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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.109, APRIL 28TH, 2017

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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

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Nottage taken ill at PLP rally Minister treated by doctor for ‘dehydration’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net INCUMBENT Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage had to be seen by a doctor last night for “dehydration” after slurring and stumbling over his words during his speech at a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) campaign rally at RM Bailey Park.

Dr Nottage, 71, had to be aided on stage by his wife throughout the second half of his presentation, mispronouncing words and having to constantly correct his sentences.

Visibly flustered as he spoke to the large crowd of supporters gathered

Thursday night, Dr Nottage was attempting praise members of the various law enforcement entities and plot the course ahead for the PLP and its fight against crime.

However, his dazed demeanour and incoherent speech led many in attendance to question his overall health in the moment. Dr Nottage was force to wrap up his speech as the DJ played loud music to drown out his words.

Many of Dr Nottage’s colleagues on hand last evening were stunned by what had unfolded, and wondered how serious the entire ordeal was.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie announced last night that the government will finally pay Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officers for working 12-hour shifts in 2013 and 2014, with the first payment of the outstanding sum to be issued on May 29.

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AMID continued silence from Prime Minister Perry Christie over Jerome Fitzgerald’s admission that he solicited lucrative contracts from Baha Mar, former President of the Court of Appeal Dame Joan Sawyer insisted there is no way the Cabinet minister can justify his actions, which she sees as an alleged breach of the Prevention of Bribery Act. Dame Joan said corruption and “wickedness” under this government is applauded, making the Christie administration the “worst” government she has ever seen.

SEE PAGE THREE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of Education Jerome Fitzgerald yesterday called on Bahamians to ignore “public clutter, innuendos and distractions” as he pushed back against controversy over the fact that his mother’s insurance firm was appointed as a “broker of record” at the National Insurance Board (NIB) shortly after he took office in 2012.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald suggested that The Tribune’s report on the matter was part of a shameless scheme to harm SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE SIX

He said the second installment in overtime pay would come “in the next budget cycle,” but was not more specific. He said officers who have died or are retired will be paid in full.

The announcement comes days before officers head to the advanced poll on Wednesday.

SEE PAGE FIVE

DAME JOAN: FITZGERALD HAS NO JUSTIFICATION

EMBATTLED MINISTER SAYS TO IGNORE ‘INNUENDOS’

PM ANNOUNCES POLICE OVERTIME PAYMENT TO COME ON MAY 29

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

Fashion, pages 14&15

DR BERNARD NOTTAGE, PLP candidate for Bain and Grants Town, speaking at last night’s rally at RM Bailey Park.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

‘APRIL IS NOT OVER YET’ SAYS AG OVER RELEASE OF BAHA MAR DOCUMENTS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson remained tightlipped yesterday when asked about the government’s pledge to have the sealed Supreme Court documents on the Baha Mar sale made public this month, saying “April is not over yet.”

The documents were

sealed at the request of the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) and the government has described the move as a “commercial decision” undertaken by the bank to protect the sale process.

It is still unclear whether the official sale of Baha Mar to CTF BM Holdings, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong conglomerate, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd, has been finalised, nor is the re-

sort’s sale price known. A legal petition to the court is required before the heads of agreement negotiated by the government can be unsealed.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson yesterday would not confirm whether the government has submitted such a petition, and in the face of questions from reporters simply repeated: “April is not over yet.”

SEE PAGE SIX

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REGISTERED VOTER TOTAL RISES TO 181,000

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE NUMBER of registered voters for the upcoming general election is just over 181,000, according to Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall, who said his team was still hard at work weeding out the names of deceased people from the register before it is certified next week.

Mr Hall confirmed his department’s plans to have the register certified on Monday.

SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Friday, April 28, 2017

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MAXINE SEYMOUR, Scotiabank’s Manager of Public and Corporate Affairs, Sponsorships and Philanthropy, presents the scholarship cheque to Ricardo P Deveaux, President and CEO of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.

BANK OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP REWARD SCOTIABANK has partnered with the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation to provide one of the top ten scholarships at this year’s awards.

Students have been selected from public and private schools throughout the Bahamas and are set to be recognised during the an-

nual awards ceremony on May 27 at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries.

“Scotiabank is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at helping young persons in our communities reach their full potential,” said Maxine Seymour, manager, public & corporate affairs, sponsorships & philanthropy, Scotiabank.

“We wish this year’s nominees every success as they prepare for the next phase of their educational journey.”

Maxine Seymour is pictured presenting the scholarship cheque to Ricardo P Deveaux, president and CEO of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 28, 2017, PAGE 3

JEROME FITZGERALD, PLP candidate for Marathon, at last night’s rally at RM Bailey Park.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Dame Joan: Fitzgerald has no justification from page one The former judge also said she was “shocked” by The Tribune’s revelation yesterday that a company owned

by Mr Fitzgerald’s mother was given National Insurance Board (NIB) insurance contracts two months after the 2012 general election without the matter going out for bidding.

However, Mr Fitzgerald has said his mother’s company has held contracts with government and quasigovernment agencies for at least 15 years prior to his entry into public life as an appointed senator in 2007.

There is nothing to suggest that Mr Fitzgerald or his family members have done anything wrong in relation to the NIB insurance contracts, and there is no evidence - unlike in the recent Baha Mar controversy - that he sought to lobby for his mother’s company to get the business.

Meanwhile, Dame Joan said while it was possible

that Mr Christie did not know about Mr Fitzgerald’s perceived impropriety, she said the probability of this was “unlikely”.

Speaking of the country’s leadership prospects, Dame Joan said Mr Christie’s recent actions have shown a “flippancy of mind and a lowness of character” and likened Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to a “donkey”. She said if God used this animal to warn people in the Bible, then He could “make something out of Dr Minnis”.

During an interview yesterday on “The Nahaja Black Show” on ZSR radio, Dame Joan weighed in on a wide range of national issues including the impending general election, Baha Mar and the revelation that “shameless” Labour Minister Shane Gibson received $94,000 from Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard for reported campaign donations and community initiatives.

According to the Preven-

tion of Bribery Act, it is an offence to gain an advantage by receiving “any gift, loan, fee, reward or commission consisting of money or of any valuable security or of other property or interest in property” of any kind.

It goes on to state that an advantage also means “any office, employment or contract; any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or other liability, whether in whole or in part.”

Dame Joan said yesterday: “I was shocked and the only thing that I was able to see was that his mother was given a contract from National Insurance. I don’t blame him for taking care of his father and mother, I believe in the fifth commandment.

“But I do have a problem with him using his office for your personal benefit or the benefit of your family. It is completely unethical. It is deeper than the Constitution. It is a matter of conscience and good conduct.

“It is (an alleged) breach

of law that could be tried in court, but guess who has the say? The Attorney General (Allyson Maynard-Gibson). The Attorney General of course you know is not like (former Attorney General) Paul Adderley.”

She explained that Mr Adderley was from the “old school”.

During a later segment of the show she added: “There is no way he (Mr Fitzgerald) can justify what he has done. Is it possible that the Prime Minister didn’t know about these things? Anything is possible. Is it probable? Unlikely.

“Does the Prime Minister himself have any relative who has a contract with Baha Mar and does that not put him in the same position?”

Leadership Dame Joan went on to make several piercing observations of the men at the helm of the country’s three major political parties.

Her comments seemed to give the impression that she was endorsing the FNM.

“I don’t care what they say about me. I worked with the UBP from 1958 until 1967. I worked with the PLP. I was in the government service with them with Sir Lynden Pindling until they changed in 1992.

I continued to work with the government service until the FNM changed. I worked with the first socalled new PLP with their first term. I worked with the FNM when they came back in 2007 until they left in 2012.

“I have seen all complexions of governance in the last 50 plus years in this country. And this I will tell you is the worst government that I ever seen in this country. Because the corruption is looked at and not even winked over (but) applauded. Wickedness is applauded.”

Pointing to Mr Christie sticking up his middle finger at a political event in February and his comments in April that it could be easy to “piss away” public funds, Dame Joan said each

scenario was a testament to the Prime Minister’s character.

“To me that shows a flippancy of mind and a lowness of character that is unbelievable for leadership.

Second thought? Second chance? In another country? You think it could happen in America? They voted for (President Donald) Trump but they impeached (former President Bill) Clinton.”

She added: “I don’t look at Dr Hubert Minnis’ personality and so on. What I look at is I say ‘Lord you were able to use a donkey to warn so perhaps you can make something out of Dr Minnis.’

“Because that’s what I say about myself. I tell people if God can use a donkey he can use anyone. He used me, a donkey, to bring the Privy Council out of London for the first time in its history, why can’t he use Dr Minnis?

“I am saying it the way I see it,” Dame Joan also said.

Documents obtained by The Tribune show that NIB imposed A Scott Fitzgerald Insurance Brokers and Agents Ltd into the existing medical insurance contract for its employees, and also gave it the same role for its property and casualty business, less than two months after the 2012 election.

In 2012, Tribune Business reported on concerns that A Scott Fitzgerald was to be appointed without participation in the contract bidding process.

The Tribune’s article comes amid heightened public scrutiny of the Education Minister, who admitted last week that he solicited contracts from former

Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian on behalf of his family’s businesses.

Yesterday’s Tribune report made clear that there was no evidence - unlike in the recent Baha Mar controversy - that Mr Fitzgerald sought to lobby for his mother’s company to get the business, and also stated that there was nothing to suggest that he or his family members had done anything wrong in relation to the NIB insurance contracts.

As such, Mr Fitzgerald questioned The Tribune’s motive for publishing its report, pointing to the firm’s more than 30-year record in the industry.

“As far back as 1992, 25 years ago, that company has had insurance contracts with the government and quasi-governmental agencies,” his statement noted.

“Her company has had government contracts, therefore, for at least 15 years prior to my entry into public life as an appointed senator in 2007.

“I wonder then about the relevance of the story? Why bring my mother, a private citizen and an established and astute businesswoman, into the last-minute nastiness of a political campaign?

“I will not be deterred.

From a young age I was trained to be strong. I was

raised to be bold, independent and confident and to always remain steadfast.

The very people they seek to shamelessly use to bring harm to me professionally today, are the same people who prepared me to stand and stand tall. I am eternally grateful for my parents and I thank God for them every day.”

He added: “It has been my experience, as I talk to Bahamians every day that they are focused on what counts - they like the progress that has been made with BAMSI, and new scholarships, the increase in the minimum wage, the launching of NHI. “Bahamians are interest-

ed in learning more about our plans for the future, which include universal access to preschool education, after-school programmes at our new sports stadiums, and Second Start, which is our new programme for the re-training and education of adults.

“I invite all Bahamians to ignore the public clutter, the innuendos and distractions and to focus on the issues that matter to them as we move all Bahamians forward together,” he added.

In the wake of the Baha Mar scandal, there have been repeated calls for Prime Minister Perry Christie to fire Mr Fitzgerald or address the matter.

EMBATTLED MINISTER SAYS TO IGNORE ‘INNUENDOS’ from page one

him professionally, and insisted that Bahamians are focused on “what counts” like the progress made on government initiatives, and the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) plans for the future. He added that he will not be “deterred” in the face of mounting controversy.

On this issue of his mother, Mr Fitzgerald noted that her company has had contracts with the government and quasi-governmental agencies dating back to 1992 - at least 15 years before he first entered public life as a senator in 2007.

FNM CHAIRMAN CRITICISES PRIME MINISTER’S SILENCE OVER CONTROVERSIES FREE National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie has again hit out at Prime Minister Perry Christie’s silence over controversies ensnaring several of his Cabinet ministers, specifically the drama surrounding Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald.

Mr Collie urged people to sign the FNM’s online petition calling on Mr Christie to fire scandal ridden government ministers.

Last week, The Tribune revealed that Mr Fitzgerald solicited lucrative contracts from Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian from as early as 2013, while he sat in Cabinet, for his family’s businesses.

On Monday, The Tribune revealed that Canadian

fashion mogul Peter Nygard sent thousands of dollars per month to a Bank of America account belonging to Mr Gibson, Minister of Labour and National Insurance, between August, 2011, and January, 2013.

Documents obtained

by The Tribune show that the payments totalled $94,131.10.

In 2015, Attorney General Allyson 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 denied 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.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson and Mr Fitzgerald were part of the government’s negotiating team to get Baha Mar remobilised.

Mr Christie has remained silent over the recent controversies.

Yesterday, Mr Collie questioned how the nation’s leader can “ignore the abuse of power and position from his high command while Bahamians struggle to compete for business against the politically con-

nected.”

“Even PLP candidate Dr Charles Clarke has said that in any other first world society, Jerome Fitzgerald would have already resigned,” Mr Collie noted in a statement.

“But how has the prime minister responded? He embraces tyranny, digging his heels deeper into the mud of corruption that that leaves a dark mark on our entire country. Standing on stage last night (Wednesday), the prime minister praised Jerome Fitzgerald and commended his performance, taking Bahamians for fools by claiming accusations to be ‘fake news’.

While the prime minister’s ineptitude and neglect of responsibility comes to no

surprise, Bahamians will silence, no more distracnot stand silently. tions. Act now and show the “The FNM is working world we are not some lawwith them to have their less country. We encourage voices heard, circulating all Bahamians to weigh in a petition calling on the and sign on.” prime minister and the PLP The petition is available to fire their unethical Cabi- at www.firedem.com and Friday, 28th April net ministers immediately. had 2017 nearly 2,000 signatures No more delays, no more up to press time.

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PAGE 4, Friday, April 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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Wanted: Politicians with integrity to end corruption WITH LESS than two weeks until the general election, the outcome remains hard to predict in the absence of any meaningful testing of public opinion in advance by pollsters who are so much a part of the political scenery in America and Europe.

This makes it all the more interesting to look for pointers either from past elections here or from experience elsewhere.

One issue is the rise of populism, defined as an anti-establishment movement.

This has been seen as a new phenomenon responsible for the emergence of a real estate mogul as US president at the expense of traditional politicians and, in the United Kingdom, for ‘Brexit’ which represented a victory for eurosceptics who rejected the wishes and advice of the then sitting Conservative government.

Populism has gathered strength because of growing dissatisfaction over globalisation and, in general, with the increasingly flawed performance acrossthe-board of a discredited political class perceived to be acting for the most part in its own interests rather than those of the people.

The most recent manifestation of this has been the first round of France’s presidential election last week which, for the first time in recent French political history, resulted in representatives of neither of the mainstream established parties republicans or socialists - moving on to the second round of voting.

There is perhaps no direct parallel in relation to the Bahamas because our two main political parties are so well entrenched that one of them will win on May 10, with the minority Democratic National Alliance succeeding only in splitting the vote. Nonetheless, populism may be a factor in our election because of the current palpable level of public dissatisfaction with our political class and, in particular, with our leaders who seem to have lost the trust of the public at large.

In the past, Members of Parliament were respected and admired as wise and principled individuals who enjoyed disproportionate power in running, it seemed, almost every aspect of daily life in this small country. By contrast, in modern times the new generation of voters, which tends to be more worldly, demanding and less malleable, sees politicians in a more critical light and is less inclined to adhere to traditional party loyalties.

Younger people will not tolerate the arrogance of government ministers who shamelessly indulge in wrongdoing involving corruption and financial malpractice, some of which would earn jail time if committed by ordinary people. To them, it is no longer acceptable that a cosy cartel of politicians should be permitted to ignore convention or break the law with impunity knowing that they will be protected by their colleagues.

As has been pointed out by one Free National Movement (FNM) candidate, there is a culture of slackness, dishonesty and corruption in the Bahamas. Instead of showing an example to the rest of the country, the Progressive Liberal Party government has made matters worse during the last five years by itself becoming mired in endless scandal - both collectively through malfeasance as the ruling authority and as a result of corruption or other wrongdoing by individual ministers.

All this has been well documented and discussed ad nauseam - and, in an ordered, decent and fair-minded society unafraid of victimisation, the most recent transgressions involving two ministers ought to be the final straw. But with weak political leadership in the shape of a Prime Minister who refuses to control his own Cabinet in the face of outrageous behaviour, including indisputable contravention of the ministerial code of conduct, those concerned escape any sanction.

In the lead-up to the election we say yet again that all this has to stop. The people themselves, who by definition constitute the essence of populist movements, demand it. Society as a whole has to change and it should be for our political leaders to show the way by cleaning up their own backyard first. Issues of corruption and integrity are top of the agenda in this election and it is encouraging that the FNM leader, in calling for transparency and honesty in politics, is quoted as saying “we will go very, very hard on corruption”.

In these circumstances, we urge the electorate to vote for change but also to judge parliamentary candidates not only on their capacity and willingness to represent the interests of their constituents but also in relation to their level of integrity and commitment to reject corruption while accepting the need for transparency and accountability. Since there is little ideological difference between the two main parties, this has now become more important than traditional political affiliation.

We believe that new faces must be given a chance to develop a different and honest approach to governance characterised by integrity and accountability to the public who elected them. Without such change, this country will deteriorate into Third World mediocrity, decadence and even lawlessness as the current so-called political elite, with no discernible moral compass, continues to exercise power and influence for its personal benefit and enrichment and with little concern for ordinary people.

From what we are hearing on the street, more and more decent, well-meaning and patriotic Bahamians now believe that they and their country deserve better.

The ballad of Beggar J EDITOR, The Tribune.

O Jerome you come off smellin’ like a rose – Because you’ve bin proven to have the nose, To not only sniff out but expose – The machinations of our most bitter foes.

An’ though you let your constituents drink oily water – We forgive you big man.

What’s the bother?

For my mind goes back now to the days, When you rescued us all from “Save the Bays,” An’ all their documented sordid hate – When those rogues were attempting to topple the state!

heard not even a peep since then – We still thank you an’ all duh udder Government men – For havin’ so brilliantly thwarted the plot, Which would have again enslaved us, had you not!

I still shudder to think where we’d be man – Had you not found those emails in your political garbage can – Never mind dat we’ve

An’ since you have bin willin’ to grovel an’ beg on your father’s behalf – An’ since I might cry if I don’t laugh – An’ since dis is an Election year – We shall elect you beggar – extraordinaire!

Jokes about God PM -- JOKES ABOUT GOD & CAMPAIGN EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: PM JOKES ‘GOD CAN’T STOP HIM’ ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL. The Tribune, April 24,

2017.

ONCE upon a time, it was famously said ‘God can’t sink the Titanic’.

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, April 24, 2017.

The man has debased himself and his office.

Go home Jerome! Jerome – please go home!

CORNELL STUART Freeport, Bahamas.

April 21, 2017.

Copycat slogan EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE PLP’s 2016 campaign slogan Forward Together Bahamians reminds me of its 2012 Believe in Bahamians slogan. The 2012 campaign propaganda helped to etch in the minds of angry Bahamians that the Free National Movement was, derisively speaking, the Foreign National Movement.

PLPs were spreading the narrative that then PM Hubert Ingraham was selling out the country to the Chinese. Xenophobic Bahamians bought this untruth wholesale and voted en mass against the FNM. With a few weeks before the May 10 general election, it can be successfully argued that the PLP has been the most pro-foreign government in our nation’s history. The Bahamas, like any other developing country, needs foreign direct investments in order to achieve sustainable economic growth. The PLP has bent over backwards to accommodate the Chinese and Canadian Peter Nygard.

The PLP’s 2012 campaign should have been “Believe OJIBN, Min a Canadian. Believe in Chinese. Believe in web shop operatives.” Nygard is so important to these people that they steamrolled his pet initiative stem cells legislation through Parliament. Nygard’s impunity is so ubiquitous and astounding that he, along with some PLP hangers-on, marched into the PLP stronghold of Bain Town in broad daylight to confront the Rev CB Moss, a former PLP senator.

If the PLP could treat their own like this, I shudder to think what they

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net would do to an FNM. Adding injury to insult was a video that went viral with the Canadian talking about my PM in the most reviling manner. No one from the PLP thought it was worthwhile to reprimand Nygard.

If that was a Bahamian of the lower socio-economic group or an ordinary FNM, he or she would have been haunted down like an animal and incarcerated at Fox Hill Prison.

When Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian publicly disagreed with PM Perry Christie, Fred Mitchell gave him a tongue lashing along with a threat to have him deported out of The Bahamas.

Yet he along with his Cabinet colleagues were closemouthed regarding the vitriolic Nygard video. Whereas Izmirlian’s words were mild, Nygard’s were downright inimical. But we all know why no one from the Cabinet dared to ruffle the feathers of massa Nygard.

As for the web shop operatives, the PLP essentially told the masses to go to hell when it blatantly ignored the gaming referendum results in order to please the numbers people. There is the perception out there that the numbers people financed the PLP 2012 campaign. The move to legalise web shop gaming was allegedly a payback.

The PLP is so favorably disposed towards these people that they even went as far as nominating a candidate that the numbers people are alleged to be backing.

As for the Chinese, the PLP has ignored the cry of

the black and white masses by refusing to unseal the Baha Mar court documents regarding the new deal to get the mega resort opened that they had allegedly reached with Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd’s CTF BM Holdings. The Bahamian people eagerly awaits the release of the Supreme Court documents this month, as has been promised

by Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson.

The Forward Together Bahamians slogan is really a plagiarism of former FNM MP Loretta Butler’s Forward Together 2016 slogan for her failed leadership bid of the FNM. PLP campaign strategists are running out of ideas it seems. No innovation. Why copycat the slogan of a failed former FNM MP? They cannot come back to the Bahamian people with that Believe in Bahamians campaign pitch because no sensible person will believe it, other than their sycophants.

I have noticed that one of their Forward Together television commercials featured new candidates.

It appears like a conscious effort to hide senior PLPs, with the aim of trying not to remind Bahamians of all that has gone wrong during this disastrous term, seeing that those senior PLPs have played a pivotal role in screwing up this country.

After what these people have done to this country over the past five years, I hope nobody is stupid enough to believe their myth about putting Bahamians first. Forward Together Numbers Boys. Forward Together Peter Nygard. Forward Together Chinese!

THE WHISTLEBLOWER April 17, 2017.

Police reservist pay EDITOR, The Tribune WHEN are the Royal Bahamas Police Force reservists going to be paid for hours worked?

Thank you for allowing a space in your newspaper to express my displeasure in the government of the Bahamas under the Progressive Liberal Party, the Prime Minister, Hon Perry G Christie, and the Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage.

There wasa Bill passed in the House of Assembly sometime last year to increase the work hours for

the Police reservist from 150 hours to 200 hours a month.

To date we have not received the pay for hours exceeding the original 150 hours.

There are many of us who have been working over 200 hours for a very long time.

Now that it is Law, why are we not being paid?

It is my understanding that the junior minister, Mr Keith Bell (a former policeman) who is responsible for the police, refused to sign the document to release the payment.

We, the Police reservists, have not received an increase in pay fo over 30

years. We would like the increase more than work hours. Would someone please help us?

Remember, election is around the corner and they wiull be looking for our votes. How can someone who works us like slaves expect our support? No way!

I have calculated my hours from March 2016 and I am owed for over 452 hours. There are many other officers that have been working over 200 hours every month.

SENIOR RESERVIST April 20, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 28, 2017, PAGE 5

PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY DETOUR TO LAND AT LPIA AFTER SMOKE IN CABIN

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN Air Canada plane carrying 138 people from

Kingston, Jamaica, to Canada had to make an emergency landing at the Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday after smoke was observed in the cockpit

of the plane.

No one was injured, according to Captain Delvin Major, an investigator and inspector in charge at the Civil Aviation Department.

The Air Canada Rouge plane was flying over New Providence when crew heard a noise, then noticed the smoke.

The noise came from the area of the plane’s avionics, he said.

The crew immediately adhered to its emergency checklist, allowing it to prevent a fire from erupting.

After landing, passengers remained on board for some

time as the Nassau Airport Development (NAD) company made arrangements for them to be accommodated in a secure area while they waited to board a replacement aircraft.

PM announces police overtime payment to come on May 29 from page one His comments were made at a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) mass rally at R M Bailey Park, hours after Police Staff Association (PSA) Chairman Inspector Dwight Smith accused the Christie administration of “killing the morale” of police officers, as he lambasted the government for not consulting with his organisation over the association’s proposal to save the government 40 per cent in overtime pay owed to officers for working 12-hour shifts between 2013 and 2014.

“In 2013, in the face of mounting criminality, we called upon the hardworking officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to work extended hours in an effort to reduce the levels of violence in our streets,” Mr Christie said.

“In 2014, a number of officers brought an action before the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that officers were to be given compensation for working 12 hour shifts, which resulted in officers working to excess of 40 hours per week.”

Mr Christie said the court determined that those of the rank of inspectors, sergeants, corporals and constables are entitled to and owed overtime pay or days off in lieu off compensation.

“In reviewing the options available to the government, it became apparent that issuing days off in lieu of pay would create a significant challenge in meeting our policing objectives,” Mr Christie said.

“Consequently the government has determined that as it is not feasible to grant days off in lieu of overtime, it will pay police officers for the period of them working in excess of 40 hours during the period of 12 hour shifts.”

Earlier yesterday, Insp Smith told The Tribune the government has yet to consult with the PSA for a potential agreement on its proposal for officers to be compensated at a set rate of $15.75 per hour, as opposed to the standard hourly/ daily rate owed to each officer, respective of rank, for working the controversial 12-hour shifts.

This, he said, makes it seem like officers are “begging for what they’re entitled to, what they already worked for.”

Insp Smith also said officers are “real upset” over the recent promotion exercise in the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), which he said excluded officers in the junior ranks. He said officers realise the government conducted the promotions “close to elections for them to win votes,” adding that he has “never seen the morale this low” in all his years as an officer.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie speaking at the Progressive Liberal Party mass rally last night at RM Bailey Park.

“It’s real low,” Insp Smith said of the officers’ morale.

“And persons are frustrated with the system and how they’re being treated.”

Last May, the Court of Appeal upheld a landmark Supreme Court ruling ordering the government to compensate police officers for working 12-hour shifts at different periods in 2013 and 2014. The RBPF introduced 12-hour work shifts for officers in an attempt to get crime under control in September 2013.

The appellate court had dismissed the government’s appeal against Supreme Court Justice Milton Evans’ ruling that a Force Order issued by former Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson in 2003 was relevant to the case as it mandated that public officers be paid when they work for more than 40 hours in a normal working week.

At the time, the PSA had estimated that if the choice is made to pay the officers, the government could end up paying as much as $16.4m in overtime pay.

However, attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, who represents the PSA, said at the time that Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade would determine whether to pay officers or to give them a proportionate

amount of time off.

The Supreme Court ordered that the compensation be received within a year.

Yesterday, The Tribune obtained a letter from Mr Munroe to Attorney General Allyson MaynardGibson, in which the association proposed that police officers be paid overtime worked at the “public service rate for special events,” which amounts to a set rate of $15.75 per hour.

In the letter, Mr Munroe submitted that the association’s proposed rate would amount to a 40 per cent saving for the state, considering that the standard rate of payment would be the hourly/daily rate for the officer concerned. So, for example, the association noted, a junior constable’s “time back” would be $24.50 per hour.

“We would suggest that it is in the financial interest of the state for the officers to be paid, thereby realising a 40 per cent saving for the state,” Mr Munroe noted in the letter. “May we hear from you on this proposal?”

However, Insp Smith claimed that the government has not consulted with the PSA over the proposal. Further complicating matters, Insp Smith said, is that a couple weeks ago, Commissioner Ellison

SENTENCING DELAYED AS JUDGE IS TAKEN ILL

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE sentencing of a man convicted by a Supreme Court jury of murdering his mother was delayed yesterday because the presiding judge was unwell, The Tribune understands.

Jerome Butler, 57, was set to learn his fate before Justice Indra Charles for the death of Princess Butler in 2015. However, The Tribune was informed by court officials that the matter would not proceed as scheduled due to Justice

Charles feeling ill.

It is unclear if a new date has been set for his sentencing.

Butler stood trial for 10 days in front of Justice Charles concerning the February 4, 2015 murder.

Mrs Butler was found dead in her home at Petersfield Road in Highbury Park shortly after 8am.

An autopsy revealed that she died of asphyxia, and as a result of finding facial bruises and internal injuries about her body, police launched an investigation.

Her son was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court 12 days

later in connection with the death. He pleaded not guilty to murder when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court three months later.

Last Friday, while appearing before Justice Charles, Butler’s lawyer David Cash suggested that he receive a lesser sentence within the 30-60 year range set out by the Court of Appeal in the case authority of Larry Raymond Jones.

Prosecutor Uel Johnson, meanwhile, had recommended a 40-year penalty for the death of Butler’s 81-year-old mother.

Greenslade allegedly sent his own proposal to the government on what the plan should be with regard to the overtime pay.

Insp Smith claimed that a copy of that proposal was not given to the association, claiming that had one been given, “we would have been able to look at it also and maybe come up with an agreement of some payment.” Insp Smith said he instructed Mr Munroe to try to obtain a copy of that proposal, but to no avail.

Nonetheless, Insp Smith said a motion was filed for the government to give immediate attention to paying the officers; however it awaits a date from the Office of the Attorney General.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

“I don’t know what it is the government wants to do, or what they don’t want to do, but there’s no consultation on it,” he said. “From the matter being before the court, and the court made that ruling, we have not yet sat with the government or administration to discuss this matter of the overtime.

Because it’s not just paying … The court has already made that ruling that there must be compensation for overtime. So there is now future overtime that is going to come. So you need to put a policy in place to know how you will properly govern this so you don’t get back to this point of going back to court again.”

When asked if he felt that the upcoming election would

only serve as a hindrance to the PSA’s efforts, Insp Smith said: “Well, you can’t say election two weeks away because the police go to the polls on Wednesday (for the advanced poll). What I think the main thing is, they’re killing the morale of the officers because it seems that they’re begging for what they’re entitled to, what they already worked for.

“And I’m telling you, if you notice I also see on social media, it’s almost like I’m being attacked also because they think that I’m negotiating slow or something of that nature and I don’t have anything to do with that …The overtime thing, there’s no consultation. I don’t know what’s going on at this point.”

PAGE 6, Friday, April 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

DR Bernard Nottage at last night’s mass rally by the Progressive Liberal Party at RM Bailey Park. See more photographs on page nine.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Nottage taken ill at PLP rally from page one PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts told The Tribune that a doctor examined Dr Nottage at his home shortly after he gave the worrisome performance.

He initially told The Tribune that Dr Nottage had been taken to hospital, but later reported that the minister of national security had been examined by a physician at his home. “(I) understand that Dr Bernard Nottage is said to be suffering from dehydration,” Mr Roberts told The Tribune. “He is at home resting. PM Christie spoke to him before midnight.

He is expected to fully recover.”

This comes nearly four months after a similar incident saw Dr Nottage stumble through his usual House of Assembly adjournment routine.

In January, Dr Nottage appeared disoriented while addressing House Speaker Dr Kendal Major and appeared to slur his words when setting a date for adjournment of the lower chamber to February 5.

He repeated the word

February several times with a smile acknowledging his earlier mispronunciation.

Away from Dr Nottage’s issue, the remainder of last night’s rally was highlighted by an “unbothered” Jerome Fitzgerald pushing back against those he claimed were “fixated” on destroying his political career.

Invoking portions of the scripture, Psalms 91 specifically, Mr Fitzgerald to resounding applause declared that he has been continuously protected and guided by the hands of God. Flanked by a massive crowd of supporters and his mother, the incumbent Marathon MP scoffed at Thursday’s Tribune lead story which detailed circumstances surrounding the approval by the National Insurance Board (NIB) to make a company owned Mr Fitzgerald’s mother the ‘broker of record’ for both its group health and property insurance business.

That report noted that there was nothing to suggest that Mr Fitzgerald or his family members had done anything wrong in relation to the NIB insurance contracts and that there was no evidence that the minis-

ter sought to lobby for his mother’s company to get the business.

Mr Fitzgerald last night said: “Every day I get the paper I see they calling my name. I see the whole of the PLP and the whole of the FNM is fixated on Fitzgerald.”

He continued: “But you know, dog don’t bark at park car. They fixated on Fitzgerald because they don’t have any plans or ideas on how to move our country forward so the only thing they are good at now is attacking anyone who they will expose their ineffectiveness and who they are.

“Talking about my sick father wasn’t enough they had to go and talk about my mother. I mean, how low can you go? But God is in charge; God is in charge.

And I will say it over and over again. I walk by faith and not by sight.

“I am also reminded of the verses of Psalms 91 which over the course of my life has help to frame my mind, my spirit and my heart for a time such as this.

‘He who dwells in the place of the most high shall abide by the shadow of the Almighty.

“I will say to the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler and the pestilence.

He shall cover me with his feathers, and under his wings shall take refuge; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

“And I shall not be afraid by the terror by night; nor the arrow that flieth by day; Nor the pestilence that walk in darkness; nor the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

“A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come near me. Only with your eyes shall I look back and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge,” he shouted to cheers.

This comes one night after Prime Minister Perry Christie commended Mr Fitzgerald for his performance this term.

Speaking at a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) rally in Central Andros Wednesday, Mr Christie referenced certain party members present, including Mr Fitzgerald, as being a part of the Sir Lynden Pindling dream.

JEROME FITZGERALD, PLP candidate for Marathon.

GLENYS HANNA-MARTIN, PLP candidate for Englerston, speaking at last night’s rally.

‘APRIL IS NOT OVER YET’ SAYS AG OVER RELEASE OF BAHA MAR DOCUMENTS from page one

SUPPORTERS at the Progressive Liberal Party mass rally yesterday.

REGISTERED VOTER TOTAL RISES TO 181,000 from page one “We’re still taking out dead people,” he said.

“We’re up to 181,000, we still taking out dead people ‘cos we find people who dying so we still taking out dead people.”

On April 14, the voter register was confirmed to be at 174,070.

When questioned about the apparent increase, Mr Hall said: “It’s just over 181,000 now, the last week or two (of registration) we had hundreds and thou-

sands of people coming to register all over the country.

We’re going to certify the register on the first of May so we’re still doing corrections.”

The Parliamentary Registration Department confirmed via its Facebook page that the voter register stands at 181,675 as of Wednesday. There were 172,128 people registered to vote in the 2012 general election.

The voter register was closed on April 12, giving the department 14 to 15 days from that date to clean

up the hundreds of reported errors presently on the register.

Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said earlier this month he is “doubtful” that the Christie administration could produce a “clean” register before the electorate heads to the polls. The party’s chairman, Sidney Collie, also raised “grave concerns” regarding the election register, pointing to the discovery of 72 pages of duplicate registrations, names printed of people born over 200 years ago

and some who were born in 2017.

Mr Collie described this as “negligence” and “ineptitude”, saying there are other “irregularities” that have come to light pointing to people who were reportedly issued citizenship and voter’s cards on the same day.

Mr Hall has maintained his confidence that the department will produce a clean register, adding last week that “the register is only as clean as the co-operation we receive from the voters”.

Today is the last business day in this month.

After facing a fiery backlash for months over confirmation that the new deal to open Baha Mar was sealed, Prime Minister Perry Christie told reporters in January that Mrs Maynard-Gibson was directed to have the records made public at the “earliest opportunity”.

The Prime Minister added that his administration had no difficulty in accounting for what it negotiated to facilitate the opening of the West Bay Street mega resort.

The following week, Mrs Maynard-Gibson told reporters that the release of the sealed Supreme Court Baha Mar documents was “most definitely” expected before the opening of the mega resort.

While pinning the government down to a time-

frame of the document’s release, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said at the time that she was currently in the process of being advised by attorneys in her office on how best to implement Mr Christie’s directive to have the Baha Mar heads of agreement released for public consumption, while protecting proprietary information.

She repeated the government’s position that the heads of agreement had nothing “unusual” contained in it, adding that providing incentives to investors in the country was not an unfamiliar practice.

Baha Mar staged the ‘soft launch’ of its first phase on April 21, and is slated to open its reservations portal on May 8.

The sealed deal has been a major point of contention for the Christie administration with opposition forces fanning speculation over possible concessions.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 28, 2017, PAGE 7

Grand Bahama charter celebration for university

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net IT was a special day for students and faculty at the University of The Bahamas’ (UB) Northern Bahamas Campus, which held a charter celebration and plaque unveiling ceremony yesterday at the institution in East Grand Bahama.

University president Dr Rodney Smith and other officials from Nassau flew to Freeport for the momentous occasion.

Dr Smith said that the charter of the UB system at the Grand Bahama campus is yet another milestone.

“The charter of the university was not just a change in name,” he said. “We are witnessing the paradigm shift in our campus culture and a change in way we are handling the business of education.

“In Grand Bahama, we are working not only to transform the campus and programme offerings, but to transform a city and an island through education, and to redefine the role of … the campus in the northern Bahamas,” he said.

The campus in Grand Bahama has long operated as a satellite campus, and Dr Smith indicated that it must have greater autonomy in order to grow, develop and meet the demands of the surrounding and wider community.

The goal, he said, is to make the northern campus a centre of excellence dedicated to manufacturing, engineering and entrepreneurial studies, with the country’s largest business incubator.

A publicly and privately funded business incubator will incorporate two pro-

grammes: for students majoring in entrepreneurial studies and for community members wishing to learn how to write a business plan and sustain successful businesses.

The UB president also stated that acquiring globally recognised accreditations is another important component for the institution - a process that has already begun.

Dr Smith stressed that UB’s mission is to advance and expand access to higher education, promote academic freedom, drive national development and build character through teaching and learning, research scholarship, and service.

“This mission demands that UB seeks to provide access to higher education for all Bahamians across the length and breadth of the Bahamas,” he said.

Sarah St George, vice chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd (GBPA), congratulated the university administrative council and board of trustees for achieving such an important milestone.

She noted that her father, the late Edward St George, former GBPA chairman, and Sir Jack Hayward, a 50 per cent partner, both passionately dreamed of a vibrant college/university campus and donated 50 acres of land to the institution 15 years ago.

Two years ago, the Port Authority and government realised the urgent need for housing facilities or dorms at the college, and pledged to commit funds for one.

The GBPA pledged to contribute $3m towards

the project. In an effort to reduce the cost of construction and instead of duplicating the existing building at a cost of $11m, they looked at an innovative building technique that would significantly reduce the cost to $5m.

Finland-based Almaco is building the 88 pre-fabricated dorm rooms, which are expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by the Fall semester.

Ms St George was also pleased about plans to have the UB schools of maritime and engineering at the northern campus. She noted that UB’s agreement with State University of New York (SUNY) requires students complete the first year at the Oakes Field campus in Nassau, then two years at SUNY and their final year at the Northern Bahamas Campus, when they go directly out to sea training.

“The maritime school is one of our great prides in Grand Bahama,” she said.

She noted that the existing cruise port and a new one to come at a proposed cost of $150m to $200m is indicative of a growing, thriving cruise destination.

Additionally, she said the $250m extension of Hutchison and MSC’s Freeport Container Port will make it the most modernised container port in the region, and the Grand Bahama Shipyard has become a leading ship repair facility in this hemisphere in a mere 15 years from start up.

“Freeport has emerged from a pine barren to become an industrial and maritime capital of the Bahamas,” said Ms St George.

In his keynote address,

CYBER EXPERT TO GIVE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS CYBER security expert Dr Herbert Hugh Thompson will deliver the commencement address at the University of The Bahamas’ historic Spring 2017 Commencement, the first since the institution’s charter on November 10, 2016.

A University of The Bahamas alumnus, Dr Thompson is the chief technology officer at Symantec Inc, an international cyber security solutions provider billed as the world’s largest security software company with more than 12,000 employees.

UB’s inaugural commencement will be held on May 25 at 7pm at the Thom-

DR HERBERT HUGH THOMPSON as A Robinson National Stadium under the theme ‘Dawn of a New Era: The Power of Perseverance’.

Dr Thompson has also

co-authored several books on cyber security.

SC Magazine has named Dr Thompson one of the “Top 5 Most Influential Thinkers in IT Security” and the Financial Times calls him “one of the world’s foremost cryptology and internet security experts”.

For several years, he was an adjunct professor in the Computer Science Department at Columbia University in New York.

Hundreds of graduands are expected to form the first commencement class of UB, an event that will go down in the annals of history.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville noted that it was under the first Christie-led administration that the government announced its intention to transition the College of The Bahamas into a university.

In 2016, the Christie administration passed the University of the Bahamas Act through Parliament, making the transition official.

“Today is both a monumental and historic one, as that vision has now become a reality; for today, we commemorate the transition from College of The Bahamas to the University of the Bahamas here at the northern campus. As a result, we can expect enhanced technological and structural upgrades to the tools and facilities here on the northern campus,” he said.

He thanked the GBPA for its assistance in the advancement of tertiary level education on the island.

Dr Darville emphasised that the government has kept its promise to double the investment in education. He noted that the government intends to fully utilise the remaining 170 acres of land, and to continue the development of the Northern Bahamas Campus.

With the expansion of the campus, Dr Darville said it is anticipated that entrepreneurs will have opportunities to establish new businesses on the campus, and in the surrounding areas.

“We will also work to see a new housing subdivision established in the immediate area as well; which will foster the creation of an entirely new community on the island of Grand Bahama, centred around this campus,” he said.

DR RODNEY SMITH, president of the University of The Bahamas.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

PAGE 8, Friday, April 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

PLP sinking in the age of pulling files INSTEAD of ripping off Loretta Butler-Turner’s ‘Forward Together’ campaign slogan (which she ripped from Hillary Clinton), the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) should change it to one that is more fitting these days: Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil.

It’s become obvious Prime Minister Perry Christie must not have heard Jerome Fitzgerald say out of his ‘own mout’ that he solicited contracts from Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian.

And he must not have seen copies of the cheques Peter Nygard wrote to his Minister of Labour Shane Gibson.

So, true to form, the ‘cat gat his tongue’ when it comes to his ‘good’ ministers.

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA In an age not long ago, the Prime Minister may have been able to get away with staying silent while simultaneously calling anything he doesn’t want to deal with ‘fake news’. But this is not that age.

This is the age of news and scandals spreading faster and wider than any propaganda concocted by state-run media could ever dream of travelling.

This is the age of live video and memes and ‘pulling files’. Which is why, even as the Prime Minister tried to

label the Fitzgerald scandal as ‘fake news’, more ‘real news’ from real newspapers which showed just how stink the stench is that’s coming from his Cabinet had already racked up thousands and thousands of views and ‘likes’ on Facebook.

It really is amazing (and a little mind boggling) to watch an historic party like the PLP try to do battle on the new political playground that is the internet and social media.

PLP attempts at ‘spinning’ the truth are met with

scepticism, laughter and real ‘fake news’ style, that blunt acronyms. (CY... um the late Prime Minister, Sir ... A anyone?)

Lynden Pindling, named In the age of technol- Fitzgerald as one of his sucogy, no one has time (and, cessors. paradoxically, everyone has He has stubbornly turned time) to deal a blind eye to with ‘keyboard ‘Not only has an ugly truth, cronies’. and resurrected the Prime Posts, threads a memory most and comments Minister not hardcore PLPs can go on indefi- fired Jerome hold dear to it. nitely.

Stories Fitzgerald, he The Rubisfrom yesteryear gate, emailscan be resur- is now ‘toting’ gate, and conrected in a na- him from island tracts-gate may nosecond for a to island like mean nothing to swift and deadly a group of polirebuttal in real a trophy wife ticians trying time (this, by and has sent desperately to the way, is what him ‘shout hold onto power the young peobut on the growple call ‘pulling outs’ from rally ing battlefield files’). of social media stages.’

To be fair, I they count for have seen many a lot. dust-ups involving FNMs Technology means the and DNAs online, too. The new generation (and the difference is that hardline next generation) is no PLPs are having a much longer blind, deaf and harder time defending the dumb. party (and themselves) beThe late Dr Myles Muncause of the inaction of Mr roe said it best: “We are Christie. now in a moment where the Not only has the PM not old weapons that kept the fired Fitzgerald, he is now Bahamas don’t work any ‘toting’ him from island to more.” island like a trophy wife and That, my friends, is the has sent him ‘shout outs’ gospel truth. from rally stages.

The ‘delete’ button and Mr Christie now claims, ‘block’ button now destroy

propagandists. ‘Comment’ is the gateway for ‘friends’ as well as ‘foes’. ‘Reply’ can leave your timeline in shambles. And the ‘share’ button is the new weapon of mass destruction.

I’m surprised almost no one in the PLP with a literal handful of ‘honourable’ members (whose political relevance is also on the line) has spoken out against the way the PM is dealing with Fitzgerald.

Like I said, ‘hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil’ ... together.

• Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net • Watch Naughty’s new series of videos ‘The Coldest’ on Facebook at Inigo Zenicazelaya (Da Naughty One)

READERS REACT TO STORY OF NIB CONTRACT FOR JEROME FITZGERALD’S MOTHER READERS have been responding to the news that the National Insurance Board sought simultaneously to make a company owned by a Jerome Fitzgerald’s mother the “broker of record” for both its group health and

property insurance business less than two months after the 2012 general election.

Jackbnimble asked: “Lord what next? Did his cat and dog also get a contract?”

ThisIsOurs said: “Lord help us, and I mean that in the 100% religious context.

Cuz some serious darkness going on here.”

TalRussell wondered: “Back to the important people’s basics ... how many ‘new’ schools were built and opened under Minister of Education Jerome’s tenure?”

DDK said: “Small wonder the education system in this country has fallen even further down the drain.”

But Birdiestrachan had this to say: “If there was no wrong done by him or his family why is this a story?

When he wins his seat all of this will be put to rest.

Why is he constantly being attacked?”

At his party’s rally on Wednesday night, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said Prime Minister Perry

Christie and his administration were the “most corrupt, the most incompetent and the most victimising government since independence”, prompting Well_mudda_take_sic to say: “Yes, yes, yes ... all yes. So why is Minnis refusing to make a firm commitment to hold a Royal Commission of Enquiry to determine the full extent of the corruption over the last five years and to ensure those found guilty of criminal offences get prosecuted to the full extent of the law? Could it be that Minnis actually sees nothing truly wrong with the fleecing of the Bahamian people that has occurred and is himself looking forward to being able to do the same, perhaps on an even grander scale?”

To which Alfalfa responded with: “Rest assured. If the FNM wins the government, the Commission of Enquiry and prosecutions you refer to, will come post haste. No wonder those guilty of blatant corruption are shaking in their boots, and using all underhanded methods available to them to stay in power.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 28, 2017, PAGE 9

Candidates battling it out in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net WITH the general election two weeks away, Grand Bahama is festooned with party flags, paraphernalia, posters and billboards of political candidates vying for the five parliamentary seats on the island.

Wherever you look, vehicles, utility poles and trees along major highways have been decorated with political posters to woo voters.

Bahamians will go to the polls on May 10 to elect a government for the next five years. The advanced poll will be held on May 3.

The campaigns are in full swing and candidates are being invited to meet

to greet events on Grand Bahama so the people can get to know them on more a personal level.

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has organised one such event at the Pelican Bay Resort scheduled for tonight from 6pm to 8pm.

“All of the candidates will be together in the same place at one time,” said representative Catherine Adderley.

Former United People’s Movement Leader Greg Moss, MP for Marco City, has pulled out of the race.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party and the opposition Free National Movement (FNM) have both dominated the City of Freeport with their yellow and red posters and

billboards, especially along Coral Road.

Both parties have held mass rallies in Freeport, drawing large crowds. The Democratic National Alliance will hold an event in Freeport tonight at 7.30pm at the Bain Building on West Atlantic Drive.

Early this week, C A Smith predicted that FNM Leader Hubert Minnis will be the next leader of The Bahamas. Mr Smith, the FNM campaign co-ordinator, is also a former Cabinet minister, ambassador, and Pineridge MP. “Dr Hubert Minnis has captured the hearts and imagination of the Bahamian people,” he said, after months of nationwide campaigning with Dr Minnis.

Mr Smith believes that last Thursday in the nation’s capital marked a critical turning point in the 2017 general election campaign.

“The Free National Movement held its first mass rally and the Progressive Liberal Party was consistent with its failing strategy to counter with a last-minute similar event.

The FNM crowd on R M Bailey Park easily outnumbered the PLP gathering by double or closer to triple fold,” he said.

Mr Smith said the Bahamian people are so disgruntled, disgusted and disappointed with the PLP government, and that there is a tremendous movement for change.

“It magically and emo-

PLP MASS RALLY AT RM BAILEY PARK

CLEOLA HAMILTON, PLP candidate for South Beach.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie, flanked by his wife and daughter.

KENRED DORSETT, PLP candidate for Southern Shores.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

tionally mirrors 1992 when the FNM ushered in a new day in The Bahamas and rid our country of oppression, victimisation, corruption and an uncertain economy,” he said.

He said that Dr Minnis’ and the party’s message of real change is resonating with the people.

“He rose with a spirit of determination and discipline, sharpened his smarts and with a quality education became a prominent, competent and caring medical doctor and successful businessman. Minnis’ poor and humble beginnings, which he has never forgotten, allows him to so passionately identify with the struggles and plight of the Bahamian people. The man works

with an energy of strategic excellence; wanting only what is best for Bahamians.’

Mr Smith is confident that Dr Minnis will make Bahamians proud as the chief change agent of this generation and a new Bahamas.

“I have had the humbling privilege to work with or to closely observe every Prime Minister in an independent Bahamas. Sadly, Prime Minister Christie is now only a shadow of himself.

Minnis is capable, fit and qualified to lead our Bahamas. The Bahamian people have developed a connection with Hubert Minnis and I hold every confidence they will join hearts, heads and hands with him on May 10, 2017,” Mr Smith said.

PAGE 12, Friday, April 28, 2017

THE BAHAMAS Waste truck with its livery in support of REACH.

THE TRIBUNE

Waste truck redecorated to raise autism awareness WITH April designated as Autism Awareness Month, Bahamas Waste joined forces with a nongovernmental, local advocacy organisation facility for autism treatment - REACH - in an effort to sensitise more Bahamians to the impact of an autism diagnosis.

Already, Bahamas Waste has created customised trucks to support the Bahamas Humane Society, Bahamas National Trust and cancer groups and this month the company jumped at the opportunity to create a truck to commemorate Autism Awareness Month.

“Every now and then, a cause really comes up and touches you and just moves you,” said Bahamas Waste managing director Francisco De Cardenas.

“We’ve been working along with some great people on this and whenever there is a really worthwhile cause like this we want to help bring awareness to it.

It’s truly affecting so many of us now.”

The truck was unveiled on Tuesday at the Office of the Prime Minister. It fea-

tures touching photos of local Bahamian children who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum and their proud parents, bringing a very human element to the campaign.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to expose the people of the country to people who are on the autism spectrum,” said Paula-Maria Hospedales, whose son appears on the truck with his father and is a member of the Autism Committee.

“There are so many parents who can’t afford the therapy for their autistic children - if it is in fact available. So, it is important that we all become spokespersons for people on the spectrum and help each other accept and help our children.”

Since 1999, REACH Bahamas has led the way in working to provide the kind of support local families need and has worked closely with other organisations and churches to support the autism community in ensuring the best quality of life for impacted families.

To learn more about autism contact them at reachbahamas.org or 328-4123.

MEMBERS of REACH with the Bahamas Waste team and the newly decorated waste truck.

PAGE 14, Friday, April 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

CWCO administrative assistant Welliya Cargill presents PACE principal Jaqueline Knowles with a donation along with CWCO operations supervisor Jeffrey Burrows and store inventory manager Deno Campbell in front of the new PACE Programme facility on East Street.

Photo: Samone Davis/SWPR

More space for PACE at new home THE Providing Access to Continued Education (PACE) programme has moved to a more spacious new facility on East Street and Wulff Road which will allow it to better accommodate the mother-to-be teens.

The PACE Foundation was established for firsttime pregnant teens expelled from school. PACE classes help them stay current with their scholastic education whilst learning to

become responsible mothers. After the birth of their child the majority of them return to school to graduate and are able to positively contribute to society.

The programme, which performs daily important social and educational services to first-time pregnant teens still in school, recently welcomed Consolidated Water Co Ltd (CWCO) when the water company paid a visit to make a donation.

CWCO Accounts Manager and Administrative Assistant Welliya Cargill said the company recognised the societal importance of the PACE programme and wanted to support the organisation with a financial donation.

“PACE has always been an important educational foundation for those students expelled from school for being pregnant,” Mrs Cargill said. “We recognise that without the prop-

er training and continued education offered at PACE, these young ladies would be ill-prepared for motherhood and for a return to school to finish their studies.”

According to the 2013 Vital Statistics Report produced by the Department of Statistics there were 455 births to girls under the age of 19 in that year and birth rates in this group have been reducing consistently year on year for some time.

PACE President Sonia Brown said “statistics have also shown that less than nine per cent of these girls have another child while still in their teens. We believe that we have been instrumental in making a difference to this group.”

PACE Principal, Jacqueline Knowles, thanked CWCO for the donation, noting that it would assist with the everyday needs of the students.

“We are very apprecia-

tive of this donation from CWCO; it is very timely as we are in the process of relocating to a much larger facility on East Street and we need all the help we can get,” Ms Knowles said. I am elated that CWCO chose to donate to these young girls who are in much need of personal care items and supplies for their babies to come; and we will use this donation to get as much as we can for them.”

ORGANIC FARM SIGNS UP TO BAMSI ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME

ERRINGTON THOMPSON, proprietor of Rosa Organic Farms, signs the contract with Chief Executive Officer of The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) Alaasis Braynen watched by Dr Jason Sands, Chief Operating Officer of the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre.

THE first organic farm has joined the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute’s (BAMSI) Associated Farmers Programme (AFP), it was announced yesterday.

As BAMSI continues to be an open door to opportunities for local entrepreneurs, executives of the Institute signed a contract with the proprietor of Rosa Organic Farms, Errington Thompson.

A key objective of BAMSI’s AFP is to identify qualified farmers who are eager to adopt and apply modern methods in commercial agricultural production. According to Mr Thompson, his organic

produce will be free of the typical chemicals used in traditional farming and his farm will mitigate against pests with organic fertilisers and pest controls which can be ingested. In traditional farming, chemical insecticides, pesticides and herbicides are used to eliminate pests that attack the food - necessitating a cleansing and washing of produce before it is market ready.

“This signing today lends itself perfectly to our mandate,” said Dr Jason Sands, Chief Operating Officer of the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC).

“Not only are we increasing the availability of fresh

Bahamian agricultural produce but through Rosa Organic Farms, we are increasing that availability in a healthy and sustainable way … this is a very important milestone in agricultural production in the Bahamas.”

Alaais Braynen, Chief Executive Officer of BAMSI, said he appreciated this new relationship with Rosa Organic Farms, as the AFP - a critical arm of BAMSI - has been expanded, noting that it is the farmers from the programme that will feed the country. “BAMSI continues to open the door to entrepreneurial opportunities,” Mr Braynen said.

‘BAY STREET MILE’ EVENT TOMORROW THE Straw Market Authority will hold its annual ‘Bay Street Mile’ Fun Run/ Walk on Saturday morning in aid of the Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation.

Now in its fourth year, the event - which starts at 6.30am at Rubis, West Bay Street, and finishes at the downtown Straw Market aims to assist children suffering from heart disease.

There are six age catego-

ries, from under-18 (Flamingo), 19 to 26 (Yellow Elder), 27-38 (Conch Shell), 39 to 49 (Grouper), 50 to 59 (Marlin) and 60 plus (Poinciana). Trophies will be awarded to the top three in each category.

Fundraising by the Straw Market Authority,m Straw Vendors and Wood Carvers Committee this year encompassed an in-house raffle, registration for the event which includes a t-

shirt, water and fruit packages and assistance from sponsors. Health screening (blood presure and cholesterol checks) will be available at the end of the race.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and the foundation’s Chairman Roy Barnes will be among those in attendance.

Registration can be done at the Straw Market or at the start on Saturday at 5.30am.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, April 28, 2017, PAGE 15

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PAGE 20, Friday, April 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

SCENES from the Kiwanis Key Leader event.

Ardastra Gardens Ardastra Gardens. On Sunday, from 1pm to 5pm, Ardastra Gardens celebrates springtime at a Spring Palooza.

Children will make their own May Day baskets, learn how to plait a May Pole and play outdoors instead of being glued to their electronics.

Adults are $10. Children and members are $5.

Kiwanis Clubs of The Bahamas Kiwanis Clubs of The Bahamas. - The Kiwanis Clubs of the “Bahamas Sunshine Division 22” held their first annual Key Leader Weekend from April 7–9 at the Adventure Learning Camp.

The event is an experiential leadership programme that has served more than 29,000 students at more than 500 events worldwide.

It focuses on service leadership, guiding the students through the five basic principles of an effective leader: integrity, personal growth, respect, pursuit of excellence and building community.

Throughout the weekend, students were encouraged to look beyond themselves and take a risk; to forget past experiences and step outside their comfort zones.

Student Alexis Seymour, of Nassau Christian Academy, said: “I really enjoyed the Key Leader experience.

I think it’s been really beneficial and I’ve learned a lot

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

YOUR

about myself and the people here with me. I’m really glad I decided to be here and I don’t think I would trade what I learnt here for the world.”

Leza Basden, co-ordinator of the event, was introduced to the programme at a Kiwanis District Convention in Hamilton, Canada.

Seeing the potential, she set out to ensure young people had the same opportunity to develop into the best men and women - and the best leaders - they could be.

This event allowed students aged 15-18 to come together for three days and explore new ideas, accomplish challenges and build friendships in a safe environment. They did all this while learning the most important lesson of leadership: “success comes from helping others succeed”.

In attendance were 25 students from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco - 15 girls and ten boys.

Here is what one of the young men had to say” Anatol Rodgers High School student Lathje Bootle said: “This weekend had been a fun one. I’ve gotten to meet new people.

To experience living in cabins, really getting out of my comfort zone and doing a lot of activities with others.

It has really been a fun experience.”

This year’s event was facilitated by Kim RamseyWhite of Atlanta, Georgia. She was assisted by Matthew Nance, a Kiwanis international leadership development specialist.

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas. - The historic Collins House grounds were speckled with colourful eggs at Easter weekend as hundreds of children searched for prizes during six egg hunts throughout the day. The Rotary Clubs of East Nassau, Nassau, and New Providence, in partnership with JoyFM and 100Jamz, hosted an Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day on April 15 to celebrate the centennial of The Rotary Foundation.

Proceeds from the fun day will be donated to The Rotary Foundation to do good in our community and the world.

Live radio remotes from JoyFm and 100Jamz carried the festive atmosphere throughout the day. After an appearance from the Easter Bunny, the entertainment peaked with a live performance by Faddah Fred, Bahamian Tre, Spicy Dee, and Lil Peewee brought to us by the Exile Media Group.

Exile Media Group is a music production company with a focus on connecting Bahamian Culture, and music to the youth. It was formed by Charlie Brown and radio personality Handel “Reality” Sands. “We have very talented young people in The Bahamas, but people only see what you show them. We mentor and engage the young men of this country while creating Bahamian content for the world. What many people have come to expect from our youth in general is negative. Instead, we direct them to something constructive they were passionate about, not giving them time to get into trouble,” said Reality.

Solomons Fun Walk Solomons Fresh Market Fun Walk Health Fair. Solomons hosts a fun walk and health fair on Saturday, May 13, with part of the proceeds going to The Cancer Society.

The walk starts at 6.30am, with on-site registration at 6am. It costs $15, and participants will receive a T-shirt, bag, snacks and water.

Participants can register at any Solomon’s Fresh Market.

There will also be a free health fair from noon until 5pm that day, with health screenings and health talks by physicians, in association with Doctors Hospital and the Bahamas Medical Center.

There will be fitness demonstrations by licenced instructors, lessons in healthy eating and cooking, samples, giveaways and more.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019