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Volume: 123 No. 35, Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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ANDROS FISH FRY RAZED AS NO FIRETRUCK CAME Inoperable fire aparatus leaves residents to fight blaze with buckets and garden hoses By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A FIRE tore through the Fish Fry in Nicholls Town, Andros, early yesterday as residents fought flames with buckets of seawater, once again exposing the absence of a functioning fire engine on an island of The Bahamas. The blaze broke out shortly before 6am, turning a quiet morning into chaos as residents ran for help, shouted warnings and rushed to the sea in a desperate effort to slow the fire’s spread. With no operable fire truck, residents said they were left defenceless as strong winds pushed the flames from stall to stall. BLAZE - SEE PAGE TWO
A MAN seen fighting fire at the Nicholls Town, Andros fish fry with a garden hose yesterday.
Senior PLPs urge PM ‘wait until our time is right’ and avoid early election By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net SOME senior PLP supporters have a message for Prime Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis: don’t call an early election. As speculation about election timing grows, several party stalwarts say the Davis administration should resist the temptation
to go early, warning that rushing to the polls could undercut unfinished work and repeat political miscalculations voters have not forgotten. The debate comes as the
government has tabled a new Boundaries Commission report, both major parties have moved to ratify candidates, and the opposition continues to predict an early vote. The Tribune canvassed views at the Progressive Liberal Party headquarters during Monday’s Majority Rule ceremony, where
FORMER PYL CHAIR SHOT AND CRITICALLY INJURED
EARLY - SEE PAGE FOUR
BANK CHIEF SLAMS DAVIS OVER ‘UNINFORMED’ FOOD VAT REMOVAL By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE chairman of the Clearing Banks Association has sharply criticised the Davis administration’s decision to remove VAT from unprepared food sold in grocery stores, calling the move “an uninformed and an understudied or not
sufficiently studied exercise” that sacrifices fiscal discipline for political appeal. Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank’s chief executive, noted the policy delivers the same tax relief to higher-income earners as it does to those struggling most, a blunt approach he argued FOOD - SEE PAGE FIVE
JORDAN CLARKE By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net QUESTIONS swirled yesterday over the motive behind a shooting that left a former Progressive Young Liberals chairman critically injured in the hospital. Jordan Clarke was shot near a baseball field in
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
Pinewood Gardens early Tuesday, an attack that also sent a second man to the hospital. Police said that shortly before 2am on Tuesday, January 13, officers responded to reports of gunshots near the baseball field on Walnut Street. On arrival, they SHOT - SEE PAGE THREE
PAGE 2, Wednesday, January 14, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Andros Fish Fry destroyed as residents fight blaze with seawater buckets BLAZE from page one By the time the fire burned itself out, every stall had been destroyed. Owners stood amid twisted metal and ash, many holding their heads in disbelief. For several vendors, it marked the second time their livelihoods had been wiped out, after also suffering damage during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. None of the stalls was insured. The fire has rekindled concerns about firefighting equipment nationwide, where recent blazes across multiple islands have repeatedly raised questions about fire truck availability and response capacity. In New Providence, residents displaced by a major fire near Victoria Court on Bay Street last year questioned whether the damage could have been limited amid reports of stretched fire resources. Similar concerns emerged in Grand Bahama last year when residents were forced to battle a prolonged bush fire after it was revealed that key fire engines were not operational. In Exuma, fires near commercial areas and at the Exuma Fish Fry last year highlighted reliance on airport-based equipment, again leaving residents to improvise when flames broke out. North Andros and Berry Islands MP Leonardo Lightbourne confirmed to The Tribune that the fire engine serving the area was not operable, though he could not say which part was missing. Asked about residents’ concerns that a functioning fire truck could have prevented the fire from spreading, he said that was “neither here or there”, while stressing the importance of having proper infrastructure and equipment in place to assist residents during emergencies. Mr Lightbourne said there was a water source near the site that helped residents battle the blaze and said discussions would be held on how best to provide relief to affected vendors. He added that demolition of the site has already begun and said he remains committed to standing with residents during the aftermath. Among those hardest hit was Nadia Sweeting, owner of Sweeting’s Wabbie Palace, who said she had invested more than $100,000 rebuilding a three-level stall and was just weeks away from opening. “I have not sold one bottle of water, I just rebuilt my stall,” she said. “I haven’t
AN EARLY morning fire yesterday destroyed the Fish Fry at Nicholls Town, Andros as fire aparatus in the area was inoperable leaving residents to fend for themselves. opened my doors yet.” Ms Sweeting said the structure was about 98 percent complete when it was destroyed. The 38-year-old Andros native said the business has been in her family for years and that she had planned to return home fulltime to run it, leaving her job at the Cat Cay Yacht Club near Bimini. She said she received a call from a church member telling her the stall was on fire and immediately feared there was little that could be done. “I don’t think there’s anything we can do because we don’t have a fire truck,” she said. She rushed to the scene, but by the time she arrived, the flames were already raging. She later returned home to collect buckets to help others fetch water, but the efforts proved futile. Birgie Jones, 76, owner of Birgies, said she had operated at the Fish Fry for nearly 40 years and rebuilt her stall at her own expense after Hurricane Matthew. She said residents tried to
save her business, but low water pressure and low tide made it difficult to access seawater. Only a few chairs were salvaged. She said she had visited her stall the day before the fire, sitting quietly as the new year began. Now, she said, she worries about how her daughter will support her child without the business. Another vendor, Marlyin Grant of One for the Road, said residents have been calling for infrastructure upgrades for decades and believes at least one stall could have been saved if a fire engine had been
available. Mrs Grant said her husband suffered bruises from repeatedly running into the sea to collect buckets of water. She urged the government to provide financial assistance to help vendors rebuild, saying the loss has left families facing immediate hardship. She said she fears she will be “hungry tomorrow” because she does not know how she will now support her family. All of the stall owners said they hope to rebuild for a third time, but stressed that without a
working fire engine, the community remains dangerously exposed to another disaster. Free National Movement candidate for North Andros Carlton Bowleg criticised the sitting MP for failing to resolve the fire truck issue, despite funds being allocated to improve the
constituency. He said North Andros previously had two fire engines, one of which was damaged in an accident. Mr Bowleg warned Mr Lightbourne against offering promises of assistance for political gain while residents continue to live without basic emergency protection.
Seymour: Four child deaths ‘too many, too soon’ By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net SENATOR Maxine Seymour has called for national reflection and stronger child-safety measures after the country recorded four child deaths across three islands in the first weeks of the year, describing the toll as “too many, too young, too soon”. The Shadow Minister for Social Services, Information and Broadcasting said the recent deaths, including Monday’s drowning of a five-year-old boy in Murphy Town, Abaco, should prompt a renewed focus on vigilance, community responsibility and prevention. “As a mother and grandmother, these deaths sit heavily with me,” she said. “No family expects to begin a new year with this kind of grief. Four young lives are gone before the end of the second week of January. Too many. Too young. Too soon.” Police said the Abaco child was reported missing shortly after 1pm and was later found unresponsive in seawater along a back road in Murphy Town. He was helped from the water by a concerned citizen and
taken to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 3pm. The incident was the fourth involving a child since January 1. On New Year’s Day, a seven-year-old girl in Pinewood Gardens died after reportedly ingesting a food product while at a residence. On January 3, a three-year-old girl died after becoming ill at a home in Nassau Village, while later that same day, a ten-year-old boy collapsed while playing in a park in Blackwood, Eleuthera, and could not be revived. Ms Seymour said her remarks were not about apportioning blame but about collective responsibility. “This is not about pointing fingers,” she said. “This is about all of us remembering that every child in this country deserves our protection. Whether they are in our homes, neighbourhoods, parks or near the water, we must be present, attentive and intentional. Our children depend on us, every one of us, we are their village.” She said the deaths highlighted the need for stronger public awareness, community
support and consistent safety practices, including wider access to first-aid and CPR training. “Our children deserve a country where their safety is not left to chance,” she said. “We cannot allow these tragedies to pass without learning from them. Each child lost is a national loss, and we honour their memories by doing everything we can to prevent another.” Ms Seymour also called for timely and transparent investigations, including the release of autopsy findings, to inform national prevention efforts. “We need clear answers, and we need them quickly,” she said. “Information is power and will help families find closure, while helping all of us to understand what went wrong so we can avoid it happening again.” She extended condolences to the affected families and urged the country to mourn with them.
“This is not about pointing fingers. This is about all of us remembering that every child in this country deserves our protection.”
FNM SENATOR MAXINE SEYMOUR “Losing a child must be a parent’s absolute worst nightmare,” Ms Seymour said. “May these
families feel the love and support of a country that mourns with them.”
Ex-PYL chair Jordan Clarke shot in face
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, PAGE 3
SHOT from page one
found a man suffering from gunshot wounds to the face. Preliminary information suggests the victim and a female companion were seated in a parked vehicle when an armed man approached and fired multiple shots. The woman was not injured, but Emergency Medical Services transported the male victim to the hospital in critical condition. A short time later, police were alerted to a second man who arrived at the hospital after being shot at the same location. He sustained gunshot wounds to the upper body. As news of the shooting spread, questions mounted about the circumstances surrounding the incident, while friends, relatives and supporters offered prayers and messages of encouragement for Mr Clarke’s recovery. Xavier Knowles, president of the Free National Movement’s Torchbearers Youth Association, said the organisation was deeply concerned by the attack. “We are praying for the recovery of Jordan Clarke, the immediate past chairman of the Progressive Young Liberals and the other young men who are victims of gun violence,” he said. “Senseless acts of gun violence like these are ripping through our communities unnecessarily. No one should have to live in fear because they wake up out of their bed on any given day. We hope that those involved in this incident will feel the full brunt of the law and justice will be served. We are praying for you Jordan!” Supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party also expressed solidarity with Mr Clarke. Meanwhile, the Disaster Risk Management Authority said: “The DRM Authority’s thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time. We remain hopeful for a full recovery and stand ready to provide any support that may be required.”
FORMER PYL CHAIRMAN JORDAN CLARKE
MIGRANT APPREHENSIONS DROP SHARPLY IN 2025 AS RBDF RECORDS 78 PERCENT DECLINE
PHOTO from a deportation exercise in December of last year. By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force apprehended 440 migrants in 2025, a steep drop from 2,019 in 2024, as interceptions fell sharply across Cuban, Haitian and mixed-nationality routes tied to the Bahamas–Florida corridor. The figures show 84 Cuban nationals were intercepted on the Cay Sal Banks by United States Coast Guard cutters and the RBDF while attempting to reach Florida. Another 64 Haitian nationals were intercepted on routes from Haiti to The Bahamas. The largest share involved 292 migrants of mixed nationalities who, according to the figures,
entered The Bahamas as tourists before travelling to the Northern Bahamas — particularly Bimini and Grand Bahama — where they were allegedly being smuggled to the United States. Those migrants were intercepted by United States Coast Guard cutters and repatriated to Grand Bahama. In total, the RBDF recorded six events involving Cuban nationals, one involving Haitian nationals, and 24 human smuggling events involving mixed nationalities. The latest numbers extend a downward trend reported by the Defence Force. In 2024, the RBDF said migrant apprehensions fell 37 percent to 2,019 from 3,201 in 2023. Then RBDF Commodore Raymond King said there was a “general decline
observed in 2024 compared to previous years, which was likely attributed to the Temporary Protected Status and two-year Residency Sponsorship Policies in the US for Cubans, Haitians, and Venezuelans in particular”. The reduced 2025 figures came as the US Coast Guard announced earlier this year it was surging assets — including cutters, aircraft, boats and specialised forces — to strengthen maritime border security across key regions, including Florida, US territories, Alaska, Hawaii, the US– Mexico borders, and The Bahamas–Florida corridor, to deter illegal migration, drug smuggling, and other hostile activity, in coordination with Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense teammates.
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PAGE 4, Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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Senior PLPs say ‘we still have more work to do’ before calling election EARLY from page one supporters spoke candidly about timing, confidence and caution. Laverne Henfield, a PLP stalwart councillor from Centreville, said the party should allow the term to run its course. “I think he should wait until our time is right,” she said. “September will make us five years. We still have some more work to do.” Others echoed that sentiment, arguing that political
momentum can be misleading. Shantel Brown, another longtime supporter, said appearances should not dictate strategy. “Go straight through,” she said. “Looks could be deceiving.” Ms Smith, a party stalwart councillor from Marathon, said while she does not believe the country necessarily needs to wait until September, an election before May would be premature. “Why an early election?” she said. “We need to let it
run. We need to continue to complete things that have started.” Her caution reflects lingering memories of the last early election call, when the previous administration sought a fresh mandate and was decisively rejected by voters — a reminder, some supporters say, that timing can be as important as performance. Not all party voices expressed concern about when the election is held. Sherry Bowe, a PLP supporter from Freetown, said
she would be ready whenever the bell is rung. Sirnardo Hart, the PLP’s protocol chairman, said going early could deprive the public of a full understanding of what the government has been trying to achieve. “Don’t call it early,” he said. “Wait until September because that’s his time and so people could know what’s really going on. He’s a winner not a loser so we wait until we get to the finish line. We don’t stop mid between.”
Kitty Saunders, PLP branch chairperson for Bimini, said she would support whatever decision the Prime Minister makes, adding that grassroots campaigning has never slowed and expressing confidence the party would retain the seat. “My opinion is that the prime minister have information we don’t, so whatever his decision, I believe it’s the best decision. He’s the leader, and whatever we does, he’ll go along with it,” she said.
Senior Free National Movement figures have continued to predict an early election. Opposition leader Michael Pintard recently said he expects the 2026 general election to be held in the first quarter of the year and urged voters to register and transfer promptly. Former prime minister Hubert Ingraham last year predicted an early vote if the PLP won the Golden Isles by-election. “By March, you’ll be in the polls,” he said at the time.
Pintard calls Davis’ VAT food removal ‘April fools’ economics By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard yesterday accused the Davis administration of offering “April Fools’ economics,” arguing that the Davis administration’s latest cost-of-living measures are politically motivated and long overdue. Mr Pintard was responding to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ national address on Sunday night, during which he announced the complete removal of VAT on all food, excluding hot or ready-to-eat meals, sold in grocery stores, effective April 1. “With only months left in a five-year term, and in the face of his imminent political retirement, Prime Minister Davis delivered a national address that relied more on performance
than proof,” he said in the statement. “What was presented as reassurance amounted instead to smoke and mirrors, a package of shameless campaign cuts designed to distract a frustrated and increasingly impatient nation, rather than confront the real cost-of-living pressures Bahamians face every single day.” He said the decision to implement the VAT cut on April 1 was not lost on the public, noting that families have endured nearly five years of rising prices, shrinking pay cheques and delayed relief. “If these measures were truly essential, Bahamians would not have had to wait almost five years to see them,” Mr Pintard said, adding that the FNM has consistently called for VAT relief on food and essential items since 2021. He pointed out that
opposition MPs warned against reapplying VAT to previously zero-rated items in December 2021, called for VAT removal on breadbasket items in April 2022, and repeated those calls throughout 2023 and 2024 as food and electricity costs climbed. Mr Pintard also criticised the Prime Minister for celebrating the removal of VAT on items that his administration had previously raised from zero to ten percent, while continuing to attack the FNM over earlier VAT increases. “The Prime Minister boasts about dropping VAT to zero on items his own government raised from zero to ten percent,” he said. “And while he continues to attack the Free National Movement over VAT increases in the past, he conveniently omits that he himself sat in
FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister when VAT was first imposed, taking it from zero to 7.5 percent.” Beyond affordability, the FNM leader said the Prime Minister’s address failed to confront major national issues, including immigration, crime and healthcare. He said there was no acknowledgement of widespread public concern about immigration enforcement, no clear plan to restore confidence in the system, and no serious reckoning with crime, noting that murders remain more than 30 percent higher under the PLP than under the last FNM government. Mr Pintard also said the address ignored ongoing problems in the healthcare system, including medicine shortages, overworked staff and long wait times, while pushing a new hospital project that does not address existing failures. He further questioned the government’s transparency, citing the unsubstantiated claim that more than $120m was collected from the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort, the proposed Mayaguana port project involving 3,000 acres of Crown land, and undisclosed terms of public-private partnerships. Mr Pintard said economic pressures remain severe,
pointing to slowing growth, rising debt and high unemployment. He noted that public sector debt stood at $13.149bn at end-June 2025, up $440.9m year over year, while a University of The Bahamas study found that a middle-class family of four now requires more than $10,000 per month to maintain a basic lifestyle in New Providence and Grand Bahama. “Affordability is not just about VAT,” Mr Pintard said. “It is about whether a paycheque can cover groceries, electricity, rent, transportation, school expenses and healthcare without constant sacrifice.” He said Bahamians deserve “honest leadership, real accountability and a serious affordability strategy,” adding that such leadership would not come from “April Fools’ promises.” During his national address on Sunday night, Mr Davis announced that VAT on all food sold in grocery stores will be reduced to zero as of April 1. The exemption will apply to fresh produce, baby food, frozen items and packaged goods, but not to hot or ready-to-eat meals. Mr Davis said the measure is intended to ease persistent cost-of-living pressures and forms
part of broader efforts to address food prices, electricity costs and housing expenses. He also announced expanded property tax concessions for owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes, as well as widened concessions for first-time homeowners. The Prime Minister defended his administration’s VAT policy, noting that the standard rate was reduced from 12 percent to ten percent after the PLP took office in 2021, and that VAT on food was cut from ten percent to five percent last year before Sunday’s announcement eliminated it entirely. Mr Davis linked the policy to economic recovery efforts, citing improved credit ratings, the country’s removal from international blacklists and more than $10bn in new private-sector investment since 2021. The move represents the latest in a series of VAT adjustments under the Davis administration. After coming to office in 2021, the government reduced the standard VAT rate from 12 percent to ten percent, reversing an increase introduced in 2018. Last year, VAT on food was cut again, from ten percent to five percent.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, PAGE 5
VAT removal ‘fails to target cost-of-living pressures’ FOOD from page one fails to target cost-of-living pressures effectively while risking long-term revenue stability. He questioned who the measure was truly designed to help, noting that VAT applies across a wide range of goods and services beyond groceries, including fuel and utilities. In that context, he said, the policy resembled a “hacksaw” rather than a targeted “scalpel”. “If,” he said, “I’m giving the same benefit to the person who is fortunate as I am to the person who’s less fortunate, is this the most appropriate approach whilst maintaining fiscal responsibility? And my answer to that personally is no.” His comments followed Prime Minister Philip Davis’s announcement on Monday night that VAT would be completely removed from food sold in grocery stores, a major policy shift the government said was aimed at easing persistent cost-ofliving pressures. Mr Bowe pointed out that the Davis administration, while in opposition, had criticised the Minnis administration’s approach to VAT, which involved a mix of exemptions and rate increases. After taking office, Mr Davis himself referenced an International Monetary Fund review that found the exemption-heavy VAT regime reduced efficiency, lowered revenue and increased administrative and compliance costs.
Against that backdrop, Mr Bowe questioned the consistency of the new policy direction, particularly alongside measures such as the reintroduction of the RISE programme, which he described as effectively increasing Social Security contributions through a rebalancing of tax collections. “In the proposed scenario,” he said, “the government is basically giving a tax exemption to all and sundry. The question is, will the less fortunate among us be happy with the most fortunate among us getting the same tax benefit, which will result in the government of the day having to increase taxes on all of society in order to make up for any shortfall?” He also questioned the practical impact of the VAT removal, arguing that the savings on grocery bills would be marginal when set against rising costs elsewhere. He said: “We say, just as an example, we have a situation where ultimately the grocery bill is $100, and now it is $10 in VAT that is paid. Even if the entire grocery bill was zero in terms of VAT, the actual benefit would only be $10 and the question is, will that $10 saving in one set of taxes compensate for the cost of fuel, compensate for the cost of other services that are being incurred, and other cost of other goods, because we don’t live by bread alone?” Mr Bowe described tax policy as a “zero-sum
CHAIRMAN OF THE CLEARING BANKS ASSOCIATION GOWON BOWE game”, warning that revenue forgone in one area must eventually be recovered elsewhere. He argued that while tax cuts are sometimes justified to stimulate economic activity, this measure was not designed to boost
productivity and would do little to assist those under the greatest financial strain. “The Bahamas is doing better than it was coming out of COVID because the economy had refloated but it is not performing
at its optimum, and the reason it’s not is because we continue to make decisions the way this particular VAT decision was made, by popular vote, as opposed to studied analysis,” he said. He argued that 2026
should focus on consolidating economic gains rather than prematurely harvesting them, warning that repeated short-term policy shifts undermine the country’s ability to achieve sustained growth.
PAGE 6, Monday, Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Using strong The Tribune Limited language to sound tough
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Political gain or sound economic policy? Removing VAT from uncooked food items in stores, as we wrote yesterday in this column, certainly seems like a pre-election move. We were far from the only ones in thinking that. The FNM noted the date the measure will come in – April 1 – warning Bahamians not to be April Fools. They also noted public debt stands at $13.149bn, up $440.9m in the year. You would, of course, expect an Opposition to oppose. More striking is the commentary from the chairman of the Clearing Banks Association. Gowon Bowe is a sensible voice, a level-headed advocate for a sound economic base for the nation. He is also the chief executive of Fidelity Bank – with a track record that shows he knows exactly what he is talking about. So when he warns that the measure to cut VAT is “an uninformed and an understudied or not sufficiently studied exercise”, it is worth listening. After all, when Prime Minister Philip Davis announced the measure in a national address on Majority Rule Day, he did so without laying out the fiscal impact of such a move. We hate to be killjoys, but any such measure has a cost. It is a fairly simple balance – reducing VAT to zero on such items means zero income from that area of revenue. That means either the government has to make up that income in other areas – such as perhaps increasing duty on something else – or reduce costs to make up for the lost income. Cutting costs in an election year seems unlikely – so what will be the choice to balance up the lost income? There is a third option – running it up on the debt, but that bill soon comes due. Mr Bowe noted: “The Bahamas is doing better than it was coming out of COVID because the economy has refloated but it is not performing at its optimum, and the reason it’s not is because we continue to make decisions the way this particular VAT decision was made, by popular vote, as opposed to studied analysis.”
He argued that short-term policy shifts in fact undermine our chance to achieve sustained growth. Why would the government seek to make a short-term gain? Well, you guessed it, of course. Election’s coming. In the broader view, Mr Bowe also questioned the basis of VAT itself – which he called a “hacksaw” rather than a “scalpel”. The reason? The rich and the poor are taxed alike according to their consumption rather than according to their income. A rich person and a poor person pays the same in tax for a loaf of bread. Mr Bowe said: “If I’m giving the same benefit to the person who is fortunate as I am to the person who’s less fortunate, is this the most appropriate approach whilst maintaining fiscal responsibility? And my answer to that personally is no.” Mr Bowe is right – there are certainly questions over VAT, which is by its nature a regressive tax rather than a progressive one, such as income tax. However, laying out the case for that kind of change would more properly fall under the Budget process, complete with thorough costings and all the finance documents that are tabled to go with it. That Mr Davis chose to make this a Majority Rule Day gift rather than a Budget process is telling. As Mr Davis has yet to reveal what the impact of this is projected to be on public finances, we are left somewhat in the dark on how he intends to balance the books in light of this reduction in income. We have seen fiscal stumbles from this administration in introducing such things as fee increases in the boating sector. Those marina fee increases have seen a significant drop in tourism in a number of areas – an unintended consequence of a fiscal grab that have carried a cost for plenty of businesses relying on those visitors for their income. So keep a close watch on what comes next. More fees elsewhere, a reduction in costs, or add to the debt. Take your pick, Mr Davis.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net HOPE Town lighthouse on Elbow Cay, Abaco.
Photo: Zyandric jones
EDITOR, The Tribune. WE live in a society in which freedom of speech or freedom of expression is a basic human right. Everyone has the right to express themselves whenever and however they may choose, without fear, but with some degree of responsibility. No; I am not pontificating from any ivory tower; neither am I the moral agent, the moral compass, or the moral authority on anything. But a familiar yet combative spirit has been unleashed into our communities in recent times: there seems to be a growing trend here at home and in some neighboring countries, where people (including politicians) are using profanity (cursing) in public spaces and in the media, and it seems to be catching on- regrettably. I can think of at least three reasons why some people use profane language. Firstly, they might have a limited vocabulary and cannot find words to adequately express themselves. Secondly, they may try to assume that carnival barker confident man persona, or try to project that hard or tough guy image, and they may feel that using profanity is the only way to get their point across. It is not. And thirdly, some do it out of sheer form or fashion, adopting that copy-cat mentality. They do it because someone else did it. Some persons know better and can do better, while others -well
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net I am not so sure about them. It seems like as a civilised society, we are beginning to normalise this behavior. Common decency and decorum in language, which were once baked into the framework of society, have been eroded, and vulgarity in speech and mannerisms seems to have taken centre stage. While civility has been banished into retirement. Did I mention that at least two prominent Bahamian politicians have expressed themselves in this way in recent memory? Well, I just did. One of them used un-palatable language which raised many eyebrows ,and the other used an obscene hand gesture. Both men might have stepped out of character in those moments, because it is unlike them. And then, there is the occasional caller into the daily talk shows, who feels that they must throw in a colorful word at the end of their call to make their contribution complete. If you watched United States (US) television in recent times, and listened to the mayor of Minneapolis Minnesota or that other gentleman in the White House(you know him) then my point is made. Again, the idea is to sound tough; to display that “I don’t play “image, or that copy-cat mentality, or just trying
to impress others. And so, there seems to be this new culture of disrespect, this mercurial rise of negative energy and vulgarity permeating the atmosphere and bombarding our consciousness regularly. It is almost palpable. Well, to be sure, social media is a story in itself! Those of us who grew up in an era when manners and respect rule the day, and when cursing was considered taboo, especially in the company of others, we are having a hard time adjusting to what appears to be a new reality. People who use profanity in public spaces and over the airwaves are demonstrating a lack of self-respect (in my opinion):also, they diminish themselves in the silent ledger of public opinion or in the eyes of the general public. In short, their actions and behavior leave much to be desired, and they achieve just the opposite of what was intended. For example; instead of being impressed, listeners may become unimpressed, or people may conclude that such persons are weak (not tough), once the mask of profanity is ripped off and their true characters are revealed. But as I said at the outset, this is a free society and people can express themselves however they wish. In spite of it all, the world is still a beautiful place. I’m just a soldier for the truth! ZEPHANIAH BURROWS Nassau, January 12, 2026.
An unfinished revolution EDITOR, The Tribune. ON the heels of another Majority Rule Day celebration, adorned with official rhetoric and nostalgic reflection, a pressing and uncomfortable question demands our national conscience. Did January 10, 1967, truly herald our liberation, or did it merely change the color of the gatekeepers? The triumphant narrative is familiar, but the lived reality for the majority tells a deeper, more distressing story. We must confront the truth that majority rule, in its execution, tragically confuses political office with genuine power, and integration for economic sovereignty. Our righteous struggle against the Bay Street oligarchy rightly targeted the humiliations of segregation. Yet, in dismantling those barriers, we mistakenly dismantled the foundations of our own community’s strength. We viewed eating in white restaurants, staying in white foreign-owned hotels, banking in foreign institutions and working for white businesses, law firms etc as the pinnacle of victory, while our own ecosystems - the boarding houses, the neighborhood groceries offering credit, the entertainment clubs, the trusted asue - were allowed to wither. We integrated into a pre-existing economic structure but failed to seize ownership of it. We became welcomed consumers and employees in a system where capital and ultimate control remained, and largely remain, elsewhere.
This was more than an economic miscalculation; it was a profound psychological capitulation. We internalised the very poison we fought. The new political class, educated within and now administering a colonial system, unconsciously adopted its core tenet: that white and foreign are inherently superior. We abandoned the model of the Black system, built on communal uplift, mutual credit, and skill-sharing, to fortify a more endowed colonial white-thinking society. We swapped the tyranny of a white minority for the subtler bondage of a colonial mindset, where development is defined by external validation and foreign investment is presumed better than domestic ownership. Thus, political power became an end in itself, a tribal prize to be captured. Today, we witness the bitter fruit: political factions take turns at the oppression wheel, engaged in a cycle of patronage and blame, all while operating the very machinery that once oppressed us. We have, as the painful observation goes, become the oppressors of ourselves, perpetuating inequality with the rhetoric of liberation. The system we inherited, and chose not to fundamentally reinvent, continues to produce second-class citizens in their own land. After six decades, this is not a cry of despair, but an assertive appeal for a radical awakening. We must shed the cognitive
dissonance and acknowledge that the current experiment has failed the majority. We must let go of the white savior mentality and the slavish imitation of foreign blueprints. The urgent task before us is not to fight for another turn at the wheel, but to stop the vehicle and build a new one. We must revive the spirit of self-reliance and build true Bahamian instruments of deliverance. Community-owned financial institutions, policies that mandate and nurture genuine Bahamian ownership in our key industries, and an education system that prizes solving Bahamian problems with Bahamian ingenuity. We need a new generation of leaders - not just politicians, but builders and visionaries who can look beyond the inherited colonial manual. We must look inside, to the wisdom and resilience our fore parents cultivated, even under segregation, and build a system by Bahamians, for Bahamians. The promise of 1967 was controlled - not just of the ballot box, but of our economics, our social fabric, and our destiny. That promise remains unfulfilled. It is time we summon the courage, not for more celebration of a partial victory, but for the complete revolution we were promised and that we owe to generations yet unborn. A representative of the conscience of the nation. B AZZAN JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama January 7, 2026.
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THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, PAGE 7
chief ‘traumatised’ by Pilot bailed over drugs but BNU brazen daylight robbery banned from foreign flights By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A WESTERN Air pilot charged with drug possession was freed on $10,000 bail last week under strict conditions that bar him from leaving The Bahamas or flying internationally while awaiting trial. Marlin Miller, 34, of Coral Reef Estates, Freeport, is permitted to operate an aircraft only within The Bahamas for employment purposes. He pleaded not guilty in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and resisting arrest. Miller appeared before Magistrate Uel Johnson on Thursday, represented by attorney Paul Wallace-Whitfield. Prosecutors allege that officers found two pounds of hydroponic marijuana, with an estimated street value of
$4,000, inside a bag in his vehicle. During the bail hearing, Prosecutor Corporal 3700 Kenton Smith urged the court to impose strict conditions if Miller was released, requesting bail with two sureties and the surrender of all travel documents, including his Bahamian passport. Corporal Smith also sought an order suspending Miller from operating an aircraft pending trial. Mr Wallace-Whitfield opposed a flight ban, arguing that such a restriction would undermine his client’s livelihood. Magistrate Johnson granted bail in the sum of $10,000 with two sureties and ordered Miller to surrender his Bahamian passport, which contains a US visa. The court further ruled that Miller is prohibited from travelling outside The Bahamas and may fly only domestically for work.
He was also ordered to report to the Northeastern Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday before 6pm. The case was adjourned to March 25, 2026. Miller is the second Western Air employee to face the courts this week on a drug-related charge. On Tuesday, Western Air mechanic Carlton Pratt appeared before Magistrate LaQuay Laing charged with possession of dangerous drugs. Pratt pleaded guilty to possession of 2.5 grams of marijuana and was granted a conditional discharge. He was ordered to keep the peace for six months and to pay $500 to the court for the benefit of the Red Cross. If he breaches the conditions, he will be convicted and fined $750 or jailed for six months. The matter was adjourned to June 6 for review.
Immigration officer and accountant granted bail in $300,000 theft case By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net AN executive immigration officer and an Atlantis Resort accountant accused of stealing more than $300,000 from an air-conditioning and refrigeration company last year were granted bail yesterday. Prosecutors allege Immigration Officer Dericka Pitt-Moxey, 47, stole $7,000 from Kendrick Beneby between June 6 and June 12, 2025. Accountant Marcus Cooper, 47, is accused of stealing $326,569.94 from Mr Beneby, allegedly taken from the CIBC account of Skypole Air Conditioning and Refrigeration between
February 2, 2024 and August 5, 2025. A third defendant, Deneisha Clarke, 34, a housekeeper, is accused of stealing $94,720 from Mr Beneby, allegedly acquired from the Scotiabank account of Skypole Air Conditioning and Refrigeration between September 3, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Pitt-Moxey was charged with stealing, while Cooper and Clarke each face charges of stealing and money laundering (acquisition). All three appeared before Magistrate Lennox Coleby and pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Cooper was granted $20,000 bail with one or
two sureties and ordered to sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 6pm. Clarke was granted $11,000 bail and must sign in at the East Street South Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 6pm. Pitt-Moxey was granted $5,000 bail and must also sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 6pm. The matter was adjourned to January 20 for a trial date fixture before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie prosecuted the case.
Four Meat Maxx cashiers fined for stealing over $20,000 from store By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net FOUR female Meat Maxx cashiers were each fined $1,400 yesterday after admitting to stealing more than $20,000 from the store. Charcy Jean, 19, stole $9,330.88 from Meat Maxx between December 25, 2025 and January 9. Tourissa Saint-Jean, also 19, stole $9,962.32 from the store during the same period. Angenecka Pierre, 21, stole $1,132.56 on January 9, while Kathia Kelly,
34, stole $2,993.43 between January 4 and 8. All four pleaded guilty to charges of stealing by reason of employment when they appeared before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. Defence attorney Domek Rolle said his clients spared the court’s time by entering early guilty pleas and had no prior convictions. He said they regretted their actions and were remorseful, noting that Kelly is the mother of two young children whom she had not seen since her arrest. Mr Rolle urged the court
not to impose custodial sentences, arguing that imprisonment would be devastating for the defendants. He said they were willing to fully reimburse the complainant. Magistrate Coleby fined each defendant $1,400, with a default sentence of six months in prison. He also ordered them to fully reimburse the complainant, failing which they each face a 12-month prison term. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie prosecuted the case.
Woman held on charge of attempted shotgun murder of two women By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 23-YEAR-OLD woman accused of attempting to kill two women with a shotgun was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Amalia Charlton, while armed with a shotgun, tried to kill Oleisha Feaste and Camiyah Cash on
January 4 in New Providence. Charlton is also accused of causing $900 in damage to Ms Feaste’s Nissan Note during the same incident. Charlton was not required to enter pleas to two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and causing damage when she appeared before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. She
was told the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. The defendant was informed of her right to apply for bail in the higher court and was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services pending service of her VBI on March 27. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie prosecuted the case.
Man remanded on accusation of indecent assault of nine-year-old girl By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 31-YEAR-OLD man accused of indecently assaulting a nine-yearold girl last week was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Arthur Nixon inappropriately touched the child’s privates on January 9 in
New Providence. Nixon was not required to enter a plea to a charge of indecent assault when he appeared before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. He was informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. His attorney, Keevon Maynard, told the court that bail is available for the offence.
Magistrate Coleby set a bail hearing for Thursday before Magistrate Abigail Farrington and ordered that Nixon remain remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until then. His VBI is scheduled to be served on March 16. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie was the prosecutor.
BNU PRESIDENT MURIEL LIGHTBOURN By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourn said she was left shaken but grateful to be alive after a brazen daylight robbery in Chippingham last week, during which a thief opened her car door and stole her belongings while she sat inside. Ms Lightbourn said she was in her vehicle shortly before noon on Wednesday when the man opened the door. She said he appeared startled to find her there, but despite being confronted, he took items from the back seat, including her laptop and handbag. “I was thankful no weapon was used,” she said. “My bags were on the back seat of my car, and he opened the door and took them. I think I surprised
him more than anything else.” She said the man even wiped the car door in what appeared to be an attempt to remove fingerprints before fleeing when she tried to pursue him. She later contacted the police. Ms Lightbourn said she normally keeps her doors locked, but had left them unsecured while preparing to leave. She said she received a call, sat down to answer it and forgot to lock the doors. “It left me traumatised,” she said. “I said my God I could’ve been dead just like that, and when I got up Thursday morning, I gave thanks to God.” Police later recovered her laptop and bag, but her purse, which contained cash and government-issued identification, remains missing. The suspect has not been caught. Ms Lightbourn publicly
commended Officer 102 Hepburn and his partner, Officer Kemp, for what she described as exemplary conduct. “From the moment they arrived until the completion of their duties, these officers demonstrated the highest standards of the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” she said. “Their mannerly approach and courteous service created an atmosphere of trust and comfort, even in circumstances where police presence might otherwise feel intimidating.” “I also extend recognition to the officers on duty at the South Street Police Station that same day. Their efficiency and professionalism marked a positive change from past experiences and reflected the Force’s commitment to excellence. Such dedication deserves acknowledgment.”
THE TRIBUNE
PAGE A8, Wednesday, January 14, 2026
When help is needed: understand the forms of bystander intervention THERE is a video recording of what appears to be sexual assault that has been circulating over the past few days. It’s a demonstration of the failure of people to recognise sexual assault, the failure of people who recognise it to intervene, the focus on getting likes, comments, and shares at the expense of others’ wellbeing, and the lack of care for survivors. Sexual violence is rampant in The Bahamas. When stories make the news, people express disgust and shock and call for punishment. Somehow, some of these same people share video footage of sexual violence--showing no regard for the person who was violated—and choose to add to the trauma by inviting others to watch what they suffered. Is this where we are as a people? Is it that people do not care about one another? Do people not know what to do when they witness sexual violence? Do people want to be the first to share shocking material, no matter who it harms? Is there no interest in building community, supporting one another, and creating safe environments? Have the failures of laws and the people who make them led us to this callous individualism? When we witness acts of violence--from harassment to rape--we have options. We do not have to do nothing. We do not have to ignore. We do not have to participate. We do not have to add to the harm of the person being targeted and violated. We can intervene. The five forms of bystander intervention are direct, distract, delegate, delay, and document. When witnessing an incident, we have a short amount of time to assess the risk of intervention, both to ourselves and to the person being targeted. Knowing the five forms of
Photo: Wayhomesstudio/Freepik
bystander intervention can help us to make faster decisions and act in more effective ways. Direct. When addressing a perpetrator directly, the intervention should be short and to the point. It could be as simple as saying, “Please stop right now,” or “That’s not okay.” This is the form of intervention that generally carries the highest risk because it is confrontational. It could lead to the perpetrator turning their violence on the intervener, or an escalation in the violence toward the initial target. Direct intervention is often the best option when the perpetrator is known to the intervening person, as there is an existing relationship to be leveraged and, perhaps, serve as a safety mechanism. Though direct intervention addresses the perpetrator, focus should be on the initial target and ensuring their safety and ability to get out of the situation. Distract. This is when an intervener is able to create distance between the perpetrator and the person being targeted, while minimising the risk of escalation, if they can find a way to get the attention of the person being targeted. In this form of intervention, the intervener does not acknowledge the violation taking place and ignores the perpetrator, focusing solely on the targeted person. They may ask the targeted person for directions, pretend to recognise them from somewhere else, spill or drop something and prompt them to help, or make conversation and/or a distraction in some other way. This interrupts the previous interaction and gives the targeted person a chance to get away. Delegate. When there are other people around while someone is being targeted, it can be safer and more effective to involve at least one other person rather than acting alone. An intervener needs to be clear in their intent and in their communication with anyone they call on as a delegate. Two interveners who already know each other can identify a situation and determine the best way to act together. When someone has to be recruited, the ask must be clear. An example of recruiting a delegate who is a stranger in a clear way is “The person in the blue shirt doesn’t seem to be okay and the person in the brown shirt is trying to take advantage of them. Can you talk to the one in brown to distract them so I can try to help the one in blue?” In some spaces, there may be an authority figure who can help. This could be the manager of a bar, driver of a bus, a teacher at a school, or a parent/guardian in a home or family environment. They can often assert themselves and de-escalate situations more easily than people who are seen as peers. Delay. When intervention in the incident is not possible, it is helpful to intervene in the aftermath when a person who is targeted may feel shock, embarrassment, or guilt concerning what took place and the perceptions that others may have of them. The delay form of intervention is a check-in with the
Photo: Freepik person who was targeted. An intervener can say, “I saw what just happened. Are you okay?” or “I’m sorry that happened. Can I call someone for you?” This form of intervention is used when an incident occurs too quickly or far away for any other form to be initiated. It can also be used when an intervener freezes and is only able to act later. One way to reduce trauma is to acknowledge what happened, affirm for the person who was targeted that it was wrong, and offer them assistance in the aftermath. It is a conscious decision not to ignore what happened and to function like a member of a community by practicing care. Document. When it may be helpful for the person being targeted, it is helpful to record or take detailed notes of the incident. Importantly, the person needs to be assisted, and documenting should not be the only or the first form of intervention. Recording the incident without offering assistance can result in additional trauma. The documentation should be offered to the person who was targeted, putting them in
charge of storing and/or sharing the material. Sharing it without their permission is a violation that ignores their agency and possibly increases the trauma they experience as a result of the incident. Equality Bahamas has been offering bystander intervention training since 2014. To schedule bystander intervention training for your workplace, family, civic organisation, or other group, contact Equality Bahamas at equalitybahamas@gmail.com. Recommendations l Join Feminist Book Club with Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press. This month, Feminist Book Club is reading Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser. The publisher asks relevant questions: “What happens when our desires run contrary to our beliefs? What should we do when the failings of revered figures come to light? Who is shamed when the truth is told? Michelle de Kretser’s new novel offers a spellbinding meditation on the moral complexities that arise in the gap between our values and our lives.” People (Magazine) called
the book “a complex, lyrical story of relationships, feminism, and academic pressure.” The book will be discussed at Poinciana Paper Press, 12 Parkgate Road on Wednesday, January 21 at 6pm. Register to join Feminist Book Club at tiny.cc/fbc2026. l Exhibition openings at National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. On Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm, “What the Landscape Holds,” an interactive exhibition by Jason Bennett of The Bahamas and David Gumbs of SaintMartin, opens. It invites us to “step directly into constructed environments shaped by synthetic materials and technology, where everyday objects are transformed into immersive landscapes that can be touched, moved through, and activated by the viewer.” On the same evening, “War Dog: Teeth, Thorns, and Iron,” new works by Reagan Kemp opens in the Project Space. “Through painting and ceramic works, Kemp draws inspiration from Ajagunda, the warlike manifestation of the Yoruba Orisha Obatala, reflecting on guardianship, survival, and the fragile line between defence and harm.”
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple By DEVI SHASTRI AP Health Writer The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness. But resolutions, lofty as they may be, can turn daunting quickly with all the advice and sometimes contradicting information coming at you from news reports, advertisers, influencers, friends and even politicians. But they don't have to be. This year, The Associated Press got the downlow on all manner of health and wellness claims and fads. The good news is that the experts mostly say to keep it simple. As 2026 arrives, here's what you can skip, what you should pay attention to and how to get credible information when you are inevitably faced with more confusing claims next year.
A free blood pressure machine is used at the public library in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 19, 2024. AP Photo/Nick Ingram
A MAN is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo.
JACKIE Brennan, of Merrimac, Mass., front, pedals on a stationary exercise bike with others during a spinning class in a parking lot outside Fuel Training Studio,Sept. 21, 2020.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
AP Photo/Steven Senne
Protein and fibre are important, but you probably don't need to pay more When it comes to your diet, experts say most people can skip the upcharge. If you're eating enough, you're probably getting enough protein and don't need products that promise some big boost. And it's true that most people could use more fibre in their diets. But, please, ditch the "fibre-maxxing" trend. Instead, eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. A good skin care routine is not expensive or complicated That 20-step skin care routine and $200 serum some TikToker sold you on? Dermatologists say you really don't need it. Stay away from the beef tallow and slather on
a good sunscreen instead (yes, even if you have darker skin ), they say. And the same rule for simplicity applies to that hourlong "everything shower." The best showers are simple and short, dermatologists say, no "double cleansing" required. There are many simple ways to get that workout in If the gym and all its equipment feel intimidating, you can drop the illusion that a good workout requires either. This year, the comeback of calisthenics put the focus back on no frills, bodyweight workouts you can do in the comfort of home. Research shows calisthenics helps with muscle strength and aerobic conditioning. You may eventually need weightlifting or other equipment, but it is a great place to start to build
consistency and confidence. Be wary of wellness fads and treatments — they are often too good to be true Even if you imbibe too much this New Year's Eve, doctors say you can do without " IV therapy " which have vitamins you can get more easily and cheaper in pill form — if you even need more, which is unlikely if you have a balanced diet. You're pretty much just paying for "expensive urine," one doctor said. Same for "wellness" focused products like microbiome testing kits that generate information that doctors can't actually act on. And if you don't have diabetes, there's scant evidence that you need a continuous glucose monitor. To improve your health,
go back to the basics The idea of a panacea pill, product or routine can be enticing. But science already knows a lot about how to improve mental and physical health, and they are tried and true: 1. Whether you're in the city or the country — walk more. Research shows walking is great for physical and mental health. It's so good for you, doctors are literally prescribing time in the outdoors to their patients. 2. Take steps to get certain health metrics under control, like high blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed and is known to cause a range of health problems down the road. Prioritise getting enough sleep, and make sure your family does too. Don't just eat right — eat slower. 3. Give your mind some
care too. Set better boundaries with your technology and regain and retrain your attention span. Build out your social networks and invest in all forms of love for the people around you. These lifestyle changes don't just make you feel better in the moment. Research shows they impact your life for years to come, by lowering the risk of dementia and many other health issues. Don't know who to trust? Start with your doctor It can be tough to know who to listen to about your health, faced with compelling personal stories on social media from people who swear something worked from them, or clever marketing and advertising from companies that scare you or promise an easy fix. Doubts have been raised this year about established medicine, including the safety of food dyes, fluoride dental treatments, hepatitis B shot for newborns, and hormone therapies for menopause. While the medical system is not perfect, your doctor remains the best person to talk to about prevention, health concerns and potential treatments. If you can't get to a human doctor and turn to Dr. Google instead, be sure to follow these tips and never use it to diagnose yourself. When you do get that doctor's appointment, you can make the most of it by bringing a list of written questions — and don't hesitate to ask for any clarification you need.