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Volume:114 No.131, MAY 30TH, 2017

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WOMAN: CV BETHEL STUDENT CROWNED MISS TEEN BAHAMAS

Five years and no disclosures

SENIOR NIB OFFICIALS PUT ON LEAVE

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net FOUR senior officials from the National Insurance Board have been told to take their take vacation leave effective today as the Minnis administration prepares to audit the government agency, well-placed sources confirmed to The Tribune yesterday.

This newspaper was also informed that Sir Baltron SEE PAGE SIX

Handful of politicians failed to file paperwork as required by the law

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ing party, the Progressive Liberal Party, and the Free National Movement, which served as the Official Opposition until the May 10 general election.

Present and former parliamentarians and senators, along with senior public officers, are required to submit their disclosures to the PDC by March each year.

Yesterday, Mr Laroda underscored the critical need to bolster the independence of the PDC, which he explained did not have the “teeth” needed to hold officials accountable for non-compliance.

SEE PAGE SIX

DESPITE repeated calls for parliamentarians to submit annual financial declarations as mandated by law, Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) Chairman Myles Laroda said yesterday that there is a handful of officials who did not make a single disclosure for the entire five-year term of the Christie administration.

Mr Laroda would not disclose the list of delinquent politicians but noted that they included members of both the former govern-

UNION CONCERN AS BAIC SUPERVISOR ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TO RETURN

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) that the government agency will look to bring back a supervisor accused of alleged sexual harassment.

It was also alleged that the supervisor leveraged sex for career advancement with women employees and was caught in a sexual act with a woman worker.

As a result of the allegations, the supervisor was then relocated to another government agency to quell concern over the reports, The Tribune was told.

SEE PAGE SIX

PLANS to have a controversial supervisor reinstated at the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation in the coming weeks has been objected to as union representatives push to have the move barred.

Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President John Pinder yesterday confirmed that he has been given notice by senior staff at Bahamas Agricultural

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MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands tours Princess Margaret hospital yesterday.

‘PLP COMMITTED TO $100M OF HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES WITHOUT FUNDING IN PLACE’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

OVER $100m worth of “unfunded” commitments were made by the previous Progressive Liberal Party administration for unspecified public healthcare initiatives, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands claimed

yesterday.

Some of these commitments, Dr Sands said, were executed by the former government within the last week prior to the May 10 general election, while some were executed in the month before the election.

These commitments, Dr Sands told reporters, means the Minnis administration

will now have to balance the need to “find monies” to deal with those commitments with attempting to deliver a more efficient public healthcare product.

To that end, Dr Sands said the government has an “ambitious agenda” to “dramatically improve the services and the quality of (public) healthcare,” chief

of which is the administration’s plans to create a “seamless single governing structure” to oversee the administration of the public healthcare system.

Dr Sands said the government would introduce that concept and place “people in strategic positions to SEE PAGE FIVE

PAYOUTS TO POLICE OFFICERS FOR OVERTIME WORK BEGIN

MINNIS TALKS OF ‘CALM’ AHEAD OF ROLLOUT OF CRIME PLAN

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AS police officers started to receive their long-sought overtime pay yesterday, many expressed happiness and relief though there were still a few unanswered questions about the process that sprung from a landmark Supreme Court ruling

in 2015.

Many officers in New Providence were satisfied and thankful that overtime payments are being made after years of wrangling over the issue. Some said the matter was at its core just about fairness and showing appreciation to those at the forefront of the crime fight.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

A DAY after a man was found murdered at Boatswain Hill in the capital, marking the fifth killing since the Free National Movement was elected to govern the country, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said “there is a sense of calmness” hovering over

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The Bahamas after his party’s crippling defeat of the Progressive Liberal Party.

However, he said he is sure National Security Minister Marvin Dames will be aggressive in rolling out the party’s crime plan.

On May 12, two days after the FNM’s victory and one day after Dr Minnis was sworn in as The SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, May 30, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Minnis tours NEMA

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis visiting NEMA yesterday to start preparedness for the 2017 hurricane season.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 30, 2017, PAGE 3

Homes still unrepaired after hurricanes in 2016 and 2015

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WITH the 2017 hurricane season opening on Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis noted yesterday that there are still homes in a state of disrepair following 2016’s Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Joaquin in 2015.

This is despite a hefty loan in the millions for hurricane repairs under the Christie administration.

Last October, the former administration moved a resolution in Parliament for a loan of up to $150m to defray the costs of this country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts for both hurricanes.

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie at the time said that the damage caused

by Matthew was estimated at $600m, while Joaquin imposed costs estimated at around $200m. The combined total of $800m as a result of both storms, Mr Christie said, came to 40 per cent of the national budget or nine per cent of GDP. But with the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30 and homes still not repaired, Dr Minnis reiterated that forensic audits will be conducted with a view to discovering how the loan money was spent.

He further requested from officials a list of homes still needing repair, noting that the new housing programme had not started since Matthew touched down on Bahamian soil last year.

“We’re looking at doing forensic audits in various different areas. Hurricane relief is one of them. We’ll look at areas like National Insurance,” Dr Minnis said in response to a question from the media following a tour and briefing at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“Well, I don’t want to call them. If I state what they

are, then they might start to hide stuff,” the prime minister continued.

Asked when an audit of NEMA would begin, Dr Minnis said: “As soon as possible. I can’t give you date. All I know is, I want all of the information locked down so I can’t give you too much information.

If I give you too much information then those who are guilty might start to hide information and I want to expose everything so that the Bahamian people would know.”

During a brief address to NEMA officials and those representing more than 40 government and quasigovernment agencies, Dr Minnis urged the group not to let their guard down. He also called on officials to improve the way they communicate once the season opens.

He said: “Although all indicators suggest that the 2017 hurricane season should be a moderate one, I remind you to adhere to the core duties of your agencies.

“I wish to advise you to place special emphasis on the following: improve your messaging.

“Make use of all media tools to disseminate information in preparation of an unexpected storm. That is radio, television, Facebook, Twitter, billboards, etc, and I emphasise the importance of social media, which will allow you to connect directly and immediately with Bahamians and residents throughout the country, not only here in The Bahamas, but outside of our shores.

“Reactivate your hurricane committees in all Family Island districts. You may wish to consider hurricane subcommittees by districts or zones in both New Providence and Grand Bahama. Reactivate your inter-agency committees in order to ensure proper coordination. And you must ensure that you have the tools and equipment to act in the event of an emergency. And I refer to hand held radios, communication sets,

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during his visit to NEMA yesterday. standby generators, emergency vehicles and personnel and you must review all evacuation plans.

“Co-ordinate with relevant government agencies. For example, a wellcoordinated and aggressive tree-trimming programme should be carried out.

Review hurricane preparation plans with utility programmes and essential quasi-government agencies such as Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), BTC and, of course, Water and Sewerage.

“As part of your interagency meetings, you should, along with relevant government agencies and or partners clear water drains so that we can have less flooding.

“Inventories should be carried out with respect to emergency building supplies.

“Hold community meetings to apprise residents of your plans. The people want to hear from you. A plan on paper without ac-

tion is useless. There has to be greater collaboration between you and the community,” Dr Minnis continued.

“I encourage you to continue and complete all repairs which are in progress.

Please bring all such projects to completion before you commence new ones.

“I wish for you to provide the Office of the Prime Minister a report of the remaining houses to be repaired post Hurricane Matthew. I am aware that you have not commenced your new housing programme since Matthew and I would hope you can start to rebuild homes shortly as I understand a number of people are without homes. We have much work to do and must redouble our efforts in the shortest period of time to bring relief and comfort to those who are hurting,” Dr Minnis said.

“A lot of homes are still not repaired. As you drive around you will see many houses still have tarps yet the hurricane season is ap-

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

proaching. Even my own home has not yet been repaired. Every time it rains I’m still swimming but I hope to have that repaired very, very soon,” he said.

Hurricane season Director of Meteorology Trevor Basden said The Bahamas will need to be ready for the hurricane season, as the international agencies, on which officials rely for hurricane predictions, have given conflicting forecasts.

“Colorado State University, where we usually get predictions from, they are going for a slightly below average season, 11 named storms of which four (are) supposed to develop into hurricanes and of the four, two into major hurricanes.

“However NOAA, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration whom we also get predictions from, they are the true forerunners in predictions for the hurricane season.

NOAA is going for 11 to 17 named storms of which

five to nine may develop into hurricanes and of the five to nine, two to four into major hurricanes. So therefore NOAA is going for an above season while Colorado State University is going for slightly below.

“So we can see now that even the experts are in disagreement and, therefore, this is one of the reasons why we say prepare no matter what.”

Asked his prediction on how many of these storms could affect the country, Mr Basden said: “They are expecting more of the tropical cyclones meaning storms to affect the southeastern coast of the United States so therefore the track usually has them passing through us.

“But again, no matter what, just one event as we had with Joaquin in 2015 and Matthew in 2016, just one can be so devastating.

So whether we get just one, we are hoping through the grace of God that none arrive,” Mr Basden said.

CABINET ‘STILL REVIEWING’ BAHA MAR DEAL

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday Cabinet is still in the process of “reviewing” the Baha Mar deal.

Asked about the status of this aspect of national interest, Dr Minnis said: “We are still reviewing. We are still reviewing. And I want to speak from a position of facts.”

Earlier this month, newly appointed Attorney General Carl Bethel said the Minnis administration regarded the unsealing of the documents relating to Baha Mar’s sale as “very important”, but added that it was too early to reveal the avenue the government plans to take to have the deal made public.

Mr Bethel said at the time that he had not yet seen or reviewed the file and that any decision in this regard is not expected until the file has been looked at and discussed with his team at the Office of the Attorney General.

After repeated calls from the Free National Movement while in opposition and critics to reveal what was detailed in the deal, former Prime Minister Perry Christie in January assured Bahamians that the sealed

court documents would be made public. However this was never done.

“I am just getting my first touch of the issue,” Mr Bethel said during a telephone interview earlier this month. “I haven’t seen the file as yet, although I did have my first verbal briefing on it. This is something that we do regard as very important. However, I have to review and then be briefed and we’ll go from there.”

On April 30, the former Christie administration released Baha Mar’s heads of agreement, which included several revelations, including a $4m annual bill for eight years by the government to help market the mega resort upon its opening.

The document, signed on April 25, also outlined a number of other concessions granted to the new buyer of the beleaguered resort, including value added tax (VAT) exemption for the project’s completion until the end of 2019 and write off of $10m in casino debts.

While stressing that there must at all times be “continued efforts” to maximise Bahamian employment at the resort, the government further allowed for the granting of up to 300 work permits for non-Bahamian workers in senior management positions, those with

technical or specialty skills, including brand management, “where there is a demonstrable need and lack of qualified Bahamian applicants”.

The heads of agreement noted that after the first 18 months of operation of the

resort and casino, work permit numbers are projected to drop to 200.

The resort also will be exempt from the payment of real property tax for 10 years “commencing on the date of opening for business of each facility within

the project”.

The timing of the release of the heads of agreement coincided with the end of the government’s self-imposed deadline to push for the release of the sealed Supreme Court documents relating to the sale of the

resort to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE).

However, those documents remain under the court ordered seal and as a result, the sales price and other conditions involved in the process are still unknown.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, May 30, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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It’s time to save Nassau WHILE a mostly jubilant public is still congratulating itself, gloating over the vote to throw out the reigning Progressive Liberal Party like a 78rpm vinyl record missing its cover, the clock is ticking quietly and dangerously on one of the most critical issues of the day.

We are not talking about crime. Or education. Or moving toward a balanced budget, albeit all are critical and must be addressed with urgency.

We are talking about a critical issue that for too long has received too little attention. The heart of the city of Nassau, the heartbeat of the nation.

Once a thriving mini-metropolis with dining and clubs, high-end shops and financial fervour, Nassau today is a sad and dirty shadow of its former self. In a window next to where a $60,000 crystal table once stood, there is now a sign offering three t-shirts for $9.99. Where Mademoiselle’s headquarters buzzed as the house of fashion, a second-storey wooden balcony railing is rotting. Just off the main street, derelict buildings stare back with blown-out windows and roofs, glaring eyesores. The magnificent mahogany and olive trees that dotted the street are struggling to survive.

There are remnants of Bay Street’s beauty. The good bones of Nassau’s historic architectural treasures so frequently mentioned by the late Jackson Burnside are still there, but they are shrinking, replaced by large glass panes and concealed behind garish signs.

Notable treasures survive. Dignity remains intact at John Bull, where soft sounds emanate from the grand piano in the gallery and a sense of style never seems to go out of style. Up the hill at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and on West Hill Street with the Graycliff spin-off crafts and museum, the art of the possible portrays a canvas of hope.

There are the quaint finds of a Café Matisse and a Coin of the Realm, both establishments that cater to those whose good taste is buoyed by healthy wallets.

There are, of course, the government buildings that create a scenic backdrop.

In the majestic leaded glass windows of the Masonic Temple, at John Watling’s Distillery and along the ridge of Historic Charles Towne, there exists hidden beauty and promise.

Between such high spots, there is the reality of a city in desperate, urgent need of rebirth.

What has happened to Nassau is what happens to every great city at some point in its history. Lacking leadership, vision, direction and focused funding, it ages, veers off course and wanders down a path until it finds the stream of least resistance, and when it nears death, then - and only then - does its revival begin.

There are those who argue Nassau would have gone down that path long ago had it not been kept alive by artifi-

cial respiration, cruise passengers flooding the streets searching for cheap souvenirs.

Unlike the old vinyl record that could be tossed out because there is no reason to save it - nothing to play it on and without a jacket, no story worth preserving - there is every good reason to rescue the city of Nassau.

Its history is the history of The Bahamas. Its buildings are like none other in their concentrated density and their design. Its harbour views are unmatched in the region. And it is, on top of all of that, a magnificent city that begs to be saved.

All it takes is management.

As the former executive director of the Nassau Tourism Development Board often said, if the Smiths or Joneses were smart enough not to open a convenience store over the hill without someone in charge, why do we think we can open our national living room without a single entity with responsibility and authority to look out for it?

How do we think half the ministries of the government tripping over each other trying to carry out some parallel task, one for sidewalks, another for garbage, another for planning, can do it when there is no single entity responsible for consultation and vision?

How can a people so smart be so recalcitrant, resisting the reality that they must provide proper management for the capital city with the largest population, highest profile, a soaring crime rate, the greatest potential of all? How long will the situation persist and how far downhill will Nassau slide with no one in charge and no plan or vision?

It is time to heed the findings of the Historic Nassau Study, the National Development Plan and the Sustainable Cities Nassau study, all of which call for management.

As Jane Jacobs wrote in her oftquoted work, ‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities’, “Whenever and wherever societies have flourished and prospered rather than stagnated and decayed, creative and workable cities have been at the core of the phenomenon.

Decaying cities, declining economies and mounting social troubles travel together. The combination is not coincidental.”

It is a non-coincidental combination that we are already experiencing. Our social, cultural and collective responsibility dictate that the City of Nassau be resuscitated before the coroner pulls the sheet over her eyes and we all lament the death, sighing and saying what could have been to save the grand lady in whom we once took such pride.

Is it not better to forsake a little authority from central government to local government rather than shed a tear for having left a patient to die because there was no authority there to save her when she needed it most?

Costly speech from Throne EDITOR, The Tribune SURELY in 2017 a full debate in Parliament on the Speech from the Throne is a total waste of public money - television coverage, cost to Parliament?

May I propose that Dr Hubert Minnis simply table a Resolution to thank Her Excellency for delivering the Speech, appoint four MPs to deliver such a Resolution to Government House … and sit down.

A whole week of MPs talking jib, simply when they do not know the fiscal-financial position of the country, is gross stupidity.

The people want to hear and feel when the People’s Government will act not talk. That is what Christie did for the past five years and why we kicked him and his mates out.

Let us see if we are having a new day, or is everything the same?

Whilst talking about the Speech from The Throne where did the usual script file go? Her Excellency had to read off a passport-sized publication of the Speech?

By the way, kudos to Her Excellency... what a presentation.

Gussie-mae Cabinet now Tennyson Wells wants to pay them more. Where is the money coming from

and will there be accountability? The disclosures of MPs are a total joke - farce or reality, a waste of time.

The People’s Government has now been elected for 17 days … surely that is enough time for Dr Minnis to have received a full briefing on Baha Mar and to give the people a clear report!

Does Sir Baltron Bethel still work for Government?

Surely the Attorney General has had enough time to consider applying to Justice Winder to unseal the documents! What is he waiting for?

W THOMPSON Nassau, May 26, 2017

Brave will not lead to change EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE was never any doubt that Philip Brave Davis would lead the PLP’s barbershop quartet in the new House of Assembly.

For decades, Brave coveted the job of Prime Minister but he was too milquetoast to battle Perry Christie for the one prerequisite needed to achieve his dream, leader of the PLP. Despite holding the handle instead of the blade, Brave wasn’t Macbethian enough to countenance regicide and topple Emperor Christie. In street parlance Brave got “swing” by Christie whose shadow haunted him until approximately 11:59 on the evening of May 10.

Christie was anointed by Sir Lynden Pindling to be a useful vassal to safeguard the PLP culture of cronyism.

Christie instead saw the hand of God at play in his selection and assumed a divine right to reign over The Bahamas forever, hallelujah.

But a funny thing happened on his road to perpetual rule. The people had other plans for Christie. In Centreville, by a margin of votes as large as the new PLP House of Assembly caucus, they dismissed him with his proverbial tail between his legs.

Sip-sip says that Brave had a golden opportunity to take on Perry Christie at the PLP convention in January. In a show of canny political brinksmanship, he was to hook-up with the lone wolf challenger to the PLP status quo, Alfred Sears, to take down Christie.

For sure, a Davis-Sears ticket would have lost to Christie but it would have given Brave much-needed street credibility. He would now be able to say to the PLP doubters, “told you

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net so”. Sniping behind Christie’s back now makes all and sundry look petty and childish.

Christie was their man. They backed him to the hilt and they all were dragged down with him.

Brave’s first moves as opposition leader have produced little more than a yawn. In naming Fred Mitchell and Michael Darville to the Senate Brave confirmed that he is not the change agent the PLP now needs.

He could have named a true disrupter like Alfred Sears to the Senate though an understandably peeved Sears might want nothing to do with Brave right now and wants to owe him nothing in the future.

He could have named Michael Halkitis who is still well-liked despite his foolish talk about where the VAT money was spent.

At some point, the party will have to do a post mortem to see why and how they failed. That will reveal that their brand of politics is stale and that Pindlingism has run its course.

Brave is on a weak wicket to turn around the party given his past political troubles. His is not the face of a reinvented PLP. Even though he never served in Pindling’s government he is as tainted by the “all-forme-baby” philosophy, as was Christie.

He can no longer hide from the inevitable BAMSI questions. The stink of the dump fires and the odious public works contracts gravy train he oversaw will follow him into this new Parliament.

And we will have Brave to thank for burdening us with Fred Mitchell yet again

from the Senate. Fred suffers the humiliation of being demoted to the Senate only because it’s a means to getting back in the House one day. Advancing age won’t dim his ambition of becoming a smarter but more arrogant Perry Christie.

Brave must now focus his attention on Obie Wilchcombe, another Christie acolyte who wants back his old job of party chairman.

It’s doubtful that Obie and Brave exchange Christmas cards; such is the rancor between them.

Brave, Obie and Fred as poster boys for the “new” PLP would shatter hopes of rebuilding, rebranding and reinvigorating the party.

Without structural and cultural change the PLP will languish as a relic of the past. The election proved that the poor see nothing progressive about PLP ideology. The FNM owns that mantle. And they ceded the progressive and liberal ground as well.

Alfred Grey and Jerome Fitzgerald stomped over liberalism when they tried to interfere with the administration of justice. Christie ignored the instructions of the people given in a referendum and then showed us his middle finger.

The good people of Cat Island will be the first to tell Brave that it’s foolish to put fresh wine into old bottles. He won’t get new ideas for moving the PLP forward from the same old mind-sets who crashed the party in the first place.

The tired old PLP clique who rejected change in January can hardly be expected to embrace it in June.

THE GRADUATE Nassau, May 29, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 30, 2017, PAGE 5

HANNA MARTIN TO ‘MAKE INTENTIONS PUBLIC’ ON PLP LEADERSHIP BID

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune St aff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin said yesterday that she plans to publicly address speculation that she will challenge interim PLP Leader Philip Davis for the post at the party’s next convention.

In an interview with The Tribune on Monday, Mrs Hanna Martin, the only PLP candidate in New Providence to win a seat in the general election, downplayed speculation over her intentions after a local tabloid reported that she was preparing to launch a bid to lead the party.

The former transport

and aviation minister told this newspaper that she has heard many of the rumours concerning her ambitions, and as a result, will “publicly address” the matter in time.

“Trust, when the time is right, I will publicly address the matter,” she replied when contacted for comment.

“There have been a lot of rumours on this, but I intend to make my intentions public very shortly.”

Last week, Mr Davis said he intends to run for the top post of the opposition party whenever it decides to hold a convention.

The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP said the expected con-

vention, once scheduled, would help the party in its attempts at “resolving election issues”.

The PLP held its last convention on January 24-26.

At the close of the threeday event, former Prime Minister Perry Christie won with 1,264 votes to 169 for Alfred Sears in a leadership race.

As a result of the May 10 landslide defeat at the hands of the FNM, Mr Christie resigned as leader of the PLP days later.

Mr Davis, former PLP deputy leader, was immediately elevated to interim party leader, as mandated in the PLP’s constitution.

Back-up air conditioning installed as short-term solution at hospital

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune St aff Reporter nscavella@tribunem edia.ne t A “BACK-UP” air conditioning system has been installed at the Princess Margaret Hospital to replace the hospital’s faulty unit in the short-term, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed yesterday.

Another unit has been ordered to ultimately replace that malfunctioning system, Dr Sands also said.

This, the Elizabeth MP said, along with the installation of the backup system, should provide a “permanent fix for what has been a vexing problem.”

Last week, elective surgeries at PMH were postponed due to a malfunctioning air-conditioning system, according to hospital administrator Mary Lightbourne-Walker.

At the time, Ms Lightbourne-Walker confirmed that the Critical Care Block (CCB), which houses the adult and neonatal intensive care unit and operating theatres, was “uncomfortably warm” as a result.

The CCB also contains the PMH laboratory, administrative offices, food court and reception area, accident and emergency, imaging services, and the ambulatory department.

“I’m advised that we now have on site a backup air conditioning system that has replaced the capacity for the on site built in air conditioning system, and

we have ordered a replacement for the existing air conditioning system which has malfunctioned,” Dr Sands said during a press conference at the hospital.

“Hopefully we will put this behind us and move on to other challenges but the managing director and the hospital administrator have committed that this is not just a partial or temporary fix but a permanent fix for what has been a vexing problem.”

When asked by a reporter if he was concerned about the delayed surgeries, Dr Sands said: “Clearly. The hospital now finds itself full. There are people who are in our emergency room waiting to be admitted to the hospital. “...The Critical Care Block and the operating theatre not being up to full capacity has implications and consequences that are very, very serious.”

However, he added: “The operating rooms are now functioning. The surgical teams, the nursing teams, the operating room staff are committed to getting the job done, and our role now is to allow them to function. We have gone to great lengths, and I’ve been assured that the short term solution that will allow us to put in place the permanent solution is not only in place but it is working.

“We cannot change the past, but our approach to solving problems is that we’re going to turn over

MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands tours the Princess Margaret Hospital. whatever obstacle is in the way to get it done.”

The air conditioning system had previously been a repeat source of contention at the $100m CCB, with The Tribune having report-

ed on delayed surgeries in September and December last year.

make that happen” at the “soonest time possible,” which he said would also better complement the government’s administration of National Health Insurance (NHI) services.

Addressing the “significant amount” of wastage taking place in the public healthcare system, placing a “tremendous amount of focus” on the Accident and Emergency Section of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), and attracting and subsequently improving the working conditions for nurses are other “projects” the government is looking at, Dr Sands said.

He made his comments following a extensive tour of PMH yesterday morning.

During a press conference following the tour, Dr Sands was asked by The Tribune if he could state just how much money the former Christie administration spent on NHI up to the time it was voted from office.

Dr Sands did not reveal specifics in giving his answer, stating that the government was “trying to get all of those numbers together” in preparation for Wednesday’s budget presentation in Parliament.

However, he did say that various commitments made by the former government were “in excess of $100m”.

“As you can imagine in preparation for the budget, for finalisation of the budget, we have had to not only identify what has been spent, but we need to understand the commitments that have been made,” he said. “There are commitments that have been made in health that are as yet unfunded in excess of $100m.

And that means that as we proceed, we’re going to have to find monies to deal with those commitments that have been made as well as deliver services

moving forward.

“That is a very, very concerning reality, that in an era of transparency and accountability, we believe the Bahamian people have to know what commitments have been made in their name, what contracts have been signed, what contracts have been executed, to whom were they executed and when were they executed,” Dr Sands continued.

“Some of them were executed within the last week prior to election. Some of them were executed in the month before the election.”

Dr Sands did not specify what those “unfunded” commitments were; however, just days before the general election, former Prime Minister Perry Christie signed a contract for the construction of a near $30m healthcare centre in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera.

At the time, Mr Christie said it would cost some $865,000 just to conduct the “initial earthworks” for the healthcare centre.

Weeks prior, during the official commissioning of the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre in Abaco, Mr Christie said the Ministry of Finance had dedicated funding for the initiative.

“The accusation that we are minded to interfere, I don’t think people need to be concerned except to say that we need be sure that any decision made by this government on the behalf of the Bahamian people, has to assure value and benefit,” Dr Sands said. “And in healthcare the implications of that are extremely far reaching. It means whether people live or not, it means whether or not a loved one gets the care that they need at the time that they need it. And so we have a lot of work to do.”

‘Ambitious’ With regards to public healthcare reform in general, Dr Sands said the government’s attempts do not

hinge entirely on what went wrong, but more so on what needs to be done. “…There are a number of projects which have started, all or which would add phenomenally to the experience, to the quality of care that people get in our public institutions and we have to get them restarted,” he said. “While we could take some time and wonder how it is that they were stalled, why they were stopped, the charge now is to get things back up and running, the charge now is to introduce a level of quality and satisfaction that Bahamian people can say that when they come to the healthcare institutions anywhere throughout The Bahamas, that their perceived satisfaction is elevated, and that the quality of care that they get is improved.

“There is an ambitious agenda to dramatically improve the services and the quality of healthcare, in part relying on public private partnerships,” he added. “We got a lot of work to do, we’re going to roll up our sleeve and we’re going to get it done.”

Dr Sands also reiterated the Minnis administration’s commitment to NHI, saying that while the Free National Movement’s version will be “different,” the government will honour the “mandate” given by the “Bahamian people to manage their affairs.”

“The team at NHI have been given their charge, they are aware of the changes that they need to make in terms of the service delivery and the method of delivery of that service, and as we retool the public relations campaign, the advertisements, the educational aspects of NHI will be modified,” he said. “Bahamian people want what has been promised to them. We have committed to an effective National health insurance campaign, and we will deliver on that.”

In September, the hospital explained that four of six compressors were hit by

surges after a power outage.

However, no explanation was given in December.

At Honda We Care About

‘PLP COMMITTED TO $100M OF HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES WITHOUT FUNDING IN PLACE’ from page one

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

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H A G IN Y U B D A O R B Five years and Ano disclosures BAHAMIAN A MONDAY, APRIL

25, 2016

Volume: 112 No.95

from page one

“There were certain members who didn’t disclose at all for the whole five-year period and as a commission we felt that both the PM and leader of opposition should be notified,” he said. “That was totally disrespectful of the process where we have leaders of the country who don’t feel they should have to disclose. You should lead by example.

“The former leaders they were all compliant but there were some members on both sides who did not declare at all.”

According to the Public Disclosure Act, a summary of the declarations shall be published in a gazette and any person who does not comply with the law is li-

able to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than two years.

Since his transfer to the post in 2015, Mr Laroda said the commission has written numerous letters to delinquent officials, and even wrote to former Prime Minister Perry Christie and then Official Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis seeking an intervention.

“We’re not an independent office,” he said, “and we basically have no teeth. We can do nothing else other than write to the leader.

We don’t even gazette the disclosures, it’s sent to the Cabinet Office and they’re responsible for that. We have no budget.

“We should show respect for our institutions. The vast majority have declared and consistently but there are a small number of those

O H W S P THE M O T D E L I FA DISCLOSE

E that are only done partially, WHY STUDENTS AR and then a smaller number yet who did not declare at all and that was very frustrating.

“We took the position that we would write them,” he said, “and in some cases I would have phoned myself, or if I saw them out would remind them in person.”

Mr Laroda was transferred to the PDC from the Gaming Board, where he served as a director. His appointment is up in June, and he told The Tribune that he was open to staying on in the post if asked for the sake of continuity.

In last week’s Speech from the Throne, legislation was promised to amend the Public Disclosure Act to include a campaign finance component and allow for a matter to be referred to an independent prosecutor.

Gems Funeral Celebrations Ruby Celebration Service For RUTHMAE FERGUSON-WINTER, 81 of #1 Zenia Street, Kennedy Subdivision and formerly of the Cove, Major’s Cay Crooked Island, will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 11am at Bethel Baptist Church, Meeting Street. Pastor Timothy Stewart and Pastor Wellington Collie, assisted by other Ministers will officiate. Pre-Cremation.

The Radiance of this “Ruby of A Gem” will always glow in the hearts of her: One Sister: Francis Doreen Ferguson; One Sister-in-law: Lena Winter; Nephews Including: Dr. Sparkman Ferguson, Silbert, Tommy, Earl, Ray, Petty Officer Sean and Elton Ferguson Jr., Courtney (Janet) and Sharmond Smith (Charmaine), Samuel (Fredrika) and Mark Sunny Winters and Ramon Cargil of Boston Massachusetts; Nieces Including: Arlene Nash-Ferguson, Dawn, Grettamae, Theota, ILeen, Janet, Gardina, Ethlyn, Dellarine and Ailyn Magana-Ferguson, Garnel of Ft. Lauderdale, Roberta Deleveaux (Beauford), Garnell Dames (Roscoe), Glendamae Thompson (Timothy), Shirley, Reverend Susan and Minister Dorothy Pratt, Lilly of Boston Massachusetts and Judy Winters, Lillis Coakley, Barbara McKenzie, Carolyn Robinson, Janet Moss, Samantha Clarke, Garnell Kiernan, Dr. Portia Knight of Miami Florida, Dana Dauphin of Boston Massachusetts and Shashanya Forbes; Numerous: Grandnephews and Grandnieces; Cousins Including: Ednamae Moss, Flora Bennett of Miami Florida, Arlington, Arimenta, Wilfred, Sonia, Walton, Cypreanna, Alexander, Joyce, Patricia, Jenifer, Charlene and James Winters; Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Winifred, Ricardo, Cecil (Jakes) and Barbara Ferguson, Olga Johnson, Bishop Reuben and Minister Elizabeth Deleveaux, Herman and Jane Brown, Mrs. Mavis Cartwright, Evangelist Carolie Wilson, Hubert and Patsy Forbes, Deaconess Maude Sturrup, Rev. Arnold D. Hutcheson, Mary, Stafford and Saddie Moss, Ernest Gibson, Helen Thompson, Sybil Hepburn, Jeannie Brown, Bishop Nathaniel and Victor Beneby, Veronica Rolle and their families, Pastor Timothy Stewart and the Bethel Baptist Church Family, Families of the Late Rev. Matthias Munroe and Hattie Johnson, the Bosfield, Clear, Johnson, Richie and Lloyd families.

BUYERS GUIDE IN

- SEE INSIGHT HEADED FOR THE UK

entarians m ia rl a P n te t s a le At eadline missed March 1 d

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By KHRISNA VIR ter Public but ach , bre . It also por According to the another unsure status of rations par tTribune Staff Re ia.net he deflected to would check the h his ac- recent US State De h- Disclosure Act, a summahig wit t res . s shall tha kvirgil@ tribunemed tter losu tion ma ment report t to his disc ry of the declara gazette “W hy do you wan subject of corin a countant. ers of know lighted the nt be published “I : me ern said AT least 10 memb ed to talk to me about that?” does gov vis who Da and Mr tion n fail and any person eth ing a cou- rup ristie asked whe Parliament have with the law is larations Mr Ch questioned by this I signed som ago but I am transparency.

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Rights liable to 0 or imprisonwas for this by the March 1 ,00 Public newspaper w I don’t give not sure if it yea r. I wil l ports on Human country ing $10 not more than two u kno as required by theaccordlast this “Yo or in r es yea ctic Pra nt of , ws outside of the h my acc ount- further took issue that me Disclosure Act who were interviet Office any more. check wit years. arian ing to the MPs no independent Cabine few ant.” bune.

If a parliament dis id in- there was n of annual pub am es polled by The Tri ut the But I am working on a com s Thi verificatio iberately does not When asked abo Prime big things so give me a day creased cal ls from the from senior del res losu disc lic k, s issue last wee Christie or two.” for elected official Deputy public Minister Perry Meanwhile, questions did not answer

SENIOR NIB OFFICIALS PUT ON LEAVE

from page one

to audit some areas, includIt was later revealed that ing NIB and some senior the probe cost the governofficers of the board were ment $861,606.

Bethel, senior policy advi- asked to take vacation until Mr Cargill was fired from sor to former Prime Minis- we address the issues, that’s NIB in May 2013. In the ter Perry Christie, has been not unusual,” a well placed midst of the controversy, he sent home from the Office source, who did not want to filed a lawsuit against Mr of the Prime Minister. be named, said.

Moss and NIB. At the Nassau Insurance “That doesn’t mean that Although several accusaBoard (NIB), Cecile Wil- they are engaged or involved tions were made against Mr liams-Bethel, senior deputy in anything, we just asked Moss and Mr Cargill, no director of operations, The- them to take vacation until one ever faced any charges iled d withfthe resa Burrows, NIB senior (the audit isdcomplete).” ocuments in file connection alleime deputy director of business hesay gations. tnot on time on t t The source could n o ‘i n d i d when the audit will begin.

DER support did and administraFNM LEAthe not Earlier this month, L mail’ ATTORNEY GENERA ON DR HUBERT MINNIS ilefor Sir Baltron, fAs D-GIBS tion, and Dr Baldwin Carey N MAYNAR YSO this newly elected Minnis adALL file Mon- ALIS ROLLE MICHAEL HALKITIS were given letters on KHA newspaper was told the de- ministration announced FRIENDS - A N LPING THEIR RICHARD LIGHTBOUR LP HEforensic D TO ‘P day asking them to take cision to place STAB him onBEleave that audits TEEN NGRY ANS HUirwill MIthe ING BAHA their vacations effective was made because LEAVplace ANDRisOSaN take the gove on “all Urban DEATH INSKhe in A r c A BROW

By NICO SCAVELL ter dealings” furthe from today.

By SANCHE political appointee hired Renewal Department, thesho porter une Staff Repor Trib that Bahamians a et Tribune Staff Re ia.net part of lla@ tribunemedia.n be med ave to une nsc ve A fourth official said to to specifically trib “ha wn@ sbro advise Mr Bahamas Agriculture and food on their tab al Move- put be out of office yesterday — Christie. youth is Minnis’ co FR EE NationScience Dr Marine Institute A 19-year-old bed ment Leader Dr Hubert onse stab resp was in he e r dead afte Deputy Director of IT Rayay criticised terdBank htclub and yes ions by Sir Baltron will notnigrethe of wer the Bahaduring fight at a yesterday Minnisristie administration cent revelats that t cial Ch ly offi ear the s PLP mond Wells — also will be turn to the inOffice Andro lping of the for mas. exhibiting a “he ntal- awards contracts to morning. p us” me as admi police re- those who hel asked to take his vacation Prime Minister, as wellsaid ing tonewsAccord this The statement also rging ers, cha e, the anc ern 2am an of t r gov in ” of the chairm as (B ports, shortly afte in an ar- ity thousands leave once he returns to of- paper was told. ns ofwill am d “te t Bah olve tha audits be carried out inv the of was e n tee n Bahamians cannot provid ma r sidera the con ano al h itic ent wit gumthe fice, The Tribune was relis as a result. pol minisIn late 2012, Christie other ir familiegovernment lted in the on lending d for the nce flue , ent at a club that resu ltiin a statem mu nis, bed Min Dr stab ng bei ably informed. victim SEE ment of administration launched tries and programmes. y. a accused the govern tactics ple times in his bod g “pay-to -play”of State for the However there is no sug- forensic investigation PAGE SIX usin SEEinto Minister gestion or proof that the of- allegations against then sus- Public Service and National ficials in question engaged pended NIB Director Alge- Insurance Brensil Rolle in any impropriety. rnon Cargill and fired NIB could not be reached for “The government is going Chairman Gregory Moss. comment yesterday.

s’ Leading Newspap

Island Nassau & Bahama

er

Pearl Celebration Service For ELFREDA FERGUSON, 83 of #43 Lumumba Lane West and formerly of the Cove, Major’s Cay Crooked Island, will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 11am at Bethel Baptist Church, Meeting Street.

Pastor Timothy Stewart and Pastor Wellington, assisted by other Ministers will officiate.

Pre-Cremation.

The Radiance of this “Pearl of A Gem” will always glow in the hearts of her: Three Sons: Kevin and Vincent Ferguson and Samuel Neely Sr. (Sherry); One Daughter: Merterine Tina Tynes-Perpall (Ricardo Sr.); One Step Son: Deon Neely; Two Step Daughters: Claudia Perpall and Rose Neely; Five Grandsons: Willicey Tynes (Suzzana), Ricardo Perpall Jr., Samuel Jr., Travis and

Aaron Neely; Seven Granddaughters: Demetra Neely, Alisey Tynes-Mondesir (Feguerns), Raquel Perpall-Basset (Dwayne), Rochelle Perpall, Kevica Butler, Asia and Shantina Ferguson; Step Grandchildren: Quetel Gardiner (Shannandor), Kevianna Sumner (Darvin), Rokelle Sherman (Avery) and Ariel Ferguson (Lyle); Twenty Great Grandchildren: Sienna, Tiara, Emery, Adrain, Alliyah, Amarise, Elena, Brandon, Blake, Darrenique, Kaynique, Santarie, Shannandor Jr., Keyanna, Q’Shann, Averiel, Averio, A’Karri, Aaliyah Ferguson and Starr; Two Great, Great Granddaughters: Skylar Tynes and Santaria Ferguson; One Sister: Francis Doreen Ferguson; Nephews Including: Dr. Sparkman Ferguson, Silbert, Tommy, Earl, Ray, Petty Officer Sean and Elton Ferguson Jr., Courtney (Janet) and Sharmond Smith (Charmaine), Samuel (Fredrika) and Mark Sunny Winters and Ramon Cargil of Boston Massachusetts; Nieces Including: Arlene Nash-Ferguson, Dawn, Grettamae, Theota, ILeen, Janet, Gardina, Ethlyn, Dellarine and Ailyn Magana-Ferguson, Garnel of Ft. Lauderdale, Roberta Deleveaux (Beauford), Garnell Dames (Roscoe), Glendamae Thompson (Timothy), Shirley, Reverend Susan and Minister Dorothy Pratt, Lilly of Boston Massachusetts and Judy Winters, Lillis Coakley, Barbara McKenzie, Carolyn Robinson, Janet Moss, Samantha Clarke, Garnell Kiernan, Dr. Portia Knight of Miami Florida, Dana Dauphin of Boston Massachusetts and Shashanya Forbes; Numerous: Grandnephews and Grandnieces; Caretaker: Sherry Miller; Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Earlene Deleveaux, Pedro Robeldo, Stephanie Pennerman, Irene and Robert Ferguson, Eli, Lee, Idell Collie, Flora Davis, Joy, Omal Outten, Ms. Munroe and their families, the Winter, Perpall, Ash and Thompson families, Pastor Wellington and Dr. Sherry Collie and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church family, Lumumba Lane Neighbors, Max the family poodle and many others.

Book of condolence: can be signed at Bethel Baptist Church, Meeting Street on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie alongside his senior advisor, Sir Baltron Bethel.

UNION CONCERN AS BAIC SUPERVISOR ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TO RETURN TO BAIC from page one Mr Pinder told The Tribune that he and officials from his union have already started the process to either bar the reinstatement or have it stipulated that the one time supervisor would not be allowed near any woman employees or any employee he had previously managed.

The male employee in question, who has never been charged in court, is proposed for reinstatement in a senior capacity with direct oversight of many of his former employees.

Several of those employees made allegations against the supervisor last year, resulting in his transfer.

When contacted on the matter Monday, Mr Pinder noted that he was “very concerned” by the pending move, insisting that if followed through, BAIC could face irreversible damage to employee morale.

“I have been given notice by the general manager

at BAIC, I am not happy about this and I will be looking into this immediately,” Mr Pinder told The Tribune.

“This is a terrible move and I am looking to have it stipulated that he has no contact with staff, especially the women and those men that he managed during that time.

“I don’t subscribe to this notion and this is going to cause a number of issues moving forward. So far today I’ve dealt with issues at the post office and issues at another facility, but this needs immediate attention because this is serious,” he added when contacted shortly after noon Monday.

In April 2015, Mr Pinder revealed that BAIC had launched an internal probe into separate allegations of sexual assault and harassment against two supervisors at the government agency.

In one allegation, a male supervisor sexually assaulted a male employee on work premises - allegedly

forcing him into a vehicle and driving him to a secluded area of the compound, it was said.

That incident was referred to police.

Both supervisors in question were placed on administrative leave, Mr Pinder said at the time.

He also said in 2015 that up to 75 per cent of the employees, most of whom were reported to be women, walked off the job in protest against alleged insulting remarks made against them.

Earlier this month, police took eight BAIC employees and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Dion Smith into custody in connection with alleged theft at the corporation.

However, all were released with no charges being brought in the matter.

Mr Smith, at the time of his arrest, served as executive chairman of BAIC. The new Free National Movement government is expected to name a new executive chairman in the coming weeks.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 30, 2017, PAGE 7

Davis: Police payments show FNM treasury claims false LEADER of the Progressive Liberal Party Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday welcomed the long overdue payment of overtime to police officers.

In a statement, Mr Davis said Monday’s first payment in this regard proves the Free National Movement’s remarks about the state of the country’s finances under the PLP were “false, irresponsible and reckless”.

Mr Davis also said: “The PLP left the instructions in place to pay it (the overtime) and the FNM has now carried out our commitment.

“This payment is made today notwithstanding previous statements made by the FNM during the election campaign that the treasury was broke and that there was no money to pay the police. The PLP said then the FNM’s statements were false, irresponsible and reckless. With the payment today, the facts prove that we were right. The FNM’s statements have

PROGRESSIVE liberal party leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. been proven to be patently false.

“The Progressive Liberal Party is firm in its belief

that during the course of its last administration the PLP has managed the fiscal affairs of The Bahamas in a

prudent manner that allows the current FNM administration to fulfil the obligations of governance without

the imposition of new taxes.

“We will have more to say about our financial stewardship during the upcoming budget debate. We thank the police for their service in the face of peril and we assure our uniformed branches of our unwavering support.”

On April 27, then Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that the government would finally pay Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officers for working 12-hour shifts in 2013 and 2014, with the first payment of the outstanding sum to be issued on May 29.

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

Mr Christie’s announcement came five days before officers headed to the advanced poll to vote. The Police Staff Association had been fighting for four years for members to receive this pay. The police eventually won their fight in court.

However a few days after the announcement that the police would be paid, former FNM Leader and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told supporters at an FNM rally that no matter which party won the May 10 general election, the government would not be able to honour the commitment because the money was not in the Public Treasury.

Many observers accused the PLP of using an election tactic with its last minute plan to pay police officers. However, it was the courts that had to order the overtime pay for the police. It was the PLP that held off payment Once the FNM assumed office, officials said it would honour the commitment to pay police officers, something Prime Minister Hubert Minnis had promised on the campaign trail.

Last May, the Court of Appeal upheld a landmark Supreme Court ruling ordering the government to compensate police officers for working the 12-hour shifts.

PAYOUTS TO POLICE OFFICERS FOR OVERTIME WORK BEGIN from p age one

Others said they received more money than they expected yesterday during the first of what is slated to be four instalments.

“Thanks to the current government for considering the promise by the previous government and delivering,” said a senior police officer, Leonard Ramsey, on Facebook. “We risk our lives daily for others to sleep comfortably and I trust this will be the last time we have to fight for those we protect for what’s rightfully ours.”

Officers collected their cheques from the Police Training College.

There were a few kinks in the payout process yesterday, sources familiar with the process said, adding that it went smoothly overall.

There were also several questions about how the police force determined who was eligible for pay and whether any officers in the Family Islands would receive cheques.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames told The Tribune it is up to the RBPF, under Force policies, to determine eligibility.

His statement came as an executive of the Police Staff Association (PSA) told this newspaper that PSA offi-

cials didn’t know how much officers are being paid per hour or per rank for working overtime. Since it was the PSA’s court action that spurred yesterday’s payments, officials of the association had hoped to play a more integral part in the process.

The RBPF’s May 1, 2004 Force Order required that records of officers who work overtime be maintained.

In his ruling that financial compensation can be given to police officers who work overtime, Supreme Court Justice Milton Evans noted in 2015: “The officers assigned with the responsibility of record keeping ought to be in a position to determine which officers are so entitled.”

Despite this, the PSA official who did not want to be named expressed a dim view of the RBPF’s overtime record keeping process yesterday. Since the force had never granted compensation to officers who worked overtime under orders from the police commissioner before, it was not a practice to keep clear records of who worked when and for how long, the source said.

“Records might have been kept but then after a period of time when the association placed the matter

before the court, records weren’t kept in storage areas where you could retrieve them,” the source said.

“And then all officers might not have signed in when they went to work. And at the end of the overtime period, officers in charge might have just thrown the register aside thinking it wasn’t necessary.”

If proper records were absent, the official said, “then the government and police force would just have to take the fault and pay everybody.”

That may have happened starting yesterday, although it’s still unclear.

The source said: “Officers are not upset about the amount they are getting.

Some just want to know how they arrived at the figures. Is it a case where, because of the way they kept records, some who worked more hours than others get the same thing as those who worked less?”

Another police insider, however, said yesterday that that issue is moot.

“There is a duty detail and if you work extra hours, before you do so, the commander would go there and ID that in the book or put their signature to say you were working over time,” the second source said.

“What’s supposed to hap-

DAMES WARNS OF NO QUICK FIX TO CRIME

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedian. et

MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday that the Free National Movement (FNM) will start rolling out its new crime plan “with immediate effect” but cautioned that there will not be a “quick fix” to the high levels of crime.

He did not specify what these initiatives will be.

Mr Dames said he is currently in the process, along with the executive team of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), of examining how to best utilise RBPF officers and resources in an effort to develop mediumterm and long-term plans to reduce crime.

In the short term, he said officers will saturate New Providence, particularly in high crime areas.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Dames said he was “very concerned” about the high level of crime.

His comments came a day after a man was shot dead in the Carmichael Road area, bringing the country’s murder count to 58 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

The murder count is now 14 per cent higher than it was at this point in 2016, when the country had recorded 51 homicides.

“We just took office and so we need some time to get

everything together, this is not a quick fix,” the former deputy police commissioner said on Monday.

“I have met with the leadership of the police force and we began briefings and strategies and now we will begin rolling out their plan with immediate effect and the public will begin to see things as soon as possible.

“We began the process of seeing where we are currently, and seeing what was done in the past so we can begin to do things in the long and short-term. We have to think beyond the RBPF and see what role other agencies and members of society can play in reducing crime.

“I have met with the command of the police force as early as today (Monday) and later I am meeting with the other senior officers and junior officers. We are discussing how we can utilise resources and how we can improve visibility. So we have increased police presence in communities that are greatly affected by crime.”

Last week, the newly elected FNM government promised to “implement modern crime fighting initiatives,” collaborate with civic leaders, including the religious community and initiate neighbourhood safety programmes in an effort to “reduce the culture of violence” in The Bahamas.

The Minnis administra-

tion also promised to have a zero tolerance for all crimes, including minor infractions.

The government, in the Speech from the Throne, which was read by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling at the opening of Parliament last Wednesday, also promised to enact legislation to establish the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and formally establish a Guns and Gangs Unit.

In the FNM’s Manifesto 2017, before the election, the party laid out 20 ways it plans to decrease crime and improve the effectiveness of the police force.

The party said if elected, it would develop a modern, efficient crime fighting machine; establish, build, and equip an independent forensic lab; work with community based partners; eliminate habitats where criminality flourishes; enforce Marco’s Law and establish a sexual offences register; use state of the art technology; establish a national neighbourhood watch consultative council; establish a public sector anti-corruption agency; conduct a comprehensive review of police officers compensation and re-institute term limits for the commissioner of police, commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the commissioner of corrections, among other things.

pen is you sign in when this happens and then you can get some time back for doing so. But that doesn’t happen per se when you have an operation that came directly from the commissioner of police. So the only way to say if a person really came to work in that instance is if you look at the duty roster.

If they didn’t come to work, either they were AWOL or on sick leave. You would have to use documents showing such to determine who was there and if you do that, it should be a very simple process to determine eligibility.”

Yesterday’s payments

100% FLEXIBLE 100% ONLINE 100% RELEVANT

were given to officers in New Providence only.

The PSA official said officers on Andros, perhaps mistakenly, worked overtime along with New Providence officers and may be entitled to pay. It’s an issue the organisation intends to take up with Commissioner Greenslade.

The Tribune understands that as many as 1,799 officers were eligible to begin receiving pay yesterday.

This does not include reservists and retirees, nor does it include officers who have since died and whose estate is entitled to collect the cheques.

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People who fall into those categories will be dealt with separately.

The PSA is in the midst of a transition period. With his recent promotion to assistant superintendent, Dwight Smith has vacated the office of PSA chairman and can no longer serve as an executive in the association.

He did not discuss matters related to the overtime pay with The Tribune yesterday.

Nominations for PSA positions will be held on June 1 and an election to fill the association’s vacancies is set for June 15.

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PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 30, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

MOTHER AND SON ON PROBATION FOR ROLE IN SCHOOLYARD FIGHT

Pair accused over QVS robbery

A MOTHER and her son were put on probation yesterday for their involvement in a schoolyard incident that was captured on cellphone video and shared on social media.

Rhonda Sands, 51, and Javano Sands, 24, appeared before Acting Assistant Chief Magistrate Subuoula Swain each facing a charge of causing harm in a fight at Yellow Elder Primary School, which was captured on video and spread on social media on Thursday, May 25.

It was alleged that the son intentionally and unlawfully caused harm to Rodrecco Taylor while the mother was accused of causing harm to Elthienea Brown.

The 24-year-old was also charged with damaging Taylor’s 2006 Honda Edix.

The pair pleaded guilty to their respective charges at yesterday afternoon’s arraignment.

After a video spread on social media, police confirmed last Thursday that they were investigating a stabbing incident at Yellow Elder Primary School.

Initial reports from police alleged that a man and a woman were attacked by another man and woman.

Though the complainants were taken to hospital for treatment, the injuries were not life threatening.

The incident reportedly occurred as a result of mon-

TWO men appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of committing a recent gunpoint robbery of a pharmacy in the Seagrapes Shopping Plaza.

Dario Musgrove and Vernal Reckley, both 24, were taken before Chief Magistrate Joyann FergusonPratt to face four counts of armed robbery stemming from the incident on Tuesday, May 23.

The two men were first arraigned on armed robbery and receiving charges, crimes allegedly committed the previous day, Monday, May 22.

It is alleged that while armed with a firearm, they robbed Lavardo Anderson of a black Nissan Note val-

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

ey that was allegedly taken

by Taylor who was in a relationship with the 51-yearold.

Sands was allegedly defending himself from being stabbed by Taylor.

The magistrate, in considering all of the circumstances including Sands’ early plea of guilt, lack of antecedents, handed the 24-year-old a term of two years probation for the offence of causing harm.

If he is arrested or runs afoul of the law within the next 24 months, he will be imprisoned at the Department of Correctional Services for six months.

He was also ordered to compensate the complainant with $1,000 for injuries sustained or serve two months in prison in default of payment. He must also pay $1,600 for damages to the car.

As for his 51-year-old mother, she was placed on 12 months probation on condition that if she runs afoul of the law in the next year she will spend three months in prison.

She was ordered to pay $500 to the female complainant or 30 days in default of payment.

Both were ordered to attend anger management courses and were placed on bail with the son being put on a $3,000 bond and the mother a $1,000 bond to keep the peace.

They return to Magistrate’s Court on September 21 for a status hearing concerning the ordered payments.

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

DARIO MUSGROVE, left, and Vernal Reckley. ued at $5,000 and an iPhone bankcards, Lorraine Moss valued at $800. They are of $200 cash and Jordan also accused of dishonestly Ritchie of a $140 Samsung receiving the stolen car. cellular phone.

Concerning the ill-fated On the Monday in quesrobbery at QVS Pharmacy, tion, police responded to it is alleged that the pair the call of a robbery in prorobbed Melissa Bain of gress at the pharmacy. $178 cash belonging to the Once on the scene, ofpharmacy. ficers encountered all four They are also alleged to men, two of whom were have robbed patrons Patti brandishing firearms, poHepburn of a pouch con- lice said. taining $3 cash and three Police gave chase, result-

ing in the suspects opening fire at officers, police said at the time. Officers returned shots, fatally wounding one of the suspects, a teenager, who was a 10th grade student at R M Bailey High School.

Two of the remaining three suspects were caught by officers a short time later.

Musgrove and Reckley, meanwhile, were told that they would not be required to enter a plea to the charges until they are formally arraigned before a Supreme Court judge after the case is transferred by the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment, scheduled for July 6.

Due to the nature of the allegations, the pair were denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial. However, they have the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

ADOPTIVE FATHER OF TEN JAILED FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who has adopted 10 children was sentenced to four years in prison yesterday after he admitted to trafficking $36,000 worth of cocaine out of the country.

Sergio Demeritte, 33, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes with Shermaine Munroe, 37, and Shekera Munroe, 40, facing the charge of conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Demeritte was individually charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, taking preparatory steps to export dangerous drugs and exportation of dangerous drugs.

While the Munroe sisters and Demeritte pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy allegation, the 33-year-old admitted guilt on the other charges against him that were committed on May 26.

According to a summary

FROM left, Sergio Dermeritte, aged 33, Shekera Munroe, 40, and Shermaine Munroe, 37.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff of the facts read by prosecutor Insp Edna Pratt, officials at the Lynden Pindling International Airport observed Demeritte examining his red suitcase and upon approaching him and conducting a search of the suitcase, they found four pairs of tennis shoes that concealed eight wrapped packages of cocaine.

“He was questioned and he stated the items and the bag belonged to him. Drug Enforcement Unit officers were called in and he was arrested and he again admitted to custody of the bag and the drugs,” the police prosecutor said.

“They were en route to Fort Lauderdale.”

Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes asked the accused if he accepted the

facts.

“Yes, sir,” Demeritte said.

His lawyer, Bjorn Ferguson, made a plea in mitigation on his behalf, noting that Demeritte “is an electrical helper who has been unemployed and unable to find work for three years.”

“He comes from a single family home and due to mounting obligations, he made an irrational decision.

But he’s remorseful and comes before the court with a contrite heart seeking mercy,” Mr Ferguson said.

The lawyer added that Demeritte had no prior run-in with the law and has taken on the responsibility of fathering 10 children who are not his.

The deputy chief magistrate acknowledged the ac-

cused’s early plea of guilt, lack of antecedents, and cooperation with law enforcement but expressed concern at the frequency of drugs being trafficked into and out of the country’s main port of entry.

“It’s somewhat hard to understand the logic to participate in this activity,” the judge said.

Demeritte was sentenced to four years at the Department of Correctional Services while the Munroe sisters will learn the prosecution’s position on June 1 on whether they will stand trial on the conspiracy charge.

They too were remanded to prison in the interim but were advised of their right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

FREEPORT BUSINESS TARGETED BY ARMED ROBBERS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A LOCAL business in Freeport was robbed of an undetermined amount of cash during an armed rob-

bery last Friday.

According to police reports, shortly after 5 pm an armed man robbed a business in the Millennium Mall, located on West Atlantic Drive, and fled on foot.

Police are actively inves-

tigating the matter, and are appealing to anyone with information that can assist them with their investigation, to call the Central Detective Unit in Grand Bahama at 242-350-3107 through 12, 911/919 or call the nearest police station.

MINNIS TALKS OF ‘CALM’ AHEAD OF ROLLOUT OF CRIME PLAN from page one

Bahamas’ fourth prime minister, a man was found shot dead in a car while the engine remained running, off Carmichael Road.

Following this, four more murders were recorded, which left three men and one woman - a mother, 23, of two young children - dead.

Despite the murders over the last 16 days, the prime minister offered no insight as to how his administration intended to tackle the issue.

Mr Dames has also failed, on several instances, to give specifics of the FNM’s crime plan since assuming office, although the party’s crime initiatives were detailed on the campaign trail and summarised in last week’s Speech from the Throne.

Asked to reveal when Bahamians could expect to see his administration’s new crime strategy rolled out in light of the most recent murders, Dr Minnis said: “I think the minister of national security is doing all he can to bring the plan out as aggressively as he can.

“But I am sure that you can detect that there is a sense of calmness over our shores unlike yesterday.

(There is a) sense of calmness from many respects, especially after the government has changed.”

Under the former PLP administration there were 627 murders, according to The Tribune’s records.

Escalating crime under the former Christie led government was a major point of criticism from the

FNM in the lead up to the general election. The party repeatedly castigated the former government and its National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage for the crime situation. In one instance Dr Minis branded Dr Nottage “deaf” and “insensitive” concerning crime.

Two weeks ago, Mr Dames, a retired senior police officer and Mount Moriah MP, said plans to tackle crime from a societal viewpoint continues to be the mandate of the new administration.

At the time he said: “We know that we need to get Bahamians back to work if we want to reduce crime.

That is the major concern for this administration.

Poverty in our country has played a tremendous role in the advancement of criminality in our society.

“In order for us to discuss crime, we must start with our people and the economy. It is the only way.

More importantly we need to respect our young people and get our young people to work.

“Over the years, we have lost so many of our young people to crime and those in the position that I now find myself in have been unable to fix that.”

“That is a priority. The youth of this nation must be at the forefront in the resolution because they are primary in the issue. We need to aid our youth,” he also said.

The FNM, ahead of the general election, declared as one of its main principles that it believed it to be the right of every citizen to

live and work in a safe and prosperous community.

The party further presented 20 ways it planned to decrease crime and improve the effectiveness of the police force.

The party said it planned to enforce a zero tolerance for crime; develop a modern, efficient crime fighting machine; establish, build and equip an independent forensic lab; work with community based partners; eliminate habitats where criminality flourishes; enact legislation to establish the National Intelligence Agency; enforce Marco’s Law and establish the sexual offences register; use state of the art technology; establish a national neighbourhood watch consultative council; establish a public sector anticorruption agency; conduct a comprehensive review of police officers compensation and re-institute term limits for the commissioner of police, commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the commissioner of corrections.

Additionally, the party pledged to reorganise the police reserves; strengthen the RBDF satellite bases; implement aggressive measures to arrest the trafficking of narcotics and firearms; arrest gang violence through educational programmes; establish a Guns and Gangs Unit; undertake a comprehensive manpower audit of the police force and identify an external inspector for our law enforcement agencies whose responsibility will be to review the efficiency and effectiveness of our enforcement agencies.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 30, 2017, PAGE 9

Human smuggling alert for Bimini and Grand Bahama

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net SMUGGLING trends in recent years have pinpointed Bimini and Grand Bahama as hot spots for illegal migration to the United States, according to Immigration Director William Pratt yesterday.

Mr Pratt was responding to reports that two Chinese couples were arrested by Department of Immigration officers in Bimini under suspicion of being involved in a smuggling operation.

The couples went to Bimini from Nassau with Keith Loring, a 51-year-old

American real estate developer and family friend, on Sunday and were held by immigration officials overnight.

Mr Loring called The Tribune yesterday to express his disgust over the way his friends were treated by officials.

“They are profiling Chinese, Jamaicans and Haitians that came off the Nassau flight or Freeport flight,” he said.

Mr Loring explained that he was vacationing in Bimini when he went to Nassau where he met up with the two couples, who were first time visitors and cousins of a close friend. He explained that his guests had given

him their money, a reported $4,000, for safekeeping and arranged for dive and bonefishing tours.

“If their passport is all right, why are they holding them? Because [immigration] telling me that their visa expired tonight, which is a lie. They had two weeks. I understand you may have a problem with smuggling, but the proof is there. “[Immigration] saying that they didn’t have cash, but they gave me cash so it wouldn’t get stolen.”

He continued: “I’m just upset [immigration officials] could have easily just held their passports, she didn’t have to put them in

jail overnight. It’s wrong to do that to Chinese nationals there to have fun.”

Yesterday, Mr Pratt said he could not comment directly on the apprehension because he did not have a full report. However, he noted that his department was in the midst of mounting a serious operation in that area.

“Every now and then they arrest some,” Mr Pratt said, “if you are a tourist and you want to visit the Family Islands you should have a return ticket.

“Over the years, we have experienced smuggling trends out of Bimini, and not just Chinese nationals, but Brazilians and

other South American nationals.

“Bimini and Grand Bahama are two hotspots where we’re trying to put up a serious operation to ensure that persons admitted into Nassau, that they are genuine bona fide visitors.

“We give them the benefit of the doubt, but you come in through Nassau and then you end up in Bimini, where we have a high smuggling operation, with a one-way ticket.

“We’re not going to allow it, what we normally do is tell them go back to Nassau.”

According to statistics, the Department of Immi-

gration arrested 7,357 persons in 2016. Of that figure, 6,869 persons were deported and 488 foreign nationals were released.

In 2015, 4,957 persons were arrested, 3,730 were repatriated and 571 were released.

Among foreign nationals released were persons who owed work permit fees.

Repatriations of Chinese nationals increased by 16 per cent in 2016 with just 10 more persons repatriated over 2015’s total of 63.

Haitian nationals remain the highest number of repatriations with 5,241 for 2016. The figure represents a 65 per cent increase over 2015’s total of 3,183.

FREEPORT Dentist Dr Hayward Romer pictured with his wife, Ellen. Dr Romer’s family is seeking to raise money to cover medical costs associated with his illness.

DENTIST’S FAMILY SEEKS HELP FOR MEDICAL BILLS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FREEPORT dentist Dr Hayward Romer suffered a stroke in March and his family is in the process of raising funds for his medical bills after his insurance company refused to cover his medical costs.

The Romers need to raise $80,000 and have started a Go Fund Me account page, raising more than $8,000 to date.

According to the family, Dr Romer needs an emer-

gency surgical procedure to treat a condition known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a blood clotting condition he was later diagnosed with by doctors in the US. Dr Romer, who operated a dental practice in Freeport for many years in the Bloneva Plaza, suffered a stroke on March 18 as the result of a blood clot. It left the well-known dentist unable to walk without assistance, use his right hand or speak clearly and fluently.

He was airlifted to

Florida, where he spent two weeks at a rehabilitation centre with intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Dr Romer was making good progress and was on the road to recovery until May 23 when he was taken back to the hospital. Doctors discovered that his platelet count was very low and gave him an emergency blood transfusion.

It was then that Dr Romer was diagnosed with HIT, which is caused by the formation of abnormal antibodies that activate plate-

lets. He needs to have an emergency procedure done in the US to treat the condition.

“As many know our daddy is a selfless God fearing man, that has given to so many in his community on Grand Bahama, expecting nothing in return,” said a member of the family.

“While attempting to arrange rehabilitation we were shocked to learn that his insurance company would not cover his stroke or any medical bills associated with it. This includes his rehabilitation which will

be lengthy and challenging, and without insurance, it will all have to be paid out of pocket and now also include this procedure which can cost up to $80,000.

“Those of you that know him and love him know just how amazing of a person he is. And even more what an amazing husband, father, brother, and friend he is.”

The family’s story is also circulating on social media. The Romers said that the money raised would aid with transportation to Florida, medical bills, and other miscellaneous costs. They

say such extensive resources for stroke victims are not available in The Bahamas.

In the meantime, Dr Romer is still in ICU in Freeport as the family awaits to hear back from the hospital in Florida to have him airlifted.

“We are all ready to get doc back up and to talking non-stop,” said the family, who thank those for their support, love, and prayers.

Up to press time, nearly 100 people had contributed to the family at https://www. gofundme.com/medicalbills-for-hayward-romer.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, May 30, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

GOVERNMENT NOTICE

GN-1898

OFFICE OF THE JUDICIARY

The following persons are asked to report to the Supreme Court to Mr. Fawkes on May 31st, 2017 at 9:30 am for the Hon. Justice Stephen Isaacs. Thank you!

Bailiff Unit Supreme Court Nassau, Bahamas

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 30, 2017, PAGE 11

RASHEMA INGRAHAM, Cheng Bee-Selim, teacher at Bishop Michael Eldon School, and Joseph Darville.

Helping schools to go green HUNDREDS of students in the northern Bahamas will find environmental programmes in their schools next year, thanks to a generous donation from Save The Bays (STB).

Recipient schools, all in Grand Bahama, were surprised when they were selected without knowing they would be competing for the first of its kind donation.

“We wanted to reward each of the schools whose students were interested enough in the environment to enroll and participate in the Youth Environmental Ambassadors programme,” said STB chairman Joe Darville.

“Those students did extremely well in the most recent session which was the most challenging of all the series we have done. Not only did these young Bahamians give up every other Saturday for four months, they had to conduct research, sometimes tedious, reporting details that were forwarded to international

authorities for inclusion in broader studies. The 24 students were so diligent. Even if they were sorting and separating types of plastic in beach trash, they understood that what they were doing was helping to paint a broader picture in order to understand sources, develop campaigns to end the litter and find ways to solve the problem that produced the litter and plastic in the first place.”

Two weeks ago, the 24 graduates were pinned during a lively ceremony that included drumming, part of the programme designed to teach teamwork and build self-confidence.

School principals had been invited to attend the pinning ceremony.

“When we began to call them up to tell them they were receiving funds for their school’s environmental programmes, their eyes popped, they grinned, no one had any idea,” said Mr Darville, a retired educator who never stops teaching, but these days spends most

of his time speaking about the fragile Bahamian environment.

Some of the recipient schools have basic environmental programmes, others will be able to introduce gardening, growing vegetables and herbs at the school grounds, or add to their anti-litter campaigns with additional trash receptacles and liners.

Recipient schools include Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High School, Eight Mile Rock High School, Sunland Baptist Academy, Bishop Michael Eldon School, Jack Hayward Junior High School and Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy.

STB will offer the YEA programme again during the school year and in the summer will host the week-long Eco-Explorer summer camps for students ages 12-16 in July and for ages 7-11 in August. With only 15 slots available for each week’s camp, space is expected to fill quickly.

RASHEMA INGRAHAM, Dominique Russell, principal, Inderia Bain, teacher at Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High School and Joseph Darville.

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PAGE 12, Tuesday, May 30, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

HANNA EDOMWONYI, the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year, with (from left) Dr Jonathan Ford (BTC Vice President, Planning and Engineering), Alban Smith (BTC CIO), Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, K Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister, Leon Williams (BTC CEO) and Janet Brown (BTC CMO)

Hannah makes history as she becomes student of the year HANNAH Edomwonyi has become the first pupil from Andros to receive the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Award.

The sixth grade pupil at Clara Evans Primary School in Nicholls Town was not only academically successful but also started a charity toy drive after the passing of Hurricane Matthew last October so that children in her community would receive toys for Christmas. She has also published a book, “The Day We Met Matthew”.

She was presented with the first place trophy, a

$6,500 scholarship with a Samsung Galaxy S7 from BTC and a laptop at the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation 21st annual awards ceremony on Saturday night at the Golden Gates Assemblies World Outreach Ministries International on Carmichael Road after beating 120 other candidates. BTC was the title sponsor of the awards.

Hannah’s parents, Rev Fr Jude and April Edomwonyi, said that they have always made it a priority to support their daughter

in her ambitions. “She’s worked hard throughout her primary school career, she is disciplined, very determined, opinionated and she’s self-motivated. She’s worked hard so we are very proud and excited for her,” Mrs Edomwonyi said.

The 2017 winner said that the biggest challenge in preparing for the Bahamas Student of The Year awards was writing the essay and putting together the portfolio which took her a few weeks to complete. Despite that, she said that she had fun putting it together and

was happy to see all of her hard work pay off.

BTC’s CEO Leon Williams, along with several executives from the company, presented the award. “Hannah and the other 120 nominees represent the future of this country,” he said.

“BTC was indeed proud to lend its support to this programme. It underscores our commitment in helping the youth unleash their limitless potential.”

The event was held under the theme, “Investing into Our Future”. The programme opened with the presentation

of the 2017 student nominees, each of whom were given a trophy and introduced to the audience as they mounted the stage.

The activities began for the students from schools in New Providence on May 7 when they took a trip to the National Art Gallery.

Last Friday, students from the Family Islands also took a trip to the gallery. There was a medal presentation on Friday where each student participant was given a medal. On Saturday morning, the 121 nominees went to Mario’s Bowling Alley

for a day of fun before the final event on Saturday night.

The 47 semi-finalists received $1,000 in scholarships for the high school of their choice. The top 18 finalists were given $1,500 and the scholarships for the top five finalists were awarded to Madison Deveaux, Andrew Styles, Yoshi Moxey and Journey Higgs, who received $3,000 in scholarships, and the first runner up, Shari Smith, who was given a $4,500 scholarship. The top five also received a laptop along with their scholarship.