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VOLUME:116 No.50, MARCH 6TH, 2019

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ALICIA WALLACE: WHY PLAY THE BLAMING GAME?

Maynard on the warpath - again ‘My people must operate new engines - or else’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard yesterday threatened “dark days are ahead” as he waged war against Bahamas Power & Light and Wärtsilä, the newly contracted firm slated to build a $95m electricity plant this year.

“It will be a cold day in hell, before I, Paul Maynard, allow Wärtsilä to come on a plant that the Bahamian people is paying

$95m for and send my staff home,” the union chief told The Tribune yesterday in a harsh rebuke of BPL and the Finnish technology group.

This comes after BPL CEO Whitney Heastie announced a contract had been signed between the electricity provider and Wärtsilä. The firm will build a 132-megawatt plant, powered by seven high efficiency engines at Clifton Pier. They plan to finish installation by the end of this summer.

POLICE yesterday denied claims the eightyear-old girl abducted early Sunday morning had been sexually assaulted.

The girl’s mother alleged her child had been violated; however, Assistant Commissioner Clayton Fernander told The Tribune preliminary medical examinations did not support the claim.

The child was expected to

A 30-YEAR-OLD man is dead following another traffic accident, the sixth victim in a little over a week. While the deceased has not been identified, The Tribune understands he is Clarence Dean Jr. He is the 12th traffic fatality of the year, according to police.

Police said Dean was riding a motorcycle with a female passenger shortly after 3am yesterday.

The two were reportedly travelling south on East Street when the deceased failed to stop at a traffic light and collided with a GMC Silverado truck travelling west on Soldier Road.

Both sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital where the

SANDS SETS ‘HIV FREE’ DEADLINE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE FIVE

be seen by a gynaecologist yesterday for further analysis. ACP Fernander said he could not speak to the follow up visit, but stressed there was “nothing to suggest the young lady was sexually assaulted”.

He furthered there was an entire team of officials working her case, adding the family was brought in for a full briefing yesterday.

The young girl was reportedly working with police to produce a sketch of her abductor yesterday.

SEE PAGE THREE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE SEVEN

COPS SAY SNATCHED GIRL NOT ASSAULTED

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

BIKER DIES IN CRASH ‘RUNNING RED LIGHT’

$2M ARSONIST? JEZREEL MALONE, 23, appeared in court in Freeport yesterday in connection with a fire that resulted in property losses of $2m at a mini-mall where 13 stores were destroyed last Wednesday. Full story - Page 2 Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

BAHAMIAN officials have made a commitment to being the first country by 2030 to eradicate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in regaining footing as the world’s leader in low mother-to-child transmission.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands made the statement yesterday when he told reporters that officials had lost some ground on the transmission from mother to child.

As a result, he said, health officials have modified the approach to HIV to ensure everyone who is tested is afforded access to therapy.

SEE PAGE FIVE

‘RECKLEY’S HUSBAND FORCED TO RETIRE’ TECHNOLOGY

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis accused the government of pressuring the police force to send a senior assistant commissioner of police into retirement.

It was confirmed to The Tribune that ACP Clarence Reckley the husband of former Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley - is

PLP LEADER PHILIP DAVIS now on vacation, effective yesterday. Mrs Reckley was arraigned last month

on 21 charges relating to allegedly defrauding the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repairs programme in Grand Bahama of over $1.2m.

Mr Davis alleged the directive on ACP Reckley came from the Office of the Prime Minister.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that three senior officers were informed on Monday to proceed with accumulated vacation leave SEE PAGE THREE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

ELECTRIC CARS ABOUT TO GO MAINSTREAM SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, March 6, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Mum-to-be accused of $2m arson

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net JEZREEL Malone of Carissa Street, Freeport outside court yesterday.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

A 23-YEAR-OLD pregnant woman was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with a fire that resulted in property losses of some $2 million at a Freeport mini-mall, where 13 stores were destroyed last Wednesday.

Jezreel Malone, of Carissa Street, Freeport, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson.

Displaced tenants packed the courtroom for the arraignment. Malone - who had been in custody since the incident - was quietly escorted by two officers in court to the front bench.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ferguson asked Malone to stand and told her that she was charged with arson of a building, and read the charge to her.

It is alleged that on February 27 around 3pm, Malone set fire to Rachel’s Britannia Mini Mall, a yellow and white 14-unit multi-store building, owned

by Raymond Meadows.

The building was occupied by 13 tenants with an established value of $2 million, not $800,000 as previously reported.

When asked if she understood the charge against her, Malone replied softly: “Yes ma’am”.

She was not required to enter a plea to the charge, and the magistrate explained that a preliminary inquiry would be held to determine if there is

sufficient evidence for her to stand trial in the Supreme Court.

The judge asked Malone again if she understood what she had said, to which she replied ‘yes’.

The court prosecutor objected to bail, explaining that due to “the nature and seriousness” of the incident, the accused faces a prison term of 20 years if convicted.

“We also object on the grounds based on the strength of witnesses statements and interviews conducted by police officers where the accused admitted to the offence,” the prosecutor said. He argued bail could only be considered in the Supreme Court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ferguson asked: “Was anyone hurt?”

The prosecutor said no one was injured during the incident, however he stated there was extensive property damage.

Tamar Moss, of Shurland & Co, represented Malone.

She said there was nothing in the Penal Code regarding the arson charge that would prevent a magistrate from considering bail.

“The magistrate does have a right to consider bail,” Ms Moss said.

The attorney stated that Malone did not fail to surrender to police custody.

“There is no evidence she would commit an offence on bail; there is no evidence that she would interfere with witnesses,” Ms Moss said.

“While we understand the seriousness of the matter, there is no carcass,

and my client intends to plead not guilty,” she added.

Ms Moss argued her client is “a fit and proper” person for bail.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ferguson said the court would accept $60,000 cash bail. The attorney said her client could meet bail with sureties, however, Magistrate Ferguson insisted she would only consider cash bail.

Ms Moss then informed the court she intends to make application to the Supreme Court for bail as she would not want Malone remanded in custody in prison under such horrible conditions due to certain circumstances regarding her client.

When asked by the magistrate if there was anything unique about her client, Ms Moss informed the court that Malone was “one month pregnant and a couple of change”.

The magistrate informed Moss she would have to refer her to the Supreme Court for bail and that her client was remanded. The matter was adjourned to May 1 for a preliminary inquiry.

“Has she seen a doctor?” asked Deputy Chief Magistrate Ferguson. Ms Moss indicated that Malone had taken a pregnancy test and is preparing to see a doctor.

She noted her client had been in custody since the incident on February 27.

Magistrate Ferguson said that the court would assist in having the bail hearing expedited given her client’s condition.

JEZREEL Malone appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, PAGE 3

Reckley’s husband ‘forced to retire’ - Davis from page one with the option to start retirement leave at the end of their leave periods.

“The decision is in line with an ongoing strategic restructuring exercise of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and was carried out in accordance with long-standing policies and procedures of the Government of The Bahamas,” said the statement.

“I just received a call,” Mr Davis alleged, “just before the start of this press conference that the Office of the Prime Minister directed the commissioner of police to sever the employment of senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (Clarence) Reckley. That he should take immediate vacation, and at the end of that vacation he should retire.”

Mr Davis continued: “The question we ask, what manner of people are we dealing with, what manner of persons are running this country? Who terminates the services of a senior assistant commissioner of police who has served the police force well?

As far as I’m aware, there are no questions about the merit of services that he provided in his role as a police officer serving this country. He was fired, while Dames still remains.”

Mr Davis was referring to his party’s call for National Security Minister Marvin Dames and

Health Minister Duane Sands to resign over their conduct related to Frank Smith’s bribery case. Mr Smith was acquitted last month.

Yesterday, Mr Reckley did not respond to calls placed up to press time. However, sources close to the matter told The Tribune his impromptu vacation started yesterday.

It was further noted Mr Reckley’s service contract expires in August 2020, marking some 40 years.

The Tribune was told the senior police officer’s accrued vacation time nearly covers the period from now until August 2020.

Yesterday, Mr Davis said the appearance of political victimisation was not lessened whether Mr Reckley was fired or forced into retirement.

“If you tell someone that you need to retire,” he said, “that’s constructive dismissal. However you want to dress it up, they are terminating you.”

Mr Davis continued: “I’m not aware of any complaints about the services provided by the senior assistant commissioner in respect to the carriage of his duties over the many years he’s been a police officer. Just to suddenly, without notice be told that he has to take his vacation, go home and retire afterwards.

“Anyone would understand what is happening there,” he added. “It’s clear that is what it is.”

FORMER Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley pictured when she appeared in court last month.

Police say snatched girl was not assaulted from page one

THE MOTHER and her daughter.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

“We have a fine team of officers,” ACP Fernander said, “Social Services is on board. We have a full team including uniformed officers and detectives.”

The eight-year-old girl was taken from her home in Culmerville sometime after 1am on Sunday, and later found in the area of Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road sometime after 3am. During that time, the man allegedly took the young girl to a home where he touched her and threatened to kill her, her mother told this newspaper.

Residents and loved ones at the home on Sunday said the ordeal evoked the memory of Marco Archer’s abduction and killing in 2011. The matter has also renewed calls for the immediate implementation of the MARCO Alert - named after the slain child.

Yesterday, Opposition Leader Philip Davis and PLP Shadow Minister for National Security Glenys Hanna Martin echoed concerned over the stalled implementation of the alert system.

For her part, Mrs Hanna Martin also expressed concern over an apparent lag or delay in the reporting of child kidnappings by police. She pledged her party’s “full and unqualified” support for heightened police activity and policy

initiatives targeting the “horrific phenomenon” and raising public awareness.

“We believe it is accepted that timely alerts are important and allow for the community to be vigilant and may possibly enhance the chances of protecting children in such circumstances,” she said.

“We strongly urge the minister of national security to prioritise the implementation of the MARCO Alert as it can prove to be an important tool in protecting the wellbeing of children and possibly saving lives.

“It is of grave concern that we may be witnessing a greatly disturbing trend of victimisation of the most vulnerable in our society, our children.”

At his monthly press briefing yesterday, Mr Davis also expressed concern over the conduct of investigations, particularly that the mother was made to pay for medical scans.

When The Tribune visited the home on Monday, the girl’s mother was visibly stressed over her inability to pay for certain scans for her daughter. The scans were requested by doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital, and vital to her case.

The scans ordered by PMH cost around $197, and the mother was able to pay for it from a private donation on Monday afternoon.

Yesterday, Mr Davis said: “It’s an investigation and if it is properly carried out, the state takes up the cost of that investigation. If you call the police and they say listen someone has broken into my home, you don’t pay for the taxi to bring the police officers to your house to investigate whether is that so. That is part of the state’s responsibility in protecting its citizens, which is one of their cardinal responsibility - to secure the safety, both personal and property, of its citizens.”

PAGE 4, Wednesday, March 6, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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A bold vision to be HIV free THIS week has proven a remarkable one for hopes of tackling a scourge for the world – and very much so for our nation.

A second person appears to have been cured of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This is remarkable not least for the fact that it is 12 years since the first person was cured. It has taken that long for researchers to repeat the feat.

Having repeated it once, the hope is now of course that it will be able to be repeated again – and again.

It is too early to say how likely it will be for this success to pave the way for a revolution in the way that we have been attempting to deal with the virus, and how widespread such a treatment might be if it comes to pass – but that’s not stopping The Bahamas from leading the way in its own right.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has set the country’s sights on becoming the first country to be free of HIV by 2030.

It’s a bold challenge – 5,500 people are affected by HIV in The Bahamas, and the first goal is to stop transmission of the virus from one person to another.

The Bahamas has stumbled in one regard in that – the rates of transmission from mother to child – but there is a sense of determination to make up for lost ground in that area, and go beyond to become the leading country in the world in tackling the virus within its population.

“Certainly by 2030 we believe that The Bahamas, if not the first country, will be among the first countries to eliminate HIV as a scourge,” he said.

In that we are sure he will have strong support from the Bahamian community – with campaigners such as the Bahamas AIDS Foundation having taken part in efforts to counter HIV for so long that this year the organisation celebrates its 25th Red Ribbon Ball.

That organisation is at the spear tip of a host of businesses and supporters who have backed their efforts to improve the lives of those affected, and advance education to stop the transmission of the virus.

More than that, too, the organisation works to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with the virus suffer on a daily basis. These are people we should help, not close our doors on.

There’s an old story about two people on a journey when they come across a brick wall seemingly too high to climb.

They took off their caps, and threw them over the wall because then they had no choice but to follow if they were to get their caps again.

Once, the wall that faced campaigners seeking to bring an end to the HIV virus seemed just as high, just as unscaleable. We are delighted to see that, faced with such a barrier, the government has taken off its cap, and hurled it across the barrier.

Local taxes for local needs EDITOR, The Tribune PLEASE let me know if the following analogy is incorrect.

Mr A, a Bahamian citizen, owns and lives in a three-bedroom detached house in a nice subdivision in Nassau for which he pays real property tax. Mr B, also a Bahamian citizen, lives in Abaco and has constructed and lives in a large five-bedroom detached house for which he pays no real property taxes.

Mr A therefore is subsidising Mr B and his property for minor road repairs, garbage collection,

street lighting, etc. I understand the original idea of this was to encourage people to leave New Providence and live in the Family Islands. However, from the analogy above, this seems to have lost its reason and all properties in The Bahamas should be charged. I fully acknowledge that there should be dispensation for the poorer southern islands.

Apart from that, local taxes should be paid to the local authority and used for the purposes indicated.

Please do not tell me that, to institute taxes for the Family Islands would

cause the government to lose seats. If any incoming new government were to abolish the same, it would probably lose all the seats in New Providence anyway.

The same goes for New Providence. Why on earth should the government Ministry of Works responsible for all major works have to fix every single pothole.

This should be done by the local authority which would collect its own taxes to pay for the same.

INTERESTED SPECTATOR Nassau February 14, 2019

The problem is the way we vote now EDITOR, The Tribune ENACT ranked choice voting.

Anyone who endorses democracy and understands our voting process can tell you our system is flawed. The twoparty system is clearly dysfunctional: Party tribalism divides and distracts us, and who wouldn’t want more options in political representation? I doubt anyone is satisfied with what’s currently available at the voting booth.

The problem: The way we vote now, you cast one vote and the candidate with most votes wins. This fails to represent us proportionally and encourages you not to vote for the candidate you think is best, but for the candidate you dislike

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the least who has the best chance of winning. Afraid to “throw away your vote on an unlikely candidate” you are incentivised to choose the lesser of two likely evils.

The solution: Ranked choice voting is an alternative system we can adopt to fix this. By ranking the candidates in order, we aren’t afraid to put the unlikely candidate at the top, because should they lose, our vote goes to the second choice on our list, then third and so on. This incentivises the voter to elect candidates based on ideas and

not on financial resources.

There are several variations of this system that can be introduced to improve our electoral process.

Out of ignorance or opposition to representative democracy, our blatantly flawed election system has continued unchecked.

Hopefully this letter expels that ignorance, or at the very least discredits the excuse. I’m calling on our national leaders to adopt ranked choice voting or publicly rebut these points in their defense of our current system. I hope others join me in a movement for better representation.

In solidarity, SEAN WRINKLE Nassau, March 5, 2019

We need caution on Venezuela policy EDITOR, The Tribune WHAT we are seeing play out in Venezuela today would probably have horrified Dwight Eisenhower.

The last US president to actually command troops in a serious war, General Eisenhower seems to have genuinely abhorred both state-sponsored violence and the western colonising impulse that has spawned most of it in the last two centuries. In Britain he is not remembered fondly. In 1956, he abandoned Anthony Eden to his own imperialist devices (and ultimate humiliation) in the Suez Crisis with Nasser’s Egypt. It was the end of the British Empire to most historians. It was also maybe the last time a US president was on the right side of history on the issue of the right of developing countries to full sovereignty over their own resources.

Eisenhower left office with a warning that the US was increasingly in the grips of a cadre of corporate interests and militaryoriented industries, which in turn held sway over politicians. If left alone, these groups would come to have a life of their own and exist only for their own perpetuity and enrichment, outside the control or even the active knowledge

of the mass of the population. He coined a term to describe them, which is still in use: The MilitaryIndustrial Complex.

Eisenhower’s fateful advice was ignored by his immediate successor, John Kennedy, whose romanticised image is considerably at odds with his historical status as the progenitor of an aggressive era of economic imperialism (beginning with escalations against Cuba and Vietnam) which continues to this day.

“Imperialism” may be a bad word to describe the enduring post-Eisenhower nature of the American corporate state, both because it denotes antiquated and inapplicable notions of pomp and heredity and because it has lost some of its original potency due to overuse and over-politicisation.

But in using it I merely refer to a pattern in which the US government and its allies actively undermine the economy of a selected country with crippling sanctions, use the resulting economic implosion as an excuse to overthrow the government and then help themselves to the resources. The selected countries all have two things in common: resources critical to US corporations and a government

determined to use them on its own population, rather than surrender control of them to those corporations.

In the Middle East, the preferred tactic is a campaign of lies and propaganda (viz. “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq; the allegation that Gaddafi was “about to” massacre an armed rebellion, etc) followed by surgical bombing and tactical alliances with various extremist groups on the ground.

In Latin America, the “west” usually allies itself with a tiny, ultra-wealthy elite (often Miamibased) that has long monopolised the wealth and resources coveted

by US corporations and is eager to get them back with the support of a US congress that is, in turn, deeply corrupted by the power of those same corporations’ money in US politics. Hence the likes of Marco Rubio at the forefront.

Venezuela, under Chavez, had the temerity to use its oil wealth for massive investments in education, healthcare and social spending. It transformed itself from one of the most unequal to (by far) the most equal country in South America and it brought up living standards dramatically. Its government (like most of Europe since 1945) describes itself as ‘socialist’. But in reality it is far

less socialist than France in terms of state ownership of resources and capital.

At any rate, both Chavez and his successor have long been in the crosshairs of US administrations and now, with oil prices manipulated downward with the help of Saudi Arabia (unlike Venezuela, a genuine Human Rights monstrosity), the weakness of the Venezuelan economy makes it ripe for the intervention now playing itself out under the guise of “humanitarian aid”.

In The Bahamas, we have always maintained good relations with the US (notably by having close economic and historic relations with the American people themselves, who are largely impervious to what is taking place, thanks to a frankly mind-tranquillising television news industry) while maintaining a sensible distance from the mischief that the US government creates further afield in the hemisphere. This is one of the few tangible benefits we get from being part of CARICOM, a group that is rightly wary of US “democracy” – promoting initiatives and composed of governments with high marks for good governance, which are not compromised by the Latin American plutocratic model.

Suddenly, however, there has been a shift. Whether with the consent of his boss or not (one never quite knows these days) our neophyte Foreign Minister seems to have signed us up (with Britain and the other usual suspects) to the latest US sponsored regime-change project by recognising an unelected, hand-picked pretender to the Presidency over the recently re-elected Nicolas Maduro.

This move is not only unprincipled (and unnecessary for our continued friendship with the US), but it is at odds with our commitments and obligations to CARICOM. Adding to the confusion, at a subsequent CARICOM meeting, Dr Minnis again repeated our commitment to regional comity on the issue of non-intervention in Venezuela.

It is time for the government of The Bahamas to make clear just how our position of non-intervention in Venezuela squares with our recognition of a US proxy, who is himself calling for another military misadventure against his own country.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau March 3, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, PAGE 5

Maynard on the warpath from page one Wärtsilä Business Development Manager Edmund Phillips stressed on Monday that the company would search locally for the skills needed to construct the plant.

However, both he and Mr Heastie agreed that there was no one at BPL presently skilled in electro-mechanical engineering. They argue that the Wärtsilä engines are different from anything presently at BPL. The assertion angered Mr Maynard and triggered a chilling threat to consumers who dread entering the hot summer months, as load shedding and blackouts are common.

“My main concern is Phillips saying Wärtsilä gonna run this plant,” Mr Maynard said yesterday.

“In which country they gonna run a plant? Not in this country and not as long as I’m union president, you gotta be crazy. That ain’t happening “Let me tell you something, it will be a cold day in hell before Paul Maynard allows Wärtsilä to come in here on a plant we pay $95m for and run it, sending the staff that I represent home.

“When you take people good paying jobs that they have mortgages attached to, school fees and other things attached to that they have their good life going and give it to foreigners in a plant that we pay for, it will be war.

“Capital W, capital A, capital R - war. You will see a lot of dark days in this country because there ain’t no way.”

When his attention was drawn to officials contending there was no electro-mechanical engineer at BPL, Mr Maynard continued: “Don’t get mix up. I don’t want to hear no bull****. How long did it take them to learn it? So what’s with these new engines?”

He was then told that officials said the new engines are four stroke; more complicated than the existing two stroke equipment.

Mr Maynard responded: “I don’t give a **** if they nine strokes, our people can’t learn?

We got dummies in this country?

“Bahamians are people who

UNION president Paul Maynard yesterday threatened “dark days are ahead”. Insert, BPL CEO Whitney Heastie. can go to all kinds of university and be the top of their classes.”

He said Bahamians learned to operate other specialized equipment at BPL and are running the plants “all over this country.”

He added: “Does this have gold and platinum and **** in it that Bahamians can’t run?”

Mr Maynard further insisted that any workers brought in by Wärtsilä will never survive in this country, adding there needed to be clarity on whether the government will be receiving a $95m refund from Shell North America for the additional power generation. The government has signed a deal with Shell for the company to create a liquefied natural gas plant in The Bahamas.

The BEWU president was not the only one to express concern over the deal yesterday.

During his monthly press conference, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the announcement raised many questions.

He said: “We still don’t understand their plans for BPL and there is also a question of the funding for the construction of this plant. That’s another question that will have to be answered.

Where will the funds derive from for the construction of these plants?

“We had a plan for the redevelopment of the plant, the generation aspect of BEC’s overall strategy, that was to introduce the raising of the funds through what we call a rate reduction bond. That mechanism is still in place.

“We don’t know whether they are engaging that mechanism for

WE WANT TO ERADICATE HIV BY 2030 - SANDS from page one

Dr Sands was responding to international reports that a second HIV patient is in remission following a bone-marrow transplant.

Researchers have also expressed optimism that they are closing in on a cure.

He said there were about 5,500 people with HIV, – the virus that causes AIDS – now in The Bahamas.

“As you can imagine,” he said, “this was a landmark revelation, a landmark report. This is the second patient who has been documented to be HIVfree after bone marrow transplantation.

Now understand that getting a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplantation is a big deal.

“These patients had cancer. They would have gotten complete eradication of their immune system and then they would have been transplanted with a particular cell line that was found to be resistant to the receptor that the HIV virus attaches to.

MINISTER of Health, Dr Duane Sands “So even though this is landmark this is certainly not ready for prime time and it is certainly not the approach that we would want to take for everyone suffering with HIV. But I will say that the Bahamas has made a commitment to try to be the first country to eradicate HIV in the world and so we have looked at whether we can once again become the world leader,” he continued.

“The Bahamas was once the world leader in vertical transmission or mother

to child transmission of HIV. We kind of lost some ground.

“We now believe that with modifying our approach to HIV to make sure that everybody is tested (and that they) have access to therapy and that the therapy suppresses the virus.

“Certainly by 2030 we believe that the Bahamas, if not the first country, will certainly be among the first countries to eliminate HIV as a scourge.”

VACCINATIONS GET OFF TO A SLOW START

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 100 people have been given the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in recent weeks, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.

Considering the government’s push to administer about 50,000 vaccinations amid a worldwide measles outbreak, this indicates the effort is off to a slow start.

However, he told reporters yesterday health officials have done much of the leg work to have different groups of people vaccinated.

Dr Sands confirmed on Monday there has been a second case of measles in the country — this time in a 10-year-old tourist.

This child would not be allowed to travel internationally until crusting of the measles lesions has progressed past the infectious point, he said.

This child is the elder brother of the four-year-old who was also confirmed to have measles last month. The four-year-old marked the first confirmed case of measles in the Bahamas in over 20 years and Dr Sands confirmed it February 21.

“We have established the core team (and) we hope to get another almost 50,000 vaccinated,” Dr Sands said yesterday outside Cabinet.

“We have had more than 100 people already inoculated but we have done the leg work to get different groups of people vaccinated.”

Last month, the minister said officials were targeting 7,000 children between one to 15-years-old and 40,800 of people 16-years-old and older.

At the time, he told The Tribune the objective was to increase MMR immunisation coverage in all children 15 years and younger by ensuring two doses of MMR vaccine are administered.

the raising of funds, but I doubt it having regard to what I have seen happening.

“The real question is where will they be getting the funding to construct this plant and so they have to be more accountable and transparent in that relationship.

That would be our concern,” Mr Davis said yesterday.

When Wärtsilä completes installation of the plant, BPL would have ended the expensive practice of rental generators and “drastically” decreased the fuel surcharge on consumer’s monthly bills Mr Heastie has said.

Power generation reliability in New Providence will also be a feature of this new plant.

BPL CEO Whitney Heastie told The Tribune last night in the short-term it would not be possible for Mr Maynard’s men to run

the new equipment being brought in.

“They are not going to be trained in six months, that is not possible,” he said.

“Quite frankly anyone who looks at Clifton Pier today would say we have not done a very good job in training our staff in running two stroke engines, let alone the new four stroke engines we’re buying. It’s like comparing a simple scooter with a high performance car.”

Over a longer period, however, and after extensive training Bahamians will be operating the plant managed by whichever qualified company we chosen.

Mr Heastie said it was vital for the Bahamas’ long-term energy needs that the new engines are operated to the highest standard.

“These assets are going to be part of the Shell project. As our chairman has been at pains to point out BPL is getting out of the power-generating business.

“The new engines will come in and be ready by the end of the summer. When the Shell deal is finalised, at that point Shell will acquire the assets - they won’t be owned by BPL and we won’t be running the generating facility, Shell will. We’ll take equity in the new venture with Shell but they will manage it. This should not be anything new to Mr Maynard.

Should the Shell deal fail to be completed the new Wartsila engines will at least be up and running taking some of the pressure off BPL’s existing capabilities but still leaving it needing another long-term solution, said Mr Heastie.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, March 6, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

‘MAJORITY OF BAHAMIANS BELIEVE IN THE PLP’

By RIEL MAJOR

OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday he thinks the majority of the country believes in the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) brand and that the party is for the people.

When asked if he feels the opposition party has shaken the negative perception which led to the Christie administration’s crushing defeat at the polls in 2017, Mr Davis said ‘yes’.

At the PLP’s monthly press conference, he also said the PLP

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THERE are renewed calls for conch protection measures from environmentalists, including banning the exportation of conch meat and ramping up efforts to tackle the “scourge” of poaching.

Bahamas National Trust (BNT) Director Eric Carey and Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert both spoke to The Tribune yesterday about conch conservation following a recent statement by Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Michael Pintard on preserving marine resources.

On Sunday, Mr Pintard announced plans to reduce conch exports and dramatically increase enforcement with an additional 26 fisheries officers.

While Mr Carey applauded Mr Pintard for these and other measures, he also made additional recommendations for further conservation.

“We’re pleased that the minster is supporting the recommendations … put forward by the (BNT) and its partners,” Mr Carey said yesterday. “We would have liked to have seen the exports cut out immediately —it closes the door and you have an immediate conservation action.

“But … we’re prepared to work with the minister.

And the other measures that he talked about, inclusive of landing conch in the shell is also very important, because that’s really the only way that you can determine its maturity.

“And we hope the minister will move forward with the other recommendations that we have made, which includes increasing the lip thickness…to about 15 millimetres so that we know that we’re harvesting

is now on its way to reshaping, retooling and lifting up the Progressive Liberal Party brand.

He said: “I’m satisfied that majority of the Bahamian people still believe in the PLP brand and I’m satisfied that the majority of Bahamian people still believe that we are the party for the people.”

In the 2017 general election, nearly all of the PLP’s Cabinet ministers and senior members lost their parliamentary seats following a landslide victory for the Free National Movement (FNM).

The PLP only won one

constituency in New Providence: Englerston with the area’s incumbent Glenys Hanna Martin. The only other Cabinet minister who retained a seat for the PLP was Mr Davis in Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay. The crushing defeat of the Christie administration brought an end of the party’s controversial last term in office, which was marred by allegations of corruption, malfeasance, cronyism and inefficiency.

At the press conference yesterday, Mr Davis also addressed

the government’s mid-year budget, stating this is the first time the Official Opposition and other members of the House of Assembly are being denied the opportunity to have a debate on the statement.

Mr Davis said the PLP has some concerns about the planned Prince George Wharf upgrades, regarding the government selecting Global Ports as the winning bidder for the redevelopment and management of the Nassau cruise port.

Mr Davis also expressed disdain

about the state of the Bahamas’ communications sector.

He said: “The PLP has raised the issue of the neglect of the communications network given the rapid increase in demand on the network. The frequent instances given the rapid increase in demand on the network. The frequent instances of crowding and dropped calls are evidence of this. We bemoaned the absence of a cogent communications policy and action plan, but the government has remained silent on this matter.”

Renewed calls to do more to protect conch sexually mature conch.

Also that we would make it illegal for conch to be harvested by compressors.”

Mr Carey also “applauded” Mr Pintard’s comments on poaching by both Dominicans and Americans.

“Because that’s the scourge,” he continued.

“Bahamian fishermen always lament that the conservation groups are targeting them. We’re not necessarily targeting them, we’re targeting all aspects.

“We want the government to continue and step up efforts to bring poaching to an end or certainly get it very much reduced because it doesn’t really matter if we create protected areas or if we put in place other fisheries management initiatives if we do not control the poaching it’s going to be all for naught, it’s not going to be effective.”

On Monday, Mrs McKinney-Lambert reiterated that BREEF is against exporting conch meat and highlighted the value of conch shells.

“In order to protect the livelihoods of Bahamian fishers, fish vendors and support local restaurants, BREEF does not believe that we should be exporting any conch meat from the Bahamas,” she said.

“We would be better served by adding value to the conch that are harvested by encouraging visitors to come to The Bahamas, stay in a Bahamian hotel, take a Bahamian taxi to a Bahamian restaurant.

Especially given that conch populations have declined to the point that they are

MINISTER Michael Pintard has announced plans to reduce conch exports. an endangered species, we need to recognise the value that we derive from keeping our conch in The Bahamas.

“We also need to think more carefully about the value of conch shells and how they can provide alternative sources of income for jewellery, bowls, and art made locally. Shells have traditionally been discarded, but they are valuable as finished products and shouldn’t be wasted.

“Because adult conch populations have dropped in many areas to such low numbers that they are unable to reproduce, it is

also essential that we designate and properly enforce areas of the sea that can be replenishment zones where conch are abundant and can reproduce to replenish fishing grounds. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and the South Berry Islands Marine Reserve are two such replenishment zones that are so important for the future of our conch fishery.”

These remarks came in the wake of the arrest of five Bahamians and three other men over the weekend after they were found fishing in a protected marine preserve

in the Berry Islands with scores of conch on board their vessels.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force apprehended the men on two separate vessels around 10.30am Friday in the area of Whale Cay in the Berry Islands.

They were responding to reports of illegal fishing activity.

Marines discovered a 19-foot skiff with three men onboard, and approximately 50 conch and other fishery products.

The second vessel was found in the same area, a 46-foot

fishing vessel named “Lady Yvonna,” with five Bahamians and approximately 500 conch onboard.

In his statement on Sunday, Mr Pintard noted while poachers – and to a lesser extent some American sports fishers and leisure cruisers – have wreaked havoc on marine resources, Bahamian fishermen have also contributed to threatening stocks by capturing undersized conch and cracking conch on the sea bed.

“We are also actively engaged in stakeholder discussions about the possibility of requiring fishers to make preparation in future to land conch in the shell,” he said. “This appears to be the only way of measuring lip thickness which is an indicator of the maturity of the conch.”

Mr Pintard also said his ministry has decided to “marginally reduce” quotas for conch export this year, adding exports will be “more dramatically reduced” in 2020 and 2021.

In January, it was reported that researchers believe the local conch supply could be wiped out in 10 to 15 years.

The Chicago-based Shedd Aquarium group found from its research on more than 3,000 conchs at 42 survey sites throughout the Bahamas between 2009 and 2017, that not only are the numbers of adult conch decreasing, but the densities of legal-to-harvest queen conch are now far below the established minimum threshold for reproductive success, except in the most remote areas.

WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN COMING TOGETHER

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE $18.7m construction of several wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations in New Providence will be completed by the end of the month, saving the Water & Sewerage Corporation maintenance costs, WSC chairman Adrian Gibson said yesterday.

Island Site Development was given the contract for the works in 2017 through a 2011 Inter-American Development Bank loan as part of a WSC support programme.

Mr Gibson told reporters: “WSC embarked on the development of a long term wastewater master plan to address wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal needs of New Providence as well as the rehabilitation of critical sewerage infrastructure on the island. The long term objective of the master plan is to divide the island into three drainage areas with three regional wastewater treatment plants.

The regional plants will be Airport Industrial Park Plant to service the western drainage area, Gladstone Road Plant for the central area and the Fox Hill plant for the eastern area.”

Small works included rehabilitating ten sewerage pumping stations and concrete works, electro-mechanical works,

installation of standby generators and landscaping works, according to Mr Gibson.

The major works include a new Malcolm Park Main Pump Station, the construction of a pretreatment facility in Fox Hill and the construction of an additional pump station at the Flamingo Garden wastewater treatment plant site “to drain the Flamingo Gardens sub-basin and to pump the wastewater after screening into a deep disposal well on site.”

Regarding the pretreatment facility in Fox Hill, Mr Gibson said: “This facility will act as part of the head works for the proposed tertiary treatment plant to be constructed during the long term phase of the plan.

Ultimately, the FHWWTP will be constructed to treat approximately 5.4 million imperial gallons/day, as projected in the master plan for 2035 to meet stringent effluent quality for irrigational use. The plant is planned to be built in stages, and will eventually receive flows from subdivisions in the eastern area, Malcolm Park and the Pinewood Gardens drainage areas.”

As for a new pump station at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, a new force main will connect the LPIA station to the Airport Industrial Park wastewater treatment plant for full treatment, phasing out the existing LPIA treatment plant, the WSC chairman said.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, PAGE 7

Biker is 12th traffic fatality of the year, ‘running a red light’ from page one male died at some point yesterday morning. Up to press time, the female victim was listed in serious condition.

Police said the male driver of the truck sustained no injures during the crash.

Investigations are ongoing.

In an interview with The Tribune, Assistant Commissioner of Police Leamond Deleveaux, the officer incharge of public safety, urged motorists to exhibit a greater degree of caution and care while traversing the streets.

ACP Deleveaux called the recent run of traffic related deaths “horrifying,” as he implored members of the public to “pay attention” to traffic signals, lights and signs.

“We are out across the country doing all we can to caution drivers and pedestrians as they move about the streets. What we are seeing is a lack of caution and care; and more needs to be done to bring that about,” he said.

“We are asking Bahamians not to text and drive; put down the cell phones and other devices and give your focus to the roads.

Please do not drink and drive; it is extremely dangerous. And for God’s sake, slow down. Nassau is 21 by seven, there is no need to speed,” he added.

ACP Deleveaux said police will continue to “aggressively pursue” those motorists who continue to risk their lives and the of others.

He also raised concerns over the number of drivers operating vehicles without possessing a valid driver’s licence and adequate insurance.

CLARENCE Dean Jr is the 12th traffic fatality of the year, according to police.

“We’re seeing this and this is a problem,” he said.

“I say this and I want to make it clear, it is not permitted and if we find you, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Over the weekend, three people died as a result of

two separate car accidents.

Police said two men were travelling south on Queens Highway, South Andros in a Honda Accord around 6pm on Saturday when the driver lost control and collided into the Bank of the Bahamas building. The two

Five US concerns about crime - and how we can sort it THE US State Department issues annual advisories for countries around the world, which our local media has on their annual calendar as a headline story for years. So let’s kill the story. Not by asking them not to report on it, but by eradicating the cause.

There are five concerns that the US has as it relates to crime. Murders, Armed Robberies, Sexual Assaults, the FISH FRY and Jet Skis.

1. There is no problem when it comes to visitors being murdered. The amount of visitors fatalities over the last 40 years is statistically negligible and while we would wish for no resident or visitor to be fall into that category, it is important that we highlight that the loss of life of a visitor due to murder is statistically nonexistent. Therefore, at the end of the year when we do our year in review lets highlight that.

2. Armed Robberies: Though again statistically insignificant, but traumatic for victims, the police department can easily see where these types of incidents are happening and private security and policing measures (CCTV, regular Patrols, etc) should be put in place to prevent them from being repeated. Visitors should also be advised not to go off the beaten path unless in groups and to take precautions as they would anywhere else.

3. Sexual Assaults: The reports that I have seen indicates that sexual assaults occur (through no fault of the victim) as crimes of opportunity. Women should avoid taking rides from non-licenced public transportation providers; NEVER accept a ride on Jet Ski, and to NEVER go into a hotel room with a stranger whether it is a resident or visitor. STRANGER DANGER is the protocol that should be employed.

It would also be advisable to have all rapes be dealt with by a specially trained unit, so that sensitivity to the victim is exercised diligently 4. Jet Skis: This industry is simply not being controlled as it should and can be.

All this is required is the following; both as it relates to safety and the ELIMINATION of sexual assault. There are two major areas where Jet Ski Operators ply their services.

Paradise Island and Cable Beach. The Port Department, Marine Police and/or the Royal Bahamas Defence Force should have the following protocol in place. a. Buoys are placed in sight of the shore at both locations, restricting where visitors can venture on watercraft. b. At each of the locations mentioned, Law enforcement should be stationed and

By ED FIELDS Managing Director Downtown Nassau Partnership have jet skis that can be deployed to bring back anyone that goes outside the buoys, unless it is the operator himself. Operators can be made to wear a specially issued life vest. Allowing anyone else to wear the vest would warrant revocation of his or her operator’s licence. c. No operator is to leave the buoyed area with a passenger unless it is another operator. No guest can EVER leave the area with the operator. If this is breached the operator’s licence would be revoked.

Not only would this protocol work to reduce to zero instances of sexual assault, but also it would indicate to the U.S. that we are serious about solving the problem.

To date we can’t say that we have made the effort or to be consistent with the effort.

Any attempt to dispel the financial viability of these measures should be measured against what we stand to lose by not taking them.

men died on the scene.

Meanwhile a pedestrian believed to be in his 40s was stuck and killed in the area of Tonique Williams Darling Highway around 9pm last Friday.

These incidents came after the death of Bernard

Saunders, 17, who was in the rear seat of a car when he was killed after the driver lost control around 3am on Frank Watson Boulevard on Thursday, February 28.

Three others were taken to hospital and were said to

be in serious but stable condition at last report.

And a woman was killed on Monday, February 25 in a hit-and-run accident on Sea Link Drive off East Street South.

A man was also injured at the time.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, March 6, 2019

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is on Friday, and this year’s theme is Balance for Better. The theme is broad enough to capture any number of issues, from equality in the workplace to legal reform. I was thinking about several issues that need our attention — specific to women and girls — when I read about the eight-year-old girl who was taken from her home and reportedly sexually assaulted. This is horrifying on its own and, when put in the context of a country that reeled and demanded change almost eight years ago after the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer, it is more than infuriating.

When viewed alongside the commentary shifting blame from the perpetrator, it is evidence of the attitudes and ways of thinking that keep us here.

The Tribune reported the girl was taken from her home after 1am on Sunday by a man. He took her to a house where he reportedly sexually assaulted her.

Other reports say, following the assault, the girl was told to close her eyes and walk. She was in the area of Woodlawn Gardens when a passerby saw her and took her to the police station.

According to reports, two of the children in the home opened the door when the man called the name of someone living there. It was also said a man fitting the description given by the girl was seen lurking in the area on Saturday.

What is the first thing that came to your mind when you found out about this?

I first thought of the violation the child endured and the trauma she will carry with her, and the trauma her family has experienced and will live with for a long time. I ran through a list of resources I know of that she and her family can access, the inadequacy of many of them and the lack of support many service providers receive. I thought of Marco Archer and wondered what

THE TRIBUNE

Why is it an assaulted child’s mother must share the blame for her ordeal? we really learned from the tragic loss of his life. Are we doing anything better, or even differently? Have we pushed hard enough for an alert system? Have we learned that perpetrators always find ways to violate people and being distracted by the imperfection of others does not address the issue?

Every time something like this happens, public discussion leads me to question our capacity, as a people, to care. Are we capable of more empathy than we display? Do people choose to compete in the cruelty olympics, or do they not realise that is what they are doing? I have seen one post after another with commenters asking questions that lead to one answer — the mother is guilty. That is the conclusion they have drawn and they want others to agree, so they ask leading questions.

What children doing up so late? How they get to the door? How many children she have? Why does she have so many children? The oldest daughter knows the man? People just in and out of that house at all hours?

These questions only serve one purpose. They are asked in order to put the focus on the mother.

It may not be intended, but this a distraction from

issues we desperately need to address. Children are being taken from their homes. Children are being sexually assaulted. We do not have systems to adequately respond to this.

When children are reported missing and it is publicised, members of the public often ignore it, assuming the child is “bad”. Far too many people are more likely to lecture and boast about their methods of protecting themselves than to empathize with those who have been violated and demand better systems.

When people are violated, they do not need a list of things they did wrong or could have done better.

They do not need to be blamed for what they experienced. They need support from systems, organisations and individuals. This includes law enforcement, social services, counsellors, and media users.

We are all expected, to some extent, to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our property. We are supposed to wear seat belts, lock our doors, hide valuables, change our passwords regularly and countless other things. For women, the list is even more exhausting and it is limitless as it requires constant adherence and significantly

THE MOTHER of the victim who was abducted on Sunday morning.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff reduces freedom. We are told to avoid certain areas, refrain from travelling alone at night, always be prepared to make a quick escape, be know how to make a weapon of an ordinary item and be as close to invisible as possible when in public spaces.

Parents have double duty, and it is triple duty for mothers. They have to protect themselves, their loved ones, their property and teach their children safety rules and how to protect themselves. We all know children do not always listen and their behaviour does not always reflect instruction. Parents have to constantly check to make sure their children are following the rules, learning the lessons and practicing what they have been taught.

If they miss a single thing and they are harmed, the family will suffer more than the event itself. It will not (only) result in the public being angry with the perpetrator, but enraged about parents they see as negligent or unfit.

It is easy to judge the mother in this situation.

People question the children being awake at 1am.

They question the children opening the door. The circumstances surrounding this incident are being used to characterise the household. We do not know the routine in that household, but based on what was shared in report, many have painted their own pictures.

They have decided there are no rules in the house, the children are always up at all hours and people are in and out all the time.

These assumptions do not have to be true, no matter how plausible they may seem given the limited information we have about one night. Whether or not they are true, it is clear too many people are more committed to being judgmental and launching rebuke than they are to pushing for the legal reform and policy changes we need.

We need to resist the urge to blame the nearest woman — especially mothers — for anything that goes wrong. There has to be a way for neighbours to engage one another and raise the alarm when they

see a non-resident watching the area. Technology allows us to share information quickly, easily and widely and police should be able to issue alerts as soon as an abduction is reported.

Survivors should be able to access medical services and have any necessary testing done, whether or not they can afford to pay for it. We should be outraged about sexual violence, supportive of survivors and focused on making necessary changes to the way we respond to reports — including law enforcement and prosecution processes — and developing prevention techniques and programmes that address the problem.

Parents have responsibilities and individuals are expected to have their safety in mind at all times, but this does not shift the blame for violations away from the perpetrators themselves. Sexual violence is already under-reported.

If you contribute to the silence by victim-shaming, you will have to, in all your self-righteousness, blame yourself too.

THE TRIBUNE

GENEVA Associated Press FOR years, there have been lots of electric cars proudly rolled out at auto shows but few on the streets or at dealers. That could be about to change.

The electric cars under the lights at the Geneva International Motor Show promise to be the leading edge of more affordable, longer-range vehicles that start to move battery cars out of their niche — as a product for environmentalists willing to put up with limited range and wealthy enthusiasts of new technology willing to pay for buzz and the robust but silent acceleration the cars offer.

Several broad underlying trends are converging to increase the likelihood that larger numbers of battery cars will be on the roads in the next several years.

Prices are falling for batteries, consumers are turning away from diesel engines after Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, and governments in Europe and China are enforcing tougher emissions rules.

As more electric cars roll off assembly lines, the trick will be getting more people to buy them. A key factor will be price — of the battery to the manufacturer, and consequently of the car to the customer.

Volvo Car Group’s Polestar 2 and Peugeot’s new electric 208 compact are electric offerings aimed at bringing battery-powered cars within reach of more people. The Polestar 2 launch version, expected in 2020, starts at $55,500 after the $7,500 US tax incentive; the Europe price starts at 59,000 euros. A less expensive model is envisioned after the first year. Polestar says the model is aimed at the same potential customers as

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, PAGE 9

After years of promise, electric cars about to go mainstream VISITORS look at the “Piech Mark Zero” electric car during the press day at the “89th Geneva International Motor Show” in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

Photo: Martial Trezzini/AP

the Model 3 electric compact from California carmaker Tesla.

Tesla said last week it will close many of its stores and move to online sales only so it can cut costs and reach its goal of selling the Model 3 for $35,000. Before the announcement the lowest price was $42,900.

Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath says the takeoff for e-cars “is something that’s pretty close”.

“You need a decent offer of a premium electric car that makes it accessible,”

he said. “There are a lot of brands pitching into the region above 80,000 euros ($90,600), so the offer there is getting broader, but below, in the area between 40,000 and 60,000 euros, it’s still relatively limited and I think Polestar coming in there will help accelerate things.”

And then there’s Volkswagen. The world’s largest car maker, which sold 10.83 million cars last year across 12 brands including Audi and Porsche, is refitting its plant in Zwickau, Germany, to produce electric vehicles, the

first of eight battery vehicle plants worldwide. Zwickau is to produce 100,000 ID model vehicles next year on what the company says will be a carbon-neutral basis, boosting Volkswagen’s output of electric earlier models to 150,000. Overall, the division aims to sell a million electric cars a year, or about a fifth of the Volkswagen brand’s sales, by 2025.

“We want to bring electrification to a breakthrough,” the Volkswagen brand’s chief operating officer, Ralf

Brandstaetter, told The Associated Press.

He said the company can do that through efficient, large-scale production. The ID compact heads into production in November and should go on sale in spring 2020, with a base model available for under 30,000 euros ($34,000).

The company is spending 11 billion euros on new technology through 2023, the bulk of that on developing electric cars.

“This is Volkswagen’s typical DNA,” Brandstaetter said. “Making cars for millions, not e-mobility for millionaires.”

According to Mark C Newman, managing director and senior analyst at research firm Bernstein, falling battery prices are bringing the day closer when electric cars become as cheap as gasoline and diesel models.

The estimate for 2018 battery pack prices is below $130 per kilowatt hour for the most efficient manufacturers. That is down from $1,000 per kilowatt hour in 2010, and closing in on the $120 per kwh level that the International Energy Agency estimates will make a compact battery car cheaper to own and operate than its internal combustion cousins at Europe’s high gasoline prices.

Bernstein foresees cost parity by 2022-23 and estimates that global market share of battery and hybrid cars will rise to between 9.6 percent and 17.7 percent by 2025. Last year it was 2.1 percent.

Regulation is playing a key role.

European carmakers will need a growing share of zero local emission vehicles to meeting European Union requirements for lower emissions of carbon dioxide by 2021, and even lower emissions thresholds in 2025 and 2030.

PETS GET HIGH-TECH HELP IN THE EVENT THEY GET LOST ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Associated Press ANCHORAGE pet licenses can now come with digital codes aimed at more rapidly reuniting lost pets with owners and freeing up shelter space, officials say.

The Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center started offering digital pet licenses this year. A Washington state-based company called Pethub produces the tags, which come with a digital quick response code, or QR code.

Scanning the tag with a smartphone pulls up a webpage with a profile for the pet, which can include multiple contact numbers, health information and eating preferences.

Shelter communications director Laura Atwood’s husky, Whisper, has a digital tag and a page. The page lists five phone numbers, along with Whisper’s birthday, his microchip ID and a physical description that includes a notch missing from his tongue.

“He is not food motivated so coaxing him with food may not work unless

WHISPER, a dog owned by Laura Atwood, shows off his new QR-coded license tag at the Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center. The new tags can help expedite reunions of lost dogs with their families. it’s real chicken or turkey,” would also get a text tellthe page says. “Or pizza.” ing her that the code was If Whisper got lost, his scanned. finder could send a GPS The tag comes with a location through the page, red sticker with activation Atwood said.

Atwood instructions. In one recent

case, someone found a lost dog with a digital license that hadn’t yet been activated. The dog ended up staying briefly at the shelter until its family picked it up, according to a post about the incident on the Animal Care and Control Facebook page.

Activating the tag falls to pet owners, not the animal shelter, so the owner can decide what information to provide to the call center, Atwood said.

The tags are the latest example of Anchorage city government tapping into QR code technology.

At the Anchorage cemetery, families have the option of paying $150 for a QR code to accompany the gravesite of a loved one.

The codes are mounted on the columbarium wall. A smartphone scan launches a memorial website.

About a dozen families have purchased the codes since the programme began a few years ago, said cemetery director Rob Jones.

The cemetery has also purchased a code to be placed near the whale bones that mark the graves

of a whaling captain and his wife, Jones said. He said it would be a way to tell the story of the whale bones, which mark the center of the city cemetery.

In the case of the city animal shelter’s foray into digitizing, Atwood said she learned about the digital pet licenses at a conference in 2018.

“It’s just truly a way to help reunite lost dogs more quick with their owners, and without the animal having to come through the shelter,” Atwood said.

Anchorage resident Cynthia White says the digital licenses are a good way to use new technology and make it easier for people to track down lost pets.

But White also urged pet owners and animal shelter staff to update microchip data, which she said is often out-of-date.

“So many dogs get lost who do not have a collar on,” White said.

Atwood also said the new licenses do not take the place of microchips.

She said the tags are meant to be an additional tool to help pet owners.

• THE electric Jaguar I-Pace won the Car of the Year award in Europe on Monday, the first time the storied British brand has been bestowed the prize just as Brexit looms over the continent’s auto industry.

The small SUV with coupe lines edged out the Alpine A110 sports car, which is not a mass production vehicle, after they tied for top honours in a first round of voting by dozens of automotive journalists. The Jaguar won a runoff.

Jaguar design director Ian Callum said the automaker, now owned by India’s Tata Motors, sees electric as the future. He touted the new platform for the I-Pace and said the car showed how Jaguar can innovate.

The award established in 1964 marks the unofficial start of the Geneva auto show. The prize, which can propel sales, is organised by seven European magazines and awarded by 60 journalists from nearly two dozen countries.

“I think jury members are quite excited about having a luxury SUV, electric vehicle with a sporty look,” said jury president Frank Janssen of the German weekly Stern.

“It’s the first electric vehicle from a European premium manufacturer that can take up with Tesla.”

The five other finalists were the Citroen C5 Aircross, Ford Focus, Kia Ceed, MercedesBenz A-class and Peugeot 508.

The finalists were winnowed down from an initial list of 60 models, and road tests began in October. Final tests were two weeks ago at a test center outside Paris.

• A SLEEK new American-built capsule with just a test dummy aboard docked smoothly with the International Space Station on Sunday, bringing the US a big step closer to getting back in the business of launching astronauts.

The white, bullet-shaped Dragon capsule, developed

by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company under contract to NASA, closed in on the orbiting station nearly 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean and, flying autonomously, linked up on its own, without the help of the robotic arm normally used to guide spacecraft into position.

Dragon’s arrival marked the first time in eight years that an American-made spacecraft capable of carrying humans has flown to the space station.

If this six-day test flight goes well, a Dragon capsule could take two NASA astronauts to the orbiting outpost this summer.

“A new generation of space flight starts now with the arrival of @SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to the @Space_Station,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted.

“Congratulations to all for this historic achievement getting us closer to flying American Astronauts on American rockets.”

Ever since NASA retired the space shuttle in 2011, the US has been hitching rides to and from the space station aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, March 6, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR SOLDIERS INDIAN nationals in The Bahamas came together for a candlelight vigil on February 23, 2019 to remember the death of 42 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers who

died on February 14 in Pulwama, Kashmir, India. About 80 residents gathered at Little Blair Park in New Providence at the event officiated by Deepak Bhatnagar.

INQUEST HEARS HOW ANGRY MOB SURROUNDED POLICE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER police sergeant testified yesterday how an angry mob of Bain Town residents attempted to swarm him and his partner after the latter shot and killed a teenager in that community almost 10 years ago.

Trevor Greene said an unruly crowd of some 30 to 40 people, mostly young men, converged on him and Corporal Ricardo Rolle moments after 19-yearold Bradley Newbold was killed in November 2010.

So menacing was the crowd of people, Mr Greene said he was forced to grab the black, Kel-Tec 9mm Luger pistol Newbold was carrying and tell Cpl Rolle they would have to stand back-to-back to protect each other.

Mr Greene said rather than secure the area, both he and Cpl Rolle were forced to leave Newbold’s body because the angry crowd continued to swell in size and press in on them both. He said when police assistance arrived, “everything got out of control” and he and Cpl Rolle left the area.

“It was no longer safe to

be there,” the former senior officer said.

The testimony came during an inquest before Coroner Jeanine WeechGomez concerning Newbold’s death at Cpl Rolle’s hands on November 20, 2010.

According to Forensic Pathologist Dr Caryn Sands, Newbold died of two gunshot wounds to the torso. According to press reports at the time, Newbold’s death sparked utter chaos and anarchy in the Bain Town community.

Police officers and their vehicles were said to have been stoned by members of the angry mob and at least one car was set ablaze.

Even news reporters covering the riot were harassed by the angry mob.

So chaotic was the incident that former Member of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town Dr Bernard Nottage subsequently called for an independent public inquiry into Newbold’s death. At the time, Dr Nottage, now deceased, said referring it to the Coroner’s Court was “not good enough,” nor was even an internal police inquiry.

Taking the witness stand yesterday, Mr Greene said sometime around 12.10pm

on the date in question, he and Cpl Rolle were on foot patrol in plainclothes in the Bain Town area. At that time, they were walking west on King Street, approaching Hospital Lane.

Cpl Rolle pointed out three men sitting on a wall on the western side of Hospital Lane.

Mr Greene said he and his former partner approached the men and identified themselves as police officers, and told them that they were going to be searched for firearms or drugs. After doing so, Mr Greene said he stood back, with his right hand on his waist, as Cpl Rolle conducted the search.

Mr Greene said one of the men, wearing blue jeans and a light-coloured shirt, glanced at his police badge, turned around, jumped the wall and ran.

Mr Greene said Cpl Rolle jumped the wall and gave chase, and he followed. Mr Greene said when he got to the back of the house, and as he turned the corner, he saw the young man clutch his waist, then extend his hand from his waist in Cpl Rolle’s direction. Mr Greene said when the man’s hand was almost fully outstretched was when he noticed a black pistol.

Mr Greene said after seeing Cpl Rolle headed directly towards the pistol, he then drew his service revolver because he feared that his former comrade would have been shot. At that point, Mr Greene said he heard Cpl Rolle say “drop it” to the suspect. Mr Greene said fearing for his own life, he aimed his service revolver towards the suspect.

At that point, the former officer said he heard a single shot. Fearing that Cpl Rolle had been hit, Mr Greene said he ran even faster towards the other officer. While doing so, he said he noticed that the suspect’s weapon had dropped on the ground. However, he said the suspect stopped running, picked up the pistol, and then continued running.

Mr Greene said the suspect again pointed the pistol towards him and Cpl Rolle.

According to Mr Greene, he was running behind his former colleague and the suspect the entire time. He said Cpl Rolle ordered the man to drop the weapon a second time, but the suspect instead continued to point the weapon in their direction.

Then, Mr Greene said he heard a second shot. A few seconds later, he said he saw Cpl Rolle fall on top of the suspect while on top of a cesspit.

Mr Green said the entire chase lasted between 20 to 30 seconds, and certainly no more than a minute.

He said as he caught up to Cpl Rolle and the suspect, he noticed that the suspect’s gun had dropped on the cesspit next to his right hand. Mr Greene said because he didn’t think Cpl Rolle saw where the gun dropped, and fearing that the suspect might have retrieved the gun again and shot Cpl Rolle, he ran as fast as he could to reach them.

Mr Greene said when he managed to catch up with them, he grabbed onto the back of Cpl Rolle’s thigh to aid him in slowing down, and whilst training his

service revolver on the suspect, slid to a stop, released his grip on Cpl Rolle’s pants and latched onto the suspect’s right arm to prevent him from grabbing the gun lying next to him.

Mr Greene said he subsequently knocked the gun away from the suspect’s arm.

Mr Green said at that point, he noticed that the suspect’s breathing was “laboured”. He said Cpl Rolle indicated that he was okay, and so he holstered his service revolver and contacted police control room. He said he told police control room what had happened and requested both EMS and police assistance.

He said he also transmitted the serial number of the suspect’s pistol to his colleagues.

Mr Greene said while he and Cpl Rolle waited for EMS personnel and police backup to arrive, and while looking around, an irate group of some 30 to 40 people, mostly young men, came from “every direction” shouting and cursing.

Fearing that he and Cpl Rolle would be mobbed or run over, and not knowing if those people were armed with knives or guns, he grabbed the suspect’s gun and told Cpl Rolle that they would have to stand back-to-back.

Mr Greene said as the crowd continued to thicken and advance towards them, he told Cpl Rolle that they would have to move from the suspect’s body. He said he then slipped the gun to Cpl Rolle discreetly and told him to put it in his pocket to secure it.

Mr Green said he did so

because in the event they were shot at, Cpl Rolle, being the fastest, would have been able to escape with the weapon.

Mr Green said about 15 to 20 minutes later, an ambulance and police assistance arrived. But by that time, he and Cpl Rolle had already moved from the suspect who was being “crowded by just about everybody who was around there.”

Mr Green said Cpl Rolle handed the gun the suspect was wielding to another officer before “everything else got out of control” and he and Cpl Rolle left the scene.

Meanwhile, Newbold’s aunt, Tamara Seymour, said the last conversation she had with Newbold was her scolding him the day before he died for not removing some shingles off the floor of a residence in Sunshine Park where he stayed. At the time, she said Newbold, a former employee at Milo B Butler & Sons Wholesale, was in “perfect health”.

She broke down and cried loudly in court when shown a picture of the deceased in court for identification purposes, causing the coroner to take a five minute recess and a family member to console her while in the witness box.

According to Ms Seymour, Newbold’s parents died when he was young; his mother died when he was seven years old and his father when he was only three. As a result, she said she served as a motherfigure to him and his two younger siblings.

“When he died, a part of me died,” she said.

The hearing continues.

THE TRIBUNE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A MAN is to continue serving his 35-year sentence for murdering his 81-yearold mother four years ago, then recording a video and taking pictures of her bedroom floor instead of immediately calling for help.

The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Jerome Butler’s appeal of his conviction and sentence for beating and choking Princess Butler to death in a home they shared in Highbury Park in February 2015.

According to the ruling, on February 3, 2015, Mrs Butler’s daughter Faith Butler-Cleare dropped her mother home from choir practice around 8pm. At that time, Mrs ButlerCleare did not see any injuries on her mother, who she knew to be in good health.

Butler also saw his mother around 11.30 that same night before he retired to bed after securing the house he and his mother shared on Petersfield Road. He also said his mother appeared to be in good health at the time.

Around 6.30am the following day, Butler wakened and went into his mother’s bedroom, where he said he saw her on the floor with no signs of life or any obvious signs of injuries.

Butler did not call for help. Instead, he made a video and took photographs of his mother in the state she was in on the floor.

Then he called his brother, who the appellate judges said was “slightly incapacitated” by being deaf, to see their mother. His brother lived next door.

It was only after Butler called his brother - and they both cried over their mother’s condition - that Butler called Mrs Butler-Cleare to inform her of their mother’s condition.

Butler never called police for help, according to the ruling. Instead medical help was sought only after Mrs Butler-Cleare arrived at the house. And it was after the ambulance had

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, PAGE 11

Son who beat mother, 81, to death loses appeal JEROME BUTLER arrived and EMS personnel pronounced Mrs Butler dead that Dr Austin Davis, a physician and family friend, was called.

Dr Davis signed a death certificate stating she had died of natural causes.

However, an autopsy was performed and it was revealed Mrs Butler did not die of natural causes, but due to “probable asphyxia”.

Forensic pathologist Dr Caryn Sands, in giving evidence at the trial, said Mrs Butler suffered significant injuries to her neck consistent with force being applied by the hands of another person.

The post mortem report noted Mrs Butler also suffered blunt force trauma to the head and neck inclusive of multiple contusions and abrasions to her face. She also suffered a laceration of the mouth, and bleeding on her skull and over her brain, all of which occurred

on or around the time she died and may have contributed to her death.

Butler stated that on the date in question, all of the doors were locked, none of the burglar bars had been tampered with and nobody else was in the house. His brother, who lived at the back of the property, did not have a key to the house, but would gain entry whenever someone opened the door for him.

Butler was consequently charged with the murder of his mother, pictured right, and stood trial for seven days before Justice Indra Charles.

After three hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously found him guilty of his mother’s murder.

He was consequently sentenced to 35 years in prison, which was reduced to 33 years to reflect the time he spent awaiting trial.

Butler appealed his conviction and sentence, chiefly on the grounds that there was no certainty as to his mother’s cause of death and that Dr Sands could not say that unlawful harm was used.

Butler further asserted that the Crown produced no evidence to show he used unlawful harm on his

mother, which would have caused her death. He further claimed that Dr Sands’ use of the word “probable” suggested she was uncertain about whether Mrs Butler in fact died from asphyxiation.

However, the appellate tribunal of Justices Stella Crane-Scott, Roy Jones and Sir Michael Barnett noted Dr Sands’ evidence that Mrs Butler sustained blunt force trauma to the neck suggesting the application of “unlawful force”, which the doctor said was one of the reasons “pointing to asphyxia as a cause of death.”

The appellate judges said that fact, combined with the fact that Butler was the only other person in the house with Mrs Butler who could have caused such an injury was a “sufficient basis” for Justice Charles to “decline to stop the case and sent it to the jury for a determination” of Butler’s guilt or innocence.

“Having regard to the nature of the evidence I have no doubt as to the safety of the conviction,” Sir Michael said with the agreement of his fellow justices. “A not-guilty verdict would have been perverse.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Migration overwhelming agencies WASHINGTON Associated Press THE number of migrant families crossing the southwest border is again breaking records, and the crush is overwhelming border agents and straining facilities, officials said yesterday.

More than 76,000 migrants crossed the US-Mexico border last month, more than double the number from the same period last year. Most were families coming in ever-increasingly large groups — there were 70 groups of more than 100 people in the past few months, and they cross illegally in extremely rural locations with few

agents and staff. There were only 13 large groups during the previous budget year, and only two the year before.

The system “is well beyond capacity, and remains at the breaking point,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said.

The new figures reflect the difficulties President Donald Trump has faced as he tries to cut down on illegal immigration, his signature issue. But it could also help him make the case that there truly is a national emergency at the border — albeit one built around humanitarian crises and not necessarily border security.

The Senate is expected to vote next week and join the House in rejecting his national emergency declaration aimed at building border walls, but Trump would almost certainly veto the measure and the issue is likely to be settled in the courts.

After the deaths of two migrant children in Border Patrol custody, Customs and Border Protection stepped up medical screenings.

They also announced sweeping changes including more rigorous interviews as migrants come into the system.

And McAleenan said a new processing center would be built in El Paso, Texas, that will be

better suited to manage families and children and handle medical care concerns — but it’s not a permanent solution.

“While our enhanced medical efforts will assist in managing the increased flows, the fact is that these solutions are temporary and this solution is not sustainable,” he said.

While fewer people overall are being apprehended crossing the border illegally each year — about 400,000 over the last budget year compared with the high of 1.6 million in 2000, the increasing numbers are alarming, officials said. Those apprehended used to be mostly single men from

Mexico, but are now mostly families from Central America — since October, more than 130,000 families have been apprehended between ports of entry. From October through September 2018, about the same number of families was apprehended at the US-Mexico border.

Customs and Border Protection also reported using firearms less and less. There were 15 instances where officers and agents used firearms during the budget year 2018, down from a high of 55 reported during the 2012 budget year, and down from 17 during 2017’s budget year and 25 the year before.

CHANEL RUNWAY IN THE SKY: VIPS WEEP AT LAGERFELD’S LAST SHOW TEEN DEFIES

MOTHER AND IS VACCINATED WASHINGTON Associated Press

IT WAS Karl Lagerfeld’s final curtain — even though he wasn’t there. He died last month and did not want a public funeral so, yesterday, guests wept as his final collection for the Parisian house, co-designed by new artistic director Virginie Viard, was presented at Paris’ Grand Palais amid a cinematographic set: a mountain village covered in peaceful snow high above the clouds.

AN OHIO teen defied his mother’s anti-vaccine beliefs and started getting his shots when he turned 18 - and told Congress yesterday that it’s crucial to counter fraudulent claims on social media that scare parents. Ethan Lindenberger, pictured, said his mother’s “love, affection and care is apparent,” but that she was steeped in online conspiracies that make him and his siblings vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases like the ongoing measles outbreaks.

“I grew up under my mother’s beliefs that vaccines are dangerous,” Lindenberger told a Senate health committee. He’d show her scientific studies but said she instead turned to illegitimate sources that “instill fear into the public.”