OBITUARIES
Monday, Established
Golden Juicy McNuggets
HIGH 90ºF LOW 79ºF
CARS! CARS!
8, 2021
Being Bound To
Swear To The Dogmas
1903
Of No Master
The Tribune
48-PAGE SUPPLEMENT PLUS PAGES 23-34 INSIDE
THURSDAY
February
The Tribune
tise Call
To Adver
-2351
601-0007 or 502
Starting at
$33.60
CLASSIFIEDS TRADER
ed
VAT includ
Established 1903
i’m lovin’ it!
L A T E S T
Volume: 118 No.188, August 26, 2021
N E W S
O N
T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M
Biggest And Best!
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
UNION LEADERS SIGN UP TO PLP Party pledges it will resolve issues and raise minimum wage By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net UNION leaders representing more than 200,000 workers in The Bahamas yesterday rejoiced in the possibility of the Progressive Liberal Party becoming the next government following the impending general election. In anticipation of a PLP electoral win, the umbrella unions — National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas and Trade Union Congress — signed a memorandum of understanding
committing the PLP to ensuring that long-standing union issues are resolved and the function of the united unions continues in the best interest of workers. What is disclosed in this pact the unions made with the PLP has not been detailed to the media as it is pending final ratification by the PLP’s leadership council, however Mr Davis assured attendees yesterday that the document has his full support and he sees no difficulties in having it pass his leadership council.
A SIGNIFICANT increase in deaths is overwhelming and distressing funeral home workers, according to Funeral Directors Association President Kirsch Ferguson.
1,500 APPLY FOR PM’S HOUSING INITIATIVE
MAN SHOT DEAD NEAR WULFF RD
SEE PAGE THREE
The obituary section of the dailies helps illustrate the point: the standard obituary section of The Tribune is a maximum 48 pages, but an unprecedented 12 additional pages are being published in the main section of the paper today. SEE PAGE FOUR
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
ABOUT 1,500 applications have been received for housing lots in the government’s Prospect Ridge community for young professionals. The six-week application period opened on July 1 and closed on August 16. According to the Committee for the Development of Communities for Young Professionals, applications were submitted through the MyGateway portal and were received primarily from New Providence residents as well as a small number of Family Island residents. SEE PAGE FIVE
FUNERAL HOMES ‘OVERWHELMED’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FRONT PORCH: MOULTRIE’S GRAND FARCE AND THE CARNIVAL OF EGOTISM
PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis with union leaders yesterday in this image provided by the PLP.
NYGARD SUFFERS NEW COURT DEFEAT By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has dismissed a complaint by Peter Nygard made under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act in the United States. Nygard was charged in December with sex trafficking and racketeering
PETER NYGARD offences when the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York alleged that he showed a pattern of
criminal conduct involving at least dozens of victims in the United States, The Bahamas and Canada over several decades. Nygard’s complaint under RICO alleged that Louis Bacon, his longtime Lyford Cay foe, planned to destroy him and businesses associated with him. His first amended complaint alleged that the “plaintiff’s claims against SEE PAGE SEVEN
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
POLICE are investigating the latest murder in New Providence. Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said police were alerted to the crime shortly before 5pm yesterday. The killing happened on Quintine Alley and Wulff Road. “On arrival of the officers, they were informed of a shooting that occurred where a patron of a business establishment walked SEE PAGE TWO
STATESIDE: CHANGING FACES OF TODAY’S AMERICA - SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Thursday, August 26, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
POLICE on the scene of a fatal shooting at Quintine Alley off Wulff Road. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
MAN SHOT DEAD NEAR WULFF RD from page one
out of that business and as he did so two males exited a small Japanese vehicle brandishing firearms and discharged their firearms at him, hitting him several times. Unfortunately, the victim was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle where he later succumbed to his injuries.” Police are also
investigating a shooting on Tuesday that left another New Providence man in hospital. Shortly after 5pm, police received reports of a shooting that occurred on Water Street in Big Pond. Officers were dispatched and on their arrival at the scene they were directed to a man who was suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to the hospital by Emergency
Medical Services. His condition is listed as critical. Initial investigations revealed that the victim was outside his residence when a small white vehicle approached. Two men got out of the vehicle armed with firearms and discharged their weapons in his direction, hitting him several times about the body. Police are investigating both shootings.
WEATHER BLAMED FOR OUTAGE BAHAMAS Power and Light yesterday blamed severe weather for a power disruption that affected more than two dozen residential areas. Some businesses were also without electricity for an extensive time period. Eleuthera, Abaco, Exuma, Andros, Cat Island and Long Island were also affected by a loss of electricity. In a press statement issued at 2.43pm yesterday, BPL said: “Severe weather impacted our transmission and distribution systems overnight, and the weather continues to impede our
efforts, leading to delays in restoration of service over the course of the day. The fact that we have had a higher than usual call volume has exacerbated the delays.” The company said by 2.15pm a number of affected areas had power restored. These were: Lysander Road, Halifax Road, Lincoln Road, Millennium Gardens, Raymond Road off Claridge Road, Gamble Heights, Norfolk Street, Maize Road, Mackey Street and South Beach. Teams were also said to be working at Romer
Street, Pinewood Gardens and Stapledon Gardens. Up to press time, other areas without or on partial supply, or with supply impacted in some way were Ridgeland Park East, Bishops Way, Haven Subdivision, Amity Road, Imperial Park, Domingo Heights, North Street off Prison Lane, Davis Street, Fox Hill, Taylor Street, Nassau Village, Charlotte Ridge, Mt Moriah, Delaporte, Kemp Road and Collies Avenue (Kennedy Subdivision). BPL said these areas will be addressed in the order that the calls were received.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 26, 2021, PAGE 3
Union leaders sign up to PLP from page one Speaking during the signing, Obie Ferguson, Trade Union Congress president, suggested that union officials intended to go to every church and urge them to tell their parishioners to vote for the PLP. “This is indeed a very historic afternoon in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Mr Ferguson said. “We as a grouping the TUC and NCTU have seen the wisdom in putting aside whatever personal differences there may be and to work together as one in the interest of the
working people of this great country. “We have met weeks, months attempting to iron out what we consider to be important essential things for the working people and I can assure all workers, the 200 plus thousand workers in this great country when we disclose to them the terms the proposals the initiatives that we worked out and that we have been able to work out with the Progressive Liberal Party it will be clear to them as to why we are where we are.” He also said: “In 20 something days we will have a new government
and let me assure you we will go to every church in this island, every church in The Bahamas will know the programme that we have agreed in principle with the Progressive Liberal Party, and we will ask them to tell their parishioners this is the way to go. “This is our country. The Bahamas must be for Bahamians and all those other people who come along, we must make provisions for them too, but our first obligation must be to Bahamians.” Mr Ferguson expressed disappointment that a number of union issues had not worked in the best
September 1. In May, the administration also identified the Freedom of Information commissioner and deputy commissioner, though the substantive law has yet to fully come into force. Almost no progress has been made on the party’s other good governance reform promises. A report on reforming local government, which was produced by a local government advisory committee, has been ignored. Bills establishing an Office of Ombudsman and an Integrity Commission were among the first bills tabled in the House of Assembly, but they were never debated or passed. Public officials can continue disclosing their financial information with no expectation that their claims will be checked and verified. Critics insist the lack of progress shows the Minnis administration never prioritised its good governance reform agenda, despite the attention it received on the campaign trail. Dr Minnis, however, has blamed Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 for throwing his agenda off course. “I am still a strong advocate for term limits for Prime Ministers,” he said in May. “I am still a strong advocate that no Prime Minister should go beyond two terms, ten years. I am still a strong advocate for fixed (election) dates,
that’s still coming. But as I’ve said, priorities had to be shifted because we have three years of destruction. We could have totally ignored the destruction and just stick to your programme, but if you did that your country would be a disaster. “We could have concentrated only on the catastrophic problems that we faced, but then what happens? Your country stagnates and you don’t move. It was impossible to deal with all of what we promised within that one (term) but be assured that all will be done.” Hurricane Irma impacted The Bahamas in 2017 while Hurricane Dorian ravaged Abaco and Grand Bahama in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life in The Bahamas since March 2020. “We had three challenges so we had to decide whether you just stop and deal with catastrophic problems or are you a true government and run on two parallel tracks, one track deals with catastrophic problems that you face or another track and still move the country forward,” Dr Minnis said. “We kept on course with moving the country forward. We had stated that what we want to do, we want to ensure that each and every Bahamian is entitled to partake in what we termed the Bahamian dream.”
PROMISES BY FNM LEFT UNFULFILLED By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A NUMBER of Free National Movement promises made during the previous general election campaign remained unfulfilled when Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis called an early election last week. Promises to boost good governance by implementing a programme of transparency and accountability had dominated the FNM’s rally speeches and agenda during the 2017 election campaign. The party promised to fully enact the Freedom of Information Act, to implement campaign finance legislation, to reform local government and to change public procurement rules. It promised fixed terms for Prime Ministers, a recall system for elected officials and fixed election dates. The FNM also promised to amend regulations to the Constitution to establish an independent Boundaries Commission and to amend the Public Disclosure Act to “broaden its scope of application to include campaign finance reform and to make provision for direct referral to an independent prosecutor,” according to its 2017 manifesto. Ultimately, the Minnis administration passed a Public Procurement Act earlier this year, which will come into force on
interest of workers. “Atlantis got 90 something percent occupancy and 700 and something workers gone, now you explain that to me,” he said. “Morton Salt, the Minister of Labour (Dion Foulkes) agreed for 40 weeks’ redundancy. He chaired the meeting. He supervised the meeting. He coordinated the whole event and at the end of the day they offered the workers 26 weeks. I called him. I said ‘minister what is the position?’ His reply to me was the government is looking into it. “Well, I know there has been a prorogue of the
House and I know there has been a dissolution of the House, so I leave that to him to figure out.” For his part, PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the signing was not a “gimmick” for votes. He described the signing as “historic”. “The nation ought not to be surprised or Bahamians everywhere ought not to be surprised because anyone who appreciates the history of this country would recognise that the first government formed after this Majority Rule had at its genesis the labour movement and the leaders of the labour
movement at the time. “Today we are here, and we sign a precatory [agreement] with the two umbrella unions signaling the unification of labour as well. For far too long workers have been subjected to what I call the divide and conquer rule. “You are always stronger together.” Mr Davis said the issues faced by workers today were unprecedented, adding the PLP had committed itself to ensuring that minimum wage increased to $250 and that a livable wage was also implemented should the party take office.
ELECTION signs in disarray yesterday after the bad weather. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
SIGNS, SIGNS EVERYWHERE... By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
WITH some Bahamians shaking their heads over the proliferation of election paraphernalia on the streets, one environmentalist has branded the excessive signage as “ridiculous” and “over the top”. “The country is in debt. The hospitals are full. There are people who are still getting food through a food service because they’ve lost their job. That money would’ve been way better spent feeding those people than throwing their garbage all about the place causing eyesores wherever you go,” said Sam Duncombe of reEarth. New Providence residents have complained about the sheer number of lawn signs and posters placed throughout the streets, predominantly by the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party.
There were also reports yesterday that some of the political paraphernalia was blown about the streets due to the windy weather. Ms Duncombe pointed out the environmental impact and a waste of money these tactics are. “They think that we don’t know who the parties are involved in elections. The fact that most of them are plastic after we just banned [single] use plastic it’s just so hypocritical,” she said. “The problem is that it is primarily plastic stuff which hopefully at the end of it all will be collected and thrown into the dump but it’s a waste. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade and the fact that, like I said, the environmental issues are one thing. We’ve got major issues in this country and that’s all the political parties can think to do with their money is to throw signs about the place. It’s absolutely ridiculous.” She suggested that technology could be used
instead. “If you’re going to spend money, spend it on social media... use technology to pass out your word ... instead of wasting money, wasting resources.” When asked to respond to the public’s backlash about the proliferation of the campaign signage, FNM chairman Carl Culmer said he had “no comment at this time”. However, he noted the party will clean up their items. “Whatever signs have fallen down, we have a team that goes out and does what is necessary whatever needs to be done with that,” he said. Asked if his party will clean up any signs that may have blown away due to the weather, PLP chairman Fred Mitchell said “our people will seek to keep things in order”. He also said political parties have 30 days after an election to remove paraphernalia from the streets and the PLP will comply with this.
MUNROE: THERE SHOULD BE A DEBATE BETWEEN LEADERS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ lack of accountability while in office is chief among reasons why he and PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis ought to go head-to-head in a national debate, according to Wayne Munroe QC. Mr Munroe, the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate for Free Town, further believes that as the Free National Movement has painted a narrative filled with “foolishness” about Mr Davis, a debate should be agreed upon to allow Bahamians to decide who is the best leader. He was asked about his views regarding a national debate as a guest on The Revolution with Juan McCartney. On Tuesday, Mr Davis challenged Dr Minnis to a national debate. “We are headed for a general election,” Mr Munroe said. “The behaviour of this Prime Minister has been odd for the last year or more. “You would recall he started out during the pandemic having press conferences where the press could engage him and we could have the fourth estate, which is the press, carry out its function upholding leaders to account and then that just abruptly stopped when some of you asked questions that were a little difficult to answer. “Then we had this phenomenon where the emergency powers regulations required tabling and
accounting of monies spent and that has not happened even though there has been an expiration of, I think, at least three states of emergency and you’ve just had a complete failure to account. “So, the first reason for a debate is it facilitates people being accountable. “This Prime Minister said that he would be big on accountability, and it turns out that that wasn’t the case and importantly now if you look at the FNM narrative going forward in their general election strategy they
are talking about the leader of the PLP. In my judgment they’re running on with a lot of foolishness about the leader but they’re talking about the leader. “So, why if they say it’s about leadership why would it not be almost automatic that there be a debate between the leaders?” Earlier, Mr Munroe was also asked his views on allowing people in quarantine for COVID-19 exposure the opportunity to vote. Mr Munroe said the government needs to figure out
how to ensure these people are not disenfranchised. “All we need to do is look around our region. Jamaica has managed to vote and permit quarantined people to vote. I don’t know of any civilised country that’s gone to an election that has not made provisions for it. It is simply a matter of determining how many people it is. “We are told that if you observe the protocols, you can protect yourself from infection from persons who are infected. So, it is not an automatic [thing] that
Time to Invest in
Your Dream Of
Home Ownership •
•
•
• •
Secure your family’s legacy and future in this tranquil last-of-its-kind property on a N.P. waterfront gated community Elevated 10,266 sq. ft., single-family LOT FOR SALE in the resurging gated community of Venice Bay (comparable to Old Fort Bay, Albany etc.); Corner Lot Sea views on first floor AND unobstructed views from your dreamed-about living spaces on the second floor PRICED TO SELL. Serious inquiries only at 427-7853
because you’re infected you are going to infect someone else. I don’t know of any civilized country that hasn’t been able to manage elections during a pandemic. “We’ve been following the world in everything else, so we say. We follow the world in lockdowns. We follow the
world in this, why would we not be following the world in how you deal with voting during a pandemic?” He said people on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services should also be allowed to cast ballots on Election Day.
PAGE 4, Thursday, August 26, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Plea to help ‘Sawyer Boy’ fight COVID By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net FAMILY and friends of local comedian Timico “Sawyer Boy” Sawyer have launched a GoFundMe page seeking donations to help in his healthcare as he battles COVID-19. Last week, Mr Sawyer was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19. A relative has since organised the GoFundMe account for Mr Sawyer with the hope of raising some $50,000 to assist the comedian with his health issues. “Unfortunately, our dear brother is currently in the hospital fighting severe COVID-19 with pneumonia and needs our help,” the relative wrote.
“This fight has been very difficult for him, but we know God will bring him through. We are putting our faith in God that he may heal him so he can continue to be a great dad to his three children and continue to make people laugh. But, we also need monetary support for medical assistance as we are exploring all avenues to ensure he receives the best treatment possible.” As prayer requests for the well liked comedian made rounds on social media, another funny man and radio personality Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya weighed in, asking the public to pray for Mr Sawyer and all other people affected by COVID-19. “Hey ya’ll please put a prayer up for my boy Sawyer,” Mr Zenicazelaya said in a voice note. “He is
not doing well.” “Just take time out to put a prayer up for a decent human being and realise that the biggest fight we have right now is COVID and this global pandemic. This political fight will be over in short order and we are going to all be Bahamians again and COVID will still be here regardless of who the government is. “Please people, please, look at your options of vaccinations. It’s a choice and it’s yours. It’s not mandatory, but look at all the proper information and make the right choice. This is killing us and this is not a time to be politicising anything. We need to live.” He continued by encouraging the public to consider getting vaccinated. “There are enough vaccines here for everybody. AstraZeneca, Pfizer,
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson,” he said. “There is oxygen at the hospitals. They are making arrangements for more beds, but we don’t need to go that route. We need to be more responsible now. “We need to step in the gap and do what we need to do. This is not political, this is survival for Bahamians. So please pray for my boy Sawyer. Pray for him and everybody else affected by this. The vaccinated, the unvaccinated, everybody affected. This is way bigger than politics now. So please, I implore you, I beg you to put one up for my boy Sawyer.” It is not known if Mr Sawyer is vaccinated. Mr Sawyer, the owner of Sawyer Boy Entertainment, is a Bahamian Icon Award and Elevation Award winner.
TIMICO “SAWYER BOY” SAWYER
TRAVELLING ABROAD? CHECK ALL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged travellers to check all entry and transit requirements before international travel due to changing restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. People who are transiting through the United States to get to another country have also been advised the US has bans on travel from some areas. Travellers are urged to have the necessary information before travel to avoid delays, disappointment, possible rerouting and unexpected costs. The statement said the government will not be responsible for covering the costs of those persons who find themselves stranded. This comes as the Pan American Health Organization has warned against international travel unless absolutely necessary. “During this period of the
pandemic, there continues to be restrictions, a need for negative tests or proof of full vaccination, quarantine requirements and border closures in many parts of the world,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “In some cases, quarantining may last as many as 21 days. Members of the public are strongly advised to check thoroughly the website of each country, or, if booking via a travel agent, to make sure the agent checks to see if entry is possible at every leg of travel. “Given that a significant amount of travel involves transit through the United States, the ministry wishes, in particular, to draw attention to the fact that there are a number of countries where travellers are not permitted to enter or transit the United States. Even if in possession of a valid US visa, travellers will not be able to enter the US if they are travelling from a country where a ban is imposed
at this time. Countries where bans are in place at this time include some from Africa and Europe. Travellers are urged to obtain information from the website of the United States Department of State or the Center for Disease Control prior to travel.” Yesterday, PAHO officials recommended that international travel should not take place unless it is absolutely necessary. The advice came during PAHO’s weekly webinar. Asked if the cruise industry is at risk seeing that COVID cases are surging in the region, Dr Ciro Ugarte, PAHO’s director of health emergencies, said his organisation has been in touch with authorities in the region on that subject. “Tourism and other areas of the economy need to resume in the Caribbean,” Dr Ugarte said. “We have been in contact with all the member states to advise them on how to move on resuming tourism, with
NO VAT SATURDAYS!
Roberts Furniture
BO*GO SUMMER FINAL DAYS PLUS: NO VAT WEEK AUGUST 26TH - 31ST
BUY ONE ONE GET ONE BUY APPLIANCE AT AT NET PRICE % OFF GET ONE CHECK OUT OUR CREATE YOUR OWN COMBO ******************
48
*
******************
NEW ARRIVALS!
MIX AND MATCH DISH SETS AQUA, GREY, WHITE
SAVE
48
%
*
MIX AND MATCH GLASSES 10oz or 13oz 16PC SET
SAVE
48
%
*
48
%
*
OFF
AIR CONDITIONERS REFRIGERATORS STOVES MICROWAVES & MUCH MORE!
56
LASKO 18" FANS
$
*Except Net Items
5th Terrace & East Avenue, CENTREVILLE Find us on Facebook
Phone: 322-8862
specific recommendations on how to approach the cruise ship industry and also the ports where visitors will be. “We have been discussing their risk analysis, for example the areas where tourists will go, the transmission, the availability of health services, the testing capacity and the surveillance units. On the other hand there is the recommendation for tourists not to begin international travel unless it is necessary and if it is necessary to take all the precautions.” Over the past week, the region reported over 1.5 million new COVID-19 cases and nearly 20,000 related deaths.
Three countries – the US, Mexico and Brazil – had the highest number of cases, although COVID-19 cases continue to be reported across the region. Along with The Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and smaller Caribbean islands like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have reported steep increases in new infections and deaths. • FIVE more people have been added to the COVID19 death toll, according to the Ministry of Health. The country’s death rate from the virus is now 343. The Ministry of Health’s August 23 dashboard shows that the five latest victims are all New Providence
residents who died in August and are all under the age of 55. The deceased includes a 36-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man who both died on August 11; a 44-year-old man who died on August 12; a 55-year-old man who died on August 13 and a 40-year-old woman who died on August 16. In total, 47 other deaths are under investigation. Officials also said 102 new cases were confirmed on August 24, bringing the nation’s toll to 17,717. Seventy new cases were confirmed a day earlier on August 23. One hundred and fortyseven people are in hospital with the virus.
A PAN American Health Organization official said evidence suggests election campaigning leads to higher transmission of the coronavirus as opposed to actual voting on Election Day. Dr Ciro Ugarte, director of PAHO’s Health Emergencies Department, made the observation about countries that have held elections amid the pandemic. He said officials must ensure social distancing, mask wearing and adherence to other health measures are enforced to limit the spread of the virus.
“It is important also to assess the situation... and look to the health services, the availability of beds, both hospitalisation beds and ICU beds,” he said. “So if there is an increase in the number of cases for several reasons, including the transmission that is ongoing in the country in the Caribbean, in Central America, we need to emphasise that this situation may — the elections may provide opportunities to higher transmission.” He added: “We’ve seen that the higher transmission occurs during the campaign,
rather than on the day of the election. So it is important to avoid situations where the physical distance is very difficult to maintain and in that regard to use masks all the time, of course use also all the measures.” He said officials should also ensure social distancing and sanitization protocols are adhered to when people cast their ballots. Health Minister Renward Wells has said the Minnis administration can hold a safe election once the proper protocols are followed on Election Day.
CAUTION OVER ELECTION CAMPAIGNING
CURFEW CHANGES TO HELP ABACO VACCINE DEMAND DUE to the high demand for the COVID-19 vaccine on Abaco, special provisions have been made to the daily 8pm to 5am curfew to help ensure that all residents who wish to receive the vaccine will have the opportunity, the Office of the Prime Minister said. In accordance with the latest emergency order amendment, the following
people will be permitted to move about beyond 8pm during the curfew today: health care workers and volunteers involved in the administering of the COVID-19 vaccination; any person who can show evidence that he has an appointment to receive the vaccination after 8pm; or any person who can show evidence that
they have just come from being vaccinated and is heading to their place of residence. For the avoidance of doubt, these provisions also apply to persons in line before 8pm waiting to receive the vaccine, OPM said. The provisions also were in place for those getting vaccinated yesterday.
FUNERAL HOMES ‘OVERWHELMED’ from page one “Based on what I’ve experienced over the past year and in particular the last few weeks, I’d say there has been up to 30 to 50 percent increase in deaths,” Mr Ferguson said. “The most obvious reason is based on this surge of COVID cases we’re having. Secondary to that is the domino effect of persons not being able to access proper healthcare or hospitalisation during this time. It’s all part and parcel of what’s happening health wise. “In addition, as it relates to notices in the papers, some bodies of persons who expired sometime ago are just now being buried. The situation at the morgue is part of that because bodies were not being released, so that helps to explain the influx of notices as well.” Health officials have confirmed 343 COVID19 deaths in The Bahamas to date, five of which were reported in the August 23 dashboard which was released yesterday. Fortyseven additional deaths are under investigation. The Bahamas is not among the countries that provides data on “excess
deaths,” an indicator the US Centres for Disease Control defines as “the difference between observed numbers of deaths in specific time periods and expected numbers of deaths in the same time periods.” The measure is determined using various methodologies. Experts believe it captures the real burden of mortality related to the health events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on results, the indicator could prompt questions about whether people have died from COVID-19 but were not diagnosed with the disease, or it could suggest that deaths have occurred because of indirect reasons like not having access to healthcare services. On Tuesday, media in the United Kingdom reported that England and Wales recorded 10,372 deaths in the week ending August 13, up 14 percent over their five year average for that period. “It has been overwhelming,” Mr Ferguson said. “One of the main things is the emotional distress funeral directors are going through. Certain families, they have up to three, four people dying since last year. They’re burying siblings,
fathers and daughters. Physically, the man hours for workers, I can’t even begin to explain. It has been a strain on us all around. That’s why we can empathise with the doctors and nurses.” Mr Ferguson said he began noticing the significant increase in deaths about three and a half weeks ago. “We saw the increase edging up and we’re now in full bloom,” he said. “The spillover effect is that some of these deaths are not so much COVID, but COVID related. This whole process is just mind-boggling.” Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands on Tuesday linked the increase in deaths to the suffocation of healthcare resources. “This has to do with bed availability, a reduction in services, the availability of nurses and the impact on certain physicians being out sick,” he said. “So, right now it is very difficult to get certain types of cases done and to admit certain patients unless they are critically ill and even then, you know we have critically ill patients who are trying to get in hospital particularly from the Family Islands and we can’t bring them in.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 26, 2021, PAGE 5
1,500 APPLY FOR PM’S HOUSING INITIATIVE from page one
“The immense response is a clear affirmation that there is a strong need to provide such opportunities for our young professionals,” said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in a press release.
“Given that the Prospect Ridge community will only have approximately 300 lots, my Cabinet and I have agreed to make appropriate housing lots available in the western district of New Providence to all persons who have applied and meet the criteria which was established by the
committee.” He had previously announced that the government is also proposing to expand the programme to other islands, including Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco and Andros. Committee chair Viana Gardiner said the application review process is now
underway for the Prospect Ridge community. “At the request of the committee, accounting firms in The Bahamas will conduct an independent first review of the applications,” said Mrs Gardiner. “This team will identify those applicants who have met the criteria established
to participate in the programme, and make random call backs to financial institutions, employers and other information providers to verify application details.” The application review process will be carried out until September 30. Applicants should expect
communication from October 1-15. Other elements of the project are also progressing, including the environmental impact assessment that is currently being reviewed by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, a press release noted.
Bannister hails housing community as a sign of growing confidence By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday hailed the development of an upscale housing community in western New Providence as a sign of the growing investor-confidence in the Bahamian economy. Mr Bannister made the remarks to reporters after touring the construction site of the new housing project located near Love Beach, which is set to be completed by next year’s end. The prestigious residential community, called Westend, covers five acres of land and will feature 80 housing units ranging in costs between $300,000 to $500,000. Project developer, Constantinos “Costa” Berdanis, said the development, once completed, will house one, two and three-bedroom condominiums as well “luxurious” town homes that will also offer special amenities. “We have one bedrooms, two bedrooms,
COSTA Berdanis tours the Westend residential project with Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff to four to five hundred got garbage pickup every three bedrooms and we also have luxury town- thousand in that range and day. The property comes houses. We’re at the point the luxury townhouses are a with access to a beach so you can use a beach here now where we’re 40 percent little higher up. “We have 24-hour-secu- on the property. Half of sold,” Mr Berdanis said. “The prices are from three rity front and back. We’ve the property is designed for
FROM CONNERY WITH LOVE A LOCAL Rake ‘n Scrape group practices their art as a part of the Lend a Hand Bahamas Rake ‘n Scrape Programme. The Connery family’s generous contribution of $100,000 is towards the cost of developing a recording studio in the Lend a Hand Bahamas’ soon-to-come, second Community Centre. It will serve as a place for members of the Over-the-Hill and Downtown neighborhoods to record music, make broadcasts, play and record instruments, tape the spoken word and much more. (Photo taken prior to COVID-19) A RECENT $100,000 donation by the family of the late Sir Sean Connery is following his wishes and keeping the James Bond star and longtime Bahamas resident’s passion for the performing arts alive. The Connery family’s generous contribution will go toward a recording studio in Lend a Hand Bahamas’ soon-to-come, second community centre. It will serve as a place for members of the Overthe-Hill and Downtown neighbourhoods to record music, make broadcasts, play and record instruments, tape spoken word and much more. Lucas Metropulos, a Lend a Hand Bahamas board member, said: “While we
are still working on further details, what is confirmed is that the recording studio will have programmes built around the use of the stateof-the-art space and skill up individuals to actually manage the recordings and use of equipment.” Speaking on behalf of the Connery family, Stephane Connery said, “Our hope is that the recording studio will inspire kids to explore storytelling and their musical passions while refining and furthering these gifts. There are so many talented Bahamians with marvelous voices and musical gifts.” Mr Connery added, “The existing Lend a Hand Bahamas community centre is a lovely concept but is limited
due to space. We hope the new centre will be a much bigger building and will therefore make a huge difference by providing many more opportunities.” Earlier this year, Lend a Hand Bahamas also received funds to build a reading room and a STEM focused space in the community centre which is coming soon. Just as these rooms will directly support Lend a Hand’s after school and weekend programmes, the recording studio — to be named after the Connery family — will introduce, foster, and advance musical and other performative talents. Sir Sean, a long-time Bahamas resident, died last year at the age of 90.
Airbnb capability and the other half is designed for 30-day so we’ve separated them. We have separate pools for the Airbnb’s, and on the residence side, we have a $1m dollar gym facility which is really really gorgeous.” He also said the company’s workforce for the project is mostly Bahamian. “We have a hundred percent Bahamian employees,” he said. “I would say 99.9 so we’re one hundred percent Bahamian.. and we haven’t really started fully yet because the infrastructure crew is still on board here and once they’re finished in two months, I can bring a full crew here but right now we have about 80 to 100 guys off and on with subs and sub-contractors and again, everyone is Bahamian.” As it relates to the project’s timeline of completion, he said officials are “looking at the end of 2022” provided that there are no delays due to COVID-19. After touring the site yesterday, Mr Bannister told reporters the project shows the growing confidence
investors have in the Bahamian economy. He also pledged the government’s assistance with the development, saying officials will do whatever they can to offer incentives where needed. “What’s very interesting is to see that we have an enterprising investor who has sought to initiate his investment and has done so without any assistance,” the works minister noted. “It is an indication of his confidence in the Bahamian economy and his confidence that he’s going to be able make a wonderful return on his investment and he has hired in excess of 100 people, and I understand that when they get really moving, they’re going to be hiring approximately 400 people working at this site. “It is a mid-range price which is very affordable and based on what I’ve seen in respect to engineering works and the elevation, it’s a well-thought-out concept and as you can see the neighbourhood is a very very desirable area for people to live in.”
PAGE 6, Thursday, August 26, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH,
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,
jamaaltheartist@gmail.com
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991
EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,
C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-
Published daily Monday to Friday
Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES
News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax
(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348
WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com
@tribune242
tribune news network
The unknown cost from excess deaths WHAT is the real price of COVID-19? It’s a question we ask because, while we have daily tallies of the number of new cases of COVID, the latest confirmed deaths – with another five reported in today’s Tribune – and the number of people in hospital, that is not the whole picture. You see, the hospitals are full – with 147 COVID patients in hospital according to the latest update, and 19 of those in intensive care. If all those beds are full, then it means there is no room for people with other conditions. If a heart patient needs intensive care, is there room? If someone is involved in a traffic accident, can they be taken to hospital for treatment? Have people delayed seeing the doctor because of COVID concerns, and does that lead to something being missed that could otherwise have been treatable? Are surgeries being delayed? In yesterday’s Tribune, Dr Duane Sands hinted at the problem, saying that it is difficult to treat cases at Princess Margaret Hospital because there is “no room at the inn.” He even said that some of those unable to be treated were critically ill, particularly from the Family Islands “and we can’t bring them in.” Over at Doctors Hospital, there has been talk of who gets to go on a ventilator, and who doesn’t – and that’s not just COVID patients, but all patients. Dr Sands talked of one patient he would ordinarily have sent to the intensive care unit – but there were no beds. He said: “If you come in with a chest pain now you may end up being sent home even though you are having a heart attack because the system doesn’t have the capacity to function that it ideally functions and so are you having patients suffer or die as a result of the impact of COVID? The answer is probably yes.” In today’s Tribune, a similar concern is raised by funeral directors – with the president of the Funeral Directors Association, Kirsch Ferguson, estimating that in the past few weeks “there has been up to 30 to 50 percent increase in deaths”. He cites not just COVID, but “the domino effect of persons not being able to access proper healthcare or hospitalisation during this time”. You can see the effect in our very pages. Today, The Tribune’s obituaries section, a 48-page supplement, is full – and in fact we have 12 more pages in our main section of obituaries in addition to that. In many countries, there is a count kept of what is called “excess deaths”. That is the number of deaths above what would be expected. For example, looking back at the number of deaths in August of each year gone by, you can get an estimate of what you would expect this year. If you take out the
COVID deaths from the actual total, you might well see a significantly higher number still – and that would be the excess deaths. It shows the strain on resources – both in terms of physical items such as intensive care beds, and on the people within the healthcare system pushed to their limit battling the disease. It’s an area that could do with a bit more clarity from the government – are we collecting these statistics here, and if so then share them with the public. Then we can see a true picture – which in turn might encourage more people to take the steps they need to keep themselves alive. After a spike of COVID cases in Abaco, for example, there now seems to be a rush for vaccines – if only this had been earlier. Seeing the true picture might encourage more that now is the time to act.
Union promise
PLP leader Philip Davis has struck a deal with union leaders. He gets union leaders planning to go to every church and urge parishioners to vote PLP, and union leaders get… well, it’s a promise that’s not sealed yet. The deal he has made needs to go to the PLP leadership council for ratification. He says it has his support and he sees no difficulties in it passing, but it’s not signed, sealed and delivered just yet. It’s a promise. Promises are things that politicians make every election, of course. In this column yesterday, we took Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to task for his failure to live up to his promise of a fixed election date, for example. This particular promise by Mr Davis is to ensure long-standing union issues are resolved, we are told. In addition, he says the PLP has committed to an increase in minimum wage and the implementation of a liveable wage. All of that comes with a price tag – one we don’t know, and one that – given the size of the national debt at present – might be hard to pay. Still, Mr Davis says the signing is not a “gimmick” for votes, although it is not entirely clear at first glance what concrete issues will be resolved as a result of this deal. The timescale is also not clear – when will the leadership ratify this? Will it be this side of the election or after the vote is done and the party has already got its end of the deal? Election season is full of ups and downs, of promises made that might not get kept afterwards. Unless there are definite details, complete with where the money is coming from, be cautious of vague promises, from whichever party they come.
Leadership conundrum EDITOR, The Tribune. ONE of the greatest conflicts facing aspiring or “established” leaders is not so much a lack of support, as much as it is a lust of support and power. Too many leaders “live to be liked personally”, as opposed to living to make life better for other persons. As a result of this flawed viewpoint, many of them work harder trying to build their own “Fan Clubs and Ego-centric Empires”, instead of demonstrating a commitment to build healthy organisations and communities that truly empower and inspire others to be their best, even when things are at their worst.
Quite frankly, a leader who is not prepared to stand on his or her own conviction, is not qualified to lead others. Each one must have his own internal compass calibrated to steer him towards true north. Disciplined Self leadership must precede public office, because a leader who consistently fails at leading himself will consistently fail at leading others. Leaders, therefore, must demonstrate personalised intrinsic accountability and resist the temptation of leading largely by consensus and by the validation of others. Rather, they should lead by their own conviction and a compelling vision. A leader who can’t tell you where he or she is going, is not qualified to
take you where you want to go. Leadership success, therefore, is not about the loudness of the applause, as much as it is about one’s quiet, authentic and genuine actions, even when there is no one applauding. It’s about leading when no one is looking and doing what is right, because it is the right thing to do! Leaders, therefore, must learn to become their own biggest Cheerleader, Critic and Supporter and must always remember that the quantity of likes is oftentimes not a true reflection of the quality of one’s leadership. DR R KENNETH ROMER Nassau, August 25, 2021.
A vote for the people EDITOR, The Tribune. IN LIGHT of the recent crash election announced by the Rt Hon Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, there has been an uproar regarding the circumstances in which the announcement has been made. Amidst a number of dire crises, from a healthcare collapse to strikes from a number of agencies, there has been a sudden dissolution of Parliament. As a result of this, we have been thrust into a sudden election season and campaigning will begin in our constituencies. This is a pivotal turning point in Bahamian history, seeing as a crash election has only taken place in our country once before. As of now, there are six viable options to choose from in the upcoming general election: The Free National Movement, Progressive Liberal Party, Democratic National Alliance, Coalition of Independents, Kingdom Government Movement, and Bahamas Constitution Party. According to a survey done by IntelCay, a Bahamian Information Company, more than 25% of the Bahamians surveyed (5,695 participants) have either opted out of voting or are undecided. Their polls also suggest that the PLP is leading in the favour of the Bahamian people, followed by the FNM, DNA and COI. There is also large uncertainty about who will be able to secure the vote and support of the Grand Bahamian people, post Hurricane Dorian. If you have registered, it’s imperative that you vote. It is not ideal to have a party you find unfavorable voted in because there were not enough votes for your more ideal party to have won
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net instead. You can find the website of all political parties mentioned online and read about their plans for the future. I won’t urge the Bahamian population to vote for one party over another; I have faith we’re a nation made up of competent citizens who can make rational decisions on our own. We have our separate interests and values and which candidates reflect that is meant for each individual to determine on their own, however I simply ask that the Bahamian people do their due diligence in making informed decisions and understanding why participating in their democracy is important. Historically, we as a people, especially women weren’t always granted the privilege of voting. There are many who risked their freedom, jobs and lives to ensure future generations would have a say in who governs their country. I also ask the people to refrain from “legacy’’ voting. In other words, voting for a party based on who your family members or peers are voting for. You need to re-evaluate the policies promoted by each political party each election cycle. Having an unwavering loyalty to a party based on namesake and family ties will be a detriment to the larger society who will have to live through the parties’ term. Ensure you have serious conversations with your potential leaders. Ask them about their stances on a number of social issues such as education, healthcare, job opportunities, etc. Ask
them about their optimal methods of dealing with the COVID-19 resurgence and how they plan to ensure the long-term wellbeing of the Bahamian people in the event we come into contact with another COVID variant. Ask them about their plans to diversify the economy, modernize infrastructure, care for our environment and utilize technology. If they’ve been in office, review their initial promises made prior to their last term in office and evaluate what promises were fulfilled. Demand full transparency and wellthought out plans from those who you plan to put in power. To my fellow young Bahamians, I will be casting my vote for the first time alongside many of you. This is a critical time for a number of issues to be addressed. Although voting can feel overwhelming, you will have done your part and should expect those in office to do the same. Don’t underestimate your ability to enact change by having conversations with your families about their choices that you will feel the brunt of as you enter the workforce. Be serious about your future and aware of what the party you will be voting in will do about ensuring you have the best opportunities possible. The biggest threat to a democracy is an uninformed citizenry. Political literacy among the general public makes a world of a difference. Do not make the same decisions and expect different results. Do it for yourself, the Bahamian people, and our future generations. Your vote matters. SHURA K HANNA Nassau, August 25, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
‘I TOOK $1K OF GOODS SO I COULD PLAY BASEBALL WITH THE KIDS’ By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN told a court that he stole more than $1,000 worth of sporting equipment from a local school because he wanted to play baseball with the kids in his neighbourhood. Neylando Moxey was arrested after he broke into Columbus Primary School sometime between August 19 and 20. Police said while on campus, Moxey stole a fivegallon water cooler, two duffle bags, a leg guard, gloves, batting helmets, baseball bats and a training net. The court was told that all of the sporting equipment had a combined value of $1,688.96. When the accused appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis yesterday, he pleaded guilty. The prosecution said a representative from the Ministry of Education reported the incident after he made checks of Columbus Primary and noticed the school’s security booth had been broken into. An investigation led to the arrest of Moxey, who admitted the offences when he
was interviewed by police. The court was told he took officers to the place where he had taken the items and claimed he only took them from the school because he wanted to play baseball. Yesterday, Moxey told the magistrate he only committed the offence because he wanted to play baseball with the children in his neighbourhood as they did not have a basketball. “I was wrong for moving them without permission, but I wasn’t planning on stealing them,” he said. “I had no intention to sell them or do anything negative, I just wanted to play with the neighbourhood kids.” In response, Magistrate Rolle Davis told Moxey there were a number of games that he could have played with the neighbourhood children like hopscotch and jacks that would not have required him to steal or spend any money. He also said it appeared that Moxey was a common thief based on his antecedents. As a result, he sentenced him to a year in prison for shop breaking and another two months for stealing. Both sentences were ordered to run consecutively.
MAN ACQUITTED OVER BEER CLAIM By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAGISTRATE yesterday acquitted a man charged for patronising a bar earlier this year, after ruling the prosecution failed to prove their case. Shamaalye Lightbourne was summoned to court after he failed to pay a fixed penalty citation for allegedly buying a beer from an establishment in February, in violation of the emergency orders. He denied the allegation during his trial before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis. When the officer who issued the ticket gave evidence yesterday, he said he and a team of officers, acting on information, went to a restaurant and bar on Cowpen Road around 7.56pm. He said when they entered the establishment, he observed a group of individuals sitting in a bar area. The court was told that the officer noticed Lightbourne sitting in the corner appearing to consume a “beverage in a dark bottle”. He said he then approached the defendant, who when questioned, said he was “waiting on food”. The officer said he then gave him a fixed
penalty notice for patronising a prohibited business and warned him of possible prosecution if he did not pay the fine. Yesterday Lightbourne was not represented by an attorney. When he crossexamined the officer, he asked him why he was the only one who was ticketed when there were about four to five females who were not wearing masks in the establishment at the time. He also asked the officer if he thought it was fair for him to pay a $100 ticket when he only came to the restaurant to pick up his food order. After this, Magistrate Rolle Davis said the court noted that the officer’s evidence did not indicate whether the beverage in the dark bottle was purchased from the restaurant’s bar, which meant the “prosecution did not make out its case”. He said he also accepted the fact that operating hours for business at that time was 6am-9pm. He said that as it was established that Lightbourne was at the restaurant around 8pm, he was “well within” the lawful hours of operation. “In the circumstances the defendant is acquitted of the offence,” he said.
Thursday, August 26, 2021, PAGE 7
Nygard suffers new court defeat from page one defendant began with a property dispute in The Bahamas that expanded into several incidents over 10 years: (1) the filing of ‘Jane Doe’ lawsuits against plaintiff alleging sexual misconduct, with associated attempts to bribe, coerce, and threaten witnesses; (2) attempts to frame plaintiff in a murder for hire scheme, and related reports to [and raids by] the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security; (3) associated media reports in The New York Times and other media outlets; (4) successful attempts to have retailers and business partners drop plaintiff’s fashion brands; (5) promotion of plaintiff’s resignation from certain companies; (6) appointment of a receiver for companies with which plaintiff was associated and (7) institution of receivership proceedings involving certain companies.” Nygard International Partnership and Nygard Incorporated brought suits alongside Nygard. According to the ruling,
PETER Nygard outside court in Nassau previously. “The FAC claims that defendant engaged in racketeering activity by bribing, coercing or extorting witnesses to give false statements; laundering
money to those witnesses and others; tampering with witness protection programmes; transmitting obscene materials and stolen goods in interstate
commerce and trafficking in persons.” In his report and recommendation on Nygard’s complaint, Magistrate Kevin Fox recommended that the complaint be dismissed for failure to state claim. District Judge Lorna Schofield adopted the magistrate’s recommendation. The ruling says: “Judge Fox first concluded that the FAC failed to state a civil RICO claim because the FAC alleges three classes of injuries, none of which are cognizable under RICO: (1) harm to plaintiff’s personal reputation and resulting public relations expenses; (2) follow-on reputational harm to businesses associated with plaintiff, including diminution in the value of their trademarks and other intellectual property and (3) legal fees related to criminal proceedings and unspecified other litigation. Judge Fox also recommended that, absent federal question jurisdiction, the court should decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction. Plaintiff filed objections to the R&R, and defendant responded.”
OFFICER SAYS HE FOUND MARIJUANA IN BOXES By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 37-YEAR-OLD man accused of marijuana possession denied the allegations when he was questioned in police custody, a court was told. George Seymour was arrested after officers alleged he was the owner of five packages of Indian hemp that were found in two cardboard boxes in Exuma in July 2019. He denied being in possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply when he first appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney and the matter was adjourned for trial. When Sergeant 7578 Anthony Norville gave evidence yesterday, he said that around 3.30pm on the day in question, he was on duty in
Exuma when he was summoned to the island’s Detective Unit. He said when he arrived there, he spoke with the officer in charge of the forensics unit who gave him two boxes, each containing marijuana. The court was told that the first box had an Aquapure label on it and contained two brown taped packages of Indian hemp, while the second box, labeled “Euro Bake”, contained three more packages of the drugs. Both boxes were exhibited in court yesterday. Sgt Norville said after he received the boxes, he took them to the Exuma police station. He said the next day he conducted an interview with a woman who gave him the accused’s name. He said after receiving certain information from her, he then wrote up a search warrant in George Seymour’s name. Yesterday, Seymour was
represented by Wendawn Frazier. When she cross-examined Sgt Norville, he admitted he was not present when the boxes were retrieved. When asked, the officer also told Mrs Frazier the boxes were already open when he saw them and he personally could not say who put the drugs in the box. The second officer to take the stand was Corporal 3477 Ramon Taylor. He said he interviewed Seymour after he was taken into custody. He said during the interview, he showed the accused a photograph of the two boxes and their contents before asking him a series of questions. The court was told Seymour denied all knowledge, custody and control of the drugs and declined to read over or sign the statement sheet at the end of the interview. The case continues on November 17.
PAGE 8, Thursday, August 26, 2021
“Egomania - obsessive egotism or self-centredness... narcissism, arrogance, boastfulness, imperiousness, cockiness, affectation, airs, show, ostentation, vainglory, braggadocio... “ PARLIAMENT Square has been the site of extraordinary events in the nation’s political history. On April 27, 1965, in protest against the gerrymandered results of the Boundaries Report and the UBP’s intransigence on the Report, Leader of the Opposition Lynden Pindling famously threw out the Speaker’s Mace from an eastern window of the House of Assembly to an expectant crowd in the Square. Milo Butler, the civil rights giant and PLP Member of Parliament, tossed out the hour glasses used to limit speaking time during debates. Black Tuesday became a seminal event in the march to majority rule. Last Wednesday, with Queen Victoria stonily looking on, Speaker of the House Halston Moultrie presided over an event in the Square termed an “Open Parliament”. Like Donald Trump, one should never underestimate Mr Moultrie’s capacity for grandstanding and spectacular farce, and lust for egomaniacal stunts and publicity.
HOUSE speaker Halson Moultrie and Reece Chipman during the open parliament session and, above, crowds at the event. A reporter on ZNS TV to another grand farce, referred to Moultrie’s mocking the great hisstunt as “the first open tory and events that have parliament”. There was taken place in Parliament no qualifier such as “so- Square. called”. One had to wonder History may assign the whether the reporter really event a comic footnote, believed this was a meeting combining cant, irony and of Parliament. laughter-inducing asides. Regardless of Moultrie’s As reported in The Nassau label for his stunt, it was Guardian: “A day earlier, certainly not a meeting of both Princess Margaret Parliament. Furthermore, Hospital and Doctors Hosfor generations every meet- pital said they had no ing of Parliament has been space to accommodate any open to the public and, in more patients. There was more recent years, televised very little social distancas well. ing with scores of people Sadly, many in the squeezed under two tents. media failed to contextu- While police were present, alize the event politically they made no effort to and with regard to a better enforce the social distancunderstanding of basic ing protocol.” civics. Still smarting from Had the police interhis waning influence and fered to enforce the law, the platform of the Speak- Mr Moultrie may have er’s Chair, akin to the last deemed this a threat to the drops of sand in an hour rule of law and democracy, glass announcing “time’s despite the fact those gathup”, Mr Moultrie resorted ered may have breached
THE TRIBUNE
MOULTRIE’S GRAND FARCE AND THE CARNIVAL OF EGOTISM leading up to the general election. Mr Moultrie and some other attendees are candidates in the upcoming election. They used a supposedly national public event for their own narrow political purpose, a charge a number of them have made of others. There is a political charlatanism of a number of those who attended the selfserving event. Mr Moultrie is a self-absorbed political figure who hides behind supposed high-minded principle but is really an egotist more wedded to his self-advancement than the good of the country. The event dissolved into the law and the Emergency Orders passed by even greater farce as the Provost Marshall stood Parliament. Mr Moultrie did a on the steps of the House take-off on his appar- of Assembly to prorogue ent new role as Health Parliament. In the backand Sanitation ground standing Commissioner ‘There is behind the cum circus cona political Commissioner ductor: “We of Police who tried our best charlatanism is the Provost to separate the of a number Marshall, was a tents but what forlorn, flattened happened was of those who and bewildered the announce- attended the Speaker, who ment by the self-serving appeared to Commissioner realize his days of Police drew event. Mr as Speaker and everyone to the Moultrie is a his temporary doorsteps of self-absorbed notoriety were the House of political coming to an Assembly. abrupt finale. “We tried to figure who His capacity disperse them hides behind for antics and under the tents political misafter that event, supposed chief were near but we have high-minded the been challenged principle but is collapse, farce ending by that because the podium for really an egotist with the proverbial whimper on the speakers more wedded a day in Parliais in that tent to his selfment Square near the steps where he hoped of the House of advancement his event would Assembly and than the good be a big bang persons wanted of the country.’ garnering him to get as close as more press. In possible. “We finally got them the event, the main story to spread out a bit into of the day was the prorogathe tents, but we are very tion of Parliament. Mr Moultrie may have concerned about that. We have the sanitization. We a few more acts before are sanitizing persons’ the General Election on September 16. He has hands. joined the “We are asking them to reportedly keep on their masks. The United Coalition Party, challenge has been the six which includes a coalifeet because of the dis- tion of political wannabes tancing. But we are hoping including Cassius Stuart, and praying that this does who is now running for not result in being a super at least a third party, and former FNM MPs Reece spreader event.” It is not clear whether Chipman and Frederick the Speaker has been vac- McAlpine. Mr Stuart is reportedly cinated or how many of the other attendees were the leader of the new party. vaccinated at the time. One wonders how long Approximately 100 people it will take for this party gathered for the event, to collapse under its own which Mr Moultrie said meagre weight and infightincluded seven speak- ing over the leadership. Messrs Chipman and ers who had 30 upto minutes each. In the event McAlpine spent most of it dragged on for two hours their four plus years in the House sulking and fuming and ten minutes. The Guardian reported: that their egos were not “[Mr Moultrie] said the satiated by an appointment event, which was held in to the Cabinet, with Prime Parliament Square, aimed Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to allow the public to apparently failing to recogexpress concerns.” If this nize their genius. Meanwhile, another was the main purpose of the event why couldn’t it group has formed a coalihave been held at another tion of independents, both location with proper social a contradiction in terms distancing? Or remotely and a recognition of the essential need for political online? Alas, holding the event in parties in our parliamenParliament Square gave Mr tary system. There has been a perenMoultrie and some others an iconic setting to display nially baseless argument their overweening egos and that Bahamian voters need to politically grandstand more political choices.
There are quite a number of choices, including the two major parties; the Democratic National Alliance, which is likely headed to even greater irrelevance; the new Coalition of Independents; the United Coalition Party and other independents. There is also this choice as suggested by a dear friend through an anecdote. A young nephew told the friend that he does not like the choices for the upcoming election, another perennial cry. Her response: “Then why don’t you and your friends join a party and offer yourself for election by the people?” By the way, what is this obsession with the “coalition” language? It represents the egotistical mind-set of many who do not want to be team players in a political party in which egos and ambitions must often be subsumed for the greater good of the organization. The celebrated four-star American General George S. Patton (1885-1945) ranked as one of the two greatest US generals put on the battlefield during World War II. He famously offered a classic reminder to all those who possess power and fame: “For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. “In the procession came trumpeters, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. “The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.” When the upcoming election is over, the new government will be either a PLP or an FNM administration. The Bahamian people will once again affirm their desire and commitment to a vibrant two-party democracy. There is goodwill and talent in a number of those in other parties. They will have to decide whether they want to continue losing in general elections or whether they want to join one of the major parties and be involved in governance, whether as the Government or the Official Opposition. Both parties would welcome and need talent at every level of the party and government. The best leaders, future and past, are those who have the capacity for greater self-reflection and humility, and not those who sit on the side-lines, sneering and jeering at others out of pique or resentment or unresolved envy, such as has Mr Moultrie and others.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 26, 2021, PAGE 9
A WORLD OF WORRIES NOW that the initial shock and drama of President Joe Biden’s decision to finally get the US out of Afghanistan has begun to wane, how do you feel about the entire situation? Do you still feel sympathy for the women and girls, American and Allied-employed translators and other assistants, patriotic members of the prior Afghan administration, police, military and civil service who face repression, retaliation and perhaps summary execution under the new Taliban regime? But are you also beginning to feel weariness about the situation? Have you heard enough about the tragic evolution of events far away in a remote land where democratic traditions like ours have historically seemed to enjoy as much chance of sustained success as they would have on the moon? After all, we have a real time tragedy right here in our backyard. The seemingly eternal run of bad luck in neighbouring Haiti, from whence many hard-working emigres continue to underpin our economy and society in The Bahamas, is sadly continuing. Many Bahamians have commendably risen to the new challenges posed by Haiti’s continuing misfortunes. That is to be heartily applauded, and such unselfish dedication to the plight of others represents the best of us. Meantime, we have our own problems. The COVID situation in America is
increasingly worrisome. The US announcement of a new restrictive travel caution for its citizens planning a Bahamian visit is doubtless the product of efforts by wellmeaning officials trying to do their jobs. But the protests by our government ministers and officials are also well-founded. We should all be concerned as we watch an ambitious Florida governor persist in statements and policies that will likely further exacerbate public health conditions across the Gulf Stream from us. Still, the news from the US is not all bad. Congressional approval of a massive new American infrastructure bill should represent a healthy shot in the arm for the US economy, and as employment levels rise and optimism is rekindled, Americans will hopefully resume their visits to The Bahamas. Other potentially transformative Biden legislation also bodes well for a less turbulent America. The fate of proposals to buttress and expand the social and economic safety net for poor Americans still hangs in the balance in Washington, but it does seem like some positive change is inevitable. What stabilises America should help The Bahamas. In the coming weeks, we will hopefully witness an ebbing of the media emphasis on distant, tragic distractions in favour of a renewed focus on public health emergencies and political, social and economic distress right next door to us.
The changing faces of today’s America THE government has Democratic candidates. announced that preparaMore broadly, as the pertions are well underway for centage of white population the next Bahamian national drops in many areas, racial census. An estimated and ethnic diversity has cor119,000 households are due respondingly increased. A to be surveyed over the glance at a map depicting first three months of 2022. demographic trends reveals Ho-hum? a broad swath of increasing Not in the US. As the diversity extending south results of the 2020 American and westward from Washcensus are clearly emerging ington and Baltimore in the and tabulation is nearing northeast across the entire completion, several signifi- South and Southwest and cant trends are apparent. up the central valley of CalWhat has properly ifornia all the way to San earned the most attention Francisco. is the striking decline in the New England, the Midwhite population in Amer- west and much of the ica. The white intermountain share of popuWest remain ‘Stoking fears of lation dipped solidly whiteby as much as white decline majority areas. 30 percent in reinforces the Over 80 many localipercent of ties all over myth that this major metrothe country, whiteness always politan areas and prognos- included all who experienced ticators now solid popupredict the US now identify with lation gains, will become it — as if the especially in a “majority- Irish had never the South and minority” Southwest. nation within been demonized, New York less than 20 as if Italians had City remains years. America’s never endured Accordlargest city ing to recently discrimination, as and Los Angereleased fed- if Jews had never les keeps its eral census been excluded.’ second posidata, Hispanics tion, but accounted for Houston about half the country’s pop- solidified its third spot and ulation growth over the past Phoenix has become the decade, up by about 23 per- fifth largest US city, surpasscent. The Asian population ing Philadelphia. Chicago also grew faster than many stays in fourth place. had anticipated, rising by Considering that Ameriabout 36 percent, an increase can blacks and members of that made up nearly a fifth of the national US teachers’ the country’s total population union continue to be among growth. Census data show the most solidly reliable of nearly one in four Americans Democratic voting blocs, now reports that they are it may come as a surprise either Hispanic or Asian. that most African AmeriThe American black pop- can majority communities ulation grew by six percent are arrayed in a seaboard from 2010-2020, an increase crescent ranging from that represented about a Washington around to New tenth of the country’s growth. Orleans and up the MissisAmericans who identified sippi River valley as far as as non-Hispanic and multi- Memphis. racial rose the fastest, more It might be surprising than doubling to 13.5 million in that every single state from six million. in that crescent except Meanwhile, the white Virginia is either solidly population, in absolute num- Republican or red-purple in bers, declined for the first political tendencies. time in the country’s history. This, of course, explains The state of Maryland has the urgent, even desperate already become a majority- attempts to restrict minorminority state. Most data ity voting rights by state suggest that in Maryland and legislatures in the Carolimany other states, the rise in nas, Georgia, Florida, Texas “non-white” population is and the Deep South. largely attributable to a conGerrymandered congrestinuing surge in Hispanic or sional and state legislative Asian populations. district boundaries all over Other states that have America continue to frusexperienced large dips in trate attempts to ensure fair the percentage of their and equitable voting and white population include representation. That is not Florida, Texas, California, especially new – nor is it Washington, Connecticut, limited to Republican Party New Jersey and Massachu- machinations. setts. With the exception of But the discouragthe first two of those, all are ing reality is the GOP is generally solidly blue states increasingly identified that consistently support with white power and its
retention by an ethnic group whose birthrates and overall demographic strength are dwindling. However, there is a growing hypothesis that the espousal of white supremacy, overt nativism and only slightly less overt racism by opportunistic Republican and other politicians is nothing more than a slogan – and not an unprecedented one, either. A recent article in the New York Times by a George Mason University professor named Justin Gest offers a good synopsis of this perspective. “Stoking fears of white decline reinforces the myth that this whiteness always included all who now identify with it — as if the Irish had never been demonized, as if Italians had never endured discrimination, as if Jews had never been excluded. Through a historical lens, being white in America today is like belonging to a once-exclusive social club that had to loosen its membership criteria to stay afloat,” Gest writes. “From 1845 to 1854, a wave of Irish people arrived on the East Coast that outnumbered immigrants from all other countries since 1776 combined. The resulting backlash created a wave of support for the xenophobic Know Nothing movement and its nativist American Party.” Gest and other students of the complex history of American immigration have cited some of the late 19th Century writings of future President Theodore Roosevelt, who is often viewed as the ultimate disciple of trans-continental American expansion in the 1800s, to provide perspective on what we are today witnessing. Gest writes that “in Roosevelt’s understanding, Americans were made by their encounters with the wilderness and their cultivation of strength, individualism and democratic community — their commitment to a set of principles. For Roosevelt, the new ethnicities admitted into the United States were not entitled to their American identity; it was to be earned.” As Gest points out, there is no frontier anymore, “but the grind of modern capitalism is just as stern a forge for fashioning American identity.” “There is no future in which white people disappear from America, but there is also no future in which the understanding of whiteness stays the same,” Gest concludes.
STATESIDE
with Charlie Harper
PAGE 10, Thursday, August 26, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Chaos at airport - but US will keep up evacuation WASHINGTON Associated Press
US OFFICIALS pledged yesterday that the military airlift of Americans and others from Kabul will continue until the final hours before President Joe Biden’s Tuesday night deadline. But refugee groups described a disorganised, barely-there US evacuation effort for Afghan allies that leaves the most desperate to risk beatings and death at Taliban checkpoints. Some Afghans are reported being turned away from the Kabul airport by American forces controlling the gates, despite having approval for flights. “It’s 100 percent up to the Afghans to take these risks and try to fight their way out,” said Sunil Varghese, policy director with the International Refugee Assistance Project. “Those with young children and pregnant are willing to take those beatings to get out.” His group is one of several working with the US government, and communicating with clients and colleagues on the ground, to get out those Afghans most in danger from the Taliban. Those include Afghans who formerly worked with Americans, as well as journalists, women’s rights advocates and others. Just days are left before the US military is to start shutting down its anchoring role in a massive operation that the White House says has evacuated 82,300 Afghans, Americans and other foreigners on a mix of US, international and private flights. The withdrawal comes under a 2020 deal negotiated by President Donald Trump with the Taliban. Taliban leaders who took control of Afghanistan this
US Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron load people being evacuated from Afghanistan onto a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. Photo: US Air Force month say they will not tolerate any extensions to the Tuesday deadline. But Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted that “people with legal documents” will still be able to fly out via commercial flights after Tuesday. Biden has called getting American citizens out a priority, and the US has flown out more than 4,400, Pentagon chief spokesman John Kirby said yesterday. The number was an increase of about 400 from the day before. Many more Americans remain to be evacuated, although the Biden administration has declined to publicly estimate a total. US-based organisations, speaking on background
to discuss sensitive matters, cite accounts from witnesses on the ground as saying some American citizens, and family members of Afghans with green cards, still are having trouble pushing and talking their way into the Kabul airport for flights. Kirby said the US military will preserve as much airlift capacity at the airport as possible in the coming days, ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. The military will “continue to evacuate needed populations all the way to the end,” he said. He added that in the final days and hours there will have to be a balance in getting out evacuees as well as US troops and their equipment. Maj Gen Hank Taylor,
the deputy director of regional operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US forces had conducted another helicopter mission beyond the perimeter of the airport to pick up people seeking to evacuate. He said the operation happened in Kabul during the night and that the people were now safely at the airport awaiting an evacuation flight. Taylor provided no other details, but Germany’s top military commander, Gen Eberhard Zorn, said separately that 21 German citizens had been extracted by the US helicopter. He said the helicopter crew was American and that German troops picked up the evacuees.
In White House news conferences and remarks during the airlift, Biden has offered varying degrees of commitment to getting former Afghan translators and others most at risk from the Taliban included in the airlift. US military and diplomatic officials appear to still be compiling a list of eligible Afghans but have yet to disclose how — and how many — they may be getting out, private Americans and American organisations said. “We still have 1,200 Afghans with visas that are outside the airport and haven’t got in,” said James Miervaldis with No One Left Behind, one of dozens of veterans groups
working to get out Afghans who worked with the US military during America’s nearly 20 years of combat there. “We’re waiting to hear from the US. government and haven’t heard yet.” Marina LeGree of Ascend, a US-based nonprofit that worked to develop fitness and leadership in Afghan girls and young women, described getting calls from US officials telling the group’s interns and staffers to go to the airport for evacuation flights, only to be turned away by American forces keeping gates closed against the throngs outside. One Afghan intern who went to the airport with her family saw a person killed in front of them, and a female colleague was burned by a caustic agent fired at the crowd, LeGree said. “It’s heartbreaking to see my government fail so badly,” said LeGree, the group’s American director, who is in Italy but in close contact with those in Kabul. The number of US troops at the airport has dropped by about 400, to 5,400, but the final withdrawal has not begun, Kirby said yesterday. He said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will consult directly with Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of Central Command and overseer of the evacuation operation, before McKenzie moves ahead with the final withdrawal. Biden said Tuesday that although he is sticking with his self-imposed deadline of next Tuesday for ending the evacuation, he has asked Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide him with contingency plans in the event that timeline needs to be adjusted.
SOUTH DAKOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKES PLEA DEAL ON FATAL HIT AND RUN PIERRE, South Dakota Associated Press SOUTH Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg will avoid a trial and take a plea deal on misdemeanor traffic charges in a crash last year in which he hit and killed a man who was walking along a rural highway, a prosecutor said yesterday. Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore, who is one of two prosecutors on the case, said “there won’t be a trial and there will be a plea entered”, but he declined to discuss further details. The plea will be entered today, when Ravnsborg’s trial was scheduled to begin. The attorney general’s office did not immediately comment. Ravnsborg, the state’s top law enforcement officer, was charged with three misdemeanors that each carry sentences of up to 30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine. The charges don’t affect the Republican’s qualification to hold the office of attorney
general in South Dakota, but lawmakers from his own party have called for him to step down and pushed for the Legislature to impeach him. The widow of Joseph Boever, the man who was killed at age 55, has indicated she plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The attorney general initially told authorities he thought he struck a deer or another large animal while he was driving home from a Republican fundraiser late on September 12. He said he searched the unlit area with a cellphone flashlight and didn’t realise he killed a man until the next day when he returned to the scene. Crash investigators said in November Ravnsborg was distracted when he veered onto the shoulder of the highway where Boever was walking. But prosecutors took months more to make a charging decision in the crash, launching an investigation that considered cellphone GPS data, video footage from along
Ravnsborg’s route and DNA evidence. A toxicology report taken roughly 15 hours after the crash showed no alcohol in Ravnsborg’s system, and people attending the fundraiser said he was not seen drinking alcohol. In videos released by Gov Kristi Noem this year, criminal investigators confronted Ravnsborg with gruesome details of the crash, including that Boever’s eyeglasses were found inside Ravnsborg’s vehicle. At one point, they told him: “His face was in your windshield, Jason. Think about that.” Ravnsborg seemed unsure in the videos about how he had swerved onto the shoulder, but detectives told him bone scrapings were found on the shoulder’s rumble strip. “I never saw him. I never saw him,” Ravnsborg told the detectives. Noem called on Ravnsborg to resign in February after the investigation concluded, but Ravnsborg resisted those calls.
DYLANN ROOF SENTENCE UPHELD RICHMOND, Virginia Associated Press A FEDERAL appeals court yesterday upheld Dylann Roof’s conviction and death sentence for the 2015 racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, saying the legal record cannot even capture the “full horror” of what he did. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond rejected arguments that the young white man should have been ruled incompetent to stand trial in the shootings at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. In 2017, Roof became the first person in the US sentenced to death for a federal
hate crime. Authorities have said Roof opened fire during the closing prayer of a Bible study at the church, raining down dozens of bullets on those assembled. He was 21 at the time. In his appeal, Roof’s attorneys argued that he was wrongly allowed to represent himself during sentencing, a critical phase of his trial. Roof successfully prevented jurors from hearing evidence about his mental health, “under the delusion”, his attorneys argued, that “he would be rescued from prison by white-nationalists — but only, bizarrely, if he kept his mentalimpairments out of the public record”. Roof’s lawyers said his convictions and death
sentence should be vacated or his case should be sent back to court for a “proper competency evaluation”. The 4th Circuit found that the trial judge did not commit an error when he found Roof was competent to stand trial and issued a scathing rebuke of Roof’s crimes. “Dylann Roof murdered African Americans at their church, during their Biblestudy and worship. They had welcomed him. He slaughtered them. He did so with the express intent of terrorizing not just his immediate victims at the historically important Mother Emanuel Church, but as many similar people as would hear of the mass murder,” the panel wrote in is ruling.