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Sears bids for PLP leadership Former Attorney General sets sights on November convention challenge

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Attorney General Alfred Sears yesterday announced his intention to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie for leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party at the governing party’s national convention in November.

Mr Sears is the first to make such an intention known, ensuring that Mr

BUTLER-TURNER URGES HER SUPPORTERS TO BACK MINNIS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net DAYS after saying she “can’t be bought” by the Free National Movement, Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday made her strongest move since the party’s controversial convention to help heal the wounds in the party as she urged her supporters to back Dr Minnis and his leadership team.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD

Christie will face the first challenge to his leadership since the National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage and attorney Paul Moss faced him in 2009.

Mr Sears has been laying the groundwork for a leadership run for months, having released a list of proposals he intends to champion if he becomes leader of the PLP. He spent recent months canvassing the country to make an assessment about whether it would be wise to run for leader. He pledged to run a “clean” race, one without personal attacks.

“The issues before us continue to be restoring our economy with specific focus on job creation, expanding entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians and ensuring economic diversification, instituting fiscal responsibility and prudence in governance, combatting SEE PAGE SIX

ALFRED SEARS

ROY COLEBROOKE, chef de Mission of the Bahamian team, with Anthonique Strachan at Friday’s opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics in Rio. See Sports for full coverage of the Bahamian team at the Olympics.

SMITH TO COMPLAIN OVER MOSS CLAIMS OF ‘FORUM SHOPPING’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

MARCO City MP Greg Moss has come under fire from attorney Fred Smith and the president of the Bahamas Bar Association, Elsworth Johnson, for suggesting in the House of Assembly last week that Save the Bays (STB) engaged in “forum shopping” at the Supreme Court.

Mr Smith said it’s the worst accusation ever hurled at him and he

dared Mr Moss on Friday to “say it to my face”.

He said he will make a formal complaint to the Office of the Attorney General and the Bar Association in an effort to get Mr Moss disbarred.

Mr Moss’ comments came as he reacted in the House of Assembly last week Wednesday to Justice Indra Charles’ historic ruling that Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald infringed the constitutional rights of members of Save the Bays when he tabled their personal emails in

Parliament in June.

Leader of the United Democratic Party, Mr Moss raised the spectre of corruption when he questioned whether STB was “forum shopping”, suggesting that the group has had many of its cases before the same judge.

“Why are all these controversial cases coming before the same judge,” he asked as parliamentarians beat their desks in approval.

“I’m not able to answer that. That should not be an issue I have to speak to in this House because the

Supreme Court is supposed to conduct itself with judicial decorum not to create a constitutional crisis with the Parliament in this country, and that is exactly what this is doing.”

Reacting to this statement Friday, Mr Smith said: “I call the Bar Association to take Mr Moss before the Bar ethics committee and to seek to have him disbarred.”

“If Moss is a man, let him come outside of Parliament and make SEE PAGE SIX

REPAIRS DUE TODAY TO BRING END TO WEEKEND OF POWER OUTAGES

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power & Light said yesterday it expects to complete repairs on two of its power-generating engines at the Clifton Pier plant today.

The power utility provider had warned customers on Friday to expect power outages over the weekend

because of engine problems that have been plaguing the former Bahamas Electricity Corporation for most of the summer.

Arnette Ingraham, Corporate Communications Manager, said yesterday that repairs “will be complete on both machines as early as Monday, August 8th”.

“We anticipated needing about 230 plus megawatts

of generation over the weekend especially during our peak hours of between 6pm and 11pm. This would have meant that we would have had a generation shortfall causing us to implement a 2 hour outage rotation. In anticipation of this, we informed our customers via the media and Facebook.”

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE NINE

MAN IS STABBED TO DEATH IN THE STREET

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old man in Grand Bahama this weekend has brought the total number of killings on the island this year to 12.

Police have not released the victim’s identification; however, The Tribune understands he is Teshawn Barr.

SEE PAGE SIX

BOAT THIEVES STRIKE AGAIN IN ABACO

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net BOAT thieves have struck again in Abaco, stealing two vessels in one night from boat lifts at a marina and a private home in Marsh Harbour. The culprits had also attempted to steal a third.

According to The Tribune’s sources, both of the stolen boats were later SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Monday, August 8, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

CYCLIST INJURED IN COLLISION WITH TAXI

A CYCLIST is attended to by the Saunders Beach roundabout yesterday morning near the Shell petrol station after a collision with a taxi. The cyclist’s condition was unknown at the time of going to press.

Photo: Rachel Darville

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Follow the Rio Olympics in The Tribune in words and pictures as ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ runs for 17 days in Brazil.

Senior Sports Reporter Brent Stubbs – a veteran of six Olympic Games - will follow the fortunes of the Bahamian team on the track and in the field, in the swimming pool and on the rowing lake.

Plus a daily guide to what events to watch and when, how the medals table is shaping up and the global highlights of each Olympic day.

Get regular updates on the Tribune’s website – tribune242.com – as the world’s best sportsmen and women create golden moments in Brazil.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 8, 2016, PAGE 3

Former data commissioner launches 2017 election bid

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Data Protection Commissioner Sharmie Farrington-Austin is not concerned about the naysayers who question her motivation to make a bid for the South Andros constituency as an independent candidate in next year’s general election.

At her official campaign launch yesterday in the Ocean View Suites conference room at the SuperClubs Breezes Resort, Mrs Farrington-Austin responded to speculation as to whether her intention to run for public office stemmed from her recent dismissal as Data Protection Commissioner following her bold rebuke of the use and disclosure of private emails in proceedings in the House of Assembly.

When asked by The Tribune if this were the case, her response was: “Absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever.”

“I am more for the people. I believe that we can move our people forward by doing economic diversification, community development and scholarship opportunities. That is my sole focus and my only focus going forward to make sure that the people of Andros benefit.

“I always said that I was in the data commission position as a transitional one. I was always very clear that I was called to serve as I always knew that I was and so once I would have completed that, I felt in my heart that what (more) can we do to move our country

SHARMIE Farrington-Austin at the launch of her independent campaign for the 2017 election. forward? And I believe that these are the times where we are being challenged as young Bahamians to step up to the plate.

“And my father Bishop Ellis (Farrington) and his generation, they stood up in 1967 so I think it’s incumbent upon us as young people to move to the forefront to move our country forward and Andros is the best choice.”

Mrs Farrington, who was cheered by the 100 plus supporters at yesterday’s launch, expressed confidence in her chances to represent the South Andros constituency.

“I feel very enthused and excited to know that I’m going to be taking up the mantle to provide service to the people of Andros where I was born and to give back to the country,” she said.

“I believe that we have a great country. I believe that

SUPPORTERS at the launch of Sharmie Farrington-Austin’s independent campaign for the 2017 general election included DNA deputy leader Christopher Mortimer and DNA chairman Andrew Wilson.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

WOMAN DETAINED AFTER FIRE RIPS THROUGH HOME

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN is in police custody in connection with a fire that caused extensive damage to a home in an inner-city community over the weekend.

The Fire Services Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force responded to a structural fire on Augusta Street around 8pm on Saturday.

Fire Chief Assistant Su-

HURRICANE CENTRE MONITORING STORMS

THE National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami is monitoring a disturbed area of thunderstorms and showers over the western Atlantic Ocean northeast of the southeastern Bahamas.

“Disorganised cloudiness and showers continue over the western Atlantic Ocean located near the southeastern Bahamas,” the NHC reported yesterday morning, adding later that the system was showing no signs of organisation.

“Any development of this system is expected to be slow to occur during the next several days while it moves northwestward and then northward, nearly midway between Florida and Bermuda by Tuesday.”

Last night, the NHC predicted the chances of a cyclone forming were low and becoming less likely, forecasting a 10 per cent chance during yesterday and today and 20 per cent over the next five days.

perintendent Walter Evans yesterday said that upon extinguishing the flames to the extensively damaged property, officers attempted to arrest a woman believed to be behind the blaze.

The female suspect reportedly resisted arrest and bit a female officer on the leg resulting in the latter having to receive treatment in hospital.

No indication was given as to whether or not arson charges would be filed against the suspect.

Andros will lead the way in the 21st century Bahamas and so I thought that it was best, when I considered giving national service, it was only fitting to go back home where I was born to give the service.”

Sending a call to others pondering pursuing a seat, she said: “Wherever you find yourself, you should serve.”

“But my main thrust is me standing as an independent could be a source of inspiration because I know there are many young people out there who want to serve and they may not necessarily align themselves with a political party. And I want to say to them to stand up and stand on their character, stand on their merit and offer the Bahamian people a viable alternative,” she stressed.

In March, while contributing to the mid-year budget debate, Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald read from private emails exchanged between members of Save the Bays. These included Grand Bahama attorney

Fred Smith, entertainer Kirkland “KB” Bodie, public relations specialist Diane Phillips, environmentalists Romauld Ferreira and Joseph Darville in addition to former Free National Movement Chairman and Senator Michael Pintard.

He later tabled the documents.

At the time, Mr Ftizgerald claimed Save The Bays masquerades as an environmental watchdog group, but has used million of dollars to “entrap” Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard in an alleged murder plot to ultimately “destabilise” the government.

The former Data Protection Commissioner issued a statement in response to complaints over what transpired in Parliament.

While she noted that none of the parties allegedly affected by the tabling of the emails has made any direct complaint to the Office of The Data Protection Commissioner, she cautioned against the practice of obtaining private citi-

zens’ correspondence and tabling them in the House of Assembly.

“It is my considered view that members of Parliament ought to be cognisant of the fact that members of the public expect that their Members of Parliament will be held to the same standard as ordinary citizens in relation to the commission of a criminal offence.

“No citizen should be above the law. This office cautions against the practice of obtaining private citizens’ correspondence and tabling them in the House of Assembly. This, in my view is a most dangerous trend and opens up the society to chaos. Citizens have a right to expect that their private communications would enjoy the protection afforded them under the laws of the country.”

She further noted that documents tabled in the House of Assembly enjoy parliamentary privilege.

Under section five of the Data Protection Privacy

of Personal Information Act, she said deliberations of Parliament and parliamentary committees, are excluded. Therefore, the Data Protection Commissioner is not the appropriate authority to make any rulings or comments with respect to the admissibility of correspondence in Parliament.

Last week, Justice Indra Charles in her ruling found that Mr Fitzgerald’s actions in acquiring, disclosing and releasing specifically Save The Bays internal emails were not legally justified and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege.

As a result, she ordered that he pay $150,000 in damages for the breach and barred him from any further disclosures or publications of information belonging to the Save The Bays organisation.

Mr Fitzgerald was also ordered to delete all materials in his possession within 14 days.

PAGE 4, Monday, August 8, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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Time to face the problem raised by Richard Lightbourn THERE was understandable outrage in the community to Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn’s recent suggestion in the House of Assembly that to solve today’s social ills legislation should be introduced that unwed mothers of more than two children should have their “tubes tied”.

He quickly apologised for his indiscretion.

Although, his suggested solution to the problem was untenable, the social problem that led Mr Lightbourn to his remedy must not be ignored. And so the mandatory “tying of the tubes” statement cannot be used as an excuse to turn a blind eye to one of society’s major problems — children having children, many of whom, with little home care and even less education, enter a life of crime.

“My words were really misinterpreted and I would have hoped that this matter here would have given this House the opportunity to direct its attention toward a matter which is of serious concern to this country,” Mr Lightbourn told the House last week.

“We need to have this conversation with regard to sexual responsibility to our country and I don’t think that we are going to serve this House and the country well unless we stop pushing this matter under the table.”

We totally agree with Mr Lightbourn.

An in depth discussion on this matter is long overdue. Some solution has to be found if we are to solve our many problems, especially crime.

We have been on this newspaper for over fifty-years and in that time have watched a poor, but proud people steadily descend to the depths of human degradation — many of them unwanted children grown into society’s unwanted criminals.

We remember many years ago doing an interview with a charming elderly lady on her front porch Over-the-Hill. She was lamenting the fact that young girls were now becoming so “fast and loose.” “Why in my day,” she remarked — even by then we had been around long enough to remember her day — “if a girl got pregnant out of wedlock, she would be shown the door –- and there was no help and no return. Even the shame in the community was too much. It was more than we would dare do!”

The shame and rejection was punishment enough to put a brake on ignoring society’s moral rules. The Bible was The Book and they lived by it. Not so today.

They may carry it to church on Sundays, but many spend the rest of the week breaking its “Thou shalt not…” rules.

We also recall the day half a century ago when The Tribune made its last call to the hospital to get the list of babies born that day. A cub reporter at The Tribune always started his/her day with a daily call to several government offices, which included the sailing of the mail boats to and from the islands and the births at the Bahamas General Hospital (Princess Margaret). These had been published daily for years, and a hospital staff member had been assigned to answer our daily calls.

On that fateful day, The Tribune announced that that morning a son had been born to the wife of Mr X at the Bahamas General Hospital and that “mother and baby were doing well”.

It was the same routine story, but when The Tribune hit the streets that night – they were the days when The Tribune was an evening publication – the town was ablaze with scandal. The story was half true. The named gentleman was indeed the father of the child, but the mother was not his wife.

Mr and Mrs X were a popular couple, but

they had never had any children. That was the day that The Tribune dropped its birth column and the hospital was scratched off its list of daily calls.

As the years rolled by there came a day when we were in discussion with a Princess Margaret Hospital doctor. He was weary, he was dejected. He was concerned for his country’s future. “I have just come from the factory that is manufacturing this country’s future problems,” he remarked as he brushed a lock of hair from a worried brow.

That day on the hospital’s gynae ward were children – 13,14 and 15— giving birth. The 15-year-old girl by then had had more than one child — and for different men. They refused to give the name of the fathers.

According to a fact sheet released on HIV/AIDS in 2013 “since the first HIV case was diagnosed in the Bahamas in 1985 and until the end of 2013, 13,082 persons in the Bahamas have received an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Over a third of these cases have died of AIDS.” There was panic in the community.

Many men, reluctant to give up their wayward ways, were looking for safe sex. The talk that got back through our reporters was that they were stalking young girls who they felt were young enough to be infection free. They had no morals. They were consumed by an evil lust — some of the names drifting through our offices at that time would shock our readers.

We recall the debate during the period of decisions being made about national insurance. It was argued that to give unwed mothers maternity leave payments was only encouraging their promiscuity.

In the end they were granted payments, but an organisation was formed to help them finish their schooling and assist them with the care of their children. We haven’t heard much about it lately, but hope that it is still active.

By 2009, the births to unwed mothers had escalated to 62 per cent, dropping slightly in 2010 to 59 per cent.

The face of society – and its problems— had changed. In the days long gone by, there were grandparents at home to take care of the children while their parents worked. Today, with women giving birth at such a young age, there are no longer grandparents as guardians at home. This generation of young grandparents are still working and their children, with no responsible caretakers, are problems for the community. Herein lies the problem of which Mr Lightbourn spoke.

And then we had the drug years; success meant being a millionaire. Children were told that with the advent of the PLP they would no longer be “hewers of wood and drawers of water.”

Towards the end of his administration, Sir Lynden admitted his mistakes.

“I didn’t know then what I know now, that any work breeds character,” he said.

“Too many young men lack character today: too many, too often shirk responsibility because they have never been held accountable for their actions at home, in school or in society. Therein might lie the heart of the problem.”

That is the problem — all that we have listed above has contributed to the problem. Instead of condemning Mr Lightbourn, it is up to this community to come together – recognise that over the years a once decent society has been turned on its head – and try to find ways to put it together again. Do this, and the nation could be well on its way to solving crime.

The single parent society EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHILE Richard Lightbourne’s recent comments regarding mandatory sterilisation of unwed mothers were neither tasteful nor tactful, there is no denying the message he was attempting to articulate however repugnant it might seem for many of us.

It is said that ignorance is bliss and we as a people have for the last forty odd years blissfully ignored what has perhaps evolved, aside from the recent scourge of the web shop industry, into

one of the elements most destructive to our society’s moral and social fibre.

Since 1970, births to unwed mothers in The Bahamas have soared from twenty-nine percent to over sixty-two percent in 2010 and that percentage is without a doubt higher today.

The traditional Bahamian home where both parents, regardless of economic circumstances or skin colour, equally shared the responsibility of raising and nurturing their children has become all but extinct.

It was these very real con-

cerns that Mr Lightbourne was attempting to communicate. Therefore if we are to arrest our country’s and people’s ever deepening decent into moral and civil disorder, we must find ways to educate the less intelligent among us to their parental responsibilities and to the consequences that their licentious and profligate lifestyles have on, not only their own lives, but the lives of their children and on our society as a whole.

IAN MABON Nassau, August 5, 2016.

Lightbourn’s political Kryptonite EDITOR, The Tribune.

RICHARD Lightbourn stumbled into a room full of FNMs and bumbled around like an old gelding that couldn’t tell the difference between an abattoir and a stable. Either way, he is political dead meat and he will surely be put out to pasture soon. Only the good people of Montagu can save him now.

There is no earthly reason why we should suppose that Richard didn’t know that in 2016, forcing a woman into sterilisation is a crime against humanity as codified by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (although, shamefully, The Bahamas has signed but not yet ratified the statute).

While the good Lord finds time to speak to some of our pastors to warn of the so-called homosexual agenda, the Almighty was apparently remarkably silent on the recommendation that the state set a limit of two children for unwed mothers and thereafter their fallopian tubes are to be stitched-up tighter than Dick’s hatband, by order of King Richard.

Here is what I believe the Shadow Attorney General should have said since he was hell bent on putting his big foot in his mouth. That he was concerned about the strain put on the budget to feed, house, educate and keep healthy all those children who become our collective responsibility.

He could have spun the narrative that we have social challenges where parents are not pulling their weight and that the justice system was never equipped to become nanny to children from single parent households who fall through the cracks in our society.

What Richard may have seen as a solution to our problems turned out to be his political kryptonite. The phrase “compulsory sterilisation” always is. Richard should have been more culturally sen-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net sitive and called his rambling, incoherent thoughts something more politically benign like “population control”. Morally, the former is repugnant while the latter might sound like interesting public policy.

Indian Prime Minister Indira Ghandhi tried compulsory tube-tying for women and vasectomies for men in 1976 to disastrous consequences including many deaths.

We already practice population control.

We promote abstinence programmes for our teenagers. We have a lackluster campaign to promote the use of condoms. We offer birth control to young women. And as women become more educated they are delaying starting a family.

The problem with Richard’s grand design is that it appears to be targeted at poor people, at least the unmarried ones. It puts the government in the umpire’s chair to determine who has been a “good girl” and who hasn’t.

The government has no right to a woman’s womb.

That’s not to say that the government is an uninterested party. It has a vested survival interest in producing healthy, well-educated children/citizens. As our population ages we will need more young workers to sustain our economy.

The government can and must advocate policies that nudge and cajole women into doing what’s best for them and their families.

Our social policies must promote family planning education. Our fiscal policies could reward responsible sexual behaviour, rather than punish behaviour we may not agree with. We should pay for higher education for those young women and men, striving to break out of the cycle of poverty by putting careers ahead of progeny.

We must promote the full

benefits of condom use. In addition to birth control, condoms help arrest some sexually transmitted diseases that put a strain on our healthcare resources and erode our national productivity which suffers when workers are sick.

Finally, we need to conduct fact-based analysis not the kind of conservative mumbo-jumbo that Richard spewed. It could give the impression of racism to suggest ethnicity rather than socioeconomic class, poverty, education, religion or culture are behind our high pregnancy rates.

For this Richard was wrong and he was rightly chastised for his naiveté.

But I doubt he’s a racist as some have claimed. His record of public service puts that to rest. Furthermore, we all know that some black men in high places have an even more backward view of women.

Women must have the right to safe and legal abortions if they so choose, as well as the right to birth control. Women have a right to reproductive education and open access to quality reproductive healthcare whether they live in Bain Town or Mathew Town.

It is their responsibility to provide for their children if they elect to have them, but it’s our collective duty to stitch our safety net to catch these babies when their parents either stumble or fall.

Finally, women must have the right to be free from foolish talk of sterilization.

They most certainly have the right to no longer have to listen to men like Richard, telling them what to do with their bodies.

I have no doubt that a few Bahamian women have some creative suggestions for what Richard can do with his body.

What’s next Richard, compulsory vasectomies for poor dead-beat unwed dads?

THE GRADUATE Nassau, August 4, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 8, 2016, PAGE 5

KPMG says it backs NHI Bill

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

KPMG, one of the Christie Administration’s lead consultants on National Health Insurance, yesterday supported the administration’s recently tabled NHI Bill, claiming that significant changes have been made to the original draft.

KPMG was hired by the administration within the last year to validate its NHI plans. The firm has since played a major role in trying to increase engagement between the NHI secretariat and Bahamian stakeholders.

According to a document released by the NHI Secretariat, which featured the feedback stakeholders and consultants had about the draft bill, KPMG was critical of the governance structure of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) as mandated in the original draft bill, saying it allowed for “heavy political control with board appointments, staffing decisions, and other key decisions being ultimately at the direction of the “minister.”

“This will create immediate distrust with other providers, insurance companies and administrators that the entity will be politically managed,” KPMG said.

After some changes were made to the bill, KPMG

ATTENDEES at a town hall meeting to discuss the proposed NHI scheme. The Bill before Parliament has been endorsed by KPMG, which helped to organise events to engage the public. now appears supportive of spirit of transparency, all the Attorney General who the governance structure, stakeholder feedback re- have also been advised by saying in a statement re- ceived over the past several the Government’s legal admonths, inclusive of KP- visors, Hogan Lovells, and leased yesterday: “The governance struc- MG’s initial recommenda- has made recommendature for the National Health tions, has been disclosed to tions in the normal course Insurance Authority has the public through the pub- of its advisory engagement undergone significant re- lishing of a feedback table with the government for view and changes pursuant on the NHI Secretariat’s improvement to the NHI to stakeholder feedback website.

Draft Bill which was re“We note certain of our leased on February 18th, since the first draft of the NHI Bill, and we believe recommendations have also and to subsequent drafts. this governance structure is been discussed in recent The final NHI Bill which now well balanced and rea- press articles. As advisors has been tabled in Parliasonable for an authority of to the government of The ment, and which balances Bahamas on the implemen- the views of many private this nature.”

The statement continued: tation of National Health and public sector stakehold“The National Health In- Insurance and wider Uni- ers, is a fundamental step surance Bill was tabled in versal Health Coverage in the implementation of Parliament on Wednesday, Reform, KPMG has been Universal Health Coverage August 3, 2016. Extensive involved in ongoing reviews The Bahamas, something stakeholder consultation of the NHI Bill up to its re- KPMG fully supports.” comments and responses cent finalization and presRegarding the governon the draft NHI Bill were entation to Parliament. ance structure of NHI, the “KPMG has worked most substantial change to also published by the NHI Secretariat on its website. closely with the NHI Sec- the bill is the composition We understand that in the retariat and the Office of of the NHIA’s board and

PAIR ACCUSED OF MUGGING SPREE DENIED BAIL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were remanded to prison on Friday after they were arraigned in connection with a spree of muggings in Nassau last week.

Andrew Johnson, 22, and Andre Green, 23, appeared before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes together charged with two counts of armed robbery.

It is alleged that the Malcolm Road residents, on July 27, robbed Goshon Fox and Errin Kelly at gunpoint of a $250 Michael Kors (rose gold) watch and a $120 Samsung J1 Ace cellphone.

Green, a Jamaican, was charged with the lesser crime of receiving. It is alleged that he was found in possession of the watch on July 31. He was then charged with additional counts of armed robbery concerning other incidents.

It is alleged that on July 29, he robbed Pauline Sin-

gh-Pritchard of $300 cash, a $550 Samsung Galaxy S4 cellphone, a $45 handbag, her Bahamian spousal permit and other personal items that were in the handbag at the time of the gunpoint robbery.

Also on that day, Tazani Sweeting was accosted at gunpoint and relieved of a $900 iPhone 6s. Green is alleged to be the culprit.

It is further alleged that on July 31 Green robbed Takesure Jeche and Ruth Masiyazi of $70 cash, a $100 permit, a $150 Huewai cellphone, a $100 Microsoft cellphone, a $100 black handbag and other personal items and assorted clothing. He is alleged to have been found in possession of the two cellphones, resulting in the additional charge of receiving.

Johnson was charged in connection with an armed robbery on July 29. It is claimed that he accosted John Johnson at gunpoint for his $50 leather wallet and $100 Nokia cellphone.

The chief magistrate told the accused that they would not be required to enter a plea to the vast number of charges laid against them until a formal arraignment in Supreme Court.

It is expected that on their return to Magistrates Court on August 18, they would each receive a Voluntary Bill of Indictment transferring the matter to the higher court for trial.

As the court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail on such offences, the Malcolm Road residents were remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.

However, they can apply for pre-trial release from the Supreme Court.

Green, who has retained

attorney Jomo Campbell to defend him, made allegations of physical treatment at the hands of police during his six-day stint in police custody. He also claimed that he was denied access to prescribed medication.

Chief Magistrate Forbes made a note of the complaints before remanded the accused men.

Johnson was unrepresented in Friday’s arraignment.

the selection of representatives on it.

The original bill mandated a board of twelve people, seven of whom were to be appointed by the minister responsible for NHIA. However, the newly tabled bill mandates that the board consists of nine members, five of whom are to be appointed by the minister and four who must simply be approved by the minister.

Additionally, the revised bill doesn’t require that the NHIA Board appoint an independent auditor approved by the minister as it gives the board the power to make this decision on its own.

Otherwise, the governance structure of the NHIA Board has not been changed substantially compared to the original bill.

The new bill still grants the minister, for instance, the power to create regulations that could affect issues central to the operations of the NHIA, such as the process of enrolment of people into the scheme, the rate and mode of payment of contributions by beneficiaries and employers and the functions and procedures

of committees established by the board. The minister also has the power to appoint the chairman and deputy chairman of the NHIA Board.

In addition, despite KPMG’s previous objection, the newly tabled bill still gives the minister wide discretionary powers to give directions to the NHIA, though the language on this has changed to suggest this power is reserved for emergency situations.

The bill says: “In the interest of the public’s health and where circumstances require immediate action, the minister may give to the Authority such directions as it appears to the minister appropriate, whether of a general or specific character and the Authority shall give effect to any such direction.”

In defending the minister’s role in the NHIA governance structure, representatives have said that the bill is in line with those created for other agencies and reflects the fact that in Westminster systems, responsibility for important issues ultimately lie with the minister.

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PAGE 6, Monday, August 8, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Sears bids for PLP leadership from page one

crime within our borders and establishing a system of transparent and accountable governance among many other progressive reforms,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Mr Sears told The Tribune he notified Mr Christie and PLP chairman Bradley Roberts about his decision to contest the leadership of the party. He met with members of his constituency branch yesterday evening to discuss the matter with them.

He said he will present comprehensive plans for the country in the upcoming months and enhancing government transparency and accountability is expected to be one major plank of his agenda.

It is a potential sore spot for the Christie Administration, which has made no apparent progress towards creating campaign finance laws or addressing concerns about the transparency of the country’s contract procurement process, two matters that have long been a priority to stakeholders.

Mr Sears is also expected to argue strongly for greater devolution of the Prime

Minister’s powers and for an expansion in the scope of local government.

“This campaign will present a transformative vision for the Progressive Liberal Party and The Bahamas,” he said in his statement yesterday. “The campaign will not make any personal and negative attacks on anyone.”

It is often said that the PLP’s election process is stacked in favour of the party’s leader. There are many stalwart councillors in the party who are of advanced age and have the ability to vote in the convention.

They are more likely to have had relationships with Mr Christie, who has been a parliamentarian for more than 40 years, than they are with Mr Sears, who has served in government for ten years.

Asked if he has concerns about the fairness of the PLP’s election process, Mr Sears said: “I, as well as every other candidate who will step forward, will be provided a level playing field and a fair process. Our great party should have the confidence to ensure that any contest for its leadership is fair and democratic.

I’m confident that the delegates of the PLP are patriots of the Commonwealth

of the Bahamas and when they hear the manner that I want to take the country in they will support me.”

Mr Sears is a respected figure in the PLP and within the legal community. He was encouraged by the PLP constituency branch of Fort Charlotte to return to frontline politics last year after members grew frustrated with their representative, Dr Andre Rollins, who has since left the PLP. If not for the prodding of the party, it is unclear if Mr Sears would have returned to frontline politics in 2017 and therefore challenge Mr Christie.

Mr Sears was Attorney General from 2002 to 2006 and Minister of Education from 2002 to 2007. He also served as Chairman of the Council of the College of The Bahamas between 2012 and 2016.

In his statement yesterday he said: “During my tenure as member of parliament, attorney general and minister of education, I learned the complexities of governance in our society, the challenges in addressing the concerns of working class Bahamians.

Further, I gained a deep appreciation of the urgent need to reform our governance

process, better incentivise Bahamian entrepreneurship and extend private public partnerships.”

Mr Sears is currently the managing partner of Sears & Co, the law firm he established in 1992. He told The Tribune yesterday that he anticipates receiving notable endorsements in the upcoming months.

Nonetheless, the PLP has not held a convention since 2009, despite the party’s constitutional mandate to hold one every year.

The last convention held in 2009 showed how deep support for Mr Christie runs in the party. He won 1,158 votes in a landslide victory over Dr Nottage, who received 204 votes. Mr Moss, an attorney viewed as an outsider, won 23 votes and later left the party.

Mr Christie stirred controversy recently when he said he seeks to remain leader of the PLP to provide stability to the party and because young members in government have urged him to continue on.

While it is unknown if others will step forward to challenge Mr Christie, Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is often seen as another potential challenger.

ALFRED SEARS

SMITH TO COMPLAIN OVER MOSS CLAIMS OF ‘FORUM SHOPPING’ from page one

these accusations that I have somehow participated in some corrupt exercise to take my cases before the court. I think Mr Moss is a disgrace to the profession. He is an officer of the Supreme Court and should know better than to make wild, unsubstantiated accusations against myself who is a Queen’s Counsel of Her Majesty, who has been in the profession for 40 years and who no one has ever had the indecency to accuse of having bribed a judge before.

“In his pursuit of demagoguery and bellicose pontification, he has sunk to one of the lowest levels I’ve seen a politician sink to in the Bahamas. If he has any courage, if he stands by what he says, let him come out of Parliament and say it to my face because I will

GREG Moss in the House of Assembly last week.

Photo: Tim Clarke/ Tribune Staff sue him for criminal libel, for defamation and make a formal complaint to the Bar to have him disbarred.”

“This is the most vicious thing I have heard anybody say about me.”

Mr Smith also said he doesn’t have many cases before Justice Charles.

“I have been appearing before Justice Bain in many STB cases, before Justice Weekes on Bruno Rufa’s judicial reviews, Justice Evans on Kelly’s and other customs judicial reviews,

Justice Longley on responsible development for the Abaco case, etc. He needs to get his facts straight before he starts maligning me and by implication suggesting that the judge was involved in corrupt practices.

He is scandalising the court and I call on the attorney general to consider issuing proceedings for his contempt in scandalising the Supreme Court.”

For his part, Mr Johnson said the matter shows that Parliamentarians must not

abuse parliamentary privilege.

“If they have a concern I think the more responsible thing to do is bring it to the attention of the Chief Justice,” he said on Friday.

“Absolutely no one in the Bahamas can question Justice Indra Charles’ commitment to the rule of law.

No one can question her independence, fearlessness, impartiality. When making comments we should be very careful that it does not undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.

Mr Johnson said: “People sometimes use Parliament to say and do as they like but we must be responsible in our commentary. If you feel there is forum shopping, which suggests you can get a certain result from this person, you make a complaint. Put a report together and have it brought to the attention of the Chief Justice.”

MAN IS STABBED TO DEATH IN THE STREET from page one

According to reports, police and EMS personnel were called to an area near

a business establishment on East Sunrise Highway shortly after 4am, where they discovered a man lying in the street with stab wounds in his upper body.

EMS personnel took the victim to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

He is the 64th person to be murdered in the Bahamas in 2016, according to The Tribune’s records.

Police are investigating and are appealing to anyone with information that can assist them to call 3503107 through 12, 911, 919 or the nearest police station.

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THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

insight@tribunemedia.net

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

THE GROUNDBREAKING ceremony at The Pointe in 2015 attended

by Prime Minister Perry Christie, Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and officials from China Construction American (CCA) and The Pointe.

PHOTO: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

The Bahamas cannot be for sale

AN ARTIST’S impression of The Pointe development.

Malcolm J Strachan calls for a public hearing on the government’s dealing with Chinese interests

T

his is a time of difficulty and uncertainty for our nation.

The difficulty relates to our impaired economy, high unemployment, rising crime rate, and what is a growing loss of confidence by Bahamians in Prime Minister Perry Christie’s government.

When we think about the future, this loss of confidence is troubling - how will it affect our quality of life, job and educational opportunities. We have seen how it has impacted an attempt at gender equality.

So when our government does little to address this uncertainty, whose interests is our government really serving?

We today are a nation where major projects - such as Baha Mar and The Pointe - that could mean much for the social and economic welfare of this country are mired in controversy.

We do not understand why our Government has been both so solicitous of and defensive about China’s ever increasing presence in our capital, up and down Bay Street. Many of us question why the government continually has allowed Chinese private enterprise to usurp jobs for which the first call should be to qualified Bahamians rather than imported Chinese workers.

Many of us question why our government is more than willing to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to send its officials on trip after trip to Beijing, only to return home to mouth to us false hopes which seem then to be followed by more twisting and turning to further Chinese economic and business interests.

Who is benefitting from this dance of our Prime Minister and his government with the Chinese? For sure, the main beneficiary is the Chinese private enterprise here in the Bahamas. They appear to have our Prime Minister and his government lying down in the same economic bed with them. As for the people of The Bahamas, we have been left out in the

proverbial cold.

Our government recently has been touting its excitement that, based on its relationship with China’s political leadership, its banks, including China Exim Bank, and enterprises such as China State Construction (CCA), China wants to make our country a major trading hub for Chinese currency. What would this mean for our country’s critical relationships with western nations like the United States, which has the most stable currency in the world and on which our

CCA’s behaviour at The Pointe.

We as a people owe a debt of gratitude to radio host Steve McKinney for exposing the outrageous demands that CCA has made for the restart of construction at Baha Mar. These demands included, among other giveaways by our government, 30-years tax exemption and the conveying of 500 Bahamian citizenships to Chinese citizens!

Moreover, it is well known and publicised that some relatives of members

THE BAHA Mar resort would mean much for the social and economic welfare of The Bahamas.

“Has our own government and the Progressive Liberal Party engaged with the Chinese in a way that it too has become tainted by the corruption that is plaguing China’s own institutions? Is the Christie administration acting in the best interests of the people of The Bahamas, or is it reaping ill begotten financial gains by “selling” our nation to China as an “economic colony” of that foreign power?” own currency is based?

Indeed, headlines have been screaming for well over a year about international concerns over the Chinese yuan and that currency’s weakness.

Headlines also have been highlighting corruption, both political and business, that has been permeating China, including concerns about how many Chinese business executives once abroad flout violations of legal business practices.

We know of such Chinese misconduct firsthand with recent court documents revealing sleazy business practices by CCA executives on the Baha Mar project, and our own media raising concerns about

of our government hold jobs with CCA while others have benefitted financially from the Chinese’s expanding business. This while thousands upon thousands of Bahamians go without work.

The Government’s siding with China Exim Bank and China State Construction to sabotage Baha Mar’s Chapter 11 reorganisation and to instead instigate a winding up/liquidation of this project has put one this country’s greatest potential business developments now completely in the ownership hands of a Chinese bank; left hundreds of unsecured creditors, mostly Bahamians, unpaid; and caused international rating

agencies to become even more pessimistic about our country’s ability to attract meaningful foreign investment.

It is sad that our government may very well have lost the confidence and respect of its people. We are at a point that we now need to know what is the true extent and nature of Prime Minister Christie and his government’s dealings with China. Has our own government and the Progressive Liberal Party engaged with the Chinese in a way that it too has become tainted by the corruption that is plaguing China’s own institutions? Is the Christie administration acting in the best interests of the people of The

Bahamas, or is it reaping ill begotten financial gains by “selling” our nation to China as an “economic colony” of that foreign power?

Our Government seems to have misled, double talked and failed to deliver on any number of situations and issues involving their new ‘strategic partners’.

There is no true transparency by the Government on what it is doing with China and what this will really mean to The Bahamas. We urge all our legislators, no matter their political party, to hold The Prime Minister and his government accountable. We are a nation with its general election now less than a year away and with a Prime Minister and government whose

moral authority to govern is now being questioned.

Last week, Dr Andre Rollins rose to his feet in Parliament and accused the Government of collusion with the Chinese.

Prime Minister Christie vehemently denied this. But then again, this is the same Prime Minister who Rollins described as the “dream seller” in chief. We have all had our fill of empty and broken promises from the Prime Minister. We, and the public, have lost faith in him.

We believe that Rollins was right when he said, “Tiger Wu (China State Construction’s executive vice president) is wooing this government”. We can not trust the Prime Minister, or his Government’s word that something is afoot. We have every right to ask the question and find out what the true relationship is between the Chinese and our Government.

Barring a Commission of Enquiry, we urge the Parliament to call for a Select Committee to investigate the exact nature of this Christie administration’s relationships with these Chinese interests. The Bahamian public has a right to know.

Are the best interests of the Bahamian people being served, or are the self- interests of a select few this administration’s priority?

One thing is for sure: the national sovereignty of The Bahamas cannot be for sale.

• Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia.net

PAGE 2 MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

The real point of Dame Anita’s lecture on marriage

By TONYA BASTIAN GALANIS

I

t has become apparent since the presentation last week of the 8th Annual Eugene Dupuch Distinguished Lecture, hosted by the Eugene Dupuch Law School and by Dupuch & Turnquest & Co Chambers, that much public debate has emerged, related to several aspects of the presentation.

As many Tribune readers will be aware, the featured speaker was Dame Anita Allen, President of the Court of Appeal of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the topic she presented was “The Law in a Changing Society: Reconstructing Marriage”.

From my own awareness of some of the discussion in the public domain since the presentation of the lecture, its timing and the supposed “personal views” expressed

by Dame Anita seem to be the two most “debated” issues arising.

I begin by categorically and thoroughly rejecting as baseless and mischievous any suggestion that the lecture presented was an expose of any personal view

by Dame Anita, denoting a conclusion of what her judicial determination would be on any matter treating with same-sex marriage in The Bahamas that may arise before her as a sitting Judge. Similarly, I also comprehensively repudiate any attempt to infer that as a result of the lecture delivered, there were grounds for any apprehension of judicial bias on her part, relative to the issues raised in her lecture.

Respectfully, what was presented was an erudite,

thoughtful, cogent and immersed appraisal of certain aspects of family law in The Bahamas, with an emphasis on the legal institution of marriage. Indeed, in her presentation, Dame Anita dealt with several jurisprudential matters relating to marriage. Her juristic treatment of the nature of marriage in The Bahamas explored the recognition of non-traditional marriages, the law related to marriages celebrated by persons within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity or affinity, the issue of ancillary relief to an innocent party where a marriage is declared null and void under section 21(1) (a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act, divorce reform and the legal status of cohabiting couples, particularly in relation to property division upon the breakup of those relationships.

As with any lecture or speech, the core elements were presented in a wider context of social observations, realities, norms and perspectives. This was nothing novel, peculiar or avant-garde to Dame Anita’s lecture.

In the first instance, it is inconceivable that any reasonable person would think that a distinguished jurist of such superior judicial vintage and experience as Dame Anita would be so careless as to engage in “judicial decision-making”, not from the Bench, but rather from the lectern at such an esteemed and respectable forum as a distinguished lecture. Likewise, for anyone to claim that she did any such thing would have ignored her deliberate and considered approach of positing the various components of her analysis as “arguments”.

The thought that any

DAME Anita Allen at the British Colonial Hilton last Tuesday delivering the 8th Annual Eugene Dupuch Distinguished Lecture.

Photo: TIM CLARKE/The Tribune jurist is condemned to a life of retreat from public discourse and debate on matters of national importance by virtue of his or her appointment is wholly and incontrovertibly inconsistent with the fundamental right of all citizens to freedom of expression. As the ‘Bangalore Principles on Judicial Conduct, 2002’ at paragraph 4.6 states: “A judge, like any other citizen, is entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly...”, so long as the “dignity of the judicial office” is preserved and the “impartiality and independence of the judiciary” is maintained.

Some will recall that in his address at the opening of the legal year on January 13, 2016, the Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley expressed the need for a conference on criminal

Funeral Service for

Sylvia Clara Pearce, 88 of San Souci, Nassau, The Bahamas, will be held at the Chapel of Love, Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, Palmdale Avenue and Bradley Street, Nassau, on Tuesday, 21st June, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.

Pastor Jay Simms will officiate and interment will follow in Ebenezer Methodist Cemetery, East Shirley Street, Nassau.

Sylvia Clara was the youngest of four children born to Cecil and Lillian Roberts of Great Guana Cay, Abaco. She was born on June 3rd, 1928 and came to Nassau at age 13. Sylvia lived with her uncle Harry Roberts and his wife Trever until she met Vesper Russell, an electrician, whom she married just 2 years later.

Sylvia and Vesper Russell had seven children (Kathy, Jeannie, Joyce, Mercay, Kenneth, Agatha, and Mona) before she was widowed at 29 years of age.

Sylvia married Clyde Russell and they produced a son, Andrew, before she became widowed a second time.

Sylvia supported her family working as a sales clerk until she was forced to stop after suffering an aneurysm. Later in life she married widower Charles Kirkwood Pearce and they enjoyed a happy Union until his death in his old age. Sylvia was familiar with death having already lost her two sons, Andy and Ken. But she had to bear the loss of one more child leaving before her: Jeannie who died in 2009.

Sylvia’s health continued to decline over the past decade, and she took her last breath holding her eldest daughter Kathy’s hand, on Wednesday morning, June 15, 2016.

May she rest in peace.

Sylvia Pearce is survived by her daughters, Kathy Pearce, Joyce Green, Mercay Houghton and Mona Russell; granddaughters, Gia Greene, Melanie Bethel, Quinn Childers and Kara Russell; grandsons, Troy Pearce, Colin Green, Christopher Houghton and Gavin Bethel; great granddaughters, Lauren Villi, Alexis Roderick, Jordan Green, Kaitlin Childers and Emma Houghton; great grandsons, Justin and Nicholas Pearce, Joshua Greene, Ethan Green and Hunter Bethel; great great grandson, Jude Roderick; nieces, Sherrie Sawyer and Lisa Roberts; nephew, Cecil Roberts; sons-in-law, Godfrey Pearce, Timothy Houghton and Godfrey Harding.

Other relatives and friends who are left to cherish her memory include Lindy Munnings, Ann and Eugene Higgs, and Rhondi Taylor.

The family wishes to express a debt of gratitude to Sylvia’s wonderful caregivers, especially Pearlene Pinnock, Pat Patterson, Pat Munnings, Carlene Russell and Dr. Ian Kelly.

Arrangements Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

law to “review and make substantial changes to both practice procedure and evidence” and in that regard called for the abolition of the voir dire, the abolition of Preliminary Inquiries and for either the abolition of the jury or limitation of its application to cases where the death penalty might be sought.

I

ndeed, as the commentary to Rule 3.1 of the American Bar Association Model Code of Judicial Conduct (2011 ed), indicates “…judges are encouraged to engage in appropriate extrajudicial activities. Judges are uniquely qualified to engage in extrajudicial activities that concern the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, such as by speaking, writing, teaching, or participating in scholarly research projects.”

I respectfully submit that that is a universal tenet of proper judicial public conduct.

A practical application of this was also articulated by Lord Carnwath, of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, seven months ago while delivering a speech on climate change and the courts, where he said the following in relation to a controversy sur-

was not to “align” herself with any particular position on the legal issues raised, but rather to comment on a set of apposite legal issues as judges “live in the real world” too .

I would urge all to bear in mind that the occasion was a distinguished lecture in honour and celebration of a national treasure, Eugene Dupuch QC. As Dame Anita commented in her introduction at the lecture, he was a “fearless advocate for change, who bejeweled our national life”. In this regard, the distinguished lecture was a most appropriate forum to treat with matters of such national legal importance.

The whole purpose of a distinguished lecture, in the context of an institution of higher learning in the law, is to stimulate and invigorate thought, discussion and analysis of some aspect of the law. This clearly does not contemplate a mere recital or tedious review of the law as it stands, but rather to challenge interpretations, deconstruct legal propositions, ventilate inadequacies and shortcomings in the law, and traverse and delineate trajectories for possible reform. All of this is not done with a view to coalescing public opinion towards any particular view or promoting any abiding

bears no consonance with the truth. In fact, in closing her lecture, Dame Anita expressly hoped that we were all now aware of “the difficulties inherent in our marriage law, and of the complex issues the courts are likely to face in determining: what is marriage in The Bahamas”. There is absolutely no reason why this would not be a meaningful and helpful thing for a most senior and experienced judge to discuss and state in a public forum.

Turning to the issue of the timing of the lecture, I see no moment in the discussion on this point but I will address it briefly nevertheless.

In late January of this year, the Law School invited Dame Anita to be the speaker at this year’s Eugene Dupuch distinguished lecture. She kindly agreed.

In February, the topic of the lecture was settled between the Law School and Dame Anita. A date of April 14 was also agreed in February for delivery of the lecture. Notably, this was prior to the announcement by the Government of The Bahamas that a Constitutional Referendum was to be held on June 7 on citizenship and gender equality. That announcement was made on April 10.

In light of that announcement and having regard to the topic of the lecture, the Law School thought it prudent to reschedule the lecture, particularly to avoid a sitting judge becoming embroiled in any controversy relating to the referendum issues and to avoid any charge of influencing the vote and potential outcome, either way. Owing to the scheduling of internal matters and obligations at the Law School, including the preparation for examinations by both the staff and students, the date that was convenient to both the Law School’s diary and that of Dame Anita was June 14 and was mutually agreed.

By then all examinations would have been completed and substantial progress would have been made in the marking of examination scripts and the processing

“The thought that any jurist is condemned to a life of retreat from public discourse and debate on matters of national importance by virtue of his or her appointment is wholly and incontrovertibly inconsistent with the fundamental right of all citizens to freedom of expression.” rounding his participation in an earlier conference also on climate change: “There are those who think that this whole debate [climate change] is too political and too controversial for us as judges to make any contribution … I mention [this] partly to underline how easy it is for any intervention by a judge in an area of potential controversy to be misinterpreted … The intention … was not to align ourselves as judges or individuals with any particular “establishment” position, or to “outlaw” any legitimate views one way or the other. Our personal views are of course irrelevant. But as judges we have to live in the real world. In that world it is the political establishment, whether we agree with it or not, which ultimately dictates the laws under which we as judges have to operate … However, whatever they decide, there will be disputes and challenges, which the courts will have to resolve.

Judges need to prepare themselves for the task …”

I endorse these views expressed by Lord Carnwath, and expressly deem them as acutely relevant to the controversy arising from Dame Anita’s lecture as her goal

agenda, but rather to spawn contemplation and discussion.

The fact therefore that a judge intellectualises on the law in a public forum is not a prima facie indication of bias, but rather a willingness to share with the public and to make a contribution to public discourse, as any other citizen can, under the Constitution. Judicial appointment is not an abrogation of individual liberty to the right of free speech, but rather, an opportunity to serve and build a nation as a guardian of the law.

Agreeably, this must be done without bringing the office into disrepute and without undermining the standing and integrity of the rule of law. As a nation however, we must be loathe to ascribe unfounded claims of bias against our judiciary, where the evidence of same is manifestly non-existent.

In the context of Dame Anita’s lecture, at every turn, in relation to the law, she posited potential arguments and never once did she use words of any configuration or permutation that indicated “this is my view if I were to decide”. To that extent, I respectfully submit that any such claim

of grades.

The suggestion that there was some hidden agenda in the scheduling of the distinguished lecture is entirely baseless and fallacious.

Indeed, I am unclear as to what such a fictional agenda would be. Before the holding of the Constitutional Referendum on June 7 and before this distinguished lecture, learned Counsel Frederick Smith, QC, and Wayne Munroe, QC, had pointed out publicly that it was arguable that same-sex marriage might be possible under Bahamian law.

The argument remains the same now that the referendum has passed. This is no different from what Dame Anita said on June 14.

In conclusion, I again take this opportunity to thank Dame Anita on behalf of the Council of Legal Education and the Eugene Dupuch Law School for an intellectually rich, rousing and stimulating distinguished lecture. It was a testament to the intellect and academic gravitas of our esteemed and venerable Bahamian Bench.

• Tonya Bastian Galanis is the Principal of the Eugene Dupuch Law School

MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2016 PAGE 3

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

IMF exposed over selective approach to Europe and Caribbean

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has tormented small Caribbean economies for five decades with austerity measures and fierce conditionalities, has been exposed as adopting utterly different standards towards Europe, especially the countries of the European Currency Union. That is except for Greece which, throughout its economic crisis, the IMF treated like a third-world country.

According to a report, published on July 28 by the IMF’s watchdog, the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), the Fund’s top staff worked in cahoots with the European Commission and the European Central Bank to misrepresent the situation in Greece to their own Executive Board; laboured diligently to protect the Eurozone in the interests of its larger members, such as France and Germany (which, incidentally, are also the main controllers of the IMF); and punished Greece with the burden of alone carrying the cost of a bailout - something that had not been done to any other European Union (EU) country.

In a revealing and telling sentence in the executive summary of its report, the IEO declared that: “In general, the IMF shared the widely-held ‘Europe is different’ mindset that encouraged the view that large imbalances in national current accounts were little cause for concern and that sudden stops could not happen within the euro area”. The report, “The IMF and the crises in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal: an evaluation by the independent evaluation office”, is strongly recommended for officers of all Finance Ministries and Central Banks in the Caribbean to read. The authors of the report stated unequivocally that: “The IMF’s handling of the euro area crisis raised issues of accountability and transparency, which helped create the perception that the IMF treated Europe differently.

Conducting this evaluation proved challenging. Some documents on sensitive issues were prepared outside the regular, established channels” and either disappeared or were not made available to the Evaluation Team.

The principal reason for handling the financial crisis in Greece differently was primarily to protect the Eurozone at the insistence of the European Commission, which negotiated on behalf of the Eurogroup, subjecting IMF staff’s technical judgments “to political pressure from an early stage”. As a result of this,

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS in May, 2010, the IMF Executive Board approved a decision to provide exceptional access financing to Greece “without seeking pre-emptive debt restructuring, even though its sovereign debt was not deemed sustainable with a high probability”. The truth is that the actions in relation to Greece (hidden from the Executive Board by the management) were designed to make French and German banks “whole”; never mind what Greece was forced to endure.

In other words, Greece was “sucker punched” or, “fiscally water-boarded” to use the more emotive description of the former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis (now Professor of Economics at the University of Athens).

In a robust response to the IEO report, Varoufakis observed that: “The establishment press were claiming that a finance minister of a small, bankrupt nation which is being water-boarded by the high and mighty troika functionaries cannot afford to say, in public or in private, that his small, bankrupt nation was being water-boarded”. But, he said Greece had “tried silence and obedience from 2010 to 2014. The result?

A loss of 28 per cent of national income and grapes of wrath that were “… filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage”.

Of course, Greece, though a small European economy, is significantly larger than the small economies of the Caribbean.

When Finance Ministers of small Caribbean countries complain about the conditionalities of IMF programmes that hurt more than help, as Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne did in August, 2014, they are roundly criticised for their audacity.

Browne had remarked about the IMF straitjacket that his government inherited when it was voted into office: “The fiscal problems have not been resolved, but yet still we are being asked to pay back US$119 million over the next four years. We have to pay back even before the problem is solved”.

And, small economies have no capacity to stand up to the IMF and those who control it. Greece proved that point and is now struggling as a result.

Varoufakis feels that

THIS WEEK IN

The Tribune Today

Insight - capricious Parliamentarians are threatening to turn the Save The Bays e-mail row into a Contitutional crisis. Frederick Smith QC explains what is at stake Business - Stellar Wasteto-Energy is suing over the long delays in the process to establish its $650m facility in New Providence, Natario McKenzie reports Sports - Brent Stubbs follows The Bahamas’ fortunes over the opening weekend of the Olympic Games in Brazil, including a national record for swimmer Joanna Evans Plus the latest properties for sale and rent in the Home Buyers’ Guide Tuesday Woman and Health weekly advice on taking care of your mind and body and women making waves in The Bahamas Plus comment from Nicole Burrows and sporting mischief and mayhem with Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya Wednesday Tribune Tech - a weekly look at what’s new in the

‘The truth is that the International Monetary Fund’s actions in relation to Greece (hidden from the Executive Board by the management) were designed to make French and German banks “whole”; never mind what Greece was forced to endure. In other words, Greece was ‘sucker punched’ or ‘fiscally water-boarded’.’

world of technology Thursday

Obituaries and Religion, a weekly review Young Man’s View trenchant opinion from Adrian Gibson on the hot topics in the country ‘On da Hook’, a weekly look at fishing in The Bahamas Friday Weekend - a 28-page section devoted to the best in arts, music, fashion, food, books, entertainment, gardening, animal matters, fitness, history and interviews Sports - The Finish Line, a look at the local sports scene, by Brent Stubbs Plus A Comic’s View Naughty’s unique take on the week in The Bahamas Saturday The Tribune’s Top 5: a special video review of the week’s top stories by Khrisna Virgil on www. tribune242.com Every day in The Tribune, news, business, sports and Classifieds Trader.

Plus breaking news and updates on your mobilefriendly tribune242.com

Greece is owed an apology and officials of the IMF should be fired now that the IEO has exposed duplicity even conspiracy - in the way the country was treated by the IMF, including - and especially - not being granted any significant debt relief, through a debt writedown or a reduction in the sum of the debt, while having an austerity programme stuffed down its throat. But, he is realistic enough to say: “Is any of this going to happen? Or will the IMF’s IEO report light up the sky fleetingly, to be forgotten soon?

The omens are pointing to the latter.”

Concern about the findings of the IEO report, particularly the obvious political interference in the IMF’s processes by the EU and the European Central Bank, has evoked editorial comment from leading financial publications. For instance, the UK Financial Times newspaper editorialised on July 28 about

“Europe’s outsized influence over the governance of the IMF” and expressed the view that such influence “must continue to decline if the institution is to retain credibility”.

But the reality is that recent reforms in the voting power of the IMF still leave the European governments with enormous and undeserved power. As the Financial Times observed, rather belatedly (and perhaps with an eye to yet another unthought-of consequence of Brexit): “The EU has also yet to demonstrate that it has abandoned the traditional stitch-up by which it, in effect, appoints the head of the IMF”. The United States aids and abets the EU in its imposition of the IMF chief in return for the right to name

the President of the World Bank. Between them, they operate a cabal of control of the international financial system.

The IEO report is a valuable document. Developing countries, including those in the Caribbean, should not allow its findings “to run through our leaders’ fingers like thin, white sand” as the former Greek Finance Minister vividly put it. Instead, it should be used as a beacon to shine a bright light on the dark crannies of an organisation that was created to help countries out of dire fiscal straits, but whose prescriptions result in hurting more than it helps - except when the interests of its controllers are affected.

At the World Bank/ IMF meeting this autumn,

Yanis Varoufakis the IEO report should be prominent among the items that Finance Ministers emphasise. It should become a tool for the re-examination of IMF policies and more considered discussion of the many governance issues, highlighted in the report and which, in the interests of all, have to be addressed effectively.

Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com

PAGE 4 MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2016

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Business as usual post-Brexit How is Britain after the momentous vote to leave the European Union?

Six weeks on, Peter Young detects a mood of calm and optimism MORE than a month since Britain’s referendum on its membership of the European Union (EU), what has happened following the decision by a small majority to leave the bloc?

Termed one of the most momentous votes in the nation’s political history, it created unpleasant divisions domestically, with the Remain camp describing so-called Leavers as stupid, racist and xenophobic and the younger generation feeling let down by their elders who, by and large, voted to leave.

However, now that the dust has settled, people want to know whether the scaremongering by the Remainers about a commercial meltdown and severe economic downturn was justified and how serious has been the fallout from the post-Brexit resignation of a sitting Prime Minister and the speedy election of a successor. In short, how has Britain fared following two such monumental upheavals?

The answer is that so far the nation seems to have weathered the storm; though, of course, the long-term political and economic consequences remain unclear.

Apart from the instant volatility affecting sterling and the financial markets, the warnings of economic disaster have not materialised and both the pound and the markets have since stabilised, with the London FTSE 100 now at its highest level for more than a year. Employment rates are at a record high and a lower pound is boosting exports. Fur-

thermore, new post-Brexit ceived public support overall major investment has been on the grounds that another announced by, among oth- EU vote would be a demoers, the pharmaceutical con- cratic travesty. glomerate GlaxoSmithKline Mrs May has already asand the US bank Wells Far- serted her authority through go which, reportedly, plans a ruthless cull of ministerial to establish a new European colleagues (not dissimilar to headquarters in London.

Tory Prime Minister HarThe newly-appointed old Macmillan’s infamous Chancellor of the Exchequer ‘night of the long knives’ in has stressed that the funda- the 1960s). In addition, as mentals of the British econ- evidence of her commitment omy are strong. Nonetheless, to ‘Brexit’, she has appointed he has spoken cautiously several ‘leave-backing’ minabout economic uncertainty isters: not only Boris Johnresulting in businesses post- son as Foreign Secretary poning decisions and con- but also Liam Fox and Dasumers reining in their pur- vid Davis in newly-created chases, and that this, together departments - respectively, with the possible effects international trade and ‘for of other unknowns during exiting the EU’, the latter beBritain’s negotiations to quit ing responsible for the negothe EU, could last for up to tiations under Article 50 of two years. A higher growth the Lisbon Treaty which prorate for the secvides the legal ond quarter has ‘British people basis for putting been recorded tend to maintain into effect Britwhile even the ain’s withdrawal a sense of Internationfrom the EU. al Monetary restraint, Another Fund, which in self-control Leaver, Pritti Paadvance of the tel, has been put referendum is- and desire in charge of insued dire warn- for security ternational aid. ings about a and order in NotwithUK recession, is standing the ponow predicting everyday life. So, litical shake-up, growth of 1.7 per in the aftermath life in Britain cent this year. to have of the drama of seems However, the stayed on a relaBank of Eng- the past month tively even keel land has now and with relative since the June lowered its UK equanimity, the 23 vote and growth forecasts there is already and has just country appears a growing feelchanged interest thus far to have ing that, having rates for the first to leave acquiesced in, if opted time since 2009, the EU, the cutting them not universally nation should from 0.5 to 0.25 supported, the move on and enper cent. sure that it deOn the politi- need for change.’ parts on the best cal front, despite possible terms it protests and a huge anti- can negotiate. At the same Brexit demonstration in Lon- time, it should seek to maxdon, the new Prime Minister, imise the benefits of interactTheresa May, has rejected ing with the rest of the world calls for another referendum. freed from its EU shackles.

She has said that “Brexit While, even in normal means Brexit” and that she times, public opinion emis determined to make a suc- braces contrarians who cess of the negotiations to are all too ready to chalwithdraw while work to pre- lenge the status quo - and pare for those negotiations is despite, in the modern age, already well under way. This the emphasis on rights and firm stance seems to have re- self-expression rather than

obligations - British people tend to maintain a sense of restraint, self-control and desire for security and order in everyday life. So, in the aftermath of the drama of the past month, violent behaviour has been comparatively rare apart from a short-term spike in race hate crimes and, with relative equanimity, the country appears thus far to have acquiesced in, if not universally supported, the need for change.

It has been heartening that observers far from the action have expressed their vicarious admiration for the seamless transfer of power in Britain to a new Prime Minister and her fresh ministerial team in a prevailing atmosphere of calm, decorum and good order.

Having lost the referendum, it is surely commendable that David Cameron should have stood down of his own volition as a matter of principle; namely that, being convinced that it would be in Britain’s interest to remain in the EU and having lobbied hard for this, he could not in good conscience preside over negotiations to leave. Having led the Conservative Party since 2005 and having been Prime Minster for the last six years, it must have been a gut-wrenching decision, but someone of such enormous experience and ability will surely have an important role to play in the nation’s affairs in one form or another in the future.

Reflecting on the referendum, some commentators now suggest that the Leave vote might have been even greater if more emphasis had been placed on the sovereignty issue and on the nature of the Single Market.

The Remain camp’s persuasive arguments about the important need to retain full access to the latter did not perhaps take fully into account the public’s widespread frustration and irritation with the excessive and growing intrusion into British life by unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats

THE BANK of England’s governor Mark Carney a series of stimulus measures last week as it tries to jumpstart an economy shocked by the Brexit vote. in Brussels through an endless stream of directives and regulations in a bid to impose on all its member states a regime to harmonise and control trading standards throughout the EU. The Single Market was designed to help free trade and free movement of labour and capital, but critics contend that overpowering centralised control stifles business, increases manufacturing and production costs and, by its nature as a customs union, it is protectionist. Its creation also represented a major step towards political union.

What is more, the supremacy of EU laws and directives - enforced by the European Court of Justice which was given sweeping new powers by the Lisbon Treaty in other areas as well as commercial disputes - was a major issue which in the lead-up to the referendum took a back seat to the purely economic arguments. But, as it turned out, a majority of voters became convinced that the UK should not participate in moves toward closer political integration and needed to take back its parliamentary democracy from an undemocratic and failing EU. None of this means, however, that Britain will suddenly become an insular and isolationist country. On the contrary, ministers in the new government have emphasised that ‘Brexit’ does not indicate a break from Europe as such because Britain is linked to its European partners geographically, commercially, culturally and in so many other ways and it will remain a key player in inter-governmental cooperation including co-ordination of defence, foreign and counter-terrorism policy

as well as in other major areas like the environment.

However, they say, the time has come for the nation to be more outward-looking and open-minded as well as more engaged and active on the world stage without the constraints of EU membership.

Mr Johnson has acknowledged that the UK’s key immediate aim will be to do a deal with the EU, in the interests of both sides, combining the benefits of free trade with curtailing immigration.

This will mean striking a balance between access to the Single Market and its rules requiring free movement of labour. That said, under World Trade Organization rules the UK has the right of access to this market subject to paying tariffs which would presumably be offset to some extent by the ending of its huge net financial contribution as an EU member.

There is a palpable mood of optimism as the UK seeks to seize the opportunity of becoming a global nation again with various new trade deals already in the offing.

In his new role as the minister responsible for Britain’s exit, Mr Davis has warned of the complexity of the negotiations to leave. How these are handled will ultimately determine the public’s reaction to ‘Brexit’ in the longer term. But the performance of the domestic economy in the coming months will also shape attitudes.

Mrs May and her new government are faced with a daunting task which will test them to the full. It remains to be seen how all this will turn out, but the portents so far are good.

• Peter Young is a retired British diplomat living in Nassau. From 1996 to 2000 he was British High Commissioner to The Bahamas.

Fidelity is seeking persons with strong leadership, communications and interpersonal skills for the position of:

Customer Support Representative Main Duties & Responsibilities: • Handling complex queries and requests via the telephone, the ticket site, email and general mail • Liaising with other departments and external third parties to achieve resolution of cardholder and merchant query • Liaising with branch network on behalf of clients • Answering inbound calls and initiating transfer of calls to the relevant departments • Arranging for the dispatch of products, information packages, brochures etc. to clients and other interested parties • Opening and closing of merchant accounts

Requirements / Qualifications: • Diploma from recognized tertiary institution or a minimum of a High school diploma or equivalent vocational training • Minimum of two years experience in similar or related position • In-depth knowledge of Cards product/service • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with ability to work in a team environment • Excellent administration skills, including being IT literate with the ability to be self-supporting in the use of computer software, including the MS Office Suite and databases • Excellent inter-personal and communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to communicate with a wide range of people at all levels • Excellent time-management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and manage conflicting demands • Attention to detail

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A competitive compensation package will be commensurate with relevant experience and qualification. Fidelity appreciates your interest, however, only those applicants short listed will be contacted.

Cash refuses to toe the FNM line

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE his clash on live radio with former Free National Movement Chairman Darron Cash, party Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said he fully expects the intra-party friction to “calm down” as the organisation actively seeks to prepare itself for the impending 2017 general elections.

However the fiery warof-words that has come to characterise the party’s public in-fighting in recent months, showed no sign of slowing down yesterday as Mr Cash rejected calls for him to “fall in line”.

Mr Cash said that any political party that refused to embrace and benefit from political dissent is unworthy of becoming the government.

Elucidating his point, the former deputy chairman stated: “There are times when a citizen must draw the line, not toe the line”.

He was responding to comments made by current chairman Sidney Collie, and printed in The Nassau Guardian on Saturday.

Mr Collie said it was clear that some persons were not willing to work with the party, adding that he personally felt that the organization should move on from detractors who were unwilling to accept or move forward from the convention’s outcome.

In his statement yesterday, Mr Cash underscored that some FNMs had fundamental disagreements with party executives over the leadership of the FNM and the execution of the convention, which saw allegations ranging from abuse of power to corruption.

Mr Cash said: “In issuing this dictatorial edict, Collie advocates continuation of the ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ style of politics where wrongdoings at the highest levels are conveniently covered up so everyone can have a good

DARRON CASH pretence about ‘unity.’ ronmental report from his “In the end, principles constituents in order to save are compromised, wrong- his own job...as opposed doings are covered up or to taking action to save his glossed over and the Baha- constituents’ lives.” mian people are the losers Mr Cash said: “It is that because ‘Peter‘ (The FNM) kind of ‘fall in line’ politics reveals himself to be no that makes cabinet minisdifferent from ‘Paul’ (The ters in the Christie governPLP).” ment and leaders of the “The leader and chair- FNM turn a blind eye to man of the FNM cannot obvious, blatant and undispreach about democracy in closed conflicts of interest our national government and political affairs when they fail to live by those same principles within the political party they lead,” he continued.

“They cannot talk about anti-corruption measures, openness and transparency in the manner in which a government should manage its affairs when they out rightly refuse to acknowledge, much less fix, the undemocratic flaws or weaknesses in the political party they lead.

Mr Cash said: “The very idea that I and others ought to simply ‘fall in line’ reflects an unseemly arrogance and tone deafness that effectively illustrates why our party is in the fractured state that it is in today.”

According to Mr Cash, Mr Collie’s attitude encouraged the belief that the FNM and the PLP are “two sides of the same coin”, underscoring that Bahamians were becoming increasingly fed up with Mr Collie’s political methods.

“It is the kind of politics that makes a representative hide a damning envi-

BUTLER-TURNER URGES HER SUPPORTERS TO BACK MINNIS from page one Taking a markedly different tone from previous statements, Mrs ButlerTurner appealed for the party and the wider public to be patient with her as she continues to “grow and change”.

She also confirmed her acceptance of the party’s nomination to run in the Long Island constituency at the next general election.

“It is my fervent hope that unity will be achieved through a spirit of collegiality, dialogue and mutual respect from all within the party,” she said.

Her statement marks a remarkable turnaround for her and could prove crucial for the party’s efforts to reverse the impact of highly publicised and caustic infighting that has raised questions about its ability to successfully challenge the Progressive Liberal Party next year.

Indeed, as recently as last week Tuesday Mrs ButlerTurner appeared unprepared to fall in line under Dr Minnis’ leadership.

After Dr Minnis extended an olive branch to her during his closing speech at the party’s convention two weeks ago, on Tuesday she said “I am not for sale” in response to reports that Dr Minnis and his team made offers to her, including one to be made Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly.

Given her new pledge to work towards party unity, it is unclear if Bahamians will get a response from the party to accusations from her that its convention election process was rigged. She accused party leadership of engaging in criminal and corrupt behaviour when she dramatically withdrew from the leadership race two weeks ago.

Last night, Dr Minnis said the party welcomed her call for unity and said

it confirmedthe “longstanding belief” that the FMN would unite after the convention.

Yesterday, Mrs ButlerTurner said: “I urge those FNMs who may be thinking of not registering to vote, to please register and to please re-engage with us.”

“I ask the FNM voters to support the FNM candidate in their constituency and to encourage FNMs to do likewise. Our task now as FNMs is to regain the trust and the confidence of our core voters and of non-aligned voters. This requires good leadership, the best and brightest candidates, a compelling vision and a viable policy agenda for the country.”

Mrs Butler-Turner said: “Those of us who offer for public service must acknowledge error, learn from our mistakes and then set out to become better public servants. In this spirit I take account of public criticism and hope that any errors of mine will be forgiven.”

“Every institution and individual must always be open to change and growth.

It is also my fervent hope that the FNM continues to be open to such change and growth. For my part, I seek God’s guidance and grace, and your patience, as I continue to grow and to change.”

Mrs Butler-Turner’s comments came after the FNM held a secret leadership conclave over the weekend.

Although, neither she nor Dr Duane Sands attended the event, The Tribune understands that they had representatives there.

Contacted yesterday, former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson said: “It was very positive and I was pleased with the general attitudes around the table,” Nonetheless, party officials did not discuss details of the meeting or say whether any concrete commitments were made during the session.

on the part of leaders who use their positions in government to enter into lucrative contracts with themselves, friends and families.

The on-air row, which kicked off on Thursday between the two FNMs over Mr Cash’s claims that FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis ran a racially divisive campaign, rounded off a tough week for the party’s unity push.

On Tuesday, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner accused the party of attempting to “buy her off” after executives made several offers to her following her dropping out of the leadership race last week during the convention.

The next day, Central Grand Bahama Neko Grant resigned as Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly and the party’s shadow Works Minister – pointing to his

relationship with Dr Minnis as the motivating factor.

When asked why he made the decision to confront Mr Cash publicly, Mr Turnquest told The Tribune that he could not allow him to “mislead” Bahamians.

“I listened to the show and I certainly was inclined to leave it alone except for when he called my name and stated that I incited an outburst from people gathered at the convention – supporters from Grand Bahama in particular,” he said. He also said “he was not talking what he heard, but what he knew. I just had to correct that one point.”

“I saw it as an insult to my supporters and certainly as an insult to me.”

Mr Turnquest said: “It is interesting that not all of the crowd that gathered around me was from Grand Bahama, but plenty of them

were from Nassau.

“It is obvious Mr Cash was a bit misled on the facts and I just sought to help him with that.”

Mr Turnquest said while there may be small factions in the party who remain opposed to the newly elected leadership, the FNM is now focusing on defeating the Progressive Liberal Partyled government.

“I expect it to calm down very soon as we are actively looking forward to getting the party ready for what is coming soon rather than later.

“We are going to obviously have to ramp things now because the convention brought a lot of things to a stand still.

“So we are putting our energy toward that.”

He said the party expects to ratify additional election candidates by the end of the month.

PAGE 8, Monday, August 8, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

DNA rival urges voters to throw out Fitzgerald

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Marathon candidate Emily Williams has urged voters not to re-elect current MP Jerome Fitzgerald given his controversial track record with the Rubis Gas Leak and his most recent legal woes stemming from the disclosure of private emails in parlia-

ment which saw him fined $150,000 by a Supreme Court judge.

The Democratic National Alliance’s spokesperson for culture questioned how far parliamentarians should be allowed to go in the exercising of their parliamentary privilege to speak on matters in the House of Assembly, in a press statement.

“Mr. Fitzgerald has been in a court battle concerning the reading of private

emails of members of Save the Bays in the House of Assembly” she said.

“He insisted that because of Parliamentary privilege, he can read as much private emails as he likes. I know that some may tend to disagree, but my issue with this whole ‘reading of private emails’ situation is, how far should politicians be allowed to go in the House of Assembly?”

Ms Williams said: “Again, it is not the principle of the matter I am dealing with, but rather, the arrogance and bad attitude of Mr. Fitzgerald. Where is this man from? Is he ever wrong about anything, or is it too hard for him to ever say sorry? Sorry seems to be the hardest word!”

Last week, Justice Indra Charles in her ruling found that Mr Fitzgerald’s actions in acquiring, disclosing and releasing specifically Save The Bays internal emails were not legally justified and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege.

As a result, she ordered that he pay $150,000 in damages for the breach and barred him from any further disclosures or publications of information belonging to the Save The Bays organisation.

Mr Fitzgerald was also ordered to delete all materials in his possession within 14 days.

A stay of her entire decision was granted by the Supreme Court; however, the “status quo” was maintained pending a hearing and determination of an appeal.

Ms Williams’ statement on Thursday attacked Mr Fitzgerald’s apparent arrogance and refusal “to admit” when he is wrong.

“When a representative of any constituency proves to be so arrogant that he/ she cannot admit they are wrong, it is time to bow out gracefully and give it up!” she said.

“The Honourable Jerome Fitzgerald has lost all credibility to lead the constituency in which I reside, because, in my opinion, he has proven to be unfit to represent anyone. Strike one was his arrogance and shameless attitude towards the residents of Marathon concerning the Rubis Gas Leak.”

Ms Williams said: “Mr. Fitzgerald had a whole year to let the people who voted him in know that their own lives were at risk, and that all who live in the surrounding area should have been made aware that they could

EMILY WILLIAMS actually die because of it.

There were strange occurrences of residents becoming very ill, and some even died, which led to many suspecting that it was because of the gas that found its way into the homes of residents.”

In May 2015, the gov-

ernment appointed retired Justice Joseph Strachan to conduct a “thorough” independent review into the cause of the delay in the release of an independent report on the ramifications of the 2012 Rubis gas leak.

The results of that review have not been released.

Summer jogging safety tips JOGGING is a great form of exercise during summer that people can do at their leisure.

However, while enjoying this particular activity, some form of safety precaution must be taken.

A frequent error that joggers or runners make is that they become so preoccupied in their physical activity that they fail to be alert and pay attention to their surroundings.

Therefore, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Nation-

WORK

NOTICE Bay Street

The Water and Sewerage Corporation advises the public, its and its customers of Bay Street (from Augusta St. junction east to Ernest St.) that improvement works will continue on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 which may affect water supply to the aforementioned area.

Works are scheduled to begin at 10:30 PM and are anticipated to be completed by 2:00 AM. The Corporation apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your support as we work to improve our services.

Tel: (242) 302-5599 or Toll Free (242) 300-0150 Find out more on

or our website www.wsc.com.bs

Police advice

for safety, it is best to carry a water bottle with you; this will keep you hydrated.

Some people may get very thirsty and tired in their run so drinking water will cool you down.

By CORPORAL MAKELLE PINDER

al Crime Prevention Office offers precautions that should be taken to stay safe.

Area Always make sure to run in an area with which you are familiar and that is safe.

Do not jog or run near bushes, which can provide concealment to a perpetrator. This way you will not get lost as you know the particular area. Always jog or run with a known companion.

MP3s, iPods and other electronic devices Many joggers carry a music player along with them; please make sure that it is concealed by putting the wires underneath clothing instead of outside it.

Also do not continually get it out to change the song as this can attract thieves.

Furthermore, keeping wires tucked inside clothing makes the risk of tripping over wires very slim. The headphone may come out of your ears and fall to the ground thus you trip over it, but when tucked in it will not do this.

In addition, always make

sure that you can hear background noise and never turn up your player so that you cannot.

Dogs Some runners are afraid of dogs and may see a few on their journey.

If you are extremely afraid and dislike dogs, try to avoid these situations.

If you see a dog in the distancde, take a different route or stay as far away as possible.

However, sometimes you will encounter dogs on your jog so keep calm and do not be tempted to run away as they may chase you or attack.

Try to “feed” it your workout jacket or other clothing if attacked.

Clothing Always make sure to wear appropriate clothing for the environment.

If it is hot, keep cool with light clothing. In addition choose appropriate footwear and make sure to tie the laces properly as you can trip over them.

Water If you get thirsty easily or

Miscellaneous If you are asthmatic, make sure to always carry your pump with you even if you feel you may not need it.

Also if you are carrying keys or a phone with you, keep them in a safe place where they are not likely to fall out.

When jogging, make sure to make the experience as pleasant as possible by taking these precautions.

Always remember the B three A’s: Be Alert, Be Aware and Be Attentive to your surroundings at all times.

Should you be a victim of crime while jogging, please do not resist but take note of the description of the culprit, for example, his appearance, clothing, height, physical details and the direction or mode of escape.

Call the Police as soon as it is safe to do so.

If you come across any suspicious person(s) loitering around your business or have any information pertaining to any crime, please contact the police emergency at ‘919’ or Crime Stoppers at 328-tips (New Providence), 1-300-8476 (Family Islands).

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 8, 2016, PAGE 9

Boat thieves strike again in Abaco from page one

found - one adrift and the other half-sunk with the engines missing.

It appears that the police, with limited resources and manpower, are unable to get a handle on the thefts, leaving boat owners defenceless and at the mercy of the thieves. On Friday, Inspector Terecita Pinder reported that police had not received any boat theft reports in the last two days.

Because the Abaco economy depends heavily on tourism, it is feared that the continuing rash of thefts will hurt the industry, scaring visiting boat owners who go there to vacation or spend time at their second homes.

Linda Knowles, co-owner with husband, Craig, of Lighthouse Marina in Hope Town, said the situation has got “completely out of hand”. “It has escalated and it is an absolute concern with our tourist industry out here,” she told The Tribune on Friday.

Lighthouse Marina is the largest marina in Abaco.

Mrs Knowles said the thefts are discouraging and disheartening to everyone, and that it needs more attention from the police and the island’s representatives.

“Something has got to be done to get this problem addressed before we start losing tourists,” she warned.

Mrs Knowles believes that a special Police Task Force should be assigned to conduct investigations into

the thefts. “We need more police resources down here.

The police need to get together with some people, the marinas and the resorts to try and see if we can come up with a strategic plan, without putting anyone in harm’s way. The civilians can’t take this matter into their own hands.”

Resident Colin Albury, chief fire officer for the Royal Bahamas Police Force and EMS director for North Abaco and Treasure Cay, said homeowners are frustrated by the thefts.

“We had a lot of boats stolen out of Treasure Cay; our homeowners are at wits’ end. They are fleeing our shores like wildfire. They are so fed up with the situation and afraid for their safety as well,” he said.

Mr Albury said that culprits are not being pursued because there are no patrol boats in place to go after them. “There is nothing in place; when these boats are stolen the police don’t have chase boats to go after them,” he stressed.

Mr Albury said the perpetrators are not even fazed when caught in the act by homeowners. “A good friend of mine heard them cutting the cable on the boat lift and heard the boat dropped in the water and they shone their flashlight on them and that didn’t even deter them, they kept going and stole the boat,” he recalled.

“Something has to be done - there is no question.

It is an epidemic and if we don’t do something and get

TWO stolen boats found stripped at Casuarina Point, Abaco, of their Yamaha engines in July. some arrests and change Mr Albury, many of the ing night laser beams. the laws on the books very thefts occur during March Tourism “our life blood” soon, we are going to have to the second week in AuThe Abaco businessman zero tourism here,” he said. gust when boaters come Steven Albury, owner of to the island. The boating said he has seen comments Abaco Outboard Engines season slows down during posted on social media by Ltd in Marsh Harbour, esti- the third week in August people saying they do not mates that there have been through November, he said. want to come to Abaco any “The police have one more. He also noted that about 16 or 17 boats missing in the last six weeks in boat, and most of the time Abaco has been blacklisted Abaco. Although nearly it is not in the water. And by insurance companies.

“We are on the blacklist all have been recovered, he if it is, they are patrolling said all of the engines were in the day. Well, the thefts of insurance companies and do not happen in the day.” when boaters leave the US, missing.

In order to begin to tack- He also noted that there is unless they are very wealthy, le the problem, he believes only one way in and out of the insurance is cancelled that there must be at least Marsh Harbour and Hope once they pass Bimini, and five police patrol boats sta- Town. Mr Albury encour- it has caused a lot of peotioned in Abaco to patrol aged people to be proactive ple from coming,” he said. the island and its many cays. and reported that Scotland “Abaco relies on foreign “The police lack resourc- Cay has not had any thefts tourism - that’s all it has; es,” he said. According to in a long time since install- tourism and foreign home-

owners are our life blood.

If we don’t have that, we are nothing. Everyone is so concerned over the high prevalence of thefts,” he said.

Mr Albury claims that nothing is being done about the incidents in terms of police investigations. And, even if the culprits are caught, he said, they are let out on bail and continue stealing boats.

“The guys doing the thefts have been seen time again on video and they do nothing to them because the penalty is $300 or $600 fine. There is no stiff penalty and the legislation in place does not address the problem,” he said.

REPAIRS DUE TODAY TO BRING END TO WEEKEND OF POWER OUTAGES from page one She said: “Fortunately, by containing the forced outages to large commercial customers we were able to drastically limit how many residential customers were impacted and for how long.

Customers were impacted by outages between 8pm and 11pm on Friday night and some customers experienced outages during the daytime on Saturday (another typical peak period).”

Mrs Ingraham said there were no generation related outages on Saturday night

and up to 3pm on Sunday.

BPL did note that a small numbers of customers were affected by outages in Winton and on West Bay Street (Love Beach area) on the weekend, but they were not related to non-generation related outages.

Last month, former State

Minister for Environment Phenton Neymour said to turn BPL/BEC around into an efficient company would require at least $200 million from government.

Mr Neymour claimed that the previous Ingraham administration had a proposal to purchase the

necessary generators that would power the island without problems.

Following the 2012 election, he said, the current government cancelled the remaining two of three purchases for generations and opted to rent generators notwithstanding their criti-

cism of the previous government opting to do the same.

He said this action resulted in the shortfall in New Providence’s power supply as Clifton Pier, already hampered by poor maintenance, does not have the 40 to 60 megawatts it needs to function effectively.

Fidelity is seeking persons with strong leadership, communications and interpersonal skills for the position of:

Fraud and Compliance Representative Main Duties & Responsibilities: • Ensure Cards obligations/requirements pertaining to contracts and agreements with vendors and associates are met and fully satisfied.

• Monitor and review the entire cardholder and merchant acquisition process and all aspects of the cardholder application including but not limited to: content, approvals, credit line, KYC and also declined and closed applications.

• Monitor and audit cardholder and merchant files and storage, inventory as well as information access via email/card-site/Support-Suite and information leaks which may invoke fraud.

• Liaise with customers, other banks, compliance departments and Supervisor where necessary on compliance matters.

• Undertake, train and educate branch staff/customers on best-practice techniques for card handling and usage as well as the security features and benefits.

Requirements / Qualifications: • First Degree from recognized tertiary institution or a minimum of a tertiary diploma • Experience in similar or related position is an asset • Law enforcement background, collections or compliance experience is an asset • A sound knowledge of telephone and e-mail etiquette • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with ability to work in a team environment • Basic computer knowledge/technological skills - the person should be adept in using search tools, browsers and also email features; attaching files to correspondence, utilizing tracking and management features • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written • Ability to treat people with respect under all circumstances, instill trust in others besides upholding the values of the organization • Sound judgmental powers; ability to manage difficult customer situations, to respond promptly to the needs of the customer, solicit feedback to improve service, respond to requests for service/assistance PLEASE SUBMIT BEFORE August 19th, 2016 to:

HUMAN RESOURCES Re: Fraud and Compliance Rep. careers@fidelitybahamas.com

ABSOLUTELY NO PHONE CALLS

A competitive compensation package will be commensurate with relevant experience and qualification. Fidelity appreciates your interest, however, only those applicants short listed will be contacted.

PAGE 10, Monday, August 8, 2016

RBDF TOURS BAIC TO GET A GLIMPSE OF CIVILIAN LIFE

THE TRIBUNE

ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Officers tour BAIC’s Industrial Park. The officers are pictured in Bahamas Paper Converting Co being shown around by owner Sharon Winder.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

OFFICERS are pictured at Bahamas Striping Group of Companies where Troy Sampson, general manager at BAIC, is speaking.

ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Officers tour BAIC’s Industrial Park. The officers are pictured in Bahamas Paper Converting Co.

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) on Friday announced a partnership with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) in constructing an “entrepreneurial programme” to assist pre-retirement marines in their transition from military duty to “civilian life”.

At a press conference

“embryonic” stages, the two organisations will seek to continuously engage in “joint brainstorming” sessions to explore the possibilities and scope of the initiative, as well as to establish a pilot programme.

Nonetheless, the BAIC chairman told RBDF marines present that the partnership with Capt Bethel and the RBDF is one that will “positively impact” the lives of “those who make such a vital contribution in impacting our lives for so many years”.

“We are honoured to be a part of the crafting of a programme that would ease the transition process of pre-retires of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force from military to civilian status,” he said.

“We realise you have spent your most productive years in serving our country, giving selfless and sometimes great risks and sacrifice.

“I honour your valuable contribution and deem it a

An entrepreneurial spirit, original thinking, and a passion to succeed. If you have it, we want you.

We are growing!

Fidelity invites applications for the position of:

Recruiter To find the best and brightest talent to join our team. We provide a challenging, driven, results-oriented environment where creative, goal-oriented, self-confident, high achievers succeed.

Main Duties & Responsibilities: • Managing all stages of the hiring process including candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, negotiating, extending offers, securing new hire acceptances, background checks and completing post hire follow ups • Evaluating candidate's work history, education, training, job skills, compensation requirements, and abilities • Creating internal and external job posting • Documenting and tracking statistics and data pertinent to each position • Solid understanding of employment law, recruitment, staffing metrics and HR related practices • Preparing assigned monthly, quarterly and annual HR reports • Demonstrated ability to manage high volume of recruitment within strict scheduling requirements • Keeping abreast of current market trends and identify potential impacts on hiring decisions • Maintaining a network of potential hires in advance of requisitioned needs • Conducting regular follow-up with managers to determine the effectiveness of recruiting plans and implementation • Assisting with benefits administration

Requirements / Qualifications: • 3-5 years of recruiting experience a must • Strong analytical skills • Excellent communication skills both oral and written • Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment • Excellent administrative skills and proficiencies in Microsoft Office Suite Programs • Ability to work in a self-motivated environment with little supervision • Strong leadership abilities • Analytical with strong negotiation skills • Efficient and detail oriented • Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.

PLEASE SUBMIT BEFORE August 19th, 2016 to:

HUMAN RESOURCES Re: Recruiter careers@fidelitybahamas.com

ABSOLUTELY NO PHONE CALLS

A competitive compensation package will be commensurate with relevant experience and qualification. Fidelity appreciates your interest, however, only those applicants short listed will be contacted.

at BAIC headquarters on Old Trail Road, the corporation’s chairman Dion Smith said the executive leadership team has “joined forces” with RBDF Acting Commander Captain Tellis Bethel in the latter’s dream of crafting a programme that would “ease the transition process of pre-retirees of the (RBDF) from military to civilian status”.

The purpose of the programme, Mr Smith said, will be to provide “potential, budding and prospective entrepreneurs with broad exposure to proven successful business strategies, best practices, and real life business experiences.”

He also said the programme would give RBDF retirees the necessary tools “to enhance their knowledge and to improve their business acumen, such so that if they so desire, they can make a smooth transition from employment to self employment”.

Mr Smith said as the programme is still in its

rare privilege for my team and I at the corporation to join forces with Commander Tellis Bethel in creating a skill development and entrepreneurial programme as an attempt to balance the score of what you gave our country.”

According to Mr Smith, both entities envision a three-year programme with an emphasis on skills development, business coaching, business plan crafting, and “other services necessary to make the entrepreneurial plunge a viable one”.

He said RBDF marines that opt to utilise the programme will have access to BAIC’s training centre, as well as the opportunity to enroll in any of the corporation’s eight personal and professional training courses.

It is hoped that, on completing the programme, RBDF marines facing retirement would have the necessary skills and business acumen to transition seamlessly to self-employment and become self-sufficient entrepreneurs.

“The corporation strongly encourages present and prospective entrepreneurs who are a part of the preretirees squad, to take full advantage of this timely life transforming programme,” Mr Smith said. “The corporation is grateful for the partnership that is being forged with the (RBDF), and considers it a privilege to impact in a positive way the lives of those who make such a vital contribution in impacting our lives for so many years.”

Capt Bethel, the man who came up with the idea of a pre-retirement entrepreneurial programme for RBDF marines, said it is a “joy and a pleasure” that both parties have “begun the first step of a thousand mile journey”.

“What we are doing is transitioning from one entity into another,” Capt Bethel said. “And when I think about our country I think about the Bahamas being a ship. And that ship is supported by four main pillars: government, industry, church, civil society.

And when we disembark from our time aboard that ship, we re-enter mainstream society to rebuild and strengthen those pillars.

“This here is just the beginning. Of course we’re exploring, and of course it’s in our nature as military people to explore, to discover and to experience. But I see down the road where the men and women that we have here in the defence force, re-enter mainstream society, rebuild those pillars, and contribute to a more safe and secure Bahamas.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 8, 2016, PAGE 11

PRIEST WHO FOUGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS TO SPEAK AT BANQUET FATHER George Clements, the world renowned and most decorated priest of all time, is expected to be one of the featured guest speakers at the annual R E Cooper Sr Meritorious Service Award Gala Banquet later this year.

Fr Clements was the subject of a film, which starred Academy Award winner Lou Gosset Jr, Malcolm Jamal-Warner and Carroll O’Connor, that featured the life of the first priest ever allowed to adopt children after a tumultuous fight with the Roman Catholic Church that ended up with the Pope. He was finally given permission and he adopted four boys, who have gone on to productive lives.

However, his story started from the Civil Rights Days and the March on Selma with Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Fr Clements played a prominent role in Civil Rights, especially in his town of Chicago. His story went on to chronicle his many fights with the gangs and drug dealers of the south side of Chicago.

These fights with the gangs ended up with his Holy Angels Church being burnt to the ground.

Fr Clements escaped death many times as he was a target for the gangs, but his goal was to make a difference. He has been around the world many times, and invited on hundreds of TV shows. His home in Chicago is decorated with the many awards, plaques, certificates, keys to the city etc, that demonstrate how in demand he is for appearances all over the world.

Although he was considered controversial, Fr Clements is also known as a man of honour. Following his fight with the Catholic Diocese in Chicago, he was

FATHER George Clements with his four adopted sons. sent to The Bahamas where he was Pastor of Resurrection Church of East Street South, for three years.

Fr Clements considered his stay in the Bahamas one of the best times of his career. He went back to Chicago and then moved to Washington, where he started several national organisations, most notably the One Church One Addict, which dealt with the drug effects on addicts and how to help them. He then went on to start One Church One Child that dealt with African American adopting; and One Church One Inmate to help with the many African American prisoners being moved back into society.

The Mission Baptist Church, in celebrating its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, will host the annual R E Cooper Sr National Meritorious Award for Service on October 29 at the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom.

Dozens of celebrities and personalities are expected for the historic occasion as 21 outstanding people will be honoured for their service to help others in various categories.

Fr Clements has accepted the invitation to speak at the event and also to receive one of the awards for his service to mankind. He will be joined by other top celebrities who will be announced later this month.

The award will culminate a week of activities for all of the honourees, which include a school assembly

presentation, a meeting with high ranking officials, an ecumenical service, a private luncheon and the gala function at Atlantis.

Many of the outstanding honourees will also be announced later this month.

According to Dr R E Cooper, Jr, the keeper of his father’s legacy, many of these honourees have done so much to help others but yet have not been recognised for their contribution.

“We have looked at dozens of people who have done so much for our country and the world at large, but with Bahamian connections and they have been mostly overlooked for any kind of recognition,” Dr Cooper said. “True, they may not be looking for any, but based on their compassion for others and the service that they have offered we feel that they should be recognised. Based on what Dr R E Cooper Sr stood for, we have found it easier to select these individuals and publicly recognise them for their contribution to others”.

1 PC. CHICKEN (Thigh, Leg or Wing) + Individual Fries + Biscuit + 16 oz. Pepsi

TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE, CONTACT 502-2394

PAGE 12, Monday, August 8, 2016 THE TRIBUNE

WAS

A R RO G A N T F RO G C H A R D O N N AY 75 0 M L F RO G S L E A P E S TAT E C A B S AU V 75 0 M L E N T W I N E M E R L OT 75 0 M L B & G RO S E D ’ A N J O U 75 0 M L L A M OT H E PA R ROT M E L L O W R E S E R V E B L A C K S TO N E C H A R D O N N AY 75 0 M L H A R DY S N OT T H I L L C H A R D ( 6 ) 75 0 M L H A R DY S S TA M P C A B E R N E T 75 0 M L PA S Q UA P I N OT G R I G I O C H A R D 75 0 M L M A S I BA R D O L I N O C L A S S I C O 75 0 M L

75 0 M L

NOW

$ $ $

10.28 6 7. 6 1 11.26

$ $ $

8.22 54.09 9.00

$ $ $ $

12.56 7. 2 5 16.73 11.95

$ $ $ $

7. 5 4 4.35 10.04 7. 1 7

$ $ $

13.49 12.95 20.05

$ $ $

5.40 5.18 8.02

J O S E C U E R VO R E P O S A S O 1 8 0 0 Z A C A PA C E N T E N A R I O 75 0 M L A B S O L U T C I T RO N VO D K A 1 . 75 L A B S O L U T M A N DA R I N VO D K A 1 . 75 L

$ $ $ $

WAS

2 7. 5 0 71.63 28.14 28.14

NOW $ $ $ $

22.00 5 7. 3 0 22.00 22.00

B E LV E D E R E I N T E N S E L I T R E B E E F E AT E R G I N 1 . 75 L BA I L E Y S C A R A M E L L I T R E C I RO C A M A R E T TO L I T R E

$ $ $ $

53.95 2 9 . 72 30.98 45.16

$ $ $ $

32.37 1 7. 8 3 18.59 2 7. 1 0

J O H N N I E W A L K E R R E D 1.25L 1 0 C A N E LITRE C A S K & C R E A M C H O C O L AT E

$ $ $

44.42 52.09 16.50

$ $ $

26.65 23.00 9.00

75 0 M L

* Visit 700 Wines & Spirits for more sale items.

Not all products available in every 700 Wines & Spirits. Image representative only; larger bottle sizes available in-stores.

Sale ends September 30th 2016 or while supplies last. VAT not included.

Summer Super Sale_Half Pg Trib.indd 1

6/23/16 8:42 PM