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VOLUME:114 No.150, JUNE 28th, 2017

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Govt: No reply yet to Izmirlian’s plea June, 2017

Baha Mar situation ‘is still being evaluated by govt’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE government has no official response to former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian’s plea for a moratorium on the sale process of the beleaguered resort at this time, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said yesterday, adding that the situation is still being evaluated.

Mr Newbold stressed that the sale was a “very complicated situation” still under review by the government, and said he could not confirm reports that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel resolutely assured Bahamians that where facts and evidence align with the laws of the country, they could confidently expect that his full authority will be used to guarantee the director of public prosecutions ensures that the law prevails.

This, he said in the Senate yesterday, will apply to those who once held positions of power and influence wherever they may be.

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ONE man is dead and two others are in hospital after a nightclub argument early yesterday morning off Farrington Road. The incident took place shortly after 2.30am and brought the country’s murder count to 69 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

SEE PAGE FIVE

A SUMMER OF DISCOVERING HORSE RIDING

had met with the former developer or his associates.

“There has been no official reaction to the suggestion because the contracts and the entire situation is still being evaluated,” Mr Newbold said.

“I’m told it’s a very complex situation. Undoubtedly, I will say though, the Bahamian people have a vested interest in the success of that development and we believe that now is the time to ensure that any safeguards that need to be put in place, now is the time to do that in this process.”

SEE PAGE SIX

BETHEL: LAW WILL PREVAIL IN CASES OF MISFEASANCE

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

ONE DEAD AND TWO HURT IN NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING

If these persons are found to have engaged in misconduct or misfeasance, the attorney general said the law will run its course, adding if a person is found guilty of a crime, they will “do the time”.

On Monday, Mr Bethel said there is a “growing list” before the director of public prosecutions of allegations of misconduct, misfeasance and misappropriation concerning situations that occurred under the former Christie administration.

SEE PAGE THREE

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A YOUNGSTER gets ready to mount a horse at Camperdown Riding Club’s summer camp at the Camperdown Equestrian Centre yesterday. See page two for more photographs.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

CONTRACTS OF 21 NHI WORKERS ENDED AS SEARS BACKS PART OF EFFORT TO ‘STREAMLINE COSTS’ COOPER ON

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFTER it was revealed that 21 customer service representatives from the National Health Insurance Secretariat have been let go, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that it is “difficult to rationalise an excess number of individuals being paid and not providing a benefit to the Bahamian public”.

He confirmed that the workers were let go in an effort to “streamline costs”.

The workers were hired

on a six-month contract and were responsible for recruiting and enrolling people for NHI. “It is difficult to have the Bahamian people bear that cost and so we have looked at streamlining every single aspect of National Health Insurance and what we would like to do is to ensure as much of our budget goes to direct patient care,” Dr Sands said.

“We have had to reduce the number of customer service representatives who were hired on contract to only those needed to continue the enrolment pro-

cess. They would have been on contract, the term of that contract was six months, so it would have been in the third month for some of those individuals and so we would have invoked an out clause on the contract for some of the customer service representatives and while it pains us that any Bahamian finds themselves without employment, it is difficult to rationalise an excess number of individuals being paid and not providing a benefit to the Bahamian public.”

SEE PAGE SIX

appointment was effective June 9.

The internal memo was sent to all staff on Monday.

The circumstances surrounding Ms Swann’s exit from the government owned broadcast network are unclear.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Dr Hubert

Minnis told management and staff of Bahamas Information Services (BIS) and BCB, also known as ZNS, that they will be held accountable for their performance, professionalism and punctuality or lack thereof.

SWANN IS OUT AS GENERAL MANAGER AT ZNS

Covering The Bahamas for 40 years.

Nobody Does it Better!

FORMER General Manager Diana Swann is no longer employed at the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas.

Kayleaser DeveauxIsaacs was named as acting general manager, according to an internal memo obtained by The Tribune, which indicated that the

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SEE PAGE SIX

PLP VIEWS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Attorney General Alfred Sears applauded Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper’s recent frank reflections on the Progressive Liberal Party’s loss yesterday while former State Minister for National Security Keith Bell said he disagreed with those remarks.

“Those represent his personal views to which he is entitled to make but they don’t represent my view and I disagree with his view,” Mr Bell said. “A combination of reasons (caused the PLP’s loss) but I reserve my views for the moment. No need to add to the confusion.”

Mr Cooper’s comments, taken alongside remarks from former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby which SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Camperdown Riding Club summer camp YOUNGSTERS taking part in the Camperdown Riding Club’s summer camp with instructors Emily Lowe and Amber Lleida yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 28, 2017, PAGE 3

‘20,000 people’ without indoor toilet facilities

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net BEFORE the Minnis administration rolls out legislation to regulate its innercity incentives plan - an initiative which was a part of its 2017 campaign - the government plans to carry out an intense study of Over-the-Hill areas taking into account very specific factors to improve the way of life for residents, Attorney General and Senator Carl Bethel said yesterday.

These factors, he said in the Senate, include whether homes are equipped with running water and inside toilets.

According to Labour Minister and Senator Dion Foulkes, there are more than 3,300 households without running water or indoor toilet facilities. He explained during his 20172018 budget communication in the Upper Chamber that this number affects close to 20,000 people, opening them up to indignity and health hazards because of the use of outdoor toilets.

During his wrap up of the debate, Mr Bethel said: “When we are able to do it, we want to have real businesses that are going to be in the Over-the-Hill area as defined right now, the traditional inner-city. They will set up, renovate or build

buildings (and) people will want to move to the area.

“The Bahamian people will develop their own ancestral homes and want to live there and want to live on wider streets with better street lighting, with better police protection, with better traffic flows, with a sewerage system.

“Right now, the government is on the verge of considering whether to do a full house-to house survey where we will map out with the help of the NGIS unit of the government dealing with all of the technologies. We will have photographs. We will have satellite documentation of exact locations. We will go street by street, house by house, yard by yard, apartment by apartment.

“We will know the ownership structure, the occupational structure of every building whether it has running water (or) whether it has toilets. We are going to do this so that when we bring that incentive act in we will have empirical evidence and we will have a standard by which our effort can be judged but before we can do that we have to set the ship of state aright.”

He continued: “This year is our year of testing. This year we would have sought wherever possible to restrain public spending. We have sought to keep the budget as close as possible

in terms of appropriated revenue account spending to its predecessor. Yes, we are some $250m or so above last year’s appropriated limit but we are working every day in all of our ministries to cut back the excessive expenditure,” Mr Bethel said.

For his part, Mr Foulkes said he was pleased that the government was addressing the serious situation present in the inner-city.

“I fully endorse the prime minister’s initiative to revitalise and rejuvenate the Over-the-Hill communities. Most of the crime committed in our communities is rooted and is a result of the poor social and economic condition of our people especially the young.

“We will never have a significant reduction in crime unless we address the social and economic roots of crime.

“I compliment the prime minister and other colleagues who have shone their commitment to eradicate the social ills in our communities. I assure them of my unequivocal support,” he said in the Senate.

While on the campaign trail ahead of its stunning victory over the then governing Progressive Liberal Party, the FNM proposed tax breaks including the duty-free importation of construction materials for residential and commercial

properties; no business licence fees or real property taxes; no taxes on household furniture; no taxes on capital goods and business equipment “after proper vetting”; and lower import duties on business vehicles.

However, the Minnis administration appeared to narrow these plans in the May 24 Speech from the Throne which set out the government’s policy and legislative agenda priorities. That speech said the government would “take action to effect a reduction of VAT on breadbasket items.”

The language differs from Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ campaign promises, in which he pledged to eliminate - not just reduce the 7.5 per cent value added tax (VAT) on ‘breadbasket’ items, which are the basic food staples required for everyday living.

The scope of the VAT ‘exemption’ plan also appeared to have narrowed, as the prime minister had promised the levy would also be eliminated from utility bills (water and electricity) and education services.

These were not mentioned in the Speech from the Throne, which also appeared to claw back on the breadth of the inner-city or Over-the-Hill tax breaks plans promised during the campaign.

SENATOR Dion Foulkes.

BETHEL: LAW WILL PREVAIL IN CASES OF MISFEASANCE from page one

He further stressed that the Office of the Attorney General would not get involved in the “day-to-day political wrangling on these issues” and all allegations would be referred to the DPP to make a judgment on whether or not a crime has been committed.

His statement followed accusations levelled by Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson who said several matters of “concern” regarding Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama have been passed on to the

Office of the Attorney General for review.

Last week, Works Minister Desmond Bannister told parliamentarians that some members of the Christie administration are “guilty” of misfeasance.

“I have no axe to grind with anybody in the former government or any public official whether in elected office or not,” Mr Bethel told senators during his wrap up of the 2017-2018 budget debate in the Senate on Tuesday. “I have no axe to grind. I make no judgment, but I do what is lawfully required because if the law has been violated there

must be justice and I assure the Bahamian people justice will come.

“So let me say when the facts are in and when the facts meet the law, then other things will happen.

“And it’s only when the facts and evidence are in then it will be appropriate for the attorney general to form a preliminary view and thereafter to pursue the course of justice, which might be indicated by the facts and evidence and this attorney general will do so without fear or favour.”

He continued: “Bahamians can rest assured that all those who might have

enjoyed positions of power, influence, responsibility (and) wherever they may be if found likely to have committed a crime, then the law will take its course.

“If you committed a crime, you will, if found guilty do the time. If there be misconduct or misfeasance in office, which is found not rising to the level of a crime, but is sufficient to warrant a civil action for damages, then if the facts meet the law then the law will prevail.”

He further suggested that there were serious issues with lucrative contracts being issued and money paid

out without approval of the Cabinet.

“We’ve seen ministers in that other place (the House of Assembly) produce evidence of contracts being entered into for millions of dollars without Cabinet approval. That’s unheard of.

What it amounts to? I don’t know.

“I say about that that if that is so then it violates every norm or ordinance or ethic of governance that I have ever been exposed to.

“When I was in Cabinet for 15 years, any contract over $250,000 had to go to public tender at the Tenders Board and when it didn’t, it

could be ratified by Cabinet. But no contract could be entered into lawfully without the sanction or ratification of Cabinet.

“I don’t know what the facts are. I have referred them to be ascertained. If they are ascertained I will hear the legal advice. If that is the legal advice and the law and the facts match up that is all that this attorney general will say, but in all things I will exercise a judicious temperament and judgment on whatever is presented because at the end of the day I have no axe to grind,” Senator Bethel said.

SEARS BACKS COOPER ON PLP VIEWS from page one

were reported in The Nassau Guardian yesterday, came amid a divide in the PLP concerning how the party should chart its future course.

Some senior officials do not want critical comments about the organisation expressed publicly and they were said to be upset yesterday by Mr Cooper’s comments.

Officials like Mr Cooper, Mr Rigby and Mr Sears, however, have broken from this mould to openly call for party reform.

PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis could not be reached to respond to Mr Cooper’s comments before press time yesterday; PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts declined to comment.

As for Englerston MP

Glenys Hanna Martin, she said: “At the appropriate time, I intend to discuss matters pertaining to the party and its future internally. That approach is commonly accepted as best practice.”

Mr Sears, who insiders expect to vie for a leadership post at the part’s next convention, applauded Mr Cooper.

“I applaud Chester Cooper for reminding the Progressive Liberal Party of its core values, its departure from those core values and to have the courage to admit any errors made and to begin the process of introspection, reengineering and rebranding,” he said.

“I believe it is only in this manner that the Progressive Liberal Party will regain the trust and support of the majority of the Bahamian electorate. This process

provides the PLP with an extraordinary opportunity to present The Bahamas with a progressive agenda to complete the quiet revolution and a more sustainable economy rooted in Bahamian ownership.”

Mr Cooper, in a speech before the National Progressive Institute on Monday night, said the PLP lost the recent election for many reasons.

He said the party ignored scandals and condoned behaviour it should not have.

He also said the party lost touch with the people it most sought to help.

Although he said the PLP made contributions that the country will come to appreciate in the future, his speech was striking for its criticisms of the organisation of which he is a part.

When discussing the party’s recent defeat, Mr Da-

vis and the PLP’s leader of government business in the Senate, Fred Mitchell, have struck a different tone in public from Mr Cooper.

For the most part, they and other senior officials in the PLP have refrained from criticising the party’s recent record and performance and have tended to emphasise the idea that “untruths” propagated by the FNM played a role in the party’s loss.

Not long after the PLP’s loss on May 10, Senator Mitchell said in a widelycirculated Facebook post that PLPs should not believe the FNM’s “propaganda” about themselves.

“The objective reality is that they simply have a mandate to govern for five years,” he said. “There is nothing revolutionary about their victory or far reaching. They were able

ALFRED SEARS to manipulate a population phrases plus the money of suffering from the ill ef- foreign interests to accomfects of the economic reces- plish what they have and the sion which was never over- failure of the PLP to correct come and the turn of clever the problem.”

MORE THAN 40 HIRED IN MICAL AHEAD OF ELECTION

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

IN the lead-up to the May 10 general election, more than 40 people were hired as contract workers in the MICAL constituency, The Tribune understands.

Minister of State for the Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle confirmed to this newspaper that between 41 and 42 people were hired in the Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay constituency before the general election.

He confirmed that the workers were approved

through the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Local Government.

The employees are a part of nearly 2,000 contracted workers who were brought on as pre-election hires, The Tribune understands.

A resident of the constituency claimed an elderly man had been hired to guard a graveyard in MICAL, however this was not confirmed.

Former MICAL MP V Alfred Gray could not be reached up to press time.

This comes a little more than two weeks after Mr Rolle revealed to Parliament that the govern-

ment’s payroll increased by $10m as new employees were hired in the final five months of the former Christie administration.

Mr Rolle said that the Christie administration hired 6,500 new public service workers during the past five years. He suggested that the new administration will take a more rigorous approach to hiring people and that some who were hired under questionable circumstances under the former administration could be terminated.

“Some burdens we cannot carry at the public’s expense,” he said during

his contribution to the 20172018 budget debate.

“The public service, in salaries alone, ballooned by $10m between December 2016 and May of this year,” he said. “That’s $10m — new employment — nothing to do with hurricane repairs.”

“Indeed, the public service has ballooned by 6,500 new employees during the watch of the previous administration.”

To highlight the questionable nature of some hiring practices, he revealed that under the previous administration a security guard was hired to guard a police station. And such was the

loose nature of the pro- mer teacher and a former cess that some people were undersecretary in the Minhired but never received a istry of Works, he said the salary, he said. hiring process under the Given his experience in former administration dethe public sectorWednesday, as a for-28th parted from tradition.

June 2017

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THE TRIBUNE

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

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Does US have foreign policy under Trump?

EVERY once in a while, a story appears in a major US publication that discusses American foreign policy under Donald Trump. Does the US president even have a coherent foreign policy? He seems to regard international relations with the same casual disdain he accords to the truth about himself or his political opponents.

The President’s trip in April to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and Belgium, in retrospect, affirmed that his approach to the rest of the world will closely resemble his approach to domestic American politics. He feels no international inhibitions about responding to other leaders or the overseas press in his characteristic brusque and bombastic fashion. He throws around threats casually.

Even before Trump’s decidedly undiplomatic performance this spring at a NATO heads of government meeting in Brussels, rumours and reports were flying that some European leaders had basically decided to largely ignore the US president and move ahead almost as though he did not occupy the oval office. They would try to manage around him rather than obsess about his latest fulminations.

European leaders may be looking around for alternatives to a the postwar relationship with the United States that has survived numerous trans-Atlantic storms and disputes, but may not have yet faced the existential crisis that Trump’s careless behaviour presents.

US behaviour under the Trump administration is bound to affect thinking throughout Europe, as will Britain’s decision to withdraw from the European Union. Perhaps a reimagining and revival of the old Franco-German partnership will lead to a more flexible and nimble Europe. It seems possible that progress and reform in the EU could ultimately be a result of US intemperance and British standoffishness. Progress might be slow, but it is possible to foresee.

Several reports recently describe Canadian efforts to essentially circumvent Trump and his national security team by speaking directly with governors, mayors and other high-ranking American politicians and officials. Ontario’s Premier, for example, has sought out direct meetings with senior government leaders in New York and other states about cross-border trade and other commercial activity.

Trump pronouncements about NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiated under the Clinton administration nearly 25 years ago, are bound to alarm Canada most of all. The Canadian economy is inextricably tied to that of the United States. It is therefore no surprise that the Canadians, from Prime Minister Trudeau on down, would work hard to head off an abnegation of NAFTA and attempt to set up potential alternatives should Trump actually follow through on his threats against the regional trade pact.

Elsewhere, how can China see Trump as anything but an opportunity? The US president campaigned on a promise to scrap the Obama administration’s hallmark trans-pacific trade partnership which was seen by some as an economic pact aimed at curbing the inexorably rising commercial ascendancy of China in Asia and elsewhere. As American trends increasingly isolationist, one can wonder if China has not recalibrated and accelerated its ambitions for political as well as economic influence.

Closer to home, in the western hemisphere, Trump continues to campaign

for a reinforced and expanded border wall on the Mexican border and has initiated a rollback of much of his predecessor’s bold programme to transform American relations with Cuba. There is little evidence that Trump is paying much attention to the rest of the region, despite the persistence of many national and regional questions that should concern the US. The Middle East has baffled American policymakers for decades. It is difficult to imagine that the president’s son-in-law will succeed where so many others have failed. From all appearances, Trump has delegated the conduct of the multifaceted American military activity in the region to uniformed military leaders in the Department of Defense and to his secretary of defense and national security adviser, themselves much-decorated military officers. What this really means for the near future is not yet clear.

And then there is Russia. President Putin clearly seeks as much global parity with the US as he can fabricate.

Counter-intuitively, Trump persists in favouring this most persistent adversary, now reportedly with an effort to dilute strengthened congressional sanctions against Russian transgressions. And meanwhile, the Mueller investigation into the Trump-Russia relationship inexorably proceed. ****

Fred Mitchell and his indignation

Now back to our one-and-only Fred Mitchell, who is desperately trying to downplay the FNM’s May 10 clean sweep of the PLP government from the political scene. He has urged his party’s supporters not to “get caught up in silly sentimentality and believe the FNM’s propaganda about ourselves” as he belches out nonsense of his own creation.

He fails to see that people like himself are the spanners in the wheels preventing good government. Apparently, according to Mr Mitchell, he has pointed an accusing finger at lawyer Fred Mitchell, QC, Lyford Cay billionaire Louis Bacon, Baha Mar original developer Sarkis Izmirlian, and Tribune Publisher Eileen Carron as the “rich and powerful monied interest that the PLP are up against”.

Mr Mitchell’s nightmares have obviously taken over his fertile imagination.

When Mr Mitchell first made his statement last month, Mr Smith was quick to clarify his position.

Yes, he said, he as a private citizen did make a donation to his party, the FNM. However, “Save the Bays,” an organisation to protect the environment of the Bahamas to which both he and Mr Bacon belong, made no donation to any political party. Mr Bacon’s supposed donation then hangs around as a figment of Mr Mitchell’s imagination. Mr Sarkis Izmirlian probably doesn’t even know about Mr Mitchell’s accusation, and so has said nothing. However, Mrs Carron, not willing to be listed among the rich and famous, wants it to be known that the policy of The Tribune is to make no donation to any political party.

Neither do they contribute to the campaign of any individual candidate. The Tribune’s columns remain open to all candidates, regardless of party affiliation.

Also neither will she or The Tribune ever be listed among the millionaires — their strict adherence to their principles, regardless of the price that has to be paid, prevents this. Their only strength is the Pen, which will always be wielded for what they consider to be in the best interest of the Bahamian people — all of the people, regardless of party.

Time to cut our losses EDITOR, The Tribune.

POPEYE’S Ball, Nassau…Does it make money?

I was shocked, when listening to the Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture… after the Minister of Tourism, saying that we have to evaluate all the events, that the Government sponsors, for the Minister of Youth, Sports - to come out so positive! Wonder. Tourism con-

trols these events anyway.

Popeye’s Ball cannot make money for us - Atlantis discounts their rooms by 50%, kills the employees take home share of gratuities.

Same principle goes for the IAAF Relays - these athletes do not drink - go to bed early and basically eat only pasta! Again Atlantis discounts the rooms by 50%.

Unless the event makes

money and there is a 12-15 times return, forget it Minister - cut it out!

Junkanoo can be supported as a local cultural event as it does not bring in many visitors. Junkanoo Carnival - privatise, let someone else take the risk... they will soon learn.

DAVE HUDSON, Nassau, June 23, 2017.

Bad advice for Sarkis on Baha Mar EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE no idea who are the lawyers for Sarkis Izmirlian but whoever they are it is clear, in my view, that they are giving him potentially bogus legal advice as it relates to the possible claw back of Baha Mar. What appears to be a valid contract, approved by the joint liquidators; the courts and the relevant parties, cannot just be abrogated at his request.

Of course, he and his corporate entities would have a legal interest in the same but not sufficient to overturn that contract.

The Minnis administration would be well advise to let this play out on its own without direct governmental intervention.

If Minnis were even to attempt to touch this toxic matter, he would be sending the wrong message to potential investors, especially the foreign ones.

In addition, it would leave a very sour taste in our collective mouths if he were to do so because many Bahamians, inclusive of myself, believe that Sarkis, et al, would have contributed generously to the FNM election coffers.

Mind you, there is no definitive ‘proof’ but there are three cabinet ministers who would have been closely allied with him and his corporate entities prior to the elections.

If Sarkis feels aggrieved by the situation with Baha Mar all he has to do is to take out legal proceedings to ensure that he is ‘protected’ from an equitable position.

No doubt, if he has a credible claim that would be recognised by our courts. It is highly unlikely, however, that the Minnis administration, much less the courts, would simply shut down

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net operations at that property pending the legal resolution of the salient issues.

With close to 2,000 Bahamians currently employed down there and the inflow of assorted fees and charges now flowing into our Treasury it is inconceivable that anyone would dare to interfere with the smooth operations of Baha Mar. The appearance of Sarkis and his wife at the swearing in of Dr Minnis and some of his cabinet colleagues at Government House the other day was a bad public relations exercise.

While they are legal residents in our wonderful nation, the acrimony generated over the past two years and the naked hostility between them and the former Prime Minister would result in great speculation and assumptions that would not bode well for our new Prime Minister and his team.

Minnis must remain focused on the bigger picture and the real business of the people of The Bahamas.

The average Bahamian could care less about who is the actual owner or operator of Baha Mar. We want the property to remain open and to succeed, big time, for the benefit of all of us, inclusive of whoever the real owners might be.

We have, collectively, invested too much into Baha Mar to allow it to fail or to permit hot heads and their advisors to scuttle this massive, on the ground, investment.

The FNM was elected on three major issues: employment; crime and health care... no more... no less.

The tolerance level of the

average Bahamian today is not at all like that of our forefathers. The startling revelations about possible malfeasance on the part of the Gold Rush Administration have caused many of us a degree of discomfort and unbelief.

It literally wasted our monies and gave us the bird and slap on the buttocks in the process.

I am certain that there is more to come.

One must keep in mind, however, that it is highly unlikely that there will be any criminal charges as most of us know that Bahamian crooks except via an armed robbery or bank fraud, we do not leave paper trails.

The pirates may have been expelled but some of them are still around parading in coat suits; white shirt; neck ties and a brief case.

If Sarkis, et al, believe that they have legal grounds on which to re-position themselves with Baha Mar, by all means pursue the same within a court of competent jurisdiction and not via badly crafted press releases and public threats to our political directorate.

The government of any country is sovereign within the limits of its constitution.

As a trained lawyer, I am confused and incapable of understanding just what the hell this man is talking about.

It is a given that loose lips are known to sink ships.

Fools gold is fake gold. It is possible that the former administration, now mercifully defunct, led Sarkis down the garden path.

Whatever it did do, however, all was done with eyes wide open. To God then in all of these things, be the glory.

ORTLAND BODIE Jr Nassau, June 27, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 28, 2017, PAGE 5

Nation praised for efforts to tackle human trafficking

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net US STATE Department officials have listed the Bahamas among its “tier-one”’ list of countries yesterday, for its continued effort to combat the trafficking in persons.

In the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, released globally Tuesday

by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the Bahamas was praised for its “serious and sustained efforts” over the last year.

US officials specifically regarded what it termed as The Bahamas’ strong collaboration across multiple government agencies, facilitating the prosecution of traffickers and protection of victims.

The report noted: “The government increased prevention efforts, taking steps to inform the public and potential victims about trafficking. The government’s inter-ministerial committee to coordinate anti-trafficking policy met regularly, as did the government’s anti-trafficking taskforce, which was charged with ensuring operational coordination on trafficking cases.

“The government continued to conduct a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate students, vulnerable populations, faith communities, the public, and government officials about human trafficking through the use of pamphlets in English and Creole to inform potential victims of their rights and available resources, public service announcements on television and radio throughout the country, and a museum exhibit.

“The government partnered with non-governmental organisations to implement its 2014-2018 national anti-trafficking strategy and detailed action plan that outlined efforts related to government infrastructure, prevention, victim and witness protection, investigation and prosecution, and partnerships.”

It continued: “The government dedicated resources to implement the plan, but noted that the officials responsible for trafficking matters also have other areas of responsibilities and are, therefore, not solely

SOME of the recent Cuban migrants detained in The Bahamas. The nation has been highlighted for its work to counter human trafficking. dedicated to trafficking cases.

“The government formalised its policy in the Department of Labour’s 2017-2019 strategic plan to raise awareness and advise foreign nationals of their labour rights, limits on recruitment fees, and prohibition against document retention, in addition to the current practice of sending letters to foreign nationals with work permits, which explain the definition of trafficking and advise employers of the prohibition against document retention.

“The Department of Labour raised awareness in the business community, distributed pamphlets about labour trafficking and workers’ rights, advised potential job seekers about potential fraud in the cruise ship industry, screened for indicators of trafficking when inspecting work sites, and identified a foreign national as a labour trafficking victim during the reporting period.”

The TIP Report also credited the Bahamian

government with providing anti-trafficking training for immigration and labour officials, and its diplomatic personnel, including a rotation in the legal affairs office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration where officials participate in inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee meetings.

The government was also noted for its efforts to initiate 11 new labour and sex trafficking investigations, screen 37 potential trafficking victims, identify five victims, and initiate one new prosecution.

The Bahamian government is also credited with increasing funding for victim assistance and expanding procedures to include identification and interviewing guidelines to cover labour trafficking victims.

The Bahamas has earned the ‘tier-one’ classification for the third consecutive year.

Despite the positives, however, US officials also made a list of recommendations to further improve efforts in The Bahamas,

BAHAMIAN ARRESTED AFTER SEIZURE OF $4M WORTH OF SUSPECTED COCAINE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN man has been arrested in connection with the seizure of $4m worth of suspected cocaine discovered at a residence in West End, Grand Bahama.

According to police reports, officers acting on in-

formation executed a search warrant on a home, where they found 471.5 pounds of cocaine.

Inspector Terecita Pinder said that a man who lives at the house was taken into custody. He is expected to be formally arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court this week.

She said that investigations are continuing into

the matter.

In Abaco, police are investigating an armed robbery at a business establishment in Treasure Cay. Reports are that sometime before 9am on Monday, two men armed with a handgun entered the store and robbed it of cash.

No arrest was made, but an investigation is continuing into the matter.

ONE DEAD AND TWO HURT IN NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING from page one According to reports, the fight broke out at a nightclub that led to two men being shot and another man being stabbed.

The three men were taken to hospital where one of them died shortly after their arrival. The two other men are listed in serious but stable condition.

Police have no suspects in custody and are appealing to members of the public who have any information to contact them at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. On Monday, Commis-

sioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said police have recently ramped up a number of their crime fighting initiatives that have been successful over the years.

Backing statements made

by National Security Minister Marvin Dames since last month’s general election, Commissioner Greenslade said special operations will continue with the hope that “some level of peace and tranquility” could be achieved in the country.

“The Royal Bahamas Police Force is always on a mandate of efficiency and effectiveness and we have (done) that for years now,” the commissioner said.

“We have ratcheted up many of our responses,

our patrols are continuing, our proactive work is continuing, the intelligence network that we are doing is continuing and we are delivering extremely good results.

“And so, it is fair to say that you will see initiatives as we go into the summer; operations will continue and they are major operations which will target hotspots and other crime ridden areas in hopes that we can bring some level of peace and tranquility to our communities.”

Anyone with information on this shooting or any other crime is asked to call police at 919, 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328TIPS.

POLICE HUNT FOR ARMED MAN AFTER CAR THEFT POLICE are searching for a male suspect responsible for stealing a vehicle during an armed robbery that occurred on Monday.

Reports are that shortly after 11:30pm, a man was driving his black 2009 Suzuki Swift car in the area of Hospital Lane and Meeting Street, when two males

armed with handguns approached and robbed him of his vehicle before speeding off.

Investigations are ongoing.

which it referred to as source, destination, and transit country.

The TIP Report called for increased efforts to prosecute, convict, and appropriately punish traffickers and continued implementation of victim identification and referral protocol to identify victims of sex and labour trafficking, especially among vulnerable groups.

Additionally, the report called for local officials to continue to offer all identified victims with adequate protection and help; increase grassroots outreach to potential trafficking victims among vulnerable groups, in partnerships with non-governmental organisations and strengthened engagement with officials involved in anti-trafficking activities in other countries in the region.

There were also calls for the continued implementation of a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate the public and officials about human trafficking and its manifestations across the country, includ-

ing the distinction between trafficking and smuggling.

Following the report’s release yesterday, US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson offered congratulations to the government of the Bahamas on its ranking.

The TIP Report is the US government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking.

According to officials, the report is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the US government’s commitment to global leadership on this

key human rights and law enforcement issue.

The US government uses the TIP Report to engage foreign governments in dialogues to advance anti-trafficking reforms and to combat trafficking and to target resources on prevention, protection and prosecution programmes.

In 2008, The Bahamas signed onto the 2000 United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children - UN Protocol supplementing the United Nations Convention on Transitional Crime.

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PAGE 6, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

THE BAHA Mar site.

Govt: No reply yet to Izmirlian’s plea from page one The statement from Mr Izmirlian’s BMD Holdings on Sunday called for the investigation undertaken by the Gaming Board to grant Chow Tai Fook En-

terprise’s casino licence to be reopened, and its findings made public; and further stated that BMD is now considering legal options against the parties involved in the heads of terms between the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM),

China State Construction and the government.

At yesterday’s press briefing, Mr Newbold was asked whether Mr Izmirlian’s call for the resort’s sale process to be halted was under consideration given Dr Minnis’ pre-election pledge to

“execute a real sale” of the property.

In March, Dr Minnis posted on Facebook that his party would “engage and execute a real sale of Baha Mar to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in Bahamians; a purchaser who will utilise only Bahamian labour to complete the resort, and will put Bahamians back to work with real jobs as quickly as possible.”

To this Mr Newbold said: “(Dr Minnis) he pledged to execute a real sale because nobody knew including the prime minister at that time, it appeared as if there was no sale, nobody knew, and one of the things that we ought to keep sight of is that because nobody knew, everybody wanted to know why are you sealing this deal?

“Let’s see what this deal is about, you don’t know what’s in it, nobody knows what’s in it, nobody even knew if there was a sale for sure. Nobody believed what the former administration told them, bottom line.”

Pressed specifically on

Dr Minnis’ pledge for only Bahamian labour, Mr Newbold said: “The prime minister believes in laws, he does not know that there is a way for him to not follow the law, you got to follow the law, that’s part of trying to unseal this deal, eventually unseal the deal, so you know what’s in it.

He continued: “It’s a great idea and as many Bahamians as possible will be hired at Baha Mar, but the law is the law.”

The Christie administration released the heads of agreement—which detailed many concessions given to the property—with Baha Mar and the government at the end of April.

The Free National Movement government released the heads of terms between the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM), China State Construction and the government last week.

Asked about the documents last Thursday, Attorney General Carl Bethel told The Tribune that “there is nothing that calls for renegotiation. There is

nothing particularly unusual in the documents.”

When asked whether those comments were made prematurely, Mr Newbold said: “No official response.

I’ve been told, the prime minister has been told, it is a very complicated situation, still being evaluated.

You have to evaluate it, it has to be evaluated properly. This government has an obligation to make sure it happens properly and correctly the way it ought to be.”

Asked for an update on the sale process, Mr Newbold said: “It is still the same, there has been no movement with it, the government has done nothing with it. It has to be evaluated properly but the government has done nothing with Baha Mar up to this point.

Mr Newbold added that Dr Minnis had a good meeting with Atlantis President Howard C. Karawan on Monday, and received an update on the property’s efforts to rebrand itself and integrate more Bahamian culture into its offerings.

CONTRACTS OF 21 NHI WORKERS ENDED AS PART OF EFFORT TO ‘STREAMLINE COSTS’

from page one

Dr Sands said 25 of the most “productive, best performing customer services representatives” are still providing service to the NHI Secretariat.

In an earlier statement, the NHI Secretariat noted that NHI is “implementing changes across the organisation to streamline our operations and budget”.

The statement said because the enrolment num-

bers for the programme have stabilised, “a number of positions in NHI are no longer required.”

“While this has been a difficult decision to make, it is a necessary one at this time. There is a need to streamline operations and a reality that NHI Bahamas must continue to phase in health care services in a fiscally responsible manner,” the statement said.

“We wish to assure the public that this will not

impact enrollment activity or access to available primary care benefits. Enrolment in NHI Bahamas is still ongoing and persons who have enrolled in NHI Bahamas and have been matched with a primary care provider continue to have access to primary care physician and laboratory services at no cost at point of care. Persons interested in enrolling can do so online or in person at your local enrolment office.”

SWANN IS OUT AS GENERAL MANAGER AT ZNS from page one At the time, Dr Minnis said his administration has “freed up” the BCB so that its employees will be able to conduct business in a fair and professional manner.

“I don’t care whether you voted for me or not, that is immaterial,” Dr Minnis said, according to an earlier release sent by BIS. “Be professional, be transparent and be honest with the public. The chains that were on you yesterday have been broken.

“I don’t care whether you are PLP or FNM that is not my business. All I want is professionalism. I expect for you to do your work in a professional manner and to be fair to all. Once that is done, we will have no problems.

“If you deviate, then we will have problems and that is not victimisation. That’s real talk. I don’t believe in victimisation, but I believe in professionalism and performance.”

Dr Minnis also said both institutions do not have to concern themselves with

political interference.

“You will be given your independence and you will be pushed towards a public broadcasting corporation,” he said earlier this month. “As an independent institution, as politicians, we will not interfere and if any member of my party calls you to tell you to do something that’s not professional, don’t do it. Inform me and he or she will be no more.

“If you do it, you and he will be no more. The Bahamian people only ask for fair play.”

PAGE 8, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

CHALK messages left as part of a previous campaign to drive home the message about street harassment.

The Flexibility of Activism A

S social justice media posts and profile issues become picture ribbons, but is it more main- productive to discount the stream, the efforts of people trying to number of activists, advo- make a difference in whatcates, and allies is steadily ever ways, however small, increasing. People are more they can? involved in conversations The work of activists about gender, is not trite, race, class, The work of easy, or pasmigration, sive.

Risks and a variety activists is not trite, are assumed, of other issues easy, or passive. positions are with social Risks are assumed, clear, and media as a goactions are to resource positions are clear, taken. We all for a broad and actions are know activists range of news taken. We all know are often deand commenmonised and activists are often ostracised tary.

Access to demonised and because of information, ostracised because their methods opinions, and of participapublic action of their methods of tion and the is at our fin- participation and challenge we gertips; we the challenge we bring to old can immediways of thinkately respond bring to old ways of ing and being. to and partici- thinking and being. We are often pate in them. painted as By becoming extremists — vocal, visible, and active, dangerous and unreasonpeople feel more connected able people. to existing movements, and In recent years, we’ve see themselves as activists. seen changes in this dyRecently, there has been namic with people takdebate about who can call ing centre stage, refusing themselves an activist, and to be sidelined. In many how the title is earned. Ac- cases, activists have cretivism is more than social ated the agenda and an

STUDENTS help to shine a light on social issues during a previous chalk art event. environment where the option to ignore or refuse to participate does not exist. Leading dialogues and taking control of both narratives and outcomes have always been critical, and the possibilities have increased along with appreciation for the work, and more people want to be a part of it.

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MEASURING AND VALIDATING ACTIVISM While some take offence when others use “activist” to describe themselves, having a narrow view of what it means to embody the term, activism today takes many different shapes, and can be performed in a variety of ways. As people of marginalised communities fighting against oppression and actively disputing ideas of the monolith, it is unreasonable to expect activists to fit a mold. It is also far from productive to alienate, rebuke, or silence people who are, at the very least, allies.

There is no official list of qualifiers to determine whether or not a person is an activist. Even if creating one, it is important that our own values and abilities are not imposed on entire communities, expecting them to measure up to attain activism status. In fact, dictionary definitions of activism prioritise political causes, giving social issues a backseat. Clearly, activism has grown beyond the definition, and as we continue to be creative and provocative in our work, activism will continue to be dynamic, ever-changing.

Before taking action, most people assess their qualifications, skills, and living situation. Do they have the knowledge to write an informative article? Do they have the charisma to deliver a speech?

Can they afford to leave work to protest? With such varied points of assessment, no one can use their own activities and choices to define activism for all.

It is as diverse as the people who practice it and, perhaps more importantly,

the people it is meant to reach.

TRADITIONAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVISM In years gone by, activists were known by their public deeds, from impassioned speeches to protests and petitioning. Today, it is difficult to differentiate activists from nonactivists when they claim the term in thought, word, and deed. Do all activists protest? How many times does one have to protest before becoming an activist? How can a participant in (or beneficiary of) an oppressive system be an activist?

How can we give room to people who may not protest, but are active on social media, and have conversations in groups others among us may not be able to access? Their efforts may not be public-facing, but they can answer questions in our stead. We have to be able to value work that may not look like our own, but helps to lessen the burden we carry, saving us from the emotional burnout that can come from engaging both peers and the general public.

What is the value of people on social media sharing articles, giving different perspectives, posting pictures from public events, and directing people to more information? An active social media presence is not always as easy as it may seem. Online harassment continues to be a deterrent from using platforms like Facebook. It is often the less visible and less politicised figures who are able to engage in heated debates and escape relatively unscathed. How do account for the danger activists face

just by the nature of the work, and avoid discounting their efforts because of the precautions they must take?

DIVERSITY OF MOVEMENTS Movement membership and participation are important, regardless of the shape they take. Some people march while others write think pieces. Some people start petitions while others send the link to their friends lists. Some are talk show guests while others wrestle with detractors on Facebook. In movements — large and small — fighting to end injustice and restore peace, there is room for everyone. A variety of personalities, skill sets, qualifications, knowledge, and experience make for a more robust, multifaceted movement.

To reach people in other spaces, movements need people with different experiences, and members of the dominant culture are needed as allies. While people on the frontlines take the brunt of the criticism and abuse, supporters need to be ready to defend fellow activists, dispel myths, and drive conversations forward, using more traditional actions as a springboard. The truth is there is always room for more in social and political movements, the need for people power and passion never diminishing. The differences in audience and approach are strengths, only increasing reach and impact. Recognising the value in our varied approaches will enable us to better work across disciplines and areas of focus, propelling us toward the version of The Bahamas we are all working to build.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Thompson: Progress made on Lucayan redevelopment

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net KWASI Thompson, State Minister for Grand Bahama, said the government has made some progress on the redevelopment deal for the Lucayan strip, which officials in the Minnis administration are treating as a matter of urgency in Grand Bahama.

He said that they are doing all they can to secure “the best redevelopment deal” for the Grand Lucayan resort hotel strip.

“The government is treating this matter with urgency while it proceeds through

the usual processes prior to approval. This government has made progress on this deal. We are communicating with those involved almost on a daily basis to ensure that the government does all it can to redevelop and reopen the hotel strip in the shortest period of time,” Mr Thompson said during his budget contribution in the Senate on Monday.

Mr Thompson stressed that it is important that the hotel strip is not just sold, but redeveloped and reopened for the benefit of the island.

“The first priority of our vision plan is to bring life

back to the Lucayan strip.

The former government announced just prior to the election that a deal was made for the purchase of the three-hotel strip.

“As it turns out there was an agreement for the sale of the property, however, the potential buyer had not presented specific plans on management and operation of the hotels and casino,” he said.

The junior minister indicated that the redevelopment and reopening of the property is a top priority for Grand Bahama, noting that the closure has had a major affect on the island’s tourism product

and many Grand Bahamians.

In March, a Freeport tourism official had reported that 1,100 workers in the tourism industry were affected by the closure of the hotels in the Lucayan area, which also resulted in an inventory shortfall of over 1,000 rooms.

The closed 482-room Memories Grand Bahama Beach Resort and the 545room Breaker’s Cay section of the Grand Lucayan Resort represents a deficit of 40 per cent, the tourism official had said.

Minister Thompson stressed that the government is doing all it can to

PAULETTE WILSON, right, aged 59, of Coral Harbour, at a previous court appearance.

complete the redevelopment and restore economic activity to the strip, including Port Lucaya Marketplace.

In addition to the Lucaya strip, he stated that their second priority is enhancing the tourism product in Freeport.

It would involve revitalising iconic properties, such as the International Bazaar, the Royal Oasis, and Xanadu Resorts.

Mr Thompson said the government will be working closely with the present property owners.

“These properties should be sold to appropriate persons who have the vi-

sion and capital to develop them. We must be proactive in our approach even if it requires providing incentives and tax concessions,” he added.

“These are iconic locations in Grand Bahama, and until we see movement we have not fully recovered,” he said.

In 2004, the 900-room Royal Oasis Resort in Freeport closed after severe hurricane damage, contributing to the island’s economic depression. Merchants at the nearby International Bazaar also suffered, and now only a few stores and shops, and straw vendors remain there.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION EMPLOYEE GRANTED BAIL IN FRAUD CASE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN employee at the Ministry of Education recently arraigned on several fraud charges has been granted bail by a Supreme

Court judge, The Tribune understands.

Paulette Wilson, 59, was granted $5,000 bail with one or two sureties by Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs, a day after she was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court accused of defrauding the

ministry of nearly $7,000 in salaries over a five-month period about two years ago.

The Coral Harbour resident is set to return to court on August 10 for the service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Wilson, and Andrew

Bridgewater, 60, of Glendale Subdivision, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on Monday facing charges of conspiracy to falsify accounts, conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences and fraud by false pretences.

It is alleged that the two,

between October 15, 2015 and March 18, 2016, with intent to defraud, obtained $6,657.12 in salaries by means of false pretences.

Wilson, a chief clerk at the Ministry of Education, was also separately charged with one count of

falsification of accounts. It is alleged that she altered Bridgewater’s overtime records, which she was required to maintain, to show that between October 9, 2015 and March 18, 2016 he was entitled to $6,657.12 in overtime pay.

JUDGE TO RULE IF MURDER WITNESS CAN TESTIFY VIA VIDEO LINK

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge will rule today on whether or not he will accept the Crown’s application for a key witness to a murder in 2014 to be allowed to testify to the court by a live television-link to ensure her safety.

Justice Bernard Turner,

though battling an illness, fielded submissions from Crown prosecutors as to why a female witness should be allowed to give video-link evidence as opposed to standard oral testimony in Jason Simmons’ murder trial.

The Crown made two applications towards that end, one being a notice of additional evidence application and the other being

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an application to adduce evidence by live televisionlink.

However, defence attorney Moses Bain objected to the Crown’s applications, charging that the accused has a right to confront his accusers in court.

Mr Bain also asserted that the female witness ought not to be giving “ultimatums” to the court, charging that she gave a

“take it or leave it” stipulation that she would only testify via video-link to the court liaison officer who issued the summons for her to appear in court.

That liaison officer, Corporal Moses Curry, was ultimately cross-examined by both the Crown and the defence yesterday.

During that process, Cpl Curry revealed how he recently served the summons

to the witness’ mother, who in turn gave it to her daughter. Cpl Curry said he was subsequently contacted by the female witness, who informed him of her decision.

Justice Turner ultimately adjourned the matter to 10.30am today.

Simmons is accused of the April 27, 2014 fatal shooting of Neko Lloyd at Gibbs Corner. Shortly after midnight on the day in

question, Lloyd was sitting on a bench near a woman friend’s home when a gunman approached him and opened fire.

Lloyd was hit several times in his stomach and chest.

While the gunman fled on foot, Lloyd ran to the front of his friend’s home where he collapsed. A short time later, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

THE BAHAMIAN ENVIRONMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT GLOBAL CONFERENCE MORE than 300 environmental rights advocates, environmental organisations trustees, supporters and volunteers who monitor the world’s waters gathered for the 2017 Waterkeepers Alliance conference in Park City, Utah earlier this month but it was one of the smallest countries of all that took centre stage – The Bahamas.

“We were completely surprised that so much of the spotlight was on the Bahamas,” said Joe Darville, chairman of Save The Bays. “There were so many countries represented— Australia, the US, Mexico, Asian nations like China and Bhutan and African nations like Senegal but the spotlight really shone on The Bahamas. I think it was because of the fragile nature of our coral reefs, the beauty of our waters and the very energetic legal battles we have launched in recent years to protect this rare gift from Mother Nature.”

In fact, no other country

was invited to make two presentations, only The Bahamas, according to a press release. The messages delivered were very different.

Waterkeepers Bahamas executive director Rashema Ingraham spoke of engaging diverse communities to create awareness about the importance of the environment.

“Whether you are raising awareness with schoolchildren, bank presidents, the well-to-do or the person scraping to get by, you need to make the environment real – that wetlands are not swamp to be trampled, they are the nurseries that serve as infant habitats for the fish you will catch and eat later.

If they are gone, the fish will be, too. We are always about how the health of our waters and our wetlands impacts you in a very real way today and how what you do today determines what you will leave for the Bahamians of tomorrow,” said Ms Ingraham.

Save The Bays director

of legal affairs Fred Smith, QC, revealed the challenges of trying to protect the environment, fighting case after case for environmental rights in the face of a government that made secret deals for large developments without public consultation. Such projects, said Mr Smith, disrupt life as it was known in a local community and may displace populations. They interrupt nature, paying no attention to what has allowed that community to survive for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and many of the projects outright destroy vast acres of precious natural resources, including coral reefs that protect many of the islands of The Bahamas from storm surge.

Waterkeepers Alliance grew out of an effort to restore the Hudson River in New York with now president of the largely volunteer non-profit organisation Robert F Kennedy Jr, then a professor of environmental law at

Pace University, leading the legal charge. The goal of Waterkeepers around the world is to monitor and find means to improve the local waters to make them swimmable, fishable and drinkable. In The Bahamas, monitoring is now underway on three island coastlines.

Mr Kennedy praised The Bahamas, Save The Bays and Waterkeepers Bahamas highly.

“We are thrilled that the dedicated water and human rights guardians from The Bahamas’ Save the Bays and Waterkeeper Bahamas Frederick Smith, QC, Rashema Ingraham and Joseph Darville brought the spirit of the islands to Waterkeeper Alliance’s annual conference at Deer Valley. Thank you, Fred, for acknowledging our longtime partnership in pursuit of ocean conservation and environmental justice during your group presentation about issues in The Bahamas,” said Mr Kennedy.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 28, 2017, PAGE 15

Grant helps psychiatrist’s campaign to help heal community of social ills RENOWNED Bahamian psychiatrist Dr David Allen is one step closer to achieving his goal of identifying and healing the root causes of Bahamian social ills through a dedicated and transformational programme of research, thanks to a grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF).

Accompanied by his wife, Dr Victoria Allen, her husband celebrated the expansion and continuation of “The Family: People Helping People”, surrounded by more than 40 members of his free, community-based, therapy group programme at a celebration brunch held at the New Providence Community Centre (NPCC) on Blake Road.

Dr Allen will be able to continue working with The Family, and conducting research with his peers around the world. He aims for publication of the findings in international peerreviewed articles.

A recent article in the Miami Herald, “The Secret in Paradise: Violence in the Caribbean” published in May 17 recognised Dr Allen’s work on crime, which is enabled by the Templeton grant. According to Dr Allen: “Crime is a public health problem. Public health means it cannot be solved just by law enforcement.”

The Family community group therapy programme promotes re-socialisation by cultivating anger management and conflict resolution, increasing selfesteem, gratitude, contentment and forgiveness, while decreasing shame, depression, revenge, and abusive relationships.

Although The Family has broadened its reach, providing more than 24 free group therapy sessions for more than 500 adults

and adolescents throughout New Providence, Dr Allen has his eye on doubling that number to 1,000 persons per week. New Family groups are already expanding in additional areas of the island including Fox Hill, Grants Town, the Crisis Centre, Elizabeth Estates, and Holy Trinity Church in Stapledon Gardens.

Based on his studies, Dr Allen believes rehabilitating young offenders is a key element when it comes to curbing the country’s escalating social ills. In that same vein, the psychiatrist said that The Family’s major push this year is to reach out to adolescents who have been involved in minor crimes.

“I am very concerned about the violent crime problem because The Family groups are the place where many of the victims of crime come for support and do their grief work,” explained Dr Allen. “Each victim is connected to 50 to 100 other persons, so you can see that the country has become traumatised.

The Family is the place where victims and their families come for solace and the healing of their pain.

“We are working with the courts and probation offices with a carrot-and-stick approach. If we can get these kids in our programme, they will be released from their court charges and can continue in school. We have just graduated about 30 of these young men and our follow up shows they are doing well.

“Also, we have added a literary component to the programme which is being done by a volunteer teacher from the Windsor School, Ms Jamie Benjamin, who has connected with the kids and improved their GPA,” said Dr Allen.

PSYCHIATRIST Dr David Allen was recently congratulated by President of the Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF) Dr Andrew Serazin for being awarded a 2017 grant from the foundation. Pictured from left: Keva Bethell, director of research for “The Family”, Dr Victoria Allen, literary consultant, Dr David Allen, founder of “The Family: People Helping People”, Dr Andrew Serazin, TWCF president, Tracey Farquharson, TWCF executive associate and David Potgieter, TWCF programme officer.

Most important, valida- living in a cemetery, The be real. For the first time in Founded 21 years ago, tion for The Family comes Family was a place where my life, I felt safe and con- the foundation has served abundantly from those who he found love and gave him nected.” as a philanthropic catalyst have benefited from the a new appreciation for himDr Andrew Serazin, for discoveries relating to programme. Lavita Thurs- self. president of the Templeton what scientists and philoston, Kendric Kemp and “For the first time I had World Charity Foundation, ophers call the ‘big quesWilliam Lunn said they people tell me that they said the reasons behind the tions’ of human purpose would be lost in life with- love me,” he said. “My own keen interest in, and sup- and ultimate reality. In the out the initiative. mother never told me that port for partnering with Dr past five years, the foundaMs Thurston was devas- she loved me. There is not a Allen are three-fold: pro- tion has supported projects tated when her 21-year-old day that goes by that I don’t ject effectiveness, leader- in over 30 countries with daughter, a murder victim, thank God for The Family. ship, and sustainability. grants totaling more than died in her arms two years My heroes are right here “The Family is every- $130 million. The vision ago. For her, The Fam- with this family. In 2017, I thing we look for in a pro- was derived from Sir John’s ily was a place where she see myself as a new person. ject,” said the TWCF presi- optimism about the posgained new brothers and I want to be a leader and I dent. “It is based on proven sibility of acquiring “new sisters who understood her want to help other people.” research, it has the potential spiritual information” and pain.

Mr Lunn said The Family for scale, and we hope it is from his commitment to “It is a place where we gave him life. sustainable into the future. rigorous, scientific research can go to cry, shout and “Before The Family, I The Bahamian people were and related scholarship. vent,” she said. “It is place had no soul,” he said. “I very important to Sir John For more information where we can be us.” tried to kill myself but Templeton. That’s why we on The Family, call (242) For Mr Kemp, who had somehow, I wouldn’t die. are going to continue do- 698-0155; (242) 424-3148 failed at numerous suicide When I joined The Family, ing good work here in the or email: thefamilyphp@ attempts and found himself I felt a relief and like I could future.” gmail.com

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PAGE 16, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Changing of the Guard THE CHANGING of the Guard at Government House on Friday, conducted before Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

Photos: Derek Smith/BIS