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VOLUME:116 No.54, MARCH 12TH, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: MAKING MILLENNIALS READY FOR REAL WORLD

Lucayan staff demand bigger payoffs - but told... PM LEADS TRIBUTES AS PRESTON MOSS DIES

THERE’S NO MORE MONEY. THAT’S IT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Lucayan managers were yesterday warned “there’s no more money” after they rejected the government’s $3.1m payout offer and took their grievances to industrial tribunal.

Michael Scott, chairman of the government-owned vehicle that owns the resort, told Tribune Business that its board and the government had no option but “to draw a line in the sand” to protect the financial interests of Bahamian taxpayer.

Disclosing that the government and the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association (BHMA), which represents the resort’s 114 managers, were still $2.4m apart on their valuations of the voluntary separation

packages (VSEPs) that should be offered to those wanting to leave, Mr Scott suggested the Grand Lucayan board would now seek to cut Obie Ferguson, chief negotiator for the BHMA, out of the discussions.

He indicated that it would deal directly with the 90 managers wanting to leave if the terms were right, with the board and government adopting a “take it or leave it” position.

Mr Scott described the worker payouts as a distraction from the board’s main work, which is to focus on selling the Grand Lucayan to the buyer best able to transform the resort and into a true destination, thereby reviving Freeport’s and the wider Grand Bahama tourism product.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

OFFICIAL Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday criticised the closed-door signing between the government and Disney Island Development Ltd for a multi-million dollar project in Eleuthera, adding it appeared to be shrouded in secrecy.

The Heads of Agreement was signed in private on Thursday at the

Cabinet office, but was not announced until days later.

“Hard on the heels of the fake and phoney Oban deal, the prime minister sat in secret and signed the Disney deal,” Mr Davis said.

“No cameras or outsiders were allowed save for the government’s minders and mouthpieces. The public found out by a release from the Bahamas Information Services. The PLP would never have gotten away with this and never tried to.”

SEE PAGE SIX

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis led tributes yesterday to Monsignor Preston Moss, a long-serving religious leader who died yesterday at 79 after battling cancer.

Monsignor Moss served as Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau, retiring as pastor of St Anselm Parish in Fox Hill in 2016 after years of service. He was among the first crop of recipients of the Bahamian National Honors, honoured alongside Rev Dr J Emmette Weir under the rank of Officer.

“His half a century of ministry coincided with our national development as a sovereign Bahamas,” Dr Minnis said in a press statement.

SEE PAGE FIVE

VISA SCAM ‘MR FIXIT’ JAILED FOR FIVE MONTHS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DAVIS ASKS - WHY DISNEY SECRECY?

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

LENNY - STRAIGHT FROM HIS HEART

LENNY Kravitz has credited the culture of The Bahamas as the inspiration behind much of his career success.

Full story - Page 2

THE MR Fix-It at the centre of a US visa scam involving The Bahamas Immigration Department has been jailed for five months by a federal court.

Edward Israel Santil pleaded guilty to one count of encouraging and including an alien to come to the United States for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain. He was convicted last year after an explosive FBI undercover operation into US visa fraud in The Bahamas that spanned two years.

US Attorney Jessie Liu accused Saintil of operating a “one-stop shop for immigration fraud”.

SEE PAGE THREE

SEAHORSE SIGHTING BRINGS A LITTLE HOPE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE sighting of a juvenile seahorse in North Bimini Bay following the ending of dredging within the mangroves has excited environmentalists.

Save The Bays chairman Joseph Darville said the juvenile seahorse indicated the possible presence of adults in the area and a likely comeback for the area. He lamented

SIGHTING: a seahorse Biminites have not seen “a single shrimp” on the ocean side since habitats were “dreadfully destroyed”.

“Our sincere prayer is that any further incursion into the bay area or into the mangroves, where 80 percent of marine species spawn and mature, has come to an end,” Mr Darville wrote.

“If not the rule of conscience, at least the historic evidence of wanton destruction of Mother Earth in North Bimini and the simultaneous disappearance of sea life should give

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SIX

FACE-TO-FACE WOMEN WHO ALL MADE THEIR MARK

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Lenny tells how this country gave birth to his sense of freedom

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net GRAMMY-winning artist Lenny Kravitz has credited the country’s essence and culture as the inspiration behind much of his career success.

He spoke fondly of The Bahamas during a recent AOL.com interview, and credited the archipelagic nation as the muse behind his 1998 mega-hit “Fly Away”.

The track, which is now featured prominently in an ‘Islands of The Bahamas’ tourism campaign, was created as an ode to childhood memories, Mr Kravitz said.

“All I can say it all comes from the heart,” he told AOL’s Gibson Johns. “It’s all real, and it’s all felt.

People can identify with it, because it’s a song about escaping and going to this other world - this other place where things are different.”

A descendent of The Bahamas, Mr Kravitz said his many visits as child gave birth to his sense of freedom and self-expression, adding that his summers and winters in The Bahamas gave way to this “whole other world”. “… I didn’t know anything like that existed… let alone that it was my heritage,” he said when asked directly about his connections to The Bahamas.

Recalling more of his

childhood memories, Mr Kravitz reminisced about the time he spent a his cousin’s house in Nassau where he said his entire family would gather, cook and share meals; play music and dance.

“Bahamian know how to have a good time,” he said.

“It’s simple fun.”

This reality, he said, has endured throughout his career, with the islands of The Bahamas providing “a place where I can decompress and start to feel myself again [after working].”

Mr Kravitz said The Bahamas has always been a source of pride and respect for him, noting the stark contrast between the concrete jungle mantra of New York and the “the freedom to go run out in nature” vibe offered by the islands.

This factor, he credited to the hospitality and truenature of Bahamians.

When asked to elaborate, the celebrated musician said: “I have that same thing. In a family that hospitality and having the house be open was always happening, there was always food and room for somebody who didn’t have.

Always.”

“The door was always open at my grandmother’s house feeding everybody and the kids on the block.

It’s a very Bahamian trait, as it is in many places, so I am the host. I host a lot of people from all different

walks of life, and I love it.

I love to show people the beauty of The Bahamas,” he added.

After years of using his stardom to promote The Bahamas and specifically the island of Eleuthera, Mr Kravitz has now become globally synonymous with the island, its history and renowned beauty.

Discussing his typical routine while on Eleuthera, he said: “I wake up and a lot of times I jump on my bike first thing and I go for a hour-long bike ride: I go take a ride and clear my mind to begin the day. It’s almost like mediation.”

He continued: “I come back, pick some fruit, go to my garden and see what’s happening, get some food going. Go sit on the beach, go to the studio and make some music.”

“We meet with friends, too. Everyone in our town knows everybody. You go into town, sit on someone’s porch, have a drink and talk.

“You enjoy different places and having sunset in different places. It’s really about experiencing the place and the people and going around, but it’s very chill. I wear the same clothes every day, no shoes,” he added.

The “Fly Away” campaign was officially launched in February and features billboard and television spots across various American markets.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, PAGE 3

VISA SCAM ‘MR FIXIT’ JAILED FOR FIVE MONTHS from page one

Audio recordings obtained from a forensic audit of Saintil’s cell phone, revealed more than six hours of audio recordings between Haitian-Bahamian Edward Israel Saintil and an unnamed immigration officer discussing bribery payments made to senior officials to secure permit approvals. The bribes ranged from $400 to $2,500.

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE mother of the eight-year-old girl who was abducted from her Culmersville home last week says her daughter, although still traumatised, is ready to return to school.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, the 39-year-old mother also talked about the five other children who have been abducted in recent weeks.

“I just want to know what’s going in The Bahamas now, why our children can’t be safe?” she pleaded.

The mother added she has not been able to return to work yet and is now also looking for a new home for her family.

She also confirmed police reports that her daughter was not sexually assaulted, adding her adbductor “only touched her bottom”. “(My daughter) was kidnapped but she wasn’t assaulted,” she told The Tribune. “This what the medical team said.

“She say the man touch her bottom and that’s it.

When the doctors check her… all of us was right there. I happy I hear that so much, because she’s too young.”

Although she described her daughter as being “just fine” overall, she did note her child is still suffering from the trauma of the event.

“If a man come close to her she thinks that’s the man there,” she said.

However, she added her daughter “really wants to go back to school”.

The eight-year-old girl was taken from her home in Culmersville sometime after 1am on March 3 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 at the time.

On March 3, the girl’s mother lamented the state of their home, acknowledging it was unsafe and that their landlord refused to take action. She has seven children, and four of them are minors.

Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson told The Tribune last month police were still reviewing the FBI’s information.

The team of investigators from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and an attorney from the Department of Public Prosecutions were reportedly briefed on the findings of the undercover investigation in November.

Saintil was arrested in late September after the FBI allegedly

fake Bahamian employer; $2,500 for the Department of Immigration official to approve the application; and another $1,500 for other expenses like application fees, labour certificate, police and medical records, and his profit.

Saintil settled on $10,500 to provide the work permits, and bank letters indicating the Haitian nationals had Bahamian bank accounts.

As part of his plea deal, Santil

What is going on in The Bahamas?

Why can’t our children be safe?

“I lived here for six years, (landlord) never fixed the house. The door ain’t good,” she said. “In one kick anybody inside. This hurt me a lot because I’m the mother and the father.

Her daddy don’t even know because since I don’t want to be with him anymore, the (four) children are dead to him.”

Since then, the search for a new home has been tough.

MOREE TO TAKE OVER AS CHIEF JUSTICE ON JUNE 1 BRIAN Moree, QC, will take over as The Bahamas new Chief Justice on June 1. The Tribune understands. Mr Moree, pictured, will assume the post over nine months after Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs died in office.

That will be the longest time it has taken to fill the position in the last 60 years. The second longest gap is the time between Sir Hartman Longley’s departure in 2017 and Justice Isaac’s promotion to the role last August.

Mr Moree was admitted to the Bar of the Bahamas in 1979 and is one of the country’s foremost legal experts on financial

recorded conversations between him and paid informants over several months, in which he boasted of close relationships with both current and former top Department of Immigration officials and also claimed a capacity to obtain fraudulent bank statements to support US visa applications.

He told the lead FBI informant it would cost $11,000 to obtain Bahamian work permits for two Haitian nationals: $1,500 to get a

services. He is said to be winding up affairs at his firm. A senior partner at Mckinney, Banckroft & Hughes, he has served as a stipendiary and circuit magistrate and as an acting Supreme Court justice.

He was formerly a member of the Judicial and Legal Services commission, is a former chairman of the Public Service Commission and is a former director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board.

Many lawyers support Mr Moree’s promotion to the Chief Justice role but some critics note he will be 65 in July and will only have a maximum of three years serving in the top role.

“I find one place but it’s very expensive,” she told The Tribune. “I (haven’t) gone back to work yet,” she said, noting she is selfemployed. “When people come to me, I can’t…I just tell them I’m not feeling good, tell them come tomorrow.”

She added social services has been involved in the matter. “Yea they get involved. It’s nothing much they do. They just want

me get the kids out of the place… After that, I never heard from them no more.”

This girl’s abduction was the second in a string of recent abductions that have taken place in the capital in recent weeks.

Regarding these incidents, the girl’s mother said: “I just want to know what’s going in The Bahamas now, why our children can’t be safe? Why they can’t go to school and come home

consented to a forfeiture order for a Samsung Galaxy S8 and any property derived from or traceable to the proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from the offense.

A forfeiture money judgement for $7,100 has been entered, and the $1,329.80 in cash that was seized at the time of his arrest will be credited towards the judgment.

He will be deported to The Bahamas after time served.

GEORGINA ARMBRISTER, the mother of Tyvon Deveaux

safe? Why people eyes on them? What kind of people - where they come from?

My (sympathies) to them and I’m very sorry. I’m so sorry about their children.

Because I don’t know what I would do if my child didn’t come home.”

On February 16, threeyear-old Shavar Bain was abducted from outside his home and then left frightened and alone outside a Fox Hill washhouse

several hours later, sparking a manhunt for two women believed to be the abductors.

On March 6, eight-yearold Tyvon Deveaux was playing in a park two lots over from his home on Emmanuel Drive off Soldier Road when he was abducted by a lone female driver in a silver-coloured Japanese-model vehicle. He was later dropped off by the entrance of the dump on Tonique Williams Darling Highway.

On March 7, three young boys, ages 8-10, were abducted on Kool Acres Road, which is off Fox Hill as they were walking home from school. They were also taken by a lone female driver in a dark-coloured vehicle. The two eight-yearolds were initially dropped off by a Haitian village in the vicinity of Seabreeze and Joe Farrington Road.

The ten-year-old was dropped off later by the city dump.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

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Disney deal under a cloud of darkness LET’S play a game.

Who said the following?

“We believe in transparency, accountability, and integrity. We believe in honesty… we cannot live in a cloud of darkness any more.”

While you think about it, let’s talk about the Disney deal for Lighthouse Point.

The proposed deal has long been a bone of contention – with a number of environmentalist groups concerned that Disney’s proposed cruise port and entertainment complex would ruin a beautiful part of the Bahamian landscape.

So given the high profile of the project – and the widespread concerns raised over it – the signing of the deal would of course be a notable event, right?

Seemingly not. The Heads of Agreement was signed in private on Thursday.

Was the media notified of the signing?

No. The day after? Not so much. In fact, it was only at a town hall meeting in Eleuthera on Saturday that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the signing – a location where he had a sympathetic audience and without the media corps in attendance to quiz him on the deal.

Even after that, there’s hardly been a rush of information – a press release from Bahamas Information Services and an unanswered phone belonging to the recently appointed Director of Communications, Erica Wells-Cox. Opposition leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis is up in arms about the deal – calling for the Heads of Agreement to be tabled in the House of Assembly so his party, and the nation, can examine the details.

He says the FNM has “flubbed the example of open government”, and he’s completely right.

Mr Davis also points out the contrast with the Oban deal, where cameras and reporters were on hand to witness the signing – only for that particular

signing to unravel thanks to the absence of due diligence, even down to questions over who signed what on the papers themselves.

“Why the secrecy… what is there to hide?” he asks. Good questions, indeed.

Whether you’re in favour or against the Disney deal, it is without question a substantial one – and one that can bring jobs and investment to the nation.

If the government is confident in this decision, this should be a moment to shout from the rooftops, to hail the prospects it will bring.

Instead, the ham-fisted handling of the announcement is stepping on the government’s own news. The FNM seem to think that all is well with how they have revealed this – a new press release hailing the announcement by the prime minister in a town hall two days later as “transparency and accountability” and jabbing at the PLP in return.

The PLP certainly did have their problems with transparency – and the FNM should bear in mind that’s why people voted them out.

As for that quote? That was then Opposition leader Dr Minnis, in 2013.

He has been banging the drum for transparency for a long time. It’s about time he showed some.

... and the silver lining

IF THE above is a cloud, then it’s time for a silver lining. We are delighted to hear of the sighting of a seahorse in the North Bimini Bay area.

The sighting comes after dredging of mangroves in the area – another of those bones of contention at the time.

Before the dredging, seahorses were plentiful – and we hope this is the start of a return to the abundance of sea life in the area, and that this one seahorse soon has many friends for company.

That means more prime land for foreign corporates THE news that the government and Disney Island Development Ltd have signed a Heads of Agreement for a cruise port and entertainment facility at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera sparked a lively discussion among readers on tribune242.com.

Well_mudda_take_sic had this to say: “Bottom line: Less prime land for Bahamians; more prime land for foreign corporate interests. Disney’s business model has always been one of ‘all hard currency profits for me baby’; they have zero interest in sharing their pie through any type of partnership relationship with the Bahamian people.

“Government should have long ago purchased this pristine property from its private owner and kept it for the Bahamian people to enjoy for generations to come. Pretty soon there will not be a beach anywhere in the Bahamas that Bahamians can frequent for their own enjoyment.”

Clamshell posted this: “I agree. This property was on the market for about 20 years, during which the government ignored it and no ‘eco-conscious’ group stepped forward to buy it.

Not until Disney entered

the picture did all this outrage arise.

“The Bahamas could have bought this land, and preserved it forever, for far less than was spent on a failing, tumble-down ‘resort’ on Grand Bahama.

“In short: Everybody should stop blaming Disney.

The land could have been secured long before Disney stepped forward.”

John had this to say: “So let’s see, if the figures add up Disney is spending more on the port in Eleuthera than Global is spending on the port in New Providence? And the port in Eleuthera is supposed to be a low density, eco-friendly environment? The port in Eleuthera is supposed to be exclusively Disney while the one in Nassau is universal? Either one is overvalued or the other is understated.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis revealed at the weekend that country’s national debt stood

at $7.5bn – meaning every Bahamian incurred a debt of nearly $7,000 each.

Joeblow asked: “. . . but why is the national debt still standing at $7.5 billion??

The real questions are: 1) How much VAT has been collected?

2) How much has been applied to that debt?

3) What happened to VAT collected funds that were not applied to the debt?

4) What recourse do Bahamians have when a government collects a tax for a specific purpose but uses it for another?”

There was this from TheMadHatter: “Utter and complete rubbish. Where are the books? Where is our VAT money?”

And after Tribune Business reported that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is acquiring real estate at Paradise Island’s western end for development, DDK said: “The big boys are fighting over our lovely little islands and just guess who will be the usual Bahaman beneficiaries. SMT. There is a race to the decimation of 700 Islands in the Sun!” Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

We need an audit of public services EDITOR, The Tribune EASE of doing business in The Bahamas, for the most part, is an oxymoron or a contradiction in terms. On many occasions I have frustratingly experienced the inconsistencies and gross inefficiencies in dealing with various government agencies, but today (March 6) it became astoundingly clear why last year The Bahamas ranked 118 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business. Ameliorative action has to be taken because current counterproductive conditions affect the quality of life of Bahamian citizens and can drive away even the most determined investors after countless frustrations in playing the “send the fool farther” game.

Because I love my country fiercely, I call for the launch of a performance audit of public services. The examination is supposed to be objective and systematic, generally using structured and professionally adopted methodologies. Here in The Bahamas if it is to be so, we would have to bring in experts who are attested as never having had any connection with this country—note even a day trip on a cruise ship.

Please permit me space to bring my husband’s story to public notice. His ongoing, mind-boggling experiences have forced me to pen this letter. Before I go any further, I want to say there is some light amid the darkness. I compliment Michael Fernander, an amazing public servant, who is a bright spark at the Registrar General’s Office with excellent customer skills.

The story when we heard directly from our friend Pam Burnside of her trying experiences at the Passport Office. As we have to travel abroad for medical reasons, it made my husband check our passports. He discovered that his had to be renewed right away. Used as most Bahamians are to frustrating turnaround in dealings with public offices, he expected to lose some time from his work, but he had no idea he would confront crisis. Of course, his first trip was to the Passport Office with copies of the documents he was told he should have, including an e-copy of his birth certificate. The good people at this facility told him that

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net he would have to get a new copy from the Registry. No problem? Hardly!

Second act of the drama.

The dear man went on to the Registry where he was told that they could not find a record for him in the name he bears. Apparently, they had one where he had been registered by his mother’s maiden name initially, but nothing else. He told them that this matter had been rectified a short time later with the marriage of his parents. He showed them copies of his parents’ marriage certificate to attest. Note also that the signatures of his naturalised mother and his Bahamianborn and raised father appear on the certified copy of the birth certificate, which would have afforded him the right to a Bahamian passport since he was a child.

This now greying man, born in Nassau, baptised at St Francis Xavier Cathedral here in the capital, and, good Catholic, attended St Thomas More Primary, Bishop Leonard Junior, St Augustine’s College and The College of The Bahamas (now UB) and married a Bahamian, who was born at Port Howe, Cat Island, of parents born and raised on two different islands of this great country and whose ancestry has no non-Bahamian in her line since plantation days. He has never had a problem renewing his passport over the years; the Parliamentary Registrar has always certified his right to vote; he has voted assiduously over the years; he has been on the jury list more than once and has, in fact, served on a jury in respect of a matter adjudicated by the former president of the Court of Appeal, Dame Anita Allen.

The National Insurance Board has happily (and efficiently I might add) taken his contributions.

Act Three (the most shocking, which set me writing this letter): In my presence, with his phone on speaker, a polite, youthful voice, told my husband that they still could not find their original of the copy he gave them in the Registry files. Incredibly, the caller instructed him to go back

to the Passport Office and ask them to please gave him a registered copy of their record of his birth. Please recall now that the Passport Office sent him to the Registry in the first place. As I sat to write this letter, my husband was headed back to the Passport Office. He has now been to the Registry five times in two days. This is not about elitism or privilege— we don’t have any that I know of. He is willing to wait patiently and always has.

Although I sincerely believe that my husband will eventually get his passport renewed, I would not have been able to help him with citizenship had be not been born in this country to a Bahamian father. Had our genders been reversed, the matter would have been easily resolved. What’s even scarier, the Registry could not even find a record of our marriage certificate, although all those years ago we were joined by the then Registrar General herself, Kelphine Cunningham.

Should the “Know-AGuy” route be the only one to take to get a legitimate matter dealt with accurately and with dispatch in this country? There are others at the Registry who are pleasant and have tried to be kind, but something’s amiss. Time to think about appointing trouble-shooters with high-level clout.

Is it technology? It may be time for new algorithms.

Five visits to a single government agency in two days—that is unconscionable. I speak for all the poor, tired I call on Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Hon Carl W Bethel and Hon Darren A Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to deal with this matter forthwith.

My husband and I have the right to expect your assistance as contributing, tax-paying citizens. Even if you gentlemen don’t care about my health, do care about the health of the country, which is directly impacted by the amount of productive time, funds and energy wasted in wading through the thickets of poor records management and inefficiency that are making a mockery of “ease of doing business” and national progress.

PATRICIA GLINTONMEICHOLAS Nassau March 6, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, PAGE 5

PM leads tributes to Preston Moss

He walked with grace and dedication in the footsteps of Christ from page one “Monsignor Moss played an essential role in our country’s development, and the indigenisation of the local church. He was known for his holiness and pastoral care. His ministry of love, mercy and reconciliation touched many Bahamians over a number of generations. He walked with grace and dedication in the footsteps of Christ.”

“Monsignor Moss was known for his powerful preaching ministry at

home and abroad, including throughout the Antilles Episcopal Conference. He greeted one and all with the word, “Peace”, which served as a blessing and a sign of grace. Like many others, I was fortune to be inspired by the life and ministry of a saintly pastor, who counseled scores of Bahamians, including prisoners.

“He was especially committed to the poor and immigrants. He cared for the sick and dying, and those often neglected and abandoned by society. He

saw in others the figure of Christ, always demonstrating his respect and defence of the dignity of all regardless of circumstance of birth. His is a profound loss for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the people of The Bahamas and the region. Monsignor Preston Moss’s stellar life serves as an example for those committed to the spiritual life and the common good. His charisma was one of love and gentleness. He taught us how to live, how to love, and how to die with dignity

and with peace. We pray for his eternal soul. May he rest in peace.”

Tributes poured in from across The Bahamas for the beloved monsignor.

Former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes said his passing left the country bereft of a “truly noble prince of the church”.

Sir Arthur said he was privileged to have his friendship, and to witness the “flowering of his long and wonderful spiritual pilgrimage” over the decades.

“Msgr.

Moss was

well-suited to the vocation to which he gave his life,” Sir Arthur said. “He was a man of great empathy for others, deep insight into the human condition and the ability to lighten the lives of many with whom he came onto contact.

Sir Arthur said: “Even as a young man there was an extraordinary dignity about him which only matured during his life of service to his Church and his country.”

Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis said

Monsignor Moss “faithfully pastored over his spiritual flock for many decades with a sense of humility, kindness, compassion and concern.”

“His wise counsel, community outreach and evangelism have left an indelible impact on the moral and social fabric of our country and its people, well beyond the Fox Hill community,” he said.

“He has been a source of support to those in need, and encouragement to those in despair. His life was one of service.”

ANOTHER 36 MIGRANTS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN ‘OPERATION IMPACT’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THIRTY-SIX migrants were taken into custody during a joint operation in the capital late last week.

According to reports, 15 Haitians, nine Jamaicans, six Venezuelans, five Guyanese and one

St Lucian national were arrested during a sweep called ‘Operation Impact’.

A team of Immigration officers with the assistance of the department’s K-9 Unit, the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Southwestern Division and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, canvassed the Carmichael Road area, Golden Gates, Mermaid

Boulevard, Soldier Road, Minnie Street, Jennie Street and Thompson Boulevard from 9.30pm and 2.30am on Friday.

A Immigration Department press statement noted a check was also done at the Sugar Hill Club on Thompson Boulevard, where 20 females were taken into custody.

While the release does not

speak to what the women were doing at the venue, the operation does come in the wake of recent crackdown on the “illicit nightlife circuit”.

In January, five Jamaicans, five Colombians, one Venezuelan and one Trinidadian were taken into custody in the joint operation called “Operation Honey Hive”.

Officials said the operation’s

objective was to infiltrate the illicit nightlife circuit in New Providence by strategically targeting strip clubs throughout the island.

As a result of last week’s operation, people taken into custody are expected to be processed for various criminal and immigration offences; and subsequently arraigned in Magistrate’s Court.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DAVIS PLANS TO BRING IN INTERIM PAC REPORT THIS MONTH

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LEADER of the Opposition Philip Davis.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Why Disney secrecy? from page one Mr Davis called for the HOA to be tabled in the House of Assembly to ensure full disclosure, telling media at a press conference the closed door signing demonstrated a failed test of openness and transparency by the government.

He said questions persisted over the deal, including: the environmental impact study; how Bahamians will benefit; and how the landmark will be protected from ruin by poor developmental practices.

Firing back at Mr Davis, the Free National Movement has insisted the government will table the agreement when the house resumes next week.

In a statement last night, the governing party accused the opposition of a “long history of secret-dealing and non-transparency”.

The FNM further claimed there have been several instances when a Progressive Liberal Partyled administration failed to table HOAs, and allegedly engaged in “secretive negotiations”, namely some of the agreements with Baha Mar and the proposed

sale of then-Batelco to the phantom Bluewater company.

“Instead of being pleased for the people of South Eleuthera,” the FNM statement read, “the PLP and its leader Philip Brave Davis are attacking a development that will improve the livelihoods of many in South Eleuthera, who will long remember that the PLP failed to help them in the past and are now criticizing a development that will boost their communities.”

The FNM statement continued: “This transparency and accountability by the FNM is in stark and direct contrast to the PLP, whose current leader served as Deputy Leader in a PLP government that was notorious for refusing to table certain heads of agreement.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, pictured right, announced the signing at a Town Hall Meeting in Eleuthera on Saturday, and a statement followed from Bahamas Information Services.

The signing effectually gives the nod for the construction of a $250m to $400m cruise port and entertainment

facility at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera.

Calls placed to OPM Director of Communications Erica Wells-Cox went unanswered yesterday.

Following Mr Davis’ rejection of the government’s handling of the deal, leading environmental groups also expressed disappointment the HOA was signed “in the dead of night”.

Environmental groups BREEF, reEarth, Save the Bays and Waterkeepers Bahamas issued a joint statement yesterday renewing expectations for public consultations.

The statement read: “We are very disappointed that such a signing was made in the dead of night, but we are pleased that Disney and the government have confirmed that no construction will take place at Lighthouse Point until the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is prepared, reviewed and approved.

“It is our expectation that Disney will prepare a world class environmental

assessment consistent with the best US and international standards, and that Disney and the government will engage in a transparent and public process reviewing the EIA on the impact of the proposed project at this internationally recognised, very special space.

“We are looking forward to the open public consultations that will be carried out as a component of this EIA, as this issue is of extreme import to Bahamians in Eleuthera and throughout the country.”

The deal allows for the conveyance of 190 acres of land along the southernmost point of the property — a $6.29m value — to the government for establishment of a national park.

Core elements of the proposed project, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, include low density development and sustainable design, public access and economic opportunities for Bahamians.

Under the HOA, Disney has ensured a minimum of 120 Bahamians will be

employed directly during the construction of the project.

The OPM’s statement said the cruise line will also create “as many as 150 permanent, sustainable jobs with health benefits in a range of positions for Bahamians once construction is completed”.

Disney has also reportedly committed to aim for an overall ratio of 80 percent Bahamian workers to 20 percent non-Bahamian workers during the life of the construction phase of the project.

However, the statement said this element would be “subject to qualified labour being available and the need to ensure the highest level of technical compliance with international standards.”

The statement added: “This project is line with the government’s plan to expand the economy of our country and economic opportunities for our people by promoting development in the Family Islands.

“I want to assure all Bahamians of the Government’s commitment to act in the best interest of Bahamians, at all times, in an accountable and transparent manner.”

OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis hopes to table an interim Public Accounts Committee report this month.

“I’m hoping to be able to lay an interim report in Parliament if not next sitting, definitely it will be ready for the following sitting,” he said yesterday.

“It will feature the work we have done to date and the obstacles we have encountered in being able to carry out our functioning.”

To some, the PAC has been rendered functionless this term because the Minnis administration has refused to respond to its information requests, interpreting former House Speaker Dr Kendal Major’s 2015 ruling as barring the committee from reviewing anything not brought to the House of Assembly by the auditor general.

House Speaker Moultrie has not resolved the controversy because he said Mr Davis has not yet raised the issue in Parliament.

“As I explained to the chairman of the PAC, I cannot as the presiding officer just appeal a ruling,” he said to the Tribune in January. “Someone has to make an application to me, stating the grounds upon which I should act to revise the decision and perhaps overturn it. It is their Speaker that made the ruling and I think the difficulty that they are having is that if they make an application and set out the particular grounds, they will feel they are undermining their own Speaker.”

Mr Davis has previously expressed a desire to investigate the more than $1 billion the government spent in the first six months of the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

He also wants the PAC to investigate how contracts were awarded for repairing the Stephen Dillet Primary School ahead of the 20172018 school term.

PLP CONVENTION MAY FACE ANOTHER DELAY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party’s convention may be postponed again, party leaders suggested yesterday.

The convention is expected in May, but PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday the anticipated dates may have been lost “because the hotel is indicating they may have not found the three consecutive days for the convention.”

PLP chairman Fred Mitchell later told The Tribune it is not yet certain the convention will happen in May, with party officials searching for a venue.

The PLP’s convention was previously scheduled for November 14, 15 and 16 of 2018. However, financial problems, typical for opposition parties, prompted the event to be postponed,

according to the Tribune’s sources.

Asked yesterday about paying for the upcoming convention, Mr Davis said: “Fundraising for the Progressive Liberal Party has always been a challenge but I think we will meet those challenges whenever we fix a date for the convention.”

The PLP’s constitution mandates it has a convention every year. So far, no one has publicly declared an intention to challenge Mr Davis for leadership of the party. The Cat Island, Rum Cay & San Salvador MP said: “I don’t discourage ambition at all and there will be the opportunity to challenge (me).”

Last week The Tribune reported that longtime PLP MP Leslie Miller hopes to run on the party’s ticket in 2022, though some candidates committee members like former cabinet minister George Smith insist

the party should not run candidates who previously lost except in exceptional circumstances.

“I’ve heard what each have said and their comments will be taken into consideration in our deliberations going forward,” Mr Davis said yesterday.

He added: “The overarching goal for me as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party is to ensure that the party has the vision, image and message to assure victory in the next general election. The components necessary to assure that victory will be what I engage and put in place.

Insofar as candidates are concerned, they will have to fall within that overarching goal that we need to win and persons who will be offering themselves and deemed fit and proper candidates will be people who will add to that message of winning the next election.”

SEAHORSE SIGHTING BRINGS A LITTLE HOPE from page one

us pause. Otherwise, this once beautiful and bounteous island will become an indelible symbol of tragic and irreparable loss.”

In 2014, environmental action group Bimini Blue Coalition opposed the dredging activities in North Bimini as part of Resort World Bimini’s construction of a cruise ship terminal, 1,000-pier and man-made island.

“Before all the dredging and construction began

in North Bimini Bay, seahorses in a variety of vibrant colours were plentiful,” he continued.

“Many other marine species have literally disappeared, a direct result of dredging and converting the bay into land on which multi-million dollar homes are being constructed.

He continued: “We sincerely pray that the invasive destruction of this once natural habitat for an abundance of sea life has ended, and, we may once again witness a measurable

return of what once fed the residents of Bimini and many other Bahamians as well as foreigners, who came to share our delectable marine treasures. Against all odds, even a few adult queen conchs can be seen in the bay area.

Mr Darville added: “We have yet to see a single shrimp on the ocean side since their habitats were so dreadfully destroyed. Biminites once feasted daily on these delicious creatures which could be harvested by the bucket-full on any day.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, PAGE 7

FAMILY OF TB VICTIM TO BE ALLOWED TO VIEW BODY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government will allow the family of a cruise ship employee who died in The Bahamas three days to view her body before it is cremated.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement released yesterday debunked online reports which alleged the family was told by The Bahamas government that Nobuhle Ntombenhle Bhengu’s body would not be released to be sent home to South Africa.

Officials reportedly met with the family to discuss public health standards of both the South African and Bahamian governments that prevented the transport of her remains.

“The Bahamas government

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal has ordered that a Supreme Court judge is to determine whether former Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade was right to fire a police constable because of his unwillingness to compromise a key component of his Muslim faith.

The appellate court ruled Justice Indra Charles must adjudicate on Bertram Bain’s judicial review of Mr Greenslade’s decision to fire him because of his unwillingness to shave his beard in accordance with the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s grooming policies.

The order comes after Mr Bain sought to appeal Justice Charles’ decision not to grant him an injunction against Mr Greenslade’s August 2, 2017 decision, despite counsel from both sides previously agreeing that his judicial review application should be granted.

A copy of Mr Bain’s discharge certificate seen

by The Tribune showed that in August 2, 2017, the officer of 17 years was discharged from the RBPF “in accordance with Section 7 (c) of the Police Disciplinary Regulations No 1965 and Section 21 (1)(c) of the Police Force Act 2009.”

The discharge certificate noted that during his tenure with the RBPF, Mr Bain’s “conduct and general character has been unsatisfactory”. Mr Bain first joined the RBPF in 2000, and converted to Islam sometime in 2011.

However, according to court documents seen

by The Tribune, Mr Bain claimed his dismissal was the end result of his multiple attempts at having Mr Greenslade acquiesce to his pleas to adhere to the Muslim practice of not shaving one’s beard while serving as a member of the RBPF. According to an affidavit filed July 6, 2016, which lists Mr Greenslade as one of seven defendants, Mr Bain met with the former commissioner and/or other senior officials no less than three times on the matter, dating as far back as early 2015. And each time the relevant parties met, Mr Bain informed all present of his Muslim faith, according to the affidavit.

In one such instance, on June 10, 2016, and in the

is deeply saddened by the death of Ms Nobuhle Ntombenhle Bhengu (pictured),” read the statement. “The Bahamas also understands the desire of her family to repatriate her body to South Africa for burial. Representatives of The Bahamas met today with members of Ms. Bhengu’s family and a representative of the South African government.

It continued: “At that meeting, it was discussed that international public health standards, including the public health standards of both the South African and Bahamian governments, would not allow for repatriation of Ms Bhengu’s body to South Africa.

For that reason, Ms. Bhengu’s family will have the opportunity to view her remains over the next three days before the remains are cremated.

“While all parties sought to find a way to repatriate Ms Bhengu’s remains,” the statement added, “regrettably cremation is the only course of action that conforms with national and international health regulations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms Bhengu’s family at this difficult time.”

The Tribune was told on Sunday that a positive tuberculosis prognosis was found after an autopsy.

A decision had been made here, The Tribune was told, to cremate Bhengu’s body as a safeguard against the spread of alleged TB. TimesLIVE reported that an agreement had been reached in

the weeks-long battle to repatriate the body, and interviewed Bhengu’s sister, Mbali Bhengu, who said her family had gone through much pain since Ms Bhengu’s death on February 12.

Mbali Bhengu said: “It’s a very difficult time.

Because of us this ordeal, we have had our mother admitted to hospital.

She couldn’t deal with it after we heard that she will be cremated.

It was too much for us.

“The last time we saw her was last year in July so it would have been very painful for us to not even see her body. It was painful enough for us that we were not there

for her when she needed us the most. Now we have heard that the Bahamas government has agreed to give us back the body. That’s a huge relief.”

Bhengu was due to return home on March 27 after her contract with MSC expired.

However, she suddenly became ill in January after complaining of a sore body.

Mbali said her sister had told her she had gone to a hospital, where she had been told that she needed a blood transfusion. She was admitted to hospital around February 10 for stomach flu.

“We tried to call her on Monday February 11 but could not reach her and tried on Tuesday but still could not reach her, until MSC informed us on Wednesday that she had died on February 12,” Mbali Bhengu also said.

Supreme Court to rule on sacking of Muslim officer

FORMER Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade presence of current and/ or former members of the RBPF’s senior executive leadership team and other RBPF officials, Mr Bain “humbly requested Mr Greenslade to assist with some accommodation to Muslim practices to wear a beard.” In the affidavit, Mr Bain said he did so “with humility and out of respect to consider awareness of my constitutional rights, and status as a police officer and as a Muslim.”

This represented an immediate conflict, Mr Bain acknowledged in a previous interview with The Tribune, given the grooming policies of the RBPF and the reported Muslim practice of not shaving one’s beards

in reverence of Islam and its founding prophet, Muhammad.

Mr Bain, via his attorney Maria Daxon, subsequently applied for judicial review of Mr Greenslade’s decision on the basis that Mr Greenslade’s decision to dismiss him without giving him the opportunity to respond was “unconstitutional, unreasonable, unlawful, null and of no legal effect”.

Mr Bain further submitted in his application that Mr Greenslade “irrationally exercised his powers” when he “failed to promptly allow the applicant the opportunity to appeal his decision before he was dismissed”.

Mr Bain also challenged the legality of his

dismissal, alleging that Mr Greenslade “illegally exercised his powers” when he “either by deliberate and/or by neglect failed to ensure that the applicant’s benefits payment be suspended, withheld or denied before the applicant had the opportunity to exhaust the appeal process”.

He also sought an order of certiorari to quash Mr Greenslade’s decision “and/ or his servants” to dismiss him without giving him an opportunity to respond, as well as to quash Mr Greenslade’s decision to recommend that his “benefits payment be suspended, withheld or denied before the applicant had the opportunity to exhaust the appeal process”.

COCAINE DEALER HAS SENTENCE REDUCED FOR GUILTY PLEA

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN previously sentenced to three years in prison for being caught with 10 ounces of cocaine he planned to distribute has effectively had his sentence reduced to time served because he was not afforded a “rebate” for admitting to the offence.

The appellate tribunal of Justices Jon Isaacs, Sir Michael Barnett and Milton Evans ruled Matthew Andre Miller will serve no more than the 22 months he has already been in custody from the date of his conviction on May 2017 Their reason for making such a ruling, according to Justice Isaacs, is because the adjudicator who sentenced him departed from “normal” procedure by not factoring in his early plea of guilty among other things, thus making his sentences “inordinately high”.

According to the ruling, Miller plead guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and taking preparatory steps to export dangerous drugs. He was also

convicted of resisting arrest. He was sentenced to three years on count one; fined $6,000 or two years in prison on count two; and three months for resisting arrest. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively When he appeared to in court last week to appeal his punishment, Miller had already served 22 months in prison.

However, according to Justice Isaacs, the Miller’s sentences were borne out of the adjudicator’s departure from standard practice to consider his guilty plea in sentencing him, and then ordering that his sentences be served consecutively despite the crimes having taken place at the same time.

“In the normal course of events, persons pleading guilty are afforded, for want of a better word, a rebate to encourage such actions on the part of accused persons,” Justice Isaacs said.

“The benefit that accrues to the court is that the court’s time is saved, witnesses do not have to be brought and the inconvenience that involves, and it certainly demonstrates to the court a level of contriteness on the part of the defendant that there is remorse

for the commission of the offence.

In those circumstances, pleas of guilt ought to be encouraged. Unfortunately, in this case, the reverse has occurred.

“Having pleaded guilty to the offences, the accused, notwithstanding he was given fines and in lieu thereof imprisonment, we are of the view that these sentences are inordinately high.

Certainly, the fact that they are made consecutive cannot stand in the face of the statute which indicates that offenses that are all transacted at the same time ought not to attract consecutive sentences.”

Thus, the appellate court quashed Miller’s three year sentence and substituted a sentence of 22 months; and quashed the $6,000 fine or two years sentence and imposed a custodial sentence of 18 months.

They did not bother with Miller’s sentence for resisting arrest. However, all of the new sentences are to run concurrently from the date of his conviction.

“The court is not in a position to calculate when his release date will occur, but the prison most certainly is in that position,” Justice Isaacs said.

Mr Bain also sought an order of mandamus to direct the commissioner to “update, adjust and correct” his benefits, and to restore and pay him”all benefits awards due and payable to him, as at the date of his discharge until the completion of the appeal process.”

In addition, Mr Bain sought six declarations, which include, but are not limited to, that Mr Greenslade’s decision to terminate him “was so manifestly unreasonable that no reasonable authority or tribunal, entrusted with its powers, could reasonably have come to that decision in all circumstances of this case”, and that Mr Greenslade “has acted unfairly, unlawful, unreasonable, arbitrarily, capriciously and abusive towards the applicant”.

Mr Bain also filed an injunction against the August 2017 decision, in which he sought to have his “status quo” remain in place and “all rights and benefits as a police officer” continue until the matter was adjudicated by the Supreme Court or until the completion of the appeal process.

Justice Charles did not grant Mr Bain’s injunction however, and further stated

that she did not have the power to order the Commissioner of Police, the respondent in the matter, to have his salary reinstated until the appeal process or the case was completed.

Mr Bain consequently appealed Justice Charles’ ruling, asserting that her decision was “unreasonable” and could not be supported in law on the grounds of justice and fairness. He further charged that no judge “having regard for their duty to act fairly could reasonably have come to the conclusion” she did.

Particularly, Mr Bain asserted that the judge erred in both fact and law by refusing to stay Mr Greenslade’s decision, despite having heard the evidence of both Superintendent Damian Robinson and Sergeant Paul Jones, who both agreed under oath that their former boss’ decision should have been stayed in accordance with law, namely the Police Force Act 2009 and the Bahamas constitution.

Yesterday however, Ms Daxon told The Tribune the appellate court remitted her client’s matter to the Supreme Court for the judge to make a determination on the “substantive application”.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

MINISTER Frankie Campbell poses with honourees and guests for International Women’s Day

W

OMEN all around the world celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday, March 8. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

According to IWD’s website, it has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

Prior to this, the Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes, and many other groups around the world campaigned for women’s equality. This year’s theme “Balance for Better” focuses on “forging a more gender-balanced world, celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality.

In The Bahamas, a major focus of the celebrations on Friday past was celebrating women’s achievements. The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s Department of Gender and Family Affairs along with its Urban Renewal Commission teamed up to present International Women’s Day Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road. There, nearly 30 women, specifically from the inner city areas, were honoured for long years of commitment to community development.

Minister Frankie Campbell said the women who were chosen to be honoured are those who “selflessly give, even from their own purses to feed children; whose personal sacrifices and mentorship, touching and molding the lives of so many, deserve to be honored”.

Among the honourees were St Barnabas residents Vernice Paul, Muriel Thompson and Evangelist Olive Collie. Evangwlit Collie is the first of eight children born to Joshua and Sarah Collie at Morant Bay, Acklins Island. She attended Pompey Bay All Age school before moving to Nassau. Over the years, she has served in numerous organisations, including: Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, President of Prayer Band and Usher Ministry; President of Bain & Grants Town Urban Renewal Seniors Association; Vice President of the former Englerston West Urban Renewal Seniors Association; Evangelist and choir member, Kemp Road Ministries Baptist

Honouring the women of our world Church; President, Golden Day Seniors Association; Chaplin, Big Pond Seniors Association; member of the Sister Sister Cancer support group; and Chaplin, Caring & Sharing Cancer Support Group.

Vernice Paul was born on Old Bight, Cat Island.

She was married to Alfred J Paul for more than 50 years and is the mother of nine children. She was employed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more than 15 years. At the age of 60, she decided to take an early retirement in order to fulfill her dreams of travelling the world. She has visited the continents of Africa, Europe and North America and she has also travelled extensively

throughout the Caribbean.

She served as president of the Urban Renewal Centre in her area for six years, and recalls many “rich memories including bus rides, lunch dates, beach days and church visits” with the kids.

Muriel Johnson-Thomson learned her trade as a straw vendor at the tender age of eight and today, she is a master straw craft artist.

Her artistry has been seen all over the world. She is very proud of her work and makes sure that nothing is out of tack. Her infectious personality of humility and kindness follows her in every area of her life. She is also a great baker known for her pound cakes, raisin cakes and fruit cakes. She is the wife of the late William

Onarld Thompson and is known as a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.

From the Pinewood community, Reverend Shirley Mae Evans, Beryl Elliott and Mizpah Amrbrister were honored.

Shirley Mae Evans was the first woman to be ordained as Minister of the Gospel for the Metropolitan Baptist Church. She was ordained on August 15, 2006 by the church’s Senior Pastor George Kelly along with Dr. William Thompson. She is a peace ambassador for Urban Renewal and is the newly elected president of Pinewood Urban Renewal 2.0 senior’s club.

Beryl Elliott is the immediate past president of the Pinewood Urban Renewal Seniors Club. She has worked in the tourism industry for more than 40 years and is now “retired and loving life”. She is known for exemplifying strong leadership skills and for serving the Pinewood community with dedication

THE 2019 International Women’s Day celebrations under the theme “Balance for Better”. Top: Iris Demeritte and Mary Scott, Bain & Grants Town honourees

and commitment from 2002 to the present. She is an active member of New Destiny Baptist Cathedral where she serves as Light Leader, Usher Board member and Yellow Team member.

In Nassau Village, Wendy Patricia Morley, Catherine McKenzie and Jennifer Rolle were selected as honorees. Catherine Clarke McKenzie is the eldest of 16 children. Her hobbies are cooking, farming and sewing. She is especially proud that, from her own garden, she has produced much produce such as corn, cassava, okra, yam, bananas and peas. She worked at the casino on Paradise Island for many years. In the 1960s, she says that all the artwork on the Androsia prints were done by her.

Jennifer Rolle, 64, is the mother of seven children and is of the Seventh Day Adventist faith. She has been serving at Hill View SDA church for almost her entire life. She is active in Sabbath School and the children’s choir. She was

named Mother of the Year for Nassau Village.

Wendy Patricia Morley is a former broadcaster, life underwriter, and activist. She is a recipient of the World Peacekeeper International Award from Dallas University in Texas, 1988.

Morley’s work included participation in some form of action to enact social and political change for national and international concerns for women and girls. She is known for her work in advocacy for foster homes, Alzheimers patients, those battling cancer and AIDS, troubled youth, and trafficking in persons.

Free Town honorees included Philippa Taylor, Pastor Irene Russell and Paulamae Miller. Pastor Russell, an Eleuthera native, started her ministry in the church in the late 1940s under Reverends Earl Weech and Earl Pritchard, holding revival meetings in Eleuthera. Upon her arrival to New Providence, she began attending Evangelistic Temple on Kemp Road.

She preached her first message at the age of 12 and since then, her ministry has consisted of preaching, teaching and playing the piano. In 2017, she was elected coordinator of radio and television for the Bahamas Christian Council.

Philippa Taylor is known as an author her her historical publication: “A Walk Through Kemp Road”. She served as secretary of the Kemp Road Community Development Association for many years and played an integral role in the establishment of Kemp Road Week.

Fox Hillians are proud to hail their IWD 2019 honourees: Sheila Knowles, Miriam Roker and Rev Julia Bain. Knowles is president of the Fox Hill Senior’s Association. She is known as a “kind and giving person, whose spirit of excellence propels her” as she continues to accomplish new goals even in her senior years.

Miriam Roker was born in Fox Hill. She has served in various capacities in the church for five decades. She is considered a “modern day Dorcas” whose culinary skills and ability to greet anyone into her home graciously are known even internationally. She was once honored by the Mother’s Club as “Most Unselfish Mother”.

In Englerston, Anita Miller, Geneva Rollins and Susan Hunt were honoured.

For Fort Charlotte, honourees were Hynah Beverley Major, Eleanor Musgrove and Miriam Jones. For the Southern Shores Community Lillis Ramsey and Pearl Bullard were honoured.

THE TRIBUNE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net RESIDENTS of West Grand Bahama have access to funding for small businesses through “a special programme” unavailable to other developed communities by way of the Small Business Development Centre, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Peter Turnquest.

During a town meeting on Friday evening at the Eight Mile Rock High School gymnasium, Mr Turnquest said the whole idea behind the SBDC is to have an holistic approach to developing a new entrepreneurial class of Bahamians, especially in the outlying communities often disadvantaged in terms of access to funding.

“We are particularly interested in indigenous communities because we recognise that a lot of these communities are disadvantaged because they do not have access to all the advantages that people may have in Nassau, or even in Freeport.

“And so we want to be paying particular attention to these communities, and we set aside a special programme for those individuals. And so they will have some preferences that the more developed communities may not have,” said DPM Turnquest.

Representatives of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre were in attendance, including executive director Davinia Blair. Ms Blair outlined the various funding available to Bahamians, and noted that government has set aside $25 million to the programme to help people bring their business ideas to reality, and to help existing businesses.

Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, was also present and was pleased that the SBDC came to Eight Mile Rock to inform residents of funding available to them for their businesses.

Mr Turnquest urged residents there to be creative and take a risk. He noted that the government will support them by not only providing funding, but also training in business principles, and provide advisors and mentors to help guide them along to ensure their success.

He said there is a long history of entrepreneurship in the Eight Mile Rock community, but noted

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, PAGE 9

Special funding made available for businesses in West Grand Bahama

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest. that some major businesses have not been able to survive there.

“Isn’t it interesting that people still go to Freeport to shop. You had a foodstore here, a bank here; you even had a KFC here that you closed down. But they couldn’t survive. Why is that?

“It is definitely a need; this is the largest community in The Bahamas, not just in GB. So why is it that those institutions could not survive here?” Mr Turnquest asked.

The minister said residents have to learn to support one another.

Secondly, he said they must do their marketing to understand what products and services people want and at what price point.

Mr Turnquest continued: “But there is no doubt that the critical

mass is here to support all these services (foodstsore and bank) that we are talking about. That’s what we want to support, we want to help you to develop your own ecosystem so that the wealth that in this community can stay in the community to help build all the infrastructure you need to be successful.”

The minister indicated that the $25 million set aside over the next four years by government is not “free money” and they expect to get a return.

“We do not expect at the end of the four years we would have lost or given away $25 million. We expect we would have invested $25 million, meaning we expect to get a return. Outside of the grants,

the loan money we expect you to return it. And even with grant money we expect you to return it because we expect you to be successful, paying business license fees, VAT, and employing people,” he explained. “That’s our investment. So this is not free money.”

Mr Turnquest said that there are all kinds of incentives available for small entrepreneurs through the Industry Encouragement Act and the Family Island Development Act. The problem, he said, is that many persons do not know where to look for them.

“We are going to pair you up with someone that can help - a resource centre.

“I want to emphasize that this is your opportunity to be creative,

innovative and...to take a risk and venture out on your own and create something for yourself and others.”

Mr Turnquest noted that the most successful businesses come from small, simple, unique ideas.

“As we look at the developments coming at the harbour and the hotel, and what is happening with the new cruise port, and some other things that will be happening that I am not at liberty to say, there is going to be opportunities (here in GB),” he stressed.

Minister Turnquest stated that the government is standing behind Bahamians and putting its money where its mouth is.

“We are saying don’t be afraid. I told my people I don’t mind losing $5 million - that sounds bad. But I don’t mind losing $5m if it is on taking a risk on Bahamians who have decided to take a calculated risk.”

“Again, I ain’t giving way any money, but we are willing to take a risk with you. We believe a stable small business sector will help us cushion a lot of the down cycles that we have, and so we need you to empower yourself to be able to help us help our country’s development, and have stable environment moving forward,” he said.

Pakesia Parker Edgecombe said WGB has a vibrant small business sector, but a lot of owners do not have access to capital to grow their businesses.

“To have the SBDC come to the area and give us an idea as to how residents can go about getting funding and grow their businesses is very good. The turnout was okay, but I wished we had more people because the information is vital for anyone who wants to succeed in business. I hope that with word of mouth people will realise the centre is there,” she said.

Barbie at

PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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Instrument of female oppression or positive influence?

By GEMMA WITCOMB Lecturer in Psychology, Loughborough University

B

ARBIE Millicent Roberts, from Wisconsin US, is celebrating her 60th birthday. She is a toy. A doll. Yet she has grown into a phenomenon.

An iconic figure, recognised by millions of children and adults worldwide, she has remained a popular choice for more than six decades – a somewhat unprecedented feat for a doll in the toy industry.

She is also, arguably, the original “influencer” of young girls, pushing an image and lifestyle that can shape what they aspire to be like. So, at 60, how is the iconic Barbie stepping up to support her fellow women and girls?

When Barbie was born many toys for young girls were of the baby doll variety; encouraging nurturing and motherhood and perpetuating the idea that a girl’s future role would be one of homemaker and mother. Thus Barbie was born out of a desire to give girls something more.

Barbie was a fashion model with her own career. The idea that girls could play with her and imagine their future selves, whatever that may be, was central to the Barbie brand.

However, the “something more” that was given fell short of empowering girls, by today’s standards. And Barbie has been described as “an agent of female oppression”. The focus on play that imagined being grown up, with perfect hair, a perfect body, a plethora of outfits, a sexualised physique, and a perfect first love (in the equally perfect Ken) has been criticised over the years for perpetuating a different kind of ideal – one centred around body image, with dangerous consequences for girls’ mental and physical health.

Toys have a significant influence on the development of children, far beyond innocent play. Through play, children mimic social norms and subtle messages regarding gender roles, and stereotypes can be transmitted by seemingly ubiquitous toys. Early studies in the 1930s

by Kenneth and Mamie Clark showed how young black girls would more often choose to play with a white doll rather than a black doll, as the white doll was

LIVING in a Barbie world: birthday celebrations in Sydney. (And not forgetting Ken, inset) considered more beautiful – a reflection of internalised feelings as a result of racism.

The same supposition – that girls playing with Barbie may internalise the unrealistic body that she innocently promotes – has been the subject of research and what is clear is that parents are often unaware of the potential effects on body image when approving toys for their children.

A group of UK researchers in 2006 found that young girls aged between five-and-a-half and seven-and-a-half years old who were exposed to a story book with Barbie doll images had greater body dissatisfaction and lower body esteem at the end of the study compared to young girls who were shown the same story with an Emme doll (a fashion doll with a more average body shape) or a story with no images.

More worrying, there were no differences between groups of girls aged five-and-a half and eight-and-a-half years of age, with all girls showing heightened body dissatisfaction. Another study ten years later found that exposure to Barbie dolls led to a higher thin-ideal internalisation, supporting findings that girls exposed to thin dolls eat less in subsequent tests.

Exposure to unhealthy, unrealistic and unattainable body images is associated with eating disorder risk. Indeed, the increasing prevalence of eating disorder symptoms in non-Western cultures has been linked to exposure to Western ideals of beauty. Barbie’s original proportions gave her a body mass index (BMI) so low that she would be unlikely to menstruate and the probability of this body shape is less than one in 100,000 women.

With growing awareness of body image disturbances and cultural pressures on young girls, many parents have begun to look for more empowering toys for their daughters. Barbie’s manufacturer, Mattel, has been listening, possibly prompted by falling sales, and in 2016 a new range of Barbies was launched that celebrated different body shapes, sizes, hair types and skin tones.

These have not been without criticism; the naming of the dolls based on their significant body part (curvy, tall, petite) is questionable and again draws attention to the body, while “curvy” Barbie, with her wider hips and larger thighs, remains very thin. Despite this, these additions are a welcome step in the right direction in allowing girls to play with Barbie dolls that provide more diversity.

If Barbie was about empowering girls to be anything that they want to be, then the Barbie brand has tried to move with the times by providing powerful role playing tools for girls. No longer is Barbie portrayed in roles such as the air hostess – or, when promoted to pilot, still dressed in a feminine and pink version of the uniform. Modern pilot Barbie is more appropriately dressed, with a male air steward as a sidekick.

Such changes can have a remarkable impact on how young girls imagine their career possibilities, potential futures, and the roles that they are expected to take. Mattel’s move to honour 20 women role models including Japanese Haitian tennis player Naomi Osaka – currently the world number one – with her own doll is a positive step in bringing empowering role models into the consciousness of young girls.

Children who are less stereotyped in their gender and play are less likely to be stereotyped in their occupations and are more creative. But of course, society needs to mirror this. In the week when Virgin Atlantic abolished the requirement to wear make up for female cabin crew, the arduous journey away from constraining female body and beauty ideals could slowly be taking off. But in a culture where female ageing is now an aesthetic pressure felt by many, perhaps Mattel will show us diversity in age and womanhood? Happy 60th birthday to the still 20-yearold looking Barbie. the conversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, PAGE 11

BY RIEL MAJOR THE 12th annual Ride for Hope (RFH) saw 160 riders participate to raise money for cancer initiatives in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera over the weekend.

RFH co-founder Susan Holowesko Larson said organisers were overwhelmed by the level of support received from sponsors and participants. - with a record number of them completing the entire 100-mile course. “We are all very excited by the success of the weekend,” Mrs Holowesko Larson said. “We have an amazing group of cooperate sponsors who cover the entire cost of staging the event. We have wonderful volunteers who mend our support along the whole 100 mile. The participants themselves are very enthusiastic about being there and being involved.

Mrs Holowesko Larson yesterday declined to reveal how much was raised by the invite, telling The Tribune that fundraising continues until May 4.

She said: “But I will say this we have established a goal of raising one million dollars and that money will go into our treatment assistance fund.

“I think everybody knows that when someone is diagnosed with cancer that diagnosis comes with a lot of fear and a lot of anxiety. The Ride for Hope does not think that it should also come with

Ride for Hope has something for everyone

financial ruin to families. Cancer treatments are so expensive and their are so many Bahamians who are fighting cancer and really struggling to pay for their medicine. This treatment assistance fund was put together exclusively to help these Bahamians in need.”

She added: “Our message is to really thank everybody who has already supported the event and participated in the event but to call on everybody to help the ride for hope hit it’s million dollar bench march for this fund.

“They can make donations to the ride, they can make donations to family and friends who participated. The idea is to help as many Bahamians in need as we possibly can.”

Since its start in 2006, the Ride for Hope has raised close to $3m to aid cancer research, care and treatment. It is also one of the few charities that boasts that it donates 100 per cent of the funds raised.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, March 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DOGS QUIT SLED RACE AFTER MUSHER SHOUTS AT ONE OF THE ANIMALS ANCHORAGE, Alaska Associated Press

MUSHER Nicolas Petit lost a huge lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race yesterday when his dog team refused to keep going after he yelled at one of the animals.

A dog named Joey had been fighting with another dog on the team and jumped it during a break on the way to the Bering Sea checkpoint of Koyuk. “I yelled at Joey, and everybody heard the yelling, and that doesn’t happen,” Petit told the Iditarod

Insider website. “And then they wouldn’t go anymore. Anywhere.

So we camped here.”

Several mushers passed Petit’s team on the trail, erasing his fivehour lead in the race. Pete Kaiser of Alaska was the first musher into Koyuk, followed about an hour later by defending champion Joar Ulsom of Norway. The checkpoint is 827 miles into the 1,000-mile race across Alaska.

Petit said his dogs are well-fed and there’s no medical issue keeping them from getting up and running. “It’s just a head thing,” he said. “We’ll see if one of these

dog teams coming by will wake them up at all.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals took issue with Petit’s reasoning. “It’s not the dogs who need to have their heads examined — it’s anyone who supports this merciless race. Illness, injury, or fatigue likely prompted Nicolas Petit to drop four dogs from his team, forcing the remaining 10 to work even harder before they gave up altogether, which he blamed on ‘just a head thing’,” PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement. “In the face of hundreds of

NICOLAS Petit hugs one of his dogs before they set out on the race.

exhausting miles of ice and snow along the Iditarod, now even the dogs are joining PETA in protesting this cruel race,” Reiman said.

The race started March 2 in Willow, just north of Anchorage.

The course through the Alaska wilderness took mushers over two mountain ranges and the frozen Yukon River before they reached the treacherous Bering Sea coast.

The winner is expected to come off the sea ice and mush down Nome’s main street to the finish line sometime in the middle of the week.

Ethiopia victims were aid workers, doctors, academics

Associated Press

THEY worked to bring food to the hungry, medicine to the sick and clean water to people living in areas without it. Among the 157 people who died in the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jetliner on Sunday were dozens of international aid workers hailing from several countries in Africa and around the globe.

Described as dedicated and impassioned employees of nonprofit environmental, medical, immigration and refugee organisations, they lost their lives alongside pastors, professors, cultural ambassadors, police chiefs and respected writers and sports leaders. All were on board the Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliner when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi, Kenya.

At least five Ethiopian nationals who worked for aid agencies died in the crash. Save the Children mourned the loss of Tamirat Mulu Demessie, a technical adviser on child protection in emergencies who “worked tirelessly to ensure that vulnerable children are safe during humanitarian crises,” the group said in a statement. Catholic Relief Services lost four Ethiopan staff members in the crash, some of whom had worked with the organization for as long as a decade. The four were travelling to Nairobi, Kenya, for training.

Immaculate Odero of Kenya,

WORKERS at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash south of Addis Ababa. who served as CARE’s regional security officer for the Horn of Africa, was “dedicated to keeping her colleagues in the region safe,” and took on her role “with great enthusiasm,” the agency said.

The Red Cross; The United Nations’ World Food Program; the International Committee for the Development of Peoples; the World Council of Churches; and Civil Rights Defenders, an international human rights group based in Stockholm, were among other

humanitarian and cultural groups reporting losses. A family of six from Canada, African expatriates visiting families back home and tourists were also among the victims, who hailed from 35 countries.

Both Addis Ababa and Nairobi are major hubs for humanitarian workers, and some had been on their way to a large U.N. environmental conference set to begin Monday in Nairobi.

At least 21 staff members from the United Nations were killed in the crash, said UN Secretary-General

Antonio Guterres, who led a moment of silence at a meeting where he said “a global tragedy has hit close to home”.

Irishman Michael Ryan was among the seven dead from the United Nations’ World Food Program. The Rome-based aid worker and engineer known as Mick was formerly from Lahinch in County Clare in Ireland’s west. His projects have included creating safe ground for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and assessing the damage to rural roads in Nepal that were blocked by landslides.

Mombasa, Kenya, native Cedric Asiavugwa worked with groups helping refugees in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania before he enrolled in law school at Georgetown university, the university said. Also a student of international business and economic law at Georgetown, Asiavugwa was remembered by family and friends as a “kind, compassionate and gentle soul.”

Joanna Toole, a 36-year-old from Exmouth, Devon, was heading to Nairobi to attend the United Nations Environment Assembly.

Toole was “bonkers” about animals her entire life, and her work “was not a job — it was her vocation,” according to her father, Adrian Toole, who said Monday that his daughter had traveled to the remote Faroe Islands to prevent whaling.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE CLIMBING 2,500 STEPS? HEAD TO NEW NYC SCULPTURE NEW YORK Associated Press

A COLOSSAL sculpture that will give people more than 150 interconnected stairways to climb is opening to the public as part of New York City’s Hudson Yards development. Vessel is a metal structure shaped like the bowl of a wine glass that will open on Friday as part of the first phase of the project on Manhattan’s west side.

Vessel was created by British designer Thomas Heatherwick. The latticed network of stairs and platforms rises 150 feet high and includes almost 2,500 steps.

The $25 billion Hudson Yards development is in progress and includes a hotel, a school, a retail mall, restaurants, public plazas and a skyscraper taller than the Empire State Building.