THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 26, 2016, PAGE 9
Cartoonist ‘ecstatic’ at letter from Obama By ALBERT COX
JAMAAL Rolle, a Bahamian artist fast forging a global reputation - and The Tribune’s cartoonist has received a special congratulatory letter of gratitude from President Barack Obama for his depictions of the US President with other historical figures and a personalised lifelike portrait of the First Lady. “I want you to know I am moved by your thoughtfulness,” the presidential letter stated. “Though we all come from different traditions and communities, I believe nations and individuals are stronger when they work together. By connecting across borders and cultures and holding firm to the ideals that unite us, we can move toward a future of greater peace and prosperity for all.” Mr Rolle told The Tribune he was “ecstatic” to receive the gratitude and
FIRST lady Michelle Obama captured in this portrait by Jamaal Rolle.
A PORTRAIT combining images ther King and Barrack Obama. acclamation from President Obama, “mainly because he responded directly to my correspondence speaking on the topics of bridging cultures and interconnecting, and with the perspective that he is an inspiration to me toward being the best that I can be without boundaries. “I see such global response to my artistic work coming from the President of the United States as something that not only acclaims me but my country and the potential in the art community that we have here. Sometimes I believe art is a subject that is misconstrued by persons attempting to place art in a box or category by their own adapted perceptions. But art in its subjectivity is fluent in the imagination as a bridge to communicate formalities of life in various aspects. “I am appreciative to represent my country to the world with having portraits in the Vatican, the
of John F Kennedy, Martin LuWhite House and numerous other monumental historical places. To me, this is not iconic or monumental to myself but for my country in a cultural and creative way to be seen and distinguished in such a way. I am thankful and always humble for it was a talent I was blessed with by God.” Mr Rolle, aka The Celebrity Artist, had depicted President Obama, the first black president of the US, alongside Dr Martin Luther King and former president John F Kennedy in various drawings. He also drew Michelle Obama, wife of the president. The Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchombe, who was informed of the President’s praise, said it was unique. “This is a acclamation that no other artist has received in the history of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “Jamaal Rolle is achieving feats that no other artist has received. I congratu-
CELEBRITY artist Jamaal Rolle with the letter from President Obama. late Jamaal Rolle and I am proud of what he continues to do and achieve. Jamaal gets tremendous response from across the board, as I remember Usain Bolt and numerous other world figures articulating that his work is the best they have ever received. He is a global talent.” The Minister of Education, Jerome Fitzgerald, said: “The recognition of Jamaal’s struggle, enormous talent and drive by the leader of the free world is a singular honour, which Jamaal has earned. This honour is a testament to Jamaal’s commitment to his craft.” Among numerous other distinguished people paying tribute was former President of the Senate, John Bostwick, who described Mr Rolle’s work as “nothing less than a genius”, adding “The Bahamas has been gifted to have given the world just a little taste of what we can do”.
A PORTRAIT by Jamaal Rolle.
JAMZ TEAM LENDS A HELPING HAND AT SANDILANDS WALKATHON
KEVIN DARVILLE, of 100 JAMZ, with participants at the annual Push/Walkathon at Sandilands on Saturday morning.
THE TEAM from 100 JAMZ and the “Jambulance” were out early on Saturday morning to support the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and the Geriatric Hospital at its fifth annual Push/Walkathon at the Sandilands ground on Fox Hill Road. The JAMZ team from Radio House volunteered at the event to assist where needed and also offered giveaways and congratulations to participants as they crossed the finish line. People could be pushed
in wheelchairs, pushers, walk or run. The theme of the event, which began as an effort to increase the awareness of healthy aging and the importance of physical activity for older people in the community, was “Celebrating Graceful Aging”. The race helped raise funds for the daily services provided to the Geriatric Hospital and outpatient clients such as educational seminars, rehabilitation and recreational services. For more photos go to 100JAMZ.com.
PARTICIPANTS at the annual Push/Walkathon at Sandilands on Saturday. Photos: Valden Fernander
READERS REACT TO FAILURE TO FILE FINANCIAL DECLARATIONS BY MPS
AFTER The Tribune revealed that at least ten members of Parliament had failed to file financial declarations by the March 1 deadline, readers on tribune242.com gave their reaction. TigerB said: “Well some form of public disclosure finally, thank you Tribune!!” Sickened asked: “‘Documents in the mail’. I love it!!! Who in their right mind would send something so
important and which comes with penalties if not filed on time, in the mail? Wouldn’t you want a stamped copy of your submission for your personal files?”
Only for Godson to reply with: “Sorry but you are not quite correct here. I would send it by registered mail. Legally it is deemed to have been received at the very time I send it.” Guava thought it was time for a woman to be Prime Minister: “It becomes ever more clear that in order for The Bahamas to move forward they need to elect a woman as Prime Minister. The boys are a
joke, all of them. They cannot even get their financials in on time much less get tourists in Baha Mar. And, along those same lines, join today’s world by passing the legislation giving Bahamian women full rights as citizens and stop it with homophobic language that attempts to misguide. It is beyond time to end the stupid boy’s club that has been running the Bahamas for the last five or
so years.” Sheeprunner12 said: “This is the same attitude and attention that they give to being accountable with OUR money . . . and we are to take our politicians serious? But we put them there.” Economist called for tougher rules: “We should make it law that any MP who has failed to disclose by March, in any year that he is an MP, may not run
again in the next election.” And Honestman asked: “And people wonder why crime is out of control in The Bahamas? It starts right at the top with our political leaders who feel they are accountable to no one. Absolutely disgraceful. Keep on their case, Tribune.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
BOAT BELONGING TO FLORIDA TEENAGERS FOUND NEAR BERMUDA
FORT LAUDERDALE Associated Press
THE father of a Florida teen who went missing at sea while on a fishing trip with a friend last summer said yesterday he will share whatever information is found on his son’s recovered cellphone with the other boy’s family and law enforcement agencies. Blu Stephanos told The Palm Beach Post that the phone belonging to his son, Austin, has salt water damage, so he doubts information can be retrieved, “but I
am not giving up hope”. He said he would share any information received with law enforcement and the family of Perry Cohen. The 14-year-olds went missing last July when their boat capsized off the Florida coast during a severe storm. Their bodies were never recovered, but a Norwegian cargo ship spotted their 19foot boat near Bermuda last month and recovered it. Onboard were the phone and some fishing gear. The statement came a day after Cohen’s parents filed for a restraining or-
der, asking a judge to ban the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) from giving the phone to the Stephanos family before it can be examined by law enforcement. The FWC is the lead agency handling the investigation and has the phone. That hearing is pending, said Guy Rubin, the Perry family’s attorney. He said his clients have had no formal communication with the Stephanos family about the phone, so “I am not sure what their intentions are”. FWC spokesman Rob
Klepper issued a statement yesterday saying that since this is not a criminal investigation the agency would turn over the phone and other items to the respective families. Any retrieval of information from Austin Stephanos’ phone would only be done with his family’s permission, Mr Klepper said. The cellphone, two fishing rods and two small tackle boxes were recovered from the boat. The phone was shipped ahead to FWC, but the boat and other personal effects are expected to arrive at Port Everglades
next month. Robert Heller, a digital forensics expert in Texas, said the phone could contain the boat’s location, its speed, its direction, distress text messages the boys tried to send, photos they took and other information, assuming it wasn’t damaged beyond repair. Even if FWC turns over the phone to the Stephanos family, Mr Heller suspects investigators will download its data for safekeeping, if it is accessible. The Coast Guard searched for a week and the families’ volunteer
search lasted more than two weeks. During its search, the Coast Guard did spot the overturned boat near Daytona Beach, almost 200 miles from where the boys departed but it was gone when a recovery boat arrived at the location. This is not the first rift to appear between the families since their sons disappeared. Last October, Pamela Cohen, Perry’s mother, asked that Stephanos’ parents not use her son’s name and likeness while fundraising for their new foundation.