04182017 business

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017

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‘We had to take Govt at their word on VAT’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The private sector “could have fought harder” for Fiscal Responsibilitytype legislation and rules, a well-known businessman has conceded, but “had to take the Government at their word” on Value-Added Tax (VAT).

Robert Myers, who chaired the Chamber’s Coalition for Responsible Taxation (CRT) during the VAT implementation negotiations, said the Christie administration warned the Bahamas would be unable to meet its financial obligations without the new tax.

Private sector ‘could have fought harder’ on fiscal rules New tax ‘sold’ as reducing deficit, paying down debt ‘Made abundantly clear’ VAT only part of solution Robert Myers

Mr Myers, who no longer heads the CRT, added that VAT was “sold” as essential for reducing the fiscal deficit and paying down the $7

Exuma resort buyer eyes $700k upgrades

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The prospective purchaser of Exuma’s Club Peace & Plenty resort yesterday said it was planning $700,000 worth of upgrades to revitalise the destination and make it “the premier property in Georgetown proper”.

Burton Rodgers, the Bahamian businessman who is part of the acquiring group, said they had received all the necessary Government approvals for the purchase last week.

He added that they now planned to close the acquisition agreement with current Club Peace & Plenty owners, the Benjamin family, within the next 30-60 days.

Mr Rodgers confirmed that there were connections to Exuma’s February Point and Stocking Island developments through the involvement of himself, and Steve Harrington, in the acquiring group.

He emphasised, though, that the Club Peace & Plenty purchase was a separate venture from both these projects, although potential synergies between the different developments will be explored.

Mr Rodgers said this could involve the Club Peace & Plenty being used as a ‘jumping off’ point for visitors and tourists heading to Stocking Island, with

Peace & Plenty to be GTown’s ‘premier property’ Bahamian partners with Florida resort owners in deal Govt approvals received; closing likely in 30-60 days the prospective new owners wanting to get “the entire Exuma community involved” with the property’s revival.

Describing the Club Peace & Plenty as “probably the most historic boutique hotel in the Bahamas”, Mr Rodgers told Tribune Business: “Now we have the Government approvals, we’re moving to close the deal right now; within the next 30-60 days.

“The group includes myself and a group of investors in Florida, who own some hotels in Key West and the Greater Miami area.”

Mr Rodgers explained that he specifically sought out hoteliers as partners on the Club Peace & Plenty purchase because he wanted investors who could “do more than write a cheque”.

“These guys have an outstanding record,” he added of his partners.

“They have high, yearSee pg b4

billion national debt, with the private sector agreeing to its implementation provided the proceeds were used for these purposes.

But Prime Minister Perry Christie, in his recent House of Assembly address on how the $1.14 billion in gross VAT revenues have been used, said just 40 per cent of this sum had been applied to reduce the fiscal deficit.

Besides reducing the Government’s ‘red ink’ by a collective $500 million for the 2015-2016 calendar years, Mr Christie said some $256 million in VAT monies had financed additional public sector hirings and new borrowings, such as the $232 million re-equipping of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF).

“I put it like this,” Mr See pg b5

‘Tremendous opportunity lost’ on fiscal responsibility

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Chamber’s chairman has backed Fiscal Rules “principles” for the Bahamas, describing the Christie administration’s failure to initiate consultation on the issue as “a tremendous opportunity lost”.

Gowon Bowe told Tribune Business that the private sector and Bahamian public needed to “force” the Government to establish a Tripartite Working Group that would determine the way forward on greater fiscal accountability and transparency.

Calling for such a group to be formed “in the very near term”, Mr Bowe said it needed to feature representatives from the tax collector (the Government), taxpayers (the Bahamian

Chamber chief backs fiscal rules ‘principles’ PM’s Fiscal Responsibility pledge ‘fallen by wayside’ Bahamians ‘can’t rely’ on Govt; must ‘force’ issue people), and the ‘intermediaries’ (the business community.

He added that the Government’s failure to follow through on its February 2015 promise of consultation on Fiscal Responsibility-type legislation showed that the Bahamas “cannot rely” on the executive to See pg b4

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Business model switch sees RBC Nassau lay-offs

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net More lay-offs occurred at Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) Nassau branches last week, as the impact of its branch closures and business model changes starts to take effect.

Tribune Business contacts familiar with developments, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that five persons at RBC’s Carmichael branch were released, along with two-three staff mem-

Bank: ‘Impact’ to be felt over coming months Branches, ‘centres of excellence’ consolidated bers at its Old Fort Bay location.

Some of those laidoff were said to have been employed in middle management positions, with See pg b6

RoyalFidelity: No international fund plans ‘in near future’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net RoyalFidelity has no plans to create more international investment funds “in the near future”, with low domestic interest rates making it difficult to guarantee for Bahamian investors’ principal.

Joseph Euteneuer, the investment bank’s mutual fund manager, told Tribune Business that there were no plans “to add anything new” to its investment fund family, arguing that current options were sufficient.

RoyalFidelity has typically guaranteed that investors in its TIGRS international funds will at least recover 100 per cent of their principal by investing an equivalent sum in local, Bahamas-based investment instruments as a ‘hedge’.

However, Mr Euteneuer explained that with Bahamian bank deposit rates at record lows, due See pg b6

Low Bahamas rates hit principal guarantee Longer ‘lock in’ not attractive to investors Domestic funds have $208m under management

Joseph Euteneuer

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas moves to combat correspondent de-risking

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Improvements to the Bahamas’ anti-money laundering framework and electronic payment solutions will help this nation combat the threat posed by correspondent banking ‘derisking’, the Central Bank’s governor believes.

John Rolle told Tribune Business: “There is a lot of work going on in that area.

The general work that we are doing in the Bahamas is around the anti-money

laundering framework, which is sort of coalescing around the national risk assessment strategy report that has been drafted.

“What that report helps with is identifying areas where the regulators and the law enforcement agencies see a scope for improvement in their operations and activities” Mr Rolle added: “There is likely to be work in the areas that help in terms of elevating the positives in our framework and, to the extent that you can continue to work on those, it

will help in terms of the jurisdiction’s profile and how the financial institutions benefit in terms of their correspondent banking relationships. The anti-money laundering framework is one of the areas where work is happening.”

Bahamian financial institutions are being subjected to “heightened due diligence” by their US and other correspondent counterparts.

Correspondent banks are those that allow Bahamian financial institutions to provide services in their home countries, using

their physical and electronic banking infrastructure.

They give Bahamian banks, and their clients, access to the international capital markets and financial system, enabling transactions to clear and be settled on a timely basis, and foreign currency deposits to be taken.

The Central Bank, in its second survey on the effects of correspondent bank ‘de-risking’ on the Bahamian financial services industry, found that 14 of the 54 respondents (some 26 per cent) had lost at least one correspondent banking relationship within the past three years.

Meanwhile, Mr Rolle told Tribune Business that more focus will be placed on increasing the use of elec-

tronic payment solutions in the Bahamas, as cash has always been flagged as ‘higher risk’ for money laundering and other criminal activities.

“The other area where we are starting to feel a bit more upbeat is the general framework to provide more electronic payment solutions to the population, because that means less use of cash, and cash is always flagged as higher risk for money laundering and criminal activities,” he explained.

“The extent that you can get any business or establishment to be less concentrated on cash in their operations, that helps them in their relationship with the banks, and it also helps in terms of how the country is

able to manage its overall risk exposure to criminal activities involving cash.”

Mr Rolle continued: “For us that is going to translate into a very focused education and awareness campaign around people understanding what are the sort of safety precautions and safeguards they should have in place when dealing in the electronic space, and also getting people to understand the risks involved with personal reliance on cash in many settings.

“We have to do a lot to increase and maintain confidence and comfort in people using electronic solutions. There is going to be a lot of public outreach around that area.”

Pictured from L to R during the AgriVision 2021 presentation are Garry Russell, procurement manager; V. Alfred Gray, minister of agriculture and marine resources; Alaasis Braynen BAMSI chief executive and general manager; and Bob Brown, IT manager.

Minister receives five-year food plan V. Alfred Gray, minister of agriculture and marine resources, has been presented with ‘AgriVision 2021: A Five-year Food and Nutrition Security Plan to feed the Bahamas’.

AgriVision 2021 has been produced by The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI),

and focuses on the Government’s import substitution policy. It sets out a strategy to reduce the Bahamas’ $1 billion annual food import bill, and the drain this imposes on economic activity and foreign currency reserves.

A central component of AgriVision is the Associated Farmers’ Programme

(AFP), which will comprise a network of farmers throughout the Bahamas.

The AFP is designed to transform the Bahamas’ food production landscape by placing it on an economically sustainable basis, enhancing the competitiveness of the Bahamas’ food production system.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 18, 2017, PAGE 3

Air traffic sick-out creates ‘black eye’

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The ‘sick-out’ by air traffic controllers over the Easter holiday weekend has given this nation’s tourism and aviation sector “a black eye”, with one Bahamian airline executive telling this newspaper: “It definitely cost us money”.

Sky Bahamas chief executive, Randy Butler, told Tribune Business that while he had not yet put a figure on the losses - incurred during a peak travel period - the flight delays and cancellations had ruined what could have been a “perfect weekend”.

“We thought that this

Sky Bahamas chief: ‘It definitely cost us money’ Fears undermining tourism and aviation sectors would have been a perfect weekend to recover,” Mr Butler said. “We were looking at a break-even situation [instead]. We are competing with Bahamasair that has more capacity and new equipment, and the rates are the same.

“We were just looking at

the frequency. Getting more flights out would have put us in a good position. It definitely cost us money. How much I can’t say right now, but certainly it cost us in overtime, having to refund tickets and cancel flights and all that kind of stuff.

The goodwill is something that air traffic and all of us should pay attention to.”

Mr Butler added: “People were planning to spend time with their relatives, and there were a number of homecomings that were basically ruined. We had put some extra flights in the system.

“A lot of the passengers, even though we told them what was going on, they

Pictured L to R: Sterling Global Financial president, Stephen Tiller; Chavala Walker, head of corporate services; Drew McCartney, senior credit analyst; and Sterling chairman and chief executive, David Kosoy.

Sterling performance wins top fund awards A Bahamas-based financial institution has for the fifth consecutive year seen one of its investment funds take top honours in the AI Barclay’s Hedge Fund awards division, while also winning best fund manager for itself.

Sterling Mortgage Income Fund (SMIF), formerly the New Providence Income Fund, again earned the distinction of ‘best among best’ by Acquisitions International (AI), which rated it Best Fixed Income Mortgage-Backed Fund since Inception.

And its manager, Sterling Global Financial, based on East Bay Street, walked away with the Best Fund Manager – Bahamas title.

“This is truly a prestigious honour and speaks well not just for Sterling and the Sterling Mortgage Income Fund, but for the Bahamas as a fund headquarters from which to reach markets around the world,” said David Kosoy, Sterling’s chairman and chief executive.

Managed by its parent company, Sterling Global Financial Group, the SMIF fund has delivered strong results for its investors over the last five years, with a net 12.2 per cent return after all costs for the year 2016.

“This year, we have had a record number of applications for consideration for new financing and more far-reaching projects than

ever in our history. Many of those are under serious review. We move with measured and careful deliberation, allowing us to earn the returns and the reputation we enjoy,” said Stephen Tiller, Sterling’s president.

The SMIF fund invests debt financing in real estate projects in the Caribbean, Canada, US and select European countries, notably the UK and Ireland.

The awards are presented

by Acquisitions International (AI), the UK-based web and magazine organisation that reaches 108,000 advisors and subscribers in 170 financial markets. They are sponsored by Barclays Hedge Fund.

In each category, nominees are judged on performance, commitment to innovation, methods of operation and how they rate against competition.

didn’t understand. Having people sitting in the airplane for a prolonged period was very uncomfortable. There was a safety element as well.

“I’m grateful that the entire industry was safe that day. The air traffic controllers, Government and whoever else is involved needs to sit down and work this thing out. Continuously doing this kind of thing on the holidays is putting a black eye on the industry. Bahamasair might be able to cope with something like that but we can’t. I think this again just speaks to the fact that there is no strategic planning, no contingency for these type of things that we know can happen during the holidays.”

Glenys Hanna Martin, minister of transport and aviation, said of the air traffic controllers: “They had a sick-out during the first shift.

That created serious problems throughout the rest of the day Thursday.

“It was very unfortunate.

I think this is likely to have a significant impact on the economy due to the delayed and cancelled flights, with people not being able to get here to participate in the economy.

“Then there is the reputational damage. It gives us a black eye. It gives the impression of instability. I understand that the Minister of Labour met with them last week and is supposed to

meet with them again.”

When contacted for comment, Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union (BATCU) president, Hinsey McKenzie, said the union would likely make a formal statement today or tomorrow.

This Easter period is not the first time that air traffic controllers have inconvenienced passengers. Last September, a three-hour stoppage by the union over an Airport Authority protocol mandating security screening of all personnel accessing the secured airside at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) caused delays and some cancellations.

Bahamas launches Florida sales events The Bahamas Tourism Offices (BTO) have launched the first in a series of Florida sales missions designed to reengage potential visitors ahead of the summer and winter seasons.

The mission, renamed the ‘Bahamas Product Celebration’, kicked off in Miami at the W South Beach on Wednesday night.

“The objective is to coordinate the Bahamas Product Celebrations to bring awareness of new hotel offerings, destination product developments, new air and cruise services from multiple Florida gateways to the Bahamas,” BTO area manager, Jennifer GardinerBannister, said.

“This also provides an opportunity to continue to grow relationships, to conduct one-on-one sales and marketing focused meetings.”

The 50 travel agents and media in attendance heard from 20 suppliers representing various attractions or properties in the Bahamas.

There were also performances by a local Junkanoo group, Sunshine Junkanoo.

“While it’s about educating the travel community about why it’s better in the Bahamas, focusing on our 16 islands,” Ms Gardiner-Bannister said, “we also need

Bahamas vendors, the Bahamas Tourist Office’s senior Florida sales manager, Donna Mackey (navy uniform jacket), and travel Agents enjoy the fun and festivities as a Junkanoo group performs at the Ministry of Tourism’s Bahamas Product Celebration, Fort Lauderdale. to push our attractions, our culture - made up by our music and cuisine - so we had a Junkanoo rush out.

“But it’s key because we’re trying to reestablish and to expand the Bahamas’ business in the Florida market and the wider United States.

But we are focusing specifically on Florida as the lowest hanging fruit. We are trying to grow our numbers.”

“This Bahamas Product Celebration truly showcases the culture, the food, and the people. The Bahamas is a special place,” said Nick Jaramillo, owner of TEI Vacations. “I am here tonight to support the islands of the

Bahamas. The representatives have supported me for many years.”

Juan Rodrigues, sales manager for American Airlines Vacations, added: “The Bahamas Product Celebrations exposes the islands of the Bahamas to the travel agent. It is so important to have the relationships with the industry partners.”

The Bahamas Product Celebration continued at the W Fort Lauderdale Beach yesterday. It moves to the West-Shore Grand in Tampa today, before finishing in Orlando at the Hard Rock Hotel on Wednesday.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

‘Tremendous opportunity lost’ on fiscal responsibility From pg B1 lead on this issue.

“Philosophically, some form of Fiscal Responsibility and fiscal guidelines are going to be important,” Mr Bowe told Tribune Business.

“I would, and the Chamber would, support the principles set out for fiscal rules for the country, and the introduction of that should be facilitated through Tripartite dialogue.”

The Chamber chairman was speaking after an InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) paper, published last week, warned that the Bahamas and other Caribbean nations need to impose discipline on their governments if they are to escape their debt and fiscal crises.

It argued that the only way this could be achieved was through the implementation of so-called ‘fiscal rules’, which would set limits on the Government’s spending, and the deficits and debts it runs up.

The IDB paper’s authors, Allan Wright, Kari Granade and Ankie Scott-Joseph, said that the Bahamas’s best option was to impose ‘fiscal rules’ or limits on the Government’s spending, so that

this was always kept in line with a target debt-to-GDP ratio.

Prime Minister Perry Christie promised, during the mid-year Budget in February 2015, that the Government would initiate consultation on whether a Fiscal Responsibility Act was suitable, and appropriate, for the Bahamas.

A ‘White Paper’, setting out the respective cases for and against such legislation, was to have been released by summer 2015, with all feedback submitted to the Government by year-end 2015, and a Cabinet decision taken shortly afterwards.

None of this ever happened, and Mr Bowe told Tribune Business that “a tremendous opportunity was lost by not seeing it through”, especially when it came to the Bahamas’ longterm economic and fiscal planning needs.

“The Prime Minister previously promised that an analysis would be done, and that has fallen by the wayside,” he said.

“Political expediency dictates; do I want things to handcuff my ability to do things that are socially minded, but not economically minded?”

Exuma resort buyer eyes $700k upgrades From pg B1 round occupancies of 70-80 per cent, and their reputation in Key West is impeccable.

“The property [Club Peace & Plenty] needs a lot, a lot of work done to

it. That’s what we plan on doing, plus maintaining that rich history that’s been there over the years.”

Mr Rodgers said Club Peace & Plenty’s purchaser planned to keep all the existing staff employed, and would now “start digging

Gowon Bowe The Chamber chairman said the episode showed Bahamians they “cannot rely on the Government” to take the lead when it comes to developing, then imposing, fiscal responsibility and would have to instead “force Government” to establish a Working Group on the issue.

He added that given the nature of the political cycle,

there had been “a very slim chance” of the promised Fiscal Responsibility Act consultation occurring once the summer 2015 ‘White Paper’ deadline was missed.

A Fiscal Responsibility Act would force the Government to be more accountable and transparent in the management of the public finances, and require it to return to Parliament

into” the upgrades that were required.

Suggesting that the initial $700,000 renovation price tag might increase, he disclosed: “We’re going to redo all the 38 rooms. We’ll redo the amenities, fix up and improve that, and re-establish the Beach Club.

“We want to revive all of our waterfront activities, the pool area and restaurant area.”

Mr Rodgers continued: “The key thing is to bring back that life to Elizabeth Harbour. The Club Peace & Plenty is the key to reviving the whole of Georgetown.

“It’s probably the most historical boutique hotel in the Bahamas. We’re going to treat it with delicate kid gloves. We want the entire community involved with it. Club Peace & Plenty is Exuma.”

THE TRIBUNE

for approval to raise more money if it had to exceed the limits approved in the annual Budget.

So-called ‘fiscal rules’ go further than such an Act by setting targets/limits the Government cannot exceed, typically debt-to-GDP ratios of budgetary and fiscal deficits.

Some have argued that ‘fiscal rules’ would be inappropriate for the Bahamas, as they would lock or ‘box in’ the Government such that it would not be able to effectively respond to emergencies, such as Hurricane Matthew.

Others, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have suggested that the Government’s antiquated public financial management systems are also inadequate to support the adoption of ‘fiscal rules’.

Mr Bowe, meanwhile, said his proposed Tripartite Working Group, and its government, private sector and public stakeholders, needed to first assess the Bahamas’ fiscal position and the existing laws that underpin it.

Then it could move on to determining what new laws and legislative amendments were required, and the type of ‘fiscal rules’ that the Bahamas needed.

“It’s important to have that group formed in the very near term, so it can have a very tangible out-

put,” Mr Bowe said. “We have been haphazardly addressing fiscal issues as they have come up over the last few years.”

He suggested that the Bahamas could adopt a similar model to the Banks and Trust Companies Regulations Act, where much of the Central Bank’s regulatory authority came from regulations and guidelines that “have the force of law” but are outside the main, guiding Act. This, Mr Bowe explained, would avoid the need to go through “the laborious process of always going to Parliament” when changes were required.

“I believe we can use regulations and guidelines to achieve the same goal,” he explained to Tribune Business. “It will still be very transparent if there’s a move by the Minister of the day to amend things not approved by the public.”

Mr Bowe said the proposed Working Group needed to be given a clear brief and timelines to deliver its analysis and recommendations, so that it was held accountable for its work.

He added that its remit should be to focus on fiscal reform and all its components, not just taxation and spending in isolation.

Mr Rodgers said his involvement, and that of Mr Harrington’s, would ensure that Club Peace & Plenty’s ownership would retain strong Bahamian and local ties.

He added that this was important to both the Government and wider Exuma community, given the calls for the property to be sold to Bahamians, and would give confidence that the buyers will be fully involved rather than absentee owners.

“We’re thinking how we can create synergies between the Club Peace & Plenty,”Mr Rodgers told Tribune Business, describing his vision for the resort as “the premier property in Georgetown proper to complement the six-star project that David Talton and his team are going to be putting on Stocking Island.

“We want to put something there that complements that and the surrounding community.”

Declining to disclose the purchase price, Mr Rodgers said the group had been able to “negotiate a good deal, a good price” with the Club Peace & Plenty’s current owner, the Benjamin family.

“The Benjamins have been such an asset to the community of Exuma,” he added. “With the Benjamins, I think it was about finding the right buyer, and not necessarily all about the money.

“We have persons who are committed to, and passionate about, Exuma for years. It’s not just a bunch of guys buying property and disappearing, and not being around.

“That was important to the Government, knowing that the group interested in buying it had connections to February Point, had connections to Stocking Island.

That was key.”

Club Peace & Plenty has formally been for sale for at least two years, having

been placed on the market in February 2015.

The sales price was around $6 million. Tribune Business reported then that the Benjamin family and its patriarch, Stan Benjamin, who acquired Club Peace & Plenty in the early 1970s, had been mulling whether to sell the resort for some time before placing it with a realtor.

The family had already been downsizing and selling its Exuma assets, in what appeared to be an estate planning move. The former Peace & Plenty Beach Inn is now Augusta Bay, while Venezuelan buyers purchased its bonefish lodge that is now known as Turquoise Cay. The Club Peace & Plenty was opened by Lawrence Lewis, heir to the Henry Flagler railroad fortune, on January 14, 1958. The main building was originally a sponge warehouse and the bar a cookhouse dating back several hundred years to the Loyalist cotton plantation days.

Lewis sold the resort to the trio of Paul Swetland, Armand Angelone and Charlie Pflueger in 1969.

That same year, Stan Benjamin, a Cleveland industrialist, first vacationed on Exuma and bought the Club Peace & Plenty several years later.

The resort lists its famous visitors as including Jimmy Buffet; Prince Phillip of England; actors Robert Mitchum, Sam Elliott, Gene Hackman, Johnny Depp; Hume Cronyn and wife Jessica Tandy; Ester Rolle; Al Roker; Jackie Kennedy Onassis; baseball greats Mickey Mantle, Dusty Baker and Davey Johnson; golfers Jack Nicklaus, Ray Floyd, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskof; footballer Joe Namath and coach Don Shula.

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Qualified applicants are to email a current and complete resume by April 21st, 2017 to cmmsbahamas@gmail.com

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 18, 2017, PAGE 5

‘We had to take Govt at their word on VAT’ From pg B1

Myers replied, when asked

by Tribune Business why the CRT and private sector did not hold firm on demands for Fiscal Responsibilitytype legislation during the VAT talks.

“The problem that exists is that we can only make suggestions; we’re not the Government. Yes, we could have pushed harder, but we had a situation where the country may have been unable to meet some of its financial obligations.”

Mr Myers said this was how the Prime Minister and other senior government officials presented the Bahamas’ fiscal position during extensive negotiations with the private sector.

“We said we’re OK with this,” Mr Myers recalled of VAT, “provided it goes to paying down the debt and narrowing the deficit.

“That’s what we were told would happen. We had to take it at face value.

That’s how they sold it.

We have a problem. That’s what he [Mr Christie] said.

“I went to many of those Town Hall meetings and read the ‘VAT White Paper’, and they said it was intended to pay down the debt and narrow the deficit.”

The latter objective has only been partly achieved, with the Government’s annual fiscal deficit having remained stubbornly above $300 million throughout the

Christie administration’s five-year term.

Although Hurricanes Matthew and Joaquin are partly to blame for the 20152017 and 2016-2017 deficits, the current administration has massively overshot its projections on a consistent basis - by $150 million or more.

The Government is now forecasting that it will achieve a balanced Budget in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Although the deficits have come down from around $500 million, and the national debt’s growth rate has slowed, the Christie administration has still added more than $2 billion to the latter.

Mr Myers said VAT was effectively described by the Government as a device that would allow them to

plug the worst fiscal leaks, giving them breathing room to work on addressing other problems.

He added that the CRT and Chamber of Commerce, in their final position paper, made it “abundantly clear” to the Government that VAT was only one part of the solution, and that other measures and actions were required to prevent a Bahamian fiscal crisis.

These, Mr Myers said, included greater transparency and accountability over how Bahamian taxpayers’ monies were being spent, and the need for greater checks and balances, such as a Fiscal Responsibility Act. “We made it very clear in our position paper; we made it abundantly clear that we were OK with a tax of this nature, but that these other objectives needed to be attained,” Mr Myers told Tribune Business. “They were laid out very clearly

in the position paper to the Government.

“We could have fought harder, but had a growing deficit and increasing debt..... We took them at their word.”

Some in the private sector believe it should have taken a much harder line with the Government over VAT, only agreeing to its implementation in return for the introduction of a Fiscal Responsibility Act and so-called ‘fiscal rules’.

They argue that these would have been an appropriate ‘trade-off’ for agreeing to VAT’s increased taxation burden, as the Government would, in theory, have had discipline and limits imposed on its spending. It would also have been

forced to be more accountable and transparent on the use of taxpayers’ monies.

The Christie administration, sensing increasing private sector disquiet, moved to mitigate the growing pressure through its February 2015 mid-year Budget statement.

It promised to initiate consultation on whether Fiscal Responsibility-type legislation was suitable for the Bahamas, with a ‘White Paper’ setting out the opposing arguments to be released in summer 2015.

All feedback was to be received by the Government by year-end 2015, with Cabinet to determine the way forward shortly afterwards.

However, the ‘White Paper’ was never released, and no

more was heard from the Government on the matter.

Yet the issue of Fiscal Responsibility legislation, and so-called ‘fiscal rules’, returned to the agenda last week after an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) paper warned that the Bahamas and other Caribbean nations will not solve their fiscal and debt challenges without imposing discipline on governments through such mechanisms.

The IDB paper argued that spending ‘rules’, which would force the Government to adjust its expenditures to maintain a target debt-to-GDP ratio, were the best option for the Bahamas.

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PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Business model switch sees RBC Nassau lay-offs From pg B1 the move said to stem from a combination of RBC’s branch consolidations and efforts to drive customers to electronic banking channels.

Nicole Duke-Westfield, RBC’s senior Caribbean spokesman, did not deny the lay-offs or specific numbers involved in an e-mailed reply to Tribune Business’s questions.

Her statement, sent from Trinidad, said “the impact” of RBC’s business model restructuring was now taking effect, with the changes set to be implemented over the coming months.

“In March, we announced efforts to reimagine our banking model to better serve our clients through physical and digital channels,” the RBC statement said.

“Our efforts have been made to bring us closer to our clients in the Bahamas by giving them the ability to bank with us more easily through both physical and digital channel options.

“Our market leading Mobile App (4.3/5 Google Play rating), expanded Merchant services like EZ Pay, Saturday Banking in select locations and ongoing investment in the ATM network have significantly changed

RoyalFidelity: No international fund plans ‘in near future’ From pg B1 to a combination of the Central Bank’s December interest rate cut and system liquidity, investor monies would have to be “locked up” for an extended period

of time to guarantee the principal.

This, he added, had reduced the attractiveness of international fund investments for Bahamian institutional and high net worth

how clients interact with the bank.”

The RBC statement continued: “We are also striving to make it simpler, faster and better for our clients to bank with us in the Bahamas by streamlining processes and leveraging scale and expertise within our business.

“Among the changes envisaged as part of this transformation were the merger of some of our branches and the centralisation of centres of excellence, both of which were announced back in March. We expect the impact of these announcements to take place over the next few months.

“We are committed to treating our employees with dignity and respect through the changes, ensuring that we regularly communicate

with them and, where possible, find them other employment opportunities within the organisation.”

RBC, which acts as the Government’s banker, last month unveiled plans to close four branches, including Bimini and Spanish Wells, with the other two being its locations at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau and Treasure Cay. RBC told Tribune Business that all four branches will be consolidated with remaining locations, starting with the Treasure Cay branch, which was merged with Marsh Harbour on April 7, 2017.

That will be followed by the LPIA branch’s consolidation with RBC’s Cable Beach operation on May 19, with the Bimini and Span-

ish Wells locations to be merged with Freeport and Harbour Island, respectively, on May 26 and June 23.

The announcement triggered an ‘uproar’ in the Bimini and Spanish Wells communities, given that it left both islands without a physical bank branch.

Many residents and businesses feared that their ability to access the formal financial services system, and conduct daily commercial transactions, would be seriously impeded.

Commonwealth Bank last week brought some relief to Spanish Wells after its Board of Directors approved opening a branch on the island.

“I am very pleased to say that, as we have been sending our project management team to the island,

Commonwealth Bank has been widely and warmly welcomed by the Spanish Wells community,” said the bank’s president, Ian Jennings.

“This move to Spanish Wells increases our presence to four islands, and we look forward to serving the Spanish Wells community as we do so. We will announce more details as our planning and contractual arrangements crystallise.”

The Spanish Wells branch will be Commonwealth Bank’s first new location since it opened its Prince Charles Drive branch in September 2009. The bank has branches in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco, and some 6,000 shareholders and 500 staff members.

investors.

“The last one came to maturity,” Mr Euteneuer told Tribune Business of RoyalFidelity’s international funds, “and it’s unlikely we’ll introduce them in the near future.

“It’s unlikely in the near future that we’ll even consider them. We can’t guarantee the principal, so it’s not attractive.”

He explained: “With such low rates, in order to guarantee the principal, we’d have to go out so many years, and people are

not willing to lock up their monies for a long period of time.

“We were doing it for five years, and that’s a reasonable period of time, but anything longer than that is not attractive.”

Mr Euteneuer emphasised that RoyalFidelity was “going to stick with what we’ve got” in terms of investment fund products for Bahamian investors, including its three-strong domestic fund family.

“I don’t see the need to add anything new to our

portfolio at the moment.

It’s enough for anyone. We have the right mix of product in the local market,” he said.

Despite the uncertainty created by the imminent general election, Mr Euteneuer disclosed that RoyalFidelity’s Bahamas-focused investment funds still had a combined $208 million in assets under management as at end-March 2017.

Its Prime Income Fund, which focused on fixed income securities, such as bank deposits, preference shares and government and corporate bonds, holds more than 50 per cent of the total at $107 million.

“It’s a very substantial number and it’s growing,” Mr Euteneuer said. “We’re seeing an increase in our pension business.”

RoyalFidelity’s Secure Balanced Fund, which is

split 60/40 between fixed income and equity investments, has some $74 million in assets. The Targeted Equity Fund, which focuses on equity investments in listed companies, holds the balance at $27 million.

Mr Euteneuer said the investment bank expected “modest growth” in assets under management through to the end of 2017.

“We don’t expect a huge jump in assets,” he told Tribune Business, “but we do expect to see modest growth through the end of the year.

“There’s still a boatload of cash sitting out there with people facing declining bank deposit rates.

Eventually people won’t be able to take the pain any longer, and will move outside their comfort zone and in invest in mutual funds.

It’s not easy in this market.”

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JUNIOR PIERRE of 6140 S.W. 42ND Court, Davie, Florida 33314 is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of April, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DEION ABIKE NICHOLS of #22 Sarah Robinson Rd., Chippingham is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of April, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 2017

t. 242.323.2330 | f. 242.323.2320 | www.bisxbahamas.com

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,895.26 | CHG 0.67 | %CHG 0.04 | YTD -42.95 | YTD% -2.22 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.38 17.43 9.09 3.56 4.70 0.12 7.20 8.50 6.10 10.60 15.27 2.72 1.60 6.00 10.00 11.00 9.30 6.90 12.01 11.00

52WK LOW 3.20 17.43 8.19 3.50 1.64 0.12 3.80 8.15 5.56 8.50 11.00 2.18 1.31 5.80 6.79 8.56 7.11 6.35 11.92 10.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

900.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

PREFERENCE SHARES

1.00 106.00 100.00 106.00 105.00 105.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1.00 105.50 100.00 100.00 105.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol ICD Utilities J. S. Johnson Premier Real Estate Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class E Commonwealth Bank Class J Commonwealth Bank Class K Commonwealth Bank Class L Commonwealth Bank Class M Commonwealth Bank Class N Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

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

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00 100.00

SYMBOL AML APD BPF BWL BOB BBL CAB CIB CHL CBL CBB CWCB DHS FAM FBB FIN FCL ICD JSJ PRE CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + Fidelity Bank Note 18 (Series E) + Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +

SYMBOL FBB17 FBB18 FBB22

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-3Y BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-5Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0103 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0405 BG0407

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

113.70 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.05 3.92 1.95 169.70 141.76 1.47 1.67 1.57 1.10 6.96 8.50 6.30 9.94 11.21 10.46

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.41 1.61 1.52 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57

LAST CLOSE 4.38 15.85 9.09 3.54 1.77 0.12 4.50 8.50 6.00 10.48 11.86 2.33 1.55 5.83 9.75 9.00 9.25 6.90 12.01 10.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 100.00 107.59 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

THE TRIBUNE

CLOSE 4.38 15.85 9.09 3.54 1.77 0.12 4.50 8.50 6.00 10.48 11.86 2.25 1.55 6.00 9.75 9.00 9.25 6.90 12.01 10.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.08 0.00 0.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

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

CLOSE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00

107.62 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund

VOLUME 1,000

42 1,700

500 1,000

VOLUME

NAV 2.05 3.92 1.95 168.44 141.76 1.47 1.64 1.56 1.04 6.96 8.50 6.30 9.80 11.13 9.63

EPS$ 0.029 1.002 -0.144 0.170 -0.130 0.000 -0.030 0.607 0.430 0.450 0.110 0.102 0.080 0.300 0.520 0.960 0.820 0.294 0.610 0.000

DIV$ 0.080 1.000 0.000 0.210 0.000 0.000 0.090 0.300 0.220 0.360 0.490 0.060 0.060 0.240 0.400 0.000 0.330 0.140 0.640 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 151.0 15.8 N/M 20.8 N/M N/M -150.0 14.0 14.0 23.3 107.8 22.1 19.4 20.0 18.8 9.4 11.3 23.5 19.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

YIELD 1.83% 6.31% 0.00% 5.93% 0.00% 0.00% 2.00% 3.53% 3.67% 3.44% 4.13% 2.67% 3.87% 4.00% 4.10% 0.00% 3.57% 2.03% 5.33% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST 7.00% 6.00% Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2017 31-May-2018 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 3.88% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2017 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 0.84% 4.46% 0.01% 3.70% 0.37% 2.61% 3.95% 3.95% 6.77% 6.77% 0.40% 4.04% -1.76% 1.06% -0.34% 2.70% -0.95% 1.55% 4.35% 4.69% 4.13% 4.28% 4.22% 4.64% 6.19% 3.43% 2.77% 2.98% -3.66% -3.90%

NAV Date 28-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 24-Feb-2017 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Jan-2017 31-Jan-2017 31-Jan-2017 31-Jan-2017 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016

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NOTICE IN THE ESTATE OF GERALD LAWRENCE CHILLIAN PENNENMAN, Boiling Brook Terrace, Blue Hill Estates, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any claims against or any interest in the above-named Estate are required on or before the 28th day of April 2017 to deliver their names, addresses and particulars of their debts, claims or interest to the undersigned and to come in and prove such debts, interest or claims, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution AND NOTICE is hereby given that at the expiration of the date hereinbefore mentioned, the assets of the Estate of the said late, GERALD LAWRENCE CHILLIAN PENNERMAN, deceased, will be distributed among the persons entitled thereto.

DATED the 10th day of April 2017

Personal Representative of the ESTATE OF GERALD LAWRENCE CHILLIAN PENNERMAN

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

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

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225

c/o MITRE COURT Suite 227, 2nd Floor Island Lane Building Olde Towne, Sandyport Nassau, The Bahamas Attn: Attorney Hepburn

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 18, 2017, PAGE 7

Netflix on the verge of hitting 100 million subscribers SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix is on the verge of surpassing 100 million global subscribers, a testament to how much the video streaming service has changed the entertainment landscape since its debut a decade ago.

The company will reach that milestone this weekend if its projections are correct.

Netflix made the prediction Monday with the release of its first-quarter earnings.

The service added nearly 5 million subscribers during the first three months of the year, and will end March with 98.7 million customers in roughly 190 countries.

THANK THE SMARTPHONE Over the past decade, “what really did it for Netflix was the explosion of phones and tablets that allowed people to watch video everywhere,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter. “But Netflix clearly had a vision before those devices became so ubiquitous.”

About 51 million of Netflix’s subscribers are in the U.S. By the end of this year, Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson expects the majority of the company’s subscribers to be overseas. Netflix ended March with nearly 48 million subscribers outside the U.S. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings called the 100 million subscriber mark “a good start” in a letter reviewing the company’s first-quarter results.

The understated reaction reflects Hastings’ ambition to build the world’s largest video channel. The company’s progress toward reaching that goal has helped drive Netflix’s stock price progressively higher during the past five years, a stretch that has seen the video service add 72 million more subscribers.

Netflix currently has a market value of about $63 billion. Its stock rose $1.67 to $148.92 in Monday’s extended trading, even though subscriber growth during the first quarter came in slightly below management forecasts.

Netflix is about to hit 100 million subscribers for the first time, hitting a major milestone that underscores how much its video streaming service has changed the entertainment landscape since its debut a decade ago. (AP Photo) STILL CHASING HBO For all its success, Netflix still has a ways to go to catch up with HBO, the popular pay-TV channel that has served as its role model.

HBO has 134 million subscribers worldwide, including viewers paying for an internet-only version of the channel that was inspired by Netflix’s success.

Other cable channels also are offering internet-only options as more viewers, especially younger people, eschew traditional TV packages and subscribe to streaming services instead.

The trend has confronted Netflix with more competition in the battle for household entertainment budgets.

Netflix so far has answered the challenge by spending heavily on original shows such as “Stranger Things” and “House of Cards” and selling its service at a relatively low price. Netflix’s subscriptions range from $8 to $12 per month, with the most popular option at $10.

“The model works from a consumer perspective because it is such a good value,” Pachter said.

WILL NETFLIX RAISE PRICES? But Pachter and other analysts wonder how long Netflix will be able to hold the line on price as its programming costs rise in tandem with its appeal to a more diverse in-

ternational audience. Movie and TV studios typically also demand more money as more people subscribe to channels to in an effort to make as much as possible off their content.

As it is, Netflix expects to spend about $6 billion on programming this year.

Netflix hasn’t given any inkling it will raise prices again. It lost some long-time U.S. subscribers after their rates went up by as much as $2 per month last year. Netflix had previously frozen prices for millions of subscribers at 2014 levels.

But if it wants to keep investors happy, the company will eventually have to improve its relatively low profit margin. The Los Gatos, California, company earned $178 million on revenue of $2.6 billion in the first quarter. Analysts predict Netflix will make $482 million on revenue of more than $11 billion for the entire year.

A costly international expansion has depressed Netflix’s profits. Netflix had piled up $1.5 billion in operating losses on its international operations until the first quarter, when its streaming service outside the U.S. posted an operating profit of $43 million. But the company expects to lose another $28 million internationally in the current quarter.

call 502-2394 to advertise today!

PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

b o dy an d m in d

Wheelchairs donated to SRC in lead-up to Push-a-thon

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

S

ANDILANDS Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) was recently the recipient of several new wheelchairs donated by members of corporate Bahamas. The donations came just in time for a special event which seeks to promote mobility in the elderly.

The donations were made by Queen Esther’s Lodge # 2, Ports International and Outdoor Fitness.

The wheelchairs and cash donations are vital in maintaining mobility for patients, said Christopher Strachan, public relations officer at SRC. And they could not have come at a better time, as SRC prepares for its sixth annual Fun Run/Walk, Push-a-thon on April 29 beginning 7am. The event is being held under the theme “Stay Active and Inspire Healthy Aging”.

“Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre appreciates these essential rehabilitation gifts from corporate Bahamas and invites them to register their elderly or physically challenged fam-

ily members to participate – church groups, professional groups, sorority and fraternal groups and children – to get out for SRC’s Push-a-thon,” said Mr Strachan.

This year’s patron is Daniel Bastian, a 66-yearold quadriplegic and resident at SRC who is determined to win the 2017 Push-a-thon.

“Danny”, as he is affectionately known, has become an iconic figure in the yearly event, having participated in five races, placing first two times and becoming the winningest competitor.

The SRC Push-a-thon was introduced in 2012

by Dr Indira Grimes, a consultant at the Geriatric Hospital. She believes the initiative demonstrates the hospital’s serious approach to providing holistic care for its elderly residents as well as the country’s senior citizens.

Dr Grimes said in an earlier interview with Tribune Health that all are welcome to participate. She said part of the reason SRC hosts the event is not only for residents at the centre to be active, but also for the community at large to

Push-a-thon patron Daniel Bastian (at centre) and Sandilands staff with wheelchairs donated by corporate Bahamas. Photo/Shawn Hanna bring people who can push, walk with patients and push them along the route.

“Many of them who are wheelchair-bound don’t have the strength to endure a route pushing themselves,” she said.

The route begins at SRC, goes South on Fox Hill Road, then East on Ya-

Crown it!

time because it has no blood supply, the tooth loses strength and is likely to fracture.

So, in most cases, a tooth with a root canal should be restored with a crown immediately to prevent fracturing.

A dental crown (cap) is a fixed device/restoration that fully covers the portion of the tooth that is visible in the mouth.

A crown is cemented onto an existing tooth and becomes the tooth’s new outer surface and functions like a natural tooth.

Why should a tooth be crowned?

There are many situations when someone may require a tooth or teeth to be covered by crowns.

Here are some reasons your dentist may recommend a crown: Root canal: After having a tooth root canal treated the tooth becomes weak. When performing a root canal, infected and decayed enamel and dentin are removed.

The tooth has a large cavity and

macraw Road, and North through Elizabeth Estates, back West on Prince Charles Drive and South on to Fox Hill.

Dr Grimes said SRC has noted more interest in the event from those in neighbouring communities and churches. The purpose of the Push-a-thon is to bring awareness of healthy

Dr Tamika Ferguson is weak even after the cavity is filled. Further, because the pulp is also removed, the tooth no longer functions as a living thing. Over

Large filling: If a tooth has a cavity that involves more than half of the tooth, it needs to be crowned. Placing a filling is a good interim restoration but the remaining tooth structure is weak. If you have had a large filling in the mouth for a while, that tooth may show signs of stress and cracks around the filling. A crown would be your best bet to save the tooth.

Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Cracked Tooth Syndrome is when there is a fracture within the tooth that causes pain on biting. When you bite, this produces stress on the fracture line that makes it feel as if the tooth is separating. By

aging and the importance of physical activity amongst elderly persons. The general public is invited to get active and participate.

“The elderly make up probably about 25 per cent of our numbers. Most of them come from the geriatric population at our Geriatric Hospital and through our outpatient clinics,” said

placing a crown over the tooth, the stress from biting/chewing is distributed evenly, alleviating the pain in most cases. If the pain does not subside while wearing a temporary crown, the tooth may require a root canal before the permanent crown is cemented on.

Better aesthetics: There are many reasons we dislike the appearance of our teeth such as the colour, shape or spaces between the teeth. You can enhance the appearance of your front teeth by crowning them. These crowns can be made to look very natural and beautiful.

What is the dental crown procedure?

The procedure requires two dental visits.

During the first visit, an initial impression or stent is made of your original tooth. Then the tooth is shaved down and another impression is made of the prepa-

Dr Grimes. “We get some of them registered. A few of them who participate live in the area or attend churches nearby.”

To register for the event e-mail daustin@src.phabahamas.org, indiragrimes@ yahoo.com, or shiggins@ src.phabahamas.org.

ration. Your dentist will also determine the shade of your teeth so the crown will match. Then a temporary crown is made from the first impression. The temporary crown is cemented with temporary cement.

A few weeks later, at your second visit, the temporary crown is removed and a permanent crown is placed on the tooth. Your dentist will make sure the crown is a perfect fit before permanently cementing the crown.

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns have a good longevity but to ensure their lifespan you have to take care of your teeth. It is important to practice good oral hygiene and to visit your dentist regularly. Further, to prevent damage to your crown, avoid chewing hard foods.

If you are interested in a dental crown, speak to your dentist at your next visit.

What to know about new advice on prostate cancer test

By LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer Should middle-aged men get routine blood tests for prostate cancer? An influential health panel that once said no now says maybe. It says certain men may benefit as long as they understand the potential harms.

Some key things to know about the US Preventive Services Task Force’s draft recommendations: Q. What’s the new advice?

A: Men should decide for themselves if they want to get tested, the panel says. But first, they should have a talk with their doctor about the pros and the cons of the PSA test. That applies to men aged 55 to 69 of average risk for prostate cancer as well as those with higher odds, including black men and men with a family history of the disease. Those 70 and older shouldn’t get screened.

Q: Is this a significant change?

A: Yes, the panel in 2012 decided men shouldn’t get tested, saying there was no evidence that benefits outweigh harms that can result from overdiagnosis and overtreatment. In 2008, the group said there was too little evidence to make any kind of recommendation for younger men but said those 75 and older shouldn’t be screened.

Q: Why the change?

Men aged 55 to 69 as well as those with higher odds, including black men and men with a family history of the disease, should have a talk with their doctor about the pros and the cons of the PSA test.

A: The panel says there’s now some evidence that screening can save lives. New research shows testing men aged 55 to 69 may slightly reduce their chances of dying from prostate cancer.

There’s also newer evidence that “active surveillance,” which involves repeated PSA testing and close monitoring, can help men diagnosed with cancer avoid harsh treatment or at least delay it.

Q: What is PSA screening?

A: It’s a simple blood test for a specific protein. Elevated levels may be sign of cancer, but can be caused by less serious conditions, like an enlarged prostate or an infection. The goal is to find cancer at an early, treatable stage. Biopsies confirm suspicious results.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the test for screening in 1994.

Q: How could a blood test be harmful?

A: Prostate cancer usually grows too slowly to be lethal; most affected men will die of other causes and never experience symptoms. Positive tests may lead to treatment for something that isn’t dangerous. Treatment often involves radiation or surgery, which can cause incontinence and impotence.

Q: How common is prostate cancer?

Americans; more than 26,000 US men will die of the disease. Most men are diagnosed after age 60.

A: This year, more than 1 million men will be diagnosed worldwide including about 160,000

Q: What is the task force?

Q: What challenges remain?

A: Experts acknowledge that the PSA test isn’t perfect. Researchers are seeking a more accurate way to detect prostate cancer and agree on the need for technology to identify which early-stage tumors will grow to become deadly.

A: The group is an independ-

ent panel of 16 doctors and other health experts who evaluate medical studies on screenings and other preventive medicine. Their recommendations influence US government policy, primary care physicians and private insurers’ coverage decisions. Medicaid and many insurers cover PSA screening.

Q: What do other groups recommend?

A: Most other leading groups agree that decisions should be made by patients after doctors tell them of all the pros and cons. The

American Cancer Society says start PSA discussions at age 50 for men at average risk; at age 40 for men with a strong family history and age 45 for black men.

The American Urological Association’s recommendations cover ages 55 to 69 and say screening should be considered at earlier ages for blacks and men with a family history.

The European Association of Urology says screening should be offered to well-informed men over 50 or over 45 for blacks and those with a family history.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 18, 2017, PAGE 9

Corporate partners, staff and students pose for a quick group shot to kick-start Autism Awareness Month festivities.

Sweet and inspiring

D

uring Autism Awareness Month in April, Dunkin’ Donuts Bahamas is partnering for the second consecutive year with the Seahorse Institute, one of the country’s leading organisations providing multidisciplinary interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other related behavioural challenges.

On April 1, all Dunkin’ Donuts locations launched in-store donation campaigns that will run until April 30 to support those affected by autism in the Bahamas.

Dunkin’ Donuts partners with Seahorse Institute to kick off Autism Awareness Month Dunkin’ Donuts invites its staff, loyal customers and the local community to join and support the cause by donating an amount of their amount of choice during their purchase at any of the brand’s locations, or by directly donating through in-store donation boxes.

In addition, Dunkin’ Donuts Bahamas will turn a number of its fan-favourite donuts blue, the sig-

nature colour for autism, to help raise continued awareness and bring positive light to the cause, with inspirational wording added to the blue-frosted donuts.

“It was a natural fit for us to partner with Seahorse Institute for the second year, and we are thrilled to once again join them in their efforts to do good and improve the lives of those affected

by Autism,” said Vanessa Eneas,

Vanessa Eneas, director of operations for Dunkin’ Donuts, and Eldira Backford, marketing assistant for Dunkin’ Donuts, pose with Percy the Potcake at Seahorse Institute’s 2017 Autism Balloon Release event.

director of operations at Dunkin’ Donuts Bahamas. “This year we wanted to add an inspiring aspect to the blue-frosted donuts, as guests enjoy their autism donuts, they too can share in the positive light of the cause whether with a ‘love’, ‘go blue’ or ‘wish’ bluefrosted donut.”

Last year’s donation campaign was a great success for the brand thanks to the assistance of its valued customers and staff who helped raise $5,000 to assist the Seahorse Institute in providing the best care and support services

vital to those living with autism.

“The support received last year from the public, our staff and customers was phenomenal. We look forward to the success of this year’s donation campaign and its contribution to Seahorse Institute in making a difference through their advocacy for Autism,” said Ms Eneas. “We encourage our guests to get involved to help us join in this impactful cause as the smallest donation can help to make a big difference.”

Ergonomics and your health

By P Erica Rolle What is ergonomics?

Simply stated, ergonomics is the study of work – fitting the job to the worker and reducing stress by eliminating potential disorders or injuries.

It focuses on the work environment, tasks and products by re-designing and/or re-structuring the environment to reduce musculoskeletal disorders.

How does ergonomics affect health?

Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries that affect your muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. Workers can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body positions and performing the same tasks over and over, which can in turn, lead to injuries.

An ergonomic specialist’s three main goals are:

P Erica Rolle ronment, and this results in a less likelihood of injuries in the workplace.

Ergonomics deals with designing furniture for the workplace that avoids causing backaches and muscle cramps.

• Allowing a worker to work not only smarter but also harder.

• Allowing a worker to work not only harder but also safer.

• Allowing a worker to

work not only safer, but also be more comfortable and efficient while performing their allotted tasks.

If a worker feels comfortable doing a job they will do it more often. Doing a job

more often increases the likelihood of liking the job the worker is assigned to. If the worker likes the job he/ she is assigned to, it results in the worker taking more ownership of the work envi-

How does ergonomics work?

Ergonomic specialists help people in the workplace prevent injuries. They also help companies reduce sick days and increase productivity.

This is done through onsite visits, to assess the work environment and to make recommendations that will ensure not only a safer workplace, but also a more comfortable and efficient work place.

In the Bahamas, the most common workplace injuries involve the back, the shoulders and the knees. Surprisingly, these injuries are common among all jobs, ranging from an executive office worker to a construction worker.

After evaluating the work environment and job tasks, the ergonomic specialist can make recommendations regarding correct office set up, correct lifting techniques, how to avoid awkward positions and the use of the correct tools to make the work environment a safer and more efficient place.

If a person is off work due to on the job injuries, the bottom line of the business can be seriously affected.

Not only in productivity but also causes extra workload on the other workers, which can then lead to further injuries and more persons off.

“Safety doesn’t happen by accident” – Author unknown • P Erica Rolle is a registered physiotherapist, certified ergonomic evaluation and assessment specialist.

Healthy launch for Purity Organic at Club One Fitness Centre Purity Organic recently launched its all-natural, not from concentrate line of organic fruit and veggie “super juices” and juice blends at Club One Fitness centre during a special ‘Healthy Happy Hour’.

Gym members and their guests were treated to samples of the no-added sugar organic drink combos and energised further by music by the band Shaad Collie and the VIPs. The brand’s line of “super juices” can be found in distinctive glass bottles in the cold section of SuperValue stores, gas stations and a number of delis in New Providence, with more locations to be added.

Purity Organic Island Distributor Francis Burrows confirmed that Purity Organic products are currently sold at Express Restaurant in Grand Bahama and the company is expecting to distribute to Sawyer’s Fresh Market and several gas stations on the island.

“We are also planning to distribute products in Abaco once we are established in Nassau and Grand Bahama. After that we will work our way into the Family Islands,” said Mr Burrows.

Blend choices include several combos such as kale coconut water apple and spinach; carrot turmeric and mango; beet apple ginger and lemon, and lemon agave and ginger. Coconut water, also organically sourced, completes the line.

Purity Organic co-owner Royston Jones, Jr, said they are answering a need in the

marketplace.

“Purity Organic is promoting healthy choices by introducing a preservativefree, organic juice product. We are not advocating drinking your fruit and veggies as an alternative to eating whole produce, but rather if you’re going to grab a juice, you should grab something that’s the next best thing,” he said.

The entire Purity Organic line is preservative and additives-free. The range of juices chosen by Purity Organic include perennial favourites and new infusions such as: watermelon strawberryade, orange cranberry cocktail, iced tea and lemonade, strawberry paradise, and pomegranate and blueberry apple.

“Our ‘super juices’ blend fruits, vegetables and root.

We know that people are cautious about sugar, but it is all natural sugars,” said Mr Jones.

“For example, when you eat a banana or a fruit you’re getting 14g of sugar from a banana and probably around 7g of sugar from a cup of strawberries, and it’s the same for our blends; they are all natural fruit sugars.”

Showcasing his new record, Purity Organic coowner Rishaad Collie provided live music entertainment for the event with his band Shaad Collie and the VIPs. Rishaad is the grandson of Al Collie who wowed locals and tourists back in the 1960s and ‘70s with his band, the original VIPs.

A tight, well-rehearsed session of Bahamian new Junkanoo rhythm, rake n’ scrape oldies, reggae and R&B tunes made for a great mood and energy that helped motivate work-outs.

Mr Collie said although the band’s performance inside a gym was a bit unusual for them, he felt it was a good way to bring attention to the health benefits of the new Purity Organic juices.

“Purity Organic is the healthy choice and we want to encourage everyone to make healthy choices. It’s one thing to come to the gym and work out consistently, and then it’s another thing to watch what you put into your body. And if you’re going to drink your fruit, make sure it’s an organic preservative-free option like ours. Not all juices are nutrient-dense, ” said Mr Collie.

“We also had a great time entertaining during the launch. It was something different but it turned out better than we expected,” he added.

Manager at Club One Fitness Centre Yolanda Barr said it was a great idea to partner with Purity Organic for the brand’s launch because she recognised that “it would give individuals the opportunity to have health and fitness to target their mind, body and soul”.

“We are always hopeful that our gym members are going to have a good time and enjoy new products that we’re offering to them, as well as appreciate health and fitness,” said Ms Barr.

(l-r) Purity Organic volunteer Omar Austin Grant, Purity Organic assistant Jasmine Jones, Club One Fitness Centre manager Yolanda Barr and Purity Organic co-owner Royston Jones Jr. Purity Organic juices and ‘super juices’.

Photos/SWPR

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

How do you get out of your comfort zone?

Michelle Miller Motivationals

Michelle M Miller No matter how comfortable it may feel, your comfort zone slowly becomes a personal prison. Once you’ve lived there for a while, you will find that fear becomes the prison warden and your personal power is its prisoner.

Although this prison-like space, keeps you playing it safe, it simultaneously limits your possibilities.

Despite your burning desire to experience more living, the prison warden called fear will not willingly release your personal power.

Indeed, this quandary is a common place for a vast number of folks. Having lived for so long under the destabilising emotions of fear, they have no idea of how to get out of their comfort zone.

The answer is plain and simple: you must free yourself. Nobody can free you from a prison for which you alone hold the key.

However, freedom is not free.

True freedom comes from inner liberation. It is a decision to break free. Sure, you may be praying for some kind of breakthrough, but there can be no breaking through without first breaking free.

This kind of freedom takes commitment – total commitment.

You must be intentional. Fear, as

Your empowered life begins after you break free from your comfort zone. the prison warden, will not just let you just walk out. It will do all it can to keep you feeling fearful by holding your power prisoner. You must first take back your power.

This means taking a sledgehammer and breaking down the wall of fear within you. It is really only held in place because of your feelings. This is why you must fix your feelings. When you fix your feelings, you free your power.

Getting out of your comfort zone must also be your number one priority. Waiting and waiting until you supposedly get the ducks lined up is a waste of time. Ducks seldom line up. So you feel the fear, but you swing that sledge-

hammer anyway. Do it now! Waiting only delays your confidence.

Challenge yourself to challenge yourself. Find the audacity to take that trek to a place you’ve not gone before. This is about your capacity to live fearlessly. It comes when you make the decision to stop playing small – to stop shrinking your power so others can feel better. It’s the result of you deciding to own your personal power; standing on it knowing that you are unstoppable.

Let me also say that leaving your comfort zone is a process. As with all things in life, process is a powerful aspect of our growth.

This empowering process starts

with you looking fear square in the eye and saying, ‘I have the authority to live an empowered life and there is not a darn thing you could do to stop me!’

This forthright position reduces fear to vapour. It instantly frees your power and the prison doors fly wide open. You walk out with confidence because you have freed yourself; giving yourself permission to go after your goals, dreams and live for a higher purpose Leader to leader, remember that there are no limits. Whatever you have defined as your zone of comfort is imposed by you. And at any time you can choose to get out by breaking free.

Make today the day that you do the work to free yourself from the prison of your comfort zone. This quality of freedom is the active ingredient for living an empowered life. Yes, you definitely can do it!

What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@ yahoo.com or 429-6770.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www. talktomichellemiller.com or call 1-888-620-7894; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.

Bahamian woman praised for leading human resource efforts in the region

By FELICITY INGRAHAM

Marisa Mason-Smith has made history in the world of utilities for the Caribbean, Central and South America. She is the first Bahamian to be elected to the position of chairperson of the CARILEC Human Resource Professionals Committee for the region. She is also the first Bahamian to be appointed to the board of directors training committee.

CARILEC is an association of electric services, dealers, manufactures and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean, Central and South America and globally.

Mrs Mason-Smith, upon receiving the honour, was invited to speak at CARILEC’s most recent conference held in St Maarten this year, where she addressed utilities professionals from across the region on accountability and transparency in the workplace.

The CARILEC Secretariat endeavours to improve communication among its members, providing technical information, training, capacity building and other services. The Secretariat plays a leading role in electric utility advocacy, growth and sustainability in the Caribbean region, Central and South America.

Due to her accomplishments, Mrs Mason-Smith was featured in CARILEC’s latest newsletter, which is shared globally.

The newsletter expresses the corporation’s confidence in Mrs Mason-Smith as a human resource professional whose experience and expertise spans the United States, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

She proudly represented the Bahamas Power and Light Company (BPL), sharing tips on making the workplace more effective by motivating staff and creating transparent modules that cause every staff member of a utility corporation to be accountable in order for the organisation to run effectively.

“She continues to strategically create, develop and implement human resource policies that have left positive, indelible marks on staff and employees,” the newsletter said.

“Multi-talented, passionate and committed to the development of people, she has been recognised both locally and internationally to the development of people. She believes in maximising the potential of all people and always finds the time to encourage and support humanity with her time and treasures.”

Mrs Mason-Smith has a challenging job ahead of her as chairperson.

Currently, CARILEC comprises a total of 106 members. This includes 35 full members that are electric utilities; 66 associate members that are companies involved in some aspect of servicing the electric utility business, and

five affiliate members.

Her confirmation as chairperson comes after spending two years as interim chairperson. Therefore, she has already gotten her feet wet and is ready to take on the mantle of leading human resource professionals in the Caribbean for CARILEC. A Chevening Scholar, Mrs Mason-Smith has won the National Boss of the Year award, is a three-term chairwoman of the Women’s National Advisory Council, and also serves on several statutory boards and non-governmental organisations, including the Zonta Club.

CARILEC was established in 1989 with nine members as part of an electric utilities modernisation project funded by USAID and implemented by NRECA under a five-year ‘Cooperative Agreement’.

It has mandated itself to be the premier association of electric utilities and industry partners; facilitating the development of worldclass electric energy services for all peoples of the Caribbean.

CARILEC plans enhance the effectiveness of its members by providing industry related services, creating regular networking, training and knowledge sharing opportunities, supporting mutual assistance programmes, and being an advocate for the industry throughout the Caribbean.

Marisa Mason-Smith

British Vogue gets first black, gay and male chief editor LONDON (AP) — British Vogue’s search for a new leader has come to an end with the naming of Edward Enninful as the magazine’s new chief editor.

He will be the first male editor of British Vogue when he takes over on August 1.

Enninful, who had been the creative and fashion director at W magazine, has

been an influential magazine fashion director for more than 20 years. He was born in Ghana and moved to London as a child.

He started as fashion director of i-D magazine when he was just 19 and later worked at the Italian Vogue under its late editor, Franca Sozzani.

Enninful received an OBE award last year for his

work in fashion. Madonna, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and other fashion luminaries came to his party to mark the event.

His predecessor, Alexandra Shulman, said in January she was stepping down after 25 years, prompting widespread interest about who would take over one of the most visible positions on the London fashion scene.

Edward Enninful

SECTION D

TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017

Bereaved mother turns grief into inspiration

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

A

s she struggled to find her way through the grief of losing her daughter Meah 10 years ago, Tina Klonaris-Robinson developed a love for inspirational speaking and painting.

The healing process that followed led to the launch of the Meah Foundation in 2012; an organisation created to help persons use their stories of pain and grief as tools to promote understanding and compassion.

According to the Meah Foundation’s website, Meah died as a result of induced labour at 38 weeks with the drug Cytotec, also known as Misopristal.

It was Tina’s travels to Rwanda shortly after her loss, where she spent time with genocide victims as well as perpetrators of genocide, that she learned some of life’s most important lessons. The people she met while on her travels and the stories she experienced helped her to have a new awareness of what was possible not only for her own life, but for all of humanity.

Her lessons became the inspiration for a new book called ‘Fly, My Love, Fly: Inspiration for Living Your Highest Potential’, which features both paintings and motivational messages.

“Painting was an antidote to stress, a hobby I picked up during a family vacation to Canada. A month after we got home, I phoned my book editor in New York, Stephanie Gunning, and asked what she thought about the idea of taking some of the material from the self-help book and pairing it with the images I was producing. She loved the plan. Immediately she saw the book’s potential and volunteered suggestions on how to format it,” Mrs Klonaris-Robinson explained.

Everything came together quickly, and painting the final images for the book was joyful and effortless for the author – the project felt like the perfect fit.

She describes her canvas as empty black spaces. Explaining her preference for using black canvases as opposed to white, she said they remind her that in a person’s darkest times, if there is emptiness, there is the potential to fill their lives with light, colour, beauty and magnificence.

The contrast between darkness and light reminds her that both are necessary and that they have an intimate relationship.

Darkness gives depth to her paintings, as it does to her life.

“I trusted that painting came into my life for a reason. It felt like the best next step

to take. In a matter of weeks we produced the final manuscript, brought on an experienced book designer, Gus Yoo, who contributed his own visual flair to the spreads, and sent the book off to the printers,” said Mrs Klonaris-Robinson.

She has learned many important lessons through the process of producing her first book, saying sometimes people take a few steps forward and many steps backwards, but most important is that they keep the vision alive and that they believe in their dream.

“If you put your heart and soul into your work and trust in the process, you will discover that all things are possible. This book is about living an inspired life and reaching your highest potential. It teaches you how to affirm every day that your life has purpose and meaning. It is to help you to remember that you have valuable gifts and talents that must be used. ‘Fly, My Love, Fly’ is for anyone who appreciates

“If you put your heart and soul into your work and trust in the process, you will discover that all things are possible.” art and inspiration. If you are ready to take something in your life to the next level, this is the book for you,” said Mrs KlonarisRobinson.

The author has also partnered with the Louis & Steen’s New Orleans Coffeehouse on West Bay Street, where she will be teaching the lessons and principles found in ‘Fly, My Love, Fly’, and will also host a book signing and official launch at the end of May. Her book can be found at the Logos Bookstore, My Ocean Stores, The Island Store, The Linen Shop, as well as at Louis & Steen’s.

For a list of upcoming workshops, events, book signings, art shows, radio shows and live Facebook talks, readers are asked to connect with the author on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on the website at www.goodenergyworks.com for further information.

Author and artist Tina KlonarisRobinson

Dr Melisa Hall declares herself

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net THE Bible is filled with words of wisdom concerning the power of the tongue. Many Scriptures directly address how speaking positive words and faith-filled words has the power to influence good outcomes in a person’s life.

And the power of affirmation is not only limited to the Christian experience, but is something encouraged and promoted in many theologies and ideologies.

With so much advice encouraging people to speak positively, Bahamian wealth coach and women’s empowerment guru Dr Melisa Hall said she felt compelled to be intentional about declaring the life she wanted to lead.

Dr Hall said she took a retrospective look at all she had accomplished over the years and found that she could ascribe her success to a consistent prayer

Author wants to teach readers how to find success

Wealth coach and author Dr Melisa Hall life and positive declarations.

Wishing to share the experience of her journey to success, Dr Hall has published her latest book called “Declare Your Dreams: A Guide to Commanding the Life You Want”. With it,

she hopes to help people carve out the life they want.

The book, she said, is about manifesting one’s dreams through the use of declarations, affirmations and prayer. It was released on Amazon last month.

Dr Hall will host an official book signing on May 13, the Mother’s Day weekend, at the Bookcase Bookstore.

Shortly after the book’s release, it soared high on Amazon’s best-seller lists.

“I am thrilled and enthusiastic. Being number one in three categories spoke volumes to my expertise in business, leadership and Christian counselling. It feels really great to be up there with authors like Joel Osteen and the likes,” she said.

“The inspiration came as I was preparing to graduate for my doctorate in leadership and the ‘Power of Her Conference’.

I looked over my life’s accomplishments and realised that much of what I had achieved was a result of declarative prayers and affirmations,” she said.

The concepts and themes addressed in the book, Dr Hall, said are based on how important it is for people to make good declarations regarding their mind, relationships, health, finances and careers, in order to live a life of success, happiness, wealth and prosperity.

“The overall message is you have the power to control the results and outcome you desire in your life. You can command the life you want and ultimately deserve, according to God’s will and plan for your life,” she said.

Dr Hall wants others to experience the success she has in her own life, which is the reason she wrote the book.

“It was important because in my coaching, speaking and mentorship I come across persons who desire much more in life but fail to activate simple strategies that can change their lives forever. I wanted women to realise that they possess royal queen power to rock their confidence and rule their world.”

Dr Melisa Hall’s new book topped several Amazon best-seller lists.

“I wanted women to realise that they possess royal queen power to rock their confidence and rule their world.”