollins-Wells suddenly converted to PLP candidates – where are they today?).

So we hear Marvin Dames - Dioniso D’Aguilar names being thrown into the lions’ cage obviously the Leader hopes they will bring some to the lightweight line-up of prospective candidates confirmed. Then we hear Brent wants St.Anne’s back but sorry guy Chippy very happy thank you sitting MP but what if Brent wins out what then happens to loyal Peter and the #2 position which could be Deputy Prime Minister, remind all - there is no such position in the Constitution.

D’Aguilar as an MP will be a total disaster - I suggest he does not have the required patience OJ temperament. There are only two Constituencies he could be nominated for anyway one of which Brent wants or the Leader will step away from Killarney?

So that was the week that was this last week.......

W THOMPSON Nassau, September 11, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 15, 2016, PAGE 5

MURDER VICTIM WAS IN THE ‘WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME’ who was shot died at the scene. A boy, said to be eight-years-old, who was also shot during the incident remains in hospital.

The child was reportedly walking home from a nearby water pump when he was shot.

“He was a good Christian man and a very good father,” Mr Wallace told The Tribune.

“He was not only a good employee, but he was just a good person and you could always count on him. If you needed something, he would help you out. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“We shut down because everybody is in shock and everybody came in today because it is pay day. So everyone had to come in, but they are all in shock.

I just said, ‘guys you need to go be with your family and hug the ones you love because you never know what’s going to happen to-

morrow.’”

He continued: “His mother just came by.

“I am 64-years-old and I haven’t dealt with a crying grieving mother in my life.

You just don’t know what to say to someone except to sit there and cry with them.

That’s about all I could do.

“But it is tough for everyone.”

According to Mr Wallace, the victim had been standing in a group with other young men, when a man whose face was covered with a t-shirt approached the group and opened fire.

The victim and another man ran and sought shelter, Mr Wallace said. When the gunfire ceased, he said both men realised they had been shot.

Asked about this yesterday, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, officerin-charge of the Central Detective Unit, said police were unsure of the circumstances. He could not say

POLICE at the scene of the shootings on Tuesday night.

Two men died and a child was injured. who was the intended target of the shooting.

However, he said a man was assisting police with their investigation.

Chief Supt Fernander added that the child, who was also shot, is said to be recuperating in hospital and remains in stable condition.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police at 919, the Central Detective Unit at 5029991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

MANHUNT FOR TWO MEN AFTER TRIPLE SHOOTING

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have launched an island-wide manhunt for two men they want to question in connection with Tuesday’s triple shooting, which left a child in hospital and two men dead.

The shooting occurred shortly before 7pm off Peardale Street, near Wulff Road.

Police yesterday requested the public’s help in finding both men to assist with solving this case.

Officers want to speak with 18-year-old Julio Edwin Deveaux, a resident of Morley Street, who has a dark brown complexion, is of slim build and is 5’9”.

Police also want to speak with Quentino Renaldo Carey aka “Cyber”, 23. He is described as having dark

JULIO Edwin Deveaux

QUENTINO Renaldo Carey

brown complexion, slim build and is about 5’6”.

His last known address is Frazier Allotment, off Soldier Road and Union Village.

Police warned that it is a criminal offence to harbour suspects and those who provide a safe haven for them will be prosecuted.

Anyone with information

is urged to anonymously contact the police at 919, 328-8477 or 1-242-300-8476 in the Family Islands.

PAGE 6, Thursday, September 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

SEVERAL HURT IN BPL PLANT EXPLOSION FROM PAGE ONE Maynard, eight employees were treated in hospital yesterday afternoon after the explosion.

Mr Maynard told The Tribune that one man, a supervisor, is in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit, two other employees were said to be under “observation” and five other men were treated and released on Wednesday afternoon.

However, a statement released by BPL yesterday evening said only one employee remained in hospital after the incident.

Mr Maynard remained tight-lipped on what caused the explosion and the extent of the damage at the facility but said the fire will not affect power supply in New Providence.

“The men are being well cared for,” Mr Maynard said. “There was an explosion around 1pm. It was an accident; no one’s fault and we are giving the victims the best care.

“I cannot say much, but the accident happened while the men were in the process of installing the new rental generators. This will not affect the power generation. The site has been prepared and the generators should be up and running by the weekend. The men will be fine, we are seeing to it they get the best possible care.”

In a statement released yesterday, BPL said “a brief system disturbance” on Wednesday afternoon “resulted in a temporary loss of supply to a very small number of customers.”

“The disturbance, which occurred just before 1pm, happened as several BPL employees were carrying out planned work at the company’s Blue Hill Road Power Station,” BPL said. “While the exact cause of the disturbance is still being investigated, company officials acknowledge that one employee was injured and is being treated in hospital. As a precaution, other employees working in the area received medical attention and have been discharged.”

BPL said the incident was isolated and they do not expect any further affect on operations.

Last week, BPL’s Corporate Communications Manager Arnette Ingraham admitted that the site for the rental generators had not been prepared prior to the arrival of the units.

She said the company has been “temporarily patching” its troubled equipment but until its rental generators are installed there is “no way to tell” when frequent power outages will end.

However, Mrs Ingraham said the generators should be up and running by this weekend.

Baha Mar payouts start September 27 FROM PAGE ONE

and getting notices out and arranging logistics is complete,” he said yesterday. “The other part is establishing appropriate financial arrangements, accounts to receive funds, determining the manner in which it will be dispersed and implementing safeguards to protect it. That is already done as well.”

According to the notice in the Nassau Guardian, the Claims Committee will issue cheques to employees through an alphabetically ordered system so that those with last names beginning with the letters A through F will collect payments on September 27.

Those with last names beginning with the letters G through O will collect their cheques on September 28 and those with last names beginning with the letters P through Z will collect their cheques on September 29.

“We want it to be done in

an orderly fashion,” Mr Smith told The Tribune.

“The idea would be to use an alphabetical order to avoid too many people having to endure standing up and having too many people required in one setting to get into a room.

We want an orderly process where people would come in and out.”

The committee will inform former Baha Mar employees of the amounts owed to them by contacting them on the last email address Baha Mar has for them on record.

“In order to receive your payment through this process, you will be required to assign your claim,” the newspaper notice said.

“A standard template of this notice and frequently asked questions for former employees can be viewed at the website, claimsspv.net.”

Mr Smith acknowledged that the method of emailing is likely to be inadequate for reaching every former employ-

ee of Baha Mar. “Some of them might have had a computer but in the more than a year since being terminated they may have sold it,” Mr Smith noted. “Many who might have had an email address that is on Baha Mar’s records may have changed their email address.”

Nonetheless, the newspaper notice provided a solution to those not contacted via email by the committee.

“If you do not receive an email from the committee and previously received a notice of redundancy letter from Baha Mar in October 2015, you do not need to submit any further information at this time,” the notice said.

“Please come in person on the appropriate cheque collection date and you will be provided with your notice.

“At that time, you will be required to assign your claim and provide relevant identification as outlined above in order to collect your cheque.”

JAMES SMITH

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 15, 2016, PAGE 7

TEENAGERS CHARGED OVER SPREE OF ARMED ROBBERIES

FROM PAGE ONE

to the Sports Centre sporting goods store.

It is alleged that five days later, on August 18, he, with a 17-year-old and 22-yearold Leroy Rolle robbed three individuals at gunpoint of $7,200 cash, iPhone and Samsung cellphones worth $1,500 and a gold Michael Kors watch valued at $350.

It is also alleged that he, on August 28, held up Eltario Morley and Esther Moncur for $30 cash and two cell phones.

Three days later, on August 31, an Island Luck employee was robbed at gunpoint of $1,526 belonging to the web shop.

Milord is accused of committing this crime as well as the gunpoint robberies of Renaldo Rolle and David Adderley for $328 cash on the same day.

Milord was told that he would not be allowed to enter a plea to any of the charges other than for stealing and receiving the Kia Soul, for which he will stand trial on

October 5 in Magistrate’s Court.

Concerning the remaining indictable offences, however, he will return to the Magistrate’s Court on November 16 for the cases to be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court for trial.

He was told that he would have to apply for bail to the higher court, as the lower court did not have the jurisdiction to consider or grant a bond on those offences.

He was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.

In the second arraignment, Arion McKenzie, 19, and Jesse Rolle, 18, were accused of committing two armed robberies that occurred on August 17.

It is alleged that they, while armed with a handgun, robbed Adrian Major of his 2005 Nissan Skyline valued at $11,000. They are also accused of accosting Jasmine Taylor, at gunpoint, of a Samsung phone.

McKenzie, Rolle and a 17-year-old male were then charged with armed rob-

19-YEAR-OLD Chino Milord. bery concerning the August 31 carjacking of Delavano McIntosh of his 2000 Honda Civic. Mr McIntosh’s iPhone 6S was also taken during the incident.

It is then alleged that the three accused, on September 7, robbed German policeman Brian Hanschke of $60 cash and his iPhone 5. McKenzie was allegedly found with the iPhone when his home was searched.

The three are also alleged to have committed attempted murder and attempted armed robbery during an incident on the same day when Daniel Sweeting was stabbed when he resisted the robbery of his belongings.

It is finally alleged that the

trio attempted to rob Tyrone Greene two days later on September 9.

Their cases will be fast tracked to the Supreme Court on November 15.

The 17-year-old accused was remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys while his co-accused were remanded to prison.

Before they were taken from the courtroom, their lawyers, Clinton Deleveaux and Troy Kelman, made allegations of police brutality.

They also alleged that their clients were forced to sign statements they had not given to police.

Magistrate Delancy made a note of the complaints before adjourning the matter.

19-YEAR-OLD Arion McKenzie.

18-YEAR-OLD Jesse Rolle.

MINNIS EXPECTED TO ENDORSE BUTLER-TURNER AS LONG ISLAND CANDIDATE FROM PAGE ONE

town meeting will be used as an avenue to gauge the level of support for Mrs Butler-Turner as the party’s top pick to contest the seat.

It comes as the party prepares to ratify several new candidates today, which reportedly includes former Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames, among others.

One insider said: “We believe the expectation is just an attempt for Dr Minnis and his co-conspirators to try and cause trouble for Loretta and people believe that that is what that effort is about.

“There is no reason for him to have any damn meeting in Long Island.

“Just go and ratify her tomorrow (Thursday) along with everyone else.”

Another insider said: “He didn’t have any meeting to discuss anyone else he ratified.

“So why is it necessary for her, a sitting MP? Why is it necessary?

“Just ratify her and then go down and amplify her. That is backwards nonsense.”

The accusations were refuted

by FNM Chairman Sidney Collie. He said he was not interested in any other meetings.

“I know we are having a community meeting on Monday when the leadership of the party are going down to endorse Loretta as our candidate,” Mr Collie said. “Any other meeting I am not aware of and frankly I am not interested in.”

Just last week, former Cabinet minister Tennyson Wells told The Tribune that he instructed a group of supporters in Long Island to draft a petition for Mrs Butler-Turner’s removal if they truly wanted another candidate.

Mr Wells said this group approached him for counsel during the most recent regatta on the island where he advised them that

the most effective way to get the party’s attention was to gather as many signatures as possible to prove that she is no longer supported.

The petition, obtained by The Tribune, lambasted Mrs ButlerTurner for “humiliating” FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and warned that should the FNM dismiss the demands for a new candidate, its supporters were fully prepared to nominate and elect a “worthy” independent.

At the time Mr Collie not only sought to distance the party from the matter, but said it would not support the petition in any way. He said that to date the party had not received any petition regarding the Long Island candidacy.

Despite challenging Dr Minnis twice for the leadership post of the party, the Killarney MP has repeatedly said the party supports the former deputy leader as their candidate for Long Island.

After emerging as party leader in July following a tumultuous three-day convention, Dr Minnis signalled that he would not purge the party of the high profile members who have publicly criticised his leadership and helped expose the party’s infighting.

At the time he said: “Tonight we offer the olive branch once again to our sister Loretta Butler-Turner, who I’m certain will be our candidate in Long Island with my full support.

“We have undergone a lot over the last few years.

“Our internal politics have been made bare for all the world to see and it’s not been pretty, but through it all we have maintained our integrity and focused on the points that unite us.”

Last week he again made the same pledge in The Nassau Guardian, this time adding that the claim that she had lost support of her base in Long Island was “utter rubbish”.

FNM leader Hubert Minnis.

PAGE 8, Thursday, September 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Self-serving unionists holding the country to ransom A Young Man’s View

By ADRIAN GIBSON

I

N recent years, it appears that some unions are electing grubby little ingrates, position seekers and tunnel-vision headline hunters to front office positions. There appears to be little interest in the members, as these so-called leaders are not seeking solutions to labour issues but instead are contributing to the ongoing mêlée consuming so many unions.

Unfortunately, in some quarters, ascending to union leadership has become the go-to move for political aspirants seeking to fast-track their political career and raise their profile, with many past and current union leaders using a union and its members to fulfil their ambitions and propel them onto the political stage.

The days of Sir Randol Fawkes who, in my opinion, was a true national hero and man of the people, are long gone.

Those were the days when union leaders strived for better pay and working conditions for their members - without that penchant for political gamesmanship.

Today, there are many Bahamian workers who are faced with unfair treatment, work in substandard and, in some cases, less than humane conditions and are paid terribly low wages.

I am personally aware of instances where employers have been accused of sexual advances, non-observance of Employment Act and standards governing labour in the Bahamas and unfairly dismissing employees without just cause.

No doubt, there are unscrupulous employers who take advantage of their

employees to no end. I can see the need for a labour movement and trade unions that fulfil the role of protecting workers and developing harmonious relations with public and private sector employers.

However, the state of affairs in the Bahamas leaves much to be desired.

I was a union member for years when I taught in public school.

Every month, $52 was deducted from my pay before I saw it - and sent on to the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT). Honestly, I did not mind.

I felt that the then President, Belinda Wilson, was effective at protecting her workers, hands-on and informed, fighting for the best working conditions and, privately, she would inform her members when she could push the powers-that-be no more. I appreciated that.

That said, I am told that members of the many unions that are springing up are poorly represented by rabble rousers who collect a fat salary, infuriate employers with unreasonable demands regardless of the economic state and who could care less about an individual member if they themselves cannot gain mileage from that members cause. How sad!

There are persons who constantly tell me that their union leaders are inattentive.

H

as anyone ever wondered why persons so rabidly seek the top posts of the largest unions in the Bahamas?

Whilst not all of the contenders are lazy louses, a good number of them are seeking the large salary - of more than $100,000 per year plus perks - that

BAHAMAS Public Service Union president John Pinder examines damage at the General Post Office building yesterday. Mr Pinder has threatened to shut down every post office across the country.

I understand unions such as the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union pay its leaders.

Don’t get me wrong, this is no criticism of Nicole Martin, the current president and a unionist who I view as one of the more rational and sincere. That said, there are several others across different unions who the cap fits.

Last Saturday, air traffic operations at the Lynden Pindling International Airport were halted for nearly three hours after controllers refused to participate in heightened security protocols ordered by a United Nations agen-

cy.

Newly-elected Bahamas Air Traffic Control Union (BACTU) president Hinsey McKenzie told the press that his union’s members were protesting the new security policy that mandates controllers undergo extensive personal searches at security checkpoints.

He said that his members did not take part in strike action but began their shifts shortly before 10am after a meeting with Airport Traffic Control management.

The morning shift began at 7am.

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Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialised UN agency that sets global standards in the civil aviation industry, has put in place security policies that apply to airports across the globe.

The agency was recently in the Bahamas to conduct an audit and recommended that increased security measures were critical for the airport to pass its inspection.

The new policy was implemented on May 13, with the condition for a review after 120 days, according to the union president.

Notably, before the policy, controllers were only required to show their work identification card.

And so, an air traffic controller could easily have brought a bomb or gun onto the premises or held their fellow controllers hostage, thereby causing major catastrophes.

So, what am I missing here?

Why do they not want to adhere to international standards?

Why risk the Bahamas being blackballed by international carriers and civil aviation authorities?

Undoubtedly, air traffic controllers, pilots and other personnel are searched in other jurisdictions on a daily basis, so why would the controllers and their union leader take such an asinine position?

What the heck is this?

What about those persons who were attending funerals, meetings, christenings and other events?

Why callously inconvenience them?

And what about the visitors to the Bahamas?

According to a statement from Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin, the following was the result of the air traffic controllers’ actions: “Delta Airlines 4 flights scheduled today; on average all flights delayed 3 hours All flights are primarily full and 90 per cent of the passengers are expected to miss connections.

American Airlines Flight #4511 outbound to MIA delayed Flight #4520 a 8.08hrs

arrival to Nassau returned to MIA and was cancelled Flight #4521 is delayed approximately 2hrs Jet Blue Flight #2194/FLL cancelled with 90 passengers onboard Flight #422/JFK is delayed approximately one hour InterCaribbean Flight #271 delayed approximately two hours, 9 pax onboard Bahamasair Flight #201 delayed approximately four hours (7.30hrs departure – 56 pax onboard) She went on: “I am advised that the impact on domestic carriers is as follows: Southern Air – 1 flight delayed 2hrs Sky Bahamas - 6 flights delayed an average of 2-3hrs Pineapple Air - 2 flights delayed to Haiti 2hrs Western Air – 2 flights delayed 3hrs Le Air – 1 flight delayed 3hrs Flamingo Air - 1 fight delayed 3hrs” The minister also claimed that two flights were cancelled that morning and that there were a large number of missed connections.

This is simply unacceptable.

Fast forward to this week and we have John Pinder, president of the Bahamas Public Services Union, mouthing off and threatening to shut down every post office across the country. Yes, I understand that these persons are underpaid and that their working conditions are, many times, terrible.

But, do you need to brag about inconveniencing thousands of Bahamians?

Is that the only way one could threaten the government?

Frankly, I’ve long held the view that it shouldn’t be mandatory for persons to join unions, as several are simply known for deducting monies, whilst offering no true representation and/or mediocre, dismal service.

It is always perplexing how the leaders and top executives of unions are earning far more than

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 15, 2016, PAGE 9

“The labour unions are holding the country to ransom and if allowed to go unchecked, the unions particularly those of the utility companies (and now air traffic control) - will be too strong for the government.” some placard-carrying, exploitable members who, in many instances, earn relatively modest salaries!

A few years ago, there was out-and-out union infighting, rising - at one point - to actual blows being exchanged when attorney and former MP Keod Smith was allegedly smacked in the face while serving court orders.

The labour unions are holding the country to ransom and if allowed to go unchecked, the unions - particularly those of the utility companies (and now air traffic control) - will be too strong for the government. There must be policy set forth to damp down the power of reckless union leaders, otherwise we will have a situation where “the tail wags the dog”.

W

ho can forget how the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union’s (BCPOU) irresponsible, thuggish tactics held the public hostage with their obstruction of Bay Street, virtually paralysing our main tourist corridors and hindering our already less than adequate communication system.

In 2011, the BCPOU inconvenienced thousands

FRUSTRATION at the check-in desk at Lynden Pindling Airport during Bahamasair strike action in December 2014.

- both locals and tourists - as they (union) boorishly brought traffic to a standstill on Bay Street and at Port Lucaya (Grand Bahama).

By blocking these prominent roadways with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) vehicles - owned by the taxpayers - BTC employees/union selfishly obstructed both natives and visitors on their journeys, disrupted businesses, caused far-reaching financial losses and impeded those persons attempting to visit prominent tourist locales.

At that time, I wrote: “I am unsympathetic to the union members - some of

whom were allegedly in a drunken stupor - and their asinine actions that exceeded any acceptable level of civil disobedience, led to the closure of BTC’s offices and interrupted installations and much needed repairs.”

BTC’s workers flagrantly used BTC’s vehicles, which were bought and are maintained by taxpayers’ dollars, to orchestrate an illegal strike and violate countless traffic laws while telling tall tales about the vehicles having mechanical problems.

During their impetuous show of force, these workers showed no concern for storekeepers, delivery men/messengers, Surrey

drivers and public transportation drivers such as that taxi driver/church pastor (Pastor Rolle) who begged them to move their vehicles as he had a fare.

His cries fell on deaf ears.

According to their temerarious leader, Robert Farquharson (now Director of Labour), the union had not been invited to sit on BTC’s privatisation/negotiation committee and was unsatisfied with its status on another, the Privatisation Advisory Committee.

Moreover, Mr Farquharson - while being theatrical and seemingly seeking glorification - even challenged police officers to arrest him, but instead

of doing so, they all stood around, wide-eyed and apparently confounded.

The air traffic controllers union’s actions amplifies the need for hiring and training temporary workers (temps) to replace workers when they decide to participate in illegal strikes.

In 1981, former US president the late Ronald Reagan fired 11,500 striking air traffic controllers and began hiring and training replacements after they conducted an illegal strike.

Of course, this led to the largest labour protest in US history as some 400,000 persons marched on Washington, DC. How-

ever, the point was still made.

In the Bahamas, the hiring of “temps” and firing of workers based on poor performance evaluations or disobedience of labour laws would unquestionably send a clear message to unions and discourage wildcat strikes.

I do not believe in union busting.

However, I also don’t believe in the employment of nasty, disrespectful tactics that harm far more than the good they supposedly seek.

Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail. com

PAGE 10, Thursday, September 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

DNA stages protest outside Bahamas Power and Light

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Democratic National Alliance protested outside Bahamas Power and Light’s Blue Hill Road headquarters yesterday, taking issue with a proposed rate hike and shoddy service by the company in recent months.

DNA Leader Branville McCartney and Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer, flanked by a handful of the party’s supporters, assembled in front of BPL’s Peter I Bethel office on Monday, to urge Bahamians to “realise that more is possible.”

In an interview with members of the press during the protest, Mr McCartney condemned both the Free National Movement and the governing Progressive Liberal Party for what he termed a system of failure perpetuated by greed and stagnation.

The former Bamboo Town MP said his party has spent much of the last five years developing a system, that once elected, they could enact from day one to ease the energy burden placed on the backs of Bahamians by inept governments.

Mr McCartney called it “ridiculous” that Bahamians were suffering with high priced power and regular outages, in an age in which “more is available.”

“It is a discomfort and it causes business to continue to lose business, and in an environment that isn’t conducive to businesses as it is. So we are out here, we are trying to get our voices heard,” the former junior Cabinet minister said.

“It must stop man! And we must be in a position as Bahamians to stand up and stand out. If we don’t,

SCENES from the DNA protest yesterday. The party’s leader, Branville McCartney, (pictured top right) said Bahamians must be in a position to stand up and stand out. (Photos from the DNA’s Facebook page) we will continue to get the kind of treatment that we are getting. That is why we are here.”

He continued: “We are telling the Bahamian people as well, that look, this is something we are going to fix when we get in. We believe in energy reform, we believe that at the end of the day we should not be this antiquated in the way we get energy in this country. We have solar, we have hydro, we have waste; and I just, for the life of me (I don’t see why) we are where we are in 2016.”

Mr Mortimer added that all modern plans to improve and advance the Bahamas hinge on modern, cost-efficient energy solutions.

Mr Mortimer indicated that technological advances in LNG and solar power could allow the Bahamas to achieve energy efficiency at a very low cost.

“There is no way, right across the shores in the United States of America, power is at 15 cents, 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. (BPL is) at 38 cents per kilowatt-hour and they want an increase. We can never be

a successful Bahamas paying that rate. We want the rate that they are paying in the United States or, we are prepared to pay a little bit more,” he said.

He added: “What BPL is about, it is about protecting a legacy industry that quite honestly, its days are done.”

Bahamas Power and Light has been heavily criticised for its poor service quality in recent months.

For many residents in New Providence, daily power cuts have become the norm.

In July, BPL CEO Pamela Hill acknowledged that power cuts this year have been more frequent than last year, but said BPL should have had rental generators by the end of the summer to help with reliability.

For the past two weeks, customers across New Providence have experienced three to four hour power cuts in some instances as BPL continued to struggle with generation issues.

Last week Monday, nearly one month after the first set of rental generators secured for BPL arrived

in the country, a union official said the site for the engines had not been prepared and the generators will “probably not be installed for another couple weeks.”

Two days later, BPL’s Corporate Communications Manager Arnette Ingraham said the company is “hoping” to have the generators installed by the end of this week.

LOCAL RETAILER EXCHANGING SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 7S AFTER GLOBAL RECALL

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AT LEAST one local cell phone supplier has started exchanging Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones following a global recall over the

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device’s reported propensity to burst into flames due to a battery defect.

Gina Knowles, general manager of Island Cellular & Electronics, told The Tribune that her store has, for about a week, conducted exchanges on device as part of a global attempt by Samsung officials to prevent further cases of the phone catching fire.

Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) officials, meanwhile, told The Tribune that the company has not yet released the Note

7 for sale in any of the company’s retail stores, and, as such, is not conducting any exchanges.

BTC officials did say the company was expecting a shipment of Galaxy Note 7s, but the sale of the devices in that shipment will not happen because of the global recall.

This comes after Samsung Electronics recalled 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s just two weeks after their launch because of dozens of reported cases in which batteries exploded or caught fire.

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Samsung says the problem stems from a manufacturing glitch in the batteries.

Some 35 cases of the Galaxy Note 7 catching fire were confirmed as of September 1, most of them reportedly occurring while the battery was being charged. Samsung has not said how many more battery fires have occurred since then; however, in announcing the phone’s recall, the Canadian government said one case was confirmed in that country while Samsung reportedly received more than 70 reported cases in the US alone. As a result of the controversy, the South Korean company has urged consumers worldwide to stop using the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone immediately and get them replaced with the new Note 7.

Additionally, aviation regulators and airlines have deemed the Note 7 a flight hazard, with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previously warning

airline passengers not to turn on or charge the Galaxy Note 7 during flights and not to put the smartphone in their checked bags.

Several airlines have also reportedly banned the phone and/or asked passengers not to put the phone in their checked bags.

Yesterday, Ms Knowles acknowledged that she has exchanged five or six phones due to the global recall.

“The ones that we know that were recalled, we have already retrieved,” she said, adding that her store contacted persons who had bought the phone in order to conduct the exchanges.

BTC spokesperson Indira Collie told The Tribune that the company has not supplied its retail stores with the Note 7, and consequently could not conduct any exchanges.

She added that any sale of the Galaxy Note 7 in any of BTC’s retail stores would only occur should the global

recall be lifted on that particular device.

“It all depends on what the manufacturer does,” she added. “Of course in its present state we definitely would not sell it. But we did not have those devices in stores.

We did have a shipment on the way with them, but we won’t be selling those with a recall out.”

On Tuesday, Samsung stated that it plans to issue a software update for its recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that will prevent them from overheating by limiting battery recharges to 60 per cent.

The update for users in South Korea will reportedly start September 20; however it is unclear when the company plans to make the update available in other countries.

Additionally, Samsung plans to begin issuing new Note 7s with batteries it says will not be prone to overheating starting September 19 in South Korea.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 15, 2016, PAGE 11

UDP will unveil new candidates this month

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net UNITED Democratic Party Leader Gregory Moss said the party would begin to strategically unveil between five and 10 of its candidates at a time starting this month, and another batch at the end of year.

The UDP has found some candidates in Grand Bahama, confirmed the MP for Marco City who formed the fledging party following his resignation from the governing Progressive Liberal Party party last June.

“We will start rolling out our candidates this month as planned,” Mr Moss told The Tribune.

“There are candidates for Grand Bahama, yes, but I am not naming them now; we are only going to be bringing between five and 10 candidates out first.”

The Freeport lawyer said the party intends to unveil another set of candidates in November to December, and the last remaining candidates in January.

“We expect persons are going to try to personalise the elections so we don’t want to expose our candidates to all of that beforehand,” he explained.

When asked whether he would consider teaming up with Ft Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins, who has indicated that he may run as an independent candidate in the upcoming election, Mr Moss said that he has “great respect” for his former PLP colleague who also quit the party last year.

“I have great respect for him; on the other hand he certainly is carving out his own path, and I respect him enough to leave him to do that.

“In my view, he would be an asset to any party that could have him, and certainly we would welcome him, but there is no discussion going on to that effect and there is no expectation really that that will happen.”

Mr Moss described Dr Rollins as one of the most talented politicians in the House of Assembly.

“He has one of the steep-

“We will start rolling out our candidates this month as planned.

There are candidates for Grand Bahama, yes, but I am not naming them now; we are only going to be bringing between five and 10 candidates out first.”

UDP Leader Gregory Moss est learning curves that I have ever seen, even in areas where he does not have a history of prior expertise, he comes up to speed and surpasses most people around him very quickly.”

The UDP leader said that the future of the country is at stake and both the PLP and Free National Movement offer the same business as usual approach with the same old, tired politicians.

“It is the kind of reshuffling of the same stale, old deck that they have been shuffling for the last 20 years at least, and it doesn’t speak well for what we can expect from the politicians for this country.

“And so we are coming forward with a very open and honest message and it has been foreshadowed already in the House, and as the candidates are rolled out Bahamians will see it is not just a message of economic triage,” Mr Moss said.

Mr Moss also outlined his party’s plans for the country.

“We intend to go much further in moving this country forward from where it got stalled in the ’70s to rebuilding the middle class, to re-empowering financially with subsidies for the middle class; making education once again free and including tertiary level, provided

persons meet the grade; and to maintaining health care as free, and not just this debacle of NHI, of paying twice for the same public health system.

“And so all of that messaging is coming out, but the timing is important and we are very deliberate as to our timing with unveiling candidates,” he said.

Turning to Grand Bahama, Mr Moss said the UDP would repeal the $2 billion tax break given to the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and Hutchison Whampoa.

“Parliament recently passed a law giving tax breaks to the GBPA and Hutchison Whampoa that

equals $100 million a year for the next 20 years.”

He said it made no sense and will not benefit Grand Bahama.

“What has happened in Grand Bahama is that we have relegated once again to a pattern we have seen over the last 20 years. We have done nothing to improve it, and unless we change it’s going to just continue down this slide.

“Our party intends to repeal that tax break and use the money, a substantial portion of the $100 million per year to reinvigorate the economy of Grand Bahama, and particularly the middle class business sector,” he said.

ACCUSED GETS COURT APPOINTED LAWYER THREE IN COURT OVER DEPUTY PM ROBBERY

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN scheduled to stand trial in 2018 on murder and attempted murder charges received a court appointed lawyer to represent him against the allegations.

Richard Brown, 23, had asked Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs at a previous fixture hearing for the court’s assistance in finding legal representation for his case concerning the May 18 killing of Devano Decosta and attempted killing of Shavano Rahming.

In yesterday’s status hearing, attorney Sonia Timothy appeared before Senior Justice Isaacs to confirm her appointment as Brown’s lawyer.

She also requested a medical report from the prison with respect to her client as well as photo albums the prosecution intends to use at trial on May 7, 2018.

Brown returns to Supreme Court on October 25 for an update on these requests and other matters related to his trial. After 10pm on May 18, Decosta and Rahming were standing in front of a home on Burial Ground Corner when two men with a handgun and shotgun approached and fired several shots at them before fleeing on foot. Decosta was pronounced dead on the scene and Rahming was taken to hospital for treatment. Brown denies committing the crimes.

Darell Taylor appeared for the Crown.

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THREE men awaiting trial in connection with the robbery of Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ home appeared in Supreme Court for a status hearing on their case.

However, Jeffrey King, Tyrone Knowles, both 25, and 21-year-old Marc McCartney will have to return to court on September 26 for the hearing as to when the prosecutor conducting the case will be available for the hearing.

Rosalee Ferguson, who appears with lead prosecutor David Sweeting, asked Justice Vera Watkins for an adjournment of the case.

Geoffrey Farquharson, lawyer for the three accused men, confirmed to the judge that Mr Sweeting had informed him ahead of time that he would not be able to make the hearing as

NATIONAL Training Agency Executive Director Agatha Marcelle, presented a Star Award and the Executive Director Award to Boating and Safety Maintenance Programme graduate Travina Thompson for her outstanding performance during the agency’s recent graduation ceremony for cohort six.

TRAVINA SHINES FOR STAR AWARD AT NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY GRADUATION TRAVINA Thompson was living a partying lifestyle and not focusing on the goals she had set out for herself.

At 16, she had barely graduated from C V Bethel High School.

“Right after I graduated high school I got a job with the hopes of maybe one day going to college, but I got very distracted living life,” Ms Thompson said.

“After being sick and tired of just being sick and tired of the partying lifestyle, I decided to make a difference.”

She heard about the government’s National Training Agency (NTA) through a friend who graduated from the agency’s fifth cohort.

The boating and safety maintenance graduate was among the 242 recent NTA cohort six trainees that were graduated on August 25.

The road for Ms Thompson has not been without challenges.

She knows what it is to break both of her wrists.

She knows what it is to work during high school to support her family and to have to deal with a death of a parent at the young age of 19.

Nevertheless, she was able to refocus and do something with her life.

She originally registered for the NTA’s Allied Health Programme before switching over to the Boating and Safety Maintenance Programme.

“That was actually my second choice, because growing up I loved the water,” she said. “The agency taught me that once you believe you can achieve. It enlightened me on what an employer wants from employees.”

The 26-year old who loves music, admitted that the NTA transformed her by giving her a second chance.

“The NTA staff and my boating and safety maintenance instructor did not give up on me. They all encouraged me and believed in me and gave me another chance. I would recommend the NTA to anyone

who needs a second chance in life. I wouldn’t have made it without the NTA,” she said.

During her graduation ceremony from the NTA, Ms Thompson received a Star Award for her outstanding performance in her programme, as well as the Executive Director Award, which is the highest award any trainee can achieve.

As a result of winning both awards, she was awarded a full scholarship to Synergy Bahamas to further her training in the course of her choice and a partial scholarship from her programme training provider, Gadites Maritime Technical Institute for a first aid and boat captain’s license course.

Now in its third year, the NTA offers free of charge, well-developed 14-week programmes that are designed to enhance workplace readiness skills for 16 to 26-year-old Bahamians who want to increase their employability and gain real world job training skills.

indicated by the prosecutor.

The request was granted and the matter adjourned.

The three accused deny involvement in the 2013 robbery at Mr Davis’ home.

They are accused of robbing Mr Davis of jewellery worth $93,000, a jewellery box worth $200, Baraka gold jewellery worth $700, an opal top wallet worth $450, a Royal Bank of Canada credit card and a driver’s license worth $15.

The three are also accused of robbing Mr Davis’ wife, Ann Marie Davis, of $2,953, and Wilberforce Seymour of $10. Mr Davis was acting prime minister at the time of the incident as Prime Minister Perry Christie was out of the country.

King and McCartney are on bail while Knowles is on remand at the Department of Correctional Services.

PAGE 12, Thursday, September 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

QC: Probe into parliamentary privilege ruling is an ‘affront to the separation of powers’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net A QUEEN’S Counsel yesterday called the probe by the House of Assembly’s Committee on Privilege into Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles’ ruling on parliamentary privilege an “affront to the separation of powers”.

The QC, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, furthered that it was “ill-advised” for House Speaker Dr Kendal Major to resuscitate a long disused committee to adjudicate on a pending legal matter.

“It’s a long-standing parliamentary rule that nothing said or done in Parliament should refer to any pending legal matter,” the QC said.

“There’s a pending legal matter, so it would be ill-advised for the speaker to countenance that the

privilege committee, which never meets historically, it’s the recycle bin of Parliament, to suddenly get life to deal with a matter directly connected with and directly touching on a pending legal matter. That is an affront to the separation of powers.”

In May, Justice Charles granted a permanent injunction barring parliamentarians from accessing or making public the personal information of the non-profit organisation Save The Bays.

In response, Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald moved a resolution in Parliament for the House Committee on Privilege to determine whether Justice Charles, STB Director Fred Smith, QC, and lawyer Ferron Bethell should be held in contempt of the House of Assembly.

The resolution was seconded

by Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, and provides for funding to obtain independent legal advice if needed.

On Friday, Mr Fitzgerald filed an appeal to have Justice Charles’ ruling overturned. Justice Charles ruled that he infringed on constitutional rights when he tabled the private emails of Save The Bays in Parliament, and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege. Justice Charles also ordered Mr Fitzgerald to pay $150,000 in damages for the breach – a decision the Marathon MP contends was made in error because he was “at all times acting in the public interest.”

Yesterday, Bahamas Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson was reluctant to comment on the matter, maintaining that he remained optimistic that both jurisdictions would respect each other.

“What I would say is that I am confident that insofar as the matter is subjudice, is that faith like hope springs eternally. The honourable prime minister and the attorney general being excellent lawyers, they will in their infinite wisdom, they would allow this matter that is now before the court to be determined,” Mr Johnson said.

“Far be it for me to involve myself in the internal working, that’s their job and I hold them in high esteem.

I know at the end of the day Parliament will respect, and the courts will respect, that concept called the separation of powers and that they will ensure that the integrity of the three arms of government is upheld.”

The parliamentary committee members are Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes, Sea Breeze MP Hope Strachan, North Abaco MP

THE QC said it was “ill-advised” for House Speaker Dr Kendal Major (above) to resuscitate a long disused committee to adjudicate on a pending legal matter.

Renardo Curry - who all represent the governing party - and opposition members Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-­Turner.

The committee held a preliminary meeting last week Wednesday, but have not yet finalised a list of persons they wish to summon, according to Mr Grant.

Yesterday, the Central Grand Bahama MP rejected the assertion that the committee was nonperforming, but declined further comment as it was a “very delicate” matter.

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS FOR COMMITTEE’S PROBE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

SAVE The Bays (STB) has appealed for international observers to oversee the House of Assembly’s Committee on Privilege’s probe into the landmark ruling by Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles over the leak of its private emails in Parliament.

STB Chairman Joseph Darville suggested that the probe could be seen as “politically motivated revenge” given that the matter under investigation stemmed from legal action the organisation filed against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, a self-declared major financial contributor to the governing party.

The parliamentary committee is tasked to determine whether Justice Charles, STB Director Fred Smith, QC, and lawyer Ferron Bethell should be held in contempt of the House of Assembly,

and follows the injunction granted by Justice Charles to Save The Bays barring parliamentarians from accessing or making public the personal information of the non-profit organisation.

Mr Darville said the environmental group fears that the upcoming public hearings will be used to broadcast

more of its private information.

“We can only imagine that they intend to use this venue to try and justify the further release of our private information in violation of the Constitution of The Bahamas and in the face of the House Speaker’s own admission that the disclosures should not

happen again,” said Mr Darville.

“We are also gravely concerned about the nature of these proceedings as a whole.

“Senior members of the government have openly expressed an interest in holding us in ‘contempt of parliament’ and imprisoning us.

“With a committee chaired and dominated by members of the very same government we are somehow supposedly trying to destabilise, our accusers are effectively also our judges, jury and executioners.

“This is a clear violation of our constitutional right to due process and flies in the face of every international norm when it comes to impartiality and the fair administration of justice.”

The parliamentary committee members are Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes, Sea Breeze MP Hope Strachan, North Abaco MP Renardo Curry - who are members of the governing party - and opposition MPs Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant and Long Island MP Loretta Butler ­Turner.

Yesterday, Mr Darville said the group was surprised that the probe will continue considering that an appeal has been filed.

“I am in no way questioning the integrity of any mem-

ber of the committee,” he said. “But as we know, justice must not only be done, but also be seen to be done.

“This is a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy.”

The groups invited include the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR); the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); Amnesty International; Human Rights Watch; the Centre for Justice and International Law (CEJIL); and the Robert F Kennedy Centre for Justice and Human Rights.

In a press statement yesterday, STB said: “It is a shame that the opinion of the Supreme Court is no longer good enough in the Bahamas, but if we have to appeal to the international community to protect ourselves from totally unfounded allegations and persistent attempts to paint us and our organisation in a false light, we will not hesitate to do so.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 15, 2016, PAGE 13

Twins make the grade with full scholarships TWIN brothers T’Ron and D’Ron Strapp started their high school education at Aquinas College last week on full academic scholarships after impressing the Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC) to such an extent the company established a new scheme to help students realise their goals and dreams.

The 11-year-olds, recent graduates of Garvin Tynes Primary School, are the first recipients of the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship.

CBC said the academic scholarship will rotate annually between New Providence and Grand Bahama to one child graduating from a public primary school seeking attendance at a private high school.

The Strapp brothers’ aim to attend high school, shared by their parents Herman and Shama, has come as a result of years of hard work and achievements. From Computer Science to English, Math and Music, the twins impressed academically and socially with healthy competition between them. T’Ron and D’Ron Strapp finished their primary school careers as the 2015-2016 Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy respectively, graduating with grade point averages of 3.88 and 3.71.

The Strapps applied for the

CARLETON WILLIAMS CBE: Twin brothers T’Ron and D’Ron Strapp are the first recipients of the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship.

Bright Minds Scholarship from Wendy’s & Coca-Cola, a scheme open to sixth grade students graduating from local government primary schools. After interviewing them, CBC said their representatives were immediately impressed, and instantly wanted to assist them in achieving their immediate objectives and long term goals. This was the start of a grand idea that is now the Carle-

ton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship.

The scholarship was established to celebrate Carleton Williams’ contribution to CBC - local producers of Coca-Cola products - and to continue his legacy of investing in the local community.

“It is with great pleasure that CBC introduces the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship,” said Cara Douglas, Marketing Manager CBC. “We are pleased to honour a gentleman who has done so much for both our company and this great country. Our first recipients, T’Ron and D’Ron, are both outstanding young men with infinite potential. We look forward to watching them grow from this opportunity to become community-minded men, who can pay this experience forward one day.”

The Strapp brothers are excited to begin this new chapter in their academic careers. In response to learning they were awarded the first ever scholarship, the brothers wrote that “this opportunity will permit us to continue working even harder to achieve our future goals in an environment conducive to learning, while we continue to be role models.”

Carleton Williams CBE, was born in 1929, the second of eight

T’RON AND D’RON STRAPP, first recipients of the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship, with Karla Wells-Lisgaris, CBC’s Brand Manager. children, to humble beginnings.

After receiving his secondary education at Government High School he began employment with the government at the Treasury Department, where he learnt the fundamentals of accounting and finance.

Mr Williams transitioned easily into the private sector, taking a position at Navios Corporation, a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation.

He later tested his business acumen, becoming an entrepreneur in 1964 as a contractor for a housing development. From there he expanded his business to include retailing building supplies, and later expanded into fast-food when he introduced McDonald’s to the Bahamas.

The manufacturing sector was Mr Williams’ next undertaking

with the purchase of CBC. With his reputation as a strong businessman, he was invited to serve on several prestigious boards, including the New Providence Development Company Ltd, the Central Bank of The Bahamas and Automotive Industrial Distributors Ltd. He also served as a Member of the Board for local charities such as the Salvation Army and The Crippled Children’s Committee. Committed to education, Mr Williams earned his MBA from the University of Miami when he was 50.

This year, aged 87, Mr Williams resigned as the Chairman of the Board for CBC and in honour of his outstanding contributions to both industry and the Bahamas, the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship was created.

KELLY’S BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY KELLY’S House & Home has added to the excitement of the beginning of the new school year by offering customers the chance to win prizes in its back to school giveaway.

Customers spending $50 or more on school supplies were eligible to enter and prizes included two Huffy Bikes and two fully-loaded school baskets.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Rochelle Hudson, store manager, with Robyn Bethell; Fredricka Rolle, head cashier, with Dylan Smith; Rashad Moss, Toy Department staff, with Deshawn Lightbourne; Ethelyn Wong, store manager, with Lauryn Brice.

The winners of the bikes were Dylan Smith, a grade four pupil at Orange Creek Primary School, Cat Island, and Deshawn Lightbourne, in K4 at Nassau Christian Academy.

The baskets were won by Lauryn Brice, in K5 at Excelsior Elementary School, Nassau, and Robyn Bethell, in grade six at Xavier’s Lower School.

PAGE 14, Thursday, September 15, 2016

BRINGING fish caught recreationally in the Bahamas back to Florida by water became a little easier this week.

The Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) reported that a new exception went into place on September 13 in state waters, allowing anglers to possess and land filleted dolphin, wahoo and reef fish that were caught in Bahamian waters.

Similar allowances for dolphin and wahoo, as well as modifications to existing recreational regulations for reef fish managed as snapper-grouper being brought back from the Bahamas by water, went into effect in Atlantic federal waters in January, 2016.

These regulations apply to fish being transported by water only and do not apply to fish being transported or shipped by air.

The changes will allow more fishing freedom for Florida’s residents and visitors while creating consistency between state and federal regulations.

Some things to keep in mind when bringing recreationally caught dolphin, wahoo and reef fish managed as snapper-grouper back from the Bahamas by water are: Skin must remain on the fillet (to aid in identification by law enforcement).

Anglers must comply with Atlantic federal bag and vessel limits.

Two fillets count as one fish toward the bag limit.

Vessels must have valid Bahamian cruising and sport-fishing permits.

Passengers must possess a valid government passport with current Bahamian stamps and travel dates.

Travel through state waters must be continuous and gear must remain stowed.

Fishing gear that is appropriately stowed means terminal tackle, such as hooks, leaders, sinkers, etc., must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod and reel.

Fish landed under these exceptions cannot be sold.

Bahamian regulations

THE TRIBUNE

JAMES MCGUIRE with a sweet ‘Hog’ and Snapper near Abaco.

A 7LB LOBSTER by Charter Spanish Wells

may be different than those in US state and federal waters. Before you return with your catch, make sure you comply with the more restrictive US and Bahamian recreational bag and possession limits.

For example, species that are prohibited from harvest in the US, such as queen conch, goliath and Nassau grouper, cannot be transported back into US waters by boat.

Spiny lobster must be in whole condition and can only be transported into US waters during the rec-

HILTON DONATES $1,200 TO LINDA’S ANGELS FOUNDATION

THE HILTON at Resorts World Bimini has donated $1,200 to Linda’s Angels Foundation, an organisation mandated to raise awareness of Lupus. The donation will help to defray the cost of the second annual Walk for a Cure event in Bimini on Saturday, September 24th. Pictured are Fabrice Stuart, of Linda’s Angels Foundation (left), and Ray Valentino, General Manager of Resorts World Bimini.

reational season (August 6 to March 31).

To learn more about bringing a Bahamian catch back to Florida, visit the MyFWC website and click on “Saltwater Fishing”, “Recreational Regulations” and “Bahamas”.

Keep checking the BSFN expert page for fishing reports throughout the Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods being used.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be

LEON and Charles strike lucky near the Berry Islands.

had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242.com or

www.bsfn.biz.

BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.

UPDATE FROM CLINTON’S DOCTOR: DEMOCRAT IS ‘FIT TO SERVE’ WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — Hoping to put the issue of her health behind her as she gets ready to return to the campaign trail, Hillary Clinton on Wednesday released an updated review of her physical fitness and details about a recent bout of pneumonia.

“She is recovering well with antibiotics and rest,” said her doctor, Lisa Bardack, in a letter released by her campaign. “She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as President of the United States.”

The details made public by the Democratic presidential nominee included a description of the pneumonia diagnosis she received last week. Her illness became public after she left Sunday’s 9/11 memorial service in New York early and was seen on video staggering while getting into a van.

The health episode fueled long-simmering conservative conspiracy theories about Clinton’s health and provided a fresh line of attack for rival Donald Trump, who has frequently questioned whether Clinton has the stamina to serve as commander in chief.

The Republican nominee, meanwhile, handed over a one-page summary of a recent physical exam to the celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz while taping an episode of Oz’s talk show. But voters will have to wait another day for details: the show does not air until Thursday.

The letter from Bardack, the chair of internal medicine at CareMount Medical in Mount Kisco, New York, said a chest scan revealed the candidate had “mild, non-contagious bacterial pneumonia.” She was treated with a 10-day course of Levaquin, an antibiotic used to treat infections.

The letter says the illness stemmed from a bout of seasonal allergies that developed into an upper respiratory tract infection and cough.

Clinton’s pneumonia symptoms began around the start of this month, and she saw Bardack on Sept. 2 for a low-grade fever, congestion and fatigue.

The letter also notes that in January, during the runup to the Iowa caucuses, Clinton received treatment for a sinus and ear infection that included placing a drainage tube in her left ear.

A CT scan of her brain and sinuses showed no abnormalities and mild chronic sinus inflammation.

Clinton, 68, has blood pressure of 100 over 70 — within healthy levels and not signaling the need for any

DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waves after leaving an apartment building in New York on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) medications. She has also released Wednesday from had a normal mammogram his doctor, Brian Monahan, and breast ultrasound, ac- the attending physician of cording to the letter.

Congress. The letter said The letter from Clinton’s Kaine has never smoked and doctor made no mention his alcohol use is “modest.” of her weight, a key part of He’s 5-foot-9 and weighed any medical exam, nor did more than 208 pounds dura similar letter released last ing his last physical in Febyear. ruary.

“These numbers suggest Clinton’s campaign used she’s a healthy 68-year-old the letters to argue that she’s woman with a very favora- gone far beyond Trump ble cardiovascular risk pro- in disclosing details about file,” said Dr. Mark Creager, her personal life. Beyond director of the Dartmouth- health records, Clinton has Hitchkock heart and vascu- released nearly four decades lar center in Lebanon, New of tax returns; Trump has Hampshire, and a past presi- refused to make his filings dent of the American Heart public.

Association.

“It’s fair to say the pubTesting that shows no evi- lic now knows more about dence of plaque building up Hillary Clinton than nearly in her arteries “is all very re- anyone in public life,” said assuring,” he said. campaign manager Robby Bardack, who also wrote Mook in a statement. “Donthe letter about Clinton’s ald Trump is hands down health released in July 2015, the least transparent presisaid her patient takes thy- dential nominee in memoroid and allergy medicines ry.” and the blood thinner CouMook added: “It begs the madin, prescribed as a pre- question: what is he trying to ventative after she suffered hide?” a blood clot resulting from a Trump has said he plans 2012 concussion that led her to release the details of a to spend a few days in New recent physical this week.

York-Presbyterian Hospi- Trump’s Thursday appeartal and take a month-long ance on “The Dr. Oz Show” absence from the State De- was billed by the campaign partment. as a discussion about his Clinton has spent the past general well-being and his three days out of the pub- family’s medical history. lic eye, recuperating at her But ever the showman, he suburban New York home. pulled an outline of results She’ll return to the cam- of an exam, conducted by paign trail Thursday. his longtime physician, Dr. “She’s feeling great and Harold Bornstein, from his I think she’ll be back out jacket pocket for Oz to rethere tomorrow,” former view during Wednesday’s President Bill Clinton taping. “Those were all the said Wednesday, when he tests that were just done last stepped in for his wife at a week,” Trump said in an exprevious scheduled cam- cerpt released by the show. paign event in Las Vegas.

Bornstein had previously “It’s a crazy time we live written a note declaring the in, you know, when people 70-year-old Trump, if electthink there’s something un- ed, would be the healthiest usual about getting the flu.” president in history. He later Vice presidential candi- said he had written the letdate Tim Kaine is in “overall ter in five minutes as a limexcellent health,” according ousine sent by the candidate to a letter the campaign also idled outside.