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VOLUME:116 No.46, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2019

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‘World’s best’ in bid to help PMH

Sands ‘excited’ by talks with Johns Hopkins

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net JOHNS Hopkins Medicine, one of the world’s top medical institutions, has expressed interest in exploring the merits of a strategic “Nation Health Services Agreement” with the Bahamas government to create a Caribbean Centre of Excellence to transform the delivery of healthcare in our nation, said Health Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday.

Calling a possible partnership “exciting” - with the possibility of crosstraining and educational

opportunities, access to cutting edge treatment and public health collaboration with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Hopkins/Bloomberg School of Public Health - Dr Sands said consideration of the proposal is in the earliest stages, with an initial letter submitted a few weeks ago.

“We have had site visitations, we’ve had discussions, we’ve had meetings but we are certainly not there yet,” he said.

“We have ongoing discussions with several universities right now, SEE PAGE FIVE

THE government yesterday forecast it will narrowly beat this year’s fiscal deficit target despite a $185m revenue shortfall caused by VAT, gaming and enforcement underperformance.

Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest, unveiling the 2018-2019 mid-year budget in the House of

Assembly, said the Minnis administration was on track to limit the full-year deficit to around $230m - some $5m-$10m less than the “red ink” target set last May. He said the government will be able to achieve this, and offset its revenue gap, through “significant spending restraint” projected to slash recurrent expenditure by five percent compared to initial forecasts.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

L SOUR CE

TORTURE VICTIMS TOLD - YOU MUST SUE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

RIGHTS Bahamas yesterday urged three people who allege they were tortured by police for confessions in Eleuthera last year to take immediate legal action.

Chavette Strachan, Dale Gibson Jr and Kenton Fines say they were handcuffed, beaten and fish-bagged at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station on January 19, 2018.

Two of them, Ms Strachan and Mr Gibson, were summoned to give evidence on Monday against an officer allegedly involved in the incident, but they were given the run-around before they were told time had passed for their matter SEE PAGE THREE

CORONER RULES BOAT TRAGEDY ACCIDENTAL

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

UNDERSPEND HELPS HIT DEFICIT TARGET

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

$1

AND...

THEY’RE OFF

MEMBERS of the Ohio State University Buckeyes took part in a three-mile run and walk to help fight cancer during the university’s 12th annual cruise yesterday. The route ran from Pompey Square to Arawak Cay. See Sports section for more.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

A CORONER ruled yesterday that the death of a 73-year-old man in a boating collision was an “accidental death” — however the victim’s daughter has said the family will pursue the matter in a civil case.

The inquest into the death of Timothy Ferguson was before Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez who made the ruling without a jury.

On April 3, 2015, Ferguson and two other passengers were aboard a 15-foot Boston Whaler when a 90-foot yacht, Sir John II, rammed into their boat.

SEE PAGE 12

VISA SCAM - THERE’LL BE NO COVER UP

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday declared “no one is above the law” as police continue their investigation into bribery claims at the Immigration Department.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation claims it recovered more than six hours of audio recordings

MARVIN DAMES, Minister of National Security. featuring an unnamed immigration officer

discussing bribery payments made to senior officials to secure permit approvals.

The bribes ranged from $400 to $2,500, and the recordings were obtained from a forensic audit of a cell-phone seized as part of an undercover FBI investigation into US visa fraud at its Nassau Embassy.

A team of investigators from the Royal Bahamas SEE PAGE NINE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

LAKE KILLARNEY’S UNSEEN BEAUTY UNDER THREAT

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Thursday, February 28, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Blaze rips thorugh Freeport mini mall

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE FIRE at Britannia Mini Mall yesterday.

CLOSE to a dozen stores were destroyed when a massive blaze consumed the Britannia Mini Mall yesterday and threatened another nearby business in Freeport.

The fire started shortly before 3pm, and quickly spread through the entire building, which housed three churches, located at Lunar Boulevard and Polaris Drive. No injuries or loss of life were reported.

Although fire units arrived quickly at the scene after receiving the call, according to a senior fire official, the entire roof of the building was already engulfed in flames. He noted that the absence of a firewall reportedly contributed to the fast movement of the fire.

Firefighters battled for over an hour and a half to control the blaze and were able to stop it from spreading to the Stop and Wash Shopping Centre, located just behind the burning building.

Superintendent Ernest Hanna, chief fire officer for Grand Bahama and the northern Bahamas, said that fire officers were out practising a drill at the Grand Bahama International Airport when they received a call shortly before 3pm.

“We were close by and proceeded to the scene and met the building in an advanced stage of burning,” he said. “The roof was pretty much engulfed in fire, and our main priority was to contain the fire and stop it from spreading to the other shopping centre nearby.”

Many onlookers had

WHITNEY BAIN, of Distinctive Gifts Store, whose store was destroyed in the fire.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn gathered in the area, including the owner of the building and some of the business tenants, watching as the fire ravaged the structure.

Two fire units were on the scene, and a third unit, the Airport Crash Fire and Rescue team, assisted in extinguishing the blaze.

Supt Hanna said there were no injuries or loss of life. He noted that there were some initial challenges when they arrived. “Power to the building was still live, and it took a while for the (Grand Bahama) Power Company to come and deenergise the supply to make it safe for our officers – that posed a challenge in the initial stage.”

He also said there was an issue with the construction of the building.

“There is no firewall separating the different businesses, and so that posed a challenge for us; the fire was pretty much able to spread through the roof in quick time,” he explained.

When asked the cause of the fire, Supt Hanna said that they do not know at this time because they are still in the initial stages of their investigations.

While the fire chief could not say how many businesses were affected, The Tribune understands that there was a bakery, variety store, meat shop, three churches, a clothing store, computer store, barbershop, hair salon/beauty supply store, and a liquor store situated in the shopping centre.

He commended their partners in Airport Crash Fire and Rescue for their assistance.

“We were having a tabletop drill at the airport when we got the call, and so they were able to be on the scene in a very short matter of minutes to assist us also,” he noted.

Supt Hanna believes that the nearby shopping centre might also have been affected had it not been for a fire hydrant that was located next to the building.

“There is a hydrant right next to the building; it did not have much pressure, but it caused us to be able to save the next shopping centre. Without that hydrant, that building might have gone also,” he said.

He also commended his

team of fire officers. “I was very impressed with them.

Half of them are young and just came out of fire training, so they had less than a year in the field, and so this is the largest fire they have ever combatted.”

Supt Hanna could not give an estimate of the damage at this time but indicated that it would be substantial given the amount of the businesses located in the building.

The owner of the building was at a loss for words when approached by reporters for comment and said: “I can’t talk right now.”

Tenant Wellington Kemp, the pastor of Harvest Time and Deliverance Fellowship Centre, said it was a complete loss for the church, which had been there for the past seven years.

“It’s a loss, but it is just material things, and we will rebuild and continue here because we are excited about this area. The contents inside were not insured, and it was a complete loss for us,” he said.

Pastor Kemp said that when he learned of the fire, he came immediately.

“When I arrived, just the front was on fire, and then it quickly spread throughout the entire building.

“When… I saw the intensity of the blaze which overwhelmed the entire building so quickly I was very concerned and hoped that there was no one in the building or that any lives were lost,” he said.

Another tenant Whitney Bain, owner of Distinctive Gifts, said the store had only opened two months ago.

“We had children’s toys, baby clothing, women’s handbags, fragrances for men and women, and we offered the services for graduation rings and other graduation-related material. We opened on December 22, so we’re two months old, and persons were getting to know the store; they liked the service and products.”

Mr Bain said that he had left the store earlier because he had an appointment downtown. “From downtown, I saw the smoke, and I tried to get here as quickly as I could. Once I got down here, this is what I saw – I don’t think there is anything to be salvaged (from this).”

FIREFIGHTERS in action yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 3

Torture victims are told - you must sue from page one to be addressed.

Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson is said to be investigating the matter.

A source in the Minnis administration noted the fact that a disciplinary hearing was called means the incident was investigated and top officials believed an action against the officer was warranted.

Nonetheless, in a statement yesterday, Rights Bahamas said: “These victims were ignored, given the run-around and told that according to ‘the law,’ the Police Disciplinary Tribunal could not hear their matter.

We know of no such law and cry shame on the police for trying to pull the wool over these poor victims’ eyes, closing ranks and failing in their duty to take proper action

against police brutality.

“Imagine being handcuffed, beaten and suffocated at the hands of police officers, only later to be released without charge.

Imagine reporting the matter and then being ignored for more than a year. Then, when the police finally do call and you show up to a hearing as requested, imagine being told your complaint has unfortunately run out of time.”

Ms Strachan, Mr Gibson and Mr Fines were released without charge on January 22, 2018. They were arrested and questioned as officers investigated an attempted murder and armed robbery on Eleuthera. They filed a complaint with the police force’s Complaints and Corruption Unit in February 2018. They have also filed a lawsuit against the police in relation to the allegations.

COMMISSIONER of Police Anthony Ferguson is said to be investigating the matter.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ARAWAK Cay is among the areas highlighted in the US travel alert.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

DAMES HIGHLIGHTS DECLINE IN CRIME DESPITE LATEST US TRAVEL ADVISORY

By RIEL MAJOR

IN the wake of the US Department of State releasing a travel advisory on Monday, National Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday highlighted the decline of crime in The Bahamas.

Mr Dames told reporters outside of the House of Assembly that the 2018 crime statistics were the best The Bahamas has seen in more than a decade and insisted numbers continue to trend down this year.

Mr Dames said: “Every country has the right to issue an advisory. A country issues an advisory based on whatever they feel that their citizens ought to know.

“We would have crunched some numbers during 2018 and from the numbers we would have crunched of matters reported to the police…

Any crime against a visitor is one too many but we feel like those numbers can stack up against any country almost anywhere the world-over.

“We will continue to work with countries from around the world to see how we work together to collectively focus on the things we need to focus on to ensure that we meet a point where we’re all happy.”

He continued: “‘Are we at a place where we’re happy?’ No we are never happy because there is a lot more that we can do and we are doing it but it is a process. As I said before we did not get here over night. “…These things have manifested itself over decades so it’ll take some time

for us to address them in a very effective manner so Bahamians and visitors alike can feel safe to move about this country whenever and wherever they choose. I am pleased to say this we are headed in the right direction.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a press statement on the advisory yesterday, saying the warnings from the US to its citizens were in line with recommendations the Bahamas gives to its citizens travelling abroad.

“The government of The Bahamas takes all recommendations to travellers to any destination very seriously, not only to ensure their safety and security, but to ensure their enjoyment of wonderful, meaningful, fun-filled and memorable experiences

in The Bahamas,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement.

The statement noted law enforcement has made strides in the fight against crime, with a reduction is serious crimes like murders, armed robbery and shop breaking.

“There has been and continues to be collaboration between the Ministries of Tourism and Aviation and Transport and Local Government with the Port Department to address needed changes in regulation and enforcement to ensure safe and responsible operation of commercial recreational water sport and excursion tour companies.”

The US Department of State issued a “Level Two: Exercise Increased Caution” alert on Monday

which warned US citizens that violent crime such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault were common in tourist areas in New Providence. The alert noted the vast majority of crimes occurred in the capital and Grand Bahama, but added the Family Islands were not crime-free.

As in previous crime warnings, the alert also prohibited US government personnel from visiting the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime and criticised activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, stating that they were not consistently regulated.

Visitors were also urged to exercise caution in the areas of Over-the-Hill and the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay.

PAGE 4, Thursday, February 28, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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Trump ‘behaved much like a mobster’ says lawyer now considered a rat WASHINGTON (AP) — He carried out the boss’ wishes. He understood “the code”. He was blindly loyal — but now he’s considered a rat.

Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen spoke at length Wednesday about his life in the president’s inner circle, but the most vivid descriptor came in just six words. Trump ran his operation “much like a mobster would do,” Cohen said.

In Cohen’s scathing testimony at a House committee hearing, he repeatedly described Trump, the onetime head of a family business, like a mob boss minus the body count: quick to bully and expecting others to do his dirty work. Cohen described himself as a consigliere, telling lawmakers he did Trump’s bidding for years, intimidating maybe 500 people and lying to scores, including the first lady. But Trump never directly told him to do it, he said.

“He doesn’t give you questions, he doesn’t give you orders,” Cohen said.

“He speaks in a code, and I understand the code because I’ve been around him for a decade.”

Cohen is facing a three-year sentence for lying to Congress in 2017 and other charges. He came back to Capitol Hill this week, worrying for his family’s safety, but claiming he would no longer lie for his former boss and was ready to spill.

Trump has denied the allegations against him and called Cohen a liar.

Even as he’s done so, he’s used mob speak.

“Remember, Michael Cohen only became a ‘Rat’ after the FBI did something which was absolutely unthinkable & unheard of until the Witch Hunt was illegally started,” Trump tweeted in December. “They BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY’S OFFICE,” he wrote, referring to the raid on Cohen’s office that touched off the now-disbarred lawyer’s eventual guilty plea.

During the hearing, Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly even likened Cohen to Joe Valachi, an American gangster known as the “first rat” whose 1960s testimony before Congress lead to the eventual dismantling of organised crime.

“This Congress historically has relied on all kinds of shady figures who turned,” Connolly said.

It’s hardly the first time Trump’s orbit has drawn mob comparisons.

In his book “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership,” former FBI director James Comey said he got the sinking feeling that Trump’s operation functioned like the mob. Former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe spun a similar story, and a former agent and former federal prosecutor tweeted Wednesday that Trump’s tactics as detailed by Cohen sure felt a lot like the mafia.

There’s even a “Godfather: Part II” reference in the indictment by the special prosecutor investigating Trump’s possible ties to Russia. Trump confidant Roger Stone told an associate to pull a “Frank Pentangeli” before a House committee, the indictment says.

In the film, Pentangeli, an associate of mob boss Vito Corleone, lies to protect the family during congressional testimony.

Racism claims stir up tensions in session From the start of Michael Cohen’s congressional testimony Wednesday, President Donald Trump’s views on race took center stage.

Trump’s former attorney did not mince words, flat out calling his former boss “a racist” who believed “black people would never vote for him because they were too stupid”.

“Mr Trump is a racist. The country has seen Mr Trump court white

supremacists and bigots,” Cohen said in his opening remarks.

Race and racism came up time and again during the televised hearing, which was chaired by an African-American man and saw several freshman lawmakers of color get in questioning.

Cohen, who previously pleaded guilty to lying to Congress, told the House Oversight Committee that he continued to work for Trump despite a history of racist comments.

Several Republican lawmakers, who maintained that Cohen is a perpetual liar who cannot be trusted, questioned Cohen’s characterisation.

“I’ve talked to the president over 300 times,” said GOP Rep Mark Meadows of North Carolina. “I’ve not heard one time a racist comment out of his mouth in private. So, how do you reconcile it? Do you have proof of those conversations?”

The NAACP said the testimony affirms what Trump has already demonstrated through unfair housing practices, birther accusations against Obama and a failure to call out white supremacists.

“Trump’s presidency and entire career has been an affront to civil rights so nothing in Michael Cohen’s testimony is surprising for a person that has historically racialised and stigmatised those around him,” President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement.

Cohen then pointed out that the Trump Organisation has no black executives.

In perhaps the day’s most heated exchange, Democratic Rep Rashida Tlaib of Michigan took issue, as did others before her, with Meadows bringing in Trump administration worker Lynne Patton, a black woman, to the hearing. Meadows referenced Patton, who works at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in his questioning. She would not work for someone who was racist, Meadows said.

When it was her turn for questioning, Tlaib said, “Just because someone has a person of color, a black person, working for them does not mean they aren’t racist ... the fact someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee, is alone racist in itself.”

A visibly irate Meadows asked her statement be stricken from the record because it was a personal attack.

Committee Chair Rep Elijah Cummings asked Tlaib to clarify that she wasn’t calling Meadows a racist. She denied doing that, but said bringing in Patton was a “racist act”.

The episode quickly became fodder for social media, both in support of Tlaib’s comments and in opposition.

Many were outraged and accused Meadows of throwing out the “I have a black friend” argument to refute the idea that he is racist. He cited having nieces and nephews of color and his friendship with Cummings “that’s not based on color.”

Rep Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., defended Meadows.

“Yet another display of reckless incivility by this new House Democrat majority,” McCarthy tweeted. “My friend and colleague @RepMarkMeadows is one of the most decent people that I know and he showed tremendous class in the face of an absurd accusation from Rep Tlaib.”

Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley, the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts, used her time with Cohen to circle back to the issue.

“Would you agree that someone could deny rental units to African-Americans, lead the birther movement, refer to the diaspora as (expletive) countries, and refer to white supremacists as fine people have a black friend and still be racist?” she asked Cohen.

Cohen said “yes.”

Time to reveal the ugly truth EDITOR, The Tribune.

So the four PLP parliamentarians have walked out of the House claiming that government is harassing their supporters and marching them into the hands of the law. Apparently, they have no intention of returning to parliament until the so-called witch hunt ends!

If this is the way they think they can get a vacation at the expense of Bahamian taxpayers, I suggest we cut their parliamentary salaries and let them take as long a vacation as they like - no one will miss them. Their walkout should be an affront to the courts, if that is in fact what their walkout is all about. Our courts should be independent - walkouts should have no influence on the judiciary.

However, if they are walking out over the recent Frank Smith case and the way that was handled, I would suggest that their FOLLOWING reports that three people who said they were tortured by police were told that they had run out of time for their complaint, readers had their views on the issue.

ThisisOurs said: “Strange.

Sounds like something the minister needs to address, he said to file complaints to report police abuse, well these people filed complaints to report police abuse.”

John replied: “Imbedded corruption. If a civilian was to commit these atrocities there would be no statute of limitations. They would have to face j justice if even 100 years later. And even when complaints are made against corrupt officers, who are helping to drive crime and violence in this country, the corruption unit takes over a year to report their findings so that victims cannot file a civil lawsuit.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net walkout should instead be a demand that a commission of inquiry to investigate the conditions at the Princess Margaret Hospital inherited by the Minnis government be immediately appointed - and then let the full ugly truth be revealed.

It is then and only then that fingers will start pointing in the right directions, and the public will quickly learn the impossible medical collapse inherited by the FNM from the PLP administration - yes, an administration of which Mr Brave Davis was deputy prime minister.

In my humble opinion, the situation is almost impossible of remedy. The recent court case did nothing, but scratch a very thin surface.

In my opinion no one was found innocent.

There are two options for solution - either appoint a

This police brutality and the corruption to protect dirty, crime infested officers, who are a disgrace bro their uniforms, must end in this term of the Minnis administration because he said it is the people’s time. This behavior must not be tolerated in the least when it is against innocent civilians. It is criminal and must be treated as such. And it will be weeded out. And Marvin Dames and Anthony Ferguson must be made to answer for the criminal actions of their police officers. How could you ever justify beat and torturing and threatening to kill innocent civilians as a process to solve crime?

Commission of Inquiry to discover the truth and seek out those who are to blame, or scrap the whole thing and start building all over again.

Either way whichever course is taken it will be expensive and time consuming, especially under a Commission of Inquiry, which will take time, and interfere with patient care. It will also be expensive to forget the past and start all over again with a completely new brush of expertise. However, in my opinion, patients will suffer less if the new administration started afresh and built a new hospital with strict administrative rules.

In the meantime, we suggest that Mr Davis and his gallant three quietly resume their seats in the House and pray that the past forgets the ugly past.

DISGUSTED Nassau February 23, 2019 Even under wartime your actions would be illegal and you would be brought before the courts. And in some countries you would be put to death by a firing squad when found guilty regardless of what position you hold. Regardless of how many stripes on your sleeve or how much egg on your cap.”

DDK added: “Acceptance of blatant police brutality is NOT a good thing and will lead to much worse, horrific though these alleged reports may be. If, for once, we could have a law enforcement official at the top who puts HIS money where HIS mouth is, instead of paying political lip service to all and sundry, this terrible, ILLEGAL practice of coercion by torture COULD be largely eliminated.”

• Have your say at www. tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 5

‘World’s best’ in bid to help PMH from page one

discussing novel approaches in Grand Bahama, a whole new approach to Exuma major medical centres to and Abaco and you cannot hopefully ink a strategic get around having excellent relationship which does healthcare.” not surrender sovereignty, Dr Sands discussed which does not surrender the proposal against the control but which allows backdrop of considerable us to significantly elevate improvements that have the quality of care that we been made to PMH in the provide to Bahamians. This last year. is very much in the early “You had gutted walls,” stages.” he said. “There were holes Dr Sands said a “rough in the roofs where you analogy” of the possible could look out the chilpartnership would be the dren’s ward and see the sky.

Lynden Pindling Interna- The imaging department tional Airport, which is was not there, the cat scanowned by the government, ner was a disaster, the plain but operated by the Van- X-Rays were a disaster. tage Airport Group.

You now see the generation He said there is no time- of the business office, the line for the government Corey Newbold Ward has to make a decision on the been redone, the maternity proposal. ward has been redone and “It requires review and we’re about to do neo-natal digestion and discussion and the newborn area.” and consideration,” he said.

PHA is preparing to “We have to agree at the begin renovations of the level of the board, cabi- Accident & Emergency net how we move forward. Department of the hospiThere are additional pro- tal. During the first phase, posals for a medical school the front area of the A&E in Grand Bahama, so how section will be redone, does this align including the with that? Where drive up onto do we see the Elizabeth University of Avenue.

The The Bahamas department itself going, dealing will be expanded with the issue of by 50 percent, training of nurses Dr Sands said. and other tech“In the process nical people for of major renovahealth? tions to accident “The holistic and emergency,” approach to the he said, “we’re transformation of trying to create healthcare is cer- PHA deputy chairman the next tower of Robert Carron tainly something the phased redewe believe is critivelopment of the cal. You have what seems Princess Margaret Hospital like an outrageous idea on facility which would be a the face of it, but using the $160 to $180m project to be analogy (of LPIA), not a done through a public prilot different from taking vate partnership.”

Nassau International AirRobert Carron, deputy port and transforming it chairman of the Public into a world leader in terms Hospitals Authority and of facility with the right head of the strategic strategic partner. I am sure planning, infrastructure, there were naysayers who redevelopment and PR subsaid we don’t need that committee of the board, but in retrospect it has cer- took reporters on a tour tainly been a win-win for of PMH yesterday, highThe Bahamas. Whether lighting improvements we ultimately decide to go and continuing sources of this road I can assure you frustration. it will be only after careful According to Mr Carron, consideration of the impli- considerable progress has cations and making sure been made by the hospiwe are maximising ben- tal’s managing director, efits for Bahamian patients Catherine Weech, deputy and protecting individual managing director, Lyrone professionals.”

Burrows; members of the Johns Hopkins Hospital PHA/PMH teams and has partnerships with hos- various public/private pitals in many countries. At partnerships to resolve the Al Rahba Hospital in years of “unconscionable Abu Dhabi, for example, it neglect”. He pointed to manages day-to-day opera- enhancements in the raditions, provides oversight ology department where a and engages in programme new CT scanner has been development for clinical installed, bathrooms refurservices, education, train- bished and an artificial sky ing, human resources and ceiling installed to improve capital equipment. ambience of the place.

However, Dr Sands “Jackson Memorial admitted consideration of Hospital in Miami is a statea partnership with Johns owned facility, but it’s called Hopkins could be a conten- the Bascom Palmer Eye tious issue. centre because the man “You now have the same donated the money and it’s discussion about have we the best in the world,” he given up our patrimony, said. “It’s called the Ryder our birthright, have we sur- Trauma Centre because of rendered our services to a all these benefactors. It’s a foreign entity,” he said. private partnership. Sadly, “Bahamians can do this when you have politics and and I accept Bahamians all sorts of other special can do this. The question is, interests, you do not get as we look to improve our what you wish to achieve.” healthcare services, would Despite the improvewe, might we, could we ments, Mr Carron noted benefit from some strategic the children’s ward of the assistance from the world hospital remains closed and leader in the provision of the laundry’s operation is healthcare services? They limited. During a tour of have done this in other the former children’s ward, countries where they have which was badly affected exported the Johns Hop- by Hurricane Matthew, kins brand with tremendous beds were untidily strewn impact on the local com- around the rooms, the bathmunity. I don’t think we rooms were unkempt, the should sell ourselves short number of available beds particularly as we look for children are still well at the renovation and below former levels. Billing revitalisation of our city. operations at the hospital Conceptually, it is a massive remain problematic, Mr stretch for a lot of people. Carron explained.

Baha Mar was a massive “The receivables are stretch for a lot of people. between $400m to $800m,” Atlantis was a massive he said, “that means stretch for a lot of people. charges for applicable Now you’re watching patients, those with private Global Ports about to trans- insurance, those with govform the waterfront, we’re ernment insurance, tourists.

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital and, below, the children’s ward and the laundry.

We couldn’t even issue a credit card to tourists. We have 11,000 tourist bills.

If you send more patients here, we can’t bill them,” he said.

He said until the improvements are made to the hospital, national health insurance would not be feasible.

“At some point, you need a chicken to get an egg,” he said. “NHI is all great, but don’t you need a hospital and a hospital needs a roof? Otherwise you can’t have any wards and if you have no wards, you can’t have any beds. If you are going to have NHI and if you implement this, can you imagine what you will have if you have no capacity here? NHI needs to be delayed. This is not the time to be doing that.”

Mr Carron suggested that it would be far more sensible to wait until the PMH’s new billing and financial systems were in place so that accurate figures would be available, and modern vaccine legislation to govern their use, transportation, storage, and administration would have been enacted before the cost of VAT would be considered.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 6, Thursday, February 28, 2019

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THE TRIBUNE

LEADER of the Opposition Philip Davis.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Davis: Why no budget debate?

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net OPPOSITION Philip Davis day questioned

Leader yesterwhether

the Minnis administration had anything to hide as his side pressed forward with demands for debate over the mid-year budget presentation.

Renward Wells, leader of government business in the House of Assembly, who is out of country, reportedly advised South Andros MP Picewell Forbes there would be no debate on the mid-year budget as there was no corresponding resolution. Mr Forbes is leader of opposition business in the House.

This was echoed by Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest, who told reporters in the gallery yesterday there was nothing to debate as there had been no borrowing, adding they would likely need to table a “bogus resolution” to allow for a debate.

At a later press conference, Mr Davis called the explanation proffered by the governing side a “fallacy”, and insisted there was a legal obligation to hold the debate.

“Peter’s response seems to have been consistent with what the leader of our opposition business received, that they didn’t intend to because there were no resolutions, well that’s a fallacy. You don’t need a resolution, in fact I am concerned that we see no resolutions with respects to borrowings because the government’s own documents and statements suggest that there have in fact been borrowings over the last six months. No resolution from Parliament has authorised such borrowings so the question is, is there something they don’t want us to know yet?

“What is it they’re attempting to hide? They are the government who speaks about transparency and accountability, well we want to have an account.

We need to discuss this halftime statement because there are a lot of issues attendant to our finances that we need to have an explanation for and about.”

A row broke out in the House of Assembly after it was indicated by acting leader of government business, St Anne’s MP

Brent Symonette that Parliament would be debating an investments bill next week.

Mr Davis rose to his feet to inquire about the midyear budget debate, and the matter escalated into a shouting match after House Speaker Halson Moultrie suggested the opposition could not be informed due to their two-week boycott.

Mr Moultrie later expunged Mr Davis’ comments from the House record.

The Cat Island MP spoke during a press conference on the mid-year budget presentation held in the House Minority Room.

“Under the Financial Administration Act, it requires them to report to Parliament on any changes to the current budget,” Mr Davis said.

“It requires them to seek an amendment to any of the appropriations that we may have approved, and we know for a fact that there are a number of expenditures and revenue projections that would have impacted the budget.

For example the acquisition of Grand Lucayan hotel of $65m, that was not budgeted for and all the associated costs attendant to that acquisition and maintaining the hotel to date.

“We need to be talk.”

NOTICE Please note that effective Monday, February 25, 2019 the offices of Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust have relocated to: Providence House, East Hill Street, Nassau, The Bahamas Should you have any questions, please call 356-9801.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 7

MPs in row on House stairs

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net A VERBAL altercation erupted on the interior stairway of the House of Assembly yesterday between National Security Minister Marvin Dames and Pineridge MP Fredrick McAlpine.

The dispute, both visible and audible to all those near the chamber when the proceedings suspended yesterday, seemed to centre around Mr McAlpine’s continued calls for Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to address the roles Mr Dames and Health Minister Dr Duane Sands played in the Frank Smith bribery and extortion trial.

“Don’t butter me,” Mr Dames shouted at Mr McAlpine who was attempting to speak with him. “I am not with the sideshow.”

The confrontation was quickly acknowledged by several party personnel nearby, all of whom tried to diffuse the situation by moving in to separate the two men.

A visibly frustrated Mr Dames had to be ushered away, leaving Mr McAlpine with what one observer described as a

“despondent” look on his face.

Moments after the incident, reporters spoke with both men separately.

Mr Dames, who addressed the matter first, called it a “sideshow”, inferring that Mr McAlpine was trying to engineer a “political charade”.

“Listen, I am here to represent the people of Mount Moriah, and as the minister of national security for the people of this country,” he told reporters. “We made a promise to the Bahamian people when we took office that we would do our endeavour best to clean up corruption within this country and bring back some level of respectability.

“I am not going to turn that into a political charade, all right!

“I don’t know what he is trying to do. I am not here to play games, all right. We are here to run a country.

And things are moving in the right direction, and we will continue to do that.”

Mr Dames continued: “This is not about politics.

This is about making the country a better place for all Bahamians. Not about ‘you say and I say,’ all right.”

“We have a lot of work to do in this country. We

MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames, left, and Pineridge MP Fredrick McAlpine. have to bring back a level of respectability. We have to change the status-quo.”

Mr Dames said all Bahamians have a vested responsibility to do the same, contending that the time was being wasted peddling “nonsense” back and forth.

“So when we chase behind (the) nonsense we see every day of this and that, we have to look at the facts.

“So I am not going to get involved in any of this sideshow. I have to save my energies to work toward making this country a better place. That was the commitment I gave before I took office and no one is going to take me or derail me from doing that. No one.”

Mr McAlpine, who spoke with reporters on the exterior steps of the House, insisted he was only attempting to “greet” Mr Dames.

He said he was trying to

CIRCUIT BREAKER BLAMED FOR CABLE BEACH OUTAGES

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

POWER outages which plagued the Cable Beach area earlier this week were a result of issues with a generator circuit breaker at Bahamas Power and Light’s Skyline facility, BPL’s Director of Public Relations Quincy Parker told The Tribune yesterday.

Customers in the western district of New Providence have complained electricity in the area was turned off

YOUR

on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.

“On Monday, Feb 25, 2019 at 10.06am, a generator circuit breaker at BPL’s Skyline facility tripped,” Mr Parker said, adding customers in areas such as Skyline Lakes and the Baha Mar area were affected.

“Teams are on site working to resolve (the) issue and will provide updated information as soon as it becomes available,” he continued. “BPL expects to have the issue completely within 24 hours.”

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard reiterated that there was an issue at the company’s Skyline facility.

“We had some issues but it should be solved by the end of the day (Wednesday),” he told The Tribune yesterday.

On Wednesday last week, BPL carried out a load shedding exercise in the eastern area of New Providence that left customers without power for almost six hours.

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suggest to Mr Dames that much of his recent comments were in line with wanting the Free National Movement to uphold its anti-corruption declarations. This came days after Mr McAlpine criticised the prime minister for not addressing calls for the resignations of Mr Dames and Dr Sands.

“I wanted to greet him and say as a colleague, ‘no hard feelings, nothing personal,” Mr McAlpine told reporters.

When asked if he was able to make that point clear to Mr Dames yesterday, he said: “No”.

“I spoke with, I tried to speak with him and that was it. I guess those who were in the gallery saw it and heard for themselves what transpired.”

He added: “I am not trying to butter (Mr Dames) up or anybody else up. The reality is, he is my colleague and again, I am

also a Christian so I think the proper thing to do is let anybody know if I offended you, I am not trying to offend you I am just stating the facts as they are.

“Not to make it personal.”

Mr McAlpine went on to urge the FNM to “address” its handling of him and other persons in the party calling for fair treatment and an adherence to its anti-corruption promises.

“And I still remain, and I am even more resolute to say, this isn’t nothing personal. It is just that the Prime Minister, perhaps, needed to address this issue; because now the behaviour is escalating into something else,” he said.

“Leadership needs to address it,” he added. “…When justice has spoken, we ought to be adhering to the law. And I will say this once again, those of us who speak against anti-corruption

should not have the perception of corruption. This is about perception.”

He added: “Nobody is calling any of them, my colleagues, corrupt; but we were the preachers of anticorruption and so we need to deal with the matter at hand.”

Mr Smith was recently acquitted of bribery and extortion charges.

Mr Dames and Dr Sands were criticised by Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt as she gave her reasons for acquittal. She criticised the ministers for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with complainant Barbara Hanna prior to a police investigation into her claims, charging that their conduct gave the appearance of a “political flavour to a curious bystander.”

The prime minister has yet to address the matter despite saying in Grand Bahama last week that he would do so last Friday.

PAGE 8, Thursday, February 28, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Lake Killarney: Unseen beauty under threat O

UT in the middle of the island mostly hidden from view is one of The Bahamas’ greatest treasures. It’s called Lake Killarney and today it is under threat from development that is encroaching on its banks with buyers building down into the swampy marshes and destroying mangroves by the hundreds with careless abandon.

There is an irony to this. Those who love and appreciate nature enough to want to live on the lake are the very people who are threatening its future.

They are also risking their own by tearing down the mangroves that help to keep their land from sliding into the water, keeping the lake at bay and intact.

Destroying the mangroves that support and line the edge of the lake is like making a bowl of Jell-O and expecting it to stand upright without the bowl.

First, for anyone who does not know exactly where Lake Killarney is, it’s so large that it extends off Blake Road almost to Carmichael, almost reaches Fire Trail Road from South Westridge and even Love Beach would not be too far a stretch if you were mapping it.

Story For most Bahamians, Lake Killarney is that handsome stretch of water populated by mangrovemade cays that you fly over when you depart Nassau and look down.

“Hmm, wonder where that is?” I’ve heard people mutter and I am never sure whether to tell them the full story because I don’t know whether they will really appreciate it.

To truly appreciate Lake Killarney, you have to see it at sunrise when the dark of night and the grey of morning give way to a golden light from the east. At full moon, you can see the moon set as the sun rises and there is not a building in sight. I know of no place else on New Providence that is quite the same.

Yet much of what makes Lake Killarney so special

is what is under threat.

The natural balance that keeps its marine life alive is dependent upon the mangroves that line the shores and the mangrove cays dotted here and there. Although scientists may describe it differently, it sits like a body of water hugged by wetlands that

“To truly appreciate Lake Killarney, you have to see it at sunrise when the dark of night and the grey of morning give way to a golden light from the east. At full moon, you can see the moon set as the sun rises and there is not a building in sight. I know of no place else on New Providence that is quite the same.” produced mini-wetlands in the middle of its belly.

At its deepest, Lake Killarney is roughly 10 feet. Most of the lake is shallow, between one and three feet deep.

The level rises and falls with the seasons, during drought or extended dry weather, much of its muddy bottom is exposed and it is only the mangroves with their tangled maze of water-soaked roots and overhanging shade that protects juvenile fish, provides a nesting place for coots and duck along with food and sustenance for bird life.

For herons and egrets the cover of the mangrove is a security blanket, allowing them to build nests in the safety of its protective arms, much like humans in a dangerous neighbourhood breathing a sigh of relief when they hear the

clink of the last padlock on the door.

In an age of rapid development all around the lake and its ring of mangroves and mangrove cays are a safe haven, a nursery for juvenile marine life.

Because it is so wellhidden from view, Lake Killarney has remained relatively pristine, a prize yet to be abused. There are those who occasionally row or kayak on the lake. Mostly, the rest of us in New Providence are dependent upon the resource reservoir for much of the clean air we breathe.

Air Without the lake in our midst, our air would not have the quality it does, our eco-system would be less well-balanced and our bird life would likely be reduced.

Because their tangled roots collect nature’s debris, mangroves eventually form land.

With houses now popping up, what is the path of responsible development?

Where will all the raw sewerage go?

Is there a city pumping system sufficient to handle the waste?

Who will monitor sewerage disposal? What will happen to the foundations of these new builds as marshland returns to its normal state, a process that will be sped up by the loss of mangroves that act almost like a seawall?

What happens when the rainy season comes and the shallow lake, not much deeper than your forearm in many spots, floods and spills over without mangroves to act as a barrier?

We the public have to assist with our eyes and ears if we want to protect that which Nature gave so generously and which a single dredge can take away in a moment.

THIS image from Google Maps shows Lake Killarney on New Providence.

Go ahead, homeowners.

Build your homes. But leave the mangroves right where they are. You need them even if you don’t know it now.

PRETTY IN PINK AND THEN SOME There are trees that during full bloom are so stunning they deserve to be registered in the Bahamas haute couture register of natural native culture.

Among them are the two poui trees on Eastern Road, one in front of the Daquiri estate and the other just east of Fox Hill Road on the northern side, stars deserving Oscars for their performance.

At other times of the year, the Royal Poinciana dressed in deep orange or

red is a sight to behold.

One poinciana, half yellow, half red, on the grounds of St. Andrew’s school in Yamacraw is a wonder.

And who can even imagine the Fox Hill community without the majestic silk cotton trees that provide canopy?

Question Yes, there are trees that during full bloom are stunning and the question remains, who is protecting them to make sure someone tired of raking doesn’t decide one day they could live without the extra gardening?

If we can give awards for sports, musical

performances, spelling competitions, providing extraordinary service or just lasting at a job longer than rope, isn’t it about time we recognized those trees and natural places that add such incredible richness to our lives?

Isn’t it time we honoured those who look after them, preserve and keep that beauty intact for all and sundry to enjoy?

Thank you to the folks at Daquiri and to the Pinders further east.

Thank you to all the folks in Fox Hill who appreciate their community is one of the most naturally beautiful in the country.

And thank you Mother Nature for blessing The Bahamas with such bounty and brilliance.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US SEEKS UN VOTE FOR NEW VENEZUELA ELECTION AND NEEDED AID UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States is calling for a vote on a U.N. resolution urging “the peaceful restoration of democracy” in Venezuela, free and fair presidential elections, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all people in need — and making clear its support for opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The draft resolution is expected to be put to a vote Thursday afternoon, a council diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an expected announcement.

But it is likely to face a veto from Russia, which backs Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the May 20 election that kept him in power.

The proposed resolution, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, also expresses “deep concern” at “the violence and excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, peaceful protesters” and “recent attempts to block the delivery of humanitarian aid.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 9

FROM left, Rafal Kaladon, of Poland, and Haitians Josie Merin and Josue Decline.

Three accused over immigration breaches

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TWO Haitians and a Polish national were charged with breaches of the Immigration Act in Freeport Magistrate’s Court.

Josue Delcine, 36, appeared before Magistrate Charlton Smith on a charge of illegal landing.

It is alleged the accused entered the country illegally

some three years ago. He was taken into custody during a joint operation, conducted by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, along with the Customs and Immigration Departments.

Delcine could not prove his legal status in the country. Upon further investigations, officers learned he entered the Bahamas illegally by boat from Haiti, in 2016, and remained without obtaining legal status.

He pleaded guilty to the

charge of illegal landing and was ordered to pay $300 or in default serve two months in prison. He paid his fine and was turned over to immigration officials for deportation.

Polish national Rafal Kaldon, 43, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on the charge of overstaying.

It is alleged that Kaldon entered the country legally from London on British Airways on December 30,

2018 and was admitted for a period of 30 days. He overstayed his visitor’s status by some three weeks.

He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay $1,500 or in default serve one year in prison. Kaldon paid the fine and was turned over to the Immigration Department for deportation to Poland.

Also appearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ferguson was Haitian national Josue Merin, 28,

on the charge of illegal landing. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars, Merin was arrested with others in waters off Grand Cay, Abaco, during a joint operation by customs and immigration officials.

He and others were reportedly engaged in fishing, in breach of the Fisheries Act. It was discovered that Merin entered the Bahamas illegally by boat from Haiti some years ago and

remained in the country without obtaining legal status.

Merin was ordered to pay $300 fine or in default served one year in prison.

He was also ordered to be deported to Haiti on payment of the fine or on completion of his custodial sentence.

Merin is also facing expected to face fisheries charges and was remanded pending the outcome of that matter.

VISA SCAM - THERE’LL BE NO COVER UP from page one Police Force and an attorney from the Department of Public Prosecutions were briefed by the FBI in November.

When contacted on Tuesday night, Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson told The Tribune the team was “reviewing the information” related to the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr Dames said yesterday, “[Police] continue to investigate these matters and I’m certain at the appropriate time the Commissioner will update members of the public.

“It’s a matter that’s been played out in the press and anytime when allegations are made against Bahamian officials, we have an obligation to investigate,

to be very transparent, to be resolute, and that is exactly what the Royal Bahamas Police Force is doing.”

Mr Dames added: “No one is above the law and in this case the police force will not cover up for anybody.

“We want to be transparent in our dealings.”

Yesterday, human rights group Rights Bahamas called for a full and independent investigation by a special task force into the FBI’s revelations.

The group suggested the task force to be led by “the Royal Bahamas Police Force and also include migrants’ rights activists, human rights attorneys and possibly, international anticorruption experts.”

“Over the years, Rights Bahamas and other activists have received numerous

claims of bribery, extortion and blackmail at all levels of the Immigration Department,” RB’s statement noted.

“This includes sworn statements by victims which are in the public domain as part of court actions against the department for wrongful detention. As far as we know, these allegations have never been investigated.

“Certainly, they have all gone unpunished.

“If even a portion of these claims hold water, it would mean that hundreds if not thousands of migrants, suspected migrants and their families have been victims of an organised, well-oiled machine for the collection of illicit profits through bribes, as well as by means of threats, intimidation, coercion and illegal detention.”

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PAGE 12, Thursday, February 28, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Coroner rules boat tragedy accidental from page one The yacht is said to be owned by Sandals Resorts founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart and was captained by Neville Sylvester Christie.

During previous proceedings, Mr Christie told the court that he saw nothing in his path before the collision, which caused elderly Ferguson to suffer severe propeller wounds that ultimately led to his death.

Coroner Weech-Gomez said yesterday “what is clear from the evidence” is that Sir John II collided with the Boston Whaler captained by Ferguson.

She added both Benjamin Ferguson and Floyd Ferguson – the two other people on the boat – saw the vessel and tried to get its attention. When they couldn’t, all three men jumped overboard. After they jumped, the Boston Whaler was overrun.

The coroner also said it is clear Mr Christie didn’t see the boat or its occupants until he heard a “commotion”.

Coroner Weech-Gomez noted there was a dispute regarding the weather conditions on the day of the incident, with parties

debating whether it the sea was rough or calm enough to have “put a plate on the water”.

The coroner said she accepts that while it may have been a sunny day, it was not a calm day. She added while it may not have been rough, it certainly was not calm enough to “put a plate on the water,” based on the photographic evidence.

She also said given the comparable size of Sir John II and the Boston Whaler and given the conditions, it was “highly probable…the Sir John II did not see the Boston Whaler”.

“In the circumstances, the verdict is one of accidental death,” Coroner Weech-Gomez said. She went on to express her condolences to the family of the deceased.

Afterwards, Elaine Lightfoot, daughter of the deceased, told The Tribune: “I was about to appeal the case but I have no reason to appeal now, it’s just that now we have to go and do what we have to do in the civil case.

“Most certainly there will be a civil matter,” Ms Lightfoot continued.

“Oh, you can bet your bottom dollar, it will be a civil matter.”

SANDALS Resorts founder Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, said to be the owner of the yacht involved in the accident.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 13

Tick tock on public disclosure for MPs

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie yesterday warned to Members of Parliament to file their public disclosures as the March 1 deadline is imminent.

Mr Moultrie likened his advisory to that of a meteorologist, telling parliamentarians they had 48 hours to file their statements in accordance with the Public Disclosure Act. “I am reminded of the statement that comes over the broadcast when you’re traveling,” he said, “that if you’re beginning to have difficulty breathing, oxygen masks will be lowered and you are advised to put that oxygen mask on and breathe normally.

“If you have intention to assist anyone put your mask on first. And so I have put my mask on and made my declaration before giving you notice now.

“We are also at another critical stage at this time… when hurricane approach you have an alert, then you

have hurricane watch, and a hurricane warning. We are at the warning stage now, so you have approximately 48 hours to complete the declaration.

“Honourable Members be guided accordingly.”

Yesterday, several MPs told The Tribune they were making progress and intended to meet the deadline.

Opposition shadow minister for finance and Exuma MP, Chester Cooper said he had not yet submitted his declaration, but expressed confidence he and his parliamentary colleagues will meet the deadline.

Delinquent disclosures have been a sore spot for parliamentarians in recent years with greater political scrutiny placed on the deadline; however, there has been no reported penalties for MPs, senators and other public officials who fail to disclose.

In 2014, while in opposition, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said parliamentarians who failed to make their financial disclosures should be arrested.

After he won the May 2017 general election, Dr Minnis also set July 3, 2017 as a deadline by which all delinquent disclosures were to be sent, failing which information would be sent to the Office of the Attorney General.

That deadline passed without him taking any action.

Last year, the deadline was extended to the end of March but three people, two senators and a parliamentarian, still failed to make their disclosures.

The Public Disclosure Act empowers only two people to act on delinquent MPs: the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. Either of them can publish the information through a communication in the House of Assembly or cause for it to be laid in the Senate. Either can authorise that the information be presented to the attorney general or commissioner of police so those who failed to disclose could face a penalty.

The penalty for not disclosing is a $10,000 fine and/or up to two years in prison.

SPEAKER of the House Halson Moultrie.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

PAGE 14, Thursday, February 28, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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‘I saw pair of accused men with brother at time of shooting’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE brother of a man killed in Abaco in 2016 testified that he saw two men accused of the crime with his brother at the time of the shooting.

Lorenzo Pritchard and Renaldo Williams, both of Abaco, are on trial in the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama accused of shooting dead 25-year-old Thomas Christopher Hield who died on October, 23, 2016.

According to initial police reports, Hield was involved in an argument with a man near a nightclub off SC Bootle Highway when he was shot in his vehicle after which the suspects fled. Hield was taken to the local clinic, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Leron Hield, the deceased’s brother, testified this week, telling the court he saw the two accused men with his brother the time of the shooting.

According to the witness, at about 2am on the date in question, while in the area near a nightclub he saw Williams talking to his

brother, who was sitting in his silver Honda. Then, he said, Pritchard rushed over to the vehicle and got inside on the passenger side.

Mr Hield said Williams also got inside the car and that’s when he saw Pritchard point a gun toward the car window. The window was rolled down and he heard a gunshot, and saw his brother fall to the ground.

After telling people to call the police, Mr Hield observed his older brother was bleeding from his head.

The deceased’s mother, Francina Hield, also testified at the trial. She said her deceased son would have celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday February 24 if he was still alive.

Ms Hield said that she identified her son’s body at the morgue at the Princess Margaret Hospital in New

Providence.

In his testimony, Inspector Remy Minnis told the court that on October 23, 2016, while on duty at the Central Detective Unit at Marsh Harbour sometime around 9.15am, he received certain information regarding a wanted suspect.

He said Williams came to the police station, accompanied with his lawyer Terrel Butler and identified himself.

Williams, Inspector Minnis said, was cautioned, arrested and transferred to the Abaco Police Station.

Ian Cargill is representing Pritchard. Erica Kemp, assisted by Trevor Kemp, of the Attorney General’s Office, is appearing for the Crown.

Justice Estelle Gray Evans presides over the case. The trial continues on Friday.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 15

THE GANGWAY is withdrawn

THE DOORS are closed

All aboard?

Well, not quite...

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A COUPLE was left stranded in Nassau after they were 45 minutes late for boarding their Royal Caribbean cruise ship — resulting in the vessel leaving them behind.

The incident was recorded and later uploaded to YouTube by a person claiming to have been aboard a neighbouring Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

“Couple misses their cruise ship Symphony of the Seas while docked in Nassau, Bahamas on February 15, 2019,” the video’s description reads. “All aboard time was 3.30pm.

At 4.15pm the gangway was removed, doors were closed and the lines were let loose.

The couple showed up approximately five minutes later only to see the ship preparing to push off.”

In the footage, the couple can be seen frantically waving at the ship, to no avail.

Commentators were not very sympathetic to the couple’s plight.

“Not that I’m rejoicing in their misfortune, but cruises are very scheduled,” one person wrote.

“You have so many hours at port, for meals and for entertainment. If ships had a reputation for waiting for every person who was late, they would never leave port. Punctuality is the ultimate respect for someone else’s time.

“I just came off a cruise a few days ago. Daily I saw people come back after the ‘cut off’ time of 4.30pm.

I saw people coming in between 4.45pm-5pm. If you can’t respect the rules you deserve to get left.”

Last month, there was another incident with Royal Caribbean passengers in Nassau.

The cruise line banned one man for life after he jumped off the 11th floor of a Symphony of the Seas ship that was docked in Nassau.

Friends of Nick Naydev, of Vancouver, Washington, filmed the 27-year-old jumping off a balcony and into an estimated 100-feet of water.

Mr Naydev later posted the video to his social media account.

The jumper was not allowed back aboard the ship and local police were called. However, officers reportedly found the situation “amusing” and did not file any legal action, according to Mr Naydev.

Royal Caribbean has since rebuked the move as “stupid and reckless behaviour” in a statement to People. The magazine also reported the cruise will be “exploring legal action” against Mr Naydev and his friends.

...but wait, here come the late passengers

THE COUPLE plead from the quay for the ship to wait

...but it’s too late with the thrusters started

...leaving the couple to walk away, not quite hand in hand.

PAGE 16, Thursday, February 28, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

The Catholic Church and America’s black history

By JANE LANDERS Professor of History, Vanderbilt University FOR most Americans, black history begins in 1619, when a Dutch ship brought some “20 and odd Negroes” as slaves to the English colony of Jamestown, in Virginia.

Many are not aware that black history in the United States goes back at least a century before this date.

In 1513, a free and literate African named Juan Garrido explored Florida with a Spanish conquistador, Juan Ponce de León. In the following decades, Africans, free and enslaved, were part of all the Spanish expeditions exploring the southern region of the United States. In 1565, Africans helped establish the first permanent European settlement in what is St. Augustine, Florida today.

The Slave Societies Digital Archive which I direct as a historian at Vanderbilt University includes Catholic Church records from St. Augustine.

These records date back to the 1590s and document some of the earliest black history of the US. These Catholic Church records show that everyone was treated in theory as “brothers in Christ” and that the Church helped incorporate Africans into Spanish communities. It also helped free some slaves.

St Augustine’s Catholic records show that after English Protestants established a settlement in what became South Carolina in 1670, their African slaves began to flee southward seeking admission into the “True Faith” – which to the Spaniards meant Catholicism.

Florida’s Spanish governors sheltered them and saw to their religious conversion, seeking royal approval of their actions.

After some deliberation, in 1693, Spain’s monarch ruled that all

slaves fleeing Protestant lands to seek conversion in Catholic colonies should be freed. Word of the fugitives’ reception in St Augustine spread quickly through South Carolina, generating bitter complaints among planters and encouraging additional southward escapes by their slaves.

By 1738, the number of slave runaways reaching Florida had grown to approximately 100.

Based on Spain’s religious sanctuary policy, Florida’s Spanish governor freed the runaways and established them in a town of their own called Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, two miles north of the Spanish city of St. Augustine. Mose was modeled after the nearby Indian towns where Catholic priests were also assigned to teach the “new Christians” the principles of the Catholic faith.

The site is now a National Historic Landmark, listed on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Route, and has been nominated for a UNESCO Slave Route designation. A museum based on both archaeological and historical studies presents the stories of the Mose townspeople.

The records in St Augustine’s church reveal the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual nature of Mose.

Its leader and captain of the town’s militia, Francisco Menéndez, was of Mandinga ethnicity and came from the Senegambian region of West Africa in modern-day Senegal. He probably spoke a variety of languages but learned Spanish as well and wrote petitions to the Spanish King. Others at Mose came from the Congo nation, that is today in West Central Africa.

Pedro Graxales, the Congo man who was sergeant of the Mose militia was married to a slave woman of the Carabalí nation, from what is today southeastern Nigeria. The couple

chose godparents from Congo for their children.

Florida’s priests noted that some people from Congo had undergone previous Catholic baptisms in Africa and that even as they learned Spanish, some of them still prayed and blessed themselves in their native language of Kikongo, a Bantu language spoken throughout large areas of West Central Africa.

Baptism into the Catholic faith was important because it cleansed black converts of the “stigma of original sin”. It also brought them into the “Christian brotherhood” of the church.

Baptism also served an important social function. Families were linked in a system of reciprocal obligations between the baptised and his or her godparents, as also between the parents and godparents.

For example, Francisco Felipe Edimboro and his wife, Filis, were African-born slaves of Florida’s wealthiest planter, Don Francisco Sánchez.

The couple had their three-year-old son baptised on the same day that their master and his mulatto consort baptised their natural son.

Edimboro and Filis eventually had ten more children baptised in St Augustine’s church. On July 15, 1794, they were themselves baptised and married.

Their Catholic baptism and marriage coincided with their suit to buy their freedom and likely contributed to the successful outcome of that litigation.

As a free man, Felipe Edimboro became a landowner and

sergeant of St Augustine’s free black militia. He also served as godfather to 21 black children born in St Augustine whose baptisms were recorded in its Catholic Church.

These and other records JUAN GARRIDO, above, and the sign at the National Historic Landmark of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, left.

allow scholars to track the history of several generations of the large Edimboro family to the present day.

One of Edimboro and Filis’s free daughters, Eusebia, had a child with an enslaved man named Antonio Proctor, described in the records as “the best translator of the Indian languages in the province”.

Edimboro and Proctor served on the Spanish frontier together

and Proctor’s valuable military service earned him his freedom.

Eusebia and Antonio’s freeborn son, George Proctor, became a master carpenter and builder in territorial Florida and George’s son, John Proctor, served in the Florida House of Representatives in the 1870s and in the Florida Senate from 1883 to 1886.

More than 100 descendants recently commemorated their family’s rich heritage in a public ceremony in Tallahassee, Florida where they mounted a memorial plaque in the Old City Cemetery.

These records show that black history in United States begins much earlier than previously thought. They also show that men, women, and children once thought forgotten left rich histories in these little explored sources.

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‘Racist,’ ‘con man’: Michael Cohen assails Trump before Congress

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, ERIC TUCKER and MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — In a damning depiction of Donald Trump, the president’s former lawyer on Wednesday cast him as a racist and a con man who used his inner circle to cover up politically damaging allegations about sex, and lied throughout the 2016 election campaign about his business interests in Russia.

Michael Cohen, who previously pleaded guilty to lying to Congress, told lawmakers that Trump had advance knowledge and embraced the news that emails damaging to Hillary Clinton would be released during the campaign. But he also said he had no “direct evidence” that Trump or his aides colluded with Russia to get him elected, the primary question of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

Cohen, shaking off incessant criticism from Republicans anxious to paint him as a felon and liar, became the first Trump insider to pull back the curtain on a version of the inner workings of Trump’s political and business operations.

He likened the president to a “mobster” who demanded blind loyalty from underlings and expected them to lie on his behalf to conceal information and protect him — even if it meant breaking the law.

“I am not protecting Mr. Trump anymore,” Cohen declared.

His matter-of-fact testimony about secret payments and lies unfolded as Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At a Vietnam hotel and unable to ignore the drama thousands of miles away, Trump lashed out on Twitter, saying Cohen “did bad things unrelated to Trump” and “is lying in order to reduce his prison time.”

In testimony that cut to the heart of federal investigations encircling the White House, Cohen said he arranged hush money payments to women on Trump’s behalf and lied about them to the public and the first lady at the president’s behest.

He said Trump was “not knowledgeable” about the transactions

even though the president directly reimbursed him, and said he was left with the unmistakable impression Trump wanted him to lie to Congress about a Moscow real estate project, even if the president never directly told him so.

In one revelation, Cohen said prosecutors in New York were investigating conversations Trump or his advisers had with him after his office and hotel room were raided by the FBI last April. Cohen said he could not discuss that conversation, the last contact he said he has had with the president or anyone acting on his behalf, because it remains under investigation.

MICHAEL COHEN, President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, is sworn in to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) investigation to testify publicly about crimes committed during the 2016 campaign and in the months that followed, Cohen also delivered biting personal commentary on a president he said never expected to win in the first place.

He recalled how Trump made him threaten schools he attended to not release his grades and SAT

Allegations The appearance marked the latest step in Cohen’s evolution from legal fixer for the president — he once boasted he’d “take a bullet” for Trump — to a foe who has implicated him in federal campaign finance violations. The hearing proceeded along parallel tracks, with Democrats focusing on allegations against Trump while Republicans sought to undermine Cohen’s credibility and the proceeding itself.

As Republicans blasted him as a convicted liar, a mostly unrattled Cohen sought to blunt the attacks by repeatedly acknowledging his own failings. He called himself a “fool,” warned lawmakers of the perils of blind loyalty to a leader undeserving of it and pronounced himself ashamed of what he’d done to protect Trump.

“You make mistakes in life and I’ve owned them and I’ve taken responsibility for them, and I’m paying a huge price, as is my family,” Cohen said during testimony that spanned roughly seven hours.

Cohen will soon report to prison for a three-year sentence. At the same time, he is seen as a vital witness for federal prosecutors because of his proximity to the president during key episodes under investigation and their decade-long professional relationship.

The first of six Trump aides charged in the Trump-Russia

MICHAEL Cohen testifies before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) scores, mocked his own avoidance of the Vietnam War and denigrated blacks as “too stupid” to vote for him.

“He never expected to win the primary. He never expected to win the general election,” Cohen said.

“The campaign — for him — was always a marketing opportunity.”

Cohen gave lawmakers his firstperson account of how he arranged to buy the silence of a porn actress and a Playboy model who said they had sex with Trump. He described a February 2017 conversation with Trump in the Oval Office in which the president reassured him that reimbursement checks sent through Federal Express were coming but would take some time to get through the White House system.

He said the president called him a year later to discuss the public messaging around the payments, and had even once put his wife, Melania, on the phone so that he could

disavow knowledge.

“Lying to the first lady is one of my biggest regrets,” Cohen said.

“She is a kind, good person. I respect her greatly, and she did not deserve that.”

In an allegation relating to Mueller’s probe, Cohen said he said he overheard Trump confidant Roger Stone telling the candidate in the summer of 2016 that WikiLeaks would dump damaging information about Clinton.

Trump put Stone on speakerphone and Stone told him that he had communicated with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that “within a couple of days, there would be a massive dump of emails that would damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign,” according to Cohen.

Damaging emails that U.S. officials say were hacked by Russia were later released by WikiLeaks.

Trump responded by saying “wouldn’t that be great,” Cohen said.

Stone disputed that account Wednesday.

Cohen’s claims that Trump had advance knowledge of the emails contradict the president’s assertions that he was in the dark, and it is not clear how legally problematic that could be for Trump anyway. Mueller has not suggested that mere awareness of WikiLeaks’ plans, as Stone is purported to have had, is by itself a crime.

Cohen also suggested Trump implicitly told him to lie about a Moscow real estate project. Cohen has admitted lying about the project, which he says Trump knew about as Cohen was negotiating with Russia during the campaign.

Cohen said Trump did not directly tell him to lie, but “he would look me in the eye and tell me there’s no business in Russia and then go out and lie to the American people by saying the same thing.”

Cohen said he does not have direct evidence that Trump colluded with the Russian government during the election, but that he

has “suspicions,” including after a June 2016 meeting between the president’s oldest son and a Kremlin-connected lawyer.

“I wouldn’t use the word ‘colluding.’ Was there something odd about the back-and-forth praise with President Putin?” Cohen said. “Yes, but I’m not really sure I can answer the question about collusion.”

Payments Federal prosecutors in New York have said Trump directed Cohen to arrange payments to buy the silence of porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in the run-up to the 2016 campaign. Cohen has said he acted out of “blind loyalty.”

He said he was presenting the committee with a copy of a check Trump wrote from his personal bank account after he became president to reimburse Cohen for the hush money payments. He claimed he had other exhibits as well, including some financial statements.

On the matter of racism, Cohen said the president made comments “disparaging African-Americans, saying at one point that black people would never vote for him because they were “too stupid.”

He said that Trump once confided to him that, despite his public explanation of a medical deferment from the Vietnam War, he never had any intention of fighting there.

“You think I’m stupid, I wasn’t going to Vietnam,” Cohen quoted Trump as saying.

“I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now,” Cohen said.

Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman, Lisa Mascaro, Chad Day, Michael Balsamo and Colleen Long contributed to this report.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Wednesday in Hanoi. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

TRUMP-KIM GO ONE-ON-ONE: WHO WILL KNOW WHAT WAS REALLY SAID?

By DEB RIECHMANN AND FOSTER KLUG, Associated Press

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Only four other ears on the planet heard what President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said to each other Wednesday during a one-on-one chat that began their second nuclear summit.

The two leaders’ interpreters were the only others privy to their conversation, raising concerns about why Trump would risk meeting Kim, who has threatened the U.S. with nuclear strikes and has a dismal human rights record, without staff to take notes.

Absent a detailed historical record and corroborating witnesses, the leaders could potentially leave a meeting and misrepresent what transpired, prompting a kind of he said-he said showdown of words.

More one-on-one talks between Trump and Kim are scheduled for Thursday, when the two leaders dig into the meat of their nuclear talks.

Trump has had private confabs with world leaders before that have raised red flags.

Early in his presidency, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Germany with only a Kremlin interpreter present. Last year, after Trump spent more than two hours talking with Putin in Helsinki, Finland, Democrats tried to subpoena Trump’s translator to testify in Congress about what was said.

Republicans blocked it.

The White House has never provided information on what Putin and Trump talked about. Even Trump’s director

of national intelligence, Dan Coats, said he didn’t know.

“It is utterly amazing, utterly amazing, that no one knows what was said,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said at the time.

Trump’s translator in Wednesday’s private chat was Yun-hyang Lee, the U.S. State Department’s division chief for interpreting services, who also translated for the president at his first meeting with Kim last year in Singapore. The White House identified Kim’s translator as Sin Hye Yong.

Opportunity Some experts on past U.S.North Korean diplomatic efforts worry the private sit-downs give Kim an opportunity to win concessions from Trump that workinglevel officials would have advised him not to offer.

Before the summit, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said he thought Kim requested the private meeting with hopes that he could “elicit concessions from President Trump that might not otherwise be possible if it was just our diplomats talking one-on-one.”

Others think there’s nothing wrong with the president’s penchant for oneon-one meetings with world leaders.

“I don’t find that they’re nefarious,” said retired Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis with the Defense Priorities think tank, which advocates against overusing military action to solve foreign policy challenges.

“I think he’s just more comfortable doing it that way,” Davis told reporters at a summit briefing.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 28, 2019, PAGE 19

The Freddie Mercury story left untold in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

By LAURIE MARHOEFER, University of Washington

M

ILLIONS of people tuned in to the Oscars to see Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, compete for best picture, which Green Book ended up winning.

There were a lot of people cheering against Bohemian Rhapsody. The film has been dogged by accusations of homophobia, and the film’s director, Bryan Singer, was accused of rape and sexual abuse.

But as a gay historian, I keep coming back to something else – the tragic history that’s glaringly absent from this movie.

Mercury, along with all the other men and women who tested positive for HIV in the 1980s, was a victim not just of a pandemic but of the failures of his own governments and of the scorn of his fellow citizens. The laughable initial response to the HIV pandemic helped seal Mercury’s fate.

None of that is in the movie.

In the early 1980s, when an epidemic of HIV first struck a few population centres in the US, UK and elsewhere, governments mounted almost no public health response.

Doctors initially noticed the virus in groups of people who happened to already be stigmatised for other reasons: men who had sex with men, drug users and, due to racism, Haitians and Haitian-Americans.

The prejudiced initial public health response assumed that many of these people were getting the virus because of whatever was already supposedly wrong with them. Gay men, the thinking went, were getting it because of “risky” behaviours like having lots of partners. HIV was not, therefore, a threat to most straight people. The medical profession’s view of HIV was so coloured by the idea that it was intrinsically gay that at first they named the virus “GRID,” an acronym for “gay-related immunodeficiency”.

That was bad science, as we know now.

Especially in the absence of good public health information about how to have safer sex, your risk of contracting any sexually transmitted infection goes up when you have more partners. But there was nothing about gay sex in particular that caused AIDS. Lots of straight people had multiple partners in the 1970s and 1980s, but initially, by chance, some communities of gay men were hit harder.

Governments and the general public quietly left people with HIV to their fate. As one activist pointed out, two years into the crisis, the US government had spent more to get to the bottom of a series of mysterious poisonings in Chicago that killed seven people than to research AIDS, which had already killed hundreds of people in the US alone.

The first report of HIV in the UK was in 1981. There was no test for the virus until 1985, and there was no really effective treatment until 1996. In 1985, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher tried to block a public health campaign promoting safe sex; she thought it would encourage

teenagers to have sex, and, she claimed, they were not at risk of infection.

All told, it was an absurd response to the major public health catastrophe of our time and to a disease that would go on to kill 36 million people around the world – about as many as died in World War I. All this left Mercury and other queer men in a terrible place. Without good public health information, and with research lagging, they were unnecessarily exposed to the virus. Diagnosed in 1987, Mercury didn’t live long enough for the development of antiretroviral combination treatment that could have saved his life.

He faced not just a deadly disease but vitriolic prejudice against people with HIV and AIDS. Two years before he was diagnosed, a Los Angeles Times poll found that a majority of Americans wanted to quarantine HIV-positive people; 42 percent wanted to close gay bars. As Mercury fought to keep

making music as he grew sicker and sicker, the lead singer of the then-popular band Skid Row wore a t-shirt that said, “AIDS kills faggots dead”.

You won’t see this in the movie, either.

No one in “Bohemian Rhapsody” is overtly homophobic; when homophobia appears at all, it’s in subtler forms.

For example, a

bandmate tells Mercury that Queen is emphatically not the openly queer disco act The Village People.

In real life, Mercury faced rampant homophobia – he never really came out publicly, and it’s easy to see why.

In 1988, the UK passed a notorious anti-gay law that declared, officially, that homosexuality shouldn’t be promoted and that same-sex couples had “pretend” families, not real families.

The law stayed on the books for over a

decade.

The era’s glam rock and disco music scenes had queer

How many of the rock fans who packed stadiums to see them play “We Are the Champions” knew that the heroic singer was not just a rock god, but a fabulous queer icon, too? Not many.

moments, but it was all predicated on everyone being straight in real life.

David Bowie told the press he was queer in 1972 and then loudly took it back in 1983, saying “the biggest mistake I ever made” was telling the press “that I was bisexual”.

The Village People were unique because they were unabashedly out and proud, but they weren’t a hit act because of that. They were a hit because the straight public either didn’t realise it or didn’t want to know.

Ask yourself: When you danced to “YMCA” at your high school talent show, did you know it was about gay culture? I’m going to guess the answer is no.

The same was true of Queen. How many of the rock fans who packed stadiums to see them play “We Are the Champions” knew that the heroic singer was not just a rock god, but a fabulous queer icon, too? Not many.

In the 1980s, Mercury ditched his glam rock look and cut his hair in a style popular in gay subculture, donning a black leather jacket and sporting an enviable, gorgeous mustache. Many fans hated it.

In the US, they threw razors onstage.

When Mercury died in 1991, his bandmates felt it necessary to do a TV interview to dispute what the media was saying – that Mercury had brought AIDS upon himself with his decadent partying.

The movie also quietly makes it seem as if Mercury’s debauchery was to blame for his fate.

In the film, Mercury abandons the band to make a solo album in Munich with his diabolical boyfriend, who lures him into a shady queer world. His ex-girlfriend rescues him and he returns to the band. But by then, it’s too late: He has HIV. In real life, Mercury didn’t break up the band, he wasn’t the first of the bandmates to make a solo album and, of course, partying doesn’t cause AIDS. I hope someday, someone makes a better Freddie Mercury biopic, one that accurately depicts the historical moment he lived in and the challenges he dealt with. He deserves it.

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PAGE 20, Thursday, February 28, 2019

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