A GR AND OCCASION
Christie stands by his govt’s HANDLING OF BAHA MAR CRISIS
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
Reporter
FORMER Prime Minis-
ter Perry Christie is standing by his administration’s handling of the Baha Mar crisis, despite a US court finding that China Construction
America (CCA) deliberately sabotaged the project and secretly paid the son of his senior adviser in a bid to gain influence with his government. Mr Christie, who led the government through the
BACSWN signs historic agreement partnering with weather giant NOAA
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@trribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN company has become the first in the region to cement a deal with the United States for an advanced aviation forecast system.
The Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather
DR STEVE THUR, assistant administrator at NOAA (second from right) stands with Robert Carron (centre), president of BACSWN and members of his team after the historic signing with NOAA.
Ingraham: Bahamian women lack urgency on citizenship inequality
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said a lack of urgency from Bahamian women and indifference from male politicians have allowed the status quo on the country’s discriminatory citizenship laws to persist. His comment yesterday came three years after he said he expected the Davis administration to change citizenship laws and criminalise marital rape — neither of which the administration has shown an appetite to do.
“The government has its own priorities, and there has been no public pressure of consequence to cause the government to move in one direction or the other,” Mr Ingraham said yesterday.
“The women of The Bahamas have not stepped up
SEE PAGE FIVE
By LYNAIRE
MUNN I NGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
TOXIC smoke is choking Spring City. Residents, some hospitalised or forced to flee, are sounding alarms over a health emergency they say has been years in the making and still ignored. The latest wildfire that swept through the area reignited a festering crisis at the nearby debris site. Once intended as a temporary dump, it has long exceeded capacity and now serves as a smouldering threat to everyone nearby. Andrea McIntosh, one of the affected residents, described terrifying
SEE PAGE S EVEN
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis along with representatives of Concord Wilshire signed an $827m Heads of Agreement yesterday for the Grand Lucayan Resort in Grand Bahama. See PAGE TWO for story. Photo: Eric Rose/BIS
A grand occasion
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
HOPING to breathe
life into Grand Bahama’s long-stagnant economy, the government of The Bahamas and US-based developer Concord Wilshire signed a Heads of Agreement yesterday for the $827m sale and redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan Resort, a move Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis says could transform the island’s economy and create thousands of jobs.
The project is expected to bring over 1,300 construction jobs and around 1,750 permanent positions for Bahamians.
“Now, finally, you, the
people of Grand Bahama will have the development partner you deserve,” Mr Davis told a packed convention centre during a signing ceremony yesterday that sometimes felt like a Progressive Liberal Party rally.
Minutes after the signing, Mr Davis and company officials gathered on the Great Lawn, where demolition
of the dilapidated resort began, symbolising a new beginning for the struggling island.
“The Grand Lucayan redevelopment is very ambitious,” Mr Davis said, with 80 percent of all jobs allocated to locals.
“We have said clearly Bahamians must be at the center of this,” he added.
The closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort years ago forced many residents to relocate for employment.
Vendors in the nearby Port Lucaya Marketplace have fought to stay afloat.
With this new investment,
“It is not just a condition; it is a conviction because we know the talent is here, the work ethic is here; what has been missing is opportunity.”
officials are optimistic about reversing that trend. Concord Wilshire, with $10 billion in developed and acquired assets, has hired RSP Architecture to spearhead the redevelopment of the beachfront property.
“We are committed to being here to bring back tourism jobs and a strong SEE PAGE THREE
MINISTER of Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper stand behind a representative of the US-based developer Concord Wilshire who holds up the $827m heads of agreement signed yesterday for Grand Lucayan Resort in Grand Bahama.
Photos: Eric Rose/BIS
Developer signs $827m heads of agreement for Grand Lucayan Resort, promises
from page two
economy to Freeport, and most importantly to bring a lot of Grand Bahamians back home,” said Nate Sirang, president of Concord Wilshire.
He described the future Grand Lucayan as a “powerful economic resort engine,” featuring seven major resort components.
These include a 35-acre cruise destination open to all cruise lines and guests, a 25,000-square-foot indooroutdoor casino, a 350-room branded hotel and convention centre, a 120-unit timeshare, the conversion of the Reef Golf course to a 160-acre Greg Norman signature golf course, and a 16-slip mega-yacht marina.
“At the core of all the projects is one simple principle: The community comes first,” he said.
“It has been a day that has been waited for decades by the people here who have seen highs and lows but have shown great resilience,” said Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.
“Today is only the start… the future and potential of GB looks bright.”
Ian Rolle, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, credited Prime Minister Davis for his leadership in securing the deal.
“Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis believed in GB and played a significant role in making this day possible,” he said. “So, let’s give honour where honour is due and show appreciation for our Prime Minister.”
The evening concluded with celebratory fireworks at Port Lucaya Marketplace at 9pm, capping a day many hope will be a turning point for the island.
over 1,700 jobs
MINISTER of Tourism and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper speaks at the heads of agreement signing for Grand Lucayan Resort yesterday.
Photos: Eric Rose/BIS
Inquest rules justifiable homicide in police-involved killing of three men
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A JURY has ruled the fatal police shooting of three men on Cowpen Road in 2020 as justifiable homicide.
Despite the verdict, the families of the deceased have declared, “It’s not over yet,” and plan to pursue further legal action.
The five-member jury returned its verdict after 30 minutes of deliberation, concluding the inquest into the deaths of Deshoan “Spider” Smith, 25, Rashad Clarke, 28, and Jared Ford, 27.
The men were shot dead near Spikenard and Cowpen Roads on June 13, 2020.
According to police, the men were inside a white Honda Accord parked
near Spikenard Cemetery. When officers approached, the vehicle allegedly fled. Later, when the vehicle was found on a vacant lot on Cowpen Road, police say the men opened fire, prompting officers to return fire.
Inspector Alcott Forbes, Corporal Kevin Greenslade Jr, and Police Constable Courtney Hall — the officers involved in the incident — were present in court and appeared composed as the verdict was read.
K Melvin Munroe, the attorney representing the officers, said his clients were relieved by the outcome. He added that the officers were glad to move past the ordeal, especially after what he described as misleading reports about the proceedings.
During the inquest, Mr
Munroe had an investigating officer retract a prior claim that AK-47 rounds were found at the scene. The officer admitted his earlier statement was incorrect, clarifying that only police-issued .223 casings were recovered.
Following the verdict, relatives of the deceased expressed dissatisfaction, claiming key evidence had not been presented in court and reaffirming their intention to challenge the decision.
Before the jury deliberated, Maria Daxon, attorney for the deceaseds’ estates, had indicated plans to call a witness. However, when court resumed after lunch, no witness appeared, and Ms Daxon proceeded with her closing arguments.
Ms Daxon told the jury there were inconsistencies
in the police narrative. She noted that several investigating officers repeatedly responded, “I don’t know,” to her questions. She questioned how one of the men sustained a head injury when there was no visible damage to the rear of the vehicle. She also challenged the claim that shots were fired from the back of the car, noting the windows were up and tinted. Additionally, she highlighted the absence of blood splatter on the front of the vehicle, where the driver was reportedly shot. She urged the jury to find the shootings unjustified.
Mr Munroe acknowledged that the vehicle was tinted but contended that the officers never claimed to see exactly where the shots originated. He maintained that the officers returned fire only after
being shot at. He cited forensic evidence showing that the weapon recovered from the car had been fired twice, with one bullet lodged in the dashboard.
“You can’t start a gunfight and determine how it ends,” he said, asking the jury to consider if they would have done the same under threat to their own lives and others’.
Dr Caryn Sands, a pathologist, testified that the cause of death for each man was gunshot wounds to the head, torso, and extremities.
She added that bleeding along the wound paths indicated the men were alive at the time of the shooting.
Dr Sands also noted that Jared Ford’s hand appeared “mangled” from gunfire, making it impossible to determine entry or exit wounds due to the extent of the damage.
FIVE BAHAMIANS ARRESTED IN ACKLINS IN CONNECTION WITH
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
FIVE Bahamian men were arrested after authorities found 66 crocus sacks filled with cocaine and marijuana estimated to have a street value of $8.8m near Acklins.
Superintendent Wendy Pearson said the arrests stemmed from a joint operation conducted around 4.05pm on Wednesday. The operation involved Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), the Drug Enforcement Unit, the US Coast Guard, US Air Marine Support, and local police from Acklins and Crooked Island.
Authorities observed a white speedboat near Long Cay, where several men were seen offloading packages onto a truck. The truck was later seen entering a residence, where the same people were observed unloading the packages into a shed.
Superintendent Pearson said local officers were alerted and responded to the residence. There, they found five Bahamian men, aged 25 to 36, and directed them to the shed. In plain view, officers saw multiple crocus sacks, which, upon examination, were found to contain marijuana and cocaine.
The suspects were taken into custody and transported to New Providence for further investigation.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Roberto Goodman expressed concern about the continued drug trafficking into The Bahamas, especially in the southern islands. He referenced a previous seizure of over 400 kilos of drugs in Grand Bahama and another in December involving a plane crash near Long Cay. He emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts with US counterparts, which he said helped intercept the drugs before they could reach the streets.
The weapon found in the vehicle was located between Ford’s legs, with suspected blood splatter on it.
Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux, summarising the evidence, said a male jogger reported seeing the men in the car before the shooting and later hearing two bursts of gunfire from the area. Last month, a jury similarly ruled the 2021 police-involved shooting of Drexton Dominique Belony in Red Yard, Hunters, Grand Bahama, as justifiable homicide. Inquests do not determine criminal liability. Had the jury found otherwise, the matter would have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider potential charges. The case was marshalled by Angelo Whitfield.
ALMOST $9M IN DRUGS
yesterday.
DRUG Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers remove drugs from a plane after they were confiscated from five Bahamian men on Acklins
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Christie stands by his govt’s handling of Baha Mar crisis
from page one
major crisis, addressed the matter publicly for the first time yesterday when questioned by The Tribune.
In an October ruling, New York Supreme Court Justice Andrew Borrok found that Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian had proven fraud claims against CCA “beyond doubt.”
The ruling described how CCA made $2.3m in payments to Notarc Management Group, an entity managed by Leslie Bethel, to gain access to Sir Baltron Bethel, Christie’s senior policy adviser during the Baha Mar dispute.
Mr Christie said he had no knowledge of these payments and defended his personal integrity.
“The point is this,” he said. “I have been in public life for, as you know, almost a generation, over 40 years, okay? I pride myself in the integrity I brought to my office and I brought to my administration.”
He emphasised that the court’s findings did not
implicate him and that his focus was always on the national interest.
He said Baha Mar’s completion and operation were a success, citing thousands of Bahamians employed and contractors paid.
He maintained that his administration’s goal was to prevent the $3.5 billion resort from collapsing and to ensure that Bahamians benefited from the development, regardless of who controlled it.
His position has been echoed by members of the current administration.
Attorney General Ryan Pinder previously said that talks about new ownership began only after Mr Izmirlian defaulted on obligations, the project became unviable, and it entered receivership. He argued that the government acted in the public’s best interest.
Mr Christie also insisted there was no political favouritism in the handling of the matter and said his government fought to have the issue resolved in Bahamian courts. He credited the China Export-Import
Bank, the project’s financier, with stepping in to ensure the resort’s completion despite its financial troubles.
“I have no regrets about that,” he said, “and it was not a question of siding with anybody. It was a question of ensuring that justice was done and that in the best interest of everybody and you know, there are always losers in this matter, all right, and one can sympathise with that.”
He also recalled his early meetings with Mr Izmirlian and the vision presented to him during the resort’s conceptual phase.
“I will never forget that Sarkis Izmarilian was the one who took me where in the back of where the old Prime Minister’s Office was at the time, in the weeds by the pond there, the little lake there, and gave me the vision, his vision for Baha Mar that exists today,” he said.
Mr Izmirlian has previously accused the Christie administration of conspiring to oust him from the project.
Ingraham: Bahamian women lack urgency on citizenship inequality
from page one
to the plate, as educated as y’all are, and said we demand our equal rights. No, they haven’t done so, and clearly the men who are in politics are not gonna go out of their way to have you all who are better educated than we are, more prepared than we are, but of course we have this dominant role in public life, so why do you expect these men, unless you push them, to change?”
Children born outside the country to a Bahamian woman and a foreign man are not automatically granted Bahamian citizenship. Bahamian women also lack the same rights as men in securing citizenship for a foreign spouse.
After the Privy Council affirmed in 2023 that people born out of wedlock to Bahamian men are Bahamians at birth regardless of their mother’s nationality, advocates expected the government to address remaining inequalities.
The equality issue has been put to a public vote twice. In 2002, under Mr
Ingraham’s leadership, a referendum sought to give Bahamian women the same rights as men to pass on citizenship. It failed, in part due to opposition from the then-Progressive Liberal Party. A second attempt in 2016, under the Christie administration, also failed after a contentious campaign marked by conservative resistance.
Since taking office in 2021, the Davis administration has acknowledged the need for reform. In 2022, Prime Minister Philip Davis expressed support for amending the Bahamas Nationality Act to address gender-based disparities. That same year, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said the government would introduce legislation to allow men and women equal rights to transmit citizenship in all cases. But Mr Pinder’s tone has since shifted. Last year, he said buy-in from “the collective” was critical before changes could progress. The Minnis administration had also pledged to reform citizenship laws but did not follow through.
Former PM says he will vote FNM in Killarney regardless of who runs
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Reporter
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham says he will support the Free National Movement’s (FNM) candidate in Killarney –– but declined to say whether he believes the party can win the seat without Dr Hubert Minnis.
“I’m a voter down
there, and I’ll vote for the FNM,” he told reporters yesterday. His comments came just days after he urged party supporters to unify and prepare diligently for the next general election.
Speaking during a memorial to former Senate President J Henry Bostwick at FNM headquarters, Mr Ingraham warned party members against assuming
victory is guaranteed.
Asked yesterday about those remarks, he said: “I said what I meant and I meant what I said. I have nothing to add to it.”
FNM leader Michael Pintard said he welcomed the former leader’s comments, describing them as sound advice.
“All political organisations would have moments of trials and if
we’re working in the best interest of the Bahamian people, we try to find a way to work across any differences because it’s not about us,” Mr Pintard said.
Tensions have intensified within the FNM since Dr Minnis was denied a candidacy for the next general election. Party insiders attribute the move to his refusal to support the current leadership and
Requirements:
his absence from recent party meetings.
Dr Minnis called the party’s decision “deeply unfortunate”, accusing the leadership of selectively applying its constitution “for convenience or control”.
He argued that the decision undermined the party’s democratic integrity and raised concerns about its capacity to govern effectively. Dr Minnis recently told Parliament he looks forward to continuing his representation of Killarney, leaving the possibility of an independent run open. Asked if a replacement candidate has been selected, Mr Pintard said the party will update the public as decisions are made.
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Third time’s the charm... we hope
“The announcement of the buyer for the Grand Lucayan Resort has been long coming.”
These words are quoted because we have written them before. On May 12, 2022, those were the first words of a Tribune editorial as a deal was heralded. That was a $100m deal by the Electra America Hospitality Group, subject to due diligence. Somewhere along the way, that deal fell by the wayside.
That was not even the first deal. Before that, there was one with Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group. That would have seen the hotel purchased for $65m as part of an initial investment of $195m which included the redevelopment of Freeport Harbour. In yesterday’s Tribune, former Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar noted how that deal ran aground on the rocky shores of COVID-19, at least in part. The Electra deal would have seen 2,000 construction jobs and an estimated 1,000 permanent jobs.
Yesterday’s signing with US developer Concord Wilshire feels different in every way from those that have stumbled and fallen previously.
It is a deal for a sale and redevelopment with a price tag of $827m.
There will be 1,300 construction jobs and about 1,750 permanent jobs at the end of the redevelopment.
Golfing great Greg Norman is on board to create one of his iconic courses, and Concord Wilshire has a strong set of
assets worth $10 billion.
The company’s portfolio stretches across ten US states and includes several Florida resorts – there is experience in the field here.
According to Tribune sources, much of the existing property will be demolished in the plans from Concord Wilshire, with six new hotels to emerge in its stead, focusing on different markets such as golf, gaming, marina, timeshare and fractional ownership. It sounds like it has been planned out. And now we hope to see that plan come to fruition.
There is some skepticism – and that is fair given we are now on the third swing at a deal for the property.
Michael Scott KC, who was the former Hotel Corporation and Lucayan Renewal Holdings chairman under Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, dismissed the deal as “pre-election hype”, and he also pointed out the need for significant upgrades at Grand Bahama International Airport.
For Grand Bahama’s sake, we hope there is a lot more to it than hype.
Certainly, at yesterday’s ceremony, everyone was talking a good game. Turning that talk into action is something that is crucial to give Grand Bahama a lifeline it so desperately needs.
Third time lucky? Grand Bahama needs more than luck. Let us all hope that this is not just a deal, but the real deal.
Give boys purpose and hope
EDITOR, The Tribune.
EVERY year on May 16, the world pauses to observe the International Day of the Boy Child. It is a day created not simply to highlight boys for the sake of it, but to focus attention on their wellbeing, their emotional development, and the many challenges they face that too often go unseen or unspoken. Here in The Bahamas, I was heartened to see The Bahamas Crisis Centre rise to the moment with purpose and vision. On Thursday, May 15, the Centre hosted a powerful and much-needed symposium for junior high school boys from public and private schools. It brought together young minds to engage with critical topics such as understanding emotions, protecting their sexual health, managing aggression, and making our schools safer from bullying. It was an honour to have attended. It was a safe space and there was meaningful engagement; our nation is forever indebted to Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson for her unwavering commitment to the total wellbeing of our children, including our sons. Still, no matter how impactful, one event cannot carry the weight
of a national problem. We must ask ourselves as a society, what have we really done for our boys? We speak often about what is wrong with our men. We talk about rising crime, broken homes, poor school performance, and emotional detachment but we rarely ask what kind of world we created for the boys who became those men. We tell them not to cry. We shame them into silence. We do not notice when they start to slip behind in class or pull away from the people who care. Then we express shock when they act out or disappear altogether.
Our boys are not born angry or distant or lost. These are not defects. They are symptoms. They are responses to a society that has failed to see them, hear them, and support them from early on. It is time to act with more urgency. We need school environments where boys feel safe expressing themselves and asking for help. We need more trained counselors in our schools and communities who are equipped to meet boys where they are. We need more male mentors, more youth programs, more opportunities to help boys discover who they are and who they can
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net
rock iguana.
Davis, the leader we waited for
EDITOR, The Tribune. NO sensible and right thinking Bahamian is able or capable of denying that the leadership style and initiatives deployed by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis (PLP-Cat Island) are what were “lacking” in our wonderful nation, since the ending of the dubious eras of former Prime Ministers Perry Gladstone Christie and Hubert Alexander Minnis (FNM-Killarney).
I make no bones about the fact that I am in total and unwavering support of the Davis administration. Where any discord may exist, I, of course, reserve the “right” to discuss the same, privately, with the PM and/or his closest advisors. With your leave, Editor, allow me to amplify on the above posture.
become.
This is where government leadership is essential. Our national budget must reflect the reality that the boy child is at risk and deserves targeted investment. Social services must be strengthened. Our education system must do more than push boys through. It must pull them in.
Churches, civic organisations, parents, business owners, and ordinary citizens all have a role to play too. Our boys are watching and learning from what we celebrate, what we ignore, and what we fight for.
If we want a different kind of man in the future— one who is responsible, respectful, emotionally intelligent, and strong in spirit—then we must nurture that in the boy today.
Let us not wait for courtrooms, prison gates, or funerals to ask what went wrong. Let us begin right now to do what is right.
To invest in the boy child is to invest in the future of our nation. Let us give him more than survival. Let us give him purpose, dignity, and hope.
SENATOR MAXINE SEYMOUR
Shadow Minister for Social Services, Information and Broadcasting May 15, 2025.
Dr Minnis, no doubt, meant well during his mercifully brief interregnum but he was, clearly, out of his league as Prime Minister. Historically, all over the world, it has often been demonstrated that because one might be an elected ‘leader’ that in and of itself does not guarantee that true and core leadership will be displayed on the ground and in high places. Minnis as we all know is a skilled medical practitioner and , some say, an excellent businessman. Kudos for him. What he was not and, perhaps, still is, is a good communicator and is devoid of people’s skills. That in a nut shell is what separates the boys from the men.
Minnis, God bless his soul, was unexpectedly thrust into the leadership of the FNM by default following the abrupt “departure” of former Leader of the FNM, the Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Ingraham following the debacle of the 2021 general elections insofar as the now rudderless FNM is concerned. It is well written in Latin that; Some are born great while others have greatness thrust upon them. As it is written, so was it with Dr Minnis, in my view.
The saga of the backto-back hurricanes and the arrival of COVID-19 exposed the juvenile leadership style and total lack of innovation by Minnis and his entire cabinet. Keep in mind that the current, de
facto, leader of the FNM and the perennial “failed” electoral candidate, Dr Duane Sands (Lizzy, Oh My Lizzy), now chairman of the biggest doll house in the nation, were integral members of Minnis’ cabinet. They would have participated in cabinet decisions and are to be blamed or praised for the successes (which were almost zero) and the abject failures. of which there were many.
Brother Christie, God bless him too, was swept into high office in 2012 by the disdain of the electorate over the mannerism and “in your face” attitude which, seemingly, were a part of the mantra of former PM Ingraham’s public posture.
Mind you, Brother Ingraham was an abrasive and rash personality, in my view, but he was capable of getting things done. Christie was a charmer and a loquacious orator but failed, miserably in leadership. He was never an inclusive administration. There was, literally, “fear” within his cabinet as few ministers dared to speak against him. The rest is history. Almost as a one-man band, he squandered the goodwill of the people and gave the opposition forces much political fodder. He, seemingly, surrounded himself with sycophants of the highest order and apparently fiddled while the proverbial Rome was burning.
The advent of Philip “Brave” Davis, KC, MP may not have been in “the stars” so to speak but he has risen to and beyond the occasion in a spectacular and most effective manner. Firstly, Brave would have been preparing for his climb to the top of the greasy pole for decades , in the mode of the late great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, who was one of his most influential mentors. As a hands-on barristerat-law for decades, Brave was able/still is able to empathise with the socalled unwashed masses. His word is his bond. He, as a former banker, is more than capable of crunching numbers. What Minnis and the defunct FNM were
incapable of doing relative to many projects, inclusive of the Grand Lucayan Hotel over in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Brave has been able to do. As you read this article, the imminent divesture of that White Elephant is, finally, well underway. The Magic City of old over in GB is about to be restored. We have welcomed in excess of six million tourist arrivals. Compare this to the African nation of Kenya, much larger and more densely populated nation celebrated the fact that it was able to eke out 2.9 million visitors in 2024! All of our major Family Islands are bursting open with The Golden Age being ushered in by the hardest working Prime Minister since the hey days of Sir Lynden, bar none. Even though The Bahamas is relatively small we have thundered onto the regional and world stages, effectively and with a big bang.. The success of a business or nation, in my view, centers on the dynamics of leadership and style. Brave, may The Lord continue to guide; bless and keep him, if only for our collective sakes, is The Man With The Plan, like him or hate him. Electrical rates are trending down. Land Reform is in sight. Challenges remain with affordable housing, especially here in New Providence and there is still too much red; blue and green tape relative to accessing Crown Land… The infrastructure here in New Providence is badly in need of rehabilitation. Finally, as we position ourselves to finally cross The Jordan and enter The Land of Milk & Honey, let us acknowledge that some may have to be abandoned or left behind in the wilderness. Moses himself; his siblings Miriam and Aron, et al, Never crossed cover. It took Joshua (PM Davis) to lead the ancient Jews into Canaan. As we reboot for the anticipated general elections of 2026, the enlightened PM, will have to shuffle the cabinet into a “war” cabinet. Scull; fish; cut bait or get the hell out of the boat. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, May 15, 2025.
BAHAMIAN
Photo: Martin
Toxic smoke still choking residents in Spring City
symptoms.
“I had shortness of breath, high blood pressure, headaches,” she said.
“My body just felt cold. I’ve never had asthma, never been on a ventilator, but I had to be given a pump and told to leave the island for a few days.” She was relocated to Freeport, Grand Bahama, where she received oxygen and antibiotics at Rand Memorial Hospital. A doctor told her she would have developed bronchitis if she had stayed.
“If I stayed there in Abaco, it would’ve gotten worse,” she said. “They need to rectify this issue. That debris site should’ve never been there in the first place. Residents live in Spring City. How could they put a dump so close, knowing a fire could spread?”
The situation has sparked a firestorm on social media. In a Facebook post that quickly went viral, resident Chamara Parotti pleaded for help. “The situation in Spring City should be the number one topic in the country
today,” she said. “The fumes and smoke from the laydown site have been blanketing our community for weeks now. Several residents are severely ill. Most are coughing, having headaches and vomiting. Some are having panic attacks and claustrophobia from being trapped inside without access to fresh air and sunshine. When we had a town meeting regarding the situation, we were asked about what could be done to help and why no plan was in place to help us. We were told to write letters. At the
time of our meeting, the MP had no plans in place for air, soil, or groundwater testing. We were offered a case of N95 masks that he had in his office.”
Chrystal Ferguson, another resident, has been hit hard.
“I been off for about two weeks because of the smoke and the fumes,” she said. “Every day, I have to go back to the doctor, go on the ventilator. It’s me and my household; three of us sick. I’ve spent over $1,000 in just two weeks on medication and doctor
BCCEC hE ad C alls for puBliC EduC ation ov Er govt’s RENEWED ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS ON LIQUOR LICENCES
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) has called for a robust public education campaign following renewed enforcement of a long-standing policy restricting the approval of liquor licences within 700 feet of schools, churches, or other licensed liquor establishments.
Leo Rolle, CEO of the BCCEC, said the chamber would have welcomed proactive communication before the Department of Physical Planning began enforcing the policy.
“What we’re saying is that we would have liked to see some education and public awareness campaign around it, because if you’re now going to enforce it, you first appraise people of
what it says or what’s there in law, and then say, we haven’t been enforcing it as best we should have and now we intend to enforce it,” he said. The department issued a public notice via social media on Wednesday, stating that no commercial land use applications for liquor licences would be approved within the specified distance of protected sites.
Town Planning Committee chairman Keenan Johnson told The Tribune that the policy is not new, but it had not been consistently applied due to limited public awareness. He said the notice is part of enhancing transparency, accountability, and public understanding. “ There may be a myriad of reasons, but lack of accountability and transparency doesn’t help, and this public awareness is a starting point to assist
with that,” Mr Johnson said.
He explained the committee hopes this communication will also deter people from trying to circumvent the proper licensing process.
While the Chamber supports the intent behind the proximity restrictions, Mr Rolle raised concerns about the impact on business competition when multiple liquor stores are in close proximity. The BCCEC argued that competitive concerns, such as whether multiple similar businesses can coexist within a commercial plaza, should be left to the discretion of landlords and tenants.
“If I’m going into a plaza, for instance, and I know that I’m selling something that has a monopoly in that plaza at the moment, as the tenant, I should negotiate
that the landlord what should not be allowed to rent to another person who’s in the same industry,” he said.
“Some liquor stores may not want that to be the case, because some stores may sell brands that are different. So you’re coming to this location for this, but you’re coming to mine for that. If there’s a store that wants a non-competing clause, it should be left to the tenant and the landlord to negotiate. That’s not the realm of the government to decide.”
Mr Johnson acknowledged that the issue of business density presents a challenge in enforcing the policy. He said the department’s objective is to find a balance between supporting legitimate business operations and protecting community interests.
visits.”
She continued: “If I had somewhere else to go, I would’ve left. But I don’t.
I have to stay inside my house with all my windows closed and just try to survive.”
The stench, she said, smells like “human remains, chemicals—everything burning in that site.”
The fire itself has been contained, but the real hazard lies in the debris site it reignited.
Lotti Williams, Spring City’s local government representative, said people are battling symptoms including diarrhoea, shortness of breath, racing hearts, burning eyes and noses, and severe headaches. She criticised the government’s decision to place the dump near a residential area and blasted the lack of response to years of complaints. She said the smoke has shuttered businesses, kept children home from school, and trapped people inside their homes, describing it as a public health emergency that demands immediate action.
THE Ministry of Education has issued an urgent plea for swift remediation from a local commercial entity following a persistent stench that continues to impact two public schools, CH Reeves Junior High and RM Bailey Senior High, prompting potential emergency relocations.
According to the ministry, environmental assessments by both the Department of Environmental Health Services and a private firm
confirmed that the odour originates from the site of Solomon’s Old Trail and Cost Right, which recently suffered a total loss in a massive blaze several weeks ago. The ministry said that while clean-up efforts are
pending regulatory approvals, the noxious fumes have adversely affected students, teachers, and staff.
In response, education officials are actively preparing contingency measures, including temporarily using nearby churches as alternate learning spaces. Rotational attendance may also be implemented to ease overcrowding.
“We urge the relevant commercial entity to immediately mitigate this environmental hazard,” the ministry stated, emphasising the urgency of preventing further educational disruptions and potential health risks.
Dominique McCartney-Russell, acting Director of Education,
earlier confirmed to The Tribune that several employees reported illness due to the stench, with some requiring medical attention and being sent home.
She noted that the ministry is working against the clock, especially as national exams are underway, to ensure safe and conducive environments for learning.
The blaze also damaged adjacent buildings, including the Hyacinth Stuart Building. Renea Bastian, vice president of marketing and communications at AML Foods, which owns the affected site, said that cleanup efforts were delayed by police and insurance investigations.
DRONE footage (top left) a week ago shows a debris site on fire. Over a week later residents of Spring City are still choking on the smoke with no relief in sght.
SMOKE outside homes in Spring City, Abaco is reducing visibility and leaving residents feeling ill.
Timeless appeal of homesteading
AS society’s dependence on technology accelerates, consumerism intensifies, and the cost of living soars, people are turning back to the land for solutions, sustenance, and solace. Who would’ve imagined that the skills, lessons, and practical “down home” way of life we enjoyed at grandma’s house during the summers of our youth would now be a part of a fastgrowing, eco-conscious lifestyle trend called Homesteading?
What we undertook as chores and everyday tasks to help out, like picking fruits, making jams, shelling and drying peas, and tending to and feeding chickens and goats, are now considered core activities of this sustainability-based lifestyle. But in reality, Homesteading was the norm for our grandparents and greatgrandparents. It was the way our ancestors lived and thrived, following a sustainable, agrarian lifestyle that relied on and respected the land. Today, those traditions are making a comeback. What was once seen as a relic of the past is now experiencing a revival of renewed interest for people seeking the ultimate balance between a modern life and a mindful existence.
The Homesteading lifestyle is focused on living self-sufficiently and sustainably, or as we like to say, “doing things from scratch”. It involves growing and producing food, making natural health, beauty, and home care products, and in some instances, creating clothing and generating energy from the land or natural sources. The goal is to increase self-reliance and decrease dependence on outside sources for your survival and well-being. Many dedicated homesteaders produce some, if not all, of their food
By Yolanda Pawar
through farming, fishing, hunting, or foraging. It is not uncommon for them to utilise alternative, renewable energy sources and live partially or entirely off the grid. They are generally more mindful of their environmental impact and choose to live and raise their families in a way that minimises resource consumption, while promoting ecological balance and harmony. It is not a one-size-fitsall concept but rather a spectrum where you define your engagement based on the space or land you occupy, and your personal goals and preferences.
Across demographics and cultures, a growing number of individuals and families are intentionally rediscovering the skills, values, and pace of a simpler, more self-sufficient, and fulfilling life. Some throwback homesteading practices that most Bahamians and people of Caribbean heritage would be familiar with are:
micro-farming: From raised vegetable beds in backyards to container gardens on balconies and windowsill herb trays, you can experience the sheer pride and joy of
Death Notice For
Bersel Maxwellington Musgrove, 78
of Pineyard Road died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Cherished memories will linger in the hearts of his loyal and loving sister: Catherine Musgrove; nephew: Samuel Gardiner; grand nieces: Aisha and Sanaa Gardiner; great grand nephew: Aidan Kemp; aunts: Lizzie A. Rolle and Nena Curtis; cousins: Betty Inez Deveaux, Thelma Musgrove, Winnifred Taylor, Leolean and Vernie Rolle, Cassandra Forbes, Phoebe McFall, Endolyn Moss, Shirley Curtis, Paula Walker, Pamela Sturrup, Verna Lewis, Pamela Curtis, Janeen Curtis, Antoinette Poitier, Charlene Pinder, Alvan, Pedro, Rev. Garth, Desmond and Perry Rolle, William (Bill), Patrick, Anthony, Wayne, Lyndon (LB), Ted, Dwayne and Gregory Curtis; the descendants of: Deacon Edward and Susan Musgrove, Esau and Ethel Curtis-Saunders, Prince Albert & Olive Saunders, Ruth Elizabeth Saunders, Henry Saunders, and Ada Hamilton-Saunders, Ezekial Saunders and Sarah Curry-Sunders, Nathaniel Saunders, Caesar Clarke and Letitia SaundersClarke, Richard Saunders, Lloyd and Lillian Saunders-Major; other relatives and friends including: Tomiko Collie, Roxbergh Williams, Pastor Alfred Stewart, the Moss Town Exuma Community, Pastor Lee Burrows and the Redemption Seventh-day Adventist Church family, the Black Point Exuma Community, Pastor Heuter Rolle, officers and members of Salem Union Baptist Church, and Principal, staff, and students at West Minster College and numerous other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are being finalized and will be announced at a later date.
growing and consuming homegrown vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Another perk of backyard growing that will surprise you is the abundance of your harvest, which can be shared, gifted, and traded with family, neighbours, and friends.
livestock: If you have the space, consider raising chickens for eggs and keeping bees for honey. Depending on your goals, this can become a profitable side business and be further expanded into small ruminant farming, focusing on goats and sheep for milk and meat production.
regeneration: Homesteaders generally embrace regenerative practices, and for some, composting is king of the hill. This practice reduces household waste and involves repurposing leftover food, table scraps, and yard waste into a nutrient-rich and valuable soil amendment that can be added to your backyard garden to enrich the soil and enhance plant growth.
and preserving: Bottled tomatoes, guava jam, and pickled beets - we have all enjoyed one or more of these Bahamian classics. Canning and bottling were far from a fad for our elders, who relied heavily on these practices to preserve food for their families during the months of scarcity or when the sweltering tropical temperatures ended the annual growing season. Today, on many family islands, like Eleuthera and the southernmost islands, you can still find locally bottled tomatoes and deliciously pungent pepper sauces.
based crafts, such as soap-making, sewing, bread-baking, woodworking, and concocting herbal remedies or bush medicine, tend to be part of the modern homesteader’s wheelhouse and represent
a return to homemaking.
Homesteading holds a broad and timeless appeal, serving various purposes across different regions. In the UK, the practice is commonly referred to as “smallholding”. Interestingly, in the United States, it’s younger generations—Millenniincreasingly embracing this way of life. According to several popular homesteading platforms, a significant number of new homesteaders are under the age of 39. Many are motivated by the desire for career changes or a more self-reliant lifestyle, often blending traditional practices like gardening and animal husbandry with modern conveniences such as remote work.
Urban homesteading is also on the rise, as city dwellers adopt sustainable practices—like rooftop gardening, composting, and small-scale food production—while continuing to live and work in urban environments.
Homesteading offers a refreshing alternative—one that empowers individuals to reconnect with the land, gain practical skills, and reclaim a sense of control over their food, lifestyle, and future.
For many families, this lifestyle also delivers financial savings, especially when grocery bills rise and international trade tariffs threaten economic stability and food supply chains. Learning how to bake bread, grow greens, and farm chickens for eggs not only cuts costs but builds resilience, food security, and independence. Beyond the economic and environmental rewards, homesteading also offers a host of physical and mental health benefits that are increasingly appealing in today’s high-stress world. The physical act of gardening is a form of moderate exercise that improves cardiovascular health, builds strength,
and increases flexibility. Tending to animals and working outdoors engages the body in a way that many modern, sedentary lifestyles do not. At the same time, exposure to nature and natural sunlight boosts vitamin D levels, which supports immune function and bone health. It can also be argued that exposure to the soil can increase contact with beneficial microbes, which may strengthen the gut microbiome and, over time, strengthen the gut / blood barrier to reduce inflammation.
The list of mental health benefits is equally extensive. Homesteading practices can offer a therapeutic escape from the stress and demands of life. The simple, satisfying tasks of repetitive sowing, tending, and harvesting can be grounding and fulfilling. Studies show that spending time in nature and engaging in purposeful physical labour can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. There is also a deeply satisfying feeling that comes from growing one’s food and meeting basic needs with one’s efforts. It can be a restorative practice or, at the very least, an exceedingly beneficial hobby. Whether practiced on a large scale or in a small corner of your backyard, homesteading can offer a holistic lifestyle that prioritises wellness, balance, and a return to the natural wisdom and cycles that sustain us all. It provides a bridge to reconnect with yourself and nature, a valuable resource in today’s overstimulated, hyperconnected, digitally dominated world. In my opinion, there couldn’t be a better time to explore the benefits of returning to the soil and restoring our neighbourhoods into resilient, thriving, small-scale homesteading communities. Are you ready to dig in?
of One Eleuthera Foundation
YOLANDA PAWAR, chief communications officer, One Eleuthera Foundation.
ALEX Ferguson CTI farm associate and local farmer.
A little boy, a community, a life saved
and why a hotel should never be built in Balmoral
I T is just after 5pm, Robbie’s favourite time of day. His mom’s just home from work. Daddy will pull up soon and it’s family time outside. Robbie (not his real name) bolts as fast as his tiny three-year-old feet allow two doors down to his best friend’s house where Joey, a few months older, flies out of his door. With both moms watching to make sure they’re safe, the tykes grin at each other, revealing the joy of being young and free and friends. T hey exchange a few words and run back to the respective front porches, grab their tricycles and hit the street in front of their townhouses. Some days they kick a rubber ball. Other times they take turns flying a remote drone-like object. Today it’s riding tricycles. At first blush, it seems like an ordinary scene, the innocence of two young boys playing in the street. Once a scene like this was commonplace. Today, it is so rare in Nassau that it catches your eye as you try to understand why. And then you remember. T here aren’t many places anymore where two little three-year-olds are able to play on a quiet street, moms watching from just a little ways away, a place that feels free of guns and gangs, from bullies and speeding cars. A common scene that is common no longer, but is happening in this little community called Balmoral. Elsewhere in Balmoral, an elderly couple is walking their potcake. A man who appears to be in his mid-30s crosses from the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road to ask them a question. As I walk, I overhear their conversation. He is new in the community, and he is worried. His Dachshund is refusing to eat. T he couple assure him it is probably just the stress of a new environment but after recommending a vet, they offer to drive him and his dog to the vet they recommended.
By Diane Phillips
I am thinking to myself
“Would this happen anywhere else in Nassau? Anywhere? Maybe in Eleuthera or Abaco, but Nassau?” And once again, I am struck by how much of a community in the real sense of the word Balmoral is.
Urgent plea to save a life T hat night, there’s an urgent plea on the Balmoral WhatsApp chat group. An American woman who was struck
by a boat propellor is in the hospital fighting for her life and in desperate need of O negative blood. Please, the message urges, please help. T he residents of Balmoral respond. O negative is rare, but they find just enough in the community and with their outreach. T he next morning the news comes – the woman made it through the night. She survived, thanks to the Balmoral response.
T his is the meaning of community. Now the gated enclave located on 43 acres directly behind the Office of the Prime Minister is threatened. Once the sprawling estate of a well-to-do family who contributed to T he Bahamas in numerous ways, the property was sold to Aristo (ONE Cable Beach, Aqualina) a number of years ago with the main stately home with its elegant carved brass stairwell railing, high ceilings and hilltop views separated somehow in the transaction and operating since then as a private club within the confines of the residential enclave.
Today, that home is at the centre of a controversy with residents of Balmoral with 70 homesites plus 100 condos and town homes desperately fighting to keep the community residential with the owners of the clubhouse wanting to build a hotel.
T his is not about the legal ramifications, nor about right or wrong. It is just the story of a community trying to save the unity of what they have built, of how they have connected whether it is reflected in coming together to try to save a life or as innocent as providing a safe place for two little boys to play outside.
Mixture of cultures, ethnicities
Balmoral is more than a place to live. It is not the enclave of the wealthy who can afford or choose to live in Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Ocean Club Estates, Albany or Port New Providence. Balmoral is a place for young Bahamian professionals and families, for others from embassies who rent long-term and put roots down for as long as they are allowed to, for a mixture of cultures and ethnicities that together feel like family. Sunday afternoon community barbeques draw young and old. Halloween is an organized route map that moms and dads work on and everyone knows which residences are ready to welcome trick or treaters.
Like Treasure Cove, it is one of the last communities in New Providence that is a community where people feel connected. It is a place where young children are free to do exactly what those two little boys I saw when I was visiting were doing - riding their tricycles, chasing a ball, blowing soap bubbles toward the sky while Robbie’s dog runs in between the two, determined to get in on the fun.
All of that, the camaraderie, the comfort, the ability for Joey and Robbie to play in the street, all that will vanish if trucks start rolling in. Construction crews, vendors, suppliers, contractors and subs, noise pollution, air pollution, jackhammers, and once built, there will be staff and guests who are just passing through with no allegiance to a Joey or Robbie or the elderly couple walking their dog. Would they offer to take a new resident to the vet because his Dachshund wasn’t eating? I doubt it. What makes Balmoral different is the sense of belonging to a little neighbourhood where families feel their children are safe, where young professionals who move into the smallest units save up to buy something a little larger because they love living in Balmoral. Balmoral feels grounded, not just because of the gate outside but because of the people who live inside. T hat Balmoral WhatsApp chat group is so active there is hardly a pause in communication. I know because I have family who live at Balmoral. A few weeks ago, someone asked to borrow an extension cord. Half a dozen offers popped into the chat in seconds and the man next door took one over almost before the request was out. In an age when we live, communicate, work and play electronically, the human connection has become a rare commodity to be treasured. May we protect those places where it continues to flourish and two little boys can chase a ball in the street and play until dark and it’s time for dinner and a bath.
Supreme Court could block Trump’s birthright citizenship order but limit nationwide injunctions
WASHINGTON Associated Press
THE Supreme Court seemed intent Thursday on maintaining a block on President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship while looking for a way to scale back nationwide court orders.
It was unclear what such a decision might look like, but a majority of the court expressed concerns about would happen if the Trump administration were allowed, even temporarily, to deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally.
The justices heard arguments in the Trump administration’s emergency appeals over lower court orders that have kept the citizenship restrictions on hold across the country.
Nationwide injunctions have emerged as an important check on Trump’s efforts to remake the government and a source of mounting frustration to the Republican president and his allies.
Judges have issued 40 nationwide injunctions since Trump began his second term in January, Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the court at the start of more than two hours of arguments.
Birthright citizenship is among several issues, many related to immigration, that the administration has asked the court to address on an emergency basis.
The justices also are considering the Trump administration’s pleas to end humanitarian parole for more than 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela and to strip other temporary legal protections from another 350,000 Venezuelans. The administration remains locked in legal battles over its efforts to swiftly deport people accused of being gang members to a prison in El Salvador under
an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act.
Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term that would deny citizenship to children who are born to people who are in the country illegally or temporarily.
The order conflicts with a Supreme Court decision from 1898 that held that the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment made citizens of all children born on US soil, with narrow exceptions that are not at issue in this case.
States, immigrants and rights group sued almost immediately, and lower courts quickly barred enforcement of the order while the lawsuits proceed.
The current fight is over the rules that apply while the lawsuits go forward.
The court’s liberal justices seemed firmly in support of the lower court rulings that found the changes to citizenship that Trump wants to make would upset the settled understanding of birthright citizenship that has existed for more than 125 years.
Birthright citizenship is an odd case to use to scale back nationwide injunctions, Justice Elena Kagan said. “Every court has ruled against you,” she told Sauer.
If the government wins on today’s arguments, it could still enforce the order against people who haven’t sued, Kagan said. “All of those individuals are going to win. And the ones who can’t afford to go to court, they’re the ones who are going to lose,” she said.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson described the administration’s approach as “catch me if you can,” forcing everyone to file suit to get “the government to stop violating people’s rights.”
Several conservative justices who might be open to limiting nationwide injunctions also wanted to know
the practical effects of such a decision as well as how quickly the court could reach a final decision on the Trump executive order.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh pressed Sauer with a series of questions about how the federal government might enforce Trump’s order.
“What do hospitals do with a newborn? What do states do with a newborn?” he said.
Sauer said they wouldn’t necessarily do anything different, but the government might figure out ways to reject documentation with “the wrong designation of citizenship.”
Kavanaugh continued to push for clearer answers, pointing out that the executive order gave the government only about 30 days to develop a policy.
“You think they can get it together in time?” he said.
The Trump administration, like the Biden administration before it, has complained that judges are overreaching by issuing orders that apply to everyone instead of just the parties before the court.
Picking up on that theme, Justice Samuel Alito said he meant no disrespect to the nation’s district judges when he opined that they sometimes suffer from an “occupational disease which is the disease of thinking that ‘I am right and I can do whatever I want.’”
But Justice Sonia Sotomayor was among several justices who raised the confusing patchwork of rules that would result if the court orders were narrowed and new restrictions on citizenship could temporarily take effect in more than half the country.
Some children might
be “stateless,” Sotomayor said, because they’d be denied citizenship in the US as well as the countries their parents fled to avoid persecution. New Jersey Solicitor General Jeremy Feigenbaum, representing 22 states that sued, said citizenship could “turn on and off” for children crossing the Delaware River between Camden, New Jersey, where affected children would be citizens, and Philadelphia, where they wouldn’t be. Pennsylvania is not part of the lawsuit. One possible solution for the court might be to find a way to replace nationwide injunctions with certification of a class action, a lawsuit in which individuals serve as representatives of a much larger group of similarly situated people.
Such a case could be filed and acted upon quickly and might even apply nationwide.
But under questioning from Justice Amy Coney Barrett and others, Sauer said the Trump administration could well oppose such a lawsuit or potentially try to slow down class actions. Supreme Court arguments over emergency appeals are rare. The justices almost always deal with the underlying substance of a dispute.
But the administration didn’t ask the court to take on the larger issue now and, if the court sides with the administration over nationwide injunctions, it’s unclear how long inconsistent rules on citizenship would apply to children born in the United States. A decision is expected by the end of June.
Autopsies misclassified deaths in police custody that were homicides, Maryland officials say
AN audit of Maryland
autopsies has uncovered at least 36 deaths in police custody that should have been considered homicides, state officials announced Thursday following a comprehensive review of such cases spurred by widespread concerns about the former state medical examiner’s testimony in the death of George Floyd.
Medical examiners under Dr. David Fowler displayed racial and pro-police bias, according to the review. They were “especially unlikely to classify a death as a homicide if the decedent was Black, or if they died after being restrained by police,” Attorney General Anthony Brown said during a news conference.
“These findings have profound implications across our justice system,” Brown said. “They speak to systemic issues rather than individual conduct.”
The auditors reviewed 87 in-custody death cases after medical experts called Fowler’s work into question because he testified that police weren’t responsible for Floyd’s death. The Maryland team focused on cases in which people died suddenly after being restrained, often by police, officials said.
Three-person panels evaluated each autopsy and, in 36 cases, they unanimously concluded that the deaths should have been classified as homicides but were not. In five more cases, two of the three reviewers came to that conclusion.
Fowler didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
State officials could reopen death investigations Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said he has signed an executive order directing Brown to review the 41 cases and determine if any should be reopened for investigation. Moore acknowledged the families whose loved ones have died in police custody, some of whom have been “screaming for this type of analysis — and have been met with silence.” He also acknowledged the many members of law enforcement who do their jobs honourably and protect the public.
Moore said he has also created a statewide task force to study the deaths of people restrained in law enforcement custody.
He said the state won’t shy away from rooting out misconduct and working to create a more equitable justice system.
Among a list of recommendations, the review suggested better training for law enforcement officers on the dangers of improper restraint techniques. It also directed the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to create standardized procedures for investigating restraintrelated deaths. The governor described the review as the first of its kind in the nation, saying he hopes it will provide a model for similar investigations elsewhere.
In a national investigation published last year, The Associated Press and its reporting partners found that medical examiners and coroners, whose rulings have huge consequences in the courts, can face pressure from law enforcement to exonerate officers. Some medical officials based their decisions not on physical evidence, but instead on
whether they believed police intended to kill.
When deaths are ruled accidental, prosecutions of officers are exceedingly rare — of 443 cases that were ruled accidental, just two resulted in criminal charges. A family’s chances of winning a wrongful death lawsuit also become much tougher.
While the audit findings are troubling, Maryland officials said they don’t suggest intentional or malicious conduct. They emphasized that a homicide classification simply means someone died because of another person’s action, not necessarily that the officers involved should be prosecuted.
Fowler was criticized for embracing a widely rejected theory Fowler, who testified for the defence at the 2021 murder trial of former
Minneapolis police Officer
Derek Chauvin, attributed Floyd’s death to a sudden heart rhythm disturbance as a result of his heart disease — a widely rejected theory that did little to persuade the jury. Chauvin was ultimately convicted of murder and manslaughter for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
After his conviction, 400 medical experts signed a letter to the Maryland attorney general asserting that Fowler’s testimony deviated way outside the bounds of accepted forensic practice. In addition to citing heart problems, he classified the manner of death as “undetermined” rather than “homicide.”
The letter called for an investigation to determine whether the office’s in-custody death determinations under Fowler’s leadership exhibited certain bias, among other potential issues.
Officials said Thursday that their audit found a troubling systemic pattern.
Nearly half of the reviewed cases cited “excited delirium” as a cause of death, a diagnosis that has been debunked by medical experts in recent years. Critics say it was often used to justify excessive force by police. The report recommended that medical examiners stop using the term altogether. Fowler was Maryland’s chief medical examiner from 2002 to 2019.
Two high-profile deaths are among the 41 cases highlighted In 2023, state officials approved a settlement agreement that reformed the process for conducting autopsies on people killed in police custody. That change came in
response to the 2018 death of Anton Black, who died in police custody on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. His death was captured on video, which showed police in rural Greensboro holding the unarmed teenager down for more than six minutes. Fowler ruled that Black died because of a sudden cardiac event while struggling with police — not because they pinned him in a prone position. His death was declared an accident.
Fowler similarly ruled that Tyrone West died of natural causes after struggling with Baltimore police following a traffic stop in 2013. Witnesses and the officers themselves said there was a violent struggle between the officers and West. His manner of death was undetermined, according to the autopsy. Both Black and West are now included on the list of cases that should have been ruled homicides.
Tawanda Jones, West’s sister who has held weekly rallies for 616 weeks to highlight his case, said she feels something positive will come from the investigation.
“They’re finally listening to me now,” Jones said. “It feels good that finally they’re listening.”
Fowler’s tenure also included the death of Freddie Gray 10 years ago. The autopsy concluded Gray died from spinal injuries sustained during transport in a Baltimore police van. It also classified his death as a homicide because officers repeatedly failed to seek medical attention while he was in distress. Prosecutors filed charges against six officers, but none were convicted.
HANNAH LIU, 26, of Washington, holds up a sign in support of birthright citizenship, Thursday, May 15, 2025, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. “This is enshrined in the Constitution. My parents are Chinese immigrants,” says Liu. “They came here on temporary visas so I derive my citizenship through birthright.”
Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
TAWANDA Jones leads a vigil outside of Baltimore City Hall on October 21, 2015, for her brother, Tyrone West, who died during an encounter with police.
Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP
‘Govt needs to place family at the centre of development planning’
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
AS The Bahamas
observed the International Day of Families 2025 under the global theme
“Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development,” Sister Cheryl Walkine Alexandre, founder of the Marriage, Children, Family Alliance Movement (MCFAM), urged national leaders to place families at the core of development planning.
“Families are the start and the finish,” she said.
“These systems are supposed to act as safety nets, but families are leaning on them as if they’re permanent solutions.”
She warned that overreliance on government and civil society is eroding family resilience. Families, she said, have become socially dependent and often neglect their responsibilities.
She attributed the issue to institutional oversight as well as cultural trends.
“We are five years away, and there’s still nothing significant that really intertwines families in the national development of the nation,” she
said. “National development is—we’re hearing national development plan, but what part does family play?”
MCFAM has worked with the Ministry of Social Services to launch National Family Week and is collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Family Life Council on curriculum reform.
She also highlighted MCFAM’s campaign, “Bahamas Well 2024 and Beyond: Give Family More, One Nation to Restore,” aimed at promoting household-level empowerment.
“Focusing on boys only, girls only, you know, women only is not as impactful as showing where the family has a major part to play in whatever challenges that boys, children, girls, women face,” she said. Her comments came during a symposium in New Providence yesterday marking the International Day of the Boy Child, hosted by the Bahamas Crisis Centre in partnership with government agencies. The event focused on boys’ emotional and sexual health and acknowledged the impact
of family breakdown.
Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson, director of the Bahamas Crisis Centre, cited absent fathers and weakened extended families as contributors to youth violence, poor mental health, and lack of direction among boys.
“Is it the breakdown of the family? Is it the fact that the extended family is no longer there? Is it father absence, father deprivation?” she asked.
Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin encouraged students to seek support from mentors, schools, and churches.
“We all gotta lean on somebody sometime,” she said.
Walkine Alexandre is expected to continue her advocacy at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar this November. She stressed that including family specialists in policy planning is essential for lasting national progress.
“That has not been necessarily a part of the bigger narrative,” she said. “It’s still like a subset rather than us, right? It’s not an integral part of the development plan.”
WOMAN SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS PRISON FOR ABUSING HER 12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 33-YEAR-OLD woman was sentenced to nine months in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to physically abusing her 12-year-old daughter over nearly two years. The woman, whose name is being withheld to
protect the child’s identity, appeared before Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on a charge of cruelty to children. The abuse reportedly occurred between November 2023 and May 2025 in New Providence. The victim said she was beaten with various objects, including a knife on one occasion. The child is now
in the custody of social services.
With the aid of a Creole translator, the defendant accepted the facts of the case and entered a guilty plea.
Following her sentence, the woman will be turned over to the Department of Immigration. Corporal 3738 Johnson prosecuted the case.
M AN ACCUSED OF TRYING TO BREAK INTO HOME
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 39-YEAR-OLD man was granted bail yesterday after being accused of trying to break into a woman’s home on Sands Road.
Craig Ferguson appeared before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs on a charge of attempted housebreaking. Prosecutors allege that the incident occurred on May 12. Ferguson pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at
$5,000 with one or two sureties. As part of his bail conditions, he must report to the Central Police Station every Wednesday by 7pm. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 2. Inspector Wilkinson is prosecuting the case.
CANCER SOCIETY OF THE BAHAMAS
It is nine more days until the 23rd Annual Cancer Ball. The 23rd Annual Cancer Ball is more than a glamourous night of fashion and entertainment — it’s an impactful way of fighting cancer through fundraising efforts, inspiring stories of hope, and heartwarming acts of remembrance. Each year, many residents struggle with the high costs of cancer treatment, while others are diagnosed with cancer that is too advanced to treat effectively.
By purchasing tickets for the 23rd Annual Cancer Ball, you can help residents detect cancer early and receive the care they need. To purchase tickets, visit the Cancer Society’s office Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm. Call (242) 323-4482 or (242) 325-2483 or email cancersocietyball@gmail. com for more information.
DELTA EPSILON SIGMA CHAPTER
The Delta Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc was a dominant force at the 2025 Southern Regional
Conference, held recently in Atlanta, Georgia, earning top honors and reinforcing its legacy of leadership and service within the region. Celebrating 46 years of impact, the chapter was recognised for its continued commitment to the fraternity’s guiding motto: Culture for Service and Service for Humanity. Its efforts in brotherhood, scholarship, and service were celebrated with multiple regional awards, including the Alumni Chapter of the Year – Diamond Level, the highest honour for its chapter size. Other awards include
T EEN CHARGED IN A LL S AINTS WAY FATAL SHOOTING
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
AN 18-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody following his arraignment in connection with a fatal shooting last week.
Darante Bullard appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged with murder yesterday. Prosecutors
allege that Bullard rode up to a group of men in a yard on All Saints Way, Excellence Estates, around 9pm on May 8 and opened fire.
While most of the men escaped, Ira Paul Grant was shot and killed. Bullard allegedly fled the scene on a motorcycle. Grant was pronounced dead at the scene after being found with gunshot wounds.
Bullard was not required to enter a plea. His
case will proceed to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was advised to apply for bail through the higher court and will remain in custody at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the service of his VBI on August 7. He is represented by attorney Alphonso Lewis. Inspector Deon Barr served as the prosecutor.
Largest Membership Percentage Increase, the Rising Star Award – Bigger and Better Business, Partner Champion – Social Action and Outstanding State Director of Education Award
Rashard Young, president of Delta Epsilon Sigma, called it a proud moment for the chapter: “These accolades are not just awards — they are a reflection of the meaningful, on-the-ground work our chapter is doing to uplift our communities and advance the mission of Phi Beta Sigma. “We are honoured by the recognition and motivated
to continue serving with purpose.”
Beyond chapter-wide recognition, several members were honoured for their individual milestones of service. Celebrating 25 years of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service were Bro Gerrard Sawyer, Bro DeMario Minus, and Bro Dr Adrian Cargill Jr. Also recognised for ten years of service was Bro Dr Trevor Johnson. A standout moment of the conference came with Bro Derek Smith Jr being named to the Outstanding Sigmas of the Southern Region (OSSR), Class of 2025
— a prestigious honour awarded to members whose contributions have significantly impacted both the Fraternity and their communities. He was joined by Bro Esmond Johnson, also an OSSR and the Regional Director of Awards and Standards. The Delta Epsilon Sigma Chapter continues to set the standard for alumni chapters across the Southern Region through impactful programmes in bigger and better business, education, and social action, all while growing its membership and strengthening its foundation of leadership.
THE DELTA Epislon Sigma Chapter of Phil Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc shone at the 2025 Southern Regional Conference.
MINISTER of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin speaks to some young boys during the Bahamas Crisis Centre’s symposium marking the International Day of the Boy Child. Photos: Nikia Charlton
Henry Bostwick lying in state
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis greets the family of John Henry Bostwick during his lying in state yesterday.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr Burnt
BURNT Rock Primary School students showcase their talents at the recent E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival South Andros adjudications, on Mangrove Cay. Of special note were liturgical dance and Junkanoo performances.
PHOTOS: Eric Rose/BIS