03282024 NEWS AND SPORT

BAMSI’s Soil to Supper programme focuses on nurturing young minds

STUDENTS participating in the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute’s (BAMSI)) Soil to Supper programme. The initiative is focused on nurturing young minds and cultivating an appreciation for the wealth of foods grown in The Bahamas. Photos: BAMSI

Former FNM MP Saunders shot dead

from page one

the former Tall Pines MP and deputy speaker of the House of Assembly went about his life as usual: attending court, visiting the bank and conversing with friends and loved ones like Anglican Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, the foster father who raised him in Exuma since he was 12.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said Saunders was among a group of about five or six people hanging out in a yard when two masked gunmen showed up and tried to rob them of cash. People panicked and scattered in different directions, but only Saunders was shot. Saunders had a teen daughter, Danielle, an athlete in the United States, and a teen son, Don Jr, an athlete on the upcoming Carifta swimming team, according to Archdeacon Cartwright, who raised Saunders when the lawyer encountered family issues as a boy. Saunders also leaves behind his twin brother and his mother, who was heading to Andros for the weekend when she turned around upon hearing the news of her son’s death.

Many Free National

Movement members were on the murder scene last night, including former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, FNM leader Michael Pintard, deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright, Adrian Gibson and former MPs like Elsworth Johnson, Marvin Dames, Darren Henfield, and Travis Robinson.

One man cried and yelled, “that’s my brother”. A woman fell out after crying.

In a post on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis expressed sadness over the incident. At the murder scene, Dr Minnis said Saunders made valuable contributions to public life as an MP under his term.

Father Cartwright said Saunders was among 33 foster children he cared for over some time.

“We always have a gathering of the family, all of my boys who are here with their wives, on Good Friday,” he said, hours after encountering Saunders at Royal Bank of Canada on Cable Beach, where he had a lengthy conversation with him. “We were going to do that, and then we were going to have something for Easter Monday.”

Wells admitted to hospital ‘out of an abundance of caution’, says statement

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune

Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Cabinet Min-

ister Renward Wells was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital “out of an abundance of caution” after experiencing severe exhaustion and not feeling well. He is alert, “in good spirits”, and “resting comfortably”, according to a statement from Oracle Media Consultants, which denied that he suffered a heart attack as an online blog claimed. “Mr Wells, who had been working extremely hard, recently started to experience severe exhaustion, which led to him not feeling well, and so out of an abundance of caution, he opted to present himself to hospital,” the statement said. “Mr Wells would like everyone to know that he

is in good hands with the physicians at the Princess Margaret Hospital, and he would also like to thank the Bahamian people, including those who are covering him in prayer and who have sent messages of support, love, and get well greetings.”

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he visited the former Bamboo Town MP, who was “doing well”. “Me and Desmond and two, three other individuals, we were laughing, talking and sharing jokes and whatever else,” he said.

Mr Wells served as minister of health and minister of transport and local government under the Minnis administration.

ANGLICAN Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, foster father of former FNM MP Don Saunders, speak with reporters at the murder scene last night.

FORMER FNM MP Don Saunders (pictured right) was shot and killed in a suspected armed robbery while in a yard in Gambier Village last night. Photos: Dante Carrer

GB man succumbs to injuries from car accident, family blames road conditions

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE death of Johnathon “Cow” Jones days after a catastrophic car accident has left his wife, family and broader community grieving and highlighted concerns about dangerous potholed roads in West Grand Bahama. Carleza Jones is devastated over the loss of her 58-year-old husband, who died on Saturday, March 23, at the Princess Margaret Hospital after developing complications following surgery.

Mr Jones, a public service driver for more than 20 years in Grand Bahama, sustained severe injuries, including a broken neck and damaged spinal cord, in a traffic accident on March 18 in the Eight Mile Rock area.

According to police reports, the accident occurred around 6.15am on Queen’s Highway. A 26-year-old male driver of a red 2011 Ford Fusion was travelling west when he reportedly veered into the path of Jones, who was driving a white 1998 Toyota Hiace bus heading east. The bus was also accompanied by two adult male passengers when both vehicles collided.

Mr Jones was airlifted to New Providence for further medical treatment.

Mrs Jones said that his neck was broken and he had an injury to his head. She also recalled that one of his ears was hanging from the lobe.

“He only had five per cent mobility in his hands, and the rest of his body

was paralyzed because of the broken neck,” she said. “The C6 and C7 spine in his neck were broken, and his spinal cord was completely damaged.”

She said despite his injuries, he was conscious and alert.

“I was by his side every day, and every time I was there, he gave God thanks,” she said. “Johnathan had a smile you can’t forget, and through all that pain, he would give me that smile for reassurance that it was going to be okay.”

Mr Jones could not eat or drink for five days until the family bought a halo, an apparatus to hold his head up.

After doctors installed the halo, Mrs Jones said her husband could eat and drink.

“His voice was so strong, and after the procedure was finished, he gave God thanks and said, ‘Lord, let your will be done’,” she said.

After undergoing surgery, Mr Jones could move his hand much better than before and was showing signs of progress.

Mrs Jones began preparing to bring her husband home to Grand Bahama but received a call around 3.06am on Saturday to come to the hospital. “All his vitals were low, and he was no longer moving his hands, and he was barely breathing. I was there at his bedside, and he passed away 6.14am,” she said.

“It hurts to come home to an empty house. I came home yesterday and he is not here. That smile I see every day I won’t see

anymore, and I will never hear him call my name. I have no one to cater to.”

David Jones, former Grand Bahama Taxi Union president, said his brother was the glue of the family.

Cordell Capron said his uncle was well-known in the Eight Mile Rock community and helped many people.

“All my life, I knew him to be a staple in his community from Eight Mile Rock Crusher days. Everyone knew who Cow

was,” he said. “You heard stories where he helped many distressed families in this community, and we are now hearing stories of persons whom he has fed and who he assisted with paying bills, all these kinds of things unbeknown to us as a family.”

Mrs Jones blames the poor condition of the road for the accident.

“I am trying to figure out if I lost my husband to a pothole in the road that is supposed to be fixed,” she said. “He should have no

need to swerve on the next side to duck a pothole if it was supposed to be fixed. “Those potholes were in the road too long, and I had an incident with my car where my front wheel broke off from a pothole, and a wrecker had to tow me home. And here it is, I lost my whole husband. I don’t have him anymore, and it is hard for me.”

Mrs Jones and her husband have eight children together. On Tuesday evening, relatives gathered at the couple’s home

in Hepburn Town, Eight Mile Rock, to make funeral arrangements.

“I was out today, and it amazed me to hear the number of persons that did not even know me, and all you hear them talking about was Cow, his smile, and how he loved people,” she said. “I heard a lady say he used to feed her children. I was at Family Guardian, Sawyers, and Car Quest, and hearing everyone had something good to say about him made me feel good.”

MISTAKEN SUSPECT TELLS OF PANIC AS HE TRIED TO DRINK SEWER WATER IN CELL

Mr Smith alleged he was ridiculed and verbally abused while detained at the Cable Beach Police Station for a crime he did not commit.

“I started to have another panic attack, so I broke the pipe to drink the water, and so when I broke the pipe to drink the water, everyone come out and say oh, we’re going to get you some food right now,” he said. “I said listen y’all trying to kill me in here, but I wasn’t going to let them kill me.

“The only reason why I’m out today talking to y’all is because my client was looking for me. They wasn’t going to let me out.”

According to news reports, Quality Supermarkets was robbed at gunpoint on Monday. Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings told The Tribune that police questioned Mr Smith because he fit the description of the perpetrator. She said officers had the right to do so, adding: “If we find you’re not the perpetrator we’re looking for, then you’ll be exonerated.”

“However, while you are in our custody, there’s a certain level of respect and behaviour that we expect from you as a citizen of this country while

we execute our duties.”

“Now his claims of a panic attack etcetera is far fetched for me from what I’m getting in the matter, but it remains under active investigation.”

Mr Smith, who owns a landscaping company, said he worked at a client’s home when the robbery happened.

He said he caught a ride with an acquaintance to get a spare key after accidentally locking his car keys in his truck.

He said during the ride, the pair saw a white hard hat and a white cap on the road, which they picked up and threw in the back of the truck.

He said after being dropped off at the roundabout near Wendy’s, he returned to his client’s yard to resume work.

He said shortly afterwards, armed police officers approached and questioned him about his whereabouts and asked for details on the person with whom he was driving.

“I explained everything in detail to them and noted that he picked up the hats off the street,” he said. “One of the officers replied that that was the information he was looking for. He wanted to know where that happened and I directed him to the location.” He thought helping

the police would end his involvement in the matter. “But the next thing I know,” he added, “he pulled back in the yard and said you, let’s go, drop your tools. Pack up your truck and secure them and let’s go.”

“I said officer why am I going to the station? He said he’s giving me a chance to tell him who the guys were, but I said officer, I don’t know no guys.”

He said his confinement was traumatising because his cell had no windows, no toilet and only one ceiling light.

He said the poor, cramped conditions caused him to get disorientated and have a panic attack.

He said to make matters worse, police humiliated him by talking to him harshly and claiming he was “faking his attacks” after checking his pulse.

“I was ridiculed and verbally abused by many of the male police officers,” he said. “Attempts were made to attack me physically, but they were stopped. I became silent and started to agree with them and humbled myself.”

He said he wants the officers held accountable and has hired a lawyer.

JOHNATHON “COW” JONES

Court rejects attempt to block AG’s Office representing Munroe in Murphy case

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge rejected an attempt to prevent the Office of the Attorney General from representing National Security Minister Wayne Munroe in a lawsuit concerning the removal of former prison commissioner Charles Murphy.

Commissioner Murphy was sent on administrative leave in September 2021, purportedly so officials could investigate the case of Prescott Smith, who was imprisoned in a possible breach of a Supreme Court order.

Mr Munroe later said an inquiry into several matters involving the commissioner would occur, including his handling of a prisoner who contracted COVID-19. The outcome of the probes has not been revealed to the public.

Mr Munroe’s involvement in sidelining Commissioner Murphy was scrutinised because his law firm represented acting Commissioner Doan Cleare and Deputy Commissioner Bernadette Thompson-Murray when they sued the government under the Minnis administration for being forced on vacation leave.

The application from Mr Murphy’s lawyer, Romona Farquharson-Seymour, sought to bar the attorney general from representing and/or giving legal advice to Mr Munroe and Cheryl Darville, the acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security.

Mrs FarquharsonSeymour argued that the Office of the Attorney General represented Mr Murphy by extension in 2019 when Mr Cleare and Mrs Thompson-Murray sued the government for being placed on leave.

According to Justice Carla Card-Stubbs’ ruling, Mrs Farquharson-Seymour argued that: “The attorneys of the Office of the Attorney General are aware of confidential and privilege information that was given to them from the applicant by virtue of their

then position of defending the appointment of the applicant by the Public Service Commission over that of Doan Cleare. “The first respondent represented the applicants in the aforesaid matter and now the first respondent is the Minister of National Security.

“The first respondent is and will be aware of confidential and privilege communications between the applicant and the Attorney General as he is now the Minister of National Security. The third respondent will have received confidential information from the applicant and can now use such information to fight against him. Their presence/representation of the first and second respondent given the issues are similar.”

The Crown argued that the attorney general is the government’s principal legal advisor and the Crown’s representative in all legal proceedings when matters are brought against state officers. The Crown also noted that the applicants discontinued the 2019 matter and the Office of the Attorney General put forward no arguments. The claim of conflict of interest was denied.

Ultimately, the judge ruled that the case did not “rise to the category of cases requiring intervention by the court”. “In the first instance, there is no evidence of an attorney-client relationship either past or present,” she wrote.

“Secondly, I am not convinced that there was a true fiduciary relationship.”

“Thirdly, even if the applicant were said to be the beneficiary of a fiduciary relationship with the OAG by virtue of that assistance, what is not before me is the nature of confidential information that the OAG or first respondent would have obtained from the applicant such that the OAG should now be estopped from representing the respondents in the suit that the applicant has brought against them.”

TAXI CAB DRIVERS UPSET OVER CONDITION OF THEIR RESTROOMS AND HOLDING AREA AT NCP

By KEILE CAMPBELL

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

TAXI cab drivers operating at the Nassau Cruise Port expressed grievances with the conditions of the restrooms and holding area designated for taxicab drivers yesterday.

Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) Michael Pintard and several others met yesterday with representatives of the Nassau Cruise Port Taxi Committee to discuss their concerns. Nassau Cruise Port Taxi Committee chairman Hubert McIntosh said the holding area is too small for the number of taxicab drivers operating at the Port. He added that the area only has a few benches, no tables, and can only occupy “six or seven” people at a time. Last month, Mr

McIntosh accused the Nassau Cruise Port and the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union of having an “alliance” that left non-unionised drivers “disenfranchised”. He is concerned about the cruise port’s call-up system and how some drivers were penalised for alleged infractions. Philip Miller, who has worked as a taxi driver at Prince George Wharf for over 20 years, likened the port to a concentration camp, claiming drivers are not allowed to enter the grounds. “You have to fuss and carry on with the officers to use the bathrooms in the back here on the port,” he said. “If I want to use the bathroom here, I have to walk a mile and a half down to the entrance gate, walk all the way in the back here to use the bathroom in the port, which I

think is unnecessary.”

He voiced frustration over not having access to booths designated for taxi cab drivers near the back of the port, which he said was promised to them when the idea of the cruise port was originally proposed. For his part, BTCU general secretary Davinci Simms said union members are concerned about restrooms at the cruise port. He said the Port is acquiring the Kelly Dock parking lot, which has prevented the construction of bathroom facilities for taxi cab drivers.

He said a planned multi-storey parking facility will accommodate taxi drivers and Nassau Cruise Port employees and include a recreation room and bathroom facilities. He could not give a timeline for the construction of the facility.

FORMER PRISON COMMISSIONER CHARLES MURPHY

The Tribune Limited

Crime touches all of our society

THE latest victim of a murder in this country is one of the nation’s former lawmakers.

As The Tribune was going to press last night, a police alert came through about a man having been shot in the area of Gambier Village, who had succumbed on the scene.

That man was Don Saunders, the former MP for the Tall Pines constituency.

We live in a country where the threat of violence can strike any of us, no matter what our place in society.

Of course we knew this already.

After all, our current Prime Minister, Philip “Brave” Davis, was the victim of an armed robbery in his own home in 2013, when jewellery and money was taken from both Mr Davis, then Deputy Prime Minister, and his wife, Ann Marie.

The start of this year set off at record pace for murders. The rate has slowed in recent weeks, but here we are again with another murder, another victim, this time one that people across the country know.

The details are tragic. Mr Saunders’ son was due to compete in the Carifta swim team this weekend. At the scene last night was Archdeacon Keith Cartwright – who was a foster father to the young Mr Saunders.

Mr Saunders himself was active in society – a former president of the College of The Bahamas Alumna Association, a director of the Bahamas Humane Society, on the board of the Bridge Authority.

A father. A husband. Senior FNMs were quickly at the scene last night, while party leader Michael Pintard swiftly paid tribute, sending sympathies on behalf of his wife Berlice and himself to Mr Saunders’ family.

But, of course, we have seen time and time again murders of others, and we continue to be on course for another year of more than 100 murders if things carry on as they are.

Carrying on is something we should resist with every fibre of our being. Every murder is a tragedy. Every murder shows our failure to truly tackle crime.

Some days, it seems like criminals are becoming more brazen. This latest murder, for example, but also perhaps the armed robbery of a supermarket this week.

We are not yet close to a solution on crime. We also find ourselves in a situation where we go to and fro from party to party in politics with each administration changing course.

There is often talk about uniting in society to tackle crime. We could also do with uniting across political divides. Not just to catch Mr Saunders’ killer, but to be able to pick up the baton, one from another, as administrations change, and carry on with a coherent plan that all have agreed upon.

We send our condolences to the family of Mr Saunders. May he rest in peace.

Wilson may cost Davis election

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN A political landscape where accountability and transparency are paramount, the actions of individuals within key governmental positions carry substantial weight, not only on their shoulders, but also on the administration they serve. It is in this context that the concerns surrounding Simon Wilson, the Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, have become increasingly alarming and, in my opinion, necessitate urgent attention.

Mr Wilson’s approach to policy changes, characterised by an ad-hoc and seemingly unilateral decision-making process, has become a significant concern. This method, which often bypasses essential consultation with stakeholders and lacks a collaborative working mechanism, in my opinion poses a considerable risk. It impacts industries and individuals who bear the brunt of these policies without having a say or even prior notice. This modus operandi not only undermines the democratic principles of governance but also

significantly erodes trust in the current administration. The ramifications of Mr Wilson’s actions, in my opinion, extend beyond the immediate effects of the policies implemented. They have begun to serve as a major Achilles’ heel for the Davis administration, threatening its stability and prospects. It is crucial to understand that while the Financial Secretary himself is not on the ballot, the decisions he advances and the manner in which he conducts his office will inevitably reflect on the government as a whole. These decisions, if left unchecked, could culminate in a scenario akin to a death by a thousand cuts for the current administration, gradually eroding its support base and undermining its achievements.

The essence of governance lies in its ability to serve and protect the interests of its constituents. This objective cannot be fulfilled if key players within the government treat their roles as personal playgrounds, prioritising personal agendas over public good. It is imperative, therefore in my opinion that Mr Wilson be reined in. The

administration must ensure that its policies are developed and implemented through a process that is consultative, transparent, and accountable.

The upcoming election presents an opportunity for the Davis administration to reaffirm its commitment to these principles. It is a chance to demonstrate to the electorate that it values their input, prioritises their well-being, and is dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusivity and transparency in governance. Letting the current situation persist with Mr Wilson at the helm of the Ministry of Finance could, in my opinion, jeopardize this opportunity and, with it, the administration’s future.

I urge the Prime Minister and his administration to take immediate and decisive action to address this issue. The stakes are high, and the time for corrective measures is now.

The future of the Davis administration, and indeed its legacy, may very well depend on it.

The Tribune.

time that I conclude that that article would be the last, something of the scale now happens, prompting yet another. But is that a good thing, for some yes, others no?

I and many intellectualists on the subject sees the overarching authority the UNSC has too overwhelming, and not only that there is well-founded proof one were able to point too, that proves the body has lost its steam, its respect in the world, its bark, as having no bite, and I say this with the greatest respect and objectivity this frame is able to muster... and I do not take these remarks flippantly, it therefore at this time in the global arena is no time to sugarcoat the severities of the many wars currently being waged, exacting the lives of literally thousands of citizens of countries, whose only sin being that they refused to stand up, in the interim against vicious leaders, have now come home to roost.

But you know there were supposed to be a body of attrition, a place for solace, redress, but what have we seen, politics being played especially in the Ukraine/ Putin conflicts that said to be two years in, daily humans were being slaughtered, undeservingly and where all we have received from some of the larger more powerful countries, that they will not supply boots on the ground, preferably will send munition, but if truths be told, the bottomline, after it is all said and done, someone, armory manufacturers gets to replace those munition to the tune of billion of dollars, is how the facts seemed to read, I am sorry, money cannot be a replacement for the human lives? Father God is very upset with the lackadaisical posture, the lack of forcible authority by the leader whose mandate centred around global peace, but all the world has gotten is floweredly words from its head off (UNSC), many

may not want to hear it, but I and others can make the case that anytime authority is erupted, chaos flourishes, and when a body experiences perspicacious this lacking in insight, further emboldens the groups making good in the war arenas of civil obedience.

In conclusion, the discussion must be had, concerning the viability of that UNSC in New York, sooner than later. I count myself to be a reasonable man, and here is a question for the world to ponder: Is there not a war raging in Ukraine where hundreds of thousands of poorly armed citizens, or citizens with no military training were in a battle with the second most powerfulan army on the planet - the Russian Federation, is this not true? And according to International law and treaties signed by the Russian Federation, is it not true that an arrest warrant was issued for the arrests of the leaders of the Russian Federation? Now, accordingly, is it not true that the Chief leader of the Russian Federation has overall authority at the UNSC, if only for a time, is this not true?

Okay, legal minds globally have no problem in principle with that arrangement, but is this not politically palatable a pleasant taste, acceptable that to have greater International harmony that there be checks and balances within the UN Charter, that causes those members of the Council, who may be suspects in atrocities to be reeled in, per se, to be called to account, to have their day in court for their alleged transgressions?

After all there is the socalled-legal-assumption promulgated spread about that**No one is above the law, quote end quote? But

really, what does it truly mean, because the end result favours usually preferential treatment, is this

not to speak volumes, that the phraseology may be tainted, flawed?

In Father God’s Arena, He augments the need to have **Swift justice, because what it does is that it helps to put fear into people, desirous of committing crimes. But when a suspected person was let out on bail for an inordinate amount of time, re-offends, receives another go at bail, again re-offends, sends the wrong message to the people living on the edge, that perhaps they can do it, and continue to have their freedoms intact, as if they had done nothing wrong, is very wrong?

Editor, so if not the UNSC, who then is tasked with causing the offenders of the law and the deaths of countless citizens of Ukraine to face the music?

Not only there, but wherever in the world we have perpetrators committing mass murders of its very people, compatriots, no wonder there were so many leaders, tyrants, and mutilators of innocent members of the public, but something must be done quickly, as the criminals were becoming even more emboldened?

Father God has said that where the authorities mandated to quell, to cause criminals to remain incarcerated, has allowed them their freedoms to kill again, the blood of those people killed, will be on the hands of those with authority to stop it, quote end quote.

I do not know why Father God is having me to write down His very thoughts, but whatever His reason be, one advice to the receivers. Please apply the same seriousness that He has released.

And does mean that He, God, is angry about whatever were the remarks.

Lord, Your Words have gone forth with great power authority, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, and ever, hallelujah, amen.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, March 22, 2024.

CHIEF Superintendent Skippings with Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, the foster father of Don Saunders, at the scene of the former FNM MP’s murder last night. Photo: Dante Carrer

Cafe Matisse opens today with same chef and staff

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CAFÉ Matisse, the popular Italian restaurant in Nassau that closed last August, is reopening today under new management but with the original staff and chefs. The restaurant’s returning manager, Allen Williams, said the RistoQueen Group now owns the eatery. “We didn’t change anything,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “We have the exact same menu, we retained all the staff so customers are going to expect the exact same thing they left when we closed.” After nearly three

decades, the restaurant’s previous owners, Greg and Gabriella Curry, retired and shut down on August 26, 2023. The restaurant draws its name from the famous French painter Henri Matisse and specializes in Italian food. Mr Williams said the restaurant will have its previous hours and days

Child killer says prison conditions too harsh

Justice Renae McKay heard Goodman’s submissions as he sought relief from what he claims are inhumane living conditions.

In August 2013, Goodman, also known as Edwardo Ferguson, was convicted of murdering 11-year-old Marco Archer in 2011. His conviction was set aside on appeal, and a retrial was ordered. He was again convicted on May 30, 2017, and was sentenced to 55 years. Archer’s nude body was found near Goodman’s home a week after the child was reported missing by his family. Goodman represented himself during yesterday’s proceedings. After the proceedings, he was escorted from the courtroom with a smile on his face. He will remain incarcerated at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until he returns to court for Justice McKay’s decision on May 24. He is representing himself. from page one

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was remanded in custody yesterday after he was accused of sexually

assaulting a 22-year-old woman earlier this month. Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Daryo Fox, aka “Daryo Lockhart”, with rape. Fox allegedly raped a woman in New Providence

of operation: Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch served from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm. He said the restaurant will now also be open on holidays, starting with Good Friday. “People been driving me crazy, calling and texting reservation to my phone, even from last month,” he said. “People so excited this restaurant is opening. I had to keep telling them that we are not ready yet.”

on March 15.

MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OF WOMAN MAN GETS FIVE YEARS JAIL ON GUN POSSESSION

BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 19-YEAR-OLD was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday after he admitted to having a banned gun and over 50 rounds of ammunition in his Kemp Road house last week. Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Geonourdo Phillippe with possession of a prohibited weapon and two counts of possession of ammunition with intent to supply. Phillippe faced additional charges of possession of an unlicenced firearm, two counts of possession of a component part of a firearm and two counts of possession of dangerous drugs. Police reportedly found a banned black .40 Austria Glock pistol and a black Austria Glock 19 9mm pistol in Philippe’s residence at 7pm on March 21. Authorities further seized

Fox was told that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). His VBI is due for release on June 26.

a .40 extended magazine, a .40 magazine, 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 28 rounds of .40 ammunition. Phillippe also allegedly had 3 5/8oz and 4 1/8oz of marijuana.

After pleading guilty to all eight charges, the defendant was sentenced to five years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for the gun charges. He must pay a fine of $1,000 for the drug charges or risk an additional six months in prison.

MAN GRANTED BAIL ON SHOPBREAKING CHARGES

A MAN

His trial begins on June 2.

Ten employees were affected by the restaurant’s closure last year. However, Mr Williams said everyone is eager to serve new and returning guests, adding that eventually, the menu will change but continue to feature fan favourites.

“The customers, when they come here, are going to see the same faces they left when they used to come,” he said, adding that the soft relaunch is today with a bigger opening in the works.

CAFE Matisse ready to open today under new management but with the same staff and chef.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Conversion is at the heart of Easter

CONVERSION is at the heart of the Easter miracle. In the revelation of Jesus Christ, human existence, including death, is transformed.

At Easter, we celebrate the power of divine love and light to penetrate the darkness that seeks to obstruct and to destroy the gift and plentitude of life. Pride is one of the deadliest barriers to conversion, resurrection, and new life.

The deadliest of sins, to which we are all heir, comes in many colourful and ingenious costumes and surprises, sometimes with brilliant plumage and studied conceit. Unlike lust and other deadly sins or dispositions, which are typically more obvious and less subtle, pride is sometimes disguised as virtuous, high achieving, upstanding, an adornment to brandish with fanfare like a great honour. Some forms of self-sufficiency, independence, and resistance to accept needed help, are degrees of pride.

There is a series of commercials on television, one of which includes a man in a gym, who cannot lift the weights off his chest. When offered help, he refuses,

stating, “You don’t know my family!” Translation: “We don’t go to therapy, we have to pretend to be strong!” The deadliest sin: pride! None of us is wise, strong, or insightful enough to carry life’s burdens alone. Pride often renders us afraid to be open enough to disclose our deepest sins and failures, our daily struggles, and chronic spiritual and psychological wounds and pain, which tend to worsen as we age.

Our interior lives can become like undrained septic tanks, growing more

toxic and filled with stench, which we transmit to others.

Imagine a septic tank never drained, or teeth never brushed, or a wound never cauterized, bound and healed, or a body never washed. Our spiritual and inner lives can become as calcified, as sick and as dysfunctional.

It is essential to human growth and recovery to have genuine witnesses to our lives, who know the fuller reality of who we are, and who may help us to heal and to restore our better selves, loving us mercifully to new life.

Especially as we age, and grow closer to death, we may still summon the courage to bear more of our souls and wounds with others, who may help to unburden habits of the heart and mind which remain unhealed and which paralyze and pain us still, no matter our age or state of life.

The moral life usually requires second, third and fourth attempts, and more.

The wooden puppet is slowly, painstakingly transformed into flesh and blood, born again and again.

Mercy in Christianity.

In imitation of the Easter wonder, to whom shall we propose the gift of mercy, and how might the gift of another’s mercy move us that farther along our path of conversion?

Jesus soothes the feet of apostle companions whom he knows will deny, betray and abandon him during his darkest nights of a soul tempted to hopelessness, to despair and to self-pity.

Pope John Paul I, Albino Luciani, was a devoted reader of his fellow Italian, Carlos Collodi’s 1883 novel Pinocchio. A copy of this tale of fall and redemption reportedly accompanied the late pontiff throughout his adult life.

a carnival of deadly sins and bad habits, as do many of us.

Just as the world of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is mostly grimy and severe, the world of Collodi’s Pinocchio is more desperate than Disney’s version. The original story has “dark undercurrents”. Pinocchio and his woodcarver creator-father Geppetto, “live in abject poverty and are frequently placed in life-threatening situations.” Pinocchio, feverishly fabricating lies to cover his tracks and perfume his noxious behaviour, skips school, runs off to Pleasure Island, and is turned into a donkey because of his sloth. As a human jackass, he indulges

Pinocchio is a moral tale, a story of conversion, of a conscience shaken and challenged through personal struggle and the mercy of others, a soul in moral flux, tending between a desire for goodness and the seductions of self-indulgence and selfishness.

The wooden puppet is slowly, painstakingly transformed into flesh and blood, born again and again. Early in the tale, the Blue Fairy turns Pinocchio from an inanimate puppet into a living, yet still wooden puppet. She indicates that for him to become a “real, live boy” will require conversion.

Pinocchio takes the form of wood, animal, and finally human flesh and blood, representing his deepening conversion to new habits, more fundamental desires, richer relationships and greater personal integrity.

We are all Pinocchio, struggling, each of us, to live lives of deeper purpose. If we are fortunate, like him, we have companions on the journey whose forgiveness and love make us more fully human and whose mercy helps to make possible our ongoing conversion from deadly sins into life-giving habits.

Pinocchio is blessed with Geppetto, who sacrifices to protect his son; blessed with the compassion of the Blue Fairy; and blessed with the companionship of the Talking Cricket named Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s Pinocchio.

Pinocchio experiences the forgiveness that flows from love. It is the gift of kin like Geppetto and kith like Jiminy Cricket, reminding us that nothing can separate us from their love and the possibility of reconciliation.

Mercy is an invitation and doorway to conversion.

Fr James Keenan, SJ, insists that mercy is the willingness to enter into the chaos of another’s life. The acceptance of such a gift allows another to enter into the shame, shadows, insecurities, blunders, wonders, aspirations and joys of our blessed chaos.

Easter is the joy of mercy, commemorating God’s entrance into and redemption of the chaos of human being and existence. The Passion of Christ is the summit revelation of Divine

Peter denies him, yet is reconciled through the gift of forgiveness, which Judas supposes himself incapable of receiving or accepting because of his betrayal. Pride is often the deadliest of the classic seven, because we are bewilderingly unaware of its chameleon wiles.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus responds to the cry of forgiveness from one of the criminals crucified alongside him: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” In the midst of his personal suffering, Jesus responds, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The man next to Jesus at his crucifixion is named Dismas, a condemned man at the edge of his existence and tempted by despair. Even during one of the darkest moments in his, as well as in human history, Jesus supplanted fear with hope.

He brought salvation to a criminal stripped of everything. The light and liberating power of Christ redeemed Dismas. Easter reminds us that this same light and love is manifest and have the power the darkness in which we might dwell.

The ability to see, touch and sense this light often requires conversion and openness to light in the midst of the blindness that enfeebles our spirits and shutters our hearts and eyes wide shut.

We need others to see ourselves. We can all be defensive and insecure when others point out our mistakes or errors. However, we should be grateful when those who love us seek to help us to grow and to see truer selves, helping us to eschew the pride and arrogance which serve as blinders.

It is difficult and at times impossible to see, to imagine, to wonder, in both senses, when surrounded by darkness.

The darkness that engulfs, depresses and paralyses the human soul often provokes a profound blindness that makes us incapable of seeing what is directly before our blinkered eyes, whether shuttered or partially opened.

The invitation of Easter is that of profound conversion, a gift in the resurrection of the Christ whose love and mercy remains the Light of the World. Blessed Easter.

Liberals not getting things both ways

IT’S been a tough period in Washington, DC, for Democrats and liberals to have things both ways.

Three very recent developments show why.

The Washington Post is certainly a bastion of liberal thought. Though the newspaper counts among its numerous columnists the relatively conservative George F Will and Hugh Hewitt, and regularly boasts of its ideological and political fairness and impartiality, no one misunderstands the Post’s basic views.

The newspaper, whose masthead slogan is “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” is a Democratsupporting powerhouse, no matter what some members of its editorial staff might opine.

On Tuesday, in the wake of a New York City judge’s decision to reduce a civil fine levied against Donald Trump from nearly $500 million to $175 million after appeals by his attorneys, the Post’s editorial writers faced a dilemma. They chose to be consistent with their fair and balanced mantra.

“No matter how much one disapproves of Mr. Trump, or wishes that his presidential ambitions fail, every defendant deserves due process, including recourse to appeal,” their lead editorial stated. “That is true even with former presidents who are as unpopular in a particular jurisdiction as Mr. Trump is

STATESIDE

in New York — and even in civil cases such as the one in question. Judges and juries err. Seeking appeal should not be effectively impossible, or expensive to the point of imposing vast and irreparable harm.

“Mr. Trump might eventually be forced to pay the full judgment. In the meantime, allowing him to exhaust his legal options without pushing him toward bankruptcy is the fair and correct outcome

Romney’s niece, was installed as RNC leader soon after Trump won the presidency eight years ago. She often found herself pulled in different directions by Trump and his followers on one hand, and more traditional GOP politicians such as Senate leader Mitch McConnell on the other.

But she did offer support for Trump’s various fantasies about how and why he managed to lose the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. This loyalty to Trump was repaid in his customary fashion: McDaniel was mocked by Trump this week.

“Wow! Ronna McDaniel got fired by Fake News NBC,” Trump trumpeted on line. “She only lasted two days, and this after McDaniel went out of her way to say what they wanted to hear.” Trump had replaced McDaniel last week with two more devoted loyalists, one of whom is his daughter in law. McDaniel’s support for some of Trump’s claims about the 2020 election that was the articulated cause for a wave of protest from McDaniel’s would-be colleagues among the NBC and MSNBC talk show hosts.

— as it would be for any other American in the same situation.”

That’s certainly highminded. But the Post fails in its last clause, because a “fair and correct outcome” would hardly be available to the vast majority of Americans who could not afford the stupendous legal bills racked up by Trump as he defends numerous civil and criminal charges against him.

And you can be absolutely certain that Trump will exhibit no grace whatsoever in his response.

Trump’s campaign will doubtless seize upon the Post’s attempt to be fair as it defends the candidate and Trump himself doubles down on his claims of government-sponsored persecution. Republicans often deride the Post and New York Times, branding them as part of a wide network of American liberal conspiracy. But they also eagerly and consistently quote the two newspapers whenever their editorial views support conservative causes or politicians.

That’s because most voters actually trust these two newspapers.

“To be clear, we believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices to provide balance in their election coverage,” co-host Mika Brzezinski said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday. “But it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier.”

In extensive news coverage of McDaniel’s hiring, one long-time GOP consultant told the Post that “the networks have really struggled to find Trump loyalists to consistently come on air. To be good at political commentary, you have to be a serious person. You can’t just be a conspiracy monger and succeed as a pundit. The networks have tried to find serious people coming out of Trump world and have not found many.”

Nicole Wallace, a veteran of the George W Bush White House who has hosted an MSNBC afternoon show for several years, complained that “NBC News is, either wittingly or unwittingly, teaching election deniers that what they can do

political allegiance to and stood squarely behind Israel.

But the president probably misjudged the political fallout of such a course – for several months, in fact. Hamas with its brutal sucker punch at Israel may have hoped to create exactly the change in world opinion that the Israeli reaction seems to have achieved.

Israel’s massive response seems to most people to have been a dramatic overreaction. World opinion as evidenced by UN cease-fire votes and other declarations is running strongly against Israel and its stubbornly militaristic prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu’s seemingly anachronistic, resolutely hard-line response has turned public opinion against Israel and toward the indigent, largely helpless population of Gaza which finds itself an apparently innocent pawn in a power struggle between nihilistic militant Hamas on one side and a determined “Zionist” despot in Tel Aviv on the other.

Underlining this ongoing humanitarian tragedy is the fact that many militants actually do want to exterminate the state of Israel, so when Netanyahu justifies his inhumane assault to eliminate Hamas, the existential rhetoric on both sides is at least partially based on reality.

Biden is head of government in a nation with roughly half of the world’s Jews, but also with a growing Muslim population that happens to be concentrated in the key 2024 election swing state of Michigan. An estimated 100,000 Michigan Democrats cast empty ballots in that state’s recent presidential primary election in protest of Biden’s political tightrope act. Biden may be forced off the fence soon. The most powerful Jew in American politics, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer of New York, recently called for Netanyahu’s resignation to promote some kind of cease fire and peaceful resolution of the current conflagration. Schumer said he thinks Israelis understand “better than anybody that Israel cannot hope to succeed as a pariah opposed by the rest of the world” and would choose better leaders if elections were held now. “I believe that holding a new election once the war starts to wind down would give Israelis an opportunity to express their vision for the postwar future,” Schumer declared.

Then the US abstained -- instead of vetoing -- a UN resolution calling for a cease fire, but with no concomitant demand for release of hostages. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, and Netanyahu reacted. He said the US “abandoned its policy in the UN today. This is a clear departure from the US position.”

Over the weekend, NBC news, widely regarded as the most left-leaning of the big three legacy TV networks including ABC and CBS, announced that it had hired recently deposed Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid commentator. Then, in response to general outrage from their own stars, the network reversed course and dismissed her on Tuesday. McDaniel, who is, ironically, Utah Senator and staunch Trump critic Mitt

stretches well beyond doing interviews on our air. Maybe they can also peddle lies about the sanctity and integrity of our elections.”

Holding on to principle and trying to simultaneously have it both ways also ensnared Biden this week.

Ever since Palestinianrooted Hamas launched a surprise October 7 attack on southern Israel that resulted in 1,139 Israeli casualties and the loss of 240 hostages, Biden has pretty steadfastly adhered to his personal long-time

Netanyahu also abruptly cancelled a high-level Israeli delegation’s trip to Washington that Biden had personally requested last week to discuss US concerns about Israel’s plans for a major military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

One long-time observer of US-Israeli relations told reporters that “Biden tried for months to avoid a big public fight. Abstaining on the UN vote reflects a very serious shift by the White House’s on how to manage the Israelis throughout the rest of this war.”

And neither side is likely to win this intensifying political game of chicken.

with Charlie Harper

FORMER President Donald Trump arrives for a press conference at 40 Wall Street after a pre-trial hearing at Manhattan criminal court, Monday, in New York.

Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, United States Ambassador and Representative to the United Nations, holds to abstain her vote as the United Nations Security Council passed a cease-fire resolution in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, its first demand to halt fighting at UN headquarters, Monday.

Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP

Bell: Fixed penalties being considered for derelict cars left in public spaces

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

HOUSING and Urban Renewal Minister Keith Bell said people might soon incur fixed penalties for abandoning their cars in public spaces. He said a recommendation has also been made to Cabinet to impose a fee on motorists who want to recover their cars removed by the government.

His comments came after about 20 derelict vehicles were removed from the Southern Heights Golden Gates Park in partnership with the Department of Environment yesterday, the latest in the government’s wideranging effort to rid New Providence of derelict cars.

Launa Williams, acting director of the Environmental Health Service, said her department has removed almost 300 derelict vehicles throughout the island since January.

When reporters visited Southern Heights park yesterday, they found over a dozen broken-down cars, jeeps, and trucks, though some vehicles were in decent condition.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Nathalie Ranger, the officer in charge of Urban Renewal in Carmichael, said a car mechanic is responsible for littering the park with vehicles. She said the park initially had 29 derelict cars, but the mechanic removed some on Tuesday after learning about the government’s operation.

“Just as when you run the light or you violate a traffic law you’re the

subject of fixed penalty, all of the environmental provisions need to be the subject of a fixed penalty, so we don’t have to invoke the court process,” Mr Bell said. “It’s quick, fast, simple, and you just get fined on the spot.”

Ms Williams said owners can retrieve derelict vehicles that are in decent condition within 14 days.

“They can come, and they can bring the proper identification to the department to say that the vehicle belongs to them,” she said. “We will then release the vehicles to them if it is roadworthy.

Other than that, we will proceed with our process of taking it to the landfill where we do have a facility there that will have your cars crushed, and they will be transported out of the country.”

Mr Bell said he expects the government to introduce a significant fee to retrieve derelict vehicles in the next budget cycle.

Minister of Environment Vaughn Miller encouraged residents to contact his department if they see derelict vehicles.

For his part, State Minister for the Environment Zane Lightbourne noted that removing vehicles will help the crime fight given that criminals sometimes hide weapons and drugs in abandoned vehicles.

Golden Gates resident Debbie Humes said the derelict vehicles had been a vexing issue for the community, adding that the constituency has many vacant properties in which people litter at night. Officials will remove derelict vehicles on Gladstone Road, Victoria Gardens, next.

MINISTER of Housing and Urban Renewal Keith Bell speaks to reporters during a press event to promote an Urban Renewal initiative to remove derelict vehicles yesterday. Photos: Dante Carrer

CARIFTA veterans and first-timers are ready

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas’ 77-member CARIFTA contingent commuted to St George’s, Grenada this morning after the completion of their final practice yesterday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium. Before making their journey, ahead of the 51st

CARIFTA Games to be hosted at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium, CARIFTA newcomers and veteran performers shared their expectations for the three-day meet. Veterans Carlos Brown Jr will be making his third CARIFTA Games appearance this weekend in Grenada. Brown claimed two silver medals last year at the 50th OakTree Medical

CARIFTA Games. This time around he will be competing at his final CARIFTA and is aiming to make his last ride one to remember. The 18-yearold is scheduled to compete in the under-20 boys 100m and owns a personal best of 10.37 seconds in the event. He expressed the desire to surpass new milestones in his last hurrah. “My confidence level is at a thousand and I am expecting to

do great things. Going into the meet I expect to win the gold, run a new personal best and break The Bahamas under 20 boys’ junior record,” he said. After competing at the junior regional meet on multiple occasions, Brown described how it feels to represent The Bahamas each time. “It feels really great. It is like a dream come true every time I have the Bahamian colours on

display. Words cannot even explain it,” he said.

Nya Wright, who attends St Augustine’s College, will represent The Bahamas in the under-20 girls’ 200m event and 4x100m relays.

Wright struggled with hamstring issues throughout the season but that did not stop her from posting a personal best of 24.15 seconds at the CARIFTA Trials. Following her bronze medal performance in the

4x400m finals last year, she is hoping to experience success once again. “My expectation is to bring home a medal and to finally run sub-24. I was battling a hamstring injury all season so I only ran four or five times in all of the meets so I am just hoping to stay healthy and for nothing bad to happen in my race,” she said.

Roadrunners make track and field team

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Last year’s 80-member CARIFTA team featured three Roadrunners athletes which included long distance runner Akaree Roberts and Tamia Taylor. Both ladies will return to Team Bahamas along with CARIFTA first-timer Jasmine Thompson to compete at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium for the three-day junior regional event. Roberts, who attends Queen’s College, is no stranger to the CARIFTA team and will be competing in the under-20 girls’ 800m and 1500m distance events. She was grateful to be selected to the team for a second time and wants to improve on her personal best of 2:14.66 in the 800m event. “It feels good and I am very proud of myself. I am just hoping to PR and make a better time than I ran before. I am also glad to be on the team with two of my club mates,” she said. Joining Roberts in Grenada will be Taylor who is also competing on her second CARIFTA Team.

The St John’s College twelfth grader is a part of The Bahamas’ relay pool. She currently owns a personal best of 56.61 seconds in the under-20 girls’ 400m event and is excited to represent the country over the Easter weekend. “My expectation is just to go out there and do my best and PR in my event. It feels great to be back. My excitement level is skyhigh because I have done it before so now that I am back I know that I can do it again,” she said.

“It feels awesome knowing that I could represent my country and track club proudly,” she added. Out of the three athletes Thompson is the only one making her CARIFTA debut. Despite being a CARIFTA first-timer, she is confident in her ability to secure a top three podium position. She qualified for the under-17 girls 400m hurdles event at the CARIFTA Trials with a time of 1:03.66. “It feels good as it is my first time to get the experience of running

for the national team. My expectation is to make the top three on the podium,” the hurdler said.

Bodie was extremely happy to see a long season of hard work pay off for Roberts, Taylor and Thompson. He thanked assistant coaches Krysten Black, Edvania Missick and Shawn Lockhart for training tirelessly with the athletes leading up to the CARIFTA Trials. “It feels good, determination and hard work pays

off. I just want to thank my coaches for putting in the time with these athletes and for working day in and day out with them. They have worked for it, they fought and left it all out on the track and this is the end result - making the CARIFTA national team,” he said.

As for Thompson, Bodie was pleased to see her make the CARIFTA cut after qualifying twice this season and performing well at the CARIFTA Trials. “We had to build up her mindset to

be mentally strong and had to remind her that this is the big dance and you have to want it.

“She went out there and she did it and qualified twice in one year.

“We know that she can run faster and she will run faster,” he said.

The Roadrunners president and head coach gave the athletes his final blessing before their departure to Grenada this morning and is hopeful that they will return home with some medals.

THE Bahamas Football Association is excited to announce that the Bahamas women’s national soccer team has embarked on their journey to the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup, set to unfold March 28-30 at Estádio de la Costa del Sol. This year’s competition sees the team stepping onto the international stage with high hopes and a remarkable 12th position in the global rankings, underlining their growing stature in international beach soccer. In preparation for their matches against some of the sport’s top teams, including hosts El Salvador, the reigning champions USA, and England, the team has undergone rigorous training. The selected squad, chosen for their talent, dedication, and commitment to the sport, promises

GRENADA BOUND: Roadrunners president and head coach Dexter Bodie alongside CARIFTA team members Akaree Roberts, Jasmine Thompson (left) and Tamia Taylor (right) at the team’s first practice on Monday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

THE Bahamas women’s national soccer team will represent The Bahamas in the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup, set to unfold March 28-30 at Estádio de la Costa del Sol.

Champions lift trophies at the Fidelity Spring Classic

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

IT was a busy few days for juniors at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) for the 2024 Fidelity Spring Classic Tournament but champions finally got the chance to bask in glory on Monday and Tuesday as the competition concluded.

A total of 71 matches were played since last week Friday and juniors were crowned in the U12, U14, U16 and U18 divisions by members of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA).

Winning one trophy is hard and winning two is even harder but Briana Houlgrave managed to emerge as a double crown victor, taking the hardware for the U14 and U16 girls’ divisions. Houlgrave completed the upset win in a threeset thriller versus the first ranked Tatyana Madu in the U16 category. Last year, the ladies went head-to-head in the U14 age group which resulted in a victory for Madu. However, this time around Houlgrave got the last laugh. She was outmatched in the first set and lost 0-6. The double crown champion then regained her footing to trump Madu 6-4 in the following set.

In the tiebreak set, Houlgrave pulled away on the scoreboard 10-6 to seal the deal on the U16 girls win.

After finishing as a runner-up in 2023, Houlgrave hauled away the title one year later in the U14 girls’ division. She once again

knocked off a number one seed in the form of Caitlyn Pratt this time in straight sets 6-0,6-0.

It is not everyday that you face your younger sibling en route to a championship win but for Jackson Mactaggart it has almost become commonplace. The friendly sibling rivalry came to a head for a second straight year in the U16 category.

The older Mactaggart brother comfortably defeated his younger sibling and number one seed in consecutive sets 6-0, 6-1 to win one of his two titles in the tourney.

Mactaggart also bested Exuma’s Isaiah Cambridge 6-0, 6-0 to make room for his second trophy of the Spring Classic tournament in the U18 boys’ division. Although P Mactaggart came up short against his brother in the U16 division, he did not leave the tournament empty-handed.

He defended his title in the U14 category by earning a 6-0,6-2 victory over third ranked Ayai Bethel. Jalisa Clarke, who hails from Grand Bahama, experienced some pushback from fellow Grand Bahama native Madu in the U18 girls category.

Nonetheless, she validated her number one seed by outlasting the former Spring Classic champion 6-3, 6-4. Marina Bostwick and Kingston Rees came out atop of the U12 girls and boys’ divisions respectively. Bostwick had a tough battle against Victoria Sandi-Aguilar, who pushed her to the brink with three

sets. The number one seeded player won set one 6-3 but lost her footing and fell 1-6 in set two. She narrowly edged out the win in the tiebreak set 11-9 to hoist the title. Rees eliminated Max Shick in straight sets 6-3,

6-2 to leave the tournament as a champion. The BLTA congratulated all winners, runners-up and participants from Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and New Providence. They also extended a thanks to Fidelity Bank

Bahamas Limited for partnering with them and giving back to the country through sports.

Next up for tennis will be the BD Global Junior Classic (12U & 14U) hosted by the Abaco Tennis Association on April 9.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)

— Rookie Brandon Miller made a career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 31 points, and Charlotte beat Cleveland 118-111 last night to avenge a 23-point loss earlier in the week.

Miles Bridges and Tre Mann added 17 points and Grant Williams had 16 for the Hornets, who shot 58% from the field to snap a fivegame losing streak. Vasa Micic had 11 points and 12 assists, and Nick Richards added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

WARRIORS 101, MAGIC 93

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)

— Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points, Stephen Curry made the final two baskets of the game on an off shooting night and Golden State overcame Draymond Green’s early ejection to beat Orlando. Green, who missed 16 games after being suspended by the NBA in December, was ejected 3:36 in for disputing a foul call on Wiggins. It was Green’s fourth ejection of the season.

NETS 122, WIZARDS 119, OT

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Cam Thomas scored 38 points, including a pair of jumpers in overtime, and Brooklyn held off Washington, snapping the Wizards’ modest three-game winning streak. Jordan Poole scored a season-high 38 points for Washington, but he missed a 3-pointer that could have tied the game late in overtime.

HAWKS 120, TRAIL BLAZERS 106

ATLANTA (AP) — Dejounte Murray had 30 points and seven assists and Atlanta won their third in a row and handed Portland its eighth straight loss. The Hawks won their third straight game and maintained a hold on 10th place in the Eastern Conference. The Trail Blazers lost their eighth in a row.

CLIPPERS 108, 76ERS 107

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kawhi Leonard completed two 3-point plays late in the game then made a block at the rim on the final possession to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a win over Philadelphia.

Paul George had 22 points for Los Angeles while Leonard added 17. James Harden, in his return to Wells Fargo Center, had 16 points and 14 assists for the Clippers, who had lost six of nine.

KNICKS 145, RAPTORS 101

TORONTO (AP) — Miles McBride scored 29 points, Jalen Brunson had 26 and New York never trailed in a win over slumping Toronto, New York’s biggest margin of victory this season.

Precious Achiuwa had 19 points and 12 rebounds against his former team as the Knicks won for the seventh time in eight games, set a season-high for points and swept the four-game season series with Toronto.

CARIFTA VETERANS, FIRST-TIMERS ARE READY FOR THE GAMES

FROM PAGE 12

after

a silver medal

“I expect to PR in the majority of the events I am doing and hopefully to come out with a medal,” he said. He added that he is confident in the work put in and wants to put on a good performance in Grenada.

“This year especially I feel as though there is a lack of nerves because I am confident in the training that I put on in the offseason and I am ready to show up and show out,” the 6-foot-4 athlete said.

4x400m relays last year, he is more motivated than ever. Shepherd will be competing in the under-20 boys’ 400m as well as the 4x400m relays. He clocked 47.19 seconds to make the team and is now on the hunt for gold. “I have been looking forward to this. My expectations are to come out with the gold medal, make my mommy proud and do my best,” he said. He continued to say that it felt great to see other athletes from Grand Bahama make the 77-member team. “It feels good to know that more of my people from Grand Bahama are trying harder to make

these teams and it feels good to know we are doing our best,” the quartermiler said.

CARIFTA

Debuts Grand Bahama native Keyezra Thomas displayed her prowess all season long and is now determined to make her mark in the under-17 girls 200m, 400m and high jump events.

After not making the team last year due to age, Thomas has a busy weekend ahead of her but intends to take it up a notch in Grenada.

“I am very excited. I am expecting to do well because I have put in the work and stayed focused.

“I am expecting to at least medal top three and to do exactly what I have been doing over here but better,” she said.

Her personal best times are 24.37 seconds and 55.16 seconds in 200m and 400m events respectively.

Additionally, she soared to 1.66m in the high jump at the CARIFTA Trials to qualify.

Kaielle Gray, who also resides in Grand Bahama and attends Jack Hayward High School, was thrilled to finally make her first CARIFTA team after coming up short last year.

“It feels really good and I am extra excited because last year I fell short by a little bit.

“This year since I trained hard and put in the work, everything was possible,” she said.

Her mindset going into under-20 girls’ high jump is to put her hard work on display while trusting in God.

She owns a personal best of 1.60m in the field event. Grand Bahama native Shania Adderley wants to do her part to lead the under-20 girls’ 4x400m relay team to victory in her first CARIFTA appearance.

“I am very excited to compete and meet the different countries to see where they are at and what their training has done for them. My game plan is to come through, do my part and make sure my team at least goes home with a medal,” she said.

With a versatile team that includes first-timers and veterans hailing from New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands, The Bahamas will be expecting a grand showing from this 77-member team.

BULLS 125, PACERS 99

CHICAGO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points and Nikola Vucevic added 22 with 12 rebounds to lead Chicago past Indiana to snap a three-game skid. Coby White had 18 points to help Chicago take the season series from Indiana 3-1.

LAKERS 136, GRIZZLIES 124

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

— LeBron James had a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, Rui Hachimura scored 32 points and the Los

Queen’s College Comet Kenny Moxey Jr will be competing for his third CARIFTA Team in the under-20 boys’ octathlon. Moxey is hoping to post personal bests in all eight of his events this upcoming weekend.

Grand Bahama’s Zion Shepherd has been selected to his third CARIFTA team and,

achieving

in

CARIFTA Committee Members Cache Armbrister, Christine Wallace-pWhiteifled and Zoe Gibson-Boiwleg are pictured receiving the Silver Sponsorship ($10,000) from McQuella Fernander, Operations Manager, and Katherine Nelson, Director of Operations. Photo: Unseen Media

Athletes of the Month

Devynne Charlton and Terrence Jones excel in March

WORLD indoor record

holder Devynne Charlton and NCAA indoor champion Terrence Jones turned heads in March to be named the Tribune Athletes of the Month. The Tribune Sports Section will recognise the efforts of athletes across all sporting disciplines and award a male and female candidate at the end of each respective month, culminating with athlete of the year.

Throughout the month Bahamians have delivered brilliant performances but Charlton and Jones were a cut above the rest earning them this latest distinction.

Devynne CharltonFemale Winner

The Tribune has selected a female Athlete of the Month on three separate occasions and all have belonged to the undisputed world indoor record holder of the women’s 60m hurdles. It would be an understatement to say Charlton had a remarkable indoor season not only by her standards but by the world’s standards.

Last month was great for the top hurdler but March was even better as she left the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland with the 60mH gold medal and as the sole record holder in the event. The 28-year-old stepped onto the track at the Emirates Arena with momentum in her favour and capitalised on it by clocking 7.65 seconds to claim her first global medal. Leading up to an impressive finals performance,

The national record holder was celebrated by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and her alma mater St Augustine’s College at home and is now looking to make her mark in the outdoor season.

Terrence Jones - Male

Winner

Charlton advanced out of the opening round with a time of 7.93 seconds. She then stopped the clock at 7.72 seconds in the semifinals.

The gold medal performance by the world indoor champion placed The Bahamas in a seven-way tie for ninth place on the medal chart to wrap up the competition.

Jones made sure to double up on the victories at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division

1 Indoor Championships in Boston, Massachusetts earlier in March. The sprint specialist successfully defended his NCAA 60m indoor title to become the first Texas Tech Red Raiders since 2015-16 to achieve this feat. He ran a time of 6.54 seconds to retain his crown. The Grand Bahama native then crossed the finish line in 20.23 seconds for first place in the 200m event. He was 0.02 seconds

shy of dipping under his personal best of 20.21 seconds set on February 24.

The time was also a facility record as

Mingoes can’t hold off TMT Giants in NPBA playoffs

DESPITE leading for most of the first quarter, The University of The Bahamas men’s basketball team dropped to The TMT Giant 96-62 in the first game of the best-of-three New Providence Basketball Association’s division one playoff series Monday at The Kendal Isaacs Gym. Javez Martin led The Mingoes with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Delano Armbrister put up 11 points and Theodore Grant had eight steals and eight assists as well. The Giants had six players in double figures: Daniel Hall with 18, Ujamma Johnson with 17, Donovan Dean with 14, Christophe Johnson with 11 along with Rashad Sturrup and Deshaun Saunders each with 10 points.

The Mingoes stayed close in the first quarter and led the game by as much as six points early on at 18-12 with 2:10 left in the period. The Mingoes fell apart in the second quarter—scoring only eight points—while The Giant had a 12-0 run to end the half with The Giants up 49-30. The Giants went on a 16-3 run to end the third quarter with the 77-46.

In the fourth quarter, the depleted Mingoes just did not have the legs to mount a run.

The Giants won 96-62.

“We were really shorthanded tonight,” head coach Bacchus Rolle said.

“Erquantae Edgecombe and Dremiko McIntosh are done for the season with injuries and we let the game get away from us. We

BGDSA: PLANS TO GET HALL OF FAME INDUCTION STARTED

WHILE they have officially gotten their season underway, Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association president Dwayne Stevens said he would like to initiate one last event before he demits office.

Stevens, who is currently serving the last year of his second term in office, said they plan to get the Hall of Fame Induction started.

During the official opening of the season recently at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex as awards were given out for the past 2022 and 2023 seasons, Stevens revealed that veteran softball player Dencil ‘Joe Black’ Clarke will head the list of inductees to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. The recommendations came from a committee convened for the sole purpose of selecting suitable persons. They also selected Akel Clarke, Harold Fernander, David Duncombe, Roger Demeritte, Rozia Taylor, Rodney ‘Skeeter’ Lloyd, Andrea Rolle, Marge Stuart and Colin Knowles.

However, as the president, Stevens said he will usurp their authority and add committee members Burkett Dorsett, Godfrey Burnside, Brad Smith and Thora Sweeting to the list.

“These persons have been in the BGDSA from its inception and they have provided exemplary service to the sport,” Stevens said. “We can’t include

everybody in the first one because there will be other classes to follow, but we will certainly add these persons mentioned.”

As for Clarke, a longtime member of the perennial men’s champions Royal Bahamas Defence Force Floaters and now an ordained Reverend, the recognition is something that he will cherish.

“I am just pleased to know that they have found the time to honour me in this way,” the soft-spoken Clarke said. “I never really expected this, but I’m truly grateful to God that I had the opportunity to play in the league and at a high level for so long.”

Also during the ceremonies, the trophies were presented to the past two season winners and runners up. The champions also collected their rings. A number of persons were honoured during the opening ceremonies, including Kelly Smith, Shavonne Dames, Celeste Williams, Lyrone Burrows and the family of Michael Dames.

According to Stevens. the BGDSA will also honour the following for their contributions to the BGDSA: Prince Rolle, Bold-

kept it as close as we could have but we got into foul problems and it just wasn’t there for us.”

MEMBERS of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force receive their award from the BGDSA.

THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Invaders receive their BGDSA team trophy.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas guard Javez Martin (black 31) drives to the basket against The TMT Giants during their NPBA playoff game Monday night at The Kendal Issacs Gymnasium.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas guard Theodore Grant (black 24) drives to the basket against TMT Giants forward Donovan Dean (white 7). Photos: UB Athletics

CI GIBSON RATTLERS VISIT HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

THE

Parliament

Mem-

their win. They are pictured outside of Parliament with their coach Kevin “KJ” Johnson and CI Gibson

now Hugh Campbell

CI Gibson Rattlers claimed the Hugh Campbell trophy in this its 40th year of existence, taking over from the Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers of Grand Bahama, who held the title for the two previous years. Coach Kevin “KJ” Johnson guided his Rattlers team through an intense game and a 75-71 win over the Stingers. The Rattlers team also took their photo outside Parliament with Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal Keith Bell, who treated them to lunch of their choice. They were also encouraged by Minister of State Zane Lightbourne.

Chavez Johnson and other school administrators who joined them to be publicly recognised. Member of Parliament for Marathon Lisa T. Rahming expressed immense pride that these basketball champions mainly hail from her constituency. To celebrate their Hugh Campbell win, MP Rahming has pledged to treat the entire CI Gibson School to a lunch date, music and prizes, with special gifts for the basketball

Hugh Campbell Basketball Tournament champions, the CI Gibson Rattlers, had the opportunity to visit the House of Assembly recently, earning congratulations from

bers of

for

principal

team,

champions. The

HUGH Campbell champions CI Gibson Rattlers at Government House.

AFTER getting rained out over the weekend, the Freedom Farm Baseball League and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau’s 2024 Home Run Derby and All-Star Day will now take place on Saturday. The free-for-all event will take place at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, starting at 1pm, with the home run derby for under14 players. The under-20s will follow at 2pm. The under-14 AllStar game will be played at 4:30pm and the day will

wrap up at 7pm with the under-20 All-Star game. Clarence ‘CJ’ McKenzie, one of the organisers of the event, said they are looking forward to alot of excitement from the participants. “It’s going to be very competitive in both divisions,” McKenzie said. “The under-14s will be participating in the event for the first time at the stadium, so we’re looking forward to see how well they perform, especially since the performances of our national team that just returned

from the WBSC World Cup Qualifier in the Dominican Republic. “The under-20s game should be extremely competitive because these players have been playing against each other since we started the league. So we want to see how they match up against their opponents from the two different leagues.”

The winners from the games will be awarded the home field advantage when the two leagues clash again in the nationals, so Rolle said not only will the

players be battling out for the awards, but also the bragging rights for the rest of the season. Following Saturday’s fun series, McKenzie said they will complete their final week of the regular season and then they will head right into the playoffs. The two leagues came together to start playing in a joint under-20 league to provide more opportunities for the players to participate as both leagues normally cater more to the younger players. “The league has

been going on very well and the kids are really excited about playing in the new stadium,” McKenzie said. “The level of play has increased week in and week out, so I can say that the league has been very beneficial to the players. We are so glad that we can provide this opportunity for the under-20 players to participate on their own.” Selected to participate in the Freedom Farm under-14 homerun derby are Caleb Knowles and Cavian Roberts from the

Raccoons; Ralph Burrows and Leroy Stuart from the Potcakes; Morgan Dorsett and Stephen Robinson from the Silverjacks and Ayden Moss and Raymond Mackey from the Sharks.

The JLBN under-14 run derby players are Sherman Ferguson and Javan Smith from the Phillies; Kaylen Ferguson and Carmelo Woodside from the Mariners; Philip Gibson and Caldwin Munnings from the Tigers and Antwon Bain and Jensynn Albury from the Dodgers.

Bahamas Brass Band gets set for Easter concert

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

TWO nights of “foot stomping” and a one of a kind musical display is what the Bahamas Brass Band’s historical performance this weekend will feature.

The event will see the beloved local band join in rhythmic collaboration with the Jamaican Police Force Band this weekend over two islands.

Under the theme “Hallelujah, What a Saviour!” the Concert will take place in two major islands during the Easter Holiday weekend. Grand Bahama will kick off the two-day concert with the Bahamas Brass Band in concert, along with the Jamaican Constabulary Band and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band on Saturday, March 30. That event will be held at the Grand Lucayan Hotel. The Easter concert is a much anticipated one for the band featuring the special guest performers, the Jamaican Constabulary Band.

The second night of will be held March 31 at the Myles E Munroe Diplomatic Centre, beginning at 5pm. The Bahamas Brass Band and the Jamaican Constabulary Police Force Band will be joined by the Bahamas Defence Force Band once again.

“This will be an historic event for the band,” said Bishop Barry Morris. “They have never performed in the Bahamas before, and this will be a great introduction to the Bahamian people.”

Since taking over the Grand Bahama directorship of the famous Bahamas

Brass Band, Bishop Morris had overseen several “firsts” for the band, inclusive of a Tri-State Tour in 2011 that encompassed Miami, New Jersey and Atlanta and a memorable trip to South Africa. After witnessing the Jamaican band perform, Bishop Morris said he felt compelled to make a connection with the leaders to see how a collaboration can happen.

“I started to make my connections through the police force here in Grand Bahama. I got in contact with the director and the commissioner, made the necessary requests, got the necessary approval and they’re on their way here.

And the interesting thing about this is that while this is their first time in The Bahamas, the Jamaican Police Band will get to play in two Bahamian islands.” Bishop Morris said the Bahamas Brass Band will not disappoint, and they are anxious to perform some of their most requested and popular numbers. In addition, he revealed that attendees will be witnesses to some new music from the band which was created specifically for the upcoming concerts.

“I’ve arranged four new pieces just for this event,” said director Morris. “The first one is called Songs Of Adoration; one is called there’s a sweet, sweet spirit, that I mixed that with

an African song, which I learned when the band travelled to South Africa; there’s another one called Beloved, now are we the sons of God and the final piece is called Man of Sorrow, from which the theme of the concert was extracted,’ he said.

Bishop Morris noted the band will be celebrating its 100 years of existence next year, with the Grand Bahama branch poised to celebrate 70 years of existence. He said during those years, the Bahamas Brass Band has travelled around the world spreading the message of the gospel of Christ through music and will continue to do so going forward.

TWO nights of brass band music will be held this weekend.

ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Psi Omega Chapter, is continuing its commitment to community service with the presentation of over 45 C.A.R.E (Compassion, Assistance, Relaxation, Empathy) kits to the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Dialysis Unit. These kits, meticulously prepared by dedicated members of the sorority, aim to provide comfort and support to patients undergoing dialysis treatment.

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to present these C.A.R.E kits to the patients of the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Dialysis Unit,” said Phylicia Laramore-Ferguson, president of Eta Psi Omega Chapter. “Our Sorority is dedicated to uplifting and supporting those in need, and we hope these kits will bring some comfort and relief during their treatment.”

“These C.A.R.E kits are a wonderful gesture of kindness,” said Sister Roker, a Nurse assigned to the hospital’s Dialysis Unit. “It means a lot to know that organisations like the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated are thinking of us and providing much-needed support during our time here.”

The presentation took place on Monday, March 25, at the Princess Margaret Hospital, where representatives from Eta Psi Omega Chapter had the honour of delivering the C.A.R.E kits to the Dialysis Unit. Each kit, thoughtfully assembled with items such as snacks, blankets, water bottles, puzzles, and other tokens of support, serves as a beacon of hope for patients facing the challenges of dialysis.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Eta Psi Omega Chapter for its generous donation of C.A.R.E kits to our Dialysis Unit,” said Alana Major, director of the Public Hospital Authority’s Foundation. “Their support is invaluable in helping us meet the needs of our patients and providing them with comfort and encouragement during their treatment journey.”

GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI PHOENIX AWARDS

Through initiatives like this, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Psi Omega Chapter, remains steadfast in its mission to serve the community and make a positive impact in the lives of those in need.

An elite cadre of nation builders, business owners, educators and community leaders have made the list of honorees for the Second Annual Phoenix Awards, to be hosted by The Government High School (GHS) Alumni Association on Saturday, April 6. These individuals have given exemplary service to the nation and have proven the high caliber of effective leaders and history makers that The Government High School has produced over the years. The event promises a stellar lineup of entertainment, food and tributes to awardees, including families who will receive an award for their loved ones posthumously. It will be held at the University of The Bahamas Performing Arts Centre, formally the GHS Auditorium, on April 6 starting at 7pm.

The awardee list includes former GHS Head Girl Janet Bostwick, who went on to become the first woman to serve as acting Prime Minister, first woman Attorney General and the first woman Member of Parliament in the Bahamas. Receiving the Government High School Alumni Association Phoenix Lifetime Achievement Award will be Businessman Rupert Roberts, owner and operator of Super Value, “the Bahamian supermarket”

- the largest food store franchise in the country.

Legendary singer, poet, performer and architect Pat Ramming will be honored, as well as former Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Thompson, the second Bahamian woman in history to be called to the Bahamas Bar.

Dame Anita Allen, President of the Court of Appeal will also be honored at the second annual Phoenix Awards, along with former GHS Head Boy Henry Bostwick, noted King’s Counsel Attorney. Other outstanding awardees include: Iris Knowles, Orry Hanna Sands, Beryl Higgs, Dr David Allen, Anita Bernard, and former GHS teacher Leroy Thompson.

Heading the list receiving the GHS Alumni Association Phoenix Award posthumously are: the families of former Governor General and Past President of the Government High School Scholars Association Sir Gerald Cash; Sir Kendal Isaacs; cultural giant Winston Saunders, Paul Adderley, the longest serving Attorney General of the 20th century; Anatol Rodgers, former student, teacher and first female Headmistress; Parliamentarian George Mackey; Sir Arlington Butler, Businessman Franklyn Butler; Vernell Albury-Armbrister; Warren Rolle; Clement Bowleg; and Emma E. Cooper.

The GHS Alumni Association was established and registered as a nonprofit Association in September 2022 to formally replace The Government High School Old Scholars Association, established in1941. The Government High School prepares to mark its Centennial Celebration (April 27th 1925-April 27th 2025). In April 2025, the Alumni Association has planned a number of events which include golf tournaments; an All-Classes Reunion; a Jazz concert; and a 99th Anniversary Church Service, climaxing with a Centennial Celebration Gala on Saturday April 19 and a Centennial Church Service on April 27.

The GHS School Pop Band Blue Ivy will head performances at the GHS Alumni Association Second Annual Phoenix Awards. For more information, contact tghsalumni@gmail.com.

KIWANIS CLUB OF ELITE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

On March 16, 2024, in

conjunction with Rotaract Club of East Nassau we hosted our first College Prep Seminar for public high school students grade 10-12. We were able to give just under 100 young persons the opportunity to get a head start on their journey beyond high school. Huge thanks to our partners: Doctor’s Hospital Institute of Learning, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), University of The Bahamas, Bahamas Institute of Business and Technology, Charlotte Knowles Thompson Agency Ltd., and Bahamas Department of Labour. We also had a few guest speakers, namely Charlotte Thompson, Nickara Pratt, Alphonso Major, Bodine Johnson, Dr Pleshette McPhee, Camron Reckley and Rashonique Ferguson. Together, we’re shaping brighter futures!

KIWANIS CLUB OF NASSAU

President Jackie along with club advisor, PE Dulcie, held an official visit to K-Kids Club meeting at Ridgeland Primary School with the mandate to promote literacy and leave encouragement with the kids on the topic, “Leading from the front and being the best role models of the student body”.

Additionally, on behalf of KCN, president Jackie presented the club books for the pending “Reading Garden” and a start-up kit for a future plant garden to be erected by the club.

Both gifts were accepted by faculty advisor Mrs Hanson with pledged commitments for future activities.

K-Kids also received gifts for attaining three points and above in their GPA in the first term of school.

During K-Kids week, Kiwanis Club of Nassau led by president Jackie, along with DP Rowena, and club advisor K Candace visited St Cecilia’s Primary School and issued 27 members appreciation bags for their consistency in the SLP programme. Additionally, outstanding members were given certicates of achievements for recognition for being on Principal’s List and Honour Roll. The club, led by president Jackie, also participated in the fun/walk/run/ push with the Eyes Wide Open organisation. The group advocates for the welfare of children and adults with

MEMBERS of the Kiwanis Club of Nassau during youth engagement and community events recently.

MEMBERS of the Kiwanis Club of Elite Young Professionals held a College Prep Seminar recently.

THE KIWANIS Club of New Providence recently held breakfast programmes in various schools and the community, as well as an annual Reading Fair on Edmund Moxey Park.

HONOREES at the GHS Alumni Association Phoenix Awards include, from left, top, former acting Prime Minister and first woman MP Janet Bostwick, Pat Ramming, Dame Anita Allen, Iris Knowles, Beryl Higgs, Anita Bernard, (bottom) Rupert Roberts, former Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Thompson, Henry Bostwick KC, Orry Hanna Sands, Dr David Allen and Leroy Thompson.

disabilities. The project was a success.

KIWANIS CLUB OF NEW PROVIDENCE

The Kiwanis Club of New Providence (KCNP) has reached another milestone, celebrating 33 years of service in The Bahamas.

On Tuesday, March 26, 1991 (emerging from the Kiwanianne Club of First Nassau) with an all-female charter member list, the Kiwanis Club of New Providence was born. Under the leadership of Diamond Distinguished Charter President L Sandra Butler, with determined spirits and the Kiwanis motto ‘Serving the Children of the World’ at heart, KCNP aimed to make a difference.

Under the theme ‘Passion for Service’ and with President Pemesia Ellis (2023-2024) at the helm, KCNP has continued to make an impact in the community. The club has put on numerous projects that render altruistic service and continues to partner with schools, corporate Bahamas, community leaders and other charitable organisations.

Partnering with The Salvation Army, the club has assisted with their annual bell ringing initiative. KCNP also donated gifts to the children at the Quakoo St Children’s Club and the Prison Fellowship and donated baskets to the first boy and girl born on Christmas Day at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Realising the importance of investing in the children and youth of our nation, the club has held breakfast programmes in various schools and the community at large. It has partnered with the Anne’s Town Clinic, Andrea E Archer Institute (PACE), Special Olympics and the Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

In January, KCNP also hosted its annual Reading Fair project on Edmund Moxey Park to promote the importance of reading. This project catered to over 200 children. The club also donated a $1,000 scholarship to the Bahamas Primary School Student Of the Year Programme.

Not wanting to exclude the elderly and those less fortunate in the community, KCNP has also partnered with Paradise in Home Care and Courtesy Supermarket. The club has served breakfast in Retirement Park as well as held numerous food drive projects. As this year continues, KCNP plans to continue Serving with Passion and invites the public to join in and help make a difference in “Serving the Children of the World”. For more information check out their Facebook page: Kiwanis Club of New Providence.

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