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VOLUME:116 No.179, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

ALICIA WALLACE: TOGETHER IN GRIEF AND HOPE

An RBDF officer helps an elderly woman as the evacuations from Abaco and Grand Bahama continue. As residents find themselves adjusting to life in shelters, scenes of compassion such as this show the heart of the recovery effort.

You’re safe now • New law to allow forced evacuations • ‘No’ to asylum status for paperless evacuees • Davis calls for assembly to be recalled

• Ministers urge caution on death total • Refugees’ life inside crowded shelters • Grand Lucayan ‘came through ok’

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Hurricane refugees face new

THE KENDAL GL isaacs gym, where hurricane refugees have taken shelter after being evacuated from Abaco and Grand Bahama.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DONATIONS being sorted through at the national stadium.

ON most days, Success Jean would wake up at 5am, check on his infant children and set off to do construction work at the Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club on Great Guana Cay. These days, the 37-year-old’s life is confined to wandering a few miles around the Fox Hill Community Centre where he and his family have stayed since Hurricane

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff Dorian made them storm evacuees.

He said life there has been a snoozy, frustrating experience: no roofs to build or plywood to erect, no gym after work or soccer with friends, no sending money to parents in Haiti and needy nephews in the United States.

“I can’t help myself,” Mr Jean lamented as his sixmonth-old daughter slept in his lap. “It’s like I’ve turned into a kid again.”

Mr Jean is one of 2,043 people staying in shelters

on New Providence, the the most populated being the Kendal Isaacs Gym which is housing 1,357 people, according to the government. Evacuees have been beneficiaries of a massive global operation to help The Bahamas recover from Hurricane Dorian.

Local organisations like the Chinese Community Association, Checkers Restaurant, Twin Brothers and Bamboo Shack have donated food to the Fox Hill Community Centre in the last week, according to

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 11, 2019, PAGE 3

life inside crowded shelters

EVACUESS outside the Kendal GL Isaacs gym.

Georgette Gardiner, 34, who works at the centre.

Survivors have been given access to doctors, nurses and counsellors. The Fox Hill shelter has received so many clothes that it is overwhelmed with the items.

Send toiletries along with an industrial washer and dryer instead, Ms Gardiner said.

But the evacuees’ mourning and recovery is being interrupted by growing restlessness over their employment and financial futures.

“It’s terrible, it’s really hard,” Mr Jean said. “I’m a person, from 5am I’m out. I have to provide for my people and help my old man in Haiti who has no job. I feel it’s so hard right now even though we live here and eat and sleep and have stuff, I’m looking for more and I don’t know how to get it.”

Near Mr Jean stood Patricia Bux, a 52-year-old woman who two weeks ago was babysitting children and cleaning homes. Now she is mostly standing and sitting around, consumed by worry that her 17-yearold son will miss vital days from school. Yesterday was particularly painful, she said, because had Dorian not struck, she would have received her long awaited Asue draw of $1,200.

“The Asue I was in, I don’t know where the people is because I need my payment but I don’t know where the people go,” she said. “All the people, their things gone.

I can’t tell people give me my stuff, because where they find money and all the money wash away? They

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

SUCCESS JEAN got no money and I got no money.”

For his part, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes told reporters yesterday that the government is looking to give evacuees quick access to their employment benefits from the National Insurance Board. He added that Cabinet planned to discuss a special initiative involving the Ministry of Public Services to immediately provide employment opportunities to evacuees on both Abaco and Grand Bahama.

“What we’d like to do is stabilise as many families as we can as quickly as possible,” he said. “An announcement will be coming very shortly with respect to that. In conjunction with NIB, the department is making it easy for all evacuees to access their employment benefits. We are putting a procedure in place where they can get a fast processing of their unemployment benefits and that will be a big relief for a lot of the persons here in Nassau.”

Most of the people at the New Providence shelters appear to be of Haitian descent. Although reporters have not been allowed inside the shelters, visitors said many Bahamian

evacuees have went to stay with their family and friends in New Providence, the United States or Family Islands.

Christopher Rolle, 50, had that option but chose to stay at the overcrowded Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium because he doesn’t want to be a burden to his relatives.

His said his mind fluctuates between thinking about his future and focusing on the immediate past.

“Right now anytime I hear a banging noise or something I does get a little intimidated,” he said, adding that four of his friends died during the storm. “That ain’ a good feeling.”

A former Bahamas Power & Light worker, he did maintenance work for corporations like the Water & Sewerage Corporation in Abaco and he hopes he will be lured back to the island soon to continue that work.

“If the government can get a hurricane loan they could give us to help us to build and then we pay back at a small percentage, that would be good for helping us go back,” he said. “A lot of people want to go back. Most of the people from Abaco, they ain’ into Nassau.”

CHRISTOPHER ROLLE, who witnessed four of his friends die in the storm.

BAHAMIAN GIRL SEPARATED FROM FAMILY IN FLORIDA A 12-YEAR-OLD Bahamian girl has been placed in a children’s home in Miami after being separated from family at a South Florida airport in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

The Miami Herald reports that Kaytora Paul was accompanied by her godmother and had flown from Nassau to West Palm Beach on Sunday night after being evacuated from Abaco.

However, when the two landed in Florida, US Customs and Border Protection

transferred them to Miami International Airport and ultimately separated the pair because the woman wasn’t the child’s biological parent, the girl’s mother, Katty Paul, told the Miami Herald.

Officials also refused to give custody to the girl’s biological aunt, who had come to pick her up at the airport.

The girl is now being house at His House Children’s Home in Miami Gardens under the custody of the US Department of

Health and Human Services, a facility used to house unaccompanied migrant children.

Her mother, Katty Paul, told the Miami Herald: “I thought losing my house was devastating. Or having to relocate to a different island or country was devastating. But when I found out that they got her, my baby, I mean, there are no words. It was at that moment that I really lost everything.”

Ms Paul has also been told she can only stay in the US until September 26.

DISPLACED CHILDREN TO GO TO NEW PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

ALL children who have displaced by Hurricane Dorian and are currently in New Providence will be placed in new schools by the Ministry of Education, National Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Carl Smith confirmed yesterday.

Mr Smith, during a NEMA press conference, said a registration exercise will be held at the National Stadium tomorrow for all students, teachers, school administrators and other employees who have been evacuated to New Providence.

Transportation will be provided from the shelters to the stadium.

Also present at yesterday’s press conference were representatives from seven non-governmental organisations which are assisting in relief efforts.

Each representative outlined their group’s ways of contributing to the rehabilitation of Abaco and Grand Bahama in the wake of the havoc Hurricane Dorian, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, wrought across those islands earlier this month.

Mr Smith also noted NEMA is “closely monitoring” the weather, as a system near Abaco and Grand Bahama may cause some rain and thunderstorms in the area today and later this week. He added NEMA coordinators on the ground are also aware and the Department of Meteorology will be issuing its usual weather updates.

Officials could not provide a number for the total number of persons still missing from the affected islands in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

However, Mr Smith said there are currently 2,043 people registered in New Providence shelters.

Regarding education for the children as well as registration for school employees, he said: “Parents will be relieved to know that all children displaced by Hurricane Dorian who are now in New Providence will be placed in new schools by the Ministry of Education.

“We are committed to minimising the disruption to their academic studies and giving them back a sense of normalcy,” he continued. “On Thursday of this week, there will be a registration exercise at the National Stadium.

“This includes all students, teachers, janitors, school administrators and other employees who have evacuated to New Providence. Students and employees will be reassigned to new schools in New Providence.”

He added assistance will be provided for uniforms, school supplies and transportation.

“UNICEF, the (United Nations) agency responsible for children and education is on the ground and meeting with the Ministry of Education today to offer further support,” he added.

“Details on the logistics of transportation and other arrangements will be provided by the Ministry of Education. NEMA will also share this information.

“We will also ensure students who remain in Grand Bahama and Abaco will have access to education.

We will keep you updated on these developments.”

NGOs present at yesterday’s press conference included HeadKnowles, Hands for Hunger, Rotary Bahamas, and the One Eleuthera Foundation.

During his remarks, Bahamas Gaming Operators Association (BGOA) President Gershon Major said the BGOA has built over 15,000 square feet of air-conditioned temporary

tent housing to accommodate over 800 people who have been displaced by the hurricane.

“The tent city, which we have built, is an extension of the NEMA approved shelter at the Sir Kendal GL Isaacs gymnasium,” Mr Major said. “We have fitted out the spaces with lighting, carpeting and flat screen televisions, operating on a 24hr stand-by generator, along with portable bathroom facilities.

“We have built an

outdoor kitchen at the shelter to allow for increase efficiency in the food preparation and distribution to those persons who will be temporarily residing there.

We are also in the process of building additional showers and washing facilities, to allow for greater hygienic care. We have installed additional security fencing to ensure the safety of the residents and to more effectively control access, as may be required by approved personnel,” Mr Major said.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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What next in hurricane response?

WE have reached the point in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian that the time has come to start asking a twoword question: What next?

For example, we have heard a swift rejection of a suggestion in yesterday’s paper by the Hai-tian Chargé D’Affaires - that temporary asylum be granted to undocumented migrants.

The government has no intention of granting provisional asylum, says Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson, nor does it plan to meet with Haitian officials over concerns after Hurricane Dorian.

Well, why not?

On the latter point, for example, we have heard anecdotally of a number of Haitian migrants wanting to leave to return to Haiti following the devastation in Abaco and Grand Bahama - but they have barely the clothes on their backs, and certainly many lost any documentation they did have in the storm.

So meeting with Haitian officials might help to resolve that situation and give people a way back to Haiti should they want it. How is that not to the advantage of all concerned?

As for a rejection of provisional asylum, that seems a very swift decision.

Isn’t it worth consid-ering what can be done instead? As the country starts to rebuild, we’re going to need hands for construction work, people are going to need labour - maybe a provisional, timelimited status could be granted. Maybe 18 months or so, and then revise it at the end of that time.

Otherwise, will those uncertain of their futures try to slip away from refugee centres or shy away from dealing with officials, and where will that lead? More shanty town construction?

Heaven forbid, more crime as people scrape to survive after being left with nothing and no path to start rebuilding?

The question of what next also hangs over the shelters where refugees are gathered after the storm. A visit by Tribune staff confirmed the difficulty shelters face when it comes to long-term accommodation. A lack of privacy, a lack of enough showers - plainly these are stop-gap solutions, but what is the

longer-term solution?

In today’s paper, we report that children displaced by the storm will go to New Providence schools, with registration taking place tomorrow at the National Stadium and transporation provided. But we struggle to imagine the difficulty children will face trying to go to school, do homework and so on while in a shelter with perhaps hundreds of others. So that question re-mains: what next? How do we help them in the next stage of this disaster?

That question lingers too as Attorney General Carl Bethel crafts the legislation for mandatory evacuations.

He struggles with constitutional questions, but we ask whether hurricane shelters are up to the task of accommodating those evacuated. What upgrades will have to go with leg-islation that orders people from their homes?

Some of these questions are ones that should have been asked before the storm ever formed, but as we chart a path beyond the storm, we must remember that there can be unintended consequences from decisions taken, even when the decision seems to be common sense.

Looking back to another disaster, when the Titanic sank, a new law stipulated that American ships had to carry enough lifeboats to carry every passenger in the event of an emergency - sensible enough, you might think.

Unfortunately, it led to the sinking of the SS Eastland, an un-gainly vessel turned into a death trap by the extra weight of the lifeboats. Over it rolled, claim-ing more than 800 lives.

As we face our own disaster, there is much pressure for quick decisions and quick actions. Some of them we should consider a moment longer, and try to work out those consequences. The final outcome must be one that helps us achieve our goals - of keeping people alive and helping them to restart their lives. Some moves may not seem politically palatable - but does that matter if it gets us to where we want to be? Let’s start by meeting those Haitian officials, there may just be an outcome that can help us all.

Boston Blackie EDITOR, The Tribune.

LEONARD “Boston Blackie” Miller is a name many more Bahamians should know. No, I’m not a member of his family, or in other ways related to him.

I don’t even have his, or his family’s permission to say what I’m saying. I did, however, work with him briefly at C C Sweeting Junior High School many years ago. He impressed me as much then as he did with his pugilistic skills and bicycle riding abilities years and years before that. The fact that, even physical education teachers, in recent years, claim never to have heard of him is to me a big shame.

My earliest recollections of Boston Blackie came when I was very young. In those days, my good buddy and I would sneak into various venues to watch a night of boxing. We would go to the nearby Zanzibar Club, the Birdland Arena, and even the Nassau Stadium.

Mostly, we would not have the money for admission, so we would either climb up on the lattice screens or high walls to peep inside. Once or twice we would find ingenious ways to actually get inside. When Boston Blackie was on the ticket we knew that we would get more than our “money’s worth” of excitement.

In those days, aside from his famous ‘bolo punch’, I was impressed with the ‘heart’ of this champion.

No matter the size, skills or reputation of his opponents, Boston would give his best and satisfy the crowds. The pay could not have been that good -- perhaps a few pounds, shillings and pence.

The bruises, on the other hand, would have given many others second and third thoughts. All the same, I enjoyed seeing his strength and courage, but must confess that Boston was not my favourite fighter. Because Muhammed Ali was my idol from the time I first heard of him as Cassius Clay, that smooth style of boxing captured my admiration most.

Accordingly, Tidal Wave, Sugar Kid Bowe, Cassius Moss and others got my devoted applause.

Because my father was an avid bicycle racing fan, I came to know of and follow Boston Blackie in that sport, as well. The same enthusiasm that he showed in the ring transferred to the streets as he participated in race after race. As I saw it, win, lose or draw, Boston maintained his heart of a champion in those endeavours as well.

Years passed and his active life in both sports waned.

The next time Boston came into the spotlight for me

was a time of him defending himself against one of the greatest political giants of the time. Although I did not follow those particulars very closely, to my mind, Boston maintained his heart of a champion in that sphere, too.

In more recent times, I have suggested to certain individuals associated with organisations of note that Boston was worthy of being honoured in some way. I was assured that it was a good idea, and some actions along those lines would be considered. If, indeed, such actions have stirred in the least, I am yet to become aware of them. So, as the saying goes, “if ya want somethin’ done ...”. This can be considered my token effort to pay tribute to a great Bahamian.

The example of Boston should shine as an inspiration to all; young and old -- about the spirit to fight for whatever is special or important to you. The sacrifice, dedication, sweat, hard work and endurance in giving one’s best efforts, regardless of the rewards, is a spirit we can use a lot more of these days in this Bahamas.

In high tide, and in low tide ... Boston deserves to be saluted.

MICHAEL BROOKS Nassau, September 6, 2019.

Where were RBDF and NEMA? EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WAS surprised by the reaction of many to the recent near obliteration of Abaco and the ravaging of Grand Bahama by hurricane Dorian.

Many said they could have never imagined such devastation could have taken place, but how could that be?

How could so many have forgotten the devastation Katrina wreaked on Louisiana? The pictures of human carcasses floating in flood waters is firmly etched on my mind.

Or how could people forget the devastation of Ragged Island and multiple direct hits Grand Bahama sustained or the damage wreaked in the southern Caribbean islands and Puerto Rico just last year?

No, I believe people knew fully the potential devastation a hurricane could bring but decided to pre-emptively deny it could happen here. It is this kind of denial that has not allowed this country to be ready to execute plans and contingencies that should have already been in place, and this is something that must be addressed.

There are many stories of heroic individuals and organisations that were able to spring into action, risking their own lives to render aid to their neighbours and relatives during an active hurricane, but where was NEMA or the RBDF? What plans were in place to ensure lines of communication were intact during the storm?

Why was ZNS broadcasting people in distress when those calls should have gone through NEMA

day. They also brought in filtration units that could convert seawater into fresh water! letters@tribunemedia.net Where were the RBDF to triage and coordinate and NEMA? While I was rescue with local resources? watching organised effiMaybe NEMA’s role is so ciency in action I was only super secretive that a part hearing talk from our local of it is to be heard but not “experts”.

Think about the fact that seen or felt!

Training makes all the a foreign organisation could difference in the world. get doctors with the necesThis is why experienced sary equipment needed to doctors don’t faint or start begin offering basic medicrying in medical emergen- cal service to residents of cies and police, firemen this country faster than the and military personnel run Ministry of Health, NEMA and the RBDF could. toward danger.

I always thought the purThose who lead disaster relief planning and logistics pose of planning for worse should have experiential case scenarios was to ensure critical pieces of equipment training as well.

Consider that the UK and staff with proper traindispatched a ship from ing would be available to the Royal Navy from June speedily and efficiently exe2019, simply because it is cute predetermined plans, hurricane season, to sit in apparently not!

This is mind boggling to the Caribbean and render assistance to any island me and shows how much that might be affected by work there is to be done by those to whom we entrust hurricanes.

That ship was equipped our lives and safety at critiwith hurricane supplies, a cal times. There is so much helicopter and specialist more to say, but time and crew to aid in carrying out space would not permit.

This is important because their anticipated duties.

That ship was able to hurricane season is still get to Marsh Harbour on here and will continue September 3 and begin annually for the foreseerendering aid and supplies able future. The possibility of more misfortune is in before our own RBDF. The US Coast Guard was the cards and this country able to fly helicopters into deserves more than having and then from Andros to local experts who seem to aid in evacuating citizens be learning on the fly, comand residents in need of fortable with theory, but urgent medical assistance sorely lacking in execution to Nassau from September and logistical skills. But, I guess having a plan to rely 3 as well.

Samaritans Purse was primarily on the assistance able to bring in water, of our foreign friends and medical and hurricane sup- neighbours is better than plies, a mobile hospital with no plan at all! capacity for 40 patients, JB staffed with 16 doctors and Nassau, an emergency room that September 6, 2019. could see 100 patients per

LETTERS

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 11, 2019, PAGE 5

Legislation drafted for mandatory evacuations

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel has confirmed the completion of draft legislation to allow for mandatory evacuations once parts of the country are under threat of natural disasters.

According to Mr Bethel, once passed, the provision will allow the prime minister through the National Emergency Management Agency to declare a local disaster area and make the necessary orders for mandatory evacuation.

The government is proposing to amend the Disaster Preparedness and Response Act. “That legislation has been drafted and is ready to go,” Mr Bethel told The

Tribune outside Cabinet yesterday. “It’ll be ready for October (when the House of Assembly resumes).”

Parliament is expected to meet on October 2.

“We did an initial draft and there were some constitutional concerns but we believe that the draft that we now have in hand subsequent to the hurricane has been crafted to avoid any constitutional entanglements.

“The sticking point was the use of the word ‘emergency,’ which has a peculiar meaning in the Constitution and reserves the power to the Governor General to make the proclamation of a public emergency and emergency powers.

“That’s an extraordinary step. It has not yet been invoked in our country and the drafting of the law is

such as to avoid that constitutional complication.

“We’re ready to go with it.”

The Attorney General’s Office is also considering adding penalties for publishing erroneous information with the intent to incite fear, terror or anxiety.

“I think that we are also going to look at some other questions,” Mr Bethel said.

“It’s an amendment to the Disaster Preparedness Act. “We are going to have to look at some other aspects of conduct that have manifested themselves of late and perhaps make some additions to the proposed amendment to capture issues like printing false, maliciously untrue or publishing false or maliciously untrue statements or statements designed to incite

fear terror or anxiety. So we’re going to look at that.

“Because there have been any number of manifestly false publications on social or other media and we as a people really cannot have a situation where in the name of free speech people are free to invent stories - in our view in some cases maliciously - in order to create fear, public hysteria, public concern and also to thereby disrupt the lawful actions of relief agencies and government and NEMA.” He added: “This will allow the prime minister through NEMA to declare a local disaster area and in the context of that declaration of a local disaster or threatened disaster to make orders for mandatory evacuation.”

As Hurricane Dorian

battered Abaco on September 1, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis defended his administration’s stalled pace in presenting the legislation, telling reporters that no one could have anticipated the monster storm.

He pledged at the time that this would be a priority for the government.

Dr Minnis rejected assertions that cost was a factor for evacuations ahead of the storm.

“Cost nor communication is an issue,” Dr Minnis said at the time, “the NEMA team representatives and professionals went to those areas door-to-door asking individuals with boats available, waiting, asking them to evacuate and if they did not at least allow the children, women and elderly to leave - in spite of that they refused.”

Dr Minnis was asked whether there would be any attempts to rescue residents from vulnerable areas in Abaco, where roofs had been ripped off and cars overturned as Hurricane Dorian battered the island with winds more than 180mph. The storm was ongoing at the time.

“I’ll ask you a simple question,” Dr Minnis responded.

“Winds of 180mph, I ask you tomorrow to go and rescue those people, would you go? I don’t think anybody that fool to go out there nor would I subject their lives to that especially when individuals were warned repeatedly to leave.”

Legislation to allow for mandatory evacuations was promised when Hurricane Irma threatened the country some two years ago.

‘BEWARE OF CLAIMS AS SEARCH FOR BODIES GOES ON’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

CABINET ministers yesterday cautioned the public over the spread of erroneous information as officials continue to “meticulously” comb affected areas for deceased victims of Hurricane Dorian.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames and Health Minister Dr Duane Sands sought yesterday to rebuff the wave of speculation regarding victims of the storm and to defend the government’s process of officially declaring the death toll, which has been criticised as slow moving.

Mr Dames maintained that due to the large areas that need to be searched, it could be weeks before the last body is recovered.

Compounded by severe flooding, he said there is the possibility that some may never be found.

“We can only count what we know and what we see,” Mr Dames said yesterday ahead of a Cabinet meeting.

“We are meticulously searching the entire island.

You can imagine how large

the island is and its cays and so we’re not just searching one confined area.”

He took issue with what he sees as an effort to undermine the work of recovery teams, with claims from some that the government has attempted to suppress the death toll. This came after The Punch tabloid claimed that as many as 2,300 people had died.

“I want us to be extremely careful that we are dealing with persons who would have gone through a wide range of emotions and when we put this information out there on social media and in other spheres you know it further complicates things,” Mr Dames said.

“I have heard some person saying ‘they are hiding the bodies.’ Why would we do that? Just tell me, what will it gain us to do such a thing?

“So we have to take hold of this and always with anything we print, with anything we say. Keep in mind those who would have endured tremendous loss and that’s something that’s always at the forefront of anything I say or do.

“We want to be extremely

careful here and this search is not going to take a day or two days as people would want to think.”

He also said: “So we can’t get caught up in the news out there that there are lots of bodies. Well we want to know where those bodies are so we can go start looking for them because this is going to take weeks to get through Grand Bahama, Abaco and the cays with the large number of persons.

“We now currently have many searching because the searches have to be organised. They have to be methodical. We have to go house by house, settlement by settlement, cay by cay.”

Mr Dames said so far officials have received official missing persons reports for 20 people in Grand Bahama but have no idea how many are missing in Abaco.

As for Dr Sands, he insisted the process would not be rushed and denied that mass burials had taken place.

“The country now has benefitted from the assistance of a large team of experts (and) more than 100 cadaver dogs,” Dr Sands

A SPECIAL briefing was held by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for the Bahamas Christian Council and spiritual leaders on Monday.

Photos: Yontalay Bowe/BIS told reporters. “Over the past three days we have collected less than ten bodies.

So if these bodies are easily retrievable they would have been retrieved.

“I would have gone on record as suggesting to the public that they should be prepared for a significant increase in the number of recovered bodies. I stand by that, this Cabinet stands by that, the prime minister stands by that.

“But it is going to be a deliberate, meticulous, careful, painstaking process that you cannot use

equipment that would violate the dignity of these human remains so you can’t go with a bulldozer and just rummage through a particular area.

“Imagine if this was your loved one you would want to know that all due care and attention was taken.”

He also said: “There have been no mass burials in Abaco. As a matter of fact we have not even completed the first autopsy on individuals who have succumbed form the storm in Abaco.”

He blamed the use of

social media for the spread of false information.

“Social media is a serious thing, it’s a dangerous thing.

We have had to dispel rumours about cholera. We have had to dispel rumours about mandatory evacuation. We have had to dispel rumours now about mass burials.

“It seems as if there are individuals who are either bored or just downright malicious and I kinda prefer to believe the second.”

Up to press time, the official death toll from Dorian stood at 50.

‘WE LOST MARSH HARBOUR. WE LOST TREASURE CAY’

By LEANDRA ROLLE

ACROSS the country, many Bahamians are answering the call to provide aid to the thousands of individuals who were adversely impacted by Hurricane Dorian.

One of them is Dr John Hull. Days after Hurricane Dorian ravaged Abaco and its surrounding cays, Dr Hull, an Abaco resident and medical doctor, teamed up with several second homeowners to provide medical relief and other aid to those wounded in the storm.

“We were told initially from doctors in the States who were seeing people that it was a lot of cuts and bruises and infections, so we took a lot of wound care and what we found out also when we got there was that pressure medications were a big need. We tried to help people out. People had wounds, infections and itching from poor hygiene for like three, four or five days and rashes and things like that,” he said.

Although Dr Hull was in Canada when the storm hit, he said he kept in constant contact with Hope Town

Fire and Rescue, a volunteer fire department in Abaco, which he believed to have the best communication at the time.

“Insulin at the time was a really big (need) so we did our best to get that and there was also a flight the next day that came in from the States with medical supplies that we were involved in and so we sent that to Treasure Cay and had people pick that up and take it over to the medical clinic there,” he said.

Dr Hull noted that one of the things they didn’t have, which is now going to be a big need in Abaco, is masks.

“The dead bodies themselves, the animals, the rats are those things that come afterward that really pose as a health hazard. Obviously, the first focus was getting people out who are alive. You take care of the living. Now the big focus is taking care of the (dead) bodies and finding them,” he said.

Dr Hull said his biggest concern right now is that the people of Abaco will be forgotten.

“Most Bahamians live pay cheque to pay cheque and now it’s gone. I don’t

think people can really begin to understand how you can lose an entire town.

We lost Marsh Harbour, the central hub. We lost Treasure Cay. It’s gone,” he said.

Firstina Rolle-Swain, 75, of Murphy Town, Abaco expressed similar sentiments. In explaining what life was like before Hurricane Dorian, Mrs Swain told The Tribune that life was wonderful for her, adding that she had her own house and everything she could possibly need.

“I had my own field before everything got destroyed. I had potatoes, beans and peas,” she said.

However, after Hurricane Dorian made landfall in Abaco on September 1, Mrs Swain told The Tribune she could not put into words what she had seen and experienced and could only later describe it as just “devastating.”

When asked whether he plans to return to his home and practice in Abaco, Dr Hull said he will but this time with a more organised plan.

“Now, we need to start targeting supplies. We need to understand who is there and what their needs are

and how we can help them to rebuild those areas,” he said. “We need to get a

full understanding of what we need to do for people.

We just can’t be throwing

back supplies into Abaco because most people are gone.”

PAGE 6, Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Davis: Call back Parliament - and call in former PMs

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Phillip “Brave” Davis said there is simmering discontent and a growing sense of desperation in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian due to a lack of leadership in the country.

He made his comments in a critical letter sent to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last Friday, when he also suggested former Prime Ministers Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham should assist the country in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. The Tribune has learned a copy of Mr Davis’ letter was also emailed to the former prime ministers.

Mr Davis asked the former leaders to “bring your influence to bear in assisting in this our time of unimaginable destruction to our country”.

Meanwhile at a press conference yesterday, Mr Davis called on the government to prematurely recall Parliament so the opposition can “assist in the governance” of Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts. He said Parliament provides a free forum where the collective voices of the citizenry can be officially heard through elected leaders.

He said he was not satisfied that the opposition was properly or fully engaged in a support role during the preparation or post-assessment of the monster storm.

Mr Davis’ letter read: “It has now been four days since the passage of this devastating Category Five hurricane and there is a sense of disorganisation and a lack of leadership that is fueling simmering discontent and a growing sense of desperation, despair and hopelessness among the general population.”

Noting there was a growing view that the National Emergency Management

Agency was not up to the task, Mr Davis’ letter continued: “You spoke of the resilience of the Bahamian people. Our people possess an indomitable spirit, but the myriad of commentaries suggest that this indomitable spirit is being sapped and weakened by the handling of this national crisis.”

Mr Davis’ criticisms are not the first to emerge as the country continues to reckon with the national crisis.

Former Attorney General Alfred Sears was also among those criticising the response. Chaotic scenes played out in Marsh Harbour, Abaco on Thursday and Friday, when hundreds descended on its battered airport in hopes of being evacuated.

The Tribune interviewed scores of families, who all expressed dissatisfaction over the level of relief coordination.

“Where is the government?” screamed one mother, who had waited on the tarmac with her two children for hours without food or water on Thursday.

Her friend, Jaliza Albury, 30, explained they had been sleeping in their car with four children for three days following the storm.

They had been trapped in a crumbling apartment in Dundas Town and forced to wait out the storm on top of a bunk bed in the flooded home.

Ms Albury said she feared her children would get sick if she did not leave the island, where the stench of death was chokingly thick.

“It’s like a cesspit, the smell it isn’t nice to the nose at all,” she said. “It’s like faeces and mud and death, everything just pack in one.

It isn’t livable because anybody can get sick.”

Ms Albury continued: “A lot of people cannot live here, there is nowhere to live. There is nothing. We were living out of my car.”

Volunteer David

Thompson, 34, was visibly angered by the level of disorganisation at the airport on Thursday.

He had lived on Abaco for 11 years, and had lost more than a million dollars he’d invested into his restaurant the Blue Hole.

Mr Thompson told The Tribune he’d spent the days following the storm assisting relief efforts to clear the road, clean the clinic, and distribute aid.

At that time, he said the level of police and military presence in Marsh Harbour was still relatively low and he felt the town was on the brink of combustion.

“With lack of supplies, it turns to a kind of madhouse,” Mr Thompson said.

“Persons trying to snatch and grab to provide food for their families...as far as government influence, there has not been much at all. For a private entity to be jumping in here and doing better than what the government is doing is a shame and the only thing (government) done is hindered the process. All that has happened on this island so far has been from locals.”

Mr Thompson said the devastation was compounded by reports Bahamasair had been charging for flights off the island. This fee has since been discontinued.

More than 4,000 people have been evacuated from Abaco and Grand Bahama since the monster storm ripped through the Northwest Bahamas.

In his letter last Friday, Mr Davis wrote he personally reached out to Dr Minnis several times in the days before and after Dorian made landfall. He said his formal letter was triggered by personal feedback from people directly and indirectly affected by the storm, specifically Moore’s Island and Treasure Cay. Of particular concern, the letter read, were repeated bureaucratic delays that prevented the distribution

A ROAD cuts through the rubble of homes that belong to the same family, destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in Rocky Creek, East End, Grand Bahama.

Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP

FORMER Prime MInister Hubert Ingraham inspecting operations in Abaco. of relief to those with the greatest need.

He noted his party’s trip to West End, Grand Bahama last Thursday, and Freeport on Friday had to be cancelled due to seemingly excessive delays.

Mr Davis stressed the cancellation was unacceptable for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition a post he maintained should not be restrained from movement throughout the country to lend assistance.

He said the opposition was provided with an aircraft by the state to move freely through the country in the aftermath of

Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

“If the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, a constitutional office, is treated in this manner, one can only imagine the treatment, roadblocks and the resulting frustration of private donors, both local and international,” the letter read.

Mr Davis claimed local media headlines and social media commentary were consistent with international reports. He pointed to an observation by CNN reporter Patrick Oppmann, who said he was “not sure there is anyone in charge here”, concerning rescue

operations in Freeport shortly after the storm.

Mr Davis said the opposition’s efforts were not about public relations, but saving lives and bringing relief expeditiously.

He acknowledged relief and restoration operation is the legal responsibility of the government to lead and own, adding the opposition would continue to assist the national effort by making available professional skill sets, international partners, and leveraging relationships.

Dr Minnis will speak to the nation during a national broadcast tonight.

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Phillip ‘Brave’ Davis has called on the government to recall parliament so the opposition can “assist in the governance” of Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts.

Speaking at a PLP press conference yesterday, Mr Davis said parliament provides a free forum where the collective voices of the citizenry can be officially heard through there duly elected leaders.

He said: “I am not satisfied that the opposition was properly or fully engaged in a support role during the preparation and post assessment in restoration phases of this natural and national disaster. In these extraordinary circumstances all assets are to be pooled or called upon in a collective and unified effort.

“The opposition caucus, our constitutional positions paid by the Bahamian taxpayers to assist in the governance of this country.

The national efforts surrounding Dorian that we support come under the umbrella of governance and the opposition has a role to play.”

He added: “I wish publicly in this regard to call on the government to recall parliament ahead of its schedule 2nd of October 2019.”

The opposition leader said he wanted the recall so the opposition and government can have a “special sitting to discuss this monumental and epic event that is historic in nature.”

“In fact, I’ve been attempting to determine if he had any such experience before. There was an 1899 hurricane that took 338 lives. There was a 1926 hurricane that 104 to 140 lives.

There was the 1932 hurricane which was a category 5 that took 16 lives that decimated Marsh Harbour,” he said.

“When you look back to determine whether any like experiences. We don’t have it and with the amount of all the reports coming to me with all the experiences with like the five members of Grand Bahama would have had.

He added: “Don’t you think it would be an appropriate venue for them to come to parliament and speak of their experiences and the experiences their constituents were having so that the public can be made aware and we hear the voices of our people through the representatives. It’s not an unheard-of event, in our west minister system parliaments are recalled particularly in times of natural disasters such as we are having now.”

‘OPPOSITION CAN ASSIST WITH RECOVERY EFFORT’

MICHAEL JORDAN PLEDGES $1M HORNETS owner and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan is pledging $1m to organisations assisting with Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas.

Jordan said in a statement Tuesday on Twitter through his spokeswoman Estee Portnoy that he’s

“devastated” at the destruction in The Bahamas, adding “my heart goes out to everyone who is suffering and to those who have lost loved ones”.

Jordan, who owns property and frequently visits The Bahamas, says as the recovery and relief efforts continue he will be tracking

the situation closely and working to identify nonprofit agencies where the funds will have the most impact.

Jordan added that “the Bahamian people are strong and resilient and I hope that my donation will be of help as they work to recover from this catastrophic storm.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 11, 2019, PAGE 7

‘No intention’ of granting evacuees provisional asylum

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE government has no intention of granting provisional asylum to undocumented migrants nor does it plan to meet with Haitian officials at this stage over concerns that have emanated in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

This is according to Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday, who maintained that while asylum will not be given, the government was committed to assisting all victims affected by Hurricane Dorian, regardless of origin or status.

However, he said, these people will be the only ones immune at this time from apprehension and repatriation, as officials continue to monitor the country’s borders and conduct operations in the other unaffected islands.

Mr Johnson further warned that people found harbouring undocumented migrants would face the law. Last week, the government announced that apprehension exercises had been suspended in Abaco and Grand Bahama, but it is unclear how long this will remain the status quo.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, who heads the Shanty Town Action Task Force, noted the poor conditions of these unregulated communities made them dangerous for inhabiting.

Given the government’s intention to completely

PEOPLE gather at the port for aid sent by family members and friends in Freeport yesterday. eradicate such places and were extremely careful is advantage of social sertwo missed deadlines, because the notice sent out vices, the shelters (and) the Mr Johnson said it was does not include islands like health care.

“As we have always been certainly the aim not to Inagua, Cat Island and San allow homes to be recon- Salvador, Long Island and doing in The Bahamas, anybody in The Bahamas structed in those areas. what have you.

“We still have the consti- can get education, anyThe Minnis administration had intended to eradicate tutional right to safeguard body can get healthcare, shanty towns in New Provi- our borders and we still but even more so in these dence by last July and those appreciate the fact that circumstances.

“You’ve seen an excelin Abaco on a deadline of there are persons who may be in those other islands lent example by the July 31, 2019.

“We were extraordinar- who may not have a right international community, ily careful in crafting our to be here and so the Immi- our brothers and sisters who statement in regard to gration Department has have come in from Amerimmigration having regard strict instructions to enforce ica, the Dutch, Trinidad and Tobago (and) Jamaica to the fact that we are in the outer islands.

“But most certainly for who are providing service now facing a humanitarian crisis,” Mr Johnson told anybody that is affected or without regard to origin or reporters outside Cabinet comes out of those affected immigration status.

“You have seen boats yesterday. “The govern- islands they have nothing to ment has taken the decision worry about. The govern- left Abaco and Freeport that immigration policies ment is encouraging, as you and some persons who are or enforcement measures have seen all and sundry undocumented are allowed are suspended forthwith in regardless of origin (or) to get on those boats before the affected areas. Why we immigration status to take Bahamians and everybody

Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP is cooperating in an orderly manner.

“So for those areas affected no, but for those unaffected, the immigration officers know what they ought to do.”

On Monday, Haitian Chargé d’Affaires Dorval Darlier said he wanted the Bahamas government to grant temporary asylum to undocumented migrants affected by Hurricane Dorian.

This, he asserted, was the best way to assist devastated Haitians living in Grand Bahama and Abaco to rebuild their lives after losing everything to Dorian’s destruction.

To this, Mr Johnson said: “I’m hearing something about this asylum. At this time there has been no

instructions given to me by the most honourable prime minister and his Cabinet that any asylum would be given to anybody.

“We know that there are a number of persons who ought not be here and for those unaffected areas, know that we will be out there.

“I have said to the director of immigration I have a serious concern that when sometimes we do these enforcement measures that nobody is being arrested for harbouring. So I wanted to say to the Bahamian public I don’t want anybody to be calling me if you’re found harbouring anybody. That will assist us greatly the $6,000 you’ll have to pay.

“I have gone to almost all of the shelters. I have given out all of my personal numbers, 376-7723 or 376-7599, and if anybody comes in raising or if you even think they have the intention to raise the issue of someone’s immigration status call me directly and I have strict instructions from the prime minister to deal with that post haste.”

Asked if there were plans to meet with Haitian officials, Mr Johnson said: “We’re not going to meet at this stage. That’s a decision for the prime minister.

My responsibility and the instructions that has been given to me, which is in keeping with the law, is that you aren’t to take regard ever as the Constitution has indicated for origin and immigration status and we’re doing that in these matters.

“Nobody will be treated better than anybody.”

US ‘SAVED MORE THAN 200 LIVES’ AFTER DORIAN THE “heroic efforts” of the United States Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection saved more than 200 lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Nassau.

The press release added that hurricane relief efforts from the US continue with US Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers, US Northern Command Commander General Terrence J O’Shaughnessy, and US Coast Guard District 7 Commander Rear Admiral Eric Jones, along with Bahamian officials recently conducting air assessments of affected areas to refine disaster relief needs.

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames and Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel accompanied them.

The group also landed in Freeport, Grand Bahama to meet with the US Air Force’s team conducting an assessment of the Grand Bahama International Airport’s runway as part of a larger US government effort to help bring the airport’s operations back online.

Chargé Bowers reiterated that the US government is “working hand-in-hand in partnership with the Bahamian government”.

She also said: “We are communicating nearly every minute with different parts of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Minnis, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency.” She also thanked General O’Shaughnessy for his invaluable support, and

Admiral Jones for the tireless work of the US Coast Guard in relief efforts during the past week.

Following the aerial assessment, they discussed the most critical needs in the area and how to provide relief and assistance as swiftly and safely as possible. General O’Shaughnessy reaffirmed that US Northern Command, in support of USAID-led humanitarian response activities, will provide airlift and logistics. The US government is working diligently and at the highest levels with its Bahamian partners to provide relief and assistance to those in need in the northern Bahamas, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Nassau.

“This announcement is the latest example of the US commitment to helping the people of The Bahamas after this devastating storm. The efforts of US Northern Command are supplementing the multiple US government agencies providing immediate support to Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in The Bahamas. USAID, the lead agency for international disaster response, has a team of 89 people, including 57 search and rescue personnel, in addition to supplying more than 47 metric tons to help an estimated 44,000 people,” the embassy’s press release said.

“The heroic efforts of the US Coast Guard and CBP have saved over 200 lives. The United States, in support of its Bahamian partners, continues to help the populations affected by Hurricane Dorian.”

On September 8, USAID

JAPAN DONATES AID THE government of Japan donated hurricane relief goods to the Bahamas yesterday.

The donation included 50 tents, 1,000 foldable tanks, 30 water storage tanks, 100 plastic sheets and 2,600 blankets to be dispatched immediately to hurricane victims in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

This comes after Japan gifted the Bahamas with $2m worth of emergency equipment as part of a grant

aid project last year.

On Monday, the People’s Republic of China donated $100,000 towards the Hurricane Dorian Relief efforts.

The National Emergency Management Agency continues to receive other donations.

The Rotary Club of West Nassau donated $1,000 to the Hurricane Dorian relief efforts during a cheque presentation at NEMA’s Gladstone Road headquarters on Monday.

DART Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue teams conducted aerial and ground search & rescue

operation in the hard-hit cays surrounding Abaco.

The team evacuated two survivors of Hurricane

Dorian who were stranded on a remote island. During their missions, the teams also searched 156 houses for

survivors and to determine whether the homes were safe to return to, according to the US Embassy.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

‘We will rebuild Grand Bahama’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net BOTH the government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority yesterday pledged to rebuild the storm-ravaged island as critical needs for housing and basic relief remain high.

The level of desperation on Grand Bahama is widespread. GBPA executive director Rupert Hayward estimated 3,000 homes have been badly affected or completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian, telling The Tribune the situation was a “tight rope”.

He said the number of displaced people on Grand Bahama ranged between 10,000 too 15,000, adding that water would be a continuous need until potable water was restored. With only one well working, he said the port’s water supply was at 30 percent.

The situation is so desperate for some, The Tribune was told one young woman attempted to give

her one-month-old baby to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home yesterday. But the home was completely flooded by the storm, forcing its 32 children to evacuate late Monday evening in rising waters. The residents of GBCH have been relocated to Nassau.

The home will not reopen for at least another two months, said GBCH executive director Sheila Smith, who anticipates the home will also need to take in additional children from Abaco once it is operational.

Five of the home’s employees are now homeless, and the only thing they could do was call the Department of Social Services to arrange for the woman and her child to be taken to a shelter.

Ms Smith said: “A lady walked up to the children’s home with a baby. She said ‘I come to give you the baby. I have no place to live, can you please take my baby?’ Everyone started to cry, it was heartbreaking.

She said ‘can you take my

baby?’ It’s unbelievable.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look in that woman’s eyes when she said ‘can you take my baby?’ She was so despondent…I’ll never ever forget that look.

“This is a woman at the end of her rope, and I just wish that I had a place for her, but just like her I lost everything in the flood.

“She didn’t want to go to the shelter, but she had no choice,” she added.

Outside Cabinet in Nassau, State Minister for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson acknowledged there were thousands who needed housing, and others whose homes had flooded and were still uninhabitable.

While pockets of the island have had electricity restored, Mr Thompson noted only half of the island’s water supply had come back online, and there were hundreds still at shelters.

Mr Thompson pointed to commitments from both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean

International to continue major projects planned for the island - the cruise port, and the Grand Lucayan hotel and harbour development respectively.

He reported to the media that the National Emergency Management Agency has been supplying food and relief distribution networks with partners like the Grand Bahama Christian Council.

“I want to commend Grand Bahamians who are resilient,” Mr Thompson said, “and we see it in the thousands of them that have already begun that process of clean up. Thousands of them have begun the process of trying to put their lives back together.

“We will rebuild in Grand Bahama,” Mr Thompson said, “things are difficult.

East End has been severely devastated. Any area over the Casuarina Bridge has been severely devastated.

Our downtown, our civic industrial area has been flooded. In spite of it all, Grand Bahamians will rebuild.”

For his part, Mr Hayward

said while there has been some power restoration, it should not be taken as a sign the island did not need help.

“It’s a tight rope that we run here, we have to give people confidence in our infrastructure which fared remarkably well to the size and scale of the storm.

But I don’t want anyone to be complacent about the level of need here in Grand Bahama, that need extends to rehousing, building materials. We have to give Bahamians the tools to rebuild their lives.”

Mr Hayward said the authority was focused on a redevelopment strategy that would combine strategic aid and NGOs to rebuild the city “better and stronger”.

The Port Authority has established a Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation to raise money and establish distribution networks to funnel aid to desperate residents.

He asked the community to be patient and remain hopeful as the authority was doing all it could to

bring relief within the fastest possible timeframe.

“Our principal focus and legal role is to get city services up and running,” said Mr Hayward, who praised his team’s commitment to working 20 hour days to restore the island in the shortest time possible.

He gave special mention to volunteer Luke Hopper, Jay Albury at Sanitation Services, Remington at the water company, BASRA and the Coral Vita boys.

Mr Hayward told The Tribune he could not give a cost of the devastation as all efforts were currently focused on providing relief to residents.

“I am sure there are people who are in very desperate situations,” Mr Hayward added, “You can’t get everything to everyone straight away, there are always constraints with level of destruction. Bear with us, we are trying our hardest. We will get them what they need and we will get this city up and running better than it has ever been before.”

FIELD HOSPITAL SET UP

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A STATE-of-the-art field hospital on Grand Bahama was set to become operational yesterday to provide healthcare services in Freeport while Rand Memorial Hospital closes down and undergoes sanitisation and decontamination.

Hospital Administrator Sharon Williams told The Tribune the field hospital would provide the same services that RMH offers to patients. The field hospital was implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, Public Hospitals Authority and Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organisation.

As Hurricane Dorian battered Grand Bahama for more than two days, RMH was flooded with storm surge.

“We are going to have to go down at Rand, so we can have the place totally sanitised before

we return services and make the repairs needed to be done,” Ms Williams said on Monday.

“But we do need to get our field hospital up and running, transfer everything out of there (RMH) and then begin the restoration process.”

Kelly Sutter, of Samaritan’s Purse, said the organisation is setting up a tier two hospital across from RMH to take pressure off the hospital and staff.

“There’s a lot of water damage and they need to close their doors, refurbish, rebuild and the staff needs to regroup and take care of their families and homes,” she said.

Officials said they hoped the field hospital set up would conclude on Monday and start seeing patients yesterday. According to Samaritan’s Purse, the field hospital is a 40-bed mobile facility that can receive up to 100 patients daily and features an operating room with capacity for 10 surgeries per day, as well as an obstetrics ward with delivery A WOMAN holds a baby at a tent hospital set up by Samaritans Purse in Freeport after Hurricane Dorian.

Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP room.

BAPTIST COMMUNITY ‘WILL DO A LOT MORE TO HELP’

By BRENT STUBBS

LOOKING at the devastation left by Hurricane Dorian, Rev Dr Lloyd Smith said the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention will do a lot more to help out the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama.

As promised on Monday, newly elected BNBMEC president Rev Smith led a delegation of pastors from the convention to the two islands to inspect the destruction to the churches that fall under their purview.

However, he said he was startled by the scale of the damage that will change the lives of the people forever and immediate attention is needed.

He appointed former president, Rev Dr Anthony Carroll to head a counselling group that will visit the islands to comfort those in need and he announced the Baptist World Alliance and the Baptist Global

MEMBERS of the Baptist expedition to Abaco yesterday.

Response team will return to carry out their evaluation and assessment of the scope of work that will be required.

“I want to thank all of these pastors who came to meet with us and all who came with us to offer our assistance wherever we can,” said Rev Smith, during a press conference in Grand Bahama at the end of the one-day trip.

“A lot of people consider the Baptist Convention Nassau centric, but the convention is not Nassau centric. It’s for everybody. Since I came to

office, one of my missions was to go into the Family Islands and establish ourselves there.”

Rev Smith said the convention was trying to get into the affected islands from Friday, but they were informed by the government that the earliest they could be accommodated was Monday.

“I wanted to really look around Grand Bahama after I saw the total devastation in Abaco,” Rev Smith said. “I understand that east Grand Bahama was more devastated than central Grand Bahama,

which only suffered from water.

“So I am going to ask these ministries here, who came to do an assessment, to form a committee that can look at all of our churches, not only churches but our people because if the people don’t have any place to live, then they can’t come to church in your settlement.”

Rev. Smith pledged the convention’s full support in doing whatever is feasible to assist the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama in helping them get back on their feet.

Accompanying Rev Smith from the convention were Rev Dr Philip McPhee; Rev Dr Anthony Carroll, a past president; Bishop Carrington Pinder; Bishop Victor Cooper; Rev Dr Alonzo Hinsey; Bishop B Wenth Davis; Rev Dr Roscoe Rolle; Rev Dr Glendon Rolle and Rev Michael Symonette, the BNBMEC’s treasurer.

They were joined by David and Jo Brown, who represented the Baptist

Global Response; Dr Everton Jackson, the Caribbean representative for the Baptist World Alliance and Rev Dr Holmer Altidor.

David Brown, accompanied by his wife, said their roles as missionaries of the Baptist Global Response, is to ensure that funding is made available for disaster relief and community development in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

“What we have come here to do is to organise and partner with the Baptist Convention to find ways that we can support in different ways, financial resources and volunteers, to help you rebuild that which was terribly destroyed,” Mr Brown said.

He said two more members will join them when they return to Abaco and Grand Bahama on Thursday to ascertain long-term disaster assessments that they conduct.

“We have already initiated plans to help the people of the Bahamas,” he said. “We already have

supplies ready to come in and we have the financial support that will be coming to help out in other areas.

That’s just the beginning.”

Dr Jackson, the executive secretary/treasurer of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship and regional secretary for the Baptist World Alliance with responsibility for the Caribbean, said the global and regional bodies extend their sympathy to the people in the Bahamas who would have lost loved ones during the passage of Hurricane Dorian.

“We are fully aware that because of the nature of the disaster that the bereavement is not confined to just singular families. I suspect that because of the disaster, the entire nation of the Bahamas is mourning and by extension, the Caribbean region, of which you are a part of.”

Dr Jackson said the Baptist World Alliance has already pledged full support in providing the necessary resources to assist the Bahamas in its hurricane disaster relief.

‘NO PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN’ FROM OIL SPILL

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

INITIAL assessments of the oil spill in Grand Bahama have revealed the matter is of “no concern” to public health and has caused no impact to the marine environment, National Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Carl Smith said yesterday.

Speaking during a NEMA press conference, Mr Smith added that Equinor, the company that operates the facility, would be sending in an “active clean up crew” from the

United States that same day to “manage that oil spill”.

State Minister for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson also addressed the oil spill yesterday.

Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, he said the matter appeared to be a “spill”, not a leak, and that officials are on the ground to manage with the issue.

Hurricane Dorian stalled over Grand Bahama for two days after hitting the island late on September 1. In the aftermath of the deadly storm, photos emerged showing oil leaking from the South Riding Point storage and transshipment terminal. According

to Equinor, the terminal has a capacity to hold 6.75 million barrels of crude oil.

“I wish to update you on the oil spill that occurred in Grand Bahama,” Mr Smith said yesterday. “This is the Equinor oil facility. The Ministry of the Environmental Health has conducted an assessment of the Equinor oil facility in Grand Bahama. Based on this assessment there is no reason to be of concern for public health.

“The tanks themselves appear to be structurally intact, and there is no evidence at this time of an ongoing leak. During the storm, the two domes on

top of the tanks were blown off by the wind, causing oil from inside the tanks to spill out.

“Since the storm, there has been no continuous impact to the marine environment from that oil spill.

An active clean-up crew from Equinor (in the US) is arriving today (September 10) to manage that oil spill.”

When asked to clarify whether there was any marine impact whatsoever, Mr Smith reiterated that Equinor was sending in a team. “Since the incident, there hasn’t been further spillage of the oil,” he added. “And based on

their professional assessment, to date, they don’t think that there has been an impact on the marine environment.”

Mr Thompson echoed Mr Smith’s comments outside Cabinet.

“Unfortunately there was (an) oil spill,” Mr Thompson said. “It appears as though it’s not a leak, but it was a spill as a result of the high winds in the hurricane.

The Equinor company has already been on the ground, they have already been communicating with the government and NEMA and the Ministry of Environment. The Ministry of Environment also is on the

ground, the BEST Commission is on the ground, so that process is happening as we speak.”

When asked if he was pleased with the response, Mr Thompson replied: “There is tremendous challenges in Grand Bahama as a result of the hurricane. We have thousands of people who are needing housing, thousands of people whose houses have been severely affected as a result of the hurricane. I want to really commend though the Grand Bahamian spirit because those Grand Bahamians have a stickability that is huge.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 11, 2019, PAGE 9

Medicine, food, refrigerators lost to daily BPL load shedding

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

ASSISTED living facilities and non-profit organisations dedicated to fight hunger in New Providence have lost medication, food and refrigerators due to daily load shedding exercises by Bahamas Power and Light.

Phillip Poitier, proprietor of Gourmet Lunch Box, told The Tribune yesterday he had to discard his refrigerator and everything in it after the power went off every day for an entire week.

Mr Poitier said: “Everyday like clockwork, twice a day at least, four hours at a time. Our everyday (routine) is we wake up, prep the food, cook it and deliver it.

“BPL’s load shedding is

actually in the morning and evening, so in the evening when we prep for the morning the power is usually off between 7pm to midnight and then in the morning it’s off between 11am to 4pm.”

He added: “We use a gas oven, but it has an electric pilot light, so it won’t light without the electricity and also the fridge. We cleared out the fridge because we don’t want to risk contamination so we pretty much need everything on 24/7.

On average, we feed 200 persons a day.”

Meanwhile a caregiver at Pat’s Senior Citizens Home said the facility is experiencing problems because some of their residents are on oxygen tanks.

She said: “When the power goes out and residents are on oxygen tanks,

we have to use the portable ones. We have to get the tanks which are very heavy, get them in the room and hurry up hook up the patient that is on oxygen right away.

“The power is usually off for four to five hours every other day. It’s very hot. Our refrigerators, you know we have meat and things go badly once the fridge has gone off and then it damages the fridge when it goes off and on.

“We have a fridge that’s damaged now. We also lost medication, insulin and certain medicines have to be refrigerated.”

An employee from one charity that provides food to the needy, who preferred to be unnamed, said due to the constant load shedding the group has had to discard meat.

“Normally on Saturday we do preparations for Sunday and Saturday, sometimes we end up losing two and three bags of meat because it won’t cool in the freezer because BPL goes off. “Sometimes Sunday mornings we would be here cooking in the dark,” the employee said.

“Every day, our power goes off…the power went off early Saturday evening and it never came back on until after 5 o’ clock Sunday morning and we were cooking during the outage. I try to keep tuna on hand in the event that we lose meat.”

An employee of Mary Ingraham Care Centre, who gave her name as Ms Roberts, said BPL services have been “terrible.”

Ms Roberts said: “Everyday our electricity is off,

sometimes for three to four hours. One time it was off from early morning, 6am until late in the afternoon it was off. The seniors are hot and miserable over the heat.

“When the power goes off in the night, the emergency lights come on but they go off after a certain amount of time so the home would be in darkness until we get our search lights.

The patients get miserable and complain about the heat.”

BPL’s load shedding issues were compounded with another incident yesterday that left customers in western New Providence without power.

In a press release, BPL confirmed its Gladstone Road Primary Substation was “out of service”.

The press release read: “Bahamas Power and Light confirms that a company doing work along the New Providence Landfill came into contact with the Skyline 2 transmission line this afternoon around 1.45pm.

As a result of that outside contact, BPL’s Gladstone Road Primary Substation is out of service.

“That substation affects South Westridge, JFK, Gladstone Road, Fire Trail Road, Carmichael Road (from Flamingo Gardens to Coral Harbour East), Golden Isles Road and Cowpen Road, including all communities and side streets. A team is on the way to assess the line now so that we can restore service to customers affected.

We will update as the work progresses.”

GIRL WAS ‘DISTURBED’ AFTER ALLEGED SEX WITH RESERVIST

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer yesterday testified how a teenage girl’s demeanour notably changed from upbeat to “disturbed” after allegedly having sex with a police reservist at a police station last year.

Sergeant Lakeisha Bain said the 14-year-old was not the same person she was before allegedly being forced to perform sex acts

by Dwayne Decosta on July 14, 2018.

Sgt Bain said when she left the South Beach Police station at 8.30 that morning, the girl was in a “jovial” mood. But when she returned shortly after noon, the girl appeared “disturbed about something.”

“She wasn’t the same person I left,” the officer added.

The evidence was led during Decosta’s trial before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson over allegations he had unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl while working the 1am

DWAYNE DECOSTA to noon shift at the South Beach Police Station.

Based on the evidence led thus far, the allegations against Decosta are founded in a statement the girl gave to Insp Bowles in her mother’s presence on the same date of the incident.

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

According to the

evidence, Decosta beckoned for the girl to come outside at 11.53am.

While upstairs in the fire services garage, Decosta is alleged to have asked her if she ever had sex before, before ordering her to get on her knees and unzipping his pants. He is also alleged to have grabbed the side of her head and made her perform oral sex on him for about three minutes.

Decosta is further alleged to have fondled the teenager, refusing to stop when she asked him to. He is also alleged to have told the girl he would pay her to have sex with him, a proposal she rejected. Afterwards, Decosta is alleged to have instructed the girl to return to where she was sitting in the foyer area.

According to the evidence, the girl returned to the foyer at 12.21pm.

Yesterday, Sgt Bain testified that she reported to work at 8am to cover the 8am to 4pm shift. In clocking in, she took over from Sergeant Sears who worked the night shift. She said Sgt

Sears pointed out the young girl and said she was not to leave the station until a parent or guardian came for her.

Sgt Bain said she left the station at about 8.30am to go on patrol. She said she returned at around 12.15pm with lunch, and when she noticed that the girl was still at the station, offered her something to eat. However, the teenager refused.

Sgt Bain noted that prior to going on patrol, she had spoken with the eighth grader and she seemed “jovial”. However, she said when she returned to the station, the girl’s demeanour seemed “frantic” and that she “kept her head held down.”

“She seemed frantic and disturbed about something,” Sgt Bain said. “She wasn’t the same person I left.”

During previous proceedings, and while testifying in open court, the girl denied telling police about any sexual acts allegedly committed by Decosta, and in fact said the contents of her

statement were “incorrect”.

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

The girl also testified in open court that she could not remember if her mother was present during the interview.

And those admissions came after she doubled down on her previous testimony that “nothing” sexual happened between her and Decosta at the South Beach Police Station.

However, Inspector Altida Bowles, who took the statement from the girl and conducted Decosta’s record of interview, has since said that not only did she read the 14-year-old’s statement back to her, but the eighth grader signed it “in four places” along with her mother before she herself signed it.

Meanwhile, during Monday’s proceedings, jurors

heard how Decosta denied having sexual intercourse with the girl during his initial record of interview last year.

Decosta also denied taking the girl to where the alleged incident took place—a room upstairs in the station’s fire services garage. He said he never went to that area in the date in question, and has never been there in his entire life.

Additionally, Decosta denied taking the girl outside of the police station’s precincts. He admitted to attempting to assist her in getting something to eat from the Esso gas station across the street, but that never materialised.

Besides that, and taking down an incident report from the girl when she arrived at the station that day, Decosta maintained he had no other interaction with the girl, who is now 14.

“At no time did I touch the subject,” Decosta told the interviewing officer during his record of interview.

The case continues.

$10,000 FINE FOR ILLEGALLY USING FISHING APPARATUS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN fishing boat captain was fined $10,000 for using illegal fishing apparatus to catch over $20,000 worth of fisheries in the Cay Sal Bank area.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans fined 26-year-old Jeffrey Jolly for admitting to using an air compressor to field a catch of some $22,000 worth of Bahamian fisheries on June 30.

Jolly was ordered to pay $5,000 of that sum on Friday, and the other $5,000

by September 30. Failure to do so would result in one year in prison, the senior magistrate said.

Jolly’s sentence came after he plead guilty to two counts of possession of a prohibited apparatus.

Given his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Sergeant Kendrick Bauld, withdrew the two charges against Jolly’s 33 crew members.

The charges are contrary to section 69 (a)(b)(c) and (d), and section 73 of the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations, 1987.

According to the regulations, a prohibited apparatus is any device, other than a snorkel, that enables a person to breathe whilst underwater.

The former charge asserted that on the date in question, Jolly had one air compressor in his possession with intent to use it for

fishing. The latter charge further specifies that he was found in the Cay Sal bank with an air compressor without a permit authorizing its use contrary to the authorized dates of August 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

According to reports from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), HMBS Rolly Gray, under the command of Senior Lieutenant William Sturrup, was on routine patrol when it apprehended Sweet Dreams in the Cay Sal Bank area. A large quantity of conch and a compressor were on board at the time.

Skiffs belonging to the vessel were also in the immediate area with compressors on board, according to the RBDF. Additionally, a search of a

nearby cay resulted in the discovery of several more compressors.

The vessel and its crew were subsequently arrested and taken to New Providence, where they were turned over to the relevant authorities.

During the sentencing proceedings, Jolly’s attorney Joseph D’Arceuil submitted that with Jolly’s guilty plea, the court and its resources has been spared the weeks it would have taken to try Jolly and his crew on the allegations.

Mr D’Arceuil also submitted that as captain, Jolly would have to travel to the United States or elsewhere to purchase navigational aids, equipment for maintenance and repair, and other items. Him not doing

so could “severely hamper” the ship’s upkeep, Mr D’Arceuil said.

Thus, Mr D’Arceuil asked for the court to be as lenient as possible and handing down a sentence, as he further submitted that sufficient punishment would be rendered through a confiscation of the fishery products.

However, Magistrate Vogt-Evans scolded Jolly for his actions, stating that he should have considered the success of his business and its dependance on him traveling before using the air compressors.

She also said that Jolly should focus on maintaining his occupation as a professional fisherman as opposed to trying to make a few extra bucks.

“If we have no marine resources you will have nowhere to fish,” she said.

“Your children will have nowhere to fish. The Bahamas will be like some other third world country. We live here and we love here because of the opportunities, and one of them is the vast and productive marine life. Those of us who are able to make it a business must have a respect for our seas and our laws.

She added: “Couple dollars here today, couple dollars tomorrow does not help you. What you should be looking for is longevity.

If you intend to be a professional fisherman, you want to do that until you retire.

If your children want to do that, there must be something left.”

PAGE 10, Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Together in grief, kindness and hope we will come through

AN EMOTIONAL volunteer embracing an evacuee at Odyssey Aviation.

G

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By Alicia Wallace

RIEF is a beast like no other.

It is unpredictable, unwieldy and unwanted. We often do not know how to deal with it, whether it is our own or someone else’s.

For many of us, we want to move past the feelings that are uncomfortable. It feels like it would be easier lives demand it. We have to function if we could put become so accustomed to them aside. There is just too functioning this way that much to do to be able to we encourage others to do it, and critigive in to emocise them when tion. There is Hurricane there is a crack not enough time Dorian has in the veneer to sit with feeland we see that thrown us all for ings. There is they are human. not enough sup- a loop and we However port for us to are all trying to noble our properly work intentions, we through our keep it together. sometimes thoughts and Some of us have pressure people feelings about had one good to suppress what we are emotions, going through. cry, some of ignore feelings We come up us have had a and push themwith unhealthy few, and others selves “past” ways of coping, whatever has not because we have been happened or is do not want struggling to happening to to feel better, Grief, but because keep it together. them. however, does we need to feel not forget us.

It better immediately. The does not give up and walk pace and demands of our

away when we turn our backs to it. It stays there, knowing we can see it from the corner of our eyes, and feel it watching and waiting for us to turn to it.

Hurricane Dorian has thrown us all for a loop and we are all trying to keep it together. Some of us have had one good cry, some of us have had a few, and others have been struggling to keep it together.

I am working closely with people in non-governmental organisations and various other types of institutions and we are all saying the same thing. We are telling each other to take breaks. We are talking about the benefits of rest. We say it is important to hydrate, eat well and do something other than work. I am not sure we are

VOLUNTEERS at Odyssey Aviation Bahamas greeted evacuees with food and water upon their arrival. all taking the advice we are liberally sharing. I want to believe that we can. The situation we are in, however, seems to depend that we put everything we have into filling the gaps that exist so the people in need of assistance do not fall through them. It is a difficult balance — caring for self, and caring for others. We are figuring it out as we go, and we all wish we were doing it better, but we are doing the best we can in this moment.

HOW PEOPLE CARE I am seeing the generosity and care of people on a daily basis as I spend my days collecting donations and directing them to where they are most needed. I have had the pleasure of interacting with people I have known for a long time, complete strangers and people in between. They have shown up to donate, sort, pack, lift, deliver, clean, make connections, provide lunch and check on other people.

It has been incredible to witness the teamwork we are able to pull off when we are motivated and willing to move together rather than nurturing a competitive environment. There are certainly people who are after a prize, even if it a self-congratulatory pat on the back, but what I am seeing on a daily basis is our motto — forward, upward, onward, together.

On the weekend, a woman came to the donation centre at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas with her son to donate a large bag of stuffed toys. She received a message that there were many children in shelters and stuffed toys, Lego, colouring books and crayons would be great for them.

She encouraged her son to give many of his stuffed toys. All of the volunteers present were kind to him, telling him how wonderful

it was that he was helping the children from Grand Bahama and Abaco. When we opened the bag, it was obvious the mother had just washed the toys as they smelled delightful.

Everyone in the room was amazed by the extra care she took to ensure the toys were not only in good condition, but completely clean and had a comforting smell.

Similarly, a young woman made a large donation of clothing. As we sorted, folded and packed the clothing, we realized she had also taken the time to wash everything.

Many times when we give, the clothes come directly from our closets or out of our drawers. We may not think to wash them again because they are already clean. Smell, however, is powerful. There is nothing like laundry fresh from the dryer or clothesline.

It smells like home, comfort, and safety. Being able to add those sentiments to the gift of clothing for people who are away from home and have suffered great loss is an extra step.

It is not an act born of sympathy. It becomes an act of love.

THE WEAPON OF HOPE The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas welcomed Angelika Wallace-Whitfield to the space on the weekend to sell Hope is a Weapon merchandise with all of the proceeds going toward hurricane relief. I know Angelika personally, and I am constantly in awe of her work and the way she uses it with both curiosity and intention.

The way Bahamians have bought into the Hope is a Weapon message and brand is both evidence of where we are now and how attuned Angelika — along with many other young

artists — is to social issues, our responses, and what we currently need. It is a bold statement. It is more than rhetoric, pushing us to go beyond the abstract concept of hope, turning it into an action that can transform a situation or, if we let it, transform us.

The merchandise sold on the weekend bore the tagline “Bahamas Strong” alongside “Hope is a Weapon” — activating the brand to propel us into sustainable action that makes us worthy of the sentiment of indomitable spirit and strength.

Within the first few hours of each day, the Hope is a Weapon pop-up shop was sold out. People came to get the shirts because the two messages resonate. They combine the two elements we need to keep us going at this time — the impetus to act rather than wait or look to anyone else for what we have in ourselves, and the dogged belief that we have everything we need, and need only put it to good use.

There is much to criticise today. Nothing about our response to this disaster has been perfect. There is significant work to be done, from acknowledging that climate change is real and taking disaster risk management seriously to development of a plan for evacuations and ensuring that the whole person is cared for, and not just the physical needs.

If we are as strong as we say we are, we will focus on what demands our urgent attention. We will meet the needs of the people. If we learn to weaponise hope, we will make all the necessary things happen. We will donate, we will speak to each other with kindness, we will exercise patience, we will ask the right questions, and we will contribute to the answers. We will show that The Bahamas, through its people, is strong.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 11, 2019, PAGE 11

BOLTON OUT AS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER

The storm after the hurricane - row over Dorian forecast HUNTSVILLE, Alabama Associated Press STRUGGLING to keep his emotions in check, the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration both defended President Donald Trump’s administration yesterday and thanked forecasters who contradicted the president’s claims about Hurricane Dorian threatening Alabama.

Speaking to a meteorology group, acting administrator Neil Jacobs said a NOAA statement issued Friday that criticised the Birmingham-area National Weather Service office after it disagreed with Trump was meant to clarify “technical aspects” about Dorian’s potential impact.

“What it did not say, however, was that we understood and fully support the good intent of the Birmingham weather forecast office, which was to calm fears in support of public safety,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs, a career meteorologist, appeared near tears at times. “This is hard for me,” he said, his voice choking as he addressed a hushed crowd of several hundred.

Jacobs said there was no pressure from the Trump administration or NOAA to change the way branch offices communicate forecasts to the public. “No one’s job is under threat - not mine, not yours,” he said.

He later added: “Weather should not be a partisan issue. I’ve known some of you for 25 years. I haven’t changed. I’m the same Neil I was last Thursday,” referring to the day before the NOAA statement was issued.

Jacobs specifically thanked Kevin Laws, science and operations officer with the weather service office in Birmingham. Laws said he appreciated the remarks by Jacobs, whom he has known for 20 years.

“Absolutely no hard feelings,” Laws said.

The acting chief scientist at NOAA previously said the agency likely violated its scientific integrity rules when it publicly chastised the office in the unsigned statement, and Democratic Sen Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire asked the inspector general to investigate.

Past NOAA administrators, a former National

Weather Service chief and a former National Hurricane Center director — among others — have blasted the NOAA statement as inappropriate, saying they supported the chastised Alabama weather office.

Kathy Sullivan, who ran NOAA under former President Barack Obama, said Jacobs’ words won’t fix a “breach of trust” he created.

“A trust has been shattered and only actions can repair it,” she said in a written statement. “Trust is like glass: shatters in an instant, with a single blow, and takes a long time to restore.”

The world’s largest general science society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said weather forecasters should not be “asked to change a weather forecast in reaction to any political pressure”.

Retired Admiral David W Titley, an assistant NOAA administrator during the Obama administration and former meteorology professor at Pennsylvania State University, said it seemed Jacobs was stuck between orders from the White House and Department of Commerce and a rebellion by some in the National

WASHINGTON Associated Press

CHRISTINA Crowe signs a poster in support of the National Weather Service office in Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday.

Photo: Jay Reeves/AP Weather Service.

“For some reason he seems desperate to keep his job - and this results in the pathos we saw this morning,” Titley said in an email to The Associated Press. “Personally, I

think his situation is untenable; he should attempt to salvage what’s left of his self-respect. He either stands by the Friday pm statement or he does not - but he can’t have it both ways.”

US TO MARK 9/11 ANNIVERSARY

US DISPUTES CLAIMS OVER SPY MOVE WASHINGTON Associated Press

NEW YORK Associated Press AMERICANS are commemorating 9/11 with mournful ceremonies, volunteering, appeals to “never forget” and rising attention to the terror attacks’ extended toll on responders.

A crowd of victims’ relatives is expected at ground zero today, while President Donald Trump is scheduled to join an observance at the Pentagon. Vice President Mike Pence is to speak at the third attack site, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Eighteen years after the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, the nation is still grappling with the aftermath at ground zero, in Congress and beyond. The attacks’ aftermath is visible from airport security checkpoints to Afghanistan, where a post-9/11 invasion has become America’s longest war. US peace talks with Taliban insurgents collapsed in recent days.

“People say, ‘Why do you stand here, year after year?’” Chundera Epps, a sister of victim Christopher Epps, said at last year’s ceremony at the World Trade Center. “Because soldiers are still dying for our freedom. First responders are still dying and being ill.”

“We can’t forget. Life won’t let us forget,” she added.

The anniversary ceremonies center on remembering the nearly 3,000 people killed

PRESIDENT Donald Trump yesterday abruptly forced out John Bolton, his hawkish national security adviser with whom he had strong disagreements on Iran, Afghanistan and a cascade of other global challenges.

Tensions between Bolton, Trump’s third national security adviser, and other officials have flared in recent months over influence in the president’s orbit and how to manage his desire to negotiate with some of the world’s most unsavory actors. Since joining the administration in the spring of last year, Bolton has espoused skepticism about the president’s whirlwind rapprochement with North Korea, and recently has become a vocal internal critic of potential talks between Trump and leaders of Iran and Afghanistan’s Taliban.

Bolton also broke with Trump with his vocal condemnation of Russia’s global aggressions, and last year he masterminded a quiet campaign inside the administration and with allies abroad to persuade Trump to keep US forces in Syria to counter the remnants of the Islamic State and Iranian influence in the region.

VISITORS look at the waterfalls at the World Trade Center Memorial in New York when hijacked planes rammed into the trade center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville on September 11, 2001. All those victims’ names are read aloud at the ground zero ceremony, where moments of silence and tolling bells mark the moments when the aircraft crashed and the trade center’s twin towers fell.

But there has been growing awareness in recent years of the suffering of another group of people tied to the tragedy: firefighters, police and others who died or fell ill after exposure to the wreckage and the toxins unleashed in it.

While research continues into whether those illnesses are tied to 9/11 toxins, a victims compensation fund for people with potentially September 11-related health problems has awarded more than $5.5 billion so far. Over

51,000 people have applied.

After years of legislative gridlock, dwindling money in the fund and fervent activism by ailing first responders and their advocates, Congress this summer made sure the fund won’t run dry. Trump, a Republican and a New Yorker who was in the city on 9/11 signed the measure in July.

The sick gained new recognition this year at the memorial plaza at ground zero, where the new 9/11 Memorial Glade was dedicated this spring.

The tribute features six large stacks of granite inlaid with salvaged trade center steel, with a dedication “to those whose actions in our time of need led to their injury, sickness, and death”. No one is named specifically.

THE Trump administration yesterday disputed reports of a Russian official who was recruited as a spy for the CIA and then evacuated to the United States after revealing information about the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 election.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley and the CIA challenged reports in The New York Times, CNN and elsewhere about a Russian official with high-level access who provided the US with valuable intelligence for years until he was abruptly pulled from the country.

“Suffice it to say that the reporting there is factually wrong,” Pompeo said, without specifying exactly what he was disputing. Pompeo was head of the CIA at the start of the Trump administration, soon after the spy reportedly was brought to the United States.

The CIA singled out CNN in a statement that disputed the network’s reporting about what prompted the evacuation.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, September 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE