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The Tribune Established 1903

Volume:114 No.137, JUNE 9TH, 2017

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WEEKEND: A NEW LOOK AND A NEW LOCATION FOR FAT TUESDAY

$10m more in govt salaries

BAHA MAR DEALS ‘NOT MORE THAN FOR ATLANTIS’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

IT is “insulting” for anyone to think that the former Christie administration was irresponsible in its Baha Mar negotiations, former Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday as he expressed “confidence” that none of these talks resulted in a breach of Atlantis’ most favoured nation status.

Mr Davis said in all Baha Mar related talks in SEE PAGE FIVE

New hires in past GOVERNOR GENERAL COMFORTS GRIEVING PARENTS five months pushes up bill, says Rolle

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government’s payroll increased by $10m as new employees were hired in the final five months of the former Christie administration, State Minister for Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle said during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday.

He said that the Christie administration hired 6,500 new public service workers during the past five years.

He suggested that the new administration will take a more rigorous approach to hiring people and that some who were hired under questionable circumstances under the former administration could be terminated.

“Some burdens we cannot carry at the public’s expense,” he said.

“The public service, in salaries alone, ballooned by $10m between December 2016 and May of this year,” he said. “That’s $10m — new employment — nothing to do with hurricane repairs.”

SEE PAGE SIX

DAVIS TELLS GOVT TO TABLE CLAIMS OVER NEW CONTRACTS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is frustrated that members of the governing party have been allowed to make claims in Parliament about the former Christie administration that paints it in a negative light without tabling proof to substantiate their claims.

Mr Davis expressed his frustration in the House of Assembly yesterday after

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allegations were made that the former administration entered into numerous contracts and deals just before the May 10 general election.

The local dailies reported Thursday that, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest, the former administration signed off on “millions of dollars” in contracts within two days before the election and that hundreds of people were employed days before the vote.

SEE PAGE THREE

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GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling offers condolences to Fernander and Livingston Bullard, parents of seven-year-old Elnora Bullard who drowned at Arawak Cay over the weekend.

Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS

COOPER SAYS GOVT HELPING WEALTHY NOT SMALL FIRMS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

EXUMA MP Chester Cooper criticised the Minnis administration yesterday for producing a budget that gives tax breaks to big businesses and not smaller ones.

The Business License (Amendment) Bill 2017 would reduce taxes from 1.5 per cent to 1.25 per cent for businesses with a turnover exceeding $50m.

“I would imagine that the list of businesses that will benefit from this exemption is decidedly small and it would be very, very interesting to look at the list of businesses to examine who might be the beneficiaries of this tax break,” Mr Cooper said. “…If I am right, this implies that there goes another tax break for rich, big business who might be cozy with this ‘people’s time’ government whilst there is no reduction for small and

medium sized businesses who also employ people but struggle every day to keep their doors open. As is the case with most modern economies, small business account for as high as 70 per cent of jobs in the private sector and is considered the engine that drives organic economic growth.”

Mr Cooper’s comments came as he delivered his maiden speech in the House of Assembly.

SEE PAGE SIX

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TERROR SUSPECT IS DEEMED A FLIGHT RISK

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ALLEGED Neo-Nazi and former St Andrew’s School student Brandon Russell was called a flight risk by federal prosecutors during a bail hearing yesterday.

Russell was arrested on explosives and weapons charges in the United States on May 21, and a Federal Court judge is expected to make a decision on his request for release on bond today.

His arrest follows the double homicide of his roommates Andrew Oneschuk, 18, and Jeremy Himmelman, 22, who were shot to death by another roommate Devon Arthurs in SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Friday, June 9, 2017

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YOUNGSTERS performing at yesterday’s presentation of awards for Junior Junkanoo.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Junior Junkanoo stars handed their awards

By DANIELLE BARNES

THE foyer of The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology was illuminated with smiles from eager students awaiting awards for their participation in Junior Junkanoo.

Fifteen schools competed in Junior Junkanoo on December 12, 2016 at Arawak Cay. After great anticipation, students and teachers were finally able to receive praise for their hard work at yesterday’s 29th annual awards ceremony.

Due to Hurricane Matthew, schools faced many obstacles in preparing for Junior Junkanoo back in October. Despite this, schools remained determined to be a part of the parade.

Regional Manager of Sol Petroleum Bahamas Ltd Keith Glinton addressed this issue during his speech.

“No matter what happens, Matthew can’t stop this show,” said Mr Glinton.

“I just want to congratulate everyone that’s in this room because you ensured that 29 years of Junkanoo continued last year in the face of Matthew,” he added.

Sol Petroleum Bahamas Ltd has been partnering with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to sponsor the parade from the beginning of its implementation.

Bajina Marshall, a teacher at South Andros Mangrove Cay, described last year’s Junkanoo as challenging because of the effects of the hurricane, but her team of students persevered by ap-

YOUNGSTERS, above and below, receiving their awards. preciating the things that some may consider mundane.

“My students wait in anticipation for the boat to arrive,” she said. “They enjoy staying in the hotel and eating fast food.”

Above all, Ms Marshall’s team of rushers looked forward to the watching eyes from the crowd as they performed their routines.

The school placed as overall winners and went home with more than just praises from the crowd.

Last year’s Junior Junkanoo overall winners included: One on One Preschool, Big Apple Academy, Vision Academy Preschool, Discovery Learning Centre, The Community School, Atlantic Community Centre, Preston Albury High School and Anatol Rodgers High School.

These schools were not only given bragging rights,

but were also awarded a variety of gifts including laptop computers, televisions, printers and piano keyboards.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard attended the ceremony and scattered praises to the students that participated.

“We appreciate the sacrifice you and your family continue to make to ensure that this cultural expression will live on for hundreds of years to come.”

Mr Pintard expressed the endless possibilities that students can derive from participating in Junior Junkanoo.

“We wish to assist you every year in finding your passion so that when you graduate from school, your passion can pay your bills.

“Junior Junkanoo is a wonderful training ground for you to discover some of the things that you are excellent in and some of the things

you may love doing for the rest of your lives,” he said.

There is hope that the festival gains more participation from schools around the country. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture plans on focusing its attention more on the Family Islands because they are often overlooked during the parade. Officials will continue to ensure that resources are provided for their involvement.

“As young people, you deserve every opportunity your counterparts have in New Providence and Grand Bahama,” said Mr Pintard.

“We want you to continue to be proud of our strong Bahamian heritage.”

Students and teachers left the ceremony with more than awards, but also with a new appreciation for the festival that makes The Bahamas unique.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 9, 2017, PAGE 3

NTA director being let go is ‘sign of a witch hunt’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday accused the Minnis administration of an “apparent wholesale witch hunt” while suggesting the government has victimised workers as he raised speculation that National Training Agency Director Agatha Marcelle is to be let go from her post.

However, when The Tribune contacted the National Training Agency (NTA) yesterday, this newspaper was told that Ms Marcelle’s contract has ended, but she was still carrying out her duties until she is given further direction.

Ms Marcelle could not be contacted yesterday, but an official at the NTA said she was in a board meeting when The Tribune called.

Ms Marcelle, a former South Beach MP, was appointed NTA’s director in 2013, the same year the agency was officially launched.

Mr Davis said if she is released from the NTA, it would be “egregious” as he pointed to the talent, skill and contribution Ms Marcelle has made to the public sector.

He questioned when the people’s time would begin under this new Free National Movement (FNM) led government, adding that nearly one month into its term in office, the new administration had shown it was only interested in a cer-

LEADER of the Opposition Philip Davis in the House of Assembly. tain segment of Bahamians.

“It’s the people’s time” was the slogan on which the FNM campaigned and ultimately dealt a crippling defeat to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

“If so it will be an egregious act I perceive, because she is a talented person who has led the agency from its inception,” Mr Davis told

reporters yesterday following the morning session of day two of the budget debate. “She would have institutional knowledge. She has done such a wonderful job there and it would be quite a shame that this government will rob the institution of such a talent.

“They say ‘it’s the people’s time’ and I want to

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff know when it will be the people’s time. Their few days and weeks in office has not demonstrated to me that it is the people’s time and it is clear, particularly in reviewing this budget, that there are only a certain group of people, a certain segment of people that they seem to be interested in.”

He continued: “You can-

not be talking about relieving people of their jobs.

When people are working it means that there is something for them to do and why would you want to stop that person from doing what they have to do? So if you’re going to let them go and then bring someone else in it’s not a good precedent to be set.

“I could tell you we attempted to embrace everyone that we met on the job when we came in in 2012.

This apparent wholesale witch hunting will have to stop at some point in time.

People at the end of the day will have to speak more forcefully and ground themselves together to protest against these dastardly acts.”

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE BUDGET

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday the Public Accounts Committee will look into the 2017-2018 budget presented by the Free National Movement government to ensure that public money expended is done so appropriately.

Mr Davis, the Official Opposition leader, is the PAC’s chairman. The committee is also comprised of two members from the majority side: Centreville MP Reece Chipman and Golden Gates MP Michael

Foulkes. Exuma and Ragged Island MP I Chester Cooper and South Andros MP Picewell Forbes are the remaining opposition members of the PAC. The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP could not say exactly when the PAC will begin its work. “(We will do) what is mandated by the rules of the House (of Assembly) both in practice and in convention,” Mr Davis said.

“That is what we will do and that will be to look at the budgetary expenditure that has to be approved by the House at the end of this budget debate and we will ensure that those expenditures are appropriately ex-

pended.”

The Minnis administration projects borrowing more than $722m to cover inherited outstanding bills along with the costs associated with running the country moving forward, after discovering the current fiscal year is “far bleaker” than anyone could have imagined as the Christie administration left “the cupboard bare,” according to Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest.

Mr Turnquest has explained that $400m is needed to satisfy expenditure for the past year, while $322,462,707m will be borrowed for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, amounting to a

DAVIS TELLS GOVT TO TABLE CLAIMS OVER NEW CONTRACTS from page one

“The headlines in The Tribune and most of the dailies this morning,” Mr Davis said, “speaks to the granting of contracts just before the election. Knowing how these things work moved me to ask (Wednesday) for particulars of these contracts so we could better able to respond to it.

We do not expect from this side that the dailies will be fair in their commentary or investigative work with respect to our response, but we wish to ensure that the official record would be able to have us respond to them.

“You will recall yesterday (Wednesday) following the conclusion of the contribution of the minister (of finance), the minister made some allegations, one of which concerned the granting of contracts on the 8th and 9th of May. And I wanted to be specific. I made my notes of what he said and got a copy of his contribution and what he said was off script, not a part of his written contribution. I ask that he provide us with the

particulars of these contracts. In the course of his discourse he mentioned contracts in Acklins, giving particulars of those contracts which the member for Englerston was able to demonstrate was patently false because the contracts that were issued did not accord with the comments he made about those particulars.”

If “particulars” aren’t given when allegations are being made, the Official Opposition is placed in an unfair position, Mr Davis said.

Ultimately, House Speaker Halson Moultrie ruled that Mr Davis should address such concerns during his budget speech.

Mr Moultrie suggested that the PLP was not the only party that may have been unfairly affected by negative stories Thursday.

He said: “Having also examined the headlines in the newspaper today (Thursday)…we can also consider that there were allegations headlined in the newspaper against the member for East Grand Bahama where no particulars were provided and certain allega-

tions were made that could have the effect of affecting his character particularly with respect to conflict of interest. In fairness of both sides, this matter should be reserved.”

Mr Moultrie was likely referring to a story in The Tribune about a spat in Parliament on Wednesday between Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin and Mr Turnquest.

So far during the budget debate, the governing party has frequently accused the former administration of entering into deals and employment arrangements with people close to the election and of having paid out large sums of money under dubious circumstances during the past five years.

The governing party has not, however, provided specifics relating to a number of its most explosive claims.

For example, Mr Turnquest said during his speech in the House Wednesday that the former administration paid $20 million to a single consultant over the past five years.

It has not been revealed who the consultant was nor what services were offered.

CORRECTION - FUEL CONCERNS IN Wednesday’s edition of The Tribune in an article under the headline ‘Fuel concern after issues with vehicles,’ it was incorrectly

reported that Sol Petroleum Limited is the fuel provider for Shell Bahamas.

The Tribune has been informed that Sol Petroleum

provides fuel exclusively to Esso branded service stations, not Shell.

The Tribune apologises for this error.

whopping $722,462,707m.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has strongly criticised this, describing it as “unprecedented” levels of borrowing.

Following the introduction of resolutions to the House of Assembly to borrow the seismic sum of money, Mr Davis blamed Hurricane Matthew, a shortfall in income revenue and a reduction in taxes for a $400m overrun in the country’s GFS deficit.

He accused the FNM of providing “a false narrative” to cover for the fact that “they cannot live up to what they promised in the general election.”

He said the FNM made “wild promises based on a lack of understanding of the economy” and now that they are in the government they have to face the reality.

The GFS deficit at the

end of June is projected at $500m, according to Mr Turnquest, five times the $100m forecast by the Christie administration, which was voted out of office on May 10.

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PAGE 4, Friday, June 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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British Prime Minister says ‘enough is enough’ LAST Saturday’s horrific attack in London was the third terrorist incident in Britain in as many months following the Westminster Bridge attack in March and the Manchester suicide bomber atrocity in May. Resulting in the deaths of eight people and with more than forty-five injured, this latest outrage was eerily reminiscent of the Westminster Bridge attack. Pedestrians on the capital’s famous London Bridge were mowed down by a van occupied by three men who then embarked on a murderous spree of indiscriminate stabbing in the pubs and restaurants of neighbouring Borough Market before they were confronted by the police and shot dead.

So-called ISIS quickly claimed responsibility for the attack after the assailants had shouted out ‘this is for Allah’. As always after such an incident, most people have expressed revulsion – and there has been widespread condemnation, both domestically and internationally, of the type of terrorism which has spread to become almost global in its reach.

In these columns recently following the Manchester bombing, we referred to a sceptical public which viewed as platitudes the assurances by political leaders, in the aftermath of such atrocities, about the importance of democratic values and the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures. While applauding the speed of reaction and efficiency displayed by the police and emergency services, people are now demanding much sterner and more comprehensive longterm action against terrorism. So, unsurprisingly, this time the horror of yet another appalling attack has produced a formal reaction from Prime Minister Theresa May which seems to be markedly tougher and more forthright than in the past.

In a forceful public statement, Mrs. May declared that there had been too much tolerance of extremism in the United Kingdom and that things must change because ‘enough is enough’.

The nation’s counter-terrorism strategy would be thoroughly reviewed and, where necessary, new powers would be sought for the security authorities. She condemned Islamist extremism as a perverted ideology which had to be stamped out, and she called for regulation of cyberspace and the use of Internet companies for propagation of Islamist-inspired hate speech.

Some critics are wondering how the Conservatives will follow up this tough talk if reelected in Thursday’s General Election. But on the campaign trail Mrs. May has already responded to Saturday’s outrage by specifically promising a serious crackdown in the shape of stiffer prison sentences for those convicted of

terrorist offences, as well as measures to make easier the deportation of both radical hate preachers and foreign terrorist suspects, and to restrict the freedom of movement of suspects known to be a threat even if there is insufficient evidence to prosecute them. Overall, she has pledged to beef up counter-terrorism efforts involving the use of intelligence and, if necessary, to change human rights laws.

All this, of course, re-opens the ageold debate about the balance between civil liberties and security in a democracy. The issue is how to ensure protection of the community without unreasonably limiting hard-fought freedoms. Free speech and movement, together with tolerance in a society whose principle should be ‘live and let live – and in which respect for the rule of law provides protection of the individual citizen against both his fellows and the abuse of power by the state -- are fundamental elements of the open societies of Western countries, including our own Bahamaland.

But, if violence is allowed to disrupt the democratic process, and there are no limits on the behaviour of individuals, anarchy prevails to the detriment of all, including, ultimately, the extremists themselves who refuse to obey the norms of society.

Since the prime function of government is to ensure national security and the safety of its own people, a vital role of political leaders is to strike this balance between liberty and the security of society by changing the law and giving more power to the state when such action may be required and can be justified. The difficulty is to determine at what point, in what circumstances and in what measure this should be done.

How to prevent terrorism, or deal with it when it occurs, has become a matter of global concern. In Britain, the evidence suggests that the numbers of radicalised young Muslim men born in the UK, who have come to hate their own country for not embracing Islam, are relatively small. So it is important to identify and deal with them without stigmatizing the whole Muslim community whose faith leaders have been urged to speak out against those committing terror attacks in the name of their religion.

It will be interesting to watch how a new British government (the results of yesterday’s elections were not known at press time) will tackle this major problem which, alongside Brexit, is top of the UK’s political agenda. The Labour leader has been criticized as a likely incompetent guardian of the nation’s security. But the signs are that a Conservative government will now act decisively to satisfy the growing public demand for much tougher action on terrorism in all its forms.

Sell off the blood suckers EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE privatisation of Bahamasair and any other state-owned entity sucking the lifeblood out of the economy should be given top priority.

Bahamasair in its present form will never break even.

During the new budget cycle, the Bahamian taxpayer will be required to inject $15m into the bankrupt airline just to keep it aloft for another year (more if it can’t delay principal repayment on the loan for its new fleet).

The losses and public subsidies over the years have been staggering and have contributed heavily to the country’s financial crisis.

To add insult to injury, a large number of jobs have been awarded based on political patronage instead of merit and this has helped

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net create a culture of slackness and political dependency and has killed personal initiative. Our country has not developed accordingly as a result.

While there are many hard working professionals in these corporations, it’s no secret these entities have been used as political employment agencies as confirmed by a PLP Cabinet minister some years ago (the one who announced God gave this land to the PLP).

I hope the government is bold enough to divest the country of these heavy tax burdens just as it got rid of the debt laden hotels. (It will be remembered the public-funded Cable Beach Hotel was staffed from

Sir Lynden’s PLP register of job skills, even though Bahamians of all political persuasions were saddled with the debt. That, Mr. Roberts, is what you call victimisation).

Perhaps any resulting job loss from a privatisation exercise could be countered with relocation to help maintain public spaces and buildings in the various communities and on the island as a whole, improving both the quality of life for Bahamians and the tourist product and instilling an appreciation for and pride in the environment. And maybe even awakening some entrepreneurial skills.

One thing’s for sure, the present situation isn’t sustainable.

Messy with our money Roberts and EDITOR, The Tribune.

JUST how could the PLP... what remains of them, stand and suggest that they had no knowledge of the financial state of disrepair of the economy - if they did not know, then the Minister of Finance, was not keeping his Cabinet appraised.

I recall post 2012 election, when the PLP won, the chastising they gave to the FNM, on their bad financial and fiscal performance - was as hard as what Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest gave to the PLP this week.

Tough…you failed you get a beating!

The past five governments have incredibly, badly managed our National Money.

To suggest and anticipate after 2020, the probability of the same thing occurring is high.

Immediately Government must propose and pass into Law a “Fiscal Financial Management of Treasury Money Act”, which would hamstring Government to being responsible-fiscal and to control how they spend the revenue of the Treasury.

The obvious blatant misuse of Treasury Money, in the constant manner that successive Governments have done, can no longer be accepted.

The Cabinet “entou-

rage” walking across Rawson Square - I was surprised to see the Cabinet Secretary, walking in the front line next to Minister Brent Symonette. Is this an appropriate place should she have even been there?

Cabinet Press Officer can Cabinet Conclusions be made public? Good question! I suggest a decision to approve a project, or enact legislation that can be specifically spoken to, but Cabinet Conclusions are secret to the Ministers and the Minutes of Cabinet.

T. WATKINS, Nassau, June 1, 2017.

ATHENA DAMIANOS Nassau, June 8, 2017.

Athena Damianos

conflicts EDITOR, The Tribune.

I JUST read the statement from Bradley Roberts suggesting that Prime Minister Minnis and D’Aguilar are in a conflict of interest over Baha Mar Meeting.

I stopped at the first paragraph. If D’Aguilar isn’t a sitting board member, how is it a conflict of interest?

Jerome Fitzgerald was a sitting member of the cabinet and the former AG said he

did a stellar job in the wake of his scandalous actions.

The PLP has started off on the wrong foot...they have no right to argue as an opposition for the plight of the people. May 10th was a clear and direct indication that the Bahamian people reposes absolutely NO confidence in the PLP. I, along with the masses, commend Dr. The Hon. Hubert Minnis for trying to make right this wrong

done by the PLP. Sarkis Izmaralien has invested millions of dollars into the Bahamas only to be abused and hijacked by a Batista style government.

Tell the PLP go take a hike!

From a lifetime supporter of the PLP who had sense enough to “Roc With Doc “ STILL ROCKING WITH DOC! Nassau,

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 9, 2017, PAGE 5

$1m investment to help business in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson revealed that an investment unit to mirror the Bahamas Investment Authority in New Providence is planned for Grand Bahama so that investment projects will be processed on the island.

He also announced that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Grand Bahama proposes to spend $1m on small and medium size businesses in the upcoming fiscal year.

The news drew applause from those attending the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s Innovative Business Bootcamp conference.

The proposed investment unit, Senator Thompson

said, will significantly shorten the time investments are approved in Freeport by the government.

Currently, investors wishing to invest in Freeport have to file applications at the OPM in Nassau to be processed and approved.

While addressing the opening of the conference held at the Grand Lucayan Resort, Mr Thompson said that investors wanting to come to Freeport would no longer have to submit documents in Nassau.

“It makes no sense to me… to file documents within OPM in Nassau and have someone in Nassau do the processing, and do the follow-up in Nassau when we are quite capable of doing that here in Grand Bahama,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

“It is our hope that business deals will become in-

creasingly easier to facilitate if an investor does not have to go through Nassau, at least at the processing level.”

According to Mr Thompson, the OPM in Grand Bahama has set out to establish in an Investment Promotion Board with the sole purpose of promoting the island as a place for business to attract new and targeted investments.

He stressed that they are also meeting with potential investors in Grand Bahama, particularly regarding the Lucaya hotel strip.

“We have had several meetings with those involved in the sale and redevelopment of this strip.

Our aggressive discussions continue as to re-opening and the redevelopment of this strip which is a priority for our government,” he said.

The senator also revealed

that the government is committed to assisting and supporting small and medium local businesses in Grand Bahama.

Mr Thompson noted that under the direction of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the FNM government, focus would also be given on industries, such as maritime, aviation, technology, medical and ecotourism, as well as media production.

He stated that the Minnis administration is committed to the development of Freeport as a technology hub and to create incentives to establish a financial services centre in Grand Bahama.

He stressed that the state of the national economy is “worse than they possibly could have anticipated.”

The FNM government, he said, has to borrow more than $700m to cover the

bills of the previous administration and the funding of the new fiscal year’s expenditures.

“The difficult reality we face is that the government must collect more, spend less, and spend more efficiently and receive more value for money spent. This will be a reality for Grand Bahama,” he said.

Mr Thompson, however, is optimistic about their efforts to bring about economic change and recovery.

“I believe we started to achieve the first step to recovery. May 10 we not only brought a new government but also a new sense of optimism in Grand Bahama. People have hope that things will change for the better. This is not a win, however, but is a window. It is an opportunity that must be taken advantage of,” he said.

“If we truly want to

achieve a different result we must begin to do things differently. Grand Bahama must be willing to change.

For decades, this great nation and island have placed dependence on tourism and banking industries as the primary contributors to our economy.

“However, the new age of the Grand Bahama demands that we expand our way of thinking to facilitate further development. It will not be easy; it will require more from government, more from you in the private sector, more from the GBPA, including its partners and companies,” he said.

He commended the GBPA for hosting such events to motivate and equip entrepreneurs to operate successful businesses that aid in the economic development of Grand Bahama.

THE COURTYARD at Baha Mar.

BAHA MAR DEALS ‘NOT MORE THAN FOR ATLANTIS’ from page one

which he had participated, the former government conducted itself within responsible parametres and obligations.

The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP said he would be “surprised” if any conditions of the most favoured nation status (MFN) were breached by the former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration because it was always in the forefront of discussions.

This comes after The Nassau Guardian reported on Thursday that Atlantis officials intended to push to have the Baha Mar sale deal unsealed with a view to seeing whether its MFN status was upheld.

Mr Davis said: “It’s insulting to think that one would have thought that the previous administration would be so irresponsible. (We) would (have) known our responsibilities, we would (have known) our obligations and in everything that I participated in, we worked within and we conducted ourselves within the parametres of our responsibilities and obligations.

“So I would be very surprised that any conditions of the favoured entity status granted to Atlantis would have been breached by us in our negotiations with Baha Mar because that status was always in mind in all the discussions I may have been engaged in with respect to anything that they may have gotten.”

Asked whether he could say with confidence that there was no breach, Mr Davis said: “Not that I am aware of. I am confident as I am aware that in each occasion that any discussions were held in my presence, the question of the status of Atlantis was always in the forefront our discussions.”

Several days before the May 10 general election, the Christie administration released the heads of agreement signed between the government and CTF BM over Baha Mar. CTF BM is a subsidiary of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd, Baha Mar’s proposed buyer.

The document, signed April 25, revealed that the government committed to contribute $4m a year for eight years to market the

TERROR SUSPECT IS DEEMED A FLIGHT RISK from page one

their apartment on May 19.

Arthurs confessed to killing the men because they disrespected his Muslim faith, and according to the federal complaint, further claimed that Russell previously “threatened to kill people and bomb infrastructure” in Neo-Nazi online chat rooms.

In court yesterday, according to the Tampa Bay Times, prosecutors said Russell is a leader of an online forum for Nazi sympathizers.

Russell, a US National Guard member, found the bodies of his slain roommates when he returned home from National Guard duty that same day.

According to the affidavit of FBI special agent Timothy Swain, a copy of which has been obtained by The Tribune, Russell was found by police standing just outside the front door of his apartment in Florida “crying and visibly upset.”

In court yesterday, authorities said Russell told officers that he planned to go see his dad, a sheriff’s deputy in Palm Beach County, Florida. However, authorities said he instead drove south to the Florida Keys with a friend after the pair purchased two rifles and ammunition.

Russell was arrested during a traffic stop in Key Largo after police and federal authorities found what experts believe to be bombmaking materials, and a

framed photo of convicted and executed American domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, authorities also allegedly found copies of Adolph Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” and the white supremacy novel “The Turner Diaries”.

The term Neo-Nazi or Neo-Nazism encompasses post-World War II social or political movements that seek to revive the ideology of Nazism, formally known as National Socialism.

According to the affidavit of FBI special agent Swain, Russell allegedly said he was a “national socialist,” and a member of a group called the “Atom Waffen,” or “atomic weapon” in German.

West Bay Street resort.

However, the 2017-2018 budget outlines a $9m allocation for Baha Mar. When asked if this could be a breach of the MFN, Mr Davis said it would depend on whether the clause with Atlantis embraced marketing funds.

“I don’t know whether it (the MFN) did. If it did then I am certain that we would not have done more for Baha Mar than we have done for them (Atlantis) and recognising as well that my recollection of marketing subsidy it’s always had a sunset clause so it wasn’t a perpetual arrangement where you would be getting marketing funding (indefinitely).”

Under the MFN, the Bahamas government cannot agree to any terms more

favourable with an investor than those agreed to for the Atlantis resort.

The Baha Mar heads of agreement outlined a number of 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 debt.

And while stressing that there must at all times be “continued efforts” to maximise Bahamian employment at the resort, the government has 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 agreement notes that after the first 18 months of operation of the resort and casino, work permit numbers are projected to drop to 200.

The resort will also 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 heads of agreement also commits the government to solving the longstanding issues plaguing the New Providence Landfill and addressing the issue of unreliable electricity supply in the capital by the end of this year.

Baha Mar held a soft opening for its first phase on April 21.

PAGE 6, Friday, June 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

BRENSIL ROLLE, MP for Garden Hills, is pictured speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday during the budget debate.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

$10m more in govt salaries from page one “Indeed, the public service has ballooned by 6,500 new employees during the watch of the previous administration.”

To highlight the questionable nature of some hiring practices, he revealed that under the previous administration a security guard was hired to guard a police station. And such was the loose nature of the process that some people were hired but never received a salary, he said.

Given his experience in the public sector as a former teacher and a former undersecretary in the Ministry of Works, he said the hiring process under the former administration de-

parted from tradition.

“During my time in the public service,” he said, “anyone who wanted to be hired by any ministry had to, first of all, justify in their budget that the money was available, go to the Ministry of Finance, get financial clearance, then having those documents in hand, go to the public service and then say ‘I’ve identified person A - here’s the position, we’ve made provisions in our budget, I have financial clearance, go ahead and do you work.’ I’m advised that during the last five years that process was thrown outside the window. Indeed, the ministers appear to have been running a parallel service with the Ministry of Public Service where every minister hired whoev-

er they wished at whatever rank they wished, many of whom did not even come to the (Ministry of) Public Service.

“I asked the Ministry of Finance, so how did you pay these people? In many cases those people were not paid, they are still not paid and we are now getting calls to pay them. I look on the public service register, your name is not there. We don’t know that you exist. Over the next few weeks, we will have to determine what to do with these matters.”

Mr Rolle suggested that some people who fall in this category could face termination.

“I don’t want the members opposite to then jump up and scream that there is victimisation (when the government deals with

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these matters),” he said.

“They all know that if you secretly hire an individual, don’t pay them or cause them to be paid by an item inside the budget under a new heading, at some point that will catch up to you and I believe that it has.

While this government is fully committed to the Bahamian people, we are fully aware that there are some burdens we cannot carry at the public’s expense.”

Problems Mr Rolle painted a picture of an administration that failed to fix the problems long known to plague the public service sector.

An assessment by the Commonwealth Secretariat was conducted, he said, and though a myriad of problems were highlighted by

the secretariat and a report proposing a way forward was completed, the document never made its way to Cabinet where steps could have been taken to fix such issues, he said.

The diagnostic study highlighted a “dearth of skills of senior and middle managers” in the public sector, “outmoded legislation, antiquated and slothful processes, inadequate use of information and communication technologies, the exploration of lax polices and weak supervisory skills and the lack of citizen engagement.”

He highlighted the number of pensioners in the public sector, saying there are too many of them who often receive higher salaries than non-pensioners

who are capable of doing the same work.

“We are being saddled by too many pensioners with skills that are already available within the public service,” he said. “They are given salaries that are substantially higher than those in the public service.

Could you imagine an officer in the public service who makes $45,000 a year for example who sees a rehired pensioner come in with full pension and a salary that is higher than the one he makes? What do you think is going to happen to that public servant? This government will engage in an exercise that will somehow deal with these issues.”

Inefficient delivery of public services “must be stopped,” Mr Rolle said.

COOPER SAYS GOVT HELPING WEALTHY NOT SMALL FIRMS from page one

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest suggested that the tax breaks for big businesses sprung from an agreement the former administration had with Atlantis to reduce its taxes.

However, former Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said that agreement related exclusively to hotels as a way to make them more competitive with others in the region.

The agreement would not have extended to businesses outside the tourism sector, he said.

Nonetheless, Mr Cooper also questioned whether someone in the governing party will benefit from a customs duty reduction on paint.

“In prior years, the government increased duty on bottled water to protect (the local) industry and jobs,” he said.

“A reduction on duty on paint by 20 per cent will potentially harm the local manufacturing industry resulting in job losses and adversely impacting lower income households…I want to know why? And who stands to benefit?

“Without suggesting anything untoward, before I vote on this budget, we would be grateful if the government would declare whether any members of this Cabinet has a substantial interest in a paint distribution who might stand to gain.”

Mr Cooper, who has a background in business

and is the former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, criticised the government for making tax related promises without, he suggested, examining the impact such changes would have.

As an example, in the lead-up to the general election, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the FNM will “immediately” repeal value added tax (VAT) on breadbasket items, and also pledged to remove the tax from other areas.

The new administration has since said its plans for tax reform cannot be implemented in the shortterm due to the state of the economy inherited from the Christie administration.

“A system with limited exemptions enables a more efficient tax scheme,” Mr Cooper said.

“We’ve been through this over and over again.

It’s too late to be playing catch up on how VAT works. Varying rates and/ or exemptions, would require system amendments and increases the complexity of the tax collection and filing process, which is already a sore point for the business community. A change will likely impact the level of system related costs and compliance rates experienced with VAT. Fewer exemptions and more elimination/reductions of customs duties might be the way to go to create a more comprehensive VAT. “I ask, who analysed this campaign promise?

They would have had ac-

cess to the great body of work by the chamber and its Oxford economists, the IMF, the IDB and the Compass Lexecon (US consultants engaged directly by the government) and others who rely on empirical analysis.

Should the government start tinkering where it should not, I foreshadow that it would likely result in the increase of VAT to as high as 15 per cent. We must not inflict this injustice on the Bahamian people.”

Mr Cooper touched on a theme the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has embraced, accusing Mr Turnquest’s budget communication of being inappropriately political and dour on the country’s financial situation.

He cited recent statements by Moody’s expressing alarm that the country’s debt levels will be the “highest for an emerging market sovereign rated BAA” as an example of the consequence of such statements.

“It’s the wrong speech at the wrong time in the wrong place,” Mr Cooper said.

“We have come to appreciate careful deliberations in this important communication so as not to talk down or undermine the economy.

“I wonder whether this is the speech we will take with us when we go to defend the international rating of the Bahamas? Is this the one that we will take to the debt market?

“You don’t tell me you’re broke, you busted, you unemployed and the ‘cupboard is bare’ then ask me to borrow $722m.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 9, 2017, PAGE 7

Investigation into ‘gutter oil’ collection gives Chinese restaurant the all-clear

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net AN investigation into the alleged collection of “gutter oil” by a Chinese restaurant worker in New Providence has revealed that the worker in question was instead skimming the restaurant’s malfunctioning grease trap to prevent it from overflowing, Director of Environmental Health Melanie McKenzie said yesterday.

Ms McKenzie, in an in-

terview with The Tribune almost a month after the investigation was launched, said the actions of the worker in question “had nothing to do with” what was speculated to have taken place in the video that was widely shared on social media, insisting that the worker opted to skim the grease trap after failed attempts by the restaurant to have it repaired.

Nonetheless, Ms McKenzie further explained that the grease trap has since been repaired, a full

inspection of the restaurant to deal with “all the other conditions” has been completed and all issues are “rectified at this moment”.

Her statements came after earlier concerns that the worker in question was allegedly engaging in the illegal Chinese practice of collecting “gutter oil”—an illicit cooking oil that has been recycled from waste oil collected from sources such as restaurant fryers, grease traps, slaughterhouse waste and sewerage

from sewer drains.

A video of the incident went viral on social media last month, showing a man alleged to be a worker at the restaurant in question caught on camera using a large spoon to scoop what appeared to be a puddle of refuse into a large, yellow container.

At the time, senior officials at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) told The Tribune that the incident was being treated as an “urgent matter” for officials,

and that it would be forwarded to the department’s Health Inspectorate. Still, the incident gained significant traction on social media.

When asked for an update on the investigation yesterday, Ms McKenzie said DEHS officials had made three visits to the restaurant in question, the first two of which were to investigate the matter at hand, and the last one serving as a follow-up visit to conduct a “complete inspection”.

She said the department

PRIME Minister Minnis addresses BIS and ZNS management and staff.

found nothing untoward about the restaurant’s actions.

“The problem when we checked it really and truly was nothing to do with what the (video) purported,” she said. “And what the person was doing was skimming it.

They skim the grease trap if it’s not working so it doesn’t overflow. The grease trap was pumped, it’s working, and we had done a full inspection to deal with all the other conditions and they are all rectified at this moment.”

Photo: Kristaan Ingraham/BIS

MINNIS TELLS ZNS AND BIS HE WANTS PROFESSIONALISM AND DOESN’T CARE IF THEY VOTED FOR HIM IN ELECTION PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis Thursday told management and staff of Bahamas Information Services and the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, also known as ZNS, that they will be held accountable for their performance, professionalism and punctuality or lack thereof.

Dr Minnis said his administration has “freed up” the BCB so that its employees will be able to conduct business in a fair and professional manner.

“I don’t care whether you voted for me or not, that is immaterial,” Dr Minnis said, according to a release sent by BIS. “Be professional, be transparent and be honest with the public.

The chains that were on you yesterday have been broken.

“I don’t care whether you are PLP or FNM that is not my business. All I want is professionalism. I expect for you to do your work in a professional manner and to be fair to all. Once that is done, we

will have no problems.

“If you deviate, then we will have problems and that is not victimisation. That’s real talk. I don’t believe in victimisation, but I believe in professionalism and performance.”

Addressing staff members of both government bodies for the first time since being sworn-in as the fourth prime minister of an independent Bahamas, Dr Minnis said both institutions do not have to concern themselves with political interference.

GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH ITS ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME

By DANIELLE BARNES

THE government’s summer youth programme will launch on July 2 and will provide participants with employment and positive activities.

The programme was launched in 2006. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s main goal with the initiative is to help young people become more prepared for the business world by providing a wide array of programmes in which young people are able to gain experience and a source of income.

Participants learn aspects of entrepreneurship such as the essentials of owing their own business, the free enterprise system, business and economic terms and business organisation and management.

Both the private and

public sectors work to hire young people between the ages of 15-26. Applicants are required to have a valid police certificate, National Insurance card, passport, school ID and copies of all academic qualifications.

Those hired participate in one of two four week sessions. These sessions were created to allow as many students to experience summer employment.

Students are paid according to their qualifications.

In 2016, there was a 25 per cent increase in the allocation for this programme.

Press Secretary Anthony Newbold stated on Wednesday in a press briefing that there will be no increase in the new fiscal year.

“Government of course [is] always mindful of the need for fiscal responsibility,” he said.

The $2.5m that was allocated in 2016 will be main-

tained for this year’s programme.

The programme will conclude on August 31. Applications were due by May 30.

Meanwhile, the government recently approved the attendance of civil servants in several training sessions.

This approval consisted of the training for a foreign service officer to be trained in diplomatic skills in Venezuela. The government also approved a microbiologist to be trained in building practices to contribute to the safety and quality of food.

There was also a labour officer dispatched to learn about population level estimates of exposure to occupational carcinogens among workers.

“All of this is added to what is already being done to build capacity to deal with these situations [New Providence Landfill],” said Mr Newbold.

“You will be given your independence and you will be pushed towards a public broadcasting corporation. As an independent institution, as politicians, we will not interfere and if any member of my party calls you to tell you to do something that’s not professional, don’t do it. Inform me and he or she will be no more.

“If you do it, you and he will be no more. The Bahamian people only ask for fair play,” he added to a round of applause.

Dr Minnis also took the opportunity to reintroduce Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, parliamentary secretary of information and communication in the Office of the Prime Minister, to staff at the BCB and to introduce her to BIS staff.

Mrs Parker-Edgecombe is a former journalist who worked for ZNS’ Northern Service.

“You know her very well,” Dr Minnis said. “She is one of you. She came up through the system with

you and I am sure you both will get along very well.

She knows the direction you should take, she understands your language and she will teach your language to me and at the end of five years presumably I will know your language.”

Dr Minnis ended his conversation with staff at both institutions the way he began it.

“I want to close by saying I only require one thing – professionalism. Do not bring your politics here,” he added.

PAGE 8, Friday, June 9, 2017

Marching into a fiscal fire

THE TRIBUNE

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Peter Turnquest carrying his red box containing the Budget as the House of Assembly resumed.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

NOW that the new Free National Movement government has had a chance to brief the country on our financial state of affairs, I get the feeling that as bad as the dump fires have been these past few years our real Mount Vesuvius is the way the country’s money has been managed these past few years.

Fiscal House on Fire Deputy Prime Minister K. Peter Turnquest announced last week that the country will need to borrow $722m in order to cover two years’ worth of fiscal deficits. To make matters worse, we also learned this week that the previous administration hired an additional 6500 persons in the five months leading up to the last election, ballooning payroll by $10m. And if that doesn’t give you conniptions, well just let the fact that a single ‘consultant’ was reportedly paid $20m for, I guess, ‘consulting’ during the last administration.

All the revelations that are dripping into the public domain thanks to this week’s budget debate have shocked Bahamians from West End to Sheep Cay. Don’t get me wrong, most Bahamians ‘had a feeling’ based on the many downgrades, the lack of transparency, the incessant borrowing, and the failure to detail ‘where the VAT money gone’ that the country’s finances were a mess.

We knew it was bad, but we didn’t know it was $722m in the hole bad.

It’s so bad that, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, some hedge has us over a barrel for $70m by the first week in July... ‘or else!’

It’s so bad that we have to borrow money to pay for the money we’ve already borrowed.

It’s so bad that if there was such a thing as the ‘Repo Man’ for countries, I’d bet dollars to donuts he’d be riding through our neighborhood right about now, even if he isn’t quite yet on our block.

Yes, my fellow VAT payers, we – as the wise, old people say – are in deep cow poo.

So much so that the relief

YOUR

many Bahamians envisaged when the majority ushered in ‘The People’s Time’ seems to be slipping away.

When he addressed the $20m paid to the foreign consultant, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands is quoted in the Guardian as saying, “It’s like we was balling.”

Now, I’m no economist, but when a minister uses the same vernacular to describe how the government spent the people’s money that a rapper would use to describe a New Year’s Eve party on South Beach you know we are in trouble.

Our current state of affairs means that putting a dent in the $7 billion dollar debt has to become a major priority for the Minnis administration. Yet, according to DPM Turnquest, the percentage of VAT going toward paying off the debt is still to be determined. Apparently, we’re in so bad a financial state it would shock the system to do with the VAT money what the last administration had originally promised to do with the VAT money.

Although I’m horrified to hear how poorly the Christie administration handled our finances, I’m glad it’s all coming out now. We can no longer pretend we are not in bad shape.

In truth, however, I am disappointed in the way some of this information has been presented to the public. The DPM said we have a foreign consultant who was paid $20m but when asked to name names he said, “stay tuned”.

Stay tuned? Is this a reality show or reality?

And while you’re writing the script for next week’s episode of ‘Survivor: Bahamas,’ please do table the contracts that were allegedly handed out like ‘Deet’ down in MICAL. Not that the public needs much to question former MICAL MP V. Alfred Grey’s judgment, but seeing is believing.

The full expression that Hip Hop rapper Snoop Dogg made famous (and the Progressive Liberal Party obviously subscribed to) is ‘Ball till you Fall.’

Here’s hoping the new government is more aligned with gospel spirituals.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 9, 2017, PAGE 9

FROM left, Albert Cox, CEO, Scholar Books, Dorcas Bowler, director of libraries in The Bahamas, Shana Edgecombe, director of content development, Scholar Books and Halcie Scavela, assistant manager, Nassau Public Library (est. 1837).

Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Books company donates printer to library AFTER more than a year of not having a photocopier machine, the Nassau Public Library and Library Services Unit received an all-in-one copier/printer thanks to a donation from Scholar Books.

CEO Albert Cox learned

of their dilemma and moved to help by making the purchase from the Amoury Company.

The donation, valued at over $10,000, included a year of supplies and a service contract, according to a press release.

“We are dedicated to finding ways to assist the development of the educational system, and libraries and librarians throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, along with enhancing the experience of libraries,” said Mr Cox.

“We appreciate these types of partnerships and are proud to support our community.”

Dorcas Bowler, director of libraries in The Bahamas, expressed her gratitude.

“The generous dona-

tion of the copier will support the patrons with their research and homework assignments,” she said.

The octagon shaped Nassau Public Library and Museum building was once a colonial jail and today is

the largest of five libraries in the Bahamas. It is utilised by locals as well as international visitors, schools and tertiary level students.

The facility proudly caters to more than 5,000 subscribers.

SCHOLARS GRADUATE FROM LYFORD CAY FOUNDATIONS THIS year, 36 Lyford Cay Foundations scholars will graduate with their college degrees.

For the scholars, the road to achieving post-secondary education is full of hard work, sacrifice and financial planning. The Lyford Cay Foundations are proud to have been a part of each of these scholars’ path to graduation, and to a brighter future, a press release noted.

Kristal Ambrose and Rashad Storr are two scholars who are excited to have developed skills that position them to fill the gaps in under-represented industries in The Bahamas.

Ms Ambrose is from New Providence and is a graduate of R M Bailey High School. She has completed her undergraduate studies with honours at Gannon University where she majored in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in environmental science. Prior to pursuing her undergraduate degree, she graduated with her associate’s degree in fisheries management and aquaculture.

“Ms Amrose has always had the goal of making a positive impact on the physical environment of the Bahamas through science,” a press release noted. “In addition to being a fulltime student, Kristal is the founder and director of Bahamas Plastics Movement, an organisation focused on research, education and policy change surrounding plastic pollution in The Bahamas. The non-profit has educated and mobilised hundreds of students and

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educators throughout the country.”

Mr Storr of New Providence is also a graduate of R M Bailey High School, and is receiving his degree from George T Butler Aviation School where he majored in aviation technology.

With his degree, Mr Storr will be able to service all parts of aircraft ranging in size from small charter planes to large commercial planes.

He said: “In The Bahamas, airline mechanics are rare. My skills are going to be a great asset and open doors that I could have only dreamed of just a few years ago before receiving this scholarship.”

The two “are representative of this class of graduating scholars who are set to make an impact in the country in a variety of under-represented fields that include global health and development, marine engineering, communications disorders, auto technology, architectural building engineering and underwater welding”, the Lyford Cay Foundations noted.

“Our scholarships programme helps to create opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing both academic studies and technical trades. We are eager to assist students who want to study in fields that are greatly needed in the country,” said Maureen French, managing director of the Lyford Cay Foundations.

“The foundations look forward to seeing the wide impact that these 36 scholars will have on industries throughout the country.”

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PAGE 10, Friday, June 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

FITNESS TESTING FOR MARINES AT DEFENCE FORCE BASE FROM mid-May to present, service members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) have been undergoing their annual base fitness test at the Coral Harbour Base to ensure their physical fitness.

All marines are required to complete a determined amount of push-ups, situps, pull ups, a timed 1.5 mile run followed by a 300-metre swim and dive.

There are some officers and marines who aim to max out every score.

“Because these exercises are all completed one after the other, it can be very taxing on the body for the average person. While good health and fitness are extremely important for the officers and marines, a

higher level of physical fitness is necessary in order to perform reliably when carrying out their duties,” the RBDF noted.

In addition to this, it promotes better overall health, higher performances and combat readiness with minimal fatigue, the RBDF added.

Because physical fitness is crucial to the overall effectiveness of the RBDF, service members in optimal physical condition play an invaluable role towards the organisation’s mandate.

“However, although we can test and score someone’s physical fitness, it is much more difficult to measure someone’s heart and dedication,” the RBDF noted.

A RBDF marine taking part in the sit-up exercise during the annual base fitness test at Coral Harbour Base. A training instructor looks on to ensure exercises are being done correctly.

Photo: Marine Seaman Michael Turner/RBDF

Girl Guides Girl Guides. - New Bight Primary School made history on Friday, 12th May, 2017 when all 13 girls, the principal, two teachers and two support staff made their promise as Sunflowers, Brownies and Girl Guide Leaders. The excitement and enthusiasm of the girls, leaders and parents as being the first members of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association on Cat Island after 102 years in The Bahamas, was only matched by the appreciation of the District Superintendent, Garth King and Chief Commissioner, Sonia Adderley and Family Island Assistant Chief Commissioner, Elma Garraway.

Carol Harvey, when appointed principal of the school vowed that her 30 students from grades 1 to 3 will all become members of a youth group. She selected the Guides and Scouts, and with the support of the parents and teachers and persons in the community, she achieved her objective.

In addition to their usual school work, the students also enjoy the activities provided in the Brownie

JOIN THE CLUB

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

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

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

ACTIVITIES at Nassau Nastics - the gymnastics club is hosting summer camps from June 19 until August 18. and Cub Scout meetings: games to teach discipline, honesty and other values; activities to show duty to God, service to others and care for their environment, all while having lots of fun.

At the enrolment ceremony, the girls proudly displayed their reading, speaking, drama and dancing abilities. The chief commissioner welcomed the girls into the sisterhood of more than 3400 members in The Bahamas and over eight million girls around the world. She further encouraged them to be work towards badges and become the best girls that they can be.

The District Superintendent reminded the girls and

the teachers of the importance of living by the Promise made. He also thanked Mrs Harvey for her leadership and initiative in the establishment of the youth groups. He challenged the principals of the other schools on Cat Island to begin groups at their schools.

The Bahamas Girl Guides Association thanks the Templeton Religion Trust for their financial assistance given with the establishment of groups throughout the Family Islands. Schools, churches, communities or parents interested in beginning Sunflowers, Brownies, Guides and Rangers can contact the Bahamas Girl Guides Association at Telephone

Funeral Service For FLOYD LAWRENCE BETHEL, 53 a resident of Forbes Street, Nassau Village, will be held at Last Days Gospel Assembly Church, Nassau Village, on Saturday 10th June, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Officiating will be Bishop Michael Ferguson. Cremation follows.

NO. 322-4342 or email bahamasgirlguides@msn. com.

Nassau Nastics Nassau Nastics. - From June 19 until August 18, Nassau Nastics will hold its Gymnastics Summer Camp. Youngsters can join in the fun and experience the sport of gymnastics in a safe and structured atmosphere.

Nassau Nastics is the oldest gymnastics club in The Bahamas and our summer program has been a overwhelming success for many years. Kids that enroll in our summer camp can safely learn their favorite gymnastics skills; rolling, tumbling, flipping, spinning and more.

The club is in the Oakesfield Shopping Centre and also in the Seagrapes Shopping Centre in the east. Classes are Monday– Friday from 9am-2pm.

Cost is $85 weekly at the Oakesfield gym and $95 weekly at the Seagrapes gym; lunch not included.

Field trip every Friday!

Cost not included. Girls and boys ages 5+. Contacts: 356-7722, 364-8423 or Email: nassaunastics@ yahoo.com

GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling greets state director for The Bahamas Christopher Saunders during a courtesy call on June 6 by local Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Photo: Derek Smith Sr Both chapters also had Phi Beta Sigma several independent votChapters ing initiatives leading up to the 2017 general elections in The Bahamas as a part Phi Beta Sigma Chap- of the fraternity’s “Project ters. - The Delta Epsilon Vote” initiative.

Sigma chapter and Beta “We were able to enlightBeta Lambda chapters of en Her Excellency about the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity many programs and achieveIncorporated paid a cour- ments of both chapters,” Deltesy call on Governor-Gen- ta Epsilon Sigma president eral HE Dame Marguerite Derek Smith Jr. said. “We Pindling on June 6, 2014. were very proud of our ProThe chapters visited Her ject Vote registration drives Excellency as a part of the and mentorship programs.”

“Sigmas on Capital Hill” Both chapters average global initiative. The pur- more than 1300 hours of pose of the program is to community service each promote the fraternity and year while making an imits work in all areas of gov- pact in the community. ernment.

“The chapters have clearThe Nassau-based chap- ly been providing unified ters promoted their men- efforts to address political torship programs, financial and community issues,” literacy programs, and com- Smith added. munity services initiatives.

Left to cherish his memories are his: Mother: Ethel Roker; Three Children: Lauri, Lauren and Floyd Jr.; Grand daughter: Destiny; Five Sisters: Trudy Emmanuel, Christine Johnson, Jennis Sweeting, Lisa Archer, Mary Strachan; Two Brothers: Noel Strachan, Kevin Strachan; Four Brothers-in-laws: Emerson Johnson, Peter Sweeting, Creswell Aracher, Isacc Emmanuel; Numerous Nieces and Nephews including: Theodore, Latoya, PC3767 Shaquille Sweeting, Anfernee, Ryan, Carlos, Michael, Emmerson Jr., Albertha, Sophia, Doris, Marcus, Cecil, Ashnic, Creslin, Creswell Jr., Shavanteh, Hillary, Robert Jr., Kayrell, and other relatives and friends including: Candi Brown (Mother of his children), Pastor Ishmael Martin & Family, Rev. Quebell Martin & Family, Valerie Pratt & Family, Marina Baillou, Elzine Johnson & Family, Joycelyn Woodside & Family, Pat Bethel & Family, Dian Sands & Family, the Nassau Village Community and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12-6:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 2:00 p.m. until service time.

MEMBERS of the Sunflowers and their leaders.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 9, 2017, PAGE 11

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THE TRIBUNE