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Volume:114 No.51, February 3, 2017

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MOPED RIDER KILLED IN MORNING SHOOTING

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are appealing to the public for information related to the country’s latest homicide after a man who was shot while riding a moped early Thursday morning died in hospital.

The death pushed the country’s homicide count to 17 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

SEE PAGE THREE

Wilchcombe is ISLAND LUCK DONATES COMPUTERS TO JUNIOR SCHOOL hopeful after Memories shock

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE government was locked in meetings yesterday seeking to bring a successful conclusion to negotiations with Hutchison Whampoa over the embattled Memories resort, with Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe telling The Tribune that based on those talks he believes there is room for a “successful outcome”.

This comes as hundreds of hotel workers will be made redundant after the hotel operator Sunwing Travel Group and landlord Hutchison Whampoa failed

to reach an agreement over hurricane restoration at the beachfront resort in Lucaya, Grand Bahama.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Mr Wilchcombe said: “We are engaged in negotiations. The respective proposals are on the table. The government is intending to manage this issue to a successful conclusion.”

He confirmed that these negotiations are with Sunwing and Hutchison.

“We are awaiting the end of the Chinese New Year observation and return to the table next week,” Mr Wilchcombe told The Tribune.

SEE PAGE SIX

APPROVALS NEEDED FROM GOVT FOR NEXT STAGE OF THE POINTE

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DEVELOPERS of the $200m Bay Street project, The Pointe, are now in the midst of a regulatory process seeking the needed approvals from the government for the next phase of construction, according to an official.

However, Kendeno Knowles, China Construc-

tion America’s (CCA) communications director, did not reveal which approvals Strategic Property Holding Ltd and Neworld One Bay Street Ltd were seeking.

Mr Knowles said the development is on target to begin construction of its next phase this year and reach completion in 2018.

He also moved to address questions surrounding the SEE PAGE TWO

THE ISLAND Luck Cares Foundation donated 20 computers to D W Davis Junior School’s computer lab. Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian is pictured with Prime Minister Perry Christie at yesterday’s ceremony. See page ten for the full story.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

CHRISTIE SURPRISE AT INGRAHAM CRITICISM

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said he is surprised that his predecessor, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, criticised him about the length of time it is taking the Constituencies Commission to release its boundaries report, saying he thought Mr Ingraham was above such “political commentary” at this stage in his life.

Mr Ingraham told The Tribune on Tuesday that under Mr Christie’s watch this was the second time that the Constituencies Commission’s report had been behind schedule, preventing it from reaching Parliament.

Under the previous Ingraham administration, the report had been tabled six months before the general election.

Mr Ingraham also told The Nassau Guardian that the commission’s report has only been delivered late under the leadership of Mr Christie, never under his leadership or his pre-

FITZGERALD: POLITICAL TRASH CAN WAS A SEALED ENVELOPE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister Jerome Fitzgerald has revealed that the Save the Bays emails he read and tabled in Parliament were

printed out and delivered to him in a “sealed envelope”, adding that he did not know how the documents were accessed.

Mr Fitzgerald was fined for infringing on the SEE PAGE NINE

decessor, Sir Lynden Pindling.

Responding yesterday, Mr Christie said he expects the report to be complete by next week.

“I’m surprised that he (Mr Ingraham) wanted to get involved in this because everything he says deserves a response and the point is I thought he had put himself beyond this to speak to national matters and not get caught up in the political commentary but you know, it is what it is,” he said.

SEE PAGE SIX

MAN FACES COURT ACCUSED OF RAPING 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court on a sexual assault charge.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

Spark Elvis Strapp, of Tyler Street, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing a charge of rape concerning an alleged incident on Friday, January 27.

SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Friday, February 3, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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THE POINTE development on Bay Street.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

APPROVALS NEEDED FROM GOVT FOR NEXT STAGE OF THE POINTE from page one

recently completed retail spaces, which remain vacant, telling The Tribune that the outfitting of the spaces are left to the lessees. They have set their own timelines for operation, Mr Knowles said.

This comes after it was revealed that the Christie administration agreed to approve between 400 and 500 work permits, in addition to the transfer of existing work permit holders from Baha Mar to developers of The Pointe.

The government, according to the development’s heads of agreement, will also grant 75 work permits for jobs requiring special skills and expertise where the developers feel Bahamians are not available.

The document was tabled in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

“Developers are now going through the regulatory process,” he said yesterday during a site tour of the property with this newspaper. “It’s the regulatory process so we are going through all of the regulators and all of the government agencies that are involved

in this kind of process and we will let due process take its course.

“We have set a date for 2018 and we’ve not made any amendments to that date. That’s our next phase, but there are two more phases to this project.”

He also said: “On the retail spaces I know there were a lot of questions especially over the holiday when we opened up to allow people to come in and park. There were a lot of questions about the facility being open and people walking past the retail outlets along West Bay Street.

A lot of people have seen the signs go up and so automatically they assume that this should be open and this is ready.

“But one of the things that we’ve had to explain to everyone is yes these spaces are in fact leased and outfitting will be done by the lessees. When their timelines are, I can’t really disclose that information. Obviously they are our tenants and so their opening dates will be hinging on their own timelines.”

The Pointe’s heads of agreement with the government also says the overall Bahamian to non-Baha-

mian labour ratio will represent 70 per cent of the total work force. However the developer and the government, through mutual agreement, may decide to vary the employment ratio if it becomes necessary for earlier completion.

According to the document dated June 18, 2015, the government has also agreed to spend $1.5m over a three-year period to promote The Pointe under an arrangement that is to be concluded by developers and the Ministry of Tourism.

It is further noted that a completion date of April 1, 2017, for the first phase, is expected. However, in the event that the developer is unable to complete the components of the project, then the government is at liberty to proportionately reduce concessions, incentives, and benefits enjoyed by the developer.

But if the government is at fault for the delay, the date is to be extended beyond the first day of April by the amount of time that elapsed between the third quarter of 2015 and the actual date by which the developer is able to commence its obligations.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 3, 2017, PAGE 3

Families devastated by Freeport double killing

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AS police look for three Bimini men they want to speak with in connection with Wednesday’s double homicide in Grand Bahama, the shooting deaths of the two young men from Hunters have left that small community in shock.

Stefan LaFrance, 24, and Joseph Bain Jr, a father of four, were shot early Wednesday morning outside the Game Time Bar in Freeport. As the men left the establishment shortly before 1am, LaFrance was shot in the head, and Bain, in the chest.

One man died at the scene and the other a short time later in hospital.

It is not clear what may have led to the shooting of the two men, who were both employed at Roofing Expert.

The deaths are classified as the island’s first and second homicides for 2017.

There have been 17 homicides so far this year, according to The Tribune’s records.

Opal Russell, a cousin of LaFrance, said the family is devastated.

“We are hurting and want to know what happened because Stefan was not a troublemaker,” she said.

Miriam Pinder, the victim’s mother, described her son as a quiet person. “He was very a quiet person and that’s what everyone who came in contact with him said. He was not a troublesome person.”

LaFrance was the last of three children.

“He was the last and I am very saddened that his life was taken away senselessly,” his mother said.

Ms Pinder called for the killings and crime to stop because too many young

THE SCENE of the double murder in Grand Bahama on Wednesday. ily members - it hurts,” she people are losing their lives shock,” she said.

Ms Russell said that stressed. in the country.

“They need to (enforce) Ms Russell said her cous- tougher laws are needed for in worked along with Bain persons found in possession capital punishment,” she said. at Roofing Expert. She said of guns.

“The crime rate is ridicuPatronela Rolle, who that he never really ventured too far from home lous and something needs knew LaFrance, also said and was surprised to learn to be put in place to put the victim was not a trouthat he was at a bar in Free- fear in people from tak- blemaker. ing someone’s life. They “I was his manager at the port.

“I don’t think reality has don’t know what it is like supermarket he was a quiet sunk in yet, everyone is in when someone loses a fam- young man who never both-

MOPED RIDER KILLED IN MORNING SHOOTING from page one

According to police reports, shortly before 1am a man was riding a moped on Bias Street off Blue Hill Road, when a man armed with a handgun approached

and shot him before fleeing on foot. The victim was taken to hospital where he later died on Thursday.

The shooting death continues the murderous trend that marked the start of the year.

On Wednesday, two men

DELAY IN START OF GUN TRAFFICKING COURT CASE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE start of trial for a man accused of being the mastermind behind a firearms trafficking ring did not begin as scheduled yesterday.

Omar Roberts, of Lumumba Lane, returned before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt for the start of his case concerning seven counts of “introduction of a revolver into The Bahamas,” six counts of “introduction of ammunition into The Bahamas”, eight counts of “conspiracy to introduce a revolver into The Bahamas” and six counts of “possession of ammunition with intent to supply.”

He also faces a count each of “conspiracy to introduce ammunition into The Bahamas,” possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed revolvers with intent to supply, which rounded out the 30 offences he is alleged to have committed on September 16, 2016.

When arraigned last September, Roberts denied conspiring with others to bring in, possess and distribute a Betonics .45 pistol, a Hi-Point .380 pistol, a Beretta 9mm pistol, a Makarov 9mm pistol, a Remington Inc .40 pistol, a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, a Jimenez INC 9mm pistol and a 7.62 rifle.

He further denied conspiring with others to bring

in, possess and distribute a combined 318 rounds of assorted ammunition for these weapons.

The case concerning the 30 firearm offences was to begin on November 21.

However, on that date, the prosecution had requested an adjournment, as the exhibits in the case had not been analysed.

When the matter was called yesterday afternoon, attorney Ryzsard Humes who is an associate of Wayne Munroe, QC, in Roberts’ defence noted that Mr Munroe was not available for the hearing.

He also drew to the court’s attention that the prosecution had yet to disclose any documents relating to the case against their client since his initial court appearance four months ago.

The chief magistrate said the lack of disclosure to the defence was unacceptable and that the accused should know the case against him.

However, she also said that based on her notes, Mr Munroe said at the last hearing that he would be available for February 2 and 3, 2017, which she had set aside for the hearing of the matter.

She ordered the prosecution to disclose all material concerning the case to Mr Humes and, notwithstanding the lateness, the matter would proceed the following morning.

Sgt Timothy Saunders undertook to provide the documents as ordered.

were fatally shot in the Logwood Road area of Freeport, Grand Bahama. One man was taken into custody in connection with that matter.

Additionally, 14 people were killed in January, outpacing the murder count of January 2016 when only

eight people were murdered that month.

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

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn ers anyone,” she said. “I am very sad because I have two sons and it is hurtful that someone could just take another person’s life. They have to bring capital punishment back, they have to do something.”

One man was taken into custody shortly after the incident and is assisting police with their inves-

tigations into the shootings.

Police have issued an all points bulletin for three men they want to speak with in connection with the investigation: Kayas Duncombe, 19, of Bailey Town, Bimini; Lucas Rolle, 29, and Terrence Rolle Jr, 31, both of Buccaneer Point, Bimini.

PAGE 4, Friday, February 3, 2017

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US-UK special relationship stronger than ever THE FURORE over President Trump’s travel ban on seven mainly-Muslim countries has captured maximum attention and precipitated a widespread violent reaction both in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Remaining top of the media’s agenda, it has inevitably overshadowed last week’s important visit to Washington of British Prime Minister Theresa May, which deserves greater scrutiny than it has been given.

As the first official visit by a world leader to the new White House, it reflected the obviously warm personal feelings and positive view about Britain held by President Trump, who is on record as saying that “a fair and independent Britain is a blessing to the world”. So it is unsurprising that he has also signalled his enthusiastic support for Britain’s forthcoming departure from the European Union (EU).

Mrs May’s visit has been judged generally to have been a huge success in reinvigorating the much vaunted US/ UK ‘Special Relationship’, an unofficial term coined by Sir Winston Churchill to describe the two nations’ historical links, long-standing friendship, shared values and multi-faceted mutual interests - political, military, security, cultural, educational, technological, financial and commercial. Most importantly, while bilateral business across the board continues uninterrupted on a day-to-day basis, the relationship has required closeness at the highest political level, and over the years this has ebbed and flowed. In the Second World War, the affinity between Churchill and Roosevelt was a vital factor in securing victory in Europe, while, by contrast, Eisenhower’s action in forcing an end to the Suez crisis in 1956 by demanding withdrawal of the British invasion force was a severe blow to the then British government and raised questions about how the nation would adjust to a likely secondary role in international affairs after exercising leadership as of right for so many years.

This was followed by Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s refusal to become involved in the Vietnam conflict in the 1960s and, more recently, Britain’s involvement with the US in the disastrous war in Iraq.

There is surely hope on both sides of the Atlantic that the meeting of minds between Thatcher and Reagan in the 1980s might be replicated by development of a

bond of genuine friendship, together with pragmatic co-operation, between their latest successors occupying the highest political office in each country. Given the disparity in size, wealth, influence and, above all, power, the UK will always remain the junior partner. But good working relations at the top can help the government at all levels in trying to influence how US power is directed.

Britain brings much to the table as the world’s sixth-largest economy; the single largest investor in the US and a major trading partner; a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council; a nuclear power with a strong military; an important ally in security matters including counter-terrorism, sharing of intelligence and the provision of airbases for the US air force; a leading member of the 52-nation Commonwealth and as home to the world’s greatest financial hub. So, the UK matters to the US - and, while it develops a new, enhanced role as a global trading nation freed from the constraints of membership of the EU, it will remain committed to wide co-operation with the bloc and will therefore still be able to continue to provide a bridge between Europe and the US. Nonetheless, the interests of the two countries will not always coincide. Mrs May has already warned President Trump about doing business with President Putin (“engage but beware”) and has challenged him about NATO while putting down markers about isolationism and protectionism and, in the last few days, criticising the new travel ban.

But, during her visit, she also drew attention to areas of co-operation bringing mutual benefit, in particular trade and investment and the priority of a bilateral trade deal which cannot be finalised until Britain leaves the EU even though the groundwork can be started now. Meanwhile, her invitation to President Trump to make a state visit to Britain will surely stand despite the hysterical reaction in Britain of anti-Trump protestors.

A strong US/UK alliance, not least involving even closer trade links and economic co-operation as Britain reaches out globally post-‘Brexit’, is likely to benefit our own country indirectly in the longer term. It is thus in our interests that the historic ‘Special Relationship’ should continue to flourish – and the portents are surely good following Mrs May’s triumphant visit.

Warning: An IED for the PLP EDITOR, The Tribune.

The Tribune today, February 1st, 2017, might be described as an IED, (improvised explosive device) set beneath the feet of the Governing Party.

However, chances are that it will never be detonated.

Front page - Shameful that Halkitis cannot explain

Magnificent rebel MPs EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Butler-Turner In Grassroots Plan.

The Tribune, January 31, 2017.

THE dissident FNM’s are reputedly referred to in a leaked e-mail as ‘The Magnificent Seven’. Hopefully, they will fare better than the heroic characters in the original movie of the same name ----- most of which did not survive.

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, February 1, 2017.

where VAT has gone. Business front page: Bahamas Squandering Caribbean’s best VAT. RBC Economist.

Gov’t blind to 75% deficit rise - Bran McCartney. Exchange Control Changes to Govt …

John Rolle Central Bank on underperforming economy.

Tough Call - on Opposition Disarray. Editorial letter from JB - Minnis must resign.

And the bottom line in all of this, and the reason that the IED wick won’t ignite, is that the FNM leader won’t stand down, and otherwise intelligent and well respected FNM nominees, cannot or will not, convince him to do so, or at a very minimum, come to an agreement with ALL opposition forces (including the Official Opposition) that will allow everyone to be on the same side in the coming election.

What will the opposition factions say when the election is over and the current regime continues and if, as the RBC economist suggests, the Bahamian dollar is devalued and all Bahamians lose whatever little they have put aside. Not to

mention the NIB assets that still remain, but will then be worth far less than the day before. And for those who know the truth, or are even interested in it, read TOUGH CALL to see who is responsible for the oppositions failure to unite.

If you don’t have time to read it, I will tell you. Dr Minnis! And Dr Minnis is emboldened and enabled by the candidates that he has nominated, or promised nominations to.

And Politics in this Bahamas has come to be the cover on the cookie jar. Or the means to acquire significant wealth if you are in the Governing Party. Yes, this is disgraceful but it goes on and on, one administration after another.

We need someone or some group who can talk Dr Minnis down from his lofty but shaky perch and while there is yet a little time, come to an agreement that will save this Country and its PEOPLE. BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, February 1, 2017.

Questions for Bradley Roberts EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM one of the many who constantly ask the questions, “Is Bradley Roberts ever going to shut up?” or “Is Bradley Roberts ever going to say something that he has really thought about?”

Those who want to lead should always be in the mode of being responsive or raising the level of expectation. The Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party has done neither, he remains a very reactionary and divisive element in Bahamian politics. Has he ever compared his current leader to Hubert Minnis or any of the former Prime Ministers of this nation?

Maybe he speaks with Mr Christie privately and his advice is not being taken.

The current state of affairs regarding Dr Minnis is not too difficult to understand, now that all of the cards are on the table, even the lesser informed now realise that Dr Minnis could not lead the “rebels” any where.

If the chairman of the PAC was such a rebel, why did he not do the job that was assigned to him? Did Dr Minnis stop him? The underlying agenda of the “rebels” came to mind when I saw the seven standing side by side in a photo in early December.

Except one, all of the Rebels came from what we refer to as “old guard” constituencies and those who represent those areas do not do anything without consulting the true financial

I would suggest that the FNM begins tomorrow with a couple of very large billboards reminding the letters@tribunemedia.net voting public of how we got members within their con- into this mess in the first place. We as a people have a stituencies.

There is also a sugges- bad habit of not letting peotion that the “puppet mas- ple wait their turn and allow ter” was up to his old tricks them to jump the gun. The again, and even had the people of The Bahamas alnerve to call for everyone ways choose the “devil they to “try and get along” when know”, and those members the expected results were of the “status quo” who now want to say that they not forthcoming.

Personally, I am still rat- represent the “grassroots” tled to think that this is the will have to take that flam same dance attempted in somewhere else.

The current desperation 2002 and 2012. I recall a conversation I had with Ms expressed by the Chairman Butler in the parking lot is evidence of the fact that after Ed Moxey’s funeral, things are looking kind a I told her to bide her time; tight. Perhaps all that needs she was making moves that to be done by the FNM is to would not be of any help remind the electorate that to her or the FNM. Seems when a vote is cast for the like that privileged crowd DNA or the Rebels, they always have their minds are really voting for the made up about something. PLP. It is a vote for the persons Sometimes I think they are all working for or with the who like things just the way they are; and they really PLP. We may have missed the don’t want to change anyreal event of 2016, when the thing. As long as we allow FNM became a truly “Ba- the confusion to continue hamian” political party. Ms this is really our problem.

Is there any talk about Butler and Mr Minnis were able to hold a convention Mr Christie’s successor? I without “usual” the finan- know he wants to “go becial support, and this is one yond” Mr Pindling (I am thing I can commend her trying to figure out exactly what that means) I am on.

However, we have to take afraid that he is going to a sideways look at Bradley try one of those dances and Roberts and his over con- hurt himself and embarrass cern for Dr Minnis; Minnis the Party or the nation.... is no longer the leader of the maybe that is something the official Opposition, but, Mr Chairman could work on.

Roberts knows that when it EDWARD comes to popular support HUTCHESON Mr Minnis has something Nassau, that the current leader of February 1, 2017. the PLP does not have.

LETTERS

Drive with your eyes open EDITOR, The Tribune.

DRIVING around Nassau these days you notice two things.

Firstly, there are many shuttered, derelict buildings and closed shops and businesses - for example almost all of East Bay Street.

How does that square with the 32,000 new jobs we are advised have been created. Is it fake news? How

many jobs were lost because of the above?

Secondly, virtually the only freshly painted or new buildings are the gambling houses, except the odd Government building to house the additional staff recruited.

One thing Trump did get right was to stop all Government recruitment! The gambling houses are obviously successful but not

good for the economy as all they do is suck money out of it without giving back any real benefit.

The people were sensible to vote the way they did in the referendum but no-one listened to them - why?. So where is the country heading?

Can someone explain to us?

PATRICK H THOMSON Nassau, February 2 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 3, 2017, PAGE 5

Union says teachers living in fear over school violence

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers Acting President Joan Knowles-Turnquest yesterday called on public school administrators to “take a stand” and “enforce every single rule in school,” as she said teachers are “fed up” with “being in fear of their lives being taken away from them” due to school violence.

Mrs Knowles-Turnquest, during a press conference in which she bemoaned the recent wave of school violence, said administrators “should not be afraid” to enforce the rules, adding that if administrators are hesitant to, they should “relinquish” their posts to “someone who is willing” to do so.

She added that school administrators should strive to enforce “every rule that exists at the school” from the moment school opens rather than waiting “until the rules are all broken before taking a stand”.

Mrs Knowles-Turnquest also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) to “identify the strong administrators in our schools” and have them serve as “models for other principals who are not pulling their weight regarding discipline”.

Her comments came just days after a 7th grade male student of AF Adderley Junior High School allegedly brought a gun on the school’s temporary campus.

A 12-year-old boy has been arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court facing a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm in connection with the incident.

That incident came just weeks after a stabbing incident at Government High School drew national attention. The incident left three students injured.

Yesterday, Mrs KnowlesTurnquest asked: “How can you teach if you are not sure which student is brandish-

ing a handgun or any form of weapon?”

“It’s not only a knife or handgun that we’re concerned about,” she added.

“We’re concerned about any item that can be used as a weapon to harm our teachers. And so they are very much up in arms, and that is why the call is for administrators to take a stand and enforce every single rule at school.

“If you have a rule that speaks to haircuts, then you enforce whatever the rule is. You should not be afraid to enforce the rule. That is why you have been placed as an administrator at that particular school. Now if you choose not to follow the rules, then you need to do something else, relinquish it, and give it to someone who is willing to enforce the rules.”

Mrs Knowles-Turnquest also called for more “parental involvement” in schools, saying that officials “must ensure that they are doing what they’re supposed to do as parents.”

“The teachers are not the parents,” she added. “Yes we act as that, and we are forced into acting that way, because we have to know that we must provide in our classroom, a safe haven for our children. But we act as parents when a lot of the parents are not doing what they’re supposed to do.

“Something as simple as coming to a PTA (meeting), even if you cannot make it to the PTA, you mean to tell me there is nobody in your family who could go to represent you, to speak to your child’s teacher to find out about your child? So we wait until problems occur, then we run to the school and we want to beat up and fuss out the teachers.

“Enough is enough. We want to make that clear to the powers that be that enough is enough. Our teachers are fed up, they are in fear of their lives being taken away from them.”

On Monday, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said the onus for the recent violent incidents on school

JOAN KNOWLES-TURNQUEST, acting president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, speaking about violence in schools at the press conference at union’s headquarters yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff campuses must fall on the “We are of the opinion incident, there has been an schools, but said the focus wider society, further la- that measures are in place, increase in calls for tougher should be geared toward a menting that officials have certainly,” she said. “We policies and heightened po- more “proactive” approach done everything they can to are also of the opinion lice presence at schools. to dealing with the problem. stop school violence. that we need stronger adAmong others, Marvin She said the country must At the time, Mr Fitzger- ministration. That is where Dames, the former deputy look at the “root cause” of ald insisted that he and his the problem is going to be commissioner of police and school violence and “stop ministry have taken a “zero eradicated. The ministry the Free National Move- putting a Band-Aid aptolerance” stance towards could have a million and ment’s candidate for Mount proach on this vexing isviolent incidents on cam- one ideas, the union can Moriah, said last month sue.” pus, and have responded to have a million and one ide- that metal detectors should “We must stop making such incidents “extremely as, but when we go to the be placed at entrances into excuses for students’ negaswiftly…even if it means schools and they are not be- junior and senior high pub- tive behaviour and we must the prosecution of individu- ing carried out, something lic schools. require that standards of als involved.” is wrong. Something else Mr Dames also called for behaviour be adhered to,” Mrs Knowles-Turnquest must be done. the presence of additional she said. “We call on the agreed yesterday that the “So maybe we need to security guards on campus. powers that be to devise a MOEST does have “a num- look at who our administraMrs Knowles-Turnquest comprehensive approach ber of things in place” to tors are. I don’t want to call said the BUT is in support to solving the problem of help mitigate against school anybody out, but maybe we of such interventions, along school violence. Discipline violence, such as district need to look at that.” with the installation of se- and order in the schools superintendents meeting In the wake of the latest curity cameras in all public must be enforced.” “regularly” with the school administrators, and the administrators subsequently dialoguing with teachers via their respective unions.

However, the union official maintained that stronger administration is needed.

ISLAND LUCK CEO SPEAKS OUT AT LACK OF ACTION TO STOP ILLEGAL GAMBLING

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net MORE than two months after gaming operators expressed concerns to top government officials about illegal gambling, “nothing much” has happened to address the problem, Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian said yesterday.

Gaming operators believe the continued presence of illegal operations jeopardise their investments and undermines efforts they have made to gain legitimacy.

“It’s been about two months since we voiced our concerns,” Mr Bastian said.

“We still haven’t heard anything back from the regulatory authorities as to how they plan to address illegal gambling. It’s a big concern for us. We’re subjected to a lot of taxes and fees.”

Island Luck plans to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) process this year, and it sees illegal gambling as a potential obstacle.

“We are pleased to announce that we will be launching the Island Luck IPO this year and now many Bahamians throughout the Bahamas will be afforded the opportunity to own a piece of this economic pie and in preparation for that it’s important that regulators clean up the industry in any way it can, not only because it’s right but to protect the investments as well,” Mr Bastian said. “The public can rest assured that the best IPO in the history of the Bahamas is on the way and I’m pleased to be a part of affording that opportunity to the average Bahamian.

There’s very little invest-

ment opportunity that has any sort of significant yield in our financial sector right now, so this one’s for the people.”

Mr Bastian also said operators are awaiting an update on a promised moratorium on web shop construction that Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe has said is in the works.

“Investors want to be protected from a saturated marketplace and obviously there’s no room for additional web shops,” he said.

“There’s too many as it is now. There’s a lot of regulatory plans to clean a lot of that up but certainly there should not be anymore web shops. It’s important to have a moratorium to protect the investments and we await the minister’s rapid response.”

Mr Bastian’s complaints about web shop proliferation are in line with con-

cerns FML Group of Companies CEO Craig Flowers has expressed.

After Mr Flowers called last year for regulators to limit the number of web shops granted per gaming license, Mr Bastian called his idea “nonsensical.”

“This latest tactic by Mr Flowers seems to be an attempt to level the playing field for self interests, but I can tell you that strategy is flawed,” he told The Nassau Guardian last year.

Yesterday, however, Mr Bastian suggested his views have become more aligned with Mr Flowers, at least on the issue of needing to limit the number of web shops being created.

“Mr Flowers is the father of the industry, a great man, I learned a lot from him,” he said. “We are definitely of one accord with where we want to take the industry.”

Retail Front End Supervisor A detail oriented individual with exceptional, familiar retail knowledge with retail environments and supervisor customer service skills. Also must have the ability to guide and lead a small team of store personnel.

Job Entails: Day to day oversight of daily operations of Butler’s Bargain Mart, inventory management of the store, and preparation of all store promotion and regular interaction with vendors to maintain a wide selection of products.

Job Requirements: • • •

ANNOUNCEMENT The Free National Movement wishes to advise its members, supporters and the general public that, the raffle scheduled to be drawn on Saturday, December 10th, 2016, has been postponed. The drawing will now be held on Saturday February 11, 2017. All tickets purchased will be honoured on the new raffle date. The selling of tickets will continue until such time.

The party apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Thank You

• • •

Person applying should have at least 2 years experience Candidate should have good communication skill, keen eye for detail and knowledgeable of computers and software.

Must be a team player, self motivated, loyal and honest.

Must also be organized and able to set daily agendas for staff.

Ability to check in and out product into the store and assist with inventory and rotation of stock as needed Willing to work hard and flexible hours.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interested persons are welcome to send their resume: vacancy@milobutler.com (242) 677-6380 P. O. Box N-712 Nassau, Bahamas

PAGE 6, Friday, February 3, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

BERNADETTE Christie cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of the Memories resort in 2014 as her husband, Prime Minister Perry Christie, and dignitaries look on.

GOVERNMENT TALKS ON RESORT PULLOUT from page one

“There are many factors and issues involved that require intense discussions.

Both groups and others have expressed a commitment to the island which signals there is room (for) a successful outcome.”

Sunwing and the government had agreed to co-invest sums to restore the damaged Memories property for reopening last month; but in a statement on Wednesday, Sunwing

reported that “the owner attempted to impose exorbitant conditions that were totally unacceptable to Sunwing.”

Sunwing said that it was required to vacate the Memories Resort premises on January 29, and is now making arrangements to pay out applicable redundancy pay for around 400 employees in the coming days.

Minister of Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville explained that the government has been in talks with the resort and

its landlord Hutchison for a considerable period, adding that those discussions were ongoing. Dr Darville added that the government’s priority was to ensure that all employees are protected and that all obligations required in the resort’s exit clause are adhered to.

While giving a speech at the Progressive Liberal Party’s national convention last week, Dr Darville said the government had “significantly” reduced unemployment on the island since 2012. He also said the PLP

had laid the foundation for an economic resurgence in Grand Bahama.

“Grand Bahama, the PLP is the only choice,” Dr Darville said last week. “It is the only party that has proven to possess the vision, the work ethic and the stability necessary to move Grand Bahama forward, onward together.”

The island is still reeling from the destruction Hurricane Matthew brought last October. Before the hurricane hit, Grand Bahama was already dealing with a sluggish economy.

CHRISTIE SURPRISE AT INGRAHAM CRITICISM from page one

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Mr Christie also said he was surprised at Mr Ingraham’s criticism of Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall, though he noted that Mr Ingraham has expressed such concerns before.

Mr Ingraham views Mr Hall as inexperienced. He also has worries about Mr Hall’s abilities to pull off a general election given the hiccups the Parliamentary Registration Department faced during the June 2016 gender equality referendum.

Regarding Mr Hall, Mr Christie said: “We have to give that public servant every opportunity to demonstrate that he does have that capacity and the work will be done.”

Mr Christie revealed that he “had dinner” with Mr Ingraham Wednesday night at an event honouring George Myers. He said Mr Ingraham “didn’t raise the matter with me (there).”

“The Constituencies Commission must report as quickly as possible,” he added. “My own feeling is it doesn’t appear that they are talking about wide-sweeping changes and therefore the necessary work to be done should not be all that difficult for the parliamentary commission in being able to ensure that people are able to see whether or not there is a new constitu-

ency as indicated earlier on.

In my case I go from Mackey Street to East Street in part to Collins Avenue and that’s a huge thing the former prime minister gave to us. I think most of that will go back to Mrs (Glenys) Hanna Martin (who represents Englerston). I’m led to believe the work of the commission is continuing and I can only assume that given the time, by next week they will be complete.”

Regarding voter registration, Mr Christie disagreed that the slow registration is related to the work of the Parliamentary Registration Department or the Constituencies Commission.

“To the extent that there is malaise to people registering I don’t know that rests as much with the parliamentary commissioner as with the mind-set of the people themselves,” the prime minister said. “We are making every effort nationwide to add to the resources to enable people to be able to get registered and people have to elect at some stage to determine for themselves whether they want to participate in the election. That is a decision that everyone has to make for themselves and presumably they will do that and get registered.”

Last night, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie chided Mr Christie for “another missed deadline” regarding the boundaries report.

Last week, the prime minis-

ter said the report might be ready this week.

“Another deadline missed, and more excuses will soon follow,” Mr Collie said in a statement.

“The embattled prime minister told the Bahamian people to expect the Boundaries Commission report this week, but yet another (sitting) of Parliament has passed, and still no report.”

He said the government is “desperate to cling to power” and would do anything to protect the status quo even if that means allegedly trying to “rig an election they must call.”

He added: “This government has already tried to intimidate female voters with their dress code tactics . . . and now they are taking steps to prevent the voters from knowing who is running to represent them.

The people will not allow the embattled prime minister and his party to run the election in secrecy and in the dark of night just like they have done running this government. “ . . . Try as they may, this PLP government cannot stop the will of the Bahamian people. When the bell is rung it is the people who will decide their future, and the FNM trusts the people.

When they remove the PLP from power this next election, the people will finally have their time and the new FNM government will work every day to serve them.”

MAN FACES COURT ACCUSED OF RAPING 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL from page one It is alleged that the 36-year-old had sexual intercourse with a teenage girl, age 17, without her permission.

He was informed that due to the nature of the charge - an indictable offence - he would not be allowed to enter a plea until his formal

arraignment before a Supreme Court judge.

He is scheduled to return to Magistrate’s Court on March 17 to be presented with a voluntary bill of indictment that will fast track the matter to the higher court.

Strapp was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services as the court did not have the jurisdiction

to consider bail.

However, he was informed of his right to apply for a bond by filing an application to the Supreme Court.

The accused was not represented at his arraignment on the sexual assault charge yesterday.

A person convicted of rape at trial could face up to life imprisonment.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 3, 2017, PAGE 7

DNA leader: No chance of a coalition with the FNM

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance leader Branville McCartney said yesterday there is “no possibility” of a coalition between the DNA and the Free National Movement despite calls for the two parties to join forces to defeat the current government.

At a press conference at the DNA’s headquarters on Thursday, Mr McCartney said FNM Leader Dr

Hubert Minnis is living in “la la land” if he thinks the DNA needs the FNM to defeat the PLP. He also accused Dr Minnis of cleansing the FNM of “everything Hubert Ingraham”.

On Wednesday, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham suggested the FNM find a way to make a deal with the DNA ahead of the next election.

“It seems to me to make sense to present the public with a united front, the public does not like divided parties,” Mr Ingraham told

The Tribune.

“In fact they like to punish parties when they are divided and the extent to which the FNM can get itself together, put us in a position to be able to talk to the DNA, and if they are not talking any sense, the FNM has the opportunity now to take its Senate seat back from Mr (Branville) McCartney and proceed and tell the public why they can’t do a deal with them and why the public ought to focus its attention on voting for the FNM as an alterna-

tive to the PLP.” Mr McCartney said the DNA was once open to a coalition between the two parties but that ship has now sailed.

“A couple nights ago, the present leader of the FNM Dr Minnis said we are not a factor. As a matter of fact, the leader of the FNM said this election is between the PLP and the FNM,” Mr McCartney said.

“I do not think it is a possibility for us to join up. I understand where Mr Ingraham is coming from and I am sure he has a lot of insight but whether the FNM takes any advice from him is questionable, especially in the light of the fact that the present leader of the FNM said ‘the Ingraham era is over.’ That could have been one of the worst things he ever said. He took it a step further and has gutted the FNM of any semblance of the former administration.

I don’t know if that was a wise move on his part.”

Mr McCartney said if Dr Minnis were a smart man, he would heed the advice

of Mr Ingraham and learn from the former FNM leader’s experience.

“He had a great resource there,” Mr McCartney said.

“The fact is Mr Ingraham was prime minister of this country and the reality is, he did a good job and that means he has a lot of knowledge and he has political wisdom and Dr Minnis should have reached out to him and learned from him,” Mr McCartney said.

“I have said it before certainly you cannot take away the fact that the former prime minister has the experience. He is talking from insight I can imagine and based on the comments made by Dr Minnis, where he has completely discounted Mr Ingraham and his advice, I don’t see the DNA and the FNM happening.”

Last year, after rumours of a coalition between the two parties began to surface, Mr McCartney told The Tribune the FNM is a “broke and sinking ship” and a union between the two groups would help the FNM but hurt the third

party.

“We are done with that,” Mr McCartney said at the time. “The FNM is in the worst state that they have ever been in their political history. They seem to be losing people everyday; there is still a lot of infighting. One person is saying one thing and another person is saying the next thing.

The FNM seems to be very wanting, their role as an opposition party has been dismal at best.”

Dr Minnis in turn said last year that he was “open” to forming a coalition with the DNA, but said he was “turned off” by Mr McCartney’s arrogance.

In December 2016, Dr Minnis was stripped of his post as leader of the Official Opposition in the House after seven FNM MPs wrote a letter of no confidence in him to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, who replaced Dr Minnis, later appointed Mr McCartney as leader of opposition business in the Senate.

Funeral Service

MR. JEFFERSON WILLIAM “Bill” PINDER of Winton Estates, Nassau, The Bahamas, died peacefully at his home on Sunday Evening 29th January, 2017 at 9:30 p.m. After a long illness in the presence of his family.

DNA leader Branville McCartney.

‘PM MUST RESIGN AFTER MISLEADING ON BAHA MAR’

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday called for the resignation of Prime Minister Perry Christie after it was revealed that the sale of Baha Mar is not complete, despite Mr Christie telling the country the stalled resort was sold.

At a press conference, Senator McCartney said Mr Christie “disgraced his office, disgraced himself and disgraced his party.”

He said the prime minister knew when he announced the sale of Baha Mar last year, that he did not have a completed deal but he chose to “misrepresent the truth for political purposes.”

Last December, Prime Minister Christie announced the sale of Baha Mar to Hong Kong-based conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd (CTFE).

At the time, Mr Christie did not disclose the sale price, adding that the negotiated agreement between CTFE and the resort’s secured creditor, China Export-Import Bank, was still sealed by the court.

However, this week, Graeme Davis, CTFE (Bahamas) president, told international journalists visiting the Bahamas for a conference that Baha Mar will open without its sale being completed.

Mr Davis said, as reported by PressToday: “We’ve made commitments to the islands of the Bahamas, to the government and to the bank that we would open the project even before we close [the deal].

“We will be opening the project on April 21 and it will be in a phased manner. Our flagship property is going to be run by Grand Hyatt.”

Clarifying Mr Davis’s comments, Robert Sands,

Baha Mar’s senior vicepresident of government and external affairs, told The Tribune that CTFE’s acquisition of Baha Mar would only close once all construction was complete.

“So to be clear, there has been no sale, so no deal actually exists,” Mr McCartney said in response yesterday. “All that the prime minister has secured is the promise to make a deal, and nothing more. Therefore those promised jobs at Baha Mar are not secure.

“The prime minister knew when the public was demanding answers as to what had been agreed and secured in the sale of this resort, that he had nothing to offer the public so he agreed to have the documents sealed before the courts to hide the truth from the Bahamian people.

The prime minister knew he was deceiving the Baha-

mian people and he went about it in a systematic way.

It is now for all to see that the prime minister along with members of his Cabinet worked in a concerted effort to remove the original developer. The prime minister should not be allowed to hold office moving forward.”

Mr McCartney said if the prime minister’s “scheme” was allowed to play out, “he would have been able to prance himself before the Bahamian people during the election cycle to say ‘look at what I’ve done for you,’ but as fate would have it, he has been exposed.”

Mr McCartney said the arrangement the government has with the Chinese will not be honoured if the third party is elected to office and demanded that Mr Christie resign “before he brings more shame to his office and our country.”

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Fox Hill Road, Nassau, on Saturday, 11th February, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

Reverend Father Hugh Bartlett will officiate and interment will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Fox Hill Road, Nassau.

He was pre-deceased by his wife, Ethlyn Virginia “Jean” Pinder; his father, William Bertice Pinder and his Mother, Emma Remelda Pinder-Magraw.

He is survived by his two sons, William Craig Pinder and Richard Perry Pinder; his grand-daughter, Alice; brother, David John Pinder; in-laws, Ruby Collins, Doris Anderson, Yvonne Knowles, Alexander C. Knowles Jr. Patrick A. Knowles, Geoffrey W. Knowles, Charlton V. Knowles, Deborah S. Knowles, Julianna Green, Richard Anderson Sr., Shirley Knowles, Amarylis Knowles, Patou Regent, Rosa Knowles and Linda Knowles; nephews, Stephen Collins, Colin Pinder, Richard (Rick) Anderson, Brian Anderson, Michael Knowles, Andrew (Andy) Knowles, James Knowles Jr., Roman Knowles, Olivier Knowles, Ryan Knowles, Christian Knowles, David Knowles and Mathew Green; nieces, Joanne Aranha, Cindy Woodward, Gina White, Lisa Butorak, Karen Leonard, Michelle Knowles, Trishka Wiethuchter, Vanessa Knowles, Bianca Carter, Daniela Knowles, Amanda Knowles, Brittany Green and Marissa Knowles.

A host of other relatives and friends including, Ruth Moushabeck, Jean-Jacques Goulet, Marsha Stewart, Bruce Stewart, Karen Aliata, Robert and Linda Brown, Claire Brown, Julia and Steve Motti, Johnny Brown and Mary Knowles, Joanne and Thierry Lamar, Lori and Braden Dawson, Joan Albury and Wellington King.

Beloved caregiver, Emily Ibasan Ramirez and beloved housekeeper, Delores Rolle.

Bill had an extraordinarily colourful and diverse life. He was born on October 4th, 1931 to parents, William Bertice Pinder, a hospital Lab Technician and Later Bleach Manufacturer and Emma Remelda Pinder (Nee Darville) A Sunday School Teacher and Dress Shop Owner. Bill attended Queens College High School in Nassau where he was Head Boy and Excelled in many team sports such as Rugby, Softball and Swimming. A born athlete, he and his team won many rugby championships in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.

Bill married his High School sweetheart Jean, ( Nee Knowles) on December 26th, 1951 together they had two sons: William Craig Pinder and Richard Perry Pinder.

Bill together with his father Bertice founded Blanco Chemicals Limited In 1950, a company that is still thriving today and run by son Perry. Bill’s diverse life included many extracurricular activities notably stage perormances with the nassau operetic society where he played many lead singing roles in reprised broadway musicals such as Carousel, Oklahoma and his most famous signature role as Tevye in Fiddler In The Roof. Bill was a skilled spearfisherman and spent many of summer weekends boating and diving with his closest friend the late Sidney Brown and Sidney’s sons Robert and Johnny. He will be dearly missed by all.

With special thanks to the entire staff at Blanco Chemicals who Bill commanded so much love and respect throughout his life.

Also a special thanks to his personal caregiver, Emily Ibasan Ramirez and his housekeeper, Delores Rolle who gave him such loving care during his long illness.

A very special thanks to Dr. Ian Kelly, Dr. Duvaughn Curling, Dr. Theodore Turnquest, Rene Roth and her nursing team with a special mention of thanks to Melinda.

Finally a very special thanks to the doctors, interns and nurses at Doctors Hospital who did an amazing job during his numerous hospital visits.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Dundas Centre For The Performing Arts, P.O. Box N-8808 or to St. Anne’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box N-1569, in Memory of Mr. Jefferson William “Bill” Pinder.

PAGE 8, Friday, February 3, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Halkitis + Fitzgerald = fuzzy math A Comic’s B

ACK in the nineties, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham gave us one of those great, immortal Bahamian political quotes: “I say what I mean, and I mean what I say!”

At the time, some lauded his openness and honesty while others used his words to add another check mark to the ‘Hubigetty’ narrative that became quite popular.

Fast forward a couple decades later; we now see that finding a politician ‘cut from the same cloth’ as ‘Hubigetty’ is like finding Dory.

Fuzzy math After the very expensivelooking convention put on by the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) last week, the main question on everyone’s mind after the event was ‘Where da VAT money gone?’

After a good two years of ducking questions from the media on how the people’s billion dollars (and counting) has been accounted for, it was surprising that the Minister of State for Finance, Michael Halkitis, was the foil who brought the never ending VAT saga back to centre stage.

During his convention speech, the PLP’s supposed financial wunderkind got on stage and started rattling off what seemed a laundry list of items that VAT had paid for; boats, planes, trains, automobiles, snow mobiles, mobile phones, health in-

View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA surance, life insurance, hospitals, schools and tools (U Name It!) were all included.

By my count, the only things left off were weaves, numbers and libations.

Though (to be fair) Prime Minister Christie has ordered a full report on VAT spending with “graphs” be dispersed to every “nook and cranny”. So don’t be surprised if you have your government to thank for all those champagne bottles you were’ poppin’ last year.

Because a billion dollars went somewhere, right?

We know that it didn’t actually buy Defence Force boats or Bahamasair planes.

We know this because, when cornered on a local talk show and asked whether the government had actually borrowed money for those expenditures, Halkitis admitted that they had. He also admitted that money for National Health Insurance had only been earmarked so far.

And those ‘schools’ he spoke of in his provocative convention speech? We will see them soon, according to Halkitis, who obviously now wants us to believe that at any moment concrete and steel buildings will miraculously spring into exist-

ence from the strength of his magical mind alone.

Speaking of magic, after Halkitis (and by extension the Christie administration) got called-out yet again for their fuzzy math by (ready to fight) opposing MPs Peter Turnquest and Andre Rollins, Minister of (mis) Education Jerome Fitzgerald stood in Parliament and tried to throw a drowning Halkitis a lifeline.

Fitzgerald, it seems, is the PLP’s go-to guy for spewing the most ridiculous ‘alternative facts’. Not that I blame the party for using an otherwise useless ‘Education’ minister for the nasty job of spinning every concocted PLP narrative. For one thing, he’s used to getting his hands dirty digging in ‘political garbage cans’ and all.

Secondly, those D grades aren’t going anywhere under his watch. So why not use Fitzgerald to ‘manage’ everything from the Baha Mar deal to drafting the Freedom of Information Act to defending every scandalcaught minister in Parliament? Jeromey-the Homie has made it painfully clear keeping his cushy Cabinet job is his top priority.

fix the crime problem and reduce the murder count.

Now here we are, five years later with a new murder record under that very same PLP (586 and counting up to last night). Tricky position to be in with a general election right on the horizon, so what do they do?

Instead of admitting that erecting the billboards was an ill-thought out, reckless act, Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray instead confesses, “Mr Speaker, during election campaigns people who want to get into power say things that, when you analyse it later, sometimes you say, ‘Well, it was only politics’.”

That’s one of the first truthful admissions I have heard from Minister Gray in years.

Still, you have to question the morals of any politician (and even a whole party) that brags after the fact that “some of them change their phone numbers” after they get votes from their constituents like a unrepentant playboy brags about dumping conquests after he gets what he wants.

I’m sure the families of all the murder victims back then and the hundreds that have been added to the rolls since hoped the PLP would have been true to its word.

We all hoped Christie, Davis and company knew what the hell to do about crime.

Turns out, all the promises were (as I suspected back then) “only politics”.

I don’t know what’s more vile, the billboards themselves or digging up the memories of the departed just to bury the notion of ever living up to a campaign con for once and for all.

• Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL HALKITIS, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.

What we didn’t know, pay down the country’s debt. however, is Fitzgerald is ap- And he finally came clean parently not very good with that his little speech at the numbers. (I would say he is PLP convention was mainly as bad as a first grader when written (and delivered) with a it comes to math but I have PLP audience in mind. a son who’s a first grader Now, I’m not calling the and he can actually count.) average PLP supporter unThe Minister of Educa- dereducated ... but it sure tion stood in the House sounds like Halkitis the Geof Assembly and claimed nius just did. that $692m colFormer Britlected in VAT ‘The real travesty ish Prime Minaccounted for is that, in this ister Benjamin 25 per cent of Disraeli is cred‘post-truth’ government ited for a quote revenue.

Ex- political era we made popucept, as Fort find ourselves in, lar by Mark Charlotte MP Twain that Andre Rollins getting a straight goes “There rightfully point- answer out of the are three kinds ed out, that Prime Minister of lies; lies, would mean damned lies the government or Halkitis or and statistics revenue was Fitzgerald is like ...” in excess of $2 ‘pulling teet’ I don’t know billion and we about you, but should be op- out of a shark’s a week of being erating at a sur- mouth.” fed weak ‘alplus. Since we ternative facts’ are not, Fuzzy from D average Math Fitzgerald quickly politicians sure makes me ‘change up his talks’ and long for just one who is able said his numbers only re- to say what they mean, and ferred to projections. mean what they say.

Except, nobody asked V is for Vile the government ‘Where In the run-up to the 2012 da ‘projected’ VAT money general election, the PLP gone?’ What we want to erected billboards across know is where the actual major roundabouts in NasVAT money went. sau blasting the horrific and Don’t ‘play forget’ that high murder count numbers after taxing everything for all and tourists to see. from toilet tissue to townBack then, the PLP dehomes over one billion real fended those controversial dollars (and counting) were billboards and insulated collected. their brazenly despicable The real travesty is that, political ploy by wrapping it in this ‘post-truth’ politi- in a blanket of concern for cal era we find ourselves their fellow countrymen. in, getting a straight answer According to the PLP, the out of the Prime Minister Free National Movement or Halkitis or Fitzgerald is had failed the fallen 490 murlike ‘pulling teet’ out of a dered during their term in ofshark’s mouth. fice from 2007-2012. AccordOn the radio talk show, ing to the PLP, they would Halkitis finally admitted that all of the money went into the menacing black hole known as the Consolidated Fund. Which is to say there’s no way ‘on God’s green eart’ to know precisely how the VAT money was spent. So don’t hold your breath for the Prime Minister’s ‘graphs.’ In the words of our eloquent Minister of Education, “this ain’t no rocket science”.

Minister Halkitis also admitted that (unlike what we were led to believe) VAT mona resident of #13 Eastern ey is not being used mainly to

Funeral Service For

Etoy Helen Roberts Wright, 69

Estates, will be held at Rehobeth Ministries, Prince Charles Drive, on Saturday, 4th February, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

Officiating will be Rev. Warren Anderson. Interment follows in Mt. Carey Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Fox Hill Road.

Etoy will be lovingly missed by her ex-husband: Alpheaus Wright; Her Children and Spouses: Raquel Wright, Elmo Wright, Aurelio Wright, Alvarado Wright (Robertha Wright), Sabrina Wright; Adopted Daughter: Carriemae Wright-Knowles (Nicholas Knowles Sr.); Grandchildren: Nyckara Knowles, Nicholas Knowles Jr., Raphael Wright; Siblings: Jonathan Roberts (Idell) of Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, Joycelyn Roberts, Deaconess Janet Darling, Crimson Roberts-Fabian; Mother-in-law: Berylmae Wright; Adopted Mother: Elder Miriam Roker; Sisters-in-law: Miriam Wright, Veronica Wright, Vera Wright, Patrice Rolle; Brothers-in-law: Raymond Wright, Gary Wright, Leonard Wright; Numerous Nieces and Nephews including: Margaret, Glenroy, Reno, Joaquin and Glenika Cunningham, Barbara, Patrick, Patrice, Elvis and Judy Roberts, Portia, Bradley and Johan Sands, Monica Knowles, Anvil Davis, Sean Strachan, Maddison and Anthony Edgecombe, Anika Duncombe, Mispah Roberts, Alfred and Casey Rahming, Ventinia Collins, Janae, Tamara Clarke (Andrew), Kizzy Burnside (Asenio), Kamara McCardy (Danny), Jankah Pratt (Marcantell), Charlene Smith (Reginald), Rochelle, Fabian, Marvin, Erica, Amy and Julian Roberts, Davinia Coakley; Host of other relatives and Friends including: Geraldine and Anthorn Pyfrom, Khalil and Charmaine Rahming and Family, Kendrick and Safiya Major and Family, Maurice and Charmaine Ferguson, Yvonne Mortimer and Family, Mavis Hanna and Family, Ruby Brown, Sophie Rolle, Margaret Davis, Shannon Mackey, Deborah Davis, Pastor Helen Rahming, Bishop Tresor Rahming and Family, Olive Mackey, Jason, Ashley, Adele, Helen and Alex Bernhard (New York, USA), Larry and Stephanie Johnson (Albany, New York), Andy Barton and Family (Manchester, England) The Mt. Carey Union Baptist Church Family, especially Shirley Armbrister, Florence Ramsey, Rev. and Sis. Anderson, and Essie Ferguson and others.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 3, 2017, PAGE 9

Fitzgerald: political trash can was a sealed envelope from page one constitutional rights of Save the Bays (STB) members as a result of that disclosure, and has since filed an appeal.

His affidavit was filed on January 24, and also seeks to clarify reports that he obtained the emails with the assistance of friends in the United States.

“My reference to finding the material in my ‘political garbage can,’ as explained in my response to the media, was to indicate that the email documents were unsolicited by me and received as part of information which routinely makes its way to the attention of politicians and other public figures, oftentimes from unknown sources,” Mr Fitzgerald’s affidavit noted.

“The email documents were clearly printed and sent to me in a sealed envelope. I might also add that from the face of the

JEROME FITZGERALD, Minister of Education, Science and Technology and MP for Marathon pictured at the PLP convention.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff emails it was clear to me that they had been ‘cc’d’ to many other people, whose names were referred to by me when I read the emails

in the House of Assembly.

“I reiterate, as I stated in the interviews published by the newspapers and which have been referenced, I

did not receive any emails by computer, and did not ‘hack’ or conduct a search of anyone’s private emails. I remain unaware of how any

of the documents that were sent to me was sourced or accessed.”

Mr Fitzgerald, with Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson listed as the second appellant, is seeking to establish that Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles was “wrong,” and “erred in fact and in law” when she ruled that he infringed on constitutional rights when he tabled the private emails of the environmental action group in Parliament, and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege.

Justice Charles also ordered Mr Fitzgerald to pay $150,000 in damages for the breach – a decision the Marathon MP contends was made in error because he was “at all times acting in the public interest.”

The notice of appeal motion was filed in September last year.

In the affidavit, Mr Fitzgerald noted that Justice Charles’ judgment concluded that he said he ob-

tained the documents with the assistance of “a couple of friends” in the US on March 21, 2016, adding that the claim was also printed in an article by Nicki Kelly, published in The Punch.

However, the Marathon MP pointed out that he did not speak in parliament on March 21, but had made his contribution to the Budget Debate days earlier on March 17. He provided the official Hansard transcripts for March 21.

The affidavit continued: “I did, however, as a result of the information received, make inquiries overseas in respect of the status of the Moore Charitable Foundation and its links to The Bahamas, as this was (and is) a matter which I thought to be in the public interest.”

The Moore Charitable Fund was founded by billionaire Louis Bacon, a resident of Lyford Cay who has been in a long-running feud with Peter Nygard, his neighbour in the affluent community.

READERS RESPOND TO NEWS OF JOB LOSSES IN GRAND BAHAMA THE news that hundreds of jobs would be lost on Grand Bahama after Memories Resort operator Sunwing and its landlord, Hutchison Whampoa, failed to reach an agreement over hurricane restoration, prompted Jackbnimble to say: “Think the PLP made a mistake when they bragged about creating 32,000 jobs in this last term.

They should have said Bahamians have LOST over 32,000 jobs since we took over.”

Themessenger said: “Weren’t Obie Wilchcombe and Michael Darville just waffling on at the conven-

tion about how good things were in Grand Bahama?

Help & hope on the way, the PLP believes in Bahamians ain’t you know?”

Publius thought the resort had always had issues: “The Memories brand in Freeport was problematic businesswise from day 1. The handling of the properties by Hutchison has been problematic for years. The point

is, this recent development has a history that it seems few people are willing to rise above trite political jabs to discuss productively.”

There was this from Well_ mudda_take_sic: “And as usual we will not hear a peep from our cowardly PM about rising unemployment because of his failed national security, economic, social and hurricane preparedness policies that have left so many Bahamians impoverished and suffering with nowhere to turn.”

Birdiestrachan feared for Grand Bahama: “That is a whole lot of people in Grand Bahama out of work.

This situation is not good.

We must all pray that the good Lord will make a way for them. Grand Bahama is not looking good.”

MonkeeDoo hit out at the government: “The Bahamas invented offshore tourism and offshore banking and trust administration but, one by one, the PLP have managed to destroy these either overtly or covertly. The competition has caught up and has overtaken us in everything now.”

• FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s call for Dr Hubert Minnis, Loretta Butler-Turner and others who are fighting in

the FNM to find a way to put their differences aside prompted Honestman to say: “Hubert Ingraham needs to take part responsibility for the shambles the FNM finds itself in today.

He should have continued for two more years and used that time to stabilise the party and find a successor prior to his retirement.

Had he done so the FNM would have been ready to end the calamitous reign of Perry Christie. Instead the country can only hope and pray that even hitherto loyal PLP supporters are sickened enough to vote these jokers out.”

Publius said: “Not only is it too late for what Ingraham is talking about, it was never possible in the first place given the persons involved. They all always knew what was at stake. But it never mattered more than their selfish ambitions.”

Proudloudandfnm had this to say: “As far as I’m concerned FNM or PLP don’t matter. Minnis and Perry both in a race for worst of all time . . . Voting in this election is a waste of time. Whoever wins can have it.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

PAGE 10, Friday, February 3, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Island Luck donates computers to junior school

THE ISLAND Luck Cares Foundation donated 20 computers to D W Davis Junior School’s computer lab. Pictured from left are Betty Taylor, senior mistress and computer dept supervisor; Gwendolyn Johnson, subject office at the Ministry of Education for Business; Nerissa Williamson, computer lab teacher; Sebas Bastian, Island Luck CEO; Nicolette Brown, D W Davis Principal; Prime Minister Perry Christie, and Paul Smith, of Electro Telecom.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

CUSTOMER NOTICE

THE Island Luck Cares Foundation donated 20 computers to the DW Davis Junior High School yesterday.

Electro Telecom donated the infrastructure needed to sustain the computers.

Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian and Electro Telecom CEO Paul Smith were on hand during a small event yesterday to formally donate the equipment.

Interest Adjustment Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited wishes to advise its customers that effective February 6, 2017, interest rates on all existing variable rate loan facilities at the Bank will be adjusted downwards by 50 basis points.

This change follows the Central Bank’s decision to reduce the Discount Rate by the same from 4.75% to 4.25%. Variable rate loan facilities are those facilities where the rate of interest is expressed as “prime rate plus or minus a percentage”. Loan payments will therefore be adjusted on the effective date to reflect this rate reduction.

Please contact your local branch to address any queries and to determine how the change in the Prime Lending Rate may impact your credit facilities and investments.

®

Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license.

ISLAND Luck CEO Sebas Bastian.

SEBAS BASTIAN, Island Luck CEO, with Nicolette Brown, D W Davis principal after donating 20 computers to the school’s computer lab.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

Prime Minister Perry Christie was also in attendance.

Mr Bastian said the ILC Foundation is looking to donate about 1,000 computers throughout the Bahamas this year.

Among other things, administrators said the donation would allow more students in the junior high school to gain access to computers.

Ninth graders, for instance, will begin a four-week rotation to use the computers, learning basics such as how to use Microsoft Word and write letters and resumes.

THE TRIBUNE

Cycling Club Bahamas Weekend rides. - Saturday leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s), 43 miles headed west. In or-

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

Friday, February 3, 2017, PAGE 11 der to complete this ride it is recommended that you have done some recent cycling!

Leaving P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 17–20+mph, three-hour duration Sundays leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s) 40-50 miles headed east. This ride is not recommended if you have not cycled recently or first timers! P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 17– 20+mph, 3-3.5 hour duration (cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route).

Weekday rides, east Morning, Tuesday & Thursday leaving 5am sharp from Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, East Prince Charles Drive. This ride is a 17-mile loop to the Northbound Paradise Island Bridge and back again (both bridges

are sometimes incorporated depending on available time). Open to riders capable of 18 mph + for 1 hour.

Lights are essential.

Weekday rides, west Morning, Wednesdays & Fridays leaving 4:45am sharp from Fidelity Bank Parking Lot (opposite Cable Beach Police Station), West Bay St. This ride is a 20-mile loop. The route is varied. Open to riders capable of 18mph+ for 1 hr.

Lights are essential. Contact Shantell to confirm your attendance.

Afternoon, Tuesdays & Thursdays leaving 5:30pm sharp from Old Fort Shopping Center east of Solomon’s Fresh Market. Intermediate riders 17-22mph - see Spyda This ride is 18miles - (faster group leaves North Side Lyford Cay roundabout recommended for strong riders capable of 20mph+ for

1-1.5hrs (23 miles). Lights are essential.

Upcoming events February 4 & 5 - 3rd Annual Tour de Grand Bahama Freeport, Grand Bahama.

February 18 - Ride For Hope, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, http://www.rideforhopebahamas.com.

Kiwanis Club of Nassau On Monday, the Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM launched its Bring Up Grades (BUG) programme at Palmdale Primary School.

This is a programme designed to provide recognition to students who raise their grades into an acceptable range and maintain or continue to raise them from one grading period to the

MEMBERS of the Kiwanis Club of Nassau at the launch of the Bring Up Grades programme. next.

Students take an active role in determining their involvement in the program, which motivates them to achieve. Students participate in peer mentoring and

become servant leaders, which helps everyone in the classroom succeed. Parental involvement is encouraged through participation at Bring Up Grades recognition events.

PAGE 12, Friday, February 3, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis at last night’s convention.

COMMITTEE convention chairperson Lincoln Deal.

SUPPORTERS at the opening night of the Torchbearers youth convention last night.

SCENES at the Torchbearers convention last night.

TRAVIS ROBINSON, candidate for Bain and Grants Town.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

ST Anne’s school student Michael Wallace.

TORCHBEARER EVENT KICKS OFF

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE future for the Free National Movement (FNM) was on display last night as the party kicked off its two-night youth convention at the SuperClubs Breezes Resort.

The event acted as a launch for several key initiatives compiled by members of the Torchbearers Youth Association (TYA).

With the party looking to rebrand itself as the political organisation of choice for young voters, the FNM through its stock of youthful candidates gave a glimpse into many of the ideas touted by the party over the course of the last few months, as scores of supporters packed the Cable Beach resort.

In what could be viewed as the strongest segment of the night, the party’s Bain and Grants Town candidate, 22-year-old Travis Robinson, delivered a speech built around the plight of young Bahamians imploring the demographic to value the electoral power it possesses and to use it to effect the change they want to see.

To exuberant cheers and screams of support, Mr Robinson - who will vie for election against Progressive Liberal Party mainstay, 71-year-old Bernard Nottage - said the FNM had aligned itself with the young people of the Bahamas and remains dedicated to building a modern country able to sustain and develop innovative ideas.

“When it comes to the development and wellbeing of young people in this country, let me tell you that this is not only my mission but, my passion,” declared the University of Bahamas student.

Mr Robinson said the mandate of securing a quality future for the Bahamas is “personal” to him. He added that his own struggle as an inner-city youth from Bain and Grants Town to strive despite initial set-

backs can be viewed as a success, but lamented that there were hundreds of others from the same setting with less fortunate outcomes.

“And like me, many of you live in communities that are crime hot-spots. You live in a place where walking a few street corners at the wrong moment in time can either put you in the intensive care unit, or place you in a shallow grave. You are surrounded by impending danger; illegal firearms and drugs lie wait in many of the abandoned buildings and graffiti parks you so often come across on your day-to-day walk. Indeed, the opportunities of a child growing up in the inner cities of Bain Town, Centreville, Kemp Road or Nassau Village are entirely different from a child growing up in other areas of our society.

“That difference can shape young people’s lives and their lives prospects from the moment they are born and that was certainly the case for me.”

Mr Robinson added: “Instead of looking forward, towards their future, our nation’s youth are forced to look over their shoulder in fear of being jumped. Today, young people are afraid to walk alone because they might get held up, they are afraid to walk in groups because they might be mistakenly identified as a gang.

We are swiftly becoming a society where a funeral for a murdered teenager is considered unfortunate but not unusual, where visiting a friend in another area or even standing on your own front porch makes you vulnerable. These are the odds so many of our young people face daily.”

Despite the dire outlook, Mr Robinson went on to state that the FNM, if elected, will establish in the Ministry of Labour a white and blue-collar registry list for young professionals as a means of monitoring and selecting from the country’s pool of young skilled workers with the intent to prevent a national brain-drain.

ATTENDEES at the Torchbearers event last night.