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VOLUME:115 No.144, JUNE 20TH, 2018
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ALICIA WALLACE: THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE BUDGET
Fired - but still backing the FNM McAlpine warns people could fire Prime Minister By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net DESPITE being fired from government posts by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday for voting against the government’s planned value added tax increase, Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller and Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said they remain supporters of the Free National Movement. They were fired with former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Travis Robinson over their position taken on the VAT
vote in parliament. While he affirmed his respect for Dr Minnis despite his decision to swing the axe, Mr McAlpine suggested the nation’s leader would be voted out of office in the 2022 election. He also said the firings would not help the FNM’s falling poll numbers. “You can fire me but I’ve been living long enough to know that I have seen people fire people and the people who fire the people, I’ve watched the people fire them,” Mr McAlpine warned in an interview with reporters yesterday. SEE PAGE FIVE
RESIDENTS BACK ROBINSON By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PINERIDGE MP Frederick McAlpine speaking to The Tribune after being fired from his post as chairman of the Hotel Corporation yesterday for breach of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
FREE National Movement officials feel betrayed by Travis Robinson’s vote against value added tax’s increase to 12 percent, but many residents of the Bain & Grants Town constituency are standing by their member of Parliament, telling The Tribune he owes his success to them, not to a party. Mr Robinson, pictured, was fired as parliamentary secretary
in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation yesterday for breaching Westminster protocols that require parliamentary secretaries to fully support a government’s priorities. His firing was a stunning and unlikely development for a 24-year-old who epitomised the FNM’S promotion of youth during last year’s general election campaign where he had received prime speaking slots during rallies and attracted more cheers and applause than many senior SEE PAGE SIX
‘FAMILY COULD SUE OVER MUNNINGS ROAD DEATH’ By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Wayne Munroe yesterday theorised that the family of Garvanisha Carey, the woman who died after her car struck several concrete barriers that closed off Munnings Road last week, has a “good case” against the government following the incident. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Munroe said if instructed, he had no issue spearheading a fatal accidents and survival of action claim against the government on behalf of Carey’s family. According to the noted attorney, the installation of new speed bumps and reflectors in the area after the fatal crash, serves as an “admission” on the part of the government that something was not right with the state of the road closure. Mr Munroe said Carey’s family should first administer her estate and then SEE PAGE THREE
NO MORE MONITOR FOR DONNA VASYLI By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net DONNA Vasyli is no longer required to wear an ankle monitoring device before her retrial for the murder of her podiatrist husband. Court officials told this newspaper that Vasyli’s application to have the ankle bracelet removed was approved by Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner last month. Additionally, Vasyli is now required to report to the Airport Police Station daily before 6pm. Previously, it was reported that she had to report to the Lyford Cay Police Station. SEE PAGE 11
50 JOBS GO AS WEB SHOPS SHUT OWN AFTER TAX HIKE APPROVED By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE Asure Win web shop yesterday blamed the budget’s tax hikes for the closure of 11 sites, and termination of 50 staff, by the end of June amid warnings the sector is not “hyperprofitable”.
The domestic gaming operator, in a statement issued yesterday, said the 82 percent increase in its tax rate had forced it to take “a sobering review” of its operations to eliminate locations that are either marginal or “underperforming”. Asure Win added that it had yesterday informed
the Gaming Board, the industry regulator, of its “intention to close 11 locations nationwide at the end of June” as its increased tax burden forces it to “make some fundamental business decisions concerning the future sustainability of our operations”. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
RICHARD COULSON:
PM’S BUDGET CATASTROPHE
SEE PAGE TEN
PAGE 2, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 20, 2018, PAGE 3
PORT AUTHORITY TO HOST EXPO By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE CEREMONY to mark the signing of the Oban deal in February.
Four months on and Oban deal still under review By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE controversial Oban Energies deal proposed for Grand Bahama is still under review by the government, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said yesterday. It has been four months since the government signed the heads of agreement for the $5.5bn oil refinery and storage facility. Asked about it yesterday, Mr Turnquest said he could not say much, only that he was awaiting an update. He also commented on the status of negotiations for the sale of the Grand Lucayan. The hotel closed October 2016
after being severely damaged during Hurricane Matthew, negatively affecting tourism on the island. “That project is still being worked through. We are at the final negotiation stages and we hope for a favourable result,” he said yesterday before going into Cabinet. The East Grand Bahama MP denied accusations that the Minnis administration neglected Grand Bahama in its plans for fiscal year 2018-2019. “No, that is not true,” he said in response to a question from The Tribune. “There are a number of things that are happening in Grand Bahama. The prime minister outlined some when he spoke and there are other projects that are in
the pipeline. “People are looking for the Grand Lucayan and until the Grand Lucayan is opened there really will not be celebration in the streets and we understand that and that’s why we are working so hard on that. “But there are a number of small wins in Grand Bahama with the digital space, with the eco oil company that opened the other day with the restart of the PharmaChem expansion. There are a number of things that are happening that are adding 20, 30, 40, 50 jobs and they add up. “So in another year or less, we are going to start to see Grand Bahama make that turn we are all hoping for and looking forward to.”
THE Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd is hosting its fourth annual Small Business Fair and Expo at the Pelican Bay Resort on June 28 to help small businesses and entrepreneurs gain insight to innovative ideas to make their business successful. Deanne Seymour, financial controller of GBPA, announced that the one-day expo will feature exciting presentations from both local and international presenters. She said they would address critical issues facing large and small businesses that operate in a constantly global environment that is driven by disruptive technology, consumer demands, and ever-increasing speed and efficiency of logistics and supply chains. “More importantly, we want to expand the conversation regarding essential collaboration between big and small businesses to create an ecosystem where both can be sustainable and successful,” she said. According to Mrs Seymour, some of the international presenters this year will be representatives from General Electric and Storefront, as well as local presenters VKR Insights and Trainertainment. She stated that presenters would expose small businesses and inspiring entrepreneurs to global industry trends, progressive business models, and innovative ideas all focused on cultivating continued diversity sustainability, and growth within the Freeport economy. One of the highlights at this year’s expo that is geared towards promoting e-commerce for SMEs is the creation of a cashless pop-up shop exhibit with more than two dozen businesses and merchants conducting sale transactions via a digital platform. After the expo, businesses persons will be attending a networking happy hour. Lashawn Dames, of the Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau, said the expo starts at 10am and would provide valuable information to help businesses adapt and keep pace with changes in business dynamics so they can stay on the cutting edge. “This expo is our fourth year and this year is the best line up yet,” she said. She noted that Sun Cash would demonstrate its digital cashless platform. AML Foods also will be participating at the expo and would look at partnering with small businesses.
‘FAMILY COULD SUE OVER MUNNINGS ROAD DEATH’ from page one appoint a legal guardian for her young son. Subsequent to these moves, Mr Munroe said the family should pursue a suit against the government. Over the weekend, Carey’s relatives held a vigil in her memory at the Munnings Road closure. Her mother, Patrice Carey, tearfully declared the blood of her daughter paid for the newly implemented speed bumps and reflectors. Carey, 22, was an employee at Doctors Hospital at the time of her death. Works Minister Desmond Bannister last week pledged more precautions and safety measures will be implemented on Munnings
Road to avoid future fatalities. Mr Bannister said his ministry intends to move forward with the tender process for the construction of a cul-de-sac, but insisted residents should still be careful when using that road. In a recent interview with ZNS, Mr Bannister that reiterated the cul-de-sac
was in compliance with the law. Carey was pronounced dead on the scene after her vehicle collided with the barriers last Thursday. Her death sparked outrage from many Bahamians who believed the accident could have been avoided if there were better signage and lighting in the area. In April, the Ministry
of Public Works advised it would be carrying out works on Munnings Road
for one week in connection with the intended closure, which is to become
a cul-de-sac. The road was closed in the beginning of May.
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Trump looms over midterm votes FOES and admirers of Donald Trump alike have since his inauguration 18 months ago been pointing to this November’s elections in the United States. While no national office is at stake, there is a broad perception that Trump himself is at the centre of this pivotal election. Republicans, who now support this president by an 87 percent margin, see the need to vote in November as pivotal to retaining Trump’s ability to execute his policy priorities. Democrats, at least subconsciously, see opposing Trump and capturing majorities in the House and Senate as a kind of shadow impeachment process. Many Democrats and liberals realize that actual impeachment and Trump’s removal from office is at best improbable, but dismantling the Republican majorities in Congress would at least frustrate the Trump agenda until 2020 when he can be replaced. Several primary elections have already been held this year, including in pivotal states such as California, Virginia and Pennsylvania. What do the results so far foretell for November? Two experienced observers have recently offered their views. One is veteran pollster John Zogby, who says he usually votes for Democrats but whose work has generally appeared in right-leaning newspapers and Forbes magazine. The other is Christopher Buskirk, a staunch Republican conservative polemicist. Buskirk observes recent electoral trends from a later 20th century perspective. He sees true conservatism enshrined in the policies of post-war conservative icon William F Buckley, founder of the National Review, and of president Ronald Reagan. Buskirk believes that for Republicans who adhere to the policies of Buckley and Reagan, “the 2016 election was a chance to help the (US) break the 30-year spell the Clintons and Bushes cast. It was also a chance for rank-and-file Republicans to replace an insulated party leadership that had elevated its own interests over everyone else’s.” Buskirk sees a conservative renaissance in this effort to recapture the GOP. He asserts that Trump is central to this effort, because he is seen as populist and anti-elite. Never mind that Trump routinely derides and acts in direct opposition to Buckley and Reagan tenets like free trade. “What is
important,” Buskirk writes, “is that the tumult caused by Trump’s unusual candidacy created an environment in which an intellectual refounding of Republican politics became possible.” Buskirk feels that “issues of citizenship and solidarity – what it means to be an American – have returned to the fore.” Supporting this last thesis is evidence provided by Zogby and others that has identified immigration as the key issue for voters planning to support Republican candidates this November. When Trump bombastically shouts “America First,” he appeals directly to these sentiments. At this early point in the 2018 election cycle, Zogby wisely terms the November election certainly too close to call. Republicans know who Trump is and what they are voting for. Trump’s base of support has gained somewhat over the past six months and his strength in the GOP has confronted party candidates with clear evidence that to oppose him is to seriously risk defeat in primary elections. Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford was just rejected last week in his Republican primary election after speaking out against Trump. Overall, though, Zogby sees a possible blue wave coming. He cites traditional losses by new presidents in their first off-year election, and notes that seven of the eight House seats contested since Trump was elected have been won by Democrats. And the Democrats did defeat disreputable Roy Moore in the 2018 Alabama Senate race. Zogby’s polling tells him key parts of the Obama coalition – women, Hispanics, African Americans and Asians – is reinvigorated and is ready to turn out in record numbers this fall. More women in particular are entering primary races and are, so far, receiving strong support. If immigration is the top issue for Republicans, health care and education – two family based issues traditionally critical for women in particular – dominate for Democratic voters. The related issue of income inequality between men and women underpins these concerns. In looking ahead, it is important to recall that US unemployment is down and wages and the stock market are still up since Trump took office. But widespread disenchantment with this president, his behaviour and policies is also still up.
Culbert’s Hill speed bumps EDITOR, The Tribune. I HAVE lived in the Eastern part of New Providence, very close to Culbert’s Hill for many years. Over these years, I have learned to navigate the numerous pot holes (at times large enough to damage a vehicle) which were repeatedly filled and re-patched, until the next heavy rainfall opened them all up again. So I was delighted when the Ministry of Works finally began the repaving exercise on this road. I am sure I speak for all drivers who regularly use this thoroughfare, that it was a real pleasure, for a short while, to experience this smooth, hole-free surface. That is, until somebody decided to install the speed bumps! These massive bumps are to put it mildly, “overkill”, as you described them in your Editorial on June 12.
There are 15 very large humps between Winton Highway and Prince Charles Drive. While I recognise the need to have a few speed bumps strategically placed on this road to slow drivers down, what has been done is nothing short of ridiculous. The bumps are positioned everywhere, even on the brows and crests of the hills, so not visible until you are almost on top of them. To add insult to injury, they were left unpainted for at least a month and the new asphalt surface bears the scars of the many drivers who hit them unknowingly. They have recently been painted, with the word HUMP in large white letters in front of each one. I would like to know who thought that 15 speed bumps on this one short
road were necessary. In addition to the many road users who are now inconvenienced, one can only imagine how it will delay emergency vehicles, ambulances or police cars, on what is a major north/ south artery in the eastern part of the island. I passed a fire truck heading east last week, and hoped they would not have to turn onto Culbert’s Hill, as that could cause damage to the vehicle and doubtless slow it down in an emergency situation. So after many years of persevering and dodging the many potholes on Culbert’s Hill, now that we have this nice, newly paved road, I have begun to search out alternate routes to avoid using it. Bring back the potholes…what a shame! D MINNS Nassau, June 19, 2018.
There’s a better way EDITOR, The Tribune.
NO more sitting by the sea at eventide to watch the sunset. No more sitting on the porch at nights while counting the stars and telling old stories. No more walks to the corner store after dark. Houses barricaded and looking like prison cells. The nation being held hostage by sociopaths. Violence and crime fast becoming endemic. Scream of anguish can be heard as loved ones cry out daily mourning the loss of their family member who has been shot down in the streets. Mothers are crying out searching for answers as to where they went wrong. Why is her good teenage son lying dead in the street. Adults are standing around saying how, when they were young things were so different. How the youth of today has no manners and are so disrespectful. Well, of course, things were different when we were growing up and of course children were more mannerly when we were growing up. In those days, our parents taught us to have manners and to respect the elderly. Our parents never thought we were cute when we used bad language or hit them back as a child. They never went to the schools to beat up the teacher because we were disciplined for misbehaving. You are right, things were different in those days. Just recently two teenagers were gunned down in a barber shop. When we were growing up the barber shop was a place where we would pass the time with friends sharing jokes and playing checkers while waiting our turn to be cut. Camron Cooper, a lad of seven was shot and killed, struck by a bullet not intended for him, but for a man being chased by an alleged co-conspirator in a drug deal gone bad. Another young victim of a community so paralysed with fear and entrenched in crime that they dare not speak out against the many unlawful happenings that has them fenced in. Young Cameron’s family, friends and neighbours marched through the streets in a sombre candlelight vigil In a community that comprises thousands of residents but only about one hundred persons joined in the march. Sadly, while the majority of the youths are able to break the shackles that bind them to the environment, there is that one or two whose file cannot sever the chains. What are you going to do? Are you going to stand idly by and watch them become perpetrators or victims in the not too distant future. What about them? Will you sit idly by and do nothing, or will you stand up and say enough is enough. Will you join the candlelight vigils or will you continue to peek from behind closed blinds? How many more of our children must kill or be killed before we look into the mirror and say It is time
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net for me to speak up. I will no longer be held a prisoner. Mr Minister of Sports, summer is upon us and schools are taking their summer breaks what are your plans to keep the kids off the streets? Mario Ford baseball camp is getting ready to kick off. Jeff Rodgers basketball camp is on track to begin June 25th. I stand to be corrected but I haven’t heard anything from you, sir. Well not really I did hear you say something last year about the South Beach pool (what is now a mosquito breeding ground where defence officers are stationed) to be reopened soon and how the Andre Rodgers stadium has been stagnant for awhile. Minister, I have no intention of running on about your ministry. But I daresay that for a ministry that cast such a voluminous shadow it is the most lacklustre of all ministries. You, Sir, have been entrusted with the care of the youth of our nation and thus far your performance borders dismal. Minister, to be responsible for such an important institution I am sure you are aware that all children are born with great potentials. A potential for greatness or madness, a potential to be good or evil, to love or hate, for giving to the world the best of themselves or taking from it whatever they can. Whatever a child turns out to be depends on the nurturing of these potentials. I remember when Algernon Allen one of the best sports ministers to date (my opinion) was the sports Minister by this time every year every summer he was making sure there were activities available to keep the youths occupied in a positive and supervised environment. The number of young men wandering the streets aimlessly can only lead to trouble. Minister you have to step up your game or be found guilty of dereliction of duty. No parent wants to see our child turned out to be incorrigibles, but sometimes we make the mistake of believing once a child reaches adolescent 13-18 he is capable of assuming the responsibilities of adulthood. This is especially so with our young men. But this is the time when we should be paying more attention to them, this is a time when they are most vulnerable and easy prey for the wrong influence This is a time when they are more concerned about the way others see them than the way they see themselves. They are now searching for an identity and due to fear of neglect they endear themselves to heroes and groups as a way of certainty and protection from self doubt. It becomes first an escape and then a snare. This is a time when we are needed even more than before, this is a
time unless we want to lose them forever, for us to be as patient and as compassionate as possible as our child struggles through his changing self image. This is a time when we must nurture his positive qualities. This is a time we must discipline him firmly, but lovingly. It has been documented that some of the basic requirements of all human beings are, but not limited to: Ego gratification a sense of pride and importanceA sense of root, belonging somewhere, either place or group.Love, liberty and freedom.Provide our child with these requirements and watch him thrive positively. The important thing is that our children grow up with parents who believe that there are some ways of life which for us are better than others, and these ways should not be compromised, these ways are worth defending with all of their strength. In February it was reported that the murder rate was down by fifty percent. Today June 17th the Minister of defence said it was down twenty-seven percent. A decline of twentythree percent in a four-month period. At the rate it is going unless drastic measures are implemented what is to say that by the end of the year we will not be in the same position as last December. Commissioner Ferguson, your job is not an enviable one because you are in a position of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Recently your charge has been under a lot of pressure from a blend of society who want to see you arrest the crime but to do it in accordance with their methods and approval. While I suppose that more discernment might be possible what is an officer supposed to do when he is in fear of his life. I pause to say I expect to get beat up for this but I’m used to the storm. As in most sectors of society there are a marginal minority that tends to bring the institution it represents into ill repute, unfortunately our men who have sworn to serve and protect falls into this category These are the ones that must be weeded out! Commissioner, taking into consideration the circumstances of what you met in place It is my belief you are doing a good job. There I said it. Young man, how many more of you must die before it is your turn, how much longer will you be a prisoner of your own fears who could only move cloaked in darkness, how much longer will you have to sleep with a gun under your head and one eye opened. How many bullets will you escape before the marksman finds its target, before you become another statistic. There must be a better way. Contrary to what you have been made to believe you are loved. We care, we really do. ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, June 18, 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 20, 2018, PAGE 5
Fired - but still backing the FNM from page one Mr Robinson declined comment yesterday when he was contacted. Centreville MP Reece Chipman also voted against the VAT increase to 12 percent. However he was virtually unaffected yesterday, having been fired as Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation chairman nearly three months ago. The Cabinet Office officially announced the revocation of Mr Miller’s and Mr Robinson’s appointments as parliamentary secretaries due to a breach of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure. Under Part II, Section III, Item 21 of the manual, parliamentary secretaries, like Cabinet ministers, are bound as a condition of their continuance in office to support governments decisions in public. The same provision does not pertain to Mr McAlpine, the Cabinet notice suggests. However the notice said the governor general, in accordance with the advice of the prime minister also revoked his appointment as chairman of
the Hotel Corporation. When he spoke of his termination, the Pineridge MP said he had no regrets, adding if the vote was taken again he would do it the same way. “He (the prime minister) gave me the letter and he didn’t say much, no more than that I was being terminated for going against the government’s position on VAT,” he said following a brief meeting with Dr Minnis which took place at the Cabinet Office at around 3pm yesterday. “I was very quiet and listened to the little he said. He was saying he didn’t know why I did what I did and I said, ‘God bless you, sir.’ “If the vote has to be done again I would do it all over again the same way.” He also told reporters if the prime minister had compromised on increasing VAT to 10 percent, he would have been open to that idea. Before the meeting Mr McAlpine told reporters he believed the prime minister was under pressure, but he still had a right to act as he saw fit. “Only thing I would say
is even though we are in the Westminster system, the nation itself is democratic. This is not Communist Cuba or Communist Russia, this is a democratic society and people’s minds are open. People are not the same as they used to be. You can’t give them or tell them anything politically and think that they’ll swallow it. This is a different generation.” He said he was not disappointed about his own situation, but for his colleagues who held more substantive positions. Nonetheless, he maintained he was still FNM unless officials decided to throw him out of the party. “I’m still right now as I know it a member of the Free National Movement and so are my colleagues. We are who we are it depends on what they decide to do. But of course, we all serve at the pleasure of the prime minister so he can do what he wants to do when he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it because he is the prime minster.” He also said: “I think he might be under a lot of pressure to do what he is
the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe and James Albury, was due to the obligations in the Cayman Islands for a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association forum. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mrs Parker-Edgecombe praised her parliamentary colleagues for their support of the government’s vision. The West End & Bimini MP said she believes the 2018-2019 budget aims to provide a foundation from which The Bahamas can positively build into the future, while addressing the issues it now faces. She added: “This budget is not meant to burden the Bahamian people. I am confident that my constituents along with others will find innovative ways to lead better lives and fully take advantage of all the budget has to offer.” In a separate interview, Progressive Liberal Party South Andros MP Picewell Forbes, also on assignment at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association forum, asserted that the government’s move to increase
VAT was unconscionable and showed little to no thought for the everyday struggles of hardworking Bahamians. He told The Tribune his record on the proposed increase has been clear. Mr Forbes insisted: “I said I didn’t and wouldn’t support the egregious increase In VAT to a burdensome 12 percent.” Beyond the seven absent parliamentarians, FNM Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson and Centreville MP Reece Chipman joined opposition members Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin, Cat Island MP Philip “Brave” Davis and Exuma & Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper in voting “no” to the increase. All other MPs voted in favour of the bill, except the Speaker of the House who does not cast a vote. The VAT amendment passed by a vote of 24 to seven. The 20182019 budget was also passed Monday night. The budget and VAT amendments must now be debated and passed by the Senate.
SEVEM ABSENTEES AWAY ON GOVERNMENT BUSINESS By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE seven parliamentarians absent from Monday night’s vote to increase value added tax from 7.5 percent to 12 percent were all out of the country on government business, according to multiple sources yesterday. Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer confirmed the absence of Works Minister Desmond Bannister, Water and Sewerage Chairman Adrian Gibson and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works Iram Lewis was due to obligations associated with the Ministry of Works. It was later specified by Cabinet Press Secretary Anthony Newbold that Mr Bannister was in China attending an Urban Planning Construction forum, while Mr Gibson had travelled to London for a water conference. Mr Lewis reportedly travelled with the minister. Meanwhile, Mr Culmer said the absence of Deputy House Speaker Don Saunders and Parliamentary Secretaries in the Office of
doing. You have persons in the Cabinet who gonna say ‘you have to show chief and you’ve got to flex your muscles. You can’t let these fellas get away with this’ and then you have the other side of the coin where you are hoping that he would consider so you terminate us. That’s fine but you also recognise that people were not happy with the decision of the government on VAT. “So, the reality is when it comes to the party and the leadership, its poll numbers are going down and so doing this does not help. This does not help to elevate his poll numbers or the party’s poll numbers.” Asked if he would seek re-election on the FNM’s ticket, Mr McAlpine said it was too early to give a definite answer, but he said, “Frederick McAlpine will seek re-election.” For his part, Mr Miller said he voted against the VAT increase because he believed the people should have been consulted. Despite being fired over his decision to go against the party position, Mr Miller, who was axed as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Social
Services, said he saw no reason why the party would not offer him a nomination in the next general election. He said his meeting yesterday with Dr Minnis was amicable. At the time, he said he thanked the prime minister and told him he not only loved but respected him. However, the Golden Isles MP said he could not go against his convictions to vote in accordance with the plight of Bahamians. His firing came as no surprise, so he had no regrets, he told this newspaper. Mr Miller said: “I’m still a Free National Movement member.” “I couldn’t live with myself otherwise. I have convictions and I have a conscience and I have a God that I will have to answer to,” he also said. “I couldn’t vote for putting this on the backs of the poor and the middle class and small and medium sized businesses. To me it was just unconscionable. That’s just my opinion. “I say that in light of this: I think we have too many options to choose from. Firstly, I thought we should have gone to the public. The public should have
played a bigger role in this. We should have heard their possible ideas.” Mr Robinson was tightlipped on the way forward when he was contacted yesterday. However, shortly after voting against the VAT amendment Monday night, the Bain and Grants Town MP posted a quote to his Facebook account from former US President John F Kennedy. The quote read: “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. “Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.”
FROM left, Central and South Abaco MP James Albury, South Andros MP Picewell Forbes, pictured with an official, West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe and Tall Pines MP Don Saunders were absent for the VAT vote on Monday due to the obligations in the Cayman Islands for a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association forum.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Residents back Robinson from page one
FNM officials when he spoke. He now loses a $45,000 annual salary and the perks that come with the job, such as a car and a government cell phone. As an MP, he still makes a salary of $28,000 a year. Once identified as the future of the FNM, his own future in the party is now unclear. Privately, party officials said he owed them loyalty, noting their investment in him was such that his campaign was fully financed at the party’s request, frustrating others who sought financial help. Carlyle Bethel, president of the FNM’s youth arm, the Torchbearers Association, emphasised yesterday that the FNM’s embrace of youth was highlighted not only in Mr Robinson’s selection as a candidate last year, but also in the selection of Central and South Abaco MP James Albury and Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, among others. “There are a number of young people that stepped forward and I believe the
THE TERMINATION letter sent to former Parliamentary Secretary Travis Robinson, above left, and, above, right, Travis Robinson pictured in the house with Dionisio D’Aguilar. Photo: Peter Ramsay party is still committed to promoting young people,” Mr Bethel said. “There’s always two sides to a story. We can understand where
Travis is coming from, but we can also appreciate why the prime minister made his decision.” Among those grappling
with Mr Robinson’s decision, however, is Matthew Brown, vice-chairman of the FNM’s Bain & Grants Town Association who said Mr Robinson did not consult the association before announcing his opposition to the VAT hike during his budget speech last week. He called Mr Robinson’s action a betrayal of parliamentary ethics and insisted the association stands fully behind Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the vision of his government. The relationship between Mr Robinson and the party’s association, he said, had been strained sometimes, suggesting the MP’s decision not to consult them on VAT was not without precedent. Meanwhile, residents of the constituency criticised a Westminster system that required Mr Robinson to resign from his government position or be fired, calling for it to be changed. “Not because you say the sky is blue means I must believe the same thing,” said Crystal Colebrooke, 23. “I have to look up and come to my own conclusion. The system shouldn’t be the way it is. There should be freedom of speech.”
Like 66-year-old Patsy Johnson, an owner of a small store in the constituency, Ms Colebrooke believes the FNM’s rare victory there last year will not be repeated in 2022. “People didn’t vote for the FNM,” she said. “We voted because we were tired of the PLP. If a dog did run against the PLP, that dog would have gotten in because we wanted change. But I don’t think I will vote again. They always doing foolishness.” She added: “Travis grew up with no money. He for the people. He know about struggle. The rest of them don’t.” Ms Johnson, meanwhile, said she is a lifelong supporter of the PLP who voted for the FNM for the first time last year. “I will not vote for the FNM anymore,” she said. “They only gon’ serve one term. They fire Travis and the same way they did that we gon’ fire them next time.” It’s still unclear how Mr Robinson’s decision will affect his future in the constituency. Residents like Freddy Johnson, 47, said the MP’s popularity has been waning in the area. “Many people don’t
like him because he don’t do anything for us,” he said. FNM officials like Mr Brown insist that as opposed to voting against VAT, Mr Robinson should have explained to residents what the benefits of the budget are, such as its $5 million allocation for the Over-the-Hill initiative, exemptions for real property tax and select customs duties and VAT exemptions on bread-basket items. But many residents of the area are unconvinced such concessions will offset the general increase of VAT. Asked about the Over-the-Hill plan, Ms Colebrooke said: “That ain gon’ do anything for nobody. How long will it take for that to make any impact?” Likewise, Ms Johnson said the VAT exemptions don’t solve the community’s fundamental problem: a lack of money for basic necessities. “People around here don’t have food to eat,” she said. “Everyday I give people here food out of my shop.” Kevin Wilson, 51, added: “You still got to find the money, you still have to hustle hard. If you can’t get money, exemptions won’t help you.”
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THE TRIBUNE
sist it will aid the country in the fight against crime. “If the US determined there was a terrorist target and they wanted to intercept the communication, they would come and we have to have provisions in law to assist them,” Mr Munroe said. “They won’t take kindly to us not being able to assist them in criminal matters.” “All these people jump-
as seen in the Listening Devices Act, that’s broad enough to encompass digital data in my view. The only thing people should focus on is whether the protections in this bill are sufficient and they are 100 per cent better than the ones in the Listening Devices Act. Under that Act, the AG could sign off and didn’t have to go to court. Under this bill they have to
tion the attorney general gave. But under this bill, the attorney general has to report as to how many warrants were sought, how many were granted. There’s parliamentary oversight. I’m disappointed in the discussion I’ve seen on this bill.” The Interception of Communications Bill would repeal the Listening Devices Act if passed.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018, PAGE 7
Bus drivers form union WAYNE MUNROE
By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
A NEW union has been formed to change public perception of bus drivers and facilitate a more modern bussing system in the country. The Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union was formed last month and is led by its president, Frederick Farrington. During a press conference yesterday, Mr Farrington called for more consultation on the unified bus system pilot project and announced a proposal for a card system to pay bus fares. He also confirmed that there is no current plan to increase bus fares after the July 1 value added tax hike. “Our main goals are to facilitate and jump start a bussing system that is long overdue,” Mr Farrington said. “We are strong advocates for a unified bus system that works for everyone.” On February 6, Transport Minister Frankie Campbell said a pilot project is underway “that seeks to determine the feasibility of unifying the bus system” in New Providence. On May 30, Mr Campbell said a route had been identified for the busing system, and that there will be a sixmonth period dedicated to gathering data for the project. Mr Farrington confirmed to reporters yesterday that he has been involved in discussions on the matter, and added some “tweaking” needs to be done. “We have been in various meetings with this present minister and (former Transport Minister) Glenys Hanna Martin, in reference to the pilot project,” he said. “We are advocates for change. We (gave) him our input on the present project as it is, but there (is) a little tweaking that needs to be
JITNEYS in downtown Nassau. done. But we are looking to reroute the pilot project issue” the union wants to forward to working along to that various route to tackle. with the minister for the bring back life in that com“If you mention the word By NICO SCAVELLA back to the ministry. that would be used by bus who will be utilised, the bus we’re hopeful it will be pilot Staff project.” munity. We haven’t a which ‘bus yououtwill seeas the Tribune Reporter Mrs Armbrister also said passengers in basically gotten the drivers, busesdriver’, will be rolled as soon posnscavella@tribunemedia.net ministryfor has sent out re- same way transit passes are made used and then they come on sible.persons’ This has been quite a Mr Farrington the called response as yet if they frustration faces. quests for proposals (RFPs) used in the US. back to us. So this is a pro- lengthy process and we’re the changes.” We committed toof make THE elimination Christie adminis- of to fivemoney firms for the those provi“We’re in the process of cess involving bothare the govjust at the end the protration has identified a new sion of “oversight” of the fine tuning all of the ar- ernment and the omnibus cess now, so we’re hoping on buses andinchanges Mr rangements Farrington said that turnaround to show route to be utilised its unifiedto busbus system, and are for the unified organisations. all will go well.” unified bus system, with of- now in the process ofchanging ana- systems,” the Mrs Ambrister “So it’s the not something The proposed unification routes. perception public a nice, uniformed ficials “hopeful” that a pro- lysing the “responses of the said when contacted. “The the government is doing of the public bus system is The union has two proposed of abus inbeenthe totype for the project will firms that indicated newdrivers route, #17 has ga- comon its own.driver…Nice, It’s something part of the courteous, New Providence be rolled out soon. desire to participate.” zetted. And everything has in which the owners are Road Improvement ProaPermanent “three-card system” – a2016, Transmunity the very “number one obeying all gramme road safety Secretary in In October beenismoving smooth- participating and allowing (NPRIP),rules. funded the Ministry of Transport port and Aviation Minister ly. So we anticipate that us to see how the process by the Inter-American Deyellow card for passengers and Aviation Lorraine Glenys Hanna Martin said we’ll be in a position in due will roll out and evolve so velopment Bank (IDB), Armbrister The Tribcourse to roll out the pilot that we can work out all the which also involved the paying toldthe $1.25the Christie fare, administration a une that the new route, #17, was “hoping” to roll out a project which will actually kinks so that we can eventu- upgrading of New Provigreen card byfor andfor aaunified bus be the forerunner to the ally move into a unified sys- dence’s road network. has been “gazetted” the $1, prototype government, and that system by citiyear’s end 2016, unified system.” tem that will be for the betThe project, which is bepink card forthe senior Ministry of Works has be- adding at the time that her Mrs Armbrister, as well terment of the whole island ing financed by $500,000 gun preparing the neces-would announcement from the IDB, is an atzens. Persons scanwas the clos- as Road Traffic Controller of New Providence.” sary road markings and sig- est the government has got Ross Smith, told The Tribtheforcards upon a search for une that the new route has She added: “Certainly tempt to encourage jitney nage the new bus stops boarding in its decade-long for the new route. jitney industry reform. been “tweaked” since its bus. However, Mrs ArmbrisShe said at the time that gazetting, and as such the ter indicated issue scan the pilot project would specifics of said route re“Andthat astheyou them, of when the pilot project “have all of the features or mains unclear. they’ll log inside system. will be implemented de- the as many of the features” as Nonetheless, when asked pends on how the day, government At the endsoon of the each the would like when the government plans government, in conjunction it to have, including sched- to roll out the pilot project, with industry ules, fare boxes, established which she said will last for driver willrepresentaknow how much tives can “fine tune” the signage for bus stops, and six months when implemoney make. final details ofhe the will project, then uniformed, salaried bus mented, Mrs Armbrister meaning which buses and drivers. said: “That depends on how It’ll also makes it easier for bus drivers will participate Yesterday, Mrs Arm- soon we can fine tune these in the pilot project,from and brister also mentioned the last details. (Officials) have deductions National then relay that information potential use of a “card” to decide on the owners Insurance and all those various deductions. “We (are) living in a day and time of technology,” he A WOMAN from Nas- four people - two men and tral Division seized a quansau Village is in custody two women - were arrest- tity of dangerous drugs. added. after she was arrested at ed on Thursday during a officers were carryMr Pindling Farrington said a on East ingThe the Lynden Inter- special operation out an operation in the national Airport for posStreet. area when a building was letter on this proposal was session of dangerous drugs Police said that shortly af- searched and a quantity of 17th February 2017 was found. on Wednesday, police re- ter 10am, a teamFriday, of officers marijuana delivered to Mr Campbell ported. assigned to the South CenInvestigations continue. on June that the Shortly after 12, and 1pm, the woman was travelling to a response union is awaiting the United States when US "Please remember that Customs Border Patrol from and him. smoother roads and well officials detained her at In Pre-Clearance terms of the routes, the US De- busorganized thoroughfares “QUOTE OF THE DAY” parture Lounge, after just are nofor excuses for Mr Farrington called over four pounds of cocaine reckless driving. Also, were discovered in herto lug-be made to Distributed By adjustments never underestimate the gage, police said. aTheroute will “interfere importance of using your woman that was handed BAY STREET GARAGE over to the police and taken turn indicators with theand15, 21, and 19” bus when Dowdeswell Street into custody is expectchanging lanes!" ed to appear in court today.“chaos”. stops and cause 322-2434 • 322-2082 Police also reported that He also called for a route to be implemented on Vil362 lage Road heading north. “There is no bus going in that direction. We wanted JITNEYS on Bay Street. The government is hopeful of introducing a prototype for a unified bus system project.
This is what we have in place going forward.” The union will also have a hotline where any complaints can be addressed, and also work directly with the Road Traffic Department and police to discuss these matters. “We will sit with (the Road Traffic official), place the road traffic complaints on her desk, and henceforth help her along the way to weed out those various complaints. “Also working along with the police, it’s the same process. We will work along with them to ensure that things of that nature after being reported, wouldn’t happen the near future.” operators andinfranchise holders to Farrington take the next added that Mr step towards reform, and overcome what appears to the executive committee of be entrenched stakeholder the union will hold classes resistance. However, an IDB paper, and seminars for drivers, in obtained by Tribune Business in theof early part of order routes. last year, revealed that little “We’re unifying ourprogress towards practical jitney/bus industry reform selves first. We has been made despite nu- are looking
OFFICIALS ‘HOPEFUL’ OF PILOT OF UNIFIED BUS SYSTEM
WOMEN HELD AFTER DRUGS DISCOVERY
merous reports and studies being presented to the government, some of which date back to 1992. According to the IDB, around 280 buses served the Bahamian people on 23 different routes.
at that customer-friendly driver. So like I say, we’re a new union, we have a lot of these positive measures in our books. And we want to start within ourselves to better assist them.” The union currently has over 200 members out of 300 bus drivers. Mr Farrington added that his colleagues are “very excited” about something that is “long overdue”. Another main issue the union plans to address is the lack of adequate bus stops on New Providence. For drivers, he noted that approximately 85 percent do not have National Insurance, a number the union hopes to reduce. “I guarantee it we are 100 percent committed to change the whole bussing system for the betterment of all those pedestrians, passengers at large, and The Bahamas.”
PAGE 8, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
The lessons we can learn from the Budget
THE TRIBUNE
By Alicia Wallace
T
HE world of partisan politics is never dull. The Budget Communication certainly makes for a lively few weeks, full of debate, pontification, and a range of emotions. It is probably the time we are most attentive to the government and political manoeuvrings aside from election season. It gives insight into the real agenda of administrations and reveals values like nothing else. In their contributions, our representatives show us, in practice, what is important to them. They speak to specific parts of the budget as we listen for signs that they are just another cog in the wheel, or thinking representative giving due consideration to the everyday realities of our lives before taking a position.
MORE INFORMATION PLEASE
The 2018-2019 budget could keep us talking for days on end. The controversy and confusion that arises from the budget debate often leads to conversations, arguments, research, and critical thinking, increasing our knowledge and understanding of governance and government. Other events — like the vote of no confidence by the rebel seven in 2016 — become practical teaching tools and opened our eyes to what was previously unknown. Many of us only recently learned that the official Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is not necessarily the opposition party leader. We are learning as we go.
HOW IS THAT WORKING FOR US?
Sure, there is always more to learn. Yes, it is great that we are able to start and sustain conversations in the aftermath of political events that lead to an expansion of individual and national knowledge, but are we figuring it all out too late, and too piecemeal? We are in desperate need of a national civics lesson. Yes, some schools have civics class, but not all of them. It should be a requirement at every school in The Bahamas. If we can give five-year-olds projects on the governor generals of The Bahamas, we can offer civic education to school-age children. There should be educational programming on television and radio, supplements in newspapers, open online courses, and resources in public libraries. If political parties and candidates can go door-to-door with their paraphernalia, they can make information about the Westminster system, political history, and governance easily accessible to every Bahamian resident.
VOTING AGAINST PARTY POSITION
Over the past few days, we have been talking about the four FNM Members of Parliament who voted “no” on the bill to increase Value Added Tax to twelve percent. Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson and Centreville MP Reece Chipman did not support the VAT increase, and seven other FNM Members of Parliament did not show up to
REECE Chipman and Frederick McAlpine, two of the FNM rebels who voted against the VAT increase. vote. This came after Attorney General Carl Bethel said “the whip is on” and suggested to anyone voting “no”, “you may as well tender your resignation at the same time that you vote with the opposition.” Many people of varied political allegiances expressed disdain, shock, and disappointment at the Prime Minister’s actions yesterday. Robinson and Miller were terminated from their parliamentary secretary positions at Ministry of Tourism and Aviation and Ministry of Social Services respectively, and McAlpine was terminated from his position as chairman of the Hotel Corporation. Their termination letters referred to Part III, Section 21 of the Manual
of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure. Following their budget contributions, it was made clear to these Members of Parliament that they had a decision to make. They could support the budget in its entirety, including relevant bills, and keep their appointments or they could represent their constituents by not supporting every aspect of the budget and be terminated. They chose to stand for the people, knowing the consequences stipulated by the Westminster system.
THE MINNIS MISTAKE
Minnis is obviously trying to look strong. He is opposed to compromise. He is not interested in engaging the press, or communicating
Photo: Peter Ramsay
with the Bahamian people. He has proven that a young He wants to eat lunch. He person who is new to polidisappears and goes quiet, tics and has been courted pushing other people to by a major political party the fore. Maybe can truly reprehe thinks we Minnis is sent the people. will not see him What will this as the bad guy. obviously do for Bahamian Maybe he thinks trying to look politics? Maybe if he is not the strong. He is we will see a one to deliver wave of more the bad news, opposed to inspired leaders we will not compromise. He and leadership know where it is not interested emerge. There came from. One could be new thing is certain in engaging boldness. Per— he does not the press, or haps we can take kindly to communicating expect prebeing opposed, sent and future with the questioned, Members of or criticised. Bahamian Parliament to That is too bad, people. give careful especially since consideration opposition, to everything questions, and criticism put before them, consult could be instructive, espe- with constituents, and truly cially for someone so work for them rather than clearly out of touch. the party. We may get repMinnis does not seem resentatives who care more to understand the impli- about our communities than cations of the budget. He their own titles and salaries. has not grasped the fact Didn’t this seem unrealistic that the Bahamian people a short time ago? are not interested in any Whether or not we see of the spins being offered. change, incremental or subWe are especially not going stantial, in the practice of to accept the idea that we politics depends on more have to suffer now to ben- than one person. Travis efit later. Robinson, at the very least, Minnis said, “My budget took a risk. What about is not necessarily about us? What is our response VAT. My budget is more going to be? Beyond the about a better tomorrow initial social media posts for the young people of this and paraphrasing of what country, the future.” others have said, what are In two sentences, he we going to do? took ownership of the At this point, our action budget, demonstrated his is just as important as his. If lack of awareness of the we want to see more repregeneral understanding of sentatives truly representing the budget and the most us, we have to show it with dominant component, and our support. That means suggested that there is a resisting the urge to make focus on youth and the jokes about his lost income, future. There is too much and going beyond the lazy in that statement to refute explain-it-away method of here and now, but young posting a screenshot of the people are not buying it; relevant Westminster rule especially not after Robin- or section of the cabinet son’s termination yesterday. manual. Okay, the system brought us here. What now? What of that system? Is it Many people are con- serving us? We talk about democfused by what has taken place. Some are likening racy in very general terms, Minnis to dictators and and most of us have done fascists. There have been very little to learn more numerous questions about about it. We go through the the validity of this move, motions of a specific part of whether or not it was neces- democracy. We vote every sary, and possible loopholes. five years, and spend all the More than anyone else, time in between making Travis Robinson has the threats about what we will attention of the Bahamian do with our one vote when people — especially young the time comes again. people. For many, his ter- Democracy is and must be mination feels like a punch more than that. We have to to the gut. We have to be able to talk about what remember, however, that he it has and has not been for remains the representative us, and co-create a better for Bain and Grants Towns, functioning democracy that that was what he wanted goes beyond a vote. We can at the beginning, and his have our say on any day at current situation is the out- any time, if only we learn come of fulfilling his duty to tap into the power of the to the people of that con- collective. When we do, as stituency. He has done what Progressive Liberal Party many others have failed to Deputy Leader Chester do. He consulted with his Cooper put it, “The day of constituents and spoke on reckoning is going to come. their behalf, even when it And that is the beauty of was to his own detriment. democracy.”
THE ROBINSON EFFECT
PAGE 10, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
The Budget catastrophe belongs to the PM W
OE unto us! A little over a year ago we elected a new Government that would lead us into a land flowing with biblical milk and honey. Instead, we are left, like Job, to repent in dust and ashes. In its most basic function, creating the budget that controls our economy, Dr Minnis’ FNM party, with nearly 90 percent of House seats, has managed to lose the faith of its citizens. In the recent poll by impartial Public Domain, only 20 percent of the 800person random sample said they would vote FNM in an election held now. Further, 73 percent of respondents opposed the VAT increase from 7.5 percent to 12 percent. Hundreds of articulate demonstrators marched under the windows of Parliament in session, demanding repeal of the increase, bearing placards exclaiming “vision not taxes” and “keep ya’ corned beef”. Speaking for the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Chairman Gowon Bowe stated that the abrupt 60 percent VAT increase would have the “opposite effect” on Government’s objective of increasing revenues, and compliance would suffer. Leading food retailer Rupert Roberts insisted the increase should have been to 10 percent, dropping the Bread Basket “savings” and all the miscellaneous exemptions, whose main effect will be to clog business with new paperwork. Several FNM backbenchers are defecting from the party line and refused to vote for the VAT increase. Government even seems to be losing popular support for its bitter battle to tax web shops more heavily, as polls revealed 73 percent found the new scales unfair, with probable job losses adding to unemployment rolls.
For the first time, we see justifies a sliding tax scale active non-partisan dis- that is not imposed on any sent spread from the angry other Bahamian business, shouts of the struggling even the unloved Canadian poor right up to careful banks. Any excessive drain words of accountants and on Family Islands’ economy business leaders. I do not could have been handled predict that Government by special regulations limis about to fall through iting the impact of gaming losing a vote of confidence on those cash-strapped in the House. But in the communities. longer term, citizens’ conMinister Turnquest was fidence in the FNM may quite correct in his grand erode right up to the elec- strategy of chopping away tion in 2022. at the debt mountain left Minister of Finance Peter by the PLP. His tactics Turnquest has taken the have been inept and may brunt of public attack. But prove disastrous for his surely, on such a critical party, but he had only one issue, the PM must have major device in his tool-kit: reviewed and endorsed his increase VAT, a tax system recommendations. And which he did not create. surely, Minister Turnquest’s every-last-buck policy could have been toned down by a more politically astute politician than Five years ago when VAT Dr Minnis, to give us the was being planned, a small usual national grumbling group of us proposed the instead of today’s outright alternative, income tax. We denouncement. Surely a recognised that a new oversavvy politician would all tax regime was needed have known that the aver- to replace the multifarious age breadwinner, and his tariffs, excises, fees and bargain-shopping wife, charges then prevailing. But is outraged by the abrupt we argued, without sericost-of-living hike and will ous disagreement, that the not be soothed by VAT- clearly regressive nature of free corned beef, rice and VAT would hit the poor mustard, or by cheaper harder than the middle shoes, clothing and tiles— class or the rich. The Govor registering the family ernment’s White Paper aircraft! of February 2013 disA shrewder PM would missed our views in a few have avoided picking a paragraphs. direct fight with our gaming First, income tax would industry which Tourism be a “disincentive to work Minister D’Aguilar now effort and entrepreneurcalls a “sin”, doubtless ship”. Really? Did the infuriating thousands of graduated rates of personal law-abiding players who income tax in the US deter are now sinners, losing an Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos unprecedented 5 percent from starting Microsoft tax on cash wagered. or Amazon from scratch Maybe the numbers boys and creating billion-dollar themselves are getting companies? Have they rich, but it has never been imposed any disincentive explained how “fairness”
INCOME TAX SHOULD REPLACE VAT
DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest during the Budget debate. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff to entrepreneurs against creating hundreds of Silicon Valley start-ups, some succeeding, others failing? Has there been any lack of venture capital firms willing to take the risk of early investing? Repression of work effort only occurs when, as in socialist post-war Britain, the marginal top rate of income tax reaches a confiscatory 90 percent. Second, a “heavy burden of compliance” with a new and unfamiliar system would impede any reliable collection. Until 1913, income tax was unknown in the US, and its first imposition aroused vigorous objections. In the 105 years since then, despite hundreds of actual and proposed amendments and endless wrangling over details, it has evolved into a pretty efficient way of raising about $900m per year, plus a similar amount of social security taxes. This has been achieved with never any deep-seated evasion, through a large measure of compliance by individual tax-payers and corporate withholding agents. With the proper publicity and education,
the sensible Bahamian citi- an exemption easing the zenry could do the same. burden for the lowest, as in The real concern of the the US. For the first time, PLP politicians who cre- lawyers, doctors, accountated VAT was simply ants, real-estate dealers, fear of having to drop the and contractors would be long-standing catchphrase taxed on the net income “there’s no income tax in from their professions, as The Bahamas”. would all executives and They relished that we employees receiving a paywere known as a “tax- check from Government or haven”. Today, that phrase any company doing busiis more of an insult than a ness here, whether locally blessing, and no longer pro- or foreign-owned. This vides our core advertising might come as a shock, but for foreign investment it happens throughout the VAT has been successful modern world. There would simply as a revenue genera- be no need for the complexitor, contributing $638m this ties and double-tax features fiscal year and a projected of corporate income tax or $1.062bn next year, about business license fees, but 40percent of total revenue, any interest, dividends far larger than the next com- or capital gains would be ponent, import duties, at included in income taxed at 17percent. When we join the standard rates, World Trade Organization Compliance would not (WTO) in 2019, the VAT be an insuperable problem. contribution will rise even Employees below a cerhigher to replace the duties tain tax level would simply we must cancel to satisfy be subject to withholdWTO rules. VAT’s 12 per- ing, similar to deductions cent may rise another few for NIB payments. Higher percentage points. bracket taxpayers will be But VAT has been a fail- well known to the authoriure in creating a healthier ties and can easily prepare economy. After having a tax return, much simpler collected over $2bn VAT than the forms known in revenues, even Minis- the US. I have enough faith ter Turnquest admits that in Bahamians not to fear “we are worse off than we mass evasion attempts. were”. Virtual abolition of VAT Government debt has in favour of income tax continued to rise, and the will require a few years of higher revenue has simply transition, but I believe is been used to pay larger inevitable. Many studies state salaries and expense show how “primitive” tax items that Government systems like The Bahamas, refuses to reduce, like the relying on transaction taxes annual subsidies to Baha- such as VAT and import masAir and ZNS. duties for 30-40 percent We are a nation of greater of revenues, evolve into disparity between rich and “modern” systems like poor than other Caribbean the US and the UK where countries. A progressive transaction taxes amount income tax would narrow to less than 2 percent and this disparity. It could have much of the balance comes four brackets, of, say, 10, from income tax. 20, 30, and 40 percent, marNo nation’s society will ginal rates on personal tolerate forever a tax income. The unemployed regime heavily skewed in would pay nothing, but all favour of the rich against others would be liable, with the poor.
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THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, June 20, 2018, PAGE 11
Lawyer says witness had more reason to kill murder victim By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE Crown’s key witness in a murder trial had more of a grudge to bear against the deceased or his older brother as opposed to the accused in the matter, an attorney for the accused argued yesterday. Jamean Johnson is charged with abetment to both murder and attempted murder concerning the death of veteran trade unionist John Pinder’s youngest son, John Pinder Jr, and the shooting of another man. David Cash charged that based on the evidence, Crown witness Delano Miller actually had more reason to exact harm on John Pinder Jr than his client. Mr Cash based his argument on Miller’s admissions while on the witness stand that he “didn’t really like” Johnson, as well as evidence that Miller had two fights with Pinder Jr’s older brother Javon Pinder about a month before the younger Pinder’s death. The court also heard Javon Pinder is friends with Johnson. Additionally, Mr Cash relied on evidence from Lashon Bastian, which showed how Miller and Pinder Jr “didn’t have any kind of friendship,” with the dynamic being more of a “bully scene.” Additionally, Bastian said Miller and Javon Pinder, also known as “Bobo”, were not friends, as “they could never see eye to eye.” And that assessment of their friendship, Bastian said, was based on the
altercations the two had prior to his friend’s death. Bastian said Johnson, Pinder Jr, and Javon Pinder were close friends, and had an almost “every day routine” where they would hang out Monday through Sunday. The witness dismissed the suggestion that Johnson would wish harm on either of the Pinder brothers. On August 29, 2016, Pinder Jr, also known as “Fats”, was shot and killed by unknown assailants in his Hillside Park home while playing video games with his older brother and several other male friends. Pinder Jr was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene. Kerrigan McCoy was also shot. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance and treated for his injuries. Johnson is charged with abetting unknown persons to murder Pinder, and abetting unknown persons in their attempts at killing McCoy. Miller, when he took the stand, said he witnessed a car pull near the Pinders’ residence on the night of the murder. According to Miller, he lives about two houses down from the Pinder residence. Miller said two men got out of the vehicle -- one from the front passenger seat and the other from the back-passenger seat behind the driver, who remained in the vehicle. The two men, who had hoodies over their heads, went to the empty lot on the side of Mr Pinder’s yard and went over the gate. Shortly after that, Miller said he heard about four or
five gunshots coming from the yard. However, Miller did not report the incident to the police the night of the incident question, according to the evidence. And neither did he call or go to the police to report the matter the following morning. Instead, Miller said days later on the 30th, he was questioned by police, who came to his door making inquiries about the murder. He was taken to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) for that purpose, and did not go willingly. Around 3.55pm on September 1, the witness said he identified Johnson in an identification parade at CDU. While there, he said he was also shown a number of vehicles, and identified Johnson’s red Explorer as the vehicle in question. Miller, in giving his evidence, said he felt like he was being arrested, but said police didn’t handcuff him. However, he said he was placed in a cell. When questioned by Mr Cash, Miller said officers did not allow him to leave their custody until he gave a statement saying Johnson was the driver of the vehicle he said he saw. He said it wasn’t until he identified Johnson during the identification parade that they let him go. Miller also said he felt under pressure during the time he was being interrogated, and felt like the police wanted him for the murder. However, Miller, in response to a question by Mr Cash, said all of that “pressure” relieved itself after he gave police the information
concerning Johnson. In making his closing address to the 15-member jury, Mr Cash brought their attention to a portion of Miller’s evidence when he said he knew police would come looking for him in connection with Pinder Jr’s murder because of the two altercations he had with Javon Pinder a month prior. Thus, Mr Cash suggested to the jury that evidence of the two altercations suggests that if it was anyone involved in the matter who would have harboured animosity towards the deceased or his older brother, it would have been the Crown’s main witness. According to the evidence led at trial, both Johnson and Miller were drug peddlers, and according to Miller’s evidence, Johnson, also known as “Debo,” had his “own block” in Monastery Park. However, when questioned by Mr Cash if Johnson was selling more dope than himself, Miller replied by saying: “Debo was, because I was only selling it for like almost a year and he was running his shop for years.” Thus, Mr Cash submitted that with Johnson incarcerated in connection with Pinder’s murder, allegedly the result of the information Miller gave to police, the latter was thus free to sell drugs without having to worry about the threat of Johnson’s competition. The matter continues tomorrow with the Crown’s closing address. Stephanie Pintard and Camille Gomez-Jones are the prosecutors on record for the matter.
DONNA Vasyli at a previous bail hearing.
NO MORE MONITOR FOR DONNA VASYLI from page one
expressed concern that manslaughter by provocation was not left to the Vasyli was initially con- jury as an option while victed in October 2015 Justice Stella Crane-Scott of stabbing her husband dissented on the necesPhilip Vasyli to death at sity of a retrial entirely their Old Fort Bay home given the inconclusive on March 24, 2015. state of the circumstantial She was later sentenced evidence. to 20 years in prison. However, her colleagues In July 2017, the Court believed a retrial was in of Appeal quashed her the interest of justice. guilty verdict, and conseOne week later, Vasyli quently ordered a retrial. was granted $250,000 bail In the Court of Appeal’s by Justice Turner. 71-page judgment, thenIn November 2017, the President Justice Dame appellate court granted Anita Allen said she Vasyli leave to pursue her was of the view the jury fight against a retrial to was possibly left with the London-based Privy the impression, as sug- Council. gested by counsel for the The Court of Appeal prosecution in its closing ruled that leave would address, that the appellant be granted pursuant to lied about her clothing and the usual provisions, that the functionality of secu- is on the condition that rity cameras to conceal the Vasyli enter a security murder of her husband. in the amount of $2,861 This, she said, resulted to furnish the cost of her in a clear danger that the application. jury might regard the lies Additionally, Vasyli and of the appellant as pro- her legal team were also bative of her guilt and required to procure the warranted the judge to preparation of all related give a Lucas direction on records and have them the significance of lies. dispatched to the Privy Justice Jon Isaacs Council.
PAGE 12, Wednesday, June 20, 2018
PRAYING FOR FOX HILL’S FALLEN
THE TRIBUNE
THE FOX Hill community held a prayer service at Fox Hill Parade Grounds yesterday for recent murder victims. Jermaine Jones, Fox Hill Urban Renewal Manager, is pictured above. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
BLINDFOLD CHALLENGE BRINGS A LITTLE JOY
DONDRE Pickstock was up first to pick his cash prize. He won $150 in an event put on by Asa H Pritchard Ltd. PROCTER & Gamble has unveiled Joy Orange, the first new Joy product launched in The Bahamas for decades. The product is distributed locally by Asa H Pritchard Ltd. The Joy Orange
Challenge, a first of its kind launch event, was held on Saturday at Super Value, Cable Beach. Representatives from Asa H Pritchard Ltd and AdWorks Multimedia Marketing were on-hand for
the event. Lucky shoppers were blindfolded and cheered on by the crowd as they selected winning orange balls. Winners walked away with instant cash prizes, ranging from $100 up to $300.