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VOLUME:115 No.111, MAY 2ND, 2018
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ALICIA WALLACE: DON’T BE BLIND TO COSBY - THE CRIMINAL
100 days off LET’S GET READY TO RUMBA
Dozens sacked as Lloyd cracks down on work-shy staff By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
consecutive days, all while receiving pay. He told reporters before Cabinet yesterday: “Some THE Ministry of Edu- weeks ago I informed you cation has terminated that we identified 200 plus contracts of a “couple individuals who have in a dozen” contract worksense violated ers who their employ“violated their ment agreement employment and arrangement agreement”, with the Ministry Education of Education. I Minister Jefindicated to you frey Lloyd, said that those peryesterday. sons were either The action disciplined or came weeks terminated and after he MINISTER of Education I am happy to revealed some Jeff Lloyd. report that the 200 employees disciplining prohave exhibited delinquent cess is underway and there behaviour, not going to have been some terminawork or failing to per- tions and there will be more form when they do go. Some and there will be further people, he said, have missed SEE PAGE THREE work for 40, 50, 70 and 100
were still sick while others reported for duty. Ms Williams was adamant during a passionate interview that the issues far exceeded a 12-hour shift system foreign nurses who are not a part of the union have been asked to work. The matters of contention range from the failure of successive administrations to confirm nurses, outstanding mileage and hardship allowances, a four to 20 nurse to patient ratio and the overall treatment of nurses among other things. SEE PAGE FIVE
THE government’s shanty town census in New Providence has been completed, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes announced, as the government prepares to evict residents from homes in these illegal communities. Before eviction notices are handed out, officials plan to hold public meetings – one in Carmichael Road - to inform the public of the government’s timeline to conduct certain activity, Mr Foulkes, chairman of the government appointed shanty town committee, told reporters yesterday. SEE PAGE SIX
A MEMBER of the Bahamas Masqueraders in one of the group’s 2018 costumes. This year’s Bahamas Carnival Experience starts on Friday and brings three days of entertainment - complete with performances by top entertainers such as Machel Montano, Destra and DJ Khaled. See Friday’s Weekend section for a full preview of the event.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
AUTO INSURANCE
LIFE INSURANCE
MARINE INSURANCE
THE Water & Sewerage Corporation is aiming to cover 100 per cent of its expenses by 2020, as it “aggressively” pursues deadbeat customers owing more than $45m. Adrian Gibson, the Corporation’s chairman, yesterday told Tribune Business that it planned to deploy a full arsenal of collection tactics to reduce its delinquent accounts burden and achieve self-sufficiency. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
LAWYER FOUND IN CONTEMPT IN MURDER CASE HOME INSURANCE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
EVICTIONS TO FOLLOW AS CENSUS COMPLETED
‘WE CAN’T SUBMIT TO EVERY DEMAND’ By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net ALL but five registered and trained clinical nurses returned to work yesterday bringing an end to a “peculiar” “sick out”, which affected patient care at public medical facilities throughout the country, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday, adding “tension” remains over this matter. However, Bahamas Nurses Union President Amancha Williams told The Tribune some nurses
WSC - WE’RE COMING FOR THE $45M YOU OWE
ATTORNEY Geoffrey Farquharson was found in contempt of court after repeated loud outbursts as the prosecution addressed members of the jury hearing a double murder and armed robbery trial in Grand Bahama. Mr Farquharson represents one of three men accused of the crime. He was found in
GEOFFREY FARQUHARSON contempt on Friday. Justice Estelle Gray-Evans advised jurors that she had
sought to avoid having to expose them to “unpleasant activities” that transpired between counsel and the court on Friday and told them they are to judge on the facts alone in the case and not to let sympathy or prejudice influence them. “The facts are in,” she said, explaining to jurors that they are to draw their findings on the facts, not behaviour or conduct of the parties involved. SEE PAGE THREE
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DAVIS SLATES ‘PUERILE’ PM IN CHIEF JUSTICE ROW
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis yesterday criticised Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis over his stance on the appointment of a substantive chief justice, stating his “puerile” comments belie his ignorance on the matter. Mr Davis expressed a “frightening” concern for Dr Minnis’ level of depth and competence at the Progressive Liberal Party’s monthly press briefing. SEE PAGE SIX
PAGE 2, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
G r e e n
THE TRIBUNE
E a r t h
Festival
THE GREEN Earth Festival was held at Fort Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday - with a host of attractions for visitors, from food and drinks to artwork, yoga classes, children’s events and more. Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
100 days off from page one disciplining of those who we think warrant it.” Asked how many people have been terminated, Mr Lloyd declined to give an exact number because he said the process is ongoing; however, he said a couple dozen people have already been let go. “It is the intention of our ministry to engage as many persons who are suitably qualified and are interested
and are capable and who wish to be a part of this revolution in education that is now presently underway but there are obligations that they have to fulfil,” he said. “First of all they’ve got to come to work and when they do come to work they must come to work on time and they must do their jobs. I think that is only fair. That’s what the Bahamian people expect. That’s what the Bahamian people deserve, that’s what the
Bahamian people demand and we are going to ensure that the Bahamian people get value for their money and that’s the only thing that we are doing. So the exercise that is underway now is an exercise of fairness and equality so that we for the sake of those persons and for the sake of our country get what they just deserve.” The delinquent workers are not limited to a single department in the ministry, Mr Lloyd said.
“These are contract workers in the Security Department, General Services Department and elsewhere.” If not fired, workers could be disciplined, with this involving them receiving “letters of warning or suspensions,” Mr Lloyd said. “It could also require that they submit to certain behavioural corrections and it may also require some people we see have talents and abilities may
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, PAGE 3
deserve one more chance and additional training and so on.” In the past, Mr Lloyd has said he will address the problem of delinquent workers regardless of the criticism he may receive for firing people. “I don’t have time to play with the naysayers,” he said last month. “‘Oh listen, he’s heartless. I understand he used to be a deacon.’ Jesus called for order and responsibility and I’m not
going to do anything less. Listen if you (have) a job, please come to work, come to work on time. When you come to work, please do your job and make sure you exhibit the manners and respect your parents taught you or should have taught you. But I’ll tell you this: we are going to give you the opportunity to do what you ought to do. “And if you don’t, we are unfortunately going to have to part ways.”
FARQUHARSON FOUND IN CONTEMPT IN MURDER CASE from page one
Prosecutor Neil Brathwaite continued closing arguments to jurors on Tuesday. However, as he addressed the jury one last time, the senior prosecutor was repeatedly interrupted and expressed his frustration to the judge indicating that he has never seen and experienced such “unfamiliar tactics” exercised by lawyers for the accused in his long career as a prosecutor. Paul Belizaire, Devaughn Hall, and Kevin Dames are accused of the shooting deaths of Barry and Sheena Johnson at their residence in Deadman’s Reef, and stealing their GMC truck and a set of keys on the evening of September 12, 2015. The trial opened last October. Mr Brathwaite told jurors that notwithstanding the long drawn out trial and contentious episodes in court at times, the case is a simple one and that the evidence is clear. He told them common sense and courage are the two things that should come into play as they go over the evidence presented in court. Mr Brathwaite explained that the prosecution is relying on evidence of two co-accused Allan Alcime and Virgil Hall (who both accepted plea deals to testify as witnesses for the Crown), the record of interviews, and police statements given to police, a videotape of the shootings, and videotaped inquiries of the accused conducted by police. He noted that Dames, who gave evidence in the witness box, did not have
to say anything but chose to take the stand. Dames testified that he gave Belizaire, Alcime, Devaughn Hall, and Virgil Hall a ride to Deadman’s Reef, but that he did not know what they were going there to do. He also testified that the lead police investigator had assured him that he would not be charged in the case. Mr Brathwaite said that Dames also claimed in the witness box that he did not know the men very well, but that in a statement to police was able to call names. The prosecutor said the testimony given by a reverend portraying Dames as a good boy is “nonsense”. He argued that Dames had given those men with guns a ride knowing what they were going to do. Mr Brathwaite said that Belizaire through his counsel, Mr Farquharson, claimed police beat him. However, the prosecutor told jurors they saw videos of Belizaire accompanying the police on inquiries and he was seen voluntarily assisting police and telling them his version and pointing out where things had happened. He said the statement given by Belizaire on inquiries with police corroborated the testimony given by Alcime and Virgil Hall. The prosecutor stated that the question of Belizaire trying to stop the shootings was questionable because he ran after Mr Johnson had been shot, and did nothing to try stop the shooting of Mrs Johnson.
He then addressed Mr Farquharson’s suggestions of sloppy police investigation, saying that the investigation is not about the lead investigator. “It is about who kill Barry and Sheena Johnson and who took their truck and keys,” he said. Mr Brathwaite said that the mention of money by Alcime and Virgil Hall speaks to the motive, and not whether Mr Johnson had any drugs and money. On the issue of forensic evidence, the prosecutor said that the men wore longsleeved shirts, pants, gloves, hats, and masks and prepared themselves to carry out the act. Although their lawyers submitted that there was no intention to steal the truck, Mr Brathwaite pointed out that the evidence is that the men stole the truck to get off the scene. “It was said that no one was supposed to get hurt, but Mr Johnson was hurt, struck, and held at gunpoint. There was an intention to use violence, and that is the evidence,” Mr Brathwaite said. Devaughn Hall, who was fingered in court by coaccused Allan Alcime as the instigator and shooter, chose to remain silent. A prison doctor testified that Hall had sustained several injuries that could have possibly been caused while in police custody. Carlson Shurland represents Dames and Jethlyn Burrows represents Devaughn Hall. Erica Kemp and Neil Brathwaite are appearing on behalf of the Crown. Justice Estelle Gray Evans adjourned the trial until Friday when she will give her summation in the case.
GEOFFREY FARQUHARSON
POLICE OFFICER SUES OVER SNUB FOR PROMOTION By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A POLICE officer is suing the commissioner of police and the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s promotion board for refusing to give him a promotion on two occasions, while simultaneously promoting other officers to the very rank he sought. Constable Delmar Taylor, in a sworn affidavit, said he was overlooked twice on a promotion to corporal, while other constables he alleges did not satisfy certain requisite RBPF policies, courses or examinations went ahead of him. The officer of 12 years claims he was snubbed on two occasions: once following a promotion exercise in 2014, and again following a police advisory for promotion vacancies three years later in 2017. And in each instance, Const Taylor claims the RBPF promoted “a number” of other police constables who either did not satisfy the RBPF’s policies concerning seniority, merit, experience and formal qualification, or who had not successfully completed the RBPF’s Constable Development Course or Police Proficiency
Examinations, both fundamental requirements for promotion. This, despite him completing numerous courses as well as being the holder of an Associate’s of Arts Degree in Business Management from the University of the West Indies. He claims the snubs have caused him emotional distress and anxiety. He is seeking declarations that the entire process concerning the RBPF’s promotions during the periods in question was unfair, that the commissioner of police abused his power, as well as damages, according to his attorney Bjorn Ferguson. The officer’s affidavit was filed as part of an application for a judicial review of the RBPF’s promotion exercises in question. The commissioner of police, who was then Ellison Greenslade, Superintendent Gabriella Pratt, Clarence Reckley, Perry Clarke, and Patrick Johnson are listed as the respondents in the matter, and are being sued in their capacity as members of the Police Promotion Board. According to his affidavit, Const Taylor enlisted in the RBPF on June 19, 2006. Since then, he has been attached to the Fire
Services Unit, Tourism Police Unit, Quiet Storm, Central Police Station, among other areas. In August 2012, he was transferred to Eleuthera and attached to the Rock Sound Police Station, where he served as the station orderly. He further claimed he was responsible for a shift/ guard and was the senior constable performing the role of a “de facto corporal” from sometime in 2013 to the present. On October 2014, the police force conducted a Police Proficiency Examination at the police college. However, Const Taylor said it was “widely known” and discussed throughout the RBPF at the time that the “integrity and procedural” propriety of the exams were being challenged. Nonetheless, he said the executive administration and leadership of the RBPF did “nothing” to allay the concerns raised over those examinations. That same year, Const Taylor said the RBPF held a promotion exercise, prompting him to apply for elevation to the rank of corporal. He said he was unsuccessful in his bid to do so. However, he claimed it
was “notoriously known” throughout the RBPF that individuals who did not sit the examinations and some who weren’t successful in the tests were still elevated, which he said was “clearly in contravention of the Force Standing Orders.” After the 2014 promotion exercise, Const Taylor said he wrote to the police chief and requested an opportunity to meet and discuss with him “any reason that may have affected the decision not to elevate (him) to the rank of corporal.” However, he said he got no response. On January 21, 2017, Const Taylor said he was transferred to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in Eleuthera, and came under the immediate supervision of Sergeant 188 Farquharson and Inspector Nigel Rolle. In March 2017, he said those two officers insisted on conducting another performance appraisal on him, despite his oral communications that such an appraisal was inconsistent with the RBPF’s policy on assessments and career development, which speaks to appraisals being done on six month intervals. The officer said he also spoke to his divisional
commander, Superintendent Christopher Wright in reference to the inconsistency, and was assured by Supt Wright that he had the “final say” and that he had “firmly recommended” him to be promoted to corporal. After speaking with Supt Wright and receiving his verbal endorsement, Const Taylor said he formed the “reasonable expectation to be elevated.” On March 6 and 7, 2017, Const Taylor said the Police Proficiency Examinations were conducted at the training college and some 832 officers wrote those examinations. The results of those tests were published five days later on March 11. He submitted an application for a promotion but did not receive one. Const Taylor said he wrote then-Commissioner
Greenslade on two occasions concerning a promotion. The first time was March 13, 2017 and the second was on May 2, 2017. To date, however, he has not received a response to either letter. And when he flew into New Providence on May 2, 2017 to meet with Mr Greenslade concerning Force Orders, he was informed that the former police chief wasn’t meeting with anyone. Mr Greenslade has since retired from the RBPF and is now serving as the Bahamas’ high commissioner to the United Kingdom, and also as the country’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation. Former Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson has since assumed the role of COP.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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A presidency like no other, Trump wasn’t kidding WITH the election of Donald Trump as US president, many American observers learned for the first time that many government ethics and nepotism rules do not actually apply to the Chief Executive himself. Rules makers apparently assumed anyone elected president would treat the office with the utmost respect, as Barack Obama did. But when Trump promised on the campaign trail to govern like no other, he was not kidding. He has installed his daughter and son-in-law in key White House jobs and awarded sensitive positions all over the federal government to unqualified, venal political supporters and industry lobbyists. Trump first lied about and then refused to reveal his tax returns or meaningfully divest himself of his many business interests. A major public facet of Trump’s businesses has been the numerous agreements he forged with firms to put his name on their products. The Washington Post recently revealed the results of an exhaustive survey of the many products that were marketed under the Trump brand at the beginning of his presidency less than 18 months ago. At one point earlier in this century, over 20 companies in different countries on several continents sold merchandise bearing the Trump name. The concept apparently originated in the early 2000s with the then-outlandish proposal to Van Heusen shirt makers that it pay Trump to put his name on its products. Trump was then staggering in the aftermath of a rough period when his name was most well known for corporate failures, bankruptcies and divorces from first wife Ivana and Marla Maples. Van Heusen turned down the proposal. Things would change. Within five years, Van Heusen and others were marketing Trump branded items, for millions of dollars a year. Trump cologne was “a masculine combination of tonka bean, birchwood and musk.” Trump steaks “represent Mr Trump’s power”, a publicist reportedly boasted as the brand was launched. There were Trump branded leather goods, Trump mattresses, Trump vodka, Trump coffee, Trump bedding, Trump eyeglasses, Trump throw blankets, Trump chandeliers, and lots of menswear, from suits to cufflinks. There was even a Trump branded urine test.
The CEO of the Luxury Institute, a high-end product consultancy, told the Post that Trump products represented “a caricature of what wealth is – as opposed to what it really is”. Trump products “appealed to those who didn’t know the difference”. Now, after 15 months of Trump’s presidency, only two Trump brands remain. One features Trump housewares marketed in Latin America. The other is home furniture made in Turkey. Presumably, Trump’s insulting behaviour and disparaging comments about other nations and immigrants have severely damaged his appeal. But what persuaded Van Heusen and all the others to market Trump goods in the first place? It is generally accepted the turning point was the 2004 debut of the phenomenally successful TV reality show “The Apprentice”. Trump hosted the show for many seasons and became a major television star. The show’s popularity and financial success led to two spinoffs and the resuscitation of Trump’s finances. New York City’s media darling became a household name across the US, and through television licencing arrangements around the world. As the Trump brand spread, the mogul’s real estate empire grew. Trump luxury buildings have sprung up in various corners of the world. Many were condominium towers, and the Robert Mueller investigation in Washington DC may reportedly probe the businesses of partners who have enriched Trump in these endeavours. If he does investigate these deals, Mueller could look at projects in Azerbaijan, Panama, Vancouver, New York City and the so-called Little Moscow area on Sunny Isles just north of Miami Beach. Rumours of money laundering and other crimes have long surrounded Trump’s flashy real estate ventures. Among other publications, The New York Times is following this story closely. It has joined others in implying Trump’s businesses may be subject to prosecution under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as twice amended, which “makes it a crime for a United States company to act with wilful blindness toward the corrupt activities of a foreign business partner”. Last year, Trump derided the law as “horrible. The world is laughing at us”. Who will laugh last?
Chief justice appointment EDITOR, The Tribune. ALTHOUGH I am disappointed in the Prime Minister’s cavalier attitude to the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice, I have always been more concerned that the method of the appointment of a Chief Justice and the fact that this head of the Judiciary does not control the Budget for this important arm of government, is more of a threat to the independence of the Judiciary. I have never doubted the independent thinking of the Learned men and women who have held high judicial office. However, the fact that the Chief Justice is chosen by the Prime Minister after
consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, always, to my mind, gave the perception that politics were involved in the selection. That this always raises eyebrows became very evident when former Attorney General, Sir Michael Barnett assumed the post, and a similar attitude arose when it was rumoured that present Attorney General, Carl Bethell was being considered for the position. I recall that during my tenure as Vice President of the Bahamas Bar Council, that body attempted, without success, for the then Chief Justice to have us campaign for the Chief Justice to have control of the Budget of the
Judiciary. For presently the purse strings are held by the Executive through the Public Treasury. This also gives the perception that the Judiciary is not independent. With reference to the present call for the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice, perhaps a time limit should be placed on the appointment of a Chief Justice when the position has been vacated, but also some thought should be given to the method of choosing one and the control of the chief judicial officer of the Judiciary’s purse strings. JEANNE THOMPSON Nassau, May 1, 2018.
LNG is our best alternative EDITOR, The Tribune.
ONCE again the radical environmentalists are opposing the installation of an LPG terminal and power plant in Clifton Pier. Some 15 years ago they killed the first LPG proposal with entirely emotional and impractical opposition. I wrote a letter at the time. Nothing has changed since then, other than the fact that we have suffered another 15 years of pollution to deal with at Clifton Pier, and, moreover using diesel instead of LPG in places like Wilson City in Abaco. For the uninformed – LPG does not pollute the ground and is the cleanest of fossil fuels. Quote “Looking at its carbon footprint – the sum of its greenhouse gas emissions – LPG is one of the cleanest conventional fuels available. Originating mainly from natural gas production, LPG is also non-toxic and has no impact on soil, water and underground aquifers.” - https://www. wlpga.org/about-lpg/ why-use-lpg/clean/. One of the cries is for renewable energy instead – presumably solar unless we want to install an array of windmills across the south bank. Let’s take a mathematics lesson and look at the possibility for solar power on New Providence. And I am talking utility scale, not residential. New Providence requires some 250+ MW of power production, let us say 300MW for this discussion as we will want to build in some degree of allowance
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net for economic expansion. Now the snag is that you are only going to generate power for about eight hours out of 24, so you will in fact need three times that amount, 900MW of power production, and the capacity to store the extra production to provide power during the off-production time. So how much space would we need for 900MW? A megawatt of production requires about six acres assuming the use of trackers (the machinery required to keep the panels pointed at the sun for maximum exposure) – see http:// www.solarmango.com/scp/ area-required-for-solar-pvpower-plants/. So, before you include any power storage, worker and equipment rooms, you are talking a Minimum of 7,200 acres to provide the solar power for NP. That is over 11 square miles; including the additional space required, you are talking about 10% of the entire land area of New Providence. In addition, the land will by definition be treeless as there is no point in installing solar panels in the shade. Would anyone like to suggest where we find a spare 14 square miles on New Providence that is not inviolate? Forget the pine barrens, lakes, forests and mangrove swamps. Also recognise the economic value of land in NP – does it make financial sense to devote 10% of the land to
power production? Moreover, BPL simply does not have the capital for that kind of investment, assuming they would want to do so which is another discussion. I doubt there is 14 square miles of Crown land available on New Providence, regardless of location. Even on the assumption that those hurdles could be overcome, you are talking about investors (inevitably foreign) building the facility on land leased or purchased from the Government and providing power to BPL on with a power production agreement. Lots of luck getting that in place. This is not to say that we as a country should not be pursuing renewable energy. Absolutely we should, and in doing so we should concurrently look at reducing our consumption. For example, by investing in high efficiency appliances, LED lighting, and a solar system, we have reduced our power consumption from BPL by about 80%. Regardless, renewable energy is not going to be able to replace the requirement for fossil fuel generation in New Providence, just reduce it. We should be thanking Shell for at least getting us on the path of eliminating bunker fuel. We should be grateful for the progress it represents, rather than another round of ridiculous opposition condemning us, it seems, to an eternity of bunker fuel pollution. J G FARMER Nassau, May 1, 2018.
...but will it be enough? EDITOR, The Tribune. THE announcement of the success by Shell to provide LNG to BP&L and reduced KW rates is certainly good news but… It is well known that unfortunately those who live on New
Providence subsidises the Family Islands to an horrific level so really how much will the 35 cents a KW be actually reduced? It could well be that there has been too many champagne bottles popped and too much celebration when
in our real life that rate will reduce, but possibly only to 20 cents a KW…that will be good but not low enough to have the impact we really need. ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, April 12, 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, PAGE 5
‘We can’t submit to every demand’ from page one She said nurses were waiting for the issues to be resolved as was promised in an earlier conversation with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Ms Williams also accused Dr Sands of portraying nurses as “heartless”. Speaking ahead of Cabinet yesterday, Dr Sands said the country will have to address how sick outs are used as a tool by workers in the country. Meanwhile, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the political directorate must be more responsive to the concerns of nurses. According to a breakdown from the Ministry of Health obtained by The Tribune on Monday, 213 nurses – 100 from Princess
Margaret Hospital, Sandilands and Rand Memorial Hospital – and 113 from clinics in New Providence and those in the Family Islands – phoned in to report illnesses preventing them from coming to work. “At the Princess Margaret Hospital, we would have had a total of five people call in thus far, but that is probably not anything other than the usual. So it appears as if the nurses are no longer ill,” Dr Sands told reporters yesterday. He also said: “We recognise that there is only so long that you could continue that. And so the fact that it appears that the nurses are back to work is a wonderful thing. “We will sit down at the table again and we will continue the negotiations and discussions. There is an obligatory tension that
while the union may want a particular benefit for its membership, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the people of The Bahamas or the government of The Bahamas has to capitulate to every single demand. We understand that demands can be reasonable, but some demands can be unreasonable or the timeline is not appropriate. “But I am open. I will give Ms Williams a call today (yesterday). She and I were able to speak yesterday (Monday) afternoon and this is never personal. The union must do what the union must do, but the minister and the government must also do what it must do to protect the interest of the Bahamian people.” Regarding BNU’s grievances, Dr Sands said some of the issues were resolved. “We have been actively
involved in dealing with the chronic issues plaguing nurses. The issue of mileage allowance would have been brought up. We employed the help of the Director of Labour (Robert Farquharson). We would have seen to it that some $55,000 of outstanding mileage accrual for a group of nurses was placed on the pay sheet and the expectation was that they should have had that money in their accounts last payday. “We now need to confirm whether those instructions were carried out by finance and treasury. But certainly, if it was not on the pay sheet in April I am advised that it will definitely be on the pay sheet in May. “In terms of the confirmation of nurses three years, five years, ten years we have moved aggressively to deal with these issues
ILLEGALLY dumped garbage in Grand Bahama.
that have been outstanding for a decade. The matter of the four on four off (work roster), the Public Hospitals Authority had not implemented the change in shift system. And so, to disadvantage the public of the basis of a conversation to me is unfortunate.” Ms Williams seemed yesterday to take issue with Dr Sands’ public pronouncements about the matter. She said nurses simply wanted their problems to be fixed. She said: “I have spoken to the prime minister. He assured me that this would take place. “The mileage was not paid and you are making the public believe we are heartless. We realise that we are the gatekeepers. But the government must realise that these gatekeepers have families. Who is looking out for us when we look
out for everyone else? “We haven’t had hurricane payment and the hurricane season is about to start again. There has been no confirmation of nurses since 2012. Nurses can’t go to the bank for a house. “We aren’t blaming this government. We are blaming the two (previous) governments, but we are asking the minister to fix it.” For his part during a press conference yesterday, Mr Davis said the approach must be in the context of acknowledging nurses trained in The Bahamas are being poached and offered better emoluments and salaries overseas, adding the government should be sensitive to their issues. “Stop just describing the problems and start prescribing solutions,” Mr Davis said yesterday.
Photo: GBPA for Barefoot Marketing
REPEAT DUMPERS CAUGHT BY KEEP CLEAN COMMITTEE THE Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee recently came face to face with repeat illegal dumpers, who were caught offloading an oversized load of garbage using a marked company truck at a service road. The group has long advocated for the use of legally sanctioned options for waste disposal and has worked along with other organisations to raise
awareness about the impact of illegal dumping and promote cleaner and greener communities. “Not only does illegal dumping raise significant environmental concerns but there is also a real cost associated with cleaning up these areas,” explained Olethea Gardiner, cochair of KGBC and environmental inspector at the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
“At beaches, tourists see a nasty island filled with left-over food, empty cans and of course bottles which we all know cause forest fires. The dumping of cars, tyres, refrigerators and such allow contaminates to seep right into our water, and so we all will feel the effect of these chemicals.” Despite the best efforts of KGBCC, the practice of illegal dumping remains
extremely prevalent. During a routine inspection, members of KGBCC and the Building and Development Services Department of the Grand Bahama Port Authority came face to face with a repeat offender. On April 10, authorities were called in to investigate the matter. “In this case, the persons involved attempted to change directions not to be seen so they knew
what they were doing was illegal and now they will face formal charges in the courts in addition to being required to clean up all the debris and trash which they dumped,” Ms Gardiner said. Residents are reminded not to approach illegal dumpers, but to contact the police and take pictures of those dumping and their licence plates. “Concerned residents
can call the police, or call our help line at 3522000 or via the Freeport Report App which is available for mobile download in both the Apple Store and Google Play stores,” Ms Gardiner said. “Fines can range from $1,000 or more and we encourage everyone to properly dispose of their waste at the Pine Ridge landfill to avoid a similar outcome.”
TOURISM RISE EXPECTED FOR GRAND BAHAMA By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama is expecting an increase in tourist arrivals this year by sea and air, intensifying pressure for additional room inventory on the island, according to a tourism executive. Karen Seymour, director of the Ministry of Tourism in Grand Bahama, said officials are excited about the addition of Grand Classica cruise ship on April 14 and are looking forward to the return next month of Vacation Express with flights from the US, and Alpitour and Villaggi Bravo with a direct flight from Europe this summer. Ms Seymour reported the combined arrivals from Grand Classica and Grand Celebration vessels, operated by Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, will bring a maximum of 400,000 passengers to the island. “This inaugural visit signals what is to come,” she said. “Because of our proximity to Florida, we enjoy a unique advantage that enables partners like Bahamas Paradise Cruise to bring visitors for spontaneous short vacation gateways.” Instead of thrice weekly
visits by Grand Celebration, Ms Seymour said Grand Classica would have daily departures from West Palm Beach to Grand Bahama, deepening the marketing thrust in the South and Central Florida markets. “The increase in visitor arrivals will intensify pressure for additional room inventory, more destination experience, and a narrowing of our concentration on the economic linkages that come with the expanding tourist industry,” she said. Ms Seymour said they intend to use the momentum to work with all service providers to facilitate improvement in the cleanliness of the environment and overall quality of destination experiences. Bahamas Paradise Cruise vessels offer upgraded passenger experience with comfortable deluxe cabins, a range of dining options and onboard entertainment and casino gambling. The tourism executive said that the combined arrivals from the vessels of some 400,000 passengers would result in some overnight stays in hotels. Ms Seymour believes it will also positively impact local transportation providers and stimulate the need for entrepreneurs to expand
the number of unique tourist attractions and vacation experiences that will differentiate Grand Bahama from competing destinations in the region. She also noted that through the partnership with Bahamas Paradise Cruise there is an opportunity for Bahamian citizens with interest in joining the fast-growing global cruise tourism sector to be employed on the Grand Classica ship. In the near term, Ms Seymour said the Ministry of Tourism is looking forward to the return of Vacation Express flight programme which is scheduled to commence this month. Flights will depart from various US cities, including Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Newark, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Dallas, operated by Swift Air LLC on a Boeing 737300 aircraft. Each flight will operate on a four-night rotation, departing various days of the week with early departures and late returns for an optimal vacation experience. Ms Seymour also noted the Villaggi Bravo programme from Milan, Italy, is set to return next month.
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PAGE 6, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
EVICTIONS TO FOLLOW AS CENSUS COMPLETED from page one
He said he also plans to meet with the lease owners of the land where the shanty towns are built to advise these persons of the notice period to have them take legal action. Mr Foulkes said a similar survey will begin in Abaco at The Mud and Pigeon Pea shanty towns at some point in the middle of this month. He gave this update before heading into yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. “(The eviction notices
are) a legal requirement that’s done by the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Works,” Mr Foulkes said in response to a question from The Tribune on whether notices have been sent. “But there are certain time periods that have to be given and those notices will be given with those authorities.” Earlier in the interview he said: “We went out on three consecutive weekends including last weekend. The surveys are completed. We have supplied the information to the Department of
Statistics and they are in the process of compiling the information. “Hopefully we will have a report for you maybe next week Wednesday because I want to present the results to Cabinet first and we do intend to make public all of the information. “I have some preliminary results, but it’s like 80 per cent (of) the results that I currently have so we can tell everyone exactly what our timeline is what the notice period is in terms of what it is for the residents to move. “Our next step is to do
some public meetings especially in the Carmichael Road area. We intend to have two town hall meetings - one in the shanty towns themselves and another one for the subdivisions around the shanty towns - so we can tell everybody exactly what our timetable is, what the notice period is in terms of for the residents to move and we are also having a meeting with all of the lease holders of the land of the shanty towns. “They are all Bahamians so we intend over the next week or so to have
a meeting with them to advise them of the notice period to have them take certain legal action.” There are 11 shanty towns in New Providence – eight of which are in the southwest part of the island and the remaining three in the eastern district. Four others are in Grand Bahama along with several shanty towns in North Eleuthera, North Andros and Abaco. After much delay, the shanty town survey began last month with the minister declaring that any structure not meeting the building
code would be demolished. Back in March, he told The Tribune that officials would use the summer months so as not to disrupt the academic year of children who are enrolled in school. This, he said, was in a bid to treat the issue with sensitivity. Through a 13-question survey, the government sought to ascertain how many residents are in each shanty town, the age groups, whether the children are in school and whether there are any people living there with disabilities among other things.
Davis warns Oban saga is nowhere near a conclusion By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis yesterday forecast the Oban Energies saga will drag on with little yield, and questioned whether the government’s “exposed” position was premeditated. Mr Davis said there was no doubt the government wanted out of the controversial deal, and had started backpedaling; however, he said officials may have allowed the matter to fester too long to exact a favourable legal outcome. He was asked to give his assessment of the $5.5bn project at the Progressive Liberal Party’s monthly press briefing. “The challenge we want to be asking ourselves is,” Mr Davis said, “whether or not the government had entered into that arrangement that they can’t get out of, and the parties that caused them to enter that arrangement knew that, and this is all part of their plan. “I got them, now we can’t proceed, and they want to breach my agreement so I’m not going to follow the project anymore. I’m just going to see what I can get in damages for breach of
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contract - it has to cross one’s mind.” On Monday, Dr Minnis again stressed certain obligations have to be met before the $5.5bn project begins, adding the government will ensure there is no compromise when it comes to the environment. “That saga will continue,” Mr Davis said, “I expect nothing out of it. It will continue and it is going to be the elephant around their neck until they try to resolve the issues because that is an issue that is not going to go away for them. “From all accounts Oban is not going anywhere because they feel they have an enforceable arrangement with this government. The government is backpedaling no doubt they want out. “I think I gave them sufficient issues that might allow them to get out of it but they have allowed those issues to just sort of rest and now it may very well be said that they have condoned all those missteps by Oban and themselves.” Mr Davis added: “So whether we can now rely on those issues is questionable so they are indebted to it. And I’m sure Oban will be getting their legal advice on whether if the government does this, what they can do, and so we’re exposed. The government is exposed to possible liabilities if Oban is ever able to move the project forward.”
OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.
DAVIS SLATES ‘PUERILE’ PM IN CHIEF JUSTICE ROW Funeral Service Randolph Lawrence Knowles, 83
of Imperial Park, Nassau, The Bahamas, who died peacefully at his residence on Monday, 30th April, 2018, will be held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Shirley and Church Streets, Nassau, on Saturday, 5th May, 2018. Reverend Father Crosley N. Walkine will officiate. Mr. Knowles was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn Agatha Knowles. He is survived by his son, Lawrence Montgomery Knowles; daughters, Diana Patrice Russell, Julie Marisa Alcena, Lana Michelle Knowles and Tania Rebecca Bayles; grandson, Jarrett Russell; granddaughters, Melissa Alcena, Jessica Knowles, Natalya Russell and Jenna Bayles; great grandchildren, Carwyn and Skylar; son-in-law, Eric Russell and Ian Bayles; grandson-in-law, Corey Knowles; granddaughter-in-law, Cassie Russell; brother-inlaw, Leon Cartwright; sisters-in-law, Angela Treco, Meriel Knowles and Maitland Jones and many other relatives and close friends. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, 19 Palmdale Avenue, Palmdale, Nassau, on Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6 :00 p.m.
from page one On Monday, Dr Minnis told reporters he would not be forced to fill the office, further stating he was “finished with this subject.” “The comment is puerile to say the least,” Mr Davis said. “It’s not a question of forcing him to do anything. It is his duty to make an appointment. The absence of the appointment is causing concern in the community, in particular the legal fraternity. “We agree he has the right to act when he deems appropriate, but in that decision making process he has to take into account the conventions of the Constitution that relate to that duty, and the role that flows from the duty being exercised and the importance of it. “When he doesn’t understand and appreciate it,” Mr Davis continued, “you get these kind of comments, I mean it’s puerile.” Mr Davis told reporters he was waiting on Dr Minnis to fulfil his constitutional duty and consult
him on the post, adding he hoped the candidate was not Attorney General Carl Bethel. Stephen Isaacs was appointed acting chief justice in December. He urged Dr Minnis to seek informed counsel, and called for “right-thinking Bahamians” to hold the nation’s leader to account before the unresolved matter leads the country to disaster. Mr Davis said: “Clearly his dismissive, offhanded and ill-conceived and illadvised commentary on the filling of this important constitutional post truly ought to cause all rightthinking Bahamians to pause and wonder whether the prime minister appreciates what governance is all about. “Someone called it the ‘art of buffoonery’ but I say it is a bit more than that. The time has come for right-thinking Bahamians to start removing itself from what I call risk adverse and calling this prime minister to account, calling on this prime minister to at least seek the advice that he doesn’t seem
to wish to heed, and ensure that he gets advice from people who appreciate and understand the art of governance and what democratic principles impact our lives.” Mr Davis underscored the importance of the CJ appointment in balancing the pillars of governance, and questioned whether Dr Minnis truly appreciated the democratic principles that undergirded Bahamian society. Bahamas Bar Association President Kahlil Parker has castigated the prime minister over the issue in recent weeks. Meanwhile, as the substantive appointment continues to be delayed, it has been speculated Mr Bethel was being considered for the post. An official in the Minnis administration has dismissed the notion he could be appointed; however, the government has not formally addressed the rumour. Yesterday, Mr Davis said he would not support the appointment of any persons directly from the “boiler
room of politics,” explaining the country’s nuanced political structure tied the existence and effectiveness of the judiciary to the confidence that the Bahamian public have in it. He noted his opposition to the appointment of former Attorney General Sir Michael Barnett to the chief justice post in 2009, and the appointment of former Attorney General Claire Hepburn as a judge in 2008. These appointments occurred during the last Ingraham administration. “We as a Bahamian people are very polarised today in respect to our politics and so it’s not just me,” Mr Davis said. “For example, I knew Michael Barnett very well. I know of his ability and competence. I knew that he would make a good judge and a good chief justice, but as a matter of principle I could not support his appointment because, as I would have said to him then, it does not auger well for public confidence that is required for that post.”
MARINES TO THE RESCUE AS FREIGHTER BREAKS LOOSE QUICK thinking marines attached to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Harbour Patrol Unit assisted in securing one of three breakaway freighters on Tuesday afternoon near Potter’s Cay Dock. According to a statement from the RBDF, after
receiving information at 1pm of a breakaway Haitian freighter, Patrol Craft P—115 was dispatched to the area of Potter’s Cay east of Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. “On arrival, they discovered that a 68ft freighter had drifted west along the channel. Attempts to anchor the
vessel were unsuccessful, and the marines eventually guided the freighter into shallow waters west of Bay Street Marina. “No one was onboard the freighter, which caused damage to two boats. The Defence Force marines were able to prevent the
drifting vessel from causing additional damage to other vessels in the area. This matter was turned over to the Port Department for further investigations. The two remaining vessels that had broken away were secured by persons in the area without incident.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, PAGE 7
Armed robber guilty of killing cashier challenges conviction By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A MAN sentenced to life in prison for murdering a cashier at his family’s food store in the course of an armed robbery on a Family Island a decade ago is seeking to legally contest his conviction. Lavardo Rahming appeared before appellate Justices Stella Crane-Scott, Roy Jones, and Milton Evans (acting) concerning his appeal of being found guilty of murdering Brendon Dion Strachan in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, in 2008. Yesterday, the court heard arguments on two grounds: whether Rahming’s confession should
be excluded as evidence and whether the alternative verdict of manslaughter should have been left to the jury. However, the court reserved its decision and adjourned the matter to a later date. According to previous reports, Strachan was a cashier at the family’s M&R Food Store when he was shot inside the storeroom. According to a Privy Council ruling, the robbery was carried out at the food store in question by two men, each armed with a handgun, in the late afternoon of November 27, 2008. They demanded the contents of the register from Strachan. However, when Strachan did not cooperate,
HOW HAVE WE DONE? B+ OR ABy KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TWO Cabinet ministers have given the Minnis administration above average evaluations as the government comes upon the one-year anniversary of defeating the former Christie administration in a landslide victory. Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday while he believes some things could have been done better, overall the government fared well. “I believe that we could have done some things better, so a strong B or an A-. I think that’s a reasonable grade.” Education Minister Jeff Lloyd gave a slightly lower evaluation but praised the government’s work over the last year. He said: “B+ , oh by all means B+. We have come
in at a time when it was extraordinarily difficult in this country and every metric and every measurement out there is reflecting that we are on the right track. The International Monetary Fund is saying it and other indicators are saying it. “We have changed around the Ministry of Education’s administrative team. We have had two very successful conclaves. We have received rave reviews from our stakeholders, over 200 plus over a week ago attended a conclave at the British Colonial Hilton where we shared our views and our vision and we elicited their feedback and they are very very excited. Our team is very excited. The entire team at the Ministry of Education is very excited. “We have had over 1,200 jobs that have been created by these Labour on the
DR DUANE SANDS
he was chased into a rear storeroom where he was shot. The two gunmen then escaped with the contents of the register, estimated by the storeowner to be some $1,300. Later, with the assistance of the accomplice, the police recovered two handguns, a 9mm and a .38. Four spent ammunition casings were also found near Strachan’s body in the storeroom, and were matched to the recovered firearms. Three bullets came from the .38, while one came from the 9mm. Strachan had two gunshot wounds, both apparently sustained at close range. One was a graze across the right chest, and the other, which was the cause of death, entered his left lower
Health
Education
Jobs
Blocks (job fairs). We have our town meetings on a regular basis. We have our constituency meetings on a regular basis. We are in the market place engaging with the Bahamian people and investors now are very excited of doing business with this country and our administration. “We, of course, are on an anti-corruption process where we want to rid our people of this concept that there is a free lunch somewhere and that you gonna have to tip, tip, tip your way through in order for the things that you deserve to be provided you.” Mr Lloyd continued: “Oh, we are doing phenomenally well. I keep saying we’re doing great. “Now, of course, you are going to see the fruits of that more and more as time goes on because right now first of all we are cleaning up the mess (and) we’re laying the groundwork and then as the tree bears fruit, you’re going to be able to enjoy and we will enjoy in very short order.”
READERS RESPOND TO LATEST ISSUES READERS have been posting their reactions to the stories making the news this week on tribune242. com. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has said he would not be forced to fill the position of chief justice, prompting TigerB to say: “I wonder what all the stink is about, when there was no Commissioner of Police there was an acting one, life went on for the force ... while there was a need to have a COP, the acting commissioner worked just fine. There is an acting CJ, he has all the powers and privileges of a sitting one. The ‘acting’ rank works with every arm of the government. So in essence there is a CJ, the office of the CJ is still being carried out, he is just acting. “The now appointed Commander of the RBDF acted for more than 3 years, the PLP never confirmed him, it took a change in
government to get him confirm. Ask Brave, he knows about it . . . that was an important post as well. This stuff happens all the time.” Sickened had this to say: “My problem isn’t that there is someone acting in the role, my problem is with his attitude when answering pretty simple questions. Only an internal dictator would answer that way.” The_Oracle was also critical of the PM: “The position he takes is that of a typical micro manager. Was it not he who said he would take no portfolio so he could ‘oversee’ all ministries?” And after than 200 registered and trained clinical nurses staged a “sick out”
abdomen and “traversed” his body before exiting in the area of his right shoulder blade. The Crown’s case at the time was that the two gunmen were Rahming and his friend Shavargo McPhee. They both lived in Nassau and had travelled to Abaco the day before the robbery. They were arrested together at the airport when about to leave Abaco for Nassau on the morning after the robbery. Both Rahming and McPhee were initially tried together with others said to have been involved in Strachan’s murder, one of whom was the “accomplice witness” CJ Edgecombe. Edgecombe had asserted that he drove Rahming and
amid mounting tensions between the Bahamas Nurses Union and the Public Hospitals Authority, TheMadHatter said: “If the government was capable of tracking the sources of funds and allocating specifically sourced funds to specific purposes, they could add a 5 cents per gallon gas & diesel tax and add that income specifically to nurses’ salaries. Few would have a problem with that and it would help ensure that ‘generator people’ pay their fair share of health costs. “However, as VAT has proven, our people at Finance do not have that level of accounting acumen. Still today under a new govt we don’t know where our VAT money goes. It was supposed to go toward paying foreign debt - but we are told it all just goes into the big convoluted fund.)” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
McPhee to and from the robbery, and disposed of the guns and some clothing following the incident in question. Two other persons, referred to as “Timer” Russell and “Mills” in the PC ruling, were not alleged to be at the scene by the Crown but were indicted on their alleged complicity in planning the offence or helping to transport and accommodate Rahming and McPhee before the incident. However, the Crown abandoned the case against Mills during the trial, while Russell was acquitted by the jury. Rahming, meanwhile, absconded shortly before the end of the trial, and was convicted by the jury in his
absence. Both Rahming and McPhee were ultimately sentenced to life in prison for Strachan’s murder. A year later, McPhee unsuccessfully appealed his conviction on the basis that the judge should not have admitted his confession statement into evidence given that it had not been voluntarily obtained. In 2016, however, the London-based Privy Council quashed McPhee’s murder conviction, citing the failure of police detectives to properly adhere to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s own guidelines concerning the treatment and questioning of juveniles in custody as the reason.
AB+
www.ub.edu.bs
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply for the following positions available at University of The Bahamas:
Assistant Athletic Trainer, responsible for assisting the Athletic Trainer with all phases of the daily operations in the Athletic Training Room and services needed to cover the eight athletic teams at UB. Duties and responsibilities include assisting in scheduling and administration of student-athlete pre-participation physical exams; evaluating athletic injuries; treating athletic injuries; providing counseling and education to student athletes, coaches, and parents dealing with athletic injuries; enforcing code of conduct and rules for athletic training facilities and equipment; and assisting with recordkeeping and documentation. Required qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, Sports Science or other related field; Board Certification; and two (2) or more years of experience. Sports Information Officer, responsible for the production, presentation, distribution, and collection and archival of information pertaining to University Athletics. Duties and responsibilities include creating and distributing all sports related information to local, provincial, national, university and other media sources; cultivating key media contacts for the department; facilitating interviews and press conferences, write and prepare press releases and other promotional material/content for various media; liaising regularly with the Office of University Relations, varsity coaches and colleagues at other universities and athletic organizations and assisting with managing and updating the Athletic Department’s website. Required qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree is preferred) in Journalism/Broadcast, Communications, Public Relations and demonstrated experience with software sufficient to support media publications and relevant athletic events’ statistical calculation, including but not limited to, Adobe in Design, Adobe Photo Shop, Illustrator and Stat Crew/Dakstats software. Detailed position announcements are available online at: http://www. ub.edu.bs/about-us/career-opportunities/staff/ . Interested applicants should submit the following to the Human Resources Department via hrapply@ub.edu.bs by Wednesday, 9th May, 2018: • A cover letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; • Completed UB Employment Application Form (www.ub.edu.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Application-forEmployment-Staff.pdf) • Current curriculum vitae or resume; • Copies of relevant qualifications and certificates; • Copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date; • Copy of N.I.B. Card; • At least three (3) written, professional references.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Don’t be blind to Cosby - the criminal M
OST of us know Bill Cosby as Heathcliff Huxtable. He is a doctor married to lawyer Clair Huxtable and father of five children. He is a funny, playful character with endearing eccentricity. Everyone loves Cliff, and wishes he could be their father. The Cosby family was aspirational, and The Cosby Show gave us somewhere to be when our own lives, homes and families did not quite manage to bring us joy. Young black people got to see themselves on television in a positive light. Doctors and lawyers, split-level homes, families they could support and the ability to work through anything that came along. Bill Cosby had come to represent all of this. Positive representation of fathers and husbands, visibility of black families, years of family-friendly entertainment and hope
By Alicia Wallace for a successful, happy future. Now we see someone else. Accusations of rape and other forms of sexual violence against Bill Cosby did not just start in the past few years. This has been happening — and largely ignored — for decades. One of the most recent events was the lawsuit brought by Andrea Constand in 2005 who alleged Cosby had drugged and molested her in 2004. During the process, 12 women made similar allegations and Cosby denied them all. In November 2006, the lawsuit was settled out of court.
In October 2014, the conversation picked up quickly, increasing in volume and reach, after a clip of Hannibal Buress’ stand-up went viral. Buress takes exception to Cosby’s touting of respectability politics. Buress said, “Yeah, but you raped women, Bill Cosby.” Likely due to the wildfire spread of the clip, the Daily Mail ran Barbara Bowman’s rape accusation wherein she called Cosby a monster. From then on, women have been coming forward to share their stories. Cosby’s colleagues have done their best to cast doubt on those claims, swearing his innocence.
Cosby admitted in a use that conversation to did not have to go through 2005 deposition that he detract from the ongo- these trials if he did not put quaaludes in women’s ing conversation about always have quaaludes in drinks. There is no mystery sexual violence, particu- his pocket. around the use of drugs and larly perpetrated by men Maybe Cosby only got to drinks in sexual violence in positions of power. court because he is black. and it corroborates stories We cannot have a con- Maybe the system is rigged. that scores of women have versation about race at the Maybe there is something shared about their experi- expense of women. It has to be angry about. If so, ences with Bill Cosby. He always been far too easy to we need to carefully think drugged and raped women. forget the black community about what should make us Some remember parts of includes women. angry. what happened to them at People look at Bill Is it that a black man is his hands while others do Cosby through Heathcliff charged and convicted of not. Huxtable-coloured glasses. a crime of he committed, Last week, Cosby was They see the loving hus- or that a white man is not found guilty of aggravated band and father he played charged and convicted of indecent assault and could on The Cosby Show. They a crime he committed? Do face up to ten years in see the weird sweaters, we want to fight for the prison. Not yet sentenced, hear the funny jokes and freedom of black sexual he is free — though con- feel the sparks of hope and predators, or do we want fined to to fight for jushis Penn- People look at Bill Cosby through tice to be served, sylvania regardless of the Heathcliff Huxtable-coloured glasses. home — identity of the on $1m They see the loving husband and father predator? We bail. His he played on The Cosby Show. They see need to deal with legal team our inability or is likely the weird sweaters, hear the funny jokes unwillingness to to appeal and feel the sparks of hope and pride at separate people and seeing a happy black family on television. from their work. almost R Kelly is not a dozen They confuse the character with the even a discusactor — the real person, Bill Cosby. women sion in most have spaces. He has civil suits been known to pending against him. pride at seeing a happy violate young women and Responses to the verdict black family on television. girls for years. Story after vary greatly. Some are cel- They confuse the character story reveals his predation. ebrating and recognise the with the actor — the real We are horrified by the #MeToo movement for person, Bill Cosby. They accounts of those who get its role in calling for jus- ignore the power dynamic away, but many of are not tice in high-profile cases that emboldened Cosby bothered enough to stop of sexual violence. Some and allowed him to sexu- supporting him. express their certainty that ally violate women and By now, we should all 60 women lied, and Cosby get away with it for a long understand that we do not is innocent. Others pretend time. They see a cultural have to take money out to be on a line between the icon. of our pockets for him to two, claiming they want Compare the rhetoric of make it, but just playing a women to be safe and the pro-black anti-woman song on YouTube helps to access just justice, but do rape apologists in support finance his den where the not think it is right to send of Cosby with his respect- women are cut off from Cosby to jail for a crime ability politics campaign family and friends, must white men have committed that registered high on ask to go to the bathroom, and evaded prison. the self-hatred scale. He are completely subject to “They are trying to ruin framed the issue of racism his abuse and control. Does a black man’s legacy,” they in the US as a black people this disgust you? Is it changsay. problem — one Africa- ing the way you consume? “Those women were nAmericans created for How far have we come lying. Their stories are too themselves and can solve since the OJ Simpson trial? similar,” they say. for themselves. How? By Think about all you con“They definitely lied. wearing their pants dif- sider before coming to a Their stories don’t match,” ferently, of course. By decision on high-profile they say. changing the way they cases. Race, gender, age and “Woody Allen and speak. By giving their chil- popularity tend to heavily Harvey Weinstein are still dren more Anglo names. impact judgment. There are free, so why does Cosby go A few changes in behav- stories we immediately disto jail?” they say. iour would be all it took to miss and positions we feel We can talk about end racism forever, right? obligated to take. race. We can talk about If you have never heard It is not easy to consider how much the US justice Bill Cosby’s speeches multiple identities, but we system hates black men. denigrating black people must. We need to find ways We need to talk about the — especially young black to be honest with ourselves systems — white suprema- men and parents — start about our own biases, cist and otherwise — that with the “pound cake” learn to value justice, and have allowed white men speech he made on the resist the call to automatic to terrorise women and 50th anniversary of the solidarity. People are not never have to face the Brown vs Board of Edu- always as they seem. They public disgrace and con- cation Supreme Court are not their work and they sequences they deserve. decision. Apply his logic are not what they pretend to We simply cannot have to his situation. He says a be. We have to look at what that conversation as a way black man did not have to they do. When it comes of excusing or protecting get shot if he did not have to justice, our favourites other criminals. We cannot pound cake in his hand. He cannot be exempt.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, PAGE 9
Love it or not, Facebook launches dating service NEW YORK Associated Press FACEBOOK doesn’t think hookups are meaningful and doesn’t want you to date your friends — but it’s known for a long time that its vast map of human connections could help people find long-term partners. At least that’s the takeaway from a new dating feature the social networking giant is launching because, well, why not? After all, Facebook already lets you “poke” people, whatever that means, and lets you broadcast your relationship status. If you ever download all the data Facebook has on you, you’ll see it even keeps track of all the past partners you’ve listed on Facebook, even if this isn’t visible on your profile. A dating tool has always seemed the next logical step, as Chris Cox, Facebook’s chief product officer, said on yesterday at Facebook’s f8 conference for app developers in San Jose, California. Fourteen years after Facebook’s launch, it’s finally coming. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the new dating feature
FACEBOOK CEO Mark Zuckerberg makes the keynote address at F8, Facebook’s developer conference yesterday in San Jose, Calif. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP is “not just for hookups” but to build “meaningful, long-term relationships”. That seems a direct swipe at Tinder, which is still best known for hooking people up with people they find attractive by showing their photo, age and first name. Shares of Match.com, which owns Tinder, tumbled on the news. Of course, Tinder itself uses Facebook data to act as a digital matchmaker (as do many other dating apps),
and Facebook’s dating feature seems to borrow some ideas from one of the world’s most popular dating apps. Facebook’s feature will be opt-in, meaning you have to choose to use it. Like Tinder, it’ll use just your first name. The Facebook dating profile you’ll create will be separate from your regular Facebook profile. It won’t suggest your friends as people you might want to date, even if your 500-plus “friends” include random
acquaintances — or crushes. Your dating profile won’t show up on your news feed or be visible to friends; it’s only for others using the dating service. Zuckerberg said the dating feature was built with privacy and security in mind from the start. The company has been under fire recently for possibly not doing this with its other features over the years. Yet timing seemed odd: As Facebook is still recovering from its worst
privacy crisis in history, is this really the time to start tracking something as private about people as their dating habits? There were also some online rumblings that the dating feature might be open only to people who list themselves as “single” and not those who are “married” or “in a relationship”, ignoring the subset of people who are in non-monogamous relationships. But Facebook said this is not the case. After all, people often don’t keep their relationship status up to date, don’t use it in a serious way (in a complicated relationship with pizza, anyone?), or simply leave it blank. After setting up a dating profile, you can browse events and groups based on location and interests. After you “unlock” an event you’re attending or considering going to, you can view the profiles of others who have also unlocked that event. Users can chat with each other through a private messaging feature that won’t be connected to Facebook’s other messaging services, Messenger or WhatsApp.
Distracted by technology? Microsoft tries to help By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer TECHNOLOGY companies whose devices and constantly scrolling online services have driven us to distraction are beginning to acknowledge that their products can be a waste of time. Some of them now say they’re trying to help. Microsoft has rolled out a free update to its Windows 10 computer operating system this week with new features to keep people in a distraction-free zone. The “Focus Assist” feature enables workers to temporarily switch off email and social media notifications during times when they need to keep their heads down. They can allow messages from certain people to break through. Microsoft says the update is inspired by research showing office workers are being interrupted or having to switch tasks about every three minutes — and it takes 23 minutes to get back in focus. Microsoft is also adding a “Timeline” feature aimed at saving time by more easily retrieving documents or unfinished work from the past 30 days. “Almost every application
THIS June 28, 2016, file photo shows Windows 10 operating on a Microsoft Surface computer in New York. Technology companies whose devices and constantly-scrolling online services have driven us to distraction are beginning to acknowledge that their products can be a waste of time. Some of them now say they’re trying to help. Microsoft is rolling out a free update to its Windows 10 computer operating system Monday, April 30, 2018, that includes new features to keep people in a distraction-free zone. Photo: Richard Drew/AP
and web service is vying for your attention,” said Aaron Woodman, a marketing general manager for Microsoft Windows. “Increasingly, people are going to prefer environments where they can control and manage their distractions.” It may be easier for Microsoft to create such limits, as its business is far less reliant on advertising than Google and Facebook. With advertising in the mix, more time spent means more revenue. Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android phones have “Do Not Disturb” modes for muting notifications. Microsoft’s biggest email rival, Gmail, began rolling out a redesign this week that includes time-saving measures. One uses artificial intelligence to allow Google to help respond to emails with quick answers such as “Will do, thanks!” or “Sorry, I won’t be able to attend”. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg surprised investors earlier this year when he said he welcomed the idea of fewer hours spent on his site, arguing that “helping people connect is more important than maximising the time people spend on Facebook”.
• US CUSTOMS and Border Protection on yesterday began testing the use of body cameras by its employees at nine locations, potentially leading to a broad rollout by the nation’s largest law enforcement agency that would make it the first federal agency to use the devices on a large scale. Customs and Border Protection previously concluded in 2015 after a year-long study that body cameras were not yet suitable for widespread use due to cost, technological challenges and the need for labour union approval. However, it said the cameras had potential in limited circumstances. The agency’s review also found that cameras used in field tests did not function well in the rugged, remote conditions in which many Border Patrol agents work. “Some fared better than others,” said Austin Skero, director of the agency’s law enforcement safety and compliance directorate. Customs and Border Protection officials said technology has evolved since the 2015 test, and the cameras used in the current field tests will build on lessons learned in the previous test. The equipment was provided by several manufacturers the agency declined to name. • THE DUBAI-BASED port operator DP World put its name Sunday on the hyperloop technology it has already spent millions of dollars to develop as work continues to make it operational across the grand plans of its designers. The cargo system being designed alongside possible passenger service by Virgin Hyperloop One will be called the DP World Cargospeed, the port operator’s CEO and chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem told journalists and others gathered for a glitzy announcement alongside billionaire Richard Branson. But it remains unclear what, exactly, the branding means. At the least, it shows how much money DP World has poured into the company over different funding rounds. When the hyperloop will become operational is an open question as Los Angeles-based Virgin Hyperloop One has faced shake-ups in recent months on its board of directors as well. “Today things are changing. Today our role is not in the port,” bin Sulayem said. “Our role is from the time the cargo leaves the factory before it reaches the consumer’s door. A hyperloop is a mode of cargo and people transportation that involves levitating pods powered by electricity and magnetism that hurtle through low-friction pipes at a top speed of 760 mph. Tesla co-founder Elon Musk first proposed the idea in 2013. The idea has been floated around the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, since similarly glamorous events in 2016. Hyperloop firms hungry for start-up money have pitched the idea to sheikhdoms like skyscraper-studded Dubai that strive to be on the cutting edge of everything.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
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UNIVERSITY president Rodney Smith with the athletics administration team and, right, with Kimberley Rolle.
Blazing a trail THE MEN’s soccer team.
LEAGUE champions and national record holders are among the highly skilled student-athletes at University of The Bahamas. UB celebrated these trailblazers recently during the inaugural Athletics Awards Banquet held at the British Colonial Hilton in downtown Nassau. Excited athletes and enthusiastic supporters attended the formal affair, dedicated to honouring excellence in sportsmanship and coaching. The
honourees were awarded individually and as teams. UB’s athletes have achieved remarkable successes this academic year. The UB Mingoes men’s soccer team, which defeated the Bears FC on Sunday to win the Bahamas Football Association’s league title, was awarded Team of the Year, while track and field athlete Quanisha Marshall was awarded Freshman Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Additionally, Donovan Dean, on the Mingoes men’s basketball team, received the Freshman Male Athlete of the Year award; Aikia Rose on the women’s volleyball and softball teams, was honoured as Female Student-Athlete of the Year; heptathlete national record holder Ken Mullings received the Male StudentAthlete of the Year award and Duchely Richard of the men’s soccer team won Academic Student Athlete of the Year. Quality coaching has also played integral role in the growth of university athletics. Dion Godet was awarded Coach of the Year for his remarkable work
THE MEN’s basketball team.
THE WOMEN’s volleyball team.
with the men’s soccer team and athletics nutritionist and UB alumnus Donovan Ingraham was awarded the Athletic Director’s Award. “When you look at what we did across the board, I would say that we had a very successful year and it is something for us to build on for next year. At this point, we’re trying to lock in recruits for August so that we can add to what we have now,” said University Athletics Director Kimberley Rolle. “This year, we had a significant jump over the last three years. Three years ago, the soccer team was winless and now they’re undefeated. They’ve made significant strides. “Kudos to Coach Dion Godet and Coach Harvey Mullings. They’ve done a magnificent job. Also, soccer is our highest GPA (grade point average) team and that also impacted
them getting the award. We wanted to ensure that the awards were not just athletics-based. These guys are student-athletes, so the criteria for the awards had something to do with academics as well as athletics,” she added. On the men’s soccer team, the Most Valuable Player was Julio Jemison. Kemsy Sylvestre and Quanisha Marshall claimed the same title for men’s basketball and track and field respectively. Taryn Butler was named MVP in judo, Aikia Rose in women’s softball, and Seanta Johnson in women’s volleyball. Also honoured were seniors Marlon Miller for soccer, Justin Munroe for basketball, Leonardo Romer for track and field and Aikia Rose for volleyball and softball. University Athletics is consistently developing its programmes and talent to support future successes in
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Wednesday, May 2, 2018, PAGE 11
Kelly’s reveals the Bride of the Year KELLY’S hosted its annual Bride of the Year event at the Hilllton hotel on Sunday- with a ballroom full of beautiful brides and their husbands to choose from. The Bride of the Year was finally named as Olivia Lockhart-Chase, chosen from 12 Brides of the
Month, each of whom won prizes including gift cards and top brand products from Kelly’s House and Home. Pictured above are the 2017 Brides of the Month and their spouses alongside Kelly’s bridal consultants and Nancy Kelly the president
of Kelly’s House and Home. Pictured right is Bride of the Year Olivia LockhartChase, right, receiving her crown from the 2016 Bride of the Year Erica Darr-Munroe. Main photograph: Vincent Vaughan
CABINET WARNING OVER USE OF FLAG AND COAT OF ARMS THE Cabinet Office has announced that all persons who wish to use the national flag or coat of arms on any articles to
be produced, distributed, sold, or imported into The Bahamas, or in connection with any business on a yearly basis must obtain
written permission from the minister of national security. Additionally, persons wishing to purchase the
national flag or coat of arms for resale during the independence season must have written approval from the
Independence Secretariat, Cabinet Office. The national flag must be the correct pantone colours as approved in April 2006,
the government’s notice said. The public is advised to govern themselves accordingly.
PAGE 12, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
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WHITE HOUSE: NOTHING WRONG IN RAID ON TRUMP DOCTOR’S RECORDS WASHINGTON Associated Press
THE White House said yesterday that President Donald Trump’s former bodyguard did nothing out of the ordinary when he took possession of the president’s medical records last year, despite a claim by Trump’s former doctor that the episode felt like a “raid”. Harold Bornstein, Trump’s longtime personal doctor, told NBC News that Keith Schiller, the president’s longtime bodyguard and former director of Oval Office operations, showed up at his office in February 2017 along with two other men to collect the records, leaving Bornstein feeling “raped, frightened and sad”. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders disputed the doctor’s characterisation of the episode. “As is standard operating procedure for a new president, the White House Medical Unit took possession of the president’s medical records,” she told reporters at a White House briefing. As for Bornstein’s description that it had had the feel of a raid, she said, “No, that is not my understanding.” Bornstein told NBC that Schiller and another “large man” were in his office about 30 minutes and “created a lot of chaos”. The doctor said the two men were joined by Alan Garten, the chief legal officer for the Trump Organization. The incident at Bornstein’s office came two days after the doctor told The New York Times that Trump takes Propecia, a drug for enlarged prostates that is often prescribed to stimulate hair growth in men. Bornstein told the Times that he prescribed Trump drugs for rosacea and cholesterol as well. Bornstein told NBC that Trump’s long-time personal secretary called him after the story ran and said: “So you wanted to be the White House doctor? Forget it, you’re out.’” Bornstein said he wasn’t given a form authorising him to release Trump’s records, but said Schiller and Garten took the originals and copies of Trump’s charts and lab reports, including records filed under pseudonyms the office used.
KANYE WEST, pictured in 2016 at the MTV Video Music Awards. West has called American slavery “a choice”.
Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Kanye: Slavery was a choice LOS ANGELES Associated Press BEFORE the last one had a chance to simmer down, Kanye West caused another stir, calling American slavery a “choice” in an interview yesterday. “When you hear about slavery for 400 years, for 400 years, that sounds like choice,” West said on “TMZ Live” after questions on his pro-President Donald Trump posts and
pictures that caused a dustup last week. “You was there for 400 years, and it’s all of y’all?” “Do you feel like I’m thinking free and feeling free?” West asked the TMZ employees in the room. “I actually don’t think you’re thinking anything,” TMZ’s Van Lathan quickly cracked back at West, as many would in the ensuing hours. Lathan said while West gets to live the elite artist’s
life, “the rest of us in society have to deal with these threats in our lives. We have to deal with the marginalisation that has come from the 400 years of slavery that you said for our people was our choice”. Symone D Sanders, political commentator and CNN contributor, led the antiWest chorus on Twitter. “Kanye is a dangerous caricature of a ‘free-thinking’ black person in America,” Sanders
tweeted. “Frankly, I am disgusted and I’m over it. Also (I can’t believe I have to say this): Slavery was far from a choice.” Others put it more briefly. “Slavery wasn’t a choice,” Russ Bengtson tweeted, “but listening to Kanye is.” West also told TMZ that he became addicted to opioids that doctors prescribed after he had liposuction surgery in 2016. He was hospitalised for a week and had to cut short his
“Pablo” tour. West said the painkillers drove him to a “breakdown,” which became a “breakthrough” when he found himself again. West also doubled down on his love of the president, which Trump has been returning in tweets. “I just love Trump,” West said, adding that most in hip-hop agreed with him before Trump became president. “Trump is one of rap’s favorite people.”
AUSTRALIAN CARDINAL CHARGED WITH SEX ABUSE MELBOURNE, Australia Associated Press
AUSTRALIAN Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Vatican official to be charged in the Catholic Church sex abuse crisis, on Tuesday officially denied charges of sexual abuse spanning decades after his lawyers failed to
sway a court to dismiss them. Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic will appear for the first time on Wednesday in the Victoria state County Court, where he has been ordered to stand trial at a date yet to be set. Lawyers for Pell, Pope Francis’ finance minister, have been fighting the
allegations since before he was charged last June with allegations of sexual abuse against multiples people in Victoria from the time he was a priest in his hometown of Ballarat in the 1970s until the 1990s, when he was archbishop of Melbourne. Magistrate Belinda Wallington on Tuesday
dismissed about half the charges that had been heard in a four-week preliminary hearing in Melbourne but decided the prosecution’s case was strong enough for the remainder to warrant a trial by jury. The details of the allegations and the number of charges have not been made public.
When she asked Pell how he pleaded, the cardinal said in a firm voice, “Not guilty.” Wallington gave the 76-year-old permission not to stand as is customary. When the magistrate left the room at the end of the hearing, many people in the packed public gallery broke into applause.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ‘WON’T BE EXTORTED BY CONGRESS’ WASHINGTON Associated Press DEPUTY Attorney General Rod Rosenstein yesterday lashed out at Republican allies of President Donald Trump who have drafted articles of impeachment against him, saying the Justice Department won’t be extorted or give in to threats. Rosenstein, speaking at a question-and-answer session at the Newseum, chided the lawmakers who have prepared the document by saying that “they can’t even resist leaking their own drafts” and that they lack “the courage to put their name on it”. “I can tell you there have been people who have been making threats privately and publicly against me for quite some time, and I think they should understand by now, the Department of Justice is not going to be extorted,” Rosenstein said, in response to a question about news reports on the articles of impeachment. “We’re going to do what’s required by the rule of law,” he added. “And any kind of threats that anybody makes are not going to affect the way we do our job.” He did not elaborate on what he meant by threats, but some congressional Republicans have excoriated him for his oversight role of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. A House Republican memo released in February said that Rosenstein approved the renewal of a secret surveillance warrant to monitor the communications of a former Trump campaign
associate and that the warrant application had relied excessively on Democratfunded opposition research. Some lawmakers have also criticised Rosenstein and the Justice Department for what they say is a slow response to lawmakers’ demands for documents, including about the now-resolved Hillary Clinton email probe. Trump has also repeatedly lambasted Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose recusal from the Russia investigation laid the groundwork for the appointment of Mueller. Rosenstein said that while the Justice Department supports congressional oversight, lawmakers must also understand that their duty is not to interfere with ongoing investigations. “If we were to just open our doors to allow Congress to come and rummage through the files, that would be a serious infringement on the separation of powers,” he said. “It might resolve a dispute today, but it would have negative repercussions in the long run, and we have a responsibility to defend the institution.” The Washington Post on Monday reported the articles of impeachment from members of the House Freedom Caucus, a hardright group of Republican lawmakers. One member of the Freedom Caucus, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, tweeted after Rosenstein’s remarks: “If he believes being asked to do his job is ‘extortion,’ then Rod Rosenstein should step aside and allow us to find a new Deputy Attorney General — preferably one who is interested in transparency.”