07312019 NEWS

WEDNESDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 89ºF LOW 76ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:116 No.150, JULY 31ST, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

PAN AM: ROBERTS AND NEWMAN GO DOWN IN DOUBLES

Drowning victim died hours after buying jetski

He couldn’t swim

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A DAY of fun at Lover’s Beach in Eight Mile Rock ended in tragedy for 20-year-old Jerry Device.

Mr Device lost his life while riding a jet ski he had purchased just moments before his body was pulled from the water on Monday.

The incident has left his entire family devastated, especially his mother Marianna Device, who is struggling to deal with the death of the youngest of her four sons.

The Tribune visited the family’s home in Hanna Hill, Eight Mile Rock, where Ms Device was very distraught as several close relatives and friends comforted her.

“He was a good son - the best son in the world,” she said as tears streamed down her cheeks.

The mother of five said that her youngest son helped to support the family.

“He would give me money to buy food and pay

the light bill, and if I need money he would always give me,” she said.

According to reports, police were called to the Hepburn Town beach, where two men riding a jet ski had lost control and had been thrown into the water shortly after 4pm.

Assistant Superintendent Terecita Pinder said one man swam to shore, but the other never made it. The body was later recovered by officers of the Police Marine division, who were also assisted by local residents.

ASP Pinder said the body was pulled from waters shortly after 6pm, and that EMS personnel on the scene found no signs of life.

Miranda Device, the sister of the deceased, said her brother could not swim.

She had only learned after his death that he had just purchased the jet ski.

“They (Jerry’s friends) tell me he buy a jet ski that same day and that he went to try it out and it flipped over,” his sister said.

JUST 3 BIDS FOR AIRPORT CONTRACT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR government official yesterday voiced surprise that the Nassau Flight Services privatisation had attracted just three bids from potential Bahamian purchasers. Algernon Cargill, director of aviation, told Tribune Business that “a lot more than three” had been expected based on the level of inquiries and information requests that were sparked by the release of the formal privatisation tender.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

EXPERTS’ PLEA: DON’T OVERREACT

SEE PAGE THREE

NEARLY $9m has been budgeted for critical school repairs, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said yesterday as he, along other Cabinet ministers toured four schools in New Providence which are undergoing “serious, urgent repairs”.

Of the nine “critical” schools requiring renovations, Mr Lloyd noted CI Gibson Senior High School, CH Reeves, LW Young and DW Davis Junior High Schools are in the most “serious” state of disrepair.

The price tag for the repairs is up from the $7.2m figure he identified to reporters earlier this month. Mr Lloyd yesterday was confident the reparis “will be completed in time” for the opening of school on September 2.

However, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson yesterday expressed her doubts that this would be feasible. “I’m not optimistic that in three weeks time, when schools reopen that these schools will be ready,” she told reporters.

SEE PAGE FIVE

POVERTY ISN’T A CHOICE BUT A LIFELONG BATTLE

SEE PAGE 11

SCHOOL REPAIRS ‘WILL BE DONE ON SCHEDULE’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

ALICIA WALLACE

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

JERRY Device lost his life while riding a jet ski he had purchased hours before his body was pulled from the water on Monday.

BAHAMAS National Trust executive director Eric Carey wants government to move “very, very cautiously” with plans to amend shark protection legislation.

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Michael Pintard on Monday spoke on the issues related to chumming, and consideration to amend legislation to allow for the killing of sharks in the SEE PAGE TWO

‘PM SHOULD HAVE SACKED WSC DIRECTOR’ TECHNOLOGY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union president Dwayne Woods said previous Bahamian prime ministers would have fired Water & Sewerage Corporation board director Bennett Minnis for his inflammatory comments about the Official Opposition.

Mr Minnis, in a recently

BENNETT MINNIS circulated voice note, is alleged to have described the PLP as a party of

“corrupt, thieving, no good, bastard, homosexual, African monkeys.”

“Under Hubert Ingraham he would’ve been gone, under Pindling he would’ve been gone and I presume under Perry Christie he would’ve been gone,” Mr Woods said.

“He shouldn’t be allowed to remain in that position with that kind of statement. In fact, the union is afraid. The union is now

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

TEEN WINS $3M PLAYING VIDEO GAMES SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DON’T OVERREACT ON SHARK LEGISLATION, URGES BNT’S CAREY from page one event someone feels their life is threatened. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Carey said: “You know shark feeding; it’s been around for so long in The Bahamas. It’s an important part of the tourism product so it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out with respect to how government moves to regulate it.

“With respect to the second point of allowing

the killing of sharks. We certainly respect that there are people that still have a fear of sharks. But we certainly would want the minister to be very cautious not to open up a loophole that becomes a giant loophole where every shark that someone sees someone makes the determination that they were afraid and so they killed the shark.”

He continued: “I don’t think that The Bahamas should regress to that. I would look at that as a

giant step backward. The BNT would certainly (give) recommendations to government, to the minister specifically as he looks to find a way to accommodate what he seems to be seeking. (Which) is someone really in fear of their life and they kill a shark (and) not be criminalised.”

Mr Carey said sharks are a critical part of our ecosystem and without sharks our ecosystem will collapse.

He said: “The entire fishery collapses when you

take out large predators.

The Bahamas is fortunate to have intact ecosystems that include these large predators. And, we should not take lightly the value that these sharks provide for us.

“Hopefully the minister would move very, very cautiously. I’m sure he will seek our advice like he always does, and our advice is going to be trying to help him navigate through this so that we could avoid something we as a country would regret.”

BNT executive director Eric Carey

Mr Carey added: “The Bahamas is known internationally for its marine ocean conservation, leadership and shark conservation is an important part of that. We do not want to go backwards. We do not want to lose the $115M industry of shark diving. A lot of Bahamians depend on that so everything gets wrapped up in these decisions and hopefully the minister will give us the opportunity to provide him some guidance and advice on that. “

Protection laws have fostered perfect environment for sharks

MAIN picture: the oceanic whitecap is now listed on the Endangered Species Act; left, the small-tooth sawfish

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

THE country’s shark protection laws have fostered the perfect environment for research on critically endangered shark species, like the

small-tooth sawfish. Dr Mark Bond, Florida International University, said researchers have noticed “very small pups” of sawfish in Andros.

Dr Bond said: “So that now doubles the areas that we know sawfish are giving

birth. The only previous nursery ground was the Florida Everglades. I’m a part of a collaboration along with Florida State University and the National Marine Fisheries Institute of the US looking at the critically endangered

small-tooth sawfish and that work takes place on the west side of Andros and the west side of the national park.

“We have had some great discoveries there,” Dr Bond continued, “we were tracking with the acoustic tags

movement between islands of The Bahamas.”

Dr Bond encouraged Bahamians to “not overreact” to incidents of shark attacks and encouraged the government to “alleviate any fears” because such incidents are rare.

He said: “(Bahamians) can make sure that the government does not overreact to the incident of a shark attack, that unfortunately happened recently. Just a sheer number of people that are in the water and the fact that you have a healthy shark population means that interactions are going to occur.

“Bahamians need to make sure that they don’t let the government open up waters to international fisheries that would reverse the shark sanctuary or reintroduce longline. So, it should be something The Bahamas is very proud of because they are a global leader in shark conservation.”

He added: “I’ve been very fortunate to be conducting research in The Bahamas since 2007. I’m originally apart of the Bimini Biological Field Station and I have now collaborated with Cape Eleuthera Institute and also Saving the Blue Foundation in Andros.”

Dr Bond underscored the critical importance of shark research due to a massive decline in the population of multiple species throughout all oceans.

He said: “(Sharks are) taken heavily into commercial fisheries both as intended catch and bycatch.

Their life history means that they’re slow to grow, they’re late to reproduce and when they do reproduce they have few young.

It is very pivotal that The Bahamas acts as a life boat.

“One example being the

oceanic whitecap (shark) that is now listed on the Endangered Species Act yet again form part of a collaboration that’s been studying that species in the region for nine years based out of Cat Island. We’re catching a lot of pregnant sharks we’re tracking their movements throughout the Caribbean.”

He added: “They do spend a larger portion of their time in The Bahamas but they are exposed to fishing pressure outside of The Bahamas, throughout Haiti, Cuba and around some of the eastern Caribbean so that’s one of the populations where we’ve been studying them for long enough that we believe we can start answering some of those critical questions to hopefully have the population recover and do as well as it’s doing in The Bahamas outside and the rest of the Atlantic Ocean.”

Dr Bond said sharks will recover “very slowly” because the species has a life history similar to humans.

He said: “We would expect if you were able to put in effective management and effective conservation, we would expect to see recoveries in 10 to 15 years. It’s definitely a work in progress and we’re setting a very good foundation right now but it’s important that The Bahamas continues to be a shark sanctuary and that future generations are aware of why it’s not only important from an eco-tourism but also for a marine health standpoint.”

“If you like conch and lobster then you should really be wanting to keep sharks in the ocean because removing a top predator will have a knock-on effect that will jeopardise those fisheries.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, PAGE 3

PETITION WON’T STOP DISNEY DEVELOPMENT

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday said the petition against Disney Cruise Lines’ development of a port at Lighthouse Point will have no bearing on the project proceeding.

“The government has already made a decision on this. That project is going forward,” Mr D’Aguilar said as he rejected the petition, which had garnered more than 32,000 signatures up to press time.

The Freetown MP further doubled down on the

government’s confidence in Disney’s ability to proceed with the project in the best way possible, insisting the developer was sure to handle the environment with sensitivity.

“I have said before that Disney is a stellar company that is world renowned for its reputation on the environment, on employment matters, on labour issues,” the minister said outside Cabinet.

“They’ve given us a commitment that they’re going to keep it low density (and) they’re very, very, very mindful of the environment.”

Mr D’Aguilar

continued: “This is Disney after all. They are not prepared to jeopardise their incredible reputation over a project like this and so we are very confident that if there was one company that could develop this project and do it with the environment in mind and being sensitive to environmental matters, Disney is that company.”

Asked whether there had been consultation with environmentalists, Mr D’Aguilar said: “This would have been dealt with not certainly in my remit as Minister of Tourism, this would have been dealt with at the Investment

Authority certainly when the project was being evaluated and brought forward. But government has made a decision on this so we are mindful to proceed and it is going according to planned.

“We need not forget that Disney has donated 200 acres to the Bahamian people for our free and clear use, so we still think that it’s a good deal.”

Of its massive support, the “Stop Disney - Last Chance for Lighthouse Point” campaign has said there is growing global opposition to Disney’s plan for the development of a cruise port at the iconic site

located at the southern tip of Eleuthera.

On Monday, campaign organizers called on Disney to find another site for its cruise port. They also urged the conglomerate to work with local groups for a win-win alternative that would protect the unique site and secure sustainable economic opportunities for the communities in South Eleuthera.

A full-page advertisement in The Tribune newspaper on this new petition flagged the campaign’s viral traction, attracting some 20,000 signatures within 12 days of its public launch

on July 15. It garnered another 10,000 signatures since the advertisement had been submitted for publication.

Campaign Director Phoebe Shaw underscored “it’s not too late” for Disney to “change course and find a different site” for its port.

“For the first time, Disney has felt compelled to respond publicly to the Bahamian environmental groups,” the campaign’s statement read, “but Disney still does not address the fundamental issues set out in the campaign’s website: StopDisney.com.”

Drowning victim died hours after buying jetski

He was a good son - the best son in the world, says his mother from page one According to Miranda, her brother left home between 3pm and 4pm on Monday. It was the last time she saw him alive, she said.

“His friends said that they could not find him.

They saved the other one - he could not swim either; they said they could not find my brother. It was three of them, plus my brother out there,” Miranda said.

Miranda described her brother as a hardworking individual, who worked at the container port and would always ensure that food was in the house for their family.

“He always made sure we were straight,” she said.

“He was also a fun person to be around; he was the clown of the family and made everyone laugh. We

THE SCENE at Lover’s Beach on Monday. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn were cracking jokes before he left home yesterday, and I did not know that it would be the last time I would see him.

Miranda added: “It does

not feel like he’s gone. It feels like he still there in his room. He was my mother’s favourite.”

Adrianna, a cousin of the deceased, said that Jerry

was a good person, but was hard-headed when it came to friends he kept.

“They (Jerry’s family ) always used to tell Jerry his friends were bad company,” she said.

“He was a good person.

I never imagined that our cousin, brother and uncle, would ever leave us like that,” she said.

Police are urging persons to be very careful this summer while at the beach.

ASP Pinder appealed to parents to ensure children and young people are properly supervised when in the water.

“Young persons on jet skis who know they cannot swim should wear a life jacket which can save your life,” she said.

Investigations are continuing into the incident.

Editorial View - Page 4

Public Notice LIFE CHIROPRACTIC phone is out of order

Call 357-8040

PAGE 4, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

The same old summer of rushing to repair schools THE race is on. School term starts on September 2 – and the dash to repair buildings before the start of the term is well under way. The question is, will it be done on time?

If you ask Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd, he confidently says yes. If you ask Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson, she says she’s not optimistic and wants to make preparations for alternative sites if repairs are still ongoing.

In a few weeks’ time, one of them is going to be right, one of them is going to be wrong. We hope – as presumably so does she – that Mrs Wilson is the one that is wrong, for the sake of our children as they head back to school.

However, if she is not, we think it is well worth the government listening to some of her suggestions.

She quite rightly talks of the “mad rush” that seems to happen every year with school repairs, and wonders if we might not find a better way to do things.

Mrs Wilson suggests, for starters, maintenance teams assigned to districts to conduct repairs year round. That might not stop the larger structural jobs

that need done in the summer when students are away, but it might give a head start to ease the scramble. It might also help to give a more accurate idea of how costly repairs might be – the $7.2m price tag announced earlier this month has already risen to nearly $9m.

Yesterday, for example, as The Tribune accompanied the official tour of schools, Mr Lloyd pointed out problems with balconies and floors that could not be tackled while students and staff were present.

But not all repairs are as substantial as that, and it would be beneficial to the country to find a way to stop this perennial dash to complete repairs on time.

It seems to be on Mr Lloyd’s mind, too, when he says that “in times past, for any number of reasons, we were only able to do patchwork”.

We really ought to be able to plan better, and do better – if the children see a slapdash, last-minute rush to get things done, what kind of example is that to them?

Meanwhile, let’s see which person ends up being wrong.

Respect the ocean - or risk your life A FAMILY is in mourning today with a young man’s life snatched away in a moment.

Jerry Device had only just bought the jet ski he fell from after losing control at Lover’s Beach in Eight Mile Rock on Monday.

Shortly after, he was brought to shore, drowned. The 20-year-old, says his sister, was unable to swim.

It seems such a terrible waste because it seems so avoidable. By all accounts, Mr Device was a good person, helping his mother with the family bills and working hard at the container port.

He seems the kind of young man who should be celebrated, a role model for

others. And now his family is left to mourn.

It is a reminder that we need to respect the ocean. It can be deadly if taken lightly. It is a reminder too that we should help our young people to grow up familiar with the water, and comfortable enough to swim to shore. If there are volunteer groups out there looking for a good cause to support, then summer swimming camps might be one to consider.

We send our sympathies to a family struggling to cope with a sudden and unexpected loss, and urge other families to do what they can to avoid tragedies such as this.

We need regulations to control the signs popping up everywhere EDITOR, The Tribune FOR those of us living in the east, and travelling around the bend of Fort Montagu Park, it used to be a delight to look out over the beautifully manicured, low, sea grape hedge, across the freshly mown lawn or grass, onto the majestic beauty of Montagu Bay beyond.

Well that was before the very important, extremely important, messages that persons unknown, in Government, and in the private sector felt it to be far more important for us, instead of relaxing after a tough day at the office to know that: 1. Single Use Plastics will be illegal next year.

2. Instead of the lovely

view – try a less filling Miller Lite Beer 3. Or maybe a Career at BAMSI is what you need to think about today.

4. You’re at Fort Montagu – o.k. thanks 5. What about a blend of Kalik Beer and Fruit Juice ?

So instead of being able to enjoy perhaps one of the most beautiful sea views in Nassau, we have been bombarded with someone else’s idea of what we should be looking at instead. And these are not discreet little signs, they are mostly ugly monstrosities. There is something strange in the Bahamian psyche which says “if I want do it ain’t nobody ga tell ma a can’t do it”. Does the public just have free rein to erect whatever garbage they

want to erect? Are there no regulations to control this kind of thing? Does Commonwealth Brewery really think anyone will be encouraged to try its new beer by a gaudy sign obliterating a beautiful view?

And who runs BAMSI to allow something like this to be erected? Does BAMSI have that much ready cash?

And does Minister Ferere think that his gaudy blinding sign is an appropriate message board particularly where it is? And I don’t even know who to call about Miller Light, but that sign tells me to never buy one of them.

Talk about vexation of the Spirit!

MONKEEDOO Nassau July 28, 2019

Are more coming from Europe?

EDITOR, The Tribune The Tourism Director General made a comment as to the impact of the Lenny Kravits promotional videos promoting the Bahamas…she made mention that Mr Kravits had concerts in Europe at stadiums with 60+000 audiences.

On the face of things - great?

But Director General is talking about Europe…Tourism over the past two-years

has never confirmed that there has been an increase in European arrivals so please… give the whole truth as the truth never lies!

If there has been let’s hear the good news as European visitors stay much longer than Canadians and Americans who rarely stay more than three-four days.

T K ALBURY Nassau July 22, 2019

Cannabis is not all about the money EDITOR, The Tribune “There are none so blind as those who will not see.”

To those who believe that Cannabis advocates are all about the money, let the families who have watched cancer eat away at and kill their loved ones tell you their horror stories. Then speak to those who have used cannabis successfully to eradicate their cancer.

Let those who suffer from addiction to opioids and narcotics tell of how cannabis nullifies the hold that these chemicals have on them.

Let those who have experienced the healing benefits of cannabis for milder illnesses of the human body give accounts of how the plant solves their issues.

It is a scientific fact that the human body makes cannabinoids naturally.

Cannabis enhances and helps the body’s systems as it has been created to and had been doing for thousands of years before prohibition by humankind occurred in 1937. It is surprising how quickly those eight decades of misinformation and misunderstanding the plant have led to the prevailing negative views about what inevitably will be the saving grace of this world today.

The lack of information

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net caused by the prohibition of cannabis has made many ignorant of the fact that alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and sugar are all far more addictive than this beneficial plant. Neither do these misinformed persons realise that any “addictions” blamed on cannabis likely can be traced to illicit dealers spiking the substance with other chemicals or, more obviously, the use of addictive tobacco/nicotine products commonly used to roll dried cannabis in.

Then, there also is the use of what is known as synthetic “marijuana” –- which isn’t derived from the cannabis genus at all. Synthetic “marijuana” is random dried plant matter sprayed with a mix of chemicals that have no connection to cannabinoids. This artificial man-made concoction has been known to zombify its users, who mistake the dried mixture for organic cannabis. The unfortunate result is that observers then blame cannabis for the damaging effects of this fake “marijuana”.

Back to the original point though. Cannabis advocates are not all about the

money. It has been clarified on many occasions that cannabis can feed our people, clothe our people, shelter our people, medicate our people and provide energy for our people. The irony is that those who are preaching against this wonder plant are speaking out against a creation that was put here on this planet to benefit humanity. Cannabis is a natural creation that can correct the artificial economic disparities that affect the disenfranchised in our communities by empowering them in a myriad of ways.

History will judge harshly any institution that refuses to educate themselves properly about cannabis and how it can help the people of our communities in multiple beneficial ways.

Cannabis is for life. Cannabis is for empowerment.

Cannabis is for the people.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Philippians 4:8 YORICK BROWN Nassau July 26, 2019

A shifty, uncharismatic and uninspiring leader EDITOR, The Tribune PHILIP “Brave” Davis and Chester Cooper have been re-elected, respectively, as leader and deputy leader of the PLP. This act, though not unexpected, confirms that the stalwart councillors are not a group of individuals, who think critically or strategically with either the national or the party’s interest in mind. They are beholden to a tainted, shifty, uncharismatic and uninspiring leader. This is most unfortunate!

Bahamians spoke resoundingly at the polls in the last election and this act by a few, who do

not understand the implication of their decisions, makes the voice of democracy shallow and inflexible.

This has the unfortunate consequence of virtually handing the next election to the governing party, allowing Minnis, if healthy, to become two term prime minister. Why should this choice be thrust upon the electorate?

The stalwart councillors of the PLP are deluded, detached from reality and staggeringly myopic in their decision. They do not seem to understand that no government wins an election, solely from its core base of die-hard supporters. A leader must have some

popular appeal in order to attract independent voters.

Rather than move from their checkered past and embrace a new future with new possibilities and new leaders, they want us to have more of the same? God forbid! The electorate has long moved on from seeing “Roots” and voting PLP. How can the stalwart councillors not know that the stench of corruption, of the former PLP overwhelms the current opposition? This is a sad state of affairs.

May God help us all!

JB Nassau July 26, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, PAGE 5

PM SHOULD HAVE SACKED WSC DIRECTOR, SAYS WOODS from page one fearful with somebody with a mindset like that being on the board.”

Mr Minnis doubled down on his comments in a later interview with The Tribune, calling PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis an “ugly African monkey” and repeatedly referring to party executives as “si***es”.

Critics have called for his resignation, but the Minnis administration has not said whether he will be kept or removed from his role as a director on the

corporation’s board. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said little when asked about the matter on Monday, telling reporters Free National Movement leaders have already addressed it.

It is not clear what he meant, but FNM chairman Carl Culmer has neither publicly condemned nor defended the remarks and has said the PLP should “clean their own doorstep.”

Works Minister Desmond Bannister, who has oversight of WSC, told The Tribune the matter was a Cabinet issue.

Yesterday, Mr Woods

said keeping Mr Minnis on the WSC’s board is proof that the administration has accepted a drop in standards.

Mr Woods also said WSC employees who behaved similarly would likely be punished if they ever made such comments publicly.

“We are governed by an industrial agreement and it speaks to major and minor breaches,” Mr Woods said. “I’m quite sure the chairman would’ve acted. I am quite sure if a union member had gotten as political as that the chairman

would’ve acted in lieu of this major breach of conduct and it would’ve resulted in either a suspension, a strong written warning or dismissal.

He continued: “I’m sure it would’ve amounted to a major breach because there’s no place for that type of behaviour amongst human beings because everybody has a democratic right to their political affiliation.”

“I don’t want to seem political but the statement that Bennett Minnis made is indicative of the behaviour of the board and

Lloyd confident school repairs will be done on schedule from page one Mrs Wilson called for alternate sites to identified in the event the repairs are not completed.

While Mr Lloyd underscored his faith that the restorations will be complete, he did note that there are “contingencies” in place.

“We have whatever is required for school to start on September 2,” he said.

Mr Lloyd also defended the timeline of repairs, insisting the works began “almost immediately at the conclusion” of the school year.

“Today Cabinet decided that it wanted to an inspection, a formal inspection of the schools,” Mr Lloyd said. “Of those nine critical schools, and when I say critical I mean those in need of serious, urgent repairs, structural as well as roof repair, including electrical and plumbing.

“We decided that today we wanted to take a tour of four of those schools: CI Gibson, CH Reeves, LW Young and Donald Davis…

These are the most serious of deficiencies and disrepair that the school system (has) experienced. It’s not the only situation of disrepair, but these are the most serious. And it was a decision that we had to address the fundamental deficiencies.

“Unfortunately in times past, for any number of reasons, we we were only able to do patchwork,” he continued.

“We could not take that chance this year, because in many instances as you would have seen we are talking about balconies and floors which had been seriously compromised and needed to be addressed because

otherwise they would pose serious safety challenges, health challenges to our students and teachers and administrators.”

Noting the presence of Works Minister Desmond Bannister, Mr Lloyd added the cost of “this particular segment” of summer repairs is “$8.9+ million” or $9m.

He also expressed his confidence in the nine “seasoned” contractors that have been selected.

“And they have assured us, of the four that we visited today, they have assured us that the work that they are undertaking will be completed in time for the opening of school, which as you know is September 2nd, first Monday of September.”

“The contractors have assured us, the engineers have assured us, the project managers have assured us, that these projects will be completed in time. Obviously as a system we have contingencies, in case that something (arises)- maybe a hurricane passes where it delays us for a couple of days, naturally the ministry, the government has contingencies in those events.”

Reiterating the nearly $9m price tag, Mr Lloyd added: “Now, like I say, that’s what has been budgeted so far. But (as these) contractors pull down the work and start to do their repairs, they come upon matters they could not anticipate, so obviously there might be some need for further contingencies.

But we do that on a caseby-case basis.”

Regarding criticisms these works should have begun earlier, Mr Lloyd noted these massive works could not begin while school was in session.

“This is now the 30th of

July, these contractors have been on site now for four weeks. School just ended in fact at the end of June so they have been here almost immediately at the conclusion of the school day.”

Mr Bannister noted earlier this year his ministry engaged a number of consultant engineers to provide independent reports on school conditions.

“This is not the end all of everything, this is the first attempt for us in the summertime to take a massive structural engineering and construction challenges and take them on in a very, very short period of time.”

“The prefabricated schools that we have, the Ministry of Education is coming up with the initiative as to how we’re going to replace those schools over time. Those schools were built for the lifespan of 15-20 years. And they were built in 1975 and 1976.

We have a lot of work to do with respect to those schools to ensure that our children are educated in the environment that you would want them to be educated in.”

Mr Bannister noted Family Island school repairs are “essentially being led” in those islands. However, he noted the ministry is receiving “positive reports from there”.

Mrs Wilson, for her part, noted the “great effort” to repair and renovate the schools.

“But I’m not optimistic that in three weeks time, when schools reopen that these schools will be ready,” she said. “So, I would have spoken to the minster of education today along the lines of looking at alternate sites for our students and our teachers when school reopens. But I must say it’s a great effort.”

what we have been saying at WSC all along. I agree he shouldn’t even be on that board, the statement means he shouldn’t be there because the statement is indicative of his prejudices.

Mr Woods added: “It’s indicative of the behaviour of the board in relation to members of the union.”

Some young Bahamians have expressed disappointment with the administration’s handling of Mr Minnis’ remarks.

On Twitter, one university student recently posted: “I had a friend recently tell me that I’m always trying to

find something to complain about concerning politics.

The issue is when we don’t, we have people like Bennett Minnis feeling as if he should not resign after these comments.”

Another millennial said: “So the PM’s office blasts Jamaican CEO but not Bennett Minnis?

Right, okay.”

Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, Parliamentary Secretary in the OPM, recently blasted Balan Nair, the head of BTC’s parent company, Liberty, Latin America, for comments he made about Bahamians in Jamaica.

TOP left, Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd; top right, BUT president Belinda Wilson; above, Prime Minster Hubert Minnis talking to Belinda Wilson.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

She called for the minister and Ministry of Works to develop a “strategic plan” for the maintenance of schools year round. She also suggested maintenance teams to be assigned to various districts to conduct repairs year round to prevent a “mad rush” in an attempt

to “repair school three weeks before school opens”.

“So I hope 2020 we will not be back here three weeks before school opens to be scrambling around to find out if schools are going to be ready.

“I say thank you for the work I see being done.

They are now answering the cries that we have had for many years and hopefully we do not have to have industrial action at these four schools that are being repaired. So, a word to the wise is sufficient.”

Editorial View - Page 4

PAGE 6, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

POLICE APPEAR TO DRAG WOMAN ACROSS THE ROAD

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN image of police appearing to drag a woman across the road was shared hundreds of times on Facebook yesterday, sparking outrage from Bahamians who believe the officers’ actions were inhumane.

Two officers, both wearing gloves, held the woman by her feet as they appeared to be taking her into a police station, the image showed. Some users were concerned about the likelihood that the woman obtained bruises from being dragged on hot tar.

Although The Tribune reached out to several police officials

yesterday for comment on the viral photo there was no response from officials up to press time.

Several videos posted to social media showed the woman acting bizarrely and disrupting traffic in the middle of a busy street. She appeared to be in the midst of a mental crisis.

One Facebook user said in reaction to the photo: “If the lady is mentally ill this is not the right way to go about it.” Another user said: “The police force is garbage for this. How (two) big grown men ga drag a woman cross the road?”

Said another user: “Clearly the woman needs help, that’s another human being that God made and y’all cops supposed to help the people.”

Time to modernise, D’Aguilar tells Flowers

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has described recent amendments to the Gaming Act as a “happy medium” while calling on one gaming operator to modernise to avoid being negatively impacted by the changes.

He was referring to Craig Flowers, FML Group of Companies owner, who last week told The Tribune he

saw the Minnis administration’s tax on lottery play to be “problematic”.

Mr Flowers explained that 85 percent of his business came from the lottery, adding he expected many customers to shift to online casino games where no taxes will be imposed. He called on the government to impose taxes on both lottery and casino games.

Otherwise, he predicted his business could take a huge blow as customers are likely to shift to

casino-based games where there is more of an “incentive” to play.

Asked about this, Mr D’Aguilar said only a portion of gaming revenues will be affected.

“When we evaluated the gaming industry, I think I would have said in Parliament that only 45 percent of the gaming revenues would have been affected by this tax,” he said yesterday outside of Cabinet.

“Mr Flowers’ business is the one business that

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR Mrs. Margaret Peggy Pinder, 77

probably represents five or six percent of the industry that is skewed predominantly to what we know as the number business and so his business probably would be affected more so than others.

“But we had to look at a tax that we felt in general would garner the additional revenue that the government is looking for from gaming and have the least impact and we feel like this was a happy medium.”

Mr D’Aguilar added: “You know every other business evolved to where 55 percent of their business was from the casino games and 45 percent of their business was from the numbers business.

“He was the only one that did not make that transition. Maybe this is an opportune time for him to make that transition.”

The new winnings tax will see five percent paid on winnings up to $1,000 and 7.5 percent on anything greater than $1,000. Having been recently passed in the

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR Senate, the changes now have to be signed off on by Governor General A Cornelius Smith before they come on stream, The Tribune was told yesterday.

This “small tax on winnings”, Mr D’Aguilar said, was projected to yield between $10m-$15m annually for the Public Treasury.

He projected the tax would take the government closer to the $50m total web shop revenue target it had envisioned under the initial tax structure for the industry.

As for a crack down on non-compliant web shop operations, he said the

a resident of Oxford Road, Nassau East South, and formerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will be held on Thursday, August 1st, 2019, 10:00a.m. St Anselm’s Catholic Church, Bernard Road, Fox Hill. Officiating will be Rev’d Fr Noel Clarke. Cremation was held.

Peggy was Predeceased by her husband Wellington “K’link” Pinder, mother Margaret Gregg Wilson, father Andrew Woodrow Wilson and brother Cartel Wilson.

She is survived by: Aunts: Ms. Susie W. Timmons of Pamplice, VC, Ms. Ethel W. Bruce of Brooklyn, NY; Two very special nieces: Lamanda Chanise Wilson (Chicago), Vesta (Anthony Sr.) Ferguson; Nieces: Anne Shepherd (Texas) Elsie (Perry Sr.) Seymour, Wanda Williams, Portia Nottage, Marsha Major, Donnette (Donald Michael) Pinder-Clarke, Carmetta (Vincent) Bowleg, Deidre Pinder Moss, Monique Pinder-Smith, Stephanie (Larry Sr.) Riley, Donalee Adderley, Nazmoon (Sterling) Seymour, Niquel Pinder, Lakeshia Pinder, Angela Stuart, Tollavanessa Pinder, Tamara Pinder; Nephews: Christopher Santos (Atlanta), Sean Wilson (Chicago), Philip Cooper, Antonio Campbell, Louis Butterfield, Wayde (Paulette) Butterfield, Marvin (Tracy) Butterfield, Ian Pinder, Ricardo Pinder, Anthony Adderley, Howard Pinder Jr.,Elvis Pinder, Kim Pinder; Grand Nieces & Nephews Including: Markesa, Marshawna and Ivan.

Peresse, Perry Jr., Vaughan (Stacey), Anthony, Antoin, Phillip Jr., Brandon, Aisha, Anthony Jr., Antonique, Anves, Avesha, Patrick Jr. (Yashicka), Matysha, Marc and Gena; Cousins: General, Dennis, Charles (Barbara), Eddie Gregg. Rose Ann (Fred) Rockington, Betty Wilkins, Carol Gregg and Maxine McCoy; Sisters-In-Law: Dorothy Louise Butterfield, Dolly, Terricita and Margaret Pinder; Brother-in-Law: Edward “Tuff” Pinder; Godchildren: Natasha Russell, Kierohn Mortimer, Kristin, Harrison and Selena Martinez, Vanta Culmer, Trevere Saunders and Miko; Very Special Friend: Yvonne (Malachi) Mortimer; Other Relatives & Friends: Lynn Adderley, Curlene Burrows, Helen Sweeting, Adalee and Mike Wisseh, Lorraine Miller, Carnetta Rolle, Edith Duncombe, Melvern Fox, Doris Redd, Erica Williams, Michelle and The Honorable Jeffery Lloyd, Myra Mitchell, Elma Garraway, Diane Davis, Katie Minnis, Virgina Grimes, Dr. Jacinta Higgs, Rev. Beryl Higgs, Julia Burnside, Katherine Rose, Jackie Barry, Marsha Gates, Sheila Culmer, Terry Kemp, Janet Williams, Dafney Forbes, Heather Lovelace, Fiona Saunders, Hyacinth Grant, Paulamae Miller, Cynthia Khann, Wenzel Gray, Special “Tear Drop Friends” of 70 years, Joann and Cecila, Dr. Leslie Culmer and Beverley Culmer, Members of The Delta Sigma Sorority, “Prayer Partners”, Members of The Carver Garden Club, The African Violet Association, The African Bahamian Association, The Bahamas Girl Guides Association, The Catholic Women’s Auxiliary, Friends of Culmer’s Ward-Sandilands, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Bedes Women’s Auxiliary, Members of St. Bedes Roman Catholic Church and ALL Catholic Churches, The Benedictine Sisters of St. Martins Monastery, Archbishop Patrick Pinder and The Clergy of The Catholic Archdiocese The Principal and Staff of Thelma Gibson School, Staff of Stapleton School for the Mentally Retarded, Staff of Abilities Unlimited, Members of The Reading Mentor Program at Sadie Curtis Primary School, The Oxford Street Community, The Numerous Family and Friends Throughout The World. Special Thank You To: The Doctors And Nurses Of The Princess Margaret Hospital and The Elizabeth Estates Clinic, namely Dr. Patterson Pratt.

In Leiu of flowers, Donations can be sent to Abilities Unlimited, #24 Dolphin Drive, C/O P.O.Box N7542, Nassau, Bahamas, Telephone # 242 3252150 or 242 326 6080, In memory of Peggy Margaret Pinder.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Limited, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads, Nassau, Bahamas.

Death Notice For

Reverend William Bateman Sands, Sr.

of Cherokee Sound, Abaco, Bahamas passed away at Doctors Hospital on Saturday, July 27, 2019, aged 86.

Rev. Sands was predeceased by his wife Lillian Mavis Sands.

He is survived by his Sons: William Bateman Sands, Jr., and Royce Sands; Daughters: Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Albury, Laurel Pinder and Luanne Beth Nace; Sons-In-Law: Roger Pinder and Gary Nace; Daughters-In-Law: Felicie ‘Fay’ Sands and Martha Sands; Grandchildren: Darrell (Kelli) Pinder, William Pinder, Justine (Alex) Stammer, Raine (Chris) Maillis, Royce ‘RJ’ (Ayanna) Sands, Jr., Paul (Karla) Nace, Yvette (Steven) Shamoun and various other loving family and friends.

Funeral service will be held at Assemblies of God Church, Cherokee Sound, Abaco, Bahamas on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 1:00pm.

Gaming Board still needs time to set up its enforcement unit.

“So I was thinking about this this morning and the law has just passed. In the Bill it said that the Gaming Board will develop an enforcement unit and once that has been developed we should proceed with haste to enforce the gaming laws and to ensure that people who are operating without a license are shut down.

“So we have just passed it. Let us digest it, get the infrastructure in place and then I am sure that we will move in due course.”

There is no official government position on the creation of a national lottery; however, the minister said there are some who have argued that established gaming operators should be the ones to run the lottery.

“What I said in my presentation is it (the legislation) left open the opportunity for a lottery,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

“Now I never said who would run that lottery.

I said specifically in my speech that I did not personally believe that the government of The Bahamas should run a lottery because of our record of running things in general so we have not proceeded on that matter.

He continued: “We have received no advice on that matter and the government is not further along in determining what its going to do about a lottery, but if we were to decide to go into a lottery I am sure a very significant case could be made for ‘hey we have Bahamians involved in the gaming industry would they not be best positioned to run the lottery on our behalf?’

“They have the best distribution. They have the knowledge. I am sure a very profound case could be made for that, but one might argue that we have lotteries now.

“I mean you go on the and you see people drawing numbers every half hour.

I’m told. So the only thing I think we haven’t done is to a five ball and six ball we’re already at a two three and four or three and four.”

Mr D’Aguilar said ultimately the rationale for wanting a national lottery should be explored.

“The government legalised gaming to generate tax revenue. So you could still have the same people regulate it. It’s just maybe you can change the tax structure.

“I mean there are many ways to skin this cat but we have as I said received no further advice from the Gaming Board on how best to proceed. So this is mainly conjecture at this point.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, PAGE 7

PMH TACKLING BACKLOG OF 100 SURGERIES AFTER COOLING SYSTEM FIXED

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital is currently tackling a backlog of more than 100 surgeries which were postponed earlier this month while the hospital investigated a suspected sabotage attack, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Dr Sands also provided an update about the cooling system of the Children’s Ward. He said with some “tweaking” and “improved maintenance”, the ward was “sorted out”. Patients were returned there on Monday.

When asked for an update about the status of the Children’s Ward, Dr Sands replied: “There was an issue with the airconditioning system, there was some concern that it

could’ve been a significant challenge with the compressors or condensers.

It turned out not to have been.

“They have been brought back on stream with just a little tweaking and improved maintenance that allowed us to get the Children’s Ward sorted out and I believe that those children would have been retuned to the limited Children’s Ward as early as yesterday (Monday).”

Last Wednesday, Children’s Ward patients were temporarily relocated to the hospital’s former Intensive Care Unit.

Earlier this month, PMH suspended non-emergency surgeries for nearly a week while it investigated possible sabotage at the hospital’s chiller system in the Critical Care Block.

The system was fully restored after a rental chiller unit was installed.

Dr Sands also addressed

this matter yesterday. “The temporary chiller for the Critical Care Block is working well,” he told reporters.

“And that will, you know notwithstanding the fact that we have cordoned off the main Legacy driveway of the hospital, it is taking care of a problem and we’re now working on getting rid of the backlog, the backlog of cases, probably in excess of 100 cases that had to be postponed.

“And so now we’re now starting to work on getting those patients done.”

On July 15, PMH began the installation of a temporary 250-tonne chiller, which is to service the hospital until the permanent air conditioning unit is successfully installed.

As a result, the main driveway to the legacy entrance of PMH off Shirley Street at Burnside Lane was temporarily closed yesterday morning and will remain so for a period

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands of five months to facilitate work on both units.

At the time, Dr Sands underscored that the

investigation into the suspected sabotage is in the hands of the Royal Bahamas Police

Force. He told The Tribune yesterday there were no updates in the investigation.

25,000 STILL WITHOUT MEASLES VACCINATION

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

AS many as 25,000 people have no vaccination coverage for the highly infectious measles disease, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.

The public’s vaccination rate remains at about 89 to 90 percent, but it could be better, the minister told reporters at Cabinet.

Officials want the rate to return to about 95 percent.

Dr Sands made an appeal for the general public to cooperate with health officials who continue a campaign to increase MMR1 vaccinations for measles,

mumps and rubella. The minister made the comments while downplaying the threat of a potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus present in central Florida.

He reiterated that roughly only seven people die each year of the disease in the US compared with the hundreds of thousands who have died around the world from measles.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County released a statement last Thursday advising the public of the rise of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), which can cause brainswelling infections in humans.

According to health officials there a number of Sentinel

chickens in Orange County tested positive for the virus which can be transmitted to humans through infected mosquitos.

“We still have at least 20,000 to 25,000 more persons that have to be vaccinated in order to get to that 95 percent (vaccination) mark. So when the public health team comes to your work place, to your school etcetera, then please don’t be disagreeable, participate and do what they ask you to do,” Dr Sands said.

In February, the minister said nearly 50,000 children and adults needed to receive the MMR1 vaccine.

At the time he said officials were targeting 7,000 children

PLP claims its poll says 70% ‘dissatisfied’ with Minnis

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party internal polls show 70 percent of Bahamians are dissatisfied with the Minnis administration, PLP chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

He did not give The Tribune the poll findings.

“The polls give us an edge right now given the level of dissatisfaction,” Mr Mitchell said, “but the number of undecided is in our view too substantial. So it tells us we have a lot of work to do on this undecided group.

He continued: “Given the 70 percent disapproval rate of the government, it means that people are looking, they’ve decided they need an alternative and this is why we are trying to concentrate on building the party infrastructure to present a good face to the country.

“We’ve used polls in the past but Mr Davis himself is a great believer in polls and empirical data and I believe we rely on it much more than we used to.”

Mr Mitchell also reacted to recent changes to the PLP’s constitution at the party’s two-day convention, including its move to increase the number of delegates that could participate.

Asked if the changes were as progressive as he hoped, he praised the expanded powers and

PLP chairman Fred Mitchell responsibilities of party branches but admitted he wanted even more PLPs to participate in electing top officials.

“When I was on the campaign after the 2017 loss, my own view is I hoped and I recommended to the committee that there be an election for leader, deputy leader and chairman from the entire membership of the party, from north to south across the whole country, not delegates to the convention,” he said.

“The constitutional

committee did not go that far.”

Nonetheless, Mr Mitchell said the changes are designed to now accommodate double the number of people that previously elected party leaders.

“It’s a greater reflection of what’s actually felt by the country and that’s a good thing, greater democracy, more people involved and with technology it may even be possible in the future for there to be remote connections to a central convention.”

between one to 15-years-old and 40,800 of them 16-years and older.

The objective he said was to increase MMR immunisation coverage in all children 15 years and younger by ensuring two doses of MMR vaccine are administered.

Officials were also aiming to to immunise all healthcare workers and front line tourist workers with two doses each. This category includes all law enforcement departments, hotel workers, taxi drivers, airport workers, port workers, straw vendors and storefront workers.

Not long after Dr Sands’ revelation, health officials confirmed that a four-year-old tourist had a suspected case of

measles. The child had been taken to a private health care facility in New Providence with the symptoms of the disease and the parents gave a recent history of travel from Europe and a vaccination history for the child that did not include the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunisation.

And then in early March, the child’s older brother also contracted the disease. He was quarantined and did not pose a threat to anyone else, Dr Sands said. The cases highlighted how international travel is a catalysts for the transmission of such diseases. There were no further reported cases since then.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

By DONALD T TOMASKOVIC-DEVEY Professor of Sociology; Director, Center for Employment Equity, University of Massachusetts Amherst & ERIC HOYT Research Director of the Center for Employment Equity, University of Massachusetts Amherst MANY American white men say they feel threatened by the increasing presence and success of minorities in the workplace.

As social scientists, we wondered if there is any evidence to support this perceived economic threat, a perception that can provide fertile ground for current rounds of racist and xenophobic political messaging.

Our work at the Centre for Employment Equity at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, involves using Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data to explore workplace discrimination and diversity in states and cities across the US. Our aim is to discover and promote more equitable workplaces.

In our most recent report, called “Race, States and the Mixed Fate of White Men,” we examined the connection between minority populations and the job prospects of white men in private-sector companies.

Social scientists generally agree on three research findings about white men in the US and the notion that they are losing their unearned but expected racial privileges.

First, white men at every education level are more likely than women and non-Asian minorities to get access to higher-wage jobs.

Second, while wages of average working-class people in the U.S. have stagnated in recent decades - and economic insecurity has grown - earnings for middle - and upper-class jobs - which are dominated by educated whites – have soared.

A third and more recent finding is that working-class white men are the group that is most racially resentful and most opposed to further immigration. This finding is based on analyses of survey data of the whole U.S. population examining both voting behaviour and attitudes toward blacks and immigrants, zeroing in on President Donald Trump’s core supporters and the content of his political messaging to them.

This resentment probably explains why working-class whites, particularly men, are so receptive to President Trump’s anti-immigrant and

WORKING-class whites, particularly men, are so receptive to President Trump’s anti-immigrant and racist messages

Why Trump’s stoking of white racial resentment is effective – but makes all working class Americans worse off racist messages – and why he targets them.

We suspected the reception to racist and xenophobic messages might be a reflection of a growing competition between working-class whites and minority men for increasingly insecure, low-wage jobs.

In our study, we compared different racial groups’ share of specific occupations with their percentage of their state’s workforce. In other words, we wanted to see how over or underrepresented white, black and Hispanic men were in various jobs.

In general, we found that while some white men are prospering in executive and managerial roles, there is another group of white men with very different employment experiences.

At the top end of the labour market, our data showed that in every state, white men were overrepresented in executive and

managerial jobs. But this white male privilege varied substantially by state.

White men got even more of the top jobs in states with larger minority populations.

Texas, where minorities make up a third of the labour force and white men slightly more at 37 percent, was the most extreme. White men held 85 percent of privatesector executive jobs, making them overrepresented in top jobs by 138 percent.

Other states with sizeable minority populations, such as California, New Mexico and Mississippi, similarly showed white men are especially advantaged in their control of the executive suite.

We found the same, if less extreme, pattern of white male advantage in privatesector management jobs.

The pattern shifts dramatically, however, when we look at lower-paid working-class jobs. These include machine and

factory operatives, manual labourers and service occupations. Such jobs typically require high school degrees or less and tend to pay low wages. We find that more than half of these jobs pay below the living wage target of $15 per hour.

In every state, black men were overrepresented as machine operatives, manual labourers and service workers. Hispanic men were overrepresented in machine operative and manual labour jobs in every state except Hawaii.

Working-class overrepresentation for minority men tends to be higher in states with small minority populations, such as Vermont, Maine and North Dakota.

But we wanted to get more directly at the degree to which working-class white men are competing for the same low-wage jobs as minority men. So we compared the number of black, Hispanic, Native

American and native Hawaiian men performing operative, labourer or service jobs versus white men. In all states except Hawaii, these minorities are mostly black or Hispanic or both.

We found that in almost all states, working-class white men were competing for jobs with relatively large groups of minority men.

And in 20, there were more minority men in these working-class jobs than white men. This pattern was most extreme in Washington, D.C. and California, where there were more than three minority men in these jobs for every white man.

This does not mean working-class whites have lost their entire racial advantage, but rather that it is more tenuous and exists in a context of wage stagnation and increased insecurity.

Research shows many whites attribute being stuck

in low-wage, insecure jobs to competition with minorities but are unaware of the larger trends of wage stagnation and growing insecurity for all workingclass jobs.

So it is perhaps not surprising this combination of visible competition and misplaced blame creates fertile conditions for stoking racial and immigrant resentment, particularly at a time of stagnating incomes, falling unionisation and a growing lack of job security – problems that have done the most harm to the working class, regardless of race or national origin.

Perhaps it is politically simpler to encourage workers to see each other as rivals, but policy solutions that will actually make a difference need to focus on shared economic security – rather than blame games.

theconversation.com

NO WAY MINNIS WILL LOSE CONFIDENCE VOTE READERS have been posting their views on the stories making the news this week on tribune242. com.

After Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis welcomed the Official Opposition’s pledge to move a no-confidence motion against him in the House of Assembly, John had this to say: “No one will ever question that the vote of no confidence against PM Minnis will be defeated. Of 34 members there are three, maybe four, who are willing to break ranks and defy the party’s stance. One may have since had his wings clipped, very close to the bone, so he has resorted to singing for his supper, and even dancing for it. Nevertheless, the fact is the Opposition sees need to bring this vote of ‘no confidence’ against the PM. And even whilst many on the government side may be voting in support of Minnis, they will neither be voting their conscience or voting the sentiments of their constituents.”

Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said he will likely vote to abstain if the Opposition brings the no-confidence motion, prompting Sickened to say: “Well the Bahamian population did a similar vote back in 2017. If I remember correctly the results were very clear.”

And Hrysippus said: “If

this man understood the Westminster system of governance and if he possessed integrity then he would have no choice but to resign from his political party.

Unfortunately for the country this will not happen.”

Darron Pickstock, head of the Chamber of Commerce’s trade and investment division, told Tribune Business the private sector wants to gain an understanding of the government’s “intent” and likely next steps in advancing The Bahamas to full World Trade Organisation membership when it next meets with the Cabinet minister overseeing the process.

That prompted this from Economist: “Mr Pickstock is absolutely correct.

“However, I fear that the Government seems to think that these cruise ports are going to save the economy, which they are not. These ports put little or nothing into the economy.

And, under the Heads of

Agreement, the cruise ship companies are given a 20 year tax and maybe VAT free time. This Government must introduce these reforms or the Bahamian economy is doomed.”

Bahamas Power and Light is eyeing a “before Christmas” deadline for the commissioning of its new plant as generation shortfalls continue.

Well_mudda_take_sic said: “The entire mishandling of the BPL/BEC financial mess, which has caused so much distress for over burdened taxpayers and local businesses, lies at the feet of Minnis, Bannister and Turnquest. For two years they focussed on very costly and useless investigations of the previous Christie-led PLP government, and on buying a failed Lucayan hotel for mega millions of dollars.”

And in The Tribune’s online poll, we asked readers if they thought the PLP had chosen the right team to lead them into the next election.

At the time of going to press, 87 percent of those voting thought the party had NOT chosen the right team.

DOES THE PLP HAVE THE RIGHT TEAM IN CHARGE?

PAGE 10, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net AN Atlantis resort hotel manager yesterday said his familiarity with crime dramas led him to find a South African tourist hanging in her room last year. During the inquest, Bennett Allen, the hotel manager of Atlantis’ Royal Towers, pointed to popular show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as motivation for the “heightened” suspicions that led him to physically investigate Carla Van Eeden’s room last May. His testimony was given during an inquest to unearth the circumstances of Ms Van Eeden’s death in room 3583 at the Royal Towers.

According to Mr Allen, Ms Van Eeden’s friend Lauren Burke continuously called the hotel trying to locate her loved one.

However, he noted it was a commonplace occurence that happens every 15 to 20 minutes daily at the resort.

Thus, he said there was “no real justification” for him to have personally entered her room, and did not even warrant him advancing a “wellness check” for security officers to confirm, by phone or otherwise, whether she was actually physically in her room.

He theorised Ms Van Eeden could have very well been out clubbing or simply enjoying herself and thus too preoccupied to check in with her family and/or friends.

However, Mr Allen said his “personal curiosity” was aroused when he cross referenced her friend’s continuous calls with the fact that Ms Van Eeden’s guest activity portfolio had shown no significant activity since the day she checked in some two days prior.

Ms Van Eeden’s body was found hanging by a cord at the back of her bathroom door in her room.

When proceedings commenced yesterday, a worker at Royal Towers’ front desk, Tanackia Tinker, confirmed she checked Ms Van Eeden in on May 14th.

Rhonda Ranger, who works in the housekeeping department, subsequently

THE TRIBUNE

CSI TV drama led hotel manager to tourist hanging in room, inquest told testified that on May 15, she performed her daily housekeeping duties in Ms Van Eeden’s room. The last place she cleaned was the bathroom, she said.

Sometime after 11am, and shortly before noon the following day, after identifying herself as a housekeeper, Ms Ranger said she entered the room and found it in “almost exactly” the same condition.

She said she noticed that the bathroom door was slightly ajar but when she tried to push the door open, it wouldn’t move.

Ms Ranger said she said “housekeeping” a few more times, but did not get a reply. As a result, she said she left.

“I figured somebody was in there and just didn’t want to be disturbed,” she said.

Dihann Williams, a Coordinator at Atlantis’ Resort Call Center (RCC), said while working the 3pm to midnight shift on May 16, she got a call from Lauren Burke who told her she was worried and trying to get in contact with Ms Van Eeden. Ms Williams said she subsequently called Ms Van Eeden’s room, but the phone just rang.

As a result, Ms Williams arranged for Ms Burke to call Ms Van Eeden’s room

herself and leave a personal message for the 25-year-old.

Ms Williams said she also told Ms Burke to give her a call back if she did not reach Ms Van Eeden.

A short while later, Ms Williams said a call came back into the hotel from Ms Burke, who had asked to speak to her personally.

Ms Burke told her she was unable to get through to Ms Van Eeden. Ms Williams also said Ms Burke told her that she was worried about her friend because she would usually be online.

Ms Williams said she then proposed to leave a written message in the hotel’s system outlining Ms Burke’s concerns. She said she did so after she hung up from Ms Burke.

Ms Williams said while she was speaking with Ms Burke, she was able to pull up Ms Van Eeden’s guest pay portfolio, and saw how Ms Van Eeden ordered food from the Sip Sip restaurant, and also saw a transaction involving the Dolphin Encounters attraction.

Portia McKenzie, another RCC coordinator, also testified how around between 9:30pm on May 16 and midnight the next day, she received multiple calls from Ms Burke about

her concerns about Ms Van Eeden’s whereabouts.

Ms McKenzie said she ultimately transferred the matter to an officer in Atlantis’ Security Control Room, Susan Johnson.

Prior to that however, she said she reached out to Mr Allen to see if he could make contact with Ms Van Eeden.

When he took the witness stand, Mr Allen said sometime on May 16, he received a call from the RCC about Ms Burke trying to get in contact with Ms Van Eeden.

Mr Allen said he spoke with Ms Burke, who told him of her difficulties in reaching her friend.

Mr Allen said his response at the time was that Ms Van Eeden was “probably having a good time” and “enjoying themselves on property”.

However, he said Ms Burke insisted that Ms Van Eeden would normally call her or return her calls.

As a result, Mr Allen said he promised Ms Burke that he would try to reach out to Ms Van Eeden as best as he could.

Mr Allen said he looked into the hotel’s system, where he noticed there were notes placed for Ms Van Eeden in reference to Ms Burke trying to reach her. He said he also took

a quick look at Ms Van Eeden’s portfolio and saw that all of her transactions occurred on the day she checked in and nothing after.

Thus, he said he contacted to security and asked them to conduct a wellness check on Ms Van Eeden, which they did. However, he said they got no response from the room.

Then, to satisfy his own curiosity, Mr Allen said he requested security to accompany him to Ms Van Eeden’s room to at least verify if she was in the room. He said he eventually met up with a security supervisor, Lisa Ferguson, and the two proceeded to the room.

When they got there, he said he told Ms Ferguson that because it was a female guest, she would have to go in first. Ms Ferguson subsequently knocked on the door and then gained entry to the room. Mr Allen said he was roughly “two steps” behind her.

Mr Allen said Ms Ferguson examined the room and told him that it was empty.

In turn, Mr Allen said he asked her if she checked the bathroom.

Mr Allen said Ms Ferguson did so by cracking the door open and peeking in, and with a somber

look on his face yesterday, said Ms Ferguson told him “Bennett she is in there”.

Mr Allen said when he approached the door, and before he even pushed it open, could see Ms Van Eeden’s body due to the mirror’s reflection. He said when he poked his head in, he noticed “major discoloration” on the lower parts of the young woman’s body. It was “basically all blue”, he said.

Mr Allen said he also attempted to move her hand, but he felt “some resistance”. Nonetheless, Mr Allen, who said he is a first responder, checked the young woman’s vitals to see if she was alive or not. He said he checked for her pulse on her right hand, but said he felt no pulse.

As a result, he said he advised Ms Ferguson to commence the hotel’s emergency procedure.

In response to questions in cross examination, Mr Allen said he did not notice anything untoward about the main door to the hotel room. He also said both the balcony and the doors that connected Ms Van Eeden’s room to the next room, room 3585, were also secured.

The matter continues.

NEW WEATHER STATIONS WHICH CAN PROVIDE ISLAND-SPECIFIC INFORMATION THE installation of a WeatherSTEM weather station at Blue Lagoon marks the first Caribbean destination with capacity to provide island-specific, realtime weather information to the island’s management and guests.

Keeping close tabs on weather that will impact the private island tourist attraction, situated a few miles northeast of New Providence, is critical for keeping guests, staff and animals safe.

Images and data coming out of the Blue Lagoon Island weather station have since been featured on the US-based The Weather Channel, according to a company statement.

“Weather plays a major role in our day-to-day and even hour-to-hour operations,” said Blue Lagoon Island president Robert Meister.

“Our new WeatherSTEM system means we have access to not only the weather forecasts and alerts issued for Nassau and the northwestern Bahamas, but for our island and the area immediately surrounding it.”

The weather station collects comprehensive data including current temperature, water temperature, wind speed and direction from various sensor points on the island, humidity,

barometric pressure, rainfall amounts and rate, and UV Radiation. The system also provides a ten-day forecast with hourly projections for the island.

The data dashboard, which is available in desktop and mobile formats, is updated every 8/10 of a second automatically and reports how close a lightning strike is to the island at any given time.

The system allows Blue Lagoon Island’s operations team to quickly respond and evacuate the water in the event there is approaching lightning or take down umbrellas if the wind at the island reaches a certain speed.

It includes two high resolution cameras – one pointed towards Nassau, and the other towards Rose Island – that provide live stream imaging and also create stunning daily 24-hour time lapse videos using photographs captured every minute.

The weather data is publicly accessible at http:// bahamas.weatherstem. com/bli and is a useful tool for Bahamian recreational boaters, eastern New Providence residents and other tour operators.

Interested people can also use the link to access WeatherSTEM Scholar, a weather education platform for all ages.

THE VIEW from cameras around Nassau which will help people know what weather to expect.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, PAGE 11

M

Poverty isn’t a choice, for many it’s their battle throughout life

ONEY is a complicated topic of discussion. It is, in many ways, taboo to talk about money in real terms. We can comfortably talk about high prices, sales and taxation, but it is more difficult to discuss, in concrete terms, salaries, expenses and what we can and cannot afford.

Even within households, it can be a difficult subject to broach. Many of us have no idea what our parents’ earn(ed), what they have in debt or savings, or how they manage to keep the bills paid. Many of us have not talked to the people in our households — whether spouses, friends or children — about streams of income, spending or saving.

We go through the motions of making ends meet, ensuring utilities are not disconnected for nonpayment, never talking about what individual members of the household can afford. This can increase inequality and help to maintain the cycle of poverty.

The silence about money also keeps us — especially women — from being properly compensated for our work. We need to make a better effort to have these conversations.

Every now and then, a conversation about money is sparked, but in a way that alienates or shames the most vulnerable people. Yesterday, Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas John Rolle made comments about Bahamians’ savings

The

Alicia Wallace

column

following the release of the Fiscal Stability Report. It was noted that some Bahamians have less than $1000 in savings. This should not be surprising to anyone who is paying attention. In 2017, we learned that 90 percent of Bahamians had less than $5000 in savings.

When the issue of low savings is raised, many get on their high horses, talking down to the people who do not have money saved.

Low-income people are characterised as lazy and irresponsible for whom the cycle of poverty continues.

The assumption is they do not want to save, no consideration given to the low income many receive.

Good advice that just won’t work To say the lack of savings “reflects patterns” of households is misleading.

Households are limited by their incomes. It is not possible to save money you do not have. It was disappointing to read the commentary on the news report because so many people were enthusiastic (and some were even well-meaning) in their suggestions to people who do not save, refusing to acknowledge they are unable to do so.

One person shared her personal story of paying off her credit card and tracking her spending. Some do

not even have a dream of a credit card and have no frivolous spending to cut.

Another person said everyone can save, even if it is only $5. This completely ignores the fact the unemployment rate was 10.7 percent in May. Another person said he once made $75 per week and saved $20.

It important to ask questions about these kinds of stories. Three hundred dollars per month is not much to live on, but it is completely possible if you do not have to pay rent or buy groceries. For a debt-free person living with parents who both earn more than minimum wage, it can be easier to save.

The reality of minimum wage Let’s look at a single mother receiving minimum wage — $210 per week. We can make a conservative deduction of $10 per week which leaves the person with $800 per month. A

quick look at the Classifieds will make it clear that a twobedroom apartment would cost $800 and electricity is separate. This single mother shares a two-bedroom apartment with another person, so she and her child share one bedroom. She pays $400 in rent and $100 for electricity. Add $20 for cellphone credit (which is not a luxury in 2019, especially as a parent), $150 for groceries, $100 for bus fare.

She now has $30 left. She has not bought clothes, alcohol or drugs, or fast food at this point. She has not had her hair or nails done. She also has not bought school uniforms or books. The remaining $30 will not go very far.

Get real about the situation We need to move away from the idea that Bahamians choose to “borrow rather than save”. Borrowing and saving are not opposites, nor are they substitutes.

Take a break - even if it’s just looking at something beautiful

We certainly need to increase financial literacy, address the low incentive to save with commercial banks and better promote credit unions, but we also need to address the high cost of living and the unliveable minimum wage. We need to decrease spending on unnecessary products and services where it compromises people’s ability to take care of themselves and their responsibilities. At the same time, we need to understand that there are circumstances many of us never have to consider.

Poverty is not a result of bad decisions. It is a cycle, and it is exacerbated by decidedly unequal systems that benefit the rich, disadvantage the poor, and make those in the middle just tired and fed enough to be indifferent. No savings account, asue, or money-making scheme will remedy the issue when the system issues persist as we blame people for their vulnerability.

A CLOSE friend of mine is on an adventure during her break from university, driving across Canada.

She is following a loose plan this summer, setting up camp wherever she finds a good spot. Along the way, she has been able to stop and visit good friends she has not seen in a long time. I am enjoying the photos and stories she shares whenever she gets good internet service. Another friend is on a road trip from Texas to California with her siblings. It has been fun to see photos of her group, all adults, letting themselves be silly together for a few days. Another friend has ventured to New York City from Trinidad & Tobago, taking in all the theatre she can handle.

I do not often travel for leisure and definitely not without a plan.

Most of my trips are for work but I do try to squeeze in a few days to actually see the city I visit. Conferences, trainings and workshops tend to keep participants in hotels with little time or energy at the end of the day to explore, so it is important to have plan.

Watching friends travel for leisure can stir up the wanderlust spirit.

I have been trying to actively see daily experiences and interactions in the same way we often view the social media shares of our friends.

Recently, I was near the end of a very long and challenging day, telling myself to keep looking for the bright spots. There was a road ahead with several speed bumps, and I wondered if that was a sign. The real sign was just a few seconds ahead in the form of a poinciana tree. I parked in a vacant lot to take a picture of it in all its glory. At a different time of year, it is naked with no sign of colour, but that day, it was brilliant in colour and fullness. It was, in its own way, a brief vacation.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DEMOCRATS CLASH OVER HEALTHCARE, IMMIGRATION DETROIT Associated Press

KEEPING COOL THE HEATWAVE in Europe forced many to find ways to stay cool. Here a brown bear cub and its mother eat ice-covered fruits at a zoo in Switzerland.

Black state legislators snub Trump speech JAMESTOWN, Virginia Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump yesterday marked the 400th anniversary of the rise of American democracy by celebrating four centuries of commitment to the “righteous cause” of self-government, in a Jamestown speech that was boycotted by black state legislators and bracketed

by Trump’s comments in Washington continuing to disparage a black member of Congress and his majority-black district.

In his speech, Trump

noted that 1619 also was the year the first enslaved Africans arrived in the colonies, saying, “We remember every sacred soul who suffered the horrors of slavery and the anguish of bondage.”

Trump said the United States has had many achievements in its history, but “none exceeds the triumph that we are here to celebrate today”.

“Self-government in Virginia did not just give us a state we love — in a very true sense it gave us the country we love, the United States of America,” he said.

Against the backdrop of Trump’s policy of detaining migrants at the US-Mexico border, he was briefly interrupted by a Muslim state lawmaker, Del. Ibraheem Samirah. Samirah, a Democrat, stood and held laminated signs that said “Deport Hate,” ‘’Reunite My Family” and “Go Back to Your Corrupted Home.”

Samirah later said that he wanted to protest Trump’s policies and rhetoric. The audience chanted “Trump,” ‘’Trump,” ‘’Trump,” as Samirah was led out of the speech site, a tent on the lawn of a history museum

A PROTEST by Muslim Del. Ibraheem Samirah near the site of the original Jamestown colony.

Republican House Speaker Kirk Cox said Samirah’s protest was “inconsistent with common decency and a violation of the rules of the House.”

As he departed the White House, Trump said the black Virginia legislators who announced a boycott of the event were going “against their own people.”

The Republican president claimed African Americans “love the job” he’s doing and are “happy as hell” with his recent comments criticizing a majority-black Baltimore-area district and its black Democratic congressman, Rep. Elijah Cummings.

Trump’s

attacks on Cummings closely followed closely the president’s attacks on four progressive Democratic female members of Congress.

African Americans continue to be overwhelmingly negative in their assessments of the president’s performance.

According to Gallup polling, approval among black Americans has hovered around 1 in 10 over the course of Trump’s presidency, with 8% approving in June.

A last-minute announcement that the president would participate in the Jamestown commemoration of the first representative assembly in the Western Hemisphere injected tension into an event years in the making.

Demonstrators gathered Tuesday morning near the site where Trump would speak to condemn him.

During an emotional ceremony at a Richmond site where a notorious slave jail once stood, members of Virginia’s legislative black caucus took turns criticising Trump as he spoke about 60 miles away.

THE signature domestic proposal by the leading progressive candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination came under withering attack from moderates last night in a debate that laid bare the struggle between a call for revolutionary policies and a desperate desire to defeat President Donald Trump.

Standing side by side at center stage, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren slapped back against their more cautious rivals who ridiculed “Medicare for All” and warned that “wish-list economics” would jeopardise Democrats’ chances for taking the White House in 2020.

“I don’t understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the United States just to talk about what we really can’t do and shouldn’t fight for,” said Warren, a Massachusetts senator, decrying Democratic “spinelessness.”

Sanders, a Vermont senator, agreed: “I get a little bit tired of Democrats afraid of big ideas.”

While much of the debate was dominated by attacks on the preferred liberal health care policy, the issue of race emerged in the second hour. The candidates, all of whom are white, were unified in turning their anger toward Trump for using race as a central theme in his reelection campaign. Sanders called Trump a racist, while others said the president’s rhetoric revived memories of the worst in the country’s history, including slavery.

“The legacy of slavery and segregation and Jim Crow and suppression is alive and well in every aspect of the economy and the country today,” said former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke.

The presidential primary season won’t formally end for another year, but there was an increasing sense of urgency for many candidates who are fighting for survival. More than a dozen could be blocked from the next round of debates — and effectively pushed out of the race — if they fail to reach new polling and fundraising thresholds implemented by the Democratic National Committee.

SHERIFF James Kowalczyk addresses the media to say Ritchie German Jr., a man suspected of killing four people, may have been imitating the abduction last year of teenager Jayme Closs.

WISCONSIN GUNMAN MAY HAVE IMITATED CLOSS KIDNAPPING Associated Press

A WISCONSIN man killed three of his family members before blasting his way into the home of a stranger he had been sending harassing texts to and killing her, authorities said yesterday, speculating that he may have been trying to imitate last year’s home invasion and abduction of teenager Jayme Closs.

Ritchie German Jr., 33, shot his mother, brother and brother’s 8-year-old son at their home in Lafayette, likely on or before Saturday morning, Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said at a news conference. On Sunday night, he drove about 10 miles to the Lake Hallie home of 24-year-old

Laile Vang, blasted his way inside with a shotgun, and shot and wounded her parents before killing her. He then killed himself in the home, where several others were hiding, the sheriff said.

German left his car running outside of the Vangs’ home and had items in it — handcuffs and a loaded handgun clip — that led investigators to believe he could have been planning to imitate last October’s deadly home invasion and abduction of Jayme from her family’s home just 40 miles away, the sheriff said. In both cases, the attackers used guns to blast their way into the homes.

However, Kowalczyk said investigators may never know why German carried out the attacks.

“What was the motive?

Why did this happen? I don’t have the answer,” he said, asking anyone who had been in contact with German in the last week to call the sheriff’s office.

A couple of days before the attack, German sent unsolicited sexual texts to Laile Vang, but she apparently didn’t know him and replied “Who is this? I don’t know you,” authorities said.

Kowalczyk said there is no evidence that the two had ever met.

Chief Deputy Chad Holum said authorities are going through about 10 cellphones and are working to find out how German got Vang’s phone number, but they suspect he may have gotten it off the internet.