04052024 NEWS AND SPORT

to rise 33 percent to $219m by 2030

PENSIONS for thousands of Bahamian public sector workers are poised for a major shake-up in a bid to tackle “alarming” unfunded liabilities that could impose a $3.5bn burden on taxpayers come 2030. Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, told Tribune Business last night that these pension liabilities represent “the top risk” to the stabil-

Visitors escape harm in vehicle fire

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FIREFIGHTERS battled a vehicle fire yesterday on Duke Street near St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk and Central Bank of The Bahamas involving seven tourists from South Carolina, including a young child. The company responsible for the UTV rental is Cruise Bahamas ATV Rentals. The owner declined to comment, expressing concern for the tourists. The incident occurred at about 9.50am yesterday, with no reported injuries. “Upon arrival, fire personnel meet an ATV buggy, it was fully engulfed in flames,” said Inspector Cendeno Hepburn, of

the Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department. “The fire was successfully extinguished, however the vehicle was left completely destroyed. This vehicle was driven by an American resident, she said that no injuries were done to her and her family, but she is just glad that nothing more took place.” Inspector Hepburn said while investigations are ongoing, he was unable to state the exact cause, but revealed the fire potentially started in the gasoline area. The family of seven, dressed in beach apparel, appeared shaken up by the incident. The once-green UTV Ride was burned beyond recognition, with only the frame visible. It was confirmed the vehicle was a UTV rather than an ATV.

Onlookers gathered as firefighters extinguished the large flame.

Albert McKinney, a security officer, witnessed the event first-hand.

He said at the moment he was concerned for the tourist and hopeful nobody was hurt throughout the ordeal.

In recalling the incident, he said: “The vehicle the tourist was renting, as they turned the curve I heard a pop, I thought it was an accident, but as I saw a truck behind them the truck went around and I noticed that the vehicle they were driving was on fire.

“There was a lot of smoke coming from it and I saw them jump off and run to the Central Bank area. After that, the vehicle continued smoking and then it burst into a full-fledged flame.”

A FAMILY of seven from South Carolina, including a child, escaped injury when their rented UTV burst into flames on Duke Street yesterday. Photos: Lynaire Munnings

‘You can’t be ungrateful’ over 25 cent bus fare rise

modernise the industry. She added she will be going back again to Cabinet.

She said the ministry is undergoing a project which involves a fare increase, the addition of new bus routes, the gazetting of bus stops, the introduction of a uniform for public service drivers, and the launch of an app for members of the public that use public transportation.

The minister said the government granted an increase of 25 cent, to which the audience made their displeasure known.

Mrs Coleby-Davis responded: “We know you asked for more. Yeah, I know the grumbling and the mumbling but that’s okay.” She said the ministry is now working with law reform and the revision commission so that the increase can be in place for the first of May 2024.

“Ain’t no one clap for that? Listen to me, you can’t be ungrateful. You get something, so let’s go with that, right, and then we’ll go from there.”

The Road Traffic Department is currently reviewing the existing bus routes, with the view to having new roads added.

“Over the last few year, like I’ve said, riding with bus drivers, riding with passengers, I’ve heard that several population changes on New Providence have to be taken into consideration

and so because of that we have to go back and upgrade. Making sure that our routes are relevant, to the users, to the locations, to the areas, and be able to expand the routes, gazette the new ones, and ensure that proper markings are in place.”

Many jitney owners and drivers spoke at the event. Aaron Woodside, of Aaron’s Bus Service, said: “While you said that we should be thankful, grateful was your expression. Let me tell you something ma’am, I’m personally insulted... a grown man with two daughters in university, a mortgage and other financial obligations that 25 cents is the best that you could do and we should be grateful. I could not, ma’am. One daughter in Georgia State University and one daughter in the University of the West Indies - $72,000 a year.

“The taxi drivers got an increase for standing in position of more than the 25 cents. We have to do better.

Madame minister, with all due respect, we should not stand up to grown men, businessman. I have mother’s wit and common sense and I’ve used my mother’s wit and common sense to be able to provide for myself and for my family. And I’m telling you this 25 cent nonsense is ridiculous.” The minister maintained she took the recommendation the industry gave and fought for it.

She said: “I wanted that to be what was approved. The difference with this sector is that we have to find a balance and bridge a balance because of who we service in the sector and so I did not get the number that I was trying for but I was able to get something to start with.

“I think after 16 years, I wanted to get something to start with as opposed to getting nothing and so I fought for something. Not that I’m insulting you, or any driver in here because I

do believe the sector should rise as other things rise but that was what I was able to achieve, for the sector and I think I fared well.

“After 16 years of nothing being done, I was able to achieve something at least I wanted to achieve something to start.”

Rudolph Taylor, Unified Bus Drivers Union president, said: “For a long time, bus drivers have been a stepping stone for persons to get where they wanted to get and they drop us and leave us. So with the minister with

all her efforts, she is trying. She may feel a little disappointed at this point in time but we knew where the drivers wanted to be.” He pointed to inflation affecting prices along with vehicle maintenance.

Harrison Moxey, United Public Transportation Company president, said: “We propose $2 increase and we did not get it. So a lot of us feel insulted by 25 cents. What we are facing or what we see every day.

“We understand the government’s point that they

want to satisfy the public or the electorate from the government standpoint, but we are not politicians. We are business people, the same people that you only want to give 25 cent on the same people that got the minimum wage increase.

“They can pay more so please let them. So we would appreciate that this be revisited, understanding that are we running a deficit and we are being forced to sensitise the general public which is the government’s responsibility.”

BPSU protests conditions at registrar general office

the building on Shirley Street to protest a number of grievances.

Mr Ferguson said the elevator in the complex has been out of service since November, with employees having to regularly climb three sets of stairs. He alleged the government is not prepared to fix the elevator given the heightened cost and potential demolition efforts underway.

“The understanding that I have is the government doesn’t wish to spend any money to fix an elevator in this building, to service these individuals that have a responsibility to the public,” Mr Ferguson said on the sidelines of the Registrar General’s Office. “And so, they’re expecting to move across the street, that renovation would have begun sometime last year and that has no end or conclusion in sight. And so, what is happening here is this work environment now needs to be rectified so that the health and safety of the people inside this building is secured. “We want to make an appeal to the Attorney General to address this because I’m advised that he’s quite aware of what is going on down here. Now we don’t want to have to pull everybody out of the building and so our motto says reasoning together accomplishes.”

BPSU president said he intended to contact Attorney General Ryan Pinder yesterday to address the matter.

Mr Ferguson said phone lines at the facility have been down for roughly four years, with staff having to use their personal phones to make work-related calls.

He noted the delay in promotions for some 150 union members, calling on intervention from the government.

“The promotion exercise for this particular department appears to be nowhere in sight,” he said yesterday. “Now, this is a revenuegenerating agency for the government of the Bahamas, you can’t muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.

“These people are making money for the government of The Bahamas, at least allow these individuals to see that you appreciate the work that they’re doing here by rewarding them for working above and beyond the call of duty.”

Monique Dawkins, shop steward at the Registrar General’s office, pleaded on behalf of the staff yesterday, saying successive governments have failed the department. “For months, the elevator was down. We have mould in this building, we have people getting sick constantly, having sinus problems, and we have persons always being off because they’re sick

apologise for any inconvenience,” said the acting registrar.

TRANSPORT AND ENERGY MINISTER JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS

GOVT IS WORKING TO IMPROVE ROADS ON ALL ISLANDS, SAYS SWEETING

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Clay Sweeting said officials are improving the safety and conditions of roads on the island of Andros.

Mr Sweeting said the poor condition of roads has been an ongoing issue throughout the Family Islands. Some frustrated residents in Andros said the roads have caused car accidents and are particularly dangerous at night due to the lack of proper lighting.

On March 23, a traffic fatality occurred on Andros on Queen’s Highway, south of Staniard Creek. The incident claimed the lives of two men who died on the scene and one man who later died in hospital. Since the incident, discussions on the state of Andros’ roads have resurfaced.

“We are looking at all Family IslandsAndros inclusive,” Mr Sweeting said when asked about efforts to improve roads.

North Andros, South Andros, and Central Andros are expected to receive asphalt paving.

Mr Sweeting said the area where the traffic fatality occurred, officials “did some pavement around that area as well”.

“So, we are assessing and as we can, we are putting cat eyes on the roads as well to ensure to protect drivers in these areas,” he said.

The ministry is expected to pave the roads in South Andros shortly.

Mr Sweeting added striping and “cat eyes” on roads will be used to assist motorists who are driving in the night. Cat’s eyes are retroreflective road studs used for road marking, particularly for night driving.

In view of the government’s efforts to improve roads, Mr Sweeting encouraged motorists to do their part by driving with caution.

“Drivers must take caution on these roads, especially during homecomings and festivals when you have people that may be driving intoxicated on the road. Don’t drink and drive. Because as the government does pave and try to assess in these situations, drivers must also be cautious when they’re driving on the roads,” he said.

When contacted by The Tribune, North Andros administrator Beverly Laramore said the roads needing proper lighting, which has been an issue. She explained due to the islands’ extensive road space, some areas don’t have lighting because it’s either vacant or not a residential area.

“We do need more lighting because the roads are so massive,” she said. “So, the roads itself are good. It’s just because the vastness of the roads is going to be very costly to light every area.” She noted the roads are nicely paved too.

Ms Laramore also urged motorists to drive safely and with caution. She cautioned people not to drive in inclement weather unless there’s an emergency.

Seventh-Day Adventist hurricane shelter viewed by govt officials

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE new 8,000-squarefoot hurricane shelter in Freeport is 90 percent complete and is expected to officially open in June, just in time for the start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

Social Services Minister Myles LaRoda and Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey toured the new facility yesterday at the Freeport Seventh-Day Adventist Church grounds. It is the first of its kind in the Bahamas. The building can accommodate nearly 300 people and is equipped with an industrial kitchen, showers, lockers, bathrooms, a generator, A/C, a laundry area, and a water storage supply.

Mr Laroda was impressed with the facility and commended the Seventh-Day Adventist Church for taking such an important initiative.

He said the government can’t do everything and depends on churches, NGOs, and other civic organisations to assist with establishing additional shelter facilities.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be extremely active, with 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.

Although Minister Laroda is pleased about the new facility, he said: “We pray it is not any time soon that we are met with another hurricane.

“This facility here is a perfect example of a good partner,” he said. “The Seventh Day Adventists have been in this community a very long time and have made a tremendous contribution,” Mr Laroda said. “The government is playing a part, but we must commend the SDA church for taking this bold step to provide a facility that can accommodate 250 people.”

“I am very much impressed. I urged other congregations and groups to join in; we are all our brothers’ keepers. The government can’t do everything, and there are other groups and churches doing a tremendous job, but this day we have to single out the Adventists for what they have done.”

Eric D Clarke, president of the North Bahamas Conference of SeventhDay Adventists, thanked the government and other stakeholders for helping by Hurricane Dorian and took in many people for shelter to get the shelter where it is today.

“Today is a red letter day for us at the North Bahamas Conference of SDA,” he said.

“We recognise all the other partners that have come together with us and we are grateful to all stakeholders, but singularly the government has been our largest contributor to this hurricane shelter, and we are so grateful.”

The Freeport SDA church was totally devastated during Hurricane Dorian, and took in many persons for shelter during the storm.

Following the experience, he said the church and its members decided to build a hurricane shelter.

“So, if God forbid, something like Dorian comes back to Grand Bahama, we will be able to help and facilitate,” Pastor Clarke said.

Alicia Jervis Darling, a volunteer at the Community Service Centre, said the shelter’s grand opening is planned for the first week of June. “We are proud that this is the only dedicated hurricane shelter in The Bahamas,” she said.

Police investigating the death of a Florida woman while in Exuma

POLICE are investigating after a 64-year-old woman from Florida died in Exuma. According to police, shortly after 9am on Thursday, a married couple

was on board a pleasure vessel moored near Black Point, Exuma, when the woman became ill and started regurgitating, which led to her becoming unresponsive.

The woman was taken to the local clinic, where attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

Police said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

SOCIAL Services Minister Myles LaRoda, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey and MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini Kingsley Smith toured the new hurricane shelter yesterday at the Freeport Seventh-Day Adventist Church grounds. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

GoFundMe seeks to help family after murder of former MP Saunders

fees. He said the family’s financial situation prompted him to start a GoFundMe page so they don’t face eviction and that his children can complete their education.

“Don would’ve left himself a little exposed I would say, but the reality is at the present time is his daughter has one more year left in university in the States. She would’ve been at UB here in The Bahamas if UB had the course she is taking which is sports therapy,”

Father Cartwright said. “His son is doing exceptionally well at St John’s. In fact, he’s top of the class and his school fees have to be paid and he has to finish this semester and he has three semesters next year to graduate.”

He said asking for financial help was not easy for the family, but necessary given the dire situation. “Don has been such a giving person even with his meagre resources,” he added “Yes, he was a lawyer but being a lawyer in politics as you can imagine, many people come to you and need help and he always would try to help and many times, more often than not he would be left without payment for services rendered.”

“So that is why we’re saying what we’re saying and if anyone wishes to help, we’ll be more than happy and pleased to accept whatever resources there are.”

As it relates to funeral costs, he said they are partly covered, adding their main concern is the family’s mortgage and education expenses. “We’re going to do our utmost to make sure that his family is not evicted from their home because of a lack of mortgage payments. We’re going to do our best as any family would do,” Father Cartwright added.

that the party plans “to do something tangible” in memory of Saunders and will do whatever they can to support fundraising efforts for his family.

“Now what that is, we haven’t decided, but I think it ought to be just a fitting recognition of the service he gave to his party and his country,” Dr Sands said.

He also hit out at critics providing negative commentary about the GoFundMe Page, adding: “The reality is this is a man who was murdered, shot to death and taken away from his young children.

Father Cartwright said Saunders’ wife, a teacher who has sickle cell disease, cannot support the family alone with her salary. “And you know what Anglican priests make,” he added, “As the father, you know what we make and so we thought it best for those who love Don throughout the world to establish a GoFundMe account.”

“I don’t care whether he had insurance, and I don’t care whether he was a lawyer and so on and so forth. I think we have become so jaded... and is it too much for us to say let’s try and do a little something to say to somebody we appreciate what you did and we appreciate your efforts.”

The GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $14,000 of its $341,000 goal up to press time yesterday.

Anyone wishing to donate through other means can email Father Cartwright at cartwrightkeith@hotmail.com. from page one

Advocacy initiative calls on men ‘to do their part’ against rising violence and crime

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

AN ADVOCACY initiative is “calling on men to play their part in changing the course of The Bahamas after rising violence and crime over the years”.

The Men’s Mobilisation March, an initiative to display solidarity among men, is in “full gear” according to it’s organisers, led by Pastor Mario Moxey. According to Pastor Moxey, it is the goal of the initiative to impact men in Bahamian communities so they understand that all men in The Bahamas have a stake in what happens in the country. He added he cannot recall a previous instance of a “great show of solidarity and brotherhood”.

“It comes right back down to families of men taking their rightful position. We do need clarity in our nation, as we do need global clarity in terms of who a man is, defining manhood, because over the years that has been erased, and we do need a very strong definition,” Pastor Moxey said. He recalled a moment on his way to the press conference where he witnessed a father walking to his car with his three children, holding his youngest.

“There are some men that have this whereabout of who they are, they know

who they are. They know the role that they should be [taking]. But then there’s some, of course, that have gone astray, and it’s these men that we’re hoping to reach.”

It is expected that the march, scheduled for 3pm on April 28, will happen simultaneously throughout the capital as well as the Family Islands. Bishop Hulin Hanna, responsible for the coordination of the Family Islands including Grand Bahama, spoke of the Men’s Mobilisation March not being Nassau-centric, underlining recent police communication indicatingcriminalstakingadvantage of the less populated and quiet nature of the Family Islands.

“They were saying that persons are now, you know, taking advantage of the Family Islands, and making the assumptions that because these islands are less populated, and may not have as much crime, they can hide, they can bring in contraband, and they can behave in otherwise unlawful ways,” Bishop Hanna said.

“There’s no more saying that New Providence or Nassau is a bad place, but what is happening in Nassau, to some extent, can harm the economy of our family islands. We think about the fear of crime, the fear of people

associating and moving about and feeling free in our communities.”

Franklyn Butler, chairman of the fundraising committee, called on corporate Bahamas for financial contributions to reach their target of $100,000 for a successful initiative.

“You know, I learned a long time ago, we can build taller fences, lock ourselves away in gated communities, or we could try to face the issue,” he said, adding that he will personally reach out to the country’s corporate citizens for donations to “put your money where your mouth is”.

“We can obviously hide and lament the vicissitudes of life in terms of the recent bout of crime that has been going on in the country. But I feel it’s more important to leverage our collective willpower and finances.”

According to Pastor Moxey, the starting point of the march will be at Clifford Park at 3pm from there they will march into the “heart and the belly” of New Providence before returning to Clifford Park for a short rally and a candlelight prayer vigil in remembrance of those who have fallen as a result of crime. The initiative will also feature a speech competition, with primary, junior and high school students as well as young men called on to speak on the role of men

House of Rastafari hosting an event to honour women in the African Diaspora

By FELICITY DARVILLE

THE House of Rastafari Intermansions Bahamas Inc is hosting an event in honour of women in the African Diaspora on Sunday, April 7, at the Castle, Westridge, at 3pm. The inaugural Empress Menen Royal Fashion Show, Tea Party and Awards will feature honorees including Spouse of the Prime Minister Ann Marie Davis; Glenys Hanna Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training; Senator Dr Jacinta Higgs, Akhepran International Academy president; Empress Veronica Ellis, designer for the fashion show; Empress Lillimae Duncanson; Empress Valerie Tecla Smith, designer for the fashion show; Empress Marilyn

Braynen; Empress Colleen Carter; Empress Philippa Rahming-Adderley, daughter of Rev Dr Phillip A Rahming; Empress Pauline Lewis; Empress Cecil Babbs; Empress Nadia Bethel; Empress Cherene Carey; and Mother Thompson Joseph. Vegan and traditional pastries and a wide assortment of natural herbal teas will be served at the event, courtesy of the award-winning Akhepran International Academy culinary team, led by their teacher, Chef Amunet Eneas. Guests will be entertained by a fashion show with original designs by Empress Veronica “Ronnie” Ellis of Freeport, Grand Bahama and Empress Valerie Techlar John, of Trinidadian heritage. The fashion show will have segments

including children’s African apparel, families walking the catwalk together, and a special segment showcasing designs for women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

All garments are considered royal and appropriate for young ladies and women to wear as they live principled and peaceful lives. The garments displayed in the fashion show will be available for purchase.

Chairman of House of Rastafari Ras Copeland Smith will host the event, along with media mogul Empress Felicity Darville. Tickets are $30 and are available by contacting: Ras Copeland Smith (242) 814-6847, Priest Diamond Ethelbert Harrison 815-8147, Empress Colleen Carter 428-4461, or houseofrastafaribahamas@gmail. com.

in the face of what Pastor Moxey calls an “onslaught of crime”.

“They’re the ones in the home, they’re the ones feeling it, and more so than ever, we need to see it through their lens and through their eyes, as to

how they view our society. Man has purpose, and I think it’s a very profound thing when we begin to allow our youth to speak into that purpose because they’re the next generation,” he said. “We have everything that

we’re doing today is for them. They’re going to be the ones to take our places eventually, but we have to leave something in this nation for them. We have to leave a nation that’s worthy enough for this next generation to grow in peace.”

Free National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune yesterday

FORMER FNM MP DON SAUNDERS

Anti-gang bill not without some challenges

THE proposed legislation to crack down on gang members has finally been unveiled – and there are challenges immediately evident.

First of all, the goal of tackling gang crime is laudable. For too long, this country has been affected by the scourges of drugs, violence, murder, gun trafficking and more. Clearly, given the start to this year with a shocking number of murders already, the status quo has not been working.

Will this anti-gang legislation make a difference? Perhaps, but there are difficulties from the outset.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe himself highlighted one of the problems, in how you identify someone as a gang member.

The legislation includes ways to define that. A confession, for one. Fine enough. But other ways include proving someone is a gang member by the clothes they wear, the tattoos they have on their body, or other markings on their body. Or signs or codes in their possession.

If someone is wearing a shirt with a gang symbol, is that evidence or is that free expression? Fashion being what it is, there are plenty of people who – perhaps inadvisedly – wear clothing with gang symbols on. Does that mean they are part of a gang? Or just that they liked the design?

Then there are tattoos. If someone gets a tattoo indicating gang affiliation when they are 16, are they still judged by that when they are 30 and have perhaps left a youthful bad choice far behind them?

Indeed, how are those gang symbols chosen? The Minister of National Security can make an application to the Supreme Court to rule that a group of people is a gang if there are “reasonable grounds”. But does that put the Supreme Court in the path of having to stop abuse of such laws by future governments who might wish to identify opponents under the legislation in order to suppress them? Such seems unlikely now, but one always has to safeguard for the future?

EDITOR, The Tribune. “COURAGE is the commitment to do what is right, despite the discomfort or challenges involved.”

CHILDREN are an invaluable blessing. As guardians, we are graced with the duty to nurture them, to seek their wellbeing and safety, and to guide them towards the prosperous life intended for them by divine will.

The observance of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month in April presents us with a critical chance to advocate for and defend our society’s most susceptible individuals. It is a noble and essential duty to ensure the welfare of all children.

I would like to reiterate the theme, “Children are everyone’s responsibility,”

After all, if wearing a certain colour shirt and flashing a certain symbol with one’s hands can be considered as evidence of gang affiliation, you will see plenty of each at political rallies by parties in The Bahamas.

What is to stop such legislation being directed at the FNM, the PLP, the COI, the DNA or other legitimate parties? The court, thankfully.

After all, historically we have had the Commission of Inquiry on the transshipment of drugs that exposed people from the cabinet level down. Does such behaviour at the top level count as gang activity?

Then there is the apparent ability in the legislation for police to arrest someone not while they are in the act of perpetrating a crime or suspected of a specific offence, but simply on suspicion of being a gang member.

Given the occasions The Tribune has reported on alleged excessive behaviour by police officers, is it beyond the realms of imagination to think that bad officers might use such powers without good reason?

Good police will carry out the laws respectfully, but there are bad officers too, and the legislation needs to be able to cope with all actors, good or otherwise.

Some of the legislation also imposes penalties for gang activity related to other actions that are already crimes on the books. Is, for example, a kidnapping worse because it is committed by a gang member, or is it the same crime regardless of who the abductor is?

Will this legislation expose the country to claims of human rights abuses? Or will it succeed and get criminals who are dragging our society down off the streets?

We must hope fervently for the latter – but there are certainly questions to be discussed about whether such legislation oversteps and interferes with the rights of Bahamians across the board. Has the right balance been struck? We are sure there will be questions to be tested by the courts in future.

to underscore the notion that regardless of our parental status, the children of today will become tomorrow’s leaders. It is imperative that we foster a nurturing and secure environment for all children. Collaboration can yield remarkable achievements, substantial positive change, and a secure community. We must combine our resources and knowledge and take decisive action to eliminate child sexual abuse in The Bahamas. The adoption of robust strategies, including self-evaluations, the establishment of ethical guidelines, the education of volunteers on abuse prevention, and the alignment of our practices with global standards, is essential.

Ultimately, the prevention of child sexual abuse is

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WE who call ourselves Christians, have a few very basic spiritual tenets which, to us, are immutable and unshakeable. We believe that The Lord Jesus Christ (being God Himself in the flesh) was born; He died and , as promised He rose from the dead after three days in the grave and now sits at the proverbial right hand of The Father. Simplistic but dogma on which our faith is based and established. Well did the long dead and venerated Saint Paul (aka Saul) state it ‘If Christ be not risen from the grave ALL of our faith is in vain’.

This recent Holy Season is symbolic of that very same faith and should have been one of rest and reflection. As we go forward as a nation and people, we really need to resolve to do better holistically. The recent alleged murder of the late Hon Don Saunders, former FNM MP for Tall Pines, drove home a powerful message, even if unwelcome. Crime and the fear of crime afflict ALL Bahamians regardless of race; color or political persuasion. I knew Don well as well as his late father, Don Saunders Sr. My condolences and sympathies to his widow; children and immediate survivors. May

not merely an option; it is an ethical obligation.

Each child is entitled to a life filled with innocence and happiness, and it is our collective responsibility to guarantee this. Let us come together and commit to deploying every effort to shield our children and ensure a luminous future for them. In unity, we have the power to forge a safer, more stable environment where children can prosper.

Echoing the sentiments of Martin Luther King Jr, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Shervonne Cash Hollis

Save Our Children Alliance, Child Advocate

SHERVONNE CASH

HOLLIS

Nassau, March 28, 2024.

EDITOR,

his soul rest in peace.

We also need to be extremely careful and prudent about ALL sorts of things; where and with whom we congregate or associate with.

No one, of course, knows the day or hour of his/her particular demises so it would behoove us ALL to ‘do the right thing’ and to Often times, one could be in the wrong place at the wrong time, so to speak. It would also behoove us ALL life the life that The Lord would have allowed us, to the fullest, After all, He came that we might be reconnected to God and to be able to live more abundantly !!

In doing ALL of the above, however, the nation MUST come to grips with vexing pockets of anti social behaviors and where possible persuade individuals to have a renewing of their minds and thought process. What other than a depraved and grossly evil person would want to deliberately, allegedly, take someone’s live which only God is able to give?

We have gross income inequality across the board. There are some Bahamians raking in hundreds of

thousands of dollars per annum, without paying a dime in income tax, while the unwashed masses are relegated to eeking out a miserable living on a mere Two or Three Hundred dollars per week. The working poor are always with us. Affordable housing and a focused driven national health care system are long over due. Worrying about mundane things like the domestic and international travels of the PM, who is the Chief Marketing Officer for The Bahamas, and the price of an official vehicle for the use of whoever is Prime Minister, are debilitating and a grave disservice to the body politic. On all levels we have to do better.

This, I submit, is the least that we are able to do in appreciation and respect for the sacrifice made by The Lord Jesus Christ more than Two Thousand years ago. Indeed, because He lives, we are assured, as Christians, of a better tomorrow. It was ONLY through his birth; death and resurrection that we are joint heirs with Him, literally, to the Kingdom of God. To God then, in ALL things, be the glory!! ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, April 1, 2024.

HOG Island (aka Paradise Island) lighthouse.

Photo: Rick Josey

Kiku Zeki Temple Lodge hosts Easter egg hunt at Grand Bahama Children’s Home

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Kiku Zeki Temple Lodge 184 hosted an Easter egg hunt at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home over the Easter weekend.

Daron Duncombe, of KiKu Zeki Temple Lodge, said they distributed Easter egg baskets and tablets and organized an egg hunt for the 29 resident children at the Home.

The group also provided hamburgers and hotdogs, snow cone and cotton candy treats and refreshments.

Mr Duncombe said that their organisation felt it was a good way to give back to the community.

“We wanted to make sure the children were not forgotten on this

holiday,” he said. “The Shriners Temple is all about charitable events and we saw fit to come here and have a good time and express some love to the children.

“This is not our first time here and we intend to come back. We do a lot of charity and we try to give back as much as we can.”

Kendal Forbes, facility manager at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, said the home caters to 29 children.

“The kids need outings like this on the holidays and we like it when we have different groups come out and help with the kids. It takes a village to raise a child. It is not easy and we greatly appreciate this group for giving up their valuable time on the holiday to come here, and we welcome other groups,” he said.

Man charged with murder of child gets jail time for having gun

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on bail for the 2017 alleged murder of an eight-year-old boy was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday after he admitted to a gun charge just as his trial was about to begin.

Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans sentenced Lloyd Minnis on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of dangerous drugs.

Minnis was previously accused of killing eightyear-old Eugene Woodside, Jr, and 23-year-old Dennis Moss on Rosebud Street on

September 25, 2017. Woodside was reportedly doing homework in his family’s wooden home just before it was riddled with bullets.

While on release for these charges, Minnis was found with a loaded gun and 10oz of marijuana in 2021.

After being informed that several witnesses were set to give testimony, Minnis reversed his earlier position and pleaded guilty to the gun and drug charges. In addition to the twoyear prison sentence, Minnis is expected to pay a fine of $1,000 for the drug charge or risk a further eight months in custody. Inspector S Coakley served as prosecutor.

MAN ACCUSED OF SEX ATTACK IN MARCH GRANTED $5,000 BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of a sex attack on a 20-year-old woman at Junkanoo Beach last month has been granted $5,000 bail.

Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Mario Roker with indecent assault. Roker is accused of inappropriate physical behaviour to a young

woman on March 21 at Junkanoo Beach. After pleading not guilty to the charge, Roker was informed under the terms of his bail that he must sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station every Sunday by 7pm. The defendant is also to be fitted with a monitoring device and is to obey a 9pm to 9am residential curfew. Roker’s trial begins on May 23.

MAN CHARGED WITH CAUSING HARM IN BOX CUTTER ATTACK LAST YEAR

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was imprisoned yesterday after he was accused of injuring another man in a box cutter attack last year.

Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux charged Khanai Davis, 33, with causing harm and assault with a dangerous instrument. Davis allegedly assaulted Garrick Perkins with a box

cutter at Butterfly Close on August 14, 2023. The defendant is accused of injuring Mr Perkins during the same incident. Davis pleaded not guilty to both charges. Following the prosecution’s objection to the defendant’s bail, it was denied by the magistrate. Davis will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his trial on April 25.

MAN FINED $8,000 FOR POSSESSING OVER SEVEN POUNDS OF MARIJUANA

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was fined $8,000 after he was found with 7.3lbs of marijuana over the Easter holiday weekend.

Senior magistrate Shaka

Serville charged Rayvon Morrison, 31, and his father, Wayne Morrison, 53, with two counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

The pair were reportedly found with two sets of marijuana, weighing 2.1lb and 5.2lb respectively, on March 29 in New Providence. Rayvon was the sole defendant to plead guilty to the charges. This resulted in the charges against his father being withdrawn. Rayvon must pay half of his fine before his release. Should the he fail to pay his debt, he will face an 18-month prison term.

THIRD from left is Kendal Forbes, facility manager at GB Children’s Home, and third from right is Mr Daron Duncombe, of KiKu Zeki Temple Lodge 184 and the Nobles of 184, and daughters of KiKu Zeki Court 202. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

The big deal on plastic pollution

TWELVE years ago, Kristal Ambrose embarked on a sea expedition that would shatter her perceptions about the sustainability of our oceans and the devastating impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, the planet, and, ultimately, human life.

It was a pivotal, life-defining moment that changed her trajectory and inspired the formation of The Bahamas

Plastic Movement (BPM). This local non-profit is swimming upstream to transform mindsets and actively move us towards a plastic-free Bahamas.

By Yolanda Pawar

Known as “Kristal Ocean” to her friends and students and Dr. Ambrose in academic circles, this passionate scientist, activist, educator, non-profit, and youth leader is best known for convincing the Government to introduce a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags, cutlery, straws, and Styrofoam containers. This monumental decision was announced in 2018 and was enacted in January 2020 after Kristal travelled from South Eleuthera with a handful of her teenage students. Armed with their scientific findings and proposed legislation, the team presented their case to the Minister of Environment and Housing at the time, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira. It was an historic event and an extraordinary win. Looking back and pinpointing the moment that the magnitude of the global ocean pollution problem hit home, Kristal reflects on a fateful scientific sea expedition she took in 2012 at the age of twenty-two. She had been invited to join a group of scientists on a twentyday sailing trip from The Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific to Japan. Her assignment was to study the Western Garbage Patch, a vast spinning vortex of marine debris, primarily plastics, being moved across expanses of open ocean and powered by systems of large rotating ocean currents called gyres. These systems act as an oceanic conveyor belt trapping and transporting tons of land waste, derelict fishing equipment, and other ocean debris. The garbage clusters contained in gyres often entangle and kill marine wildlife. Over time, with the action of the sun and waves, the plastic waste within it breaks down into even more pervasive and dangerous fragments called microplastics.

“It took me being in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by nothing but water, wildlife, and waste, and seeing firsthand how plastic ‘from land’ was in the middle of the ocean, impacting animals. I returned from that trip, seeing the devastation to the ocean, and realized that I was a huge part of the problem. All of the plastic we were collecting from the ocean were things that I would use at home: plastic forks, straws, plastic combs, toys, toothbrushes, Styrofoam cups, bits and pieces of every type of plastic that you could imagine!”

If you are not an environmentally conscious individual or concerned with the interconnectedness of life on planet Earth, you may wonder what this has to do with us in The Bahamas. To bring it home and quote Kristal’s research, “The Bahamas’ orientation to ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream and those associated with the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre creates a sink for marine plastic debris (Lachmann et al., 2017). In 2010, plastic marine debris accumulation in The Bahamas was estimated between 200 and 533 million metric tons and projected to increase to 687 million metric tons by 2025.”

As an archipelagic nation known for its stunning beaches and teeming marine life, plastic pollution carries a more significant threat that can directly impact tourism, local livelihoods, our food

supply, and the fisheries industry.

erbating the issue, plastic does not decompose like other matter, and the infinite amount of microplastics that continue to emerge from plastic waste remain in most envi ronments, whether sea, air, or soil, indefinitely. Microplastics tend to absorb toxic chemicals from their surroundings and, when inhaled or ingested through the food chain in large quantities, can become dangerous to humans and animals.

“For us here in The Bahamas, plastic pollution is a multifaceted issue that ties right back into waste management and health, and this is also a global crisis. It’s a waste issue, it’s a health issue, it’s an environmental issue, and it’s also an economic issue,” Kristal explains. “It costs a lot of money to clean up plastic, but plastic is also a billiondollar industry.”

On April 11th, the Bahamas Plastic Movement will celebrate ten years and the start of a new era of impact and advancement in conservation, environmental advocacy, and education. Having recently returned to The Bahamas after fifteen years of rigorous academic study, Kristal plans to rest and reset before unveiling her ambitious new goals for the next decade of impact.

“The plastic ban was a great first step, but ideally, it’s just replacing one waste item with another. We bring out the compostable plastics, but we still don’t have the waste management facilities to deal with those compostable and biodegradable plastics, let alone the other types of plastics that are not banned, so we still have to get back to waste management. I am strategizing the next move, which is going to be around enhanced education, research, partnerships, and essentially building a home for the organization,” she

explains.

On April 22nd, we will celebrate Earth Day under the theme “Planet Vs. Plastics,” underscoring the urgency of addressing this global crisis before irreparable damage is done. We must continue to raise awareness around the devastating impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and ecosystems and support the work of activists, scientists, and scholars like Kristal, who continue to move the needle and drive positive environmental change in The Bahamas and the region.

• Yolanda Pawar is the chief communications officer at the One Eleuthera Foundation. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a non-profit organisation located in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. For more information, visit www.oneeleuthera.org or email info@oneeleuthera. org. The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the first and only postsecondary, non-profit education and training institution and social enterprise on Eleuthera. CTI operates a student training campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, with a 16-room training hotel, restaurant and

YOLANDA PAWAR

DR KRISTAL AMBROSE, founder of the Bahamas Plastic Movement, swims in the ocean near a netball.

Photo: Tyler Mifflin

STUDENTS participate in collecting plastic refuse from beaches under the Bahamas Plastic Movement

Photos: BPM

It should have been so easy

How one license plate renewal turned into a ‘sigh now, laugh later’ ordeal

IT was my birth month and all I wanted to do was renew my vehicle’s registration. True enough I probably shouldn’t have picked a Friday, but aside from that, everything was in my favour. It was just past mid-month so I didn’t have the get-there-early folks to contend with. You know –those who create a line by rushing to register at the start of the month to avoid getting caught in the endof-month lines, the same lines I intended to avoid.

I picked up my certificate of insurance ahead of time and followed the advice of a colleague. “Why go all the way out to Carmichael?” she asked as I was leaving the office, “when you can zip right through at Fort Charlotte?” She’s usually pretty savvy about these things so off I went to Fort Charlotte to zip right through. She was right. There were eight cars ahead of me but the line was moving rapidly. I opened the envelope with the certificate of insurance and my satisfiedwith-myself-self-sank. The insurance was for the wrong vehicle, a car I used to own.

I wriggle my year-old little electric car out of the line, call the insurance company, listen to the agent’s apology and explanation that someone else printed the document when I phoned the week before. No problem. She would get the right one ready immediately. I fly back to the insurance company office, and now armed with correct certificate, return to the impressively smooth-running Fort Charlotte inspection station. Luck was on my side. I am the only car there. Elated that this chore was about to be checked off the to-do list, my snappy electric BYD passed with flying

By Diane Phillips

colours and all was good with the world which is where the story should have ended. And would have ended had not the tall man walked up to the window and said in a very polite voice, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but this car is registered in a company name. We don’t take commercial vehicles here. You have to take it to the stadium.”

Okay, I thought to myself would it have been too difficult to post a sign saying Personal Vehicles Only at This Location. All company vehicles, please visit the inspection station at Nassau Stadium.

But who am I to offer simple advice?

Okay,

at Fort Charlotte because my vehicle is registered in a company name, they say, “Sorry, we cannot help because the stadium is under renovation.”

Then why did they send me here? I am thinking. A sighted person can see the stadium is under renovation. Does one division not speak to another? “Go to the Smiley Building, 2nd floor (Scotiabank building on Thompson Boulevard),” they tell me.

I tell them I know where that is, though for some reason they seem surprised. So I trek there next and the parking lot is sheer pandemonium, but finally after circling several times I find

I thought to myself would it have been too difficult to post a sign saying Personal Vehicles Only at This Location?

So, anyway, I trek out to Nassau Stadium. It seems oddly empty, a good sign that I will get through quickly. I step out of the vehicle and approach a table that has been set up outside, not the usual arrangement for Road Traffic at the stadium. Explaining that I was sent by the inspection station

a spot. The sign on the door says they are not taking money at this location. I go through the inspection process and onto the second floor to pay despite the sign on the door that says you cannot pay here at this time. Where I go to pay despite the sign it is obvious that I am not alone in ignoring the warning.

It’s the whole second floor, huge, spacious, with rows of desks and computers and packed with people. And in the far corner there seems to be a long line, but I am good because I am assigned to someone who is going to help me directly. I walk into the desingated open space and the woman at the desk motions to a chair, I know what to do. I sit. And she continues doing whatever it was she was doing before. After a few minutes

I tell her I am there to pay and she asks for my papers which I gladly hand over, convinced I am now at the last possible step. “This vehicle is in a company name,” she says. “Yes,” I tell her, “I am aware of that.”

“I need your business license,” she says. Again, it occurs to me wouldn’t it have been handy to let me know all of that in the beginning, like back at Fort

Charlotte where it could have said company vehicles go to xyz and be sure to take your certificate of insurance and current business license.

But again, who am I to offer simple advice.

And the whole point is that it didn’t need to be that tough in here.

Signage, coordination, online payment or credit/ debit card option without a cashier’s window. Not that I am complaining. I walk out, the sun is shining, I have the right to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and I am blessed by incredible family. It’s just the little things that could be so much simpler, couldn’t they?

I call the office and they forward the business license – to a gmail address, not even a proper domain. Small detail, surely now everything is now good and I can check this chore off my list. Didn’t I say that before? Sorry if I am repeating myself. She scans and enters whatever she has to, hands me something and tells me to go “over there.” Over there is that long line that winds halfway back around this whole spacious place. It’s the cashier’s window. There are probably 50 people in the room not including staff and there are three cashier windows, two of which appear to be open. I get in line, of course. It’s not like there is a choice. The woman behind me seems pleasant so after greeting a few other folks I know, I strike up a conversation with her. She recently opened a salon but knowing she was dealing with vehicle registration, she had to book her first appointment for 3 pm. “I lost almost a whole day of business,” she says, “and I am just starting out. It’s tough out there.”

Comedy for a cause brings Screwball Comedy to Atlantis to benefit Ranfurly Home for Boys and Girls

GRAB your ticket, get ready for side-splitting laughs in comedy show at Atlantis with proceeds benefitting four local charities.

On April 11, Screwball Comedy will open at the Atlantis Theatre for a nine-night run through the 20th with a break on Monday, the 15th. This is the third production by Heather Hodgson Kosoy and 2Hoops Productions and the second time the Paradise Island resident, a former TV and stage star in Canada, is donating 100 percent of net proceeds to charity. Last year’s comedy, The Long Weekend, raised $90,000, providing $30,000 each for the Bahamas Feeding Network, Bahamas National Trust and Lend A Hand Bahamas. This year, the comedy for a cause is adding Ranfurly Homes for Children as a beneficiary and has set its sights on raising even more money. I’ve had the privilege of reading the script and spending time with Hodgson Kosoy, and while the script is all laughs and hilarious, the actress and producer and her husband, developer and businessman David Kosoy, are all about the heart of art being the ability to give back. This isn’t their first rodeo. When they wed, they asked guests who wanted to give a gift to donate instead to Ranfurly. You won’t want to miss Screwball Comedy. It’s not every day that a winning combo like this comes along, though we are getting used to its being an annual repeat, an evening of laughs and the knowledge the money is helping to fight hunger, protect the environment, give children at Ranfurly an opportunity and create a better space for inner city youth wanting to improve their lives and education.

Tickets range from $42.90 to $82.50 and are available online at https:// www.atlantisbahamas.com/ events/screwball-comedy . The show starts at 7:30 pm.

HEATHER and David Kosoy at the news conference announcing Screwball Comedy, columnist Diane Phillips, standing, local actor D. Sean Nottage, appearing again in a 2Hoops Production. Nottage was Pierce Brosnan’s double when a 007 film was shot in The Bahamas.

THE ROAD Traffic Department main office at the Edwin ‘Smiley’ Bastian Corporate Centre.

KIWANIS CLUB OF FORT MONTAGU

Kiwanis Clubs were located solely within the United States and Canada from its inception in 1915. But, after 40 years of debate, delegates at the 1961 International Convention in Toronto, Ontario approved the expansion of Kiwanis internationally.

community.

Over the years, the club has continued to support the growth of Service Leadership Programmes (SLP), including the formation of the Key Club of St. Anne’s in 1974 and the Circle K Club at The College of The Bahamas in 1977.

Today, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu sponsors an impressive array of Service Leadership Programs including:

Two Circle K ClubsUniversity of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI)

Four Key Clubs - Queen’s College, CR Walker, St. Anne’s School and Nassau Christian School

Two Builders ClubsNassau Christian School and St Anne’s School

Five K-Kids Clubs - E.P. Roberts, St. Anne’s School, Nassau Christian School, Woodcock Primary and Uriah McPhee School

One Aktion Club

Over the decades, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu has demonstrated remarkable continuity and dedication to its mission of Serving the Children of the world.

In addition to service, the Kiwanis experience includes several ways for members to be leaders and learners. The Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu afforded leadership opportunities for 62 presidents and 12 Lieutenant Governors over its long history. The club has remained steadfast in its commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals within the

One year later on December 13, 1962, The Kiwanis Club of Nassau, in The Bahamas, was formed and sponsored by the Kiwanis Clubs of Ontario and East York. In 1994, The Bahamas made history again when the late Reverend Dr Hervis Bain Jr was elected as the first Bahamian Governor of the Eastern Canada and The Caribbean District of Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu, two years later in 1964, was founded on February 11, and officially chartered on March 31, 1964. The Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu has a rich history of service and philanthropy, led by the late president Vincent Lotmore, the club began with 38 charter members, including the esteemed past president Carlton Jones, who remains an active member today. March 31, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu as it celebrates six decades of dedicated service to the community. Under the theme “Our Legacy, Our Future Let Service Take Flight!”, the club commemorates its 60th anniversary with a renewed commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. In 1969, the club achieved another milestone by becoming a member of the Division Council of Kiwanis Clubs in The Bahamas. The late Roy Davis served as council secretary, while Frank Treco became the first Lieutenant Governor of Division 22, both hailing from Fort Montagu. The Kiwanis family includes members of all ages and abilities. In addition to Kiwanis clubs for adults who serve kids, we offer Kiwanis Service Leadership Programmes. Our SLPs are Key Club International for high school students, Circle K International for college and university students, K-Kids for elementary school students, Builders Club for middle school students and Aktion Club for adults with disabilities. SLPs are leadership and character-building programs hosted in a school or community agency. The club’s commitment to fostering leadership and service among the youth began in 1968 with the establishment of the Queen’s College Key Club, followed by the Queen’s College Keywanettes Club.

Through its unwavering dedication to fostering leadership and service among its members, as well as its extensive outreach programmes and partnerships, the club has continually strived to uplift and support those in need. This steadfast dedication to service and leadership has solidified the club’s role as a pillar of strength and compassion in the community.

The club’s impact extends beyond youth programs, with a diverse range of initiatives aimed at serving the community. From the “Popsicles on Wheels” program to outreach efforts at the Simpson Penn Center for Boys and the Willie Mae Pratt Center, and Primary School Pantry Donations to EP Roberts Primary School, Uriah Mcphee Primary School Woodcock Primary School and Willard Patton Primary School, the club remains committed to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. Additionally, initiatives such as back-to-school giveaways, weekly reading sessions at Willard Patton Preschool, and tree planting/backyard farming projects demonstrate the club’s dedication to education and environmental sustainability.

Since its inception in 2018, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu’s signature project, Meals on Wheels, has been instrumental in addressing food insecurity among children in povertystricken areas. Through the club’s innovative food trailer, hot meals, snack bags, grocery bags, and occasional cold sweet treats are distributed to those in need. This initiative not only provides essential nourishment but also offers a source of comfort and support to vulnerable families. With its unwavering dedication to serving the community, Meals on Wheels remains a cornerstone project for the club, symbolizing its commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families facing adversity.

Through strategic partnerships with organisations such as the Bahamas Social Services Department (Children’s Homes), the Salvation Army, and collaborations like the Annual Mall at Marathon Easter Egg Hunt Partnership, the club maximizes its

impact and reaches a wider audience.

As the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu celebrates its 60th anniversary, Michelle Jones-Minnis, the current president, leads the club into a new era of service and philanthropy. With a legacy built on compassion, dedication, and community engagement, the club looks forward to continuing its mission of serving others and making a positive difference in the years to come.

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu is fortunate to have the support of several major community partners whose contributions greatly enhance the club’s ability to serve the community. Thanks to their collaboration, partnership and generosity, the club can fund its diverse range of programs and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of individuals, particularly the youth. These partners play a vital role in enabling the club to carry out its mission of service, and their continued support is deeply appreciated.

Here’s to 60 years! The Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu will continue its positive influence so that one day, all children will wake up to communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive.

KIWANIS CLUB OF NASSAU

On International Day of Happiness, president Jackie Jones thanks everyone in the Kiwanis family for improving the lives of kids and families — and for creating more happiness around the world.

Additionally, the K-Kids Club c/o St Cecilia’s Primary School paid a courtesy visit to their sponsor club at a membership meeting. The aim was to foster fellowship and immulate the objects of Kiwanis. It was truly a great pleasure and opportunity to serve the children of the world.

KCN led by president Jackie Jones participated and partnered with BTC executives and discussed entering the fibre world. Guest speaker BTC director Drexel Woods and

other members of BTC’s executive team gave insight to club of its existing and future development.

KIWANIS CLUB OF NORTH ANDROS

On Friday, March 9, the Kiwanis Club of North Andros led by our president Mechela McCartney visited the Roaelda M Woodside Primary School where 97 students were treated for lunch. Lunch consisted of a hotdog sandwich, juice and an apple. This effort was a part of our Kiwanis Terrific Kids program. Our special guest visiting for our leadership training weekend was our Lieutenant Governor Anastacia Johnson of the Sunshine Division 22, under the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District, DLGE Irene Rolle, DS Janelle Pickering and DP Dominique Rolle. Kiwanis Terrific Kids is a character-building programme that recognises students for modifying their behaviour. The program encourages kids to become the best version of themselves. Kids determine what being terrific means to them, then develop their own goals and use peer mentoring to hold themselves accountable for the actions they take each week. When a participant achieves their goal, her or she is recognised for being a Terrfic Kid.

KIWANIS CLUB OF OVER-THE-HILL

On Saturday, February 24, led by our president Dominique Gaitor, we partnered with the Rotaract Club of South East Centennial for a health fair and blood drive at Bahamas National Trust Retreat Garden on Village Road. The health fair provided free blood pressure checks, cholesterol & diabetes screening, minor blood testing along with accepting blood donations. We believe this was a good opportunity for residents of the nearby communities to take advantage of and get free essential health checks.

HORTICULTURAL

SOCIETY OF THE BAHAMAS

Dame Janet Bostwick has agreed to be the Patron of the 2024 Horticultural Society of The Bahamas (HSB) “Horticultural Extravaganza” Plant Show and Sale, 2–6 pm, on Saturday, April 6, at Doris Johnson Senior High School, Prince Charles Drive. Admission to the show is $5 for adults, $3 for children.

Dame Bostwick has been a friend of the HSB for many years, attending the most recent annual plant sale held in February. The official opening begins at 3pm. The biennial show is one of the largest in The Bahamas with displays of beautiful plants grown by its members. This is the first show since 2016 and green thumb enthusiasts are excited to exhibit their flora. As part of the HSB’s objectives to promote horticulture, the club will donate fruit trees to the school’s garden.

Vendors for this year’s show include Flamingo Nursery, Muriel’s Garden, Duke Strachan, Kent Lightbourne, Marina Greaves, Dail’s Exotic Orchids, Donnell Ferguson, Ocean Marie Garden Accessories, MCM Orchids and Sandy Towning. The Horticultural Society of The Bahamas was founded in 1984 by Sara Bardelmeier to promote horticultural knowledge, educate the public on care and maintenance of trees and plants, and to enhance the beauty of our islands. Meetings are held the first Saturday of every month. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

ROTARY CLUB OF EAST NASSAU

Rotarians Andrew Symonette (RAD member) and Joanne Robertson tied the knot on Saturday afternoon. Joanne and Andrew are Rotary offspring, both born and bred under the motto ‘Service above Self’. PDG John and Honey Robertson and Brent and Robin Symonette are the proud parents of these two.

FROM left, director Tina Cooper, Kiwanis Club of North Andros (KCNA), DLGE

DAME Janet Bostwick is shown greeting fellow legend, Keith Parker MBE at the HSB Annual Plant Sale on February 3, 2024. ROTARIANS Andrew Symonette and Joanne Robertson at their wedding on Saturday.

Grand Bahama athletes go home with multiple CARIFTA medals

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahamians showed up and showed out at the 51st CARIFTA Games in St George’s, Grenada to return to the second city with multiple CARIFTA medals.

Grand Bahama’s top performers rounded up 10 total medals at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.

Grand Bahama native Joshua Williams left the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships as the only member of Team Bahamas to pick up two gold medals. He collected his hardware in the under-17 boys’ long jump and high jump events. His performance in the long jump was particularly impressive as he progressed from not placing at the 50th CARIFTA Games to wearing a gold medal on the podium. He soared to a personal best of 7.03m in the long jump and 2.00m in the high jump.

Williams said it felt good to be taking two gold medals back to Grand Bahama.

“It feels good to get two medals for my hometown. Nassau has a lot more facilities and coaches than us but being able to get two medals coming from Grand Bahama makes me feel good,” he said. The 16-year-old basketball player and field athlete was happy to get over the hump in both events. “It feels good. Last year I only got one medal but this year getting two medals feels great.

“My jumps over time kept getting better. It felt good to get over the sevenmetre mark in the long jump and 2m mark in the high jump,” the double gold medallist said. Grand Bahamians took up the top two podium spots in the high jump event.

Claudius Burrows joined Williams to complete a perfect one-two punch.

Burrows finished the event with a 1.95m mark in his CARIFTA debut. He described the feeling as a great one and was grateful for his CARIFTA experience.

“It feels great but getting my own medal in particular felt like overcoming a milestone. It was awesome. I got to see a lot of new things and explore the country,” the silver medallist said.

Keyezra Thomas was also a CARIFTA firsttimer. She ran away with two silver medals earned in the under-17 girls’ 400m finals and 4x100m relay event.

She stopped the clock at 54.59 seconds in the quarter-mile event. She teamed up with fellow Grand Bahamian Kianna Henchell along with Khylee Wallace and Darvinique Dean. The quartet ended the relay event with a time of 46.28 seconds. She talked about her performance in the 400m

finals and how fulfilling it felt to medal at her first CARIFTA Games.

“The start was alright. It could have been better but I am glad and I thank God for allowing me to place in the top three for my first year in CARIFTA.

“I am happy about what I did in the 400m. I was a bit nervous but I just realised that I had to do what I gotta do and, once God is in my life, I can do anything,” she said. Grand Bahama native Shatalya Dorsette teamed up with Nya Wright, Shayann Demeritte and Nia Richards in the under-20 girls’ 4x100m relay for a bronze medal. They ran a time of 45.40 seconds.

Dorsette, a CARIFTA veteran, expressed how it felt to be among the crop of Grand Bahmaians to medal.

“It feels good to be honest because in Grand Bahama we do not have a lot of people on the team so I am glad, with the

small amount of people we have, we are actually contributing to the team and medalling,” she said

Rizpah Thompson teamed up with Dean, Alexis Roberts and Jasmine Thompson to win a silver medal in 3:47.13 while competing in the under-17 girls’ 4x400m relay.

Shania Adderley claimed a bronze medal along with other relay members in the under-20 girls’ 4x400m event. The team ran 3:49.82.

Aaliyah Evans also picked up a bronze medal in the girls’ heptathlon (open) with a total of 4,181 points. She competed in the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m.

Shamar Davis posted an identical jump of 2.00m with Bernard Kemp in the under-20 boys’ high jump event for a bronze medal.

Eighteen Grand Bahamians were selected to Team Bahamas.

GREG BURROWS

FROM PAGE 16

Knowles, however, pointed out that as the president, he had a discussion with the BBA’s president Sam Rodgers and indicated that they decided to deal with the matter in house.

“We were not invited to intervene or to oversee the matter,” Knowles said. “The suspension matter is a matter for the BBA and they have the rights to deal with it internally.”

Just for clarity, the BBA issued the suspensions respectively to the Burrows for their actions against Curacao’s home plate umpire Edaine Cannister during a medal placement game in the Babe Ruth Championships at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium on July 30.

In the 16-and-under game played between the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, Cannister ejected Burrows Jr as the manager of Team Bahamas for his constant complaint over a head apparel that the Puerto Rican pitcher was wearing.

After being ejected and refusing to leave the stadium, Burrows Sr, who served as the Babe Ruth League Caribbean commissioner, approached Cannister, along with two other tournament officials, with the view of having Burrows Jr reinstated. Cannister, a 60-plus year old tournament umpire with more than 40 years of officiating, refused to reinsert Burrows Jr, who verbally abused Cannister from the sidelines and subsequently attacked the 60-plus year-old visiting official in the umpires’ room after the game.

After filing a formal complaint with the BBA, a four-member special panel was assembled, consisting of chairmen Tony Scriven, a lawyer, Brian Armbrister, a Bahamian pro scout, Tommy Stubbs, a former player/administrator and Keith Seymour, another lawyer. The panel, in reviewing the accuracy of eyewitnesses’ statements and account of the incidents, provided their recommendations to the BBA, who presented the facts and its final report.

Associations (BAAA), expressed the need for further improvement and development with regards to the sprints and middle distance events.

“I think we need to go back to the drawing board. Historically, middle distance has never really been our strongest suit. I think that we were good during the Walter Callander and William “Knucklehead” Johnson days but in recent times it has really not been a focus of ours. This year we had a middle distance training programme [but] I think that more work needs to be done with coaching development in that area,” he said.

The BAAA president acknowledged the physical requirements necessary for middle distance runners and believes that it is imperative to search in other sporting disciplines for athletes that can also succeed in track and field.

“The middle distance runners are leaner, they are taller, they are more agile and that I think is an issue of physicality. We need to go back into the treasure trove and look at those athletes that fit that description. We need to grab some of those athletes who play basketball and other sports who may not excel in those areas but may find a wonderful home in track and field,” Archer said.

The Bahamas came away with its fifth second place finish with nine gold medals, 13 silver medals and 11 bronze medals.

Mantas water polo team off to Florida

THE Bahamas Mantas water polo team is off to Clermont, Florida where they will compete in the Rise Up Water Polo Tournament at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida. The team left town yesterday and is scheduled to begin competition at 4pm today against the CT Premier team. That will be followed by another match-up against the Orlando Thunder before they play the nightcap against the Orlando United. They are then slated to play a series of matches today,

starting with a rematch against the Orlando Thunder, followed by a meeting against Miami Riptides, the Jax Gators, the Brooklyn Hustle, Orlando Thunder, Raiders and North Atlanta.

On Sunday, they will close out round robin play against North Atlanta and the Jax Gator before the playoffs get underway, followed by the championship game to conclude the tournament.

Making up the team are Kayjah Sylvain, Alkayna Darling, Chelsea Smith, Joyelle Brown, India Jones,

Durmani Stubbs, Paityn Burrows, Meghan Smith, Gabrielle McKenzie, La’Mya Bodie, Jamar Bienamie, Shanterro Knowles, Jayden Smith, Isiah Colon, Jaylen Rahming, Caylen Brown, Landon Sumner, Dalane Philipps, Jacob Johnson, Kaedan Hackett, Jahmahl Wilson, Krishna Rolle, Asher Brown and Owen McKenzie.

The team is coached by Lotty Borbely, assisted by Wandalee Burrows and Logan Carey, a former national team member.

Go Team Bahamas!

BAZARD FROM PAGE 16

athletes feeling fatigued and disoriented. To mitigate the effects of jet lag and exhaustion, athletes should prioritize restful sleep in the days leading up to travel and consider adjusting their sleep schedules gradually to align with destination time zones when applicable.

2. Travel Delays and Time Zones

Despite meticulous planning, travel delays are inevitable and can throw off athletes’ training schedules and preparation. Additionally, crossing multiple time zones can disrupt athletes’ internal clocks and exacerbate fatigue. Flexibility is key when facing unexpected delays,

and athletes should focus on staying hydrated, maintaining proper nutrition, and incorporating light exercise to combat jet lag.

3. Accommodations and Health Concerns

As we settled into our accommodations, the significance of choosing athlete-friendly lodging became increasingly apparent. Ensuring athletes have swift access to their rooms upon arrival, even if it means deviating from standard hotel check-in times, is crucial for their comfort and rest. Comfortable bedding is essential for quality sleep, which is integral to athletes’ recovery and performance. Additionally, providing a variety of nutritious meal options, including fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and

whole grains, helps sustain energy levels and support optimal performance. Access to fitness facilities enables athletes to maintain their training routines while away from home, contributing to their physical well-being.

In conclusion, navigating the challenges of team travel requires careful planning, flexibility, and teamwork. By implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of travel fatigue and prioritizing athletes’ well-being, teams can optimize performance and resilience while on the road. As we gear up for future competitions and travel adventures, let’s remember the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other to ensure success both on and off the field.

Additionally, Jamaica won its 38th consecutivestraight CARIFTA Track and Field Championships with 44 gold medals, 23 silver medals and 16 bronze medals. Trinidad and Tobago placed third with 27 medals (four gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze). Outside of the top three countries, Guyana hauled away eight medals (four gold, two silver and two bronze) and Guadeloupe won five.

The host country amassed 14 medals (one gold, six silver and seven bronze).

Archer spoke about the parity that exists at the CARIFTA Games as other countries turned in big performances over the Easter weekend. “I think there is a lot to be said about the region closing the gap to Jamaica and The Bahamas. Guyana was simply amazing and Trinidad & Tobago was not far behind. They really showed up and showed well in the sprints.

When you look at the quality of competition I think it is second to none,” he said.

Although he acknowledged The Bahamas’ shortcomings in the track events, Archer is confident that the necessary adjustments will be made for the 52nd CARIFTA Games in Trinidad & Tobago.

“The team is gonna go on a witch hunt. Trinidad is gonna be a special CARIFTA Games for many and I think it will be exciting for many reasons so hopefully we can make the adjustments within one year’s time,” he said. The Bahamas claimed 23 out of 33 medals in the field events in Grenada.

CALENDAR FROM PAGE 16

ROAD RACE

THE Mother Me Ministries presents a fun run/ walk race on Saturday, April 13, starting at 5:30am at Goodman’s Bay. The race will travel to Sandyport and return to Goodman’s Bay where free glucose and blood pressure testing will take place. The entry fee is $25 per person and $20 each for groups of 10 or more. Interested persons can call 324-0034.

BBSF TOURNEY

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is set to hold its final registration meeting for for all churches wishing to participate in its volleyball tournament at 7pm on Thursday, April 18. The tournament is scheduled for April 24-27 at the DW Davis Gymnasium. The registration fee is $200 per team for a total of 12 players. Awards will be presented to the winners at the completion of the tournament.

THE BAHAMAS Mantas water polo team.

CARIFTA SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP @

LAMAR TAYLOR

FROM PAGE 16

Bahamian swimmer with a chance to book his ticket to the games, captured the gold in the 200m freestyle in 49.33 seconds and had to settle for a pair of silver medal performances in the 50 metre butterfly in 24.47 seconds and the 50m freestyle in 22.32.

Carter, 28, won both the 50m fly and 50m free in times of 23.42 and 21.98 respectively.

For 20-year-old Tayor, he would have liked to have swum faster with Carter providing the stiff challenge.

“It’s frustrating, but I knew I had a really long college season (at Henderson State University) and I’ve been to a few long course meets while I was

training in college, so I’m extremely tired,” he said. “My technique is good, everything is good. It’s just that I am tired right now.

“So when I go back to school, I will take a week’s break and then get back in the grind and try to get my cuts this season. So with a little more time and a little more training, I think I will be able to get the times this summer.”

The Grand Bahama native ended his senior season by repeating as the NCAA Division II national champion in the 100-yard freestyle in a championship record time of 42.64.

As he ended up earning five All-American honours at the nationals, Taylor also led both of HSU’s 200m free and 400m free relay teams that won the national championship titles, including setting the DII national record in the 200m free relay in 1:16.50.

With his collegiate season over, the goal is now to qualify for the Olympics.

Taylor would have to drop down to the A standard of 21.96 or at least the B of 22.07 in the 50m free.

There is no 50m fly, but the standard for the 100m fly is 51.67 (A) or 51.93 (B). In the 100m free, the A standard is 48.34 and the B is 48.58.

While the A is an automatic qualifier, the B is for those swimmers who is the only competitor in their country who would have attained the standard in that particular event, which secures a lane at the games.

“Swimming the 100m free by myself was a real confidence booster,” said Taylor, who lowered his own Bahamian national record in the process. “I went out at 23.0 and at the turn, I knew I had a 22-low in me. I just had to swim my hardest. I just didn’t get it.

“But having Dylan swimming next to me in my other races really helped me. He’s a good friend of mine, who always encourages me, especially when we are competing overseas, so it was a pleasure to have him here.”

Carter, a graduate of the University of Southern California, has already qualified for his third appearance at the Olympics and he’s hoping that he will make Paris a memorable experience. “I’m looking forward to giving it my best and swimming fast and competing against the best in the world,” he projected. “Each time is going to be unique and different. I’m a little older now, so I hope to get better.”

As for Taylor, Carter said there’s nothing like swimming against a hometown rival. “We are competitors first, but out of the pool,

we are really good friends,” Carter said.

“Anytime we get to compete against each other, we push the other.

“So it’s good to be able to do that in front of the Bahamian crowd.”

Like all of the other visiting swimmers, Carter said he was delighted to get another opportunity to compete in the Bahamas.

“The crowd is so electric. You heard the noise from the stands. They really push you on. So I am really grateful to be in the Bahamas. What a great event they put on this week,” he summed up.

While he didn’t get the type of performances he anticipated, Taylor was just delighted to take the break from his studies at HSU to compete at home again. “It’s one of the few opportunities that I get to compete at home in this pool,” he said.

“I always believe that’s the reason why I usually swim my best times because it’s something you want, to swim faster in the water and the junkanoo music in the sounds that make you want to swim fast.”

Last year, Taylor has established himself as the cream of the crop in The Bahamas, winning a gold in the 50 metre backstroke at the 24th Central American and Caribbean Games and a bronze in the 50m free at the 19th Pan American Games in Chile. Carter, by the way, has won a gold in the 50m back at the FINA Swimming World Cup in 2022, silver in the 50m fly as well at the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships in 2021 and a bronze as a member of Trinidad & Tobago’s men’s 4 x 100 metre free relay at the 24th Central American and Caribbean Games last year.

SWIMMERS compete on day one of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships at Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex. Photos by Dante Carrer

SWIMMERS compete on day two of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships at Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

Photos by Dante Carrer

SWIMMERS compete on day three of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships at Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex. Photos by Dante Carrer

SWIMMERS compete and celebrate on the final day of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships at Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex. Photos by Dante Carrer

SPORTS

Less than nine months after the son-father combo of Greg Burrows Jr and Sr were served with suspensions of 15 and five years respectively, the Bahamas Baseball Association lifted the sanctions with immediate effect. In a letter issued on Thursday, the BBA stated that the “decision has been made after the BBA’s

deliberations and discussions with the relevant parties concerning the events that occurred during the Babe Ruth 2023 Caribbean Championships. “The association is confident that the correct measures were undertaken by the relevant parties in a spirit of continued advancement of baseball as a unified sporting community within the Bahamas.”

When contacted for further clarification, BBA secretary general Theodore Sweeting said the

decision is what it is and there are no further comments to be made at this time.

Further pressed as to who were the relevant parties involved in the discussion to make the decision, Sweeting said it’s a matter that the BBA will decline to disclose.

When contacted for comments, Burrows Sr also declined to make any comments. He noted that he didn’t have any comments when the decision was handed down and he doesn’t have any right now as it was revoked.

Also when contacted for comments, Bahamas Olympic Committee

THE dust has now settled after the 51st CARIFTA Games wrapped up on Monday

NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF TEAM TRAVEL: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

I WAS honoured to have recently travelled as sports medicine physician with the Bahamian 2024 CARIFTA track and field team, I’ve experienced firsthand the highs and lows of team travel. From early morning wake-up calls to unexpected delays and surprise events, navigating the complexities of travel can be both exhilarating and exhausting for athletes and coaches alike. This week,

I’ve decided to delve into the topic of team travel and share insights on overcoming its challenges to optimise performance and well-being.

1. Early Rising and Long Journeys Travelling with the CARIFTA team involved early morning departures and long journeys to our destination. The combination of disrupted sleep patterns and extended travel times combines