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Vessel infected with Asian insect sailed to Freeport after US ban By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net ENVIRONMENTAL activist Joseph Darville is outraged over the docking and offloading of a cargo ship allegedly laden with a shipment of wood infested with an invasive beetle that destroys crops. The “Pan Jasmine” cargo vessel is allegedly docked at Bradford Marine in Freeport. It was initially inspected by US Federal Agents near New Orleans and denied entry after the cargo of wood was
discovered infested with a type of Asian beetle that has been destroying trees in the US for about 25 years. According to reports, the ship was ordered to leave US waters and departed July 21 for Freeport, Bahamas, for disposal. Some of the shipment has already been offloaded and taken to the landfill in Freeport, according to Mr Darville, who is calling on Bahamian authorities to immediately investigate the matter.
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle has appealed to Bahamians to abide by health protocols during the Emancipation Day holiday weekend. He said officers will be enforcing the law as usual and stressed that bars are prohibited from operating. SEE PAGE FOUR
SEE PAGE FIVE
BABY DIES IN POOL TRAGEDY
MINNIS WAS RIGHT - WE CAN’T HALT ECONOMY By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIAN businessmen yesterday voiced relief that the Prime Minister did not unveil a COVID-19 lockdown or further restrictions in his Wednesday night address, asserting: “You cannot stop the economy again.” Branville McCartney, the Halsbury Chambers law
firm principal and ex-Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader, told Tribune Business that placing the country - and especially New Providence - into 2020-style lockdowns to halt the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases would have “wiped the economy out” just as its tourism industry was showing signs of revival. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
JUMPERS FALL SHORT BAHAMIAN high jumper Donald Thomas pictured in the men’s high jump at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo yesterday - but Thomas and compatriot Jamal Wilson were both eliminated on day one of the track and field competition, placing 25th and 32nd respectively. There was drama on the track, however, with Anthonique Strachan winning a runoff against Grand Bahamian colleague Brianne Bethel to join Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Tynia Gaither in the women’s 200m heats on Monday. See SPORTS for full coverage. Photo: Morry Gash/AP
COLLIE TOLD PAY UP REAL TAX DEBT By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A PROMINENT Bahamian businessman has been given 60 days to pay $734,222 in outstanding real property taxes on his West
Bay Street nightclub property or see it sold by the Government. Al Collie, developer of Club Luna and the Zoo before it, yesterday failed in his bid to “stay and/or suspend” an April 9, 2019, judgment obtained against
him by the Government’s treasurer for $1.357m in unpaid real property tax and penalty surcharges owed on that parcel and another property at Elizabeth Avenue in downtown Nassau. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
A ONE-year-old child is dead after drowning in a swimming pool on Wednesday night. Police said the child was at home with relatives and wandered away from the house. “According to reports, shortly after 7pm, Wednesday the child was at home with relatives when he wandered from the house and a few minutes later was discovered at the bottom of the swimming pool,” police said in a press statement. “He was transported to hospital in serious condition and later pronounced dead.”
THE NEXT EDITION OF THE TRIBUNE IS ON TUESDAY AFTER THE EMANCIPATION DAY HOLIDAY
PAGE 2, Friday, July 30, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
20 new cars to help crack down on crime
US Chargé D’Affairs Usha Pitts speaking to the media.
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE United States government donated 20 Ford Police Interceptor hybrid SUVs worth $1.1m to the Royal Bahamas Police Force yesterday. The Interceptors will be used in Nassau, Grand Bahama, and the Abaco islands. The SUVs will also replenish part of the fleet that was lost during Hurricane Dorian. According to the US Embassy, the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) provided the funding for the donation after Hurricane Dorian destroyed approximately 100 RBPF vehicles on Grand Bahama and Abaco. Speaking on behalf of the American government at the handing over ceremony yesterday, US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts noted that “these Ford Interceptors are a wonderful, small example of the friendship between the United States and The Bahamas.” National Security Minister Marvin Dames thanked the US for their donation stating that “we can’t do it alone. Through partnerships we can do amazing things, and we’re doing it.” Mrs Pitts also announced she ordered an Interceptor for Commissioner of Police
MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames shakes hands with US Chargé D’Affairs Usha Pitts. Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff Paul Rolle. The US Embassy and the RBPF persisted to finalize the million-dollar donation which was said to be two years in the making “It’s one thing to hand out cash; it’s another thing to have the bureaucratic fortitude to stick with a project and see it through to the end,” the Chargé d’Affaires noted. Mr Rolle explained that the pandemic impacted the manufactures. “Ford was mandated to make ventilators and the president ordered that Ford discontinued
manufacturing vehicles and concentrate on ventilators for the hospitals.” In a press release the US Embassy explained: “These Interceptors — valued at just over $1.1m — expand on another recent donation of six police vehicles valued at approximately $300,000 dollars that were delivered in February, bringing the value of vehicle donations from the U.S. Embassy in 2021 to about $1.4m. The 20 vehicles delivered today are fuel-efficient hybrid SUVs, helping to reduce fuel costs and sustain
increased police patrols in areas with high crime. “These latest vehicle donations exemplify the strong partnership between the United States and The Bahamas. It also compliments the United States’ ongoing support for citizen and border security in the archipelago, following a donation in December, 2020 of six Mercury Verado boat engines valued at over $168,000 dollars to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Marine Support Services Unit and Bahamas Customs Marine Unit.”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 30, 2021, PAGE 3
Davis: PM has no plan to tackle surge By RASHAD ROLLE the science behind each Tribune Senior Reporter of the Emergency Orders; rrolle@tribunemedia.net more information from the Ministry of Health regardPROGRESSIVE Lib- ing the sites and sources of eral Party Leader Philip transmission, so Bahami“Brave” Davis faulted ans can be more informed Prime Minister Dr Hubert about where and how to Minnis’ latest national protect themselves; and address yesterday, saying making high-quality medthe administration lacks ical-grade masks available a thoughtful and compre- to Bahamians.” hensive plan to address the Mr Davis said the govlatest surge in COVID-19 ernment has been slow to cases. respond to the crisis. Dr Minnis on Wednesday “The Minnis governnight pleaded ment never with residents ‘The Minnis seems to have a to ignore misplan; instead of government information thoughtful and and to see the never seems comprehensive COVID-19 vac- to have a plan; preparation, cine as the best they prefer way out of the instead of to react and pandemic. thoughtful and improvise,” He he said. “This comprehensive announced is why we are various meas- preparation, they facing a public ures to shore prefer to react health crisis up the country’s and improvise.’ without enough fight against hospital beds, COVID-19, or nurses, or including hiring 49 medi- doctors, or vaccines, or cal staff and 111 nurses and public education. nursing support staff at a “This is why last Friday, cost of $7.2 million. the Health Minister, apparIn a press statement ently now speaking for yesterday, Mr Davis recom- the Competent Authority, mended that government announced a new series of launch “a public education restrictions, many of which campaign with medical are hard to reconcile with professionals; a risk miti- science and don’t pass a gation initiative, to make common-sense test. Then workplaces, churches, last night, the Prime Minhomes and schools safer; ister focused his National meaningful consultation Address on urging Bahamiand cooperation with local ans to get vaccinated. medical professionals, who “The main problem? It’s have been ignored; urgent impossible to get vaccire-evaluation of the policy nated without vaccines. The permitting entry to vac- Bahamas is behind nearly cinated travellers without every regional neighbour in a negative COVID test; the Caribbean in vaccinapartnership with the private tions. The Cayman Islands, sector to bring in vaccines, Barbados, Bermuda, Turks including additional Pfizer and Caicos, Anguilla, the doses; a dramatic expan- British Virgin Islands, Saint sion of both testing and Kitts and Nevis, Antigua contact tracing; Sup- and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, port for COVID-positive Trinidad and Tobago – Bahamians who need to all of these countries and isolate; an explanation of many more have vaccinated
a larger share of their populations. “Although the Prime Minister has clearly struggled to bring in vaccines, he has yet to explain why he rejected a credible effort by the private sector to bring Pfizer vaccines to The Bahamas in January and February. Tens of thousands of Bahamians could have been inoculated by now, safer from the highly transmissible Delta variant. “We hope that long-promised additional doses do arrive soon. The government should better prepare for that moment with a public education initiative. The Prime Minister seems to believe that telling people not to be afraid of needles is sufficient public education, an approach that is arrogant and condescending. A much better approach would be to make trusted medical professionals available to answer questions in a series of public education events. Bahamians deserve to have their questions and concerns responded to respectfully by experts.”
RETAIL RELIEF AT NO NEW RESTRICTIONS By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN retailers are breathing a sigh of relief after no new COVID-19 restrictions were announced by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during his national address. The sector had suffered economic fallout as a result of COVID-19 restrictions implemented in 2020, which prohibited retail stores from operating for much of the year. Even when stores were given the green light to open, they were limited to curbside services. However, despite COVID-19’s impact, Dr Minnis said the country’s economy is showing promising signs of recovery and noted small businesses are “bouncing” back. Yesterday, The Tribune contacted several local retailers to see whether there has been increased business activity in recent months, many of whom said it was picking up slightly. Lorene’s Department Store’s operations manager, Nicole Aranha said while business levels are a far cry from pre-COVID times, they are an improvement from last year. “For clothing stores, it’s slowly coming back because of course, there are people still without jobs or they’re also working on a rotation system so they’re not getting what they’re used to so with clothing it’s slower because it’s not a necessity besides underwear,” she said.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during his national address. “But we can’t really compare it to last year because at least six months of the year, we were closed completely and I don’t have the dates in front of me so of course, we were making nothing so of course anything is better than nothing. Some months are still down but others we are seeing a recovery.” Meanwhile, John Cathopoulis, general manager of John’s Shoe Store added: “We’re doing fine. I’m not complaining. How could you complain in a time like this. Whatever happens, happens and that’s always been our mantra. We’re still surviving. We haven’t had to let anyone go or shorten our staff. We have like 50 people employed. I have been encouraged by what we have been doing given the current climate.” Still, Mr Cathopoulis said he would like to see a further re-opening of the economy to help boost sales. “I would like to see these
emergency orders finished so nightlife could return, so funerals and weddings could have the numbers they’re used to having and shoppers would be coming shopping for those type of events – regattas and all these events a fashion store like ours really depends on.” Many residents anticipated Dr Minnis would announce additional restrictions yesterday in response to rising virus numbers in the country. However, he announced none – something that was welcomed with open arms in some businesses. “It was a big sigh of relief concerning us because curbside for a clothing retail store and I’m sure shoes as well, certain retail stores it’s very hard to deal with curbside because people like to try on and feel the material or fit an item so yes, there was a big sigh of relief because I was feeling like he was going to do a lockdown,” Ms Aranha said.
PAGE 4, Friday, July 30, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
FOLLOW THE RULES - WE’RE WATCHING
POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle speaking to the media yesterday. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff
from page one His words come days after new health measures were announced for New Providence and Grand Bahama along with North and Central Eleuthera, including Harbour Island. Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony for the handover of vehicles
to the RBPF from the United States government, Mr Rolle revealed that he signed the operation order for Monday’s holiday yesterday morning. “We’ll be continuing our efforts in stepping it up as usual on these holidays and I still ask persons to, you know, abide by these provisions,” the Commissioner told reporters. “Bars
are prohibited and if we find them, we’ll be taking action.” Asked whether officers intended to also ensure churches follow the measures, the police chief explained officers were not going to be focused on any one group. “I encourage persons to abide by the provisions of the emergency powers
order,” Mr Rolle said. “I’m not gonna go into that discussion with the church and the pastors. I said already, what we’re going to do. Let’s leave that at that.” The church community has expressed criticism of the one-hour restrictions of religious services. Bahamas Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander has said the state “cannot dictate to the church”. On the other hand, Senior Pastor of Mount Tabor Church Bishop Neil C Ellis told The Nassau Guardian: “We are not going to be hardpressed to end our services abruptly after 59 minutes if we have not come to a place of a good conclusion for the worship experience.”
The Commissioner was also asked yesterday about a video circulating on social media that shows a man being handled by police with some people believing that the officers were too aggressive in taking him away from a vehicle and putting him in a police car. According to the Commissioner the individual involved was supposed to be in quarantine but breached it. He said: “I saw a video; I believe that was in Bimini and I don’t know what you mean by aggressive. The officers follow procedures. When we use force, we take action against the officers and what you saw on that video was the officers giving instructions and the young man refusing to comply,
TOTAL CASES
but yet sill the officer used, which I thought was reasonable force as provided in law. “I would like to stress to persons when the police give you orders, just follow the orders. You know, if the police does something wrong there’s a way for that but not to challenge the police when they’re trying to enforce the laws. This man was supposed to have been in quarantine, as I understand it, and he had breached the quarantine and so we took the action necessary to put him back where he was supposed to be.” “That was in Bimini during the lockdown and persons were I think taking advantage of the fact that we couldn’t get them to court in time”.
TOTAL DEATHS
14,545 286 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES WEDNESDAY
88 CASES
TOTAL TESTS
HOSPITALISED
NEW PROVIDENCE 59 EXUMA 12 ABACO 7 GRAND BAHAMA 3 BIMINI & CAT CAY 3 ELEUTHERA 3 ANDROS 1
118,579 106
CASES IN ICU
11
RECOVERED
12,549
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 30, 2021, PAGE 5
Ship with invasive beetle offloads here from page one
“This is absolutely unbelievable,” Mr Darville lamented in a voice note posted and circulated on social media. “That stuff, poison sh-- is already on the island. It is stored at Bradford Marine, and in addition to that, the ship fooled the people by saying it is a regular tonnage and did not say anything about it being contaminated. And so, they were receiving it as if it was just stuff that can be discarded.” Mr Darville, chairman of Save of the Bays, an environmental group, said an official at Sanitation Services has confirmed to him that some of the contaminated shipment is already at the landfill. He said that the official said the shipment is in one area and has already been sprayed after learning it was contaminated. “How can something like that happen in a modern city like Freeport? Who allowed them to offload that stuff?” asked Mr Darville.
“Who permitted Bradford Marine to allow that to be offloaded in Freeport, and offloaded also at the landfill? “This is unbelievable. I hope whatever authorities in this country would get onto that immediately.” “Are we becoming a dumping ground now for poisonous materials that Louisiana or Mississippi who would not even allow the ship to dock there, and the darn ship comes here? Who cleared the ship? Who allowed it to be cleared in our waters for this stuff to be offloaded and to be landed in Freeport. This is absolutely unbelievable,” Mr Darville stressed. According to the website www.nola.com, it was reported that Federal agents inspecting a cargo ship near New Orleans ordered it out of the country after finding it infested with a type of Asian beetle that has been destroying trees in the US for about 25 years. “They discovered the invasive beetle in wood onboard the Pan Jasmine on July 17, just after the 590-footlong vessel anchored in the
Mississippi River about a mile downriver from New Orleans, according to US Customs and Border Protection officials. Flagged under Panama, the ship had previously offloaded a shipment of aluminium in Veracruz, Mexico, after departing a port in India,” it read. It further indicated that “Federal agents discovered the invasive beetle in wood onboard the Pan Jasmine on July 17, just after the 590-foot-long vessel anchored in the Mississippi River about a mile downriver from New Orleans, according to US Customs and Border Protection officials. The article reported the beetle is of the Cerambycidae family of long-horned beetles that bore into the wood and can feed on a wide variety of trees in the US, eventually killing them. The. insect forms permanent colonies that can compete with native species and damage crops. “If the wood had been offloaded into the US, it would have been put in a Louisiana landfill where the insects could crawl out and invade the local
ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS FORTY Bahamian students participated in a STEM based programme offered by Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement (BETA) Camp this summer in hopes of learning more about the engineering field. This year’s virtual camp was held under the theme “Interisland Connection: Building Independent and Collaborative Island Economies.” BETA Camp CEO and Founder, Dr Trenicka Dukes said the initiative provides students in grades seven to nine the opportunity to experience hands on education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
She said the ultimate goal of the annual programme is to prepare Bahamian students to be globally competitive. “Beta camp is a two-week summer engineering programme where we focused on providing students with hands on exposure to science, technology and math, the acronym known as STEM,” Dr Dukes said. “Emphasis on programmes like this are really important because we’re giving students 21st century learning skills like critical thinking, problem solving, team work and coding. As we know, the world around us is rapidly changing and if COVID taught us anything, it’s that we have to
be flexible and adaptable and not only that, but the careers of the future are in STEM and it’s important that we prepare out youth for that.” Cloud Carib, a technology company, said it is proud to be involved in the camp and support the initiative as a sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. “Part of our mandate is to help create and mold the next generation of tech industry professionals and we take that responsibly and very seriously,” said Stelios Xeroudakis, CEO and Founder of Clous Carib. To learn more about BETA camp, visit http:// wearebeta.co/.
BOOK TO FEATURE IN MIAMI AFRO-BAHAMIAN CELEBRATION “THE Orange Blossom 2.0”, a book by Cesar Becerra, will have a special place in Miami’s 125th anniversary celebration as it highlights the Afro-Bahamian Community. The Board of the Historic Hampton House and President Emeritus Dr Enid Pinkney along with historian Cesar Becerra are organizers of the historic celebration that will highlight great conversations about Mary Brickell and her influences in the AfroBahamian Community.
Cesar A Becerra is a South Florida historian who is taking part in chronicling and sharing the stories of the region for two decades. He is the author of half a dozen books ranging from hiking the Appalachian Trail to the logging history of the Big Cypress Preserve. The story of Ms Brickell and the Afro-Bahamian Community of Miami is not well told. However, Becerra’s new book Orange Blossom 2.0 amassed decades of research and sheds light on Miami’s “Other
Mother” Mary Brickell and her integral and often overlooked role in the founding of Miami. Becerra has been on a fact finding mission for 25 years; driven to find the true history of Miami’s origin story. He interviewed Dr Pinkney for a critical chapter that follows just how supportive Ms Brickell was to the black community, often putting her own reputation on the line. He believes this could be one of the many reasons why Mary Brickell has been marginalised in Miami’s history.
habitat, causing incalculable damage,” said Terri Edwards, the agency’s New Orleans area port director. Cerambycids were first discovered in the US in New York City in 1996. Native to China and the Korean peninsula, the beetles were accidentally imported into the US via wooden shipping materials. Within two years, infestations resulted in the destruction of almost 7,000 trees and control measures that have cost more than $530m, the article reported. “If left uncontrolled, Cerambycids and other invasive wood-boring beetles could cause more than $100 billion in damage to the US economy, according to the Agriculture Department.
ACTIVIST Joseph Darville.
PAGE 6, Friday, July 30, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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Are we really protecting our environment? IT seems mindboggling. A ship loaded with infested wood gets turned away from New Orleans, so what happens next? It’s brought to The Bahamas and thrown into the landfill at Freeport. Now The Bahamas has to deal with the consequences of some spectacularly short-sighted decision-making. Do we really take our environment seriously? In yesterday’s Tribune, we reported on Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ national address, which was torn between trying to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus and trying not to kill our resurgent tourism industry. Why do tourists head for The Bahamas? Our beaches, our spectacular waters, our sunshine. That’s the environment we need to protect – and yet here we are casually letting an invasive beetle into our land rather than turning the boat away and saying, no sir, not today. We’ve already seen the impact of invasive species here with the lionfish that spread through our waters – do we really want to invite in more? We still haven’t heard anything from that so-called investigation into damage to the sea floor reportedly from cruise ships anchored in our waters during the pandemic. Is it any wonder people think our talk of environmental concern is just that: talk? As activist Joseph Darville asks, “Are we becoming a dumping ground now for poisonous materials that Louisiana or Mississippi who would not even allow the ship to dock there, and the darn ship comes here? Who cleared the ship?
Who allowed it to be cleared in our waters for this stuff to be offloaded and landed in Freeport. This is absolutely unbelievable.” Unbelievable, indeed. Worse, what else is being allowed in? What will be allowed in next week, next month, next year? We would hope the Ministry of the Environment would speak to the matter with urgency – and while they’re at it, give an update on that seabed investigation. That is, if we’re really serious about protecting our environment.
Pay taxes
It’s time to pay up for Al Collie. A court has given him 60 days to pay $734,222 in outstanding real property taxes – but his battle to fend off the bill took him to the very top, a meeting with Prime Minister Dr Minnis. It must be very nice indeed for someone who owes a bill to be able to plead their case to the Prime Minister, it’s certainly not a luxury afforded to many. We sincerely hope Dr Minnis gave him short shrift and told him to go pay his bill. Belts are tight after the fall in income due to COVID-19, but there’s no room for favours at the best of times if we are to aspire to be a society of fairness. No one likes paying taxes, but they are our contribution to make sure our country functions. It’s never welcome, but it’s our duty. We hope Mr Collie does that duty promptly.
I AM happy to read in The Tribune that Mr Rupert Roberts is seriously planning to make his SuperValue foodstores as safe as possible as he and his customers ride out this pandemic killer. It is understandable that he should not fire a current SuperValue employee from his present job if that employee refuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but he can certainly make vaccinations a condition of employment for any new staff he might take on. For those now on staff who are refusing the vaccine, I would suggest that Mr Roberts get them together, invite a doctor to explain the medical
problem to them, and advise them to take the shot. For those who still refuse to take the vaccine, I suggest that for the protection of himself, his vaccinated staff and his customers, every morning before the unvaccinated staff are allowed into any of the stores, they should be tested at the door for the virus. If they test positive, then off to the hospital they go – but herein lies another problem. Who is to do the testing at a private business such as a foodstore? I would suggest Mr Roberts make enquiries of a doctor and discover if it such tests can be taught to a layman. If it can then you are in business and for those staff who experience death all
Facts first EDITOR, The Tribune,
IT SEEMS the narcissistic talk show hosts and their oddball groupies have become experts on COVID vaccines. The asinine statements flowing from the lips of some are mind boggling. What land do these people live in? They have done a terrible disservice to the country by allowing their personal agendas and lust for attention to create doubt and confusion among the more gullible and unprotected in society. Or is this all about driving up ratings and revenue? I wonder how many of
them have seen images of COVID victims all alone and gasping for their last breath? Do they have any idea how many people are in acute pain and suffering from other medical issues, unable to get corrective surgery because the hospitals are overwhelmed by the unvaccinated? The health workers are overwhelmed by the unvaccinated and ironically, many of them also are unvaccinated. Do people who spout nonsense realise our economic survival depends on controlling the virus and the only way to do that is
EDITOR, The Tribune.
OVER in the USA many are questioning the mental and physical condition of President Joe Biden as the 46th President of that nation, to hold elective office. It does not appear to matter that he defeated former President Donald Trump in the Electoral Collage and by popular vote. Here in The Bahamas we have seldom, if ever, publicly questioned the the mental or physical abilities of our leaders, especially those who become Prime Minister. Times may well be changing where we may start to around them, and the pan- do so. There is much specudemic getting even closer lation that the current PM to them, but still refuse the may call a snap election vaccination, then demand within weeks or months in that they take a daily test an attempt to catch the New before entering any Super- PLP and other opposition forces off guard. I am not Value foodstore. Also - whether vacci- one of Dr Minnis’ advisors nated or not — I suggest and most of my other habits that Mr Roberts make are good. It is my opinion it a rule that everyone that he’d be foolish to call employed or shopping in general elections anytime any of his stores must wear soon. Here are some of the reasons. The economy and a mask. One cannot be too careful crime are the two biggest these days. I also suggest outstanding issues. Yes, we have seen fits and that those store owners who starts in a resurgent econinstitute these safety rules should make their inten- omy but it’s still anemic and tions known. It is in such a could be wiped out again store that I would feel safe, if Dr Minnis as the Comand to which I would cer- petent Authority abruptly shuts down the country tainly give my business. again. Unemployment continues to hover around BAHAMIAN 30-40% despite what the SHOPPER Minister of Labour and the Nassau, Director of Labour have July 26, 2021 been saying without presenting a shred of empirical evidence. Bahamians are quick to ascribe blame to sitting politicians and it will be no different with Dr. Minnis and his people in the FNM administration. He and they will be blamed through vaccination? It’s time to call out any for the massive unemploymedia house that allows ment and bread lines. The advent of the panits platform to be used to spread misinformation and demic could not have been stopped by the PM or disinformation. With so much fake news anyone else. His reaction driven by social media, the and so-called solutions to mainstream media must combat the same, however, do everything within their are his babies and he owns power to promote truth and them, like it or not. A lot facts in a fair and balanced of Bahamians will directly blame him for the whipsaw manner. Thank you to those who curfews and knee jerked put facts and country before lock downs. Within the past hysteria and hyperbole. It’s year and a half Bahamians, a shame there aren’t more by and large, have been pauperized. Minnis will be like you. blamed for this. Infrastructure here in ATHENA DAMIANOS New Providence is terrible Nassau, and an indictment on the July 29, 2921.
Safe shopping EDITOR, The Tribune.
Elections LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net administration generally and the Minister of Works in particular. Governmental buildings are crumbling and pot holes abound on the majority of our streets. I often wonder if there are road crews that travel around New Providence on a regular basis checking out streets? Traffic lights are often malfunctioning. Power outages are frequent. The parliamentary buildings are atrocious. The other day a large portion of the ceiling in the Senate crashed to the floor. The House itself is outdated and the environment leaves much to be desired. The economy in Grand Bahama generally, but Freeport in particular, has yet to see any meaningful economic activity in almost five years of the Minnis led administration. Mind you the FNM commands all of the electoral seats in Grand Bahama and some refer to it as ‘FNM country’ for what it is worth. The other Family Islands, except for Eleuthera; Exuma and Long Island, are all still under the economic radar. Crime and the fear of crime is literally killing Bahamians, especially in the capital. According to no less a person than the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Marvin Dames (FNM-Mount Moriah) homicides are up by 68% this year compared to last year. The FNM campaigned and came to office charging the Christie led PLP with unabated crime. Now the shoe is on the other foot and I am sure that the bunions and corns are hurting. Minnis also campaigned for the reintroduction of capital punishment. In fact, he gratuitously offered to act as hangman for any convicted murderer once all of his/her legal appeals would have been exhausted. Since elections, the now incumbent PM has yet to fix his mouth to comment, extensively, on crime; the fear of crime and punishment. This phenomenon must be addressed before calling general elections or it will be yet another big and rusty nail in the FNM’s cloth political casket. Minnis and his people will have to divest
themselves of the Lucayan albatross before coming to the people. Almost 100 million dollars have been injected into that project with very little to see on the ground. Few Bahamians know what is being paid to those who purport to manage that facility. There are two proposed government subdivisions here in New Providence. According to the PM ‘policy makers’ and others will determine who qualifies and who will actually get a home or duplex therein. This is a scheme ripe for potential corruption and cronyism, especially with elections just around the corner. Until these subdivisions are up and running, at the least with complete infrastructure, the PM should hold off on ringing the bell. Mind you, it may well make very little difference if he does it now or later, but he has to buy political time. Several promises were made by Minnis and his people while in opposition not the least of which were a fixed electoral date; term limitations and, of course, an Ombudsman. We have yet to see them. Multiple “unknown” have been awarded under the Emergency Powers Act by the Competent Authority (a one man band if ever there were one) that have yet to see the light of day. Our national debt is almost 10 billion dollars and our annual servicing of the same is almost 600 million dollars. The Bahamas is, in my opinion, broke or close to insolvency. Not yet a “failed state” but getting there. Again, I say, that Dr Minnis would be very foolish and politically inept to try to call snap general elections before cleaning up the mess that he and his team either generated or allowed to creep up on them. I note vicious and possibly untruthful ads on the internet about the Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, QC (PLP-Cat Island). Those ads will not, in my opinion, be enough to discourage right thinking Bahamians from voting PLP in the next general elections, snapped or otherwise. Hold back, Dr Minnis, if you wish to avoid a wipe out. ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, July 13, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 30, 2021, PAGE 7
Man accused ex-girlfriend in series of degrading posts By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN uploaded degrading posts of his former girlfriend online because he believed she was responsible for the murders of his friends, a court heard yesterday. Dre Major was charged with intentional libel after he was accused of posting defamatory content of the
woman on his Facebook page in April. The court heard the woman, who is a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, reported the matter after Major continued to upload the embarrassing posts daily between the months of March and May. When she testified during Major’s trial yesterday, she said she and the accused had been in a relationship for four years, but they
had broken up. She said although they did not end on “bad terms”, after the split, Major “exploded” and started posting “negative things” about her on Facebook. The officer said the accused posted about how she “needed to get killed” and how she used to have sex with different people. She also said he alleged that she caused somebody to get killed. The court
was told Major published several Facebook posts stating: “This girl looking to get kill…She on the police force grinding all kind of killers then want come around me like she ain’t doing nothing...When I first know her she did look like a real Haitian.” The witness said Major’s posts made her feel “hurt” because he was giving her a “bad name” as a police officer. She added the
situation was especially embarrassing since people she knew were seeing the things he was posting about her and sending them to her. Yesterday, woman Corporal Danielle Moultrie also gave evidence. She said she interviewed Major after he was taken into custody for questioning. She said after she showed the accused screenshots of the posts he made directed
towards his ex-girlfriend, he admitted to posting them. She also said Major told her he believed his former girlfriend was at fault for the murders of two of his friends on Cowpen Road. Yesterday, Major, who is not represented by an attorney, chose not to question either of the prosecution’s witnesses although he maintained his not guilty plea to the libel charge. The matter continues on August 3.
OFFICER TESTIFIES $2,500 FINE FOR MAN WHO BOUGHT IN MARIJUANA CASE By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A POLICE officer yesterday testified of finding a quantity of marijuana at a man’s residence last month. Brandon Wells was charged with dangerous drug possession with the intent to supply after officers alleged they found several silver foil wraps at his home on June 25. When Detective Sergeant Jermaine Flowers said a team of officers and dogs from the K-9 unit proceeded to Wells’ Nassau Village residence to conduct inquiries. The court heard upon their arrival, they showed the
accused their search warrant and began their investigation. During their search, they found a marijuana joint in Wells’ underwear. When it was discovered, he said he had the drugs for a “little smoke” and insisted it was all he had. However, Sgt Flowers said when the police dogs made indications to a bench upstairs, officers found a clear plastic bag with over a dozen silver foil wraps. A further search led to the discovery of three more bags filled with loose marijuana. The court was told when Wells was questioned, he said the drugs were also his and further
stated he only sold five joints for the day. Sgt Flowers said officers, acting on additional information, then proceeded to the home of the accused’s stepfather. When the police dogs were deployed there, they made indications to the back of the home. There, officers noticed a purple and black bag in a bushy area behind a shed in the backyard. The court heard when officers searched the bag, they found eight clear plastic bags filled with marijuana. Wells, who was present during the search, told officers the drugs were also his and asked them not to arrest his family. The matter continues on August 5.
TEEN ADMITS STABBING STEPFATHER IN ARGUMENT By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A TEENAGER who admitted stabbing his stepfather about the body during an argument was yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison. Samuel Higgs was charged with grievous harm after he caused “multiple lacerations” to his stepfather’s torso and scalp on July 21. The court was told that Higgs admitted to
the offence when he was arrested and questioned in police custody. The prosecution said the complainant’s injuries required him to seek medical attention at the Princess Margaret Hospital where his wounds were described as “very serious” injuries that could “result in death”. When Higgs appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday, he maintained his guilty plea. He also said he
only attacked his stepdad because the “man was on cocaine and would wake up everyday rowing and hallucinating”. Magistrate McKinney said he considered the accused’s young age and early guilty plea, but because of the serious nature of the offence, he would impose a custodial sentence on him. Higgs was subsequently sentenced to 18 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
STOLEN ELECTRONICS By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN who admitted purchasing an assortment of electronics which were stolen from a woman’s home was yesterday fined $2,500. Last year Danrico Carey was charged with housebreaking, stealing and receiving after police alleged he broke into Tamara Bowe’s Carmichael Road residence to steal $3,000 worth of devices. He denied the allegations when he first appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis and the matter was adjourned for trial. When Ms Bowe testified, she said she discovered her residence had been invaded on December 10, 2020, when she met the door
“kicked in” after arriving home after 2pm. She said in “disbelief” she went inside and checked her son’s room where she discovered his TV was missing. She said when she checked her room, she also found it dishevelled. Ms Bowe added her flat screen television was also missing along with her Apple laptop, three wireless speakers, two fire sticks, a tablet and a 60-pound gas tank. She added that when she called the police, they took fingerprints from items in her home to assist them with their investigation. The witness said a few weeks later, she was called to the Carmichael Road police station where an officer returned her tablet to her. She said when she went through the device’s photo gallery, she saw a photo of a man she did not
recognise. When a copy of the photo was shown to Carey in court, he claimed that he did not know the man in the photo or where the picture had come from. He also stated he never broke into the woman’s home and insisted he bought the items from another man. After listening to his explanation, the prosecution asked Carey if he would like to change his plea. When Carey agreed, the charges were re-read to him, and he owned up to dishonestly receiving the electronics. As a result, Magistrate Rolle Davis fined him $2,500 for the offence and ordered him to compensate the woman $3,000 for her stolen goods. He warned him if he didn’t, he would be sentenced to one year in prison.
Americaribe Bahamas LTD is seeking to fill the following positions, which will be based in Nassau
SENIOR SITE ENGINEER
The Senior Site Engineer main responsibility is to support the Superintendent in the completion of all various site aspects of the construction and to manage the Subcontractors as well as self-perform works. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Coordination of construction activities among all trades throughout process • Assist in maintaining & enforcing Safety requirements and housekeeping rules in the area of work • Thorough understanding of construction documents (drawings, Spec, subcontractor scope of work) • Coordinate inspections of various trades with Local Municipality & Private provider agency • Interact with Ownership & Design Team on finish details & conflict resolution • Coordination of drawings to complete different areas of construction • Management of RFI’s and submittals • Prepare and track construction schedule (progress), phasing, means & method in accordance with project programme. • Management of Subcontractors (Meeting, schedule, progress, payment) • Understand quality expectations on work performed & enforce standards among subs • Procurement of various packages: bid tab, selection, contract • Implement and ensure LEAN management on the project. • Organise and animate weekly meetings with consultant, designers, project manager. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS • Candidate must have a Master degrees (5 years of studies) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or related field. • Candidate must have at least three years of experience performing the duties described above • Experience working, in this role, in the construction of 5 Star Hotels and Condominiums a plus • Working knowledge of Microsoft office a must • Working knowledge of Project Management System such as Procore, Snag R a plus • Working knowledge of MS project or equivalent • Able to read and understand design drawings and schematics • Experience in several construction trades a plus • Working knowledge of LEAN management Please email resumes to
recruitment@americaribe.us for consideration
PAGE 8, Friday, July 30, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
What does Opposition really want?
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis seems to have caught the Opposition on the hop with his national address.
A Comic’s View
THIS week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis delivered a national address on Covid-19 that left some opposition politicos very upset. It turns out those who oppose the PM wanted the country to be locked down. Actually, they didn’t really want to be locked down, By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA but they wanted to complain that Doc had locked us down. So they anti-vax voices to whom Davis had previneeded him to lock us down, though no one ously pandered. truly wanted a lockdown. According to Bain, Davis (who has Confused? Welcome, once again, to “silly already suffered through a Covid-19 season,” where politicians want to have infection, mind you) was “drinking the their pandemic panny-cake and eat it too! kool-aid” by being vaccinated. The same vacillating is happening with Mr Bain went even furvaccines: “Consider the vacther. “They’re gonna have cine,” Progressive Liberal ‘It turns out those to put that vaccine in Party (PLP) leader Philip who oppose the my cold, dead body,” he “Brave” Davis whispered in yelled, without a hint of one breath. “Don’t you dare PM wanted the self-awareness. Then, as tell us nuttin’! That’s a per- country to be if suddenly remembering sonal choice!’’ PLP Chairman locked down. he was “live to the world” Fred Mitchell screamed in and some already-vacciActually, they another. nated voters, he quickly And the dithering didn’t end didn’t really want muttered, “if you choose there, either. to do so, you have every to be locked down, When Minister of Health, right to do so.” Renward Wells, held one of but they wanted My fellow Bahamians his rare press conferences to to complain that and residents, you can’t update the country on Covid Doc had locked make this stuff up. protocols, canvassing in groups Vaccine “hesitancy” is large enough to fill mega- us down. So they one thing; going full antichurches took a hit. Wells said needed him to vax in the face of all the no more than five persons in a lock us down, scientific data and all the door-to-door campaign group, expert advice is a whole and every knocker must have though no one other…well, other. had the jab. truly wanted a It’s no wonder some “Don’t you dare tell us Bahamians are scared lockdown.’ nuttin!” Mitchell seethed in a and confused about press release, “y’all gotta catch what to do; they’re following confused us PLPs on this road first!’ leaders. A few hours later, Brave had to walk Despite disappointing a few (sadisback that statement with one of his own: tic) people by not dropping the “We don’t like these rules, but we’ll follow lockdown hammer, the Prime Minister them for now.” made it a point to stress the importance It’s almost as if there is an opposing party of vaccines, following established safety within the opposing party. protocols, and the need to look out for But the PLP isn’t the only political group each other. He implored Bahamians all “mix up” when dealing with Covid and to be “Good Samaritans”, a message vaccines. Christian leaders worldwide have been Lincoln Bain, dogmatic leader of the emphasising to their parishioners since oxymoronically named “Coalition of Inde- June. pendents,” took a jab at “Brave” Davis for The PM’s speech wasn’t perfect, but for getting the jab. once, it was at least calming, and clear; During a Facebook live stream over our country needs all of our efforts to beat the weekend, Lincoln “red up” Brave back this virus. for breaking rank with the growing Thankfully, “belly breakdowns” many predicted didn’t materialise. So now we each have choices. We can listen to politicians who are doubleminded at a time when we need clear leadership, or we can listen to the honourable venerable Reverend Dr Pastor Apostle Minnis and be “Good affectionately called Samaritans”.
Funeral Service For Basil Stevenson Sturrup, 73 “Bazzy”
of Major’s Subdivision Centreville who died on Thursday, July 15th will be held at 11:00 a.m. (TODAY) Friday, July 30th, 2021 at the gravesite of Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Meeting Street. Rev. Dewitt Hutchenson assisted by Pastor Timothy Stewart will officiate. Left to treasure and honor his life memories are his wife: Garnell Marie Sturrup; two daughters: Shantell Laverne Casseus & Charmaine Lithera SturrupKnowles; three sons: Basil Stevenson Sturrup Jr., Ashton Sturrup and Dion Beneby; daughter-in-law: Elder Delarese Nottage Beneby; sons-in-law: Darron Knowles and Valentino Casseus and other relatives and friends. Arrangements are handled by THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME, INDEPENDENCE DRIVE.
Death Notice For William Ernest Armbrister, 75 a resident of Hospital Lane and formerly of Wemyss Bight Eleuthera, died at The Princess Margaret Hospital Friday, July 23rd, 2021. Left to mourn his passing are his wife: Cora Demeritte Armbrister; daughter: Ernestine Armbrister; sons: Constant Comoist and Chino Armbrister; sisters: Susan Idena Hall and Catherine Forbes; brother: David Ferguson; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME and will be announced at a later date.
Indeed, I also plan to follow the advice of Bishop Laish Boyd and take “personal responsibility,” while looking out for
my neighbors. I think that’s good, sound advice. As the Good Book says, “He who has ears, let him hear.”
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS REPORT HIGH FREQUENCY OF UNRULY PASSENGERS DALLAS Associated Press NEARLY one in five flight attendants say they have witnessed physical incidents involving passengers this year, and their union is calling for criminal prosecution of people who act up on planes. A union survey supports what airlines and federal officials have been saying: There has been a surge in unruly passengers this year, who sometimes become violent. The most common trigger is passengers who refuse to follow the federal requirement that they wear face masks during flights, according to the survey by the Association of Flight Attendants. Alcohol is the next largest factor, with flight delays also playing a role, according to the union. The union said nearly 5,000 flight attendants responded to its survey from June 25 through July 14 and 85% said they have dealt at least once this year with an unruly passenger. The union said 17 percent reported seeing a “physical incident”, including touching, slapping or striking a flight attendant or another passenger. Some said they were cursed or yelled at, and some said they were followed through the airport and harassed after the flight ended, said the union, which represents flight attendants at United, Alaska, Spirit and several smaller carriers. Airlines have banned a few thousand people for the duration of the mask rule, and the Federal Aviation Administration
AN ELECTRONIC sign warns travelers to maintain social distance in the terminal of Denver International Airport. has announced proposed fines against The FAA said this week that airdozens of people. But union President lines have reported more than 3,600 Sara Nelson said more passengers should cases of unruly passengers this year face criminal prosecution. — figures were not kept for prior “When people are facing jail time years. Nearly three-fourths involved for acting out on a plane, we suddenly disputes over masks. The agency has see some sobering up, and we need announced dozens of proposed fines, some sobering up,” Sara Nelson, the the largest being $52,500 for a man union’s president, told reporters. who tried to open the cockpit door A few cases have led to crimi- and then struck a flight attendant on nal charges, and crews sometimes a Delta Air Lines flight in December. ask police to meet the plane when it The FAA said it is investigating 600 lands. In May, a 28-year-old woman other cases this year — nearly double was arrested on felony charges in San the number of investigations started in Diego after a video showed a young 2019 and 2020 combined. In January female passenger punching a South- FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson west flight attendant in the face. Such announced a “zero-tolerance policy” cases are usually filed by local pros- in which passengers can face immeecutors — the FAA lacks authority to diate enforcement action instead of pursue criminal charges. warnings.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, July 30, 2021, PAGE 9
Words matter, so choose them carefully A S a writer, I love words, simple, honest words that say what they mean. Words like doggonit. I mean, you know exactly what that means. You can feel a fist pump the table even as you say the word. I like words like evenhanded, even though things and people rarely are. And words that roll off the tongue like ‘intrigue’ or ‘golden’, ‘magical’, ‘mystical’ or ‘mischievous’. Try saying mischievous without your lips curling up a tad bit at the edges and your eyes lighting up. I even like the word ‘soppy’, though I am not a soppy movie fan, but the word tells you exactly what you are in for if you turn on a movie described by the s-word. What I detest, and that is not too strong a word for it, is pretentious words. I call them new money words. Like people with new money, they want to show off, bourgeoisie. Words like bespoke. Can someone please tell me in a few short words what bespoke really means? Or obtuse? If you want to criticize someone, why wouldn’t you use a word they could actually understand, like dimwit. Or why call someone a sycophant when what you mean is totally lost on them and anyone else around you is wondering exactly what you mean and what you say about them when they are not within earshot. The most obnoxious word of all, obsequious. Ironically, my choices of least favourite or new money words are totally
wrong, according to people who actually measure and weigh in on these things. Statistically, the ugliest words in the English language tend to deal
“So it is not that words are important on their own, but string the right ones together, find the sweet spot and you could make a difference in a politically, socially, culturally and financially charged outcome.” with body parts and their emission, functions or dysfunctions. They range from things like phlegm to mucus to flaccid. I agree they are ugly but at least they are not pretentious. Irony of ironies is that the word ranked ugliest in the English language, pulchritude, refers to beauty and attractiveness. You try using it in a sentence if you want. I won’t be. The bigger question might be “Who cares?” Why with all that is going on in the world would you take your time and my time to stop and talk about words? Exactly because of all that is going on in the
world. Try to have a conversation about vaccines, for instance. It used to be Trump that divided us. Now it is vaccines. To jab or not to jab? If we accord athletes so much honour, do they have a right not to show up at a press conference? If we seek to manage our finances carefully and husband our resources, does a government have a right to squander its and increase debt? If we believe there should be corporate income tax but no business licence fees, how do we go about making our belief known and gaining a groundswell (good word, by the way) of support for it? So it is not that words are important on their
own, but string the right ones together, find the sweet spot and you could make a difference in a politically, socially, culturally and financially charged outcome. Words are the foundation of actions that follow, of movements spawned and ideas that become laws and reality. If that seems too big a bit to chomp (good word) on, you can always start small and grow into it. Kind of like this. It’s the simple things that matter and in these days of overthinking everything from
COVID to politics to athletes’ and displaced persons’ rights, I long for the simple. I think we all do. A sentence structure that has flow, form and function is as pleasing to me as awakening to the aroma of coffee brewing and the sun flirting with the dawn of another day. Words matter, choosing them carefully, toning them down in the heat of political battle and a year of so much tragedy and so much at stake will be more important than ever. Go gently, firmly, wisely into the fray for
those with loud voices and obnoxious, obsequious sycophantic behaviour will be spotted immediately by those who could not care less about whether a design is bespoke or not but treasure their right to vote. And for the sake of all who give and care and live together, please rise above tearing down one religious sect to gain favour with another. You may be surprised how close and friendly their leaders are. Hurt one, hurt all. Welcome all, gain more, rise above.
E-CIGARETTES GET AN F FOR MARKETING PRACTICES, PAY WHOPPING FINE
On June 28, Juul Labs, manufacturer of e-cigarettes and related products, agreed to pay North Carolina a whopping $40 million after the state accused it of deceptive marketing practices which led to addiction to nicotine. The multimillion dollar settlement was the first in what is likely to be a torrent of trouble emanating from a city and state cases against the maker of vaping products. As of this writing, some 13 other states have
filed similar suits and are awaiting their turn to be heard. Though available data on injuries – both to lung and from exploding batteries – are out of date with more attention to COVID numbers on a daily basis, there had been dozens of deaths and more than 2,000 injuries as of mid-2020. Originally offered as a healthier alternative to inhaling cigarette smoke or a way to transition from being a
smoker to a non-smoker, the company pulled off marketing magic, producing products with all sorts of flavours enticing younger and younger uses, some of the products so candy-sweet that calorie count might have been a more significant consideration than what the vaping was doing to lungs. The creator of Juul had a home in The Bahamas. It has been up for sale in Ocean Club Estates for north of $30 million. Any offers?