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Weekend

Volume:116 No.171, AUGUST 30TH, 2019

WEEKEND: HELPING HANDS FOR WHEN BABY COMES EARLY

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Friday, August 30, 2019 art books culture film fashio n gardening food anima ls puzzle

Weekend

Dorian rages in

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net HURRICANE Dorian could intensify into a “very damaging” 156mph Category Four storm that lingers for hours in The Bahamas, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Kottlowski yesterday.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Kottlowski said new computer models show that when Dorian passes over Grand Bahama and Abaco this weekend, there is the potential for it to develop into a more powerful storm.

These models predict Hurricane Dorian making landfall on those islands Sunday and into Monday, he said.

Last night, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis met officials from NEMA and government as the country prepares for the hurricane.

He will address the nation live today at noon.

“It’s now looking as if Dorian will pass over very close to northern Abaco and northern Grand Bahama as we go through Sunday – Sunday night perhaps early Monday,” said Mr Kottlowski. “It could very well be a category four hurricane with winds of up to 130mph and 156mph.

“The biggest issues right now are the fact that the implications are that if it does take this track close to northern Abaco and Grand Bahama, it could bring damaging winds very close to those islands as well as very heavy rainfall and some storm surge as well. There is a possibility that this hurricane might stall close to Grand Bahama or northern Abaco during Sunday or Sunday night into Monday.

“Some new computer information is certainly showing the possibility of that happening.”

SEE PAGE THREE

Miami

DIAMOND DREAM

8 AM FRI

Havana

11 AM THU DORIAN

Port-au-Prince

San Juan

HURRICANE GUIDE INSIDE TODAY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A HEARING about whether the Bahamas Doctors Union breached the Industrial Relations Act and will remain restrained from participating in a strike was adjourned yesterday.

Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder extended his injunction order until September 19, the new hearing date.

Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson requested the adjournment after telling the court he had too little time to prepare because of a trial that concluded just two hours before the hearing.

SEE PAGE FIVE

HAITIAN Foreign Minister Bocchit Edmond said yesterday that the suspension of visa issuance to Haitian nationals is damaging to the people of his country.

He said he relayed this to his Bahamian counterpart Darren Henfield during a meeting yesterday, urging him to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

SEE PAGE FIVE

8 AM SUN

Nassau

UNION DELAYS CHALLENGE TO STRIKE ORDER

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

8 AM SAT

8 AM TUE

Pack hangout pages 8 & 9

HAITIANS HURT

BY MOVE TO SUSPEND VISAS

8 PM WED 8 AM WED 8 AM MON

Page 11

Swing with Sinatra

A new era for historic Rat

Grand Bahama and Abaco in line of fire of 156mph storm

TALENT SEARCH

SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo reacts after winning the women’s 200m race during the Weltklasse IAAF Diamond League international athletics meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. See Sports for the full story.

Photo: Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP

TEEN IN BREANNA KILLING GOES FREE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old woman who admitting to taking part in the carnage that led to teenage mother Breanna Mackey’s death last year is now a free woman.

The teenager, whose name has been withheld because she was charged as a minor, was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday pursuant to a plea

BREANNA MACKEY agreement she reached with the Crown.

The sentence was ordered to run from the date of her

incarceration, January 25, 2018. However, because prison terms are not calculated on a full calendar year, her time expired on May 25 of this year.

Prior to being sentenced/ released, the woman, who turned 18 on August 21, pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to causing grievous harm to Mackey on January 25, 2018.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

DEFICIT HITS LOWEST FOR LAST DECADE

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

FINANCE Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday touted that “for the first time in a long time” the government has met its deficit target, having recorded a deficit of $222.4m for fiscal year 2018/2019.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the deficit is equal to 1.7 percent of GDP. SEE BUSINESS SECTION

BRINGING LIGHT TO CHILDREN IN DARKNESS

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Friday, August 30, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

‘No grounds for appeal’ of Frank Smith acquittal

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Wayne Munroe, QC, yesterday suggested the government did not have any legal grounds to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Frank Smith’s acquittal.

Mr Munroe noted the Court of Appeal Act was amended in 1996 to make it the final court to appeal rulings from the Magistrate’s Court.

He also revealed to The Tribune that his starting fee used to be $9,500 per day, adding it was feasible a more senior QC could charge $20,000 per day.

There have been concerns about how much taxpayer money was used to fund the failed prosecution and appeal against Mr Smith considering the government hired an English QC during the trial.

In February, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt acquitted and discharged Mr Smith of 15 criminal charges against him.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal unanimously rebuked the Crown’s appeal of that ruling.

“Clearly final must mean you can’t go nowhere else from there,” Mr Munroe said, who added there was no legal reason to tell a court that you want to appeal.

He was referring to the announcement made

by Crown attorney Neil Braithwaite following the court’s oral ruling.

Mr Braithwaite indicated the Crown’s intent to appeal the decision to the London-based Privy Council, and requested a date be set for the Crown’s application for leave to appeal to be heard.

The request was rebuked by the appellate judges, particularly Justice Stella Crane-Scott, who said courts take a “dim view” of what she said is the “very unusual” practice

FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Senator Frank Smith speaking to the media after the appeal against his acquittal was rejected. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff of attorneys standing up “in the face of the court” to indicate their intent to appeal.

Meanwhile, Justice Jon Isaacs noted that the Crown faced an even “more fundamental” issue: “You haven’t even read the decision of the court.”

Yesterday, Mr Munroe said: “There is no reason to tell a court you want to appeal.

“There is only one legal

reason and that is when you have to tell a court that to get some immediate relief like in a matter concerning the Bail Act, and you need to do it in order for the person not to be released.

“There is no reason whatsoever to tell Court of Appeal you are appealing their decision,” Mr Munroe continued, “no legal reason anyway.

“The question is if there

is some other reason to do it.”

When asked whether he felt the move was politically-motivated, Mr Munroe said: “That comes to mind.”

Mr Munroe continued: “From my reading of that provision of the Court of Appeal Act you cannot appeal an appellate decision from a Magistrate’s Court. I believe also an appeal from a disciplinary

tribunal or ethics committee of the Bar, is also final.

“It is what it is. I wish they could go to the Privy Council, they are not so nice when it comes to talking about the award of contract in unusual circumstances.”

Mr Munroe was referring to the chief magistrate’s comments about the actions of Health Minister Dr Duane Sands and National Security Minister Marvin Dames.

Chief Magistrate

Ferguson-Pratt criticised both Cabinet ministers for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with lead witness Barbara Hanna prior to a police investigation into her claims, charging that their conduct gave the appearance of a “political flavour to a curious bystander”.

In their written ruling, the appellate judges said they “can appreciate” her concerns.

TRIBUTES AFTER JUDGE’S DEATH JUVENILE ONE OF TWO INJURED IN PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis expressed sadness over the death of retired Court of Appeal Justice Emanuel Osadebay, who died yesterday.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr Davis said, “I was saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, colleague at the bar, former magistrate, former justice of the Supreme Court and former justice of appeal Emmanuel

Osadebay, expert in labour law. The Bahamas has lost a giant in this adopted son.

“Emmanuel Osadebay excelled in all of those roles.

He fell in love with and married the lovely Emily King and they produced three beautiful daughters, both of whom have excelled in their own rights. He came to us from Nigeria - the son of a chief - but he fit right into our community and the Bahamas was his home.

“He was involved in

every aspect of the life of the Bahamas. He was an active member of the bar.

He was a lecturer in law.

He was active in the social and civic sphere. However, there is no doubt that his consistently stellar performance was his greatest contribution to the development of Bahamian jurisprudence.

“I worked with him on many occasions. I relied on him for advice. I will miss him.”

SEPARATE SHOOTING INCIDENTS POLICE on New Providence are investigating two shooting incidents which left a juvenile male and an adult male in hospital on Wednesday.

In the first incident, shortly after 9pm, two males were standing in front of a home on Sunrise Road, Gamble Heights, when a silver Honda Accord pulled up. The occupants opened fire in the direction of the

males, hitting the juvenile, before speeding away. Paramedics transported the injured juvenile to hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

In the second incident, shortly a 11pm, a male was standing in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on Baillou Hill Road south and Carmichael Road when he was approached by a male who shot him,

before getting into a white vehicle and speeding away.

The injured man was transported to hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.

Investigations are ongoing.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 30, 2019, PAGE 3

BAHAMIANS pictured preparing for Hurricane Dorian.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Grand Bahama and Abaco in line of fire of 156mph storm from page one “If that happens, there could be a prolonged period of very heavy rainfall and, of course, hurricane force winds for several hours and again that would be very, very damaging for both islands.”

At the time of this interview, Hurricane Dorian was about 640 miles to the southeast of Nassau and packing winds of about 85mph.

Mr Kottlowski said today, Dorian is expected to increase to about 100mph and then intensify into a Category Three storm with winds of about 130mph.

A hurricane alert remained in effect for the islands of the northwest Bahamas.

This includes the islands of New Providence, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama, North Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands.

Chief Meteorologist Basil Dean, from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, explained yesterday that officials

are very concerned about Abaco.

He said: “Again we still expect it to pass well to the east of the southeast Bahamas and the Turks (and Caicos) tomorrow and also the Central Bahamas on Saturday and by Saturday night late going into to Sunday morning approaching the Abacos.

“Grand Bahama too could possibly experience some elevated winds as it passes but mainly Abaco is the only island we are really over concerned about.

“The others they remain in the cone of uncertainty and we will keep them there perhaps until early morning and that is when we will make our big decision as to what we are going to go with heading into sunrise.”

As for New Providence, Mr Dean said the island is forecast to experience some rain. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has continued to urge Bahamians across the archipelago to adequately prepare for the approaching storm.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, right, during a meeting last night with senior government officials and representatives from NEMA to discuss Hurricane Dorian preparations.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe

Dorian is expected to strengthen to a Category 4 storm when it reaches the northern Bahamas on the weekend.

Senator Thompson urged the public “to take the storm seriously.” He stressed that residents should have started preparing, and those who have not, should do so now.

He said flooding is expected in a number of areas on Grand Bahama.

“So, we want the public to very keenly stay tuned for public announcements that we will make shortly about possible evacuation for some areas. There are

areas in Grand Bahama that are low-lying and prone to flooding. We want residents in those areas to pay special attention, and to be ready if called on to move,” he said.

Mr Thompson said government is in full preparation mode and that all government buildings are in the process of being secured.

Iram Lewis, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works, reported that all public schools and many government agencies have been secured.

“Our team is on the ground securing all government assets,” he said.

GRAND BAHAMA: EXPECT SEVERE FLOODING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama residents have been warned to expect severe flooding due to storm surge from Hurricane Dorian.

The advice came from State Minister for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson yesterday, who said there may be evacuation orders for some low lying areas of the island. “This storm has intensified, and, unfortunately, the storm’s track is moving closer to the island of Abaco and Grand Bahama,” he said.

In response to calls about the use of the new Fishing Hole Road bridge causeway, Mr Lewis said that the causeway will be used only for emergency purposes, and manned by the police.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard appealed to residents to pay close attention to media reports and important information relative to the storm.

Persons renting and living in structures that are at risk because of damage from past storms should relocate, he said.

“We have significant concerns of (apartment)

buildings already compromised by previous storms, and the GBPA in conjunction with the Office of the Prime Minister and MPs are available and prepared to work with residents who are concerned with the integrity of such structure to be relocated.

“Do not permit your landlord to make the decision on your behalf if you believe your building is at risk, this is a very significant storm.”

Mr Pintard also said that residents should contact emergency services if there are trees in their area that are too close to power lines

and need to be cut back.

“We have tremendous challenges in restoring power after storms because (power) lines are damaged because of the trees. We are asking you to get hold of the emergency numbers for the power company, and government agencies to address the issue,” he said.

Mr Pintard said that there are a number of shelters on Grand Bahama that residents can access.

“Residents can also contact local government administrators and their MPs - you can call us 24 hours a day and we we will respond,” he said.

ADMINISTRATOR: ABACO IN THE LINE OF FIRE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

AS Hurricane Dorian continues to barrel its way toward The Bahamas bringing with it potentially devastating winds, rain and storm surge, Abaco residents are preparing for the worst.

While New Providence, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama, North Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands all remained under hurricane alert up to press time yesterday, officials expressed serious concern for Abaco, which was projected to take a direct hit from the storm.

Calling this “the line of fire”, North Abaco island administrator Terrece Bootle Laing said Abaconians were taking Dorian very seriously.

She said there was an added layer of concern as

officials consider the wellbeing on those living in shanty towns.

“We are on the ground making all the necessary preparations and making sure the shelters are all prepared to operate when and if people utilise them.

So we are fuelling back-up generators and securing government buildings and those kinds of things.

“Marsh Harbour is a beehive right now. Everyone is trying to get what they need to weather this storm. This is from water to food to building supplies and sand.

People are out and about acquiring what they think is necessary.

“But there may be one or two persons who aren’t taking this seriously and we want them to take all necessary preparations to ready themselves. We know we are in the line of fire and we are doing all we can to ensure that we

hunker down for Dorian’s arrival.”

Nearly 1,000 households comprise the Mud, Pigeon Peas, Farm Road and Sandbanks shanty towns along with similar communities in L&H (Treasure Cay) and Elbow Cay. With sub-par housing and poor living conditions ordinarily a threat to safety, officials want residents as far possible to utilise various official and

unofficial shelters on the island.

“For the mainland, which is North Abaco, the main shelter is Faith Walk Church of God. We have others that will open but aren’t officially designated.

“The Haitian church in Treasure Cay has agreed to shelter the migrant community as well and others like the Fox Town School will also be accepting those in need of alternative housing

to ride out the storm.”

Mrs Bootle Laing continued: “We are communicating with them and we have persons on the ground letting them know where they can seek shelter and find safety until the

storm passes because this is one of our major concerns.

“We just want to ensure the migrant population is also safe.”

Abaco is expected to feel the effects of the storm Sunday and Monday.

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PAGE 4, Friday, August 30, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

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Be ready for Hurricane Dorian TODAY’S article is a simple plea to our fellow Bahamians: Take this hurricane seriously.

For the past few days, we have watched as the guessing game of which direction the storm will take has played out. At first, it looked unlikely to be a major threat to The Bahamas. The latest update sees New Providence out of the projected direct path - but the northern islands possibly facing grave danger.

Indeed, there was a chilling warning yesterday for Grand Bahama and Abaco from the senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, who said there is a possibility that this hurricane may stall close to those islands on Sunday.

If that happens, there could be several hours of hurricane force winds and very heavy rainfall. The danger of flooding and storm damage is very real indeed and we urge our readers to make every preparation for the risk of such a storm hitting.

To those islands facing less danger, we urge two things. The first is vigilance - keep a close watch on Hurricane Dorian and follow the regular updates on its path. You can keep up to date on www.tribune242.com where we will post the latest news, and also watch for details from NEMA, from the National Hurricane Center in the US, plus other outlets. Make your preparations too - stock up on food

and water for several days, and be aware of the danger in case the storm changes tack. Remember your pets too - and what they will need to weather the storm.

The second thing we urge is to be prepared to help those who are affected.

If the hurricane does badly affect our northern islands, then there will be a need to support those who may well be left without supplies and shelter by storm damage.

The Bahamas has rallied to support those affected by hurricanes before - to great effect. We sincerely hope that we shall do so again if needed - but we must stand ready to help once the storm has passed. The Tribune will happily help to promote the efforts of all those working to help those hit by the storm.

In today’s Tribune, we have reprinted our 2019 Hurricane Guide - full of advice and tips for what to do to prepare for a storm - from what to take to a shelter, the list of shelters for this year, how to board up your home, and much more.

Get your copy, read it and take note of the advice offered by experts.

We hope all of this will end up being unneeded - that the storm will break up or move in a different direction. But it is better to be prepared, rather than to be in need.

Be safe, Bahamas. And when the storm has passed? Be ready.

FNM meltdown?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is written, rightly or wrongly, “That whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad”. Whether or not this applies to the Minnis administration may be moot, but clearly, something is wrong with it’s style of governance. In recent times any number of troubling issues and public policy initiatives seem to be plaguing this regime.

Dr Minnis appears to have squandered the considerable ‘goodwill’ which was generated by he and his party prior to and during the general elections of 2017. In our recorded history no other political party has evolved into the most hated entity, in a little over two years, than the current edition of the FNM. The majority of cabinet ministers are, obviously, unsuited for the portfolios they hold. The communication skills or lack thereof of the administration and its leadership core are dismal at best and deplorable otherwise.

The situation with the junior doctors should never have been allowed to grow to the level which it has without the intervention

of the PM and his inner cabinet. Dr Duane Sands, I am sure, is a good man, but his management style or lack thereof are not, in my view, conducive to the smooth and seamless operation of our health care system. He has also been unable to roll out the long anticipated National Health Care Scheme. He should be reassigned.

The majority of the demands made by the junior doctors are reasonable. A number of them, however, are ridiculous in the extreme. The proposed public parking lot is a good idea but should not have equity participation by the medical profession. I would suggest a public/private sector partnership, similar to the Bridge Authority.

The other demands like a duty exemption (no more than 50%) on a private vehicle every so often is fine. Payment of whatever is due and would have been due for years, should and must be paid.

The Bahamas Teachers Union, the Public Service Union and workers all over the public sector are up in arms against this enlightened administration. Why? Simple: lack of

communications and dire disrespect on the part of the regime. Anthony ‘Ace’ Newbold meant well and, I am sure, Mrs Erica WellsCox also means well but, neither of time are political animals and lack or appear to lack the vision plan for the FNM administration.

Thank God there seems to have been a reduction in the frequency of the load shedding and roiling blackouts at BPL following the visit by Dr Minnis. Unfortunately, the long awaited assorted reports and investigations at that entity have either not yet been released or completed. There are too many “investigations” going on but no light at the end of the tunnel.

The average Bahamian is stressed right out and unless he/she gets some relief soon, this could be yet another one term administration. I want the regime to succeed and will do whatever I am able to do as a patriot, but the governance and missteps belong to Dr Minnis & Company. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr Nassau, August 28, 2019.

What real support?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ON Sunday, 18th August, Our Prime Minister toured BPL Clifton and Blue Hills and declared “It’s a Crisis Now”, and offered the Bahamian people ( at least in Nassau) “sympathy”. I’ve been waiting all week to see if anything else might be offered, and since none has been, presumably there won’t be else.

On Thursday of last week in The Tribune the Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeffrey Beckles urged the Government to give tax

breaks to help those fortunate enough to be able to have, or to buy, a generator or solar panels. Still just dark smoke coming from the Cabinet Office. But perhaps we should be looking at the Treasury instead.

On September 17, 2017, the Minister of Finance issued an Exigency Order, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Well our poor management of BPL has brought more devastation to New Providence than a parade of hurricanes ever could have.

Not only the Duty and Vat on generators themselves,

but the additional, and massive cost of fueling these generators, is enormous. I believe that BPL are still enjoying duty and VAT free fuel so if we are doing their job what about extending the courtesy to us. Might our Government not give this some consideration and if there are any good reasons not to issue an exigency order, tell us in plain language. Don’t just leave us in the dark!

BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, August 25, 2019.

Potter’s Cay facing peril EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS with great anguish I add the plight of the vendors at Potter’s Cay to the list of fumbles by the government.

There has been a lot of misses this summer by our leaders. Potter’s Cay is definitely by far a big miss out.

The vendors are being treated like second class citizens and customers are being harassed by policemen for parking their cars near the stalls.

I was out there on Saturday and I was almost moved to tears by what I saw. The stalls are practically empty and the few customers that are trying to patronise the vendors are being told (chased) by police to move their cars for wrongful parking.

As a law-abiding citizen, I am always ready to defer to the law. But in this case I would like to take a passage from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

“If the law supposes that,” said Mr Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, “the law is an ass — an idiot.”

The previous Government went to great lengths to enhance Potter’s Cay with parking lots that were

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net supposed to help the vendors’ business.

Unfortunately the opposite has happened causing more harm than good.

Matter of fact, they (the lots) are far from being adequate. Besides being quite a distance from the hub, there is no lighting or security and customers are apprehensive when it comes to not only leaving their vehicles unsecured but taking the long walk to and fro, especially at nights.

Furthermore, the majority of parking spaces are being taken by nearby businesses creating a problem for those of us who want to spend some time with families and friends while enjoying conch salad, conch fritters and fried fish watered down with a cold kalik or some sky juice.

When we reflect on the promises made by the Prime Minister about his plans for Arawak Cay it makes one wonder what the future holds for neglected Potters Cay. Is it on the verge of being obliterated?

There has been mention of a lot of changes for Arawak Cay. Big changes, without going into specifics hopefully these changes will not wipe out the small man.

The ones like Goldie’s, Snapper and McKenzie the pioneers that helped build Arawak Cay from conch stalls to what it is today with no help from government.

And now it appears as if in the not too distant future there will be an encroachment by the big bucks merchants.

As it stands now, Potter’s Cay is a ghost town and unless something is done quickly we will see entrepreneurs like Bones, Tyrone, Skinny, Leslie, and Tall Boy who have invested their lives into Potter’s Cay, closing shop and joining the unemployment line.

What will happen to their children, how will they support their families?

Power men, please do not keep the vendors in the dark any longer, please reveal your plans to them.

“Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the widow’s son?”

ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, August 26, 2019.

Leslie Miller test EDITOR, The Tribune.

FORMER Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP for Tall Pines, Leslie Miller, presents a litmus test for Philip Brave Davis and Fred Mitchell.

If Messrs Davis and Mitchell reject Miller’s nomination bid, the outspoken former MP has the potential to start a small civil war within the PLP; and play spoiler in Tall Pines in 2022, assuming he runs in that area again against the Free National Movement’s (FNM) Don Saunders as an independent candidate.

If Miller runs in 2022, he will be either 73 or 74.

I stand to be corrected, but I think Miller has been in frontline politics since 1987. Like former West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe, it wouldn’t

be a stretch to suggest that Miller is a political protege of Sir Lynden Pindling.

Miller’s vocal support for Wilchcombe in the chairmanship contest at convention as opposed to Mitchell is worth monitoring moving forward.

There seems to be a movement afoot among former PLP MPs to make their presence known within the PLP. These senior politicians, some of whom are in their seventies, seem to be unwilling to accept permanent retirement from active politics. They are unwilling to give way to new blood and are seemingly opposed to Davis’ plans on thoroughly reshaping the PLP. With 2022 fast approaching, more senior PLPs will begin to resurface.

With the FNM’s political capital on the verge of being spent just two and a

half years in office, Miller and Co obviously smell blood in the water. Based on his comments in The Tribune, Miller feels like former Prime Minister Perry Christie must bear full responsibility for the landslide loss the PLP suffered in 2017. And with plans to run a few failed candidates in 2022, this would only strengthen Miller’s resolve to wreak havoc in the PLP. With a fresh mandate being given to PLP Leader Brave Davis and National Chair Fred Mitchell at their recent convention, Miller presents the duo’s first major litmus test, which might define their leadership of the organisation over the next two and a half years.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama July, 2019.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 30, 2019, PAGE 5

DOCTORS during their protest at Rawson Square this week.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Union delays challenge to strike order from page one Under new terms, Mr Ferguson must file his response to the government

by September 12 while government lawyers have until September 16 to file affidavits in response to the BDU. The government was represented by David Higgins, the assistant director of legal affairs at the Office of the Attorney General.

Catherine Weech, managing director of the Public Hospitals Authority, attended the hearing and confirmed to The Tribune that doctors have returned to work.

The Industrial Relations Act empowers the minister of labour to refer disputes that result in a strike or lock-out to the Industrial Tribunal for settlement. Once notified of the referral, parties taking industrial action are required to cease such action. Failure to comply could result in a fine of

$200 against an employee or imprisonment for up to three months.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes referred the matter to the tribunal on Monday, however doctors did not immediately return to work.

Based on the originating summons filed in the case, the court will decide whether the BDU breached Sections 76, 77 and 83 of the Act by refusing to report to work when scheduled.

Yesterday, Mr Ferguson said despite the ongoing legal proceeding, he has sought to negotiate with the Minnis administration but government officials have not responded or set a meeting date.

He said he will contest the injunction on the grounds that the matter cannot be considered a trade dispute since both sides agree that the doctors are owed money.

Doctors went on strike on August 21 because of holiday pay owed to them

over the past decade.

The doctors marched to Rawson Square on Tuesday, singing hymns as rain fell around them.

In a statement this week, the BDU said: “The government has acknowledged that the junior doctors are owed for working on public holidays for the past 10 years and made provisions for the funds to be paid. However, the BDU has not been able to sign an agreement with the Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands because he insists that he is entitled to make deductions from those funds.

“The BDU has been advised by our legal advisor, that it would be foolish to agree to such a deduction as this would be contrary to what is constitutionally allowed. In addition, current government provisions will not bring what is owed current, and no agreement has been made as to how holiday pay will be addressed in the future.”

HAITIANS HURT BY MOVE TO SUSPEND VISAS from page one

Mr Henfield has said visa issuance to Haitians has been suspended because of technical issues recently uncovered. Officials have not elaborated on the nature of the issue, and Mr Edmond suggested he is not aware of the problems discovered.

“I understand and respect the sovereign decision of the Bahamas but on the other hand we believe such a decision can be very damaging for our community here because we have a large community and possibly people may want

to invite their family members, brothers and sisters to visit for weddings, or funeral or so,” he said at a press conference at the Hilton. “We understand that measures had to be taken but as I requested to the minister, we will be very happy for the decision on the technical issues to be resolved quickly because we believe such a decision will certainly affect our community here.”

Mr Edmond also emphasised his desire to restore the image of Haiti’s local embassy here. Officials arrived from Haiti in Nassau in July to conduct an investigation. They focused

on claims the embassy was involved in getting visas for Haitians and finding fake partners for them to marry to gain status in the Bahamas. The investigation was prompted by local reports, Mr Edmond said.

One step the embassy recently took to improve its standing was to recall the now former Haitian Chargé d’Affaires François Michel, he said.

“The fact that our embassy was named in relation to suspicious activity, that was not right and we were offended by that and we had to take this decision to restore that dignity and that trust,” he said.

OBIE FERGUSON

PAGE 6, Friday, August 30, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

FORMER PLP Senator Frank Smith, left, alongside party leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis on Wednesday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Smith case may feature in no-confidence vote

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE Official Opposition’s resolution of a vote of no confidence in the prime minister could also ask parliamentarians to consider the government’s handling of the case brought against former Senator Frank Smith.

Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday characterised the case, its appeal and the government’s intent to further appeal to the Privy Council as a waste of money.

He called on the government to immediately provide an accounting on legal costs; however, Attorney General Carl Bethel

declined comment on the matter yesterday.

At a press briefing, Mr Mitchell said it was “easily conceivable” that retaining a QC could cost $20,000 per day. The government hired a British QC during Mr Smith’s trial.

He noted there were various draft resolutions being considered, but the central point was that each MP should be asked whether they support such conduct or whether they were “slaves to the party line”.

Mr Mitchell said: “It is amazing the government would have wasted money on such a trite point. It seems to me that they were essentially slapped down (by the Court of Appeal) on all points because it is so

simple. The waste of money actually comes from them, and the leader of opposition has said that we intend to proceed with the no confidence vote.

“I would suggest and think that during the course of the debate all of this has to be put before the public and the question which every member of Parliament will be asked to determine for themselves is whether they support this conduct on behalf of the government or whether they are just slaves to the party line and that is the purpose of the no confidence vote.”

PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis announced his plan to bring a no-confidence motion at the earliest

opportunity during the final night of the party’s convention last month.

Mr Davis said the motion would require Free National Movement parliamentarians to “go on the record and vote”, citing the controversial Town Centre Mall lease as rationale for such a move.

Yesterday, House Speaker Halson Moultrie said the opposition only needed to give a day’s notice for the motion to be added to the schedule when Parliament resumes on October 2.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal unanimously upheld Mr Smith’s acquittal of multiple bribery and extortion charges.

It marked the state’s

second loss in what PLP supporters have called a political “witch hunt” against the former accused senator.

Yesterday, Mr Mitchell said: “I think what is important is there has to be public education on this point. We have to go around the country and shop the idea that this is what we are doing, explain to people why we are doing it and seek public support.

“This is the government of transparency and openness and accountability and it was interesting for the attorney general to then argue that he’s not going to reveal it because the fees of the attorney are actually private, because there his fees.”

Mr Mitchell added: “We’re saying Sands and Dames have to go, the prime minister needs to dismiss them or he himself has to go because he adopts their bad behaviour, and then there must be an accounting on the costs, no question.”

During her ruling, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt criticised both Health Minister Dr Duane Sands and National Security Minister Marvin Dames for the “egregious” way in which they interacted with complainant Barbara Hanna prior to a police investigation into her claims, charging that their conduct gave the appearance of a “political flavour to a curious bystander”.

$1M PRICE TAG TO RENOVATE SENATE BUILDING

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net RENOVATIONS to the ground floor of the Senate building will cost around $1m, according to Speaker Halson Moultrie, who noted the work would be

undertaken by the Ministry of Works as a capital development.

Mr Moultrie also revealed the new digital Hansard and widescreen TVs for the House of Assembly will cost around $700,000.

He told The Tribune his

office was finalising documents for the technology upgrades to send to Cabinet for approval.

“The upgrade to a digital system will allow for instant replay so that when members indicate that another member has made a particular statement

- the system that we have in place, we would have to request a transcript and that takes anywhere from three to five days. By the time we received information, the issue is not alive anymore.

“In certain instances we have discovered a lot of assertions or allegations are unfounded, and by that time press has already covered the story.”

The Senate renovations will accommodate new offices for the speaker and

his deputy and the establishment of a library and research division at the House.

He said the drawings for renovations have already been approved by the Ministry of Works, adding it was “just a matter of proceeding”.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Moultrie also spoke to new programming for the Parliamentary Channel that will coincide with the 290th anniversary of parliamentary democracy next month.

JAMES BETHELL ROBERTSON

23rd April 1925 - 30th August 2015

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

My husband, my darling, my lover, my friend, my confidante, My shoulder to cray on, my pillar to lean on.

My companion through the best years of my life.

My everything.

A thousand words won’t bring you back, I know because I’ve tried, Neither will a thousand tears, I know because I’ve cried.

You live in my heart forever.

Your loving wife, Joanna.

“Right now we have a lot of death notices (airing on the channel),” he said. “We are proposing full programming. You are going to see some of it as we begin to celebrate the anniversary.”

Mr Moultrie explained the production for programming would be sourced from ZNS, Bahamas Information Services, and also private sources.

To mark the anniversary, Parliament is planning a week-long celebration that will feature a lectures series among other activities. A thanksgiving and praise service will be held on September 29, the anniversary date.

Parliament received a notable increase in the 2019/2020 budget of more than $6.5m to accommodate renovations and technology upgrades. It received a little over $2.2m in the 2018/2019 budget year.

The House of Assembly reconvenes on October 2.

Has been postponed to a later date to be announced.We welcome your prayers for The Family.

God Bless You

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 30, 2019, PAGE 7

Teen in Breanna killing goes free

from page one Mackey, a mother of one, was stabbed to death a day after celebrating her 19th birthday. And it was all because she broke the 18-yearold’s cellphone and refused to repair it.

According to the facts, sometime around 5.48pm on the date in question, police control room was contacted about reports that a female was stabbed about the body in the Key West Street area off Cordeaux Avenue. A crew of police officers was consequently dispatched to investigate.

Upon their arrival, a female who was identified as the victim’s sister, Latisha Woodside, directed officers to a brown and white apartment complex on the eastern side of Key West Street. On the porch, just in front of door number 9, officers discovered a semiconscious female lying face down suffering from four stab wounds to the upper back and two stab wounds to the right arm.

The woman, later revealed to be Mackey, was subsequently transported to Princess Margaret Hospital where she died around 8.28pm.

Further investigations led officers to arrest 22-year-old Thea Williams who, when interviewed on the matter, admitted to killing Mackey.

Williams is serving 25 years for the crime. She is further ordered to undergo one year of counselling, inclusive of anger management lessons, and another year of probation upon completion of her sentence.

Another 18-year-old woman, whose name has been withheld because she too was charged as a minor, admitted her involvement in the offence in that she knew of the weapon used to kill Mackey, and that she also kicked the deceased during the fatal altercation. That teenager is serving 12 years in prison as part of a plea deal, noninclusive of any further time deductions. She is also ordered to serve one year’s probation after completing her sentence.

The teenager from yesterday’s sentencing however, when interviewed by police, admitted to throwing a bottle at Mackey, but couldn’t say if it actually hit the deceased.

Prior to sentencing/releasing the teenager, Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson lamented the fact that Mackey lost her life over a “fairly simple item”

such as a cellphone, and said although the teenager will be released from custody, Mackey’s death is something she “should not forget”. The judge also admonished the young woman to not forget how her attorney, Tamara Taylor-Storr, fought for her throughout the whole ordeal.

The judge further cautioned the young woman to be wary of the company she keeps going forward, because as was the case with Mackey, she can “end up being in the wrong place at the wrong time, involved in the wrong thing”.

She said moving forward, she should instead involve herself with “positive people doing positive things”.

Yesterday’s sentencing marked the fourth in connection with Mackey’s death. In April, Davanya Lawes was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to causing grievous harm to Mackey as part of a plea deal.

The time Lawes has already spent on remand, a year and some four months, was ordered to be factored into her prison sentence. She is also ordered to perform community service and undergo counselling inclusive of anger management classes.

BREANNA MACKEY

20 YEARS IN JAIL FOR RAPE OF TOURIST

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A SAN Salvador native has been sentenced to two decades in prison for raping a 17-year-old American tourist on that island five years ago.

Justice Cheryl GrantThompson sentenced Henry Gay to 20 years for the April 2014 rape of the woman, who is now in her early 20’s.

In July of last year, a nine-member jury found Gay guilty by a vote of 7-2 of the crime.

According to the evidence led at trial, the woman said around 9.20am on the date in question, she left her house on a bike, heading towards Cockburn Town, something she did “every single day” while there. She said her family frequently visits San Salvador.

At the time, she said she was wearing a bikini and a pair of shorts.

She said she rode past Cockburn Town and ended up at a dead end, which was a lake. From there, she turned around and began travelling up a small hill, where she said she saw a “large, black male” walking towards her in the middle of the road.

At that point, she said she tried to get around the man, but he screamed “I am not going to hurt you.”

Nonetheless, she said he grabbed her handlebar and threw her to the ground and immediately started to choke her.

She said she tried to struggle, but could not make any noise.

The teenager said she then started to slip into unconsciousness, while Gay was allegedly saying, “Don’t look at me, look away, close your eyes.”

She said she went unconscious about a few minutes afterwards. When she came to, she said she couldn’t see her assailant, but could hear him moving near her.

She said she began to cry and plead for help. However, she said she felt the man grab her underneath her arms and drag her a few metres into the bush next to the side of the road, before dropping her on her back.

At this point, the teenager said she was screaming and crying for help. However, she said the man began to strangle her again.

She said she was able to see the man’s face as this was

happening, but a few seconds later she passed out again from him choking her.

She said she woke up once more, and said presumably a few minutes later, the man pushed her shorts and bikini to the side and digitally penetrated her.

She said he asked her to perform a sex act on him, as she cried and begged him to let her go. Despite her pleas, he forced her to perform the act for 10 to 20 seconds, she said.

After that, she said, the man told her that they needed to go to the lake to wash off the evidence. She said he grabbed her by the arm and led her towards the lake. When they came out of the bushes, she said she realised she had defecated on herself.

She said she pointed that fact out to her assailant, who then told her, “That is okay, we will go to the lake and wash that off.”

They proceeded towards the lake; at first she said he was grabbing her by the arm, but eventually he let her go and she just continued walking with him. She said she didn’t want to risk running away and possibly causing him to attack her again.

She said it took about three minutes to walk back to the lake. During that time, she said he asked her a “few questions” like who she went to San Salvador with and why she was there.

The teenager said when they arrived at the lake, the man sat on the edge of the dock and told her to wash herself off. She said she obeyed and started washing herself off in the water, as well as the seat of her bikini bottom, without taking it off.

She said the man told her to wash out her mouth, which she did.

She said he then asked her to remove her bikini, which she did. After doing so, she said the man began to get “aroused”.

She said he told her to “hurry up and get out of the water, so I can have sex with you.” She said when she asked him if he was going to rape her, he said “yes”.

Upon hearing that, the woman said she said something to the effect of her not wanting to get pregnant.

In response, the woman said the man basically offered her the alternative of giving him oral sex a second time.

“And I said yes, since I

had already done it, and I didn’t want to have sex with this man,” she said.

After completing the act, she said he then performed oral sex on her without her consent.

At this point, the victim said she remained calm because she presumed the man was going to let her go. She said they then both walked back to where her bike was, while the assailant made small conversation, asking her if she knew how to get back to her area.

She said she eventually asked the man if he would let her go, to which he replied “yes”. The woman said upon reaching her bike, she got on and slowly began to ride away. She said she rode all the way back to her house, some 25 minutes away.

She said she arrived at her home some 10 minutes before 11am. Altogether, she estimated her encounter with the man as lasting for 20-25 minutes. And out of those 20-25 minutes, she said she saw his face for some 12-15 minutes.

As soon as she arrived home, she told her mother what had happened. Her mother then told her father, who then reported the matter to the police around 11am.

The three of them then drove to the police station, where officers spoke with her and asked her to describe the incident that had transpired. She also said she was taken to New Providence the following day, April 22, when she gave a statement to the police while in hospital.

She also said that she was able to identify the man who she claimed raped her as number seven on a photograph lineup. She said she then returned to San Salvador for a few days before leaving.

However, during crossexamination by defence attorney Ramona Farquharson-Seymour, the woman acknowledged that a key part of her initial description of her assailant changed after being shown a picture of the accused by Crown counsel some four years later.

The woman said while she initially stated in her six-page police statement on April 21, 2014 that her assailant had a gap in the top row of his teeth, she realised that wasn’t the case after an unidentified Crown

prosecutor assigned to her showed her a picture of the accused about a year ago via video chat while she was in Spain.

However, she maintained that notwithstanding the appearance of Gay’s teeth, she is “completely able” to identify him.

She said when she identified him in the photo line-up, she was able to pick him out because his eyes are “very distinctive” to her.

The part about Gay’s eyes was not mentioned anywhere in her initial statement either, as noted by Mrs Farquharson-Seymour.

In response, however, the woman said the description of Gay’s eyes was a “personal note” she made.

PAGE 8, Friday, August 30, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Police officer contradicts teen’s claim in child sex case

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DWAYNE Decosta outside court previously.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

A WOMAN police officer yesterday contradicted a teenager’s claims that her official statement against a police reservist who allegedly had sex with her was not read back to her by the officer after she gave it.

Inspector Altida Bowles testified that not only did she read the 14-yearold’s July 2018 statement against Dwayne Decosta back to her, but the eighth grader signed it “in four places”.

However, Insp Bowles did not say whether the girl’s mother was present during the interview. Previously, the girl said she couldn’t remember if her mother was with her when the statement was given.

Insp Bowles’ testimony came a day after the teenager denied telling Insp Bowles, anything about any sexual acts allegedly committed against her by Decosta.

Additionally, the teenager said although she signed her statement, she did not read it over before she signed, and neither was it read back to her by the interviewing officer. She also said she didn’t sign the document truthfully.

Yesterday, Insp Bowles did not go much into detail about what she was told by the girl or her mother.

However, she said the day after the incident in question, she met with both of them at the South Beach Police Station—where the crime is alleged to have taken place, and was directed to a certain area in the fire services garage

where the girl gave her “certain information”.

Decosta allegedly committed the act in one of the rooms upstairs to the rear of the building in the fire services garage.

Insp Bowles said she also assisted the girl and her mother in getting to the hospital, where the former was examined. After that examination, she said she was handed a kit and a hospital form, the former of which she turned over to an officer in the crime scene unit.

Insp Bowles’ testimony came during Decosta’s trial before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson alleging he had unlawful sexual intercourse with her on July 14, 2018, in the precincts of the South Beach Police Station.

It is alleged that after being taken to the police station by her father’s neighbour on the date in question, and while sitting in the foyer, an officer dressed in navy blue and alleged to be Decosta called the girl, who was 13 at the time, from the foyer and directed her to a room upstairs at the rear of the building.

While there, Decosta is alleged to have asked her if she ever had sex before, before ordering her to get on her knees, unzipping his pants, pulling out his penis and pushing her head towards it. He is also alleged to have grabbed the side of her head and made her perform oral sex on him for about three minutes.

Decosta is further alleged to have fondled the teenager, refusing to stop when she asked him to. He is also alleged to have told the girl

he would pay her to have sex with him, a proposal she denied. Afterwards, Decosta is alleged to have instructed the girl to return to where she was sitting in the foyer area.

When she was crossexamined on the contents of her statement, however, the teenager said the claims against the accused in her statement to police are not true. In fact, the 14-yearold said the contents of her statement to police are “incorrect”.

When asked if whatever is contained in her statement is correct and/or true, the teenager looked away from the camera to her left, scratched the back of her head and said: “Incorrect.”

The teenager, in response to a question by the prosecutor, confirmed that she gave her statement the same day as the alleged incident. However, when it was put to her that the contents of the statement were fresh in her mind, she started twirling her hair, shrugged and said “I don’t know.”

When the prosecutor suggested that she was being dishonest to the court, and asked what her response was to such an assertion, the girl said “nothing”.

Meanwhile, Insp Bowles said after she interviewed Decosta in the presence of his attorney at the time, Crystal Rolle, on the matter, the reserve sergeant refused to sign the record of interview. However, she said he did give a statement under caution, which she said he wrote himself.

Insp Bowles also said Decosta refused to participate in an identification parade.

The case continues.

BE ON THE ALERT FOR FRAUD, WARNS POLICE

By LEANDRA ROLLE

A “TREND of fraudulent activities” has been occurring in the country, police revealed yesterday.

Some of these trends observed include third party transfer fraud, credit card fraud, fraudulent cheques and sham marriages.

Police discussed these matters during a press conference held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre. Officers also addressed traffic safety initiatives that will be implemented for the start of the fall school semester.

Sergeant Donald Rolle said police want the public

to be sensitised to what fraud actually is.

“Fraud, in a nutshell, is basically deceit, when we use any type of false pretence to trick persons or to deceive them into giving you money for various reasons. We have a lot of complex fraud matters that we’ve been investigating over the past several years,” he said.

Sgt Rolle continued: “We’ve had reports from members of the public as well as several of the local banks where persons have reported that there are accounts or cases of the banks where their clients accounts have been compromised and in doing so, persons have been able to

gain access to their online banking profiles and have been transferring fund to other persons within the same bank or another bank.”

Speaking further on third party transfer fraud transactions, Sgt Rolle pointed out that people targeted seemed to be those “with large quantities of funds.”

He continued that Bahamians ought to be mindful of persons approaching them to use their accounts.

Speaking at the same event, Corporal Jared Turnquest addressed the issue of sham marriages, calling it a “very dangerous and troubling trend.”

“What was happening

were persons were being approached and asked to get married to persons to get paid. Usually the persons getting married were foreigners and the purpose for getting the marriage obviously for these foreigners was to obtain status, to obtain other documents, work permits, citizenship, papers or passports, etc,” he said.

It was also revealed by police that individuals targeted to get married usually tended to be persons between 18 and their early 20s.

Just last month, three Bahamians and two Haitians were charged in Magistrate’s Court with matters related to

fraudulent marriages.

When asked which nationality tended to participate most in fraudulent marriage schemes, police replied that they were Haitian nationals.

Other fraud related trends highlighted at the press conference included credit card fraud and fraudulent cheques.

Although statistics concerning the increase of overall fraud in the country were not revealed yesterday, police have said that compared to last year, they have seen an increase of reports in relation to third party transfer fraud.

Police warned the public to be cautious and mindful of these activities.

At the press conference, Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs also discussed traffic initiatives for the new school year.

“Last school year, we have had a number of accidents where we saw a number of persons… kids were being exited into oncoming traffic and that’s putting your child at risk and cases like that, we have to lay heavy charges against those crimes,” he said.

The Bahamian public is encouraged to follow road traffic laws and regulations.

CSP Stubbs said officers would be at school zones and the Gladstone Road corridor, recording speed zones and ensuring everyone’s safety.

READERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON BPL PRIORITY OVER UNIONS AFTER Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest suggested that matters related to BPL’s generation reliability will take precedence when other issues, including those of unions, are considered, readers reacted on tribune242.com.

BahamasForBahamians said: “This ain’t it chief. Is the DPM suggesting the government can only tend to one issue at a time? Why do we have 15+ Cabinet Ministers then? This is tantamount to an admission of failure.”

That prompted this reply from Moncurcool: “No. The DPM is suggesting that you pick your most important one thing, so that when you do that, it makes all the other things easier. Makes sense. Read the book The One Thing by Gary Keller. If we learn to fix the one important thing, it will fix all the other things. When you are all over the place, nothing gets done.”

Topdude posted this: “All things being equal, the Honorable Minister is correct, however there is a need for the social partners in the Bahamas to sit together and forge a partnership for mutual gain for the betterment of all Bahamians

as they travel down the road to prosperity together. When the Government, the Private Sector and Trade Union leaders sit down together and arrive at this common vision, all the parties will be able to appreciate the blocks and constraints that currently impact on the attainment of this common vision and the strategic directions which need to be addressed to remove these blocks and constraints. The parties will then be able to come up with a division of responsibilities, measures of success and consequences of failure.

By putting our Bahamas first we will be able to give workers, entrepreneurs and every citizen of this Commonwealth what is rightfully due to each. Doctors, lawyers, bakers and candlestick makers.”

Birdiestrachan had this to say: “They can find money for free university, rent of 9,000 per month. They do what they want

to do, they neglect their obligations and they think they are right. Well Turnquest, you go right ahead and all will see how it goes.”

Following the signing ceremony for the $250m development of Nassau cruise port this week, Dawes posted this comment: “I think most people agree the decision on NAD is a benefit to the country as the airport is a lot cleaner all the time and operates well. Hopefully this will be the case with Global Ports. Yes, there will always be someone who complains about giving away our birthright, even though the benefits should be much more then we get now.

Others will say we could do this, but we’ve had decades and haven’t so lets try something else.”

After Dr Duane Sands said Bahamians were eating themselves into an early grave, OriginalBey said: “Nix the VAT on leafy greens, berries, lean meats, water buts and seeds. Put up or shut up.”

To which Readbahamas replied with: “Agree. What a joke. Fresh produce costs more and goes bad quicker. Gov will remove VAT on things like corn beef but keep it for veggies . . .”

Sheeprunner12 said: “We are importing and selling Grade C food from overseas. The Govt is the biggest obstacle to that as it has encouraged the wholesalers to put Grade C food on our store shelves and to add insult to injury, the Govt has only paid lip service to empowering Bahamians to eat what they grow. We can grow at least 80% of the food that we consume each week . . . with creative import substitution policies, we can enjoy canned turbot, grunts, margates, etc. Why eat Canadian canned fish??? We can grow all of the vegetables, bananas, root crops, chicken, mutton, etc, that our country demands but Cabinet has to make it happen.”

Raptor22 posted this: “Remove the VAT, Doc. The average person in The Bahamas cannot afford to eat healthy. I do not eat fast foods. What is outrageous are prices at supermarkets being hiked up daily – e.g. a small bag of onions at a popular supermarket used to be a little over $2.00 one week, then hiked to $4.45 the next week, then add the poisonous VAT. One orange or one apple costs over a dollar, same with tomatoes and other

produce. And I’m not even talking ‘organic’. I am referring to imported grade F produce that is already half rotten. Check that bag of oranges that costs almost $8.00 without the VAT, rotten. Do we have ‘price control’ in The Bahamas?”

And there was this suggestion from Jus2cents: “Dr Sands please get one of the Ministry Of Health’s dietitians to make up a healthy diet plan for the Bahamas and post it everywhere for all to see. With the favourite Bahamian foods and budget friendly, easy to prepare meals that will appeal to an average family. Base on Weight Watchers or something.

For example: Breakfast selections - Low fat souse, made the day before and fat skimmed off the top. Tuna/sardines and stone ground high fibre grits with no fats, etc. Lunch: Lots of quick packed lunch ideas.

Dinner: Grilled meats, healthy peas and rice made with high fibre rice, steamed veg. Snacks: Fruit, nuts, veggie sticks. Drink eight glasses of water and no sodas.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 30, 2019, PAGE 9

Call for hotline to be set up to tackle elder abuse

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A LOCAL accountant is expressing his support for the establishment of an elderly abuse hotline.

Dr John Bain also suggested more public awareness initiatives and enforcement of existing legislation as other tactics the government can utilise to help protect senior citizens.

Dr Bain made these comments after delivering remarks on financial abuse at an elder abuse awareness symposium, which was hosted yesterday by the Ministry of Social Services at Grace Community Church.

During the question and answer period of the event, an elderly man asked about

a hotline to report abuse of old people. He was referred to the National Hotline for Crisis Intervention.

When asked yesterday if he thinks a specific elder abuse hotline should be established, Dr Bain referenced this existing crisis intervention number but also expressed his support for a specific hotline.

“They have a general hotline for all abuse,” Dr Bain said. “I think one for elder abuse by itself would be a great idea.”

Regarding other initiatives the government could implement to protect the elderly, Dr Bain told this newspaper: “One of the things that was mentioned, and I think this is a good start, because the minister was here, is public awareness.

“Public awareness to

make the public more aware of the whole issue of elder abuse. Elder abuse is widespread in The Bahamas. There are very little avenues to go to…What the government could do, like I say, (is) further expand social services, hire more social workers.

“I think they’re setting up now a particular division (within the Ministry of Social Services) that’s dealing only with (the elderly), and that’s a great first step.”

He added he does not think stronger legislation against those who perpetuate elder abuse is a necessary step.

“I think we have sufficient legislation on the books,” Dr Bain said. “We have an enforcement problem in the Bahamas. We have legislation gone to

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis with the eight grade class of Matthew Stuart at Queen’s College yesterday.

SURPRISE VISIT FOR STUDENT WHO WROTE TO PRIME MINISTER MATTHEW Stuart, a Queen’s College eighth grader who wrote to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis asking for a surprise visit to his blind grandmother on her birthday, received a surprise of his own yesterday when the nation’s leader dropped in on the boy’s social studies class.

Dr Minnis decided to pay a personal visit to Matthew on the first day of school after receiving the letter from the 12-year-old earlier this year. Matthew looked on in shock as Dr Minnis announced the purpose

of his visit and spoke to students.

In the letter Matthew, who is determined to become a cardiologist, wrote that he was inspired by the prime minister’s “outstanding biography.”

“God in his love and mercy has risen up strong leaders like you Mr Prime Minister whose vision is to give guidance to the Bahamian people and show how each individual can improve their circumstances,” wrote Matthew.

Dr Minnis told Matthew and his classmates that

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis with Matthew Stuart.

he was so moved by the boy’s letter and inspired by what he had read that he wanted to meet Matthew personally.

“Matthew, you are my hero,” said Dr Minnis.

“You have inspired me to do even more [to improve the lives] for Bahamians, especially the young people of the Bahamas.”

During the visit, the prime minister also met Queen’s College Head Girl Daniella Macre and Head Boy Denereus Beneby, and stopped in at the primary school.

bed….We have a serious problem of enforcement whereby we have laws on our books but we don’t do nothing about it.”

During his presentation, Dr Bain highlighted financial abuse of the elderly, which he noted can “rob an elderly person of the assets accumulated over a lifetime.”

He also noted the fact that many senior citizens are isolated makes them “vulnerable to financial abuses” including “fraudulent schemes, inappropriate trust accounts, and outright theft”.

Perpetrators of elder financial abuse include family members, neighbours, clergy members, trustees, in-home caregivers, nursing home personnel and attorneys and accountants, Dr Bain said.

Typical victims are widows in their mid-70s or older and elderly men who may or may not have dementia symptoms.

Victims usually live with their abusers, who is often a spouse or child.

Dr Bain also noted many elderly victims do not report the abuse, out of shame, fear of retaliation, or fears of losing their home or independence.

He also pointed out “red flags” of financial exploitation of the elderly that banking professionals, fraud department staff, and social services and National Insurance Board employees in particular should be able to recognise.

These include the older person making erratic transactions which are out of the ordinary, the victim questioning “missing

funds”, if the older person appears at the bank with a stranger, or is not allowed to speak or make decisions.

“The Social Services Department are the only persons who are currently trained to deal with elder abuse,” Dr Bain noted in his presentation. “Similar training should be given to NIB workers, police officers, bank employees, and the general public about this phenomenon that is widespread in The Bahamas.”

He noted compliance and fraud employees should document suspicious situations “as much as possible” and contact social services officials for guidance.

The National Hotline for Crisis Intervention can be accessed at 242-322-2763 and 242-422-2763.

PAGE 10, Friday, August 30, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Bringing light to the children whose lives are in darkness

By Diane Phillips

T

HE first time I for Alexandra Maillissaw Angel, her Lynch who has dedicated frightened eyes ten years of her life to flashed back to Ranfurly. some unnamed horror she Her top priority – psychohad experienced. Those logical counselling for every dark eyes, so filled with fear child placed in a home. and terror, dominated her Every young boy or girl in face, obliterating other fea- a children’s home is there tures. Later, I would see a because they have suffered. new Angel, growing up and They have been a victim out of the fear, strong, smil- of a home environment in ing, overcoming the terror which they have either been that had forced officials to sexually assaulted, beaten, remove her from her home neglected or their safety as a child. otherwise threatened. They Angel (not her real name) are then plucked from was one of the lucky ones. whatever they knew as a She was placed at Ran- home and, emotionally furly Homes for Children, damaged, placed somebut hundreds of others are where with a roof over their not so lucky. Throughout heads, a new routine, stranNew Providence and sev- gers around them. eral Family Often, they Islands, they believe that are in children’s ‘I’ve seen cases whatever went homes where where children wrong was their conditions vary in a home are fault. A parent from loving and turned viowarm to callous safer than in the lent or a drug cruelty by emo- home they came habit worsened tional neglect. from and others because they I’ve seen were “bad”. cases where where staff Maillis-Lynch children in treat the child, spends untold a home are and especially hours and safer than in energy raising the home they the boys, as if funds to ensure came from and they caused the every child at others where predicament Ranfurly gets staff treat the private counchild, and they are in.’ selling.

It’s especially the an expensive boys, as if they caused the undertaking. It costs about predicament they are in. $16,000-$20,000 per child I’ve seen cases of kind- per year at Ranfurly, which ness and others where a receives less from governstaff member behaves as ment per child than any if the child is an annoy- other children’s home and ance, ignoring the reality is forced to raise funds that they are dealing with privately. already damaged goods One of Maillis-Lynch’s whose future is fragile and suggestions is to incenin their hands. tivise Bahamians to train Now, Social Services as counsellors within the Minister Frankie Camp- Department of Social bell is vowing to create a Services, enabling every management agreement child in a children’s home with guidelines standardis- access to mental help and ing the care and practices encouragement.

Noting of all children’s homes. it is not necessary to reinThe same should be done vent the wheel, she points for homes for the elderly. to a 103-page document Basics must include shar- prepared and used by Briting of information and ish authorities setting out resources and that means standardised practices and coordination between or guidelines. Bahamianise it among homes, each of and go with that, she says. which now operates in silo And eradicate a culture fashion. that says the only thing Such a management plan that matters in upbringing can’t come soon enough is blood.

THE RANFURLY Home offers children hope where perhaps they had none - including with visits from outside groups. Pictured here is a visit by Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl football teams FIU and Toledo in December, giving children the chance to meet some of the top sportsmen in their field during their Bahamas expedition.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff As for Angel, she is a miracle survivor thanks in no small part to the counselling, love and care she received at Ranfurly.

She graduated from high school with excellent grades, has gone on to the

University of The Bahamas, works in the summer, participates in the Defence Force Rangers programme and helps in community efforts.

Angel is exactly what Frankie Campbell referred

to when he was making the rounds of children’s homes this week. “At the end of the day…the bottom line is that we are going to see these children again. If the impact (we have had on them) is positive, we will

see them again in a positive light.”

Just like Angel, from terrified victim to promising young woman, giving back to the community already just as she was given a chance at a wholesome life.

A slice of heaven...

AS A former travel writer and in-flight magazine editor, I lived by a few rules.

Don’t accept gifts (unless it involves a massage at a spa, c’mon, no one’s perfect) and never use the word paradise unless you just can’t help it. So now I can’t help it.

My husband and I escaped for three days to what’s quickly becoming our favourite island, Eleuthera, though there is no water

like the Exuma cays, no people like those of Cat Island and no breeze like that in Long Island.

Anyhow, there’s a magic about Eleuthera.

We stayed right on the beach in an adorable cottage, one of three called Bird of Paradise, near Tippy’s in Governor’s Harbour.

Waking up to a million dollar view, walking the beach, swimming in the ‘Lucayan Sea’,

dipping into the sweet, private infinity pool, going with friends to Lighthouse Point down that long drive peppered with potholes and ruts and hiking up to the top to gasp in awe at the most breathtaking view in all The Bahamas. Then, later in the afternoon discovering the tranquility of Cape Eleuthera where we had a super meal. On other days laughing as we sat under the big

woman’s tongue tree watching a cat-andchicken game while lingering over a fresh conch salad and cracked conch lunch or on another day, discovering the two-table retreat at Bacchus with one of the best Mediterranean salads we have ever had, we truly understood why the word paradise should be reserved for places and moments like this.

PAGE 11, Friday, August 30, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

BRAZIL BANS MOST BURNING FOR 60 DAYS TO CURB AMAZON FIRES

By ANNA JEAN KAISER Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil on Thursday banned most legal fires for land-clearing for 60 days in an attempt to stop the burning that has devastated parts of the Amazon region.

The decree prohibiting the fires was signed by President Jair Bolsonaro and followed international criticism of his handling of the environmental crisis.

The period of the new ban coincides with the dry season, when most fires are usually set. The decree allows fires in some cases, including those deemed healthy for plant life and if set by indigenous people who engage in subsistence farming.

“I think this should have happened a long time ago,” said Waldeglace Sousa Mota, a worker at the airport in the Amazon city of Porto Velho.

“I think it will bring relief during this time,” she said of the ban.

More people, particularly children and the elderly, have been suffering respiratory problems in Porto Velho, where smoke from the fires has often shrouded the sky in past weeks.

The 60-day ban will help curb the burning but its effect could be “very limited” if people ignore it as the peak burning season starts, said Xiangming Xiao, a plant ecologist at the University of Oklahoma who studies deforestation in the Amazon. Most fires in Brazil are set in late August, September and early October, he said.

“Both legal and illegal fire events occurred in Brazil. It will be very challenging to identify and separate them,” he said in an email to The Associated Press.

There are also questions about how effectively Brazil can enforce the 60-day ban. A letter released this week and signed by more than 500 workers from the Brazilian environmental agency IBAMA said a lack of government support had hurt their work and led to an increase in environmental crimes in the Amazon and elsewhere.

Brazil’s forest code normally allows farmers and others to set some fires as long as they have licenses from environmental authorities.

This year, however, there was a sharp increase in nationwide fires over the same period in 2018, raising concerns that people were emboldened to burn more after Bolsonaro said rainforest protections were blocking economic development.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump watches with Vice President Mike Pence and Defence Secretary Mark Esper as the flag for U.S. Space Command is unfurled in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

PRESIDENT TRUMP DECLARES NEW SPACE COMMAND KEY TO AMERICAN DEFENCE

By ROBERT BURNS AP National Security Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring space crucial to the nation’s defence, President Donald Trump said Thursday the Pentagon has established U.S. Space Command to preserve American dominance on “the ultimate high ground.”

“This is a landmark day,” Trump said in a Rose Garden ceremony, “one that recognizes the centrality of space to America’s national security and defense.”

He said Space Command, headed by a four-star Air Force general, will “ensure that America’s superiority in space is never questioned and never threatened.”

But there’s still no Space Force.

Space Force, which has become a reliable applause line for Trump at his campaign rallies, has yet to win final approval by Congress.

The renewed focus on space as a military domain reflects concern about the vulnerability of U.S. satellites, both military and commercial, that are critical to U.S. interests and are potentially susceptible to disruption by Chinese and Russian anti-satellite weapons.

The role of the new Space Command is to conduct operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and communications for troops and commanders in the field and providing warning of missile launches abroad. That is different from a Space Force, which would be a distinct military

PRESIDENT Donald Trump shakes hands with Gen. Jay Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command, as Defence Secretary Mark Esper applauds. (AP) service like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Congress has inched toward approving the creation of a Space Force despite skepticism from some lawmakers of both parties. The House and Senate bills differ on some points, and an effort to reconcile the two will begin after Congress returns from its August recess.

When Jim Mattis was defense secretary, the Pentagon was hesitant to embrace the idea of a Space Force.

Trump’s first Pentagon chief initially saw it as potentially redundant and not the best use of defense dollars.

His successor, Mark Esper, has cast himself as a strong supporter of creating both a Space Force and a command dedicated to space.

“To ensure the protection of America’s interests

in space, we must apply the necessary focus, energy and resources to the task, and that is exactly what Space Command will do,” Esper said Wednesday.

“As a unified combatant command, the United States Space Command is the next crucial step toward the creation of an independent Space Force as an additional armed service,” he added.

Kaitlyn Johnson, a defense space expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said she considers it likely, but not certain, that Congress will approve a Space Force in the 2020 defense bill.

The people in Space Force would be assigned to missions directed by Space Command, just as members of the Army and other services are assigned to an organization like U.S. Strategic Command.

Like other branches of the military, Space Force would be headed by a four-star general who would have a seat at the table with the other Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Trump wanted Space Force to be “separate but equal” to the other services, but instead it is expected to be made part of the Air Force, similar to how the Marine Corps is part of the Navy.

Reestablishing Space Command has been a less politically contentious matter. There is a consensus that it is the most straightforward step among those proposed to shore up space defenses.

“This step puts us on a path to maintain a competitive advantage,” Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a National Space Council meeting last week. He also

endorsed creating Space Force, saying it would make a “profound difference.”

Initially, the opening of Space Command will have little practical effect on how the military handles its space responsibilities.

Air Force Space Command currently deals with more than three-quarters of the military space mission, and it is expected to only gradually hand off those duties to the new command.

Johnson, the CSIS expert, said the attention to space during the Trump administration has led some to exaggerate the scope of change reflected in the moves to create Space Command and Space Force.

These moves, she said, “seem very flashy and fun” but are not.

“It’s really just a reorganization of functions that are already happening within the military,” she said.

Air Force Gen. John “Jay” Raymond will serve as the first commander of U.S. Space Command. He currently heads Air Force Space Command.

At his Senate confirmation hearing June 4, Raymond made the case for changing the way the military approaches its space mission.

“Unfortunately, our adversaries have had a front row seat into our many successes and have seen the advantages that they provide us,” he said.

“And to be honest, they don’t like what they see. And they’re rapidly developing capabilities to negate our use of space and to negate the advantage that space provides.”

FAMILIES BEGIN BURYING THE 28 VICTIMS OF MEXICO BAR FIRE

By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

COATZACOALCOS, Mexico (AP) — Anger remained high Thursday as relatives began the slow, tearful task of mourning and burying the 28 people who died horrendously when gang members set a bar on fire after blocking its exits.

The families complained that criminals are out of control and making life impossible in this southern Mexico oil town.

At least seven of the victims were buried Thursday, with the 3-yearold daughter of one woman, Xochitl Irineo Gomez, waving goodbye to her mother after her coffin was placed into the ground.

Vanessa Galindo Blas, 32, leaned over the brown metal coffin of her common-law husband, Erick Hernandez Enriquez, 29, who had dreamed of becoming a famous deejay.

He was working at the club to support his three children.

“He wanted to be famous,” she sighed. “Look what they did to him.”

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the Coatzacoalcos attack “degrades us as a society, as a government, as a nation,” adding that crime and violence is the problem that worries him most.

Veracruz state, where Coatzacoalcos is located, has been one of many hot spots for that violence.

Thousands have been kidnapped and disappeared in the state and in

VANESSA GALINDO BLAS, 32, places a rose on a photograph atop the coffin of her late husband Erick Hernandez Enriquez, 29, n Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz state, Mexico, Thursday. (AP) April gunmen broke into a family party and opened fire, killing 13 people and wounding at least four others.

Businessmen say gangs in Coatzacoalcos demand protection money from business owners, and at least two other bars were burned down in Coatzacoalcos in July to enforce such demands.

Authorities are searching for the men who burst into the White Horse nightclub late Tuesday, taking over the entrance at gunpoint and dousing it with gasoline and setting the bar afire.

The attack was apparently carried

out by the Jalisco drug cartel in retaliation for the bar owner’s refusal to pay extortion demands.

But the state governor has acknowledged that authorities had several of the suspects in custody earlier on other crimes - but allowed them to be released.

Relatives of those killed at the White Horse bar said they have lost trust in authorities.

“We don’t want a war, but we do want more firm action,” Miguel Angel Ortiz said Wednesday as he waited for official confirmation that his mother, cleaning woman Rocio Gonzalez Ramos, 53, was among

the dead.

“The justice system is upside down in Mexico,” Ortiz said.

“Those who carry illegal weapons go free.”

Alicia Sierra, whose nephew Habib Ojeda Sierra, a 23-year-old grocery store worker and father of two, was among those killed, said she doesn’t want his death “to go unpunished, as have so many other crimes,” referring to the April killings.

“They should turn these suspects over to the people” so justice can be done, Sierra said, “because they (authorities) are just going to set them free.”

López Obrador has said “violence cannot be fought with more violence,” and has praised soldiers who have held fire even as they were disarmed by mobs. He says his programs of scholarships and apprenticeships will eventually attack the root causes of crime.

He has spoken of addressing Mexico’s crime problems with “hugs, not bullets,” and has insisted that Mexicans are “happy, happy, happy.”

Officials of his administration have even begun talks with vigilante groups, many of which are linked to drug cartels, though Lopez Obrador says he disapproved of those talks.

But patience in Coatzacoalcos was thin among the families preparing for funeral services for those who died of burns and smoke inhalation at the bar.

Lenit Enriquez Orozco, who has

led a group of relatives of the disappeared in Coatzacoalcos, after her own brother vanished in 2015, said drug cartels “are feeling very empowered.”

“López Obrador says the people are happy, but this is not what you would call being happy,” she said, motioning toward the grieving families of the nightclub victims.

Anti-crime activist and businessman Raul Ojeda said the attack had all the hallmarks of an unmet demand for extortion payments.

He said the Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation cartels and local gangs are currently fighting over control of the city “They have been threatening all the businesses like that,” Ojeda said. “The ones that don’t pay close down or pay the consequences, as in this case.”

López Obrador said local prosecutors should be investigated because “the alleged perpetrators had been arrested, but they were freed.”

Veracruz Gov. Cuitláhuac García identified the chief suspect as a man known as “La Loca” and gave his name as Ricardo “N’’ because officials no longer give the full names of suspects.

García said the man had been detained by marines in July, but was released after being turned over to the state prosecutor’s office.

The state prosecutor’s office disputed that version, saying it had turned the man over to federal officials.