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WILCHCOMBE: CHRISTIE TO WIN

BY A LANDSLIDE

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie will win the Progressive Liberal Party’s leadership race by a “landslide� because he not only continues to resonate with party delegates, but he has proven that he has what it takes to keep the organisation together, West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe has predicted.

SEE PAGE SIX

Bahamian who $140,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR STAR STUDENT caught virus had visited Jamaica

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net  THERE is now one confirmed case of the Zika virus in the Bahamas, Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez announced yesterday.

Dr Gomez said the country’s first case of Zika was reported in a Bahamian man who recently travelled to Jamaica. Dr Gomez said the man’s symptoms included rash, fever, joint pains, and headache for which he sought medical care at a private medical facility.

Dr Gomez said a sample was taken for testing and sent to a reference laboratory. A confirmed positive result was received on Tues-

day, August 9. The patient has been treated for associated symptoms and is recovering, Dr Gomez said.

The North Andros and Berry Islands MP said heightened surveillance activities continue by the Department of Environmental Health Services and that the required public health and environmental protocols continue to be conducted.

Subsequent to Dr Gomez’s announcement, the Ministry of Environment and Housing, in a statement, called on Bahamians to “unite to fight the bite� and do their part in mitigating against the reproduction of mosquitoes.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PEOPLE ‘CAN KEEP EXISTING COVERAGE UNDER NHI’ MITCHELL SAYS HAITIAN AMBASSADOR INCORRECT

SIMONE CAMBRIDGE, of Queen’s College, is this year’s All Bahamas Merit Scholar, receiving a scholarship worth up to $140,000. For the full story, see page 11.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS who are satisfied with their existing health insurance coverage won’t be affected by the implementation of National Health Insurance although they may be able to renegotiate their private insurance plans in order to pay a lower price, Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez said yesterday.

His comments came as debate began in the House of Assembly on a bill that

would establish the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), an important step towards realising one of the Christie administration’s top priorities. “Some persons (who) are fortunate enough to have private health insurance are worried about what will happen to their policies when NHI is introduced,�

Dr Gomez said. “I want to reassure them that NHI does not mean that you will have to give up your private insurance benefits.�

SEE PAGE THREE

OVER POLICY ON TACKLING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday that Haitian Ambassador Jean Victor Geneus’ critique of the Christie administration’s new immigration policy to clamp down on illegal migration was “materially incorrect�.

Mr Geneus told The Tribune on Tuesday that elements of the immigration

policy were sluggish, adding that it was a disorganised process marred by ethnic profiling.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday in an attempt to refute Ambassador Geneus’ deluge of issues with how immigration matters are handled, Mr Mitchell said the government remains relentless in seeking to prevent irregular migration to The Bahamas, no matter the source country.

His response came the

HAMILTON ACCUSES THE FNM OF BEING MISOGYNISTIC

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  SOUTH BEACH MP Cleola Hamilton said last evening that she believes if there was no public outcry to Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn’s “tube tying� comments, that the Free National Movement would

have taken steps to enforce that “outdated� policy.

Mrs Hamilton also criticised church groups and civic organisations for not publicly condemning Mr Lightbourn for his remarks and accused the Official Opposition of being misogynistic.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

day after Ambassador Geneus said that the introduction of the belonger’s permit did not solve the immigration problem, pointing to a backlog of some 2,000 applicants waiting for the “restrictive� document.

However, Mr Mitchell said this is not true as there are 598 applications for these permits with 338 already processed.

Ambassador Geneus also admitted that sometimes the Haitian government was very concerned by what ap-

peared to be discriminatory practices against Haitians in The Bahamas among other troubling issues.

Mr Mitchell said: “This morning (Wednesday) I asked the ambassador to attend a meeting with myself and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where I told the ambassador that I could not allow those allegations to stand.

They are all materially incorrect.

SEE PAGE TEN

US JUDGE TELLS BACON TO PURSUE CASE IN THE BAHAMAS

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A NEW York judge ruled yesterday that billionaire hedge fund manager Louis Bacon ought to pursue his $100m defamation case against his Lyford Cay neighbour in The Bahamas rather than in US court.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

Justice Cynthia Kern was presiding over the defamation case Mr Bacon brought against Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard who was alleged to have embarked on a “harassment campaign� against Mr Bacon in The Bahamas.

SEE PAGE 12

PAGE 2, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

+ Working together to serve you better FOUR Bain and Grants Town residents - Nadia Esteve, Vandeco Stuart, Terwaashna Robinson and Michael Clarke - are able to pursue higher learning as the first recipients of the Bain and Grants Town Scholarship Fund.

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THE Bain and Grants Town Scholarship Fund has made it possible for four local residents to have the financial backing to complete post-secondary pursuits.

The recipients are Michael Clarke, who will study towards a bachelor’s degree in accounting at The College of The Bahamas (COB); Nadia Esteve, who will pursue an associate’s degree in accounting at Galilee College; Vandeco Stuart, studying for a certificate in electrical installation at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI); and Terwaashna Robinson, who will pursue an associate of applied science degree in office administration at BTVI. The scholarships of the first two are partial while the others are full.

The announcement was a culmination of what has been described as a “laborious process” in which 17 candidates were meticulously examined. Nine candidates were shortlisted, interviewed by a panel of six governors and then narrowed to the four successful applicants.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Ms Robinson, 28, expressed how important the scholarship is to her. “Words cannot begin to describe the joy that I feel. This opportunity is a life changer for me and a dream come true. I am finally able to receive a college education that I have dreamt of since I completed high school in 2004. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to elevate my current situation which would enable me to provide a better life for my son and me,” she said.

She noted that she has always had the drive for higher education, but the financial backing was a challenge.

“Now I have the means and a golden opportunity - thanks to The Bain and Grants Town Scholarship Fund. As for my fellow recipients, although we may all lead different lives, have different circumstances and have different feelings of what this scholarship means to each of us, one thing for certain is we are all extremely grateful,” Ms Robinson said.

The board’s vision is “to ensure that the door of opportunity is opened to deserving residents of Bain and Grants Town who demonstrate a willingness to learn and excel, but who cannot afford the cost of higher education.”

The scholarships’ three major sponsors include BTVI, John Bull and Minister of National Security and Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage.

The minister, who went to high school and university on scholarships, said the scholarship presentations meant a lot to him.

“For me, this is a special moment. This is not the first time I have helped with scholarships, but if more of us can find a few dollars to put aside, there are a lot of smart people in Bain and Grants Town. Many have the potential, but don’t get the opportunity for

it to be developed,” Dr Nottage said.

“I feel elevated. I think they are very good examples of what could come out of Bain and Grants Town.”

A few weeks ago, the minister met the recipients after they were selected and said, based on the conversation, he is satisfied they are focused. He was particularly pleased that two of them are males. He advised the board to not wait until the end of a semester when grades are published, but to periodically check in with the recipients.

The minister then made good on a $10,000 pledge he made publicly in February at the initial press conference announcing the fund.

He presented the cheque to the treasurer, Christof Fox. Director of Business Development at John Bull Inga Bowleg added that her company’s $10,000 donation is a part of its corporate social responsibility.

“It lies at the core of who we are. We believe we should celebrate youth and support youth development,” she said, encouraging the awardees to do well.

Additionally, Chairman of the Bain and Grants Town Scholarship Board of Governors, Assistant Superintendent of Police Anthony Rolle said the scholarship offering underscores the board’s commitment to investing in the nation’s youth and their future.

ASP Rolle said the awardees represent the positive side of the nation’s youth.

“All too often the public focuses on the negative aspects of our young people and their activities, but as we pause to celebrate these young people who are on their journey to continued personal development, we are reminded of BTVI’s mission which is ‘to provide learning opportunities that enable individuals to be globally competitive and economically independent’,” he said.

BTVI’s President Dr Robert W Robertson acknowledged that unfortunately, many inner city youth are discouraged from pursuing their aspirations because of lack of funding.

However, the scholarship board’s focus solely on residents of Bain and Grants Town, opens a door of opportunity.

Dr Robertson, who is a former city planner in Canada, lauded the board for doing its part to change the perception of the historic community.

“It is clear you want to see change in Bain and Grants Town … this initiative is a feather in the cap of the scholarship board. Investing in these young people is certainly one of the best investments you can make.

We believe the dividends will be tremendous for this community and ultimately the country, as we at BTVI are charged with closing the workforce skills gap,” he said.

Dr Robertson added that it is commendable recipients are expected to perform community service within the area.

“Essentially, you will be giving back and helping to build a better Bain and Grants Town. You will be agents of change in Bain and Grants Town - an area that needs you,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 3

Rollins says government is scrambling to fool the people

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins yesterday accused the government of scrambling to put together the primary care phase of National Health Insurance in order to “fool the Bahamian people” into thinking the government has delivered on an election campaign promise.

Dr Rollins also said nothing the government is proposing will stop “cookouts or sponsor sheets” to fund medical expenses or allow Bahamians to get the healthcare they need for certain catastrophic illnesses.

While making his contribution in the House of Assembly yesterday during debate on the NHI Bill, Dr Rollins called NHI “an election eve gimmick” and

said the primary care phase will “do nothing” to help the persons in the country who need emergency life saving surgeries.

“This is nothing but an election eve gimmick to have Bahamians believe you have delivered on your campaign promise,” Dr Rollins said.

“Nothing you are proposing will prevent the cookouts or the sponsor sheets or the desperate acts of support that Bahamians resort to like begging politicians and corporate Bahamas and others for assistance.”

However, on a point of order, Prime Minister Perry Christie explained that the government set aside $24m to create a special fund for patients with catastrophic medical problems. Mr Christie also said that “discretion” is exercised by the government today in meeting payments for persons

who cannot afford certain surgeries.

“As a result of a meeting, our financial advisors came up with a sum of $24m to create a special fund for the purpose of treating the specific diseases of the kind the member is speaking about,” Mr Christie said.

“So I want the member to know that in the introduction of primary care, a compliment of that will be a fund, estimated to be able to cover specific diseases that can be diagnosed and therefore be able to have a transition for when the full benefits are offered. ...Recognising today when someone comes to any member of the government and says ‘my mommy needs surgery and it costs $45,000 to pay the heart surgeon’, discretion is exercised by the government today in meeting payments for that surgery.”

In January, leading physi-

cian and Senator Dr Duane Sands warned that without legislation governing the catastrophic fund, it opened it to potential abuse and accusations that some patients could receive preferential treatment. He also questioned how one patient would qualify for assistance from the NHI catastrophic fund while another did not.

In response Mr Christie said “a group of doctors,” not the government, will determine who receives access to the fund based on “objective criteria.”

The primary healthcare coverage phase includes visits to your doctor, prevention services, diagnostics and medication through a primary care provider.

Primary care services will be provided to all persons registered at no cost at point of service and with no tax imposed, the government has said.

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

evidence of the best patient outcomes and satisfaction.

The groups claimed that they have reviewed and incorporated the lessons learnt from Managed Care Systems in North America, which despite shortcomings, reduced the rising costs of health care in the Americas.

Their statement read: “As the government moves forward to formalise the implementation process, the public can rest assured that Bahamian physicians are committed to participate as providers, citizens and patients. Doctors are obligated not only to care for patients but also to be mindful of the need for affordability.”

The statement continued: “An Independent Provider Association (IPA) functions to provide a holistic and co-ordinated approach to treating illness and maintaining and promoting health and wellness on the one hand, and on the other, ensuring that the health care provider delivers care that is efficient, timely and cost-effective.”

The IPA model put forth by the partnership supports the consolidation of the healthcare providers, the membership and the capi-

tal resources in a collective bargaining arrangement to meet economies of scale and to support health system strengthening.

“The IPA further recognises the wisdom in the phased approach to implementing the NHI Plan, but also the need for some element of Catastrophic Care from the onset of introducing the NHI Plan,” the statement added.

The groups noted that for the average Bahamian, the measure of value of the NHI plan is affordability and access to needed healthcare services.

The groups claimed the proposed IPA, through its alliances, would lend itself to public-private partnerships for services to be provided at lower cost without the government having the encumbrance of capital outlays.

As a result, the group said a number of secondary and tertiary care services, now cost prohibitive for many, can be accessed accordingly.

The statement added: “In so doing, catastrophic services can be introduced at the onset with the primary care introduction as well, thus allowing for one of the most fundamental tenets

of universal care to be realized: equity – those who need care, can get the care they need, and those who need more, can get more,” the statement added.

“As a means of providing additional coverage for catastrophic care, the IPA supports private insurers’ participation in NHI where they can provide reinsurance and supplemental insurance to strengthen NHI, and to create safe risk sharing arrangements that will allow for financial solvency in a climate where there are no additional taxes to support NHI.” The groups indicated that the IPA model was developed based upon the principles of managed care that emphasises the need for contractual arrangements; health education and prevention; and micromanagement and constant surveillance.

The TUC encompasses 16 affiliate unions and five observer unions representing more than 80 per cent of the country’s union population.

Moreover, the IPA is claimed to encompass eight provider organisations representing over 70 per cent of the Bahamas healthcare providers.

ANDRE ROLLINS, Member for Fort Charlotte.

UNIONS OFFER SUPPORT TO HEALTH PLANS AS parliamentary debate on the highly anticipated National Health Insurance Bill started yesterday, several of the country’s foremost medical and trade unions claimed that they have committed themselves to a partnership that seeks to make the NHI vision a reality.

In a joint statement by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Bahamas Independent Provider Association (BIPA), the two groups laid out the parameters of their newly developed Independent Provider Association (IPA) concept proposed to ease the implementation of the government’s NHI programme.

The two groups indicated that their IPA would seek to present a consensus for services to be provided through NHI, along with any and all fees that would be associated with those services.

Additionally, the IPA will look to present a consensus on the sharing of resources for optimising efficiencies of their practice; being accountable for the services they offer and ensuring the

PEOPLE ‘CAN KEEP EXISTING COVERAGE UNDER NHI’ from page one

“What it does, instead, is give you an opportunity to renegotiate your private plan so that you are able to only pay for the services not currently included under NHI. This may not only reduce the cost of your plans, but may allow a greater number of Bahamians access to private health insurance at the lower rates.”

Since the NHI Bill was tabled in Parliament last week, stakeholders have complained that they were blindsided by the government and not properly consulted.

Dr Gomez tried to counter that criticism yesterday.

“The initial draft of this bill was released in February and over the last six months we have met extensively with stakeholders to receive their feedback and incorporate their thoughts into this revised bill which lies before you,” he said.

“More than 80 changes have been introduced based on the feedback received thus far, ranging from simple changes of definitions to major changes such as the composition of the Board of the National Health Insurance Authority.”

Regulations for NHI are still being drafted and are expected to be released in September, according to the Permanent Secretary of the NHI Secretariat Peter Deveaux-Isaacs.

Combined with the NHIA Bill, the regulations will bring clarity to the way the primary healthcare phase of NHI will operate.

The Christie administration, on the advice of consultants, believes that it

will cost $100m per year to provide primary healthcare services, notwithstanding changes in inflation and adjustments to the benefits package that could cost this figure to fluctuate.

“This money will be transferred to the newly established National Health Insurance Authority from the Consolidated Fund using existing public resources which will be reallocated from existing spending at the Department of Public Health and Public Hospitals Authority,” Dr Gomez said.

His statement confirms that the facilitation of primary healthcare will come as the government streamlines the country’s existing healthcare services framework, as opposed to making new investments into it.

Dr Gomez said: “In our first phase, where we will be redirecting money currently allocated to less efficient modes of health delivery instead to the provision of primary health care services…we will ensure that individuals who currently put off taking their chronic disease medications for lack of payment are able to access them, and hence keep them out of the hospital. By opening up access to private primary care facilities to Bahamians previously unable to afford their services, we will be able to reduce wait times in our over-burdened public clinics – allowing a working mother the opportunity to take less time off work and access care for their sick child when they need it – not waiting until late at night and accessing care through the more expensive emergency room.”

Dr Gomez said the key to the plan is that it will al-

low Bahamians to access healthcare services from both the public and private sectors. “…Currently, there are thousands of low, middle and even lower-upper income Bahamians who do not have access to (healthcare) because their economic, age, or health status does not allow them access,” he said. “Without

that financial protection of insurance they are only able to access services in the public sector.”

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

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Troubled year for Coe confronting critics RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Entrusted with cleaning up a sport mired in sleaze and doping deceptions has proved far trickier for Sebastian Coe than the pursuit of gold on the track.

It’s a year since Coe’s misguided pronouncement that Lamine Diack, his predecessor as president of the International Association of Athletics Federation, was the “spiritual leader” of athletics.

Disowning Diack, now discredited as the alleged architect of a doping blackmail scheme, was the easy part. Cleaning up the mess he left behind at the IAAF has proved more challenging.

Coe has had to overhaul a tarnished governing body while confronting the biggest doping scandal in the sport’s history and persistent questions about his knowledge of the wrongdoing.

“The last year has sorely tested all of us,” Coe said Wednesday. “It has sorely tested our fans and supporters out there ... it’s our responsibility now to make sure we never return to what we have been dealing with.”

In Rio de Janeiro, Coe has looked like the standard-bearer for the anti-doping fight, standing alone in the Olympic world as the sports federation leader advocating a blanket ban on Russian athletes as punishment for the country’s state-sponsored doping scheme.

“It’s been a really strange year,” European athletics head Svein Arne Hansen told The Associated Press. “Seb is a tough guy ... he has been the right man on the job, even in this extremely difficult time he has been a leader.”

At times that leadership has seemed shaky.

The chief organiser of the 2012 London Olympics tried to tough out disapproval of his personal contract with Nike that was retained followed his election last August. The conflict of interest questions didn’t go away. Three months later, with pressure growing, Coe relinquished his ambassadorial role with the sportswear giant and also announced the sports-marketing company he chairs would not tender for IAAF work during his presidency.

“He had what you could call a mare for three of four months after he had taken over but he has recognised that,” said former British sports minister Hugh Robert-

son, a Coe associate, adopting a British colloquialism for a bad situation.

“But you expect ... to take a bit of flak and that’s the way it is. Most of us wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Much of the flak for the former Conservative Party legislator has come from a British parliamentary committee.

Coe was summoned there in his first year as IAAF president to be quizzed by combative legislators. Questions were posed to Coe about his apparent lack of inquisitiveness and curiosity in asking Diack about talk of corruption in track and field while serving as an IAAF vice president.

Damian Collins, the acting chairman of the culture, media and sport committee, wants Coe back to appear at another hearing to scrutinize denials that he was aware of details of a Russian doping corruption case four months before it became public in 2014. Coe maintains he never read the e-mail under question, instead forwarding it to the IAAF ethics body.

“There are still questions that remain unresolved,” Collins said by telephone.

“It’s been a terrible year for athletics and most of the pressure to change and most of the force to change has come from whistleblowers and WADA ... that what remains incredibly disappointing.

“More needs to be done to give people the confidence that international federations and the IOC will act with sufficient rigor to clean up sport.”

And yet to Coe’s allies, he has done just that by kicking all but one Russian track and field athlete out of the Rio Olympics as punishment for the country’s stateorchestrated doping programme that encompassed the 2013 world championships.

Coe insists that he is starting to put the IAAF back on the right track, with reforms being implemented to separate the business and sports responsibilities of the governing body while ensuring commercial backers don’t walk away.

“We have stabilized many of the sponsors that were clearly nervous last year,” Coe said. “And why wouldn’t they have been?”

By Rob Harris, AP Sports Writer

Citizens should be outraged EDITOR, The Tribune A RECENT headline in The Nassau Guardian stated that “All MPs should be outraged”.

The writer was quoting Dr Kendall Major, the Speaker, who was referring to Indra Charles’ ruling that Jerome Fitzgerald breached Save the Bay’s constitutional right by reading their private emails in the House of Assembly in March.

At the core of this matter is parliamentary privilege.

But how far should MPs be allowed to go in the matter of public discourse? Should they be allowed to go in their ‘political garbage can’ and read private emails of private citizens where there is obviously no threat to national security? Where and when does it end? Does parliamentary privilege allow

MPs to say anything they want to say in the House of Assembly?

The divide between politician and the average man in society is clearly drawn as politicians seem to be able to get away with mismanagement of public funds, corporate malfeasance and any number of illegal acts.

Most of them don’t even declare their assets on time and, in many cases, not at all. Some of them even carry handguns to protect themselves. The average Bahamian will never be afforded this same courtesy.

And now they want to just read law-abiding citizens’ private information in the House of Assembly without recourse. Isn’t the average Bahamian defenceless enough?

We are in the digital age and the rules of engagement have changed. Indra

Charles, I believe, made the correct interpretation of the law in her ruling. We have seen recently where a number of persons have had their reputations permanently damaged because someone released their private information into the public domain.

Are MPs now going to go into their political garbage can and release nude pictures in parliament of average citizens and then say that they have parliamentary privilege? That is what can happen.

I think all right thinking Bahamians should be the ones who are outraged at the temperament of some MPs because their actions in this instance are an affront to modern society.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau August 10, 2016

Snip the fathers EDITOR, The Tribune Re: Lightbourn proposes sterilising mothers (The Tribune, July 29) Mr Lightbourn’s insightful suggestion is similar to the One-Child and Two-

Child Laws successfully imposed by our Chinese comrades.

But why stop there?

Forced abortions would also be “free” under NHI. And in today’s spirit of inclusiveness, shouldn’t we

add fathers (if they can be found) and order “free” Christiecare vasectomies for them.

KEN W KNOWLES MD Nassau, July 31ß, 2016

The pride of Eight Mile Rock EDITOR, The Tribune THE Bahamas is a distinctly unique country and the settlements that make up the islands and cays are unique in themselves. This makes the Bahamas such an attractive country. The variety you experience from settlement to settlement makes it a never-ending, invigorating experience for all who dare to explore our diverse archipelago.

The settlement of Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, is a humble one, but one that has held its own in the history and development of the Bahamas. The community spirit is so strong that it has kept the people united despite the many hardships that this community faces.

Eight Mile Rock may have once just been a peace of the Bahama rock, but the investment of the many parents in the community is paying off as we see more and more young people coming out of this settlement to achieve greatness.

No one may have expected to hear the name of the little western settlement in Grand Bahama ringing off in international arenas, all over the news media, before Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield made his grand entrance to the NBA. Google has probably received more enquiries about this little place since Buddy fever began. But he is just the icing on the cake.

Jonquel Jones has made her Eight Mile Rock neighbours proud as she shows off her prowess in the WNBA and no less than Buddy, getting drafted sixth in the very first round. She accomplished this just before Buddy did, making her the first Bahamian ever to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net reach such a high ranking.

Yes, the Bahamas is proud.

But the settlement of Eight Mile Rock is even more proud, because their children, many of whom come from very humble backgrounds, are showing the world their true class and patriotism.

Donald Thomas just claimed a high jump victory on the international stage, mentioning the inspiration he received from his 97-year-old grandfather from where else - Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama. He is now representing his country at the Olympic Games in Brazil.

With these laurels to stand upon, the residents of Eight Mile Rock are more hopeful than ever that they will be paid attention to. After all, their national worth is evident in the success of its young people.

The West Grand Bahama Youth Organisation recently held its awards ceremony, displaying the many bright stars that are shining from settlements like Eight Mile Rock and surrounding areas.

Having grown up in Eight Mile Rock, and achieving the success I have today, I can attest to the fact that if given an opportunity, a child will rise to the occasion, regardless of background, as long as they really want it and have the support to fulfil their dreams.

There is a wealth of knowledge and skill sitting in Eight Mile Rock just waiting to be harnessed for the good of this country. Because of a lack of opportunity, too often we see dreams go to waste. We don’t want out

young men idle on the blocks with no job opportunities.

We want our young men who may have had a run-in with the law because of their lack of opportunities and idle time to be given a second chance to renew their lives.

We want our young single mothers to have an opportunity to feed themselves and their children, and also reeducate themselves in order to reach higher standards.

This is what the people of Eight Mile Rock have proved that they deserve. We are a patriotic people. We are a proud and resilient people.

Our community is made up not only of first generation Bahamians, but also second and third generation Bahamians with Jamaican, Turks and Caicos, and Haitian descent. In our unique position, we learn to unite on our common grounds in order to try to make a positive impact in this country.

It is important for Eight Mile Rock to be represented by the people who played in the streets and picked the native fruit together. People who know and understand the unique struggle of this settlement, yet are confident in its mammoth potential.

I congratulate our outstanding young people who are making Eight Mile Rock shine as bright as the Bahamian sun this year. We are indeed the most popular settlement in all of the Bahamas on the international stage right now. We are ready for our growth and progress, but we call on those with the authority to stand up and recognize who we are, and invest in our bright future.

JOSHUA C FORBES, AA, GDLP. August 10, 2016

Need for accuracy EDITOR, The Tribune WHEN Hubert Ingraham opened the airwaves, I presumed that one of the key aspects of opening was to spread accurate information - facts that can be substantiated in a manner not previously available, as solely Government controlled all public broadcasting.

Today we have numerous radio stations and numerous talk shows. Regrettably, accuracy in facts spoken and broadcast is becoming a serious issue, as more and more participants and the chronic callers speak simply mistruths – totally inaccurate facts and important information.

Recently I was listening to a show that originates at a station on Nassau Street and is aired after 5pm.

The participants said that Atlantis was funded in Ba-

hamian dollars, Bahamian savings. Further they said the purchase from Ruffin also was Bahamian dollar loans from Scotiabank, the savings of Bahamians and suggested that all other foreign direct investment was likewise.

Firstly, these facts are totally inaccurate, unless the participants can prove otherwise. A foreigner requires Central Bank’s approval to borrow Bahamian dollars.

Do you really think, firstly, the investor could afford the investment premium higher interest rates on the borrowings? These facts simply show the atypical garbage that is being spoken daily. Where is URCA? In the case of Atlantis, when they got into financial trouble, where did Brookfield come from and they were bond holders? I do not think Brookfield is Bahamian. Baha Mar: we

all know that Scotiabank International raised the initial US$220 million, court evidence, that is why Scotiabank owns equity in BMD Holdings.

Politics - untruths for sensationalism is not good journalism - such as doing considerable harm to the country, the foreign perception of the country, as these shows are streamed so that they can be listened to on the other side of the globe.

Truth never lies ... let’s hope some of these station owners will understand quickly, or URCA needs to come down on them preelection time, as in that time frame all we will be hearing is inaccurate rubbish as so-called “breaking news”.

W THOMPSON Nassau, August 3, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 5

Marion Bethel ‘ready’ for responsibilities as husband challenges for PLP leadership

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Marion Bethel, the wife of Progressive Liberal Party leadership candidate and former Attorney General Alfred Sears, said she is “ready” for the responsibility and accountability that comes with her husband’s announcement that he intends to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie for the party’s top post.

Referring to her husband’s bid, Mrs Bethel indicated that she and Mr Sears intend to assist in the overall development of the country.

“I am ready to keep helping The Bahamas develop and move on and join the

big players in the world because that is what we are entitled to do and that is what we can do,” she said.

“I think I am ready to give my best to that, to make my contribution,” she added.

Her comments came during an interview on the sidelines of a courtesy call on Mr Christie, the incumbent leader her husband seeks to defeat at the PLP’s fiveday convention scheduled for November at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort.

The convention is the party’s first since 2009.

Moreover, Wednesday’s courtesy call served as the government’s official acknowledgement of her recent election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CE-

DAW), a post she said that would further give her opportunities to advance the rights of women, both abroad and here in The Bahamas.

The noted attorney reassured Mr Christie that her election to the CEDAW post would only strengthen her personal mandate to expand The Bahamas’ understanding, appreciation and advocacy of human rights for all Bahamians and persons living in The Bahamas.

Mrs Bethel called for a stronger civil participation on the part of women across the country.

Reflecting on June’s failed gender equality referendum, Mrs Bethel said it was clear that weaknesses within women’s institutions and women’s organisations in the Bahamas had handi-

capped any possibility of holistic gender equality.

The Sears & Co Chambers partner asserted that women who hold top positions in society should come together to “really work on these issues of gender equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.”

“And so, I think strengthening our civil society, particularly women’s institutions is vital; it is vital to the progress of this country,” she said.

Mrs Bethel added: “I do think that the women’s institutions that we have here, the women‘s societies really need to think about gender equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex as a central pillar of their work. I think that may help to make the difference.”

OF the 12 murders in Grand Bahama, ten have been solved and police are assiduously searching for two wanted men – one for last Saturday’s stabbing incident and the other in relation to a fatal shooting on May 29.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour warned that it is a serious offense to harbour wanted suspects or felons and stressed that the police will not hesitate to arrest persons who do so.

“There have been instances where family members assist persons to evade justice; we want to let them know it is a serious offense and it is against the law to be harbouring any wanted felon or suspect, and we will be arresting them and charging them as well,” he said.

Snr ACP Seymour is appealing to the public to assist the police in locating Jaret Pinder, 38, who of-

on the United Nations’ CEDAW committee in June.

Subsequent to being unanimously nominated as The Bahamas’ candidate for the post, Mrs Bethel received the endorsement of the entire CARICOM institution and received widespread support from many Asian, African and European countries – ultimately being selected from the group of 25 candidates in the second round of the electoral process.

The CEDAW convention is composed of 23 independent experts serving in their personal capacity, all tasked with monitoring the implementation of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women by involved parties.

TEN OUT OF 12 MURDERS SOLVED IN GRAND BAHAMA, SAY POLICE

SENIOR Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour speaking yesterday.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

She continued: “I think that women really need to step up to the plate. I think that we need to increase our participation in public life, particularly at the parliamentary level and in politics and in decision-making at all levels in institutions in this country.”

“I encourage young women to really prepare ourselves to do this kind of work. We are 50 per cent of the population here, we vote in higher numbers and we are the pillars of political parties, we are the pillars of the churches – most institutions, but we don’t have the power and we need to exercise that sense of entitlement to make decisions.”

Mrs Bethel was among 11 experts elected to serve

ficers want to question in connection with the stabbing death of 22-year-old Tashard Barr at East Sunrise Highway on Saturday.

He said they are also searching for Desmond Wilson, 30, who police believe can help in an investigation into the shooting of 22-year-old Dexter Bellamy of Forbisher Circle on May 29.

Snr ACP Seymour said that the murder rate for Grand Bahama remains around the same to date when compared to last year.

He assured that Grand Bahama is safe and that there is no need for fear as most of the murders committed this year were the result of “unresolved differences” between persons.

“We examined the 12 we had, and most of them occurred over unresolved differences between the parties. There appeared to be disagreements which resulted in the loss of life.

It is sad where we cannot resolve differences peacefully without resorting to violence,” he said, referring

to the two recent stabbings at Drake Avenue and East Sunrise Highway.

“The incidents are senseless. We are concerned in the police department over these senseless killings because we feel if more level heads can prevail in those incidents, those persons would have been alive today.

“We want to send a call to members of the public to try to seek peaceful means to resolve differences and not to take matters into your own hands,” Snr ACP Seymour said.

He commended officers for quickly resolving the two recent stabbings on the island.

“Shortly after the incidents we had persons in custody,” he said.

“I am satisfied with the crime statistics where at this time of the year we are seeing a significant decrease

in the number of serious crime across Grand Bahama. With the exception of those recent murder incidents, all other crime stats are down significantly, and so the question as to whether the City of Freeport or Grand Bahama is safe, as far as we are concerned is a non-issue because I can tell you as chief police officer (for Grand Bahama) we can say resoundingly it is safe. So there is no need to fear. We have everything under control, along with the continued partnership of the public.”

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PAGE 6, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Wilchcombe: Christie to win by a landslide from page one The tourism minister said PLPs view Mr Christie as having ensured the government made historical moves to advance the country and will not challenge him to cause “disequilibrium”.

Mr Wilchcombe went on to hint that there is no one else in the PLP who could defeat the prime minister in the upcoming convention, as “he always wins in conventions.” He stepped away

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from previous assertions when he revealed that he wanted to be leader of the organisation.

Instead, when The Tribune questioned him about this yesterday outside of the House of Assembly, the MP suggested that he was not prepared at this time to lead the PLP. He said he would contest the top post of the governing party whenever Mr Christie decides to retire.

This came the day after Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald told reporters that former Attorney General Alfred Sears’ chances of defeating Mr Christie in the PLP’s leadership race during its convention were “slim”. He also questioned the timing of Mr Sears’ leadership bid.

Mr Sears on Sunday announced his intention to challenge Mr Christie during the PLP convention in November.

“I believe that Mr Christie will be returned,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “In fact, I am very confident that he will have a landslide victory in the upcoming convention.

“We support Perry Chris-

body who wishes to consider for leadership. We have to do what we are going to do inside.

“But I guarantee you that Perry Christie will remain leader of the PLP.” Asked about his aspirations to lead the PLP, Mr Wilchcombe said he has not given up this goal, but will support the prime minister until he no longer heads the party.

“No my aspiration remains, but your aspiration is also predicated on preparation. What you do as you aspire is you have to prepare. If you want to be a great athlete you have to continue to work and prove your capacity.

“The same holds for politics. If you want to lead an organisation then first of all you have to understand the organisation. You have to work hard. You have to get those involved in the organisation to support you and see your value and then at the right time you propose.

But that will happen at the end of Perry Christie’s leadership because the party works that way.

“We are a system where the structure of an institu-

PRIME Minister Perry Christie speaking to Obie Wilchcombe earlier this year. tie. Perry Christie will be the leader going into convention and post-convention.

“We don’t want to find our party in a situation where we are fighting for leadership at this particular stage.”

He continued: “Perry Christie has put a number of things in place. In fact today we are negotiating very historic legislation and that’s all intended to advance the country and this is on Perry Christie’s run. This is on his

watch and we’re not going to cause any disequilibrium at the moment. We are going to maintain the status quo.

“Mr Christie has proven that he has kept the party together and throughout the country enjoys the support of PLP delegates, that’s what’s fundamentally important. So all internal matters pertaining to our party we want to discuss inside the house not outside the house and so there is no criticism to be made of any-

tion that we understand that things should be done in decency and in order. So, no, I have not given up my aspirations. My aspirations are predicated on preparation. So I have to prepare.”

He added that the party will not lambaste Mr Sears or “bad mouth” him to ensure that the convention does not mirror the Free National Movement’s event two weeks ago.

“We are not going to hurt any member of our team. It is not time for bad mouthing because one of the things that is important is if a member of your team seeks to be in any position we cannot cause for negatives to be associated because at the end of it all he is still going to be on your team.

“We saw recently you can’t take back what you say or take back the documents from the table if you have painted your leader in a particular way. It is going to be difficult to campaign ahead and tell the country that this is not what you think of the leader you are asking to lead the country.”

On Tuesday, Mr Fitzgerald, a strong backer of the prime minister, was adamant that Mr Sears would find difficulty in receiving the nod from members of Parliament who might be apprehensive to support someone as their leader who is not a current MP and has been out of front line politics for many years.

He said while he could not predict the tone that the PLP’s leadership race will take, Mr Fitzgerald urged supporters not to release the “dogs of war” on Mr Sears, whom he praised as a man of integrity with good social standing. The party is expected to head into a five-day convention during the last week in November.

Mr Christie has said he does not feel threatened by Mr Sears’ bid to challenge him in the upcoming convention.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 7

First Zika case is confirmed

from page one “We must unite to fight the bite at home, by taking every precaution to eliminate large pools of standing water from our neighbourhoods,” the ministry said.

“By keeping yards, patios and the inside of our home free of standing water we significantly reduce mosquito breeding sites and the spread of Zika. The process is a simple one: tip over, turn down, throw out.”

“The Ministry of the Environment and Housing through the Department of Environmental Health Services continues to do its part, and all residents must do theirs. The only way to prevent the spread of Zika is to stop mosquitos from reproducing.”

Yesterday, Dr Gomez urged residents to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent being infected, which he said included applying mosquito repellants on exposed skin, wearing long-sleeved light coloured clothing, completely screening all doors and windows, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites such as items or containers that may collect water.

“To prevent sexual transmission, correct use of condoms at each encounter is advised,” he added. “Pregnant women and women planning to be pregnant should talk to their health care provider and pay particular attention to prevention measures.

“If you think you or

your family member might have a Zika virus infection please visit your doctor or your nearest health care provider,” Dr Gomez said.

TOURISM

Obie Wilchcombe, the minister of tourism, said the government is concerned about the Zika virus and how it may affect visitor arrivals, but said his team at the Ministry of Tourism will “intensify its communications to the various markets to ensure that the world is aware of how we are handling the situation” and that the Bahamas “is still a safe and healthy place” to visit.

“That would help them to make the decision to either consider The Bahamas, continue on the trip they planned to The Bahamas or come to The Bahamas at another time, but in all circumstances we have confidence in the Ministry of Health and we know that the Ministry of Health is doing what they must do in order to manage the situation and understanding all that is concerned,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

Yesterday’s announcement comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration issued a travel advisory connected to the global epidemic, warning Bahamian travellers of a scourge in cases in Brazil and the Wynwood area of Miami, Florida.

That advisory from the ministry came a week after US health agencies warned against travel to the Florida

neighbourhood and months after warning against travel to Brazil.

In a comprehensive statement to the press, the ministry insisted that Bahamians travelling to both Miami and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Summer Olympics take “appropriate precautions” to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.

The statement also urged that similar precautions be taken by travellers heading to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to health officials, Zika is a mosquitoborne disease and may also be sexually transmitted. The virus is transmitted primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses.

International health officials have long warned women who are pregnant or intend to get pregnant that they should guard against Zika. This is because of the confirmed association between infection in pregnancy and birth defects such as microcephaly.

The World Health Organization has advised that persons wait at least six months to try for a pregnancy if the male partner had symptoms of Zika.

Aside from the one confirmed case in The Bahamas, there have been five confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Turks and Caicos, 15 in Florida and an estimated 170,000 in Brazil to date.

A WORLD Health Organization poster with advice for preventing Zika, which was posted to Facebook by the Ministry of Health yesterday following the announcement that a Bahamian man had been confirmed to be suffering from the effects of the Zika virus.

HAMILTON ACCUSES THE FNM OF BEING MISOGYNISTIC from page one

While making her contribution to the debate on the National Health Insurance Bill, Mrs Hamilton also cried “shame” on FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands for comments he made concerning abortions months ago.

Last year, while on a talk show, Dr Sands said he believes the country needs to “have a national discussion” on abortions and a woman’s right to choose.

During the FNM’s convention last month, Mr Lightbourn questioned whether it was necessary to consider “adopting the lead of several countries in the world which result in (an) unwed mother having her tubes tied after having more than two children”.

He said the result would be fewer children, essentially reducing the burden of the state in terms of social care, education, and employment.

Moments after his com-

ments were made, which were broadcast live on TV and radio, Mr Lightbourn faced backlash from angry citizens on social media, with many vilifying the opposition parliamentarian.

The FNM immediately distanced the party from the Montagu MP’s proposal, stating that the party did not believe in restricting the reproductive rights of anyone.

Mr Lightbourn has since apologised publicly for his comments.

“No matter how the FNM tries to distance themselves from the member’s comments, if there was not a public outcry, as in the case of Duane Sands, there would have been a movement in this direction by the opposition, which demonstrates the thoughts of all of them,” Ms Hamilton said.

“What I find ironic is that the member’s statement came soon after the gender equality referendum in the Bahamas,” she said, referring to the failed June

7 vote to remove gender inequalities from the Constitution.

“A woman can have one pregnancy from 40 weeks to 9 months and one man can have a baby every 30 minutes if he so desires but there was no mention of vasectomy for men, but there was tying tubes for women.

Mr Speaker, it stands to reason whether he truly thinks women are inferior.”

Mrs Hamilton also criticised the Christian Council and the organisers of the referendum’s “vote no” campaign for remaining silent on the issue.

“I am concerned that there was no outcry from the Christian Council, the ‘vote no’ pastors or the Crisis Centre. Where is the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association who works so hard for Save the Bays, but cannot find a voice to save the future generation of this nation?

“I cry shame on every last one of them and I congratulate the organisations who spoke up publicly. On behalf of my daughter and women of this nation, we hear your apology and I hope in time we can offer acceptance.”

PAGE 8, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Object lessons in how to be a political leader A Young Man’s View

By ADRIAN GIBSON

A

S we march called leaders in the House towards yet of Assembly, it is clear that another hotly there is much to be desired. contested gen- A 2016 and beyond leader is eral election, it is clear that one who can take our peoThe Bahamas needs meas- ple forward without being ured, resolute and insight- politically partisan, hateful, ful leadership. divisive, parochial and peWe need leaders who are jorative. prepared to tackle difficult This week’s biggest stoproblems in ways that are ries were the announcenot inflammatory but that ment by former Attorney will force our people to en- General Alfred Sears that gage and think about the so- he would challenge Prime cietal and economic issues Minister Perry Christie for we face. So-called lead- leadership of the Progresers who are mere window sive Liberal Party (PLP) dressers and sweet mouth at the governing party’s willies are not national conwelcome; we ‘One cannot vention in Nohave a country become a political vember and the to uplift. Politiflip-flopping cal tinmen and train wreck before by Long Island thinly gilded our very eyes and MP Loretta jokers have be considered Butler-Turner been at the fore who - days of our political for leadership. after saying establishment One cannot she “can’t be for far too long bought” by the and ought not and, with the Free National exception of a to - be perceived, Movement few, have con- politically, as (FNM) - sudtributed to the denly urged temperamental or stagnation we her supporta loose cannon.’ see today. ers to back Dr We cannot Minnis and his propel people to the fore executive team. who are unwilling or unable Firstly, Mrs Butlerto reach out to the public, Turner’s about-face, after attain feedback and input her blistering attacks on and, hand-in-hand, move Minnis and caustic comthe Bahamas towards a ments before and after the higher plane. convention, is astounding Of late, it is clear that and appears to be insinwe have been wallowing in cere and meant to save face muck. When one looks at politically. How does one the puerile, petulant and re- suddenly go from stating gressive conduct of our so- that they cannot be bought

ALFRED SEARS and writing to supporters with claims that Dr Minnis is engaging in “organised corruption” and “intimidation” to - one week later - ledging support? I think that the statement was selfserving.

I don’t often agree with PLP chairman Bradley Roberts but his statement calling upon Mrs ButlerTurner to clarify whether her claims of corruption in the FNM under Dr Minnis’ leadership were true or if she merely made them up because she saw “the agony

of defeat” warrants a response. He asked questions that we all want to know the answer to.

Given her previous statements, Mrs Butler-Turner’s credibility comes into question.

Before the convention, Mrs Butler-Turner took to Facebook and accused Dr Minnis of doing everything possible to “silence” her voice and “steal” the party’s convention.

Early on the morning of the last day of the FNM’s convention, in another mes-

sage to her supporters, Mrs Butler-Turner purportedly wrote: “Dear Team, Please DO NOT participate in this process. Please advise all of our supporters to refrain. We propose to have a press conference at 11 am this morning.

Please understand that this corruption and intimidation cannot be validated. I thank you and love you. I simply believe we must expose the level of organised corruption and crime there is in the party under Hubert

Minnis.”

How does Mrs ButlerTurner explain this message? It was widely circulated from a text account belonging to her.

When I read that Mrs Butler-Turner was making an announcement on Sunday, I thought that she was announcing her resignation from the FNM. I read her statement with dropped jaw.

Mrs Butler-Turner abandoned her soldiers on the battlefield. The captain abandoned her political Ti-

THE TRIBUNE tanic the moment it began taking on water, leaving her supporters to scramble for political lifeboats or drown in the Minnis tidal wave.

I think that statements such as the above were over-the-top, too aggressive and simply out of order. Her comments could have been more measured. She damaged her political stock with such remarks.

After the convention, the best approach Mrs ButlerTurner could have taken would have been to excuse herself from the scene for a while, regrouping and working behind the scenes rather than make such comments.

T

here are many who now view Mrs Butler-Turner’s sudden change of heart as another facet to a plan to disrupt FNM leader Dr Minnis. I have been told by people within the party that the first step was to unseat Dr Minnis at the convention; however they withdrew.

The second prong was to undermine a newly-elected Minnis, casting him as incompetent and openly challenging him. However, her statement about not being “bought” backfired and Bahamians turned against her.

Reading the political tea leaves, party insiders now tell me that the third prong is being employed, that being to publicly pretend to support Minnis, secure safe seats going into the general election and destabilise him from within, thereby causing the FNM to lose with the dissenters all retaining their seats and bouncing Minnis right after the election, leaving Butler-Turner as the chosen one for leadership.

We shall see.

However, I do not believe that Mrs Butler-Turner’s utterances are representative of the leadership and direction that we would like to see in the Bahamas. One cannot become a political train wreck before our very eyes and be considered for leadership. One cannot - and ought not to - be perceived, politically, as temperamental or a loose cannon.

There should be a line

Thursday, Thursday, August August 11, 2016, 11, 2016, PAGE PAGE 9 9 that people in leadership should not cross. Ever.

Alfred Sears, who announced his candidacy for leadership this week, presents a starkly different narrative. He has cross-section appeal and will attract independents, FNMs and others if he becomes PLP leader.

He is the PLP’s best hope.

As I said a few weeks ago, Mr Sears’ ascension to the PLP’s leadership will, I believe, go a long way to rebranding the governing party.

He is a progressive thinker and he has adopted a fresh look at the Bahamas, demonstrating that he is not trapped in the glare of parochialism.

I read a quote yesterday that was attributed to Mr Sears: “I bring leadership that is inclusive, focused and all about servant leadership.”

For far too long, governance has been along partisan lines; contracts have been meted out along such lines; elected individuals decided to view Bahamians, in their decision making, as FNMs and PLPs rather than Bahamians, just LORETTA Butler-Turner pictured during her arrival into the Free National Movement Convention. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Bahamians. has an invaluable contribu- There are those among us a political ne’er-do-well that we could make a wrong Rather than engaging in tion to make. He speaks who seemingly prefer to could very well retain the turn and find ourselves irrenasty attacks on the current about culture, economy, the drag our national conversa- leadership. trievably doomed. We have leader of the PLP, Mr Sears repatriation of capital for tions deeper into the depths However, I am reliably always maintained an artihas instead stated that he even locally produced trin- of depravity as opposed to informed by high-level ficial sense of invincibility. would present comprehen- kets and souvenirs, judicial elevating our national con- PLP insiders that Mr We claim to have an abiding sive plans for the country in reform and so on. sciousness.

Fitzgerald has become faith in God and no matter the coming months, plans Forty three years after the new blue-eyed boy, what we do, it will all work He is a gentleman. Mr that would also enhance Sears wants to blow up the independence, we have gaining favour with Prime out. government transparency status quo. I think he brings not yet done our utmost Minister Perry Christie Given that, we have emand accountability. He said a refreshing perspective to to look forward, to look and now merely attack- braced corruption, the disthat he wants the PLP and upward, to look onward, ing Sears in an effort to integration of the family, to “reform our “Unfortunately, ensure that the so-called spending far more than we Bahamian poli- together. governance I have no doubt that the throne is secure for his as- make and increasing our tics. process, bet- intellectual That said, political dogs of war will be cension, purportedly hav- national debt by hundreds ter incentivise conversations it is a tragedy unleashed upon Mr Sears. ing already garnered Mr of millions year over year Bahamian en- and progressive that based on However, to many within Christie’s blessing as the and so on! However, though trepreneurship the incestu- the PLP - especially young prime minister in waiting we keep saying that God and extend pri- thinking in this ous, inbred, people - he is likely to be- if the PLP wins the next will find a way to make it vate public part- country is often provincial set come the Bernie Sanders general election. right, even Biblical thinknerships.” I re- drowned out by Sears has gonadal for- ing states that faith without up of our po- of the Bahamas, running spect that. That litical organisa- an inspirational campaign titude. I cannot say that work is dead. We must take is what I look hyper-religious, tions, political unlike that which has been about many others within hold of our national direcfor in our lead- anti-intellectual stalwarts and seen in the PLP in recent the PLP. tion. ers, not political sentiment.”

Travelling and vacationothers could years.

I know that there is no cannibalism.

It is so unfortunate that ing and observing differ- perfect solution. Howevsacrifice their It is often said party’s pro- before his candidacy is ent places really open one’s er, if we don’t get it right, that the PLP’s election pro- gression and our national launched, Marathon MP mind. Good governance we will see an intelleccess is stacked in favour of development on the altar and Minister of Education has nothing to do with the tual and financial flight the party’s leader. There of expediency.

Jerome Fitzgerald has at- size of one’s country. It has from our beloved country are many stalwart councilUnfortunately, intel- tacked him, deeming his to do with vision and lead- … it perhaps has already lors in the party who are of lectual conversations and candidacy as dead on ar- ership. started. advanced age and have the progressive thinking in this rival.

As it stands, there are ability to vote in the con- country is often drowned Indeed, it is sad to note those living within and vention. out by hyper-religious, an- that the stalwarts are so looking at The Bahamas Comments and responses I believe that Alfred Sears ti-intellectual sentiment. stacked in the PLP that today and feeling afraid to ajbahama@hotmail.com

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PAGE 10, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

MITCHELL SAYS HAITIAN AMBASSADOR INCORRECT OVER POLICY ON TACKLING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION from page one

“There is no requirement for people applying for the belonger’s permit to do so outside of the country.

This policy applies to work permit applicants who are applying for the first time.

There is no policy of profiling of Haitians and the policy is not discriminatory toward Haitians. The policy is a generic policy which applies to all non-nationals.

“I also indicated that one would expect that in relations between friendly countries, no such statement should be made which takes the other by surprise.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised me that there is no record of a request for any meeting by the embassy on this matter since the ambassador’s tenure.”

Regarding Ambassador Geneus’ concerns about a scheduled deportation of three Haitian children, Mr Mitchell confirmed that they will be deported along with the relative with whom they illegally travelled to the country.

He said the government would not allow this trend to continue where children are allowed to enter the country in the absence of their parents or guardians.

“Three children who are being sent back to Haiti came to this country in a boat with an adult who they described as their uncle.

They were interdicted in Exuma on July 12 and are being sent back with the adult with whom they came.

A fourth child arrived in Exuma on August 4 and will be returned with an

HAITI Ambassador Jean Victor Geneus. adult that the child identifies as a cousin.

“Mr Speaker, since this statement was written, the ministry has advised me that the Haitian Embassy has made a formal call on the foreign ministry with regard to three children out of Abaco.

“The answer to that is that the three children are with their mother in the safe house. The policy is that the children should be with their mother who has no legal status. The embassy has said that the father has legal status and may want the children to remain with the father, except that they are not married and our law in those cases is the mother has custody of the child. The practice is the child will remain with the mother. That is the answer on the situation out of Abaco.

“Sir, we cannot allow a trend to develop of sending young unaccompanied children here with the suggestion that the Bahamas is open to this violation of our laws.”

He added: “I also took

time to reaffirm that the policy announced that came into affect on November 1, (2014) remains firmly in place and I sought the assurance of the ambassador that the embassy would encourage its citizens to comply with the laws of the Bahamas.

“In particular, I reiterated that all students needed to get a permit to reside to live lawfully in The Bahamas and that all who were born here to non-national parents should obtain the passport of their nationality and a permit to reside.”

His statement was questioned by Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner who raised concern about Mr Mitchell’s level of diplomacy.

She said: “It is becoming more and more common place in this Parliament where it appears that diplomacy and matters to do with foreign affairs are answered for some reason here.

“I just rise to ask the question on behalf of the Bahamian people: Was this the first time that the minister with responsibility for immigration became aware of the issues that the ambassador from Haiti was having? Because I just find it really difficult to believe this would have gotten to this point where it played out in the press in having to be answered in here.

“Not that the Bahamian people do not deserve to know, but diplomacy is exactly that part of being diplomatic and being able to deal with all of these different states that are represented inside of the country and outside of the country,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 11

SIMONE Cambridge receiving her award for being this year’s All Bahamas Merit Scholar from Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

$140,000 scholarship for star student

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

OVER 20 high school graduates were yesterday awarded as winners of the All Bahamas Merit and National Merit Scholarship Award, something Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald called a positive step towards the “development of our nation” by the country’s “bright, young leaders of tomorrow.”

At an awards ceremony at Government House yesterday afternoon, 21 graduates from four islands throughout the archipelago - New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Long Island - were honoured as National Merit Scholars, each for having maintained consistent academic performance and no less than a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) while in school.

Simone Cambridge, a graduate of Queen’s College, is this year’s All Bahamas Merit Scholar, taking home a scholarship worth up to $140,000 for four years of study at McGill University in Canada. Ms Cambridge finished high school with a cumulative GPA of 3.82. She sat 12 BGCSE’s in the 11th grade at one sitting and earned 10 As, one B and one C. The 22 students have taken more than 175 BGCSE examinations collectively, according to Mr Fitzgerald. Three, he said, have received nine or more As and five have received SAT scores of 2,000 and higher.

He also said that the group has been awarded close to 200 BGCSE A grades.

For their achievements, the 21 National Merit Scholars have been awarded scholarships of up to $25,000 per annum.

In his message to the 22 scholarship recipients, Mr Fitzgerald called on the winners to capitalise on the opportunity and to “do their best work” to be able to “make a contribution to our country when you are completed with your studies.”

“There is no doubt that you will do well in your future endeavours,” he said.

“Know that your country believes in you; we believe

in spending the resources to develop each and every one of you and we hope that you in turn come back and help to create a stronger and more modern nation.”

“You all are expected to serve as ambassadors for the Bahamas,” he added.

“You will be expected to contribute to the overall development of the country by applying your services, your talents and your knowledge to improving the lives of Bahamians.

We are depending on your aptitude, ingenuity and innovation to usher the Bahamas into new realms and to venture into careers that will revolutionise our country in the years ahead.”

Ms Cambridge, the 2016 All Bahamas Merit Scholar, said of her accomplishment: “I was overjoyed that I was approved to receive such a great (award). After my excitement and happiness, of

course, came relief and immense gratitude. I realised that I was being awarded not only for my hard work, but also for the effort that everyone has invested in me.”

The Bahamas All Merit Scholarship Programme began in 1993 through a collaboration between the Lyford Cay Foundations, the Central Bank of the Bahamas, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, according to officials.

According to Mr Fitzgerald, the All Bahamas Merit and National Merit Scholarship Award is the most prestigious scholarship awarded in the Bahamas, being valued at $35,000 per annum for up to five years, and is tenable at local accredited universities or colleges or accredited institutions in the Caribbean, United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

PAGE 12, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

US judge tells Bacon to pursue case in The Bahamas from page one

LOUIS BACON

Justice Kern, in her eightpage judgment, found that even though Mr Bacon is a New York resident: “The Bahamas is a more appropriate forum for this dispute to be adjudicated.”

She added: “Initially, the transactions out of which this lawsuit arose clearly occurred in The Bahamas rather than in New York.

This dispute between the plaintiff (Mr Bacon) and the defendant (Mr Nygard) arose out of their relationship as adjoining landowners in The Bahamas. The plaintiff’s entire claim is that the individual defendant Nygard has waged a smear campaign against him, which began when the parties were unable to resolve their disputes that arose based on being adjoining landowners.

“In describing the actions that constitute the

smear campaign engaged by the defendant, it is clear that the allegations almost entirely involve activities which took place in The Bahamas,” the judge noted.

Aaron Marks, attorney for Mr Nygard and affiliated companies, expressed gratitude at the court’s decision that “such an action has no place in a New York courthouse”.

“This was a frivolous lawsuit brought by Mr Bacon in an effort to further his campaign of harassing Mr Nygard in the international media,” he alleged.

Mr Bacon has alleged that the fashion designer organised rallies, marches and protests where he was defamed, created and distributed defamatory Tshirts and signs, published defamatory accusations about him and used websites to defame him.

Mr Nygard filed a $50m countersuit in April accusing Mr Bacon of a “vendet-

ta” against him, including harassment and frivolous litigation.

Each man has denied the other’s allegations.

In a decision dated July 28, 2015, Judge Kern said many of the purportedly defamatory statements were made more than one year before the lawsuit was filed, thus exceeding the state’s statute of limitations.

Speaking to the remaining defamation cases in her judgment yesterday, Justice Kern noted, “The alleged violence and threats of violence against the plaintiff, and individuals close to the plaintiff have occurred in the Bahamas.”

“The alleged staged hate rallies, marches, and protests against the plaintiff have taken place in The Bahamas, and signs spreading malicious lies and derogatory statements about the plaintiff have taken place in The Bahamas and the frivolous lawsuits against (the) plaintiff have also taken place in The Bahamas.

“Moreover, most of the alleged defamatory statements are alleged to have been published through Bahamian media or by Bahamians,” the court said in reference to exhibits concerning publications on websites Bahamas Press, Bahamas National and Bahamas Citizen.

The judge also said that most of the “non-party”

witnesses to the defamation claims are from the Bahamas, in reference to Fred Smith, QC, and Keod Smith.

The judge also referred Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade (named concerning a complaint of an illegal police raid), Sherman Brown and Jason Graham (attached to alleged defamatory articles published on Bahamas National and Bahamas Citizen), Phillipa “Lady” Russell and Ortland Bodie, whom she said did not reside in New York.

Justice Kern also highlighted that Mr Bacon had initiated a number of proceedings related to the subject matter in Bahamian courts.

“Based on the foregoing, this action is dismissed conditioned on all defendants agreeing to the jurisdiction of the Bahamian court system; on all defendants agreeing that any claims interposed in the Bahamian action will be deemed interposed in this action for statute of limitation purposes; and on the corporate defendants agreeing that any employees who are determined to be necessary witnesses in this action agree to the subpoena power of the Bahamian courts.”

“The foregoing constitutes the decision and order of the court,” Justice Kern concluded.

STAY ON TRACK WITH THE GAMES 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

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 13

Murder trial discontinued

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net MORE than five years after a man was charged with murder, prosecutors yesterday produced a written directive at trial from the attorney general requesting that proceedings against him be discontinued.

Robert Ryan Smith, 29, was standing trial in the Supreme Court before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs concerning the June 2011 murder of Winfield Kino Smith.

Smith was the victim of a drive-by shooting on East Street on June 17, 2011 and died in hospital a week later.

In yesterday’s proceeding, Crown prosecutor Algernon Allen II presented a nolle prosequi - a notice abandoning prosecution signed by Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson to the court.

Senior Justice Isaacs accepted the directives and told the accused man that regarding the current trial, the Crown would discontinue the case against him.

However, the judge informed him that the Crown had the right to reintroduce the charges at a future date if they wished.

The jury, which had been empanelled on Monday, heard testimony from Sgt Paul Lewis who said he re-

MAN ACCUSED OF RECEIVING CAR STOLEN AT GUNPOINT

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN appeared in the Supreme Court yesterday for a status hearing into his case concerning receiving a car that had been stolen during a gunpoint carjacking.

Levio Braynen, 25, faces a charge of receiving concerning an armed robbery committed by 26-year-old

YOUR

Courtney Barry on January 16, 2014.

Barry, in a Supreme Court appearance in March of last year, pleaded guilty to accosting Gregory Wilkinson and taking his 2003 Honda Fit on the date in question and in a plea deal with the prosecution, received eight-year prison sentence.

He faced up to life imprisonment if convicted at trial.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

sponded to the scene of a fatal shooting on East Street South on June 17, 2011.

When he arrived to the area of Porky’s Gas Station, he saw a bleeding man on the ground suffering from apparent gunshot wounds about the body.

While paramedics attended to the man, Sgt Lewis said he saw some 10 projectiles on the ground.

The officer said he then received information from a civilian, which led him to alert the patrol room to put out an all-points bulletin (APB) for a vehicle.

Smith, who denied the murder charge and was on bail, was defended by lawyer Murrio Ducille.

SEARCH FOR MAN MISSING AFTER FISHING TRIP AT SEA

POLICE are searching for 32-year-old Jamaal Tracey Russell of North Andros, who went missing at sea during a fishing trip about two weeks ago.

Police said Mr Russell, a resident of Red Bays, is 6’1”, has a dark brown complexion and is of slim build.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or 502-9992.

Photograph supplied by police

PAGE 14, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Forbes named chair of privileges committee

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net HOUSE Speaker Dr Kendal Major announced yesterday that Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes has been appointed the new chairman of the House of Assembly’s Committee on Privileges.

Mr Forbes replaces Central Eleuthera MP Damian Gomez, who recused him-

self because he represents Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard.

Dr Major urged the Committee on Privilege to begin its work investigating a matter involving Save the Bays, an environmental group, which has launched several lawsuits against Mr Nygard.

The committee was called to work after Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald moved a resolution in

May because Justice Indra Charles granted Save the Bays’ injunction request to stop him from publicising the personal information of the non-profit organisation.

Justice Charles has since ruled that Mr Fitzgerald infringed the constitutional rights of members of Save the Bays when he tabled their private e-mails in Parliament.

The Committee on Privilege will determine if any-

one should be held in contempt of the House.

It is expected that efforts will be made to invite Fred Smith, director of STB and Ferron Bethel, attorney for the organisation, to appear before the committee.

Committee of Privilege members also include Marco City MP Greg Moss, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant and Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner.

ARNOLD FORBES, MP for Mt Moriah.

READERS BELIEVE SEARS IS A SERIOUS CHALLENGE FOR PRIME MINISTER CHRISTIE FORMER Attorney General Alfred Sears poses a serious challenge to Prime Minister Perry Christie’s position as PLP leader - according to the majority of voters in The Tribune’s online poll.

58.12 per cent of those voting on tribune242.com thought Mr Sears was a credible challenger, with 41.88 per cent disagreeing.

This week, Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was evasive when asked if he would join the leadership contest - although he did say he “doesn’t discourage ambition” in response to Mr Sears’ decision to challenge the prime minis-

ter.

Commenting on the issue, John said: “Maybe Davis doesn’t want to get what Loretta got. Or some feel maybe Brave Davis stands a greater chance than many of unseating Perry Christie as leader of the PLP. And since, by his own admission, Perry Christie wants another term, they will not allow this race to happen.

That means that Brave Da-

vis must wait for another lap around the political track (four years at least?) even before he can try to become leader of the party, then he must then do battle to become prime minister.

So while he tries to appease Perry Christie and his faction, his political clock is ticking away.”

To which Greentea responded with: “This is it. If he doesn’t take it now. He will never get it. Funny how Sears announcement really shows how much of a cowardly lion these fellas are.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 15

PRIME Minister Perry Christie arriving at the House of Assembly yesterday morning ahead of the day’s session.

Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS

More than 1,000 attend Freeport Goombay Summer

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GOOMBAY Summer Festival in Freeport attracted over 1,000 visitors to Taino Beach during this year’s four-week event, which was attended by persons from as far as Africa.

The event, spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism from July 7-28, showcased Bahamian culture with the best of the best in Bahamian music, dance, arts and craft, and food.

Tourism officials reported that each week visitors from as far as Mexico, Zimbabwe, Canada, and the United States came to the

festival to experience the culture of the islands of the Bahamas.

Brooke Sherman-Grant of the Ministry of Tourism, reported that 1,100 visitors attended the festival at the Taino Beach Park.

“They participated in heritage experiences, including nature walks, rake ‘n’ scrape music, quadrille dancing, and goombay dancing,” she said.

There were also street performances and great musical entertainment performed by Bahamian artists.

Mrs Grant said one component of the festival that really hit home for many of the visitors was the minis-

try’s signature People-toPeople experience, which featured a complimentary nature walk and bush tea tasting.

Donald Duncombe, a People-to-People ambassador for five years, enjoys participating in the hospitality programme, and spoke of his love for service.

Betty Bethel, tourism director in Grand Bahama, said the festival was a success and left guests and residents wanting more.

“Goombay is all about a rhythm that could be felt in the vibe of the festival each evening, through the music, food, performances and the people,” she said.

14 HAITIANS DETAINED BY COAST GUARD NEAR FLORIDA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOURTEEN Haitians, attempting to reach the United States, were picked up by the US Coast Guard in waters near Florida over the weekend.

According to reports, the migrants left The Bahamas last Saturday evening and were discovered one mile off Port St Lucie, Florida.

Immigration official Napthali Cooper reported that the USCG arrived at Lucayan Harbour on Monday morning and turned

over four of the Haitians (three men and one woman) but detained the other 10 for further investigation.

The four Haitians were processed at the Department of Immigration in Freeport and flown into New Providence on Monday.

PAGE 16, Thursday, August 11, 2016

Trot for Tots campaign to provide cribs

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net AN initiative geared towards outfitting the Paediatric Ward of the Princess Margaret Hospital with 20 new cribs was yesterday launched, with chairpersons hailing it essential to some of the most precious persons in society.

The “Trot for Tots” campaign, the brainchild of Our News weekend anchor and former Tribune reporter Kyle Walkine and Nassau Guardian employee Paul Fernander, seeks to raise the $75,000 needed to buy the cribs through a walk-a-thon and family fun day initiative.

The pair, during a press conference on Tuesday at

PMH’s Critical Care Block boardroom, indicated that the concept was developed following a visit to the paediatric ward by Mr Walkine to see a family member.

The news anchor said the state of the present cribs in the ward propelled him to want to make a difference.

“I ran into Paul and he said ‘give me the date’ and we started to work things out,” he said.

He added that he then spoke with PMH Public Relations Officer Thelma Rolle “and everyone was on board” to later launch “Trot for Tots”.

Currently, PMH has 16 cribs for a unit that houses roughly 1,200 children ranging from newborns to 12 years old per annum.

Dr Robin Roberts, chairman of the PMH Foundation, said his unit is very pleased with the help offered by Mr Walkine and Mr Fernander, in conjunction with the Guardian Media Group.

He said the foundation remains dedicated to its mission to help strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide healthcare of the highest quality in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

“Trot for Tots” is scheduled to take place on October 1 at 6am, with participants walking from Arawak Cay to the Goodman’s Bay roundabout and back.

Those interested in participating can register through the Paediatric Ward at PMH.

Classic + COOL

THE TRIBUNE

SIR Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation Co-chair Marilyn Cambridge, Miss World Bahamas Ashley Hamilton and Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation Treasurer Linda LaFleur all hold a signed copy of the 2016 Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant booklet, signed by the pageant winner.

Photos: George Ratliffe

MISS BAHAMAS VISITS HEART FOUNDATION THE newly crowned Miss World Bahamas Ashley Hamilton made her first official visit to the Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation recently.

The new queen will be working along with the foundation, which assists

with funding surgeries for children with heart defects.

In her role as the newest beauty ambassador, she will bring attention to the work of the foundation, as well as assist with its fundraising activities and work.

Ms Hamilton’s platform is

“Heart Health Awareness” so her new role fits perfectly into her year-long reign.

This is the second year Sir Victor Sassoon will serve as the official charity of The Miss Bahamas Organisation and its Miss World delegate.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 17

Hands for Hunger to reach milestone

GERACE RESEARCH CENTRE FACILITY MANAGER JOB VACANCY Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position: -

FOOD is served to guests at a previous Hands For Hunger event.

HANDS For Hunger’s Paradise Plates event, set for October 1 at Atlantis’s Imperial Ballroom, has already established itself as one of the most anticipated charity benefits in Nassau.

This year promises to be an extra special event as the non-profit prepares to celebrate a major milestone. Now in its eighth year, Hands for Hunger has delivered 1 million pounds of food to members of the New Providence community facing hunger and food insecurity. Its food rescue programme currently serves 13 recipient agencies, including the Bahamas Red Cross, Great Commission Ministries, the Salvation Army, the Bahamas AIDS Foundation and the Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home, among others.

“One million pounds of food delivered is a major milestone but we still have a lot more work to do to accomplish our mission to eliminate hunger

and reduce food waste,” said Hands for Hunger Executive Director Zeleka Knowles. “Thanks to the support of our presenting sponsors, JetBlue and Island Luck, we are planning an event that is truly worthy of the occasion.”

As usual, guests can expect to sample the finest delicacies prepared by Nassau’s top chefs, but this year special dishes also will be served up by some of the best chefs in the Family Islands. To complement the fine fare, well-known vintners, brewers and beverage purveyors will shake up signature drinks for guests to enjoy.

“Guests can expect to see some of the best restaurants Nassau has to offer at Paradise Plates, including Nobu, Mahogany House, Luciano’s of Chicago, and many more. We are excited to announce that for the first time we will also have some of the finest restaurants from the Family Is-

lands such as 1648 Bar and Grille in Governor’s Harbour and Xuma’s Restaurant and Bar in Highbourne Cay, and Bahamian Chefs living abroad,” Ms Knowles added.

In addition, a host of prizes and surprises throughout the night will be sure to keep guests in high spirits.

One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the event will go towards eliminating unnecessary hunger and food waste in the Bahamas.

Tickets are $175 and are now available for purchase online at www.handsforhunger. org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at Hands For Hunger in the New Providence Community Centre, Blake Road starting on August 18.

Visit Hands for Hunger’s website or follow the group on Facebook to reserve tickets, see photos of past events, and stay up to date on new prizes and vendors as they are added.

The Facility Manager is responsible for directing the overall operations of the physical plant. This position is physically demanding and requires working long hours with almost no days off during the busiest weeks, including weekends. The position of Facility Manager is required to perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to the following: Directing the overall operations of the physical plant including maintaining the vehicles and boats, buildings, guest rooms, fresh and salt water plumbing, food preparatory equipment, and sustaining and upgrading the aging electrical system; Supervising the physical plant staff and conducting performance reviews (currently a staff of two); Managing and administering minor construction/renovation projects around the Centre; Establishing a preventative, predictive and replacement program for the Centre’s vital equipment; Coordinating the setup of rooms and laboratory spaces for use by various college and university groups; Assisting faculty with equipment for research and educational needs and maintaining research and laboratory equipment; Coordinating with the Executive Director the purchasing and transportation of parts and supplies for the station; Maintaining a small dive shop and dive compressor.

QUALIFICATIONS: • A minimum of an associate’s degree in an engineering related field or equivalent; • A minimum of 5 years experience directly related to physical plant management or an equivalent combination of considerable education, training, and experience with the aspects of physical plant management, personnel management, automotive expertise, and safety and budgetary practices; • Previous experience managing personnel; • The ability to begin this position no later than November 1, 2016 For a complete job description, visit www.cob.edu.bs/hrapply. Interested persons should submit a completed COB application form; letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; a current resume or curriculum vitae and supporting documents/qualifications on or before August 15th to: Associate Vice President, Human Resources The College of The Bahamas P.O. Box N-4912 OR Email: hrapply@cob.edu.bs Nassau, Bahamas

PAGE 18, Thursday, August 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

GN-1784

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING BEST COMMISSION – EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission in the Ministry of The Environment & Housing is seeking a qualified individual to be the National Project Coordinator (NPC) for the implementation and execution of the UNEP/GEF Full Size Project entitled the Pine Islands – Forestry/Mangrove Innovation and Integration. The project focus is on conservation and sustainable use of forested areas of high biodiversity significance and mangrove ecosystems critical to the adaptive resiliency of island communities.

JEFFREY BURROWS, operations supervisor, and Welliya Cargill, administrative assistant (centre) with the campers and chaperones of D-Squad.

USING BASKETBALL TO HELP CHILDREN

The complete Terms of Reference is available at the BEST Commission website www.best.gov.bs and the Forestry Unit ‘s website http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/bahamasforestry or www.facebook.com/bahamianforestry.

Kindly submit all resumes and supporting documents to philipweech@bahamas.gov.bs and forestryinfo@bahamas.gov.bs.

Deadline for submission is 19th August, 2016.

JEFFREY BURROWS, operations supervisor, D-Squad’s coach Harcourt McCoy and Welliya Cargill, administrative assistant at CWCO, present one outstanding camper with her trophy.

D-SQUAD Basketball Camp has completed another excellent summer planting the seeds of peace under the guidance of founder Harcourt McCoy in using basketball as a vehicle to teach discipline, comradery and conflict resolution to children of all backgrounds.

The camp, now in its 11th year, accepts children aged five to 19 and hosted 101 kids over its three weeks, many of which were admitted free of charge from the surrounding neighbourhoods of the AF Adderley gymnasium where the camp is held.

The name ‘D-Squad’ derives from Coach McCoy’s philosophy for success - ‘Drive, Determination, Dedication and Discipline’.

Coach McCoy said that beyond developing the young athletes’ fundamental basketball skills, his camp encourages sportsmanship and personal development.

The success of the camp derives in part from dedicated volunteers and generous and long standing donors such as Consolidated Water Company (CWCO).

“I teach the fundamentals of basketball: defence, passing, dribbling, shooting, rebounding,” Coach McCoy said. “But, I also teach social competencies like how to problem solve and resolve conflicts. We make them understand that while they compete with the spirit of hard work, at the end of the day walk away with friendship and com-

radery. One of our successes is that we bridge gaps in these communities. To heal what is going on in Nassau we need to heal these communities. These guys will be less likely to be violent with each other now that they have a shared experience.”

Coach McCoy, who is also basketball coach and Vice Principal at Anatol Rodgers High School, said that positive programmes like his camp are more crucial than ever with crime rates as they are, and said that the cause hit close to home.

“With everything going on in Nassau today, we want to make sure that these young men and ladies have wholesome activities going on during the summer,” he said. “I lived in this community growing up and basketball is one of the things that kept me out of trouble.

My way of giving back is by having this camp. We don’t ever turn anyone away. Any kid that comes to our door, as long as they are willing to learn and are well behaved we will provide them with an opportunity.”

In addition to a basketball and a tee-shirt, each child in the camp gets refreshments and fresh fruit.

This year, Coach McCoy expanded the programme with scrimmage matches against other camps and fun field trips, such as one to the paintball arena. He thanked CWCO, for their belief in this vision and continuous support, stating that D-Squad’s open door policy makes sponsorship particularly important.

“CWCO has always tried to assist us where we need.

Their donation allows us to provide the kids with basketballs, t-shirts and other refreshments and they never let us down. They always do what they can to make sure we keep on going and I really appreciate it. We couldn’t do it without them.”

CWCO General Manager Bryan Russell said that the company, whose headquarters are also in the neighbourhood, was happy to offer continuous support to the camp.

“Consolidated Water is always very keen to support programmes that are making a positive difference in the neighbourhoods that we operate in. We admire Coach McCoy and the volunteers at D-Squad for the impact they are making in these campers lives through basketball and we are glad that we could do our part to help. Many of these young people could be the engineers, teachers, and doctors of tomorrow and it all starts with the positive experiences they have today. By investing in D-Squad, we are investing in the future.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, August 11, 2016, PAGE 19

AN 18LB ‘hog’ landed by Zack Hutcherson.

LATE Season Yellow fin Tuna and early season crawfish featured this week around the fishing grounds of The Bahamas, as this selection of Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) photographs show.

Keep checking the BSFN expert page for fishing reports throughout The Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods

being used.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242.com or www. bsfn.biz.

BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.

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CODY Sweeting with a nice lobster near Spanish Wells.

RBC Royal Bank & Sanpin Motors Ltd.

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BROOKE Gamret on the ‘hogs’ near Grand Cay, Abaco.

RBC Carmichael Road Branch

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YELLOWFIN Tuna landed in the northern channel by Team Obseasion.

*Special conditions apply. Subject to normal lending criteria.

The cost of borrowing will be made available upon application. ®/TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

PAGE 20, Thursday, August 11, 2016

Businesses back judo team

THE TRIBUNE

NICK DAMIANOS, centre, of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. with Greg Ulmer, of Replay Resorts, in black shirt, and D’Aarcy Rahming, Bahamas Judo Federation coach and team members from BJF and, above right, team members in action.

LOCAL brokerage firm Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and Canadian developer Replay Resorts - the company behind the much anticipated relaunch of One Ocean, Paradise Island’s newest luxury condominium community - are helping the Bahamas Judo Federation blaze a trail to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Over the past few years, Bahamian judo has emerged from decades of relative obscurity to explode upon the international scene, with both junior and senior team members securing high-level medals in overseas competitions.

Head Coach D’Arcy Rahming Jr said it is clear the Bahamas Judo Federation (BJF) is ready to move to the next level.

“We have a good, strong team and we’re getting better all the time,” he said. “The only way we can continue to thrive and succeed is with the ongoing encouragement and support from our local community and through the generosity of our valued sponsors who continue to support our efforts, which is why this donation from Damianos Sotheby’s and Replay Resorts means so much to us.”

Local interest in the sport of judo continues to grow steadily, with the BJF now regularly training more than 80 young Bahamians each week, many from challenging backgrounds. They are all provided with a nutritious meal each day and in addition to being prepared for top-level competition, they also gain invaluable life lessons.

“As well as helping kids stay fit and healthy, judo also provides a positive focus for the younger generation, with core values such as commitment, perseverance and respect instilled in our members from a young age. Our competitors come from all walks of life, and we hope that with more success on a global level, local interest in the sport will continue to grow and we will be able to have a positive affect on Bahamian youth going forward.”

Replay’s Director of Marketing Greg Ulmer said: “Having witnessed how hard the young people at The Bahamas Judo Federation have worked and how much time and effort they dedicate to their sport, I hope this donation will go some way to helping them achieve their ultimate goal of reaching the Olympics and putting Bahamas Judo on the world map.”

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, the local brokerage firm for the One Ocean condominium project, has generously chosen to match the donation given

by Replay Resorts.

Nick Damianos said: “As a third-generation Bahamian company we have strong roots in the community, so we understand the importance of investing in Bahamian youth. We encourage the values promoted by the Bahamas Judo Federation and the implications it has for the continued growth of sporting talent in this country. We wanted to show our support for those values with this initial donation and with our ongoing support as the team moves toward the 2020 Olympics.”