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VOLUME:116 No.138, JULY 15TH, 2019

HO US E & 12 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

INSIDE: RADIOS FALLING SILENT IN MEMORY OF MDEEZ

PAGES

Union fury over sabotage claim Allegations are ‘cover up’ for failing systems

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net PRINCESS Margaret Hospital has suspended non-emergency surgeries this week while it investigates a suspected sabotage attack.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday declined to comment on what led to the suspicion of sabotage of the hospital’s chilling and air-conditioning systems. However, Bahamas Public Services

Union president Kimsley Ferguson, whose union represents the workers in the engineering department, was adamant his union will take “legal action” should its workers again be falsely accused of tampering with the systems.

Mr Ferguson also alleged the claims of sabotage are a “cover up”, as the hospital should have replaced those units years ago. Both Dr Sands and Mr Ferguson made these comments in interviews with The Tribune SEE PAGE FIVE

LOAD shedding is expected to continue in parts of New Providence this week as demand for electricity peaks, a Bahamas Power and Light spokesperson confirmed yesterday.

With power cuts occurring this year as far back as mid-April and regular

load shedding since June 19, BPL has been unable to definitively say when the situation is expected to get better.

However, the only things consumers have learned to expect are frequent power cuts. Calling this a crisis, Bishop Simeon Hall urged BPL to “fix the light before darkness causes someone’s death”.

SEE PAGE THREE

2 GUNMEN HUNTED IN GB MURDER

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MAN died in hospital after he was found with gunshot wounds in Grand Bahama early yesterday morning.

Sometime around 2.30am, police were called to the West Atlantic Drive area where the man was found lying on the ground with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and back. The victim told police he was approached by two men who shot him before fleeing the area on foot.

Paramedics transported the victim to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he later died of his injuries. The victim’s identity was not known up to press time.

Police are also investigating an armed robbery which occurred shortly after 2am Sunday in Freeport. Police were called to a business SEE PAGE THREE

21 YEARS FOR PEOPLE SMUGGLER

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BPL BLACKOUT - THE MISERY DRAGS ON

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

HOME

PRETTY IN PINK BAHAMAS Feeding Network’s summer steak-out was a great success when it was held in Montagu Park over the weekend. More pictures - Page 12 Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

A JAMAICAN man who claims that he was born in The Bahamas and was being denied entry into the country after being deemed an “undesirable” - has been sentenced to more than two decades in a US prison for running a human smuggling operation.

Michael Stapleton, 44, - placed on the stop list by the Department of Immigration in 2017 - was found guilty by a US federal jury of 47 counts related to the human smuggling scheme.

According to court records, he was extradited to the US last year and sentenced on Thursday, July 11 to 21 years and ten months.

SEE PAGE 11

POST OFFICE DEAL ‘WRAPPED IN LIES’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis has called for Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ resignation insisting his administration’s handling of the General Post Office’s move to the Town Centre Mall has been overshadowed by falsehoods.

The Progressive Liberal Party leader further questioned whether former

PLP leader Philip Davis Cabinet minister Brent Symonette, who is part owner of the mall, solely

re-entered politics to acquire a lease agreement with the government for this building. Mr Symonette, St Anne’s MP, resigned from Cabinet earlier this month.

Mr Davis contended that along every step of the way the government gave information regarding the post office that did not paint a true picture of the situation.

He said by now, the prime minister should have already spoken publicly to

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SIX

INSIGHT WE’RE BEING TAKEN FOR FOOLS ON BPL

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Monday, July 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

MDEEZ performing during his Up, Close and Personal concert.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

RADIO STATIONS TO FALL SILENT IN TRIBUTE TO MDEEZ RADIO stations across the country will go silent for 10 to 15 minutes today in tribute to slain musical artist Devon “Mdeez” Knight and others who have lost their lives to violence.

The radio silence will begin at 2pm today.

Organisers hope this moment of silence will stress the “chilling effects” that death leaves on the friends and families of those left behind.

A tribute concert is also planned for tonight to honour Knight. The show will begin at 7pm at St Joseph’s Hall on Boyd Road.

Scheduled performers include D-Mac, Sammi Starr, Wendi, Sosa

Man, Patrice Murrell and others. According to police, Knight died in hospital on Friday June 21 after he was involved in an altercation with a man who allegedly stabbed him. An injured Knight tried to drive himself to the hospital but lost consciousness on the way and collided into another vehicle.

According to his manager Luval Culmer, Knight was on the cusp of international stardom before his death, as he revealed the artist was set to kickstart a 12-week, multi-country tour this summer. The tour was due to make stops in various cities in Canada, the United States and Jamaica.

NEW PROVIDENCE HIT BY THREE ARMED ROBBERIES

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THREE armed robberies took place within a 12-hour period in New Providence on Saturday, according to police reports.

One of the victims was a woman in her late 50s who was robbed while cleaning her house.

Another victim was beaten by two men during the course of a robbery.

Press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles said the incidents do not appear to be connected. A 26-year-old man has been taken into police custody in connection with the beating incident.

“Police on the island of New Providence are investigating three armed robberies which occurred Saturday, July 13 and have taken an adult male into custody in connection with one of them,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement released yesterday.

“In the first incident, according to reports, shortly before 6am, a man was walking on Faith Avenue south when he was approached by an armed man, who robbed him of cash and other items before getting into a white Honda car with the partial licence number 3297 and speeding away.

“In the second incident,

according to reports, shortly after 10am, a woman was at her home on Sommer Set Way off Mermaid Boulevard, when she was approached by an armed male who robbed her of cash before getting into a silver coloured Nissan Sylphy licence number AP5644 and making good his escape.”

Supt Knowles clarified this incident yesterday in an interview with The Tribune.

When asked if the woman, who is in her late fifties, was inside or outside her home when the robbery occurred, Supt Knowles said: “She was on the outside, doing some cleaning and when she got inside, someone entered her house and held her up and robbed her.”

The victim of the third incident is in his late twenties.

“In the third incident, according to reports, shortly before 4pm, a male was walking on Soldier Road, when he was approached by two armed men, who beat him about the body, then robbed him of cash and a cell phone, before running away,” according to the statement.

“A short time later police took a 26-year-old male into custody in connection with this incident. He is assisting police with this investigation.”

Investigations into these matters are continuing.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 15, 2019, PAGE 3

BPL UNDER FIRE

By FARRAH JOHNSON CARETAKERS throughout New Providence say constant power outages in the capital are putting the health of their elderly patients at risk.

A number of assisted care home workers told The Tribune frequent power cuts have stressed out the elderly in their senior home facilities and destroyed the medication and equipment they need to administer care.

Esther Outten, who works for Unity House nursing home, said the outages have forced them to throw out medication and food.

“It’s doing us bad up in here in this old folks home, these old people suffering under here,” she said. “Every Jesus day it (power) go off and on and right now, all the insulin what we have for the people they get hot and we can’t use them no more.”

Mrs Outten said the electricity usually goes off multiple times a week and added that on Thursday

‘OUTAGES ARE RISKING LIFES OF THE ELDERLY’ night, the home’s power went off at 10pm and didn’t come back until 2am the next morning.

“We have to feed these people four times a day... it is terrible because the little bit of food you get you have to throw it out, because the current been off so long and the food begin to spoil.”

Theresa Bastian, a caretaker from Good Samaritan Homes, said although the facility has emergency lights, the power cuts still affect the residents and staff “tremendously”.

“We have patients who really

need to have oxygen and we can’t even give them it,” she said.

“Some of these patients have to go back to the hospital until the situation comes back in effect, so this is really bad.”

Patricia Moxey, owner of Pat’s Senior Citizen Home, said the outages have also forced her to purchase a “big generator” that cost her almost $40,000.

“The electricity goes off two to three times a day,” she said.

“This has been happening for a long time and it’s at the point now where it’s even messing up all my

equipment. My appliances and stuff have been affected.”

Mrs Moxey said that electricians have told her voltage from the constant power cuts have knocked out everything in the nursing home, including the cable, internet and phone connections.

“It’s really been a trying time for me especially (because) this is my peak time right now,” she said.

“While I sympathise with BPL, something needs to be done.”

Mrs Moxey said having power is crucial for the facility, because it provides care for senior

citizens with diabetes, hypertension and cancer. “I’m doing the community a service because they can never pay people to take their loved ones, especially some of them in the condition they’re in.

“We still have to pay our electricity bill. They should be asking us: ‘Can I compensate you in anyway? Can I reduce your bill or something?’”

Mrs Moxey said she would feel much better about the situation if BPL showed some “spirit of empathy” when communicating with customers, and insisted that she only wanted them “to show a little care.”

BPL has started posting load shedding schedules and updates on social media through the company’s Facebook page.

The company began load shedding in earnest in mid-June, however there were sporadic power cuts before that. Load shedding continued to affect New Providence residents at the weekend.

The misery drags on from page one The prominent religious leader said officials need to make fixing the problem a national priority.

“Electricity to households and businesses has become unreliable and is interrupted for far too often and far too long. Traffic lights are off regularly, and even church services and funerals are made to endure heat and darkness,” Bishop Hall said in a brief press statement.

“As far as the sick and the elderly are concerned, we are touching the danger zone as these persons are the most affected and the most disadvantaged. I call on BPL to fix the light before this darkness causes someone’s death.

The blame for this dark period in BPL’s service is hardly tenable and must be laid at the feet of management and those who placed them there ought not to reward incompetence.

“Is this not the board that was brought in because another board had failed?

When politicians blame each other it never helps - the citizens are always adversely impacted,” Bishop Hall added.

At 5.40pm yesterday, BPL confirmed two-hour load

BISHOP Simeon Hall urged BPL to fix the light before darkness causes someone’s death. shedding rotations for Sir Lynden Pindling Estates, East Bay Shopping Centre, Eastwood Estates, Sandals Royal

Bahamian Resort and the Hilton car park.

Ahead of this, the power provider said it was forced to begin manual load

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

shedding at 4.17pm beginning with the areas around Marathon Mall and Cable Beach. Consumers complained that load shedding

FREEPORT MAN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER

EDVARDO Evans outside court last Friday.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A FREEPORT man on Friday was charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Edvardo Evans, 33, of Bruce

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn Avenue, appeared in court before Magistrate Charlton Smith where it alleged that on Sunday, July 7 at Freeport, he, being concerned with others, attempted to murder Antonio Johnson and Jude Patrick Young.

Evans was represented by lawyer

Rufus Allen. He was not required to enter a plea to the charges.

He was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in New Providence until September 10 when the matter is expected to proceed by way of voluntary bill of indictment.

TWO GUNMEN HUNTED IN GB MURDER from page one

on the Mall Drive where two armed men held up a number of people and

robbed them of personal items before escaping on foot. Assistant Superintendent of Police Terecita Pinder said police are aggressively investigating both matters and are appealing

to the public for information that can assist. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 242-350-3107 through 12, 911/919, or the nearest police station.

exercises appeared to be disproportionate as some western areas had no power for hours on Saturday “Don’t load shed in the

west. We had our share yesterday. Enough already!” one angry customer posted to BPL’s Facebook page yesterday.

Another said: “But Cable Beach was off for more than six hours yesterday... simply not fair!”

As for Saturday’s challenges in western New Providence, a BPL spokesperson said investigations are ongoing. “(There was a) technical fault with a transformer at Windsor Field and there was another problem with the station at JFK and those problems affected our supply in West Ridge JFK, Blake Road south and the areas around the international airport.

The teams were out from about 5pm yesterday (Saturday) to resolve the problem.

“They repaired it after 8.52pm and the system was back on. “(However) there was a small problem with them having to take it bake offline and at 11.15pm those affected by that small problem were back up.”

On Sunday in Abaco, BPL also had issues with its Man-O-War Cay feeder at 9.32am. A team was able to restore power at 3.41pm after resolving the issue.

Editorial View - Page 4

PAGE 4, Monday, July 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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Time for action on BPL outages IF WE were to invite readers to put their hands in the air if they were surprised to learn that there will be more load shedding this week, we doubt we would see many hands raised.

Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) says it will need to load shed as demand for electricity peaks, but frankly they have been load shedding whether it has been hot weather or cool, rainy weather, so we think such excuses have long worn thin.

For many of us, BPL’s continuing inability to supply the needs of customers is an inconvenience. People can’t bathe in hot water. People can’t iron clothes for work or for the kids for summer. Food stored in the fridge has to be thrown out and replaced.

For some, it hits them in the pocket.

Power outages hit businesses, which either have to pay for generators and the fuel to run them or maybe they can’t run their business at all. People who work from home are left frustrated as they try to work but are let down by BPL. For still others, though, it is a matter of life and death – such as the residents in old people’s homes where power outages have left refrigerators off long enough that vital medication has to be thrown out.

“These old people suffering under here,” says Esther Outten of the Unity House nursing home, “Every Jesus day it go off and on and right now, all the insulin what we have for the people they get hot and we can’t use them no more.”

This cannot be right. How long are people expected to suffer because of an inadequate power supply from an inadequate power company?

Earlier this year, BPL had suggested

this would be the last summer of load shedding thanks to the new Wartsila engines coming online – but now we hear talk of disruption continuing into the autumn. A summer of disruption we might have grudgingly accepted if it was an end to ongoing problems – but why will it now drag on into another season?

And if BPL can’t handle the autumn load, can we really expect them to cope next summer?

Meanwhile, where is Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in all of this? Why is he so silent on the daily misery being inflicted on the Bahamian people by a company badly misnamed because it can’t keep on the power and it can’t keep on the lights?

Isn’t it time for the government to be more pro-active about this? If they really care about the people, shouldn’t there be an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, take action and relay to the Bahamian people when they can expect relief? And don’t tell us the autumn.

Also in today’s paper, Bishop Simeon Hall calls on BPL to “fix the light before the darkness causes someone’s death”.

As we hear of stories of medication going bad, as we hear of people needing power for medical treatments, as we look at traffic lights out of action, as we see batteries on flashlights slowly running out of energy, we can only be thankful that no one has died yet.

If the government doesn’t take this seriously and take action now, we fear that might not remain the case. Be safe in the darkness, readers, and hold those to account who won’t take action to help you.

THE claim of sabotage at Princess Margaret Hospital is an explosive one.

If true, it means patients’ health has been put at risk.

Non-emergency surgeries have been suspended while the investigation takes place – and we hope the authorities very quickly find the truth behind the claims, and a culprit if there is one.

We are concerned that the first reaction of the Bahamas Public Service Union president is to threaten legal action – rather than pledge the union’s full support in finding the cause of the damage and assist in locating who is responsible.

We would hope that the union would

recognise that anyone damaging equipment purposefully is harming the workers in the hospital as much as the patients, and it is worrying that this is the first response from president Kimsley Ferguson.

We do not know the full facts yet. We do not know who is responsible. But if the claims of sabotage turn out to be true, we sincerely hope that person is prosecuted to the full extent of the law – and we hope that has the support of everyone associated with the hospital, workers and management alike. The patients are being harmed here – and that is who we should be most concerned about.

Find the saboteur - and prosecute them

Pride march is a horrible idea EDITOR, The Tribune I JUST read in today’s edition of your newspaper, that the Bahamas’ very own LGBTI community is actually planning to stage a pride parade, sometime next year. Personally, I think this is an unbelievably bad, if not, horrible idea that will undoubtedly lead to problems, including possible violence.

For the record, I am not homophobic or “anti - gay” in anyway, shape, or form, and have absolutely nothing against LGBTI people.

Who people choose to love and spend their lives with is nobody’s business, as long as they’re not messing with children and/or animals.

There are far worse people out in this world doing far worse things that we simply just ignore or sweep under the rug. But, seriously, there is an extremely valid reason why I am completely against the very idea of a LGBTI pride parade being held in the Bahamas, and the people who are actively planning said event really ought to know better.

The Bahamas is one of the most virulently homophobic nations on planet Earth; a truly horrendous place to live if you are LGBTI. If there

exists an actual list of the most anti-gay nations in the world, I am certain the Bahamas would be in the top 10. Bahamians hate, loathe, despise, revile, and absolutely detest gays, and we’re “proud” of it, too. This homophobia was put on display for the entire world to see years ago, when a so-called “gay cruise ship”, hosted by Hollywood celebrity and well known lesbian, Rosie O’ Donnell, came to the Bahamas while on an around the world tour. Upon arriving to this country, they were met with an extremely hostile crowd, with the country’s many religious leaders spearheading the protests and demonstrations. There were many people, with pure anger on their faces, carrying posters and placards with many homophobic messages on them. There were religious figures armed with bullhorns, literally shouting condemnation and judgment at said ship and anyone who was deemed “immoral”. It was a spectacle that only served to cast the Bahamas in a negative light to the international world.

To the LGBTI community leaders planning this pride parade, I implore you not to even attempt to go ahead with this. If pride parades held within

America, where same-sex marriage and relationships are allowed, is met with opposition and hostility from conservatives and right wing, how do you think Bahamians, who are extremely conservative, would react? Have you forgotten the Gender Equality Referendum, and the immense controversy it created? Have you forgotten the time they attempted to show Brokeback Mountain, a film about a romantic relationship between two cowboys, and the movies, and how both the general public and Bahamas Christian Council reacted? The Buji Banton concert, and the “Boom Bye Bye” song controversy? These are just small examples of the rampant homophobia that exists in this country. Also, I’m quite sure no Prime Minister or MP wants to be seen as the one who gave the green light to a gay pride parade, lest he or she lose out in the next election. There’s already far too much violence in this country. A LGBTI pride parade in this country will only make matters even worse.

TALKING SENSE Nassau July 9, 2019

It’s time we were more honest about marijuana EDITOR, The Tribune NOWADAYS, almost daily, the marijuana debate is in the news, and quite often it makes headline news. For various reasons, especially perceived economic benefit, some are arguing for marijuana to be legalised. But, in my opinion, what is missing from much of the debate is honesty about marijuana and its affects on those who use it and our society.

For example, one of the arguments that caught my attention is the view that marijuana is a Rastafarian sacrament and is akin to wine used in the Christian sacrament of the Lord’s Supper; therefore, marijuana should be legalised for Rastafarians. This position as reported in the press reflects a lack of appreciation for the significance of the Christian sacrament and the fundamental distinction between partaking of the sacrament as compared to the use of psychoactive substances in other religions.

Christians are called to be sober-minded, dignified, and self-controlled (see Titus 2:1-8); therefore, it logically follows that using wine to intoxicate those who participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is contrary to Scripture, and it does not happen in faithful churches. And the alcohol content and quantity of the wine given to parishioners makes intoxication virtually impossible. Further, Christians do not take the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper by themselves, whenever and wherever they want to. Instead, they partake of the Lord’s Supper when the church is gathered for that purpose, typically on a weekly or a monthly basis.

On the other hand, can the “marijuana is akin to wine” advocates honestly say that avoiding intoxication is a goal of those who claim marijuana as their sacrament? They cannot. And can they honestly say that those who claim marijuana

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net as their sacrament partake of it in community under the supervision of their spiritual leaders at a scheduled time?

They cannot. Why then are they making the false comparison between marijuana as it is used by Rastafarians in their religion (individually and whenever and wherever they want) and wine as it is used by Christians in the Lord’s Supper (corporately when the church is gathered)?

My own view is that the “legalise marijuana for religious purposes” argument, just like the “legalise marijuana for medicinal purposes” argument, is just more mud in debate waters to distract us from the most frequently espoused argument: Legalise marijuana for the economic benefits.

And I’m in sheer amazement at how the thinking of those who believe we should legalise marijuana in an attempt to reap economic benefits is really no different from drug traffickers who insisted and continue to insist on engaging in their trade because of the money to be earned, while being indifferent to the lives they were destroying and continue to destroy.

Like the drug traffickers, those currently advocating for marijuana to be legalised for economic reasons don’t think it will destroy the lives of the people they love, and they don’t care about other people who will be negatively affected. This is beyond sad.

There is one group of persons whose voice I’m particularly eager to hear in the marijuana debate, and it’s the psychiatrists who work at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

They have a front row seat observing and working with a high number of cannabisinduced psychosis patients, many of whom are young people. But they are civil

servants, so they won’t speak out of turn. Therefore, I urge the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana to invite those psychiatrists to a publicised town hall meeting and allow them to add their voice to the marijuana debate and to answer questions from the general public.

Finally, for those who may have missed it and are interested in reading some honest thoughts about the effect of marijuana on users and their communities, I commend an opinion piece published in the Guardian on January 15, 2018 under the title “A Voice and the Need for the Weed”. In addition to citing credible research on the health effects of marijuana, the writer makes a compelling case to show that legalising marijuana would be bad for The Bahamas for several reasons.

The reasons given are so compelling that the writer confidently repeated this conviction throughout the article: “In The Bahamas the people in charge will listen to the voices, note the research and connect the dots.” If the writer is correct, which I pray, the people in charge will note the research and connect the dots and arrive at the solution which is in the best interest of the broader community. If they are convinced that there is medicinal benefit to be gained by some through using marijuana, they should craft responsible legislation to allow that benefit to be gained by them.

Meanwhile, I urge those who are called by Christ’s name to pray for our leaders to do what is best for our country as they consider this far reaching issue of marijuana, an evaluation that cannot be properly made by allowing money to be the deciding factor.

Let’s pray that they will be honest about it.

PASTOR CEDRIC MOSS Nassau July 12, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 15, 2019, PAGE 5

Union fury over sabotage claim as PMH suspends non-emergency operations

from page one yesterday. When asked what led to the suspicion of sabotage, Dr Sands replied: “We’re not minded to let the perpetrators know what it is that led us to make that comment,” ultimately declining to specify.

However, Mr Ferguson had fiery words about the matter.

“We have yet to hear PHA (Public Hospitals Authority) indicate who they’re looking at as it relates to sabotage,” he said. “And I believe it’s only a cover up, because they haven’t actually replaced the units.”

When asked to clarify, Mr Ferguson said: “The units need to be replaced and they’re constantly malfunctioning.”

“And so, it’s very easy for them to insinuate that it’s somebody that works for PMH…I’m not going to take this one very lightly if they’re insinuating that it’s members that we bargain for that is connected with sabotage.

“Certainly, we’re going to take some legal action.

Because two of our guys, it was claimed that two of our guys would have done so, and they suspended them earlier in this year.

And they had to bring them back to work because what they were claiming was not so.

“If they accuse persons (and) are unable to substantiate those claims, we’re not going to stand by and let them continue to do that to cover up their shortcomings.”

On Friday, PMH released a statement announcing the suspension of non-emergency surgeries.

“Patients booked for surgical procedures between the 12th through 19th of July 2019 are asked to contact the hospital at 3578795,” the statement read.

“Following months of challenges associated with maintenance, power failures and possible sabotage, PMH has commenced works to facilitate the installation of an upgrade to the chiller system of the Critical Care Block (CCB) and will engage the Royal Bahamas Police Force to investigate a possible compromise in security.

“Challenges with the cooling system in the CCB led to the public tender for new chillers and additional interventions to safeguard the HVAC system. It is anticipated that manufacturing and installation of this new system will occur over the next five months.

“In the interim, equitable chiller capacity has been leased and will be installed to accommodate the installation upgrade.

Management apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s patience at this time.”

When asked if all surgeries should be back on schedule by July 19, Dr Sands said the temporary chiller that has been leased is scheduled to arrive in New Providence today.

“And then it goes on a flat bed truck, it’ll sit in the driveway or somewhere on the premises and be hardwired or hard-connected to

the cooling system in the Critical Care Block. The cooling system now operates ideally on about 400 tons of chilling capacity. We have a brand new chiller that gives 100 tons,” Dr Sands said.

“That was the one that was replaced in 2017. The others have been…together we might be able to eek out another 100-something tons, but now one of them is completely gone. And then the other is depending on whether they’re running at 20 percent or 30 percent, that determines the effective cooling of the Critical Care Block - that’s the Intensive Care Unit, the Operating Theatre, et cetera. And that system was tied into Accident and Emergency as well.

“So we are going to be bringing in 250 tons of cooling capacity, which together with the 100-plus tons of cooling capacity will put us back to normal. Then, the brand new chillers, two chillers, each of 100 tons, will be put in line to replace the one that’s dead and the other one which is not functioning terribly well. So, that ought to put us back to normal. That plus some other monitoring and maintenance fixes.”

He confirmed this upgrade is expected to be complete

by July 19, adding the permanent fix is going to take four to five months.

Dr Sands also said the public should not expect further suspensions between now and December, noting the hospital will maintain the temporary chillers until the permanent chillers are running.

SMITH EYING ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO COOPER

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

RICARDO Smith is gearing up to challenge Chester Cooper for deputy leader of the Progressive Liberal Party yet again.

Mr Smith received 69 votes when he ran in 2017.

Mr Cooper, the Exuma and Ragged Island MP, received 1,226 votes.

On Friday, Mr Smith said while he has not officially decided to challenge Mr Cooper, he is very likely to do so again. His attempt would be seen as a major long-shot to succeed.

“I think the Bahamian people in the last election had desperation because certainly the FNM didn’t

offer a better team than the PLP,” he said. “People voting for the FNM was a desperate dash to break a cycle they believe was just no good for them.

“Here it is now the PLP has an opportunity to refocus its efforts on the principles of the organisation which are to wipe tears from every eye and utilise people who could assist with this message.

If we don’t look at all the talent available to us we may miss that opportunity.

I believe we have a golden opportunity but we lost the inner-city of New Providence and the only way you recapture the country is by reclaiming the centre and by reconnecting with people.”

Asked why he’s running for deputy leader, Mr Smith said: “The leader should be someone who sits in Parliament. I don’t hold a seat in Parliament so the next best position and a position I think I’m eminently qualified to hold, far better than the present holder of the office, is deputy.

The PLP is scheduled to host its convention on July 25 and 26.

In 2017, Mr Smith made news when he was fired from the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation for participating in the PLP’s convention. BAIC staff regulations prohibit employees from standing for elections as members of a party.

The health minister also spoke to the overall impact of sabotage and suspension of services on the hospital and Bahamian people.

Regarding rescheduling surgeries, he said extra sessions will have to be created, which in itself “poses a serious challenge for the hospital”.

“Because if you now have to go into overtime again, and overtime is already a problem, then you’re dealing with a major challenge,” he said.

“Anytime that there is a disruption in the delivery of care, the human impact is significant,” Dr Sands continued. “No matter what the reason - whether it’s due to an industrial action, whether it’s due to sabotage, whether it’s due to natural disaster… whenever we have to interrupt care, there are human consequences.

“And so while we cannot control the natural disasters, certainly the impact related to interference by sabotage or deliberate actions is most unfortunate.

And clearly any individual who could possibly be involved in such activity should rethink, given the implications that this could have on ordinary Bahamians.”

On July 8, the Ministry of Health signed a $1.1 million contract with Caribbean International Air Conditioning Services Limited to install a new

air chiller system at PMH’s Critical Care Block. There have been problems with the building’s air-conditioner since 2017.

Editorial View - Page 4

PAGE 6, Monday, July 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Step down, Dr Minnis

LEFT: PLP leader Philip Davis and right, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PLP leader calls for the PM’s resignation, insisting his government’s handling of the Post Office’s move to Town Centre Mall was overshadowed by falsehoods from page one

correct public perception of the situation. This comes after The Tribune reported on Friday that the government’s decision to abandon the Phil’s Food Services building on Gladstone Road was not supported by the assessment of independent engineers contracted to evaluate the structure.

Basil McIntosh, an engineer with decades of experience, told this newspaper the Phil’s building

was “in very good condition” and “could be safely utilised for approximately another 20 to 25 years without any major maintenance work.

“This whole transaction is just wrapped up in lies,” Mr Davis said yesterday when he was contacted. “. . . They lied to the Bahamian people and as I’ve always warned them, no lie lasts for ever. The truth comes out somehow. It’s like water always finds its level, the truth will always come out to the public.

“He (Dr Minnis) ought

to be stepping down in circumstances like this. . .”

Speaking specifically to Transport and Local Government Minister Renward Wells’ admission last October that the Phil’s Food Services building had been stripped of vital electrical wiring plumbing and air conditioning components, Mr Davis questioned why the building was left unsecured after the government acquired it.

“In examining what he said, all you see is it being fraught with failure on his part. Do you

think it would have been prudent to acquire the building for a post office without first looking at the building to determine if it was suitable for conversion?

“Then you go to the second point having acquired it you’re just going to leave the building there for it to be stripped? Why wasn’t it stripped before the acquisition? You would have thought that once acquired they would have put in place sufficient security measures to avoid any of what he claims to have happened.

“If it was stripped, don’t you think they ought to have had an investigation because what he’s saying is what they acquired is no longer what it was supposed to be. So it doesn’t make sense.”

Mr Davis reiterated that the former PLP government considered the mall but under different circumstances. At the time Mr Symonette was not in politics and had given indication that he was not returning, the Cat Island,

Rum Cay and San Salvador MP said. Ultimately he said they determined it was not an ideal location.

“Yes we looked at the Town Centre Mall and due diligence was done to determine whether it would have been an appropriate place for the post office,” Mr Davis said.

He said all of the advice the then government received indicated the mall was not a suitable place for relocation. Considering all things, he said the Christie administration rejected that site and looked at the Independence Shopping Centre.

He said the government would have also had to lease the mall at nearly the same cost it would have taken to buy and own the Independence Shopping Centre.

The government received the engineering report from Mr McIntosh’s company, McACE Technical Services Ltd, six weeks before passing a resolution in Parliament to rent the Town Centre Mall. The company was hired by the Ministry

of Works last year “to carry out a comprehensive structural assessment” of Phil’s building, an exercise it began on August 28, 2018.

“It is our opinion,” the report said, “that should our recommended minor remedial measures be carried out, the structural integrity of the captioned building will be enhanced.”

The report, obtained

by The Tribune last week, went unnoticed when Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin tabled it in the House of Assembly last year. But it has resurfaced as the controversy over the lease of the Town Centre Mall returned to the spotlight when Mr Symonette revealed earlier this month that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis called him personally to negotiate the deal last year.

The Office of the Prime Minister has declined to confirm the date of that call, and further suggested the admission made by the former minister represented a breach of confidentiality.

MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

We’re being taken for fools but our patience is going to run out WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister’s politicisation of the state of BPL could not be more insensitive, ill-timed and downright false.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By MALCOLM STRACHAN THE Bahamas is not a real place. Perhaps that mantra is never more fitting than when a country that pays exorbitant fees for mysteriously concocted electricity bills has so often been in smouldering darkness. Particularly, that has been the case this wretched summer which has been filled with days of blistering hot temperatures being exacerbated by BPL’s inability to operate in the 21st century. Antiquated machinery, inept leadership and dubious political agendas have all been a recipe for disaster at the nation’s power supplier.

There are no two ways about it, we are facing an electricity crisis. But what are the bureaucrats telling us – not only that we are incorrect in our diagnosis of how bad these circumstances are, but that this has been one of the best summers we’ve experienced in a long time. Certainly, we can appreciate a bit of positive thinking, but Works Minister Desmond Bannister’s politicisation of the state of BPL could not be more insensitive, ill-timed and downright false.

“Notwithstanding the fact that we had to load shed…if you check the record, this summer has still been better than any of the five summers under the former administration, any of them.” He continued: “But if you check the blackouts, there’s never been a summer under the PLP that has been anywhere as nice as this one has.”

Using the word “nice” to describe this experience ought to make one question the contents of the minister’s coffee mug. Granted that this deluded assertion was made last month, it would be great to hear what further comparisons he could provide nearly a month later. However, getting a statement from the top brass at BPL is like being sent on a wild goose chase, as media continues to be deferred to someone else that won’t pick up the phone.

Why would they? How much further will they go to patronise the Bahamian people with their drivel and lies?

The impact goes far beyond the discomfort we experience in the sweltering heat that envelops our homes. Moreover, businesses are feeling the brunt of this crisis. Inability to operate normally and the unpredictability of power outages have caused a great deal of anxiety in the business environment. Small businesses that can’t afford a generator are on trembling knees as there is not a sure end to the rolling blackouts in sight.

Certainly, we have been told by the powers-thatbe that there would be no blackouts this summer, as the new Wartsila engines would be coming online.

That was a lie. Then we were told that once the new rental generators landed, the blackouts would cease.

And it didn’t take us long to realise that was also a fallacy told to us by BPL executives.

Now, the goal posts have shifted once again, with relief being promised in the autumn.

Be that as it may, why on

earth would the Bahamian people entertain anything else that comes out of one of their mouths? The Bahamian people don’t want to hear more of the same.

For some of our nation’s most vulnerable, this is a matter of life and death.

Patients who depend on power to run machines for sophisticated procedures and medications that need to be refrigerated can’t afford such lapses under this regime of ineptitude at BPL. The government’s national solarisation policy in their manifesto has been nothing short of an empty promise with the government signing on for another few decades of generating the country’s electricity from fossil fuel.

While wind, water and solar have continuously been proven as more reliable and less detrimental sources of power generation, even being the most practical solution for an island nation has not brought it any closer to the forefront of the imaginations of the political directorate.

We are being led by governments that are more consumed with appeasing the appetites of special interest groups than moving the country forward. Therefore, we continue to plunge into the stone age.

How much longer can the Bahamian people stand to be taken for fools while they dare say to us the country is not in a crisis?

Why should rioting and looting have to spell out to any government that enough is enough? Venezuela’s power crisis should serve as a cautionary tale to the citizenry. While

they use hydroelectricity, a much more progressive energy solution, damage to the country’s water system served as a catalyst to their crisis. What ensued following the perpetual shutdown of cities, mandatory three-day weekends and consistent rolling blackouts resulted in a crisis.

Ironically enough, although Prime Minister Minnis has stood with the other 60-odd countries that support Juan Guaido, the self-declared President of Venezuela, he has been

mum on the subject here at home. Many want heads to roll at BPL, beginning with the Minister of Works Desmond Bannister, as he is seemingly unable to tell his head from his tail in this regard.

Following the dismissal of the board last year, BPL has been spiralling out of control. Prime Minister Minnis’ lack of acknowledgement doesn’t aid him in his desire to be seen as a man of the people. While we may not riot in the streets in protest, make no mistake, the

Bahamian people will have their day to be heard.

As was witnessed with the previous government, hell or high water, heads will roll. Whether it’s the prime minister or the Bahamian people doing the chopping remains to be seen.

Prime Minister Minnis, if he has his wits about him, has to start eyeing who will be collateral damage.

One thing is for certain, if this continues, the damage will be irreparable and the Bahamian will not be so forgiving.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

T

HE mess resulting from reports that the British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Kim Darroch made about President Donald Trump and his administration underscore the dangers of leaking confidential government documents.

If nothing else comes of this affair, the identification and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for leaking Sir Kim’s confidential and classified cables should be vigorously undertaken.

The Ambassador’s reports to his government were an integral part of his job and were not meant for public disclosure.

If the perpetrators of this crime of violating the Official Secrets Act are not brought to account, the effectiveness of diplomatic agents will be undermined and the nature of diplomacy itself will be severely compromised.

The persons who leaked Sir Kim’s confidential communications to his government did so for a narrow domestic political purpose.

Their purpose appears to have been to serve those intent on Britain exiting the European Union in any circumstances, regardless of the consequences.

In their recklessness, they sacrificed Sir Kim’s diplomatic career in service to his country and they ruptured the relationship between the governments of the UK and the US. They also succeeded in violating the sanctity of a centuries-old protocol of diplomatic communication. Few will trust the system in the future. They will write less and more cautiously, making it difficult for traditional diplomatic reporting to continue. What will replace it could be sinister.

In the event, there is now, at the very least, an urgent requirement for new ways to safeguard the secrecy of Ambassadors’ reports to their governments.

But how possible that is, when reports are maliciously leaked for political

INSIGHT

The new burden of diplomacy: the enemy within purposes from within, is an open question.

All Ambassadors and other diplomats, who man their country’s diplomatic missions, are expected to send home candid reports, analyses and opinions about events and circumstances in the country or organisation to which they are assigned.

This extremely sensitive task has now been made very perilous.

What Sir Kim did is no different from what US Ambassadors and diplomats of other countries do every day. Indeed, in some cases, US and UK Ambassadors have gone beyond confidential reporting; they have publicly lectured and criticised the governments of the countries to which they are accredited, including the Presidents and Prime Ministers.

Evidence of this was revealed in November 2010 when more than 250,000 diplomatic cables from US embassies around the world were publicly released by the online whistle-blower website, WikiLeaks. Those cables and thousands of others that were subsequently published, showed that US Ambassadors

and their staff criticised government policies and programmes, offered harsh personal assessments of leaders and influenced decisions about the countries in which they were posted.

US officials also reported conversations with subsequently embarrassed locals who thought that their conversations were “private”.

At the time, the White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs damned the WikiLeaks disclosure, saying, “We condemn in the strongest terms the unauthorized disclosure of classified documents and sensitive national security information”.

John Kerry, then chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later Secretary of State, rightly said, “These sensitive cables contain candid assessments and analysis of ongoing matters and they should remain confidential to protect the ability of the government to conduct lawful business with the private candour that’s vital to effective diplomacy”.

Those arguments work both ways.

Nonetheless, it is clear that Sir Kim could no longer be an effective Ambassador

Lessons are being learned from aviation tragedies

By KEITH MAJOR Jr THE past year and a half has certainly been active with aircraft accidents impacting the sovereign waters of The Bahamas.

One week ago, the most recent of such aircraft accidents in Bahamian waters involved an AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter which impacted waters off of Abaco island. Tragically, there were no survivors among the passengers, one of whom was billionaire Chris Cline.

As advised in the wake of the November 8 crash in 2018 involving Captain Byron Ferguson, a strengthening of The Bahamas’ aircraft accident investigation regime was critical for The Bahamas given its archipelagic nature, positioning in terms of international travel routes and bathymetry (underwater topography).

Officials from the Bahamas Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) have attributed the timely recovery of all victims along with the helicopter to lessons learned from the most recent handling of the November 8 crash.

The recovery of both wreckage and victims is nothing short of remarkable as it has been widely reported search efforts began some 12 hours after the helicopter made impact with Bahamian waters. Given this extensive passage of time, AAID investigators and members of the family of the deceased are fortunate that search and rescue assets responding to this crash were not required to contend with the same underwater topography as at the site of the November 8 crash.

MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019 PAGE 9

Since last November when Captain Byron Ferguson’s Piper Aztec went down in waters North West of New Providence, the government of The Bahamas has demonstrably taken heed. In April 2019, it tabled the “Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority Bill, 2019” (“Byron’s Law”) in the House of Assembly. As promised by Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis, Byron’s Law is designed to revamp and revise The Bahamas’ aircraft accident investigation regime. It is truly commendable that this administration has been able to bring Byron’s Law to parliament so swiftly and before the anniversary of the tragic incident.

A review of this new Bill reveals that, in the main, it ticks all the boxes, i.e., satisfactorily addresses the concerns raised in the wake of the November 8 crash.

Byron’s Law, among other things, proposes the creation of an aircraft accident investigation authority which is set to be autonomous and directed by a four member board. Further, it makes provision for the recommendations proffered and specifically addresses the areas of adequate funding for investigation efforts, clarifies the authority of entities at crash sites and entrenches the duty of preservation of any wreckage.

Although, the government has brought this piece of legislation to parliament swiftly, the July 4 crash demonstrates that it is certainly no time for it to rest on its laurels. It remains incumbent upon this administration to pass Byron’s Law into force in the shortest possible time.

While any legislative and budgetary improvements arising out of the November 8 crash will no doubt assist responses and families in the future; it must be remembered that such improvements have no retroactive effect for the complexities left behind from the November 8 crash for the investigators and family members alike.

Although the circumstances in both the November 8 and July 4 crash are not identical, perhaps a general contrasting of the outcomes in both events, along with the tabling of Byron’s Law provides sufficient evidence for the position that the problems with aircraft accident investigations in The Bahamas are being addressed.

Moreover, improvements in national responses to aircraft accidents involving impact with Bahamian waters augurs well; and is also a step in the right direction towards The Bahamas’ gradual move to independent management of its sovereign airspace, as it demonstrates capacity, or at least the beginning stages thereof.

What do you say?

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about this article, feel free to let me know - let’s broaden the discussion. You can also send me an e-mail to keithomajor@gmail.com.

Keith Major, Jr. is an associate in the Litigation Practice Group at Higgs & Johnson where his practice includes matters relating to aviation, asset recovery and general civil litigation.

in the US despite his relationship with top officials of the US government, his entertaining many of them at his official residence, and information exchange between the UK and US governments of which he had been an agent. He did the right thing in resigning, particularly after President Trump publicly stated: “We will not deal with him”.

The British Government, particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has been forthright in defending Sir Kim. Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, could not be more supportive when he wrote to Sir Kim, stating: “The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and whole of the public service have stood with you: you were the target of a malicious leak; you were simply doing your job”.

Observations about precisely what “doing your job” means for an Ambassador is worth recording here. In a nutshell, an Ambassador has two primary functions The first has both a public and private face – it is to promote the most beneficial relationships between his or her government and the government to which he or she is accredited. That is not always an easy task because of many factors, including policy differences that might arise between

SIR KIM DARROCH the two governments. In both the private and public dimensions of this task, an Ambassador has to use all the tools available, including the media to project and promote his or her country’s interest.

The second has no public side; it is quintessentially secret. And, that is to provide his or her government with sound information and candid analysis about situations that have relevance to the Ambassador’s government and its decision-making.

This second task is especially recognised by all countries in Article 3 (d) of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations which states that the functions of diplomatic missions consists, among other things, of “ascertaining by all lawful means conditions and developments in the receiving State, and reporting thereon to the Government of the sending State”.

Some may argue that,

Sir Kim was injudicious in the candid remarks he made about President Trump in his confidential and classified cables to his government. But it should be recalled that he was expected – indeed, duty bound - to do no less than give his candid assessment.

In doing so he was following normal diplomatic practice and expectation that his cables were – and would remain – secret between him and his government. This accounts for why the British Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and others stood up with him and have not criticised him even after he resigned.

Having said all that, Ambassadors and diplomatic agents now have a new concern in carrying out their jobs – who in their own governments could deliberately and maliciously leak diplomatic communications to serve the interests of one side or another in domestic political infighting.

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

PAGE 10 MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019

A

BUSIVE behaviour comes in many forms, but the common denominator is the emotional effect on the child.

Whether the abuse is a slap, a harsh comment, silence, or not knowing if there will be dinner on the table, the end result is a child that feels unsafe, uncared for and alone.

Many abused or neglected children are too young to articulate what has happened to them, or to understand right from wrong. Even teenagers may not understand that it is illegal to be sexual with adults. When the abuser is a loved one, the dynamic may cause a great deal of psychological conflict for the victim and lead them to hide the abuse.

Keep in mind older children may not talk about the problem, because they fear or want to protect the offender. Or they don’t believe they will be taken seriously.

General symptoms of child abuse

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Spot signs of abuse to protect children well in school: Children affected by child abuse often have the tendency to take a negative turn with their performance in school. This is largely due to the harsh psychological effects of the abuse. The child becomes very uninterested and unmotivated to do well. and skills normally found in other children the same age, such as starting to talk or socialise with others. Some children show signs of regression, losing skills they had before.

Lack of physical development: The child isn’t gaining weight or height the way he or she should. Although this can be caused by a medical problem, it can also be a sign the child is not being well cared for.

Unusual interaction with a parent: The parent is uninterested in the child, and/or vice versa. There can also be a situation where

the child is very nervous and afraid around the parent, trying very hard not to upset or annoy.

Unusual behaviour in social settings: Behaving in a way that isn’t appropriate or that causes problems.

In a young child, this could mean being unusually fussy, being afraid, or not being interested in activities. Children often act out what they have seen or experienced abuse such as violence or sexual activity.

Older children may act out in unusual ways such as having sex, fighting, using drugs, or running away.

Suddenly not performing

FOR SALE

Certain general symptoms that may suggest a child is experiencing some type of abuse or neglect include: Slower-than-normal development: The child does not show the abilities

INSIGHT

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ACCOMMODATION: Consists of two-two bedrooms, one bathroom, living/dining room, kitchen, laundry, closet and porch.

LOCATION: Traveling east along Cleveland Boulevard from Faith Avenue, turn on to the last corner on the right, heading south the subject is the 19th lot on the left.

APPRAISAL VALUE: $227,000.00

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: IAN SYMONETTE OR SHERRY THURSTON 397-6940 OR 376-1343 OR EMAIL: DISTRESSED.PROPERTIES@COMBANKLTD.COM

Physical Abuse Symptoms Children often get injured, but physical injuries may point to abuse when: * It is hard to see how the injury could have been caused by a legitimate accident. * Injuries that have a pattern such as a straight line or a circle. * Injuries to areas of the body that usually are protected such as the inside of the legs and arms, the back, the genitals, and the buttocks. * The explanation for the injury changes, or it’s not a reasonable explanation. * There are signs that the child has been hurt before. * The child doesn’t receive medical care for his or her injury.

Emotional Abuse Symptoms Emotional abuse occurs when things are done or said to hurt a child emotionally; the adult may say things to make the child feel unwanted or worthless.

A child who is emotionally abused may: * Not care much about what is going on around him or her. * Not react normally to pain, other people, or changes in his or her life. * Avoid a particular parent or caregiver. * Act more fearful, angry, or sad than would seem normal. * Not do well in school. * Hurt himself or herself on purpose.

Sexual Abuse Symptoms A child with symptoms of recent sexual abuse may: * Not want to go to the bathroom. * Show signs of

discomfort or pain while sitting, urinating, or passing stools. * Have discharge from the vagina or penis. * Bleed through his or her pants.

Certain types of behaviour may also point to sexual abuse.

These include: * Knowing more than he or she should about sex. * Running away from home. * Attempting suicide. * Being involved with drugs or prostitution.

Effects of domestic and family violence on children Children living in a family or environment that is heavily burdened with violence, are living in a situation of fear, anxiety and unpredictability. They experience emotional and psychological trauma similar to children experiencing other forms of child abuse and neglect.

In some situations, the child may be directly targeted and experience physical or sexual abuse, as well as neglect. In other situations, simply being a witness to violence within the home can have a long-term damaging effect on the child.

Children are sponges; they learn by mimicking everything around them.

We as adults need to be very careful of how we talk, what we do, and how we treat others, especially when in the presence of our children.

A child surrounded by family violence is at risk of: * Behavioural and emotional difficulties * Learning difficulties * Long-term developmental problems * Problems with aggression towards others (verbal and physical) * Very short of patience and hot tempered v Restlessness, anxiety and depression.

Help to prevent child abuse Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect. By educating yourself and others, you can help your community prevent child abuse and neglect from happening.

The behaviour of children may signal abuse or neglect long before any change in physical appearance. If you suspect abuse or neglect may be occurring, REPORT IT. Be a nurturing parent:

Children need to know that they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams. Learn about how children grow and mature, and have realistic expectations of what your child can and cannot do.

Help a friend, neighbour or relative: Being a parent is not easy. Someone you know may be struggling with his or her parenting responsibilities. Offer a helping hand, even if it means taking care of the children for a few hours so the parent(s) can rest or spend time together.

Help yourself: When the problems of everyday life pile up causing you to feel overwhelmed and out of control, don’t take it out on your kid, instead take a time out to relax and reset.

Take a deep breath, turn on some music, and know who to call for help if you need it.

Allow kids to be kids: Life can be difficult for a single parent. There’s so much to do around the house and only you to do it. As a result, you lean heavily on your child for help around the house, neglecting him/her time to actually play and have fun as a child should. Be sure that your child’s life is balanced. While a child should learn how to do household chores while maintaining good grades in school, he/she should also be allowed to enjoy the stress-free life of a child.

Respect kids: Treat them the same way you want to be treated. Get involved: Advocate for services to families. Help to establish parenting groups in your community. Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.

Promote programmes in schools: teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help to keep children safe.

Monitor your child’s television and video viewing: Watching violent films and TV programmes harms young children. It scares them and teaches children that aggression is a good way to handle frustration and solve problems Please do not hesitate to report suspected abuse or neglect. Keeping children safe is the responsibility of every adult in the community. If you have reason to believe a child has been, or may be harmed, report it to the appropriate authorities.

Funeral Service For

Roswell Winslow Dale Thompson, 55 of Thompson Street, will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 10:00a.m. at Holy Cross Anglican Church, Soldier Road. Officiating will be Rt. Rev’d. Laish Z. Boyd, assisted by Canon Peter Scott and Rev’d Fr. B. Travis Fernandes.

Viewing for Mr. Thompson will be held at Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 1:00p.m. until 4:00p.m.

There will be NO VIEWING at Holy Cross Anglican Church on Saturday.

THE TRIBUNE

13 SUSPECTED HUMAN AND DRUG SMUGGLERS CAUGHT AFTER JOINT OPERATION

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THIRTEEN suspected human and drug smugglers were apprehended on Friday off West End, Grand Bahama in a joint Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Bahamas Immigration Department operation.

One Bahamian and 12 nationals from the Caribbean, South America, and Europe were apprehended aboard a 25-foot go-fast vessel. A “quantity of suspected marijuana” was also found, the RBDF said in a statement released on Saturday.

The Tribune understands approximately 17 pounds of suspected marijuana was on board the vessel.

The suspects are currently in police custody in Grand Bahama.

“Thirteen suspects apprehended along with a quantity of suspected drugs on Friday July 12 are in police custody,” the statement notes.

“The apprehension was the result of a joint operation

by Bahamas Immigration Department and (RBDF) personnel stationed in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

“The one Bahamian and 12 foreign nationals from five foreign nations were

apprehended aboard a 25-foot go-fast vessel by a defence force patrol craft with defence force Marines and immigration officials around 5pm on Friday off West End, Grand Bahama.

“A search of the vessel uncovered approximately one Bahamian, five Jamaicans, two Colombians, two Chinese, two Haitians, and one Lithuanian on board along with a quantity of suspected marijuana.

“The captain and occupants of the vessel were subsequently taken into custody and handed over to police and Immigration officials in Freeport for further processing.”

Jamaican sentenced to 21 years for people smuggling

JAILED: Michael Stapleton, who claims he was born in The Bahamas. from page one Prosecutors say Stapleton coordinated the smuggling of undocumented immigrants to the United States from around the world through Freeport, Grand Bahama. Witnesses testified Stapleton used the vulnerability of the immigrants to exploit them by demanding more money from them after they were in his power, keeping them in deplorable conditions, mistreating them and sending them out in unsafe boats.

In November 2017, Stapleton told The Tribune he was being denied entry to The Bahamas and was forced to live in Jamaica – a country he claimed he knew nothing about or had any ties with. He said he was born in The Bahamas to

an unwed Bahamian father and a foreign mother who is from Jamaica.

Stapleton had lived in Grand Bahama and was raised by his Bahamian father in the Eight Mile Rock community and was educated in the public school system. He said he has children, a home and businesses in Grand Bahama.

Stapleton claimed he applied for his Bahamian citizenship and that he had been called in to take the pledge before thenDirector of Immigration Jack Thompson, and was told that his citizenship was awaiting approval before Cabinet.

However while residing in Grand Bahama, Stapleton was charged with a number of offences,

including a shooting in 2012, drug possession in 2013, and then assault of a public officer, threatening to kill six immigration officers, disorderly behaviour, and overstaying in 2014.

Stapleton had pleaded guilty to the assault charge, but previously told this newspaper he was not convicted of any of the other offences, which he claimed were all withdrawn and dismissed.

In August 2017, Bahamian police issued a bulletin for Stapleton, saying he was was wanted for questioning in connection to a theft by reason of service. He told The Tribune in November 2017 that when he went to police inquire about it, he was told he was not wanted.

Monday, July 15, 2019, PAGE 11

PAGE 12, Monday, July 15, 2019

Move to Montagu a sizzling success

OVERWHELMED by hundreds who turned out for hot-off-thegrill steaks to support the organisation that serves up to 5,000 hot meals a week to ease the pain of hunger, the Bahamas Feeding Network moved its summer fund-raiser steak-out to Montagu Park at the weekend. This year’s event included music along with a menu of steak, chicken or fish.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, July 15, 2019, PAGE 13

A YEAR IN JAIL FOR MAN GUILTY OF INTENT TO SUPPLY DANGEROUS DRUG

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MAN convicted of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $2,000 by a Freeport magistrate on Friday.

Stanley Pratt, 28, of Arden Forest, and two others – Christopher Cooper, 34, and Shanika Davis, 25, both of Shannon Drive, Freeport – were charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

It is alleged that on July 11, at Freeport, the accused persons possessed dangerous drugs - Indian hemp - with intent to supply.

Pratt pleaded guilty, while Cooper and Davis pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars, officers while on duty went to a residence at Shannon Drive where they executed a search warrant.

When a male occupant refused to open the door, officers forced their way through a metal gate to gain entry to the residence.

The prosecutor explained that officers encountered a man, identified as Christopher Cooper, who was shown the search warrant. Pratt and Davis, were also discovered at the residence.

The officers searched the property and discovered 4.42 pounds of what was suspected to be marijuana and $435 cash. As a result all three were arrested, cautioned and interviewed.

The police prosecutor said Pratt admitted knowledge, custody and control of the marijuana, and all three of them were charged for possession of marijuana with intent to supply.

She said the drugs have an estimated street value of $4,420.

The prosecutor accepted Pratt’s guilty plea and requested the charge be withdrawn against Cooper and Davis.

Lawyer Simeon Brown, representing Pratt, told the judge his client is a friend of Cooper and was visiting the residence where he had spent the night.

He said that Pratt, who admitted to possession of Indian hemp, smokes it, and uses it for medicinal reasons to relieve pain and to make tea.

Mr Brown explained that marijuana is a popular substance of use not only in The Bahamas, but in the entire Western world.

He noted that marijuana is legal in some US states, and also in Canada, which is a part of the Commonwealth.

Mr Brown also stated that marijuana use is legal in some parts of the Caribbean, and there is currently debate as to whether it should be legalised in The Bahamas.

“It is perceived to be of positive use to humanity,” he said. He also noted that it is popular among young people all over the world.

“It is an old university drug and one US president even said he smoked, but did not inhale,” the lawyer said.

The attorney stated that his client recognised that it is an offence in The Bahamas.

“He (Pratt) apologises and asks for the court’s mercy,” Mr Brown said.

He also stated that Pratt is a young man who is employed and has a lot of potential.

“We are asking for a noncustodial sentence, and we think it would be too harsh to impose a custodial sentence,” Mr Brown told the judge.

The attorney requested that a “reasonable” fine be imposed as the drugs found were under five pounds.

In his mitigation, Mr Brown also noted that his client had saved the court’s time and cost by not having to deal with a trial.

“We are asking for mercy,” he said. “Do not throw him under the bus, give him a chance.”

Magistrate Charlton Smith convicted Pratt of the offence and noted that four and a half pounds of marijuana is a significant amount to possess.

Pratt explained that he was just visiting the residence. “I smoke it for personal reasons, I don’t sell it,” he said.

After taking into consideration Pratt’s early plea and the fact that he has no antecedents, the judge explained that he has to balance it against what the law is and the adverse impact to society in relation to the quantity of drugs discovered.

He sentenced Pratt to one year and ordered him to pay a fine of $2,000 or serve an additional six months. He also ordered that the drugs be destroyed.

Mr Brown challenged the sentence and said that there has been no case in the last four years where someone was given a custodial sentence for the quantity of drugs that was discovered in Pratt’s case.

Pratt then pleaded with the judge again not to send him to prison. “I don’t sell it; I can’t go to prison. I will do community service,” he told the judge.

Magistrate Smith then discharged Davis and Cooper of the charge.

MOTHER AND SON FACE CHARGES OF ASSAULT AND CAUSING HARM

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MOTHER and her minor son were arraigned on Friday in the Freeport Magistrates Court – one for assault and the other for causing harm.

The 40-year-old Freeport woman appeared in Court Two before Magistrate Charlton Smith on the charge of assault. It is alleged that on July 5, at Freeport, the accused unlawfully assaulted Aaliyah Edgecombe.

She pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Her son, a juvenile aged 17, was charged with causing harm. He was not required to enter a plea to the charge, and is expected to appear before the next sitting of the Juvenile Panel on August 8 when he will enter a plea.

Carlson Shurland represented the pair. He asked the judge to grant reasonable bail to both mother and son.

“I am concerned in the

case of mother because she has a little baby and she needs to be home. And her son is a young man and I do not think putting kids in the system willy-nilly because no one understands what that does when you put them (minors) in the system.”

Magistrate Smith granted the mother bail in the amount of $1,000 with one suretor. He also ordered that she not interfere with any witnesses directly or indirectly, or her bail would be revoked and she would be remanded in custody.

In the case of the minor, the judge explained to the accused and his attorney that magistrates do not grant bail for the offence of causing harm, however, he granted the minor bail with conditions.

Magistrate Smith granted the teen bail in the amount of $2,500 with one suretor. He ordered the teen to report to Central Police Station every Friday before 6pm. He was also to refrain from going to public places, unless with an adult.

Day of the Seafarer

AS part of Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to inspire the next generation of maritime professionals, Disney Dream shipboard officers hosted a group of students onboard from the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC) while the ship was docked in Nassau.

The International Maritime Organisation’s Day of the Seafarer is celebrated annually and recognises the unique contributions made by seafarers from all over the world.

During the tour, the students explored the ship’s engine room, toured the bridge, went

behind-the-scenes of The Walt Disney Theatre and participated in a panel discussion with the ship’s captain, Andy McRonald, along with other senior officers.

“I could not think of a better way to celebrate Day of the Seafarer than with this energetic group of aspiring maritime professionals,” said Disney Dream Captain Andy McRonald. “It’s an honour to contribute to the future of the industry and offer Bahamian students a glimpse into the world of cruise ship operations.”

PAGE 14, Monday, July 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

INDIA ABORTS MOON MISSION LAUNCH CITING TECHNICAL GLITCH SRIHARIKOTA, India Associated Press

INDIA has temporarily deferred its dream of a soft landing on the lunar south pole, aborting the launch of its second moon mission earlier today less than an hour before liftoff.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission was called off when a “technical snag” was observed in the 640-ton, 14-story launch-vehicle system, said Indian Space Research Organization spokesman BR Guruprasad.

The countdown abruptly stopped at T-56 minutes, 24 seconds, and Guruprasad said that the

agency would announce a revised launch date soon. Chandrayaan, the word for “moon craft” in Sanskrit, is designed for a soft landing on the far side of the moon and to send a rover to explore water deposits confirmed by a previous Indian space mission.

With nuclear-armed India poised to become the world’s fifth-largest economy, the ardently nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is eager to show off the country’s prowess in security and technology. If India did manage the soft landing, it would be only the fourth to do so after the US, Russia and China.

Dr K Sivan, chairman of the

Indian Space Research Organization, said at a news conference last week that the around $140-million Chandrayaan-2 mission was the nation’s “most prestigious” to date, in part due to the technical complexities of soft landing on the lunar surface — an event he described as “15 terrifying minutes.”

After countdown commenced yesterday, Sivan visited two Hindu shrines to pray for the mission’s success.

Practically since its inception in 1962, India’s space programme has been criticised as inappropriate for an overpopulated, developing nation. But decades

of space research have allowed India to develop satellite, communications and remote sensing technologies that are helping solve everyday problems at home.

With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission this month, the world’s biggest space agencies are returning their gaze to the moon, seen as ideal testing grounds for technologies required for space exploration, and, with the confirmed discovery of water, as a possible pit stop along the way.

“The moon is sort of our backyard for training to go to Mars,” said Adam Steltzner, Nasa’s chief engineer responsible for its 2020 mission to Mars.

FRENCH president Emmanuel Macron and Chief of Staff of the French Army General Francois Lecointre stand in the command car as they drive down the Champs Elysees avenue during the Bastille Day parade in Paris yesterday.

PUERTO RICO GOVERNOR REJECTS CALLS TO RESIGN SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Associated Press

PROTESTERS in Puerto Rico gathered outside La Fortaleza governor’s residence yesterday, demanding Gov. Ricardo Rosselló step down for his involvement in a private chat in which he used profanities to describe an ex-New York City councilwoman and a federal control board overseeing the island’s finances.

The demonstrators included teachers, union workers, students, members of a feminist collective and others who congregated in front of the mansion chanting, “Ricky resign, the people don’t want you!”

Undersecretary of La Fortaleza’s press office, Michelle De la Cruz, said she did not know if the governor was home. The residence’s main doors were padlocked and other entrances were barricaded shut and monitored by police. Some activists say they are ashamed of the language used by Rosselló in the group chat and the ways the reputation of the US territory might be affected.

Leave the US, Trump tells congresswomen of colour MEXICO SAYS WASHINGTON Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump yesterday assailed a group of Democratic congresswomen of color as foreign-born troublemakers who should go back to the “broken and crime infested places from which they came,” ignoring the fact that the women are American citizens and all but one was born in the US. Trump’s tweets prompted a wave of searing condemnation from Democrats, who set aside their rifts to speak as one in calling Trump’s remarks racist and breathtakingly divisive.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the president wants to “make America white again.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, jousting for days with Pelosi, said Trump “can’t conceive of an America that includes us”.

Trump was almost certainly referring to Ocasio-Cortez and her allies

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ in what’s become known as “the squad.” The others are Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. Only Omar, from Somalia, is foreign-born.

Ocasio-Cortez swiftly denounced his remarks . “Mr. President, the country I come from, & the

country we all swear to, is the United States,” she tweeted. “You are angry because you can’t conceive of an America that includes us. You rely on a frightened America for your plunder.” Omar said, as if addressing, Trump: “You are stoking white nationalism (because) you are angry that people like us are serving in Congress and fighting against your hate-filled agenda.”

And Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, tweeted: “Racial arsonist strikes again. Shut.

Your. Reckless. Mouth.”

With his tweet, Trump again inserted himself into a rift between Pelosi and the liberal congresswomen, after offering an unsolicited defense of the Democratic speaker days earlier. Pelosi has been seeking to minimize Ocasio-Cortez’s influence in recent days, prompting Ocasio-Cortez to accuse Pelosi of trying to marginalize women of

color. “She is not a racist,” Trump said on Friday.

Yesterday, Trump’s tone turned nativist. “So interesting to see ‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run,” he said in tweets.

“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done.”

He added: “These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!”

LEAKED UK MEMO SAYS PRESIDENT AXED IRAN DEAL TO SPITE OBAMA LONDON Associated Press

A UK newspaper has published more leaked memos revealing a British ambassador’s blunt assessments of the Trump administration, including one in which the envoy to Washington claimed President Donald Trump pulled

out of the Iran nuclear deal to spite predecessor Barack Obama.

In the May 2018 cable published yesterday, UK Ambassador Kim Darroch called Trump’s decision to abandon the international accord “an act of diplomatic vandalism, seemingly for ideological and personality reasons” because the

pact “was Obama’s deal”.

Darroch wrote the memo after then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited Washington in a failed attempt to persuade the United States not to abandon the 2015 nuclear agreement.

He alleged the White House had no strategy for what would come after its

withdrawal and “no sort of plan for reaching out to partners and allies.”

New details were published from confidential diplomatic cables despite a police warning that making the documents public might be a crime.

Scotland Yard is hunting for the perpetrator who leaked confidential

diplomatic cables. Last week memos from Darroch describing the Trump administration as dysfunctional and inept wwere published.

The publication of the ambassador’s unguarded views, meant for a small group of ministers and senior officials in London, cost him his job.

IT EXPECTS US TO RAMP UP DEPORTATIONS MEXICO CITY Associated Press

MEXICAN officials say they expect 1,807 Mexicans who have been issued final deportation orders in the U.S. to be returned to their country in the coming days.

Officials at the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry say there was no indication of an uptick in arrests of Mexicans without visas in major U.S. cities as of midSunday, as warned by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, but that Mexican consulates are ready with legal assistance for additional migrants caught in sweeps.

Foreign Relations Minister Marcelo Ebrard said, “we expect in the next few days 1,807 people who already have final deportation orders to be deported.”

For its part, Mexico deported 364 Hondurans back to their country on Friday and Saturday alone, part of an effort to reduce arrivals of Central American migrants in the U.S.

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