06242020 NEWS AND SPORT

WEDNESDAY McCombo QPC $5.00

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 89ºF LOW 81ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:117 No.145, JUNE 24TH, 2020

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

DON’T MISS YOUR 20-PAGE GUIDE TO THE HURRICANE SEASON

Full steam ahead COVID crisis won’t blow Global’s port project off course

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Cruise Port yesterday confirmed it is steaming ahead with Prince George Wharf’s transformation after raising $20m more than it needed from Bahamian and foreign investors. The cruise terminal operator and its controlling owner, Global Ports Holding, described the $284.3m overhaul of a gateway that currently welcomes 4.4m passengers per year as “a definitely critical project” that cannot be delayed as they shrugged off the continuing fall-out caused by COVID-19.

Michael Maura, Nassau Cruise Port’s chief executive, said the company’s board had decided to retain the $20m raised above the

initial $130m target. Some 200 investors placed money with the operator in what it describes as a vote of confidence in the project and the prospects for a cruise industry revival despite the sector extending its shutdown until September 15.

Figures unveiled by Global Ports Holding show how vital Nassau Cruise Port is to the company, as the Bahamian capital accounted for 66 percent of the 1.253m passengers that went through its 17 cruise ports in the three months to end-March 2020.

Mehmet Kutman, Global Ports Holding’s chairman, said that Nassau Cruise Port had achieved this effect despite the 834,000 passengers it processed being below expectations.

BRILLIANT PUZZLE PULLOUT

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

FNM CONVENTION COULD BE MISSED FOURTH YEAR

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ST ANNE’S MP Brent Symonette said it may not be appropriate for the Free National Movement to have a national convention this year.

The FNM’s constitution calls for a convention to be held every two years. However, the party has not had a convention since 2016.

“At the current time with the effects of COVID and Dorian, I would have thought it was not

appropriate for the party to have a convention this year,” Mr Symonette, a former Cabinet minister, said yesterday. “There have been many occasions in the past that the FNM did not have a convention as called for in its constitution.”

FNM chairman Carl Culmer said yesterday the FNM’s council, which has about 260 members, will decide whether a convention will be held this year.

He said the council will meet next month.

SEE PAGE FOUR

INSIDE BAHAMAS BEST BUY TODAY

SUITS YOU, SAFAREE BAHAMIAN wedding photographer Stanley Babb has hit the big time. After photographing couples both here in The Bahamas and in glamorous destinations around the world, he was asked to shoot the celebrity wedding, above, of rapper Safaree Samuels and “Love & Hip Hop” star Erica Mena. For more see Weekend, out on Friday.

Photo: Stanlo Photography

ARCHER ASSAULT CHARGE WITHDRAWN

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

OMAR Archer walked out of court a free man yesterday after an accuser withdrew an assault charge against him during a hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes.

Archer, 48, was initially accused of assaulting Tino Robinson, 28, on May 29.

During the hearing, he denied the allegation and Robinson, who was also in police custody, withdrew

OMAR Archer yesterday the charge he made against him. As a result, Magistrate Forbes dismissed the case.

Yesterday, Archer was represented by attorney Geoffrey Farquharson. He told the magistrate that Robinson had made several attempts to withdraw the charges against his client when the incident first transpired. When given an opportunity to speak, Archer also told the magistrate that when Robinson came to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) to drop the charge against him, the

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

ALICIA WALLACE CRIME WILL RISE AS PEOPLE BECOME MORE DESPERATE

SPORT

HOW OLYMPIC COMMITTEE WILL HELP ATHLETES

TECHNOLOGY APPLE PREVIEWS THE LATEST IPHONE CHANGES

PAGE 2, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

FEARS AS SAHARA DUST CLOUD HEADS TO BAHAMAS

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net MASK wearing as well as taking other precautions is recommended for those with allergies and respiratory illness as a plume of Sahara dust is predicated to impact some parts of the Bahamas this week.

Known as the Saharan Air

Layer (SAL), a vast cloud of the dust was reported earlier this week to reach parts of the Caribbean. The Weather Channel stated the plume is noted for its thickness over the Caribbean Sea. Michael Stubbs, chief climatological officer at the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, told The Tribune the plume was

expected to impact southern Bahamas yesterday and will appear in Nassau and the northern Bahamas at least by today.

He assured the public that this is not unusual and happens around this time but the denseness presents a challenge.

Mr Stubbs said: “Because it’s a large plume of dust, in fact it’s one of the most dense plumes of

dust seen here in decades…it may bring about some health hazards as far as respiratory concerns.”

People with asthma or other breathing issues should take precautions, he said, like wearing masks outdoors. “….The masks will also assist with the dust. So persons are being asked to wear masks as much as possible for the next two

days to minimise the impact or the influence of the dust on their respiratory system, so the mask is pretty good.”

According to the chief climatological officer, the dust minimises the occurrence of typical cyclones because it helps to absorb a lot of the vapour out of the system and is counter-productive to the formation of cyclones.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MEMBERS of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association donated food to the Bahamas Red Cross Society’s Meals on Wheels programme yesterday.The group donated pounds of rice, chicken, pork chops, several cases of tuna, fresh vegetables and other items to assist with feeding the needy. The association said it hoped the donation would help alleviate “some of the hardships Bahamians are now experiencing at this unprecedented time.”

Pictured from the left are: Sean Brennen, Bahamas Red Cross Director General; Dr Carnille Farquharson, CPSA Member; Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler, CPSA President; Dr Sally Taylor-Rolle, CPSA Trustee and Dr Srinivasa Bodha, Sandilands Representative.

HELPING TO EASE THE HARDSHIP

THE TRIBUNE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net WATER and Sewerage Corporation executive chairman Adrian Gibson said the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a “devastating blow” to the company’s revenue, adding officials anticipate that between 60 percent to 70 percent of its customers will not be able to pay their bills in the next six months.

Giving his budget contribution in the House of Assembly recently, the Long Island MP said: “Mr Speaker, at the end of 2019, WSC had an operating revenue of $51.5 million.

“In 2018, it was $52 million and in 2017 it was $50.6m. COVID-19 has had a devastating blow to the Water and Sewerage Corporation’s cash flow which, quite honestly, was already in a downward spiral due to the impact of Hurricane Dorian and the loss of our second largest revenue base.

“Year-to-date, cash collections has decreased

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PAGE 3

Pandemic a ‘devastating blow’ to WSC - Gibson WSC’S Adrian Gibson from $29.8m in June 2019 to $22.5m in 2020. This represents a 25 percent decrease.”

The executive chairman also noted that the company’s revenue loss stood at a staggering $3.8m per month as a result of their policy position to not disconnect

water from customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The water provider ceased disconnections in March as an initiative to help fight the spread of the infectious disease.

However, speaking on the issue in Parliament, Mr Gibson noted the move had resulted in millions of dollars of loss.

He said: “Our loss revenue due to the policy position not to disconnect stands at approximately $3.8m in revenue per month. It is anticipated that 60 percent to 70 percent of WSC customers (due to the increase in the unemployment rate) will not pay their water bill, this will amount to $2.28m to $2.66m per

month or $11.4m over the next six months.

“WSC has had a major setback with the loss of Abaco operations, our second highest revenue base. WSC anticipates losing $2.6m in 2020 from Abaco operations ($2.4m of water revenues and $0.2m in sewer revenue).

“We collected a little over $5,000 in Abaco in April, 2020. We collected $211,564.93 in May, 2019.

By contrast, we collected $19,999.42 in May, 2020.

WSC suffered a 91 percent loss. Year-to-date, WSC collected $20.5m in 2020 versus $28.5m in 2019. That represented a loss of 28 percent.”

Mr Gibson said if the

corporation’s current circumstances continue to persist in the months ahead, WSC will be challenged to meet its monthly $2m payroll.

“Notably, it is highly likely that the longer the current circumstances persist, WSC’s monthly payroll of $2m will be impacted and WSC will be challenged— without government intervention—to meet staff salary payments,” he said.

“Though WSC receives a subsidy, due to a large shortfall, WSC revenue has been used to meet costs such as vendor payments.”

During his address, Mr Gibson also spoke about the corporation’s water restoration efforts

in Abaco. Noting that the company has granted $11.383 million in contracts thus far, Mr Gibson said an additional $3.6 million in contracts are expected to be issued in the coming weeks to assist with further restoration efforts on the storm impacted island.

This, he said, will include “refurbishment of damaged buildings and replacement of destroyed buildings, installation of standby generators on elevated plinths, major improvements of the Treasure Cay and Spring City sewerage system, reinforcement of the Green Turtle Cay underwater line and major pipework improvements for the Marsh Harbour pumping station.”

Davis calls on govt to reject Andros proposals

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PHILIP “Brave” Davis has called on Bahamians to urge the government to reject two development proposals for North Andros, which aim to harvest aragonite in the island.

His comments come after this newspaper last week revealed three separate investment projects targeted for Andros. The most eye-catching is the North Andros Green Free Trade Zone being proposed by Los Angeles-based billionaire philanthropist, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong. The proposal aims to create 750-plus full-time jobs, and 10,000 construction jobs over the build-out.

Some $200m-$250m would be invested over the first two phases of a development targeted at the Morgan’s Bluff area in North Andros, focused on “value-added” manufacturing involving the creation of finished products from aragonite and other Bahamian natural resources, rather than simply exporting the raw material.

Meanwhile, another group has pitched a proposed aggregate mining and land reclamation project that would generate more than 100 jobs - and a total $125m investment - at full build-out.

Reiterating his party’s position on the proposals yesterday, Mr Davis said while he understands the need for economic growth and employment opportunities on the island, every

investment in the country must be “driven by the philosophy of Bahamians first”.

In view of this, Mr Davis said the proposals required “the utmost scrutiny” and “great circumspection”.

“We are cognisant of the need for work, jobs and development in Andros,” the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP said at a press conference held on the island yesterday.

“We start, however, from the unalterable premise that the development of Andros must be driven by the philosophy of ‘Bahamians first’ and the people of Andros must be in the driver’s seat. Every investment must be cognisant of the need to protect the patrimony of our country for the future.”

His comments comes after the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed on Monday that the North Andros Green Free Trade Zone proposal had been submitted to the government for review. However, officials said the proposal had not been analysed as yet.

Saying his party cannot support the terms and conditions of the proposed development in its current form, the opposition leader said it is the “unequivocal” position of the PLP that the Morgan Bluff port remain in the hands of Bahamians.

He said: “We are strongly opposed to the divestment and transfer of this port into private and foreign hands. Furthermore, we are opposed to the ownership participation of shareholders in the Arawak Cay Port

Development Project in the future of this port to add to their ownership and control of local port facilities.”

He also raised environment concerns about the projects given the shallow water table in the area.

“On the face of it, these proposed projects raise the urgent question of the environmental sustainability of these or any other proposals, given the sensitive, vulnerable and delicate ecosystems in Andros.”

He continued: “This is the largest reserve of fresh water in the country. This is the largest continuous land mass in the country. For all of these reasons, there should be the utmost scrutiny of any project.

“The PLP is diametrically opposed to any insidious attempt at a national asset grab by FNM insiders. We, therefore, urge all Bahamians of goodwill to insist that this FNM government reject these proposals in their current forms.”

After yesterday’s press conference, The Tribune spoke to several residents on the island, who raised similar concerns about the proposals.

North Andros resident Sean Riley said he was concerned that the projects, if approved by government, would negatively impact residents’ livelihood.

“First and foremost, I’m a fishing guy… so when you talk about mining aragonite here in Morgan’s Bluff, you’re talking about destroying all of that,” he said.

“In North Andros and in Andros itself, the whole industry rolls on bone

PHILIP Davis speaking in the House earlier this week. fishing other than the navy base so when you take away those facts, you basically handicapped Andros so to give 500,000 acres to one persons and Androsians can’t get one acre, it’s basically ludicrous.”

Another resident, Mitchell Johnson added: “The two proposed projects, providing if Androsians are in the driver’s seat, I’m with it. If we’re not going to get anything out of it, no, we don’t need it.

“My reason for saying that is because I’m now at a point in my life where I

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

can’t work so I have to be able to cut road for my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren so if we can’t be a part of it, we don’t need it.”

Meanwhile, Andros native Bernard Evans, president of the National Congress of Trade Unions, said while he “welcomes” the proposed developments, they must be presented in a “sustained way” that benefits the people of Andros and Bahamians at large.

“Sustainability is the key and we can’t sacrifice for

a short-term gain and lose the whole island and so while we welcome developments and what not, it has to be laid out properly and what not in a very sustained way and we have to reserve for not just for this generation but generations to come,” he told reporters. “.. And so as long as the economic studies are done and most importantly from any economic benefit has to be given to Androsians too and not just jobs but ownership and that is what I would like to see happen.”

PINDER: JOBLESS RATE NOT EXPECTED TO ROCKET

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Minnis administration’s extension of unemployment benefits has helped to ensure the unemployment rate won’t skyrocket at the end of the month, Labour Director John Pinder said yesterday.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced on Monday that unemployment benefits for qualified residents will be extended an additional 13 weeks.

The government will provide a payment of a set

allowance for eligible workers who have maxed out.

The National Insurance Board will administer the programme, but will not distribute NIB funds. The $40 million allocated funds will come from the social welfare allowance in the budget.

Mr Pinder said the announcement has ensured that a number of businesses have “held off” on their plans which would have taken effect soon.

“A lot of people are in extended layoff status and are getting NIB benefits.

We would’ve been in plenty,

plenty, plenty trouble,” he said. “Baha Mar would’ve had to lay off everybody, Atlantis would’ve probably been forced to lay off a number of people because they only bringing back a portion on July 7. Most businesses that rely on tourism would’ve had to produce separation packages.”

Mr Pinder hopes the economy will pick up by September when cruise lines are expected to return.

“After that, if things don’t pick up, then you on your own,” he said.

Royal Caribbean has extended its sailing

suspension until September 15 while Carnival Cruise Line has extended its suspension until the end of that month.

Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive warned on Monday that downtown Bay Street is unlikely to see any cruise passengers before the end of the year.

Michael Maura said cruise lines will likely maintain tight control of their passengers’ onshore activities to ensure they remain COVID-free and do not bring the virus with them when they return to the ship. As a result, he

LABOUR Director John Pinder suggested that passengers will be directed to specific tours or excursions whose providers have satisfied the cruise lines they have

implemented the necessary health and safety protocols during the first phase of the industry’s return.

This, Mr Maura added, will mean that downtown Nassau merchants, restaurants, taxi drivers, straw vendors, hair braiders and all others that rely on the cruise ship industry for their livelihoods will not see “passengers independently wandering” along Bay Street or any surrounding areas prior to year-end.

Meanwhile, the country will open its borders to international commercial travel on July 1.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

FNM COULD MISS ITS FOURTH CONVENTION

For his part, former Deputy Prime Minister and FNM stalwart Frank Watson said the party should host a convention this year, saying four years without one is “a long time.”

“In my day we held a convention every two years, no more, no less,” he said. “Absolutely they should hold a convention this year. They need to bring their group together to hash out many things, to exchange ideas. It gives the rank and file an opportunity to meet with leaders and MPs and tell them how they see things, rather than have an edict from the top. A convention has social benefits. It’s important to hear what is on the minds of the people

having been in office two years plus, you need to account to the public, say what kind of organisation you have.”

Mr Watson said people “could find every damn excuse in the world” not to host a convention.

“They have the means by which they could have a convention,” he said. “In November and December, you don’t know what will happen. There may be no COVID in the world by then.”

Mr Watson said ultimately the decision rests with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who is FNM leader. “You have various teams in the party but the prime minister is the final say, it’s his call, he’s the leader of the party,” he said.

Editorial View - Page 6

MISSING WOMAN FOUND SAFE

A WOMAN who had been reported missing has been found in good health, police said. On Monday, police issued a missing person’s report that said Re’Khanna Russell, 33, was last seen on Saturday morning at a residence in Charlottesville, Old Fort Bay. Yesterday, police reported that the woman had been located “in good health”.

SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell is pleading with parents and guardians not to “cross the line from disciplining to abusing” children.

His comments came after three people were charged in two separate cases of child cruelty in the Magistrate’s Court last week.

A woman was sentenced to three months in prison after she admitted to beating her boyfriend’s son with a belt earlier this month.

In a separate incident, two men were given a threemonth sentence each after one gave a two-year-old boy a drink from a beer bottle, which was recorded on cellphone video.

Speaking outside of Cabinet yesterday, the minster highlighted both he and his ministry takes the protection of children as a “serious priority”.

He added: “We’ve always and continued to admonish parents, guardians, persons with responsibility to not cross the line from disciplining to abusing and so the Ministry of Social Services does not support in any way form or fashion in a matter of fact we condemn any child abuse.

“We know that these are tough times and we invite parents or guardians to seek assistance. The Department of Social Services offers assistance and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health we offer counselling.

We have parenting classes and so seek assistance but for God’s sake don’t take it out on the children.”

He also said his ministry offers assistance for the perpetrator and victims of domestic violence.

SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell

70 still in shelters

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

AN estimated 70 people are still in shelters in New Providence some nine months after Hurricane Dorian, according to Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell.

Mr Campbell previously reported in May the Poinciana Inn was housing about 71 individuals and the Bahamas Academy Auditorium on Wulff Road was accommodating less than 100 people. The new figure he gave yesterday outside of Cabinet showed a decrease in both facilities.

He said: “Here in New

Providence, last count I think we had 20 or less at the Poinciana. I think I gave instructions to give those 20 a deadline. We have 50 or less in Bahamas Academy.

If need be, we may combine the two but our ultimate objective is to have those persons transitioned.”

As for the deadline for those at the inn, he was not able to specify when they will be asked to leave. The end of 2019 was originally the aim for the government for the shelters to be closed, however the deadline was extended to accommodate those with nowhere else to go.

Minister of Disaster

Preparedness Iram Lewis earlier this month said officials are increasing hurricane shelter capacity to ensure social distance is maintained by people at these facilities.

The social services minister noted the ministry is hopeful there will not be a repeat of last year. He added the ministry has done its normal regular due diligence as well as the new ministry for disaster management.

Hurricane Dorian brought destruction to Abaco and Grand Bahama last September and left thousands of people homeless.

GB PORT AUTHORITY TO KEEP SUPPORTING CHILDREN’S HOME

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

structures and provide handicap access upgrades,” she said.

GBCH suffered severe THE Grand Bahama flood damage during Port Authority has pledged Dorian last September, disits continued support of the placing some 32 children Grand Bahama Children’s who were relocated to New Home, assuring stake- Providence. The target for holders the buildings were the children’s return is the fully insured and would be end of July. rebuilt at a cost of $850,000.

Lady Henrietta St Additionally, surrounding George, patron and honstructures are being reno- orary chairman of the vated by GBPA licensee GBCH, said: “By God’s Spartan Contractors, along grace, the children and with One Bahamas Fund staff were evacuated at the and Albany who made a height of the storm with no $130,000 donation towards loss of life. The children the facility’s upgrades not were welcomed into Nascovered by insurance. sau’s Children’s Emergency “Thankfully, full resto- Hostel, Ranfurly Home for ration of the (GBCH) is Children and the Nazareth underway,” said Sarah St Centre where they have George, acting chairman remained while the restoraof the Grand Bahama Port tion e their Grand Bahama bunof TheBigTgestrihome Authority (GBPA). continues. The care And Best!

“We have supported and they are getting is great, as I ne bu ri T he T t!

Biggest And Bes to support this will continue saw when I visited the RanOBITS INSIDE refuge for neglected and furly Home, but they need ribudne abused children. Insuring to come back Tto he eeTGrand en W kfamithe home’s buildings meant Bahama so that their that funds would be avail- lies can visit and they can able to rebuild the home’s re-join their community.”

Watch the

Executive Director of GBCH Sheila Johnson-Smith said: “We are all hands-on deck now to bring our children back home. The community is in great need of this facility right now as many Grand Bahamians struggle to recover from Hurricane Dorian and need our assistance with their families.

As the GBPA helps us complete our structural repairs, we are extremely grateful to the hundreds of local and international donors who are helping us furnish and restock the (GBCH).”

The facility, which was officially opened on November 4, 2003, was built by the GBPA at a cost of $2.5 million, under the patronage of Lady St George. The government and other donors also contributed funds toward the facility. GBCH has been providing a safe haven for children ranging from six weeks to 15 years for over four decades.

A1MAIN

Established 1903

WEDNESDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 92ºF LOW 78ºF

A1MAIN

Established 1903

THURSDAY

THE PEOPLE’S

4 No.208, SEPTEMBER

AKIN 24/7 BRE

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

242.COM

PAPER: $1

20TH, 2017

The privileged

$1

BUSI NESS

4 No.118, MAY

VOLUME:11

242.COM

VOLUME:11

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 88ºF LOW 73ºF

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

AKIN 24/7 BRE

11TH, 2017

OFFICIAL SOURCE

TORCHED!

CLASSIFIED TRA

DER: CARS, CAR

S, CARS & TECH

Photo: Terrel

PLP fired as

FN

not be officials could T to press time. reached up

By AVA TURNQUES to sources Reporter of According .net Tribune Chief matter, as tribunemedia close to the Wells has since aturnquest@ Mr Progres- Monday his accounts FOUR former Cabinet paid $9,000 on balParty an outstanding ARNOLD sive Liberal more than with $8,600.

FORBES ministers owedat Bahamas ance of some also said as $62,023 The source Forbes was one $20,000 each Mr Light, with Power and in arrears of Monday the company former minister as of July, in talks with balance over settle the Mr for some $60,000 a list obtained to three-month period. a according to PLP Mount

by The Tribune.and Collec- Forbes, former MP, was appointed The Credit 2015, listing of Moriah in January the tions Department and board to Cabinet served as MPs, senators the period and previouslythe Bahamas of for chairman members revealed Industrial 31, and ending July State Minister Agricultural . that former of Works Corporation the “do not Others on are: former in the Ministry owed BPL list Dr disconnect” Arnold Forbes Health of $62,023.14.

by The Minister former Tall The list obtained delin- Perry Gomez, Leslie Miller, Tribune contains of six Pines MP Youth Minister of former quent accounts Cabinet minis- former Johnson, Dion former PLP PLP MPs, Dr Danny Village MP ters, two former Tourism DR DANIEL entities, and Nassau , two private Cabinet min- Smith, former JOHNSON Obie Wilchcombe one sitting $24,413 Town MP Minister South Beach MP and former ister: Bamboo Hamilton State Renward Wells. who owed Cleola of Mr Wells, $3,703.96 at former Minister Damian Affairs $9,277.07 and locations - for Legal two separatetotal – did not Gomez.

SEE PAGE EIGHT $12,981.03 in yesterwant to comment other former day, and the

DION SMITH $9,275

RENWARD WELLS $12,980

n dslide wi CHRISTIE AS HE M roars to lan

ing

By NEIL HARTNELL Editor $25m, five-year maximum t contract et Tribune Business ibunemedia.n BPL managemen nhartnell@tr and Minnis if the board wish it to go. on Power & BAHAMAS board will administrati which will The meeting,PowerSecure Light’s (BPL) by meeting” hold a “crunch e today, be attendedand their attorneys key with PowerSecurlikely crit- executives is viewed as the from the US, with the outcome whether the to determining whethermake and ical in decidingas manager. sides will “kiss latter remainsTribune Busi- two separate. up” or Multiple - SEE BUSINESS yesterday US FULL STORY ness sources that the confirmed

HUMILIATION FORAFTER 4O YEARS LOSES HIS SEAT

DAMIAN GOMEZ $3,413

OBIE WILCHCOMBE

CLEOLA

FRIDAY

i’m lovin’ it!

T

By AVA TURNQUES Reporter t Tribune Chief ibunemedia.ne aturnquest@tr Sewerage WATER and Chairman Corporation yesterday Adrian Gibson existence the confirmed disconnect” of a “do not by scores list populatedthe governof elites at utility owned to ment he pledged provider as on crackdown a initiate accounts. delinquent told The Mr Gibson l “confidentia Tribune the 221accounts, held list” total of with a combined the period $175,000 for2017. ending June he plans He said that corporathe to direct all persons tion to notify arrears owing excessive or face debts to resolve n. disconnectio a list confi“There is the Long dential list,” Island MP said. think would “In fact, I s corporation that all the year or two, in over the last and more particularly year, there May of thisclose attenhas been that list by tion paid to t with the managemen changing the a view to lists usually way those operate. this con“As it stands, a number has fidential list on it, and of persons it’s being really and trulypersons by used to notify or letters. courtesy call that as the I can say toothe corporachairman of to direct tion I am going owing that all personswho are excessive arrears EIGHT SEE PAGE at the end of

DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498

LESLIE MILLER $42,219

BPL WHO RUNS is quite willCRUNCH DAY OVER utilityto operator from it “walk away”

e Staff

W. Carey/Tribun

A1MAIN

OH, AND THERE’S AN ELITE WATER LIST TOO

es Revealed: Nam list and on the eliteowed what they

seats: Encaptured four Island and Cat were spent under to South Aners’ dollars administration. glerston; 1,900 votes and San Salvador; Christie the win with is evidence 2017 the as well as Exuma DORSETT Mr Christie’s 1,875.

He said if there”, the new dros VIRGIL ELECTION Islands.

By SANCHESKAReporter to the unofBy KHRISNA Reporter seat, Fox According the the Ragged of “criminality et Tribune Staff from the Parwill allow SPEAK An additional being reDeputy Chief bunemedia.n ficial results Registration government course.

THE PEOPLE nemedia.net sdorsett@tri PAGE 4 was still its kvirgil@tribu his Hill, law to take to press time. and liamentary , Mr Chipman after ON’ decounted up his parMoments DNA ‘TO GO PAGE 5 IN a surprisingat the Departmentout of 12 pollas the na- This marked the worst in AFTER leadinglandslide defeat party won seven maiden speech MinLOSE humbling leader, Dr Prime Min- ing divisions in the former ty to a stunning feat for a governing Mr tion’s next PLP BIG NAMESPAGE 7 dealing a parapolls, outgoing that under recent history. victory and to the ProgresChristie lost PLP stronghold, while will nis promised victory came MPS ister Perry Bahamians The FNM’s won five. lysing blow Party last night, years the Centreville his watch, YOUR PROJECTED his seat in last night by Christie a rocky five PAGE 9 to fear from Mr Christie sive Liberal In 2012, have nothing , pointing to despite contwo challengPrime Minister constituency representing SO FAR incoming that included the Centrevilleeighth declared government after leadership, said won the RESULTS 14 he votes Minnis 40 25 the PAGE Dr Minnis’ of a fracn, which Dr Hubert more than stituency for time with have abused victimisatio tional” “im- es to the area for to unofthat those who trust “have continued reports ultimately consecutive He defeated is “unconstitu MORE COVERAGE of years, according party and the post “wrong”.

PAGES 2-18 positions 2,950 votes. moral” and to unofficial tured to fear”. ficial results. candidate Ella removal from has held Opsomething to thousands of According able his at the Mr Christie 1977 and the FNM’s of the Official FNM was Speaking by 1,349 votes at the Q House today. results, the stunning defeat of leader in the House of won all the Lewis the seat since a pledged that jubilant supporterslast night, ment Mr Christie leader of Dr Minnis on will give to pull off securing a mas- position has been Liberal Party time. polling division in E Sports Centre but one administrati Terrance of the PLP, constituencies. Assembly. a long fought National MoveProgressive “This was victory is not the Free also announced his General 34 of 39 a 2012. sive 1997.

Regit ry the Auditor since released but Prime ment leader be sworn in as the resources former is yours,” Although he the loss, The Parliamenta did battle, The about his seat to that he will fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpay- istration Department re- mine - the victory thousands Minister lost Movement statement did not speak full election last Dr Minnis told on the carThe Bahamas’ at Govern- needs Christie not release 5pm Free National packed with the and po- Mr minister at SEE PAGE SIX sults last night, in from the of FNMs (FNM) candidate Reece nival grounds. people’s time numbers coming litical newcomer agency around “This is the and I who secured government from the and I am your servant Chipman, 11pm. However it apSEE PAGE THREE unofficial numbers, the PLP only of the conpeared that “The outcome trust according to vention did not inspireBahalast Mark Humes in the results, said coming afor confidence that’s “obvious” mian electorate but think sweeping defeat residents unofficial is it that I ROLLE have stood behind us now and they night ter Fort Charlotte

By RASHAD Reporter told him party would winning the the party has a wonderful repeatedly lead- the Tribune Staff stand the any a better chance rebuild and emedia.net could not he been victori- opportunity to rrolle@tribun of the country per- election had itself,” he said. leadership for for- ership despite their ous in the PLP’sadding that reengineer longer, him.

AS HE called SEE PAGE SIX RASPBERRY Minister Perry sonal affection for was pro- race in January, made a mistake” mer Prime who ICED TEA “the party resign as leader Mr Sears, Mr Christie.

Free NaChristie to Liberal in choosing to lose to the Al- jected Movement’s (FNM) of the Progressive last night, the tional Party (PLP) said he saw fred Sears

HIGH 91ºF LOW 80ºF Volume:114

JOUR NEY WHIC

H FULFI LLED

A MAN’ S DREA

MEAL

65 9

SANDWICH

Incl. VAT

KING.BS

WWW.BURGER

ASSAU

/BURGERKINGN

29, 2017

FOR THE CURE Page 21

Living the dream From Andros to the

boardroom Interview, pages 4&5

MS

CHRISTIE

HURRICANE

LEADER TO RESIGN AS PARTY

INSURANCE:

?

Are you Covered

Covering The Bahamas for

Nobody Does it

40 years.

safeas well as of homicides A DORSETT guarding the residents

By SANCHESKReporter in Fox Hill. et Tribune Staff walkabout bunemedia.n During a Acting prepared. live national sdorsett@tri er Fox Hill on Tuesday, ROLLE During a Ferguson Commission his office

By RASHAD Reporter ACTING Fergu- Commissioner and address from Dr Minnis Tribune Staff Anti-Gang of Police Anthony emedia.net yesterday said the Inveslast night, Maria is rrolle@tribun Tracing and announced dev- son establishment of two Firearms Unit will operate fore- said: “Hurricane the potentially Bahamas tigation WITH we the DetecMaria another hurricane that separate Royal anti-crime out of the Central the cast for Hurricane Force storm to pass astating monitor.”

(CDU) while projecting the Baha- must carefully Though most Police aimed at eliminating tive Unit SEE PAGE 11 units counthe He added: near the Southeast Prime in was spared gang activity morning, of mas Friday Hubert Minnis of the Bahamas the number try, reducing Minister Dr of those SEE PAGE TWO and is urging residents be vigilant islands to

Better!

MENT INSURANCE MANAGE LIMITED. INSURANCE

BROKERS &

AGENTS

om

ntBahamas.c

ceManageme

Woodside.

Photo: Yontalay

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Bowe

VIDEO OF PM’SAT VISIT ONLINE OM TRIBUN E242.C

EXUMA ELEUTHERA 242.336.2304 ABACO 242.332.3211 GRAND BAHAMA NEW PROVIDENCE 242.350.3500 242.367.4204 242.394.5555

(BAHAMAS)

Dr Hubert MinPRIME Minister Kendera Woodside, nis meeting murdered Eugene the mother of

this Yes I feel for y our countries.than I can say.” more ensure has a responsibilit one mother said he will Each citizen information Dr Minnis provided to and whatever that forward. medical attention is is pregnant. the composure. said he felt the fam- has we must bring among us.” who after feel live Dr Minnis Mrs Woodside, the grieving and days makes me Three These criminals who emphasised country’s he “You can see of those pushed the ily’s pain. “What through,” Mrs Minnis, that her appearis that most during murder that violent crime into ROLLE she’s going someI, even worse

By RASHAD Reporter not a pain “I assured her that the family the yard, struggle with spotlight yet again, them was doctor, to will have we see in Tribune Staff ance before called on women said. today (Friday) we to look the national as a medical emedia.net acute. rrolle@tribun come my my years political move,one day this week time her pain remained live a life, medical personnel she’s pregand comforting cried.

“He ain’t even to wear blackfor murder victims.

Dr THE hugs her because sure that Prime Minister wife God,” Mrs Woodsidegive my upon after in mourning I’m calling words of I have to make infant are and his a baby. I could my really nant.

“As a mother, Hubert Minnis couldn’t answer “He’s right now just for because I this,” her and her unborn will also make take all mothers can stop Patricia Minnis that consumed breath be right here. They well and we sure the believe mothers who was tearful both as baby to ts to make body. the questions my yesterday arrangemen Minnis, personnel out who Mrs said medical eight- my heart my only son. They Kendera Woodside have our sons on a too for her son, killed times. “We birth and as they necessary her and see her “This after she grieved of them at my daughter from the safety who was still with look almost shoot (the house) with would’ve delivered most knowing we cradle basis to ensure infant.” year-old Eugene, men we are to me with regular they inside four days ago. people ain’t tell- and What they do to my family? so they are closer patients,” Dr becomeWe have to speakshould of her and her unborn PAGE TWO SEE them. are my former “Why these bringing my son me. they do to us? st by pro- them. I think all women week me? I they we ain’ carry one day this ing me they she cried between What Minnis, a gynaecologi “The message “Why they wear black what’s happening in a baby.” tried to right now?” fession, said. the entire Bahamas 29 years, He’s Dr Minnis and mourn Eugene’s Rose- live screams as must send to this alone.

Tonio Woodside, family at theirEugene wife even is the police can’t fight console the consoled his home where on father, struggled to maintain bud Road a stray bullet as he was shot by did his homework. he Monday as

Nassau & Bahama

www.Insuran

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

PLP CASUAL HIRES COST EXTRA $10M

OMY AG WARNS ECON ER’ IN ‘GRAVE DANG

99

Friday, September

29TH, 2017

film - every agonising, wrenching, awful second.

Then give up Eugene’s killer

POLICE LAUNCH E FOX HILL OFFENSIV

PAPER: $1

Weekend

WEEK END: A

$4,911 HAMILTON they owed $6,118 list and the amount since that date. disconnect” BPL “do not made or further debt incurred named on the NINE individualsdo not include any payments July. The sums

PUT SOUTH ISLANDS T ON MARIA ALER

THE PEOPLE’S

gardening art theatre music film books fashion food culture RACE

No.215, SEPTEMBER

e n u b i r The T

ALFRED SEARS URGES

7

: KARA WAN

CEO AS ATLA NTIS LEAV ES ROLE

he told Parto In June, cost the ROLLE such liament of

By RASHAD Bahamians $10,149,738. by the Carib- Tribune Staff Reporter so alarmed Action Task rrolle@tribunemedia.net increases was comes after bean Financial draft The revision more than

By NEIL HARTNELL Editor Rolle, minForce’s (CFATF) BRENSIL et Tribune Business services he included that were not The Bahamas ibunemedia.n report on his staff ister of public nhartnell@tr 1,700 workers Gen- that he instructedaddressing and National Insurance, in his original count.

December Progressive THE Attorneyslammed to begin work on June.

Amid the said between 2017, the criticism May flaws from early eral yesterday

by Liberal Party’sadministrablasted the 2016 and in the nation’s the ballooned Mr Bethel deficiencies adminis- public purse laundering of the of the Minnisof its firings anti-money former Christie to tackle $16,532,738 because on’s tion because “entirely unacfailing administrati regime as SEE PAGE SIX they had tration for with the Christie service ceptable”, warning “in great known weaknesses of new public period. hiring Bahamas during that put The necessary urgency.

BUSINESS workers danger”. told Trib- FULL STORY - SEE Carl Bethelhe had been une Business

Newspaper

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

f the dogmas o to r a e sw to d Being boun The Tribune The Tribune A1MAIN

Established 1903

The Tribune

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

FRIDAY

242.COM

t!

Biggest And Bes

i’m lovin’ it!

4 No.103, APRIL

VOLUME:11

AKIN 24/7 BRE

OBITS

20TH, 2017

Established 1903

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 91ºF LOW 81ºF

4 No.202, SEPTEMBER

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

242.COM

t!

Biggest And Bes

AKIN 24/7 BRE

THE PEOPLE’S

PAPER: $1

12TH, 2017

VOLUME:11

- SEE WOMA N

UNLIVEABLE

WOME N OF SUBST

ANCE AND BEAUT

Y TAKE ON THE

UNIVE RSE

TRADER: CAR

S, CARS, CAR

HIGH 92ºF LOW 79ºF

INSIDE

S & TECH

Fitzgerald sought millions from Baha Mar

CLASSIFIED

SEE LEAKED EMAILS INSIDE

ated Minister’s repe contracts requests for sed and deals expo

Weekend

i’m lovin’ it!

$1

OFFICIAL SOURCE

A1MAIN

TUESDAY

Volume:114

30th, No.152, JUNE

2017

Established 1903

HIGH 85ºF LOW 69ºF

WEEK END: SENIO

PROM SEASO

N ARRIV ES

BAHAMIAN PROJECT Pages 20&21

prom Fashion, pages 14&15

FORMER PM TELLS OF LAST TALK WITH NOTTAGE

• CALLS FOR REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS

- BUT SOME DEADLINE TODAY NDING DISCLOSURES OUTSTA

$

20

ANY LARGE PIZZA SPECIALTY

(INCL. VAT)

TASTE INDULGE YOUR

BUDS.

be abandoned.

LEAD IN MPBA

with correctnow engaged the voter ROLLE ing and editing it of its

By RASHAD Reporter register, ridding Tribune Staff ised errors. emedia.net much-public enough staff to rrolle@tribun “We have “We 170,000 peo- do this,” Mr Hall said.certiJUST over sure it’s to vote have to make after tople have registered 10 general elec- fied some 14 daysdate.” for the May ry Com(Tuesday’s) tion, Parliamenta Hall said day’s accordance with the In Elections missioner Sherlyn ry pubParliamenta yesterday. what he de- Act, Mr Hall will give in of This follows of the election a “mad rush” notice as statlic scribed to vote this week, of newspapers people registering place in conthe last day ing the date, times when on Monday, and registration. 172,000 peo- stituencies papers must be were nomination There to vote in the delivered. ple registeredelection.

SEE PAGE THREE 2012 general ry Regis The Parliamenta Department istration

ROLLE

By RASHAD Reporter Tribune Staff emedia.net rrolle@tribun Nottage’s DR Bernard forever be will “footprints the Bahamian etched on tal landscape” developmen work as a forthrough his of the Bahamer president of Athletic mas Association s, the Bahamas Association , the Medical Association and as a afMinDoctors’ Union consumer FORMER Prime reminister for health and to accept the ister Perry Christie a defeat, was as I did when I fairs, education, Opposifor it arrears, into pictured yesterday. W. national security, who was in recent sponsibility said in response to “Brave” tenant Photo: Terrel Philip he airport e Staff described tion Leader as resigned,” on the criticism levelled Carey/Tribun on from accusations Mr Christie Davis said Wednesday. in recent questions 71, died administrati e spending, misfea- moves made by the government pandering at his administration Dr Nottage, the Cleveby a party of irresponsibl WELLS at a “misstep” thought

By RICARDO Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism. that weeks. never any he was “disap- to its base. maintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic.

He also said allegations being I was acceptin arrangenemedia.net relating Mr Christie part that by the rwells@tribu gova state funeral announced, of documents would on my y for any degree Per- pointed”around by the new be irrethat a review two controversies ments to ing responsibilit Prime Minister tossed the press secthese on of any whatsoever of criminality, FORMER condemned ernment concerning matters according to Office of the the notion term as to administrati and yesterday his last much his the spending that absolve ry Christie retary for and prove as noth- sponsible Minnis administra- transpired during Anthony is bare’ is just is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in Prime Minister, that ‘the cupboard prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric slogans.” tion to portray as he challenged Newbold. “political political slogans.”

Hitting back Minnis adminislight, SEE PAGE SIX ing more than challenges I have the SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a controvermembers of of the the the governof “One nation’s the who led the $8m to te examination tration concerning of more thanclean up as the person led the government “dispassiona sial pay out and who record”. interview at one vendor for hurricane to an ment off of $1.2m During a lengthy home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie

RE OPENS AT LAST

ATORS TAKE THE

race is under

ARCHER PLP IS OMAR CONVICTED ARCHDEACON SAYS ITS LIFE’ OVER THREATS ‘FIGHTING FOR

way - as pictured

MINNIS CALLS FOR ON DECK ALL HANDS VIRGIL

ES OVER BPL BANNISTER WORRITHE LIGHTS ON ABILITY TO KEEP

energy. solar, to produce of agreeof Works The heads the governMINISTER said challenges, Desmond Bannister ment requires to “address concerns” pressed certain and BPL delayed today marks which he suggestedof docu- he has “serious Power and ment and consistent WHILE with Bahamas to “keep the reliable of electricity on the for both sitsubmission the deadlineformer parlia- the tell- supply Providence, Light’s ability are chal- lights on this summer,” of island of New ting and to file financial ments. the abiliAmong these the lack will include finans mentarians Public Discloing The Tribuneprevent the whichmeet the requirement with obtaining may ty to disclosures, Chair- lenges from spouses, cial records in situations reliability from fulfilling of the project.” sure Commission the instalLaroda told requireoper- government This involves supporting man Myles yesterday that particularly Mar all the necessary they may have all to lation “of The Tribunestill some that wherebank accounts prior ments in the Baha re necessary ated there were He said there heads of agreement.he is al- infrastructu g”. marriage.

PAGE FIVE to that SEE are “outstandin yesterday, some unwilling-n He added at new, alIn an interview in his dis- was also ready “looking including and apprehensio said ways,” Mr Laroda some persons ness SEE PAGE THREE ternative cussions with to make who are required they exthe disclosures,

Nassau & Bahama

in this cartoon

from Jamaal

Rolle.

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper

The Tribune Established 1903

799

MONDAY

MEAL

65 9

SANDWICH

Incl. VAT

KING.BS

WWW.BURGER

ASSAU

/BURGERKINGN

Nassau & Bahama

Islands’ Leading

Newspaper SHOPPING & PRINCE CHARLES tnassau.com SAUNDERS BEACH | www.pizzahu TEL: 603-3333

Newspaper

i’m lovin’ it!

The Tribune

HIGH 81ºF LOW 69ºF 4 No.72, MARCH

VOLUME:11

Established 1903

242.COM

i’m lovin’ it!

AND HO SE

$1

HIGH 90ºF LOW 82ºF

FEBRUARY

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

242.COM

t!

Biggest And Bes

AKIN 24/7 BRE

14th, 2017

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

242.COM

t!

Biggest And Bes

AKIN 24/7 BRE

6TH, 2017

RT

AND HO SE

$

Y, H O E S & R M

E

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

t!

Biggest And Bes

AKIN 24/7 BRE

13th, 2017

Islands’ Leading

A1MAIN

TUESDAY

ME

, FEBRUARY

Nassau & Bahama

PROP

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 90ºF LOW 82ºF

CENTRE

ME

The Tribune A1MAIN

Established 1903

Newspaper

THE ELECTION

A1MAIN

MONDAY Islands’ Leading

SERIES

host JOHNSON Deal” with

By LAMECH Reporter “The Real

By KHRISNA Reporter A BROWN Ortland Bodie, Archdeaet Tribune Staff Deputy Chief bunemedia.n

By SANCHESK said this elecnemedia.net Reporter con Palacious “difficult” for ljohnson@tri kvirgil@tribu et Tribune Staff Sr was tion will be and the FNM Move- sdorsett@tribunemedia.n of OMAR Archer both the PLP is no FREE National convicted Dr Hubert N Archdea- and at this point there how yesterday senment Leader to harm a ANGLICA gauge said said the threatening way to “properlygo.”

Minnis yesterday“all hands con James Palacious officer through need that the Progres- the results will came one ior police his social media FNM will vote the Pro- yesterday Party appears a post to two years ago.

His comments on deck” to Party gov- sive Liberal its life” Deputy Prime nearly he to be “fighting for neither day after Phillip “Brave” page 45-year-old Nassau gressive Liberal of office as that The ernment out Day, May and predicted party nor the Ministerpredicted that the Village resident appeared Davis in the heralded Election SEE PAGE SEVEN Movement PLP will win 30 seats that will bring the governing 10, as a day Free National in next SEE PAGE TWO dur- will win 30 seats change. spoke election. at month’s general guest on Dr Minnis conference as a ing a press Appearing SEE PAGE THREE

WIPEOUT: Prime

Nassau & Bahama

CHAM PIONS HIP

TERED 170,000 HAVE REGIS NG DAY AHEAD OF POLLI

IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE TO LEGACY OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ FNM ALLEGATIONS COLLEAGUE • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONGT OVER $8M PAYOU

SIVE Liberal were obtaineda from a ther’s PROGRES The emails Bradley EMAILS leaked following of China Con- by The Tribune Party Chairmanout at his highdata breach (CCA) Roberts lashed story in December of CCA struction America’s colleague Vinthat from the breach former party night, accusservers show2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco cent Peet last North Anto servers China Construction as early as was seeking ing the former Islands MP hacker.

Fitzgerald of dollars eventually paid 24 bitcoins dros and Berry enemy” $24,000) secure millions trucking, and (the equivalent of of being a “political an independin brokerage, to their servat Baha who mounted because he to have access it aplimousine contracts showing a resat in Cabinet ers restored; however, ent campaigna nomination forwarded leaked emails Mar while he of Educathat emails ONE of the Education, Sciwas denied party.

Minister of as the Minister and Tech- pears relating to personnel quest from or d, Jerome Fitzgerald. from the governing tion, Science Tribune has to, to PLP supwere compromise ence and Technology Speaking CCA The The at Baha in at nology, a rally in North officials porters at night, Mr Robagent for Limolink despite top they were not learned. which his Bahamas. You are encourcontradict the saying at from Andros last is war” as faThe emails this week de- Mar clientele with a reference by the hack if erts said “this writes, “I limousine company was vote aged to get of Viacom Minister, who his office to concerned the crowd toPerry Mr Fitzgerald matime. the president feel free he urged Dr nied ever using to himself the an email dated May 18, am aware that interior arrive miliar. with regard the you wish. Please In for incumbent that a vote “Also Izmirlian terials have began to really we direct contracts me personally adding business from the mul- 2013, sent to Mr the to contact with contact Gomez, hotel. I would or his family resort. is a vote for be limousine meet with or have your agents Mr Fitzgerald, Cur- for the for Mr Peet Movement. it if we couldbro- are ready to he ti-billion dollar - the Pro- by our Managing Porter, Shelly appreciate anytime,” Free National Mr Porter Mr Fitzgerald Party MP QuentinAlarice Fill copied, appointed your official your people SEE PAGE SIX his Director directly.” tis and 1st 2013.” writes. gressive Liberal we really ker for June - appears also Mr Fitzgerald indicates a request TWO & THREE “As indicated cusSEE PAGES for Marathon start brokerage $20,000 He then makesfor limouto highend for readiness to only cater to be requesting official Baha Mar’s and trucking services and of Mr Izmirlian at Baha Mar, tomers and are the project a month from Sarkis services of Baha Mar of re- sinehe touted the level original developer the ex- the as the brokers citing Izmirlian, were necessary remain for the property. penses that cost of his fa- cord to cover the Healthcare hisMarsh Harbour a tortured ROLLE Centre has missed deadBy RASHAD Reporter tory, one of of shoddy Tribune Staff claims emedia.net lines and rrolle@tribun ip, all without ity. of- workmansh ENT clear accountabil GOVERNM ed the anyThe facility’s original bankrupt. ficials commissionHealththe contractor went of Marsh Harbour n in Abaco yesConstructio care Centre centre began it as a longIngraham terday, touting to the island healthcare under the former awaited boost on. adminisin and the Christie Health administrati Christie adhealth centre When the e Staff tours the new tration’s National came to power, RASPBERRY Perry Christie the W. Carey/Tribun Insurance plans. and Ado- ministration renovating Photo: Terrel ICED TEA PRIME Minister it spent $1m Like the Child SEE PAGE SIX Abaco yesterday.

Robert Smith lescent and that was the (CARS) Complex ed last year, commission

PAPER: $1

traditions. just a short ROLLE “Earlier today,present ParBy RASHAD Reporter the while ago, Tribune Staff officially disemedia.net liament was Christie said. rrolle@tribun Mr of Perry solved,”seat in the House “Every PRIME Minister the prover- Assembly is now vacant. the to you, Christie rang morning, “It is now left beloved bial bell yesterday that the 2017 citizenry of our who will announcing be held on nation, to decide in the next election willMay 10. fill those seats In doWednesday, address, givof Assembly.

His televisedOffice of the House you will also be dethe ing so, en live at the came mowho will form Prime Minister, Commis- ciding of the BahaPolice government five years. ments after Greenslade, for the next that mosioner Ellison as provost mas “You will make in what ns in his capacity decision proclamatio and pray marshal, readHouse of As- mentous hope fair elecoutside the Governor Gen- I earnestly be free and Pin- will following a spirited sembly from Marguerite Let tions eral Dame Parliament. peaceful campaign. dling dissolving said he is but the forthcoming Mr Christie election will us contestwith all the vigour confident the and will fol- elections fair at our command.” be free and and peaceful SEE PAGE TWO low a spirited is consistent that campaign political with this country’s

G concern ADMITTIN Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday for ter Perry Christie admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security to former national the build-up minister in election. the May general from his Breaking away since being public silence office in hisof voted out month, a last toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of his tie detailed with last conversation and longfriend childhood colleague on time political Thursday.

Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout naciously” he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display . last conversation PAGE SIX SEE

ROBERTS: PEET A ‘POLITICAL ENEMY’ FOR ANDROS BID

THE PEOPLE’S

Prime Minister rings the bellrace for election

WELLS

By RICARDO Reporter Tribune Staff nemedia.net rwells@tribu

TERS yesFIREFIGH a large blaze terday battled Providence at the New three weeks Landfill, nearly a massive that after tackling city dump fire at the nearly a month. burned for Charge of Fire Officer in Chief SuperinServices, Evans said tendent Walter is “not confire the the current any way to this nected” in and at previous blazedo not know time officials the fire. Howwhat caused t Minister ever Environmen told rehe Kenred Dorsett that site the porters at “sabotage” in said suspected the fire. He relation to the team he “instructed”to have the of firefighters “before and blaze extinguished day” today nomination Baha Mar’s certainly before Friday. opening on started shortly The blaze and Wednesday after 3am officEvans said Chief Supt battle the fire to but ers expect another day for at least wind is a “huge” he said the factor.

SEE PAGE SIX

242.COM

IT’S MAY 10

Friday, June 30, 2017

Christie denies claims on spending

IGHT AS RS IN THE SPOTL

AKIN 24/7 BRE

12TH, 2017

SPORT S: REGUL

PAPER: $1

Weekend

Picture perfect

A DORSETT

By SANCHESKReporter et Tribune Staff bunemedia.n sdorsett@tri

HEALTH CENT MARSH HARBOUR

W1WEEKEND

THE PEOPLE’S

4 No.99, APRIL

VOLUME:11

UNE ON TRIB G NEWS

t!

Biggest And Bes

i’m lovin’ it!

entertainment puzzles film fashion gardening art books theatre

Seniors go big for

FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE MAJOR NEW BLAZE AT LANDFILL

GATION SPECIAL INVESTI A TRIBUNE medical treatment.

it must Hurriis so devastated the island as Ragged Island remained on home has Minnis warns with those whohomes last week. “Every The Minister Dr Hubert en Rag- discussion battered their has been destroyed. has been health facility on storm-strick Min- cane Irma Prime teachers’ residence no water. destroyed. The and safety conditions to deteriorate, urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is no light. There is HEALTH he smell the school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals. deister Dr Hubert on the island reduced will stench of dead of the individuals remaining residentsIrma, which has them REPORT that we get of rubble and SPECIAL health conditions Russell, math of Hurricane it’s essential there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey teriorate and Dr Minnis said. only most structures Pictures: Terrel island unlivable. Dr Minnis to leave the for off this island,” rendered the bly reluctant stay here,” saw for the understanda home, expressing concern “They cannot Many were and a delegation and days known as through said after he damage left by Irma they’ve ever ripped residences, place hurricane of their first time the Five monster will have about the safety personal belongings. behind. We Defence by the smell after the Category island.

“They are concerned may have left and the exacerbated of all es- whatever materials they the small southern a vessel here at the same physical condition, and the destruction those still the Defence Force dispatch the cleanup and said.

The island’s urge carcasses strongly Minnis of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commence security,” Dr SEE PAGE THREE that there is sential services, to leave until the time ensure Island has been on Ragged Ragged Island through and be restored. the residents; walk to a “I’ve spoken Minnis said following Dr devastated,”

A1MAIN

WEDNESDAY

A1MAIN

THURSDAY HIGH 84ºF LOW 70ºF

no master The Tribune

HOU

from page one

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HOU

ST ANNE’S MP Brent Symonette said it may not be appropriate for the FNM to have a national convention this year.

CAMPBELL PLEADS WITH PARENTS ‘NOT TO CROSS LINE’

INSIG HT: CHRIS $1

TIE FIDDL ES

WHIL E NASS

AU BURN S -

e fire PAGE SEVEN

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PAGE 5

25-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 25-YEAR-OLD was charged yesterday with murdering a man and attempting to murder a police officer earlier this year.

Lorenzo Wilson appeared in Magistrate’s Court before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with the shooting death of Deano Gordon also know as “Twin” and the attempted murder of a Superintendent Johnson

on April 7. According to initial police reports, shortly before 1pm that day, a man was standing on Hampton Street, off Mount Royal Avenue when he was approached by an armed male who exited a dark coloured vehicle and

opened fire on him. This resulted in the man being fatally wounded. Police said an officer in the area at the time heard the gunshots and responded to the incident. The gunman saw him and discharged his weapon in the direction of the

BAHAMAS Department of Correctional Services officer Delroy Barr outside court yesterday

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMAS Department of Correctional Services officer was sentenced to 15 months in prison in Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and drug possession with the intent to supply.

Delroy Barr, 23, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with possession of Indian hemp and another two counts of marijuana possession with the intent to supply after officers seized over 12 ounces of drugs from him on June 22.

He pleaded guilty to all of the charges and was sentenced to six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for count one and 15 months at BDCS on count two

officer before getting back into the vehicle and making good his escape. The officer was not injured during the incident.

During the hearing, Wilson was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to October

20 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Bail was denied and the accused was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

15 months in jail for Corrections officer and three. All of the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Prosecutor Lincoln McKenzie said around 6.30am on the day in question, officers at the prison approached Barr and told him that they suspected that he was in possession of dangerous drugs and firearms. As a result, the officers informed the defendant that they would be conducting a search in reference to the same. Sgt

McKenzie said during their investigation, Barr pointed out an electrical fixture box in the maximum security unit which contained four packages containing 2.78 ounces of suspected marijuana.

He also said officers found 1.18 ounces of suspected marijuana in the centre console of Barr’s vehicle. Sgt McKenzie added that when officers searched Barr’s home, they recovered 9.34 ounces

of suspected marijuana that he had stored in his linen closet. Officers also seized $401 which they believed were funds Barr had received from selling drugs. He was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby station where he admitted to the offences.

During the hearing, Barr was represented by attorney McKell Bonaby. He told the magistrate that his client had cooperated with

officials at the onset of the investigation, since Barr told the officers where the drugs were. He also noted that the quantity of marijuana Barr was found with was on the “low end of the spectrum” and claimed that the defendant had the drugs for his personal use and had no intention to distribute them.

When given an opportunity to speak, Barr also told the magistrate that he “took full responsibility” for his actions and understood

that what he did was wrong.

In response, Magistrate Forbes said while he considered Barr’s age and the fact that he did not have any previous convictions, the fact that he was a law enforcement officer that broke the law when other prison officers who committed the same crime had been sent to jail, proved that he acted with some level of arrogance. He subsequently sentenced Barr to 15 months behind bars.

TWO MEN FINED AFTER THEY ADMIT TO DRUG POSSESSION

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

ARCHER ASSAULT CHARGE WITHDRAWN from page one officers did not want him to do so. He claimed the officers ended up charging Robinson with an offence as a result. During his arraignment, Robinson was charged with deceiving a public officer after he was accused of giving a false statement to Police Constable Cameron Ramsey on May 30. He denied the allegation and the matter was adjourned to November 4 for trial. Robinson was released on $500 bail in the interim. He is also represented by Mr Farquharson.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

TWO men were fined for marijuana possession in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, while another man was conditionally discharged and ordered to attend drug counselling classes.

Narado Knowles, 38, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes after he was found with 2.7 ounces of Indian hemp on June 20. He pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 or six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Prosecutor Lincoln McKenzie said around 1.15pm that day, officers proceeded to Knowles’ residence armed with a search warrant. During their search, officers found three clear plastic bags containing a quantity of suspected marijuana in his home. As a result, Knowles was arrested and taken to a nearby station. During an interview with police, he told the officers that he got the drugs from his cousin in Abaco. According to the prosecution, Knowles was fined for committing the same offence previously.

Jangitilla Cooper, 34, also appeared before Magistrate Forbes after officers seized one ounce of Indian hemp from him on June 20. He

pleaded guilty and was fined $300 or three months at BDCS. Sgt McKenzie said when officers approached Cooper that evening, he ran in the eastern direction.

The officers gave chase and observed the defendant throw a bag to the ground.

When they retrieved it, officers discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana inside it. When the officers caught up to Cooper they arrested him. In an interview with police, he admitted to the offence and was subsequently charged.

When given an opportunity to speak, Cooper told the magistrate that he had been smoking marijuana since he was 14-years old and had gotten the drugs for personal use so that he “could stay off the road”.

Another man, Justice Ingraham was charged after he was found with 10 grams of Indian hemp on June 19. Sgt McKenzie said when officers searched Ingraham they found the drugs in his right pants pocket.

He pleaded guilty and was conditionally discharged for 12 months on the agreement that he would attend drug counseling classes at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC). If he fails to comply with the conditions of his release, he will spend three months in prison.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Jamaal will return tomorrow

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best IN today’s Tribune, we publish our annual Hurricane Guide – and in view of last year’s damage from Hurricane Dorian, we hope it will serve as a reminder to readers to be prepared.

We often put off our preparations for hurricane season. When a storm appears on the horizon, we rush to the store to stock up on the things we suddenly realise we need.

But Hurricane Dorian hit The Bahamas hard – and we’re still feeling its impact, even for those of us who didn’t have family or friends on Abaco or Grand Bahama. Even for those of us who didn’t spend days waiting to get back in contact with people we love.

The cost of restoring the storm-hit islands to their former glory is a huge bill for The Bahamas, one which we’ll all have to pay. The human cost, with hundreds remaining missing after the storm, is so much higher.

So as you read today’s Hurricane Guide, bear in mind the damage we suffered last September, and make your

preparations in advance. A little each month can build up a good disaster kit – a flashlight on one shopping trip, batteries on another, a first aid kit even if you hope you never need it.

Then there are the bigger steps – why wait to buy wood to board up windows if you can stock up ahead of time and not have to worry about stock running out if a storm comes close?

Hurricane Dorian showed the ferocity of storms, so also plan ahead of time with your family for an escape plan.

Look around your home and your community and ask yourself if the worst happened, what would you do to get to safety?

Keep the shelter list somewhere safe.

Identify your nearest one, and plan the safest route to it if the roads were filled with flood water.

You can prepare for a hurricane one step at a time, and build up your supplies. Not being prepared for a hurricane? That’s a matter of life and death.

Be safe. Be prepared.

Another skipped convention?

BRENT Symonette has suggested it might not be appropriate for the FNM to have a convention this year.

With the after-effects of Hurricane Dorian, and the current effects of COVID-19, he said he “would have thought it was not appropriate” to have a convention this year.

According to the FNM’s constitution, the party should have a convention every two years. However, it has not had one since 2016.

Mr Symonette points out that there have been “many occasions in the past” when the FNM has not had the convention its constitution called for – but a wrong is not made right by repetition.

A convention should not be something for a political party to fear. Some parties might be hesitant about the potential for leadership challenges – but again if a leader is strong, that should help pull the party around them. It’s only a problem if a leader fears they are weak.

Conventions are about more than the top of the party too – they are about the grassroots. They are about listening to the needs of party members on the ground, all the more important for those on Family Islands who might lack the ear of leadership on a daily basis.

They are also about that one thing the FNM spoke so much about in the election campaign – transparency.

A convention shows the world what the party thinks is important – and in the run-up to an election, could there be a more important time?

And lastly, if a party consistently breaks its own rules, it doesn’t create a great deal of trust for the voter. Change the rules, by all means, but don’t break them. And in the meantime, hold a convention. It might be different. It might require using technology in inventive ways for health and safety. But hold it, and show the country what the party is all about.

Discretion needed in troubled times EDITOR, The Tribune

recent press conferences and leaving political quesAT the beginning of tions unanswered as medical our unwelcome journey personnel are not able to through the problem which respond to such questions. is COVID 19, I felt com- Further the Prime Minister fortable and safe. We had a no longer hosts Press conwell respected doctor as our ferences , he addresses the Minister of Health, a Prime nation and burning issues Minister who had, as a pre- are left in limbo. vious Minister of Heath For instance the compeguided us through other tent authority under the serious epidemics. We also Emergency Powers recently had a fantastic health team granted an interview with headed by internationally a reporter from the state renowned Dr Dahl Regis radio station. At that time supported by Dr Forbes, a he attempted to let us specialist epidemiologist, know why some islands Dr McMillan and Dr Bren- were opened and others nan. These persons were remained closed although further supported by com- none had cases of the virus. petent and dedicated other We were given a lecture of medical professionals, par- the importance of crabs to ticularly nurses. the economy of Andros.

Regular press confer- However, he was not quesences were held by the tioned about the value of Ministry of Health with the the pineapple industry to Minister in attendance and the Eleuthera farmer, and, the Prime Minister him- as far as I know, this period self held press conferences is much shorter than the answering questions from crab season. Also, if my the reporters. memory serves me right, Some weeks not our jour- Exuma has quite a crab ney with lockdowns and industry as well. curfews, I am not feeling as I have been somewhat comfortable as I did before. perplexed concerning what I accepted the lockdowns businesses should be openand curfews, although I ing and the criteria for such had difficulty understand- openings. For instance, the ing some portions of it. gaming houses have not But I have great difficulty been allowed to open. As with the ad hoc Minister they are now legal entities, of Health not appearing at and, if they are following

proper health protocols, it would appear that morals or some other factor is involved in keeping the doors shut. I also do not understand why fishermen are not allowed to sell their fish. This would prove healthier eating for Bahamians than the fast food fare.

Yes, Prime Minister, with your added power comes more responsibility and the need for more transparency. A good start would be to make yourself available to the national press and not to just one portion thereof.

I am further concerned with the hefty punishments which have been attached to curfew breaches and the sentences being handed down. Please police and judicial officers show some compassion. Why make a jailbird out of a coconut water and jelly vendor? Or a person in need of water?

A bit of discretion will not go amiss in these troubled times.

Thanks to the kind persons who came to the aid of the young man who was trying to avoid being a crime statistic.

JEANNE THOMPSON Nassau, May 21, 2020

PEOPLE lower the coffin of a man who died of COVID-19 at a cemetery in Mumbai, India yesterday. Some Indian states are considering fresh lockdown measures to try to halt the spread of the virus in the nation of more than 1.3 billion.

Now you are insulting our intelligence EDITOR, The Tribune,

I THINK that the ONLY thing that my good friend Mike Maura Jr did not say in this warning from the Wheelhouse of the Nassau Port was “We’re all right Jack, pull the ladder up” !

Yes, the Port will be getting its docking fees, the Government Tugs will be getting their cut, The Nassau Harbour Pilots theirs, The Treasury will get its Departure Taxes, and Selected Tour Companies will be getting theirs, but you yellow bellied sapsucker retail shops and eateries south of the wharf, well you can just sing for your damned supper!

And everybody knows

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net this including the government of the Bahamas.

What a happy little clique!

Yet every year, for the past 20 or more years, we are able to turn downtown Nassau into Guantanamo Bay, to stop people entering the City, but it doesn’t cross anyone’s mind that Downtown could just as easily be barriered, to prevent non residents from straying outside the set boundaries. We might need a couple of Nassau’s finest along the side streets to check ID, but I’m sure that

could be arranged. And throughout the COVID 19 lockdown and opening up, we all now know about managing numbers inside shops, keeping a safe distance, sanitizing hands, No Mask No Entry. Cut us some slack people.

And if this is coming from the Cruise Ships themselves then they may as well not come. And if they can’t come ashore in Nassau then don’t come ashore on Coco Cay, Castaway Cay, Ocean Cay or any other private island.

You are insulting the intelligence of Bahamians!

BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, June 23, 2020

Like putting a band aid on a mortal wound EDITOR, The Tribune THE Bahamas is in an unprecedentedly precarious fiscal situation. This has not been caused by COVID-19, but by decades of reckless borrowing and waste, bending over backwards to please the changing fancies of our OECD masters to the near destruction of the financial services industry and a failure to plan for sustainable growth in a diversified economy. The current pandemic has only exposed the many failures of past governance.

None of this has been made any better by the unreasoned dictates of the incompetent authoritarian who seems drunk with power, but bereft of common sense. He continues, singlehandedly, to strangle what is left of the marginal economic life of the country with decisions that are clearly not aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus.

And now, as past governments have done, it has become routine to borrow to cover revenue shortfalls. As the government is poised to

borrow $1.3 billion dollars to ease the current financial pressure it faces, it must ask one question, what is their 10 year plan for preserving our way of life if New Providence should sustain a direct hit by a category 4 or 5 storm this hurricane season, or the next? Borrowing is not enough to fix our medium and long term problems, to think so is the equivalent of putting a band aid on a mortal wound!

JB Nassau, May 28, 2020.

It’s time for leaders to improve performance EDITOR, The Tribune WHAT with the laxity of Iram Lewis’s grossly incorrect report on the availability of hurricane shelters in Family Islands, and Customs “not wanting to come in and clear arriving boats” at multiple marinas in Nassau, things seem to be running just as irresponsibly as usual.

It is to be hoped that an improvement in the performance of our leaders kicks in before the risk of allowing US citizens to enter the Bahamas without being tested results in an increase in COVID 19 infections.

CHRISTINA SMITH Nassau, June 16, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PAGE 7

Kravitz donates food vouchers worth $100k ROCK legend Lenny Kravitz recently donated $100,000 worth of food vouchers to people in need.

The Department of Social Services was tasked with distributing the food vouchers.

Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Frankie Campbell commended Mr Kravitz for the donation saying he hoped it inspired others with the means to do so to give back.

An award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and actor, Mr Kravitz made an initial donation of $50,000 in food vouchers to be distributed among those in need in New Providence and Grand Bahama. The donation was made through Mr Kravitz’s Let Love Rule Foundation.

Kim Sawyer, deputy director, Department of Social Services, spearheaded oversight of the distribution process.

She said officials focused on the most vulnerable populations -- the elderly, persons from the community of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic, non-communicable illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease – as they require special diets.

Mr Kravitz made a second donation of $50,000 in food vouchers to be equally distributed between “persons in need” in New Providence and those in his “beloved” Eleuthera.

Mr Kravitz is a descendent of the Bahamas and has a home in Eleuthera.

“The Bahamas is proud of Lenny’s many accomplishments, but we are even

more proud of the fact that with all that he has accomplished, he has not forgotten his origin; that he still takes time out to champion causes in the Bahamas; that he still takes time out to ensure that our tourism product gets the attention that is necessary to cause our numbers to increase,” Mr Campbell said.

“But that is not enough for him. He helps not just with his talents, but also with his time and treasure and that deserves our appreciation. It is our hope that this would inspire persons at home who are able to, and others in the Diaspora around the globe, to come back home, to look back home, to send back home any sort of assistance that will lighten the burden on some, and that will inspire others to be the best that they can be.”

Mr Campbell said Mr Kravitz was initially hesitant about receiving publicity surrounding the multiple donations.

“As a matter of fact, we had to almost force him to allow us to thank him publicly because he did not want to receive any kind of public accolades, but the Bahamian people needed to know that he is helping in more ways than one,” Mr Campbell said.

Mr Kravitz has officially served as the Ministry of Tourism’s brand ambassador since 2019, creatively collaborating and starring in the ministry’s ‘Fly Away’, ‘Still Rockin’ and ‘From The Bahamas With Love’ campaigns.

His foundation has also provided free oral care for Eleuthera residents who needed it.

BLUE LAGOON ISLAND TO RE-OPEN ON JULY 11

BLUE Lagoon Island will resume operations on July 11, following three months of closure. The top-rated private island destination has implemented “a comprehensive enhanced safety programme” to ensure that as local and international guests are welcomed back, every step is being taken to protect them, staff and animals, according to a press release.

“We have been hard at work during this unforeseen shut down to revamp our operation in accordance with local and international requirements and best practices as well as to provide assurance to our industry partners that they can recommend Blue Lagoon Island as an excursion to their clients,” said public relations manager Jessica Robertson.

“Providing peace of mind to all of our guests – both local and international – as well as to our staff members is our top priority. When we do resume operations, it will be done in a way that our guests and our partners have confidence and can trust that we have the

necessary protocols and measures in place.”

To prepare for reopening, management and staff have completed training, including the compliance training certificate programme from the Ministry of Tourism.

Prior to the reopening, team members will be back on the island for training on new safety measures and customer service in the new environment, the destination said. The company has engaged a local physician to offer further training on the safe use of personal protective equipment.

Safety measures include reduced guest capacity, increased sanitisation, masks required for all staff and guests in stipulated areas, temperature checks for staff and guests, relaxed sick day policy to encourage staff to stay home if not well, flexible cancellation policy, physical distancing markers, chairs and tables spaced to enable physical distancing, buffet removed per government regulation, hand sanitiser at boarding and stations throughout the welcome centre, open-air

ferries and Blue Lagoon Island, increased hand wash stations and cashless transactions only.

In its initial reopening phase, Blue Lagoon will be open to the public on Thursdays and Saturdays only. These days are subject to change based on demand.

In accordance with Bahamian law, all guests will be required to wear masks while on the open-air ferries, inside any buildings, retail outlets, restrooms, the photo and video lab and when walking inside the Shifting Tides restaurant and also in any other areas where physical distancing is not possible.

Ms Robertson said interest in bookings is already high and there have been lots of queries. “We are particularly excited to see so many Bahamians and residents reaching out for booking information,” she said. “The Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday morning that beaches can reopen on June 29 was met with tremendous excitement. A private island with many beautiful beaches,

‘CRUISE LINES ARE IN A BIND - STAY CLOSED AND DIE OR RE-OPEN AND DIE’ AFTER Downtown Nassau Partnership co-chair Charles Klonaris said the cruise lines’ decision not to resume sailing until September 15 is “a very serious blow” that may mean many small businesses “will not survive”, readers posted their responses on tribune242.com.

Thps said: “Sept even sounds optimistic to me.”

Proudloudandfnm posted this: “Cruise lines are in a real bind. Stay closed and die or re-open and die.

They can’t take another hit like the Grand Princess but at the same time they can’t remain closed. Lord, we need a vaccine . . .”

There was this from BahamaPundit: “The elephant in the room is that cruise ships, airlines and even hotels need to be completely redesigned with compartmentalised chambers and individual air flow systems to prevent the spread of this airborne virus between separate passengers and so that, if there is an incident, like with a

submarine, the infected compartment(s) can be sealed off from the remaining passenger areas. Think ice cube tray instead of gallon jug.”

Scott MacKenzie, chief executive of Cloud Carib, said The Bahamas and wider Caribbean must complete a 15-year transformation in just five years to catch up with the developed world in information technology, prompting this comment from Porcupine: “Advances in anything require learning and education. Anyone who has lived most anywhere else, realises that we are behind the times. Not just in technology, but in thinking. We don’t seem to value education. We don’t seem to value new ideas. We can’t seem to envision a better

world for our children.

Changing and advancing in technology is one thing. Bringing an entire population into maturity and education seems a much bigger, but necessary advance. There is a cycle of willful ignorance and lack of concern for others that must be broken before we make any other lasting changes. Just my observations, which will go into the garbage bin like everything else that makes any sense here. Yes, we have a long way to go with technology.

Learning simple arithmetic would be a grand start for our country.”

And there was this from Tetelestai: “I disagree that we are behind in ‘thinking’, Porcupine. The problem is that the thinkers are not in position to both think and implement that what is thought. We are behind in technology, though - so far behind that it is not even funny.”

Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

lifeguards, safety precautions in place, physical distancing enforced and a full range of activities and amenities to take advantage

of is exactly what people are looking for.

“Bahamians are seeking a safe place to gather with family and friends, celebrate

milestones that have happened during our collective shut down and get out and enjoy the beauty that our Bahamas offers.”

90 YEARS

ANNUAL

INVENTORY SALE Monday, June 22 to Saturday, June 27

20% Off

STOREWIDE Up to 30% Off

Selected 24 x 24” Floor Tiles

Up to 55% Off

Selected Kitchen & Bath Mosaics

30% Off

Selected Outdoor Tiles ALL SALES FINAL Visit our showroom or contact us for more details.

43 Dowdeswell Street, 322-2100 242-558-6741 sales@nassautile.com | www.nassautile.com Follow us on Social Media

PAGE 8, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The

Alicia Wallace column THE rules keep changing. We are getting some of what we asked for, but not all of it makes sense. It does not seem as though the decisions will be explained without a considerable amount of pressure. We are one week away from the opening of the borders to commercial flights yet the curfew remains in place, albeit it starts an hour later.

There are questions about the curfew and whether or not tourists will have to abide by it. What does social distancing on vacation look like? Will they be required to wear masks in the hotels? Will the size of their groups be restricted? How will violations be handled?

Importantly, what is being done to protect frontline workers in the tourism industry? They will come into contact with numerous people, exchanging greetings, money, keycards, products and invisible matter. How will we ensure they remain safe?

This is cause for concern as Jamaica had 14 new COVID-19 cases in one day last week, all imported from the US and we are watching as the numbers in Florida climb daily. Dr. Delon Brennen has said there are no policies to eliminate risk in letting people enter the country, so the focus is on minimising the risk.

It is a relief that the government has decided to require COVID-19 tests for any visitors entering The Bahamas. The tests are valid for ten days, so there is ample time for people to contract the virus before coming here. There is still a chance that asymptomatic people will come here and be in direct contact with us.

Should we assume the government has already assessed the risk and come to the conclusion that the health system can handle the repercussions? Has it accepted the fact that

COVID-19 is not going away any time soon? Perhaps the second wave is a foregone conclusion and it has been decided that we will do what we can for the economy while we can. We have, after all, managed to flatten the curve and present The Bahamas as a safe destination. We are left to hope that it will be safe for us too.

Restaurants are open for outdoor and indoor dining with 50 percent occupancy — with the exception of Arawak Cay restaurants for no conceivable reason — and beaches and parks will be open next week.

There is ample opportunity for people to congregate and be without masks for the majority of their outings. Why, then, do we still have a curfew? We know many people are now laid off or unemployed and there aren’t many opportunities to make money under the current conditions. We all know crime will increase as people become more desperate. Is the curfew an attempt to manage that?

If so, it would be respectful for the government to communicate this to us and stop expecting us to accept that it is directly related to the effort to contain COVID-19.

It has been interesting to observe the use of masks and the failure to use masks - in Parliament. Members of Parliament, if they were masks, remove them to speak. Those not speaking can be seen with no masks on. What makes them different? Are they not able to contract and pass on the virus, or do they simply not care? The emergency order does not seem to apply to them. We can watch Parliament proceedings or see clips on the news and the message is clear. The rules do not apply to everyone.

Masks are meant to protect us from each other. We should behave as though

THE TRIBUNE

Is the curfew still in place because we know the more desperate people become, crime will rise?

CLOSED beaches have been a common sight over the last few months.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff everyone we come into contact with has the virus. The masks should be treated as though they have trapped the virus. We are not supposed to touch them until we are able to immediately wash our hands. When we do touch them, it should be from the strings or elastic that secure them on our heads.

This needs to be made clear, in word and in example, so that people know what to do and what not to do.

Do not pull the mask down at the front. Do not wear the mask below the nose. Do not take the mask off to talk. Do not let the mask dangle from your ear. This may seem like common sense, but one trip to the bank or grocery store you will find that it is not common. In fact, security guards ask everyone entering financial institutions to “pull the mask down” and look into the camera before

being allowed to enter. This security measure seems reasonable, but we should not be touching the masks.

The same issue exists for dining in restaurants. We need direction on how this should be handled or an explanation of why it is suddenly safe to remove and replace our masks while in public space. We want the restrictions to be relaxed, yes, but it all needs to make sense.

POLICING AS WE KNOW IT IS JUST NOT WORKING WE HAVE had a policing problem for a long time. Recent stories have highlighted some of the issues. We are told body cameras and dashboard cameras are on the way.

We know there needs to be greater accountability from the Royal Bahamas Police Force. There are too many police-involved killings that are reported, but we rarely hear about investigations. It is left to bereaved family members to fight for answers about the deaths.

In an on-camera interview, the mother of a recent police shooting victim reported that his car was not turned over in the same condition in which it was taken from the scene. Most obvious were the missing windows.

Police say the occupants of the vehicle fired at them first, then police returned fire. The missing windows, of course, are cause for concern as they would have served as evidence of the direction of the bullets.

According to reports, police saw the car parked at a cemetery during a funeral.

When they approached, the car left. Police later saw the car through a corner and approached. There is no indication of the reason for officers’ interest in the vehicle nor its occupants. The mother of one of the occupants said they were known

to police and knew better than to fire at them.

When there are killings by police, the go-to excuse is always “officers were in fear for their lives”. It seems to make people think the police made the right decision. We do not talk about de-escalation. We don’t ask how police knew the victims or for records of their previous engagement.

We never get the full picture. We get the narrative of fearful police who reach for their weapons and fire, aiming to kill.

In the US there is sustained conversation about defunding and abolishing police. Many have come to the conclusion that policing doesn’t work. The entire system is flawed and beyond reform. The concept of defunding is about redirecting resources so that institutions with trained professionals can respond to calls. Social workers, health professionals, mental health experts, community workers and other underfunded and high-demand practitioners become first responders as they are trained to properly assess situations, de-escalate as needed, provide services and make referrals.

Police, on the other hand, are trained to see problems and want to eliminate them. Their framing of the

problem, however, makes the person the villain rather than recognising the challenge the person faces and working to address that challenge.

There is a reason people take their misbehaving children to the police station or threaten them with a visit. We are taught to fear police. We understand them to be brutes. They use force.

They can do whatever they want without consequence.

Children know this. We know this.

The sooner we realise this approach is not working for us, the better. It is time to design a different system.

We have the opportunity to learn from countries that have made changes already and our northern neighbours who are having important conversations that give us the opportunity to listen, research and contextualise.

Policing as we know it is not working. If it did, we would not have as many killings by police, roadblocks, people fined or locked up for breaking curfew, backlogged cases, or “no car available” responses when we call them for help.

For most of us, we have a few people we would call before we call the police because, on some level, we know there is a faster, safer, more reliable way.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Why we must beware Trump’s dangerous genius with language

By JENNIFER MERCIECA Associate Professor of Communication, Texas A&M University ALL leaders are demagogues. You may not realise this, because we’ve come to associate the word “demagogue” with only dangerous populist leaders. But in Greek, the word just means “leader of the people” (dēmos “the people” + agōgos “leading”).

Some demagogues are good, and some are dangerous. The fundamental difference between leaders who are good demagogues

and leaders who are dangerous demagogues is found in the answer to this simple question: Are they accountable for their words and actions?

Obviously, an unaccountable leader is dangerous in any political community.

Donald Trump is a demagogue – he’s a heroic demagogue to his followers, and he’s a dangerous demagogue to everyone else.

I’ve been analysing Trump’s rhetoric since 2015 and, despite how it may appear to some critics, Trump is a rhetorical genius. I describe why in my new book, “Demagogue

For President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump.”

He’s a genius at using rhetoric like a dangerous demagogue does, to prevent the country from holding him accountable.

Trump campaigned as an unaccountable leader.

He promised that he would fight for his followers and wouldn’t be accountable to established leaders in his party, the media, fact-checkers, political correctness or common standards of decency.

Trump has used six rhetorical strategies repeatedly since 2015. Three ingratiate

Trump with his followers, and three alienate Trump and his followers from everyone else. The effect is to unify his followers against everyone else and to make Trump the fulcrum for all political discussion and debate.

All of the strategies are used to set the nation’s agenda, distract the nation’s attention and frame how we understand reality.

Trump’s ingratiating strategies Ad populum: appealing to the wisdom of the crowd, using popularity as the measure of value.

Dangerous demagogues have no power if they have no followers, so they use ad populum to solidify their base and wield their supporters as a cudgel against opponents.

Trump routinely praises his people as the smartest, best, most patriotic, hardest-working Americans. They are great and good, and everyone else is not. For example, when he claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters,” that was an ad populum appeal about the loyalty of Trump’s base.

Trump’s ad populum appeal was designed to silence his Never Trump critics while distracting attention away from their central criticism of him: that he was a populist, not a real conservative.

Popularity (crowds, opinion polls, ratings, votes) is the only sign of value to Trump.

Conservativism itself has no value unless it is popular.

Paralipsis: I’m not saying; I’m just saying.

Dangerous demagogues use paralipsis because it gives them plausible deniability to assert that they didn’t actually say some controversial thing or that they were merely joking or being sarcastic.

Trump uses this strategy to spread rumor and innuendo and to give a “backstage” or “real” view of what he supposedly really thinks. It is rewarding for Trump because it allows him to say two things at once, without being held accountable.

For example, Trump repeatedly amplified racist white nationalist content on his Twitter feed while denying that he agreed with them.

“I don’t know about retweeting,” Trump told Jake Tapper. “You retweet somebody and they turn out to be white supremacists. I know nothing about these groups that are supporting me.”

He also claimed that there was a difference between tweeting something and retweeting

something, refusing to take responsibility for his retweets.

His retweets functioned as a paralipsis: It allowed him to say and not say and provided him with the out of plausible deniability.

American exceptionalism: This refers to America’s unique role in the world, simplified

by Trump as “America winning.”

Dangerous demagogues use American exceptionalism to take advantage of their followers’ patriotism and feelings of national pride for the demagogue’s gain.

Trump presents himself as the apotheosis of American exceptionalism and claims that he is the heroic figure who can make America great again by defeating corruption and conspiracy.

Trump will win for Trump’s people – he’s their hero.

For example, Trump claimed that he was uniquely qualified to “drain the swamp” of corruption. His campaign presented a hero narrative of sacrifice and struggle.

He had been “the ultimate insider,” he claimed, but once he decided to run for president and make America great again, he had been purified. As “the ultimate outsider” Trump would “drain the swamp” and end corruption. He said that it would be easy for him to do.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets supporters after his rally on August 21, 2015 in Mobile, Alabama. Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images Trump’s alienating strategies Ad hominem: attacking the person instead of their argument.

Dangerous demagogues use ad hominem appeals to mock and delegitimise legitimate opposition.

Trump routinely attacks people with name-calling, appeals to hypocrisy and insults to distract the nation away from criticisms made about him. He uses these strategies to avoid accountability by undermining the legitimacy of his opposition.

For example, he mocked a reporter with a physical disability. Trump did this to distract attention from his misrepresentation of events on 9/11 by arguing that the reporter’s memory was as impaired as his body. This allowed Trump to claim that his version of history was the only truth, without actually proving that his version of history was accurate.

Ad baculum: threats of force or intimidation.

Dangerous demagogues use ad baculum to change the subject of debate and use force to silence legitimate opposition.

Trump silences his

opposition by threatening them with mean tweets, violent mobs and condoning, or refusing to condemn, violence conducted in his name.

For example, he used threats and appeals to fear when he repeatedly told his supporters that Hillary Clinton was determined to take away their guns, leaving them defenseless against rapists and murders. When he accepted the National Rifle Association’s endorsement, he threatened, “If she gets to appoint her judges she will, as part of it, abolish the Second Amendment.” If that happened, Trump threatened, then gun owners would lose “any chance they have of survival.” treating Reification: people as objects.

Dangerous demagogues use reification to position opposition as less than human, thereby denying their standing to criticise or object. Reification is traditionally a part of war rhetoric or genocide.

Trump undermines his opposition by treating them as objects – things, animals – rather than as people.

Objects shouldn’t have the same rights as people, so it makes Trump’s enemies easy to dismiss and attack.

For example, he treated Muslim refugees as dangerous enemy objects masquerading as people – as a “Trojan horse” that would unleash “a 200,000-man army, maybe. Or 50,000 or 80,000 or 100,000.” The refugees weren’t people in need of help; they were an army pretending to be people, dangerous because they were determined to attack America.

Denying the humanity of the refugees made it easier to deny them refuge, which is precisely what Trump proposed doing with his Muslim ban.

Words as weapons Did Trump “have the best words,” as he once claimed?

Hardly. His words are weapons, well calculated to attack our public sphere by increasing distrust, polarisation and frustration – making it more difficult to solve political problems.

Trump was so successful in using dangerous demagogic rhetoric that no one could hold him accountable for his words and actions during the 2016 campaign or since. He uses rhetoric to gain compliance rather than for persuasion – he deploys language as force, or as a “counterpunch,” as he likes to explain.

Trump’s rhetorical strategies correspond to how authoritarians have historically eroded democracy, which is why his rhetoric is so dangerous. theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PAGE 11

BILL COSBY APPEAL WILL TEST SCOPE OF #METOO PROSECUTIONS PHILADELPHIA Associated Press

Supreme Court has agreed to review two aspects of the case, including the judge’s decision to let prosecutors call the other accusers to testify about long-ago encounters with the actor and comedian. Cosby’s lawyers have long complained the testimony is remote and unreliable.

The court will also consider, as it weighs the scope of the evidence allowed, whether the jury should have heard Cosby’s own deposition testimony about getting quaaludes to give women in the past.

Secondly, the court will examine Cosby’s argument that he had an agreement with a former

In a stunning decision that could test the legal framework of #MeToo cases, Pennsylvania’s highest court will review the trial decision to let five other accusers testify at Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial in 2018, which ended with the longtime TV star’s conviction.

Cosby, 82, has been imprisoned in suburban Philadelphia for nearly two years after a jury convicted him of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home in 2004. He’s serving a three- to 10-year sentence. The

prosecutor that he would never be charged in the case. Cosby, pictured, has said he relied on the alleged promise before agreeing to give the deposition in trial accuser Andrea Constand’s lawsuit.

Those issues have been at the heart of the case since Cosby was charged in December 2015, days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired. Prosecutors in Philadelphia had reopened the case that year after The Associated Press fought to unseal portions of Cosby’s decade-old deposition in

Constand’s sex assault and defamation lawsuit. Cosby paid $3.4 million to settle the lawsuit in 2006.

Cosby, in the deposition, acknowledged a string of extramarital relationships. He called them consensual, but many of the women say they were drugged and molested. Dozens came forward in the years that followed to accuse Cosby, long beloved as “America’s Dad” because of his hit 1980s sitcom, of sexual misconduct. Montgomery County Judge Steven O’Neill allowed just one of them to testify

at Cosby’s first trial in 2017, which ended with an acquittal.

But a year later, after the #MeToo movement exploded in the wake of reporting on Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and other powerful men, the judge allowed five other accusers to testify at the retrial. The jury convicted Cosby on all three felony sex-assault counts.

Lawyer Brian W Perry argued in the appeal that letting other accusers testify in #MeToo cases “flips constitutional jurisprudence on its head, and the ‘presumption of guilt,’ rather than the presumption of innocence, becomes the premise.”

MOURNERS PAY TRIBUTE TO RAYSHARD BROOKS ATLANTA Associated Press SCORES of mourners yesterday paid their final respects to Rayshard Brooks at the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. used to preach, taking part in a funeral filled with historical echoes and a tragic sense that Black America has been through this all too many times before.

“Rayshard Brooks is the latest high-profile casualty in the struggle for justice and a battle for the soul of America. This is about him, but it is so much bigger than him,” the Rev Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, told the crowd, less than two weeks after the black man was shot twice in the back by a white Atlanta police officer following a struggle

in a fast-food parking lot.

Warnock recited a long list of names of black people who died at the hands of police in recent years, including Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Philando Castile and George Floyd, lamenting: “Sadly we’ve gotten too much practice at this.”

Brooks’ widow, Tomika Miller, dressed in white, sat surrounded by family and friends. Former state lawmaker Stacey Abrams and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, both of whom have been mentioned as potential running mates for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, were among the mourners.

Most people dressed all in white, while some wore T-shirts with Brooks’ picture. Nearly everyone had masks on against the coronavirus.

A MUSICIAN plays music near the hearse carying the casket of Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta yesterday

Trump: We should learn from history WASHINGTON Associated Press AS AMERICA grapples with racism in its past, President Donald Trump yesterdsy lined up squarely with those who argue that the pendulum has swung too far in favor of removing statues and other symbols of that flawed history, saying mistakes will be repeated if not learned from and understood.

Trump’s campaign also sees the divide over this latest cultural flash point as a way to boost the president’s standing, which has suffered during his handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the protests over racial injustice that followed George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

After weeks spent demanding “law and order” in response to the protests sparked by Floyd’s death

by police, Trump began to draw a line in the sand.

He promised executive action to protect monuments after some statues of Confederates and other historical figures with checkered life stories were angrily brought down from parks and other places of public prominence.

Trump said he wants the maximum punishment available under federal law — up to a decade in prison — for those who destroy or tamper with statues on public property that commemorate anyone who served in the US military. He said the executive order would “reinforce” existing law.

“We are looking at long-term jail sentences for these vandals and these hoodlums and these anarchists and agitators,” Trump said, referring to protesters who have vented their anger over racial

injustice by toppling statues of figures tied to America’s racist history.

He spoke out after an attempt on Monday night to bring down a Lafayette Park statue of Andrew Jackson, one of Trump’s favourite presidents, was foiled by police in the park across from the White House. Trump called it a “sneak attack” on the statue of Jackson, who owned slaves and was ruthless in his treatment of Native Americans.

“We should learn from the history,” he told Fox News in a taped interview. “And if you don’t understand your history, you will go back to it again.”

Trump’s campaign sees the attempts to remove statues as a potential presidential lifeline.

The campaign argues that liberals are dramatically overreaching by embracing calls to “defund

the police” and remove statues of American icons taught in history books.

Trump’s prior defence of Confederate statues and military bases named after such figures amounted to a political risk in the current climate. But aides now believe the president has found an unexpected new attack line against Democrats as the effort to remove symbols has spread in some places to include the likes of Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Jackson and George Washington.

Though all three figures were flawed individuals, Trump’s campaign believes he can use them to wage a culture war and position the president as the defender of a way of life that is threatened by demographic change and generational shifts in views on issues from marriage to racial justice.

OBAMA RAISES $7.6M FOR JOE BIDEN CAMPAIGN WASHINGTON Associated Press FORMER President Barack Obama warned Democrats against being “complacent or smug” about the presidential race at a grassroots fundraiser for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden yesterday, calling on viewers to learn the lessons from 2016 and not take the election for granted.

Referencing what he called a “great awakening” going on among younger Americans pushing for reforms, Obama said that “just because this energy is out there does not mean that it assures our victory and it does not mean that it gets channeled in a way that results in real change.”

The fundraiser marked Obama’s official return to the presidential campaign trail with Biden saying it raised a record-breaking $7.6 million from more than 175,000 individual donors.

NO CHARGES IN NASCAR NOOSE INCIDENT INVOLVING WALLACE Associated Press

POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE HITS SOUTHERN MEXICO

MEXICO CITY Associated Press

A POWERFUL earthquake centered near the southern Mexico resort of Huatulco killed at least four people, swayed buildings in Mexico City and sent thousands fleeing into the streets.

Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said one person was killed and another injured in a building collapse in Huatulco, Oaxaca.

Otherwise he said reports were

of minor damage from the magnitude 7.4 quake, including broken windows and collapsed walls. Oaxaca Gov. Alejandro Murat later said a second person was killed in an apparent house collapse in the tiny mountain village of San Juan Ozolotepec.

Federal civil defence authorities reported two more deaths: a worker at the state-run oil company, Pemex, fell to his death from a refinery structure, and a man died in the Oaxaca village of San Agustin Amatengo when a wall fell on him.

Pemex also said the quake caused a fire at its refinery in the Pacific coast city of Salina Cruz, relatively near the epicentre. It said one worker was injured and the flames were quickly extinguished.

Churches, bridges and highways also suffered damage during the quake.

López Obrador said there had been more than 140 aftershocks, most of them small.

Helicopters flew over downtown Mexico City and police patrols sounded their sirens.

THE noose found hanging in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway had been there since at least last October, federal authorities said yesterday in announcing there will be no charges filed in an incident that rocked NASCAR and its only fulltime black driver.

US Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said an investigation determined “although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.”

A crew member for Richard Petty Motorsports discovered the noose on Sunday at the Alabama race track. NASCAR was alerted and contacted the FBI, which sent 15 agents to the track to investigate.

They determined no federal crime was committed.

The statement said the garage stall was assigned to Wallace last week in advance of the race scheduled for Sunday but held on Monday because of rain. Through video confirmed by NASCAR it was

discovered the noose”was in that garage as early as October 2019.”

The agencies said the evidence did not support federal charges.

Wallace successfully pushed the stock car series to ban the Confederate flag at its venues less than two weeks ago. There has been criticism of the ban by some longtime fans and security had been stepped up for Wallace, a 26-year-old Alabama native who has worn in the last month a shirt over his firesuit that read “I Can’t Breathe.” His paint scheme for a race in Virginia was Black Lives Matter.

NASCAR said in a statement that “the FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall.

This was obviously well before the 43 team’s arrival and garage assignment.”

The Wood Brothers Racing team said one of its employees informed the team he recalled “seeing a tied handle in the garage pull down rope from last fall,” when NASCAR raced at Talladega in October.

The team said it immediately alerted NASCAR and assisted the investigation.

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020

MLB, PAGE 16

BOC makes good on promise regarding athletes’ welfare

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

fter making an announcement last month that they have formed a committee to assist developing athletes, the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) has made good on its promise through its newly-formed Athletes Welfare Commission.

The Athletes Welfare Commission, headed by Roy Colebrook, one of the vice presidents of the BOC, was mandated to assist athletes from all disciplines to reach their full potentials in preparation for local, regional and international competitions.

The assistance, which will account to about $30,000, will not be available to professional athletes or those who are under contracts with companies such as Adidas, Puma and Nike, according to BOC President Romell Knowles.

“Fortunately, there are athletes already on Olympic scholarships, and some who have government subventions,” Knowles said.

“So, there is a level of support already for some athletes. But these commission grants are for other athletes who have less support available to them. The assistance to the athletes will depend on their specific needs.”

Knowles noted that if there is an over subscription of athletes for the $30,000, then the BOC will look at it in a case-by-case for each athlete.

This is the first of an ongoing process in which the BOC will provide assistance to the athletes through the Welfare Committee, which will now receive a budget to support the athletes each year.

Applicants in this initial process have until July 3 to have their applications returned to the BOC. Successful applicants will be notified within three weeks of the application deadline.

Knowles noted that the immediate support

is intended to assist athletes who are still eligible to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, which has been postponed and is now scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

“There are any number of needs that an athlete would have on the road to a qualifying event,” said Knowles.

“Whether it is equipment, transportation, dietary supplements or some other resource, the athletes are facing tremendous obstacles to be in the best position to compete.

“The Commission’s job is to look at the applications and assist as best we can, the best ways the BOC can help relieve some of those burdens.”

Athletes on a case-bycase basis will be able to apply for assistance that would be a contribution toward their training and preparation for the games.

Knowles noted that the national sports federations will be the point of contact for athletes. They will have access to applications through their national governing body.

Once an athlete has completed an application, it must be endorsed by the federation and returned to the BOC through the federation.

With the Bahamas riding out the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, like other ministries, saw a cut in the funding allocated in the government’s 2020/2021 budget that was just passed in the House of Assembly.

In those cuts, subventions to athletes is also expected to be reduced.

Knowles was agitating for the ministry to keep the athletes’ subvention at the figures they were before COVID-19.

In her contribution to the budget debate, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle informed the nation that every effort would be made to assist the athletes.

Knowles, however, said the BOC was hard pressed

SUMMER CAMP IN MEMORY OF WEBB, SMITH

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ROMELL KNOWLES, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee to assist, thus the formation of the Athletes Welfare Commission.

While the figures are nowhere near what the athletes would receive from their subventions, Knowles claimed that they are delighted to be able to assist them in some small way in these hard economic times.

Some athletes, who are based in the United States where they are training,

have indicated that they are in need of assistance as they are also affected by the decline in the American economy where thousands of persons have been laid off or suffered job losses as a result of COVID-19.

With the border expected to open up on July 1 for international travel to and from the United States, some of the athletes claim that they will

be forced to return home until the economy picks up again.

In addition to that, the United States is going through a resurgence of the coronavirus in the majority of their cities and there is an ongoing protest for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign in wake of the death of African American George Floyd by a white policeman in Minnesota on May 24.

VERSATILE athlete Jonique ‘Mini’ Webb and veteran coach Sherman Smith, who both passed away this year, will be remembered with a girls’ and boys’ summer camp presented by the Diamond Basketball development programme.

Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney, the director of the programme which was initiated in 1994 and was under the radar until 1998 when it became public, announced plans for the camp, scheduled for Monday, July 14 to Friday, August 14 at the Hope Centre basketball court.

The intense training sessions will be conducted daily from 9am to noon for girls between the ages of eight and 16 and from 1-4pm for boys 8-12.

McSweeney revealed that the programme was started in 1984 to assist with the development of the Suns’ girls basketball programme at Temple Christian.

At the time, McSweeney’s daughter, Tamara Diamond McSweeney, was playing for Temple Christian.

McSweeney, however, said after he saw her potential in track and field, he moved her to St Augustine’s College, but she opted to play basketball for the Big Red Machine until she graduated in 2006.

Sweeney recalled how he got a call from Jordan Prince Williams to assist their Falcons girls’ basketball team where he got to work with Webb.

He said he accepted the offer because coach Hattie Moxey along with coach Shayne Sweeting at St Anne’s School were the only two to bring their players into the Diamond Basketball programme.

Webb was a former member of the Falcons junior girls’ team and McSweeney got a chance to coach her at Jordan Prince Williams as a member of the senior team against his daughter and her Big Red

SEE PAGE 15

Spencer Cartwright ‘a top-level international sailor’ THE Bahamas National Sailing School (BNSS) is pleased to introduce Spencer Cartwright as a top-level international sailor who began his impressive sailing career with the BNSS at the age of eight.

He developed a love for the sport and through hard work, discipline and determination achieved the many extraordinary goals he had set for himself.

He has won more junior national championships in the Optimist Dinghy Class than any other sailor in The Bahamas - four to be precise.

He is currently our reigning Laser National Champion (open event, not junior). From the time he started to sail he was always in the top ranks of the classes in which he participated, the main ones being the Laser, Snipe and Sunfish classes in addition to the Optimist Class.

He has made us proud by having represented The Bahamas internationally at major world and regional events, such as Laser Junior

World Championships, Optimist World Championships, World Sailing Youth Championships, and Central America & Caribbean Games.

Spencer made it on to the Roger Williams University sailing team in the first year of attending the college and is today captain of the team – one of the top sailing colleges in the USA. His next major goal is to represent The Bahamas in the 2024 Olympic Games in the Laser Class.

When asked about what inspired him about sailing and how he benefitted from the sport and being a part of BNSS, Spencer put his thoughts in the following statement: “My name is Spencer Cartwright and I grew up sailing on Montagu Bay in Nassau, The Bahamas.

These past two months in lockdown might be amongst the longest periods I’ve gone without touching the water since I began sailing at the age of eight.

“Needless to say I really enjoy the sport. In fact, this

SPENCER Cartwright began his impressive sailing career at the age of eight. intense passion has led me to continue sailing in college as a member of the Roger Williams University sailing team and even sparked aspirations of sailing in the Olympic Games.

“I often don’t like to admit it but more often than not your mother does know best. Despite my protest, she enrolled me in

the BSA’s summer camp.

However, the second the wind hit my sails I knew it was for me. The opportunity to steer my own boat on the open water was both empowering and freeing as there were no boundaries or lanes to confine me. It brought me a new sense of individualism and responsibility. Yet,

the deciding factor for me to join the year round programme were the amazing friends that I had made that summer.

“The best thing about the BSA, BNSS, and the sport of sailing in general is the people they attract.

If you continue sailing you are bound to develop valuable relationships with

interesting people from all across the world because the sailing community is so uniquely small and close knit.

“There’s tons of other sports to choose from and though I could have excelled in other sports, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Sailing has truly made me the person I am today and even contributed to my success both academically and socially.

“If I read that last sentence as a young kid I probably would’ve rolled my eyes and said it was just ‘irrelevant mushyness.’

“Yet as an adult I truly believe it’s true. Each competition begins even before your boat touches the water. You must be responsible to take care of your boat so it is in racing condition every day after practice. Then you must be prepared by making sure all of your rigging is in the best setting for the conditions.

“Once the racing begins you enter a battle where

SEE PAGE 15

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PAGE 13

KARATE WORLDS POSTPONED

BY ONE YEAR TO 2021

By The Associated Press THE latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___

SERBIA’S NOVAK DJOKOVIC, centre, poses with volunteers and players after the Adria Tour charity tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sunday, June 14. Djokovic’s charity tennis exhibition series combined with an overall softening of coronavirus restrictions in Serbia has led to a spike in the number the positive cases among professional athletes. Two tennis players ranked among the top 40 in the world and five players at Serbia’s biggest soccer club have tested positive for the virus after being involved in sporting events where fans packed into the stands and social distancing was not enforced.

(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Djokovic tests positive for coronavirus

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC Associated Press BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic announced yesterday he and his wife have COVID-19 after he played in a series of exhibition matches he organised in Serbia and Croatia with zero social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Raising questions about the fullfledged return of tennis, including the US Open, planned for August, Djokovic — who stands third in the history of men’s tennis with 17 Grand Slam titles — is the fourth player to test positive for the illness after participating in the matches held in Belgrade and Zadar, Croatia.

The others were three-time Grand Slam semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki.

“Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with. I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume lives the way they were,” Djokovic said in a statement released Tuesday.

“I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope that it will not complicate anyone’s health situation and that everyone will be fine.”

Djokovic has been in the news frequently in connection to the COVID-19 outbreak, which led to the suspension of the ATP and WTA professional tennis tours in March. Plans were announced last week for the sport’s sanctioned events to return in August.

In April, he was criticised for saying he would not want to take a vaccine for the virus in order to be able to compete, even if it were mandatory for travel.

In May, when he was staying in Spain, Djokovic broke local lockdown rules by practicing at a tennis club about a week before it was allowed.

SERBIAN tennis player Novak Djokovic, left, talks to children in Zadar, Croatia, on June 18. Djokovic has tested positive for the coronavirus after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia.

(AP Photo/Zvonko Kucelin) More recently, Djokovic complained about the US Tennis Association’s plans to try to protect people from the virus during the US Open with such measures as limiting the size of players’ entourages, going so far as to say he didn’t know whether he would go to the tournament in New York.

The US Open is scheduled to begin August 31 without spectators, and the French Open — postponed from May — is supposed to start September 27.

Djokovic found himself defending the lax arrangements of his Adria Tour exhibitions, which were meant to raise money to help those affected by the pandemic but where the stands were packed and players casually interacted with

fans and each other off the court.

Djokovic and other players were seen hugging each other and partying in night clubs and restaurants.

After Dimitrov said he tested positive over the weekend, the final of the competition in Croatia — in which Djokovic was supposed to play — was cancelled.

Next week’s tour stop in Bosnia has been called off, too.

Croatia has 2,336 registered cases of the virus, with 107 deaths.

Serbia has recorded about 13,000 cases and 263 deaths. “It was all born with a philanthropic idea, to direct all raised funds towards people in need and it warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded to this,” Djokovic said. “We organised the

tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met.”

Both Serbia and Croatia lifted most of the lockdowns and other restrictions ahead of the elections held in Serbia last Sunday and to be held in Croatia on July 5.

Opposition in Croatia has questioned whether the vote in Croatia should go ahead and whether Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his government should self-isolate after he briefly met with Djokovic in Zadar during the tournament.

Djokovic, who is not showing symptoms of COVID-19, said he will remain in self-isolation for 14 days.

THIS year’s karate world championships have been postponed for one year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The World Karate Federation says the championships will now take place from November 16-21, 2021, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The governing body says “the well-being and safety of competitors and fans could not be ensured amid the ongoing epidemic of COVID-19.”

Karate was set to make its debut at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo but that event has also been postponed by a year.

The karate worlds are held every two years. The scheduled 2022 event has also been put back one year to 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. ___ CALEB Paine, the only American sailor to win a medal in the last two Olympics, says he’s ending his campaign for the postponed Tokyo Games to focus on the America’s Cup. Paine, of San Diego, rallied to win bronze in the Finn class at the 2016 Rio Games. It came after the Americans were shut out of the medals at London four years earlier.

He says he’s been talking with family members and mentors since the Tokyo Games were postponed a year due to COVID-19 and calls it a “very difficult decision.” ___ FIVE more Baylor athletes have tested positive for COVID-19, making it eight positives from among 109 tests conducted in the process of returning to campus for voluntary workouts and conditioning.

There was no breakdown by sport, but the school said of the eight athletes who tested positive, four were showing symptoms and the other four were asymptomatic. Some of the 109 athletes tested so far weren’t yet at the Texas school.

After reporting three positive results among 59 tests last week, Baylor’s updated numbers Monday included five new positives among 50 tests.

Under Baylor’s prevention and response protocols, including current CDC guidelines, the athletes who tested positive went into self-isolation.

Other athletes identified by contact tracing as having potential direct exposure are being instructed to self-quarantine.

7 MORE PAKISTAN CRICKETERS HAVE VIRUS, RAISING TOTAL TO 10

By RIZWAN ALI AND STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writers SEVEN more Pakistan cricketers tested positive for the coronavirus yesterday, raising the total to 10 of the squad to tour England.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan remained confident the tour will go ahead as planned. Pakistan will leave on Sunday, as scheduled, for England, minus the 10 players and one staff member who have to self-isolate at home. None of them are showing symptoms.

An extended squad of 29 players was chosen for the three tests and three Twenty20s, and Khan said it was fortunate that the entire test squad barring Mohammad Rizwan tested negative. After quarantine,

Rizwan should be available for the test series due to open the tour in August.

“The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June,” Khan said on a video call.

The seven infected players were fast bowlers Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hasnain and Imran Khan, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, and spinner Kashif Bhatti. Also testing positive was a staff member, masseur Malang Ali. From the first batch of testing, players Haider Ali, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf tested positive on Monday.

Pakistan had four reserve players and Khan said coach Misbah-ul-Haq will

get them tested also this week.

As soon as the 10 cricketers and one staff member test negative, they will be flown to England on a commercial airline, Khan said.

The rest will gather in Lahore on Thursday and will undergo a second round of testing on Friday.

Those who remain negative will leave for Manchester on a chartered flight on Sunday.

Within 24 hours of arriving in England, they will be tested by the England and Wales Cricket Board medical panel.

The Pakistan squad will undergo testing at least five times before the first test in early August.

The latest positive tests shouldn’t stop the tour, England director of cricket Ashley Giles said yesterday.

Giles, speaking before the eight new positives, said the situation was a “concern” but the tour was not currently in doubt.

“We are far enough away from the start of the test series to not worry about that too much at the moment,” Giles said on a video call.

“This is the difference with international sport.

We need to get our opposition in (the) country.

Anything that puts that at risk or in danger is clearly a problem.”

The coronavirus is spreading in Pakistan at one of the fastest rates in the world, with new cases in the country leaping from around 2,000-3,000 a day in late May to up to 6,800 a day in mid-June.

On Tuesday, Pakistan reported 105 new

COVID-19 deaths and the total cases in a country of 220 million has risen to 185,034.

Pakistan has warned that cases of infections could hit a stunning 1.2 million by the end of July if Pakistanis continue to flout even the most basic precautions like mask wearing.

Giles acknowledged there was a risk that the upcoming three-match series against the West Indies, scheduled to take place in July in isolation in Southampton and Manchester, could be the only test cricket played in England this summer.

“All of this has uncertainty still, even to any degree the West Indies series, because we know how fast moving this situation has been around the world,” he said.

“We have been very careful at every step. Do we really know what’s around the corner? No. The bubble at the Ageas Bowl (in Southampton) and Old Trafford (in Manchester), that’s why we are trying to create environments that mitigate as much risk as we possibly can.”

Dr Sohail Saleem, the Pakistan Cricket Board director of medical and sports sciences, said on Monday that touring England was a “big risk” but necessary to help the country get through the crisis.

Giles agreed.

“There are far more important things going on than sport,” he said. “But we are hopeful that if we can get international sport on, it will be a real fillip (boost) for many people around the world.”

PAGE 14, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

AGUERO TO SEE SPECIALIST IN SPAIN ABOUT ‘DAMAGED’ KNEE

AN EMPTY Parkview Field minor league baseball stadium is viewed in downtown Fort Wayne, Ind. on April 8. Minor league umpires are out of jobs so far and maybe all year with no minor league seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP)

MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS SUE INSURANCE PROVIDERS OVER DENIED VIRUS CLAIMS

By JAKE SEINER AP Sports Writer FIFTEEN minor league baseball teams have filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract by insurance providers after being denied claims for business-interruption insurance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Major League Baseball announced Monday that it will attempt to play a 60-game regular season, but its minor league clubs — many under threat of losing affiliations amid negotiations with MLB — are unlikely to play until at least 2021.

Minor league franchises said in the suit filed yesterday that even though they continue to pay yearly premiums to insurance providers for businessinterruption insurance, they have been denied coverage after Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred indefinitely suspended their seasons in March.

Minor league teams are mostly small, independently owned businesses, and their model depends on affiliates receiving players, coaches and other team personnel provided by major league clubs.

Government restrictions

on mass gatherings are also precluding minor league teams from hosting fans at their ballparks, by far the greatest source of revenues for those franchises.

Over 40 million fans attended minor league games involving 176 affiliates last season.

The suit claims teams are stuck with over $2 million in expenses on average, including as much as $1 million in ballpark lease payments, marketing costs, food and beverage supplies, and salaries and benefits for permanent employees. Teams say providers are citing two

reasons for denying claims — because losses are not resulting from direct physical loss or damage to property, or because policies include language excluding coverage for loss or damage caused by viruses.

Teams say the loss of use of their ballparks due to government restrictions on fan gatherings and their inability to obtain players qualifies as physical loss. They allege the latter clause is void because it’s unenforceable and inapplicable.

The likely loss of the 2020 season comes at an

already challenging time for the minors.

The Professional Baseball Agreement between MLB and minor league team owners is set to expire after this season, and MLB proposed reducing the guarantee minimum of affiliates from 160 to 120.

The suit, filed in US District Court in Philadelphia, names Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co., Acadia Insurance Co., National Casualty Co., Scottsdale Indemnity Co., and Scottsdale Insurance Co. as defendants.

Defendants didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Short season, no summer ball make staying sharp a challenge

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer IF all had gone as he hoped, Elijah Cabell and his Florida State teammates would have been playing for the College World Series championship this week.

Instead, Cabell treks to a ballfield in his neighbourhood in Winter Park, Florida, most days to work on his game in solitude.

He hits baseballs off a tee into a net. He plays long toss by himself, throwing balls out to a fence until his bucket is empty, picking them up and doing it again.

Sometimes his grandpa throws batting practice and they play catch.

Other times, guys he grew up with stop by and hit him flyballs and grounders. “You have to improvise,” the Seminoles’ outfielder said. “That’s what I’ve been doing, staying socially distanced and having fun doing my own thing.”

College players across the country have been mostly idle since their seasons abruptly ended in mid-March as the nation began feeling the full impact of COVID-19.

They went home, took their classes online and were left to their own devices for strength and conditioning and baseball training. Though coaches stay in contact and give them programmes to follow, players might not get the full benefit because gyms in their hometowns have been closed. Opportunities to get live at-bats or to face live batters are limited because most summer leagues are shut down.

Clemson coach Monte Lee said his staff’s primary concern has been figuring

out how to reintroduce the rhythm of baseball life to players when they return to campus, hopefully in August.

Players have said they expect fall practices to be more intense and competitive because everyone will be eager to go after the layoff.

Not so fast, Lee said.

He has studied how NFL and Major League Baseball teams have prepared their players to return after seasons have been paused because of labour disputes, the closest comparison he can find to the pandemic.

Ramping up should not be a quick process, Lee said, because dormant players are estimated to expend less than half the energy they normally would each day because of pandemic restrictions keeping them at home.

Lee said Clemson probably will spend eight weeks this fall simply reintroducing the fundamentals of practicing and proceed slowly in weight training.

“We’re basically going to start from ground zero,” he said. “We’ll make sure they’re ready to play baseball before we start playing baseball. Everybody is going to be gung-ho about getting right back in and playing baseball again, but if we do that, I’m afraid we’re going to have a spike in injuries.”

Meanwhile, some of the nation’s top players do their best to stay sharp.

Oregon State second baseman Jake Dukart and his brother, Thomas, who will join the Beavers as an outfielder in the fall, lift and do baseball drills together and their dad throws batting practice at a field near their house.

Minnesota second baseman Zack Raabe works

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel to Barcelona to assess the extent of a left knee injury.

The club’s all-time leading scorer hobbled off at the end of the first half of City’s 5-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Monday.

The Argentina striker posted on Twitter that scans taken yesterday “confirmed that I have damaged my left knee.”

“It’s a pity,” Aguero said, “but I’m in good spirits and so focused to come back as soon as possible.”

City didn’t give a time frame for Aguero’s return, saying in a short statement the striker would be seeing Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona.

Aguero’s absence leaves City with just one recognised striker, Gabriel Jesus, as the team works to negotiate its way through a hectic schedule following the resumption of soccer after the coronavirus outbreak.

City has eight more league games to play before the Premier League finishes on July 26 and is also in the FA Cup, which resumes at the quarterfinal stage next weekend.

City is also still involved in the Champions League, which will restart at the last-16 stage in August.

The team leads Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg in Spain.

TORONTO RAPTORS GETTING READY FOR NBA RESTART

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

FLORIDA State NCAA college baseball outfielder Elijah Cabell (19) bats against the University of Cincinnati on February 21. If all had gone as he hoped, Cabell and his Florida State teammates would be playing for the College World Series championship this week. Instead, Cabell treks to a ball field in his neighborhood in Winter Park, Florida, most days to work on his game in solitude.

(AP) out at a family friend’s get their bodies back to Gators’ only loss, and the home gym in Forest Lake, 100 per cent and not tear Seminoles expected to conMinnesota, and has his dad up their bodies like they tend for a second straight throw BP in a cage set up would in a regular season.’ trip to the CWS in Omaha, in another friend’s pole You can attack things you Nebraska. want to work on.”

Cabell led the team with barn.

Raabe, Fabian and seven home runs and 28 Florida outfielder Jud Fabian takes BP in a cage Cabell said they are lucky RBIs. He was draft-eligiin his family’s attic and because they found teams ble, but when he wasn’t catches fly balls in a vacant to join for a short summer selected he began pointing toward 2021 with the lot behind his house in season.

Raabe will be with Seminoles.

Ocala, Florida, prompting In addition to playneighbours to call the Fabi- Green Bay in the Northwoods League. Fabian ing with the TNXL team, ans “the sandlot family.”

Ohio State pitcher Seth accepted a spot with Cabell will keep doing Lonsway splits his time Orlando in the Florida Col- his rudimentary drills at between Columbus and his legiate Summer League. his neighbourhood field, hometown of Celina, Ohio, Florida State’s Cabell is on occasionally drive the 30 and drives to a Cincinnati- a team formed on the fly by minutes to Ocoee to take area training facility twice the TNXL Baseball Acad- BP and do yoga or bodyweight workouts. a week. He also goes back emy in Ocoee, Florida.

Dukart and Lonsway The rest of the time he to his high school to do additional work. Lonsway had planned to be in the spends enjoying his family, said the down time is not Cape Cod League before it doing jigsaw puzzles, fishcancelled its season for the ing, swimming or reading entirely a negative thing.

Christian books.

“A lot of guys, myself first time in 75 years.

Cabell was having a “I don’t play video included, save a year of wear and tear on the body,” breakout year and Florida games and I don’t like starhe said. “Pro teams and State was 12-5 and winner ing at the TV,” Cabell said. college teams are looking of three straight when the “I try to be productive. If I at it like, ‘OK, we missed college season ended. One do watch TV, I’m watching the whole season, but play- of those wins was against film of baseball because I ers can use this time to top-ranked Florida, the miss it so much.”

MIAMI (AP) — The Toronto Raptors have arrived in southwest Florida, set to begin their preparations for next month’s restart of the NBA season.

If the Raptors return to the NBA Finals, they could be in Florida for nearly four full months.

The reigning NBA champions will start training for the season restart later this week at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, making that school their home base until they head north to the Disney complex near Orlando, Florida, around July 7.

They landed in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon, then boarded buses for the team hotel.

Toronto’s arrival comes as Florida is dealing with a significant spike in positive coronavirus test results over the past week.

Other teams will be working out at their home facilities.

But, as the NBA’s lone team from outside the US, the Raptors would have had some logistical difficulties in having players gather in Toronto to prepare for the trip to Disney.

Under Canadian rules, Raptors players who have been in the US would have had to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to Toronto, so the team decided to hold its precamp workouts in the US. It’ll all take place with very strict rules to keep players safe, with access to workouts strictly limited to essential team personnel.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PAGE 15

SUMMER CAMP IN MEMORY OF JONIQUE WEBB, SHERMAN SMITH FROM PAGE 12 Machine at SAC, coached then by Marco Mullings. “Mini Webb, as I called her because of her petite figure, was an exceptional player,” said McSweeney of Webb, who passed away on January 19 at the age of 30 after a battle with lupus.

“When she played at Jordan Prince Williams, she was the heart and soul of the Falcons girls’ teams in basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field. I’m proud to be able to honour her in this camp.”

Smith, according to McSweeney, was a great basketball coach and mentor for both his boys and girls basketball teams at Carlton E Francis Primary School. Smith, however, passed away at Princess Margaret Hospital in April just before his 54th birthday.

“I also would have trained his girls on several occasions

JONIQUE WEBB

SHERMAN SMITH

TERRENCE MCSWEENEY

on Saturdays at the Diamond Basketball development programme on Saturdays at the Hope Centre,” McSweeney said.

“So I’m also happy to honour coach Smith by introducing

the boys programme to the camp. Normally the camp is just designed for girls, but we could not pass up the opportunity to honour coach Smith, along with Jonique ‘Mini’ Webb.”

Based on the area at the Hope Centre, McSweeney said they can accommodate up to about 150 players utilising the social distancing, as prescribed by the health officials in light of the spread of

the coronavirus. “We will have them in lines during the drills on the court,” McSweeney said.

“So we have a plan in place to accommodate all of the players when they come out to the camp.”

The registration fee is $25 per day for each camper, but for the duration of the camp, McSweeney said parents can take advantage of a discount if they pay the full price of $180.

Pre-registration will take place on Saturday, July 11 at the Hope Centre from 9am to 2pm for both boys and girls.

Further information will be provided at a formal press conference next week.

The Diamond Basketball development programme, according to McSweeney, also has Saturday dribbling and shooting sessions at the Hope Centre and on Sunday at the Tom ‘the Bird’ Grant Park for those persons who can’t participate on Saturday.

Column: Is the rush to play this year really worth it?

By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist WHO knew a tennis ball could be so dangerous?

Certainly not Novak Djokovic, whose incredibly misguided decision to flout the coronavirus pandemic with a series of tennis exhibitions ended with the world’s best tennis player, his wife and who knows how many others infected.

He’s now sorry, of course, but tell that to anyone who ends up on a ventilator because he couldn’t wait to get back on the court.

His fellow players didn’t exactly line up in support of Djokovic, who previously spouted anti-vaccination views and did not encourage social distancing or masks at the exhibitions.

“Speedy recovery fellas, but that’s what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE,” Australian player Nick Kyrgios tweeted.

Danger lurks everywhere in today’s new world and not just in Djokovic’s orbit, where three other players in his exhibitions in Serbia and Croatia also tested positive. The pandemic that shut down sports three months ago continues to wreak havoc even as leagues, teams and players struggle to find a new way forward.

Colleges already are reporting positive COVID19 tests among athletes returning to campus in the US, and there are reports of a number of positives in the NFL that include star Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. A woman’s soccer team pulled out of a proposed NWSL restart

IN this photo taken on June 19, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic embraces Croatian player Ana Konjuh, right, as Croatian Borna Coric embraces Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, during their mixed doubles match at a tournament in Zadar, Croatia. Novak Djokovic has tested positive for the coronavirus after taking part in the tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia.

(AP Photo/Zvonko Kucelin) when several players were infected and at least one WNBA player already has said she won’t play a proposed season because of health concerns.

NBA stars are worried, and so are NHL players as their leagues race to finish makeshift seasons. The NFL, meanwhile, continues to forge ahead with its plans to play even as teams report positive tests on an almost daily basis.

And while baseball owners and players wasted time arguing about their season, spring training facilities were ordered closed after a spate of new infections and the Phillies reported a dozen cases in their organisation alone.

It was never going to be easy for any sport to return with a pandemic of historic proportions still raging.

There’s still way too much unknown about how the coronavirus spreads for athletes to trust anyone — even the experts — with their lives.

And as the rate of infections rises in states across the country, the question has to be asked.

Is the rush to play this year really worth it?

Owners and team officials say yes, largely because there are billions of dollars in TV contracts at stake.

Money is also the motivation for players on the PGA Tour, who were elated to be able to play for pay once again even as one of their own tested positive after playing last week.

Fans are happy to see sports coming back, that’s for sure. So are sports bettors, who in recent months had little other

Spencer Cartwright ‘a toplevel international sailor’ FROM PAGE 12 you must use calculated and critical thinking, physicality and even luck.

Nothing is more rewarding than outsmarting your opponents and getting a huge shift in your favour.

You feel like a wind god who can predict the future.

“However, nothing is more frustrating than being on the losing end of a shift.

Here you are most challenged as a sailor and you must use composure, determination and resilience to clear your mind and fight back in the same race or the following one.

“Perhaps my most valuable lesson learned is accountability.

This is highlighted when I watch professional soccer, basketball or football athletes complain and argue with officials like spoiled children when a call doesn’t go their way.

“When sailing there typically aren’t any judges on the water and when rules are breached the responsibility falls on the competitors to handle them accordingly by enforcing or taking their own penalties. This is directly parallel with daily life. To earn your competitors’ respect or feel

satisfied in victory, you must be your own referee.

“Each of these skills has improved my academic ability and led me to earn various scholarships and accolades. The goal to perfect these skills has made me a decorated sailor with several Optimist, Laser and Snipe national championships to my name and earned me the experience of competing at the international level. Each of these skills are readily available at the BSA and BNSS programmes.

“Finally, I’d like to speak about my experiences sailing in college. It has honestly been the best time of my life and I urge every sailor with the opportunity to take it. Sailing at Roger Williams in the NEISA conference has allowed me to get countless hours on the water. I get to practice four days a week and compete nearly every weekend, consistently knocking out up to 18 races amongst the most competitive fleets in our region, while being provided with coaching and equipment of all sorts. The system is quick and efficient with simple yet fun boats such as the FJ to gather as much experience as possible with an even playing field.

“If you want to become a successful sailor this is certainly the route. The opportunity to do team racing is a refreshing alternative to your typical fleet racing. It’s high intensity and watching three boats work as a unit has made it my favourite pastime.

“Now entering my senior year I’ve grown to compete in the A division as the captain of my team and push week after week against the most talented sailors of my age range to qualify for national championships.

Although, while rewarding it is exhausting so I’ve developed a new talent for organisation and time management. Meanwhile, the protest hearings and rule discussions have taught me how to advocate for myself in job interviews and daily life.

“I guess to wrap it up I should say get involved or stay involved if you already are. Sailing for The Bahamas has taken me all across the world to school in the (United) States and events in New Zealand, Italy, Canada, Columbia, Bermuda and The Dominican Republic. It has placed me in great positions with great people around me and I’m sure it will do the same for you or your child.”

than Russian table tennis matches to wager on.

But it’s becoming increasingly clear that a sport like football simply can’t be played under current conditions.

That’s especially true in colleges, where protocols change from school to school and there is no way to really build a bubble to protect players.

The NFL has a better shot, but not much better.

The nation’s chief infectious disease doctor said as much last week when asked about the possibility of football returning.

“Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Dr Anthony Fauci said.

Indeed, if the PGA Tour and boxing and UFC can’t

keep their athletes from getting the virus, it’s hard to see how those running team sports can figure out a way for everyone to stay safe.

That includes the NBA, which has a 113-page plan to protect players that might as well be tossed out the window with the surge in cases in Florida.

And who, if anyone, thinks MLB really is not inept after all and can somehow safely handle staging games in stadiums across the country?

It may be time to accept the new reality in sports, just as we’ve had to accept it in life. The things we once took for granted now have to be rethought, with health the No. 1 priority. That includes tennis tournaments, from the US Open still scheduled in August to Djokovic’s ill-fated exhibitions. “I pray for everyone’s full recovery,” Djokovic said

in a statement of remorse.

You’ve got to wonder who will be issuing the apologies when NBA stars start testing positive by the handful or when half an NFL team is infected.

Who tells the parents of a college football player that for all of everyone’s seemingly good intentions, their son has come down with COVID-19.

And who can say anything when the unthinkable happens — as it surely will — and athletes actually die?

The bottom line is there’s no real reason — other than money — to take the risk.

We’ve gotten this far without sports, and we can make it to the end of the year without them.

By then, Fauci said Tuesday, he’s pretty certain there will be a vaccine. We can begin living normally, and we can have sports without bubbles and with fans in the stands.

PAGE 16, Wednesday, June 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Baseball returns: MLB sets 60-game schedule, opens on July 23 or 24

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule last night that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony.

A dramatically altered season with games full of new rules was the final result of failed financial negotiations. But for fans eager to see any baseball this year, at least now they can look forward to opening day.

The announcement by MLB came while more players continue to test positive for the virus — at least seven on the Philadelphia Phillies alone. And a stark realisation remained, that if health situations deteriorated, all games could still be wiped out.

One day after the players’ association rejected an economic agreement and left open the possibility of a grievance seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, the bickering sides agreed on an operations manual.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred then unilaterally imposed the schedule, his right under a March agreement with the union.

In a twist, the sides expanded the designated hitter to games involving National League teams for the first time and instituted the radical innovation of starting extra innings with a runner on second base.

Playoff teams remain at 10 for now — there is still talk of a possible expansion.

The rejected deal had called for 16 teams.

Players will start reporting for the resumption

of training on July 1. It remains to be seen which players will report back to work — high-risk individuals are allowed to opt out and still receive salary and service time, but others who sit out get neither money nor the service credit needed for eligibility for free agency and salary arbitration.

Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and four games vs. each of the five clubs in the corresponding division in the other league, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

A team is scheduled to make only one trip to each city it visits in MLB’s shortest season since 1878, a schedule of such brevity that some fans may question the legitimacy of records.

No matter what, the season will be among the most unusual ever for a sport that takes pride that the race for titles is a marathon and not a sprint: Washington started 19-31 and 27-33 last year but finished 93-69 to earn a wild card and won a seven-game World Series for its first title.

The trade deadline will be August 31 and the deadline to be in an organisation for postseason eligibility is September 15.

Teams can resume making trades Friday, when rosters will no longer be frozen.

Active rosters will be 30 during the first two weeks of the season, 28 during the second two weeks and 26 after that. They will not expand to 28 on September 1, as originally intended this year.

With no minor leagues, teams would be allowed

AN empty Yankee Stadium can be seen on opening day due to COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions in the Bronx borough of New York on March 26. (AP) to retain 60 players each, including a taxi squad.

Up to three players from the taxi squad can travel with a team to a game, and one of the three must be a catcher.

MLB is keeping the planned innovation that pitchers must face three batters or finish a half inning —- players refused to agree a year ago but also waived their right to block.

The injured list minimum for pitchers at 10 days rather than revert to 15, as initially intended.

Public opinion shredded both sides as they locked in a ferocious financial battle during a pandemic that has led to more than 120,000 deaths and 2.3 million infections in the US and led to a 14.7 per cent unemployment rate, the highest since the Great Depression.

MLB originally hoped to be the first US major league to return, with an 82-game schedule starting around the Fourth of July, but public sniping broke out between management and players who distrust teams’ claims of economic losses following years of franchise appreciation.

MLB claimed that without gate-related revenue it would lose $640,000 for each additional regular-season game, a figure the union disputed.

MLB became exasperated with the union’s leadership team, headed by former All-Star first baseman Tony Clark and Bruce Meyer, a litigator hired in August 2018.

Manfred and Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem were infuriated when Clark said he considered

the result of a one-on-one meeting with Manfred last week a proposal rather than what MLB termed a framework for a deal.

Rather than play 162 games over 186 days, the season will be 60 games over 66 or 67 days, depending on whether there is a nationally televised Thursday night opener.

It is scheduled to end September 27, which leaves little margin to make up September rainouts.

Players are being given staggered reporting times over several days for intake screening.

The time will be used for coronavirus testing ahead of the resumption of workouts, which were stopped March 12 due to the pandemic.

Because of an uptick of infections in Florida and

Arizona’s summer heat, 28 teams currently are leaning toward training in their regular-season ballparks.

Detroit remained partial to Lakeland, Florida, and Toronto was hoping to gain government permission to work out at Rogers Centre.

Under terms of the deal the sides reached on March 26, which was to have been opening day, players would receive prorated portions of their salaries if the 60-game schedule is not cut short by the virus.

Salaries originally totalled $4 billion, and the prorated portion of about 37 per cent reduces pay to $1.48 billion.

Salaries were to have ranged from $563,500 at the minimum to $36 million for Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole at the top, but the spread would now be from $208,704 to $13,333,333.

MLB initially had sought last month in its initial economic proposal to reduce pay to about $1 billion, and players vowed not to give up full prorated pay and proposed a 114-game schedule that amounted to $2.8 billion.

The relationship deteriorated back to the level of the labour wars that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95, and the union has threatened a grievance claiming MLB didn’t fulfil the provision in the March deal requiring the longest season economically feasible, conditioned by several other provisions.

MLB would claim the union bargained in bad faith, and the case would be argued before arbitrator Mark Irvings. That would be a prelude to the expiration of the current labour contract on December 1, 2021, which likely will be followed by a lockout.