09132017 business

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

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Storm insurance ‘package’ plan: 50% of firms keen

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MICK HOLDING

BAHAMIAN Chambers of Commerce are seeking to develop a hurricane insurance “package” for small businesses, with around 50 per cent of Grand Bahama firms expressing “interest”.

Mick Holding, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president, told Tribune Business that the initiative was designed to improve “accessibility and affordability” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when it came to

Small Family Island model ‘unsustainable’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net SMALLER Family Islands must embrace a new development model to prevent the Government from being saddled with an “unsustainable” storm repair bill every few years.

Pedro Rolle, the Exuma Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Business that the Bahamian taxpayer was currently having to cover multi-million dollar infrastructure restoration costs for sparsely-populated Out Islands every few years.

To reduce these costs, which typically involve roads, utilities and other reconstruction, Mr Rolle suggested the Government require residents of thinlypopulated islands to live in just one settlement.

“The whole issue of these hurricanes, how they impact our nation and what goes on every year, should it force us to focus on how we develop our smaller islands,” Mr Rolle asked.

“It’s impossible for the Government every two years to invest millions of dollars to repair the infrastructure of those islands not as populated as others.”

That refers to the fact that many of the islands hardest-hit by Hurricane Irma, namely Ragged Island, Acklins and Inagua,

Consolidate communities into one, Govt urged Otherwise multimillion storm bills will be frequent Minimal Exuma farming impact ‘a blessing’ are the same as those which were pummeled by Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015 - less than two years.

Joaquin’s repair bill was pegged at around $105 million, much of it relating to public infrastructure such as roads, docks and government buildings. Yet the sparsely-populated nature of those islands means the Government will never enjoy a return on such investment at a time when the Public Treasury is increasingly strained by the Bahamas’ fiscal crisis.

Many residents live in small, scattered communities that have to be linked by miles of roads and utilities, adding to the taxpayer’s burden.

“Maybe it’s time to consider, if people are going to live on Mayaguana, Acklins, that they live in a single community,” Mr Rolle See PG B4

GB leads Chambers’ coverage initiative Aims to boost ‘affordability, accessibility’ Similar scheme eyed for pensions, life cover property and business interruption insurance.

Mr Holding, who is leading the initiative in conjunction with other island

Chambers, said he aimed to engage Bahamas-based insurance carriers on the initiative next month in a bid to drive it forward.

With Hurricane Irma’s trail of destruction throughout Florida and the Caribbean providing renewed impetus, Mr Holding said the Chambers hoped to persuade the insurance industry about the merits of such ‘volume’ or package coverage for multiple firms.

“It’s something we’ve been looking at for some time now, and some of the other Chambers of Commerce throughout the See PG B3

BIMINI BUSINESS OWNER HIT BY ‘TOTAL DEVASTATION’

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net ONE Bimini resident yesterday lamented the “total devastation” that Hurricane Irma visited on his business, as a former administrator hit out at the island’s major resort.

Ebbie ‘Bonefish Ebbie’ David, owner of Ebbie’s Bonefish Club in Bailey Town, told Tribune Business: “My bar is totally gone. The bar is out in the water. The place is totally devastated.”

Mr David added that about four feet of water was driven into his home

by Irma before low tide Sunday night. As the storm drove into Florida, Bimini experienced tropical storm conditions on Sunday with wind gusts of about 80

Ex-administrator slams Resort World dredging Says island losing natural storm surge defence miles per hour and tornado activity.

Meanwhile Sherrick Ellis, a Bimini resident and former Out Island administrator, said dredging by Resorts World Bimini (RWB) and its predecessor, the Capo Group, had eliminated much of the natural mangrove protection against storm surges.

“The Government needs to put a hold on the resort,” he argued. “When it comes to dredging they need to See PG B4

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BTC: 15% OF NETWORK GETS IRMA IMPACT

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday said that while 15 per cent of its network was impacted by Hurricane Irma, its infrastructure held up “fairly well” throughout the storm.

Andre Foster, BTC’s chief operating officer, said the communications provider was proceeding with a full assessment of Hurricane Irma’s impact. He said Ragged Island, which has

Ragged Island takes biggest hit Held up ‘fairly well’ nationwide Power outages major obstacle just 37 customers, had been significantly affected.

“To-date our network has held up fairly well through the storm,” he said. “I think the Bahamas in general is See PG B4

Chamber doesn’t get one complaint of price gouging

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Chamber of Commerce yesterday said it has yet to receive a single complaint about price gouging by businesses prior to Hurricane Irma.

Edison Sumner, its chief executive, told Tribune Business that in the absence of any complaints the private sector organisation could only conclude that there was “minimal, if any, price gouging” occurring pre-Irma.

The Chamber’s position contrasts with that of the Price Control Commission, whose chair, Syndia Dorsett, said it had received numerous complaints from Bahamian consumers about the prices of essential food-stuffs, building See PG B3

Says problems ‘minimal, if any’ Will ‘reach out’ to watchdogs Concern on Irma’s Bimini impact

EDISON SUMNER

PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

BTVI leads economic model for fly fishing THE Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has been hired by the Ministry of Tourism and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to implement a sustainable economic model for fly fishing training and certification.

To help fulfill this mandate, BTVI is staging a series of workshops through a new curriculum focusing on the sustainability and technical requirements for environmentally-responsible fly fishing guidance.

New legislation governing fly fishing guides, known as the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) (Flats Fishing) Regulations 2017, requires all Bahamian guides to be certified.

The Andros Sustainable Guide Training and Certification programme was launched on July 24, through a series of factfinding and consultation meetings with guides, lodge operators and the wider community in North Andros, Central Andros, Mangrove Cay and South Andros.

BTVI’s team is working closely with representatives from the Andros Town office of the Ministry of Tourism on the sustainable business model.

Following the trainer workshops, the fly fishing guides from Andros will return to their respective

communities as BTVI instructors, offering workshops for new guides and those in the field who are seeking a higher level of certification.

The pilot project is currently specific to Andros.

It is designed to achieve several things, including reviewing and revising the 2010 market analysis to determine the level of economic impact the sport is having in the Bahamas; standardise the fly fishing guides’ training programme; and create a professional and internationally-recognised fly fishing guide training and certification course.

A key focus is to train guides and lodge operators to provide the most environmentally-responsible tourism experience in an already competitive industry. This includes the elimination of toxic chemicals and cleaners, and improving waste management, particularly with regard to plastics and other trash that can affect fish populations.

Leroy Sumner, programme manager and BTVI’s associate vicepresident of academic affairs, said the initiative aims to ensure fly fishing guides remain a significant contributor to the Andros economy.

“Training the fly fishing guides is only a part of

THE BAHAMAS Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has been contracted by the Ministry of Tourism and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to implement a sustainable economic model for fly fishing. Standing L to R: BTVI administrative assistant, Genta Brown; BTVI associate vice-president of academic studies, Leroy Sumner; BTVI head of business department, Kerima Smith; BTVI dean of academic affairs, Pleshette McPhee; BTVI academic support officer, Cara Gibson; and BTVI business instructor, Mario Gay. Seated L to R: External consultant for the project’s market analysis, Dr Anthony Fedler; BTVI president, Dr Robert W. Robertson; and external consultant for train the trainer sustainability and curriculum development, James McGregor our project,” he said. “My colleagues and I are also looking at other economic development opportunities, both within the fly-fishing business as well as any associated commercial possibilities that could strengthen the Andros economy. Hopefully this economic model can be used on other islands

across the Bahamas, as well as the Caribbean.”

Dr Robert W. Robertson, BTVI’s president, added that the fly fishing initiative advances the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME), to which BTVI is a signatory. PRME’s mission is in part to transform

management education, research and thought leadership globally, developing learning communities.

The pilot programme is also expected to determine the certification standards to be achieved and the level of the designation. The training and certification programme will be based

within BTVI’s management structure on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Fly Fish Industry Association (BFFIA).

James MacGregor, workshop facilitator, said the training programme places major emphasis on understanding standards that include environmental responsibility.

“While it is critical to train new guides as technically competent in fly fishing, it is also crucial to protect the precious sport fishing resources of Andros if we wish to sustain an industry that can continue to provide jobs and revenue for future generations,” said Mr MacGregor.

“The level of marine pollution, overfishing, poor fishing practices and, more recently, global warming, should not be allowed to devastate fly-fishing activities as they have in other destinations.”

The pilot programme is designed as a model that can be rolled out across other Bahamian islands.

The training and certification process will be monitored and evaluated to respond to different island conditions and market demands.

Its advocates expect that a sustainable business model for the fly fishing industry will also result in achieving higher levels of visitor satisfaction.

Major resort properties ‘unscathed’ by Irma THE Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) yesterday said reports to-date suggested most resort properties were left largely “unscathed” by Hurricane Irma.

Acknowledging that it had yet to receive official information from the hardest-hit islands, including those that were largely evacuated, the BHTA said its own reports - and those received by the Ministry of Tourism - from resorts in Nassau and other Family

Islands described “beach erosion and minor damage to landscape” as the extent of the impact.

“Parts of the archipelago of the Bahamas have indeed been affected,” said Carlton Russell, the BHTA’s president. “However, overall we have fared extremely well, and for that we are grateful.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered unimaginable loss and hardship due to Irma; those communities in the Caribbean and the US who

have lost everything. The BHTA will be reaching out to ascertain how we can help those in need”.

The BHTA worked closely with the Ministry of Tourism’s Crisis Management Team, which was activated last week as Hurricane Irma approached the Bahamas.

The crisis management team features top executives from the Ministry; various island representatives from the Ministry; and key industry stakeholders

such as the BHTA, Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board (BOIPB), Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB), Association of Bahamas Marinas, the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), cruise lines, airlines and other relevant authorities.

The team continues to obtain data from tourism-related businesses throughout the Bahamas, including airport updates, information from the cruise lines as well as reports

from hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.

“We were pleased to be a part of what can be considered a formidable collaborative effort to prepare and react to the potential threat of Irma,” said Mr Russell. “Now, we must collectively concentrate on getting back to the business of tourism, and helping our regional partners get back on their feet and on the road to recovery”

CARLTON RUSSELL

EXCITING AND CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG BAHAMIANS

Can you imagine a career which will take you to the world’s most fascinating ports and far flung destinations?

A Maritime career could take you there.

Do you have 5 BGCSE passes, including Math, Physics or Chemistry, and English Language at Grade ‘C’ or above?

Have you obtained a combined SAT score of at least 1500?

Are you physically fit?

Are you between the age of 16 and 20 years?

If you have answered YES to the above questions, then please read on.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority is once again offering a scholarship to a young Bahamian, who is keen to train for an exciting and challenging career in the Maritime Industry.

The scholarship is inclusive of tuition, course materials, accommodation and travel. Commencing September 2018, the successful candidate will follow a 4-year degree programme at the State University New York Maritime College, New York, USA. Upon completion of the degree, the qualified officer will be expected to serve on board a Bahamian flagged vessel for at least 2 years.

Further information and application forms can be obtained from: Mrs. Katie Clarke, Assistant Director, Bahamas Maritime Authority, Shirlaw House, #226 Shirley Street, P. O. Box N-4679, Nassau, Bahamas; Website: www.bahamasmaritime.com OR Email: scholarship@bahamasmaritime.com Tel: +1-(242)-356-5772 Fax: +1-(242)-356-5889 Completed applications must be submitted in person or by post, with copies of academic certificates/transcripts and proof of Bahamian citizenship, no later than Friday, 29th September 2017. Qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 12, 2017, PAGE 3

BTC fears copper theft rise post-Irma

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday expressed concern it will suffer increased copper theft in Hurricane Irma’s aftermath, adding that this brings “significant” cost.

Would create ‘significant’ cost Andre Foster, the company’s chief operating officer, speaking about Hurricane Irma’s impact to its network and BTC’s restoration efforts, said

Chamber doesn’t get one complaint of price gouging From pg B1 materials and other hurricane supplies.

The Commission is this week checking supermarket prices to see if they have changed from preIrma levels, although it has not identified any ‘price gouging’ culprits by name.

Mr Sumner yesterday said the Chamber planned to “reach out” to the Consumer Protection Commission and its chairman, Philip Beneby, to see

if it had received specific ‘price gouging’ complaints.

“We haven’t received any complaints through the Chamber, even though we talked publicly about it,” he told Tribune Business. “We’ve not received any complaints, formally or otherwise.

“I’ve not received any calls, and the Chamber has not received any calls on price gouging. We know they [the Commissions] were monitoring it, but

Storm insurance ‘package’ plan: 50% of firms keen From pg B1 Bahamas are joining us,” he said of the proposal.

“It is basically to see whether we could get a small insurance package together for Chamber members who currently can’t carry insurance coverage because of affordability issues, and see if we can talk to the insurance companies and out together a Chamber of Commerce package that will be more affordable.”

Mr Holding continued: “It’s accessibility and affordability, not necessarily just for property and casualty, but business interruption because a lot of businesses after Matthew didn’t particularly suffer any material property damage.

“For a variety of other reasons - communications, the knock-on effect from other businesses that were hit - these companies were unable to open, yet still had a payroll to meet. So we’re looking to put together a business interruption insurance package.”

Insurance penetration throughout the Bahamas falls the further you travel from Nassau, with the negative consequences brought home in Hurricane Joaquin’s aftermath in late 2015.

Few businesses in the Family Islands were insured, and many of those who had coverage were under-insured. This left many companies struggling to re-open in the storm’s aftermath, leaving them reliant on funding from

initiatives such as Rebuild Bahamas and prolonging the economic recovery from Joaquin.

The relatively high cost of insurance has also priced much coverage out of SMEs’ reach.

Mr Holding told Tribune Business that a survey of Grand Bahama Chamber members had exposed “a great deal of interest” in the insurance ‘package’ proposal, indicating the issue was “very important” to the private sector.

He acknowledged that the initiative had not progressed “as far as I’d like to have got by this stretch”, and added: “We haven’t got a product to deliver yet, but there’s a great deal of interest in affordability of coverage throughout the Bahamas.

“While we may be leading it, it’s not exclusively a Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce initiative. A number of insurance carriers I’ve spoken to have

copper theft was a “chief concern” following storms.

“One of the things our technicians say is that they find copper theft being a chief concern, especially during a time like this,” he said.

“We are certainly hoping that some of those things don’t happen because obviously it affects our ability to

offer services. These guys are pretty sophisticated and very co-ordinated in their efforts.”

Mr Foster added: “This is something we see not only here but in the Caribbean, where Cable and Wireless (CWC) operates.

When they take down a few kilometres of copper, which they can do in a

short timeframe, by the time we mobilise and asses the damage we could have subscribers impacted for up to two to three days.

“That impacts customer service and our ability to collect revenue. When you think about the community and services being impacted, it does put people at peril. The good thing is we are pretty well covered

with mobile services, so as long as persons have a mobile phone at their finger tips they have some ability to communicate.”

Mr Foster said yesterday that roughly 15 per cent of its mobile and fixed-line network was affected by Hurricane Irma, adding that the infrastructure had held up “fairly well” during the storm.

as far as we’re concerned - and based on the information provided to the Chamber - we had minimal, if any price gouging.

“If there was, no one made any reports to the Chamber. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but it wasn’t reported to us. I do intend to reach out to Philip Beneby, chair of the Consumer Protection Commission, and they can perhaps enlighten us further about reported price gouging and let us know who those culprits are.”

The Minnis administration warned merchants that any attempt to exploit

consumer demand preIrma via price hikes, or the ‘hoarding’ of products and supplies, would be a criminal offence.

Mr Sumner, meanwhile, said the Chamber remained very concerned about Irma’s impact on Ragged Island, Inagua, Acklins, Bimini and Grand Bahama, even though most of the Bahamas had been spared the storm’s wrath.

“Our concern is the impact on the business community, and trade and commerce, in those areas and how it’s going to impact the economy in those islands,” he explained.

“Exuma suffered minimal damage, and we expect it to be back up and running in the next day or two.

I’m advised that trade will be fully restored, but I’m not so sure about Bimini.

“We know there were tornados that touched down in Freeport and Bimini. There was significant structural damage to homes and businesses, and even flooding through parts of Bimini.”

Mr Sumner said the Chamber had been advised that Bimini’s airport had been “cleaned up”, and was now waiting for permission to re-open, which

is expected to happen by today.

“Our other concern was the issue of trade, and the movement of cargo in and out of the country,” the Chamber chief executive added in reference to Irma’s potential impact on south Florida’s ports.

“We’re pretty satisfied there will not be any major disruption to trade and the movement of the shipping lines, and expect the freight companies will be able to move in and out of the country in the next day or two. That was a major concern of ours.”

expressed an interest in looking at it further.”

There may be common ground between the Chambers and Bahamian insurance carriers on this issue. Emmanuel Komolafe, the Bahamas Insurance Association’s (BIA) chairman, told Tribune Business on Sunday that the BIA was in initial talks with unnamed “multilateral and regulatory agencies on the introduction of microinsurance” - a product “designed to increase insurance penetration and serve the low income” as well as SME sector.

Pledging to focus on the initiative when he returns from vacation next month, Mr Holding said: “It’s one of the things I’m going to try and do; get the carriers in and show them the level of interest, size of the business and level of coverage.

“Don’t look at this as individual businesses,” he said of his message to the insurance industry. “It’s one big business. What package can you put together for us?”

Mr Holding told Tribune Business that “something of the order” of 50 per

cent of respondents to the Grand Bahama Chamber survey had expressed an interest in the catastrophe/ business interruption insurance package.

“It’s probably fairly representative of the business community as a whole,” he added.

Mr Holding suggested that several storm-free years had created complacency among some businesses when it came to hurricanerelated insurance.

When inquiring whether companies had insurance in

Hurricane Matthew’s aftermath, the Chamber chief said those that did not frequently explained that they dropped coverage because they felt the premiums were “not worth it”.

However, few set aside the monies saved by not paying the premiums, inhibiting their ability to self-insure and recover from storm-related damage.

“There’s a mindset there, particularly when you’ve had several hurricane-free years,” Mr Holding said.

“People say: Why should I

pay these insurance premiums because I don’t benefit from it. If they’re going to self-insure, they need to put money to one side to meet claims when storms do come. It’s part of an education process.”

The Grand Bahama Chamber chief revealed that the private sector was looking at similar “package” schemes for health insurance and pensions, enabling “these smaller businesses to at least have the opportunity for something they can afford”.

Share your news The Tribune wants to hear from people who are making news in their neighbourhoods. Perhaps you are raising funds for a good cause, campaigning for improvements in the area or have won an award. If so, call us on 322-1986 and share your story.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE Mr Foster said BTC had maintained “pretty good” continuity with its mobile service throughout Irma.

“We have spots where we lost a tower due to power outages, but there has been no significant service degradation throughout most of the Commonwealth,” he added.

“From a mobile perspective we are not seeing a significant level of customers out of service. There is no infrastructure from a

mobile perspective that is completely down. Those will be restored as power comes back on.”

Mr Foster continued: “We saw maybe around 15 per cent of the network being affected from an overall perspective. What we are finding is that with fixed-line related issues we are able to respond pretty quickly.

“Andros is an area where there is a lot of land to cover, and customers are far

and few in between. It’s a bit more challenging, but certainly in some of the more densely populated markets I think we are going to have a good turnaround on any service restoration.”

Mr Foster said BTC’s FlowtoGo mobile app was fully available to its subscribers throughout the storm. “Our TV services were fully available, and I’m sure in many instances that helped to aid many people with communication

to understand what was happening,” he added.

Mr Foster said the company has created a ‘text to donate’ campaign, where every dollar donated via SMS to the Hurricane Irma relief effort, the company will match 100 per cent.

“We are also working with the shelters, making sure we can provide, whether it is in the form of canned goods, water or clothing to assist those impacted by the storm,” he added.

Small Family Island Bimini model ‘unsustainable’ business I had about the impact to From pg B1 owner hit farming did not materialise. told Tribune Business. “I That’s a blessing.” by ‘total really think the situation is He had told Tribune unsustainable.

Business last week that devastation’ “They need to consider Exuma’s farming progress

young could quickly desert the sector again if Irma’s wind and rain washed away seeds and crops already planted.

However, minor damage to some roofs and power outages in isolated communities was the most Exuma had to cope with.

Mr Rolle said Irmarelated economic losses would come from visitors who were forced to cut short their vacations, as Sandals and other properties evacuated them from the island.

“Prior to the hurricane, Sandals and most of the hotels would have shipped out most of their guests,” he told Tribune Business. “The

impact really is that persons who would have been here, their stay was cut short.

And those persons intending to come didn’t come.

“From that perspective the economy was impacted, but these are things we can’t help; we have to live with that. Hopefully those persons who put off their holidays can reschedule. I know Sandals’ team have gone back in to open up the place, with a view to turning everything back to normal or as normal as possible.”

Mr Rolle said that had Irma scored a direct hit on Exuma, the island would likely still be seeking “handouts” some six months later.

“I’m not even talking about what happened in Barbuda and the Leeward Islands,” he added, “but if we were impacted to the extent of Turks & Caicos we’d still be trying to gather our economy and ourselves up for the next six months.

“If we had any hit in Exuma near to what Turks & Caicos got, we’d be struggling and seeking handouts.”

Mr Rolle said such an impact, particularly if it affected Sandals and Exuma’s resorts, would cost the island the winter 2017-2018 tourism season and place its economy “a year behind”.

BTC: 15% of network gets Irma impact From pg B1 very fortunate. We have had the most significant impact in Ragged Island, one of the smaller islands.

We had a facility there which was damaged and needs significant repair.

“That is the only central office impacted as a result of the storm. We have had

From pg B1 put a hold on that project.

It’s detrimental to the mangroves, which is the island’s only protection against storm surge, and it affects the fish stock.”

Mr Ellis also told Tribune Business: “A portion of the island has been devastated tremendously. We had a tornado here, and a lot of people had the roofs on their homes damaged. It’s in the area we call Bunker’s Hill. That is where most of the damage is.

“Other areas of the island suffered minor damages; maybe a few shingles lost but no other major damages. We are just trying to put things back together. A lot of power lines are down and a lot of trees were uprooted. It may be a few days before power is fully restored. BEC is doing an assessment tour right now.

A few power poles and transformers are down.”

Neal Watson II, another Bimini resident, told Tribune Business: “There were maybe two tornados in the Bailey Town/Porgy Bay area. Homes were affected in that area. “[Bimini] Big Game seems to be pretty good; some of the docks took a bit of damage. It will be a while before power is back up.

There was a bit of flooding.

Power is off in north and south Bimini. All landlines are down.”

other incidents throughout the network; downed lines and things of that nature.

The most significant challenge has been power. We tend to follow the power providers. As they restore power our services will be restored, and if there are any lingering issues our customers would typically give us a call.”

saying to people: ‘We’ll compensate you for your property, give you land, but we have to rethink with some of these Family Islands’. It’s just crazy. But that’s the way it is now.”

Mr Rolle said Exuma fared much better than expected during Irma, adding: “We had minimal amounts of rain, so the fear

could be washed “down the drain” if Irma scores a direct hit on the island.

Exuma had enjoyed its best year for agriculture since Mr Rolle returned to the island six years ago, with farmers enjoying bumper crops and growing new vegetables, but the Chamber president had expressed concerns the

UK lawmakers back key Brexit bill, but fight still looms

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers voted a key Brexit bill past its first big hurdle in Parliament early Tuesday. But many legislators branded the bill a government power grab, and vowed to change it before it becomes law.

After a debate that stretched past midnight, the House of Commons backed the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill by a vote of 326 to 290. That means lawmakers approve the bill in principle, but the government will now face attempts to amend it before a final vote later this year.

A key plank in the Conservative government’s Brexit plans, the bill aims to convert thousands of EU laws and regulations into U.K. domestic laws on the

day Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the measure provides “certainty and clarity” ahead of the divorce. Brexit Secretary David Davis said that without it, the U.K. faces “a chaotic exit from the European Union.”

But the opposition says it would give the government dangerous new powers to amend laws without parliamentary scrutiny.

Since Britain joined the EU in 1973, thousands of EU laws and regulations have come to operate in the U.K., covering everything from environmental protection to employment rules.

Justice Secretary David Lidington told lawmakers that the bill is needed to ensure Britain has “a functioning and coherent statute book and regulatory system the day we leave.”

PRO-remain supporters of Britain staying in the EU, pose for photographers wearing EU flag masks whilst taking part in an anti-Brexit protest outside the Houses of Parliament in London, yesterday. Lawmakers are due to vote late Monday or early Tuesday on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which aims to convert around 12,000 EU laws and regulations into domestic statute on the day the country leaves the bloc in March 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

MARKET REPORT MONDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2017

t. 242.323.2330 | f. 242.323.2320 | www.bisxbahamas.com

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,867.79 | CHG 5.57 | %CHG 0.30 | YTD -70.42 | YTD% -3.63 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.38 19.17 9.09 3.70 2.41 0.14 6.47 8.60 6.30 10.60 14.49 2.52 1.60 6.00 10.00 11.00 10.25 7.25 12.51 11.00

52WK LOW 4.05 17.43 8.19 3.50 1.39 0.12 3.80 8.40 5.83 9.46 10.00 2.18 1.50 5.80 8.75 7.01 8.17 6.60 11.93 10.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

900.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

PREFERENCE SHARES

1.00 106.00 100.00 106.00 105.00 103.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 105.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol ICD Utilities J. S. Johnson Premier Real Estate Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class E Commonwealth Bank Class J Commonwealth Bank Class K Commonwealth Bank Class L Commonwealth Bank Class M Commonwealth Bank Class N Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00 100.00

SYMBOL AML APD BPF BWL BOB BBL CAB CIB CHL CBL CBB CWCB DHS FAM FBB FIN FCL ICD JSJ PRE CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + Fidelity Bank Note 18 (Series E) + Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +

SYMBOL FBB17 FBB18 FBB22

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-3Y BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-5Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0103 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0405 BG0407

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.07 3.95 1.96 170.77 146.34 1.50 1.67 1.58 1.10 6.99 8.54 6.15 10.52 11.46 10.46

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.44 1.63 1.55 1.04 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57

LAST CLOSE 4.28 17.43 9.09 3.70 1.39 0.14 3.92 8.60 6.10 10.47 10.01 2.38 1.55 6.00 9.75 7.08 10.25 7.01 12.50 10.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 100.00 109.13 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 4.28 17.43 9.09 3.70 1.39 0.14 3.92 8.60 6.10 10.60 10.01 2.40 1.55 6.00 9.75 7.08 10.25 7.01 12.50 10.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00

109.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.27 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund

VOLUME 165

912 5,000

280

VOLUME

NAV 2.07 3.95 1.96 174.30 146.25 1.50 1.63 1.58 1.08 6.92 8.03 6.15 10.52 11.46 10.01

EPS$ 0.467 0.932 -0.230 0.540 -0.340 0.000 -0.857 0.574 0.681 0.540 0.559 0.102 0.455 1.212 0.768 0.575 0.929 -0.602 0.697 0.000

DIV$ 0.080 1.000 0.000 0.210 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.300 0.220 0.360 0.570 0.060 0.060 0.290 0.450 0.000 0.340 0.140 0.620 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 9.2 18.7 N/M 6.9 N/M N/M -4.6 15.0 9.0 19.6 17.9 23.5 3.4 5.0 12.7 12.3 11.0 -11.6 17.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST 7.00% 6.00% Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2017 31-May-2018 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 3.88% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2017 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 2.34% 4.55% 0.90% 1.64% 1.21% 2.55% 3.48% 4.01% 3.17% 7.00% 2.15% 4.22% -1.93% -1.89% 0.81% 2.21% 2.28% 1.30% -1.08% 1.77% -5.96% -3.05% 1.90% 4.59% 7.24% 11.96% 2.77% 3.88% 3.94% 4.69%

NAV Date 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 31-May-2017 30-May-2017 30-May-2017 30-May-2017 30-May-2017 30-May-2017

MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

YIELD 1.87% 5.74% 0.00% 5.68% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.49% 3.61% 3.40% 5.69% 2.50% 3.87% 4.83% 4.62% 0.00% 3.32% 2.00% 4.96% 0.00%

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225

It calls for incorporating all EU laws into U.K. statutes so they can then be kept, amended or scrapped

by Britain’s Parliament. The government says that will fulfill the promise of antiEU campaigners during last year’s referendum to “take back control” of the country from Brussels to London.

Critics say the bill gives the government too much power, because it allows ministers to fix “deficiencies” in EU law without the parliamentary scrutiny usually needed to make or amend legislation. Such measures are often referred to as “Henry VIII powers” after the 16th century king’s bid to legislate by proclamation.

Opponents worry the government could use the powers to water down environmental standards, employment regulations or human rights protections.

Labour Party lawmaker Chris Bryant said the bill “pretends to bring back power to this country, but it actually represents the biggest peacetime power grab by the executive over the legislature, by the government over Parliament, in 100 years.”

Members of Labour, the main opposition party, were ordered by their leader to

vote against the bill. A few rebelled or abstained, wary of being seen as trying to frustrate voters’ decision to leave the EU. Pro-EU lawmakers from the governing Conservatives largely backed the bill, saying they would try to amend it at the forthcoming committee stage.

The government needs to pass the bill to keep its Brexit plans on track. It has been almost 15 months since Britain voted to leave the 28-nation bloc, and nearly six months since the government triggered the two-year countdown to exit.

Since then, negotiations between Britain and the EU have made little progress on key issues including the status of the Ireland-Northern Ireland border and the amount Britain must pay to settle its financial commitments to the bloc.

May’s authority took a battering when she called a snap election in June seeking to increase her majority in Parliament and strengthen her negotiating hand. The move backfired when voters stripped the Conservatives of their majority, leaving May reliant on support from a small Northern Ireland party to govern.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, SHANTELL ROLLE and DARONN FLOWERS of Pinewood Gardens, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change our child’s name from KALLIN BERNARD DAVARGO ENEAS to DAVARGO BERNARD ZHIRONN FLOWERS. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742 Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that EPERANZA ARMASREATEGUI HANNA of P.O.BOX SB-51674 NASSAU, BAHAMAS, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of September, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 12, 2017, PAGE 5

B O DY A N D M I N D

CANNED items donated to Hands For Cans food drive in Harbour Bay

HELPING HANDS AFTER THE STORM

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

W

ITH the hurricane season still upon us, local non-profit organization Hands For Hunger has been preparing to respond to the hunger needs of those in the community after a storm.

Each year H4H prepares for the possibility of a natural disaster while also balancing the existing, ongoing needs of the 43,000 Bahamians who face chronic hunger on a daily basis.

H4H is a registered notfor-profit Bahamian charity led by a volunteer board of directors, a small staff and fueled by the efforts of over 600 dedicated volunteers annually. It is committed to the mission of ending hunger in the Bahamas.

According to the organization’s executive director Zeleka Knowles, H4H has been preparing for hurricane season for the past few months. And in the lead up a canned food drive in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza was held.

“Our focus has been to deliver all the canned foods and non-perishable items in our pantry to our partner agencies with a deliberate emphasis on the needs of the New Providence Community Centre. The NPCC is not only where our office is located but is also one of the hurricane relief shelters for the western part of the island,” Mrs Knowles said.

The organization was able to deliver 1,600lbs of food to the NPCC along with cases of water donated

by Coca Cola.

“Our Paradise Plates community allowed us to donate popsicles, courtesy of PopStop to the children at Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home, and Chef Horatio Smith who worked with us at last year’s Paradise Plates event volunteered his service to the NPCC kitchen for the duration of the storm.

Mrs Knowles said the

VOLUNTEER and Community Events Coordinator, Monique Brennen, poses during the month long Hands For Cans initiative in held at Harbour Bay.

HANDS For Hunger team delivers food ot New Providence Community Center

CASES of Water donated by Coca Cola sits ready to ship.

team at Hands For Hunger will continue to assess and address the needs of recipient agencies. It will continue distributing nonperishable food items in the aftermath of the storm.

“We learned last year, with Hurricane Matthew that the food needs increase after a storm and the availability of food is not always guaranteed as supplies to the island are delayed and food stores, restaurants

and hotels are also trying to recover from the storm.

This year, in anticipation of such a delay, we organized a Hands For Cans initiative where we were able to collect a significant amount of canned goods and nonperishable items as well as a great deal of monetary contributions, all of which will go towards hurricane related food relief,” Mrs Knowles said.

The ambitious task of

ending hunger in the Bahamas requires the support and generosity of donors.

For that matter the organization is appealing to members of the general public to support its upcoming signature fundraiser, Paradise Plates to be held on September 30 at the Grand Ballroom at the Atlantis Resort from 7pm-11pm.

For more information log on to www.handsforhunger. org.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 12, 2017

FLEEING THE STORM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

THE TRIBUNE

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

SOME storms in relationships can be weathered, however when it comes to unions marred by domestic violence a mandatory evacuation is what a local clinical psychologist orders.

Dr Harry Ferere has studied domestic violence for decades and seen the same patterns play out over and over again - a relationship that once began with the exhilarating feeling of love metamorphosis to an unyielding feeling of hatred. Yet the dysfunction and volatility is not enough for some recipients of abuse to flee.

Dr Ferere hails from the Ivory Coast and in his studies specialized in the behavior of batterers. He was trained at Nova University in the United States, where he worked to treat abusers.

What he has always found at the root of violent behavior among perpetrators is the need to exert control over another person. As for the victims, they give up their power and lose control of their own lives.

In 1993, when there were no real programs in the Bahamas at the time - specifically for men who have been violent - Dr Ferere introduced the Cognitive Behavioural Programme.

While the program is geared towards abusive men, he believes their victims can benefit from the skills the program has to offer, helping them identify controlling behavior from the onset and take back their power.

During the 26-week programme which is sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese with weekly meetings

CRYING woman with abusive partner behind her on Mondays from 6pm to 7.30pm, participants are taught various skills they apply to their lives which begins with changing their way of thinking and learning to take control of their emotions.

“Domestic violence is all about power and control and in many cases it starts off subtly,” Dr Ferere told Tribune Woman.

“The control can be as simple as controlling what a person is going to wear or how they wear their hair.

For instance, a woman might wear her hair in a style that her partner does not like. He may tell her ‘I don’t like the way your hair looks’. The woman who decides to change her hairstyle because of what her

partner feels gives up her power,” he said.

Dr Ferere said in most cases there are always signs that indicate a relationship will be problematic and even abusive.

“You may have a couple for example, who decide that they don’t need two cars. So the one who wants to be in control says ‘why don’t you sell your car and we go in mine?’,” he said.

“Now when it starts it’s great. They are in the car talking, they are so in love, they are holding hands and the time just goes by. Then one day one of the partners picks the other up late.

They are furious and says ‘Don’t let it happen again’.

Or the other partner has to stay back at work and is be-

ing accused of sleeping with their boss. What seemed initially to be a good idea and was supposed to benefit them both, turns out to be a controlling move and that is how it starts,” he said.

When it comes to psychological abuse both male and female are equal. However, when it comes to sexual and physical abuse men are overly represented, Dr Ferere said.

Abuse is always back and forth “so even the people who are identified as the recipient in their own ways have been abusive themselves”, he said.

One of the not so obvious reasons women tend to hang around in abusive relationships is because

they are what Dr Ferere describes as ‘long-suffering’.

“Women take on a lot and they have been socialized like this from the home. They are taught to be caretakers of everyone and make sure things are going smoothly in the home and they grow up with that.

Their threshold for pain is much higher, but the more they take the weaker they become,” he said.

And even in the face of dysfunction, and the signs to leave everywhere Dr Ferere said he has encountered women who simply make excuses for their perpetrator’s behavior.

“The reason the recipient would remain is because they have taken responsibility of their loved ones

behavior. They say things like ‘I made them do this and that’, ‘he didn’t mean it’, ‘he is under a lot of pressure,” he said.

This is why the Dr Ferere said the program is designed to teach participants how to control their own selves, their own lives and their actions and not use others as a scape goat. In the case of the victim they can learn they have the power to choose to be in a situation, and learn not to take responsibility for the actions of others.

“If you give this person a blank cheque by accepting responsibility for their behavior, they will continue acting like idiots. Why would they stop?” he asked.

Empowering women - of substance and beauty

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net WHILE ORGANISERS appreciate the physical beauty of the new Miss Universe Bahamas delegates - this is easily dominated by each contestant’s confidence, femininity, grace, fitness, compassion, intelligence and determination to claim her place in the world.

The Miss Universe Bahamas Organisation is determined to dispel the perception that pageantry is superficial. The eight young delegates are described as positive role models, quietly impacting the lives of many in their local communities and as far as Africa.

“These attributes are on the stage of pageantry, on the theatre screen, in the boardroom, classroom, hospital, government, courtroom, politics and churches,” said Loretta Robinson-Thomas, National Director for Miss Universe Bahamas.

Held under a new licensee, Shimmer And Sparkle Lifestyle Limited, and under the theme Women Empowerment Through Education - the 54 Miss Universe Bahamas pageant formerly scheduled to take place last Saturday is now set to take place on Sunday, October 1 Paradise Island Atlantis Theatre, Coral Towers, beginning 8 pm.

All tickets previously sold will be honored.

After having postponed due to Hurricane Irma, the eight women competing include: Danielle Gaitor, Colina Kenny, Gabrielle McIntosh, Ashley Hall, Yasmine Cooke, Azaria Clare, Tiasha Lewis and Sasha Anderson who have all kept with the empowerment mission of the pageant by volunteering their time and efforts to assist with hurricane shelters in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“I received an email from the Miss Universe organisation saying we actually turned our lemons into lemonade. We volunteered our services because it was a way of just sharing at a time when so many persons were displaced from their homes on the Family Islands, leaving their personal belongings. We were at the New Providence Community Center not just to welcome them but to also sit and listen to their stories,” said Ms

Robinson-Thomas.

Ms Robinson-Thomas said the pageant’s new owners William Morris Endeavor-International Management Group ( WME-IMG), are advocates of women empowerment, providing women with the tools to succeed through education, entrepreneurship and humanitarian endeavors.

WME-IMG is known as a preeminent international sports and entertainment representation firm.

“Our new owners are strong advocates of women empowerment and that is what I know of them. In keeping with our organisation, we have been able to attract not only beautiful Bahamian women but Bahamian women of substance. They are accomplished, pursuing education and focused on professional careers. Our delegates, I can truly say that we are really proud of them and they have put themselves forward to represent the Bahamas. That is the structure of the new Miss Universe Bahamas, that is our platform and our mission,” said Ms Robinson-Thomas.

She is certain the audience can look forward to a full and exciting pageant on the night of October 1 with a costume extravaganza expected to kick off the highlights.

“This is going back to when Miss Bahamas committee first began its pageant presentation.

We are also going back to the days when the swimsuit and evening gowns are all judged on the same evening of the pageant. There is no preliminary judging, it will all unfold before your eyes, live. That aspect is also a part of a new brand and showcase. As the Director I am proud of our delegates, their accomplishments and the compassion they exhibit.

I believe we are qualified to compete with any candidate who registered to participate in the Miss Universe Pageant. What excites me most is knowing that we are going to compete for that Miss Universe title, and we are going to see the Bahamas and a young Bahamian woman at her best,” said Ms Ms Robinson-Thomas.

Tickets for the 2017 Miss Universe Bahamas pageant are available at Café Channing Noelle and Shimmer And Sparkle, located at Caves Village Plaza, West Bay Street also at Platinum Bride Couture, Parliament Street, Bayparl Building Telephone contacts are 327-3899 or 356-5080. On the heels of last year’s sold out event at Albany, organisers encourage persons to collect reserved tickets as soon as possible.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 12, 2017, PAGE 7

DEALING WITH THE STORMS LIFE THROWS AT YOU DESPITE their devastating nature, hurricanes and other such tempests can serve up some valuable life lessons. Like the importance of being proactive, making proper preparation and managing limited resources etc.

But one of the greater rewards is it provides an opportunity to understand how well you weather life’s storms. Your capacity to get through the howling winds, torrential rain and extensive power outages etc., is directly tied to your sense of resilience.

While you have no power to stop the many storms of life, you do have the power to build your resilience to weather life storms with confidence. Resilience is that spring like, elasticity that enables you to face life challenges with unbridled courage.

This quality of resilience to navigate such natural disasters requires more than your physical strength. Instead, it takes oceans of emotional stamina. You may not pay attention to your emo-

Michelle Miller Motivationals

Michelle M Miller tional intelligence; however it is a treasured resource for staying calm and thinking up solutions.

Research on the subject of resilience suggests that folks who cannot manage their emotions – often fall prey to hysteria more likely to become overwhelmed by

fear. This is often due to the lack of self-understanding and lack of adaptability.

Having resilience speaks to your flexibility to stretch beyond your comfort zone. It is about trusting yourself to rise up to meet adversities fearlessly.

Understand that being fearless doesn’t mean the absence of fear but the realization that what you need to do is bigger than fear. So, you feel the fear but forge ahead anyway. When you face what you may fear, you strengthen your resilience to face the next challenge with courage.

Confidently weathering life storms also speaks to the many personal hurricanes that we all face from time to time. Losing a job, grieving the loss of a loved one, facing foreclosure, dealing with divorce or handling serious health concerns etc. Each of these can amount to a personal hurricane that wreaks havoc on your mental and emotional wellbeing. I believe that the more re-

silience we develop to deal with our personal inner storms, gives us a better chance of dealing with the many major storms that come our way.

This is why knowing how well you weather life storms is a crucial assessment that we all need to make. When you take the time to build your resilience in advance, it becomes a gift that you give to yourself. The bottom line is, whether you are prepared to weather life storms or not, storms will come your way. The best that you can do is to get busy building your inner strength.

You can start by looking at all the challenges you have already faced. So often we go through ‘hell’ without giving ourselves any credit. Every kind of ‘hell’ that you’ve endured adds to the currency of your resilience. But you must own it.

Nothing will hit you harder than life. Resilience helps you to understand that in life it’s not how hard you get it, but more about

your ability to take the hit and bounce back with courage. This resilience is not innate – it must be developed step by step. We all can benefit from more resilience.

Leader to leader recognize that the stronger your resilience, the better your chance of weathering the many storms of life.

Make today the day that you begin the process of building resilience to weather life storms. In so doing, you move yourself closer to living an empowered life.

Yes, you definitely can do it.

What do you think?

Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 4296770. © Michelle M. Miller 2017 • Michelle M. Miller is a certified Life-Coach and Communications/Leadership Expert. Questions or comments can be sent to email – coaching242@yahoo.com or telephone 429-6770 or visit or snail mail to P.O. Box CB-13060

MILLENIALS TREAD A DIFFERENT PATH DEALING WITH PAIN OFTEN spending their days hunched over phones, tablets or computers and their free time at spin class or playing sports, millennials are the next generation poised to experience chronic pain. Even at their young age, millennials say acute and chronic pain are already interfering with their quality of life.

But while older generations are more likely to turn to medication for pain relief, millennials’ preferred method is lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating right, quitting smoking and losing weight, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

The survey also found that millennials were half as likely as baby boomers to have turned to opioids to manage pain, and 1 in 5 millennials regret that they used the highly addictive painkillers.

But while the results reflect a positive trend, they also reveal a knowledge gap. The survey found many millennials were: * More likely to obtain opioids inappropriately.

One in 10 millennials (ages 18-36) obtained opioids through another household member’s prescription, compared with 3 percent of Gen Xers (37-52), 1 percent of baby boomers (53-71) and none of the silent generation (72-92). * More likely to think it’s OK to take an opioid without a prescription. Nearly 30 percent of millennials thought it was OK to take an opioid without a prescription, compared with 20 percent of Gen Xers, 12 percent of baby boomers and 3 percent of the silent generation. * AND less likely to dispose of leftover opioids safely. In fact, 1 in 5 millennials said they “did not know” the best way to safely dispose of opioids, and only 37 percent were aware that a collection center at a local police station, hospital pharmacy or drug store was the best method of disposal.

“It’s encouraging that millennials see the value of opting for safer and often more effective methods of managing pain,” said ASA President Jeffrey Plagenhoef, M.D. “But clearly they are in need of further education because using opioids initially to treat pain can turn into a lifelong struggle with addiction.”

Learning how to manage pain is vital: 75 percent of millennials say they have had acute pain (which comes on suddenly and lasts less than three months) and nearly 60 percent have experienced chronic pain (which lasts longer than three months). The source of that pain is reflective of millennials’ lifestyle, including technology use (leading to eye strain, neck aches, hand or finger pain, wrist or arm pain), migraines and sports injuries.

It’s important to address pain before it interferes with quality of life by seeing the right specialist for pain management. Whatever the age, people in severe pain who don’t find relief through lifestyle changes should see a physician who specializes in pain management, such as a physician

anesthesiologist who has the expertise and training to best help manage pain.

To help all generations cope with pain, ASA offers the following tips: * Take a break from devices and gaming. To avoid aches from smartphone, tablet and gaming overuse, use devices at eye level instead of looking down for long periods of time, which puts strain on your neck and back. To avoid digital eye strain, look away from the screen every 20 seconds and don’t sit too close to the screen. * Don’t be a weekend warrior. Whether you plan to hit the basketball court after many years away or do CrossFit weekly, ease into it. Warm up your muscles and stretch to avoid pain and injury. If you think you’ve been injured, see a pain management specialist right away. * Remember to move.

Whether you’re in the library studying or at a desk job, get up and move at least once an hour, if not more. * Get healthy. Take charge of your health now and engage in healthy lifestyle changes before chronic pain sets in. Maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet. Quit smoking. * Take and dispose of opioids the right way. If prescribed opioids, ask your physician questions about taking them appropriately.

If you have leftover opioids, dispose of them at a collection center at a local police station, hospital pharmacy or drugstore. This will ensure that others who have not been prescribed the opioids do not have access to them.

For more information about pain treatment and the importance of seeing a physician anesthesiologist, visit the ASA’s pain management page at www. asahq.org/whensecondscount.

YOUR

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY @JOYFMBAHAMAS WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

SECTION B

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Miss Universe Bahamas 2016 Cherell Williamson

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

W

HILE ORGANISERS appreciate the physical beauty of the new Miss Universe Bahamas delegates - this is easily dominated by each contestant’s confidence, femininity, grace, fitness, compassion, intelligence and determination to claim her place in the world.

The Miss Universe Bahamas Organisation is determined to dispel the perception that pageantry is superficial. The eight young delegates are described as positive role models, quietly impacting the lives of many in their local communities and as far as Africa.

“These attributes are on the stage of pageantry, on the theatre screen, in the boardroom, classroom, hospital, government, courtroom, politics and churches,” said Loretta RobinsonThomas, National Director for Miss Universe Bahamas.

Held under a new licensee, Shimmer And Sparkle Lifestyle Limited, and under the theme Women Empowerment Through Education - the 54 Miss Universe Bahamas pageant formerly scheduled to take place last Saturday is now set to take place on Sunday, October 1 Paradise Island Atlantis Theatre, Coral Towers, beginning 8 pm. All tickets previously sold will be honored.

After having postponed due to Hurricane Irma, the eight women competing include: Danielle Gaitor, Colina Kenny, Gabrielle McIntosh, Ashley Hall, Yasmine Cooke, Azaria Clare, Tiasha Lewis and Sasha Anderson who have all kept with the empowerment mission of the pageant by volunteering their time and efforts to assist with hurricane shelters in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“I received an email from the Miss Universe organisation saying we actually turned our lemons into lemonade.

We volunteered our services because it was a way of just sharing at a time when so many persons were displaced from their homes on the Family Islands, leaving their personal belongings. We were at the New Providence Community Center not just to welcome them but to also sit and listen to their stories,” said Ms RobinsonThomas.

Ms Robinson-Thomas said the

Empowering

women of substance and beauty

Loretta Robinson-Thomas, National Director for Miss Universe Bahamas

CONTESTANTS LISTED FROM TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: MISS ISLAND LUCK YASMINE COOKE MISS CROWNED BY FAITH AZARIA CLARE MISS GRAND BAHAMA TIASHA LEWIS MISS CHERRY BLOSSOM COLINA KENNY MISS ISLAND GAME DANIELLE GAITOR MISS BLUE WATER POOLS GABRIELLE MCINTOSH MISS CARIBBEAN SWEAT FITNESS SASHA ANDERSON MISS GOVERNORS HARBOR ASHLEY HALL

pageant’s new owners William Morris Endeavor-International Management Group ( WME-IMG), are advocates of women empowerment, providing women with the tools to succeed through education, entrepreneurship and humanitarian endeavors. WMEIMG is known as a preeminent international sports and entertainment representation firm.

“Our new owners are strong advocates of women empowerment and that is what I know of them. In keeping with our organisation, we have been able to attract not only beautiful Bahamian women but Bahamian women of substance. They are accomplished, pursuing education and focused on professional careers. Our delegates, I can truly say that we are really proud of them and they have put themselves forward to represent the Bahamas. That is the structure of the new Miss Universe Bahamas, that is our platform and our mission,” said Ms Robinson-Thomas.

She is certain the audience can look forward to a full and exciting pageant on the night of October 1 with a costume extravaganza expected to kick off the highlights.

“This is going back to when Miss Bahamas committee first began its pageant presentation. We are also going back to the days when the swimsuit and evening gowns are all judged on the same evening of the pageant.

There is no preliminary judging, it will all unfold before your eyes, live.

That aspect is also a part of a new brand and showcase. As the Director I am proud of our delegates, their accomplishments and the compassion they exhibit. I believe we are qualified to compete with any candidate who registered to participate in the Miss Universe Pageant. What excites me most is knowing that we are going to compete for that Miss Universe title, and we are going to see the Bahamas and a young Bahamian woman at her best,” said Ms Ms Robinson-Thomas.

Tickets for the 2017 Miss Universe Bahamas pageant are available at Café Channing Noelle and Shimmer And Sparkle, located at Caves Village Plaza, West Bay Street also at Platinum Bride Couture, Parliament Street, Bayparl Building Telephone contacts are 327-3899 or 356-5080. On the heels of last year’s sold out event at Albany, organisers encourage persons to collect reserved tickets as soon as possible.