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Volume:114 No.116, MAY 9TH, 2017

Biggest And Best!

SECTION

B

Y KNOWLES, CINDY COAKLErlotte DNA, Fort Cha

LE, FNM, Sea

LANISHA ROL Breeze

R PRODESTA Elizabeth

DNA, Free

ARD, PLP, St

CHERYL BAZ Barnabas

EMILY W Maratho

INS, DNA CHARLIS ROB Yamacraw

HOP Bree

, Central & EVA BAIN, PLP South Abaco

ANUEL, FNM

MIRIAM EMM MICAL

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KAREN DAVIS, Town

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MOORE, DNA

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

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FLOWERS, RUTH NAOMIand South Abaco DNA, Central

WOMAN: THE WOMEN MAKING THEIR MARK AT THE POLLS

PLP told not to steal the vote

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OLAFE, DNA

ARINTHIA KOM Killarney

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GUSON, FNM

SHONEL FER Fox Hill

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LIGHTBOURN STEPHANIE ton DNA Englers

FFIN, PLP, MELANIE GRI Yamacraw

GO BURROW BISHOP MAR e’s DNA, St Ann

RIS, DNA, Bain BRENDA HAR Town ts Town & Gran

THEIRTIME AKING OF WOMEN M‘OUT THE POLLS MARK AT TO AVOID

NA MARTIN, GLENYS HAN ton PLP, Englers

have ratified sation would tomorrow’s For history, a 10 women. the in Bahamian N DNA will ervers from AH GIBSO election, the ning a total team of obs of American

By JEFFAR tures Writer n run atio be anis ally Fea Org actu ted Tribune S) was invi emedia.net States (OA an of 13 women. frontline jgibson@tribun the Bahami ning for to observe tion. The team, Run ton woman is no ILLARY Clinlast general elec 12 internapolitics as a . made history ng composed of rs, monitored any country omi easy task in year by bec chotional observe tions in 30 the BahaHowever, in an to be great the May 7 elec covering a the first wom the highest e remains a ies, ther enc mas . stitu for ions con een male and sen to run ted States by polling stat disparity betw tes, despite total of 189 y recommenoffice in Uni tic Party. The Preliminar OAS, which female candida majority the Democra unfavourable being the ons by the a press was en e, dati wom com out in rs of house, she demon- g were released year, noted of bread-winne g more for Clinton ntin rage, inspirin statement that 74 more strated cou holds, represe student rywhere and that while 18,5registered to of the half women eve conceptions e than women wer , this level at the Univerquashing mis a country is a population vote than men n was not amas, and that running sity of the Bah movers of participatio number of nt man’s job. countless the being significa the private reflected in There are tes. kers in are making ale candida 133 sha who fem and en wom while not eve tline politics y 22 of the And fron Onl or. in the es in sect in strid who ran out for a life significant candidates election were ryone is cut and playing general ision, law and 2012 general ut 16.5 per , this year’s tics roles as dec rs in countries poli n, women – abo s the questio policy-make ld. election beg wor cent. considered around the there are which has po“Are women country?”

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Minnis says Hall hired back - and with a pay raise

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net ON the heels of Wednesday’s chaotic and disorganised advanced poll, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis warned the Progressive Liberal Party last night not to “further corrupt” the voting process or attempt to “steal” the general election.

He also alleged that former Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall whose three-year contract ended last Thursday but has been retained as a consultant - received a salary increase from around $5,000 a month to almost $7,000 a

month.

He further warned that if there is any “skulduggery” on Election Day, Prime Minister Perry Christie will be held responsible, adding that he “fears” what may happen as a result.

Dr Minnis also said a government led by him will expose any “underhandedness” at the hands of the Christie administration, adding that anyone found breaking the law would be “brought to justice”.

Dr Minnis also lashed out at “lies” he said were being spewed by the PLP in an attempt to hold on to power.

SEE PAGE THREE

REPEAT OF POLL CHAOS’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WITH the 2017 general election just hours ahead, Free National Movement Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday said he doubts newly appointed Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Charles Albury will be able to prevent Wednesday’s vote from repeating the chaos of last week’s advanced poll.

SEE PAGE FIVE

RIVAL RALLIES: The FNM rally last night, above, and, below, the PLP crowd at Clifford Park last night.

Photos: Shawn Hanna (top) and Terrel W. Carey (bottom)/Tribune Staff

PM WARNS OF FOREIGN INTERESTS AHEAD OF BALLOTS BEING CAST

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

HOURS away from the 2017 general election, Prime Minister Perry Christie made an impassioned plea for his party to be returned to government, citing opponents as foreign special interests and a fake protest movement.

Hundreds of Progressive Liberal Party supporters flocked to Clifford Park last

night to rally the party’s base in the countdown to the 2017 general elections.

Although crowds did not fill the park to capacity, scores of supporters waited until nearly midnight to hear from party leader Mr Christie.

He pledged that good things were on the way for the country as he outlined the initiatives undertaken by the PLP administration SEE PAGE THREE

COLLIE SAYS PLP DODGING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES OVER BOB

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie yesterday accused the Progressive Liberal Party of running away from its responsibility in the bailout of the Bank of The Bahamas, insisting that any further investigation by public officials would only uncover that many of the loans written off through the process

were held by “politically connected” individuals.

In a statement to the press Monday, Mr Collie backed claims by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, saying that the actions of the Christie administration amidst the fallout at BOB have been in line with a group of people more concerned about their wellbeing, and not the greater good for the country.

SEE PAGE SIX

CHRISTIE INSISTS GOVT WILL ENSURE VOTE IS FREE AND FAIR

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday the government will “fiercely and jealously guard our democracy” to ensure that Wednesday’s general election will be free and fair.

During a courtesy call with international election observers at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, Mr Christie said elec-

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

tions in The Bahamas have always been peaceful and fair and he expects this general election to be the same.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said the government has “nothing to hide” and the observers have been invited to the country to ensure that “our electoral practices stand with the best practices around the world”.

SEE PAGE SIX

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PAGE 2, Tuesday, May 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

FOLLOW THE ELECTION WITH THE TRIBUNE

As voters go to the polls on Wednesday, tribune242.com will be rolling with reports, pictures and views early from the constituencies and throughout the day.

As the results are counted after the 6pm closure of the polls, follow the results live as they are announced on our mobile-friendly website.

As the results come in, keep a record of how the parties are faring with The Tribune’s election tally sheets, free with the paper on Wednesday.

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 9, 2017, PAGE 3

PLP told not to steal the vote from page one

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis at last night’s FNM rally.

PM WARNS OF FOREIGN INTERESTS AHEAD OF BALLOTS BEING CAST from page one

this term, and reiterated warnings over the dangers of voting for a Minnis-led Free National Movement.

Although he did not address the movement directly, Mr Christie also took a jab at We March Bahamas spokesperson Ranard Henfield. Mr Henfield gave a full endorsement of the FNM and its leader Dr Hubert Minnis last week, and is advocating for the PLP to be voted out of office.

Mr Christie said: “This threat of stop and cancel is very real. But it’s not the only threat that the FNM represents because listen, these are very serious times.

I think our democracy is facing a real, a new threat.

“We’re just a small country and yet some very dangerous people are pouring millions of dollars into propaganda and lies to tear the PLP down, and I ask you this question why do you think they are doing this? I’m not talking about now, I’m talking about years of hate, years of lies.

“I’m talking about millions of dollars, big money financing fake scandals, fake websites, fake social media, fake protest movements, fake protest movements, people who get together and say they represent issues and then they turn up in FNM shirts.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

“Fake front organisations we’ve never seen anything like this before, fake bank accounts. Ask yourselves this question, all that money all those toxic, vicious lies. Who are these people and what is it they want from this country.

He continued: “What are they looking to gain?

What are they looking to gain if they put their FNM puppets in power? What is it that they want from this country? What do you think they’re looking to get, do you think what they really want is to improve social services? “Do you think what they want is to take National Health Insurance forward? Do they want to help Bahamian children, or Bahamian families pay their bills.

You think that’s what their agenda is, why they told all those lies and for all those years?

Mr Christie continued: “So when I tell you this is a big big election don’t forget it, think about it. I don’t want to see this country enter into a period of instability. I don’t want to see this country lose the progress we’ve worked so hard for. I don’t want to see this country lose our future.

“So I need you all of your to work really hard in the next few hours,” he added, “not for me, for all of us, we’re all in this together, all for one, one for all.”

He said if his party assumes office it will not fire civil servants, nor will it cancel National Health Insurance or close Baha Mar down.

“The PLP trickery and underhandedness will soon be brought to light,” Dr Minnis told scores of supporters at a mass rally at the Q E Sports Centre. “The FNM torch will light up the darkness left by the PLP. We will find out the truth about what took place in the midnight hours at the Parliamentary Department before the advanced poll.”

He claimed that Attorney General Allyson MaynardGibson and Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage were at the Parliamentary Registration Department “hours before” the advanced poll, and wanted to know what they were doing there.

He also alleged: “I have troubling news. Mr Sherlyn Hall who messed up the registers on three separate occasions, including the chaos of last Wednesday is back. He was let go and sent home on Thursday, but was rehired on Saturday. And guess what? They have significantly increased his salary from about $5,000, to almost $7,000 per month.”

Yesterday, new Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Charles Albury told reporters that Mr Hall was remaining as a consultant at the department and helping in the transition process.

“The stench of this action smells to high heaven and we have a right to know what went down,” Dr Minnis added. “. . . Rest assured, that God willing, we will find out. And anybody

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

RIVAL RALLY PICTURES - SEE PAGES 10&11 found breaking the law will be brought to justice.

“The FNM torch will light up the darkness left by the PLP. Whatever is done in the darkness will eventually be brought to light.”

Further underscoring concerns about the Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD), Dr Minnis said when he and his wife went to pick up their voter’s cards, the wrong photo was affixed to his wife’s document.

He said all the other information on the voter’s card was correct. He added that when he alerted officials to the mistake, they first said the photo was correct, even though his wife was standing next to him.

He said officials later replaced his wife’s photo with the correct one but questioned how many other errors were occurring in the PRD. If his party wins the election, Dr Minnis promised the FNM would create an Elections Commission, so Cabinet ministers would not have responsibility for elections. He said the FNM would also create an independent Boundaries Commission that will be free of government interference and implement a fixed date for voting.

He also said his party would create a “new era” of housing with a rent to own programme to facilitate home ownership.

He again pledged to implement a solarisation programme to create affordable energy and efficient housing.

He said the FNM will introduce a recall system for

non-performing members of Parliament and tougher rules for financial disclosure of elected and public officials.

“We will embark on a new era which ensures homeowners are adequately protected from unfair home foreclosure,” he said.

Dr Minnis also urged those who may be considering voting for the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) not to “waste” their vote. He said the FNM is the only party that can defeat the PLP. He also touched on “lies” he said were being spread by the PLP. “It is a lie that the FNM will close Baha Mar upon coming to office,” he said, adding that his party wants the mega resort to succeed.

“It is a lie that after we become the government Hubert Ingraham and Brent Symonette will take over the FNM. It is pure foolishness and a lie. “...It is a lie that the FNM will stop NHI and fire civil servants.”

Several other candidates also spoke last night, including FNM Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar.

A week after former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham raised concern about the “precarious” state of the Public Treasury, Mr D’Aguilar claimed the public purse is “broke” and unable to meet many of its obligations.

Meanwhile FNM Tall Pines candidate Don Saunders said if elected, the issue of recurrent dump fires will be a top priority for him.

The FNM will hold a rally in Grand Bahama and a final rally in New Providence tonight at the Q E Sports Centre ahead of Wednesday’s general election.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

PAGE 4, Tuesday, May 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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Brave hearts required for a better Bahamas NEVER has so much been at stake as it will be tomorrow when voters go to the polls in The Bahamas.

Unemployment and crime are at record high levels while poverty and hunger stare us in the face daily if only we have the courage to see it.

In the past two years, government debtto-GDP ratio has risen to record levels, the highest it has ever been. While that ratio climbs, the Bahamian dollar continues to sink to new lows, now after four downgrades standing at junk status.

We are setting all the wrong records.

And there is little reason to believe the trends will change unless we change what we expect and demand of government, any government. We have settled for too little for too long.

We have sat back apathetically and pathetically and allowed others to make decisions affecting our lives rather than taking a stand. We have sat blithely by as government after government kowtows to bigger governments abroad or introduces taxes that eat away at our bottom line without providing concomitant services in education, health, infrastructure, safety and security that would be the return on tax investment in other societies.

We have settled for too little for too long. We could have and should have demanded better. But we were weak and those in government were made stronger by our weakness.

We settled for too little transparency, too little accountability, too little cultural preservation, historic restoration or environmental conservation, too little deployment of alternative energy sources, too little good governance, too little equitable granting of applications for Crown land, too little willingness to relinquish authority and allow local communities to raise taxes and govern themselves.

We have settled for too little of too many things and we have endured too much secrecy.

We have seen too many politicians who were once good neighbours, people we could call our friends, grow pompous and arrogant.

We have seen what almost unlimited power does to those who gain it, profit from it and refuse to let it go. We have seen it transform the man who once sat next to us in church into the man who should go to church and pray for his own salvation.

We have seen what it does to strangle our desire to invest or trust in our future when all that we are certain lies ahead is uncertainty. Despite protestations to the contrary by two former Central Bank governors as well as the current governor, the threat of devaluation hangs in the air thick as a summer cloud filled with moisture and ready to burst. If, and when, devaluation rains on The Bahamas, the rich

including, we suspect, a number of politicians from all sides, will have got much of their fortune out. The rest of us will be left to wonder how we will live. Our homes, vehicles and anything else we own will be worth less than they were before.

Our food, electricity, insurance, everything we consume will cost more.

We must stand up and say we have had enough of a government that refuses to obey its own judicial decisions, that interferes with that system and has to be reprimanded by the former Chief Justice reminding it of the integrity and independence with which it is supposed to serve. We have had enough of brave judges and their families’ lives being threatened because of their decisions. We have seen a judge removed from a court and assigned another post following a ruling unfavourable to government.

We must say to whatever government retains or assumes power on May 11 that change is coming. Not just change in partisan politics - if indeed there is such a change - but in what we expect our government to be and the part we are prepared to play in it.

The first change must be accountability. If reports of ‘thugs’ going into offices of government ministries demanding papers be handed over so they can be shredded are true, those who fear for their safety now and are afraid to file an official complaint will one day be free to do so. You can shred the evidence but only fear silences the truth forever.

There shall be accountability for 11th hour contracts to friends and loved ones and, if government funds were used to finance political campaigns, those responsible must be held accountable.

Fear tactics are a manifestation of desperation. Say it isn’t so, but if it is, shout the words and mean them: ‘You will be held accountable.’ For anyone who tries to interfere with the knowledge and information that the electorate has a right to know leading up to a national election trespasses on the rights of those who have little enough democracy to hold on to as it is.

Bahamians, stand proud when you go to vote. If fear made you coward in the past, courage buoyed by the thousands of voices of a united civil society will be your bodyguard in the future.

Those who endured too much and settled for too little, your time is now. All you need to do on May 10 is vote. One simple step in the right direction and together Bahamians will carve a different, brighter path ahead with accountability, consultation and transparency - the ACT of the future, leaving the shenanigans of a rueful past behind and payment for those actions up to those in an independent judiciary.

There is too much at stake to spend the day at the beach.

The so-called election 2017 EDITOR, The Tribune.

THIS has been the most incredible campaign, basically based on who has created the most corruption and the biggest scandals.

The challenge to the position of Leader of the Free National Movement is so stupid that it is crazy. Dr Hubert Minnis won out not once but twice in a democratic process.

Stay Brave

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS no doubt Perry Christie agrees, Jerome Fitzgerald is showing all the qualities necessary to be a highly successful PLP Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Watch your back there, Brave.

THE REALIST Nassau, May 3, 2017.

The Progressive Liberal Party says Dr Minnis wanted to cancel health insurance of the nurses - what is Prime Minister Christie doing? NHI is cancelling the private health insurance of all the Civil Service and the uniformed services in one sweep ... which is worse?

The PLP has taken the total cover for pensioners away from them - oh, those “darlings” have royally gotten screwed. Get seriously ill, you pay. Thanks PC. PLP offering the Civil Service lower bank loan interest - surely that breaches the Constitution and discriminates and is illegal!

NHI - what is not being spoken. For Nassau there are 74 doctors signed up, 46 private and 28 government (if you are employed by government you know

you would have to sign up).

There are over 200,000 people in Nassau, so you have one doctor for 2,702 patients.

Why are so many private doctors not signed up?

Simply what NHI is offering them per visit ... check your cost to visit a doctor between $60 to $80 a visit ...

NHI is offering only $45. If I was a doctor why should I sign? We should have gone catastrophic, PC has it wrong.

2012-2017 can only be called the years of delusionment ... we need to live in reality. If everything is world famous and the best, ask yourself ‘why are we in such a mess?’ Is the Budget deficit over $600m? I suspect it is.

W THOMPSON, Nassau, May 6, 2017

Disobeying the will of the people EDITOR, The Tribune.

VERY early in his career, old King Saul of the Bible, the first King of Israel, disobeyed God, giving flippant excuses and foolish rationale.

For this disobedience, he was told the sentence was that the kingdom would be rent from him and given to his neighbour, who was better than him.

After this grave disobedience, nothing could reverse Saul’s downward path to a cataclysmic end.

Notwithstanding the fact that he repented, worshipped and even prophesied several times afterwards, it was all over for him.

Like King Saul of old, Perry Christie, when he legalised gambling, carried out a grave and wilful act of disobedience against the sovereign power of the Bahamian people who instructed him by referendum NOT to legalise gambling.

Instead of obeying the “voice of the people”, which, according to one maxim, is the “voice of God”, Christie sucked his teeth in arrogant, disrespectful and defiant disobedience, and legalised the vice anyhow.

Like old King Saul, Perry Christie, too, had a flippant excuse for his disobedience, namely, that a majority of registered voters did not participate. Further, the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net foolish and wicked rationale for his disobedience was that the referendum was “non-binding” anyhow.

Christie’s batting average, so to speak, plummeted immediately after he legalised gambling, as a large majority of persons who voted against gambling, decided then and there, that they would punish him for this at the next General Election.

The critical mass of discontent against Christie was then reached shortly after when the majority of voters were permanently set against him.

This was made perfectly clear last year, when Christie brought a second referendum, which was roundly defeated by the Bahamian majority which, by that time, was decidedly and bitterly opposed to him.

Many of these persons who have decided to punish Christie for his disobedience in the gambling legalisation, may actually praise him for National Health Insurance, for Urban Renewal, for BAMSI, for the opening of Baha Mar, for the purchase of Defence Force vessels, for promotions here, there and everywhere, and whatever other accomplishment he may wish to add to the list.

But none of these accolades and achievements can commute the sentence for disobedience, which is that the reins of Government must be taken away from Christie and given to his neighbour who is better than him.

Now, the day of judgment is set for May 10, and since making his Freudian slip, that “God can’t stop me now”, at a rally in Exuma, Christie is going around the country lambasting people for questioning his faith in God. But the issue in this election campaign is not Christie’s faith in God, but rather, the people’s faith in Christie.

Like old King Saul of the Bible, Christie can repent, worship and prophesy all he wants; he can call up Pindling until he is hoarse; he can read all the verses in Isaiah, Ephesians, Psalms and all the books of the Bible for that matter; he can put on as much armour as he wants; he can talk as endlessly and as passionately as he wants about his stroke and God’s grace in granting him full recovery; but the full sentence for his disobedience shall be carried out: The Government shall be rent from him and given to his neighbour, who is better than he is.

J NEWBOLD Nassau, May 4, 2017.

The NHI scheme EDITOR, The Tribune.

NHI - the brilliance but mass stupidity in the whole proposal.

Let’s be practical. I checked the doctors who are registered - I am shocked my usual GP who has been my doctor for years is not participating. So what do I do?

Do I register at one of the Government clinics to qualify, but do not have any intention to attend, or go to that doctor? It seems only government doctors are registered. I checked Freeport: even an ex-PLP Min-

ister of Health, a doctor, is not registered. Does that tell me something?

Can I still qualify for free prescription drugs, on the old existing programme ... or has that gone?

One thing is for sure, doctors do not like it at all for legal reasons, patients attending more than one doctor at a time. I suggest as is NHI is opening up a web of litigation on malpractice in a case where someone dies or obtains some injury as a result of this.

This is one programme that should be revisited in a practical way as there does

not seem to have been too much thought, except rush it for the election.

Does the Civil Service still have the private health insurance policy, or has that gone also? The Police, Defence Force, Customs and Immigration also, I believe it has also gone!

Politics before common sense. Hundreds of thousands spent on consultants for what? This baby, NHI, is only in its third month of pregnancy … what a mess!

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau May 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 9, 2017, PAGE 5

Reno Smith denies claims of ballot box tampering

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ASSISTANT Parliamentary Commissioner Reno Smith has vehemently denied rumours on social media about alleged tampering of ballot boxes in Grand Bahama by senior civil servants and other private citizens, calling it “foolishness”.

Dr Michael Darville, the Progressive Liberal Party’s incumbent for Pineridge, also released a statement denying the “false rumours” and claims. In the wake of these allegations, international election observers arrived in Freeport on Monday to observe the general election on May 10.

On Sunday, text and voice messages were circulated on Whatsapp of a woman alleging that certain high-ranking individuals on the police force and in government were discovered tampering with ballot boxes and were taken into police custody.

The allegations were also circulated on Facebook.

The Tribune contacted Police Inspector Terecita Pinder, press liaison officer, who denied the allegations

on Monday.

Mr Smith held a press conference in response to the allegations, calling on persons to “cease and desist” from spreading such rumours.

He denied that Dr Darville or Urban Renewal 2.0 official Michelle Reckley were in the vicinity of the police headquarters in Freeport on Sunday at the time when the ballot boxes were being packed by the new Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Charles Albury with the necessary documentation for the May 10 election.

“Dr Michael Darville, who served as minister for Grand Bahama (this term), is a private citizen and has no jurisdiction over the election process, Parliamentary Department or ballot boxes, as well as Michelle Reckley who served as deputy director of Urban Renewal; she has nothing to do with parliamentary department or those boxes,” Mr Smith stressed.

He assured Bahamians that the boxes are presently under 24-hour protection in the armory of the police station in Grand Bahama. He said a police officer is assigned to each ballot box.

Mr Smith explained that on Sunday Mr Albury and his team travelled to Freeport to assist the Parliamentary Registration Department in Freeport in packing the ballot boxes with the register of each constituency and the general register for Grand Bahama in preparation for the May 10 election.

After packing of the ballot boxes with the necessary items, Mr Smith accompanied Mr Albury and his team to the airport for their scheduled return chartered flight to Nassau when supporters of the Free National Movement confronted them.

“We saw several party supporters of the FNM who then came to Mr Albury and I, and asked what was going on. I asked what were they referring to, and they indicated that they were informed that we were there counting the ballots from the advanced poll and tampering with ballot boxes to which we vehemently denied,” he told reporters.

“All we were doing were securing the ballot boxes with the relevant documentation so that on May 10 when the boxes are delivered to the returning offic-

ers, then onto the presiding officers, they would open the same and verify that everything is ready for the election to proceed smoothly.”

Mr Smith added: “It is ironic that people would think that you were stuffing ballot boxes, if they do not know they should become aware on Election Day all boxes are opened for all and sundry to see that nothing untoward took place or was placed in the ballot boxes.

“All persons are allowed to touch, examine, and feel to make sure there are no false compartment, because once the presiding officer seals the box no one then will be allowed to touch it other than persons who would be voting as they put their ballots in the box.”

Mr Smith stated that there are preparations required leading up to the election that must be made.

“It is terrible and we understand rumours are part of the Bahamian culture, but it is a nasty culture that we need to do away with.

We know that some persons do not have a life and lack excitement.

“But to accuse senior civil servants and other private persons of doing something

untoward is ungodly, it is uncalled for….and if I had the energy, time and no life I would prosecute someone, but I don’t have time for foolishness - it is garbage.”

He added: “We are here to try and do the government work to make sure everything is done in decency and in order. We ask persons to cease and desist and let’s try to make this a smooth election.”

Meanwhile, Dr Darville noted in a statement that he has been the victim of a myriad of accusations leading up to the election.

“These rumours are nothing more than desperate attempts to attack my integrity, smear the reputation of the Progressive Liberal Party and manipulate Bahamians into voting for them (the Free National Movement),” Dr Darville said.

Meanwhile on Election Day, Mr Smith said the Parliamentary Registration Department has asked all returning officers, assistant and presiding officers to kindly use their discretion when dealing with the elderly and persons who are physically challenged by not allowing them to stand in the line.

“We want to advise the

public that no one is jumping the line and that we have asked them to accommodate the elderly, disabled, and pregnant, and to please allow them to go straight to the front of the line.”

Mr Smith said that that police force will be in full force at the election polls.

He also confirmed that international observers are now in Grand Bahama and will be at the polls to observe the process.

“We are making preparations for their smooth accommodations. We were initially told they would remain in Nassau, but I guess what happened on the weekend might have, I can’t definitely speak to it, but it might be why we have international observers coming to Grand Bahama.”

Mr Smith has served as an international observer in Bosnia and Herzegovina for that country’s election.

“I know what is expected of international observers.

They are not to make any political utterances and they will make a report at the end of the election to the incoming government or whoever is elected. We will do everything to accommodate them and make them feel comfortable,” he said.

‘OUT OF TIME TO AVOID REPEAT OF POLL CHAOS’ from page one

Calling Mr Albury’s take over of the Parliamentary Registration Department “too little, too late,” Mr D’Aguilar said while he prays the governing Progressive Liberal Party will exercise “fairness and decency”, he believed the May 10 election would be far from it because neither description matched the mantra of the PLP. Meanwhile, both FNM Chairman Sidney Collie and party Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said they were in possession of certified copies of the voter register, but were unable to confirm whether the documents were error free.

However, Mr Collie said he, with executives from other parties, are scheduled to meet with Mr Albury to address issues this morning.

Asked to reveal what these were, Mr Collie declined further comment.

Mr D’Aguilar said: “I pray a level of decency comes through and the that the PLP will exercise fairness and decency and proper behaviour, but it’s not their mantra.

“We as an opposition it seems has continued to be working one step behind, especially because the PLP seems to have this unadulterated access to officials in the Parliamentary Registration Department.

“In addition we found lots and lots of errors in the previous versions of the register and I think even the final one today (Monday) has people in the wrong constituency.

I hope these people and others are not disenfranchised.”

He added: “There are all these issues we have to deal with. It’s an incredibly chaotic process and no one has the confidence that they should right now.

“When you wait too late to call the election and to create these constituencies you create these problems.

It almost seems like in the PLP there is a campaign of win at any cost.

“But it’s just not a fair process where they have this access that we don’t and they know that we are constantly trying to catch up.

“Overall though, I have serious doubts. This guy was just parachuted in days

before and there is no way he can get a handle on this.”

Meanwhile, Mr Collie has accused Prime Minister Perry Christie of pretending to “exhibit accountability” by appointing Mr Albury a day after former Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall’s contract expired.

He questioned why Mr Christie would make staffing changes to the Parliamentary Registration Department days before the next general election, instead of providing the vital government department with adequate resources a long time ago.

The government announced on Friday that Mr Albury would serve as acting parliamentary commissioner until the post is substantively filled.

Mr Hall’s troubled tenure as parliamentary commissioner culminated in Wednesday’s chaotic advanced poll for the general election, which saw many voters wait for hours in long lines and, in some cases, not able to vote because their names were not on the register.

Mr Hall’s contract with the government expired on Thursday.

SENIOR PLPS SAY INGRAHAM ‘THREATENED’ CIVIL SERVICE JOBS FRED Mitchell has called on the Free National Movement to make it clear if the party will follow through with “threats” to end the employment of some civil servants, which he said came from former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham at a FNM rally last Tuesday. Last week, Mr Ingraham told FNM supporters that if the party wins the next election “from the hill to valley they all gone,” which was interpreted by Mr Mitchell as a threat to remove civil servants, including Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

“There has been a deafening and stony silence and contempt from the FNM on this matter,” Mr Mitchell noted in a statement. “It means then that they fully intend to carry out those threats of institutional victimisation and summarily fire people in the public service if they come to power.

“The attack by Mr Ingraham is particularly egregious and worrisome since he was the author of similar policies from the public platform as far back as 2007. “...It is embarrassing for a former prime minister of this country, a country that

wants and expects an elder statesman who can speak to issues of national import without vitriol, nastiness and partisanship, and who can be comfortable and respected in his retirement by all sides.

“Now he comes back into the public fray and attacks the governor general, threatening her post, in a move which violates all traditions and norms. He is attacking someone who he knows cannot defend herself. She can say nothing but be subject to nastiness and filth from a man who ought to know better.”

Yesterday, PLP Deputy Leader Philip “Brave” Davis also lashed out at the FNM, saying the party has shown “how little they trust” FNM Leader Hubert Minnis, turning instead to their former leader, Mr Ingraham, to take centre stage in the lead up to the election.

“Ingraham, who sat on the sidelines during years of his party’s turmoil and in-fighting, has appeared on FNM rally stages in recent days, hurling one accusation after another against the party that sent him home five years ago,” Mr Davis noted in a statement.

“If he believed in anything he was saying, he would have registered concerns through legal and proper channels, of course.

But these last-minute attacks are only lies and distortions, intended to distract Bahamians from the weakness of Minnis and the dysfunction of the current FNM. “Hubert Minnis is the weakest candidate ever put forth by a major political party in this country. Because he cannot lead, his party continues to this day beset by internal turmoil and deep divisions.”

Mr Davis also accused the former prime minister of threatening to fire civil servants and Dame Marguerite.

“The PLP government for its part, and in stark contrast to the FNM, has not only protected our national institutions but has processed more than half of the 3,000 or so contract workers in the public service, placing them on the permanent and pensionable payroll. The policy of the PLP is to protect and create jobs while the policy of the FNM is to fire civil servants out of petty political spite,” Mr Davis claimed.

A Cabinet press release on his replacement on Friday evening noted: “The Cabinet Office advises that with effect from May 6, 2017, Mr Charles Albury will serve as acting parliamentary commissioner until the post is substantively filled.

“Mr Albury has served with distinction in the public service in various ministries for more than 30 years. His present substantive post is permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism. The government looks forward to drawing on his extensive experience in the public service and in particular his previous distinguished service in the Parliamentary Registration Department.”

FREE Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar at last night’s FNM rally.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

During a time of

prayer for our Nation

this is what God said to me concerning this season of our elections To: All the politicians in government or opposition and all that have joined the race.

1. THE TEST The test is over the exam is before me. I am now going to grade you according to your assignments that were given you. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

2. REST There is nothing you do now that will move my heart or hand because I am judging you base on your obedience to what I have told you to do for the nation that I have set before you. Rest from your works Nations belong to me says the Lord.

It is I that has set up and it is I that will remove so rest from your works now.

Genesis 2:2.

3. THE REWARD What seeds have you sowed in the land? Did you use your gift and talent for me to be glorified? Did you give to the poor? Did you build up the broken walls? You are about to receive your rewards and the result of your test. What so ever a man sows that will he reap, good or bad. Psalm 62:12, 2 Samuel 22:25, Psalm 18:20, Psalm 18:24.

4. THE RACE To all that is in the race past candidates and present candidates. Do you have fruit in the land that shows you are a good steward and that you were faithful over the little so I can make you ruler over much? I have already eliminated many of you from the race. Nations belong to me says the Lord. Hebrews 12:1.

5. SURRENDER I am looking for those that would surrender their life to walk in obedience to the assignment they were born for. I will then use that gift to change a nation and preserve the people of that nation. Deuteronomy 5:33, Deuteronomy 8:6, Deuteronomy 28:1.

6. HELP I will send foreigners to build your walls and they will leave. I will send help from the East, West North and South of the regions of the earth and they will bring the wealth to the nation, but none of them will eat your crops. Your people will prosper, your land will be fruitful I will send rain from heaven to water the land.

I will preserve your from the storms of destruction. I will be help for the people.

That which I do no one will be able to undo says the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Psalm 20:2.

7. PRESERVE I want to preserve a generation who’s heart is after me, who will honor me a generation that would fear me says the Lord. Come back to the old land mark.

Psalm 31:23.

Dr. Ann Higgins April 12, 2017

PAGE 6, Tuesday, May 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Collie says PLP dodging its responsibilities over BOB from page one “Our embattled Prime Minister and (Perry Christie) his PLP cohorts continue to label every criticism that flies their way as political smear tactics,” Mr Collie noted.

He continued: “This is an astonishing claim considering the amount of evidence that further taints their record day after day.

“Rather than facing the music, or even scurrying to come up with excuses - a play they’ve often drawn up over the last few years they obnoxiously write off their abuse of power as lies.

By making these claims, they are only alienating

themselves more from their constituencies, as all Bahamians know the PLP is the gang of lies.

“Further demonstrating the PLP’s lack of accountability is the Bank of the Bahamas’ ... attempt to seal the documents that would reveal owners of non-performing loans, which many believe were given to the politically connected.

“One would assume that innocence wouldn’t elicit an appeal to the Supreme Court to seal such information from the public.

Bahamians are not naive, however. We remember the PLP’s continued resistance to answer the question of whether or not many of the bad BOB loans were made

to members of this government.”

Mr Ingraham, in a speech he had planned to deliver in Grand Bahama at an FNM rally but was unable to because of rain on Friday night, called on the government to reveal if any government ministers or members of the governing party have non-performing loans at BOB to the tune of tens of millions.

He also noted that BOB was in dire financial straits, adding that the only way to save the institution would be to vote the Progressive Liberal Party out of office.

This as BOB is seeking Supreme Court protection from the Central

Bank, which is demanding an “immediate” $50 million increase in loan loss provisions and legal action against “politically exposed” bad borrowers.

In 2014, the Christie administration created a new company, Bahamas Resolve, to take over $100m in bad debt from BOB. In February, Tribune Business reported that BOB’s financial statements for the half-year to endDecember 2016 showed that its total comprehensive loss had increased by almost $2m year-over-year, rising from $3.587m to $5.428m.

However, the loss for the final three months, or second quarter, dropped by

37.3 per cent, falling from $3.267 million to $2.049 million. Provisions for nonperforming loans again helped to drive the ‘red ink’, as they rose for the half-year by 18 per cent, from $6.134 million in 2015 to $7.237 million at the end of last year.

Mr Collie yesterday foreshadowed “a haunting reality” in which the politicians who are supposed to be representing Bahamians are pursuing personal gain.

Mr Collie said both he and his party were of the view that the country’s fiscal activities ought to be transparent and that the public should have access to know who holds loans at

BOB. Mr Collie insisted that for this to be the case, the PLP must be replaced with an FNM government that believes in “fiscal responsibility, transparency and empowering our Bahamian businesses and entrepreneurs, not the politically connected.”

In early February, Prime Minister Perry Christie told the House of Assembly that the government would soon make a full disclosure on the current affairs of BOB and Resolve Bahamas. He said this would happen before the next general election.

However, a full disclosure was never made in Parliament.

FESTIVAL COMMISSION HAS HAD NO REPORT OF ATTACK ON GAY MAN THE Bahamas National Festival Commission said while it has been made aware of reports of an alleged fight at a Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival event, no official report has been filed with the organisation or police.

However, last night, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said a report was made to the Central Police Station and that a suspect was in custody.

On Monday, The Tribune reported that an American man, Adrian Brown, who was allegedly attacked by a group of persons during a BJC concert early Saturday morning said that he was “targeted and beat up” because he is gay.

While not referring to the specifics of the allegation, the BNFC said: “At this time, no official report has been filed with the Royal Bahamas Police Force or the BNFC in regards to this matter.

“We urge anyone with information to contact the relevant officials to ensure the matter is properly investigated and processed.

“The BNFC aims to provide a safe, worldclass experience here in The Bahamas and has the

support of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to ensure all attendees’ safety and access to proper officials to handle all matters.”

When contacted last night, Senior ACP Dean said: “No complaint was reported to the officers out there (at the BJC event). I think the guy went to Central Station, I understand someone is in custody.”

On Sunday, Mr Brown, a Navy officer who came to the Bahamas to participate in Junkanoo Carnival, said he was dancing at the concert late Friday into early Saturday when he felt someone throw water on him.

“So I was at the concert and there was a stoop and I stepped up on the stoop and I was dancing,” Mr Brown told The Tribune.

“This was about 3am in the morning. So I am dancing and having a good time. I had on a cut out shirt and fitted pants and I felt when some water hit me. So I looked back and I got up off the stoop and I said to the guy, ‘Why did you hit me with the water,” and he said ‘Because you a batty man,’” Mr Brown claimed.

“Batty man” is Jamaican slang for a homophobic slur.

“Now I don’t think he knew that I am originally from Jamaica,” Mr Brown continued. “So before anything could happen his girlfriend came up in my face and slapped me and then four people just jumped me,” he claimed.

“Two girls and two guys.

Then two Bahamian men jumped in and started helping me. There was no conversation, they just started fighting me. I am not a fighter, I came here to The Bahamas to have fun, party and go back home. I don’t know these people from Adam and they do not know me and they were hitting me and beating me in my head with a rock. He just said ‘you are a batty man’ and they all jumped me. After the incident the other two guys that helped me held one of the guys until the police came.”

Mr Brown said he went to the police station and was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital a short time later but because of the long wait he went to Doctors Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Mr Brown, who was born in Jamaica but lives in the US, said he will be pursuing the case when he returns to the US and he also plans on suing for medical bills and pain and suffering.

ADRIAN BROWN, who said he was attacked at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

CHRISTIE INSISTS GOVT WILL ENSURE VOTE IS FREE AND FAIR from page one

Their comments come amid concerns about the voting process after chaos at last week’s advanced poll led many persons to specu-

late that the general election was too much for the Parliamentary Registration Department to handle.

All of the international organisations invited by the government to observe the electoral process on May 10

have arrived in the country.

Invited groups include: the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the United States of America.

CARICOM and the Organisation of American States (OAS) were invited by the Ingraham administration to observe the 2012 general election, a first for the country.

Mr Christie assured the

observers on Monday that if there is a transition between administrations, that process also will be smooth and fair.

“We fiercely and jealously guard our democracy and we have demonstrated now on a number of occasions the capacity to change, and to change peacefully,” Mr Christie said.

“We take pride in the fact that we participate vigorously in our elections and because we are a chain

of islands one should be surprised by the extent of which we have been able to communicate nationwide the responsibility to vote. We anticipate there will be no difference in this election, we expect it to be peaceful and we expect the transition, if there is going to be a transition, and I suppose there will be even if I were to form a new government it will be a transition, it will be smooth. But most certainly we expect our democracy to respond positively and strongly as it has always done.”

Mr Mitchell maintained that the government has “nothing to hide” and said he hopes The Bahamas’ election can live up to international standards.

“This is the second occasion that international observer teams have been invited to come to The Bahamas to observe our elections and it is with the concurrence of all the political parties in The Bahamas that this is being done,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We are a free and open democracy and have nothing to hide and we want to be sure our electoral practices stand with the best practices around the world. We want to be sure we measure up to standards that have been set around the world.”

On Saturday, Mrs Hanna Tetteh, a former foreign minister from the Republic of Ghana and a member of the Commonwealth observer delegation, told The Tribune she was surprised by the sudden decision of officials last week to reduce the number of polling sites for the advanced poll.

“We were surprised that the polling stations had been reduced from two to one (in New Providence) at apparently very short notice and we think as a consequence a lot of other things took place that perhaps might not have if there had been adequate information,” she said.

“But we would prefer not to comment on the specifics right now because all of that will be a part of the report we will prepare at the end of the election process. We do not think it is appropriate at this stage to say anything that sort of preempts or creates some unnecessary misperception before the actual voting date on the 10th of May.” Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said last week that The Bahamas had been “embarrassed” in the presence of the international community by the advanced poll, a likely reference to the presence of international observers in the country.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 9, 2017, PAGE 7

12-year sentence upheld for sex attack on 13-year-old girl

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the conviction and 12-year sentence of a man who a Supreme Court jury unanimously found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-yearold girl.

Livingston Miller, 56, appeared on his own behalf before Justices Dame Anita Allen, Jon Isaacs and Stella Crane-Scott seeking leave to appeal his conviction and sentence concerning crimes committed between June 9 and 14, 2014.

Prosecutors alleged that Miller had anal, oral and vaginal sex with the 13-year-old girl at his apartment at Davis Street, Oakes Field in June 2014.

Miller denied the allegations and argued that the complaint was a fabrication because of a feud between adults which allegedly began because Miller refused to give the victim’s Jamaican mother $3,000.

Miller had filed his appeal eight days outside of the 21-day deadline and had to convince the panel of the prospects that his appeal would be successful if heard.

Miller’s hour of attempts to sway the court that his appeal had a merit in law were unsuccessful.

“Your first ground is that the trial judge erred in allowing the case to go before the jury? What was the evidence?” Dame Anita asked.

“She gave evidence that I had sex with her after her birthday in June,” the appellant said.

“How many times did she say you had intercourse with her?” the Dame Anita asked.

Miller said one occasion.

He sought to draw the court’s attention to the complainant’s testimony in which she said her birthday was actually in May and the time frame of the offence occurred in June.

Justice Isaacs, having looked at the trial transcripts, noted that the complainant testified of the incident actually occurring after her graduation from middle school.

“She alleges you had oral and vaginal sex with her?”

Dame Anita asked.

Miller said “yes” and proceeded to read the complainant’s account of what transpired.

He also said his trial lawyer asked the complainant if she recalled being taken to the police station by her mother to file a complaint.

The appellant said that the mother of the complainant corroborated the girl’s testimony that the mother was not present in the room

KOSTADIN Karchav during a previous appearance at court.

BULGARIAN’S APPEAL TO BE HEARD NEXT MONTH

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A BULGARIAN’S appeal against a money laundering conviction will be heard next month after his lawyer yesterday requested an adjournment to file additional submissions in the matter.

Kostadin Karchav, 40, who was released from the Department of Correctional Services in October 2016, returned to New Providence two weeks ago for his appellate court hearing that was scheduled yesterday.

Last November, lawyer Stanley Rolle indicated in Karchav’s absence that his client still wished to pursue his appeal against the conviction that had been filed before his October 30 release from prison.

The Court of Appeal said it would adjourn the matter to March 6, 2017,for a status hearing to allow Karchav time to formally write the court indicating that he had retained counsel and wished for the appeal to proceed in his absence.

Failure to do so in that timeframe would result in a dismissal of the appeal.

Karchav appeared in the Claughton House courtroom where his lawyer sought an adjournment of the proceedings to file additional submissions concerning his client’s appeal.

With no objection from Crown respondent Ambrose Armbrister, the new appeal date was fixed for June 22.

The jury in Karchav’s trial heard that he gave an oral confession to the crimes prior to a record of interview that was done in the presence of his then lawyer Roger Gomez II. Sergeant Donovan Martin, of the Central Detective Unit, testified about a conversation with Karchav

under caution in the presence of Inspector Deborah Thompson on February 15, 2015.

Karchav allegedly told police he had been in the country since 2014 and was a part of a credit card group in Bulgaria. It was alleged that he told officers he used his time in The Bahamas to obtain information about the models of the automated teller machines he observed. His accomplices replied with information on credit and debit cards, which he uploaded to gift cards he had brought with him when he travelled to The Bahamas.

He allegedly told a police officer that all of the funds seized by police during his arrest were proceeds from the machines, some of which were deposited to his RBC account. He also stated that he purchased a 2005 Suzuki Swift with some of the funds obtained from the bank.

A record of interview was held following this conversation later on that afternoon.

Karchav, who elected to remain silent to allegations, called Mr Gomez II as a witness when the latter confirmed to his defence attorney that he sat in on a record of interview, but it was not on Sunday, February 15, 2015.

The lawyer was asked if Karchav had made any complaints when he went to see him. Mr Gomez said his then client’s complaint only concerned the cell and food.

The jury returned 7-2 guilty verdicts on money laundering with respect to the funds found in the RBC account and the purchase of the Suzuki Swift.

The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on a count concerning an iPhone 6 cellular phone, of which Justice Turner said he was discharged.

when the complainant gave her statement to police.

However, the appellate court said that the complainant’s statement to police was not exhibited at the trial.

Miller insisted that it was.

However, he conceded that it was his lawyer who crossexamined the girl about her statement to police.

“Holding up a statement doesn’t mean it was entered into evidence,” Justice Isaacs said.

The appellate president agreed.

Justice Isaacs continued that while reference was made to the statement, “the actual physical document was not entered as an exhibit in the trial.”

“Your counsel used it to try and discredit the complainant on the basis that she was fabricating the evidence being told in court,” Justice Isaacs added.

Miller contended that he didn’t have a fair trial because the officer who took the complainant’s statement was not called to testify.

However, the argument was rejected because the statement was not relied on by the prosecution.

“Why do you say the judge was wrong to give the case over to the jury?” Justice Crane-Scott probed.

“You have two denials here and according to common law everyone is equal,” Miller answered.

Dame Anita asked Crown respondent Olivia Nixon if there was any medical evidence during the case aside from the child’s testimony and the mother’s testimony of a complaint being made.

Nixon said that a physician examined the complainant in July and found evidence of sexual activity.

“I know I didn’t do the crime and I still stand by that,” Miller stressed.

“That’s not for us to determine. We’re here to determine if you had a fair trial based on the law,” Dame Anita said.

Miller said it was his son who slept with the girl.

“Did you tell that to the jury?” Dame Anita and Justice Crane-Scott asked

at the same time.

“I did,” the appellant said.

“What else did you tell them because the jury obviously did not believe you,” the appellate president said.

“The jury wasn’t paying attention,” Miller said.

Miller again stressed that it was suspicious that the police officer who took the statement from the complainant was not called to give evidence in the case.

“You had counsel at your trial, yes?” Justice Isaacs asked. Miller said yes.

“You could’ve called them as witnesses in your defence and based on the transcripts, your counsel cross-examined the prosecution witnesses vigorously. It boils down to you say, I say and by the verdict, the jury believed the complainant,” Justice Isaacs said. “It is for the jury to say who they think is telling the truth. For whatever reason, they believed the young woman’s story, they disbelieved your denials and they convicted you.”

“Truthfully, I don’t see

much prospects of success on the appeal against conviction because we’ve looked through the transcripts and everything was done properly,” Dame Anita said.

The appellate president and Justice Crane-Scott also said the judge had warned the jury that it was easy for a complaint of sexual assault to be made.

On the issue of sentencing, Miller felt that the 12 years was unduly harsh.

While Ms Nixon was not called on to respond to the points argued by Miller concerning the conviction, she reminded the court that Miller actually faced up to life imprisonment for the conviction, notwithstanding it was his first offence.

She also cited the appeal of Dwight Bethell whose 12-year sentence was recently upheld by the appellate court for the same offence.

The judges ultimately rejected Miller’s application for an extension of time on the basis that it had no prospects of success.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Young Bahamians matter most in tomorrow’s General Election

By NICOLE BURROWS

M

Y grand- It was always clear where mother she stood, no matter who passed away thought it contrary, and she in January, was never shy about it.

2004. In the 2002 general But, at the end of her poelection, she chose not to litical leanings, Nana said vote. she was not voting. She said I asked her, “Nana, it was for young people to why aren’t you voting this decide, but she also claritime?” Her response was, fied, “Dey [FNM and PLP] “Das for y’all young people all jus alike any how.” to decide now. Me, I soon As I was deciding what I be dead and gone.” would write here for the eve Nana read all the news- of Election Day 2017, I got papers every single day, a letter from a 16-year-old papers she bought with Bahamian student, outlinmoney she could ill-afford ing her views on politics to spend. And she walked from a youth perspective, a good mile or more to buy focusing mostly on the purthose newspapers every pose of and need for clear day. thinking in an election seaI recall with clarity, and son. nostalgia, how she would Still too young to vote, sit in the chair by the front this high school student is door, bent over her own lap, paying close attention to looking down at the floor what those of you over 18 where the newspapers were will decide for her future spread open in front of her. in her country when you She could - and usually did vote tomorrow. To summa- tell everyone rise her meswhat was going ‘The young sage, the young on in the coun- people of The people of The try.

Bahamas want Nana had Bahamas want you to know an inquiring you to know that that they care mind. She of- they care deeply deeply about ten said she their futures as was supposed about their citizens of The to be a de- futures as citizens Bahamas. tective, and I happen to of The Bahamas.’ have eventually I known believed her. this young lady It’s amazing what you in- from the time her mum carherit from your ancestors ried her in her belly, almost ... things that can’t pass 17 years ago. It’s so hard to through your blood. believe she is now a young If anyone saw me with woman, just one year away Nana, no one would believe from voting rights of her we were so closely related. own. At her age, I - and two She had a chocolate com- of my high school friends plexion and a hard Exuma worked the polls in 1992, accent; I was a yellowy- when, like this young lady, beige with a private school we were just shy of voting standard English accent. age. It was wonderful to Nevertheless, as though be around and be a part of it was in her blood, I car- such a changing political ried in mine her desire to landscape in the Bahamas know things, her thirst for ... when an underdog oppoinformation, and require- sition became the government for details. She wasn’t ing party. college-educated, but she I have not had a chance to taught herself important see this young letter writer things. Politics ... Bahamian or talk to her in a long time, politics ... was one of many and I had no idea that she such things. took such an interest in Nana was a lifelong sup- government and politics. porter of the Free National But it goes to show that you Movement (FNM), at least cannot discount the potenfor as long as I can remem- tial and the yearnings of ber myself and for as long young Bahamians. They as I can remember her vot- have been indoctrinated ing or expressing her po- in and exposed to politilitical opinion. She loved cal party affiliations since Hubert Ingraham, Cecil early childhood, but they Wallace-Whitfield and Ken- can plainly see it - the status dal Isaacs. She was a bit of quo - has not benefitted this an anomaly, because back country or their fellow Bain the day you would find hamians, certainly not for most older Bahamian peo- the long term. ple supported the ProgresThey want to know that sive Liberal Party (PLP). you, every Bahamian 18 Not my Nana. She was years of age and over with never one to follow the voting rights and the power beaten path - something to change their futures for else she passed on to me. the better, care enough to

d for this I have recently taken up an interest in political science and was excite ciate what electoral season, as I am now old enough (16) to understand and appre is happening around me. ast and talk Once Parliament had been dissolved, I was listening to every newsc on. show that I could, whatever brought me some political action to think ved about However, in travelling around New Providence, what I have obser so much wants that as Baham a Bahamian elections and politics is disturbing. For not beof spell a better for our future generations, our people have fallen under ing in a position to have better. along this There is a particular route that I travel every Saturday evening, and headdate’s candi a Near route there are at least four different constituencies. n wome and quarters, the picture to be seen is always the same. Bahamian men that I never drinking, smoking, partying. But the most interesting part of it is once see the candidate. to vote in So, our way of campaigning for elections and getting the people ready to get drunk the Bahamas is to leave them to get drunk and/or give them money on liquor, cigarettes, and dancing? e the counThese people who are promising to bring a better Bahamas, chang taste of their try, or give the people their time, plan on doing so by giving us a free wer? luxurious lives and slowly breaking down our bodies and our willpo ss, whatever essne hopel or n, Whether our problems include poverty/destitutio with free ms the case may be, election time is not the time to escape our proble g for Elecalcohol and parties. Instead, we should be in our right minds, waitin the dark from us frees that choice tion Day to come, so that we can make the state that we are in. party wins At the end of the day, whether the PLP, FNM, DNA, or any other er of the or loses, the politicians are already self-sufficient and do not face a quart Bahage) (avera all to up is problems our average Bahamian family faces. So it e the person mians not to fall for the tempting tricks of politicians, but to choos our generaor group of persons who will provide stability and a bright future for us. tions to come. We do not have to stay in the darkness that surrounds now, we even se, My generation of youth is struggling. We are struggling becau country, or have to begin to decide whether we will continue to live in our home fails to be live abroad. We have been exposed to what the Bahamas could be but Contrary days. er bright of because our elders have given up on the possibilities as, Baham the to many beliefs, we want to stay home, or come back to and live in smoke, and but how can we if there will be nothing here for us but drunkenness, partying?

Do not give We, the youth of the Bahamas, need all Bahamians to help us now. still want to up on our Bahamaland. Do not give up our futures and our lives. We have the better lives you dreamed we could.

Sincerely, A 16-year-old Bahamian provide them with an environment in which they can thrive, long after you are gone. They hope for their people to show maturity leading up to and during the time they vote.

The young people hope that you, their parents and guardians, will show a maturity that reflects your concern for their wellbeing, and that doesn’t depend on election eve rallies and rum and ranting to rile up the people in order to get them to go out and vote half-cut or hungover on Election Day. The young people of The Bahamas care about real issues, not rallies, but we

often assume they don’t or aren’t paying attention, especially when we the adults don’t care or aren’t paying attention.

Bahamian youth want leaders of substance, who provide a sound plan for the way ahead, leaders who incorporate them - young people of The Bahamas into the plan for their own futures in The Bahamas.

Young Bahamians want leaders who have shown a genuine interest in and support for young people, visibly demonstrating their commitment by including young people front and center in the voting choices at the polls on Election Day.

It is all well and good to say you want the best for your children, but are you actually showing/ proving that you do, by throwing the power of your vote behind the candidate who most represents your children ... their youth, their innovation, their potential as future leaders of The Bahamas?

If you are saying that you care about your children, but voting for people who don’t represent them, be it in youthful appearance or youthful agenda, then what are you voting for?

You yourself will only live another 30-odd years, if you’re lucky, but your chil-

dren have a lifetime to suffer the repercussions of the decision you make tomorrow on their behalf. And most often, what your children need, or what must be done for them, is something that is completely opposite to what you would do for yourself.

When you go to cast your vote tomorrow, I beg you, think of your children ... and not of yourself.

• You can watch and listen to Nicole Burrows talking through this article and other thoughts on fb.me/ PolitiColeTV. Comments and responses to nburrows@tribunemedia.net

GN-1889

Ministry of National Security Parliamentary Registration Department

PUBLIC NOTICE GENERAL ELECTIONS - WEDNESDAY, 10th MAY, 2017 CHANGE OF RETURNING OFFICERS FOR THE CENTREVILLE & KILLARNEY CONSTITUENCIES The Parliamentary Commissioner hereby informs the general public that (1)

Charles Albury has been replaced as the Returning Officer for the Centreville Constituency by Marco Rolle; and

(2)

Carl Smith has been replaced as the Returning Officer for the Killarney Constituency by Cecilia Strachan.

Signed: Charles Albury Parliamentary Commissioner (Acting) Date: 8th May, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 9, 2017, PAGE 9

ROLLE: PINEWOOD DRAINAGE SCHEME ‘LIKELY TO START BY LATE FALL’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE being “slow” to come out of the Ministry of Works, the multi-million dollar drainage initiative to better alleviate the flooding issues in the Pinewood constituency will likely commence by late fall, according incumbent Pinewood repre-

sentative Khaalis Rolle.

Mr Rolle, in a recent interview with The Tribune, said there is “no fear” as to whether the initiative is “something that will be completed,” as he said the drainage plan has received Cabinet approval, and he expects that the tendering process will begin in July.

However, the minister of state for investments said the

initiative is now “out of his hands” and under the remit of the Ministry of Works.

Last year, Mr Rolle said officials were finalising the costing of the initiative before the project goes out to bid. At the time, he said, the government was in possession of the initial estimate for the plan, and officials were “refining” all of the information they had be-

fore putting it out to tender.

“The drainage plan has been approved, it’s just been slow coming out of Ministry of Works,” Mr Rolle told The Tribune. “I suspect that in July they will begin their tendering process with a late fall start for the project. But it’s been approved, so there’s no fear as to whether or not it’s something that will be com-

pleted, because it’s already received Cabinet approval.”

In late 2014, Cabinet approved an $8m project to alleviate the flooding issues in Pinewood. The work scheduled to be done will include the southern corridor of New Providence, including South Beach, parts of Kennedy Subdivision and Bamboo Town.

Florida-based Coastal

Systems International is the government’s consultant for the project.

In February of last year, Mr Rolle reportedly said that the government and private sector engineers were together completing the technical aspects of the project. At the time, he said technical details and a scope of works had yet to be completed.

Keod Smith found guilty of contempt over bias claim

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net KEOD Smith has been found guilty of contempt by a judge who is now considering what punishment to impose on him for accusations of bias made by him more than three years ago.

Smith, an attorney, is a former Progressive Liberal Party MP. Justice Rhonda Bain had deferred her ruling on whether Smith and his lawyer, Derek Ryan, were guilty of contempt after Smith, on March 1, offered an apology and explanation that he never intended to impugn the professional reputation of a judge through a series of affidavits he created in support of a recusal application from an ongoing judicial review to which he is a party.

In a 41-page judgment handed down on Friday, May 5, Justice Bain stressed that the court “must protect the authority and dignity of the court”.

“The perceived political affiliation of a judge of the Supreme Court should have no bearing on the administration of justice,” the judge noted. “In his oral evidence, Keod Smith ex-

KEOD Smith pictured at court previously. plained why he filed three tion that I had in my head affidavits: ‘Well my purpose that I did not think that – I was to obviously to have the wanted to exercise my right matter placed before anoth- to have the matter recuse er judge because of what my from Justice Bain at the thinking was at that time time because of conflicts was.’ that I accessed in my own “‘I don’t know how to head.’” extricate myself from what However to that explanaI am but as far as I know, tion, Justice Bain’s ruling based on factual informa- noted that “there is no evi-

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL URGES PEACEFUL VOTE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander is urging peace in the build up to Wednesday’s general election, saying “God is going to have the final say.’

In a nearly three-minute long video clip posted by the BCC to social media over the weekend, Bishop Fernander encouraged Bahamian voters to “enjoy” themselves throughout the voting process.

He also called for civility and respect for others.

Bishop Fernander, who recently succeeded Dr Ranford Patterson for the organisation’s presidency, insisted throughout the clip that a difference in political allegiance does not disqualify any one person from his or her Bahamian nationality or individuality.

“What does God say in Proverbs 16:33? Make your motions, and casts your votes. But ultimately, the final decisions belongs to the Lord,” stated Bishop Fernander.

He continued: “You are making your motions and we are going into the last days of this campaign season, and really you are ramping things up, but always remember that these

things are in God’s hand.

And as we cast our vote, God is going to have the final say.

“I believe that it is going to be exciting. I believe that you should enjoy yourself.

I believe that it is a good time for us to be Bahamian.

We love this stuff. We love to rally (and) celebrate our party.

“But, really respect each other’s individuality. So let’s be kind one to another.

Let us remember that we can differ and still be Bahamian.”

Bishop Fernander, current lead pastor of New Destiny Cathedral, said he was of the view that the upcoming election would be “challenging”.

However, he noted that the nature of the country’s democracy has over time, acted as a bedrock to the strength of the Bahamian society.

To that end, Bishop Fernander implored Bahamians to exercise the strength of democracy long exhibited in The Bahamas by “choosing who we want to represent us.”

He said: “You have that power and with that power we should spend time getting to know those who purport to represent us in our constituencies.”

He added: “Know what they want to do for us and

how they plan to change the areas in which we live.”

“I know many times we love to just go with the colours or go with the parties, but I believe that there is a change coming in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and that change we must hold leaders more accountable for what it is that they are doing and how they are doing it; representing the people of The Bahamas.

“You have that responsibility. But also, to be civil in your voting. To know that if I don’t agree with you or you don’t agree with me, does it make me any less Bahamian?

“Does it mean that I love this country any less than you?

“It means that we have differing views, and because we have differing views doesn’t mean that we are not human beings worthy of respect and worthy of understanding.”

Last month, the newly elected president pledged to transform the group into more of a “social justice ecumenical” council, rather than presenting itself to be the “moral police” of society.

Voters in all 39 constituencies will take to the polls tomorrow.

When certified, the voter register stood at just over 181,000.

JURY EMPANELLED IN MURDER TRIAL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court jury was empanelled yesterday for the trial of a man accused of murder.

The trial of 24-year-old Richard Brown was initially scheduled to be heard on May 7, 2018, but an opening in the court’s calendar for May 8, 2017, became available last week resulting in Brown receiving an earlier date for trial.

Though the jury was selected yesterday, the start of evidence was adjourned until Thursday, May 11.

Brown is charged with the murder of Decosta and attempted murder of Shavano Rahming.

After 10pm on May 18, 2016, Decosta and Rahming were standing in front of a home on Burial Ground Corner when two men with a handgun and shotgun approached and fired several shots at them before fleeing on foot.

Decosta was pronounced dead at the scene and Rahming was taken to hospital for treatment.

Brown has denied the allegations against him and has retained attorney Sonia Timothy to represent him.

Eucal Bonaby represents the Crown.

dence that the court demonstrated any bias towards the sixth respondent on the basis of his alleged political affiliation.

“A litigant should not be allowed to request recusal of a judge based on the alleged political affiliation of a judge,” Justice Bain noted. “...Judges are by their training and experience capable of exercising a high degree of personal and emotional detachment from the cases they are called upon to determine. This is especially so in The Bahamas, a small but highly politicised society where the political affiliation of most persons is presumed.”

Justice Bain further noted that when the affidavits were filed, Smith was an attorney of roughly 17 years standing at the Bahamas Bar “and should be aware that he cannot file affidavits scandalising the court with impunity.”

She also noted that this was not Smith’s first encounter with contempt citations as she recalled another case where he was found guilty of contempt of court by scandalising the court.

For his actions, he was to be committed to prison for 14 days if he failed to pay

a $10,000 fine on or before May 23, 2008.

Concerning Derek Ryan, the judge said that based on Smith’s evidence, Mr Ryan did not prepare the affidavits in question which were executed and filed by the office of Keod Smith.

“Keod Smith admitted also that his secretary made the endorsement on the back of the affidavits before the affidavits were filed.

Keod Smith further admitted that Derek Ryan advised him that the application for recusal was ill conceived.

Shortly afterwards, Derek Ryan applied for leave to withdraw as counsel for Keod Smith in this matter.

The leave was granted,” Friday’s ruling noted.

Justice Bain ultimately found that Ryan was not guilty of contempt of court but that Smith “was in contempt of court by scandalising the court”.

On the issue of a punishment for his actions, Justice Bain said she would have to consider that Smith attempted to withdraw the initial affidavits, Mr Ryan’s request to withdraw as counsel, the application to withdraw the recusal application, as well as the difficulty in effecting summons on both men to appear in

court to show cause why they should be committed concerning said affidavits.

“The court is of the opinion that Keod Smith deliberately frustrated these proceedings by making himself unavailable for personal service. This matter was delayed to enable Keod Smith and Derek Ryan to be personally served. The court was advised that Derek Ryan is now resident outside the jurisdiction. After all attempts at personal service failed, the court had to order substituted service in The Nassau Guardian and The Tribune at a substantial cost.”

Justice Bain said she would also consider Smith’s apology to the court on March 1 and the case authority of Vishram Singh Raghubanshi v State of Uttar Pradesh in which it is stressed that apology to the court must be unquestionable in its sincerity.

Justice Bain noted that Smith’s apology “was not given until March 2017, more than three years since the filing of the affidavit”.

The judge made no order for costs from the proceedings.

Plea in mitigation and sentencing were scheduled for May 25.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, May 9, 2017

THE CROWDS at last night’s PLP rally at Clifford Park.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE CROWD at the PLP rally last night.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE CROWD at the FNM rally last night.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 9, 2017, PAGE 11

THE SCENE at last night’s FNM rally.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ELIZABETH Independent Candidate

ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE

B

Terneille Burrows

(professionally known as “TaDa”)

orn in 1980, Terneille Burrows (professionally known as “TaDa”) is a well-known Bahamian music executive and activist. At the age of 19, Terneille blazed onto the international recording arts scene, emerging as the Grand Prize Winner of the hip-hop category in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (2000). She later went on to receive several music video grants from Much Music and was a recipient of multiple Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards. Her voice was heard throughout the United States on the “Better in The Bahamas” jingle and she has had music appear in several international films and television programs.

Terneille was also a Lyford Cay Scholar who went on to achieve has an honors diploma in Recording Arts Management from the Harris Institute in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, she holds an honors diploma in Entrepreneurial Business Applications from the Academy of Learning in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She is a past youth parliamentarian, and has represented The Bahamas at international conferences including CARIFORUM (2015), World Music Expo (2011) and the CARICOM Regional Cultural Committee Meeting (2009) and also a recipient of numerous international music awards.

Nowadays, Terneille has gained significant recogni-

tion for championing the rights and protections of women and children and for her advocacy work towards anti-corruption, accountability and transparency. In 2009 Terneille started Bahamas Against Sexual Violence & Child Abuse (now known as Bahamas Child Abuse & Sexual Violence Prevention). They host public education events and support the advocacy initiatives of organizations such as the Bahamas Crisis Centre and Bahamas Women’s Watch.

In early 2014 Terneille officially put her music career of pause and formed the grassroots activists movement Rise Bahamas. Since inception, Rise Bahamas has been pushing for the full implementation of Marco’s Law, stiffer penalties for child abuse offenses, a violence prevention plan, gender based violence prevention, freedom of information, public disclosure law breach prosecutions and anticorruption reform. During the same year, Terneille contacted the Organization of American States (OAS) to request an anti-corruption investigation.

On September, 2014 OAS Officials arrived in New Providence to conduct the investigation, which yielded a 107 page report.

In 2015, Terneille was appointed the National Director for The Bahamas during an edition of the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), which is the

largest advocacy initiative in the world on changing the representation of women in the media. She is also a 2015 recipient of the Bain & Grants Town Advancement Award for youth leadership. In March of 2016, she was awarded a World Day of Prayer Bahamas Committee grant for her work with public education and advocacy towards the elimination of gender based violence and child abuse.

In light of her many experiences, Terneille is compelled to offer herself for candidacy as a prospective Member of Parliament. She has become richly invested in ensuring that the Bahamian populace becomes engaged in the social and political affairs of the country and hopes that someday, The Bahamas becomes a place where people are empowered and living in peace. She envisions a country that stands for justice and humanity with governments that are responsible and not corrupt.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, May 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Fatherless, on the streets and drifting into gang life The Disenfranchised

By JEFFREY BUTLER

IN the ghetto/inner city, the stories are similar but yet each has such distinct details which makes them so interesting.

As I stopped by early one morning on my way to work, I met a 15-year-old boy coming from the foodstore struggling with grocery bags filled with bottles of sodas which his mother resells to try to make a profit to help out at home.

I said to him ‘I haven’t seen you in a few days, what’s going on’ and he said to me without a smile “bey, I just get out. I was lock up for jicking up this bey”.

The only thing I could have asked him was why? Why would you risk your freedom, especially at a young age?

His answer was one that we all have been hearing, seeing and living with for far too long ‘he’s in one gang and I’m in the next one’.

“It all started one day at school when during lunch break ‘he try to take me for light’ so when I caught him slipping by the mall me and my boy run up on him and start ganging him. Make it worse my girl was wit me so you know ‘he had to get it’ (beat down).”

This 15-year-old boy had the nerve to say ‘he lucky I didn’t break the knife in him, I only pegged him a lil’ bit’.

At 15, this is the mentality of our young men in The Bahamas. What makes it a bit more disturbing for me is that they live less than a 20-minute walk from each other.

But let’s take this story back a little bit. He is child number six out of seven in his family. Growing up, his mother was somewhat of an entrepreneur working as a vendor on the beach and his father had started

out as a street drug dealer who later graduated to drug trafficking where he found himself imprisoned for almost 10 years in the United States. No doubt this had a major role to play in the boy’s childhood and affected his social upbringing with his mother working every day trying to provide and his father locked up abroad.

This boy turned to the streets for comfort and at a young age found himself in a gang life that he now regrets. It is said that a woman can’t raise a man - although there are some clear exceptions to that where many single mothers have raised some of the best and brightest young men our country has to offer. This was not yet the case for this 15-year-old but, for him, there is still much hope and promise with his father being released and sent back to The Bahamas last year. He is trying to be the father figure a young man needs to stay out of our criminal and judicial system.

Although he is from one of Nassau’s communities that’s looked down upon as an area that one should not drive through without the door locked and windows up, there are thousands of law-abiding people who aspire for more.

Even the criminals - or the ones who are considered a burden to society - have bigger dreams and aspirations than the situations they find themselves living in. I was given a sense of hope and happiness when I asked him ‘what is it you want to do in life, what do you want to be?’

Without hesitation he said ‘I want to be an accountant. I want to get out of trouble and be able to help my family.’

THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force and church leaders at a walkabout in the Kemp Road earlier this year after a spate of homicides in the area.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff This says to me that, for most of us coming from the ghetto, our situations and circumstances do not define or determine where we want to go in life or who we want to be. Although he’s facing a charge of grevious

harm which can be bumped up to attempted murder he still has dreams of being a successful accountant.

As I said, if we all take the time out to speak to our youth to find out what is it that influences them

to take part in criminal activities and help them down the right path in life instead of passing them by, we can all help to build the better Bahamas we want to live in.

It starts with us and it has to start with steering our

youth in the right direction.

• Jeffrey Butler, 33, grew up in the Kemp Road area, where he now runs a daiquiri stand. He will be writing regularly in The Tribune about life in the inner city.

READERS RESPOND TO INGRAHAM CLAIMS OVER $50M FOR BANK BAILOUT AFTER former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham questioned the government’s use of $50m of the “people’s money” to partially replenish the Bank of The Bahamas’ capital, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com.

DDK said: “Looks like the government used BOB as part of their own version of a Ponzi scheme. Plunder, loot, pillage profit, people lose! Fire them is right!

Then make them accountable in a legally administered and fully transparent

Commission of Enquiry.

Don’t let ‘em run! Make sure they foot the bill for the inquiry!”

Alfalfa had this to say: “The shenanigans occurred under both the FNM and PLP. No doubt about it.

McWeeny was hired under

the FNM and while having little commercial bank experience, came in as senior management. The majority of the bad loans relative to those with political connections, are however, PLP MP’s and cronies.”

There was this from Birdiestrachan: “Thank God it rained and a fresh wind blew. I am not sure the FNM Papa bombastic ways will work. There are other banks with bad loans. Persons who have borrowed should pay their loans. But he is pulling out

everything he can think of and it is not as if his hands are clean, the man has done nothing to advance The Bahamas or the average Bahamian.”

And there was a lively reaction from Tribune readers to Prime Minister Perry Christie’s comment that Dr Hubert Minnis would not be able to rely on former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for leadership if the FNM wins the election.

TalRussell said: “Here we are facing-off in the 2017 General Election -

three governing terms after former law partner Papa Hubert’s red regime - and about to finish off the second governance under the other former law partner Perry - and we’re back to an election battle between the two former law partners - after having completely sidestepped the Red Party’s Minnis. Seems likes Papa has done what Long Island’s Reheasa couldn’t do - the silencing of Minnis.”

Themessenger offered this: “Got it right Perry, get swayed by Papa so we end

up without you.”

Honestman thought the Prime Minister was “fretting”: “Christie is fretting over ‘the final days of Rome’. He is soon to be consigned to the history books as the worst ever Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the man who presided over four ratings downgrades and who took the country to the very edge of the economic precipice.”

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