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VOLUME:115 No.196, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2018

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WOMEN: YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN

AG’s lawyers walk away over strategy Legal duo hired to fight shanty town case depart

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net HIGH-PROFILE attorneys on the government’s legal team have severed ties with the Office of the Attorney General due to a difference of legal opinion on which strategy to take in its rebuttal to legal action filed over the removal of shanty towns.

Attorney General Carl Bethel issued a statement yesterday, which noted Harvey Tynes, QC, and Robert Adams from Graham Thompson in Grand Bahama are no

longer representing the government in its case against those seeking to block the government’s shanty town eradication.

Mr Bethel said with the two attorneys gone from the government’s legal team, the Office of the Attorney General will now conduct the matter on behalf of respondents “with the government’s absolute determination to humanely address the vexing and long-standing problem of irregular, illegal, unsafe and unsanitary housing in shanty towns throughout The Bahamas.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

STUDENTS who took the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations performed marginally worse this year in comparison with those who took the national tests in 2017.

This year, the number of students able to obtain a C grade or better in Mathematics, English Language

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER of Police Anthony Ferguson has yet to decide what position the Royal Bahamas Police Force will take on the Labour Day tragedy that left four women dead, The Tribune was told.

When contacted yesterday, Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs, the officerin-charge of the Traffic Division, acknowledged that the file containing the recommendation of the Department of Public Prosecutions concerning the matter is with the commissioner.

“We’re waiting on the commissioner of police to direct us further,” CSP Stubbs said.

SEE PAGE THREE

CRUISE PORT PLAN SEEKS TO BRING $16BN BOOST

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FOURTH YEAR FALL IN EXAM PASS RATE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

FERGUSON HOLDS FILE ON LABOUR DAY TRAGEDY

SMITH’S DEFENCE: WE WANT SANDS

and Science was at its worst compared with the last four years. The number of students who got a C or above in five or more subjects declined by more than eight percent compared with 2017.

Although slightly more teens sat the BGCSE exams this year, there was also a decline in the number of students able to attain grade C and D passes. More students, however, received an A, B, E and F than the year before.

SEE PAGE TWO

A MAJORITY Bahamian-owned consortium is predicting that its plans to transform Nassau’s cruise port will give the economy a $16bn boost spread over 30 years.

Global Ports Holding, the international cruise port manager, in a July 16, proposal to the Government said its planned $285.7m upgrade of Prince George Wharf through a waterfront entertainment park would inject an extra $216m into the Bahamian economy in the first year alone.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

FRANK Smith outside court yesterday. The former MP’s lawyers said they want to cross-examine Health Minister Dr Duane Sands as part of their case in Smith’s bribery trial. See page five for the full story.

KHIARA: I’LL SETTLE FOR $1M

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN beauty queen demanded a $1.1m settlement for the Ministry of Tourism’s unauthorised use of her song just weeks after she licenced its fiveyear use for only $750.

The ministry, in its latest salvo against the

KHIARA SHERMAN

copyright violation lawsuit

by Khiara Sherman, said it was bewildered how the song Fly Away With Me could rise in value by $1m in just three months.

The singer demanded a $1.1m settlement in an October 9, 2017, letter - but agreed the $750 fee for a Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board video on July 5.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FACE-TO-FACE:

I NEVER SET OUT TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF ANY BOARD

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Fourth year fall in exam pass rate

from page one According to newly released examination results from the Ministry of Education, although there was a slight increase in candidates, the number of awarded grades “slightly” decreased when compared with last year. The results this year were also released later than in previous years.

However, officials did not say why this was the case.

“In 2018, a total of 806 candidates received at least grade C in five or more subjects as compared with 2017 with 880. This represents a decrease of 8.41 percent,” the results said.

“There were 903 candidates (in this category) in 2016; 961 candidates in 2015 and 922 candidates in 2014.”

It continued: “In 2018, a total of 1,338 candidates obtained a minimum grade of D in at least five subjects.

This represents a decrease of 10.38 percent from 2017 which had a total of 1,493 candidates. There were 1,459 in 2016; 1.534 candidate in 2015 and 1,545 in 2014.

“In 2018, a total of 490 candidates received at least a grade C or better in Mathematics, English Language and a science.

This represents a decrease of 5.95 percent when compared with 2017, which has a total of 521 candidates.

There were 574 candidates in 2016; 570 candidates in 2015 and 588 candidates in 2014 (in this category),” the results also said.

The report noted English Language, Biology, Mathematics and Religious Studies continue to remain the subjects of choice for the vast majority of BGCSE candidates. Art & Design scheme C, Auto Mechanics and Clothing Construction remain the least subscribed subjects.

Of the 27 subjects tested, the report noted, improved performance was noted in 13 subjects.

They are Art & Design A, Art & Design B, Art & Design C, Auto Mechanics, Cothing Construction, Geography, Office Procedures, Keyboarding, Commerce, English Language, Graphical Communication, Literature and Mathematics.

A further break down per letter grade showed the highest percentage of grades awarded is grade C with 6,811 of them awarded

in 2018. Whereas 5,490 Ds; 3,571 Es; 3,017 Bs; 2,228 As; 2,114 Fs; 1,194 Gs and 620 Us were awarded.

In 2017 there were 7,077 Cs awarded; 5579 Ds; 3,504 Es; 3,004 Bs; 2,143 As; 1,938 Fs; 1,185 Gs and 710 Us. More girls sat the examinations than boys.

Younger students who sat the Bahamas Junior Certificate exam performed better than their older counterparts.

The total number of grades awarded in 2018 was 42,671 as compared to 2017, which was 44,403. This represents a decrease of 3.90 percent.

Again this year, the ministry said, math and language arts were the two most heavily subscribed subjects.

And more students received C grade or higher in five or more subjects.

The BJC results read: “In 2018, a total of 1,600 candidates received a grade of C or higher in five or more subjects. This represents an increase of 7.82 percent over 2017, which had a total of 1,484 candidates. There were 1,514 candidates in 2016; 1,485 candidates in 2015 and 1,400 candidates in 2014.”

There were also more BJC test takers this year with grade D or above in a minimum of five subjects or more.

“In 2018, a total of 2,319 candidates achieved a minimum of grade D in at least five subjects. This represents a 2.20 percent increase from 2017, which had 2,269 candidates. There were 2,240 candidates in 2016; 2,179 candidates in 2015 and 2,098 candidates in 2014.”

The results also said: “In 2018, 1,552 candidates achieved at least a C in Mathematics, English and a science. This represents a 17.04 percent increase when compared to 2017, which had a total of 1,326 candidates.

“There were 1,554 candidates in 2016; 1,479 candidates in 2015 1,651 candidates in 2014.”

The breakdown of letter grades showed more C passes with 9,563 this year.

Ds were 7,623, Bs 7,290, Es 5,574, As 4,015, Fs 3715, Gs 2,473 and Us 2,418.

Comparatively in 2017 there were 9,408 Cs, 8,043 Ds, 7,042 Bs, 6,045 Es, 4,511 Fs, 3,834 As, 2954 Gs and 2566 Us. Again, there were more girls who sat the BJC exams compared with boys.

PM VISITS FAMILY ISLANDS AS STUDENTS GO BACK TO SCHOOL

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis visited LN Coakley High School in Exuma and Rum Cay All-Age School yesterday as doors opened for the new term. The prime minister took time to inspect the damage at Rum Cay following a fire at the weekend there.

Opposition leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis also visited Rum Cay school, bottom left, which is in his constituency.

PM photos: Yontalay Bowe

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 4, 2018, PAGE 3

Ferguson holds file on Labour Day tragedy

from page one The Tribune could not reach Mr Ferguson for his comment up to press time yesterday.

The Labour Day incident forced the shutdown of the annual parade that celebrates the achievements of workers. The tragedy took place on June 1 when a green Ford F150 vehicle descended down East Street, colliding with the crowd and killing Dianne Elizabeth Ferguson, 55, Kathleen Augusta Fernander, 51, Tabitha Charlene Haye, 41 and Tami Patrice Gibson, 48.

About two dozen others were also injured. Police

initially said the truck was unmanned, with the driver getting out of the vehicle moments before it mowed into the crowd.

The incident forced the Princess Margaret Hospital into mass casualty mode.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave a national address concerning the event. He also visited the families of the victims.

He said in Parliament: “As our union leaders and workers demonstrated during the march, we are one people united in love. We remain united in this time of tragedy and suffering. May God bring consolation to the bereaved at this time and may He continue to bless

our Bahamas.”

Since then, however, some family and friends of the women who were killed have been left to anxiously wait for the RBPF to say what has come out of its investigation into the incident.

In July, a relative of Fernander said the family believes the police investigation has taken too long.

“I still can’t come to grips with what happened,” she said. “We need some closure. What happened and how did it happen?

Some family members have expressed eagerness to meet the driver of the truck whose actions are at the centre of the police investigation.

THE SCENE of the crash on Labour Day.

SCHOOL MOURNS FOR STUDENTS LOST IN TRAGEDY BOWS placed outside Jack Hayward High School in Grand Bahama in memory of two students who died on Sunday.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net IT was a sombre first day back to school yesterday for the students and teachers at Jack Hayward High School in Grand Bahama as they mourned two students killed in a weekend accident.

A special assembly was held in the school’s gymnasium, and a team of grief counsellors was on campus providing assistance to grieving students.

Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard, the MP for Marco City, religious leaders and representatives from the Department of Social Services were present offering support and comfort to faculty and students.

Two bows were placed at the school’s entrance gate in memory of deputy head boy and prefect, Jamall Cooper, 15, and school prefect, Perez Hepburn, 16.

Three other students from the school with a fourth student from another high school are still in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained Sunday when the car they were in

crashed into a utility pole that landed on a fence around 4am.

Cooper and Hepburn survived the crash, but were electrocuted and died at the scene after coming into contact with the fence with downed live wires.

Principal Bronwen Smith said that Jack Hayward High had lost two promising young students.

“We lost two young men who we really had a lot of high hopes for,” she told The Tribune. She noted that both students were seniors and were at the school last Thursday for an orientation that was held for school prefects.

According to Ms Smith, there were plans for Cooper to attend a hospitality college on a scholarship in the US. “He was in the hospitality programme, and his teacher was getting him straight and organised, and making plans for him to get a scholarship in the States at an institution that specialises in culinary arts,” she added.

She noted that Cooper was a quiet student and many persons did not

MAN SHOT BEFORE GUNMEN SPEED AWAY A MAN is in hospital after he was shot outside a Pinewood Gardens home on Sunday night.

Police said the shooting happened shortly after 11pm, when two men pulled up to a residence on Breadfruit Street in Pinewood Gardens. A silver Nissan vehicle pulled next to them

and the occupants opened fire on the men, injuring one of them, before speeding away, police said.

The injured man was taken to hospital and is listed in serious condition.

The second man was not injured.

An investigation is ongoing.

expect he would run as a candidate for head boy.

“I remember when he was giving his speech while auditioning for head boy, persons were very surprised because he is usually quiet, but he had a lot to share,” she recalled.

Mr Pintard was deeply saddened by the passing of the two young men and offered his condolences to the families.

On Sunday, he visited the young men who are in hospital.

“It was most sobering that my visit to Jack Hayward High was to stand in solidarity with the Wildcat family as they grieve so

great a loss on the eve of the reopening of the school year,” he said.

“These talented young Bahamians were popular among students and held positions of leadership,” he added.

The MP reminded students to not take life for granted. “Life is fragile and we must make wise decisions to protect it,” he said.

After learning of the tragedy on Sunday, Ms Smith contacted the district superintendent at the Ministry of Education about getting a crisis team at the school on Monday.

“We certainly need

Photo: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff some grief management and counselling,” she said, adding that some students are still in denial.

“This week is going to be a little trying (for us), but we have to be very supportive of each other and provide that love and support for each other.

“When I came out of the gymnasium, I met a 12th grade student standing by herself, and when I saw her face, I gave her a hug, and she said, ‘I can’t believe it.’”

Following the assembly, a separate grief counselling session was held for all 12th graders.

“They wanted to talk

with seniors to find out exactly what they were going through, and what stages of grief they were going through and giving them advice about how to deal with it,” Ms Smith said.

One student called for fellow students to continue their final year by doing their best in remembrance of their two fallen classmates.

“I hope it would motivate all the young men in the school, particularly the class, to be more focused and realise that life is short and we don’t know when it will end. We have to live each day and be the best we can be,” Ms Smith said.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 4, 2018

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THE TRIBUNE

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Trump’s rollback of pollution rules to hit coal country hard GRANT TOWN, West Virginia (AP) — It’s coal people like miner Steve Knotts, 62, who make West Virginia Trump Country.

So it was no surprise that President Donald Trump picked the state to announce his plan rolling back Obamaera pollution controls on coal-fired power plants.

Trump left one thing out of his remarks, though: northern West Virginia coal country will be ground zero for increased deaths and illnesses from the rollback on regulation of harmful emission from the nation’s coal power plants.

An analysis done by his own Environmental Protection Agency concludes that the plan would lead to a greater number of people here dying prematurely, and suffering health problems that they otherwise would not have, than elsewhere in the country, when compared to health impacts of the Obama plan.

Knotts, a coal miner for 35 years, isn’t fazed when he hears that warning, a couple of days after Trump’s West Virginia rally. He says the last thing people in coal country want is the government slapping down more controls on coal — and the air here in the remote West Virginia mountains seems fine to him.

“People here have had it with other people telling us what we need. We know what we need. We need a job,” Knotts said at lunch hour at a Circle K in a tiny town between two coal mines, and 9 miles down the road from a coal power plant, the Grant Town plant.

The sky around Grant Town is bright blue. The mountains are a dazzling green. Paw Paw Creek gurgles past the town.

Clean-air controls since the 1980s largely turned off the columns of black soot that used to rise from coal smokestacks. The regulations slashed the national death rates from coal-fired power plants substantially.

These days, pollutants rise from smoke stacks as gases, before solidifying into fine particles — still invisible — small enough to pass through lungs and into bloodstreams.

An EPA analysis says those pollutants would increase under Trump’s plan, when compared to what would happen under the Obama plan. And that, it says, would lead to thousands more heart attacks, asthma problems and other illnesses that would not have occurred.

Nationally, the EPA says, 350 to 1,500 more people would die each year under Trump’s plan. But it’s the northern two-thirds of West Virginia and the neighboring part of Pennsylvania that would be hit hardest, by far, according to Trump’s EPA. Trump’s rollback would kill an extra 1.4 to 2.4 people a year for every 100,000 people in those hardest-hit areas, compared to under the Obama plan, according to the EPA analysis. For West Virginia’s 1.8 million people, that would be equal to at least a couple dozen additional deaths a year.

Trump’s acting EPA administrator, Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist whose grandfather worked in the coal camps of West Virginia, headed to coal states this week and last to promote Trump’s rollback. The federal government’s retreat on regulating pollution from coal power plants was “good news,” Wheeler told crowds there.

In Washington, EPA spokesman Michael Abboud said Trump’s plan still would result in “dramatic reductions” in emissions, deaths and illness compared to the status quo, instead of to the Obama plan. Obama’s Clean Power Plan targeted climate-changing carbon dioxide, but since coal is the largest source of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, the Obama plan would have curbed other harmful emissions from the coal-fired power plants as well.

About 160 miles to the south of Grant Town, near the state capital of Charleston, shop owner Doris Keller figures that if Trump thinks something’s for the best, that’s good enough for her.

“I just know this. I like Donald Trump and I think that he’s doing the right thing,” said Keller, who turned out to support Trump on August 21 when he promoted his rollback proposal. She lives five miles from the 2,900-megawatt John Amos coal-fired power plant.

“I think he has the best interests of the regular common people at the forefront,” Keller says.

Trump’s Affordable Clean Energy programme would dismantle President Barack Obama’s 2015 Clean Power Plan, which has been caught up in court battles without yet being implemented.

The Obama plan targeted climatechanging emissions from power plants, especially coal. It would have increased federal regulation of emissions from the nation’s electrical grid and broadly promoted natural gas, solar power and other cleaner energy.

Trump’s plan would cede much of the federal oversight of existing coal-fired power plants and drop official promotion of cleaner energy. Individual states largely would decide how much to regulate coal power plants in their borders.

The plan is open for public review, ahead of any final White House decision.

“I’m getting rid of some of these ridiculous rules and regulations, which are killing our companies ... and our jobs,” Trump said at the rally.

There was no mention of the “small increases” in harmful emissions that would result, compared to the Obama plan, or the health risks.

EPA charts put numbers on just how many more people would die each year because of those increased coal emissions.

Abboud and spokeswoman Ashley Bourke of the National Mining Association, which supports Trump’s proposed regulatory rollback on coal emissions, said other federal programs already regulate harmful emissions from coal power plants. Bourke also argued that the health studies the EPA used in its death projections date as far back as the 1970s, when coal plants burned dirtier.

In response, Conrad Schneider of the environmental nonprofit Clean Air Task Force said the EPA’s mortality estimates had taken into account existing regulation of plant emissions.

Additionally, health studies used by the EPA looked at specific levels of exposure to pollutants and their impact on human health, so remain constant over time, said Schneider, whose group analyses the EPA projections.

With competition from natural gas and other cleaner energy helping to kill off more than a third of coal jobs over the last decade, political leaders in coal states are in no position to be the ones charged with enforcing public-health protections on surviving coal-fired power plants, said Vivian Stockman of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition.

“Our state is beholden to coal. Our politicians are beholden to coal,” Stockman said outside Trump’s West Virginia rally, where she was protesting. “Meanwhile, our people are being poisoned.”

And when it comes to coal power plants and harm, Schneider said, “when you’re at Grant Town, you’re at Ground Zero”.

Retired coal miner Jim Haley, living 4 miles from the town’s coal-fired power plant, has trouble telling from the smokestack when the plant is even operating.

“They’ve got steam coming out of the chimneys. That’s all they have coming out of it,” Haley said.

Parked near the Grant Town post office, where another resident was rolling down the quiet main street on a tractor, James Perkins listened to word of the EPA’s health warnings. He cast a look into the rear-view mirror into the backseat of his pickup truck, at his threeyear-old grandson, sitting in the back.

“They need to make that safe,” said Perkins, a health-care worker who had opted not to follow his father into the coal mines. “People got little kids.”

By Ellen Knickmeyer and John Raby, Associated Press

A rock and a hard place EDITOR, The Tribune.

I CONSIDER myself a Christian, perhaps not in the traditional and hypocritical manner, but I daresay that there is not a single other Bahamian, living, preferably, or dead who loves The Lord God Jehovah more than I, bar none. Traditionally, The Bible and other scriptural tomes postulate that “all of our help” comes from God. Yes, I completely agree with this but we human beings, inclusive of me, sometimes look to external sources for financial succour.

Often in times of temporary financial shortfalls some of us go to church leaders; family members; employers; lending institutions and anyone else whom we “feel” would be prepared to accommodate one’s beggary. While I have been self subjected to this humiliation and a direct repudiation of “thus saith The Lord”, I am not a proponent of this spectacle.

Others may think the same way but they often times get involved, excessively, in gaming and wagering (some call it gambling) in a vain and foolish attempt to earn a living from this insidious and morally debasing behaviour. Again, permit me to state, for the record, that I am a proponent of affordable and prudent gaming, etc.

What I am bitterly against is the fact that a handful of “selected” individuals have been granted a monopoly on this activity and would appear to be pulling in tens of millions of dollars annually from the main economy to the national and societal detriment. In addition, the web operators would now appear to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net be dictating to the hapless FNM administration.

I am astounded by the fact that despite the overly repeated “promise” to make available an Initial Public Opening (IPO) to ordinary Bahamians during the bogus vote yes campaign, we’ve heard very little about that in recent times. The web operators, before legislation and regulations, were, generally, in business for decades, ie Flowers’ web shops may have had their origin in what was started by Craig’s father decades ago.

Island Games came out of the numbers business then ran by the late Percival “Percy” Munnings. Island Luck (Sebas Bastian; Adrian Fox and Keith Major); Ultra Games (Antoine Roker) and Paradise Games (Kevin Knowles) are “newer” players on the block but they too enjoyed years of non taxed revenue and income.

It has been said that they are all millionaires and would have been so for quite some time now. Do not get me wrong. I have no problem with people wagering their disposable income. I am against them chasing The Big Gold Dream while the operators are getting filthy rich.

Our “lazy” administrations see this industry as a means to raise revenue in the benign guise of taxes.

I hold that the monopoly which currently exists is unconstitutional and discriminatory. Capitalism and democratic values would dictate that all qualified Bahamians should, as a matter of right, be allowed

by common and statute law to equal access to all of the economic benefits and opportunities in the nation.

No more, no less. The people of our wonderful nation seems to be caught up between a rock and a very hard place.

In conclusion, the FNM, as broke as it claims that it is will go for the whole hog, as they should. Reduce the potential profit margin for the operators to 40% and the central government 60%.

The disparity of wealth and income is too in your face and may lead, God forbid, to societal dislocation. If the operators were operating a pure “nation building” industry they could earn all the monies possible. When the proliferation of this industry flaunts its opening of stores right next to schools and churches, this is where I draw the line. Where is the Bahamas Christian Council in all of this? Where is the official opposition?

Appropriate legal proceedings may well have to be taken by citizens to rationalise this industry and to bring sanity and order to the same. The creation and sustenance of oligarchs is not a Bahamian thing nor is it conducive to a healthy national economy. By the way, where are the industry sponsored “addiction” hotlines and care facilities for gambling addicts?

We don’t hear much about this because the operators would appear to want as many clients as possible and to hell, apparently, with the consequences. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr Nassau, September 3, 2018.

Duty free EDITOR, The Tribune.

I NOTICED recently when travelling that the Liquor Stores at the Lynden Pindling International Airport are no longer duty free. I know in the past they used to be.

As someone who travels fairly frequently, I have noticed that most airports in the world have duty free

stores. World Airports are known for their famous duty free stores. Why are the stores in the main international airports in The Bahamas not duty free?

This would be an added boost and revenue for The Bahamas. Tourists wanting to buy last-minute liquors and gifts for themselves and for their family and friends.

Also Bahamians

travelling abroad can take liquors and gifts to their family and friends. The stores on Bay Street are duty free. The stores in the international airports should also be duty free.

A TRAVELLING BAHAMIAN OBSERVER Nassau, August, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 4, 2018, PAGE 5

SHANTY town notices being handed out earlier this year.

AG’s lawyers walk away over strategy from page one His statement continued: “Based on this firm resolve, we have agreed to part ways with formerly retained private counsel.

The government expressed its thanks and appreciation to Messrs Tynes and Adams for their respectful and untiring efforts up to this point.”

This comes as shanty town residents have asked the government to rescind revised notices asking them to demolish structures or they will petition the court to have top officials cited for contempt.

The Supreme Court previously ordered the government and utility providers to halt any planned evictions, service disconnections or demolitions in shanty towns pending a judicial review of the Minnis administration’s policy to eradicate those communities, filed

on behalf of 177 shanty town residents from both New Providence and Abaco.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes, Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister, and Mr Bethel are named as respondents in the exparte application.

Attorney Fred Smith told The Tribune yesterday his clients have received revised notices from the Ministry of Public Works concerning the same land as previous notices, which are under dispute.

He explained the revised notices are individually addressed, and purport to have followed an inspection unlike previous notices, adding that the lack of particulars was one of several objections formed by his clients in their application.

A notice, obtained by The Tribune, was issued by Ministry of Public Works

Building Control Officer Craig Delancy to Freddie Petifree of Carmichael Road, on August 29.

The notice stated an inspection of premises located east of Bacardi Road at the rear of Alpha Omega Church had revealed a 20 ft by 24 ft masonry structure had been constructed without an approved building permit.

Mr Petifree was given 28 days to pull down and remove the structure, or the minister would remove it and recover the expenses incurred from him, in accordance with the Building Regulations Act. In an email to the government yesterday, Mr Smith wrote: “Given that the revised August 2018 notices have been served in relation to structures that were already the subject of the July 2018 notices, we infer that you accept that the July 2018 notices were unlawful and of no effect.

“Moreover,” Mr Smith

continued, “we remind you of the terms of the interlocutory injunction of Mrs Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, namely that pending the determination of this action the respondents ‘be and are hereby restrained directly or through their agents, appointees or employees from taking possession of, demolishing any building on, or otherwise interfering with the 177 applicants’ and other residents’ and occupiers’ enjoyment of land in shanty towns in New Providence, including by disconnecting any utilities other than pursuant to the relevant enabling legislation.’”

Mr Smith wrote: “The revised August 2018 notices, and the threat they contain to demolish buildings upon the land in issue in these proceedings, are plainly in direct breach of this injunction.”

Mr Smith asked for a confirmation the revised

TEEN ACCUSED OF FATAL SHOOTING

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A 19-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with a June shooting incident.

Rodman Knowles, of Step Street, Fox Hill, stood before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged with the June 12 murder of Bernard Ancestor and attempted murder of

Tamiko Major.

It is alleged that on the date in question, a gunman from a silver-coloured car opened fire on a group sitting under a tent, wounding two men, one of whom died at the scene.

Knowles, who is represented by attorney Ian Barry Sawyer, was not required to enter a plea to the charges yesterday and the matter was adjourned to December 5 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

However, Mr Sawyer

raised an issue with his client being held on remand at Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS), claiming the fact that the deceased in the case was employed as a prison officer, does present cause for concern.

Additionally, he also pointed out that Knowles has been a victim of a shooting incident in the past, and that the perpetrators in that offence are said to also be on remand at BDCS. In response to the

TWO ARRESTS AFTER ATTEMPTED THEFT FROM DEU LOT

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net TWO men were arrested by police after reportedly being caught attempting to steal parts from a vehicle in the parking lot of the Drug Enforcement Unit.

Royal Bahamas Police Force press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta

Knowles confirmed the incident took place on Saturday. They are expected to be arraigned today.

Reports that the men were allegedly taking parts from a derelict vehicle circulated on social media earlier this week.

“Police officers did catch two men in the process of attempting to steal parts from a vehicle,”

Supt Knowles told The Tribune.

“I can’t say that it’s a derelict vehicle, but I can say it was a vehicle parked in the Drug Enforcement Unit parking lot on Thompson Boulevard. Those men were taken into custody.

“They are going to be charged,” she added.

“They are expected to be arraigned Tuesday.”

concerns, Magistrate Vogt-Evans ordered that Knowles be isolated while he is on remand for the charges.

August notices would be withdrawn and no action taken; no further notices would be issued pending the determination of the judicial review; and for the government to accept that a notice under the Buildings Regulation Act is not a valid means to take possession of land.

Mr Smith set a deadline of 4pm on Friday, or his clients will seek to apply for a

further injunction, permission to amend their judicial review application, and a motion to have respondents cited for contempt of court.

In his email yesterday, before Mr Bethel’s statement was released, Mr Smith noted the government had not yet submitted a notice of appointment or appearance by Mr Tynes or Mr Adams.

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PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Union chief claims BPL hired 50 foreign workers

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard claimed yesterday that around 50 non-Bahamians were set to be brought on at Bahamas Power and Light in the aftermath of 314 workers receiving voluntary separation packages.

Expressing his anger at the situation, he told The Tribune he has told his members that if anything happens to one foreign worker who recently showed up at the company, they should “leave him on the ground dead” as a sign of the strongest form of rejection to officials hiring non-Bahamians at the power provider to do jobs Bahamians are equipped to do.

The main point of contention on the matter, he said, is there has been no union consultation.

According to the union leader, the first of the group of foreign workers showed up to BPL yesterday morning and instructions were reportedly given to Bahamian workers to train the new additions. This is the result

of a management services agreement the company has with Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC), a global diesel engine producer, he explained.

Should it not be rectified, Mr Maynard threatened industrial action. He said the union would not sit idly by allowing foreigners to “rape” the company and by extension the country.

“A foreigner showed up this morning (Monday) telling my manager in stores he got to train this Indian or wherever he from,” the union chief told The Tribune yesterday.

“I want to know how it is that immigration (is) letting Indians in this country to do stores, work a Bahamian could do. I don’t understand what is going on. BWSC has never given this company value for money, never ever. They never trained our people properly. They trained them halfheartedly,” he alleged. “I don’t know what they are there for.

“They say they hired them because of the management services agreement. But that can’t be right. If the people didn’t like the way the government gave Power Secure

a management services agreement, how the hell you gonna bring someone (else) there (when) you get rid of Power Secure saying that a management services agreement was a waste of money?

“Now you gonna bring in a company that has never given this country value for money and give them a management services agreement too?

Our people can’t fix the engines? Bahamians can do the jobs.”

Mr Maynard further suggested BPL management was to blame for inefficiencies at the company because of the high volume of employees allowed to take VSEPs. “You let my people go and talking about these people coming to an agreement? My thing is I told the CEO that what he needs to do is whenever anybody comes into this company, he needs to identify someone right away from our union or from management and have them shadow so that knowledge could be transferred. Everybody raping this country,” he added.

Asked whether the union was considering industrial action, he said: “Well duh… because you never talked to

me about it. How the hell this. . . idiot could just come in here and tell my man he got to train this damn foreigner? He don’t give us no orders and we ain’t taking none from them.

“Oh no they they haven’t (spoken to us) and this is my point of contention, you need to communicate what the hell you doing.

“Because I can tell you, I tell you right now, if something happen to him, I tell my people leave him on the ground, dead, we ain’t picking him up. If we could save him we ain’t saving him,” Mr Maynard said.

However BPL CEO Whitney Heastie last night told The Tribune the union’s concerns were wide of the mark.

All that is happening, he said, was that six or seven employees of the Danish firm BWSC – which has worked with BPL for a number of years – have been drafted in to help with two issues at the Clifton Pier plant.

The first issue relates to cataloguing thousands of engine parts stored at the plant which, over the years, have been stored under a variety of names.

“At the moment you can look for something but

if you don’t know all the names it could have been held under you’ll never find it,” said Mr Heastie.

“The individuals we’ve taken on are all marine engineers, specialists not manual labourers, who will get these valuable parts into the sort of catalogue which actually works.

“At the same time they will be working alongside Bahamian employees passing on their knowledge on the operation and maintenance of the engines at Clifton.

“As everyone knows Clifton has never worked as it was designed to do. These two measures will go a long way to improving matters.

“The union really has nothing to worry about here. Improving the service we provide for BPL’s customers is our priority and these measures will help do that.”

This is the latest point of contention at BPL since its entire board resigned last month, which blew the top off of the plethora of issues taking place behind the scenes.

After the resignations, Works Minister Desmond Bannister said the former board constantly bucked heads over key decisions

to the detriment of the company. Mr Bannister, who has responsibility for BPL, has laid the blame for dysfunction at the former board squarely at the feet of its ex-chair, Darnell Osborne. She and two other board members have strenuously rebutted his claims and shot back with their own accusations.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis later said he ordered a formal investigation into the saga.

Later, when the new board was appointed, it came to light Mr Moxey had previously lobbied the company seeking an agreement for the use of his company’s payment app MobileAssist.

And while his company CBI Mobile does not presently have a contract with BPL, Mr Moxey soon found himself the subject of public backlash after saying he saw nothing wrong with the company being awarded a contract in the future so long as he recused himself from the discussions and final decisions.

But this was put to rest after Mr Bannister said last week CBI Mobile would not be awarded any contracts as long as its owner was chairman of BPL’s board.

COOPER FIRES BACK AFTER TURNQUEST BLAMES PLP

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest should quit deflecting blame for his administration’s bad budgeting decisions, Progressive Liberal Party Deputy

Leader Chester Cooper said yesterday.

Last week, the government halted its implementation of a new sliding tax on web shops and a stamp tax on web shop patrons after operators filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court. Both have

been delayed pending a court hearing on October 5.

Mr Turnquest admitted to The Tribune that the delay will put pressure on the government’s fiscal forecasts.

He blamed the Christie administration for the position in which the country finds itself. Attacking that

administration’s “reckless spending,” he said it failed to implement programmes that would protect gamers and communities from the negative consequences of gambling.

But Mr Cooper said: “Having presented the people of The Bahamas with an unrealistic and poorly thought-out budget hinging on new taxes that the Progressive Liberal Party and most economically aware Bahamians explained were onerous and would prove difficult to collect, the minister of finance apparently now finds himself retreating to his well-used safe place of blaming the PLP for the bad policy of the Free National Movement.

I would remind the minister that this is ‘the people’s budget;’ one he promised was an exercise in ‘right budgeting.’ One must ask the question: if the government thought its budgeting process was so right, why is it that the minister now says that budgetary targets may have to be revisited in light of the suspension of the new gaming taxes? The people’s budget cannot rise and fall on the policies of the PLP when the PLP had no hand in the policy behind these fanciful numbers. This is not the first instance of backtracking or reversal regarding this budget.

“It seems as if this government got more wrong than it did right in this exercise. What we have now is a massive fail that will likely throw off revenue projections and the fantastical ‘three-year plan’ of this administration. This leads me to the conclusion that this government simply does not know what it is doing.”

The increase in taxes associated with web shops is expected to bring in $30m to $40m more revenue for the government, Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business.

Mr Cooper said: “Minister Turnquest should be ashamed to suggest that the PLP is to blame for the gaming tax debacle that has occurred. The government is the regulator. It had a year to try and do this properly if it thought this aggressive pursuit of tax increases was in order.

If it were not confident in the current regime, why bet the budget on a massive increase in tax revenue from a sector it solely regulates? This was simply lazy budgeting on the part of the minister with unattainable goals lacking creativity and the consideration of what makes revenue move.

DEPUTY Leader of Opposition Chester Cooper.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff Minister Turnquest is on his very own with regard to the gaming taxes and the Minnis administration’s disingenuous reasoning for the hike in value added tax. The PLP created both these regimes that this government has now sought to increase and exploit. It should have been thankful for the prudent roadmap left behind. Yet, there was only contempt for the research and consultation that went into crafting these sound revenue generating mechanisms.

Therefore, here are we. The PLP suggests the minister start owning the choices of this cabinet and seek to rectify the consequences we predicted would stem from such slipshod policy. We wish him the very best of luck.”

Yesterday, PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell also criticised Mr Turnquest. He said the Minnis administration’s web shop taxes were “clumsily” conceived and imposed without consultation, as he sought to free the Christie administration from blame for issues government now faces with its numbers house levies.

Mr Mitchell was responding to Mr Turnquest who told The Tribune on Sunday the Christie administration was to blame for the problems officials are having implementing the sliding scale and new five per cent patron taxes for the industry.

Mr Mitchell hit back at the minister, saying he should be “ashamed of

himself” for making such claims.

He said: “Peter Turnquest’s assertion in the press this morning (Monday) that it’s the PLP’s fault that the FNM now has a problem with taxing the web shop gaming sector is so silly and illogical that it is beyond belief.

“Here we are 16 months into their administration, the taxes they clumsily and without consultation imposed, are of their own making. The imposition of the new taxes was politically motivated to cripple local Bahamian entrepreneurs and make it possible for their favoured friends and supporters to take the sector over. Now that there has been judicial intervention, the best he can come up with is it’s the PLP’s fault.

“The gaming sector was legitimated in an open, clear and transparent manner by the PLP. It was done with proper advice with a proper statutory and regulatory regime. Thousands of people work in this sector today. A new class of Bahamian entrepreneurs was able to bring their wealth into the formal economy.”

Yesterday, Mr Turnquest appeared to respond to critiques, writing on Twitter, “Feeling the need to explain what a budget is and what happens if your projections under perform or are affected by uncontrollable circumstances but somehow I doubt it would help.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 4, 2018, PAGE 7

FRANK Smith outside court previously.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Smith’s defence: We want Sands

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Frank Smith bribery trial resumed yesterday with his lead attorney Keith Knight, QC, giving notice to prosecutors of his need to cross-examine Health Minister Dr Duane Sands before requiring the prosecution’s lead witness, Barbara Hanna to return to court.

The point was made during the opening moments of yesterday’s proceedings, with Mr Knight refusing to relent on his request to have Dr Sands appear in court, on the record, ahead of Mrs

Hanna’s next appearance.

Back in June, the court heard testimony that a contract was approved, estimated at $1.9m for Mrs Hanna’s Magic Touch cleaning company, less than three months after criminal charges were brought against former Hospital Authority Chairman Frank Smith.

Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) legal advisor and board secretary Leslie Isaacs had testified earlier that the contract was approved last October.

Responding to Mr Knight’s insistence to have Dr Sands appear as soon as possible, the Crown’s lead attorney, Edward Jenkins,

QC, yesterday informed the court that his team attempted to contact the Elizabeth MP to arrange an appearance, but was unsuccessful.

Mr Jenkins said Dr Sands would not be able to appear before Wednesday, at the earliest.

He further proposed that the case proceed as best it could, with a view to having Dr Sands appear in the coming days.

Meanwhile, both sides continued with the crossexamination of Mrs Isaacs, who while under oath yesterday, fielded questions over the legitimacy of various PHA documents, board signatures and practices

WOMAN ATTACKED NEAR ATLANTIS

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

A MAN is expected to be arraigned today in connection with the alleged physical assault of a woman near Atlantis resort’s parking lot.

Multiple videos and photos of the incident went viral on social media over the weekend. It is unclear what started the incident, but some claimed on social media reports the

man “body-slammed” the woman to the ground.

One 24-second clip features a woman lying on the wet ground, with what appears to be a stream of blood flowing from her head.

The camera then pans to a man dressed in black. The person recording the video alleges this man is the woman’s attacker.

In another 20-second video, an ambulance, police car, and crowd of people can be seen in the area.

“Chile (sic) das a woman.

N***** have road rage and body slam her three times,” a woman recording can be heard saying.

“Oh, she bleeding,” the woman adds.

Superintendent Shanta Knowles told The Tribune yesterday that an arraignment will be held today.

“The Paradise Island matter, yes the gentlemen in that is… expected to be arraigned tomorrow (Tuesday),” Supt Knowles said.

“But I’m told her injuries were not serious.”

READERS REACT TO BLAME GAME AFTER Finance Minister Peter Turnquest blamed the former Christie administration for issues the government now faces with the web shop industry and their increased taxes, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com.

Bahamas For Bahamians asked: “Then why did this gang campaign on having the solution to the problems facing the country? Crime, economy, corruption, etc ... they’re all complicit in the same thing and have only pointed fingers since coming to office.”

OriginalBey had this to say: “I am not seeing the correlation between the two. Taxing the hell out of the gaming industry because the people voted against it? Is this an admission that it is the intent of the Minnis administration to drive them out of business? It would be nice to stay on topic and address the two issues separately so we can enjoy clarity.

“What failed programmes

did the PLP administration squander taxpayer funds on? In what amounts? Was there any ROI from said programmes? How has this administration stopped the haemorrhaging since it assumed power? Details, DPM. Details. The devil lies in the details. Ministers love to stand in the HOA and make outlandish claims without any substantiation.

I am not suggesting that what he is declaring is a lie or even misleading. I would just like us all to be clear on the facts and with what was presented these statements are light on facts and clarity.”

DWW said: “Why does every Bahamian miss the elephant?

QUESTION: Why do I have to pay VAT on bread and health insurance but my neighbour doesn’t pay VAT when buying one number?

Answer me that riddle before pontificating on ‘IT WASN’T ME!’” TheMadHatter posted

this comment: “Government should threaten to return VAT back to breadbasket items since poor people have money to waste on numbers, and threaten to raise VAT to 13% - both moves to compensate for the lost number house tax revenue.”

And there was this from DDK: “Not to worry, they will get The People one way or the other. They always have a plan! The plans are not usually good for The People, but do they really care? They never think things out, or is it just a pretence?”

In The Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers if they are in favour of the government’s purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort.

At the time of going to press, 39 percent were in favour of the move, while 61 percent were not.

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

in the lead up to and following the 2017 general election.

Among the documents she was asked to review and acknowledge was an August 11, 2017 letter from former PHA Managing Director Herbert Brown to a senior health official, urging them to seek a legal opinion from the Office of the Attorney General on the awarding of the 2017 cleaning contract to Magic Touch.

The document was entered into evidence.

Mrs Isaacs was also presented with a salary deduction form signed by Adrian Hanna, the son of the prosecution’s lead

witness, authorising PHA officials to deduct and pay out incremental sums of $400 to a lending agency in February 2016.

The point has been queried throughout the trial, with Barbara Hanna initially testifying that her son was no longer with PHA in the early part of 2016.

However, Mrs Isaacs testified that while she was familiar with the codes and instructions presented on the document, she was not familiar with the documents itself, telling the court that in her 17 years of employment at PHA, she has never come across such a document.

Once this indication was

given, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt ruled that Mrs Isaacs could not speak to the document any further.

Before ending his crossexamination of Mrs Isaacs, Mr Knight successfully entered two other documents into evidence – the first being a document that outlined the existence of a Barbara May Hanna, a maid stationed at the Princess Margret Hospital who Mr Smith reportedly referred to in his interview with police and a document that outlines the awarding of a cleaning contract to Magic Touch.

The case will continue today at 10am.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

I never set out to be the chairman of any board. I just always tried to do my best

S

HE grew up at the junction of honesty and integrity road – literally.

Her childhood home served as a refuge for many. Her mother taught her how to give unselfishly and to consider the needs of others.

She did well in school and carved out a successful career in accounting and finance. Yet today, she has become the focus of a controversy that is playing out nationally without most not really knowing who she is or what she is all about.

I decided to find out and sit down Face to Face with Darnell Osborne, former chair of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL).

She is the daughter of Joseph “Joey” Johnson, who was one of the first Bahamians to become director of sales for Loews Hotel. (Loews Paradise Island Hotel and Brittania Beach Hotel sat side by side on what is now the Atlantis Resort). Her mother, Sybil Johnson (nee Toote), was a homemaker and a devoted mother to Darnell and her older brother Dominique.

Sybil was raised Overthe-Hill on King Street by her parents, Eugene Toote Sr and Violet Toote (nee Weech). The couple was well known in the community and raised their six children on this famous street where the Zanzibar sits on the Blue Hill Road side and Wesley Methodist Church sits on the Market Street side, with families like the Coakleys, Murrays and Jenoures.

Eugene Toote was one of those well-known names in the country in his time.

Originally a butler by trade, he eventually became an entrepreneur and established several businesses including the Conch Shell restaurant. When the numbers business came around, he became one of the first “numbers men” along with the likes of Percy Munnings.

He was able to provide a good living for his family, and they were the first in his community to have things like a motor vehicle and a television. His butler training resulted in an exquisite, refined taste that resulted in many referring to him as “The Baron of Suzuki”.

This also may have been a result of his upbringing in Long Cay. Back in the day, many families on this island were well-off because of a thriving salt industry and the fact that it sat directly in the path of a major ship liner that would dock there and provide them with all they needed and more in exchange for the valuable commodity.

He contributed generously to the restoration of his church on that island, and also to his church in Nassau – St Agnes. He and Violet raised their children with manners and etiquette but never allowed them to think they were better than others. Their home was always filled with members of the community and

Face to Face

By FELICITY INGRAHAM-DARVILLE

children who benefitted born. She looked up to from the Tootes’ generosity. her cousins Gerald Eugene also gave gener- Sawyer and Ednol ously to his political party, Smith, both the Free National Move- accountants, ment and was close and so when friends with Sir Cecil Wal- it was time to lace-Whitfield, J Henry decide what Bostwick, Sir Arlington her electives Butler and Cedric Parker. would be, “By the time I came she chose along, my grandparents had accounting. moved to Gleniston Gar“Evedens,” Darnell recalled. ryone (in “He was a very bril- school) disliant, self-educated man. I couraged remember having conversa- me and said tions with him… he would ‘Don’t do watch 60 Minutes every accounting! It’s Sunday. We always had to hard!’ So I tried sit together as a family for to drop out and do dinner and you had to drink commerce instead,” tea out of a teacup. Their she confessed. house was very open. He “We had a Jamaican was very old school.” accounting teacher who In this same fashion, Dar- talked me out of it. I started nell was raised in a home doing it and realised I had a that was always filled with knack for it, so I stuck with family and friends. Her it and it turned out to be father had ten siblings, all my favourite subject.” girls, and they all had sevShe went on to the Coleral children themselves. lege of The Bahamas Her mother had a smaller, (which honoured her and more tight knit family with featured her in its magazine about five grandchildren, a few years ago) and then but they all seemed to grav- to the University of Wateritate to her mother. loo in Canada where she “Our house was like a continued in her favourite refuge for children,” Dar- subject. nell said.

By the time she was “Family and friends enrolled in COB, her parwould come and visit and ents were divorced, but her some would stay… some mother sacrificed to pay became her children for for her first semester. She whatever the circumstance. applied and was successful For example, we had family in attaining a scholarship from Eleuthera who came from the International to visit. The son decided he Women’s Club, with people was staying in Nassau and like Beverly Wallace-Whithe lived with us and never field and Carolyn Bartlett went back. Then his two as members – a start for sisters came which she to stay. My ‘Our house was like is forever mom had a grateful. lot of love a refuge for children.

Back then, to give and Family and friends COB was was gener- would come and only a ous to the two-year core.

She visit and some would institution. would give stay… we had family She is you her last from Eleuthera who also thankdollar and ful for the the shirt off came to visit. The invaluable of her back. son decided he was experience She was staying in Nassau and she gained always willwhile ing to listen he lived with us and working and provide never went back.’ at Jeffrey comfort, Beneby & and she just Co. She loved her family.” worked part-time at the Eventually, Joey and firm while at COB and Sybil got divorced, and learned much from Mr he relocated to America Beneby, one of the first in the 1980s. Sybil contin- Bahamian CPAs (certified ued to raise her children in public accountants). She their Imperial Park home, also worked for a summer located on the corner of with Roy West & Co, an Honesty and Integrity roads offshore bank and trust – virtues which Darnell says company that later became describes her mother to the Coutts & Co, and this comcore. pany awarded her the first Darnell attended St scholarship that allowed John’s Preparatory School her to attend the Univeron George Street and then sity of Waterloo. She also St John’s Primary and High obtained a government stuSchools, where she gradu- dent loan, which she paid ated in 1984 as head girl back in full, she points out. with honours. This is where While at university, she her love for accounting was met her lifelong partner,

DARNELL with her husband, children and her mother, Sybil (far left) and father, Joey (far right).

her husband of 24 years, Derek Osborne. The fact they are both Caribbean natives may have brought them together, but also probably their love of numbers. Derek, a native of Monserrat with strong family ties also in Trinidad and Dominica, is an actuary, one of the few in the region with a specialty in pension and social security.

Initially, he was working in Trinidad but he moved to The Bahamas and married Darnell who did not want to part ways with her mother. Together, they raised their son Nagge, who is now 19 and Celine, who is 16.

The community where they live turned out to be much like Darnell’s childhood days in Imperial Park. It’s a safe community where the children ride bikes freely and because they grew up together, they often are in one another’s homes.

The Osbornes built a pool house for Nagge because his friends would come and stay for days at a time. He is now in university studying finance, but doesn’t want to become an actuary or an accountant. Celine is completing her last year of high school with her sights set on studying medicine, something her mother had initially thought she would do, but found that the subject of biology and blood did not bode well for her.

She did, however, do well in her field of choice.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers recruited her while she was still in university. She obtained her CPA status and and worked at the company’s Nassau and Freeport offices. She eventually joined the offshore financial industry and improved her skills by passing the Canadian Securities Course with honours.

support”.

The legislation brings the industry up to international standards DARNELL OSBORNE, withregards above, and with her to invesmother, Sybil Tootetigation Johnson, left, and and dison her wedding day cipline of with her grandfather, its memEugene “the Baron bers. of Suzuki” Toote Sr, Darnell below. is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Darnell served for six years on the board of St Andrew’s School and on the Board of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas from 2008– 2012. She and her husband, who comes from a strong family filled with successful entrepreneurs, own Family Fun Treats Ltd, which owns and operFrom ated the Dairy Queen 1993 to 1998, she franchise in The Bahamas. held various positions at Previously, they owned Mr Rawson Trust company as Pretzels from 2004–2014 a mutual fund specialist before selling the business. before finally rising to the “I have come up through position of executive direc- a very disciplined backtor and a member of the ground,” Darnell said. company’s board of direc“I always wanted to be tors. She also acted as the of service to my commucompany’s money launder- nity and the nation and ing reporting officer. The attempted to do it through offshore industry began to my involvement in assoundergo many challenges ciations like BICA. I didn’t and legislative changes and want to do it through frontDarnell worked as a con- line politics (which can get sultant for local and Swiss nasty). Having children, offshore institutions during I always wanted to shield this time. them from that, so I stayed She decided to make a out of frontline politics and career move and, in 2001, made my national contribushe joined the Insurance tion in other ways.

Company of The Bahamas “My mother taught her as its financial control- children to always do what ler. She remained there is right no matter the cost for 17 years. As a licenced and that is what I try to do member of the Bahamas in all my dealings. I am not Institute of Chartered perfect but I try to stay on Accountants (BICA), the straight and narrow. she has served in several I pay all my taxes, I pay capacities including and my bills and I try to treat chair of the Investigations people properly. I believe and Ethics Committee, my steps are ordered by the secretary, first vice presi- Lord. I never set out to be dent and president (June head girl; I never set out 2014–May 2017). She also to be the chairman of any chaired BICA’s Legislative board. I just always tried to Reform Committee from do my best.”

Without the BPL board 2013 to 2016, giving countless volunteer hours and appointment, Darnell has working with the Attorney found life at a slower pace.

General’s office in a collab- Having lost her mother this orative effort with BICA past April, she has time to members until the legisla- “properly grieve” and she tion (BICA Act, 2015) was also plans to focus on her passed, which transformed daughter finishing strong in her last year of high school. the accounting profession.

“It’s been a challenging She worked along with leaders in the industry year for me,” she confided.

“I did all I could do for such as senior accountants Wayne Aranha, Phillip Gal- my mom (who was on diallanis, Phillip Stubbs and her ysis) and I did my best with former boss, Jeffrey Beneby my duties because my main (who recently died), focus was the Bahamian who all gave “tremendous people.”

DARNELL Osborne with her husband, Derek, and children, Nagge and Celine, at her recent 50th birthday party.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 4, 2018, PAGE 9 THE FUSION Superplex during construction as it homes in on a soft opening next month.

‘In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree.’

F

OUR young Bahamian entrepreneurs may have read Samuel Coleridge’s 1816 poem when they began building the 100,000 square-foot structure looming hundreds of feet over Lake Cunningham. A stately pleasure dome it is indeed, as revealed at last week’s press preview.

Known as Fusion Superplex, it will be famous for its gigantic IMAX movie theatre, but it holds many other attractions all designed to provide a mecca for “wholesome family experience”.

The central sky-lit atrium reaching high and low from the ridge-top plateau provides indoor and outdoor restaurants, the biggest Starbucks you have ever seen, an emporium for producing SubZero Nitrogen ice cream, kids’ playrooms and day-care centre and two levels of arcades for E-sports gaming competition.

The east end is a huge box holding the IMAX screen, 80ft wide and 55ft high, observed from a 360-seat amphitheater where we watched previews of major Hollywood attractions, including the adaptation of a new JK Rowling blockbuster, immersed in the high-resolution visual fidelity and the wrap-around audio system. The highest level has 38 VIP seats in restaurant style for ordering gourmet meals.

Eight more high-tech movie theatres stretch to the west, including the 4DX creation that shook our seats to match the on-screen action and cooled us with rain showers and snow flurries. An electronic website and app will enable every product from films to coffee to be ordered from home or car before arrival.

The whole gleaming construction is already built, with about 50 trained and uniformed Bahamians on hand to shepherd us around, the forerunners of a 400strong staff. All that awaits is the removal of final scaffolding and completion of the parking lot, with waterfall marking the entrance, and a staircase from the plateau down to lake level. A “soft opening” is scheduled for October and full celebration in November in time for the Christmas season – when doubtless white flakes will fall and virtual reindeers prance.

Elderly Bahamians, eyeing the cool concrete walls and gleaming escalators, may lament that Fusion is a far cry from the traditional Nassau they knew and loved — and they will be right. Fusion Superplex departs totally from the sun-sand-sea image, with palm-shaded colonial homes that has keyed our marketing. One of their principals told me the project capacity of 1,500 people will be well filled with Bahamians. But I think it will soon draw visiting groups, intrigued with the only IMAX in the Caribbean. And the three IMAX units in south Florida are ageing, stand-alone

operations, without the surrounding amenities of Fusion.

To spend the announced $50m start-up capital, mainly their own funds backed by an unnamed bank and investors, the four principals must have sweated hard over their projections to assure a reasonable rate of return.

Fusion will certainly dominate any local competition.

While a market will remain for the less grandiose Galleria Cinemas and Marathon Mall eateries, for the big night out families will be drawn to Fusion, joining novelty-seeking tourists.

To doubters and oldsters it may look like a piece of Disneyland corrupting our “real Bahamas”. But It will be high on the demand curve for our growing populace of those both young in years and spirit.

And who knows? Fusion may be so successful the voracious Disney Empire, eager for expansion, could end up making Messrs Foulkes, Gibson, Richards and Bridgewater an offer they can’t refuse and Mickey Mouse may be honoured as the Bahamian National Rodent. There’s just no telling where change, coming ever faster, will lead us.

NO JOY IN GRAND BAHAMA

Meanwhile, any echo of similar enthusiasm is muted in the quiet streets of Freeport.

Government’s commitment to buy the Grand Lucaya Resort was made under duress, facing economic and political threats of higher unemployment throughout the island.

The two largest hotels in the resort have been closed since 2016; shutting the smaller Lighthouse Pointe would mean dismissing some 400 hotel staff plus killing off most demand for the Port Lucaya Marketplace, Freeport’s most dynamic attraction.

Government had little choice, locked between Hutchison-Whampoa (HW), the hard-line seller who wouldn’t budge from its $65m asking price, and the Canadian hotelier who after months of dickering walked away in favour of a Nassau project.

Now the appointed board of real-estate and business experts led by attorney Michael Scott face a tough task: either find a buyer for quick re-sale probably at a loss, or a reputable hotel chain to lease or manage the property for long-term earnings. Either way, some $100-$150m is needed for repairs and renovations long ignored under HW’s inept stewardship.

It’s too early to predict the source for these funds, without which the resort is a loser.

Observing Freeport’s continuing economic stagnation, many acute observers believe the hotel deal is, at best, nothing but a quick fix. They favour abolition of the dual structure of Government vs Grand Bahama Port Authority and its satellites controlled by HW. One resident expert calls this divided responsibility an “anachronism” in the modern world. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has bluntly urged the buy-out of the St George and Hayward families’ controlling position, to be funded by a “a financially capable strategic partner”, leading to a new public-private entity managed by private experts, The problem is, neither he nor anybody else has suggested who this partner might be. Without an “angel investor” acceptable to Government, it’s hard to see any major change from business as usual.

GAMING BITES BACK

Late last week, Government suffered a body-blow to its financial projections. Ever since the June budget announced a new tax regime for our gaming houses, the industry has vigorously voiced its objections. But there was no room for compromise.

The graduated tax on revenues, up to a marginal 50 percent, went into effect immediately and the unusual five percent in-and-out charges on customers’ cash movements would begin on September 1.

One day in advance, prominent QCs Wayne Munroe and Alfred Sears on behalf of four gaming houses filed for an injunction against enforcing these charges. Attorney General Carl Bethel made the quick decision not to fight the injunction but simply to defer to a hearing on October 6, with an agreement to suspend any payments pending further action.

Thus, Government will receive neither the graduated taxes nor the customers’ charges until that date at the earliest, probably much later as the legal process unfolds.

Government will argue it has the inalienable right to impose taxes, while the companies will argue that does not apply to taxes violating specific laws or constitutional provisions.

Obviously, final court and appellate decisions on these key issues could take years.

This impasse could have been avoided by flexible negotiation. The new taxes had the laudable objectives

of increasing Government revenues and putting a brake on gaming growth, as emphasised by their articulate sponsor Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. But press reports indicate gaming representatives were never given a clear explanation of Government’s intentions nor an opportunity to propose alternative schemes, and simply saw the final bills incorporating extreme and controversial measures.

By fighting for the biggest slice of cake, it seems Government has forfeited any chance of winning a smaller slice in the near future. Minister D’Aguilar’s well-intentioned initiative had extravagant ambitions that will result in long delay and hefty litigation costs.

It ran afoul of the traditional adage “Haste Makes Waste”.

INSIDE the new Fusion Superplex.

A growing company in the maritime logistics industry, with more than fifteen years of operations in Freeport, Grand Bahama invites applications from qualified and experienced candidates for the following vacant position:

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER POSITION SUMMARY

The Financial Controller is ultimately responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the company’s financial reporting. The Financial Controller helps establish and direct the company’s financial goals and objectives. The Financial Controller has primary responsibility for ensuring internal controls are in place, enforced, and reviewed periodically for conformance to accounting and financial standards and applicable regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Directs day-to-day leadership of all accounting and finance activities as Accounts Department Head; encompassing management of the daily accounting functions in accounts receivables, payables, banking, general ledger maintenance, and other related duties.

• Develops and implements accounting policies, coordination of systems and procedures, and the preparation of operating data and special reports as required, including interim and year-end financial statements (consolidated as well as stand-alone statements). Maintains company’s system of accounts; safeguards books and records on all company transactions and assets • Establishes and administers all tax policies and procedures (inclusive of VAT reporting and communicating directly with the Department of Inland Revenue) • Implements and maintains an effective cash flow management system • Coordinates month-end close procedures of financial records for reporting to Executive Management • Prepares annual budget and monitors monthly against actuals for reporting to Executive Management and Department Heads • Leads the weekly processing of payroll in conjunction with Human Resources • Chief communications liaison between the company and external stakeholders (banks, government agencies, special vendors, etc.)

• Assists Executive Management Team with any other duties as assigned by the President QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS • Qualified Accountant (CPA, CA or ACCA) with 5 or more years of experience in a finance managerial or controller role • Member of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants • Proficiency in the use of QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, and other relative computer applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

• Ability to communicate with all members of the staff on financial matters • Results oriented, accuracy and attention to detail • Flexibility and adaptability to work under pressure • Team player with high level of enthusiasm • Professional in demeanor and communication skills • Knowledge of the Maritime Industry, and familiarity with Bahamas Customs procedures is a plus The Company offers a competitive remuneration package. Compensation will be aligned with relative experience and qualifications.

Interested candidates should submit resumes via email only to: controller@freeportshipservices.com no later than Thursday September 6, 2018.

Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

JOURNALISTS JAILED IN MYANMAR YANGON, Myanmar Associated Press

A MYANMAR court sentenced two Reuters journalists to seven years in prison Monday on charges of illegal possession of official documents, a ruling met with international condemnation that will add to outrage over the military’s human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been reporting on the brutal crackdown on the Rohingya when they were arrested and charged with violating the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. They had pleaded not guilty, contending that they were framed by police.

“Today is a sad day for Myanmar, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and the press everywhere,” Stephen J Adler, Reuters editor-in-chief, said in a statement. He said the charges were “designed to silence their reporting and intimidate the press”.

The two journalists had been reporting last year on the brutal crackdown by security forces on the Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

WOMEN CANED FOR TRYING TO HAVE SEX KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Associated Press TWO Malaysian Muslim women convicted under Islamic laws of attempting to have sex were caned yesterday in a rare public whipping that was slammed by lawmakers and rights activists as a form of torture.

Lawyers and activists said the women, aged 22 and 32, were seated on stools facing the judges and given six strokes from a light rattan cane on their backs by female prison officers.

More than 100 people witnessed the caning.

Muslim Lawyers’ Association deputy president Abdul Rahim Sinwan said unlike caning under civil laws, the punishment under Islamic laws isn’t painful and was meant to educate the women so they will repent.

Human rights groups slammed the punishment and said it could worsen discrimination against people in Malaysia’s lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender community.

Amnesty International Malaysia said: “People should not live in fear because they are attracted to people of the same sex.”

FLAMES engulf the 200-year-old National Museum of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, on Sunday.

Photo: Leo Correa/AP

Firefighters battle to save relics as Rio museum engulfed by blaze RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press A HUGE fire engulfed Brazil’s 200-year-old National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, lighting up the night sky with towering flames as firefighters and museum workers raced to save historical relics from the blaze.

The museum, which houses artifacts from Egypt, Greco-Roman art and some of the first fossils found in Brazil, was closed to the public at the time of the fire, which broke out at 7.30 pm on Sunday, it said in a statement.

There were no reports of injuries, the museum said,

and it wasn’t immediately clear how the fire began.

Roberto Robadey, a spokesman for the fire department, said 80 firefighters were battling the blaze and that by midnight local time it was “just about under control” and should be out within a few hours.

President Michel Temer called it “a sad day for all Brazilians”.

“Two hundred years of work, investigation and knowledge have been lost,” Temer said in a statement.

According to its website, the museum has a vast collection related to the history of Brazil and other countries, and that many

of its collections came from members of Brazil’s royal family.

Robadey said firefighters got off to a slow start fighting the blaze because the two fire hydrants closest to the museum were not functioning. Instead, trucks had to be sent to get water from a nearby lake.

But he added that some of the museum’s pieces had been spared.

“We were able to remove a lot of things from inside with the help of workers of the museum,” Robadey told Globo News.

Connected to the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the museum has

expositions that include anthropology, archaeology and paleontology, among others.

The vice director of the museum, Luiz Fernando Dias Duarte, told Globo news the museum suffered chronic underfunding.

“Everybody wants to be supportive now. We never had adequate support,” he said.

Latin America’s largest nation has struggled to emerge from its worst recession in decades. The state of Rio de Janeiro has been particularly hard hit in recent years thanks to a combination of falling world prices of oil, one of

its major revenue sources, mismanagement and massive corruption.

Just over a month before national elections, even before the flames were put out, the fire was leading to recriminations about dilapidated infrastructure and budget deficits in the city that hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“Unfortunately, given the financial straits of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and all the other public universities the last three years, this was a tragedy that could be seen coming,” Marina Silva, one of the leading presidential candidates, tweeted.

SPURNED BY THE NFL - BUT NOT BY NIKE COLIN Kaepernick has a new deal with Nike, even without having a job in the NFL. Kaepernick’s attorney, Mark Geragos, made the announcement on Twitter, calling the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback an “All American Icon” and crediting attorney Ben Meiselas for getting the deal done. Kaepernick also posted a Nike ad featuring his face and wrote: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. (Hashtag) JustDoIt” Kaepernick already had a deal with Nike that was set to expire, but it was renegotiated into a multiyear deal to make him one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign.

The source says Nike will feature Kaepernick on several platforms, including billboards, television commercials and online ads. Nike also will create an apparel line for Kaepernick and contribute to his Know Your Rights charity. The deal puts Kaepernick in the top bracket of NFL players with Nike.

The NFL and Nike extended their partnership in March to run through 2028. Nike provides all NFL teams with game-day uniforms and sideline apparel that bears the swoosh logo.

Last week, Kaepernick scored a legal victory in his grievance against the NFL and its 32 teams when an arbitrator denied the league’s request to throw out the quarterback’s claims

GN-2086

that owners conspired to keep him out of the league because of his protests of social injustice.

Kaepernick contends the owners violated their collective bargaining agreement with players by conspiring to keep him off teams. His case hinges on whether owners worked together rather than decided individually to not sign Kaepernick.

A similar grievance is still pending by former 49ers teammate Eric Reid, a Pro Bowl safety who joined in the protests.

On Friday night, Kaepernick and Reid, also now out of the league, were each given huge ovations when they were introduced and shown on the big screen during the US Open.

PICTURED in 2016, then San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game.

GERMANY STEPS UP WATCH ON FAR-RIGHT PARTY AFD CHEMNITZ, Germany Associated Press GERMAN authorities said yesterday they’re stepping up surveillance of the far-right Alternative for Germany amid growing concern the third-largest party in parliament is closing ranks with extremist groups.

Activists for AfD, the nationalist party’s German acronym, marched in the eastern city of Chemnitz alongside leading figures in anti-migrant group PEGIDA and members of the area’s militant neo-Nazi scene in the past week, after two refugees were arrested in a German citizen’s fatal stabbing.

“Parts of AfD are openly acting against the Constitution,” Justice Minister Katarina Barley told the RND media group. “We need to treat them like other enemies of the Constitution and observe them accordingly.”

Authorities in northern Germany’s Bremen and Lower Saxony said they have begun monitoring the party’s youth wings in the two states.

Boris Pistorius, Lower

Saxony’s interior minister, said the decision to keep an eye on the AfD’s local youth wing, was unrelated to the recent events in Chemnitz. It was based on Young Alternative’s antidemocratic goals and links to the Identitarian Movement, a white nationalist group that has been under state surveillance for four years, Pistorius said.

His counterpart in Bremen, Ulrich Maeurer, described the views of AfD’s youth wing in the city-state as “pure racism”.

While Germany’s top security official, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, said over the weekend that the party as a whole didn’t merit surveillance, the monitoring of its youth wings at the state level was a significant step. Some members of the Left party, which describes its position as democratic socialist, also are subject to surveillance.

AfD immediately announced that it would dissolve the two youth sections in question to avert harm to the party and insisted its aims were democratic.

Andreas Kalbitz, a member of the party’s national leadership,

accused other political parties of panicking in the face of AfD’s electoral success.

AfD’s rise since its founding five years ago has shaken Germany’s establishment and called into question the country’s postWorld War II consensus that far-right parties have no place in the mainstream.

The party, bolstered by widespread unease in Germany about the influx of more than one million refugees since 2015, placed third in last year’s national election.

Officials are particularly concerned about its strategy in eastern Germany.

Kalbitz said the party hopes to become the strongest force there after state elections next year.

Saxony - where Chemnitz is located - has an entrenched neo-Nazi scene and seen strong support for AfD. The party encouraged last week’s protests, which drew thousands following the August 26 slaying of 35-year-old carpenter Daniel Hillig in Chemnitz.

Some of the demonstrations erupted into violence between far-right marchers and counter-protesters.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 4, 2018, PAGE 11

DEFENCE Force rescue divers going through a training routine during the divemaster course.

Photos: RBDF

Joining the ranks of RBDF divers

DEFENCE Force divemasters at HMBS Coral Harbour with RBDF dive officer Lieutenant Commander Ricardo Barry, centre, and instructor Chief Petty Officer Thomas Williams.

NINE marines from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) recently completed six months of intensive dive operations to become the first RBDF certified divemasters under the Professional Association of Diving Instructors programme.

Headed by instructor, Chief Petty Officer Thomas Williams, the course began in February and was completed on August 14.

The participants are now listed among qualified leaders in the dive world. Combined with military training, their level of expertise qualifies them to assist or supervise major dive operations.

Participants needed

to complete a number of courses including in open water, on being an emergency first responder and a rescue diver. The nine Marines all exceeded these levels, with the next step being the open water scuba instructor course.

CPO Williams encouraged other young marines to become involved in diving to enhance the Force’s capacity.

“With the Defence Force being a seagoing force, we are also called upon to perform duties which require dive operations,” he said.

On August 16, RBDF military divers were called on to rescue a father and his daughter from drowning after their jet ski capsized

near Potter’s Cay Dock in Nassau Harbour. The divers also assisted with retrieving a body from nearby waters in a separate incident on the same day.

The RBDF currently boasts about 90 military divers, with 11 of them achieving the divemaster status, including the first two female divers, Able Women Marines Aniska Bonaby and Jamie Cleare.

The Marines who completed course were Leading Seamen Omar Albury and Quincy King, Able Seamen Enoch Smith, Jason Bethel, Drissen Brennen, Renard Hall, Letario Darling and Able Women Marines Aniska Bonaby and Jamie Cleare.