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Volume: 112 No.146

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FNM FACE-OFF

•400 AT ‘ROC WIT DOC’ EVENT •BACKED BY WELLS AND BETHEL

•200 AT BUTLER&SANDS LAUNCH •MPS TURN OUT IN SUPPORT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunmedia.net

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  LONG ISLAND MP Loretta Butler-Turner last night called herself and Senator Dr Duane Sands the “best team� not only to lead the Free National Movement, but also to take the country out of the hands of the “worst government the country has ever seen�.

Addressing a crowd of what The Tribune estimated to be 200 supporters in Rawson Square, Mrs ButlerTurner took the government to task on its many “failed promises� while outlining her plan for a new FNM and

EVEN as his sympathisers lambasted his political opponents in the upper ranks of the Free National Movement as “betrayers,� Dr Hubert Minnis made a plea for party unity during a rally at Christie Park on Wednesday night.

The Over-the-Hill event saw his team emphasise his “rags to riches� biography, the centrepiece of his pitch to Bahamians and FNM delegates as he seeks to defeat Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner at the party’s convention later this month and gath-

er momentum ahead of the next general election.

For some in the crowd of what The Tribune estimated to be close to 400, the event was a homecoming for a politician they find relatable and who they don’t believe has been given a fair chance to lead the party without internal dissension.

The campaign slogan that appeared on posters bearing Dr Minnis’ name was, accordingly, “The people’s time.� “This is the time for me to give the power back to the people,� Dr Minnis said to cheers from the crowd. “This campaign is all about you.�

SEE PAGE SIX

a new Bahamas.

One of her key ideas to crack down on crime is to implement a minimum sentence of 30 years without the chance for parole for convicted murderers.

She was supported by several current FNM members of Parliament as well as former Cabinet ministers, including former FNM Leader Tommy Turnquest, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson, former House Speaker Alvin Smith, former FNM Chairman Darron Cash, SEE PAGE SEVEN

MILLER: MINNIS BEST TO CHALLENGE CHRISTIE SEARS HINTS AT

LESLIE Miller made a surprise appearance at the launch of the FNM leadership campaign of Dr Hubert Minnis, to loud cheers at the event. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller believes Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis is the party’s most “formidable� option to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie in a general election as voters view him as a man who rose from “have-not� status and can relate to the plight of poor Bahamians.

The veteran Progressive Liberal Party politician further dismissed Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, who is Dr Minnis’ rival for leadership, saying she represents the “elitist� demographic. “I would be happy (for the PLP) to go against her,� Mr Miller told The Tribune. “I am sure I’d keep my seat.�

He added that he strongly doubted the country was ready for a woman prime minister, while insisting that

this was something for the FNM to consider as it heads into a national convention later this month. The event is scheduled for July 27 to 29.

The MP was asked to comment on the political discourse now underway in the country with some observers of the view that Dr Minnis would not be much of threat to Mr Christie in an election, therefore handing the PLP an easy victory.

RENEW BAHAMAS STAFF 99 LAID OFF IN CUTBACKS PLUS VAT

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

APPROXIMATELY 40 staff members have been made redundant at Renew Bahamas since the start of June, according to the company’s new Chief Executive Officer Michael Cox. The revelation came as the company admitted yesterday that Renew Ba-

WWW.BURGERKING.BS

hamas has been forced to make some “cutbacks� as it continues to negotiate with the government on reestablishing the parameters of its management contract for the New Providence Landfill.

As a part of those cutbacks, Mr Cox also confirmed that long-standing CEO and President SEE PAGE 15

PLP LEADER BID

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net  FORMER Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears yesterday announced that he is open to running for the position of leader of the Progressive Liberal Party when the party holds its convention in November.

SEE PAGE NINE

SEE PAGE FIVE

MINISTRY ‘ADDRESSING’ HAZARDOUS WASTE FIND

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENT and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett yesterday said his ministry is addressing the appearance of hazardous medical waste found at the New Providence Landfill.

His statement followed a Nassau Guardian report that said an investigation

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was being made by Renew Bahamas officials to find out how biohazardous waste, said to originate from the Princes Margaret Hospital, made it to the landfill’s site.

The material, according to the report, was said to include AIDS and hepatitis waste that was not incinerated before it was brought to the site.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 3

MINISTRY of Education staff outside the facility due to complications with the air conditioning inside.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Govt staff left sweating as air conditioning fails

Project2 7/6/16 12:35 PM Page 1

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

An employee with the Ministry of Education, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that the government is financially unable to repair the equipment at this time.

That employee said that staff members first noticed an issue with the system in late April. In spite of these reports, employees were told that the matter would not escalate to a point where the system would fail.

“They told us this would not happen. They said they were working on it weeks ago. Now as the days go by, it gets hotter and hotter and we can’t work in these conditions because there is no ventilation in this building,” the source said.

FRUSTRATION is mounting for employees at the Thompson Boulevard offices of the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture and Education over the building’s failed air-conditioning unit.

Dozens of employees moved outside the building around 11am Wednesday to escape rising temperatures on the inside, while others needing to complete essential tasks huddled around standing fans hoping to stay cool.

The Tribune understands that the air-conditioning unit at the three-story complex has been out of service for the past three weeks, forcing officials at the two ministries to implement a four-hour work schedule per day.

It is unclear what led to the failure of the units or when they will be Thursday, repaired.7th July 2016 INSIDE the Ministry of Education where air condition problems caused the facility to be very hot.

HARBOUR ISLAND MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING AMERICAN WOMAN

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A HARBOUR Island resident was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with the alleged rape of an American woman on Friday.

Aaron Cleveland Bullard, 41, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes faced with one charge of rape for allegedly having sex with a woman without her consent on July 1 at Harbour Island.

According to police reports, the woman, a resident of Palm Beach, Florida, reported to officers on Sunday that a man known to her sexually assaulted her on a beach on Harbour Island on July 1.

Police immediately launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the suspect.

In yesterday’s proceedings, Bullard was not required to enter a plea to the charge and was informed by the magistrate that the matter is likely to proceed by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Bullard was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in Nassau.

He is expected to be served with a VBI by September 2.

"If you use 'Castrol' lubricants, you'll cut your engine problem worries in half!"

Another source, an employee in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, insisted that the air-conditioning issue has halted several functions over the last few days. That source added that officials have not clarified what the issue is and are operating on a day-to-day basis.

Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald has been out of the country and was expected to return Wednesday night.

Minister of Culture Danny Johnson could not be reached for comment.

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THE TRIBUNE

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Let’s fire Moody’s for telling govt the truth!

“FIRE Moody’s if The Bahamas is given a downgrade for poor performance,” suggested former State Finance Minister James Smith on learning that Moody’s was threatening to downgrade this country’s credit rating within the next two months.

Mr Smith reasoned that although the state of The Bahamas’ economy is relatively weak it is not as weak as some other countries that have not been threatened with a downgrade.

He said government pays agencies such as Moody’s thousands of dollars a year for the rating — noting that when he was Central Bank governor in the 1990s each of the credit rating agencies was paid $40,000 a year. This payment is well worth it if it is the only way that Bahamians will learn the truth about their economy.

However, to threaten non payment when the agency knows that if it does not sound the warning bell there will be an economic crash, is tantamount to trying to bribe the rating agencies for their silence. We certainly would not expect such a suggestion from a respected financier as Mr Smith, but there can be no other logical conclusion to be drawn from his suggestion – keep quiet, or be cut from the payroll!

An absolutely unacceptable, almost contemptible, suggestion – Bahamians are entitled to know the full, unadulterated truth, not the sugar-coated platitudes occasionally thrown to them by government.

And now State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis is scurrying to the US to try to convince Moody’s and Standard & Poor not to downgrade this poor, tiny, financially misguided nation. We hope Mr Halkitis has sense enough to leave his “firing” gloves at home. Let the financial world learn of our underhand shenanigans and they will themselves throw us on the junk heap, because — whatever the ratings — they will be sceptical of their worth.

It would be better for Mr Halkitis to stay at home and figure out how to cut back on his profligate government’s spending than go crawling to Moody’s and Standard & Poor with his begging bowl in hand.

In February, 2013 – three years ago – Tribune Business reported that Prime Minister Christie in his mid-term budget projected improved revenue yields equivalent to 4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the centrepiece of its plan to generate a recurrent Budget surplus within three years. He disclosed that planned “structural reforms” would improve revenue yields from their current 17.6 per cent of GDP to 21.5 per cent of GDP by the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

Laying out the medium-term targets designed to tackle The Bahamas’ top policy priority, Mr Christie said more than half this increase - some 2.2 “net” percentage points of GDP - would come from the introduction of a Value-Added Tax (VAT) in 2014-2015.

It’s now 2016 and the Central Bank has urged government to rein in its spending amid a $266m deficit for the first 10 months of the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

According to Tribune Business, the Central Bank in its report on May’s economic developments revealed that the deficit to the end of April this year has increased by almost $37m or 16.1 per

cent year-over-year as spending outpaced VAT-led revenue increase.

With all the reported thefts from various government departments, the wastage of money on frivolous projects, the unnecessary and luxurious travelling of certain of our ministers — really our finances warrant a thorough investigation.

The unnecessary spending has to stop.

A VOTE FOR MINNIS IS A VOTE FOR THE PLP? It is almost amusing the solicitous interest some of the PLP big-wigs have taken to encourage FNM supporters to hang on to their current leader — Dr Hubert Minnis. PLP chairman Bradley Roberts has expressed concern for Dr Minnis’ political welfare while Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe complains that Dr Minnis has never been able to show his leadership skills because he has been too busy “fighting a game of survival” within his own party. What Mr Wilchcombe fails to understand is that a person who has no skills to hold a team together is no leader.

Dr Minnis has been given three years to grow into a nation’s leader, instead he has succeeded in creating factions within factions in his own party, many of them warring against him.

Even Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller (PLP) – who was visible at Dr Minnis’ rally last night – claimed that Dr Minnis is the FNM’s most “formidable” option to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie in a general election. We believe that our friend “Pot Cake” was just exhibiting his wicked sense of humour. In the words of William Shakespeare, we think the Pot Cake “doth protest too much”.

We keep hearing about how Dr Minnis has gathered all his friends around him to take the government back to the people. What these “friends” don’t seem to recognise is that this country is so near to the brink of disaster that the last remedy needed is a Friendly Society to replace Prime Minister Christie. This is time for Bahamians, experienced in government, in finance, in business — in statesmanship to rescue what we have lost. We need experienced people with global contacts to woo the investor back to these shores. We need trained young men and women to start to take their places to prepare themselves to move this country forward. It is nice for Dr Minnis to gather his friends about him, but that is not what the Bahamas needs — it needs men and women of know-how and experience.

The PLP know that they need a weak opposition to have any hope of another term in government. They are anxious that Dr Minnis be that Opposition leader — they are pretending concern now because they know that his weakness as a leader is their only saving key to power.

Wake up FNM! Stop being so stupid.

Friendship has to be thrown to the four winds. At stake is our country and future of our people — we now need experienced leaders with the know-how to build our country.

With Dr Minnis, although a friendly man, he is not the leader to defeat the PLP government. We suggest that you all go back to the drawing board and come up with more mature and practical thoughts.

Chesapeake legal issue EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ with great interest the response of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), to my appearance on the Love 97 programme Issues of The Day, hosted by Mr Wendall K Jones, on the 29th AD 2016.

I found the contents of paragraph two of the GBPA letter particularly interesting where they mention for the public’s benefit that I have a pending lawsuit against them.

I wish to state emphatically that at no time did I mention my pending liti-

gation on the broadcast or elsewhere in the public domain as I am advised the matter is sub judice.

The assertions levied in the letter regarding my “day in court” are fallacious and a blatant attempt to divert the public’s attention from the real issue, my action against them.

Any delay in the start of the trial that GBPA makes mention of in their letter is a direct result of them not providing important documentation which has been repeatedly requested by my Attorneys.

Further, all the requested documents to date are still

outstanding thereby further delaying my trial.

It seems peculiar to myself and the residents that the GBPA and Dr Darville are having discussions since neither have acknowledged of the plight of the residents of Chesapeake.

However, I look forward to the results of the discussions between GBPA and The Hon Dr Michael Darville, as the residents of Chesapeake have suffered enough.

SHUFFEL P BURN Freeport, GB July 6, 2016.

HEP-

A victim of crime tells her tale EDITOR, The Tribune.

I DON’T know about other Bahamians and residents of New Providence but I take cold comfort in the assurances of the Minister of National Security that crime is down.

On Tuesday July 5, at about midday, I had just completed my shopping at Quality Supermarkets on Cable Beach and I was in the parking lot (back) with the packing girl when a young man grabbed me from behind and relieved me of my wallet. He then told me to give him my car keys and tried to grab them.

Foolhardy me, I said to myself not a day like it. He

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ran off and jumped the wall at the back.

It must have been the adrenalin and the thought of the hassle of replacing my cards, driving licence and other documents, so I took chase. However, I realised the wall was too daunting and I made my way back.

In the meantime the packing girl had alerted the manager and the security officer and they came to my aid.

The police were called and they responded very quickly. I was very impressed with Cpl100 Collie and PC 3426

Bain who were vey proficient and efficient. Indeed Cpl Collie followed the direction the thief had gone and retrieved my wallet with everything except the money intact. I wish to thank the officers and the staff of Quality Supermarket for their help and support.

Interestingly, when Constable Bain was taking my statement she received a message that two tourists had been robbed at Orange Hill.

So, Mr Minister, I don’t buy the message that crime is down.

JEANNE THOMPSON Nassau, July 6, 2016

Examining the news of the day EDITOR, The Tribune.

MOODY’S THREAT... I am sure you would have had a big headline IF the FNM had voted against the 20162017 Budget... hot air Mr Peter Turnquest, hot air.

MINISTRY OF TOURISM... British Airways announced the taking out of service the old 767’s nearly two-years ago... no big deal unless Tourism wanted a reduced service which will come when Cayman lengthen their runway.

Another non tourism event which they hype. IDB says Tourism is down over last year.

CABLE BAHAMAS BILLS... did anyone notice that we actually pay CB for a month’s service by the 20th, of the month - 12 days prior to the end....well blow me down!

FNM after Convention - really before the mighty six were drafting letters to Governor General to get rid of Minnis now they promise a love-fest in the case Minnis does win and they lose.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Minnis win the six - MPs will form a group away from the main FNM and Minnis will be gone.

YACHT CHARTER SHOW - can the DG Tour-

ism confirm that the participants all had immigration permits? Does the organiser have a Immigration permit or is this yet again foreigners taking bread from Bahamians?

MP JEROME FITZGERALD - can see why he probably begged Christie to take him to CARICOM Heads meeting in Guyana - the kitchen got very hot and should have.

Why is government covering seemingly for Rubis? Health no one should fool with.

W THOMPSON Nassau, July 5, 2016.

Moody with Moody’s EDITOR, The Tribune Re: Moody’s in warning over credit rating downgrade (July 4) Just who do these foreigners (Moody’s) think they are by threatening to downgrade our great little country’s credit rating again - and all over a paltry thing like worsening government debt accumulation?

They obviously don’t appreciate cultural differences. They should be shown how clever we are at organising such financially rewarding extravaganzas as our world-famous Junkanoo Carnival ’16 ... just as soon as the official financial figures are released.

Otherwise, the next thing you know, these non-citizens may even start demanding we im-

prove our financial affairs by handling them more responsibly!

If this happens, we should set Ferocious Fred loose on them, until they see the error of their ways and immediately upgrade us to a level more acceptable to proud Bahamians.

KEN W KNOWLES MD Nassau, July 5, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 5

MINISTRY ‘ADDRESSING’ HAZARDOUS WASTE FIND from page one

“The public is advised that the relevant agencies of the Ministry of the Environment and Housing are aware of the issue detailed in the Nassau Guardian morning daily concerning

the appearance of hazardous medical waste at the New Providence Landfill,” Mr Dorsett said in a statement yesterday.

“We understand the danger that such occurrences pose to the workers and those who frequent the landfill and to the general

public. This matter has been brought to the attention of the Princess Margaret Hospital and is being addressed.”

He added: “It should be noted by all that there is established protocol in the country for the disposal of medical and hazardous waste that should be fol-

lowed by all medical facilities, private and public. The proper disposal of medical waste is for the protection of everyone in the country.

My ministry does not take these matters lightly.”

“I admonish everyone who needs to dispose of medical or hazardous waste

to contact the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) to ensure that it is done properly.

Hazardous waste includes such items as car and cell phone batteries, chemicals, used syringes, the carcasses of deceased animals, etc.

We must all work together

to ensure that The Bahamas has a clean and safe environment for our enjoyment and that of future generations.”

Officials from the Public Hospitals Authority refused to comment when contacted by The Tribune on the matter yesterday.

ALFRED Sears opens the Fort Charlotte Summer Camp yesterday at the Fort Charlotte community centre.

Photo: Tim Clarke/ Tribune Staff

Sears hints at PLP leader bid from page one

Mr Sears, who was recently ratified as the PLP’s candidate for the Fort Charlotte constituency, told The Tribune that he is “available” to run for PLP leader, adding that “nobody should be afraid” to say whether they intend to contest the party’s top post.

Mr Sears would not confirm if his “availability” meant that he would actually take on incumbent leader Prime Minister Perry Christie for the party’s leadership; however he said such confirmation would likely come after he has done “some preliminary canvassing to see and determine the level of support”.

To that end, however, Mr Sears said he hopes that his track record of public service “would be viewed as a basis to give the public confidence” in his “integrity and competence”.

Mr Sears made the announcement on the heels of the official opening of his annual Fort Charlotte Summer Camp at the Fort Charlotte constituency office on Boyd Road.

“I’m available, I’m available, and I think every person who feels that they can contribute to sharpening the vision and executing in a competent manner the programmes of the party should avail themselves,” Mr Sears said when asked by The Tribune if he planned to run for PLP leader.

He then added: “I mean, nobody should be afraid to say ‘I’m available.’ So I’m available.” “…I think in any democratic institution, the organisation should have the opportunity to confirm existing leadership or to refresh itself with new leadership. And I don’t think the Progressive Liberal Party should be any exception.”

When pressed to elaborate and specify whether his “availability” meant that he actually would run, Mr Sears said: “I think that in any contest or possible contest, you would want to first of all do some preliminary canvassing to see and determine the level of support.

So that’s why I said I’m available, because tactically, strategically, one would have to basically do some

groundwork and determine that the necessary support is there and to do whatever is necessary to build and consolidate support.”

When asked if he felt he had the necessary support, Mr Sears said: “I have a track record of public service, not only as an elected member of Parliament but in terms of my engagement going back to the ‘70s as a youth leader in this community and certainly in terms of my civic engagement within the society. So I have a record and I would hope that my record would be viewed as a basis to give the public confidence in terms of integrity and competence.”

Mr Sears is a former attorney general and minister of education.

All party positions will be up for contest at this year’s PLP convention, slated for November.

Four names have emerged

in discussions surrounding the future leadership of the PLP – Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell and Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald.

Former PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby has also hinted that he might run for the position of PLP leader.

In June 2015, Mr Wilchcombe revealed he has interest in leading the PLP and if he had the chance to become prime minister he would take it. Shortly afterwards Mr Davis said that he is “ready for the job” if

there were a vacancy. Both men said their plans depended on whether Mr Christie offered himself for re-election, with Mr Wilchcombe in particular stressing that he would not challenge the prime minister.

Both Mr Mitchell and Mr Fitzgerald have not yet offered comments on the issue.

Last September, Mr Christie declared that he would go into the PLP’s next convention as leader and emerge as leader. He later told party supporters that he would not allow anyone to put a “proverbial political gun” to his head

telling him when to demit his post.

Initially, the convention was planned for November 2015 but was rescheduled for April 2016 because of the devastation left by Hurricane Joaquin in the Family Islands and recovery efforts, which were underway at the time.

The April date was then rescheduled until later this year to give attention to the June referendum on gender equality.

The PLP has not held a convention since 2009, even though the party’s constitution mandates that one be held every year.

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PAGE 6, Thursday, July 7, 2016

DR Hubert Minnis launched his leadership campaign at Christie Park with speakers, entertainment and a junkanoo rush out by the Saxons.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

400 at ‘Roc Wit Doc’ event from page one

PETER TURNQUEST, the Deputy Leader of the FNM, at Dr Minnis’ launch event last night.

In a speech frequently interrupted with songs designed to emphasise his statements, Dr Minnis castigated the Christie administration’s performance on crime, entrepreneurship, accountability and regard for the poor as he listed a litany of proposals he would implement if elected prime minister.

These included vague proposals like “land reform to ensure Bahamians have an opportunity to own land in this country” to more explicit ones like the alleviation of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on a variety of goods and services.

He said he would introduce a national “solarisation programme that would result in decreasing electricity costs and increasing your disposable income.”

“We will establish an anti-corruption agency with an independent director of public prosecutions with no oversight by the attorney general,” he said. “No one, not even prime ministers are above the law.”

Dr Minnis made only indirect references to the personal toll the division that has emerged in the FNM during his tenure as leader has had on him.

“You know (that) no weapon they throw at me will prosper,” he said, again prompting cheers.

Absent from his speech, however, were any cutting remarks about his rival, Mrs Butler-Turner, and the FNM officials who have been critical of his leadership.

Such statements were instead made, often indirectly, by FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest and the event’s moderator, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells.

A MINNIS supporter at last night’s event at Christie Park.

On the party’s internal a swipe at FNM Senator Dr critics, Mr Turnquest said: Duane Sands, who is vying “They say they want unity. for his post.

Well, if they would all do Some notable people who their part we would have supported Dr Minnis at his unity. You can’t break up campaign launch included the party and then call for FNM Senator Carl Bethel unity. It’s disingenuous. and the party’s Secretary What a waste of precious General Michael Foulkes. resources and energy.”

Progressive Liberal Party “You need a leader to (PLP) MP for Tall Pines secure life, not a mortician Leslie Miller also attended to secure you in death,” he the event and was greeted said, referring to Mrs But- by loud cheers as he made ler-Turner. his way to the front of the “You need a deputy to rally area. guide your finances, not a Dr Minnis’ event ended doctor to treat your heart with a Junkanoo rush out. attack after you’ve gone The FNM’s convention is bankrupt,” he said, taking scheduled for July 27-29.

FROM left, Richard Lightbourn, Neko Grant and Dr Duane Sands at the launch of Loretta ButlerTurner’s campaign.

Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 7

LORETTA Butler-Turner addressing supporters at the launch of her leadership campaign in Rawson Square.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

MPs turn out in support for Butler-Turner from page one Senator Monique Gomez, former Senator Heather Hunt, former Senate President Lynn Holowesko and former Garden Hills MP Brensil Rolle, who all publicly endorsed her as the “woman to take the country to the next level”.

Mrs Butler-Turner described herself as a 21st century leader as she pledged to create jobs and opportunities for young persons, loosen lending rules for borrowers, improve the justice system, reduce crime, improve the education system, stimulate the economy and bring down the cost of electricity.

The Long Island MP was overwhelmed with cheers as she outlined her approach to addressing the “vexing” crime problem in the country. She said a “Turner and Sands” government would ensure that no crime, no matter how small, goes unpunished, as she promised to impose a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison

without the possibility of parole for all convicted murders.

“Crime is our cancer.

When criminals are caught, our justice system must be relentless. This means rooting out incompetence, injustice and, where it is found and corruption from our courts and prosecutorial teams.

“But it also means taking radical steps to impose stiffer penalties against our most dangerous, and to impose them more rapidly. Homicides should carry with them a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison with no right to parole,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“Finally, we must accept that there is no such thing as a small crime. Any act of vandalism, no matter how big or small, is an act of hostility to our community, every trespass a potential source of fear. Every petty theft an invitation to more serious crimes. By adopting a New Providence-wide approach to saturation police patrols, and punishing

people for a crime as soon as it is spotted, we can do for Nassau what worked for New York and other cities, restore a sense of order first and security second and little by little, of civic pride third. If it worked for what used to be the toughest city on earth, it can work for us.”

Mrs Butler-Turner also implored all FNM supporters to reach out to the 410 voting delegates and encourage them to vote for her and Dr Sands.

“You have an opportunity to choose Turner and Sands. I want to talk very seriously; we are a team because we know it takes more than one person to run a country. We are a team because we know we are going to need a lot more hands in this with us and so when we say to you that this is our launch for FNM convention in July 2016,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“We want you to understand that many of you may not have the opportunity to vote at our con-

vention but you can go to those 410 people who will be making that choice for you and tell them you want us. I am going to reach out, along with my partner, and we will talk to every 410 of them and we are going to tell them our plan for turning this country around.

“We are going to tell them we need to rid this country of this burdensome PLP government. We are going to tell them that this fight is not within the FNM but this is for saving the country. Please join us, please tear up the phone lines, please tear up social media, please talk to the 410 delegates. We will do our part, but we need you to do yours.”

The FNM’s convention is slated for July 27 - 29.

Mrs Butler-Turner lost her leadership challenge to Dr Hubert Minnis at the party’s last convention in 2014. Dr Sands also ran unsuccessfully for the deputy leader post, losing to East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest.

PAGE 8, Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

LORETTA Butler-Turner at the launch of her leadership campaign last night.

Photo: Tim Clarke/ Tribune Staff

Butler-Turner: How I’m different from Minnis

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

LONG Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday sought to differentiate herself from FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis insisting that she stands on her “unwavering” word and does not rock from side to side with the shift of the wind.

The FNM leader hopeful also criticised Dr Minnis’ ‘Roc wit Doc’ campaign, commenting on the Killarney MP’s decision to hold his launch on the same night as her “Forward-Together” kick-off.

She said she viewed it as a “divisive” tactic that would not auger well for supporters and delegates.

Both launch events were

held last night creating a clash in scheduling, which Mrs Butler-Turner said was “unfortunate”.

She said in order for people to make informed decisions and for the delegates to understand who is going to present the strongest battle against the Progressive Liberal Party, it was only fair that they heard the proposals of both teams.

Otherwise, she said, this was not possible and would cause supporters and delegates to make quick decisions.

The Long Island MP went on to defend her choice of venue for the political gathering at Rawson Square during a telephone interview on radio talk show “Real Talk Re-

loaded” with host Lincoln Bain.

“I have chosen that we will meet in the seat of power in this country, in Parliament Square. The house for democracy and in the shadow of that House,” she said during the interview.

“You understand this fight is not within the FNM. This fight is to let (Prime Minister) Perry Christie and his friends and his cronies and all the others know that this is a serious fight coming to wrestle the power from them (and) to make sure that we start to stand up and fight for the Bahamian people.

“My message does not change. I have been standing up for the Bahamian people in opposition since May of 2012. I have stood

up for Dr Minnis. I made sure that when the police came to take us away I told them they will not put their hands on our leader. (That) they will not put their hands on any of our MPs and I will defend whatever it is to defend in the FNM. I have defended my leader.

I defended my party. I will defend the Bahamian people.”

She was referring to a showdown in the House of Assembly in August 2013 when about nine police officers tried to remove Dr Minnis from the lower chamber after he was ordered to leave by House Speaker Dr Kendal Major, but remained in his seat.

The officers were ordered in after a motion was passed that Dr Minnis should be “named” and barred from the House for two sittings.

The action on August 7, 2013 came after Dr Major told Dr Minnis in midJuly that he would not be allowed to speak in the House until he withdrew claims that he had made

about Prime Minister Perry Christie’s relationship with Lyford Cay resident and fashion mogul Peter Nygard.

Initially, the radio show was advertised with a flyer, which gave the impression that Dr Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner were to faceoff against each other on-air. However, when the show went live yesterday, there appeared to be some confusion as to whether both candidates were to appear.

Ultimately, Dr Minnis did not call in or make an appearance over a purported mix-up in communication. However, Mr Bain insisted that Dr Minnis did initially agree to be on the show as a call in guest.

When asked about this, Mrs Butler-Turner responded: “I think Dr Minnis has to make his own decisions.

I think people will have to make a judgment call on our performance whether it’s Dr Minnis’ performance or whether it’s his judgment. I am not going to be the one to attribute whether

he is making bad judgment calls or whether he is doing things incorrectly.

“I think the Bahamian people will make that decision for themselves. I have no issue at any time any hour standing up and speaking on the convictions that I have and standing for the Bahamian people so whether Dr Minnis wanted to share his views or not was immaterial as to whether or not that would affect what I would do today.

“I have a plan I stick to the plan. My word is my bond. I gave you my word, Mr Bain. I stand by my word. It is one of the few things that people hold today and if there is anything Bahamians can hold me to is that when I stand on my word I am unwavering. I do not rock from side to side given the shift of the wind.”

Dr Minnis and party Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest will go head to head against Mrs Butler-Turner and running mate Dr Duane Sands during the party’s convention on July 27 to 29.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 9

Moore warns of danger of Ingraham return IF former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham nominates himself for the Free National Movement’s leadership race on the convention floor, it would be “one of the worst things that could happen”, Maurice Moore said yesterday.

However, Mr Moore, who is considered to be one of the FNM’s founding fathers, does not think that Mr Ingraham would be much of a threat to incumbent leader Dr Hubert Minnis, saying the Killarney MP appears to have the majority of support from voting delegates.

Mr Moore also said he is frightened at the thought of Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Dr Duane Sands leading this country, saying the inexperienced duo would put The Bahamas in “grave danger”.

Mrs Butler-Turner will challenge Dr Minnis for his post at the party’s convention later this month, with Dr Sands as her running mate for deputy leader.

Mr Moore also said he believes Dr Minnis needs to “tighten up ship” regarding discipline in the party, something he thinks will happen after the convention.

His comments came during a candid interview on the radio talk show “Hard Copy” with host Steve McKinney.

When asked about the possibility of Mr Ingraham, who quit as FNM leader in 2012, making a surprise return to politics, Mr Moore said: “My attitude is, let him come to the floor of the convention and nominate, let him come. The council of the party, along with additional persons, makes up your convention.

From what I can see, here in Nassau and in the Fam-

ily Islands, he will not be able to out vote Dr Minnis.

In Grand Bahama for instance, you may have, and I am being very generous, a maximum of ten persons who may vote for Loretta and Dr Sands.

“If they get ten, they will be doing well. And if Mr Ingraham puts his hat in the ring, if he gets another five or so out of Grand Bahama, again I believe he will be doing extremely well to do that.”

However, he said, the last time he spoke to Mr Ingraham, which he said was about six months ago, the former North Abaco MP said he was not planning to leave retirement.

Mr Moore, a former Cabinet minister, also said he fears what would happen if Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Sands were elected to lead this country.

“If God forbid Minnis and (Peter) Turnquest are not the winners, we would be in a serious quandary,” he said. “We would be putting our country and the leadership of it and the possibility of these persons being the next government.

We would be putting ourselves in grave danger. Neither of them has had any real experience in administering governmental affairs.

“While Dr Sands is very good and I would choose him for my medical reasons over anybody else that I know here in Nassau if I have an ill in that area - but beyond that there is no record.

“I can’t turn to one single thing anyone of them have done for and towards the furtherance of the administration of this country.

Loretta, she served as a junior minister under (Dion) Foulkes in the Ministry of Social Services. That’s the

DR. Hubert Minnis with Leslie Miller at last night’s rally.

LORETTA Butler-Turner and Dr Duane Sands launch their FNM leadership campaign last night.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff “We have to know when extent. It frightens me be- great day for the Bahamas rectly. The measure of the cause I fear for my country to have a prime minister man, he will never say a it is time to move aside and word against any of those pass the baton on to the and I fear for what we have like Dr Minnis.”

For much of Dr Minnis’ six. You notice he has never younger generation, they to contend with against the time as FNM leader, the said a word against them, are better trained than we international world.”

He also praised Dr party has been plagued by even though each one of are . . . a person like RenMinnis, saying one of his infighting and discontent. them on their turn just lam- ward Wells I would feel strengths is being a “com- This tension reached a boil- baste him on matters that happy because Neko Grant mon man who keeps his ing point in May, when six were half true or were not ain’t doing nothing. He is common touch” and can in- FNM MPs, including Mrs true at all, or was taken out wasting the time. In fact, Butler-Turner threatened of context.” if he was doing his job, we teract with people.

During the interview, Mr wouldn’t have the problem “He is somebody that is to have Dr Minnis removed approachable and what he as leader of the Official Moore also took a swipe at that we are having today.”

Two weeks ago, Mr has done for the last four Opposition in Parliament Central Grand Bahama MP years, he has visited all the if an early convention date Neko Grant. When asked Grant, who is leader of opislands, he has visited all the was not set. The group also by a caller who would do a position business in the constituencies, he is one of wrote a letter to the FNM’s better job as a representa- House of Assembly, wrote the few fellows in front line Central Council, highlight- tive than Mr Grant, Mr a scathing email to Dr Minpolitics who can go Over- ing Dr Minnis’ deficiencies. Moore suggested Bamboo nis. He accused the FNM Yesterday, Mr Moore Town MP Renward Wells, leader of being unprepared the-Hill anytime, anywhere and everyone knows him commended Dr Minnis for who joined the FNM last for the 2016/2017 budget debate and abandoning his and they have the greatest not hitting out at the dis- year.

“He’s a qualified young colleagues in Parliament respect for him. He knows senting MPs in the face of man, he’s quiet, but he is under the guise of not feelhow to talk to people and their public critiques.

“He has handled it cor- deep,” Mr Moore said. ing well.

I believe that it will be a

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MILLER: MINNIS BEST TO CHALLENGE CHRISTIE from page one

However, Mr Miller insisted that this line of thinking is a “grave mistake”. He said he could not understand how anyone could argue that Dr Minnis was a weak leader.

“What is happening here with Dr Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner, it is obvious that she and (running mate Dr Duane) Sands represents the status quo with the big money interests and Bay Street boys backing them.

This is a clash between the haves and the have-nots.

Loretta, she represents the elites.

“The crew she represents does not reflect the average Bahamian so I believe ‘Doc’ would be the most formidable one.

“I’m not sure The Bahamas is ready to have a

woman prime minister. I don’t see how she believes she can win a general election when she didn’t even have the support of her own membership in the last convention. I wouldn’t bet on her being the first woman prime minister or that she could change anyone’s mind in this country.”

He added: “He (Dr Minnis) differs because he is a very formidable candidate.

He comes from the grass roots. People would make a grave mistake if they take him for granted.

“Elections are an emotional thing so the electorate will gravitate toward Dr Minnis because he best represents the views of Bahamians more than she does.

There is no way she can inspire people more than he can.”

Dr Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner both launched

their campaigns last night.

Last week, Mrs ButlerTurner formally announced her intent to challenge Dr Minnis at the party’s convention.

At the time of her announcement, she said the party, now more than ever, needed to be driven by leaders and doers.

She also declared that she and Senator Sands will make the “strongest team” to not only contest the top two leadership posts of the FNM, but to turn the country around.

Despite her confidence, Dr Minnis has said on several occasions that he is sure that he will be re-elected to the party’s top post for a third time.

On Sunday, he told The Tribune this is because of his “close and personal” relationship with the majority of the party’s delegates.

PAGE 10, Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Spiralling debt brings a downgrade dangerously close T

HE Bahamas is on the fast track to an economic downgrade.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has grossly mismanaged our economy. The economy has nearly ground to a halt, the unemployment level is rocketing and Bahamians are crying for help.

The PLP’s year-over-year projections of growth have proven to be fairy tales, fanciful yammering to fool a public desperate for good news.

Last Friday’s announcement of Moody’s decision to place The Bahamas on a two-month downgrade review was not surprising.

I have no doubt that Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), following a review of the economic condition, will downgrade the Bahamas. No doubt, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth and nightmares of political lives flashing before folks’ eyes when both credit ratings agencies visit The Bahamas this month to conduct their annual economic and fiscal assessments.

I would pay to be a fly on the wall during those meetings.

A further downgrade by

Moody’s of two notches or more could cost The Bahamas its investment grade rating, pushing this nation into so-called ‘junk’ status. The loss of ‘investment grade’ status would

be highly damaging for The Bahamas and our economy.

Our creditworthiness in international capital markets would be shot. Our interest payments on borrowed money would rocket and, in

A Young Man’s View

order to service increased costs of borrowing, monies would have to be siphoned from essential services such as healthcare, education and so on. All so that we could operate as a nation for another day.

Moody’s did not say any- By ADRIAN GIBSON thing that we ought not to have known. Ever since 1973, we have spent more loans per year. Put simply, than we earned. Anyone almost 20 per cent of our who does that will, at some country’s budget goes topoint, have to pay the piper. wards debt reduction, but Moody’s statement ap- yet the debt is steadily inpears to have been sparked creasing.

by Prime Minister Perry At present, the governChristie’s affirmation of ment’s debt-to-GDP is an official Department of Sta- astounding 76.3 per cent. tistics data showing that Moreover, the increasing the Bahamian economy debt has seen the governcontracted by 1.7 per cent ment direct debt-to-GDP in 2015, following a 0.5 per balloon by five per cent over cent shrink in 2014. This the last two years. contrasted sharply with Given the realities on the previous posiground, I doubt tive growth es- ‘Why in the that Mr Christie timates by both world are we and his merry the government men could conitself and the - a country of vince both rating International under 400,000 agencies that the Monetary Fund country’s ecocitizens (IMF), promptnomic growth ing Moody’s to paying to and fiscal polidetermine that sustain a cies are up to the The Bahamas is task, and will “unlikely” to hit public service deliver the reits 1.5 per cent where wages sults promised to Gross Domestic and salaries both them and Product (GDP) the Bahamian growth poten- payments have people. tial in the short- increased by As it stands, term. the government’s $18.6m (3.5 What’s more, policy credibility in the eyes of any per cent) to is on the verge discerning ob- $553.0m?’ of being totally server, it is clear discredited. The that the Christie adminis- ramifications of another tration’s consolidation plan sovereign downgrade would has yet to arrest the growth be near catastrophic. in the $6.6 billion national As if Moody’s announcedebt and related ratios. ment wasn’t already a punch In this year’s budget, our in the our economic eye, expenditure on interest the Central Bank’s Monthly payments alone is compa- Economic and Financial rable to the entire budget of Developments for May, the Ministry of Education. 2016, released on Monday, When you include the prin- was damning and yet ancipal deductions, we spend other tell-tale sign that our just shy of $500m servicing economy is on go-slow.

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Our number industry is tourism. We can hardly brag of any growth or innovative approaches to revamping our touristic product.

According to the Central Bank: “Tourism indicators available from the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) - for a sample of major hotels in New Providence - suggest that the sector was relatively weak over the review period. Total room revenues declined by an estimated 7.0% during the first four months of 2016, relative to the corresponding period a year earlier, reflecting a 1.4 percentage point reduction in the average occupancy rate to 75.6%, along with a 5.8% ($16.83) decrease in the average daily room rate (ADR) to $270.91.”

W

ow! So, the “signs of the softness in tourism output” and declining revenues in tourism is, in part, due to the fact that we have not seen a thrust to revamp and rebrand tourism beyond re-doing the same old commercials. We see no major attention being paid to selling each Family Island as a tourist package unto itself or, for that matter, developing the tourism product in New Providence.

Many of my visiting friends complain about having nothing to do on arrival to Nassau as there is little to no nightlife and the town practically dies after 5pm, including Bay Street.

Our tourism product leaves much to be desired.

The Central Bank stated: “In the fiscal sector, the overall deficit deteriorated, as an increase in short-term financing to the public sector led to a rise in spending, outpacing the gains in revenue; while monetary sector developments were dominated by a reduction in broad liquidity, owing in part to a falloff in institutions’ holdings of Government securities.”

And so, this explains the mess we are in. We spend more than we take in. Our government appears to have no aspiration to bal-

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 11

THE ACCIDENT and Emergency entrance at The Princess Margaret Hospital. ance the budget.

Whilst we may experience “robust gains for Value Added Tax (VAT) elevated tax receipts”, it is clear that the VAT monies is being foolishly spent on salaries in a bloated public service. Why in the world is money collected from VAT included in the Consolidated Fund, to be accessible and played with by wideeyed politicians?

According to the Central Bank, government expenditure has increased. This is a classic example of tax and spend! Our country is surviving off credit!

Why has spending increased by $54.0m (23.5 per cent) to $283.5m?

Why in the world are we a country of under 400,000 citizens - paying to sustain a public service where wages and salaries payments have increased by $18.6m (3.5 per cent) to $553.0m?

W

hat the government ought to be doing is controlling or decreasing spending with taxation, not increasing. We are in a very challenged fiscal position and if/when we are downgraded, the borrowing and accessing money will cost us significantly more. It is time for austerity measures.

Mr Christie can lead by example by taking a cut in

salary, travelling less and of uncollected public fees at not basking in the pomp the Princess Margaret Hosand pageantry that his Of- pital. This happened over fice could afford, but where years. Dr Duane Sands reexpenditure for such func- cently told me that the govtions could be used else- ernment annually spends where. Further, the PM roughly $200m and collects could reduce his Cabinet by less than $7m. Imagine five to seven members; re- that! duce the number of permaWhat about the $100m nent secretaries; retire and that is owed to the Bahamas offload 60 to 75 per cent of Mortgage Corporation over the government’s so-called the years and the defaulted consultants; sell loss-mak- loans at that entity? Or the ing entities such as Water millions owed to the scholand Sewerage; arship loan auoffer all of the “There is almost thority? Or the government’s defaulted loans shares in BTC, $1 billion of at Bank of BEC and Cable uncollected the Bahamas, Bahamas in a public fees at the Bahamas public offering Development that allows most the Princess Bank and the Bahamians to Margaret Bahamas Agfairly access ricultural and Hospital. This the stock and Industrial Corsimultaneously happened over poration? raise funding; years.”

What about sell Bahamasair the uncollected or offer shares rents at the Into the public in the airline; dustrial park, the downimplement a no-fly rule on town Straw Market and Cabinet ministers and large Arawak Cay and Potter’s contingents, only allowing Cay? those ministers and perConsider decreasing sonnel who must travel to the public sector by 50 per travel; ensure that govern- cent Mr Christie. It can be ment vehicles are parked a phased-in process where in the evenings and on the the government offers tax weekends; and re-train credits for verified hiring, personnel and computerise seconding public workers government departments to private firms with tranthat accept money in order sitions in salaries and bento curb theft and wastage. efits and so on.

There is almost $1 billion How about churches

taking over certain public schools?

Should the Central Bank consider decreasing the prime rate? Some would disagree, but I think it should.

Why are banks being allowed to prey on Bahamians, with outrageous fees and predatory lending practices? Surely, legislation must be enacted to stop this unscrupulous practice.

And please, Mr Christie, collect outstanding property taxes and other taxes owed to the government.

These are but a few ideas that would no doubt help to turn things around.

Like most Bahamians, I fear a devaluation of our currency. Though I don’t see that happening immediately, such an occurrence is on the horizon. If we do not turn things around quickly, we will go down the same path as other countries (think Jamaica) that required an International Monetary Fund bail-out to keep the water running, the hospital open and to keep teachers in schools.

For any fundamental change to occur, we need to rid ourselves of this system of political patronage, corruption, cronyism and nepotism.

Comments and responses to ajbahama@hotmail.com

PAGE 12, Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Bran: I left the FNM after watching it fail the country

By RICARDO WELLS Tribuen Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney said his 2011 decision to leave the Free National Movement was “not made lightly” and came after months of watching the then governing party fail to enact policies to rescue the country from its struggles.

Mr McCartney yesterday in a letter to the editor aired out the circumstances that led to his very public split with the political organisation that introduced him to

frontline politics.

He said despite being heavily criticised by FNM supporters and members of the wider public that interpreted his actions as selfish, hot headed and even disloyal, today he is confident he made the right choice.

Mr McCartney asserted that in the years since the formation of the DNA, he has also been accused of being impatient, power hungry and “incapable of waiting his turn for leadership.”

However, he said, the claims couldn’t be further from reality, stressing that his motive for the FNM was on the basis of becoming a

catalyst for real change.

“My decision to leave the FNM was not made lightly; in fact, it is perhaps one of the most important choices I have ever had to make. In the months ahead of that choice, I watched as our country continued to spiral downward.”

The former Bamboo Town MP said the party he once loved and supported appeared ill equipped and unprepared to develop innovative policies that would propel the country forward.

“Leadership failed to make prudent financial decisions which would benefit the country as a whole,” he stated. “Our citizens were

being continuously neglected and not offered the basic civil right of a sound education.”

Mr McCartney said much of what he took issue with prior to his departure has come to fruition. He insisted that at the time of his resignation from the FNM the country was not headed in the right direction.

“With our current crime, economic and social woes, I am sadly convinced that our country is crying out for help.”

He said recent “widespread” calls for change of leadership in both the PLP and FNM parties confirmed that he made the

right decision back in 2011.

“It is proof that now, more than ever Bahamians are ready to embrace change and embrace a government which respects the will of the people who elected them. That is what Bahamians deserve, and that is what the DNA will bring to the future governance of this country.”

Mr McCartney said he realised then, what many Bahamians are now coming to understand, “in order for our country to see real progress, fresh ideas and young progressive leadership is needed.”

“The Democratic Nation-

al Alliance was founded on that premise,” he added.

“Since inception we have continued to work tirelessly to be the kind of political organisation that the next generation of Bahamians can be proud of. The kind of organisation that understands and values the input of those that came before, but is unafraid of taking the kind of deliberate action which will be needed to secure our country’s future.”

“Through the DNA we have a collective opportunity to hit the reset button, the chance to set a new course bound for safety, prosperity and a better Bahamas.”

MAJOR KAREN INGRAM, of the Salvation Army’s Women’s Ministries, Major Clarence Ingram, Charles Sealy, of the Rotary Club of The Bahamas, and advisory board chairman of the Salvation Army Felix Stubbs. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

SALVATION ARMY CALLS FOR AID, SAYING NEED HAS NO SEASON

By PEANDRA PRATT and AARON MILLER THE Salvation Army believes that giving is not necessarily just for the holidays such as Christmas but it should be an all-year-round practice.

Yesterday, the Salvation Army launched its first “Christmas In July - Need Has No Season” fundraising event in an effort to offset the decrease in summer charitable donations that the organisation has detected in The Bahamas.

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The campaign will highlight that need has no season and people are in need throughout the year and not just during the Christmas period. During the summer months, the Salvation Army has noted a decrease in giving among the people of The Bahamas so they intend to raise awareness with this summer fundraising event.

“We have to realise that there’s not just need at the end of the year, there’s need in January, March, September and so on,” said Felix Stubbs, vice chairman of the Salvation Army’s Nassau Advisory board. “So as the Salvation Army, we feel it’s our obligation to help as

many people as we can year round and not just during the Christmas season.”

The Salvation Army hopes to raise a minimum of $25,000 from this midyear charity event and with eight people having donated $1,000 each already, it is optimistic about reaching its goal despite acknowledging the challegning economic climate.

“People recognise the Salvation Army - it’s a brand. When you think of the Salvation Army you know that the funds being raised are always for a good cause so it shouldn’t be too difficult to reach our goal,” Mr Stubbs said. The Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas have

Vacancies We are currently accepting applications for the following positions: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Prep cooks cooks stewards sous chefs Barbacks cashiers

Applicants must have at least 3 years restaurant or hospitality experience with clean police record.

Interested candidates may send CV to: afeisha@portstarboardltd.com

on or before July, 7th 2016.

also made a significant contribution and Charles Sealy, president of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau and Chief Executive Officer of Doctors Hospital, presented the Salvation Army with a cheque on behalf of the Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas.

“We continuously look for partners we can work with to help our communities and we are very impressed with the Salvation Army as they seek through social action to help those who are in need. So we use this as an opportunity to partner with them through our financial contributions and our support,” Mr Sealy said.

The Salvation Army hopes that the ‘Christmas In July’ campaign can generate funds for one of their major projects, a women’s crisis centre in Bain Town.

The centre serves as a refuge for troubled women and

their children. The Salvation Army plans to expand and enhance the centre to accommodate more women and children short-term until they can get back on their feet.

Other Red Shield programmes by the Salvation Army – such as the feeding, after school, School for the Blind and the emergency help programmes – will also benefit from the funds raised.

The Salvation Army aims to ensure that people in need have at least one hot meal per day and the homeless receive at least two sets of fresh clothing per week.

It is trying to improve on what it is already doing. The organisation is appealing for donations both financial and practical, such as food, clothing or electronic items.

The Salvation Army’s signature red kettles will be used for the campaign to attract donors.

Sail Master/Coach

NEEDED • Male or female.

• Must be a qualified sailor with extensive racing experience • Qualified to coach junior sailing program • Boats are Optimists and Sunfish/Laser (16 boats) and Brenta 30’s (4boats) • Good people motivator/social coordinator • Base salary $45,000.00 per year Please send resume to: vshippingbahamas@gmail.com

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 13

Stoves and refrigerators given to hurricane relief CAPTAIN Stephen Russell accepted 25 refrigerators and 25 stoves donated

by CIBC FirstCaribbean for residents of the central and southeast Bahamas severely affected by Hurricane Joaquin last October.

The appliances were donated at a press conference at the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) headquarters on Gladstone Road on June 24.

The appliances will be delivered to residents whose homes are being rebuilt by the National Repairs and Reconstruction Unit, in conjunction with NEMA. The presentation on behalf of CIBC FirstCaribbean was made by the bank’s Managing Director Marie Rodland-Allen.

The new homes will house 25 families who lost their dwellings during the passage of the category four storm last year.

Following three months of discussion and planning, Captain Russell, NEMA’s director, and Melanie Roach, head of the NRRU, were ready in February 2016 to sign up local con-

tractors to begin the work on 25 new homes.

The team went to Acklins, Crooked Island, San Salvador and Long Island, the areas hardest-hit, signed up local contractors and issued mobilisation cheques, materials distribution lists, building plans and building code manuals.

The initiative to build new homes was reported in the local newspapers, and CIBC FirstCaribbean’s donation committee stepped in to help with the process of re-housing 25 families as the bank’s Hurricane Joaquin relief effort.

Capt Russell thanked the bank for its “generous” donation, and again commended the private sector for contributing to the hurricane relief efforts. He also confirmed that the homes would be completed by the end of July.

Mrs Rodland-Allen said: “As a good corporate citizen, CIBC FirstCaribbean staff are encouraged to help when and where they feel it is needed. We don’t have a banking presence on Crooked Island, San Salvador or Long Island but

MARIE RODLAND-ALLEN, managing director of CIBC FirstCaribbean, presents 25 refrigerators and stoves for the Hurricane Joaquin rebuilding effort to Captain Stephen Russell, director of NEMA. Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS our staff rose to the occa- storming session with staff fridges and stoves for the useful, meaningful and dision and donated supplies on how we could make the kitchens of 25 homes they rect method of assistance to those most impacted by most impact to those hard- were building on three of for those in need,” said Mrs the hurricane last year; we hit by Hurricane Joaquin. the Family Islands. CIBC Rodland-Allen. “I’m lookhad always intended to do Our enquiries led to Mela- FirstCaribbean decided to ing forward to visiting some even more. This donation nie Roach, head of the purchase them as the bank’s of the homes to see the indonation to the Hurricane stallation in progress and to of appliances is taking it a NRRU.” Ms Roach advised that Joaquin effort. step further of course and it meet the families moving “We felt that it was a very in.” came about during a brain- they needed 25 sets of

New US embassy complex could spark life into downtown Nassau AT THE function to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the birth of the United States, Lisa Johnson, the Charge d’Affaires in Nassau announced that her government would be building a new embassy complex on land they had purchased on Shirley Street.

The Prime Minister, in his talk that evening, confirmed this and expressed satisfaction that this was so.

The construction of a new embassy complex on a five-acre site on Shirley Street and East Street by the United States is good news for downtown Nassau

View from afar

By JOHN ISSA

and the economy. Not just because it is a major construction project but also because of its location in the heart of downtown Nassau. It is one block south of East Bay Street and a few streets west of Parliament, the courts and the cruise ship terminal.

This development will be the first major project close to East Bay Street since the commercial shipping terminals were moved west to Arawak Cay making space available for a major renewal of the city.

The fact is that, in more recent times, the western

part of New Providence has been a magnet for a great deal of residential, commercial and resort development.

There is nothing wrong with this but we can’t let the heart of our capital slide further into decline.

There appears to be agreement that there is a need and an opportunity for profitable development and renewal but for various reasons it hasn’t happened as yet.

As a result of the plan

to build the new – and what appears to be a very large – embassy complex, there is now an ideal time for investors and developers to exploit the opportunities that it will bring.

There are services that those who are coming to the embassy may require.

The mere presence of the embassy will enhance the surrounding properties and make them more desirable. The very presence of the embassy and its clients and staff should cre-

ate a buzz.

Should incentives be offered to investors at this time, the major development by the United States may just be the catalyst needed to trigger other investments in and development of the east.

If I am even half right, let’s not miss this opportunity.

• John Issa is executive chairman of SuperClubs.

He is writing regularly in The Tribune.

PAGE 14, Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

A lack of respect that stifles potential ernment has no respect for those they serve.

After ten years in the Bahamas, Julien Martel has decided to move back to the UK. He has some farewell thoughts for the country he is leaving.

I

T is time to leave Nassau after calling it home for the last ten years. So it seems timely to put down some thoughts on our experiences and what ultimately has led us to this decision.

In 2005, I expressed an interest with my employer to relocate. We lived in the Channel Islands and my wife and I had decided our family was complete with the arrival of our youngest son two years previously. He joined our two other children – ten and seven at the time – so timing seemed perfect. My employer was based in a number of offshore jurisdictions and I didn’t really mind where we were offered, although I knew The Bahamas may be close to the top of their list as the group had purchased the business here two years earlier, and I had visited on a number of occasions for work.

In August, 2005, I was offered a senior position in the Bahamas office and we worked feverishly to complete all formalities, enabling us to move in January, 2006. We were advised to look for a property in a gated community and moved into Seapointe, Port New Providence.

My new work colleagues welcomed me and respected my role without question and I joined feeling very empowered.

Back then, it was often the case you could spend one to two hours sitting in traffic on Eastern Road heading into work and this was my first experience of the possible crime levels, being almost thrown off the road by those crazy prison buses and their escorts. Unbelievably, the

JULIEN Martel and his family enjoyed their ten years in The Bahamas but have decided to return to the UK. same thing happened to me just the other day. Why is a country so reliant on tourism still moving prisoners in this fashion, almost parading them with pride downtown? Why not build that talked-about court within the prison grounds and don’t give these individuals any second of fame?

My family and I have very much enjoyed our time here. Our children’s lives were definitely enriched and moulded through their experiences and most local Bahamians have treated us with respect for the most part, as you’d expect in the age we live in.

However, increasingly there just seems a total lack of any respect. What do I mean? Let’s go through some examples.

A lack of respect for life It seems “acceptable” there will be between 100 to 150 murders each year.

Recently our minister for national security stated he believes it’s an improvement to have 56 murders to-date (2016) and whilst true against the same time last year, no one taking another’s life is acceptable. Dr Nottage and everyone in the Bahamas should be disgusted, outraged and have that sick feeling in their stomach when this happens.

Right now, no headline seems shocking anymore.

This will only get better by tackling the various

roots of the problems and returning police and the defense force if necessary to the streets. Bring in help.

Why is the government, and previous governments, so proud to think that they can’t accept outside assistance? Because this is likely the only way it will get tackled; ensuring no one knows those who are defending the country’s citizens.

Also, bring in a curfew.

Yes, crime doesn’t just happen when its dark, but so much could be learned from other jurisdictions. Look at how New York cleaned itself up. So, yes Bahamas, you can do it. Citizens, don’t let what appears to be an acceptable crime be how your future is defined.

A lack of respect for a person’s personal property This past weekend, I was told there were [multiple] robberies. Why is this again considered acceptable? Bahamians need to demand change, a change in those in power. I say this as someone with no right to vote – or no right to comment some might say – but how can ministers responsible for our safety and security smugly and happily say “things are getting better” and keep their jobs? Robbery is something most people never get over, so whilst the statistics are one thing, the ongoing emotional turmoil for most people is unacceptable and once again shows the gov-

A lack of respect for fellow drivers on the roads When moving to Nassau, we felt we needed to learn to drive again; not to become better drivers, but to become ultra defensive drivers. No one respects signs, speed limits, laws requiring seat belts, other drivers, traffic lights or pedestrians; the only person on the road is the person behind the steering wheel. No one uses those flashing yellow lights on the side of the car, called indicators, which work by pushing the levers behind the steering wheel up and down depending on whether the car is turning left or right. So, ultimately, no one knows where any car is going; it’s a guessing game which causes frequent smashes and altercations.

The main reason for this is that the roads are not policed. How many drivers do you see with no seat belt, driving above the speed limit with a baby sitting on someone’s lap? Do these people not realise what would happen if the car had to stop with any urgency?

Likely the baby would be crushed by their own mother/father or they would hurtle [with their parent] through the windscreen and end up 50 metres up the road dead. There should be an active traffic division which isn’t just reactive to accidents and incidents but which polices the roads to ensure laws are enforced.

This will ultimately save many lives.

A lack of respect in customer service The one area we can criticise is inconsistency in customer service throughout the Bahamas. We have experienced excellent to very poor. We have experienced customer service with no smile, eye contact and sucking of teeth.

The Bahamas needs to focus on customer service as its differentiator. The

islands have so much potential, but there is massive competition out there in the world and one bad customer service experienced by a visitor is usually enough to ensure that visitor will not return, likely try something new and – from our experiences – I would suggest most visitors receive many poor experiences in the time they spend here.

I have worked in financial services for 30 years and with our move back home, we are moving into the tourism industry. Many of my friends and colleagues have questioned my skill set to swap my profession, and I respond by telling them we all work in a service industry; every one of us has different customers, so customer service standards are critical to anyone’s professional life and success.

A lack of respect for animals It breaks our hearts to see how animals are treated here, from the surrey horses downtown to the poor dogs and cats on the streets. The way the surrey horses are treated is utter abuse and I struggle to understand why any visitor pays to be pulled along by a skinny, undernourished horse which is clearly struggling pulling three or four people in 90 plus degree heat. Anywhere else in the world this wouldn’t be acceptable.

Baark and the Bahamas Humane Society are marvellous and have made such a noticeable difference through the spay and neutering programme. We no longer see packs of dogs everywhere we go; a massive well done to these two amazing organisations and we urge everyone to support their ongoing efforts.

A lack of respect for the elderly and mentally ill It is so sad to see so many elderly and mentally ill people being completely neglected by the system, begging on every corner just to collect enough money to

get to the next day. Why is there not a better welfare system available for them to be looked after? Many have worked hard all their lives in low income jobs, not giving them the opportunities to own their own properties/assets, etc, and now find themselves just tossed aside with no hope or future welfare.

Where is the compassion?

Surely this isn’t right? Are not the elderly due respect, compassion and thanks?

Most countries have, at a minimum, assisted living programmes; why is our VAT or National Insurance [contributions] not . . .pulling the Bahamas into the 21st century and start looking after the elderly and mentally ill?

It’s not just our civil duty, but our moral duty too.

I hope my message isn’t misconstrued, as my family and I have really enjoyed living in your country and we thank you for some wonderful experiences, for many of you welcoming us and for the privilege of living here.

These issues are just a small number I feel could be addressed by the country working together on how people respect one another, from government, the police, civil servants, both private and government schools and all service industry businesses.

If government would only lead by pulling working parties together from all stakeholders to start considering core values for the country, some radical differences could be achieved and the Bahamas could move towards being the country it has so much potential for being. Otherwise I fear the country will lose tourism, lose more of its share of the finance industry and struggle with higher poverty and crime.

We wish you well, Bahamas!

Julien Martel is a UK citizen who has returned to live and work in North Yorkshire.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 15

EXUMA EXPEDITION FOR TEAM OF RANGERS SIX Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers recently completed a five-day educational expedition to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park as guests of the Bahamas National Trust.

The four boys and two girls were specially selected by the Defence Force from the Ranger group in Freeport. The Rangers were formed in 1996 as a cadet programme for senior high school students around the country.

The Ranger members who went on the expedition were Ron Lewis, Razhena Arthur, Tyler Bain, Caitlyn Walker, Michael Altidor and Tyriq Forbes.

The BNT maintains a close partnership with the RBDF for enforcement of no-take rules in some national parks and marine reserves. The BNT also conducts environmental educational programmes for the Rangers.

“We engage children in classrooms and on field trips to help them understand the importance of our natural environment,” said BNT Education Director Portia Sweeting. “The recent field trip to Exuma exposed this group of Rangers to new experiences that

RANGER youths taking a break from a snorkelling session. they will remember for the also involved. rest of their lives.”

The field trip involved a The expedition was led series of land and sea acby the BNT’s Grand Baha- tivities to strengthen the ma Outreach Officer Cheri Rangers’ knowledge of, and Wood, BNT Science Offic- appreciation for, the Bahaer Scott Johnson and BNT mian environment. They volunteer Toio Mazzoni. learned to identify animal Park warden Henry Haley and fish species and used and RBDF Leading Sea- scientific methods to collect man Michael Wring were and survey different sets

of data. They also learned about the Defence Force’s role in protecting The Bahamas from illegal poachers, wildlife smugglers and human traffickers.

No electronic devices were permitted on the expedition, and hiking was a part of the daily routine.

Meals were prepared and

eaten in a group setting to foster teamwork and social interaction.

“The field trip was partly funded by businesses in the Freeport community who generously support our education programmes,” said Ms Wood. “One of these was Toio Mazzoni of Island Spray Professionals, who

also volunteered his time and mentorship to travel with the group.” he BNT is a non-governmental, non-profit, membership organisation working to protect Bahamian natural resources by building a network of national parks and promoting environmental stewardship.

RENEW BAHAMAS STAFF LAID OFF IN CUTBACKS from page one

Gerhard Beukes has stepped down from his position with the company.

His comments came after several disgruntled Renew Bahamas employees contacted The Tribune claiming they were owed three weeks’ pay.

Less than two weeks ago, Mr Beukes called for the company and the government to work together to reach the best solution for all concerned.

Mr Beukes told Tribune Business that Renew Ba-

hamas had “a long list” of changes it was seeking to its management contract in order to make the landfill operation viable.

However, Mr Cox, in response to questions about the viability of the company and the status of its employees, yesterday revealed that he had ascended to the company’s most senior post as Mr Beukes had opted to step down.

“I am the CEO now. All questions related to Gerhard have to be directed to him.

The specifics of his decisions are with him and my focus is the operation of Renew.”

On Wednesday, The Tribune received reports from employees who alleged that senior staff members of Renew were in the process of “packing up and moving out,” as the company was allegedly unable to pay its bills.

An employee who spoke to The Tribune on the condition of anonymity alleged that a large percentage of the company’s 120 employees haven’t been paid for roughly three weeks and were “going to work on pins and needles.” “(People) are holding on as long as they can because

jobs are hard to find. My rent is due and I have to look into my landlord’s face. You are going to work everyday – you don’t want to just leave because you have bills to pay,” the employee said.

“They are not saying anything, they just don’t have any money. We got paid something three weeks ago but we were two weeks behind at that time. Now we are on three weeks and going on four weeks.”

Another employee who asked not to be named believes Mr Beukes’ departure does not bode well for the company.

“Gerhard (Beukes) hasn’t worked a full day since December,” the employee alleged. “He has been in and out of the office for months.

His office was cleared out and he hasn’t been seen since.”

“This entire process is sad because he gave the impression that he would be here long-term and now he is gone. Now they’re telling us that we are going to get paid by the end of July, but I don’t trust them at all.”

When pressed for details on these allegations Mr Cox would only state: “Mr Beukes is now a shareholder.”

Asked about claims of Mr Beukes’ office being cleared out, Mr Cox stated: “I cleared out the office and moved in.”

Renew Bahamas has said for sometime now that it could lose hundreds of thousands per month as a result of its materials recycling facility and bailer being inoperable.

In April news surfaced that Renew Bahamas had informed several of its vendors that it would be unable honour their contracts until there was a “resolution” to the discussions with the Christie administration.

PAGE 18, Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

VICTORIA Higgs with a Spanish Wells Hog

MATTHEW Rowland with a nice Andros Hog.

JEROMY BULLARD, owner of Bahamian Life, with an Abaco Hog.

IT’S ALL about the ‘Hogs’ this week according to Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) experts, with nice catches in Nassau, Abaca, Andros and Spanish Wells.

Keep checking the BSFN expert page for fishing reports throughout the Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods

being used.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz.

BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.

LOCAL boy Darren Johnson with a monster Nassau Hogfish.

Thursday, July 7, 2016, PAGE 19

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THE TRIBUNE

INVESTIGATION AFTER POLICE SHOOTING OF BLACK MAN BATON ROUGE, La. Associated Press

IN A swift move by authorities to keep tensions from boiling over, the US Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation Wednesday into the video-recorded killing of a black man who was shot as he scuffled with two white police officers on the pavement outside a convenience store.

A law enforcement official said a gun was taken from 37-year-old Alton Sterling after he was killed early Tuesday in the parking lot where he regularly sold homemade music CDs from a folding table. The official was not authorised to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A FRIEND of Alton Sterling in tears during a protest following his shooting by police.

Photo by Keva McPhee

Happy Independence Bahamas From the Management and staff of Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited

Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence (where applicable).

®

But it was not clear from the murky cellphone footage whether Sterling had the gun in his hand or was reaching for it when he was shot. And a witness said he saw police pull a gun from Sterling’s pocket after the shooting.

The shooting in the Louisiana capital — and the shocking video that soon found its way all over the Internet — set off angry protests in the city’s black community and brought calls for an outside investigation.

It came at a time when law enforcement officers across the country are under close scrutiny over what some see as indiscriminate use of deadly force against blacks.

Moving quickly just one day after the shooting, Democratic Gov John Bel Edwards asked the Justice Department to take the lead in the investigation.

“I have very serious concerns. The video is disturbing, to say the least,” the governor said.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. said that Sterling was armed — Dabadie didn’t specify the type of weapon — but that there are still questions about what happened.

Sterling was confronted by police after an anonymous caller reported being threatened by someone with gun outside the store, authorities said.

In the cellphone video taken by a community activist and posted online, one of the officers tackled Sterling, and the two officers pinned him to the pavement.

Someone yelled, “He’s got a gun! Gun!” and one officer pulled his weapon from his holster. After some shouting, what sounded like a gunshot could be heard.

The camera pulled away before more shots were heard.

The officers, identified by the chief as Blane Salamoni, a four-year member of the department, and Howie Lake II, who has been on the force for three years, were placed on administrative leave.

The store owner, Abdullah Muflahi, told The Advocate newspaper that Sterling was not holding a gun during the shooting but that he saw officers remove one from his pocket afterward. Muflahi said an officer fired four to six shots into Sterling’s chest.