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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.104, APRIL 21, 2017

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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Friday, April 21, 2017 art gardening fashion music food entertainme nt weddings

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Pages 14&15

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WEEKEND: ARTISTIC SNAPSHOT OF BAHAMIAN CULTURE

Capturing Bahamian cult ure

Fitzgerald admits seeking contracts Minister says that nothing came of queries

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER rebuffing reporters’ questions about his Baha Mar dealings yesterday morning, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald later admitted in a short press statement that he sought contracts from Baha Mar for his family’s business.

Responding to The Tribune’s revelation yesterday that he requested brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts worth millions of dollars from Baha Mar, Mr Fitzgerald said he has communicated with Baha Mar’s original developer Sarkis Izmirlian “on any number of matters over the past eight years either in person or by email”.

“Prior to my father’s illness he had engaged in dis-

THE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party candidate for Marathon, Jerome Fitzgerald, on his way to being nominated at CI Gibson High School yesterday, accompanied by his supporters.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Mr Fitzgerald said he has ers accused Mr Fitzgerald his immediate family or any cussions with Baha Mar to get some work,” Mr Fitzger- no contract with Baha Mar of a breach of the Manual business concern or trust and its affiliates. of Cabinet and Ministry with which he is associated ald’s statement noted.

He said he owns no Procedure, which states from persons who are in, or “After my father’s illness I wrote to Sarkis to follow shares in Bahamas Cargo in Clause 40b, a minister seek to be in, any contracup on those discussions and & Logistics (BCL), a com- must not “solicit or accept tual or special relationship seek his assistance. Nothing pany he said was formed by any benefit, advantage or with the government.” promise of future advancame of it and that remains his father years ago.

SEE PAGE TEN However, some observ- tage whether for himself, the case today.”

MINNIS: SACK FITZGERALD

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to immediately “fire” Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald for allegedly “corruptly” using his

position of power.

This, Dr Minnis added, should also be the fate of Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson, charging that anything less than an immediate removal makes Prime Minister Perry Christie complicit in this “fraud”.

SEE PAGE TEN

JEROME: ‘I HAD VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH BAHA MAR’ SEE BUSINESS

A COMIC’S VIEW ON LEAKED EMAILS SEE PAGE 11

PM WARNS OF MISCHIEF

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie urged supporters last night to brace for more political “mischief” hours after he sidestepped questions over leaked emails which show that Cabinet minister Jerome Fitzgerald

solicited lucrative brokerage, trucking, and limousine contracts from Baha Mar. Mr Christie did not directly address the leaked email scandal when he took the stage at Arawak Cay for the party’s first New Providence mass rally of the SEE PAGE TWO

CHRISTIE SAYS THIS IS HIS LAST NOMINATION FOR CENTREVILLE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday declared that his nomination for Centreville marked his final bid for the constituency amidst attacks from opposition candidates, who railed against his record as the area’s representative for the

past four decades.

Pointing to today’s soft launch of the Baha Mar resort, Mr Christie said he was satisfied that his administration’s plan was working despite naysayers and added that it was important to note his admission that there was still “lots to do.”

He told reporters at Centreville Primary School that it was “amazing” to see the

extent to which opposition groups are begging for support in contrast to the “natural flow and commitment” of people to the Progressive Liberal Party.

“Tomorrow (Friday) I will stand and herald the opening of Baha Mar and whatever is said, by whomsoever, the fact of the SEE PAGE SIX

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

Photography, pages 8&9

BUS DRIVER SHOT DEAD NEAR CRUISE SHIP DOCK

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A MINIBUS driver was shot in the downtown area of Nassau yesterday morning after being chased by his killers, police said.

The man, identified by friends as Hans Neely, was a transportation supervisor at Stuart Cove’s and was driving a bus while being chased.

When he reached the downtown area around 7am, the suspects pulled in front of him and fired shots at him, police said.

The shooting occurred at East Street north, near Prince George Wharf, an area that is usually populated by tourists, cruise ship passengers and downtown shoppers.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean said the suspect or suspects had been trailing the man for sometime.

His killing marked the 45th homicide this year, according to The Tribune’s records.

This comes after three people were murdered over the Easter holiday weekend.

SEE PAGE TEN

BUTLER-TURNER OUT OF FNM AS SHE RUNS AS INDEPENDENT

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

LORETTA Butler-Turner yesterday officially nominated to run in the 2017 general election as an Independent candidate for Long Island.

According to the Free National Movement’s (FNM) rules, it means Mrs Butler-Turner is no longer a member of that party.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mrs Butler-Turner said despite all that has happened in the past, she never had any doubts about nominating to run.

FNM candidate Adrian Gibson and G Errington Rolle, of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), also nominated to vie for the constituency yesterday at the Clarence Town Administrator’s Office.

“I always had intentions of running again for Long Island, so this is the third time I have participated in a general election,” she said during a telephone interview.

“I guess it’s a little different in that this time I am on SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Friday, April 21, 2017

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THE FREE National Movement rally at RM Bailey Park last night.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party’s mass rally at Arawak Cay. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

DEPUTY PM Philip Davis, PLP candidate for WAYNE MUNROE, PLP candidate for Free Town, Rum Cay, Cat Island and San Salvador, speaking last night. at last night’s rally.

FNM supporters at RM Bailey Park last night.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 21, 2017, PAGE 3

PRIME Minister Perry Christie at last night’s PLP mass rally.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PM WARNS OF MISCHIEF THE PLP rally at Arawak Cay last night.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

FNM mass rally dubbed Christie’s ‘retirement party’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net HOURS after officially nominating its full slate of electoral candidates Thursday, Free National Movement (FNM) scores of supporters amassed at R M Bailey Park where party Leader Dr Hubert Minnis officially launched what he dubbed “Perry Christie’s retirement party.”

Presenting the crowd gathered with portions of yesterday’s Tribune bombshell article which detailed Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald attempts to secure contracts in brokerage, trucking, and limousine services for his family’s business at Baha Mar, the incumbent Killarney MP took the Christie administration to task over its “corrupt” tactics.

Dr Minnis, who anchored a slate of seven speakers which included former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette and former party Leader Tommy Turnquest, urged voters to act as the ultimate judge and jury for the failures of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), insisting that government was guilty of wasting value added tax (VAT) revenue; failing to address reoccurring fires at the dump and stifling the economy of Grand Bahama.

He said Bahamians can feel and see the failures of the PLP government every day, adding that the PLP and its mishandling of the economy has led international rating agencies “to embarrass us by telling us for the first time in our history that our economy is junk.”

He continued: “Our own Department of Statistics did not have to tell us that under this administration we have experienced the highest level of unemployment in our modern Bahamas. We can feel it and see it. And on top of that this administration took even more money out of our hard earning with VAT and wasted it.”

Dr Minnis told voters that on May 10, they should find the PLP guilty a number of issues: their failures at Baha Mar, the BAMSI debacle, mishandling of jus-

BRENT Symonette at last night’s rally on RM Bailey Park. tice in the V Alfred Gray alleged judicial interference scandal, crime, and the failure to put in place check and balances at the Public Hospitals Authority, among other things.

“If they are guilty you must fire them,” he said.

He added that the upcoming general election is a choice between the PLP and the FNM, insisting that any vote cast for the Democratic National Alliance would only ensure a PLP victory.

Moreover, the former health minister levelled several attacks at Prime Minister Perry Christie, criticising him as a leader that lacked action.

Dr Minnis said Mr Christie, who he again addressed as “Cotton Candy Christie,” has proven over the course of his political career that “sweet words only destroy the country.”

“Let me tell you how I climbed the rough side of the mountain. My mother made sure that I had a love for learning at primary school and at secondary school. By the time I got to university, a love for learning was deeply instilled in me,” he said to loud screams of support.

The Bain Town descendent continued: “Every child in the Bahamas deserves the same kind of foundation. By the time they get into the University of The Bahamas, they need to accelerate their learning.

They don’t need to be given

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

remedial subjects to teach them what they should have been taught already.

Let’s stop playing. Let’s stop playing politics with education. It is disgraceful.

The FNM will introduce in phases free education for qualifying young people at the University of The Bahamas.

“We have seen what five years of talking about unemployment has done about unemployment. There are more households in The Bahamas with no one working than ever before in the history of The Bahamas.

Nothing brings a sense of dignity and self-respect to people of working age like gainful employment either as an entrepreneur or as an employee.

“This is why I will launch the most ambitious programme in the history of The Bahamas to make thousands of young business people,” Dr Minnis said.

“There are many politicians running around the Bahamas today parcelling out jobs, contracts, scholarships and bags of groceries to people who they believe are their supporters. Stop insulting our people. Bahamians want opportunities not hand outs. The only way to build employment in The Bahamas is to build the economy of The Bahamas.”

Additionally, the party’s South Beach candidate Jeffery Lloyd added to criticisms of the PLP last evening, as he said former Prime

Minister Hubert Ingraham in his efforts on the 2012 campaign trail warned the country that if elected, the Christie administration would bring ruin and disgrace to The Bahamas.

Preceding Dr Minnis’ keynote address, Mr Lloyd said Mr Ingraham warned that the PLP only wanted to get their hands on the “cookie jar,” contending that the party has never shown any merit or ability to govern.

“They have consistently stained our national character and reputation – a nation for sale; murder for hire; now Cabinet minister on a conflict of interest,” he said, referring to the latest allegations against Mr Fitzgerald.

“They think we are stupid. All they could drum up is some kind of negativity and lies. Lies when they tell you about free electricity. Lies when they tell you about jobs. Lies, lies, lies,” he exclaimed.

Mr Lloyd continued: “All day long they spend time attacking Dr Minnis because they scared he will introduce the most ambitious entrepreneurial programme for people in The Bahamas. Scared that we will transform education and introduce new ideas and programmes to help young people at risk.

“This is your land, this is your time. Dr Minnis and the change team are your agents, don’t let no one tell otherwise,” Mr Lloyd said.

from page one

election cycle, and also refused questions from The Tribune earlier that day.

Instead, he told supporters to expect more “clouds of nonsense” from the Free National Movement (FNM) as the opposition party grew more panicked and desperate ahead of the May 10 general election.

“They (FNM) are talking down their country and you must not forgive them for that,” Mr Christie said.

“Every right-thinking Bahamian must be aware of the importance of Baha Mar. They are unhappy because Baha Mar is opening and they’re throwing up all sorts of clouds of nonsense, they’re churning it up everyday hoping to obscure and hide from you the fundamental truth, which is that come tomorrow morning (Friday), Baha Mar is opening its doors for business and I say again it is a triumph for Bahamians,” he said.

“It is for me to tell you that what is sad about this is that it shows the moral character of the FNM that they would vote against, talk against, the success of this country.”

Mr Christie said: “Instead of thinking about thousands of Bahamians having jobs, they are thinking about how Baha Mar is going to effect their political chances. My friends, brace yourselves, we have not seen the last of their mischief.

“The more that they panic, the more desperate they will become, the more desperate they will become, the more nasty, dirty, crazy, things they will say.

“Prepare for it,” he continued, “I try to tell my colleagues I pay them no mind, because when you have the truth and the people on your side, then God is on your side.”

Emails leaked from a data breach of China Construction America’s (CCA) servers show that from as early as 2013, Mr Fitzgerald was seeking to secure millions of dollars in brokerage, trucking, and limousine contracts at Baha Mar while he sat in Cabinet as the minister of education, science and technology.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald admitted that he spoke with Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian in person and email over the years. He said his father had engaged in discussions with Baha Mar to get some work before he fell ill, and after his father’s sickness, Mr Fitzgerald said he “wrote to Sarkis to follow up on those discussions and

seek his assistance.”

The government did not release a statement on the matter up to press time, despite repeated media requests.

The narrative of an overarching smear campaign orchestrated by the FNM and funded by vengeful foreign investors, was a consistent theme in remarks from most of the speakers that took the stage last night.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, incumbent for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, spoke to the existence of a “well-heeled negative campaign against the PLP” that was set into motion when the party took office in 2012. He urged Bahamians to question why the FNM, which he dubbed the “Foreign National Movement,” would spend so much money just to make the PLP look bad. He warned supporters to watch the newspapers, adding that they must be “brave” in the face of detractors to proudly defend the party.

For his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell declared that yesterday’s edition of The Tribune marked the start of “a campaign of lies and obfuscation.”

“I don’t want anybody to go wobbly,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We are not apologetic Negroes. We are not on our knees. We are going to stand up on our hind legs and resist this attempt to subvert the country by people who are representing foreign interests. If nothing else convinced you over the last few weeks, what you are dealing with is the foreign national movement. Today’s events in The Tribune ought to tell you that.”

He maintained longstanding accusations that the FNM was being funded

by Mr Izmirlian, and Lyford Cay billionaire Louis Bacon and lawyer Fred Smith; and further claimed that this newspaper had $100,000 worth of anti-PLP ads in Thursday’s edition.

“We need to expose them, we need to follow the money, follow the money trail, it tells you exactly who is behind the Free National Movement.” “ . . . The money trail is the same,” he continued.

“All of it is coming from one source, the QC in Freeport, he must be exposed, he must show that the money trail leads back to a bitter billionaire who want to get rid of the PLP. We must call the Free National Movement out on this, stop being the ‘Foreign National Movement’ and represent the interests of the Bahamian people.”

MUNROE SAYS TO ‘AIM LOW’ AND ‘CUSS OUT’ OPPONENTS

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) candidate for Free Town, Wayne Munroe, said last night that he wanted to “cuss” out the government’s detractors, as he also went on a tirade against the media, saying The Tribune can go “where the devil and his angels reside”.

Speaking at the PLP’s mass rally at Arawak Cay, Mr Munroe, QC, also suggested that if elected, the Free National Movement (FNM) would take the

country back to an era of “apartheid”.

He started off referencing a quote from former US First Lady Michelle Obama, who has said about detractors, “When they go low, we go high.”

However, while speaking about his opponents, Mr Munroe had a different approach.

“When they go low, we aim low,” he said. “You hear me? When they go low, we shoot low. Ain’t no high in this, because what we have had for the last five years is tolerating foolishness.

“We have tolerated

‘D’nuncio’ saying people beg too much,” he said in a reference to FNM Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar. “And we tolerate it and he get into politics. So we ga cuss him, and we ain’t ga cuss him no ching wong 42, we ga tell him carry his lil,’” he paused, “back where it come from (sic).”

He also said that opponents were labelling residents of Free Town as “drunken criminals”.

“We ain’t ga tell them that’s a lie from the pit of hell, we ga tell them they could kiss our,” he said be-

fore turning and slapping his backside.

He also hit out at the coverage in the two major dailies, suggesting the Nassau Guardian’s reporting was influenced by its owners’ ties to Colina Insurance Ltd. “At the end of the day, are you surprised that The Guardian always printing sugar honey ice tea,” he said, the last four words a slang for an expletive.

“And I don’t even have to talk about The Tribune because they never did like us and they still don’t like us.

But they could go to where

the devil and his angels reside. “...I don’t usually cuss people explicitly, but we ga

cuss people . . .at the end of the day on May 10, we got to tell these people kiss our,” he paused, “and walk fast.”

PAGE 4, Friday, April 21, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

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World tensions rise to danger level WHILE our immediate priority is next month’s general election, the well-publicised current world tensions should be of no less concern to smaller nations than to the major players directly responsible for resolving them.

It is in our interests as much as theirs to preserve international peace and stability, since a slide into serious conflict involving the use of weapons of mass destruction would have widespread effects in an interconnected world.

The problems facing President Trump in North Korea and Syria are not new but they have now developed into geopolitical crises. He entered the White House on a platform of isolationism with his vow to make America first in every sphere of activity; now, in fulfilling his priority of also making it safe and protecting the mainland, he has shown himself, within his first 100 days, to be an interventionist in the traditional style of a conventional Republican president committed to exercising the USA’s role of global leadership.

His predispositions on the campaign trail have surely not matched the reality of the hideously complex conflicts raging in the world with which he has been confronted on taking office, and his commitment to increase military spending and to use US military might wisely now seem almost statesmanlike.

In launching 59 Tomahawk missiles on Syria in response to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own people, then dropping on Afghanistan the largest non-nuclear bomb ever used in combat, followed by deployment (now subject to doubt) of a naval task force in waters near North Korea, the President has been widely applauded for acting decisively and responsibly.

His actions have been seen as a sign of resolve and strength in a troubled world and thus reassuring to the US’s allies - and they have been in marked contrast to his predecessor’s policy of disengagement which emboldened the West’s adversaries, including countries like Iran as well as North Korea with their aim of developing nuclear weapons.

In Syria, the US show of strength seems designed not just to hasten the downfall of Assad, who has refused to respect international law banning the use of chemical weapons, but also perhaps to provide an opportunity, indirectly, for the Russians to disentangle themselves from this discredited leader and even co-operate in the West’s efforts to defeat ISIS. Most recently, the emphasis has switched to the Korean peninsula where tensions are coming to a head. The international consensus is that the threat of North Korea’s nuclear weapons testing under an unstable leader is no longer acceptable and cannot be tolerated. Its continued development of such weapons is seen as provocative, destabilising and threatening behaviour. In particular, the Trump administration has showed its determination to forestall North Korea’s quest to produce a nuclear weapon capable of striking the US mainland.

It has stated that the Obama policy of so-called strategic patience - a euphemism, in the eyes of some, for disengagement and deliberate inaction - has ended and that North Korea’s declared readiness to use nuclear weapons is a danger to global stability and world peace. Finally, after years of procrastination, it is clear that a US president is prepared to confront this danger head on.

Amidst the rhetoric and posturing, the US’ use of diplomacy is surely wise in dealing with North Korea’s belligerence including a possible preemptive strike on America, not least by seeking to persuade China to steer Kim Jong-un away from his reckless path through imposition of trade and financial sanctions. Moreover, Vice President Pence’s tour of Southeast Asia will have reassured allies that, if the North Koreans pressed the nuclear button, there would be an overwhelming US response.

The key to peace during the Cold War was nuclear parity between the West and the Soviet Union and the fear of mutual

mass destruction which served as a chilling deterrent. With the proliferation of nuclear weapons the stakes have changed dramatically.

It is too early to talk of a Trump doctrine and it seems doubtful that such a body of principles could emerge from a new president known to be impetuous and a counter-puncher who reacts to circumstances. But the evident lack of coherence in US foreign policy and the resulting danger of unforeseen and unintended consequences are of concern to many observers.

Even though small Caribbean countries come under the American protective umbrella because of their geographical location, it is sobering that Hawaii, which would be in the path of a North Korean strike on the US west coast, is reviewing its emergency preparedness plans to protect its citizens.

The world must hope that the current sabre-rattling will be contained to just that. The spread of nuclear weapons to rogue states - and possibly into the hands of terrorist groups - must be stopped. So President Trump’s tough stance, short of all-out war, has been widely welcomed as an attempt to prevent any use of nuclear weapons which would result in death and destruction on a cataclysmic scale.

Surprise general election in Britain THIS WEEK’S sudden announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May that a snap general election will be held in Britain on June 8 caught most people unawares.

It was a massive surprise because previously she had made it clear that she had no intention of calling such an election.

Her unexpected change of mind was reportedly kept within a close circle of parliamentary colleagues who, no doubt, had been pressing her to go to the country while the weakened opposition Labour party was in deep disarray.

Although Britain has had more national polls than usual during the last few years, it seems that another election has been called because Mrs May wants a mandate to give her a stronger hand in the forthcoming negotiations with Brussels to settle the terms of the nation’s departure from the European Union (EU).

She has made it clear that, with a working majority of only 17 in a legislature of 650 seats, her government needs greater certainty and stability in order to be in a position to fight for the best possible ‘Brexit’ deal and shape the country’s future. The latest polls give her a substantial lead which could result in an unassailable majority.

As we approach our own general election here, are there not lessons for us when we watch the order and integrity displayed by politicians in the same Westminster system of government as we follow here?

We are reminded again of the decent, honest and responsible example of Mrs May’s predecessor, David Cameron, who resigned immediately after losing last year’s British referendum on the nation’s future relationship with the EU, while our own leader refused to do likewise after losing not one but two referenda.

And is it too much to hope that we in our small country can produce the sort of politician showing the same type of firm and principled leadership as Mrs May who, after being chosen as leader by her own party colleagues less than a year ago, has now called a general election in order to revalidate and strengthen her position as Prime Minster?

Moreover, at the time of the EU referendum she was apparently a ‘Remainer’ but, since taking office, she has acted vigorously to honour the result of the referendum and reflect the will of the British people in ensuring that ‘Brexit’ happens. Seen from afar, this seems to be leadership and integrity of the highest order and we trust that our own politicians will take note.

Welcome to the 21st century EDITOR, The Tribune.

FORMER PLP cabinet minister Loftus Roker (he who gave us the cheeky moniker “Rokerpure” for brackish drinking water) recently expressed his disdain over the fact that outside observers were coming to invigilate our election next month.

He chided our leaders for having no confidence in Bahamians and wondered if so-called first world countries like the UK and the US (among others) would allow these observers to monitor their elections. His implication was that they would not.

I wish to set him straight in at least two instances over the last election cycles in Britain and in our next door neighbour, Candidate Donald Trump barked to the world that he was expecting a rigged election and so it came as no surprise that outside observers were welcomed.

The publication US News and World Report published an article last year confirming that indeed the US election was

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net monitored by two separate outside groups and not a whisper was heard from anyone.

Officials from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have been observing US elections since 2002 and last year, for the first time a delegation was sent from the Organization of American States (OAS) to witness the presidential election.

The OSCE has an Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights through which they observe elections to assess the extent to which electoral processes respect fundamental freedoms and are characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency and accountability.

In their 2015 general elections Britain accepted the OSCE along with 170 other foreign observers.

The British Electoral Com-

mission, which approved their presence there, said that it was to ensure that the vote is carried out in accordance with international standards.

Oversight isn’t always about catching fraud.

Sometimes it’s about improving best practices and, just as important, confirming an atmosphere of transparency. And if you want enforcement of election laws, who better to do so than outsiders who supposedly don’t have a horse in the race.

We could have done with an OSCE mission here to monitor the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall whose shenanigans about what some women wore when they registered to vote was surely an infringement of their basic human rights as citizens of the Bahamas.

So my good friend Loftus Roker should stand corrected and I wish to advise him to re-boot his thinking to the 21st century.

THE GRADUATE Nassau, April 19, 2017.

Save our antiquities EDITOR, The Tribune.

AFTER reading the article on Nassau’s lighthouse in today’s Tribune I should like to add to the observations made by Mr Ronald Lightbourn, not only is our historic lighthouse in dire straits but many of our other historical buildings and landmarks have also been, one might say, criminally neglected.

I very recently visited Great Exuma with some Canadian friends and drove them out to Williams Town to tour the salt pans and the beacon used to guide the ships into them in days

gone by. This historic treasure is also crumbling from neglect, wind and water erosion; the wooden board walk leading up to it is cracked and warped with dangerous nails and splinters protruding its entire length.

The surrounding area is strewn with paper, cans and bottles, the amount of litter in Exuma is mindboggling, the weather cover of the information pedestal is broken and the historical information contained therein almost illegible.

The small battery of cannons below Fort Charlotte on West Bay Street is an-

other typical case in point; overgrown by bush and weeds much of the time, with whole sections of the gun carriages broken off and the cannons themselves a sad monument of peeling paint and rust.

It has been said that the level of civility of a people can be measured in part by their care and respect for their historical monuments, antiquities and heritage, so what must the rest of the civilised world think of us?

IAN MABON Nassau, April 20, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 21, 2017, PAGE 5

Minnis faces two political newcomers in Killarney

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net SHORTLY after nominating in the Killarney constituency yesterday, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis likened himself to a soldier in battle as he reflected over the past five years at the helm of the opposition party.

Dr Minnis, who has represented the area since 2007, will run against Progressive Liberal Party candidate Reneika Knowles and Arinthia Komolafe, the Democratic National Alliance’s candidate - both of whom are political newcomers.

Speaking to reporters just moments after he filed his nomination papers at the H O Nash Junior High School, Dr Minnis said that an administration led by him will look into matters of corruption, adding that he was aiming for the FNM to win each of the 39 vacant constituencies.

“I am honoured to have been nominated as the candidate for Killarney and my other 38 candidates also,” Dr Minnis said as several party supporters adorned in FNM paraphernalia flanked him and sporadically shouted “Rock with Doc.” “As you know, together, I and my candidates represent and will bring forth a change that has been awaited and needs to be brought forth in this country. What we are experiencing (now) it’s too much corruption.

(There are) too many ill works within this country and the present government has not done a good job in moving the country forward. They have not been transparent.

“With this new change team we will go very, very hard on corruption. We will investigate all areas, all departments, all contracts and where there is any corrupt behaviour or corruption that we can determine those matters will be brought to the courts and be dealt with appropriately.”

He also said: “(The FNM’s new candidates) they must remember what our message states. It’s the people’s time and they are here to work for the people not

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis on his way to his nomination in Killarney yesterday. to enrich themselves. They must be honest. They must be transparent. They must listen to the people because they are employed by the people. Just like I am, they are. We must listen to our employers, the people, and we must carry out the directive of the people. This is a new day. Politicians are no longer in charge, the people are in charge.”

Asked how he felt to have nominated, despite a turbulent last five years, Dr Minnis said: “All great soldiers fight battles and even if their legs are cut from below them they would continue their battle on the (stump) that they have and become victorious.”

The mood at the H O Nash School was festive and celebratory yesterday as scores of FNMs escorted Dr Minnis to file his nomination papers, which in-

clude a declaration of assets and a $400 deposit, making him the party’s official candidate for Killarney. There was a strong show of support for the leader with a motorcade, short walk and Junkanoo rush out in the lead up to the filing process.

Following this, Ms Knowles arrived to make her bid official. Her entrance was much more subdued than her opponent, Dr Minnis.

Ms Knowles, a realtor by profession, told reporters that she had “zero concerns” about running for the seat against a seasoned politician.

Her nomination, however, was slightly delayed after officials had discrepancies with the signatories on her documents. After verifying several of the signatures and their polling divisions, the process continued and

BUTLER-TURNER OUT OF FNM AS SHE RUNS AS INDEPENDENT from page one my own and I’m standing as an Independent and standing on the convictions of what I believe in.”

She also said: “I have had meetings, people calling me trying to deter me (and) I had an offer from a high ranking FNM trying to move me out of Long Island. There have been many attempts, but the reality is I stand on the principle that I believe in these people.

“I believe that I have given good service to Long Island and many times these political organisations put forward a cadre of candidates. But being a part of a team doesn’t make you a good MP. It’s up to that individual to perform.

“I have been a performer.

I have been an advocate.

I have gotten results and there is no reason because I am not a standard bearer or a part of one of the major parties that I should withdraw from the race.”

Mr Butler-Turner said she was the first candidate to nominate yesterday on the island because there were fears about doing so later. It was mandatory that candidates officially completed the process between 9am and noon yesterday.

“Let me state clearly that I was the first person to nominate this morning (yesterday) at the Administrator’s Office in Clarence Town actually accompanied by a small group of my supporters and then we had a

FNM candidate Adrian Gibson, Turner in Long Island. massive motorcade from my headquarters in Buckley’s, Long Island.

“The reason we had the motorcade after the nomination is you must nominate by midday and we realised that there were many things in play and people might have tried to block the road to prevent us from getting there on time.

“So we also got our motorcade going very quickly.

We were the first motorcade that went down to Clarence Town and it was an amazing turnout of vehicles and people. It was very festive with very strong, focused workers and very focused supporters. I am very pleased with the progress we are making.”

The FNM also had a “monster” motorcade to accompany Mr Gibson to the nomination centre. The attorney and former Tribune columnist said “the message was sent” to voters in Long Island.

who will battle Loretta ButlerMrs Butler-Turner was among seven FNM members of Parliament who submitted a letter of no confidence in Dr Hubert Minnis last year, forcing the FNM leader to be removed as Official Opposition leader in the House of Assembly. The “rebel” MPs voted to have Mrs Butler-Turner replace Dr Minnis. She was later stripped of her Long Island nomination.

A disciplinary tribunal has been convened to look into the MPs’ actions and Dr Minnis asked the members to resign from the party after their coup.

However the tribunal has not ruled to date and none of the MPs resigned formally from the party. Edison Key is the only MP of the group to state publicly that he had left the FNM and is now supporting the PLP, however he did not officially cross the floor of the House of Assembly.

she officially nominated.

“I am here to serve everyone no matter what side of the fence you are on,” she told reporters yesterday.

“I have zero concerns (and) I will focus on my plan. (I have) tunnel vision and that’s it.”

She said to have reached this point was proof that dreams are not impossible to achieve.

“From a child at two years old, a little girl I have always said I’d like to serve my community and my country from a political standpoint. Your dreams are not impossible to reach. Whatever you can conceive in your mind you can achieve. It just takes determination, faith (and) prayer. When any adversity comes your way tell them

that is just a hurdle to get you where you want to be.”

Mrs Komolafe nominated to run ahead of both Dr Minnis and Ms Knowles.

She thanked God for allowing her to reach this point, adding that her plans for Killarney were multifaceted and focused on the promotion of culture, commerce, community and knowledge.

PAGE 6, Friday, April 21, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Christie says this is his last nomination for Centreville from page one matter is thousands of Bahamians have a new opportunity for sustainable jobs with a world-leading tourist company that is the developer, and will be the operator with Hyatt.

“And so whatever one wants to say I am so satisfied that in the five years we have had, we have acquitted ourselves and we have admitted that there is still lots to do. And that is the most important point, wherever I go I concede that listen we could only do so much in the five years.

“Yes there is much more to be done,” he said, “yes there are people who are hurting, yes there are people who are unemployed, but we have a plan and the plan is working and the plan will continue to work.”

Nominations moved smoothly at Centreville Primary with the Free National Movement’s candidate, Reece Chipman, being the first to declare his assets and pay the $400 fee.

Flanked by dozens of supporters, Mr Chipman said his candidacy was not a fight with Mr Christie, but against a dysfunctional system in a bid to bring empowerment and esteem to the community.

He insisted that the incumbent was “finished,” and that residents were ready for change after 40 years of no advancement.

“This is about moving forward and making it better for our children,” Mr Chipman told reporters.

He continued: “This is about community relationships and making sure that we as Bahamians are able to bring forward better air quality, better water quality, for our children so that we could maximise our potential in a country that belongs to us.”

“It’s the people’s time.

They’re going to the booth to vote for themselves and when they look on that ballot box and they don’t see themselves they will pick the next best thing for them, and that’s Reece

PRIME Minister Perry Christie - the PLP candidate for Centreville - alongside his wife, Bernadette, and John “Chippy” Chipman at Centreville Primary School yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff didacy, for my legacy really, in the constituency.

Chipman.”

Mr Christie said: “Today He added: “We want to have such support and people that believe in them- such strong expression from I’m really expressing my gratitude to the people beselves. I’m bringing back this man John Chipman.”

For his part, Mr Christie cause I expect that they will empowerment into our community, to Centreville. told reporters that the day continue with my represenWe want our people to be was an historic one, reflect- tation.”

The incumbent MP said believers in themselves and ing on his “wonderful time” this country. Christie has and the extraordinary sup- he was “particularly gratibeen here for 40 years. We port he has received over fied” by the outpouring have lost two generations to the years; a phenomenon of support for his party a system that he himself was he forecast would secure his throughout the country, reresponsible for. He needs to victory at the polls on May calling the party’s rally in 10.

North Andros on Wednesgo, bye bye Mr Christie.”

“Today is a very historic day night.

While Mr Chipman was The Centreville seat will vehement about the need day in that this would be the to unseat Mr Christie, his final time that I nominate be well contested as repregrandfather, renowned cul- for the Centreville constitu- sentatives from six parties and one independent were tural icon and legendary ency,” he said.

His admission was met nominated. drummer John “Chippie” Other candidates nomi- THE DEMOCRATIC National Alliance’s candidate for Centreville, Chipman, stood proudly in with a playful retort of “hallelujah” from his wife Ber- nated yesterday include: Celi Moss. support of his opponent.

Mr Chipman was hon- nadette, who feigned relief Celi Moss, Democratic persons were on the PLP’s didate said: “If you can’t fix National Alliance; Bishop motorcade “carrying on one constituency, how can oured by the Christie ad- over the prospect.

“I’ve had I think by any James Darling, Bahamas bad” despite the degrada- you run a country? ministration in 2014 when “Just look at it, people a wonderful, Constitution Party; Fred- tion of the area over the they renamed the street accounts wonderful time as the rep- erick Sawyer, God’s People course of Mr Christie’s ten- are using outside toilets where he lived after him. around here.

To this, Mr Christie said: resentative,” Mr Christie Party; Lorraine Arthur, ure.

He attributed the support “Shame on Mr Chris“His grandson is a candi- continued, “I’ve had ex- Bahamas National Coalidate against me and do you traordinary support from tion Party; and Independ- to free liquor and parapher- tie. Bridge of the future, I see what he has done today, the people of Centreville, ent candidate, preacher nalia, and insisted that God think not. No matter how was going to make a change. much you dye your hair, Mr it is an extraordinary state- notwithstanding the vari- Harold K Ward.

Mr Moss, the DNA’s can- Christie.”

Mr Sawyer lamented that ment of support for my can- ous changes that took place

MONCUR BACKS PM - BUT STILL WON’T VOTE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Senator and controversial radio personality Rodney Moncur yesterday endorsed Prime Minister Perry Christie’s candidacy for Centreville, insisting that Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis was “politically dishonest”.

Mr Moncur made an appearance at nomination proceedings at Centreville Primary School, where he told reporters: “I support Christie, let there be no doubt I support Christie.”

When first questioned about his presence, Mr Moncur explained that he was “playing family” by coming out to Mr Christie’s

nomination.

He underscored that while he identified as a member of the FNM and loved the party, he was disgruntled with Dr Minnis.

“I think Dr Minnis has demonstrated an element of political corruption that we’ve never seen in this country before,” he said, referring to the lease agreement Dr Minnis held with the Public Hospitals Authority while he was minister of health under the previous Ingraham administration.

However, it has been previously reported that the contract was issued by the first Christie administration before Dr Minnis was a government minister. It has been reported that Dr Minnis asked the PHA to rent

from someone else once he was a Cabinet minister; however the PHA reportedly could not find a suitable alternative and the contract continued on a month-to-month basis.

Mr Moncur maintained that he was still abstaining from voting because he had not received an invitation from any political leader to reconsider. He encouraged persons that had difficulty voting for the FNM or the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to join him on the beach.

Mr Moncur said: “I’m going on the beach because no political leader has asked me to reconsider, and I’m saying to those who have a difficulty in voting for the FNM or have a difficulty in voting PLP, join me on the beach.

FNM candidate for Centreville Reece Chipman on his way to his nomination.

“As it relates to Mr Christie,” he said, “I think the people of Centreville should recognise that they are privileged to have a prime minister, and Mr Christie has always been a commander of the social revolution.”

He continued: “I’m an FNM, I love the FNM. If you look at me I’m red, I really belong with the FNM but I cannot support Dr Minnis. Dr Minnis has been politically dishonest.”

Yesterday, Mr Moncur denied reports that he had been fired from sports radio station ZSR 103.5FM, which airs his show “Freedom March”. He told The Tribune yesterday that he had “parted ways amicably” with the station because he was considering options.

RODNEY Moncur with Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday.

FNM candidate for Elizabeth Dr Duane Sands pictured yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 21, 2017, PAGE 7

SUPPORTERS of Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FNMS on the road yesterday during nomination day.

JEROME Fitzgerald with supporters on his way to his nomination at CI Gibson High School.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party’s candidate for Free Town, Wayne Munroe.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

16 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR BCP THE Bahamas Constitution Party (BC) nominated 16 candidates for the May 10 general election, the fringe party said in a press release yesterday.

Twelve candidates were nominated in New Providence, with two each in Grand Bahama and Abaco.

“We are excited that those being put forth can make a positive contributed to nation building,” the BCP said in a statement.

“If elected, we propose to give excellent service to the Bahamian people, with

dignity, transparency and Integrity.

“We look forward to the campaign for the nation, and uniting the smaller parties and political fractions to defeat the PLP and FNM.” The BCP was founded by Sharell Ali McIntosh, the party’s leader.

New Providence candidates: Seabreeze - Michael Cox; Nassau Village - Aaron Christopher Cox; Yamacraw - Carol Thompson; Elizabeth - Dione N Pratt; Tall Pines - Philip Ewing;

South Beach - James Williams; Golden Gates - Dr Agnes Glinton; Garden Hills - Sharell Ali McIntosh; Bains & Grants Town - Joshua Darling; Englerston - Simon Smith; Centreville - Bishop James Darling; Fort Charlotte Lavita Thurston.

Grand Bahama candidates: West Grand Bahama and Bimini - Shane Faustin; Pineridge - Kendal Knowles Abaco candidates: North Abaco - Kathleen Knowles; South and Central Abaco Churton Toote

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham among FNMS out and about yesterday.

PAGE 8, Friday, April 21, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Fishing the green way EARTHCARE Eco Kids, a group of Grand Bahama schoolchildren, received an expert lesson in sustainable fisheries earlier this month from a veteran commercial fisherman.

David Rose, who has fished for more than 40 years, told the students about overfishing of the Little Bahama Bank, the use of National Parks and enforcement, limiting the lobster season, protecting large lobster of 5lbs plus as breeders and more during a field trip on April 8.

During a lecture at the Kevin Tomlinson Academy, Mr Rose said: “Over the last 50 years, fishing on the Little Bahama Bank has increased and with the

addition of new technologies eg Global Positioning Systems (GPS), underwater breathing apparatus, and the unfettered use of manmade lobster habitats/shelters. These increasingly efficient fishing methods have depleted the Little Bahama Bank past the point of commercial endangerment.

“The National Parks throughout The Bahamas can and will increase fish stocks, however, only if proper management and enforcement are applied. Passing of laws on sharks and turtles in The Bahamas, while it was a step in the right direction, Government should consider passing laws on lobster fishing, shortening

the fishing season length and protecting lobster over five pounds as breeders.”

The EARTHCARE Eco Kids also enjoyed a twohour trip out over coral reefs and the seabed in a glass-bottom boat. For some, it was a first time experience and the weather proved kind. The students hail from Bishop Michael Eldon School, Martin Town Primary, Sunland Baptist Academy, Freeport Primary, St Paul’s Methodist College, Beacon School, Hugh Campbell Primary and Freeport Gospel Chapel School.

Mr Rose said the students had enjoyed the field trip and they were very in-

EARTHCARE Eco Kids going on the Glass Bottom Boat tour. terested to learn about the environmental challenges that are facing The Bahamas. “We are the first species on the planet that can really solve problems and I think our future is bright for the human race and the planet,” he added.

Gail Woon, the founder and director of EARTHCARE, said the day had been made possible by sponsors - Kevin Tomlinson Academy, Reef Tours, H Forbes Charter, Havana Gibson and Savanna Gibson - and EARTHCARE Eco Kids Team Leaders, Audrey Jolly and Tyrie Moss.

For more information about the EARTHCARE Eco Kids programme contact Gail Woon at earthcare. bahamas@yahoo.com or call 727-0797.

A SHARK grabs a piece of barracuda to the delight of Glass Bottom Boat passengers.

ECO-SURVEY COMPLETED BY MARINE TEAM OF WALKER’S CAY RESEARCHERS from the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) and the Perry Institute for Marine Science have conducted an ecological survey of Walker’s Cay National Park.

The assessment last month was part of the BNT’s effort to develop management plans for Abaco’s marine parks. Established in 2002, Walker’s Cay is one of six marine parks around Abaco. The others are the Marls National Park, East Abaco Creeks National Park, Cross Harbour National Park, South Abaco Blue Holes National Park and Fowl Cays National Park.

They are part of a network of protected nearshore and marine areas which make up the first 10 per cent of the Bahamian commitment to the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, a regional conservation agreement.

The Bahamas is one of 10 regional states that have agreed to protect at least 20 per cent of their marine environments by 2020. These marine and coastal resources include coral reefs, beaches, fisheries and mangroves. They support jobs and underpin the region’s economic prosperity.

The recent Walker’s Cay survey was led by BNT Senior Science Researcher Dr Craig Dahlgren (of the Perry Institute) and BNT Parks Director Lakeshia

MUFF ROBERTS, of Tailin’ Boner Sportfishing; BNT Senior Science Officers Lindy Knowles and Giselle Dean; BNT Conservation Planner Lashanti Jupp; BNT Parks Director Lakeshia Anderson; and Dr Craig Dahlgren, of the Perry Institute for Marine Science.

Anderson. Team members from the BNT included Senior Science Officer Lindy Knowles, Conservation Planner Lashanti Jupp and Science Officer Giselle Dean. Local resident Barry Albury, of Grand Cay-based Out Islander Divers and the Shark School, guided the team to some of the key reef sites in the park.

“Baseline biological data is essential for the development of effective management plans for these protected areas,” said Ms Anderson. “Our survey team compared coral reef health in the park to a regional database of reef condition indicators maintained by the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assess-

ment Programme. More than 2,000 surveys have been conducted by this programme in 28 territories since 1998.”

According to Dr Dahlgren, “We found good, healthy reefs throughout the park, including the Flower Garden, Pirate’s Cathedral, Sparrow’s Cavern and Shanti’s Spot. We visited several patch reefs and reef flats and found stunning coral formations with multitudes of fish.”

The research was funded by the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Disney’s ‘Reverse the Decline’ Project, the Atlantis Blue Project and The Nature Conservancy. Further data collection is planned for the near future.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 21, 2017, PAGE 9

Bring your own bag and protect our environment

By GAVIN WATCHORN

ON Saturday, we’re kicking off our third Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) Campaign at AML Foods Ltd’s grocery food outlets in New Providence and Freeport.

For the entire day, we’re encouraging customers to swap plastic bags for reusable grocery bags during their Saturday shopping. To help, our team will distribute free bags to shoppers, while supplies last.

It’s our way of recognising Earth Day, a global initiative to focus attention on the impact we have on our natural environment. Participating stores in Nassau include Solomon’s Super Centre, Solomon’s Fresh Market Old Fort Bay and Solomon’s Fresh Market Harbour Bay, and in Freeport, Solomon’s Queen’s Highway and Solomon’s Lucaya.

Swapping out plastic for reusable grocery bags might seem like an inconvenience in the short run but it only requires some planning on the front-end of your shopping experience.

The use of plastic bags

1. Plastic bags never break down. Depending on the environment, a plastic bag can take from 15 to 1,000 years to break down.

2. Plastic bags are harmful to human health. Plastic bags break down through photo degradation. When this happens, the bag breaks down into small, toxic particles.

3. Plastic bags are not

has an adverse affect on the environment as well as our health. For the past two years Solomon’s Fresh Market and Solomon’s have promoted a BYOB Campaign, as each reusable bag that is used has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.

Last year on Earth Day, we donated 20,000 re-usable bags at our stores in Nassau and Freeport. For 2017 our goal is to distribute 30,000 bags to customers.

This goal is within reach thanks to our own donation of 10,000 bags, and donations from our partners at The Tribune and Radio House, Aliv, RBC, Coca-Cola, Scotiabank as well as our international food vendors like Organic Valley and Miracle Noodle.

Trading plastic for the more eco-friendly alternative helps to preserve the natural beauty of the Bahamas. We believe that this small act could eliminate some two million plastic bags annually from local circulation.

As a company, we are

committed to enhancing the communities that we serve and this project is no different. Every day, in all of our retail outlets, we use biodegradable plastic bags as a way to reduce our impact on the fragile ecosystem. The BYOB Campaign takes it a step further as we seek to have plastic-free zones in all of our grocery operations.

By our own calculations, if each of our retail customer brings two reusable bags per week on shopping trips, that would cut down their weekly bag use by four to five plastic bags. For customers wanting to purchase additional reusable bags, they are available in stores. Part proceeds from the sale of all reusable bags go directly to the Bahamas National Trust.

We hope that you will take the challenge this Saturday to swap plastic bags for a better alternative and for a chance to protect our natural environment.

• Gavin Watchorn is the President and CEO of AML Foods Ltd.

A FLIER issued by RABL last year encouraging people to reduce their plastic bag usage.

10 REASONS TO GO REUSABLE

easy to recycle. Plastic bags tend to get caught in recycling machinery so roughly only two per cent of plastic bags are recycled. The rest are left to live on indefinitely in landfills or decompose in our oceans, leaking toxins into the water and soil.

4. Plastic bags are harmful to wildlife and marine life. An estimated one million birds, 100,000 turtles,

and countless other sea animals die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste.

5. Plastic bags are costly to pay for and to clean up after. Thanks to their light weight, plastic bags in landfills don’t always stay there. They are likely to fly away and can settle in trees, block drains and clutter beaches. The cost of plastic bag cleanup is

about 17 cents per bag.

6. Plastic bags are made from non-renewable resources. They are made from petroleum products and natural gas, and their manufacture helps to drive up gas prices.

7. There are better alternatives available, and jobs to go with them. Reusable bags come in a wide variety of stylish shapes and prints, making shopping a

bit less routine and more fun. The manufacturing of reusable bags is also another opportunity to create sustainable products and the jobs that go with them.

8. Greatly reduces plastic waste. One person using reusable bags over their lifetime would remove more than 22,000 plastic bags from the environment.

9. Other governments are banning plastic bags.

More than a dozen nations have banned or taxed disposable bags in the past five years.

10. People are ready for the ban and thus, it should be adopted. People have seen how much the plastic bags have adverse affects on their health and the environment and so they desire change.

PAGE 10, Friday, April 21, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

DNA: Members of govt are trying to benefit from deals

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday accused some members of the Christie administration of “trying to pull deals for their benefit” in the wake of revelations that Jerome Fitzgerald allegedly attempted to secure millions of dollars in brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts at Baha Mar from as early as 2013.

Mr Fitzgerald is the minister of education, science

and technology and is the Progressive Liberal Party’s incumbent MP for Marathon.

Mr McCartney also questioned if Prime Minister Perry Christie was aware of Mr Fitzgerald’s alleged conflict of interest with the latter having served as one of the government’s lead negotiators on Baha Mar’s remobilisation.

The Bamboo Town hopeful also said the PLP is “known” for engaging in “underhanded” deals.

Mr McCartney further questioned if the controversy surrounding Mr Fitzger-

ald’s emails was the reason the documents related to the new Baha Mar deal with CTF BM Holdings, a subsidiary of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd (CTFE), were sealed by the Supreme Court at the request of the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM).

“That is something that we’ve been saying all along with this PLP government,” Mr McCartney said when questioned on the matter.

“The PLP government is known for these underhanded deals. That is what they’re all about. That is their mantra.

“The question is did the prime minister know about this, because it was the prime minister who appointed Mr Fitzgerald as one of the lead negotiators in this new sale of Baha Mar. Is this why the deal has been sealed?”

Mr McCartney was responding to The Tribune’s lead story on Thursday, which revealed that from 2013 Mr Fitzgerald had requested deals from Baha Mar from top officials, such as his readiness to start brokerage and trucking services for the Baha Mar project and remain the brokers

of record for the property via an email dated May 18, 2013.

Among other things, the leaked emails published exclusively by The Tribune showed Mr Fitzgerald making references to “promises” made to him by Daniel Liu, China Construction America’s (CCA) vice president.

The email exchanges also show Mr Fitzgerald allegedly becoming increasingly distressed as his requests go unfulfilled, with a plea in January 2014, asking Mr Izmirlian and Baha Mar’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Rob-

ert ‘Sandy’ Sands, to cement a relationship between CCA and Bahamas Cargo and Logistics Limited (BCL) in which all ports of entry would be advised that BCL is to collect the paperwork and clear shipments for the resort.

BCL is owned by the Fitzgerald family. Tribune Business has previously confirmed BCL’s role at the mega resort and revealed yesterday that BCL was a creditor when the project filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2015, under Baha Mar’s original developer Sarkis Izmirlian.

In his statement yesterday, however, Mr Fitzgerald addressed nothing related to his contact with Mr Liu and representatives of CCA more generally.

He could not be reached to explain what promises were made to him.

In his statement, Mr Fitzgerald also did not address the references he made in the emails to Mr Izmirlian about a “limousine business” he wanted to arrange with Baha Mar. “We are ready to meet with your people anytime,” he said in one email. “As indicated, we really only cater to high end customers and are the official agent for limolink in the Bahamas. You are encouraged to get a reference from the president of Viacom if you wish.”

When contacted yesterday, Robert Sands, the senior vice-president of government and external affairs, said that he is “not aware” if any government official has existing contracts with Baha Mar. Reactions to yesterday’s revelations were widespread and largely critical of Mr Fitzgerald and the Christie administration in general, with some expressing outrage that a sitting Cabinet minister sought to secure deals for his family with Baha Mar. People questioned why Mr Fitzgerald never revealed his dealings with the resort even as he later became one of the government’s lead negotiators on remobilising the project.

His actions, some said, undermines the government’s position on Baha

Mar. Up to press time, Prime Minister Perry Christie remained silent on the matter.

Mr Fitzgerald, however, maintained a cool and unperturbed demeanour in public. He showed up to be nominated at CI Gibson in the Marathon constituency with at least 100 enthusiastic supporters backing him.

Wearing a long-sleeved plaid shirt, jeans and socks with PLP symbols, he danced, laughed and led his supporters in chants of “PLP all the way!”

He rebuffed reporters who attempted to ask him questions. “Once I respond then you’ll be able to judge from that,” he said yesterday morning.

“It’s a big day,” he said about the nomination process. “It’s been long awaited. Everything is in order and so now we’re gearing up for the final couple of weeks. We’re excited, we’re motivated and we’re going to march through the finish line and God willing victory will be ours.”

One of his opponents in the Marathon constituency, Romi Ferreira, arrived at the school with a smaller group of supporters.

Mr Ferreira said voters should consider yesterday’s revelations about Mr Fitzgerald when they vote on May 10.

“The Bahamian people aren’t foolish and they are going to take into account all relevant circumstances and obviously this is a relevant circumstance to be taken into account,” he said. “Change is in the air.

It’s palpable.”

THE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party’s candidate for Marathon, Jerome Fitzgerald, pictured yesterday at his nomination at CI Gibson High School.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ing that Mr Fitzgerald had sought to secure millions of dollars in brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts at Baha Mar while he sat in Cabinet from as early as 2013.

The revelation was unearthed in emails leaked from a data breach of China Construction America’s (CCA) server.

It came after both Mr

Fitzgerald and Mrs Maynard-Gibson, who served as government negotiators on the Baha Mar remobilisation deal, earlier this week dismissed accusations of abuse of power and conflict of interest reported in a local tabloid, saying the claims were election smear tactics.

“A cardinal principle of Cabinet governance is that a Cabinet minister must ensure that no conflict arises or appears to arise between their public duties and their private interests,” Dr Minnis said in a short press statement yesterday afternoon.

“That trust is paramount in doing the peoples’ businesses.”

He continued: “For their failure and their inability

to separate their private affairs from their public duty in their negotiations with Baha Mar, I and the FNM call upon Prime Minister Christie and the PLP to immediately fire Minister Jerome Fitzgerald and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson for corruptly using their positions of power to enrich themselves and betray the Bahamian people.

“Anything less than immediate removal makes the prime minister complicit in this fraud.”

Hours before the statement was released, Dr Minnis said if the FNM is elected to office following the May 10 general election, the party will probe all areas to determine whether

FITZGERALD ADMITS SEEKING CONTRACTS from page one

In one of several leaked emails published by The Tribune yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald advocated in 2014 on behalf of BCL, writing to Mr Izmirlian: “ ... I would really wish to now establish a relationship between Baha Mar and Bahamas Cargo and Logistics Limited where all ports of entry can be advised that BCL is to collect the paperwork and clear shipments for Baha Mar. It is my hope that the relationship will continue when the hotel opens and we will again be the broker and trucker for this property as we were for so many years.”

At one point, he expressed personal disappointment that Baha Mar’s officials had not come through for him following his requests.

Among the questions raised by the chain of leaked emails is the nature of the relationship between Mr Fitzgerald and Daniel Liu, China Construction America’s (CCA) vice-president.

CCA is Baha Mar’s general contractor.

In one email, Mr Fitzgerald referenced “promises” Mr Liu made to him concerning business.

“Unfortunately, despite all efforts by you and promises to me by Daniel Liu that we would receive the brokerage and trucking work, we have not apart from a one time deal to move 40 containers,” Mr Fitzgerald wrote in January 2014. “I do not know why, I am disappointed but I have accepted it and moved on.”

MINNIS CALLS FOR FITZGERALD TO BE SACKED from page one

Both ministers, he said, have failed to separate their private affairs from their public duty in negotiating with Baha Mar. The FNM leader called for their terminations in response to a report exclusively published in The Tribune yesterday, reveal-

any corrupt practices have occurred and take those matters before the court.

Pledging to “go very, very hard on corruption”, Dr Minnis said there was too much “ill works” in the country, suggesting that the present government had acted in a manner that fostered these kinds of acts.

In a statement released in response to The Tribune’s article, Mr Fitzgerald maintained that he does not have contracts with Baha Mar or its affiliates. He said he does not own any shares in Bahamas Cargo & Logistics, a company he said was formed by his father years ago.

However he admitted to having discussions

with Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian to gain work for his father’s company.

In 2015, Mrs MaynardGibson revealed that her husband Maxwell Gibson owns the retail jewellery store chain that had been granted storefront leases in Baha Mar. At the time, she rejected accusations that she has a conflict of interest due to her role as government negotiator for the stalled resort.

Her revelation came in a statement released four days after she initially said her two daughters, 28 and 30, had leases to operate stores in Baha Mar while a guest on the More 94 FM talk show Real Talk Live.

BUS DRIVER SHOT DEAD NEAR CRUISE SHIP DOCK from page one

Shortly after 7am on

Monday, police were called to an area in Murphy Town, Abaco where a man’s lifeless body was

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that VANESSA D’HAITI of Dundas Town, Abaco, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 21st day of April, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

discovered with multiple stab wounds.

A doctor pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Mark Sawyer.

Around 1am on Sunday, officers received a call that shots were fired on a service road off Coral Harbour Road in New Providence.

When officers arrived on the scene they discovered the lifeless body of a man lying on the ground, with multiple gunshots injuries.

The victim was pro-

nounced dead at the scene.

He has been identified as Sergeant #102 Charles Greenslade. Sgt Greenslade was attached to the Central Detective Unit at the time of his death.

On Saturday, shortly after 9pm a man was shot in Ridgeland Park.

According to a police report, the victim was standing outside a home at Twin Close when he was approached by a man with a handgun who shot him before fleeing the area on foot.

The victim died at the scene.

THE TRIBUNE

HIGH 84ºF LOW 70ºF

The Tribune Biggest And Best!

The Fitzgerald affair OBITS simply beggars belief INSIDE VOLUME:114 No.103, APRIL 20TH, 2017

OFFICIA

To Whom It May Concern

Friday, April 21, 2017, PAGE 11

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & TECH

Fitzgerald sought millions from Baha Mar

$1

L SOUR CE

FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE MAJOR NEW BLAZE AT LANDFILL

NOW that there has been reporting that our Minister of Education, Jerome

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Fitzgerald, has been allegTribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net edly caught with his hands FIREFIGHTERS yesin the proverbial cookie jar, terday battled a large blaze some of you have rushed to at the New Providence Landfill, nearly three weeks judgment and declared he after tackling a massive fire at the city dump that should resign. burned for nearly a month.

Some of you - it seems Officer in Charge of Fire Services, Chief Superin- want to damage the Mintendent Walter Evans said SEE the current fire is “not conister’s stellar reputation by LEAKED nected” in any way to the bellyaching and complainprevious blaze and at this EMAILS time officials do not know ing on social media and what caused the fire. HowINSIDE ever Environment Minister in real life that the hacked Kenred Dorsett told reporters at the site that he (and I stress hacked) emails suspected “sabotage” in the Minister allegedly sent relation to the fire. He said he “instructed” the team to the former Baha Mar of firefighters to have the blaze extinguished “before developer prove that the nomination day” today and present administration is certainly before Baha Mar’s PLP oncandidate for Marathon Jerome Fitzgerald at his nomination opening Friday. corrupt to its common core.

The blaze started shortly yesterday at CI Gibson High School, above, and, left, his appearafter 3am Wednesday and First off, I am here to say Chief Supton Evans offic- page yesterday. ance thesaidfront that the Minister neither ers expect to battle the fire for at least another day but Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff confirms nor denies that he said the wind is a “huge” the Minister horrible names I mean, if I had to choose And let me just say that factor. the emails were sent from SEE PAGE SIX and ‘pathetic’ between giving up a few the insinuation that the like ‘beggar’ a personal account that just and ‘liar’PEET and ‘corrupt’, million dollars’ worth of Christie Administration ROBERTS: happens to bear his name. I A TRIBUNE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION was engaged in a massive have you asked yourselves, contracts and losing my think we can all agree that ‘POLITICAL EMAILS leaked from a ther’s medical treatment. would Jesus do?’ Be- three billion dollar resort cover up of the many con- A‘What is all just circumstantial evi- data breach of China ConThe emails were obtained struction America’s (CCA) by The Tribune following a cause flicts of interests of many ENEMY’I’ve FOR read the Bible I would fork over the cash dence. I mean, do we really servers show that from story in December highand Jesus never called for and contracts every single Cabinet Ministers when it ANDROS know how many ‘Jerome as early as 2013, Jerome lighting the breach of CCA BID was seeking to servers by a San Francisco to resign. time. Every. Single. Time. sought to quash the Baha anyone Fitzgeralds’ there are in the Fitzgerald secure millions of dollars hacker. China Construction PROGRESSIVE Liberal in brokerage, trucking, and eventually paid 24 bitcoins Besides and I’m just But maybe that’s just me.

Party Chairman Bradley Mar bankruptcy proceedworld? I don’t think so.

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA limousine contracts at Baha (the equivalent of $24,000) lashed out at his being here - no matOn a going forward baings in Delaware is totally Roberts Also, let’s just suppose Mar while he sat in Cabinet to have access to their servformer partyfrank, colleague Vinas the Minister of Educa- ers restored; however, it apcent Peet last night, accuster what the Lord says you sis, we will not be addressunsubstantiated. that the emails were sent tion, Science and Tech- pears that emails forwarded ing the former North Anbusinesspernumbers lately? Do you nology, Theshow Tribunea has to, or relating to personnel dros and Berrystill Islandshave MP would to go to ing this matter any further.

Mr Fitzgerald is not from the Minister’s ac- clearly learned. at CCA were compromised, of being a “political enemy” was merely looking know Perry But should you like to conThewho emails contradict the despite top officials at Baha how hard it is to get a guilty. count. Do we know that it son ONE of the leaked emails showing a rewho mountedChristie. an independ- And Perry Minister, who this de- Mar saying they were quest from Minister of Education, Scifor hisweekfamily’s busicampaign because he jobnotthese days?

Christie is currently fully tribute to Minister FitzgerAttorney General May- ent was actually the Minister out nied ever using his office to concerned by the hack at ence and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald. was denied a nomination ness.

Ask direct contracts toyourselves: himself the time.who of you - and we’re nard-Gibson from the governing party. behind Minister Fitzgerald! ald’s re-election campaign, is not guilty. that typed the email? Do or his family from the mul- In an email dated MaySome Mr Fitzgerald writes, “I clientele with which his agent for Limolink in The 18, Speaking to PLP supyou would making a list - have limousine company was fa- Prime Bahamas. You are encour- porters am aware that interior ma- gone ti-billion dollar resort.

2013, sentnot to Mr Izmirlian Finally, those of you please feel free to contact us And Minister at a rally into North any of you have any shred amongst aged to get a reference from Andros last night, Mr Robterials haveto began to arrive Mr Fitzgerald - the your Pro- byfamily’s Mr Fitzgerald,even with further out for imply thatmiliar. the over the irony that or drop your cash off at the Christie is not guilty.of Viacom if ertsgloating the president “Also with regard the of proof? I mean, did any look gressive Liberal Party MP Quentin Porter, Shelly Cur- for the hotel. I would really said “this is war” as limousine business we you wish. Please feel free he urged the crowd to vote appreciate it if weto could be onto for Marathon - appears also tis and whoAlarice Fill copied, business?

Because Minister wanted hold Fitzgerald may have Minister’s Headquarters. is not forMinister of you actually witness him to be requesting $20,000 Mr Fitzgerald indicates his appointed your official bro- are ready to Basically, contact me personally meet with to nobody incumbent Dr Perry ever lookreadiness out tofor his cushiony position your people anytime,” he or have your agents contact Gomez, ker for June 1st 2013.” in Caba monthwouldn’t from Baha Mar’s start brokerage been the victim Signed, guilty. adding that a vote of having his type those emails?

Mr Porter our Managing for Mr Peet is a vote for the He then makes a request writes. original family’s developer Sarkis and trucking for business areservices inet mainly to leverage such“Asa indicatedThe personal emails made public “Naughty” fake Director news directly.” media can Free we really Izmirlian, citing the ex- the Baha Mar project and of Mr Izmirlian for limouI think it’s important to their National Movement. only cater to highend cusat Baha Mar, penses thatthe were ones necessarythat remain the brokers powerful of re- sine services should position to pressure SEE PAGES TWO ques& THREE SEE PAGEof SIX the Minister on the heels Press Secretary, Ministry continue to ask dumb remember that there was really as he touted the level of tomers and are the official to cover the cost of his fa- cord for the property. be ashamed of themselves. developer Sarkis Izmirlian tions like, ‘What did Chris- exposing the emails of the of Mis-Education and Alsome hacking going on.

And instead of into giving brokerage and tie know, and when did he dubious ‘Save the Bays’ or- ternative Facts I am loathe posting ridicu- limo service contracts to the know it?’ all they want. The ganisation, I say shame on ‘Should we start • Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zeto go into any

By RASHAD ROLLE Marsh Harbour Healthcare lous opinions Minister’s family members. under our you! Is this how we treat vic- nicazelaya is the resident Tribune Staff Reporter Centre has Prime a tortured Minister, hismore details picking and tory, missed deadonline perhaps As rrolle@tribunemedia.net the Minister stated inone ofcurrent laws, does not have tims nowadays? How would stand-up comic at Jokers about this matlines and claims of shoddy choosing whose you should his brief press release GOVERNMENT of- yesworkmanship, all without to disclose what he doesn’t you feel if this was your hus- Wild Comedy Club at the ter but since the any clear accountability. be out there terday,ficials nocommissioned one can Atlantis, Paradise Island, know.original I’m sure any reason- band, son or rich uncle?

Marsh Harbour Health-prove The facility’s you people sick relative care Centre inone Abaco-yescontractor went bankrupt. no that he Because the Minister is resort and presents ‘Misable person can understand have nothing deserves $20,000 working. And - I repeat, terday, touting it as a longConstruction of the looking out for owns awaited thoseboost companies to the island that healthcare that centre what began we do know is a RASPBERRY very rich again.

And rich chief and Mayhem in da better to do the Christie adminis- under the former Ingraham ICEDyour TEA family’s wouldand have benefited tration’s National Health from administration. matter of national security. people don’t have to beg. So AM’ from 6am to 10am, with your time a month over plans.

When the Christie adthose Insurance contracts. sovereignty. Because that just kills that argument. Monday to Friday, and ‘The than worry another’s? Is that business.

Like the Child and Ado- ministrationAnd came to power, Some people lescent and Robert Smith fake it spent $1mthere renovatingare the known knowns, Did the dishonest, And to whomever re- Press Box’ sports talk show about corrup- who we are as a (CARS) Complex that was SEE PAGE SIX PRIME Minister Perry Christie tours the new health centre in have also alnews media report on that?

Abaco yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune commissioned last year, the leased those Staff emails - which on Sunday from 10am to known unknowns, unknown tion, nepotism, leged that MinNo they did not! unknowns and - as is the case we are not confirming came 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He abuse of office people?’ ister Fitzgerald With respect to the so- here - unknown knowns. directly from Minister also writes a sports column and all these That’s a fact which we all Fitzgerald - would it have in The Tribune on Tuesday. other insignificant things, failed to inform his con- called ‘sick’ constituents in Marathon about in Marathon, well it’s clear know. been so hard for Sarkis to Comments and questions to we will attempt to answer stituents 99 Rubis Oil spill that whomever wrote those naughty@tribunemedia.net For those of you calling play ball?

MEAL some of the questions you the infamous emails to Izmirlian and 5 9 he didn’t want to ingrates ... I mean ‘some because 6Incl. VATgood job in Cabinet. CCA has a sick relative as people’ ... have posted on- lose his Not that we’re saying the well. Should we start pickWWW.BURGERKING.BS /BURGERKINGNASSAU line without an iota of provMinister said this, but if he ing and choosing whose sick en evidence. $20,000 Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper The emails in question - did say it, can you blame relative deserves which I am not saying came him? Honestly, have you a month over another’s? Is from Minister Fitzgerald - seen the unemployment that who we are as a people?

Minister’s repeated requests for contracts and deals exposed

A Comic’s View

MARSH HARBOUR HEALTH CENTRE OPENS AT LAST

7

SANDWICH

READERS RESPOND TO FITZGERALD EMAIL LEEK AS THE news broke that Jerome Fitzgerald had been seeking to secure millions of dollars in contracts at Baha Mar while in Cabinet as the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, readers flocked to tribune242.com to give their reaction.

CommonSense was embarrassed: “WOW! Reading those emails made me so embarrassed! Fitzgerald was BEGGING for the contracts! I can’t believe it.

What does his father needing 24 hour care have to do with Sarkis? Why did he feel that Sarkis should give him anything? This guy must never sit in Cabinet again.”

To which Bahamiangoddedd responded with: “What is worse is that he was a SITTING CABINET MINISTER at the time!”

Sp1nks said: “This is astonishing.

Fitzgerald shouldn’t only step down, but should be prosecuted.

Commission of Inquiry and Freedom of Information Act. Now.” Socrates pointed out the “irony” of the emails: “If proven, what a classic example of corruption. How ironic that the man who saw no problem reading other people’s email, may now become a victim of his own methods. Everlasting thanks be to God that what goes around, comes around.”

John said: “So essentially what this is saying is this rotten government stole a whole $3 billion hotel property from Izmirilian because they couldn’t get him deep enough in their back pockets? And we trust them

VAT money.”

DillyTree warned: “Folks, just think - this is the very tip of the iceberg. I don’t think we’ve even seen the scope of the corruption and thievery by the PLP and their cronies.”

Regardless had this to say: “ ... once again evidence of the government’s Cabinet acting unprofessionally and without ethics. This clown should hang his head in shame. It is fitting that his emails would surface this way given his aggressive search through ‘trash cans’ for emails belonging to others.”

Jailem said: “This man is so dishonest! I don’t understand why he would’ve been chosen as a Cabinet minister or any position in government ... a leader is truly reflective of choices tolerates!”

All4One hoped the Prime Minister would “cut Fitzgerald loose”: “The Bahamas is once again a nation for sale. Praying Christie at least pretends to show a modicum of national concern and iota of spine, and cuts Fitzgerald loose.

Doubtful, but we can only hope ...”

But there was this from Birdiestrachan: “The suggestion that the Government removed Mr Izmirlian as the developer because of this situation is just pure foolishness. He was re-

Funeral Service For Gwendolyn Albertha Gibson, 90

a resident of #25 Bacardi Road & formerly of Devil’s Point, Cat Island, will be held at St. John’s Baptist Cathedral, Meeting Street, on Saturday, 22nd April, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Carrington Pinder & Bishop Rev. Dr. Michael E. Symonette, assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment follows in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

moved because he did not pay his loan. But for those who rejoice when persons are attack ... rejoice because it will be short lived.

Those who pay their bills will retain their developments.”

Then Jackbnimble responded with: “If you were really following the story you would note that he stopped paying the loan because the Chinese were screwing up his project.

Shoddy workmanship anyone?? He filed for bankruptcy which, if it had gone through without interruption by the PLP Government under pretense of ‘preservation of our precious sovereignty’, according to the above article, all creditors (if a company) would have to declare the beneficial owner of their company and this would expose the Cabinet ministers who have an interest in any company doing business with Baha Mar. Clearly this was not beneficial to the Cabinet ministers like Fitzgerald who were involved and had something to hide.”

Norman_t said: “My contention is: that there are no consequences for bad behaviour in the Bahamas.

Let’s see how justice prevails in the Bahamas, again.

There are no surprises. He just got caught. Most thinking people realize they are ALL slime.”

And Honestman had this to say: “What a corrupt little country we live in. I am beginning to lose hope.”

Left to cherish her memories are her remaining children and their spouses: Cynthia, Cleveland and Diane, Anita and Charles, Betty, Norman, Timothy, Cleola, Treva, Carl, Theodore, Althea, Sylvia Thelma and Miriam; Sister-inlaw: Rebecca Bain; Daughter-in-law: Beverly Gibson; Grandchildren: Veramae, Nellymae, Caldwell, Albertha, Jane, Alverna& Nathaniel, Marinet & Randy, Gladys, Luther, Regina, Patrice, Bruno, Desmond, Desiree, Sean, Vernon, Alexious, Monalisa, Burton & Spacy, Bonnie & Richard, Tamara & Adrian, Anoja & Jaronn, Delrick, Terrell, Shanria & Ramont, Chetino, Jamal, Damian, Davano, Cleontae, Beanka, Leondra, Latrino, Allethia, Eugene, Yeasha, Resha, Ravenette, Victoria, Amani, Darron, Leonardo, Kim, Karen, Lenora, Kaitlin, Claudia, Shonique “Baby” Farrington; Great-grandchildren: Elveris, Perez, Derieon, Rick, Jeremey, Akiva, Leticia, Barry Jr., Nathan’ya, Trevis, Porchue, Ranique, Cassidy, Caldwell Jr., Ashanti, Khareem, Khamaya, Maurissa, Breanna, Deron, Lynden Jr., Basil, Melvanique, Desiree, Anastacia, Alexious Jr., Zachery, Shamare, Burton Jr., Erin, Loren, Adrian Jr., Arianna, Unree, Rowan, Raegan, Shandanique, Dkaja, Damarion, Damian Jr., Davano Jr., Cleontae, D’Mesha, Kenresha, Stephen, Aniya, Theonaldo, Khai, Emmanuel, Antoine Jr., Johnathon, Skii, Shyonn, Triveno, Shelly, Christopher, Leonardo Jr., Ashley, Daquann, Jamiah, Freddo Giovanni, Kristian & Dantae; Great-great-grandchildren: Dion Jr. and Kristann; Nieces and Nephews: Adelaide, Eloise, Eleanor, Erma, Arlene, Sandra, Elkanah, Kipkeno Gilbert, Sidney, Paul Pauline Ruth Ida Loretta Bonniemae, Norma, George, Michael, Bernard Harold Leola Deloris Carter Reynold Kendal K.C. Krizia Woodside, Ambrozine Poitier, Kendra Butler, Ruthlyn Johnson, Elva Adderley, Joanna Bowe, Sandra & Yvonne Donald, Cynthia Rolle, Victoria Hanna, Arlington, Doral, Walton, Villadale, Euletha, Dorene and Wellington Bain, Mary, Susan Charlton, Alicia Thompson; Grandnieces and nephews: Bernie, Derran, Larry, Tino, Patrice, Landa, Carson, Dee, Shakera, Carrie, Ricky, Net, Keva, Megan, Dwight, Cardinal, Shaniqua, Markintell, Ural, Artemus, Randon, Anthon, Martina, Pertrinka, Delone, Chewuakii, Trevino ,Kenrix, Anthony, Vanessa, Jackie, Jenny, Alfred, Warren, Krevin, Glenroy, Nesbitt, Curlene, Doniqueo, Ella, Shirlyn, Nathaniel, Sharilyn, Carlton, Jerry, Stacy, Renaldo, Achara, Rea, Kira; and a host of others too numerous to mention; Godchildren: Annamae Clarke-Rahming, Joel Mackey; Relatives and friends: Prescola Ramsey, The children of the late Clarence Rahming, Rev. Dr. Henry Pratt and family, the children of the late Christopher and Maudelle King, the children of the late Emma Smith, the children of the late Joel and Blossom Mackey, Brenhilda Smith, the children of the late Hercules Rolle, Gloria Lewis, Inez Rolle and family Clarabell Burrows and family Rev. Vernice Storr and the members of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, New Bight Cat Island, Members of St. Peters Baptist Church Cat Island, Rev. William “Bill” Gibson and family, Esther Armbrister and family, Daisy Strapp and Family, Eldelena Pratt and family, Reginald Johnson, Naomi Sumner and family children of the late Edwin & Albertha Charlton, Gracie Dorsett, Sadie Dorsett, Corset Johnson, Pandora Ingraham and family, Joyciemae Rolle, Lydia Green and family, Pearline Johnson, Monica Hart, Adeline Burrows, Levi, Carlton, Claudius, Napoleon and Henry Rolle, Rev. Revy & Bernice Francis and family, Stacy & Anastacia, Enid and Fabian Stuart, the Poinciana Avenue family, Pastor Norris Williams from First Born Church of the Living God, the Bacardi Road family, The Devil’s Point, McQueen’s Bain Town, Zonicle Hill, and the entire Cat Island Community.

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 126:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday from 9-12:00 p.m. & at the church from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

PAGE 12, Friday, April 21, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Reality of life on the streets in Nassau G

ROWING up in the inner city (ghetto) I have had the experience of knowing what it is to be living below the poverty line, to have a wall literally separate me from what was considered then as the upper class in this country. I know what it feels like to not belong or be a part of the country I know as home.

These stories I want to tell are to bring awareness and to share the emotions, thoughts and daily life of our youth living in the urban Bahamas from as young as 10 to 35. All feel a type of disconnect from society.

Last summer, as I sat in the streets of Kemp Road, I listened to a group of young boys trade stories of their adventures of summer.

One said “Bey, I was playing with this gal yesterday and gone ta slam but ain’t had no rubbers dread.”

Another said, “Bey, I done kill that” and another told of how he had to run for his life because the ‘bey’ he punched up last week came to gang him. In our day and time some might find it to be a normal conversation for 12- to 16-year-old boys.

But it shouldn’t be. As their talks went on and hearing them talk about things from what they want to do to other males who they have a problem with to wishing they had a gun right now and that they wouldn’t hesitate to use it “I would dust that ‘bey’ right nah, think dis a game aye” - it made me ask myself at their age why wasn’t I doing the same things they were doing or even had the same

The Disenfranchised

By JEFFREY BUTLER

mindset. What made me so different coming from the same environment and same circumstances and, in some cases, even worse of a circumstance?

It was not until one of them said that he couldn’t go in certain parts of Nassau because of who he just stabbed last week and they were out for him that it made me interested in finding out what got him to this place at such a young age.

I saw him a few hours later and stopped him to find out what is going on in his life that led him to where he is now, being one criminal act away from ending up in jail.

For a 14-year-old he had already lived a lifetime; being the oldest of six children (the youngest being four) he has always had the responsibility of looking out for himself and younger brothers and sisters. He was born to a young mother whose only care in life at the time was to party every week and hustle men for money by any means necessary and his father was always around but never in his life, he (the father) also being the negative stereotype of most young men from the ghetto (drug dealing and criminal activity). Coming from a poor family structure (financially and morally) he raised himself for most of his childhood, be-

ing teased, picked on and looked down upon by his peers because he had less than they did. His mother was too busy living her young life to be the parent he needed, his classmates were mean to him because he had less than they did so the only place he found acceptance and a sense of love was around the drug dealers and criminals who didn’t care about him but only saw what use he could be to them. A young, naive, impressionable boy looking for love and a family.

It wasn’t long before he became the lookout man, the little food store thief, the smallest one to fit through the house window and the one to hold the drugs and guns because he was loyal to the streets and was too young to be put in prison.

The older he got the more experienced he got drug dealing, shoplifting, gang banging, assaulting and fighting in school - all before the 10th grade. For him this was all the result of lack of parenting and societal intervention.

It really takes a village to raise a child and his village has been turning a blind eye as if this the norm. Despite all of his actions he still knew that within him they were wrong and he wanted more for his life. He has always been torn between

A POLICE walkabout in Kemp Road - but what is life like on the city’s streets? the life of the streets and the life he was living would to each and everyone of us. wanting to do more for his be the very cause of the loss Building a better future befamily, wanting to be a good of his freedom. He was one gins with the youth of our example for his younger sib- step away from being lost in nation and when we neglect the system or dead. lings. them, we don’t just neglect As a community, as a that individual we neglect It was not until a few months ago, when he found people, what are we doing our country’s future. himself in the boys industri- or not doing to save our • Jeffrey Butler, 33, grew al school, suspended within youth? Why is it so easy to up in the Kemp Road area, the first week of school and turn a blind eye and say it’s where he now runs a daiquiput on a curfew, he realised not my problem or family. ri stand. He will be writing that he is possibly one crime The vision and dream for regularly in The Tribune away from prison and that a better, safer country fall about life in the inner city.

Calling All High

SCHOOL STUDENTS ANISCHA PERCENTIE

LAYTON CLARKE

AKANDI GIBSON

It is alleged that the pair, on April 15, had sexual intercourse with each other in a public place.

Both pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried in the Magistrate’s Court.

Percentie, who alluded to being on medication, questioned why she was being charged, as she only knew about the situation because of videos that went viral on social media.

Two videos of the incident were posted on Facebook and also shared on Whatsapp over the weekend, prompting outrage

from some users.

“I don’t remember anything after the graveyard,” the accused woman said.

The magistrate told her that she was going into the evidence, which would be heard on June 27.

Both accused were granted $3,000 bail each with a suretor.

Raquel Huyler is representing Percentie against the allegation while Clarke was not represented at the arraignment.

Sgt Brigette Strapp is prosecuting the case.

INDECENCY CHARGES OVER FACEBOOK VIDEO

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN and a woman appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of committing an indecency crime.

Layton Clarke, 42, and Anischa Percentie, 26, stood before Acting Assistant Chief Magistrate Subsusola Swain to answer to the charge of “sexual intercourse with another adult in a public place” contrary to Section 5B(1) of the Sexual Offences Act.

MAN ACCUSED OF JEWELRY STORE RAIDS Every year in August THE TRIBUNE publishes a popular Back to School supplement as a guide to the following academic year.

In the supplement we feature the profiles of high school students across the Bahamas and Family Islands.

We want profiles from as many schools and students as possible to make this guide essential and informative.

Profiles must include 1. Name 2. Age 3. School 4. Grade 5. Parent name or names 6. Goals and aspirations, prizes won and honours awarded

7. Name of college they will be attending (if attending) Plus a suitable photograph in .jpeg format (graduation or any other image).

How to submit profiles Email to back2school@ tribunemedia.net with ‘Back To School’ in the subject field and photos in .jpeg format.

By post to Back To School, The Tribune, Shirley Street & Deveaux Streets, PO Box N-3207, Nassau.

By hand to The Tribune office The deadline for the profiles is June 1, 2017 and there is no cost involved. For any questions please contact Tribune Features at 5022373 or 502-2387 or 502-2411.

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of being the culprit behind a number of recent thefts of more than $400,000 worth of high-end watches from local stores.

Akandi Gibson, 30, stood before Acting Assistant Chief Magistrate Subsusola Swain facing armed robbery and stealing charges that were allegedly committed between February 20 and March 20.

He was also charged with possession of forged currency, possession of forged documents and unlawful possession.

It is alleged that on Friday, April 14, he was found with a single counterfeit US $100 note, a CIBC Visa debit card in the name of Tony Gaiter believed to have been unlawfully ob-

tained, and 36 counterfeit electronic cards that were intended to be used for fraudulent purposes.

Gibson denied the allegations.

Concerning the watch thefts, it is first alleged that on February 20, he stole from Hublot Boutique a black & gold Hublot diamond watch valued at $127,817.50, a white ceramic Hublot watch valued at $24,832.50, a white Hublot watch valued at $22,467.50 and a titanium Hublot watch valued at $24,617.50.

Gibson elected to be tried in Magistrate’s Court on this stealing charge and pleaded not guilty when called on to answer.

It is then alleged that two days later, on February 22, he stole from John Bull Rolex Boutique Store, a yellow gold presidential Rolex watch valued at $45,950 and a white gold Rolex watch

valued at $40,800.

The accused also denied committing this offence.

Gibson was further charged concerning a gunpoint robbery at Breitling Boutique on March 20, in which a Nativimer 18kt gold bracelet watch, a Chronoliner 18kt gold watch, a Naviliner 18kt gold watch and a Navitimer GMT watch, together valued at $115,000, were taken.

He was told that he will not be required to enter a plea to the armed robbery charge as the matter was to transferred to Supreme Court through presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment scheduled for June 5.

He will stand trial for the stealing and other charges on July 18.

Crystal Rolle, associate of Murrio Ducille, appeared for the accused in yesterday arraignment. Sgt Bridgette Strapp is prosecuting the case.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 21, 2017, PAGE 13

A MOTORCADE for Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday.

Parties out in force for JAMES Albury being nominated for the FNM in Central and South Abaco.

THE TEAM for PLP candidate Greg Burrows pictured yesterday.

Nomination Day

BRENT SYMONETTE, of the FNM, shakes hands with Dr Charles Clarke in St Anne’s.

DNA supporters out and about on nomination day.

LESLIE Miller filing his nomination in Tall Pines yesterday.

PLP candidates Melanie Griffin and Dr Charles Clarke.

CLAY Sweeting and supporters on their way to nominate in North Eleuthera.

PAGE 14, Friday, April 21, 2017

THE GROUNDBREAKING of Blue Hole Marina Village and Andros Island Fuels in Fresh Creek Andros, yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

PM at groundbreaking for marina village in Andros PRIME Minister and Minister of Finance Perry Christie congratulated his friend of many years, Prescott Smith and his business partner Geneva Wilson on the groundbreaking for Blue Hole Marina Village & Andros Island Fuels in Fresh Creek, Andros this week.

He said the event was a testament of their vision and persistence in pursu-

ing their dream to build the first major state of the art marina facility in Andros.

“We encourage such developments (marinas) in our country,” Prime Minister Christie said, as he spoke at the ceremony on April 19. “I should tell you that this facility will have 80 slips, which means that it will be among the larger of such facilities and I am assured that the construction

and operation of the facility will be at best practices standards for the industry and will include all of the amenities that such a facility should have.

“We can all be confident that it will be among the finest of such facilities all across the Bahamas and will be added to the list of marinas from Grand Bahama and Abaco, Bimini and the Berry Islands and,

of course, those in Exuma,” he added.

“It is intended to be a one-of-a-kind facility given the wildness and mystique of Andros,” Mr Christie said. “This facility will take advantage of all that Andros has to offer.”

The marina will provide dockage for 80 yachts with full amenities and security, he said, adding that the development will also create jobs.

“The infusion of new business opportunities created by this development will radiate throughout the Fresh Creek community and all of Central Andros,” he said.

“One direct benefit for the local community will be a marked reduction in the cost of fuels to a reasonable price and the problem of fuel shortage will be addressed through this investment.

“But allow me to say this:

This proposed development for which we break ground today will mean that the people of Central Andros will have to be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.

There will be direct and indirect opportunities; but above all, you the people of Central Andros will have to be ready and prepared to take advantage of such opportunities,” he said.

BECOME EMPOWERED BY A TEAM WITH A PURPOSE

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE Purpose Awareness organisation founded by Antonia Lightbourne was started last year in effort to spread the message of purpose not only in The Bahamas but the world at large.

On Saturday, the organisation is gearing up to host an empowerment session and talent showcase at the Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace.

Calling the initiative “Kids n Purpose”, the event will run from 11am to 2pm and feature entertainment, games, prizes and more for children aged six to 12, all hosted by Janiqua Armbrister, Purpose Awareness group public relations representative.

Ms Armbrister said it is important that children know that purpose does not start at a specific age.

She believes all persons

THE PURPOSE Awareness team members, with Janiqua Armbrister (second left) and founder Antonia Lightbourne (centre). are born with a purpose purpose now. I believe that ference in the world around that can be discovered and every child who attends this them even at a young age. I event will leave feeling a also think it will be benefitapped into at any age.

“I need the kids to know sense of value and definite- cial to them because as the that they don’t have to wait ly a sense of purpose. I be- Bible puts it, if we train up until they are teenagers lieve they will leave feeling a child in the way he should or adults, they can walk in empowered to make a dif- go, when he is old, he will

not depart from it. So I expect for the event to have an impact that will carry throughout their lives,” she told The Tribune.

Ms Armbrister said the talent show segment will shine light on their gifts and talents allowing them to share such gifts with audience members, all while encouraging participants to know that they can do anything they put their minds to.

“There are so many adults that never took a step toward their dreams because they were told as children that they weren’t good enough or that they weren’t capable. We want to create that environment that will build confidence and allow them to know that nothing is out of their reach. We want to take the age and time restraints off of purpose and inspire our children to be great now, to make a difference now, to pursue their dreams now

MUSICIANS BATTLE IT OUT TONIGHT IN DA BAHAMIAN TING SONG CONTEST TEN hopefuls go headto-head tonight in Da Bahamian Ting song competition finale at Fort Montagu Park, with the winner receiving $25,000.

Rik Carey, co-ordinator in the department of Heritage and Culture in the Ministry of Tourism, promises true Bahamian flavour at the event. “It’s about goatskin drums, cowbells, saws, whistles, you name it. This is our Bahamian thing and this is what we put on record,” he said.

He said that although it has been an exciting experience for the artists, it has also been a learning experience. “It’s been a really exciting time for a lot of

the artists, some more seasoned than others. They get it when it comes to promotion for themselves and all of them understand the importance of promoting their product and their music at the same time.

“This is also a learning process for them as well so we’re only providing the avenues. Tourism is providing the different ports of entry for the music to be heard all around the world and that’s promotion, they don’t have to worry about.”

Contest rules require songs to be Bahamian style, such as Rake ‘N’ Scrape, Goombay or Junkanoo, and no more than three minutes long. Second place

will take $20,000, third place $15,000, fourth place $10,000 and the remaining contestants $1,000 each.

Director of Culture Arlene Nash-Ferguson said she was inspired by that fact that Bahamians are exploring local musical genres, and continuing to innovate and promised a night to remember.

“Friday evening, we’re going to be at Fort Montagu Park and it’s a beautiful setting for a beautiful event.

The ten finalists of Da Bahamian Ting Song Competition will be on stage and the voting would have been calculated before that because the voting, of course, is online. It is going to be a

first-class evening of entertainment and good wholesome family fun,” she said.

The show is expected to begin at 7pm. with a performance by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band followed by various cultural performances including conch shell fanfare, a performance from St John’s College’s band, aerial hoop dance, choreograph fire dance, a special performance by a comedian and the performance of the 10 finalists. The event will end in true Bahamian form with an energetic Junkanoo performance.

The 10 finalists, who were chosen by the public last month, are: “The Bahamian Mu-

sic Festival Anthem” by Dwayne Deveaux “Who You Rushing For”

by Lemuel Stephone Smith “Junkanoo Move” by Warrenique Munnings “Gimmie Dat Dilly” by Nathaniel Bailey and Dale Knowles “Let’s Go To The Islands” by Kenneth Sweeting and The Bahamian Spice Band “Das Da Bahamian Ting” by Da Family “Welcome To Bahamas”

by Sharmond Smith “We Bahamian Ting” by Troy Gray “Down Home” by Lady E “You and I” by Bodine Johnson

and to live a life of service to God and to others, which is the ultimate reason for us being here,” she said.

Above all, she is also looking forward to hearing the children’s views about purpose and change, believing sincerely the quality of the future lies in the quality of everyone’s deposit into the next generation.

“I feel it is important to continue hosting events such as this so that our children will have opportunities to be influenced positively and in turn positively influence others, rather than being negatively influenced by everything else out there and instead continuing that cycle,” Ms Armbrister said.

Kids can register today at www.purposeawareness. com or via email at purposeawarenss@gmail.com.

Registration cost: $15.

• See today’s Weekend section for more on Prupose Awareness Month

CLICO PAYOUTS FROM MONDAY

THE official liquidator for Clico (Bahamas) Ltd has reminded residents that a second interim payment for outstanding claims to policyholders and secured creditors will resume on Monday.

The payments will commence until Wednesday at St Joseph Parish Hall on Boyd Road from 9am-5pm.

The payments will be disbursed as follows: Persons with last names beginning with the letters A-H on April 24; letters I-Q on April 25 and letters R-Z on April 26.

The notice from liquidator Craig Gomez said this interim payment will not apply to persons with inforce insurance and pension policies.

Eligible persons are asked to bring two forms of government-issued identification.