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VOLUME:115 No.169, JULY 26, 2018

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Haitians given warning over shanty town interference

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told the Haitian Embassy in The Bahamas it will “not tolerate” the type of pronouncements a Haitian diplomat made earlier this week in reference to shanty town evictions, saying the comments “warranted the gravest concern” of the Bahamian government.

The strongly worded statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came after Haitian government representative Karl Henri Chatelier told the media earlier this week of certain proposals that could be adopted instead of evicting

shanty town residents on August 10. The ministry said based on Mr Chatelier’s comments, it appeared there was external interference in Bahamian domestic affairs.

In response, the Haitian Embassy has said “every effort would be made to ensure that the incident” does not happen again.

The press release was issued hours after Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield told The Tribune it is “unusual” for diplomats to “inject” themselves into domestic policy, adding the government had not been contacted about the proposals prior to Mr Chatelier’s televised interview.

SEE PAGE TEN

people. It is also to complement the work of the highly touted Over-the-Hill rejuvenation initiative.

However, before he touted the benefits of the Bill, the prime minister lambasted the PLP, saying the party resembled one more concerned with regression over progressive initiatives.

He recalled a time during his childhood when political operatives visited the home he shared with his mother to hand out grits and lard to solicit her vote.

SEE PAGE SIX

L SOUR CE

ISLAND-WIDE RAIDS SNARE 35 SUSPECTS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

POLICE arrested 35 people for various offences during an island-wide sweep of the capital with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Immigration Department early yesterday morning.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday resisted the operation’s characterisation as a shanty town raid as he reiterated the government’s desire to increase the presence of law enforcement agencies.

He also flagged a critical effort to boost the enforcement of the law for not only criminal offences but regulatory infractions, like road traffic offences.

SEE PAGE THREE

LANDLORDS SLIP THE VAT NET FOR NOW

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MINNIS BLASTS PLP’S ‘DESTRUCTIVE ERA’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday blamed a “violent and destructive” era under the Progressive Liberal Party for the Over-the-Hill community’s poor conditions, which the Economic Empowerment Zone Bill is to help reverse.

As he began debate in Parliament, Dr Minnis said the overriding goal of the Bill was to provide opportunity and hope for more

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DESIGNER VERNIQUE CHANDLER, of V Shaunasse, hopes to help women feel more beautiful in their skin as she launches her new “Bahamian Goddess” collection of crotchet swimwear, as shown off by a model here. See Friday’s Weekend for the full story and photo spread.

A CABINET minister yesterday declined to specify a timeline for introducing VAT on Airbnb-type vacation rentals, as the Government has yet to develop “a working mechanism” for its collection.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told Tribune Business that an “online portal” needed to be created so that booking agents and Bahamas-based vacation rental owners could easily remit and pay VAT. Arguing that convenience of payment led to greater compliance, Mr D’Aguilar said the Government had yet to reach out to all online vacation rental websites to inform them of the need to levy and remit 12 percent VAT. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

BUILDER SUES OVER OLD CITY MARKET TO LOST $20M CONTRACT HOUSE GOVT OFFICES

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net HOLIDAY Industrial Builders is suing the government for terminating its $20m contract to construct a complex on John F Kennedy drive to house the Ministry of National Security, according to Public Services and National

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Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle.

To complete the building, the Minnis administration has awarded a no-bid contract of unknown value to Inline Project Company Ltd. It’s a case of having been there before for the government.

SEE PAGE FIVE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WITH the Minnis administration hoping to reduce its annual $50m rental commercial property bill, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the former City Market grounds on Market Street will be home to new government offices.

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At least three public offices, he said yesterday in Parliament, will be constructed at the site, which is also known as the old St John’s playing field.

The prime minister also said the tender process on bids for the rejuvenation of Southern Recreation Grounds closed on Tuesday.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE DOUBLE BLAZE IN NEW PROVIDENCE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating two structural fires that occurred in New Providence yesterday morning, one at the D’Albenas Agency in Palmdale and the second at an abandoned building on Bay Street.

According to head of Police Fire Services, Chief Superintendent Walter Evans police received reports of the D’Albenas Agency fire shortly after 6am.

“When the first two units had arrived, we met smoke coming from a very large warehouse,” CSP Evans said.

“This warehouse extends probably about 500ft in length and was probably about 150-200ft in width.

“The crews, when they arrived here, they met smoke coming from this structure, the entire structure. And because of the amount of smoke, all of the units which are on New Providence were called out,

POLICE investigate a fire at the d’Albenas Agency in the Palmdale area.

Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff along with the management team.”

He added off-duty officers also had to be called to assist with the fire. There was no major damage to the D’Albenas facility, but the smoke did spread throughout the entire warehouse.

“And so at that point, management had to make a determination concerning the movement of their staff members. And at this point the fire does not pose any threat to the facility itself,” CSP Evans said.

“Officers, they made

their way (in) the interior of the facility, and in some instances they had to travel about 200 feet, where there was zero visibility and there was…pretty much in a confined area.

“So all of the safety precautionary measures were used. We’ve had to bring in all of the available protective breathing apparatus for the respiratory protection of the officers. And so we’ve had to bring in all of the available extra bottles to ensure that the officers were able to work.”

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OFFICERS investigate another fire at an abandoned building on West Bay Street.

Up to yesterday evening, Inspector Demeris ArmCSP Evans could not con- brister told reporters that firm the cause of the fire. two units responded to that He told reporters that fire fire. investigators arrived about “On arrival, we would an hour after the fire was have met light smoke emareported, but the investiga- nating from this structure tion is still ongoing. that appears to be abanDuring yesterday morn- doned at this time,” he said. ing’s press conference, CSP “Our officers would have Evans said approximately made checks of the interior 20 officers remained on the of the building. And they scene, but some of the offic- would found that a…small ers had to be released to a fire was confined to the fire at a two-storey struc- electrical panels. ture on Bay Street, west of “The flames was extinthe Tourism Police Station. guished, at this time, the At the scene of that fire, cause of this is believed to

be electrical.”

He added that the damage was “minor”.

The officer said attending to the fire was a “major challenge”, as traffic, tourists, and pedestrians had to be factored in. However, he said officers were able to get their quickly, locate the fire, and extinguish it in a “timely fashion”.

Ultimately, he described it as a “hectic morning”.

“Our officers would have left a fire that’s still ongoing at the D’Albenas Agency, and would have responded here. So we would have had a really really hectic morning.

“I know officers are tired, but (they’ve done a) good job, and I would like to applaud them for the hard work that they are doing and encourage them to continue on.”

He added that resources were not an issue, but manpower was a “little short”.

However, he said “we’re a bunch of resilient officers, and we know how to get the job done. And that’s what we did this morning.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 3

Training stepped up to minimise police shootings

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday confirmed police were working to establish intermediate use of force standards that would regulate police response when facing perceived threats.

Use of force standards dictate how much force can be used against a resisting subject and have been a central concern raised by critics of the police shooting rate and fatal encounters with suspects.

“Each shooting we have to look at it on an individual basis,” Mr Dames said, “but after having said that, yes we are looking at intermediate use of force. It’s something that we would have never had, but again after having said that nobody wants, I don’t care who it is, nobody wants to shoot another person, that’s not what policing is all about. “(Use of force) that’s something that we’re working on,” he said, “that’s been touted now for many years but we haven’t gotten there. You can rest assured that we will no doubt, we have already started some work to begin looking at intermediate use of force.”

Mr Dames said: “Again if you take on a police officer and I’m not saying that that happens every time the police shoot someone, but if you take on a police officer with a gun then that force must be matched with whatever the police officer has - which is a gun.”

Speaking to the media outside Parliament yesterday, Mr Dames said his

ministry was committed to rebuilding training areas within various law enforcement agencies.

He noted four training manuals have already been completed for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and flagged partnerships with tertiary level institutions to improve the level of education and training afforded to officers.

“We are working with our regional and international partners to build a professional agency within the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” he said, “training within the RBDF, within the Corrections Department, and all the other agencies.

“We’re clearly cognizant of the issues that we hear of from time to time in relation to these agencies but after having said that, we’re working assiduously to change the way the public views our law enforcement officers. You can see on the flip side of that with the national neighbourhood watch council. They’re doing a tremendous job in working in these communities, building relationships with many of these communities, and it’s a work in progress but always remember that these officers are a microcosm of us.”

Police shot and killed an alleged armed robber who they said opened fire on two officers after pinning them against a vehicle last week Friday.

The man, who police identified as Dario “Geico” Tinker, had been sought for questioning for several weeks.

Police said he was found driving a stolen car, taken

MARVIN DAMES, Minister of National Security. during an armed robbery by persons brandishing firelast week Wednesday, and arms, more than 80 percent a pistol was recovered of the armed robberies are committed with persons from the scene.

His death marked the brandishing firearms and ninth police shooting death an officer is taught - and I’m not here standing up for the year.

Yesterday, Mr Dames advocating shooting somesaid the government was one else - but whenever his working to fast track cases or her life is in imminent to allow for swift adminis- danger they have every tration of justice in these right to use the force necesmatters. sary to protect themselves “Now often times in the and at large the commusociety to which we live in, nity,” Mr Dames said. more than 80 percent of the “Does it always happen homicides are committed that way the law has to

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff decide at the end of the day servants of the public, we and we’re looking at ways work for the public, we work to speed up these cases to by consent and this is why ensure there is fair play that we’re trying to build a force justice at the end of the day that the Bahamian people can be pleased with and we is swift.

“The police, we’re have a long way to go.

ISLAND-WIDE RAIDS SNARE 35 SUSPECTS from page one

According to a police press statement, ‘Operation Twilight’ targeted “prolific offenders, wanted suspects and other persons associate with criminal activities.”

“I don’t want to isolate this as a shanty town raid,” said Mr Dames outside Parliament yesterday.

“This is not the first time that officers operated in shanty town areas. This is part of our overall crime strategy and we will go wherever we need to go to seek out those persons who are breaking the law and who are disrupting the normal flow of our society, and I make no apologies for that.

“They had a number of operations last week that proved very successful.

They were able to take four weapons off the street, arrest a number of persons in armed robberies that were actually happening at the time.

“So you can expect to see a heightened law enforcement presence,” he added, “not only a heightened police presence, a heightened law enforcement presence. As we continue to work and apply a full court press to make this Bahamas safe. We have a lot of work to do, we are not there yet, but I’m encouraged we are in fact moving in the right direction.”

Speaking to enforcement of non-criminal offences, Mr Dames foreshadowed the government was seeking to amend the laws to allow for an integrated system linking traffic penalties to the road traffic

licensing process.

Mr Dames said: “You certainly can expect to see involvement from ministries of government that have a regulatory arm.

There is a serious concern throughout the Bahamas about indiscriminate dumping, about roadside garages within communities that are being erected without any licences.

“There will be certainly working hand in hand with Port Department, a lot of these jet ski and water craft operators operating without licences. We often speak out ignoring these minor offences and it leads

to a very disorderly society. People jumping red lights, people not paying attention to parking, they want to park any and everywhere. We can’t continue to condone that,” he said, “we’re looking at efforts to improve road traffic laws and regulations to have an immediate impact on these lawbreakers, it’s extremely critical.

“Once we amend laws, tie in penalties to driver’s licences. With an integrated system you can’t licence your car unless you pay all your fines, which is much like what you see in more developed countries.”

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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,

THE TRIBUNE

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Trump’s Scottish resort raises ethics concerns NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s company is planning a major expansion of one of its golf resorts in Britain that would include the construction and sale of 500 homes fetching as much as several million dollars each, raising possible conflict-of-interest issues as his administration faces tricky trade negotiations with the country.

The Trump Organization says it submitted plans to local Scottish officials on Tuesday for permission to spend nearly $200m building The Trump Estate, a residential community of 500 luxury cottages and mansions. Ethics lawyers have said that any expansion there requiring government approval raises the possibility Trump’s business could get special favours.

Matthew Sanderson, a former legal adviser to several Republican presidential campaigns, said the move shows the “flimsiness” of Trump’s pledge to take steps to avoid profiting from the presidency.

“Whenever a property is expanded or changed or upgraded, it raises questions of financing partners and approvals by local government,” said Sanderson, a lawyer at Caplin & Drysdale. “It’s not just a real estate deal when it’s the president of the United States.”

The Trump Organization said in a news release that it has already received “outline” approval from the local Aberdeen government for the expansion, but still needs the final go-ahead.

Asked about the potential conflicts with Trump’s role as president, it said in a statement that the expansion is of an existing property and was planned years ago and so does not violate Trump’s pledge to shun any new foreign deals while in office.

“This is not a ‘new deal’ but is simply the next phase of development of a long-term mixed-use project that was originally contemplated more than 12 years ago,” said George A Sorial, the company’s chief compliance counsel.

Government ethics experts from both parties have said Trump should have sold off his business before his inauguration. They argue that the “no new deal” pledge was inadequate from the start

because there is ample opportunity for business interests and foreign governments to use his resorts and hotels to influence US policy by patronizing the properties or facilitating expansions — regardless of whether new deals are involved.

The submission of expansion plans to officials in Scotland comes shortly after Trump’s visit to Britain where he raised the prospect of hammering out a “great bilateral trade agreement” with the country.

The expansion at the Trump International Golf Links would add to its hotel there and would include plans for construction of retail space, equestrian and sports centres and 50 “hotel” cottages.

The company expects to break ground early next year.

The Trump golf resort near Aberdeen overlooking the North Sea, along with its Turnberry resort on the Irish Sea, has lost money for years. Environmental groups and local homeowners have lashed out at Trump for what they say were bullying tactics in pushing through prior work there and for threatening historic sand dunes in the area.

The “no new foreign deals” has been a lightning rod for government ethics experts. Critics note that Trump had already struck deals for planned resorts in Dubai and Indonesia when he took office, and that the pending construction allowed for plenty of opportunity for influence peddling. The pledge also did nothing to stop lobbying groups and foreign officials from throwing parties and patronising Trump’s golf clubs and resorts in the US, especially his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and his Washington hotel down the street from the White House.

Trump gave mixed signals about his willingness to hammer out a free trade deal with Britain on his visit there earlier this month. He told a tabloid newspaper that a British decision to remain partially integrated in the European Union after its Brexit vote would probably “kill” a trade deal with the US, but then backtracked in a news conference suggesting “whatever you do is OK with me.

Prime Ministers in church pulpits EDITOR, The Tribune.

I FIND it totally unacceptable that the civil side of our Constitutional leg seems to like to stand in as many pulpits as they can get invited to when the religious leaders have no forum except possibly Independence eve at Clifford park to comment and usually catch the wrath of the politicians because they criticised them.

A politician should sit in the pew and listen.

The politician should never be asked to speak, especially as an attraction to draw attendees.

The Lord’s Word is the Lord’s Word the mixing of that with politics is unacceptable as part of the people in the pews support Party ‘A’ and part support party ‘B’ and some don’t support ‘A-B-C’ or ‘D & E’.

The Prime Minister likes,

Farewell, Phenton EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WAS deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Phenton Neymour.

I first met Phenton Neymour when I was appointed chairman of the Water & Sewerage Corporation where he was employed and gave excellent service to that Corporation.

Years later, in a somewhat of a reversal of roles, he was appointed Minister of State with responsibility

for BEC at the same time that I was appointed as its executive chairman.

During my time as chairman of BEC, the guidance and support that Phenton Neymour gave to the Board of Directors was much appreciated and valued.

My deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Mr Neymour.

FRED GOTTLIEB Marsh Harbour, Abaco, July 24, 2018.

almost prefers, these days to be where he speaks and no one can ask him a question - he is literally scared of the press and journalists - frightened to be faced having to answer that critical question.

Prime Ministers - Ministers - MPs should never stand in a pulpit, not their place.

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, July 23, 2018.

Medical marijuana taxation EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Cabinet approval for committee to discuss medical cannabis.

The Tribune, July 18, 2018.

IF Cannabis is ever legalised, would believers who smoke it as a religious sacrament still have to pay a sin tax?

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, July 19, 2018.

Racist Sir Roland?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PHILOSOPHER George Santayana once said that those who don’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin and former PLP MP George Smith are all adamant that the late United Bahamian Party (UBP) Leader Sir Roland Symonette should not have been named a national hero by the Free National Movement (FNM) administration, as he does not meet the criteria of one. All three prominent PLPs stopped well short of calling Sir Roland a racist, although their verbal protest gives the impression that that is exactly what they are implying. By directly accusing the Bay Street Boys of being a racist conglomerate, they are indirectly accusing Symonette of being a racist as well.

As I have opined in a previous write-up, Symonette’s philanthropic outreach among poor and disadvantaged black Bahamians is hardly an accurate portrayal of an individual who harbours prejudice against blacks. Yet despite Sir Roland’s well publicised philanthropy, the PLP triumvirate seems to view the late UBP leader and his white UBP colleagues much the same way African Americans view Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E Lee, Thomas Jonathan Stonewell Jackson, Nathan Bedford Forrest and Raphael Semmes. PLPs’ disdained for the UBP mirrors that of their African American counterparts’ disdain for Confederate symbols.

Smith’s dissent from the official position of the FNM can hardly be described as noteworthy. Not only does he disagree with Symonette being accorded the honour of being recognised officially as a national hero, he also disagrees with FNM founder Sir Cecil WallaceWhitfield being given the highest honour by the state.

Mincing no words, Smith labeled the UBP administration, which was headed

by Sir Roland, as “racist” and “repressive”.

As a PLP, one can understand why Smith disagrees with WallaceWhitfield’s selection, as he is obviously looking at this particular selection with his political blinders on.

Sir Cecil formed the FNM, which has been the only viable alternative to the PLP since its inception in 1970 or thereabouts. The FNM has won the government four times in its 48 years of existence, which is no mean feat, considering the insurmountable odds facing the party during the decades of the seventies and eighties. Smith’s partisan analysis aside, I can understand the reason for Sir Cecil being considered a national hero as

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net an objective Bahamian.

Without the presence of the FNM in our political landscape, Bahamian democracy would’ve been anemic with a quasi-dictatorship PLP administration entrenched in power.

Each time the FNM has sought to honour former UBP luminaries such as Sir Stafford Sands, it was met with animated and vitriolic pushback. Racial wounds are difficult to heal. PLPs are unwilling to acknowledge Sir Stafford’s role in the formation of the tourism and banking sectors, despite whatever his attitude towards black Bahamians may have been.

PLPs are alleging that the Bay Street Boys had established segregation laws in downtown Nassau similar to Jim Crow laws implemented by racist southern states in the US during the late 18th century after Reconstruction.

Many Bahamians who are on both sides of the political spectrum appear to be living in parallel universes regarding the history of the Bay Street Boys and the UBP. One group is alleging that black Bahamians were not allowed to work in banks and attend the theatre in Nassau. The other group is adamant that no such segregation laws existed under the UBP. One group is alleging that under the Symonette regime black Bahamians had to be out of Freeport and Spanish Wells by 6pm or thereabouts. The other group is adamant that no such segregation arrangements existed under the UBP. This group is adamant that such rumours are the stuff of popular Bahamian urban legend. The PLP is not backing down from its position, however.

Mitchell’s well publicised accusations against Sir Roland opposing independence, majority rule, women suffrage, the lowering of the voting age to 18 and social and labour reform have yet to be countered effectively by FNM Chairman Carl Culmer, who has been accused of attempting to whitewash the UBP’s history. And based on what I have read from Mr Culmer, his recounting of FNMs and other non-PLPs being victimised by Sir Lynden Pindling has been met with deafening silence from Mitchell and Co. Anyone who denies Culmer’s allegations is engaging in historical revisionism.

Yet despite his flaws, Sir Lynden is still accorded the honour of being considered the father of the modern Bahamas, even by rabid FNMs. That said, I believe that while Sir Roland was intimately affiliated with a group which harboured prejudice against its black subjects, there is simply not enough historical data to accuse him of personally

being a racist. As the first premier of The Bahamas, I have yet to come across any evidence of Symonette treating black Bahamians like former Alabama Governor George Wallace and former Birmingham Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor treated African Americans during the fifties and sixties. Symonette’s opposition to the PLP during the sixties must be taken into context. His attitude towards Pindling and the PLP was typical of many white Bahamians back then. He probably feared the PLP gaining political power due to the fact that The Bahamas had never been ruled by blacks since the advent of the Europeans to the islands. Before majority rule the PLP used the radical rhetoric of American Black Power and civil rights activists, which must have frightened white elements within the UBP. I stand to be corrected, but even the benign Sir Randol Fawkes was accused of being a Communist by his white detractors.

Hence, it is not farfetched to suggest that much of the opposition from the UBP stemmed from fears of reprisals by a black PLP administration, much like what deposed Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe did to his white subjects in recent years. Even the African National Congress administration in South Africa under Presidents Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma has been accused of severely persecuting Afrikaners.

Interestingly, the greatgreat grandchildren of Stonewell Jackson, Robert Lee and Jefferson Davis had called for the removal of their ancestors’ monuments from public venues in Charlottesville, Virginia, as they were an obvious reminder to African Americans of America’s 246 years of institutionalised slavery and the subsequent discrimination of Jim Crow laws. In 2008, the US House of Representatives issued a formal apology to the African American community for slavery and Jim Crow. I think one way for The Bahamas to move beyond this race issue involving the Bay Street Boys and the UBP is for descendants of both groups to emulate the US House of Representatives and issue a formal apology to black Bahamians for the alleged wrongs done to them and their ancestors. Once this is done, the ball will then be on the court of these people to show maturity in accepting this apology and demonstrating forgiveness.

While I am not buying the argument that Sir Roland was a racist, I think his estate can put this decades old debate to rest by formally apologising to the Fred Mitchells of the world.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama July 15, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 5 THE OLD City Market building on Market Street.

Old City Market to house govt offices from page one In short order, he said, work would begin there, adding ground is expected to soon be broken on two smaller parks – Father Marcian Peters Park and McPherson Park.

“I will also advise the public on a project to construct government offices, listen to me carefully now, Opposition Leader, I need you here, I need you here, on a project to construct government offices on Market Street at the old City Market property or as we know the old St John’s playing field,” Dr Minnis

said during his contribution to debate on the Economic Empowerment Zone Bill 2018.

“We are spending approximately $50m annually on renting commercial properties and it is our intention to construct there at least three government offices to accommodate offices like immigration, foreign affairs, the passport office, public works and others. But we will put three offices (there).”

Dr Minnis referred to the government’s “terrible” track record for maintaining properties. In view of this, he said, maintenance will be outsourced to the

private sector.

“Not only will the people be involved, but the maintenance will be done by the private sector, not government. These new buildings will accommodate three government ministries, private sector office spaces and other facilities.

“This project will be executed by the private sector.

“It will complement the work of the Over-the-Hill initiative, spurring additional economic activity and providing additional employment in this community during construction and for ongoing maintenance,” Dr Minnis said.

BUILDER SUES OVER LOST $20M CONTRACT from page one

The first Christie administration hired HBI to construct the Paul Adderley Complex on JFK Drive in 2004. However, the last Ingraham administration terminated that contract and gave it to Jones Construction Company, citing “defective work.” HBI principal Rev Lloyd Smith then sued the government, eventually winning $700,000 after arbiters concluded his contract was wrongfully terminated.

“There was no finding of sub-standard work made by arbitrators,” said Kelphene Cunningham, Mr Smith’s lawyer, in a legal correspondence written around that time. “Ingraham’s cessation of the contract was purely for political expediency.”

In opposition, the FNM criticised the second Christie administration for awarding the $20m contract to Mr Lloyd in 2014.

This year, the Minnis administration terminated HBI’s contract because of its alleged failure to complete the building by deadline.

Mr Rolle said HBI never mobilised to complete the building.

“When we came to office this building was incomplete,” Mr Rolle said.

“We sat with Lloyd and all the persons involved. We agreed to a May deadline to be completed and it wasn’t completed.

“I know he’s done some work in the past that there were some questions about,

but we didn’t make our judgment based on his performance in the past,” he added.

Nonetheless, Minnis administration officials have often criticised the Progressive Liberal Party over the years for its no-bid contract awards.

Asked why a tender process was ignored in this case, Mr Rolle said: “We made a determination based on the performance of the contractor and the push for time because the furniture for the building was already ordered and will be here very shortly, so we wanted to go to a contractor we believe could complete the building in the shortest time possible. (It’s) not a question of no-bid. The timetable we had would not allow us to do that especially because the furniture was ordered.

We had to make a judgment to find someone who is performing, who has done work on behalf of the government and has the ability to complete the work.”

The worth of the contract awarded to Inline Project Company is unclear; Mr Rolle declined to give a figure.

“We anticipate that (the National Insurance Board) will have to inject a small amount of money to get it complete,” he said.

However, statements by one of the project’s contractors to The Tribune allege the contract’s value is above the threshold that should trigger a formal bidding process.

The contractor said it may cost as much as

$2m to finish the building. He said when workers mobilised three weeks ago, the building was about 90 percent complete. Some modifications were required, but he described the work done so far as sound, though lacking in finishing details. He said the building should be finished by August and ready for use by September. The building has already been outfitted with many pieces of furniture, The Tribune was told.

DR. JULIO ACOSTA Interventional Cardiologist The Bahamas Heart Centre

Dr. Conville S. Brown, Chairman and CEO of The Bahamas Heart Centre, The Specialists’ Centre, Home to The Institute for Advanced Medical Procedures at The Medical Pavilion Bahamas, and Medical Director for The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Centre Centre at Doctors Hospital, Is very pleased to welcome Dr. Julio Acosta, Interventional Cardiologist, To the Service of The Bahamas!

The Bahamas Heart Centre 356-6666

Controlling The Cost Of Quality Healthcare While Providing Affordable Access To ALL Via Partnered

PAGE 6, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Minnis blasts PLP’s ‘destructive era’ from page one When she stood to contribute to the debate, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin said she was disappointed with the level of political vitriol in the prime minister’s speech.

Mrs Hanna Martin also questioned the absence of regulations for the Bill.

She also denied that it would have been the PLP who handed out the food items for votes.

Dr Minnis said: “A successful zone is one where we see businesses growing, hiring and being good corporate citizens. A successful zone is one where we see marked improvement in the physical environment, as we see evidence that households are taking advantage of the many opportunities under this legislation.

“We want to see families utilising the many services that will be offered, as well as improvements in the health and welfare of young people and the elderly.

“Along with exemptions and incentives, under this legislation, there are obligations on businesses in the zones to engage in corporate social responsibility.

Accordingly, businesses will be required to give back to the communities in which they operate.”

He also said: “The Economic Empowerment Zone Bill will enable my government to provide, in a targeted manner, much needed relief to residents and business across the Bahamas. My government believes that it will prove a powerful empowerment initiative.

“We have become accustomed to the numerous concessions seemingly targeted to the wealthy investor. These, of course, have their important place in national development.

“However, this Bill is aimed at the poor, and the often forgotten and overlooked – the everyday man and woman in our society.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

“While the side opposite the poor.

Mrs Hanna Martin queslike to talk about the poor, the Free National Move- tioned who is expected to ment has a much better take advantage of what she progressive legacy and called “generous” concesrecord of addressing the sions in the law.

She said: “Who will needs of poorer Bahamians have the capital or other and of all Bahamians.”

For her part, Mrs Hanna resources to invest in infraMartin said hers and the structural redevelopment opposition’s support of or new construction? The the Bill was conditional objectives of the Bill speak because of several issues to designating communities as economic zones to with the legislation.

She said despite the gov- encourage economic and ernment’s attempt to make social empowerment of the Bill seem beneficial, it residents, but where are the showed no commitment to provisions that empower

residents?

“What controls will be put in place to ensure that despite the declared objectives of this Bill, you will in fact be laying the groundwork for the gentrification of this area? A complete transformation where the so-called depressed residents are pushed out and new communities created from a completely different economic class?

“It seems to me that what is envisaged in this Bill may very likely perpetuate and accentuate and amplify in most stunning form the inequities which plague these and other communities. The devil is very much in the details; we will need to know what specifics will coerce this expected corporate responsibility, we will need to know how monitoring and measurement

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff will be executed and how earning $5m in revenue or proportionality will be less, may apply to the Minguaranteed,” the opposition istry of Finance to receive a MP also said. trade certificate. This certifBain Town and Centre- icate will allow for a waiver ville will encompass the first of business licence fees. economic empowerment It will also allow busizone. nesses that may require a This zone is between vehicle for their operations Nassau Street on the west, to import one vehicle and up to Collins Wall in the pay no customs duties or east, and from Wulff Road other taxes on the vehicle. and Poinciana Drive in the Upon application, south, to Delancy Street in requirements such as the the north. clear marking of the vehicle The government will then and any other conditions move to declare Englerston, will be outlined.

St Barnabas, Rock Crusher, If there is a change in Kemp Road, Fox Hill and the purpose, or use of the Gambier as zones also. Dr vehicle, or if the vehicle is Minnis did not give a time- sold, all taxes related to the line of when this could be importation of the vehicle expected. will be due to the governOnce passed, the Bill will ment, Dr Minnis said. lay the legislative frameThe concessions under work for several economic the Bill will not extend to growth initiatives. places that primarily sell Businesses in the area alcohol or offer gaming.

SPEAKER WANTS NEW PARLIAMENT AT PO SITE HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie says he envisions a new Parliament at the site of the General Post Office, where there are plans to eventually demolish the existing structure.

“As the member for Killarney (Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis) spoke, I had a vision of a new Parliament,” Mr Moultrie said yesterday during debate on the Economic Empowerment Zone Bill 2018.

“In the words of Sir Lynden ‘rising from the ashes, rising like a phoenix from the demolition ashes’ of the old Post Office building.

“To see a new Parliament, not Over-the-Hill but on top of the hill.”

He also noted he does not receive personal emoluments, but said he wanted to position his constituency to receive this if there were any breaches of the provisions of the empowerment bill.

“I want to put up this

symbol of the Nassau Village constituency because you know when I examined the budget I saw a listing of members of Parliament and only saw 38.

“I looked through that listing and I couldn’t find the member of Parliament for Nassau Village and there was no personal emoluments listed for the member for Nassau Village so I want to position Nassau Village today.

“The member of Killarney indicated that those who fall by the wayside and breach the conditions of this new bill their certificate will be cancelled, so I am positioning Nassau Village to be first on the line for the new consideration for those areas that need this economic empowerment zone.”

SCHOOL REPAIRS CLARIFICATION THE Tribune wishes to correct a report published on Wednesday that said $14m has been budgeted for school repairs this summer.

In fact, $7.2m has been budgeted for school repairs. Of that total, $4.5m has been budgeted for building work contracts,

$1.2m for electrical work contracts, $744,000 for air-conditioning contracts and $699,000 for plumbing contracts.

The figures were provided by Press Secretary Anthony Newbold during a press conference on Tuesday.

THE TRIBUNE

No official report on dog ‘shot by police’

By FARRAH JOHNSON POLICE are seeking information regarding a recent video circulating on social media where civilians are accusing an officer of allegedly shooting and killing their dog.

Inspector Percy Grant, the Humane Society’s shelter manager, said although the organisation has been contacted by the press for comments on the video, representatives have yet to receive any official reports on the matter.

“We don’t know if the story is true, it’s very funny because we haven’t had anybody – other than people making comments – we haven’t had any sort of communication with nobody in the whole circle of the Humane Society,” he explained.

“So yes we would like to find information, we would like people to let us know, but we have not heard anything from anybody other than comments that was on Facebook,” he continued.

The paper also reached out to Superintendent of Police Shanta Knowles, press liaison officer, who said that she is also awaiting information on the incident.

Two videos along with a photo were posted in a local Facebook group, which captured a Rottweiler writhing while blood drained from a gunshot wound inches away from its eye.

The dog’s owner can be heard behind the camera, alleging that a policeman came into his yard and killed his pet.

In the first video, the owner tells the dying dog to sit, but another person in the background explains that the dog is restless because it is struggling to breathe.

In the first 30 seconds of the clip, the owner exclaimed: “Dread! Police come in our yard and kill our dog bey... so the police shoot the dog. That police right over there shoot our dog bey (sic).”

He then turned the camera to show an officer in uniform just a feet away, leaning on a broken-down truck.

The owner can also be heard asking another person if it was okay to record the officer, because he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to do so, and did not want to be shot as well.

He then zoomed in to show the bullet hole on the dog’s face as more blood

oozed from the wound and on to the ground.

“Police came in the yard and shoot the dog and he ain’t even do nothing. He came in our yard and shoot the dog for no reason. He’s a peaceful dog, he ain’t never hurt no one,” the owner stated.

The dog can be seen on camera grunting, while another man in the background can be heard asking onlookers if they saw “all of the blood coming out through the dog’s head.”

One lady then states: “He dead, now the blood coming out of the wound,” while a third male can be heard off camera saying that the police should have just “given the dog a warning shot in the air.”

In the second video, the dog can be seen lying down taking shallow breaths.

The owner accused the officer of killing the dog with a “revolver” and said that he did so after hearing the dog bark.

The video ends with the owner stating: “What he gun doing in he hand? He draw his gun. He gun was done ready.”

Anyone who can provide more information is asked to contact the Humane Society hotline at 323-5138.

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 7

PAGE 8, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Courthouse workers walk out over mould

By DENISE MAYCOCKÂ Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.netÂ

ANGRYÂ employees at the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre walked out of the courthouse building yesterday morning in protest of an unresolved mould issue.

The workers gathered outside around 9.30am calling for the issue to be resolved after an independent test revealed severe mould infestation in three areas of the building.

Trade union leader Quinton LaRoda, area vice president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, supported the workers.

According to one employee, the situation is unbearable. “We decided to sit out and take action because the mould is really bad inside the building. We had independent persons come and check the place and they reported that there are three areas that must be evacuated right away, and that there are other areas affected as well,� she said.

The worker said the issue needs immediate attention as complaints made three weeks ago had fallen on deaf ears. “We come in here every day as normal and the people who came in here to do the tests had masks on their faces,� the worker said.

She noted the union had filed a complaint with the Office of the Prime Minister three weeks ago.

The deputy registrar at the court brought in an independent group to conduct tests for mould.

Public analyst Anthony Ryan from the Department

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EMAILS leaked from a ther’s The emails were obtained data breach of China ConThe Tribune following a struction America’s (CCA) by in December highservers show that from story the breach of CCA as early as 2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco Fitzgerald was seeking to servers China Construction secure millions of dollars hacker. paid 24 bitcoins in brokerage, trucking, and eventually equivalent of $24,000) limousine contracts at Baha (the have access to their servMar while he sat in Cabinet to restored; however, it apas the Minister of Educa- ers that emails forwarded tion, Science and Tech- pears relating to personnel or nology, The Tribune has to, at CCA were compromised, learned. top officials at Baha The emails contradict the despite they were not saying Minister, who this week de- Mar by the hack at nied ever using his office to concerned time. direct contracts to himself the Mr Fitzgerald writes, “I In an email dated May 18, that interior maor his family from the multo Mr Izmirlian am aware sent 2013, have began to arrive ti-billion dollar resort.

Mr Fitzgerald, with terials hotel. I would really Mr Fitzgerald - the Pro- by Porter, Shelly Cur- for the gressive Liberal Party MP QuentinAlarice Fill copied, appreciate it if we could be and your official brofor Marathon - appears also tis Fitzgerald indicates his appointed 1st 2013.� to be requesting $20,000 Mr to start brokerage ker for June a month from Baha Mar’s He then makes a request McRib readiness is trucking services for original developer Sarkis and of Mr Izmirlian for limouex- the Baha Mar project and sine services at Baha Mar, Izmirlian, citing the Back! brokers of rethe remain penses that were necessary as he touted the level of i’mthelovin’ property. for it! to cover the cost of his fa- cord

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FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE MAJOR NEW BLAZE AT LANDFILL

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FIREFIGHTERS yesterday battled a large blaze at the New Providence Landfill, nearly three weeks after tackling a massive fire at the city dump that burned for nearly a month.

Officer in Charge of Fire Services, Chief Superintendent Walter Evans said the current fire is “not connected� in any way to the previous blaze and at this time officials do not know PRIME Minister what caused the fire. HowDr Hubert Minnis meeting ever Environment Minister Kendera Woodside, the mother of Kenred Dorsett told remurdered Eugene Woodside. he RASHAD porters at the siteBythat TribuneinStaff ROLLE suspected “sabotage�

Three Reporter rrolle@tribun He said emedia.net Photo: Yontalay relation to the fire. after murder that days the Bowe team he “instructed� the struggle withpushed the country’s composure.

THE the hugs and have Dr Minnis said of firefighters towords comforting the national violent crime into he felt the fam- Each citizen has of Prime ily’s spotlight yet “before a responsibilit blaze extinguished Minister Dr her pain remained and again, even pain. “What makes Hubert y our countries.

Minnis and today and me feel has whatever information worse is that nomination day� “He ain’t even acute.

Patricia we must bring Yes one most we see in Minnis couldn’this wife God,�

Baha Mar’s live a life, certainly beforethe that forward. mother more than I feel for this the yard, of those These criminals my answer Mrs I can say.� questions Dr Minnis opening on Friday. that consumed “He’s a baby. Woodside cried. my years as a medicalI, during Mrs Minnis, live among us.� said he will Kendera shortly Woodside yesterday medical attention doctor, to ensure The blaze started breath right I could give my the family who emphasised Mrs she grieved is and provided to as now Wednesday for her Woodside, after 3am just for baby ance before that her appearyear-old said officEugene, whoson, eight- my to be right here. They my “You can see who is pregnant.

Chief Supt Evans political move,them was not a heart out my take was killed four theago. the grieving fire body. ers expect to battledays to wear black called on women pain she’s going through,� and “This my “Why but daythese for at least another he people ain’t almost shoot only son. They in mourning one day this week said. “I assured her ing a “huge� tellthat somefor my daughter time today they he said the wind isme “As a mother, murder victims.

(Friday) too right now?� bringing my son and they inside (the medical personnel we will have I’m calling factor. house) with she cried between me. What all mothers screams they do to come because I upon after her as SIX SEE PAGE Dr Minnis my family? believe mothers because she’sto look really console the tried to What they do to us? would’ve delivered nant. can family at their “Why they most of them said Mrs Minnis, who stop this,� her I have to make surepregbud Road so Rosethey ain’ are closer carry home where and her that live 29 years, was tearful at times. “We was shot by Eugene He’s a baby.� me? I they are my formerto me knowing have both well and unborn infant are a stray bullet Tonio Woodside, patients,� Dr we cradle from birthour sons who arrangemen we will also Monday as Minnis, a gynaecologi on father, make he did his homework. and as Eugene’s become men consoled st by fession, said. we are still they necessary ts to make sure the as he struggled his wife even “The messagepro- them. We have medical personnel with we to speak with look after her to maintain must send to the entire and see is the police Bahamas them. I think all women can’t fight this wear should regular basis to ensure her on a alone. and black one day this the safety of her and her week mourn what’s unborn infant.� happening in SEE PAGE TWO PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts lashed out at his former party colleague Vincent Peet last night, accusBy NEIL HARTNELL ing the former North AnTribune Business so alarmed dros and Berry Islands MP Editor by the Caribnhartnell@tr bean Financial ibunemedia.n of being a “political enemy�

Action Task By RASHAD ROLLE et Force’s (CFATF) Tribune Staff THE Attorney who mounted an independreIn June, Reporter ONE of the leaked emails showing a draft rrolle@tribun Gen- report on The he told Pareral yesterday ent campaign because he Sciliament emedia.net quest from Minister of Education, slammed that he instructed Bahamas the deficiencies was denied a nomination cost Bahamians to ence and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald.

BRENSIL anti-money in the nation’s to begin work on his staff of from the governing party.

Rolle, min- increases such addressing ister laundering the flaws from was $10,149,738. of public regime as Speaking to PLP supfor Limolink in The The revision “entirely unacservices and clientele with which his agent Mr Bethel early June. ceptable�, warning You are encour- porters at a rally in North blasted the said National Insurance, he included comes after limousine company was fa- Bahamas. between put The Bahamas they had former Christie more to get a reference from Andros last night, Mr Robaged miliar. “in great tration for failing adminis- 2016 and May December 1,700 workers that werethan if erts said “this is war� as danger�.

2017, the in his original not regard the the president of Viacom “Also withA1MAIN known weaknesses to tackle public purse count.

Carl Bethel wish. Please feel free he urged the crowd to vote ballooned Amid the told Trib- necessary urgency. with the $16,532,738 because limousine business we you by une Business contact me personally for incumbent Dr Perry Liberal Party’sProgressive of he had been FULL Christie are ready to meet with to administrati the of the criticism have your agents contact Gomez, adding that a vote STORY or he anytime,�

SEE people on’s Minnis your the BUSINESS hiring of new public Mr Porter our Managing for Mr Peet is a vote for service tion because ofadministraworkers during writes. its firings Free National Movement. directly.� that period. “As indicated we really Director SEE PAGE SIX SEE PAGE SIX only cater to highend cusSEE PAGES TWO & THREE tomers and are the official

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Revealed: on the eliteNames list and what they owe d

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OH, AND THERE’S AN ELITE WATER LIST TOO

By AVA TURNQUES T Tribune Chief officials could Reporter aturnquest@ not be reached up tribunemedia to .net According press time.

FOUR former to sources Progres- close to the sive Liberal Party Cabinet Monday Mr matter, as of ministers owed Wells has since more than paid $9,000 on $20,000 each his accounts at Bahamas with an outstanding Power and Light, balformer minister with one ance of some $8,600.

The source for some $60,000 in arrears also said as ARNOLD as of July, of Monday according to FORBES a list obtained in talks withMr Forbes was

by The Tribune. $62,023 to settle the the company The Credit and Collec- a three-monthbalance over tions Department period. Mr Forbes, listing former MPs, senators of PLP Mount and board Moriah MP, members for the period to Cabinet was appointed ending July in January that former 31, revealed and previously served 2015, State Minister chairman as the in the Ministry of the Bahamas Arnold Forbes of Works Agricultural and Industrial owed BPL Corporation. $62,023.14.

Others on The list obtained the “do not Tribune contains by The disconnect� list are: former delin- Minister of Health quent accounts of six Perry Gomez, former Dr former PLP Cabinet minisPines MP Tall ters, two former Leslie Miller, PLP MPs, former Minister two private of one sitting entities, and Dr Danny Johnson, Youth former Cabinet min- Nassau Village ister: Bamboo MP Dion Renward Wells. Town MP Smith, former Tourism Minister Obie Mr Wells, Wilchcombe DR DANIEL , $9,277.07 and who owed former South Beach MP JOHNSON two separate $3,703.96 at Cleola Hamilton $24,413 $12,981.03 in locations - former Minister of and total – did not for Legal State want to comment Affairs Damian yester- Gomez. day, and the other former SEE PAGE EIGHT

CRUNCH DAY OVER

LESLIE MILLER $42,219

DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498

RENWARD WELLS $12,980

DION SMITH $9,275

WHO RUNS BPL

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business utility operator Editor nhartnell@tr ing to “walk is quite willibunemedia.n away� from et maximum $25m, five-yearit BAHAMAS BPL Light’s (BPL) Power & if themanagement contract board and hold a “crunchboard will administrati Minnis on with PowerSecur meeting�

The meeting,wish it to go. with the outcome e today, be attended which will ical in deciding likely crit- executives by PowerSecure and their attorneys latter remains whether the from the US, is viewed as manager.

Multiple Tribune CLEOLA as key to determining Business sources whether HAMILTON OBIE yesterday two sides will “kiss and the confirmed $6,118 make up� or WILCHCOMBE that the DAMIAN US FULL separate. $4,911 STORY - SEE GOMEZ BUSINESS NINE individuals $3,413 July. The sums named on the BPL “do HURRICANE not disconnect� do not include any payments list INSURANCE: made or furtherand the amount they owed at the end of debt incurred since that date.

Are you Covered

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SOUTH ISLANDS ON MARIA ALER PUT T

By AVA TURNQUES T Tribune Chief aturnquest@tr Reporter ibunemedia.ne t WATER and Sewerage Corporation Adrian Gibson Chairman yesterday confirmed the existence of a “do not list populateddisconnect� by scores of elites at the government owned utility provider as he pledged initiate a crackdown to on delinquent accounts.

Mr Gibson told The Tribune the list� held “confidential 221accounts with a combined , total of $175,000 for ending June the period 2017.

He said that he plans to direct the corporation to notify all persons owing excessive arrears to resolve debts or face disconnectio n. “There is dential list,� a list confiIsland MP said.the Long “In fact, I that all the would think over the last corporations year or two, and more particularly May of this in year, there has been tion paid toclose attenthat list by the managemen t with a view to changing the way those lists usually operate. “As it stands, this confidential list of persons has a number on it, and really and truly used to notify it’s being courtesy call persons by or letters.

I can say too chairman of that as the the corporation I am going that all personsto direct excessive arrears owing who are SEE PAGE EIGHT

POLICE LAUNCH FOX HILL OFFENSIV E

By RASHAD Tribune Staff ROLLE prepared. rrolle@tribun Reporter

By SANCHESK During a emedia.net A DORSETT address fromlive national Tribune Staff Reporter homicides WITH as his office sdorsett@tri the guarding the well as safefore- last night, Dr cast for Hurricane bunemedia.n residents of et Minnis Fox Hill.

Maria said: “Hurricane projecting the ACTING Maria is Commission storm to pass another During a near the Southeast of Police Anthony potentially er walkabout dev- son Fergu- Fox Hill on Tuesday, Baha- astating hurricane in mas Friday morning, Prime must carefully that we the announced yesterday Commission Acting Minister Dr establishme Hubert Minnis Ferguson nt of two said the er He added: monitor.� is urging residents Though most separate Royal Anti-Gang Bahamas Firearms of those of the Bahamas and islands to was spared Police Force anti-crime tigation Tracing and Invesbe vigilant units aimed and Unit will operate SEE PAGE TWO gang activity at eliminating out of the Central Detectry, reducing in the coun- tive Unit (CDU) the number while the of SEE PAGE 11

TO OUR VALUED The Tribune The Tribune The Tribune CHED! MEDICAL TheWeeTrikebundne R TOINDIVIDUAL AND GROUP MEDICAL ‘We wiPOLICYHOLDERS: Christie Top cop and PMFleeing the fire ll still march INSURANCE nies OBITS OFFICIAL SOURCE

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Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre has a tortured history, one of missed deadlines and claims of shoddy of- workmanship, all without GOVERNMENT clear accountability. ficials commissioned the any The facility’s original Marsh Harbour Healthwent bankrupt. care Centre in Abaco yes- contractor the of Construction THURSDAY, terday, touting it as a longDECEMBER began centre 29, 2016 awaited boost to the island healthcare the former Ingraham TheTribune PRICE – $1 (Family and the Christie adminis- under Islands $1.50) tration’s National Health administration.

When the Christie adInsurance plans. came to power, Like the Child and Ado- ministration renovating the $" ) (0-% Ĺš $1m the new health centre in lescent and Robert Smith it spent PRIME Minister Perry Christie tours SEE PAGE SIX Abaco yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff (CARS) Complex that was commissioned last year, the

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

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Ragged remained “Every home The Nobody Minnis warns with those whohomes last week.

Does it Better! their NEW PROVIDENCE Minister Dr Hubert en Rag- discussion battered has been destroyed.

GRAND BAHAMA facilityABACO has been health on storm-strick Min- cane Irma 242.394.5555 residence Prime ELEUTHERA destroyed. The 242.350.3500teachers’ There is no water. and safety conditions EXUMA to deteriorate, urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is 242.367.4204 no light. 242.332.3211 HEALTH the he smell242.336.2304 school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals. deister Dr Hubert on the island reduced will of dead stench(BAHAMAS) of the individuals remaining residentsIrma, which has REPORT LIMITED. INSURANCE we get them that of rubble and SPECIAL health conditions Russell, BROKERS & math of Hurricane it’s essential said.

AGENTS there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey www.Insuran ceManageme teriorate and most structures Dr Minnis the only ntBahamas.c Pictures: Terrel island unlivable. Dr Minnis to leaveom off this island,� for rendered the bly reluctant stay here,� saw for the understanda home, expressing concern “They cannot as A1MAIN Many were and a delegation and days ever known through said after he damage left by Irma place they’ve hurricane ripped of their residences, first time the Five monster will have about the safety personal belongings. behind. We Defence concerned left are by the smell after the Category island. have “They may and the exacerbated of all es- whatever materials they the small southern a vessel here the same physical condition, the destruction still Force dispatch the cleanup and at The island’s carcasses and strongly urge those the Defence said.

Dr Minnis of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commence security,�Established SEE PAGE 1903THREE that there is sential services, to leave until the ensure time Island has been on Ragged Ragged Island and be restored. to the residents; a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said following i’m lovin’ it!

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By RICARDO Reporter Tribune Staff nemedia.net rwells@tribu

de divided on crime claims on spending from 7.5% to 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) will increase Photo: Terrel

PLP fired as

FNM roars to

e Staff

W. Carey/Tribun

win landslideCHRISTI E AS HE HUMILIATION FORAFTER 4O YEARS LOSES HIS SEAT

without permission’

seats: Encaptured four Island and Cat were spent under to South Aners’ dollars administration. glerston; 1,900 votes and San Salvador; Christie the win with is evidence 2017 the as well as Exuma DORSETT Mr Christie’s 1,875.

By SANCHESKA He said if there�, the new dros VIRGIL ELECTION Islands.

DORSETT

By SANCHESKAReporter to the unofTribune Staff Reporter

By KHRISNA Reporter the same route as seat, Fox According the the Ragged of “criminality et planned� even Tribune Staff from the Parwill allow SPEAK An additional being resdorsett@tribunem Deputy Chief without the government’s bunemedia.n ganiser Ranard Henfield ficial results Registration government course.

THE PEOPLE edia.net nemedia.net sdorsett@tri PAGE 4 was still permis- that “after revealed nounced its kvirgil@tribu sion. his Hill, law to take several weeks of last month that the to press time. and liamentary , Mr Chipman after ON’ back planned a decounted up DESPITE being In an interview and forth� the Cabinet his parMoments DNA ‘TO GO PAGE 5 march to mark the PLP IN a surprisingat the Departmentout of 12 pollwith The Tribdenied the as the na- This marked the worst in Office on anniversary AFTER leadinglandslide use of Rawson 50th defeat party won seven maiden speech Minand Parliament une, Mr Bostwick II said “there Wednesday rejected the group’s of Majority Rule.

LOSE humbling leader, Dr Prime Min- ing divisions in the former Squares ty to a stunning feat for a governing will be no compromise� application to protest for a protest This latest development Mr tion’s next PLP BIG NAMESPAGE 7 dealing a parapolls, outgoing that under recent history. in Rawson and the and Parliaments Rule Day in January,on Majority group will “not is yet victory and to the ProgresChristie lost PLP stronghold, while will nis promised victory came MPS ister Perry Squares because another set back for the organiBahamians The FNM’s won five. Bahamas organiser We March attempt towardbe deterred by this the “event lysing blow Party last night, years the Centreville his watch, YOUR PROJECTED conflicts with another sation that planned to protest fascist his seat in last night by Christie John Bost- and a rocky five PAGE 9 to fear from Mr Christie wick sive Liberal on II said yesterday Monday, January the abuse of our coercion event� already booked challengIn 2012, have nothing , pointing to despite conPrime Minister constituency representing the demon- constitutional 9 - the original rights and date.

FAR included two for that observance incoming the Centrevillestration said that Dr Minnis’ leadership, the government RESULTS SO PAGE 14 freedoms�.

Minnis declared date 25 votes aftermore than 40 won the eighth “will go on as planned, on n, which he Dr Hubert fracIn a post on Facebook, Progressive Majority Rule Day.announced for stituency for time with have abused victimisatio tional� “im- es to reports of a the area for Liberal unofto lead or- Chairman Party that those who trust “have continued ultimately However, earlier consecutive He defeated is “unconstitu MORE COVERAGE Bradley Roberts of years, according party and the post this month it “wrong�.

PAGES 2-18 positions an- was announced 2,950 votes. moral� and to unofficial tured to fear�. ficial results. in Parliament that candidate Ella removal from has held Opsomething to thousands of According able his at the the Official Mr Christie 1977 and the FNM’s Speaking the FNM wasdefeat of leader of the House of by 1,349 votes at the Q House today. that results, the seat since in of the Lewis Mr Christie won all stunning a pledged jubilant supporterslast night, ment position off leader Dr Minnis on will give to pull has been Liberal Party time. polling division in securing a masE Sports Centre but one administrati Terrance of the PLP, constituencies. Assembly. a long fought National MoveProgressive 39 “This was victory is not the Free also announced his General it sive 34 of ry Regsince 1997. released a but the Prime 2012. ment leader be sworn in as Auditor the resources AVA former is yours,�

Although he Bythe The Parliamenta TURNQUEST did battle, loss, The seat to about the his that he will fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpay- istration Department re- mine - the victory Tribune islands lost thousands Chief Reporter of Bimini and statement Minister not speak full election last Dr Minnis told on the carEleuthera, bringing Movement Mr Christie didaturnquest@tribune The Bahamas’ at Govern- needs not release 5pm the tomedia.net tal to Free National packed with the and pominister at SEE PAGE SIX 25 confirmed cases By sults last night, in from the of FNMs (FNM) candidate Reece SANCHESKA DORSETT nationwide. nival grounds. people’s time HEALTH officials numbers coming Tribune Staff Reporter litical newcomer is the yessecured agency around I “This “This terday and who is like urged government a lull, quiet sdorsett@tribunem residents to period,� from the and I am your servant Chipman, remain vigilant edia.net Dr McMillan 11pm. However it apagainst SEE PAGE THREE vironmental factors en- “We continue to get said. unofficial numbers, samFORT that ples as they the PLP only conbreedof the mosquitoes send them in for Dr Andre Charlotte MP peared that despite Rollins “The outcome the inspire “lull� intrust local transmis- testing but we have no fur- night that “there said last according to vention did not ther cases, which sioninofthe will be no theBahalast Zika virus.

Mark Humes is good. disciplinary results, said coming afor confidenceDirector but that’s of Public Health We’re still monitoring and against the action� taken “obvious� mian electorate sweeping defeat residents unofficial seven doing our surveillance.

Dr Pearl think that it is ROLLE tional Movement Free Nanow and IMcMillan yesterhave stood behind us day they night ter Fort Charlotte “I think we have

By RASHAD Reporter MPs who told him party would wonderfulthat there has aconfirmed been ousted party winning the the party have repeatedly lead- the progressing well and Tribune Staff stand the any a better chance been no as it relates Hubert Minnis Leader Dr to rebuild emedia.net new con- to could not he been victori- opportunity as leader rrolle@tribun getting the message firmed cases of the country per- election had since the deitself,� he said. leadership out the Official Opposition, of there and persons partment’s press for for- ership despite their beous in the PLP’sadding that reengineer heeding cause there is no release on it.

SIX longer, him.

AS HE called This Zika thing December legal basis THE REBEL SEVEN of, SEE PAGE RASPBERRY 5, which Minister Perry sonal affection for was pro- race in January, for such a move. made a mistake� mer Prime ard Lightbourn, Lorettafrom left, Hubert Chipman, Edison Key, the number of cases raised down in July, which came who ICED TEA “the party resign as leader is when RichMr Sears, He added that Butler-Turner, Neko in New we usually Mr Christie.

Free NaChristie to Providence from a formal Andre Rollins.

Liberal Grant, Theo Neilly, get our first case objection in choosing to lose to the 22 to 23. and Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune has been Al- jected Movement’s (FNM) of the Progressive There is one case last night, SEE PAGE SIX against “the bogus lodged solidify widespread support Staff each on the tional Party (PLP) charges� saw he FNM’s Executive around a new leader.� said levelled against him Commitfred Sears tee would not have His remarks came six other members and the a case ment who took of Parlia- e-mail in response to in an because the group’s actions part ques- “were consistent action of removing in the tions from The Tribune. constitutionally with the Dr Rollins echoed nis from the post. Dr Minprotected Dr Rollins sentiments the said a growing of Long Island right of parliamentarians to number of MP recall a parliamentary FNMs are admitting Loretta lead“that and St Anne’sButler-Turner er when they the best course of MP Hubert confidence no longer have the party to take action for Chipman, who last in his/her ability under present circumstances the said the if the matter week to lead.� were is to to be taken to court, the SEE PAGE THREE

‘STAY VIGILANT’ AS ZIKA CASE TOTAL RISES TO 25

ALFRED SEARS URGES

CHRISTIE TO RESIGN

R AS PARTY LEADE

ROLLINS: NO LEGAL BASIS DISCIPLINING THE REBEL FOR SEVEN

G concern ADMITTIN Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday for ter Perry Christie admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security to former national the build-up minister in election. the May general from his Breaking away since being public silence office in hisof a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of his tie detailed with last conversation and longfriend childhood colleague on time political Thursday.

Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout naciously� he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display . last conversation PAGE SIX

By SANCHESKA DORSETT SEE Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.n et

Greenslade: Bahamas is not in crisis

the holiday would on the actual date be observed of the historic event, Tuesday, January The change in the 10. public holiday calendar has been perceived by many as an attempt by the government to strike success of a seconda blow to the event by We March Bahamas.

SEE PAGE SIX

HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR By

SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunem edia.net

certain neighbourhoods� and the suggestion to do is “emotional and makes so no DESPITE the country sense�.

His comments came recording 13 homicides 13 days, Commissioner in hours after the country reof corded its 27th homicide Police Ellison Greenslade the year. Seven people for said the Bahamas is not have ROLLE a state of “crisis� and in been killed since Friday.

By RASHAD Reporter On Monday afternoon, average Bahamian can the conTribune Staff emedia.nettinue to “go about their day police also reported that a rrolle@tribun man was stabbed outside as normal day� without the an establishment Nottage’s fear be on Nassau of being attacked.

DR Bernard forever will At a press conference Street while two men were “footprints the Bahamian shot while in the at police headquarters etched on tal landscape� on Ross Corner. These area of Monday victims after a weekend fordevelopmen work as a of were said “carnage�, Commissioner condition to be in stable through his of the Bahain hospital. mer president of Greenslade Athletic said the only soCommissioner lution to the country’s crime mas Association Greenslade said s, the Bahamas problem Association , theis to “keep prolific ply not enough it is simoffenders for people Medical Association and as a behind bars�. He to “point the finger said the at the af- Royal Bahamas police MinDoctors’ Union consumer in times of crisis�

FORMER Prime Police Force reminister for health and (RBPF) is not yet refuse to “manage to accept the ister Perry Christie their a defeat, was as I did when I fairs, education, considering Opposi- implementing for it arrears, into pictured yesterday. W. a curfew or “locking down SEE PAGE THREE COMMISSIONER national security, who was in sponsibility response to Photo: Terrel of Police Ellison Greenslade Philip “Brave� airport tenant described recent resigned,� he said in levelled speaking at a press e Staff tion Leader conference yesterday. as Carey/Tribun the criticism recent Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune on from accusations Mr Christie Davis said Wednesday. in questions on 71, died Staff administrati e spending, misfea- moves made by the government pandering at his administration Dr Nottage, the Cleveby a party of irresponsibl WELLS at a “misstep� thought

By RICARDO Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism. that weeks. never any

By RICARDO WELLS he was “disap- to its base. acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. the three most recent He also said allegations being in arrangenemedia.net that I was degree Tribune relating Mr Christie inci- a double shooting Staff Reporter by the rwells@tribu gova state funeral announced, documents on my part any dents, which have left on Ross By LAMECH JOHNSON Per- pointed�around by the new to berwells@tribunemedia.net a review of controversies would ing responsibility for one irrethat secments man Prime Minister press two tossed dead and three others Corner yesterday, lamented Tribune Staff Reporter matters any the of criminality,notion FORMER the “too bold� as to these his administration of according to Office of the the whatsoever yesterday condemned ernment concerning his last term spending andbare’ is just that much the country and po- in hospital in serious condi- crimes occurring nature of ljohnson@tribunemedia.net absolve ry Christie retary for the AS Anthony and prove as noth- sponsible Minnis administra- transpired during tion. is in the caplice is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in ital recently, as he insisted Prime Minister, continue to grapple that ‘the cupboard Officer-in-charge of prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric slogans.�

A MAN appeared with the latest spate of slogans.� the that a “handful tion to portray as he challenged back in Newbold. vio“political political adminisHitting Central SIX of prolific Magistrate’s than light, Detective Unit, offenders�

PAGE law enforceI have lent SEEcrimes, ing more the Minnis SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a challenges remain hell-bent day accused Court yestermembers of the controvergovernment officials are seeking Chief Superintendent Clay- on terrorising “One of the of sexually asthe nation’s te examination of the who led the $8m to the public. ton Fernander, speaking tration concerning saulting a woman during the public’s assistance of more thanclean up as the person led the government to “dispassiona in the media on the sial pay out and who SEE PAGE THREE the Christmas holidays. scene of record�. interview at one vendor for hurricane an ment to lengthy a $1.2m She is alleged to be a victim off of During home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie

IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE TO LEGACY OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ FNM ALLEGATIONS COLLEAGUE • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONGT PAYOU $8M OVER • CALLS FOR REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS

Christie: It’s like the Wild West

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia. net

do much more to “fully derstand this senseless unof killings,� and have set law PRIME Minister Perry enforcement respond “as Christie yesterday likened quickly as possible� and in a “very meaningful way� the Bahamas’ crime in situation to the “Wild West,� their crime fighting efforts.

These efforts, Mr Chrisas he said the recent wave of murders in the capital tie suggested, would likely include dedicating must solicit a “major� and stantial� number a “sub“continuous� effort by Manhis ers to patrol the of officEmergency actiadministration to “flood streets The National New Providence and of t after they agement Agency (NEMA) the streets� with officers sithe police managemen in multaneously cations with from entering the vated its emergency evacuation a bid to do “all that is necesgiving them and an A DORSETT were blocked sary to bring this madness “the capacity to interdict at the Kenplan yesterday the movements of peopleBy SANCHESK area. were also shelter was established to a halt�. at the Staff Reporteret Several persons with respira- dal G L Isaacs Gymnasium Mr Christie, speaking on the streets,� incorporat- Tribune bunemedia.n Centre sdorsett@tri to the hospital ing more reserve Elizabeth Sports with reporters yesterday, police ofduring Gar- rushed on Queen as a shelter S in Jubilee tory complaints. said the “madness� occur- ficers, and “if necessary�

Tribune arrivedwere which was used - for displaced RESIDENT to evacuate their When The ring is due to gang activity incorporating Royal Baharesidents forced last hurricane mas Defence Force marines dens were after a massive the scene, severaltheir roofs, as the the and retaliation. believed on landfill homes yesterday in the dump is smaller policing homes. residents.

Providence thick, pouring water efforts.

He said the past bloody The fire at by a in closer to their fire at the New Mr Christie also said blaze grew Parliament for Tall to have been started Road. weekend is a “shocking he blanketed the community of would be speaking also assist- bush fire off Fire Trail development� that will with black hazardous smoke. Bahamas Member Miller was the Royal down their Pines Leslie quire the government reTWO AND THREE SEE PAGE THREE Members of to SEE PAGES the entrance ing residents in hosing transportablocked Police Force as visibility homes and providing help. who needed residents to the subdivision tion for those zero. Angry dropped to in verbal alterbecame involved of human trafficking. fire off Fire Suppression Act, Chapter James Coakley, 53, a smaller bush to the city of 106. after a spread have ed by Cargill Creek, Andros Movement fre- Trail Road that blanketed Jubilee Gardens yesterday The former boxer was was brought before Fire Trail Road. fire the smoke in Jubilee the Free National areas in Chief in bushes off to prevent dump. The flees from the Magistrate Joyann Fergu- also charged with three A DORSETT YOUNGSTER done enough the New Providence Gardens and surrounding landfill that started counts of rape filed under at and threatened A at the New Providence to evacuate their homes. Hanna/Tribune Staff

By SANCHESK son-Pratt to answer to Reporter quent fires have caused some of thick, black smoke officials fire two Section 6(a) of were asked et Photos: Shawn Tribune Staff prompting issues. counts of trafficking in the Sexual Landfill that Many residents bunemedia.n respiratory mas- several homes, persdorsett@tri sons contrary to Section Offences Act, Chapter 99. It them to develop SEE PAGE THREE came as a 3(1)(a) of the Trafficking is alleged that he engaged in owners in JubiTheir comments at the landfill, raging ANGRY home in Persons Prevention was startyesterday expressed sive fire was SEE PAGE SIX and lee Gardens concern that neither which officials believe nor disgust and Liberal Party the Progressive had any redespite not having many purchase WELLS sponse to his Mar’s former

By RICARDO offers, as Baha Izmirlian said cases of im- Tribune Staff Reporter enced alleged developer, Mr “stands ready, officials solicit- rwells@tribunemedia.net ROLLE migration from migrants

By RASHAD Reporter his company

By AVA TURNQUEST buy Baha

By SANCHESKA DORSETT developer ing bribes and able to The bill will allow Tribune Staff beatings of Tribune Chief Reporter THE originalMar resort willing complete it emedia.net and alleged prisoners in commissioner of police, the an law as it placed author- Tribune Staff Reporter today and Bahamian rrolle@tribun aturnquest@tribunemedia or a ity solely in the of the Baha the resort’s Mar with .net person acting on migrants and hands of sdorsett@tribunemedia.net his behalf, the independent States has de- immediately Bahamian conyesterday said judiciary, THE United Bahamas custody. the Ministry continued completiondates workers and chronic delays ATTORNEY General to obtain a warrant from a adding that POLICE are investigatthe Yesterday, the The opening highlighted Allyson Maynard-Gibson Supreme Court judge to in- international the ICB met ing the “intimida- of Foreign Affairs said lays, missedsupposed stag- tractors. by CCA for either ’s circumstances surtercept and examine standards government ental created yesterday defended the had “inaccurate� and “now or patent incomIn- son’s communicationsa per- and also addressed recent rounding the death of a of the ention of non-governm terception of Communicaefforts report cases “incom- gered opening� late next self interest stop now. The from criticisms of the and some three-year-old s� in must and boy telecommunications into who was Listening . organisation tions Bill as an important and auopera- Devices better.� tire property found unresponsive in Sarkis petence plete� information a car an incident year shows that superi- Bahamas deserves by the government anti-crime tool that would tors, internet providers and Council. Act by the Privy in front inhibit “free of his daycare yesReferring to SEE PAGE SIX Minpostal services. offer “is thorities to enhance the privacy of criminal Education Izmirlian’s She said any suggestion terday afternoon. lawIn a statement yesterday, Fitzgerald or� to the current situation. for in which speech through abiding citizens rather that the The body of the toddler as problems this, and than ister Jerome libel laws� encroach upon it, as detrac- Mrs Maynard-Gibson ex- “spying legislation was a was discovered However, despite SEE PAGE 12 in its latest bill� was false. plained that this move shortly the Bahamas report. tors claim. was ter 2pm on Monday afunprecedented in Bahamiby a human rights also referSEE PAGE FIVE The report SEE PAGE SIX

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effective July 1, 2018. The VAT increase is applicable CHIEF Superintendent Clayton Fernander, in-charge of the officerDetective Unit, Central drivers yesterday warned to tra cautious� after be “exmen forced a couple armed to stop their vehicle in the of the road before middle shooting and killing the driver.

Chief Supt Fernander said police believe armed robbery may be the for the killing. He motive incident could havesaid the “happened to anyone�.

The murder took place shorty after 9pm day in the area on Tuesof Millennium Gardens, off Williams Darling Tonique and brought the Highway, murder count to country’s 109 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

Chief Supt Fernander tee next month, said the victim, committee mians, identiChairman James Smith said former most of the foreign fied by police as Kendrick yesterday. employees Simms, was driving ceive all that is duewon’t reSince the money his wife, when anotherwith to Mr Smith said theythem. pulled en on an ex-gratia was givcar will, basis by however, ahead the China Export-Import receive a “high ing them to of them forcstop. figure�.

Bank (EXIM) and “The man was tended primarily was indrivfor BahaSEE PAGE FIVE ing through Millennium SEE PAGE FIVE

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ES OVER BPL BANNISTER WORRITHE LIGHTS ON ABILITY TO KEEP

energy. solar, to produce of agreeof Works The heads the governMINISTER said challenges, Desmond Bannister ment requires to “address concerns� pressed certain and BPL delayed today marks which he suggestedof docu- he has “serious Power and ment and consistent WHILE with Bahamas to “keep the reliable of electricity on the for both sitsubmission the deadlineformer parlia- the tell- supply Providence, Light’s ability are chal- lights on this summer,� of island of New ting and to file financial ments. the abiliAmong these the lack will include finans mentarians Public Discloing The Tribuneprevent the whichmeet the requirement with obtaining may ty to disclosures, Chair- lenges from spouses, cial records in situations reliability from fulfilling of the project.� sure Commission the instalLaroda told requireoper- government This involves supporting man Myles yesterday that particularly Mar all the necessary they may have all to lation “of The Tribunestill some that wherebank accounts prior ments in the Baha re necessary ated there were He said there heads of agreement.he is al- infrastructu g�. that SEE PAGE FIVE are “outstandin yesterday, to marriage. some unwilling-n He added at new, alIn an interview in his dis- was also ready “looking including and apprehensio said ways,�

Mr Laroda some persons ness SEE PAGE THREE ternative cussions with to make who are required they exthe disclosures,

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KWASI THOMPSON of Environmental Health conducted an assessment for mould last Thursday, however the workers claimed the issue was being downplayed. The worker said Mr Ryan’s findings were expected to be presented last Friday. “But up to today we did not have it. And we decided we will not work until we get some results,� the employee said.

Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, on learning news of the sit out, flew back to Freeport yesterday afternoon and met with the supervisors, deputy registrar, and magistrates of the courthouse. Mr Thompson said he learned of the sitout after the union brought the mould matter to his attention.

While in Freeport, he said officials have decided to take immediate steps to address the concerns.

Mr Thompson said the government has contracted a company to commence mould remediation work yesterday evening.

He stated further assessments of the building also will be conducted, and noted the areas mostly affected are on the Magistrate’s Court side.

Mr Thompson also stated it has been agreed for all workers to have free medical assessments.  Although the building has been sanitised in the past, the mould problem continues to persist because of construction flaws according to comments made earlier this year by Desmond Bannister, minister of public works, who visited the building.

Additionally, there is also concern about the deteriorated condition of the courthouse, where the huge wooden columns are rotted and falling apart.

Several prominent local attorneys have also spoken out on the unacceptable condition of the courthouse and called on the powers that be to repair it, and ensure proper upkeep and maintenance of the building. They believe it reflects poorly on the judicial system in Grand Bahama.

Earlier this year during the opening of the legal year in Freeport, Attorney General Carl Bethel and then-Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs had also voiced their concern about the repairs needed to the courthouse.

The courthouse building was officially opened in 1994 by Queen Elizabeth II on her first official visit to Grand Bahama. It sits on the main thoroughfare in Freeport on the Mall Drive.

The Justice Centre comprises two Supreme Courts, three Magistrate’s Courts, and the Industrial Tribunal.

THE TRIBUNE

D’Aguilar: We will not be moved on gaming tax

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday insisted the government would not adjust its sliding scale tax structure imposed on gaming operators regardless of the findings of a study on its impact.

Mr D’Aguilar rebuffed suggestions the government’s decision to embark on the study evidenced there had been no prior research on the impact of the tax increase.

He also denied assertions that the government had asked Island Luck to delay layoffs until the government study was complete.

“The government is seeking to maintain the tax regime that it is implemented and that will not be budged,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

“Governments always change taxes every year,” he continued, “we have a budget we can review and we can reassess. We can assess at that time but certainly not for the remaining 11 months of the next budget. Obviously one conducts studies, one looks at it, one assesses it, and then one determines whether one wants to alter.

“Right now we’re not going to,” Mr D’Aguilar said, “we’re going to stick to it, see whether we realise what we wish to realise and everybody recognises that the gaming industry

is woefully undertaxed.

The people that operate these gaming houses, we all know, are making a lot of money and the government feels it should get its fair share. If it needs to be we’ll tweak it, but certainly not in the upcoming year.

They’ve been making out like bandits for quite some time.”

In an article published

by The Nassau Guardian, Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian reportedly said the web shop was to delay its plan to terminate 350 employees.

Island Luck advised the government last month it planned to reduce its staff by 50 percent.

Speaking to media outside Parliament yesterday, Mr D’Aguilar said: “The government hasn’t asked the gaming houses to do anything.

The gaming houses operate a business and they can operate their business how they see fit.

“They have made an allegation that this is going to cause a significant detrimental affect on their business and we’re seeking to see whether that’s indeed the case. We don’t think it will be, but they’ve asked us to do it and we’ve decided to undertake the study to see whether their allegations they’ve made allegations, they’ve produced reports, and so we’re just seeking to verify or to see whether there is any truth to the matter.”

Mr D’Aguilar insisted the allegations levelled

COURT RULES MOTHER FIT TO STAND TRIAL FOR SETTING DAUGHTER ON FIRE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court jury has ruled that Philippa Marshall, the 40-year-old woman accused of murdering her one-year-old daughter by setting her on fire last year, is “sane and fit to stand trial”.

The nine-woman jury yesterday rendered the verdict following an 82-minute deliberation.

After the decision was conveyed to Justice Bernard Turner, Marshall was asked to formally enter a plea to the charge of murder.

She pleaded not guilty.

A trial date was immediately set for June 17, 2019.

Marshall, who is schizophrenic, was charged in April with a single count of manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of Philicia Marshall by means of unlawful harm stemming from the December 2017 incident. The charge was later upgraded to murder.

The child died in February, having been cared for at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Justice Turner in May ordered that a jury determine whether the Kemp Road resident was mentally fit to stand trial.

On Tuesday, Dr Kirk Christie, a psychiatrist asked to review Marshall’s mental health, concluded

his testimony, in which he deemed that she was fit to plea.

He informed the court Marshall was now on a combination of prescribed oral medication and a monthly injection, in addition to attending regular psychiatric sessions.

Dr Christie previously testified that Marshall told psychiatric specialists she was coaxed into harming her daughter by “demonic voices” which had been “commanding” her to kill herself and do other “bad things”.

Additionally, Dr Christie said Marshall also reported being tormented on a daily basis by those demons for the past three years, which she claimed included her being instructed to overdose on tablets and harm herself.

He said Marshall has since reported while she still hears the demonic voices in her head, they now tell her to do “good things” as opposed to commanding her to commit suicide or other negative acts.

Dr Christie was the only person to take the stand in the hearing, acting as an expert witness.

Marshall is still out on bail.

As part of her bail conditions, she must live with her sister-in-law.

She is also to have supervised visits with two other children.

by gaming operators over the detrimental impact of the new tax structure mirrored their displeasure with the amount and rate of taxation.

“Yes they may have to modify the way they do business,” Mr D’Aguilar said, “and remember now this is a business that makes $200m a year in revenue and the government was making $22m out of it. There are definite social costs to this business, there is definitely an affect that this business is having on our communities. Everybody complains about it, everybody knows what it is, so we’re seeking to right size the government to get its fair share of the gaming industry.”

Yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis called the government’s position “ludicrous”.

“It is sad to do things without understanding what you’re doing,” Mr Davis said, “and then after you’ve realised the unintended consequences you say ‘oh let me go and check now to see if I did the right thing.’ It’s ludicrous and we should all be concerned about the manner in which our country is being run today.”

Mr Davis continued: “They just do things shooting from the hips and then when the unintended consequences come along they now try to reverse or see how they could go into damage control, but the horse is out of the barn.”

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 9

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR, Minister of Tourism.

PAGE 10, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Haitians given warning over shanty town interference from page one Earlier this week Mr Chatelier, Haitian Embassy first assistant secretary, told ZNS of the alternatives to eviction shanty town residents would like, while bettering the conditions of

those areas.

However, Mr Henfield said he was unaware of the Mr Chatelier’s alternatives until he read the story in Tuesday’s Tribune.

Mr Chatelier’s suggestions included renovations that will bring shanty town residences up to building

codes, leasing the land, and extending the eviction deadline.

The ministry said it called chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti to its headquarters yesterday to address “matters of concern” relating to these comments.

“Rhoda M Jackson, acting permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke frankly and deliberately to Mr François Michel, the chargé d’affaires, indicating that the public statements accredited to Mr Karl Henri Chatelier, first secretary in the Haitian Embassy, warranted the gravest concern of the Bahamian government, particularly as the position of the Haitian government, as reported in his name, gave the Bahamian government a sense of external interference in its domestic affairs,” the statement noted.

“Ms Jackson emphasised the sensitivity of the shanty town programme, especially in the government’s attempt to have all communities in The Bahamas integrated. She further stressed that, although the Bahamian government had always worked extremely closely with the Haitian government, it would not tolerate the type of pronouncements reported in the aforementioned daily.

“Mr Michel stated that the embassy was fully cognizant and respectful of the sovereignty of The Bahamas and sincerely regretted the impression given in the article that there was any level of interference on the part of the Haitian government in the internal affairs of the Bahamian government. Mr Michel stressed that every effort would be made to ensure that the incident would not reoccur.

“The Haitian representative referred to the longstanding cordial relations that existed between our two nations and assured the acting permanent secretary that the embassy would continue to make every effort to enhance the excellent mutual relationship between the

DARREN HENFIELD Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Republic of Haiti, and would address immediately the concerns deriving from the article to a satisfactory end,” the ministry’s statement concluded.

Earlier yesterday, when asked if Mr Chatelier’s proposals have been officially brought to the government, Mr Henfield said no. The foreign affairs minister also said that the government was not made aware of them at all.

When asked if the government will consider the proposals, Mr Henfield said “no” it would not.

“Let me just clarify that, right,” he added. “I instructed my ministry to summon the Haitian emissary to come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and explain the assertions that he made in the paper, explain the statements that he made.

“And I’m awaiting the report from my ministry to see what steps we will take.

“I did this yesterday (Tuesday) upon learning of the story that was published in your paper, The Tribune,” Mr Henfield continued.

“And so, it’s not usual for diplomats to inject themselves into domestic policy of other governments.

That’s unusual. Without speaking to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – I was not aware of it.

“Because I’m the conduit for all diplomats in The Bahamas to come to the

government of The Bahamas. And we’re not aware of anything that they have done on this at all,” Mr Henfield said.

In an interview broadcast on Monday, the Haitian diplomat told ZNS shanty town residents are “willing to rebuild the shanty towns with their own possibilities”.

He also said: “They will respect all the requirements, like the electricity, waters – everything and give another face to the shanty town. And allow the government Bahamian to have the happy ending and them too to live in a better place.”

Purchasing or leasing the land is another option he wants the government to consider offering residents.

“They want to purchase or, if the government to allow them to, lease them, if they can have, if I can say, the accord, something that can allow them to stay on the land, and something legally. And they can pay every month, and they will rebuild the shanty town.”

Ultimately, the Haitian government official said the August 10 eviction deadline is too soon, and that relocations will take more time.

“August 10, I don’t think the shanty (towns) will be ready. Because there’s a lot of families, they were quiet since June and the beginning of July, because they know the house was safe. But since last week, the storm was begging for them.”

However, Mr Chatelier admitted that the residents want to improve their standard of living.

“They know their situation isn’t good,” he said.

“And they know their condition is unsanitary. They don’t want to stay in that condition.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 11

2017 firearm case adjourned again

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net SENIOR Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans yesterday adjourned a 2017 gun possession case involving Philmore Davis, the son of Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis, and three other men, to October 3.

The adjournment marks at least the sixth hearing in the matter.

The Crown is pursuing charges against Philmore Davis, 33, of Colony Village; Matthew Davis; 22, of Westridge; Lavant Gibson, 27, of Sandyport; and Don Davis, 26, of Westridge.

The decision to adjourn was made, according to Magistrate Vogt-Evans, to allow both sides an

opportunity to thoroughly review various documents submitted in the trial namely photo evidence and cotton swabs for the purpose of DNA. Magistrate Vogt-Evans yesterday made it clear the decision wasn’t made in response to actions of any particular side, insisting that in light of the evidence presented, both sides should have a chance to review and plan accordingly.

The trial’s pace and progression has become a matter of concern in recent months, with Magistrate Vogt-Evans noting her court’s record for resolving such matters during a May 10 hearing.

She stressed that similar matters are often resolved within six months.

Over the course of the

proceedings the prosecution has requested various adjournments to better prepare its case.

On one occasion, an adjournment was granted to allow Sgt Bridgette Strapp to take over prosecution duties from Inspector Claudette McKenzie.

According to Magistrate Vogt-Evans, the prosecution requested adjournments on December 1, 2017, January 22, February 2, March 9, and April 4.

On April 4, the court issued warrants for police witnesses who failed to appear in court; those warrants have since been cleared.

Lawyers for the accused are Damian Gomez, QC, Ian Cargill and Roger Minnis.

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PAGE 12, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 13

Manslaughter conviction quashed by appeal court

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal has quashed the September 2016 manslaughter conviction of Durante Davis who was accused of providing the knife used in the killing of teenager Adonai Wilson.

Appellate judges Hartman Longley, Justice Crane-Scott and Michael Barnett in a written ruling posted to Court of Appeal’s website yesterday, quashed both the conviction and sentencing of Davis on the grounds that key witness statements were improperly admitted.

The 13-page ruling noted the Crown applied to have both statements admitted pursuant to Section 66 of the Evidence Act, to which the trial judge acceded, resulting in the conviction of Davis.

According to the trial’s records, Wilson died from stab wounds inflicted upon him by a knife during a fight after school. He was a 12th grader at Doris Johnson High School.

Trial records indicate the wounds were inflicted by another person, Duhan Munnings, Davis’ cousin who pleaded guilty to the charge against him.

The case against Davis was based upon allegations that he gave the knife to his cousin and was purported to have told Sha’Nyha Hanna, one of the witnesses, when asked what he was going to do with the knife: “Bey these (racial slur) done gang my cousin.

I ain’t ga let them gang my cousin.”

Another witness Kenria Cunningham said that she saw Davis give the knife to his cousin and it was the

same knife that the cousin had used to inflict the wounds on Wilson.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling cited the Evidence Act contains a number of pre-conditions, not all of which may apply to the facts in a given case.

The ruling explained: “In this case, the relevant pre-condition which was in play before the trial judge in the court below was that set out in Section 66(2)(c), to wit, ‘that, the identity of the person who supplied the information being known, all reasonable steps have been taken to find him, but that he cannot be found.’”

Trial records noted that neither witness gave direct oral evidence at the trial and therefore were never subjected to cross-examination.

The prosecution applied to have the statements that they gave to the police admitted under the provisions of Section 66 of the Evidence Act on the basis that “all reasonable steps have been taken to find them and they cannot be found.”

The prosecution conceded that without the evidence of the two witnesses the conviction would be unsafe.

The ruling added: “It appears that the trial judge accepted the proposition advanced by the Crown… and determined that once he was satisfied that it was in the interest of justice to do so and that that there was no ‘undue prejudice to the accused’ he was entitled to admit the evidence.

“In this regard we are of the view that the judge misapplied the law. In our judgment, before the question of the interest of justice

arises under Section 66(4), the Crown must establish the factual predicate that ‘all reasonable steps have been taken to find (the witness) but that he cannot be found.’

“If the witness, with reasonable steps, can be found, even if he is unwilling to give evidence and may seek to avoid giving evidence out of fear, an application under Section 66 must be refused.

In this case, we are satisfied that the factual pre-condition in section 66(2) (c) had not been met.

“The prosecution knew exactly where both (witnesses) could be found,” the ruling said.

“This, in our view, is not the circumstance envisaged

by Section 66 of the Evidence Act. The admission of a hearsay statement in a criminal trial is an exception to the rule.

“The conditions in Section 66(2) must be met before a judge can exercise his discretion to admit the hearsay statement. If those conditions are not met the hearsay statement cannot, as a matter of law, be admitted.

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“The fact that a witness is unwilling to testify (whether out of fear or otherwise) is not a sufficient basis for admitting into evidence a statement given by that witness to the police,” the ruling also noted.

It continued: “In this case we do not order a retrial.”

“We considered the factors which the Privy Council in Reid v R [1980] AC 343 has said that a court must consider in determining whether to order a new trial. The conviction was not quashed because of some technical blunder of the trial judge. It was quashed because evidence which the Crown advanced should not have been admitted.

“Without that evidence the conviction could not stand. In these circumstances, the appeal is allowed; and the conviction and sentence quashed,” the ruling concluded.

ADONAI WILSON, who was stabbed and killed in 2015.

PAGE 14, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Entrepreneur winners of OWN scheme named

By FARRAH JOHNSON

THE Island Luck Cares Foundation yesterday announced the winners of its fourth annual OWN Bahamas entrepreneurship programme, geared towards providing financial support and mentorship to up and coming business owners.

Three Bahamians were granted thousand dollar awards along with the opportunity to partake in a six-week extensive business certification programme at the University of the Bahamas.

Sherwin Johnson, designer of the Bahamas Nightlife website and application, was the recipient of a $10,000 grant courtesy of OWN Bahamas and telecommunications company Aliv.

The app makes it easy for Bahamians and tourists alike to find out what is happening around the country pertaining to culture, arts, shopping, and food.

“When you hear Bahamas Nightlife most persons just think club, but Bahamas Nightlife encompasses everything...everything that’s going on in the Bahamas you will have a handle on,” Mr Johnson explained.

“But the base of Bahamas

200 KILLED IN CLASHES WITH IS FIGHTERS DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Islamic State fighters ambushed a city and several villages in southern Syria yesterday, triggering ferocious clashes between residents and the militants that provincial health officials said killed more than 200 people.

The coordinated attacks across the province of Sweida, which included several suicide bombings, shattered the calm of a region that has been largely insulated from the worst of the violence of Syria’s seven year long civil war.

The suicide bomb blasts inside the provincial capital, also called Sweida, were apparently timed to coincide with attacks on villages in the eastern countryside, creating mayhem across the province.

The attacks triggered deadly clashes between pro-government fighters and residents who picked up weapons to defend their hometowns on one side and IS militants on the other.

By nightfall, the province’s health directorate had recorded 204 civilians killed and 180 wounded, according to local official Hassan Omar, making it the single bloodiest day for the province since the 2011 national revolt that sparked the ongoing civil war.

FROM left, Nikita Kenny, of Conch ’n Cone, Sherwin Johnson, of Mr Bahamas Nightlife, Samina Bain, of Sophia’s Papiere, and Kenny Mackey, of Island Luck Cares.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff Nightlife is to help small of a $10,000 award pre- for the support of OWN about her business, she said: and medium-sized busi- sented by OWN Bahamas Bahamas.

“It’s an online party favour nesses grow their personal and Atlantis.

On behalf of OWN Baha- company… all of our items economies. Six hundred Ms Kenny explained: mas and DIGIPRINT, are handcrafted so it’s basithousand tourists came “Conch ’N Cone is actually Samina Bain, owner of cally made to order. here in January. Imagine a succulent crack conch, hand Sophia’s Papiere, was “Whether you’re doing dollar from each of those tossed in nine different fla- awarded a $7,500 grant. weddings, birthdays, annipersons into our inner city vours and served in a waffle Ms Bain’s business offers versaries, graduations, we companies,” he said. cone.” stationary and “personal- provide favours for that,” Nikita Kenny, CEO She added that receiving ised party, wedding, and she said. of Conch ‘N Cone Food the grant was an “honour”, special occasion gifts.”

Those receiving Truck, was also a recipient and said she is very grateful Speaking to The Tribune awards were also presented

with phones and vouchers courtesy of ALIV. Congratulating the winners, Island Luck Cares representative Kenny Mackey stated: “Being an entrepreneur is a calling, a beckoning to greatness, a desire for something that you cannot shake, hide or discard. It keeps you up at night and haunts you the more you ignore it. That’s what separates the entrepreneurship spirit from an average spirit.”

He also called on unsuccessful candidates to keep pushing and encouraged them to “polish” their concepts.

Mr Mackey told the young business owners that they are now a part of a “ network of business owners and mentors,” and added that they have “gained access to a support system for questions, concerns, knowledge and guidance.”

Receiving “full support’ and sponsorship from Island Luck and its partners, the winners will be required to attend scheduled meetings, to “complete full business, financial, and marketing plans.”

Admitting that the journey was challenging, all of the grant recipients said they are grateful to OWN Bahamas for supporting their dreams.

COULD WATER FIND MEAN THERE IS LIFE ON MARS? NEW YORK Associated Press

A HUGE lake of salty water appears to be buried deep in Mars, raising the possibility of finding life on the red planet, scientists reported yesterday.

The discovery, based on observations by a European spacecraft, generated excitement from experts.

Water is essential to life as we know it, and scientists have long sought to prove that the liquid is present on Mars.

“If these researchers are right, this is the first time we’ve found evidence of a large water body on Mars,” said Cassie Stuurman, a geophysicist at the University of Texas who found signs of an enormous Martian ice deposit in 2016.

Scott Hubbard, a professor of astronautics at Stanford University who served as NASA’s first Mars program director in 2000,

called it “tremendously exciting”.

“Our mantra back then was ‘follow the water’. That was the one phrase that captured everything,” Hubbard said. “So this discovery, if it stands, is just thrilling because it’s the culmination of that philosophy.”

The study, published in the journal Science, does not determine how deep the reservoir actually is.

This means that scientists can’t specify whether it’s an underground pool, an aquifer-like body, or just a layer of sludge.

To find the water, Italian researchers analysed radar signals collected over three years by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft.

Their results suggest that a 12-mile-wide (20 kilometers) reservoir lies below ice about a mile (1.5 kilometers) thick in an area close to the planet’s south pole.

They spent at least two

AN IMAGE provided by NASA of the planet Mars. years examining the data to make sure they’d detected water, not ice or another substance.

“I really have no other explanation,” said astrophysicist Roberto Orosei of Italy’s National Institute of Astrophysics in Bologna and lead author of the study.

Mars is very cold, but the water might have been kept from freezing by dissolved salts. It’s the same as when you put salt on a road, said Kirsten Siebach, a planetary geologist at Rice

University who wasn’t part of the study.

“This water would be extremely cold, right at the point where it’s about to freeze. And it would be salty. Those are not ideal conditions for life to form,” Siebach said.

Still, she said, there are microbes on Earth that have been able to adapt to environments like that.

Orosei said, “It’s tempting to think that this is the first candidate place where life could persist” on Mars.

He suspects Mars may contain other hidden bodies of water, waiting to be discovered.

Our planetary neighbor has been a popular target for exploration, with rovers on its surface and other probes examining the planet from orbit. In May, NASA launched another spacecraft, the InSight Mars lander, that will dig under the surface after it reaches a flat plain just north of the Martian equator in November.

JONES: NO TO LOCKER ROOM PROTESTS OXNARD, California Associated Press

DALLAS Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doubled down yesterday on insisting that his players stand for the national anthem, declaring that he wouldn’t support anyone who chose to stay in the locker room.

Speaking at his annual news conference to open training camp in California, the outspoken billionaire became the first owner to say publicly that his players would not be allowed to stay off the field during the anthem.

“No,” Jones said when asked if he would support players staying in the locker room. “Our policy is that you stand at the anthem, toe on the line.”

Last week, the NFL and the players’ union agreed to suspend the rule approved by owners this spring that gave players the option of staying in the locker room

while allowing teams to discipline players who took a knee or sat during the anthem.

The decision to begin negotiating on the issue came hours after The Associated Press reported that Miami Dolphins players who protested during the anthem could be suspended for up to four games under team policy.

Last season, Jones was the first owner to declare that he would bench a player for protesting during the anthem. Two of his players — defensive linemen David Irving and Damontre Moore — raised their fists briefly as “The Star Spangled Banner” ended but weren’t disciplined.

“I obviously wouldn’t dare speak for any of the other owners, much less in general about 31 other owners,” Jones said. “As far as the Dallas Cowboys are concerned, you know where I stand. Our team

knows where I stand on the issue.”

The issue erupted in 2016 when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality, social injustice and racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem. The demonstration spread to other players and teams.

The NFL started requiring players to be on the field for the anthem in 2009, the year it signed a marketing deal with the military.

Jones had already owned the Cowboys for 20 years when players moved from the locker room to the field for the anthem.

Jones said he understood the point of view of players who say they aren’t protesting the flag or the military.

“This is a case where we need to in my mind check that and be real clear that it is, the priority is about the flag, and be real clear about that,” Jones said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 26, 2018, PAGE 15

Gunman disarmed by store workers POLICE arrested a gunman who had been disarmed by employees of a convenience store during an armed robbery attempt on Tuesday.

The incident happened shortly before 7pm when the gunman entered the store on Miami Street, held employees up and demanded cash. A struggle followed between

employees and the armed man, resulting in the wouldbe thief being disarmed and held until police arrived.

Officers took the suspect into custody and recovered a .380 pistol and six rounds of ammunition, police said.

Nothing was taken from the store and no one was injured.

The man is expected to be formally charged

this week.

Police are also looking for two armed men who robbed a restaurant on Tuesday.

Shortly after 3pm, two armed men entered the eatery on Coconut Grove Avenue, held employees at bay and robbed the place of cash before escaping.

Investigations are continuing.

PAGE 16, Thursday, July 26, 2018

THE TRIBUNE