03122020 NEWS

THURSDAY Hot n’ Spicy McChicken

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 81ºF LOW 69ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:117 No.77, MARCH 12TH, 2020

OBITS OFFICIA

$1

INSIDE

TRUMP SLAMS DOOR SHUT ON MAINLAND EUROPE

WORST CASE: 400 INFECTED Sands predicts scenario if virus breaks out here

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands predicted a possible worst-case scenario of 400 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in The Bahamas, but stressed if the disease spreads here most people will not need hospital admission.

His comments came shortly before the World Health Organisation officially declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic.

While addressing church leaders at the Melia hotel,

the minister said the outbreak is “very serious” as it is impacting trade and the economy. “The cruise industry is basically on its knees,” Dr Sands said. “The airline industry is almost on its knees. We live and die on the backs of tourism.”

Dr Sands also said an American tourist was tested this week for the virus, however those results came out negative. Up to press time, there were no suspected or confirmed cases of the virus in the country.

IT IS only a matter of time before The Bahamas identifies its first case of the coronavirus, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.

After the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 a pandemic, he said this country has moved beyond focusing

SEE PAGE FIVE

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Christian Council released its official stance on legal marijuana yesterday, throwing support behind regulated medical use but saying recreational use should not be encouraged or condoned.

The BCC added that it does not favour incarceration and criminal records for possession of small amounts of marijuana, but supports the idea of issuing “non-criminal” civil citations to deter expanded use of the drug.

The BCC concluded the drug is unlikely to bring economic prosperity to the country, citing the damage done during the 1980s when cocaine use and trafficking were prevalent.

VAT MOVE TO HELP ABACO’S REBUILD

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE FIVE

on preventing the virus and instead to focusing on identification, isolation and control. Recognising that healthcare workers are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, Dr Sands said the government will increase the death benefit of healthcare workers by 500 percent––an additional $50,000 or so.

‘MEDICINAL CANNABIS ONLY’ SAYS CHURCHES

SEE PAGE THREE

...AND WARNS FIRST PATIENT IS ONLY ‘A MATTER OF TIME’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

L SOUR CE

CASE DISMISSED

A US couple’s much-publicised $30m sexual assault lawsuit against Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort has been thrown out by a New York judge.

Full story - Page 3 and Business

THE government’s about-turn to eliminate VAT on construction services in the Dorian-ravaged islands was yesterday hailed as “a tremendous help” that will lower costs and speedup rebuilding.

Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, who had last year pushed hard for the government to extend VAT-free treatment to this particular service, told Tribune Business the move was “fantastic news that will go a long way to helping us rebuild Abaco”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PUBLIC TO HAVE SAY ON OIL OPERATIONS Inside

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian people will determine the fate of any commercial oil discovery in this nation’s waters, a Cabinet minister pledged yesterday, adding that the country is at “a crossroads” over the issue.

Romauld Ferreira, minister of the environment and housing, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas had reached the stage

MINISTER Romauld Ferreira where it “needs to know” if the Bahamas Petroleum

Company’s (BPC) decade-plus exploration work will translate into the discovery of commercial oil fields below the nation’s seabed.

Emphasising that BPC’s first well is exploratory, and no discovery has been confirmed, Mr Ferreira did not commit to holding a referendum on oil drilling in Bahamian waters should the company prove successful.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

My journey from Exuma to an Italian nightmare SEE PAGE FOUR

PAGE 2, Thursday, March 12, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

TURNQUEST: PI PROJECT WILL NOT THREATEN TOURISM MODEL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said Royal Caribbean International’s proposed Paradise Island project will not threaten the island’s tourism model as

the Progressive Liberal Party has claimed.

RCI wants to lease the eastern-most acres of a 17-acre crown land tract in the Colonial Beach area of Paradise Island as part of its Royal Beach Club destination, slated for 2022.

PLP officials, including

leader Philip “Brave” Davis, said successive governments have resisted letting cruise lines create destination projects on the island because of the existing tourism infrastructure.

“We don’t think (the nature of the project would threaten other businesses),”

Mr Turnquest said yesterday following a tour of the New Providence Landfill. “The Heads of Agreement and all the details around this will be tabled eventually so again, I would only suggest we wait for the details.”

Mr Davis has said a PLP government would

terminate the lease agreement. Mr Turnquest called that regrettable.

“As we all know,” he said, “the world is struggling for growth right now and so any confusion or concern that is expressed around these investments, illegitimate concerns, is truly regrettable. I think the leader of the opposition should acquaint himself with the details of the project and until he has an opportunity to do that I would only suggest that he might want to be reserved about the comments that he makes.”

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie told

reporters on Monday that leasing the crown land to RCI would be a mistake.

He said: “If you allow RCI to land at Prince George Dock, have its own enterprise on Paradise Island where they ship their people there then that is exclusionary and what is happening then is it’s like an all-inclusive hotel. The people who are on Bay Street who expect passengers, the people at The Pointe, the people at Paradise Island, the people at Baha Mar, the people at Arawak Cay (will be affected).”

WE MUST FIGHT FOR OUR ISLAND, URGES MILLER

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net GOLDEN Isles MP Vaughn Miller urged Bahamas to “fight” for the country while pointing to instances where he believes foreign interests have been given preference over Bahamians.

Speaking at the House of Assembly yesterday, the independent member of Parliament highlighted an ongoing row over five acres of crown land on Paradise Island’s western end that businessman Toby Smith said he had gotten approval to lease.

Mr Smith said this week on Guardian Talk Radio that he was “assured” by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis his $2m Paradise Island project would not be “compromised” in favour of Royal Caribbean International (RCI).

“The hot button issue in our country (is) this issue of this parcel of land on the western side of Paradise Island that one Toby Smith is claiming that he has documents signed and sealed for and now says seemingly that he has been told that

the document is not worth the paper that its been written on, a Bahamian,” Mr Miller said yesterday.

“So the question is: if we do not respect ourselves to that extent, then why should others respect us?

“There’s another pressing issue: one Prescott Smith who has been granted crown land by the Cabinet of the Bahamas on two occasions…now the struggle is for him apparently to develop property that he has been granted.”

He also said: “Too many of our good land, the best of our land has fallen into the hands of foreigners and elite Bahamians. The activating and restructuring of the sovereign wealth fund, the economic empowerment arm for the average Bahamian especially since we are on the verge of exploring for oil and expect to discover a minimum a billion barrels of oil. It is said it would create a paradigm shift in our country.

“My only concern is paradigm shift for who? That’s my concern. I conclude that God is fair, but life is not. You only get out of life what you fight for,” Mr Miller added.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 12, 2020, PAGE 3

from page one

We back medicinal cannabis only, says Christian Council

“We do not believe marijuana use should be condoned or encouraged as it is a mind altering potentially debilitating drug to some at varying degrees, capable of several negative side effects such as marijuana induced psychosis, cognitive impairment, negative impact on the brain of users under the age of 21, and reduced productivity,” a BCC statement read.

“We have no objection to medicinal use as long as it (is) properly regulated and scientifically proven to be the best remedy for the condition prescribed.”

The BCC disagreed with calls from the Rastafarian community for the government to sanction marijuana use for religious purposes.

“We cannot agree to sanctioning marijuana for religious purposes due to the psychoactive impact, however Rastafarians would be sufficiently covered under the small use category and would not face criminal prosecution.”

A BCC report on the issue was compiled by a committee spearheaded by Pastor Dave Burrows. Other members included Pastor Lyall Bethel, Pastor Mario Moxey, Elder Sarone Kennedy and Pastor Kevin Harris.

The council stated that “extensive research” was done, referencing

experiences of Colorado and California and “to a lesser extent references” to Canada and Jamaica. The BCC’s report largely had data from non-academic sources, such as news articles and government sites, and had a few studies from scholarly journals.

The BCC’s research revealed a significant increase in black market growers in a legal environment, “to the point of driving legal growers out of business” and usage among children and youth even though the legal age for use is 21.

The BCC highlighted the need to clearly differentiate between CBD (non-intoxicating or non-psychoactive) and THC (psychoactive,

psychotropic, intoxicating) in the marijuana discussion. Despite some benefits in the medical use of the drug for certain conditions like chronic pain, the report found a negative impact on mental health.

It was concluded in the report that cannabis was “an intoxicant” that was proven to be “dangerous” for adolescents and adults.

“Building revenue through drug use expansion did not help us during the cocaine years as the social costs far outweighed the economic benefit,” the report notes. “Expanded marijuana is unlikely bring us prosperity and advancement but very likely to increase our social costs in the end.”

THEREPORT was compiled by a committee spearheaded by Pastor Dave Burrows.

The report contin- outside of medicinal use is ues: “We believe that a absolutely not in our best reduction of penalties to interests due to the reathe level of citation for sons previously outlined. A small use can have a posi- creative look at minimising tive impact on young users penalties for small amounts but broad legalisation is therefore warranted.”

Judge throws out US couple’s $30m sexual assault claim against Sandals

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A US couple’s much-publicised $30m sexual assault lawsuit against Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and its affiliates has been thrown out in its entirety by a New York judge.

District judge Analisa Torres, sitting in the southern New York federal court, dismissed the lawsuit filed

by John Pascarella and Ashley Reid Pascarella on the basis that it lacked “personal jurisdiction” over the Bahamian resort and its international parent.

The duo, whose allegations received widespread TV and print coverage on both the US and UK media when they were first aired in 2019, had initiated legal action after claiming Mrs Pascarella was sexually assaulted by Moral Adderley, the butler assigned to them during their stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian.

“Ashley and Jeffrey Pascarella claim that Ashley was assaulted by an employee of Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island on the night before their destination wedding at that resort’s property,” Judge Torres wrote in surmising their action. “They bring claims against Sandals Royal Bahamian, its parent company, Sandals Resort International, and the tour company that helped book their wedding, Travel Impressions, for negligence, loss of consortium on behalf of Jeffrey, and breach of contract.”

Delving deeper into the allegations, the verdict recalled: “In April 2016, plaintiffs planned a destination wedding at the resort property operated by Sandals Royal Bahamian

in The Bahamas. Sandals Royal Bahamian is a subsidiary of Sandals Resorts International, which ‘sets policy for, directs and maintains throughout all its affiliate resorts . . . brand compliance and uniformity of accommodations, services, food, beverage, housekeeping, water sports, and all other environments, decor, and activities’.

“The wedding was booked through Travel Impressions. On the basis of the deal negotiated with Travel Impressions, plaintiffs invited some 70 guests to their destination wedding at Sandals Royal Bahamian’s property. During plaintiffs’ stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian’s property,

they were assigned a butler, who was an employee of Sandals Royal Bahamian.

“After a cocktail party held on the night before plaintiffs’ wedding, that employee ‘entered the bedroom of’ Ms Pascarella, and ‘undertook surreptitiously to molest, fondle, grope and take sexual liberties of’ her. She screamed for help, and resort security apprehended the butler. He was later charged with indecent assault in a Bahamian court.”

The butler, Moral Adderley, has vigorously denied that such an attack occurred even though he pled guilty to indecent assault in a Magistrate’s Court. He said he changed his initial ‘not guilty’ plea in an effort to escape

serving prison time and thus missing his father’s funeral.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Mr Adderley was reluctand to comment at length but did say: “At the end of the day right by you calling and asking me that (how I feel about the matter being settled) I feel horrible honestly speaking because it just make me feel as though they didn’t do good diligence.”

“They just went ahead and paid money and made the couple feel as if they were right all along. I’m disheartened by the news honestly and that’s all I’d like to say. Nothing else.”

Full story - See Business

JOHN and Ashley Reid Pascarella

As for expunging records of those charged for small quantities of cannabis, the council deferred the matter to the national committee spearheaded by former Commissioner Paul Farquharson and the council is awaiting the final recommendations of that committee before making any comments.

The council says an urgent education campaign is needed on the impact of marijuana on young people, specifically the “danger” of marijuana edibles which the group says has contributed to the increase of emergency room visits in every jurisdiction where marijuana has been decriminalized.

PAGE 4, Thursday, March 12, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net EDUCATION officials are in the process of updating the ministry’s infectious disease protocol to direct anyone experiencing respiratory illness symptoms to remain at home until they are cleared by a medical facility.

Minister of Education Jeffery Lloyd said yesterday that given the imminent threat from COVID-19, it was important updates be made to the ministry’s disease protocol, which has existed at the ministry for several years.

His ministry issued its first novel coronavirus circular to stakeholders on January 31, providing information about the nature of the disease.

Up to press time, there remains no suspected nor reported cases of coronavirus in the country.

“A circular was sent to all district superintendents, principals of all government schools, headquarters staff, heads of all satellite offices, president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, president of the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union, entitled: ‘the subject coronavirus alert’,” Mr Lloyd told Parliament.

“In that alert, information was provided about the nature of the coronavirus as being a member of a large family of viruses that caused illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, currently known as SARS and this such virus

Schools put plans into place to deal with virus can be transmitted between animals and people.”

He continued: “The communication went on further to advise the respective parties of the preventive actions to be taken to help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, which included (at) the first sign of these symptoms seek medical attention; wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use and alcohol based sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available; avoid touching eyes, ears nose mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing sneezing; cover your mouth and nose

ALESSANDRO Sarno, right, is known throughout The Bahamas as The Lonesome Photographer.

For years he has roamed through our islands producing stunning photography capturing the unique beauty of our nation. But today he is at home in a village near Venice, trapped in a country paralysed by the coronavirus. His asthmasuffering mother is nearby but he can’t visit for fear he may have the virus and could pass it on.

He stumbled into this nightmare after flying back to Italy following two months taking pictures in the Exumas for his new book. From paradise to a country gripped by fear......This is his story I FIRST realised the coronavirus was a serious issue when I landed in Venezia on February 25. I was returning from Miami where I’d spent a week after photographing and navigating through the Exuma cays for over two months.

As we disembarked the aircraft we were welcomed by a team of Red Cross volunteers, all geared up against infectious diseases.

They pointed a laser on our forehead to measure the body temperature and granted entry if it registered below 37.5 celsius.

With a higher temperature they’d have taken us to a special quarantine hospital in the outskirts of Venice where we’d have been kept for at least 14 days.

Venice’s Marco Polo airport is the third busiest airport in Italy after Roma and Milano yet as I walked through it was shockingly deserted. Never had I seen it like that in 30 plus years of travelling.

The following days went by quite smoothly and while news of the virus was everywhere it wasn’t until a friend sent me a press release from the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the real seriousness hit home. They were banning entry to people who had been in Italy, South Korea and Iran in the last 20 days.

My first feeling was of being discriminated and I thought how ridiculous it was to ban only these countries. Then I got worried of not being able to be back in The Bahamas in time to photograph the Georgetown regatta the third week in April.

Since that day the situation has escalated in the most dramatic and unthinkable way.

And Italy became the world’s main coronavirus spreader.

Last Saturday I went out for dinner with an old friend from high school. We were a bit nervous and trying to

when sneezing and coughing, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

“I am to advise this House and the honourable speaker that this circular is now in the process of being updated, delivered and directed to the respective parties aforementioned within 24 hours.

“Among the updates include those who may now suffer any of such symptoms - any teacher, students, administrators, janitorial staff are to remain at home until they have been released by medical facility.”

He further outlined the steps individual schools should take in the event a case of coronavirus is

identified, adding people should only heed information from the Ministry of Health.

“In recent times the ministry has and as well as the country suffered the outbreak of scabies and tuberculosis as well as bad strains of the flu on campuses,” Mr Lloyd said.

“The protocol calls for certain actions to be taken by the administrators in the immediate circumstance in which such condition may be identified.

“Such as number one: verify that such a condition may exist in the school by informing the school’s nurse and if a nurse is available that nurse will call the relevant authority to verify. If no nurse is available then

MINISTER of Education Jeffery Lloyd

(they are) to contact the nearest clinic and inform that clinic of the situation.

“If a case is verified then step two (is) that the nurse is to assist in getting the health team to the campus, meaning the Ministry of Health’s team, where if there is no nurse the principal will assign an administrator to call the nearest clinic, inform the director of education, the deputy director for schools management who will then inform the ministry.

“Call a meeting of the administrators and shop stewards with the nurse or someone from the clinic present and let that nurse or someone from the clinic inform them of the case and allow them to state the

It’s an unprecedented human and economic tsunami. And we are only at the beginning

ALESSANDRO Sarno’s pictures from home. keep a small distance from each other - at least one meter is recommended.

We were having a dessert when the chef’s wife came by the table and asked if we’d heard the news? The news was the Government had decided to restrict movements, close schools and churches, forbid funeral services, weddings and was shutting down all bars and restaurants at 6pm.

The whole Lombardia region and other 14 provinces, including Treviso, Venice and Padova would be affected at least until April 3.

We were shocked and did not finish the dessert.

On Monday night the news of a new ordinance extending the restrictions to the entire country incredibly leaked before the government could officially announce it. Thousands of people rushed to the Milan train station to go home to their families in the South of Italy. This fact was widely

protocols and inform the health official of what is next to be done. That team, the health team who arrives at the school, will then undertake a staff briefing and address the staff with regard to those protocols.

“These protocols are being updated at the moment and will be further directed to our administrators, staff, parents, students, heads of all satellite offices, president of the unions and all other stakeholders attached thereto to the Ministry of Education.

“We also have advised all stakeholders and those aforementioned to stay and pay close attention to official news sources, which in our circumstance is the Ministry of Health.”

discussed and criticised over the news and reminded me of a passage in Alessandro Manzoni’s famous Italian novel, The Betrothed, set around the time when the Black Death swept through Europe.

“They left before midnight. Nevertheless the ordinance prohibiting the population to leave the city of Milan and threatened the usual harsh punishments such as the seizure of their homes and properties, many left to find refuge in their country homes.”

Sadly 400 years later we had the exact same reaction. Little have we learned from history.

Always tempted to think only of ourselves seems to be the DNA of our race. This time we have to be better.

Back to today’s times. We can’t leave our homes unless we have a work or a medical reason, an emergency or to go to the grocery store or pharmacy. If we leave home we need to have with us a

document that certifies the reason why we are out, and if we don’t have one, we can be charged and detained for up to six months.

I live in a town called Montebelluna, 30 miles Northwest of Venice, at the feet of the famous Prosecco hills. It’s a nice little town surrounded by fields and hills with the mountains in the background.

Mornings are usually busy with people chatting in cafes, buying groceries - all the normal daily activities.

But today as I went out to frame some of my photographs of The Bahamas, the atmosphere was surreal, only a few people around, no-one walked close to the other, I was even afraid of saying hello in fear that droplets in my breath could reach the other person or theirs could reach me.

You completely change your habits, I don’t even have a coffee at the bar and I don’t stop and talk to anyone.

I think I never experienced such a sense of fear and heaviness. I have never been in a war but if I had to imagine it would be like this morning. I’m not so afraid of the virus for myself but I am terrified that I can infect my mom, Gabriella. She has asthma and she is 78, this means that if she gets it she dies.

There are millions of people in the same situation. The elderly are left home alone or in old peoples homes. They can’t have visitors.

Children can’t go to school and parents are forced to rearrange their working life. Shops are closing, airports too.

It’s an unprecedented human and economic tsunami. And we are only at the beginning.

In the afternoon the sun came out and warmed the air a bit as I walked my dog in the fields. I had a sense of calmness of reconnection with nature and came

home with a renewed sense of hope.

I then dived into my photographs of The Bahamas and started working on my new book of The Exumas and for a while was lost in the memories and visions of my beloved Bahamas, forgetting for a small moment about the current nightmare we are living.

I wish to conclude with a strong message to my friends in The Bahamas.

Please don’t underestimate the impact of the coronavirus. I understand it seems so far from your beautiful shores but trust me, being in the midst of it here in Italy you come to a clearer understanding of things.

The worst mistake you can do is to think that it is just a flu. It is not and the number of casualties the virus could bring in your little islands are huge.

The main danger for those who get the virus is the extreme difficulty in breathing. When it’s critical you must have an artificial ventilator and if clinics and hospitals don’t, all you can do is pray. In some hospitals in Lombardia doctors are already having to decide who to cure and who not to. All beds are full, every piece of equipment is in use and we have some of the best hospitals in Italy and we can’t cope.

Just read the daily Bulletin: more than 10,000 infected people in Italy and 168 deaths in one day.

God save us.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 12, 2020, PAGE 5

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS from page one However the health minister estimated less than 100 people will have to be hospitalised in The Bahamas if the country was in a similar situation as Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak.

He explained: “The worst case scenario, let’s say is Wuhan, China where there have been 80,000 cases.

Wuhan has a population of about 15 million, but if we say out of the Chinese population of 1.4 billion…that maybe 80 million people contributed to that 80,000 cases and then you extrapolate that to the population of the Bahamas which is 400,000 people.

“Doing that arithmetic, you would get a worst-case scenario of some 400 cases in The Bahamas. Now we also know that out of those 400 cases, 80 percent of people don’t even know they have it, okay. That’s four out of every five….10 percent of people wind up with serious infection and wind up in hospital and about five percent of people wind up critically ill.

“So even if we have a Wuhan-like scenario in the

Sands predicts scenario if virus breaks out here Commonwealth of The Bahamas, we’re looking at hospitalised, potentially less than 100 people and the Intensive Care Unit, deaths, etc worst-case scenario based on the Wuhan scenario even less.”

Dr Sands said according to the global data, the disease is more of a threat to the elderly, particularly killing older, male patients with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, lung disease etc. People who are 80-years-old have anywhere between a 14 percent and 20 percent chance of dying if infected, said the health minister.

“If you are between ten and 19 and you get infected with coronavirus, you have a one in 500 chance of dying. If you are less than 40-years-old, and the cut offs vary, you have about a

one in 250 chance of dying if you get infected,” he said.

The minister also put out a buyer’s warning as he noticed people online taking advantage of a frightened public by selling two masks and a hand sanitizer for $48. He said wearing a face mask does not provide any protection from COVID-19, but buying masks limits the number of stock for people who need them such as border protection officials.

Outside of Cabinet on Tuesday, the minister said a six-bed unit on the compound of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) was in the process of being built and the design for a 20-bed intensive care unit had been agreed upon. He gave more details yesterday that those units would be completed in six weeks.

DUANE Sands yesterday Asked about the Family Islands’ coronavirus plan, Dr Sands explained every clinic on those islands has identified an isolation room, but the emphasis is greater on islands with international ports that see more international travelers.

“Every clinic has been given the protocol. They have access to the public health team and we can walk any doctor, any nurse, any health professional

through the steps that they need to take,” he explained.

Asked about the issue of self-quarantine, Dr Sands said no one should try to treat themselves if they suspect they have the virus.

Instead they should see a doctor and call the ministry’s hotline.

Despite officials telling people not to panic, yesterday, a video circulated online showing people outside of the Fleming Street Clinic as it was feared there was an infected person there. However, staff at the clinic told The Tribune that there were no suspected cases at the facility.

The WHO said Wednesday that there are 118,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths from COVID-19. The virus has spread to every continent except for Antarctica.

“We have never before seen a pandemic sparked

by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled at the same time,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday.

“Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this coronavirus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.”

He also said: “WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.

“We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough: All countries can still change the course of this pandemic.”

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands addressed church leaders at the Melia yesterday.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune Staff

‘It’s only a matter of time before Bahamas identifies its first case’ from page one He also revealed that staff of the Fleming Street Clinic evacuated the facility yesterday when someone suggested a patient had contracted the virus.

Expressing frustration with fake news, he said the person who made the remark––a suspected clinic employee––will be fired if found.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said officials will monitor price gouging amid reports that prices of hand sanitizers have exploded in recent days.

“If we detect any (price gouging), we’ll deal with it appropriately, but we will not tolerate it, absolutely not,” he told reporters after touring the New Providence Ecology Park.

The comments all came as Bahamians ramped up preparations for a disease that has already burdened healthcare systems of countries experiencing outbreaks.

The University of the Bahamas cancelled a coronavirus meeting as a cautionary measure against large meetings and encouraged faculty to use online applications to deliver content and communicate with students.

Dr Minnis activated a National Coordination Committee comprising government officials and representatives from health, finance, tourism and education sectors. Meanwhile, items like paper

towels, disinfectant sprays, water and hand sanitizers continued to fly off shelves across stores in the country.

Dr Sands, speaking to nurses at the Ministry of Health on Meeting Street, said: “Jamaica confirmed they have a case, St Bart’s got a case, Dominican Republic got a case, so…I’m not speaking negatively about my country but I am saying that it’s just a matter of time before we get the first case. With the declaration of a pandemic now, our focus changes from trying to prevent importation to identification, isolation and control.”

On the death benefit increase for healthcare workers, Dr Sands said: “Some might say that’s not enough, but the challenge is we have to be able

to promise something we can deliver. The expectation is, given the collapsing (US) stock market, cruise ships having problems, airlines having problems, this is going to be a major financial hit to The Bahamas and nobody is going to come to rescue us other than us.”

Dr Sands said there is a need for healthcare workers to volunteer to deal with COVID-19 patients.

It was suggested during the meeting that insufficient nurses have been volunteering. One nurse admonished her colleagues to volunteer for the service.

“There is no way that we as this small unit can stretch ourselves as the frontline, middle-line and the back-line, we really need our colleagues,” she said.

“It could be by mother,

your mother, your aunt, your sister’s name on the beds. Some of us, we’re not just coworkers, we’re family. There’s no way we can sit down and say ‘I’m not touching this patient because of XYZ.’ We knew when we got into this profession what we’re getting into.”

Another nurse complained that there is difficulty identifying an isolation area at Carmichael Road Detention Centre for potential CVOID-19 patients.

“I think,” Dr Sands responded, “you have a peculiar and unique challenge because the Detention Centre has a serious challenge with TB and managing patients with TB. The fact that you don’t have an isolation area is unacceptable…Let’s

deal with the issue of the Detention Centre off-line please…”

Videos circulated yesterday of anxious people standing outside the Fleming Street Clinic amid a false claim that someone who showed up with the coronavirus.

Dr Sands said: “Somebody would’ve said this person could have that thing and before we know it, the entire staff break off running. Next thing I know, we got videos on social media, Facebook. I ask you, suppose it was my HIV status, or your pregnancy status or gonorrhea or syphilis or whatever. I think we need to understand that no matter what, patient confidentiality even in this era has to be maintained. If I ever found out who it was that created that fear, I will

D’AGUILAR WORRIED BY TRUMP TRAVEL BAN

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE “earth-shattering” move by the US to impose a 30-day travel ban on most European nations has created alarm over where the coronavirus fallout is going to end, a Cabinet minister said last night. Dioniso D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told The Tribune that the government will have to “carefully digest” the Trump administration’s decision and all the potential implications for The Bahamas, its economy and tourism over the next few days.

Noting that the ban does not take effect until tomorrow, Mr D’Aguilar described President Trump’s

announcement as “huge” and a “fairly dramatic move” - especially since no warnings had been given that it was being considered.

The ban threatens to cause travel chaos for the thousands of European stopover visitors who come to The Bahamas annually, since most access this nation by connecting through US east coast aviation hubs in Florida, Atlanta and New York. Only British Airways provides direct non-stop flights to Europe via London Heathrow five times per week, and the UK is not included in the countries affected.

“We’ve got to think through what we’ve got to do, and how to react to this, and that requires some consultation with the group and Cabinet, on how best to proceed forward,” Mr

D’Aguilar said. “I guess the $45m question is: Who’s next?

“The issue is the great unknown about how this is going to pan out.

The fact that the US has banned virtually all travel from Europe, the burning question in everyone’s mind is: Where is this going to end? Where there’s uncertainty the first thing to stop is travel.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt in anyone’s mind that every single day this goes on there’s going to be a significant effect on our economy as more of these earth-shattering announcements are made. It’s a cause for unease and concern. It’s a pandemic, and now the US is moving to take this significant travel restriction it’s just worrying.”

see to it that you are fired. I don’t think that there is any justification for violating patient confidentiality at any time. If you are afraid, call and say ‘I don’t think I can do this,’ but to abandon a patient, to leave a patient, is a violation of the oath that we take. I understand fear but fear that is misguided is inappropriate.”

Dr Sands said officials are still trying to determine how many ventilators, oxygen tanks and other key materials are in the country. He said the country has about 400 diagnostic tests right now and has just ordered 500 more.

He added he does not believe the coronavirus will be an “Armageddon scenario” leading to millions of deaths around the world.

“There will be thousands of deaths, many thousands of infections…but if we work together as health professionals I believe that we can protect our population, protect our country and move on, but we cannot unless everyone buys into that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Robert Sands, Baha Mar senior vice president, discussed with The Tribune the impact the coronavirus is having on the resort’s business.

He said the resort has seen a slight decrease in advanced bookings and increasing inquiries about its coronavirus protocols.

He said spring break and Easter bookings remain strong.

Editorial View - Page 6

PAGE 6, Thursday, March 12, 2020

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,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Travel ban brings economic effects of virus to The Bahamas WITHOUT a single case of coronavirus yet recorded in The Bahamas, the economic effects arrived at our doorstep last night.

When US president Donald Trump announced a ban on travel from Europe to the United States, The Bahamas will suffer from the knock-on effects.

The ban is to last 30 days, and covers every country in Europe except, strangely, for the UK. There are direct flights from the UK to The Bahamas but visitors from around the world routinely come through the US to arrive at our shores. As the government yesterday told the media that it was only a matter of time before the first case of the coronavirus was identified in The Bahamas, so today they will have to pivot to deal with the economic blow that will come from an end of flights from Europe. The ban will start at midnight on Friday.

All manner of questions come to the fore – will people here at present be able to get home? What will be the impact for hotels from the ban? It’s not just people either, but supply chains that will be affected – a ban on flights will include air freight. Yesterday, Baha Mar reported that spring break bookings remain strong – we hope that remains the case with alarm bells ringing over international flights.

Meanwhile, across the US itself, largescale events have been cancelled. The NBA last night was the latest to make an announcement, suspending its season as a Utah Jazz player was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Excluding the UK also seems bizarre – given the country has already had 456 cases, a number that rose by 73 yesterday. It has a higher rate of infection so far than, for example, Portugal, Poland, and a number of Eastern European countries.

Still, this is where we are. There are more cases on the west coast of America than in some of those countries being banned, so is President Trump going to ban flights from there to the east coast next?

Thankfully, we have no reported cases here so far, and we expect vigilance will

continue to try to prevent any spread within the community.

The government has taken steps – increasing death benefit of healthcare workers, for example, and clamping down on fake reports that make it harder to focus resources where they’re needed if people are having to take the time out of their day to verify false claims.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands accepted it is only a matter of time before we get a case – but if we have as many preparations in place as possible and if people follow sensible precautions of washing hands and isolating themselves if they exhibit symptoms, we can hopefully stop one case becoming a hundred cases. Avoid contact, keep your distance, stop shaking hands, and if you feel ill, call a doctor and for goodness’ sake, stay away from the elderly or the vulnerable.

The country has 400 diagnostic tests available so far – not enough, the government itself is aware, as it has just ordered 500 more. We would hope there would be more beyond that too to enable widespread testing to track contacts of anyone who is diagnosed.

In Dr Sands’ worst case scenario, he predicts 400 confirmed cases in The Bahamas, with perhaps 100 needing hospital treatment.

What will life be like if a coronavirus outbreak occurs here? We would recommend all readers take the time to read Alessandro Sarno’s account. Known throughout The Bahamas as The Lonesome Photographer, he is presently trapped at home in a small village near Venice, in a country locked down as the virus spreads across Italy.

He reports being unable to leave his home unless there is a work or medical reason, an emergency or to go to the store or pharmacy. The streets are empty, the doors are shut.

That is what we are trying to prevent.

That is why it is important to follow advice and take precautions.

No one in our leadership is taking this outbreak lightly. We must make sure we don’t either.

This time, the US sneeze will be more than a cold EDITOR, The Tribune HOW many times over a lifetime has one heard the desperate sigh: “Oh, dear God, what is this world coming to?”

Yes, what is it coming to!

I remember, not too many moons ago, when a British official was to pay an official visit to the Bahamas.

This was nothing unusual, except in one particular.

How was he and his partner to be treated socially?

Nothing peculiar, but at the time nothing could be found in the social guide, or the book of etiquette as to how this couple was to be recognised. You see they were not married – nor did they make any secret of it!

However, they were living as though they were. Somehow the officials at the time muddled their way through, wiped their brows and got over the hurdle.

Now many years later we have a prime minister in the UK, who has just announced that he and his partner, not only got engaged recently, but are expecting a baby this summer! They have yet to say when they plan to marry, or if the divorce

from his first wife – with whom it is claimed he had five children – has yet come through!

Yes, dear God, what is this tired old world coming to? It seems that it has escaped us and we are living on another planet!

And on this side of the Atlantic we see the United States, which prides itself as the world’s leader, being led by a man who seems to believe he is God’s gift to mankind, but is incapable of telling the truth!

Donald Trump— it gives me goose bumps even at the mention of his name — claims that he has a predisposition toward science because of his “super genius” uncle. It is feared that this “super genius” might interfere with scientists’ attempt to contain the outbreak of coronavirus by playing down its growing threat for fear of it interfering with his country’s economy!

It is true that Trump had a brilliant uncle who taught, and later became a professor emeritus at MIT, and was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ronald Reagan, but Donald Trump

is even a greater buffoon than I thought he was by believing that he inherited anything from his uncle — as a matter of fact the poor uncle would probably turn in his grave at the way his nephew is now trading on his good name!

According to Trump climate warming is a hoax — despite all destructive evidence to the contrary around us — and at one point he was trying to say that the threat of corona virus spreading in the United States was also a hoax!

Yes, the world has certainly changed — at one time a man like Trump would not even be allowed in the back door! The American elections can’t come soon enough. Hopefully voters will have the sense to vote him out before he leads us on a devil’s dance to destruction.

Remember the saying — when the U.S sneezes the Bahamas catches a cold!

Only this time the sneeze will result in more than a cold.

CONCERNED Nassau March 6, 2020

Benefits of home ports EDITOR, The Tribune CRITICS of the FNM who accuse it of being a reincarnation of the now defunct United Bahamian Party are in for a rude awakening when the details of the purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort

by Royal Caribbean finally emerge. In fact, this deal (like many others) will likely confirm a vast difference between the FNM and the UBP. The UBP’s principle faults were in its internal socio-economic policies, which favoured an entrenched status quo and resisted the removal of an unsustainable racial hierarchy in politics and society.

In its dealings with the outside world, which included relations with foreign investors, and in its positioning of The Bahamas to take advantage of current trends in the world economy, the UBP demonstrated remarkable strengths. Most notably, it clearly understood when the interests of multinational investors and The Bahamas did not align, and it came down strongly in favour of the latter.

By contrast, the FNM seems to adopt the position of awe-struck pupil when dealing with foreign multinationals, taking their advice uncritically on how to maximise benefits from their activities. Ministers’ speeches following heads of agreements read like recited school mantras, scripted by the investors themselves.

LAWSUITS have been filed against insurance companies in Freeport over their alleged failure to make proper payment for insurance claims filed over property damage associated with Hurricane Dorian. Readers posted their reactions on tribune242.com.

ThisIsOurs asked: “Why the requirement that a property be bulldozed before payment is agreed to? There is no clause that an insurance payout has to be used on the damaged property is there? Couldn’t you take the payout and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Nowhere is this contrast more sharply demonstrated than in our relationship with the cruise industry, where the UBP began a policy that continues to favour onshore (hotel) operators over the cruise sector, since the former bring vastly more economic and fiscal benefit to the country. In fact, under the UBP government, cruise ships were mandated to shut down their entertainment activities at night when in port in Nassau, as they were rightly perceived as unlicensed business competitors to licensed Bahamian businesses on Bay Street and beyond.

Today’s FNM government is in the process of selling the largest hotel property in our second city to a cruise company, which intends to immediately remove 700 rooms out of a total inventory of 1,300 rooms and replace them with (you guessed it!) entertainment facilities. So not only will they permit the cruise industry to downsize onshore rooms, but they will permit it to dampen the environment for Bahamian-owned entertainment options, by competing to keep the entertainment dollar.

A smart government, which recognised the strengths of The Bahamas in general and Grand

decide you’re leaving the country and building elsewhere?”

That prompted this response from Bobsyeruncle: “Might be like auto insurance, where the vehicle title has to be given to insurance company in the event the vehicle is written off. This prevents unscrupulous

Bahama in particular visà-vis the cruise industry, would have begun negotiations with the cruise companies with one principal aim: to see them commit to develop Freeport as a “home port” (as Miami and Fort Lauderdale now are), to which their passengers fly to begin their Caribbean cruises.

Home porting (as opposed to just having a hotel and developing a harbour) would have had two beneficial effects. Firstly, rather than demolishing rooms, it would compel the construction of vast numbers of additional rooms throughout the island to handle the overnight traffic of cruise-bound passengers from all over the USA and beyond. Anyone who has ever stayed at a hotel anywhere around the Port of Miami would clearly understand this.

Secondly, home-porting would necessitate the rapid reconstruction and improvement of Grand Bahama’s international airport, to the extent that the cruise companies themselves would in all likelihood have financed it.

Instead, what we seem to be getting is yet more downgrading of Grand Bahama’s prospects, driven by a mismatch between savvy foreign businessmen and a hopelessly gullible government, whose national self-loathing.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, March 7, 2020. people selling on, or buying, a ‘written off’ vehicle, fixing it up and then selling on what is now a potential deathtrap for someone driving it on the road. In this instance, maybe the insurance company doesn’t want them to ‘fix’ up the property and then live there (or flip it to someone else), as whatever is left of the structure could be compromised.”

To which ThisIsOurs answered with: “That’s reasonable, but then what’s the purpose of giving less without the clause?”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 12, 2020, PAGE 7

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis along with Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest and senior government officials toured the New Providence Ecology Park yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

$10m spent on ‘miraculous transformation’ of garbage site

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net TIMOTHY Hodge met a putrid scent and 95 acres of open garbage when he arrived at the city dump a year ago, the byproduct of years of mismanagement.

Yesterday he led Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on a tour of the revamped site, now called the New Providence Ecological Park, prompting Dr Minnis to say: “What I see today is a miraculous transformation.”

Garbage now occupies just eight acres of the 300plus acre area. Having reduced fire risks, officials are gearing up for new initiatives like recycling cans, glass, plastic and aluminium, as well as composting and managing hazardous materials. On March 15, they will mark the one-year anniversary since Providence Advisors/WRDG Consortium began remediating and operating the site.

Chairman Felix Stubbs said about $10 million has been spent to transform the landfill. He said the requirements have been labour and capital intensive. “It takes awhile to make a pay-back but we have to do the work upfront,” he said, adding that shrubs will be planted on the site’s many acres of wasteland.

Mr Hodge, the project manager, said staff have worked 12-hour days to make progress. “We consolidated everything in as small a footprint as possible, compacted it, squished it to get it to better shape and to get the oxygen out of it and then we covered it,” he said. “That’s the primary response on any sort of contaminated site to get everything contained and under control. You’re worried about vectors, which could be smell, fire, dogs, scavengers, leaking out the bottom, emissions from the top, by capping, closing and containing it.

“We imported about 40,000 (yards of cover) material from off-site and we reused about 20,000 to 30,000 yards onsite for the same project so getting everything capped, contained and controlled was really the main push of phase one and that’s where we find ourselves now. The result is a great reduction in fire risk, great reduction in smells, mosquitoes and flies and everything else, all the above so what you find today is a much more humane site, a much more secure site.”

Twenty-four hour security has reduced the number of vagrants at the site. “The biggest thing we’ve done is get all the garbage covered,” Mr Hodge said. “There’s a lot less reason to be here

TWO MEN INJURED IN SEPARATE SHOOTINGS

TWO men were injured in two separate shootings in the capital on Tuesday, police said. Shortly before 11pm, a man was standing near a vehicle in a parking lot in the area of Wulff Road off Mackey Street, when he was approached by a gunman who shot him. The injured male was transported to hospital by

paramedics where he is listed in stable condition.

In the second incident, shortly after 11pm, a group was standing in a yard at Davis Street, Fox Hill, when they were approached by an armed man, who opened fire on them. A male was injured and transported to hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

now and historically when everything was uncovered there were a lot more things to scavenge and work on and trade and swap and that’s just doesn’t exist anymore.”

The landfill now employs between 55 and 70 people.

“Most importantly,” Dr Minnis said, “lots of Bahamians are employed. I was impressed that there is a Bahamian who has a PhD in this type of facility and he was recruited and is working here so it shows that Bahamians

have the capacity if given the opportunity and I am pleased that they were given the opportunity and as we move forward, I want Bahamians to be given opportunities even more.”

Don Saunders, MP for Tall Pines, said the

transformation of the site is a boost for community residents who were continually worried about fires. Now, he said, they can look forward to better valuation of their properties after years of worrying about the opposite effect.

PAGE 8, Thursday, March 12, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Could Trump’s apparent lack of interest in the virus crisis finally be his undoing?

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s administration is not going to make many friends in the Western Hemisphere generally or in tourist-dependent areas like The Bahamas if current suspicions are validated that Trump & Co deliberately downplayed the coronavirus threat to keep the stock market at high levels to buttress his re-election campaign.

American tourists are notorious for changing or cancelling travel plans in the face of health or security threats.

Charges have been flying for the past week that Trump, who personally appears to remain largely disinterested in the potentially massive health threat to the US, overruled medical experts and aides whose warnings that glossing over the dangers of the virus would only exacerbate their inexorable deleterious effects on the nation’s health.

The news outlets most committed to unseating Trump in November – The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN and MSNBC – have all

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

been running stories that chronicle Trump’s efforts to minimize the virus crisis even as evidence mounted of its severity.

The US is looking just as unprepared and unable to combat the virus as it was to assist Hurricane Katrinaravaged New Orleans in 2005 when George W Bush was president. Remember when Bush said “You’re doing a great job, Brownie” to his FEMA director even as the federal government was falling flat on its face with relief efforts?

Trump has been intermittently praising his medical and disease prevention experts at the same time undercutting their cautionary messages to the public. As he dithered about whether or not to visit the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta recently, reports circulated that he was more concerned about

the possibility of becoming infected himself than in demonstrating support for his government’s lead agency charged with combatting this growing health crisis.

And when Trump did finally show up in Atlanta wearing his 2020 campaign hat which blared “Keep America Great,” there was some inescapable irony in the resulting images.

In an additional irony doubtless savoured by the tens of millions of American voters increasingly anxious for Trump to depart the White House, it turned out the recent annual Conservative Political Action Committee conference in Washington, which Trump addressed, included someone suspected of coronavirus infection. What if Trump, the denier in chief of the current pandemic, were to become infected himself?

Texas Senator and 2016 Trump opponent Ted Cruz, another CPAC attendee, has self-quarantined after hearing the news of the delegate’s infection.

Whether the news reports of Trump’s regrettable sense of priorities in downplaying the pandemic’s threat are true or “fake news”, the coronavirus and the associated stock market slide are threatening to put a serious dent in his re-election prospects.

Those prospects were further dinged as Democrats seemed to be following the practical lead of their most loyal and reliable constituency.

African-Americans have been telling pollsters for months that their highest 2020 election priority is dismissing Trump. No amount of gauzy promises or free government giveaways from Bernie Sanders appears to be able to sway them from this fundamental goal.

The black vote propelled Joe Biden to his big, momentous primary victory in South Carolina, which in turn begat unexpected success across the US on Super Tuesday that in turn was sustained on Tuesday as the former Vice President claimed victory in Michigan, where he will also need to prevail in November.

Biden also won in a variety of smaller states, most of which will support Trump no matter how outrageously or even illegally he behaves between now and November. It looks like Biden and Sanders will split

the delegates from Washington state.

Superficially, it may appear Biden’s popularity among black voters flows from his close friendship and collaboration with former President Barack Obama, whose basic dignity remains in such stark contrast to the bombastic Trump.

The truth may be more complex. Never in recent memory has an American chief executive been so scrutinized and psychoanalyzed as has Trump. He has, to use a psychologist’s term, disregulated the American psyche. What were for generations regarded as political and social norms for a President have been casually discarded during the current administration.

The result is a profound yearning for some kind of predictable normalcy.

Voters are clearly seeking a sense that their President is capable of and willing to put the interests of the country that elected him above his own personal prerogatives and profits. Trump, in too many minds, does not pass this elemental test.

Biden is old. He is older than Trump. He is a political retread. This is his third and exponentially most successful run for President.

But political friends and foes alike readily admit he is a decent man, and the poignant story of his son Beau – an Iraq war veteran and accomplished politician who died in 2015 of brain cancer – adds to the basic

appeal of this Average Joe (or Sleepy Joe, as Trump calls him). It may be that the sordid story of another son, Hunter, has run its scandalous course, but we will see about that.

Many of Biden’s erstwhile rivals for this year’s Democratic presidential nomination have now endorsed him, with California senator Kamala Harris joining the group on Sunday. New Jersey senator Cory Booker signed on with the Biden campaign the next day.

It may be that we are witnessing the takeover of the Democratic Party as pundits have been forecasting, but not by left-wing ideologues as has been so frequently and loudly reported. The takeover may instead be by pragmatists driven by the African Americans’ singular priority to kick Trump out of the White House.

By the way, if Biden were to prevail in November, can you imagine the position of South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, the House Majority Whip whose well-timed endorsement of Biden is credited with impelling the former VP to his huge South Carolina win? Biden would owe Clyburn bigtime. A recommendation from the South Carolina legislator could lead to big things in a prospective Biden administration.

But we might be getting ahead of ourselves. The general election is still eight long months away.

FAMILY LIFE LIKELY TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN NOVEMBER’S ELECTION

JOE Biden cannot misbehave or lose his composure when confronting provocative voters.

AS THE Trump campaign machine adjusts to the increasing likelihood of a Biden nomination to oppose the president in November, a new line of attack is becoming apparent. The Trump campaign will milk the Hunter Biden story as long as it possibly can, but the Democrats can fire back with the arsenal of ammunition they possess on the president’s own family and unmerited assignments.

Trump’s children and sonin-law have all been given positions in his business, campaign and administration for which they are profoundly unqualified.

The damage done to America’s foreign policy by callow Jared Kushner, for instance, may be hard for the next administration to repair, particularly in, but not limited to, the Middle East.

The new line of

Republican attack has ‘Sleepy Joe’ as its emblem.

Trump’s bloggers and Fox News are pushing the line that Biden is senile, mentally slow or worse. Biden will have to demonstrate by improved debate performances and campaign appearances that this is untrue.

Perhaps more dangerous is Biden’s temper. The other day at a rally in Detroit, someone approached him with the accusation that the former vice president wants to take away everyone’s guns. Biden flashed his anger, and said ‘You’re full of s___.”

Many supporters are hoping to see that temper directed at Trump on the debate stage this fall.

Given Trump’s years of bullying behaviour, it will please many to see him get a taste of his own medicine.

But Biden cannot misbehave or lose his composure when confronting provocative voters. That will properly erode his support and make him look little better than the man he hopes to defeat.

THE TRIBUNE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Relief Cruise is continuing its ongoing relief mission from West Palm Beach to Grand Bahama, helping with the rebuilding of homes and a local business on the island.

Melisa Brennan and Brian Villelia, representatives of Bahamas Relief Cruise, were in Grand Bahama recently coordinating all the logistical work and supplies for their relief mission in East End. According to Ms Brennan, logistical coordinator, BRC has secured a grant and sponsorship from Subculture Restaurant Group owned by Rodney Mayo, one of the founders of BRC, to construct housing containers for two families whose homes were destroyed by Dorian.

The containers will be transformed into homes, consisting of two bedrooms, one bath, and a kitchen, and will be fully furnished, and with a power generator.

“These container houses are being constructed to weather the most severe storms and will be resistant to flooding by incorporating waterproof building materials,” Ms Brennan said.

“These housing containers will be the first permanent new structures in Grand Bahama since the storm and will be donated completely free to two Bahamian families on March 28,” she added.

Ms Brennan believes the containers could be a starter home for Bahamians wishing to return to their properties and establish some normalcy.

“These container houses will create a permanent residence that a family can expand on and help re-establish the neighbourhoods that were lost due to the storm,’ she said.

Communities in East Grand Bahama have been wiped out by the storm.

Houses and buildings were swept off their foundations by flood water, leaving many residents displaced.

Since early September,

Thursday, March 12, 2020, PAGE 9

Containers turned into new homes for victims CONTAINERS being transformed into homes, consisting of two bedrooms, one bath, and a kitchen, and will be fully furnished, and with a power generator.

BRC has been organising missions to Grand Bahama through a partnership with Bahamas Celebration, bringing building materials, food, and medical supplies and medical assistance to victims in Grand Bahama.

In addition to assisting with home restoration, BRC representatives have committed to helping with the restoration of a local restaurant EJ’s, owned by Joe Thomas, of East End. Ms Brennan is back now in Palm Beach organising a

team of volunteers for a trip on March 18 to assist with home rebuilding in the eastern part of the island.

Local Bahamian contractor Kevin Ferguson commended the group for what they are doing and pledged his support by agreeing to provide labour for the rebuilding cause in East End. He is appealing to other local contractors and construction companies to also donate or volunteer one day of labour to restoration and

reconstruction of McLean’s Town, High Rock, and the other affected settlements.

“If they can come from West Palm Beach with many building materials and volunteer their services and leave their businesses to come to help us, it is only fitting that some of our contractors and business people lend a hand and give some of their time too, to help restore East End. If we can get 10 contractors we could really bring some hope to East End,” Mr Ferguson said.

Ms Brennan said BRC has been at the forefront since its first mission helping Bahamians with passage to Florida on Bahamas Celebration after the hurricane.

“The Bahamas Relief Cruise is a 100 percent volunteer organisation and we want to continue to assist and to encourage locals to

step in and assist us with our efforts here in Grand Bahama. It is very important,” she said.

In the earlier missions, the group has provided some 90 generators and supplies and brought pallets of water, food, and other supplies which were distributed to Grand Bahamians.

“We also brought 50 doctors with us and provided medical services, insulin

for people, and delivered a baby on the road. We brought 1,300 Bahamians back to Florida and we offered shelter for a lot of families as well,” she said.

Ms Brennan stated that their volunteer medical teams have provided prosthetic legs to seven people in December, and will return on March 15 to provide prosthetic legs to 14 more individuals.

Fox Hill trial: My girlfriend was shot dead

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net A MAN recounted yesterday how he saw his girlfriend shot and fall off a wall during the chaos of the 2013 Fox Hill mass shooting.

Recalling the events of the fatal evening, John Davis testified how he was at the Fox Hill Park with his girlfriend – deceased Shenique Sands — and family members waiting to hear Junkanoo results when he spotted a grey car “coming from east to west”.

“I saw someone coming out the vehicle and begin shooting,” he told the court. Moments later, Mr Davis said he saw his girlfriend get shot and fall off a wall she was sitting on.

“I felt shocked (and) fear. I didn’t know what to do. My instinct was to go her and protect her.”

Mr Davis said while he was able to glimpse the shooter, he could not see his face. However, he told the court that the shooter’s complexion was dark-skinned. “They were either sitting on the window or leaning out of the front window,” he added.

Asked by defence attorney Sonia Timothy about whether he knew Peter Rolle – one of the accused — Mr Davis replied “no ma’am.”

Asked whether Rolle was the father of Ms Sands’ children, Mr Davis asserted: “Never asked who the father of her children were.”

Mr Davis said he was not hurt during the chaos.

Meanwhile a crime scene investigator testified yesterday how he found five cartridge cases in the car used by gunmen to execute the shooting.

Detective Constable Neil Munroe, taking the witness before Justice Deborah Fraser yesterday, said he made the discovery on December 27, 2013 after receiving certain information and instructions from officials concerning a Honda vehicle.

It was this information, D/C Munroe asserted, that led him to a vacant lot at a residence on Bartlett Street, where he observed a grey 2017 Honda Accord car parked.

Upon observation, D/C Munroe said he discovered that the vehicle in question was still “running” and that the ignition switch was damaged.

Acting upon instructions given by a superior officer who was also present at the scene, D/C Munroe said he went into the car to retrieve the cartridge cases. He later revealed that he found five shell casings in the backseat of the car. However, he said he did not search the front seat of the vehicle.

Asked by defence attorney Geoffrey Farquharson on whether he looked under the mat in the vehicle in question, D/C Munroe replied that he did not.

“I was instructed to not tamper with too much of the scene,” he added. These instructions, he told the court, did not include inspecting the vehicle for fingerprints or for gunpower residue.

During yesterday’s trial, Mr Farquharson interrogated D/C Munroe about the casings he had found after suggesting that examinations were not done thoroughly by the officer due to the fact that other shell casings were found in the car.

However, D/C Munroe maintained that he could only act on instructions given by his superiors. After examination, the officer said he completed an evidence for analysis form and handed it to his superior the following day.

The testimony came during the trial of Peter Rolle, Jermaine Curry and Justin Williams concerning the December 27, 2013 shooting at Freedom Park.

According to initial reports, around 6pm on the date in question, occupants of a small, dark vehicle opened fire in the area just behind the basketball court where several people were gathered.

Williams, Rolle and Curry are accused of murdering four people - Claudezino Davis, Shaquille Demeritte, Eric Morrison and Shenique Sands on that date.

They are also charged with attempting to murder Janet Davis, Samuel Ferguson, Chino Davis, John Davis, Jermaine Pratt and Leroy Taylor.

Curry is represented by attorney Murrio Ducille, while Rolle is represented

by Mrs Timothy. Williams is represented by Mr Farquharson.

The case continues.

Cruise Control Safety and comfort go hand in hand.

Welcome to the new Mercedes E-Class. From the moment you get in, its elaborate interior and smart finishes provide an atmosphere of comfort that knows no bounds. The E-Class’ superior machinery is designed to give you the most compelling driving experience and its direct control suspension helps you glide serenely over the road. Take comfort in a vehicle that delivers what it promises.

The E-Class. Feel at home on the road.

TYREFLEX STAR MOTORS Wulff Road, P.O. BOX N-9123, T: (242) 325-4961, F: (242) 323-4667 sales@TyreFlexStarMotors.com, www.tyreflexstarmotors.com •

New & Pre-Owned Vehicle Sales • Service & Parts

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 12, 2020, PAGE 11

Tough new penalties for reckless driving

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

â€œâ€ŚThese amendments in this bill, seeks to increase the penalties in the first instance of the offence which was formerly known as ‘killing in the course of reckless or dangerous driving’ and to remove the perception, that road deaths, as a results of reckless or dangerous driving is a less important family of killings or the taking of human life,â€? Mr Wells said.

He also said: “These amendments are due to the fact that historically homicide by a motor vehicle was always treated less severely than other forms of homicide. So, if a person wantonly or recklessly shoots a licenced gun, they could be sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter. However if a person wantonly or recklessly runs over a pedestrian crossing the road with his car, the sentence was only a maximum of four years or a fine of ‘not less than $5,000’. â€œâ€Ś The sentences have been increased, and the ability to substitute jail with a fine has been removed.

Only a question of how many years in jail is now applied. “Logically there is no reasonable cause to treat vehicular homicide differently than any other form of manslaughter. However, in the interests of justice or, perhaps common humanity where appropriate, the magistrate can find the accused person guilty of a lesser charge, based on the facts as they emerge in the course of proceedings.�

In 2019, there were 5,138 accidents with damages; 1,173 accidents resulting in injuries; 1,070 hit and run; and 54 matters that resulted in 57 fatalities, according to National Security Minister Marvin Dames.

Thirty three of the fatalities happened in New Providence, six in Grand Bahama, four each in Andros and Abaco and three at Eleuthera.

There were two fatalities on San Salvador and one on both Exuma and Cat Island.

He said the leading cause for the deaths was speed followed by driving without ne and attention and TheeeTrkeibu due care W nd then dangerous and reckthe driving.

Watch less - every

TRANSPORT Minister Renward Wells said the government takes deaths in the course of driving seriously and will ensure existing laws reflect fitting penalties for such offences.

Among the new changes is a more enhanced and robust penalty for a new definition of vehicular manslaughter by dangerous driving. If found guilty of this offence, a sentence of up to 10 years in prison could be meted out.

The charge of vehicular homicide by dangerous driving will be levied on an individual who is found to be driving far below what can be expected of a competent driver, when it would be obvious that the manner of driving was dangerous, Mr Wells said.

Officials have also introduced a new offence of vehicular manslaughter by careless driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

This new offence of vehicular manslaughter will also attract a term of imprisonment for up to 10 years. However, the minister said not all careless driving will attract such a high term of imprisonment, even if it leads to death.

The driver must be shown to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol where the consumption of drugs or alcohol makes them unfit to drive or to be in charge of a vehicle.

Yesterday, Parliament began debate on the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2019.

The Bill, when passed, will reform the law as it relates to death by reckless or dangerous driving and establishes the offence of vehicular manslaughter by reckless driving, dangerous driving and by careless driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

It also prescribes punishment for driving while committing the offences of doing so while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured and by driving The Tribunewith unbelted Th T bun children or other persons as passengers, ilegedto The privpenalprovide for higher ties for these road death offences.

A1MAIN

Established 1903

WEDNESDAY i’m lovin’ it!

AKIN 24/7 BRE

VOLUME:114

No.208, SEPTEMBER

BUSINE SS:

TORCHED!

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

242.COM

Biggest And Best!

HIGH 92ÂşF LOW 78ÂşF

THE PEOPLE’S

IS AS ATLANT LEAVES ROLE

Revealed: Names list and on the eliteowed what they not

could

CEO

A1MAIN

OH, AND THERE’S AN ELITE WATER LIST TOO

DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498

LESLIE MILLER $42,219

ing

By NEIL HARTNELL Editor $25m, five-year maximum contract Tribune Businessedia.net BPL management nhartnell@tribunem and Minnis if the board wish it to go.

Power & BAHAMAS board will administration which will The meeting,PowerSecure Light’s (BPL) meeting� attended by hold a “crunch today, be their attorneys executives and as key with PowerSecure likely crit- from the US, is viewed the with the outcome whether the to determining whethermake and ical in decidingas manager. sides will “kiss latter remainsTribune Busi- two separate. up� or Multiple - SEE BUSINESS yesterday US FULL STORY ness sources that the confirmed

DION SMITH $9,275

RENWARD WELLS $12,980

FRIDAY

i’m lovin’ it!

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief edia.net aturnquest@tribunem Sewerage WATER and Chairman Corporation yesterday Adrian Gibson existence the confirmed disconnect� of a “do not by scores list populatedthe governof elites at utility owned to ment he pledged provider as on initiate a crackdown accounts. delinquent told The Mr Gibson “confidential Tribune the 221accounts, list� held total of with a combined the period $175,000 for2017. ending June he plans He said that corporathe to direct all persons tion to notify arrears owing excessive or face debts to resolve disconnection.a list confi“There is the Long dential list,�

Island MP said. would think “In fact, I corporations that all the year or two, in over the last and more particularly year, there May of thisclose attenhas been that list by tion paid to with the management changing the a view to lists usually way those operate. this con“As it stands, a number has fidential list on it, and of persons it’s being really and trulypersons by used to notify or letters. courtesy call that as the I can say toothe corporachairman of to direct tion I am going owing that all personswho are excessive arrears EIGHT SEE PAGE at the end of

be

officials to press time. reached up to sources

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter of According Tribune Chief matter, as media.net close to the Wells has since aturnquest@tribune Mr Progres- Monday his accounts FOUR former Cabinet paid $9,000 on balParty an outstanding ARNOLD sive Liberal more than with $8,600.

FORBES ministers owedat Bahamas ance of some also said as $62,023 The source Forbes was one $20,000 each Mr Light, with Power and in arrears of Monday the company former minister as of July, in talks with balance over settle the Mr for some $60,000 a list obtained to three-month period. a according to PLP Mount

by The Tribune.and Collec- Forbes, former MP, was appointed The Credit 2015, listing of Moriah in January the tions Department and board to Cabinet served as MPs, senators the period and previouslythe Bahamas of for members 31, revealed chairman and Industrial ending July State Minister Agricultural that former of Works Corporation. the “do not Others on are: former in the Ministry owed BPL list Dr disconnect�

Arnold Forbes of Health Tall $62,023.14.

by The Minister former The list obtained delin- Perry Gomez, Leslie Miller, Tribune contains of six Pines MP Youth Minister of former quent accounts Cabinet minis- former Johnson, former PLP MP Dion PLP MPs, Dr Danny former Village ters, two Tourism DR DANIEL entities, and Nassau two private Cabinet min- Smith, former JOHNSON Obie Wilchcombe, one sitting $24,413 Town MP Minister South Beach MP and former ister: Bamboo Hamilton State Renward Wells. who owed Cleola of Mr Wells, $3,703.96 at former Minister Damian Affairs $9,277.07 and locations - for Legal two separatetotal – did not Gomez.

SEE PAGE EIGHT $12,981.03 in yesterwant to comment other former day, and the

BPL WHO RUNS is quite willCRUNCH DAY OVER utilityto operator from it “walk away�

VIRGIL

By KHRISNA Reporter Deputy Chief ia.net kvirgil@tribunemed his parAFTER leadinglandslide ty to a stunning dealing a paravictory and to the Progreslysing blow Party last night, sive Liberal Prime Minister incoming Minnis declared Dr Hubert have abuse that those who

PAPER: $1

20TH, 2017

KARAW AN

HIGH 91ÂşF LOW 80ÂşF Volume:114

PAPER: $1

Friday, September

Weekend

29, 2017

FOR THE CURE Page 21

29TH, 2017

Living the dream

From Andros to the

JOURNE Y WHICH

POLICE LAUNCH IVE FOX HILL OFFENS

boardroom Interview, pages 4&5

MAN’S DREAMS

FULFILL ED A

film agonising, wrenching, awful second.

Then give up Eugene’s killer

DAMIAN GOMEZ OBIE $3,413 WILCHCOMBE CLEOLA $4,911 HAMILTON they owed $6,118 list and the amount since that date. disconnect�

BPL “do not made or further debt incurred named on the NINE individualsdo not include any payments July. The sums

PUT SOUTH ISLANDS ON MARIA ALERT

THE PEOPLE’S

gardening art theatre music film books fashion food culture RACE

No.215, SEPTEMBER

WEEKEN D: A

e n u b i r T The HURRICANE

INSURANCE

:

safeas well as of homicides DORSETT guarding the residents

By SANCHESKA Reporter in Fox Hill.

Tribune Staff walkabout edia.net During a Acting prepared. live national sdorsett@tribunem on Tuesday, During a Ferguson Commissioner Fox Hill his office ACTING Fergu- Commissioner and address from Dr Minnis Anti-Gang of Police Anthony yesterday said the Inveslast night, Maria is Tracing and announced dev- son establishment of two Firearms Unit will operate fore- said: “Hurricane the potentially Bahamas tigation WITH we the DetecMaria another hurricane that separate Royal anti-crime out of the Central the cast for Hurricane Force storm to pass astating monitor.�

(CDU) while projecting the Baha- must carefully Though most Police aimed at eliminating tive Unit SEE PAGE 11 units counHe added: near the Southeast was spared gang activity in the morning, Prime of mas Friday Hubert Minnis of the Bahamas the number try, reducing Minister Dr of those SEE PAGE TWO and is urging residents be vigilant islands to

Are you Covered?

ROLLE

By RASHAD Reporter Tribune Staff a.net rrolle@tribunemedi

Covering The Bahamas for 40 years.

Nobody Does it

(BAHAMAS)

BROKERS &

Woodside.

Photo: Yontalay

Bowe

VIDEO OF PM’SAT VISIT ONLINE TRIBUNE24 2.COM

EXUMA 242.336.2304

T INSURANCE MANAGEMEN LIMITED. INSURANCE

Dr Hubert MinPRIME Minister Kendera Woodside, nis meeting murdered Eugene the mother of

this Yes I feel for our countries.than I can say.� more ensure has a responsibility one mother said he will Each citizen information Dr Minnis provided to and whatever that forward. medical attention is is pregnant. the composure. said he felt the fam- has we must bring among us.� who after feel live Dr Minnis Mrs Woodside, the grieving and days makes me Three These criminals who emphasised country’s he “You can see of those pushed the ily’s pain. “What through,�

Mrs Minnis, that her appearis that most during murder that violent crime into ROLLE she’s going someI, even worse

By RASHAD Reporter not a pain “I assured her that the family the yard, struggle with spotlight yet again, them was doctor, to will have we see in Tribune Staff a.net ance before called on women said. today (Friday) we to look the national as a medical acute. rrolle@tribunemedi come my my years political move,one day this week time her pain remained live a life, medical personnel she’s pregand comforting cried. “He ain’t even to wear blackfor murder victims.

Dr THE hugs her because sure that Prime Minister wife God,� Mrs Woodsidegive my upon after in mourning I’m calling words of I have to make infant are and his a baby. I could my really nant. “As a mother, Hubert Minnis couldn’t answer “He’s right now just for because I this,� her and her unborn will also make take all mothers can stop the Patricia Minnis that consumed breath be right here. They well and we to to make sure believe mothers who was tearful both the questions yesterday as babyheart out my body. who arrangementsmedical personnel They said Mrs Minnis, eight- my Kendera Woodside have our sons on a only son. for her son, killed times. “We birth and as they necessary her and see her “This my my daughter too after she grieved of them at from the safety who was still with look almost shoot (the house) with would’ve delivered most knowing we cradle basis to ensure infant.� year-old Eugene, men we are to me with regular they inside four days ago. people ain’t tell- and What they do to my family? so they are closer patients,� Dr becomeWe have to speakshould of her and her unborn PAGE TWO SEE are my former “Why these bringing my son me. they do to us? by pro- them. I think all women week me? I they we them. ain’ carry one day this ing me they she cried between What Minnis, a gynaecologist “The message “Why they wear black what’s happening in a baby.� tried to right now?� fession, said. the entire Bahamas mourn 29 years, He’s Dr Minnis Eugene’s send to alone. and Rose- live screams as even must police can’t fight this Tonio Woodside, family at theirEugene wife the his is the console consoled home where on father, struggled to maintain bud Road a stray bullet as he was shot by did his homework. he Monday as

Better!

ELEUTHERA ABACO 242.332.3211 GRAND BAHAMA NEW PROVIDENCE 242.350.3500 242.367.4204 242.394.5555

TRANSPORT Minister Renward Wells

AGENTS

om agementBahamas.c

Nassau & Bahama

www.InsuranceMan

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

PLP CASUAL HIRES COST EXTRA $10M

Y AG WARNS ECONOM’ IN ‘GRAVE DANGER

he told Parto In June, cost the ROLLE such liament of

By RASHAD Bahamians $10,149,738. by the Carib- Tribune Staff Reporter so alarmed Action Task rrolle@tribunemedia.net increases was comes after draft bean Financial The revision more than

By NEIL HARTNELL Editor Rolle, minForce’s (CFATF) BRENSIL Tribune Businessedia.net services he included that were not The Bahamas report on his staff ister of public nhartnell@tribunem 1,700 workers Gen- that he instructedaddressing and National Insurance, in his original count.

December Progressive THE Attorneyslammed to begin work on June.

Amid the said between 2017, the criticism May flaws from early eral yesterday

by Liberal Party’sadministrablasted the 2016 and in the nation’s the ballooned Mr Bethel deficiencies adminis- public purse laundering of the of the Minnisof its firings anti-money former Christie to tackle $16,532,738 because because “entirely unacfailing administration’s tion regime as SEE PAGE SIX they had tration for with the Christie public service ceptable�, warning “in great known weaknesses hiring of new that period. during put The Bahamas necessary urgency.

BUSINESS workers danger�. told Trib- FULL STORY - SEE Carl Bethelhe had been une Business

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

o no mas er o he dogmas r ea sw o d The Tribune Be ng boun ne ibu Tr e ne Th Tribu The eek OBITS W end A1MAIN

Established 1903

WEDNESDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 85ÂşF LOW 69ÂşF

A1MAIN

Established 1903

A1MAIN

THURSDAY

VOLUME:114

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 84ÂşF LOW 70ÂşF VOLUME:114

No.103, APRIL

PAPER: $1

12TH, 2017

CE AND BEAUTY

TAKE ON THE

WOMAN

Volume:114

d Minister’s repeate contracts requests for d and deals expose ION INVESTIGAT

BAHAMIAN PROJECT Pages 20&21

prom Fashion, pages 14&15

FORMER PM TELLS OF LAST TALK WITH NOTTAGE

traditions. just a short ROLLE “Earlier today,present ParBy RASHAD Reporter the while ago, Tribune Staff officially disa.net liament was Christie said. rrolle@tribunemedi Mr of Perry solved,�seat in the House “Every PRIME Minister the prover- Assembly is now vacant. the to you, Christie rang morning, “It is now left beloved bial bell yesterday that the 2017 citizenry of our who will announcing be held on nation, to decide in the next election willMay 10. fill those seats In doWednesday, address, givof Assembly.

His televisedOffice of the House you will also be dethe ing so, en live at the came mowho will form Prime Minister, Commis- ciding of the BahaPolice government five years. ments after Greenslade, for the next that mosioner Ellison as provost mas “You will make in what in his capacity decision proclamations pray marshal, readHouse of As- mentous hope and fair elecoutside the Governor Gen- I earnestly be free and Pin- will following a spirited sembly from Marguerite Let tions eral Dame Parliament. peaceful campaign. dling dissolving said he is but the forthcoming Mr Christie election will us contestwith all the vigour confident the and will fol- elections fair at our command.� be free and and peaceful SEE PAGE TWO low a spirited is consistent campaign that political with this country’s

ED 170,000 HAVE REGISTER DAY AHEAD OF POLLING

with correctnow engaged the voter ROLLE ing and editing it of its

By RASHAD Reporter register, ridding errors.

Tribune Staff a.net much-publicised staff to rrolle@tribunemedi “We have enough “We 170,000 peo- do this,� Mr Hall said.certiJUST over sure it’s to vote have to make after tople have registered 10 general elec- fied some 14 daysdate.� for the May Comday’s (Tuesday’s) with the tion, Parliamentary Hall said In accordance Elections missioner Sherlyn pubParliamentary yesterday. what he de- Act, Mr Hall will give of This follows election in a “mad rush� notice of the week, statscribed as to vote lic this of newspapers people registering place in conthe last day ing the date, times when on Monday, and registration. 172,000 peo- stituencies papers must be There were to vote in the nomination delivered. ple registeredelection.

SEE PAGE THREE 2012 general Regis The Parliamentary Department istration

ROLLE

By RASHAD Reporter Tribune Staff a.net rrolle@tribunemedi Nottage’s DR Bernard forever be will “footprints the Bahamian etched on landscape� fordevelopmental work as a through his of the Bahamer president of Athletic mas Association the Bahamas the Associations, Medical Association, and as a afMinDoctors’ Union consumer FORMER Prime reminister for health and to accept the ister Perry Christie a defeat, was as I did when I fairs, education, Opposifor it arrears, into pictured yesterday. W. national security, who was in sponsibility response to Photo: Terrel Philip “Brave� airport tenant described recent resigned,� he said in Staff levelled tion Leader as the criticism recent Carey/Tribune from accusations Mr Christie in Davis said Wednesday. questions on 71, died administration spending, misfea- moves made by the government pandering at his administration Dr Nottage, the Cleveby a party of irresponsible WELLS at a “misstep� thought

By RICARDO Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism. that weeks. never any he was “disap- to its base. acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. ia.net He also said allegations being in arrangethat I was degree relating Mr Christie by the rwells@tribunemed gova state funeral announced, documents would on my part for any Per- pointed�around by the new be a review of irrements to Prime Minister tossed matters that to these two controversies of any ing responsibility the press secof criminality,notion FORMER according to Office of the whatsoever and the yesterday condemned ernment concerning last term as absolve his administration much his the spending that for just ry Christie during retary and prove as noth- sponsible Minnis administra- transpired Anthony is bare’ is is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in Prime Minister, that ‘the cupboard prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric slogans.� tion to portray as he challenged Newbold. “political political slogans.�

Hitting back Minnis adminislight, SEE PAGE SIX ing more than challenges I have SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a of the the controverof the members “One of the the nation’s led the governexamination tration concerning than $8m to as the person who “dispassionate the government out of more up at sial pay and who led hurricane clean ment for record�. interview an to one vendor off of $1.2m During a lengthy home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie

LAST CENTRE OPENS AT

- BUT SOME DEADLINE TODAY ING DISCLOSURES OUTSTAND

$

20

ANY LARGE PIZZA SPECIALTY

(INCL. VAT)

INDULGE YOUR

TASTE BUDS.

it must be abandoned. as Hurriis so devastated the island

OVER BPL BANNISTER WORRIES THE LIGHTS ON ABILITY TO KEEP

energy. solar, to produce of agreeof Works The heads the governMINISTER said challenges, Desmond Bannister ment requires to “address concerns� pressed certain and BPL delayed today marks which he suggestedof docu- he has “serious Power and ment and consistent WHILE with Bahamas to “keep the reliable of electricity on the for both sitsubmission the deadlineformer parlia- the tell- supply Providence, Light’s ability are chal- lights on this summer,� of island of New ting and to file financial ments. the abiliAmong these the lack will include finanmentarians Public Discloing The Tribuneprevent the whichmeet the requirements with obtaining may ty to disclosures, Chair- lenges from spouses, cial records in situations reliability from fulfilling of the project.� sure Commission the instalLaroda told requireoper- government This involves supporting man Myles yesterday that particularly Mar all the necessary they may have all lation “of The Tribunestill some that wherebank accounts prior ments in the Baha necessary to ated there were He said there heads of agreement.he is al- infrastructure that SEE PAGE FIVE are “outstanding�.yesterday, to marriage. some unwillingHe added at new, alIn an interview in his dis- was also and apprehension ready “looking including said ways,�

Mr Laroda some persons ness SEE PAGE THREE ternative cussions with to make who are required they exthe disclosures,

SANDWICH

Incl. VAT

S

/BURGERKINGNASSAU

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper SHOPPING CENTRE

& PRINCE CHARLES au.com SAUNDERS BEACH | www.pizzahutnass TEL: 603-3333

SEE BUSINESS

TheTribune

Trad

S M A H A B A

N A I R G B A

PRICE – $1

ÂŠÂœÂœÂŠÂžČąÇ›Ĺ—Čą ž¢Ž› Â’Â?‘ȹ žŠ—Â?Â’Â?¢

Ç›ČąĹœĹ?ĹœČŹĹšĹ–Ĺ™Ĺ˜ ž•ěȹ Â?ȹǭȹ ŠœÂ?Čą Â? ˜ŒŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?ǹȹ ÂŽÂĄÂ?Čą Â˜Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â˜Čą Œ˜Â?’Šȹ Š—”

PHOTO Call today

ADS

328-0002

SELL! / 502-2351

$1.50)

CARS! CARS!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

E R N D F I

Čą

Ĺš ˜•Â? ÂŠÂœÂ‘Čą Â?Â&#x;Š—ŒŽ $" ) (0-%

(Family Islands

S TRADER CLASSIFIED

for rent

OVER DEAL -

Cars For Sale Real Estate Help Wanted Rental Ads and much, much more...

tuition school

CHIEF’S ANGER

March

AT

STARTING

$25

ng you - see Perry is watchi

rch ‘We will still ma ion’ without permiss

observed would be the holiday date of the historic the PLP month that the 50th on the actual January 10. nounced last mark event, Tuesday, in the public holirevealed a march to Rule.

Ranard Henfield of back planned The change perceived of Majority weeks even ganiser anniversary development is yet day calendar has beenby the gov“after several as planned�

Office on organian attempt This latest permis- that forth� the Cabinet group’s the the same route by many as back for the a blow to and government’s DORSETT rejected the Rawson another set planned to protest on ernment to strike event by We without the Wednesday in

By SANCHESKA sation that of a second Reporter 9 - the original sion. with The Trib- application to protest Tribune Staff Squares because Monday, January announced for success Bahamas. edia.net In an interview II said “there March Parliaments date another sdorsett@tribunem SEE PAGE SIX Mr Bostwick and the and conflicts with for that observance Day. the une, it compromise� by this the “event Majority Rule this month being denied will be no already booked be deterred that DESPITE However, earlier and Parliament group will “not fascist coercion event� in Parliament Party date.

Majority use of Rawson Liberal rights and attempt toward a protest on an- was announced Progressive Squares for January, We March and the abuse of our Bradley Roberts Rule Day in John Bost- constitutional freedoms�. lead or- Chairman organiser Facebook, Bahamas yesterday the demonIn a post on wick II said go on as planned, on stration “will

BASIS FOR ROLLINS: NO LEGALREBEL SEVEN DISCIPLINING THE

HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR

DORSETT

By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net and sdorsett@tribunem of Bimini toDORSETT the islands

By SANCHESKA bringing the Eleuthera, cases Tribune Staff Reporter CHIEF Superintendent

By AVA TURNQUEST officeredia.net Reporter tal to 25 confirmed Clayton Fernander, Tribune Chief sdorsett@tribunem media.net of the Central nationwide. in-charge Unit, warned a lull, quiet aturnquest@tribune MP “This is like said.

Detective FORT Charlotte last to be “exDr McMillan samofficials yesRollins said no get HEALTH residents to period,� drivers yesterday Dr Andre after armed will be continue to tra cautious� couple to stop terday urged against en- “We they send them in for night that “there a action� taken as no furmen forced in the middle remain vigilantfactors that ples Nabut we have good. disciplinary seven Free their vehicle vironmental who against the shooting despite testing which is road before and tional Movement MPs Dr ther cases, breed mosquitoes Key, Rich- of the driver.

Leader local transmis- We’re still monitoring Chipman, Edison Neilly, and and killing the Fernander the “lull� in ousted party as leader of Theo from left, Hubert Zika virus. doing our surveillance.

Chief Supt have been Hubert Minnis Staff be- THE REBEL SEVEN of, Butler-Turner, Neko Grant, sion of the believe armed Public Health Hanna/Tribune Opposition, “I think we as it relates Director of said police be the motive the Official basis ard Lightbourn, Loretta yesterPhoto: Shawn well may out cause there is no legal progressing Dr Pearl McMillan Executive CommitHe said the that there to getting the message Andre Rollins. case robbery the killing. have “hapheeding for such a move. a formal support FNM’s not have a day confirmed widespread tee would group’s actions for and persons no new conthat could came He added been lodged solidify a new leader.� have been since the de- there Zika thing the incidentto anyone�. because the around on it. This July, which is when objection has pened firmed cases came in an “were consistent with took place press release protected His remarks case against “the bogus charges� down in The murder to quespartment’s and the get our first to 9pm on Tuesconstitutionally 5, which raised against him e-mail in response shorty after December of cases in New we usually SEE PAGE SIX levelled members of Parliaright of parliamentarians leadarea of Millenfrom The Tribune. the tions Rollins echoed the recall a parliamentary have day in the the number 23. six other off Tonique from 22 to on took part in Dr longer nium Gardens, Providence ment who Highway, of Long Island er when they no Dr Mincase each ability Darling one is removing sentiments There Williams action of Butler-Turner confidence in his/her the country’s post. Dr Rollins MP Loretta Hubert and brought to 109 for the nis from the number of and St Anne’s MP week to lead.� count said a growing who last to The TribSEE PAGE THREE murder admitting “that were Chipman, year, according FNMs are of action for said the if the matter the une’s records. court, the the best course Fernander take under to to be taken to Chief Supt is the party to victim, identithe circumstances said present as Kendrick fied by police driving with was of the foreign Simms, when another car mians, most won’t re- his wife, committee of them forcemployees tee next month, Smith said formerall that is due to them. pulled aheadstop. to ceive ROLLE Chairman James said they will, ing them man was drivBy RASHAD Reporter Mr Smith a “high “The yesterday. money was givMillennium Tribune Staff a.net however, receive Since the ing through basis by rrolle@tribunemedi SEE PAGE FIVE figure�. en on an ex-gratia SEE PAGE FIVE former em- the China Export-Import FOREIGN will and was inBaha Mar Bank (EXIM) for Bahaployees of the government tended primarily be paid by CommitClaims appointed

PARTIAL PAYMENT

FOR FOREIGN BAHA

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

BROWN

By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net sdorsett@tribunem are dead, SIX people ju15-year-old including a another man is venile, and his life in hosfighting for four separate pital after in less shooting incidents in the capital. than 48 hours took the The homicides count to country’s murder 43 days of the 26 for the first to The new year, according Tribune’s records. an isPolice launchedlast night of land-wide search suspected for two men dead in Yelthe shooting a man Gardens in low Elder latest incident.bloody weekthe Despite Commisend, Assistant Police Stephen sioner of “hundreds� of Dean said were patrolpolice officers over the past ling the streetseffort to keep an in few days well as visitors the public as safe. officer-inMeanwhile Central Decharge of theChief Superintective Unit, Fernander tendent Clayton after a implored parentsto “keep a killing on Friday on their chilwatchful eye� their young dren, especially boys.

Fernander Chief Supt launched have said police for the a massive manhunt the weekend suspects in killings.

SEE PAGE THREE

S&

XX X X

i’m lovin’ it!

Newspaper

HIGH 81ÂşF LOW 69ÂşF

The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune Bahamas Bar FORMER President ElsAssociation yesterday worth Johnsoncalls for Bajoined activistorganise prohamians to resistance tests and public tabled Interto the recently he ception of Communications 2017, which Bill (ICB) spying called “dangerous� legislation. who was Mr Johnson, week as the ratified last Movement’s Free National Yamacraw, for pubcandidate the level of bill, questioned on the lic consultationthat it imunderscoring entrenched pacted deeply SEE PAGE SIX

X

X

X

XX XX

HIGH 90ÂşF LOW 82ÂşF VOLUME:114

VOLUME:114

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

No.58, FEBRUARY

TURNQUEST: CHANGES TO MONTAGU ARE SHAMELESS

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune MoveFREE National Leader Peter ment Deputyyesterday acTurnquest government of cused the gerrymander“shameless recently tabled he ing� over changes that boundary the “deliberclaims affect of middle ate elimination from the forclass areas� constituency. mer Montagu with The In an interview characterised Tribune he boundary and the proposed a “desperate changes as emoattempt to the perverted� tionally manipulate electorate.

SEE PAGE 11

EQUIPMENT AT FAULT FOR SERIES OF BPL OUTAGES

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune “catastrophic�

THE outages that island-wide Providence plagued Newstemmed from late last year equipment Pier widespread the Clifton to failures at according Power Station, and Light. vehicle.

Bahamas Power reported escape in a were taken The companyof its investo reports, The victims they are on According findings DORSETT shortly after midnight re- to hospital wherebut stable on the into two islandtigation

By SANCHESKA officers in serious and another Reporter Sunday, the domestic inci- listed wide outages, Tribune Staff occurred a edia.net condition. that shortly major outage that 29 and sponded to sdorsett@tribunem in Valentine Police said November dent at a homeoff Johnson an officers arrested officers, a also between 4 last year, in after 4am, TWO police wife, are in Subdivision While at the the shooter, who was December sent to the a Terrance. with a from gunshot internal memo husband and stable condition home, a man armed the of- suffering Police also recov- government and obtained serious but the shot multi- shotgun approached them wounds. were from Tribune. they The of by after a shotgun responding ficers and shot both SEE PAGE 11 to flee ered ple times whileincident�. attempting The suspect.

SEE PAGE 12 to a “domestican adult male, before police said.

HowPolice have by one of the the scene, returned fire. con- officers suspect was able to who was shot custody in ever the officers, in the shooting. nection with

shootings one of six fatal area on Friday, Staff in the Englerston in the calendar above.

W. Carey/:Tribune as shown at Peardale Park Photos: Terrel from the scene to be a deadly February, boy is taken a 15-year-old 12 so far in what has proven THE BODY of and one of over the weekend,

S IN HOSPITAL TWO POLICE OFFICER D BY SHOTGUN AFTER BEING BLASTE

BOOK - SEE WOMAN

Top cop and PMe divided on crim ION: AUTHOR

UNVEILS SELF-HELP

to “fully undo much more senseless set derstand this and have law

By NICO SCAVELLA Reporter of killings,� respond “as Tribune Staff edia.net enforcement and in nscavella@tribunem as possible� in Perry quickly meaningful way�

PRIME Ministerlikened a “very fighting efforts. their crime Mr ChrisChristie yesterday crime situThese efforts,would likely the Bahamas’“Wild West,� suggested, a “subation to the recent wave tie dedicating the as he said in the capital include number of officstreets of of murders a “major� and stantial� to patrol the and simust solicit effort by his ers New Providence them “continuous� to “flood multaneously giving in to interdict administration with officers “the capacity of people the streets� that is necesmovements incorporata bid to do “all this madness the on the streets,� police ofsary to bring ing more reserve to a halt�. speaking and “if necessary�

Mr Christie, yesterday, ficers, Royal Bahawith reporters occur- incorporating Force marines mas Defence said the “madness� to gang activity in policing efforts. said he ring is due also Mr Christie with and retaliation. past bloody be speaking He said the a “shocking would SEE PAGE THREE weekend is that will reto development� at a press quire the government Staff Greenslade speaking of Police Ellison Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Photo: COMMISSIONER conference yesterday.

Act, Chapter Suppression boxer was of human trafficking.53, of 106.

The former with three JOHNSON James Coakley, Andros

By LAMECH Reporter also charged filed under on Ross Staff Cargill Creek, of rape before Chief edia.net a double shooting lamented Tribune was broughtJoyann Fergu- counts 6(a) of the Sexual ljohnson@tribunem recent inciyesterday, Section 99. It nature of the three mosthave left one Corner in Magistrateto answer to two Offences Act, Chapter in “too bold� in the capappeared WELLS he engaged in perdents, which three others the A MAN yester- son-Pratt

By RICARDO Reporter occurring of trafficking Section is alleged that man dead andserious condi- crimes as he insisted Magistrate’s Court as- counts to Tribune Staff SEE PAGE SIX in ia.net ital recently, of sexually of prolific sons contrary Trafficking in hospital rwells@tribunemed a “handful hell-bent day accused woman during 3(1)(a) of the and of the that remain saulting a holidays. and po- tion.

Persons Prevention Officer-in-charge Unit, offenders� the public.

AS the country the Christmas a victim in Detective to grapple on terrorising alleged to be lice continue spate of vio- CentralSuperintendent ClaySEE PAGE THREE She is speaking to with the latest law enforce- Chief Fernander, scene of lent crimes, are seeking ton media on the ment officials assistance in the DORSETT the public’s

By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net sdorsett@tribunem placed authorof an law as it investigatallow the ity solely in the hands POLICE are sura judiciary, The bill will of police, or independent ICB met ing the circumstances of a commissioner on his behalf, the the death was that the

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter standards rounding boy who person actingwarrant from a adding Tribune Chief media.net recent three-year-old in a car to obtain a to in- international aturnquest@tribune Court judge per- and also addressed found unresponsive daycare yesof the Listening General Supremeand examine a front of his tercept from criticismsAct by the Privy in ATTORNEY terday afternoon.

Devices communications the toddler ns opera- Council.

Allyson Maynard-Gibson the In- son’s The body of shortly afsuggestion and telecommunicatio yesterday defended a She said any was a was discovered of Communica- tors, internet providers Monday by terception ter 2pm on that the legislation an important postal services. yesterday, “spying bill� was false.

SEE PAGE SIX tions Bill as tool that would In a statement exanti-crime privacy of lawSEE PAGE FIVE was Mrs Maynard-Gibson enhance the rather than that this move in Bahamiabiding citizensit, as detrac- plained unprecedented encroach upon FOR YOU... tors claim.

SO GOOD

certain neighbourhoods� do so DORSETT and the suggestion to no

By SANCHESKA and makes Reporter is “emotional Tribune Staff edia.net sense�. came sdorsett@tribunem His comments rethe country after the country DESPITE homicides in hours its 27th homicide for of corded Seven people have recording 13 the year.

13 days, Commissioner Greenslade been killed since Friday. afternoon, Police Ellison is not in a On Monday said the Bahamas and the reported that “crisis� police also outside a state of can conwas stabbed Nassau on day man average Bahamian about their the an establishment men were tinue to “go two without Street while in the area of as normal day� attacked. shot while victims fear of being conference Ross Corner. These stable on At a press to be in of were said in hospital. at police headquarters a weekend Monday afterCommissioner condition Commissioner it is simso“carnage�, said said the only for people Greenslade country’s crime Greenslade not enough lution to the “keep prolific ply finger at the to to “point the problem is bars�. He police in times of crisis� behind their offenders Bahamas to “manage not yet refuse said the Royal (RBPF) is SEE PAGE THREE Police Force implementing considering “locking down a curfew or

ONE

IN LATEST DEAD, THREE HURT

ON RAPE, ATTACKS EX-BOXER

TRAFFICKING CHARGES

3, FOUND BILL BOY, : INTERCEPTION IT DEAD IN CAR ATTORNEY GENERAL PRIVACY, NOT HARM WILL ENHANCE

GRILLED CHICKEN TOASTED TWISTER

ÂŽ

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

242.COM

Newspaper

WHILE NASSAU

BURNS - PAGE

SEVEN

RT

AND HO SE

$1

Y, H O E S & R M

d to leave Residents force fumes to escape toxic

Christie: It’s like the Wild West

Greenslade: Bahamas iss not in crisi

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

Biggest And Best!

AKIN 24/7 BRE

6TH, 2017

Fleeing the fire

$1

14th, 2017

FIGHTING DEPRESS

No.72, MARCH

E FIDDLES INSIGHT : CHRISTI

242.COM

Biggest And Best!

AKIN 24/7 BRE

R

RESISTANCE TO ‘DANGEROUS’ SPYING BILL

X

MAR STAFF

Newspaper

$1

AND HO SE

Y, H

7 OME Insight, page CALL FOR

WEEKEND BLOODBATH Six shot dead in 48 hours including boy aged 15

AS ZIKA ‘STAY VIGILANT’ TO 25 CASE TOTAL RISES

i’m lovin’ it!

E

No.27

WATER CORP

12, 2012

sifieds Clas er Monday,

help wanted

UNIONS MILLER BLASTS

Volume: 113

29, 2016

carssale for

THURSDAY,

DECEMBER

real estate

Biggest And Best!

Biggest And Best!

13th, 2017

Big Brother

Islands’ Leading

Established 1903

TUESDAY

242.COM

RT

42.COM BUNE2 ON TRI NE WS L ATEST

MOSTLY SUNNY

No.57, FEBRUARY

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

PROP

VOLUME:114

AKIN 24/7 BRE

Nassau & Bahama

A1MAIN

ME

HIGH 90ÂşF LOW 82ÂşF

A1MAIN

HIGH LOW

Newspaper

E

Newspaper

The Tribune Paper The People’s

Islands’ Leading

The Tribune PROP

Islands’ Leading

OMAR ARCHER

Rolle.

ME

The Tribune A1MAIN

Established 1903

Nassau & Bahama

from Jamaal

Established 1903

MEAL

65 9

i’m lovin’ it!

82ÂşF 69ÂşF

in this cartoon

PLP IS CONVICTED ARCHDEACON SAYS ITS LIFE’ OVER THREATS ‘FIGHTING FOR

way - as pictured

Nassau & Bahama

MONDAY

799

WWW.BURGERKING.B

MONDAY

i’m lovin’ it!

race is under

MINNIS CALLS FOR ON DECK ALL HANDS VIRGIL

A1MAIN

Ragged Island remained on “Every home has Minnis warns with those who last week. destroyed. The Minister Dr Hubert Rag- discussion battered their homes has been has been health facility on storm-stricken Min- cane Irma Prime teachers’ residence no water. destroyed. The and safety conditions to deteriorate, urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is no light. There is HEALTH he smell the school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals. deister Dr Hubert on the island reduced will stench of dead of the individuals remaining residentsIrma, which has them REPORT that we get of rubble and SPECIAL health conditions Russell, math of Hurricane it’s essential there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey teriorate and Dr Minnis said. most structures the only Pictures: Terrel island unlivable. Dr Minnis off this island,� reluctant to leave for rendered the stay here,� saw for the understandablyhome, expressing concern “They cannot as Many were and a delegation and days ever known through said after he damage left by Irma place they’ve hurricane ripped of their residences, first time the Five monster will have about the safety personal belongings. behind. We by the smell after the Category island. “They are concerned may have lefthere and the Defence exacerbated of all esmaterials they the small southern a vessel the same physical condition, the destruction still whatever Force dispatch the cleanup and at The island’s carcasses and strongly urge those the Defence Minnis said. THREE of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commence security,� Dr SEE PAGE that there is sential services, to leave until the time ensure Island has been on Ragged Ragged Island and be restored. to the residents; a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said following Dr devastated,�

THURSDAY

THE ELECTION

host Deal� with LAMECH JOHNSON “The Real Reporter

By KHRISNA Reporter Archdea- By BROWN Tribune Staff edia.net Ortland Bodie, Deputy Chief

By SANCHESKA said this elecia.net Reporter con Palacious “difficult� for ljohnson@tribunem kvirgil@tribunemed Tribune Staff edia.net Sr was tion will be and the FNM Move- sdorsett@tribunem of OMAR Archer both the PLP is no FREE National Dr Hubert Archdea- and at this point there how yesterday convicteda senment Leader to harm ANGLICAN gauge said said the threatening way to “properlygo.�

Minnis yesterday“all hands con James Palacious officer through need that the Progres- the results will came one ior police his social media FNM will vote the Pro- yesterday Party appears a post to two years ago.

His comments on deck� to Party gov- sive Liberal its life�

Deputy Prime nearly he to be “fighting for neither day after Phillip “Brave� page 45-year-old Nassau gressive Liberal of office as that The ernment out Day, May and predicted party nor the Ministerpredicted that the Village resident appeared Davis heralded Election seats in the SEE PAGE SEVEN Movement that will bring the governing will win 30 10, as a day Free Nationalseats in next PLP SEE PAGE TWO 30 change. spoke dur- will wingeneral election. at month’s Dr Minnis on conference as a guest ing a press Appearing SEE PAGE THREE

WIPEOUT: Prime

McRib is Back!

PAPER: $1

NSHIP SERIES

ter Prime Minis rings the bellrace for election

IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ NS TO LEGACY COLLEAGUE FNM ALLEGATIO • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONG OVER $8M PAYOUT • CALLS FOR REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS

A TRIBUNE medical treatment.

Liberal were obtaineda from a ther’s PROGRESSIVE Bradley The emails EMAILS leaked following of China Con- by The Tribune Party Chairmanout at his highdata breach (CCA) Roberts lashed story in December of CCA struction America’s colleague Vinthat from the breach former party night, accusservers show2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco cent Peet last North Anto servers China Construction as early as was seeking ing the former Islands MP hacker.

Fitzgerald of dollars eventually paid 24 bitcoins dros and Berry enemy� $24,000) secure millions trucking, and (the equivalent of of being a “political an independin brokerage, to their servat Baha who mounted because he to have access it aplimousine contracts showing a resat in Cabinet ers restored; however, ent campaigna nomination forwarded leaked emails Mar while he of Educathat emails ONE of the Education, Sciwas denied party.

Minister of as the Minister and Tech- pears relating to personnel quest from or Jerome Fitzgerald. from the governing to PLP suption, Science Tribune has to, compromised, ence and Technology Speaking at CCA were in The nology, The a rally in North officials at Baha porters at night, Mr Robagent for Limolink despite top they were not learned. which his Bahamas. You are encourcontradict the saying at from Andros last is war� as faThe emails this week de- Mar clientele with a reference by the hack if erts said “this writes, “I limousine company was vote aged to get of Viacom Minister, who his office to concerned the crowd toPerry Mr Fitzgerald matime. the president feel free he urged Dr nied ever using to himself the an email dated May 18, am aware that interior arrive miliar. with regard the you wish. Please In for incumbent that a vote “Also Izmirlian terials have began to really we direct contracts me personally adding business from the mul- 2013, sent to Mr the to contact with contact Gomez, hotel. I would or his family resort. is a vote for be limousine meet with or have your agents Mr Fitzgerald, Cur- for the for Mr Peet Movement. it if we couldbro- are ready to he ti-billion dollar - the Pro- by our Managing Porter, Shelly appreciate anytime,�

Free National Mr Porter Mr Fitzgerald Party MP QuentinAlarice Fill copied, appointed your official your people PAGE SIX SEE directly.� his Director tis and 1st 2013.� writes. gressive Liberal we really ker for June - appears also Mr Fitzgerald indicates a request TWO & THREE “As indicated cusSEE PAGES for Marathon start brokerage $20,000 He then makesfor limouto highend for readiness to only cater to be requesting official Baha Mar’s and trucking services and of Mr Izmirlian Baha Mar, tomers and are the project a month from Sarkis services at of Baha Mar of re- sinehe touted the level original developer the ex- the as the brokers citing Izmirlian, were necessary remain property. the for penses that cost of his fa- cord to cover the Healthcare hisMarsh Harbour a tortured ROLLE Centre has missed deadBy RASHAD Reporter tory, one of of shoddy Tribune Staff a.net and claims lines all without rrolle@tribunemedi of- workmanship, accountability.

GOVERNMENT the any clear facility’s original The bankrupt. ficials commissioned Healththe contractor went of Marsh Harbour in Abaco yesConstruction care Centre centre began it as a longIngraham terday, touting to the island healthcare under the former awaited boost adminisin and the Christie Health administration.

Christie adhealth centre When the Staff tours the new tration’s National came to power, RASPBERRY Perry Christie the W. Carey/Tribune Insurance plans. and Ado- ministration renovating Photo: Terrel ICED TEA PRIME Minister it spent $1m Like the Child SEE PAGE SIX Abaco yesterday.

Robert Smith lescent and that was (CARS) Complex last year, the commissioned

R HEALTH MARSH HARBOU

SEASON ARRIVES

Christie denies claims ong spendin HT AS PROM

WELLS

By RICARDO Reporter Tribune Staff ia.net rwells@tribunemed concern ADMITTING Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday for ter Perry Christie admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security to former national the build-up minister in election. the May general from his Breaking away since being public silence office in hisof a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of his tie detailed with last conversation and longfriend childhood colleague on time political Thursday.

Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout naciously� he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display last conversation. PAGE SIX SEE

ROBERTS: PEET A ‘POLITICAL ENEMY’ FOR ANDROS BID

SPECIAL

Friday, June 30, 2017

Picture perfect

IN THE SPOTLIG

THE PEOPLE’S

IT’S MAY 10

PAPER: $1

Weekend

30th, 2017

WEEKEN D: SENIORS

DORSETT

By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net sdorsett@tribunem yesFIREFIGHTERS a large blaze terday battled Providence at the New three weeks Landfill, nearly a massive that after tackling city dump fire at the nearly a month. burned for Charge of Fire Officer in Chief SuperinServices, Evans said tendent Walter is “not confire the the current any way to this nected� in and at previous blazedo not know time officials the fire. Howwhat caused Minister ever Environment told reDorsett he Kenred the site that porters at “sabotage� in said suspected the fire. He relation to the team he “instructed�to have the of firefighters “before extinguished and blaze day� today nomination Baha Mar’s certainly before Friday. opening on started shortly The blaze and Wednesday after 3am officEvans said Chief Supt battle the fire to but ers expect another day for at least wind is a “huge� he said the factor.

SEE PAGE SIX

SEE LEAKED EMAILS INSIDE

W1WEEKEND

THE PEOPLE’S

entertainment puzzles film fashion gardening art books theatre

No.152, JUNE

Seniors go big for

FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE MAJOR NEW BLAZE AT LANDFILL

IN MPBA CHAMPIO

HOU

UNIVERSE - SEE

UNLIVEABLE

WOMEN OF SUBSTAN

INSIDE

& TECH

RS TAKE THE LEAD

ALS

THE PEOPLE’S

CARS, CARS

HOU

No.202, SEPTEMBER

Biggest And Best!

HIGH 92ÂşF LOW 79ÂşF

OFFICIAL SOURCE

TRADER: CARS,

Fitzgerald sought millions from Baha Mar

CLASSIFIED

242.COM

ALS

VOLUME:114

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

ENT

HIGH 91ÂşF LOW 81ÂşF

AKIN 24/7 BRE

SPORTS: REGULATO

i’m lovin’ it!

$1

20TH, 2017

Established 1903

i’m lovin’ it!

FRIDAY

242.COM

242.COM

12TH, 2017

ENT

The Tribune A1MAIN

TUESDAY

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

Biggest And Best!

AKIN 24/7 BRE

No.99, APRIL

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

Biggest And Best!

AKIN 24/7 BRE

GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

ManEmergency actiThe National after they agement Agency (NEMA) the police management cations with from entering the vated its emergency evacuation and an DORSETT were blocked at the Kenplan yesterday

By SANCHESKA Reporter area. were also shelter was established at the Tribune Staff edia.net Several persons with respira- dal G L Isaacs Gymnasium Centre sdorsett@tribunem to the hospital Elizabeth Sports during Gar- rushed on Queen as a shelter in Jubilee tory complaints.

Tribune arrivedwere which was used - for displaced RESIDENTS to evacuate their When The residents last hurricane dens were forced after a massive the scene, several as the the believed on their roofs,homes. residents. landfill homes yesterday the dump is smaller Providence pouring water their a The fire at fire at the Newcommunity in thick, blaze grew closer to started by for Tall to have been Road.

Parliament blanketed the smoke.

Member of Miller was also assist- bush fire off Fire Trail black hazardous the Royal Bahamas Pines Leslie in hosing down their TWO AND THREE entrance Members of SEE PAGES blocked the visibility ing residentsproviding transportaPolice Force as homes and who needed help. residents to the subdivision tion for those zero. Angry dropped to in verbal alterbecame involved

ANGER AT FAILURE

TO PREVENT LANDFIL

L BLAZES

fire off Fire a smaller bush to the city after a spread have ed by Movement fre- Trail Road that blanketed Jubilee Gardens yesterday Fire Trail Road. fire the smoke in Jubilee the Free National areas in in bushes off to prevent dump. The flees from the DORSETT YOUNGSTER done enough the New Providence Gardens and surrounding landfill that started at and threatened A at the New Providence to evacuate their homes. Hanna/Tribune Staff

By SANCHESKA Reporter quent fires have caused some of thick, black smoke officials fire were asked Photos: Shawn Tribune Staff prompting issues. edia.net Landfill that Many residents several homes, sdorsett@tribunem to develop respiratory SEE PAGE THREE came as a masJubi- them owners in Their comments at the landfill, raging ANGRY home was startyesterday expressed sive fire was lee Gardens concern that neither which officials believe nor disgust and Liberal Party the Progressive had any redespite not having many purchase WELLS sponse to his Mar’s former

By RICARDO offers, as Baha Izmirlian said cases of im- Tribune Staff Reporter ia.net enced alleged developer, Mr “stands ready, officials solicitROLLE migration from migrants rwells@tribunemed

By RASHAD Reporter his company buy Baha developer ing bribes and able to Tribune Staff beatings of a.net THE originalMar resort willing complete it and alleged prisoners in today and Bahamian rrolle@tribunemedi of the Baha the resort’s Mar with migrants and States has de- immediately Bahamian conyesterday said THE United Bahamas custody. the Ministry continued completiondates workers and chronic delays the Yesterday, the The opening highlighted “intimida- of Foreign Affairs said lays, missedsupposed stag- tractors. by CCA for either government’s created “inaccurate� incom“now and of the en- self interest or patent report had tion of non-governmental now. The and efforts and in some cases “incom- gered opening� into late next petence must stop organisations� and aubetter.� tire property Sarkis plete� information. an incident year shows that superi- Bahamas deserves by the government inhibit “free Referring to SEE PAGE SIX Minoffer “is thorities to criminal Education Izmirlian’s Fitzgerald or� to the current situation. for in which speech through as problems this, and ister Jerome libel laws�

However, despite SEE PAGE 12 in its latest the Bahamas report. human rights also referThe report

AS DESERVES BETTER’ DATE STALLS ‘INTIMIDATE’ ‘BAHAMAS GOVT EFFORTS TO IN REPORT BAHA MAR OPENING ACTIVISTS SLAMMED

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

PAGE 12, Thursday, March 12, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Coronavirus crisis: President takes drastic action as world battles virus NBA SUSPENDS SEASON UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE MIAMI Associated Press

UTAH Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in action on Monday night

Trump imposes 30-day travel ban from Europe WASHINGTON Associated Press TAKING dramatic action, President Donald Trump yesterday announced he is sharply restricting passenger travel from 26 European nations to the US and moving to ease the economic cost of a viral pandemic that is roiling global financial markets and disrupting the daily lives of Americans.

Trump, in a rare Oval Office address to the nation, said the month-long restriction on travel would begin late Friday, at midnight. After days of playing down the coronavirus threat, he blamed Europe for not acting quickly enough to address the “foreign virus” and claimed that US clusters were “seeded” by European travellers.

“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said.

“Now we must take the same action with Europe.”

Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom, and there would be exemptions for

“Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings.” He said the US would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.

Trump spoke after days of confusion in Washington and in the face of mounting calls on the president to demonstrate greater leadership.

At times, though, his remarks contributed to the uncertainty.

While Trump said all European travel would be cut off, Homeland Security officials later clarified that the new travel restrictions would apply only to most foreign nationals who have been in the “Schengen Area” at any point for 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. The area includes France, Italy, German, Greece, Austria, Belgium and others, and the White House said the zone has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside of mainland China.

The restrictions don’t apply to legal permanent residents, immediate family of US citizens or others “identified in the proclamation” signed by Trump. And Trump

TRUMP speaking in The Oval misspoke when he said the prohibitions would “not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things.” The official proclamation released after Trump spoke made clear it applies to people, not goods and cargo.

The Oval Office address represented an abrupt shift in tone from a president who has repeatedly sought to play down the severity of

the virus outbreak. Many Americans shared a similar mindset in recent weeks, but the grueling events of Wednesday changed the mood: Communities canceled public events nationwide, universities moved to cancel in-person classes, and families grappled with the impact of disruptions to public schools. The number of confirmed cases of the infection topped 1,000 in the US and the World Health Organization declared the global crisis is now a pandemic.

After Trump spoke, the White House cancelled a planned trip by the president to Nevada and Colorado this week, “out of an abundance of caution.” Trump’s reelection campaign also postponed a planned March 19 event in Milwaukee that was set to feature the president.

After a week of mixed messages and false starts, and as government officials warned in increasingly urgent terms that the outbreak in the US will only get worse, Washington suddenly seemed poised to act.

NOW TOM HANKS AND HIS WIFE RITA WILSON TEST POSITIVE NEW YORK Associated Press TOM Hanks and his actress-singer wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the coronavirus, the actor said yesterday.

Hanks said the couple were in Australia and felt tired, with colds, body aches and slight fevers. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus

and were found to be positive,” Hanks said.

The 63-year-old Oscarwinner said they will be “tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires.”

“Not much more to it than a one-day-a-time approach, no?” added Hanks.

Hanks had been in Australia shooting an untitled Elvis Presley biopic directed

by Baz Luhrmann. Hanks plays Presley’s manager,

TOM Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson

Colonel Tom Parker. The film, currently slated for release in October 2021, has suspended production, Warner Bros. said.

Hanks and Wilson, 63, were married in 1988. In 2013, Hanks disclosed that he has type 2 diabetes.

Hanks also posted his message on social media with an image of a surgical glove in a garbage can. He signed off saying: “Take care of yourselves!”

THE NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive yesterday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.

Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert.

“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”

The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game last night was called off.

Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Those circumstances were the league’s worstcase scenario for now — a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.

“It’s a very serious time right now,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

“I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we’ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here.”

NY ST PATRICK’S PARADE NO-GO NEW YORK Associated Press THE New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade has been postponed for the first time in its 258-year history because of coronavirus concerns, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday.

The postponement of the March 17 parade adds to the roster of events and holidays upended around the world by the spreading infection. Chicago, Boston, and even the Irish capital of Dublin, have cancelled St. Patrick’s Day parades.

The New York parade dates back longer than the United States and draws thousands of marchers.

Weinstein faces 23 years in jail NEW YORK Associated Press HARVEY Weinstein was yesterday sentenced to 23 years in prison after breaking his courtroom silence with a rambling plea for mercy in which he professed to be “totally confused” by the #MeToo movement that spelled the Hollywood producer’s downfall.

His accusers — those who testified against him and many others who have spoken out elsewhere against the former Hollywood mogul — hailed the near-maximum punishment for his rape and criminal sex act convictions as long overdue.

The 67-year-old Weinstein, who arrived at the courthouse in a wheelchair and used a walker throughout the trial after recent back surgeries, could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

He was convicted last month of raping a once-aspiring actress in a New York City hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on former TV and film production assistant Mimi Haleyi at his apartment in 2006. He faced a minimum of

HARVEY Weinstein arriving at court during his trial Weinstein, who did not tesfive years and a maximum of 29 tify during the trial, addressed years in prison.

The conviction marked the first his accusers, saying, “To all the criminal fallout from a raft of alle- women who testified, we may gations that the Oscar-winning have different truths, but I have movie producer used his clout great remorse for all of you.” But to lure women, sexually assault he also argued that men are being or harass them and then silence accused of “things that none of us them. “Although this is a first con- understood.”

“Thousands of men are losing viction, this is not a first offense,” Judge James Burke said in impos- due process. I’m worried about this country,” he said in a calm but ing the sentence.

creaking voice. “I’m totally confused. I think men are confused about these issues.”

Both of the women Weinstein was convicted of assaulting told the court about the damage he did to them, and the empowerment they felt when testifying against him.

“Rape is not just one moment of penetration. It is for ever,” said the 2013 rape accuser, who recalled a moment during the trial when she left the witness stand in tears and then could be heard screaming from an adjacent room.

It was, she said, “the day my voice came back to its full power,” she said.

Asked later about her reaction after the sentence, she wiped her eyes, raised her arm and nodded her head.

Haleyi broke down in tears as she told the court the 2006 attack scarred her deeply and “stripped me of my dignity as a woman.”

The encounter made her rethink her career in the entertainment business and left her feeling afraid of retaliation, she said.

Weinstein, who has maintained that any sexual activity was

consensual, showed no reaction to the sentence.

In his address to the court, he touched on his past charitable fund-raising, his filmmaking career and a pledge that his new “mission is to help people.” He said his “empathy has grown” since his downfall.

Years of whispers about Weinstein’s alleged behavior burst into public view in The New York Times and The New Yorker in 2017. In the aftermath, more than 90 women, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and other actresses, publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The takedown energized the #MeToo movement for speaking up about sexual assault.

Weinstein lawyer Donna Rotunno bristled at his sentence, saying the judge and jury had “caved” in a #MeToo and media atmosphere where Weinstein “really never had a fair shake from day one.”

“We were looking for fairness, and we didn’t get it,” Rotunno said. Weinstein’s lawyers sought a five-year sentence — the shortest possible in the case — citing his age and frail health.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 12, 2020, PAGE 13

RCI TO HOST TWO-DAY JOB FAIR AT NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY ROYAL Caribbean International will host a two-day job fair at the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road to fill positions onboard ships and at its popular island destination – Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Berry Islands.

Prospective applicants are able to attend interviews on Thursday from 9am-11am and

1pm-4pm and Friday from 9am-noon.

“The upcoming job fair is one in a series Royal Caribbean International has been hosting in The Bahamas as we seek Bahamian candidates who want to join our award-winning best in the industry brand,” said Cindy Williams-Johnson, senior manager, Global Talent Attraction, referring to the cruise line recently being

named the best cruise line for the 16th consecutive year. “We are dedicated and focused on our various partnerships in The Bahamas. Hiring Bahamians is among our top priorities and we are excited to partner with the National Training Agency to host the job fair on Thursday and Friday. We already have more than 200 RSVPs for the event.”