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NATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK TOYS FOR TOTS SEE WOMAN SECTION TODAY

SEE PAGES 14-15, SECTION TWO

Committee will probe BTC deal FNM says move is deflection from govt controversy

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MORE than five years after a deal was inked by the previous Ingraham administration to sell the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTC), the government yesterday moved a resolution in Parliament to establish a select committee to probe the controversial sale to Cable and Wireless.

Suggesting the 2011 sale was essentially a “give away”, Minister of Labour Shane Gibson called the decision to privatise the telecommunications provider “damaging,” as he pointed to BTC’s revenue generation abilities.

ARMED POLICE TO GUARD SUPER VALUE FOOD STORES

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFTER having five of his food stores robbed this year, Super Value owner Rupert Roberts said armed police officers will be stationed at all of his locations to ensure the safety of his staff and customers.

SEE PAGE NINE

TEENAGE BOY GUNNED DOWN

The Golden Gates MP was also adamant that some inconsistency might exist between the cost at which the then Free National Movement (FNM) government sold BTC for and what its parent company CWC actually paid for it. BTC was sold to CWC for $210m, but Mr Gibson highlighted that in CWC’s audited financial statement, the company said it purchased the company at a cost of $204m.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray further accused key government personalities of pocketing millions of dollars in finder’s fees.

SEE PAGE SIX

ALIV’S PAY-PER-SECOND RATES AIM TO CUT CUSTOMER COSTS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ second mobile operator yesterday promised to deliver superior customer service and “phenomenal” plans, as it outlined pay-per second call rates and “no contracts” as key components of its new mobile services offering.

Johnny Ingle, NewCo’s vice-president of sales and marketing, said customers will be “charged per second” when utilising calling services from its Aliv brand and that customers will be able to “choose the plan you

wish when you want” upon signing up for Aliv services because the company wants customers “to stay with us because you want to, not because of a contract.”

Mr Ingle stressed that customers having to “only pay for what you use” with Aliv’s calling services, coupled with the option of selecting a preferred mobile plan without contractually being locked into Aliv’s carrier’s service, demonstrates “advice and guidance” the company has taken from “months of research” conducted on its prospective customer base.

SEE PAGE SIX

THE BODY of a teenager is taken from the scene of last night’s shooting on Sumner Street. Police responding to reports of gunshots found the victim, said to be a male “in his early teens”.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By LAMECH JOHNSON The incident, which oc- died within moments of be- ficer said.

Tribune Staff Reporter curred on Sumner Street, ing shot, according to Chief “At this present time, ljohnson@tribunemedia.net at the rear of a two-sto- Supt Clayton Fernander. we don’t know what haprey property, brought the The officer in charge of pened here but as you can A YOUNG teenager was country’s murder count the Central Detective Unit see there are a number of shot dead last night when within seven homicides of said that police responded houses here in the yard and gunshots rang out in the 100. The total stands at 93, to the sound of gunshots persons live in the yard. We Soldier Road area. according to The Tribune’s off Soldier Road at about have officers who are doing Police said they are ac- records.

8.05pm. door-to-door inquiries to tively investigating the The victim, whose identi“On arrival, they met find out what exactly hapcircumstances behind the ty has been withheld pend- the lifeless body of a male pened.” latest fatal shooting in the ing official identification by who appeared to be in his SEE PAGE FIVE capital. next of kin, was said to have early teens,” the senior of-

PM: GOVT WOULD REJECT BISHOP HANCHELL BACKS $2.1BN FISHING PROPOSAL USE OF DEATH PENALTY

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THANKSGIVING CARE PACKS FOR KIDS

PRIME Minister Perry Christie emphatically stated yesterday that the proposed $2.1bn agri-fisheries venture with Chinese investors at the centre of widespread public controversy would never have been approved by his government.

Mr Christie spoke direct-

ly to the infamous proposal as he pushed back against claims from the Official Opposition that the government’s bid to establish a select committee to investigate the sale of BTC was a diversion tactic.

“The government of the Bahamas did not agree to any such proposition,” he told the House of Assembly SEE PAGE NINE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE calls by Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese Patrick Pinder for regional legislators to abolish the death penalty, another religious leader has come forward with demands for the enforcement of capital punishment.

In a detailed statement

Hurricane Relief Drive One Week: November 21-25, 2016

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to the press on Monday, Citizens for Justice (CFJ) Chairman and local bishop, Walter Hanchell said he disagrees with the archbishop’s position on the issue, calling it “biblically and morally” contrary to scripture.

Bishop Hanchell, of Great Commission Ministries, said his church SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, November 22, 2016

SOUP KITCHEN HELP FOR LESS FORTUNATE THE mystery pop-up soup kitchens run by the sisters of the Rebecca Chapter No.4, Order of the Eastern Star, in the Bain and Grant’s Town area of Nassau are proving popular among the less fortunate.

On Saturday, the chapter held its fourth soup kitchen, this time at the Urban Renewal Centre on Baillou Hill Road where they gave out some 150 bowls of soup to indigent residents of nearby neighbourhoods.

Since the beginning of the year, Rebecca Chap-

THE TRIBUNE

ter has been holding soup kitchens at various inner city locations. The object of the “mystery” soup kitchen is to show up unannounced, set up, serve the soup and then leave right away.

“One never knows where or when Rebecca’s Mystery Soup Kitchen will show up,” the chapter’s Worthy Matron Tanya Smith-Cartwright said.

Residents always express extreme gratitude after receiving the soup, even saying sometimes they had no idea where their next meal was coming from.

THE TEAM says “one never knows” where the next soup kitchen will pop up.

MEMBERS of the Rebecca Chapter No.4 Order of the Eastern Star at the pop-up soup kitchen.

Photos: Aaron Davis

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 22, 2016, PAGE 3

$7m spent by government so far on hurricane clean-up

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE several communities throughout the capital still bear the signs of the devastation left behind

by Hurricane Matthew, Labour Minister Shane Gibson, who is responsible for the repair and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storm, said the government has spent in excess of $7m on cleanup efforts, which have taken place in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Andros.

There were also 658 applications processed for the government’s loan programme to assist public officers for hurricane repairs from the Bank of the Bahamas.

He said this approval totalled more than $4,033,000 and 761 applications are being processed, while 505 of them have yet to be processed for totals of $5,632,500 and $3,030,000 respectively.

In addition, 6,909 homes on the islands largely affected by Hurricane Matthew have been assessed for repair assistance, Mr Gibson said. He added that donations to the government’s Relief Fund now total $1.474m.

This, Mr Gibson said, does not include the pledge of $200,000 from the Freeport Container Port for the repair of two schools

in Grand Bahama. These funds were deposited directly to the Disaster Relief Account, which is managed by the National Disaster Finance Committee, the minister said.

During his progress report in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Gibson explained that efforts to clean up the capital have been limited as there is only one dumpsite on New Providence.

“This powerful storm left a tremendous amount of debris on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Andros. Cleanup operations are proceeding well on the impacted islands,” he told parliamentarians.

“However, efforts in the capital have been limited as there is only one dumpsite on New Providence. This has resulted in long lines of vehicles waiting to unload debris and has increased the propensity for illegal dumping across the island.

“I urge persons who are doing this to please stop as this does not assist the cleanup operations and creates additional and unnecessary work. I am pleased to advise that the Ministry of Works has established seven mulching sites on New Providence to recycle tree waste and reduce the reliance on the dumpsite.

“I encourage all residents to assist us by placing all tree waste on the verges near their property, sepa-

REPAIRS in the CI Gibson government school after Hurricane Matthew. rated from any other waste, which will be collected by clean up crews.”

Private home assessments Mr Gibson urged residents to give public officers who are conducting assessments in various communities accurate and factual information. He said this process involved a social assessment of occupants of

homes along with a technical assessment to verify that the damages are storm related and to determine the scope of the work required.

The following assessments were completed: New Providence - 3,203, Grand Bahama – 3,000, North and Central Andros – 437, Berry Islands – 107, Exuma – 97 and Eleuthera – 65.

The government is offering two types of assistance

GOVT START TO ISSUE HURRICANE VOUCHERS

THE government has started issuing colour-coded vouchers valued at $100, $500 and $1,000 to homeowners who have received approval for building materials in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

The vouchers, which cannot be exchanged for cash, are redeemable at several businesses across the country. In New Providence, vouchers

for building, plumbing and electrical materials can be redeemed at: Cartwright’s Building Supplies Company Ltd; Community Hardware Company Ltd; Hanna’s Plumbing Company; Henry F Storr Company Ltd In Grand Bahama, vouchers can be redeemed at: Kelly’s Freeport Limited; Albuild Hardware and Lumber Company and Gold Rock

Concrete and Building Supplies.

In North and Central Andros, vouchers can be redeemed at Gordon Gaitor’s Trucking and Heavy Equipment, San Andros; J&B Tyre Repair, Nicholl’s Town; Bootle’s Lumber, Lowe Sound and Cleare’s Lumber, Fresh Creek.

Approved homeowners in North Andros will this week be allowed to redeem vouchers.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

with repairs to qualified single-family owner/occupied homes: assistance with materials only and assistance with materials and labour, Mr Gibson said.

He said persons who feel that they qualify for assistance and wish to be considered should have readily available for the assessors, proof of ownership of the home such as a conveyance document, a Water and Sewerage Corporation Bill, a receipt from real property tax payments, or a letter from the bank which holds the mortgage for the property.

If the homeowner has indicated that their home is only insured for fire and theft, then a copy of the insurance documents will have to be submitted.

Regarding the two schools in Grand Bahama, Mr Gibson said work has

commenced on the Martin Town Primary and Eight Mile Rock High Schools, which were severely damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

“These repairs are being facilitated by a pledge of $200,000 from the Freeport Container Port. One hundred thousand dollars has been earmarked for each school.

“The repair work is inclusive of labour and materials.

The cost for Martin Town Primary School is $38,000 and the cost for Eight Mile Rock High School is some $70,000.

“I wish to stress Mr Speaker that the Container Port is managing the funds and making direct payments for the labour and materials. A determination will be made in respect to the excess funds,” Mr Gibson said.

are also many persons from abroad who are willing to come in and assist with construction.

He noted that Service, Evangelism, and Assistance (SEA) Mission has been on the island helping with relief and rebuilding effort in Eight Mile Rock.

“It is a group I am working closely with and they are just phenomenal,” Mr Stubbs said.

He said that SEA Mission was on Grand Bahama three weeks ago feeding residents in the Eight Mile

Rock community and repair roofs.

“They made 300 meals a day for five days and they came back last week and repaired the roof of the Church of God of Prophecy in Sea Grape, EMR, and completed the job in record time, and decided repair the roof of another resident in that community,” Mr Stubbs said.

Mr Stubbs will be visiting the Pinder’s Point community on Wednesday to deliver relief items to residents there.

RELIEF ITEMS DISTRIBUTED IN HUNTERS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama resident Derek Stubbs led a relief effort to the “forgotten community” of Hunters on Monday, delivering food and clothing to the victims of Hurricane Matthew.

Hunters is one of the smaller southern coastal settlements that was devastated by the powerful storm. Many residents were displaced and suffered tremendous personal loss.

Residents felt overlooked in terms of relief assistance because many international relief organisations and persons from abroad had focused their attention on the larger settlements, such as Eight Mile Rock and West End in Grand Bahama.

Mr Stubbs, who has been involved in several hurricane relief campaigns, said the Church of God Christian Centre in Fort Lauderdale, led by Pastor Daniel Boyd, had donated 60 boxes of relief items for distribution to hurricane victims on Grand Bahama.

“Today we brought some food items, as well as new and used clothing in Hunters, and the response from residents was overwhelming,” he said.

“What was so great was that the residents of the community helped in the distribution because they know the needs of persons in their community, especially those who are shut in, and it was a big help,” Mr Stubbs said.

He said that a family in

the US saw the devastation of Hurricane Matthew on Grand Bahama and wanted to assist the hurricane victims.

“They were very touched by what happened and wanted to do something to help the people here, and so they wondered how they could get the items down to Grand Bahama and who to send it to,” he said.

Mr Stubbs said that he felt good that they would entrust thousands of dollars worth of supplies, clothing and food items to him for distribution.

“I am happy and glad to be here in Hunters. And just as we got here, residents came out and were folding the clothes putting them together.”

Mr Stubbs said that he loves people and helping those in need.

“My joy in this is to make sure the items are distributed to those who need it, and I am happy to be a part of this relief effort,” he said.

“This is only 10 per cent of what was sent and we will be coming back to his area on Wednesday. We could not distribute everything but we brought enough to bring smiles on the face of people and help some families,” he said.

According to a resident of the area, people in the community felt overlooked.

She felt a lot of attention

was being paid to other settlements, and did not think people were giving them the kind of support they needed.

The resident thanked Mr Stubbs and the church in Fort Lauderdale for their assistance.

Mr Stubbs has helped in coordinating the Hurricane “victory rallies” in several of the hurricane-ravaged communities of Grand Bahama, including Eight Mile Rock and West End. “When I came through this area with Pastor Barry

Morris when he did the initial victory rally we heard the personal testimonies of persons in this area, and so Hunters was on the top of our minds. A lot of persons here are hurting and have no one to turn to,” he said.

“And it was the same thing in West End when we went there. We came through with water and the number of people that we saw in need was just numerous. And so, it is our hope to keep on pushing and helping as much persons as we can.”

Mr Stubbs said that there

PAGE 4, Tuesday, November 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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March on, Bahamaland must take on new meaning IN 1973, when Timothy Gibson penned the national anthem of the newly-independent Bahamas, ‘March on, Bahamaland’, the words had a hopeful ring.

Here was a sovereign nation, newly born, filled with hope about carving out its own future.

Here was a nation where the majority ruled, where people who only a decade earlier were relegated to separate movie theatres and second-class citizenship would now govern themselves.

‘March on, Bahamaland’ held deep and positive meaning and above all, optimism.

Every phrase - ‘Lift up your head to the rising sun, March on to glory, your bright banners waving high’ - symbolised a belief that the future was ours and we could guide it to the highest of heights.

Forty-three years later, on Friday, the words ‘March on, Bahamaland’ will take on a new meaning. That is the day on which a national march is scheduled.

Called the ‘Black Friday March’, it is named after the day on the calendar in the United States that marks the day after Thanksgiving when cash registers jingle and businesses that might have been operating in the red enter the period of profit.

The Black Friday March is set to start at noon at Arawak Cay and go on for 12 hours. It is an ambitious undertaking. It is also one which we fully support, not because it is anti-government but because it signals a wave of passion about critical decisions and how those decisions are made. We support it because it is the people’s way of speaking up and speaking out.

We also support the Black Friday March because of the decision by government that inspired the march - the authorisation for the Bahamas Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Paul ‘Andy’ Gomez, to negotiate with the Chinese for 10,000 acres of Crown Land in Andros with rights to farm and fish.

There is no circumstance under which we can imagine why the government of The Bahamas should consider giving away land and rights to agri-business and fishing to a foreign sovereign entity.

Would China deed its land to the government of The Bahamas? Highly unlikely.

Would the US say, ‘Bahamas government, you can come into our waters, catch our fish, process and sell our marine resources?’

Countries do not give away land and in a country like The Bahamas, where there are reportedly nearly 30,000 applications

by Bahamians for Crown Land awaiting

decisions, granting land to a foreign entity with a voracious appetite is abhorrent and it angers the people of The Bahamas rightfully.

When news of that letter of authorisation leaked out, it unleashed a torrent of emotion. First came disbelief.

That disbelief quickly turned into anger. And the idea of a protest was born.

But since that day, when the idea of a march was introduced, the opportunity to demonstrate has gained steam in a way we have not seen in years, maybe since the days of resistance to longline fishing when demonstrators took to Rawson Square and stayed there for nearly three days.

Prospective marchers are talking online about all the issues that upset them.

Many stifled the hurt they felt, afraid to speak out. Hurts that were silent before, that were buried down deep now, at last, are finding their voice. Bahamians are angry about secret back door deals without consultation. They are furious because they believe their government is selling the Bahamas.

They want to know where more than $860m in VAT money that has driven up their cost of living has gone. They are astonished that more than four and a half years after this government came to power promising freedom of information, no bill has been tabled. They are insulted that the Minister who was to introduce the bill told them he couldn’t because of a hurricane that passed. Some are joining the march to protest the cruelty of continuing to allow surrey horses to operate in the heat of the day inhaling pollution from jitney buses and heavy traffic. Others are marching because they are tired of landfill fires and high electricity bills with inconsistent service. Almost everyone is marching against crime. The populace is angry and an angry populace bears watching.

The people are tired. But they are not too tired to march. And on Friday, they will lift up their heads one more time and like they did 43 years ago, their faces and voices will be filled with hope and optimism.

But this time it will be different. They want true majority rule where decisions are made that benefit the majority, not the few. They want decisions that protect and empower them. They want decisions that preserve their environment for Bahamians in generations to come.

They will March on, Bahamaland, and they will succeed whether it is in Friday’s march or the answer they give at the polls when the election rolls around.

This time, their voices will be heard.

A coalition vision?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Insight article today is inspiring and quite sad, as it forecasts the probable, and likely, political future of The Bahamas.

With apologies to the “Creationists” in our midst, I think that we are clearly living through a political evolution that Charles Darwin described in his “theory of natural selection”, or in other words “survival of the fittest”.

As many of the political fence sitters would likely admit, while neither of the opposition FNM or DNA parties are prepared to discuss any electoral cooperation today, (each leader fervently believing that he will be the next prime minister), in the event of a political stalemate

with the FNM gaining say 19 seats and the DNA (maybe) 1 and the PLP 19, there is a seemingly high chance that an opposition coalition would emerge within hours of the last vote being counted.

Unfortunately what seems more likely is that Mr McCartney, preferring to deny Dr Minnis that glory, would instead choose to wait another five years, so that he can have another kick at the cat.

Unfortunately for the majority of Bahamians, the coming General may well be that “Last Train to Clarkesville” for the Bahamas survival as a viable country.

Not the Monkees.

MONKEEDOO Nassau, November 21, 2016.

Have no fear?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: ‘No need to be afraid of crime’.

The Tribune, November 16, 2016.

Riiiiiiight. So why would the Minister need a gun permit?

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, November 16, 2016.

An ineffective solution: The death penalty EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WOULD like to commend Archbishop Pinder, and the Catholic bishops of the Caribbean for taking the moral stand in calling for the abolition of the death penalty.

In addition to the moral and principled arguments advanced by the bishops, the argument can be made that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to murders, and therefore its use ought to be discontinued. I will use statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to make the case.

Capital punishment is legal as a federal remedy in the United States, but many states have abolished capital punishment at the state level. An examination of the murder rates for the US reveal that those states that have abolished the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net death penalty, have significantly lower murder rates than those states that have retained the death penalty.

What is perhaps more significant is the fact, that the murder rates in the states which abolished the death penalty are lower today, than they were when those states maintained the death penalty and executed killers. This is not what one would expect, if capital punishment was an effective deterrent to crimes of murder.

The FBI statistics also reveal that those states which have retained the death penalty, and are most active in executing convicted killers, also have the highest murder rates. Again this is not what one would expect

if executing convicted killers, deterred others from committing murder.

What is true for the US, appear to be true world wide. Countries that have abolished the death penalty, generally have lower murder rates, while countries which maintain capital punishment, generally have higher murder rates.

I understand the concerns of the Bahamian people regarding the unacceptable levels of violence and murders that have become commonplace, but as a people, we must not fall for the notion that executing convicted killers will solve our problems. State executions have not solved the problem in any other country, and state executions will not solve our problem.

A LEONARD ARCHER Nassau, November 18, 2016.

Where are you, Krissy Love?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE unceremonious exit of popular talk show host Krissy Love has left a void in talk radio. Reality Check, the two hour talk show which covered a wide range of topics was something that I looked forward to listening to several times a week.

I especially enjoyed the health and wellness section because Krissy and her guests shed light on so many useful health tips. I find myself using some of them on a daily basis. One of the most notable tips she gave me was when she said that no amount of exercise can overcome a bad diet. I applied this principle and I personally know this to be true.

I also enjoyed her political commentary. She was spot on in many of her analysis of the political climate in the country. I am sure that many persons did not appreciate this because she exposed all political parties and their operatives for ineptness and malfeasance. Her astute

criticisms transcended all party lines.

It is alleged that her show was cancelled because she had entertained a particular guest who was reportedly on Guardian Radio’s stop list. Whilst all of the particulars surrounding this incident have not been made totally clear, thousands of listeners have been left with a void.

The first thing my mother asked me when she returned home after a three month oversees visit was what happened to Krissy.

Krissy has so many attributes. Her command of the English Language is something to behold. In my humble opinion only talk show hosts Jeff Lloyd and Wendell Jones are as savvy as she is. Sometimes her rants are so well said that one would believe that she was reading a script; like poetry in motion.

I recall her most noteworthy proverb, “If each before his door step swept, the village would be cleaned.”

This is a simple principle and if applied, would make The Bahamas a much better country.

I know Krissy Love has a love hate relationship with her listeners but there is no denying that she put an intellectual spin and humour on talk radio in the country. She was able to dissect issues and at the same time provide humour which in turn invoked us to seriously think about the national issues before us.

She exposed the down right stupidity of our system of governance. She always reiterated that we need to change the system.

Love her or hate her but she opened many of our eyes.

Her contribution during this up coming and heightened political season is especially needed because she always provides a concise and objective approach to talk radio. Although her views may not have always been popular, she always tried to enlighten Bahamians on issues affecting

their livelihood. I could just hear her now talking about the thousands of acres of land purported to be soon given to the Chinese. She would say, “Ya know what. Y’all stay right there. Cousin Perry and the PLP geein away all yinna land. But it’s ok.

Y’all here fightin for these political parties and they getting everybody straight but the Bahamian people.

Boy I tell ya”.

We all know that Krissy has worked for several radio stations before. She is probably the most travelled talk show host; and everyone is her cousin. I always joke with my wife about the fact that she and Krissy has so many cousins.

Krissy is an iconic figure, an inspiration to many and is unequivocally committed to nation building. Will she make another improbable come back? Many of us hope so. Where are you Krissy Love?

DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, November 13, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 22, 2016, PAGE 5

Urban Renewal to be allowed to give out home repair loans

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE Urban Renewal 2.0 programme is set to become an independent authority with the ability to grant loans for small home repairs and social projects, according to legislation tabled in Parliament yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday lauded the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Bill 2016 as a “step in the right direction” that seeks to remove “bureaucratic inertia” and increase the transparency of the community-based assistance programme.

It gives the minister with responsibility for Urban Renewal, in this case Mr Davis, the ability to designate an urban community by order.

“The concept of loans is new to Urban Renewal,” Mr Davis said in the House of Assembly. “This key feature will allow the Authority to grant loans, cancel or modify approval of loans, refuse to advance an outstanding loan, suspend payment of principal and interest, examine the use of the loan and to require repayment following an examination.”

He said: “The [bill] facilitates transparency as it provides any member of the board to disclose any interest in a company or other entity with which the Authority proposes to enter into a contact or otherwise

URBAN Renewal co-chair Cynthia “Mother” Pratt at a community clean-up initiative in Coconut Grove yesterday. Urban Renewal is set to become an independent authority.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff transact business.”

The URA Bill comes on the heels of the damning report by the Public Accounts Committee into the Urban Renewal Commission tabled earlier this month, which found that the programme was “severely lacking in accountability” with “minimal fiscal safeguards”.

The PAC probe focused on the Urban Renewal Commission’s (URC) Small Homes Repair (SHR) programme - an initiative about which Auditor General Terrance Bastian last year highlighted a litany of concerns and weaknesses related to the project’s management and expenditure.

Mr Davis said both reports have strengthened the gov-

ernment’s resolve to institutionalise Urban Renewal.

The Authority will be able to procure and manage funding for facilitating various urban renewal social programmes; and approve policies and procedures for the conduct of small home repairs and approve the completion of repairs. The bill establishes a register of approved contractors, with the board responsible for setting standards.

“The auditor general cited the magnitude and scope of the Urban Renewal programme as an ‘ambitious undertaking’ and, interestingly, the main issues arising from the audit turn on the measure for the bureaucracy that intrinsically be-

longs to the government.”

Mr Davis said: “This ambitious undertaking fully recognised bureaucratic inertia as a challenge to its ideal and, by executive decision, Urban Renewal has been set apart to meet its mandate with a sense of urgency and, when necessary, immediacy.

“This immediate response to the challenges of the poor, the disenfranchised, the unemployed, parents with at-risk youth and children, and the elderly cannot be achieved within the trappings of our bureaucracy,” he said.

According to the bill, the maximum sum of loans granted will be fixed by the minister, with varying terms and rates to be set by the

Authority “having regard to the financial considerations of the particular loan and the public interest.”

The loans will be granted by the Urban Renewal Authority board of directors, the governing body of the Authority.

Before making payments, the Authority can withhold the loan or a portion of it without incurring liability, according to the bill, if it believes that approval was granted to the borrower by way of misrepresentation or if circumstances given have “materially altered”. The bill outlines several circumstances under which the Authority can refuse to advance loan instalments, including: unpaid loan; improper use or ill-timed use of funds; borrower insolvency; and breach of loan conditions.

The Authority can get ministerial approval to write off loans once it can prove that all measures for recovery have been exhausted.

Upon granting a loan, the Authority may require financial statements and conduct routine examinations to ensure the loan is being used for the purpose under which it was granted.

Any borrowers who refuse to comply with reporting requirements is liable to a $300 fine with an additional penalty of $100 for each subsequent day of non-compliance after conviction.

The bill read: “Every loan shall be secured by way of the execution in favour of

the Authority of a legal instrument as the Authority determines, which shall be prepared by the Authority at the expense of the borrower.”

The Authority will be required to submit an annual report to the minister no later than September 30 that details the body’s activities over that year, and expands on the accomplishments and challenges encountered in the execution of short, medium and long term goals.

That report should be tabled in both the Lower and Upper House, and gazetted no later than three months after it was received by the minister.

The bill also mandates that the Authority’s accounts be audited within three months after the end of each financial year.

The bill also contains a secrecy clause that prohibits officials from disclosing any information related to the affairs of the Authority, its clients or any person that has “dealings” with the body. Board members, officers, or employees found guilty of such a breach - by way of communication or access to records or documents - is subject to a fine of $2,000 or imprisonment for a year.

Urban Renewal 2.0 has offices on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Cat Island, and Eleuthera.

Yesterday, Mr Davis said offices have been approved for Bimini, Exuma, and Andros.

MORE THAN 100 IMMIGRANTS DETAINED IN PAST FORTNIGHT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 100 migrants were taken into custody by immigration officials within the last two weeks on Grand Bahama, according to a senior immigration officer.

The most recent group of migrants was turned over to authorities around 4pm on Monday at Lucayan Harbour.

Immigration officer Napthali Cooper reported that 17 Cubans and a dog were intercepted and apprehended in the Cay Sal Bank area by the US Coast Guard (USCG).

Several days earlier, 35 Cubans were apprehended in two separate incidents in the Cay Sal Bank.

Mr Cooper reported that the first incident occurred on November 14 when USCG officials discovered and apprehended some 14 Cubans on Anguilla Cay.

They were taken onboard the USCG Cutter Yered.

While en route to Freeport, the USCG was alerted to a second group, which was discovered the following day on November 16 at Elbow Cay. On arrival at the cay, some 21 Cubans were discovered, but refused to leave.

Mr Cooper said the group eventually conceded. They were taken into custody by USCG officials. The 35 Cubans were taken to Grand Bahama, where they were turned over to Bahamas immigration around 10am at Lucayan Harbour. They were checked by a medical surveillance team at the Public Hospitals Authority and processed at Department of Immigration headquarters.

The Cubans told Bahamian authorities that they left Cuba on a rustic vessel on November 12 and 13 in hopes of reaching the United States.

Mr Cooper said the 35

Cubans, in addition to another 30 migrants, including 17 Haitians, 10 Ecuadorians, two Brazilians and one Chinese, were flown to New Providence, where they are being detained at the Detention Centre to await repatriation.

Officer Cooper also reported that another 56 illegal migrants were taken into custody in Freeport on November 13.

He reported that officers from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force were alerted that persons were suspected of being involved in illegal smuggling activities and went to a local resort in the Lucaya area.

They arrested two men – an Ecuadorian and a Chinese - who were unable to satisfy questions about their legal status in The Bahamas.

The men were turned over to Bahamas immigration officials. They admitted that they came to Freeport to be smuggled to the US.

CHIEF Supt Clayton Fernander speaking to the media last night. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

TEENAGE BOY GUNNED DOWN from page one

“They only heard shots rang off and when they checked, they met the young man who was lying at the rear of this yard with the gunshot wound,” Chief Supt Fernander added.

The CDU head is appealing to residents in the area to assist them in “advancing this investigation”.

“The mother came on the scene. He lived somewhere in the general area so we are speaking to her to find out exactly what she may know or how he got here or who he may have come here to see,” Mr Fernander said.

On Sunday afternoon, police were called to the scene of a murder on Palm Tree Avenue after the vic-

tim had been discovered by a relative lying on the ground of his home with gunshot wounds to the body.

Anyone with information on any of these homicides is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anony-

mously at 328-TIPS. Investigations continue.

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The Chinese national had obtained a valid work permit as a cook at a restaurant in New Providence, but it had expired in January of this year. The man claimed that he had paid a Bahamian man in Freeport

$5,000 to be smuggled to the US and was told that the trip was postponed to a later day, but it never materialised.

The Ecuadorian was admitted legally in The Bahamas, but had over-

stayed his time in the country.

Mr Cooper said the men were processed and flown to New Providence aboard Pineapple Air, along with other 28 illegal immigrants.

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PAGE 6, Tuesday, November 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

ALIV’S PAY-PER-SECOND RATES AIM TO CUT CUSTOMER COSTS

from page one

Mr Ingle also said the company will introduce a “wide range of cost options” for smartphone devices that will “suit everybody,” and said customers will “be able to chose the phone you want with the package you want, bundled in a deal we already know people love.”

These, Mr Ingle said, includes “unlimited” seven-day and 30-day plans, courtesy of Aliv’s Freedom and Liberty suites, respectively, which he said will provide customers with the “choice, value and service that the people have longed for, finally”.

“To make it perfectly clear to everyone, we have consumer plans starting at $5 and they all include calling to anywhere on any number within the Bahamas, anywhere to any number to the US, and anywhere to any number to

Canada. Standard, across all of the Freedom and all of the Liberty plans. “...The beauty of these plans are it is your choice, and that’s the power of the Aliv service.

“So we’re not an inward looking business; we took our advice and guidance from months of research,” Mr Ingle added. “And what did people ask for? ‘I want a network that works. I’m sick of dropped calls, I’m sick of a poor data experience, I’m sick of not understanding what I’m paying for.’”

Mr Ingle made his statements during a press conference at the Holy Cross Anglican Church to announce the opening of Aliv’s new retail stores in six locations throughout New Providence – Carey’s Shopping Centre, the Mall at Marathon, Rosetta Street in Palmdale, the Shoppes at Carmichael, the Southwest Plaza and the Old Fort Bay Town Centre.

JOHNNY INGLE, chief Aliv champion, pictured at yesterday’s launch and retail locations announcement alongside Fred Ferguson and Ronald Simms.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff The stores are scheduled be able to chose the phone it. Aliv does not just want ebrated Bahamian artists.”

“Food and drink will be to be officially opened on you want with the package to be the other mobile serWednesday, Mr Ingle said. you want, bundled in a deal vice provider; we want to be on sale, and there will be Mr Ingle also said that that we already know peo- everyone’s mobile service more than one or two surprovider. We plan to do that prises for everybody that within a “few weeks,” ad- ple love.

“These include unlim- by delivering great service, attends,” Mr Ingle said. ditional Aliv retail locaNewCo was awarded the tions will also open up on ited seven-day and 30-day great value, delivered over Grand Bahama, Abaco plans, the Freedom and a great network and most second mobile operator liand Eleuthera. The rollout Liberty Suites, to suit what- importantly through an ex- cense in July of this year.

The new mobile provider process will continue well ever makes sense for you ceptional team of people.” life. There are no contracts.

To celebrate the official was tasked with achieving into 2017, he said.

“At all of our locations, We want you to stay with launch of the Aliv brand, 99 per cent network popucustomers can experience us because you want to, not Mr Ingle also said NewCo lation coverage in New will host a free concert at Providence and 80 per cent the devices we’ll be offer- because of a contract.”

He added: “We know Clifford Park on Saturday population coverage in ing and a wide range of cost options that will suit every- that Bahamians know what from 7pm to midnight, (Freeport) Grand Bahama, body, starting from as lit- they want, and they know which will feature perfor- within three months of its tle as $59,” he said. “You’ll when they are not getting mances from over 20 “cel- license award.

Committee will probe BTC deal from page one However, the Official Opposition yesterday maintained that this resolution was a deflection from several controversial matters that have come to light under the Christie administration, stressing that during the BTC sale there was absolute transparency. Opposition members also insisted that no government official under the last FNM government received any finder’s fees.

FNM MPs went on to draw comparisons between BTC’s sale to CWC and its proposed sale to Bluewater.

This was a highly contro-

versial proposal to sell BTC under the first Christie administration.

By forming a select committee, a five-person panel will have the authority to investigate, examine and inquire into the circumstances and facts relating to the privatisation of the company. This includes the sale of the majority shares to CWC with power “to send for persons and papers and to sit from place to place, with leave to sit during the recess.”

“After the Free National Movement (FNM) sold BTC, what did we get Mr Speaker? What did the Bahamian people get? That is what an appointed select

committee would seek to find out,” Mr Gibson said as he moved the resolution yesterday.

“The former administration has said over and repeatedly that it received $210m for the sale of BTC. However, page 106 of CWC’s audit financial statements for 2012 suggests that they paid $204m for BTC. “Cable and Wireless also suggested in its financial statements that it met $63m dollars worth of goodwill money in the bank on BTC’s account. Yet, then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said in Parliament on February 8, 2011 - the day he inked the deal to sell the 51 per cent stake - ‘that

any sums in excess of $15 million left in BTC would be turned over to the Treasury.’ As a result of that money in the bank, CWC said its net payout for BTC was actually $148 million dollars.

Mr Gibson continued: “Additionally, Mr Speaker, Cable and Wireless said that 470 of the remaining 1,260 workers of BTC took the (separation) package at a cost of $60m. The FNM also agreed that after privatisation, BTC’s obligation to the BTC employee pension plan would be reduced from 20 per cent per employee to 10 per cent. The agreement provided that the balance of the obligation and associated risks would be assumed by the government, which undertook to guarantee any shortfall in the BTC pension plan through the establishment of a trust which was to be endowed with an initial amount of $39m.

“The trust was established but the $39m endowment was never made Mr Speaker. At the date of privatisation back in 2011, the BTC pension fund had a surplus. By the end of 2012, it was running a deficit of $35m dollars, which has since grown to $62m.

“What did the Bahamian people get? That is what the appointment of the select committee will seek to find out. The former administration has said over and repeatedly that it received $210m for the sale of BTC. However page 106 of the Cable and Wireless audit financial statements 2012 suggests that they paid $204m for BTC,” Mr Gibson also said.

The Progressive Liberal Party, then in opposition, was seriously opposed to the sale. It vowed to take back the 51 per cent majority share stake from CWC if it was elected to office.

When the party did de-

feat the FNM, a committee, tasked with this effort was formed.

Later, in 2013, lead negotiator in the take back negotiations Franklyn Wilson said due to “shocking revelations” that pointed to an “horrendously bad deal” it was recommended to Prime Minister Perry Christie that a select committee be appointed to probe BTC’s sale. He also suggested that the deal was to the benefit of the company and not the Bahamian people.

After a lengthy negotiation steeped in controversy, the prime minister in early 2014 announced that his government was successful in wrangling two per cent of the BTC shares from CWC’s hold. These shares were to be placed into the newly created BTC Foundation.

However, CWC retained board and management control of BTC and the foundation owned the two per cent equity stake that CWC relinquished.

This left both CWC and the government with matching 49 per cent equity stakes in BTC. It was perceived to be a “face saving deal.”

Deflection During debate on the resolution, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis rejected the assertion that BTC was undersold. He remained adamant that BTC became lucrative due to the vision of the FNM. “The member (Mr Gibson) tries to paint a picture that BTC was undersold in spite of them investing well in excess of $300m, but it is very difficult to argue with individuals with business knowledge,” Dr Minnis said, as he stood on a point of order. “When you must take into consideration that a business is only worth what it is assessed at irrespective of the amount

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of money you pump into it.

In other words if you took a home in Bain Town that’s worth $150,000 and I pump $10m it’s still $150,000.

“And the second point the member spoke about the profits that BTC made between 2001 and 2007.

The member should clearly state that that was only as a result of the liberalisation process and the right-sizing that the FNM had commenced.”

Meanwhile, FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest called the resolution a “deflection”.

He said rather than move a resolution over a deal that was transparent and already debated in Parliament, there were several other matters much more worthy of a select committee. He added that Bluewater was a “sweet deal.”

“The price agreed under Bluewater was $260m for 49 per cent of the shares of BTC. But there was a net balance of approximately $70m of BTC’s cash in its bank account in May 2007.

I remember that is important because this side notes that when Cable & Wireless took over (there) was cash in the account that was not claimed by the government and as a result it gives to the amount that Cable & Wireless actually paid to BTC. But in this deal $70m was in the account. There was no allowance in Bluewater’s offer for this cash to be removed from BTC. So in other words they were contemplating a deal that said the $260m was the price and whatever was in the account you keep it and so they were already ahead $70m.

“Using the same math we have heard with respect to CWC transaction, this constitutes a net cash transaction of $190m. Of this $25m was deferred for five years and another $15m differed for six year so here we are down to $190m and we are going to take another $40m and deflect it into the future. Just on the value of money they are ahead, they are making money now. But here is the sweetness of the deal. Under the CWC deal the extension of the monopoly was proposed for three years, under the Bluewater deal, was for six years.”

He went on to question the specifics of the BTC Foundation. He said the FNM had major concerns with its formation as no documents had been tabled in the House on the matter, despite promises that the government would do so.

For her part, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner said based on the information that was brought before Cabinet under the last FNM administration, she knew of no malfeasance committed by the Ingraham administration.

However, she also admitted that one of the reasons the FNM government lost the 2012 election was due to the sale of BTC.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 22, 2016, PAGE 7

Gibson’s office vandalised

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MEMBER of Parliament for Golden Gates Shane Gibson said yesterday he believes that his constituency office was vandalised

by Free National Movement supporters who were upset that he stopped them from “illegally dumping” on a park in the area.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Gibson said two men and a woman went to his constituency office around 4.30pm on Sunday.

A vandal was caught on camera smashing out the windows of the office and throwing large stones through the window frames as others watched.

Mr Gibson said a red truck that was caught on camera at his office was the same truck that was being driven by a person waving FNM flags, who his workers stopped from dumping trash on Ross Davis Park a few days after Hurricane Matthew passed in October.

Mr Gibson, minister of labour and national insurance, said he thinks the attack was politically motivated. He also questioned why police officers did not arrest the persons involved, even after seeing their faces “clear as day” on surveillance video.

“Some people were dumping on Golden Gates Park in a red truck, they were waving the FNM flag at the time,” Mr Gibson

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A RED truck seen pulling up outside Shane Gibson’s Golden Gates office and the two men recorded on camera. said. “This is the same answers. I do not know if this “running again” but inci- cy officer at the community truck that persons used to happened because we are at dents like these have in- centre,” Mr Wells said. come to my office and van- the height of the political spired him to keep going.

“My community centre dalise it. All my windows season, but when you have Meanwhile, FNM Bam- was busted up, the windows were smashed in. Not only individuals doing this kind boo Town MP Renward and the doors - I made a did they vandalise it but two of thing, it is very troubling.” Wells, speaking in the note to the police but I did police officers came right In the video obtained by House of Assembly yester- not report it at the time to after they were finished, The Tribune, a man in a gray day after Mr Gibson raised the House, but it is on rewalked around the build- shirt and dark short pants is the issue in the lower cham- cord with the police. This ing, looked at the two guys seen hopping over a gate in ber, said his constituency happened the night I was and didn’t arrest anyone. front of the office. He then office was also vandalised made opposition leader of “I am not sure why they begins to throw what ap- the day he became leader business in the House of did it but I have everything pears to be a flat concrete of opposition business in Assembly. I think we ought on tape, everything was slab into the front windows the House of Assembly. He to take a closer look at caught on infrared camera. of the office. A few minutes called on members from what is happening because The persons who smashed later he is joined by another both the PLP and the FNM political season has begun in the windows, their faces man in short white pants to condemn “these kind of in earnest and I think that are clear. The question is and a light blue/grey shirt cowardly actions.” both sides, the government why these two young men who watches for a while beMr Wells quit the PLP and the opposition, ought and young lady were not ar- fore going out of the cam- last year to join the FNM. to speak very strongly and rested. This is a strange oc- era’s view. A red truck is “We, on this side, cate- condemn this behaviour currence but hopefully once also seen parked outside of gorically condemn any sort outright and it will not be we are able to get their faces the gate, with what appears of act towards political of- tolerated in this country. out to the public, people will to be a female standing near fice in any form for fashion The way we express ourcome forward quickly and the driver’s door. but you know, Mr Speaker, selves is when we go to the let us know who these perYesterday Mr Gibson I have had a similar incident polls and we exercise that sons are and we can get some said he thought about not take place at my constituen- right at the ballot box.”

THREE YEARS IN JAIL FOR MARIJUANA TRAFFICKER

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A LAWYER’s plea for his 23-year-old client to be spared a prison sentence for possession of $12,000 worth of marijuana was rejected by a magistrate yesterday who found that the public’s need to be protected from the negative effects of drug trafficking outweighed the man’s early plea of guilt and lack of antecedents.

Osman Johnson, lawyer for Steven Omar Smith, had provided written arguments to the court as to why his client should not receive a custodial sentence concerning 12 pounds of Indian Hemp seized by police on Thursday, November 17, in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Magistrate Delancy said she had considered his submissions, the nature and circumstances of the offence, as well as case law and subsequently imposed a 36-month sentence at the Department of Correctional Services that would take effect from the date of conviction.

Before the ruling, however, Mr Johnson first wished to stress some of the points raised on why a custodial sentence would not be the best remedy for his client’s case.

The attorney said that Smith was of previous good character and had no prior run-in with the law.

He also urged the court to consider the weight of Smith’s early plea of guilt

at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Johnson acknowledged that the offence was a serious one but “it’s marijuana and not cocaine” which he said was less dangerous.

“What was previously a mandatory statutory minimum has been changed on common law,” Mr Johnson stressed.

“We’d humbly pray that the court allow the defendant to return to his family.

We’re prepared to accept and pay any fine imposed by the court,” the lawyer added.

Smith, Patrick Pyfrom Jr, 28, Tavares Moss, 29 and Jeran McIntosh 30, were charged together with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

While Smith pleaded guilty, his three co-accused pleaded not guilty to the offence when called on by Magistrate Delancy in their arraignment.

According to reports, Smith was a passenger on a plane that was departing Bimini on the day in question.

The plane took off despite signals by police not to do so.

As a result, police in Abaco, Grand Bahama, New Providence and the remaining islands were alerted to what had transpired and given a description of the plane.

Sometime later, officers in Grand Bahama observed the aircraft that fit the description and saw four persons getting off the plane

and offloading luggage onto a cart.

Officers approached the plane with Smith, who had been informed that there were suspected drugs on board.

Though drugs were found on the plane, a search of the offloaded luggage uncovered ten vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana.

Smith was cautioned, arrested and taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit’s Freeport branch while the aircraft was left in the custody of police at the Grand Bahama airport.

“When interviewed in police custody, Smith denied all knowledge of drugs on the aircraft when the allegations were put to him,” police prosecutor Supt Ercell Dorsett said.

Smith was asked if he accepted the facts read by the prosecutor. He said “yes”.

The magistrate adjourned a decision on sentencing to 3pm and when the matter was recalled, allowed Mr Johnson to briefly highlight the written submissions he had presented to her.

Magistrate Delancy said she had considered the submissions, the facts that were accepted by Smith, the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the offence and offender and the principles of sentencing, namely: retribution, deterrence, prevention and rehabilitation.

She acknowledged Smith’s early plea of guilt and lack of antecedents, but said “the court must also consider the need to protect society from the effects of

MAN DENIED BAIL OVER FIREARMS CHARGES

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court on two firearms related offences.

Shawn Farrington, 32, appeared before Magistrate Constance Delancy facing a count each of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition

concerning an alleged seizure on Friday, November 18.

It is alleged that Farrington was found with a silver and black 9mm revolver and five live rounds of 9mm ammunition for the weapon without being the holder of a certificate or license to possess the items.

Farrington, when called on to enter a plea to the charges, denied committing any crime.

He returns to Magistrate’s Court on January 17, 2017 for the start of his case.

He was denied bail, however, and was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services.

Farrington has the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

He has retained attorney Donna Major to represent him against the charges, which could see him face a fine and/or seven years im-

$12,000 SEIZED FROM MAN TAKING IT OUT OF COUNTRY

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A COURT seized more than $12,000 in US currency from a man yesterday who failed to get formal permission to carry that amount of money out of the country.

Magistrate Constance Delancy told 38-year-old Desmond Higgs that he was wrong to attempt to travel

MAN AWAITS COURT DATE OVER SEX ATTACK ON FOUR-YEAR-OLD

with US$12,360 on his person without getting permission from the proper authorities. She said he could have received a custodial sentence for his actions.

The Freeport, Grand Bahama resident was arraigned on a single charge of attempted exportation of restricted goods.

It was alleged that he failed to obtain Central Bank approval to carry the cash outside the country pri-

or to November 18 when he was arrested at the Domestic/International Departure Security checkpoint at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Higgs pleaded guilty to the charge, which carries up to 24 months prison time.

However, he was later granted an absolute discharge.

The court, instead, ordered the funds be confiscated and turned over to the Crown.

drug trafficking which may outweigh the mitigating circumstances in this matter”.

“Smith is hereby convicted of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and sentenced to three years imprisonment,” the magistrate ruled.

The magistrate asked the prosecutor’s position with respect to the remaining accused.

Supt Dorsett said the

prosecution will proceed with trial, suggesting a date for March 21, 2017.

Mr Johnson agreed to the date but also indicated his intention to appeal the sentence on Smith’s behalf.

Due to the nature of the charge, Pyfrom, Moss and McIntosh were told that they would have to apply for bail in the Supreme Court and were remanded to prison.

A MAN is scheduled return to the Supreme Court in two weeks to learn whether his trial will proceed concerning the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old child.

O’Neil Ferguson, 29, was due to stand trial yesterday before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs stemming from a reported assault on the girl, now eight, on July 21, 2012.

However the matter did not start and was further adjourned to December 6 for a status hearing.

The question of whether the complainant is fit to give sworn testimony in court has arisen, The Tribune understands.

Ferguson faces a single charge of unlawful sexual intercourse, which he denied when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court in May 2013.

According to the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act under which he is charged, sexual intercourse includes “(a) sexual connection occasioned by any degree of penetration of the vagina of any person or anus of any person, or by the stimulation of the vulva of any person or anus of any person, by or with (i) any part of the body of another person; or (ii) any object used by another person, except where the penetration or stimulation is carried out for proper medical purposes; and (b) sexual connection occasioned by the introduction of any part of the penis of any person into the mouth of another person.”

Darell Taylor and Erica Duncombe are the Crown prosecutors of the case.

Ferguson, who maintains his innocence, has retained attorney Ian Cargill to represent him against the allegation that could see him face between seven years to life imprisonment if convicted at trial.

He remains on bail.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The Church and the death penalty

THE TRIBUNE

By NICOLE BURROWS

I

WOKE the other morning to the news that another armed robbery had occurred in my home city. Another store robbed early in the morning of its cash that many had laboured to earn, because others somehow thought it their entitlement and so they took it by force.

Thankfully, no one was physically harmed in the ordeal, but emotionally there was some harm done. My cousins were there and they experienced the trauma of wondering whether or not they would come face to face with a madman and his gun. After all, you’d have to be a madman, or extremely desperate, to think that someone else’s labouredfor possessions are yours and you should take them by force with a weapon.

While searching for more details of this crime news story, I came across and was reminded of another news story that had replicated itself into sub-stories, you know, in the way that a reporter asks a dozen people he/she interviews in one day for their opinions on the same things … and that all becomes the news.

The main story was a repeat of the Catholic Church’s position on capital punishment. The substories were heartfelt commentaries by Member of Parliament Leslie Miller and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Branville McCartney, who

were both clear on their favour of the death penalty.

Reporters also interviewed Reverend Simeon Hall, who himself declared that he straddled both sides of the fence on the issue.

Essentially, the Catholic Church, via the Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder, is calling yet again for the abolition of the death penalty in our country, in our region, in our world. And I wondered why all of a sudden this was news again.

Well, it’s partly because the Church uses certain seasons to say certain things, and they also seem to think that politicians in this election season will use their advocacy of capital punishment to win votes … something the Church, of course, abhors.

The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) is still, since making a similar statement in 2000, “urging governments to abolish the death penalty in the region”. The Catholic Church has denounced the death penalty on paper for the past 16 years, at least, and insisted that “a more meaningful method” be used to deter criminals.

They say: “We believe that human life is a gift from God and is sacred” and “We should protect and defend human life in all circumstances”.

It seems the Church is concerned about capital punishment not being a good deterrent and not falling in line with its concepts

THE ILLUSTRATION on the subject of capital punishment created by Jamaal Rolle for Dr Mike Neville’s article series A Life of Crime. of “reconciliation, conver- accidental or committed in Of course, all of this ar- bishop and his crew could sion, reform, restitution and obvious self defence. And gument by the Church is bring back the dead, okay, forgiveness”. murder is also irreversible. based on the assumption then I would say we should The Church further iterThe whole of the Church’s that it is filled with “proph- abandon capital punishates that “the death penalty statement focuses on capital ets”, men who fail to accept ment”. is both cruel and unneces- punishment as a deterrent. that someone who commits Miller lost his own son sary”. Well so is murder, It is not meant to be a deter- a crime can repent on his or years ago to crime, and no? Unless it is very clearly rent. It is not a deterrent. It her own. There is no need while many have debated is a punishment. People who for a Church, or priest, or his son’s involvement in support capital punishment a confession booth to say crime and whether or not are not trying to reconcile “I’m sorry, I his lifestyle was with capital punishment. was wrong.” If ‘Yes, forgiveness conducive to his The purpose of capital pun- we cultivated is good. But you demise, as peoishment is to punish for ex- people to rely ple often judge, treme wrongdoing against on the God must still pay Miller knows another human being. And within them, the the equal cost and undera would-be murderer who mercy that ema- for your crime, stands the loss sees that the Church’s - or nates from that associated with a government’s - intention spirit of good- unless of course crime, murder is not punishment will seek ness, then we one person’s in particular. to more readily perpetrate wouldn’t have a He says “who eye or tooth crime. Hence our current crime problem feels it knows problem in The Bahamas - in the first place. is better than it”. And he asks and the region.

But I suppose someone else’s.’ who will speak The original statement by that’s the curse for the victhe Church/AEC declares of religion; it tims, when the “to take away a person’s ba- tells you that your salvation Church is not speaking on sic right to immunity from is always in someone else’s their behalf? fatal harm is to compromise hands.

Branville McCartney, his/her sacred dignity”.

The bottom line is, if you who lost his brother to And somehow this applies ignore and abolish capital crime, murder specifically, only to the murderer and punishment, there is no ul- says that he totally disanot the victim? timate penalty for murder. grees with Archbishop PinThe Church is against The society will implode der that the death penalty capital punishment because from within, as is currently should be completely abolthe criminal/murderer underway. ished. should “have a chance to But why is the Church so “I find this incredible reform”, but the victim has concerned about something ... for that comment to be no chance to live again. that isn’t even being used made. Those who take a life, The Church acknowledg- with any regularity? Is it so are they entitled to life? My es that “there are two par- that the region can official- brother was killed on the ties involved in reconcili- ly fall in line with a global streets of New Providence ation: the wrongdoer and view? because of these criminals. the victim”. But the victim It would be more help- You don’t believe that I’m cannot reconcile with any- ful for the Catholic bish- going to deal with crime? one or anything once dead, ops to offer suggestions on When I become Prime so what is the point of that real alternative penalties, if Minister? I’m the one, and acknowledgement? they don’t support capital the only one, who will deal Yes, forgiveness is good. punishment. But they need with crime.” He says “the But you must still pay the to give some hard and fast DNA will fix the law so that equal cost for your crime, measures, not these notions the Privy Council can’t wigunless of course one per- of suffering and sacrifice gle around it”. son’s eye or tooth is better that float in the air and you If it’s one thing he’ll do, than someone else’s. can’t do anything tangible I think you can be assured You reform on one end, with them when the cir- this is it. yes. But you must punish on cumstances call for it. And Many people say men the other. Without attack- “socialisation, rehabilita- like Miller and McCartney ing the problem from both tion and reconciliation” are too close to the probends, it will never diminish. don’t count, because they lem, and, because of their There is DNA testing in are not punitive. I put to the personal experiences they modern forensics that af- Church, while you wait for a are too impassioned about fords an accuracy for convic- better society, what exactly capital punishment. People tion unlike before when in- will the urgent action on believe their experiences nocent people may have met crime be? How is your idea create strong prejudices for their end on account of poor of abolishing the death pen- them. But would you not evidence and weak judg- alty helpful, other than to want someone who was imments. So, if the religious keep the Church relevant? passioned about a job to do men/leaders are concerned And the Privy Council’s a job, as long as it was done about this they need not be.

2011 ruling that “the death responsibly?

They say themselves penalty should be reserved In particular, rather than that “modern society has a for the worst of the worst ridicule McCartney’s commeans of protecting itself and the rarest of the rare” ments as too emotive or too without definitively denying is no help either. Putting a feeling, maybe you can apcriminals the chance to re- grade of one to 10 on how preciate the fact that maybe form”. Yes. That is agreea- bad a murder is, or how he is someone who can feel ble. And that mechanism is important a victim is, is an loss … someone who can called law and law enforce- abomination against equal actually feel … possibly ment. You abide by the law, justice. someone with a conscience, you don’t get punished.

I wonder … what would and a notion of right and Surely there are laws in the the Church’s position be, wrong. Unlike the other Catholic Church that must if one of its own was mur- leaders you have now. be adhered to and, when dered? I guess they would they are not, repercussions call it ‘God’s will’.

Comments and responses to are met.

Leslie Miller says “if the nburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 22, 2016, PAGE 9

PM: Govt would reject $2.1bn fishing proposal from page one

yesterday, “did not consider any such proposition, it did not come before the government as a proposal, and it would not have reached the government because it would have been rejected outright.

“We do not do that in The Bahamas, and I keep on saying you cannot have a debate where you miss the fact that it did not happen.

Therefore, you are attributing to the government in debate what could have happened if the government had agreed, and you’re planting in people’s mind and this is more than disingenuous, it is a commitment they have made to trying to exploit an issue that is a non-issue.”

The proposal reportedly

projects a $2.1bn injection into the local economy over ten years through an equal partnership between Bahamians and the People’s Republic of China. The proposal also reportedly included the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister V Alfred Gray has admitted that he gave Bahamas Ambassador to China Paul “Andy” Gomez the go-ahead to have discussions on the proposal, but has stressed that the matter is not before the government for consideration.

Mr Gray has said the ideas put forth in the proposal, which was leaked to the media, came from Mr Gomez and not Chinese investors.

The proposal has been condemned by various local and international environ-

mental lobby groups, who raised concerns over sustainability, and sovereignty in light of China’s grisly environmental record.

Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn yesterday questioned why Mr Gray would encourage further discussion of the proposal if there was no intention to agree to its terms.

“Why would the member for MICAL waste the time and effort of the government and government officials to negotiate with a government when you’re going to say there was no intention whatsoever to give them fishing rights?” Mr Lightbourn asked.

“Well then why are you negotiating it? Why are you even discussing it? If that is the case it look like the member for MICAL went out on a limb, carried out his

own agenda, I would have thought in those circumstances if he had no permission from the government to even discuss this, he should be dismissed.”

Defending his administration over the controversy, Mr Christie said: “It has become a matter of urgent and extreme importance that the other side is using to exploit emotions in this country. The government of The Bahamas has fastidiously committed itself to protecting the waters of The Bahamas for Bahamian fisherman, full stop, no further.”

Mr Christie explained that every minister - within his portfolio - had the right to explore opportunities to advance the country. He noted that some government MPs were philosophi-

cally and fundamentally opposed to foreign involvement in both farming and fishing.

“We are not going to compromise and no discussion will lead to a conclusion that this government would have contemplated or agreed for that to happen,” Mr Christie said.

“A minister in association with anyone could explore opportunities for The Bahamas but he has to bring that as a proposal to his colleagues, who will make a determination as to whether they would agree,” the Prime Minister added.

“That’s my side, that’s their side (Opposition), that’s how constitutional government works and my government would not have agreed to that in any event.”

Last week, Lisa Benja-

min and Dr Adelle Thomas, assistant professors and co-founders of the Climate Change Initiative at the University of the Bahamas, said that significant gaps existed in The Bahamas’ commercial legislative policies. The lecturers posited that gaps were so great that it was hard to imagine that the “scale of commercial fishing and processing enterprises anticipated by the proposal would abide by the limits currently set out in legislation”.

The professors said without regulations on matters such as catch or vessel sizes, or the capacity to enforce any of those restrictions, The Bahamas could join the “long list of failed fisheries sectors” in the Caribbean “well within a tenyear period”.

ARMED POLICE TO GUARD SUPER VALUE FOOD STORES from page one

Mr Roberts told The Tribune that he believes his stores have become targets for criminals because of the cash flow nature of his business, but he said thieves are disappointed when they realise not a lot of money is kept in the cash registers.

On Sunday morning, police shot two armed robbery suspects moments after they robbed Super Value Food Store on West Bay Street and led police on a high-speed chase that ended in a residential area off East Street South.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said police received information of a robbery in progress at the food store, where more than a dozen customers

were inside.

When police arrived on the scene, the armed suspects had already left the store in a stolen silver coloured Honda, but police immediately issued an all points bulletin for the men.

ACP Dean confirmed that shots were fired inside the store during the robbery, but luckily no one was injured.

Mr Roberts said his employees were so “shaken up” that ambulances were called to the scene to treat several of them for panic attacks.

He said while his stores usually have security guards on the inside and outside, it was the security guard who was held up, along with the manager, and taken into the store by gunpoint.

Mr Roberts believes the thieves were watching the men for a while and knew

exactly who to target.

“We have a high cash profile and the undesirables who do not want to work and want free money target us,” Mr Roberts said.

“I don’t know why they keep trying because they never get away with it. The police do some good work and they definitely send a message to criminals. But within six hours, we had the deposit bag that was stolen back and we had the cashier floats. That is fast, efficient police work. These criminals must know it’s not worth it. Two of these men are shot and when they get out of the hospital they will be going to prison. We will have armed police officers at all of our locations. It’s expensive but we want to keep our staff and customers safe.”

BISHOP HANCHELL BACKS USE OF DEATH PENALTY from page one remains a firm supporter of “restorative justice” for all those convicted of crimes other than murder.

For those convicted of murder, Bishop Hanchell said they ought to “suffer the penalty of death for their crimes as prescribed by law”.

Archbishop Pinder, last week, in a joint pastoral statement from the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) in commemoration of the Catholic Church’s Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, urged governments and citizens in the region to abolish capital punishment. Nineteen bishops signed the statement.

The statement said to take away a person’s “basic right to immunity from fatal harm” is to “compromise his/her sacred dignity”.

However, responding to these claims on Monday, Bishop Hanchell suggested that capital punishment was not an act conceived in the mind of any human being, but was an act instituted by God according to scripture to “punish and remove” murderers from society.

“It was never meant to be a deterrent even though studies show that it most certainly is,” wrote Bishop Hanchell.

“Cries that capital punishment is inhumane and barbaric in the twenty first century are irrational when we consider that God has not changed and his word, which is His will for mankind, certainly has not changed and never will.

“The Holy Bible in both the Old Testament and the New Testament commands that persons guilty of committing the crime of murder be punished by death. God is both a God of love and a God of justice.

“All moral laws, including capital punishment, have their root in the Bible.

A close study of scripture will reveal that the death penalty was always manda-

tory except in cases of accidental or intentional death.

The word of God is clear concerning punishment for murder and no bishop, government, parliament, judiciary or agency such as Amnesty International, has the power or authority to overrule the laws of God,” he added.

Bishop Hanchell said rather than advocate for the removal of a law, perhaps religious and political leaders should look at the plight of the thousands of children who are left fatherless and the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones because of senseless killings.

“If you believe that human life is a sacred gift from God, then why is the life of a wicked murderer more precious than that of his innocent victim? Nobody has the right to take a life except the state in capital offences.”

Analysing the issue from a political perspective, Bishop Hanchell noted that despite the valiant efforts of the police force, the government and legislators have intentionally refused to enforce the laws of the Bahamas to the detriment of all who live here.

“The ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government led by Prime Minister Perry Christie did not carry out a single execution during their first term in office from 2002 to 2007. While serving as the Leader of the Opposition in 2011, Mr Christie declared his party’s support for capital punishment. Despite record murder statistics in the current term, not a single person has been executed for the hundreds of brutal murders that have been committed in the Bahamas over the past 15 plus years.”

The last time capital punishment was carried out was in 2000.

Bishop Hanchell said politicians who were elected to enforce the law have failed “miserably in this endeavour.”

He added: “In March

2006, the Privy Council ruled that the mandatory death sentence was unconstitutional. Members of Citizens For Justice believe that this ruling was flawed since the Constitution of The Bahamas clearly makes capital punishment legal.

“Capital punishment has long been abolished in the United Kingdom and most of Europe and we are of the view that members of the Privy Council have attempted to bring an end to the practice in The Bahamas.”

In June 2011, the Privy Council overturned Maxo Tido’s death sentence in connection with the killing of 16-year-old Donnell Connover, whose body was found off Cowpen Road, battered and bruised and her skull crushed. There was additional evidence that parts of her body were burned after her death But the Privy Council concluded that the murder was not an example of the “worst of the worst.”

In November 2011, Parliament passed legislation to define the types of murder constituting the “worst of the worst” guidelines set out by the London court.

Bishop Hanchell added: “A simple legal definition of what the ‘worst of the worst’ or the ‘rarest of the rare’ has caused cold-blooded killers to have their death sentences commuted to life in prison and many are walking the streets because of technicalities in our justice system.”

He said it remains a mystery why Parliament has not addressed this extremely important national concern.

“We are calling again on the government to defend the Constitution of The Bahamas and for Prime Minister Christie to deliver on his promise to the Bahamian people to resume capital punishment. Citizens For Justice also calls for the removal of the Privy Council as our final Court of Appeal.”

SUPER VALUE, on West Bay Street, which was hit by an armed robbery on Sunday.

Mr Roberts said the worst part of the robbery was the emotional toll the entire ordeal took on his employees.

“It was so traumatic for them. It is unnerving to look down the barrel of the gun,” Mr Roberts said.

“That is the worst thing for me, what this kind of thing does to the staff. We had ambulances there to assist everyone. The girls were

crying, but most of them were troopers and they stayed behind and they continued to work. In the middle of this, our staff showed bravery and a strong heart.”

Super Value stores on Mackey Street, Baillou Hill Road, Robinson Road and in the Cable Beach and Winton areas have all been robbed this year.

Police are still searching

for two suspects in Sunday’s robbery. One of the suspects, who was shot, was taken into custody on Sunday. He remains in hospital under police guard.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328TIPS.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, November 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Wolves in sheep’s clothing

By MARK HUMES

DURING the election season, there are many of us who, when we decide to enter the arena to become “servant leaders,” we do so with a sincere heart and unpolluted motives.

At the same time, there are many involved or entering who do not. The problem for those in the voting community, however, is that there are so many wolves in sheep’s clothing running around in the field that a great majority of voters now have a difficulty telling the difference between the wolves and the sheep.

These less trusting voters see all as “politicians”, and as such, lump the sheep in with the wolves, to the detriment of themselves and the rest of the sheep.

Circulating via social media is a distress cry from the Progressive Liberal Party’s leadership challenger aimed at PLPs and – indirectly the nation, suggesting that the upcoming PLP convention “is the only opportunity we’ve had in seven years and the last chance we have to improve our chances of retaining the government of The Bahamas.”

To this I say, as the gospel writer does, beware of false

MARK HUMES, FNM candidate for Fort Charlotte. prophets. They come to you ganisation, the policies, and in sheep’s clothing, but in- the leadership.” wardly they are ravenous Now, these statements are wolves. By their fruit you not outstanding because, as will recognise them. the challenger notes, the It was only a month or PLP has not held a convenso back that the same ar- tion since 2009. But they gued similarly for the PLP are outstanding because to proceed with its Novem- never once were these same ber convention saying, “the urgent or passionate argupeople in the Progressive ments put forward in the Liberal Party...have a fun- name of or out of concern damental right...and they for the people and their ought to be provided with constitutional rights by the the constitutional right that former PLP parliamentarthey have to review the or- ian and attorney general

since 2009.

I stand to be corrected, but neither did the challenger take advantage of an obvious opportunity to put forward the same arguments when he served as chairman of the College of the Bahamas’ board and the PLP was negotiating whether to put off its convention after Hurricane Joaquin last year.

So this raises several sincere questions: why the prolonged silence and why now?

Did the people of the PLP not have the same fundamental and constitutional rights last year or in the five years prior? So why the prolonged silence? Are these really concerns of a pure heart and unpolluted motives? If so, why now and why not before? Or are they simply more wolf-in-sheepclothing antics?

As entertaining as it may be for some, for those with keen eyes watching these antics play out while their lives go to waste, it is a sad, telling game that continues to make it difficult to distinguish wolves from sheep – to the disadvantage of the sheep.

The shake-my-head moment for many comes from the recognition that, as a

result of the party leader’s generosity, the challenger for leadership was given tremendous opportunities in the last decade-and-ahalf to gain prominence and notoriety among the flock. What makes matters worse is that the same generosity brought the challenger back, after a selfdetermined leave, to roam freely among the flock as candidate.

The apparent tragedy now in this PLP pen of sheep and wolves is that the ink was not even dry on the paper that permitted the candidate’s entry back into the fold before he graciously turned on the leader that fed and fattened him and is now pushing him out as past his usefulness. What a game.

And while this, unfortunately, has become the disturbingly warped reality of the political wild, it is still sad to watch the waste-oftime gamesmanship. And it is particularly sad to watch because it is troublingly to be done, at this moment in time, in the name and out of genuine concern to protect the sheep. But to the sheep, by their fruits you should know them.

The flock of good Bahamians continues to be de-

pleted, and it will only worsen in the years to come if the critters who encamp around and among us are not put out of the pasture - if we do not drive them into the wilderness from whence they came. For those who do not want to go, we must find the moral courage to force them out. For those who escape and try to slip back in, we must use our good sense to shut the gate and keep them out – for good.

Bahamians, like the good shepherd, you too know and see all. Trust yourself.

Peel back the layers so that you can determine whether what lies beneath those who are talking the language of sheep are in fact sheep or a refined form of wolf. Like Pope Francis says, “duplicity is the currency of the day.” You must make sure that the sheep are eventually separated from the wolves. Don’t be fooled.

Our progress as a nation depends on it.

• Mark Humes is a professor at the University of The Bahamas and former president of the Union of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas (UTEB). He is also the Free National Movement’s candidate for Fort Charlotte.

Friday October 28 - Saturday December 24, 2016 FROM left, Thelma Rolle-Fernander, assistant director of communications at PMH Foundation; Helen Rolle, secretary at Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group; Dwayne Swaby, Sunshine Insurance VP of development; Willie Moss, Komen Bahamas honorary chairperson and Dr Williamson Chea, Cancer Society of The Bahamas vice-president.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MARATHON BAHAMAS GIVES $50,000 TO SUPPORT WORK OF LOCAL CHARITIES

House & Spray

We can computer colour match:

SUNSHINE Insurance Marathon Bahamas (SIMB) on Monday donated $50,000 to five local cancer charities.

The donation will go towards breast cancer screenings, educating the public on the disease and providing lodging for Family Island residents travelling to Nassau for cancer care.

The 2016 recipients include the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama, the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Foundation; Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation (BBCIF).

Each charity will receive $10,000.

Sunshine Insurance, which is the lead organiser and sponsor of Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend (SIRW), held a news conference at its Shirley Street headquarters.

“I’m delighted to be here to present these cheques to very deserving organisations. We at Sunshine Insurance look at any way we can do our part to provide our services as a corporate citizen and this is one of the ways that we see our works are being well done,” said Sunshine Insurance Vice President of Development Dwayne Swaby.

“We are trying to make a positive impact on society and we look at the fight against cancer as one of the important initiatives that we feel is valuable enough for us to do all that we can in every way that we can in order to assist. This is just a small token.”

Mr Swaby thanked Race Weekend’s numerous spon-

sors, all of whom, he said, “do their part to help us give back.”

Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure® Honorary Chairperson Willie Moss, who is also a 23-year breast cancer survivor, accepted the cheque on behalf of the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.

“Thank you for all that you have done. In reflecting on the awareness that has been brought to bear on the issue of breast cancer over the last seven years in particular, I realised that this could not been done had it not been for the initiative of the Sunshine Insurance team and the Susan G Komen group. Because this was the brainchild of Sunshine Insurance I have to say a million thank yous to you all for making it possible for us to bring the awareness of breast cancer to the forefront of practically every Bahamian’s mind,” she said.

“As honorary chairperson I am truly humbled, honoured and proud to be a part of this initiative. It’s been almost 23 years now since I kicked breast cancer in the butt and I know that it can be that long and longer for all of us who are faced with such an encounter if we are aware of what is happening to our bodies and act quickly to deal with it.

I thank you once again for all of the support; I thank the sponsors over the years and I ask for more people to come on board and sponsor this event.”

Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group Secretary Helen Rolle said to date, her organisation has gifted 120 PORT-A-

CATH® instruments.

“It gives me great pleasure to come and accept this gigantic cheque. It will do the hearts of many persons well. Without you, we don’t know how we would have been able to do what we do. But, God in His mercy, always provides somebody. So, on behalf of our founders, Dr Charles Diggiss, Dr Locksley Munroe, (Nurse) Charlene McPhee, our president, Andrea Sweeting and the whole group of vibrant ladies who every day thank you for making their lives a better one by your donation, we look forward to continuing to partner with you in all that we can do to stamp out the scourge of cancer,” she said.

Cancer Society of The Bahamas Vice President Dr Williamson Chea thanked Sunshine Insurance and corporate Bahamas for their generosity.

“The Cancer Society not only treats breast cancer but treats all types of cancer. Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas generously donates to the Cancer Society and we, in fact, deal with all types of cancer. We also promote screenings, healthy lifestyles; we have programmes that screen for cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer – the main types of cancer that we see,” said Dr Chea.

“We also have to emphasise that we have a Cancer Caring Centre of which we have 10 rooms and we allow Family Island residents to come there and stay there free of charge. They come down and stay in a room with caregivers and we

transport them to the doctor, the hospital and have the treatments done. So, the money that you are donating is to a very good cause and I salute you for that. We hope everyone turns out for Race Weekend and supports this marathon and the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure.”

PMH Foundation Executive Administrative Assistant Thelma RolleFernander thanked the Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas team for including her organisation on its list of beneficiaries.

“It’s been a beautiful partnership and relationship over the last seven years for us. We continue our pledge. What we do at the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation is, we provide the support for the hospital to provide affordable and more convenient screenings for persons who need to be screened for breast cancer. This year, we have been pleased with the volume of persons who have come forward to have their mammograms done at the hospital,” she said.

“Additionally, we are pleased that we have made it more convenient for our patients to come on Saturdays to have their screenings done. We are putting it out to the public, please, if you want to have your screenings done at the hospital, you can come, we make it very convenient for you.”

Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend will be held in January 14-15, 2017.

To register for both events, visit, www.komenbahamas.org and www. marathonbahamas.com.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, November 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

HEADMASTER Michael Lowery get his head shaved by co-head girl Aaliyah Rigby, while head of secondary Andrew Moeller also undergoes the shave off, thanks to co-head girl Carlie McBrayer.

Photo: Barefoot Marketing/LIS

BALDLY GOING WHERE NO HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT HAS GONE BEFORE LUCAYA International School (LIS) is a school that promotes helping others who are in need, as well as teaching their students to lend a hand.

The school participates annually in beach clean ups, Grand Bahama Children’s Home fundraisers and various food and toy drives.

As part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, students are required to do community service projects known as Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) hours. After the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew on areas like Pinder’s Point, Eight Mile Rock, Lewis Yard and West End in Grand Bahama, the IB students chose to help those in true need.

Students began serving meals and assisting with debris clean-up in Lewis Yard and Pinder’s Point. “When you go in the areas you see the roof damage and the destruction of so many homes,” said IB student and head girl Carlie McBrayer.

“We fed over 200 people, but we know we need to do more. These families need a bit of help to get them

back to normal.”

The students soon realised they needed money to help support their efforts so they came up with the idea of a fundraiser that would be fun as well as make money at the same time.

The students enlisted the help of the senior administration staff - Michael Lowery, LIS headmaster, Andrew Moeller, LIS head of secondary, and Nicholas May, LIS head of primary.

All three heads of school stepped up for the shave off challenge and the gentleman who raised the most funds agreed to have their head shaved in front of the entire school during assembly. The students were asked to donate funds towards shaving off one of the competitors.

Last Friday, the entire school came together for an assembly to see who was the winner of the fundraising and most importantly who would get shaved. While headmaster Lowery narrowly received the most donations; all three administrators agreed if the amount raised was over $3,000, they would all shave their heads.

“I’m more than happy to participate,” said Mr Lowery. “I am proud of our students and their families for coming up big and raising $3,150. I know our students will put the money to good use and bring much needed aid for the community.”

Students will now set about planning their next set of work.

They are working closely with the Lucaya Presbyterian Church and Rotary, which has an LIS Interact Club (Youth Rotary).

Though they know they will need more funds to assist so many affected, they are excited to get started with immediate repairs.

“We plan on doing a lot more fundraising this school year because the need is great,” said Brian Rolle, IB student at LIS. “When you go out into the community, you see that it will take weeks, months and maybe years for some people’s lives to get back to normal. I am so happy to help those on my island in need and bring them relief from the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.”