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VOLUME:115 No.197, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2018

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

ALICIA WALLACE: GENERATION NOW? I DON’T THINK SO

DOUBLE TALK

Turns out Pointe workers clause has two meanings

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE clause in the heads of agreement struck between Pointe developers and the previous Christie administration outlining the ratio of Bahamian to foreign labour has two interpretations, according to Labour Minister Dion Foulkes yesterday.

Mr Foulkes told media outside of Cabinet the Minnis administration has opted to interpret the clause that calls for a 70/30 labour split in favour of Bahamians, as a requirement to be satisfied over the lifetime of the project, and not a static ratio.

He was challenged by

Progressive Liberal Party leader and former minister of works, Philip Davis, who yesterday called on Mr Foulkes to provide the clause.

Mr Davis also questioned why the government would adopt an interpretation that disadvantaged Bahamians.

“This heads of agreement was designed where you can read it two different ways,” Mr Foulkes said.

“You can read it in a fashion which says it be 70/30 at all times or you can read it in a fashion that says at the end of the project, the minimum has to be 70 percent Bahamian and 30 percent non-Bahamian.

THE Bahamas National Trust (BNT) yesterday revealed it is “exploring” ten ventures with private entities involving the country’s National Parks, but pledged: “Nothing unethical will be allowed.”

Eric Carey, the BNT’s executive director, confirmed to Tribune Business that the organisation was looking at proposals involving “the operation of concessions” within the National Parks, but said leasing land to private developers was off-limits.

Declining to release details

A MAN believed to be in his 60s was found dead in his car yesterday suffering from a gunshot wound.

It marked the first murder of the month and the 64th for the year so far, according to The Tribune’s records.

According to Chief Superintendent of Police Solomon Cash, police were alerted that a man was slumped over in a car parked on the southern side of Plantol Street around 6am yesterday. Officers confirmed the report and emergency services personnel pronounced the man dead on scene.

SEE PAGE TEN

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE THREE

on the proposed PPPs, Mr Carey indicated the BNT had been prodded by successive governments to examine arrangements for alternative sources of financing.

Mr Carey was contacted after Tribune Business sources suggested Albany, the multi-billion dollar highend residential community in southwestern New Providence, had proposed leasing part of Warderick Wells Cay for $50,000 a year.

The BNT executive director confirmed that Albany was one of the ten proposals before the Trust, but denied it involved leasing land or construction of buildings.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LAWYERS’ EXIT ‘SHOWS CHAOS IN AG’S OFFICE’

NATIONAL TRUST STUDYING TEN ‘CONCESSIONS’ OFFERS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SHOT DEAD AT WHEEL OF HIS CAR

CAN SOMEONE SCRATCH MY NOSE? DANIELLE Grant at the Miss Bahamas Universe pageant last Sunday - which hosted its first ever its avant-garde competition, alongside the traditional evening gown and swimsuit preliminaries. The outfits were inspired by some of most outrageous fashions from around the world, and used as inspiration for the 11 contestants and their local designers. See Friday’s Weekend section for more.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

‘WHAT WAS LUCAYAN VALUED AT?’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net OFFICIAL Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday demanded the government make public an appraisal done on the Grand Lucayan, telling supporters the Minnis administration may be spending far more than the resort’s estimated value.

He further questioned who was set to have control

THE GRAND Lucayan Resort. over the Grand Bahama International Airport and the provisions set to secure airlift into the island.

During a press conference at his party’s headquarters, Mr Davis again called for the government to outline and explain to Bahamians its strategy for the completion of renovations, opening and successful operation of the resort.

“A full and frank disclosure should at the very least include a structural engineering and a quantity SEE PAGE SIX

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said it is “alarming” high-profile attorneys severed ties with the Attorney General’s Office over the shanty town issue, as he suggested the move could have been prompted by a “rudderless” and “chaotic” state of affairs at the office.

On Monday, Attorney General Carl Bethel issued a statement, 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 project. The split was the result of a difference in opinion on which strategy to take in a rebuttal.

SEE PAGE SIX

TEACHERS LEFT IN LIMBO WITH NO SCHOOLS

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net DESPITE the fact that a significant number of new teachers are still awaiting confirmation, three days into the new school year the ongoing teacher shortage continues to be an issue affecting classrooms nationwide, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson said yesterday.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THE BLAZE in June that left one woman dead and two others with amputated limbs.

Investigators quiz blaze victims in US

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

YOUR

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

INVESTIGATORS have travelled to the United States to interview victims of the June Four C’s boat explosion in Exuma that left a woman dead and two others with amputated limbs, according to press secretary Anthony Newbold.

He could not give more details about the status of the investigation.

Four C’s was involved in the incident in Barraterre on June 30 in which an American woman, Maleka Jackson, died. Her husband Tiran Jackson lost one of his legs while another woman, Sefanie Schaffer, lost two limbs. The tour company has since been ordered to cease operations until the investigation has been completed. Schaffer’s family has since raised $167,415 to

cover her medical expenses through GoFundMe. The family of Mr Jackson has raised $149,180 on that platform to cover his expenses.

Mr Newbold was unable to say yesterday if any of the victims have initiated legal action against the government or Four C’s.

“The last thing we are aware of, (investigators) travelled to Georgia where the victims of the accident live,” he said. “They’ve gone there to interview them but that is the last thing we know about where that is.”

During yesterday’s press conference Mr Newbold separately noted that renovations have not yet started on the new post office building on Gladstone Road.

“The minister of works who has carriage of this, they’re presently preparing construction drawings for the building,” he said, referring to the Phil’s Food

Services building. “They’re also awaiting the structural engineers report on that building and once that’s done the quantity surveyors will have a look at it. At that point you talk about actual numbers and the process as it is now could run into November before you actually see anything physically happening with that building.”

At its current location, the General Post Office has been plagued with issues for years, suffering from mould and a broken air-conditioning system.

For many months postal workers have worked shortened shifts at their East Hill Street location because of the “hazardous” conditions.

Last year, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce CEO Edison Sumner said the shortened work hours were a “pretty vexing issue” for a number of businesses.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 5, 2018, PAGE 3

Double talk: Turns out Pointe workers clause has two meanings

CONSTRUCTION in July as Chinese workers at The Pointe laid concrete blocks. from page one “As you know this agreement was something we inherited from the previous administration but government is continuous and we are not casting any blame on the persons who put this agreement together.”

He continued: “But I must say that there has been a significant increase in the Bahamian work component at The Pointe and beginning next summer, according to management, it will be over 70 percent Bahamian component.

Additionally, by the end of the project they are estimating it will be close to 85 percent. If you level out the Bahamian component over the lifetime of the project, it will be over 70 percent, and that is how we are interpreting it.”

Mr Foulkes added: “We are looking at the end result, more importantly we want the project to finish so that over 600 Bahamians can be permanently employed.”

This follows repeated calls from the Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) and its president,

Leonard Sands, for the government to show just how many Bahamians are currently employed at the $200m downtown Nassau development. The BCA previously branded as “hogwash” the government’s finding that The Pointe is not in breach of its heads of agreement on labour ratios.

However, Mr Sands agreed yesterday the agreement - as tabled by the former government – was vague, and could be interpreted in two different ways.

Mr Sands argued the principal concern was the

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff lack of clarification on how Bahamians, skilled labourers and contractors, can engage the project. “(The HOA) also promised work permits for up to 500,” Mr Sands said, “they thought that made sense. The challenge we are having with this HOA, it says in detail at the peak of construction. I am a project manager of ten plus years, I’ve had my fair share of developments, the peak of construction could be determined in any number of ways. It’s an area that is gray.

“We need clarification,

THE CONSTRUCTION at The Pointe.

and we request a sit down with stakeholders of this development. I don’t want a political statement, my membership is not interested in the politics. My members are interested in how do they derive benefits as Bahamians for their families from this project happening on downtown Nassau. I want the developer sitting down with us, or clearly outlining that in a press statement.”

Mr Sands continued: “How do we engage our contractors in the Bahamas? There is no clear path on how to engage in the project. I would have expected at this point in time The Pointe or its contractor would have announced it to the public.

“We’re not happy with the way the project is being developed because it’s too ambiguous on the engagement for locals, there is too much vagueness on how to be a part of the project.

“Months ago, Wu (a Pointe official) said 150 contractors, no project will have 150 contractors. You will need a project the size of western New Providence for that.

“I’m against the manner in which the project is being allowed to progress without full clarification of opportunities to local contractors and how they can engage the project so our economy is fully benefiting. We can maximise the economy benefit with further engagement of local contractors who spend their money here,” Mr Sands said.

Mr Foulkes told media outside Cabinet a joint exercise was agreed upon with Pointe developers

after the government’s report last month “did not quite coincide” with the workforce survey submitted by its management team.

Labour director John Pinder and a team of investigators visited the worksite on Monday. Mr Pinder is expected to soon deliver a definitive report.

Meanwhile, Mr Davis insisted yesterday the interpretation given by Mr Foulkes was wrong.

“My recollection of the HOA is that it would be 70 percent Bahamian and 30 percent foreign labour and that was supposed to be throughout the contract,” Mr Davis said.

“It’s obvious (government’s interpretation) will mean that the Bahamian workforce would be deprived of earning a living, that means they will be losing about 40 percent of the workforce, they would be losing the opportunity to earn a living and also the consequence of that in so far as the economic impact to the community.”

Mr Davis continued: “I don’t know where Mr Foulkes would be getting that second interpretation from, that’s wrong, and it’s depriving Bahamians.

That’s not the arrangement that we left in place. “(Mr Foulkes) just needs to point out the provision he’s talking to that may have this double meaning, and even if it admits to two interpretations, you adopt the interpretation that favours Bahamians.

“So if he’s admitting there is two, why would he want to adopt the interpretation that disadvantages Bahamians?”

NO TEAM PICKED YET FOR PROMISED BPL PROBE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

MORE than two weeks after the former board of Bahamas Power and Light disintegrated, details remain scarce about the investigation Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pledged to launch into the board’s meltdown.

“He hasn’t appointed a team,” press secretary Anthony Newbold said when asked who Dr Minnis has chosen to investigate the matter yesterday. “As he said, he will, but no he hasn’t done so yet.”

Asked if Dr Minnis regards the matter with any urgency, Mr Newbold said: “What needs to happen is the board of BPL and management needs to make sure we have electricity every day. He hasn’t said when he’s likely to (choose investigators). He’s committed to doing that and he

will but there’s no timeline on that.”

Relationships between factions of the former board frayed over a variety of issues.

The two sides made damaging allegations about one another during their very public spat.

Following a tour of the Grand Lucayan resort in Grand Bahama two weeks ago, Dr Minnis promised a “proper investigation” into the saga will take place.

He said at the time: “I have met this morning with the past BPL board members, had a very great meeting with them and I have informed them that in light of what has been transpiring, that the government will initiate a proper investigation into the BPL saga and when we complete that investigation that will be made readily available.”

Since Dr Minnis’ announcement, several observers have urged him

to appoint independent investigators whose conclusions won’t be dismissed as partisan. Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis called on him to request that Auditor General Terrance Bastian conduct the investigation.

During yesterday’s briefing, Mr Newbold also said Dr Minnis will travel to Turks & Caicos on Thursday morning as the government considers an investment application

from the brand that operates the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa. “Beaches is a part of the Sandals’ brand,” he noted.

“They are considering whether they will bring that brand to The Bahamas.”

The permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, a senior policy advisor, the minister of tourism and the director of investments will travel with Dr Minnis on the trip.

Sandals has two resorts in the Bahamas already, one

in New Providence and the other in Exuma.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Good for business? Nike gets political NEW YORK (AP) — Why do it?

Nike has touched off a furor by wading into football’s national anthem debate with an ad featuring Colin Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who was the first athlete to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest police brutality against blacks and hasn’t played a game since 2016.

The ad copy reads: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”

The ad, part of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do it” campaign, has outraged many. Online, people threatened boycotts and posted videos and photos of shoes set on fire, Nike gear thrown in the trash, and swoosh logos cut out of products.

Most big corporations steer clear of politics, and marketing experts disagreed Tuesday over whether the Kaepernick campaign is good business.

But some noted approvingly that it made a big splash and set Nike apart.

And they said it could solidify Nike’s bond with athletes, especially black ones, an important consideration for a company that relies heavily on sports stars to endorse its products.

Brian Gordon, CEO of Engine Shop, a sports and entertainment marketing agency, said the ad is provocative but “authentic to who they are and the communities they represent and speak to”, including the athletes.

“Even in the face of potential backlash, they support their athlete partners, and that’s an incredibly powerful statement to the athlete community,” Gordon said.

Other athletes in the campaign include tennis star Serena Williams, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and Shaquem Griffin, a linebacker whose left hand was amputated when he was 4. But the Kaepernick ad struck a nerve, timed just before the NFL season kicks off on Thursday.

Nike did not return a request for comment about its strategy. Its stock closed down more than 3 percent Tuesday.

Neil Saunders, managing director of the data and analytics firm GlobalData, called the Kaepernick strategy “commercially imprudent.”

“Nike’s campaign will generate both attention and discussion which is, arguably, one of its central aims,” he said.

“However, it is also a risky strategy in that it addresses, and appears to take sides on, a highly politicised issue. This means it could ultimately alienate and lose customers, which is not the purpose of a marketing campaign.”

But other experts think the strength of Nike’s brand will help it weather the storm and perhaps benefit from it, too.

Nike is one of the world’s largest sports apparel companies, with $34.5bn in revenue last year.

“What you stand for is almost as important as what you make,” said

Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing firm Metaforce. “It’s a polarised marketplace. No matter what you do, you offend some people. They’re focused on what they stand for, and if that upsets some users, so be it.”

Robert Passikoff, founder of marketing consultancy Brand Keys, said an ad like Nike’s will divide people, but the outrage won’t last.

“My guess is that the audience that is reacting so badly to this aren’t buying a lot of Nikes anyway,” he said. “They’ll move on to the next thing. Welcome to the 21st century.”

Nike, based in Beaverton, Oregon, has made waves before. An ad for the company’s sport hijab went viral in 2017. And a 2010 commercial featuring a voiceover by Tiger Woods’ late father when the golfer was trying to recover from a sex scandal drew mixed reviews.

In August, Nike made news when the French Open banned Williams’ Nikebranded black catsuit. Nike responded by posting an image of her on social media with the line “You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers.”

Brands run the risk of a backlash in taking a political stand in their advertising.

Starbucks was mocked in 2015 for trying to start a discussion about race by writing the slogan “Race Together” on its cups. Pepsi ended up pulling a commercial that showed Kendall Jenner giving a Pepsi to a police officer; some said the ad trivialised the “Black Lives Matter” protests.

John Sweeney, sports communication professor at the University of North Carolina, said the Kaepernick ad was created to provoke people, and in that respect, it succeeded.

“You may have a negative reaction or a positive reaction, but you have a reaction,” he said. “They wanted something that would stop the presses and stop people in their places.”

For some, the ad has made them bigger fans of the brand.

“I think what Nike did was a tremendous step in fighting against the people who misunderstand the protests by Kaep and players,” said Seth Buchwalter, of Portland, Oregon, a lifelong Nike customer.

But Wesley Callaway, of Omaha, Nebraska, said he doesn’t agree with kneeling during the national anthem and thinks it is unfortunate Nike is featuring Kaepernick, though he said he doesn’t buy many Nike products and won’t make any changes in his shopping habits.

“I don’t mind them protesting brutality,” he said. “I just wish they wouldn’t do it during the anthem.”

By Mae Anderson, AP Business Writer

NAD, it’s a simple answer EDITOR, The Tribune.

NAD overjoyed with the passenger count for July – why?

If they didn’t know, Baha Mar added 2,300 rooms which with double occupancy estimates from a long time ago showed the resort would add. Some 350,000 visitors to the 1.2 million level.

Dah, NAD that is precisely a 30% increase and you got what?

Why or what is the reason to shout about this?

Airfares is what NAD and the Ministry has to be working on - during this reporting period aggregate

return tickets from Atlanta to Nassau; Newark-Nassau; Charlotte-Nassau at any given time exceeded $1,200.00 per person! Usual fares are $400-450.00.

Increase load capacity per plane.

Bahamasair - the inaugural flight to Houston - Bahamasair management simply ignored passengers waiting for use of that 737 to fly to Ft Lauderdale and then Ft Lauderdale to Nassau delays which were over three-hours without an apology or a voucher. Now the mess on the flight to Ft Lauderdale holding people either end for hours without explanation.

Couldn’t management have been taken one of the new ATRs, 70 capacity and fly it to Ft Lauderdale twice and then serve the original route in-country?

Better than getting everyone peeved at both Nassau and Ft Lauderdale and holding them without any news til 4am!

Mr Chairman - Managing Director, what a bad first impression those visitors got and look how we treated your own and was their any care? This is people’s business.

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, September 3, 2018.

A classic back to school letter EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS my children returned to school this fall term after a long and eventful summer, I could not help but reflect upon the sentiments expressed in a letter that has been attributed to US President Abraham Lincoln.

While there have been numerous debates about the authorship of the letter, which was supposedly written to his son’s teacher, the words of the letter express parental love and articulate the expectations of a parent in relation to his or her child. Implicitly it appreciates the fact that most of a child’s time will be spent in the presence of a teacher or an instructor, who will not only be responsible for his or her academic education, but also play a major role in his or her introduction to life’s challenges, perplexities and contradictions.

The referenced letter serves and should serve as an inspiration to teachers, parents and children alike.

To the teacher because it re-emphasises the magnificent role that teachers play in the development of students into fit and proper individuals of our society, who are able to contribute to the growth and success of our nation.

To parents because it highlights how the formal education system fits into our value system and our dreams for the future of our children, which ultimately determines the destiny of our commonwealth. The letter brings to light the vital role of parents in their children’s education and the importance of a strategic partnership with their children’s teachers in the development of well-rounded citizens of tomorrow.

To the children and students who are the subject of this letter for all seasons, this note provides an insight into the thoughts of most parents regarding their offspring. It is de facto a window into the minds of their earthly guardians which reveals unconditionally and oft times tough love aimed at ultimately putting them on the right track towards a successful and fulfilling life. The letter unravels the true intentions of parents and guardians which go beyond merely sending them to school because the law mandates the same, to a genuine desire that they become the best and all that they can be.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net The letter is so profound and relevant to the current in our country that I found it desirable to share the full text with the populace at the commencement of the new school year. It is only fitting that we reproduce verbatim this self-explanatory letter that is attributed to Lincoln and in some cases described as “An Anonymous Father’s Letter to His Son’s Teacher” rather than provide an analysis. While there are varying versions of the letter, the crux of all the versions are the same.

The letter is also meant to be gender neutral with the subject being a child; whether male or female.

The letter reads: “My son starts school today. It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would treat him gently. It is an adventure that might take him across continents.

All adventures that probably include wars, tragedy and sorrow. To live this life will require faith, love and courage.

So dear teacher, will you please take him by his hand and teach him things he will have to know, teaching him – but gently, if you can.

Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend. He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader.

Teach him if you can that 10 cents earned is of far more value than a dollar found. In school, teacher, it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose and enjoy winning when he does win.

Teach him to be gentle with people, tough with tough people. Steer him away from envy if you can and teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Teach him if you can – how to laugh when he is sad, teach him there is no shame in tears.

Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success. Teach him to scoff at cynics.

Teach him if you can the wonders of books, but also give time to ponder the extreme mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is doing it. Teach him to listen to everyone but teach him also to filter all that he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his talents and brains to the highest bidder but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind, in God. This is a big order, teacher but see what best you can do. He is such a nice little boy and he is my son.”

Core moral values of hope, honesty, hard work, faith, fortitude, perseverance, self-control, self-worth and diligence echo throughout this letter.

Parents must continue to uphold these important standards for their children. The standards must remain, and we must not compromise on the values that have helped us to build this nation. For a deviation from these principles will only destroy the work of our ancestors and render in vain the labour of our past heroes.

There is no doubt that the reproduced letter above will remain relevant and valuable for years to come.

Hopefully, it will inspire you as it has done to so many individuals across the globe for many years and motivate you to create your own tradition of letter writing to your children’s teachers and instructors. A candid letter from the heart of a parent stating his/her expectations, aspirations and dreams for his/her child will go a long way to ensure the meeting of minds with teachers and encourage them in their pursuit of excellence.

The Bahamas will be a better place when most of our parents have the sentiments expressed in this letter and our teachers have the courage to follow through on the same. We wish all our school students and teachers a successful 2018/2019 school year and pray God’s blessings upon our children, parents, teachers and The Bahamas.

ARINTHIA KOMOLAFE Deputy Leader, DNA Nassau, September 4, 2018.

S

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 5, 2018, PAGE 5

Pupils ‘at risk’ as repairs continue in school term

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE health and safety of thousands of students were put at risk this week when schools still in need of repairs received children, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday.

He said this was a face saving move by the government to avoid public criticism and embarrassment.

Mr Davis further questioned how a Bahamas Telecommunications Company contract for fibre optic technology at schools ballooned from $2m to $7.5m.

“On the opening of schools, there is a big difference between opening the schools and the readiness of schools to receive students on the designated opening day,” the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP said during a press conference yesterday.

“We know that $6m was initially requested for summer repairs but only half that amount was made available. This raises the issue of short cuts.

Additionally, contractor mobilisation was generally late across the board.

“Eyewitnesses have reported late arrivals of material on job sites. Students reported having their uniforms soiled with wet paint at Eva Hilton and shared the same on social media.

“Materials arrived at T G Glover just this past

PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis during a visit to Rum Cay All-Age School this week.

Saturday therefore painting generally usable. focusing on rather than and other repairs are ongo“The state of school playing politics and engaging as I speak.” repairs I described are the ing in public relations and Mr Davis claimed work cases at numerous public photo-ops in Exuma and at A F Adderley is ongoing schools across the coun- San Salvador. I point out and needed repairs at the try so the public schools that the prime minister Black Point School have were not ready to receive failed to extend the cournot yet begun. students on Monday, Sep- tesy of inviting me, the Repairs to the high tember 3, but in my view, representative, on an offischool in San Salvador were to save face and avoid cial visit to my constituency. limited to ten percent of the public criticism and embar- I cry shame on the prime works identified as priority rassment, the government minister. This whole affair out of the works scoped, he simply opened the schools is inexcusable.” further claimed, adding the and negligently placed Regarding the public weekend fire at the All-Age the health, safety and well school technology contract School in Rum Cay was being of thousands of stu- signed on Sunday, Mr Davis confined to the stand-alone dents at risk. requested to see the agreetuck shop building, but the “These are the critical ment to determine how the classrooms which suffered issues of governance the value of work increased by minimal water damage are prime minister should be $5.5m.

“The minister of education has announced a $7.5m contract with BTC for internet and technology upgrades within the public school system. This is a continuation of the PLP government’s project to upgrade public schools, but given an increase in the budget from $2m to $7.5m, we need to see the agreement and publicly request a copy of the contract to determine how the value of the scope of work increased by $5.5m.

“I am advised that before we left office, the Cabinet agreed that Cable Bahamas would install fibre optic cable to 100 public schools at $2,500 per school at a cost of $250,000. “Additionally, the contractor would provide 2,500 tablets for a grand total of $2m. The contract this government signed is valued at more than three times the original scope of work so it’s in the public’s interest for the government to make this contract available for public scrutiny.

“Further, under the BTC agreement, the PLP questions whether or not the government issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the additional $5m,” Mr Davis said.

Yesterday, Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer defended the Minnis’ administration’s handling of the education sector.

“Our Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has always placed a priority on education because he knows it’s

the key for our children to prepare for the future,” Mr Culmer noted in a statement. “And the FNM government has made it clear that we must provide families and students with more opportunities when it comes to schooling. We must ensure that they have the ability to learn and compete in an ever changing global economy that has become more and more focused on technology.

“The FNM government has taken concrete steps in that direction signing a contract with BTC to upgrade and run fibre optic cable into all government schools.

These new fibre optics will allow both the teachers and our students to be able to use ‘smart technology’ which is quickly becoming required of our students as they prepare for their futures.

“The steps that our government have taken since coming to office highlight the dedication and commitment that the FNM government has to making sure that all Bahamians have every opportunity to succeed and determine their own path. Our government is working to bring our schools up to date in terms of technology and in renovating our physical infrastructure to meet the needs of our students and teachers. We have also established scholarship programmes for both students and teachers and are in the process of creating universal (pre-school),” Mr Culmer said.

TEACHERS LEFT IN LIMBO WITH NO SCHOOLS from page one

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mrs Wilson called for the Ministry of Education to resolve the delay and to start the vetting process for new teachers earlier.

The BUT president also responded to reports that there is a shortage of teachers at the Eva Hilton Primary School. Mrs Wilson said Eva Hilton is far from the only school with this issue, as those affected range from Arthurs Town High School in Cat Island to A F Adderley Jr High School in New Providence.

“Generally, there are teachers who have not been placed as yet,” Mrs Wilson said. “I’m working on that right now, I’m getting calls from Family Islands and from schools in New Providence. So it’s not just limited to Eva Hilton.

“There are new teachers who have been to the orientation…they are still

awaiting their appointment letters and where they’re going to be assigned.”

The orientation exercise for newly appointed teachers was held on August 22.

When asked what is causing the delay, Mrs Wilson said the answer “depends on who you ask at the ministry.”

“Because there are different reasons being given,” she added. “But this isn’t anything new. “Every year it’s the same problem. We are of the view that if you know who is coming out of the University of the Bahamas – we would have recommended to the ministry over and over that if you have a cohort of teachers that are coming out (of UB) in May, then from December you should have that listing.”

Mrs Wilson noted these students’ last semester would be the following January-May. She estimated 99 percent would successfully complete the term.

“So we are of the view

that from December the Ministry of Education should have a listing of all of the teachers that are prospective graduates of (UB).

They should have the subject or the discipline that they should be graduating with a degree in.

“And what they should do is begin the vetting process, and start to collect… all of those documentation they should have prior to now.

“I’m saying to you, teachers who would have attended the orientation exercise from week before last, some of them have still not been posted to school.

It’s not limited to Eva Hilton.”

When asked for an estimate of how many teachers are waiting to be assigned, Mrs Wilson said: “There were 207 teachers, new recruits. Up to like a week and a half ago, there are about 85 of them that had letters in their hands.

“Since that time, there

would have been probably about 10 or 15 that would have communicated with me to say, ‘yes I got my school, I would have got my letter,” I got the geographical posting allowance,’ which is funds they should get for their airfare, their freight, to turn on their utilities.

“The Ministry and the Department of Education must do a better job of their recruitment and the exercise they use in between recruitment to get teachers in school in a timely manner.”

Giving examples of schools affected by the shortage, Mrs Wilson said these include E P Roberts, A F Adderley, and the Arthurs Town High School in Cat Island, which is specifically awaiting five teachers.

Mrs Wilson also reported the teachers are not being given any indication as to when they will receive their documents.

BUYERS FOR EVERY LOT IN FIRST WAVE OF HOUSING SCHEME

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE government has identified buyers for all of its low-cost lots on sale in Sunset Close, according to press secretary Anthony Newbold.

Mr Newbold’s statement was a rebuttal of sorts to claims by Environment and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira last week that the housing programme is being underused, with only nine of 60 applicants qualifying for the programme so far.

According to Mr Newbold, the ten lots in Sunset Close are the only ones that have been made available to prospective home-owners and as of yesterday, all of those lots have been sold.

“When the minister spoke about it, a lot of the applications that were seen at that point were people who hadn’t qualified,” Mr Newbold said.

“Sunset Close, ten service lots (were offered). As of today I can tell you they are all taken. In fact, they are

oversubscribed by as much as four to five times.”

Mr Ferriera had said last week that the low qualification numbers were because too many Bahamians have been seduced over the years by the predatory habits of lending institutions.

Mr Newbold said yesterday: “The concern is always for the Bahamian people to have their financial house in order but in terms of the service lots initiative, no, (Sunset) Close, the first phase, ten lots, they’re all taken. The next phase will be the Lionel Davis in Fox Hill, that’s another ten lots.

From my information there are some people who have applied for these lots who could qualify for as much as $100,000. So there is concern only in so far that Bahamians in general get their financial houses in order and that we are making the best use of the monies we have available to us.”

The housing initiative was launched seven weeks ago. Currently, only people in the uninformed services can apply for the lots,

the cost of which in some instances have been as low as $15,000.

As many as 150 lots will be available in Carmichael Village though that part of the programme is still in its design phase. Lionel Davis Estates is expected to provide an additional ten lots.

Shoddy workmanship by contractors in the past is the chief reason the government is offering the lots to Bahamians as opposed to offering them property with houses already constructed.

Mr Ferreira said last week: “Shoddy workmanship, that is like the number one concern even today 10 to 15 years after homes have been constructed the government still has the responsibility of going back and repairing these homes because of the contractual relationship is between the homeowner and the government. The homeowner in many instances has abdicated even simple repairs like fixing a leaking pipe under the sink to the government.

“So the government is

saying look we will provide you with this lot, it’s worth between $80,000 to $100,000 so you automatically get $80,000 to $60,000 worth of equity, and then

you have that contractual relationship between yourself and the contractor of your choice.”

He added: “We’re taking ourselves out of the

equation, the Department of Housing is repairing homes that were constructed many, many years ago and it’s an unfair burden to the Bahamian taxpayer.”

PAGE 6, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

OFFICIAL government shanty town notices being handed out and stapled to homes earlier this year.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Shanty task force broken up as legal wrangles continue

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE government’s Shanty Town Action Task Force has been dissolved in New Providence, according to Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, who told reporters outside Cabinet yesterday his team was still fulfilling its mandate in the Family Islands.

Mr Foulkes said he and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister are investigating why a letter mandating the removal of a structure located east of Bacardi Road was sent out by the Building Control Division last month.

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.

Legal counsel for residents, Fred Smith, QC, has threatened to petition the court to have top officials cited for contempt if the notices are not rescinded, and certain conditions met by 4pm on Friday.

Attorney General Carl Bethel told reporters

outside Cabinet yesterday he was confident the matter would be amicably resolved with legal counsel.

“We are investigating,” Mr Foulkes said, “we do not know whether that is connected to the shanty town matter or that’s a separate thing that they normally do in their normal course of work down at the Ministry of Works.”

He continued: “Since the injunction, we have dissolved the Shanty Town Action Task Force in New Providence pursuant to the court order. We are very active in the Family Islands, we are active in Abaco.”

When asked whether there were any concerns

a judicial review would be launched to cover unregulated Family Island communities, Mr Foulkes said: “I cannot anticipate that, we have a mandate by the prime minister to pursue the matter and we are pursuing it.”

Mr Foulkes said he plans to travel to Abaco on Saturday for a meeting on the next phase of consultation, establish five subcommittees, and to explore alternative housing arrangements for the resident population, which is estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,000 people in the Mud and Pigeon Pea settlements.

“The survey will give us the exact number of the

residents in terms of the children,” Mr Foulkes said, “in terms of the adults, who have legal status, that will give us an idea of what exactly we are faced with in Abaco.”

In early August, Haitian Pastors League President Dr Jean Paul Charles told The Tribune he did not think the number of families still living in all 11 shanty towns in the capital exceeded 150 groups.

Yesterday, Dr Charles said there did not appear to be any significant level of recidivism in those communities as a result of the injunction.

Outside Cabinet, Mr Foulkes said: “We removed

close to 400 derelict vehicles (in New Providence), we were in the process of having very good meetings with Haitian Bahamian leadership. We had Haitian leaders going into the communities persuading people to leave.

“In one community, there were about 40 households, and there was only one remaining household left there and I was told that that family was about to leave.

“I don’t know what happened since the injunction.”

He added: “We are under strict instructions not to do anything in New Providence until the court matter is heard.”

LAWYERS’ DEPARTURE ‘SHOWS CHAOS IN AG’S OFFICE’ from page one

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.”

However, Mr Davis yesterday insisted to have hired the “first class” lawyers in the first place was to question the capabilities of the legal minds in the Office of the Attorney General.

“That is alarming, because the decision to

farm out the work to independent counsel suggested to me that the attorney general had arrived at a view that his office and those in his office were not sufficiently competent to deal with the work,” Mr Davis said during his monthly press conference at the PLP’s headquarters on Farrington Road.

“Having engaged private counsel and now having private counsel disengage themselves just tells us the state of the Attorney General’s Office - rudderless chaotic and a ball of confusion.”

This is also a waste of public funds, Mr Davis said.

“If they engaged counsel

and then counsel is disengaging themselves, that is a waste of funds and you see it appears the Attorney General would have gotten advice from within his chambers obviously have gotten advice from independent counsel.

“Now when a client does not agree to the advice from his counsel then that client would have some challenges I would think.”

As for views on how the matter should proceed, Mr Davis said he has none because he is not involved in the case, but he said the matter appears to have come down to politics.

“Lawyers Robert Adams and Harvey Tynes would

not be too concerned about the political aspect of it.

They would be more concerned about the issues of law and the Attorney General may be more concerned about the political consequences of the matter.

“I suspect the issues might be where they wanted to tell counsel how to conduct their case instead of allowing counsel to tell (them) how the case ought to be conducted.”

The attorneys severed ties 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 ex-parte application.

Attorney Fred Smith told

The Tribune on Monday 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.

DAVIS: ‘WHAT WAS LUCAYAN VALUED AT?’ from page one surveyor’s report before committing the Bahamian people to a $65m dollar debt,” Mr Davis said.

“We understand that there was an appraisal done on the property and we ask the government to make the document available as it is clear that the government is paying far more than the appraised value.

“What is the status of the business plan? This is the blueprint and the exit strategy as this hotel is not a going concern and all business efforts have not been very successful. What is different and

special this time around?

Who is the financier and what are the detailed terms of the loan?

“Of the potential buyers whose proposals (Hotel Corporation Chairman) Michael Scott claims to be reviewing, why is the government refusing to simply put the proposed buyer and seller together since this is a private commercial transaction? Who is the casino operator and the terms? Usually this is in place before any agreement is made or any money changes hand.

“Who will have control of the Grand Bahama International Airport and what provisions have been

made to secure adequate airlift into Grand Bahama?

How will the property and tourism product be branded? I point out that the government has already committed some $20m in marketing support for the Grand Bahama tourism product in the current fiscal year.”

Last month, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the government purchased the Grand Lucayan, making a $10m deposit on the property.

He said the sale should be wrapped up within a 30-day period.

While the government has not revealed much about the payment details,

The Tribune was told last week the government intends to write a promissory note to grand Lucayan owner Hutchinson Whampoa to complete the $65m purchase of the property.

A high-level source revealed the schedule for the sale includes another $20m payment when the sale document is complete and the property is conveyed, and then $5m payments every six months until the balance is settled.

“We’ve agreed to pay $10m at the signing of the letter of intent,” the high-level government insider said last week, “and another $20m when the sale document is completed and

property is conveyed to us. Then, every six months after that pay we’ll pay $5m until the balance is liquidated. I believe there is interest on it, three percent.

“It’s a promissory note.

We’re giving them a promissory note, it’s not a strict loan in a sense. The government is going to borrow money but this whole transaction is an investment so we’re acquiring an asset and it will not count towards our annual deficit.

Now if the asset is impaired, if the value goes below what we paid for it, the deficit would have to be shown as a recurrent expenditure,” the source added.

Mr Davis has previously

said to purchase the Grand Lucayan would be a waste of money without a proper plan to justify how the money would be recouped.

He claimed there would be no immediate benefit or economic impact for at least two years.

The Grand Lucayan resort features three brands: Memories, the 500room Breaker’s Cay and Lighthouse Pointe.

The hotel closed in October 2016 for repairs after it suffered damage from Hurricane Matthew leading almost 1,000 people to lose their jobs.

In November 2016, only the 196-room Lighthouse Pointe reopened.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 5, 2018, PAGE 7

FORMER MP Frank Smith outside court yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Sands due in court to explain contract

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands is expected to testify in court today about his decisions regarding the approval of a $1.8m contract to the company owned by the virtual complainant in former Progressive Liberal Party Senator Frank Smith’s criminal trial without the approval of the Public Hospitals Authority’s board of directors.

The news came after PHA legal advisor and board secretary Leslie Isaacs agreed with suggestions from Smith’s attorney that the approval of the contract to Barbara Hanna’s Magic Touch Cleaning Company was tantamount to a “breach” of standard PHA procedure.

As the witness took the stand before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, lead defence attorney Keith Knight, QC, submitted to Ms Isaacs that the correct procedure would have been for a sub-committee of the board to forward its findings and recommendations to the PHA’s board for approval, to which Ms Isaacs agreed.

During previous proceedings, Ms Isaacs testified that contracts totaling $250,000 or less could be approved by the board without input by the minister of health or Cabinet. She also said at the time any contract above the $250,000 threshold would need to be reviewed and approved at the ministerial level.

Yesterday, however, Ms Isaacs agreed with Mr Knight’s suggestion that the normal process was not followed in the present case, and instead, the contract was approved without the board’s endorsement.

The contract was approved less than three months after criminal charges had already been brought against Smith.

It was also revealed that Magic Touch Cleaning Company was awarded the contract on October 30, 2017, notwithstanding it being the second to lowest bidder at the time. The lowest bidding company, meanwhile, had its bid

rejected because its bid was found to be “unrealistic,” according to lead Crown attorney Edward Jenkins, QC. Mr Knight suggested to Ms Isaacs that as normal PHA policy, the board would look closely at recommendations for the approval of contracts to any company that is not the lowest bidder, something he suggested concerned the revenue side of the PHA’s operation.

However, Mr Knight asserted that the board did not have the opportunity to examine why any entity other than the lowest bidder was selected for recommendation in the present case, as the contract had already been approved by the minister of health.

In response, Mr Jenkins submitted that the issue boiled down to whether Magic Touch being awarded the contract stemmed from a “technical” decision as opposed to a “sinister” motive, and stressed the lowest bidder’s disqualification for its “unrealistic” bid.

During previous proceedings, Mr Knight highlighted segments of the minutes from a December 14, 2017, PHA board meeting, where the contract awarded to Mrs Hanna and the process through which it was awarded, was referred to as unfortunate.

The minutes also noted the million-dollar contract was never brought to the board for discussion.

Additionally, the board said it had concerns about the contract.

At the time, Ms Isaacs confirmed that the minutes reflected the views of the

board, and also explained that PHA regulations do not permit a contract to move from the Analysis Committee, another subcommittee of the PHA board, directly to the minister of health.

The minutes revealed that the board was so concerned, it thought it necessary for the director of internal audits at PHA give a chronological report on what exactly transpired during the review and approval of the contract.

Yesterday, however, Ms Isaacs said as far as she was aware, no action was taken regarding the internal audit report. That prompted Mr Knight to suggest that as the PHA board’s secretary, Ms Isaacs ought to have been made aware of any action being taken on that issue.

Smith is facing 15 criminal charges concerning his alleged solicitation of $65,000 in bribes from a woman he is said to have assisted in getting a contract. He is currently out on $50,000 bail.

It is alleged the former PHA chairman, between April 2016 and April 2017, demanded and obtained $5,000 per month from Mrs Hanna, knowing he was not lawfully authorised to do so.

He is also alleged to have attempted to extort another $5,000 from Mrs Hanna.

Concerning the bribery charge, it is alleged that he solicited $5,000 a month from Mrs Hanna for helping her to get a PHA contract.

Smith pleaded not guilty to all the allegations during his arraignment last July.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

The ‘now’ generation?

More like later, if ever

By Alicia Wallace HOME ownership is not easy. It is no walk in the park to look for, purchase, build, or maintain a house. Anyone who has gone through the process, or even attempted it, knows this and has anecdotes to share. There is nothing simple about it.

Questions about the Affordable Homes Programme There have been conversations about the low qualification rate of applicants to the affordable homes programme. People want to know why applicants do not qualify. What are the requirements? How far off are the people who have been rejected? Is the government working with them to assess their applications and show them what needs to be changed? Is the response solution-based and does the government recognize this as a financial crisis?

We’re just not tough enough Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar, speaking on the affordable homes programme, made ludicrous, sweeping statements about the Bahamian people. He

said we need to “have skin in the game” and need to have more discipline.

D’Aguilar compared Bahamians in the market for homes with our parents and grandparents who, apparently, were better than us and living a “much simpler and harder life”. Our desire for cellphones in a world that demands connectivity and air conditioning in 86 degree weather apparently means we have “lost [our] way”.

What a case D’Aguilar has built against, in particular, young Bahamians. We, the products of the perfect generations before us, are blamed for our struggles.

There is no sign of a previous or impending review of the application process, programme requirements, or current economic environment. It is, indeed, far easier to blame the people who do not meet the mark.

It could not possibly be a miscalculation on the part of the body that designed the programme with only 15 percent of applicants qualifying. When the Bahamians of the uniform branches do not qualify, something must be wrong. It is common knowledge that people seek government jobs with the knowledge they can easily

qualify for loans. Even they are being turned away.

Few applications? Low interest I spoke to a few civil servants about their experiences with lending

Funeral Service For ROSALIND THERESA MAJOR-ROLLE, 66 of Shell Fish Road, off Stew Fish Drive, off Carmichael Road and formerly of Clarence Town, Long Island, will be held on Friday, September 7th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Tabor Church, Willow Tree Avenue and Mount Tabor Drive. Officiating will be Bishop Neil C. Ellis. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Roselyn was predeceased by her Parents: Harcourt and Remilda Major; (2) Sisters: Viola Telusmond and Neva Roach: (3) Brothers: Timothy, Clifford and Ramon Major; (1) Son: Samuel Alexander Knowles Jr.; (1) Grandson: Renaldo Errol Greene.

Precious Memories will forever linger in the hearts of her (4) Daughters: Miriam Antonio, Brenda Rolle, Tiffany Bethel and Mary Ellen Peterson; (1) Son: Godfrey Rolle; (3) Sisters: Olive Major-Dean, Mildred Barnette of Brooksville, Florida, Patricia Rahming; (12) Grandchildren: Marvin Bethel Jr., Showntia, Ericica and Brittney Rolle, Danielle Brown, TeNeil, Tahlia and Tori Peterson, Angel Knowles, Ian and Tiniyha Antonio, D’angleo Powell; (4) Great Grandchildren: Ashanti Curry, Reyanah Greene, Tomiko Culmer and D’angelo Powell; (3) Sons-In-law: Marvin Bethel Sr., Neil Peterson and Brut Williams; (1) Goddaughter: Laurinique; Sister-in-law Marinette Rolle; Nieces and Nephews: Deborah, Donna, Cheryl, Ruthmae, Maria, King Johnson, Anthony Dean, Lana Simmons, Portia McKenzie, Angela McKenzie, Dency Taylor, Janelle, Lashanda, Lornella, Raymond, Dwayne, D’Shia, Serena, Shekera, Alexia, Valentino, Calscia, Miracle, Breon, Ramon, Tristan, Andrew Smith, Natasha, Maurice, Ken, Kenya, Cordy, Candy, Cindy, Kevin, Kendrick, Stephan; Special Friends: Victoria Major, Cliofield Miller, Mavis Dean, Jean Curry, Shirrel Douglas, Anya Burrows, Hildamae Peterson, Christopher Smith, Linda - Super Value; Special Thanks: Bishop Neil.

C. Ellis, Lady Patrice Ellis, Pastor Religland Cox and Elder Andera Cox, Pastor Stephanie Chisholm, Pastor Dorthy Walker, Elder Pam Smith, Elder Donna Wood of Mount Tabor Church, The Servant Board of Mount Tabor Church, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Williamson, Neasie McKenzie, Olive Brown, Prophetess Shanar Butler- Petit- Frere, Prophetess Jasmin Dareus, Frank Bethel and Family; Other friends and family. Female Medical Ward #2 Staff and Doctors, I.C.U. Staff and Doctors, especially nurses in room #2, Restview Funeral Home, Woodlawan Gardens; Card of Thanks: We the Children of the beloved Roselyn Rolle pause to highlight this precious gem, Nurse Deborah Deleveaux. Thank you Debbie for being a pillow of strength during one of our family darkness days and hours. While our mother was laying on her bed of infirmities, it was you who walked along with us every step of the way. With one phone call, you would answered, showed up, preformed, executed, followed up and ensure the best results possible. Your attentiveness, willfulness to assist and acts of kindest displayed true Christianity. Thank you for allowing The Holy Spirit to use you in such a way that only GOD would have done. From Our hearts to yours, May the good Lord pour into your spirit double blessings for all your acts of kindest. Grateful, Roselyn Rolle Children and Grandchildren; Note: If we inadvertently left out your names, please don’t charge it to our hearts.

Viewing will be held in the Serenity Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

institutions and trying to This is a popular opinion. buy land or houses. While People think we expect evesome agreed it is easy to get rything to fall into our laps a loan, others - and quickly. pointed out What a case Nothing there is a could be furlimit to what D’Aguilar has ther from they can built against, in reality. The borrow from cost of living particular, young commercial is higher, banks. Their Bahamians. We, higher levels loan pay- the products of educaments, they tion are said, cannot of the perfect demanded, exceed a pre- generations before salaries are determined stagnant us, are blamed percentage of and bureautheir income, for our struggles. cracy ensures There is no sign usually every step in around 35 of a previous or every propercent. Most cess takes of them disa- impending review far longer greed with of the application than anyone D’Aguilar’s process, programme would assertion expect. We that the pro- requirements, or are forced gramme is current economic to be the not a deal, environment. It “later” genbut a steal. eration.

One person is, indeed, far We have said: “It’s not easier to blame the to think, even close to people who do not assess, plan, a deal. Look act, maybe at the areas meet the mark. assess again they in and and then the size of the wait.

The property. I see better deals complicated process of purin better areas. It don’t chasing land or a house, no make sense.” matter how important to us, involves all of those steps.

Why don’t more people Sometimes, part of the way own homes? through it, we realize it is People who do not own not the way to go. homes are not failures. Most I posed a few questions of us simply do not meet the to friends, family memrigid, old school require- bers and acquaintances ments laid out by lending about home ownership. institutions. D’Aguilar ref- Unsurprisingly, most of erenced one of them. He the people under 30 who pointed out that two incomes bought or built homes are usually required and in the last 10 years did it suggested people make up with a partner. Most of the with their exes and get mar- people who did it on their ried. Maybe he missed the own by the age of 30 are absurdity when the words now 45 or over. In speakfell out of his mouth. Mar- ing to people my parents’ riage is almost a prerequisite age, I found a split between for home ownership. Why those who bought homes does it take two people? by 30 and those who took about 10 years longer. The When are we buying difference between them, homes? in most cases, was mariD’Aguilar referred to us tal status at the age of 30. as the “now” generation. Some were more selective about the area and it delayed the process.

I found quite a few people in my age group who bought or built homes in their 20s. All of the Bahamians were married, except for one who was engaged.

Many of my Canadian friends said debt has kept them from being homeowners. They would all like to own homes, but need to pay off student loans first.

In some cases, they already have children and very little financial wiggle room, if any. One Canadian woman was able to buy a house on her own at 27. When asked about student loans, she said she lived with her parents all through university and stayed until she paid

off her debt. Another Canadian friend said she was only able to buy a house because her husband had made it a priority from a young age and had planned for it.

Views of home ownership changing While home ownership remains a popular goal — maybe even an expectation — attitudes toward it have been changing over the years. It is generally on the list of things to do as an adult, after marriage and before the last child.

Interestingly, a number of Bahamians in my age group expressed ambivalence about home ownership.

From the desire to travel and uncertainty about which country to live in to concerns about the never-ending maintenance expenses. Some see the market as more favourable toward renters than buyers.

Quite a few people said they had never considered home ownership, either because it did not appeal to them in general or it seemed too out of reach.

People are also delaying marriage, choosing not to marry at all, or unable to legally marry. This significantly reduces the ability to purchase a home.

What to do, what to do?

It must be easy, as a millionaire, to judge people based on what they do or do not have. It is quite a simple task to pick and choose the products and services people of lower incomes should be able to access. Surely, it is a breeze to flip through applications to a programme that rejects the people it was supposedly meant to help. It is like nothing to look at the past and compare it with the present without consideration to the context. What is difficult — and necessary — is to look at the structural issues that have put us in our current position — cost of living, minimum wage, interest rates and the far-reaching effects of relationship decisions.

If no-one is looking at the environment we have created and the people slogging through it, there will be no change. Less than 70 people bothered to apply to the affordable housing programme. Priorities are shifting along with our perceptions of what is possible — from marriage and home ownership to being able to meet the most basic of our own needs now and retirement — within this space. Whether the government knows it or not, that is worth talking about.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 5, 2018, PAGE 9

Airbus Perlan Mission II glider reaches 76,000 feet to break own altitude record ARGENTINA Associated Press FOR the third time in a week, Airbus Perlan Mission II has set a new world altitude record for a glider, this time soaring the engineless Perlan 2 to 76,124 feet, in the process collecting vital data on flight performance, weather and the atmosphere.

Monday’s flight by pilots Jim Payne and Tim Gardner surpasses even the maximum recorded altitude in level flight of the US Air Force’s famous U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft: 73,737 feet, flown by pilot Jerry Hoyt on Apr 17, 1989.

The U-2 is powered by an engine that generates 17,000 lbs of thrust.

By contrast, the Perlan 2 is engineless, weighs just 1,500 pounds, and soars to its record altitudes on rare stratospheric air currents formed by mountain winds

combining with the Polar Vortex.

“World records are gratifying evidence of progress toward a goal, but the goal itself is advancing our knowledge and expertise,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO. “By exploring an underexplored part of the atmosphere, Perlan is teaching us about efficient high-altitude flight, about detecting natural sources of lift and avoiding turbulence, and even about the viability of wing-borne exploration of Mars. As a company that makes not just airliners but also high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles such as Zephyr as well as the Mars rover robotic vehicle, every Perlan flight is an investment in our future.”

In a single week, Perlan has set and then surpassed a world altitude record three times: • Aug 26, 2018: Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock soar to 63,100 feet, besting the record of 54,000 feet set

by Airbus Perlan Mission II on Sept 3, 2017 • Aug 28, 2018: Jim Payne and Miguel Iturmendi reach 65,600 feet • Sept 2, 2018: Jim Payne and Tim Gardner climb to 76,124 feet The overall altitude record for level flight of a manned airplane is held by the SR-71 Blackbird at 85,069 feet. The pressurised Perlan 2 glider is designed

to fly to 90,000 feet, conditions permitting.

Airbus Perlan Mission II will continue its 2018 flying season through mid-September, when the season for stratospheric mountain waves in the southern hemisphere begins to die down, and the all-volunteer Perlan Project team will return from Patagonia to homes in the US and around the world. The number of flights remaining will be

determined by weather conditions.

Viewers around the world are following Perlan flights live as they occur on the Airbus Perlan Mission II Virtual Cockpit: http:// bit.ly/VirtualPerlan2. The Virtual Cockpit shows the glider’s altitude, airspeed, remaining oxygen, map position, and even live streaming video from a camera in the tail when the aircraft is in range.

ROBOT BOAT SAILS INTO HISTORY BY FINISHING ATLANTIC CROSSING SOUTHHAMPTON Associated Press ALL summer, the small boat drifted steadily eastward across the churning North Atlantic until it neared the Irish coast, where it made history by becoming the first unmanned sailboat to cross the Atlantic.

The SB Met, built by Norwegian company Offshore Sensing AS, reached the finish line of the Microtransat Challenge for robotic boats on Aug 26, two and a half months after setting off from Newfoundland, according to preliminary data.

It’s a milestone that shows the technology for unmanned boats is robust enough to carry out extended missions that can dramatically cut costs for ocean research, border security, and surveillance in rough or remote waters.

They’re part of wider efforts to develop autonomous marine vessels such as robotic ferries and cargo and container ships that could be operating by the end of the decade, outpacing attempts to commercialise self-driving cars.

“We’ve proved that it’s possible to do,” said David Peddie, CEO of Offshore Sensing, which created the

oceangoing drones, known as Sailbuoys. “The North Atlantic is one of the toughest areas to cross” and completing the challenge “really proves that it’s a long endurance vehicle for pretty much any condition the sea can throw at you,” he said.

Under the Microtransat’s rules, boats up to 2.4 metres (2.6 yards) long can sail between Europe and the Caribbean or North America and Ireland. They must regularly transmit location data.

The Sailbuoy competed in the “unmanned” class, which allows operators to change its course along the way. There’s a separate “autonomous” class that prohibits any such communication.

While self-driving cars have to contend with pedestrians and other traffic, autonomous boats face storms that bring fierce gales and high waves as well as numerous seaborne hazards.

More than 20 previous attempts by various teams to complete the Microtransat since it began in 2010 have ended in failure, with robot boats caught in fishing nets, retrieved by ships, or lost, according to the race website. Peddie said his biggest fear was that a passing boat would pick up the two-metre, 60

IN this photo taken in March and provided by Offshore Sensing, an autonomous Sailbuoy operated

by Norwegian company Offshore Sensing performs a demonstration in the waters of Bjornafjorden, near Bergen, Norway. A Sailbuoy completed the Microtransat Challenge in late August, becoming the first to complete the trans-Atlantic challenge for autonomous vessels since the contest began in 2010.

Photo: Anders Barholm Larsen/Offshore Sensing/AP kilogramme (130 pound) vessel as it neared the finish.

The company is in a niche field with few other players. US startup Saildrone is building a fleet of sevenmetre “unmanned surface vehicles” that can spend up to 12 months gathering ocean data. Liquid Robotics, owned by Boeing, makes the Wave Glider, a research platform that uses wave rather than wind power for propulsion.

Bigger unmanned ships are coming, too, and the International Maritime Organization is reviewing

the safety, security and environmental implications.

Offshore Sensing has built 14 Sailbuoys, which have a surfboard-shaped deck covered in solar panels that power the onboard technology and a rigid trapezoidal sail mounted near the bow that propels the vessel. In company videos, it looks like a toy tossed about by waves and passing ships, making its achievement all the more unlikely.

Peddie says robotic sailboats offer important advantages. Unlike drifting buoys, they can loiter in one place, and they’re

nimbler and cheaper than research vessels.

“These vehicles can do stuff which you cannot do with a traditional vehicle, especially in dangerous areas,” such as a hurricane’s path, Peddie said.

Sailbuoys can be fitted with sensors to measure waves, ocean salinity and oxygen levels; echo sounders to look for fish eggs and larvae; or transmitters to communicate with undersea equipment. They sell for about 150,000 euros ($175,000), similar to the cost of renting a research vessel for a few days.

• A KEY opponent of high-tech, automated weapons known as “killer robots” is blaming countries like the US and Russia for blocking consensus at a UN-backed conference, where most countries wanted to ensure that humans stay at the controls of lethal machines.

Coordinator Mary Wareham of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots spoke on Monday after experts from dozens of countries agreed before dawn on Saturday at the UN in Geneva on ten “possible guiding principles” about such “Lethal Automated Weapons Systems”.

Point 2 said: “Human responsibility for decisions on the use of weapons systems must be retained since accountability cannot be transferred to machines.”

Wareham said such language wasn’t binding, adding that “it’s time to start laying down some rules now”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the principles and expressed hopes the countries who signed on “can build upon this achievement”, according to a statement from his spokesman.

Wareham said delegates had just “kicked the can down the road” until the next meeting on LAWS in November. The “usual suspects” including the United States, Russia, Israel and South Korea — joined unexpectedly by Australia, she said — were behind an effort to keep the text from being more binding.

“The fact is that it’s the majority that wants it, but you know, it’s the Convention on Conventional Weapons — and this is where, it’s about consensus and ... a small minority of states — or even a single one can hold back the desires of the majority,” Wareham said.

• GOOGLE is toeing the line between helping you save time and creeping you out as it turns to machines to suggest email replies on your behalf.

The customised autoresponses come in the latest version of Gmail on the web and expand on a feature already available on Android devices and iPhones. They’re just one more example of how artificial intelligence is seeping into everyday online life, whether it’s to tailor product recommendations or correct spelling.

So far the new feature has been drawing mixed responses from users.

The new feature, called Smart Reply, offers three short responses, like “It was great seeing you too”, or “I’ll look into it”. Unlike standard auto-replies when on vacation, for instance, these are customised to an individual email based on its context. If you select one, you can either send it immediately or edit it before sending.

The responses are automatically created using Google’s artificial intelligence systems.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SHOT DEAD AT WHEEL OF HIS CAR from page one

CSP Cash said the man had a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Preliminary investigations led police to believe he was

of Haitian descent and lived in the area.

Hours after the discovery yesterday, CSP Cash told The Tribune police were still combing the streets for clues and had not yet established a motive for the killing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991, or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Man guilty of laundering money in $66,000 scheme

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net A 23-YEAR-OLD man yesterday pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in connection with a $66,000 theft scheme carried out by his girlfriend over a seven-month period earlier this year.

L’Shabazz Forbes, who

stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, was initially charged with three counts of theft and one count of money laundering .

However, prosecutors yesterday proceeded with only the count of laundering.

Forbes’ girlfriend, Krystal Rolle, 23, last month stood accused of stealing a total of $66,585.84

from her former employer and funnelling the funds through the couple’s bank accounts.

Rolle’s former employer discovered the scheme after being questioned by the bank about various transfers made from the company’s credit card to at least two RBC accounts.

According to account records, $11,579.94 of the

sum was stolen by Rolle, while concerned with Forbes, between Tuesday, January 30, and Thursday, March 1.

Forbes had maintained a not guilty plea, but when presented with the new charge schedule yesterday, he entered a guilty plea to the offence.

Prosecutors yesterday said Forbes, with the

proceeds derived from the scheme, started a party supply business, ultimately purchasing 30 folding chairs and a total of 19 tables.

The furniture and other equipment has since been turned over to the police.

Forbes, through his attorney Jomo Campbell, expressed a level of remorse for his actions.

He also told the court

he has already started to compensate his girlfriend’s former employer for the amount transferred to him.

However, the court yesterday ruled the claim could only be considered if notice of the arrangement was given by the complainant in the case.

The matter was adjourned to September 18 at 10am for sentencing.

MAGISTRATE EXITS DRUG TRIAL

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

MAGISTRATE Samuel McKinney recused himself yesterday from the upcoming drug trial of Dwight Major, referring the matter to Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt for reassignment.

Ian Cargill, Major’s attorney, in an application early last month, suggested the accused’s son, Ravon Major, had been involved in a somewhat contentious relationship with a relative of Magistrate McKinney.

Mr Cargill told the court he was made aware of the relationship and, following consultation with his client, determined it would be best to have the case transferred away from Magistrate McKinney’s court.

In presenting his decision yesterday, Magistrate McKinney said the court must act in a manner in which its justice could not

be questioned or viewed with a level of doubt. He further indicated he was now aware of some connection between the accused’s son and one of his relatives.

Magistrate McKinney said he would accept the application for recusal.

Major, 50, is on trial for one count each of conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

According to police, shortly before 4am on Wednesday, April 4, Drug Enforcement Unit officers assisted by Mobile Division officers, while at Tonique Williams-Darling Highway and Baillou Hill Road, stopped and searched a Nissan March with two male occupants and discovered 283 pounds of marijuana.

The two men were taken into custody. Both men pleaded not guilty.

The matter was adjourned to next Tuesday.

SUSPECT DENIES PI ASSAULT

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he pleaded not guilty to an assault charge in connection with an alleged attack on a woman at a Paradise Island parking lot over the weekend.

Romeo Cartwright, 44, of King Fish Road appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney facing one count

of assault concerning the incident.

It is alleged that on Saturday, September 1, he intentionally and unlawfully committed the offence.

He was denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.

However, he has the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

He returns to court for trial on September 18.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 5, 2018, PAGE 11

Into the deep

By CATHERINE WALLACE RESEARCHERS at the Caper Eleuthera Institute (CEI) have been mapping the deep waters at the northern end of the Bahamian archipelago for many years, but their efforts received a boost recently when they partnered with state-of-the-art research vessel M/V Alucia.

Equipped with two manned submersibles carrying cameras and sensors, the Alucia allowed the team to journey down 800m (2,624ft) into the dark, mysterious depths of the Exuma Sound to see, monitor and sample the creatures and terrain.

For CEI research associate Brendan Talwar, it was a game-changer.

“All of our information about the depths came from dropping lines, which didn’t give us very high-resolution data,” he said.

“We had a very basic understanding of what was there. There is something so different and incredible about actually going down and exploring it.”

Pancake batfish, swimming sea cucumbers, white-spotted catsharks and a dazzling array of jellyfish greeted the subs.

When they broke the surface, the research team had a new understanding of the environment they’d been studying for so long.

The M/V Alucia, operated by ocean exploration organisation OceanX, visited CEI twice. The first mission took place over six days in April and was a learning experience for the

Bahamas-based team.

“None of us had worked off a sub before, so we didn’t know what it could do,” said Talwar.

“We had to deal with simple things like getting our gear to be the right size and the right weight. We tried it out to see what we could actually achieve using the platform, and then we had a few months before they came back to refine what we wanted to do.”

Moored off the Eleuthera coastline, the M/V Alucia attracted a lot of attention, with around 400 visitors touring the boat before the work began. Students from The Island School, an educational facility attached to CEI, and the local Deep Creek Middle School were enthralled by the vessel, which includes a helipad, fully-equipped science labs and the two manned subs.

“It blew me away,” Talwar said. “The first time I went out to the ship, it seemed unreal. You feel like you are a part of something really big. It was an inspirational experience.”

For that first mission, the team had the choice of two subs – the Nadir, a Triton 3300/3 sub capable of accommodating two passengers and a pilot, and the Deep Rover, a two-seater vessel fitted with a Shilling T4 manipulator, a robotic arm designed for collecting specimens and operating sampling tools. Both subs can descend to 1,000m (3,280ft).

The subs explored the rocky terrain of the Exuma Sound, which includes a vertical wall that descends down 200m (656ft) and ends in a steep slope

THE NADIR sub surveys the underwater terrain of Exuma Sound, Bahamas.

Photo: The Island School marked with boulders, rock falls and ridges.

It was otherworldly, according to Talwar.

“There are incredible ridges that come out of the shallow water embankment and run down to 800m (2,624ft),” he said.

“Going over that in a sub feels like you are flying over a mountain range.”

It took around 30 minutes to fully descend in the sub.

“The light changes as you go down. You see purple, dark blues and then black” Talwar said.

“There is a bioluminescence layer, and if you turn off the lights you can see these little fireworks going off. It is beautiful and incredibly peaceful.”

Between 300m (984ft) and 500m (1,640ft), on the edge of the Exuma Sound wall, the team found various species of echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers) and a previously undocumented species of glass sponge.

They also collected samples of sea cucumbers and crinoids at 630m (2,066ft).

Although it is too early to tell if the samples they collected are new species, Talwar is hopeful, saying: “We pulled up a number of invertebrates. We saw all kind of things, it just takes time to identify them.

I would be very shocked

if we did not find any new species.”

Alongside samples, the team collected valuable footage of life on the ocean floor. They rigged up bait boxes with cameras on timers, synced with lights, to capture deep-dwelling fish such as night sharks.

Sharks were high on the agenda when the M/V Alucia returned last month.

Dr Dean Grubbs from Florida State University, which partnered with CEI on the mission, led efforts to tag a notoriously elusive deep-water predator, the bluntnose sixgill shark.

The sixgill is one of the oldest sharks in the ocean but learning more about the species has proved difficult.

Tagging a sixgill shark usually involves dragging it up to the surface, putting the animal under extreme stress.

Attaching a modified speargun to the front of the Nadir and travelling down to 800m (2624ft), the scientists hoped to tag a Bahamian sixgill in the most humane way possible.

Although their efforts were unsuccessful, they came close. “The shark came right in front of the sub, but it was just a little too high up,” Talwar said.

“Just putting in the legwork was great. It’s never been done on a sub before at those depths.”

Another key objective was to sample the water at 200800m (656-2,624ft) to test for environmental DNA. “When an animal swims around, it leaves little pieces of DNA behind in the water,” Talwar said. “We are trying to see if environmental DNA can reveal the abundance of certain species.”

The team had specially adapted bottles attached to the front of the sub that collected water. The water was then run through filters in the lab and the results crossreferenced with footage the team took from the site to see if the species caught on camera are the same as those identified from the DNA. Talwar said the large amount of data generated by this year’s missions will inform CEI’s work for years to come. “From a research perspective, it provides a platform for us to move forward. It will guide us in all that we do in the deep water ecosystem in the future.”

He predicted that further advances in the technology will give scientists like himself more opportunities to observe the underwater world without disrupting its inhabitants.

“It does not replace seeing it firsthand, [but] remotely operated vehicles with cameras are coming next,” Talwar said.

“Something you really

become aware of is the impact the sub has on the life around you. It is loud and bright. You think you are going into an alien world, but really you are the alien. As we cruise around, a lot of the life down there is moving away from us.”

The Bahamas has committed to protecting 20 percent of its waters by 2020 under the Caribbean Challenge Initiative.

CEI will be sharing all the data collected from its recent underwater explorations with the Bahamas National Trust, to help inform their discussions about which areas in the archipelago are worth preserving.

“We put a lot of effort into figuring out where to site protected areas, but a lot of that effort goes into shallow-water areas,” Talwar said, adding he wanted to see more of a focus on deepwater habitats.

“We want to highlight that there is ecological value down there that is not recognized,” he said.

“Going down and shining a light on everything that is often forgotten or not considered was really amazing. Now when we go out to dive, I can look into the deep blue water and know exactly what’s down there.”

• This article first appeared on the nature news website mongabay.com.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SOME HOPE FOR EXHIBITS AFTER BLAZE RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press

FIREFIGHTERS found bone fragments from a collection in the still-smoldering National Museum, an official said yesterday, raising hopes that a famed skull might somehow have survived a massive blaze that turned historic and scientific artifacts to ashes.

Flames tore through the museum on Sunday, and officials have said much of Latin America’s largest collection of treasures might be lost.

In its collection, one of the most prized possessions is a skull called Luzia, which is among the oldest fossils ever found in the Americas.

Museum spokesman Marcio Martins said all material would first need to be examined by police, who are investigating the cause.

KILLING SUSPECT HAD WHITE HATE GROUP MATERIAL NEWPORT BEACH, California Associated Press AN investigator testified yesterday that a California man charged with killing a gay University of Pennsylvania student had troves of anti-gay, anti-semitic and white hate group material on his phone.

Investigator Craig Goldsmith told an Orange County court hearing that Samuel Woodward had over 100 pieces of content related to the violent hate group Atomwaffen. The group’s insignia was the wallpaper on his phone.

The hearing will determine whether Woodward should be tried on a count of murder and hate crime allegations in the January stabbing of Blaze Bernstein.

Bernstein went missing after going out Woodward to a local park in southeast of Los Angeles. His body was found in the park. Bernstein was gay and Jewish.

FRED GUTTENBERG, the father of Jamie Guttenberg who was killed in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, left, attempts to shake hands with President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, right, as he leaves for a lunch break while appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, to begin his confirmation to replace retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kavanaugh did not shake his hand.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP

Divisions on show over Supreme Court justice WASHINGTON Associated Press SUPREME Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh declared fervently at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday the court “must never, never be viewed as a partisan institution”.

But that was at the end of a marathon day marked by rancorous exchanges between Democrats and Republicans, including dire Democratic fears that he would be President Donald Trump’s advocate on the high court.

The week of hearings on Kavanaugh’s nomination began with a sense of inevitability that the 53-year-old appellate judge eventually

will be confirmed, perhaps in time for the first day of the new term, October 1.

However, the first of at least four days of hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee began with partisan quarreling over the nomination and persistent protests from members of the audience, followed by their arrests.

Strong Democratic opposition to Trump’s nominee reflects the political stakes for both parties in advance of the November elections, Robert Mueller’s investigation of Trump’s 2016 campaign and the potentially pivotal role Kavanaugh could play in moving the court to the right.

Democrats, including

A Celebration Service Linda Eldon, 56

died peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her immediate family on Monday, September 3, 2018 after an inspirational four year journey with cancer.

Born October 26, 1961 in Nassau, Bahamas to Bruce and Nikki Rowan, Linda was the third of four children. Linda married Rick Eldon on April 9, 1983 and the two of them were blessed with three amazing daughters, who made her a proud and overjoyed grandmother three times over (with one more on the way).

Linda is predeceased by her father, Bruce Rowan; her brother, David Rowan; her grandson, Mateo; her father-in-law, Harold Eldon; Barbara Eldon and her brother-in-law, David Pinder.

Linda is survived by her husband, Rick; her three children, Kristin Eldon Whylly and husband Dwayne, Karen Eldon Jordan and husband Mario and Laura Michelle Pamela; her grandchildren, Amarie and Isla; her mother, Raymonde “Nikki” Sullivan; her mother-in-law, Susan Eldon; her two brothers, Bruce Rowan and Richard Rowan and his wife Karen; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Nancy Treco and husband, John, Chris Eldon and wife, Janice, Cheryl Sands and husband Billy, Roger Eldon and wife, Catriona, Susan Eldon, Gregory Pinder and wife, Germaine, Shelly Piekarz and husband Tommy; her nieces and nephews, April Bobier, Lorraine Rowan, Karen Floyd and husband Joey Floyd, Christopher Eldon and wife Lauren, Megan Forsythe and husband, Michael, Jennifer Treco and husband Aaron, Lindsay Treco, Matthew Sands and wife, Gabby, Kelly Eldon, William Saunders, Michael Sands, Tyler Eldon, Tristan and Cameron Eldon, Raquel Baldacci and husband, Adriano, Amanda Pinder, Christy and Dylan Lightbourne and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration service for Linda will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk, Princes’ Street, Nassau. Linda has asked that persons attending her service please dress in colours of the ocean blues and greens.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent to The Ranfurly Homes for Children, P.O.Box N 1413, Nassau in memory of Linda Eldon.

Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

several senators poised for 2020 presidential bids, tried to block the proceedings in a dispute over Kavanaugh records withheld by the White House. Republicans in turn accused the Democrats of turning the hearing into a circus.

Trump jumped into the fray late in the day, saying on Twitter that Democrats were “looking to inflict pain and embarrassment” on Kavanaugh.

The president’s comment followed the statements of Democratic senators who warned that Trump was, in the words of Sen Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, “selecting a justice on the Supreme Court who potentially will cast a decisive

vote in his own case”.

In Kavanaugh’s own statement at the end of more than seven hours of arguing, the federal appeals judge spoke repeatedly about the importance of an independent judiciary and the need to keep the court above partisan politics, common refrains among Supreme Court nominees that had added salience in the fraught political atmosphere of the moment.

Kavanaugh called himself a judge with a straightforward judicial philosophy.

“A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law. A judge must interpret statutes as written. A judge must interpret the

Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent,” he said.

Kavanaugh also promised to be “a team player on the Team of Nine”.

Meanwhile, a man whose teenage daughter was killed in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting tried to shake Kavanaugh’s hand during a break.

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jamie died in the February 2018 attack, approached Kavanaugh after he rose from the witness table for a lunch break.

He put out his hand to Kavanaugh, who paused for a moment before turning away as a security guard stepped in.

‘AIDES CALL TRUMP AN IDIOT AND HIDE PAPERS FROM HIM’ WASHINGTON Associated Press AN incendiary tell-all book by a reporter who helped bring down President Richard Nixon is roiling the White House, as current and former aides of President Donald Trump are quoted calling him an “idiot” and claiming they removed papers from his desk to prevent him from withdrawing from a pair of trade agreements.

The book by Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward is the latest to throw the Trump administration into damage-control mode with explosive anecdotes and concerns about the commander in chief.

Trump pushed back in an interview with The Daily Caller, saying: “It’s just another bad book.

He’s had a lot of credibility problems.”

The president denied accounts in the book that senior aides snatched sensitive documents off his desk to keep him from making impulsive decisions. He said, “There was nobody taking anything from me.”

The publication of Woodward’s book has been anticipated for weeks, and current and former White House officials estimate that nearly all their colleagues cooperated with the famed Watergate journalist. The White House, in a statement from press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, dismissed the book as “nothing more than fabricated stories, many by former disgruntled employees, told to make the President look bad”.

The book quotes chief of staff John Kelly as having doubts about Trump’s mental faculties, declaring during one meeting, “We’re in Crazytown.” It also says he called Trump an “idiot,”

an account that Kelly denied yesterday.

The book says Trump’s former lawyer in the Russia probe, John Dowd, doubted the president’s ability to avoid perjuring himself should he be interviewed in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference and potential coordination with Trump’s campaign. Dowd, who stepped down in January, resigned after the mock interview, the book said.

“Don’t testify. It’s either that or an orange jumpsuit,” Dowd is quoted telling the president.

Dowd, in a statement yesterday, said “no socalled ‘practice session’ or ‘re-enactment’” took place and denied saying Trump was likely to end up in an orange jumpsuit.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is quoted explaining to Trump why the US maintains troops on the Korean Peninsula to monitor North Korea’s missile activities.

“We’re doing this in order to prevent World War III,” Mattis said, according to the book.

The book recounts that Mattis told “close associates that the president acted like — and had the understanding of — ‘a fifthor sixth-grader.’”

Mattis said in a statement: “The contemptuous words about the President attributed to me in Woodward’s book were never uttered by me or in my presence.”

Woodward reported that after Syria’s Bashar Assad launched a chemical weapons attack on civilians in April 2017, Trump called Mattis and said he wanted the Syrian leader taken out, saying, “Kill him! Let’s go in.” Mattis assured Trump he would get right on it but then told a senior aide they’d do nothing of the

kind, Woodward wrote.

National security advisers instead developed options for the airstrike that Trump ultimately ordered.

US ambassador Nikki Haley denied yesterday that Trump had ever planned to assassinate Assad. She told reporters at the United Nations headquarters that she had been privy to conversations about the Syrian chemical weapons attacks, “and I have not once ever heard the president talk about assassinating Assad”.

She said people should take what is written in books about the president with “a grain of salt”.

Woodward also claims that Gary Cohn, the former director of the National Economic Council, boasted of removing papers from the president’s desk to prevent Trump from signing them into law, including efforts to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement and from a deal with South Korea.

The book quotes Trump as mocking his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who has been a target of the president’s wrath since recusing himself from the Russia investigation.

“This guy is mentally retarded,” Trump said of Sessions, according to the book. “He couldn’t even be a one-person country lawyer down in Alabama.”

Trump did not speak to Woodward until after the book’s manuscript was completed. The Post released audio of Trump expressing surprise about the book in an August conversation with Woodward and dismay that he did not have an opportunity to contribute.

Woodward tells Trump he had contacted multiple officials to attempt to interview Trump and was rebuffed. “I never spoke to him,” Trump told The Daily Caller.