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VOLUME:116 No.173, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: HELP THE SURVIVORS KEEP THEIR DIGNITY

Five confirmed dead in Dorian’s wake, but

How many more?

SAVED from the floods in Grand Bahama - residents are taken through flood waters to shelter yesterday as Hurricane Dorian continued to pummel the island. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last night confirmed five people have died in Abaco.

• Grand Bahama hit by massive deluge swamping homes • Thousands left homeless as rescue operation kicks into action

• Evacuees fled shelters as flood waters kept rising • New Providence struggles under torrential rains and island-wide blackout

FULL COVERAGE INSIDE ON PAGES 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 3, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

THE MUDD in Abaco appears to have been flattened by Hurricane Dorian, in this image from video circulated on social media.

US teams airlifting people to safety

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net THE US Coast Guard started airlifting people in need of urgent medical care out of Abaco yesterday.

In a statement, officials from the US Embassy said the US Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation in Abaco after Hurricane Dorian tore through the island as a Category 5 storm.

“The US Mission to the Bahamas is assisting victims of Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, in The Bahamas,” the statement said. “US Coast Guard helicopters are evacuating injured persons from the Marsh

Harbour clinic to Nassau for urgent care. As of 4.30 pm on September 2, these helicopters have airlifted 12 persons out of Abaco.

“The US government is also working with Bahamian counterparts to begin coordinating broader relief efforts. The US government will be providing overflight support to collect imagery of critical infrastructure to provide to the Bahamian government to assist in its response efforts. Relief agencies will move quickly to assess the affected areas for humanitarian needs as soon as the weather permits.”

As rescue efforts continue, many Abaco residents who are holed up in hurricane shelters are

worried about family members they have not been able to contact. That worry is compounded by the fact that many on the island have lost their homes and possessions.

A Dundas Town resident, who is staying in the Marsh Harbour clinic with about 300 other people, told this newspaper: “They are looking for family members, but don’t know where they are.

People are also concerned about where they’ll stay after the storm passes.

“Many of the shelters got ruined so people had to choose between the government complex or the clinic.

There are about 300 people here and about 25 people to a room.”

Yesterday, Foreign

Affairs Minister Darren Henfield told ZNS that damage has been confirmed in Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town, and Murphy Town.

He said: “We are uncertain of what’s going on in Treasure Cay at the moment. We have been informed that Cooper’s Town was holding quite well. That’s all that we know at the moment. As soon as the wind subsides a bit more, the wind and the rain, we will go out and have a look.”

The minister said he received reports of bodies being seen but said he couldn’t confirm this until emergency crews did their assessment. However last night, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis confirmed five fatalities in Abaco.

“We want to say to the citizens here in Abaco that are in the impacted areas, it is not safe to go outdoors,” Mr Henfield said. “Power lines are down, telephones are down, trees are across the streets. It is very dangerous to be outdoors if you don’t have to be outdoors.”

He added: “As soon as the weather permits our first responders will go to those areas where we had reports from individuals who were in distress. We have already organised our parties to move as soon as it is safe for them to do so. We will report back to country we are holding strong and steady here in the

A US Coast Guard helicopter in action yesterday in The Bahamas. government complex which people were able to come we turned into somewhat of to the shelter and find sanca makeshift shelter.” tuary and safety. People Mr Henfield said seem to be coming from many structures in Abaco all four angles towards this were compromised. When place.

Dorian’s eye passed over “We also have people the island, scores of people sheltered in the clinic; used it as an opportunity Marsh Harbour public to escape unsafe structures clinic is packed to capacand head to the island’s ity as I understand it. Some government complex. injuries have been reported Mr Henfield, speaking and so we are holding from the complex, said: strong. We ask you to con“When we were in the eye, tinue to pray for us.”

Dorian due out of Bahamas tonight HURRICANE Dorian is expected to be completely out of The Bahamas late Tuesday night, Bahamas Department of Meteorology Director Trevor Basden said yesterday.

The storm with its Category Four winds was stationary over Grand Bahama as it relentlessly pounded down on the island yesterday.

“On its present track with Dorian drifting so slowly, we are expecting that by 7pm Tuesday for all tropical storm force winds to cease for Abaco and for Grand Bahama by 10pm Tuesday,” Mr Basden said.

“So it is still a ways to go before an official all clear is given. An official all clear is issued when there are no longer any tropical storm

force winds anywhere in The Bahamas.”

He said the department was able to better track Hurricane Dorian with the use of four Doppler radars in separate islands.

However, their predictions were mildly hampered after officials lost communication with the radar in Abaco due to power failure.

8 AM THU

8 AM WED

8 AM TUE 4 PM MON DORIAN Miami Nassau

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 3, 2019, PAGE 3

5 dead in Abaco

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.com

FIVE people have been confirmed dead on Abaco in the aftermath of destructive Hurricane Dorian, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis confirmed yesterday.

The prime minister was unable to give any details regarding the circumstances of these deaths or reveal any identifying factors related to these hurricane victims.

However one of the victims was identified by his grandmother Ingrid McIntosh as seven-year-old Lachino McIntosh.

“He is the sweetest child I ever meet,” Ms McIntosh tearfully told ZNS News.

She said her grandchild left New Providence three days ago, heading back to Abaco with family to get ready for the new school year.

Meanwhile Dr Minnis said the Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed the tragic news of the deaths, adding that teams were set to go into Abaco as soon as possible for proper assessment and identification.

“I am concerned once one Bahamian dies,” Dr Minnis said when asked if he was worried that the death toll could rise from the storm.

Further details, he said, would come from Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Anthony Ferguson and his executive team. However, the commissioner declined comment.

Dr Minnis also said: “There are questions about fatality. Thus far the Royal Bahamas Police Force has confirmed that there are five deaths in Abaco.

Teams will go to Abaco as soon as possible for full and proper assessment and identification.

“We are going to be very careful about reporting such information. It should only come from the official channel and be verified by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“We need to be sensitive in reporting such information and will do so as soon as we can have reliable information.”

During a press conference at the National Emergency Management Agency, Dr Minnis said initial assessments of Abaco had shown unprecedented devastation. The prime minister said there was extraordinary flooding and damage to infrastructure.

At its maximum strength Dorian packed winds of 185mph, leaving ruin in its path.

In the coming days, Dr Minnis said recovery efforts would commence as officials sought to help victims of Dorian’s wrath.

Further, he said exigency orders to cover Abaco and its cays and Grand Bahama along with Sweeting’s Cay and Deep Water Cay were signed at Cabinet yesterday morning.

This will go along with the waiving of landing fees, customs processing fees for non-commercial flights and departure fees. Dr Minnis also said a hurricane relief and recovery committee was being formed and a coordinator will be chosen as soon as possible.

“I wish to report that the United States (Coast) Guard is already on the ground in Abaco and has rescued a number of injured individuals. Critically injured individuals are being taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital here on New Providence.

Through various channels

DAMAGE in Hope Town yesterday from Hurricane Dorian, above and below.

we are continuing to monitor events in Abaco and Grand Bahama as well as Bimini and the Berry Islands, which are continuing to receive tropical storm winds. And New Providence Andros and Eleuthera have been given the all clear.

“I strongly urge residents of these islands to be careful and diligent as they move about. I note that there is flooding in a number of areas in these islands.

“Various shelters are opened in New Providence for those whose homes have been affected. Further there appeared to be a number of fake and incorrect reporting circulating - please do not resend or transmit reports or images, which appear to be untrue.

These fake news and fake messages can be very damaging, both to individuals and our nation.

“Many people in affected areas as well as their loved ones in the Bahamas and overseas are understandably worried. Please do not add to their anxiety and their worries.

“This is not the time to be creating mischief and playing on the emotions of others especially those who are most vulnerable at this time.

“Rapid assessment teams are on standby to conduct initial assessment and reconnaissance of affected

areas as quickly as possible. There are teams from the Ministries of Health, National Security, Social Services and Works. There are teams from NEMA and the Bahamas Red Cross.

“There are also international and regional governmental and NGO teams ready to help assess

the human needs and damages. We have in place and are putting in place other critical measures to respond as rapidly as possible to reduce any suffering and any pain.

“We are putting together a hurricane relief and recovery committee.. we will announce the coordinator

as soon as possible.”

The government’s relief and assistance to victims will be extensive.

“Exigency orders have been prepared to allow donated and purchased relief supplies from registered charitable organisations to enter the affected areas free of customs duty and VAT in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane,” Dr Minnis said.

“Landing fees will also be waived in the affected areas as well as departure taxes and customs processing fees for no commercial flights. The orders cover Abaco, the Abaco cays, Grand Bahama, Sweeting’s Cay, Deep Water Cay and Water Cay. “In addition to goods traditionally exempted after past hurricanes, we are including in these orders medicine and medical supplies, electrical generators, tents, cots, bedding material and mosquito netting.

“Individuals affected

by Hurricane Dorian are included in the exigency order subject to verification

by NEMA.” As these efforts begin, there must be unity, the prime minister urged.

“As Bahamians we must unite with singular focus on helping our brothers and sisters in need. We will

provide information as to where and how individuals, families and corporate citizens can donate resources and funds to assist those in need.

“Due to the extent of the devastation, when weather permits and transportation resumes, I ask Bahamians and residents on islands not devastated by this monster storm to open their homes to friends, families and others who may be in need. This is the time for us as Bahamians to show our love, our care and our compassion for fellow brothers and sisters.

“Your compassion at this most difficult hour will bring healing and hope to those who are traumatised by this destructive hurricane. Bahamians have a charitable spirit there are many who are ready to give generously.

“Please ensure that you donate funds and items to reputable organisations with records of service to our community. We want to be careful to avoid past mistakes where non-reputable organisations and individuals attempting to take advantage of the suffering and distress of others.”

He said heads of governments have also offered to assist, including those from Haiti and Dominica.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 3, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

FLOODING inside Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard’s home yesterday, as seen in a video shot by the Member of Parliament.

Pintard, animal shelter caught in hurricane path

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

“WE are truly in dire straits,” exclaimed Agriculture Minister Michael Pintard as he and his family watched water gush into their two-storey home in East Grand Bahama.

The Pintards were among scores of families who filled social media with desperate calls for rescue, and up to press time, were still trapped as Hurricane Dorian bludgeoned the nation’s second city with winds over 145mph throughout the day.

Further inland, on Coral Road, five workers and a volunteer at the Humane

Society of Grand Bahama were trapped at the shelter with more than 300 animals.

HSGB executive director Tip Burrows sobbed as she told The Tribune she was unsure how her staff would be rescued or whether any animals had survived. The animal shelter began taking in water sometime around 10.30am with 200 dogs and 100 cats on site. Among them were 80 animals boarding for protection from the record-breaking storm.

Supervisor Felicia Telfort, field officer Alpedio Johnson, animal care providers Jeremy Butterfield, Caimrun Hart and Keishawn Rolle, along with volunteer and

former employee Kennitra, were on top of shelves in the shelter’s lobby around 4pm.

At that time, the flood waters were reportedly neck-high inside the building.

By 6pm, Ms Burrows told The Tribune she’d lost contact with the group.

“The shelter is underwater,” Ms Burrows said tearfully, “everything is flooded. This is devastating and heartbreaking and I don’t know if any (animals) survived. We’re just trying to get the staff out.

I know there are a lot of people all over the island needing rescue. Hopefully they can hang on, but they are running low on battery.”

On the eastern side of the Grand Lucayan waterway, Mr Pintard, his wife Berlice and their six-yearold daughter Micaela were forced onto the second floor of his home on Henny Road in Derby after flood waters began to seep into the house sometime after midnight on Monday.

“To get up to my back porch,” Mr Pintard said, “I think we must be at least 15ft above sea level and then furthermore for the water to grow inside to pretty much the top of my door - it’s incredible. It really reaffirms, because I’ve always known (material) things are tertiary, on many levels, family is so crucial and people you care about.”

Mr Pintard continued: “I think about my neighbours and I’m praying to God they are fine because a lot of them had single-story homes. A lot of things we get preoccupied with, this gives you a reality check right away. We’re praying and hoping for the best.”

Several attempts were reportedly made to rescue Mr Pintard and other area residents but failed due to the strong winds and high waves.

“It was impossible for them to come through,” Mr Pintard said, “we’re grateful to everyone who attempted to come, not just the government officials, police officers, persons from BASRA but also just citizens who heard about it

and jumped into action and wanted to help.

“We are grateful,” he added, “not out of the woods yet, but already we are grateful.”

Up to press time, Mr Pintard said he was trying to mobilise assistance for hundreds of his constituents who had been forced out of their homes.

“They are homeless tonight,” he said. “Many of them have had to flee Frobisher Circle as well as some persons from Pioneer’s Loop and Coral Reef, and a number of people need to be rescued.

“I’m making as many calls as possible and sending coordinates to police and colleagues in Grand Bahama,” he said.

RESCUE TEAMS MOVE RESIDENTS AS SHELTERS COMPROMISED

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL shelters in Grand Bahama were compromised and taking on water as rescue teams on the island mobilised to relocate residents to safer locations, according to State Minister for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson yesterday.

Giving a live update on ZNS News, Mr Turnquest described the situation on Grand Bahama as “serious” and “catastrophic”.

He said 50 residents of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home were relocated.

People at Christ the King auditorium, which was acting as a special needs hurricane shelter, were said to be in knee deep water. Earlier Monday, Mr Thompson said they would be moved to the Rand Memorial Hospital as soon as rescue teams could move them.

“In the area of Hilton Outten (Convention Centre), they have begun to take on water and so we are dialoguing, telling them to stay calm, we’re going to get to them as soon as we can,” he said.

“Unfortunately, all of the roads are impassable and so we should be able to get to them shortly. We had a special needs shelter, which is Christ the King auditorium and the hospital has begun to relocate those persons from the special needs shelter back to the hospital, to put those persons who need the immediate attention ...they are going to find some room for them in the hospital.

“We have the Tabernacle

FLOODING in Grand Bahama yesterday, including, right, on the second floor of a building with water splashing at the windows and surging up the stairs.

Assemblies of God Auditorium also, we understand that’s also taking on water.

We are asking those persons, because they do have a second floor, we are asking those persons to relocate to the second floor.”

A video was posted on Twitter showing conditions at the Christ the King shelter with water at knee level. Bedridden people were placed on the church’s

stage to keep them out of flood water. However many shelter residents were seen walking through the flooded auditorium, as some of their possessions floated by.

Mr Turnquest also said officials planned to move some people from compromised buildings to the Grand Lucayan resort.

He told ZNS: “We’ve been able to move quite a few people. We had a

serious challenge with the children’s home, we had to move about 50 kids from the children’s home. We were able to get them out and to a safe location.”

As slow-moving Category 4 Hurricane Dorian battered Grand Bahama with 150mph winds, Mr Turnquest said parts of the island were left completely flooded. Roads are impassable and Fishing Hole Road Bridge - which connects

West Grand Bahama and Freeport - “is almost underwater,” he said.

“The water has made its way to the Mall Drive, it has made its way to the parking lot and that’s coming all the way from north all the way down past the downtown area and now to this building (where the Emergency Operations Centre is).”

He also said: “This has never occurred before, where we have had flooding

throughout the downtown area all the way across Pioneer’s Way, all the way down the Mall Drive.

Anyone who knows Freeport, that’s pretty much half the entire island covered in water.”

For those needing rescue, he said, many of them would have to wait until the water recedes; a number of areas are cut off because the roads are impassable.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 3, 2019, PAGE 5

‘Nowhere is safe’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

“NOWHERE IS SAFE,” is how one Grand Bahama woman described the impact of Hurricane Dorian as it mercilessly battered her beloved island for hours on Monday.

Her words were amplified by countless social media posts written by people frantically searching for missing loved ones and cell phone videos which depicted harrowing experiences in the storm. Many begged for rescue but emergency crews were hindered in many cases by flooded streets and high winds.

“Nowhere is safe,” Dominque Smith told The Tribune yesterday as she braved the storm from her Lucaya home. “Nowhere on the island is safe from Hurricane Dorian.”

Britney Dorsett, a videographer, told The Tribune she spent four torturous hours waiting to hear from her pregnant sister, Dedra.

Twenty-four-year-old Ms Dorsett, who said she is normally “fearless”, described those hours as “scary”.

“Not hearing from her put me in a panic mode because she is six months pregnant and she has seizures when she’s under stress,” Ms Dorsett said. “I started to prepare myself mentally (as) to what might after this storm.”

She noted her sister was staying in the Lucaya area with her boyfriend and his mother. Ms Dorsett gratefully noted she had been able to make contact with them and confirm their safety.

Ms Dorsett said she personally had to evacuate.

“I stay (with) my cousin in the Arden Forest area.

We noticed from videos the water getting closer and closer in that area. We left in the strong winds.”

Ms Dorsett fled to Indian Man Road to stay in a two-story home with relatives. However, as the hours passed, she told The Tribune flood waters were startling to seep into this home as well.

Shanti Bain, a 27-yearold medical student home for summer break, told The Tribune she had to evacuate twice. Noting she lives near the water, her family relocated “more inland” to her grandmother’s house.

When interviewed initially, Ms Bain noted the home was fine.

However, a few hours later she reported the water came inside - reaching thigh height. The family moved

to a friend’s house instead.

These evacuations exacerbated what Ms Bain noted were already anxietyinducing circumstances.

“My heart was in my throat last night (Sunday),” she said.

“Honestly…I barely slept because outside sounded so scary. And after seeing (those) Abaco videos, all I could think about (was) the roof might fly off.

“But when daybreak (came) the anxiety subsided until I heard about people needing rescuing.

“My daddy said he went outside and people were on foot trying to escape,” Ms Bain continued. “He and my uncle went in the truck to try and help and they couldn’t even get to them.

“My daddy said from what he (saw), if they kept going it would’ve been waist (high).”

Ms Smith, 28, expressed similar heartbreaking sentiments, pointing out for many people, there is nowhere to turn.

“Just about everywhere is underwater,” Ms Smith, a human resources coordinator, said. “We have seen numerous footage of different areas in Grand Bahama - areas that were susceptible to flooding are underwater completely. You could only see the rooftops of people’s homes because everything else is underwater.

“I just saw a video of my friend, he is about 6’3”, 6’4”, the water is (roughly) up to his thighs and he’s trying to evacuate where he lives.

My best friend who lives through Gilbert Crest…her house is underwater. There were areas…that weren’t susceptible to flooding that are now underwater. Areas in Lucaya that you wouldn’t think would have flooded, they have water coming in.

“So you have persons who are evacuating their homes…who were supposed to be safe. Now that place is compromised…

So where do they go from there? And because the storm is hovering over us for so long, yes you have persons volunteering to go and rescue, but that’s really not the wisest idea right now.”

Fears Ms Smith also pointed out the long-term economic ramifications of this tragedy.

“You have so many persons who while going through this horrible and emotional time of losing everything, except for their lives and the clothes that they have on their backs, (their minds are) obviously shifting to ‘okay, my job is probably underwater’. Or

SUNSET subdivision in Grand Bahama, above, and Smith’s Point, below, in images taken from video.

‘a lot of these places are not going to be hiring’.

“Some places are probably going to be letting people go because finances are going to be extremely tight in order to rebuild Grand Bahama and its economy in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.”

During the course of the

interview, Ms Smith noted conditions were worsening.

“The wind has become even more vicious. It’s hitting us from all angles.

Front, back, side to side,” she said.

“All we could do is continue to pray, all we could do is continue to hope that this storm moves from over

us as quickly as possible.”

Horrifying videos flooded social media yesterday from Grand Bahama, depicting people walking through water ravaged houses and crouched in the rafters of their homes as storm surge lapped in.

Ms Bain shared a video taken by her neighbour. In

it, waves can be seen gushing past the window of the house while water seeps inside.

In another video, a man is sitting on the top of his kitchen sink, filming his home as water seeps through the window. Home and kitchen supplies are floating through his ransacked home. The water level appears to be several feet high.

“My heart is so heavy,” Ms Bain said. “I had to stop watching them. My anxiety was through the roof. I was to tears couple hours ago.”

An additional video is recorded by a man who is purportedly filming from the Freeport airport.

“Here’s a quick view at the back of the airport ramp,” he says, as ferocious waves rush by. “I’m in the FBO building, currently (almost) under water.

“Plenty forces of nature can’t be predicted. That’s the terminal way over there, you could hardly see the terminal. You could see how much water that is?

“Whom God keeps is well kept,” he still says.

“Just remember that… in the midst of the storm even.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 3, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

HOPE Town School in Abaco.

World famous chef ready to support hurricane zone

By LEANDRA ROLLE CELEBRITY chef José Andrés met with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and government officials yesterday morning with plans to provide water and freshly cooked meals to victims of Hurricane Dorian.

Chef Andrés is founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit group that provides relief in the aftermath of disasters. The organisation tweeted that the group expects tens of thousands will need access to food and water.

In response to how they will provide aid, the Spanish chef shared a Google map on Twitter, outlining the various shelters in Abaco and Grand Bahama CHEF José Andrés seen in a tweet last night with his team as they prepare food for Abaco. that will be targeted and Meanwhile, several local other local organisations, utilised for cooking meals moves. Whatever it takes to support the many families non-profit organisations are has already appealed to the once the ‘all clear’ is given.

“If kitchens are impacted, we will be there.” taking initiative to provide public asking for donations In December 2017, the relief and assist those nega- of non-perishable items destroyed, we build one and cook in big paella pans,” chef and his non-profit tively affected by Hurricane that will be shipped to both Abaco and Grand Bahama Mr Andrés said on Twit- group prepared more than Dorian.

The New Providence once the storm has passed. ter. “We also hope to land three million meals for resiItems requested for donatonight or tomorrow by air dents of Puerto Rico in the Community Church, in when Hurricane Dorian wake of Hurricane Maria. partnership with numerous tion include water, canned

fish and meat, toiletries, other canned goods, sanitary products, diapers, premixed formula, flashlights, batteries, tarps, nails, hammers, chainsaws and gas jugs.

These items can be delivered to NPCC on Blake Road and JFK drive.

In addition to the efforts being carried out NPCC and others, Lend- A-Hand Bahamas is also organising to assist affected areas where they can.

In an interview with The Tribune, Lucas Metropulos, board chairman of Lend-AHand Bahamas, said while many relief efforts are mobilising to help Abaco, his group will primarily be focusing efforts on Grand Bahama.

“We’re looking to get a few shipping containers from the States as well as a few planes to take materials and we’re also raising some funds, where truly anyone can donate to,” he said.

“We’re also speaking with the other organisations and the government as well to make sure we’re not kind of duplicating efforts...In terms of materials, we’re hoping to get things over in the next two weeks to Grand Bahama in particular and have a few volunteers that will be distributed after we speak more to officials there.”

COAST Guard air crews and health service technicians are briefed at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater before a C-130 flight to the Bahamas in preparation for Hurricane Dorian response yesterday.

Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Ayla Kelley/ US Coast Guard

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 3, 2019, PAGE 7

A CYCLIST and drivers negotiate flooded areas in Nassau after Hurricane Dorian’s passage.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

BPL works to restore power in New Providence blackout

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net ABOUT 30 percent of New Providence had power restored by 6pm last night following an island-wide blackout early Monday, according to Minister of Works Desmond Bannister.

At a press conference, he explained that water likely impacted an engine at sub-station B at Bahamas Power and Light’s Blue Hills Power Station causing the blackout at 3.30am.

He said BPL crews worked hard to get the system back up. By 7.30am, the circuit was re-engerised only to trip immediately.

In a statement released yesterday, BPL said investigations continue into why a system fault at one of its primary substations,

believed to be the result of “moisture ingress”, initiated the “chain of events” that led to the outage.

The utility provider said officials are working through the aftermath of flooding in New Providence due to Hurricane Dorian, and “remain determined to safely and securely return the entire island to service”.

In a previous press release, BPL said it was “confident” it had made sufficient preparation for the monster storm, and that its preparations had placed the utility provider “in good stead” as the storm approached.

At the time, BPL said it also had activities “underway” that were designed to put BPL in “a state of readiness to respond to whatever exigencies may arise”.

However, various Facebook users chided BPL for its readiness, as moisture

and flooding is a prominent feature in every major hurricane.

“Moisture.

What in the frick frack did y’all think Dorian was bringing though? Yet y’all were ready,” Abigail Rolle complained.

“BPL was prepared though…according to your statement,” Edith State Treglown said. “Guess you never considered rain or moisture during a hurricane…just as prepared as we knew you were. Wow!” Meanwhile, Dedrick R Cox, suggested that if mere “moisture ingress” from Hurricane Dorian caused an island-wide blackout, New Providence customers were fortunate the storm didn’t hit the capitol straight-on. “...Current was gone be off for three years if that storm did touch Nassau,” he said.

HURRICANE DORIAN RELIEF EFFORTS A NUMBER of organisations and groups are already organising donations and fundraising efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Dorian.

• From 9am today, the Princess Margaret Hospital blood bank will be open for blood donations of all types.

For more information, contact 322-8077.

• The New Providence Community Church in partnership with HeadKnowles, Ports International, the Family Medicine Center, Bahamas Rotary Clubs and Rev, is asking the public to drop off non-perishable items that will be shipped to the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama.

They are accepting water, tuna, sardines, mackerel, corned beef and other canned goods, as well as toiletries, sanitary products, pampers, premixed formula, flashlights, batteries, tarps, nails, hammers, chainsaws and gas jugs.

Donations can be brought to NPCC Blake Road and JFK drive, open daily from 7.30am-9pm. Contact 327-1660 for more information.

• Tropix Shipping in Fort Lauderdale and Nassau will be open to receiving relief from today. The address is Tropix Abaco, 5610 NW 12th Avenue, Suite 203, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.

• Anglican Young Adults are asking for donations of clothing. Items should be in new or mint (good) condition and separated accordingly. Tops, bottoms, shoes, towels, hygiene items and underwear for all ages/sizes will be accepted.

Also welcomed are items such as nonperishable food, personal hygiene items, infant and children supplies and household products.

For more information on drop-offs, contact 359-3143. Volunteers are also needed for sorting and packaging.

Items may be dropped off at the

Anglican Church of the Epiphany, Prince Charles Drive, from tomorrow, daily to Saturday, between 8am and 6pm. Volunteers are also needed for separating and packaging. For further information or to volunteer, please call Glen Ritchie, priest warden, on 376-8245, or Carl Brennen, people’s warden, on 462-3088. ª • The Miami Dade Community Emergency Operations Center is accepting donations at 5120 NW 24th Avenue, Miami, Florida, from 10am-6pm. Donations requested are toiletries, diapers, first aid items, cleaning supplies, canned goods, box fans, leather work gloves, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food, water, wipes (cleaning and baby), tents, generators. No clothes, please.

Contact 786-877-7826/786-269-8070/305-343-7971.

• HeadKnowles has launched a GoFundMe for emergency funds, which has already raised more than $32,000. The group is also asking for generators, tarps, chainsaws, portable stoves, butane cannisters, air mattreses, liquid baby formula, diapers, wet wipes, toiletries including female sanitary products, mosquito repellent, water filtration devices, and matches.

The fundraiser link is: www.gofundme. com/f/headknowles-emergency-funds • Lend A Hand Bahamas has launched a fundraiser for relief efforts in The Bahamas to provide needed materials not normally donated outright as well as direct monetary support to those impacted. The link is: https://lendahandbahamas.networkforgood.com/ projects/80136-bahamas-hurricane-relieffund • The Little House By The Ferry blog is also rounding up fundraising efforts, including ways to contribute to the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue group.

The link is: littlehousebytheferry.com

PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 3, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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

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In the face of the worst, we show our best AS we write this, Grand Bahama is facing the worst possible scenario.

Hurricane Dorian reached the island then slowed to a stop, sitting over the land as it tears into the buildings and communities below.

The stories we hear from both Grand Bahama and Abaco are heart-wrenching. Equally heart-wrenching is the anxiety of family members and friends trying to find out if those they love are safe after the storm has passed over the northwestern islands.

Right now, we don’t know the cost to The Bahamas. We don’t know it in terms of property damage, and worse, we don’t know the cost in terms of lives.

We know that five people have died in Abaco, as confirmed yesterday by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. We sincerely hope that is all, but we fear it will be worse - and every moment Hurricane Dorian sits unmoving over Grand Bahama, our fears intensify.

What we do know is that there is much to be proud of in the way in which The Bahamas is responding to the storm.

Police officers, defence force officers, medics and emergency personnel of all kinds have been doing their best to help those driven out of their homes by the magnitude of the storm.

NEMA has been responding as the storm’s demands shifted - opening shelters last night as a wash of rain and flooding hit New Providence, all these miles south of the impacted islands.

Government officials have been working hard too to try to put resources where they are needed most - even as some of them are caught up in the disaster themselves, such as Michael Pintard, who found his East Grand Bahama

home flooded and himself in need of rescue.

We are proud too of our Tribune team, working across the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and here in New Providence to bring the news of the storm’s impact to readers.

Across the country, citizens have also taken up the burden and started reaching out to help - either by helping to share information of relatives who have been found safe and well, or starting to co-ordinate the volunteer response of gathering supplies to take to those who will need them.

From farther afield too, there have been offers of support - from world leaders to music stars such as Rihanna, from charities gearing up to help those left without a home to the likes of chef José Andrés whose team is already swinging into action with “kitchens ready to go”.

We fear there will be difficult days ahead as the full extent of the damage to the northwestern islands becomes clear - but it is this determination on the part of the Bahamian people that will see us through.

Across social media, it has been clear there is an emotional cost too as people struggle without knowing what has happened to friends and family.

The journey in the wake of this storm will be long, but we will undertake it knowing that every step will be one that can help our brothers and sisters.

Hurricane Dorian appears to have been an unstoppable force as it has struck our Bahamas - we must now show that as a people we are an immovable object. We shall remain. And we shall rebuild.

FLOODED areas in Nassau after Hurricane Dorian sent heavy rain across the capital.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

JEANETTE Saintville speaking to The Tribune yesterday.

The letters page shall return as normal tomorrow

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE canvassing residents taking shelter at Kendal Isaacs Gym yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

‘I looked outside and it looked like a sea at the front of my door’

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net SCORES of Bahamians flocked to the Kendal G L Isaacs National Gymnasium on Sunday night when Hurricane Dorian flooded their homes.

The Tribune visited the New Providence gymnasium yesterday morning to find that most of the residents had already left.

Shelter manager Andrea Newbold said 37 persons stayed in the gym Sunday night.

Eneas Street resident Jeanette Saintsville said she watched the water in her front yard rise and although authorities advised Bahamians to stay indoors, she and her two children “had to take that chance”.

Ms Saintsville said: “It wasn’t too bad last night but 3am the water took on a drastic rise even though the rain was so little. It just rises so when I saw that…I packed (last night) because the shelters weren’t open yet. I kept listening to the news so when (I heard) other areas began to call saying about their flooding, I said to Caleb (her son) looks like I will have to call too. I continued to listen to the news, and I kept looking outside. In the meantime, we kept putting stuff together. Upon hearing NEMA stating a shelter is open, which is the Kendal GL Isaacs National Gym, I say well that’s close to me I have to try and get there.

“I know they said not to go outside... I had to take a chance because NEMA said that they had other people that called first, so they had to assist them first.

I thought I would be last, so I had to walk down to a friend to get a friend assist me with carry my stuff and he help get here. This was 4.30am close to 5 this morning.”

A resident who preferred to be unnamed, said she has never seen this level of flooding in her Pinewood home before.

She said: “I fell asleep and when I woke up the water was coming in through the door. I opened the door and the water just gushed in and it started to reach midway of my calf.

My girlfriend who was with me started to panic and said, ‘Let’s call the police we have to get outside.’

“I looked outside and it looked like a sea at the front of my door. We didn’t know how deep it was, so we didn’t know what to do so we called the police.

NEMA came for us and all my clothes and shoes were ruined. Everything was ruined.”

Wizky Minnis, Village Road resident, said water came up through her home’s foundation and her apartment has severe flooding.

Ms Minnis said: “I had to actually call 919 and get some help to get out from my apartment. I had severe flooding, so I needed to be evacuated for me, my children and my brother and this is where we came.

“I wasn’t expecting the water level to get up to

where it was and how it came in…it didn’t come in through the doors. Sandbags would not have helped me because water didn’t come through the door as usual. I couldn’t use my car because of the flooding.”

She added: “We just had to hurry up and pack some stuff and get out. By the time we got help the fire truck couldn’t even come through. They had to come midway and we had to make it out to them. The water was almost waist deep.”

A Soldier Road resident who preferred to be unnamed, said her family lost everything.

She said: “I woke up about 11.35pm and when I stepped out of the bed the water was up to the box spring of the bed. Water was almost to my knees; after an hour water had past my knees because the back of the yard and the front of the yard was flooded.

“I came here with my two kids and my husband.

This is the first time, so we weren’t expecting this to actually happen to us…everything was floating, and I didn’t even hear when the water was coming in. When I woke up, I step into the water.”

Berry Island resident Devante Cooper said he flew over to “do some documents and ended up getting stuck” in New Providence.

Mr Cooper said: “They closed the airport earlier and all the government offices closed early. I was with a family friend and we had flooding waist deep, so they brought us here.

“If the airport reopens probably by Wednesday I’ll be going back. It’s not a big deal and the shelter is better than where I was - less water. The people I came with already left but it didn’t make sense going back because we still getting hit. Berry Island right there to Freeport and Abaco so we still getting affected by that.”

For those whose homes may not be habitable due to flooding, Ms Newbold said officials will keep shelters open.

“If we have that king tide like they say, a lot of persons will experience flooding,” she said.

“They will continue to experience that along with this rain plus the king tide, so we are here to render our service if that’s the case.

Come to the shelter that’s the safest thing to do.”

She added: “There are no restrictions, we take in persons that have disabilities. We have the Defence Force here and also the police so what they do is if anyone is unruly, we’ll have help from them. No restrictions you can come and if you need the shelter you can come.”

Ms Newbold encouraged people planning to stay at a shelter to bring “basic stuff” like water and medication.

“They could bring can food, something that they can warm up. We have a facility here they can warm up food. Basic stuff and we’ll provide the stuff that we have for them,” she said.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019, PAGE 9

RESIDENTS taking shelter at Kendal Isaacs Gym yesterday after heavy rain caused flooding.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 3, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DAIRY Queen and Go Postal in the Seagrape Shopping Plaza after looters entered and vandalised their doors.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

LOOTERS TARGET BUSINESSES DURING STORM

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

AS Hurricane Dorian ravaged the northwest islands and caused severe rain and flooding in New Providence, looters “used the opportunity” provided

by the severe conditions to break into businesses on the island, Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson confirmed yesterday.

Images circulated on social media yesterday, showing Dairy Queen and Go Postal in the Sea

Grapes plaza with shattered doors.

Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of a National Emergency Management Agency press conference yesterday, Commissioner Ferguson said the matter is under investigation.

When asked about the incident, the commissioner replied: “Obviously last night (Sunday night) you had some folks who used the opportunity (of) the conditions of the weather last night to break into a couple of business stores.

“That is actively under investigation.”

People condemned the break-in on social media. “(What) is wrong with people? After being spared this storm this (what) y’all doing?” one Facebook user wrote.

“These situations tend

to bring out the worst in humanity,” another commented.

“No fear of God during such a (catastrophe),” someone else posted.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477}.

Residents turn to social media to find loved ones

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FRIENDS and family members took to social media in a desperate attempt to locate scores of loved ones from Abaco who were displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Ever since the monster storm battered the northeastern island with its 180 mph winds, hundreds of people have flocked to Facebook to ascertain the whereabouts of their embattled friends and family.

Some haven’t heard from their loved ones from in over 24 hours, and in some instances, have received word that whatever shelter they were in sustained serious structural damages.

An unofficial list, posted

by Facebook page Beauty

By Bekuh around 11pm on Sunday, contains the names of at least 342 people, inclusive of men, women, children and the elderly, who loved ones have not been able to contact.

One of those was a boy who was separated from his mother overnight near the Marsh Harbour Port.

Another is Allister Delon Cargill, a young man who was sent to Abaco on assignment by Cable Bahamas but somehow got separated from his team.

According to Mr Cargill’s aunt Vardlee Cargill, no one had heard from him in the past 24 hours. He was last known to have been in Murphy Town.

Facebook user Mitesha T Nottage posted in Facebook group HeadKnowles that McKethan Nottage, who lived in the Regatta Condo in Marsh Harbour, was last heard from around 10am on Sunday. Anyone who has seen him is encouraged to contact Tessa Nottage at 376-7724.

Robyn Darville, meanwhile, is still trying to get

HARBOUR Lodge in Abaco after the passage of Hurricane Dorian. in contact with her father, Robert Darville, whose last known address was in Dundas Town. Ms Darville said the last thing she heard from her father after 11pm on Sunday was that a “big hole” had opened up in his roof and that the “ceiling was caving in”.

Another post, made almost a day ago, said Donna Johnson’s family were desperate to hear word about her and her family’s safety. The last time Mrs Johnson’s family spoke to her, the woman said her roof had blown off. Mrs Johnson, her husband Jeff and their daughter live in Murphy Town.

Another user, Victorious Toyah Higgs, posted in

Facebook group 242 In The Know that her best friend, Demetri Munroe, a former officer and now medic/ nurse in one of the Abaco cays, was not heard from since Sunday morning.

Ricardo Brice is also trying to get in touch with his niece Pazzia Newbold, who was in Dundas Town when Hurricane Dorian made landfall.

As the individual posts continue to pour in, a Facebook group, “Abaco Search | Hurricane Dorian”, has been made for the sole purpose of locating family and friends feared missing on that island.

The group, created on Sunday by Vanessa Pritchard Ansell, already

has over 5,000 members.

The group’s posts are organised by the island’s settlements, namely Cooper’s Town; Green Turtle Cay; Treasure Cay; Great Guana Cay; Man-O-War Cay; Marsh Harbour; Elbow Cay; Lubbers Quarters; Tilloo Cay; Little Harbour/ Cherokee Sound; Crossing Rocks; Sandy Point; Dundas Town; Bahama Palm Shores; Munjack Cay; and Murphy Town.

Marsh Harbour, in particular, had racked up 1.3K comments up to press time.

A search box is available in the group that allows users to search their loved one’s name to see if they have been located prior to posting an alert.

Switching gears to Grand Bahama, Dahlia Francis posted on Monday that her best friend’s sister, Dedra Williams — who is six months pregnant, and her boyfriend, Ryan Tucker, haven’t been heard from in hours since the roof of their building came off.

Their last known whereabouts was 1001 Harbour House in the Lucaya area.

Another post from shortly around 7am on Monday requested immediate help for persons in distress at Windermere Drive in Freeport. According to that post, seven adults were at that location — one injured, along with an unspecified number of dogs.

“They’re trapped in the

manhole and the water levels keep rising!” the post said.

At 12.30pm on Monday, the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) said mobile services were available in Cherokee Sound; Bahama Palm; Schooner Bay; Sands Cove; and Sandy Point, Abaco.

Fixed line and mobile services are “compromised” throughout the rest of the island, BTC said.

As for Grand Bahama, BTC said mobile services are available in Grand Lucaya; West End; Taino Beach; Maurice Moore; Our Lucaya; and Queen’s Highway. Fixed line services are compromised island-wide, BTC said.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 3, 2019, PAGE 11

Marilyn’s moving and shaking with Houston’s elite - but never forgets her roots BAHAMIANS all around the globe stared at their mobile phones in despair this weekend and into today as they saw videos and photographs of the destruction Hurricane Dorian wreaked on this country as it dragged across the northern islands.

I have had family and friends checking in from Australia, London, Jamaica and several states in the US. Among them, my cousin Marilyn Rose who is one of the bedrocks of our Watson family. She kept in touch from Houston through our family Whatsapp group chat. We all prayed for the safety of our cousins Colene and Harry in Freeport, as well as all Bahamians, especially those in Grand Bahama and Abaco, who faced the brunt of the storm.

There was nothing those abroad could do but offer prayers and encouragement, which meant the world to those of us here.

Marilyn has always been a source of encouragement for her younger family members, and so we were all elated when she was honoured among the “Top 30 Influential Women of Houston” just over a week ago. It was a well-deserved honour as Marilyn and her husband, Lynden Rose, have made such a positive impact on the Houston community, despite hailing from a small country like The Bahamas.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis took note of this when he visited Texas in January and saw how well known and respected the Roses are in influential circles in the state and especially in Houston. Lynden, an attorney by profession, serves as the Bahamas’ General Consul for Texas, operating out of his personal office and reports to the Miami office. While Lynden has made waves in the city in his own right, it is his wife who the movers and shakers came together to honour recently, along with 29 other top professional women in the community.

Marilyn A Rose is a Certified Public Accountant and serves as the Accounting Administrator in the Finance Office of the Executive Bureau at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

She has worked in various capacities in her six-year tenure there. Before joining the Sheriff’s Office, Marilyn spent nine years at the Harris County Tax Assessor Collector and Voter’s Registrar Office as the Internal Auditor. Prior to embarking on a full-time position with Harris County, she worked on several contract engagements with Independent Accountants and established the LM Rose Consulting Group.

She considers her childhood as one that is a typical story of those who grew up in Nassau in her day – “we didn’t have much but we were happy”. Marilyn’s parents, William (deceased) and Yvonne Watson moved to Pyfrom’s Addition when she was six months old. At the time, they already had Dellareese and Anthony “Bubba”. In total, the Watson household had seven children, her younger siblings are Ricardo, Sharon, Kirkwood and Carlton.

“It was a lot of fun growing up,” she beamed.

“There was seven of us, so there was a lot going on all the time. Uncle Harold lived with us, and he and cousin Thomas were close so he would always come by. On Saturdays, my mom would cook and sell dinners. So the house would also be full with her sisters and their children. We would go on the beach, and during the Christmas

time, we would walk to Lynden, a senior at the UniBay Street to watch the versity Houston, hooked up Junkanoo parade. Our with his friend, basketball cousin, Sarah Wallace and star Michael Thompson. her family would always The pair attended the party walk with us. They would together and there, a roseyalso go to church with us eyed Lynden spotted his and spend Christmas with future wife. He gave her us at home after mass. So, his telephone number and the Watson household was told her to call collect, but always fun and filled with she never did. However, he laughter. was able to get the beauti“I remember daddy had ful 18 year-old’s number a record… an instrumental, and call her, and the rest is and we would march around history. They were engaged the house and salute! We when Marilyn was 21 yearswould also have dance con- old, however, a number of tests. We didn’t have a lot, circumstances resulted in but we were happy kids. As them never getting married we grew, daddy’s main thing until she was a few days’ was that shy of her we would 30th birthalways day.

He check for was busy each other. studying in To this day, law school, we still do and she that.

We had to deal don’t have with an illany major ness that conflicts she refused among us. to allow to We may define her have diflife. ferences At first, of opinMarilyn’s ion, but we elbows never got became to the point irritated, where MARILYN receives gifts as she is and she none of us honoured amongst Houston’s Top had a are speak- 30 Influential Women. rash that ing. Mom wouldn’t also set a good example. She didn’t go away. She went to the have big conflicts with her doctor in Nassau, but was siblings or her in-laws. Aunt misdiagnosed. Lupus tends Agatha (my mother and the to mimic other diseases and only girl out of her parents’ can be hard to diagnose.

When her brother seven children) was always doing for us and giving, Ricardo (Ricky) got marand Uncle Frank (former ried in Houston in 1990, she Deputy Prime Minister) attended and decided to get would send my mother a second opinion. Before flowers on her birthday the doctor even came back every year. My dad also with the test results, the worked hard and sent six nurse noticed the butterflyof us to college, which is amazing.”

Marilyn attended Highbury High and then RM Bailey School before she went off to university at Prairie View A&M. She graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. She went on to complete her graduate studies at Texas Southern University where she obtained a Master of Business Administration Degree from the Jesse H. Jones School of Business in 1988. She then returned home to The Bahamas to work at Price Waterhouse International Accountant Firm (Price WaterhouseCoopers) from 1988 to 1993.

Back then, with a Master’s degree, Marilyn and others at the firm earned about $15,000 a year, but she was thankful for work and the experience. Additionally, the company sponsored her studies and she passed the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants examination in 1990. Upon return, she was earning about $20,000 a year. She points this out to highlight the humility and determination that is sometimes necessary to achieve your goals.

Although she was paying her dues back home, Marilyn must have known that Houston would be back in her sights in the future, as she was engaged to Lynden Rose. While she was a freshman at Prairie View, she and other Bahamians attending the university were invited to a party that Bahamians at TSU were hosting. At the time, the Houston Rockets were playing the Los Angeles Lakers on their home court.

shaped rash on Marilyn’s face, and told her she may have Lupus.

The nurse was right, but the rude doctor coldly delivered the diagnosis without advising her what to do next.

Lynden’s brother, the late Dr. Matthew Rose, former PLP Member of Parliament for St Barnabas, arranged for her to see doctors in Florida. For the first three months, doctors there were treating her for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Meantime, her health was deteriorating. She was in a lot of pain, she was gaining a lot of weight, and her long hair was falling out. It wasn’t until she returned to Houston and saw another doctor that she began receiving treatment for Lupus.

Here in Nassau, Dr Nwosa partnered with the Houston doctor to help Marilyn. She received treatment at Doctor’s Hospital.

She found that medication and chemotherapy treatments were cheaper for her to do at home at the time.

Meantime Price Waterhouse supported her every step of the way.

By the time she got married in August of 1993, she was in remission with a bright outlook on life, after doctors told her she would still be able to have children. She ended up giving birth to two boys and together, she and Lynden have three children - Madelyn, Lynden and Lynnard.

Marilyn became licensed under the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. She is a Texas Southern University Board of Regent, serving her second term. She was appointed in 2011 by the former Governor Rick Perry and reappointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2015. She is a former board member of the Lupus Foundation of America

Texas Gulf Coast Chapter and Texas Organization of Youth Sports above (TOYS).

MARILYN ROSE, and Maritop, and above, beyond. lyn’s with Houston She has prework in Mayor Sylvester pared home-cooked the comTurner and her meals for them, and munity husband. she pushes them to do has come and achieve their very with some best, while seeking scholrecognition. arships for those who meet On June 5, 1999 at the Status of Women the mark.

Lynden Junior and Luncheon, she received the Status of Women Achieve- Lynnard are also heavily ment Award from the encouraged by their mother Sigma Gamma Rho Soror- to put their best foot fority, Inc Epsilon Tau Sigma ward in life. Lynden just Chapter. The award was in returned to Houston from admiration of her “spirit, Australia playing profeslove and unselfish dedi- sional basketball and will cation to the pursuit and be heading to Finland to betterment of those she play in the near future. He touched with her simple played for the University of act of kindness”. She Houston when he attended was presented with the there. Lynnard is currently Marilyn Rose Presidents playing football at ColomLeadership Scholarship bia University in New Donor Award in 2013 by York, where he is studying the then president, John political science.

L Rudley, in appreciaMarilyn’s love and a tion of her commitment to passion for people was student success at Texas recognised when she was Southern University. She named Top 30 Most influreceived the Excellence in ential Women in Houston.

Achievement Award from The prestigious group the Texas Southern Uni- includes other outstanding versity National Alumni women like Dr Janet WorAssociation in 2015, for mack, vice chancellor of her outstanding support to finance and administration the university, students and and chief financial officer at alumni.

Houston Community ColMy son, Elijah currently lege, and Jane E Cheeks, attends TSU and he and Director of Human his friends can personally Resources for the City of attest that Marilyn goes Houston.