06172019 BUSINESS

business@tribunemedia.net

MONDAY, JUNE 17,TH 2019

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Unions unite to threaten taxi and bus service shutdown

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

TAXI and jitney drivers have now joined forces and are threatening a ‘massive shutdown’ if government does not take their concerns seriously, stating: “We will no longer be pushed aside.”

Both president of the 1100 strong Bahamas Taxicab Union (BTCU) Wesley Ferguson and president of the Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union Frederick Farrington told Tribune Business that government has until July 1 to meet with them and work on resolving their issues.

Mr Ferguson told Tribune Business: “The taxi and bus drivers have joined forces because we have pretty much the same issues. They are closely connected. We don’t want any more smokescreens or stall tactics.

We are warning the government that this is the last delay. They cannot expect us to sit idly by and do nothing. The more they delay, the more determined we will become to withdraw services, taxis and jitneys and see how that plays out.

Drivers “The issues that the taxi and jitney drivers face are real issues. We will no longer allow the government to push us to the side and disrespect us. Until they realise how valuable the taxi and jitney services are they will continue to push us to the side. We are going to expect better from the government and force them to do better.”

As to the industry’s concerns Mr Ferguson said: “We are talking about moratorium on taxi plates to being lifted, the unfair practice of leasing of

taxi plates and how to actually regulate the industry where taxi drivers can actually own a business.”

Mr Farrington told Tribune Business: “We are saying enough is enough. We had reached out to the minister and the prime minister following our last press conference we had and have heard nothing from them. We want to sit down and have this conversation before we take the next step. It looks like we are going to have to take an approach that we don’t want to take. We are talking about a massive shutdown, a strategic, organised shutdown.”

According to Farrington there are approximately 330 public drivers operating on 23 routes in New Providence with the union representing 75 to 80 percent of them. “We actually represent drivers, owners and SEE PAGE B05

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CONCERN OVER MARGINS ON NEW BREADBASKET ITEMS

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

RUPERT ROBERTS

SUPERVALUE’S owner says retailers will have to ‘wait and see’ what margins are allowed on the items to be added to the breadbasket list, noting if the low grocery margins are used for such perishable items it could force smaller retailers out of business.

Rupert Roberts believes the move to add more fruits and vegetables to the breadbasket list is a good thing and lauded Health Minister Dr Duane Sands for his efforts.

“What we know is that they are going to put certain produce items on the SEE PAGE B05

CANADIAN FIRM CHASES UNPAID MILLIONS FROM RENEW WALKAWAY

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A CANADIAN recycling manufacturer says it is has been left ‘holding the bag’ over a multi-million materials recycling facility (MRF) sold to the New Providence landfill’s former manager Renew Bahamas, and is now urging the government to bring an end to the ‘back and forth’.

Machinex which is based in Plessisville, Quebec, is described as an industry leader in engineering, manufacturing, and installing Material Recovery Facilities all around the world. According to a press release on the company’s

website, the MRF and associated infrastructure was constructed at a total cost of $7 million.

The company said in a statement obtained by Tribune Business: “Machinex for a number of years now, has been trying to have a receivable payment sorted out for the MRF they at the time sold to Renew Bahamas Ltd and their partners the Department of Environmental Health to further the recycling efforts at the Nassau dump. Renew SEE PAGE B05

HEALTHCARE NEEDS A CLEAR VISION - AND GREATER FUNDING

BY NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

FOR the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to expand the services provided under the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme $20m ‘is not going to do it’, according to Medical Association of The Bahamas (MAB) president Dr Marcus Cooper, stressing there must be a vision and serious commitment to improving the state of healthcare in the country.

Dr Cooper, who was a panelist on the recent Financial Voice forum, told Tribune Business: “I would

say that healthcare in the public sector has been stifled a bit. I did read through the line items in the budget.

I saw the subventions for the Public Hospitals Authority and NHI. NHI is probably the most impactful programme healthcare will experience in the history of the country. There is a budget of $20m for NHI. If you expect the national health insurance programme to expand then you have to increase the amount of money you allocate to NHI. If you expect to make a significant impact in the healthcare of the country then you have to commit to it.”

He added: “The Minister SEE PAGE B05

PAGE 2, Monday, June 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

REHABILITATION WORK UNDERWAY ON AIRPORT RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY MAJOR rehabilitation work has begun on Runway 09/27 (soon to be Runway 10/28) and Taxiway India at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) has partnered with local firm Bahamas Hot Mix to complete the capital project valued at just under $20 million.

The rehabilitation exercise will result in required upgrades to asphalt, extending the life of the runways

at LPIA. Runway End Safety Areas (RESAs) will also be added to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft that overrun the runways and new LED approach lights will be installed to assist pilots during low visibility operations.

Over the past year, internationally recognized independent pavement consulting company, Golder Associates Ltd. (Golder), was contracted to work closely with NAD’s Airside Operations & Public Safety

team and to conduct preengineering, design, tender preparations and contract administration services for the runway rehabilitation project.

In April 2019, NAD initiated a Request For Tenders (RFT) to six qualified companies (four international and two Bahamian firms) to submit bids for asphalt paving services for the project. A total of four bids were received and submitted to the independent pavement consultant for

LYNDEN Pindling International Airport. evaluation including three international companies (United States, Canada and Costa Rica) and one Bahamian firm.

Bid After all of the bids were carefully evaluated, Golder recommended that the contract be awarded to Bahamian asphalt paving company Bahamas Hot Mix (BHM). Golder determined that the company submitted the most competitive bid and met all of the specifications required to complete the project in the most efficient, cost effective and timely manner. In recent years BHM has successfully

delivered Runway Projects at the following airports: Marsh Harbour -2006, Norman’s Cay – 2013, Bimini -2015, Staniel Cay -2015, Hog Cay -2016, and Grand Bahama International Airport -2016. In addition, in 2009, BHM would have successfully remediated significant paving works on LPIA’s main runway (14/32) after its reconstruction from 2004-2006.

Its team of 150 staff has repeatedly delivered Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliant Projects, utilizing the BHM International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accredited operating

The Cove Eleuthera is seeking a qualified

Director of Engineering

to join our Engineering Team. The successful candidate should have the following minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or university; or equivalent related work related experience and/or training. Formal training in the following: refrigeration, plumbing, air conditioning, reverse osmosis facilities, building and construction. Prefer 5+ years’ prior supervisory skills and work experience as Assistant or Director of Engineering and mechanical trades with hotel/resort, hospitals or large buildings.

Must have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with ease.

Computer skills required. Strong guest and team member relations skills.

Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certification. Safety sensitive position.

All interested applicants can forward their Resume and Cover Letter to HumanResources@thecoveeleuthera.com

procedures for 9001 Quality Assurance and Control, 14001 – Environment, 17001 – Compliance Testing and 18001 – Safety. It is NAD’s expectation that the LPIA airside pavement rehabilitation project will be delivered safely, to specification, on time and on budget.

On Sunday, LPIA began operating as a single runway facility and this is expected to continue over the next four to six months.

Airport stakeholders have activated contingency plans that should assist with reducing impact to overall operations at the country’s major gateway.

LPIA will continue to operate a safe and efficient airport, meeting all international safety standards.

Patience NAD officials are advising members of the travelling public to exercise patience when arriving or departing from LPIA, as there will likely be delays resulting from the runway rehabilitation project.

Motorists using the intersection of Windsor Field Rd. and Rock Plant Rd. are asked to approach the area with caution, pay particular attention to signage in the area and be aware of heavy equipment movement in the area starting this week.

Crews will conduct work between sunrise and sunset.

Based on the projected timeline, NAD anticipates works being completed before the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

For the latest updates on the runway rehabilitation project, visit www. nassaulpia.com or follow @ Nassau_Airport on Instagram and Facebook.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 17, 2019, PAGE 3

ISLAND INSIGHTS: Crown Land – ownership and management

By Roderick A. Simms II An Advocate for Sustainable Family Islands Growth and Development E: RASII@ME.com

CROWN Land can be defined as public land. It is a territorial area owned by the state (government) by which citizens have access and rights to use this land.

In The Bahamas, the issues surrounding Crown Land can be summarized into two parts: ownership & management. This segment will address these issues in an attempt to explore the political, social, and legislative sides of this matter. It will also provide an insight into digital solutions and technology driven initiatives that can help to resolve some of these issues.

MANAGEMENT Crown Land is managed by the Department of Land and Surveys in The Bahamas. However, successive governments have failed to address an estimated 30,000 plus applications for Bahamians requesting the use of Crown Land. This speaks to the poor management and lack of attention being provided to this process which hinders Bahamians from doing business and building homes in their own country.

A properly managed system would be beneficial to spur economic growth for The Bahamas, especially those living on Family Islands since the cost of doing business is already higher when having to account for transportation costs, utilities, and shipping supplies.

In 2018, the current government announced that once enacted, the Economic Empowerment Zones Bill (2018), would help to establish an inventory of Crown Land throughout The Bahamas in a bid to make low cost housing available. While this appears to be progressive attempts to render problems facing Crown Land distribution and ownership, it does not take away from the fact Bahamians have not been a priority when it comes to Crown Land reform.

It is often a cry for many locals to get approval for Crown Land applications and land registration despite it being 2019. Obtaining a title search is also a tedious process and the process does not allow for full transparency. In fact, The Bahamas has ranked extremely low (167 out of 190 countries) on the land registry process in 2018.

This is one of the lowest rankings and it speaks to

the need to tighten up the land registration process.

With work clearly to be done, one of the solutions brought to the attention of the public and government is blockchain - a technology system that can be programmed to track anything of value such as records, financial data, and land titles.

It is a non-destructive way to record data and allows for transparency to be present because changes are always recorded rather than destroyed or altered.

It allows for each step of the process to be recorded so that there is no guessing on who the land belongs to or how it was obtained. It also cuts out the need for any intermediaries that could either be costly or time consuming. Since blockchain technology allows us to trust the data being used, it does not require someone to vet a document which can take years in The Bahamas.

Instead, it can be done the same day and limits factors of consideration such as risk & exposure.

Another way blockchain can help is by allowing for this data to be shared to the public. It would still be a good idea, however, to have audited annual reports on how crown land applications/approvals and land registration progress.

OWNERSHIP Crown Land amounts to approximately 70 percent of all land in The Bahamas but the ratio in terms of Bahamian versus foreign ownership is unclear. The issues surrounding ownership and Crown Land is quite simple. It is fair to say Bahamians have always been second best to foreign counterparts when obtaining the territorial area. In an article, Attorney Alfred Sears once pointed out that, “Significant Crown grants, long Crown leases and government conveyances and leases by the Hotel Corporation and the treasurer were made to Baha Mar, Baker’s Bay in Abaco, MSC in Ocean Cay port and resort, Resorts World/Bimini Bay, Royal Caribbean seabed lease in Berry Island, Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma and Breezes in Cable Beach and numerous islands and cays in the Exumas and Abacos.” In 2018, Oban Energies, a company who proposed to build a $5.5 billion oil refinery and storage facility in East End, Grand Bahama, was expected to lease 690 acres of Crown Land. Yet, there are thousands of applications from

Bahamians that have yet to be processed. This is when it becomes obvious that Bahamians are not priority.

While foreign direct investments are important to economic growth, allowing Bahamians to act as entrepreneurs, home owners, and business owners is equally important. Earlier this year, the

“The agenda to achieve economic growth seems to be fitting for foreign direct investors but not for Bahamians who are faced with the high cost of living in The Bahamas.” prime minister announced that Family Islanders who have been leasing Crown Land from the government would be given the properties they are leasing.

This would include those who were impacted by the failed launch of the Bahamas Agricultural Research and Training Development (BARTAD) project. The failure of this project led to leaving families living on large plots of land that they did not own. It is important that governments assess these sort of investments/ projects especially when it comes to leasing Crown Land to avoid instances such as this.

QUIETING TITLES ACT: ABOLISH OR STAY? A quiet title establishes who owns a property; therefore, the Quieting Titles Act outlines the criteria to make this decision. The court provides a judgment on who owns the property which is the final decision. Therefore, a quiet title “quiets” any questions or doubts surrounding who is the true owner of the property.

The need to bring matters of ownership to the court arises when there is a dispute over ownership or when there is no probate or deed to ensure the property is owned by the person claiming to own the land.

In The Bahamas, there are many instances where persons who claim generational property have lost rights

because there was no steps taken to transfer title.

The Privy Council, the highest court in the Bahamian judicial system, has reiterated concerns about the Bahamas’ Quieting Titles Act for quite some time.

In October 2018, the Privy Council’s recent ruling was reported over a title for a plot of land in Eleuthera between Eleuthera Properties Limited and a group who claims ownership based on their lineage to the slaves.

“All that can be said is that, however successful the machinery of the act has been, and may yet be, in quieting title to other parts of The Bahamas, it has not proved to be an effective vehicle for that purpose in relation to the property (in question),” the Privy Council’s ruling states.

This case provides an understanding as to how damaging the Quieting Titles Act can be especially in those instances where families who are not able to fight against multinational corporations who seek to take over a piece of land.

Essentially, the act does not favour the interest of the Bahamian people. It was reported that Centreville MP Reece Chipman said he intends to call for a select committee to investigate all matters relevant to the Quieting Titles Act. Chipman explained the committee would be intended to “investigate” all matters relative to the act since 1959.

The take out from the committee would be to see if the act should be abolished or amended to be more beneficial to Bahamians

CONCLUSION In closing, there is a disparity in the issuance of Crown Land to Bahamians versus foreigners in terms of ownership and management. It raises the question, why have past governments been so opposed to getting this process fixed? Is it a matter of technicalities or is it because they simply don’t want the average Bahamian to be in possession of this land?

The agenda to achieve economic growth seems to

be fitting for foreign direct investors but not for Bahamians who are faced with the high cost of living in The Bahamas. When the average household income for a Bahamian is $25,000 to $30,000, it becomes difficult to rent or take out a mortgage especially on the Family Islands.

Also, mega projects that are on Crown Land can lead to a hike in real estate in surrounding areas, making it more difficult for Bahamians to open businesses or buy homes. All of these issues combined, proves to be a strong case for this issue to be resolved sooner than later.

PAGE 4, Monday, June 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

FIRST TENANTS MOVE IN TO COMPLETED THIRTY SIX

ARISTO Development has completed construction on the $30 million luxury residential THIRTY SIX development on Paradise Island with the first residents taking occupancy.

“We are very proud to announce 100 percent completion of THIRTY SIX and the immense satisfaction which our residents are reporting,” said Aristo President & CEO Jason Kinsale. “Everything about the building turned out as we projected with the attention to detail that says quality standards synonymous with Aristo Development. We have to thank all of our crew, our Bahamian team and all our partners who made this happen.”

At the height of construction, THIRTY SIX accounted for nearly 200 jobs. Bahamas-based Sterling Global Financial provided equity funding for the development with 38 residences, large pool and pool deck, state of the art fitness centre, 24-hour security and available concierge service.

According to Aristo Director of Sales & Marketing Matthew Marco, interest in THIRTY SIX was strong from the start with prices appreciating already.

“THIRTY SIX is the first new condominium development on Paradise Island in a decade so there was a sense of excitement and a lot of buzz from the start,” said Marco.

“Prices have climbed more than 30 percent from pre-construction. We are 80 percent sold which is a very comfortable place to be. I was so confident from the start that I chose to be a homeowner in the building as well.”

Marco believes THIRTY SIX targeted an underserved market.

“There are Europeans, Americans, Canadians and

Bahamians who want a lock and leave lifestyle with all the luxuries of a resort and the comfort of their own private home,” said Marco. “And they don’t want to pay millions for the privilege to live like the privileged. All units also qualify the purchaser for Bahamian Permanent Residency status which has made The Bahamas even more alluring for international buyers.”

Pricing of the final phase of two-bedroom residences ranges from the $800,000’s to over $1.4 million. All penthouse units feature panoramic views and private roof-top terraces. An inhouse property management company handles both short and long-term rentals for owners who want to benefit from the robust demand for quality housing on the island.

Sterling Senior Executive Vice President Khaalis Rolle said the company partnered with Aristo Development for two reasons.

“We have been very impressed by Aristo’s track record of successes starting with its first project, Hampton Ridge, and continuing throughout everything they have touched, including Balmoral and most recently ONE Cable Beach,” said Rolle. “Aristo demonstrates the ability of Bahamian companies to perform at the highest standards.

“Secondly, the project, when proposed, met our objective at Sterling which is to contribute to the growth of the Bahamian economy through real estate and quality development.

“We want to help create a strong construction and development sector which we believe will add immeasurably to employment rates, national development, international reputation and individual quality of life.”

Atlantis hosts annual Caribbean Group of Securities Regulators Conference and Workshop THE 15th Annual Caribbean Group of Securities Regulators (CGSR) Conference and Workshop took place last week with representatives from 10 regional securities regulators participating.

The CGSR Conference and Workshop was held at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, 13-14 June under the theme “Strengthening Securities Market Resilience in the Caribbean.” The Securities Commission of The Bahamas (the “Commission”) hosted the event, which was co-sponsored by the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC).

The CGSR Conference and Workshop provides a forum for regional securities regulators to build their technical expertise, discuss issues facing Caribbean securities and financial markets, and explore developmental issues.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Senator Carl Bethel brought the keynote address at the opening ceremony. The Senator discussed The Bahamas’ recent legislative achievements in financial services, and the improvement in its ratings under the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) peer review process, and

that the region was stronger together.

“New and improved legal and regulatory frameworks are important to build resilience, as is being seen to comply with sensible standards that protect investors, consumers and the financial markets from abuse and contagion,” Senator Bethel said.

“In the context of this gathering there is another critical element to discuss, and that is regional cohesion to further our shared interests.”

This year’s conference and workshop marked the end of the Securities Commission’s four-year run as Chair and Secretariat of CGSR. The Commission’s executive

The Cove Eleuthera is seeking a qualified

Executive Chef

to join our Food and Beverage Culinary Team. The successful candidate should have the following minimum requirements: Culinary degree or equivalent related work related experience and/or training. Prefer 5+ years’ prior supervisory skills and hotel/resort culinary/food and beverage management experience. Must have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with ease. Computer skills required. Strong guest and team member relations skills.

Must maintain current food handler’s certification All interested applicants can forward their Resume and Cover Letter to HumanResources@thecoveeleuthera.com

director, Ms. Christina Rolle, said that hosting the workshops and meetings in recent years has advanced several of the Commission’s goals, such as by demonstrating regional leadership in securities regulation and through building technical capacity.

“The Commission has been well-positioned to expose a broad swath of staff to the technical capacity building opportunities provided in areas such as risk-based supervision, enhancing financial stability, building market confidence, and the opportunities and threats presented by financial technology,” Ms. Rolle said.

“It has been a pleasure to work with all participating regulators form across the Caribbean and to build and deepen our relationships.”

CARTAC Resident Advisor in Financial Stability, Dr. Brian Langrin, also brought remarks at the opening ceremony. He said that this year’s conference was built around strengthening resilience against the direct and indirect costs in the areas of financial technology (fintech), cybersecurity and climate change.

“These three vital topics are far-reaching and borderless threats to financial stability,” Dr. Langrin said.

“Regulation throughout the region is lagging far behind the threats. There is a clear role for regional policy coordination to appropriately regulate securities markets such that information asymmetries around these threats are minimized.”

Ms. Rolle gave special thanks to CARTAC, who she said makes the annual event possible for regional securities regulators. In addition to Mr. Langrin, the CARTAC team includes Mr. Ralph Lewars, Financial Sector Supervision Adviser, and Ms. Shirley-Ann Lovell, Administrative Assistant.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 17, 2019, PAGE 5

CONCERN OVER MARGINS ON NEW BREADBASKET ITEMS FROM PAGE ONE breadbasket list,” said Mr Roberts. “We don’t have a problem with that but a problem could arise with regards to the margins which could devastate the supermarkets and force the small retailers out of business and our five or six inner city stores if they use the low grocery margins for perishables.”

He added: “There’s no point speculating on the margins. We have to wait and see. We assume they would give us a margin to pay our

expenses. If they try to use the grocery margins for perishables it could wipe out the small stores. We would really have to fight that if we don’t get the proper margins but I assume we will. We know the items, we know they intend to price control them but at what margins? Even with margins not everyone is going to sell at the same price and the way things works it could be a 20-30 percent price difference between stores.”

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands during his contribution to the 2019/2020 budget

noted that new healthy items will soon be added to the country’s breadbasket item list.

“Specifically, Bahamians can look forward to spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, apples, oranges, strawberries, beans, peas, almonds and so much more being not only vat-free, but price protected,” said Dr Sands.

He did not say when the new breadbasket list will come into effect. As of August 1, 2018, VAT was removed from all breadbasket items, except sugar.

UNIONS UNITE TO HEALTHCARE NEEDS A CLEAR THREATEN TAXI VISION - AND GREATER FUNDING AND BUS SERVICE FROM PAGE ONE

of Finance was very clear and concise about some of the things the government is trying to achieve. He noted that they want to reduce spending, generate income and balance the budget.

“There seems to be a clear plan on how they do it. I don’t see that kind of vision for any other industry. I definitely don’t see it for healthcare.”

Dr Cooper noted that while the Free National Movement’s manifesto had given glimpses of a vision for healthcare, he stressed the need for greater commitment. “There is somewhat of a vision but I want to see it fleshed out.

“There should be a clear path for healthcare,” said Dr Cooper.

Dr Cooper stressed he did not want to be seen as being critical of government when it comes to healthcare. “I want to be an advocate for healthcare, if that comes off as critical so be it. I’m not really critical, I just think we can do a lot better,” he said.

The Public Hospitals

Authority’s budget has increased by $7m, up $223,455,825 from $216,000,000. “It’s only $7m more than last year. I don’t think there is going to be any earth-shattering developments in healthcare because we got $7m more,” said Dr Cooper.

“I think the PHA will have to manage money very well and find ways to generate income to supplement what government is giving them.

I don’t think the government has to give them everything. They haven’t been doing a great job collecting fees but I think there is a plan for that,” said Dr Cooper.

Regarding NHI and the expanded benefits, he said: “I don’t think $20m is going to do it.

“I think we are going to have to negotiate with government to help get additional funds to expand the NHIA and the services we are giving now.”

As previously reported by Tribune Business, healthcare for the 206,000 people covered by the employer mandate will be financed through their annual $1,000 Standard Health

Benefit (SHB) premium, NHI’s minimum level of care, which is to come from a combination of 1.5 percent of their annual gross salary and employer contributions.

This cost is separate, and on top of, the $130m that will be incurred by the Government (Bahamian taxpayer) in financing NHI coverage for the 160,000 not covered by the employer mandate.

The NHI Authority has said the $130m cost for those outside the “employer mandate” will be financed via “a diverse mix of revenue sources”, one of which is NHI’s “existing budget allocation” that stands at $20m.

That leaves a further $110m to be located, but the NHI Authority said it would come from VAT paid on private health insurance premiums; a “reallocation” of resources from the Public Hospitals Authority’s (PHA) existing $216m budget to cover services NHI will now provide; the $8-$10m that a “sugary drinks tax” may raise; and the scheme’s own “risk equalisation” method.

SHUTDOWN

FROM PAGE ONE

franchise holders under that umbrella,” said Farrington.

Among the issues bus drivers are looking to have addressed are a possible fare increase, the lack of bus stops along the various routes, improvement to the inadequate shelter at major bus stops and the lack of restroom facilities for public transportation drivers. “We want the

government to sit down with the taxi union and the drivers so we can resolve our issues.

Transport and Local Government Minister Renward Wells said last month the prime minister has formed a cabinet subcommittee of six ministers to tackle all issues surrounding the taxi industry.

Mr Ferguson said recently however that he had little confidence in that committee.

FIRM CHASES UNPAID MILLIONS FROM RENEW WALKAWAY FROM PAGE ONE

Bahamas made payments on the financing Machinex provided them with but, as well documented, walked away from their contract and financial obligations related to their landfill management agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and themselves.

Rights “For over two years Machinex and their senior management were led to believe and told by Renew’s old management that they were in arbitration with Government to get their differences sorted out. We now know that this is an untruth.

Machinex was given sole ownership rights to the unit based at the New Providence Landfill by the courts with jurisdiction in 2016. Machinex through their management and their local consultants have for the last 12

months spoken to all parties involved to come to an amicable solution to this problem but it seems that even with the new Landfill management company in place, and with Machinex having written to the board of NPEP, the ball has been given back to the Ministry of the Environment and Housing, who were appraised as far back as ten months ago, and yet, we are back where we started.”

The company said it is “trying its very hardest” to ensure progress continues at the New Providence Landfill. “We will continue to help if so requested by the new managers, but at the same time the company would like to see resolution brought to this outstanding issue and someone take authority to make the call on what needs done to get this back and forth ended to everyone’s benefit.”

JP Michielsen of Mico Consult, the former Stellar Waste executive in a letter to

Environment and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira and Permanent Secretary Deveaux Isaacs on behalf of Machinex noted that when Renew left the landfill and basically defaulted on their contract with the Department of Environmental Health Services, they, in the process also defaulted on their obligations to their vendors.

Negotiations He claimed Machinex had been lied to for years

by Michael Cox, the old Renew Chief Executive Officer, who claimed Renew Bahamas had been in negotiations and arbitration with the Government of the Bahamas, to have the matter resolved.

“Machinex has always done what is right to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, helped Renew at the time to get the recycling going to the benefit of all and are up until

now, left holding the bag.

We would like to see this entire matter be brought to a positive close, and will await your suggestions to have this settled in an amicable way, one that works for all parties involved,” Michielsen stated.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

2017 CLE/QUI/No.0003

Common Law and Equity Division BETWEEN IN THE MATTER of the Quieting Titles Act 1959 AND IN THE MATTER OF Petition of “VERNELL ROLLE” AND IN THE MATTER of ALL THAT piece parcel or lot of land bounded on the North by Romer Street and running thereon 44.70 feet Eastwardly and bounded by 12 feet Alley Way and running thereon 81.86 feet Southwardly and bounded by property said to be owned by Joseph Forbes and running thereon 56.80 feet Westwardly and bounded by property said to be owned or claimed by Joseph Forbes and running thereon 82.65 Feet.

NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that Vernell Rolle claims to be the owner in fee simple in possession of the said land and has made application of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Under Section 3 of the Quieting Title Act, 1959 to have their title to the said land investigated and the nature and extent thereof determined and declared in a Certificate of Title to be granted by the Court in accordance with the provision of the said Act. A plan of the said land NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any person or persons having dower or rights may be inspected during normal working hours at: of dower or an Adverse Claim of Claim not recognized in the Petition shall on or (a) The Registry of the Supreme Court, New Providence in the before the 7th day of August A.D, 2019, file in the Supreme Court in New Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Chambers of V. Alfred Gray Providence aforesaid and serve on the Petitioner or the undersigned a & HEREBY Company,GIVEN Dowdeswell House, Dowdeswell Armstrong NOTICE IS that any person or persons and having dower or Street, rights Statement of their claim aforesaid on or before the 7th day of August A.D., New of dower or anProvidence; Adverse Claim of Claim not recognized in the Petition shall on or 2019, or it will operate as a bar to such claim.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any person or persons having dower or rights before the 7th day of August A.D, 2019, file in the Supreme Court in New of dower or an Adverse and Claimserve of Claim thethe Petition shall on or Providence aforesaid on not the recognized Petitionerinor undersigned a day claim of August A.D, on 2019, file in the the 7Supreme New before the of 7ththeir th day of Court Augustin A.D., Statement aforesaid or before Dated this 12th day of June A.D., 2019 Providence aforesaid and serve on the Petitioner or the undersigned a 2019, or it will operate as a bar to such claim.

Statement of their claim aforesaid on or before the 7th day of August A.D., 2019, or it will operate as a bar to such claim.

Dated this 12th day of June A.D., 2019 V.ALFRED GRAY & CO. th day of June A.D., 2019 Dated this 12Chambers Dowdeswell House Dowdeswell & Armstrong Street Nassau, Bahamas Attorneys for the Petitioner V.ALFRED GRAY & CO. Chambers

PAGE 6, Monday, June 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

STATE LEADERS OKAY RENTAL PROTECTIONS FOR PRICEY NEW YORK

By DAVID KLEPPER ASSOCIATED PRESS

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than one million apartment dwellers in and around New York City are getting new protections against big rent increases under a landmark tenants’ rights bill signed into law Friday.

The measure, which passed the

Democrat-controlled Senate and Assembly Friday afternoon and was immediately signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, strengthens the existing rent stabilisation and rent control rules that govern rental increases and evictions in many older, multiunit apartments.

It also makes the rules permanent, eliminating the need for leaders in Albany

to regularly renew the law, which was set to expire Saturday.

Lawmakers voted to extend several protections throughout the state, including one prohibiting security deposits of more than one month’s rent. The law will also authorise cities throughout the state to opt into rent stabilization rules.

The law is a big victory for tenants, housing advocates and many progressive groups that say high rents in New York City are forcing out many lower and middle-class residents. It’s also a stunning defeat for the New York City real estate industry, long one of the most politically powerful forces in the state Capitol.

“Today the tenants will win,” said Sen. Zellnor Myrie, D-Brooklyn, who was raised in a rent stabilized apartment. “We have been losing in this building for decades, but today, the tenants will win.”

Landlords have warned that apartments may fall into disrepair if owners aren’t allowed to raise the rent high enough to cover the cost of improvements.

The Partnership for New York City, a leading business advocacy organisation, said the changes could backfire.

“This rent reform package will inevitably lead to the same loss of decent, middle-class housing that we experienced in the 1970s and 1980s,” the group said in a statement. “It is not enough to maintain affordability if it means tenants are living in terrible conditions.”

Tenants and advocates argue that high rents are a leading cause of income

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Key Accountabilities for this role: • Direct teams to achieve effective and profitable design and management of the operational platform and processes supporting the business while creating and ensuring an exceptional client experience; • Oversees and monitors change management initiatives by assessing current operating model(s), processes, policies, systems and infrastructure requirements; developing recommendations to the VP International Trust & Wealth Management to ensure the operational platform meets company-wide requirements and service levels; • Manage key internal and external vendor relationships to ensure cost effective delivery and to ensure service levels are met or exceeded; • Maintain and drive excellent relationships with key internal Bank partners (IT&S, IWMBID, Managing Directors Office, Cayman Business Support, etc.), external industry groups and vendor relationships seeking support, problem resolution and leveraging best practices to ensure the business operates as efficiently and cost effectively as possible; • Contribute operations expertise in one or more Scotiatrust management committees such as New Business Committee, Discretionary Powers Committee, Complaints Committee; sharing insight as to applicable impact or enhancement from an operational point of view; • Develop People & Enhance Intellectual Capital by reviewing staff organization, development, training and deployment to ensure effective and efficient operation of the department; • Meet Regulatory Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering / Anti-Terrorist Financing and Bank Policies and procedures for Customer transactions.

Educational/Competency Requirements: • University education - or 15 + equivalent work experience; • 10+ years operations management experience in a financial organization is preferred. Must possess a broad and deep knowledge of various operations functions with particular knowledge of finance, accounting, processing support and administrative practices, especially as they relate to centralization, cost reduction and efficiency; • Experience in back office units in either domestic or international locations, is required; • Experience and demonstrated success in developing and enhancing operations is critical; • Knowledge of fiduciary administration an asset; • Business integration experience is an asset; • Finance / Accounting certification is an asset; • Must have excellent general management, relationship building and leadership skills and be able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity; • Must be able to make decisions quickly, liaise with functional groups within the country, International Banking Division and Global Wealth Management, and coordinate the efforts of diverse support groups in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and practices appropriate to Wealth Structuring; • Tactical planning, implementation and organizational skills are essential.

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IN this June 4 photo, Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate for the City of New York, centre, speaks with tenants and members of the Upstate Downstate Housing Alliance from across the state, demanding New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislators pass universal rent control legislation during a protest rally at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y. New York’s legislature is expected to pass legislation renewing and expanding rules that make it hard for landlords to raise the rent on nearly a million homes in and around New York City.

(AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File) inequality in the nation’s The changes approved “I’m confident the measlargest city, leading to the Friday will eliminate a land- ure passed today is the elimination of affordable lord’s ability to take a unit strongest possible set of housing and turning many out of the system based on a reforms that the Legisneighbourhoods into the tenant’s income and further lature was able to pass,” reserve of the well-heeled. restrict landlords’ abilities Cuomo said in a statement “It’s destroying New York to justify rent increases announcing his signature.

City, destroying its diversity, through improvements and He called the law “a major which is its beauty,” said upgrades. step forward for tenants Corine Ombongo-Golden, Passage was made across New York. a teacher who has lived in a possible last fall when DemStewart-Cousins, who rent stabilised apartment in ocrats took control of the grew up in public housthe Bronx for 17 years. state Senate, giving them ing and is the first African The rent stabilisation and a lock on power. Assem- American woman to lead control laws were written bly Speaker Carl Heastie, a legislative chamber in decades ago to preserve D-the Bronx, and Senate New York, said that after affordable housing amid Leader Andrea Stewart- decades of siding with the the post-war boom. Since Cousins worked out the landlords, Albany is now then, the rules have slowly deal, without much input listening to the tenants. been eroded and thousands from Cuomo, who left the “What we’re doing today of units have been taken negotiations to lawmakers. says ‘we get it,’” she said. out of stabilization.

AGENCY RECOMMENDS CURRENT 80K ATTENDANCE CAP AT BURNING MAN

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is recommending attendance be capped at existing levels for the next 10 years at the annual Burning Man counter-culture festival in the desert 100 miles (160 kilometres) north of Reno.

Burning Man organisers had proposed raising the current 80,000 limit as high as 100,000 in coming years.

But the BLM said in releasing the final environmental impact statement on Friday its preferred alternative for the proposed 10-year renewal of Burning Man’s special recreation permit would stick with the cap that’s been in place since 2017.

The agency said it would work with event organizers to address environmental and security concerns, but it’s not advocating at this time any of the changes proposed in the draft environmental impact statement, including a ban on dumpsters or new security barriers.

The federal agency may, however, hire a private security firm this year to conduct drug screenings.

Or, it might wait until 2020, BLM spokesman Rudy Evenson told the Reno Gazette Journal on Friday.

“The BLM and cooperating agencies could not support the event growing. The city of Reno, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Highway Patrol as well as the Bureau of Land Management could not support the growth particularly because there are other events going on during Labor Day,” Evenson said.

One third of BLM law enforcement officers nationwide are required to patrol the event at the current size, but one half would be required if it grew to 100,000.

Transportation agencies also want to find ways to alleviate the congestion on area roads before the BLM allows any growth of the event, Evenson said.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 17, 2019, PAGE 7

VOLKSWAGEN PLANT REJECTS UNIONISATION CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.

(AP) — Workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted Friday night against forming a factory-wide union, handing a setback to the United Auto Workers’ efforts to gain a foothold among foreign auto facilities in the South.

The vote of hourly workers began Wednesday and concluded Friday. Preliminary results show 833 employees voted against representation and 776 voted for it, the German automaker said in a statement.

VW said about 93% of the roughly 1,700 eligible employees voted.

“Our employees have spoken,” Frank Fischer, president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga, said in the company statement.

He said results are pending certification by the National Labor Relations Board and legal review.

Fischer said the company looks forward to “continuing our close cooperation with elected officials and business leaders in Tennessee.”

Volkswagen has union representation at all of its other major plants worldwide.

A win in Chattanooga would have offered the United Auto Workers its first fully organized, foreign-owned auto assembly plant in the traditionally antiunion South. UAW officials have questioned why Chattanooga should differ from Volkswagen’s other union-represented plants worldwide, or Spring Hill, Tennessee’s General Motors plant

with 3,000 UAW-represented workers.

UAW organising director Tracy Romero said she was proud of the pro-union voters at the plant.

“The company ran a brutal campaign of fear and misinformation,” Romero said in a statement, adding that the automaker tried to make workers afraid of losing the plant and suffer other repercussions.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and other top Republicans urged a “no” vote, saying a union could cause economic harm. Blackburn said attempts to unionise will harm workers, adding, “We don’t need union bosses in Detroit telling Tennessee what’s best for our workers.”

Relationship In April, Gov. Bill Lee drew cheers and jeers when he told VW employees in a closeddoor meeting that he believes “when I have a direct relationship with you, the worker, and you’re working for me, that is when the environment works the best,” according to a recording obtained by Labor Notes, a pro-union publication.

In 2014, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted 712-626 against unionization through the Detroit-based UAW, heeding the advice of then-U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, then-Gov. Bill Haslam and other GOP officials who urged a “no” vote.

During that election, Corker waited until voting had

SIGNS for and against unionisation are in a roundabout along Volkswagen Drive in front of the Volkswagen plant Friday in Chattanooga, Tenn. Workers voted against forming a factory-wide union, handing a setback to the United Auto Workers’ efforts to gain a foothold among foreign auto facilities in the South.

(Erin O. Smith/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)

actually started at the plant in his hometown when he all but guaranteed that the company would announce within two weeks of a union rejection that it would build a new midsized SUV at its only U.S. factory, instead of sending the work to Mexico.

Volkswagen announced a new SUV would be produced in Chattanooga five months after the vote, essentially confirming Corker’s prediction but on a different timeline.

UAW claimed “interference by politicians and outside special interest groups” swayed the 2014 election. The union ultimately dropped an appeal of that vote After the loss, a smaller bloc of Chattanooga workers voted for union representation in 2015, but Volkswagen refused to bargain with them unless all hourly workers had a vote.

Instead of dragging out the fight over the smaller group, the union was granted this week’s vote.

Other than the smaller vote at Chattanooga, the UAW has not fully organized a foreignowned auto assembly plant in the South. A 2017 vote at the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi, failed by a wide margin .

Losses Even with recent losses at VW and Nissan, the UAW won’t stop trying to organise assembly plants in the South owned by international automakers, said Kristin Dziczek, vice president of labor, industry and economics at the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think tank in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“It’s never the end,” she said before the vote.

“Win or lose, it’s hard to organise.”

Union organising is more difficult in the South because it doesn’t have the pro-union culture of the north, and because politicians and other third parties often campaign against the union, she said.

A big Volkswagen project is now looming for Chattanooga: An $800 million expansion is expected to create 1,000 jobs for electric vehicle production beginning in 2022.

It’s set to receive $50 million in state incentives. The state’s economic development department has received no indication that the project would somehow hinge on the union vote, said department spokesman Scott Harrison. UAW is calling on Congress to take a comprehensive look at the country’s labor laws and NLRB rules following the vote, the union said in its statement.

TEXAS HOUSING PROGRAMME AIMS TO REBUILD FASTER AFTER DISASTER

By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — For Houston resident Scenacia Jones, the experience of getting her new home through an innovative way of building post-disaster housing was like an experiment.

Jones and her two children had been living in a shelter for single parents when Hurricane Harvey’s devasting flooding hit the Houston area in August 2017. All the family’s possessions were lost after the storage facility they were in flooded.

Desperately looking for a permanent place to live, Jones was approached by organisations behind the housing programme known as Rapido, Spanish for fast. Under the programme, a temporary modular core unit made up of interlocking wall, roof and floor panels would be built.

Jones, her 10-year-old son Nyjel, who is disabled, and 12-year-old daughter Nnaji would live there while the rest of the house was built around them. The core is about the size of a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer.

The process took about eight months, and Jones and her children now have a new, three-bedroom home, which looks like any other house.

“It has definitely been an experiment. We tried to keep a positive attitude because at the end of this experiment, we get to live in this beautiful house,” Jones said this week as she gave a tour of her home, the first such Rapido house built in Houston.

The 1,200 to 1,300-squarefoot home with a front yard has three bedrooms, a ramp in the front for her son’s wheelchair and a bathroom designed to be handicapped-accessible.

Jones’ home, which was built on an empty lot, looks like a newer version of the other bungalow-style homes in the neighbourhood.

The groups behind the Rapido programme say their approach will save money and get people into housing more quickly. They’re hopeful a bill signed this week by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott related to disaster planning will be a boost to their efforts.

The Texas General Land Office, in charge of shortterm housing recovery efforts in the state after Harvey, says the agency strongly backs new housing innovations like Rapido but rule changes would

need to occur to free up federal funding to support such ideas.

John Henneberger, codirector of Texas Housers, an Austin-based nonprofit that’s one of the groups behind the Rapido programme, said funding would be better spent on their program as opposed to FEMA trailers or hotel vouchers, which are typically used to temporarily house people after a disaster. Each Rapido home costs about of $145,000 to $150,000, while a FEMA trailer can cost up to $100,000 to buy and set up, Henneberger said. At some point, trailers are taken away and the hotel vouchers end, he said.

“If we can build more houses with the same amount of money, it just means more families get a home,” Henneberger said. “It’s a win-win.”

HOUSTON resident Scenacia Jones, stands in front of her new home, part of an innovative programme that builds houses after natural disasters and lets families live in one part of the structure while the rest is completed. (AP) The Rapido programme, first brainstormed nearly 15 years ago, has built 20 homes in South Texas and three in the Southeast Texas city of Port Arthur. The homes can be built on empty lots that are either owned by the nonprofits involved in the program or

land owned by local governments. They can also be built on the site of a damaged home that has been razed or even partially built to provide shelter while a damaged home is fixed.

With the completion of the Houston home, Henneberger

said the hope is the programme can be used on a larger scale with funding from local, state and federal governments.

The groups behind Rapido are hopeful a new state law allowing local governments the ability to develop and adopt disaster recovery plans before a storm, including procedures detailing housing rebuilding efforts, will help their endeavour. Henneberger would like local governments as well as the state to consider incorporating Rapido in their disaster plans.

Brittany Eck, a spokeswoman for the Texas General Land Office, said Land Commissioner George P. Bush has spoken in favor of rapid housing alternatives in the wake of Harvey.

But for such innovative, permanent housing ideas to

be able to utilise federal funding, rules would have to be changed allowing temporary housing funds to be used, Eck said.

The housing funds that FEMA provides right after a storm are for temporary housing like hotels and trailers. The funding for permanent housing comes from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants, which can take years to be disbursed.

Bush said he is working with federal lawmakers on trying to change the rules and combine both pots of money.

Jones said she’s grateful she no longer worries about where she’s going to live and can focus on her children, including her son, who has a rare chromosomal disorder that makes him totally dependent on others for care.

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PAGE 10, Monday, June 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

WILL IT WORK? GLITZY CASINO OPENING ON INDUSTRIAL WATERFRONT ENCORE Boston Harbor casino nears completion in Everett, Mass. The casino is scheduled to open on Sunday, June 23.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

By PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press EVERETT, Mass. (AP) — A $28 million statue of Popeye by the artist Jeff Koons. Luxury, “European-style” water shuttles.

Five-star hotel rooms starting at about $650 a night.

After months of turmoil and uncertainty, Wynn Resorts’ flamboyant Encore Boston Harbor casino opens June 23 just over the city line in Everett, Massachusetts.

The $2.6 billion gambling, hotel and entertainment complex brings Las Vegas opulence to

the unlikeliest of places: a largely industrial waterfront home to a subway train repair yard, a water and sewer agency facility and a power plant.

Massachusetts leaders hope the resort and its curved, bronze-toned hotel tower — echoing the company’s distinctive properties in Vegas and Macau — transforms the city’s reputation as an industrial afterthought.

“We were ready for something like this,” Mayor Carlo DeMaria said last week, putting forth a vision of a thriving waterfront district of hotels, restaurants

and shops. “Everett will no longer be that place where the scrap yards and the used car lots and the power plant are.”

Key to that revival, DeMaria and casino officials say, is the company’s nearly $70 million environmental cleanup of the 33-acre (13-hectare) former chemical plant land and its shoreline. A new 6-acre (2-hectare) park featuring a harbor walk and gardens will give the public access to the city’s waterfront for the first time in more than a century.

Wynn Resorts has also purchased a number of ENCORE Boston Harbor casino looms above the surrounding neighborhood in Everett, Mass. (AP)

homes and businesses leading up to the casino’s grand entry and begun razing them, with promises of future redevelopment.

Casino officials have declined media requests to tour the property in recent months, opting instead to showcase it on a single preview on June 21.

Speaking at his offsite administrative office last week, Encore Boston Harbor President Robert DeSalvio highlighted the attractions the company hopes will make the casino stand out in an increasingly crowded Northeast market.

Much like the company’s other properties, Encore Boston Harbor will feature millions of dollars in original artwork.

Carousel A fanciful carousel sculpture made up of 83,000 flowers and 11,000 jewels will greet visitors at the casino entry. Murano glass chandeliers will dangle from the gambling floor ceiling. And Koons’ Popeye will stand sentry by the casino’s meeting rooms.

“At the end of the day, people want to come for an experience,” DeSalvio said.

“Our team has spanned the globe to find very special touches. All of it creates a bespoke entertainment experience. It’s a place for people to come back to time and time again.”

With more than 8 million patrons expected to visit annually, DeSalvio also stressed the casino’s efforts to ease traffic snarls, a major concern for long-suffering Boston residents and commuters.

Everett isn’t on a subway line, but there will be free shuttles from nearby stations, a free local circulator bus through city

neighborhoods, and coach buses departing from locations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The casino has also invested in shuttles to ferry patrons from downtown Boston’s harbor front.

But residents — even those eagerly anticipating the casino’s opening — remain skeptical.

“It’s a nightmare now. I can’t see how it gets any better,” said Jake Mitchell, a lifelong Everett resident as he watched traffic crawl past the casino on a recent workday afternoon.

“But I still can’t wait to check it out. I’ll just live there. I won’t come home anymore.”

Nearly all casinos that have opened in the Northeast in recent years — including Massachusetts’ MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park — have struggled to meet revenue projections, and Encore will likely be no different, said Paul DeBolle, a professor at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, who has been tracking regional casino revenues.

He and other experts predict the property will pull in around $600 million in revenues from gambling, short of the more than $800 million the casino predicted in its first year.

State lawmakers have taken a similarly conservative view, projecting it will generate about $540 million from gambling.

The state will collect 25% of the casino’s gambling revenues.

“Wynn is clearly banking on their ability to attract Asian ‘whales’ and other wealthy gamblers from around the world,” said Clyde Barrow, a political science professor at the University of TexasRio Grande Valley who has long studied Northeast casinos. “But it doesn’t

make sense to me why anyone would fly right over Las Vegas to visit Everett, Massachusetts.”

But Encore Boston Harbor might be better placed than others to meet its lofty revenue goals because it holds a “virtual monopoly” on the Boston-area as owner of the lone gambling license for the affluent and populous region, said Alex Bumazhny, an analyst with the ratings agency Fitch.

Amenities Rival MGM Springfield is an hour and a half away, Connecticut’s Indian casinos are nearly a two hours’ drive, and other casinos closer to Boston offer fewer amenities, he said.

The controversies that have recently marred the company also shouldn’t dim the casino’s prospects, Bumazhny said.

Casino regulators in Massachusetts and Nevada hit Wynn Resorts with $55 million in fines and other penalties after determining officials failed to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against Steve Wynn, the company’s founder.

Wynn has denied the misconduct allegations but resigned as CEO last year.

And the company, weeks before opening, negotiated to sell the Everett casino to MGM, but those talks ended amid public criticism.

DeSalvio said the company remains bullish on Everett.

“For us, we’ve never moved off our original projections,” he said.

“People are going love the interior of the building, and when they walk out on that harbor walk and see what was done out there, I think they’ll agree this is a unique and special place.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 17, 2019, PAGE 11

TRUMP AIMS TO SLASH NUMBER OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES

By JILL COLVIN ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is trying to take an ax to federal advisory committees, ordering that their numbers be slashed.

Trump signed an executive order Friday that directs every federal agency to evaluate the need for all of its advisory committees created under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. And it gives agency heads until September to terminate at least one-third of current committees created by agency heads.

Federal advisory committees are typically made up of private citizens who offer advice and assistance to the executive branch.

The White House did not immediately provide any justification for the order. But it appears to assume that many of the committees are redundant or have been convened to address issues that are now obsolete.

It says that committees will be eliminated if their “stated objectives” have been accomplished, if the “subject matter or work of the committee has

become obsolete,” if their “primary functions have been assumed by another entity” and if the agency determines “the cost of operation is excessive in

“The president believes it is time to once more review and eliminate ones that are not relevant and providing valuable services so that we are good stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”

Judd Deere, White House spokesman relation to the benefits to the Federal Government.”

A government-wide review of FACA committees has not been done since the early 1990s, according to the White House.

“The president believes it is time to once more review and eliminate ones that are not relevant and providing valuable services so that we are good stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” said Judd Deere, a White House spokesman.

The order does not apply to merit review panels, like those that reward grants to the National Institutes of Health or provide scientific expertise to agencies about product safety.

Agencies may request waivers from the Office of Management and Budget, and those with fewer than three eligible committees will be exempt.

The U.S. General Services Administration, which helps oversee FACA implementation, says there are approximately 1,000 federal advisory committees and 50 federal agencies with FACA programmes in effect at any given time.

The order seeks to cap the total number of committees at 350, and will bar agencies from establishing new committees without waivers until the number drops.

“Advisory committees have played an important role in shaping programmes and policies of the federal government

PRESIDENT Donald Trump waves as he departs after speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

from the earliest days of the Republic,” the agency says on its website, adding that: Since President George Washington sought the advice of such a committee during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the contributions made by these groups have been impressive and diverse.”

Rush Holt, chief executive of the American Association for the

Advancement of Science, said he was concerned about the move to cut back on advisory panels, especially ones involved with health and the environment.

“Advisory committees help the government become better informed, and making smart decisions should not be seen as optional or dispensable,” he said.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, TRACY BEATRICE CORNISH of#25 Highbury Park, P.O.Box N-509CB Nassau, Bahamas intends to change her name to ANGEL TRACY BEATRICE CORNISH. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JACQUELINE MARTELUS of Bernard Road, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of June, 2019 to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE The Board of Directors of Benchmark (Bahamas) Ltd. at its May 2018 Board meeting voted unanimously to establish a policy for future dividend payments.

The Board has declared its annual dividend for the year 2019 of one cent per share and a special dividend of one cent per share to shareholders of record 20 June, 2019 payable on the 30th June 2019

Brent Roberts Secretary Benchmark (Bahamas) Ltd. LEGAL NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

FLAIR INVESTMENT LIMITED Voluntary Liquidation

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000 as follows:a) FLAIR INVESTMENT LIMITED. is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000. b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on June 4, 2019.

GSA, which is also tasked with conducting annual reviews of the committees, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under the order, agency heads will also have until Aug. 1 to weigh in on whether they believe any advisory committees established by the president at their agencies should live on.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

(242) 323-2330

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2019

(242) 323-2320

ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE: 2,164.59 | CHG: 10.07 | %CHG: 0.47 | YTD: 55.14 | YTD%: 2.61 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.50 20.91 7.00 5.50 2.60 2.00 3.10 11.05 6.17 4.64 12.50 2.74 2.00 9.51 7.01 15.60 7.75 3.75 14.00

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SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol J. S. Johnson Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

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BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

LAST CLOSE 4.18 17.43 6.00 5.40 2.58 1.95 2.21 11.05 6.16 4.45 10.00 2.77 2.00 9.78 7.00 14.45 7.65 3.16 14.00

CLOSE 4.18 17.43 6.00 5.40 2.58 1.95 2.15 11.05 6.16 4.45 10.00 2.73 2.00 9.74 7.00 14.45 7.65 3.41 14.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.04 0.00 -0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00

CHANGE 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

LAST SALE 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

VOLUME 332

23,000 24,230

6,044 20,000

1

VOLUME

5

EPS$ 0.167 0.932 1.760 0.323 0.098 0.000 -0.438 0.708 0.480 0.184 0.627 0.102 0.209 0.000 0.611 0.743 0.939 0.205 0.631

DIV$ 0.130 1.260 0.000 0.250 0.000 0.020 0.000 0.720 0.220 0.120 0.620 0.068 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.500 0.200 0.090 0.600

P/E 25.0 18.7 N/M 16.7 N/M N/M -4.9 15.6 12.8 24.2 15.9 26.8 9.6 N/M 11.5 19.4 8.1 16.6 22.2

YIELD 3.11% 7.23% 0.00% 4.63% 0.00% 1.03% 0.00% 6.52% 3.57% 2.70% 6.20% 2.49% 3.00% 3.37% 3.43% 3.46% 2.61% 2.64% 4.29%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 3.88% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2022

YTD%12 MTH% 1.22% 3.96% 0.74% 3.42% 0.97% 2.67% 2.06% 4.97% 4.52% 0.96% 1.57% 4.58% 0.99% 4.25% 1.32% 4.12% 3.22% 5.64% -1.08% 1.77% -5.96% -3.05% 1.90% 4.59% 7.24% 11.96% 2.77% 3.88% 3.94% 4.69% -0.71% 0.16% 7.40% 2.70% 10.20% 1.30%

NAV Date 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 26-Apr-2019 31-Mar-2019 31-Mar-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Mar-2019 30-Mar-2019 30-Mar-2019

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.23 4.27 2.05 188.32 158.55 1.62 1.76 1.70 1.15 6.99 8.54 6.15 10.52 11.46 10.46 10.00 8.69 11.79

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.56 1.68 1.64 1.08 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.23 4.27 2.05 188.32 154.49 1.62 1.76 1.70 1.15 7.66 8.94 6.71 11.25 11.94 10.59 9.92 8.68 11.38

MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited whose address is Bahamas Financial Centre, 3rd Floor, Shirley & Charlotte Street, P.O. Box N-4865, Nassau, Bahamas.

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 12, Monday, June 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE CUSTOMERS wait on a long check out line at a Target store in San Francisco on Saturday. Target suffered a technological glitch that stalled checkout lines at its stores worldwide Saturday, exasperating shoppers and eating into sales at a prime time for retailers. The outage periodically prevented Target’s cashiers from scanning merchandise or processing transactions. Self-checkout registers also weren’t working at times, causing massive lines in some stores. (AP Photo/Michael Liedtke)

TARGET’S TECH TROUBLE CLOGS STORES WITH LONG CHECKOUT LINES

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP BUSINESS WRITER

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A glitch stalled checkout lines at Target stores worldwide Saturday, exasperating shoppers and potentially eating into sales at a prime time for retailers, the day before Father’s Day. The roughly two-hour outage periodically prevented Target’s cashiers from scanning merchandise or processing transactions as long lines formed in some stores. Self-checkout registers, usually the speediest of options, also weren’t working at times.

Target temporarily closed some of its stores, including one in San Francisco, rather than risk aggravating shoppers.

Frustration “Our technology team worked quickly to identify and fix the issue, and we apologise for the inconvenience and frustration this caused for our guests,” Target said in a Saturday statement.

Before the company figured out was wrong, a Target employee was warning customers that they might not be able to check out as they entered a San Francisco store early Saturday afternoon. Sales were being completed after intermittent delays during the

half hour an AP reporter observed the lines at the store.

But some shoppers posting on their Twitter accounts Saturday painted a different picture as they vented about excruciatingly long lines but expressed sympathy for the Target employees trying to cope with the situation.

Meltdown The meltdown hit Target at the worst time for a massmarket merchant, given Saturdays are typically one of the busiest shopping days of the week.

Target has been vexed by technology before, most notably in 2013 when malware installed in its checkout system resulted in a data heist that exposed personal information in more than 40 million credit and debit card accounts.

That debacle triggered lawsuits and eventually led to the departure of its CEO, Gregg Steinhafel.

The Minneapolis company said customers caught in up the checkout slowdown have no reason to worry.

“After an initial but thorough review, we can confirm that this was not a data breach or securityrelated issue, and no guest information was compromised at any time,” Target said.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED) (B $000) On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to report the third quarter results for FOCOL Holdings Limited. Net income for the nine months ended April 30, 2019 was $17.5 million compared to $18.9 million for the same period last year.

Sales volumes for the nine months ended April 30, 2019 are at the same levels when compared to the prior year.

To date, increases in our marketing, administrative and general expenses has placed downward pressure on our earnings.

Management has taken actions to address the increase in expenses.

The Board of Directors wishes to thank our loyal customers, dedicated staff and shareholders for their continued confidence in FOCOL Holdings Limited.

Sir Franklyn Wilson, KCMG Chairman.

Copies of a full set of the unaudited financial statements can be obtained from Barbara Pinder (bpinder@sunoilbahamas.com), FOCOL Holdings Limited, P.O. Box F-42458, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 17, 2019, PAGE 13

CONNECTICUT OKAYS DOZENS OF HEMP GROWER LICENCES FOR PILOT SCHEME

By SUSAN HAIGH ASSOCIATED PRESS HARTFORD, Conn.

(AP) — With the new growing season underway, Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture has been busy processing applications from dozens interested in growing industrial hemp as part of the state’s new research pilot programme.

As of June 14, the agency had approved 35 licenses for prospective growers, while an additional 24 applications were undergoing a review.

A TEAM of Oregon State University employees spreads hemp seeds in a field using a tractor at a research station in Aurora, Ore., that’s part of the university’s newly announced Global Hemp Innovation Center. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus) A farmer himself, Tuller said he decided to hold off on growing hemp, saying there are too many unknowns.

“It’s the Wild West a little bit.

Seeds

Process “In total, between our approved licenses and completed applications, there is a total of approximately 130 acres that are approved for hemp plantings,” said Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt in an email to The Associated Press. “We understand how important it is to expedite the process and have been very diligent in keeping the process moving forward.”

Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation on May 11 authorising the agency to implement the new research pilot programme, allowed under the 2014 federal Farm Bill.

It was one of the first bills Lamont signed into law, in

A LADY bug sits on a leaf of a young hemp plant at a research station in Aurora, Ore. (AP) hopes of getting the program up and running for this year’s growing season.

Connecticut’s new law requires hemp growers, processors and manufacturers to obtain state licenses and abide by various requirements, including testing rules to ensure the hemp’s levels of THC — the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high — are at or below 0.003%.

Under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, hemp is no longer a controlled substance.

Besides the growers’ applications, the Department of Agriculture currently has one hemp

processor license pending.

Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection has approved seven manufacturing licenses so far, with one application still pending.

Growers and processors will have to provide research plans to the state until the pilot programme ends and Connecticut’s Hemp State Plan receives final federal approval, expected in 2020. After that happens, Connecticut’s growers and processors will no longer be required to “research” hemp.

Connecticut Farm Bureau President Don Tuller said there’s a lot of interest from veteran

farmers and newcomers alike in growing industrial hemp, which advocates say has thousands of uses.

Tuller said he’s heard from one person who is renting land and “clearly has never done this before” and from one veteran organic famer who ordered about 2,000 plants.

“Everybody is getting started in a new thing and there aren’t any people around who have been doing it for years,” he said, adding how there are questions about how to control pests and deal with Connecticut’s climate, in addition to the cost of buying seeds or seedlings from an approved source, renting or building shed space to dry the hemp and acquiring the necessary equipment.

But Tuller said the Farm Bureau wanted to make sure Connecticut’s farmers had the opportunity to give hemp a try.

The organisation has estimated that an acre of hemp could generate profits ranging from $37,500 to $150,000 depending on different variables, including what the hemp is being grown for and whether seeds or seedlings are being planted.

“Whether the $100,000 is realistic or not, I can’t tell you it’s possible.

“You kind of latch on to what you want to latch onto,” he said. “We just want farmers to have the opportunity to participate, to get a crop in the ground this year ... How important this is going to be, time is going to tell.”

AMMENDMENTS TO THE APPROVED LIST OF CANDIDATES AMMENDED FRIDAY, MAY 3RD, 2019

BY ELECTIONS COMMISSION

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: 1. Rosemary E. Burrows 2. Maralyn Genette Burrows 3. William Ingraham 4. Cyril Morris Jr. 5. Wayne Thompson 6. Kameisha Delique Wells 7. Judd T. Williams TRUSTEES: 1. Jacqueline Lorene Mckenzie 2. Bolinder Newbold – Munroe 3. Vernincha Louise Delcine Simmons 4. Lana Monique Williams-Smith 5. Haldane Alfred Stubbs AREA VICE PRESIDENTS: NORTHERN BAHAMAS: 1. Ann Marie Bullard 2. Eldecia Thompson GRAND BAHAMA: 1. Quintin Howard Laroda 2. George Austin Trevor Mills.

NEW PROVIDENCE: 1. Vernon Jemell Rodgers SOUTHERN BAHAMAS: 1. Ann Louise Strachan TREASURER: 1. Lorraine Knowles 2. John Musgrove ASSISTANT TREASURER: 1. Catherine Knowles-Stubbs 2. Katress Wells SECRETARY – GENERAL: 1. Helena Cartwright 2. Dion Damien Johnson 3. Tiffany M. Delancy-Laing ASSISTANT SECRETARY – GENERAL: 1. Juanita T. Gaitor 2. Cedricka Rolle PRESIDENT: 1. Joan Knowles-Turnquest 2. Belinda Wilson VICE PRESIDENT: 1. Tiffany Burrell-Roberts 2. Jason Haley From the desk of John Musgrove Secretary-General The Bahamas Union of Teachers

PAGE 14, Monday, June 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

IN this photo from last year, an American Airlines Airbus A321 takes off from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. On Friday, a federal judge ordered unions that represent American Airlines mechanics not to interfere in the airline’s operations.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

EVERY MONDAY IN THE TRIBUNE

INSIGHT THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

JUDGE GRANTS AMERICAN AIRLINES ORDER AGAINST TWO UNIONS DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge on Friday ordered unions that represent American Airlines mechanics not to interfere in the airline’s operations.

The judge’s order came after American asked for a temporary restraining order to end what it considers an illegal work slowdown by mechanics that is causing delayed and canceled flights.

Judge John McBryde in Fort Worth, Texas, said a temporary restraining order is warranted because American is likely to win on its claim that the Transport Workers Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers are violating federal labor law.

Lawyers for the unions did not immediately respond to an email seeking their comment.

The dispute at American is similar to a recent fight at Southwest Airlines, which also went to court against its own workers before both sides agreed on a new contract earlier this year.

Tension between the unions and American has grown since contract talks broke off in April.

Despite help from a federal mediator, the two sides have failed to reach agreement on pay, health

benefits, limits on American’s ability to outsource maintenance work, and other issues.

American sued the unions on May 20 and sought a less urgent injunction against the unions.

In a court filing, American said that in the 23 days after it filed the lawsuit, the slowdown worsened, causing it to cancel 722 flights due to maintenance delays, or nearly 70% of the maintenance-related cancellations during the previous 14 weeks.

The airline said more than 175,000 passengers have had travel plans disrupted by the slowdown.

Union officials have denied that they are encouraging a slowdown.

The unions represent about 31,500 employees at Fort Worth-based American, including about 12,450 mechanics.

Some had worked at US Airways before the two carriers merged in 2013 to create the world’s biggest airline.

The judge’s order bars the unions and their members from participating in or encouraging interference with American’s operations, including any slowdown such as refusing to work overtime if it is designed to keep planes out of service.

A trial in the case is scheduled for July 1.

HAWAII COUNTY VACATION RENTALS REGISTERED UNDER NEW LAW KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — Vacation rental registrations have been coming in to Hawaii County faster than workers can process them as the county implements a new law.

The county Planning Department processed 226 registrations as of early last week, West Hawaii Today reported. Paper application forms were stacked in several boxes awaiting processing.

All vacation rental owners in existence as of April 1 are required to register their property by Sept. 28 and pay a $500 fee, showing that transient accommodations taxes, general excise taxes and property taxes are paid in full.

Bedrooms Vacation rentals are defined as dwellings are rented for a period of 30 consecutive days or less and where the owner or operator does not live on the building site.

They dwellings may not have more than five bedrooms for rent.

Existing rentals that aren’t in resort or commercially zoned areas must obtain a nonconforming use certificate to be grandfathered in. Of the 226 registrations processed so far, 100 required a nonconforming use permit because they’re not in permitted areas.

The Planning Department’s Kona office has received eight times as many applications as the Hilo office, said Bennett Mark, program manager in West Hawaii.

“It stands to reason. Most of the sunny weather, most of the rentals are on this side,” said Mark.

The county expects to collect about $845,000 from vacation rental registration fees and fines during the fiscal year that starts July 1. That money will be used to hire two land use plans checkers, two planning inspectors and three planners, as well as purchase software.

The county is requesting bids from contractors for the development of a computerised short-term rental enforcement system. The vendor will be charged with maintaining a list of short-term rentals with parcel numbers and owners’ information. The vendor will also be expected to monitor marketing content for compliance with county rules.

REPORT: SANTA FE LOSING MILLIONS THANKS TO AIRBNB AND OTHERS SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A new report says Santa Fe is missing out on about $3.8 million in lodger and gross receipts taxes annually thanks to short-term rental units.

The Albuquerque Journal says the report issued Wednesday by the nonprofit group Homewise Inc. says hosts from apps like Airbnb aren’t following city’s ordinances and the city should do more to enforce the laws.

Homewise CEO Mike Loftin says Santa Fe

should enforce its registration requirements for short-term rentals and require them to contribute their fair share of taxes.

The report says that the number of short-term rentals skyrocketed from roughly 300 to 1,444 in four years from 2015 through 2018.

A spokeswoman for Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber acknowledged the city needs to do a better job with enforcement and educating the public.