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‘Absent’ Minnis blasted ON By TANEKA THOMPS or Tribune News Edit media.net tmthompson@tribune
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MP teams up with Duane Sands for d FNM leadership bi
D AS PILOT AND MECHANIC KILLEKE-OFF PLANE EXPLODES AFTER TA
one of has set the stage for politid the most anticipate , to be cal events of the year 9. held from July 27-2 same The pair ran for the Loret2014 and lost to LONG Island MP Sena- positions in ta Butler-Turner and s will the current leadership duo, tor Dr Duane Sandleader- though they did not run as a occasion. run as a team in a rney team on that r of ship race against Killa and “It is not lost on eithe ptnis ld’ve attem wou MP Dr Hubert Min we that us MP East Grand Bahama Free ed (to win posts) at the Nothe convention but Peter Turnquest at con- vember 2014 National Movement’s next all I can say is that in life, deof final if you don’t vention at the end only is feat to rmed ,” Dr month, they confi get up and try again . The Tribune yesterday de- Sands said when contacted The pair finalised the in- by The Tribune yesterday. and errday cision on Satu For her part, Mrs Butl and Mr formed Dr Minnis inten- Turner said she endorsed say to had s Turnquest of their Sand all Dr er. She detions yesterday. But- about the matt The decision of Mrs for clined further comment. run ler-Turner, who will s, who PAGE SIX SEE leader, and Dr Sandleader, will run for deputy
LE By RASHAD ROL orter Tribune Staff Rep net rrolle @tribunemedia.
Neko Grant slams leader’s display in Budget debate
d BaCEN TRA L Gran had t hama MP Neko Gran NaFree for s word of g stron r and other members Leader feeling well leade ne has tional Movement per- the guise of not the FNM. The Tribuil. nis’ Dr Hubert Min parliamentarians r ema the othe as ined obta wrap also would formance during thebudget stayed behind to finish the “Mr Leader, you 7 nt. ct up of the 2016/201 rney work of Parliame of Par- be aware that the subjeto debate, saying the Killa Before members an opportunity in ides est” prov inter “no pass MP showed vote on and government ent the liam cise light exer high inely the head-by-head shortcomings the budget, they rout ed. ministers’ and seemed unpreparof op- go through the heads of incompetence,” stries and and theiril said. “A time Mr Grant, leader the government mini ema in the ness mem busi with position n memsure Dr departments, when we oppositio House, said he was ied the bers of the Official Opposiour ‘A’ bers should be on Minnis had not stud behav- tion raising questions about oint and game ready to pinp ent’s budget and that his rbing” matters of concern. rnm out the gove call distu sst “mo asses ing was iour they are Mr Grant’s scath .” He shortcomings, as and “disrespectful nis of ment of Dr Minnis’ perforfor it. ared prep r neve Min thereof, in the also accused Dr leaving mance, or lack mbly was outSEE PAGE SIX abandoning ship by around House of Asse the House session under lined in an email to the party y rsda Thu 2.30am
ERT SMITH GOMEZ: MYSTERY OVER ROB GRACE DIS TE COMPLEX IS A COMPLE more open contract pro-
To do the right thing %, DISABLED MAN CONVICTION RATE NOW 71 SHOT DEAD SAYS AT TORNEY GENERAL IN GRAND BAHAMA LE By RASHAD ROL orter Tribune Staff Rep net rrolle @tribunemedia.
for THE conviction rate up s Supreme Court case was year this of il to Apr atic im71 per cent, a dram 31 per provement from the rded by cent that was reco rney the end of 2012 , Attonard General Allyson May rday Gibson revealed yeste
ans as the the New Orleans Pelic . after being chosen by See Sports for more ‘Buddy’ Hield reacts n (NBA) draft yesterday. BAHAMIAN Chavano ciatio Asso l etbal nal Bask sixth pick in the Natio
BAHA MAR UM ON MINNIS PROMISES REFERENDBECOMES PM DEVELOPER IS HE IF NT ME ISH CAPITAL PUN AT
tion to during her contribu in the the budget debate of this il Senate. Up to Apr was rate K year, the acquittal By DENISE MAYCOCorter 29 per cent. tely seek to the Tribune Freeport Rep WN would immedia stitution to “We have increased ts dmaycock @tribunemedia.net By SANCHESKA BRO r cour amend the Con inal crim of number Staff Reporte based Privy une UKTrib the ve -Gib remo nard et was to ten,” Mrs May est court sbrown@ tribunemedia.n A DISA BLED man lighted Council as the high son said as she high office found shot dead in a shack der conIL of appeal for mur er Lead Subp By KHRISNA VIRG r N Loo the successes of her TIO OPPOSI in the Pioneer’s . s. victs year Staff Reporte yesfour said even past y in the said in the case Tribune ibunemedia.net ion on Thursda nis Dr Hubert Minnis Min divis Dr e SEE PAGE NINE ing, pushing the country’s terday if he is elected prim ictions, if kvirgil@tr conv der mur of for the minister, he would hold a refjudge feels the naloper, murder count to 59 punish- the trial BAH A Mar’s deve it is nces of erendum on capital ible”. year. ture and circumsta Holdings, said icide NINE BMDunding” that nearly It was the 10th hom ama ment “as soon as poss The PAGE SEE with “asto Bah In an inter view ging to occur in Grand said he one year after enga tion Tribune, Dr Minnis this year. struc not rewith China Con While police have and China Export rica tity, iden Ame m’s victi otagleased the rstands Import Bank in “sab pter 11 The Tribune unde is being” the resort’s Cha States, that the deceased case in the United ration Thompials lieved to be Corey offic Christie administ into a universit y, VELLA t last the suddenly paid two law son. ector By NICO SCA has said in a state men According to Insp re- Tribune Staff Reporter thetical e firms to craft hypo govnight. was nt Terecita Pinder, polic hots nscavella @tribunemedia.net eme agre fications for the The loan guns to justi im” ceived reports of d in December 2104 - ernment’s “ready-fi re-a o Plum signe Coc the the of in d ege hear ng the THE Coll specific capacity build after actions concerni Street area shortly ed of- Bah ama s’ canc ellat ion of fundand capital development rt. reso bn $3.5 ing atch the 6.30 pm and disp a $16.1m loan fromment initiatives. SEE PAGE THREE Develop ficers to the area. e dis- Car ibbe an SEE PAGE THREE deter the On arrival, polic of Ban k will not body ss n lifele sitio the tran covered institutio n’s SEE PAGE SIX
For the good of their country, not just their party, FNMs have a decision to make about their leader, Malcolm J Strachan says
A
month from now, the Free National Movement (FNM) will be holding its national convention, the importance of this convention cannot be overstated as the results will ultimately determine the future of this country. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a month from now, 400 people will decide whether or not the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) or the FNM will win the general election in 2017.
The stakes Currently, the FNM is headed by the hapless and incompetent Dr Hubert Minnis. He has been the leader of the party for the last four years, racking up one defeat after the other while he bumbles his way along. But to be fair to Dr Minnis, we doubt even he ever thought he would be in the position he is today; the leader of a major political party. Don’t forget, a few short years ago he had just been plucked from private life and given a safe seat in which to run, in an affluent area in New Providence. Now he finds himself on the verge of possibly being just the fourth Prime Minister in an independent Bahamas. We’re sure, sometimes in the dead of night when he closes his eyes, he must hear the phrase, “Yes Prime Minister” whispered in the darkness. But the only thing waking our good doctor from this slumber is reality. He has been an abysmal failure as leader of the Opposition. Don’t just take our word for it, look at the national headlines. From his former Cabinet colleagues like Zhivargo Laing and Neko Grant, and even his new addition to the FNM bench, Dr Andre Rollins - all who come in contact with the stench that is Minnis have recoiled in disgust. The man simply doesn’t have it. What he does have in ample supply however is apologists. They will line up outside FNM headquarters to tell you why you
‘ASTOUNDED’ LEGAL LET TERS
a curement system. Perry Prime Minister d the Christie commissione Smith complex – ert Rob for THE ten years it tookand which opens to patients tont week, ten years the Child & Adolesce plex in day – last truction on the Robert Smith com the lack after cons Fox Hill to open and the de- facility began. ng and of clarity surroundi Minister of Labour ace”, lay is a “complete disgr Da- National Insurance Shane MP Tribune Central Eleuthera Gibson told The of the . rday yeste said ez part mian Gom min- yesterday that The former Cabinet he reason for the delay is that e as ister’s comment cam about the first two contractors of spoke to The Tribune gov- the facility were terminatthe the lack of progress issues ed, prompting sub- contracon plete the project. ernment has made sparency tors to com relating to tran SEE PAGE THREE such as and accountability, laws and campaign finance
LE By RASHAD ROL orter Tribune Staff Rep rrolle @tribunmedia.net
dead. ed, leaving two occupants after a small plane crash stigating Bimini airport yesterday Police are also inve ds THE SCENE at South rstan unde The Tribune . LE died in- the crash m (on) June 19, By RASHAD ROL that the men who “At 4.15p orter Terrance Tribune Staff Rep officials at South Bicluded the pilot, and an aviation ort received a reon, Gibs rrolle @tribunmedia.net go” “Tan Airp hanic, An- mini of smoke in bushes near after airplane mec port TWO men are dead oded thony Smith, nicknamed stigations the airport. Inve aft had expl ”. a private plane ubby that an aircr “Scr aled the at reve sed by shortly after take off yesA statement relea Civil crashed in the bushes adjaort of ent artm South Bimini Airp ay.” the Dep to the runw officials will cent terday. plane Aviation saidini this mornEE The Piper Aztec Bim SEE PAGES TWO & THR just off travel to n investigations. crashed in bushes begi to ing m. the runway at 4.15p
PILOT Terrance G
UNDER UM TURNOedUTin the REFERENDROL June 7 c RS FOR YEA 55 LE FOR HAD LED RAS JAI By endum, LER refer KIL al f Reporter D Tribune Staf IEN LFR GIR to official statist LD R-O net YEA edia. 15unm @trib MURDER OF yesterday by Pa night- rrolle death outside the rS derer CON VIC TED mur
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Commissione
A LIT enced club. S 46.66 k told NOT AFFECT’ Basil Black was sent n for During trial, Blac that half of eligible voters, icipatLOAN CANCELLATION ‘WILL IVERSITY to 55 years in priso Supreme Court per cent of them, part er 15-year-old the of push ” der aine mur UN “coc the TO he was a RES EXP ed TO should continue to giveCOLLEGE TRANSITION deni h. HT and Smit TA RIG killer Alexis QC: DAME ANINSO t Mile but not a possible legality Black, 35, of Eigh was shooting Smith. N , mony By LAMECH JOH ‘Doc’ a chance. They will marriages in T Rock, Grand Bahama ch 8 While giving testi Staff Reporter is more than found guilty on Mar h of under oath in March, Black Tribune tribunemedia.net is had ljohnson@ sing his praises as a man of and chastised d of the shooting deat said that he and Alex in. sh riend girlf were Smith, his Fred argued that together and ney lived attor Plati ED the NOT sit objectively humble beginnings who has Smith was at an intimate relain said ed rday volv yeste t in Eigh arise may claimed that Smith, QC, that He of num Spor ts Bar hip. ion tions k and the expressed posit ident Mile Rock with Blac the he never knew her age. a ‘vision’ for this country. ng Court of Appeal Pres some friends duri March SEE PAGE EIGHT Dame Anita Allen on the early mor ning of Again, this ‘vision’ will be shot was 30, 2014, when she 261065 more nonsensical dribble, ALL PURPOSE CLEANER than a plan but they preach $2.28 the message anyway. Davis) While some of these 261130 WILTON ST. (Next to DW7am-3 pm Mon - Fri 7am-4pm, Sat LAUNDRY 325-3507 OR 394-0836 ‘preachers of Minnis’Tel:are DETERGENT ON LIKE US motivated by a multiplic-FACEBOODEK! $2.93 INCLU S *ALL PRICE 7.5% VAT & 20% DISCOUNT.* ity of factors, they usually er boil down to two buckets nds’ Leading Newspap Nassau & Bahama Isla money or promises. But as one adage goes, a promise is a comfort to a fool. To fulfil any promises for Government work, or political contracts, Dr Minnis has to first defeat the PLP and win the Government. This, my dear friends, is no small task. The PLP of today is not like the old FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis unveiling his “Roc Wit Doc” slogan in the House of Assembly yesterday, pictured with deputy leader PLP of 2002-2007; this lot Peter Turnquest and Loretta Butler-Turner, who is to challenge for the leadership at the upcoming convention. Photo: Yontalay Bowe are far more devious and dangerous. victory in 2017. The public would also Minnis on a rally stage? Yes, the PLP is unpopuThe PLP of 2002-2007 Don’t mind his promises recall it was our very Can you? Can you imagine lar now, but they are well had the element of shame to “root out corruption” own Prime Minister who him attempting to fire up resourced and they know then. When a cabinet minand the like. It’s all “white disclosed in the House his supporters to get out what it takes to win. ister was caught with his of Assembly that he had and vote? Can you picture The PLP knows that, proverbial pants down, they noise” to distract and compensate for his own “loaned” supporters to Dr it? right now, the most popular had the good sense to deny Can you imagine him Member of Parliament in and attempt to cover up the shameful actions in the yet- Minnis to appear at events to-be resolved Toogie and to make it appear as if he attempting to go toe-to-toe the country is the FNM’s wrongdoing. Bobo affair. has more support in the with Perry Christie? MP for Long Island, LoThe PLP of today howRemember, this was the FNM than he actually has. What happens when the retta Butler-Turner. ever, when caught in the same Dr Minnis who was So we have to ask the PLP starts to tell the full She has the support of wrong, flashes the public forced to admit that he was question, why? Why would story of Dr Minnis’ misadFNMs, independents and the finger and goes on meeting with these two the PLP, which has publicly ventures with Toogie and even some PLPs who are doing what it was doing all criminals that forced the admitted to assisting him Bobo? What magic trick fed up with their own party along. When we dare exwould Minnis pull out then and its leadership. press any alarm at what has to distract FNMs from this The PLP knows it would transpired, they laugh and next embarrassing matter? be in their best interest carry on promising us that How much longer could to ensure that Mrs Butler it is in our best interests the party sustain these Turner does not become or worse, tells us to shut up assaults before the FNM is and like it. the leader of the FNM. Beno longer the Official OpSuch is the state of policause once she does, they position? tics in The Bahamas today. know their days in office are numbered. Doing the This is where the FNM Cakewalk and its delegates have to right thing make the practical deciSo we have a PLP that sions that are in their own is out of control, with the So we return, where we best interest. The country public treasury at its disbegan, by addressing the is looking to them for a sign posal, new Chinese friends delegates who will be votand backers and a hapless ing at the party’s upcoming that they are hearing their cries for change. leader of the Opposinational convention. We have had four years tion. It’s a match made in We ask them to think of Dr Minnis and can take heaven. A cakewalk. about the decisions that no more. The party has When you study the will be put before them. been given an opportunity political landscape it makes resignation of his party’s On the one hand, you thus far, want to keep Dr to right the ship before it perfect sense why Dr Minhave your current leader, chairman. When asked Minnis in power if it did heads into battle. nis has lasted as long as he who has demonstrated an about his infamous dealnot serve their purposes? The decision is up to has. uncanny ability to drag ings with these men, Dr The answer is simple. them, if they will put their You see, the PLP has his party into the gutter. Minnis could only come The man is not viewed as a best foot forward. For the wanted and needs Dr MinBut gutter politics won’t up with his fanciful excuse threat. future of this country, we nis to survive his political win you the 2017 general that one of them was bringThey know they can be hope they do. onslaught just a little while election. ing him “fish” to his home. beat him. What is worse, longer. They need a soft, Hard work, and the wide What a shame. Look at their polling shows that • Comments and responses ineffectual leader of the support of the public at where the FNM has come they can beat him easily. FNM so they can cruise to to - a literal fish market. Can you imagine Dr large will. to insight@tribunemedia.net
“The PLP of today is not like the old PLP of 2002-2007; this lot are far more devious and dangerous. The PLP of 20022007 had the element of shame then. When a cabinet minister was caught with his proverbial pants down, they had the good sense to deny and attempt to cover up the wrongdoing.”
TLE fewer than