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The Tribune
Volume:114 No.166, JULY 21ST, 2017
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Friday, July 21, 2017 art books travel film fashion music food garden ing beauty
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NEW ASIAN CUISINE Pages 8&9
Mission at sea
WEEKEND: BAHAMIAN FULFILS DREAM TO SAIL ABOARD LOGOS HOPE
Fulfilling the Logos Hope dream Interview, pages 4&5
Smith ‘facing 12 charges’ Row as court delay leads to second night in custody By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FRANK Smith, the former chairman of the Public Hospitals Authority, was taken to court to face bribery and extortion charges yesterday only to learn nearly an hour after his scheduled arraignment officials were not ready to present his file to the court and his matter would be adjourned to today. Lawyers for Mr Smith told The Tribune they were informed he would be arraigned on 12 charges, including one count of extortion, ten counts of bribery and one count of attempted bribery. Mr Smith ended up spending a second night in police custody. The move, which his attorney Damian Gomez
called an “abuse” and unprecedented in his legal practice, added fuel to the concerns the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has over the way the corruption probes into PLP politicians have been conducted. The lack of readiness of prosecutors, Mr Gomez believes, was an alleged attempt to prevent Mr Smith from getting bail before the weekend. “That’s not true,” Attorney General Carl Bethel countered when contacted by The Tribune yesterday, though it is still unclear why the file was not ready even though Mr Smith’s legal team and the media were told to be in place for his arraignment scheduled for around 2.30pm on Thursday. SEE PAGE TWO
THE Minister of Health yesterday admitted that the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme’s “non-existent checks and balances”
have left taxpayers totally exposed to fraud and other financial abuses. Dr Duane Sands told Tribune Business it was impossible to verify the accuracy of bills submitted by medical providers and other suppliers because key NHI
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday shot down any notion that the Minnis administration is currently considering the decriminalisation of marijuana or legalisation of the drug for medicinal or recreational purposes. Dr Sands, during a press conference at police headquarters, said that while the government will be “objective and open minded” on the issue, it does not think that “the Bahamas should lead the world in this particular exercise.” Dr Sands’ comments came during a press conference at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre for the release of the Bahamas National Household Drug Prevalence Survey 2017, a survey focusing on drugs and at-risk youth ages 1825. The event was held in collaboration with the United SEE PAGE SIX
NEW OFFENSIVE TO TACKLE MURDER RATE By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Senator Frank Smith pictured in handcuffs outside court yesterday - where he was due to be charged but was instead held for a second night in custody after a delay. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
SANDS: NHI SCHEME WIDE OPEN TO ABUSE By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
NO MOVES TO LEGALISE MARIJUANA
governance components have yet to be established. Disclosing that there was little he could do in the short-term to remedy this, Dr Sands said he “can only hope” the scheme’s flaws and holes lasted for “a limited time”.
“Let me tell you, Neil, that yes, there have been concerns expressed, and I have concerns,” the Minister replied when Tribune Business raised the problems with him. “If you think about it, the checks and balances that
ought to be in place for NHI do not exist. You identified for me the inspectors doing the inspecting. Who is validating or verifying that the services being provided are provided, because there are no administrators.” FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday admitted that there is a “significant amount of work to do” to reduce serious crimes in the capital, however he said he is “confident” that with the new policies the government plans on introducing, “things will begin to change”. Mr Dames said “crime issues” did not manifest overnight and it will be “some time to find a solution” to the problem. His comments came a day after the country experienced its 76th murder for the year, marking the fourth homicide in five days in New Providence. SEE PAGE THREE
FANS MISSING OUT ON GREAT GAMES AS BAHAMAS LANDS TWO SILVERS By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE reports of low attendance at some events associated with the Commonwealth Youth Games being hosted in the capital this week, federation representatives for the games yesterday applauded the Local Organising Commit-
tee for “enduring gracefully”. Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg, in an interview with The Tribune, said the “success” of this year’s games should be “qualified by the quality of the events put on” and not “tickets sold or given away”. SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
BAHAMAS swimmers Lilly Higgs and Izaak Bastian with their silver medals won in the 50m breast yesterday. See Sports for more. Photo: Derek Smith/BIS
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Smith ‘facing 12 charges’ from page one “The file awaited is not fully prepared for presentation,” police prosecutor Sgt Timmy Saunders told the court. When he said Mr Smith would be brought back to court at 12 noon today, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt demanded he be brought back earlier. “I hope the police prosecutors and the investigators could hear me,” the judge said. “I expect the suspect to be before me by 11 o’clock (Friday).” When Mr Gomez asked her about police bail, Mrs Ferguson-Pratt said given the circumstances, bail does not arise before her. “I have no idea what the contemplation of the prosecution is in this matter,” she said. The Tribune understands that a Supreme Court justice was ready to consider Mr Smith’s bail application yesterday afternoon had he been arraigned and charged. Nonetheless, Mrs Ferguson-Pratt was also concerned Mr Smith had had no lunch by the time of his scheduled arraignment. She demanded he be allowed to have his family bring lunch to him before he left the Nassau Street court, a courtesy she said she has extended to many others before. Outside court, Mr Gomez said: “The abuse of Frank Smith has now taken a really serious turn. The law requires the police, as soon as
FRANK SMITH, right, outside court and, above, in handcuffs. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff they have reason to charge regarded as a most vicious someone, to bring them attempt to take away the before the Magistrate’s liberty of a person who Court as soon as possible. has given public service We were told at about 1.30 in many ways and who is a that we were to attend court professional.” Mr Gomez was told to for about 2pm. I have been sitting waiting. At 3.30pm, go to the Central Detecwe were told there is no tive Unit (CDU) yesterday file, that one is being gener- morning for an arranged ated and it would take un- confrontation between him til sometime around 11am and the complainant in the for that file to be available matter, he said. During the confrontation, so the magistrate is able to perform her functions the complainant would have in the arraignment. So Mr given her side of the story Smith spends another night and Mr Smith would have in custody. This is hideous been allowed to respond, The Tribune was told. and is unforgivable. However, Mr Gomez said “In my practice, I’ve never seen this before,” Mr the meeting was cancelled Gomez added. “It’s an at- without explanation. Mr Smith is a former PLP tempt to prevent him from obtaining bail before the senator and member of Parweekend. It could only be liament.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 21, 2017, PAGE 3
‘No one above the law’
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said yesterday that no one is above the law, adding that if a complaint is made against someone “no matter who you are” police will investigate the claim and bring charges where warranted. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a press conference at police headquarters, Mr Dames said the government is not “bringing complaints to the police,” but the police force receives complaints and then “acts
on evidence”. He denied claims that the Minnis administration is conducting “witch hunts” against members of the former administration. Earlier this month, Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis criticised the context in which the new administration is seeking to hold officials of the previous administration criminally liable, one that follows pronouncements from the Free National Movement on the campaign trail in which Bahamians were encouraged to expect “corrupt” politicians to be held accountable before the courts.
Mr Davis and other members of the Progressive Liberal Party have also accused the FNM of carrying out “witch hunts”. “No one is above the law in this country and wherever a complaint is made the police have a responsibility to investigate and if it is found at the end of the day that persons are culpable, then they face the law,” Mr Dames said. “Young men are being arrested in communities on a daily basis, who is out there defending them and standing up for them and making a big news story out of that? Every day you walk
down to the courts and see the number of young men that are going before a magistrate, do we have people crying and saying there is a witch hunt when a young man is arrested for a joint or stealing from the food store and going and putting it in the papers and on TV and getting all this press? We have a problem in our country and for those who don’t see it, you can’t live here. No one is above the law and this should not be a debate on whether we are on a witch hunt or taking advantage of someone. “When we are elected, we are elected to serve and if
we serve upright we should have no concern.” Mr Dames also brushed off rumours that Scotland Yard is in The Bahamas assisting the newly formed Anti-Corruption Unit. He said at the end of the day, the courts will decide who is guilty and who is innocent. “What’s perplexing to me is this, the police’s job is to investigate complaints that are coming before them. We as a government are not bringing complaints before the police and the police act on evidence,” Mr Dames said. “This whole question
about witch hunt is absurd and for us to continue to talk about it is ridiculous. The police investigate and if there is evidence of wrongdoing persons are held responsible, if there is no evidence of wrong doing then they are freed. There are safety values. Our system is designed as such that if the police after their investigation find out that there is sufficient evidence there is still another step. Police then compile their information and put it before the courts and the courts at the end of the day, will decide whether a person is guilty or innocent.”
GOMEZ HINTS AT PLP ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVE
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
DAMIAN Gomez, lawyer for the Progressive Liberal Party, said the Minnis administration’s directions for the Royal Bahamas Police Force to pursue corruption cases before legislation is passed establishing an independent anti-corruption agency has opened the system to abuse, bias and interference from the governing party. Mr Gomez said the Progressive Liberal Party is preparing its own counteractions. “The PLP may well set up a committee to do an investigation into what we know to be corrupt activities of some former ministers of the Free National Movement and we shall publish it with a request to the new anti-corruption unit for their action and attention,” the former minister of state for legal affairs said. His statement came as a source in the RBPF, who did not want to be named, claimed,government offi-
cials have given specific directions for police to “go after” certain investigations. “It’s not us, it’s them,” one senior police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, claimed yesterday. “That shouldn’t be their number one focus. Don’t mind what they say, we can’t do anything without government because we know where our directives come from.” The United Nations’ convention on corruption establishes criteria for specialised anti-corruption agencies to be established to conduct corruption probes. Legislation for such bodies typically mandates that the agency be independent from political interference and influence. Said Mr Gomez: “The Anti-Corruption Unit in the police force has no statutory basis at all here. It’s adjunct of the police department and to the extent that it appears the minister of national security is directly involved in the direction of what is going on, that
impairs the independence of the police department. “You should set up an independent structure that is visibly independent of political interference. Our problem right now is you’ve got ministers in the House of Assembly who are speaking directly to matters that should not be spoken to by them. They are far more aware than what one would think reasonable about what’s going on with these investigations. “One key focus of anti-corruption is assuring public confidence in whatever system you set up. Ultimately, who is going to police the police? I would have thought we would have had public discussions firstly about how the Anti-Corruption Unit is to operate, what are its parametres, what are the issues that need to be shored up and provisions that need to be passed in order to ensure this isn’t abused. We’ve had nothing of that sort and so we are left with a situation where PLPs are being exclusively targeted. Tell me, is the unit investigating
anyone to think that they will go away overnight is absurd. We recognise that we have a significant amount of work to do, the police are doing things and we are changing and adjusting strategies,” he said. “The issues that we see have not manifested overnight, these are deep rooted and we have to introduce measures in the short-term and medium and long-term. We have continued to share some of what our government said
we will do to bring those levels down especially toward violent crimes. It’s all about presence and visibility and improving on strategies.... So, it’s not as easy as just grabbing people and putting them on the street and saying ‘alright, crime’s down.’ “It’s a very complicated business, and we recognise that you will see results, but you have to work towards those results in the long-term. There are a lot of things that have already
FORMER PLP MP Damian Gomez, lawyer for the Progressive Liberal Party. anything from the 2007 to 2012 Ingraham administration era? Attorney Wayne Munroe, a member of the PLP, also said the process has been abused. “We have Penal Code offences and the common law being used when the same offences are covering the Prevention of Bribery Act which is the specialist act,” Mr Munroe said. “They charged (someone under) the Penal Code offence to accomplish a remand (of one of my clients). That’s an abuse of process. I have been instructed to challenge the provision of the Bail Act and seek damages.” Adding to the problem, Mr Gomez said, is the precariousness of Po-
lice Commissioner Ellison Greenslade’s position in the force. The Tribune has reported that the Minnis administration is seeking to remove Commissioner Greenslade from his post and make him high commissioner to London. This newspaper understands that since last week Commissioner Greenslade has been on vacation leave and is reportedly expected to leave office in late August. The Minnis administration, which came to power on a promise to be transparent, has so far failed to discuss Commissioner Greenslade’s future despite the media’s repeated requests for comment.
Asked yesterday about Commissioner Greenslade, Anthony Newbold, the prime minister’s press secretary, declined to comment on whether the government is seeking to replace him but said Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ferguson is the acting commissioner of police while the head of the RBPF is on vacation. Weighing in on the matter, Mr Gomez said: “Given what is being reported about Mr Greenslade, that is negotiations to have him leave his independent post to take up a position working directly under the prime minister, what’s happening now is causing great disquiet because many people suspect that the system is being abused.”
improved, but it would be unfair for me to tell you they have improved to the point whereby murders and everything else will go away. “It takes more than just enforcement to reduce numbers. And that’s one of the things that we continue to say. So, we’re working on what’s the role of social services, what’s the role of education, what’s the role of national security, and how can we come together, and we’ve
been working together as Cabinet colleagues to find the solutions, find the programmes, improve on existing programmes where necessary to ensure that at the end of the day we can bring relief to the communities of New Providence in particular, but throughout The Bahamas.” Mr Dames also said his ministry is working toward adding more officers to police stations in the evening. “There shouldn’t be that at some stations at night
time you have two officers,” he said. “There’s no way two officers can provide services to a district, especially not in New Providence. So, we want to know, if at any station in this country, if the number should be 200, then we should work towards 200, so that at any time of the day or night that station can provide the necessary services to that community no matter what time it is and that’s what we’re working towards.”
NEW OFFENSIVE TO TACKLE MURDER RATE from page one
There have been 23 murders since the Free National Movement won the general election. In response to the high level of murders, Mr Dames said in the short term, the government will increase the number of officers on the street and also plans to introduce new legislation. “These are deep-rooted issues and problems and for
ROBERTS CALLS FOR RESIDENTS TO TAKE TO THE STREETS IN PROTEST CHAIRMAN of the Progressive Liberal Party Bradley Roberts has called on residents to take to the streets and demonstrate against the Minnis administration. Repeating the PLP’s refrain of “witch hunts” being conducted against members of the PLP, Mr Roberts said life has got worse for Bahamians since the Free National Movement (FNM) assumed office. “It is ironic that after running on a political platform of change and prosperity and telling the Bahamian people that the PLP government has destroyed the country, the FNM government has to date produced nothing positive for the Bahamian people,” Mr Roberts noted in a speech delivered at a PLP National General Council meeting on Thursday. “...(The government’s) politically driven witch hunt and persecution under the guise of cleaning up corruption has deeply divided our country. Its mass termination exercise again based on pure politics has worsened the unemployment rate and increased hardship on many Bahamian families.” He also claimed: “Electricity costs have increased under this government and there continues to be no
plan for energy sector reform and a reduction in the cost of electricity. “Funding for healthcare has been massively cut while the FNM took care of themselves as a priority and gave unsolicited tax breaks to the wealthy friends, associates and political donors.” He also said murders have increased—compared to this period last year— while “the prime minister deceives the Bahamian people about a sense of calm in the country”. “Life has gotten measurably worse for many Bahamians under the watch of the FNM,” Mr Roberts said. “To date the only bright spots in this country are the results of the hard work and heavy lifting of the PLP government,” he claimed.
“The pending sale of the three-hotel complex in Freeport to the Canadian Steve Wynn investment group; the Commonwealth Youth Games; and good paying jobs and apprenticeship programme at the Grand Bahama Shipyard are just three of the positive and bright spots in what to date has been cases of political victimisation, gloom, doom, a number of poor decisions, walk backs and climb downs from a visionless and rudderless government. “The FNM government must get to work post haste on behalf of the Bahamian people because they deserve better. “I am a strong supporter of law and order but strongly feel that if the witch hunt is not discontinued that we the supporters of our great
party must rise up and register our disgust with this corrupt and abuse of state power for purely political gain. “We must take to the streets, march and demon-
strate. We must engage in a letter writing campaign not only to the local newspaper editors, but to the UN High Commission on Human Rights. Political activism is the most potent form of
opposition to bring about change and put a stop to evil. “...We must rise up and challenge this misguided ignoble FNM government,” Mr Roberts said.
PAGE 4, Friday, July 21, 2017
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Migration in Europe and closer to home LARGE-SCALE migration of people from country to country or across continents is not new. America was a nation created by immigrants as was Britain in much earlier times, which, in common with other countries, also later provided a safe haven for refugees like the Huguenots in the 17th century and for threatened Jewish communities fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s. This was followed by the settlement in Britain of large numbers of immigrants from Commonwealth countries from the 1950s onwards who were legally entitled to enter and stay. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948, provided for the right of people to seek asylum from persecution in other countries. Crises like the mass expulsion of Asians from Uganda by then-president Idi Amin in 1972, and the displaced Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s, tested the system; but, otherwise, controlled immigration, within established criteria and conditions, of relatively limited numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers was generally accepted. The current migration crisis affecting Europe is another matter altogether. Since 2015, record numbers of people – a mix of refugee asylum-seekers and economic migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, Syria and other parts of the Middle East – have crossed into Europe. It is estimated that this year alone up to 230,000 refugees will make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy and with many likely to lose their lives. It appears that the risks are acceptable to those who have lost hope. Others have taken the overland road through Turkey. Most are escaping from war, instability and persecution and seek protection from other countries, though additional motivating factors appear to be population growth, climate change and desertification as well as famine in countries like Somalia and Sudan. Described as an exodus of biblical proportions and the largest mass displacement of people since the Second World War, it is feared that this flow of migrants will continue to grow inexorably. It may become impossible to stop without immediate firm action by the European Union (EU); for example, to control the numbers by working with Libya’s coastguard to prevent, in particular, the activities of human traffickers at source. It seems that Italy is bearing the brunt of this record influx which it can no longer handle beyond initially offering humanitarian assistance. It has asked for cooperation in relocating refugees across the EU, but some central European countries have rejected this with the result that the ongoing crisis is producing tensions which may threaten the bloc’s unity. It remains to be seen whether Italy will carry out its threat to issue to thousands of migrants temporary EU visas
which will enable them to travel north legally under the Schengen arrangements. Reportedly, the favoured destinations are Germany, thanks to Chancellor Merkel’s open door immigration policy, Sweden and Britain, though the latter’s borders remain closed. While observing this crisis unfold, we are reminded of the continuing problem here at home in relation to illegal immigration from Haiti. By all accounts, the Defence Force has been successful in intercepting boats carrying Haitian migrants heading towards The Bahamas. Last week, its officers took into custody sixty people who had landed from a Haitian sloop on Ragged Island and earlier this month sixty-nine Haitians were detained in a separate incident. But, even if the overall numbers are relatively low, they are nonetheless proportionately significant given The Bahamas’ small population. Moreover, the problem may become worse as Haiti’s political and economic problems persist and its population of more than 10 million becomes increasingly desperate. We have faith in the effectiveness of the RBDF under the excellent direction of its newly-confirmed Commodore, Tellis Bethel. But we hear on the grapevine that some of the patrol vessels supplied at considerable expense recently by the Netherlands have broken down. Given the need to cover such a vast area of sea around, in particular, the southern islands of the Bahamian archipelago, it would be reassuring to know that the RBDF’s boats were functioning properly. It would also be helpful, in the spirit of the new government’s transparency and accountability, to be told more about the potential threat posed by Haitian illegal immigration, which could become seriously damaging in so many ways if left uncontrolled. The public needs to know that both the policy-makers and the RBDF itself have a proper handle on the problem. Meanwhile, it has been heartening to learn that the Prime Minister wishes to move away from the current practice of the Cabinet acting as the Immigration Board. This seems to be a hangover from a paternalistic pre-Independence way of doing business and has become anachronistic. It is clearly not a proper function of government ministers, who should be focusing on major policy issues, to become immersed in the details of citizenship and residency applications. The executive branch of government must determine the country’s immigration policy and draw up rules and guidelines which should be advertised. These should be interpreted and implemented by an independent board. All concerned ought to be able to rely on such a board to be free of political bias and to make fair, reasonable and objective decisions in accordance with the published policy. We look forward to further news about establishment of an Immigration Board which we believe will receive overwhelming public support.
Sands continues to slash NHI EDITOR, The Tribune. AFTER discounting the tax contributions of Bahamians and describing standard universal healthcare benefits as being “free”, Health Minister Duane Sands now says that Bahamians simply cannot afford the “burden” of taxes needed to maintain NHI spending levels. Firstly, to describe taxes for healthcare as a “burden” is incorrect. Spending on health is not discretionary. We all spend a significant portion of our income on healthcare, whether it is
paid in taxes or to the private sector. At present, Bahamians spend more than practically anyone in our region on our healthcare, with a large part of that spending going to profits of healthcare professionals and insurers, inside and outside the country. For a government to tax the population to an extent that does not exceed that spending would, by definition, not be increasing the burden on the population. It would be decreasing the burden. And Minister Sands’ argument for his drastic cuts to spending on NHI is fur-
ther enfeebled by other, discretionary choices on spending and revenue his government has already made. They cannot afford to maintain the PLP’s level of spending on universal healthcare, yet can afford to give up revenues on salmon, shrimp and industrial washing machines? At the very least this is (to use a term from Hubert Ingraham’s lexicon) “bad optics”. I would suggest it is also bad values. ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, July 20, 2017.
Mitchell’s bid for leadership EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Progressive Liberal Party will be holding a convention this year in order to elect a substantive leader, deputy leader and chairman. The MP for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, Philip “Brave” Davis, is the interim leader. Bradley Roberts is chairman. The latter has stated that he will not seek re-election for the chairmanship post. It is a given that Davis desires to be the substantive PLP leader. That is a post he has coveted, even during the tenure of former PLP Leader Perry Christie. Christie’s position as leader of that party was nothing short of impregnable, as the thumping of Alfred Sears in the PLP leadership contest this past January at convention aptly demonstrated. Well over 1,250 stalwart councillors voted in favour of Christie, while Sears got just under 170 votes. I believe Davis has refused to pile on criticism for his former leader in order to pander to the 1,200 plus stalwart councillors who are still loyal to Christie. In order to achieve his goal of becoming leader, he mustn’t anger this important voting bloc. If Davis becomes the substantive leader of the PLP, he would be one election win away from achieving his ultimate goal – becoming prime minister. With The Bahamas still being steeped in an anti-Christie mood, Davis runs the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net risk of further angering the Bahamian people who overwhelmingly rejected Christie on May 10 when he panders to the rabid PLP base. It is a very sensitive balancing act he is currently engaged in. I hope the Davis faction of the PLP recognises that their path to victory at convention will not be a cakewalk. That is because Davis might be facing a formidable challenger in Senator Fred Mitchell. The actions of Mitchell over the past two months are glaring indications that he intends to run for the PLP top post. Mitchell also wants to be prime minister. Davis giving him a Senate seat has afforded Mitchell a influential platform he otherwise would not have. Mitchell has travelled to Exuma, Long Island, Grand Bahama, Bermuda and Florida over the past several weeks. He has spoken to many PLP operatives during his stops to the aforementioned Family Islands. He has also been very active on his Facebook pages Bahamas uncensored and Fred Mitchell-Minute By Minute. The latter is his way of keeping in contact with average PLPs. Mitchell uses his Facebook forums to launch incessant attacks against the Free National Movement, some of which are downright petty. Mitchell has also been visible in the me-
dia. This is his shrewd way of remaining relevant. He is evidently consolidating his base within the PLP. He is more articulate than Davis. He can speak extemporaneously. He has also pandered to the rabid PLP base by refusing to publicly criticise Christie. Like Davis, Mitchell is determined not to anger the 1,200 plus stalwart councillors who supported Christie in January. Frankly, the only two advantages Davis has over Mitchell is funding and position. As the interim PLP leader, this must be seen as a head start for Davis. But with many PLPs already expressing deep dissatisfaction in Davis’ performance thus far, Mitchell becoming PLP leader isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Mitchell perhaps senses this deep discontent within the party. That may explain his subtle leadership campaign. Mitchell knows that Davis is in a very vulnerable dilemma. He knows Davis is no way near as invincible as Christie. He knows that Davis can be beaten. While he hasn’t officially or otherwise announced his bid for the PLP leadership post at convention, I am of the view that his campaign for the post has nonetheless begun in earnest. With the PLP being at rockbottom, maybe this might be the only opportunity that Mitchell will ever have to become leader. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, GB, July 18, 2017.
A cruel analogy EDITOR, The Tribune. AS an animal lover, I find the analogy “many ways to skin a cat” alarming made by the Minister of Tourism in the Business Section of today’s Tribune. One would’ve thought a statement like that would be made by a yahoo and a juvenile but for a Minister
of such a vital Ministry it’s unacceptable. This Minister reminds me of asinine statements made by Leslie Miller when he condemned all gay people. Those wanting to do business in The Bahamas haven’t forgotten Miller’s vitriol and refused to do business with The Bahamas. So, too, will animal lovers
who are prospective investors might not want to do business here either because this Minister’s horrible analogy. I am concerned that the Bahamas Humane Society has not made a statement condemning the Minister. E V ALBURY Nassau, July 18, 2017.
risis accused of killing cSuspect ay that plans are underw of er to have Commission lade ens Police Ellison Gre d of replaced as the hea ice the Royal Bahamas Poled, Force. When contact The Mr Dames directed ComTribune to speak to . He missioner Greenslade t. declined further commened tact The Tribune con , lade ens Gre Commissioner rned but calls were not retu up to press time. However, it is understood has that Mr Greenslade of t been offered the pos to High Commissioner reLondon. He will be misplaced by Deputy Com as sioner Tony Ferguson Commissioner of Police. SEE PAGE SIX
THE TRIBUNE
ARIC Bman
Friday, July 21, 2017, PAGE 5
in Fox Hill shooting
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
GUNMEN SL AY NEW FOX HILL VICTIM
A MAN appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterSETT day accused of being the By SANCHESKA DOR r Tribune Staff Reporte culprit behind a recent fatal .net sdorset t@tribunemedia shooting in the capital. A 32-Y EA R-OLD man Dino Nixon, 20, of Ridgeand was shot multiple times durland Park stood before killed Saturday night g in ing a drive by shootin Chief Magistrate Joyann front of his home. e plac Ferguson-Pratt facing a The murder took Fox shortly after 9pm in charge of murder which was ntry’s Hill and took the cou the brought under Section 291 murder count to 73 for Trib year, according to The (1)(b) of the Penal Code. une’s records. It is alleged that on Sun- HOW ThePol Tribune reported the victim was ice said the shortly out of his car edition. day, July 16, he intentional- shootinggettiningMonday’s n r arriving home whe ly caused the death of Kalif hospitalafte opened in a vehiclevehicle, per insonas private eding Adderley. fire on him before spe where he was direcunknown listed in aninitially off According to initial po- in serious The victim died at the tion.condition. lice reports, shortly after scene. he died of However, d Police have not identifie 10pm on the date in ques- his injuries Tribune Monday , but The the manearly uino tion, Adderley was walking morning. understands he is Raq ler, of Johnson Ter on Third Street in Coconut NixonHuy was told he will rance. Grove, off Robinson Road not be allowed toSEEenter PAGE SIX a when a man approached plea to the charge until he F GAGE RELIE him, armed with a handgun. is formally MORTarraigned beThe suspect shot the victim fore a judge of the Supreme SCHEME FAILS before fleeing the area in an Court. RGETS TO HIisT TAscheduled unknown direction. The case D ROLLE SHA RA By g transferred tobein be to the The victim was taken to r a tree and Tribune Staff Reporte ia, a man is seen tied to
g on social med . threatened with a machete lshirtless man called “Ye tive Unit (CDU), told low,” who is tied to a tree U’s CD that une e Trib isclosed is in a yard in an und what ber Crimes Division o location. Based on minn receipt” of the vide one the t- was said in o, question and is curren ute, 32-second long vide examining it with a view “Yellow” allegedly stole a im, vict the ying in ntif “ide canvas out of the yard e producer and all of the question. the in d e dividuals engage A Stuart Cove’s Div t.” be seen a Bahamas bus can ound, to ing ond resp was He parked in the backgr deo making the rounds from which the alleged atia to be n various social med t- tacker, who is said latforms in which a shir PAGE THREE g SEE chin pun seen is ess man nd threatening another
rrolle@ tribunemedia.net TH E mortgage relief pro istie gramme, which the Chr ed administration said helpnot at least 441 people, has experformed as well as be to pected and will have ister reviewed, Finance Min . K Peter Turnquest said the “We are beginning that process of reviewing e to effort and will have mor ks,” say in the next few wee The told Mr Turnquest d. Tribune over the weeken SEE PAGE 13
DINO NIXON, 20, arraigned for murder yesterday. higher court on September 5 through the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
Given the nature of the allegation, Nixon was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
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KARAME Styles in grey and George Willie in black shirt at far side, at Freeport Magistrate’s Court.
Photo: Derek Carroll
GRAND BAHAMIANS ACCUSED OF GUN AND AMMUNITION POSSESSION
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THREE persons, including a pregnant woman, were charged with unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Karame Styles, 32, his wife, Tanika Styles, 33, both of Freeport, and George Willie, 46, of Pinder’s Point, were arraigned in court two before Magistrate Charlton Smith. Ernie Wallace represented the couple. George did not have a lawyer present. Tanika Styles was charged with one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. It is alleged that on January 19 at a residence in Freeport, police found an assault rifle, namely an AK-47, and
ammunition. Mrs Styles pleaded not guilty to the charge. Karame Styles was charged with two counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and Willie with one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. It is alleged on January 19 at Lewis Yard, the accused men were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Mr Wallace asked for bail to be granted to his clients, Karame and Tanika Styles. He said the couple was not a flight risk and would not interfere with the witnesses who are police officers. “I am asking you to grant bail as the matter is not one involving violence. These are mere accusations, and
my clients are presumed innocent. They have a right to have their case heard at a reasonable time,” said the attorney. Magistrate Smith said he would consider granting bail to Mrs Styles, who is pregnant, but Mr Wallace expressed concerns about her being able to meet the $10,000 bail with two sureties. The judge set bail for Mrs Styles at $8,000 with one or two sureties and asked that a job letter be presented verifying an annual income of $25,000 or more before her release. Magistrate Smith denied two men bail, explaining that the nature of the offence involves firearms and he is not able to grant bail. “Firearms are prominent in this country, and every other day someone dies in
MAN INJURED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING POLICE are searching for a male suspect responsible for a shooting that left a man in hospital on Wednesday. Around 9pm, a man had just walked out of a business in the Kennedy Subdivision, when the occupants in a grey Honda CRV vehicle pulled up and shot him before speeding off. The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in serious condition. Police also reported that officers in Staniel Cay, Exuma took a man into custody following the seizure of a quantity of dangerous drugs on Wednesday. Around 10.30am, officers in Staniel
Cay acting on information executed a search warrant at a man’s home and uncovered a quantity of marijuana. The man is expected to be arraigned in court soon. Police also said Drug Enforcement Unit officers seized a handgun, a quantity of dangerous drugs and several rounds of ammunition during a raid on a home on Wednesday. Shortly after 3pm, the officers acting on information went to a home located at Rosewood Street in Pinewood Gardens to execute a search warrant. On arrival, the lone male occupant of the home eluded the offic-
the interim. However, he has the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
He has retained attorney Jomo Campbell to represent him against the allegation.
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ers on foot. A search was conducted of the suspect’s home and a .40 Glock pistol, five pounds of marijuana and 149 rounds of assorted ammunition were found. Officers are also investigating an armed robbery. Shortly before 1pm Wednesday, a woman was sitting in her silver coloured Honda Civic vehicle, license plate number 304410, on Parkgate Road, when three men armed with handguns approached and robbed her of her vehicle before speeding off. Investigations into all of these incidents are continuing.
this country because of firearms, and one of the guns in question is a military-type gun,” he said. He said the accused might apply to the Supreme Court for bail. They were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until November 13 for trial.
THREE men denied stealing lumber from a high-end resort at their arraignment in Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Theo Francis, 38, Jermaine Thompson, 37, and Gregory Doralis, 37, stood before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans facing a charge of stealing by reason of employment brought under Section 340(4) of the Penal Code. It is alleged that the trio, being concerned together between June 9 and July 3, stole from Albany Resort $4,666.23 worth of lumber, the property of Albany Resort, to which they had access by reason of their employment. They all elected to stand trial in Magistrate’s Court and denied the allegations. As the lower court no longer has the jurisdiction to consider bail on stealing charges, the three men were remanded to the Department of Correctional Ser
vices to await their trial on September 21. However, they have the right to apply for bail to the Supreme Court. In another arraignment before another court, Deangelo Bethel, 28, and Dominic Nairn, 20, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney facing a stealing charge which was brought under Section 345 of the Penal Code. They were also charged with the alternative offence of receiving, which was brought under Section 358 of the Penal Code. It is alleged that they stole and/or dishonestly received $2,985 worth of refrigeration equipment from Geovonne Rolle on July 18. They too elected to stand trial in Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were remanded to prison without bail and are scheduled to return to court on August 21 for the start of their trial. However, they can apply for bail at the Supreme Court for pre-trial release.
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PAGE 6, Friday, July 21, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
No moves to legalise marijuana from page one States Embassy, the InterAmerican Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and the Organisation of American States (OAS). According to the statistics, lifetime use prevalence for marijuana for males and females between 12-24 years were 18.7 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively; 22 per cent and 9.9 per cent for males and females respectively between the ages of 25-44 years, and 19.4 per cent and four per cent for males and females respectively between the ages 4565 years. Additionally, US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson said the results revealed young people in The Bahamas do not believe marijuana is a drug. Ms Johnson also said young people do not associate marijuana use, sales, or possession with violent crime or with addiction. Dr Sands, during his remarks, noted many countries have liberalised marijuana for medical and
recreational purposes. However, he said, such a decision, “however tempting as it might be,” should not be “adopted or embraced by the state without a dispassionate objective review of the evidence which accepts new evidence that has been rigorously validated while discarding dogma or tradition which has been discredited or disproved”. “Every week my ministry is in receipt of requests to consider medical use of marijuana, or occasionally being asked to opine on the current judicial or law enforcement view of drug use,” he said. “Let me say that we are minded to be cautious, prudent and careful, (and) we are also minded to be objective and open minded. But we do not feel that The Bahamas should lead the world in this particular exercise.” In 2013, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves asked CARICOM to discuss the medicinal and other uses of marijuana. At the time, Mr Gonsalves said it’s “high time” that CARICOM address the matter,
regionally, in a “sensible, focused (and) non-hysterical manner.” That same year, then Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez said the Bahamas is more conservative than many other countries in the region on the use of marijuana. Mr Gomez also said reducing the number of years for the possession of small amounts of marijuana in The Bahamas would unclog the criminal justice system. In February 2014, after Jamaica announced its intention to decriminalise marijuana for medical purposes, then Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said the former Christie administration would study the matter and was open to discussing the issue. And last year, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said he believes marijuana should be decriminalised, and also suggested that marijuana should be legalised for medicinal purposes. However, Dr Sands said the country’s position on the issue should not be
based upon international norms, but should instead be reflective of a sound, objective decision-making process and the potential impact it may have on society. “Our National Drug Council finds itself in need of reinvigoration and repurposing, and we are doing exactly that,” he said. “Our intellectual honesty to examine and dissect the events, decisions and trends ought not to be based on intransigents, or stubbornness. But nor should we flow passively as unprincipled and uninformed passengers on the bus of international group think. “Effective and appropriate public policy does not require universality, unanimity, nor absolute proof. It should, however, be based on truth or evidence, however uncomfortable, that has been validated and which is good for our people. It requires that we be open to dialogue, to new knowledge, and to strategies which effectively and positively impact our citizens and our communities.”
Survey Meanwhile, the survey results showed that lifetime use prevalence for alcohol was 74 per cent (78 per cent males, 71 per cent females); 21 per cent (33 per cent males, 9 per cent females) for tobacco; one per cent (2 per cent males, 0.4 per cent females) for cocaine and 0.7 per cent (1 per cent males, 0.5 per cent females) for crack cocaine. The beedy/bidi cigarette had a cumulative lifetime use prevalence of approximately five per cent amongst Bahamians between the ages of 12-65. Lifetime use for inhalants, tranquilizers, stimulants and analgesics were all less than one per cent, according to the statistics. However, the survey summary noted the lifetime use prevalence of “emerging drugs” such as the leaf “grabba” was three per cent, e-cigarettes at two per cent, hookah pipes at two per cent and the alcoholic drink known as “lean” at two per cent. Conclusively, alcohol, tobacco and marijuana were the more popular drugs.
When compared to the last household drug prevalence survey in 1991, lifetime use of alcohol and marijuana remained the same while lifetime use of tobacco, cocaine and tranquilizers decreased. “Drug monitoring, prevention and education efforts should be strengthened, especially for alcohol, marijuana and the relatively new drugs,” the survey’s summary said. Data collection was done using multi-stage sampling techniques on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma and Abaco, according to the survey summary. Randomly chosen individuals within each selected household were interviewed by trained enumerators using a standardised CICAD questionnaire on computer tablets with Survey To Go software. Only persons 12 to 65 years were eligible for the survey. A total of 2,533 interviews were completed for the survey. Approximately half (52 per cent) were female with a median age of 36 years.
ADRIAN CURRY (far left), of The Bahamas, won the bronze yesterday in the 100m in 10.61 seconds, pushing The Bahamas’ medal count to five, including two bronze (judo) and two silver (swimming) at the 6th Commonwealth Youth Games. See Sports for more coverage. Photo: Derek Smith/BIS
FANS MISSING OUT ON GREAT GAMES AS BAHAMAS LANDS TWO SILVERS from page one
On Thursday, the opening ceremony Tuesday night at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium was sparse, and the stadium appeared to be a quarter filled. The beach soccer games were poorly attended on Wednesday, however, officials said there were larger crowd at indoor events like judo. In response to the report Thursday, Mr Grevemberg said the challenges endured by The Bahamas in the lead up to and during the games have been nothing short of “horrendous”. Mr Grevemberg stated: “We gave this country 18 months. During that time
frame the country endured a massive storm and changed governments. With all of that, facilities have been prepared and are up to competition standards, infrastructure is in place and most of all, the athletes are here, comfortable and happy. “Again, it must be noted, this was all done in an 18-month window.” In 2011, St Lucia was awarded the 2017 CYG, but backed out of the commitment in September 2015 due to concerns with fundraising and its ability to create suitable venues to stage the overall event. The Bahamas officially submitted a bid to host the games in January 2016.
Once the bid was awarded, The Bahamas was pressed to assemble the necessary physical and immaterial infrastructure in place to host the games. In 2015, Louise Bell was appointed as chef de mission for Samoa 2015 in April of that year, roughly four and half months prior to those games. Derron Donaldson was named chef de mission for The Bahamas 2017 in early June, roughly a month to go before the start of this year’s games. Now while the position doesn’t cover the day-today developments or the status of the games, the appointment of someone in this role normally signifies
that organisers have shifted their focus to the promotional aspects of the games. Two weeks after this appointment, local officials erected billboards and disseminated other promotional material across the country. On the coverage and promotion of this year’s games locally, Mr Grevemberg stated: “There has been tremendous work to get the word out there to the audience and persuade them to come out and support, those attempts are evident. “With that noted, we recognised The Bahamas is a small island state. A large percentage of the population is at work during the week, as in the case in other
countries these have been held in.” He added: “But, both local and global coverage has been absolutely brilliant and we are satisfied. We expect as we head into the weekend, I think the Bahamians will come out in droves for the athletic competitions, which the country is known for, and with all the other events. “There is no need to panic over this, these are tremendous games thus far and as the days go on, you can see it on the faces of the locals and the visitors, these games are something special.” On Wednesday, Romell Knowles, managing director of the games, told The
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Death Notice ELIZABETH (BETTY) MARGUERITE FLIEGEL née KELLY 16th July, 1940 – 22nd June, 2017
Predeceased by parents, Victor Granville Kelly, Carolyn Marguerite Kelly; Sister, Sylvia Joyce Kelly; Brothers, Victor Granville Kelly, Jr., Kenneth Gary Kelly, Keith Patrick Kelly. She is survived by a son, Troy Robert Fliegel of Minnesota, U; sister, Patricia Ann Kanitsch; brother-in-law, Hugh Arnley Kanitsch; two nieces and four great nephews of Perth, Western Australia. Neices and nephews of Palm Beach, Florida and the Bahamas and many more family and friends.
Tribune that outdoor events were not as crowded as indoor ones, something he chalked up to the intense summer heat. Given a chance to reflect on these comments yesterday, Mr Knowles maintained outdoor events were having issues, but added indoor events like judo on the initial two days of competition and boxing as of yesterday, have made up for the low numbers for the outdoor events. “On Tuesday and Wednesday, the judo events were sold out. As a matter of fact, on Wednesday we had to add more seats to Kendall Isaacs Gym. We had 300 to 500 people there throughout those two days, and we are expecting similar numbers (Thursday) and (Friday) for boxing,” stated Mr Knowles. “We meet with team leaders every day, their individual reports, like our overall reports show that people are turning up at these events. Are they world-record numbers? I am not saying that, but for a country the size of the Bahamas, for events through the day, scattered across five sites, we are getting quality turnouts,” he added. The CYG is the latest international sporting event hosted here, flowing from the former Christie administration’s efforts to boost sports tourism. The event was agreed to by the former government. According to Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Michael Pintard, the event will cost The Bahamas about $7m to host.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 21, 2017, PAGE 7
Staff not back to full hours despite repairs to Ministry of Health HQ By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE air-conditioning unit at the Ministry of Health’s headquarters is now working, though it is still unclear when operations will return to normal at the Poinciana Hill complex, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday. Dr Sands, in an interview with reporters, said while the facility’s air-conditioner is working “better than it had been,” he still is unsure if officials are at the point
to insist staff in the building should return to a full day of work. The Elizabeth MP said once the “all-clear” is given, the ministry’s operations “will resume to normal activity”. Dr Sands also said badly needed repairs to the building’s plywood-patched roof have not yet been made. However, he said the National Insurance Board (NIB), which owns the building, has “started the process,” adding that he would “like it to be done as soon as possible”. Earlier this month, Dr
Sands told The Tribune that the Ministry of Health had lost more than $150,000 worth of productivity because of “serious challenges” with a badly leaking roof and a faulty air-conditioner at its headquarters. At the time, Dr Sands said the Bahamian people are “not getting ideal productivity” from his ministry, as, he said, for weeks senior officials at the ministry have had to implement half-day shifts for line staff “because the working conditions are significantly less than optimal” at the Poinciana Hill complex.
So bad is the building’s physical infrastructure, Dr Sands said, that if one were to stand in a particular room “you can look and see the sky through the plywood in the roof.” Dr Sands also said the roof “leaks tremendously” during heavy rain. When questioned for an update on the matter yesterday, Dr Sands said: “(The) air-conditioning is working, it’s better than it had been. I don’t know that we’re yet at a point where we can insist that our staff return to a full day’s work. Once we get the all clear we will resume to
normal activity. “There have been no corrections to the roof, so we all keep our fingers crossed that it’s not going to rain too hard.” When asked for an estimated timeline for the completion of the roof repairs, Dr Sands said: “The National Insurance Board who owns the building has started the process; I cannot speak to the timeline. But I’d like it to be done as soon as possible.” Last year, Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) President John Pinder blamed the poor working
conditions at the building on NIB, claiming that the mould infestation was caused by “shabby work” by NIB’s private contractors. The mould infestation, Mr Pinder said at the time, had been lingering for over two years, despite an assessment from the Ministry of Environment advising that the matter should be dealt with promptly. Earlier this month, Dr Sands said his ministry has looked at “all of the options,” including relocation; however, the ideal remedy would be to “accomplish a definitive repair”.
SUNSHINE INSURANCE COMPETITION WINNERS RETURN TO SPOTLIGHT
JADE JONES
TWO past winners of the Sunshine Insurance Elmira College Essay Competition are back in the spotlight after being profiled by the New York-based college. Janay Pyfrom-Symonette and Jade Jones, who graduated from Elmira College in 2008 and 2011 respectively, were both highlighted in the college’s online magazine. Ms Pyfrom-Symonette won the 2nd annual scholarship contest and walked away with a $60,000 scholarship. After graduating, she worked at Coty, LLC – the largest beauty and cosmetics company in the US. Today, she works as a chief marketing officer of a financial services firm in the Bahamas and is a licenced stockbroker. She also hosts a local daytime talk show called, “The Stew.” Meantime, Ms Jones, who has a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a master of science in emergency and disaster preparedness management, busies herself as the foreign service officer in the Embassy of the Bahamas to the United States. While a student at Elmira College, she served as president of Enactus, an executive member of Voices United of Elmira for Diversity and was a member of the International Students Organisation. Ms Jones was also inducted into Iota Iota Iota, the National Women’s Studies Honour Society and Pi Gamma Mu as well as the International Honour Society in Social Sciences. In 2013, she returned home and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this role, she served as the country’s representative during the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Even though she lives in Washington, DC, she continues to assist with the Elmira College Enactus Scholarship Competition. The annual competition gives Bahamian high school students the opportunity to present their business ideas before a panel of judges. The top winner walks away with a $60,000 scholarship to Elmira College. “I have thoroughly enjoyed introducing students to Elmira College and helping to increase the network of Elmira College students and alumni in the Bahamas,” said Ms Jones, who won the competition in 2006. She has served as a judge for the past two years. The competition returns in November.
JANAY PYFROM-SYMONETTE.
LACK OF APPOINTMENTS LEAVES DISCLOSURES ACTION IN LIMBO By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net DESPITE the Minnis administration’s frequent indication that delinquent financial disclosures will no longer be tolerated, the work of the Public Disclosure Commission remains in limbo as its appointments have yet to be officially made, according to commission Chairman Myles Laroda yesterday. Mr Laroda told The Tribune while Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has verbally assured him of his reappointment as the head of the PDC, he still has not received an official letter of appointment nor does he know who else is expected to form the new commission. Regarding the apparent lag in this process, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said the work will continue when the two additional members of the commission are officially appointed. He said the holdup is the release of the list of board appointees. The Tribune understands all of the appointments have already been agreed upon, but it is unclear why these appointees have not been published in an official gazette. “I don’t have anything to say because I still haven’t been given my official letter of appointment,” Mr Laroda said yesterday when he was contacted for a status update on the PDC’s work. “I have been told so by
the prime minister in consultation. I have also read these weird statements in the newspapers, but I have not been given a letter and I am not going to go into the commission to conduct any work because I don’t know who the other commissioners are and it’s not my job to go and be a one-man band. I wouldn’t even try. The law doesn’t allow it,” he said yesterday. Last week Mr Laroda maintained that the hardline position taken by the new administration has made a significant impact on the culture of non-compliance that plagued the commission. There are three remaining delinquent members of Parliament. “I can’t say because I’m not there and I’m only one voice,” Mr Laroda said, when asked the fate of the remaining three delinquent MPs last week. “The other two (PDC) members could decide otherwise. We have always been led by consensus. You’ll have to look at all of the circumstances to see. Mr Laroda continued: “I don’t have no special knowledge or anything but the prime minister did say in their manifesto that they would amend the (Public Disclosure) Act. We don’t know what the new amendments would be so I think that would be getting ahead.” He suggested that if delinquent MPs become compliant during that period, there may be no need to turn over names to the Of-
fice of the Attorney General for prosecution. “We are at a point where there (are) only three people and right now what I think, it’s shining a light. Now the public has become aware, they read about it in the papers,” Mr Laroda said last week. “Now they start to demand accountability, (prosecution or penalties) there are those who want a pound of flesh but that day (of non-compliance) is at its end, and maybe this situation we will never go back to where people think it’s okay to just disregard the law.” On June 6, Mr Newbold told the media that Dr Minnis had given former and sitting parliamentarians three weeks to file disclosures or face the court for breaking the law. Present and former parliamentarians and senators, along with senior public officers, are required to submit their disclosures to the PDC by March each year. The law specifies that persons in breach could face a fine of $10,000, or two years in prison, or both, or confiscation of land if land is involved. At the time, Mr Newbold said the deadline affected more than 20 MPs, adding that the number of parliamentarians that did not disclose for the entire five years was “not less than six.” There was a July 3 timeline set by Dr Minnis for the files on delinquent disclosures to be sent to the Office of the Attorney General.
PAGE 8, Friday, July 21, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Double talk from the FNM
AFTER officially discontinuing the National Intelligence Agency in June, National Security Minister Marvin Dames said Tuesday a “modified” version of the controversial agency could be implemented in short order. Seriously? Dames revealed during an address in the House of Assembly that due to the fact that NIA had operated with no proper or binding legal framework in place, from its introduction, therefore the government discontinued the operation. Dames also stated the “agency’’ would be revisited once the proper laws were in place to govern it. Now forward the tape to this Wednesday’s Tribune, in an article by Ricardo Wells, when asked what the future holds for the controversial agency Dames said: “We said on our platform leading up to the general election that we will bring legislation, that we will enact legislation that will establish a fully functional, a fully autonomous National Intelligence Agency. “We are committed to that as a government, that is one of the key planks in
our crime fight, and you should be seeing something shortly.” Has the FNM now found something tangible and worthwhile in the previous administrations NIA? (The NIA which was launched rapidly, after the 2012 general election). Maybe the true intention of the NIA, an intelligence gathering tank, where various law enforcement agencies would combine their efforts and resources, to eradicate threats to the country’s national security, on multiple levels, is starting to make sense to the FNM? It really makes one wonder, is PM Minnis and his FNM cabinet developing that dreaded “second mouth’’ most politicians acquire after years in front line politics, so early on in their administration? All during his time in opposition, and on the campaign trail Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis called on the former government to shut down the NIA. Dr. Minnis even dubbed legislation to legitimise it a ‘‘spy bill.’’ Now that he’s PM, has he
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during his tour of Baha Mar. Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS had a change of mind and heart? Is that why he has a bright young politician, who has infinite potential to be PM one day in his own right, Mount Moriah MP and Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, playing the roll of “Sean Spicer” delicately prepping the nation, that yet another “campaign promise’” might not be delivered as promised, but rather in a modified version? It was obvious during “silly season” the voting populace of the Bahamas didn’t want NIA in existence in any way, shape or form. They wanted it discontinued and not brought back. Period!
Not to be outdone, PM Minnis got into the “double talk” act as well, expressing how “impressive” BahaMar is as a property, despite having less than complimentary things to say about the resort and its “opening” back in April and May. Also very conspicuous by his absence on the PM’s tour of BahaMar, Sarkis Izmerlian. I could only imagine he’d be there for another photo op, akin to the PM’s swearing-in and the opening of Parliament. I must admit I was surprised by his non appearance. Or have the PM’s handlers gotten the message across to the disgruntled billionaire hotelier?
These latest examples of “double talk” by the FNM is eerily similar to past administrations, both FNM and PLP. Saying one thing during “election time” then doing something totally contrary, immediately following the election has got to stop. One can easily say that PM Minnis, despite his quiet, humble demeanor, has learnt well, both good and bad from his political predecessors who’ve held the office of Prime Minister. But then again PM Minnis is quite savvy in his own right. Will it be to his credit? Hopefully it will allow him to see what lies on the horizon for our nation, allowing him to be pro active,
READERS HAVE THEIR VIEWS ON NEW CITIZENSHIPS After Financial Services and Immigration Minister Brent Symonette gave The Tribune statistics revealing that more than 3,000 people were granted citizenship between 2012 and April of
this year, readers gave their response on tribune242. com. Sheeprunner12 asked: “3,331 new citizen . . . . what were their places of origin? What were their residence
in the country? This should be reported publicly EVERY YEAR.” SP wondered: “What status of ‘citizenship’ are these people being awarded? Surely ‘paper Bahamians’ should not be given the right to vote as their loyalty remains with home countries where they repatriate funds to. The Bahamas must protect itself for Bahamians with legitimate hereditary ties – same as Haiti. NOBODY can ever qualify for Haitian citizen regardless of residence longevity, investment or ANY reason other than having proof of Haitian heritage. Why the hell are we giving citizenship to people that would not grant citizenship to our people????” Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis spoke out this week, denying allega-
tions the government was primarily concerned with “witch hunts” over executing plans to advance the course of the nation. John responded with: “The government must separate bad governance, poor decision making and wasteful spending due to ignorance from intentional abuse of office and government money, misappropriation and stealing of funds.” The_Oracle had this to say: “The bottom line is we lack decent, ethical people in our ranks who would wish to serve. We cannot govern ourselves. Our failures started with Majority Rule and have only gotten more catastrophic as time and personalities have worn on. “We still cannot look ourselves in anything but a fun house mirror. We
rather than reactive in his decision making, in regards to moving the nation forward positively. In 2017, voters, especially that healthy body of swing voters that exists in our country, are quite informed, and fearless when it comes to voicing their concerns, especially the “millennials.” This new breed of “voter” will not tolerate “double talk” and “empty promises”, having felt the pain of the mistakes of past voters, who fell for the hollow campaign promises, perpetrated by past non transparent politicians. “Mouth could say anything” especially when speaking out of two sides. Until next week, stay focused Bahamas!
are surrounded by our own garbage, and seem to like it. We are shameless, and therefore without true pride. We reward laggards, we penalise those who would stand apart, stand tall. “Is this crew better? Time will tell. We had better all hope so, as we are close to done. Do the crime, get the time! Forfeit ill-gotten gains. Name and shame publicly, not in whispers, innuendo. Do not taunt and threaten to reveal in the House, Drop it RED!” And in The Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers if they agreed with former PLP Cabinet Minister Loftus Roker that the party is in “as worst a state as it has ever been”. A huge majority - 96 per cent of those voting - agreed with Mr Roker.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 21, 2017, PAGE 9
WORK ongoing at St Paul’s Methodist College in Grand Bahama.
Photos: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff
Rebuilding work begins at St Paul’s Methodist College By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE rebuilding process has started at St Paul’s Methodist College campus, which closed several years ago due to major infrastructural damage that made it unsafe. The school, which was located on Clive Avenue in Grand Bahama, fell into a state of disrepair which resulted in the relocation of the institution to the former Royal Palm Resort building. SPMC is one of the oldest premier private schools on the island, having been in existence for the past 51
years. It was a devastating blow for students, teachers and parents when the school was forced to move due to significant infrastructural damage that made the campus unsafe. While driving in the area on Wednesday, The Tribune noticed work was underway at the old campus site on Clive and Hudson Avenues. Support beams have been installed along the upper and lower floors to strengthen the existing porch structure and classrooms and offices have been gutted. The Tribune contacted the school for an update about the rebuilding pro-
cess, but was referred to Superintendent Rev Kenneth Lewis, who did not return calls up to press time. The school now operates out of the closed Royal Palm Resort. Last October, the old campus building was damaged even further by Hurricane Matthew. St Paul’s opened in the mid-1960’s providing elementary and secondary education to Bahamians, and has produced many of the country’s brightest minds. An event has been held to raise money for the rebuilding. In February, the school held a night of jazz as the first fundraising event.
stakeholders and staff at the Simpson Penn School and will continue to do so. Prospective new members of RCNP were not shy at all about talking to the boys about their stories, in advising them of the next steps that they need to take in order to achieve their goals. The day culminated with the boys enjoying a fun-filled game of basketball, recreational discussion and other physical activities and closing out with fellowship. The boys were treated to pizzas, burgers, chips and drinks. It became very clear by the end of the day that this group of boys had exceptional potential as they aspired to be internationally accredited underwater welders, pilots, masons, professional athletes, police and defence force officers, event planners, engineers, IT specialist, mathematicians, technologically savvy DJs and recording artists. These boys are far from lost notwithstanding the obstacles that they might face in their current state of affairs, without a doubt they all know exactly where they want to go in life and that their status at the Simpson Penn School would be nothing more than a hurdle to overcome to get there.
Rotary Club of New Providence meets every Tuesday at 7pm at Poop Deck, West Bay Street.
Rotary Club of New Providence Rotary Club of New Providence. - The club has been involved with the Simpson Penn/Pratt Centre Project - “Nobody’s Lost Boys”. On Saturday, July 15, the Change Makers of the Rotary Club of New Providence (RCNP) came out in full force to bring positive intervention to the lives of over 20 young boys between the ages of 13 and 17 boarded at the Simpson Penn School. These young men often fall through the cracks of the system simply because too much emphasis is placed on judging the reasons which might have led them to the institution as oppose to ensuring that they are provided with the rehabilitative tools needed for when they leave. It is this need which has given birth to the mentoring program of the Simpson Penn/Pratt Centre service project and motivated the membership of the RCNP to do their part to ensure the projects’ success. Giving back is embedded in the DNA of all Rotarians worldwide and their bleeding hearts respond to the beat of their humanitarian call to “Service above Self.” RCNP members dedicated a full day to assisting with repairs to doors, floors, door knobs and other areas of the school. RCNP then engaged and inspired the young men of the Simpson Penn Boys School with practical career guidance and words of wisdom and encouragement. RCNP in the past has forged an ongoing and lifetime partnership with the
Rotary Club of West Nassau Rotary Club of West Nassau. - On Thursday, July 13, Peter Young OBE, former British High Commissioner to The Bahamas from 1996-1999, addressed the Rotary Club of West Nassau on ‘Brexit and the European Union’. The Rotary Club of West Nassau is a member of Rotary International. The Rotary Club of West Nassau meets each Thursday at 12.30pm at the Poop Deck at Sandyport.
Youth Leaders Meeting Youth Leaders Meeting. - The Ministry of Youth and Culture is hosting a youth leaders meeting at Holy Cross Anglican Church on July 26, at 6.30pm. Youth leaders of all church, community church organisations are invited to attend.
JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers. To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 447-3565.
FROM left, Rotarian Brendon Watson, Peter Young OBE – former British High Commissioner to The Bahamas - and Rotarian Harry
MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of New Providence offering support at the Simpson Penn/Pratt Centre.
PAGE 10, Friday, July 21, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
FORMER NFL football star OJ Simpson reacts after learning he was granted parole at Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nevada, yesterday. Simpson was convicted in 2008 of enlisting some men he barely knew, including two who had guns, to retrieve from two sports collectibles sellers some items that Simpson said were stolen from him a decade earlier. Photo: Jason Bean/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP
OJ Simpson could be free by October as parole granted LOVELOCK, NEVADA Associated Press
OJ Simpson was granted parole Thursday after more than eight years in prison for a Las Vegas hotel-room heist, successfully making his case for freedom in a nationally televised hearing that reflected America’s enduring fascination with the former football star. Simpson, 70, could be released as early as Oct 1. By then, he will have served the minimum of his nine-to-33year sentence for a bungled attempt to snatch sports memorabilia he claimed had been stolen from him. During the more than hour-long hearing on live TV, Simpson was, by turns, remorseful, jovial and defensive, heatedly insist-
ing the items taken in the armed robbery were “my stuff”. At one point, the murder defendant in the 1995 “Trial of the Century” set off a storm of sarcasm and incredulity on social media when he said: “I’ve basically spent a conflict-free life, you know.” All four parole commissioners who conducted the hearing voted for his release after a half-hour of deliberations. They cited, among other things, the low risk he might commit another crime, his community support and his release plans, which include moving to Florida. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Simpson said quietly as he buried his head on his chest with re-
lief. As he rose from his seat to return to his prison cell, he exhaled deeply. Then, as he was led down a hall, the Hall of Fame athlete raised his hands over his head in a victory gesture and said: “Oh, God, oh!” Simpson was widely expected to win parole, given similar cases and his good behavior behind bars. His defenders have argued, too, that his sentence was out of proportion to the crime and that he was being punished for the two murders he was acquitted of in Los Angeles in 1995, the stabbings of exwife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Inmate No 1027820 made his plea for freedom in a stark hearing room at the Lovelock Correctional
Center in rural Nevada as the parole commissioners questioned him via video from Carson City, a twohour drive away. Gray-haired but looking trimmer than he has in recent years, Simpson walked stiffly into the hearing room in jeans, a light-blue prisonissue shirt and sneakers. He chuckled at one point as the parole board chairwoman mistakenly gave his age as 90. Simpson insisted he never meant to hurt anyone, never pointed a gun and didn’t make any threats during the holdup of two sports memorabilia dealers. “I thought I was glad to get my stuff back, but it just wasn’t worth it,” he told the board. “It wasn’t worth it, and I’m sorry.” Even one of the dealers Simpson robbed, Bruce Fromong, testified on his behalf, telling the parole board that Simpson deserved to be released so he could be with his family. “He is a good man. He made a mistake,” Fromong said, adding the two remain friends. Arnelle Simpson, at 48 the eldest of Simpson’s four children, told the board, “We recognize that he is not the perfect man.” But
she said he has been “a perfect inmate, following all the rules and making the best of the situation.” We just want him to come home, we really do,” she said. The commissioners said the murder case played no role in their decision, though a majority of letter writers opposed to Simpson’s release asked the board to take it into account. Simpson said that he has spent his time in prison mentoring fellow inmates, often keeping them out of trouble, and that he has become a better person behind bars. I’ve done my time. I’ve done it as well and respectfully as I think anybody can,” he told the board. Asked if he was confident he could stay out of trouble if released, Simpson replied that he learned a lot from an alternative-to-violence course he took in prison and that in any case he has always gotten along well with people. Several major TV networks and cable channels — including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox, MSNBC and ESPN — carried the proceedings live, just as some of them did two decades ago during the Ford Bronco
chase that ended in Simpson’s arrest, and again when the jury in the murder case came back with its verdict. Simpson said if released he plans to return to Florida to be near two of his adult children. “I could easily stay in Nevada, but I don’t think you guys want me here,” he joked at one point. “No comment, sir,” board chairwoman Connie Bisbee replied. Authorities must still work out the details of Simpson’s release with Florida officials, including where he will live and what rules he must follow. An electrifying running back dubbed “The Juice,” Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s best college football player in 1968 and went on to become one of the NFL’s alltime greats. The handsome and charismatic athlete was also a “Monday Night Football” commentator, sprinted through airports in Hertz rental-car commercials and built a Hollywood career with roles in the “Naked Gun” comedies and other movies. All of that came crashing down with his arrest in the 1994 slayings and his trial, a gavel-to-gavel live-TV sensation that transfixed viewers with its testimony about the bloody glove that didn’t fit and stirred furious debate over racist police, celebrity justice and cameras in the courtroom. Last year, the case proved to be compelling TV all over again with the ESPN documentary “O.J.: Made in America” and the award-winning FX miniseries “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” In 1997, Simpson was found liable in civil court for the two killings and ordered to pay $33.5m to survivors, including his children and the Goldman family. Then a decade later, he and five accomplices — two with guns — stormed a hotel room and seized photos, plaques and signed balls, some of which never belonged to Simpson. Simpson was convicted in 2008, and the long prison sentence brought a measure of satisfaction to some of those who thought he got away with murder.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 21, 2017, PAGE 11
Rotarians hear of plans to narrow the skills gap DR Robert W Robertson, president of The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, recently told Rotarians that the institution is seeking to prepare its students to narrow the skills gap that exists in the country. While speaking at the Rotary Club of East Nassau, Dr Robertson noted that there are some basic requisite proficiencies needed for employment, including communication and interpersonal skills, along with technical competencies that will go a long way in bridging the gap. Dr Robertson noted that the skills gap is not unique to The Bahamas and BTVI recognises all economies
need skilled tradesmen as a critical part of a successful global workforce. Hence, the institution is committed to skill development and training. BTVI is mandated to put a dent in the deficit of skills in the labour force. Specifically, programmes are aligned with the economy’s demands for skilled labour, responding to business and industry needs, and by extension, attempting to improve living standards for many. As examples of responding to industry demand, BTVI is adding new programmes in solar energy, technology and entrepreneurship. It is Dr Robertson’s view
that a part of the local solution to the skills gap is the creation of the National Development Plan. The National Development Plan: Vision 2040, will provide a road map for the future development of the country. This initiative represents an important strategic and fact based consultative exercise that includes a focus on building the Bahamian economy and making it more resilient, creating job opportunities for Bahamians and promoting entrepreneurial activities and ownership. He said as the government seeks to bolster human capital outcomes, BTVI has a strategic role in that plan.
THE Rotary Club of East Nassau thanks the president of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) for his presentation. Shown here from left are: Rotary Club of East Nassau President Hope Sealy; Rotarian Christian Knowles; BTVI President Dr Robert W Robertson and Chief Executive Officer of ER Systems Global (England) John Butterfield. Photo: Hadassah Hall
PAGE 12, Friday, July 21, 2017
FRANCOISE BROOKS-ADDERLEY, wife of Cleophas Adderley, pays tribute to her husband.
LEON ADDERLEY, son of Cleophas Adderley, speaks at the memorial to his father.
THE TRIBUNE
Respects paid to Cleophas Adderley
ASIA Mason performing yesterday during a memorial service held yesterday for the late Cleophas Adderley at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the former director of the Bahamas Youth Choir. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
THE VENERABLE Mark Lindsay-Fox, rector, ad- FRED Munnings Jr pays tribute to Cleophas ADRIAN Archer during his tribute to Adderley. Cleophas Adderley. dresses the congregation.
ASIA Mason performing a tribute in dance.
THE BAHAMAS National Youth Choir performing under the direction of Dexter Fernander.