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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.65, FEBRUARY 23RD, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

WEEKEND: THE BELLES OF THE HEART BALL

Oban boss’ $650k debt to US taxman

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PETER Krieger, nonexecutive chairman and the face of Oban Energies, was not only in problems with the Securities Exchange Commission, but also faced a federal tax lien for more than half a million dollars in unpaid taxes.

In total, Mr Krieger had an unpaid balance of $653,006.12 owed to the Internal Revenue Service, which noted there was a lien in favour of the United States government on all property and rights to property belonging to Mr Krieger, and added that additional penalties, interests and costs could possibly accrue. It is unclear whether this debt was ever settled.

Mr Krieger signed a heads of agreement with the government on Monday on behalf of Oban Energies,

the company proposing a $5.5bn oil refinery in East Grand Bahama.

Yesterday, it emerged Mr Krieger had at one point, entered a plea of guilty on one count of organised fraud in the first degree for obtaining property valued at more than $50,000 in violation of Florida statutes. This is a felony charge.

The Tribune yesterday obtained documents, filed in the Palm Beach County Court House, showing the hold on Mr Krieger’s property was connected to the tax period ending December 31, 2004. The fraud charge was filed in 2006 in the circuit court in West Palm Beach, Florida.

When Mr Krieger spoke to The Tribune earlier this week in relation to the fraud he admitted only to having paid a civil fine for action taken by the SEC.

NASSAU’S WAKANDAN WARRIOR

THE Deputy Prime Minister yesterday urged Grand Bahama to look beyond the controversy and focus on the $5.5bn Oban Energies project’s benefits, saying: “There’s more to the story than what you see.”

K Peter Turnquest, addressing the 20th annual Grand Bahama Business Outlook conference, tackled the concerns swirling

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A CARETAKER who had worked for an 86-yearold woman, who he had brutally stabbed to death in her Dannottage Estates home a decade ago, was yesterday sentenced to 40 years in prison by an acting Supreme Court judge.

Acting Justice Andrew Forbes sentenced Sandor Fowler to 48 years imprisonment for the murder of Iris Archer in April 2008, who he had stabbed multiple times in her chest with a kitchen knife.

When that knife broke, he got another one and kept stabbing. Archer was also set on fire after lighter fluid was poured over her as she pleaded for her life.

SEE PAGE THREE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE SIX

around revelations that Peter Krieger, Oban Energies’ non-executive chairman and public face of the multi-billion dollar project, settled a Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit alleging misappropriation of investor funds.

“I know that there is a lot of talk about what happened with Oban, but I want Grand Bahamians to focus on the benefits.”

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

40 YEARS FOR BRUTAL GRANDMA’S MURDER

CEMETERY PLAN - OVER OUR DEAD BODIES

TURNQUEST: FOCUS ON THE BENEFITS

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

BAHAMIAN Jason Elwood Hanna has been caught up in Black Panther fever - performing on the big screen as one of the main stuntmen for the movie. See today’s Weekend section for more on how he landed the role - and his experience in ‘Wakanda’.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

AN online petition has been started to stop the creation of a proposed cemetery on Bernard Road.

The petition cites potential water pollution, exacerbated traffic congestion, and devaluation of properties as reasons why the proposal should be blocked.

On February 15, The Tribune published a public notice from the Department of Physical Planning announcing the proposal.

The notice said: “The public is hereby notified site plan application (SPA/1/2018) on behalf of Mr James R Bain is being reviewed by the Department of Physical Planning for presentation to the Town Planning Committee.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

JOB FAIR HOPEFULS ‘HIRED ON THE DAY’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

LAST weekend’s “Labour on the Blocks” job fair in Grand Bahama resulted in some people being “hired on the spot,” Labour Minister Dion Foulkes said in the Senate yesterday.

Mr Foulkes acknowledged that while there have

been some “kinks,” the series of job fairs is “definitely working”.

He said: “We have had… approximately 2,500 persons who have registered in our database as a result of the job fairs…so far.

“Out of those in Nassau, we have recorded so far, and I just spoke to two of the major hotels today in Nassau, we have recorded so far 800 persons who have

received jobs.”

Mr Foulkes continued: “I got a report today out of Grand Bahama and we’re still counting in Grand Bahama.

“Certain persons got hired on the spot and there are a group of persons who are working now as a result of what happened on Saturday in Grand Bahama SEE PAGE TWO

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

VIOLENCE BREEDS VIOLENCE AND IT BEGINS AT HOME

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, February 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

DYNAMIC Youth in Action march from Carlton E Francis under the theme Diversity in Living Colour yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/ Tribune Staff

N I H T U YO ACTION DYNAMIC Youth in Action, a youth organisation, held a march yesterday to raise awareness about diversity and bullying.

The group marched from Carlton Francis Primary School, along East Street South, through the Golden Gates community

and returned to the school.

“There’s a lot of bullying going on in the schools, you got kids being picked on for being poor, being fat, just not fitting in – it even happens on the workplace,” Sharon McKenzie, founder of the group, said when

asked about the march yesterday.

She said the group, which she founded six years ago, is trying to bridge the gap between the community and Carlton Francis Primary School.

The group meets at the school every Saturday.

Job fair hopefuls ‘hired on the day’ from page one who are being interviewed by one of the local TV stations.”

Approximately 1,500 persons attended Saturday’s job fair and some 1,300 were registered, Director of Labour Robert Farquharson told Tribune Business on Tuesday.

However, some in the Progressive Liberal Party as well as Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine criticised Saturday’s event. Men and

women stood in long lines under the hot sun, some with umbrellas, for about six hours.

The long queues were a painful indication of how bleak the employment situation in Grand Bahama is, Mr McAlpine said.

PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis complained the job fair was held at a poor location, and questioned if it was a public relations exercise as opposed to offering tangible employment opportunities.

Mr Davis called the

entire endeavour “demeaning and degrading”.

Of these critiques, Mr Foulkes said: “Every time there is (a job fair) we learn our lessons. The first one we had at Sarah Ingraham Park we had about 500 persons that showed up over a four-hour period.

“One of the gentlemen who got a job on the spot at Sarah Ingraham Park was a young man. He saw us setting up the tents and he lived right next to the park.

“He came out and he

asked us (about the event).

And we told him. He went inside, changed, came out in his Sunday best and he got a job that day.”

Mr Foulkes continued: “So this is definitely working. We are trying to take the kinks out of the systems that we are using.

The two events we had in Nassau, the days were cool. I think they were in January…around 72 degrees. So we thought that Freeport would be the same.

“But I think Freeport last

week Saturday was close to 85, 86 degrees, which is very hot. But as Senator (Jasmin) Darius said, the people did come out.

And they came out early, from 5.30 in the morning they stand up and line up at Columbus Park. “...The great thing about this is that all of these persons that come out to these events are in our database forever.

“They are registered.

So, whatever opportunities come up, we are able to send them on

job interviews. Whether they get a job now or not it doesn’t matter. We have them recorded.

“In addition to the companies, we had all the training institutions there.

“We have also been approached by two Caribbean countries from CARICOM who want to get our model from ‘Labour on the Blocks.’ I think it’s a wonderful initiative. The directors of labour from these two countries have approached us to do the same thing.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 23, 2018, PAGE 3

from page one

pleaded: “Y’all don’t do this to me.”

After Fowler pleaded guilty to the single charge of murder, which came as part of a plea deal, Acting Justice Forbes regretted that he had decided to engage in such a violent act towards someone’s mother and grandmother.

The judge further expressed how, after Fowler discovered that someone was at home, he should have been dissuaded from continuing with his intent to rob.

But in fact he was not, and subsequent actions, the judge said, showed his disregard for life.

Upon sentencing him, Acting Justice Forbes told Fowler to use his incarceration to reflect on his actions and the life he took as a result, noting that various people, such as Archer’s family members, have to deal with the negative results of his actions for the rest of their lives.

Antania Rolle-Taylor was the second attorney on record for the Crown.

Keith Seymour represented Fowler.

40 years for brutal grandma’s murder Eight years was taken off Fowler’s sentence to reflect the amount of time he spent on remand in connection with the crime.

Family members seated in the courtroom grew audibly agitated as Crown prosecutor Raquel Whymms recited the particulars of the crime to Acting Justice Forbes, and as the facts grew more and more grizzly, some left in tears.

According to the evidence, on April 12, 2008, Fowler was at the residence of the deceased, cleaning up when he overheard Archer’s daughter, Karen Culmer, speaking about sending money to her daughter who was away in college.

He subsequently went to the kitchen area and unlocked a sliding door because he had plans to return to the house the following day, expecting that Archer and her daughter would be attending church at that time.

However, Archer was left home alone the following day while Mrs

SANDOR Fowler pictured in 2008 and how The Tribune reported the murder at the time.

Culmer, who lived with her, left the house early to attend the Sunday morning service at St Agnes Anglican Church. Mrs Culmer had asked Archer if she was sure she did not want to accompany her to church.

However, Archer’s response, relatives said, was that she did not feel well, but would be all right at home alone.

Family members said that Sunday morning was the only time Archer had missed a service.

On the day in question, Fowler, with his girlfriend, Cindy, and a man who he knew only as Edmond from Nassau Village went to Archer’s residence.

He went to the rear of the house to the sliding door he’d left open the day before and went inside.

However, once inside, he encountered Archer in the kitchen by the sink, who asked: “Sanny, what you doing here?” She wanted to know how he had got inside.

A struggle then followed between the two, resulting in him pushing Archer to the ground and getting a knife out of a knife holder from the kitchen and stabbing her in her chest.

When that knife broke, he got another one and continued.

Fowler then called out for Cindy and Edmond to come and assist him, and when Cindy walked to the door she asked Fowler, “What the (expletive) you do?”

SECURITY GUARD FOUND DEAD AFTER BREAK-IN AT SHOP

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating the death of a security guard at a seafood

processing centre on Fire Trail Road.

Police were called to investigate a shop breaking and stealing complaint at the establishment when they discovered the

unconscious man.

Police said he had visible injuries to his body. Though paramedics were called to the scene, they were unable to resuscitate him.

An autopsy will be

PM HEADS TO HAITI FOR CONFERENCE PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will lead a delegation to Port-auPrince, Haiti, on Saturday for the 29th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.

Dr Minnis will be accompanied by his wife, Patricia; Minister of Trade, Industry and Immigration Brent Symonette; Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Renward Wells;

YOUR

Minister of Transport Frankie Campbell; Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar; and Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield and his wife.

The group will also be joined by Senior Policy Advisor Joshua Sears; Acting Director of Agriculture Gregory Rahming; Foreign Service Office Enca Ward; Yontalay Bowe and Katherine Marsh, personal assistants; Kemico Sands,

protocol officer, as well as police aides and media personnel.

During the trip, Dr Minnis and Cabinet minister will have a high-level meeting with Haiti’s president, Jovenal Moise to discuss trade, the economy, immigration, agriculture and technical co-operation.

Dr Minnis will also meet with the prime minister of Jamaica and the secretary general of CARICOM.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

carried out to determine the exact cause of death, police said.

At this point Archer was crying. Fowler then went to Ms Culmer’s bedroom, got a pink and white pillow, gave it to Cindy and told her to put it over Archer’s face, which she did.

He and Edmond then searched the house for money, and found an envelope filled with cash. He and Edmond returned to where Archer was lying and a bottle of lighter fluid was found and poured over her. She was set on fire while she begged and

PAGE 4, Friday, February 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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

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

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Brexit’s ripples will reach all the way here DESPITE the continuing opposition in Britain of so-called ‘remainers’ following a referendum in 2016 in which a small but decisive majority voted to leave the European Union (EU), the process of Brexit is moving forward inexorably. Prime Minister Theresa May’s government invoked in March last year Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which gives the EU and Britain two years to agree the terms of a split. Thus, the nation is due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019 which means an agreement about the future relationship between the two sides has to be reached within the next 12 months.

Brexit has been described as one of the most momentous happenings in the bloc’s 60-year history because it involves the departure of one of the richest and most influential of its 28 member states with a combined population of some 500 million. This will not only affect the EU itself amid growing ‘euroscepticism’ but it will have far-reaching repercussions in the wider world.

While Britain disentangles itself from its EU membership – for good or ill depending on a realistic assessment of the pros and cons of belonging to the bloc – it will be able as an independent nation again to take back control and, in particular, negotiate its own trade agreements. As the world’s fifth largest economy and with significant influence in so many respects on the international stage, its prospects appear to the outsider to be good.

One result will be a strengthening of the UK’s ties with Commonwealth countries as it seeks to develop a new global role freed from what many regard as the constraints of the EU with the endless interference of the European Commission in Brussels in the shape of directives and excessive regulations – and this ought to bring new trade and investment as well as other opportunities to former colonies in the Caribbean and elsewhere which should work to our advantage here in The Bahamas. So it behoves us to watch what is going on in Europe.

The original European Economic Community (EEC) has expanded and developed over the years into an EU whose clear and well publicised objective is ever closer political union towards a federal superstate and the dismantling of the nation-state. After the horrors of two world wars, the vision of the founding fathers was a European project to create a peaceful and united continent with its own identity and common policies together with supranational institutions designed to achieve convergence and solidarity amongst its member states working towards a common destiny. This was conceived as a direct response to nationalist rivalries which were regarded as having precipitated conflict and ultimately led to war.

While the EEC, and later the EU, were limited to economic cooperation and trade and investment within a customs union -- together with collaboration on issues like security, counter terrorism and policing, transport, education, science and technology -- the organisation seems to have worked well to the benefit of its member states. But

the single currency is now said to be faltering and discord has arisen over problems like the migrant crisis and immigration quotas after the removal of borders within the EU under the Schengen agreement. One result has been increased opposition among its member states to the whole EU project to the extent that the future of the bloc following Brexit may now be in serious doubt.

Seen from afar this side of the Atlantic, it is not practicable to follow the intricacies of the complex Brexit negotiations. But they seem to have reached yet another important stage as efforts to agree the details of a transition deal or implementation period after March, 2019 should be completed next month and approved by an EU summit meeting. This will be followed later by negotiations about the future long-term partnership between the UK and the remaining so-called EU27 countries.

Despite calls for clarity about what Britain wants from Brexit, to the outsider its objectives look to have been spelt out unequivocally – it wants to leave the EU, take control of its own borders, money and laws and be free to make trade deals with the rest of the world. To do this, it has to leave the single market, which requires free movement of people, and the customs union as well. So it wishes to leave the institutions of the EU but wants to continue to trade and cooperate with the EU27 in every other practicable way for their mutual benefit. Whether or not it is possible to negotiate a bespoke trade agreement remains to be seen. But it is clear that Germany, in particular, which has a bilateral trade balance in its favour, will wish to continue to trade with the UK on mutually advantageous terms.

The arguments for and against Brexit are finely balanced. To many people, it makes no sense to walk away from cooperation within an EU which is a powerhouse in the world and apparently commit economic suicide by voluntarily leaving its massive single market and customs union that is right on Britain’s doorstep. To others, the whole Brexit debate is about sovereignty and control of Britain’s own fortunes as an independent nation-state including being able to establish trade relationships worldwide which will directly benefit the country’s economy.

Britain’s success in the negotiations with Brussels depends to an extent on the unity of Mrs May’s ruling Conservative Party government which remains split on Europe, and she is hoping to iron out differences amongst her cabinet at a special meeting of ministers this week. Some want a complete break in March next year while others argue for a long implementation period and what is termed ‘managed divergence’ from EU policies and regulations in order to avoid unnecessary uncertainty for the UK economy.

What is for sure is the coming negotiations will be difficult and the eventual outcome will have widespread effects.

There will be indirect repercussions in our part of the world, so we need to keep track of developments.

LNG pipeline plan is madness EDITOR, The Tribune.

NEW lower cost electricity generation the 80KW RFP at Blue Hill Road, I read with considerable interest that APD, Arawak Port Developments, are now part of the group headed by the US-based group who was close as a millimetre of getting the franchise of BEC from the PLP, New Fortress Group as seemingly the planned depot for LNG. How the media did not

pick up on this story is amazing - New Fortress APD plan to trench and put in place an LNG pipeline from Arawak Cay across the island to Blue Hill BP&L plant!

Imagine a gas pipeline through Chippingham onto Oakes Field may be down Thompson Boulevard turning east onto Tonique Williams to Independence and south on Blue Hill!

Are these people totally out of their mind?

LNG is a gas which

if it escapes does not rise unlike LP gas...if it explodes it explodes at a low level outward causing considerable explosion damage to any low lying building, etc…

I hope the Ministry of Works will immediately discount this proposal as a danger to the urban residential area across New Providence.

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, February 22, 2018.

Concern for Aliv’s funding EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN March 2017, ALIV raised an astonishing $60m from investors, twice the amount they were looking for. That they require more money now, less than a year later, suggests that something has gone badly wrong.

This sudden need for funds has likely caught management by surprise. At Cable Bahamas’ November AGM, both ALIV and Cable management declined to divulge ALIV’s average revenue per user (ARPU). That would have been needlessly secretive if they knew they were going to fully disclose ARPU in this month’s offering memorandum, anyway.

More likely is that management had no intention of raising debt at that time but was caught off guard by a weaker than expected Christmas quarter. That would make the current capital raise one of necessity, not of convenience – a warning sign for investors.

Whether planned or not, what matters now is whether ALIV will be able to repay current and future debt holders. As one of only two mobile operators in the country, ALIV’s ultimate success still seems assured. After a year of badly missed forecasts, however, there is clearly more risk here than we believed in 2017.

Management’s best path to reassuring investors is to be honest about what went wrong and open about the assumptions underlying its current forecasts.

Unfortunately, ALIV’s offering memorandum misses that mark on both counts. First, with mobile number portability now in place for nine months and counting, blaming BTC and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net URCA for the stunning 28% shortfall in ARPU versus plan ($33 at the end of December 2017 versus $46 as originally forecast) is no longer a reasonable excuse.

Second, despite totalling 99 pages, the memorandum never addresses a key question: what can ALIV do to increase ARPU that it hasn’t already tried? While it is reasonable to expect some ARPU improvement as corporate users increase, the forecasted 70% jump from $33 now to $56 in 2021 requires much more justification than we are given.

The ARPU growth assumption is particularly important because of an important disclosure on page 52 of the memorandum: ALIV is also in talks to take on US$19.5m in bank debt.

Unlike preference share debt, bank debt comes with covenants, or “strings attached”, to protect the bank. In this case, the string that could unravel everything is that if total debt to EBITDA is above 5.2 by 2021, the bank would get first claim over ALIV’s assets and cash flows. This would not occur under ALIV’s current subscriber and ARPU assumptions.

However, if we stress management’s assumptions by just 8% - that is, if we assume 145,000 subscribers and $52 in ARPU instead of 158,000 and $56 – EBITDA would fall from $33mn to $17mn and total debt to EBITDA would hit 5.6 times, clearly breaching the covenant. That could result in suspension of payments to bond and preference share holders until

the bank is satisfied. An 8% stress test is by no means aggressive; 10 to 20% is standard. If it is possible for ALIV to breach debt covenants at just 8% below plan, then this is neither an offering investors should be clamouring for nor one that advisors should be recommending. However, if ALIV does indeed raise an extra $35mn from this offering, as rumoured, it most likely can avoid using the bank debt. That would certainly be a relief for current investors.

Finally, ALIV’s disappointing performance is of paramount interest to Cable Bahamas’ common shareholders as well.

Cable Bahamas points to ALIV as its future growth engine, and Cable management has said they would resume dividend payments to shareholders in fiscal year 2019. ALIV’s continuing losses raise significant doubts about their ability to do that. In fact, Cable will very likely post their sixth straight quarter of multi-million-dollar losses within the next few days.

Perhaps this will be the trigger for shareholders to finally demand a full and frank accounting for the Florida and ALIV operations, including details of their recent bank debt renegotiation and realistic time lines for a return to profitability and dividend payments. If management provides this information, shareholders of both Cable Bahamas and ALIV will likely remain patient for a while longer. After all, there is nothing wrong in asking shareholders to “believe in best.” Just don’t ask them to believe in fairytales.

A CONCERNED INVESTOR Nassau, February 21, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 23, 2018, PAGE 5

Accused ‘admitted being at crime scene’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ONE of three men accused of the murder and armed robbery of a Grand Bahama couple admitted to being at the scene of the crime with the other defendants, lead investigator Detective 772 Lorenzo Johnson told the Supreme Court yesterday.

Det Johnson said Paul Belizaire did not have an alibi the night a couple was robbed and shot to death at Deadman’s Reef, Grand Bahama.

While giving evidence on Thursday, Det Johnson told the court that the accused admitted to being at the scene on the night in question with other codefendants on September 12, 2015.

He denied suggestions

by Geoffrey Farquharson, Belizaire’s lawyer, that his client had an alibi and was at home with several family members at the time.

Barry and Sheena Johnson were discovered dead at their triplex apartment

THE three men accused of the double murder and armed robbery – Kevin Dames, Devaughn Hall and Paul Belizaire – at an earlier court appearance.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn on the morning of September 13, 2015. Both had been shot in the head and robbed of a set of keys and their GMC truck.

Mr Farquharson asserted that armed robbery was not the motive, suggesting that it was an assassination.

Det Johnson insisted that the motive was armed robbery and that Mr and Mrs

Johnson were murdered as a result.

Mr Farquharson asked: “How did Belizaire participate in the murder of the Johnsons; did he shoot anybody?”

Mr Johnson said that Belizaire did not shoot anyone, but was there with a gun along with the other accused men.

“Do you have evidence that he encouraged anyone, or agreed to shoot anyone?” Mr Farquharson asked.

“No,” the witness replied.

“But the evidence is that Belizaire tried to stop the persons from being shot,” suggested Mr Farquharson, referring to video surveillance footage.

Det Johnson indicated that the suspect identified as Belizaire in the video had made a hand motion.

“I put it to you that you have no evidence that Belizaire participated in any murder,” said the attorney, who also suggested that his client had not stolen a set of keys or the truck.

The witness said Belizaire fled the scene in the stolen truck which was driven by co-defendant Allan Alcime as the getaway vehicle.

Mr Farquharson asked: “Did he give you any evidence that he agreed to steal any truck?”

“No,” replied Det Johnson.

Mr Farquharson claimed the officer had beaten his client into signing the record of interview and police statement, but the witness said that it never happened.

At one point during the cross-examination, Mr Farquharson and Det Johnson had a heated exchange, with the lawyer asking the witness if he was threatening him after the officer made a remark about talking to

him outside.

Mr Farquharson asked Justice Estelle Gray Evans for a second, and walked out of the courtroom during his cross-examination. Neil Brathwaite, the Crown prosecutor, said Mr Farquharson’s conduct was improper and wanted the court to make a note of it.

However Mr Farquharson returned a short time later and continued his questioning.

He claimed that in the record of interview and police statement given by his client, Mr Johnson had arrived home and was shot with no attempt made to search the house for $2m, suggesting that it was an assassination.

Det Johnson said that two of the co-defendants had testified that they went inside and searched the house. He noted that Belizaire told him that he went there to get money and cocaine.

Belizaire, Devaughn Hall, and Kevin Dames are on trial for the armed robbery and murder. The trial continues on Friday.

KILLER OF CHILD’S MOTHER HAS APPEAL REJECTED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE COURT of Appeal has dismissed the case of a man seeking to contest his 41-year sentence of hard labour for murdering the mother of his child at their workplace on a Family Island almost seven years ago.

Appellate Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones dismissed Rashid Dean’s sentence for murdering Oneika Johnson at the Club Med Resort on San Salvador in August 2011, after finding that none of his 15 grounds of appeal had any merit.

According to the written ruling, on August 14, 2011, at about 7am, Johnson reported to work at the Club Med Resort on San Salvador where she worked as a security officer. While at work she was seen by other staff members on the property making checks on a bicycle as she normally did.

Sometime after 9am, she spoke with Everette Jackson, the owner of the security company she worked for, who had come to check on her.

Shortly thereafter she was discovered dead by an employee, Dessario Walker, who was passing the security booth.

Peter Butler, a co-worker from the laundry department, received information that caused him to go to the security booth, where he saw Johnson lying on the ground. He thought she had fainted so he tried to get in to assist her but the door was locked.

He smashed a side glass

window and cut his hand on the broken window in the process. He had to receive medical attention as a result.

The police subsequently arrived and were able to enter the booth where they found Johnson with blood on her. A doctor came and pronounced her dead at the scene. She had 16 stab wounds.

Dean, the father of her young child, was arrested days later on August 19. He was later charged with murdering Johnson. However, in his trial before Justice Indra Charles, Dean denied killing the victim.

During trial, the jury heard evidence from Dr Caryn Sands, a pathologist at the Princess Margaret Hospital, who said that of the 16 cuts and stab wounds Johnson sustained, two stab wounds on the right side of her neck and two that punctured her left lung were the most fatal, because of the significant bleeding caused.

Dr Sands also noted those wounds were likely to have been caused by a knife. She said the cuts found on Johnson’s forearm and fingers were consistent of a person defending herself from such an attack.

On September 14, 2011, Dean was convicted of Johnson’s murder and on February 26, 2014 he was sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment, which was reduced to 41 years after the judge discounted four years to reflect the 41 months he spent on remand.

At the time, the sentencing judge noted the victim’s family wanted Dean to be sentenced to death.

However, she said the Crown had not sought the ultimate punishment, but had “to send a message of deterrence, particularly in the wake of rising violent crime against women.”

Dean subsequently appealed his conviction and sentence, initially relying on 15 grounds. However, his attorney Murrio Ducille abandoned four of them.

The grounds of appeal included – but were not limited to– that Justice Charles erred in law when she failed to order a mistrial notwithstanding the fact that both the electronic and written media had reported that she ruled that Dean had a case to answer and the caption read “no acquittal for murder accused”; and that his sentence is “manifestly harsh and excessive”.

Regarding the former, Mr Ducille submitted that Justice Charles erred when she failed to declare a mistrial and discharge the jury after it was reported in the news that there was “no acquittal for murder accused” following the unsuccessful no case to answer submission by the appellant.

He submitted that after such a publication it was impossible for the appellant to receive a fair trial particularly since the judge was quoted as saying the prosecution’s evidence was compelling.

However, the appellate judges said while they echo the statement of the trial judge that it was unfortunate the report appeared both in the print and electronic media, they noted the reports were carried in only one newspaper and on one broadcast channel, and that the publicity was “not

CEMETERY PLAN - OVER OUR DEAD BODIES from page one

“This proposed tract of land contains 13.504 acres and is situated on the northern side of Bernard Road, immediately east of Sands Addition and approximately 450 feet west of Adderley Street.

“The applicant wishes to develop a cemetery, construct a chapel and a mausoleum with related facilities on the property.”

Tiffany Eldon started the petition against the proposal yesterday.

It is addressed to the Department of Physical Planning and says: “We are against it because we the

people feel it will have an impact on the water table, which can be hazardous to our health.

“We are against it because this is already a very congested area and this will cause more congestion in this area. We are against it because it can devalue home owners’ properties.”

Up to press time, the petition had 36 signatures and was being shared across social media. Of the proposal, one Facebook user said: “This is the worst place to put a graveyard.”

Another posted: “Wow this is a horrible location for a graveyard...traffic is done ridiculous out east

MARIJUANA STASH DISCOVERED IN BIMINI

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net BIMINI police discovered a quantity of dangerous drugs on the island this week, a senior police official reported.

Supt Walter Henderson said officers acting on information went to an

area in Alice Town, South Bimini shortly after 10am on Wednesday where they found suspected marijuana.

The drugs, which had a weight of two pounds, four ounces, has an estimated street value of $2,300.

No arrest was made in the matter and investigations are continuing.

and plenty residents in those areas use well water.”

sustained nor pervasive”.

Additionally, the appellate judges noted how Justice Charles quizzed the jurors on whether they read or heard the “offending reports,” and they all said they did not. And even if they had, the appellate judges said, the occasion “would not have necessarily called for the discharge of the jury and the declaration

of a mistrial.”

“In the premises, we find no favour with this ground; and insofar as the appeal depends upon it, it fails,” the appellate judges wrote.

Regarding the latter ground, that his sentence was unduly harsh and severe, the appellate judges said they did not find “any error of principle” disclosed on the record in the

judge’s sentencing remarks, and neither did they find the sentence imposed by her was unduly harsh and excessive.

“We are satisfied that this appeal should be dismissed as none of the grounds have any merit,” the ruling said.

“Thus, we affirm the conviction by the jury and the sentence imposed by the judge.”

PAGE 6, Friday, February 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Oban boss’ $650k debt to US taxman from page one He said he did this “without admitting or denying” the allegations of fraud when infact he had been pursued separately by the Florida State Prosecutor in a criminal action and had admitted the offence and been placed on probation for seven years.

A large amount of the funds he defrauded from clients was refunded.

Concerning the SEC, Mr Krieger was sanctioned leading to him being barred from acting as a broker or investment adviser or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities or provide investment advice to the public.

Attempts to reach Mr Krieger for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

As Mr Krieger’s storied past has now overshadowed the scale and potential of the proposed project, also opening the door to heightened public concerns about other individuals behind this multi-billion-dollar deal, many have called for greater transparency when it comes to this deal.

Among them was Gowon Bowe, Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants’ president, who urged full disclosure from the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) on the process it took in the lead up to the Minnis administration signing the deal with Florida-based Oban.

While a certain level of confidence should be reposed in the BIA, Mr Bowe said given the propensity of what is at stake,

A MEETING of Oban Energies, BEST Commission and Local Government Authorities at the Office of the Prime Minister, Grand Bahama, yesterday.

Photo: OPM the measures the author- in the professionals that the BIA went through and ity took to investigate the we have at the Bahamas what their recommendaexecutive structure of Oban Investment Authority and tions were for the Cabinet as well as the recommen- we have to give some ben- and then ultimately the dations to the government efit of the doubt to say that decision being made. need to be made public. they have gone through “I think there has to be Regarding Mr Krieger’s elements and are aware of some humility expressed to history, Mr Bowe said in certain facts that are coming say that if we’ve gotten it the United States and other to light now and have taken wrong then we’ve gotten it advanced economies, there a position that those things wrong and if our processes is nothing which prevents can be overcome. were insufficient to identify a person from alleging on “Now that’s not saying areas that would have been others inappropriate acts. that they did, I’m saying of concern, then we need He said the decision to that we should not as the to look back at our prosettle is oftentimes taken to outsiders looking in con- cesses. So I don’t think we avoid future litigation and demn them before they’ve need to take what I would future costs. even gone to the jury if you call an arrogant stance if Mr Bowe said: “We have will and there needs to be we believe that we have to have some confidence an understanding of what gotten this one wrong, but

I believe that before we can make that determination or we should be making that determination we should understand what was gone through by the Investment Authority on the basis that they are not Cabinet ministers, they are civil servants and professional staff comprising lawyers, comprising economists and others that are there and ultimately would have made a recommendation to proceed.

“If they made a recommendation not to proceed then that would be something that we would have to be very, very concerned about that we’re not following their advice and if they said that we should proceed subject to then we should understand those conditions that they would have established,” Mr Bowe also said.

“So I believe ultimately there needs to be an understanding of what process (they) went through, what were the findings and recommendations by our professional persons and then if we got it wrong then we simply should admit that our processes require further enhancement to ensure that basic checks and basic screenings to identify elements.

“What I will say is particularly in the US environment or advanced economies there is nothing that prevents a person from alleging inappropriate acts and the proof is always in the pudding at the end in terms of saying well are you satisfied that those are malicious allegations that had no basis even if the person settles simply to avoid future litigation and future

costs or there were elements with merit that you should dive deeper into. So ultimately I think we have to just be very cautious in saying what position we take without reviewing the full facts.

“But if the government doesn’t give the full facts then they have to appreciate that they are at the mercy of the people’s perception because they haven’t done anything to correct it,” Mr Bowe said.

This comes after it was revealed Mr Krieger faced an SEC lawsuit which alleged misappropriation of millions in investor funds.

Although he did not admit innocence or guilt, Mr Krieger paid $110,000 to settle this lawsuit about a decade ago. He was also a defendant in a legal action filed in 2013 by the Bahamas-based judicial manager for a sister company of the insolvent insurer, CLICO, in which he was accused of misappropriating $8.7m of the company’s funds for his own personal use.

The case against him was dismissed after it was determined that the statute of limitations had passed. Mr Krieger has stressed he is an “ambassador” for Oban Energies and would have an “extremely limited” role once approvals are obtained.

Despite these revelations, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Wednesday not only insisted previous administrations did due diligence assessments before pushing through with the project, but he said the information about Mr Krieger was “nothing new.”

them. My recollection is we issued a letter indicating our approval of the project subject to compliance with requirements of various departments of government, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, proper vetting, etc.

Once those agencies provided indication the project could proceed, which would have included due diligence on their part, then a heads of agreement would have been entered into.

Very often, that agreement would contain conditions or granting of concessions that would have to be considered by these various agencies.

“In regard to determining the fitness of individuals, that would have come along later. We would not have gotten that far to form a view on those matters.

I doubt the government would’ve been aware of that, neither the advisors nor technocrats who would advise the government on the way forward. From where I sat and my appreciation of the way things were done, I would be

very surprised that anyone in government would be aware of these matters you are now speaking of,” the former deputy prime minister said.

Meanwhile yesterday, Oban Energies, their engineers and environmental teams, including local and international experts, met with BEST Commission and members of the local government committee for East Grand Bahama.

The meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister in Grand Bahama was set to conduct preliminary discussions regarding the project, according to Bahamas Information Services.

“These meetings began the important environmental impact assessment stage.

BEST Commission detailed the process that will be followed. BEST Commission also visited the proposed site to begin their preliminary assessments.

“This meeting constitutes the first in a series to take place between Oban Energies, BEST Commission and local government authorities,” BIS said.

OFFICIALS SAY KRIEGER JUST SMALL PART OF PROJECT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNMENT officials yesterday were tightlipped about who the beneficial owners of Oban Energies are, though some quietly described Peter Krieger, the public face of the project so far, as a small player in the grander scheme.

Two top officials in the Minnis administration, speaking anonymously to The Tribune, said the main people behind the project “would pass any test anyone could put out there”, adding this explains why officials are not troubled by recent revelations about Mr Krieger.

For her part, Candia Ferguson, director of investments at the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), told The Tribune she is satisfied that Mr Krieger, the

non-executive chairman of Oban Energies whose controversial past has made headlines this week, is just an ambassador for the company.

Ms Ferguson said BIA performs due diligence checks on beneficial owners of companies that seek to invest in this country, noting Mr Krieger has not been disclosed as a beneficial owner.

What this means about whether background checks were performed on people like Mr Krieger and others publicly identified as executives of the company so far was unclear yesterday.

Asked who Oban Energies’ beneficial owners are, Ms Ferguson said the heads of agreement, which was expected to be tabled in the House of Assembly on Wednesday but is now slated to be tabled next week, will address this.

Asked if she believes too much attention is being

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Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twentyfive dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, February 23, 2018.

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focused on Mr Krieger and his role in the project, she did not answer directly but suggested there is much more to the Oban Energies project than has been revealed so far, saying: “I think it’s premature to speak about things that are unseen.”

Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for Grand Bahama, also declined yesterday to reveal the identities of Oban Energies’ owners.

He was asked to do so by former State Minister of Finance Zhivargo Laing on his 96.9 FM talk show.

Mr Laing expressed confusion about the ownership structure of the company and asked Mr Thompson to clarify this, but the senator said such information should best come from the company itself.

In the absence of information on the owners, attention has focused on Mr Krieger, who has faced a Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit alleging misappropriation of millions in investor funds.

Mr Krieger also pleaded guilty to first-degree felony

of organised fraud in 2006.

He has been barred in the US from acting as a broker or investment adviser or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities or provide investment advice to the public.

Other people so far identified as executives of the company have also faced scrutiny in the face of revelations that their qualifications may have been exaggerated or misstated.

Furthermore, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday disputed claims of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis that the former Christie administration knew the history of Mr Krieger and others associated with the project.

Dr Minnis, seeking to reassure people due diligence was conducted, had insisted Wednesday that former administrations were aware of the concerning facts that have emerged since Monday’s signing of the heads of agreement.

However, Mr Davis said: “We did not enter into a heads of agreement with

ACTIVIST WARY AFTER OBAN REVELATIONS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama environmental activist Shuffel Hepburn has expressed shock over revelations uncovered about Oban Energies just days after the signing of a heads of agreement with the government for the development of a $5.5 billion oil refinery in East Grand Bahama.

He accused Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis of not doing his homework before the government signed the document with the group for a deal that was shopped around, but did not reach a heads of agreement stage, under two previous administrations.

“The Minnis government has egg on its face as a result of the revelations in Wednesday’s Tribune unmasking the past of Oban Energies’ so-called officials,” said Mr Hepburn, of the Grand Bahama Environmental Association.

“This is a dark day for the people of Grand Bahama, but is consistent with the trend that has been unfolding in The Bahamas, and especially Grand Bahama for many years.”

He said foreigners see

Bahamians as having a weakness for big talk and bluster.

“They see us as a soft target for big talk with no money behind it,” he added.

Earlier this week, The Tribune reported that Peter Krieger, Oban Energies’ non-executive chairman, was accused of misappropriating more than $3.7m of investor monies and paid some $110,000 in a civil penalty. He was also named as a defendant in the legal action filed in 2013 by the Bahamas-based judicial manager for a sister company of insolvent insurer, CLICO (Bahamas).

Yesterday The Nassau Guardian reported Mr Krieger pleaded guilty to first-degree felony of organised fraud in 2006, according to a document on the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

The July 2007 order made “findings and imposed remedial sanctions” on Mr Krieger and his father Sheldon Krieger, it was reported.

On Monday, when the heads of agreement was signed, Dr Minnis indicated due diligence had been conducted. Officials have also

said that they are satisfied the project has adequate funding.

Mr Hepburn, who voiced his objection to the project several weeks ago, said he had also done some research into the background of Oban Energies and its management team. “(I) was shocked to discover the history of Peter Krieger, Oban Energies’ non-executive chairman,” he said.

He said from his research, it did not appear that many officials of Oban Energies have any experience in developing oil storage and oil refining plants.

“Now we know why former Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie both passed on Oban Energies,” Mr Hepburn said. “Prime Minister Minnis did not do his homework and was sucked into the draught,” said Mr Hepburn, who believes Dr Minnis is genuinely trying to help Grand Bahama.

Prime Minister Minnis is going about it the wrong way. He needs to fix the ills of Grand Bahama first; then the good Lord will bless his efforts.”

Mr Hepburn insists that “if these ills are not fixed” Grand Bahama will

continue “its downward spiral.”

He is referring to problems incurred by Grand Bahama residents who live near an existing oil storage facility and the chemical companies in the industrial park.

The activist said Minister for the Environment Romauld Ferreira promised to meet with the disenfranchised residents in a town hall setting in January which has not yet happened.

Mr Hepburn said his group has been told the meeting will now take place on March 1.

He said that the Minnis government has failed to pay any attention to the cries of the residents who have been suffering the effects of industrial pollution for more than 30 years.

“It’s a sad case of neglect,” he said, adding Dr Minnis would be wise to call on former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for advice in the future.

“He can benefit from the shrewd, sharp eye of the former prime minister. While PM Ingraham has a strong personality, his wealth of experience can no doubt be a big help to PM Minnis and The Bahamas.

PM Ingraham can smell a rat from miles away,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 23, 2018, PAGE 7

‘LET’S LEAD THE WAY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR executive at the Public Hospitals Authority and leading pharmacist is urging government and local health officials to set the standard for medical marijuana research in the region.

Dr Marvin Smith, who serves as PHA deputy director and chief pharmacist at the Princess Margaret Hospital, made the recommendation during a presentation at the Rotary Club of West Nassau yesterday.

Dr Smith explained that due to the increase in global research around the production and various uses of marijuana, small developing countries like those in the Caribbean now find themselves in a race to produce and streamline research specific to its region.

He asserted that if explored and managed correctly, the research around medical marijuana in the Caribbean would yield the Bahamas “the whole loaf,” rather than “catching the crumbs” in a viable industry.

“I am not involved in the whole (argument of) whether people should

smoke or not recreationally,” he said at Poop Deck West. “I don’t smoke recreationally; I don’t do that with marijuana. It doesn’t make me any difference. I am talking about from a pharmaceutical standpoint.”

Dr Smith also serves as president of Caribbean Association of Pharmacists.

He said that organisation has reviewed and endorsed several studies that have identified the benefits of medical marijuana.

“I think it will be good for us to find out from our own populations because marijuana affects different

people differently.”

Dr Smith continued: “For our own population, what is it good for; how can it work; how can it impact some of the healthcare problems and crises that we see and drive the research for the Caribbean through the Bahamas; particularly through the University of the Bahamas.

“I think that is going to be critical for us. And if the science supports good medicinal use, then we approve it. If it doesn’t, then we don’t. That’s my key thing.”

He added: “I represent 38 different countries and

territories throughout the Caribbean and throughout Central and South America and we have members as far off as Latvia, and the UK and Canada.

“So from our end as a science advocacy group, for the profession of pharmacy, what we really want to see is responsible information out there.

“My side is science,” he said.

“And so my point and the point of our organisation has always been this, if it can be scientifically proven that these things are good for our population, because different

things affect different people in different ways; my Norwegian brothers and sisters are going to be differently impacted than my West Indian brothers and sisters.

“We want to see the research done here on our populations so that we can then provide the best possible information to the people who we have been called to serve; that’s it.”

When asked who would fund research efforts if explored in the Bahamas, Dr Smith said local schemes should mirror pharmaceutical research practices used around the world – insisting that companies wanting to operate in the proposed industry finance all research.

He said the role of the government in such an arrangement would be to enact legislative guidelines for research.

“The same way when a drug company wants to bring a new drug, they pay for their own research,” he noted. “That is what I am talking about in terms of when I say there are zero public funds have to go into this. I don’t think public funds should go into this.”

CARICOM’s Regional Commission on marijuana held its first town hall in the

Bahamas last month.

Retired Bishop Simeon Hall, the country’s representative on the commission, at the forum announced that he was now a proponent of medicinal marijuana, gaining a greater appreciation for the benefits of the crop since his appointment to the commission.

Bishop Hall’s presence on the commission unsettled many persons who attended the forum, most of whom assumed that as a religious figure his mind would be set against marijuana legalisation.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has said legalising marijuana is not on the government’s radar.

Last year Jamaican scientist Dr Henry Lowe made history when his drug, developed from cannabis to treat acute myeloid leukemia, was granted “orphan-drug” designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Dr Lowe’s drug was described as a noncannabinoid developed from the cannabis plant – marijuana. He now has permission to continue his research. (See Tribune editorial – Man tries to crack marijuana’s secret - Thursday, February 8).

easily accessible.”

Well_mudda_take_sic had this to say: “And to think Minnis’s general election campaign was all about the abhorrent corruption at the highest levels of the Christie-led PLP government, the very government whose due diligence he now seems quite content to rely on!”

In The Tribune’s online

poll, we asked readers if they would support a sin tax to pay for National Health Insurance. At the time of going to press, 62 percent of those voting said they would back the tax. 38 percent were not in favour of it.

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

READERS SUPPORT SIN TAX FOR NHI AFTER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis dismissed concerns about Peter Krieger, the nonexecutive chairman of Oban Energies and public face of the multi-billiondollar project, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com.

Porcupine started by quoting the PM: “‘It’s like you sitting on the moon with a fishing line, dropping that line and trying to catch one fish on earth; you don’t know where the hell it’s going throughout the universe.’ This is how I’ve

felt since these guys got into office. I, for the life of me, just can’t figure our where these MPs’ heads are at.

Honestly, it almost seems like we jumped from the frying pan into the fire with this FNM government.”

BahamasForBahamians said: “This article is a clear indication that this

government has lost its way and is obviously disconnected from the electorate.

It is very sad - less than 12 months into the term and it reeks of the same deficiencies that plagued the last government. When will parliamentarians ever get it? Your allegiance is to the wider majority of Bahamians not just to the team of 35 that sits in Parliament nor the Cabinet team. This is a government of resource so I’m sure they’ve seen the concerns - expressed by even some of their own supporters - on the feasibility

and financing of this project. Rather than embrace the concerns, this administration is determined to silence them. Newsflash Hubert and gang: we do not care if you guys are happy with the Oban team and their deal. WE ARE NOT.” John asked: “How difficult is it for Hubert Minnis to call up Hubert Ingraham and/or Perry Christie and discuss this project? Does the Bahamas need another black eye?

Do the people in Grand Bahama need to have their hopes dashed again? All the information is out there and

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

If Israel Can; Yes, We Can, too!

I

SRAEL is in a desert, yet it grows all of its food. It has an open invitation to the Bahamas to show us how to grow in soil worst than ours.

The Bahamas has 240,000 acres of arable land, but less than 5,000 is under cultivation. In the sixties we had 15 to 16 thousand farmers. If each grew 50,000 dollars of food, that would be in excess of $750 million. The yield however, is 100,000 dollars per acre. Russia leads the industrial world using 55 percent of its farmlands.

The United States uses 50% of their land. The Bahamas by comparison, uses less than two and a half percent (2.5%).

Twenty five percent, using a 50-50 split, controlled and conventional farming, would create some 9,000 millionaires.

In the last 50 years we have been fooled and cajoled into believing that the country was not fit to grow its food.

However, the Israelis are self sufficient, even under desert conditions, and there is no doubt in their minds that we can do likewise. Cuba shares the same sentiments as Israel about our ability to have food security.

One has to wonder why the leaders of the late sixties didn’t re-organize our agro-industries and first take care of the local needs of the islands and then the needs of the nation while establishing markets in other countries. Instead, they set out to de-glamorize the industry and the consequence of this is the importation of over a billion dollars of food, much of which we can grow.

The public schools of

yester year had two significant courses: nature study and wood work; that for all intents and purposes have lost their significance. Those classes taught us to germinate seeds and watch nature’s purpose.

You had a good idea of how to plant. Wood Work taught us how to use a hammer and saw properly. Combined, they gave you an insight into building; building edifices and feeding the nation.

To turn this around we need to attack this on three fronts, back yard farming, community farming and commercial, conventional and controlled farming.

Sixty years ago, every yard seemed to have something edible growing. We have replaced this notion with manicured lawns and flower beds.

Preparation of a bed 15 x 20 feet can grow all the beets, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and lettuce for the average household.

This writer recently counted over 50 empty lots on Joe Farrington Road alone. They have been sitting there for years.

The possibility of having 800 to 1,000 community farms, empowering that number and employing the same, looms large. Greenhouse netting would allow them to grow the aforementioned year round.

Commercially, this country, using the United States as the standard, can create 18,000 millionaires. The produce will first satisfy the people of the Bahamas; second, the 15 million (2022) people visiting the country and lastly, feed the fish and animals growing inside our borders.

Besides de-glamorizing the

industry, government’s policy limits the farmers to shipping a meager 10,000 dollars of produce to the Exchange, resulting in serious damages to their existence. One former Parliamentarian, upon reading the book ‘Yes YOU Can’, said that every one of us, past and present, should be dragged down to Rawson Square and whopped. This writer can pardon three.

The Hon. Pierre Dupuch made meaningful contributions in agriculture. He continued the ban imposed by his colleague on the import of poinsettias, saw that Futures Contracts were put in place and proved that we can grow our demands. He made similar moves with bananas and many Bahamians returned to their islands of birth. HE WAS FIRED! Sir Milo Butler looked around, saw the abundance of conch and reflected that one day there could be a shortage. He commissioned a study which was taken to the Turks and Cacios. Today, conch is on the endangered list. SIR MILO WAS SENT TO THE HILL! Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield had the most profound respect for education. He was personally responsible for Uriah McPhee and Stephen Dillet Primary schools. They were built for babies at a university level. At one time this writer was critical, but became extremely embarrassed when he found out Sir Cecil’s true intent. SIR CECIL TOO, WAS FIRED! There are lessons in each.

The Hon. Pierre Dupuch reacquainted us with the power of self belief. He re-established

MILFORD Lockhart

in us the ability to produce.

The country was on a positive trajectory. Perhaps, the powers that be might consider sitting with him and letting him explain his vision. Unfortunately, we cannot do so with the other two.

Sir Milo taught us the folly of resting on our laurels. He taught us to be aware of everything around us at all times.

The sad part of this is that he sounded the bell almost a half century ago and today we are still no closer to balancing the supply with the threat of extinction.

Sir Cecil told us that we can do a good job at measuring the cost of education. That is fairly easy, but it is near impossible to measure the cost of

ignorance.

The country is suffering from ignorance. Half or better of the young men and women going off to further their education do not come back. We are ignorant of the value of our resources, have no concept of the value of our beauty, our culture et al. This is the result of the meager spending on education over the many years.

We are getting just what we paid for.

Milford E. Lockhart P.A.; C.A. Email: emlockhart@hotmail.com Tel: 324-4000 Cell: 422-0651

PAGE 8, Friday, February 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Say no man to NOban O

NCE again - to paraphrase the Red Queen from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass - it takes all the running Bahamians can do to keep in the same place.

After countless years of outcry, marches, campaigns and thousands of votes to deliver a supermajority, it seems the government we have now is bent on operating exactly like the government we fought so hard to get rid of.

A WASTE OF ENERGY Oban Energies, the company that the Minnis administration saw fit to sign a heads of agreement with for a ‘multi-billion’ dollar oil refinery deal might as well change their name to ‘NOban Energies,’ because this proposed project has more red flags than an FNM rally.

For starters, a blockbuster report published in Wednesday’s edition of this newspaper revealed that Peter Krieger, Oban’s non-executive chairman who claims he is really just Oban’s “ambassador,” has faced a Securities Exchange Commission(SEC) lawsuit that alleged he misappropriated more than $3.7m in investor funds.

In that lawsuit, the SEC claimed “that Mr Krieger himself used $160,000 of investor monies to pay

credit card bills for ‘dental visits, taking his pets to the veterinarian, designer clothing, jewellery, and high-end home entertainment systems”.

On top of that, (oh, there’s more!) The Tribune report also revealed that CLICO sister company, British American Insurance Company (BAICO), alleged Mr Krieger misappropriated millions of the company’s funds for his own personal use.

In that case, BAICO claimed $8.7m was transferred in 23 transactions to accounts belonging to Mr Krieger and his wife, Marla.

Apparently, the first case against Krieger was settled and the latter was dismissed due to a “technicality”.

But all these felonious allegations make for quite the colorful resumé.

Two other principals at Oban, it’s president, Satpal Dhunna, and senior vice president, Russell Erickson, both have “colourful” histories as well.

A former employer of Mr Dhunna, CreditSights, allegedly fired him for “gross misconduct”.

Of Mr Erickson, a former boss, Sharon Feyhl, was quoted in the article as saying, “He was a salesman

for us we but we fired him for lack of performance. He was basically doing nothing – as little as humanly possible to get his nice pay cheque.”

Mrs Feyhl also said, “He didn’t come across as the smartest guy around. To think he’s running a billion dollar oil business, I mean, wow. It’s ridiculous.”

The boss of a third man, Mr Mark Michel, who was listed on Oban’s website under “Finance,” was quoted as saying, “I am not in love with the fact that Mark is on their management team website. I don’t know why that would be.”

Mr Krieger then said that listing Michel was “incorrect”. Then Oban scrubbed all personnel names from their website.

What an “interesting” bunch the government has hitched Grand Bahama’s (and the country’s) wagon to.

I mean, am I the only one wondering how “not smartest guy around” suddenly became smart enough to enter into a multi-billion dollar deal with our government?

I could go on about how very, very, very sketchy Oban Energies (and by extension the FNM) looks

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, left, with Peter Krieger, executive director of Oban Energies.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services in light of these revelations, but I’ll just borrow a phrase from Mrs. Feyhl and say, ‘Wow! It’s ridiculous!”

DUE DILIGENCE At a glance, this deal the government has signed (on the behalf of Bahamians) with Oban Energies looks like a fiasco waiting to happen.

Look a little closer, though, and you’ll see it’s already a fiasco.

For one, we learned that the Minnis administration has not received an Environmental Impact Assessment.

I guess it’s in the mail.

Also, Mr Krieger revealed the bank backing them will “produce a letter for the government this week indicating its financial support for the project.”

Which begs the question, how does a competent government sign a $4.5 billion dollar heads of agreement without a letter from the bank already in hand?

The answer is, it doesn’t.

And, as if sensing what is about to come down the pike, Prime Minister Minnis is already trying to shift the blame for his government’s incompetence on previous administrations.

According to the PM, “These are matters that were dealt with by former governments... they had done their necessary due diligence; we completed the heads of agreement.”

Say what, now?

“Former governments” never signed an HOA with Oban, the Minnis government just did.

And since the “government of transparency” failed to table the heads of agreement in Parliament this week as promised, Bahamians are left with more questions than answers.

One thing seems clear though, someone messed up “big time” on this one.

My advice to PM Minnis (who is stupefyingly defending Oban instead of quickly “cutting bait” and moving on) would be to fire whoever brought him this “deal”. And then fire every person who had oversight, advanced it, touched it or even breathed on it.

If he doesn’t, I have a sinking feeling this brewing scandal will make the “LOI” incident look like a joke. It will make the “Baha Mar bankruptcy scandal” look like a joke. It will make the FNM look like a joke.

And right now Bahamians are not in the laughing mood.

Dr Minnis came in claiming he would “clean up” corruption and rid us of dumb, amateurish agreements made on our behalf.

But so far, he’s having a hard time finding a broom, a dust pan, or even a washcloth.

TO THE MOON AND BACK To add insult to injury, in his defense of Oban Energies, our Prime Minister said some...(how should I put it?)... strange things.

When pressed by reporters on his confidence in the company he said, “Ask me of my confidence? …No, I don’t want to say what I want to say. I’m on TV. But the heads of agreement will explain everything.”

Don’t you just love the clear, concise, eloquent, communications we get from some of our leaders?

Dr. Minnis followed that with, “I think it’s essential for the heads to be tabled next week so you can read it in its entirety before you start jumping off the edge left, right and centre. Wait for the heads of agreement and see who signed the heads of agreement, etc, explains a lot of what you’re looking for now. That’s why

it is essential before jumping off a cliff and asking questions, it’s essential to review the heads of agreement then you come after me, but don’t come in the blind.”

Apparently ready to do battle with his “friends” in the media, the PM came armed with an analogy: “It’s like you sitting on the moon with a fishing line, dropping that line and trying to catch one fish on earth; you don’t know where the hell it’s going throughout the universe.”

Are you confused?

Because I’m confused.

What does the moon have to do with this and where have we heard a random moon reference from a politician before?

Oh, I remember! Our last prime minister once said something about looking to the moon and seeing his family’s faces. Our leaders sure seem fascinated with the moon.

Ironically, the picture PM Minnis painted of “sitting on the moon and casting a fishing line” happens to be the company logo of DreamWorks Animation, an American animation studio that is a subsidiary of Universal Studios, a division of Comcast through its wholly owned subsidiary NBCUniversal.

Unlike some other companies this government may be looking to do business with, you can google the DreamWorks company website and find that as of October 2017, its feature films have grossed $14.5 billion worldwide, with a $417.8m average gross per film.

In other words, they’re legit, with a valuation of over $3.8 billion.

So instead of wasting the Bahamian public’s time and “yucking up our vexation” with these “dubious” deals, the government should go find us someone “sitting on the moon.” Go find us a DreamWorks, and end this brewing nightmare.

THE TRIBUNE

Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas Antique Auto Club. The Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas has announcd the holding of its 31st Annual Antique Auto Show and Steak-Out for the March 17, 2018, as usual at the Cultural Centre, Arawak Cay (the Fish Fry) from noon until 6pm. As always, beautiful cars, trucks and motorcycles will be on display and, the club’s excellent steak and chicken dinners will be available for purchase at the still competitive price of $15. In addition, the Rotary Club of East Nassau Hamburger Van will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs.

All monies raised are traditionally donated to a children’s charity. This year, the club has again selected the Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation which has identified a young four-year-old boy, Ephraim Williams, needing urgent surgery. Funds raised at the show will assist with the substantial expenses. The prime purpose of the Sassoon Heart Foundation is to arrange essential surgery for young children, most of whom are born with birth effects.

“We are always happy to

Friday, February 23, 2018, PAGE 9 support this professionally run Foundation,” said a club spokesman. “It ties in perfectly with our focus on assisting underprivileged children.”

The show provides entertainment for all the family and our visitors, as well as friendly competition for the trophies among the exhibitors. As usual, raffles will be held during the day, tickets are only $2 each or 3 for $5. The main prize will be a 40in TV. Peter Armstrong, club said: “A Junkanoo Rush-Out will be provided in the afternoon. Also Club Member Irene will be organizing her Cuban Fashion Show with a singer and, for the children we will be having the Bouncing Castle and the Pedal-Cars and Track.”

For something different, the club is pleased to advise there will be a live Jazz Duet as musical entertainment for the afternoon.

AUTO club members recently met the selected beneficiary of their 2018 Auto Show at the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation Headquarters. From left, Freeman Deveaux, vice president, Adrian Hanna, president, Andrea Moxey and her son Ephraim Williams, Murray University of The Forde, director, RE Barnes, chairman, Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation and Peter Armstrong, club secretary.

Bahamas Alumni weekend, teamed up with Club of Nassau AM held a need to give back to our To find out more infortwo prominent service Love Soup Project, geared neighboring communities mation on the association organisations, the Kiwanis towards feeding those and to be more involved. and activities, subscribe to University of the Baha- Club of Nassau AM and who often frequent Great We got the chance to inter- our emailing list, come out mas Alumni Association. the Rotaract Club of the Commission Ministries. act with persons in the area to our next general meeting - In a philanthropic effort University of The Bahamas, The efforts of the team up and to find out how we can and find us on social media to bring an end to national to give back to the wider resulted in the feeding of better serve them in the to stay connected with us at hunger and environmental community. over 70 persons. Members near future. We thank the the University of The Bahapollution, the University On Saturday morning, of the alumni association Kiwanis Club of Nassau mas Alumni Association. of The Bahamas Alumni members of the alumni also interacted with the AM and the Rotaract Club Association, this past association and the Kiwanis children from the commu- of the University of The nity through games and Bahamas for allowing us to devotions. be of service with them.”

Later that afternoon, the The association ended OUR Clubs and Sociealumni association paired the weekend by joining UB ties page is a chance for up with UB’s Rotaract Rotaract on Sunday with you to share your group’s Club and assisted with the their Beach Clean-Up Proactivities with our readers.

Salvation’s Army Gideon ject at South Beach, where To feature on our Clubs Mission Project: Feed the a disheartening number and Societies page, submit 5000 program. Here we bags of trash were collected your report to clubs@tribhanded out hot meals, from that area. unemedia.net, with “Clubs drinks and groceries to Alumni and friends of Page” written in the subscores of passersby. the University, as well as ject line.

According to President of the business community For more information the Association, Adrianna can expect more service about the page, contact Knowles, “these initiatives initiatives with the UniverStephen Hunt on 502-2373 MEMBERS of the University of The Bahamas Alumni Association helping take part in a Beach Clean- were important to the asso- sity of the Bahamas Alumni or 447-3565. ciation as we recognise the Association.

Up Project alongside members of UB Rotaract.

JOIN THE CLUB

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 23, 2018, PAGE 11

TRUMP ENDORSES RAISING MINIMUM AGE TO 21 FOR MORE WEAPON SALES WASHINGTON Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump yesterday endorsed a higher minimum age for buying certain rifles and tighter background checks for purchasers, saying “there’s nothing more important than protecting our children,” amid a public outcry for action after the Florida school shooting.

Trump said he spoke on Wednesday night with many members of Congress and “they’re into background checks”. The president commented as he opened a school safety discussion at the White House with state and local officials from around the country.

Early Thursday, Trump tweeted his strongest stance on gun control one day after an emotional White House session where students and parents poured out wrenching tales of lost lives and pleaded for action.

Trump said on Twitter, “I will be strongly pushing Comprehensive Background Checks with an emphasis on Mental Health. Raise age to 21 and end sale of Bump Stocks!”

The president did not immediately offer more details.

FLORIDA Attorney General Pam Bondi, centre, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, right, watch as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with state and local officials to discuss school safety yesterday.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Trump’s focus on gun vio“Evil walks among us “The whole idea from some government should raise lence came as leaders of the and God help us if we don’t of our opponents that armed the age limit for young National Rifle Association harden our schools and pro- security makes us less safe is adults to buy weapons, defended gun rights during tect our kids,” said NRA completely ridiculous.” accusing Democrats and the Conservative Political Executive Vice President The NRA officials didn’t media outlets of exploiting Action Conference. and CEO Wayne LaPierre. address whether the federal the Florida shooting.

SHERIFF: SCHOOL OFFICER NEVER WENT INSIDE TO CONFRONT GUNMAN TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Associated Press THE armed officer on duty at the Florida school where a shooter killed 17 people never went inside to engage the gunman and has been placed under investigation, police announced yesterday.

The Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by a gunman armed with an

AR-15 style assault rifle has reignited national debate over gun laws and school safety, including proposals

by President Donald Trump and others to designate more people — including trained teachers — to carry arms on school grounds.

Gun-control advocates, meanwhile, have redoubled their push to ban assault rifles.

The school resource officer at the high school

took up a position viewing the western entrance of the building that was under attack for more than four minutes, but “he never went in,” Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said at a Thursday news conference. The shooting lasted about six minutes.

The officer, Scot Peterson, was suspended without pay and placed under investigation, then chose to

resign, Israel said. When asked what Peterson should have done, Israel said the deputy should have “went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer.”

The sheriff said he was “devastated, sick to my stomach. There are no words. I mean these families lost their children. I’ve been to the funerals. I’ve been to the vigils. There are no words.”

The suspect, 19-year-old

Nikolas Cruz, has been jailed on 17 counts of murder and has admitted the attack. Defense attorneys, state records and people who knew him indicate that he displayed behavioral troubles for years. He owned a collection of weapons.

Politicians under pressure to tighten gun laws in response to the mass shooting floated various plans yesterday.

NEW CHARGES AGAINST TRUMP ASSOCIATES WASHINGTON (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of pressure and stakes, special counsel Robert Mueller filed additional criminal charges Thursday against President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman and his business associate.

The filing adds allegations of tax evasion and bank fraud and significantly increases the jeopardy facing Paul Manafort, who managed Trump’s campaign for several months in 2016, and associate Rick Gates.

The two men were initially charged in a 12-count indictment last October that accused them of a multimillion-dollar moneylaundering conspiracy tied to lobbying work for a Russia-friendly Ukrainian political party. The new charges allege that Manafort and Gates doctored financial documents, lied to tax preparers and defrauded banks.

GOVERNOR IS INDICTED OVER NUDE PHOTO ST LOUIS (AP) — A St Louis grand jury has indicted Missouri Gov Eric Greitens on a felony invasion of privacy charge for allegedly taking a compromising photo of a woman with whom he had an affair in 2015, the city circuit attorney’s office said Thursday.

St Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner launched an investigation in January after Greitens admitted to an affair with his St Louis hairdresser that began in March 2015. He was elected governor in November 2016.

The indictment states that on March 21, 2015, Greitens photographed a woman identified only by her initials “in a state of full or partial nudity” without her knowledge or consent.

PAGE 12, Friday, February 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

CLEANING UP

CLIFTON THE Water and Sewerage Corporation joined in a community outreach effort to clean up the Clifton Heritage Park.

The park was highlighted by The Tribune, below, recently for the amount of debris that had built up in the area.

Volunteers worked alongside WSC staff as well as waste water experts from SUEZ and teams from General Electric.

The exercise is part of a year long partnership to clean up the park’s ‘Sacred Space’.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/ Tribune Staff

e g a t i r e h r u Ruining o

tribunemedia.net

A10INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@

INSIGHT

Y, FEBRUARY PAGE 10 MONDA

12, 2018

found SOME of the debris Park. at the Clifton Heritage ianos Photos: Athena Dam

a predating the arriv of Columbus.

Laurie Wilkie, a detailing the ty hori Aut on Heritage birdlife and archaeologist fro the bush Clift ibiting food and the history of We hiked along the University IANOS beauti- sign proh . The

By ATHENA DAM trails, where the of the alcohol in the park laid the site.

California at Berk ers bartender, and was ful purple flow cook It in ley, likened Cliftonf glory vine tried p. friendly, said they e ithe Rosetta Ston I WANTED to weeClifton morningcover the litter and back and Carnival cruise clean. Fam vain to catered to lies lounged erstanding life und Revisiting the the the west debris. idence. passengers.

Prov on New – uted Heritage Park on ed spro start rep white Providence Shrubbery Then the music “This n . powder ern tip of New m. Only from the historic plantatioe- not loud, thank goodness hes. A sents one was like a bad drea drown sand beac fisherman the pric loud enough to those r ruins, weakening casual it wasn’t a dream. limestone But sound of nature. . rod cut real ning was hand spin arenas less the The garbage n the cast his r. real. The walls. where A little further dow gate into the gin clear wate The junk was is that ed the four you hiked along the “What the heck ted to main road, a rust ers Oth the rutted ground from. So was ked poin stud and debris bloc doing here?” I s. wheelers was real ing. ice machine entrance to Antonius Rob- trail absence of noise and ed don the fenc aban ed an rust The the torn, kind es e”. the wav to – of Spac red mur bush ened wh “Sac mur the erts’ in What has happ ed the soft stacarv It . gas es soul figur and park e s the slav onal ex Here, supermarket were balm to d this 500-acre nati woo in. from a ice of casuarin of from all so far removed n of tions store bags was the system? ss inum acro estio windy hu I opened the alum gaze tragically the noise and cong It was a cool and from inside. a symbolic dis- Nassau. ds in peek exp n frien to r ocea and doo Sunday ,” my to return several are in town. ence “I wouldn’t do that “You play of a yearning murmurs There Kentucky were and boat or warned. a loca to Africa. The sea hes in the park Too rough for thepromised husband you’ll find below - haunting echoes of beacfascinating remains of starting never know what the swimming, we and g hike alon settlements Lu the past. the inside.” them a beautiful diving Lucayan r was tation ruins. turquoise “Warning. Cliff Too late - the doo villages,’’ she the Loyalist plan give way to a a coast kissed by ruins and open. Nothing but empty is strictly prohibited,” The cliffs sea, plantation at the time. ‘‘I re g on its whe layin e. our life. sign insid harb red bird r les e of wate larg beer bott wetlands full think of anothe of relief. side on the ground declares. deeps of old probably instead I breathed a sigh What we found that contains incredu- The miniature furniture ship ored close to shore p.

Our friends were anch this.’’ is was a garbage dum was the a . arin ssed ad casu arra lous. We were emb the bush carved from swept away to load and unlo The Clifton Our first stop ably s. and we ugh prob good , thro n ands ing gone tatio wetl Cutt plan on itage Author Clift ’d d along by a hurricane. ent, they hike anci see we t, of to set coas led A to the born by an were thril e ed fencshor rust the s and stair ched from ted n ly dren Twis the sun Parliament i recovered nice age hand hew age caused line and listened to the sea. ing, a smashed garb of lead down to the It was ma terrible salt dam flight receptacle and piles icane. nants of a stone osprey circled in develop rem An to to by an earlier hurr ance alive r’s debris mark the entr wharf at the wate The wetlands weremarsh overhead. maintain a n good, the Sacred Space. e mon som com pa . s ere’s bird edge “Th with heritage ,” dollar view ring ugly ion tree s, e mill som coot a n is and It erts’ erica Rob some bad hens, Am ng heighten the c orants and our friend Rob, a geologist, in a million dollar setti . slaves stand watch, ral, histori billed duck, corm race cultu disg ntic onal blue Atla and it is a nati mented. snowy egrets. ecological awarene Heritage the deepg towards the s and com den picnic benches, The Clifton Woo Beneath the bird ofoam the stretchin blames Styr fish, in pretty pastels Authority gue of the Ocean. tilapia A MONUMEN bot- painted word “Clifton” cut debris on Hurricane Mat- Ton beer , cups and the NATURE plates with K IS red the with the wood, rested hap- thew. The monster storm winter HERITAGE PAR Clifton tles and plastic litte 15 lthy out of wea The area s, the rock ugh N amid. the BOR swept thro and Bah said the ty ents bottom of the pon hazardly along hori resid Aut itage h .

Her beac tide . est B The Clifton Leaving the first if carried in by the ed months ago from more mod created by the the sun as Park was born ans grounds. of abandon onal le “sta Nati coup and at the canal to A le dwindling back ed in N REVISITED fuss peop passed an over r loom FTO we the , ks ange CLI all of pers shac was out ship wor What monument to th hes of the wooden on Heritage beac with Clift y the bugg to The nd. ed ss acce helped backgrou abandon about?

National the came across a beach National Park was officially New Providence. wor- tions who name, Heritage We .

The dive industry the foundations of T a head , its wheels act far from a opened on April 9, 2009 that It was brought to Park on the side grill and bar, not ried about the impt have mas today.”

I visited the park feel- by a proposed luxury resimigh on ent are stripped. lopm re deve The the ng year with a stroreturning dential development on ch on the fragile offshore reef ical structur , stret threatened physind us of the ing of nostalgia est remaining tline system, already childhood long rem coas ical mag oped a evel to of und culture an by oil spills. a big tation n societ of the smallest, but playground.

Beach access was dough- on one ed plantatio The magnificent ations most densely populat issue.

Clifton form nt mushin the country. nut shaped rock ds eme islan mov a n ogical a tish The aeol Scot project erve the arch - reminiscent of Proponents of the for roomed to pres - cen- mental treasure long gone, the need for jobs coastline – were ruins of the 18th William the most tangibl e way for cited mak to ed ns. mat of deci the island Bahamia group tury plantation Lucayan, slave the oil tankers as However, a diverse ther Whylly, a Loyalist who ist eras, yet it’s banded toge general developed. ad in of people to served as attorney neglected and a What I found inste onal to rally around the flag s. ama Bah ns, of the An apparen er nati idered 2009 was a prop e nature save Clifton. Historiaand Whylly was cons slave with funding nists ortu opp ” park. An extensiv tical meanders poli found an “enlightened es were culture that i m lists syste enta trail fferent to ice with environm along owner – his slav and write indi t has left i through the copp oards common ground, taught to read billb uraged to men informational and were enco families this important have and The singer marry their own and farm and sell tells us na ld be pr produce. shou ed with ument to The lobby peak artifacts mon on, w Clift the discovery of Indian ayan Luc shou two from 1,000 beauty, nt to villages dating back monume Instead, it years. e Ston The Lucayans were ers nature and farm Age fishermen and inhab- have left the wn sand. and the first kno Bahamas, the itants of The

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