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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.171, JULY 28TH, 2017

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Friday, July 28, 2017 art books film fashion entertainment lifestyle gardening

Weekend

BELLES OF THE BALL Pages 14&15

Facing off

Reality show seeks top mod el

WEEKEND: TV SHOW RETURNS TO SEARCH FOR BAHAMIAN MODELS

10% cut - that’s just for starters

Govt says review will release greater savings

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE government expects to achieve even more savings than the 10 per cent reduction in spending ordered for each ministry, according to Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest.

He said this will be realised by identifying duplicate government programmes, cutting overpriced public contracts and eliminating wastage.

He told reporters each ministry will be mandated to present the details of its spending reductions to the government before the next

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday denied claims that the Minnis administration is seeking to inflict “pain” with its conservative fiscal measures, insisting the government will not participate in “any action that is going to further cause the Bahamian people to suffer”.

Mr Turnquest, also the minister of finance, said the government will “not

DAVIS DEMANDS ANSWERS ON PLANS FOR GROWTH

- SEE PAGE SIX

be using a blunt instrument for which a precision scalpel is required” as it attempts to reduce spending, but will aggressively seek to “bring discipline to government finances and rationalisation of the programmes we are engaged in”.

SEE PAGE SIX

SHARK SAVAGES WOMAN’S FOOT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SHARK attack has left a woman from Switzerland nursing severe wounds in hospital, police reported yesterday.

“Preliminary information indicates shortly after noon, this woman was on a private snorkeling trip in waters near Rose Island when she was attacked by a shark,” Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said.

SEE PAGE THREE

EVICTION LEAVES ASSOCIATION HOMELESS

budget communication in June.

On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced a variety of conservative fiscal measures, including a ten per cent cut in spending in all government ministries and no new public sector hiring.

In his first televised national address as the nation’s leader, Prime Minister Minnis also said there will be no renewal of contracts for salaries that exceed $100,000 per year.

He said he will ensure his ministers “adhere to their budgets and to financial constraints”.

SEE PAGE SIX

TURNQUEST: TOUGH DECISION BUT PUBLIC WON’T SUFFER

Entertainment, pages 8&9

THE AMBASSADOR Chorale International Association is preparing to leave the site of its Pine Barren Road property today after being evicted. Last year, bulldozers ripped through their homes at the site - and they are today again due to move in to complete the demolition. See page nine for the full story.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

SPRINTER ‘FAILS’ DRUG TEST

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A DRUG test of the A sample of one of the sprinters on the men’s 4x100m relay team at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas in April was positive meaning a changed line-up at next week’s IAAF World Championships.

Two days ago, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations had named a 21-member team for the championships in London, but excluded was the men’s

400m relay team as they awaited the final confirmation from the IAAF. BAAA president Rosamunde Carey said they are thrilled that the IAAF has granted the team permission to compete in the championships, despite the allegation of a positive test.

She said at this point she cannot make a statement on any athlete testing positive as there is a process to go through.

“We can’t say until the process is completed. Any

and all athletes have a right to privacy, until such time as the IAAF makes a public statement.”

The team of Warren Fraser, Shavez Hart, Cliff Resias and Adrian Griffith finished third in the B final behind winner Trinidad & Tobago and second place finisher Germany at the World Relays at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on April 22 - but qualified after only five teams completed the A final.

FULL STORY - SEE SPORTS

BOARDS BLUNDER NAMING TWO DECEASED

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A GOVERNMENT official yesterday confirmed the list of appointments to statutory boards and committees contained numer-

ous errors, inclusive of erroneous names and at least two deceased appointees.

Mildred Williamson, of Mayaguana, was listed as having been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Cooperative Development; however, it was con-

firmed that she died in 2015.

Brian Gibson, who was appointed to the National Junkanoo Committee, is also deceased, The Tribune was told.

Another discrepancy highlighted was the listed SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

OUTRAGE OVER BPL’S $1.1M BONUS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net DEPUTY Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday railed against PowerSecure’s reported performance bonus of $1.1m under the former Christie administration, calling it “inconsistent with the desire for improved results” in electricity service from Bahamian consumers.

Mr Turnquest, also the minister of finance, said while the particulars of PowerSecure’s contract to manage BPL is “out of our control,” its reported million-dollar compensation does “leave a little bit of a bad taste” in the mouths of disgruntled consumers.

The East Grand Bahama MP further said that Bahamians should be “rightly SEE PAGE SEVEN

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 28, 2017, PAGE 3

Gray: I have nothing to hide

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FORMER Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray yesterday denied tabloid reports that he was assisting police with any investigation into alleged wrongdoing in his ministry and related agencies.

Mr Gray rebuffed speculation that he was involved in any anti-corruption investigation, and furthered that he was not concerned about the revelations made by the new

Free National Movement administration.

“I don’t know nothing about that,” he said when contacted by The Tribune.

“I wish they (the tabloid) would call me and stop doing s***. This the people’s time, they do what they want to do, they do what they have to do.

“Let them,” he continued. “I have nothing to hide, I’ve never done anything in my public life that I need to be ashamed of.”

Last month, the RBPF’s Anti-Corruption Unit was said to be investigating 11

files from various government departments and public corporations.

Critics, including Official Opposition leader Philip Davis, have claimed that the unit was formed to conduct a “witch hunt” against the former Perry Christieled administration.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames dismissed those claims earlier this month, insisting that if a complaint is made against someone “no matter who you are” police will investigate the claim and bring charges where

warranted.

Former Progressive Liberal Party Senator Frank Smith was charged in Magistrate’s Court with 13 counts of extortion, and a count each of attempted extortion and bribery on July 21.

The charges stemmed from the alleged solicitation of $65,000 in bribes from a woman he is said to have assisted in getting a contract.

Earlier this month, former Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett was charged in

Magistrate’s Court with a single count of misconduct in public office and four counts each of extortion and bribery.

It was alleged he used his former ministerial position to extort and solicit $120,000 in bribes from Johnathan Ash. Last month, former deputy speaker of the House of Assembly Dion Smith was released from police custody without being charged as investigations into alleged “theft by reason of employment” at the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial

Corporation continued.

Mr Smith was appointed as executive chairman of the organisation under the Christie administration.

The former deputy speaker of the House of Assembly was the ninth person arrested, questioned and released in connection with the matter; however, no formal charges have been brought against anyone.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle told reporters on July 13 that the investigation was completed and police found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Shark savages woman’s foot from page one “The woman was transported to shore and taken to hospital where she is detained in stable condition.”

Pictures of the woman’s injuries were circulated on social media yesterday, and they revealed a severe Achilles heel injury.

This incident happened nearly two months after an American woman was bitten by a shark while snorkeling in The Bahamas.

On June 2, Tiffany Johnson, a mother of three, was in the midst of a seven-day cruise with her husband when the attack happened.

She lost her arm while snorkeling in waters near

Athol Island, but credited her survival to the “grace of God.” After the attack, the North Carolina woman told news station WYFF: “I didn’t feel any pain, I just felt like I had run into something. I just casually turned to the right to see what I bumped into and I was face to face with a shark and he had my arm in his mouth.

“I went to yank it (my arm) out of his mouth and that’s when he clamped down and we started to struggle,” Mrs Johnson said.

“Immediately when I pulled it out, I just saw that I had lost my arm,” the 32-year-old mother said tearfully. “And it was just mangled.

“I had this determination like I cannot describe and I thought, ‘I’m not going to die here, this isn’t the end for me.’” She was about 15 to 30 feet away from the boat.

Mrs Johnson told the news station she was able to swim back to the boat using her left arm. Her husband, hearing her screams, swam out to meet her and helped her get back to the boat and up the ladder.

The shark had torn from her elbow down to her hand. She said it wasn’t until she got to the ambulance that she felt pain and then it was excruciating.

US experts believe the woman was attacked by a Tiger shark.

THE BITE wound suffered by the woman attacked by a shark.

SOUTH WEST PLAZA SPEAR guns confiscated by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

SPEAR GUNS CONFISCATED

BY RBDF PATROL UNIT ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Harbour Patrol vessels have made several arrests in the areas of Nassau Harbour and the outlying islands involving illegal possession of spear guns and air compressors, as well as undeclared ammunition in four separate incidents over the past week.

On Saturday, July 22, a Bahamian vessel was boarded and searched by a Harbour Patrol Unit team where two air compressors were found without corre-

sponding permits. The compressors and occupants of the Bahamian vessel were handed over to the Marine Resources Unit authorities for further investigation.

While on routine patrol on Monday, July 24, patrol craft P-111 boarded and searched a vessel in Nassau Harbour. The boarding team discovered three spear guns on board. The captain was subsequently handed over to the Department of Customs and fined $1,000; the spear guns were

confiscated. Over a week before the incident, the captain of another visiting vessel was fined $600 for having a spear gun on board.

Later that evening, the RBDF boarding team conducted a search of a vessel off Rose Island where marines discovered a large quantity of undeclared 9 mm ammunition on board.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered the first mate and another crew member, both Americans, had overstayed their time

Photo: RBDF

in the Bahamas, by nine days and seven weeks, respectively. The captain was fined $1,000 for the undeclared rounds by customs officials and Department of Immigration authorities are investigating the matter of the visitors overstaying their time.

Also, that day, the captain of another vessel was arrested and handed over to customs officials for being in possession of 15 undeclared rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

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PAGE 4, Friday, July 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

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Govt should let the law take its course THE RECENT shake-up of the Trump administration’s communications team is a reminder of the importance, in a media-savvy world, of public presentation which can play a major role in determining the success or failure of any government.

Observers of the Washington political scene will not have been surprised at the resignation of press secretary Sean Spicer. His task of articulating and defending to a sceptical media the ideas, attitudes and policies of an unpredictable and uncontrollable US president, who wears everything on his sleeve and insists on tweeting daily his immediate reaction to events without proper thought or consideration, was surely exceptionally demanding if not a nightmare. Worst of all must have been the knowledge that his hands-on boss – possessing what has been described as a tumultuous personality and who himself is acknowledged, despite all his faults, as being a master communicator – was probably checking Spicer’s performance on television during his daily White House press corps briefing.

In earlier times, governments were able to operate free of leaks in conditions of confidentiality and to manipulate public opinion by controlling the dissemination of information, either limiting what was published or presenting facts in the form of propaganda – in Orwellian terms, the rewriting and distortion of history for the government’s own purposes.

In the modern era, the plethora and relentless flow of information and instant access to facts through search engines via the Internet, combined with Freedom of Information legislation and pressure on democratic governments to be transparent and accountable, means that accurate, truthful and convincing presentation of policy has become increasingly important. Nowadays, people are generally better informed, more discerning and critical and thus more likely to challenge the status quo or established doctrine. To succeed in today’s world of instant communications, a government must be able to convey its message effectively and defend its actions to as wide an audience as possible.

The role of an official spokesman has therefore grown in significance. It is interesting that the Prime Minister has appointed his own press secretary – the first one in a post-Independence Bahamas. We hope that this signals that the bad old days of the Bahamas Information Services being used as a government propaganda tool are well and truly over and that the new appointee, a seasoned veteran journalist, will not only produce reliable information but also become proactive in explaining official policy as well as being forthcoming in responding to questions from the press and the public.

These are still early days to judge whether the new FNM government will fulfil its campaign promises, but the evidence suggests that most people – apart from the diehard PLP leadership and

supporters – consider that so far it has been notably active and businesslike in its approach. But one vital issue uppermost in the public’s mind is the handling of the investigations into the PLP’s alleged corruption during its period of office.

In a democracy like ours that respects the separation of powers and the rule of law, it would be fundamentally wrong for the government itself to become involved in the anti-corruption investigations currently taking place and it should avoid any action which might expose it to allegations of orchestrating a witch hunt. Any wrongdoing amounting to criminality must be strictly a matter for law enforcement, and the police must be seen to be acting fairly and correctly.

Where there is a prima facie case of illegality and the evidence is sufficiently strong, the law should take its course through the courts. But it is also important that the significance of the judicial process in our country should be understood and respected by the general public so that the accusations by the leader of the opposition that the FNM government is spearheading these investigations can be seen as baseless.

With this in mind, we hope that, in keeping with the government’s muchvaunted commitment to transparency and accountability, the press secretary will be vocal in clarifying the government’s hands-off position in this important matter. In order to maintain public confidence, the administration of justice in our country must be seen to be applied in a proper manner and without political interference.

If Dr Minnis remains true to his word, it is reasonable to assume that his colleagues will resist temptation and steer clear of the sort of improprieties and alleged corrupt practices committed by some of their predecessors which are gradually coming to light. With members of the previous government now facing the full force of the law, everybody must hope that dishonesty and corruption in public life will be minimised in future if not stamped out entirely, though that might be too much to expect given our nation’s chequered history in this respect.

There is, however, also a separate danger that after the honeymoon period an FNM government with an overwhelming majority may become complacent, arbitrary and overbearing in the absence of a strong opposition to hold it to account. So, while we have confidence up to now in the government’s performance and declared intentions, this makes it all the more important for the fourth estate to play its own role, objectively and without fear or favour, in keeping a watchful eye on the activities of our political leaders.

With a new government in place for less than three months, many people are fervently hoping for better times ahead as the Prime Minister and his colleagues find their feet – and they are looking to him and his team to lead the way with honesty, impartiality and integrity.

Tribune is out of touch EDITOR, TheTribune.

I’M not sure what happened, but it seems as if The Tribune is a bit out of touch with the sentiment of the public lately. For example, what on earth was with their headline on Thursday?

Whoever chose “Minister of Pain” as the title for a story about Minnis’ budget cuts clearly has no idea about the mood of the Bahamian people today.

The vast majority of us rejoiced at Minnis’ announcement that there would be no more public

service hiring, as we know full well that ranks were swollen beyond belief and decency with PLP cronies under Perry Christie’s reign.

We shouted “hallelujah!” to the revelation that 10% spending would be slashed from every ministry, as we know that record wastage and pilferage of public funds was the order of the day over the past five years.

And we are tired of being robbed, tired of being humiliated and downgraded by the international community.

Enough! we say, and Minnis has heard us. In fact, the only problem most Bahamians have with Minnis’ cuts is that they did not go far enough!

Don’t believe me? Just check the comments under The Tribune’s own online story – dozens of readers who are either questioning the headline, praising Minnis and urging him to go further, or both.

ESSY Nassau, July 27, 2017

No more tit for tat EDITOR, The Tribune.

LETTERS

WAYNE Munroe seems to be gearing up to attempt to blackmail the FNM government and PM Dr Hubert Minnis by presenting his alleged list of corrupt FNM politicians, past and present, to the Anti-Corruption Unit. Based on my understanding of his comments to the media, his latest venture is not even sanctioned by the PLP top brass. With or without their approval, Munroe intends to flex his legal muscle by taking on the FNM government unilaterally.

Munroe must be very careful he isn’t barking up the wrong tree. Like hundreds of PLPs who had a vested interest in the PLP winning the election on May 10, Munroe is carrying on like he does not desire to see the Minnis administration stem the tide of corruption once and for all.

His anti-FNM crusade is not only directed against Minnis and Co, but against nearly two-thirds of the electorate that supported the FNM at the polls.

These hard-working Bahamians are tired of hearing of MPs who first entered the House with networths under $100,000,

letters@tribunemedia.net yet somehow being able to amass a king’s ransom on an MP’s salary during a five year term.

If Munroe has evidence of malfeasance within the FNM, it had better be ironclad, otherwise he will be hanging himself legally when the accused file defamation of character suits against him. If he is aware of malfeasance within the FNM, why did he wait this long to forward the evidence to law enforcement officials?

The last Ingraham government was kicked out of office in May 2012. You telling me that the PLP sat on this alleged evidence for five years?

Methinks Munroe has gone on a fool’s errand. Either he is attempting to upstage PLP interim Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, or he is overstating his new-found commitment to the PLP – the same party he had a few disparaging remarks for when he was a DNA candidate a few years ago. He has only been a PLP for a little under two years, yet he is displaying a loyalty that borders on fanaticism with

EDITOR,The Tribune.

On May 31, you printed a letter from me questioning why government should continue with NHI. In that letter it stated...

“The former government pushed to start NHI prematurely as a political ploy. In my opinion, it is not well thought out and cannot achieve the objectives of transforming health care in this country as they stated it would. As I understand it, in its first phase, the applicants for the programme are able to get the same services (a free visit at the government’s expense) at a private clinic that they were able to get in the public system. In other words, the government is now paying the private sector for a service they were already paying for in the public sector. Knowing that the government is strapped for cash and knowing that NHI is less than a month old, one wonders why the present government did not suspend the continuation of the programme for reevaluation. The population

is not yet dependent on it.”

We now read that Dr. Duane Sands admits that the NHI scheme is wide open to abuse and states that there is little he can do to remedy the abuse. He seems to be suggesting that NHI was not well thought out and is full of problems.

It was suggested before and is being suggested again, that if the government is truly trying to stop wasting money and has a genuine interest in health care for the masses it would suspend NHI. Stop the duplicitous spending on health care and create a system that works with the appropriate checks and balances to minimise abuse.

Health care is a very complicated and polarizing issue.

There are those who believe it is an entitlement government should subsidize. It seems far more reasonable that, in the first instance, individuals should be responsible for their own health.

Governments should create economic opportunities for the population through sound policies which can allow citizens to be more economically independent.

his tit-for-tat threat to the ruling party, as if someone within the FNM Cabinet must cower before him.

The PLP has already rewarded him with a nomination in a supposedly safe PLP area in St Barnabas.

He lost that race by some 560 votes to the FNM’s Dionisio D’Aguilar.

Munroe also lost in 2012 as a DNA candidate by a massive margin. Both election results are tell tale indications that the Bahamian people do not want him in their Parliament.

When Munroe defected to the PLP, he allegedly did not even see fit to notify the DNA leadership who had been kind enough to grant him a nomination in 2012.

Bahamians view these wanna-be politicians such as Munroe as playing doll house politics. They cannot be taken seriously. The FNM should ignore him.

He is a political pygmie.

The Whistleblower will continue to monitor Munroe as he embarks on his witch hunt.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER Nassau, July 27, 2017.

NHI wastage

Those individuals can then decide how best to address their health care needs. We cannot expect people to suffer from avoidable lifestyle related diseases and ask the taxpayers to bear the expensive costs of their health care. There has to be some element of individual responsibility for health and health care as well. If governments have failed at one thing it is in creating an inclusive economy that encourages financial independence among the citizenry.

After all entitlements and dependence are the keys to a lengthy career in politics.

Every dollar spent by NHI thus far has been wasted. The government is spending money twice for the same thing. What remains to be seen is whether or not there is an honest effort to reform health care.

It is my hope that NHI will not be found to be just another slush fund under the guise of trying to do what is best for Bahamians.

JB Nassau, July, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 28, 2017, PAGE 5

Inquest begins at last into death after skiff struck by RBDF vessel

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE coroner’s inquest into the death of Christopher Turnquest got underway yesterday with the court presented with testimony on sea conditions, weather patterns and the varying extent of vessel damage after the October 2016 incident.

Through nearly an hour of questioning, the fivewoman jury heard Royal Bahamas Defence Force Petty Officer Force Kevin Seymour, the officer in command at the Harbour Patrol base on the night of the incident, give his account of what he knew of the incident.

Turnquest, 25, is alleged to have been in the Bay Street Harbour in a 13-foot skiff along with his cousin, Tino Turnquest, when their skiff was struck by a RBDF vessel manoeuvring through the harbour on Sunday, October 2, 2016.

According to the family, an autopsy of Christopher’s body revealed he died of blunt trauma to the body.

THE FAMILY of the late Christopher Turnquest.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff P/O Seymour, a 32-year had at around 6.11pm that court that once made aware veteran of the force, pro- day, travelled to waters just of the incident and briefed vided testimony that due outside of the western har- on its particulars, he moved to the impending nature of bour of New Providence, a patrol vessel on reserve Hurricane Matthew, weath- responding to an incident that evening into the acer conditions on October involving two fishing ves- tive line of duty, and subsequently dispatched it to aid 1 had deteriorated to a de- sels.

His testimony added that in what had, by that time, gree that prompted a marine advisory for all small around 8.11pm, he received expanded to a “search and simultaneously rescue” operation. craft operators operating in reports Moreover, while facing waters around New Provi- from both vessels that Response Boat 1 had collided questions on the allowed dence.

P/O Seymour also testi- with an unknown object speed limits of vessels fied that Response Boat 1, resulting in “a gentleman in travelling through the harbour of New Providence, along with Patrol Vessel the water”.

P/O Seymour told the P/O Seymour testified that P-40 of the RBDF’s fleet,

maritime regulations mandate that vessels travelling through such areas maintain a speed of no more than five knots.

However, he later amended that testimony, to say except vessels being operated in emergency response situations, as in the case of Response Boat 1.

Attorney Murrio Ducille, representing the interests of the family of the deceased in the matter, argued that the extent of the damage sustained by the vessel occupied by Turnquest, showed damage conclusive of a collision with a vessel travelling in excess of 30-knots.

At that point, attorney Ramona FarquharsonSeymour, lawyer for the RBDF, countered with a status report of the vessel’s condition before and after the incident.

The court also heard testimony and concerns over the status of lights, horns, engines and structure of both vessels involved.

Additionally, the court was presented with three photograph albums containing photos of both Re-

sponse Boat 1 and the skiff operated by Turnquest.

In addition to these exhibits, the court heard testimony by the persons responsible for collecting and compiling these photograph albums.

The proceeding was initially expected to start on Monday, however when Turnquest’s relatives arrived at court, they were told the coroner had taken two “personal days.”

Then on Wednesday, the matter was delayed once again, this time because the legal team for the RBDF claimed it had not been properly briefed.

Coroner Jeanine WeechGomez called the situation “unfortunate,” and blamed the RBDF for the delay, saying: “I don’t know why the Defence Force waited until the eleventh hour to get this going. It’s not like this matter happened yesterday. It’s most unfortunate having regard to all the circumstances. They were informed from April and should’ve been ready for Monday.”

The matter is expected to continue today at 11am.

CHRISTIE’S CALL FOR JUDGE RECUSAL REJECTED

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal has ruled there were no prospects of success for former Prime Minister Perry Christie’s application for leave to begin appellate proceedings into a judge’s decision not to recuse herself from judicial review cases involving construction works at Nygard Cay. Four months ago, in March, attorneys for Mr Christie, who was also then minister for Crown land, argued that Justice Rhonda Bain should have recused herself because she had an application before him in which she sought to extend her tenure as a Supreme Court judge. She could not be perceived as impartial because of this, the attorneys claimed.

Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones unanimously agreed to reject the application and indicated that written reasons would follow at a later date.

In a 14-page judgment handed down this week, Justice Isaacs explained that the “legal test for recusal is well known and not in dispute.”

“The question is whether the circumstances would lead a fair-minded and informed observer to conclude that there was a real

possibility that the tribunal was biased. On the issues of prospect of success and point of law of general public importance, we have considered the case of Bolkiah v State of Brunei [2008] 2 LRC 196 (PC), and see no difference in the allegation of apparent bias made in Bolkiah and the present case. As such, we can see no reason why we should depart from the decision of the Privy Council expressed at paragraph 21. We are similarly unpersuaded that the intended appellant has any prospect of succeeding on the basis of the submission argued before the judge, to wit, apparent bias. This is sufficient, in our view, to show that grounds 1, 2 and 4 have little prospect of success.

“There has been nothing shown in this case that suggests there is some novel point of law to be argued or some principle of law to be clarified by the court for the future guidance of courts below or lawyers.

Further, there are no ‘questions of great public interest or questions of general policy, or where authority binding on the Court of Appeal may call for reconsideration.’

“Complaint was made by the intended appellant that Justice Bain found he had been guilty of delay in making his application in circumstances where it is

unknown if or when her application for an extension came to his attention. It is well established law that a bias challenge must be made sooner rather than later.

“Notwithstanding the lack of information as to when the application came to the attention of the intended appellant, we are prepared to conclude the issue of delay on the averment of Mr (Ryszard) Humes and to treat as a neutral factor the effluxion of time. Thus, we make no finding on the issue of delay adverse to the intended appellant; nor do we treat with it as a matter of concern on this application.”

At January’s opening ceremony for the new legal year, Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley announced that he and Justice Bain would reach the mandatory retirement age in February and April this year respectively.

Justice Roger Gomez, who requested and was given a two-month extension in November 2016 also retired from the bench on January 25.

On February 8, a statement issued by the Cabinet Office noted that in accordance with Article 96 (1) of the Constitution, Governor-General Dame Marguerite Pindling, acting on the recommendation of Prime Minister Perry Christie, after consultation with then Leader of the Opposition Loretta Butler-

Turner, extended Sir Hartman’s appointment.

There was no mention of Justice Bain’s application in the communication at the time.

A day before, Justice Bain had dismissed Mr Christie’s “no merit” recusal application which argued that she, while awaiting an approval of her application to extend her tenure as a Supreme Court judge, cannot be perceived to be impartial in hearing an ongoing judicial review into allegations that Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard illegally increased the size of his property.

Attorneys for Mr Christie filed a motion in the Supreme Court on January 26 asking that Justice Bain recuse herself from the judicial review – or any other cases in which he was a party – on the basis that she was about to attain the legal age for retirement in April.

The motion was filed by Mr Christie’s lawyers in his capacity as minister responsible for Crown land and was argued on January 30.

In her 40-page ruling on the recusal, Justice Bain reminded Mr Christie of the independence of the judiciary from the executive, stressing cases are distributed by the chief justice – a role that cannot be “usurped by the prime minister.”

On April 24, Justice Bain had her tenure extended for another year.

MAN AWAITS SENTENCING FOR $2,500 FRAUD

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN, who yesterday admitted to committing fraud, will return to Magistrate’s Court next week for sentencing.

Renaud Bethel, 44, stood before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux facing charges of fraud by false pretences, possession of a forged document and uttering a forged document.

The fraud charge was brought under Section 348 of the Penal Code while the latter charges were brought under Sections 377 and 375 respectively.

It is alleged that Bethel, between February 4 and 9, 2015, obtained $2,500 cash from Kevin Neely, by means of false pretences.

It is also alleged that he, between the same period, used and was in possession of a forged National Insurance Board ‘good standing letter’ in the name of Elite Welding, knowing the same not to be genuine.

While Bethel pleaded guilty to the fraud allegation, he denied the other two charges.

Bethel will face sentencing before Magistrate Samuel

McKinney, the original presiding magistrate in the matter, on Tuesday, August 1.

Given the nature of the

allegations, Bethel was remanded into custody at the Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

He has retained attorney Ian Cargill to defend him.

Inspector Philip Davis is the police prosecutor.

FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Funeral Service Margaret Gladys McCartney-Cox, 76 of Garden View Estates and formerly of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera, will be held on Saturday, July 29th, 2017, 11:00 am at St Michael’s Methodist Church, Church Hill Ave & Boyd Subdivision. Rev. Kenris Carey, assisted by Rev Mark Carey will officiate. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Gardens, Solder Road.

She is survived by her: Sisters: Iris (Betty) Kelly, Rosemary McIntosh and Stephanie Cleare; Brothers: Kermit and Charles Jermaine McCartney; Nieces and Nephews: Melonie Lancaster, Camille Burrows (Andrew), Gail McKinney, Penelope Herious, Tiffany Orizilus (Manny) Howard McIntosh (Alma), Alvin Kelly, Jr. (Tracey) and Alex McIntosh; Grand Nieces and Nephews: Gianna, Algernon, Breanna, Kelisha, Alexia, Jamel, Deron, Britney, Akeem, Darius, Jervis, Maddison, Amanda, Ava, Cameron, Calderon, Kyle and Kyra; Cousins: Vernae Carey (John) and Family, Peter Carey (Barbara) and Family, Norris Carey and Family, Howard Carey (Korahlee) and Family, Marsha Balfour (James) and Family, Nathalie Carey-Bastian and Family, Sylvia Carey and Family, Eleanor Sweeting and Family, Selma Carey, Delphene Carey and Family, Trudy Colebrookand Family, Evangelist Marita Cartwright-Brown and Family, Kathleen Minnis and Family, Margaret and Ralph Forskin and Family, Sonia Carey and Family, Barbara Kemp and Family, Velma Cargill and Family, Joan Dean and Family, Florence Carey, Dorel Knowles, Children of the late Naomi and Osborne Carey, Children of the late Jessie Knowles-Fox, Joan Carey, Jessie Hinsey, children of the late Lillian (Lilly) Carey, Donald Knowles and Family, Fred Seymour (Dot) and Family, Minnie Johnson and Family, Irvin Seymour and Family, Peter Seymour and Family; Other Relatives and Friends: The McCartney Family, Tarpum Bay and Nassau, (McCartney Family Association), Rev. Kenris Carey and Family, Mrs. Ethel Knowles and Family, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Sweeting and Family, Tony Ingraham and Family, Cleta Morley and Family, Louise Mackey and Family, Delores Walkes and Family, Carmie Taylor and Family, Aladice Strachan and Family, Mary and Faye Carey and Family, Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Ingraham and Family, Shiela Knowles and Bridget Musgrove, Pat Ingraham, Melbourne Smith, Irvin Mierez, Mary Ingraham and Family, Gwen Ferguson and Family. Neighbours: Mr. and Mrs. Theran Demeritte, The Knowles family, Rett and Family, the Burrows family, Mario and Shamar McKenzie, Deacon Pamela Brice and Family, Cannon Sebastian Campbell, Cleomi Woods and Family, Lynette Barry, Cheryl Fountain and Randy Kelly. Doctors, Nursing and Staff of the Dialysis Dept., PMH. Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians #34 Nassau Street, on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

PAGE 6, Friday, July 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Decide on reductions first - then the amount to cut

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

GOWON Bowe, president of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants, yesterday said the government appeared to be “working backward” on its plans to cut back on the country’s expenses, claiming the reductions should have been announced during the recent budget debate.

He also questioned where the cuts will be coming from and how the government plans to ensure important programmes are not affected.

Still, he applauded Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for announcing the planned cut backs, however he said “mouth can say anything,” as he eagerly awaits an explanation on what will be cut from the various minis-

tries and how.

Mr Bowe said the prime minister had the “easy task” of saying what needs to be done, now the ministers of government, in particular Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest, have the responsibility to carry out the plans.

On Wednesday night, Dr Minnis announced a variety of conservative fiscal measures, including a ten per cent cut in spending in all government ministries and no new public sector hiring.

In his first televised national address as the nation’s leader, Prime Minister Minnis also said there will be no renewal of contracts for salaries that exceed $100,000 per year.

He said he will ensure his ministers “adhere to their budgets and to financial constraints”.

He also announced a re-

duction in government vehicles as part of a “new era of financial discipline”.

In relation to the ten per cent cut from government ministries, Mr Bowe said the government is working in reverse as the cuts should have come when Parliament debated the 2017-2018 Budget.

“What exactly does all of this mean? Where are the cuts coming from? Will it come from the utilities, programmes, jobs? They seem to be working backward on this one,” Mr Bowe said.

“The ministries have set out their agendas based on what was allocated, so they know how and where they have to spend their money.

Will programmes of priority be differed and how will it affect education and national security and the armed forces? I appreciate that the government wants to cut back spending and

it is needed but what is important is the specifics, we need to have a complete understanding of what is being proposed. We have heard these things before, now we need action. Like Bahamians say, ‘mouth can say anything,’ this is the benchmark on how they will be judged.”

Mr Bowe said he believes the government implemented the hiring freeze in order to make sure “the right persons are in the right roles” and persons are not being employed “for the sake of being employed”.

“This will give them the freedom to take on the persons they need. Outside of debt, payroll is a big government expense it’s 35 per cent,” Mr Bowe said.

“They are going to have to try and maximise efficiency. We have as a country for years, even going back to the previous FNM

10% CUT - THAT’S JUST FOR STARTERS

from page one

He also announced a reduction in government vehicles as part of a “new era of financial discipline”.

When asked about this yesterday, Mr Turnquest said: “We anticipate that over the year we will achieve a 10 per cent reduction in the recurrent expenditure of every ministry.

That is not something that you can say today ‘I’m cut-

ting 10 per cent’ and that’s it. This will go across the year and with the goal that the budget that each ministry has been allocated, they now have to go and reassess where they are going to find 10 per cent.

“And so whether it is in projects, whether it’s in resources, whether it’s in consultancies, whether it’s in services, they will have to figure out how they’re going to, come June of next year, show the Bahamian

people that they saved 10 per cent of that budget allocation.

“But even deeper than that, and I think more significant than that and the question you ought to be asking is, what about these expenditure reviews, and what do we expect to achieve by doing that deep audit of all of these various categories of significant expense. Far and above a 10 per cent broad cut, I think we are eyeing a much more

significant savings by doing our due diligence with respect to these programmes, the duplicate programmes that we have, the overpricing of contracts, the wastage in the system. We expect greater savings than 10 per cent,” the minister of finance said.

During his national address, Dr Minnis said several forensic audits are being conducted in government ministries to recover, where possible, the people’s

TURNQUEST: TOUGH DECISION BUT PUBLIC WON’T SUFFER

from page one

Mr Turnquest also said the government is not seeking to stifle the essential services provided by such entities as the Department of Social Services and Ministry of Education in its attempts to introduce fiscal reform, but is more focused on “the wastage and the excess in these ministries.”

Mr Turnquest also said the government, by its austerity measures, is not seeking to inflict discomfort on government workers, but instead is undertaking measures to “rationalise their service” and “ensure” their services are needed.

In the event workers have to be disengaged, Mr Turnquest said the Minnis administration will do so with “full analysis of what the consequences are” for both sides and “to the extent that we can help them transition into the private sector.”

However, the East Grand Bahama MP stressed the need to “clear the system” so that “we have opportunity at the bottom for new entrants.”

Mr Turnquest’s statements came a day after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced a vari-

DPM PETER TURNQUEST ety of conservative fiscal measures to get the country’s finances in order, including a ten per cent cut in spending in all government ministries and no new public sector hiring.

Dr Minnis also said there will be no renewal of contracts for salaries which exceed $100,000 per year and announced a reduction in government vehicles as part of a “new era of financial discipline.”

Yesterday, while speaking at a meeting of the Rotary Club of West Nassau, Mr Turnquest said the government has “to make some very difficult and painful

decisions” if it is to get its financial affairs in order. “…It is not the intention of the government to inflict pain on anybody,” he said. “…But we recognise that we cannot continue business as usual and expect a different result. And so those of us who have the capability must do our part.

That’s what we’re saying.

“We recognise that the economy is still challenged, particularly in some areas of New Providence and some Family Islands, and so anything that we do has to take in mind the human resource, because we’re not going to be participating in any action that is going to further cause the Bahamian people to suffer “That’s not the intent at all. But the intent is to bring discipline to government finances, and rationalization of the programmes we are engaged in.”

Mr Turnquest suggested that the Minnis administration’s austerity measures may inevitably affect some employed by the government, adding that should the worst case scenario occur — disengagement — it would have been done after careful consideration of the consequences.

“We recognise that there are people out there right now that have not been employed, some for years,” he said. “Some households have no wage (earners), and they are being disadvantaged because the system is clogged by these high wage earners. We believe that we have to clear the system so that we have opportunity at the bottom for new entrants.

“And so it’s not a matter of trying to inflict any kind of pain or dislocation on government workers. What we want to do is rationalise their service, ensure that we need their service, and to the extent that we have to disengage that we do so with clear intent, with full analysis of what the consequences are, both for us and for them, and to the extent that we can help them transition into the private sector.”

Taxes Mr Turnquest also said the government is faced with the question of whether it should continue to pay for free garbage collection for private residences, notwithstanding the “crisis” at

the New Providence landfill and New Providence being “generally unclean.”

He said a more “efficient way” of dealing with the issue is through “appropriate service fees” so that “we balance the cost of providing the service specifically with the revenue from that activity”.

Mr Turnquest also said all state-owned enterprises, such as the Water and Sewerage Corporation, will now have to look at “rebalancing” their “revenue yields against fixed costs,” and ensure that they “reduce expenditures to be in line with internationally accepted norms and best practices.”

He said while no plans currently exist to increase the rates offered by any state-owned utility provider, should the government yield no significant savings due to their austerity measures, then the Minnis administration will have to start looking at the “revenue side” of those agencies.

“We have no intention of raising taxes, and so the first order of business for all of the utilities and all of these state-owned enterprises is to do their own internal reviews,” he said.

“And just as the government is cutting back on 10 per cent and scrubbing accounts to make sure that they get value for money, we expect them to do the same thing. And hopefully that will yield the kind of savings that we need, but to the extent that it can’t, then we’re going to have to look at the revenue side.”

Mr Turnquest also said the government is conducting a full evaluation on the usage of government vehicles with an aim to formulating a “new vehicle policy” to govern their usage. “…We are looking at the allocation of vehicles across the system, to see who has a vehicle, what purpose they use it for, whether we ought to be looking at restricting usage to office hours, who gets to take a vehicle home, etc,” he said. “Because it’s not just the vehicle, it’s also the cost of maintenance and fuel for those vehicles.

And so starting at the very top, we’re doing a full assessment. We’re coming up with a new vehicle policy that will govern all of this allocation usage, and again the intent is to reduce the cost of our fuel.”

GOWON BOWE administration, taken pride roles so it won’t be termiin not trying to reduce the nation per say, but they will civil service work force. I let the natural order take its do believe that some attri- course and not keep people tion will happen, the gov- employed for the sake of ernment will let contracts keeping them employed.”

Mr Bowe said Dr Minexpire, and retire some persons to shrink the size of nis’ speech was a “sobering the civil service. This will reality”, but now it needs to allow them to engage the be “matched by a clear arright persons in the right ticulation of plans”.

money. He said the former administration recklessly spent public funds without checks or balances.

“Approximately a quarter billion dollars was spent by the last administration in the months leading up to the general election.

This was another glaring example of the recklessness and massive waste by the former administration, which still today accepts no responsibility for its disastrous governance,” Dr

Minnis said.

The Tribune previously reported a “horrendous” $234m was added to the government’s fiscal deficit during the May 10 general election quarter, according to Central Bank data released earlier this month.

Last month, the Minnis administration passed bills to borrow more than $722m to cover inherited outstanding bills along with the costs associated with running the country moving forward.

DEMAND FOR ANSWERS ON PLANS FOR GROWTH THE Progressive Liberal Party has called on the government to articulate plans for economic growth, adding that the Minnis administration’s recently announced austerity measures in the absence of a growth plan that will likely trigger a double dip recession.

A statement released by PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis also said the planned hiring freeze for the public sector “will deprive the government of the requisite skill sets, expertise and resources necessary to drive informed public policy and facilitate the desired results of progress,” adding the first Christie administration learned this the “hard way”.

He also accused Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis of using his first address as the nation’s leader to cast blame on his predecessors instead of announcing new ideas for the country.

“The first nationally televised address by Prime Minister Minnis underscored what the PLP has been saying about the FNM before and after the general election: the FNM has no vision, no plan and no ideas for the future sustained growth and development into a united, resilient and strong Bahamas,” Mr Davis said.

“Dr Minnis instead took the opportunity to continue the blamestorming, further dividing the country along political lines through untruths about the PLP. His campaign promised change, transparency, accountability and prosperity but, thus far, his administration has delivered only victor’s justice, political persecution, victimisation of government workers through mass dislocation and numerous broken election promises.

“With more than five thousand young Bahamian graduates entering the labour market this year, the Minnis government has added to the unemployment rate, hardship and suffering by many Bahamian families through the firing of large numbers of government workers for purely political reasons. This is not what Bahamians voted for.

“What are the plans for jobs creation, economic growth, tourism growth and economic diversification? As critical as climate change and irregular migration are to our future stability, national identity and national security, what are the strategic plans to address these

critical national issues?

“After enjoying a doubling of the nation’s investment in scholarships, there is now talk by the FNM government of cancelling and cutting back on scholarship opportunities for young Bahamians. Again, this is not what Bahamians voted for.”

Mr Davis also said crime “continues unabated,” while job creation, illegal migration and environmental protection remain issues of concern for Bahamians.

“The prime minister failed to announce any new initiatives that will inject new and fresh capital into the economy,” he claimed.

“Vague and ambiguous announcements lacking specifics and timelines on new committees, studies, along with broad promises underscore this troubling lack of vision, plans, ideas and leadership focus our country badly needs at this time in our national development.”

“We again call for the government to articulate its economic growth plan.

Austerity measures in the absence of the same will likely trigger a double dip recession.

“Further, how will Bahamians ordinarily absorbed into the public service be otherwise employed? Any economic plan must clearly and decisively address this grave reality.

“The Bahamas is in desperate need of a more focused and strategic approach to national development, devoid of political vitriol and grandstanding directed at and designed to satiate the thirst of a specific rabid political base. Bahamians deserve and voted for strong and focused leadership, buttressed by a cogent forward looking strategic plan that will move all Bahamians forward together. Sadly, Prime Minister Minnis has failed the Bahamian people in these fundamental areas of national leadership.

“This is terribly unfortunate,” Mr Davis said.

On Wednesday, Dr Minnis announced the public sector hiring freeze and a ten per cent cut in spending in all government ministries.

He also said there will be no renewal of contracts for salaries which exceed $100,000 per year and announced a reduction in government vehicles as part of a “new era of financial discipline”.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 28, 2017, PAGE 7

‘Death penalty is the wrong way to tackle rising crime’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Human Rights Association yesterday urged the Minnis administration to reconsider its intention to push for the death penalty to be enforced to ensure criminals are punished to the full extent of the law.

In a statement released on Thursday, the GBHRA commended the FNM for its stated commitment to reversing the upward trend in violent crime, but further warned “capital punishment is simply not the way to do it.”

The statement came two days after National Security Minister Marvin Dames, in an interview with The Tribune on Tuesday, said his party would use everything on the law books, including capital punishment, to

make The Bahamas safe for “law-abiding citizens”.

However, to debunk the perceived connection between increased capital punishment and decreased crime, the GBHRA contended 90 per cent of criminologists have agreed that capital punishment is “a totally pointless exercise from the perspective of reducing violent crime”.

The association said many of the most violent countries in the world are those which have the death penalty on their law books.

“This is because, as studies show, the death penalty contributes significantly to the brutalisation of individuals and society as a whole, which in turn leads to higher rates of murder and violence,” the GBHRA noted.

“In the US, states that retain the death penalty have higher murder rates than those that have abolished

it. Capital punishment has also been linked to higher rates of violence against police and officers and increased anti-social behaviour generally.

“In addition, it is an inescapable fact that sooner or later, societies that engage in capital punishment will execute an innocent person.

No system of justice is perfect, court witnesses make mistakes and jurors do not always vote according to evidence.”

The GBHRA asserted the execution of an individual is an “irreversible act of state violence” that can never be taken back or atoned for if it is later realised that it was wrongfully applied.

“According to Amnesty International, 130 people sentenced to death in the United States have been found innocent since 1973 and released from death row. Many others were

found to have been wrongfully convicted when it was already too late.

“Such practical considerations aside, there is also a strong moral objection to capital punishment. As a nation founded on an abiding respect for Christian values and the rights of the individual, The Bahamas must always be seen to affirm the maxim that all life is sacred.

“Everyone has a sacred and inalienable right to life, even those who commit murder. Sentencing a person to death and executing them clearly violates this right,” the group added.

The GBHRA said the government should consider that trends in criminality and anti-social behaviour cannot be meaningfully reversed unless the underlying causes are addressed.

The group added that

the government, while doing all it can to protect lawabiding citizens, it should look to combat poverty, child neglect, domestic violence, drug addiction and the other social ills, all of which, GBHRA said, have been “repeatedly proven” to drive vulnerable young people toward a life of crime.

To this end, GBHRA said returning The Bahamas to a “sense of peace, safety and property,” will take nothing short of a total commitment by government, civil society and ordinary citizens to breaking the cycle of social degeneration that, it argued, has given rise to crime.

In conclusion, the group urged the government to lead the way in restoring a sense of decency and civility to the nation and to resist taking the country

down the road toward further violence, retribution and brutality.

A 2006 decision by the London-based Privy Council, The Bahamas’ highest court of appeal, quashed the country’s mandatory death penalty for murder convicts, which it said was unconstitutional.

In 2011, the Privy Council also said the death penalty should only be given in cases where the offence falls into the category of the “worst of the worst”.

That same year, the Ingraham administration made changes to the Penal Code to set out the criteria for the types of murders that would attract a discretionary death penalty after conviction.

The last person to be executed by the state was David Mitchell in January 2000.

OUTRAGE OVER BPL’S $1.1M BONUS MONEY from page one

upset” with the February 2016 agreement PowerSecure signed to manage the government-owned utility provider, saying “there is nothing in it for the Bahamian people.”

Mr Turnquest could not say whether the Minnis administration has plans to renew PowerSecure’s contract when it expires, but said the government is “moving towards a comprehensive strategy to reform the energy sector in the country.”

As to whether or not PowerSecure fits into that “overall strategy,” Mr Turnquest said: “I’m sure we’ll have a conversation.”

Mr Turnquest’s statements were in response to an article in The Nassau Guardian stating that PowerSecure benefited from a performance bonus of approximately $1.1m under the former PLP government.

Previously, sources familiar with the initial talks between the former Christie administration told Tribune Business that Power-

Secure’s compensation for managing BPL had been capped at $5m per annum.

They added that $2m was guaranteed, with the remaining $3m contingent on the US energy services provider hitting a series of performance-related goals — such as reliability, efficiency and profitability.

PowerSecure’s fiveyear management services agreement, reportedly worth as much as $25m, was promoted by the former Christie administration as being the answer to subpar electricity service and

A BPL truck on the road carrying out repairs.

BOARDS BLUNDER NAMING TWO DECEASED from page one appointment of “Charley Reubin” to the AntiDoping Commission. The Tribune was advised that the correct name for the appointee is Charles Robbins. Errors were also said to include repeated names from the previous year, according to a government official who did not have authorisation to comment on the matter.

The Tribune reached out to Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Anthony Newbold for clarification on the errors, however he did not provide a response up to press time.

It is unclear if the list will be republished.

The list, which referred to 104 statutory agencies and/or entities, lists persons appointed members of

statutory boards and committees for the period July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, unless otherwise indicated.

Notable appointments include: former National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest as chairman of Bahamasair Holdings Limited and former Free National Movement Golden Isles candidate Kenyatta Gibson as chairman of the Gaming Board.

Several FNM backbenchers were also appointed to board positions.

Among the appointments, FNM MICAL MP Rev Miriam Emmanuel has been appointed chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), taking over from former BAIC chairman and former Deputy House Speaker Dion Smith.

Nassau Flight Services

is chaired by FNM North Eleuthera MP Rickey Mackey.

Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine has been appointed chairman of the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas, with Lindsay Cancino to serve as his deputy.

St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright is chairman of the Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority.

Centreville MP Reece Chipman has been appointed chairman of the Antiquities Monuments and Museum Board. Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes has been appointed chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority. Fox Hill MP Shonel Ferguson is chairman of the Clifton Heritage Authority.

The list was made public this week.

high electricity bills. It was signed in early 2016.

Since taking the helm, however, PowerSecure’s efforts at restructuring the cash-strapped utility provider has been marred by island-wide power outages in the capital, and on some Family Islands. Light bills have also increased under PowerSecure’s management.

When questioned on the reports of PowerSecure’s performance bonus, Mr Turnquest told reporters yesterday: “It is inconsistent with the desire for improved results when the management company can be rewarded for what I think most Bahamians or

most Nassauvians would say is an inadequate service, and that’s all I can really say about that.

“Now there are contractual terms that I’m sure that exist that govern whatever has happened. That is out of our control. But certainly, it bears looking at and certainly like you I live here, I pay that bill too, and you see that kind of compensation and we experience the results that we have, it does leave a little bit of a bad taste if you will.”

When asked if the Minnis administration will seek to renew PowerSecure’s contract when it expires, Mr Turnquest said: “We are moving towards a

comprehensive strategy to reform the energy sector in the country. You would have heard the prime minister talk about his focus on alternative energy being in the mix, and so to the extent that they fit into that overall strategy, I’m sure we’ll have a conversation.

“But our focus is to bring down the cost of electricity to the lowest extent that we can by providing a reliable service. And we certainly want to focus on green technology, as we believe that it is the future and it is the most cost-effective way in the long term to achieve the kind of results that we want.”

PAGE 8, Friday, July 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bombshells and mis-spells BUCKLE UP

SO during his address to the nation this week, Prime Minister Minnis dropped a fiscal bomb; government ministries will have to cut their spending by 10% and no current contracts for workers making in excess of $100,000 will be renewed.

I can’t say that I did not expect this. How many years have Bahamians watched in horror as previous administrations have spent “the people’s money’” like drunken sailors on an all night bender?

In truth, something had to be done. And the Prime Minister’s decision is just a first step in what will hopefully be the right and responsible direction.

Still, for those who depend on jobs from ‘da ministers dem,’ this must hurt.

I would imagine those persons – from entry level positions to those with bloated 100k salaries – are feeling “some type of way” right about now.

Based on the commentary I’ve seen on social media, the taxpayers, who have had to foot the bills, are satisfied that we are headed in the best direction.

The only point of contention I am seeing debated and viewed as a negative, in light of the announcements coming out of the Minnis administration, is the decision to cut the number of

scholarships awarded to deserving Bahamian students.

During an interview with The Tribune this week, Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd said that hundreds of scholarship applicants will be turned away in the next few weeks while the government looks to recoup $156m in delinquent student loan debt.

This, in a word, is “sad!”

Did the Progressive Liberal Party alone allow this colossal debt to pile up? I find it curious that during the election season their campaign surrogates often spoke about this exact possibility of the FNM cancelling scholarships. Apparently, they knew good and well where the financial bones were buried.

What is also curious is the FNM seeming to backtrack on a key campaign promise of “free” education for Bahamians at university level. Will University of the Bahamas scholarships be affected? Because if they will, that’s not a balk but an actual break with what was expected, and it would be interesting to know the dollar value of bad student

loan debts left by the last FNM administration.

I am cautiously optimistic that as soon as possible, the new government will resume awarding grants, loans and scholarships to all qualified Bahamian students.

We knew that the country’s finances were in shambles.

We also know education is our best chance to right the ship. What we don’t know is whether the FNM can solve these problems creatively and not just tell us what we already knew.

Bahamian pundits often talk about how the youth of this country will have to pay when the marker comes due. Already, we’re seeing that happen. Strap in and buckle up, my friends. As the elders say, “the chickens have come home to roost!”

SPIN, DOCTOR I must admit, FNMs are the best at creative “spin doctoring”.

Yes, PM Minnis was a qualified, highly recognised doctor before entering political life. Yes, “nil per os” is Latin, a medical term

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during his national address. meaning “not by mouth”. political “spin doctoring” So the PM’s “No, N-P-O, in any event.

But please bear in mind No” slip while being interviewed earlier this week can that in the real world, NO spells NO!! At least the last be understood.

However, knowing that time this layman checked. we are (sadly) D average as a nation, one would think that the good doctor would refrain from medical terminologies. After all, how many times do we ask our Dr Minnis’ spelling own doctors, during a visit, to please explain it in “lay- mishap - as it was viewedcame as a result of him veman’s terms”?

Laymen don’t have pro- hemently denying he had fessional or specialised conversations with Opposiknowledge in Latin. In- tion Leader Philip “Brave” stead, when they don’t know Davis regarding the recent what on earth you’re trying arrests of high profile PLP to say, laymen (and lay- politicians.

In case you missed it, a women, I might add) take to Facebook and mock you few prominent PLP former “til the cows come home” parliamentarians have been when it appears to their lay arrested or questioned by ears you can’t spell a simple police on allegations of various malfeasance or bribword like “No”.

So, this latest verbal “boo ery charges in the past few boo” by the PM is explica- weeks.

Davis has spoken openly ble. This time I will let it slide, simply because the about the arrests being the explanation is some good result of a “witch-hunt”, though he neglected to say whether there were any actual ‘witches.’

Then there was a letter “leaked” to the press in which Mr Davis spoke about “abuses of power” and “days of reckoning” and things going and coming around. It had all the hallmarks of a Brian de Palma or Martin Scorsese

THE PUBLIC ENEMIES

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

Photo: BIS “mobster flick” script and made for an interesting read.

What it wasn’t, however, was the best way for former Deputy Prime Minister Davis to approach what he obviously views as a vexing situation for the PLP. Though he was clear to point out he was not threatening the new PM, words like “when you set out to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two” sure came across “threatenish”.

When asked whether he planned to meet with Davis to discuss the matter, a visibly anxious Dr. Minnis (like any film character who woke up in bed to find a horse’s cranium inexplicably present) was quick to utter “No-NPONo”. (Can you blame him?

If that scathing letter was addressed to you, you may have misspelled the word “no” too!)

In any case, it is not good for the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to appear so openly hostile to one another. It wasn’t a good look when then PM Christie and Dr Minnis were unnecessarily vicious with each other and it isn’t a good look now.

The campaign trail is one thing, governing a country is another.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 28, 2017, PAGE 9

AN AERIAL view of the Pine Barren Road headquarters of the Ambassador Corral International Association.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Bulldozers to move in to evict association

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Ambassador Corral International Association (ACIA), which, at one point, cared for as many as 60 people on its Pine Barren Road property, is preparing today to leave the site after its eviction.

ACIA managing director Michael Bullard said his failure to respond to a summons he was not aware of meant he was held in contempt of court after the Supreme Court ruled that the property belonged to the Fountain family.

“I told them we will get

off the property and that’s what we’re doing,” he said yesterday.

Last year, dozens of beneficiaries of the organisation were displaced after bulldozers ripped through their homes and buildings.

Now, the job that began in January 2016 will now be completed as another two and a half acres of the property that have buildings belonging to the ACIA will today be razed.

“There’s still a lot of structures standing, chapel area, a prayer room, some parts of the dining area and kitchen,” Mr Bullard explained.

“We’re still salvaging

from last year but it’s still lots of stuff, 20 years’ worth of stuff we’re taking off the property now.”

The organisation is trying to find a temporary home for 32 of its dogs.

People who benefited from the organisation, on the other hand, were placed among family and friends last year after the initial bulldozing operation.

The group is now looking for new property to establish itself and continue its work.

“It’s disturbing going through this,” Mr Bullard said. “We’re dealing with people who are emotionally hurt and young people

we’re teaching anger management to. How do you explain to them why this is happening and why we are not retaliating?”

Shelia Culmer, the president of the Bahamas National Council for Disabilities, expressed concern yesterday about what’s happening to the ACIA. “My heart cries out concerning the welfare of these children and the psychological scars they are going to develop,” she told The Tribune.

“However the public can assist, we hope that people do so. They’re looking for a place to rent with a view to purchase.”

SHEILA Culmer looks on at the garden yesterday.

ONE of the pets being cared for at the property.

Funeral Service Carolyn Agatha Knowles, 80

OVERSEER of the property Rev Michael Bullard, Sheila Culmer, president of the Bahamas National Council for Disability and staff and residents of the Pine Barren Road property.

GOVT ASSISTANCE FOR PORT LUCAYA MARKETPLACE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

KWASI Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama, has indicated that the government will step in and help Port Lucaya Marketplace while continuing urgent dialogue into the sale of the Grand Lucayan Resort.

He did not give many details, but promised to reveal more on the weekend about the Minnis administration’s plans for Port Lucaya.

“Port Lucaya will get help,” he said. “So, for the next few months government will step in and bring activities to Port Lucaya to assist the vendors located there.”

Mr Thompson was speaking at the graduation ceremony for cohort five of the National Training Agency in Grand Bahama on Wednesday evening at a Social Affair.

Business is terrible at

Port Lucaya, and many tenants are struggling to keep their stores open another two months. The recent closures of the Memories and Grand Lucayan resorts – which account for over 1,000 guest rooms –- has caused a 95 per cent consumer traffic fall-off.

Merchants have experienced significant drops in sales, and some tenants have gone from earning more than $15,000 or more in revenue per month to just $50 every two days.

Mr Thompson said officials are aware of the importance of getting the hotels reopened.

“Our major tourism properties must be brought back to life. (And) we are continuing our urgent dialogue with the principals and potential owners of the Our Lucaya properties.

“We know how important these properties are to Grand Bahama. Let me say the government will not stand by and let these prop-

erties continue to cripple our economy. We will facilitate the best deal in the shortest period.

“One way or another the government will ensure that the properties are renovated and opened. It is time government becomes a leader of our own successful destiny in this matter,” Mr Thompson said.

The government has expressed its disappointment to the owners of the closed Royal Oasis Resort in Freeport, and the need to sell or develop the properties. The hurricane damaged 900room resort closed in 2004 and resulted in the loss of 1,200 jobs.

“The status quo cannot remain the same,” stressed Senator Thompson.

He has also indicated that the government will be meeting shortly with the Grand Bahama Development Company (GB DEVCO) and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) about “moving the

real estate market forward, and on making affordable prices of land available for Bahamians.”

He said that they would also speak to company executives about “improving the look of Grand Bahama”.

“We must first look like a vibrant city if we want to attract more investment,” he said.

The minister of state told graduates that the task of revitalising the economy of Grand Bahama would not be easy.

“We are all aware of the urgent need for jobs and economic stimulus on this island – it is what we were elected to do,” he said.

“We are exploring ways of reducing government regulation and red tape in an attempt to open the flood gates of investment for Grand Bahama. The more investments, the more jobs for you young people and graduates to take advantage of.”

of Imperial Park, Nassau, The Bahamas, who died at her residence, on Monday, 24th July, 2017, will be held at the Chapel of Love, Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, Palmdale Avenue and Bradley Street, Nassau, on Monday, 31st July, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Reverend Father Crosley N. Walkine will officiate.

Cremation will follow.

Mrs. Knowles is survived by her husband, Randolph Knowles; son, Lawrence Knowles; daughters, Diana Russell, June Alcena, Michelle Knowles and Tania Bayles; grandson, Jarrett Russell; granddaughters, Natalya Russell, Melissa Alcena, Jessica Knowles and Jenna Bayles; brother, Leon Cartwright; sisters, Angela Treco, Meriel Knowles and Maitland Jones; sons-in-law, Eric Russell and Ian Bayles; grandson-in-law, Corey Knowles; granddaughter-in-law, Cassy Russell; sister-in-law, Louisa Cartwright and many other relatives and close friends.

Special thanks to Mag, Shirley, Betty and Irene.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at the Chapel of Love, on Monday, 31st July, 2017, from 10:00 a.m., until service time.

Arrangements Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

PAGE 10, Friday, July 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Pirates Cove to host poker event

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE first annual Pirate’s Cove Car Poker Run event will take place in Grand Bahama on Saturday when some 100 competitors will be competing for cash prizes, ranging from $400 to $2,000. Other exciting events are also planned for August 5 and August 7.

Dave Wallace, of Pirate’s Cove, said they wanted to provide a fun activity for Grand Bahamians this summer while raising funds in aid of the Grand Bahama Red Cross Centre.

The poker car run will get underway at 4pm at downtown Freeport and

will end at Pirates Cover at Taino Beach at 8pm.

The best poker hand winner will receive $2,000 in cash; $750 and $400 for the second and third place, respectively.

“We are excited about the event, and we are looking for 100 cars to register and enter,” Mr Wallace said.

Drivers will pick up their first card at downtown Freeport; the second card from Entwine in the International Bazaar; the third at ‘A New Level’ formally the old Captain’s Charthouse, the fourth card at Phluid Phactory on Queen’s Highway; and the final card at Pirate’s Cove.

Mr Wallace said that on August 5, Pirate’s Cove

would hold a car and motorcycle show, as well as its first Bahamian Food Festival.

The events are expected to attract a large crowd.

“It will be something different for the kids to see, the cars and motorbikes are spectacular and are some of the best you will see on the island – it will add a wonderful attraction,” Mr Wallace said.

He stated that the food festival is one of the highlights, and native food and dishes from various islands of The Bahamas will be available.

There will be Andros crab and dough and other crab dishes. Cat Islanders will be serving up peas soup

and dough, and okra soup, Biminites will prepare various lobster dishes, Abaconians will serve wild boar and crack conch. Inguanians will make wild donkey and hush mouth, Long Islanders will serve curry goat, and Eleuthera will offer pineapple tarts.

“Bahamians can expect a taste of the islands, and we will have live entertainment in the evening,” he added.

For the August 7 holiday, Pirates Cove will host the second annual Powerboat Poker & Jet Ski Run, with competitors coming in from Abaco, Bimini, and New Providence.

That event will start at 4pm, and there will be cash

prizes of $1,500, $750, and $400 for first, second, and third place finishers, respectively. Mr Wallace indicated that part proceeds from all three events would aid the Grand Bahama Red Cross.

“I learned the importance of the Red Cross when I served as the MP for Bimini and West End because it was during my tenure I had 37 fires and I saw the Red Cross in action assisting the needy and homeless,” he said.

“We are just coming through a devastating hurricane, and another hurricane season has started, and we want to assist them so that they can be able to help those affected,” Mr

Wallace said.

Cleveland Duncombe, of the Andros Association, and Rudy Stubbs, of the Cat Island Association, in Grand Bahama are looking forward to the Bahamian Food Fest.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Barr, the administrator of the Grand Bahama Red Cross, thanked Mr Wallace and Pirate’s Cove for selecting the organisation.

“We have a lot of persons that are still coming in (to us) for assistance, and we are grateful to Pirate’s Cove and the committee for selecting us. The donation will go a long way as we continue to serve the community of Grand Bahama,” she said.

THE BUS purchased for the Zion Children’s Home by the Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas is delivered to Current Island.

Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas. - It is with much pride and pleasure that the Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas can an-

nounce that the club, from proceeds received from its 30th Anniversary Antique Auto Show and Steak-Out held on March 18, was able to purchase a Toyota Hiace 15-seater bus for the Zion Children’s Home on Current Island.

The purchase means that

the children being cared for there will no longer have to walk miles to school in all weathers.

The club would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who took part and helped us make this such a wonderful occasion.

Eagle Scouts

Eagle Scouts. - ​Bahamian William Arthur Roberts of Dunwoody, Georgia’s, Boy Scouts of America’s Troop 764 attained Eagle Scout rank on July 8.

For his Eagle Scout service project, William led a team in constructing and installing two wooden protective shade canopies at St Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta.

He designed the structures, solicited donations, and supervised the efforts of 25 Scouts and others working in collaboration for a total of 267 service hours.

William is the son of Tracy & Peter Roberts of Tucker, Georgia, and of the late Bert L and Nan Roberts of Nassau, Bahamas​ , and has many relatives living in Nassau and Abaco.

William ​ has served Troop 764 as Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Quartermaster, among other roles.

He earned the Arrow of Light Award, and Lutheran Religious Emblem, among other recognitions.

He is only the second scout in the long history of Troop 764 to earn the National Den Chief Service Award.

William participated in the National Scout Jamboree in 2013, completed the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base-Bahamas Sailing Adventure in 2014, and hike-paddled through the Maine High Adventure Canoe Trek in 2015, scaling the 5,268foot Mount Katahdin in the process.

William has logged over 83 miles of hiking, completed 4 monitored Mile Swims, biked 104 interstate miles, and camped 75 nights.

He has earned 30 Merit Badges, nine more than required for Eagle rank.

William is a confirmed member of the Lutheran

BAHAMIAN-born Eagle Scout William Arthur Roberts.

Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta and attends Baylor School in Chattanooga where he plays brass and captains the Crew Team.

He served as a Georgia legislative page for five years, attended the American Legion’s Boys State, interned for Builder’s Mall in summer 2017, and worked for Chick-Fil-A and North Atlanta Professional Prep for more than two years.

William is the 112th Scout from Troop 764 to attain Eagle rank.

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

THE TRIBUNE

Waterkeepers make a splash at beach event THE group Waterkeepers Bahamas recently hosted an event called Splashmania, providing youngsters with a day at the beach.

“When you are a child, going to the beach is just about as good as life gets.

As we get older and responsibilities weigh us down, sometimes we need a little reminder about why we live in The Bahamas and love the water so much,” said Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeepers Bahamas.

“Hosting an event like Splashmania helps put us back in touch with the wonders of our waters and that is in line with what Waterkeepers represents which is to make our waters fishable, swimmable and drinkable.”

According to Ms Ingraham, the turnout at Manta

Ray Village on Williams Town Beach was better than expected.

“We had about 20 races, covering individual and team races, and indeed all participants really came to enjoy the fun,” said Ms Ingraham, who heads the local affiliate of an international alliance that operates largely with volunteer monitors.

On six continents, thousands of volunteers and limited staff monitor, test, assess and report conditions of their oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. The Bahamas has three affiliate Waterkeepers of the 300 in the global alliance: Grand Bahama, Clifton- Western Bays, and Bimini.

Races were broken down by age and distance with Kaylee Murray, 8, and Tafari Fountain, 10, tak-

ing top place honours in the youngest category. In the teen group, Tristan Rampersaude, 15, went the distance alone to come in first as did attorney K Brian Hanna in the men’s division.

In women’s events, it was the tandem duo of Gayla McPhee and Naisha Russell who power-paddled their way to a trophy. Michael Flowers powered his way to Best of the Best while Mr Hanna and team earned a second trophy for corporate group and the Grand Bahama Sailing Club won the civic and service organization category.

Waterkeepers Bahamas and Save The Bays partner in several water-related activities, including helping to sponsor the learn to swim programmes at the YMCA Grand Bahama and the Freeport Aquatics Club.

WATERKEEPERS Bahamas executive director Rashema Ingraham, far left, poses with winners and volunteers at Splashmania kayak races and a day at the beach at Manta Ray Village on Williams Town Beach, Grand Bahama.

Friday, July 28, 2017, PAGE 11

PEOPLE on the beach at the Waterkeepers’ Splashmania event.