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Fernander says spate of weekend crimes a ‘tit-for-tat’ situation

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE five killings that took place over the weekend were gang-related and the result of friction over drug turf, Acting Commissioner Clayton Fernander said yesterday.

He said the incidents were retaliation, describing the spate of crimes as a “titfor-tat” situation.

“We are pretty much aware of the different (factions) of gangs that are involved in this matter. We continue as a team to go after these individuals to

disrupt their operation,” he told the media during a Zoom press conference yesterday.

Between Friday and Sunday, there were five separate homicides, three of which took place on Thompson Lane one day apart. The acting commissioner noted that two of the victims that were killed on Saturday and Sunday on Thompson Lane were not the intended victims based on investigations thus far. He said police are aware who the intended target is.

SEE PAGE THREE

THE death of an 84-yearold woman who was found at her home about two weeks ago has been classified as a homicide by strangulation.

The deceased’s son is helping police with their investigation.

Acting Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander gave the update on the investigation yesterday.

“It came in as a sudden

death and we were just updated over the weekend by the pathologist based on her findings and we now rule that a homicide,” Mr Fernander told The Tribune.

“About two weeks ago a 84-year-old lady was pronounced dead — sudden death. It came in as a sudden death from the eastern area. A relative called in to say they met their loved one on the floor alone in the house.”

SEE PAGE FOUR

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

MINIMUM WAGE ADVICE ‘IN NEXT TWO WEEKS’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell revealed yesterday that his ministry is expected to receive recommendations from the National Tripartite Council on the increase of minimum wage in the next two weeks.

Mr Bell told reporters that upon receiving those recommendations, he will then present them to Cabinet for review and approval.

SEE PAGE FOUR

84-YEAR-OLD WOMAN STRANGLED TO DEATH

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FACE TO FACE: TRYING TO TURN YOUNG PEOPLE AWAY FROM CRIME

DOWN THE BARREL OF A GUN A MAN was arrested yesterday after reportedly driving past a house and firing a gun at it while shouting death threats. A video posted to Facebook was seemingly recorded by the man as he opened fire. In this image from the video, several shots are fired toward the building. See PAGE FOUR for the full story.

BAIL REVOKED IN $40M FRAUD CASE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN private island owner, who has been accused of masterminding a $40m fraud, has had his bail revoked over fears he may flee to this nation and has engaged in human smuggling.

Judge Chad Kennedy, sitting in the eastern Pennsylvania federal court, found on March 10 that the

JOSEPH CAMMARATA US authorities had established “probable cause” that Joseph Cammarata brought his Colombian girlfriend into Florida through The Bahamas even though she

lacked the necessary visa and other entry documents.

Evidence presented by the FBI also revealed that Mr Cammarata, who owns Sandy Cay, a private island near Man-O-War Cay in the Abacos, had plotted fleeing to The Bahamas along with his co-accused in a bid to escape charges that they stole monies intended to compensate victims of securities frauds.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

‘WHY JUST LET HOTELS GO MASK-FREE?’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Federation of Retailers’ co-chair, Tara Morley, yesterday urged the government to ease the COVID mask mandate for all businesses, not just hotels, given the “resistance” mounted by tourists.

She said the requirement to wear masks had become “a boiling point” issue for many visitors.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PETER YOUNG: POWERFUL WORDS FROM A BRAVE MAN

- SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

CHEF Keshlah Smith Clarke enjoys a laugh with students at RM Bailey Senior High School yesterday.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

Food at the heart of Commonwealth Day celebration BRITISH High Commissioner Sarah Dickson celebrated Commonwealth Day with food and nutrition for students at RM Bailey Senior High School yesterday.

This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming”.

Ms Dickson said “the idea is that member states work together creatively, to deliver the initiatives that will change the lives of Commonwealth citizens”.

“This includes working with young people,” she said yesterday. “The Commonwealth offers regular scholarship opportunities and other competitions.”

At the school, there was a guava duff cooking demonstration.

“We are here today cooking duff and that is because it has a Commonwealth connection,” Ms Dickson said.

“Having duff as a popular dessert is a tradition that The Bahamas shares with many

BRITISH High Commissioner Sarah Dickson. seafaring nations. According to a report in the Manchester Times in 1869 the name ‘duff’ comes from a sailor on the Cutty Sark who, believing the word ‘dough’ to be pronounced the same as the word ‘rough’ invented the ‘duff’. It was intended as a replacement for Christmas pudding and is still seen as

a celebratory desert. That is why a duff recipe will appear in the Queen’s jubilee cookbook. To celebrate her 70 years as our joint Head of State.”

Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin and Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne attended yesterday’s event.

A GUAVA Duff demonstration by chef Keshlah Smith Clarke.

AMONG those attending the event were Minister of Education Glenys Hanna Martin and Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 3

Fernander says spate of weekend crimes a ‘tit-for-tat’ situation from page one Another man is in stable condition at this time in relation to one of the shootings on Thompson Lane on Saturday.

While going over the facts of Saturday’s and Sunday’s homicides, he said most of the murders that happened over the weekend occurred in the southern division and the south-central division of New Providence.

He added that these matters are concerning to police.

“What we have noticed in respect to the MO based on our intel, it’s telling us that these matters, we believe that they are gang-related as a result of drug turf and as a result of the drug turf, there’s retaliation. It’s more like tit-for-tat. We are aware of the different (factions) of gangs that are involved in this matter.”

He said officers are out and about trying to identify the players in these gangs to bring them into custody.

He said police are not ruling out the possibility that the matters,

particularly the incidents on Thompson Lane, are related.

“We continue to put the pieces together to get a clearer picture, but we can’t rule that out at this time.

But it’s leading towards that they are connected at this time,” he said.

Mr Fernander also gave updated crime statistics for the period of January up to yesterday.

There have been 28 homicides so far this year. The period of March 1 to 13 saw 12 murders in comparison to five last year during that same period. He said January 2022 had 12 murders in contrast to 10 in January 2021.

In February, police recorded four murders, a decrease from February 2021 which had 10 murders.

Mr Fernander said a man is in custody in connection with the double murder that happened last week in the Carmichael Road area where there was a social gathering and an individual fired shots into the crowd.

He said a man is also helping police regarding another matter that

occurred two weeks ago just off Cowpen Road, where an individual was found through a track road with gunshot wounds.

The weapon of choice continues to be the highpowered rifle, according to Mr Fernander, who showed reporters an AK-47 automatic weapon.

“This weapon is capable (of entering) any wooden house and that’s where we are concerned because in our communities we are so (close knit). The houses are so close to each other.

A bullet has no eye and when it leaves this weapon it could end up anywhere,” he said.

Mr Fernander said police are noticing a trend of “senior criminals” recruiting young men, putting guns in their hands, and giving them instructions to carry out these criminal acts.

“If they can’t get the target or if you, the family members, are with them you also become a target and if they can’t get the target they’re going to target you, the family,” he said.

ACTING Commissioner Delton Fernander yesterday.

POLICE FOCUS ON GUN TRAFFICKERS TO CURB RISING VIOLENCE ACTING Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said police are targeting gun traffickers to stem the rise of violence in the country and have also had success against web shop armed robbers.

“We’ve had success with some matters with respect to web shops,” Mr Fernander said, adding that five web shops in the eastern area of New Providence were robbed just last week.

“They were robbed and good work by detectives, a team, they were able to arrest an individual,” he said. “We eventually

arrested three others. These matters are closed. We also recovered two handguns that were used in the commission of those offences.

They are in custody and they will appear before the courts sometime (Monday).

“We also had some success and we continue to see that the commission of a number of crimes in our communities is by the use of firearms. (There has been) excellent work by the officers in Bimini. In South Bimini they were able to arrest four individuals, three Bahamians and a US citizen with respect to

nine pistols (Sunday evening) and they were en route to Nassau; nine pistols, assorted magazines and ammunition.

“You could imagine if they had gotten into the hands of the criminals and, I believe it was their intention to do just that, and we were able to disrupt that, so excellent work again by officers in South Bimini, they were able to arrest those individuals. They are on the way to Nassau to be dealt with by the detectives here and we will follow a number of lines of inquiries with respect to that.”

Mr Fernander was referring to the arrest of one American man and five Bahamian men at the South Bimini International Airport after a quantity of firearms and ammunition disguised in drink boxes were discovered on Sunday.

The discovery was made shortly after 4pm during a security screening of passengers at the airport in South Bimini, police reported.

Police said that six men had presented themselves, along with a number of bins, for screening. It was found that the bins contained a

quantity of illegal firearms and ammunition.

There were nine .9mm pistols, one silencer, one Glock magazine, three .9mm magazines, one M-4 magazine, seven black magazines, fifty .40 hollow tip rounds, seventeen .40 rounds, two extended .9mm magazines and (157) .9mm ammunition.

Police said the firearms and ammunition were disguised in various drink boxes.

Officers of the Bimini Division were called to the airport, where they arrested the men. They also took the

illegal firearms and ammunition into their custody.

“We continue to track the traffickers,” Mr Fernander also said yesterday. “We don’t manufacture weapons in The Bahamas. We don’t.

They are coming in through the US and our position is to go after the traffickers and we continue to work closely with our US counterparts and we are doing just that and we are getting a number of results.”

Police Commissioner Paul Rolle is out of the country on police business, Mr Fernander said yesterday.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMPLAINTS BY CARISSA LED TO CHARGES

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ACTING Commissioner Clayton Fernander said police investigated two domestic violence complaints from deceased Carissa Culmer last year and in both instances the suspect was charged.

In one instance, a man was charged and sentenced to probation and in the other case, the victim withdrew the charges, he said.

His comments to reporters came in the wake of backlash after Culmer’s death last week. The woman was found hanging by a cord from the ceiling in a room at the hotel on West Bay Street in a suspected suicide last Thursday. Her toddler son was in the room with her when the incident occurred.

Mr Fernander responded to the criticism that police should do more when abuse complaints are made, saying the Royal Bahamas Police Force takes domestic violence seriously. He added that a new unit was being formulated to specifically handle these kinds of complaints.

In the case of Culmer, her death is still ruled a suicide.

Culmer went viral last year after she posted a video on Facebook pleading for help as she detailed the alleged abuse she

suffered at the hands of a partner.

“At this present time, we’re still ruling it as a suicide,” Mr Fernander said when asked for an update on the case yesterday.

“We’re just waiting again for our final autopsy report and we have noted based on our (check) that there were two matters made by the deceased. Last year, there (were) two matters brought to our attention and they were investigated.

“The first matter was investigated and the individual mentioned, the alleged boyfriend, he was charged — went before the court and he was placed on probation for one year. He did just that. There was a second matter where she was assaulted again and (the suspect) was arrested, charged by officers, and eventually the deceased person, the victim, she withdrew the matter in court. So at this present time we’re still treating that as a suicide at this time.” `The young mother’s death elicited a backlash from some, who feel that the system failed her. People have voiced concerns over the inadequate protection and recourse for victims and, despite the arms of law, their perpetrators still find ways to continue tormenting them.

Some pointed the finger directly at the police to

do more for those on the receiving side of this crime.

In response to those criticisms, Mr Fernander said: “I always say get the facts and the facts (are) clear that we as officers we did do (due diligence) in doing our job and bringing that individual to court. We say it over and over once you come to the police and report a matter, we take the matters seriously and don’t wait for the last minute or second to report a matter.

“With respect to domestic violence, I’m not for

that. I’ve suggested to the commissioner that moving forward that we identify a unit just to deal with domestic violence working closely with the Crisis Centre and Social Services.

And we’re doing just that.

We are managing that from CID department and we’re going to do just that and to help victims out there and we’re going to take nothing lightly. I know there’s a lot of information out there on social media where some victims saying they go to the police station and

report matters and officers don’t take it seriously.

“We are continuing our training with our officers and that is being done in conjunction with the Crisis Centre and working closely with them to make it happen. We take this very seriously and that’s why we want to bring it under one umbrella. Not going all over the place, going to this station and you wondering who you should go to with follow ups and all of that.

It’s going to come under one umbrella and we will

remain focused on that - we want a focused approach and quick action, swift justice with respect to these matters.”

As for the unit, he clarified it is still being formulated. He added they are bringing the right fit in those areas, by assigning people who could show “more care for victims” and to direct them in the “right path.”

“So you’re gonna see a whole team and they will be identified to members of the public.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FNM to assess reasons for election defeat

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard said internal and external groups will create an election post-mortem for the FNM which will be analysed at a conclave the party is likely to hold at the end of April.

“The FNM intends to hold a national conclave to retool our organisation,” Mr Pintard said yesterday. “This would include capacity building workshops, organising each constituency association, strengthening the advocacy and work of the parliamentary team and reviewing the post-mortem on the recent general election.

The conclave will kick off our outreach efforts to re-engage our supporters

across the nation. The conclave is likely to occur at the end of April.”

Mr Pintard said the postmortem will be important to help the party pivot and move forward after its general election loss.

“We’ll have one of the firms that ordinarily do this work do it. We have any number of companies who provide that and then also we have some internal polling that we will do. We have groups that assisted us prior to the election. So, yes, a professional company and internal group work, two sets of polling and then, of course, we do have some preliminary reports in that weren’t done for this purpose, but that have useful information.”

The FNM won only seven seats in last year’s early election, its worst performance since 1977

when it won only two seats.

At the party’s recent convention, St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright was elected deputy leader while former Cabinet minister Dr Duane Sands was elected chairman.

Mr Pintard was elected leader at a special one-day leadership convention last November.

“Our party should understand what the voter sentiments were and what organisers’ sentiments and experiences were, those who were in charge for example of coordinating the campaign at various levels, national as well as at the association level. And they obviously are going to be some of the respondents to questions that are being designed and then, of course, the voting population itself will be assessed also so again.”

FNM leader Michael Pintard speaking during the final night of the party’s convention.

MINIMUM WAGE ADVICE ‘IN NEXT TWO WEEKS’ from page one

DOWN THE BARREL OF A GUN

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was arrested yesterday shortly after an individual drove by a house and fired several shots while shouting threats of death in what Acting Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander yesterday suggested was an act of retaliation.

The incident was captured in a video recorded and posted to a man’s Facebook page yesterday.

In the video, a man drives up to a pink trimmed, white house and shouts: “Turn your p**** in bey, ‘cause I ga kill you (sic),” before pointing a gun in the direction of the house and firing several shots. “(Y’all) lock me up for riding for my brother? I right by my car wash, man,” the man continues in a tirade.

“They ain’t show me no love. I cutting movie,bey.

Tell them n***** turn thyself in ‘cause when ya name call, me and my dog riding, bey.”

He also said: “I’ll kill everything. I’ll kill everything. I ain’t playing with this, bey.”

The man then points the weapon at his own head and says he would kill himself, before referring to his dead brother.

After the video went viral, Acting Commissioner Fernander told The Tribune that police had seen the video and took the man into custody.

He explained that the shooter is the brother of a man who was shot and killed on Marathon Road at a sneaker store some years ago.

“We have the individual in custody as we speak,” Mr Fernander said yesterday afternoon.

“I understood, (from) the brief information we are still trying to confirm it, that his brother was killed a few years ago and he’s (the man at the home which was shot at) on bail for killing his brother.

“I think this is an individual who was killed at a car wash by Marathon (Road).

(I) understood that this individual is on bail and he was trying to find him.

“That is the information so far, but we are still trying to confirm it.”

Businessman Leo Rahming was shot in the head on May 4, 2017, while at his business Easy Shine Car Wash on Marathon Road.

He was taken to hospital where he later died.

Mr Fernander said no one was injured in yesterday’s shooting.

84-YEAR-OLD WOMAN STRANGLED TO DEATH from page one “At that time, no visible injuries were seen, but based on the information from our pathologist they discovered that the lady died from some strangulation and there were some injuries noted to the neck after carefully examining the body by the pathologist.”

Mr Fernander also gave an update on skeletal remains found at a well field just off Carmichael Road, which is classified as a suspicious death.

“We were able to find some clothing next to the remains. There was an identification in it - clearly an identification. We know the name of the individual, but we can’t positively confirm that that is the person.

But we are following some leads. Going to await the autopsy to determine the cause of death with respect to that matter. We are following that and we are highlighting that as suspicious for now. But we have the detectives who are on top of that and looking into that investigation,” he said.

“Once we get those recommendations, (and) I’ve already communicated with the Office of the Attorney General in respect to looking at the legislation, but once we get those recommendations, it will then go to the Cabinet who will make determination as to what that will be and how it will pan out,” the minister said yesterday.

“There has to be widespread consultation, as you would appreciate with both the public and private sector, particularly our private sector industry in terms of where we’re going with it.”

Calls for increasing the minimum wage have intensified in recent weeks in the wake of rising fuel and food costs caused by inflation among other factors.

The country’s current minimum wage is $210 per week, but the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) committed to increasing this to $250 per week in its election campaign blueprint.

However, a representative on the National Tripartite Council recently told Tribune Business it was impossible to determine whether the government’s proposed increase to $250 per week will be the outcome until all their research is completed.

“It’s very significant and I can’t emphasise that enough and that is one of our major things we hope to achieve in this administration — the elimination of our minimum wage and the implementation of a livable wage,” Mr Bell said yesterday, “and so obviously, the finer details have to be worked out, but we anticipate that we will definitely get through this during the course of this administration very early and we should see that very

soon, some legislation.”

Officials were unable to say yesterday what some of the NTC’s proposed recommendations are.

However, Labour Director Robert Farquharson told reporters a number of factors will be taken into consideration by the council, including the daily cost of living.

“I am not at liberty to speak specifically about the contents of (those) recommendations,” he said when asked about the issue. “I could say a number of factors will be taken into account, including the cost of living, the regional comparison on minimum wage, inflation and the need of the government’s policy on increasing minimum wage. We are committed to doing (the) necessary research and I’m confident that in the very near future, a recommendation will be sent to the government for an increase in minimum wage.”

CAPTAIN GIBSON REACHES A CENTURY

GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith paid a courtesy call on Captain Jeremiah Gibson, the Bahamas’ newest centenarian, on Sunday, at his home.

The Governor General presented a message from the Queen and a gift to Captain Gibson in congratulations for his 100th birthday milestone.

Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 5

BTVI not likely to fully return to face-to-face

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Technical and Vocational Institute’s president Dr Robert Robertson says he doesn’t expect the institution will fully return to face-to-face learning despite declining COVID-19 infection rates, noting “the future of technical training is actually blended” learning.

According to Dr Robertson, a recent survey conducted by the school found most students preferred the hybrid model of learning.

He also said it was this survey that helped influence the school’s decision to continue with the blended environment.

“In terms of the pandemic, BTVI is different than like a high school, so we don’t really anticipate that we’ll go back fully face-to-face,” he said. “In fact, we have had student surveys to say that we don’t want to go back face-to-face so the future of technical training is actually blended so the theory will be covered online basically for the most part.

“But then we have these boot camps where we bring people in and they do the hands-on work face-toface. In addition, they’re also simulation devices you can use for a lot of the work and that’s what’s happening in industries, so we have to be cognizant of what the advance moves of industries are and stay with them so we’re not going to switch a flip and go back face-to-face. We’re going to gradually go back but continue with the theory part at least online.”

Schools and colleges were shut down across the country in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many were teaching virtually throughout the pandemic and just recently returned fully or in part to

in person learning earlier this year due to declining cases.

Last month, University of The Bahamas announced plans to resume face-toface learning in May. Although BTVI does not plan to fully resume in-person learning anytime soon, Dr Robertson said the institution continues to undertake initiatives to provide better opportunities to Bahamians, with plans to offer more courses this year.

“There are a number of key areas in the country that need certified people to work in those areas, one of them, for example, is in allied health so we’re working in Doctors Hospital to try to come up with some programmes basically like health management in terms of data and licensed practical nurses, those type of things so we’ll be doing that,” the BTVI president said.

“In addition, we’re working with the Office of the Prime Minister on another exciting initiative to develop an environmental technician. That’s a very important initiative as climate change is a big deal for countries around the world and so we’re working to put together an environmental technician programme that will likely start as early as summer of 2022.

“There’s also interest in aviation as an island nation.

People use planes to get around a lot and there’s not a lot of ability to repair those planes in the country so we’re working with a couple of companies on the possibility of providing some aviation training here at BTVI as well so we’re constantly trying to respond to the needs of businesses and industry, obviously within our financial constraints, but we really want to stay up what’s happening in the country so we’re looking at those three areas right now.”

BTVI president Dr Robert Robertson.

Department of Labour.

Among those attending yesterday’s event included Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell, BTVI president Dr Robert Robertson and LJM Maritime Academy President Dr Brendamae Cleare.

Dr Robertson told those attending that the number of jobs available in the country for Bahamians were numerous.

He also said many employers were looking for skilled Bahamians and urged locals to apply to the institution to become certified.

“There are many job opportunities, currently,” he said. “I see people coming in almost daily to my office asking for trained Bahamians, skilled and certified Bahamians. We need to be ready. Now is the time. The window is open.

If you have an interest at all in the trades, please talk to us about these programmes.

They’re short, they’re modules and in particular… they’re free.

“The government has scholarships to support these and employ you. If you’re a parent listening to us or a student, think

ROBERTSON URGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE UP COURSES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

YOUNG people were urged to take advantage of training courses at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute yesterday, with the institution’s president saying there were lots of job opportunities available for skilled Bahamians.

BTVI hosted an open house and career day on its campus yesterday in collaboration with the Lowell Jason Mortimer Maritime Academy and the

NTA THANKS FORMER PM CHRISTIE

FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie was presented with a plaque of appreciation as the brain behind the National Training Agency (NTA) on Wednesday last week. The former prime minister and a few former participants were invited to take time out to motivate participants making up the new Cohort 19. Alvina Rolle, Cohort 19 participant, is pictured presenting Mr Christie with the plaque.

Managing director Agatha Marcelle and executive director Terry Murray presented Mr Christie with a gift of appreciation.

Photo: Mark Ford/BIS

about these opportunities, you can be certified by the summer of 2022. Now is your chance to do that.”

Similar comments were also echoed by Mr Bell, who urged young Bahamians not to take such opportunities for granted.

He said: “Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, the number of investments in this country are in the billions of dollars. Everyone wants to come here to this wonderful and beautiful country. They want to invest and they want to meet our warm people.

The implication of that is

opportunities for our young people, opportunities.

The opportunity created

by BTVI, the ministry of labour with the government along with LMI is very significant. It cannot be underscored.

“When we sit and make a determination as to whether or not an investment should go on in this country, we have to determine and the investors asks for a number of work permits in a number of fields and we have to grant in many cases, these work permits simply because we don’t have the bank of field

labour to meet the demand.

That is how important it is.

“As all the speakers before me said, the education is free so you have government, BTVI, LJM and all of the corporate donors and scholarship donors, they have come together in a myriad of ways to make education available to all of us less fortunate and so I implore all Bahamians everywhere, take ​advantage of the opportunity. You cannot sit on the sidelines and do not embrace the opportunity and cry foul.

You have to get in the game and take advantage of the​ opportunities.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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Straight answers in fight against crime THE spate of murders that took place at the weekend was horrifying in itself – five dead in three days with two more injured.

It also served as a grim reminder that while so much focus has been placed on dealing with COVID-19, crime is an epidemic that has blighted our country for far longer, and that is far harder to contain.

Credit to Acting Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander yesterday then for giving some straight answers, and revealing that the five killings at the weekend are believed to be gang-related and part of a drugs turf war.

Straight answers have not always been easy to come by when it comes to details about crime. In January last year, after months of lockdown, murder figures had dropped from 95 in 2019 to 59 in 2020. Were the COVID lockdowns a factor in the reduction in murders?

Not so, insisted Police Commissioner Paul Rolle, who called such a suggestion “nonsense” and credited instead the hard work that police officers had done. Well, the lockdowns ended and the murder rate went back up. We presume police officers were working just as hard. Clearly, it had an effect. There have been 28 murders so far this year – almost half the number in the whole of 2020.

And just as clearly, crime has not gone away. Truth be told, the economic hit we have taken has probably driven more people toward involvement in crime with jobs short and money tight.

The scale of the problem facing police officers is made clear in several stories in today’s Tribune. First, there are the comments by Acting Commissioner Fernander, as he outlined that police were aware of the different factions of gangs that were involved.

Acting Commissioner Fernander said there is a trend of “senior criminals” recruiting young men and putting guns in their hands.

Where do the guns come from? That brings us to another story in today’s Tribune, in which six men were stopped in Bimini on Sunday. The men had a number of drink boxes and inside, disguised from inspectors, were nine pistols, a silencer and an assortment of ammunition. At yesterday’s briefing, Acting Commissioner Fernander showed a video which showed an officer discovering a gun wrapped and sealed inside a box of breakfast cereal.

The people bringing these guns in are directly contributing to the damage our society is experiencing, and serving as accessories to the murders that would have taken place with those guns.

Then there is the third story showing the sorry state of matters and the problems facing police – a man opening fire at a house and posting a video of the shooting to Facebook in what appeared to be an act of retaliation.

A man has been arrested, but the video appears to show someone taking matters in their own hands and opening fire wildly rather than having faith in the justice system.

There is a culture on our streets that sees too many young men disconnected from the rest of society – and those senior criminals that Acting Commissioner Fernander talks about prey upon these individuals to pull them into the gang lifestyle.

It is no easy task to fix – not for the police, not for other members of society who try to give these young men another way. But every person who brings an illegal gun into the country makes the problem worse, and every gang member who pulls someone else into their lifestyle is perpetuating it.

It is welcome, however, to be able to talk about the problem as it is, to have the discussion about the gang problems affecting our streets so that we can address the issue directly. For that, we thank Acting Commissioner Fernander – and wish him the very best in dealing with it.

RIP DNA EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN DECEMBER 2021, Arinthia Komolafe resigned as leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), nearly three months after the September 16 general election.

I visited the party’s Facebook and discovered that the latest post is dated July 24, 2020, which suggests to me that the party is currently inactive. Its own members have apparently lost interest in the party and its vision. Moreover, who will now lead the party now that Komolafe has stepped down?

The DNA gained just 1,742 votes nationally, which means that it has haemorrhaged significant support, which wasn’t much to begin with.

On the other hand, the Coalition of Independents (COI) received over 8,500 votes - nearly seven thousand more than the DNA. The COI and Lincoln

Bain had obviously supplanted the DNA as the undisputed third party of The Bahamas, playing third fiddle to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM).

Komolafe was the second leader of the DNA. I recall the hoopla surrounding her ascendancy to the top post of the party subsequent to the resignation of Branville McCartney in October 2017.

McCartney led the organisation for six years, since its inception in either April or May of 2011.

About two months prior to the launch of the DNA, McCartney resigned from the FNM. He was Bamboo Town MP between 20072012. The DNA’s strong showing in the 2012 general election, in which it gained 13,225 votes, was cited as one of the major reasons the FNM lost to the PLP. The DNA played spoiler to the FNM, which was

viewed as a consolation prize for certain elements within the party. It also gave DNA supporters the impression that their party would be able to go toe to toe with both the FNM and PLP, despite McCartney losing his seat in Bamboo Town to the then PLP Renward Wells.

I believe McCartney saw the writing on the wall, after the DNA got just 7,500 plus votes, less than six thousand that it got five years earlier.

The DNA’s poor showing in 2021 is an evident sign that the party is on track to be dissolved.

In my opinion, however, I believe that the DNA is already dead, politically speaking.

It has suffered the same fate as other fringe political groups. Rest in peace DNA (2011-2021).

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Bahama.

March 13, 2022.

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Grand

Twisted Ukraine narrative EDITOR, The Tribune.

SENSIBLE people stopped taking the western media seriously at the time of the 2003 Iraq war, when it became little more than a cheerleader for the western war machine, ridiculing dissenting voices as it destroyed an Arab country in a war based solely on lies. It did the same with Libya and it almost did the same with Syria – until Russia stopped it.

At the time, media figures as inoffensive as Phil Donoghue (once a household name in the USA) were blacklisted for questioning the official narrative – which turned out to be a pack of lies.

Meanwhile western governments sought (and obtained) the collusion, or at least the silence, of the whole western media in its persecution of Julian Assange, now held in inhumane (according to Amnesty International) detention, a hostage to the political misfortunes of the buffoon now running the United Kingdom. Mr Assange’s crime? Revealing casual and routine western war crimes in Iraq.

Today, the same pattern of collusion between western governments, corporations and media is emerging, as media outlets turn their power against Russia, pretending, firstly, that this war came out of nowhere and, secondly, that its prosecution is more outrageous and one-sided than their own.

The Western way of war, if we recall, involves crushing and often illegal sanctions on a civilian population, the destruction of civil infrastructure from the air by pilots based safely in Idaho and the use of (often jihadist) proxies to do the fighting, keeping western military casualties very low.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Access to the defeated country’s oil and other resources is then given to the corporations who funded the politicians who made up the lies that started the war. Invariably, the target country is left an utter mess – compare Libya today and 12 years ago – but a lucrative one for western oil corporations and military contractors.

Today, CNN, the BBC and the UK’s Guardian newspaper refer to dozens of Ukrainian casualties of Russian airpower or artillery as “massacres”, while the approximately 185,000 civilian deaths from the illegal Iraq war were merely “collateral damage”.

Curious.

The reality, of course, is that, while war is always an ugly and tragic thing, to be avoided at all reasonable costs, Russia does it in a fairly traditional way.

Rather than using madefor-television “shock and awe” tactics and manipulating the global trade system to starve populations, it sends in large armed formations and inflicts - and takes - significant combat casualties. That is war.

And make no mistake: this war was started by the west. It overthrew the democratically elected Ukrainian government in 2014, installed a puppet regime that included neoNazi elements, and then armed and sustained a violent counterinsurgency in the ethnically-Russian east of the country, creating a pretext for the puppet regime to seek NATO membership.

Russia simply had no choice but to finish the war that western meddling begun, just as it had

to finish western-initiated wars that threatened its survival in 1812 and 1941. Its losses were immense, but it had no choice but to fight and it ultimately won.

What comes next is anyone’s guess. But any disruption to an unbalanced global system imposed by NATO, the G7, EU and their puppets is ultimately a good thing. It will clearly hasten China’s alternative to the SWIFT banking system, which has been so controlling and abusive to the world.

And many others too are watching keenly how the dollar-led global financial system and supposedly ‘independent’ western corporations like Meta and Instagram are now being weaponized against Russia for daring to stand up to the west’s global dominance.

India has already begun trading with Russia in their own respective currencies, China is working with it to replace the dollar as a medium of exchange between them and even Turkey (a member of NATO) has indicated its own discomfort with continued reliance on US dollar transactions.

For decades, the western world (cheered on by its media) has used these subtle, but comprehensive and malign levers of global control against perceived disruptors (be it Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran or Venezuela).

But in attempting to use them to “isolate” so vast and important a country as Russia, the tactic will this time backfire, as others recognise that their own sovereign interests do not benefit from western-controlled rules, currencies and institutions being left as the unchallenged regulators of global trade relationships.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, March 13, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 7

First rums ready at new Bahamas Distillery Company

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE newly established Bahamas Distillery Company opened its doors in Freeport and has started production of two rum offerings.

Allan Bassett, president and CEO, has set up the rum distillery at a 6,500 sq ft warehouse on Oak Street and Settlers Way. The facility, which is equipped with three large copper pot distillers from the 1950s, currently produces a spice rum called Floating Pig, and a coconut rum called Hammered.

“We are really excited with what we have done so far,” said Mr Bassett, who expects to have products in stores and on the market in the next week or so.

A small staff of about five to 10 people are employed at the distillery, but there are plans to increase employment as the company expands in the future.

Mr Bassett said Freeport was the ideal location for the establishment of the distillery – but especially because of its international port.

“A couple years ago, I had the idea to start a distillery to produce rum, and I was looking for a location,” he said.

“I got through to the Bahamas Consulate in Atlanta and they put me onto the Bahamas Investment Authority… and started the process of setting up the distillery.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult travel restrictions had initially delayed things, but we finally got to the point of producing rum. We produce a spice rum and a coconut rum which are the first two offerings, Floating Pig and Hammered - and they are bottled and

ready to go and should be on the shelf in the next week or two.”

According to Mr Bassett, old copper distiller equipment was brought to Freeport.

“They were used for production in France, Portugal and South Africa, and we shipped them over to Freeport and recommissioned them to make rum,” he said. “They have travelled the world and have now found a home in Grand Bahama.”

The equipment, he said, is still a work in progress and more still needs to come in.

“We are really excited with what we have done so far. We have three distillers, and we are hoping it can be a destination distillery. We want to create a facility that is not only functional and makes rum, but something that has a feel to be a tourist destination.”

Mr Bassett said his goal in the next five years is to have a global footprint across the United States and Europe, and the distillery as a tourist destination in Freeport employing somewhere between 30 to 50 staff.

“So far, we are excited about our products which are well received, and we feel that there is no reason we can’t take it to be a major facility and contributor to employment opportunities in Freeport,” he added.

There are plans for expansion, said Mr Bassett, who indicated that the 6,500 sq ft warehouse and office space facility they now occupy is just the start.

“It is an entry level spot for us. We have plans for expansion at some point to upgrow the facility we have, with a main distillery and to build brick houses for aged rum in barrels - that is my dream,” he said.

AMERICAN TEEN ACCUSED OVER NIGHTCLUB ATTACK

By PAVEL BAILEY

AN American teenager was arraigned on charges of disorderly behaviour and multiple counts of causing harm after attacking three women at a nightclub.

Taylor Cannon, 19, of New Jersey appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux facing charges of disorderly behaviour, obscene language, resisting arrest and three separate counts of causing harm.

On March 12 around

3.10am at Bond nightclub in Baha Mar, Cannon was reportedly behaving in a disorderly manner over losing her phone. As she was escorted from the nightclub by Stephanie Williamson, she attacked Ms Williamson as well as two other women, Dennisha Saunders and Kristina Adderley.

When officers came to the scene, Cannon cursed at Sergeant Cox and resisted arrest.

In court, Cannon pleaded guilty to all charges against her.

Cannon’s attorney Bjorn Ferguson told the court that alcohol played a factor in his client’s behaviour and that she was remorseful for her actions.

He told the court that Cannon had arrived in the country on March 8 for spring break and was supposed to leave on the 13th.

He said she is a university student under the care of her parents. Given these circumstances and the fact that his client had no prior offenses as well as her early plea of guilt, Ferguson asked the court not to

MAN ACCUSED OF ABUSING 11-YEAR-OLD

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of child abuse against an 11-yearold girl.

Wilshire Dawkins, 38, appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux

on two counts of cruelty to a child.

On March 1, Dawkins was arrested in New Providence for allegedly abusing an 11-year-old girl in his care and custody, causing her unnecessary suffering and resulting in injury to her health.

In court, Dawkins

pleaded not guilty to both counts against him.

Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux set his bail at $5,000 with two sureties and warned Dawkins that he is not to have contact with the child or any witnesses outside of court.

Dawkins’ case was adjourned to April 8.

TEENAGE BOY ACCUSED OF ATTACKING COP

By PAVEL BAILEY

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy appeared in court yesterday on charges of assaulting a police officer.

The teen and his mother appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux where the boy faced

charges of assaulting the officer, resisting arrest and causing damage.

The juvenile is accused of unlawfully assaulting Inspector Rico Brown on March 11 at R M Bailey Park, resisting arrest and causing damage to the officer’s khaki pants. The boy is accused of causing $80

worth of damage to Inspector Brown’s property.

In court, the teen pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux set the defendant’s bail at $2,000 with one suretor.

The case was adjourned to May 4.

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impose a custodial sentence on her.

In consideration of these facts, Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux cautioned Cannon on the disorderly behaviour, obscene

language and resisting arrest charges.

The magistrate, however, gave Cannon a conditional discharge on the three causing harm charges ordering

her to compensate Williamson, Saunders and Adderley $1,000 for the attacks or face three months in prison for each of the three charges if she fails to pay.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Trying to turn young people away from a life of crime Face to Face

IN a time when there are rising concerns about the rate of crime, and after a bloody weekend on the streets of the inner city, one church elder is calling for all sectors of society to pour into the youth the right spiritual principles, self- By FELICITY DARVILLE esteem, respect and love to bring the Bahamian society way we used to be. That’s back to what it used to be. not what our society was all Pastor Dr Roosevelt about. We are a loving and Kamiller Whyms hails from God-fearing people. We the settlement of Behring have to do what we can to Point, Central Andros. curb the hands of time and Family Islanders can attest lead the youth in the right to the peaceful upbringway in Jesus’ name.” ing they experienced, and Pastor Whyms is a Disthe lessons of manners trict Elder for the Bahamas, and respect that have literally taken them around the Turks & Caicos Council world. He is one of them. of the Pentecostal AssemHis path began with humble blies of the World. He is the National President island beginfor Christian nings and led ‘We have gangs in Education, to him being responsible for appointed as a this country now, the National District Elder and these gangs Sunday in his church are made up of School, which and becoming one of the our young people. encomcountry’s most We are faced with passes all of successful real the church’s estate devel- a society without Sunday opers. He is love for one Schools certain that another. That’s not throughout with the right the Bahamas the way we used guidance, and Turks & to be. That’s not Bahamian Caicos. This children and what our society weekend, young adults the church, was all about.’ have an which is a opportunity to part of a global organisamake the best out of their tion, wrapped up its 73rd lives. He even feels that General Convention under those currently in a life of the theme: “Standing on a crime could be saved, if the Firm Foundation” Matthew churches would meet them where they are and share chapter 7, verses 24–27.

For Pastor Whyms, that the Gospel. firm foundation is laid by “Society is depending on us (the church) to do what leading children in the right is needed,” Pastor Whyms way: “If you don’t start from Sunday School, where said.

“Presently we are faced will you start? You have with high levels of crime to get them from small so throughout The Bahamas. when they are bigger, they We have gangs in this coun- will know the right way and try now, and these gangs contribute well to society.”

During the Convention’s are made up of our young people. We are faced with official Sunday School a society without love for Session, Pastor Whyms one another. That’s not the told those gathered that

“the word of God suggests that once you have been strengthened, go and strengthen your brother and sister” and for this reason, he said churches must be willing to meet the people who need their help wherever they are.

The church’s Diocesan Bishop Ellis J Farrington, Sr, said Pastor Whyms has been faithful, and travels to all of the Sunday Schools in his diocese, which includes churches in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros and Turks & Caicos. Currently, a church is being built in Long Island and will soon be completed.

“We don’t want to leave our children behind,” Bishop Farrington said.

“We are trying to get the Government to recognise our National Sunday School Programme and see that we have effective programmes in place, which includes not just the Gospel, but sports and other activities. We have a strong youth organisation, and we want to see it continue to grow throughout the country. I prayed for the children, and the Lord told me in a vision that I wouldn’t have to worry about anything; that he

PASTOR Dr Roosevelt Whyms teaching adult Sunday School at Transformation Ministries Intl, Dignity Gardens, and pictured inset.

would send a man to run it (Sunday School and Christian Education). Pastor Whyms has come, and he is the right man to do it. We cannot afford to leave the young people unsupervised in this day and time, and Pastor Whyms is the real man to do it. He will meet you wherever you are.”

During the convention, even adults were taught in Sunday School.

“I am excited about our Christian Education programme,” Pastor Whyms said.

“We want to get the apostolic way of teaching to all of the places where our churches are located to help deter the young people from the wrong way and convince them to give up their life of crime for a life of salvation. The Gospel says be wise to win souls.

We will use approaches and devices to win souls and have them baptised and have the mechanisms in place to keep the young people interested. The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World intends to make its presence felt throughout the archipelago.”

In addition to his extensive work in the church, Pastor Whyms is president of several Bahamian companies, having successfully planned and developed numerous subdivisions on the island of New Providence.

His developments include: Misty Gardens – a 126-lot development in which he installed all the infrastructure, constructed 40 residences, and sold the remaining 86 properties; Marshall Estates Subdivision, where he installed all the infrastructure and sold the lots; Orchard Close Subdivision, where he built and sold all 27 homes; Kool Acres Manor and Ashley Close, where he installed all the infrastructure and sold six homes; and Eastwind Gates Subdivision, where he installed the infrastructure on all 46 lots and sold them.

He is also responsible for the development of three Bahamas Government subdivisions: Snow View

Subdivision, Lionel Davis Subdivision (phase 1) and at present, Carmichael Village Subdivision.

His ongoing work includes Venice Bay, a 208.5-acre development.

“This is one of New Providence’s prestigious gated communities, comprising canal front, ocean-front, lakefront and interior residential and multi-family lots,” he said.

“In addition, this project includes a marina with deep water access, currently under construction. The canal and access channel excavations are completed.”

In the early 1990s, Pastor Whyms personally planned and laid out all of the roads in Treasure Cove development, located on Yamacraw Road, New Providence.

More recently, his company conducts administrative work for the Palm Cay Development.

As a real estate developer, he brings a plethora of wisdom and knowledge.

He was professionally trained and licensed in the state of Illinois, USA, as a land developer. His training included the planning of developments; preparation and installation of electricity and street lighting systems; telephone communication systems; construction and installation of roads; designing and installation of water and sewerage treatment facilities; designing and installation of street drainage; and water catchment and disposal wells.

Pastor Whyms is a member of the Bahamas Contractors Association, and he is a broker with the

PASTOR WHYMS, left, has been instrumental in the development of housing subdivisions throughout New Providence.

Bahamas Real Estate Association where he holds the designation of developer.

He has achieved the honour of Residential Sales Council designation worldwide in the real estate community.

He also has certifications in business development for Residential Specialist and Listing Strategies. He has been a Governmentappointed member of the Subdivisions and Developments Appeals Board since 2017, serving for both the Ministry of Public Works and Physical Planning Department.

In addition to his past and current works, he is the owner of numerous apartment complexes and real estate properties on the islands of Great Harbour Cay, Andros, Exuma, Long Island and New Providence.

His success in business is coupled by his strong faith in God, which he has building just as much as the development he has devoted his time to. In addition to serving as a licensed and ordained District Elder appointed by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Incorporated, he serves the church in many ways.

In 2016, he was appointed Adjutant to Bishop Ellis J Farrington Sr, JP of the 39th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Pastor Whyms also serves on the Board of Directors for the District.

In 2022, he was appointed president of the Education Auxiliary for the District.

He holds a certificate of recognition from Community Bible Institute and Seminary in Brevard County, Florida.

Pastor Whyms also holds two excellence awards from JIREH Manna Production Institute as Armor Bearer and District Elder, as he holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Divinity.

He serves on the Board of Directors for Community Bible Institute and Seminary, Incorporated in Brevard County, giving back to the institution that helped mold his spiritual leadership journey.

Pastor Whyms was awarded an Honour and Worthy Certificate from the Evangelical Church of Salvation in Gonaives, Haiti, for his missionary work in that country.

In December 2021, Pastor Whyms successfully completed a Justice of the Peace training at the National Institute for Certification and Talent Development and was officially appointed a marriage officer by the Government of The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Powerful words from a brave man

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 9

The Peter Young column “HOW incredibly brave that man is.” It has been reported in the UK press that these words were picked up on a microphone used by Prime Minister Boris Johnson but which had not been switched off after he had spoken at a news conference. In the appalling circumstances of Russia’s invasion, there have been numerous tributes to the courage of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. But Mr Johnson’s remark about him was all the more powerful and genuine for being made spontaneously and in private. It is also significant in the context of what has apparently become a genuine rapport between the two leaders who have had a good deal of contact starting well before the invasion nearly three weeks ago.

Against this background, it might be interesting to give some publicity to President Zelensky’s historic address last week via a video link to Britain’s House of Commons. It was the first time any foreign leader had spoken to the House of Commons directly and it was clear that every parliamentarian wanted to hear from the beleaguered president.

The chamber was packed with MPs crammed in to every corner and with members of the House of Lords occupying the public gallery. Zelensky’s address was projected on to big screens with simultaneous translation. Dressed in an olive green military T-shirt, he sat alone in Kyiv where, despite many assassination attempts, he has remained throughout the crisis. The President recounted in detail what had happened to his country since the invasion. In addition to the Russian attacks on military targets, he described the bombing of schools, destruction of churches, shelling of a children’s hospital and the general chaos and mayhem of war resulting in food and water shortages as well as the resulting massive refugee problem, with civilians fleeing in huge numbers.

He thanked the UK for its support as one of the leading suppliers of weapons and military equipment together with humanitarian aid and urged even tougher sanctions; and he repeated his request for a no-fly zone which Western

BRITAIN’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, and lawmakers applaud as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is displayed on a screen, top right, and addresses the House of Commons in London, last Thursday.

Photos: Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament via AP nations have so far refused and the conscience of the because of the danger of free world. a direct NATO military In response, Boris Johnconfrontation with the son spoke emotionally Russians that could lead to and forcefully - and, to my another World War. He also eye, displayed the gravitas cleverly evoked Winston required of a prime minister Churchill’s famous speech - in saying that in “a great in 1940 about fighting on European capital, now the beaches and never sur- within range of Russian rendering by saying “We guns, President Volodymyr will fight in the forests, on Zelensky is standing firm the shores, in the streets… for democracy and freeuntil the end, whatever dom” and “I believe he has the cost” – and he quoted moved the hearts of eveShakespeare in posing the rybody in this House”. He question “to be pledged the or not to be” ‘This was a UK would conand answer- powerful and tinue to supply ing firmly that weapons and Ukraine had poignant speech to provide decided “to be which left MPs diplomatic, free”. humanitarian visibly moved.

This was and economic a powerful It earned a support – and and poignant standing ovation he undertook speech which and praise from to sort out left MPs visbureaucratic ibly moved. It all parties as problems earned a stand- they put aside over visas for ing ovation and partisanship in refugees. praise from The Ukrainall parties as wholeheartedly ian President they put aside supporting has similarly partisanship addressed lawUkraine in its in wholeheartmakers in the edly supporting hour of need.’

US and in the Ukraine in its European Parhour of need. They had liament and it is important already seen that the fierce that the West is showing resistance from both regu- such unity in reaction to lar military forces and one man’s deranged ego civilian volunteers had that has brought suffering slowed down the Rus- to millions. Putin has sucsians’ advance and they ceeded in upsetting most of had watched with awe and the rest of the world, and admiration the amazing the cost of the conflict and courage and tenacity of the its widespread damaging Ukrainian people in the effects will be incalculable. face of overwhelming odds. As the war images show Now they saw President unspeakable barbarity and Zelensky exuding defi- the instances of war crimes ance and strength while stack up, many hope he and his country’s democracy his cronies will ultimately and freedom and his own be forced to face justice in life were in such danger. one way or another.

This was surely a powerful Meanwhile, as it steps up lesson in leadership, brav- attacks in the hitherto relaery and integrity by a man tively unaffected western who is now being widely part of the country near the called “transformational” border with Poland, Russia

EBB AND FLOW OF POLITICAL FORTUNES “BORIS’ woes are ancient history.” This was a recent headline in the UK press. It referred, of course, to what is being seen as the British Prime Minister’s amazing escape from the parlous position he found himself in barely a month ago when he was clinging to power by his fingertips following a decision by the Metropolitan Police to investigate his office’s party culture during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Ukraine crisis has meant that calls from the Labour opposition for Mr Johnson’s resignation over “party gate” have been put on hold for now. While some in the Labour Party are saying that defending democracy abroad should not mean the PM can be allowed to get away with wrongdoing at home, the Labour leader has stressed

the importance of political unity in dealing with the crisis. Thus, the Prime Minister should be left alone for the time being to concentrate on the job in hand.

There is no doubt that Boris Johnson has taken advantage of that opportunity and risen to the occasion in responding to Putin. The consensus in Britain appears to be that he has been handling an extremely difficult situation very well. He has shown effective leadership at home and spoken and acted with authority on the international stage. Most recently, Labour’s lead in the polls has shrunk while the Tories are clawing back ground as their leader’s stock has been rising. His stirring rhetoric during the House of Commons debate immediately after the Russian invasion on February 24 matched

the seriousness and magnitude of the moment; and he was listened to in respectful silence by a packed chamber.

People have seen that the British Prime Minister has demonstrated he can be a leader on the world stage by rallying global opinion against Putin, pushing for tough sanctions and supporting reinforcement of NATO’s eastern flank — and more and more are saying his performance shows the UK still has substantial influence and remains an international player in defending democracy alongside the US and EU. The question now is whether all this will be enough to recharge and rescue the PM’s leadership.

Are his woes really ancient history or has he just earned a reprieve? Only time will tell.

has said it will not tolerate the supply of weapons to Ukraine through that area.

This is a serious escalation which is causing concern in Poland as a member of NATO. There is also a continuing threat of the use of WMD by the Russians which could be a red line for the West. But, despite everything, the defiant Ukrainians continue their heroic struggle.

MOST AVOIDABLE CONFLICT IN MODERN HISTORY

Such is the inherent importance of the war in Ukraine which could engulf the rest of Europe – if not even the wider world – it is hard to move away from the issue. On the thesis that one needs to know one’s enemy in order to try to anticipate his next move, commentators are now examining anew Putin’s motivation in launching this terrible conflict.

It is almost a truism that war is fundamentally evil and should be avoided - unless there is no alternative as when Britain was forced to declare war on Germany after Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.

At that point he had to be stopped and this marked the outbreak of the Second World War. But it is, of course, generally accepted that war should only be used as a last resort when diplomacy has failed and negotiation has been exhausted.

By invading Ukraine, Putin violated the sovereignty of an independent state and the UN Charter.

Nothing condones or justifies the indiscriminate carnage and destruction – with human suffering on a terrible scale - that he is inflicting on what he claims are his own people.

His actions have created what he was trying to prevent; namely, the strengthening of NATO on his borders. Even if he succeeds militarily in occupying the country after grinding down the opposition, there is now no chance of winning over the hearts and minds of the proud and resilient people of Ukraine and bringing them back into Russia’s sphere of influence.

So, when there were still negotiating options in dealing with Russia’s concerns, what induced him to unleash an ultimately unwinnable war?

The answer lies in the history of NATO and the attitude of US policy-makers in the 1990s.

Historians describe how, after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, policy-makers in the US thought there was only room for one superpower and that the emergence of any new rival should be prevented. The proponents of this were none other than the predecessors of the neo-conservatives notoriously responsible for the disastrous invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003. Their objective was to impose American values worldwide without proper consideration of historical and cultural differences.

Moreover, NATO’s eastward expansion was felt by many to be a folly that would create a backlash from Moscow. A Google

search reveals that in 1997 the US ambassador in Moscow warned that NATO expansion was “the most profound strategic blunder, encouraging a chain of events that could produce the most serious security threat since the USSR collapsed”. So, even though it did not materialize, any idea of bringing Ukraine into NATO would have been seen by Moscow as a direct challenge to Russian interests.

All this is part of a larger policy debate and does not bear further analysis here – and, of course, none of it can justify the horrors of the current conflict in Ukraine. But many believe that a proper understanding of the issue and its historical background are necessary in order to search for a diplomatic solution.

It is self-evident that the war has been a catastrophe for Ukraine – a cataclysmic event that is far from over. It is said that all wars end with a negotiated settlement. That could leave Crimea and the eastern breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk under Russian control. But, if the fighting can now be brought to an end through negotiation, it is possible Ukraine could emerge stronger in the long-term.

By contrast, the outcome will be worse for Russia as a result of the stringent sanctions, its international isolation and its worldwide condemnation as a pariah state. But such thoughts are premature as the crisis is clearly far from over, with some commentators predicting the situation will become worse before any ultimate resolution.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

A WOMAN walks past a burning apartment building after shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, on Sunday.

Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Talks go on - but so does bombardment LVIV, Ukraine Associated Press

RUSSIA and Ukraine kept a fragile diplomatic path open with a new round of talks yesterday even as Moscow’s forces pounded away at Kyiv and other cities across the country in a punishing bombardment that the Red Cross said has created “nothing short of a nightmare” for civilians.

Meanwhile, a convoy of 160 civilian cars left the encircled port city of Mariupol along a designated humanitarian route, the city council reported, in a rare glimmer of hope a week and a half into the lethal siege that has pulverised homes and other buildings and left people desperate for food, water, heat and medicine.

The latest negotiations, which were held via video conference, were the fourth round involving higherlevel officials from the two countries and the first in a week. The talks ended without a breakthrough after several hours, with an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the negotiators took “a technical pause” and planned to meet again today.

The two sides had expressed some optimism in the past few days.

Mykhailo Podolyak, the aide to Zelenskyy, said over the weekend that Russia was “listening carefully to our proposals”. He tweeted yesterday that the negotiators would discuss “peace,

ceasefire, immediate withdrawal of troops & security guarantees”.

Previous discussions, held in person in Belarus, produced no lasting humanitarian routes or agreements to end the fighting.

Overall, nearly all of the Russian offensives remained stalled yesterday after making little progress over the weekend, according to a senior US defence official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the Pentagon’s assessment.

Russian troops were still about nine miles from the centre of Kyiv, the official said.

The official said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces have launched more than 900 missiles but that Ukraine’s airspace is still contested, with Russia not achieving total air superiority.

Overnight, air raid alerts sounded in cities and towns around the country, from near the Russian border in the east to the Carpathian Mountains in the west, and fighting continued on the outskirts of Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said Russian forces shelled several suburbs of the capital.

Ukrainian authorities said two people were killed when the Russians struck an airplane factory in Kyiv, sparking a large fire. The Antonov factory is Ukraine’s largest aircraft manufacturing plant and is best known for producing many of the world’s biggest cargo planes.

Russian artillery fire

also hit a nine-story apartment building in the northern Obolonskyi district of the city, killing two more people, authorities said. Firefighters worked to rescue survivors, painstakingly carrying an injured woman on a stretcher away from the blackened and smoking building.

And a Russian airstrike near a Ukrainian checkpoint caused extensive damage to a downtown Kyiv neighborhood, killing one person, Ukraine’s emergency agency said.

Kateryna Lot said she was in her apartment as her child did homework when they heard a loud explosion and ran to take shelter.

“The child became hysterical. Our windows and the balcony were shattered.

Part of the floor fell down,” she said. “It was very, very scary.”

A town councilor for Brovary, east of Kyiv, was killed in fighting there, officials said. Shells also fell on the Kyiv suburbs of Irpin, Bucha and Hostomel, which have seen some of the worst fighting in Russia’s stalled attempt to take the capital, local authorities said.

Airstrikes were reported across the country, including the southern city of Mykolaiv, and the northern city of Chernihiv, where heat was knocked out to most of the town. Explosions also reverberated overnight around the Russian-occupied Black Sea port of Kherson.

Nine people were killed in a rocket attack on a TV

tower in the western village of Antopol, according to the region’s governor.

In the eastern city of Kharkiv, firefighters doused the smoldering remains of a four-story residential building. It was unclear whether there were casualties.

In the southern city of Mariupol, where the war has produced some of the greatest suffering, the city council didn’t say how many people were in the convoy of cars headed westward for the city of Zaporizhzhia.

But it said a cease-fire along the route appeared to be holding.

Previous attempts to evacuate civilians and deliver humanitarian aid to the city of 430,000 were thwarted by continuing fighting.

Robert Mardini, directorgeneral of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the war has become “nothing short of a nightmare” for those living in besieged cities, and he pleaded for safe passage for civilians to leave and humanitarian aid to be brought in through the front lines.

“The situation cannot, cannot continue like this,” he said. “History is watching what is happening in Mariupol and other cities.”

A pregnant woman who became a symbol of Ukraine’s suffering when she was photographed being carried from a bombed maternity hospital in Mariupol last week has died along with her baby, the Associated Press has

learned.

Mariupol residents including Natalia Koldash rushed to shelter inside a building Sunday as an unidentified plane passed overhead.

“We have no information at all,” Koldash said.

“We know nothing. It looks like we are living in a deep forest.”

Associated Press video showed debris from a damaged residential building and another building that a young man named Dima described as an elementary school.

“There was no military at this school,” he said. “It’s unclear why it was hit.”

The Russian military said 20 civilians in the separatistcontrolled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine were killed by a ballistic missile launched by Ukrainian forces. The claim could not be independently verified.

The UN has recorded at least 596 civilian deaths since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, though it believes the true toll is much higher. Millions more have fled their homes, with more than 2.8 million crossing into Poland and other neighboring countries in what the UN has called Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since World War II. “All day crying from the pain of having to part with loved ones, with my husband, my parents,” 33-year-old refugee Alexandra Beltuygova said in the Polish border town of Przemysl after fleeing the

industrial Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

“I understand that we may not see them. I wish this war would end,” she said.

Russia’s military is bigger and better equipped than Ukraine’s, but its troops have faced stifferthan-expected resistance, bolstered by arms supplied by the West. The US said Russia asked China for military equipment to use in Ukraine — a claim the Kremlin denied.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “Russia has its own potential to continue the operation” and that it was “unfolding in accordance with the plan and will be completed on time and in full”.

Russia has denied intending to occupy Ukraine, but Peskov said it “does not rule out the possibility of taking full control of large settlements that are now practically surrounded”.

The war expanded Sunday when Russian missiles pounded a military training base in western Ukraine, close to the Polish border, that previously served as a crucial hub for cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. The attack killed 35 people, Ukrainian officials said, and raised fears that NATO could be drawn into direct conflict with Russia.

The senior US defence official said the base was not being used at the time as a shipment site for US military supplies to Ukraine.

ASSANGE APPEAL BID REJECTED ASSANGE APPEAL BID REJECTED NEW YORK Associated Press

A SEARCH was underway yesterday for a gunman who has been stalking homeless men sleeping on the streets of Washington, DC, and New York City, fatally shooting two people and wounding three more in less than two weeks.

Police released surveillance photographs of the suspected gunman late Sunday, including one in which the hooded man can be seen holding a pistol in a blue glove.

The killer’s motive — if any — was unknown and authorities turned their attention yesrterday to trying to offer what protections they could to homeless people who might become targets.

New York Mayor Eric

Adams said police officers and homeless outreach teams would focus on finding unhoused people in the subways and other locations and would urge them to seek refuge at city-owned shelters.

“The case is a clear and horrific intentional act of taking the life of someone, it appears, because he was homeless,” Adams said at a news conference late on Sunday. “Two individuals were shot while sleeping on the streets, not committing a crime but sleeping on the streets.”

The latest violence underscored the urgency to get the homeless off the streets and into safe housing, said Jacquelyn Simone, the policy director for the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City.

“The reason that these

people were attacked is because they didn’t have that safety of permanent housing,” she said. “And that’s why we really need to use these tragedies as an opportunity to redouble our efforts to ensure that people have a better option than the streets where they’re exposed to both the elements as well as people who might wish to do them harm.”

Simone and other advocates for the homeless called on the city to use vacant hotel rooms for temporary shelter for those who would rather stay on the streets rather than opt in dormitory-style housing.

The earliest known shooting happened at around 4am on March 3 in Washington DC, police said, when a man was shot and wounded in the city’s Northeast section.

LONDON Associated Press

BRITAIN’S top court yesterday refused WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange permission to appeal against a decision to extradite him to the US to face spying charges.

The court said it refused because the case “didn’t raise an arguable point of law”.

Assange, 50, has sought for years to avoid a trial in the US on a series of charges related to WikiLeaks’ publication of a huge trove of classified documents more than a decade ago.

The case is now expected to be formally sent to British Home Secretary Priti Patel, who will decide whether to grant the extradition.

A British district court judge had initially rejected a US extradition request on the grounds that Assange was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions. US authorities later provided assurances that the WikiLeaks founder wouldn’t face the severe treatment that his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk.

In December, the High Court overturned the lower court’s decision, saying that the US promises were enough to guarantee that Assange would be treated humanely.

Yesterday’s news narrows Assange’s options, but his defense team may still seek to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. Nick Vamos, the former head of extradition

at the Crown Prosecution Service, said Assange’s lawyers can also seek to challenge other points that he had lost in the original district court decision.

Barry Pollack, Assange’s US-based lawyer, said yesterday it was “extremely disappointing” that Britain’s Supreme Court is unwilling to hear the appeal.

“Mr Assange will continue the legal process fighting his extradition to the United States to face criminal charges for publishing truthful and newsworthy information,” he said.

Assange’s British lawyers, Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, said they can make submissions to the Home Secretary within the next four weeks, ahead of her making any decision.

SPORTS PAGE 15

Bowleg, Page 18

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022

Strachan and Thomas invited to World Indoors in Belgrade

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

fter completing her initial indoor season, sprinter Anthonique Strachan is now eager to see how well she can perform at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Strachan, who will be contesting the women’s 60 metres, was invited by World Athletics - the governing body of the sport - along with men’s high jumper Donald Thomas, to compete in the three-day meet from Friday to Sunday.

They were granted the invites to compete based on their positions in the standings and those who have decided to compete in

the event. Hurdler Pedrya Seymour was also given an invite, but opted not to travel to compete.

Strachan and Thomas now push the Bahamas’ total of athletes competing to five as hurdler Devynne Charlton and quartermilers Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Megan Moss were originally named to the team based on their qualifying performances.

While Charlton and Moss have already arrived in Belgrade with head coach Laura Charlton, coach David Charlton and chief liaison officer Foster Dorsett, MillerUibo and Strachan are due to arrive today.

And Thomas is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.

Strachan, who is still training in Jamaica with the MVP Track Club, said after competing for the first time indoors this year, she’s

excited about taking it to the next level and competing in her first World Indoor Championships.

“It went very well,” said Strachan about her season.

“I’m not one of the best starters or one of the most aggressive for the first 60m, so that is improving for me. I feel I’ve made some strides in improving on that aspect of my race. I never thought that I would get a chance to go to

World Indoors because I don’t see myself as one of the most aggressive or one of the world’s best stars, so I’m really pleased to get this opportunity to compete.

“I really want to see how well I can compete against some of the fastest starters in the world,” she added.

As she heads to the championships, Strachan said she’s going to Belgrade with an open mind to compete at her best.

“The only thing I want to do is to run PB (personal best),” noted Strachan, who ran 7.17 outdoors and 7.25 indoors in the 60m.

“I have a time in mind, but I want to keep it to myself because it’s personal. And once I achieve that, I will be very satisfied with myself.

“I’m really just using this to help me build on my outdoor

season to help me improve the start of my race.”

Despite going through her maiden voyage indoors, the 28-year-old Strachan said she couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the indoor season.

“I can’t really complain about anything right now,” Strachan said. “This is probably the best I’ve felt at any point or time at the beginning of my track season, so I’m really content with where I’m at right now.”

After the ordeal she experienced at the postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in August, including having to stop competing on the anchor leg of the women’s 4 x 400m relay team in the preliminaries, Strachan said she’s just glad to be able to represent the island nation once again.

TOWNS SCORES NBA-BEST 60 AS T-WOLVES BEAT SPURS SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had a career-high 60 points — the most scored in the NBA this season — and the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 149-139 last night.

Towns shot 19 for 31 and grabbed 17 rebounds in surpassing his previous best of 56 points against Atlanta on March 28, 2018.

Lakers star LeBron James and Hawks point guard Trae Young previously shared league-high honours this season with 56 points.

Minnesota’s 7-foot AllStar capped his dazzling performance by draining a 3-pointer with 1:39 remaining, shortly after making one of two free throws to reach 57 points.

San Antonio has lost two straight since Gregg Popovich earned his 1,336th career victory to become the winningest coach in NBA history.

The Spurs have dropped seven of nine and are 2-3 during a seven-game

homestand, their longest of the season.

Spurs forward Keldon Johnson had 34 points, Dejounte Murray added 30 points and 12 assists, and Lonnie Walker IV scored 22.

NUGGETS 114, 76ERS 110 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 22 points and 13 rebounds to lead Denver past Joel Embiid and Philadelphia in a battle of MVP contenders.

Embiid finished with 34 points and took a scary fall. Jeff Green clobbered Embiid on a drive to the basket with 3:13 left and the All-Star centre landed on his tailbone. Embiid grabbed at his back but walked off the court on his own power. Green received a flagrant foul and Embiid went 1 of 2 from the freethrow line to cut Denver’s lead to 107-106.

Denver rookie Bones Hyland then stole the show from the All-Star big men,

SEE PAGE 18

CHAVEZ YOUNG INVITED TO MLB SPRING TRAINING

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TIMBERWOLVES centre Karl-Anthony Towns is doused by teammate D’Angelo Russell, rear, after an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs yesterday in San Antonio.

(AP Photo/Darren Abate)

CHAVEZ Young was named a Toronto Blue Jayz non-roster invitee to 2022 Spring Training.

Young was also called up to Spring Training prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and in his short time there, impressed the Blue Jays’ front office in the Grapefruit League both on the field and to move up the rankings and entered the top 30 on the prospect list.

The Blue Jays will play in 17 Grapefruit League games, March 18 to April 5. They make their debut on March 18 against the Baltimore Orioles at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida.

Players will have about 28 days of spring training rather than the usual 42 for pitchers and catchers.

Young spent his last minor league season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the AA Eastern League. Young appeared in 78 games with the Fisher Cats and hit .265 with 74

SEE PAGE 16

March Madness brings back Nadal now 17-0, Medvedev feel of the good ol’ days crashes out at Indian Wells

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

ANY hoops fan hungering for a return to normal this March might have looked at the bracket when it finally came out and wondered what ever changed.

Gonzaga is the tournament’s top seed. Kansas and Arizona are No. 1s, as well.

Duke and Kentucky are right up there as No. 2s and the defending champion, Baylor, is the other top seed and a force to be reckoned with again, too.

But all that sameness felt like more of a celebration when the pairings were set this Selection Sunday. The most-anticipated reveal of the year felt like a party again, even if it might have been pushed down a notch

IOWA guard Tony Perkins celebrates at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue at the Big Ten Conference tournament on Sunday. Iowa won 75-66.

(AP Photo/D Cummings) on the ticker by the unexpected return of Tom Brady to the NFL in an announcement that came just as Dick Vitale and Co., were

starting to break down the 68-team draw.

“This was a really special year because we all realised what we missed,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said.

For the first time since 2019, the teams will scatter across the country to eight cities for 48 games over the first four-day weekend of America’s unofficial hoops holiday.

Then, they will move to four cities for the Sweet 16.

And they will cut down the nets in New Orleans, where the Final Four runs April 2-4. It figures to be a much different atmosphere than in Indianapolis last year, where all 67 games were held in a makeshift bubble with limited fans.

SEE PAGE 17

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer INDIAN WELLS, California (AP) — Rafael Nadal is still perfect in 2022.

The Spaniard defeated 27th-seeded Daniel Evans 7-5, 6-3 yesterday in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open, improving his record to 17-0 this year in pursuit of an ATP Tour-leading fourth title.

Nadal tied Roger Federer (2018) and Pete Sampras (1997) for the third-best overall start to a season in the Open era that began in 1968. Daniil Medvedev’s rise to No. 1 in the world came crashing down in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss to Gael Monfils. Medvedev needed to reach the quarterfinals in the desert to stay at the top, where he replaced Novak Djokovic. “Is it better to be No. 1 for let’s say one week in your life or never touch it?”

Medvedev said. “You know, I think it’s still better to at least touch it.”

RAFAEL NADAL, of Spain, returns a shot to Daniel Evans, of Britain, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament yesterday.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) Djokovic will reclaim the No. 1 ranking next week. The Serb is unvaccinated against COVID-19, so he wasn’t allowed to enter the United States to play at Indian Wells or the upcoming Miami Open. So far this year, no one is touching Nadal. He became the first player to

SEE PAGE 16

PAGE 16, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

In hot MLB market, patience takes a backseat to action

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Patience is often rewarded for both free agents and general managers during most Major League Baseball offseasons.

But probably not this one.

As expected, free agents are flying off the market and trades are getting done at a breakneck pace following MLB’s 99-day lockout that froze the league’s transactions for more than three months.

With less than four weeks to go before opening day, the action has been intense.

The biggest news yesterday was when Oakland traded All-Star first baseman Matt Olson to Atlanta in exchange for four players, including promising young outfielder Cristian Pache. The deal means that Braves star first baseman Freddie Freeman is likely headed elsewhere in free agency.

Plenty of other teams are getting in on the action over the past few days, preparing for the April 7 opening day.

“It’s like drinking out of a firehose,” said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations.

The Nationals, rebuilding after two last-place finishes in a row and a massive sell-off at last season’s trade deadline, came out of the gate post-lockout with a flurry of moves, adding DH Nelson Cruz, reliever Steve Cishek and others.

The Twins traded for pitcher Sonny Gray, the Mets dealt for All-Star right-hander Chris Bassitt, the Yankees traded for third baseman Josh Donaldson, the Giants signed starting pitchers Carlos Rodon and Jakob Junis and the White Sox helped their bullpen by adding Joe Kelly.

Those are just the highlights.

During a typical offseason, free agency and the trade market are often slow to develop. Sometimes there are unfounded rumours and long negotiations as teams and players adopt different strategies and test the market.

CHAVEZ YOUNG, action top

OAKLAND Athletics’ Matt Olson, right, hits a solo home run in front of Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy, left, during the first inning of a baseball game on September 21, 2021. Freddie Freeman’s tenure with the Atlanta Braves appears to be over after the World Series champions acquired All-Star first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics yesterday.

(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn) That’s not the case these days. Don’t expect the action to calm down for a week or two.

“With all the agents and other teams, I think there’s a lot more directness in trying to get a deal done sooner rather than later,” Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said. “There’s not a lot of people playing out the market. We’re kind of exchanging ideas and offers a lot sooner than an ordinary offseason.”

TATIS OUT UP TO 3 MONTHS The San Diego Padres could be without star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. for a substantial amount of time.

The 23-year-old will need surgery for a broken left wrist and could miss up to three months, general manager A.J. Preller said.

The shortstop apparently suffered the injury early in the offseason and felt it when he began preparing for spring training.

Reports surfaced in December that Tatis suffered scrapes on his hand and knee in a motorcycle accident in his native Dominican Republic. He said he felt pain in the

PADRES’ Fernando Tatis Jr runs to first after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Giants, on September 21, 2021.

(AP) wrist shortly afterward, year, but still led the NL but thought it was from with 42 home runs in 130 bruises. games.

“It’s bad. It’s terrible.

ALONSO’S CLOSE I feel like everybody is CALL disappointed, especially Mets slugger Pete me,” Tatis said. “We have Alonso said he wasn’t a pretty good chance this injured after his car flipped year as a team. I just want over in Tampa, Florida, to be out there for my over the weekend. teammates and for the “My car flipped over fans.” probably about three times It’s a tough development and a guy ran a red light, for a team that was argua- T-boned me, and to me bly the most disappointing I’m just really thankful to in baseball last season. be alive,” the 27-year-old They started the year with said. “I’m really thankful legit World Series aspira- that I’m healthy. I’m very tions but faded in the final thankful to be here.” few months to finish 79-83.

Alonso was the NL Tatis had a series of inju- Rookie of the Year in 2019 ries to his left shoulder last after smashing 53 homers.

He hit 16 homers in the shortened 2020 season and had 37 longballs last year.

DEGROM WILL OPT OUT In an effort to defuse any upcoming drama, Mets ace Jacob deGrom said he intends to exercise his right to opt out of his contract to become a free agent after the season.

The two-time NL Cy Young winner would give up a $33.5 million salary for 2023, part of a deal that carries a $32.5 million club option for 2024. The 33-year-old right-hander wants to remain with the Mets.

“I’m excited about this team, and I’ve said it before, I love being a Met, think it would be really cool to be one for my entire career,” deGrom said. “But the plan is to exercise that option and be in constant contact in the offseason with the Mets and Steve Cohen and the front office.”

DeGrom’s 2021 was among the most dominant seasons in baseball when he was able to stay healthy.

He was 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA over 15 starts, striking out 146 over 92 innings.

CHAVEZ YOUNG INVITED TO MLB SPRING TRAINING FROM PAGE 15 hits and 52 RBI. He also had an .758 OPS, slugged .409 with 20 stolen bases, 41 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs.

In January, Young concluded his offseason in the final series of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC), commonly known as the Puerto Rican Winter League.

He finished the season hitting .296, with a .457 on base percentage, an .902 OPS and slugging .444 with a double, home run, five RBI and 13 total bases.

A 24-year-old outfielder, Young spent his last offseason with the Canberra Cavalry in the Australian Baseball League. He hit .217 with a .467 OPS, five hits, two runs, one RBI, five total bases and two stolen bases.

‘WE CAN COMPETE:’ MARLINS, WITHOUT JETER, OPEN SPRING CAMP

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Marlins have money. All that remains unknown is how and when they’ll be choosing to spend.

And neither of those answers may come anytime soon.

The Marlins opened camp — their first in five years without Derek Jeter as part of the team’s leadership group — yesterday with some traditional signs of spring-training optimism.

There was a team meeting with plenty of applause

NADAL

FROM PAGE 15 win 400 matches in ATP Masters 1000 events.

After sitting out much of last year because of injury, Nadal has been on a tear. He won titles at Melbourne, the Australian Open for his record 21st Grand Slam title and Acapulco, and is chasing a third career title at Indian Wells.

Nadal’s win over Evans under a searing desert sun ended with the Spaniard serving out the match at love. He ripped a forehand winner on triple match point.

“It’s an important victory against a tricky opponent,” Nadal said.

“It’s not an easy opponent to play. He plays tactically very well, using very well his slice, then playing aggressive, changing rhythms on the points.”

when it was over, followed by club officials talking about the levels of hope they have for the months ahead.

“We can compete,” Marlins principal owner Bruce Sherman said. “We’re a successful, wealthy ownership group. We have to see the production on the field and we will add the appropriate pieces at the appropriate time to win continually and consistently.”

Sherman didn’t offer much on the Feb. 28 departure of Jeter, nor did Kim Ng, the general manager hired by a Hall of Famer who spent two decades Before his first match in California, Nadal withdrew from the hard-court event at Miami, which begins March 21. He turns 36 in June and is dealing with chronic pain in his left foot and tendinitis in both knees.

“I cannot make drastic changes like I did in the past,” he said, “so that’s why I decided to stop after here and to have three weeks before the clay court season starts for me.”

Nadal survived a scare in his first match against Sebastian Korda.

The 21-year-old American served for the match leading 5-2 and 5-4 in the final set.

“It was very important that I can win these first two matches without playing fantastic, but today was a little bit better than the first day,” Nadal said.

Monfils reached the fourth round at Indian

starring at shortstop for the New York Yankees. Both said questions about why Jeter and the club had a difference in vision for the future should be directed to Jeter.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly, a former teammate of Jeter’s, said he was “shocked like everybody else.”

“I purposely really didn’t want to ask questions,” Mattingly said. “It’s above my head. I’ve always considered it above my head. ... I left it simple, thanking Derek for believing in me.”

Ng acknowledged that she was “very saddened” Wells for the fifth time in six years after his second career upset of a No. 1 player. He knocked out Nadal in the quarterfinals at Doha in 2009.

“I just felt good today,” Monfils said. “Tactically, I was good. I’m full of confidence.”

Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz defeated countryman and 15th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-0 and next plays Monfils.

In women’s action, No. 4 seed Anett Kontaveit lost to Marketa Vondrousova 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5).

No. 6 seed Maria Sakkari defeated Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-0 and No. 20 Elise Mertens ended the run of Australian qualifier Daria Saville, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

No. 21 Veronika Kudermetova advanced when qualifier Marie Bouzkova retired with the Russian leading 6-4, 0-2.

MIAMI Marlins majority owner Bruce Sherman speaks to the media before spring training baseball practice in Jupiter, Fla., Monday, March 14, 2022.

Photos: David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP) when she heard that Jeter was leaving the organization.

“Derek gave me my opportunity here,” Ng said. “And we’ve known each other for a long time.

I was very surprised. But in terms of me doing my job, it’s going to be business as usual.”

Ng’s approach may not change.

The Marlins’ approach, it seems, will.

“You know, I love spring training,” Ng said. “Hope, optimism, new beginnings. ... I think everybody’s on the same footing in spring training. So, I love this time of year.”

After making the expanded playoffs in 2020 with a 31-29 record — the Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in the wild-card series that season, then got swept 3-0 in the division series by the Atlanta Braves — Miami took a big step back in 2021. The Marlins had the sixth-worst record in baseball and fourth-worst in the NL at 67-95, with the fourth-lowest payroll at $61 million.

“We have room in our budget,” Sherman said.

“This is not about an absolute number. This is about success on the field. And last year was not fun. We want to be successful on the field. If that requires getting a piece here or there, outfielder, reliever, etc., we will do so.”

It’s impossible to say with certainty what this season’s payroll will be for the Marlins since they still need to do some shopping.

The priorities right now include more bats and a center fielder, but this much seems certain: Miami won’t be spending anywhere near as much as its NL East counterparts.

Some deals got done before the 99-day lockout began, with the Marlins signing right-hander Sandy Alcantara — the staff ace and probable opening day starter — to a $56 million, five-year contract and adding free agent outfielder Avisail Garcia to a $53 million, four-year deal.

“I would be very surprised that we’re not active between now and opening

MARLINS General Manager Kim Ng speaks to the media before spring training baseball practice yesterday. day,” Sherman said. “And I know discussions have taken the place, continue to take place, in a multitude of areas. You all understand where you need to fill in and we will attempt to do that.”

NOTES: Mattingly wouldn’t reveal his opening day starter, though anyone other than Alcantara would be a shock.

RHP Sixto Sánchez, who had shoulder surgery in July, recently reported some discomfort and has had his throwing programme halted although an MRI to check his progress came back clean.

“Everything from the surgery is intact,” Ng said.

Ng said she thought “the time was right” for the NL to add the designated hitter.

The Marlins struggled offensively, so another bat in the lineup every day figures to help, and the plan is to use the spot to give some position players days off from the field on occasion.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 17

Mackey and no.3 Eagles face Sharks in South Region Championship

Tucson

March 20-21

16 Howard/UIW 8 Miami (20-12)

9 South Florida (24-8)

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Sweet 16

March 25-26

Ames Iowa City Louisville Knoxville

March 20-21

March 25-26

Elite 8

Elite 8

March 27-28

March 27-28

First Round March 18-19

1 Stanford (28-3) 16 Montana St. (22-12) 8 Kansas (20-9) 9 Georgia Tech (21-10)

5 North Carolina (23-6)

5 Virginia Tech (23-9)

12 SFA (28-4)

12 FGCU (29-2)

4 Arizona (20-7)

6 Georgia (20-9)

4 Maryland (21-8)

FINAL FOUR Minneapolis

GREENSBORO

April 1

13 Delaware (24-7)

SPOKANE

6 Ohio St. (23-6)

11 Dayton/DePaul

11 Missouri St./Florida St.

3 Iowa St. (26-6)

3 LSU (25-5)

14 UT Arlington (20-7)

14 Jackson St. (23-6)

7 Colorado (22-8)

7 Utah (20-11)

NATIONAL All times EDT CHAMPIONSHIP

10 Creighton (20-9) 2 Iowa (23-7)

10 Arkansas (18-13) 2 Texas (26-6)

April 3

15 Illinois St. (19-13)

15 Fairfield (25-6)

1 Louisville (25-4)

1 NC State (29-3)

16 Albany (23-9)

16 Longwood/MSM

8 Nebraska (24-8)

8 Washington St. (19-10)

9 Gonzaga (26-6)

9 Kansas St. (19-12)

5 Oregon (20-11)

5 Notre Dame (22-8)

12 Belmont (22-7)

12 Massachusetts (26-6)

4 Tennessee (23-8)

4 Oklahoma (24-8)

13 Buffalo (25-8) 6 BYU (26-3)

Ann Arbor

Second Round

Sweet 16

13 UNLV (26-6)

Waco

Bridgeport

WICHITA

BRIDGEPORT

13 IUPUI (24-4) 6 Kentucky (19-11)

11 Villanova (23-8)

11 Princeton (24-4)

3 Michigan (22-6)

3 Indiana (22-8)

14 American (23-8)

14 Charlotte (22-9)

7 Ole Miss (23-8)

7 UCF (25-3)

10 South Dakota (27-5)

10 Florida (21-10)

All times EDT

2 Baylor (27-6)

Stanford

Columbia

1 South Carolina (29-2)

Second Round

FROM PAGE 15

16 Mount St. Mary’s (16-12)

College Park

March 18-19

16 Longwood (21-11)

Greensboro

2 UConn (25-5)

15 Hawaii (20-9)

15 Mercer (23-6)

FLORIDA WOMEN TAKE HIGH ROAD AFTER NCAA MAKES THEM 10 SEED

By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley could have ranted about her team’s placement in the NCAA women’s tournament, and likely no one would have blamed her.

The Gators (21-10) were handed a No. 10 seed and sent to Storrs, Connecticut to open tournament play against seventh-seeded UCF (25-3) on Saturday.

If Florida wins, it likely would face 11-time national champion and host UConn, which has won 128 of its last 130 home games.

It had to feel like a punishment of sorts.

The Gators were as high as No. 15 in The

Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll two weeks ago after beating five ranked teams.

The stretch included a win at Kentucky, which lost two more games than Florida in league play and got a No. 6 seed after upsetting top-ranked South Carolina in the SEC Tournament title game.

Finley didn’t rip the selection committee’s pairings. Instead, she took the high road.

“A number is just a number,” she insisted yesterday.

Finley and the Gators are sure to use the perceived slight as motivation as they prepare for their first NCAA appearance in six years. Disrespected?

Maybe. Underdogs? No doubt.

“We love it,” she said.

“That’s what we are. We want to earn everything.

We’re not entitled. We’re not an entitled group.

“We won’t act like that.

And you know, going into the NCAA Tournament, the mindset is no different.”

Most everyone expected the committee to dock Finley’s team to some degree.

After all, the Gators lost four of their last five games as well as senior standout Kiki Smith.

The first-team all-Southeastern Conference guard tore a ligament in her right knee late in a second-round game against Vanderbilt.

The Gators rallied after Smith’s injury a little more than a week ago to beat the Commodores 53-52. They lost in the quarterfinals to

Mississippi the following day, with Smith serving as volunteer coach and lead cheerleader.

Smith remains a key part of the team.

“Feel very confident in our team and our abilities and our ability to grow and adapt,” Finley said.

“But that’s nothing different than what we’ve done all season, right? For this group, we feel fortunate that adjusting is one of our strengths and we look at it as a skill that we should be able to capitalize on, and we have a lot of different lineups that we can play.”

Finley hopes to get Jordyn Merritt back after the forward landed hard on her head against the Rebels and did not return.

Losing Smith one day and

as a servant-leader. He is a tremendous example of what Embry-Riddle University, and specifically our athletic programme, is all about.”

Mackey transferred to the Eagles and NCAA Division II after he posted stellar individual numbers and garnered postseason awards at JuCo. During his stint with Daytona State College Falcons, he was named the MidFlorida Conference Player of the Year and First team All-State in the conference as a sophomore.

MADNESS

Thurs., March 17, Raleigh

16 UIW (13-16)

Spokane

2022

Greensboro

First Four

Wed., March 16, Columbia

16 Howard (20-9)

Baton Rouge

11 Florida St. (17-13)

March 16-17

and eighth in blocked shot average (1.1). “From the very first day he committed to our university and basketball programme, Nashad earned the utmost respect and trust from his coaches and teammates in his leadership ability at the very highest level.”

Head coach Steve Ridder said to ERU Athletics: “Nashad is a born leader who has a tremendously high basketball IQ, relentless work ethic, discipline, great communication skills and a burning desire to impact other people’s lives

Austin

11 Missouri St. (24-7)

Conference All-Conference performer. He registered 39 double-doubles in 50 career games in an Eagle uniform, averaging 17.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He was the only Eagle to average a double-double for his Embry-Riddle career.

Mackey’s scoring average ranks fourth all-time in Eagle history, while his 12.2 boards per outing is easily the top mark in 31 seasons of ERU basketball. His career totals also include second all-time in free throw percentage (.870)

Raleigh

Thurs., March 17, Baton Rouge

11 DePaul (20-10)

First Round

all these amazing people, the staff and this wonderful group of guys,” Mackey said in a statement to ERU Athletics at the time of his announcement.

“I am truly grateful to be an Eagle again and work side-by-side with a talented coaching staff and do big things for this university.”

Mackey concluded his collegiate basketball playing career as one of the programme’s all-time leaders.

In his two-year run with the Eagles, he was a two-time Sunshine State

Norman

Wed., March 16, Ames

11 Dayton (25-5)

GRADUATE assistant Nashad Mackey and the Embry-Riddle Eagles are the no.3 seed in the NCAA Division II National Tournament and are slated to face the no.1 ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks for the South Region Championship 7pm tonight at the Rick Case Arena in Davie, Florida.

Bloomington

NASHAD Mackey did not have an opportunity to suit up for the Embry-Riddle Eagles as a player in the NCAA Division II National Tournament, but as a graduate assistant, his coaching staff has led the programme to a history-making season that continues in the Sweet 16 tonight.

Mackey’s Eagles (24-9) are the no.3 seed and will face the no.1 ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks (30-0) for the South Region Championship 7pm tonight at the Rick Case Arena in Davie, Florida.

ERU opened the tournament with an 82-60 win over West Alabama and followed with an 82-67 win over Alabama Huntsville.

The Sharks have a pair of dominant wins over the Eagles this season - 93-71 and 94-85.

This season marks the ERU’s NCAA Division II Tournament debut after they previously received an at-large bid in 2020.

However, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Eagles and Sharks were slated to meet in the opening round of the 2020 event. The programme’s previous postseason appearances came when ERU was a member of the NAIA (1991-2015).

In July 2020, Mackey made his transition from player to graduate assistant coach.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be back in the Embry-Riddle environment, surrounded by

Storrs

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Merritt the next was just the latest issues for Florida, which dealt with the resignation of coach Cam Newbauer last summer amid allegations he verbally abused players and staff members.

Finley was named the interim coach in the wake of the investigation and was charged with holding the team together.

She did way more, even after leading scorer Lavender Briggs was lost for the season due to a shin injury in January and ended up in the transfer portal a few days later.

Between the departure of Newbauer and Briggs and then the season-ending injury to Smith, getting a 10 seed and landing in what looks like a tough draw were no big deal.

A year after COVID-19 scrubbed the event completely, 2021 offered a tournament that put the NCAA under the glare of the spotlight for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the inequities between the men’s and women’s events.

This year, the women’s tournament is being branded as “March Madness,” just like the men’s.

That bracket was revealed on Sunday, just like the men’s. The No. 1 seeds in that one: South Carolina, Louisville, North Carolina State and Stanford.

As always, there was a decent-sized menu of snubs and oversights to debate.

On the men’s side, Xavier didn’t make it despite four wins against teams that qualified for the 68-team field. Texas A&M made the final of the SEC Tournament but got snubbed, too.

Among those making the cut were Michigan, despite 14 losses, and Indiana and Rutgers, which had 13 each.

The Big Ten got its fair share of love, with a nationhigh nine teams, which made it surprising to some that the conference’s tournament champion, Iowa, was stuck with a 5 seed.

Leading the Hawkeyes this year is Keegan Murray, a 23-point-per-game scorer who is one of the best inside-outside threats in the game.

Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji is something rare in college — a senior, and one who averages around 20 points and five rebounds a game and also plays great defense. He withdrew from the NBA draft last season and has led the Jayhawks to their first No. 1 seed since 2018.

Also, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, one of dozens who switched schools via the amped-up transfer portal that is displaying a penchant for reshaping college hoops — and college sports — in the blink of an eye.

“It’s all about staying in the moment and having more fun than anybody in the tournament,” said Tshiebwe’s coach, John Calipari.

The best way to have fun, of course, is winning it all.

Baylor did that last year in a title-game romp over Gonzaga. Just like last year, both are No. 1 seeds again, with the Zags the 3-1 favorite to win the title, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Arizona was next at 6-1, followed by Kentucky (17-2) and Baylor (10-1).

“A great learning experience,” Gonzaga’s Drew Timme said on ESPN of last year’s second-place finish.

“Obviously, things didn’t go the way we wanted.

But it allowed for a lot of self-growth for the program. We’re excited for the challenge.”

PAGE 18, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

South Beach Swimming Complex re-opened

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH the Bahamas Government starting to ease up on more COVID19 protocols, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg is hoping that more programmes will be initiated at the South Beach Swimming Complex.

Bowleg, the Member of Parliament for Garden Hills, was joined by South Beach MP Bacchus Rolle as they re-opened the South Beach Pools, which consists of three different sized pools overlooking the ocean, after it was closed to the public for the past three years.

“Today is the official reopening of the South Beach Pools,” said Bowleg, who was flanked by senior members of his staff. “We are now able to bring the pool up to standard for the residents and the public at large to come and utilise these facilities.

“When you look at climate change, it’s important that everyone in the Bahamas learns how to swim.

We live in an archipelago and we’ve seen what happened in Grand Bahama and what happened in Abaco and the mere fact that some of those persons didn’t know how to swim, but if you learn how to swim, you have a 50-50 chance of survival.”

Bowleg said the Bahamas Aquatics, headed

by Algernon Cargill, has agreed to work with the Ministry and the staff at the South Beach pools in putting in a structured

schedule for persons to be able to utilise the facilities.

He also noted that Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin is keen on including swimming as a part of the curriculum and they will have access to using the facilities for their programmes from the primary to the high school level.

“So we are proud to be here today, along with the Member of Parliament for South Beach, who will also have his constituency utilise their facilities,” Bowleg said. “So they will get here before a lot of us get here.”

With a pool located in the Fox Hill Community Centre, Bowleg said his ministry has also been mandated with the proper maintenance and supervision to ensure that they have access in that area, just as the residents in the south will do at the South Beach Pools. There is also a pool located in Jubilee Gardens that Bowleg said they will be looking at to renovate and allow the residents to be able to utilise as well in their trust to ensure that as many persons are afforded the opportunity to learn how to swim.

With the pools now officially re-opened, Bowleg said they anticipate that provisions will be made before the week is out for interested persons to contact the staff to be able to arrange times for them to take advantage of the facilities.

“You will have to make an appointment so that we can have some organisation as to who is using the pools at what time,” Bowleg

SOUTH Beach MP Bacchus Rolle speaks to the media at yesterday’s re-opening. said. “We also want to use these pools when we want to make some repairs to the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, not just for CARIFTA, but other events that they will host there.”

At the South Beach complex, Bowleg said his ministry did the necessary work at the facilities as they repaired some broken tiles and serviced the pumps that provide the chlorine to maintain the water. “We still have some more stuff around here to improve the facilities,” he pointed out.

“But right now we want to make sure that the most important aspect of it, the pools, are available to the public.”

Rolle welcomed the opportunity for his constituents to be able to utilise the facilities, which also includes a playground for children.

“These actual facilities have been a staple in this community for quite some time,” Rolle said. “This, in itself, has been utilised as a community centre.

A VIEW of the South Beach Swimming Complex.

Photos by Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff This is where the community would come and swim and have a good time on Saturdays and some times during the week.

“So we’re excited that this is happening. So we want to say thank you to the minister and thank you to the hard working staff here, who would have done the work. This is an outstanding job and we truly appreciate the minister and the ministry.”

While he was happy to see the collaboration of communities together and as a part of his campaign promise, he’s calling on the Ministry of Transport to look at reverting a bus system to encompass the area heading into the South Beach pools so more persons will be able to commute to and from the facilities.

Additionally, Rolle said efforts by his constituency will be made to cut down some of the bushes on the road leading into the facilities so that persons will be able to really see the beauty of the complex and at the same time feel safe

in participating in events there.

“We intend to have learn to swim programmes, along with the ministry, water aerobics for the elderly,” he said. “This is going to be wonderful for the residents of South Beach and for the community.”

Bowleg said there are also plans to construct an administration building, which will also allow the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to utilise in their bid to continue to control the country’s borders as it pertains to migrants trying to get on land from the ocean.

“If the Defence Force has to use it to protect our borders, we have no problems with that,” Bowleg said. “We all are one.”

With the Ministry of Health announcing that events can now be held with larger crowds of persons in attendance, Bowleg is encouraging more of the sporting disciplines, including basketball, to put in place the necessary measures to safeguard themselves as they open up their sporting activities.

Cameron Smith wins The Players with big putts and gutsy shot

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (AP) — Cameron Smith was unflappable as ever on a TPC Sawgrass stage that causes so much anxiety.

Through 13 holes in the final round at The Players Championship, Smith had only one par. With a twostroke lead on the par-3 17th hole and staring at an island, he delivered the boldest shot of his career.

When he punched out from under the trees into the water on the closing hole, he never panicked.

Only after the 28-yearold Australian capped off a long week with the biggest win of his career did he lose control of his emotions.

This was more about family than his $3.6 million prize, his three-year exemption to the majors and his five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

Waiting for him off the 18th green were his mother Sharon and his sister Melanie, whom he had not seen in more than two years because of travel restrictions Down Under from the pandemic. They arrived a week before The Players Championship to see Smith in his adopted hometown of Ponte Vedra Beach.

And then he gave them the best treat of all.

“I haven’t seen them in two years. It’s really cool to have them here,” Smith said, his voice choking slightly. “My main priority really was just to hang out with them and golf was second for these few weeks. It’s nice to see them and nice to get a win for them.”

It was quite the joy ride, a dynamic conclusion to the longest week at The Players Championship filled with five days of bad weather and, ultimately, the high drama the

NBA

FROM PAGE 15 burying his fourth 3 of the fourth quarter for a 110108 lead that the Nuggets held on to.

CAVALIERS 120, CLIPPERS 111 (Overtime) CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Evan Mobley scored a season-high 30 points and Darius Garland had 24 points and 13 assists as Cleveland beat Los Angeles.

Isaac Okoro added 20 points, including two free throws to open the extra period. Cleveland never trailed after that.

Ivica Zubac had 24 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, and Amir Coffey scored 19 for the Clippers, who had only nine players in uniform.

Los Angeles shot 1 of 10 from the field in OT, with Nicholas Batum making a 3-pointer to pull within 110-109.

HAWKS 122, TRAIL BLAZERS 113 ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored 21 of his 46 points in the third period and Atlanta rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Portland.

Young, who scored 47 points a night earlier in a win over Indiana, added 12 assists against the Blazers.

HORNETS 134, THUNDER 116 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Terry Rozier scored 30 points and Charlotte beat Oklahoma City.

Charlotte closed out a perfect two-game trip, rallying after falling behind by as many as 18 points in the second quarter.

Miles Bridges had 27 points and six assists, and LaMelo Ball finished with 21 points and seven assists.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points and eight rebounds, and Darius Bazley scored 25 points.

Oklahoma City lost its sixth consecutive game.

ENGLAND’S TITLE DEFENCE FALTERS AT WOMEN’S CRICKET WCUP

By STEVE MCMORRAN AP Sports Writer

CAMERON SMITH, of Australia, holds the trophy after winning The Players Championship golf tournament yesterday.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Stadium Course typically delivers.

Smith one-putted eight of his last nine holes, including a birdie on the par-3 17th and a 3-foot bogey putt after hitting into the water on the 18th.

That gave him a 6-under 66 for a one-shot victory over Anirban Lahiri of India.

Leading by two on the 17th, 135 yards to the hole on an island green, Smith split the difference in the 12 feet that separated the flag from the water. The ball ended up 4 feet away and he made his recordtying 10th birdie of the round.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t push it a little bit,” Smith said. “I was trying to hit it over the bunker there and hold it up against the wind. The wind didn’t really do much for maybe three quarters of the shot, and it held it up right there at the end. That was just awesome.”

Turns out he needed that final birdie.

Smith punched out from the pine straw right of the 18th fairway all the way into the water. After a penalty drop, his 60-yard wedge spun next to the hole to 3 feet for a bogey.

Lahiri, who started the final round with a one-shot lead, birdied the 17th and needed one more to force a playoff. He came up short of the green, and his pitch was below the cup all the way. He closed with a 69.

Paul Casey shot 69 and was the victim of a horrible break on the 16th hole

when he was in position to edge closer to the lead.

Smith, who finished at 13-under 275, won for the second time this year, and the fifth time in his PGA Tour career, and picked up $3.6 million from the $20 million purse, the richest in golf. He moved to No. 6 in the world.

Lahiri’s only big mistake was a tee shot into a palmetto bush on the par-3 eighth, forcing him to take a drop near the concession area that led to double bogey. It was the only shot he dropped all day, and his best finish on the PGA Tour came with a $2.18 million consolation prize.

“I’ve been here seven years; haven’t gotten over the line yet. That’s definitely a monkey I want to get off my back,” Lahiri said. “Today was as good an opportunity as any. I gave it a good go. Made some mistakes today that I could have avoided, but that’s golf.”

Casey, meanwhile, was the victim of bad luck. He was two shots behind and in the same group as Smith when he looked to have a big advantage on the par-5 16th. Smith duck-hooked his tee shot into the pines.

Casey drilled his drive down the middle. But the ball took one last roll in the rain-soaked fairway, right into another player’s pitch mark.

Instead of a mid-iron into the par 5, he had to punch it out short. Then, he was inches away from getting relief from a sprinkler head

near the green and had to scramble for par. Smith punched out to the fairway and matched the par.

“You need a little bit of luck sometimes, don’t you?

That wasn’t very good luck, was it?” said Casey, who contemplated going for the green until realizing he could throw away whatever chance he had left if the shot came out badly.

“It’s a shame. It was the best drive I hit all day,” he said.

So concluded a week like no other on the TPC Sawgrass, where so much rain early in the week meant the first round lasted 54 hours and 16 minutes, finishing on Saturday morning.

The wind that followed wreaked havoc on half the field.

The bone-chilling temperatures Sunday made it tough on everyone. It was the first Monday finish since 2005 at The Players.

Smith made it memorable for so many other reasons.

Kevin Kisner birdied three of his last four holes for a 68 to finish alone in fourth.

Keegan Bradley was among four players who had a chance over the last hour. He was one shot behind after a birdie on the 16th, only to three-putt the 17th from the front of the green to a back pin, and then took double bogey on the 18th when his punch shot from the trees came out hot and ended up in the water. He shot 68 and finished fifth.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — England’s hopes of defending its title at the Women’s Cricket World Cup faltered yesterday when it lost by three wickets to South Africa to be left without a win after three matches.

Marizanne Kapp produced an outstanding all-round performance to lead South Africa to its third consecutive win at the tournament. The South Africans are now level with six-time champion Australia on six points at the top of the standings.

England has fallen back to seventh in the eight-team competition.

Kapp took 5-45 — her first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals— as South Africa contained England to 235-9 after choosing to bowl. She then made 32 from 42 balls at a vital stage in the chase as South Africa reached its winning target with four deliveries to spare.

“It feels like I’ve been playing and bowling for ever but it feels great to get five wickets today,” Kapp said. “It was a big game and we had to deliver. I’m glad we did. What’s been brilliant is we still haven’t played our best cricket in terms of our batting.”

After three narrow losses, England again was left to look back on several pivotal moments in Monday’s match. England’s fielding again was poor and it dropped at least three catches from South Africa opener Laura Wolvaardt as she made a decisive 77 from 101 balls.

Its own innings lacked direction. Tammy Beaumont made a gritty 62 from 97 balls at the top of the order but England relied on wicketkeeper Amy Jones, who made 53, to spark the innings with her running between wickets.

PAGE 20, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

RETAIL CHAIR: EASE MASK ‘BOILING POINT’ FROM PAGE 24

weeks been pushing for a relaxation of the COVID19 mask mandate across all resort properties and their associated amenities, including restaurants, on the grounds that they were receiving significant resistance to, and complaints about, the protocol from guests - 90 percent-plus of whom are fully vaccinated.

The Government did not go quite as far as the major resorts wanted, though, as the ease did not extend to restaurants and all amenities. The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in a statement, said: “A person is not required to wear a face mask while in a lobby, corridor, or casino of a hotel or while in an outdoor setting where there is at least three feet of space between persons who are not of the same household.”

Ms Morley acknowledged that extending the mask mandate ease to all Bahamas-based businesses

would require further discussions with the ministry, while depending on local COVID-19 case numbers remaining low. Figures for last Friday, the last to be released, placed fresh COVID cases nationwide at just four and total active cases at just 101.

And just 11 persons remain in hospital with the virus, only two of whom are still in intensive care.

“We have noticed, with our employees, a massive reduction of COVID-19 cases in the retail sector so we can only imagine it has broader implications across the nation,” Ms Morley added.

“Things are getting better and we are reaching a more manageable place.

Hopefully we keep moving forwards to more liberalised COVID conditions.” She suggested that restaurants, as well as retailers, were likely to have experienced “push back” from visitors unable to understand “why we are so reluctant down

here” to ease the pandemicrelated mask mandate.

Dr Duane Sands, former minister of health and nowFNM chairman, on Monday branded the decision to ease the mask mandate for hotels and their overseas visitors, but not businesses outside that sector and/ or focused on the local economy, as “glaringly discriminatory”.

Questioning the medical and scientific rationale underpinning such a decision, Dr Sands said: “We find it very interesting that the virus behaves differently in hotels and casinos than [it does] in Bahamian businesses, but most importantly we have been asking for the data that undergirds these decisions and to-date they have not been forthcoming.”

Ms Morley, meanwhile, said retailers were “cautiously optimistic” that the worst of the worldwide COVID pandemic may be over. “We’re certainly pleased with the progress

that we have made, and are so happy to see the cruise ships back and are noticing an uptick in tourists across the board, whereas we had a disrupted season over December, January and February, which has been the high season,” she added.

This was due to COVID’s Omicron variant, which surged rapidly throughout The Bahamas and other key source markets such as the US. “Hopefully there’s no further outbreak,” Ms Morley added. “We’re happy to see the COVID numbers going down.”

Other retailers, though, were yesterday more cautious when it came to relaxing mask wearing and other COVID protocols.

Rupert Roberts, Super Value’s president, told Tribune Business that doctors he had consulted suggested masks “are still important, in their opinion” to combating the virus’ spread.

“This is breaking out again in China and other

countries, so we still have to be cautious,” Mr Roberts argued. “We could be very sorry. We cannot go back and do it over again. If we attract a surge, and it’s still raging in other countries, so let’s just be careful and maintain the protocols if we can.”

Both Ms Morley and Mr Roberts agreed that the decision to slash social distancing by 50 percent, from six feet to three feet, would have little practical impact for retail businesses and their ability to accommodate customers as the long queues outside stores that were seen at COVID’s start have since largely disappeared.

“I think people have been managing really well with the capacity constraints, especially with everything open,” the Retail Federation co-chair said. “It’s not like we have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people coming into small open spaces. I don’t think it will be too different. It’s not

FUND FARM VETERANS,NOT JUST THE ROOKIES FROM PAGE 24 “They think they need to create this big BAMSI do-to-do rather than invest in farmers on the ground doing the work....The thing is if we can get to the point

where we have a significant injection into agriculture we’ll be able to get over at least one hurdle and be able to produce some opportunities for ourselves and be able to do what we need to do.”

Reiterating her belief that Bahamian agriculture needs a $100m investment to truly kickstart its import substitution potential, Ms Shepherd said: “We’re still at that juncture. We’re not having a significant impact.”

NOTICE

She added that $3m funnelled to new agriculture entrepreneurs, via grants and other forms of financing by the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), was “a drop in the bucket” compared to

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ERTSO CASTER of Unison Road off Carmichael Road, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 8th day of March, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that JUSTO ARCENIO CUEVAS of Nassau Village, Lee Street, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 8th day of March, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

MONDAY, 14 MARCH 2022

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 40.15 2.05 2.90 2.60 6.05 10.05 2.56 9.02 3.10 7.20 13.00 2.71 10.10 11.06 10.75 15.00 4.00 10.00 16.50

52WK LOW 4.55 32.12 1.46 2.20 1.30 5.50 6.00 2.82 4.25 2.27 5.50 9.75 1.99 6.50 9.50 8.40 13.10 3.42 8.00 15.50

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

CLOSE

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2248.14

21.98

0.99

19.90

0.89

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 96.71 93.97 94.12 91.00 90.95 89.02 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.50 4.67 2.20 207.86 207.68 1.72 1.83 1.81 1.05 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 1.01 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR106036 BGRS FX BGR117037 BGRS FX BGR118037 BGRS FX BGR125238 BGRS FX BGR127139 BGRS FX BGR127149 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1060361 BSBGR1170376 BSBGR1180375 BSBGR1252380 BSBGR1271398 BSBGR1271497 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504

LAST CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.50 6.05 9.50 3.30 7.99 2.64 7.16 13.00 2.17 10.06 11.73 10.75 15.00 3.99 9.85 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.50 6.05 9.50 3.30 7.99 2.64 7.16 13.00 2.03 10.06 11.57 10.75 15.00 3.99 9.85 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

MARKET TERMS

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.14) 0.00 (0.16) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

378,791

1,000

VOLUME

(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.080 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 5.40% 5.20% 5.22% 5.00% 5.00% 5.50% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69%

NAV 2.50 4.67 2.20 204.67 199.97 1.72 1.83 1.81 1.01 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89

YTD% 12 MTH% 0.34% 4.30% -0.06% 5.21% 0.21% 2.72% 1.37% 3.18% 8.18% 14.94% 0.26% 2.76% 0.36% 2.37% 0.28% 2.51% -1.31% -3.43% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%

P/E 22.2 42.9 N/M 16.5 N/M N/M 25.7 -7.5 57.1 14.3 15.9 18.0 19.9 21.5 17.9 14.8 18.4 19.7 10.5 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

YIELD 3.21% 3.15% 0.98% 3.46% 0.00% 0.00% 2.74% 0.00% 0.00% 4.55% 3.07% 5.54% 21.38% 0.60% 2.83% 2.23% 3.60% 3.01% 2.03% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 4-Aug-2036 14-Jul-2037 13-Oct-2037 15-Oct-2038 15-Jan-2039 15-Jan-2049 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050

NAV Date 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 28-Jan-2022 30-Sep-2021 30-Sep-2021 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

what was needed to make a meaningful dent in the food import bill.

Ms Shepherd, saying she was aware of grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, added: “If someone received $50,000 that will only assist them in jumpstarting things in their first season, which they are in now.....

“Trust me. We definitely need to get very, very serious. We have a number of new persons coming into the sector, and persons that have funding that are working on smaller projects.

Working on smaller projects is good, but we need to look at it from a holistic perspective where we invest in farmers working the ground now.

“New farmers have little experience, have no record, so nine times out of ten you find out down the road if they are able to sustain themselves and have the fortitude to continue if they get knocked down,” Ms Shepherd said.

“We have farmers who have been out there for the last 30-40 years, when the rains and storms came, and stuck it out. We have persons who see how important agriculture is, but have not weathered the

THE TRIBUNE

like we have any long lines outside retail stores per se.”

“Business establishments shall ensure that all customers and staff maintain physical distancing between themselves and others of not less than three feet while inside or awaiting entry outside the business,” the Ministry of Health and Wellness said of the changes.

“Businesses shall determine the number of persons permitted entry into the business at any one time based on one person for every 30 square feet of floor space which is unoccupied by furnishings, fixtures or machinery and is accessible to the public.

“Businesses must have distance markers three feet apart, indicating where each customer is to stand on a line awaiting entry or check out...... All restaurants shall ensure that seating is arranged so that there is the spacing of at least three feet between each dining party.” storm and not weathered the time to stick it out.

“We need to invest in people who have had the fortitude and perseverance to stick it out, and not invest in those starting out. Put it in the hands of farmers who are actually farming.”

Ms Shepherd said the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its impact on the two key wheatproducing countries, again reinforces the importance of food security for The Bahamas given that the conflict will only further worsen inflation.

Russia, too, is a key fertilizer supplier, and she added that the conflict was also likely to produce increases in the prices of key agriculture inputs such as seeds via a “ripple effect” that will be felt throughout the world.

“Bread is going to go up, which means cereals are going to go up and seeds are going to go up,” Ms Shepherd said. “We may not see the impact for another 90 days or so. We’re already in the growing season. The next season for growing starts in July. Any increase is significant, and we’re very concerned.”

She added that rising farm input costs will “slow the process down” when it comes to the agriculture sector’s efforts to reduce The Bahamas’ food import bill.

PETALIA COMMERCIAL CORP. Company No. 1599304 (In Voluntary Liquidation)

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 204 (1)(b) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 that PETALIA COMMERCIAL CORP. is in voluntary liquidation. The voluntary liquidation commenced on 9th March 2022 and Martin Signer of Binzallee 19, 8055 Zurich, Switzerland been appointed as the Sole Liquidator.

Dated this 10th day of March 2022 Sgd. Martin Signer Voluntary Liquidator

NEENAH LIMITED Company No. 111771 (In Voluntary Liquidation)

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 204 (1)(b) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 that NEENAH LIMITED is in voluntary liquidation.

The voluntary liquidation commenced on 9th March 2022 and Markus Ducrey of Hofstrasse 12, GipfOberfrick, Switzerland been appointed as the Sole Liquidator.

Dated this 10th day of March 2022 Sgd. Markus Ducrey Voluntary Liquidator TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 21

FLEEING TO THE BAHAMAS ‘WHEN S*** HITS THE FAN’ FROM PAGE 24 separate from Sandy Cay if the scheme was uncovered and it became necessary to evade prosecution.

And Mr Cammarata, who has figured prominently in Abaco’s post-Hurricane Dorian restoration, and at the time of his indictment sat on the Board for the Man-O-War Relief Fund, was also alleged to have “knowingly smuggled” his girlfriend, Jessica Vanessa Carrillo Beltrán, into the US via The Bahamas after he had been charged and was out on bail.

Mr Conway, in a March 7, 2022, affidavit, alleged that he had obtained much of the necessary evidence from Mr Cammarata’s cell phone when the latter was arrested at Miami International Airport (MIA) on November 3 last year in connection with the fraud charges.

Mr Cammarata had been returning from Colombia, and was tipped-off that the FBI was raiding his firm’s offices while in the air en route to Miami. “I learned from my review of Cammarata’s phone that on October 12, 2021, Cammarata told his associates that he had applied for Bahamian residency and that he expected to receive a Colombian residency visa in the coming days,” Mr Conway said.

“In the message, Cammarata stated: ‘I am applying for Bahamian residency, and Colombian residency visa is coming next week. When the s*** hits the fan in the US I will be in the wind.’

“It remains unclear as to what Cammarata means by “when the s*** hits the fan’. Regardless, the message further emphasises Cammarata’s ability and intention to leave the US. Foreign residency would likely complicate extradition proceedings.” The affidavit did not specify what type of Bahamian residency was being sought, permanent or otherwise.

Nevertheless, Mr Conway added: “A coconspirator also told me that, during the course of the scheme, the co-conspirators had agreed to use the code phrase ‘blue house’ to communicate among themselves that law enforcement may have become aware of their scheme, and to signal that they should flee.

“This co-conspirator told me that the phrase referred to a small blue house that Cammarata owned in The Bahamas, separate from a larger private island that Cammarata also owns. The co- conspirator told me that the co-conspirators had discussed among themselves fleeing to The Bahamas to avoid prosecution if and when their scheme was discovered.”

Mr Cammarata and his fellow co-accused, Erik Cohen and David Punturieri, were never seemingly given a chance by the FBI to put their escape plan into action. The trio have been accused of submitting false or “sham” claims to relief funds that were created to distribute the monies recovered from securities frauds to victimised investors.

Around 400 such claims were purportedly made during the

scheme’s lifetime. “Starting in approximately 2014, defendants orchestrated a scheme to steal money from distribution funds established for the benefit of securities fraud victims,” the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged in a separate lawsuit to the federal authorities’ criminal action.

“Defendants defrauded these distribution funds (and their rightful beneficiaries) by submitting false claims and falsified supporting documents to the distribution fund administrators in the names of at least three entities that did not trade in the underlying securities, and thus were ineligible to recover.”

Meanwhile, Mr Conway alleged that just five days prior to being charged, Cammarata “continued to conspire with others to obtain a visa under fraudulent terms” for his Colombian girlfriend and bring her into the US via The Bahamas disguised as a crew member on one of his yachts.

One of Cammarata’s friends, referred to as JK, sent him a What’s App message on September 14 last year that stated: “He has a girl in Nassau that dies [sic, does] expedited processing for B1 B2.”

Mr Conway said: “I know B1 B2 to refer to a business and tourism visa, the same visa for which Jessica Beltran unsuccessfully applied. The next message read: ‘She is connected w someone and has crew processing biz out of Nassau’.

“I know from my training and experience that crew or D visas are issued

to crew members of sea vessels. I also know that alien smugglers obtain D visas in order to smuggle individuals into the United States.

I believe JK to be referring to D visas. JK continued: ‘If you want for Vanessa let me know’ Cammarata replied: ‘Yes, of course, Wherever [sic] it takes’.”

The FBI agent said he found no record of any visa being issued to Ms Beltran, and added: “A coconspirator told me that he saw Jessica Beltran in the United States in or around June 2021 and August 2021, and that Cammarata had admitted to devising a way to sneak her into the United States.

“The co-conspirator also told me that the co-conspirator understood from talking to Cammarata that Cammarata’s plan specifically involved arriving at a time when he could avoid a face-to- face inspection at a US port of entry.”

Further research uncovered that Ms Beltran arrived in Nassau around August 12, 2021, and January 16, 2022, both of which were times that immediately preceded her departure from the US. And a Homeland Security agent assigned to the US embassy in Nassau also informed Mr Conway that she arrived at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on June 12 last year.

“I further located screen shots in Cammarata’s phone that indicated that he

then travelled from Bogotá to the Bahamas with Jessica Beltran,” Mr Conway alleged. “For instance, a screen shot dated June 12, 2021, memorialised a successful check-in for a June 12 flight from Bogotá to Nassau, The Bahamas, connecting through Panama.

“The listed passengers are Cammarata and Jessica Beltran. I also located a screenshot dated June 11, 2021, which confirms Cammarata’s reservation at the [Grand] Hyatt Hotels & Resort located at One Baha Mar Boulevard, Nassau, Bahamas. The reservation notes a check in date of June 12, 2021, and a check out date of June 15, 2021.

“A co-conspirator also told me that Cammarata had successfully smuggled Jessica Beltran into the United States via watercraft traveling from The Bahamas to Florida, and then Jessica Beltran travelled to New Jersey via private aircraft.”

Mr Conway alleged that Mr Cammarata declared his entry into the US, via a Bahamas-registered boat, at 8pm on June 21, 2021, via Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) ROAM system. This enables pleasure boats to digitally report their entry, and provides an alternative to clearing these protocols if the port of entry is closed.

The FBL agent alleged that Cammarata did not declare his girlfriend’s presence, and instead waited

to arrive at the Port of Miami until after 10pm so that the vessel did not have to undergo a face-to-face inspection.

“Cammarata used the CBP ROAM application and intentionally waited until after the port had closed to avoid a faceto-face inspection and smuggle Jessica Beltran into the US,” Mr Conway alleged, having obtained screen shots and videos from the Sandy Cay owner’s phone showing the Colombian national celebrating her birthday in Miami that same June 21, 2021, night.

“As of November 3, 2021, Cammarata knew that Jessica Beltran did not have a visa.... I believe that Cammarata knowingly smuggled Jessica Beltran, a Colombian national with no legal authorisation to enter the United States, into the United States both before his indictment and also while he was under the supervision of the court, in violation of the terms of his release.”

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394

PAGE 22, Tuesday, March 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

ELECTRIC VEHICLE DEALER TARGETS SALES DOUBLING FROM PAGE 24 Ms Farmer explained that the 100-vehicle strong order that has just been placed is scheduled to arrive in The Bahamas this July. And, prior to that, two other shipments - totalling around a similar 100 vehicles - is expected to reach from China.

“We’ve been planning all the way to 2023,” she explained. “The sales are growing exponentially. We were already cheaper on electric vehicles before this [oil price] increase. One dollar of BPL’s electricity will contribute to going the same distance as $5 of gasoline.

“It’s about an 80 percent savings in fuel costs, even

though the cost of electricity may go up. Oil and gas made into electricity is more efficient than gas in a combustion engine. It’s four times’ more efficient.”

The Easy Car Sales partner said the dealership had sold around 140 electric vehicles in 2021, and was targeting between 250 and 300 this year. While the numbers may not appear huge to some, she added that its 9 percent Bahamian market share was “above average” and greater than the current world average of 6 percent.

Some such as Sir Franklyn Wilson, chairman of FOCOL Holdings, the Shell distributor, have argued that electric vehicle sales have been boosted by a

government-friendly tax policy that has lowered Excise rates in a bid to encourage greater uptake via more competitive pricing.

This has been driven by a desire for more environmentally-friendly fuels, and the target of generating 30 percent of the country’s energy mix from renewable sources by 2030. However, several observers have pointed out that such policies potentially create a real conundrum or dilemma, for the Government’s tax system and income.

This is because petroleum-based fossil fuels are among the greatest tax earners for the Government via VAT and import tariffs. Thus any move to

phase-out, or reduce, fossil fuel dependency will strike the Government’s income without alternative revenue streams being unlocked.

Ms Farmer, though, reiterated her belief that electric vehicles provide Bahamians with “more money in their pocket” through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.

“We really have to act on that [energy independence] and become less reliant on gas coming from outside sources, which will save us a lot on the reserves,” she told this newspaper.

“We have to empower ourselves.”

With Easy Car’s lowest price standing at $27,000, Ms Farmer conceded that it will be a while before a

pre-owned electric vehicle market of sufficient scale becomes established in The Bahamas.

“I’m on a mission. I want to change the way people transport and move goods,” she added. “If we take a gas car off the road, every gas car with a combustion engine emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. For every one I get off the road I feel we’ve made a difference, and that’s our mission.

“We cannot afford that any more. We have to be more sustainable, and do the best we cab to change the world of transport.”

Ms Farmer said one-third of Easy Car Sales’ vehicle purchases currently go to corporate clients.

BTC parent chiefs back company’s fibre roll-out

‘ARE SWIMMING PIGS HERE BECAUSE WE’RE BAHAMIAN?’

FROM PAGE 23

FROM PAGE 24

leadership on the ground demonstrates our holistic commitment not just to providing great service, but also a continued investment in innovation.

“Following our meetings and discussions, we’ve gotten the green light to move ahead with some very bold pronouncements that our residential customers will be very happy about,” Mr Foster said.

“We believe these investments not only help to build a better future for us all, but also provide opportunities to reimagine all sectors of the country including healthcare, education, finance, national security, the banking industry and so much more.”

Ms Smidts, CWC’s chief executive, said: “It is always

exciting to be on the ground and in the thick of things.

There is a tremendous amount of energy from the team, and they are focused on getting it right for our customers.

“We were able to meet with our deputy chairman, Valentine Grimes, and the other local directors. I believe that this is the start of a great relationship as we continue to invest in the growth of The Bahamas market.”

Since January, BTC has been working in more than 12 communities including South Beach, Coral Harbour, Coral Heights, Coral Vista, Coral Lakes, Gladstone Road, Tropical Gardens, Gambier, West Winds, Silver Gates, Jones Heights and Cooper’s Town, Abaco.

that’s where we can put pig businesses, and I really think we should look into that.”

Mrs Bostwick-Dean spoke out at a meeting held to consider the application

by Beyond Da Village Pig Experience, and its operator, Charles Johnson, to construct and develop a bar and grill in an area that is currently zoned ‘Low Density Residential 1’.

This means commercial activity is not supposed to be happening here, and Mr Johnson conceded to Tribune Business subsequently: “It’s all about determining how the area is to be zoned going forward.”

Mrs Bostwick-Dean, meanwhile, said her family had been “frequent” and

“regular” users of its property at Adelaide. “I want it on the record that we do object to the commercialisation of Beach Drive and, in particular, we object, of course, to the pig businesses,” she added.

“We object also to the jet skis and boats. It changes the entire nature of that property out there, and the manner in which persons are able to enjoy what is essentially a protected bay.

And I think that it’s important that we preserve it. It is zoned residential, and not commercial, and I think we set a dangerous precedent by going in and re-zoning properties.”

Da Pig Beach is the other swimming pigs location on Beach Drive, although no application from it was before Town Planning - only Mr Johnson’s.

“It started off with one pig business and now there are two pig businesses. Where

will this end?” Mrs Bostwick-Dean said.

“I think it is very important to look at all land use and what is going to be the intent for that beach property. Finally, it is extremely disturbing to me to hear the residents of Beach Drive be described as elitist or persons who want to exclude Bahamians from participating in commercial activities.

“Because it sounds to me as if we’re being told that we should abandon our land rights. When we bought property, we bought property in a residential area, and we’re being told that we should just abandon what we purchased the property for and, if we don’t, we get a black mark as being elitist.”

Mrs Bostwick-Dean also questioned whether swimming pigs attractions were appropriate for New Providence. “There’s a larger question that Town

She added that Cable Bahamas had begun its vehicle fleet transition some two to three years ago with three autos, and had expanded this every year.

Lend a Hand Bahamas and DHL were also cited

by Ms Farmer as examples of organisations that have gone fully electric or close to.

“The minimum range on the full charge is 180 miles on an island 21 miles by seven miles,” she added.

“They can go up to 340 miles. All these vehicles come with eight-year warranties. The batteries are for life. The technology has moved to quickly, and gone so far. It has exciting possibilities, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Planning and tourism has to consider, which is the appropriateness of pig businesses on New Providence, period,” she added.

“I think really these are the larger questions that are going to confront us.

What are we doing with the swimming pig business, and is this something appropriate in the capital, period, and whether or not these beaches where the majority of the people live, which are public beaches frequented by large members of the public, are appropriate to be sharing with farm animals.”

Other Beach Drive residents have challenged why Town Planning is “entertaining” Beyond Da Village’s application when it has already issued a “cease and desist” order for it to close. However, Mr Johnson said Town Planning had told him the “cease and desist” order was issued in error because he was not engaged in the activities it was complaining about.

However, a note by Tiffany Newman, a physical planning inspector with the Department of Physical Planning, said the business being operated by Mr Johnson exceeds the terms of the approval initially granted to him.

“The applicant has a home-based business licence to operate a tour business, and has established an operation based on this,” Ms Newman wrote. “The applicant was advised that the business is operating outside of the terms of the approval granted.

“Mr Johnson made applications via the Business Licence portal to operate a bar and grill business, but this was refused as it was considered a premature application. He was advised to apply for a PSA (Planning and Subdivision Act) approval and submit the appropriate documents for planning to present the request to the committee.”

Mr Johnson yesterday told this newspaper that he does not operate tour businesses or jitneys himself, or via his business.

And he said that Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, who has headed the Government’s COVID-19 response, was talking about Da Pig Beach and not his operation when she addressed the Town Planning Committee.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, PAGE 23

BTC parent chiefs back company’s fibre roll-out SENIOR executives from the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) two parent entities recently visited this nation to support its network build-out drive.

Representatives from Liberty Latin America (LLA) and Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) were on the ground to aid BTC’s plans to fully complete its fibreto-the-home network throughout The Bahamas by end-2023. They also visited colleagues and the Government’s Board members.

CWC chief executive, Inge Smidts, and Liberty Latin America head, Balan Nair, were among the executives present. Their first stop was at a community event promoting the recent fibre upgrades in the Coral Harbour area.

Residents in that community can now take advantage of up to 600mbps (megabits per second) of broadband service, bundled with landline and modern television services.

The CWC and Liberty Latin America chiefs were able to walk through the entire customer experience

first-hand, starting from the sales process through to the installation.

Andre Foster, BTC’s chief executive, said: “I’m really happy about the tremendous amount of support that we continue to receive in this market. In the last two years we’ve made significant investments in capital expenditure to further network upgrades in New Providence, Exuma, Grand Bahama and Abaco.

“We’re well on our way with our fibre roll-out, and having our senior

LIBERTY Latin America’s leadership meets local Board Members: From L to R to right: Peter Cartwright, director; Valentine Grimes, deputy chairman; Balan Nair, chief executive, Liberty Latin America; Paco Deal, director.

SEE PAGE 22

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

A t‑storm around in the morning

A moonlit sky

Partly sunny and breezy

Breezy in the morn‑ ing; partly sunny

Mostly sunny and nice

Mostly sunny and humid

High: 82°

Low: 73°

High: 83° Low: 74°

High: 83° Low: 71°

High: 82° Low: 72°

High: 83° Low: 71°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

90° F

74° F

89°-76° F

91°-75° F

90°-77° F

91°-77° F

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

8‑16 knots

S

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

7‑14 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

| Go to AccuWeather.com

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

MIAMI

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

7‑14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 73° F/23° C Low .................................................... 64° F/18° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 65° F/19° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ................................................. 4.37” Normal year to date ..................................... 3.65”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

S

E

W

7‑14 knots

S

8‑16 knots

ANDROS

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

6:42 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

2.7 2.3

12:20 a.m. 0.2 1:07 p.m. 0.2

Wednesday 7:23 a.m.

7:41 p.m.

2.8 2.5

1:07 a.m.

1:45 p.m.

Thursday

8:02 a.m.

8:22 p.m.

2.9 2.7

1:51 a.m. ‑0.1 2:22 p.m. ‑0.2

Friday

8:41 a.m.

9:03 p.m.

2.9 2.9

2:34 a.m. ‑0.3 2:58 p.m. ‑0.3

Saturday

9:21 a.m.

9:44 p.m.

2.8 3.0

3:18 a.m. ‑0.3 3:35 p.m. ‑0.4

Sunday

10:02 a.m.

10:28 p.m.

2.8 3.1

4:02 a.m. ‑0.4 4:14 p.m. ‑0.5

Monday

10:45 a.m.

11:15 p.m.

2.6 3.1

4:49 a.m. ‑0.3 4:56 p.m. ‑0.5

0.0 0.0

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

7:19 a.m. Moonrise 7:19 p.m. Moonset

5:02 p.m.

5:52 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Mar. 18

Mar. 25

Apr. 1

Apr. 9

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

H

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

CAT ISLAND

E

W

uV inDex toDay

8‑16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

10‑20 knots

10‑20 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS E at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots S at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots

WAVES 4‑7 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 5‑9 Feet 4‑8 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 9 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 78° F 78° F 74° F 73° F 78° F 79° F 80° F 80° F 77° F 77° F 73° F 73° F 78° F 79° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022

$5.37

$5.68

$5.50

$5.52

Electric vehicle dealer targets sales doubling

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A Bahamian electric car dealer yesterday voiced optimism that it will “double” year-over-year vehicle sales in 2022 having just placed a record 100-strong order with its Chinese supplier.

Pia Farmer, partner in Easy Car Sales, told Tribune Business that the business was “selling the cars before they even arrive here” amid hopes that soaring gasoline prices - driven even higher by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - will drive even more demand for electric vehicles.

Confirming that the dealership is “hoping for and preparing for” such an outcome, she asserted

• Easy Car places record 100-strong order for July delivery • Eyes further oil price boost as ‘selling autos before arrival’ • ‘No indication’ of any fall-out from nickel, commodity shock that $1 spent with Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) on charging an electric vehicle translates into travelling the same distance as a normal combustion engine fuelled with $5 of gasoline.

Ms Farmer, pointing out that this translated into an 80 percent

savings, suggested the transition to electric vehicles will make The Bahamas more energy dependent through reducing reliance on foreign fossil fuel supplies; benefit the environment from reduced carbon dioxide emissions; and limit the drain on the

country’s foreign currency inflows and external reserves to buy fuel imports.

And, while soaring nickel and commodity prices in the wake of the Ukraine conflict have raised fears that the cost and supply of electric vehicles will be negatively impacted, Ms Farmer said Easy Car’s Chinese supplier had given no indication of any problems.

Nickel, for which heavily-sanctioned Russia provides 10 percent of the world’s supply, is a vital element in electric vehicle batteries.

However, Ms Farmer said BYD Auto, her dealership’s supplier, built its own batteries in China far away from the conflict zone.

“I’ve no indication that there’s any kind of shocks,” she told this newspaper. “I’ve just made a

Retail chair: Ease mask ‘boiling point’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Federation of Retailers’ co-chair yesterday urged the Government to ease the COVID mask mandate for all businesses, not just hotels, given the “resistance” mounted by tourists.

Tara Morley told Tribune Business the requirement to wear masks in The Bahamas had become “a boiling point” issue for many visitors, especially Americans who comprise 90 percent of this country’s tourist market, given that this is no longer required under federal or state law back home.

She added that she had personally witnessed tourists decline to enter her Cole’s of Nassau outlet in downtown Nassau, and other prime locations, due to mask-related “frustration” and called on the Davis administration to broaden the relaxation beyond a hotel industry that had lobbied heavily for such a move.

• Extend COVID relaxation to all businesses • Not only hotels running into tourist ‘resistance’ • Roberts warns: China outbreak merits caution With The Bahamas’ new and active COVID-19 cases having fallen to negligible levels, Ms Morley told this newspaper: “One thing we would like to see is the easing of mask restrictions get extended to all businesses and not just the hotels.

“I just think that, with the tourism market and COVID-19 numbers where they are, being lower, we do get resistance from tourists downtown and at other locations who don’t understand why they have to wear masks any more when the mask mandate has fully fallen away in the US, which is our main source market.

“Unfortunately, people have just reached a boiling point and will not wear them any more. They will not come into the shop because they are being frustrated by it. It is what it is,” Ms Morley added.

“We obviously enforce the policy strictly, but it would definitely be beneficial where, if the Government is going to consider doing it for businesses such as hotels, making the same consideration for local businesses because we are all receiving the same push back at the end of the day.”

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has for some

SEE PAGE 20

Fund farm veterans, not just the rookies

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas must invest more in proven farmers who have shown the necessary “fortitude and perseverance” rather than directing all resources to newcomers, an entrepreneur is warning, Caron Shepherd, president of the newlyformed Bahamas Agro Entrepreneurs Group, told Tribune Business that the Government needs to take “a holistic perspective” by investing in those “working the ground now” if this nation is to start making serious inroads into slashing its annual $1bn food import bill.

With the price of many food staples set to soar due to rising global inflation, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she asserted that The Bahamas is receiving another “wake-up call” about the importance of being able to grow more of its own produce.

Suggesting that the Davis administration needs to focus on injecting the $100m investment she has long advocated for, Ms Shepherd said the current focus on small-scale grants to new farming entrants and entrepreneurs will not have sufficient impact.

“This is what we’ve been harping on for the last two years,” she added of food security concerns generated by COVID-19 and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “But I don’t feel they [the Government] want to really invest in the farmers, let me put it that way.

SEE PAGE 20

‘Are swimming pigs here because we’re Bahamian?’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net AN ATTORNEY has questioned whether two swimming pigs attractions are only being considered for Adelaide Village because the beachfront is majority Bahamian-owned.

Lisa Bostwick-Dean, who said her family has owned property on Beach Drive since 1969, told last week’s Town Planning virtual meeting that she doubted whether such ventures would seek approval at other beachfront locations in New Providence.

“Most of the property owners down there are Bahamians. We have the same rights as other Bahamians and, with Adelaide, it is unique in every single way,” she argued. “Adelaide is unique

in terms of the historical village that we share, and that we’re a part of, quite frankly, and it is also unique in that that beach and that property is perhaps an area where Bahamians own the beachfront.

“We own our beach and, I dare to say it, but majority black Bahamians own the beachfront. It is unique, and I would go so far as to say that you wouldn’t see or consider putting these businesses on the other beaches in The Bahamas, but yet this beach that is owned by Bahamians is up for grabs.

“I think that’s something we really should be looking at ourselves, and consider what that says about how we consider properties owned by Bahamians - that

SEE PAGE 22

huge order, more than 100 vehicles, and everything is fine. What we’ve been experiencing is shipping delays. The demand is very high. I’m selling before the cars even arrive here. It’s moving very quickly.

“Last year we exceeded all our expectations. We had set goals coming out of COVID that we thought very ambitious and exceeded all out targets, ending up selling 9 percent of new vehicles in The Bahamas. This year we have doubled our goals in terms of the number of vehicles sold, although we won’t double our percentage in terms of market share.”

SEE PAGE 22

Fleeing to The Bahamas ‘when s*** hits the fan’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN private island owner, who has been accused of masterminding a $40m fraud, has had his bail revoked over fears he may flee to this nation and has engaged in human smuggling.

Judge Chad Kennedy, sitting in the eastern Pennsylvania federal court, found on March 10 that the US authorities had established “probable cause” that Joseph Cammarata brought his Colombian girlfriend into Florida through The Bahamas even though she lacked the necessary visa and other entry documents.

Evidence presented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also revealed that Mr Cammarata, who owns Sandy Cay, a private island near Man-O-War Cay in the Abacos, had plotted fleeing to The Bahamas along with his co-accused in a bid to escape charges that they stole monies intended to compensate victims of securities frauds.

JOSEPH CAMMARATA Edward Conway, an FBI special agent, alleged that Mr Cammarata had discussed with associates his plan to obtain “Bahamian residency” just prior to his indictment last November, and that “when the s*** hits the fan in the US I will be in the wind”.

Given that his extradition back to the US would be made more difficult if he attained such status, Mr Conway claimed Mr Cammarata had also spoken to a “co-conspirator” about how all should flee to The Bahamas and hide in another house he owned

SEE PAGE 21