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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.146, JUNE 22ND, 2018

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WEEKEND: LAW IN A COLD CLIMATE AS BAHAMIAN HEADS TO ALASKA

Govt close to new Oban deal Heads of agreement to be revised after previous mistakes

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwel ls@tribunemedia.net THE government is finalising several amendments to the controversial heads of agreement it signed with Oban Energies related to a proposed oil refinery and storage facility in East Grand Bahama, according to Labour Minister Dion Foulkes.

Chief among those amendments, according to the senator, is the review and adjustment of environmental clauses, economic

terms and several “restrictive” legal conditions now in the Heads of Agreement (HOA).

As a part of his budget contribution in the Senate yesterday, Mr Foulkes insisted that better days were on the horizon for Grand Bahama, starting with revisions to the Oban HOA, which he said would be complete in a few weeks.

It has been four months since the government signed the heads of agreement for the $5.5bn facility.

SEE PAGE THREE

NUMBER ONE

DEANDRE IS TOP NBA PICK

URCA SUMMONS FOR RADIO OPERATOR STRUCK DOWN

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s attempt at issuing a criminal summons on ZSR Sports Radio’s operator for allegedly operating without a licence was struck down by a senior magistrate.

The Tribune understands Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain dismissed the regulator’s attempt at serving Navette Broadcasting with the summons yesterday morning after finding that the document

was irregularly and improperly constituted.

And the summons came notwithstanding a pending ruling by Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder on the substantive issue of whether URCA was right to find that Navette was not the true holder of the 103.5 FM radio licence.

The summons sought to compel Navette and its principal Vann Ferguson to appear at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to answer to allegations that they, between November 2017 SEE PAGE NINE

Friday, June 22, 2018

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ROBINSON SEEKS TO ADDRESS PARLIAMENT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAIN & Grants Town MP Travis Robinson wants to make a special address to Parliament at the start of the next House of Assembly sitting, but senior officials in the Free National Movement have no idea what he will say.

Of the four FNM MPs who voted against an increase in value added tax to 12 percent this week, he is the only one requesting consideration to make a special communication.

One source in the party has told The Tribune Mr Robinson is expected to announce his intention to become an independent SEE PAGE THREE

DAMES WANTS POLICE TO PASS FITNESS TESTS

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames is calling for a physical fitness standard to be implemented for law enforcement agencies in the country, and particularly within the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Mr Dames made the comments yesterday at the Tradewinds 2018 Phase II closing ceremony, held at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour Base.

SEE PAGE SIX

BOY ‘LED POLICE ON CAR CHASE’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

DEANDRE Ayton facing the cameras after being the number one pick in last night’s NBA draft. He was chosen by the Phoenix Suns. See Sports for the full story.

A FIFTEEN-YEAROLD boy is in police custody accused of stealing a vehicle, leading police on a car chase and damaging multiple cars parked at the Marathon Mall on Wednesday.

SEE PAGE SIX

ISLAND LUCK WARNS 350 JOBS MAY GO

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Reporter nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ISLAND Luck yesterday warned staff to brace for up to 350 job losses after it was “unsuccessful” in mitigating the impact of a 184 percent tax rate hike on its business model.

The Bahamas’ largest web shop chain, in a memorandum to employees, said it will conduct a performance review for all 800 staff over the next 21

days as it prepares for location closures to better align operating costs with revenues and profitability.

The staff note came after Island Luck wrote a letter to the Gaming Board warning that up to 350 jobs, around 44 percent of its current workforce, were in danger as a result of the 200 percent operating cost increase imposed by the 2018-2019 budget’s tax hike. This was forecast to reduce operating profits

by 85 percent.

Shanette Rahming, Island Luck’s human resources and training manager, told workers that the company was being “forced to confront some difficult choices that arguably businesses in a free market should never be forced to confront” given that the government has shown no sign of backing down over the increased taxes just nine days before the new fiscal year starts.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

FNM FIGHTING WITH ITS OWN TEAM

SEE PAGE EIGHT

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ATLANTIS has once again joined with top water safety and training organisations to host the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson – a campaign to spread awareness about the importance of learning to swim, particularly where children are concerned, to help prevent drowning.

The event, held yesterday, the first official day of summer, was hosted at the resort’s Royal Bath Pool.

Atlantis water safety trainers welcomed some 40 youngsters from the local community as well as resort guests to participate in an all-important yet fun and interactive lesson in the basics of swimming, including getting the participants comfortable with being in the water.

Learning to swim and how to be safe around water are truly matters of life and death for both children and adults around the world.

According to the World Health Organisation and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,

drowning is major public health problem worldwide and is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death.

It is one of the top five causes of death for people aged one to 14 for 48 of 85 countries where drowning is tracked.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 3

Miller and McAlpine: We’re not quitting FNM KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TWO MPs fired this week by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis from government appointments for voting against the VAT increase have dismissed claims they would leave the Free National Movement to become Independent or join the Official Opposition.

Since Golden Isles MP

Vaughn Miller was terminated as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Frederick McAlpine, Pineridge MP, was stripped from the post of chairman of the Hotel Corporation, it has been speculated they were mulling over crossing the floor or severing party affiliation.

“That’s not true, that’s a rumour,” Mr McAlpine told The Tribune yesterday.

“It’s too early for us. We’re

FNM unless somebody has done something or said something or somebody knows something we don’t know.

“Presently I can say this for myself and I think I can say for others that we are all FNM.” Asked if he has been in talks with Progressive Liberal Party officials, he said: “No one from the PLP has approached me.”

Mr Miller also said the claims were just “rumours”.

in the Ministry of Tourism this week for voting against VAT’s increase, a breach of Westminster protocols. It was a stunning development for someone who symbolised the party’s youth outreach efforts on the campaign trail last year.

His VAT vote drew criticism from the FNM’s Bain and Grants Town Constituency Association and spurred anger throughout the party.

Residents of the community, however, appear to overwhelmingly support his action, some telling The Tribune he is “for the people”.

Speaker Moultrie said he must be given at least a day’s notice of an MP’s request to make a special communication to Parliament.

Mr Robinson’s letter must contain the “contents of what he will present,” he said, adding: “The contents will then be reviewed and if there isn’t anything inflammatory or controversial in it, it will be approved.

If there is something controversial, recommendations will be made to him and once he complies with the recommendations there will be no difficulty allowing him to speak.”

MP for Bain Town Travis Robinson.

ROBINSON SEEKS TO ADDRESS PARLIAMENT rfo m page o ne parliamentarian, though this has been shot down by others in the FNM. Asked yesterday if he is going independent, Mr Robinson said “no comment”.

The 23-year-old had planned to run in Bain & Grants Town as an independent candidate before joining the FNM’s ticket in late 2016.

“I have no idea what he will say,” FNM Chairman Carl Culmer told The Tribune yesterday. “I’m not worried. I think Travis is a good gentlemen and I think he will do the right thing. I think he supports the party and I think it will stay that way.”

Yesterday, House Speaker Halson Moultrie said he has not received Mr Robinson’s letter.

Asked about this, Mr Robinson told The Tribune he signed off on the letter and, though he sent for it to be delivered by a staff member, “the letter never made it.” “(Mr Moultrie) will be in possession of the letter by start of day Monday morning,” Mr Robinson said.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis fired him as parliamentary secretary

He said: “There have been no discussions about it and I haven’t spoken to anyone from the PLP. As far as I know all of us will remain FNM.” Centreville MP Reece Chipman who also voted “no” to the VAT increase, said yesterday he will remain with the governing party. He did not have a government appointment to lose as he was fired months ago as chairman of the Antiquities,

Monuments and Museums Corporation. Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson’s parliamentary secretary position was also revoked. When asked yesterday he if plans to become an Independent member of Parliament, he said “no comment.”

On Wednesday the prime minister said his decision to fire the MPs was not personal but based on his responsibility and obligation to follow parliamentary

procedure.

While speaking to reporters in Grand Bahama, Dr Minnis stressed that he will not shirk his responsibility.

“I cannot allow my personal views to get into democracy; we have a parliamentary procedure, and I must adhere, respect, and ensure the procedure lives on, and is honoured, and respected thoroughly,” he said on the sidelines of a conference.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

GOVERNMENT CLOSE TO NEW OBAN DEAL from page one

In that time, the deal has received intense push-back from civic groups, including several of the country’s foremost environmental organisations.

The fallout has forced some within the governing Free National Movement to come out and admit that there were gross missteps involved in the government’s decision to press forward with the deal, ultimately forcing Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to delay plans related to the project and call for a review.

According to Mr Foulkes, in the weeks after Dr Minnis’ decision, he appointed a sub-committee to analyse the project and the HOA. “We have made many trips to Grand Bahama,” Mr Foulkes said of the committee, which he co-chairs.

“We have met with many persons in Grand Bahama including professionals who are in the industry… we are relying very heavily on the advice of Bahamian professionals and we are listening to the residents of Grand Bahama with respect to this

matter,” he added.

Mr Foulkes said the subcommittee was instructed to review the HOA, with a view to improve the terms in the agreement to ensure better environmental protection to the island of Grand Bahama.

Additionally, Mr Foulkes said special focus has also been given to improving the economic terms in the conditions of the HOA, with a particular focus on making them more beneficial to the Bahamian people.

Further to that, the government’s sub-committee has also been made responsible for revising the “restrictive legal conditions” previously written into the HOA. “I can report… in a few weeks we will have an amended heads of agreement for Oban that we believe will be acceptable to the Bahamian people at large, but more importantly acceptable to Grand Bahamians and persons living in Grand Bahama, particularly those living in East Grand Bahama,” Mr Foulkes said.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest revealed in an

interview with The Tribune that he was awaiting the outcome of the government’s review.

In March, Dr Minnis admitted his administration has made mistakes with the Oban Energies project.

His admission came one month after questions were first raised about the people fronting for Oban, followed by a ceremonial HOA signing that plunged the administration into one of the most sustained controversies of its first term.

“The Oban Energies LLC project was intended to bring growth and jobs to Grand Bahama,” he told Parliament in March. “In our haste to boost the economy of Grand Bahama, we made a number of missteps in the Oban Energies project. While our heart was in the right place, these missteps should not have happened. We must, we can, and we will do better.”

Dr Minnis said “more comprehensive due diligence” should have been done and “wider environmental consultation” should have been engaged.

According to the HOA tabled in Parliament in March, the government

relinquished its ability to terminate the agreement because of what environmental impact assessments may conclude about the safety of the project, prompting an outcry from some critics.

However, the agreement empowered the minister responsible for the environment to force the discontinuation of any “operation or equipment” from the project that causes an environmental infraction.

In addition to Oban, the government has been able to jump-start several other projects in Grand Bahama, an effort Mr Foulkes termed as putting “the magic back” in the island.

Responding directly to assertions by former minister for Grand Bahama, current Senator Michael Darville, on the state of the island, Mr Foulkes said the government is moving closer to “turning things around.”

Mr Foulkes highlighted the government’s efforts with the Ginn Project and the Our Lucaya Resort.

He said: “The industrial sector in Grand Bahama is keeping Grand Bahama

going and keeping it alive and the FNM government, the prime minister, the Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest and all of us, we are working closely with all the stakeholders in Grand Bahama to ensure that Grand Bahama is revitalised.”

He continued: “It has nothing to do with politics, this has nothing to do with winning the five seats or losing the five seats, it has to do with the families and lives; people having money to pay bills, send their kids to school, send their kids to college, to pay their mortgage, to pay their rent; that is what this is all about and that is why we are here.

“That is why we are here.

It just so happens that if we

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are successful and we do what we supposed to do, we will be re-elected.

“But that is not why we are doing it, we are doing it because we care as a government,” he said.

Mr Foulkes added: “I am not saying that the PLP didn’t care, don’t get me wrong, we care. I can speak affirmatively for the Free National Movement; and that is why we are doing what we are doing in Grand Bahama.”

Mr Foulkes promised that current State Minister for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson, in his upcoming Senate address, would give the specifics on the government’s activities in Grand Bahama.

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PAGE 4, Friday, June 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

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jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

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Immigration remains an international problem THE immigration crisis in the USA involving the detention of children that has dominated the news agenda for days has attracted widespread criticism and condemnation. Audio recordings of young children in distress after being separated from their families attempting to enter the country from Mexico have inevitably provoked public outrage both in America and overseas. People have reacted with shock and horror to photographs of children held in cages and tents in so-called internment camps.

Clearly, this was precipitated by the Trump administration’s recent “zero tolerance” policy in dealing with those who cross the border illegally and then face arrest and prosecution. It has been claimed that recently some two thousand children have been detained while the asylum cases of their parents were being heard. The government maintained that this was being done in accordance with the demands of the law while critics of the practice say that it was a deliberate and premeditated policy designed to deter other potential migrants and that the White House was using it as a bargaining chip to persuade the Democrats to agree to fund a border wall.

By Wednesday this week, when the firestorm seemed to have reached a peak, President Trump signed an executive order to end the practice. This seems to have resolved the immediate issue, but there remain doubts about a backlog of earlier detainees and the reunification of children with their parents while some children may even be unaccounted for. It nonetheless showed that, in an extreme instance like this, public outrage and pressure can successfully bring about a dramatic change of a deeply flawed policy.

It beggars belief that the US authorities were unable to devise a means of speeding up the immigration process and, in the meantime, keeping families together – and the executive order may not have entirely fixed the problem. So the controversy may not be over and it remains to be seen what long-term damage will be done to the Trump presidency by a policy which has been variously described as unconscionable and an affront to America’s democratic principles and moral values.

Distinguishing between economic migrants wanting a better life and genuine asylum seekers escaping persecution in their own countries remains at the heart of the thorny issue of immigration.

It has become almost a global problem. If the existing world order is to be preserved, the uncontrolled mass movement of people across international frontiers is unacceptable and unsustainable. There is a danger of major disruption in receiving countries that could even lead to the collapse of existing nation states. However, offering a safe haven to people in extreme distress or in fear of their lives is an accepted obligation of mature democracies in the

name of humanity.

In recent years, migration has become a serious concern in Europe, mainly because of those fleeing from civil war in Syria as well as those crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa. The 1985 Schengen treaty ended visa and passport checks thus creating a borderless European Union as a step towards closer political union. Britain declined to join, with the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher stating that abolition of frontier controls would prevent a country from being able to protect its citizens from crime and to stop the movement of illegal immigrants.

But the Schengen arrangements meant, for example, that hundreds of thousands of migrants – especially asylum seekers from Syria - allowed into Germany under Chancellor Merkel’s open door policy in 2015 could also travel freely within the EU, as could those who had successfully landed in Italy or Greece. This forced other EU countries eventually to reinstate border controls and the bloc has now become deeply divided about the massive influx of migrants.

There are growing tensions not only in Italy with its new populist and antimigrant government and Greece but also in countries like Austria as well as Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic whose hard line policies have led to their refusal to take in refugees under the EU quota sharing system. It is also notable that opposition to free movement of people within the single market was a major factor in the United Kingdom’s referendum decision to leave the EU. Meanwhile, it is worth repeating that here in The Bahamas we are faced with an influx of migrants from Haiti seeking a better life and, unless local conditions there improve for its ten million citizens, the flow of refugees and economic migrants will continue. But those who wish to live here must do so legally. So we believe that most Bahamians support the FNM Government’s robust line in enforcing the law. It is equally important that immigrants should be treated fairly and humanely in accordance with international standards and that the actions of immigration officials should be under constant scrutiny by the courts.

While realising that Ministers are preoccupied with the economy and the controversy about increased taxes, we hope that the promised amendments to the Immigration Act will emerge soon and that the Prime Minister’s instructions about establishing an Immigration Board will result in action before too long. This is important since it is inappropriate in a modern democracy for the Cabinet to make decisions about citizenship and residency. In our new transparent system of government such matters should be determined by an independent board against established criteria that have been made public.

Posturing over crime EDITOR, The Tribune.

POLICE app for what?

We have had Crime Stoppers since November, 2001!

Using an app you are recognised… crime stoppers is private-secure.

Far too many times after an incident the public says a lot on air to the News people like…Oh we all knew about that building and those people?

People know and police don’t?

Might that be our problem?

Will there ever be a concerted effort to remove

firearms? Not that Gun Amnesty thing I mean a serious sweep through all areas starting with the known hotbeds and eventually through the rich areas as, sorry guys, illegal guns are everywhere.

After a public event why don’t we see the police using road blocks and searching. Every vehicle?

It works as many people carry their fire power with them.

Do we have police dogs that sniff out firearms? If no why? Get some quickly.

Useless telling the public not to be afraid we have

a long time ago changed our habits and hide behind fences-iron bars, alarms and locks as soon as the sun sets!

We do not manufacture guns…most original in the US you mean the US can’t. Tell you who bought the gun? It seems the US can’t control the trafficking anyway their border is wide open to smuggling.

Cut this media posturing out, Minister - we expect results now and fast.

T KNOWLES Nassau, June 21, 2018.

Bahamas gambling industry EDITOR, The Tribune.

I DON’T like gambling. I think it’s addictive, it harms children’s wellbeing and it takes money from the poor.

If gambling is allowed it should be in the form of a lottery with all money earmarked for Education and Health.

That’s my opinion.

Ever since the FNM stated they planned to target the local numbers industry with up to 50% taxes, I have heard comments like: “The Government should stick it to them! They have too much money!!”

That seems to be the opinion of many.

The PLP Government had a referendum on gambling. The people voted against it.

Regardless of that, the Government passed it and made it law. Just like it gives out licenses to grocery stores, barber shops, liquor stores, it made the “numbers houses” legal.

The amount of money the institution makes is irrelevant, so long as it is legal.

So to pick out any institution which it licenses to “stick it to them” is wrong and leads to instability.

It sets a serious precedent.

If you make money, and the Government decides to single you out to tax you, it is unacceptable. It may look good to some but it sets a serious and dangerous precedent. Every time the Government passes a law a precedent is created.

What the precedent says is that anybody who the Government perceives to be rich can be selected. They didn’t say the gambling industry because that would include the foreign owned gambling casinos. Instead, they singled out Bahamian owned gambling operations.

Isn’t that interesting? To the foreign owned gambling operations they say “yes, sir, boss” and to the locally owned gambling operations they say “let’s

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net stick it to them”.

If they can do it to gambling they can do it to the grocery store or anybody else. In an already fragile economy this is a scary proposition.

For example, if an investor sees an opportunity to invest under a certain tax regime in The Bahamas, and invests accordingly based on the tax regime, only to find that the Government changes it midstream, the investor could lose their investment and therefore would not invest in new businesses.

I know of what I speak. It happened to me!!

Uncertainty, is the biggest problem to get Bahamians to invest. We make all kinds of concessions to foreign institutions, but no concessions to Bahamians.

This is the underlying problem in The Bahamas.

We say “yes, sir, boss” to the outsider but “we’ll stick it to ya if you is a Bahamian”.

To add insult to injury, the FNM who, at this point and without consultation, pushed it down the throats of the numbers house industry, sent their attack dog, Carl Bethel, after those who object!

He said the objectors would be rooted out of the holes and prosecuted. Oh, I thought Carl Bethel was the Attorney General whose job it is to send cases to trial and to staff the courts with sufficient judges to deal with all the cases in a timely manner.

I thought Marvin Dames, the Minister of National Security, was the man to order the “rooting out” of those suspected of a crime.

Rather than being the “bully boys” the Government should make money by saving money. How many millions have been spent on those so-called “forensic auditors”?

I

thought they were supposed to be investigating those “PLP crooks and prosecuting them”?

Did they find any crooks?

Or when they opened that can of worms did they find an equal amount of worms wearing red shirts as they found wearing yellow shirts?

The FNM seems to spend most of their time trying to condemn the PLP when they have been guilty of the same thing, wasting money.

They continually condemn “Brave” Davis for having two clinics in Cat Island. They call it a waste.

That’s odd. Who built the hospital in Exuma? How much did it cost? Do they have anyone there who can operate the state of the art equipment? How big is it? Was it paid for out of National Insurance money?

Is this why National Insurance is going broke?

The same questions plus others can be asked about Abaco. Waste, waste, absolute waste!

Has anyone ever walked down Shirley Street and seen the steps from Shirley Street to the hospital entrance? Nobody uses them. How much did they cost?

Looks pretty, eh? Rather than spending money on fancy steps, would it not have been better to spend it on saving lives? Waste, waste, utter waste.

My suggestion is that both the FNM and the PLP acknowledge that mistakes have been made by both sides, sit down and work together to get this country out of the mess it is now in.

But before sitting down each one should read “The Confessions of an Economic Hit Man” by John Perkins. They will then realise what real challenges face this country!!

It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Bahamian people to read it as well.

PIERRE V L DUPUCH Nassau, June 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 5

Daxon tells of ‘degrading’ experience after being denied bail

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A FORMER police officer and now attorney yesterday testified how she was made to bend over while naked for correctional officers to examine her private parts as a result of her being remanded due to a magistrate’s inability to grant her bail.

Maria Daxon, taking the witness stand before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, said the standard search at the Fox Hill facility, which included her having the underside of her breasts examined, was one of the most “degrading” things she has had to experience.

Ms Daxon, in her sworn affidavit, also said upon being admitted to the female dormitory of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in 2016, she was subjected to “severely inhumane and deplorable conditions,” including unsanitary bathroom facilities.

Her testimony was in reference to the one night she spent in custody in September 2016 after being denied bail before her trial over two counts of intentional libel concerning alleged statements written about former Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and former Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell.

When initially arraigned before then-Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes, the attorney elected to have the matter heard in the Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Ms Daxon’s attorney at the time, Glendon Rolle, requested her release on bail pending the hearing of her matter, and the prosecutor at the time, Assistant Superintendent Marlon Fullford, did not object to bail.

However, ASP Fullford noted that the 2016 amendment to the Bail Act under the former Christie administration made the charge of intentional libel a non-bailable offence in Magistrate’s Court. And as a result, bail was denied and Ms Daxon was remanded to BDCS until her bail application could be set for hearing before the Supreme Court.

Ms Daxon said she was afforded some good treatment in that she was allowed to go to the Fox Hill facility in a car as opposed to the police bus. She also said while both her hands and feet were cuffed before her initial arraignment, her feet weren’t after she had been remanded.

Nonetheless, upon her arrival at the prison, she said she was escorted inside the female section where the office is located.

She was asked several questions, including one about her asthma, and was allowed to keep her inhaler.

After that, she said officials told her they had to search her. She said a female correctional officer subsequently took her into a room, where she said one of the “most degrading” things happened to her.

“I had to take my hands and put them in the front of me, and bend over,” she said. “She had to look up into my private parts and she tell me lift up my breast to make sure that I didn’t have anything underneath my breast. “…I never thought this would’ve happened to me... it was horrible.”

The element about the

MARIA DAXON, left, and Omar Archer, pictured at previous court appearances. search was not expressed “It was like my 25 years in her sworn affidavit, and in the system was like nothwhen asked why by her ing,” she said. attorney Fred Smith, QC, The following day, Ms Daxon said she didn’t September 2, Ms Daxon feel good about it, and succeeded in her bail didn’t want the attorney application before Justice taking down the informa- Bernard Turner, and was tion, Akeira Martin, to hear granted bail in the amount what she went through. of $100. Additionally, a Ms Daxon said two nolle prosequi (no prosecufemale officers subse- tion order) was later issued quently took her to the by the attorney general in dormitory where she would the matter, thus discontinusleep for that night. Upon ing the criminal libel case arrival at the dorm, Ms against her.

Daxon said she was told she The matter continues. had to sleep in a particular Ms Daxon’s as well as bunk bed. self-styled activist Omar She said the bunk had no Archer’s constitutional mattress, only the iron wire challenge to their denial frame. However, she said of bail is a part of former she was told to use a mat- Cabinet minister Shane tress that was leaning up Gibson’s application for against the wall. constitutional relief conMs Daxon said an old cerning multiple counts of schoolmate subsequently bribery with which he was helped her in lifting the charged last year. mattress onto the top bunk.

Gibson is not seeking any Ms Daxon said her old relief from the application, schoolmate also gave her however, he remains on a pillow and a sheet to put the application essentially over the mattress because it as a respondent due to him “wasn’t clean at all.” being the original applicant.

Ms Daxon said the matMr Smith, who also reptress had stains on it that resents Mr Archer, filed suggested that someone affidavits in connection had used it “over and over with Gibson’s relief applicaagain.” She said she would tion. Mr Munroe told The have thrown that kind of Tribune previously that he mattress in the garbage if and Mr Smith have agreed it had been in her house. that their respective matters Ms Daxon also said should be heard together, before she went into the given they cover the same dormitory, the female material. prison officers who knew The 2016 amendment to her identity advised her not the Bail Act made charges to tell the female inmates of intentional libel, assault, her background. Thus, she stealing and a number said she had to keep her of other previously bailprevious and current occu- able offences non-bailable pation a secret because the in Magistrate’s Court. It prison officers said they resulted in an increase didn’t want any “chaos.” in the number of people Ms Daxon also said her being remanded to the schoolmate, who assisted Department of Correcher, did not know she was a tional Services and having police officer and attorney. to apply for a bond in the When asked by Mr Smith Supreme Court. how it felt for prison offiThe amendment did not cials not to separate her return the power of magisfrom the general inmate trates to grant bail for the population given her offences of drug possession former occupation as an with intent to supply, cerofficer, Ms Daxon said it tain firearms matters, rape, felt “intentional,” and that housebreaking, attempted they didn’t care about her murder and threats of safety or welfare. death.

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JAYCEE Simmons being led to court in Eight Mile Rock to face a charge of attempted murder.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

MAN, 20, ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 20-YEAR-OLD male resident of Eight Mile Rock was charged with attempted murder on Wednesday in the Eight Mile Rock

Magistrate’s Court.

Jaycee Jeffrey Simmons, of Pinedale, EMR, appeared before Magistrate Gwendolyn Claude. He was not required to enter a plea to the charge of attempted murder, which stems from a stabbing incident on June

14 at Rigby Plaza. He was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, and the matter was adjourned to September 13 when the prosecutor is expected to enter a voluntary bill of indictment.

PAGE 6, Friday, June 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Dames wants police to pass fitness tests from page one The minister of national security added that the standard is important both from a health perspective and cost-wise.

Addressing RBDF Commodore Tellis Bethel, Mr Dames said, “You and I have had some discussions in the past about physical fitness and the need for certainly a regional physical fitness standard.

“One that encourages the entire region to come together from time to time, and (call it) a fitness challenge, that will get our men and women in law enforcement to participate and to gain interest in keeping physically fit. Because no doubt there is a need for that. And we know that the military often leads the way.”

However, Mr Dames said some “other forces” are “crying out” for some physical fitness standard.

He added that he has already had discussions with Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson on the need for a physical fitness standard in the RBPF and other law enforcement agencies in the country.

“I think it bodes well for any number of reasons: one, it keeps the officers stimulated and motivated and interested and it builds morale.

“It also saves money, because we don’t have to keep buying uniforms for the same officers (due to) size increase.

“And so I stand here to say that the people of the Bahamas can expect to see the changes in the physical fitness standards of our law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the ceremony, Mr Dames added that this initiative is “no secret,” and he has been having such discussions with the RBDF

MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames at the Tradewinds 2018 Phase II closing ceremony at HMBS Coral Harbour Defence Force Base.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff In terms of health, Mr love what they’re doing, time ago I attended the FBI more than 20 countries. since last year.

In his speech, Com“We want to see law Dames said this initiative and they can do it to the academy. I was there for…a little more than three modore Bethel said the enforcement officers that will be carried out in con- best of their ability.”

When asked if the stand- months. And one of the exercise was focused on are in the best condition junction with the Ministry and the best shape. In many of Health, adding that it is ard would be based on primary focus during that improving regional security countries, there are stand- in part of the overall goal to Body Mass Index or the training was physical fit- through “combined joint ability to complete certain ness. And so we walked in, training.” ards. The defence force has have a healthier Bahamas.

“We have a vested physical tasks, Mr Dames we did BMI, did everything.

He also said it gave law a standard.

“The commissioner (of responsibility as a govern- suggested it would be on At the end of the training, enforcement officers the there was a measurement,” opportunity to train and police) is looking at intro- ment, and me certainly as the Body Mass Index.

“You’re obviously very he said. improve tactical skills, producing a standard certainly minister of national secuTradewinds 2018 was cedures, and policing “with for this first cohort that’s rity, to make certain that aware of health when you due to come in shortly; the the officers within these start speaking to Body a multinational exercise security forces of partner 105 recruits.” agencies are healthy, they Mass Index. A very long involving participants from nations on the home front.”

BOY ‘LED POLICE ON CAR CHASE’ fr om

page one

A video purportedly portraying the aftermath of the incident has been circling social media. A female voice can be heard narrating the scene.

“This the accident that occurred by the mall,” she says. “The blue Subaru over there got hit first, a young 15-year-old running from the police.

“Then he hit this car, all the things fly out the car on the road. A TV fly out the car. Then he hit that blue Jeep right there, then he hit a Kelly’s truck, and then he gone into the wall.”

Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs, officerin-charge of the Traffic Department, confirmed the incident to The Tribune yesterday.

According to CSP Stubbs, the minor took the car from another location and following a chase, ended up in the Mall at Marathon parking lot in the vicinity of Kelly’s Home Centre.

“The young man was inside a stolen vehicle… officers were trying to stop him in the stolen vehicle,” CSP Stubbs said.

He could not confirm what area the car was

taken from. Five vehicles in total and a building were damaged.

When asked who would be held responsible for the damage, CSP Stubbs said ultimately the minor, while advising the victims to file claims with their insurance providers.

“He would be responsible. He was the driver of the vehicle,” the officer said.

“There’s no law that says his parents would be responsible…Everything now comes to him. Those persons whose vehicles may have been damaged, automatically their main (recourse) would be insurance.

“The young boy, he’s not gainfully employed. …It would be advised that they could use their insurance to make a claim to fix their vehicles.”

In terms of compensation, CSP Stubbs said the course of action would be civil litigation.

“That’s the only way if you want to be compensated. But who do you sue? A 15-year-old (isn’t) working.”

CSP Stubbs added that the minor is currently in police custody and is assisting with the investigation.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 8, Friday, June 22, 2018

WATCHING this week’s budget debate in the House was like watching the Atlanta Falcons squander a 21-3 halftime lead over the New England Patriots - embarrassing.

Not only did Minnis and Co. stutter and mutter their way to a hugely unpopular 60% VAT rate hike, they managed to get three of their own party members fired from their good “gubment jobs” in the process.

A Devil of a Time When the Free National Movement (FNM) came to power last May, it was riding a wave of enthusiasm brought about by the party’s catchy campaign slogan “It’s The People’s Time”.

Fast forward a year later and the same slogan is mostly spoken with an eyeroll and for jokes as Bahamians wonder “which People?”

This week was definitely a watershed moment for

Minnis and company, even if they pretended not to notice. Even if they acted like they don’t care about re-election (they do). And even if they fooled themselves into believing their tax hike on the poor was some great sacrifice on their part (it wasn’t).

Truth is, they took the lazy way out by passing a tax that was harsher than it needed to be.

Then, to “make matters dem worse”, they stood up in the House and defended it in boasting, condescending tones.

By the time the debating was done, Deputy PM

THE TRIBUNE

FNM fighting with its own team

K Peter Turnquest looked tired and stressed out, with a little more salt in his hair after being peppered by questions from the PLP. His Cabinet colleagues (including the PM) were not much help, as they seemed just as lost in the numbers as everyone not named “Peter”.

Basically, Bahamians were not impressed.

In fact, by the time the confusion was done, FNM MPs Frederick McAlpine, Vaughn Miller, Reece Chipman and Travis Robinson threw up their hands and practically fired themselves.

They voted against their

own party’s budget and with the opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) because, frankly, that made more sense than going back to their hard- pressed constituents with their party’s voodoo economics.

Though I don’t know if it’s fair to call it “the party’s” budget since it was seemingly scrapped together by the DPM and other Cabinet “elites” in a secret back room with oil, incense and powders.

On top of that, six FNM MPs managed to be “busy” doing other things besides the most important part of the job Bahamians elected them to do.

Which amounted to a “no” without having to actually vote “no”. (But we all know abstaining is every mealy-mouthed politician’s get-out-of-jail-free card).

The final count? 24 votes “Yes”, 7 abstentions and 7 votes “No”.

This was not a good look for the Minnis administration’s first major budget. In fact, it kind of resembles 21-3 halftime score.

Courage Under Fire The PM, while addressing the press in Grand Bahama, repeated that his decision to “fire” three Free National Movement members of Parliament, from their government appointed portfolios, after the three voted no to an increase in value added tax was in keeping with the rules.

Minnis also confirmed, for the record, that his decision was not personal but was based on his responsibility and obligation to follow parliamentary procedure.

And I get that - the Westminster System rules are very clear in this regard.

I personally would have removed the “whip” and allowed the MP’s to vote their conscience. But alas I’m not the PM, and he has every right to his decision, and he will have to live with the results of said decision, long term.

Nonetheless, I commend Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson, Centerville MP Reece Chipman, Golden Isles MP Rev. Vaughn Miller and PineRidge MP Rev. Fredrick McAlpine.

All four showed tremendous courage and conviction, to stand and speak on behalf of their constituents, describing the hardships already facing their constituents even before the impending VAT hike to 12 percent, and the effect it would have on them in the aftermath.

Highly commendable in my opinion, considering they knew their fates would be sealed for doing so.

Thomas Jefferson once said “Evil triumphs, when good men do nothing.”

Thank you four honourable gentleman, for proving to us all, that there are still a few good men left in The Bahamas.

And I’m looking forward to your respective, future political endeavours, because your political careers are far from over, in fact they are just really starting to soar.

Isn’t It Ironic?

What I find most interesting with Dr Minnis’ statements regarding adhering to his parliamentary obligations as a Prime Minister, and to the Westminster System of governance is where exactly was the protocol during the whole OBAN HOA signing?

I’m quite sure it was Dr Minnis who sat by idly while OBAN representative Peter Krieger signed some one else’s name on the HOA. (Clearly not upstanding conduct).

An agreement, by the way, that hasn’t been reached officially yet, either.

Oh, how the plot thickens Another point of contention that I have with the PM’s loyalty to the Westminster system, again in regard to protocol and obligations, is the fact that Cabinets should act as a fully informed cohesive unit.

So, when I read statements in the press and all over social media that entire sections of this budget were allegedly purposely withheld from the majority of the Cabinet, with the relative information privy to only three select Cabinet Ministers that’s not a good look if true.

So much for accountability and transparency!

If Minnis and crew can’t be accountable to their Cabinet colleagues, what should we really expect as a nation?

The Green-Eyed Monster I’m not sure what colour Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar’s eyes are but during his defense of a dramatic tax hike on “numbers houses” they were definitely green.

I’ve been observing the arguments of both sides in the gaming taxes debate and until I watched the Minister mumble nonsense about why Bahamian gaming operators were being taxed while the foreign casinos got a pass I didn’t realise how much what seems like personal animus came into play in the decision.

I expected D’Aguilar to lay out statistical and irrefutable data to justify the licking they are about to put on the webshops.

I expected a reasonable argument to explain why putting Bahamian jobs in jeopardy in this way, at this time, makes sense for the community.

Instead, what I got was childish tantrum about “eye-popping” profits.

D’Aguilar dismissed the “small dollars” the operators supposedly make when compared to the resorts in one breath, while clamouring for a piece of their “big pie” in the next.

There was so much envy dripping off the minister no amount of washing or pressing could ever clean it.

It was embarrassing to watch.

The ironic part is that I, along with many Bahamians, agree that the webshops should be taxed more.

But after hearing D’Aguliar’s rants and flimsy explanation for singling out Bahamian entrepreneurs while covering for and genuflecting to foreign investors in the same industry, I can’t support the government’s position.

To quote Shakespeare, “O beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the greeneyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 9

MOURNERS GATHER TO REMEMBER DEANGELO

RESIDENTS in Mason’s Edition held a memorial for Deangelo “Dee” Evans on the park last night. Deangelo was shot and killed by police last month, and there have been continued calls for more explanations about the incident. Residents at last night’s event signed a petition over the matter.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

URCA summons for radio operator struck down from page one and April of this year, operated, maintained or provided a carriage service with a licence contrary to Section 16(1) of the Communications Act. URCA further asserted that between those same dates, Navette used communication equipment for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy contrary to Section 33 of the same Act. The particulars of URCA’s complaint against Navette were handwritten.

It was dated June 13, 2018.

On June 15, 2017, URCA found Olympic triple-jump medalist Frank Rutherford and the late sports broadcaster Phil Smith were the true holders of the 103.5 FM licence. URCA further found that Navette Broadcasting only operated ZSR Sports Radio on Messrs Rutherford’s and Smith’s behalf, with the two men being the actual licensees.

Navette countered by claiming URCA ignored the fact the licence could not have existed without it following passage of the 2009 Communications Act, which required

all broadcast licences to be held by incorporated companies.

ZSR’s licence, issued pre-2009, was in the names of Messrs Rutherford and Smith and thus non-compliant with the new Act. Navette sought to appeal URCA’s decision, but the attempts were rejected by both the Utilities Appeal Tribunal (UAT) and the Supreme Court.

Both judicial forums declined to hear the matter on jurisdictional grounds.

The Supreme Court ruled the matter should be heard first by the UAT, but the UAT decided it must go to

arbitration.

The “arbitration” remark is understood to refer to a clause in the contract between Navette and Messrs Rutherford and Smith about how disputes should be resolved.

Navette then sought relief from the Court of Appeal on the issue, and was only waiting for a date from the Court of Appeal to have its matter heard.

Last month however, the appellate court dismissed Navette’s appeal of URCA’s decision, but only after it was informed that Navette, via a notice of discontinuance filed on

April 17, withdrew its own appeal against the regulator’s decision.

The matter then shifted back to the Supreme Court before Justice Winder, who, after hearing submissions from counsel on the issue, reserved his decision on whether or not URCA’s June 2017 decision can be sustained.

Navette’s battle with URCA stems from the former’s opposition of Island Luck chief Sebas Bastian’s radio joint venture, Paramount System’s majority takeover of ZSR Sport’s Radio’s FM licence. Mr Bastian’s majority-owned

Paramount Systems joint venture was supposed to use the 103.5 FM frequency formerly employed by ZSR Sports Radio.

Mr Rutherford and Mr Smith’s widow are Mr Bastian’s minority partners in Paramount Systems, but they - and the 103.5 FM frequency - subsequently became embroiled in the legal challenge mounted by Navette Broadcasting.

Navette Broadcasting had opposed the station’s majority takeover by Mr Bastian on the basis that it – and not Mr Bastian – is the true holder of the 103.5 licence.

KNOW YOUR STATUS - AND GET TESTED FOR HIV NEXT FRIDAY HIV and AIDS remain significant problems in the Bahamas.

As with many other sexually transmitted infections, there may be no obvious signs or symptoms of early HIV infection, and the only way to confirm the presence of HIV is through a medical test.

The Ministry of Health is committed to early HIV diagnosis as a safeguard to the health and well-being of all Bahamians, and has “scaled up” HIV testing during the month of June, including National HIV Testing Day. This year marks the 11th observation of National

Testing Day. On Friday, June 29 the National HIV/AIDS Programme, in collaboration with the Tribune Group, will host National Testing Day from 8am - 4pm in Royal Victoria Gardens on Shirley Street.

The objective of National Testing Day is

to: rally Bahamians to be tested and heighten public awareness on the critical importance of knowing their HIV status; promote and normalise HIV testing as a routine health screen; reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination; reduce the spread of HIV, and identify early HIV

Women’s Corona Society Women’s Corona Society. - Corona members, family and friends enjoyed a wonderful evening where the ladies, resplendent in diamonds, glittered. Some wore diamonds on their denims, demonstrating an enviable stylistic flair and panache, while others contented themselves with diamonds around their neck, on their hair and on their fingers. All added to the luminosity of the night, reflecting the party’s theme: “Denims and Diamonds”.

The men remained unadorned but enjoyed the congenial atmosphere and

infection and offer lifesaving treatment, thereby protecting the continued health of persons living with HIV. “The partnership with the Tribune Group is an effective model towards ensuring that HIV programmes, like National Testing Day, are not only

sustained for future generations, but progression from HIV infection to AIDS is halted, and we achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2030,” the Ministry of Health noted.

“It is vital that all Bahamians act responsibly, know your status and get tested for HIV.”

Automotive Parts Advisor Position Available

JOB REQUIREMENTS Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.

Other duties may be assigned.

• • • • • • • • •

seeing old friends. The rain stayed away and all who came had a fun night.

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

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

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 447-3565.

• • • • • • •

Assist customers in selecting and purchasing parts.

Place special orders for parts.

Read appropriate manuals to ascertain type and specification of part.

Provide pricing and product information to customers.

Dispense parts to the service department and body shop.

Order out-of-stock parts.

Assists in taking inventory.

Meets departmental production and profitability goals.

Maintain Customer Satisfaction scores at or above dealership standards.

Answers telephone promptly and consistent with dealership guidelines.

Follows Safeguards rules and regulations.

At least 1 year of automotive dealership parts advisor experience required Parts or service experience preferred Strong record of positive Customer Satisfaction results Team-oriented Valid driver’s license

Please email resume to partsadvisor2016@gmail.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 22, 2018, PAGE 11

PAGE 12, Friday, June 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE