01082018 news

MONDAY i’m lovin’ it!

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

HIGH 80ºF LOW 67ºF

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:115 No.32, JANUARY 8TH, 2018

HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

INSIGHT: DEADLINE PASSES - BUT WHAT NOW ON IMMIGRATION?

PAGES

Potty - going to jail over a joint Minister says marijuana law needs reviewed

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NO reasonable person can deny the Bahamas must scrutinise laws that criminalise people possessing small amounts of marijuana, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said Friday.

Amid criticism of the government’s approach to the issue, he and State Minister for Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson emphasised on the sidelines of a closely watched marijuana town hall that to ensure

the conversation about legalising or decriminalising marijuana persists, proponents of change must organise themselves to make the government pay attention.

Friday’s town hall was organised by CARICOM’s Regional Commission on Marijuana.

Like those before it, the Minnis administration has a conservative stance on marijuana and Mr Henfield’s suggestion he supports some form of decriminalisation is a rare example of SEE PAGE SIX

RETIRED Bishop Simeon Hall said he is a proponent of medicinal marijuana and has gained a greater appreciation for the benefits of its use since his appointment as the country’s representative on CARICOM’s Regional Commission on Marijuana.

“I have a deep

appreciation for medicinal usage of marijuana than I had previous to coming to this commission,” he said.

“Fred Mitchell put me on this commission before he left office. I started researching (marijuana). Besides that, I have a daughter who had brain surgery and she had to discontinue teaching . . . because she had brain surgery.”

SEE PAGE SIX

CHEESE BISCUIT

WWW.BURGERKING.BS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A MAN was shot dead near a popular restaurant at Port Lucaya marketplace on Saturday evening, leaving bystanders in a state of shock as Grand Bahama recorded its third murder within a week.

The killing came two days after another man was shot dead in Grand Bahama outside a nightclub on Thursday night and five days after a father was killed outside his home in Freeport. Their deaths marked the first three homicides in the country for the New Year.

Two men are custody assisting police with their investigation into Saturday’s homicide.

SEE PAGE THREE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

EYES TO THE RIGHT - PM MAKES THE PARADE PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at yesterday’s Royal Bahamas Police Force annual church service and parade, returning to the public eye after his recent minor operation.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

‘BOSS FIRED ME OVER CHURCH ULTIMATUM’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

SAUSAGE, EGG &

TWO MORE DIE IN GB SHOOTINGS

ON ALERT FOR AUSSIE FLU VIRUS

‘USE IN MEDICINE WINS MY VOTE’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HOME

A CONTROVERSIAL firing at Super Buck pharmacy in Grand Bahama has led to the removal of former Minister of Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville’s wife, Susie, as manager.

The move follows a ZNS Northern Service report on Friday, wherein a former employee, 21-year-old Kleesha Bevans, claimed she was fired from the pharmacy after she opted not to join Mrs Darville’s ministry.

Ms Bevans also requiring employees to join Mrs claimed she was Darville’s church, not made permawhere she is a nent after working pastor, or bring in at the pharmacy a letter from their for seven months, own ministry to despite passing the prove they were three-month prospiritually-based. bationary period. claimed It was also FORMER Minister of She claimed that her Grand Bahama Dr Mi- workers were told National Insur- chael Darville, whose the policy would wife Susie was re- come into effect ance Board (NIB) moved as manager this month, but contributions had at Super Buck. her termination not been paid. came after she In the ZNS missed a weekly Bible study report, Ms Bevans alleged staff were advised last meeting.

SEE PAGE FIVE month of a new policy

/BURGERKINGNASSAU

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands is encouraging Bahamians to get their annual flu vaccine as a precaution against the deadly Australian or “Aussie” flu virus that is spreading around the world.

There have been no reported incidences of the virus in the Bahamas, but Dr Sands said officials are watching the matter very closely.

Symptoms of the Aussie flu are identical to symptoms of less severe strains of the flu virus, except the SEE PAGE THREE

NEW NHI TO FOCUS ON CRITICAL CARE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government is planning to refocus National Health Insurance (NHI) on catastrophic care, believing a $60m budget “could do an awful lot if properly managed”.

Dr Duane Sands, minister of health, told Tribune Business that he and the NHI Authority Board were “headed” towards an NHI that protected Bahamians from “financial ruin”, with the structure likely similar to Uruguay’s catastrophic healthcare model.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PAGE 2, Monday, January 8, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Fresh Prepared, In-store, Daily.

SHIP BATTERED AS BOMB CYCLONE CONTINUES TO HIT US EAST COAST

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DEAL

20

$

(INCL. VAT)

®

• 8 PIECES OF CHICKEN • LARGE FAMILY FRIES • 4 BISCUITS

THE intense winter storm known as the “bomb cyclone” ripping through the US East Coast battered a ship carrying some 4,000 passengers on a return trip from the Bahamas.

Norwegian Cruise Line passengers recounted their harrowing experiences of flooding and chaos aboard the luxury cruise liner as it sailed directly into the storm last Thursday.

The ship was forced to turn back, delaying their arrival in New York.

“During the early morning hours of January 4,” an NCL press statement read, “Norwegian Breakaway encountered stronger than forecasted weather conditions due to winter storm Grayson during the trip’s return to New York from The Bahamas. All guests and crew are safe. We sincerely apologise to our guests for these stronger than expected weather conditions and any resulting discomfort they may have experienced.”

CBS News interviewed the Ross family of Stony Brook, New York about their twoday ordeal on Friday.

The family had taken the cruise to celebrate the 80th birthday of a family patriarch, with 21 family members on board.

They told of a harrowing ordeal of oceans swells up to 30ft with water seeping through ceilings, a flooded deck, and panic and seasickness gripping passengers.

Karoline Ross said it was the scariest, worst moment of her life.

‘When you’re on a boat in the middle of the ocean and water is pouring down the stairs, you’re thinking ‘this is not going to end well,’ Karoline said.

SNOW in South Carolina as the bomb cyclone continues to affect the US.

‘Our room was full on two inches of water. The elevator shafts were dripping water everywhere,’ Del said.

As water began seeping through the ceilings and flooding the deck, a wave of panic and seasickness gripped passengers, some taking to social media to document their horrific experience.

‘There were people crying, everyone was throwing up. it was a nightmare,’ said Olivia Ross. ‘It was so tilted I was shaking.”

Fellow passenger Emma Franzese told CBS New York once the ship docked: “I’m completely traumatized. I’ll never go on any type of boat again in my life after this. I was holding on for dear life. I honestly wasn’t sure we were going to make it through the night. The boat was tilted like crazy.”.

Another passenger Barbara StevensonFelder questioned why the cruise line didn’t cut the trip short rather than attempting to go through the storm.

Olivia Ross said: “There were people crying, everyone was throwing up, it was a nightmare. I’m completely traumatised. I’ll never go on any type of boat again in my life after this.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 8, 2018, PAGE 3

Two more die in GB shootings from page one The victim, said to be Anthawan Simms, is a wellknown individual who has business interests in Grand Bahama.

Shots rang out shortly after 11pm when a gunman opened fire at the Port Lucaya Marketplace, killing Mr Simms who was standing outside the Agave Restaurant.

The brazen act left many bystanders shocked by the shooting at a popular weekend hangout for many residents and visitors. The Port Lucaya marketplace has security personnel on duty and is located near the Lucaya Police Station.

As news of the shooting spread, crowds gathered in the area as the victim was lying face down, motionless on the ground.

Police rushed to the

scene and quickly cordoned off the area.

Supt Hilton Cash, the officer in charge of the Eastern Division, told reporters police received reports of the shooting shortly after 11pm and dispatched officers to Port Lucaya Marketplace.

He said officers discovered a man with gunshots to the body.

“Information is sketchy, but according to reports this individual was standing outside of a local business when he was approached by an assailant who shot him,” Supt Cash said.

“All we have is that it is an unknown male assailant and that he was masked.”

The country recorded its second murder of 2018 on Thursday, after a young man was shot dead outside a popular nightclub in Freeport.

The victim, an employee

of the Freeport Ship Services, was at Club 54 on West Mall Drive in the downtown area when two men entered the establishment at around 10pm and shot him.

On Monday, January 1, electrician and barbershop owner Joel Augustine, 40, was shot and killed in the Gladstone Terrance area.

His death was the country’s first homicide for 2018.

Augustine also hosted a radio show on Love 97 FM on Saturdays. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Police have not said if the homicides are in any way connected.

Supt Cash is appealing to members of the public who may have information about the murders to come forward and assist police.

Anyone with information is asked to call 350-3107 through 12, 911/919 or the nearest police station.

ANTHAWAN SIMMS

AMERICANS HELD AFTER GUNS AND AMMUNITION FOUND

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

TWO Americans are in police custody after a search of private residence in Abaco uncovered a high-powered weapon and more than 600 rounds of ammunition.

Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines and Department of Customs officials conducted a joint operation last Thursday, after receiving information that a foreign vessel had entered a dock at a private residence in Marsh Harbour without

due process.

“The vessel that was berthed at an adjoining waterfront residence was searched, as well as the home located at the Eastern Shores on the island,” the RBDF said in a press statement.

“A search of the residence uncovered a Ruger pistol, a semi-high powered air pistol with four canisters, two magazines and over 600 rounds of ammunition.

“Also found were a container of steel pellets, knives and a blow air duct. A second home

in the same vicinity was also searched and in that house was found a highpowered weapon with a telescope.

“A fishing vessel owned by one of the men was also confiscated by the relevant authorities,” it added.

The men were handed over to police for further questioning; however, they will be charged with failure to clear customs under the Customs Management Act. The weapon will be turned over to police in Marsh Harbour, the press statement read.

This incident marked the first arrest of 2018 for the RBDF. The statement continued: “Deployed teams of RBDF officers and marines around the country continue to concentrate their efforts in keeping our borders safe from smuggling and trafficking of weapons, narcotics, migrants, poachers and deterring the pillaging of natural resources within our territorial borders.

“Last month, the defence force apprehended a tugboat and barge for illegally dredging sand in waters off the western end of New

Providence, and recovered two stolen vessels.

“More recently, the defence force apprehended several foreigners, several of whom arrived in country as passengers aboard an international airline. All matters have been turned over to police, immigration, Port Department and fisheries authorities for further investigation with most matters resulting in ongoing cases before the courts.

“The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to protecting the territorial environment of The Bahamas.”

BOAT CAPTAIN AND MIGRANTS RESCUED

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

LUCNER LAURENT

A Bahamian boat captain and eight Chinese nationals rescued after a boat capsized in waters off Grand Bahama were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court last week.

Lucner Laurent, 46, of Abaco, and the immigrants appeared in court before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on Tuesday.

The Chinese nationals - six men and two women - pleaded guilty to overstaying their time in The

Bahamas. Meanwhile, Laurent was charged with eight counts of assisting in illegal embarkation.

They all pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted. The immigrants were each fined $1,000 and in default will serve six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Laurent, who was represented by attorney Osman Johnson, was ordered to pay $8,000 or in default, serve six months for each count, totalling four years imprisonment.

According to initial reports, Laurent and the

ON ALERT FOR AUSSIE FLU VIRUS from page one

symptoms are more severe and longer-lasting.

“If you have flu-like symptoms which persists longer than seven days, bear in mind this could mean you have a complicated case of flu and may mean that you have been exposed to one of these more aggressive strains,” Dr Sands said.

“This particular strain appears to be particularly deadly. We believe that the recommendations ought to be as they have been, that many people, particularly those deemed high risk, ought to take the flu vaccine. We have 10,000 doses

in stock in the public sector and I’m sure additional doses are in the private sector and we can get more but many Bahamians do not avail themselves of that opportunity; healthcare workers, elderly people, people with existing problems like diabetes and other debilitating illnesses, should all get the flu vaccine.”

Dr Sands said the flu vaccine must be taken annually for it to be effective.

“Unfortunately, each year the flu virus modifies,” he said. “It has different components.”

Dr Sands said the government has made no decision to modify advice about travel or airport screening at the moment and

he expects the flu season to peak within the next few weeks.

“We are watching this very very closely,” he said.

According to the UK Telegraph, “While the official name of the flu circulating the UK this winter is H3N2, it has

recently been dubbed Australian - or Aussie - flu. This is because the same strain fuelled the worst flu crisis Australia had experienced for around two decades.”

The Telegraph said 24 people in the UK died from the flu last week.

immigrants were spotted hanging on the bottom of the capsized vessel some 17 miles southwest of Grand Bahama when a tanker ship spotted them early in the morning on December 31.

At the time, Laurent claimed they had left Bimini for Grand Bahama when the boat developed engine problems and began taking on water and eventually capsized.

The crew handed them over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force which later turned them over to the Bahamas immigration authorities in Grand Bahama.

MAN ROBBED IN HIS CAR IN HARBOUR BAY POLICE are asking the public to come forth with any information they may have in solving a number of armed robberies which occured on Friday.

In the first incident, shortly after 11am, a man was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre when he was approached by a male armed with a firearm who robbed him of cash before fleeing in a light blue vehicle.

In the final incident, shortly after 1pm, two women were standing in the parking lot of Super Value, Cable Beach when they were approached by a man armed with a firearm who robbed them of cash before fleeing in a silver vehicle.

Investigations are ongoing.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 4, Monday, January 8, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Trump under fire - and furious TWO relatively unploughed fields of battle have now opened in Washington, DC for America’s most adept media manipulator. While President Donald Trump’s public 2017 fights with critics and erstwhile friends were largely limited to TV and print media, the worlds of books and movies have now been added to the public frenzy that is the current US presidency.

Significant parts of Trump’s first year in office were devoted to an ongoing feud with an institution deemed for years to be in a fatal, downward spiral – the newspaper business. Trump’s scuffles and accommodations with the notorious New York City daily tabloid newspapers, the Post and the Daily News, have made headlines for over 35 years. But he reserves by far his most vitriolic hatred and grudging admiration - for the closest thing to America’s newspaper of record, the New York Times.

Treating the Times as he does everyone and everything else, Trump quotes the newspaper when it agrees with or flatters him. When, with increasing frequency and noticeable venom, it disagrees with or vilifies him, he lashes out at the “failing New York Times”.

Trump has often picked fights with television commentators, talking heads and pundits for similar reasons. Notable is his fascination with MSNBC “Morning Joe” host and former Florida Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough, whose show Trump reportedly watched regularly. Now, though, Scarborough has unleashed numerous highly critical salvos at the president, including via Op-Ed pieces in the Washington Post. Trump has of course returned heavy fire.

Now, books and movies have become fair game. First up is “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” a gossipy recounting of Trump’s first year in office told by a longtime habitué of the New York scene, Michael Wolff. Wolff has a somewhat uneven reputation as a reporter whose veracity has occasionally been challenged. But his work has appeared over the years in some prestigious publications, the New York Times among them.

“Fire and Fury” has caused a sensation, jumping almost immediately to the top of best-seller lists. Release of the book by reputable publisher Henry Holt was advanced and bookstores quickly sold out.

The book is not flattering to the

current US administration. Claiming to draw upon hundreds of interviews with key insiders, most notably now defrocked presidential confidant and adviser Steve Bannon, “Fire and Fury” paints a picture of incompetence, unpreparedness, venality and willful ignorance that bears an uncanny resemblance to the impression many Americans already have of this presidency.

Wolff cites and in some cases recycles assessments of Trump and his family from close advisers. In its book review, the Washington Post reports from the book that National Security Adviser HR McMaster allegedly called Trump a “dope”.

Former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said Trump is an “idiot”.

Media tycoon and noted conservative political profiteer Rupert Murdoch called the president a “(bleeping) idiot”.

Top economic adviser Gary Cohn described him as “dumb as (bleep)”.

And so forth.

Bannon is quoted describing Donald Trump Jr’s meeting with Russians at Trump Tower in June 2016 to explore material possibly damaging to Hillary Clinton’s presidential candidacy as “treasonous”.

Bannon has now been loudly and publicly excommunicated by Trump and his son. Trump Sr said Bannon “has lost his mind”.

Quietly, almost stealthily, as the furore has raged over Wolff’s book, a new movie has been in limited release. The movie, called simply “The Post,” features perhaps the two most acclaimed American actors of this generation, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. It tells the story of the 1971 release of the Pentagon Papers, an unflattering secret US government history of the American war in Vietnam, which did not end until 1975. The classified documents were leaked first to the New York Times and then, more famously, to the Washington Post. The US Supreme Court ultimately ruled the newspapers’ right to publish the Pentagon Papers was protected by the First Amendment to the American constitution.

The timing of movie’s release does not seem coincidental. As Hanks told HBO in a video interview helping to publicise the film, the story of newspapers and other resisters pushing against gross abuse of executive power and misrepresentation of that abuse feels disarmingly similar to what is happening today.

Civil service general orders EDITOR, The Tribune.

SURELY it is time for the Public Service Commission to lay down the rules that Civil Servants may not be in business or sell their services, in person or otherwise.

Isn’t this part of General Orders?

A few months back large photographs of a senior official at the Ministry of Youth appeared on BTC buildings and in advertisements

- today in our newspapers we see a very senior police officer clearly endorsing a cellular provider.

In both cases, as I understand General Orders, both persons have to be asked to explain (themselves)... in the case of the Police I have to suggest, owing to the rank of the person, the gentleman has a lot to explain to the Commissioner and the Police Commission.

There are hundreds of Police Officers and RBDF

the stadium! Fake News 1000 percent.The stadium WELL the numbers are was empty! in - Popeye Bowl did not If there were 5,000 that attract even as many view- was a lot and if it was not ers as 2016, 1.2m, in fact a for the visitors that also was whopping 36 percent less: a lot. Minister Pintard, deny 882,000. this please.

Now listen to this obviHave you noticed the ous massive fake News; obvious deliberate hyping someone - probably from of the event on ZNS almost Ministry of Sports - put every evening’s News out there that 13,585 Sports segment - some issue attended the game in about the game except the

EDITOR, The Tribune THE headline of The Tribune’s article January 2 about my apology was inaccurate; in my opinion.

It stated: “PALACIOUS APOLOGISED FOR HIS COMMENTS ON WOMEN’S DRESS.” I said in my statement that I stood by what I said originally and that is still

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net my position. My apology was for what I failed to say, not for what I did say.

The article did make this point in quoting extensively from my statement but the headline, in my opinion, conveyed the wrong

impression.

I just wish to be judged on what I said rather than what others say that I said.

Alicia Wallace’s commentary in her Tribune article on Wednesday, January 3, obviously missed this point as well.

FATHER JAMES PALACIOUS Nassau, The Bahamas

Misogyny and damage control EDITOR. The Tribune

ONCE again, the misogyny of James Palacious has officers-marines who are revealed itself in his victim actively in business. What is blaming comments regardcrazy is these businesses are ing sexual assault. Maya able to bid for Government Angelou says it clearly: business and be contractors “When someone shows to the Government, even you who they are, believe Cabinet Office without them.” anyone saying anything.

The last time his misogTent rentals, landscaping, yny oozed out was over maintenance for example. the suggestion that women Thought Minnis & Co prom- should be neutered. And ised cleaning up these areas? now, we must dress according to the “Palacious dress T FERGUSON code”. Perhaps this is a Nassau, creative opportunity for January 4, 2018. him to design an anti-rape and anti-groping line of clothing.

Palacious has an offensive track record of issuing apologies after making comments. truth: a total failure and misogynistic regrettably we have to pay And his comments are parfor a further two-years in ticularly damaging because the stupid contract Minis- so many people hold him in ter Obie Wilchcombe & Co high regard.

It suggests that he should signed.

Minister D’Aguilar better inform himself about please see if there is an out- important issues of womclause and take that route en’s rights, gender equality and sexual violence before so we save some money. speaking publicly. Those

support systems exist and W THOMPSON are well known to him.

Nassau, This go to position of December 31, 2017.

Fake numbers EDITOR, The Tribune.

Palacious: No apology

blaming women for the sexual harassment and physical abuse they endure only empowers perpetrators. It excuses and validates their behaviour with a wink and a nod.

It says: don’t worry; it’s not your fault; you won’t be held accountable. You are acting how any man would.

She should not have dressed like that. She should not have asked for it.

Palacious’ comments were victim blaming and no amount of damage control can undo the clear signals they sent as a green light to perpetrators. His apologies are often successful in preserving his good standing in the public’s eye, but all of that grooming does nothing to reign in the behaviour of perpetrators or protect women.

Should we not expect our leaders to speak forthrightly and passionately when it comes to their condemnation of perpetrators?

So many seem to be passionate about these issues but only when it comes to blaming victims.

May I suggest that on our collective journey in 2018 we challenge and

disrupt this dysfunctional national narrative of blaming victims. We should name and shame the behaviour of perpetrators without apology and let perpetrators of harassment and abuse know in no uncertain terms that their behaviour is unacceptable and illegal. And collectively, we must hold perpetrators responsible for their actions.

Palacious has positioned himself to be an advocate and has offered his public support for important issues, including legislative reform to criminalise marital rape. However, he, and others, must understand their position of leadership is undermined when they give comfort to perpetrators through their words and their actions.

If they are serious about advancing the cause to end gender base violence, they need to be more responsible and better informed.

DONNA NICOLLS Deputy Director, Bahamas Crisis Center Founder, Bahamas Women’s Watch

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 8, 2018, PAGE 5

‘Boss fired me over church ultimatum’ from page one

She said she was called into a meeting the following day.

Ms Bevans said: “I had to choose between her church or not going and I choose not to go and she told me this is where we have to severe ties and she

let me go.”

According to ZNS, in a statement posted to its Facebook page under the initial report, Mrs Darville later told the station “Bevans was not fired, but given a choice to join a church, which she believes, is a corporate decision.”

The ZNS statement

continued: “While she (Mrs Darville) admits that she advised employees who do not attend her church to bring in a letter to prove that they are spiritually connected, she contends that as a believer of Jesus Christ, everything that pertains to her business and any one working there has to be of one

spiritual mindset.

“As far as the payment of National Insurance, Darville promised to pay the outstanding contributions,” the report added.

The store chain is owned

by David Darville Jr, Dr Darville’s son.

On Saturday, Mr Darville Jr released a statement advising that

Mrs Darville was no longer affiliated with the pharmacy chain.

“Effective immediately,” Mr Darville’s statement read, “Mrs Susie Darville, manager of our Grand Bahama operations, is no longer affiliated with Super Buck.

“As the proprietor of Super Buck, I can assure

the public that this business conforms with the laws of The Bahamas.

“Contrary to recent reports, none of our employees have been dismissed based on a religious premise. Super Buck respects the rights of all of our employees.”

Dr Darville is a Progressive Liberal Party senator.

MAN DIES AFTER FALL FROM SCAFFOLD

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A MAN has died as a result of injuries he sustained in an apparent industrial accident on Saturday evening in Grand Bahama.

According to police reports, the individual was at an establishment on West Atlantic Drive when he fell from a scaffold shortly before 11pm.

The man was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.

ASP Terecita Pinder said the man died in hospital on yesterday morning.

Police are investigating the incident.

DRIVER IS KILLED AS CAR HITS BUILDING OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

DAVIS CITES PLP LEGACY FOR MAJORITY RULE DAY

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net OFFICIAL Opposition Leader Philip Davis yesterday vowed to uphold the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) legacy of majority rule as inextricable from the country’s history.

Mr Davis underscored the present government was indebted to the progress forged by the PLP’s 1967 general election win, during remarks at a Majority Rule Day service at Agape International.

However, he acknowledged the day did not belong to just one party, but to all Bahamians.

“These memories seem all far and distant but with many around us today who are trying to turn back the tide we have an obligation to remind the young that what we have today did not always exist in the way it does today,” Mr Davis said.

“These stories must be told and embraced by a new generation so that they become their own.”

“The PLP has been too tentative about telling its story,” he continued.

“Under my leadership, I do not intend for this to continue. I intend to tell who we are and how we came to be where we are.

Let us never forget. They

tell us that those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.”

“I remind today’s government that they are where they are because of January 10, 1967.”

He continued: “The names of the victorious PLP candidates of the general of election of 1967 were: Lynden Pindling, leader, Preston Albury, Clarence Bain, Milo Bulter, Clifford Darling, Elwood Donaldson, Arthur Foulkes, Carlton Francis, Arthur Hanna, Warren Levarity, Curtis MacMillan, Uriah McPhee, Maurice Moore, Edmund Moxey, Jimmy Shepherd, George Thompson, Jeffrey

Thompson and Cecil Wallace Whitfield.

“I look forward to the day when this holiday and these celebrations will be embraced and accepted for what they truly are by all Bahamians. This day belongs not to one party but to all Bahamians,” he added.

The government has announced that a Majority Rule Day church service will be held 10am Wednesday at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on West Street.

Majority Rule Day became a national holiday in 2014.

It commemorates the Bahamas gaining majority rule for the first time on January 10, 1967.

On that day both the PLP and the United Bahamian Party (UBP) won 18 parliamentary seats during the general election, with the remaining two going to Randol Fawkes, of the Labour Party, and Alvin Braynen, an Independent.

Mr Fawkes sided with the PLP, helping the party to form the first black-led government. Mr Braynen became speaker of the House.

A MAN died Friday night after a traffic accident in the Carmichael Road area, police said.

Shortly before 9pm, police received a report of a fatal accident at Unison Road off Carmichael Road.

When officers arrived on the scene, they met an unresponsive man inside a Honda.

Police Fire Services assisted in extricating the victim from the car, which was extensively damaged.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary reports indicate that the victim was driving on Unison Road when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a concrete building, which is under construction.

Officers from the RBPF Traffic Division are investigating.

PAGE 6, Monday, January 8, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Potty - going to jail over a joint from page one a sitting minister going on record with such a view.

“No one can argue against the position that to place a criminal record on a young Bahamian male in the prime of his life for having a joint is something that has to be examined, has to be looked at; no one in their right or reasonable mind would accept that without consideration,” Mr Henfield told reporters.

“This country has a large population of young people. Sometimes young people get into things and do stuff that they regret later on. I know as young person I have. I have three sons. It’s important for us to look at these things with deep consideration.”

More than 200 people, mostly men, attended the town hall at the Holy Trinity Activity Centre; thousands more watched via online streams.

Attendees were greatly in favour of marijuana decriminalisation and legalisation, with only few of more than 30 speakers favouring the status quo. How representative the audience was of Bahamians’ views at large was a question that lingered after the event.

CARICOM, according

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Darren Henfield.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff to marijuana commission chair Dr Rose Marie BelleAntoine, submitted a marijuana questionnaire for the government to publicly distribute to compile data regarding Bahamians’ attitudes toward the substance, but it’s unclear whether the government will conduct a survey to better ascertain public opinion.

Nevertheless, Dr BelleAntoine said every country the commission has visited thus far has displayed overwhelming support for decriminalising marijuana

in town hall events.

“My distinct impression is this is an important issue for the Bahamas, not just for the young people but from very many walks of life,” she said. “How widespread it is difficult to say but I would say that if people who were really vehemently opposed were indeed that way they would come out and say so and they haven’t, so I think that tells you there is a softening of attitudes in relation to marijuana.”

Among the most

significant concerns residents expressed was the country may be missing an opportunity to capitalise on an economic stimulus; that Bahamians are not allowed to benefit from cutting edge medicinal marijuana treatments; and that marijuana laws are enforced unequally, with poorer, black Bahamians likelier to be criminalised than wealthier Bahamians who go free even if caught with the drug.

McKenzie Van Hagen attracted applause when he took the mic and touched on such themes. “Coming from a white man’s mouth,” he said, “I’m curious how black and brown Bahamians especially feel that in Portugal, Amsterdam and Canada there are people who are going to be making millions and millions of dollars and if we stay in the past there is going to continue to be black and brown Bahamians locked up and having their lives ruined while white people are getting rich.”

Some residents aimed their frustration at politicians, mocking the Free National Movement’s (FNM) “it’s the people’s time” slogan as they accused the administration of preferring to ignore the issue.

“The PLP disappointed our young men; the FNM disappointed our young men and Chris Mortimer you better not try disappoint our young men,” said Fayne Thompson, a lawyer and member of Citizens Against Prohibition – a Bahamas marijuana advocacy group.

“It’s the political class who has to take the next step,” Mr Thompson said.

“Stop looking for Uncle Sam to say no.”

To those who expressed concern that the marijuana debate will end now that the contingent of CARICOM representatives has left the country, Mr Johnson said: “It’s for the persons here to get together as a group, to lobby government, to lobby other NGOs in the community and to carry the discussions on. There’s freedom of expression. One thing my government and my prime minister is insisting on is that civil society becomes extremely active.

That’s how democracies survive, how they grow and evolve.”

Mr Henfield expressed a similar view.

“I wonder if Bahamians want a government that dictates to them or one that is responsive,” he said.

“When you ask some of the leading members of society

what their views are inevitably you hear we have not yet formed a view, we are waiting on the government to say something. I believe that laws should inform the needs of the society, should be responsive to the needs of the society. When Bahamians come together with any one cause, governments are forced to listen or they lose power. If this movement is as I see here tonight with very strong support government will be forced to listen so we look to what’s going to happen in the future.”

Mr Henfield could not say how likely the government is to adopt the recommendations of the commission’s report, whatever they are.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has not yet given his opinion on marijuana.

“When my prime minister is ready, I’m quite certain, wise man that he is, he will address it,” Mr Johnson said as he pushed back against criticism that the government would prefer that the matter ends as a public debate.

“We’ve facilitated this meeting,” he said. “There is work being put into this.

At the end of the day the government may decide or it may not but that’s not a question for me to answer.”

BISHOP HALL: USE IN MEDICINE WINS MY VOTE from page one

“She’s at home now still recuperating, two years now. I’m now a proponent of medicinal usage of marijuana because I’ve heard enough that it does have some medicinal value; I have a daughter who is challenged and I’ll do anything that I can to keep her alive.”

On recreational use

of marijuana, he said: “I was prejudiced but my only point though was pastoral that these young people shouldn’t be criminalised for a little joint - I said that years ago. I think (recreational use) needs more management but I respect your right as long as it doesn’t infringe on mine or somebody else’s. It’s like my thing on homosexuality, if that’s what you want do

in the back there around the corner, that’s your business.”

Bishop Hall’s presence on the commission unsettled people during Friday’s CARICOM town hall on the issue, with many assuming that as a religious figure his mind is set against marijuana legalisation.

When commission chair Dr Rose Marie BelleAntoine said he was the

country’s representative, the crowd began to murmur.

“We need someone who represents the average person, that’s all,” Mario Woodside, an attendee who had the mic at the time, responded.

“I don’t see why (people are against my participation),” Bishop Hall told reporters after the event.

“I’ve been known for social activism, so anything that concerns people should concern me because I represent the church, I represent the kingdom of God and that’s everybody. I’m saying whatever concerns God’s people, concerns God and as a representative I want to be involved whether I’m on the panel or not. Once it concerns people you can look for me.”

The town hall was packed with people who want marijuana decriminalised or legalised.

“I’m not sure if they have an appreciation of all the ramifications of that but I think the conversation should be ongoing,” Bishop Hall said to reporters on the sidelines of the event.

Bahamian politicians have rarely expressed

a progressive view of marijuana, but last week Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip “Brave” Davis told the Nassau Guardian medical marijuana should be examined.

Not everyone expressed a positive view of marijuana’s potential during the town hall, however. One of the few women who spoke was Dr Petra Forbes, a doctor at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, who said marijuana worsens some psychiatric illnesses.

“You could have alcohol-induced psychosis or marijuana-induced psychosis,” she said. “Sometimes the persons never come back to their baseline and it’s sad when it’s young people who have one weed brownie, who had one joint. And another myth, your joint don’t have to be laced (sic). It could be in the purest form of marijuana and you could have a break.”

However, Dr Lynwood Brown, a University of West Indies graduate, extolled the virtues of medical marijuana when he took the mic.

“The other aspects of marijuana use can be in a

moot and can be put to the people, but medical marijuana has a multiplicity of good uses,” he said.

“North America has licenced medical marijuana in 26 states and it has become a $14 billion industry. As a physician, my job is to do what the World Health Organisation (WHO) says, health is the state of social, physical and mental well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. We should not limit any medical expertise, any medical therapies that can be used for the benefit of health in The Bahamas.

“My learned esteemed colleague who works at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre mentioned mental health illness; the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DMS-IV revised edition states that persons who are susceptible, marijuana can cause a psychotic event; the key word is susceptible. This susceptibility is seen in adolescence, persons who are under the legal drinking age in America of 21. I have no quarrels about having a restricted age use for use of marijuana but I’m here to speak about medical marijuana.”

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018

THE RBDF boarding team apprehending 87 Haitian migrants off Great Inagua on Saturday, December 23, and, right, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

A deadline passes but what happened on an issue where we all have a part to play?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

A

S the dawn of a new year emerged with the clock striking midnight on January 1, 2018, many Bahamians naturally would have wondered what would be the government’s next move regarding illegal immigration. After Prime Minister Minnis’ bold proclamation landed him in the spotlight (again), many of us were unsure as to what new levels of enforcement would be implemented.

Perhaps this was due to the fact we have crossed this bridge many times with the initiative losing steam before it ever reached completion.

Successive administrations have dabbled with clamping down on illegal immigration for many years before international pressure lead to efforts cooling off under the spectre of negative publicity.

This time may have been different though – many would have thought. How could it not be?

With Haitian sloops pulling up to our shores in clear sight of our nation’s first line of defence of our borders - mere weeks after the prime minister’s announcement – some alluded to Minnis’ statements as being causal to opening the floodgates.

Certainly, he must have been ready to turn it up a notch to send a clear message to illegals and the consortium that are party to this human trafficking ring that he means business.

However, as the weeks wound down in 2017, despite a few apprehension and deportation exercises, there was no policy implemented that indicated any sign of a change on December 31, 2017. None.

In fact, you could have heard a pin drop on the prime minister’s designated “doomsday” for illegal immigrants to either become regularised or leave.

As the citizenry’s eager- warning to its members in ness to read the headlines regard to the government’s on the first official day of decision to focus on the role news for 2018 ballooned, they play in illegal immiImmigration Minister Brent gration. You have these Symonette let the air out individuals cautioning the when he indicated there was government to be humane never any allusion by the and to take the business prime minister that there community’s impact on the would be a policy change. It economy into considerawas just “talk” – him advis- tion. This type of deflection ing the illegal migrants to from the issue at hand is leave, and also cautioning indicative of the individualbusinesses which employ istic approach too many take undocumented migrants to in regard to our country’s go through the proper com- development. pliance procedures or face To that end, it comes the consequences. down to a simple quesSymonette only echoed tion: how is it reasonable those sentiments, stating to discard the effects illethe government will begin gal immigration has on our to “crackdown” on busi- country on a macro-level nesses – as administrations simply because a particular would have failed to do so group of business owners in the past. want to enjoy the luxury Needless of cheap to say, this labour? The was certainly notion itself not what the is absurd, yet, populace we question was hoping why so many to hear. But other facets should we of our society really be surdo not work prised? Did well. we really While expect the many of our government communities to unleash the MEMBER of Parliament for have been hounds into St Anne’s Brent Symonette. overtaken the shanty with violence, towns and in the other and some neighbourhoods communities where illegal are bordered with the inhumigrants reside? mane conditions of shanty Surely not. One thing we towns, too many of us should all have learned by take on the approach of a now is politicians are in the “us” and “them” mentality game of politics and are when talking about other overly concerned with their Bahamians. Let’s not prepublic image. They refrain tend this is not the case. For from making the tough calls the families able to afford a because of how it would private education for their make them look – even if children, who have private it means allowing an issue medical care, who live in that has been tumorous to the neighbourhoods not our country’s socio-eco- subjugated to the ills that nomic condition to thrive can come along with having for decades too long. a lower income, this is all Perhaps this new year, too easily ignored. we should wish for the forNow, when this comes titude to stop relying on to the fore of the national politicians to change our conversation, we see conditions and put more self-interest prevailing – emphasis on people and typically through politics. what we attribute to our In this instance, you either circumstances. have various factions Consider the leaders of the seeking to gain a politibusiness community’s latent cal advantage – or others,

like those from the business community, lobbying for leniency on illegal migrants over fear of a negative impact to their bottom lines.

Whatever happened to wanting a better Bahamas for Bahamians? Why does this become more illusory the older our nation gets?

Sooner or later we ought to realise that like any machine which requires some level of organisation and continuity of all its moving parts, a country works no differently.

For this reason – and this in no way absolves the government – it is unfair to only rake the government over the coals and ignore the wrong within our propensity to self-preserve and self-enrich when it comes to the existence of illegal immigration in our country.

Quite honestly, it is unpatriotic to say the least.

We all have our part to play. Even if you are only paying $80 every week to have your yard cleaned, you are still perpetuating the greater issue.

While we will be waiting to see what may become a fight between the government and the business community, the Minnis Administration is still on the hook to deliver.

The grumblings have already begun, and unfortunately for the prime minister, the public will continue to be merciless if there is no material dent in our immigration problem. Perhaps the timing of his eye surgery would have served him as a convenient escape from the press’ questioning on the matter last week. He would have been able to take a week to allow tempers to cool and organise himself going into the second week of the new year.

More than likely we will continue to see stories of apprehensions, deportations and interceptions of sloops en route to our nation’s shores.

Perhaps, we will also see stories depicting the alleged “crackdown” that is to come to show that the government means business.

However, the government still must consider the public wants to know a more in-depth plan as to how they are going to deliver the most debilitating blow to illegal immigration that we have ever seen. It is a fine time to do so and entering the first full year of the government’s term

in office, it can certainly use an accomplishment to hang its hat on.

As of now, they seem to be going through the motions of governing. It is a new year and the time is ripe for Prime Minister Minnis to show that for all of his shortcomings in wordsmithing, that he is now prepared to be a man of action.

You can be a man of words, or you can be a man that does not hesitate to act.

DEATH NOTICE

Rudolph Daniel Taylor Sr., 72 of Samuel’s Addition, off Farrington Road, died on Sunday, January 7th, 2018.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 PAGE 10, Monday, January 23, 2017 PAGE 8 MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017

WEEK IN RIBUNE

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net THE TRIBUNE EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

GAIN AN EDGE

GAIN AN EDG

day - Supervalue rt Roberts is overnment to A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AT policy rertnell reports A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATI e Bahamas nahampionships or The Baha; plus Fourth s. atest propernd rent in the ’ Guide OR some, the road to colsday lege is relatively “THE past two years nd Healthsmooth. Howflown ceever, on for taking most have the road to by. Even now about to graduate, mind andeducation body that higher is aI’m rocky, the fact that I’ve been able making waves climb. Often long, uphill to attend university at all asit takes more than one try seems surreal,” says StephBox sporting to make college dreams a anie Stubbs, who will soon nigo “Naughreality. But those second have herare Associate’s Deaya chances in OCHELLE education Failure to have both gree Laboratory Smith had always well worth it. in Medical Technology from Keiser TVET and traditional nesday longthat and That’s a prayed reality University in Florida. ch a weekly hard about what academics available in Trevino Stubbs is all too of 39 Ly’saware newwanted in of. the to she doStephanie with has heris one Trevino all school programmes Scholars who will nology life. pursuing ford been his Cay college her potential Stephanie’s ultimate goal graduate this year join believed Smith’s is aand disservice to toininvest She forthwas indreams the 11th grade education since enough in her.

It is to return to The Bahamas the thousands of Scholars Call column and a decisionfrom regarding the our children and graduating R.M. who have been able to com- was the boost she needed to and partner with an estabtrajectory of her life needed Bailey Senior High School believe in herself and pur- lished laboratory company country, Remiska plete theirin-college educa- says rsday be made.

She would into1997.

Although he hasn’t her own dreams. to expand its business to intion either locally or inter- sue and Religion, Wildgoose, English form her mother tonight. achieved his ultimate eduis convinced clude more diverse medical nationallyapover instructor the past 45 at Stephanie ew As she reluctantly BTVI cational goal years yet, through he’s the generos- that college has unlocked a technology services. Her ok’, a weekly proached Mrs Smith, she constantly working toward whole new world for her and hope is that her training ity of donors to the Lyford g could in The BaTVET is a first option for school does not work out.a path the exhaustion. it withsense a keen focus. His set her on towards will help the country closer Cay Foundations. some is an important step as a society, Mrs Smith hardon- Unfortunately, success. sights remainworked firmly set She has used every provide a wider array of Although the road to towards progression.

The we place whitemoment collar jobs both parents did, for they detour when became He higher education. of aher mechanics Associate’s industry. medical laboratory services graduation has not an he day child that is his talented with on abeen pedestal.

Our educawanted the best for their teen father. College and spent all of spare time Trevino was always the programme to explore all locally without having to easy one, Stephanie has ala 28-page sectheir hands is just as inteltional system separates children. career dreams took a backresearching trends in more the complex labin inhis ways family. As aspects ofthe the little-known send the kept her focus on the to“fixer” the best ligent as the child who asstudents with “great poten“Mummy, I’ve made a deseat to real and present industry and oratories doing hands a child, he spent hours field of medical technology. abroad for testing. shining prize -tial”, graduating fashion, food, pires to pursue medicine. and for those students cision.

I want to do hair and on field learning. Eventually he to spread the “It’s anFor exciting that She also hopes repairinggar- with a college degree that needs. ainment, equity begins with we give our best. nails.” nearly theto Social allows make enough sure word at home saved to study auto about the imeverything will enable make a countries you al matters, given us, for the carpenter and such Vexed, fit-Mrs‘Once Smith re-her atoHowever, nextdoctors twoare mechanics giving theirpart-time portanceatofthe this critical field. forinterviews family difference in The Bahamas that and the doctor both end up conas Finland, whose educaplied, “Girl you crazy aye!I always problem, patients the right diagno“College has allowed me the decades, Bahamas Technical and members through medicaltional technology.

View Naughtributing to the society as a system sis rivals most, testing,” All- that money we plunkthrough sheInstitute chancedespite to really look toward Trevino Vocational from applifollow through Like so many aspiring take on the Thus, failure to have per cent of whole. ing out to put you in private shows that 45 said.

Stephanie knows that the future and seek out opfocused on both his work schedule. ances students, Stephanie’s first Bahamas TVET and traditional students choose a technical school andto youuntil say youI wan’ figure out although there are many portunities where I couldn’t working While he’s proud of all his and major hurdle on the road to efurniture Finish Line, academics available in to the tra- physicians do what?! Girl you better track as opposed a solution. That’s well-trained in see them before,” said Stephwhatever progress and the life he has eventually a college education wasacademics*. fie local sports programmes is truly ditional What school get out my face and pray The Bahamas, there is a anie.

“This he opportunity was jobs he made, Trevino knows nancial.

“I can still rememthe quality that’s ntcars. TreviStubbs a disservice to our children can need take for a about what to do with your if Joshua, whogreat wellthe just the first rung on a very to equally has ultimately more in him. wants no’s ber the moment that I foundand could and our He country. car apart put it back life!”interest going to help me trained healthcare technoltall ladder.

I plan to continue support his toAt be designated a master in Rochelle studying outretreated, TREVINO STUBBS I was awarded a scholrday this pivotal moment, together, or Gabrielle, who ogy professionals. to climb and I’m going to conreach my goal.’ growing mechanic, and that requires automotive arship from The Foundane’s Top 5: there is no simple answer artwork heartbroken, despond- can paint nails like After graduation, Steph- tinue my education any family. are byresources out there he knows that in today’s soon. That’s because he additional technology tions,” she to reflected. was had deo review of determined solve oureducation. social and ecoon a “I canvass, the op- toto ent, but was anie plans pursue a means possible.”

“I put for students who can’t world, college makes the knows the power of second The harsh truth is that inmake a college stunned!

Just moments beop stories by nomic ills. Nevertheless, on to be her mother proud. portunity early Bachelor’s degree in bio• “Gain An Edge” a everything on hold,” shared afford iscollege. He’s set difference.

Trevino can’t afford college to become aImaster foreand learned chances. Do you? gilabroad on prayed www. of our answers lies in seenI’dasbeen a success for who one She long hard that logical sciences or clinical weekly collaboration of now on Lyford Trevino.

“Over the past 18 his sights Studies consistently show internationally on his own. after high school awarded a scholarship, I was mmechanic placing diversified educato the and decided to pursue med- they are, as opposed biology.

She will donot the Lyford Foundayears, about taking contemplating callingI’ve theset that Foundations’ Schol- college is now needed not Butalso he’sthe letting thatCayCay was a natural step. in The Trib- next “Gain An Edge” is a tion at forefront.

All expectations society icine. further study tostop become a tions, Bahamas arship Technical care of my responsibilities college to tell them that I programme that just for traditional careers, weekly collaboration of the him.

As the time slowly grew siness, sports, especially dethem? specialist For countries, As Bahamians, we know projects onto certified in hemaand Vocationaloffers Institute by looking jobs techthat veloping wouldn’t because scholarships for both but in the technical and Lyford Cay Foundations, “Once given a problem, d closer Classifieds graduation, countries, need students likefor these, this storyforall too well. be Wecoming tology and microbiology. and University of The Ba- and technical vocational sector as well. the Bahamas Technical and I just couldn’t afford it.” enable me to provide for best guide to academic I always follow through Trevino began to countbalanced development education give our children the best nical vocational combination of Itrainhamasa aimed promotFor Stephanie, being This I never lost , down real estate, pursuits.

And it’s becoming increas- Vocational Institute and until figure solu- at the months until he my all of out the educaandfamily. But training (TVET) is through education because we have ing will allow the versa- ing a national dialogue awarded scholarship nd more.that of my career goals and her Why on is Trevino fight- ingly true for careers where University of The Bahation. That’s theorder quality could move toa sight tional sectors in to first choice. hopes theyforward will become tility to pursue career education. share REMISKAeducation WILDGOOSE meant that ing news college and mywere lovepeoforthere auto mechanics. his second chance? a college was not mas aimed at promoting a that’s fields going higher to help me ingTofor pursue and jumpsignificant progress While are stillfrommake doctors and lawyers.

Car-there range pathology your thoughts, STEPHANIE STUBBS, Keiserjust University Graduate Lyford Cay plemake out there, with needed herthe that your mobileDespite busyness of in Why gainisn’t he just satisneeded 10educational years ago. and national reach said email start his plans to the along termsmyof goal,” nationalhedeveldialogue on higher changes to be made penters and massage therwell-diversified duce instantaneous results, and look to 2027, when our to public and allied health. anedge@tribunemedia.net. scholar. own supportive family, who ne242.com life, Trevino determinedly There’s no doubt Trevino as he reflected on his own fied with what he’s already system hobby loved only a successful (Bennell,1996). apists he should be the in our educational system, opment education.

To share your is one small but sig- it is an alternative that will educational system proopportunities to We accomplished?

It’s enough because nificant will have the satisfacdrivemust and determination. career he could embrace. see beyond 2017 duces embracing the fact that alternative when medical found thoughts, email differgainstep towards long- make a tremendous more than he dreams of more and term tion economic of achieving his goal ence.

Trevino also knows there qualified, But his life took a sudden learn more about the auto anedge@tribunemedia.net. prosperity visionary citizens who could build a world in our nation.

For many students at the While further investment Bahamas Technical and class resort that would rival most. Implementing TVET into developing our educa- Vocational Institute, TVET programmes and having a tional system may not pro- is their only choice because it is what they love. As leaders, teachers, and parents, it is incumbent that we continue to embrace TVET as an alternative at all levels so all individuals can become valuable contributing members of society.

Stories like that of Rochelle, whose name has been changed for the prupose of this article, are much too common. Like so many others, medical school did not work out. In the end, she still pursued what she loved - beauty trades.

A prescription forfor a dream Why diversified Second chance a brighter future

education is key F to social equity R

A Lyford Cay Foundations scholar aims to serve through medical technology

Announces

MAJORITY RULE DAY TUESDAY, January 9, 2018 Normal Banking Hours

WEDNESDAY, January 10, 2018 MAJORITY RULE DAY CLOSED TECHNICAL vocational education and training is important to help students, says Remiska Wildgoose.

THURSDAY, January 11, 2018 Normal Banking Hours

Sources *Mark Phillips (2012).

Why should we care about Vocational Education? **Bennell, P (1996).

General versus vocational secondary education in developing country: A review of rates of return evidence.

The Journal of Development Studies.

“Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 8, 2018, PAGE 9

What Aidan taught me and John Hopkins HUNDREDS gathered in St Anslem’s Catholic Church on Friday for the funeral of two-year-old cancer victim Aidan Carron.

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest was among the many mourners who assembled to hear tributes and prayers for the toddler who, on Christmas Eve, tragically lost his life to therapy-related leukaemia brought on by the treatment necessary to eradicate the deadly auto-immune disease he acquired from his vaccinations.

Aidan’s father, Robert, and other close family members spoke movingly of the little boy who they said lit up every room and who put of a heroic battle to overcome a disease which had been so unnecessarily inflicted on him.

Mourners flew in from around the world including members of Aidan’s medical team at the John Hopkins Children’s Hospital in Baltimor. They included Dr Heather Symons, Clinical Director, Paediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant and Asst Professor of Oncology; Dr Patrick Brown, Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Centre Paediatric Leukemia Programme, Associate Professor of Oncology/Associate Professor of Paediatrics; Miami Children’s Hospital, Dr Maggie Fader, Haematology/Oncologist and close family friend Col Dr John Black Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals and Consultant to the British Army in pre-hospital trauma care.

Earlier in the day, the

group paid a courtesy call on Health Minister Dr Duane Sands and toured Prince Margaret Hospital.

Dr Patrick Brown, a renowned cancer researcher, wrote an incredible tribute to Aidan, grandson of The Tribune’s publisher, Eileen Carron.

Dr Brown’s tribute read: “On the day that Aidan died, his grandmother asked me if I could write down some of my thoughts about Aidan’s short life. I agreed without hesitation. The first thought that came to mind was that Aidan had taught me so much about so many things over the several months I had known him. This is how I will remember Aidan – as a beautiful soul who physically spent only a very short time on Earth but left behind more lessons than are taught in a lifetime by even the most learned teachers.

“I am a physician, so I will start with what Aidan taught me about medicine.

Aidan’s medical journey began when he was diagnosed with a potentially deadly disease called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) shortly after receiving his six-month old vaccinations. HLH happens when someone is exposed to something that stimulates their immune system, usually an infection with a virus or bacteria. Normal immune responses turn themselves off after the infection is cleared, but in HLH, this doesn’t happen – the immune system stays on, and starts to cause serious damage to the patient’s own body. If the immune

switch isn’t turned off, the patient will die from severe damage to the liver, heart, kidneys and other organs.

“The first lesson Aidan taught me was that our understanding of HLH is incomplete. When HLH happens in very young babies, like Aidan, the explanation is nearly always a genetic mutation in the patient’s immune cells that prevents them from turning off. The infection isn’t the problem – it’s the patient’s immune system. It was a shock, then, when Aidan’s mutation testing came back negative. He did NOT have an HLH mutation. What we learned was that sometimes a stimulus to the immune system is so strong that even a normal immune system develops HLH. In Aidan’s case, this stimulus was one or more of the vaccines he received when he was six months old in the Bahamas. He was not the only child who developed HLH after vaccinations in that area around the same time.

Aidan taught us that HLH in young patients is not necessarily a genetic disease – an important lesson that I will never forget.

“The treatment of HLH is difficult, to say the least.

The only way we in the medical field know to turn off the immune switch that HLH activates is with very strong chemotherapy drugs.

One of these drugs, called etoposide, is very effective in curing HLH, and thankfully it was in Aidan’s case.

Unfortunately, etoposide has a very small risk of actually causing a deadly form of blood cancer called treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML).

Aidan was one of those rare

PHYSICIANS pay courtesy call on Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands prior to a tour of Princess Margaret Hospital. Pictured left to right are: Colonel Dr. John Black, Consultant in Emergency Medicine & Pre-Hospital Trauma care, Oxford University/ British Army; Dr. Heather Symons, Clinical Director, Paediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant & Assistant Professor of Oncology; Dr Patrick Brown, Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Centre Paediatric Leukemia Program, Associate Professor of Oncology & Assistant Professor of Paediatrics The Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital and Dr. Maggie Fader, Haematology/ Oncologist, Miami Children’s Hospital. patients that developed t-AML. Despite heroic efforts by Aidan, Aidan’s parents and Aidan’s doctors both in Miami and at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Aidan’s leukemia could not be cured. It continued to come back after every treatment.

No stone was left unturned.

Ultimately, the leukemia claimed Aidan’s physical body. Aidan’s spirit, on the other hand, was left completely intact. If anything, it became stronger as his body weakened.

“This is the second lesson that Aidan taught me – while the human body can, and always does, succumb to disease, trauma or aging, the human spirit cannot be defeated.

“I first saw Aidan in a video his parents Robert and Lizzie sent me just before making the trip to Baltimore. Aidan, bald from chemotherapy, was dancing, singing, and laughing in his hospital room in Miami, charming his nurses and doctors who looked on with amazement. It was immediately obvious that this was a special little boy.

Meeting him in person just reinforced that Aidan was a joyous spirit.

“What I did not know

then, but came to know with time, was that this special little boy’s joyous spirit simply refused to be dampened by circumstances that for most of us would have been overwhelmingly disheartening. His strength helped me deal with my disappointment that we could not cure his leukemia. Think about that for a moment – HE, a baby fighting for his life with every fiber of his being, helped ME, a grown man that was supposed to be the one doing the helping. I will never forget that.

“The third, and most important, lesson Aidan’s case taught me was not medical, but personal. And this lesson came not only from Aidan, but from his parents. And that lesson is that the power of LOVE is without limits. Robert and Lizzie’s love for Aidan was so profound that it empowered them to perform truly superhuman feats of grace and selflessness.

“No matter how bad the news I was forced to deliver regarding the latest setback in our effort to cure Aidan’s leukemia, Robert and Lizzie would somehow find the strength to see through their pain and consider how

Aidan’s case could help others. I cannot overemphasize how amazed I was by this. They were losing their son – or at least his physical body – but their love for him was so strong that it compelled them to find a way to honour his life by helping others.

“Ultimately, their unshakeable love for Aidan gave them the strength to provide Aidan with the dignified death that his dignified life deserved.

Aidan’s body died on Christmas Eve. He died in his own bed, surrounded by the people and things he loved most. His spirit left his body, more joyous and stronger than ever, ready to inspire Robert and Lizzie to create a fitting legacy.

And ready to inspire every single member of the medical team that was fortunate enough to know him to take the lessons they learned and make the world a better place. I, for one, will never forget the lessons Aidan taught me. For that, I will be forever grateful.”

After the funeral, Aidan’s remains were buried at St Matthew’s Church on Shirley Street as mourners sang together, ‘All things bright and beautiful...’

PAGE 10, Monday, January 8, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THE DEDICATION service for Sir Geoffrey Johnstone at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Kirk honours Sir Geoffrey Johnstone

By FELICITY INGRAHAM

WHEN a man impacts his generation and the one after him, he is fondly remembered even after his passing. Such is the legacy of Sir Geoffrey Adams Dinwiddie Johnstone, KCMG. Scores of his admirers - those whose lives he touched - gathered at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk on Saturday to witness the church hall be dedicated in his honour.

According to Rev Bryn MacPhail, the naming of the hall was being planned for months, even before Sir

Geoffrey died on August 14 last year. But planning took time and did not come to fruition until this weekend.

The Sir Geoffrey Johnstone Hall, says Rev MacPhail, will serve the community just as he did. It will serve as an historical reference, and snapshots of memorable times for the church are already being placed on the walls. A nursery currently exists in the building; and a large, open space with beautiful cathedral ceilings and windows will welcome community activities of all kinds.

Sir Geoffrey is credited

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2018-2019 Temple Christian High School will hold its

Entrance Examination on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the school on Shirley Street from

8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twentyfive dollars ($25.00). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 19, 2018.

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

with being a driving force behind the success of the Kirk in New Providence and its consequential branching out into Grand Bahama.

Even without his physical presence, his impact was evident during the hall dedication service, as so many spoke with fond memories of a man who was described as “selfless”, “honest” and “straightforward”.

“We have a better church, a better community because of Sir Geoffrey and we will use this space to build up each other, as he would have wanted, to the glory of God,” said Rev MacPhail.

Sir Geoffrey was born in Nassau, The Bahamas, in 1927, graduated from Queen’s College, and served as a politician and attorney. An island boy at heart, his hobbies included boating, fishing and shooting. He served as an Elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk from April 1963 until his death. In November 2010 at the celebration of the Kirk’s 200th Anniversary, he was awarded for outstanding service to the Kirk and its mission.

Bruce Raine gave the official tribute to his uncle, referring to him as a “Christian before and beyond any of his life’s many other callings”.

“He never wore it on his shirtsleeves but it was evident in almost everything that he did - he had those virtues that one might expect from a disciple of Jesus Christ,” Raine said.

“He was kind and generous, gentle and considerate, honest and very straight forward, unafraid to walk the lonely walk, if that is what he believed to be the right way.

Having been born in 1927, Sir Geoffrey’s childhood would have ended when children in the Presbyterian tradition are confirmed and publicly affirm their faith, around the age of twelve to fourteen. World War II had begun just before his twelfth birthday and although far away in Europe at the time, it no doubt had a very sobering effect on everyone in the

ONE of the images showing Sir Geoffrey Johnstone (back row, fourth from left) at the dedication service at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk.

Bahamas, Raine told those gathered.

“At age 18 in 1945, Sir Geoffrey’s father, Bruce Eric Johnstone, died unexpectedly, and this clearly had a profound effect on him, as on several occasions later in life, he would tell me that it was the worst thing that he had ever experienced. “ After Sir Geoffrey’s death, his wife Anne discovered two things. One was a safety deposit box key for a box at the Royal Bank of Canada, which belonged to the Kirk, and the other was an original newspaper clipping noting his father’s passing, neatly folded in a little box on his dresser.

“The newspaper obituary of his father, notes that The Reverend Dr. Bertram Maura would officiate at the funeral,” said Raine.

“Having now taken possession of my uncle’s personal ‘Kirk’ files and working through them for

various pieces of information, it became clear to me that my uncle enjoyed a very long relationship with Reverend Maura, which I had previously been unaware of. Perhaps a symbiotic relationship, as Sir Geoffrey was Reverend Maura’s Attorney and no doubt Sir Geoffrey got a measure of spiritual guidance from Reverend Maura.”

In 1963 at age 35, Sir Geoffrey was ordained an Elder of St. Andrew’s and served on the session for the remaining 55 years of his life. During the first five years of being an Elder, the city of Freeport in Grand Bahama had come to fruition and the then Kirk Minister, Reverend James McIan Jack, determined that a Presbyterian Church should be established in Freeport. Sir Geoffrey happily took up this mantle and with his several connections with Government and the

law, the Lucaya Presbyterian Church came into existence in 1968.

“Although I have little first-hand knowledge of the one hundred and seventieth anniversary of the Kirk’s founding, Sir Geoffrey led the charge in making this a noteworthy and successful event,” said Raine.

“Some 30 years later, fast forward to 2010, although others were now doing the heavy lifting, Sir Geoffrey was still active on session and provided advice and guidance on that momentous two hundredth anniversary celebration. A number of Kirk Members and Elders, including Sir Geoffrey, were formally honoured for outstanding service to the Kirk, at a gala dinner at the Nassau Yacht Club.”

“It is perhaps fitting that this hall was chosen to be a memorial to Sir Geoffrey. He often extolled the virtue of breaking bread together and in one context that would be Holy Communion, and in another it might be a family having a meal together, and certainly in the case of this hall, the annual Christmas dinners that Sir Geoffrey truly enjoyed. It gave the opportunity for the Kirk family and friends to “break bread together”. He loved the comradarie, the sharing of food from various members’ kitchens, and of course the traditional finale of carol singing. Of course, he had to be in the choir with best buds Sidney Brown, Bill Pinder, Marsha and Michael Stewart, Miffy Drumond, Bill Eyke, Davidson Hepburn, Connie Pearce, Gwen McDiegan, Hilda Barrett, Dennis Donaldson and all of those others who could carry a tune.”

Sir Geoffrey’s fellow Elder in the church Margaret McKinney recalled her friend as an “awesome man”.

“He had vision and helped to move the church and the country forward with the help of Almighty God,” she said.

- CONVENIENCE, PERFORMANCE & STYLE -

DISHWASHERS

ADJUSTABLE FLATWARE THIRD RACK RACK

The holidays are messy, let’s make clean up easy with GE Dishwashers available at Geoffrey Jones. With advanced technology like 102 cleaning jets to ensure that even closely stacked items get thoroughly washed and rinsed; a fullextension smooth-glide, adjustable third rack for cleaning an entire flatware collection or LED interior lighting to illuminate the entire interior, the art of clean has never been made so crystal clear.

SILVERWARE JETS

Sales & Full Service Department Rosetta & Montgomery Streets

T: 322-2188/9

E: geoffjones@comcast.net www.geoffreyjonesandco.com FLUSH-INSET DISHWASHER

LED INTERIOR LIGHTING