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VOLUME:115 No.147, JUNE 25TH, 2018

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Flowers: I’m not firing staff CRAIG Flowers says he has gone against the grain in opting not to lay off employees because it is not known if his company – FML Group of Companies - will suffer loss due to increased government taxes, which includes a five percent stamp tax on patrons.

Mr Flowers rejected as “fruitless” government pronouncements and even those of fellow web shop bosses yesterday, telling The Tribune it is ultimately

STREET ROW TURNS DEADLY AS MAN SHOT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A MAN became the 52nd murder victim of the year when he was killed during an argument with another man on Saturday.

According to police, shortly before 2am on Saturday a group of men were in the area of Royal Palm Street, Culmersville when the altercation took place.

SEE PAGE THREE

READY TO HEAL THE NATION

FML chief reassures workers after rivals warn of cutbacks

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

HOME

the gamer who will determine whether the industry continues to grow or if it will retract.

Until patrons give their response, Mr Flowers said he refuses to inflict fear and uncertainty in the hearts and minds of employees.

Operators have seemingly used staff cuts to push back against the government’s impending new sliding tax scale system, which comes into force in just one week.

So far three web shop operators have taken this position.

SEE PAGE 12

DEPUTY PM HECKLED AS HE TALKS VAT AT GRADUATION DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest was interrupted at times as he tried to persuade those attending the Galilee College’s 2018 graduation ceremony that critics have misrepresented the 2018-2019 budget.

He urged residents to read his budget communication for themselves rather than rely on third party information.

“How many of you have read the budget

communication?

Just put your hand up and be honest, we in church. Tell the truth. Who has read the presentation? And therein lies the problem.

“We have individuals who are making up things,” he said during the event.

“I had a town meeting the other day and a lady said that ‘you are not telling us the truth. You know why I know? Because SEE PAGE 13

A GRADUATION event was held last night as part of the Ministry of Health’s Induction and Awards ceremony for the graduating class of 2018. The event saw the next generation of doctors as they graduated to their new roles. See page 14 for more.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

APPEAL JUDGE QUESTIONS POWER OF COURT IN JEAN RONY RULING

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AN appellate judge has questioned whether a Supreme Court judge had the power to compel the government to cause Bahamas-born Jean Rony Jean-Charles to be returned to The Bahamas from Haiti despite him having no right to remain in this country.

Acting appellate judge Sir Michael Barnett said on Friday that he was “struggling” over whether Justice

JEAN Rony Jean-Charles outside court after his earlier victory.

Gregory Hilton could have ordered the government to see to Mr Jean-Charles’

return from Haiti, given his assertions that the man is not a citizen of this country, but conversely, based on the evidence, a Haitian national.

In response, attorney Fred Smith, QC, submitted that the issue surrounding Mr Jean Charles’ status was irrelevant, saying he could not accept that his client is a non-citizen, mainly because he was born here.

In fielding Sir Michael’s assertions that one is either

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

BNT WANTS OBAN DEAL TO BE STRONGER

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the government’s decision to amend the controversial Oban Energies heads of agreement is “encouraging”, the Bahamas National Trust urged officials to ensure the new HOA provides strong environmental protections that go as far as scrapping the project if the EIA outlines negative impacts.

SEE PAGE 12

PAGE 2, Monday, June 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

NEW MIAMI OFFICE FOR CONSULATE PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis cut the ribbon at the official opening of the new office of the Bahamas Consulate General in Miami on Thursday.

The new office is on 100 N Biscayne Blvd, New World Tower, Suite 900, Miami, Florida (Tel: 305-373-6295).

During the festivities, Dr Minnis encouraged the staff of the consulate to work

FOUNDER

PIZZA MAKER

MACKEY STREET TOP OF THE HILL

BETTER PIZZA BEING SERVED JUNE 28TH

together for the benefit of The Bahamas, and the Bahamian diaspora across the United States.

The Prime Minister was accompanied at the ceremony by Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield and Bahamas Consul General/Miami, Florida, Linda Mackey.

Photos: Yontalay Bowe

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 25, 2018, PAGE 3

MARVIN DAMES, Minister of National Security.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Dames vows to expose corrupt prison officers

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames has said corrupt correctional officers will be exposed, prosecuted, and removed from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Mr Dames made these remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters on the

sidelines of the Tradewinds 2018 closing ceremony, held at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour base.

He also called for regular raids to be held at the correctional facility, following reports of a stabbing incident there.

“That matter is under control and under investigation, I’m aware of that much,” he said.

“One of the things that I

impress upon the leadership at Bahamas Department of Corrections is that I expect to see regular raids. That is extremely important.

“Obviously I’ve been improving on that. They continue to seize.”

Mr Dames added that this is an issue plaguing correctional institutions around the world. He also expressed disappointment that a minority correctional officers break the law.

HOUSEBREAKING SUSPECT SHOT IN THE FOOT BY POLICE OFFICERS POLICE shot a housebreaking suspect who had forced himself into a woman’s home on Saturday.

The incident occurred shortly before 11am when a woman was at her Kemp Road home and an armed man forced his way inside through a window, police said.

They had a struggle and the man managed to escape from the residence. Officers responded to the scene, where they engaged the

armed suspect resulting in the assailant being shot to the right foot. He was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.

A black-handled knife was recovered at the scene.

Police are also seeking the public’s help in solving two armed robberies.

In the incident, reports are that shortly after 11am on Saturday a man was walking in the Gardens Hills area when a gunman

PEDESTRIAN DIES AS CAR VEERS OFF ROAD A PEDESTRIAN is dead after he being hit by a car on Foster Street, off Boyd Road.

According to Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs, officer-in-charge of the Traffic Division, police were called to the scene shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

CSP Stubbs said the man was walking northbound on Foster Street when a red car, which was travelling south, veered off the eastern side of the road and hit him. The pedestrian was taken to hospital but died a few minutes later.

“Based on the physical damage to the vehicle, we

know the male received significant trauma to his head and upper torso,” CSP Stubbs told reporters at the scene. “The driver of that vehicle is on scene with us and is assisting with the investigation.”

CSP Stubbs said based on the damage to the vehicle and the deceased’s injuries, police suspect speed played a factor in the accident.

He said the Traffic Division is in discussions with relevant authorities to see how best stiffer traffic penalties can be implemented.

Saturday’s incident marked the 40th traffic fatality for the year, CSP Stubbs said.

AMERICAN MAN DROWNS POLICE in Bimini are investigating the death of a 54-year-old American man.

Shortly after 11am yesterday, the man was reportedly swimming with family members on Luna Beach on the northern side of North Bimini, when he

was reportedly seen floating in the water.

Emergency CPR was given and the victim was taken to the Bimini Community Clinic by emergency personnel where he was pronounced dead.

Police are investigating this matter.

approached and robbed him of cash before fleeing on foot.

In the second incident, shortly before 3am yesterday, a man was seated in his silver 2003 Nissan Cube on Montagu Beach, when a gunman robbed him of his vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered in the area of Pilgrim Baptist Church on St James Road.

Investigations are continuing.

“Unfortunately, these inmates are being supported by men and women in uniform. Albeit a minority, but that is a fact. And wherever we find them, we’ll expose them and they will face the full brunt of the law. We make no apologies for that.

“We have had any number of successes this year and last year where officers have been found with illegal contraband in

their possession, assisting . . . certain inmates, and some of them are currently before the courts. Some of them are no longer in the institution.

“I don’t expect that that will change. This is all a part of the business. You know you recruit people, many of [whom] the vast majority are committed to serving their country, and then there is this small minority who look at it as

an opportunity to fill their pockets.”

The minister added: “Well we’re interested in finding those persons and will continue to improve our strategies and continue to focus on that small segment.”

Mr Dames said there is no room for anything outside of “integrity, loyalty, and commitment to service” for men and women in uniform.

STREET ROW TURNS DEADLY AS MAN SHOT from page one A man left the area but returned a short time later with a handgun. The man he shot died on the scene.

The deceased has been identified across social media as Kendrick Clark.

He was the first person killed in six days.

The previous murder victim, Noel Cartwright, was shot dead while sitting in his car outside his business on West Bay Street on Sunday, June 17.

That same day, Minister

of National Security Marvin Dames called a press conference to announce a series of new crime fighting strategies geared towards the blanket coverage of specific hotspot areas in New Providence.

He referred to the planned enrolment of some 105 new recruits, the roll out of a new crime reporting app, the long-awaited roll out of the Marco’s Alert and the incorporation of new crime fighting equipment as a part of the 2018 budget cycle, including an updated fleet of squad cars

valued at $6.9m.

Despite a spate of murders, Mr Dames said killings were trending downward.

“We are extremely proud of the progress we are making, but takes you aback whenever people lose their lives, especially persons who were hard at work making ends meet for their families and it is never a good sign,” Mr Dames said last week.

Up to this point in 2017, there were 68 murders according to The Tribune’s records, representing a decrease of 23 percent.

PAGE 4, Monday, June 25, 2018

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,

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THERE is a superficial irony in the immigration controversy in the United States. Conventional wisdom says that anti-immigration sentiment generally peaks when economic times are tough.

It is in such dire times that people already established in a society fear for their economic livelihood.

But in the United States under Donald Trump, the American economy still seems to have solid positive energy.

So why is there such discord about immigrants and whether they are corroding American society and values and safety?

The answer is likely to be found in the United States ten years ago. That was the time of the onset of what came to be known as the Great Recession. The American stock market lost a huge percentage of its value in September and October of 2008, and the US economy staggered through a terrifying period of uncertainty during which serious observers began to speculate that the most accurate term for the collapse was depression, not recession.

As it turned out, investors and their well-paid advisers chose the correct path if they stayed the course and did not panic and bail out of the stock market.

As some of the biggest banks and financial institutions on Wall Street faltered and in some cases failed, a new American president was elected and Barack Obama and his advisers opted for a massive government bailout plan which eventually restored the American automobile industry and most investors’ stock portfolios.

The bailout also provided a basis for the ultimately complete recovery of many large financial institutions whose careless greed with worthless securities had precipitated the colossal financial collapse in the first place.

But the bailout also left behind millions of ordinary Americans, many of them lower income white voters.

Exactly ten years ago, the US economy was apparently in respectable shape, although most observers believed it was artificially superheated. Fast forward to 2018. Now, after 18 months of the Trump administration, major leading economic indicators point to a healthy economy. Unemployment is still down, and the stock market has retained major gains under Trump. The Federal Reserve Bank has resumed nudging the

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prime interest rate higher, and there is little evidence of inflation in the economy.

But those white Americans who didn’t stay in the market or weren’t in it to begin with ten years ago never have really recovered. The rosy economic picture that prevails today hasn’t touched them under Trump, and it didn’t touch them under Barack Obama either.

So they were angry. They voted in vast numbers for Trump, because for them, economic times were bad and not improving, and like voters everywhere when the financial picture is dire and remains so, they looked for a scapegoat. And like many others in similar circumstances in many different countries, they looked in the direction of those who were different. They looked at immigrants.

Now Trump is leading the hatred and the xenophobia, because he correctly believes it resonates with his 35 percent voter base. His policies, and those of his Attorney General, have led the US to its immigration catharsis. Sessions has pursued a sharply anti-immigrant policy in the Senate and in Alabama elective politics even before he was elected to the Senate, so he is an enthusiastic recruit to the present policy of hatred and scapegoating.

As recently as two weeks ago, Sessions began aggressively pushing the nation’s federal immigration judges, who report to the Department of Justice. The Attorney General wants faster case processing, with a concomitant reduction in the likelihood of a fair hearing. Many observers think immigration judges will now be pulled into the administration’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration, a term Trump also applies casually to political refugees and other legitimate would-be immigrants.

There is presently a backlog of nearly 700,000 cases in the immigration court system in the United States. Trump and Sessions are pushing policies that will only increase that backlog.

Their solution is not to reflect on any lack of wisdom in their policy. It is instead to throw more judges and prosecutors at the problem. Now the Defense Department has agreed to loan 21 lawyers to expedite the real goal, which is even more prosecutions and unfairness.

More controversy and pathos seem inevitable.

The things that MPs say EDITOR, The Tribune.

ONE is amazed at the incredible acts of certain MP’s, acts as in statements they make - ludicrous, stupid, inept and incredibly unfounded.

MPs stand and the first thing that comes out of their mouths is that laughable statement how proud they are to represent that Constituency….I have to ask on this Budget did they consult — did they hold meetings and take at the minimum a straw poll whether their constituents who they are so proud to represent, all FNMs-PLPsDNAs and others? Now not just the FNM supporters everyone.

Wow, St Barnabas MP so confident that his constituents supported the budget he put his own head on the guillotine and I am sure he did not hold any meetings but sprouted he is proud to represent St Barnabas residents - I suggest under totally false pretences as did he consult and I doubt any of those residents can

afford or support a 12 percent VAT. What’s the big deal on electricity? Your bill might be under $200.00 or liable to VAT at 12 percent of $24.00 but after June through September your BP&L bill will not be under $200.00 it will be over $350.00! A/C time!

I watched Rev McAlpine’s contribution… unfortunately for PM Minnis the camera kept of including him even when McAlpine praised the FNM Minnis did not bang, support, the comment not once. Truth hurts I suspect?

The evidence that the FNM Backbench MP’s did not know about the VAT increases raises a most serious issue - are MP’s not all equal - what authority were they not told pre-the Budget Statement.

Curious since May, 2017 the Cabinet Secretary seems to have become very political — was it her place to walk with the Cabinet and FNM MP’s from Churchill Building on Budget day? Cabinet Secretary has nothing to do with

Finance in fact the Acting Finance Secretary was seated in the House Gallery, he took his appropriate place. We saw her during the infamous Hollywood Oban Energy HOA signing very openly clapping - we further saw her during the public relations photo-op of Cabinet May, 2017 clapping again very much not neutral - but could not recognise who was signing? A person who had retired, left the Civil Service brought back like Hubert Ingraham did leaving other potential candidates wondering is there ever a chance of promotion? Were we not told a FNM Government would not continue that practice?

So much we were told would change and so much has come to pass and remains the same is an everyday occurrence…

The People’s Time! The biggest juck-up that has been put on Bahamians.

Lord pray for us for what we did!

T ALBURY Nassau,

Travis the centre of attention EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ in The Tribune that Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson has formally requested, via a written note to House Speaker Halson Moultrie, to address the House of Assembly at its next meeting.

Despite the contents of the letter not being leaked to the press, the Free National Movement (FNM) is rife with rumours that the Bain and Grants Town MP is planning on abandoning the party in order to become an independent.

I recall reading a Punch tabloid story in 2016 on Robinson’s independent candidacy before his amalgamation with the FNM. The reader may recall that Robinson was not the initial choice for Bain and Grants Town. It was Leonard Sands. The former FNM standard bearer in Bain and Grants Town ended his candidacy in August 2016. I think Robinson was a godsend for the FNM. He was hailed as an ambitious political prodigy and a bold activist before he joined the governing party. If there’s a grain of truth to the rumour of him moving on from the FNM, then one is left to assume that Robinson is nursing a grudge against Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for terminating him from his $45,000 a year parliamentary secretary post in the Ministry of Tourism.

If Moultrie grants Robinson’s request, his speech would be, in my estimation, the most anticipated one since Sir Lynden O Pindling’s much heralded farewell address to Parliament in July 1997.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Pindling had served as MP for 41 years and as prime minister for 25 years.

That farewell speech was perhaps his finest delivered in his decades-long career in frontline politics. The eyes of The Bahamas were fixated on ZNS TV 13 as the father of the nation addressed his parliamentary peers for the final time.

No doubt, the eyes of the country will be fixated on the Parliamentary Channel if and when Robinson addresses Parliament. I understand that neither the FNM’s parliamentary caucus nor its executive branch is privy to what Robinson intends to speak on, which has only fueled rumours that Robinson will be officially severing ties from the governing FNM. Robinson’s rise in politics reads like the story of David and Goliath. The major headline that came out of the 2017 general election was the shocking defeat of former Prime Minister Perry Christie by Reece Chipman in Centreville.

It was so shocking that the defeat of the late Dr Bernard Nottage by the 22-year-old Robinson was treated as if it were an inconsequential story.

In any other election cycle, Nottage’s defeat would have been a major development.

Robinson got 61 percent of the votes while Nottage got just 35 percent. Obviously, Robinson’s youth played a role in such a massive landslide.

Even before his amalgamation with the FNM, Robinson was an attractive alternative to the hundreds

of millennials in Bain and Grants Town. While I think the FNM would have still won Bain and Grants Town had Robinson never joined the party, I still view him as an invaluable MP. He represents the future of the FNM. His vote against the move to increase VAT to 12 percent mustn’t be viewed as him being anti-FNM. As a populist, he was standing up for his impoverished constituents, however misinformed they are about the dire financial situation of The Bahamas.

At times, I am left to wonder if the executive branch of the FNM is doing a good enough job of communicating with its massive parliamentary caucus.

There seems to be a disconnect between the caucus and the Cabinet, so much so that Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest did not inform FNM backbenchers that the government was planning on raising VAT to 12 percent.

In Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings film, the elf Galadriel informed Frodo that the Fellowship is breaking. I hope that is not the case with the FNM and Robinson.

Minnis has got to extend an olive branch to the Rebel Four, before their dissent and malcontentment spreads like cancer.

Any dissent will not bode well for his government.

There has to be some reconciliation. Whatever the case may be, Robinson’s speech will undoubtedly draw the attention of tens of thousands of politically observant Bahamians.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama, June 24, 2018

Duty down on drugs EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT has been two weeks now (May 30th) since our Finance Minister announced the removal of duty on prescription drugs. I have been anxiously awaiting a notice from my Health Care Insurer with

respect to a premium reduction, but so far nothing. Perhaps it’s our Post Office again!?

MONKEEDOO Nassau, June 13, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 25, 2018, PAGE 5

Appeal judge questions power of court in Jean Rony ruling from page one a citizen or a non-citizen, Mr Smith said there exists a third category of persons in the country in similar positions as Mr Jean-Charles who do not fall under certain categories under the Immigration Act that would compel the state to remove them.

Further, Mr Smith said while the assertion is Mr Jean-Charles is not a citizen and thus does not have an automatic right to remain in the Bahamas, he was, due to him being born here, entitled not to be expelled from the country as he was on November 24, 2017.

Mr Smith further submitted that under Article 25 of the Constitution, Mr Jean-Charles enjoyed a right to move freely about The Bahamas and, coupled with there being no law requiring proof of status to remain in the country, was entitled not to be expelled from The Bahamas.

Thus, Mr Smith said when Justice Hilton made his order in January for the government to issue a travel document to Mr Jean-Charles to “allow and permit” him to travel from Haiti to The Bahamas, the judge was merely reversing the “abuse” Mr Jean-Charles endured by putting him in the same position he was in prior to his deportation.

And where Justice Hilton ordered the minister and director of immigration to issue “such status” that would “permit him to remain in The Bahamas and to legally seek gainful employment,” Mr Smith submitted that was to further protect Mr Jean-Charles from being subjected from the same abuse he would have experienced.

As in the initial hearing in May, there was much debate over the discrepancy surrounding whether the individual immigration authorities said they deported — Jean Charles, and Mr Jean-Charles – are one and the same.

According to a return to Mr Smith’s writ of habeas corpus to have the government produce Mr Jean-Charles’ body on September 18, 2017, an adult Haitian national who gave his name as “Jean Charles” and stated his date of birth as December 1, 1985, was arrested and detained by immigration officers during a routine status check on Fire Trail Road.

Due to “Jean Charles”

JEAN Rony after his previous court victory with Fred Smith QC. being unable to provide officials with any documents or proof concerning his lawful presence in The Bahamas, he was taken to the detention centre for further processing relative to suspected contravention of the Immigration Act. After an unsuccessful check at the Birth Registry for the name “Jean Charles” and the associated date of birth, that individual was returned to Haiti on a Bahamasair charter flight on November 24, 2017. He later confirmed his identity as “Jean Charles,” date of birth December 1, 1985, during a roll call of passengers prior to boarding.

Once the flight landed in Haiti, the man was handed over to Haitian authorities, and thus any custody or control of “Jean Charles” by the Bahamas government came to an end on November 24, 2017, the Crown maintained.

Sir Michael, during the initial hearing, noted that the issue was apparently unsolved by Justice Hilton as evidenced in his ruling when he said he was concerned about the “uncertainty” surrounding the issue, and that there can be “no conclusive answer or determination on the question”.

Justice Hilton ultimately said he would refer to the

individual in question as “Jean-Rony Jean Charles aka Jean Charles,” however, the appellate judges, Sir Michael in particular, noted that the confusion over the issue is still a “live” one that has not been resolved to date.

Sir Michael thus questioned how Justice Hilton could have come to a conclusion on the constitutional motion if he had no conclusive answer as to who Mr Jean-Charles was/ is, adding that the answer to that question was “fundamental” to the resolution of the constitutional motion.

During Friday’s hearing, Mr Smith suggested that the confusion over whether Mr Jean-Charles and the individual referred to as “Jean Charles” are one and the same was a non-issue, as Justice Hilton did not concern himself with the accuracy or identity of the individual, but rather the “body by whatsoever name he may be called”.

Additionally, Mr Smith charged that at the last hearing, the Crown conceded that the person who was deported from The Bahamas on November 24 is the person that was returned subsequent to the court order. He further stressed that it was the Crown’s case in the court below that Mr Jean-Charles

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff and the “Jean Charles” they removed from the Bahamas was “one and the same person”.

Mr Smith also asserted that the Crown has not raised the issue surrounding the identity of the person in question in any of its grounds of appeal.

Mr Smith further submitted that the Crown must have known who Mr Jean-Charles was because they placed a picture on the travel document, thus suggesting that they knew to whom to give the travel document.

Mr Smith’s submissions

came during the second hearing over the Crown’s appeal of Justice Hilton’s landmark decision concerning Mr Jean-Charles’ controversial deportation from The Bahamas to Haiti.

According to Justice Hilton’s ruling, which referred to an affidavit sworn by Mr Jean Charles relative, he was born at the Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence on December 5, 1982.

He was arrested by immigration officers last September and detained at the Carmichael Road

Detention Centre for some time before he was deported to Haiti.

Mr Jean-Charles was never charged with any offence under the Immigration Act or any other law, according to the ruling, and neither was he ever taken before any court. He was never served with a deportation or a detention order, and had never been outside of The Bahamas.

However, he did not apply for Bahamian citizenship between his 18th and 19th birthday, a right afforded to him under the Constitution.

ccused over killing Man accused of killing of unionson leader unionist’s cleared PAGE 6, Monday, June 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

injuries.

By NICO SCAVELLA trate Forbes Tribune Staff Reporter ed pair that nscavella@tribunemedia.net t be allowed A SUPREME Court tojury thehas allegaacquitted a man are formally previously accused of abetting murder re a the judge in of veteran trade unionist John Pinder’s ourt. youngest son, and abetting hen that murder of the told attempted one to of his friends almost urn Magtwo years ago. on October The 15-member jury ould foundbe fastJamean Johnhigher court. son not guilty, 9-3, of abetting persons furtherunknown inmurdering John Pinder eyin would have Jr, and not guilty by that he sameSupreme number of abetting unknown because the persons in attemptingthey to kill Kerrigan offences McCoy. owThe the jury’s lowerdecision on etion to con- the end of Friday marked Mr Johnson’s trial before bail.

Justice Bernard Turner r over remand to Pinder Jr’s death on ntAugust of Correc26, 2016.

On Bridgethe date in question, , Mr Jr, also known dPinder his reservaas “Fats”, was shot and arraignment killed by unknown assailestigation. ants in his Hillside Park playing video tohome my while clients games with his older dy, both indibrother and several other remale assaulted, friends.

Pinder Jr the was shot several eatened,”

the driver’s face, saying he While there, he said he aren’t so friendly any more. recognised the driver as was also shown a number of The deterioration of their “Debo” – which is Mr John- vehicles, and identified Mr friendship, Javon Pinder son’s nickname.

Johnson’s red Explorer as suggested, came after the Mr Miller said shortly the vehicle in question. two fights he had with the after Rasta gave him the Mr Miller, in giving his witness, the first of which $23, he asked the man if evidence, said he felt like he saw Mr Miller throw rocks he saw anybody entering was being arrested, but said in his direction - one of the Pinders’ yard. Shortly police didn’t handcuff him. which almost hit his mother. after that, Mr Miller said However, he said he was This resulted in Javon he heard about four or five placed in a cell.

Pinder pursuing Mr Miller gunshots coming from the When questioned by in Mr Johnson’s car — yard. defence attorney David with Mr Johnson being the After that, Mr Miller said Cash, Mr Miller said offic- driver, and shooting at him. he told Rasta to stay with ers did not allow him to Javon Pinder testihim for a little while, which leave their custody until he fied that Mr Johnson is the other man agreed to. gave a statement saying Mr his friend and has been However, Mr Miller said Johnson was the driver of for eight to ten years, and Rasta eventually left and the vehicle he said he saw. would have no reason to went home, and he in turn He said it wasn’t until he harm him or his family. went inside his house. identified Johnson during Additionally, Lashon After that, Mr Miller said the identification parade Bastian, one of Pinder Jr’s the corner was filled with that they let him go. friends, testified how Mr police cars. As a result, Mr Miller also said he Miller and Pinder Jr “didn’t he said he waited until the felt under pressure during have any kind of friendmajority of them left before the time he was being inter- ship,” with the dynamic he went and spoke with Mr rogated, and felt like the being more of a “bully Pinder and told him what police wanted him for the scene.” he saw and knew. murder. However, Miller, Additionally, Mr BasHowever, Mr Miller in response to a question tian said Mr Miller and did not report the inci- by Mr Cash, said all of that Javon Pinder, also known as dent to the police on the “pressure” relieved itself “Bobo”, were not friends, night of the incident in after he gave police the as “they could never see question, according to the information concerning the eye to eye.” evidence. Nor did he call accused.

On the other hand, Mr or go to the police to report However, it was revealed Bastian said Mr Johnson, the matter the following during trial that Mr Miller Pinder Jr, and Javon Pinder morning. had two physical alterca- were close friends. He thus Instead, Mr Miller said, tions with the older brother dismissed the suggestion times and pronounced dead days later on the 30th, he of the deceased about one that Mr Johnson would at the scene. Mr McCoy was JAMEAN JOHNSON provided 24-YEAR-OLD Jamean Johnson.

20-YEAR-OLD Dylan month Brown.before he was killed. wish harm on either of the was questioned by police, also shot. Hean was rushed to who came to his door Evidence showed how Pinder brothers. rown, hospitalof bybeambulance and Mr Miller said two men the gate. making inquiries about Mr Miller fights And it was those remanded to prison and bits of the offence, still out there,” Mr Miller said when he “I will not presume to tell hadbetwo been brought down and treated for his injuries. got out of the vehicle – one in place and He washow takento with Javon Pinder prior to current evidence,situation coupled with Mr that, he got up and the murder.

The Crown’s key wit- from the front passenger hesaw stressed. given the the police do their charged.” asness, noMarco indicato the Central Detec- Pinder Jr’s death, the first Miller’s admissions in court Delano Miller, seat and the other from the turned off his porch light.

However, the that, chiefMrmagmurder they may job (CDU) and they will of notwhich pre- sawofMr Bridgewater exwas followed tive Unit for that Miller and thatbail he “didn’t really like” Shortly after said he witnessed aMr car back-passenger seat behind there Mr forJohnson, years,”thatthe sume to doto be pressed his belief that even istrate purpose, andtodidtell notme go how threaten kill upJavon prompted Miller said said athe manlawyer’s known in popull Johnson up near the Pinders’ Mr the driver, who remained in the area as “Rasta” came to willingly.

Pinder, who in turn pursued Mr Cash to submit to the residence on the night of sition on the matter might lawyer said. mine.” the family of the murder an alibi that the vehicle. The two men, him because the latter owed AroundMr 3.55pm on Sep- acknowland shot at him. The chief jury that Mr said Miller had the murder. also be premature. magistrate Bridgewater victim do not believe his clicertain place tember 1, Mr Miller said When Javon Pinder took more of a grudge to bear According to Mr Miller, who had hoodies over their him $23. you are it was guarantee edgedMrthe court’s position, are the culprits. heads, went to the empty “As ithewas he identified Johnson in the stand, he said whilenot he a against Pinderthat Jr or his lives likely about twoents houses Mr Miller said aware, he was investigations are usually onthe accused men would be lot on the side of the vicbut stressed that clients’ “It would be unjust to from parade at his was “cool” with Mr Miller older brother as opposed to consequently able to an identification updown on by po-the Pinder residence. tim’s wenttoover going observe the up lefttoside CDU. liberty was at stake at for one ofpoint in they for his a client. even theofstart ontime, remand long period the victim andyard his and family

eve that the s premature appease cerets have they

bring these individuals prematurely and have the person involved or committed

of trial where new developments may occur,” the judge noted.

fences they are adamant they did not commit.

“These individuals will

given that all bail applications are approved or rejected on their own merits.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA SEEKS MEDIATOR IN US DISPUTE

GUILTY OF SCHOOLBOY’S MANSLAUGHTER

ANTIGUA and Barbuda United States, Antigua and General Agreement on and Barbuda’s”. settlements in 2008 and Venezuela and Dominica, has told the Dispute Settle- Barbuda is now contem- Trade in Services “has Explaining Antigua and 2013” that were declined. speaking for all members of ment Body of the World plating approaching the caused trade losses of Barbuda’s position, Sir He added that the US con- the Organization of Eastern Trade Organization that it Director-General under the US$315m to Antigua and Ronald said “Antigua and tinues to be interested in Caribbean States, supported is contemplating a request Dispute Settlement Body Barbuda’s small economy Barbuda has an obligation negotiations with Anti- Antigua and Barbuda. No to the Director-General to (DSU) provisions to join over the last 15 years”. not only to itself, but to all gua and Barbuda and country spoke in support of prosecution’s cape the in fight. the trial, the jury Bleach he mediation It wasbyat the this time that appoint a mediator in its seeking a mediated solu- During The Ambassador pointed other Blanco nations who uphold where discouraged United States. contention tion that would bring much heard out that while the losses the principles and rules WTO Director-General.

Theup DSBto took note of the n 15-year elected to with Hethedenied stabbing Wilstatements fromto two collapsed, whileof histhefriends the cousin ran and United States. needed relief after these Antigua and Barbuda are the WTO and look to it for Ambassador Sanders discussion which remains andAntigua indicated son or witnessing Wilson students who witnessed followed behind. stabbed Adonai, according and Barbuda’s arduous 15 years of damage significant, “it does not total justice. We act in the inter- replied that the US offers open on its agenda. rely on the being stabbed. events leading up to WilThe jury heard that the to the girlfriend.

Ambassador, Sir Ronald to our economy”.

0.1 per cent of one year of est of all”. had been declined because The Antigua and Bartolda the World Sir Ronald toldplace the WTO son’s the GDP of the but United the US del- 911 they did not totalThe even one delegation nSanders, to police The incident took stabbing, couldIn response, teen girl called and teen buda girl told policeincluded Trade Organization member states that Antigua States”.

He emphasized egate said that the US had percent of the losses expeJoy-Marie King, director of ncident. around 2pm on Prince not be compelled by the while they waited for medi- that she watched the victim (WTO) body that “after and Barbuda feels disadvan- that “the economy of the offered the Government rienced by Antigua and international trade in the da told and graphic sworn cal help arrive, Barbuda. a friendDelegations run across road of toForeign Blan- Affairs long police period of Charles exhaust- Drive taged by theaUnited States prosecution United Statesto isgive 20,000 of Antigua and to Barbuda from the Ministry ation he and cell the phone video of the ofin- the testimony in than court. of Wilson called out to the Jamaica, co Bleach not know ing attempts to engage whose violation times larger Antigua “creative and generous Barbados, Cuba, but anddid International Trade.

n December aid they had differences he thought as over. ng day, after s, he and his walking on s Drive and Wilson and alking in the n he was on side of the

oint, he said in the back d the hood of pulled. When to face with e said Wilson ass knuckles. that Wilson punch him ded himself g away to es-

HES RPORT

uninhabited experienced oblems while

nd his male ere not inhe aircraft mage to the nd the pro-

Aviation Deinvestigating

cident was spread on social media.

Two teens – aged 17 and 15 – who were also on trial for the murder of Wilson, changed their pleas two weeks ago.

The 17-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder, but admitted guilt to the lesser charge of manslaughter. He received a sentence of nine years after the judge took into account his time spent on remand and the fact that he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Meanwhile, the 15-yearold pleaded not guilty to murder, but admitted attempting to cause harm. He was given a sentence of six months to be served at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys.

One of the girls told police that on the day in question, she, the 18-year-old accused and his girlfriend left Popeyes heading east.

The accused walked ahead with a group of persons while she and his girlfriend followed behind.

She told police she noticed a commotion at the Superwash laundromat and noticed a fight between the accused and Wilson.

She ran towards the area where they were fighting and saw a teen, who she witnessed being given a knife by the accused when they were walking from Popeyes, run to and stab Wilson twice in the back before fleeing towards Fox Hill.

She then saw Wilson run across the street towards

bleeding teen with no response.

In the second statement police received from another witness to the incident, the teen’s then girlfriend told police that on the way to their Wendy’s after leaving Popeyes, the 18-yearold accused met up with his 17-year-old cousin who was an 11th grade student at their school.

The accused, the witness told police, handed his cousin the knife when they both then went to opposite sides of the street.

She said shortly afterwards she noticed her boyfriend, the accused, and Wilson “throwing punches at each other but it appeared (the accused) was losing.”

where the accused and his cousin went.

When she crossed the road as well, she saw Wilson on the ground bleeding heavily.

She and a group of persons remained there until police came.

An amendment to the Evidence Act in 2012 gave judges the discretion to allow the statements of witnesses who are dead, cannot be found, or are too sick to testify into evidence.

However, this action meant that the 18-year-old accused, and Mr Ducille, were unable to cross-examine the witnesses to verify the contents of the statements.

Kristan Stubbs and Bradford McKenzie prosecuted the case.

A vision for Downtown Nassau THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

is to move from point A to point B.” Mr Fields added that the DNP hopes that will ALTHOUGH the bulk of be completed “in the next the plans for the rejuvena- month or so”. tion of downtown Nassau The boardwalk is curare medium to long-term, rently under construction Downtown Nassau Part- on private property, Mr nership (DNP) managing Fields said. Upon its comdirector Ed Fields is ada- pletion, it will also have the mant the organisation is capacity for super yachts to working to bring significant be docked. changes to the city.

“The overall plan is to In an interview with go from East Street, that’s The Tribune on Friday, by the Kelly dock, to the Mr Fields explained the bridge. To Potter’s Cay. So hurdles facing such an enor- on private property, that is mous task, provided some already being done. background information to “What we’re now waiting the delays, and also listed to get finished is a couple of the organisation’s accom- seabed leases to be signed plishments, citing the litany off by government so that of improvements made to we can have that… obstacle Nassau over the last decade. out of the way.”

“What we’re trying to However, there are focus on is how to make it added complications that a better city for residents,” contribute to delays in Mr Fields said. the project, he explained.

The DNP’s medium to These include discussions long-term goals include a on how government land public transportation shut- will be traversed, as well as tle system for downtown, several side streets that will the construction of a 12ft have to be redesigned and wide boardwalk that will made pedestrian friendly as run from East Street to a result of the project.

Potter’s Cay Dock, and the “There’s no sense having transformation a boardwalk of the area surand then you ‘One of the things rounding Fort get to one Charlotte and that’s going to road and you the Fish Fry be involved is can’t cross it into a “Central properly,” he the demolition Park” concept. said.

Mr Fields of some of those Mr Fields said the shuttle buildings and the also noted system would some buildgreening of some work in conings, such junction with of (the front of as old warethe unified bus those) spaces.’ houses, system that is require democurrently in the lition. However, those with pilot project stage, adding historical value will not be that he has been in “con- torn down. stant communication” with He added that an invesTransport Minister Frankie tor or consortia of investors Campbell on the matter. with “vision” is needed, “We’re looking at a comparing the endeavour three-loop shuttle system to the long-term planning that would augment or Sol Kerzner implemented complement a unified jitney for Paradise Island. system,” Mr Fields said, “And if that’s the vision, explaining that the essence then what is it going to take of this shuttle system is to support that vision? So in to limit the flow of buses other words you can’t just through downtown. go and say, put up three or However, for these plans four individual high rises, to come to fruition, several and put a septic tank next preliminary stages have to to it. be completed.

“You’ve got to kind of Regarding the downtown know the grand scope of management structure, Mr things, the master plan type Fields said firstly, the Busi- thought process. So that ness Improvement District you…can provide proper legislation that was written infrastructure for sewerage, in 2009 had to be redrafted. proper infrastructure for A business plan that was water, proper infrastructure also completed that year also for electrical, etc.” had to be updated to match Mr Fields estimated that the updated legislation. infrastructure for the proHe added that both those ject could cost anywhere documents are currently from a quarter to half a bilundergoing checks and edit- lion dollars. ing and should be completed When asked if there is an in the next few weeks. estimated timeline for the Mr Fields also said that completion of these proin order for funding for jects, Mr Fields said there is the plan to be quantified, none. a better understanding of “This is one of the things the existing tax base was that people just love, timerequired. lines… First of all, it’s not “Our premise is to see how a government project. So we can not add taxes, but to (we) need to take governallocate some of the existing ment out of it.” tax revenues to managing He added that the govdowntown,” he said. ernment does not have the “So in order to do that, resources to inject millions however, we have to quan- of dollars into the project. tify that. Unfortunately, Mr Fields said the ordiour system doesn’t have the nances and incentives that kind of efficient compila- have to be done can possition of data that allows that bly be accomplished within to happen with the push of the “next six months or a button. so”. This will help property “So in fact just yesterday owners make the area more (Thursday), coincidentally, I marketable for investors. met with the In-Land Rev“The quicker we can get enue Department to see how the government related we can go about best (captur- issues out of the way, which ing) that data so that we can I think will definitely be quantify what percentage or done within the next three what allocation we require to to six months, then the meet our budget needs. better it will be for inves“So just in that alone, you tors. Because investors can see how complicated it

ABANDONED buildings at the eastern end of Bay Street. aren’t going to some things without certain assurances.”

In addition to the ordinances, Mr Fields said, short-term plans for the project include the building of the boardwalk (“the connecting ribbon”) and the commissioning of a study on design for the side streets.

The DNP is also working with the taxi committee and the Kelly family to move taxis from Charlotte and Frederick Streets and Prince George Wharf. This would make those areas more pedestrian friendly, and the taxis would instead be held in the holding lot at the Kelly’s site.

Another goal is to improve traffic flow between Saunders Beach and the Hilton hotel. Some roads also will be redirected to help traffic flow.

When asked what can be done to improve the eyesores downtown, such as the abandoned buildings on Bay Street, Mr Fields said some of them will be demolished.

“One of the things that’s going to be involved is the demolition of some of those buildings and the greening of some of (the front of those) spaces.

“We will also look at how we can do murals and sort of cosmetic-type stuff to improve the area.”

Mr Fields said from his perspective, progress on the matter is moving at a “more accelerated pace”.

He also acknowledged that from the outside looking in, it may not appear this way, but compared it to the process of building a home.

“When you build a house, you want that house. You want to move in. But you know, because you want to move in, doesn’t mean you can. You’ve got to buy the land, you’ve got to get surveys, you’ve got to get appraisals, you’ve got to get bank financing. You’ve got to get all those things, and like anything else it takes a while to move through that process.”

Mr Fields also said he is “fairly optimistic” that when the project is under way, it will be a “major, major capital investment” that will have a “major impact on the economy” and create jobs.

The major sections of the project will happen in “chunks” or phases, he added.

“And then people, I suppose will be encouraged when they see these phases happening. When they start to happen, people will start to see the big picture and how, in my estimation, and I could be wrong, that in 10, 15 years, I think the city of Nassau can easily be transformed.

“And I think you’ll start to see some of… the elements of that transformation sooner rather than later.”

In the interim, Mr Fields said Bahamians should be galvanised and appreciative of the major upgrades New Providence in particular has undergone in the last decade.

“Since 2009: new airport,

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

new roads, Baha Mar has come on to play, downtown we’ve put in Pompey Square, we’ve rejuvenated Rawson Square, we have done things like put in pedestrian crossings, we did Marlborough Square... we put in new sidewalks, the Straw Market was rebuilt.”

He added that the DNP had a flag pole installed by Dunkin’ Donuts downtown, so the flag is up all the time.

The organisation is also responsible for “every bench and garbage can” on Bay Street and in Rawson Square, and pointed to the overall cleanliness of the area.

“Yes, we have challenges, and we will continue to work on those challenges, but I think people need to understand that we are making strides and we’re going to continue to try and make those strides.”

NOTICE The following persons are asked to contact the Bahamas Hotel Industry Management Pension Fund at 322-8381-4 or 502-4200 Monday to Friday between the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm.

David Darling Patrick Davis Kevin Kemp Kendrick Knowles Brittany Knowles Rashard Knowles Norma Cox-Powell George Saunders Wellington Smith Roderick Wells Gioacchino Tanco Sidney Fernander Lorraine Ferguson Cardinal Miller Harcourt Bodie

PAGE 8 MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018

When the rubber meets the road

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

IS VAT a lifebelt to save The Bahamas - or will some be left to drown to save others?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

Peter Turnquest and Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson have been making the press rounds, they’ve AS Bahamians continue yet to present a case conto wrap their minds around vincing enough to help the the dramatic increase in Bahamian public see why what was already one of it was necessary to increase the highest costs of living VAT to 12 percent in order in the world, the outlook is to balance the budget in daunting. The government, three years. unabashed by dissenting Unfortunately, the realviews inside and outside ity is that there is no sense Cabinet, has shot down any in crying over spilled milk hope of the VAT rate being at this point. The governdecreased a few points ment is not going to save before its July 1 rollout. the day as they promised us Prime Minover a year ago. ister Minnis While balancWe can say with doubled down ing the budget on the gov- assurance that may be a ernment’s some families are laudable accomdecision to plishment on increase VAT going to suffer. the part of any from 7.5 per- Those families government, it cent to 12 that struggled to shows a lack of percent, saying understanding it was the right make it before of the struggles VAT’s first decision. of the BahaHe said: implementation mian people.

“We looked Even going at 15 percent. are going to through the That was not be suffocated budget presan option. It under the new entation and was too much looking at the pain for anyone increase. exemptions to burden. And that are going we looked at 12 percent, to be granted, it simply (and) we realised there does not add up to anything would be some challenges resembling a benefit. even with 12 (percent), but All that being said, when we know how to overcome the rubber meets the road, those challenges, and there- the Bahamian people will fore we had to increase to have to adjust their lives 12 (percent) so as to protect to their new economic future generations.” environment. The new chalWe are still unclear as to lenges will stretch much how the government came further than the economy. to the conclusion that 12 Certainly, the citizenry percent VAT was the most will benefit greatly in sensible option from a tech- developing a greater sense nical standpoint. Although of financial literacy and Deputy Prime Minister learning how to make their

money work for them.

That will undoubtedly be the most tangible effect that we will experience. However, we must also take into account how we will be affected socially. Moreover, we will also need to consider how this affects us politically.

We can say with assurance that some families are going to suffer. Those families that struggled to make it before VAT’s first implementation are going to be suffocated under the new increase. Notwithstanding exemptions on breadbasket items, everyday expenses for all Bahamians will increase.

Consumer goods that are not included in the breadbasket may likely increase in price with operators trying to maintain profitability. Without a doubt, the customer – you and I – are the ones that will feel the brunt of the government’s decision.

If we look at the announcement from two gaming operators to close shop on certain locations and trim staff – whether you love or hate the numbers industry – those are Bahamians that are about to be

unemployed.

Let’s face it – had getting a job been an easy feat, unemployment would not be sitting at around 12 percent with projections pointing to future increases. While the general public’s angst toward the legalisation of the numbers industry may be justified based on the circumstances it took place, the undeniable fact is the industry is legal.

The operators all have gaming licences. They all pay taxes and are not opposed to a fair tax increase. They all employ Bahamians that contribute to the circulation of money within the economy.

The perpetuating of arguments that the number bosses “have too much money”, “they have made their riches” or “they pay their staff low wages” all hide the fact that the government arbitrarily made a decision that will affect

average Bahamian citizens. The government has no safety net in place to cushion the fallout when these businesses – as any business would when economic conditions dictate – decrease operating costs. Unfortunately, the first cost to cut is usually payroll.

Rather than having empathy for our brothers and sisters, far too many Bahamians are expressing hatred towards the numbers bosses. Instead of appealing to a sense of innate care we should have for our fellow man, some of us disregard how this will affect people in the inner city and family island communities where prices are already high.

Amazingly, we are still a place where people would still jump off a cliff over political biases. And resultantly, our leaders indiscriminately make decisions they deem fit without fear of upheaval.

Consequently, the challenges facing us over the next few years are monumental.

The government’s plan is to be able to tell the Bahamian people that it has balanced the budget and saved the country for future generations. Likely,

the Opposition will campaign on the pillar that the government has sacrificed the current generation to save future ones.

The mudslinging will no doubt be as entertaining as “silly season” always is, but at some point, the pain and suffering has to bring us to a place where enough is enough.

The Bahamian people believed that the Minnis administration would be a different one. Though he claims he is trying to “save The Bahamas for future generations”, he is doing so arrogantly – leading in a vaccum.

How are we, the Bahamian people going to save our own generation? The prime minister never consulted us on “saving us”. Nor does he have the sole authority to decide when and how we ought to be saved.

The people of The Bahamas must raise the level of leadership, or that, my friends, will be the real determinant in our success or failure as a nation – not national debt. Visionless, stubborn, arrogant leadership is what will drive away local talent and suppress leadership ambition in this country as people become more hopeless.

As a nation, we face some difficult times ahead. Hopefully, this is able to bring us together where we are able to find strength in unity and a shared responsibility to make The Bahamas the best little country in the world.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018 PAGE 9

The sleeping giant of Bahamian politics

By FREDERICK SMITH, QC

IN 1967, the small group of families that had controlled The Bahamas for generations were dealt a massive and crippling blow.

When the PLP’s nationalist revolution swept Lynden Pindling into power, the world as these entitled oligarchs knew it was brought to an abrupt and jarring end.

This was deservedly so. For the most part, the pompous old white men that controlled the UBP government had, in their time, supported and enforced segregation and our very own version of Jim Crow laws. They had engineered and benefited enormously from a terminally corrupt political system, and clung desperately to the vestiges of white male privilege for as long as they possibly could, as in most of the British colonies.

For their many sins, most of the “Bay Street Boys”, and by extension, the vast majority of white Bahamians, were exiled from the political scene and made to feel excluded from the new society that was being constructed.

This banishment was only partially forced. With few exceptions, white Bahamians, no doubt suffering from Post-Traumatic Political Stress Disorder after a revolution they believed could never happen, absconded from the political scene, cloistered themselves in their profitable business interests and remained hidden in their protected neighbourhoods.

Keeping their heads firmly down, have quietly focused on consolidating their economic success and quality of living ever since.

Unfortunately, after a bright and promising start, it turned out that Pindling and his cohorts were far more adept at learning from and perfecting the political crimes of their predecessors than ushering in any meaningful change. Soon, an elaborate and many-tiered culture of nepotism and corruption, on a scale which the Bay Street Boys could never have imagined, was firmly put in place.

Because the first PLPs could not bring their own economic means of manipulation and control to bear on the voting public, their revolution necessitated a never-ending flood of nefarious political benefactors, from drug smugglers, to conmen, to unscrupulous developers – anyone ready and willing to fund the acquisition and maintenance of power in exchange

SIR LYNDEN PINDLING, who at first represented hope of breaking away from the Bay Street Boys era of nepotism and corruption. for a special licence to do as the national conversation. they liked in The Bahamas. Intimidating and stigmaThe future of The Bahamas tising anyone because of has been being system- their place of origin as has atically sold away, in little been done by both the chunks, ever since.

FNM and PLP in respect Meanwhile, the consid- of me, and the colour of erable economic power of their skin, as has been done formerly prominent white to Brent Symonette by the Bahamian families plays PLP, punishing anyone for little if any part in front line the sins of their fathers, is politics – aside from funding nothing more than crude strategic donations to polit- racism and discrimination. ical parties, overwhelmingly It is also incredibly unfair the FNM. But this changes and contrary to the facts. little. Pindling’s style of The black elite that rose up governance, characterised around Pindling were guilty by arbitrary use and even of many crimes against the abuse of power, through average Bahamian, but a Westminster-style dicta- their children are not sadtorship of the Office of the dled with the same shame Prime Minister (because of and stigma as their white the small number of Par- counterparts and do not liamentarians to act as a hesitate to become involved check or balance) that is in the political scene. above the law, and with Were prominent white tight economic controls on Bahamians to be welcomed the public, disregard for back into the political fold, the Constitution and rou- their conditioned self-contine human rights abuses, sciousness and awareness of is today universal. Though past injustices would probasome governments may bly cause them to give back be less bad than others, all as fully and transparently follow this basic blueprint as possible – if not out of to the extreme detriment of a sense of personal responthe Bahamian people. It is sibility then at least from not without reason that we a wish to have some say in have endured two decades history’s judgment of their of one-term governance. families and community in Meanwhile, the bogey- the final instance. man of old has moved on.

Much has been made Subsequent generations of of the fact that certain white Bahamians do not white families only became hold the same prejudices successful after earning as their forbears. Indeed, fortunes in less than honmany speak passionately ourable trades – smuggling, – though privately – about shipwrecking, rum and the kind of country they blockade running. But this want to see, a country should not be used to sugruled by good governance, gest their descendants will transparency, accountabil- be likewise seduced into ity, tolerance, fairness and illegality – quite the oppothe rule of law. Many hold site in fact. To the extent modern, progressive views that these families now run and want the best for the legitimate and extremely nation. successful concerns, the The crimes of the white impetus toward petty coroligarchs were unforgiv- ruption which plagues our able. But that should not current political class would tarnish the personal repu- be substantially reduced. It tation of their descendants. would be highly irrational Like the children born of and counterproductive to Haitian immigrants in The risk the reputation of a Bahamas, they are not business worth millions, born with original immi- just to take a small bribe gration or political sin to eke out a political existrespectively! Nor does this ence either in opposition or give the rest of us an excuse government. for excluding them from White Bahamians are

also likely to use any political influence they may gain to make it easier to do business in The Bahamas by removing economic restrictions and red tape, thus making their own and other companies flourish; a development that should be welcomed by all Bahamians. Generally speaking, other than some Conchy Joe and old white Bahamian families who often support the PLP because they directly and hugely profit from Bahamianisation (a euphemism for oligarchic monopolies and protectionism) they tend to be more worldly and hold open-minded ideas about questions of immigration, protectionism and taxation – an alternative perspective that is desperately needed at this time. And, they can be counted upon to support progressive initiatives such as renewable energy, economic diversification, eco-tourism and emerging industries.

In fiscal terms we need more successful, disciplined, loss-adverse individuals who are used to running a tight ship to help curb the unnecessary spending and cut back on fiscal waste. If The Bahamas is to flourish, we must move away from a “jobs for votes, jobs for friends” public service model, to one that is based on merit and qualifications. Generally speaking, our politics needs fewer lawyers and more businessmen – black, white and other. Frankly, we should consider hiring 13 successful Jewish businessmen from Miami Beach to run the business of promoting the economy of The Bahamas successfully, and as Shakespeare put it “Kill all the lawyers first”.

Regrettably they have held a stranglehold on the economy since 1968!

As we saw in the last election, desperate and visionless politicians, particularly the older generation of PLPs, will not hesitate to try and scare the public with warnings that the white bogeyman is coming to get them once again. But the era of white supremacy and minority rule is gone forever; the social and cultural circumstances that allowed it to occur simply do not exist anymore.

And, far from being bent on national domination, recent history has made the best and brightest white

Bahamians disinterested, reluctant, even afraid of participating in a political scene they believe is stacked against them. This is to the detriment of us all; any and all intellectual and financial resources available to us should be used to the benefit of the nation as a whole.

Our politics desperately needs more competition and radically different, new ideas – the more the better in fact. This is not only the case when it comes to white Bahamians, but also Haitian-Bahamians, GreekBahamians, Bahamian women, members of the LGBTQ community, etc.

Our country has stagnated terribly in the throes of a single myopic perspective.

Hatred, xenophobia, discrimination, homophobia, misogyny and racism. We have been crushed under the collective heel of an ever tightening circle of political elites who have repeatedly proven to be nothing more than different sides of the same tarnished coin.

Things simply must change. Though it may seem like an unlikely source of progress, a community that was so prominent in the past, and which remains economically potent, may be part of the solution.

But the onus is not only on the wider community to include them. White Bahamians too must take some responsibility for their current anonymity, in particular for the culture of abstention, pessimism, negativity and impotence that has taken hold of their community and prevented most of them from contributing more meaningfully.

They must stop whining and complaining about

the state of the country in private, while declining to get involved in the public conversation, yet directly profiting from the policies that deprive the majority in The Bahamas of opportunity.

They must actually take some personal risks, leave their gated communities and step into the political arena where so many other Bahamians, of varied economic means, struggle to create a better Bahamas as activists, public commentators and political agitators.

White Bahamians must stand up and be counted.

They must display the courage to be the change they want to see. They must end their self-imposed exile.

I hereby call on this sleeping giant of Bahamian politics, and more generally on all politically marginalised groups – Haitian-Bahamians, women, members of civil society – to become energised, get organised, join the political fray and fight forcefully and on the front lines for what they believe is right.

The peaceful revolution of the 1960s was both timely and necessary. But the social and political systems it ushered in have long past their usefulness and become an onerous burden upon the Bahamian people; an anchor around our necks, dragging us down into an abyss of violence, stagnation, frustration and despair.

Something simply has to give. And Bahamians must keep an open mind, seek radically different solutions and carve out a fresh path to peace and prosperity – though it may take us in the unlikeliest of directions.

We must not fear change.

We must welcome change!

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PAGE 10 MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

CARICOM Summit needs to excite the imagination World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

I WISH I could say that “all eyes are on the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting to be held from 4 to 6 July in Jamaica”.

But, CARICOM events have long since ceased to hold excitement for the people of the 15-member community. They hardly get a glance these days.

The prospects CARICOM once had of fostering a regional people with a strong identity and an independent spirit, living and working in a single economic space that brings improvement to their lives, have long since dissipated.

Therefore, there are no great expectations for this Summit even though it returns to Montego Bay, the site of many historic agreements by West Indian governments, including the February 1947 conference at which a Standing Closer Association Committee was established to draft a federal constitution.

Two agenda items are likely to dominate the meeting, although, given their common concern, they are likely to morph into one. They are: a discussion of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Report of The Commission to Review Jamaica’s Relations within the CARICOM and CARIFORUM Frameworks. The Commission was established by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, and was headed by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

In advance of the meeting, the Golding Report has occasioned disagreement from veteran Caribbean thinker, the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, over the practicality of some of its 33 recommendations. More specifically, Gonsalves takes issue with the recommendation on governance of CARICOM and to the proposition that if the CSME is not fully

operational “within the next five years”, Jamaica should withdraw from the common market and, instead, assume a “status similar to that held by The Bahamas”.

It is often forgotten The Bahamas and Haiti were never part of the process to forge the CSME and are only involved in the “Community” aspects of CARICOM. The Golding Report is a Jamaica-centric report.

Describing it as “Jamaicacentric” is not a criticism; it was meant to be a focus on CARICOM in relation to what’s in it – or not – for Jamaica. That’s the job the Commission did.

Nonetheless, the Commissioners had sufficiently wide experience of CARICOM affairs that, beyond their focus on Jamaica’s interests, they produced thoughtful observations and recommendations for the better functioning of CARICOM. Although, it should be said that many of them were not new: their value now is that they stimulate refreshed attention especially about making the private sector part of CARICOM’s decision-making machinery.

Hopefully, discussion of the Golding Report in the context of operationalising the CSME, will not cause insurmountable contention between the member states classified as More Developed Countries (MDCs) and Less Developed Countries (LDCs).

A basis for such a division already exists. The Golding Commission regards the MDC/LDC differentiation as “unnecessary” and describes, as “the absurd situation”, the fact that the “per capita income of some LDCs is as much as three times that of MDCs”. The latter observation is particularly ironic given that Jamaica is in the forefront of criticising international financial institutions for denying it access

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis addressing the opening session of the 38th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Grenada last year - in his first head-of-state CARICOM address.

Photo: OPM Media Services to concessional financing on the sole criterion of per capita income.

The Commissioners also overlooked the reality that given their small size and extremely limited natural resources, the LDCs’ capacity for development will always be less than that of the larger and better resourced MDCs, particularly Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Further, the present higher level of per capita income in the LDCs than in Jamaica and Guyana is directly related to economic policies administered by their governments and to other factors such as a single currency, a single central bank,

tight fiscal policy and a prohibition on printing money to meet deficits. This circumstance also accounts for Jamaican and Guyanese migration to the LDCs. Recklessly (even insultingly) the Golding Commissioners described the Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIPs), operated by five of the six Eastern Caribbean countries, as “essentially a Citizenship for sale programme”. The Commissioners boldly opined that “the potential risks to the Community especially in view of the sophistication of transnational crimes, cannot be ignored”.

Before stating this opinion, the Commissioners might usefully have taken into account that the five Caribbean countries apply several layers of applicant-vetting, including by Interpol. They might also have considered that Malta and Austria, members of the European Union, also operate CIPs that allow entry to all EU 28-Member States by successful applicants.

Less confrontationally, the Golding Commissioners make a reasonable call for a CARICOM agreement that ensures that Caribbean CIPs should have safeguards and be closely monitored. That

call, without the preceding commentary, would undoubtedly find an accommodating response.

The Golding Report is a very useful document for CARICOM Heads to consider. But, it is essentially what it was intended to be – a report on Jamaica in CARICOM; it is not a fresh look by all CARICOM countries at how, together, they could deepen the integration process, including by fully operationalising the CSME, to respond to the challenges and opportunities in today’s volatile world.

The Golding report makes one observation with which all governments should agree. It is that the CSME cannot be expected to work “because it has not yet been functionally established”.

In 2011, CARICOM leaders decided to put the CSME on “pause”. This was under the stewardship of Freundel Stuart, the former Prime Minister of Barbados, who had the lead responsibility for the CSME. It has languished ever since.

It is time that the clutch on the CSME be released and for the process to be accelerated. If the people of CARICOM are to be inspired again to believe in the integration project, the July summit will have to ignite the imagination

of the Caribbean people by going beyond the words of a lengthy communiqué and, instead, producing an ambitious plan with robust means of implementation.

In this connection, there is much to be hoped from the fact that Mia Mottley, the new Prime Minister of Barbados, will now assume lead responsibility for the CSME. She brings an impressive track record of accomplishment in Caribbean integration, including her supervision of the single Caribbean space for cricket world cup in 2007, and her work in the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice. While she will have to focus on rebuilding her own country’s economy, she also well appreciates the value of economic integration to the fortunes of all CARICOM states, including Barbados.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own.

PAGE 12, Monday, June 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Flowers: I’m not firing staff

from page one

The Asure Win web shop last week said it would close 11 sites and terminate about 50 workers by the end of this month. The increase taxes forced it to make fundamental business decisions concerning the future sustainability of operations, the company said in a statement.

Island Luck has further warned 350 of its employees could be sent to the unemployment line.

Paradise Games has also foreshadowed the same action, although it has not intimated the number of cuts it is considering.

However, in a memo to his staff, Mr Flowers told his workers he was committed to remaining open to secure their jobs.

“I have the largest responsibility because I have been in the business longer than everyone else and I have great

CRAIG FLOWERS staff and employees, some 15 and even 18 years with my company,” Mr Flowers told The Tribune yesterday. He was asked to speak about the memo dated June 20, which is now making the rounds on social media.

“They are a part of my family so I am not prepared to make any statements that will put them in fear of their jobs at this time. I have a first responsibility in the line of order. It is to my staff and then to my customers. I am not prepared to put them in an odd position in reference to fear.”

He continued: “I have to

wait until I see what impact it’s going to have on the industry.

“None of us, including the government, has any knowledge as to how the patrons will respond to this.

All of the talk that we have been hearing thus far has been either from the web shop operators or from the government. We have yet to hear from the customers.

“Those are the people that will determine size and the impact of this industry and until we give them some time to show us what is going to be their response, all of these numbers, all of these projections and all of these decisions that are being made are fruitless.

They have zero impact.”

The imposition of the five per cent stamp tax on deposits and winnings on July 1 will be the first time in the industry’s history patrons will be footing some level of taxation for their decision to gamble in web shops.

“I want to be very

optimistic about the patrons continuing to play these games, but that is going to be left for us to see what will July bring us as far as the support from our patrons. At that point, I would be prepared to speak with my employees. But without that I can’t go on what the government says.

“The government does not have any control over the industry in terms of growth or any reduction in the industry is concerned. The patrons make those decisions.”

Mr Flowers said his company has not been a party to discussions between the government and the Bahamas Gaming House Operators Association because he is not a part of the BGOA. He said this was the case because of “personal differences”.

“We have our own personal differences with some of the decisions that was being made by the association. FML still supports the

association in its efforts and in a lot of things, but we don’t agree with all the policies.

Some of them are personal to myself and I so choose to walk a different road, but certainly with the utmost respect for the association because they do have a mandate to look after the entire industry.”

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest told The Nassau Guardian the government is not to blame for 350 job cuts to come at Island Luck. He said it is unfair and a bit of a stretch to say the layoffs would occur because of the increased taxes.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes has also said the cuts were “unfortunate,” when he spoke of the job losses to come at Asure Win, adding there are several factors contributing to the closure of gaming houses aside from a tax increase.

He has also called for web shop owners to take a

moment and examine how the government’s new sliding tax scale will affect them, instead of “anticipating” that it will be detrimental.

The new sliding tax scale is set to take effect on July 1.

Under the new measures, web shops will pay a 20 percent tax on up to $20 million of their revenue, a 25 percent tax on between $20 million and $40 million of their revenue, a 30 percent tax on between $40 million and $60 million of their revenue, a 35 percent tax on between $60 million and $80 million of their revenue, a 40 percent tax on between $80 million and $100 million of their revenue and 50 percent on revenue above $100 million.

Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has said some web shops were on the verge of downsizing even before the planned tax increase was announced.

BNT WANTS OBAN DEAL TO BE STRONGER from page one

In the days following an announcement the government was finalising several amendments to the Oban HOA, BNT President Eric Carey said he is hopeful the new agreement is “solid” and addresses concerns that have lingered for several months.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, who heads a subcommittee to analyse the project and the HOA, said last week chief among the changes was the review and adjustment of environmental clauses, economic terms and several restrictive legal conditions now in the HOA. At the height of controversy surrounding the $5.5bn proposed oil refinery

for Grand Bahama, the BNT said it could not see any scenario where it could support the project.

That was more than three months ago.

However, with news the government is finalising changes to the HOA, Mr Carey suggested the BNT might be able to support the project moving forward, despite having no input to date in this new process of revision.

“We have noted with interest the statement from the minister that the government is going to develop a new heads of agreement,” Mr Carey said yesterday when he was contacted. “We note especially the reference to paying closer attention and placing greater emphasis on the environmental aspects.

“So we are hoping that when they revise it, certainly when the (environmental impact assessment) is done, if it ever gets done, if there are findings that are negative and show an unacceptable level of impact on the environment, we are hoping that there will be a clause that says the project wouldn’t be able to go ahead. We certainly hope that the environment will be protected in the new heads of agreement.”

Mr Carey said the BNT sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis the day before Mr Foulkes revealed amendments to the HOA would be complete in the next several weeks asking for an update on this matter.

Understandably there has yet to be a response, Mr

Carey said, but he reminded officials the BNT remains very concerned and interested in the Oban deal.

Asked whether he would support developers finding another site for the oil refinery, Mr Carey said he could not make that recommendation yet. However he conceded that given the country’s geographic make up, it would be challenging not be near sensitive ecosystems as far as large scale developments are concerned.

“The government’s job is to obviously create employment and the National Trust is not going to tie the government’s hands in trying to create employment.

“But when it is a location that is either sensitive and automatically raises concerns we will state those concerns as in this case. So it is now the government’s responsibility to ensure that as this project goes through approval process that there needs to be a determination based heavily on protecting the environment so that’s the first thing we wanted.

“Despite the location, even if it wasn’t in proximity to a national park, in any way you add to the industry you will be within a mile or so of the coast or proximity to sensitive marine systems or you are going to be within proximity to sensitive fresh water resources because of the very geography of our country.

“So we want to ensure that as we deal with these developments, large or small, that careful attention is paid to the potential

environmental impacts and due diligence be carried out to try to the best extent possible to minimise or eliminate any negative impact whether in a national park or not.”

When he was asked if he believed the deal should have been scrapped because of its controversial nature, Mr Carey said: “I am encouraged that the government is rethinking the deal and the heads of agreement.

“I don’t think I am qualified or know enough to say it should or should not be scrapped, but I think we should all be encouraged that the government has listened to the concerns by NGOs, other civil society organisations and the general public.

“The government itself admitted to several missteps in this process and the fact that they are now hopefully trying to execute a process to correct those missteps and give us a solid heads that is able to address any concerns that a project of this size would raise is encouraging.”

During his Senate contribution to the budget debate, Mr Foulkes expressed optimism the Oban deal would help turn around Grand Bahama’s economy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I can report… in a few weeks we will have an amended heads of agreement for Oban that we believe will be acceptable to the Bahamian people at large, but more importantly acceptable to Grand Bahamians and persons living in Grand Bahama, particularly those living in East Grand Bahama,” Mr Foulkes said.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 25, 2018, PAGE 13

DOMINICAN FISHERMEN FACE COURT A WEEK after they were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, four Dominican fishermen were charged in court for poaching in Bahamian waters.

Leidy Trinidad, Pedio Cabera, Hector Ventura and Randis Tabarez all appeared before Magistrate Volt Evans in Court 6 and were charged with illegal fishing and possession of Nassau grouper.

All the men pleaded guilty. Trinidad, Cabera, and Ventura were fined $20,000 or eight months in prison and Tabarez

was fined $10,000 or four months in prison. The vessel was seized and the fisheries products were confiscated.

The Dominican poachers were all remanded in custody at the Department of Correctional Services.

HMBS Durward Knowles, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Omarv Saunders, apprehended the 50-ft Dominican fishing vessel, Brailyn on the Great Bahama Bank on June 16 with the four Dominican fishermen, along with a quantity of scaled fish on board.

DEPUTY PM HECKLED AS HE TALKS VAT AT GRADUATION from page one

he said in an attempt to calm the crowd down.

Over intermittent shouts Juan McCartney said and and loud murmurs from Ortland Bodie said.’ And the crowd, he explained: I asked her the question, “So you’ve got $7bn of debt what do you say? Did you and you are only making read the budget? Do you $2bn a year, every year we understand it? Did you earn $2.5bn so we have take the time to just maybe got a deficit every year of turn on the TV and watch over $600m a year, now the debate? And she sat if you look at the amount down. That’s the problem. of debt that’s been accuI always say to people as mulated year after year, I do these town meetings, because every year we are you owe it to yourself and borrowing, even if you to your future generations can’t understand the $7bn to know, to be informed so of debt, what you ought you can make to be able to decisions to understand yourselves and is that every for the future year that debt of this country. is growing. “. . . When This year, we it comes to are going to the poor, there spend $381m is this narraon interest, tive that we and to bring are putting 12 that into conpercent and to text, that is 14 make it sexy cents of every they say 60 tax dollar percent tax on that you put the Bahamian into the treaspeople. First ury that goes let us recogto pay for nise that when interest.”

7.5 percent DEPUTY Prime Minister PeOne woman was added, it ter Turnquest. in particuwas the same lar could be persons who were talk- heard shouting, “We care ing about how good it was. ‘bout that?” and “These We’ve added four and a half poor lil’ children.” percent and we didn’t think The value added tax about putting four and a increase to 12 percent half percent because we comes into force at the wanted to break the back of beginning of next month. the poor. The reality is that The hike has overshadthe country is in debt and owed what the Minnis if you’ve ever had to work administration has called hard and come home to pay the “People’s Budget.” your bills, you know what The administration hopes I’m talking about.”

VAT exemptions on breadThe crowd grew restless basket items and electricity as Mr Turnquest spoke and bills up to $200 along with it was clear the budget in customs duty waivers on that setting was a tough sell. clothes and shoes for retail“Give me a minute, ers will offset the impact give me a minute, we in the general increase in VAT church now, simmer down,” will have on Bahamians.

A DOMINICAN fishing vessel seized by the RBDF.

Photo: RBDF

PAGE 14, Monday, June 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

A NEW GENERATION OF DOCTORS THE Ministry of Health held an awards ceremony for its graduating class of doctors at Baha Mar last night.

Among the graduates was Dr Giselle Outten, pictured top right, who received numerous awards, including most outstanding for obstetricscs and gynecology, adult and paediatric medicine, surgery and final MBBS examinations and the most outstanding student of the Ministry of Health graduating class.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/ Tribune Staff

PAGE 16, Monday, June 25, 2018

GREENSLADES PUT ON A STYLISH SHOW

THE TRIBUNE

BAHAMAS High Commissioner to London Ellison Greenslade and his wife Kimberly are pictured on Friday at Royal Ascot with an amazing design by Bahamian fashion designer. Theodore Elyett.

This was day four of the famous fiveday racing event, which “commences each day with a royal procession involving the Queen, who has had passion for horses and racing since childhood”, according to the London Daily Express. In a tweet, High Commissioner Greenslade said he was delighted to be greeted by Guy Henderson, the CEO of Royal Ascot adding, “Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for bringing Commonwealth BAHAMAS High Commissioner to London Ellison fashions to Royal Ascot this week.”

Greenslade and his wife Kimberly.

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